Induction of metallothionein synthesis in cultured cells derived from rabbit kidney

Metallothionein (MT) synthesis in rabbit kidney-derived RK-13 cells was studied. In response to Cd2+, RK-13 cells synthesized proteins closely similar in chromatographic and electrophoretic behaviors to the liver MTs induced in Cd2+-injected rabbit. These proteins were specifically immunoprecipitated by anti-mouse liver MT-II serum. The rate of RK-13 thionein (apoprotein of MT) synthesis rapidly increased after exposure to 1 microgram/ml of Cd2+, and reached the maximum in 7 h. The dose-response curve for the synthesis was biphasic; a sharp increase up to 0.5 microgram/ml and a slower increase at higher concentrations. RK-13 cells retained kidney-specific properties in terms of responsiveness of thionein synthesis to inducers; The MTs were inducible also by Zn2+ and probably by Hg2+, but not by dexamethasone. This system would therefore be a useful model in vitro for studying the regulation of MT synthesis in kidney cells.

Different Ia antigen characterization between granulocyte progenitor cells (CFC-G) and monocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFC-M)

Ia-like antigen-positive (Ia+) and -negative (Ia-) cell populations were separated from human cord blood cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells by a rosette technique with a combined use of staphylococcal protein-A-coated bovine red blood cells and the monoclonal OKIa 1 antibody, or by using a cell-sorting technique. Colony-forming units-granulocytes-monocytes-macrophages (GFU-GM) were assayed in a semisolid agar culture, and colony-forming cells-granulocytes (CFC-G) were differentiated from colony-forming cells-monocytes-macrophages (CFC-M) by double staining for esterase activity. The majority of CFC-G in cord blood was grown in the Ia+ fraction; Ia+ CFC-G/Ia- CFC-G = 1.62 +/- 0.34 (mean +/- SD), which was similar to the ratio in bone marrow (Ia+/Ia- = 1.80 +/- 0.37). In contrast, the majority of CFC-M in cord blood was grown in the Ia- fraction; Ia+/Ia- for CFC-M = 0.50 +/- 0.09. The predominance of CFC-G in the Ia+ fraction in contrast to predominance of CFC-M in the Ia- fraction was confirmed by using a cell-sorting technique. T-lymphocyte depletion and the culture supernatants of Ia+ and Ia- cells did not affect differentiation of CFC-G and CFC-M. These data suggest that there are potent differences in the expression of Ia-like antigens between CFC-G and CFC-M, indicating that the Ia+ progenitor cell population generates predominantly CFC-G, whereas the Ia- population generates mainly CFC-M during the maturation process in granulopoiesis.

[Analysis of Epstein-Barr virus transformation of human lymphocytes: susceptibility of B lymphocyte subpopulations and differentiation stage of the transformed cells]

The subpopulations of B lymphocytes in human adult peripheral blood which are susceptible to infection and transformation by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and also the stage of EBV-transformed cells in B cell differentiation lineage were identified. The EBV susceptibility were analyzed by two-color immunofluorescence and colony formation in semisolid agar. Surface Ig-bearing lymphocytes of 3 major Ig classes, IgM, IgG, and IgA, in peripheral blood expressed viral nuclear antigen (EBNA) after exposure to the virus, indicating that all these subpopulations are susceptible to EBV infection. In contrast, cytoplasmic Ig-positive lymphocytes were totally resistant to infection. The Ig-positive cells of either Ig class proliferated equally after EBV infection and formed colonies in semisolid agar, thereby showing that these subpopulations are also susceptible to transformation by EBV. Analysis of clonally transformed cells originating from each target cell by using a series of newly developed monoclonal antibodies to B cell differentiation antigens showed that EBV-transformed cells corresponded to the immunoblast stage of B cell differentiation. These data suggest that EBV infects and transforms mature B lymphocytes, and makes them differentiated to the more advanced immunoblast stage within the terminal B cell differentiation process.

Enrichment of myeloid progenitor cells from normal human bone marrow using an immune-rosette technique

In this study we have developed methods for purification of myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-Cs) from normal human bone marrow cells. Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from volunteers, and mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. T- and B-lymphocytes, monocytes, mature granulocytes, and erythroid precursors were eliminated by an immune-rosette technique using a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies and immunoglobulin (Ig)-coated sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). MNCs were treated with OKT3, B1, M3, Mo5, and EP1 monoclonal antibodies, which are reactive with T cells, B cells, monocytes, granulocytes, and erythroid precursors, respectively. Antibody-treated MNCs were incubated with SRBCs that had been coated with goat antirabbit IgG F(ab')2 and rabbit antimouse Ig for immune rosetting. Rosetted cells were then separated from nonrosetted cells in Ficoll-Hypaque. Nonrosetted cells were, in the second step, treated with an OKIa1 monoclonal antibody and again separated into an Ia+ and Ia- cell fraction by the same manner; 39% +/- 19.2% (mean +/- 1 SD, range 16.3%-75.4%) of CFU-Cs (colonies plus clusters) were recovered in the OKT3-, B1-, M3-, Mo5-, EP1- cell fraction, and the number of CFU-Cs grown in semisolid agar was 149.6 +/- 73.0 (64.0-309.0)/10(4) plated cells in this purified fraction, representing an enrichment of 14.2 +/- 6.4 (6.0-27.3)-fold when compared with unseparated marrow cell fractions. CFU-Cs were enriched 17.7 +/- 8.6 (6.1-28.3)-fold in the Ia+ cell fraction. These purified myeloid precursors would be of value for in-depth studies of the interactions between hematopoietic progenitor cells and regulatory factors that influence their proliferation and differentiation and also of drug metabolism and determinants of cytotoxicity.

Characterization and measurement of metallothionein messenger RNA of C57BL mouse liver

Liver poly(A)+RNA of Cd2+-treated C57BL mouse was characterized by cell-free translation, particularly intending to establish a procedure to measure the levels of messenger RNA coding for metallothioneins (MT-mRNA). Intact polysomes were obtained by Mg2+ precipitation from the liver cytoplasm of mice injected with 1 mg Cd2+/kg body wt. Poly(A)+RNA isolated from the polysomes was translated by a wheat germ cell-free system and the [35S]cysteine-labeled translation products were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-15% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. MTs were identified in the translation products directed by the RNA from the Cd2+-treated mice, but not in the translation products directed by the RNA from untreated mice. Relative incorporation of [35S]cysteine into MTs was determined by densitometrical quantification of the MT bands, and was found to be linear up to a RNA concentration of 150 micrograms/ml in the translation reaction mixture, showing that this system is suitable for the measurement of translatable MT-mRNA levels. Cd2+ stimulated the total levels of cell-free translation (1.4-fold at 20-60 micrograms/ml), not specifically to MT-mRNA. MT-mRNA sedimented at 9S in a sucrose gradient, and its size was comparable with rat and human MT-mRNAs.

Thrombopoietin production in a patient with chronic thrombocytopenia after plasma infusion

A thrombocytopoiesis-stimulating factor (TSF or thrombopoietin) was found to be significantly elevated in sera of a patient with chronic thrombocytopenia at one hour after infusion with fresh-frozen plasma (FFP). No detectable levels of TSF were found in the pre-infusion sera or in the infusate. At 2 hours post-infusion, TSF levels were decreased, and by 24 hrs the TSF titers were undetectable. Not only did FFP elevate TSF levels, but 6 days later significant increases in platelet counts were observed. This work confirms a previous finding of increased TSF levels following plasma infusion in a patient with similar clinical features and suggests that these patients lack a plasma factor that plays a critical role in TSF production.

Cd2+-induced synthesis of metallothionein in HeLa cells

HeLa cells synthesize metallothioneins in response to Cd2+. The kinetics of thionein (apoprotein of metallothionein) synthesis was studied by pulse-labelling the cells with [35S]cysteine and measuring relative amounts of the labelled thioneins separated by electrophoresis. Thionein synthesis rapidly increases in the first 6-8 h after exposure to 0.5 micrograms of Cd2+/ml, and begins to decrease in a few hours after reaching the maximum. However, the rate of synthesis never returns to the basal value at least in 30 h after Cd2+ exposure; instead, the second increase in thionein synthesis occurs at 16-18 h. A possible regulatory mechanism of thionein synthesis is discussed from these results, together with the data on intracellular accumulation and subcellular distribution of 109Cd2+. The initial increase of thionein synthesis is accompanied by an increase of mRNA coding for thioneins (MT-mRNA). The induction of MT-mRNA is sensitive to Actinomycin D, but not to cycloheximide, suggesting transcriptional regulation without any mediating protein synthesis. Two thionein isomers are coded for by mRNA molecules of almost the same size, which is similar to that of hepatic MT-mRNA of mouse and rat.

Establishment and characterization of Ph1-positive and Ph1-negative lymphoblastoid cell lines from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia

Two continuously growing in vito cell lines, PB-1049 and LN-1049, were established from a patient with Ph1-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia in extramedullary blastic crisis. PB-1049 was established from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected peripheral lymphocytes of the patient and had a 46,XY,t(9;22) karyotype. This cell line was shown to be tumorigenic in nude mice, and cultured cells recovered from the tumor nodule showed a 46,XY,6p+,t(9;22) stem line karyotype. LN-1049 was derived from a lymph node culture of the same patient, and was found to be non-tumorigenic in nude mice and karyotypically normal. Immunological examinations on EBV-induced antigens, surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin, and monoclonal antibodies, and some enzymatic and electron microscopic studies revealed that both cell lines had attained differentiation into late-B cell stage.

Evidence for more than two metallothionein isoforms in primates

Two isoforms of metallothionein (MT) have in general been identified in mammalian cells. We have analyzed Cd2+-induced MTs of primate origin and demonstrated the presence of more than two isoforms. Four low molecular weight Cd2+-binding proteins were separated from Cd2+-exposed HeLa cells by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography and identified as MTs by amino acid analysis. These were carboxymethylated and analyzed by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. Three of these proteins were found to be distinct molecules. We also analyzed hepatic MTs from Cd2+-exposed rhesus monkeys, which have previously been partially separated. In this case, five distinct isomers were detected.

Formation of methotrexate polyglutamates in purified myeloid precursor cells from normal human bone marrow

Immature myeloid precursor cells were preferentially selected from normal human bone marrow by using immune rosette techniques that employed monoclonal antibodies against mature granulocytes, monocytes, T and B lymphocytes, and erythroid precursors (Mo5, M3, OKT3, B1, and EP1, respectively). We examined the formation, retention, and cytotoxic effects of methotrexate (MTX) polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) in these purified myeloid precursor cells. After 1- and 24-h exposures to MTX, with thymidine and deoxyinosine as rescue, the intracellular MTX-PG profile was examined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Efflux patterns of MTX-PGs were also studied after additional 1- and 24-h incubations in drug-free media. Cytotoxic effects of retained MTX-PGs on bone marrow myeloid precursors were examined by colony formation in drug-free semisolid agar. Normal myeloid precursor cells converted MTX to MTX-PGs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, preferentially retaining MTX-PGs with three to five glutamyl moieties. At low concentrations of MTX (1 microM), MTX-PG formation was insufficient to maintain saturation of the target enzyme dihydrofolate reductase after removal of drug from the incubation medium, and there was no decrease in myeloid colony formation. At higher concentrations of MTX (10 microM), formation of higher molecular weight polyglutamates was sufficient to allow for 24-h saturation of intracellular binding capacity after removal of extracellular drug and resulted in a 35% reduction in the formation of colony-forming units in culture. Comparison of MTX metabolism in normal bone marrow cells and the MTX-sensitive HL-60 human leukemia cell line showed twofold greater PG formation by these tumor cells after 24-h exposure to 1 or 10 microM MTX, and a marked (greater than 30-fold) increase in cytotoxicity for the HL-60 cells as compared with normal myeloid precursors, suggesting that the MTX polyglutamation may be important to its selective antitumor action.

Quantitative measurement of portal blood flow in patients with chronic liver disease using an ultrasonic Duplex system consisting of a pulsed Doppler flowmeter and B-mode electroscanner

Portal blood flow (PBF) can be measured quantitatively using a B-mode combined pulsed Doppler (BCD) system. This system combines a real time B-mode linear type electroscanner and a pulsed Doppler (D-mode) flowmeter. Since both modes are displayed in realtime, Doppler blood flow signals can be retrieved at will from any depth. The blood flow velocity determined by the Doppler spectrogram and the vascular cross-sectional area measured from the B-mode tomographic image enables the quantitative calculation of blood flow volume. Using this system, PBF was measured quantitatively in 88 healthy adults, 54 patients with chronic hepatitis, 65 with cirrhosis of the liver, 27 with primary hepatoma and 12 with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH). Results of PBF volume measurement were as follows: 889 +/- 284 ml/min (mean +/- S.D.) for healthy adults, 851 +/- 237 ml/min for patients with chronic hepatitis, 870 +/- 289 ml/min for cirrhosis of the liver, 966 +/- 375 ml/min for primary hepatoma and 1,047 +/- 381 ml/min for IPH. These preliminary results demonstrated that this ultrasonic Duplex system is clinically useful to determine the quantitative amount of PBF.

Efficacy of several plasma components in a young boy with chronic thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia who responds repeatedly to normal plasma infusions

This report describes a patient with thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, proteinuria, and microscopic hematuria that could be transiently improved by the infusion of plasma or various plasma components. An increase in platelet count following the transfusion of normal plasma was predictable and reproducible. In therapeutic trials with commercially available plasma components, factor VIII preparations were effective for inducing an increase in the platelet count and improving hemolytic anemia, but albumin, gamma-globulin, factor IX, and fibronectin preparations were ineffective. Serum from normal donors also relieved the symptoms of this condition in our patient. Partial plasma exchange (1,000 ml/m2 of body surface area) was performed with albumin instead of normal plasma, but there was no significant effect on platelet count or anemia. Large, multimeric von Willebrand factor components of the factor VIII complex (VIII/vWF) were found in the patient's plasma when his platelet count was normal, but their levels were reduced when the platelet count was decreased. The multimers of the patient's plasma were larger than those in normal plasma, but smaller than those in normal platelet lysate. Although the pathogenesis of this disease remains unknown, we conclude that transfusions of normal plasma, serum or factor VIII concentrate provide a factor that causes significant improvement in the thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. Furthermore, large VIII/vWF multimers are possibly directly involved in pathogenesis of this disease.

3,4-dihydroxystyrene, a novel microbial inhibitor for phenylalanine hydroxylase and other pteridine-dependent monooxygenases

A new microbial inhibitor for rat-liver phenylalanine hydroxylase (L-phenylalanine, tetrahydropteridine: oxygen oxidoreductase (4-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.16.1) was isolated from a culture medium of Fomes tasmanicus, and its structure was determined as 3,4-dihydroxystyrene. This compound inhibited the enzyme by 50% at a concentration of 5 X 10(-6) M and 5 X 10(-7) M, respectively, without or with preincubation at 25 degrees C for 15 min. Without preincubation, dihydroxystyrene inhibited phenylalanine hydroxylase noncompetitively with phenylalanine and a pteridine cofactor, 6,7-dimethyltetrahydropterin, and uncompetitively with oxygen. A change in kinetic properties of the inhibition was observed when the enzyme was preincubated with dihydroxystyrene; the degree of inhibition was increased, and the purely noncompetitive-type inhibition with phenylalanine changed to a mixed-type inhibition. A study concerning the structure-inhibitory activity relationship using several compounds similar to dihydroxystyrene, indicated that the catechol structure is essential and that the structure of the aliphatic side-chain affects the inhibitory potency. A similar degree of inhibition was observed using 6,7-dimethyl- or 6-methyltetrahydropterin or tetrahydrobiopterin as a cofactor. Dihydroxystyrene also inhibited other pteridine-dependent monooxygenases, tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.2) and tryptophan hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.4), indicating that dihydroxystyrene is a general inhibitor for pteridine-dependent monooxygenases.

Pancreatectomy for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas associated with multiple anomalies including the preduodenal portal vein

Total pancreatectomy was performed for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas associated with multiple anomalies in the peripancreatic region and of the pancreas. The anomalies were preduodenal portal vein, annular pancreas with agenesis of the dorsal pancreas, left-sided gallbladder, polysplenia and high mobile right colon. The surgical implications of pancreatectomy for such anatomical abnormalities, especially preduodenal portal vein, and the usefulness of ultrasonography for the preoperative evaluation are given attention.

Microsurgical analysis of the clonal age and the cell-cycle stage required for the onset of autogamy in Paramecium tetraurelia

When autogamy was induced in competent cells of Paramecium tetraurelia by depriving them of food, the onset of autogamy was preceded by a critical fission which occurred in the starvation medium. When the cells were fed again immediately after the fission, they did not undergo autogamy. However, they did undergo autogamy when they were fed later than 1 hr after the critical fission. The irreversible differentiation for autogamy seems to be at about 1 hr after the critical fission. This procedure thus provides the opportunity to induce autogamy synchronously. The result of macronuclear transplantation demonstrated that autogamy was under the control of macronucleus. Moreover, the clonal age required for autogamy was found to be shortened by repetitive elimination of a part of the macronucleus. The result can be explained by the hypothesis that clonal age is measured in rounds of chromosome replication or DNA synthesis rather than cell divisions.

Effects of OKT3+, OKT4+ and OKT8+ T cell subsets on steady-state granulopoiesis in vitro

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of T cell subsets in regulating the in vitro growth of human granulopoietic progenitor cells (CFU-C). Prior to CFU-C assay, mononuclear cells obtained from bone marrow and cord blood were depleted of T cells or functionally distinct T cell subsets by the method of complement-mediated cytolysis with the use of monoclonal antibodies, OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8. The depletion of any T cell subset of OKT3+, OKT4+ or OKT8+ cells from bone marrow and cord blood cells showed no significant alterations in the generation of CFU-C. The supplementation to the in vitro culture system of OKT4+ or OKT8+ cells, which had been negatively selected by complement-mediated cytolysis using the mutually exclusive monoclonal OKT8 or OKT4 antibody, respectively, did not alter the growth of CFU-C-derived colonies without mitogenic stimulation. In contrast, the production of colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly reduced by removing not only OKT3+ cells but also OKT4+ or OKT8+ cell subsets. There were no significant differences in the degree of reduction between the different procedures. These results suggested that T cell subsets played an important role in the regulation of steady-state granulopoiesis through the stimulation of CSA production. The presence of a specific subset of T cells in CSA production was not demonstrated.