Appearance of Dextrans and Antidextran Antibodies in Human Sera

Abstract

The serologically active moiety of an antigen detected occasionally in pathologic sera by double-diffusion gel precipitation tests, referred to in earlier studies as ubiquitous tissue antigen, was identified as a dextran composed predominantly, if not exclusively, of α(1→6)-linked glucopyranoses. By means of an enzyme immunoassay, dextran or dextran-like material, which inhibited the binding of antidextran serum to dextran, was detected in sera of several patients with various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, especially GI ulcers (7/10), and also often in sera of aged people (9/21). However, 2 of 50 normal blood donor sera and a few sera from almost every disease group studied contained low quantities of dextran-like material. The levels of antidextran antibodies of the IgG class were also often elevated among patients with GI diseases and aged people as demonstrated by enzyme immunoassay with dextran T-500 as the solid phase antigen. OD values exceeding the mean plus 2.5 SD of 106 normal blood donor sera were recorded in 69% of patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers, 40% with ulcerative colitis, 29% with Crohn’s disease, 20% with colorectal carcinomas, and in 21% with rheumatoid arthritis. None of 23 children, but 9 of 23 aged people (35%) had elevated antibody levels. It is suggested that absorption of dextrans from food or their production by intestinal bacteria may be facilitated in various GI diseases.

Long-lasting, specific immunologic unresponsiveness associated with cryptococcal meningitis.

“…3) (6,14,15). Similar experience has been encountered with normal humans having antibody to dextran (16), to melibiose (17), and to certain microbial polysaccharides (18). In the group of cured cryptococcosis patients the prevalence of anti-CPS antibody as measured by RIA was 41.1% (Table I).…”

Dextran-Reactive Antibodies in Healthy Infants and Toddlers – Relation to Type of Feeding

“…It may be produced by microorganisms of the gas trointestinal tract [3]. Recently an 'ubiquitous' antigen occurring in low levels in sera of humans could be identified as native dextran [5].…”

“…There is also a well-established cross-reactivi ty between dextran and polysaccharides from many microorganisms, e.g. pneumococci, Salmonella typhi and streptococci [4], Recently an ubiquitous antigen occurring in low levels in tissues and sera of humans could be identified as native dextran [5], DRA can be demonstrated in the majority of heal thy adults. High titers of 512 and more, which rarely may be associated with anaphylactoid reactions after intravenous infusion of clinical dextran, have been demonstrated in 4% of random population samples [1], Less is known about the presence of DRA in chil dren.…”

Decreased Lysophospholipase and Increased Phospholipase A₂Activity in Heal Mucosa from Patients with Crohn’s Disease

“…One hypothesis is con nected to the concept that mucosal integrity is of prime importance to maintain a healthy state, and that increased mucosal permeabil ity may underlie the inflammatory process [1,2], This hypothesis is supported by the appearance of dextrans and antidextran anti bodies in sera from patients with CD [3], and by the increased permeability to 51Cr-EDTA [4] and lactulose [5] found in CD of the small intestine. Although these observations have not ruled out a variety of other possible causes for CD, they do suggest that the dis ease is accompanied by increased intestinal permeability.…”