Total Solution Synthesis of Human Epidermal Growth Factor (h-EGF) by the Assembly of Nine Building Blocks

Human epidermal growth factor (h-EGF) composed of 53 amino acids bearing three intramolecular disulfide bridges was synthesized by the maximum protecting solution method. The synthetic h-EGF coincided with recombinant h-EGF by reverse-phase HPLC, and the sites of three intramolecular disulfide bridges were ascertained by a thermolytic digestion. The synthetic h-EGF possessed m/z 6215.7 in its FAB-MS as expected, and exhibited compatible mitogenic activity.

Induction of Th1 immune responses to Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j 1) in mice immunized with Cry j 1 conjugated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide

We determined whether a major Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j 1) conjugated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide would enhance allergen-specific Th1 responses in mice. Cry j 1 conjugated with CpG (Cry j 1-CpG) induced IL-12 in the spleen cells of naïve mice. Cry j 1-CpG immunization of BALB/c mice suppressed anti-Cry j 1 IgE response and enhanced anti-Cry j 1 IgG(2a) to subsequent Cry j 1 and alum adjuvant injection. CD4(+)T cells isolated from the spleens in mice immunized with Cry j 1-CpG produced higher IFN-γ levels than did CD4(+)T cells obtained from mice as negative controls. Our results suggested that Cry j 1-CpG immunization can induce Cry j 1-specific Th1 immune responses, thereby inhibiting IgE response to the pollen allergen.

Anti-DNA antibody idiotypes in primary biliary cirrhosis

A significant increase in 16/6 Id--a major cross-reactive idiotype of anti-DNA antibodies (Ab) derived from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and hitherto identified in SLE patients and their relatives, was found in 16/17 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The increased serum level of Ab with the 16/6 idiotype (16/6 Id) in PBC patients (median 50 ng/ml) was not found in 6/7 of the patients' spouses nor among 27/28 healthy controls or most patients with other types of cirrhosis. The quantity of 16/6 Id was not correlated to either the stage of disease or the presence of antimitochondrial, antinuclear, or anti-dsDNA antibodies. However, 16/6 Id could be shown to be associated with anti-ssDNA antibodies. The high frequency of the lupus-derived 16/6 Id in PBC may accompany the polyclonal B-cell activation seen in that disease. Of 14 healthy first-degree relatives of the PBC patients, 4 (29%) also had elevated serum 16/6 Id (20-25 ng/ml) and the cluster of 3 of them in a single family may indicate a genetic predisposition to develop PBC.

Suppressor cell function and anti-DNA antibody idiotypes in the serum of SLE patients and their first-degree relatives

Sixteen-six (16/6) is a major cross-reactive idiotype of monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies, which was derived from the fusion of lymphocytes of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Antibodies with the 16/6 idiotype (16/6 Id) are increased in the sera of patients with SLE and deposited in their gomeruli and skin. Since stimulated lymphocytes from healthy persons have the capacity to produce 16/6 Id, the mechanisms controlling its expression in health and their possible failure in SLE are of considerable interest. A defect in suppressor cell function was found in a high proportion of patients with SLE and in some of their first-degree relatives. Suppressor cell function in 15 SLE patients and in 53 relatives was compared with the level of 16/6 Id as well as with immunoglobulin levels and anti-DNA antibodies. Ten of 15 SLE patients and 26 of 53 first-degree relatives had increased serum 16/6 levels, which was found in only 1 of 35 healthy controls and household members. Of the 10 SLE patients with increased 16/6, six had a suppressor cell defect (P less than 0.1). Among the 26 first-degree relatives with elevated 16/6 Id levels, 12 had associated suppressor defect and in only two cases was a suppressor cell defect unaccompanied by increased 16/6 (P less than 0.005). For the group of 18 patients and relatives showing concomitant suppressor cell defect and increased 16/6, a correlation was found between the severity of the suppressor cell defect and the level of 16/6 Id in the serum. The increased 16/6 in the relatives was not associated with hypergammaglobulinemia or with measurable anti-DNA activity in the serum. We conclude that the suppressor cell defect in relatives of SLE patients is often associated with increased expression of antibodies with the 16/6 idiotype. However, additional mechanisms are involved in the regulation of 16/6 Id and the development of clinical SLE, since increased 16/6 was commonly found in the presence of a normal suppressor T-cell function.