Determination of antibody affinity by using antigenic and antibody immunosorbents

To determine the affinity of the active centers of antibodies, cellulose immunosorbents for antibodies and antigens have been used. The fixation of serum proteins on the sorbent, the interaction of fixed antibodies with a monovalent antigen and the graphic analysis of the results thus obtained allows one to assess not only the concentration of the effective active centers on the sorbent, but also all known characteristics of antibody affinity: the average association constant K0, the common association constant Kt, the geometric association constant Kg, the average association constants which determine the affinity of different antibody groups. The use of antigenic immunosorbent permits one to determine the value of the average internal association constant K0. The determination of antibody affinity in hyperimmune antiplague sera by means of immunosorbents and red blood cells coated with capsular antigen has resulted in obtaining similar values of affinity indices.     

Expression patterns of loricrin in various species and tissues

Abstract. In this study we analyzed the expression patterns of loricrin in various species and tissues using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and Northern blots. Loricrin is a glycine-, serine- and cysteine-rich protein expressed very late in epidermal differentiation in the granular layers of normal mouse and human epidermis. Later on in differentiation, loricrin becomes cross-linked as a major component into the cornified cell envelope by the formation of N^ɛ -(γ-glutamyl)lysine isopeptide bonds. This process either occurs directly or by the intermediate accumulation in L-keratohyaline granules of mouse epidermis and human acrosyringia. Loricrin was identified in all mammalian species analyzed by virtue of its highly conserved carboxy-terminal sequences revealing an electric mobility of ∼60 kDa in rodents, rabbit and cow and of ∼35 kDa in lamb and human on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Loricrin is expressed in the granular layer of all mammalian orthokeratinizing epithelia tested including oral, esophageal and fore-stomach mucosa of rodents, tracheal squamous metaplasia of vitamin A deficient hamster and estrogen induced squamous vaginal epithelium of ovary ectomized rats. Loricrin is also expressed in a few parakeratinizing epithelia such as BBN [N-butyl-N-(4–hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine]-induced murine bladder carcinoma and a restricted subset of oral and single vaginal epithelial cells in higher mammals. Our results provide further evidence that the program of squamous differentiation in internal epithelia of the upper alimentary tract in rodents and higher mammals differ remarkably. In addition, we also have noted the distinct distribution patterns of human loricrin and involucrin, another major precursor protein of the cornified cell envelope.     

Algal single cell protein from wastewater treatment and renovation process

A Source of high-quality protein for animal feed, based upon algae recovered in the process of upgrading waste oxidation pond effluents and promising to be particularly economical, is being developed at the Technion. Unlike other types of single cell protein(SCP), the algal protein does not have to return the full production cost but only that of concentration and final processing. The balance is shared by the value of waste disposal and the reclaimed water. Whereas such systems as activated sludge require considerable mechanical energy to supply the oxygen needed for aerobically degrading organics in wastewater, oxidation ponds utilize solar energy for that purpose. The sludge obtained when their effluents are clarified consists largely of algae, bacteria, fungi, and zooplankton in relative proportions varying with operating conditions, and contains 40–60%(dry basis) high-quality protein. The high rate oxidation pond (a particularly intensive type of pond) produces on the average 34 g/m²7sol;day solids, or over 100 tons/ha (hectare) annually. Two clarification routes have been found promising: centrifugation and alum flocculation followed by frothflotation. The latter route is less expensive in terms of both fixed and operating cost, and gives clarified effluent of higher quality, which can be seasonally stored with minimal eutrophication because the aluminum removes most of the phosphate from the effluent. A good product has been obtained by drum-drying the concentrate, and preliminary feeding tests have indicated that it can replace at least 1/4 of the soymeal in broiler rations and 2/3 of the fishmeal in carp feed. No ill effect of the aluminum in the product recovered by alum flocculation has been found so far a process for removing and recycling the aluminum has been developed nonetheless, in case ill effects do show up in further tests. The combined value of the benefits derived from a system centered around the high-rate oxidation pond with clarification by flocculation–flotation, in terms of waste treatment by alternative means, potable water saved, and soymeal replaced, significantly exceeds estimated cost.