Haptoglobin Types Research Articles

HAPTOGLOBIN DISTRIBUTION IN A FILIPINO POPULATION.

DISTRIBUTION of haptoglobin types has been investigated in serum or plasma samples from 293 Filipino residents of the Manila area and surrounding provinces. Approximately half the samples were obtained from those submitted to the Manila Health Department Laboratory for serological investigations; the remaining samples, including 46 from cholera patients, came from patients at San Lazaro Hospital. The samples were treated with merthiolate and stored under refrigeration until transported to our laboratory for analysis by a modification of the Smithies vertical starch-gel electrophoresis procedure1.

Electrophoresis of serum haptoglobins and erythrocyte catalase using capillary blood

The described technique of thin-layer starch gel electrophoresis allows the direct use of whole blood as electrophoretic substrate for the determination of serum haptoglobin and red blood cell catalase types. Capillary blood absorbed into filter paper strips may be applied to the gel surface freshly, or it may be stored at −20° for later use. An exposure to room temperature for from one to several days of blood dried on filter paper strips does not interfere significantly with subsequent electrophoretic results.

HAPTOGLOBIN TYPES IN INHABITANTS OF EASTER ISLAND.

SINCE the discovery by Smithies1 of the polymorphic character of haptoglobins a widespread interest has arisen in the distribution of haptoglobin, types among various ethnic groups. In this connexion Easter Island natives, who represent a maritime isolate in Eastern Polynesia, 2,000 miles from the coast of South America, are of particular interest.

THE FREQUENCIES OF HAPTOGLOBIN AND TRANSFERRIN TYPES IN SOME VILLAGES OF THE MILAN PROVINCE.

THE FREQUENCIES OF HAPTOGLOBIN AND TRANSFERRIN TYPES IN SOME VILLAGES OF THE MILAN PROVINCE.

FREQUENCIES OF HAPTOGLOBIN TYPES IN VARIOUS SOUTH AMERICAN POPULATIONS.

FREQUENCIES OF HAPTOGLOBIN TYPES IN VARIOUS SOUTH AMERICAN POPULATIONS.

Hemoglobins, Haptoglobins, and Transferrins in Man

lapped. The distribution of genes within a population, and the differences in the frequency of their alleles which characterize one population and distinguish it from another, need not be considered trivial if selection plays a part in determining them. A search for additional loci as aids in classification may be sterile and boring; but a quest for the sources of human variation and the analysis of the interactions of genetic and ecological factors stimulates continuing interest. Recently accumulated evidence indicates that some, and perhaps most, aspects of polymorphism in man are adaptive and that cultural factors are commonly involved in the process of adaptation. By their joint efforts cultural and physical anthropologists are in a position to contribute to a deeper understanding of those factors which have made us what we are today. Such collaboration is dependent upon the degree of communication established between scholars in these two facets of anthropology. The student of human biology needs to hear frequently about recent advances in the analysis of culture, and especially of cultural practices which affect the genetic structure or phenotypic appearance of different populations. In return, new developments in human biology should be brought to the attention of anthropologists in general. Significant among such advances is the understanding of the structure, function, and inheritance of various protein fractions of the blood. A number of these are inherited in simple Mendelian manner and thus lend themselves readily to genetic analysis. As they occur in varying frequencies among different human populations, they can, like the blood types, suggest the degree of ancestral relationships between them. Like the blood types, too, their variety demonstrates the widespread extent and probable utility of balanced polymorphism in the human species. In 1949 when Neel established the genetic mechanism for sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia and Pauling et al. (1949) demonstrated the electrophoretic difference between normal and sickle cell hemoglobin, doors were opened to unique research opportunities in genetics, biophysics, biochemistry, medicine, and anthropology. The past dozen years have witnessed vast strides in the understanding of the structure of the hemoglobin molecule, the strategy of the gene in producing its end product in the individual, and the ebb and flow of genes in the course of human history.

SERUM HAPTOGLOBIN TYPES IN RHEUMATOID SPONDYLITIS.

SummaryIt was found that in 45 patients with rheumatoid spondylitis, 22% had a 1–1 haptoglobin type, 47% a 2–1 and 31% a 2–2 phenotype. These results were compared with published phenotypes of a normal population and a population with peripheral rheumatoid arthritis. Differences of borderline significance were observed.

Haptoglobin type determination by cellulose acetate zone electrophoresis

Conditions have been presented for the determination of blood haptoglobin type by cellulose acetate zone electrophoresis. The method, which requires only 10 μl of plasma or serum, is useful for routine screening procedures.

Identification of Catalase Following Electrophoresis on Acrylamide Gels

Abstract During the performance of haptoglobin typing by a new technic described by the author, a clear zone was observed in the acrylamide gels used for electrophoresis. Investigations to determine the identity of this zone have shown it to be associated with catalase activity. Consequently, a new technic is presented for identifying catalase following electrophoretic separation of hemolysates. Twenty-five hemolysates from normal human subjects were investigated by this method and were found to contain catalase activity which had the same electrophoretic mobility in all cases. Six normal human sera did not contain this activity under the conditions employed. The catalase activity was found to migrate immediately behind the haptoglobin type 1-1 band.

Die diagnostische bedeutung der analyse von serumproteinen durch stärkegelelektrophorese

By zone electrophoresis in starch gel 100 sera from blood donors not related to each other and 430 sera from subjects with various diseases were examined. The incidence of haptoglobin types corresponds with the European incidence. The significance of this auxiliary method for diagnostic purposes resides in the fact that it permits the demonstration of hetergeneous γ-globulin fractions, which in starch gel appear as one or several more intensively stained stripes. They were observed in malignant tumoral processes, in lupus erythematosus disseminatus and in Hodgkin's disease. Cirrhosis of the liver also gives a characteristic picture. Further, paraproteins were divided into fractions, i.e. they were distinguished from macroglobulins. After repeated infusions of native or dried plasma, no changes in the haptoglobin type were observed.

Determination of haptoglobin types by electrophoresis in acrylamide gel

Determination of haptoglobin types by electrophoresis in acrylamide gel

Alterations in haptoglobin levels.

THE HAPTOGLOBINS are a family of serum proteins which bind hemoglobin. The early studies of Jayle and his co-workers1demonstrated that the haptoglobin levels are elevated in a wide variety of inflammatory diseases. In some illnesses associated with hemolysis, the hemoglobin released from the breakdown of the red blood cells combines with the haptoglobin to form a strong complex which appears to be removed in the reticuloendothelial system. If the rate of breakdown of red blood cells is greater than the production of haptoglobin, the serum haptoglobin level will decrease, in some cases to undetectable levels. If the hemolytic process is arrested, the haptoglobin can be regenerated (presumably in the liver) and the serum levels may return to normal. When starch gel is used as a supporting medium for electrophoresis,2,3human sera can be separated according to haptoglobin types. Three major types, 1-1, 2-2, and 2-1, were

Haptoglobin types in Brazilian Negroes.

Summary1. Haptoglobin types of 381 Negroes and 110 Whites from the city of Pôrto Alegre, Brazil, are reported.2. The incidence of gene Hp1 increases as the number of genes for darker pigmentation and other negroid features increases in the subsamples. Thus, Hp1= 0·457 in Light Mulattoes, 0·555 in Dark Mulattoes and 0·642 in Negroes.3. The proportion of non‐Negro ancestry in the negroid population of Pôrto Alegre is estimated as being 54·5% and the average gene flow per generation to be m = 0·064.4. No differences in haptoglobin frequencies according to age were detected but there is a significant excess of 2­1 and a lack of 2­2 individuals among those undergoing health treatment as compared with healthy persons.Our thanks are due to the Director of the ‘Instituto de Pesquisas Biológicas’ of the State Department of Health for allowing us to use the Institute's facilities for the collection of blood. Mr Arno R. Schwantes helped in the checking of a series of plasma samples and Mr Girley V. Simoes in the collection and analysis of the data. The work has been supported in part by Rockefeller Foundation grants, by PHS research grant RG­8238 from the Division of General Medical Sciences, Public Health Service, U.S.A. and by research grant T.C. 2668 from the National Research Council of Brazil.

Four Achievements of the Genetical Method in Physical Anthropology

THE use of genetical methods in physical anthropology, which really began with the Hirszfelds' classical paper (1919:675) is no longer new and is now widely accepted. Genetical methods are referred to, in an approving tone, in many books and articles published during the last few years. The late Prof. Hooton (1946) devoted 18 pages out of 788 to genetical methods, and Montagu (1960:327) devotes 93 out of 771 to the subject, giving it avery up-to-date treatment, and stating, . . . if we are to trace the relationships of the varieties of man to one another, it is necessary that we rely on criteria which possess a more permanent character than the shifting sands of head shape .... Such characters are available in the blood groups, in the M-N in the Rh-Hr blood types and in the hemoglobin and haptoglobin types of man. In addition to the characteristics mentioned by Montagu, we now know of a number of other inherited traits of man that either are or will doubtless become useful. One might well ask, are there any longer any skeptics? The answer to this question seems to be: yes, there are skeptics, and some of them are rather vocal. Worse than this, examination of some of the books and papers written by authors who seem to welcome the genetical method suggests that they, in reaching their conclusions, actually make very little use of the data and modes of reasoning that such methods provide. Layrisse and Wilbert (1960) state that in their experience about four out of ten physical anthropologists are still doubtful about the value of blood grouping in their science. Probably most of us have had one or more of the older physical anthropologists inquire, in conversation, Now frankly, what have blood groups ever proved that we didn't know already? L. Oschinsky (1959:1) has not hesitated to carry the war into his enemy's country. He says, Nowhere has Professor Boyd posed the question as to whether or not the characteristics he is choosing are taxonomically relevant .... Unfortunately for Professor Boyd, it is the polygenic features such as skin colour, hair texture, nose shape, lip thickness, which have the greatest taxonomic value. And why is it necessary to understand the mechanism of inheritance if one is concerned with the question of distinguishing between the various racial groups which, Professor Boyd states, is one of the chief aims of physical anthropology? (my italics) A few years ago, at a seminar at Columbia University, a distinguished American physical anthropologist delivered a detailed attack on the blood groups as anthropological criteria, partly on the grounds that they may respond too readily to selection pressures. More recently, two Polish anthropologists, Bielicki (1962:3) and Wiercinski (1962:2) have also attacked the use of

On the distribution of haptoglobin types in Iceland.

On the distribution of haptoglobin types in Iceland.

Haptoglobins in cerebrospinal fluid

Haptoglobin was detected more readily in starch gel electrophoresis of C.S.F. concentrates from individuals of haptoglobin type 1-1 than from those of types 2−1 and 2-2. The haptoglobin pattern was the same as that observed in serum in type 1-1 but in types 2−1 and 2-2 the proportion of the different bands was changed as there was relatively more of the faster moving and presumably lower molecular weight components. If the haptoglobin in C.S.F. is derived from serum these results suggest that the lower molecular weight haptoglobin components gain entry into the C.S.F. relatively more easily than those of higher molecular weight.

Distribution of haptoglobin among Thais.

HAPTOGLOBIN type distribution has been determined on 682 Thais. All were normal, healthy male adults in the Royal Thai Army. Almost without exception their place of birth was confined to the provinces of north central and north eastern Thailand. This area of the kingdom was chosen for the survey as the one in which the population would be the most representative of the Thai people. It was felt that in this region there would be a minimum of disturbance of the Thai haptoglobin gene frequencies by recent (that is, past several centuries) admixture with non-Thai groups such as Burmese, Chinese, or Malayans. The blood samples were heparinized and centrifuged and the plasmas transferred to merthiolated vials immediately after collection and afterwards transported to our laboratory for electrophoretic analysis. Haptoglobin type identification was accomplished by the Smithies vertical starch-gel electrophoresis procedure1 with minor modifications.

Haptoglobin types of the Nez Perce Indians.

Haptoglobin types of the Nez Perce Indians.

Haptoglobin and transferrin types in southern Brazilian Indians.

Haptoglobin and transferrin types in southern Brazilian Indians.

Inherited immunologically atypical haptoglobin.

THE presence of three genetically determined haptoglobin types (Hp 1–1; Hp2–1 ;, Hp 2–2) for the Caucasian race was first demonstrated by Smithies using starch-gel electrophoresis1,2. Only a small number of atypical haptoglobins have since been described2,3. Although the three Hp types differ with respect to molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility, they have been shown to be immunologically identical among each other4,5, that is, to possess identical antigenic determinants.