Robert Winchester

Bio: Robert Winchester is an academic researcher from Columbia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Antigen & Human leukocyte antigen. The author has an hindex of 74, co-authored 216 publications receiving 31651 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert Winchester include Rockefeller University & Columbia University Medical Center.

The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract: The 1971 preliminary criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were revised and updated to incorporate new immunologic knowledge and improve disease classification. The 1982 revised criteria include fluorescence antinuclear antibody and antibody to native DNA and Sm antigen. Some criteria involving the same organ systems were aggregated into single criteria. Raynaud's phenomenon and alopecia were not included in the 1982 revised criteria because of low sensitivity and specificity. The new criteria were 96% sensitive and 96% specific when tested with SLE and control patient data gathered from 18 participating clinics. When compared with the 1971 criteria, the 1982 revised criteria showed gains in sensitivity and specificity.

The shared epitope hypothesis. An approach to understanding the molecular genetics of susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Aucun gene HLA seul n'a ete identifie comme conferant un risque de maladie. Distinction et definition des sous-types DR4. Role de la 3eme region hypervariable de DRβ1. Relation entre risque de pemphigus et DW1eme et DRW6eme, et relation entre susceptibilite a la polyarthrite rhumatoide et un groupe d'epitopes trouves dans les sous-types non DW10 de DR4

Human mononuclear phagocyte differentiation antigens. I. Patterns of antigenic expression on the surface of human monocytes and macrophages defined by monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Six newly developed monoclonal antibodies recognizing antigenic determinants expressed on the surface of human mononuclear phagocytes (MoPh) were applied to the antigenic analysis of this cell lineage. Antibody binding was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in conventional microscopy and flow microfluorometry. Through additive experiments, competitive blocking experiments and differences in the distribution histograms of immunofluorescence, evidence was obtained that each antibody detected a distinct antigenic determinant. Different increases in the amount of each antigen and in the frequency of positive cells were found on fluid or tissue macrophages when compared to blood monocytes. The six reagents could be placed in three general groups based on certain similar characteristics in their patterns of antigen expression. The reagents M+P-9, M+S-l, and M+S-39 reacted with antigens found at high densities on up to 94% of phagocyte cells in purified blood monocyte preparations and on the vast majority of fluid or tissue macrophages. The reagent M+P-15 recognized an antigen expressed at intermediate density on an average of 70% of blood monocytes and at greater density on almost all fluid and tissue macrophages. The reagents M+P-7 and M+R-17 detected antigens that were present at very low densities on 36% or less of blood monocytes but in larger quantities on almost all fluid or tissue macrophages; small amounts of these two antigens were also identified on a subpopulation of T cell blasts but not on resting T cells. The distribution and characteristics of the antigens recognized by the latter three reagents suggest they appear in sequence on the more mature members of the lineage MoPh and that their pattern of expression on blood monocytes defines three subsets.

IgG on Lymphocyte Surfaces; Technical Problems and the Significance of a Third Cell Population

Abstract: Direct immunofluorescence performed with the F(ab)2 fragment of rabbit antibodies to IgG revealed that membrane bound IgG was only rarely found on the surface of small peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). In contrast whole antibodies to IgG used in fluorescence gave much higher levels of cells with IgG surface staining. This staining resulted from secondary IgG binding, in part due to the uptake of newly formed immune complexes. IgM-and IgD-bearing cells were brightly stained in relatively similar percentages by both the whole and F(ab)2 forms of the class-specific antibodies; they constitute the principal membrane Ig of PBL. Evidence was obtained indicating that a special population of cells with Fc receptors but lacking membrane Ig was primarily involved in the high IgG binding. This population also formed sheep erythrocyte rosettes when optimal conditions were utilized.

Opportunistic Infections and Immune Deficiency in Homosexual Men

Abstract: A syndrome of opportunistic infections and acquired immune deficiency occurred among four previously healthy homosexual men. Fever, leukopenia, and diminished delayed hypersensitivity were...

Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: In 1982, the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Criteria Committee of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)published revised criteria for the classification of systemiclupus erythematosus (SLE) (1). During the ensuing decade several investigators, including Drs. Graham Hughes and Donato Alarcon-Segovia, among others, have described the presence and clinical associations or antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with SLE, as well as the occurrence of theprimary antiphospholipid syndrome (2-5). In 1992, Piette and colleagues suggested that the ACR revised criteria be reevaluated in light of the above discoveries (6).

Genome-wide association study of 14,000 cases of seven common diseases and 3,000 shared controls

Abstract: There is increasing evidence that genome-wide association ( GWA) studies represent a powerful approach to the identification of genes involved in common human diseases. We describe a joint GWA study ( using the Affymetrix GeneChip 500K Mapping Array Set) undertaken in the British population, which has examined similar to 2,000 individuals for each of 7 major diseases and a shared set of similar to 3,000 controls. Case-control comparisons identified 24 independent association signals at P < 5 X 10(-7): 1 in bipolar disorder, 1 in coronary artery disease, 9 in Crohn's disease, 3 in rheumatoid arthritis, 7 in type 1 diabetes and 3 in type 2 diabetes. On the basis of prior findings and replication studies thus-far completed, almost all of these signals reflect genuine susceptibility effects. We observed association at many previously identified loci, and found compelling evidence that some loci confer risk for more than one of the diseases studied. Across all diseases, we identified a large number of further signals ( including 58 loci with single-point P values between 10(-5) and 5 X 10(-7)) likely to yield additional susceptibility loci. The importance of appropriately large samples was confirmed by the modest effect sizes observed at most loci identified. This study thus represents a thorough validation of the GWA approach. It has also demonstrated that careful use of a shared control group represents a safe and effective approach to GWA analyses of multiple disease phenotypes; has generated a genome-wide genotype database for future studies of common diseases in the British population; and shown that, provided individuals with non-European ancestry are excluded, the extent of population stratification in the British population is generally modest. Our findings offer new avenues for exploring the pathophysiology of these important disorders. We anticipate that our data, results and software, which will be widely available to other investigators, will provide a powerful resource for human genetics research.

Adhesion receptors of the immune system.

Abstract: The adhesive interactions of cells with other cells and with the extracellular matrix are crucial to all developmental processes, but have a central role in the functions of the immune system throughout life Three families of cell-surface molecules regulate the migration of lymphocytes and the interactions of activated cells during immune responses

Development of criteria for the classification and reporting of osteoarthritis: Classification of osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract: For the purposes of classification, it should be specified whether osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is of unknown origin (idiopathic, primary) or is related to a known medical condition or event (secondary). Clinical criteria for the classification of idiopathic OA of the knee were developed through a multicenter study group. Comparison diagnoses included rheumatoid arthritis and other painful conditions of the knee, exclusive of referred or para-articular pain. Variables from the medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and radiographs were used to develop sets of criteria that serve different investigative purposes. In contrast to prior criteria, these proposed criteria utilize classification trees, or algorithms.