Epitope promiscuity of human monoclonal autoantibodies to T-cell receptor-combining site determinants

To characterize the binding specificity and light- and heavy-chain variable region usage in monoclonal human autoantibodies (mAAbs) to T-cell receptors, we constructed heterohybridomas from peripheral blood B cells of three rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. From a panel of more than 200 heterohybridomas secreting IgM autoantibodies binding to T-cell receptor Vbeta chain first complementarity determining segments (CDR1), we characterized two IgM/lambda molecules from a single patient in detail. These bound to both CDR1 peptide epitopes and intact TCR of recombinant single-chain T-cell receptor constructs, and to T-cell surface TCR. Spectratype analysis using epitopes mimicking a set of 24 Vbeta genes indicated that one molecule bound only a few members of the set, whereas the second showed considerable epitope promiscuity by binding to more than half of the tested CDR1 peptides. Both mAAbs used variants of a Vlambda3 gene that were very similar to one another and to the germline gene. The epitope-promiscuous autoantibody used a V(H)4 gene identical to a germline prototype, while the other incorporated a V(H)3 sequence differing in only a single residue from its germline prototype. The CDR3s of both were large and distinct from each other as well as from the corresponding segments of rheumatoid factors and "cold agglutinins" using the same or related V(H) germline genes. These mAAbs offer models for deciphering the basis of epitope promiscuity, and serve as candidates for direct use in immunomodulation because they are of intrinsic human origin and do not require molecular engineering to adapt them for use in therapy.     

Quinolone Antibiotic Photodynamic Production of 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in Cultured Liver Epithelial Cells

To study the basis for the phototoxicity of quinolones, a class of synthetic antibacterials, the photodynamic ability to mediate 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) formation in cultured cells was measured for lome-floxacin (LMX), which is strongly associated with clinical phototoxicity in humans, and ciprofloxacin (CFX), which has few reports of phototoxicity. Adult rat liver (ARL-18) cells were exposed to the quinolones in the presence of UVA and DNA was extracted and analyzed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Low levels of 8-oxo-dG were found in the DNA of nonirradiated ARL-18 cells and this was increased up to 6-fold in the presence of either LMX (50–400 uAf) or up to 3.6-fold in the presence of CFX (50–400 µM) and UVA (20 J/cm²) when compared to the UVA control. Comparing separate experiments with LMX and CFX, LMX produced greater levels of 8-oxo-dG either after dark exposure or after UVA exposure at 20 J/cm². Also, LMX and CFX were both shown to photodegrade in the presence of UVA, and it was determined that UVA photoinstability alone does not reflect phototoxic potential. These data suggest that the photodynamic potential of LMX and CFX to produce 8-oxo-dG may relate to their human clinical phototoxicity profile. We suggest that the observed clinical phototoxicity is mediated through a UVA photodynamic effect on the quinolone to form reactive oxygen species in the presence of molecular oxygen. The findings indicate that 8-oxo-dG formation can serve as a marker for the potential phototoxicity of new quinolones.     

Synthesis and an X-ray structure of soluble phenylacetylene macrocycles with two opposing bipyridine donor sites

The synthesis of the shape-persistent macrocycles 10a and 10b with two bipyridine units in opposing sides by Hagihara/Sonogashira cross-coupling chemistry of suitably functionalized building blocks is reported. X-ray analysis of single crystals of 10b shows a layered structure with channels filled with solvent molecules and parts of the flexible chains. with which the cycle is decorated for solubility reasons.     

The two-step chemical vapor deposition of Pd(allyl)Cp as an atom-efficient route to synthesize highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles on carbon nanofibers

Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles supported on carbon nanofibers, which show high catalytic activity and stability in the hydrogenation of cyclooctene, were synthesized by the two-step metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of allylcyclopentadienylpalladium (Pd(allyl)Cp) as precursor at atmospheric pressure.     

Electron states in α-quartz (SiO2)

Valence electron states of α-quartz SiO₂ are calculated self-consistently using the pseudopotential method. Excellent agreement is found with photoemission and UV-absorption data. X-ray emission spectra are calculated in an OPW scheme and compared to experiments. While the Si- and O - K spectra agree well with experiment, the Si L_2,3 spectrum shows substantial differences. An explanation is offered base on the formation of amorphous Si in SiO₂ during electron irradiation.     

Electrolytic reduction of 3-carbethoxyquinoline

Two well-defined one-electron waves are observed on the polarograms for the reduction of 3-carbethoxyquinoline in 95% aqueous ethanol containing 1 M ammonium acetate. During macroscate electrolysis at a potential on the plateau of either wave, the ratio of the heights of the waves remains equal to one. Polarographic and voltammetric evidence is presented that the first wave represents a reversible one-electron reduction to a radical which rapidly dimerizes; and the second wave represents an irreversible one-electron reduction of the initially formed radical. The reduction mechanism suggested by the electrochemical evidence is verified by the isolation of dimeric products from controlled-potential electrolysis at the top of the first wave and the isolation of 1,4-dihydro-3-carbethoxyquinoline at the top of the second wave. The chemical characteristics of the dimeric products are discussed.