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Studies suggest that natural autoantibodies may be part of an immunological network which maintains the normal homeostatic response seen in controls. Any defect in this network leading to autoimmunity may be represented in the anti-retinal antibody response observed in patients. Characterisation of the humoral autoimmune response occurring during active uveitis may provide valuable information on the immune mechanisms, both humoral and cellular, involved in uveitis. Serum titres and ELISA based tests can only partially describe an antibody response, a more complete description requires access to the B-cell repertoire constituting the response. In the past hybridoma technology has generated a wealth of vital information on antibody responses in animals, but with limited success when applied to humans, producing unstable cell lines with poor antigen affinity. Using scFv phage display antibody technology we attempted to isolate the immune response occurring during active uveitis using a phage display library derived from peripheral blood lymphocyte mRNA of a patient with active uveitis. In this study, we report the isolation and characterisation of human autoimmune recombinant scFv's from two libraries, a uveitis patient derived library and a healthy non uveitis donor derived library. Anti-IRBP and S-Antigen autoantibodies were successfully selected from both libraries. Sequence analysis of these selected autoantibodies revealed possible differential epitope targeting of disease associated anti-S-Ag autoantibodies, and exclusive use of the VH segment, DP49 was revealed among selected anti-S-Ag scFv's. In addition ELISA studies using the selected scFv's, and both patient and control serum, indicated that it may be possible to distinguish the 'natural' and disease associated anti-S-Ag responses at the idiotype/anti-idiotype network level.

Fifteen adenoviruses from cattle, sheep, horses, and llamas were studied by virus neutralization to determine their degree of antigenic similarity. Prototype viruses included bovine adenoviruses species 1-8, ovine adenoviruses species 5 and 6, and equine adenovirus species 1. Unclassified viruses that were compared to the prototype viruses were isolated from different locations within Oregon and were represented by bovine isolate 32CN, ovine isolates 47F and 475N, and llama isolate 7649. Reciprocal virus neutralization tests were performed and the degree of antigenic similarity, i.e., species differentiation was determined by criteria established by the International Committee for the Nomenclature of Viruses. The study showed that many of the adenoviruses, both prototype and unclassified, shared minor antigenic components with each other. Prototype viruses possessed major antigenic differences and, as previously demonstrated by other investigators, should be classified as separate virus species. Bovine adenovirus isolate 32CN was shown to be of the same species as ovine adenovirus isolate 475N, but neither isolate was similar to any of the prototype virus species studied. Ovine adenovirus isolate 47F was shown to be of the same species as ovine adenovirus species 5 strain RTS 42. Llama adenovirus isolate 7649, while sharing minor antigens with different viruses from cattle and sheep, was shown to be a distinct species. This represents the first species of adenovirus from llama. / Graduation date: 1993

Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed February 3, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--M.D., University of Hong Kong. / Typescript.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1989.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Doctor of Medicine