Characterization of iodoproteins secreted by phagocytosing human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Neutrophil function disorders

The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (neutrophil) is the most important phagocytic cell that defends the host against acute bacterial infection. Disorders of neutrophil function are suggested by recurrent cutaneous, periodontal, respiratory, or soft tissue infections. Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative bacilli, and less commonly, Candida albicans, are the causative organisms. Treatment is supportive involving surgical drainage and antibiotics. Bone marrow transplantation offers hope to some patients. The biochemical and molecular defects have been identified for some of these disorders. Identification of these defects and their physiologic consequences have improved our understanding of how the activated neutrophil is attracted and adheres to inflammatory sites, and produces toxic products that destroy bacteria. However, the activated neutrophil may also damage normal tissue and participate in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Polymorphism of lactate dehydrogenase B subunit in rat erythrocytes

Lactate dehydrogenase regulator geneLdr-1controls the amount of the lactate dehydrogenase A subunit in rat serum and the amount of lactate dehydrogenase B subunit in rat erythrocytes because no recombinant rats were found among 295 pups produced in the BDIV × (ACI × BDIV)F1 and (ACI × DI) Fl × DI backcrosses. Two alleles regulate the high (Ldr-1a) and low (Ldr-1b) activity enzyme. TheLdr-1is not linked to hooded coat pattern or glyoxalase-1. Sex andLdr-1assorted independently; hence the gene is autosomal.

Hemoglobin polymorphism in inbred strains of rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Hemoglobin phenotypes A and B were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of erythrocyte lysates from 29 inbred strains of rats. Fourteen strains have phenotype A and fifteen have phenotype B, which are characterized by five and six hemoglobin bands, respectively. Breeding studies showed that the phenotypes are codominant and that they segregate in a simple Mendelian fashion in the (A x B) F1 x A backcross. Sex and hemoglobin phenotype assort independently, and the hemoglobin phenotype is not linked to the major histocompatibility complex (RT1) and to two erythrocyte alloantigenic systems (RT2 and RT3).