0000000000223331
AUTHOR
Volker Brade
Thymidine-dependent Staphylococcus aureus small-colony variants: human pathogens that are relevant not only in cases of cystic fibrosis lung disease.
ABSTRACT We report the isolation of thymidine-dependent small-colony variants (TD-SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus from unusual infection sites of patients with chronic soft tissue infection, tympanitis, bronchitis, peritonitis, and septicemia. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the essential growth factor for TD-SCVs, i.e., thymidine, and its metabolite dTMP are present in various human specimens.
Effect of in vivo stimulation of mice on the secretion of factor B of the alternative complement pathway by peritoneal macrophages
After in vivo treatment of mice with thioglycollate medium, the amount of native factor B which could be detected in vitro in culture supernatants of peritoneal macrophages was much lower than that found in supernatants of macrophages taken from untreated mice. However, when the macrophages from thioglycollate medium-treated mice were cultured on a plastic surface covered with glutardialdehyde-linked bovine serum albumin, the culture supernatants contained larger quantities of native factor B than culture supernatants of macrophages from untreated mice under the same conditions. Thus, the effect of in vivo thioglycollate medium treatment on the in vitro secretion of factor B by peritoneal m…
The Properdin System: Composition and Function
. This article summarizes the physicochemical data on the factors which compose the properdin system in guinea pig and man. The following other topics are discussed: (1) Activation of the properdin system; (2) Formation of the initiating and amplification C3 convertases; (3) Formation of the C5 convertase, and (4) Regulatory control mechanisms of the properdin system.
In vitro synthesis of factor B of the alternative pathway of complement activation by mouse peritoneal macrophages
Factor B of the alternative pathway of complement activation was shown to be synthesized and secreted by unstimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The activity of B in the culture supernatants from macrophage monolayers was detected by consumption of C3 in reaction mixtures containing supernatant and guinea pig factors C3, D and insoluble C3b. Using a monospecific antiserum, factor B in concentrated culture supernatants was shown by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis to be identical to factor B in mouse plasma and to form a characteristic complex with cobra venom factor in the presence of D. A steady rate of factor B secretion was observed for 4 days providing the medium was changed…