Specific activation of lymphocytes against acetylcholine receptor in the thymus in myasthenia gravis

In 13 patients with myasthenia gravis, spontaneous in vitro production of antibody to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) by thymic cells was observed in seven patients, by bone marrow cells in nine, by peripheral blood cells (PBL) in six, and by lymph node cells in nine. The rate of anti-AChR production in culture closely correlated with the serum anti-AChR level. Specific activity of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G spontaneously produced (anti-AChR/total IgG) was about 10-fold higher in the thymus than in bone marrow, peripheral blood, or lymph node cultures. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) enhanced anti-AChR production only by PBL. With neither thymus nor lymph node cells did PWM stimulate anti-AChR production, although it greatly enhanced total IgG production. In bone marrow, it depressed both, and it appeared that the anti-AChR was derived from long-lived plasma cells that may be responsible for delaying the fall of serum anti-AChR levels after thymectomy. The results suggest that AChR-specific cells are selectively activated in the thymus, and this may help to explain the benefits of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis.     

Immunohistochemical localization of immunoglobulins A, G and M in the mouse female genital tract

The localization of immunoglobulins A, G and M (IgA, IgG, IgM) in the mouse genital tract was studied by immunoperoxidase techniques at oestrus, on the day of mating and at the time of implantation. In the horns and body of the uterus, IgA and IgG were located in plasma cells in the endometrium surrounding uterine glands and in the gland lumina. The numbers of these plasma cells increased markedly between Day 1 and Days 4 and 5 of pregnancy and the ratio of plasma cells containing IgA and IgG was about 3 or 4 to 1 at all stages. Area measurements indicated that the increased number of plasmacytes was not due to an increase in the amount of endometrial, myometrial or glandular tissues. Plasma cells were not detected in the cervix and vaginal fornix at oestrus and Day 1, but a few were present on Day 5. In the oviduct, plasma cells containing IgA and IgG were present only in the preampulla and both immunoglobulins were present in the extracellular space of the lamina propria only in this region. No IgM was detected in any part of the reproductive tract at any of the times studied. Uteri on Day 1 of pregnancy contained bacteria of several kinds, some of which were aggregated and coated with IgA. This suggests that the uterine lumen at this time may contain specific anti-bacterial IgA antibodies. Our observations indicate that the horns and body of the uterus and the preampulla of the oviduct are major sites of a local immune system in the female mouse genital tract.     

Isotype-specific rabbit antibodies against chinchilla immunoglobulins G, M, and A.

Chinchillas have become a preferred animal model for studying otitis media, and are also useful in studying insulin release, gastrin physiology, intestinal infection, and hepatocellular pathophysiology. Immunopathologic studies in the model, however, have been limited by absence of specific antibody reagents against chinchilla immunoglobulins. We describe a method for preparing isotype-specific rabbit antibodies against the heavy-chain components of chinchilla immunoglobulins G, M, and A. Chromatographic techniques were used to isolate chinchilla immunoglobulins from serum and breast milk; heavy-chain fractions were isolated and used as antigens to produce isotype-specific antibodies in New Zealand White rabbits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of these antisera disclosed anti-light chain cross-reactivity, which was removed by affinity chromatography. The isolation and affinity purification techniques were highly reproducible. The availability of these reagents should greatly enhance the utility of the chinchilla in modeling human disease.     

Respiratory insufficiency in patients with myasthenia gravis

We evaluated 20 patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure associated with myasthenia gravis. All 20 patients survived and were weaned from the ventilator after 3 to 14 days (mean 6.5 days) of respiratory support. Progressing bulbar symptoms and respiratory infection were the most frequent causes of the myasthenic crisis. During a period of assisted mechanical ventilation, anticholinesterase medication was interrupted and the patients were treated with steroids and antibiotics. Plasmapheresis may be considered in the management of myasthenic crisis.     

The first report on immunoglobulins A,E, G and M levels in cystic fibrosis patients in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundPrevious reports have shown that pulmonary and systemic hypergamma-globulinemia in CF patients is a reflection of chronic pulmonary infection. Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to have major prognostic significance in patients CF. This study aims to identify the incidence of immunoglobulins (especially: IgG, and IgE) in a cohort of CF patients.MethodsA total of 297 patients recruited all over the country’s region for this study were a as part of the CF registry data from 1st January 1984 to 1st June 2016. All patients had their immunoglobulin levels measured by enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 3 stages, at presentation and two follow-ups.ResultsOf the 297 patients recruited, 139 (46.8%) were males while 158 (53.2%) were females. IgA and IgM levels were found not to have risen above the previously reported levels in healthy individuals in all stages. On the contrary, IgE level increased from 209.51 ± 32.30 KU/L to 303.58 ± 37.11 KU/L from baseline to stage 3 while IgG level rose from 12.26 ± 0.43 mg/mL to 17.17 ± 1.68 mg/mL for baseline and stage 3 respectively all above previously reported levels in healthy individuals.ConclusionThis study establishes a potential for the use of IgE and IgG in disease diagnosis as well as the prognostic implications. However, further study is needed to identify the role of infection or medications in relation to the rise of both IgE and IgG with advancement of age and progression of disease severity which may inherently confound the observed results.     

Localization of immunoglobulins G, A and M in glial cells of reactive and neoplastic origin

The localization of immunoglobulins G, A and M in glial cells of neoplastic and reactive origin have been investigated by the use of the PAP (peroxidase-antiperoxidase) method on paraffin embedded tissue previously fixed in calcium formol. It has been found, that some glial cells of astrocyte type showed a very intense staining when oligoclonal antibodies to human immunoglobulins G, A and M specific for gamma, alpha, and mu chains were used. The localization of immunoglobulins was disclosed in astrocytes of various morphology; astrocytes with well developed processes, gemistocyte type cells without or only with short and thick cell processes and in small cells with scanty cytoplasm. The number of cells with immunoglobulins localized is very small. No positive results have been noted if the normal brain tissue is concerned. The specificity of the method is discussed.     

Myosin and actin containing cells in the human postnatal thymus. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings in normal thymus and in myasthenia gravis.

Samples of normal human thymus of different ages (4-63 years old) were studied by immunofluorescence microscopy (using antibodies to smooth muscle myosin, to actin from the chicken gizzard, and antibodies to myosin from human striated muscle) as well as by routine electron microscopy. Thymus tissue from myasthenia gravis patients was also investigated for comparative reasons. Epithelial cells reacted with anti-smooth, but not with anti-striated muscle myosin, whereas myoid cells reacted with antibodies to striated, but not to smooth muscle myosin. Both epithelial and myoid cells displayed a strong immunoreactivity with antiactin. Corresponding to this immunoreactivity, both cell types contained bundles of thin, actin-like filaments. Myoid cells occurred in the rounded and elongated variety, and they were a normal constituent of all thymuses investigated in this study. Ultrastructurally, this non-innervated, striated muscle-like cell type possessed bundles of thin and thick filaments as well as Z lines in a rather disorganized arrangement, resembling striated muscle after denervation or various other pathologic conditions. There were no overt differences in the number and structure of myoid cells between healthy and myasthenic patients.     

Blood levels of immunoglobulins G,A,M, circulating immune complexes, complement and proteins in patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis

The study involved 17 patients on IPD. Blood serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, circulating immune complexes, complement and proteins were determinated at the beginning of therapy, after 3, 6, 12 months on IPD and after 1 year on hemodialysis. The frequency of peritonitis was noted during this time. Peritonitis was the most frequent during first 3 months on IPD. No differences in blood serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, in the specific periods of IPD were noted. A significant increase in blood serum circulating immune complexes in patients on IPD and hemodialysis compared to the control group was found. A significant decrease in blood serum of C3 complement in patients on IPD and hemodialysis in comparison with the controls were found. A significant decrease in blood serum proteins at the beginning of IPD and after 3 months IPD in comparison with proteins concentration in patients on hemodialysis was observed.     

Variation of immunoglobulins G,A, and M and bovine serum albumin concentration in Holstein cow colostrum

Immunoglobulins G (IgG), A (IgA), and M (IgM) represent 70–80% of total proteins in cattle colostrum and are essential for the passive transfer of antibodies from the dam to the calf. Considering the practical difficulties of colostrum sample collection and the high cost of analysis, non-genetic sources of variation of the three immunoglobulins fractions have been scarcely studied together on a large scale in dairy cows. In the present study, IgG, IgA, IgM, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were determined in colostrum samples of Holstein cows through bovine-specific radial immunodiffusion kits; such phenotypes allowed to investigate the effects of parity, herd, and calving season, and interactions. Only the first colostrum was considered in the present study, as the calf was separated from the dam immediately after birth and was not allowed to suckle. The average of IgG (n = 676), IgA (n = 573), IgM (n = 658), total immunoglobulins (n = 525), and BSA (n = 614) was 91.31, 4.20, 105.99, 5.05, and 2.47 g/L, respectively, and all traits positively correlated to each other. Overall, the immunoglobulins were less concentrated in colostrum of first- and second-parity cows than later-parity cows. These findings suggest that colostrum quality, based on Ig, is overall greater in cows that experienced more than two lactations, likely due to a greater experience of the immune system and to a wider immune heritage compared to younger cows. As regards the effect of calving season, the concentration of all Ig tended to be generally greater in colostrum sampled from August to November. Moreover, there were differences in IgG, IgA, and IgM concentration among the nine herds involved. Future studies will investigate the relationships of these traits with yield, and gross and detailed composition of bovine colostrum and will consider their genetic background to evaluate potential selection strategies to improve colostrum quality.