Gene gun-based nucleic acid immunization: elicitation of humoral and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses following epidermal delivery of nanogram quantities of DNA

Particle-mediated (gene gun) DNA transfer to the epidermis was evaluated for its ability to elicit humoral and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses using decreasing quantities of plasmid DNA-based antigen expression vectors. Using plasmids encoding human growth hormone, human alpha-1-antitrypsin, and influenza virus nucleoprotein, strong immune responses were observed in mice following immunization with as little as 16 ng of DNA using an electric discharge gene delivery system. Significant antibody titers were observed against these antigens following a primary immunization, with responses rising dramatically following a boost. Increasing the DNA dose above 16 ng per immunization had little beneficial effect. In contrast to particle-mediated DNA delivery, intramuscular or intradermal inoculation required greater than 5000-fold more DNA to achieve comparable results. Data are also presented demonstrating that a simple, hand-held version of the Accell DNA delivery system, employing compressed helium as the particle motive force, achieves immune responses comparable to the traditional electric discharge device.

Analysis of allele-specific contact sites of natural HLA-DR17 ligands

The sequence motif of peptide ligands naturally associated with DR17 has indicated conserved residues at the relative positions P1-P4-P6-P 8.9 or 10. Eight naturally processed DR17 ligands were synthesized to study the role of conserved residues in DR17 binding. In their majority, they showed an excellent ability to bind to purified DR17 molecules. Binding experiments with variant peptides confirmed aspartate as the DR17-specific contact site at P4. In addition, hydrophobic or aromatic residues at P1 and P9, probably interacting with the NH2- and COOH-terminal pockets, and lysine or chemically related amino acids at P6 were important for binding. A core peptide of 10 amino acids, bordered by the terminal contact sites, is sufficient, although the ability to bind is reduced approximately 10-fold compared with the binding capacity of the natural ligand. Ala substitution of flanking stretches at either end completely restores the binding capacity to that of the natural ligand. This suggests that regions flanking the peptide core contribute to the binding strength nonspecifically, i.e., by forming H-bonds to MHC molecules. Natural DR1 and DR12 ligands like HLA-A2 (103-117) and transferrin receptor (140-156) failed to bind to DR17 molecules. However, substituting leucine for aspartate at P4 transformed DR1 and DR12 ligands into excellent DR17 binders. This conversion, enabled by a single amino acid substitution, emphasizes the importance of aspartate as the DR17-specific contact site and suggests that terminal contact residues are shared among DR1, DR12, and DR17 ligands. In contrast, additional aspartates introduced next to the contact site at P4 impaired the binding capacity. Regarding this specific role of asparate we expect that DR17-specific ligands will be rarely found among "promiscuous" peptides binding to several different DR molecules.

Intraperitoneal in vivo gene therapy to deliver alpha 1-antitrypsin to the systemic circulation

The utility of replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus vector-mediated transfer and expression of the alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) cDNA to peritoneal mesothelial tissues was evaluated as a means of delivering alpha 1AT to the systemic circulation. Preliminary studies with Ad.RSV beta gal, an adenovirus vector expressing the Escherichia coli lacZ gene (beta-galactosidase), showed that intraperitoneal injection of 10(9) plaque-forming units (pfu) to cotton rats resulted in beta-galactosidase activity in mesothelial cells lining the peritoneal cavity. After intraperitoneal administration of 10(9) pfu of Ad alpha 1AT (an adenovirus vector containing the human alpha 1AT cDNA), human alpha 1AT was detectable in serum for up to 24 days, with a maximal level of 3.4 micrograms/ml at 4 days. Expression of the exogenous gene was localized to the peritoneal mesothelium as PCR analyses detected no evidence of expression of the exogenous gene in any other tissues evaluated. Anti-adenovirus vector antibodies were detectable in serum after intraperitoneal administration of the recombinant vectors, including antibodies with neutralizing activity. Repeat administrations of adenovirus vectors to the peritoneal cavity at 1 wk and 1 mo after the initial dose failed to show gene expression, but repeat administration 3 mo after demonstrated measurable gene transfer and expression. Together these observations suggest replication-deficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to the peritoneal mesothelium offers a promising means to transfer alpha 1AT to the systemic circulation, although immunity induced against the adenovirus may limit frequent repetitive dosing.

The immunohistochemical heterogeneity of atheroma macrophages: comparison with lymphoid tissues suggests that recently blood-derived macrophages can be distinguished from longer-resident cells

We studied the antigenic markers of macrophages (Mphs) in atherosclerotic human arteries by immunohistochemistry and compared them with the patterns in Mph subpopulations of tonsil and lymph node, which are also described. The staining of atheroma intimal Mphs was assessed semiquantitatively in the subendothelial, mid, and outer intima. Three patterns of reactivity with Mph antibodies were recognized. (a) Pan-Mph (antibodies HAM56, EBM11, and CD14 group). Staining was maximal in the mid-intimal zone. (b) Subendothelial Mphs (anti-muramidase, anti-alpha-1-antitrypsin and MAC387). In lymphoid tissue, sinusoidal Mphs and a few inflammatory Mphs were stained, as well as blood monocytes. This group of antibodies recognizes Mphs that are likely to be recently blood-derived (RBD-Mphs). (c) Antibodies reactive with various histiocyte populations in lymphoid tissues (anti-Factor XIII; anti-HLA Class II and LN2) also gave maximal staining in the mid-intimal zone, but differences between lesion types suggest that they are recognizing heterogeneous subpopulations of Mphs. These observations demonstrate the heterogeneity of tissue Mphs and suggest that an insight into the dynamics of tissue Mphs can be obtained from the cell phenotype. They indicate that all stages of atherosclerosis can have an outward traffic of Mphs from the blood through the arterial intima.

Nitrogen dioxide reactivity with proteins: effects on activity and immunoreactivity with alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor and implications for NO2-mediated peptide degradation

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), an air pollutant produced by burning fossil fuels and a component of cigarette smoke, is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema. In order to gain information on the mechanism by which NO2 damages the lung and proteins vital to its function, as well as its reaction with proteins in general, in vitro exposures of alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI), elastin, poly-L-lysine, and poly-L-arginine were performed. The ability of alpha 1PI to inhibit its natural physiological target, human neutrophil elastase (HNE), declined with exposure to 54% of the control value at molar ratios of NO2:alpha 1PI of 400:1 and greater. Exposure of alpha 1PI to NO2 resulted in a 50% loss of immunoreactivity with either monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at molar ratios of NO2:alpha 1PI of 100:1 and greater. The results of parallel O-phthalaldehyde and bicinchoninic acid protein assays as well as amino acid analysis on control and NO2-exposed alpha 1PI suggested a reactivity of NO2 with lysine residues. Elastin and poly-L-lysine were labeled by reductive methylation of amino groups with [3H]HCHO prior to treatment with NO2 in aqueous solutions at physiological pH. NO2 exposure of elastin resulted in the solubilization of 84% of the associated radioactivity of which 79% was identified as [3H]methyllysine by amino acid analysis. After NO2 exposure of poly-L-[3H]lysine, gel filtration chromatography revealed that the 50,000 M(r) poly-L-[3H]lysine had been degraded to small peptides of 1-3000 M(r). Similarly, after NO2 exposure of unlabeled poly-L-arginine, gel filtration chromatography, and total peptide analysis revealed that the 47,500 M(r) peptide was also partially degraded to peptides. These results suggest that NO2 reacts with the epsilon-amino groups of Lys residues (primary amines) and with the amide nitrogen (secondary amines) of surface-exposed Lys and Arg residues in the peptide backbone to result in peptide bond cleavage. These findings are the first indication of NO2-mediated peptide degradation and provide additional data on the potential of NO2 to damage proteins vital to the function of the lung in an in vitro exposure system.

Changes of immunoreactivity in alpha 1-antitrypsin in patients with autoimmune diseases

Recent studies from this laboratory have shown that a monoclonal antibody prepared against a specific epitope on alpha 1-antitrypsin is a valuable diagnostic marker for autoimmune conditions. In the present study we have further characterized this monoclonal antibody and reassessed its diagnostic value in screening samples from patients with various autoimmune conditions. alpha 1-Antitrypsin was micropurified from patients with selected autoimmune conditions and from normal donors. The purified alpha 1-antitrypsin isolated from patients with autoimmune conditions and normal donors was deglycosylated using both a mixture of exoglycosidases and endoglycosidase F. The immunoreactivity of the native and deglycosylated alpha 1-antitrypsin was examined using both a monoclonal antibody and a polyclonal antibody in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA), respectively. It was noted that alpha 1-antitrypsin isolated from patients with autoimmune diseases generated a displacement curve dissimilar to alpha 1-antitrypsin purified from normal donors or alpha 1-antitrypsin from patients with autoimmune diseases subjected to deglycosylation when these samples were examined by ELISA using the monoclonal antibody. However, when the polyclonal antibody was used for these studies, no difference was found between the native and deglycosylated alpha 1-antitrypsin suggesting that the monoclonal antibody recognized an epitope not detectable by the polyclonal antibody.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inactivation of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by alveolar inflammatory cells from smoking patients with or without emphysema

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of alveolar inflammatory cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage from the lower respiratory tract of 17 smoking patients with or without emphysema to inactivate alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-Pl). The presence of emphysema was determined and quantified using CT scan and was evidenced in 8 patients (Group 1), whereas 9 patients exhibited a normal CT scan (Group 2). Patients with emphysema had lower values of FEV1, DLCO, and resting PO2 and higher values of RV/TLC ratio than patients without emphysema. BAL analysis showed a higher percentage of neutrophils and of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in BAL fluid in Group 1 than in Group 2. Alveolar inflammatory cells stimulated or not with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were incubated for 45 min with purified alpha 1-Pl, and the results were expressed as a percentage of inactivation of alpha 1-Pl as evaluated by its inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic elastase or human neutrophil elastase. In Group 2, unstimulated alveolar inflammatory cells inactivated only 3.3 +/- 0.7% alpha 1-Pl and stimulated cells inactivated only 5.4 +/- 1.1% alpha 1-Pl. In marked contrast, in Group 1, a significant loss of the antielastase function of alpha 1-Pl was observed (p < 0.001) when alpha 1-Pl was incubated with unstimulated cells (24.2 +/- 8.9%) or stimulated cells (35 +/- 8.9%) from Group 1. The addition of catalase to the cell suspension was associated with a significant decrease in the inactivation of alpha 1-Pl (from 35 +/- 8.9 to 10.2 +/- 1.2%, Group 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Peptide-induced memory (IgG) response, cross-reactive with native proteins, requires covalent linkage of a specific B cell epitope with a T cell epitope

In order to raise antibodies synthetic peptides are often coupled to a carrier protein to provide the necessary T cell determinants. Alternatively, a short synthetic determinant with a distinct sequence motif which can be presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II to T cells, can be linked directly to a B cell epitope. Recently, it has been suggested that covalent linkage between a class II-presentable T helper peptide and a B cell epitope is not required to induce antibodies against a B cell determinant (Sarobe et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1991. 21: 1555). Therefore, we investigated the ability of an H-2d-restricted T cell determinant (AA 111-120 FERFEIFPKEK) from the influenza virus hemagglutinin, to support B cell responses to different proven B cell determinant peptides, derived from human alpha 1-antitrypsin. Antibodies against B cell epitopes crossreactive with native alpha 1-antitrypsin could be raised only when these B epitope peptides were covalently coupled to the T cell determinant through a peptide bond. No antibodies were raised against the B cell epitope when the free peptides (T and B cell epitopes) were just mixed or when the T cell epitope was conjugated via m-maleimidobenzoyl succinimide ester or bis-maleimidohexane to the B cell determinant. Antibodies against the T cell determinant were raised in all cases, regardless of the mode of presentation: just mixed with or covalently coupled to the B cell determinant. The results indicate that a covalent bond between T cell and B cell determinants in general is needed to induce anti B cell determinant antibodies cross-reactive with the native protein.

Isolation of a protein complex from purulent sputum consisting of proteinase-3 and alpha 1-antitrypsin reactive with anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies

The detection of ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) is of importance in the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and solid-phase assays for the detection of c-ANCA have been set up by various groups, using purified proteinase-3 (PR-3) in an ELISA or RIA. For the isolation of PR-3 large numbers of PMNs are needed. We therefore examined the possibility of isolating PR-3 from the purulent sputum of patients with chronic bronchitis or cystic fibrosis, since large numbers of PMNs and their degranulation products are present in such material. By a three-step chromatographic procedure (4-phenylbutylamine affinity chromatography, Biorex 70 cation exchange chromatography and monoclonal antibody anti-PR-3 affinity chromatography) we isolated a 53 kDa protein that was recognized on immunoblot by MoAbs directed against PR-3 and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT). We show that the 53 kDa protein is a complex of PR-3 and alpha 1AT. This complex is reactive with a selected set of c-ANCA positive sera from patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.

T cell antigen receptor immune complexes demonstrating biologic and proteolytic activity

An elastase-like protease, recently recognized as a specific product of murine T cells, may functionally associate with the classical TCR. T cell elastase, found in combination with the natural elastase inhibitor alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-protease inhibitor, alpha 1-PI), is produced by both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. T cell elastase and alpha 1-PI are found chemically associated with the TCR in an antigen-specific complex reminiscent of the Ig-complement 'immune complexes'.

D-penicillamine and rheumatoid factor

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Adverse effects of neutrophils on the lung

Studies of both emphysema and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) support the premise that lung injury is due to unregulated host defense mechanisms. A major mediator of host defense and injury is the neutrophil, which is relatively incapable of regulating its own function. Accordingly, defects in regulatory mechanisms allow neutrophils to damage the lungs. Emphysema serves as a prime example of this link between host defense and injury. Hereditary emphysema is caused by a deficiency in alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), a protease inhibitor. The decreased levels of this enzyme in affected individuals result in inadequate protection against neutrophil elastase and other proteolytic enzymes, leading to lung damage. Patients with acquired emphysema, associated with cigarette smoking, have normal levels of alpha 1-AT in their lungs. However, the alpha 1-AT in these patients has a reduced ability to associate with and inhibit the action of neutrophil elastase. Thus, both types of emphysema involve an alteration in the balance between proteases and antiproteases. The lung damage observed in patients with ARDS also appears to involve neutrophils, but in this case elastase may not be the culprit. In these patients, neutrophil elastase appears to be inactivated by high levels of alpha 1-AT, thus preventing excess protease action. It is hoped that a more complete understanding of the mechanisms involved in host defense and injury will enable the development of specific therapeutic interventions, such as the alpha 1-AT replacement therapy that is being used to treat patients with hereditary emphysema.

Production of monoclonal antibodies against inactivated alpha 1-antitrypsin. Cross-reactivity with complexed alpha 1-antitrypsin and application in an assay to determine inactivated and complexed alpha 1-antitrypsin in biological fluids

15 different monoclonal antibodies (mcAbs) have been raised against the cleaved (inactive) form of the serpin alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT). In initial experiments these mcAbs were analysed for their ability to bind the native and the cleaved form of this inhibitor: eight of the 15 mcAbs appeared to react predominantly with cleaved AT. Additional experiments with mixtures of purified native AT, AT complexed to neutrophilic elastase and inactivated AT revealed that all mAbs that preferentially reacted with inactivated AT also bound to complexed AT. Using two of the mcAbs against inactivated AT a quantitative and sensitive sandwich-type radioimmunoassay was developed to determine levels of proteolytically inactivated AT in biological fluids. With this assay increased levels of inactivated AT were found in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis corresponding to about 2.4% (range 0.3-11%) of total AT. Approximately 10% of this inactivated AT appeared to consist of AT complexed to neutrophil elastase. The mcAbs described here further illustrate the structural resemblance between the complexed and cleaved forms of AT. In addition, these mcAbs appear to be useful tools for the study of AT in human disease.

Complement C4-derived monocyte-directed chemotaxis-inhibitory factor. A molecular mechanism to cause polymorphonuclear leukocyte-predominant infiltration in rheumatoid arthritis synovial cavities

To reveal the mechanism of the lesser infiltration of monocytes in synovial cavities with rheumatoid arthritis despite the presence of chronic inflammation, the synovial fluid from 15 rheumatoid arthritis patients was analyzed with respect to leukocyte chemotaxis. The synovial fluid possessed strong chemotactic activity to polymorphonuclear leukocytes but rather suppressed one to monocytes. The synovial fluid contained two different inhibitory activities in monocyte chemotaxis. One, which also suppressed polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis, was identified as alpha 1 protease inhibitor. The other, with molecular weight of 8 kd, possessed the specificity to monocytes and shared the antigenicity with complement C4 but not with C3 or C5. A similar inhibitor was generated in normal human plasma when the classical pathway of the complement system was initiated with aggregated human IgG, while it was not when alternative pathway was initiated with zymosan. The small size factor in the synovial fluid, apparently derived from C4, seemed to be a cyto-directed factor that might block an early part of signal transduction system of monocytes in the chemotaxis. After removal of the small-size inhibitor, the synovial fluid exhibited chemotactic ability to monocytes. Therefore the apparent C4-derived factor might play a key role in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte-predominant infiltration in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis.

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver. Clinical and pathologic study of 16 cases with emphasis on immunohistochemical features

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver is a primitive mesenchymal neoplasm with predilection for individuals in the first 2 decades of life. In this study (10 boys, 6 girls), children in the age range of 6-10 years were most commonly affected (63%). Clinical features most frequently noted on presentation were abdominal pain or a palpable mass. In two cases there was cardiac involvement caused by invasion of the inferior vena cava with extension into the right atrium and ventricle; both children died of progressive dyspnea from tumor embolization to the lungs. One patient was a member of a kindred with the cancer family syndrome (Li-Fraumeni syndrome). There were 13 tumor-related deaths (86% mortality); on child was alive with recurrent tumor in the upper abdomen. Complete surgical resection was attempted in 10 of 15 children who underwent exploratory laparotomy; 2 were alive and well 1 and 5 years later, whereas 1 patient had a recurrence in the upper abdomen 3 years after diagnosis. Ultrastructural study (five cases) and immunohistochemistry (11 cases) supported a mesenchymal origin for the tumor, but failed to identify any diagnostic immunophenotype or specific line of differentiation. Coexpression of vimentin and cytokeratin was seen in three cases. Prompt detection of this aggressive tumor with complete surgical resection is the key to a successful outcome, but this is very difficult to achieve. Recent experience suggests that aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy may improve survival in some cases.

Histopathologic, immunophenotypic, and genotypic analysis of Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphomas that express histiocyte-associated antigens

CD30/Ki-1 antigen expression in 243 cases of malignant lymphomas was examined using Ber-H2 monoclonal antibody. Among them 20 cases were categorized as Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma. In two of these cases histiocyte-associated markers were also expressed. In these cases histopathologic and extensive in situ immunophenotypic analyses were used with genotypic studies in the determination of cell lineage. A sinusoid histologic pattern of involvement with partial lymph node infiltration by pleomorphic neoplastic cells was noticed in the nodes from both patients. Solid areas of node replacement resembling metastatic carcinoma were seen in Patient 1. Immunohistologically, tumor cells of both cases were positive for CD30, CD25, CD71, LN3 (HLA-DR), EMA, CD45, CD74, vimentin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and CD68. Patient 1 was also CD45RO+, CD43+, whereas Patient 2 was positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin and CD4 tumor cells. Genotypic studies revealed that TCR beta and TCR gamma chain genes were clonally rearranged in Patient 1, whereas no rearrangements were detected in Patient 2. This study supports the view that some Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphomas may express multiple histiocyte-associated antigens and confirms that this group of neoplasms have immunophenotypic heterogeneity. The results of genotypic analyses used with immunophenotyping does not exclude that the tumor cells in these cases may be of true histiocytic origin despite the Ki-1-positive phenotype.

Prognostic significance of alpha-1-antitrypsin in early stage of colorectal carcinomas

We have previously shown that human colorectal carcinoma cell lines, RCM-1 and CoCM-1, synthesize alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) in culture. We have studied immunohistochemically the incidence of alpha 1-AT on histologic sections from paraffin-embedded tissues of surgically resected colorectal carcinomas and their metastatic foci, polypectomized adenomas, and normal mucosae. alpha 1-AT was detected in 89 (61%) of 145 carcinomas (including 14 carcinomas in adenoma), and 12 (39%) of 31 adenomas. But only 2 (4%) of 55 normal colorectal mucosae were positive for alpha 1-AT. In metastatic tumor cells of colorectal carcinomas in lymph nodes and other organs, alpha 1-AT positivity was 60% and 82%, respectively. The incidence of alpha 1-AT was markedly higher in advanced adenocarcinomas than in early ones and more frequent in adenocarcinomas of right side (including transverse colon) than those of left side and rectum, regardless of their histological malignancy grades. In mucinous carcinomas the frequency was greater (8 of 9 cases) than in conventional adenocarcinomas. Clinical follow-up of the patients with colorectal carcinomas suggested that alpha 1-AT positivity in Dukes' stage A/B tends to correlate with unfavorable prognosis irrespective of the grade of histologic differentiation of carcinoma, but there is no significant relation in Dukes' stage C/D. Our findings suggest that alpha 1-AT in colorectal carcinoma is related to the invasive and metastatic capacity. It may thus serve as a biologic marker for prognosis of colorectal carcinomas at relatively early stages (Dukes' stage A/B).

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a monoclonal antibody prepared against alpha 1-antitrypsin for diagnostic screening of inflammatory disorders

A monoclonal antibody, designated A2a18b8, of IgG1 class prepared against human alpha 1-antitrypsin, cross-reacts with alpha 1-antitrypsin in the serum of rat and baboon, but not with alpha 1-antitrypsin in serum of rabbit, pig, hamster, guinea pig, dog, or turtle. We used A2a18b8 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed for human alpha 1-antitrypsin. Preliminary ELISA screening of 247 serum samples from patients with various inflammatory disorders indicated that the concentration of a specific epitope(s) on alpha 1-antitrypsin recognized by this monoclonal antibody was increased significantly in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, but not in patients with sclerodermic disorders or Sjögren's syndrome. Evidently, A2a18b8 has diagnostic value in that it selectively recognizes a specific epitope(s) on alpha 1-antitrypsin that is (are) apparently exposed during selective inflammatory disorders.

Trypsin inhibitors in guinea pig plasma: isolation and characterization of contrapsin and two isoforms of alpha-1-antiproteinase and acute phase response of four major trypsin inhibitors

Contrapsin and two isoforms, F (fast) and S (slow), of alpha-1-antiproteinase (also called alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor) were isolated in an apparently homogeneous state from plasma of inflamed guinea pigs. Contrapsin inactivated trypsin, but did not significantly affect chymotrypsin, pancreatic elastase, or pancreatic kallikrein. On the other hand, both isoforms of alpha-1-antiproteinase inhibited trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase, but not plasma or pancreatic kallikrein. The S isoform of alpha-1-antiproteinase was present in barely detectable amounts in healthy animals, but increased markedly when the acute-phase reaction was induced by subcutaneous injection of turpentine. On the other hand, the plasma levels of the F isoform, contrapsin, and alpha-macroglobulin showed moderate (1.5 to 2.3-fold) elevation during the acute-phase reaction. In contrast to the previous findings that rats and rabbits contain two different alpha-macroglobulins, one of which is an acute-phase reactant while the other is not, inflamed guinea pigs contained only one species of alpha-macroglobulin. Murinoglobulin, the most prominent acute-phase negative protein in both mice and rats, showed no significant change in guinea pigs. These results indicate that guinea pig plasma contains four major trypsin inhibitors, i.e., contrapsin, alpha-1-antiproteinase, alpha-macroglobulin, and murinoglobulin, the properties of which are very similar to those of the respective mouse homologues, but that the acute-phase response of these inhibitors differs greatly from that of the homologous proteins in rats or mice.

Circadian variations in blood coagulation parameters, alpha-antitrypsin antigen and platelet aggregation and retention in clinically healthy subjects

Ten clinically healthy subjects (5 men and 5 women), 31 +/- 11 yrs of age, were studied at six timepoints (0800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 0000, 0400) distributed over a 1-week span. Circadian rhythms in platelet aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adrenalin (A), platelet adhesiveness measured as retention in a glass bead column, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen, Factor VIII activity and alpha-1-antitrypsin antigen showed circadian rhythms. The plasma concentrations of plasminogen, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and antithrombin III (AT III) antigen, Factor V and fibrinogen degradation products showed no circadian rhythm by ANOVA or cosinor analysis. The phase relations of the rhythms of different coagulation parameters are of interest in the physiology and pathobiology of the coagulation-fibrinolytic system. The extent of the circadian rhythm (range of change) described is not of a magnitude to lead to diagnostic problems in the clinical laboratory. The timing of these rhythms, however, may determine transient risk states for thromboembolic phenomena, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Several but not all coagulation parameters suggest a transient state of hypercoagulability during the morning hours. The recognition of these rhythmic, and thus in the time of the occurrence predictable temporary risk states for thromboembolic phenomena, may lead to timed treatment and/or effective prevention.

[Alpha 1-antitrypsin in clinical diagnosis of primary hepatic carcinoma--an appraisal of monoclonal antibody-rate nephelometry]

This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of serum alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) in clinical diagnosis of primary hepatic carcinomas with monoclonal antibody-rate nephelometry. BALB/c mice were injected with human alpha 1AT. Spleen cells of the immunized mice and SP2/0 myeloma cells were hybridized in vitro. Monoclonal antibodies against alpha 1AT so obtained were used as detection agents in immuno-chemical monitor system (ICS). In 50 healthy individuals, serum alpha 1AT was 209 +/- 46.04 mg/dl. Serum alpha 1AT was determined in 49 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma, 26 with chronic active hepatitis and 26 with cirrhosis. Their positive rates were 43%, 3.8% and 0, respectively. Serum alpha 1AT level was significantly higher in primary hepatic carcinoma than in chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis patients (P less than 0.001). No difference was found in alpha 1AT between patients with benign liver diseases and healthy adults (P greater than 0.05). The results indicate that alpha 1AT is useful in the diagnosis of primary hepatic carcinomas.

[Immunoaffinity purification of alpha 1-protease inhibitor from human plasma]

A single-step procedure is described for isolation of alpha 1-inhibitor of proteases (alpha 1-IP) from human blood plasma using affinity chromatography on immunosorbent containing monoclonal antibodies against alpha 1-IP. Activity of the alpha 1-IP preparation, estimated by means of specific trypsin inhibition, was increased 61.1-fold after the chromatography, with a yield of the end product 20%. The preparation of alpha 1-IP obtained exhibited electrophoretic and immunochemical homogeneity.

Immunohistochemistry of vacuoles occurring in rat hepatocytes after retinol administration

The vacuoles occurring in rat hepatocytes after intraportal injection of retinol (33 or 67 micrograms) were examined immunohistochemically using respective antibodies against rat albumin, human retinol-binding protein, human ceruloplasmin, human alpha 1-antitrypsin, human transferrin, and human prealbumin as representative plasma proteins. The occurrence of the vacuoles reached a numerical maximum 30 min after injection of 67 micrograms retinol, followed by a temporal decrease. Hepatocytes from control rats, which had been intraportally injected with either blood plasma diluted to 2/3 concentration or with retinol palmitate solvent (castor oil) dissolved in blood plasma, showed immunoreactive fine granules without the occurrence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm. Identical vacuoles in serial sections appeared immunohistochemically either immunoreactive or non-immunoreactive for all the antibodies used, with rare exceptions. The occurrence of several rare exceptions suggested that 2 kinds of vacuoles might be formed in different cytoplasmic compartments. A zonal distribution of vacuoles was apparent in the hepatic laminae (or acini) within the liver lobules. The vacuoles were predominantly distributed in zone 2, and to a lesser extent in zone 3 and zone 1 in that order.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin and lysozyme. Their limited significance in fibrohistiocytic tumors

A wide range of tumors were immunohistochemically analyzed for alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and lysozyme in order to evaluate their specificity as histiocytic markers and their significance in the diagnostic and histogenetic evaluation of fibrohistiocytic tumors. Besides histiocytic lesions, AAT immunoreactivity was commonly found in different types of carcinomas and sarcomas, and strong immunoreactivity was found in carcinoid tumors, malignant melanomas, and schwannomas, which, however, had negative results for lysozyme. The AAT immunoreactivity could be abolished with the absorption of the antibody with purified AAT also in nonhistiocytic tumors. The neoplastic pleomorphic cells in malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs) usually had strongly positive results for AAT, whereas only entrapped histocytes had positive results for lysozyme and for two monoclonal antibodies to histomonocytic cells. The results show that AAT has a relatively low specificity as a histiocytic marker, and one should be careful in concluding the histiocytic nature of tumors, such as MFHs, based on AAT immunostaining. It seems also questionable whether AAT can be used as a diagnostic marker for MFH. The reason for the widespread AAT immunoreactivity in various tumors may be that AAT is taken up from serum to various types of nonhistiocytic tumor cells.

Patterns of antigen expression in hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in childhood

Two hepatocellular carcinomas and six hepatoblastomas were examined for the presence of 13 antigens using immunoperoxidase, avidin-biotin, staining techniques. Primary antibodies were directed against alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), lysozyme (LYS), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron specific enolase (NSE), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSA), lactoferrin (LF), desmin (DES), vimentin (VIM), and keratin (KER). Except for HbSA, the antigen staining pattern was unable to differentiate between hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Both neoplasms where positive for AFP, AAT, CEA, EMA, and KER; however, neither stained for GFAP, NSE, LYS, LF, HCG, or DES. Vimentin was weakly positive in those hepatoblastomas where mesenchymal tissue was present in the tumor. Only the tissue adjacent to hepatocellular carcinomas stained positively for HbSA and correlated with the elevated serum levels of HbSA.