[Physiologically active brain proteins as possible markers of mental diseases]. It has been shown that there is a decrease in the content and activity of three neurospecific proteins (neurospecific enolase--NSE, glial fibrillar acid protein--GFAP and creatine kinase CK BB) in various structures of the postmortal brain of schizophrenic patients and those with senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The differences in the intensity and localization of these disorders in the above patients' groups have been detected. A previously unknown component of a pathological process in the brain, indicated by the decrease of the CK content and activity has been discovered. It is suggested that the decrease of the content of CK BB results in the development of energy deficit in the brain in patients with mental disorders.


[Tachykinins in the central mechanisms of biological motivation]. The studies have indicated that tachykinin peptides are selectively involved in the central mechanisms of biological motivations. The injections of tachykinins suppress food motivation, salt appetite, to a lesser extent modifying defensive behaviour. Neuropeptides, including tachykinins, affect the prompt induction of early genes, which in turn enables a neuron to transform a short-term synaptic stimulation to long-term changes of synaptic sensitivity.


[Search for the substances selectively acting on the mediatory transmission of stimulatory amino acids]. The design of new compounds selectively acting on excitatory amino acid neurotransmission is discussed on the basis of structure-activity relationships. Some new compounds, derivatives of aspartic, glutamic, 2,3-diaminopropionic and some other acids, are cited as examples.


Adolescent pregnancy and early intervention programs benefit from case management. Case Management methods are being adapted to effectively serve two vulnerable populations: pregnant and parenting adolescents, and infants and toddlers with disabilities of developmental delay and their families. This article describes the case management model developed by California's Adolescent Family Life program and discusses issues related to providing family-centered, community-based case management in early intervention programs.


Potentiation of the vasorelaxant activity of nitric oxide by hydroxyguanidine: implications for the nature of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. 1. We recently demonstrated that NG-hydroxy-L-arginine (L-HOArg) is a substrate for the constitutive nitric oxide (NO) synthase present in bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured on microcarrier beads (EC). Furthermore, L-HOArg reacts chemically with NO released from these cells to form a potent and more stable vasodilator. This is most likely through a reaction with the hydroxyguanidino group. 2. Here, we studied the interaction of a simpler molecule, hydroxyguanidine (HOG) with NO. 3. HOG (10 microM), like L-HOArg (10 microM) or NG-hydroxy-D-arginine (D-HOArg, 10 microM), potentiated and stabilized the relaxant activity of authentic NO. 4. When NO was bubbled through the solution of HOG, a new compound was formed. It had similar physicochemical properties to those of the previously described L-HOArg/NO adduct. It was also a potent vasodilator and its action was inhibited by oxyhaemoglobin (10 microM), indicating formation of a NO-containing substance. 5. Moreover, HOG (10 microM) was not a substrate for the constitutive NO synthase present in the microsomal fraction of EC and did not affect the flow-induced or bradykinin-stimulated generation of prostacyclin, as measured by 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. 6. We also studied the effect of HOG on the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released from the column of EC. HOG (10 microM) potentiated and stabilized the relaxations of rabbit aortic strips induced by EDRF released by bradykinin (5-20 pmol) or ADP (5-10 nmol). These relaxations were inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 microM) and L-arginine (L-Arg, 1 mM) reversed the inhibitory effects of L-NAME. 7. HOG (10 iM) augmented the basal (flow-induced) EC-dependent relaxations which were also inhibited by L-NAME (10 1M) and the effects of L-NOArg were reversed by L-Arg (1 mM).8. Thus, the hydroxyguanidino moiety of L-HOArg is involved in the reaction with NO. Moreover, the comparable reaction of the hydroxyguanidino compounds with NO on the one hand and with flowinduced and agonist-triggered EDRF on the other, strongly supports their common identity.


Pterins inhibit nitric oxide synthase activity in rat alveolar macrophages. 1. The synthesis of nitrite and citrulline from L-arginine by immune-stimulated rat alveolar macrophages and the modulation of this synthesis were studied. 2,4-Diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP), 6R-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin (BH4) and L-sepiapterin were potent inhibitors of the recombinant interferon-gamma induced production of nitrogen oxides in intact cultured cells with I50 values for BH4 and L-sepiapterin of approximately 10 microM. They were equally effective in inhibiting the induced production of citrulline. This inhibitory effect was concentration-dependent for all three modulators investigated. 2. The inhibitory effects were not dependent on incubation times of either 24 or 48 h, on the immune-stimulus used (lipopolysaccharide, interferon-gamma), or whether these stimuli were added during or after the induction period. 3. Pterin-6-carboxylic acid (PCA), which cannot be converted into BH4, and methotrexate (MTX), which inhibits dihydrofolatereductase but not de novo biosynthesis of BH4, did not change the production of nitrite. 4. The data indicate that DAHP, an inhibitor of the de novo biosynthesis of the co-factor BH4, blocks the nitric oxide synthase activity in intact cells. Since the pterins BH4 and L-sepiapterin blocked the L-arginine dependent production of nitrite and citrulline, the activity of nitric oxide synthase in phagocytic cells may be regulated by metabolic endproducts of the de novo biosynthesis of BH4.


Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase selectively reduce flow in tumor-associated neovasculature. 1. The effects of L-arginine analogues, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and methylene blue on blood flow in a murine adenocarcinoma and melanoma have been investigated. 2. Sponge implants in Balb/c and C57/BL mice were used to host proliferating tumour cells while the washout of 133Xe was employed to assess local blood flow in the implanted sponges. 3. Pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) reduced blood flow in both tumours but this effect was reversed by administration of L-arginine. 4. In marked contrast, the effect of these same NO inhibitors on the blood flow in sponge-induced non-neoplastic granulation tissue was negligible. 5. These results strongly suggest that: (a) flow in tumour vessels is modulated by nitric oxide which maintains a dilator tone in neoplastic tissue; (b) the constrictor activity (as monitored by an increase in t1/2 of 133Xe) of NO inhibitors may be attributed to the removal of such dilator tone; (c) many of the abnormalities described in tumour vasculature, such as hyporeactivity or unresponsiveness to vasoactive mediators and maximum vasodilation, may be due to an increase in NO synthesis in cancers.


Protective effects of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase in immune complex-induced vasculitis. 1. The ability of analogues of L-arginine (N-iminoethyl-L-ornithine (L-NIO), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA)) to protect against inflammatory injury induced by activated neutrophils was investigated in rats following intradermal or intrapulmonary deposition of immune complexes. 2. The descending order of potency for protective effects of these analogues was: L-NIO > L-NMMA > L-NNA = L-NAME. The approximate IC50 value for L-NIO in the dermal vasculitis model was 65 microM. For all other compounds, the IC50 values were > 5 mM. 3. The protective effect of L-NIO in the skin was reversed in a dose-dependent manner by the presence of L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. L-Arginine also reversed the protective effects of L-NIO in immune complex-induced lung injury. 4. The protective effects of L-NIO were not associated with reductions in neutrophil accumulation, as measured by extraction from tissues of myeloperoxidase. 5. These data demonstrate that L-NIO has the most potent protective effects against immune complex-induced vascular injury induced by activated macrophages. Furthermore, they indicate that this injury is dependent upon the generation of nitric oxide.


Inflammatory mechanisms in the passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction in the rabbit: evidence that novel mediators are involved. 1. We have examined the mechanisms of local oedema formation in the passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction in the rabbit. 2. IgE-containing antiserum was injected i.d. and allowed to sensitize skin sites for periods up to 240 h. Antigen (bovine gamma globulin) was injected i.d. or i.v. and local oedema formation assessed by the accumulation of i.v. injected 125I-labelled rabbit serum albumin. Potential inhibitors were mixed with antigen prior to i.d. injection or were administered i.v. 3. Maximum oedema formation was observed when a sensitization period of 48-72 h was used. Oedema formation in the PCA reaction was of short duration with a t 1/2 of approximately 15 min. No evidence of late oedema formation (up to 6 h) was found. 4. Local oedema formation in the PCA was reduced by indomethacin suggesting that vasodilator, oedema-potentiating prostaglandins were released. However, it was likely that other vasodilators were also generated. 5. Antihistamines were poor inhibitors of oedema formation as were PAF antagonists, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, a kallikrein inhibitor, a bradykinin antagonist and anti-C5a antibody. 6. Local oedema formation in the PCA was partially reduced by neutrophil depletion and colchicine suggesting that neutrophil-dependent mediators were involved. 7. Exudate fluid from anaphylactic reactions in the rabbit peritoneal cavity contained permeability-increasing activity when injected into rabbit skin. This activity is now being characterized. 8. A vasodilator prostaglandin appears to be released in the rabbit PCA reaction but none of the established permeability-increasing mediators appears to be involved. Thus, there may be novel inflammatory mediators generated in this reaction which may have relevance for human allergic skin diseases.


L-arginine dilates rat pial arterioles by nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms and increases blood flow during focal cerebral ischaemia. L-Arginine (> or = 30 mg kg-1, i.v.), but not D-arginine (300 mg kg-1) administered 5 min after unilateral common carotid/middle cerebral artery occlusion increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within the dorsolateral ischaemic cortex in spontaneously hypertensive rats. L-Arginine (300 mg kg-1) increased rCBF from 22 +/- 2.7 to 33 +/- 4% of baseline as measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry. This increase may explain the ability of L-arginine to reduce infarct size following focal cerebral ischaemia, as reported previously. The mechanism appears to be mediated by nitric oxide since topical L-NAME (1 microM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, decreased pial arteriole calibre from 115 +/- 2.2 to 106 +/- 0.9% of baseline following L-arginine infusion (300 mg kg-1).


Protein kinase C-independent sensitization of contractile proteins to Ca2+ in alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle cells from the guinea-pig stomach. Involvement of protein kinase C in receptor-operated Ca2+ sensitization of cell shortening was investigated by use of alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle cells from the fundus of the guinea-pig. Most of the isolated cells responded to 0.6 microM Ca2+ with a maximal shortening to approximately 65% of the resting cell length. Addition of acetylcholine (ACh) at a maximal concentration (10 microM) resulted in a marked decrease in the concentration of Ca2+ required to trigger a threshold response from 0.6 microM to 0.2 microM. The augmentation of Ca2+ sensitivity by ACh was not inhibited by specific protein kinase C inhibitors, calphostin C and K-252b at a concentration of 1 microM. These findings suggest that protein kinase C is not involved in the muscarinic receptor-operated augmentation of Ca2+ sensitivity.


Enhanced responsiveness of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pig alveolar macrophages to tachykinins. 1. We have evaluated the ability of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and the selective NK2 receptor agonist [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10) to induce superoxide anion (O2-) production and prostanoid (prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2) release from alveolar macrophages (AMs) isolated from control or actively sensitized guinea-pigs. 2. The dose-response curves for NKA and SP were shifted to the left (three orders and one order of magnitude, respectively) in AMs isolated from sensitized animals, with no variation in maximal effects. 3. By evaluating the effects of [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10), we observed that not only was the concentration-response curve shifted to the left in both the functional parameters examined, but also maximal effects were significantly enhanced in AMs isolated from sensitized guinea-pigs. 4. This varied responsiveness seems to be specific for tachykinins, as it was not reproduced by another AM stimulant, the bacterial peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). 5. Only small amounts of beta-glucuronidase were released following tachykinin or ovalbumin stimulation both in control and sensitized AMs. 6. These results indicate that AMs isolated from sensitized guinea-pigs show an increased responsiveness to NK2 receptor stimulation and further stress the role played by AMs in allergic lung diseases.


Staging of prostate cancer. Accuracy of transrectal ultrasound enhanced by prostate-specific antigen. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has shown some promise in the staging of prostate cancer, while prostate-specific antigen (PSA) alone is insufficient. By combining prospective TRUS evaluation with retrospective PSA analysis, we demonstrated an increased accuracy of this combined staging method over TRUS alone. In 48 men undergoing radical prostatectomy, TRUS was performed and PSA measured pre-operatively. On the basis of TRUS, tumours were classified as contained or uncontained. An "expected" PSA value was then calculated for each patient as follows: K x volume of hypoechoic area +0.07 x prostate volume where K = 2.1 if the combined Gleason score of the initial biopsy was > or = 7, or 4.2 if the score was < or = 6. If a patient's pre-operative PSA value was less than or equal to the expected PSA, his tumour was judged to be contained. Staging by both TRUS and PSA was combined, so that if the tumour was judged uncontained by either parameter, the combined prediction was uncontained. Results of the combined staging were: sensitivity 84%, specificity 82%, positive predictive value 94%, negative predictive value 60%, accuracy 83%. This PSA formula, which takes into account the size and grade of the lesion rather than an arbitrary cut-off value, enhances the local staging of prostate cancer by TRUS.


Placebo-controlled study of terazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with 2-year follow-up. This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-a-day terazosin (10 mg/d) in ambulatory patients (n = 57) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). After a 4-week placebo lead-in and a 24-week treatment period with terazosin (with both phases being single-blind), 30 patients who responded to terazosin were randomly assigned to either the terazosin or placebo treatment group for 12 weeks. During the single-blind treatment period, the peak urine flow rate increased 54% from a baseline average of 7.76 ml/s to 11.92 ml/s after terazosin administration; the mean flow rate increased 55% from a baseline of 4.90 ml/s to 7.59 ml/s; and the residual volume decreased 56% from 93.1 ml to 40.7 ml. The mean obstructive symptom score, irritative symptom score and physician global assessment score improved by 68%, 34% and 27%, respectively. All these changes were significant when compared with baseline values. During the double-blind period, the improvement in all the variables was sustained in the terazosin group but not in the placebo group. Peak and mean urinary flow rates, and physician assessment showed significant differences at the end of the double-blind period. Adverse events occurred only during the single-blind period. The most frequently experienced events were headache (n = 6), asthenia (n = 3) and hypotension (n = 3). A follow-up study that initially included 12 patients showed no significant loss of improvement in symptoms and no change in urodynamic parameters with the 5 mg terazosin dose at 1 year. At 2 years, the 9 remaining patients showed sustained improvement and no signs of tachyphylaxis.


Terazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multicentre, placebo-controlled trial. The dynamic component of bladder outflow obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been shown to be modified by alpha 1 adrenergic receptors. Terazosin is an alpha 1 receptor-blocking agent with a long half-life permitting once-daily dosing. This drug was administered in a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with symptomatic bladder outflow obstruction. Of 132 patients recruited for the study, 86 were randomised to receive placebo or terazosin, 81 completed the study, and 80 were considered eligible for efficacy analysis. All terazosin treatment groups showed dramatic improvement in obstructive symptoms when compared with the placebo group, but these differences were not statistically significant because of the small numbers of patients in each group. There were improvements in peak urinary flow rates, mean urinary flow rates, and residual urine volumes for the placebo and terazosin groups, but there were no statistically significant differences in the changes between the groups. Terazosin was well tolerated by patients in this study and may provide symptomatic relief in patients with BPH.


Terazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: the United States experience. The rationale for selective alpha 1 blockade in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is based upon the observations that the prostate adenoma contains between 20% and 40% smooth muscle and the contractile properties of prostatic smooth muscle are mediated by the alpha 1 adrenoceptor. Terazosin is a selective alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist that is currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of clinical BPH. The United States experience with this drug is reviewed in the present report. The outcome measures used to assess the efficacy of terazosin in BPH includes Boyarsky symptom scores and uroflowmetry. The total Boyarsky symptom score decreased 55% and the peak urinary flow increased 47% following terazosin therapy in the cumulative open-label and single-blind studies. Three hundred and thirteen subjects with clinical BPH were randomised into a phase III double-blind parallel-group 3-month placebo-controlled study of once-a-day administration of terazosin. The total Boyarsky symptom score decreased 43% and 21% in the 10 mg and placebo treatment groups, respectively. The peak urinary flow increased 37% and 12% in the 10 mg and placebo-treated groups, respectively. The adverse events associated with terazosin were relatively minor and reversible. The United States experience has unequivocally demonstrated the short-term safety and efficacy of terazosin therapy in BPH. Studies are currently under way to determine the long-term safety and efficacy associated with terazosin therapy in BPH.


Use of terazosin in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: experience in Italy. The purpose of this multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to verify the safety and efficacy of terazosin, an alpha 1 adrenergic blocker, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study involved 137 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a designed dose of terazosin (2, 5 or 10 mg) or placebo. Response to treatment was measured objectively by uroflowmetric determinations. Subjective evaluation was based on the investigator's assessment of each patient's symptoms. The safety of this agent was monitored by haematological tests and urinalysis. In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rates were recorded during each visit. The treatment of BPH with terazosin produced a significant improvement in mean flow rate and peak flow rate; there were no statistically significant differences in the analysis of symptomatic responses between the groups of patients treated with terazosin or placebo. Moreover, the safety of this alpha 1 blocker was thoroughly tested and clinically proven.


Future directions in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A meeting of the International Consultation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in June 1991 provided an update on the management of PBH. It is recognised that the development of complications in what may be regarded as a relatively well tolerated disease may necessitate surgical intervention. Current treatment is directed towards circumventing or ameliorating the complications of BPH and perhaps to find minimally invasive or non-invasive alternatives to surgery that could eliminate this modality altogether. Anticipated changes in the management of BPH include establishment of an improved scoring system and response criteria; implementation of stenting techniques, physical modalities such as hyperthermia and laser therapy to replace transurethral resection of the prostate; development of more specific alpha blockers with fewer adverse effects; and administration of hormonal therapy, possibly as an eventual preventative of BPH. The 1991 International Consultation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which took place in Paris, France, under the joint sponsorship or the World Health Organization and the major international and national societies of urology, provided an excellent opportunity to review current knowledge on the subject of BPH and to explore future trends in its management. Most of the information included in this report is drawn from the conclusions of the consultation participants.


Diagnostic challenges of prostatic carcinoma. The early detection and staging of prostatic carcinoma are challenging the diagnostic acumen of urologists. Mass screening programmes of asymptomatic men are not justified, as only a small number of cases are diagnosed when the tumour is confined to the prostatic capsule. Diagnostic work-ups of symptomatic men yield a similarly low rate of detection. The most extensively used diagnostic methods include digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay. Although DRE is an inexpensive technique that improves early detection, its sensitivity and specificity are low. The specificity and sensitivity of TRUS are higher, but false-positive and false-negative rates are significant. In a study of 566 patients, the rates were 86% and 84%, respectively. A determination of PSA may be informative in the early stages of prostatic cancer, but confirmation of the results by other methods is necessary. Thus, there is no safe method to achieve early diagnosis and precise staging of prostatic carcinoma. Only clinical trials comparing all the different methods will help to establish the definitive role of each one.


Laser recanalization versus endoscopic intubation in the palliation of malignant dysphagia: a randomized prospective study. Forty patients with histologically confirmed malignant dysphagia were randomized to either endoscopic intubation or laser recanalization. Age, sex, tumour histology and site were evenly distributed between the groups. Results were analysed on an 'intention to treat' basis. All patients treated by laser achieved patency; there was one failed intubation. The best swallowing grade achieved was significantly better with laser recanalization (median 4 (range 3-4)) than with intubation (median 3 (range 2-4)) (P < 0.001). The median survival was 21.5 (range 4-62) weeks in the group receiving laser treatment, compared with 14.5 (range 7-102) weeks in the intubated group (P = 0.09). The median inpatient stay as a proportion of survival time was 14 per cent in the group receiving laser treatment compared with 15 per cent in the intubated group (P > 0.05). The median weight loss was less in the laser-treated patients (2.0 (range 2-8) versus 3.0 (range 0-10) kg, P = 0.04). These results indicate that laser recanalization provides better palliation of dysphagia than does intubation, but this is not reflected in an improvement in survival time.


Antihepatitis C virus status in hepatocellular carcinoma and the influence on clinicopathological findings and operative results. Antihepatitis C virus (HCV) status was investigated in 100 patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between 1980 and 1989. The clinicopathological findings and operative results, in patients with or without HCV marker, were compared retrospectively. The positivity rate of anti-HCV was 51 per cent. In this group there was a higher mean age, fewer symptoms, raised alanine aminotransferase level, higher 15-min indocyanine green clearance rate and earlier tumour stage compared with the anti-HCV negative group. Positive tumour margins and vascular invasion were seen less frequently in the anti-HCV positive group. HCC with HCV marker showed characteristic features of chronic non-A non-B hepatitis and of HCC originating from liver cirrhosis. There was a better cumulative 1-year survival rate for anti-HCV positive patients, but 3- and 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy were similar in both groups. Although HCV-related HCC had typical features of chronic non-A non-B hepatitis and a relatively early stage of tumour, biological features and operative results were similar with or without the HCV marker.


Distribution of the piriform cortical terminals to cells in the central segment of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of the rat. A Golgi electron microscopic study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of terminals from the piriform cortex that synapse on identified dendrites of neurons in the central segment of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of the rat. The piriform cortical terminals were identified as degenerating terminals following lesions in the cortex. They consisted of two types, i.e., large (LR type) and small (SR type) presynaptic terminals, both of which had round synaptic vesicles and formed asymmetric synaptic contacts. SR boutons terminated preferentially onto distal dendrites and never synapsed on primary dendrites. LR terminals synapsed preferentially on proximal dendrites, but were also found on more distal dendritic segments.


Substance P and NMDA receptor-mediated slow potentials in neonatal rat spinal cord: age-related changes. Slow ventral root potentials (slow VRP's) recorded from 1- to 5-day-old rat spinal cords are implicated in nociception, but there is controversy over their origin and persistence in the adult. The present study investigated changes in the role of substance P and NMDA receptors in slow VRP generation during the postnatal period (1-21 days). Through 9 days, dorsal root stimulation elicits slow VRP's with typical peak amplitudes at 3-4 s, decay time constants of 18-20 s, and durations > 20 s. After 11 days, peak amplitude shortens to < 1 s, decay time constant 4-5 s, and duration < 10 s. At 1-6 days, slow VRP's are sensitive to the NMDA receptor antagonist APV and the substance P antagonists spantide and CP 96,345. After 11 days, APV sensitivity is retained, but spantide and ability of substance P to evoke a response are diminished. Abbreviated slow VRP's in post-11-day spinal cords appear to correspond to the early APV-sensitive component of long-duration slow VRP's in younger animals. Attempts to restore long-duration slow VRP's in 12- to 14-day-old rat cords by blocking various inhibitory mechanisms were not successful. The results suggest that a substance P response, some of which is mediated by NK1 receptors, is lost with maturation of the cord. Either a developmental role played by substance P changes with maturity, or the motor neurons of the isolated post-11-day cord lose the capacity to sustain large long-duration plateau potentials.


Penicillin-induced triphasic modulation of GABAA receptor-operated chloride current in frog sensory neuron. Effects of penicillin-G (PCN) on GABA-evoked Cl- current (IGABA) were investigated in freshly dissociated frog sensory neurons by the use of the concentration-clamp technique combined with the suction-pipette method. Under conditions where the internal and external solutions allowed only Cl- permeability, PCN elicited triphasic modulation on IGABA, consisting of two modes of blockade on IGABA and a following rebound (rebound-like transient IGABA). Simultaneously applied PCN and GABA depressed IGABA immediately (phasic blockade), with the depressed IGABA slightly recovering in amplitude to achieve a stable level of blockade (tonic blockade). When a solution containing a mixture or PCN and GABA was quickly replaced by one containing GABA alone, a rebound-like transient Cl- current (IR) was evoked. Each component of the PCN actions on IGABA was PCN- and GABA-concentration-dependent. The reversal potential for each component of the PCN actions on IGABA was close to the chloride equilibrium potential (ECl) calculated using the Nernst equation. The current-voltage (I-V) relations for both the phasic and tonic blockade revealed inward rectification, while I-V curves for the control IGABA and the IR were outwardly rectified. The degree of IGABA-desensitization and the amplitude of the IR correlated well. The data suggest that partial removal of the GABAA receptor-desensitization may result in generation of the IR.


Developmental patterns of intermediate filament gene expression in the normal hamster brain. We have examined the patterns of expression of the major intermediate filament (IF) protein mRNAs during development of the hamster brain. Quantitative northern blotting was used to examine changes in the levels of mRNAs for the low, middle and high molecular weight neurofilament proteins (NF-L, NF-M, NF-H) as well as peripherin, vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Total RNA was isolated from hamster brains at embryonic (E) days 12 and 14 and postnatal (P) days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 20, 28 and 60-90 (adult), and probed with specific IF cDNAs. Northern blotting revealed that NF-L and NF-M mRNAs were present at very low levels in embryonic brain and that significant expression of these genes only occurred postnatally when the levels increased dramatically until P28 and then declined again in the adult. Increases in NF-H mRNA levels were somewhat delayed relative to those of NF-L and NF-M. NF-H mRNA was not seen at embryonic stages and was expressed at very low levels prior to P9; after that time the levels increased rapidly until P28 and then declined in the adult. Two of the type III IF genes, peripherin and vimentin, followed a pattern of expression opposite that of the NF genes. Both peripherin and vimentin mRNAs were present in embryonic brain and were expressed at higher levels during early postnatal stages than at later times. The magnitude and rate of reduction in vimentin gene expression in the postnatal interval was much greater than that of peripherin. GFAP mRNA levels were extremely low prior to P9 after which a robust increase occurred, followed by a decline in the adult. We discuss the implication of the dramatic changes in IF isotype expression in brain to the pathways of both neuronal and glial development in vivo.


Estrogen-concentrating cells within cell groups of the medial preoptic area: sex differences and co-localization with galanin-immunoreactive cells. Male and female rats have approximately equal numbers of estrogen(E)-concentrating cells within the medial preoptic area (MPOA). Several cell groups within this brain region are sexually dimorphic, however, and these groups may have sexually different numbers of E-containing cells; this, in turn, may reflect sex differences in neural-regulated functions. In order to study this possibility, the distribution of E-concentrating cells was determined using estrogen autoradiography. Except for the lateral portion of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNl), the density of E-concentrating cells was 3-5-times higher within the most medially situated cell groups of the female than the male, i.e., within the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPv), periventricular preoptic area (PVPO), medial portion of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNm), and its central portion (MPNc). In addition, we determined whether E-concentrating cells also express the neuropeptide, galanin. An average of 13% of the E-concentrating cells were galanin positive, which represented 15% of the galanin-immunoreactive population. These results demonstrate a frank and dramatic sex difference in the distribution of E-concentrating cells within sexually dimorphic regions of the MPOA, and also suggest that an interaction between galanin and gonadal steroids may be an important means by which cells within the MPOA regulate reproductive function.


Reversal of learning and memory impairments following lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) by concurrent noradrenergic depletion using DSP4 in the rat. In the following study the behavioural effects of simultaneous lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) using ibotenic acid and noradrenergic depletion following a single i.p. administration of DSP4 (50 mg/kg) were examined in the rat. NBM lesion induced a deficit in acquisition of a reinforced T-maze alternation task, a working memory adaptation of a spatial navigation task in a water maze and 24 h retention in a passive avoidance task compared to sham controls. No effect of the lesion on a reference memory version of spatial navigation in a water maze task was found. Animals that received a combination of NBM lesion and DSP4 treatment showed no impairment on any of the tasks that were impaired by NBM lesion alone. This indicates a reversal of the learning and memory deficits consequent to NBM lesion by simultaneous noradrenergic depletion. NBM lesion induced a significant reduction in choline-acetyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex, and DSP4 induced a significant decrease in noradrenaline concentration in occipital cortex and hippocampus, confirming the effects of these treatments. These results suggest an interaction between central noradrenergic and cholinergic systems in learning and memory processes.


Central pressor actions of tachykinin NK-3 receptor in the paraventricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus. The central pressor actions of the tachykinin NK-3 receptor in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus were examined in anesthetized rats. In forebrain-restricted animals, the selective tachykinin NK-3 receptor agonist senktide (10 micrograms, i.c.v.) increased the blood pressure, and this pressor response was more potent than in control animals. Injection of senktide into the PVN also increased the blood pressure, and this pressor response was inhibited by pretreatment with the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist (10 micrograms/kg, i.v.). These results suggest that central injection of senktide stimulated the NK-3 receptor in the PVN of the hypothalamus, and increased blood pressure by inducing release of vasopressin from the pituitary gland.


Ketamine-induced anesthesia involves the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-channel complex in mice. The role of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel complex in ketamine-induced anesthesia was examined in mice. General anesthetic potencies were evaluated on a rating scale, which provided the data for anesthetic scores, loss of righting reflex, sleeping time and recovery time. All drugs were administered intraperitoneally. NMDA (60-300 mg/kg), an NMDA receptor agonist, dose-dependently antagonized the general anesthetic potencies of ketamine at a dose of 100 mg/kg which produced loss of righting reflex in more than 90% of the mice. On the other hand, a high dose of N-methyl-L-aspartate (400 mg/kg), a stereoisomer of NMDA, did not. A dose of 300 mg/kg of NMDA significantly shifted the dose-response curve of ketamine for loss of righting reflex to the right. A high dose of D-cycloserine (200 mg/kg), an agonist at the glycine site on the NMDA receptor complex, slightly but significantly shortened the sleeping time caused by ketamine (100 mg/kg). However, neither a critical subconvulsive dose of kainate (15 mg/kg), a kainate receptor agonist, nor a subconvulsive dose of quisqualate (120 mg/kg), an alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor agonist, reversed general anesthesia induced by 100 mg/kg of ketamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Differential effects of the protein kinase C inhibitors H7 and calphostin C on the cell cycle of neuroblastoma cells. We have studied the effect of protein kinase C inhibitors 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) and calphostin C on the cycle of Neuro-2a cells. Both compounds inhibited cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. Transition from G2 to M phase was not altered by these compounds. Calphostin C blocked the cells in G0/G1, while H7 did not at any specific point in the cell cycle. We also show that the antiproliferative effect induced by both inhibitors is reversible.


Characterization of NK-1 receptors in guinea pig and rat brain membranes with NK-1 peptides and a non-peptide antagonist. The major finding of the present investigation is the demonstration of different NK-1 receptors in rat and guinea pig brain membranes with CP 96345 (non-peptide NK-1 antagonist) and R-544 (NK-1 peptide antagonist). We used [3H][Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP, the highly selective ligand for NK-1 receptor to compare NK-1 binding sites in rat and guinea pig brain membranes. Scatchard analysis revealed the existence of a single population of [3H][Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP binding sites in both preparations. The affinity and the maximal number of binding sites were found closely similar in rat (Kd 2 nM, Bmax = 37 fmol/mg protein) and guinea pig brain membranes (Kd = 3 nM, Bmax = 25 fmol/mg of protein). The order of potency of neurokinins to inhibit [3H][Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP binding from rat brain (SP > NKA > NKB) was found different of that observed on guinea pig brain (SP > NKB > NKA). Results obtained with [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP, [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) and [MePhe7]NKB suggest that selective agonists cannot discriminate between NK-1 receptors of different species. Using the non-peptide antagonist CP 96345 and the tripeptide R-544, we found that these two NK-1 antagonists discriminate between rat and guinea pig [3H][Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP binding sites.


Electroconvulsive stimuli and brain peptides: effect of modification of seizure duration on neuropeptide Y, neurokinin A, substance P and neurotensin. We studied the effects of modification of duration of seizures induced by electroconvulsive stimuli (ECS) on the changes in concentration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP) and neurotensin (NT)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in specific rat brain regions. Rats were divided into groups pretreated with saline, indomethacin, flurbiprofen or diazepam prior to either six sham ECSs or six ECSs. After sacrifice by focused microwave irradiation, brains were dissected into frontal cortex, occipital cortex, striatum, hippocampus, pituitary and hypothalamic sections. Peptides were extracted and measured in extract aliquots by specific radioimmunoassays. Repeated ECS increased NPY-LI and NKA-LI in the hippocampus and the occipital cortex. No effect on SP-LI or NT-LI was found. Indomethacin and flurbiprofen had no effect on the tonic seizure time following ECS, and they did not affect the ECS-induced alterations of the brain peptides. Diazepam pretreatment decreased the tonic seizure time following ECS in a dose-dependent manner. However, diazepam did not modify the ECS-induced increase in NPY-LI and NKA-LI concentrations. The results firmly establish that ECS leads to specific peptide increases in discrete rat brain regions and raise the possibility that such changes may not entirely be a consequence of seizures per se.


Autoradiographic analysis of 125I-substance P binding in rat spinal cord following chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. Using receptor binding and autoradiographic techniques, changes in Bolton-Hunter labeled 125I-substance P (125I-BH-SP) binding were determined in laminae I/II, V and X of rat lumbar spinal cord after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. When compared to the sham-operated side of the control group, SP binding significantly increased ipsilateral to the CCI in laminae I/II at 5, 10 and 20 days after injury and in lamina V at 5 days after injury. Scatchard analysis was performed on the 125I-BH-SP binding to the NK1 receptor in laminae I/II of rats 5 days after generation of the CCI. A significant decrease in the Kd of 125I-BH-SP binding was observed in laminae I/II ipsilateral to CCI when compared with the control side (ipsilateral to sham surgery). There was no significant change in the Bmax in laminae I/II ipsilateral to CCI. The changes in 125I-BH-SP binding in the rat spinal cord that occurred after CCI were found in areas of the spinal cord that receive terminations of nociceptive primary afferent fibers. The increased affinity of the NK1 binding site that we report could result in an increase in SP receptor activation in laminae I/II. Such central changes in SP binding may contribute to the neuropathic pain syndrome observed in rats with the CCI.


Sensitivity of transient outward rectification to ion channel blocking agents in guinea-pig substantia nigra pars compacta neurones in vitro. The sensitivity of a transient outward rectifier in guinea-pig substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) neurones in vitro was tested to a variety of ion channel blocking agents. This rectification was not blocked by TEA (10 mM), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) (5 mM), apamin (0.2-1 microM) or Cd2+ ions (200 microM). Cs+ ions (5 mM) blocked the inward 'anomalous' rectifier but had no effect on the transient outward rectification. However, replacing Ca2+ ions in the bath perfusate by Ba2+ blocked the transient outward but not the inward rectifier. It is suggested that an atypical barium-sensitive conductance is responsible for the transient outward rectification of these neurones.


Synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus of aged rats is altered after chronic nimodipine application. We examined ultrastructural correlates of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of young (3 months) vs aged (30 months) Wistar rats and established the effects of the calcium antagonist nimodipine in animals chronically treated from 24 to 30 months. The effects of nimodipine was studied since this compound improves hippocampal neuronal physiology and enhances cognitive function during aging. In the supragranular layer of the dentate gyrus we found a 24% decrease in synaptic density (Nv) in aged animals, while synaptic size (S) was not significantly altered. After nimodipine treatment Nv in aged rats was not significantly different from young adults, thus being significantly increased compared to age-matched controls. The size of synapses was not significantly altered after nimodipine administration. Total synaptic surface area (Sv) in nimodipine-treated animals was significantly increased compared to aged controls, however, Sv remained significantly lower than in young adults. These data indicate that chronic administration of nimodipine enables granular cells in the dentate gyrus to maintain its number of synaptic contacts during the aging process. Furthermore, the presented influence of nimodipine on synaptic plasticity processes may underlie previously reported improved cognitive functioning of aged animals treated similarly with nimodipine.


Presence of IgG4 on the membrane of human basophils. Histamine release is induced by monoclonal antibodies directed against the Fab but not the Fc region of the IgG4 molecule. We have studied the possible role of human IgG4 as an anaphylactic antibody. For that purpose, we have determined the induction of histamine release (HR) from human basophils by anti-IgE and anti-IgG4 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) recognizing different epitopes located at the Fc and Fab regions of the IgG4 molecule. The results show that anti-IgG4 (Fab) MoAb was able to induce HR in 93% of donors tested, with no differences between atopics and non-atopics. That HR is calcium dependent and is accompanied by the synthesis and release of leukotriene C4. In contrast, no HR could be induced by anti-IgG4(Fc) MoAbs in any individual, even in the presence of D2O or after a second challenge with a polyclonal goat anti-mouse IgG antibody. The results obtained suggest the presence of IgG4 on the basophil membrane and that the epitope recognized by the anti-IgG4 (Fc) MoAbs is probably hidden in cell-bound IgG4. This was demonstrated by immunofluorescence techniques: IgG4 bound to the basophil membrane could be detected with anti-IgG4(Fab) but not with anti-IgG4(Fc) MoAbs. In addition, we found that nine donors were unresponsive to an anti-IgE stimulus, while they released histamine efficiently after challenge with anti-IgG4(Fab), suggesting the existence of different receptors for both immunoglobulins.


Purification of human blood basophils using negative selection by flow cytometry. Basophils were purified from peripheral blood of normal donors using Percoll discontinuous gradients and negative selection by flow cytometry. The mean purity of basophils obtained was 84.7 +/- 4.1 (s.d.)% (range 77.3-90.0%, n = 13). The overall yield of these procedures was 16.0 +/- 2.6% (range 11.0-19.9%, n = 13), and cell viability of purified basophils exceeded 90%. Properties of highly purified basophils obtained by flow cytometry did not differ from those of partially enriched basophil preparations from Percoll discontinuous gradients in respect of: (i) intracellular histamine content; (ii) percentage of spontaneous histamine release in buffer; and (iii) percentage of histamine release triggered by ionophore A 23187 or anti-IgE. Moreover, purified basophils responded chemotactically to complement C5a in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that our procedure for purification of human basophils does not affect the functions of basophils and may be useful for in vitro studies on the role of basophils in hypersensitivity reactions such as bronchial asthma.


Stability of Candida albicans allergens during storage. Stability of Candida albicans allergens was studied under various storage conditions. Lyophilized extract was reconstituted with human serum albumin (NSA) diluent, glycerol-free and in the presence of 10% or 50% glycerol and stored at various temperatures for different time periods. All extracts were tested at the same time with immunoblotting using C. albicans allergic patient sera and galactosidase-labelled anti-IgE. The highest number of detected allergens in the immunoblotting pattern was found in the presence of 50% glycerol at +6 degrees C. The most important allergen of C. albicans, the 46 kD protein allergen was stable up to 10 weeks at +6 degrees C in the presence of 50% glycerol but thereafter began to lose its IgE-binding capacity. After 30 weeks more than 50% of the IgE binding had disappeared. The 27 kD protein, another important allergen, was also labile but retained the allergenicity better than the 46 kD one. The 29 kD protein allergen was stable at all storage conditions, except +37 degrees C tested even after one year. More than 6 months storage at +6 degrees C or higher temperature is, however, unacceptable even in the presence of the 50% glycerol. These findings have particular importance in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.


Alteration of intracellular DNA and RNA patterns by liver arginase studied with flow cytometry. Previous study of lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of liver arginase has indicated that arginine-depletion in the culture medium plays an important role in inhibiting cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect of both liver arginase and arginine-free condition on DNA, RNA and protein syntheses in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes were studied in cultures by measuring the incorporation of labeled precursors. Simultaneously, their influence on DNA and RNA contents in cells stained by acridine orange was investigated by automated flow cytometry. With 3 micrograms/ml arginase, the syntheses of DNA, RNA and protein were markedly inhibited after 72 h of culture. The degrees of inhibition were close to that induced in an arginine-free condition. The DNA and RNA contents of the individual cell, either cultured with 3 micrograms/ml arginase or in arginine-free medium, were arrested in G0/G1 phase. The results of cell arrest in G0/G1 phase were similar whether the cells were cultured for 24, 48 or 72 h.


Growth inhibition and modulation of antigenic phenotype in human melanoma and glioblastoma multiforme cells by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). The active component of the honeybee hive product propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), has been shown to display increased toxicity toward various oncogene-transformed cell lines in comparison with their untransformed counterparts (Su et al., 4: 231-242, 1991). This observation provides support for the concept that it is the transformed phenotype which is specifically sensitive to CAPE. In the present study, we have determined the effect of CAPE on the growth and antigenic phenotype of a human melanoma cell line, HO-1, and a human glioblastoma multiforme cell line, GBM-18. For comparison, we have also tested the effects of mezerein (MEZ), mycophenolic acid (MPA) and retinoic acid (RA), which can differentially modulate growth, differentiation and the antigenic phenotype in these human tumor cell lines. Growth of both cell lines was suppressed by CAPE in a dose-dependent fashion, with HO-1 cells being more sensitive than GBM-18 cells. The antiproliferative effect of CAPE was enhanced in both cell types if CAPE and MEZ were used in combination. Growth suppression was associated with morphological changes in H0-1 cells, suggesting induction of a more differentiated phenotype. CAPE also differentially modulated the expression of several antigens on the surface of the two tumor cell lines. These results suggest a potential role for CAPE as an antitumor agent, an antigenic modulating agent and possibly a differentiation inducing agent.


Functional and immunological responses of Jurkat lymphocytes transfected with the substance P receptor. 1. We have transfected the rat substance P receptor (SPR) cDNA into the leukemic T-lymphocyte cell line Jurkat (J-wt) in order to study the effects of substance P (SP) on lymphocyte signaling mechanisms and the resultant neuropeptide-induced immunological changes. 2. The SPR cDNA was transfected into J-wt by the method of electroporation. Clones expressing SPRs were selected using a functional assay that measured SP-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) and by their expression of specific 125I-SP binding. 3. One clone, J-SPR, was identified and shown by Northern blot and 125I-SP saturation binding techniques to express the 2.2-kb SPR message and approximately 50,000 SPRs/cell with a Kd of 0.3 nM, respectively. Stimulation of J-SPR by SP resulted in the rapid mobilization of [Ca2+]i. This response was dose dependent in the range 10(-11)-10(-6) M SP and was maximal at 10(-7) M SP, with an EC50 of 0.3-0.5 nM SP. We further demonstrated that the SPR is rapidly desensitized following SP stimulation and by activation of the cell's T-cell receptor (TCR). Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments on J-SPR show that SP stimulation induces a Cl- current by a Ca2+ mediated process dependent on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK). 4. Stimulation of J-SPR by SP results in changes in the cell surface expression of a number of molecules that play important roles in cell adhesion and activation: the expression of LFA-1 is decreased, and CD2 and IL-2 receptors are increased by 30 min, 6 hr, and 24 hr, respectively, following stimulation, as assessed by antibody staining in a FACS. 5. The expression of functional SPRs in Jurkat lymphocytes will not permit a detailed examination of how the activation of SPRs result in altered immune responses and further elucidate the role this neuropeptide receptor plays in inflammation.


Measles virus-substance P receptor interaction: Jurkat lymphocytes transfected with substance P receptor cDNA enhance measles virus fusion and replication. 1. We have demonstrated previously (Harrowe et al., 1990), using a lymphoblastoid cell line that constitutively expresses the substance P receptor (SPR) (Payan et al., 1984, 1986), that this receptor may facilitate measles virus (MV) fusion with these cells. In order to test this hypothesis further, a stable cell line transfected with SPR cDNA has been established, and various stages of MV infection in SPR positive and negative cells compared. 2. Jurkat cells, a human T-lymphoblastoid cell line, were transfected with a cDNA clone encoding the SPR. Cells transfected with only the plasmid were used as controls. Jurkat cells and Jurkat vector control cells (J-vo) failed to demonstrate any detectable 125I-SP binding, whereas a clonally selected population of cells transfected with SPR cDNA (J-SPR) expressed about 50,000 receptors/cell (Sudduth-Klinger et al., 1992). 3. Using the J-vo- and J-SPR-transfected cell lines, the following experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of SPR expression on MV infection. To determine if MV would preferentially attach to J-SPR as compared to J-vo, we absorbed virus to cells at 37 degrees C for various times and measured bound MV using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Using this approach, we found that MV bound to a greater degree to J-SPR compared with J-vo. In addition to equilibrium being reached faster for J-SPR, the total amount of bound MV was higher on J-SPR. The effect was greater at lower MOIs, suggesting that there existed multiple binding sites for MV on these cells and that the affinity is higher for those cells expressing the SPR. 4. Since binding does not necessitate a successful viral infection, we needed to know if this difference in binding reflected a difference in infection. This was demonstrated by showing an approximate twofold increase in infected cells after a 2-hr binding period with J-SPR as compared to J-vo at an MOI of 1 in an infectious cell-center assay. Moreover, when both cells types were subjected to continuous infection in culture, J-SPR-infected cells produced a seven- to ninefold increase in measles viral titer in 24 hr as compared with J-vo. The observed increase in viral titer may have resulted in more of the J-SPR cells binding virus, as indicated by our binding and infectious cell-center data, or alternatively, the virus might have entered the J-SPR cells faster and begun replication before the J-vo-infected cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Modulation of voltage-activated ion currents on identified neurons of Helix pomatia L. by interleukin-1. 1. The effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) was studied on voltage-activated ion currents of the identified central neurons of Helix pomatia L. using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp. The voltage-activated inward current (ICa) was decreased, whereas the outward current (I(net) K) was increased by IL-1. 2. IL-1 affects both the transient and the delayed rectifying potassium currents. The IL-1 modulatory effect on the voltage-activated ion currents was voltage and dose dependent. The threshold concentration for IL-1 was 2 U/ml. 3. The proposed modulatory effect of IL-1 appears to have more than one site of action on the neuron membrane ion channels. 4. Rabbit anti-human IL-1 polyclonal antiserum eliminated the IL-1 effects on the voltage-activated inward and outward currents. This is the first report demonstrating a direct effect of IL-1 modulation of voltage-activated ion currents on neurons of mollusks.


Immunoreactive growth hormone production by human lymphocyte cell lines. 1. Two human lymphocyte cell lines, a T-cell line and a B-cell line, were shown to produce and secrete immunoreactive growth hormone (irGH). The irGH molecules secreted by the two cell lines appeared to be de novo synthesized and their molecular size was similar to that of pituitary GH as well as irGH secreted by peripheral blood lymphocytes. 2. Affinity-purified irGH molecules had human growth hormone (hGH)-like mitogenic activity on Nb2 cells. These findings indicate that the irGH molecules produced by H9 and IM9 were similar to hGH in structure. 3. However, the irGH messages could not be amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers which had been demonstrated to be able to amplify reverse-transcribed hGH messenger RNA successfully, suggesting that the lymphocyte-derived irGH and pituitary hGH are not exactly identical molecules. 4. We conclude that the H9 and IM9 cells produce a growth hormone-related molecule whose structure is different from that in the anterior pituitary.


IL6 and acute phase plasma proteins in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. Several authors have documented signs of chronic inflammation in the pelvis of women with endometriosis. We investigated the possible involvement of interleukin 6 (IL6), an important regulator of inflammation and immunity, in minimal and mild endometriosis by measuring levels of IL6 and proteins (alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-HS glycoprotein and albumin) the synthesis of which is regulated by IL6, in peritoneal fluid (PF) from infertile women with histologically confirmed endometriosis (stage I and II; n = 28) and from endometriosis-free fertile (n = 14) and infertile women (n = 13). Spontaneous and LPS-induced IL6 secretion by cultured PF macrophages from women with endometriosis (n = 12) and without endometriosis (n = 9) were also studied. No significant differences were observed in the concentrations of the four proteins studied. Immunoreactive IL6 was detected in all three groups, with no significant differences. In contrast, significantly higher levels of IL6 were released by both unstimulated (P = 0.01) and LPS-stimulated (P = 0.006) peritoneal macrophages from the women with endometriosis. We conclude that local IL6 synthesis by activated macrophages may play a role in the endometriosis process.


Head and neck spindle cell carcinoma: an evaluation of current management. Spindle cell carcinoma is an unusual variant of squamous cell carcinoma. The histogenesis of these tumors is controversial, as is the prognosis for patients with spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck when compared with all squamous cell carcinomas of these sites. Fifteen consecutive nondermal cases of spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck were reviewed. Six patients had spindle cell carcinoma either in recurrent tumor or in neck metastases following treatment for squamous cell carcinoma where a spindle cell component was not initially noted. Despite aggressive management, 13 patients have died from their disease. The histogenesis and management of spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck are discussed.


Glucocorticoids in clinical oncology.

Glucocorticoids in clinical oncology. Glucocorticoids have been used in clinical oncology for more than three decades. Their anti-inflammatory action plays a major role in their clinical applications in oncology. The incidence and severity of side effects depend on the total dose and the duration of therapy, but optimal dosages for these drugs have not been determined. Little is known about other risk factors for toxicity. Prednisone and dexamethasone, the two most commonly used drugs, are well absorbed orally and share quantitatively similar pharmacokinetic values. No definite relationship is known between the glucocorticoid blood level (total and unbound concentration) and therapeutic effect. Glucocorticoids play a major role in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders and breast cancer, and they often succeed in palliating common symptoms in advanced cancer.


Differential isoform profiles of alpha 2-macroglobulin from plasma of patients with chronic-progressive or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a human neurological disease for which no clinically useful marker has been identified in blood. This study examined alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) from the plasma of six patients with chronic-progressive MS and six with relapsing-remitting disease. The alpha 2M trypsin-binding activity in the plasma from both groups of patients did not differ from normal controls. However, after column isoelectric focusing, consistently less alpha 2M activity was recovered from the MS samples: those from the chronic-progressive and relapsing-remitting disease groups were an average of 43% and 68%, respectively, of controls. The number and isoelectric point (pI) values of the isoforms of the alpha 2M from patients with chronic-progressive disease were similar to controls. The average pI of the major form for both groups was 6.6. By contrast, the average pI of the major form from the patients with relapsing-remitting MS was significantly elevated to 7.1, and this group displayed a significantly higher percentage of total recovered activity above pH 7.0. In eleven of the twelve cases examined, the pI of the major form of alpha 2M correctly correlated with the clinical status of the patient. The original clinical diagnosis of the patients was reassessed by a 9-year retrospective interview which verified that 9 of the 10 patients in the follow-up group retained their original clinical diagnosis. These studies demonstrate differential isoform profiles of native alpha 2M from MS patients with progressive versus remitting disease which may be useful in subclassifying MS patients.


A one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysin-1) using monoclonal antibodies. A one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3; stromelysin-1) was developed. The assay system used two simultaneous immunoreactions using a solid phase monoclonal antibody and a horseradish peroxidase-labeled monoclonal antibody (Fab'). The sensitivity of the assay system was 20 micrograms/l and linearity was obtained between 31 and 500 micrograms/l. The EIA system was capable of measuring both precursor and active forms of MMP-3 as well as the forms of MMP-3 complexed with tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. MMP-3 levels as measured by this assay are significantly higher in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to those of healthy subjects and patients with osteoarthritis. Immunoblot analyses showed that in the sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, MMP-3 is present in the 59- and 57-kDa precursor forms.


[The subcutaneous administration of a NSAID in palliative care]. Palliate care is concerned with oncologic patients and its aim is to reduce their suffering, i.e. in the first place to eliminate or reduce pain. As a rule, the WHO prescriptions are followed, administering progressively nonsteroid analgesic agents (NSAIDs), weak opioids, strong opioids. The most convenient channels of administration are oral and subcutaneous. So far, NSAIDs could not be given subcutaneously due to the local side effects (pain and irritation at the point of injection) they cause. On the basis of experience with tenoxicam in our Department, subcutaneous administration is suggested. Our study involved 27 subjects with treatment-refractory tumors, in order to assess topical tolerability. In all cases, the drug was administered via a subcutaneous permanent teflon needle-catheter. Tenoxicam was found to have better gastric tolerability compared to other NSAIDs. It can be concluded that for the palliative treatment of cancer patients tenoxicam ampoules are an additional drug that can be administered subcutaneously.


[Results of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of patients with pretibial myxedema and Basedow's disease. Preliminary findings]. Three patients affected with Graves' ophthalmopathy and pretibial myxoedema have been treated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulins. We have observed in all patients clinical improvement of pretibial myxoedema and a parallel reduction or negativization of the titre of circulating thyroglobulin, microsomal, TSH receptor autoantibodies and of non organ-specific antibodies (antinuclear, anti smooth muscle cells and antimitochondrial autoantibodies). In conclusion the results of this study suggest that intravenous immunoglobulin are effective in the treatment of pretibial myxoedema and probably act by an immunomodulation of autoimmune phenomena.


Distribution of integrins alpha 6 and beta 4 in the rabbit corneal epithelium after anterior keratectomy. Integrins are heterodimeric cell-surface receptor glycoproteins involved in cell-matrix and also in cell-cell interactions. The alpha 6 beta 4 integrin heterodimer has been shown to be a component of the hemidesmosome. In response to wounding, hemidesmosomes are disassembled, the epithelium migrates to cover the denuded area, and eventually the hemidesmosomes reappear. In the present investigation the distribution of the integrin alpha 6 and beta 4 subunits after anterior keratectomy was studied by indirect immunohistochemistry. Labeling for the alpha 6 subunit was observed around the entire cell surface, right to the leading edge. The immunoreaction for the beta 4 subunit was confined to the basal cell membrane facing the basement membrane as in the normal cornea. Cells at the leading edge of the migrating epithelium did not show any labeling for beta 4. Patchy labeling for beta 4 was first observed in the region midway between the wound margin and the leading edge. Because integrins are only expressed as heterodimers, the alpha 6 subunit may be complexed with the beta 1 subunit, instead of with beta 4, at the leading edge of the migrating epithelium. We also suggest that this alpha 6 beta 1 heterodimer may play a role in the reformation of the adhesion complex.


Fine-needle aspiration cytology of an endometrioid-like variant of yolk sac tumor. A 36-year-old male with a history of immature teratoma and embryonal carcinoma of the testis was admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain and fever. A CT scan revealed a large right abdominal mass. The patient's serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was 46.8 ng/ml (reference < 25 ng/ml). Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the mass revealed malignant glandular cells. Chemotherapy was instituted, followed by resection of the large abdominal mass. The tumor was grossly encapsulated, consisting of large areas of necrotic, hemorrhagic tissue surrounded by smaller, multiloculated cysts. Microscopically, the tumor had a villoglandular pattern and variably stratified tall columnar cells. A prominent feature of the columnar cells was supranuclear and subnuclear vacuolization. Intracytoplasmic PAS-positive, diastase-resistant hyaline globules were occasionally present. AFP by immunoperoxidase was prominent within the tumor. This recurrence of the previously diagnosed testicular teratoma with embryonal carcinoma represents a yolk sac tumor with components strongly resembling endometrioid carcinoma, a variant only recently described in eight cases of ovarian origin (Clement et al.: Am J Surg Pathol 1987; 11(10):767-778). We believe this is the first reported case of an endometrioid-like variant of testicular yolk sac tumor and also the first report of the FNA cytology findings in this variant.


Improving health status in extremely low birthweight children between two and five years. The 5-year outcome of 101 extremely low birthweight (ELBW, < 1000 g) children discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was reported. Over this period, there were four post-discharge deaths. The neurodevelopmental impairment rate was 18% overall: cerebral palsy 7%, blindness 3%, deafness 3% and developmental delay 10%. Seventy-one percent of children were readmitted to hospital. The mean number of admissions was 2.4 per child and the mean duration of total hospital stay was 11.3 days per child in the 5-year period. A trend was observed in a reduction in the readmission rate and hospital days in the 2-5-year period compared to the period between discharge and 2 years, though the differences were not statistically significant. The most common reason for readmission was for surgical procedures, primarily aural ventilation tube insertion and tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Significant health problems included recurrent wheezing episodes, stridor and croup in the period up to 2 years and otitis media and tonsillitis between 2 and 5 years. There was some catch-up growth, especially in height, between 2 and 5 years. Children with < 800 g birthweight had similar rates of neurodevelopmental impairment and hospital readmission to those of 800-999 g birthweight. However, they experienced more otitis media and pneumonia, had more ear, nose and throat operations, and at 5 years of age, more were below the 3rd centile for weight. This study showed that the health status of ELBW children had improved between 2 and 5 years, but they continued to experience recurrent health problems and hospital readmissions which would have resulted in added financial and emotional burdens to their families.


Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis of major O-antigen reference strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis was used to characterize 27 Pseudomonas aeruginosa serogroup reference strains used in the major O-antigen schemes according to which Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been typed. Sixteen enzyme loci were assayed, ten of which showed electrophoretic variation. Genetic diversity was expressed for each enzyme locus, and as the mean allelic diversity of loci. Ten electrophoretic types were identified among the strains. The genetic distance between pairs of electrophoretic types was expressed as the proportion of loci at which similar alleles occurred. More than 80% similarity was observed between any pair of electrophoretic types, reflecting the homogeneity of multilocus genotypes within this species. Similarity between electrophoretic types was represented in the form of a dendrogram and by multi-dimensional scaling. Three distinct clusters of electrophoretic types were revealed; within each the serogroups appeared to be randomly distributed.


Genome fingerprinting by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotyping to differentiate Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O11 strains. The performance of ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was compared in the differentiation of a collection of 44 Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O11 strains isolated in seven hospitals in Singapore. Digestion of genomic DNA by EcoRI and SacI followed by Southern hybridization with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 16S and 23S rRNA gene revealed seven distinct ribotypes. Ribotyping using a combination of both enzymes revealed 11 ribotypes. In contrast, electrophoretic analysis differentiated 41 different strain types among the 44 clinical isolates using either SpeI or DraI. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated greater sensitivity than ribotyping in the differentiation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains of the same ribotype and could thus be used alone in epidemiological investigations of hospital outbreaks of Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O11 infection.


Characterization of the human gene encoding cytokeratin 17 and its expression pattern. Among the members of the cytokeratin (CK) subfamily of intermediate filament (IF) proteins, CK 17 is remarkable as it is normally expressed in the basal cells of complex epithelia but not in stratified or simple epithelia. Because of its unusual expression pattern in normal and diseased states and because of the potential importance of CK 17 in tumor diagnosis, we have characterized the gene(s) and its cDNA-derived amino acid sequence. A cDNA clone encoding CK 17 was isolated from a HeLa cDNA library and used for the determination of the amino acid sequence, for studies of expression and for the screening of human genomic libraries. A number of lambda phage clones were isolated that covered three distinct, non-contiguous gene regions. Only one of these loci contains the functional CK 17 gene which is located only approximately 5 kbp 5'-upstream of the CK 16 gene, whereas the other two contain unprocessed CK 17 pseudogenes. Each of these genes is part of a larger CK type I gene locus the arrangement of which suggests that these genes and pseudogenes have arisen during evolution by duplication events comprising whole multigene loci. The functional CK 17 gene differs from the pseudogenes by the extent of methylation of certain DNA sequences in the 5'-upstream region. The 5 kbp CK 17 gene with 8 exons and 7 introns encodes a polypeptide of 432 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 48,000. Using S1-nuclease protection assays and RNAs from several cell lines we identified a single transcriptional start point 26 nucleotides down-stream from a TATA box element. Northern blot hybridization experiments showed a restricted pattern of CK 17 gene expression, supporting the notion that CK 17 synthesis is essentially regulated at the transcriptional level. From these findings and from immunohistological observations, CK 17 synthesis seems to be a marker of basal cell differentiation in complex epithelia and therefore indicative of a certain type of epithelial "stem cells".


Specific types of prosomes are associated to subnetworks of the intermediate filaments in PtK1 cells. Prosomes are small ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles of unique morphology in the electron microscope but of variable protein and RNA composition, depending on the differentiation state of the cells studied. They were initially observed as subcomplexes of untranslated mRNP. In previous studies, we found that prosomes are associated to the intermediate filaments (IF) of cytokeratin type in HeLa and PtK1 cells. Here we have studied in detail the association of prosomal antigens with the IF networks in PtK1 cells. Contrary to our earlier conclusions, in these cells the vimentin fibers also carry prosomes which, thus, distribute in between the two types of networks. During the selective collapse of the IF induced by acrylamide, and upon recovery after the withdrawal of the drug, no dissociation of the prosome and IF networks of cytokeratin- and vimentin-type could be observed. These data show that even in a dynamic situation, prosome and IF antigens do not dissociate, indicating strongly that they are located on one and the same structure. Furthermore, the differential distribution of specific prosomal antigens between both types of intermediate filament networks indicates that prosomes do not ubiquitously populate the intermediate filaments but occupy subnetworks of either vimentin or cytokeratin type.


Fibronectin cleavage fragments provide a growth factor-like activity for the differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes to amastigotes. The morphological and biochemical events following Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote-fibronectin (Fn) interactions have been studied. Adhesion of trypomastigotes to Fn-coated surfaces is followed by Fn degradation. The proteolytic cleavage of Fn was demonstrated by qualitative and quantitative measurement of Fn degradation after its exposure to trypomastigotes as well as polyacrylamide gel analysis of Fn proteolysis by a parasite protease (s). The released Fn peptide fragments stimulated the transformation of trypomastigotes to amastigotes. The gelatin (45 kDa) and heparin (40 kDa) binding fragments were shown to be able to promote trypomastigote differentiation. In contrast, native Fn and the 120 kDa fragment (cell attachment domain) were inactive. Complementary investigations showed that the gelatin and heparin binding fragments stimulated parasite RNA synthesis and protein synthesis and phosphorylation but not DNA replication and increased parasite intracellular cAMP concentrations. These findings suggest that the proteolysis of Fn by parasite proteases, which occurs under physiological conditions, might facilitate invasion of target cells by trypomastigotes. The Fn peptides released during this process may act as "growth factor-like" substances.


Differential effects of various xanthines on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats: an EEG and behavioural study. The present study deals with the EEG (electroencephalogram) and behavioural effects of a subconvulsant dose (30 mg/kg i.p.) of pentylenetetrazole in freely moving rats pretreated (100 mg/kg p.o., 1 h before pentylenetetrazole) with two classic (theophylline and caffeine) and two new (enprofylline and isbufylline) xanthines. In rats treated with vehicle, pentylenetetrazole caused a slight desynchronization of the EEG, characterized by periods of 'wave discharges', and 'spike-and-wave discharge complexes'. In rats pretreated with xanthines (theophylline or caffeine) pentylenetetrazole produced a dramatic increase in ictal seizures with the appearance of continuous spikes; concomitantly animals experienced myoclonic jerks (100%) and in some cases (ca. 20%) the animals died. In contrast, in enprofylline-pretreated rats, pentylenetetrazole induced only brief periods of wave discharges and spike-and-wave discharge complexes whose duration was significantly reduced compared to that of controls, although these discharges were associated with mild epileptic behaviour. When isbufylline-pretreated rats were challenged with pentylenetetrazole, the EEG was characterized by a short run of wave discharges (whose duration was shorter than that of other groups). No enprofylline- or isbufylline-treated rats developed seizures or died. In conclusion, only xanthines with strong adenosine A1 receptor antagonism (theophylline and caffeine) markedly enhance the EEG and behavioural effects of a subconvulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole. The present experimental approach could be used to evaluate the pro-convulsive potential of new xanthine derivatives.


Characterisation of NK receptors in guinea-pig urinary bladder smooth muscle: use of selective antagonists. The aim of the present study was to characterise the neurokinin receptors involved in mediating contractile responses in guinea-pig urinary bladder smooth muscle. The use of selective NK1, NK2, and NK3 receptor agonists indicated that contractile responses in this tissue are mediated via activation of NK1 and NK2, but not NK3 receptors. This was confirmed by the observation that responses to [Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P were inhibited by (+/-)-CP 96,345 (a NK1 receptor antagonist) and responses to eledoisin (following NK1 receptor desensitization) were inhibited by L-659,877 (a NK2 receptor antagonist).


UK-14,304, R(-)-alpha-methyl-histamine and SMS 201-995 block plasma protein leakage within dura mater by prejunctional mechanisms. Intravenous administration of an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, UK-14,304, a histamine H3 receptor agonist, R(-)-alpha-methyl-histamine (alpha-MeHA) or SMS 201-995 (a synthetic octapeptide analogue of somatostatin), blocked plasma protein (125I-albumin) extravasation within rat and/or guinea pig dura mater following unilateral electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation or capsaicin administration. The extravasation caused by the administration of the neuropeptide mediator, substance P, was not inhibited by any of the three compounds. Blockade by UK-14,304 was completely antagonized by pretreatment with the highly selective alpha 2-antagonist, idazoxan, as was alpha-MeHA by pretreatment with the highly selective histamine H3 antagonist, thioperamide. Taken together, the results are consistent with blockade by prejunctional alpha 2, histamine H3 and probably somatostatin receptors which may be coupled to inhibition of neuropeptide release. Because 5-HT1-like agonists, which are useful for treating migraine and related headaches, share similar inhibitory properties in this in vivo model, the significance of prejunctional alpha 2, histamine H3 and somatostatin receptors to treatment of vascular headaches is suggested.


Ethanol modulation of GABA receptor-activated Cl- currents in neurons of the chick, rat and mouse central nervous system. Modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor function by drugs such as ethanol may depend on the genetic heterogeneity of GABAA receptor subunits, which vary across species and cell types. For this reason, the effects of ethanol on gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-activated chloride currents (IGABA) were examined using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in primary cultures of neurons obtained from different species (chick, mouse and rat) and from different brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord), and in acutely dissociated neurons from rat neocortical slices. Low concentrations (1-50 mM) of ethanol produced an enhancement of IGABA in some cells from each brain region examined. In cells obtained from the rat and chick cerebral cortex, 40-58% of cells exhibited an ethanol-sensitive IGABA. Moreover, a statistically significant variation in the response to ethanol was found in rat cortical neurons obtained from different litters. In mouse hippocampal neurons, potentiation of IGABA was obtained with ethanol concentrations (1-10 mM) well below those needed to inhibit neuronal responses to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (30-50 mM), suggesting a differential sensitivity of these two receptor mechanisms to ethanol. Potentiation of IGABA by ethanol was reversed by the benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonist RO15-4513 (ethyl 8-azido-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine - 3-carboxylate), but was not affected by chelation of intracellular calcium. Furthermore, high concentrations of GABA attenuated the ability of ethanol to enhance IGABA. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ethanol facilitates coupling between receptor binding and chloride channel activation.


Evidence for specific N-terminal galanin fragment binding sites in the rat brain. The existence and widespread distribution of specific [125I]galanin-(1-15) fragment binding sites in the rat brain was demonstrated by using [125I]galanin-(1-15) as a radioligand in quantitative receptor autoradiographical studies. These binding sites were also present in several areas lacking or having very few [125I]galanin-(1-29) binding sites, such as the dorsal hippocampal formation, the neocortex and the neostriatum. [125I]Galanin-(1-15) binding sites showed a high selectivity for the fragment, since galanin-(1-15) could displace 80% of the binding whereas porcine galanin-(1-29) could only displace 30%. The binding was saturable with a Kd of 0.63 +/- 0.02 nM and a Bmax of 15.3 +/- 1.7 fmol/mg in sections from the dorsal hippocampal formation. Thus, a new type of galanin receptor selective for N-terminal galanin fragments may exist in the rat brain.


Gene expression of differentiation- and dedifferentiation markers in normal and malignant human thyroid tissues. Steady state mRNA transcript levels of thyroid differentiation markers such as TSH receptor (TSHR), thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) as well as a potential marker of dedifferentiation, c-myc, marker were investigated in patients with thyroid tumors and in normal controls using Northern blot analysis. Blots were normalized by acridine orange staining whereas analysis of beta-actin mRNA levels revealed highly variable levels already in normal tissue suggesting regulation of this "constitutively" expressed gene. Determination of c-myc mRNA revealed increased steady state mRNA levels in anaplastic carcinomas (ATC) as compared to normal tissues. However, in some patients c-myc transcript levels were lower in the tumor than in the adjacent normal tissue reducing the significance of c-myc as a marker of dedifferentiation. High levels of TSH mRNA were found in control thyroids, whereas in ATC no normal TSHR mRNA was detected. In PTC and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) the transcripts varied from increased to markedly reduced levels. In one patient with FTC 2 independent preparations of the tumor revealed different results, undetectable and clearly detectable TSHR mRNA levels. Xenotransplantation of this tissue on nude rats showed a variable expression pattern in the individual xenotransplantations suggesting heterogeneity of the tumor tissue. Tg and TPO mRNA were strongly expressed in normal tissues and completely lost in all ATC. In differentiated thyroid tumors the transcript levels of Tg and TPO varied from normal to complete loss of expression of either Tg or TPO, or both.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Laboratory diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. 4. Antigen capture and PCR-gene amplification for detection of the Mycoplasma: problems of clinical correlation. Direct detection assays for Mycoplasma pneumoniae were established by PCR amplification of short sequences within the foot protein/adhesin (P1) gene and the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Specificity and sensitivity was excellent, no hybridization was observed with M. genitalium and other human Mycoplasma species. In nose and throat washings from subjects with respiratory infection a pattern of high counts (c.f.u./ml) of M. pneumoniae (deduced from the amount of amplified PCR product), and a positive antigen capture assay, was found in 83% of subjects with serological evidence of current infection with M. pneumoniae. A small proportion of subjects with serological patterns suggesting infection in the more distant past had positive PCR assays. This was considered to represent either persistence of the organism from a previous infection or perhaps transient carriage during a reinfection, without substantial change in antibody response. PCR-based assay of M. pneumoniae offers a powerful, rapid, and sensitive substitute for culture of the mycoplasma. Antigen capture, while less sensitive than PCR, offers the advantage that it is more often positive with samples from current infection and requires less stringent laboratory organization to contain false positive results. We conclude however that the laboratory diagnosis of a chosen clinical episode should not rest on the PCR or Ag-EIA assays alone, but must also include antibody assays to confirm whether infection is current or represents persistence from past exposure.


Study of early hematopoietic precursors in human cord blood. Human cord blood is a source of transplantable stem cells. These stem cells express the antigen CD34, are resistant to treatment with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (CD34+/4-HCres), and do not give rise to colonies when plated in clonogenic assays. We studied the number of CD34+ cells present in cord blood and developed a two-step assay for early precursors (pre-colony-forming units, pre-CFU) capable of giving rise to committed progenitors. In this assay CD34+/4-HCres cord blood cells were cultured in suspension with different growth factors. After 7 days in suspension the remaining cells were plated in clonogenic assays, for granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM), erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E), and mixed lineage colony-forming units (CFU-MIX), in the presence of pure factors or a combination of recombinant human (rh) interleukin 3 (IL-3) and medium conditioned by the PU34 primate cell line. Pre-CFU for all precursors were identified. These pre-CFU developed into committed progenitors in response to rhIL-3. The combinations of rhIL-3 plus rh interleukin 1 (IL-1) or rhIL-3 plus rh interleukin 6 (IL-6) did not enhance recovery of progenitors. The developing CFU-GM were responsive to rh granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and rh granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) but much less so to rhIL-3. BFU-E and CFU-MIX developed in suspension but could only be detected when cells were replated in the presence of a combination of rhIL-3 and PU34 but not rhIL-3 alone. This assay may be useful in evaluating the number of early hematopoietic precursors present in cord blood samples and in defining growth factor combinations that could enhance hematopoietic recovery after cord blood stem cell transplants.


Vanadate mimics the effect of stem cell factor on highly purified human erythroid burst-forming units in vitro, but not the effect of erythropoietin. When orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, was added to highly purified human blood erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) a marked increase in the number and size of erythroid bursts was evident at an optimum concentration of 4 microM. Because BFU-E are stimulated by stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), and erythropoietin (EP), this effect could occur through an enhancement of any one of these pathways. However, no effect was observed on human erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E), indicating that vanadate was not potentiating the effect of EP. The time course of decline in BFU-E, when vanadate was added in vitro on successive days, followed the time course produced by delayed addition of SCF but not IL-3. In addition, vanadate markedly enhanced the effect of an optimal concentration of IL-3, but it could only enhance the effect of SCF when SCF concentrations were less than optimum. These experiments demonstrate that vanadate markedly stimulates the number and size of human BFU-E in vitro and that it mimics the effect of SCF. Vanadate may be acting as a phosphatase inhibitor that potentiates the kinase activity induced by SCF, but elucidation of its specific biochemical effects on these cells awaits further investigation.


Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into primitive human hematopoietic progenitor cells: effects of mast cell growth factor (MGF) combined with other cytokines. Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into human hematopoietic stem cells may permit gene therapy of numerous genetic diseases. Stimulation of marrow with hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) has been shown to increase the level of retroviral transduction. We have examined the effects of recombinant human mast cell growth factor (MGF), alone and in combination with other HGFs, on the efficiency of gene transfer into human hematopoietic progenitor cells. MGF acts in concert with interleukin 3 (IL-3) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) to increase the percentage of CD34+ progenitors transduced with a retroviral vector expressing the neo gene. The most potent combination of growth factors that we examined, interleukin 1 (IL-1)/IL-3/IL-6/MGF, resulted in the conferral of G418 resistance to 45% of progenitors and long-term culture-initiating cells. Extending the time of cocultivation of the marrow cells with the vector-producing cells did not further increase gene transfer frequency, suggesting that the amount of available vector is not limiting. To analyze the effects of the HGF on gene transfer into more primitive hematopoietic progenitors, CD34+ cells were isolated from marrow samples that were purged of committed progenitor cells by treatment with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC). Preculturing the CD34+ 4-HC-treated cells with the combination of four HGF (IL-1/IL-3/IL-6/MGF) permitted transduction of 20%-28% of the progenitors that formed colonies after 30 days in culture. These results demonstrate that MGF in combination with other HGFs enhances gene transduction of human hematopoietic progenitor cells.


Increased respiratory burst activity of neutrophils in patients with aplastic anemia: effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The superoxide (O2-)-releasing capacity in response to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and the priming effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on FMLP-induced O2-release were investigated in neutrophils from 13 patients with aplastic anemia (AA). The O2(-)-releasing capacity of AA neutrophils (0.85 +/- 0.36 nmol/5 min/1 x 10(5) cells, n = 13) was significantly (p < 0.01) increased as compared with that of normal neutrophils (0.24 +/- 0.12 nmol/5 min/1 x 10(5) cells, n = 17). There was no close relationship between the O2(-)-releasing capacity and the peripheral blood neutrophil count or the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein. The plasma concentrations of G-CSF and GM-CSF were not elevated to the detectable levels (< 0.1 ng/ml and < 0.2 ng/ml, respectively) in all patients tested. FMLP-induced O2(-)-release was further enhanced by pretreatment of cells with rhG-CSF or rhGM-CSF for 10 min at 37 degrees C, except that no significant priming by rhG-CSF was observed in five patients. The priming effect of rhGM-CSF was consistently greater than that of rhG-CSF in all patients. The i.v. administration of rhGM-CSF (6 micrograms/kg body weight/day) to one patient resulted in an increase in neutrophil O2(-)-release stimulated by FMLP. These findings indicate that neutrophils from AA patients are already primed in vivo for enhanced release of O2- and that these neutrophil functions are further potentiated by rhG-CSF or rhGM-CSF.


Canine stem cell factor (c-kit ligand) supports the survival of hematopoietic progenitors in long-term canine marrow culture. The cDNA for canine stem cell factor (cSCF, c-kit ligand) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein (rcSCF), 165 amino acids in length, is very similar structurally to the soluble form of previously cloned and sequenced rodent and human SCFs. The biological effects of rcSCF were studied in a day-10 granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) clonogenic assay and in long-term liquid bone marrow culture of non-adherent hematopoietic cells in the absence of a stromal underlayer. Synergism in the stimulation of growth of CFU-GM was demonstrated between rcSCF and both recombinant human (rh) granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and naturally occurring colony-stimulating activity present in the serum of a neutropenic dog. Alone, rcSCF was nonstimulatory for committed marrow precursors in methylcellulose cultures and had minimal effect on hematopoietic progenitor cell survival in stromaless, liquid cultures. When rcSCF was combined with phytohemagglutinin-stimulated canine lymphocyte-conditioned medium (PHA-LCM) or rh interleukin 6 (IL-6), with or without rhGM-CSF, CFU-GM survived for up to 5 weeks. The combination of rcSCF and rhGM-CSF, without rhIL-6, led to an early increase in CFU-GM in liquid cultures that declined more rapidly than in flasks that included rhIL-6. Survival of progenitor cells was negligible beyond 1 week in flasks with growth factor combinations lacking rcSCF. Sustained production of nonadherent cells in long-term cultures also was dependent on rcSCF in combination with canine PHA-LCM or recombinant human growth factors. It appears that rcSCF, like that from rodent and primate species, has the ability to influence the survival and proliferation of CFU-GM, and perhaps earlier progenitor cells, in hematopoietic tissues. In a long-term liquid culture system in which growth factor production by stromal cells is limited, rcSCF possesses a unique ability to maintain the viability of progenitor cells for up to 5 weeks.


Insulin and noradrenaline independently stimulate the translocation of glucose transporters from intracellular stores to the plasma membrane in mouse brown adipocytes. The mechanism of the effect of noradrenaline on the transport of 3-O-methyl-D-[14C]glucose ([14C]-MG) was studied in mouse brown adipocytes. When cells were exposed to low concentrations (< 10(-8) M) of insulin, the [14C]-MG uptake by cells was enhanced by noradrenaline additively. The action of noradrenaline was mimicked by isoproterenol, and was completely blocked by propranolol. Exposing cells to noradrenaline induced both an increase in the transport activity of plasma membrane fractions and a decrease in that of microsomal fractions similar to insulin exposure, indicating that noradrenaline also induces the translocation of glucose transporters to the plasma membrane. The ratio of an increase in the transport activity of plasma membrane fraction to a decrease in the activity of microsomal fraction was lower in cells exposed to noradrenaline than in cells exposed to insulin. This quantitative disagreement suggests that there are at least two different modes involved in the regulation of the translocation of glucose transporters in mouse brown adipocytes.


Anticodon-dependent aminoacylation of RNA minisubstrate by lysyl-tRNA synthetase. Specific inhibition of mammalian lysyl-tRNA synthetase by polyU is shown. Inhibition of the enzyme is dependent on the length of the oligonucleotide, since oligoU molecules with a length of less than 8 residues do not inhibit the aminoacylation, whilst the effect of oligoU molecules with a length of about 30 residues is the same as that of polyU. Inhibition is a result of recognition by the enzyme of the tRNALys anticodon sequence (UUU) coded by polyU. Aminoacylation of the oligoU molecule with attached CCA sequence (G(U)20-CCA) by yeast and mammalian lysyl-tRNA synthetases is demonstrated.