P-component of amyloid: amino-terminal sequence

A homogeneous preparation of P-component has been isolated from human splenic amyloid. Twenty-three residues of the amino-terminal sequence of this unique protein have been determined. The sequence is not that of an immunoglobulin and does not correspond to the sequence of any previously reported protein.     

Immunofluorescence study of amyloid P-component patterns in human nephropathies

Summary The localization of amyloid P-component (AP) staining was studied by immunofluorescence in renal biopsies from 106 patients with various nephropathies and from 3 patients with normal kidneys. Linear staining was observed along the glomerular basement membranes (GBM) of normal kidneys. In amyloidosis, AP was always present in the glomeruli. In arteriolar walls, AP was present in numerous cases with varied intensity. No fixation was observed along tubular basement membranes. The possible modification of the permeability of GBM, related to a possible modification of the electrical charge of the filtration barrier, can be supposed.Chargé de recherche INSERM     

Haplotype analysis of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Summary Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by systemic accumulation of amyloid fibrils. A major component of FAP anyloid has been identified as variant transthyretin (TTR, also called prealbumin). In particular, a variant with the substitution ³⁰ValMet has been commonly found in FAP of various ethnic groups. To understand the origin and spread of the ValMet mutation, we analyzed DNA polymorphisms associated with the TTR gene in six Japanese FAP families and several Portuguese FAP patients. Three distinct haplotypes associated with the ValMet mutation were identified in Japanese FAP families, one of which was also found in Portuguese patients. On the other hand, it was found that the ValMet mutation can be explained by a C-T transition at the C_pG dinucleotide sequence of a mutation hot spot. Thus, our findings indicate that the ValMet mutation has probably recurred in the human population, to generate FAP families of independent origin.     

Complement-dependent acute-phase expression of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P-component

The acute-phase response (APR) is regulated by TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 acting alone, in combination, or in concert with hormones. The anaphylotoxin C5a, generated during complement activation, induces in vitro the synthesis of these cytokines by leukocytes and of acute-phase proteins by HepG2 cells. However, there is no clear evidence for a role of C5a or any other complement activation product in regulation of the APR in vivo. In this study, using human C-reactive protein (CRP) transgenic mice deficient in C3 or C5, we investigated whether complement activation contributes to induction of the acute-phase proteins CRP and serum amyloid P-component (SAP). Absence of C3 or C5 resulted in decreased LPS-induced up-regulation of the CRP transgene and the mouse SAP gene. Also, LPS induced both the IL-1beta and IL-6 genes in normocomplementemic mice, but in complement-deficient mice it significantly induced only IL-6. Like LPS injection, activation of complement by cobra venom factor led to significant elevation of serum CRP and SAP in normocomplementemic mice but not in complement-deficient mice. Injection of recombinant human C5a into human CRP transgenic mice induced the IL-1beta gene and caused significant elevation of both serum CRP and SAP. However, in human CRP transgenic IL-6-deficient mice, recombinant human C5a did not induce the CRP nor the SAP gene. Based on these data, we conclude that during the APR, C5a generated as a consequence of complement activation acts in concert with IL-6 and/or IL-1beta to promote up-regulation of the CRP and SAP genes.     

Molecular genetics of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

We established a diagnosis of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) based on DNA and demonstrated a direct link between prealbumin gene mutation and FAP. The individuals with FAP, so far examined, were heterozygous for the prealbumin gene, carrying one normal and one mutant gene. To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of FAP, we isolated a normal prealbumin gene (7 kb in length) and also a mutant prealbumin gene associated with FAP. We compared their nucleotide sequences and found that they matched except for a single-base substitution present in the second exon. In an effort to construct mouse model systems for the FAP, we developed strains of transgenic mice carrying human mutant prealbumin genes.     

Immunoassay of acetylcholinesterase

There is a twofold rationale for assaying acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (EC 3.1.1.7) immunologically, rather than by conventional activity-based methods: to measure the amount of enzyme protein in samples that may contain AChE of uncertain intrinsic activity; to bypass cumbersome procedures for determining the individual molecular forms of the enzyme. We have developed an immunodisplacement assay and a two-site immunoassay for AChE that are sensitive enough to measure the enzyme in samples of biological interest (assay thresholds of 10 and 0.1 ng, respectively). We have also used immunofluorescence with quantitative cell sorting as a means of analyzing AChE immunoreactivity in normal and abnormal human red blood cells. The introduction of form-specific immunoassays awaits the identification of suitably selective antibodies.     

Selective inhibition of platelet activation by the amyloid P-component of serum

One component of amyloid, protein AP, has a characteristic pentameric structure and is identical with a 9.5s serum alpha 1-globulin designated serum amyloid P-component or SAP. Another pentameric molecule, the acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP), shares major amino acid sequence homology with SAP although, in man, SAP is not an acute-phase reactant. Recently, we demonstrated that heat-aggregated CRP (H-CRP), like heat-aggregated IgG, activates platelets to reactions of aggregation, secretion, and generation of thromboxane A2. We report here that physiologic concentrations of SAP inhibit platelet aggregation stimulated by H-CRP. SAP must be present before platelet challenge with H-CRP to be effective. Native (unaggregated) CRP does not inhibit platelet activation induced by H-CRP, and the platelet inhibitory effect of SAP is restricted because platelet responses to each heat-aggregated IgG, acid-soluble collagen, DNA, ADP, and thrombin remain unaltered in the presence of SAP. Thus, human SAP seems to selectively modulate platelet reactivity to modified CRP, and as such to down-regulate at least one aspect of the biologic capacity of its acute-phase homologue.     

Genetic basis for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is an inherited systemic amyloidosis, characterized by the extracellular deposition of fibrillar amyloid protein, i.e. a variant type of prealbumin, and by prominent peripheral nerve involvement. We recently established the basis of FAP, using a cloned human prealbumin cDNA, restriction endonuclease(s) and Southern blot procedures. This approach clearly revealed a direct link between mutation in the prealbumin gene and FAP; individuals with FAP are heterozygous for the prealbumin gene, carrying one normal and one mutant gene. Molecular analysis of the prealbumin gene yielded pertinent data on the genetic basis for FAP.     

单分子免疫检测技术研究进展*

早诊断、早发现、早治疗是提升肿瘤患者生存率的主要手段。临床常用的免疫学检测方法如酶联免疫吸附法、化学发光法等,其检测灵敏度多限制在10^-14~10^-12 mol/L,无法满足早期诊断的需求。单分子免疫检测法,可将待检测分子限制在极小空间范围内(nL以下),对检测信号进行绝对计数,从而实现痕量(可达10^-18 mol/L)标志物的检测。这一超高灵敏度技术实现的关键在于将检测范围限制在极小体积内。经过数十年发展,不论是物理隔离还是利用纳米孔,抑或通过改进显微镜性能,均可在极小体积内(10^-21 L)对信号进行检测。目前基于微阵列的SimoA检测系统已成为单分子免疫检测的金标准,Quanterix公司基于此开发的HD-1分析仪已进入市场应用。基于微液滴的单分子免疫检测技术主要限于实验室,但具有床旁检测的优势。重点介绍了基于物理隔离形式如微阵列和微液滴的单分子免疫检测进展,为进一步开发超高灵敏度检测方法并促进未来临床应用提供理论基础。     

Immunoassay of infectious agents

Immunoassays have evolved for a broad range of applications since the pioneering work of Yalow and Berson who developed the first competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human insulin in 1959. Immunoassay detection of specific antigens and host-produced antibodies directed against such antigens consitutes one of the most widely used and successful methods for diagnosing infectious diseases (IDs). The number and variety of new assay systems that are continually being developed reflect the increasing demand for immunoassays possessing greater sensitivity, speed, and ease of use. This trend has been driven, in part, by the need for improved immunodiagnostic systems to perform rapid testing and counter emerging IDs and biothreat (BT) agents. Another factor driving this trend is the need to integrate immunoassays with more sensitive nucleic acid-based methods for a comprehensive approach. Here we examine the development of immunoassays, some of the key formats used for the detection and identification of BT/ID agents, and the application of these technologies under different scenarios.     

A new mutation causing familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

The DNA from an individual with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy was examined. It did not possess any of the mutations which have previously been associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. However, a novel 7.0 kb Sph I restriction fragment was discovered, and the mutation creating it was localized to exon 3 of the transthyretin gene. This mutation was inherited from a parent, and may result in an amino acid substitution for glu89, his90 or ala91. The patient's transthyretin has a lower pI than normal transthyretin.     

The isolation and identification of the P-component of normal human plasma proteins

A normal human plasma protein called the P-component, which has a reaction of identity with the pentagonal structure found in amyloid-laden organs, has been isolated and identified with a recently characterized protein, the 9.5S alpha(1)-glycoprotein.     

Biomarkers in the assessment of therapies for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

The identification of specific biomarkers provides opportunities to develop early diagnostic parameters, monitor disease progression, and test drug efficiency in clinical trials. We previously demonstrated that in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) related to the abnormal extracellular tissue deposition of mutant transthyretin (TTR), inflammatory and apoptotic pathways are triggered in the presymptomatic stages of the disease, when nonfibrillar TTR deposits are present. In the present work, to better define biomarkers for future assessment of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs in the treatment of FAP, we extended the search for oxidative stress and apoptotic biomarkers to clinical samples and animal models presenting nonfibrillar and fibrillar TTR. We found that lipid peroxidation measured by hydroxynonenal, oxidative DNA damage measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and cellular redox homeostasis measured by glutaredoxin 1 were consistently increased in biopsy specimens from FAP patients and in tissues from transgenic mouse models presenting nonfibrillar TTR deposition. Death-receptor Fas, caspase-8, and Bax were also found to be increased, indicative of the involvement of death receptors in the observed apoptosis process. Removal of TTR deposition by an immunization protocol resulted in significant decreases of the selected markers we describe, corroborating the relationship between TTR deposition, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Taken together, our results provide a robust biomarker profile for initial experimental animal studies and clinical trials to assess the application of the selected markers in therapies aimed at removal and/or inhibition of TTR polymerization.