Expression of luteinising hormone and chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit messenger-RNA and protein in human peripheral blood leukocytes.

Some pituitary hormones are expressed in leukocytes and are thought to play a role in the regulation of leukocyte function. We studied the expression of the mRNA for the beta-chains of luteinising hormone (LHbeta) and chorionic gonadotropin (CGbeta) and their translation into protein in various leukocyte subsets. Monocytes, granulocytes, B and T-cells from peripheral blood were separated. Lymphocytes were stimulated with various mitogens, prolactin and mixed lymphocyte culture. LHbeta and CGbeta mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. LH, LHbeta, CG and CGbeta protein were determined in the culture medium by immunofluorometric assays. LHbeta mRNA expression was detected in all cell fractions and cultures and stimulation with prolactin induced LH protein in the culture medium. CGbeta mRNA expression appeared after culture of lymphocytes, but mitogens and prolactin had no clear stimulating effect. The LH expression in leukocytes shown here suggests an autocrine function of this hormone in blood cells.

Chromosomal localization of three human genes coding for A15, L6, and S5.7 (TAPA1): all members of the transmembrane 4 superfamily of proteins.

The A15, L6, and S5.7(TAPA1) proteins are members of the transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF). The A15 is expressed in immature human T cells and in the human brain. The MXS1(CCG-B7) gene which codes for A15 contains triplet nucleotide repeats which have been associated with neuropsychiatric diseases such as Huntington's chorea, fragile X syndrome, and myotonic dystrophy. The L6 antigen is mainly expressed in lung, breast, colon, ovarian carcinomas, and healthy epithelial tissue in humans. The S5.7(TAPA1) antigen is expressed in most human cell lines and is shown to be associated with B-cell surface molecules CD19 and Leu-13. In this study we have used interspecies specific somatic cell hybrids and human-specific cDNA probes to localize the A15 (MXS1), L6 (M3S1), and TAPA1 genes to Xq11, 3q21-25, and 11p15.5, respectively.

Knowledge-based approach to clinical decision-support system, with an application in tetanus serology.

In tetanus immunization, the need for a booster vaccination can be easily determined by a serological analysis of tetanus antitoxin. Vaccination without knowledge of the immune status carries a high risk of postvaccinal complications. We have used the Pro. M.D. expert system shell to produce the knowledge base TETANUS, to improve the diagnostic interpretation of tetanus antitoxin findings. This knowledge base is comprehensive, runnable, useful, and modifiable by anyone who works with Pro.M.D. and is able to provide medical knowledge in this field.

The gene coding for erythrocyte protein band 7.2b (EPB72) is located in band q34.1 of human chromosome 9.

Human erythrocyte integral membrane protein band 7 (also termed protein 7.2b or stomatin) is involved in the Na+/K+ permeability of red cells. A cDNA clone coding for this protein was used as a probe to determine the chromosomal localization of the gene (EPB72). Southern blot analysis of somatic cell hybrid DNA panels localized the human EPB72 gene to chromosome band 9q34.1.

[Preventive tetanus immunization and avoidance of side effects of booster immunization]. / Tetanusimpfschutz und Vermeidung von Nebenreaktionen bei Auffrischimpfungen.

Prevalence of antibodies against tetanus toxoid (tetanus antitoxin titre) was measured in 5,235 males aged 17-60 years, 3,069 (59%) aged 20-22 years. Taking as criterion a threshold value of 0.1 IU/ml, 5,071 (97%) had adequate tetanus immunity. 1,301 of 4,355 aged 21-30 years (30%) actually had antibody concentrations above 6.3 IU/ml. Booster injections are especially contraindicated in this latter group because of the danger of side effects with further toxoid doses. Thoughtless routine booster immunization should therefore be avoided.

Serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections by detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies using an immunoblot technique and enzyme immunoassay.

A transferable solid phase enzyme immunoassay (TSP-EIA) and an immunoblot technique were evaluated for the detection of IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. Using the biopsy urease test as reference method, the sensitivity and specificity of the EIA were 96% and 100%, respectively. Immunoblot analysis was carried out by testing sera from patients with a positive urease test who suffered from type B gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and a negative control group. The immunoblotted Helicobacter pylori proteins showed reproducible immunoreactive bands at molecular weights of 130, 93, 75 and 67 kDa. The molecular weight protein fractions of Helicobacter pylori of 180 kDa and higher were found to be of minor immunological significance. Proteins of less than 60 kDa exhibited wide serum-specific variations in reactivity after immunostaining. No correlation between specific immunoblot patterns and clinical signs induced by Helicobacter pylori infection was observed.

Detection of tetanus antitoxin using Eu(3+)-labeled anti-human immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibodies in a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay.

Tetanus antitoxin in human sera was detected with solid-phase immunoassays in microtitration modules coated with tetanus toxoid by using Eu(3+)-labeled anti-human monoclonal antibodies on the basis of an exactly calibrated antibody standard. The use of a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TR-FIA) significantly improved the quantitative detection of tetanus antitoxin over that of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique because of its high sensitivity and its wide measurement range, detecting antibody levels between 0.001 and 12.5 IU/ml with a single serum dilution of 1:100. For the same purpose, two different serum dilutions (1:100 and 1:1,000) were needed in the ELISA technique. TR-FIA is reproducible and can be performed in 3.5 h. A study of 2,630 serum samples was undertaken to examine the age-dependent distribution of titer levels, indicating the decline of sufficient protection in patients older than 60 years. The wide measurement range of TR-FIA enabled fast examination of large numbers of serum samples without the need for repetition, with further sample dilution, as was often necessary in the ELISA procedure.

[Tetanus immunity in men and women in the Federal Republic of Germany]. / Tetanusimmunität bei Männern und Frauen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

Tetanus antitoxin was measured by solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay in sera of 4187 men and 408 women in the age of 19 to 90 years. When 0.1 IE/ml antitoxin antibodies were supposed to be protective, then vaccination proved sufficient in 96% of men and 71% of women. Immunity to tetanus was at a higher level in the younger persons than in the older ones. Between the age of 60 and 70, a rapid loss of immunity was stated in both men and women. Need of vaccination is easily supported by quantitative measurement of the respective antibodies in sera. Moreover, serological screening of tetanus antitoxin antibodies is recommended in doubtful cases in order to avoid hyperimmune reactions in sufficiently immunized persons. The employed method of quantitation is easily performed under routine conditions.

[Abnormal regulation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase in monozygotic twins as the cause of rhabdomyolysis]. / Abnorme Regulation der Carnitin-Palmitoyltransferase bei eineiigen Zwillingen als Ursache einer Rhabdomyolyse.

Severe myalgias, accompanied by reddish brown discolouration of the urine, occurred after strenuous exercise (all-day hockey competition) in a 21-year-old competitive athlete. Creatine kinase concentration was 1914 U/l, but there were no abnormal physical findings. The myalgias disappeared within three days. A biopsy from the lateral vastus muscle in the patient and his monozygotic twin brother showed normal total activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT), but residual activity after inhibition with malonyl-CoA and Triton X-100 was clearly reduced in both brothers. Thus the illness was a rhabdomyolysis due to a, presumably inherited, abnormal regulation of CPT. The symptoms can be precipitated by fasting, marked physical exertion, cold or viral infection.