0000000000352411
AUTHOR
E. Marker-hermann
Functional Definition of a B Cell Epitope, KGEQGEPGA, on C1q the Fc-Binding Subunit of the First Component of Complement
A synthetic peptide representing the C1q epitope KGEQGEPGA has been shown to suppress or delay the onset of CII-induced arthritis when applied intravenously (i.v.) prior to an intradermal (i.d.) challenge, in a mouse model; the phenomenon being associated with the development of immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies specific for the KGEQGEPGA epitope. Here we show that this amino acid sequence provides an immunodominant B cell epitope that is recognised by autoantibodies present in the sera of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis, two diseases associated with an immune response to C1q. The peptide's ability to produce pept…
Identification of a Unique Helicobacter Species by 16S rRNA Gene Analysis in an Abdominal Abscess from a Patient with X-Linked Hypogammaglobulinemia
ABSTRACT A unique Helicobacter species, MZ640285, was isolated from a patient with X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia suffering from recurrent abdominal abscesses and was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. In the phylogenetic tree, the isolate fell into a cluster which included Flexispira rappini , Helicobacter bilis , and Helicobacter sp. strain Mainz. Helicobacters are being increasingly recognized as pathogens in immunocompromised hosts. These fastidious bacteria are not easily cultured in the routine diagnostic laboratory, and this is the first report of their identification by 16S rRNA gene sequencing performed directly from a clinical specimen.