Wasserman antibody

An immuno sensor for determining specific proteins uses a liquid antigen containing cardiolipin, phosphatidyl choline, and cholesterol immobilized onto an acetyl cellulose membrane. The membrane-bound antigen retains immunological reactivity to Wasserman antibody. The asymmetrical potentitil is dependent on the concentration of the antibody (319, 320). 

Cardiolipin or diphosphatidyl glycerol is one of the most ancient membrane phospholipids from phylogenic aspects. It is surprising for such a complex molecule as cardiolipin to have evolved as one of the major membrane lipids in prokaryotics, when steroids such as cholesterol and phytosterols did not. In eukaryotic cells, cardiolipin is exclusively localized within the mitochondria where it is particularly emiched in the outer leaflet of the inner membrane. Even though a molecular structure of cardiolipin has been conserved in entire organisms, its biological significance has escaped attention except in the case of anti-cardiolipin auto-antibodies which are clinically associated with the Wasserman reaction. 

G6. Gottlieb, C., Lau, K. S., Wasserman, L. R., and Herbert, V., Rapid charcoal assay for intrinsic factor (IF), gastric juice unsaturated B12 binding capacity, antibody to IF, and serum unsaturated B12 binding capacity. Blood 25, 875-883 (1965). 

IL-3 is produced by T lymphocytes, but also by mast cells. In rodents it is important for the development of mast cells and basophils and promotes eosinophil survival (Wasserman, 1990). Antibodies to IL-3 result in a fall in tissue numbers of mast cells in mice. IL-3 has been repotted to protect mast cells from apoptosis, an event likely mediated by the maintenance of intracellular calcium levels (Mekori et al., 1993). Whether IL-3 plays a critical role in mast cell expression in human tissues is not clear and other cytokines including IL-10 and stem cell ffictor c-kit ligand) may also be important. 

H VanVunakis, E Wasserman, L Levine. Specificity of antibodies to morphine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 180 514, 1972. 

Wasserman E, and Levine L (1961) Quantitative microcomplement fixation and its use in the study of antigenic structure by specific antigen-antibody inhibition. /. Immunol. 87, 290-295... 

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