The complete cDNA sequence of laminin alpha 4 and its relationship to the other human laminin alpha chains.

We previously localised the gene (LAMA4) encoding a novel laminin alpha 4 chain to chromosome 6q21. In this study, we describe the complete coding sequence and compare the protein with the other three known human laminin alpha chains. Although closely linked to LAMA2, the LAMA4 product most closely resembles laminin alpha 3, a constituent of laminin 5. Like laminin alpha 3A, the alpha 4 chain is a truncated version of the alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains, with a much reduced short arm. While the alpha 4 molecule is most similar to alpha 3, it shares some features of the C-terminal domains G4 and G5 in common with alpha 2. Unlike the LAMA3 gene, LAMA4 appears to encode only a single transcript, as determined by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The cDNA sequence encodes 1816 amino acids, which include a 24-residue signal peptide. The gene is expressed in skin, placenta, heart, lung, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. We have also shown that the mRNA can be readily reverse transcribed and amplified from cultured dermal fibroblasts.

Genetic linkage to the type VII collagen gene (COL7A1) in 26 families with generalised recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and anchoring fibril abnormalities.

To strengthen the evidence for genetic linkage to COL7A1, we have studied 26 generalised recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (EB) families of British, Italian, Irish, and South African origin. We chose two linkage markers, a COL7A1 PvuII intragenic polymorphism and a highly informative anonymous microsatellite marker, D3S1100, which maps close to the COL7A1 locus at 3p21.1-3. Diagnosis was established by family history, clinical examination, immunofluorescence, and ultrastructural studies. The PvuII marker was informative in 16 families with a maximum lod score (Zmax) of 3.51 at recombination fraction (theta) = 0. The D3S1100 microsatellite was informative in 24 out of 25 families with Zmax = 6.8 at theta = 0.05 (Z = 4.94 at theta = 0) and no obligatory recombination events. These data strongly suggest that COL7A1 mutations cause EB in these families and, combined with previous studies, indicate locus homogeneity. The importance of anchoring fibrils for dermal-epidermal adhesion is further underlined. D3S1100 may later prove useful in prenatal diagnosis of this disease, if used in combination with other markers.

Localization of the gene (LAMA4) to chromosome 6q21 and isolation of a partial cDNA encoding a variant laminin A chain.

Laminin is a basement membrane glycoprotein composed of three nonidentical chains, A, B1, and B2. Variant chains such as merosin and S-laminin have been found in different tissues. We have isolated a cDNA encoding a novel laminin A variant that hybridizes to a 6.45-kb mRNA. Using amplification of genomic DNA and flow-sorted chromosomes we have assigned the gene (LAMA4) for this new laminin A variant to chromosome 6. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of a YAC clone further localized the gene to 6q21.

Stickler syndrome: correlation between vitreoretinal phenotypes and linkage to COL 2A1.

Stickler syndrome is an autosomal dominantly inherited condition characterised by ocular, articular, facial, auditory and oral features. There is locus heterogeneity with about two thirds of families showing linkage to the gene encoding type II procollagen (COL 2A1). Clinical overlap with Marshall's, Wagner's and other syndromes has caused considerable confusion but the importance of the congenital vitreous anomaly, as first described by Scott, has not previously been emphasised. This study examines the linkage of two vitreo-retinal phenotype subgroups of Stickler syndrome to COL 2A1. A total of 97 affected patients from 24 pedigrees were examined. This is the largest published series of Stickler syndrome patients to date and all have undergone full clinical and ophthalmological examination by a single investigator. A clinical classification is proposed based on vitreoretinal phenotype. All patients demonstrating the congenital vitreous anomaly have been designated Stickler syndrome type 1 and those without the congenital vitreous anomaly as Stickler syndrome type 2 patients. There were 69 affected patients from 20 unrelated type 1 pedigrees and 28 affected patients from 4 unrelated type 2 pedigrees. Using two markers at the COL 2A1 locus, Stickler syndrome type 1 pedigrees showed complete linkage to COL 2A1 with a maximum lod score of 12.33 at zero recombination. Linkage to COL 2A1 was excluded in the two type 2 pedigrees that were informative. From these data it appears that this clinical classification is a useful first step in resolving the genetic heterogeneity in this condition.

Inhibition of mouse spleen cell activity by organotin compounds: effect of attachment of a maltose residue to the organotin group.

Studies are reported on the inhibition of DNA synthesis and the lowering of cell viability caused by bis(tributyltin) oxide in mouse spleen cells cultured in the presence and absence of the B-lymphocyte mitogen, bacterial lipopolysaccharide. When a maltose residue is introduced into the organotin compound these toxic effects are increased. It is suggested that the maltose residue facilitates entry of the organotin compound into the cells.

Linkage of autosomal dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in three British families to the marker D3S2 close to the COL7A1 locus.

Linkage of the anonymous marker D3S2 at 3p21 has been shown in three British families with dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with a combined lod score of 6.75 at theta = 0. This locus is close to the collagen type VII locus implying that abnormalities of this gene cause dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Is epidermal cell proliferation in psoriatic skin grafts on nude mice driven by T-cell derived cytokines?

Plasminogen activity and DNA synthesis by epidermal cells have been reported to be doubled in psoriatic skin grafts compared with grafts of normal skin 6 weeks after transplantation to nude mice. In our study human lymphocytes disappeared from such grafts within 48 h whilst some DR-positive human dendritic cells were retained in the grafts for up to 4 weeks. However, the grafts were infiltrated by Thy 1.2+ mouse lymphocytes within 6 days and this infiltration persisted at a moderate level throughout the observation period. It consisted of perivascular aggregates, scattered dermal and papillary T cells, and some mouse T cells were also found in the epidermal compartment. Grafts of psoriatic and non-psoriatic control skin were infiltrated to a similar extent, suggesting a low-grade rejection response against the human xenografts. These findings raise the possibility that psoriatic keratinocytes are responding abnormally to inflammatory cytokines released by mouse lymphocytes reacting against the skin grafts.

On the feasibility of inducing tolerance in man: a study in the cynomolgus monkey.

Our previous work on the in vitro generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from the blood of 15-22-week-old fetuses, and on the induction of immunological tolerane in both radiation chimeras and neonatal mice, using T lymphocyte-depleted allogeneic bone marrow cells, has led us to believe that it should be possible to establish red cell chimerism in human fetuses by the infusion of allogeneic adult bone marrow cells. The essential prerequisite appears to be the removal of immunocompetent T lymphocytes from the bone marrow transplant, for new T cells generated from donor stem cells become tolerant to the histocompatibility antigens of the host's thymus and cannot, therefore, cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Such an approach could be used in the treatment of fetuses diagnosed at an early stage as suffering from life-threatening inherited blood disorders. The experiments described here were designed to test this hypothesis in a sub-human primate species, Macaca fascicularis. Twenty-two cynomolgus monkeys received infusions of haploidentical (paternal) bone marrow between days 51 and 95 of gestation. There was no evidence of chimerism in animals inoculated after day 75 from mating. Eight out of 14 fetuses inoculated before day 70 were late intra-uterine deaths, four were hydropic and in one, histological confirmation of GVHD was obtained, indicating that tolerance can be induced at this time, as GVHD can occur only if donor cells survive. The T cell-depletion technique used here did not appear to prevent GVHD.

The inhibitory effect of histamine on lymphoid tissue proliferation in mice.

Histamine, injected subcutaneously (10 mg/kg), inhibited the DNA synthesis response to a contact-sensitizing agent (picryl chloride) and also had an inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis in untreated mice. The synthesis was measured by 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation in spleen, lung, liver, and peripheral lymph nodes and the inhibitory effect was marked and consistent in spleen in both sensitized and nonsensitized animals, but was variable in the other tissues. Since histamine is believed to activate suppressor cells, it is suggested that the inhibition of DNA synthesis in picryl chloride-treated mice is due to the activation of those suppressor cells which limit the specific DNA synthesis in response to the contact-sensitizing agent. The inhibition of DNA synthesis in untreated mice could be due to the activation of suppressor cells that control the ongoing immune response to environmental antigens.