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 ...

Hair and urine samples were collected from 34 male tannery workers and from 12 normal adults. Eighteen of the workers dealt directly with chromium and the remaining 16 (controls) worked in the offices and kitchen of the same factory. All were found to be clinically healthy. Chromium was determined by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. When compared with normal adult values, urinary chrom...

There is a need to identify specific biological indicator(s) of cadmium exposure so that the renal damage can be prevented. Towards this end, we have examined the usefulness of urinary metallothionein as an indicator of cadmium body burden. It is found that, in both animals and humans, urinary metallothionein level is related to the hepatic and renal cadmium burdens. Significant correlations ar...

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are heterotrimers consisting of a polymorphic H chain, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) and peptide. Peptides are thought to associate early during biosynthesis but the order of assembly of class I molecules from their component subunits in intact cells is not settled. We have studied the assembly of MHC class I molecules in intact cells wi...

As part of a study on health effects of naphtha exposure, the association between naphtha exposure and urinary excretion of total protein, albumin, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (beta-NAG), and beta 2-microglobulin was assessed prospectively over 1 year among workers at an automotive plant that used naphtha to calibrate fuel injectors. Participants consisted of 248 workers who provided spot u...

An immunonephelometric method developed for measurement of retinol-binding protein (RBP) in serum and urine can detect it in concentrations of about 30 micrograms/L, which is in the lower limit of its normal concentration in urine (range 0-0.56 mg/L; mean +/- SD 0.19 +/- 0.15; n = 44). Urinary RBP was increased (range 0.93-29.5 mg/L) in all of 25 urine specimens from 13 subjects being treated w...

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