TNF-alpha and cyclooxygenase metabolites do not modulate C. albicans septic shock with disseminated candidiasis

1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 2432-2442 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Matuschak ◽  
C. A. Klein ◽  
T. L. Tredway ◽  
D. R. Schilly ◽  
A. J. Lechner
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Organ Injury ◽  
Tnf Alpha ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Disseminated Candidiasis ◽  
Alpha Production

We analyzed differences in host regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and pathophysiological responses in conscious rats after infection with two strains of pathogenic Candida albicans spp. (CA-1 and CA-2) compared with Escherichia coli serotype 055:B5 (EC). The hypothesis was tested that, in contrast to EC, hypotension, organ injury, and mortality after candidemia are not obligatorily dependent on TNF-alpha or TNF-alpha-induced cyclooxygenase pathway metabolites. Dose, viability, and strain-specific dependencies were established after intravenous 10(6) or 10(9) viable CA, as well as heat-killed (HK) or Formalin-inactivated (FI) CA blastospores, compared with live EC at the 24-h LD25 [10(9) colony-forming units (CFU)] and LD100 (10(10) CFU). Shock without endotoxemia developed 4–8 h after 10(9) live CA-1 or CA-2 (LD100 at 24 h) with disseminated yeast-mycelial transformation and increased microvascular permeability in multiple organs but not after HK or FI CA-1. Peak serum TNF-alpha after an LD100 of CA-1 or CA-2 was < 3% of LD25 EC values and was < 1% of peak values during lethal bacteremia. Similar pathogen-specific differences were found in liver- and lung-associated TNF. Production of functionally inactive TNF-alpha during candidemia was excluded by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with Western blotting. Passive immunization against TNF-alpha 2 h before microbial challenge was not protective against CA but prevented otherwise lethal EC sepsis. Cyclooxygenase inhibition also failed to attenuate candidemic shock. We conclude that the magnitude and kinetics of TNF-alpha production and TNF-alpha-dependent immunophysiological responses are differentially regulated after lethal fungal vs. gram-negative bacterial infection. Thus TNF-alpha is not a pivotal mediator of the acute Candida septic shock syndrome with disseminated candidiasis.

scholarly journals Protection against Candidiasis by an Immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) Monoclonal Antibody Specific for the Same Mannotriose as an IgM Protective Antibody

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 1649-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongmoon Han ◽  
Marcia H. Riesselman ◽  
Jim E. Cutler
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Vaginal Infection ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Disseminated Candidiasis

ABSTRACT We previously reported that a liposome-mannan vaccine (L-mann) ofCandida albicans induces production of mouse antibodies that protect against disseminated candidiasis and vaginal infection. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibody (MAb) B6.1, specific for aC. albicans cell surface β-1,2-mannotriose, protects mice against both infections. Another IgM MAb, termed B6, which is specific for a different cell surface mannan epitope, does not protect against disseminated candidiasis. The B6.1 epitope is displayed homogeneously over the entire cell surface, compared to a patchy distribution of the B6 epitope. To determine if protection is restricted to an IgM class of antibody, we tested an IgG antibody. MAb C3.1 was obtained from L-mann-immunized mice. By results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunodiffusion tests, MAb C3.1 is an IgG3 isotype. By epitope inhibition assays, we determined that MAb C3.1 is specific for same mannotriose as MAb B6.1. As expected by the results of the inhibition assays, immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the C3.1 epitope is distributed on the yeast cell surface in a pattern identical to that of the B6.1 epitope. Kidney CFU and mean survival times of infected mice pretreated with MAb C3.1 indicated that the antibody enhanced resistance of mice against disseminated candidiasis. Mice in pseudoestrus that were given MAb C3.1 prior to vaginal infection developed fewer vaginal Candida CFU than control animals that received buffered saline instead of the antibody. The finding that an IgG3 antibody is protective is consistent with our hypothesis that epitope specificity and complement activation are related to the ability of an antibody to protect against candidiasis.

scholarly journals Epitope of the Vaccine-Type Bordetella pertussis Strain 186 Lipooligosaccharide and Antiendotoxin Activity of Antibodies Directed against the Terminal Pentasaccharide-Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 7381-7389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Niedziela ◽  
Iwona Letowska ◽  
Jolanta Lukasiewicz ◽  
Marta Kaszowska ◽  
Anna Czarnecka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bordetella Pertussis ◽  
Tetanus Toxoid ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Magic Angle Spinning ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Magic Angle ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
Std Nmr

ABSTRACT Lipooligosaccharides (LOS) isolated from Bordetella pertussis strains 186 and 606 were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonsnace (NMR). These analyses distinguished between the LOS of strains 186 and 606, suggesting that the structure of LOS in B. pertussis is heterogeneous. The pentasaccharide was selectively cleaved from LOS of B. pertussis strain 186, purified, and covalently linked to a monomer fraction of tetanus toxoid. Injection of rabbits with the neoglycoconjugate emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant yielded immunoglobulin G antibodies that were reactive with the LOS. These antibodies reacted strongly with B. pertussis LOS possessing the complete dodecasaccharide, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry with intact, live bacterial cells. The binding epitope within the pentasaccharide was investigated by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy. Protons H-1 and H-4 of the terminal α-d-GlcpNAc and proton H-6 and protons of an N-methyl group at H-4 of 3-substituted β-l-FucpNAc4NMe exhibited the largest saturation transfers. STD NMR experiments confirmed that the immunodominant epitope recognized by the antineoglycoconjugate antibodies is located predominantly in the distal trisaccharide of B. pertussis 186 LOS. The antipentasaccharide antibodies induced by the conjugate inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and NO by LOS-stimulated J774A.1 cells.

Screening of Single-Chain Variable Fragments against TSP50 from a Phage Display Antibody Library and Their Expression as Soluble Proteins

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 546-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyan Wei ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Songchuan Yang ◽  
Junjie Xu ◽  
Hangtian Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Phage Display ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sandwich Elisa ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Antibody Library ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Single Chain Variable Fragments ◽  
Phage Display Antibody

A novel gene, testes-specific protease 50 ( TSP50), is abnormally activated and differentially expressed in most patients with breast cancer, suggesting it as a novel biomarker for this disease. The possibility that TSP50 may be an oncogene is presently under investigation. In this study, the single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) against TSP50 were panned from a phage display antibody library using TSP50-specific peptide, pep-50, as a target antigen. After 4 rounds of panning, 3 clones (A1, A11, and C8) from the library were verified to show strong binding affinities for TSP50 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to contain the variable region genes of the light and heavy chains of scFv antibodies but different complementary determining regions by sequencing. The genes of scFv-A1 and scFv-A11 were cloned into expression vector pPELB and successfully expressed as a soluble protein in Escherichia coli Rosetta. The yields of expressions were about 4.0 to 5.0 mg of protein from 1 L of culture. The expressed proteins were purified by a 2-step procedure consisting of ion-exchange chromatography, followed by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The purified proteins were shown a single band at the position of 31 KDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sandwich ELISA demonstrated that the expressed scFv proteins were able to specifically react with pep-50, laying a foundation for the investigation of the function of TSP50 in the development and treatment of breast cancer.

scholarly journals Allamanda Mosaic Caused by Cucumber mosaic virus in Taiwan

Plant Disease ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. K. Chen ◽  
C. C. Yang ◽  
H. T. Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Cucumber Mosaic Virus ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Chenopodium Quinoa ◽  
Rabbit Antiserum ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence Analysis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Indicator Plants

Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica L., family Apocynaceae) is native to Brazil and is a popular perennial shrub or vine ornamental in Taiwan. Plants showing severe mosaic, rugosity, and leaf distortion symptoms on leaves are common in commercial nurseries and private gardens. Examination of crude sap prepared from symptomatic leaves using an electron microscope revealed the presence of spherical virus particles with a diameter of approximately 28 nm. The virus was mechanically transmitted to indicator plants and induced symptoms similar to those incited by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). The virus caused local lesions on inoculated leaves of Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor and systemic mosaic in Cucumis sativus, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. glutinosa, N. rustica, and N. tabacum. On N. tabacum, necrotic ringspots developed on inoculated leaves followed by systemic mosaic. Tests of leaf sap extracted from naturally infected allamanda and inoculated indicator plants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were positive to rabbit antiserum prepared to CMV. Viral coat protein on transblots of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reacted with CMV subgroup I specific monoclonal antibodies (2). With primers specific to the 3′-half of RNA 3 (1), amplicons of an expected size (1,115 bp) were obtained in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using total RNA extracted from infected allamanda and N. benthamiana. The amplified fragment (EMBL Accession No. AJ871492) was cloned and sequenced. It encompasses the 3′ part of the intergenic region of RNA 3 (158 nt), CP ORF (657 nt), and 3′ NTR (300 nt) showing 91.8–98.9% and 71.4–72.8% identities to those of CMV in subgroups I and II, respectively. Results of MspI-digested restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of the RT-PCR fragment and the nucleotide sequence analysis indicate that the CMV isolate from allamanda belongs to subgroup IB, which is predominant on the island. To our knowledge, CMV is the only reported virus that infects allamanda and was first detected in Brazil (3), and this is the first report of CMV infection in allamanda plants occurring in Taiwan. References: (1) Y. K. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:1631, 2001. (2) H. T. Hsu et al. Phytopathology 90:615, 2000. (3) E. W. Kitajima. Acta. Hortic. 234:451, 1988.

scholarly journals A 13-mer peptide straddling the leucine33/proline33 polymorphism in glycoprotein IIIa does not define the PLA1 epitope

Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 1964-1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Flug ◽  
R Espinola ◽  
LX Liu ◽  
C SinQuee ◽  
R DaRosso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Adenosine Diphosphate ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Amino Acid Polymorphism ◽  
Glycoprotein Iiia ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Induced Aggregation

Abstract We confirm the recent report (J Clin Invest 83:1778, 1989) of a polymorphism at amino acid 33 of platelet GPIIIa associated with the PLA1/PLA2 phenotype by using the polymerase chain reaction on cDNA derived from platelet RNA, using the base-pair primers 105–129 and 452- 428. Platelet cDNA from three PLA2-homozygous individuals, when digested with Nci I, gave two bands of 256 bp and 91 bp, whereas eight PLA1 cDNAs gave a single band of 347 bp. Two 13-mer amino acid peptides straddling the amino acid polymorphism: SDEALP (L/P) GSPRCD were synthesized for epitope studies. Two mouse polyclonal antibodies were raised: one against the PLA1-associated peptide, the other against the PLA2 peptide. Both antibodies react with either peptide, as well as with both PLA1 and PLA2 platelets. The PLA1 peptide did not block the binding of two different human anti-PLA1 antibodies to the 100-Kd GPIIIa band on immunoblot of platelet extracts; neither did it block the binding of the same antibodies to PLA1-platelet extracts in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further studies were performed on the PLA1 epitope following subtilisin digestion of purified GPIIIa. A 55-Kd fragment was obtained that retained the PLA1 epitope as well as the first 13 N-terminal amino acids of GPIIIa. Reduction of the 55-Kd fragment resulted in loss of the PLA1 epitope with production of a 67- Kd, 21-Kd, and 10-Kd band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The 55-Kd band does not react with LK-2, a monoclonal antibody versus GPIIIa that inhibits adenosine diphosphate, collagen, epinephrine, and thrombin-induced aggregation. Thus, the PLA1 epitope is conformation-induced, resides on an N-terminal 55-Kd fragment composed of two or more peptides held together by -SH bonds, and is not required for platelet aggregation.

scholarly journals Plasma thrombomodulin in health and diseases

Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 2024-2029 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Takano ◽  
S Kimura ◽  
S Ohdama ◽  
N Aoki
Keyword(s):  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Pulmonary Thromboembolism ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Acute Hepatic Failure ◽  
Immunoblot Analysis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Disease States

Abstract Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblot analysis of plasma thrombomodulin concentrate revealed that four degraded forms of thrombomodulin with different molecular weights are present in plasma. Plasma concentrations of thrombomodulin in patients with various diseases were measured by two methods of enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies. One method measures intact thrombomodulin and degraded forms of thrombomodulin; the other does not detect the two smaller degraded forms of thrombomodulin present in plasma. The results indicated that thrombomodulin was increased in the circulating blood of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, pulmonary thromboembolism, adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic renal failure, or acute hepatic failure. The different values obtained by the two methods indicate that the increase of plasma thrombomodulin found in these patients was mainly due to an increase of the smaller fragments of degraded forms, suggesting that the release of thrombomodulin from endothelial cells was accelerated in various disease states by proteolytic activity generated on the surface of the endothelium and may be removed from the circulation mostly by the kidneys and liver.

scholarly journals Mapping of the properdin-binding site in the third component of complement

1984 ◽  
Vol 217 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
J D Lambris ◽  
J Alsenz ◽  
T F Schulz ◽  
M P Dierich
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Chain Fragment ◽  
Alpha Chain ◽  
Factor I ◽  
Assay Procedure ◽  
Complement Component C3 ◽  
Third Component Of Complement

The properdin-binding site in the human third complement component (C3) was mapped by using isolated C3b, C3c, alpha- and beta-chains of C3 and C3 polypeptide fragments and an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay procedure. The C3 chains and the polypeptide fragments were purified to homogeneity by preparative sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The alpha-chain polypeptides included a 68 kDa and a 43 kDa polypeptide, which were generated by cleavage of C3b with factors I and H, and a 40 kDa, 33 kDa (C3d) and 27 kDa polypeptide, which were generated by cleavage of C3b with porcine elastase. It was shown that properdin binds to C3b, C3c, alpha-chain, and to the 43 kDa (factor-I + H-derived), as well as to 40 kDa (elastase-derived) alpha-chain fragment, but not to the beta-chain 68 kDa, 33 kDa (C3d) and 27 kDa alpha-chain fragments. Thus the binding site for properdin resides on the 40-43 kDa C-terminal alpha-chain fragment of C3.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Proteosomes and Antigenicities of Secreted and Cellular Proteins Produced by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1155-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghee Cho ◽  
Michael T. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Infected Cattle ◽  
Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis ◽  
Serologic Tests ◽  
Sds Page

ABSTRACT The protein expression profiles and antigenicities of both culture filtrates (CF) and cellular extracts (CE) of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), one-dimensional electrophoresis (1-DE) and 2-DE immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The CF proteins were harvested from supernatants of stationary-phase liquid cultures and concentrated by size exclusion filtration. The CE proteins were extracted by mechanical disruption of cells using glass beads and a high-speed agitator. Analysis of SDS-PAGE gels showed that the majority of CF proteins had low molecular masses (<50 kDa), whereas CE protein mass ranged more evenly over a broader range up to 100 kDa. By 2-DE, CF proteins had a narrow array of pI values, with most being between pH 4.0 and 5.5; CE proteins spanned pI values from pH 4.0 to 7.0. The antigenicities of CF and CE proteins were first determined by 1-DE and 2-DE immunoblotting with serum from a cow naturally infected with M. paratuberculosis. The serum reacted strongly to more proteins in the CF than the CE. Sera from 444 infected and 412 uninfected cattle were tested by ELISA with CF and CE as solid-phase antigens. Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis of the ELISA results showed a significantly greater area under the curve for CF compared to CE (P < 0.05). A high degree of variability in protein binding patterns was shown with 1-DE immunoblot analysis with 31 sera from M. paratuberculosis-infected cattle. Collectively, these results indicate that serologic tests for bovine paratuberculosis may be improved by using proteins derived from CF instead of CE. To maximize the diagnostic sensitivity of serologic tests, multiple proteins will be required. Even so, a CF ELISA may not be able to detect all M. paratuberculosis-infected cattle, in particular those in the early stages of infection that have yet to mount an antibody response.

Influence of extracellular matrix in tumor necrosis factor-induced increase in endothelial permeability

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. L627-L633 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Partridge ◽  
C. J. Horvath ◽  
P. J. Del Vecchio ◽  
P. G. Phillips ◽  
A. B. Malik
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Endothelial Permeability ◽  
Tnf Alpha ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Necrosis Factor ◽  
Intercellular Gaps

We examined the possibility that alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contribute to the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced increase in endothelial monolayer permeability. Endothelial permeability to 125I-labeled albumin was determined using bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cell (BPMVE) monolayers grown to confluence on microporous (0.8 microns diam) gelatin- and fibronectin-coated polycarbonate filters. Treatment of BPMVE with TNF-alpha (10(2) to 10(4) U/ml for 4–24 h) produced concentration- and time-dependent increases in endothelial permeability that paralleled the changes in morphology from cobblestone to elongated cells and the formation of prominent intercellular gaps and actin stress fibers. We examined the role of ECM in these changes using filters coated with ECM made by the BPMVE. Fresh BPMVE seeded onto filters coated with ECM produced by TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE had two- to threefold higher 125I-albumin permeability values than BPMVE monolayers seeded onto filters coated with ECM from control cells (P < 0.05). BPMVE seeded onto ECM from TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE also developed intercellular gaps and centralized actin filaments characteristic of the TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE. This effect was not attributable to TNF-alpha adsorbed to ECM. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ECM extracted from BPMVE treated with TNF-alpha showed decreased fibronectin. These findings suggest that the TNF-alpha-induced increase in endothelial permeability involves the loss of fibronectin and remodeling of the ECM. The increase in endothelial permeability may be secondary to decreased endothelial cell-ECM contacts resulting in elongation of cells and formation of intercellular gaps.

scholarly journals Antivinculin antibodies in sera of patients with immune thrombocytopenia and in sera of normal subjects

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Tomiyama ◽  
R Kekomaki ◽  
J McFarland ◽  
TJ Kunicki
Keyword(s):  
Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Platelet Protein ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract We have characterized a 120-Kd antigen that frequently reacts with serum antibodies from patients with immune thrombocytopenia or normal subjects. Immunoblots made after two-dimensional nonreduced/reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE demonstrated that this 120-Kd protein has the same molecular weight under nonreduced or reduced conditions, is not a surface protein, and has an isoelectric point (pl) of 6.4 to 6.5. From these data, one likely candidate is the intracellular platelet protein, vinculin. Monoclonal antivinculin antibody reacts with this 120-Kd protein, and purified human platelet vinculin is bound by antibodies that recognize the 120-Kd protein. Therefore, we conclude that this 120-Kd protein is identical to vinculin. Data obtained from a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrate the presence of naturally occurring antivinculin antibodies in many normal sera. However, the incidence of antivinculin antibodies in patient sera (67%; 55 of 82 sera) is significantly (P less than .01) higher than that in normal sera (40%; 32 of 80 sera), and there is a significant difference (P less than .05) between the mean levels of antivinculin antibodies in patient and normal sera. Whereas the levels of these antibodies in patient and normal sera overlap, 2 of 82 sera from patients with thrombocytopenia express unusually high levels of such antibodies. The pathologic significance of these antibodies remains to be determined.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document