ABSTRACT
The presence, level and disease activity relationships of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are unresolved. We measured CSF immunoreactive myelin basic protein (MBP), a marker of acute myelin damage, and sIL-2R levels in the CSF from 11 patients with active relapsing remitting (RR) MS, five with stable RR MS, eight with chronic progressive (CP) MS, five with other neurologic diseases, and three normal controls. No measurable (less than 100 units/ml) sIL-2R was present in any of the samples. Conversely, MBP levels were elevated in the active RR group compared to the other four groups. These results indicate that, at the sensitivity of assays currently available, levels of CSF sIL-2R do not correlate with the diagnosis or disease activity of MS.
Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis/cerebrospinal fluid , Myelin Basic Protein/cerebrospinal fluid , Receptors, Interleukin-2/cerebrospinal fluid , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology , Recurrence , SolubilityABSTRACT
Murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) selective for an idiotope on a monoclonal antibody (IgG1/kappa) to human myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide 80-89 were prepared by immunization with a synthetic decapeptide specified by RNA that is complementary to the mRNA for human MBP peptide 80-89. The monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody (anti-ID) reacted with the MAb to human MBP peptide 80-89 but not with a MAb to bovine MBP peptide 79-88 or to murine myeloma IgG1. The reaction between the monoclonal anti-ID and the MAb to the human MBP peptide 80-89 could be inhibited by human MBP peptide 80-89 and to a more limited degree with human MBP peptide 76-85 and bovine MBP peptide 79-88, but not by human MBP peptides 69-81 and 85-96. Practically, the use of a complementary peptide for stimulating an anti-ID response permits a more selective and feasible method for preparing anti-ID reagents. Theoretically, these results provide further support for the molecular basis of the network hypothesis.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Immunization , Immunoglobulin Idiotypes/immunology , Myelin Basic Protein/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Antibodies, Monoclonal/analysis , Humans , Immunoglobulin Isotypes , Immunoglobulin Light Chains , Myelin Basic Protein/immunology , Peptides/genetics , Peptides/immunologyABSTRACT
A prospective study of 84 renal graft recipients demonstrated cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after transplantation in 37% of patients. Reactivation infection was found in 20 of 44 patients (46%) who were seropositive for CMV prior to transplant and primary CMV disease occurred in 11 of 40 (28%) initially seronegative patients. Nearly all cases of primary disease (91%) were associated with symptoms and in these cases CMV was probably acquired via the donated kidneys. Only 35% of the reactivation infections were associated with clinical symptoms. Actuarial life tables indicated that CMV disease did not reduce the length of graft survival. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections were diagnosed in 44 (52%) of the patients and included a fatal case of disseminated disease associated with hepatitis.
Subject(s)
Cytomegalovirus Infections/etiology , Herpes Simplex/etiology , Kidney Transplantation , Graft Survival , Humans , Postoperative Complications , Prospective Studies , Tissue DonorsABSTRACT
A rare occurrence of disseminated herpes simplex virus infection with hepatitis in an adult renal transplant recipient is described.
