1. |
- Boe, Anette S., et al.
(author)
-
Autoantibodies against 21-hydroxylase and side-chain cleavage enzyme in autoimmune Addison's disease are mainly immunoglobulin G1
- 2004
-
In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 150:1, s. 49-56
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to the steroidogenic enzymes 21-hydroxylase (21OH) and side-chain cleavage enzyme (SCC) are important diagnostic markers for autoimmune Addison's disease and autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS) types I and II. The characterization of autoantibody (IgG) subclasses may reveal information on how tIssue destruction takes place; therefore, IgG subtypes of anti-21OH and anti-SCC antibodies from sera of patients with Addison's disease, APS I and APS II were determined using recombinant 21OH and SCC. METHODS: SCC(51-521) and his-SCC(51-521) were expressed by pET-scc in the Escherichia coli strain BL21 Star (DE3) and inclusion bodies were purified. Full-length, human 21OH fused to an N-terminal 6x histidine affinity tag was expressed in insect cells by using the baculovirus expression system bac-to-bac. Western blots were used to investigate the IgG subtype(s) of the autoantibodies against 21OH and SCC in patients and healthy blood donors. RESULTS: All anti-SCC positive sera (n=10) contained autoantibodies of the IgG1 subclass, while four out of ten also contained IgG3. All anti-21OH positive sera (n=16) had autoantibodies exclusively against IgG1. Sera from 20 healthy subjects did not show any reactivity against 21OH or SCC. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a predominating IgG1 response against 21OH and SCC may suggest that T helper (Th) cells of the Th1 subclass are involved in destruction of the adrenal cortex in patients with autoimmune Addison's disease.
|
|
2. |
- Gustafsson, Jan, et al.
(author)
-
APSI - svår autoimmun sjukdom med endokrina och icke-endokrina symtom
- 2004
-
In: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205 .- 1652-7518. ; 101:24, s. 2096-2103
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I (APS I) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a combination of autoimmune manifestations affecting endocrine and non-endocrine organs. APS I usually presents in childhood. The three most common manifestations are chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism and Addison's disease. At least two of these must be present to fulfill the diagnostic criteria of this syndrome. The spectrum of other associated diseases includes gonadal insufficiency, alopecia, vitiligo and chronic active hepatitis. APS I is caused by a mutation in the AIRE-gene (autoimmune regulator) located on chromosome 21. Analysis of specific autoantibodies against intracellular enzymes, particularly enzymes in the synthesis of steroids and neurotransmittors, can be used in the diagnosis of APS I and to predict different manifestations of the disease.
|
|
3. |
- Johnson, Håkan, 1966-, et al.
(author)
-
Predicting microbial growth in pulp using an electronic tongue
- 2003
-
In: Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal. - 0283-2631 .- 2000-0669. ; 18:2, s. 134-140
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper describes how an electronic tongue based on pulsed voltammetry over noble metal electrodes can be used as an instrument to predict the amount of microorganisms in pulp during their growth cycle. The electronic tongue consists of a sensor body and a PC, which is used to control a potentiostat which applies the voltammetric large amplitude pulsed voltammetry (LAPV)-waveform across the sensor electrodes, and to collect the data of the resulting current. The sensor body is constructed of four noble metal electrodes, a stainless steel electrode as counterelectrode, and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. This arrangement works as a standard three-electrode voltammetry system. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) multivariate prediction methods are used to extract information from the data and to aid interpretation. It is shown that PLS-models of the voltammetric signals from this sensor array predicts the reference methods, viable count using Petrifilm(TM) aerobic total counts, with good accuracy (root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) 9% of maximum value or 20% in a lower region corresponding to 500-1000 colony forming units) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-measurements with lower accuracy (10% of maximum value or 55% in a lower region). Since the precision of this method of detection is on a level with the viable count method, this method can be considered superior where short response times or the possibility of on-line measurement are of value.
|
|
4. |
|
|
5. |
- Ramsey, C, et al.
(author)
-
Aire deficient mice develop multiple features of APECED phenotype and showaltered immune response
- 2002
-
In: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 11:4, s. 397-409
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a monogenic autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the AIRE gene. Here we have produced knock-out mice for the Aire gene. The Aire-/- mice develop normally; however, autoimmune features of APECED in Aire-/- mice are evident, including multiorgan lymphocytic infiltration, circulating autoantibodies and infertility. The distribution of B and T cells and thymic maturation as well as activation of T cells appear normal, while the TCR-Vbeta repertoire is altered in peripheral T cells of Aire-/- mice. When mice are challenged with immunization, the peripheral T cells of Aire-/- mice have a 3-5-fold increased proliferation. These findings suggest that the Aire gene is not necessary for normal T cell education and development, while a defect in immune response detected in challenged Aire-/- mice underlines the crucial role of AIRE/Aire in maintaining homeostatic regulation in the immune system.
|
|
6. |
- Winqvist, Ola, et al.
(author)
-
Autoimmune adrenal insufficiency : recognition and management
- 2000
-
In: BioDrugs. - 1173-8804 .- 1179-190X. ; 13:2, s. 107-114
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The main cause of Addison's disease is an autoimmune organ-specific destruction of the cells in the adrenal cortex by an autoreactive process of activated immune cells directed against the steroid-synthesising enzyme 21-hydroxylase. The diagnosis of Addison's disease is suspected in a patient presenting with symptoms of fatigue, bodyweight loss, anorexia, salt craving, and signs of low blood pressure and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Laboratory findings include electrolyte disturbances, and typically an elevated serum potassium level and sometimes a low serum sodium level is found together with low plasma levels of basal and corticotropin-stimulated hydrocortisone (cortisol). An aetiological diagnosis can rapidly be made using commercially available assays demonstrating the presence of autoantibodies directed against 21-hydroxylase. Determination of 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies also permits early diagnosis before a complete adrenocortical destruction has occurred. Thus, a window of opportunity for an early immunomodulatory intervention therapy may exist. Patients presenting with an acute adrenocortical crisis should be treated with 100mg of hydrocortisone and saline intravenously without awaiting laboratory results. Maintenance therapy includes substitution of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid steroids, using divided and lower total dosages of glucocorticoids than previously used.
|
|
7. |
|
|