Insulin independence in a type 1 diabetic patient after encapsulated islet transplantation

Identification of a biocompatible immunoprotective membrane to prevent graft rejection remained elusive until the development of microcapsules formulated in alginate high in guluronic acid. We report insulin independence in a type 1 diabetic patient after encapsulated islet transplantation. Encapsulated human islets were injected intraperitoneally in a diabetic patient with a functioning kidney graft. Insulin independence with tight glycaemic control was demonstrated 9 months after the procedure. These results warrant a trial of a high dose of encapsulated islets in early-onset diabetic patients.

Effects of the KATP channel opener bimakalim on coronary blood flow, monophasic action potential duration, and infarct size in dogs

BACKGROUND

The major purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of the potassium channel opener bimakalim, administered intracoronary only during the initial 10 minutes of ischemia, on myocardial infarct size in anesthetized dogs. A second aim was to test the possibility that bimakalim mediates its cardioprotective effects by accelerating the rate of myocyte action potential shortening during early ischemia. A third aim was to determine the relative potency of bimakalim to open coronary vascular ATP-regulated potassium (KATP) channels versus myocyte KATP channels.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Barbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs were used. In the initial studies, bimakalim (0.1 to 10 micrograms/min) was infused into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and changes in coronary blood flow and monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) were used as indexes of coronary vascular KATP channel and myocyte KATP channel activity, respectively. In subsequent infarct studies, dogs were subjected to 60 minutes of LAD occlusion followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. Based on preliminary studies, two doses of bimakalim that did not shorten MAPD during nonischemic conditions (0.1 and 0.3 microgram/min) and one that markedly shortened MAPD during nonischemic conditions (3.0 micrograms/min) or an equal volume of vehicle were infused into the LAD during the initial 10 minutes of coronary artery occlusion. Transmural myocardial blood flow was measured at 5 and 30 minutes of occlusion by the radioactive microsphere technique, and infarct size was determined at the end of 4 hours of reperfusion by triphenyltetrazolium staining. The monophasic action potential duration at 50% repolarization (MAPD50) was measured by an epicardial probe placed in the center of the ischemic area. Bimakalim had an approximately 10-fold greater affinity for the coronary vascular than the myocardial KATP channel (ED50 coronary, approximately 0.3 microgram/min; ED50 myocyte, approximately 3.0 micrograms/min). Three doses of bimakalim (0.1, 0.3, and 3.0 micrograms/min) all markedly reduced infarct size expressed as percent of the area at risk (12.6 +/- 3.3%, 14.5 +/- 2.2%, and 14.2 +/- 5.3%, respectively, versus 27.2 +/- 5.7% in controls) to nearly equal extents. Subsequently, we found that the two higher doses of bimakalim (0.3 and 3.0 micrograms/min) markedly accelerated yet the 0.1-microgram/min dose of bimakalim did not significantly affect the ischemia-related shortening of the action potential during the initial 5 minutes of occlusion. In addition, 0.1 and 0.3 microgram/min bimakalim did not increase the incidence of ventricular fibrillation during the 60 minutes of occlusion (0 of 7 and 0 of 8 dogs, respectively), whereas 3.0 micrograms/min bimakalim had a profibrillatory effect (6 of 6) compared with the control group (1 of 8). There were no significant differences between groups in systemic hemodynamics, myocardial oxygen demand, ischemic bed size, or collateral blood flow to the ischemic region.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study clearly reveal that a small dose (0.1 or 0.3 microgram/min) of the KATP channel opener bimakalim administered only during the initial 10-minute period of ischemia markedly reduced myocardial infarct size to an extent equal to that of a higher profibrillatory dose in barbital-anesthetized dogs. These data also suggest that bimakalim and other potassium channel openers may partially exert their cardioprotective effects by accelerating KATP channel activation during early ischemia as evidenced by an enhanced rate of ischemic myocyte action potential shortening. However, the results also suggest that other cellular mechanisms may be involved in mediating the cardioprotection produced by a low dose of bimakalim (0.1 microgram/min) because it did not significantly accelerate the shortening of the action potential duration, yet it had an efficacy to redu

BACKGROUND

The major purpose of the present study was to de

Human recombinant TNF-alpha on localization of 90Y-radioantibody in human tumour xenografts

The effect of recombinant human tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the intratumour and whole-body distributions of 90Y-labelled C110 anticarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody (MAb) was studied using nude mice bearing two different tumours. The nude mice were injected subcutaneously with the CEA-positive LS174T colorectal cancer xenograft and the CEA-negative H-MESO-1 malignant mesothelioma xenograft. One hour before injection of radiolabelled MAb, mice were injected intravenously with human recombinant TNF-alpha (3 mg per mouse) or saline, and biodistributions of radiolabel were determined by tissue counting and whole-body autoradiography (ARG). Twenty-four hours after injection, TNF-alpha administration increased radioactivity in the LS174T tumour by 57% (17.30 +/- 1.61 vs. 9.83 +/- 1.55% ID g-1, P < 0.01), while decreasing radioactivity in blood and other normal organs. Diminished but similar effects on radioantibody biodistribution were seen at 48 and 72 hours. TNF-alpha did not affect specific MAb localization in the control H-MESO xenograft. Tumour:blood ratios were increased from 0.7 to 1.7 at 24 h with TNF-alpha administration. Pretreatment with TNF-alpha may be of value in increasing specific localization of monoclonal antibodies in tumour tissue.

A comparison of adenosine-induced cardioprotection and ischemic preconditioning in dogs. Efficacy, time course, and role of KATP channels

BACKGROUND

Adenosine has been proposed to be an important mediator of ischemic preconditioning. Intracoronary administration of adenosine has recently been shown to mimic the effects of preconditioning in isolated rabbit hearts. However, it is not known whether this agent can duplicate the effects of preconditioning in vivo or in other species. Thus, the first objective of the present study was to determine whether adenosine can limit myocardial necrosis to the same extent as preconditioning in anesthetized dogs. A second objective was to determine whether the duration of the adenosine-induced cardioprotection persisted as long as that of ischemic preconditioning. Finally, a third aim was to determine whether adenosine mediates its cardioprotection via the KATP channel, which has been shown to be an important mediator of preconditioning in several animal species, including dogs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Barbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs were subjected to 60 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. Preconditioning was elicited by 10 minutes of LAD occlusion followed by 10 or 60 minutes of reperfusion before the 60-minute occlusion period. Adenosine (400 micrograms/min) or an equivalent volume of saline was infused into the LAD for 10 minutes, followed by a 10- or 60-minute drug-free period before the 60-minute ischemic insult. Glibenclamide (0.3 mg/kg i.v.), a selective KATP channel blocker, was given 15 minutes before adenosine administration, and another selective KATP channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 3 mg/min IC) was infused concomitantly with adenosine into the LAD for 10 minutes. Transmural myocardial blood flow was measured at 5 minutes of occlusion, and infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium staining and expressed as a percent of the area at risk (AAR). There were no significant differences in hemodynamics, collateral blood flow, or AAR between groups. Preconditioning with either 10 or 60 minutes of reperfusion produced a marked reduction (P < .05) in infarct size (6.7 +/- 2.5% and 8.7 +/- 2.6%, respectively, versus 26.9 +/- 4.3% in controls). Administration of adenosine with a 10-minute drug-free period before 60 minutes of occlusion resulted in a marked decrease in infarct size similar to that seen with preconditioning (9.6 +/- 1.7% versus 26.9 +/- 4.3% in controls); however, the protection disappeared when a 60-minute drug-free period was allowed after adenosine administration (23.0 +/- 2.4% versus 26.9 +/- 4.3% in controls). In addition, treatment with either glibenclamide or 5-HD completely abolished the protective effects of adenosine (26.4 +/- 6.8 and 25.0 +/- 4.4%, respectively, versus 26.9 +/- 4.3% in controls).

CONCLUSIONS

These results clearly reveal that (1) a 10-minute intracoronary infusion of adenosine exhibits the same efficacy as ischemic preconditioning in reducing myocardial necrosis in dogs; (2) similar to preconditioning, adenosine mediates its cardioprotection via a cardiac KATP channel-linked mechanism; and (3) adenosine-induced cardioprotection is transient (disappearing within 60 minutes), whereas ischemic preconditioning persists for at least 60 minutes. These data support the hypothesis that endogenous adenosine released during ischemia is an important mediator of ischemic preconditioning; however, important differences exist between the time course of effects of exogenously administered adenosine and preconditioning, which suggests that other factors may also be involved.

Dissociation in serum CA125 concentrations measured by different monoclonal antibodies

The new immunoradiometric assay for CA125 (CA125II assay) uses the monoclonal antibody M11 as an immunoadsorbent. The epitope recognized by M11 is different from the OC125 epitope. Monoclonal antibodies 130-22 and 145-9 recognize an epitope designated as CA130 on the molecule expressing the OC125 epitope. Similarity of M11 epitope to the epitope of anti-CA130 antibodies and dissociation of antigen levels measured by the original CA125 assay and new CA125II assay were examined. Anti-CA130 antibodies partially competed with M11 for the M11 epitope. Among more than 20,000 serum samples we found 12 patients in whom the serum CA125 concentration measured by the CA125II assay was different from that measured by the original assay. In 11 out of 12 patients the CA125 concentration was moderately or extremely high by the original assay but very low by the CA125II assay. Eight of the 11 patients had benign disease, one had no apparent disease and two had cancer. The antigen level determined by CA130 assay was very low in all the 11 patients. In one patient the CA125II assay showed a higher antigen level than the original assay or CA130 assay. The heterogeneity of the epitope expression could cause the dissociation of CA125 levels measured by the different monoclonal antibodies.

Carboxyl-terminal truncation impairs lipid recruitment by apolipoprotein B100 but does not affect secretion of the truncated apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins

Human apolipoprotein (apo) B plays an obligatory role in the assembly and secretion of hepatic triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Investigation of the truncated human apoB variants associated with hypobetalipoproteinemia has suggested that both size and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins may be reduced by carboxyl-terminal truncation. To examine the role of the carboxyl terminus of apoB in the assembly and secretion of hepatic lipoproteins, we have generated rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells that synthesize and secrete the full-length human apoB100 and the truncated forms B94, B88, B80, B72, and B60. In the resulting lipoproteins, particle density was inversely related to the logarithm of apoB length, ranging from 1.019 g/ml for apoB100 to 1.06 g/ml for B60. Furthermore, particle diameter (as determined by non-denaturing gel electrophoresis) was directly correlated with apoB length, ranging from 21.4 nm for apoB100 to 17.7 nm for B60. The relationship between apoB length and particle geometry was best defined by a linear correlation between length and core volume; a 10% decrease in apoB length resulted in an approximately 13% decrease in core volume. These observations, which are in agreement with the observations of aberrant lipoproteins in hypobetalipoproteinemia, suggest that lipid recruitment by apoB is progressively reduced by carboxyl-terminal truncation. However, pulse-chase studies indicated that carboxyl-terminal truncation did not impair apoB secretion. The recombinant human apoB forms were secreted as efficiently as endogenous rat apoB100; approximately 20% of total newly synthesized apoB72, B80, or B100 was secreted at the end of the chase. Intracellular degradation of newly synthesized apoB was observed for both the truncated human and the endogenous rat proteins. These data suggest that the low apoB levels in hypobetalipoproteinemia might not be caused by impaired secretion of the truncated apoB proteins.

[Evaluation of a cytokeratin 19 assay kit "BALL ELSA CYFRA21-1"]

We evaluated "BALL ELSA CYFRA21-1" kit, an immunoradiometric assay kit for cytokeratin 19. Monoclonal antibodies KS19-1 and BM19-21 are used for immunoadsorbent and indicator, respectively. There was no problems in reproducibility, dilution test and recovery test. Minimum detectable concentration was 0.42 ng/ml. The antigen measured by this kit was immunologically cross-reactive with tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and CYFRA21-1 concentration was closely correlated with TPA concentration in patient's serum. One of twenty-six healthy subjects showed serum concentration over a cut-off value of 2.0 ng/ml. Serum CYFRA21-1 concentration elevated in 5 of 10 esophageal cancer patients, 5 of 10 gastric cancer patients, 7 of 10 colorectal cancer patients and 6 of 10 pancreatic cancer patients. Positive rate in patients with benign disease including hepatopathy was low. BALL ELSA CYFRA21-1 kit is reliable and CYFRA21-1 could be a useful tumor marker in gastrointestinal cancer.

[Expression of human multidrug resistance gene (mdr1) cDNA in murine ES cells and in chimeric mice]

Human multidrug resistance gene (mdr1) was introduced into mouse embryonic stem cells (ES-5 line) by calcium phosphate mediated transfection, and transfected ES-5 cells were then selected by stepwise increase in colchicine concentration (30, 50, 100, and 200 ng/ml respectively). Finally, we obtained 4 clones that could be stably grown in culture medium with colchicine at 200 ng/ml and designated as ES-mdr1 clones A, B, C, and D. Southern blot analysis of DNA from ES-mdr1 A and D cells digested by Hind III and hybridized with mdr1 cDNA 5 A probe was shown in Fig. 3. Characteristic 4.8 and 2.4 kb fragments of mdr1 gene were found as expected and their amplification under increased concentration of colchicine in culture medium was also evident from the figure. Slot blot and Northern analysis of total RNA and poly A+ RNA extracted from ES-mdr1 cells were shown in Fig. 4 and 5, demonstrating that ES-mdr1 cells could express mdr1 mRNA. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis with antibodies against p170 glycoprotein indicated that p170 protein translated from mdr1 mRNA was present at the surface of ES-mdr1 cells (Plate I, Fig. 2). The biological characteristics of ES-mdr1 cells cultured in medium containing 200 ng/ml colchicine were investigated. The cells maintained their undifferentiated morphology and grew in nests (Plate I, Fig. 1), like the parental ES-5 cells. When ES-mdr1 cells were cultured in suspension in vitro, these cells were still capable of producing simple and cystic embryoid bodies. ES-mdr1 cells injected subcutaneously into 129 mice formed tumor-like outgrowths giving a great variety of cell types (Plate I, Fig. 4). These results indicated that the integration and expression of human mdr1 gene and selection against colchicine did not affect the pluripotency of ES-mdr1 cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, ES-mdr1 cells, unlike their parental ES-5 cells, could no longer be induced to differentiate by either RA or HMBA (Plate I, Figs. 3a, 3b), indicating that the human mdr1 gene transfected ES cells had changed their competence of inducible response to differentiation in vitro. The details and possible significance of such change require further studies. From the above preliminary data, we are of the opinion that ES-mdr1 cells may serve as a model to study the mode of action of p170 glycoprotein at cellular level and to screen possible means to counteract the action of mdr1 gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Role of nitric oxide, muscarinic receptors, and the ATP-sensitive K+ channel in mediating the effects of acetylcholine to mimic preconditioning in dogs

The aims of the current study were to examine the efficacy of acetylcholine (ACh) to mimic ischemic preconditioning in dogs and to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO), muscarinic receptors, and ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels in mediating its effects. Barbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs were subjected to 60 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. Preconditioning was elicited by 10 minutes of LAD occlusion followed by 10 minutes of reperfusion before the 60-minute occlusion period. ACh (3 or 10 micrograms/min) or an equivalent volume of saline was infused into the LAD for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute drug-free period before the 60-minute ischemic insult. In other groups, the specific NO synthesis inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 4 mg/min), the muscarinic receptor antagonist-NO synthesis inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 3 mg/min), or the specific KATP channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 3 mg/min) was infused with ACh into the LAD for 10 minutes. The infusion of L-NAME, L-NMMA, or 5-HD was started 2 minutes before ACh infusion. Transmural myocardial blood flow was measured at 5 minutes of occlusion, and infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium staining and expressed as a percentage of the area at risk. There were no significant differences in collateral blood flow or the area at risk between groups. Preconditioning produced a marked reduction (P < .05) in infarct size (6.2 +/- 3.0% versus 26.1 +/- 5.7% in the control group).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of human apolipoprotein B100 in transgenic mice. Editing of human apolipoprotein B100 mRNA

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a large glycoprotein that circulates in plasma as a major constituent of numerous lipoproteins. ApoB exists in two forms: apoB48 and apoB100. ApoB48 is identical in sequence to the N-terminal region of apoB100 and is generated by sequence-specific mRNA editing of the apoB100 transcript. Here, we describe the development of a line of mice expressing a human apoB transgene driven by promoter/enhancer sequences from the transthyretin gene. In these mice, immunodetectable human apoB100 is synthesized by the liver, kidney, and brain. Human apoB100 is found in low concentration (approximately 0.1 mg/dl) in the plasma of the transgenic mice and circulates in the low density lipoprotein fraction. The hepatic human apoB100 transcripts undergo mRNA editing at only slightly lower efficiency than the endogenous mouse apoB100 message. Therefore, there is no absolute species specificity to the apoB100 mRNA editing process.

No direct correlation between HLA-DPB1 and antibodies against recombinant Ro (SS-A)/La (SS-B) proteins in systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE Study Group

We investigated the association of HLA-DPB1 alleles with the occurrence of autoantibodies against Ro (SS-A) or La (SS-B) using recombinant 52 kD-Ro, 60 kD-Ro and La proteins in 177 German patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A significant increase in the frequency of DPB1*0101 is observed in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (Pcorr.. < 0.004). Antibodies against 52 kD-Ro, 60 kD-Ro and La are tested by ELISA and are found with a frequency of 25.4%, 33.9% and 17.5% in the patients, respectively. An association with HLA-DPB1*0101 is observed for antibodies against La (P < 0.01) and 52 kD-Ro (P < 0.01), but not for 60 kD-Ro in the absence of La/52 kD-Ro. Since there is a strong linkage disequilibrium between DPB1*0101 and DR3 in the normal population and in SLE patients, and since there is an association between DR3 and SLE, as well as between DR3 and the occurrence of recombinant Ro/La antibodies in SLE patients, we investigated whether DPB1*0101 is associated per se or via linkage disequilibrium with DR3. DPB1*0101 in the absence of DR3 is not more common in patients than in controls and not in patients with autoantibodies to Ro and La than without autoantibodies. We conclude that there is no evidence for a direct involvement of DPB1*0101 in the production of Ro/La autoantibodies in SLE patients.

Hepatic polysomes that contain apoprotein B mRNA have unusual physical properties

To characterize the association of the mRNA for apoprotein B (apoB) with ribosomes, rat hepatic cytoplasmic extracts were fractionated by density gradient centrifugation. On linear sucrose gradients, the sedimentation velocity of the 14.4-kilobase apoB mRNA was retarded compared to the mRNAs for other hepatic proteins, which were concentrated in fractions containing the bulk of the polysomes. This unusual distribution of apoB mRNA could not be explained by cotranslational association of nascent apoB peptides with lipids, based on experiments using either detergents to delipidate proteins or puromycin to release nascent peptides from polysomes. The results were also not the result of the editing of apoB mRNA, since the sucrose gradient distributions of both edited and nonedited forms were similar. In contrast, the distribution of a 3'-truncated apoB mRNA (apoB-42, 5.8 kilobases) expressed in rat hepatoma cells resembled that of mRNA of a typical hepatic protein. As opposed to the sedimentation velocity results, on equilibrium density gradients most hepatic apoB mRNA was found in the fraction that contained polysomes. Based on these data, the elongation rate of nascent apoB, and the calculated translational yield of apoB mRNA, we conclude that the majority of rat hepatic apoB mRNA must be part of polysomal complexes with unusual physical properties related to the presence of sequence(s) in the 3'-region of the message. These sequences may either be primary determinants of structural features or binding sites for protein factors that effect conformational changes.

ApoA-IV is secreted on discrete HDL particles by the rat hepatoma cell line McA-RH7777 transfected with ApoA-IV cDNA

In the present study, the synthesis and secretion of transfected apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV was investigated in rat hepatoma McA-RH7777, a cell line that does not express apoA-IV mRNA or protein. An expression plasmid that contained the rat apoA-IV cDNA was transfected into the cells; five stable transformants were selected that harbor different copy numbers of the apoA-IV construct and secrete different amounts of apoA-IV. Gel filtration column chromatography and density gradient ultracentrifugation, combined with gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy techniques, demonstrated that (1) the secreted apoA-IV associated mainly with high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and only a trace amount of apoA-IV was associated with very-low-density lipoproteins; (2) overexpression of apoA-IV resulted in an increased number of disk-shaped structures (thickness, approximately 8.0 nm and diameter, approximately 22 nm); and (3) the electrophoretic mobilities of the apoA-IV-containing particles differed from those of apoA-I-containing HDL. Expression of apoA-IV exerted no discernible effect on the density distribution or the secretion efficiency of apoB-100. Additionally, secretion of apoB-100 and apoA-IV exhibited opposite responses to serum: apoB-100 secretion was stimulated eightfold after addition of serum, whereas apoA-IV secretion was inhibited by 40%. These results suggest that synthesis of apoA-IV may lead to the formation of a subclass of HDL with a different metabolic fate than that of lipoproteins containing either apoA-I or apoB.

Effects of monophosphoryl lipid A on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in dogs

We wished to determine if the previously observed cardioprotective effects of monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA, 65 micrograms/kg intravenously, i.v.), an endotoxin derivative, were time related and mediated by an enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanisms, i.e., myocardial catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and neutrophil infiltration as assessed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. We also wished to study the effect of pretreatment with MLA on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle function in vivo and in vitro. Barbital-anesthetized dogs were subjected to 60-min left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) occlusion followed by 5-h reperfusion. Myocardial catalase, SOD, and MPO activities were measured at the end of 5-h reperfusion. Pretreatment with MLA 24 h before ischemia produced a significant reduction in myocardial infarct size as measured by triphenyltetrazolium staining (15.3 +/- 4.4 vs. 30.9 +/- 5.2% in controls, p < 0.05), but 1-h pretreatment with MLA had no protective effect. MLA pretreatment for 24 h resulted in marked reduction (p < 0.05) in MPO activity in the border zone surrounding the infarct. Although a trend indicated an increase in catalase activity in the 24-h pretreatment group, no significant changes were observed in either catalase or SOD activities among the three groups. The cardioprotection produced by MLA was independent of differences in collateral blood flow to the ischemic region assessed by radioactive microsphere technique, systemic hemodynamics, myocardial oxygen demand, and ischemic bed size. Responses of the LCX bed to intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) or nitroglycerin (NTG) in vivo and responses of isolated femoral artery rings to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators, ACh, A23187, bradykinin, or the nonendothelium-dependent vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in vitro were significantly decreased in the MLA 1-h pretreatment group but not in the 24-h pretreatment group. Incubation of the femoral artery rings from the MLA 1-h pretreatment group with 3 mM L-arginine for 1 h reversed the decreased endothelium-dependent responses to ACh and A23187, but not those to bradykinin. These results indicate that (a) the MLA-induced myocardial infarct size reduction was pronounced when MLA was administered for 24 h but was not evident at 1-h pretreatment; (b) a decrease in neutrophil infiltration into the site of ongoing tissue damage might be partially responsible for the protection; (c) vascular endothelial and/or smooth muscle function were transiently decreased by MLA administration and returned to nearly normal levels 24 h after treatment; and (d) the effect of MLA on endothelium-dependent responses might be mediated by the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway.

[Research on hemostatic constituents in carbonized Schizonepeta tenuifolia Brig]

It has been shown that the fatsoluble extract SeE from carbonized Schizonepeta tenuifolia has an obvious hemostatic action. In a given range of dose there is a significant linear correlation between the logarithms of its doses and the reciprocal of the bleeding and coagulating times in mice. Obvious hemostatic action was observed after mice had been administered in ip and po respectively for 0.5h and 1h. The hemostatic time of the former was 6h and the latter 12h. The LD50 of StE in po was 2.652 +/- 0.286 g/kg, while in ip 1.945 4/- 0.207 g/kg.

Polymorphism of the DQA1 promoter region (QAP) and DRB1, QAP, DQA1, DQB1 haplotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE Study Group members

We have investigated the DNA polymorphism for the DQA1 promoter region (QAP) and HLA-class II DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 genes in 178 central European patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using polymerase chain reaction and Dig-ddUTP labeled oligonucleotides. Increased frequencies of DRB1*02 and *03 are confirmed by DNA typing. In addition, the frequencies of DQA1*0501, *0102 and DQB1*0201, *0602 alleles are increased in the patients as compared to controls. The strongest association to SLE is found with DRB1*03 and DOB1*0201 alleles (p < 10(-7), p corr. < 10(-5) and p < 10(-6), p corr. < 10(-4), respectively). By investigating the DQA1 promoter region in the SLE patients we have detected nine different QAP variants. Increased frequencies of QAP1.2 and QAP4.1 are observed in patients as compared to controls (p < 0.05, p corr. = n.s.). Analysis of linkage disequilibria demonstrates a very strong association between QAP variants and DQA1, DRB1 alleles. Certain QAP variants are completely associated with DQA1 and DRB1 alleles, whereas others can combine with different DQA1 and DRB1 alleles. All DRB1*02-positive patients and controls carry QAP1.2, and all DRB1*03-positive patients and controls carry QAP4.1. Conversely, the QAP1.2 variant appears only in DRB1*02 haplotypes, while the QAP4.1 variant can be observed in DRB1*03, *11, and *1303 haplotypes. Based on the strong linkage disequilibria between DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 genes and between DRB1-QAP-DQA1, we have deduced the four-point haplotypes for DRB1-QAP-DQA1-DQB1 in patients and controls. Two haplotypes DRB1*02-QAP1.2-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 and DRB1*03-QAP4.1-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 are significantly increased in patients as compared to controls (p < 0.01, p corr. = n.s., RR = 1.8 and p < 10(-7), p corr. < 10(-5), RR = 3.1, respectively). The analysis of relative risks attributed to the various alleles of QAP, DQA1, and DQB1 as well as the investigation of the deduced DRB1-QAP-DQA1-DQB1 haplotypes leads to the conclusion that QAP4.1 and DQA1*0501 on the DR3 haplotypes are probably not involved in SLE susceptibility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

DNA typing for HLA-DPB1-alleles in German patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using the polymerase chain reaction and DIG-ddUTP-labelled oligonucleotide probes. Members of SLE Study Group

Genomic DNA of 178 German Caucasian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are studied for HLA-DP locus by using PCR and DIG-ddUTP-labelled oligonucleotide probes. A significant increase of DPB1*0101 is observed in SLE patients compared with healthy controls (chi 2 = 15.27, p.c. < 0.004). DPB1*0501 and *0901 are also slightly increased (chi 2 = 5.85, P < 0.05, p.c. = NS; chi 2 = 5.64, P < 0.05, p.c. = NS). There is no significant difference in frequency of DP alleles between male and female patients. Since a linkage disequilibrium between HLA-B, DR and DP loci is found in our SLE patients, an analysis is performed assessing the relative importance of these HLA-markers to SLE. The results show that the increase of DPB1*0101 in SLE patients is associated with the HLA-B8, DR3 haplotype and it suggests a more important role for HLA-B8, DR3 or genes within this haplotype than for DPB1*0101 in the genetic predisposition for SLE.

Identification of the phosphorylation sequence in the cytoplasmic tail of the varicella-zoster virus Fc receptor glycoprotein gpI

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein gpI, the homolog of herpes simplex virus gE, functions as a receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G. Like other cell surface receptors, this viral receptor is highly phosphorylated in cell culture. To identify the precise location of the cellular kinase-mediated phosphorylation, we generated a tailless deletion mutant and several point mutants which had altered serine and threonine residues within the cytoplasmic domain of gpI. The mutated and wild-type genes of gpI were transfected and expressed within a vaccinia virus-T7 polymerase transfection system in order to determine what effect these mutations had on the phosphorylation state of the protein in vivo and in vitro. Truncation of the cytoplasmic domain of gpI diminished the phosphorylation of gpI in vivo. Examination of the point mutants established that the major phosphorylation sequence of gpI was located between amino acids 593 and 598, a site which included four phosphorylatable serine and threonine residues. Phosphorylation analyses of the mutant and wild-type glycoproteins confirmed that gpI was a substrate for casein kinase II, with threonines 596 and 598 being critical residues. Although the mutant glycoproteins were phosphorylated by casein kinase I, protease V8 partial digestion profiles suggested that casein kinase II exerted the major effect. Thus, these mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the gpI cytoplasmic sequence Ser-Glu-Ser-Thr-Asp-Thr was phosphorylated in mammalian cells in the absence of any other herpesvirus products. Since the region defined by transfection was consistent with results obtained with in vitro phosphorylation by casein kinase II, we propose that VZV gpI is a physiologic substrate for casein kinase II. Immunofluorescence and pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that the mutant glycoproteins were processed and transported to the outer cell membrane.

Glibenclamide antagonizes adenosine A1 receptor-mediated cardioprotection in stunned canine myocardium

BACKGROUND

The main objective of the present study was to determine the role of adenosine in the development of myocardial stunning following multiple, brief periods of coronary artery occlusion as well as the subtype of adenosine receptor (A1 or A2) involved. A second objective was to determine if there was an interaction between the adenosine A1 receptor and the ATP-dependent K channel (KATP).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effects of the selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and agonist cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), the selective A2 receptor agonist CGS 21680, and the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide on myocardial stunning produced by repetitive coronary artery occlusions were studied in barbital-anesthetized dogs. Regional segment function was measured with sonomicrometry. Under control conditions, six 5-minute periods of coronary occlusion interspersed with 10-minute periods of reperfusion and ultimately followed by 2 hours of reperfusion produced regional segment dysfunction. Pretreatment with intravenous infusion of CPA (2.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) improved percent segment shortening throughout reperfusion, whereas pretreatment with DPCPX (1.0 mg/kg i.v. bolus) significantly worsened the recovery of postischemic contractile function. In contrast, neither DPCPX nor CPA had any effect on the recovery of contractile function when administered before the second coronary occlusion. Furthermore, pretreatment with CGS 21680 (0.2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) did not affect the recovery of percent segment shortening. In addition, pretreatment with a low dose of glibenclamide (0.1 mg/kg) had no effect on percent segment shortening by itself but completely abolished the beneficial effect of CPA. Importantly, the effects of the various agents on percent segment shortening were independent of difference in systemic hemodynamics, collateral blood flow, or ischemic bed size.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that stimulation of myocardial adenosine A1 receptors, particularly when induced by the initial coronary artery occlusion, is cardioprotective during repetitive, brief periods of coronary artery occlusion and that these beneficial actions may be partially mediated via a glibenclamide-sensitive mechanism, possibly opening of myocardial KATP channels.

Long-term reversal of diabetes by the injection of immunoprotected islets

The intraperitoneal injection of insulin-producing islets immunoprotected by an alginate-poly(amino acid) membrane is a potential method of reversing diabetes without the need for lifelong immunosuppression. Previous attempts to demonstrate this technology in large animals have failed, preventing application in humans. We have determined that key factors responsible for these past failures include cytokine (interleukins 1 and 6 and tumor necrosis factor) stimulation by mannuronic acid monomers from alginate capsules with weak mechanical integrity, which results in fibroblast proliferation. With this insight, we formulated mechanically stable microcapsules by using alginate high in guluronic acid content and report prolonged reversal of diabetes in the spontaneous diabetic dog model by the intraperitoneal injection of encapsulated canine islet allografts. Euglycemia, independent of any exogenous insulin requirement, was noted for up to 172 days. Graft survival, evidenced by positive C-peptide release, was noted for as long as 726 days in a recipient receiving a single injection of immunoprotected islets. Histological evidence of viable islets retrieved from the peritoneal cavity 6 months posttransplant confirmed the biocompatibility and immunoprotective nature of this capsule formulation. The finding that intraperitoneal injection of alginate-immunoprotected islets, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, is effective in prolonged (> 1 year) maintenance of glycemic control, without the need for lifelong immunosuppression, may have significant implications for the future therapy of type I diabetes in humans.

Acetylcholine mimics ischemic preconditioning via a glibenclamide-sensitive mechanism in dogs

The major objectives of the present study were to examine the ability of acetylcholine (ACh) to mimic ischemic preconditioning in dogs and to determine the role of cardiac ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in mediating its effects. Barbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs were subjected to 60 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Preconditioning was elicited by 10 min of LAD occlusion followed by 10 min of reperfusion before the 60-min occlusion period. ACh (10 micrograms/min) or an equivalent volume of saline were infused into the LAD for 10 min followed by a 10-min drug-free period before the 60-min ischemic insult. In another group, the specific KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (0.3 mg/kg iv) was given 15 min before ACh administration. Transmural myocardial blood flow was measured at 30 min of occlusion, and infarct size (IS) was determined by triphenyltetrazolium staining and expressed as a percentage of the anatomic area at risk (AAR). There were no significant differences in hemodynamics, collateral blood flow, or AAR between groups. Preconditioning produced a marked reduction (P < 0.05) in IS (5.3 +/- 3.0 vs. 23.7 +/- 5.9% in the controls). ACh, similar to preconditioning, resulted in a dramatic decrease in IS (10.0 +/- 2.9%), whereas glibenclamide completely abolished its protective effects (20.9 +/- 4.8%). These results are the first to indicate that ACh mimics ischemic preconditioning via a cardiac KATP channel-sensitive mechanism in dogs.

Radioimmunotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma using 131I-Hepama-1 mAb: preliminary results

Twenty-three patients with surgically verified unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been treated by intrahepatic arterial administration of 131I-labeled anti-HCC monoclonal antibody (Hepama-1) combined with hepatic artery ligation. Radioimmunoimaging demonstrated that the median tumor/liver ratio was 2.1 (1.1-3.6) at day 5. A decline in alpha-fetoprotein level and shrinkage of tumor were observed in 75% (12/16) and 78% (18/23) of patients respectively. Sequential resection was done in 11 patients (48%) after treatment. The surgical specimens revealed massive necrosis of tumor, but residual cancer cells were found at the edge of the specimens. Anti-antibody was determined in 43% (10/23) of patients 2-4 weeks after the administration of 131I-Hepama-1 mAb. No marked toxic effects were noted. It is suggested that 131I-Hepama-1 mAb might be of value as one of the multimodality treatments for unresectable HCC.

[The production and significance of interleukin-4 in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome]

Samples of serum and PBMC were collected at the same time from 42 pediatric patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and 28 age-matched healthy individuals. The level of IgE in serum was detected and IL4 in supernatant of PHA-activated PBMC assayed by sandwich ELISA. The level of IL4 and IgE in healthy individuals was 400-500 pg/ml and 50-100 U/ml respectively, and that of IL4 and IgE in the INS patients was on the average 1,080-4,000 pg/ml and 380-1,000 U/ml. Positive correlations were noted between the levels of IL4 and IgE, IL4, and quantity of proteinuria in 24 hours in the INS patients. It is suggested that the elevated IgE in the INS patients was induced by the elevated IL4, and that the imbalanced function of T cells and IL4 was contributable to INS.

Cardioprotective effects of monophosphoryl lipid A, a novel endotoxin analogue, in the dog

OBJECTIVE

The major objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a new endotoxin analogue, monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA), on myocardial infarct size in dogs. A second aim was to determine if potential cardioprotective effects of MLA might be mediated via an enhancement of antioxidant defence mechanisms.

METHODS

Barbiturate anaesthetised dogs were subjected to 60 min left circumflex coronary artery occlusion followed by 5 h reperfusion. Either of two different doses of MLA (30 and 100 micrograms.kg-1) or an equivalent volume of vehicle were given intravenously 24 h prior to the infarct experiments. Transmural myocardial blood flow was measured at 30 min of occlusion by the radioactive microsphere technique and infarct size was determined at the end of 5 h of reperfusion by triphenyltetrazolium staining. Tissue catalase and myeloperoxidase activities were measured at 5 h of reperfusion as indices of antioxidant activity and neutrophil infiltration, respectively.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between groups in systemic haemodynamic variables, myocardial oxygen demand, ischaemic bed size, or coronary and collateral blood flow to the ischaemic region. However, administration of MLA produced a marked dose dependent reduction in myocardial infarct size: 19.8(SEM 3.7)% and 14.1(2.5)%, respectively, v 32.7(2.9)% in the vehicle control group, p < 0.05. Pretreatment with either 30 or 100 micrograms.kg-1 of MLA resulted in small increases in tissue catalase activity in the non-ischaemic region of the heart: 0.169(0.033) and 0.197(0.013) K.g-1, respectively, v 0.136(0.013) K.g-1 tissue in the control; however, the increases were not statistically significant by ANOVA. Myeloperoxidase activity in the border zone immediately adjacent to the infarct was markedly decreased in both MLA treated groups: MLA 30 micrograms.kg-1, 2.69(0.82); MLA 100 micrograms.kg-1, 2.49(0.47), v control group, 5.81(1.20) units.g-1 tissue; p < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

These data are the first to show a marked cardioprotective effect of a lipid A derivative of endotoxin in an in vivo model of myocardial infarction. Although the mechanism responsible for the reduction in infarct size by MLA is unknown, a reduction in neutrophil migration at the site of ongoing tissue injury, the border zone, may be partially responsible.

Studies directed toward the design of orally active renin inhibitors. 2. Development of the efficacious, bioavailable renin inhibitor (2S)-2-benzyl-3- [[(1-methylpiperazin-4-yl)sulfonyl]propionyl]-3-thiazol-4-yl-L-alanine amide of (2S,3R,4S)-2-amino-1-cyclohexyl-3,4-dihydroxy-6-methylheptane (A-72517)

Employing a set of empirical guidelines for the design of well-absorbed renin inhibitors, we have followed two strategies to improve potency while maintaining bioavailability. One process involved incorporation of an extended N-terminal residue bearing a weakly basic substituent and is exemplified by compound 25. The other approach centered on the inclusion of an N-terminal sulfonamide and culminated in the discovery of inhibitor 32 (A-72517). Both 25 and 32 showed excellent bioavailability in the rat and ferret (> 25%) and, while subject to hepatic elimination in the monkey, were efficacious in this species.

Studies directed toward the design of orally active renin inhibitors. 1. Some factors influencing the absorption of small peptides

A systematic evaluation of structure-absorption relationships using a high throughput intraduodenal rat screening model has led to the delineation of a set of structural parameters that appear to govern bioavailability in a series of peptide-based renin inhibitors. Optimum structures, exemplified by 25 and 41, incorporated a single, solubilizing substituent at the C- or N-terminus combined with a lipophilic P2-site residue. Both inhibitors gave unprecedented plasma drug levels upon intraduodenal administration to monkeys, and the calculated bioavailability for 41 (14 +/- 4%) is the highest reported for any peptidic renin inhibitor.

HLA-DP/DR interaction in early onset pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis

We investigated the polymorphic second exon of the HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DRB1 genes, using in vitro DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide hybridization in 136 patients with early onset pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis (EOPA-JCA) and 199 healthy controls. The analysis of the HLA-DRB1 system revealed that most of the DRB1 alleles are not indifferent with respect to susceptibility to EOPA-JCA. There is a hierarchy of susceptible (DRB1*08, DR5), "permissive" (DRB1*01), moderately "protective" (DR2, DRB1*04), and "protective" (DRB1*07) alleles. In contrast, no hierarchy could be shown for the HLA-DPB1 system. DPB1*0201 was found to be susceptible. The relatively frequent alleles DPB1*0402 and DPB1*0401 seem to be indifferent. The associations with DPB1*0201, DR5, and DRB1*08 are independent of each other: that is to say they, are not brought about by linkage disequilibrium. The susceptible alleles DPB1*0201 and DR5 show evidence for interaction in the pathogenesis of EOPA-JCA. Interaction seems likely between DPB1*0201 and DRB1*08, DR5 and DRB1*08, or between DR6 and DRB1*08. The strongest interaction exists between DPB1*0201 and a common DQ factor associated with both DR5 and DRB1*08. Finally, we observed a hierarchy among the various marker combinations, where the risk of developing EOPA-JCA increases with the number of associated markers present in an individual.

Activation of cardiac KATP channels: an endogenous protective mechanism during repetitive ischemia

The role of KATP channels in myocardial stunning produced by repetitive coronary occlusions was studied in barbital-anesthetized dogs. Regional percent segment function (%SS) was measured by sonomicrometry, and the monophasic action potential (MAP) in the ischemic region was measured by an epicardial probe. Under control conditions, six 5-min periods of coronary occlusion, interspersed with 10-min periods of reperfusion, and ultimately followed by 2 h of reperfusion produced regional segment dysfunction and a similar rate and amount of shortening of the MAP measured at 50% repolarization duration (MAPD50) during each successive ischemic period. Pretreatment with glibenclamide (0.3 mg/kg iv), a KATP channel antagonist, significantly prevented the reduction of MAPD50, particularly during the first occlusion period, and it worsened postischemic dysfunction. In contrast, pretreatment with aprikalim (10 micrograms/kg bolus +/- 0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 iv), a KATP channel opener, accelerated the rate and extent of shortening of MAPD50 during each occlusion and markedly improved %SS throughout reperfusion. Pretreatment with d-sotalol (2 mg/kg iv), an antagonist of voltage-dependent K+ channels, significantly prolonged MAPD50 of the ischemic region before coronary occlusion but did not alter the rate of shortening of MAPD50 during ischemia and did not affect the recovery of %SS. These results indicate that activation of KATP channels during ischemia with the resultant shortening of the MAPD50 is an endogenous adaptive mechanism that affords functional myocardial protection during repetitive, brief periods of coronary arterial occlusion.

Varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein gpI/gpIV receptor: expression, complex formation, and antigenicity within the vaccinia virus-T7 RNA polymerase transfection system

The unique short region of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genome contains two open reading frames which encode glycoproteins designated gpI and gpIV (herpes simplex virus homologs gE and gI, respectively). Like its herpesviral counterpart gE, the VZV gpI gene product functions as a cell surface receptor (V. Litwin, W. Jackson, and C. Grose, J. Virol. 66:3643-3651, 1992). To evaluate the biosynthesis of the two VZV glycoproteins and further explore their relationship to one another, the two glycoprotein genes were individually cloned into a pTM1 vector under control of the T7 promoter. Transfection of the cloned gpI or gpIV construct into HeLa cells previously infected with vaccinia recombinant virus expressing bacteriophage T7 polymerase resulted in a much higher level expression of each VZV glycoprotein than previously achieved. Synthesis of both gpI and gpIV included intermediary partially glycosylated forms and mature N- and O-linked final product. Transfections in the presence of 32Pi demonstrated that the mature forms of both gpI and gpIV were phosphorylated, while similar experiments with [35S]sulfate showed that only the mature gpI was sulfated. When gpI and gpIV were coexpressed in the same cell, the two glycoproteins were complexed to each other, as both proteins could be immunoprecipitated by antibodies against either gpI or gpIV. Coprecipitation did not occur as a result of a shared epitope, because gpI expressed alone was not precipitated by antibody to gpIV, and gpIV expressed alone was not precipitated by antibody to gpI. Pulse-chase analysis demonstrated that the gpI-gpIV association occurred early in processing; furthermore, this complex formation interfered with posttranslational modifications and thereby reduced the M(r)s of the mature forms of both gpI and gpIV. Similarly, the molecular masses of the cotransfected gene products corresponded with those of the infected cell glycoproteins, a result which suggested that authentic gpI and gpIV were ordinarily found within a complex. Thus, the adjacent open reading frames 67 and 68 code for two glycoproteins which in turn form a distinctive sulfated and phosphorylated cell surface complex with receptor properties.

Acetylation of O-specific lipopolysaccharides from Shigella flexneri 3a and 2a occurs in Escherichia coli K-12 carrying cloned S. flexneri 3a and 2a rfb genes

Most of the Shigella flexneri O-specific serotypes result from O-acetyl and/or glucosyl groups added to a common O-repeating unit of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule. The genes involved in acetylation and/or glucosylation of S. flexneri LPS are physically located on lysogenic bacteriophages, whereas the rfb cluster contains the biosynthesis genes for the common O-repeating unit (D.A.R. Simmons and E. Romanowska, J. Med. Microbiol. 23:289-302, 1987). Using a cosmid cloning strategy, we have cloned the rfb regions from S. flexneri 3a and 2a. Escherichia coli K-12 containing plasmids pYS1-5 (derived from S. flexneri 3a) and pEY5 (derived from S. flexneri 2a) expressed O-specific LPS which reacted immunologically with S. flexneri polyvalent O antiserum. However, O-specific LPS expressed in E. coli K-12 also reacted with group 6 antiserum, indicating the presence of O-acetyl groups attached to one of the rhamnose components of the O-repeating unit. This was confirmed by measuring the amounts of acetate released from purified LPS samples and also by the chemical removal of O-acetyl groups, which abolished group 6 reactivity. The O-acetylation phenotype was absent in an E. coli strain with an sbcB-his-rfb chromosomal deletion and could be restored upon conjugation of F' 129, which carries sequences corresponding to a portion of the deleted region. Our data demonstrate that E. coli K-12 strains possess a novel locus which directs the O acetylation of LPS and is located in the sbcB-rfb region of the chromosomal map.

Glucose-insulin kinetics of the extravascular bioartificial pancreas. A study using microencapsulated rat islets

The success of the extravascular bioartificial pancreas (BAP) is contingent on the rapid transfer of the glycemic signal across both an extravascular compartment and a semipermeable membrane and of insulin from the BAP to the recipient. To examine the possibility of microencapsulated islets such as the BAP to achieve satisfactory in vivo glucose-insulin kinetics, islets were isolated from Lewis rats, encapsulated in poly-L-lysine-alginate membranes, and isogenically transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of 14 streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose (BG) was measured and intravenous glucose tolerance was tested at 8-10 weeks and compared with three control groups: 1) normal Lewis rats (n = 6); 2) untreated diabetic rats (n = 5); and 3) diabetic rats that received intraperitoneal implants of empty capsules (n = 4). Ten animals that received microencapsulated islets (5,271 +/- 431) promptly became normoglycemic, with a mean BG of 128 +/- 17 ng/dl 3 days after transplantation and maintained this level > 100 days. Intravenous glucose tolerance K-value for the group was 3.84 +/- 0.32 compared with 3.96 +/- 0.39 (p = 0.83) for the normal control group, and 0.60 +/- 0.12 (p < 0.01) and 0.40 +/- 0.15 (p < 0.01) for the diabetic control groups with and without empty capsules. The authors conclude from these results that, given sufficient beta-cell mass, a BAP without any vascular access can respond appropriately to an increase in blood glucose concentration, without overshoot hypoglycemia and within a lag lapse compatible with normal physiologic insulin delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nerve growth factor promotes collateral sprouting of cholinergic fibers in the septohippocampal cholinergic system of aged rats with fimbria transection

Nerve growth factor (NGF) was injected intraventricularly into aged (24 months) rats with unilateral fimbria transection. Controls received intraventricular injections of cytochrome c. A quantitative analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive fibers was used to evaluate whether the NGF treatment can stimulate regeneration and reinnervation of the cholinergic axons in the septohippocampal system of aged rats with fimbria transection. A marked increase in the density of AChE-positive fibers was observed in the lateral septum, the dorsal fornix and the dorsal hippocampus of the NGF-treated animals, as compared to the controls. In the lateral septum, the increase was observed in the 2-month NGF-treated animals but not in the 15-day NGF-treated animals. In the dorsal fornix at the level of the dorsal hippocampus, the increase was observed on both the lesioned and unlesioned sides of both the 15-day and 2-month NGF-treated animals. In the denervated (lesioned side) hippocampus, the increase took place in the dorsal hippocampus but not in the ventral hippocampus of both the 15-day and 2-month NGF-treated animals. There was no recovery of AChE-positive fibers on the lesioned side of the fimbria distal to the lesion site even in the 2-month NGF-treated animals. These results demonstrate that intraventricular injections of NGF can stimulate collateral sprouting of intact cholinergic axons in the septohippocampal system and promote cholinergic reinnervation of the denervated hippocampus of aged rats with fimbria transection.

Synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein E occur independently of synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in HepG2 cells

The synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) E, a major protein component of very low density lipoproteins, were examined in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 under metabolic conditions known to stimulate lipogenesis and the production of apoB-containing lipoproteins. When HepG2 cells were incubated in the presence of fetal bovine serum (5 or 10%) or canine chylomicron remnants (5 or 10 micrograms of protein), the secretion of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters of lipoproteins of d less than 1.063 g/ml increased, as determined by the incorporation of [14C]acetate. Determination of the distribution of apoE among media lipoproteins by agarose column chromatography showed that the majority of secreted apoE was associated with large lipoproteins when cells were incubated with fetal bovine serum. However, immunoblot analysis of total media apoE revealed that incubating cells with or without the lipogenic factors had no effect on the amount of apoE secreted. Pulse-chase and continuous labeling experiments demonstrated that the synthesis and secretion of apoE did not vary under the different metabolic conditions, even though there was a 5-fold increase in apoB secretion in response to increased lipogenesis. Neither apoE nor apoB mRNA levels responded to the lipogenic stimuli. We conclude that the synthesis and secretion of apoE are independent of the production of apoB-containing lipoproteins in HepG2 cells.

[Stability of shuang huanglian aerosol]

The contents of chlorogenic acid and baicalin in shuang huanglian aerosol were determined by HPLC. The process of chemical kinetics of the aerosol was studied by constant temperature acceleration tests, and the stability of the drug predicted. The results appeared close to those from the stored sample method. pH changes during degradation of the drug were also observed.

[Induced differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by retinoic acid and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate]

In vitro induced differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ES-5 cells), derived from 5-day 129 mouse blastocyst was studied with retinoic acid (RA) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dB-cAMP). RA only or RA with dBcAMP together can both induce monolayer ES-5 cells to differentiate into cells of two types: neuron-like cells and fibroblast-like cells. After treated with 10(-6)mol/L RA for 6 days, the differentiated cells were about 80% of all cells, among which most cells were fibroblast-like cells and others were neuron-like cells. While after 6 days of treatment with 10(-6)mol/L RA and 1 mmol/L dBcAMP, the ratio of differentiated cells can be up to 90-95%, and most cells (about 90-95% of differentiated cells) are neuron-like cells. Immunocytochemical analysis of phenotypic markers, especially GFAP and laminin, showed that the neuron-like cells were glia cells. DBcAMP affected the direction and efficiency of induction by RA. The induced differentiation by RA on attached aggregated ES-5 cells was studied as well. In this case, more cell types appeared, such as epitheloid cells, fibroblast-like cells and spindle shaped cells and so on. The exact nature of these differentiated cells was not identified. After attached culture for about 15 days, rhythmically contracting cardiac-like muscle cells were most attractive among those several differentiated cell types. The change of phenotypic markers during induced differentiation of ES-5 cells in monolayer and aggregated state was summarized in table 1. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) was also examined in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. Untreated ES-5 cells showed positive immunofluorescent reaction to TGF-beta 1 and various differentiated cells showed different reactions. Glia cells and cardiac-like cells displayed a much stronger TGF-beta 1 reaction. These results indicate that the exact role played by TGF-beta 1 during induced differentiation needs further investigation. The different effect of RA on monolayer and aggregated ES cells and the possible significance of cell to cell interaction in the latter case are discussed.

[Chemical constituents of Morinda officinalis How]

This paper reports the identification of four compounds isolated from the cortex of Morinda officinalis growing in Guangdong Province. These compounds are beta-sitosterol (I), 2-methyl-anthraquinone(II), rubiadin-1-methyl ether(III) and 24-ethylcholesterol(VI). Compounds II and VI are isolated from Morinda Genus for the first time.

Evaluation of second-look laparotomy for ovarian cancer: second-look vs. serum CA125

Thirty patients with ovarian cancers underwent second-look operations in our hospital between 1981 and 1989, and the results were compared with serum CA125 values. The over-all positive rate determined by second-look laparotomy in the present series was 56.7% (17/30)-40% as gross and 17% an microscopic tumors. The result of the second-look was related to the staging and size of the residual tumor after the previous operation: 1/3 of stage I and II lesions and 16/27 of stage III and recurrent lesions were positive on second-look. The positive rates of those patients who were free from residual tumor and those with residual tumors less than or equal to 2 cm or greater than 2 cm were 28.6% (2/7), 60% (9/15) and 75% (6/8), respectively. Among the 23 patients assayed as to serum CA125 level before the second-look, 18 (78%) were within normal limits (less than 65 U/ml), including 12 patients (66.6%) who were second-look positive and 6 who were negative. Five patients with microscopic tumors and 3 patients with gross tumors less than or equal to 2 cm all had normal CA125 levels before the second-look. Among the 5 of 9 patients with gross tumors greater than 2 cm who had elevated CA125 levels, not one was found to be negative on second-look. This may imply that the elevated CA125 levels indicate recurrence, though a normal CA125 assay certainly does not preclude recurrence.

Characterization of a membrane-associated glycoprotein (gp 43) on human hepatocellular carcinoma by a monoclonal antibody

A monoclonal antibody, Hepama-1, produced by immunizing mice with cells of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, has been used to identify and characterize a previously unreported antigen present on the surface of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The antigen occurred on the membranes of human hepatoma cell lines and tumor biopsies but was not detectable in tumors of other origin or normal tissues. Binding was determined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and immunofluorescence on cell lines and by immunoperoxidase staining of tissue sections. In immunofluorescence studies, Hepama-1 antibodies stained five out of six human hepatoma cell lines, showed only slight binding to breast tumor cell lines, but failed to stain colon tumor or normal cell lines. The antihepatoma antibody exhibited positive immunoperoxidase staining of human liver tumor sections but did not stain tumors of other origin. Hepama-1 bound specifically to a membrane glycoprotein with an approximate molecular weight of 43,000. Western blot and solid phase enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay analysis showed that the 43-kD antigen occurred on five of six human hepatoma cell lines and was expressed by every human hepatocellular carcinoma biopsy tested. This cell surface molecule represents a potentially useful target for immunotherapy and localization of human hepatocellular carcinomas.

[Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor beta-1 during the early mouse development]

The distribution of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta-1) in the early developing mouse embryos between day 1 and day 12 of gestation was examined by immunohistochemical techniques. Polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against a synthetic oligopeptide identical to the N-terminal residues 1-29 of TGF-beta-1 from human platelets was used. The following results were obtained: 1. Embryonic cells of early cleavage stages (2, 4 and 8 cells) and late morulae showed positive immunofluorescent reaction without any difference in staining intensity (Plate I, Figs. 1-4). 2. Marked staining of blastocysts in toto or sections with anti-TGF-beta-1 antibodies by either immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase reaction was also observed. Inner cell mass (ICM) cells and trophoectoderm cells were both reacted, but more intense staining was found in primary endoderm cells differentiated from ICM cells adjacent to blastocoele (Plate II, Fig. 5). 3. Scattered granules stained strongly with immunoperoxidase reaction were present in embryonic ectoderm and visceral endoderm surrounding the forming mesoderm which was only slightly stained (Plate II, Fig. 6). 4. Intense immunoperoxidase staining was also present in mesoderm of visceral yolk sac of day 8 and day 10 embryos (Plate II, Fig. 7). 5. During the formation of somites, neural tube and limb bud, remarkable staining was found in mesenchyme, individual cells of somites, mucous layer of gut tubes, heart and limb buds (Plate III, Figs. 8-10). No significant staining was seen in neural cells per se except the inner surface of neural tube. The results of present studies indicate that abundant TGF-beta-1 is present in preimplantation mouse embryos including cleavage, morulae and blastocyst stages. In postimplantation embryos, TGF-beta-1 appears to play an important role in the differentiation of endoderm and mesoderm, particularly in the development of extraembryonic tissues, and in later morphogenetic and histogenetic events involving mainly mesoderm or mesenchyme cells.