[Determination of circulating immune complexes and of their component immunoglobulin classes M, G, and A with a C1q-ELISA]. / Die Bestimmung zirkulierender Immunkomplexe und der darin enthaltenen Immunglobulinklassen M, G und A mittels eines C1q-ELISA.

In 353 sera (from healthy donors as well as patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, malignant melanoma) circulating immune complexes were determined by C1q-binding test and a C1q solid-phase ELISA. Using peroxidase-labelled antibodies (from rabbit) against human mu-, gamma-, and alpha-heavy chains, the immunoglobulin classes in the complexes were determined. In rheumatoid arthritis, immune complexes contain IgM more frequently (41.5%) than in systemic lupus erythematosus (10%). Immune complexes containing only IgA as immunoglobulin were found in 24 cases. Our results including binding experiments with chemically aggregated IgA suggest, that the binding of C1q to IgA is not necessarily followed by classical complement activation.

[The lymphocyte transformation test using mononuclear cells of elderly humans as a suitable in vitro method for testing of structure activity relationships of splenin peptides]. / Der Lymphozytentransformationstest unter Verwendung von mononukleären Zellen alter Menschen als geeignete in vitro-Methode zur Testung von Struktur-Wirkungs-Beziehungen von Splenin-Peptiden.

More and more new immunostimulatory substances are developed. Besides old and new drugs have to be examined with regard to their side effects. Hence it follows demands for effective test possibilities. The lymphocyte transformation test with mononuclear cells of old men is a suitable in vitro method for testing of substances with thymic hormone-like activity in order to investigate the structure-effect-relationships. Thymopentin, human splenopentin and human diacetyl-splenopentin increase the phytohaemagglutinin induced lymphocyte transformation, on the other hand in the case of bovine splenopentin and human splenotritin this effect was not observed. By means of a patient with hypogammaglobulinaemia is demonstrated that the lymphocyte transformation test could also be a suitable method for the estimation of pharmacodynamics such peptides after in vivo treatment.

Comparison of different methods for the detection of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis in human sera.

Different methods for the detection of IgG antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis were compared as to their specificity, sensitivity and efficacy. A modified microimmunofluorescence test (MIF) was used as a reference method. Two commercial ELISA tests kits (Chlamyset-antibody EIA, Orion, Finland and Chlamydelisa, Whittacker M.A. Bioproducts, USA), the complement fixation test (CFT) and five self-made ELISA tests with CFT antigens were compared with the reference method and with each other. In comparison to the reference method, the Chlamyset was found to be the most useful method. Three of the ELISA tests with CFT antigens were statistically comparable with the Chlamyset and the CFT, but the two others showed statistically significant differences. The Chlamydelisa and the MIF showed great differences from all other methods. The Chlamydelisa was very sensitive but apparently unspecific. Possible reasons for the different results are discussed.

[Detection of IgM rheumatoid factors using ELISA and agglutination tests with new latex]. / Zum Nachweis von IgM-Rheumafaktoren mittels ELISA und Agglutinationstesten mit neuen Latices.

An ELISA for the detection of IgM rheumatoid factors was developed. Additionally agglutination tests on the basis of polystyrene latex particles were developed. The results of these tests were compared with one another and with those of Latex-Schnelltest from SSW. A good agreement between ELISA and latex agglutination tests was found.

[Comparative studies of bronchial secretions in children with chronic, nontuberculous lung diseases. 2. The detection of IgA, sIgA, IgG, IgM and albumin]. / Vergleichende Bronchialsekretuntersuchungen bei Kindern mit chronischen, nichttuberkulösen Lungenerkrankungen. 2. Mitteilung: Zum Nachweis von IgA, sIgA, IgG, IgM und Albumin.

The aim of the present study was to estimate some proteins in bronchial secretions from children with chronic nontuberculous lung diseases. In 166 samples from 63 children the immunoglobulins IgA, sIgA, IgG, IgM and albumin were measured. With rising deterioration of the state of the disease IgG, IgA and albumin were found to be increased, maximal values were observed in patients with dark altered mucosa. With increasing duration of the disease and in comparison with relapsing and deforming bronchitis IgA and sIgA are elevated in patients with chronic bronchitis. The other proteins had a decreasing tendency. In comparison with the later states of illness in sucklings with beginning of the lung disease IgA and sIgA could be estimated less frequently.

[Immunoglobulin A and its significance for mucosa immunity--a contribution to the understanding of microbial interactions]. / Immunglobulin A und seine Bedeutung für die Schleimhautimmunität--ein Beitrag zum Verständnis mikrobieller Interaktionen.

The secretory immunoglobulin A is still dominating with regard to knowledges and further investigations of the causes of mucosal immunity. Origin, formation, structure and mode of action of s-IgA are extensively explored. In the clinical range results of researches on symptoms and consequences of selective IgA deficiency are gaining importance, increasingly. Patients with IgA defect suffer up to 40 times more frequently from allergies and autoimmunopathies. In the induction of the immune response cellular components of mucosa immunity attaining the Lamina propria and the epithelium with the effector cells of Peyer's patches play a particular role.

[Experiences in the preparation of the secretory IgA and secretory component from human colostrum]. / Erfahrungen bei der Präparation von sekretorischem IgA und sekretorischer Komponente aus Humankolostrum.

With the isolation of secretory IgA and secretory component from human colostrum following the route communicated by Kobayashi some differences revealed with respect to the preparative results. Mainly problems arising from lactoferrin and IgM encouraged us to offer some varied laboratory instructions.

Cell-mediated immunity to influenza virus antigen and mitogen in guinea pigs: measurement with a semimicro protein synthesis assay.

A rapid and precise method for the assay of cell-mediated immune response basing on protein synthesis stimulation of mitogen-activated guinea pig lymphocytes is modified in a way that enables the study of virus-immunological problems. When used as a micromethod it has the following advantages over conventional methods: short-term cell culture, need of low quantities of cells and rapid preparation of great numbers of samples for radioactivity measurements. In this study we report the results of comparative experiments on measuring lymphocyte stimulation after addition of PHA and stimulation of sensitized lymphocytes following contact with homologous influenza virus antigen in vitro. The most important reaction parameters are as follows: 5-6 . 10(5) spleen lymphocytes/microculture in microtiter plates, use of Eagles's MEM cell culture medium without leucine, supplemented with HEPES buffer and 10% autologous guinea pig serum; optimum lymphocyte stimulation by addition of 0.5 microliter PHA or 0.1-1.0 microgram virus protein/ml; immuno-stimulation by PHA can be measured in vitro already after 6 h and by influenzavirus antigen already after 24 h.

Comparison of protein and DNA synthesis assays of guinea pig spleen lymphocytes after stimulation with influenza virus antigen and phytohemagglutinin.

Two in vitro-methods for demonstration of cell-mediated immune response are compared: Protein and DNA synthesis for detection of in vitro influenza virus antigen- and mitogen-induced lymphocyte stimulation. Guinea pig spleen lymphocytes sensitized with influenza virus antigen were tested in a microadaptation of the lymphocyte transformation test using 14C- or 3H-leucine and 3H-thymidine. As a positive control for T-cell stimulation PHA-induced lymphocyte stimulation was measured. The following results were obtained: 1. Kinetics of the incorporation of 14C-leucine and 3H-thymidine in lymphocytes incubated with optimal and suboptimal PHA-doses respectively are quantitatively similar but different in time. 2. The results of the protein- and DNA-synthesis stimulation assays were correlated against influenza virus antigens, this could not be described by the comparison of cellular and single humoral parameters. 3. The administration of influenza virus antigens in CFA induced a more intensive cell-mediated reaction than injections of antigens in aqueous suspensions, but the results of both methods of CMI were correlated. 4. The optimal CMI under the experimental conditions described is induced by an administration of 30 to 50 microgram virus protein per animal and by a combined intramuscular--intraperitoneal immunization procedure. 5. The measurement of the early stimulation of protein synthesis in the PSS-test is substantially more rapid than for the classical LTT.

[Fluorometric determination of the quality of FITC-anti influenza conjugates (author's transl)]. / Beurteilung der Qualität von Anti-Influenza-FITC-Testseren mit Hilfe der Fluorometrie.

A fluorometric method for the evaluation of FITC-anti influenza conjugates is described. The titre and that dilution required for the complete detection of antigens can be determined. It is possible to verify the probability of detection in per cent for any dilution stage and to compare objectively different batches. For this microtest only 0,2 ml conjugate are necessary.