Mapping of antibody specificities to V H gene families

V _H gene segments represent the products of the repeated duplication and subsequent diversification of a primordial V gene element. It is widely assumed that natural selection, operating via pathogens, has played the dominant role in this process. Here, we screen some 3.7 × 10⁴ C ⁺ colonies of mitogen-activated B cells for the production of antibodies specific for phosphorylcholine or hen egg lysozyme and expression of the V _H X-24, S107, Q52, or J558 gene families. These gene families were expressed at frequencies proportional to their genomic complexity among both unselected and antigen-specific C ⁺ colonies. Thus, the capacity to encode equivalent antibody-combining sites is dispersed uniformly among V _Hfamilies. This result suggests that individual V _H genes have not evolved to address specific antigens.     

Ig H and L chain contributions to autoimmune specificities

An Ig H chain expression vector has been constructed by using the V region of 3H9, an antibody that binds ssDNA, dsDNA, and cardiolipin. The H chain construct was transfected into six hybridoma cell lines expressing Ig L chains. All resulting H and L chain combinations had at least some affinity for ssDNA, whereas five also bound dsDNA to a similar degree as 3H9. The loss of dsDNA binding was correlated with a single amino acid difference between two V kappa 8 L chains. A further characteristic of 3H9, its immunofluorescent staining pattern, was shared by four of the recombinant antibodies, whereas its specificity for cardiolipin was shared with five. The transfections reported here show that a V kappa 3 L chain confers specificity for an RNA-associated epitope and that a V kappa 21E L chain prevents cardiolipin binding. These experiments suggest that the 3H9 H chain contributes essential determinants required for binding to DNA as well as cardiolipin but that L chains can modulate or prevent this binding. L chains may also expand the specificity of a recombinant antibody.     

Parasympathetic NANC-secretion of saliva in the mink, and effects of substance P and VIP.

In both parotid and submandibular glands a parasympathetic non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerve-evoked secretion of saliva was demonstrated. Saliva evoked by exogenous substance P was poor in protein, while saliva evoked by VIP was protein-rich. In a subthreshold dose for fluid secretion VIP released protein and potentiated the responses elicited by substance P, particularly regarding the output of protein. The two neuropeptides may contribute to the parasympathetic NANC secretion of saliva in the mink. Further, agonists responsible for the secretory NANC response are also likely to contribute to the secretory response of the glands to parasympathetic stimulation in the absence of autonomic receptor blockade in this species.     

Distribution of H type 1 and H type 2 antigenic determinants in human sera and saliva.

A radioimmunoassay specific for the H type 1 antigenic determinant demonstrated that the H type 1 antigen is under the strict control of the Se gene in both serum and saliva. Similar amounts of H type 1 antigenic determinants were found in saliva from Se/-, le/le donors and in saliva from Se/-, Le/- donors. However, sera from Se/-, le/le donors were about 100 times more efficient in inhibiting the H type 1 assay than were sera from Se/-, Le/- donors. A radioimmunoassay, based on the binding of Ulex europaeus with the H type 2 antigenic determinant, showed that all the H type 2 antigen in saliva is under the control of the Se gene, while only one-third of the H type 2 antigen present in serum is under the control of this gene. The remaining two-thirds of H type 2 antigen in sera is independent of the ABH secretor status of the donor. The amount of H type 2 antigen in both serum and saliva is independent of the Le gene. These results are compatible with the existence of two alpha (1 leads to 2) fucosyl-transferases but suggest that the enzyme of epithelial origin, coded by the Se gene, should be able to transform both type 1 and type 2 natural substrates, while the enzyme of mesodermic origin, coded by the H gene, would work preferentially on the natural type 2 substrates.     

Expression of baboon endogenous virus in exogenously infected baboon cells.

Strains of low-passage, fetal diploid, baboon (Papio cynocephalus) fibroblasts were susceptible to exogenous infection with three independent isolates of baboon endogenous virus, as measured by an immunofluorescence assay specific for viral p28. Infectivity of the M7 strain of baboon endogenous virus for baboon cells of fetal skin muscle origin was equivalent to that for human and dog cells in that similar, linear, single-hit titration patterns were obtained. The assay for supernatant RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, however, showed that baboon cells produced only low levels of virus after infection compared with the production by heterologous cells. The results showed that baboon endogenous virus was capable of penetrating baboon cells and that viral genes were expressed in infected cells. Replication of complete infectious virus was restricted, however, indicating that in this primate system homologous cells differentially regulated the expression of viral genes.     

Allotypic specificities in pigs

The aim of the present work was to determine formation of isoantibodies in pigs. Pigs were immunized with a mixture of pig gamma globulins in incomplete Freund adjuvant. Out of the total number of 10 pigs formation of isoantibodies was induced in 3 pigs after administration of a total dose of 500 mg of the mixture of gamma globulin. By immunoelectrophoretic analysis the antibodies formed were classified as gamma M globulins. By reaction with 12 randomly selected pig sera the existence of at least two allotypic specificities of gamma M globulin in pigs was demonstrated.     

Reactivity of neutralizing antibodies with different specificities to H particles of poliovirus.

In order to elucidate the antigenic structure of poliovirus, the reactivity of antibody produced with H antigenic particles of Mahoney strain (polio type 1) was investigated. Injection of H particles of Mahoney strain into rabbits yielded neutralizing antibody as well as CF-N and CF-H antibodies. This result coincided with the report by Hinuma and coworkers. Neutralization tests with inhibitor resistant Mahoney mutants revealed that the neutralizing antibody produced with H particles was of HN31 type, one of the five different kinds of polio neutralizing antibodies reported previously (14). Absorption experiments with H particles on different neutralizing antibodies and analysis of antibody eluted by acid dissociation from antiserum-treated H particles also showed that the HN31 type antibody specifically combined with H particles of Mahoney strain. Since the H particle of poliovirus is known to be deficient in VP4, these results seems to indicate that the HN31 type antibody reacts with a structural part(s) of poliovirus other than VP4.     

Metastatic adenocarcinoma in the baboon

An adenocarcinoma of undetermined origin, with metastasis to the skeletal system, occurred in a 27 year-old castrated male baboon (Papio species).     

Pathology in the Darajani baboon

The loss of teeth from attrition may limit the life span of free-ranging Darajani baboons. A high frequency of fractures is presumably the result of falls that oocur in chases or flights. The pattern of broken bones emphasizes the digits, the trunk, the face, and the lower limb. Such injuries affect virtually all individuals who survive to a relatively old age. Arthritic-like changes in the skeleton frequently occur in the vertebral column and may reduce the baboon's speed and agility in flight. They have remarkable abilities to survive severe wounds, even amputations, as long as such wounds are clean. Numerous diseases and parasites infect the animals and those who survive must cope with repeated infection. Many of these pathogens affect the individual at the same time and each reduces the likelihood of survival. The brief life expectancy of the individual magnifies the genetic contribution of older animals to the group if the individual is of suitable position in dominance and central hierarchy.