Epstein-Barr virus immortalization of normal cells of B cell lineage with nonproductive, rearranged immunoglobulin genes

Most continuous cell lines derived by EBV immortalization of peripheral blood cells are composed of phenotypically mature B lymphocytes, and secrete Ig. Occasionally, EBV-immortalized cell lines have failed to secrete Ig. Expansion and characterization of one of these EBV-induced cell lines, VDS-O, showed that in addition to a lack of Ig secretion, surface and intracytoplasmic Ig were absent. Cell surface phenotyping revealed that VDS-O belongs to the B cell lineage, because it expresses the B cell restricted antigens B1 and B4, while it lacks T cell and monocyte-associated determinants. Analysis of the Ig gene organization in VDS-O revealed that the Ig genes are rearranged for both heavy (gamma) and light (kappa) chains. However, the expected gamma-heavy chain and/or kappa-light chain RNA species were not detected. These findings demonstrate the existence in normal peripheral blood of cells of B cell lineage susceptible to EBV immortalization that have Ig genes that are rearranged but are nonproductive.

Epstein-Barr virus immortalization of normal cells of B cell lineage with nonproductive, rearranged immunoglobulin genes

Most continuous cell lines derived by EBV immortalization of peripheral blood cells are composed of phenotypically mature B lymphocytes, and secrete Ig. Occasionally, EBV-immortalized cell lines have failed to secrete Ig. Expansion and characterization of one of these EBV-induced cell lines, VDS-O, showed that in addition to a lack of Ig secretion, surface and intracytoplasmic Ig were absent. Cell surface phenotyping revealed that VDS-O belongs to the B cell lineage, because it expresses the B cell restricted antigens B1 and B4, while it lacks T cell and monocyte-associated determinants. Analysis of the Ig gene organization in VDS-O revealed that the Ig genes are rearranged for both heavy (gamma) and light (kappa) chains. However, the expected gamma-heavy chain and/or kappa-light chain RNA species were not detected. These findings demonstrate the existence in normal peripheral blood of cells of B cell lineage susceptible to EBV immortalization that have Ig genes that are rearranged but are nonproductive.

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear protein 2 in rodent cells

A 3.0-kilobase-pair Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA segment necessary for lymphocyte immortalization encodes at least part of a nuclear protein (EBNA2) which is characteristically expressed in latently infected, immortalized cells. A 1.5-kilobase open reading frame within this DNA segment has now been inserted into a murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-derived expression vector (pZIP-NEO-SV(X)1) which provides for transcription of heterologous DNA but not for translational start. Transfection of the recombinant DNA into NIH 3T3 cells resulted in expression of a full-sized EBNA2 which localized to the cell nucleus. Significant new evidence is thereby provided that this 1.5 kilobase open reading frame includes a translational start site and encodes the entire EBNA2 protein. Transfection of the recombinant DNA into a helper cell line (psi am22b) providing amphotropic MuLV-packaging functions resulted in the release of a recombinant MuLV carrying the EBNA2 gene. This recombinant virus can infect rodent cells and convert them to stable EBNA2 expression. Rat-1 cells infected with the MuLV EBNA2 recombinant expressed EBNA2 and grew more rapidly in medium supplemented with 1 or 0.5% fetal calf serum than did Rat-1 cells infected with MuLV vector lacking EBNA2. The Rat-1 cells expressing EBNA2 remained contact inhibited, anchorage dependent, and nontumorigenic in nude mice. Different EBV isolates have one of at least two EBNA2 alleles. Despite divergence between the two alleles, a human serum recognized the prototype EBNA2 allele (EBNA2A) as well as the variant EBNA2B allele characteristic of some Burkitt tumor EBV isolates. The EBNA2B allele was also expressed from the MuLV-derived vector. The reproducible expression of EBNA2A or EBNA2B from these recombinant vectors will facilitate analysis of the EBNA2A and EBNA2B phenotypes.

Definitive identification of a member of the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear protein 3 family

Some Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immune human antisera are known to react with a 142-kDa protein, EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 3 (EBNA3), which, like EBNA1 and EBNA2, is likely to be involved in the establishment of latent infection or growth transformation. We have now constructed gene fusions between Escherichia coli lacZ and an EBV DNA open reading frame (BERF1; BamHI E fragment rightward open reading frame 1), which is transcribed into an mRNA in latently infected cells. Purified hybrid protein from one of these constructs, chosen because of its reactivity with EBNA3-positive human antisera, was used to affinity purify the specific antibody from human antiserum. This specific antibody was used to prove that EBNA3 is encoded, at least in part, by BERF1, and that EBNA3 is in the nucleus of each latently infected cell. In rodent cells, BERF1 encodes a 120- to 130-kDa protein, which translocates to the nucleus and is recognized by EBNA3-positive human antisera. Two other proteins similar in size to EBNA3 are detected in latently infected cells by EBV immune human antisera. Two EBV open reading frames related to BERF1 may encode these proteins.

Thyroid disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus

Of 319 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), nine had thyrotoxicosis, three had hypothyroidism, and two had thyroiditis. This prevalence seems greater than that of similar thyroid disorders seen in the general population. It is suggested that patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders may develop SLE or vice versa. This association requires confirmation by prospective study.

Surgical repair of visceral artery occlusions in Takayasu's disease

We describe the surgical management of six patients with occlusive disease of the visceral arteries caused by Takayasu's arteritis. All patients suffered from renovascular hypertension and, in addition, three of the patients also had symptoms of mesenteric angina. Surgical repair is recommended in the "burn-out" phase of the disease when further progression of the disease is unlikely. Revascularization of the kidneys was by autotransplantation to the iliac vessels. Mesenteric or celiac artery inflow was provided by an extra-anatomic vein bypass graft from the iliac artery. In all cases distal disease-free vessels were available for reconstructive surgery.

Candida retinitis in bare lymphocyte syndrome

Bare lymphocyte syndrome (BLS) is a rare, severe combined immunodeficiency characterized by lack of expression of HLA A, B and C antigens and the absence of B2 microglobulins. Patients with BLS exhibit functional deficiency of both T and B cells resulting in bacterial as well as viral and fungal infection. Ophthalmic findings in this group of disorders have not been reported. We present a case of candida retinitis in a terminally ill 5-year-old girl with BLS.

Functional constituents of the active site of human neutrophil collagenase

A series of chemical modification reactions has been carried out to identify functional constituents of the active site of human neutrophil collagenase. The enzyme is reversibly inhibited by the transition metal chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline, and inhibition is fully reversed by zinc. Removal of weakly bound metal ions by gel filtration inactivates collagenase, and activity is fully restored on immediate readdition of calcium. The enzyme is unaffected by reagents that modify serine, cysteine, and arginine residues. However, reaction with the carboxyl reagents cyclohexylmorpholinocarbodiimide and Woodward's Reagent K lowers the activity of the enzyme substantially. Acetylimidazole inactivates the enzyme, but activity is completely restored on addition of hydroxylamine. The enzyme is also inactivated by tetranitromethane, indicating that it contains an essential tyrosine residue. Acylation of collagenase with diethyl pyrocarbonate, diketene, acetic anhydride, or trinitrobenzenesulfonate inactivates the enzyme, and activity is not restored on addition of hydroxylamine, indicating the presence of an essential lysine residue.

Ocular findings in the facioauriculovertebral sequence (Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome)

We reviewed the ocular findings in 57 consecutive patients with the facioauriculovertebral sequence (Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome). Epibulbar choristomas were detected in 18 cases (32%), a much lower occurrence than reported previously. Various motility disorders (11 cases, 19%), blepharoptosis or narrow palpebral fissures (seven cases, 12%), eyelid colobomas (six cases, 11%), and lacrimal drainage system anomalies (six cases, 11%) were more frequent than previously noted. These ocular findings were more common in the patients with epibulbar choristomas. Of the various features of the Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome (skin tags, microtia, hemifacial microsomia, and vertebral anomalies), only skin tags correlated positively with the laterality of epibulbar choristomas. Preauricular and facial tags represent choristomas, explaining their association with epibulbar choristomas and the laterality they share.

Keshan disease: an endemic cardiomyopathy in China

Keshan disease is an endemic cardiomyopathy in China. Morphologically, the condition is characterized by multifocal necrosis and replacement fibrosis of the myocardium, resulting in acute or chronic heart failure. Some patients with Keshan disease show the clinical features of congestive (dilated) cardiomyopathy, but the pathologic features of the two conditions are different. The etiology of Keshan disease remains unknown. It is likely that numerous agents work synergistically to cause the disease.

Mesangial IGM in minimal change glomerular disease: a clinicopathological study in a Malaysian population

During a 6 yr period, 105 (69%) of 153 patients in whom a histological diagnosis of minimal change glomerular disease was made had renal biopsy tissue suitable for immunofluorescence examination. Thirty seven (35%) patients showed glomerular mesangial deposits of IgM. All the patients presented with the nephrotic syndrome. We found no significant difference in age and sex prevalence, presentation, response to therapy and glomerular morphology between IgM positive and IgM negative groups. This study suggests that there is no necessity to categorize IgM positive minimal change glomerular disease as a separate entity.

Mechanism of NaCl secretion in rectal gland tubules of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). III. Effects of stimulation of secretion by cyclic AMP

Segments of rectal gland tubules (RGT) the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were perfused in vitro to study the cellular mechanism by which NaCl secretion is stimulated. Transepithelial PD (PDte), transepithelial resistance (Rte), the PD across the basolateral membrane (PDbl), the fractional resistance of the lumen membrane (FR1), and the cellular activities for Cl-, Na+, and K+ (alpha cell x) were measured. In series 1 the effects of stimulation (S) (dbcAMP 10(-4, adenosine 10(-4), and forskolin 10(-6) mol x 1(-1) on these parameters were recorded and compared to nonstimulated state (NS). PDte increased from -1.9 +/- 0.2 mV to -11.0 +/- 0.9 mV (n = 51). PDbl depolarized from -86 +/- 1 to -74 +/- 1.4 mV (n =52), Rte fell from 29 +/- 2.8 to 21 +/- 2 omega cm2 (n = 23), and FR1 fell from 0.96 +/- 0.005 to 0.79 +/- 0.04 (n = 9). alpha cell K+ was constant (123 +/- 13 versus 128 +/- 17 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 6), but alpha cell cl- fell significantly from 48 +/- 4 to 41 +/- 3 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 7). alpha cell Na+ increased from 11 +/- 2.1 to 29.5 +/- 6.6 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 4). In series 2 the conductivity properties were examined by rapid K+, and Cl- concentration steps on the basolateral and luminal cell side respectively in NS and S states. In NS-segments reduction of bath K+ led to a hyperpolarization of PDbl with a mean slope of 28 +/- 1.3 mV/decade (n = 9) (as compared to 19 mV/decade for S-state).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired cutis laxa and multiple myeloma

We report a patient with acquired cutis laxa and multiple myeloma, and the possible association between the two conditions is discussed.

Scabies and systemic lupus erythematosus

There is little information in the literature concerning scabies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Scabies in our five patients appeared to be more severe than usual, and two of them developed crusted scabies, probably on an immunologic basis.

Perfusion of isolated tubules of the shark rectal gland. Electrical characteristics and response to hormones

Both the mammalian thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and the shark rectal gland actively transport Cl against an electrochemical gradient by mechanisms involving hormone-sensitive NaCl transport. In contrast to mammalian renal tubules, individual tubules of the shark rectal gland previously have not been perfused in vitro. Using a combination of renal slice and microdissection techniques we were able to isolate and perfuse single rectal gland tubules without the use of enzyme treatment. Single tubules consistently generated lumen-negative transepithelial voltages (Vt) of -1.8 mV when perfused and bathed with identical shark Ringer's solution. The addition of cyclic AMP, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and adenosine to the bath increased Vt to -7.5, -9.0, and -4.3 mV, respectively (all P less than 0.02 compared with paired controls). Each stimulation could be reversed by addition by furosemide to the bath. The adenosine response was inhibited by theophylline, a specific inhibitor of adenosine receptors. The tubules had a low transepithelial electrical resistance of 12-26 omega X cm2 and exhibited a transepithelial permselectivity for small cations. These results indicate that tubules of the rectal gland can be perfused in vitro and have receptors for VIP and adenosine. Cyclic AMP and secretagogues hyperpolarize the membrane consistent with electrogenic chloride transport, and these effects are reversed by furosemide, an inhibitor of coupled sodium-potassium-chloride co-transport. The response of Vt to cyclic AMP and furosemide, the transepithelial electrical resistance, and the cation selective permeability of tubules are remarkably similar to measurements in perfused mammalian thick ascending limbs.