Prognostic importance of prostate-specific antigen for monitoring patients with stages B2 to D1 prostate cancer

To evaluate the prognostic value of prostate-specific antigen (PA) for detection of tumor growth after definitive therapy, 602 sera from 70 patients with stages B2 to D1 prostate cancer (26 of whom recurred) were analyzed in a blind study. Using Cox's proportional-hazards model, a highly significant association was found between serially measured PA and disease-free survival time (p = 0.0002). A positive predictive value of 100% was found for some markedly elevated PA levels and confirmed recurrence of disease. In fact, this study suggested that once a PA level of 88 ng/ml was reached, there was an average time of less than 2 months before a recurrence was clinically confirmed. Tumor growth in patients who recurred was indicated by a PA elevation before recurrence in 92% (24 of 26) as opposed to 20% (9 of 44) in disease-free patients. Additionally, in these 24 of 26 patients, levels of PA were elevated 12 months (mean lead time) before a confirmed disease recurrence. In patients who were still disease free, serial PA appeared to increase concurrently with putative tumor growth as shown by the initial surgical stage. Generally, the greater the PA level the more advanced was the stage of disease (B2 to D1). These data suggest that PA may be a useful adjuvant marker for monitoring tumor growth in patients with regionally confined prostate cancer.

The proteolytic activity of human prostate-specific antigen

Human prostate-specific antigen has been found to exhibit a mild activity of protease at neutral pH. This finding is based on two observations: a proteolytic activity was always associated with the antigen fractions during purification, and the proteolytic activity and the antigen were precipitated with specific antibody to the antigen. In comparison with physico-chemical and catalytic properties of known proteases, human prostate-specific antigen is a distinct neutral protease.

Comparison of a full-time mainstreaming program and a resource room approach

A study comparing the effects of a full-time mainstreaming approach for handicapped students with a resource room approach for similar students is reported. Results of the study suggest that the full-time mainstreaming approach, known as the Adaptive Learning Environments Model, exceeds the resource room approach in attaining desirable classroom processes, student attitudes, and student achievement in basic skills.

Immunologic markers and the diagnosis of prostatic cancer

The authors review recent developments in the immunodiagnosis of prostatic cancer. Monoclonal antibodies to prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen, and several human prostate and prostate-cancer-related components are available. Prostatic acid phosphatase and prostatic antigen assays are still the only immunologic tools with clinical applications.

Effective special education in regular classes

An educational approach is described that accommodates, in regular classes, a much wider range of individual student differences than usual. Reported results-from a study of program implementation and related outcomes suggest that the program, known as the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM), can be implemented effectively in a variety of settings and that favorable student outcome measures coincide with high degrees of program implementation.

Circulating antibody to prostate antigen in patients with prostatic cancer

A reverse enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) modified from a prostate antigen (PA) assay previously reported has been developed to measure circulating PA-binding globulin (PABG). Serum specimens taken from normal males, normal females, male patients with nonprostatic cancers, patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, and patients with various stages of prostate cancer were analyzed for PABG. Results revealed that only patients with an advanced stage of prostatic cancer exhibited an elevated level of PABG. PABG was then isolated from prostatic cancer patients' serum by PA affinity chromatography. Upon immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis, this PABG preparation reacted with purified PA, anti-PA xenoantibodies and anti-human IgG. By the immunoperoxidase technique, PABG stained positively in prostatic ductal epithelial cells and negatively in all other tissues examined. An additional PABG preparation, which reacted with anti-PA and anti-human IgG and not with purified PA, was also isolated by an anti-PA affinity chromatography. These PABG preparations were separately subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography for further purification. Three major protein peaks at Mr of greater than 240K, 150K, and 34K were obtained. These results demonstrated that circulating IgG antibody reactive with PA was present in patients with metastatic cancer of the prostate, and this in part was in complexed form with PA and was specifically reactive with ductal epithelial elements of the prostate.

A receptor on soybean membranes for a fungal elicitor of phytoalexin accumulation

Soybean membrane preparations specifically bound [(14)C]mycolaminaran, a branched beta-1,3-glucan produced by Phytophthora sp. which elicits production of the phytoalexin glyceollin in soybean tissues. A Scatchard plot of the binding data disclosed the presence of a single affinity class of binding sites with a K(d) value of 11.5 micromolar for the glucan. To assess the physiologic importance of mycolaminaran binding in phytoalexin elicitation, several derivatives of mycolaminaran were prepared. Reduced mycolaminaran had slightly greater elicitor activity and binding affinity than the native substance, while periodinated mycolaminaran was virtually devoid of either elicitor activity orbinding capability. Phosphorylated mycolaminaran, on the other hand, gave values for both elicitor activity and membrane binding which were intermediate between the native and periodinated preparations. No other tested carbohydrates competed with the binding of [(14)C]mycolaminaran. Soybean membrane preparations contained beta-1,3-endoglucanase activity that degraded mycolaminaran and reduced both its efficiency as a phytoalexin elicitor and its membrane binding at temperatures above 0 degrees C. Once [(14)C]mycolaminaran bound to membranes, however, it was not appreciably susceptible to glucanase attack and could not be displaced with excess unlabeled ligand. Taken collectively, the observations suggest that the membrane binding sites are mycolaminaran-specific receptors which are physiologically involved in the initiation of phytoalexin production in soybean cotyledons. Because the binding of mycolaminaran to membranes was abolished by heat and proteolytic enzymes, the receptor is probably a protein(s) or glycoprotein(s).

Phytoalexin Elicitor Activity of Carbohydrates from Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea and Other Sources

Three unique classes of carbohydrates were isolated from the hyphal cell walls of Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea (Pmg) and compared with other substances for their activity as elicitors of the phytoalexin glyceollin in soybean tissues. Glucomannans extracted from cell walls with soybean beta-1,3-endoglucanase were purified and proved to be the most active elicitors yet reported. They were approximately 10 times more active in soybean cotyledons than the heterogeneous beta-glucan elicitor fraction extracted from Pmg walls. In addition, the glucomannan fraction gave race-specific elicitor activity in soybean hypocotyls. Pronase was found to be a suitable reagent for the mild extraction of glycopeptides from Pmg cell walls. All of the carbohydrates isolated from Pmg cell walls possessed significant elicitor activity, but other glucans, a glucomannan and mannan from other sources, were much less active. Chitin and chitosan, reported to function as elicitors in other plants, had low activity in soybean cotyledons. Arachidonic acid was inactive, despite its previously observed elicitor activity in potato tubers. The results indicated that, for Pmg, the carbohydrate elicitor most probably involved in the initiation of phytoalexinmediated defense during fungus infection of soybean plants is the glucomannan fraction liberated by endoglucanase.

Monoclonal antibody (F5) to human prostate antigen

Hybridoma culture F5 has been developed which secretes monoclonal antibody (McAb) directed to an epitope of a prostatic glycoprotein of Mr 34 kD (Prostate Antigen, PA). Tissue levels of PA have been evaluated using a competitive-binding enzyme-immunoassay based upon the inhibition of McAb binding activity to purified antigen. Results indicated the specific occurrence of high antigen concentrations in extracts prepared from prostatic tissues. The antigenicity of epitope F5 is resistant to tissue fixation and embedding protocols, and has been demonstrated upon immunoperoxidase staining procedures. Immunoperoxidase data strongly indicate that McAb F5 possesses a singular specificity towards prostatic epithelial cells. Other tissues, whether normal or cancerous, fail to express this determinant. Specimens examined included epithelial and nonepithelial tissues along with a panel of carcinomas and sarcomas. The antibody was able to detect tumor cells at extra-prostatic sites and represents a powerful probe for the detection and differential diagnosis of metastatic cancer of the prostate.

Monoclonal antibodies to a human prostate antigen

Three monoclonal antibodies reactive with a purified extractable Mr 34,000 prostate antigen (PA) have been prepared by fusing splenocytes of BALB/c mice preimmunized with purified PA with the NS1 mouse myeloma cell line. The three antibodies were all of the IgG-1 subclass. The antibodies defined two noncross-blocking unique determinants on PA; each present as one site per molecule. IF3 defined one antigenic site and 2G7 and 1C5 defined another antigenic determinant. All of the antibodies reacted with PA in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay and immunoprecipitated 125I-labeled PA. Absorption and sandwich radioimmunoassays showed PA in prostate tissues but not in tonsil, liver, or kidney. Immunoperoxidase staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma revealed strong prostate epithelial reactivity. None of the antibodies showed reactivity with prostate membrane preparations. A sandwich radioimmunoassay used 2G7 as a plate coat. 125I-labeled 1F3 was used to detect 5 ng PA per ml in sera of patients with prostate cancer. These results confirm previous observations regarding the specificity of PA and shed new evidence for its intracellular localization.

A simplified purification procedure for human prostate antigen

Methods for purifying the human prostate specific antigen are described. The antigen was isolated from human prostate and seminal plasma. Purified antigen (ca. 1 mg/ml) from seminal plasma was immunologically identical and biochemically similar to that of prostatic tissue.

Multiple marker evaluation in human prostate cancer with the use of tissue-specific antigens

Serum prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase were simultaneously evaluated in 22 healthy males, 29 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, and 192 patients with prostate cancers at various stages as well as in 30 patients with cancers other than prostate cancer. Both markers were quantitated by specific sandwich-type, enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assays with the use of specific antiserum reagents. Serum assays revealed a discordance between these two markers; thus expressions of these two biochemically and immunologically distinct prostate-specific proteins may reflect different aspects in the biology of prostate cancer. A combination test with the use of 7.5 ng of prostate antigen and 15.5 ng of prostatic acid phosphatase/ml of serum, respectively, as cutoff values resulted in a positive detection rate of 58% for prostate cancers of stages A (7/12) and B (21/36) each, 68% for prostate cancer of stage C (19/28), 92% for prostate cancer of stage D (106/116), and only 10% for benign prostatic hypertrophy (3/29). None of 52 other cancers or healthy controls was registered as positive. This study demonstrates that a multiple marker test of tissue-specific antigens can be of an additive value in the immunodiagnosis of cancer and may be a logical and effective approach at this time, in light of the unavailability of human tumor-specific markers.

Expression of prostatic acid phosphatase in human prostate cancer

By a specific immunochemical measurement, the activity of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in prostate cancer was found to be about 25%, on average, based on micrograms DNA or per cell, of that in normal prostate or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The reduction of PAP in prostate cancer was further revealed by a decrease in PAP protein. The 125I-labeled anti-PAP IgG specifically bound to nascent peptides on PAP-synthesizing polysomes showed no qualitative differences among cancerous prostate, normal prostate and BPH. However, the quantitative binding of 125I-labeled anti-PAP IgG to polysomes of cancerous prostate was half that of normal prostate of BPH. These data suggest that a significant amount of PAP and its synthesizing polysomes was reduced in prostate cancer as a result of PAP gene suppression.

Use of human prostate-specific antigen in monitoring prostate cancer

The newly reported human prostate-specific antigen (PA) is a specific histiotypic product of human prostate. With the use of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay, the circulating PA in prostatic cancer patients has been evaluated clinically. In 96 patients with advanced stage of disease (D2) and receiving chemotherapies, the pretreatment serum PA levels were found to be of prognostic value with regard to the patient survival. Ten patients with metastatic prostate cancer were monitored for more than 32 weeks by 183 serial PA values and were found generally to respond to the treatment. Additionally, in another group of 32 patients who underwent curative therapies for localized prostate cancer, 161 serum samples were evaluated during periods of 12 to 114 weeks (average 56 weeks). Of these patients, five developed metastases during follow-up, and all were shown to exhibit increasingly elevated PA values, either corresponding to or preceding the clinical diagnosis of disease recurrence. These results suggest that PA is a new marker with potential value to merit further clinical study.

Prostatic-specific antigen: an immunohistologic marker for prostatic neoplasms

Antiserum to a human prostate-specific antigen was raised in a rabbit and utilized by immunoperoxidase staining to evaluate its potential value as a diagnostic histologic marker for tumors of prostatic origin. All primary and metastatic prostatic malignancies reacted positively, whereas nonprostatic neoplasms did not stain with this procedure. This is the first immunohistochemical marker for prostate gland epithelium which does not represent prostatic acid phosphatase.

A simplified radioimmunoassay for plasma 11-deoxycortisol

A simple, specific, accurate, precise and sensitive radioimmunoassay procedure developed for plasma 11-deoxycortisol is described. 1. The assay employs an anti-11-deoxycortisol serum generated against 11-deoxycortisol-3-(0-carboxymethyl) oxime coupled to bovine serum albumin, crystalline 11-deoxycortisol as standard, and [3H] 11-deoxycortisol as the radioactive ligand. 2. Cross-reactivity studies performed with structurally related steroids indicated cross reactivities with 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, deoxycorticosterone and progesterone of 2.0%, 1.3% and 0.4% respectively; cortisone, corticosterone, cortisol, testosterone, less than 0.1%; and estrone, 17-beta-estradiol, estriol, and metyrapone less than 0.001%. Due to the high specificity of the anti-11-deoxycortisol serum, the method is simplified by the lack of need for chromatographic purification of the organic solvent extract of the plasma prior to the radioimmunoassay. The procedure was validated by comparing values for plasma 11-deoxycortisol with and without preliminary purification by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 columns (y = 0.99 R/-x + 4.0, r = .98). Pretreatment of the plasma with n-hexane was found to eliminate interferences from high concentrations of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone or progesterone. 3. Parallel dose-response curves were demonstrated between dilutions of plasma with elevated 11-deoxycortisol concentrations and the standard reference preparation. A non-specific binding less than 4% of the total [3H] 11-deoxycortisol was routinely observed. The detection limit of the assay was approximately 10 pg of 11-deoxycortisol which corresponds to a plasma concentration of approximately 0.7 micrograms/L 4. The analytical recovery of 11-deoxycortisol added to human plasma varied from 88 to 108%, with a mean recovery of 100%. The inter-assay variation was determined by assaying (n = 30) three different quality control pools. The following data were obtained: x 1 = 3.8 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L (CV = 15.8%); x 2 = 18.5 +/- 2.0 micrograms/L (CV = 10.8%); x 3 = 43.0 +/- 3.7 micrograms/dl (CV = 8.6%).

A simplified radioimmunoassay for plasma aldosterone

The analytical evaluation is described of a [125I]-aldosterone radioimmunoassay method for measuring aldosterone in human plasma, which requires no chromatographic purification before quantification by radioimmunoassay but does require organic solvent extraction. Rabbit anti-aldosterone serum is used, generated against aldosterone-3-oxime coupled to thyroglobulin. The antibody demonstrates negligible cross reactions with structurally-related steroids. The proposed method uses [125I]-labeled aldosterone as the radioactive ligand. The recovery of D-aldosterone added to human plasma averaged 98 percent. The parallelism and precision of the method are excellent. Seventy specimens were assayed by the proposed method and a [3H]-aldosterone reference procedure, which includes LH-20 column chromatographic purification prior to the radioimmunoassay step (y = 1.03X - 3.0; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01). The [3H]-aldosterone reference procedure uses an anti-aldosterone serum prepared against aldosterone-3-oxime coupled to rabbit serum albumin.

Prostate antigen: a marker for human prostate epithelial cells

Specificity of a previously reported prostate antigen (PA) was assessed by several immunologic procedures. This antigen, restricted in distribution to the prostate gland, was detected within ductal epithelial cells. Continuous established cell lines LNCaP and PC-3 of malignant prostate origin retained the expression of PA. Tumor cells released the antigen in vitro into the culture fluid and also in vivo into the circulation of nude mice preinoculated with LNCaP cells. Prostate cells in culture also specifically accreted immunoglobulin fragments of PA antiserum.

Prostate antigen: a new potential marker for prostatic cancer

A prostate-specific antigen, distinct from acid phosphatase, was identified by immunologic procedures in prostate tissues (normal, benign hypertrophic, and cancerous) and seminal plasma, as well as in sera of patients with prostatic cancer and of nude mice bearing human prostatic tumor. This antigen was shown by immunoperoxidase staining to be confined to epithelial cells comprising the prostatic ductal elements. Prostate antigen was purified from prostatic tissue and seminal plasma, and it was shown to have a molecular weight of 33,000-34,000 with no subunit component. The isoelectric point of purified antigen was around 6.9, though several unpurified isomers with different isoelectric points also were observed. Serum-borne prostate antigen showed a molecular weight of 90,000-100,000 but it exhibited a molecular weight of 36,000 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A sandwich-type, peroxidase-linked immunosorbent assay capable of detecting 0.1 ng of the antigen per milliliter of blood was developed. With this technique, serum level of the antigen was found to increase in patients with prostatic cancer as compared with normal males. The prostate-specific antigen can be a useful marker for detection of prostatic cancer.

Measurement of gentamicin by radioimmunoassay

A sensitive, specific and precise procedure for the measurement of serum gentamicin by radioimmunoassay is presented. The method is rapid, convenient, and highly reliable for this very important measurement. Studies designed to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of the assay are presented and discussed.

Quantitation of prostate-specific antigen in serum by a sensitive enzyme immunoassay

A sensitive sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay has been developed for quantitation of a human prostate-specific antigen (PA). With this method, PA at a concentration as low as 0.10 ng/ml can be detected. The assay was reproducible as within and between assays yielded a coefficient of variation of 5.7% and 4.6%, respectively. Only human prostate tissues (n = 31) were shown to contain PA. No PA was detected in other human normal or tumor tissues (n = 13). PA was not detectable in sera from normal females (n = 17) or female cancer patients (n = 25). A mean +/- S.D. of 0.47 +/- 0.661 ng/ml (ranging from less than 0.10 to 2.6) ws obtained from a group of 51 normal males. Sera from male patients with nonprostatic cancer contained a similar range of PA as that of normal males. Patients with prostate cancer (371 of 442) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (13 of 19) were shown to have elevated levels of circulating PA. Although no quantitative difference in PA levels was found between the benign prostatic hypertrophy group and Stage A of prostatic cancer, patients with Stages C and D prostatic cancer exhibited significantly elevated levels of PA qualitatively and quantitatively. These results therefore indicate that PA is a histiotypic product of the prostate and may be of use as an adjunctive tool in diagnostic procedures of prostate cancer.

Quantitative counterimmunoelectrophoresis assay for prostatic acid phosphatase

We developed two quantitative counterimmunoelectrophoretic (CIEP) assays to detect serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). The assays were designated counterimmunoelectrophoresis-colorimetric (CIE-C) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis-densitometric (CIE-D). One unique feature of these assays was the use of a primary standard for the quantitation of PAP. The sensitivities of the assays were 0.08 and 0.04 IU per liter for CIE-C and CIE-D, respectively. Precision coefficients of variation and recovery studies for four levels of PAP over a 3-month period have shown the reliability of these newly modified assays. PAP activity in sera from patients with early stages of prostatic cancer which was demonstrated to be normal by conventional chemical methods was found to be elevated by the conbined methods in a substantial number.

A prostate antigen in sera of prostatic cancer patients

A prostate antigen has been detected by a rocket immunoelectrophoresis technique in 17 of 219 sera obtained from patients with advanced prostatic cancer. Sera from 175 patients with nonprostatic cancers, including those with late-stage disease of the breast, lung, colon, rectum, stomach, and pancreas, were antigen negative as were 20 samples each from normal adults and age-matched males. Antigen in sera showed immunological identity with antigen in prostate tissue as determined by immunoprecipitation peak enhancement experiments. Using antibody affinity chromatography and radioimmunoprecipitation techniques, the antigen in sera was purified and subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis; it exhibited a molecular weight of approximately 36,000, similar to that of antigen isolated from prostatic tissue.

Development and validation of a choriogonadotropin beta-subunit radioimmunoassay for serum choriogonadotropin using commercially available components

A sensitive, specific, accurate and precise radioimmunoassay procedure developed for the beta-subunit of serum choriogonadotropin (hCGbeta) is described. 1. The assay employs an anti-hCGbeta (rabbit) serum generated against hCGbeta, highly purified intact choriogonadotropin (hCG) as standard, and [125I]hCG as the radioactive ligand. The antibody-bound hCG was separated from the free hormone by the addition of goat anti-rabbit gamma-globulin. 2. The detection limit of the assay was approximately 75 microIU hCG which corresponds to a serum concentration of approximately 0.75 mIU/mL. 3. Cross reactivity studies performed with human luteinizing hormone (hLH) and human thyroid-stimulating hormone (hTSH) indicated minimal interferences from these structurally similar glycoproteins. Parallel dose-response curves were demonstrated between dilutions of sera with elevated hCG concentrations and the standard reference preparation. A non-specific binding of less than 2.5% of the total [125I]hCG was routinely observed. 4. The analytical recovery of hCG added to human sera varied from 94 to 110%, with a mean recovery of 101%. 5. The inter-assay variation was determined by assaying (n=30) 3 different quality control pools. The following data were obtained: X1=4.6 +/- 0.5 mIU/mL (CV=10.9%); X2=8.1 +/- 0.9 mIU/mL (CV=11.1%); and X3=36.8 +/- 2.8 mIU/mL (CV=7.6%). 6. The clinical data collected from subjects with trophoblastic disease agreed with previously published studies. All of the reagents are available commercially.

Fundamental biochemical and immunological aspects of prostatic acid phosphatase

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) was purified from human malignant prostate tissue by means of ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by sequential chromatographies of ion exchange, affinity column, and gel filtration. PAP has a molecular weight of 100,000 and consists of two subunits of 50,000. Owing, in part, to sialic acid contents in the molecule, PAP has multiple isoelectric points (pIs) at 4.2-5.5. In 0.2 M citrate, PAP has the highest affinity (Km 9.2 x 10(-5) M) in hydrolyzing alpha-naphthyl phosphate among the phosphomonoesters. Tartrate and heat at 37 degrees C for 2 hours almost completely inhibit PAP enzymic activity. By immunoprecipitate technique, anti-PAP heteroantiserum exhibited a distinct immunologic characteristics. Further, PAP possessed different antibody-binding site from enzyme hydrolytic site.

Purification of a human prostate specific antigen

Rabbit antiserum raised against the crude extract of normal human prostatic tissue contained antibodies to a prostatic tissue-specific antigen as shown by immunoprecipitation techniques. Using this antiserum a prostate antigen was detected in normal, benign hypertrophic, and malignant prostatic tissues, but not in other human tissues. The prostate antigen was purified to homogeneity from prostatic tissues and showed a single protein band on analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. This report thus presents the first demonstration of the purification of a prostate-specific antigen that does not represent prostatic acid phosphatase.

Evaluation of serum digoxin and serum cortisol by radioimmunoassay with the Concept-4

The solid-phase radioimmunoassay procedures for serum digoxin and cortisol with the Concept-4 were evaluated for specificity, correlation with other radioimmunoassay procedures, parallelism, recovery, carryover, and precision. 1. The detection limits of the digoxin and cortisol assays were 10 pg/tube and 40 pg/tube, respectively. These detections correspond to serum concentrations of 0.25 micrograms/liter and 20 micrograms/liter, respectively, for digoxin and cortisol. 2. Specificity of the digoxin assay was characterized by a 18.3% cross reaction with digitoxin. The anti-cortisol with 11-deoxycortisol, cross reaction with 11-deoxycortisol. 3. The values obtained with the Concept-4 for both procedures demonstrated acceptable correlations with other existing RIA procedures. 4. Dilution studies conducted to determine the parallelism of the 2 assays indicated that both assays demonstrated excellent proportionality between the volume of specimen and the quantity of analyte measured. 5. Analytical recoveries of digoxin and cortisol added to the individual assays average 95% and 101%, respectively. 6. Carryover studies indicated a routine sample-to-sample interaction of less than 0.05% for both assays. 7. The digoxin assay routinely demonstrated intra- and inter-assay variations of less than 7.4% and less than 10.0%, respectively. The precision data for cortisol indicated intra- and inter-assay variations of less than 6.7% and less than 9.1%, respectively.

Non-chromatographic radioimmunoassay procedure for urinary aldosterone

We describe a sensitive, specific, and simple procedure for measuring aldosterone in human urine, which requires no chromatographic purification before quantification by radioimmunoassay but does include hydrolysis and extraction steps. Rabbit anti-aldosterone serum is sued, generated against aldosterone-18,21-dihemisuccinate coupled to human serum albumin. The antibody cross reacted little with other structurally related steroids that are in human urine. Our procedure was validated by comparing values for urinary aldosterone in human urine, with and without preliminary purification by chromatography on either paper (y = 0.92x + 2.9; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01) or (Sephadex LH-20) column (y = 0.98x + 0.6; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01). Values by our procedure also correlated well (y = 1.03x - 0.8; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01) with those obtained with use of a validated commercial "kit" for urinary aldosterine. All reagents for the proposed method are available commercially.

Non-chromatographic radioimmunoassay procedure for urinary aldosterone

We describe a sensitive, specific, and simple procedure for measuring aldosterone in human urine, which requires no chromatographic purification before quantification by radioimmunoassay but does include hydrolysis and extraction steps. Rabbit anti-aldosterone serum is sued, generated against aldosterone-18,21-dihemisuccinate coupled to human serum albumin. The antibody cross reacted little with other structurally related steroids that are in human urine. Our procedure was validated by comparing values for urinary aldosterone in human urine, with and without preliminary purification by chromatography on either paper (y = 0.92x + 2.9; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01) or (Sephadex LH-20) column (y = 0.98x + 0.6; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01). Values by our procedure also correlated well (y = 1.03x - 0.8; r = 0.99; p less than 0.01) with those obtained with use of a validated commercial "kit" for urinary aldosterine. All reagents for the proposed method are available commercially.

Isoenzymes of human prostate acid phosphatase

The isoenzymes of human prostatic acid phosphatase have been studied by an isoelectric focusing technique. Purified acid phosphatase from malignant prostates contained eight isoenzymes with pI 4.4--5.3. The sera from patients with prostate cancer were shown to have similar acid phosphatase isoenzyme patterns at pI 4.0--5.5; as the serum enzyme activities increased, the pI of isoenzymes shifted to more acidic pH. These isoenzyme patterns of sera from patients with prostate cancer were different from those of patients with Gaucher's disease or from acid phosphatase of human erythrocytes, both of which exhibited only one enzyme band around pI 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. Treatment of serum sample of prostate cancer with neuraminidase did not result in a single enzyme band but alter the pI of isoenzymes, which shifted to a higher pH region. The significance of acid phosphatase activities and its isoenzyme patterns in prostate cancer merits further investigation.

Immunochemical detection of serum prostatic acid phosphatase. Methodology and clinical evaluation

An immunochemical method for detection of prostatic acid prosphatase is described. Purified acid phosphatase was isolated from cancerous human prostate. A specific antiserum to the purified enzyme was produced in rabbits. The antiserum to postatic acid phosphatase did not react with acid phosphatase originating from other tissues. A counter immunolectrophoresis, utilizing the specific antibodies and a chemical staining technique, has been developed and clinically evaluated. Sera from patients with prostatic carcinoma (6/20 of stage B, 27/49 of stage C, and 98/125 of stage D) gave positive results. Sera from 19 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, from 89 patients with other tumors, from 12 patients with Gaucher's disease, from 107 healthy volunteers, and from 50 normal age-matched men all gave negative results. The sensitivity of this method was 0.4 IU of enzyme activity or 20 ng per ml of prostatic acid phosphatase protein. Further clinical evaluation of patients in the early stage of prostatic cancer and of patients undergoing chemotherapy is in progress.

Enzyme markers in human prostatic carcinoma

In an effort to develop a sensitive and specific method for detecting human prostatic cancer at early stages, we have studied the isoenzyme patterns of acid phosphatase in patients' sera as well as in benign hypertrophic and cancerous prostatic tissues using isoelectric focusing techniques. At least eight acid phosphatase isoenzymes at pI 4.1-5.5 could be observed. The sera with highly elevated acid phosphatase activity generally contained more isoenzymes with pI values of 4.5-5.0. The purified acid phosphatase isolated from benign hypertrophic and malignant prostatic tissues showed no qualitative difference in isoenzyme patterns although quantitative variations were observed. Malignant tissue contained more isoenzymes with pI values of 4.5-4.8. Patients' sera were found to contain isoenzymes of prostate origin. We have also investigated serum ribonuclease (RNase) activity in patients with prostatic cancer. The serum RNase activity of patients was significantly elevated. No significant correlation was observed between serum acid phosphatase and RNase activity. In some instances, where acid phosphatase activity was in the normal range, RNase activity was elevated. These data suggest that simultaneous measurements of RNase and acid phosphatase activities may be of value in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer. The purified RNase has been isolated from human prostatic tissue and its immunologic properties are being studied.

Cellular and humoral immune response to guinea pig infected with Treponema pallidum

Guinea pigs infected intradermally with Treponema pallidum Nichols strain were examined for the presence of lesions and for cellular and humoral response. Of the 26 guinea pigs (77%) demonstrated darkfield positive lesions between 6 and 20 days after infection. Animals divided into six groups of 4-5 in each were sacrificed between 2 and 24 weeks. The peritoneal exudate cells, obtained 4 days after injection of oil, were examined by the direct and the cells from lymphoid organs by the indirect capillary leukocyte migration method in the presence of 10 and 30 mug/ml of Reiter antigen. The peritoneal exudate cells responded with enhancement of leukocyte migration, reaching significant values between 6 and 24 weeks after injection. The cells from the lymphoid organs showed enhancement of leukocyte migration until the 4th week of infection. Treponemal antibodies, found in all animals, started to appear at the 4th week reaching a maximum titer at the 12th week after infection. The appearance of the antibodies correlated well (p less than 0.05) with the appearance of the enhancement of leukocyte migration. Wassermann antibodies were not detected throughout the 24 weeks of infection. The unique immune responses are discussed in view of the available data concerning natural acquired and experimental syphilis.

Uptake and metabolism of alpha-monopalmitin by rat lung in vitro

CO2 production from and uptake of alpha-glyceryl mono (palmitate-1-14C) were studied in an in vitro system using minced rat lung. Monoglyceride radioactivity was readily incorporated into lung tissue lipids. In a time course of 5-120 min, ca. 2.9-21.9% of the initial medium 14C-radioactivity was recovered in tissue lipids, including free fatty acid and monoglyceride, per one g of tissue. From 93 to 72% of the initial radioactivity remained in the medium during the same incubation periods. The ratio of tissue neutral lipid to phospholipid radioactivity decreased from 2:1 at 5 min to ca. 1:2.1 at 120 min. Most of the phospholipid-14C was in phosphatidyl choline, and this accounted for 80% of phospholipid-14C. Analysis of the tissue lipid radioactivity pattern revealed that during early periods of incubation (5-15 min) there was a rapid accumulation of 14C in monoglycerides and free fatty acids, which decreased with increasing incubation time concomitant with increase in radioactivity of tissue phospholipids and triglycerides. During the same time course, 6.5-85.3% of medium-14C was in free fatty acid, indicating the presence of an active alpha-monopalmitin-hydrolyzing system. After 2 hr of incubation, only 1.8% of the initial medium-14C had been oxidized to CO2. Under the same experimental conditions, 14C-alpha-monopalmitin and palmitate-1-14C were almost equally utilized and the patterns of lipid incorporated from both substrates were similar. It is suggested that rat lungs can utilize alpha-monopalmitin in a similar manner as palmitate after the former is hydrolyzed.