Effect of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on neointimal formation following balloon injury in the SHR carotid artery

1. In the present study, we examined the effect of a novel angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on carotid neointimal formation after balloon injury in SHR and WKY rats. 2. Oral administration of TCV-116 at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day reduced not only systolic blood pressure but also neointimal formation after carotid balloon injury. TCV-116 also suppressed cardiac hypertrophy. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril (20 mg/kg per day), had a similar effect to that of TCV-116. 3. In the WKY experiment, both TCV-116 and lisinopril suppressed neointimal formation as well as systolic blood pressure, but did not suppress cardiac hypertrophy. 4. Although SHR showed markedly enhanced neointimal formation after balloon injury compared with age-matched WKY rat, both TCV-116 and lisinopril showed similar suppressive effects on neointimal formation in both SHR and WKY rats. 5. These results confirm the important role of angiotensin II in neointimal formation following balloon injury. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of the difference between SHR and WKY rats in the response of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Inactivation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan in mice

Intraperitoneally or intravenously administered (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan remained in the liver and spleen, for a long time without major structural changes, but the priming activity to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was reduced more quickly. The relationship between the deposited glucan contents and the antitumor activity was examined by comparing kinetics of the activity using solid form Sarcoma 180 tumor in ICR mice. We used three kinds of soluble glucans, sonifilan (SPG), grifolan (GRN), and SSG, and a particulate glucan, zymosan (ZYM). These were administered 5 weeks before (-5W) the tumor inoculation and the tumor weight was compared 5 weeks after the inoculation. Compared with the activity of those administered at the optimum timing, all of the glucans reduced the activity about 5 fold, although significant activity still remained, especially in the case of SPG. Five weeks after intraperitoneal (SPG, GRN, SSG) or intravenous (ZYM) administration of the glucans, all were found in the liver and spleen in significant quantities. These facts strongly suggested that the activity of the glucan was reduced not only because of chemical/physical degradation but also a certain physiological inactivation mechanism.

Home mechanical ventilation in the aftermath of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake disaster

Children who were dependent upon home mechanical ventilation (HMV), suffered in various ways from the disastrous Hanshin-Awaji earthquake disaster. The earthquake abruptly cut the supplies of water, gas and electricity, causing intense anxiety for those families. Through loss of the respirator function, some of them experienced an unexpected catastrophe. In the disaster area, there were children who were dependent upon HMV (19 cases) and children who were preparing for HMV in hospitals (nine cases). Information was gathered from questionnaires about the disaster, communication and correspondence with families. None of the 28 cases died or were injured. Nineteen cases had a variety of problems. In eight cases, respiratory support problems were acute. Nevertheless, all of them survived the crisis successfully even in the midst of such a catastrophic situation. An organization of HMV children's families, called the Baku-Baku Club, helped families with HMV problems by supplying water, food, oxygen and compressed air cylinders among other things. Additional outside batteries for portable respirators are essential equipment for HMV, especially for emergencies. A manual for clarifying the system for support in the Baku-Baku Club and a registration system for public medical service should be established in preparation for such a crisis.

Ultrastructural effects of pressure stress to the nucleus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a study by immunoelectron microscopy using frozen thin sections

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on subcellular structures, particularly the nucleus, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated by immunoelectron microscopy. Cells were treated with hydrostatic pressure from 0.1 to 400 MPa for 10 min at room temperature. Frozen thin sections of the cells revealed that spindle pole bodies disappeared at 100 MPa. At 150 MPa, the deposition of gold particles for anti alpha-tubulin was noticed in the nucleus, although the filamentous structure of microtubules was lost. At 200 MPa, fewer gold particles were scattered in the nucleus and the nuclear membrane in several portions was also observed to be open at 300 MPa. These results show that elements of the nuclear division apparatus were susceptible to pressure stress, particularly spindle pole bodies and microtubules. The damage to spindle pole bodies, microtubules, and nuclear membrane caused by pressure stress was followed by the inhibition of nuclear division. After the release of pressure, the spindle pole bodies and microtubules of pressurized cells at below 200 MPa regained their normal appearance at 24 h.

Induction of TCR-gamma delta+ cells from thymocytes stimulated by a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone

We have previously reported that a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone, FHC-4D2, can support hematopoiesis in vitro. Here, we show that fetal thymocytes (FT) or adult thymocytes (AT) proliferate on the monolayer of FHC-4D2 cells in the presence of rIL-2. Fresh thymocytes contained few TCR-gamma delta+ cells (< 4% for FT and < 1% for AT); significant numbers of TCR-gamma delta+ cells were detected (2-11% for FT and 15-33% for AT) after the coculture with FHC-4D2 and rIL-2. Although FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells predominantly used the V gamma 5 chain, the major population in AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells used V gamma 1, V gamma 4, or V gamma 7 chains. Both FT- and AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells killed FcR-bearing target cells when incubated with anti-TCR-gamma delta Ab. Half of FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells were CD4-CD8 alpha+8 beta-; the rest were CD4-CD8 alpha-8 beta-. AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells expressed neither CD4 nor CD8 molecules. Separation of thymocytes from FHC-4D2 cells with a membrane filter reduced the proliferative response by two- to threefold. Taken together, these results demonstrate that a fetal hepatocyte clone supports thymocytes to develop preferentially into TCR-gamma delta+ cells in cooperation with rIL-2 through cell-cell contact, that the repertoire and the phenotype of induced TCR-gamma delta+ cells are determined by the age of the mice, and that hepatocytes might thus play an active role in T lymphopoiesis in the fetal liver.

Induction of TCR-gamma delta+ cells from thymocytes stimulated by a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone

We have previously reported that a fetal liver-derived hepatocyte clone, FHC-4D2, can support hematopoiesis in vitro. Here, we show that fetal thymocytes (FT) or adult thymocytes (AT) proliferate on the monolayer of FHC-4D2 cells in the presence of rIL-2. Fresh thymocytes contained few TCR-gamma delta+ cells (< 4% for FT and < 1% for AT); significant numbers of TCR-gamma delta+ cells were detected (2-11% for FT and 15-33% for AT) after the coculture with FHC-4D2 and rIL-2. Although FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells predominantly used the V gamma 5 chain, the major population in AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells used V gamma 1, V gamma 4, or V gamma 7 chains. Both FT- and AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells killed FcR-bearing target cells when incubated with anti-TCR-gamma delta Ab. Half of FT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells were CD4-CD8 alpha+8 beta-; the rest were CD4-CD8 alpha-8 beta-. AT-derived TCR-gamma delta+ cells expressed neither CD4 nor CD8 molecules. Separation of thymocytes from FHC-4D2 cells with a membrane filter reduced the proliferative response by two- to threefold. Taken together, these results demonstrate that a fetal hepatocyte clone supports thymocytes to develop preferentially into TCR-gamma delta+ cells in cooperation with rIL-2 through cell-cell contact, that the repertoire and the phenotype of induced TCR-gamma delta+ cells are determined by the age of the mice, and that hepatocytes might thus play an active role in T lymphopoiesis in the fetal liver.

Localization and rapid regulation of Na+/myo-inositol cotransporter in rat kidney

myo-inositol, a major compatible osmolyte in renal medulla, is accumulated in several kinds of cells under hypertonic conditions via Na+/myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT). To investigate the physiological role of the SMIT, we sought to determine its localization by in situ hybridization and its acute regulation by NaCl and furosemide administration. Northern analysis demonstrated that SMIT is strongly expressed in the medulla and at low levels in the cortex of kidney. Intraperitoneal injection of NaCl rapidly induced SMIT mRNA in both the cortex and medulla, and furosemide completely abolished this induction. In situ hybridization revealed that SMIT it predominantly present in the medullary and cortical thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (TALH) and macula densa cells. Less intense signals were seen in the inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD). NaCl loading increased the signals throughout the TALH, and furosemide reduced the signals. SMIT in the IMCD is less sensitive to these kinds of acute regulation. Thus, the distribution pattern of SMIT does not correspond to the corticomedullary osmotic gradient, and SMIT in the TALH and macula densa cells is regulated very rapidly. These results suggest that SMIT expression in TALH may be regulated by intracellular and/or peritubular tonicity close to the basolateral membrane, which is supposed to be proportional to the magnitude of NaCl reabsorption.

Alterations of angiotensin II receptor contents in hypertrophied hearts

Tsukuba hypertensive mice, which carry the human genes for renin and angiotensinogen, show cardiac hypertrophy as well as hypertension due to activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Here, we compared the cardiac angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor contents in these and normotensive control mice by means of ligand binding studies and competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. The content of the Ang II receptor type 1 (AT1) was significantly higher at both the protein (2.5-fold; p < 0.01) and mRNA (1.4-fold; p < 0.05) levels in the hypertensive mice than that in control mice. Almost identical levels of the Ang II receptor type 2 (AT2) expression were identified at the mRNA levels in the two types of mice, although the levels were less than 20% of those of AT1 mRNA in control mice. These results suggest that AT1 in the heart is upregulated in response to Ang II-induced hypertrophic change and that, in particular, the upregulation of AT1 in particular contributes to the development and/or maintenance of cardiac hypertrophy in conjunction with the increase in Ang II production, because AT1 is responsible for cardiac hypertrophy related to the RAS.

Identification of two distinct Sp1- and RBF-1-like nuclear factors that bind to the upstream region of the human angiotensinogen promoter

Angiotensionogen, the protein precursor of angiotensin II that is a crucial regulator of blood pressure and electrolyte balance, is constitutively produced by the liver. In the present study, we identified two nuclear factors that are possibly involved in maintaining the constitutive promoter activity of the human angiotensinogen gene. The 32 bp DNA region between -344 and -313 located in the 1.3 kb angiotensinogen upstream region (-1222 to +44) partially contributed to the maintenance of the efficient promoter activity in HepG2 cells. This segment was able to form the complexes with HepG2 nuclear extracts, which could be dissociated by competing recognition sequences that contain those of either Sp1 or RBF-1. Anin vivo competition experiment demonstrated that the parental promoter activity is reduced about 65% by an RBF-1 competitor more effectively than by an Sp1 competitor. These results suggested that Sp1- and RBF-1-like factors play roles in maintaining the constitutively active angiotensinogen promoter.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and antihypertensive action due to beta-blockade in essential hypertensive patients

The effects of beta-blocker treatment on hemodynamics were studied in relation to plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels in 17 outpatients with essential hypertension. Administration of propranolol for twelve weeks to untreated subjects resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) rise in plasma ANP levels (from 37.9 +/- 21.2 to 66.7 +/- 46.2 pg/mL, mean +/- SD). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Heart rate was also significantly decreased (P < 0.001). On the other hand, a significant reduction of cardiac index was detected (from 4.12 +/- 1.34 to 2.96 +/- 0.75 L/min/m2, P < 0.01) with chronic administration of propranolol, suggesting a reflection of decreased cardiac function. A significant negative correlation was observed between %changes in systolic blood pressure and %changes in plasma ANP (r = -0.594, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the increased plasma ANP levels may contribute to the antihypertensive effect with propranolol.

The rat intrinsic factor gene: its 5'-upstream region and chief cell-specific transcription

A DNA segment containing the 5'-upstream region and amino terminal reading frame of the gastric intrinsic factor gene was cloned from rat and its nucleotide sequence was determined. S1 mapping demonstrated that the transcription initiation site is located downstream of the second TATA-box sequence. Similar sequence motifs to those in the pepsinogen genes transcribed in gastric chief cells were found in the deduced sequence, suggesting that the rat intrinsic factor gene is transcribed in these cells. The genes for the intrinsic factor and its homologous protein transcobalamin I were apparently derived from a common ancestoral gene, since the positions of their intron insertions as well as the amino acid residues are conserved. Northern blot hybridization showed that the gene for the intrinsic factor is transcribed in the stomach but not detectably in the intestine, kidney, testis, brain, heart, liver, lung, or spleen. In situ hybridization using radioactive complementary RNA clearly indicated that the major transcription site in gastric glands is chief cells. Different locations of expression of intrinsic factor proteins in various mammals were observed previously using antibodies: in rat parietal cells and chief cells, in mouse chief cells, and in human parietal cells. The present results clearly demonstrated the intrinsic factor mRNA mainly in chief cells of adult rats, as in mice, suggesting that transcriptional regulation of the intrinsic factor gene is essentially the same in rodents.

Ruptured aneurysm associated with arachnoid cyst: intracystic hematoma without subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

It is well-known that arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa are associated often with chronic subdural hematomas and/or intracystic hemorrhages. However, reports of an arachnoid cyst associated with an aneurysm are rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 45-year-old man was admitted with headache due to intracystic hemorrhage in the sylvian fissure, associated with a saccular aneurysm at the bifurcation of the internal carotid artery. The aneurysm ruptured into the arachnoid cyst, without causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Subsequently, the neck of the aneurysm was clipped successfully. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and there was no vasospasm.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first reported case of an intracystic hematoma due to a ruptured aneurysm. We discuss the possible etiology of the association between the aneurysm and the arachnoid cyst, and the formation mechanism for the intracystic hematoma that did not result in a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Expression of endotoxic activities by synthetic monosaccharide lipid A analogs with alkyl-branched acyl substituents

Synthetic monosaccharide lipid A analogs with alkyl-branched acyl substituents instead of the usual ester-branched acyl substituents were investigated for their biological activities. The activities were compared with those of a representative synthetic monosaccharide lipid A analog with an ester branch (GLA-60) and synthetic complete lipid A (506) to estimate the role of the attaching mode of the branched side chains for expression of endotoxic activities. Among the analogs with alkyl branches, GLA-146 and GLA-147, which have C12 and C14 alkyl side chains, respectively, showed strong endotoxic activities. These analogs exhibited comparable or stronger activities than those of GLA-60 in murine macrophage activation activities to induce mediators such as tumor necrosis factors, interleukin 6, and nitric oxide and in mitogenic activity towards murine spleen cells; however, these activities were weaker than the respective activities of 506. With respect to lethal toxicity to galactosamine-sensitized mice, the analogs showed stronger activity than that of GLA-60 and activity closer to that of 506. With respect to adjuvant activity, no significant activity was observed in the analogs, while the activities of GLA-60 and 506 were strong. When lipopolysaccharide-resistant C3H/HeJ mice were used, the activities described above were not observed either for the analogs under investigation nor for GLA-60 and 506. These findings indicate that the ester type of branch in lipid A and its analogs does not play an indispensable role in the expression of various endotoxic activities. However, it may play some role in the expression of adjuvant activity and in lowering the level of toxicity.

Gene structure and glial expression of the glycine transporter GlyT1 in embryonic and adult rodents

Na+/Cl(-)-dependent glycine transporters are crucial for the termination of neurotransmission at glycinergic synapses. Two different glycine transporter genes, GlyT1 and GlyT2, have been described. Several isoforms differing in their 5' ends originate from the GlyT1 gene. We have determined the genomic structure of the murine GlyT1 gene to elucidate the genetic basis underlying the different isoforms. Analysis of cDNA 5'-ends revealed that the GlyT1a and 1b/1c mRNAs are transcribed from two different promoters. During murine embryonic development GlyT1 mRNAs were detectable by RNase protection assays as early as embryonic day E9 and reached maximal levels between E13 and E15. In situ hybridization revealed GlyT1 expression in the developing spinal cord mainly in the ventral part of the ventricular zone at E12. At later stages (E15) transcripts were also found in the lateral half of the basal and intermediate gray matter. In contrast, the second glycine transporter gene GlyT2 displayed a completely different expression pattern. At E11 it is expressed in the mantle zone, and at later stages throughout the ventral horns. In the adult rat brain and spinal cord, GlyT1 hybridization signals were found exclusively in glial cells. Our data indicate that GlyT1 is an early marker of neural development and encodes glia-specific transporter proteins.

Cloning and expression of a bovine glutamate transporter

We have isolated a 3845 base-pair cDNA (BNGLUAS) encoding a bovine glutamate transporter (bovine GLAST) by screening a bovine retina cDNA library with an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to conserved regions of known glutamate transporters. The cDNA sequence predicted a protein of 542 amino acids and displayed 96% and 97% amino acid identity with the rat GLAST/GluT-1 and human GLAST, respectively. Expression of the bovine GLAST in Xenopus oocytes revealed Na(+)-dependent [14C]L-glutamate uptake and electrogenic glutamate uptake.

Relationship between multidrug resistant gene expression and multidrug resistant-reversing effect of MS-209 in various tumor cells

MS-209 is a novel quinoline compound which can overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) both in vitro and in vivo, while having a low level of side effects, and is now being evaluated in a clinical phase II study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantitate the expression levels of MDR genes in various mouse and human tumor cell lines. The MDR gene and the beta actin gene, as the internal reference standard, were coamplified separately, and the relative expression of the MDR gene was represented by the MDR/beta actin ratio. The in vitro MDR-reversing effect of MS-209 was then compared with the MDR gene expression (MDR/beta actin ratio). We found a significant correlation between these two parameters. Moreover, a significant correlation was also observed between the level of expression of the MDR1 gene and that of P-glycoprotein in human cell lines. Therefore, the efficacy of MS-209 seems to specifically depend on the level of MDR gene expression (P-glycoprotein). From these observations, it is suggested that RT-PCR assays of MDR1 gene in tumor biopsy specimens might be an effective means to predict the response of tumor cells to combination therapy with MS-209.

Differential responsiveness of Langerhans cell subsets of varying phenotypic states in normal human epidermis

Epidermal Langerhans cell heterogeneity is poorly understood with regard to phenotypic characteristics, such as the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, integrin, and Fc receptor molecules, as well as functional characteristics, such as the ability to process and present antigens or produce cytokines during various phases of immigration and maturation. Technical limitations of Langerhans cell number have limited functional assays on putative Langerhans cell subsets in in vivo epidermis. Therefore, we used flow cytometry for simultaneous phenotypic and functional assessment at the single-cell level within the Langerhans cell population. Freshly isolated human epidermal cell suspensions were stained with a battery of monoclonal antibodies, including anti-HLA-DR, -CD1a, -CD1c, -CD11c, -Fc gamma RII, and -Fc epsilon RI. Two distinct Langerhans cell subsets were identified by their different levels of HLA-DR expression. The DRHi subset expressed higher amounts of CD11c and exhibited greater cytoplasmic complexity and higher baseline calcium than the DRLo subset (p < or = 0.03 for each). Some subjects also expressed high levels of Fc epsilon RI in the DRHi, CD11cHi subset. To determine whether these phenotypic subsets may exhibit differential signal-transduction functional properties, Langerhans cells were partially enriched over Ficoll-Hypaque and their cytosolic mobilization after the addition of ionomycin was analyzed using the calcium indicator, indo-1, in conjunction with quantitative analysis of HLA-DR expression. By this real-time flow cytometric analysis, a new subpopulation was revealed within the DRLo Langerhans cell subset. This subset increased its cytosolic calcium concentration much more than the other two subsets (change in indo-1 blue:violet emission ratio of 37.33 +/- 2.34 in the Hi Flux DRLo subset versus 13.23 +/- 0.29 in the Lo Flux DRLo subset, and versus 7.6 +/- 2.99 in the Lo Flux DRHi subset). These data indicate that functional, as well as phenotypic, subsets of Langerhans cells exist within normal human epidermis. Their responses to physiologic stimuli may relate to maturational stage or the level of in vivo activation.

Primary cutaneous CD30(Ki-1)-positive lymphoma of non-T, non-B origin

A 71-year-old Japanese woman had two dome-shaped tumors on her right buttock with several surrounding papules. Histological examination revealed that large anaplastic cells and atypical lymphoid cells densely infiltrated the entire dermis. On immunohistochemical examination, Ki-1, HLA-DR, CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha), CD122 (IL-2 receptor beta), CD4, CD11c and CD68 were all positive in the tumor cells, whereas CD1a, CD3, CD5, CD8 and CD19 were negative. Neither rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta, T-cell receptor gamma nor the immunoglobulin heavy-chain was seen. Ultrastructurally, most of the tumor cells contained thick bundles of intermediate filaments in the perinuclear cytoplasm. Thus, this patient was diagnosed as having Ki-1-positive lymphoma of non-T, non-B origin. No recurrence or metastasis of the tumor has been observed in the last 2 years, although surgical resection was required 3 times before control was achieved.

Marked increase in glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST/GluT-1) mRNA following transient retinal ischemia

We have demonstrated the cellular localization of glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST/GluT-1) mRNA in the rat retina and its induction after ischemia by in situ hybridization. GLAST mRNA was expressed in the inner two-thirds of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and in sparse small cells in the inner portion of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the adult rat retina. GLAST mRNA was also found in about 90% of cells in the optic nerve head where more than 90% of cells express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA. Moreover, experimental occlusion of the central retinal artery followed by reperfusion for 48 h resulted in degeneration of neurons and a marked increase in GLAST mRNA expression in the INL. These findings suggest that GLAST may be expressed in Müller cells and astrocytes in the retina, and may play an important role in regulation of extracellular glutamate concentration especially under ischemic conditions.

Cortical expression of the human angiotensinogen gene in the kidney of transgenic mice

We have previously generated "Tsukuba hypertensive mice" with elevated blood pressure by cross-mating separate lines of transgenic animals carrying either 15 kb of the human renin gene including its native 3-kb promoter or 14 kb of the human angiotensinogen gene along with its 1.3-kb promoter, the former of which is expressed predominantly in the kidney and the latter of which is also expressed in the kidney to levels comparable to those found in the liver. To investigate whether the integrated human angiotensinogen gene is prominently expressed in the kidney of transgenic mice, we have analyzed a production region of the transgene mRNA by in situ hybridization technique. This analysis clearly demonstrated that human angiotensinogen mRNA is localized specifically to the cortex region of transgenic mouse kidney. The present finding indicates a possible involvement of the renal renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of high blood pressure in transgenic mice.

T cell receptor expression by dendritic epidermal T cells

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) in murine epidermis express the gamma delta T cell receptor (TCR). The major population of DETC utilize V gamma 5 and V delta 1 without any junctional diversity, corresponding to the earliest fetal thymocytes which express TCR gamma delta. Using PCR, we recently found another population of DETC which express V gamma 1-V delta 6 with junctional diversity in addition to V gamma 5-V delta 1, although they exist in small numbers in normal mice. In athymic nude mice, V gamma 1+ cells also exist. Therefore, this subset of gamma delta T cells is the product of an extrathymic pathway. These V gamma 1+ cells may recognize mycobacterium antigen or heat shock protein (HSP), thus playing an important role in the first defense of the skin. In contrast to normal mice, in nude mice, we could not detect any DETC using anti CD3 epsilon antibody (2C11). In order to solve this puzzle, we examined the components of TCR complex utilizing immunoprecipitation and northern blot analysis. TCR is composed of either alpha beta or gamma delta chains associated with CD3 gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta-zeta chains. By immunoprecipitation of 125I labelled DETC cell lines using anti-CD3 epsilon antibody, we detected gamma delta chains and CD3 gamma and CD3 epsilon chains, but not CD3 delta or CD3 zeta chains. Northern blot analysis showed that these cells express CD3 gamma, epsilon, and zeta chains, but not the CD3 delta chain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)