Heavy Chains In Serum Research Articles

Immunization with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in Oil-Adjuvant Elicits IgM Antibody Response in Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus Sinensis).

Immunoassays are among the frontline methods used for disease diagnosis and surveillance. Despite this, there are no immunoassays developed for the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), which has expanded into large scale commercial production in several Asian countries. One of the critical factors delaying the development of immunoassays is the lack of characterized soft-shelled turtle immunoglobulins. Herein, we used mass spectrometry together with the ProtQuest software to identify the soft-shelled turtle IgM heavy chain in serum, which again was used to produce a polyclonal anti-turtle-IgM in rabbits. Thereafter, the polyclonal anti-turtle-IgM was used as a secondary antibody in an indirect ELISA to evaluate antibody responses of soft-shelled turtles injected with the bovine serum albumin (BSA) model antigen. Our findings show that only turtle immunized with a water-in-oil BSA plus ISA 763A VG adjuvant (SEPPIC, France) emulsion had antibodies detected at 42 days post vaccination (dpv) while turtles injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) only as well as turtle injected with BSA dissolved in PBS had no significant antibody levels detected in serum throughout the study period. In summary, our findings show that rabbit polyclonal anti-turtle-IgM produced can be used in ELISA to measure serum antibody responses in immunized soft-shelled turtles. Future studies should explore its application in other immunoassays needed for the disease diagnosis and vaccine development for soft-shelled turtles.

Comparison of elevated phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chains in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ObjectivePhosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) levels are elevated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Instead of CSF, we explored blood as an alternative source to...

Hyperacute Detection of Neurofilament Heavy Chain in Serum Following Stroke: A Transient Sign

Serological biomarkers which enable quick and reliable diagnosis or measurement of the extent of irreversible brain injury early in the course of stroke are eagerly awaited. Neurofilaments (Nf) are a group of proteins integrated into the scaffolding of the neuronal and axonal cytoskeleton and an established biomarker of neuro-axonal damage. The Nf heavy chain (NfH(SMI35)) was assessed together with brain-specific astroglial proteins GFAP and S100B in hyperacute stroke (6 and 24 h from symptom onset) and daily for up to 6 days. Twenty-two patients with suspected stroke (median NIHSS 8) were recruited in a prospective observational study. Evidence for an ischaemic or haemorrhagic lesion on neuroimaging was found in 18 (ischaemia n = 16, intracerebral haemorrhage n = 2). Serum NfH(SMI35) levels became detectable within 24 h post-stroke (P < 0.0001) and elevated levels persisted over the study course. While GFAP was not detectable during the entire course, S100B levels peaked at the end of the observation period. The data indicate that significant in vivo information on the pathophysiology of stroke may be obtained by the determination of NfH(SMI35). Further studies are required to evaluate whether NfH(SMI35) in hyperacute stroke reflects the extent of focal ischaemic injury seen on neuroimaging or is a consequence of more diffuse neuro-axonal damage.

Detection of Heavy Chain Disease by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

Luraschi et al. (1) recently published the first report describing the use of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with immunosubtraction to detect and characterize low concentrations of free γ heavy chains in serum. By contrast, we describe a case in which CZE failed to detect and characterize μ heavy chain disease. A 90-year-old woman who complained of weight loss presented with progressive enlargement of the left parotid gland, splenomegaly, and palpable inguinal lymph node enlargements. A combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography whole body scan confirmed left parotid involvement as well as supra- and infradiaphragmatic involvement of the lymph nodes. Laboratory investigation showed hemoglobin, leukocyte count and differentiation, and a platelet count within the appropriate reference intervals. Serum lactate dehydrogenase was increased. The IgG concentration was 5.46 g/L, …

Expression of a free gamma heavy chain in serum following autologous stem cell transplantation for IgG kappa multiple myeloma

A 41-year-old male with IgG kappa multiple myeloma is described. He developed a free gamma heavy chain without an accompanying light chain following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The free gamma heavy chain was detected in serum and urine specimens 2 months after transplant, and eventually evolved into an IgG kappa monoclonal protein with electrophoretic properties similar to the original myeloma protein. Although the origin of the free gamma heavy chain remains uncertain, it was most likely related to the underlying plasma cell malignancy and, therefore, was an early sign of disease relapse.

Soluble donor HLA class I and β 2m-free heavy chain in serum of lung transplant recipients: steady-state levels and increases in patients with recurrent CMV infection, acute rejection episodes, and poor outcome

We determined the concentration of donor sHLA/β 2m and total β 2m-free heavy chain (HC) in the serum of lung transplant recipients with ELISA assays. While we were unable to detect specific donor β 2m-free HCs due to a lack of available antibodies, we could determine if events that led to an increase in the release of β 2m-free HC also led to an increase in the release of donor sHLA/β 2m, particularly the 36 kDa, proteolytically cleaved form. We found that lung transplants constituitively release donor sHLA/β 2m at ng/ml levels. The levels (both of donor sHLA/β 2m and total β 2m-free HC) were significantly increased in CMV-sero-negative recipients (but not in CMV-sero-positive recipients) at the onset of post-transplant CMV disease. Acute rejection episodes were also associated with an increased release of donor sHLA/β 2m, but not of β 2m-free HC. However, in patients with particularly poor outcome ( i.e., graft loss within 1 year) there was a significant release of β 2m-free HC. Analysis of one such patient showed a predominance of 36 kDa forms of donor-sHLA/β 2m. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the metalloproteinase that cleaves β 2m-free HC is active during uncontrolled CMV infection and acute rejection. However, recall responses to CMV and controlled immune responses to donor may result in little or no activation of sHLA class I release.

Beta2-micro-free HLA class I heavy chain levels in sera of healthy individuals. Lack of association with beta2-micro-associated HLA class I heavy chain levels and HLA phenotype.

We have applied a double-determinant immune assay (DDIA) to measure soluble beta2-microglobulin (beta2-micro)-free HLA class I heavy chains in serum. The mean concentration of beta2-micro-free HLA class I heavy chains in serum from 120 healthy subjects was 0.21+/-0.24 microg/ml. The individual serum levels of beta2-micro-free HLA class I heavy chains had a wide distribution, did not seem to be related with HLA phenotype, were stable over time and did not change with age. The serum levels of soluble beta2-micro-free HLA class I heavy chains did not correlate with those of soluble beta2-micro-associated HLA class I heavy chains, suggesting that their release is independently regulated. Three forms of soluble beta2-micro-free HLA class I heavy chains, with apparent molecular masses of 44, 39 and 37-35 kD, respectively, circulate in human serum. These results provide a useful background to assess the serum level of soluble beta2-micro-free HLA class I heavy chains in pathological conditions and to evaluate their putative immunoregulatory function.

A novel immunoassay of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain in serum

We have developed a double monoclonal sandwich enzyme immunoassay to measure smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (MHC). Analytical performance of the assay showed reliable detection of smooth muscle MHC in human sera. The mean of the smooth muscle MHC level in normal human sera was 0.9 ± 0.9 ng/ml. In sera of patients with aortic dissection, the smooth muscle MHC level sharply elevated at the onset and rapidly decreased to normal levels. Immunoassay of smooth muscle MHC in serum is a promising method for biochemical diagnosis of smooth muscle disorders.

Gamma heavy chain disease and rheumatoid arthritis

G AMMA HEAVY CHAIN disease (7HCD). is characterized by the presence of incomplete immunoglobulin heavy chains in serum and/or urine’; although often described as a lymphoproliferative disorder, it has a wide variety of clinical and pathologic features.*-5 More than 60 cases have been reported”’ since Franklin et al first described this condition in 1964.3 A substantial number of cases yHCD are associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and myasthenia gravis.2 yHCD varies in severity, whether associated with RA or not, from a benign condition, to one leading to progressive deterioration and death.4 We report a patient with severe RA preceding by 4 years the development of THCD, followed by recurrent sepsis, progressive deterioration, and death. At autopsy a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was found. The literature on the association between yHCD and RA is reviewed.

Turnover in humans of beta 2-microglobulin: the constant chain of HLA-antigens.

The turnover of beta 2-microglobulin, the common subunit of the HLA antigens, has been examined in normal subjects and in some patients with kidney disorders, multiple myeloma and rheumatoid arthritis. All patients displayed elevated serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin. The plasma disappearance curve of 125I-beta 2-microglobulin demonstrated that the protein has a rapid turnover (t 1/2 = 2.1 h; range 1.1-2.8 h) in normal persons and in patients with a normal glomerular filtration rate. In patients with kidney disorders the impaired renal filtration prolonged the turnover time and led to elevated serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin. Simultaneous measurements of 125I-beta 2-microglobulin in serum and urine allowed estimations of the beta 2-microglobulin net reabsorption in the renal tubuli. Two patients with renal disease reabsorbed 84% and 89%, respectively, of the beta 2-microglobulin filtered in the glomeruli. In normal persons the net reabsorption is close to 100%. In patients with normal kidney function increased serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin seem to be due to an increased synthetic rate of the protein as the elimination rate is normal. HLA antigen heavy chains in serum are present in smaller amounts than beta 2-microglobulin. The present data, therefore, suggest an imbalanced synthesis of the two chains.