Nicholas M. Papadopoulos

CD5-expressing B lymphocytes in the blood and salivary glands of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

CD5, the human counterpart of Ly-1 molecules in the mouse, are detectable but weakly expressed on a minute fraction of circulating B cells. The number of CD5 + B cells in the blood of patients with Sjögrens syndrome was slightly higher than in control blood, but it became statistically significant after treatment of the cells with phorbol myristic acetate. These numbers were even higher in patients with homogeneous serum bands than in the others. A few scattered cells were stained with anti-human IgM antibody on salivary gland sections, and among them 5-10% were found to be positive for anti-CD5.

Autoimmune basis for visual paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with small cell lung carcinoma. Retinal immune deposits and ablation of retinal ganglion cells

Recently, patients with visual paraneoplastic syndrome (VPS) were described, a binocular loss of vision found in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). The patients have serum antibodies against a small number of discrete antigens which are shared by the retina and small cell carcinoma cells, and which are associated with cells and processes of the ganglion cell layer of the retina. Pathologic findings are presented with regard to the presence of immunoglobulins in, and the nature of the lesions in, the central nervous system of a VPS patient. The patients blood‐brain barrier was shown to be compromised, as demonstrated by the finding of high immunoglobulin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and immune deposits in the retina. It is further shown that within the central nervous system only the retina and optic nerve show any tissue damage with the specific loss of retinal ganglion cells and their processes. The findings support the hypothesis of an autoimmune cause for this remote effect of cancer.

Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid protein indices in schizophrenia

Determinations of albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were performed in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 24 subjects with schizophrenia. These determinations allowed calculation of two indices, one that is an indicator of integrity of the blood-brain barrier and the other a measure of selective IgG production within the central nervous system (CNS). In comparison with previously determined reference values, 7 of 24 (29%) subjects showed increased blood-brain barrier permeability, and 8 of 24 (33%) demonstrated elevated endogenous CNS IgG production. One of these eight also demonstrated oligoclonal banding on high-resolution protein electrophoresis of the CSF.

CSF and serum concentrations of albumin and IgG in Alzheimer's disease.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum concentrations of albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured in 31 patients with presumptive Alzheimers disease (AD) and in 14 healthy control subjects. The albumin and IgG quotients, and IgG index were calculated to evaluate the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and the intrathecal production of immunoglobulins. X-ray computerized tomography (CT) of the head was performed to investigate the relation between cerebral atrophy and CSF protein concentrations. The albumin and IgG quotients, and the IgG index did not differ significantly between the AD and control groups. Cerebral atrophy, as measured by CSF volume, was not related to CSF protein concentrations in either group. The results do not support the hypothesized roles of blood-brain barrier disruption or of immunologically-mediated injury of the central nervous system in the pathogenesis of AD.

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.

Lysozyme determination in parotid saliva from patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Lysozyme and total protein concentrations in parotid saliva were measured in 17 patients with primary Sjögrens syndrome, in six patients with Sjögrens syndrome secondary to hyperlipoproteinemia and in 14 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Increased lysozyme concentrations were found only in patients with primary Sjögrens syndrome and correlated well with the presence of parotid gland enlargement. The total protein concentration in the saliva of patients with Sjögrens syndrome was not different from that of the control subjects. Parotid saliva lysozyme determination may be useful as an early adjunctive diagnostic test of primary Sjögrens syndrome.

An Abnormal Lipoprotein in the Serum of Uremic Patients Maintained on Chronic Hemodialysis

Excerpt Premature coronary heart disease resulting from accelerated atherosclerosis ranks as a major cause of death among uremic patients who are undergoing chronic hemodialysis (1). Increased conc...

The Effect of Growth Hormone Administration on Lipids and Lipoproteins in Growth Hormone-Deficient Patients

Abstract Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and lipoprotein cholesterol levels were studied in a group (n = 8) of prepubertal growth hormone-deficient patients before and after growth hormone (GH) administration. Determination of plasma lipoproteins by a sensitive agarose gel electrophoretic technique demonstrated: (a) in the patients with two prebeta bands an intensification of the fast prebeta lipoprotein fraction after growth hormone administration; and (b) in the patients with one prebeta band the appearance of a second prebeta band after growth hormone administration. The mean (±SD) plasma triglyceride level before GH was 86 ± 60 mg/dl and 158 ± 95 mg/dl after GH (P < 0.01). Mean (±SD) plasma cholesterol level before GH was 196 ± 25 mg/dl and 174 ± 28 mg/dl after GH (P < 0.05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from mean (±SD) 55 ± 12 mg/dl before GH to 37 ± 10 mg/dl after GH. Very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) from mean (±SD) 13 ± 12 mg/dl before GH to 23 ± 15 mg/dl after GH. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased (N.S.) from mean (±SD) 123 ± 15 mg/dl before GH to 114 ± 15 mg/dl after GH. These lipid and lipoprotein changes could be mediated through the insulin antagonism, hyperinsulinemia, and a decrease in lipoprotein lipase activity caused by growth hormone.

Monoclonal and Oligoclonal Immunoglobulins in the Serum of Patients with B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The incidence of monoclonal and oligoclonal immunoglobulins (paraproteins) was determined in serum samples of 45 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients using the high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis technique combined with immunofixation. Paraproteins were identified in 25 of the 45 patients tested. Twelve paraproteins were monoclonal and 13 oligoclonal. IgG kappa and/or lambda immunoglobulin isotypes were found in 17/25 of these patients. No correlation of the lymphocyte cell morphology and the presence of paraproteins was demonstrated. The high frequency of serum oligoclonal immunoglobulins in B-CLL indicates that more than one lymphocyte clone may be present in this disease.

Oligoclonal Immunoglobulins in Mastocytosis

Excerpt Mastocytosis is defined as a disease in which mast cells infiltrate one or more tissues. Mastocytosis may be either benign or malignant (1), with the benign form of the disease characterize...