The value of beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin concentrations in serum for early diagnosis of infants born to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected mothers was assessed. Concentrations of both markers were measured in serum samples from pediatric patients (Centers for Disease Control classifications P0, P1, and P2), as well as in age-matched normal subjects. Both beta 2-microglo...

We describe three malignant lymphomas of the diffuse "histiocytic" (large noncleaved) type in which most of the large lymphoid cells express monoclonal surface immunoglobulin and HLA-DR antigens but do not express HLA-A,B,C, or beta-2-microglobulin as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence.

β2-Microglobulin is the major prognostic factor in multiple myeloma, a known comorbidity of Gaucher disease. We evaluated herein serum β2-microglobulin levels of 31 type 1 Gaucher patients; for 8/31 patients, pre- and post-treatment comparisons were made. Thirteen patients (on treatment = 6) had high levels of β2-microglobulin, and showed higher chitotriosidase activity and Severity Score Index...

The 38 kD molecule is noncovalently associated with beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m)-free HLA heavy chain-like molecule, and thus forms a second heterodimer distinct from the clonotypic alpha/beta T cell receptor expressed by the same clone of leukemia cells. This second heterodimer (38 kD/HLA) is variably expressed and appears to be associated with the T3 molecule. We suggest, therefore, that it...

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study molecular encounters and recognition. In recent works, simulations using high concentration of interacting molecules have been performed. In this paper, we consider the practical problems for setting up the simulation and to analyse the results of the simulation. The simulation of beta 2-microglobulin association and the simulation of the b...

Taking advantage of our understanding of the peptide specificity of the major histocompatibility complex class I-b molecule M3a, we sought to determine why these molecules are poorly represented on the cell surface. To this end we constructed a chimeric molecule with the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of M3a and alpha 3 of Ld thereby allowing use of available monoclonal antibodies to quantify surf...

1Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico 2Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico 3Department of Basic Sciences, University of Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico 4Department of Biochemistry And Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, ...

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can recognize antigenic peptides bound in a groove formed by the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the heterodimeric major histocompatibility complex class I molecule. Proper assembly, transport, and stability of functional class I molecules is thought to require beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m), the light chain of the class I heterodimer. We show here that the requirem...

We report the effects of enzyme replacement therapy in a patient with Gaucher's disease associated with a monoclonal gammopathy. Alglucerase induces a linear decline in immunoglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin levels. This observation suggests that this treatment decreases the chronic antigenic stimulation commonly found in Gaucher's disease.

To investigate the role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in recovery from influenza pneumonia, we used transgenic mice either homozygous (-/-) or heterozygous (+/-) for beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) gene disruption. These mice lack major histocompatibility complex-restricted class I (CD8+) T cells. We found that after challenge with a nonlethal influenza virus, the beta 2-M (-/-) mice had significantly ...