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The specificity of oxidized and reduced proteins of the ocular lens
SELECTED
633
ABSTRACTS
of this group had both eosinophilia and a positive skin test when originally seen. At the time of re-examination, seventeen (85 per cent) still showed a positive skin test. Of eight who originally exhibited a positive skin test and eosinophilia, but no clinical symptoms, 6 still showed a positive skin test (75 per cent). The skin test showed a tendency to become somewhat less marked 3 years after the illness. Eosinophilia was, for the most part, absent at the time of re-examination.
Purpura Hemorrhagica Following Neoarsphenamine and Bismarsen Therapy. Further Studies on Sensitivity to Arsphenamine and Tolerance to Mapharsen. Falconer, E>. H., and >:pstein, ?rT. X.: Arch. lnt. Me,l. 65: ll58, 19-N. This paper presents det.Gletl studies of 6 patients, 5 of whom presented purpu~d hemorrhagica following the administration of au arsenical (in 2 instances, neoarsphenamine, and in 3, bismarsen), and one of whom presented hemorrhagic phenomena without purpuric lesions ant1 without a decrease in platelets. Each of the 5 patients presenting purpura hemorrhagica could tolerate mapharsen without reaction. Test doses of the drugs to which these patients were sensitive resulted in the prompt onset of varying degrees of shock, suggesting to the authors an A prompt loss of capillary tone is the allergic, rather than a toxic, reaction. probable reason for the sudden drop in the platelet count found after the ad ministration of the arsenical. The fairly prompt rise in the platelet count (within twenty-four to forty-eight hours) is taken as evidence that the drop in the count is not cause11 by the destruction of platelets.
Some Observations H.:
Brit.
on Intracutaneous
J. Dermat.
52:
191,
Reactions
in Allergic
Eczemas.
Haxthauseu,
1940.
The author presents evidence which tends to tlemonstrate that in true allergic eczemas (contact dermatitis) the hypersensitivity is often found in the corium In patients who are hypersensitive to metals, the as well as in the epidermis. intracutaneous injection of 0.1 CC. of a weak solution of a salt of the offending metal will almost always produce a papular reaction after from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Such reactions are not found in normal persons. In many instances, within one or more days after the appearance of the pap&, pseudopodialike processes appear about the papule and extend slowly during the next few days as red streaks in the surrounding skin. The author discusses the possible causes of the spread of the reztion along the lymphatics. He believes that a simple spread of the metallic salt is unlikely, since such a spread would be rapid. He suspects tlrat the cause may be a s1owly spreading substance produced by the interaction of the antigen ant1 the hypersensit:ve cells in the skin.
Immunology IiNDER
The Specificity E., and
Pillemer,
THE
DIRECTION OF MATTIIEW WALZER, Max HARTEN, M.D., BROOKLYN
of Oxidized L.:
and Reduced Proteins
J. Exper.
Med.
Recent studies by the author revealed peculiarity of the keratins and that it (redox) state of the sulphydryl grouping
71:
M.D.,
AND
of the Ocular Lens.
Ecker,
E.
585, 1940. that species is dependent in the protein.
specificity is an individual on the oxidation-reduction Since the lens is rich
in
634
THE
JOURNAL
OF
ALLERGY
sulphydryl sulfur, it was chosen for further studies on the immunologic behavior of this group of proteins. The lenses of swine, chicken, sheep, and fish (pike) were prepared to avoid denaturation and to maintain the desired redox state of the protein. Rabbits received intravenous injections of 20 mg. of freshly prepared proteins daily for several six-day periods. Chemical analysis of the various proteins revealed the total nitrogen content of the different proteins to be almost identical. Marked variations were evident in the isoelectric points and in the content of cysteine of the various lens proteins. The proteins secured from swine and sheep lenses were almost identical in their chemical characteristics. The results of cross precipitation reactions indicated that only in distantly separated species, e.g., fish and chicken, is species specificity a prominent characteristic of the lens proteins, In immunologic tests of the proteins from swine and sheep lenses, almost identical results were obtained. A comparison of the chemical analysis of these proteins and their serologic characteristics revealed a marked similarity between chemical composition and immunologic variation. Oxidized lens proteins precipitated their homologous antisera in lesser degree than the reduced antigen, regardless of whether the homologous antisera were prepared from oxidized or from reduced proteins. These observations suggested that the spatial arrangement and recurrence of sulphydryl-disulfide grouping play a more important part in the specificity of the compounds than the redox state.
Studies L. M.:
on a Purified Am.
J. M.
Antigen SC. 199:
810,
from Brucella. 1940.
Morales-Otero,
P.,
and
Gonzales,
The different methods employed in the preparation of antigens have made correlations of cutaneous hypersensitivity to UruceZZa infection extremely difficult. In the present study, the authors have used a modification of Seibert’s technique to prepare a purified-product derivative from BrzcceZZa cells. This preparation has a fairly constant chemical composition and was used for complement fixation tests and for testing for cutaneous hypersensitivity in both man and animals. For intracutaneous testing 0.1 ml. of a 0.1 mg. per milliliter solution was used. In man the positive cutaneous reaction was characterized by marked edema and induration at forty-eight hours. In sensitized guinea pigs a violent inflammatory response with neutrophilic infiltration was noted following intracutaneous testing. In Puerto Rico, where Brzlcella abortus infection is prevalent in cattle, 4.2 per cent of the general population (1,003) using raw milk evidenced positive cutaneOf 222 persons in direct contact with cattle, 24.7 per cent gave a ous reactions. positive reaction. At St. Thomas, where no BrzcceZZa infection exists, no reactions The authors conclude that there is a were found among the 441 persons tested. direct relation between contact with infected material or ingestion of raw milk products and the incidence of cutaneous reactions to BruceZZu. No correlation was found between the cutaneous reaction to BrzcceZZn and other immunologic reactions, such as agglutination and complement fixation.
The Histaminase Pretreatment. 129:
219,
Content Rose,
of the Tissue of the Rat B.,
Karady,
S.,
and
and
Browne,
J.
the Effect of Histamine S. L.: Am. J. Physiol.
1940.
These studies were undertaken in an effort to determine in the rat and to note the effect of histamine pretreatment tent of living tissue in this animal. Preliminary experiments indicated that the destruction takes place in direct ratio to the amount of histaminase
the source of histaminase on the histaminase conof histamine present and
in vitro that the
633
ABSTRACTS
of this group had both eosinophilia and a positive skin test when originally seen. At the time of re-examination, seventeen (85 per cent) still showed a positive skin test. Of eight who originally exhibited a positive skin test and eosinophilia, but no clinical symptoms, 6 still showed a positive skin test (75 per cent). The skin test showed a tendency to become somewhat less marked 3 years after the illness. Eosinophilia was, for the most part, absent at the time of re-examination.
Purpura Hemorrhagica Following Neoarsphenamine and Bismarsen Therapy. Further Studies on Sensitivity to Arsphenamine and Tolerance to Mapharsen. Falconer, E>. H., and >:pstein, ?rT. X.: Arch. lnt. Me,l. 65: ll58, 19-N. This paper presents det.Gletl studies of 6 patients, 5 of whom presented purpu~d hemorrhagica following the administration of au arsenical (in 2 instances, neoarsphenamine, and in 3, bismarsen), and one of whom presented hemorrhagic phenomena without purpuric lesions ant1 without a decrease in platelets. Each of the 5 patients presenting purpura hemorrhagica could tolerate mapharsen without reaction. Test doses of the drugs to which these patients were sensitive resulted in the prompt onset of varying degrees of shock, suggesting to the authors an A prompt loss of capillary tone is the allergic, rather than a toxic, reaction. probable reason for the sudden drop in the platelet count found after the ad ministration of the arsenical. The fairly prompt rise in the platelet count (within twenty-four to forty-eight hours) is taken as evidence that the drop in the count is not cause11 by the destruction of platelets.
Some Observations H.:
Brit.
on Intracutaneous
J. Dermat.
52:
191,
Reactions
in Allergic
Eczemas.
Haxthauseu,
1940.
The author presents evidence which tends to tlemonstrate that in true allergic eczemas (contact dermatitis) the hypersensitivity is often found in the corium In patients who are hypersensitive to metals, the as well as in the epidermis. intracutaneous injection of 0.1 CC. of a weak solution of a salt of the offending metal will almost always produce a papular reaction after from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Such reactions are not found in normal persons. In many instances, within one or more days after the appearance of the pap&, pseudopodialike processes appear about the papule and extend slowly during the next few days as red streaks in the surrounding skin. The author discusses the possible causes of the spread of the reztion along the lymphatics. He believes that a simple spread of the metallic salt is unlikely, since such a spread would be rapid. He suspects tlrat the cause may be a s1owly spreading substance produced by the interaction of the antigen ant1 the hypersensit:ve cells in the skin.
Immunology IiNDER
The Specificity E., and
Pillemer,
THE
DIRECTION OF MATTIIEW WALZER, Max HARTEN, M.D., BROOKLYN
of Oxidized L.:
and Reduced Proteins
J. Exper.
Med.
Recent studies by the author revealed peculiarity of the keratins and that it (redox) state of the sulphydryl grouping
71:
M.D.,
AND
of the Ocular Lens.
Ecker,
E.
585, 1940. that species is dependent in the protein.
specificity is an individual on the oxidation-reduction Since the lens is rich
in
634
THE
JOURNAL
OF
ALLERGY
sulphydryl sulfur, it was chosen for further studies on the immunologic behavior of this group of proteins. The lenses of swine, chicken, sheep, and fish (pike) were prepared to avoid denaturation and to maintain the desired redox state of the protein. Rabbits received intravenous injections of 20 mg. of freshly prepared proteins daily for several six-day periods. Chemical analysis of the various proteins revealed the total nitrogen content of the different proteins to be almost identical. Marked variations were evident in the isoelectric points and in the content of cysteine of the various lens proteins. The proteins secured from swine and sheep lenses were almost identical in their chemical characteristics. The results of cross precipitation reactions indicated that only in distantly separated species, e.g., fish and chicken, is species specificity a prominent characteristic of the lens proteins, In immunologic tests of the proteins from swine and sheep lenses, almost identical results were obtained. A comparison of the chemical analysis of these proteins and their serologic characteristics revealed a marked similarity between chemical composition and immunologic variation. Oxidized lens proteins precipitated their homologous antisera in lesser degree than the reduced antigen, regardless of whether the homologous antisera were prepared from oxidized or from reduced proteins. These observations suggested that the spatial arrangement and recurrence of sulphydryl-disulfide grouping play a more important part in the specificity of the compounds than the redox state.
Studies L. M.:
on a Purified Am.
J. M.
Antigen SC. 199:
810,
from Brucella. 1940.
Morales-Otero,
P.,
and
Gonzales,
The different methods employed in the preparation of antigens have made correlations of cutaneous hypersensitivity to UruceZZa infection extremely difficult. In the present study, the authors have used a modification of Seibert’s technique to prepare a purified-product derivative from BrzcceZZa cells. This preparation has a fairly constant chemical composition and was used for complement fixation tests and for testing for cutaneous hypersensitivity in both man and animals. For intracutaneous testing 0.1 ml. of a 0.1 mg. per milliliter solution was used. In man the positive cutaneous reaction was characterized by marked edema and induration at forty-eight hours. In sensitized guinea pigs a violent inflammatory response with neutrophilic infiltration was noted following intracutaneous testing. In Puerto Rico, where Brzlcella abortus infection is prevalent in cattle, 4.2 per cent of the general population (1,003) using raw milk evidenced positive cutaneOf 222 persons in direct contact with cattle, 24.7 per cent gave a ous reactions. positive reaction. At St. Thomas, where no BrzcceZZa infection exists, no reactions The authors conclude that there is a were found among the 441 persons tested. direct relation between contact with infected material or ingestion of raw milk products and the incidence of cutaneous reactions to BruceZZu. No correlation was found between the cutaneous reaction to BrzcceZZn and other immunologic reactions, such as agglutination and complement fixation.
The Histaminase Pretreatment. 129:
219,
Content Rose,
of the Tissue of the Rat B.,
Karady,
S.,
and
and
Browne,
J.
the Effect of Histamine S. L.: Am. J. Physiol.
1940.
These studies were undertaken in an effort to determine in the rat and to note the effect of histamine pretreatment tent of living tissue in this animal. Preliminary experiments indicated that the destruction takes place in direct ratio to the amount of histaminase
the source of histaminase on the histaminase conof histamine present and
in vitro that the