Isolation and purification of Rh0(D) antigen of human erythrocyte membrane and its serological property

To elucidate immunochemical properties of Rh-Hr antigens, influence of various solubilizers on the activity, and isolation of the antigens were investigated. As a very sensitive method to detect Rh-Hr antigens, the agglutination inhibition test was recommended in which diluted antisera (1:400-1:1,600), papainized red cells and microtitrate plates were used. Extraction of D antigen with Brij 35 and Triton X-100 was effective, but SDS was not successful. However, D activity of SDS solubilized stroma was recovered by adding reductants. The activity was slightly demonstrated at the preparation from D negative red cells. The influence of the reductants was discussed. SDS solubilized stroma was fractionated with gel filtrations and activated thiol Sepharose 4B. The final preparation with D activity was proved to correspond with Band 3 which was not stained with PAS reagent. Deoxycholic acid solubilized stroma was fractionated with gel filtrations and affinity chromatography, resulting in the preparation corresponding to Band 3 with potent Rh-Hr blood type activities. The activities were detected without reductants and the preparation from D negative red cells had no D activity. Rh-Hr blood type activities other than D were observed in the same fraction.

Immunochemical investigations of Rh0(D) activity detected in Band 3 of red cell membrane

Stroma from D positive red cell was solubilized with 1% deoxycholic acid (DOC) and was applied onto Sepharose 4B and 6B, followed by fractionation with activated thiol Sepharose 4B. By this method Band 3 containing no carbohydrate was prepared. The Band 3 was incubated with human anti-D, then immune complex soluble in DOC solution was produced. This complex was not prepared from red cell components other than Band 3, nor from Band 3 from D negative red cell. The complex agglutinated papainized D positive red cells. Molecular weight of the complex was estimated to be 500,000 to 700,000 by the gel filtration method. The molecular weight increased according to the time of incubation. The complex gave a precipitation line in counter immunoelectrophoresis (IEP), a single peak in crossed IEP against anti-Band 3, and a line at gamma-globulin region in IEP against anti-human serum. SDS-polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis of the complex showed the pattern consisting of fragments of immunoglobulin G and Band 3 which was not stained with periodic acid Schiff reagent. These support our results that Rh-Hr blood type activities are located in Band 3 almost free of carbohydrate.

Serological distinction of H antigen between saliva and red cell in forensic practice

Rabbit antisera were prepared by immunization with O red cells or O.Se saliva. Anti-O red cells (anti-Hr) were diluted with O.Se saliva and each of diluents was adopted for elution method on blood or body fluid stains. Anti-Hr gave positive reactions only with red cell stains. On the other hand, anti-O.Se (anti-Hs) absorbed with O red cells kept activity reacting with latex coated with O.Se saliva. Anti-Hs reacted with various body fluid stains but not with red cell stain. It is considered that anti-Hr and -Hs are useful tools for individualization of blood or body fluid stains in forensic practice.

A simple method to detect AB antigen in blood grouping of body fluid stains

A modified mixed agglutination method is described for detecting AB antigen from body fluid stain. Saline extract of body fluid stain was added to A.Se saliva stain which was beforehand sensitized with anti-A. AB antigen reacting with the stain was detected with the usual mixed agglutination method using anti-B and B red cells.

Binding sites of seminal acid phosphatase to Canavalia gladiata DC lectin

Binding sites of seminal acid phosphatase (AcP) to Canavalia gladiata DC lectin (Can G) were examined. Complex of AcP and Can G produced in a test tube was solubilized with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside and was fractionated with Sephadex G-200. The elution pattern of AcP activity of the complex was similar to that of seminal plasma, suggesting that the reaction of AcP and Can G was reversible. Crossed immuno-affinoelectrophoresis with intermediate gel containing free Can G or immobilized one showed that AcP molecule had two or more binding sites per molecule to Can G. AcP activity of frozen sections of the prostate was inhibited by tartaric acid but not by Can G. However, Can G bound to AcP of the sections could be detected with FITC-labeled anti-Can G. These results indicate that the active site of AcP to Can G is not identical with that to the substrate.

A new method to prepare rabbit immune anti-M and -N sera using blood group substance trapped in autologous red cell ghost as an immunogen

To prepare anti-M and -N of a sufficient potency, M or N substance trapped in autologous ghost was intravenously administered to rabbits. The potency and specificity of antisera prepared were compared with antisera prepared by other immunization methods. Rabbits immunized intravenously or intramuscularly with M or N substance alone produced no significant antibodies. Immunization with the substance loading ghost produced crude antisera of relatively low titers, but they were proved to contain specific anti-M and -N after absorption procedure which were higher than those prepared by usual intravenous injection of red cells. There was remarkable difference in immunoglobulin class between antisera prepared with the substance loading ghost and that by red cell immunizations; the former consisted of IgM and IgA, and the latter of IgG and IgA. It was considered that intravenous injection of the antigen trapped in ghost is useful for preparing hemagglutinin of sufficient titers.

Individual difference of seminal plasma detected with crossed immunoelectrophoresis

Seminal plasma from 120 subjects was examined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis using anti-seminal plasma. The samples were divided into two groups depending on a precipitation line which migrated fast in the first dimension electrophoresis. This precipitation line showed an incidence of 48 percent and was proved to have no acid phosphatase, esterase or lactate dehydrogenase activity and was not stained with Schiff's reagent. Analysis with column chromatography, Sephadex G-200 and Sephadex G-50, revealed that molecular weight of the protein was about 10,000 dolton. The difference was not identified with the other methods; polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and agarose immunoelectrophoresis.

Discrepancy in expression ability of Tac antigen and Ia determinants defined by monoclonal antibodies on activated or cultured cord blood T lymphocytes

T lymphocytes from cord blood and adults stimulated with mitogens and alloantigen were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies that detect Ia and Tac antigens associated with lymphocyte activation. Less than 5% of T cells freshly isolated or cultured without stimuli expressed Ia and Tac antigens assessed by the indirect immunofluorescence method. When both T cells from cord blood and adults were cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), or allogeneic cells, variable proportions of them expressed Tac antigen. The expression of Tac antigen on stimulated T cells increased in parallel with DNA synthesis, and was significantly correlated with the proliferative response of stimulated T cells. In contrast to Tac antigen, the expression of Ia antigens appeared to show some time lag behind the proliferative response. Although expression of Ia antigens was too weak to assess in PHA- or Con A-stimulated cultures, adult T cells were stimulated by PWM or allogeneic cells to express strongly Ia antigens in culture. However, the percentage of Ia+ cells in cord blood T cells stimulated with PWM or allogeneic cells was markedly lower as compared with that of adults. In addition, cord blood T cells grown in the presence of T cell growth factor showed the same degree of Tac antigen as adult ones did, whereas their expression of Ia antigens was negligible as compared with adult controls. These observations suggested that T cells in cord blood might be deficient by nature in their ability to express Ia antigens on activation. The inability to develop Ia+ T cells seemed to be characteristic of functional immaturity of T cells in early human ontogeny.

Discrepancy in expression ability of Tac antigen and Ia determinants defined by monoclonal antibodies on activated or cultured cord blood T lymphocytes

T lymphocytes from cord blood and adults stimulated with mitogens and alloantigen were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies that detect Ia and Tac antigens associated with lymphocyte activation. Less than 5% of T cells freshly isolated or cultured without stimuli expressed Ia and Tac antigens assessed by the indirect immunofluorescence method. When both T cells from cord blood and adults were cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), or allogeneic cells, variable proportions of them expressed Tac antigen. The expression of Tac antigen on stimulated T cells increased in parallel with DNA synthesis, and was significantly correlated with the proliferative response of stimulated T cells. In contrast to Tac antigen, the expression of Ia antigens appeared to show some time lag behind the proliferative response. Although expression of Ia antigens was too weak to assess in PHA- or Con A-stimulated cultures, adult T cells were stimulated by PWM or allogeneic cells to express strongly Ia antigens in culture. However, the percentage of Ia+ cells in cord blood T cells stimulated with PWM or allogeneic cells was markedly lower as compared with that of adults. In addition, cord blood T cells grown in the presence of T cell growth factor showed the same degree of Tac antigen as adult ones did, whereas their expression of Ia antigens was negligible as compared with adult controls. These observations suggested that T cells in cord blood might be deficient by nature in their ability to express Ia antigens on activation. The inability to develop Ia+ T cells seemed to be characteristic of functional immaturity of T cells in early human ontogeny.

Impaired synthesis of intracellular heparan sulfate in skin fibroblasts of Lowe's syndrome

Synthesis and distribution pattern of intracellular GAG were evaluated skin fibroblasts cultured from two patients with Lowe's syndrome and control children. After trypsinization and Pronase treatment of fibroblasts at around the tenth generation of passage and at the stage of culture confluence, GAG were isolated by precipitation with CPC in the presence of 0.25M NaCl and analyzed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis in 0.05M barium acetate buffer. Relative proportion of intracellular heparan sulfate was about 20% of total in Lowe's syndrome fibroblasts and 35% to 40% in control fibroblasts. Incorporation experiments with labeled precursors showed that [35S]sulfate incorporation into intracellular heparan sulfate of Lowe's syndrome was about half that of controls. There were no significant differences in [38S]sulfate uptake into dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate isomers between Lowe's syndrome and control fibroblasts. The results of incorporation experiment with [14C]glucosamine were essentially the same as with [35S]sulfate. There was no apparent tendency for undersulfation in intracellular sulfated GAG of Lowe's syndrome fibroblasts. These results suggested that impaired synthesis, rather than defective sulfation, of intracellular heparan sulfate might characterize one of the metabolic aberrations in Lowe's syndrome fibroblasts.

An interaction between human seminal acid phosphatase and Canavalia gladiata DC lectin

Interactions between human seminal acid phosphatase (AcP) and five kinds of lectins were studied. Seminal plasma was mixed with the lectins at various ratios. The mixtures were centrifuged and the supernatants were assayed for AcP activity. The activity was effectively reduced only with Canavalia gladiata DC (CG) lectin. CG lectin purified by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration was added to two fractions of AcP separated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. There was no difference in the rate of reduction of the two fractions. To isolate seminal AcP by affinity chromatography, CG lectin was coupled to agarose gel. AcP bound with the agarose gel could be eluted with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. Specific activity of the purified AcP was elevated to as much as 54-fold.

Immunoelectrophoretic analyses of antigenic and human specific proteins of red cell membrane

Rabbit antisera were raised for red cell stroma extracted with each of the following solutions; 5 mM phosphate buffer pH 8.0 (A antigen). 5 mM EDTA containing 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol (B), 1/15 M phosphate buffered saline (C), 0.05% SDS (D), 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.0 containing 1% SDS, 1 mM EDTA and 1% 2-mercaptoethanol (E) and 1% Triton X-100 (F). Crossed immunoelectrophoresis showed that E antigen produced relatively numerous precipitation lines, 7-9, against each of the antisera, suggesting that E solution was superior to the others for membrane solubilization. However, the Ouchterlony test demonstrated potent precipitin activity in anti-C, and the antiserum absorbed with monkey stroma which was extracted with F solution was proved to have strict human specificity. By adopting the antiserum to affinity chromatography, human specific antigens were isolated. The antigens gave four bands moving faster than Band 5 at SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis none of which was stained by Schiff's reagent. Using absorbed anti-C, human specificity of blood stains kept us to for two years could be identified.

A family study of an extremely rare Rh-Hr variant (-D-/-D-) in two generations

A rare variant (-D-/-D-) in two generations due to consanguineous marriage was reported. The propositus (T.M., 27 years of age) delivered her second baby who suffered from severe jaundice. She had agglutinin of titer 1:64 in saline and 1:1,024 in Coomb's test against red cells of her husband (CDe/cDE). Family study revealed that T.M.'s father and his two siblings were grouped as -D-/-D-. Each of the siblings (both females, 53 and 46 years of age) had three children who were delivered normally without hemolytic disease. No agglutinin concerning the Rh-Hr system was detected in the sera of the siblings.

Induction of E-rosette-promoting factor in human plasma by levamisole: an assessment in a patient with partial DiGeorge syndrome

A male infant with partial DiGeorge syndrome responded to weekly administration of levamisole (2.5 mg/kg of body weight) with an increase of circulating E-rosette-forming T cells. Thymic hormone activity in plasma appeared to be elevated to a near-normal level of 11.6 ng thymopoietin equivalent/ml after levamisole administration. The in vitro incubation studies indicated that levamisole by itself had no E-rosette-promoting ability, but a dialysable and relatively heat-stable plasma factor induced by levamisole both in the patient and in healthy individuals had E-rosette-promoting activity for the patient's lymphocytes. Such a plasma factor, however, could not be induced in all four thymectomized myasthenic subjects examined, suggesting a thymus-dependent nature of the plasma factor. These results suggest that levamisole might mediate an increased secretion of humoral factor(s) with E-rosette-promoting activity, even from such a rudimentary thymus as in the partial DiGeorge syndrome.

Low urinary excretion of heparan sulfate in three patients with Lowe's syndrome

Urinary glycosaminoglycans were isolated with the cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) precipitation method and the excretion of individual species of urinary glycosaminoglycans in three patients with Lowe's syndrome was compared with that of age-matched control children by means of electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes and by quantification of hexosamine contents. Total daily excretion of urinary glycosaminoglycans in the patients seemed to be normal, but the relative excretion of urinary heparan sulfate was significantly reduced and ranged from 26 to 46% of the age-matched control mean, when calculated on the basis of relative glucosamine content in urinary glycosaminoglycans. Although electrophoretograms of urines from patients with Lowe's syndrome suggested some excess of low sulfated chondroitin sulfate corresponding in mobility to dermatan sulfate, the enzymatic subunit assay employing chondroitinases did not disclose any significant differences in the excretion pattern or in the degree of sulfation of chondroitin sulfate isomers between lowe's syndrome and control children.

The specificity of anti-A agglutinins from immunized rabbits and plant lectins

A+ and A- rabbits were immunized with human A red cells, saliva of A+ or A- rabbits or human A.Se. A- rabbits responded well against A.Se saliva and A cells and slightly against A+ saliva, whereas A+ rabbits produced high-titered antibody against A cells which was abolished by absorption with O cells. Agglutination inhibition tests showed that anti-A from A- rabbits immunized with A.Se or A cells was not inhibited with A+ saliva, and anti-A from rabbits immunized with A cells was not absorbed with A.Se saliva. Hydroxylapatite chromatography separated each of A.Se and A+ saliva into three fractions of which the 1st and 3rd fractions of A.Se and only the 3rd of A+ had A activity. The 3rd fraction of A.Se and A+ did not inhibit anti-A from any rabbits immunized but the 1st of A.Se inhibited anti-A from all rabbits except for A+ immunized with A cells. The 1st and 2nd fractions reacted slightly with anti-A from A- immunized with A+ and from A+ immunized with A cells. D. biflorus anti-A distinguished human A from rabbit one but Mushroom anti-A could not. These results suggested qualitative differences between human and rabbit saliva A antigens.

Human specific antigens and species difference in non-hemoglobin proteins of red cell lysate

Non-hemoglobin proteins (NHPs) of 12 species of mammalian were effectively isolated from red cell lysates with CM-Sephadex chromatography. Polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis demonstrated that human and monkey NHPs had 13 and 11 bands, respectively, but guinea pig and swine two to three bands. Rabbit anti-human NHP reacted with monkey, bovine, canine and badger as well as human. Absorption of the anti-NHP with monkey NHP resulted in preparing human specific anti-NHP. The specific antiserum gave two bands locating near the origin in immunoelectrophoresis. Human specific antigens were prepared by affinity chromatography with the anti-NHP. The antigens were composed of three bands, two of which had slightly faster mobility than carbonic anhydrase and the other migrated fastly on disc electrophoresis. These bands were proved to have neither LDH nor esterase activity.

Developmental changes in humoral suppressor activity released from concanavalin A-stimulated human lymphocytes on B cell differentiation

Cell-free culture supernatants (Con A-activated supernatants) were obtained by incubating peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from cord blood, healthy children of various ages, and healthy adults with mitogenic doses of concanavalin A (Con A) for 48 hr. It is well known that human T lymphocytes are activated by Con A to manifest suppressor function in vitro. One mechanism whereby these suppressor cells act has been shown to be by the secretion of a soluble suppressor factor. The present study has investigated the Con A-inducible suppressor cell function in cord blood, children of various ages, and adults by comparing the ability of each Con A-activated supernatant to inhibit the generation of immunoglobulin-producing cells (Ig-PC) in pokeweed mitogen- (PWM) stimulated cultures of adult PBL. Con A-activated supernatants from adults could markedly suppress the generation of Ig-PC by allogeneic as well as autologous PBL in response to PWM. Such suppression appeared to be equally effective on the generation of IG-PC of 3 major classes, IgG, IgM, and IgA. On the contrary, Con A-activated supernatants from cord blood and newborn infants showed only a negligible suppression on PWM-induced adult B cell differentiation. But the suppressor activity found in Con A-activated supernatants gradually increased with advancing age, and reached approximately to the adult level at 4 yr of age or later. The results suggest that human T lymphocytes may be relatively deficient in their Con A-induced suppressor cell function in the early period of life.

Developmental changes in humoral suppressor activity released from concanavalin A-stimulated human lymphocytes on B cell differentiation

Cell-free culture supernatants (Con A-activated supernatants) were obtained by incubating peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from cord blood, healthy children of various ages, and healthy adults with mitogenic doses of concanavalin A (Con A) for 48 hr. It is well known that human T lymphocytes are activated by Con A to manifest suppressor function in vitro. One mechanism whereby these suppressor cells act has been shown to be by the secretion of a soluble suppressor factor. The present study has investigated the Con A-inducible suppressor cell function in cord blood, children of various ages, and adults by comparing the ability of each Con A-activated supernatant to inhibit the generation of immunoglobulin-producing cells (Ig-PC) in pokeweed mitogen- (PWM) stimulated cultures of adult PBL. Con A-activated supernatants from adults could markedly suppress the generation of Ig-PC by allogeneic as well as autologous PBL in response to PWM. Such suppression appeared to be equally effective on the generation of IG-PC of 3 major classes, IgG, IgM, and IgA. On the contrary, Con A-activated supernatants from cord blood and newborn infants showed only a negligible suppression on PWM-induced adult B cell differentiation. But the suppressor activity found in Con A-activated supernatants gradually increased with advancing age, and reached approximately to the adult level at 4 yr of age or later. The results suggest that human T lymphocytes may be relatively deficient in their Con A-induced suppressor cell function in the early period of life.

Analysis of the process of cell degradation induced by Triton X-100 in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Analysis of the liberation degrees of intracellular materials from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by treatment of Triton X-100 was performed. The liberation process has two stages. In the first stage, cytoplasmic inorganic phosphorus were liberated at a concentration of about 0.01% of the detergent, and in the second stage macromolecules such as lysosomal enzymes were liberated at a concentration of about 0.03% of the detergent. Morphologically, the cells began to swell in the first stage but were not stained by Trypan blue, and the cells in the second stage became fully swollen and ruptured. The staining curve of the swollen and ruptured cells was closely in parallel with the liberation curves of the macromolecules.

Lysosomal acid hydrolases in lymphocytes of I-cell disease

Several lysosomal acid hydrolases were assayed in peripheral blood leukocytes from a patient with I-cell disease by the method of Hindman, J. and Cotlier, E. ((1972) Clin. Chem. 18, 971--975). The activities of lysosomal hydrolases in polymorphonuclear cells showed no significant differences between the patient, the parents, and normal controls, while lymphocytes from the patient exhibited the reduced activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases, beta-glucuronidase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. After phytohemagglutinin-stimulated culture, lymphocytes from the patient showed a more definite reduction in the activities of these lysosomal enzymes; the activities of beta-glucuronidase, alpha-mannosidase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were reduced to about 20--30% of the activity in the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated control cultures, and the activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases to 10% or less. Lymphocytes from the parents showed no significant difference in the activities of these enzymes from the controls, whether stimulated or not.