Haralampos M. Moutsopoulos

Oligoclonal immunoglobulins in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Analysis of serum samples from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was performed by high-resolution zone electrophoresis. A high incidence of monoclonal and oligoclonal immunoglobulins was detected in the sera of 24/27 patients with Kaposis sarcoma and in 2/15 patients with opportunistic infections. The presence of monoclonal bands was independent of whether or not the patients had experienced an opportunistic infection. These findings indicate a monoclonal or oligoclonal B-cell activation occurring in a much higher frequency in AIDS patients with Kaposis sarcoma, thus suggesting that similar mechanisms may be operative in the malignant or pseudomalignant proliferation of B-cells and endothelial cells in patients with AIDS.

THE ROLE OF INTERFERON IN IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

We have presented evidence showing that interferon can enhance the IgE-mediated release of histamine. We have also shown that immune interferon is present in the circulation of patients with certain autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between active systemic lupus erythematosus and interferon levels. Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by immune hyperactivity. The continuous presence of type II, immune interferon in the circulation of these patients may, on one hand, contribute to the immunological aberrations, while on the other hand, protect against viral infections. At the present time we are looking for interferon in the circulation of patients with other autoimmune disorders.

Protease Inhibitor Phenotypes and Pulmonary Disease in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome

The incidence of pulmonary emphysema in patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT) deficiency associated with the protease inhibitor (Pi) phenotype ZZ is increased. To determine whether less severe deficiency states of alpha-1-AT (i.e. Pi phenotypes other than ZZ and MM) might predispose to the development of pulmonary disease, Pi phenotypes were determined in a group of patients in whom the incidence of chronic pulmonary disease is high. The proportion of 52 patients with Sjögrens syndrome who had Pi phenotypes other than ZZ and MM was not significantly greater than that for populations of normal subjects. Mean values for tests of pulmonary function, including estimates of both restrictive lung disease and airway obstruction in patients with the MM phenotype were not significantly different from corresponding means for patients with non-MM phenotypes. These findings suggest that the increased susceptibility of patients with Sjögrens syndrome to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not attributable to an abnormally high frequency of non-MM phenotypes and associated moderately reduced serum levels of alpha-1-AT.