Thyroid abnormalities in chronic viral hepatitis and their relationship to interferon alfa therapy

The prevalence of antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (ATPO) and/or of thyroid dysfunction was studied in 422 patients with chronic viral hepatitis C, B, and D. Baseline results were compared with those during and 6 months after interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) therapy. The overall prevalence of ATPO among untreated patients was 14.1%, with no significant differences between chronic hepatitis C, B, or D, as well as between males and females. However, high ATPO titers (> or = 18 IU/mL) clustered significantly among females (8.7% vs. 3.4%; P = .022), especially those with chronic hepatitis C (11.2% vs. 3.6%; P = .036). Before treatment, 3.7% of the patients had thyroid dysfunction, mostly hypothyroidism (3.5%), the latter increasing to 14.3% among patients with ATPO titers > or = 18 IU/mL. IFN-alpha treatment significantly increased overall thyroid dysfunction (9.7%; P = .001) and hypothyroidism (7.8%; P = .01), particularly among patients with high baseline ATPO (38.5%; P = .0002). Six months after stopping IFN-alpha treatment, the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 8.0%, still significantly higher than at baseline. By multivariate analysis, the only predictor positively associated with pre- or on-treatment hypothyroidism was the baseline titer of the ATPO antibodies (relative risk [RR], 3.0 and 3.8 per each log titer increase, respectively). In conclusion, patients with chronic viral hepatitis on IFN-alpha treatment exhibit an almost threefold increase of baseline thyroid dysfunction, persisting long after the end of therapy. High ATPO titers, clustering among females, particularly those with hepatitis C, represent the only predictor of pre- and on-treatment hypothyroidism by multivariate analysis. Patients with chronic viral hepatitis, especially females, should be tested for ATPO and thyroid function and monitored during and posttreatment for free thyroxin (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.

In vitro endothelialization of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: a clinical case report after 41 months of implantation

PURPOSE

Forty-one months after we performed bilateral implantation of in vitro endothelialized femoropopliteal bypass grafts in a 69-year-old patient, we obtained a central graft segment for histologic and ultrastructural investigation.

METHODS

Before implantation the grafts were confluently lined with autologous first passage mass cultures of pure cephalic vein endothelial cells. The precoating of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis was done with fibrinolytically inhibited fibrin glue. Reoperation became necessary because of symptomatic unilateral atherosclerotic lesions located in the center of one of the two in vitro lined grafts. A 21 cm long graft segment was removed and replaced by a new in vitro endothelialized expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft.

RESULTS

On scanning electron microscopy a confluently covering mature endothelium was found throughout the whole length of the removed prosthesis. The endothelial identity was confirmed by a positive immunohistochemical CD 34, von Willebrand factor-staining, and the ultrastructural demonstration of Weibel Pallade bodies. The endothelium rested on a collagen IV positive basement membrane. Histologic cross sections revealed uniformly developed subintimal tissue of 1.21 +/- 0.19 mm thickness, which was separated from the intima by a distinct internal elastic membrane. The cells of this cell-rich matrix stained strongly positive for actin. Ultrastructurally, this matrix was dominated by highly contractile myofibroblasts loaded with peripherally located well-developed actin fillaments. A number of these cells also showed signs of secretory cells with a distinct endoplasmic reticulum and a Golgi complex. In areas of atherosclerotic lesions the subendothelial matrix was partially exposed, and the internal elastic membrane had to a certain extent disintegrated. Only in these areas KP-1 and MG-M1 positive foamy macrophages and CD 34 positive capillaries were found. The myofibroblasts of this diseased part of the subintimal tissue contained large lipid vacuoles.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the confluent in vitro lining of synthetic vascular grafts with pure autologous endothelial cells facilitates graft healing, which may result in a hybrid structure with features of a native vessel.

Difluoromethylornithine enhanced uptake of tritiated putrescine in 9L rat brain tumors

Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) depletes endogenous putrescine and enhances the uptake of and retention of [3H] putrescine in vitro. To determine if DFMO also enhances uptake of [3H] putrescine in vivo, DFMO and trace doses of [3H] putrescine, dissolved in artificial CSF, were infused into growing (6-9 day) 9L brain tumors by means of osmotic pumps. When 7-day osmotic pumps were loaded with 1 microCi [3H] putrescine, with or without 10 or 100 mM DFMO, pumped at 1 microl/h, the mean uptake after 3 days was 168 +/- 62 cpm/mg tumor (17 rats) without DFMO, 300 +/- 197 cpm/mg tumor (11 rats) with 10 mM DFMO and 1088 +/- 421 cpm/mg tumor (11 rats) with 100 mM DFMO (p < or = 0.05 vs. control). Significantly less radioactivity was detected in the contralateral brain and in nonbrain tissues (0.5 +/- 0.1 to 14 +/- 5 cpm/mg). To measure the extent of [3H] putrescine distribution in the tumor, the same dose of drugs was delivered for a longer period of time, using 14-day pumps to allow tumors to become large enough to be divided into 1.4 mm thick transections. The mean radioactivity in the sections from eight control rats receiving [3H] putrescine without DFMO were not significantly different between the sections (174 +/- 61 cpm/mg tumor for sections containing the cannulas, 273 +/- 61 and 259 +/- 91 cpm/mg for adjacent sections). In the six rats given 100 mM DFMO there was a significant increase in mean radioactivity in the cannula containing section (2251 +/- 919 cpm/mg tumor). Mean counts from adjacent sections in these rats were 97 +/- 44 and 33 +/- 13 cpm/mg. Values for contralateral corpus striatum and nonbrain tissues ranged from 0.7 +/- 0.3 to 4.3 +/- 1.5 cpm/mg tissue. When DFMO was delivered directly to the tumors while [3H] putrescine was infused intraperitoneally, the uptake in the tumor slices was low (5-10 cpm/mg in different slices). These results demonstrate that infusion of DFMO directly into growing 9L brain tumors can selectively enhance the uptake of exogenous [3H] putrescine by rapidly dividing cells which are within a 1.4 mm diameter area at the cannula tip. Although these studies used [3H] putrescine at trace doses, it is estimated that infusion of higher doses of [3H] putrescine plus DFMO will selectively kill tumor cells.

Delayed resection in the management of non-orbital rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in childhood

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of delayed resection on outcome of head and neck rms in a single institution which has experience in cranial base surgery. Since 1988, patients with primary non-orbital rms of the head and neck following treatment at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, were evaluated by the Department of Otolaryngology, Eye and Ear Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center either at the time of presentation or when response to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy was thought to have been optimized for the possibility of definitive surgery. Medical records of patients who did or did not have delayed surgery were reviewed and compared with respect to demographics, tumor stage, response to therapy, survival, and cosmetic results. Of 16 children diagnosed with non-orbital head and neck rms from 1988-1994 and treated with chemotherapy according to IRS II-IV, 3 had group I or II disease following extensive surgery at diagnosis. Thirteen had group III or IV disease. Of these, 6 patients had delayed resection and 7 did not. Delayed resection was undertaken 3-12 months (median, 4 months) from diagnosis in 4 children who had a partial response (PR) and 2 children who had stable disease (SD) with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Delayed resection converted all children to complete responses (CR), including one child with clinical SD and one with PR who were found to have no viable tumor at surgery. The overall percentages of CRs for patients with group III or IV disease (documented any time post-diagnosis) were at least as good for patients who had undergone delayed surgery as for those who had not (100% vs. 71%, p = .465). Median survivals for patients with advanced disease were 3 1/2 years and 2 years, respectively (p = .2801). Cosmetic and functional problems attributable to surgery were not severe but included facial asymmetry (n = 4), trismus (n = 1), cranial nerve deficits (n = 1), and abnormal dentition (n = 1). In locally extensive head and neck rms, cranial base surgery should be considered after initial cytoreductive therapy, since it may contribute to achievement of CR and to survival with acceptable morbidity.

Cholestatic jaundice as a paraneoplastic manifestation of renal cell carcinoma

Malignant diseases may cause cholestatic jaundice through either main bile duct obstruction or widespread hepatic metastasis. Renal cell carcinoma (hypernephroma, RCC) can cause a variety of paraneoplastic manifestations which can be the main presenting symptoms. Cholestasis, as a paraneoplastic syndrome, has been well described in patients with malignant lymphohyperplastic diseases. Non-metastatic nephrogenic hepatic dysfunction syndrome without jaundice has often been described in patients with hypernephroma (Stauffer's syndrome). Paraneoplastic cholestatic jaundice has not yet been described. We report, for the first time, two patients who presented with pruritus and cholestatic jaundice. During the diagnostic work-up, RCC was diagnosed. The renal tumour was an unexpected finding during computed tomographic (CT) scan. No clinical manifestations of hypernephroma, short of microscopic haematuria, were detected. Conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were markedly increased. No hepatic metastasis or main bile duct obstruction were detected by appropriate investigations. After radical nephrectomy, liver abnormalities disappeared rapidly. We conclude that RCC should be included among neoplasms causing not only anicteric intrahepatic cholestasis but also frank jaundice as part of a paraneoplastic syndrome. The differential diagnosis from hepatic metastasis, main bile duct obstruction or other causes of jaundice is of clinical importance and of prognostic value. Patients with unexplained cholestasis should be investigated for malignant diseases including hypernephroma.

The Monolithic Double-Crystal Spectrometer: Theory and Design Principles

The monolithic double-crystal spectrometer (MDCS) is a perfect-crystal device allowing X-ray spectroscopic measurements on an absolute energy scale with an accuracy of better than 1 in 106. This paper presents a detailed analysis of its properties using the dynamical theory of X-ray propagation in perfect crystals. The transmitted wavelength, the transmission window profile, the energy dispersion and the integrated intensity of the transmitted radiation and their dependence on the scanning angle of rotation are derived. The polarization mixing is shown to have a subtle yet important effect on the transmission of the MDCS. An example of a specific MDCS, designed for measuring the Cu Kβ emission spectra, is discussed in detail. The results of the study highlight the advantages and limitations of this device and yield tools for optimizing the MDCS for a wide class of X-ray spectroscopic measurements and for correcting the inevitable, although minimal, distortions introduced by the finite instrumental window of the device.

A clinical trial to evaluate the worth of preoperative multimodality therapy in patients with operable carcinoma of the rectum: a progress report of National Surgical Breast and Bowel Project Protocol R-03

PURPOSE

National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Protocol R-03 was designed to determine the worth of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the management of operable rectal cancer.

METHODS

Thus far, 116 patients of an eventual 900 with primary operable rectal cancer have been randomized to receive multimodality therapy to begin preoperatively (59 patients) or identical therapy beginning after curative surgery (57). All patients received seven cycles of 5-fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) chemotherapy. Cycles 1 and 4 through 7 used a high-dose weekly FU regimen. In Cycles 2 and 3, FU and low-dose LV chemotherapy was given during the first and fifth week of radiation therapy (5,040 cGy). The preoperative arm (Group 1) received the first three cycles of chemotherapy and all radiation therapy before surgery. The postoperative arm (Group 2) received all radiation and chemotherapy after surgery. Primary study end points included disease-free survival and survival. Secondary end points included local recurrence, primary tumor response to combination therapy, tumor downstaging, and sphincter preservation.

RESULTS

Overall treatment-related toxicity was similar in both groups. Although seven preoperative patients had events after randomization that precluded surgery, eight events occurred during an equivalent follow-up period in the postoperative group. No patient was deemed inoperable because of progressive local disease. Sphincter-saving surgery was intended in 31 percent of Group 1 patients and 33 percent of Group 2 patients at the time of randomization. Such surgery was actually performed in 50 percent of the preoperatively treated patients and 33 percent of the postoperatively treated patients. The use of protective colostomy in patients undergoing sphincter-sparing surgery and the development of perioperative complications in all surgical patients were similar in both groups. There was evidence of tumor downstaging in evaluable patients undergoing preoperative therapy, with 8 percent of Group 1 patients having had a pathologic complete response.

CONCLUSION

These data do suggest that the preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimen used are, at least, as safe and tolerable as standard postoperative treatment. There is presently a trend to tumor downstaging and sphincter preservation in the preoperative arm. Whether this arm will have greater or lesser survival and long-term toxicity awaits the completion of this relevant study.

A selective impairment of the IL-2 system in lymphocytes of patients with glioblastomas: increased level of soluble IL-2R and reduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation

The occurrence of brain tumors is associated with broad suppression of the immune system function; however, the mechanisms involved in this impairment are not fully characterized. In this study, we have examined mechanisms involved in diminished T lymphocyte reactivity in patients with glioblastomas as compared to patients with other types of brain tumors. We found that the proliferative response of T lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD3 was significantly reduced in these patients as compared to patients with meningiomas, oligodendrogliomas and healthy individuals. Stimulated T cells appear to express lower levels of the alpha-subunit (p55) of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), and increased levels of soluble IL-2R in cell supernatants, whereas no significant differences were observed in the level of the beta (p75)- or gamma-subunits. In addition, we found that competent T cells of glioblastoma patients exhibit lower levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in response to IL-2 as compared with cells of healthy donors. The decrease in the levels of IL-2 and its receptor was selective since no significant changes were observed in the secretion of other Th1- and Th2-derived cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4) and the expression of their respective receptors. These results indicate that the diminished response of T cells obtained from patients with glioblastomas may be due to a selective defect in the production of IL-2 and in the expression of functional IL-2R due to a decreased expression of the membranal IL-2R alpha and to lower levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in response to IL-2.

Detection of melanoma by monitoring the intracellular fluorescein fluorescence polarization changes in lymphocytes

The effectiveness of detecting melanoma by measuring the intracellular fluorescein fluorescent polarization (IFFP) of patients' SCM (structuredness of the cytoplasmic matrix)-responding lymphocytes was examined. SCM-responding lymphocytes from 46 melanoma patients and 32 healthy volunteers were labeled with fluorescein diacetate and challenged with different stimuli, and the resulting polarization was determined. The polarizations (P) obtained upon stimulation with nothing (P-0), encephalitogenic factor (P-EF), phytohaemagglutinin (P-PHA), or melanoma antigen (P-MEL), and the ratios RR(ef) (P-EF/P-PHA) and RR(mel) (P-MEL/P-PHA) were lower for SCM-responding lymphocytes from the patients as a group than for those of the controls. The specificity and sensitivity of the IFFP tests (using cutoff values) to detect melanoma were 90.6 and 73.9%, respectively. The IFFP tests may facilitate the discrimination between melanoma patients and healthy subjects, and may be used in follow-up of patients with melanoma.

Salvage radiotherapy for local failures of lumpectomy and breast irradiation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In-breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) following lumpectomy and breast irradiation is usually managed by mastectomy. For women who refused mastectomy at the time of an IBTR, a repeat course of radiotherapy following repeat lumpectomy was offered.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen women with an IBTR following lumpectomy, axillary node dissection and breast irradiation were treated with repeat lumpectomy and radiotherapy to the operative area. Fifteen patients received 5000 cGy/25 fractions. One patient discontinued radiotherapy for non-medical reasons after having received only 3200 cGy/16 fractions. The interval from completion of the initial course of radiotherapy to documentation of IBTR varied from 10-130 months (median 31 months).

RESULTS

Four patients (20%) have had further local failure. Ten of sixteen patients (62.5%) are alive and free or disease at 42-119 months from completion of the repeat course of radiotherapy. Of these latter patients, one had another in-breast tumor recurrence treated by excision alone and another had an in-breast tumor recurrence in the contra lateral breast post-lumpectomy and irradiation. Four patients died with distant metastasis, one is currently alive with contralateral breast cancer and distant metastasis, and one is alive with an extensive recurrence in the re-irradiated breast. Two of the patients with distant metastasis had abnormal bone scans at the time they received the repeat course of radiotherapy. There have been no severe late sequelae from the repeat course of radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

For selected patients, a repeat course of radiotherapy for an IBTR following lumpectomy and radiotherapy is well tolerated and may provide long-term local control.

Influenza A virus affects the response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to phytohaemagglutinin A by altering the cytoskeleton

In the present study, we demonstrate that the infection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with influenza A virus caused changes in intracellular fluorescein fluorescence polarization (IFFP) which, as previously described, reflect alterations in the polymerization of the cytoskeleton. Kinetic measurements revealed two cycles of an approximate 10% decrease in IFFP within 3.5 and 5 h after infection. Infection win influenza A virus also altered the response of PBMC to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), which was manifested as changes of 5.3 and 4% in IFFP at 1 and 2 h after infection, respectively. the changes in IFFP correlated with DNA synthesis measured 72 h after exposure to PHA. These results show the ability of IFFP measurements to identify early intracellular metabolic events induced in virus-infected cells.

Multichannel single-output color pattern recognition by use of a joint-transform correlator

A novel method for performing color image recognition by the use of the coherent joint-transform correlator is introduced. The input plane of the proposed method is a spatial rearrangement of the separation into color channels of both the color input scene and the color target. This input plane is gray scaled and monochromatic, thus it can be displayed by the use of amplitude spatial light modulators to achieve real-time operation. The system provides a single output-plane result of the optical coherent addition of the separate channels' correlation outputs. At the output plane no electronic postprocessing is needed, and the detection decision is achieved simply by the application of threshold detection. Experimental results and computer simulations are presented to demonstrate the abilities of this system.

Immune thrombocytopenia and alpha-interferon therapy

Thrombocytopenia is often found in patients with liver diseases, especially due to congestive splenomegaly caused by portal hypertension. Immune thrombocytopenia has been described rarely, and it seems to be especially associated with hepatitis C virus, which has been described as having a particular interaction with the immune system contributing to the induction of autoimmunity. Interferons, on the other hand, because of their immunomodulatory properties, are able to induce or exacerbate autoimmune diseases. Mild thrombocytopenia is a common adverse effect of interferon therapy. Severe life-threatening thrombocytopenia is extremely rare. We report two cases of severe immune thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C, probably induced by alpha-interferon. Bone marrow aspirate and elevated platelet-associated IgG antibodies, determined by indirect immunofluorescence, were suggestive of immune thrombocytopenia. None of the patients had any clinical sign of autoimmune syndrome, including arthritis, serositis, Sicca syndrome, vasculitis, thyroid abnormalities and others. Cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factor were tested and were undetectable. The patients' histories of exposure to alpha-interferon and the exclusion of other causes are most consistent with drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia. After alpha-interferon withdrawal, thrombocytopenia was treated successfully with prednisolone and immunoglobulins. Response to treatment was consistent with the diagnosis of alpha-interferon-induced immune thrombocytopenia and peripheral consumption of platelets.

Single-channel polychromatic pattern recognition by the use of a joint-transform correlator

We present a single-channel system for color image recognition that is based on a joint-transform correlator setup. The color images are encoded as phase and amplitude functions, inspired from the Munsell color representation. A real-time implementation of the new codification method can be achieved by the use of a spatial light modulator operating in phase-only modulation mode. We determine the optimal codification for a linear color-phase code. Its performance is compared with a conventional multichannel correlator by means of computer simulations. Experimental results are also presented.

Potential for anatomic localization in colorectal cancer using the SCM test

We analysed a series of 81 colorectal cancer cases in which the SCM (structuredness of the cytoplasmic matrix) test had already been performed with a diagnostic sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 92.6%, yielding positive and negative predictive values of 96.3% and 84.7% respectively. We subdivided this group of 81 patients by anatomic location of the malignancy. Although the resultant subgroups were admittedly small, we noted a tendency for the most prominent changes in observed and calculated polarization parameters to be associated with cecal cancers. This finding was of special interest because the cecum is the most inaccessible site for colonoscopy. Ongoing site-specific surveillance in SCM-tested cases of colorectal cancer is necessary to validate this result.

Lumpectomy and breast irradiation for breast cancer after radiotherapy for lymphoma

Six women received irradiation for lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease, n = 5; non-Hodgkin's disease, n = 1) to at least a mediastinal field (n = 2) or to a mantle field (n = 4), and subsequently developed breast cancer 10-27 years later. Three patients also received chemotherapy as a component of therapy for lymphoma. For breast cancer, all were treated with lumpectomy and breast irradiation to 5,000 cGy in 25 fractions plus a 1,000 cGy/5 fraction boost to the operative area using electrons. Two patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and three others tamoxifen for breast cancer. All women are alive and free of disease 15-118 months (median, 60 months) following breast irradiation. There have been no cases of significant acute reactions and no late sequelae such as skin pigmentation changes subcutaneous fibrosis, rib fractures, cardiac disease, or pulmonary fibrosis. The cosmetic result is considered good or excellent in all. Lumpectomy and breast irradiation is not contraindicated in the woman who develops breast cancer many years after irradiation of lymph node regions above the diaphragm for lymphoma.

Adaptation of the cellscan technique for the SCM test in breast cancer

The value of the SCM (Structuredness of Cytoplasmic Matrix) cancer test, a procedure based on the detection of differences in lymphocyte activation in the presence and absence of cancer, has remained controversial, with inconsistent results having been reported among investigators. The Cellscan, a high-precision static cytometer system, has been designed to perform the SCM test; the apparatus facilitates the polarisation measurements and can examine cells which have been separated by simpler procedures than were originally described. In this study, using methods and diagnostic criteria adapted for the Cellscan system in a hospital environment, the SCM test correctly classified over 90% (76/80) of patients with breast cancer and differentiated over 90% (72/73) of individuals without cancer.

Indication that intracellular fluorescence polarization of T lymphocytes is cell cycle dependent

The degree of depolarization of fluorescence light emitted from an organic dye, used as a molecular probe, is a powerful tool in probing the microenvironment. Polarization measurements of intracellular exogenous fluorescein have been shown to reflect the physiological state of the cells. The relationship between intracellular fluorescein fluorescence polarization (IFFP) and cell cycle, was investigated in the leukemia T-lymphocyte Jurkat cell line. Jurkat T cells were cultured in increasing cell densities, their cell cycle progression cytometrically monitored and the IFFP measured. At the highest cell density, the subpopulation of cells at the resting phases the (Gzero/G1) predominated, and the mean IFFP was 0.186 +/- 0.015. At the lowest density, with diminished proportion of cells in the G1/G2 stages the mean IFFP decreased to 0.126 +/- 0.01. Treatment of the Jurkat T cell line with phase arrested agents 1 microM hydroxyurea, or 1 microM nocodazole, arrests the cells in the S and G2/M phases, respectively. These treated cells exhibit significantly lower IFFP values, mean polarization value 0.140, as compared to 0.171 +/- 0.009 in control cells. Preincubation of Jurkat cells in buffer in accumulation of the cells in the Gzero/G1 phases as well as a parallel increase in IFFP. A characteristic decrease in IFFP was demonstrated upon triggering these cells with Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). High correlation (Pearson correlation = 0.942) was found between percentage of cells in the Gzero/G1 phases and the mean IFFP of the measured cell population. These results may indicate that the intracellular microviscosity of Jurkat T cells as measured by IFFP, is changing over the cell cycle.

Inhibition of mitogen-induced changes in intracellular fluorescein fluorescence polarization of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by colchicine, vinblastine and cytochalasin B

We have previously reported that the exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to a variety of stimulants caused rapid changes in intracellular fluorescein fluorescence polarization (IFFP) in the activated cells. In the present study we further analyzed possible mechanisms responsible for the changes in IFFP in PBL exposed to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and anti-CD3 antibody. By employing several agents which are known to affect the polymerization of the cytoskeleton we showed that both cytochalasin B, which regulates the microfilaments structure, and vinblastine and colchicine, which affect the microtubules, completely abolished the changes induced in IFFP of human PBL by both PHA and anti-CD3. This effect was dose dependent and was noted at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 microM of cytochalasin B and 10 microM of vinblastine and colchicine. The effect of these cytoskeleton modulators occurred within 20 minutes after the initiation of activation with PHA. Our results indicate that activation with PHA and anti-CD3 causes early changes in the microtubules and microfilaments components of the cytoskeleton. The possible application of IFFP measurement in analyzing early changes in the cytoskeleton following cell activation is discussed.

Fourier analysis of differential light scattering for the quantitation of FSH response associated with structural changes in immortalized granulosa cells

We have established granulosa cell lines which express constitutively the rat FSH receptors by cotransfection of primary granulosa cells obtained from preovulatory follicles with SV40 DNA, Ha-ras oncogene and a plasmid expressing FSH receptors. These cells respond specifically to ovine and human FSH by cell rounding, intracellular cAMP accumulation, and progesterone secretion in a dose-dependent manner. A new method for the demonstration and quantitation of changes in cell shape-Small Angle Laser Light Scattering (SALLS) analysis-has been utilized for measurement of cell rounding in response to FSH stimulation in these cells. When cells were incubated with increasing doses of either ovine or human FSH, partial rounding of cells was observed at FSH concentrations as low as 24 pM, while complete rounding of cells was observed at a range of 0.24-2.4 nM of FSH. Following aldehyde fixation, hormone-treated cells were examined using the method of SALLS analysis. Histograms obtained by applying SALLS analysis on FSH stimulated GFSHR-17 cells were a reflection of the structural changes induced by the hormone. FSH- and forskolin-incubated cells yielded structured distributions with defined mean size and standard deviations. Moreover, the increase in sharpness of dominant peak in the histogram was correlated with elevated concentration of FSH in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, cellular response to FSH is correlated with a specific pattern of light scattered in immortalized granulosa cells expressing functional FSH receptors. Therefore, SALLS analysis may serve as a useful tool for in vitro bioassay of the gonadotropic hormone. Moreover, this method may lend itself to in vitro bioassay of any hormone that induces specific morphological changes in target cells.