By the use of a modified ionizer device we describe effective prevention of airborne transmitted ... more By the use of a modified ionizer device we describe effective prevention of airborne transmitted influenza A (strain Panama 99) virus infection between animals and inactivation of virus (>97%). Active ionizer prevented 100% (4/4) of guinea pigs from infection. Moreover, the device effectively captured airborne transmitted calicivirus, rotavirus and influenza virus, with recovery rates up to 21% after 40 min in a 19 m(3) room. The ionizer generates negative ions, rendering airborne particles/aerosol droplets negatively charged and electrostatically attracts them to a positively charged collector plate. Trapped viruses are then identified by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. The device enables unique possibilities for rapid and simple removal of virus from air and offers possibilities to simultaneously identify and prevent airborne transmission of viruses.
The spot hybridization assay for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum reported here uses as pro... more The spot hybridization assay for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum reported here uses as probe a repetitive DNA sequence from this species and exhibits a high degree of species specificity. Isolates from African, Asian, and South American patients were positive in the assay and gametocytes could be detected at the same level of parasitaemia as asexual parasites. An RNA probe containing the same repetitive sequence as the DNA probe has a detection limit of 1 parasite per 10(6) red blood cells. Comparison of the results of the assay with those obtained by microscopic examination of blood films indicated that the assay was more sensitive than microscopy if the blood films were examined for only 10 minutes; however, 40 minutes' examination by microscopy was slightly more sensitive than the assay.
NK-lysin (NKL), a 78-residue antimicrobial peptide, was isolated from pig small intestine. Standa... more NK-lysin (NKL), a 78-residue antimicrobial peptide, was isolated from pig small intestine. Standard methods identified the peptide as basic, with six half-cystine residues in three intrachain disulphide bonds. The sequence showed 33% identity with a part of a putative gene product (NKG5) from activated T and NK cells, NK-lysin showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium and marked lytic activity against YAC-1, a NK sensitive tumour cell line, while sheep red blood cells were unaffected. The cDNA clone corresponding to NK-lysin has been characterized. We have also analyzed the cell and tissue specific expression and the induction of the gene. A lymphocyte fraction enriched in T and NK cells, stimulated by human interleukin-2 (IL-2), showed a 30-fold increase of the NKL transcript. NK-lysin specific mRNA is also detectable in spleen, bone marrow and colon. Immunostaining showed NKL to be present in different types of lymphocytes. Our results strongly suggest that NK-lysin is involved in the inducible cytotoxicity of T and NK cells.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1988
A Sal I-Xho I fragment containing the genes encoding tat, art, and the envelope proteins from the... more A Sal I-Xho I fragment containing the genes encoding tat, art, and the envelope proteins from the BH10 clone of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was inserted into a simian virus 40 (SV40)-based eukaryotic expression vector. The vector is a shuttle vector that replicates to high copy numbers in both Escherichia coli and eukaryotic cells permissive for SV40 replication. Transfection of the HIV DNA-containing vector (pSVSX1) into the CV-1 monkey cell line gave high levels of expression of the envelope glycoproteins gp160 and gp120 in 20-30% of the transfected cells. By several criteria, the proteins were indistinguishable from those produced during infection. The proteins were localized to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane, and some of the gp120 was shed into the culture medium. Approximately 0.5 microgram of envelope protein could be extracted from 10(6) cells. This is at least 100 times higher than the levels found in HIV-infected H9 cells. In addition, a trans-activation assay per...
Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity is mediated by lymphoid cells carrying receptors for immunoglobul... more Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity is mediated by lymphoid cells carrying receptors for immunoglobulin. These receptors are specific for IgG since a) IgG, but not IgM or IgA antibodies, either in their polymeric or monomeric forms, are capable of inducing cytotoxicity and b) nonspecific IgG, but not nonspecific IgM or IgA, can inhibit antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. These receptors on effector cells can interact with heterologous antibodies, but affinity for homologous IgG is higher than for heterologous IgG. Normal IgG is not inhibitory in reactions which are known to be antibody-independent, e.g., lysis of allogeneic target cells by immunized spleen cells or cytotoxicity nonspecifically induced by phytohemagglutinin.
T-cell receptor-B-variable (TCR-BV) gene us- age and the CDR3 size distribution pattern were anal... more T-cell receptor-B-variable (TCR-BV) gene us- age and the CDR3 size distribution pattern were analyzed by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in pa- tients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leuke- mia (B-CLL) to assess the T-cell repertoire. The use of TCR-BV families in CD4 and CD8 T cells stimulated with autologous activated leukemic cells was compared with that of freshly obtained
The aim of the workshop was to discuss the various methods currently available in (cellular) immu... more The aim of the workshop was to discuss the various methods currently available in (cellular) immunology which could be applied to the problems of clinical kidney transplantation. The areas considered in the Workshop were divided into three categories: 1. Methods for immunological diagnosis of rejection, 2. Assays for quantitation of the biological effects of immunosuppressive drugs and 3. Prospects of transplantation tolerance, enhancement and related phenomena in kidney transplantation. As regards to the first topic, several immunological methods (most notably in the fine needle aspiration biopsy and tests for macrophage migration inhibition) were reported to be in use for this purpose. No one of the participants had personal experience of the second topic of the agenda, and the results of Bach and co-workers on the use of the mouse T-rosette inhibition test for this purpose were discussed. Almost half of the allotted time was used to discuss the anti-idiotype antibodies and their potential use for transplantation tolerance in immunologically mature graft recipients. Some results of the human kidney graft enhancement experiments were also discussed in this section.
By the use of a modified ionizer device we describe effective prevention of airborne transmitted ... more By the use of a modified ionizer device we describe effective prevention of airborne transmitted influenza A (strain Panama 99) virus infection between animals and inactivation of virus (>97%). Active ionizer prevented 100% (4/4) of guinea pigs from infection. Moreover, the device effectively captured airborne transmitted calicivirus, rotavirus and influenza virus, with recovery rates up to 21% after 40 min in a 19 m(3) room. The ionizer generates negative ions, rendering airborne particles/aerosol droplets negatively charged and electrostatically attracts them to a positively charged collector plate. Trapped viruses are then identified by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. The device enables unique possibilities for rapid and simple removal of virus from air and offers possibilities to simultaneously identify and prevent airborne transmission of viruses.
The spot hybridization assay for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum reported here uses as pro... more The spot hybridization assay for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum reported here uses as probe a repetitive DNA sequence from this species and exhibits a high degree of species specificity. Isolates from African, Asian, and South American patients were positive in the assay and gametocytes could be detected at the same level of parasitaemia as asexual parasites. An RNA probe containing the same repetitive sequence as the DNA probe has a detection limit of 1 parasite per 10(6) red blood cells. Comparison of the results of the assay with those obtained by microscopic examination of blood films indicated that the assay was more sensitive than microscopy if the blood films were examined for only 10 minutes; however, 40 minutes' examination by microscopy was slightly more sensitive than the assay.
NK-lysin (NKL), a 78-residue antimicrobial peptide, was isolated from pig small intestine. Standa... more NK-lysin (NKL), a 78-residue antimicrobial peptide, was isolated from pig small intestine. Standard methods identified the peptide as basic, with six half-cystine residues in three intrachain disulphide bonds. The sequence showed 33% identity with a part of a putative gene product (NKG5) from activated T and NK cells, NK-lysin showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium and marked lytic activity against YAC-1, a NK sensitive tumour cell line, while sheep red blood cells were unaffected. The cDNA clone corresponding to NK-lysin has been characterized. We have also analyzed the cell and tissue specific expression and the induction of the gene. A lymphocyte fraction enriched in T and NK cells, stimulated by human interleukin-2 (IL-2), showed a 30-fold increase of the NKL transcript. NK-lysin specific mRNA is also detectable in spleen, bone marrow and colon. Immunostaining showed NKL to be present in different types of lymphocytes. Our results strongly suggest that NK-lysin is involved in the inducible cytotoxicity of T and NK cells.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1988
A Sal I-Xho I fragment containing the genes encoding tat, art, and the envelope proteins from the... more A Sal I-Xho I fragment containing the genes encoding tat, art, and the envelope proteins from the BH10 clone of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was inserted into a simian virus 40 (SV40)-based eukaryotic expression vector. The vector is a shuttle vector that replicates to high copy numbers in both Escherichia coli and eukaryotic cells permissive for SV40 replication. Transfection of the HIV DNA-containing vector (pSVSX1) into the CV-1 monkey cell line gave high levels of expression of the envelope glycoproteins gp160 and gp120 in 20-30% of the transfected cells. By several criteria, the proteins were indistinguishable from those produced during infection. The proteins were localized to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane, and some of the gp120 was shed into the culture medium. Approximately 0.5 microgram of envelope protein could be extracted from 10(6) cells. This is at least 100 times higher than the levels found in HIV-infected H9 cells. In addition, a trans-activation assay per...
Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity is mediated by lymphoid cells carrying receptors for immunoglobul... more Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity is mediated by lymphoid cells carrying receptors for immunoglobulin. These receptors are specific for IgG since a) IgG, but not IgM or IgA antibodies, either in their polymeric or monomeric forms, are capable of inducing cytotoxicity and b) nonspecific IgG, but not nonspecific IgM or IgA, can inhibit antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. These receptors on effector cells can interact with heterologous antibodies, but affinity for homologous IgG is higher than for heterologous IgG. Normal IgG is not inhibitory in reactions which are known to be antibody-independent, e.g., lysis of allogeneic target cells by immunized spleen cells or cytotoxicity nonspecifically induced by phytohemagglutinin.
T-cell receptor-B-variable (TCR-BV) gene us- age and the CDR3 size distribution pattern were anal... more T-cell receptor-B-variable (TCR-BV) gene us- age and the CDR3 size distribution pattern were analyzed by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in pa- tients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leuke- mia (B-CLL) to assess the T-cell repertoire. The use of TCR-BV families in CD4 and CD8 T cells stimulated with autologous activated leukemic cells was compared with that of freshly obtained
The aim of the workshop was to discuss the various methods currently available in (cellular) immu... more The aim of the workshop was to discuss the various methods currently available in (cellular) immunology which could be applied to the problems of clinical kidney transplantation. The areas considered in the Workshop were divided into three categories: 1. Methods for immunological diagnosis of rejection, 2. Assays for quantitation of the biological effects of immunosuppressive drugs and 3. Prospects of transplantation tolerance, enhancement and related phenomena in kidney transplantation. As regards to the first topic, several immunological methods (most notably in the fine needle aspiration biopsy and tests for macrophage migration inhibition) were reported to be in use for this purpose. No one of the participants had personal experience of the second topic of the agenda, and the results of Bach and co-workers on the use of the mouse T-rosette inhibition test for this purpose were discussed. Almost half of the allotted time was used to discuss the anti-idiotype antibodies and their potential use for transplantation tolerance in immunologically mature graft recipients. Some results of the human kidney graft enhancement experiments were also discussed in this section.
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Papers by Hans Wigzell