Monoclonal antibodies that block cell adhesion in Polysphondylium pallidum: reaction with L-fucose, a terminal sugar in cell-surface glycoproteins

By permethylation analysis the linkages of L-fucose and D-mannose in the oligosaccharide residues of cell surface glycoproteins of Polysphondylium pallidum were determined. Mannose was found in terminal positions, in 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,6-intra-chain linkages, and at branch points. Fucose was exclusively located at nonreducing ends. Fab of a monoclonal antibody, mAb 293, has been previously shown to inhibit cell adhesion in P. pallidum completely. Binding of this antibody to glycoprotein was blocked by L-fucose, and at very high concentrations also by D-mannose. The dissociation constant for the antibody-fucose complex was Kd = 70 microM, which was two orders of magnitude higher than estimated for the natural oligosaccharide. Antibody-glycoprotein complexes dissociated in the presence of 100 mM L-fucose with a half-time of about 56 s. The blockage by L-fucose is taken as evidence that the adhesion-blocking antibody binds to oligosaccharide end groups containing L-fucose as the terminal sugar.

Age-related changes of serum apoprotein SASSAM, apoprotein A-I and low-density lipoprotein levels in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)

Age-related changes of serum concentration of apo SASSAM, an apoprotein of high density lipoprotein (HDL) which cross-reacts with antiserum against murine senile amyloid fibril protein (ASSAM) were estimated in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM-P) and in senescence resistant series (SAM-R), as a control, using a single radial immunodiffusion technique. Serum concentrations of apo A-I, a major apoprotein of HDL, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were also measured. In SAM-P (SAM-P/1 and SAM-P/2) with a high incidence of senile systemic amyloidosis, we observed age-associated decreases in serum apo SASSAM levels. The concentrations of apo SASSAM at 16 months of age were below 40% of the concentration at 2 months of age, regardless of the sex. In contrast with SAM-P, we observed no age-associated decrease of serum apo SASSAM levels in SAM-R (SAM-R/1 and SAM-R/2) with a low incidence of amyloidosis. Serum apo SASSAM concentration was higher in SAM-R/1 than in any other strain of mice observed. Serum apo A-I concentration was highly and significantly correlated with the serum concentration of apo SASSAM and decreased with advancing age in SAM-P but not in SAM-R. Age-related changes of LDL were not observed in any strain, but the concentration was lower in the females. In old SAM-P (16 months' old), the concentration of apo SASSAM decreased to one-third of that in the young SAM-P (4 months' old) and the serum concentrations of albumin and total protein did not decrease, compared with those in the young mice. All these findings taken together suggest that abnormality of metabolism in apo SASSAM, putative precursor of ASSAM, might occur in SAM-P.

Grading score system: a method for evaluation of the degree of senescence in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)

For evaluation of the degree of senescence in SAM-P, accelerated senescence prone mouse, formerly called SAM or prone series or P-series, consisting of SAM-P/1, SAM-P/2, SAM-P/3 and SAM-P/4 corresponding to P-1, P-2, P-3 and P-4 series, respectively, in the previous reports, and in SAM-R, accelerated senescence resistant mouse, formerly called resistant series or R-series, consisting of SAM-R/1, SAM-R/2 and SAM-R/3 corresponding to R-1, R-2 and R-3 series, respectively, in the previous reports, the grading score system was adopted. The items to be examined in this system include 11 categories selected from the clinical signs and gross lesions considered to be associated with the aging process. The degree of the senescence in each category was graded from 0 to 4 according to the detailed criteria devised in our laboratory. After 8 months of age each mouse was examined every 4 months, and some of the mice were examined after 2 months of age. In almost all categories, the grading score and incidence began to increase from 4 or 6 months of age and continued to increase with advancing age in both SAM-P and SAM-R. The increase, however, was more marked in SAM-P than in SAM-R. The slow but steady increase in the SAM-R levelled out at 24 months of age and was comparable to that at 12 months of age in SAM-P. In both SAM-P/1 at 8 months of age and SAM-R/2 at 12 months of age, there was a significant reverse correlation between total score of this grading score system and length of residual life after examination. Systematic and extensive studies using the grading score system showed that if the validity of the system is, based on "irreversibility" and "universality" of the changes in each category with advancing age, most categories are valid for evaluation of the degree of senescence. This grading score system is a unique, useful and convenient method for evaluation of the degree of senescence in mice.

[Chronic renal dysfunction in workers exposed to cadmium oxide fume. Medical examinations of welders using cadmium containing silver solder]

Workers, who had been exposed to cadmium oxide fume, i.e., engaged in welding work with cadmium containing silver solder in an automobile parts manufacturing factory, were examined in 1975. Twenty two male welders were 22 to 55 years old and exposed to cadmium for periods ranging from 7 months to 23 years. Excreted urinary cadmium levels varied from 5.7 micrograms to 184.9 micrograms per day, and these values were useful indices of most recent exposures in workshop environments. The examinees were divided into three groups according to excreted urinary cadmium levels: five of them in high, eleven in middle, and six in low group, respectively. Workers in high-excretion group complained of considerable subjective symptoms and their urinary protein showed a remarkable increase, compared to middle- and low-excretion groups, and the electrophoretic pattern of urinary proteins showed preponderance of globulins. Urinary calcium and beta 2-microglobulin in the high-excretion group showed a remarkable increase. In all examinees, urinary phosphate, calcium, and beta 2-microglobulin were significantly correlated with urinary excreted cadmium. Furthermore, in the high-excretion group showed a considerable increase of serum creatinine values and reduction of creatinine clearance, and percent tubular reabsorption of phosphate, calcium and beta 2-microglobulin decreased. In all examinees, creatinine clearance and percent tubular reabsorption of both phosphate and calcium were significantly negatively correlated with urinary cadmium excretion. Therefore, five high-excretion workers showed evidence of chronic renal tubular dysfunction and one of these was particularly recognized as having remarkable renal damage. The possibility to affirm the effects of exposure to cadmium was suggested on hematological findings related to anemia. Liver function abnormalities were not recognized. A slight reduction of the respiratory function was found in one worker of the high-excretion group, but radiological examination of chest showed no abnormalities in all examinees.

Monoclonal anti-glycoprotein antibody that blocks cell adhesion in Polysphondylium pallidum

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were prepared against a glycoprotein (gp 64) of Polysphondylium pallidum previously shown to act as a target site of adhesion-blocking Fab prepared from antisera against whole membranes of aggregation-competent cells. The purified glycoprotein, with a nominal Mr of 64000, could be fractionated into two subspecies, gp 64I and gp 64II, with apparent Mr of 66000 and 60000, as determined in 7.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels. Rabbit antibodies against purified gp 64 reacted not only with the two subspecies but also with many other membrane proteins. Almost all the cross-reactivity could be abolished by absorption of the antibodies with extensively purified gp 64. All monoclonal antibodies obtained by screening with gp 64 showed similar cross-reactivity. One monoclonal antibody specifically precipitating gp 64 was selected by screening with antigen that had been pretreated with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride for removal of carbohydrates. Fab from polyclonal anti-(gp 64) sera as well as one monoclonal Fab completely blocked cell adhesion of aggregation-competent P. pallidum cells. A carbohydrate fraction prepared by treatment of gp 64 with proteases and hydrazine completely neutralized the adhesion-blocking Fab. The product of hydrazinolysis contained less than 3% of the original peptide as based on the glucosamine recovered, but the specific neutralizing activity of the carbohydrate was essentially the same as that of the glycoprotein. In conclusion, monoclonal as well as polyclonal adhesion-blocking Fab reacted with carbohydrates; gp 64 shared the relevant carbohydrate moieties with other membrane proteins.

Mechanisms of contact photosensitivity in mice. IV. Antigen-specific suppressor T cells induced by preirradiation of photosensitizing site to UVB

Mice were successfully contact photosensitized with 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCSA) plus black light irradiation. Pre-exposure of the photosensitizing site (ca 5 cm2) to UVB (280 to 320 nm; 400 mJ/cm2) rendered mice unresponsive to a challenge reaction. Cell transfer experiments demonstrated that the spleens from the nonreactive mice contained suppressor T cells (Ts) that were antigen-specific and that blocked the afferent limb of contact photosensitivity to TCSA. To exert suppressive functions, Ts required another population of cyclophosphamide-sensitive T cells that resided in the spleens of nonsensitized mice. The results provide evidence that UVB-induced aberrant homeostasis of the skin caused a marked suppression of immune system that is associated with the generation of Ts.

Mechanisms of contact photosensitivity in mice. IV. Antigen-specific suppressor T cells induced by preirradiation of photosensitizing site to UVB

Mice were successfully contact photosensitized with 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCSA) plus black light irradiation. Pre-exposure of the photosensitizing site (ca 5 cm2) to UVB (280 to 320 nm; 400 mJ/cm2) rendered mice unresponsive to a challenge reaction. Cell transfer experiments demonstrated that the spleens from the nonreactive mice contained suppressor T cells (Ts) that were antigen-specific and that blocked the afferent limb of contact photosensitivity to TCSA. To exert suppressive functions, Ts required another population of cyclophosphamide-sensitive T cells that resided in the spleens of nonsensitized mice. The results provide evidence that UVB-induced aberrant homeostasis of the skin caused a marked suppression of immune system that is associated with the generation of Ts.

Cataract and other ophthalmic lesions in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM). Morphology and incidence of senescence associated ophthalmic changes in mice

In a murine model of accelerated senescence (SAM), grading score and incidence in cataract, periophthalmic lesions, opacity and ulcer of the cornea were determined in mice from 4 to 24 months of age. From 4 to 6 months of age, incidence and grading score of these four categories began to increase in both the accelerated senescence prone (SAM) and resistant series with normal aging, and these increases continued with aging. As compared with the resistant series, there was a higher incidence and grading score of the four categories and a higher rate of increase in the prone series. The prone 3 series in particular showed a much higher incidence and grading score on cataract, the rate being 27.5% and 70.6% at 12 and 16 months, respectively. Histologically, the cataract was classified into two types. In one, degeneration of lens fibers, disintegration of lens cortex, and at an advanced stage, liquefaction of the lens cortex and proliferation of the anterior lens epithelial cells occurred. In the other type, lens fibers lost their distinct shapes and a homogenous mass formed at the anterior and posterior superficial cortex. The anterior lens epithelial cells had shrunk. There was an opacity and ulcer of the cornea with keratitis and the corneal epithelium was lost in case of the latter. Periophthalmic lesions included catarrhal changes of the skin of the eyelids and face and blepharitis. There were no lesions specific to each of the prone and resistant series. Thus, SAM should prove to be a suitable murine model for investigation of age-related ophthalmic lesions, including cataract in humans.

Purification and some properties of neuraminidase isolated from the culture medium of oral bacterium Streptococcus mitis ATCC 9811

Neuraminidase acting on the salivary bacterial agglutinating factor was isolated and purified from the culture medium of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 9811. The molecular weight and the isoelectric point of the enzyme were determined to be 42,000 and a pH of 4.6, respectively. The enzyme showed high activity against human glycoprotein substrates, especially the salivary bacterial agglutinating factor.

Papillary and solid neoplasm of pancreas in a child. Report of a case in which acinar differentiation was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy

A case of exocrine carcinoma of the pancreas in a 13-year-old girl is presented. A small tissue biopsy obtained from the duodenal lesion through a duodenofiberscope confirmed a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, for which pancreaticoduodenectomy was successfully performed. The tumor showed histological features of a papillary and solid neoplasm, but amylase and alpha 1-antitrypsin were detected in the tumor cells by a modified PAP method. Electron microscopic examination of the tumor cells disclosed both acinar and ductal differentiation. Polygonal cells showing acinar differentiation contained zymogen granules, while columnar cells arranged in a papillary pattern contained abundant intracytoplasmic filaments and lacked zymogen granules. Stacks of annulate lamellae were frequently noticed in both types of the tumor cells. This case indicates the importance of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy for the detection of acinar and ductal differentiation of carcinoma of the pancreas in childhood.

Correlations between salivary protease and supragingival or subgingival calculus index

Significant positive correlations between protease activities in saliva and supragingival/subgingival calculus indices, periodontal pocket depth, or P-M-A index were confirmed. When the partial correlation was calculated, the subgingival calculus index correlated well with the sediment protease at pH 8.5, and the supragingival calculus index showed a significant correlation with the supernate protease at pH 4.5.

Topical methoxsalen followed immediately by long-wave UV irradiation. A preliminary report on the treatment of psoriasis

In the treatment of psoriasis with topically applied methoxsalen, the patient is exposed to long-wave UV (UV-A) energy two hours after the application of methoxsalen. Using the guinea pig as an experimental model, we found that UV-A irradiation given immediately after the topical application of methoxsalen resulted in the notable suppression of tritiated thymidine incorporation into epidermal basal cells. This finding suggests that the rate of suppression of epidermal DNA synthesis by PUVA (methoxsalen plus UV-A light) may not correlate with the interval between methoxsalen application and UV-A irradiation. This modified method of PUVA therapy (immediate irradiation) was successfully used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Response of raphe magnus neurons after acupuncture stimulation in rat

Extracellular recording was made from single cells in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) of Wistar albino rats. The spontaneous firing rate of these cells increased, decreased or was not altered after acupuncture stimulation. Excitatory response of the cells was obtained more often than the other ones. There were no significant differences between the effects induced by stimulation of meridian and nonmeridian points. It is suggested that only the excited neuron may participate directly in the descending analgesic system through NRM cells activated by acupuncture stimulation. Presumably, meridian point is not a specific one for activation of NRM cells in rat.

Suppression of tooth pulp evoked responses by activation of raphe-trigeminal neurons in rat

Electrical stimulation (0.1 msec duration, 50 Hz, 1 min) applied to the nucleus raphe magnus markedly suppressed the tooth pulp evoked responses in caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus but only slightly altered those in its rostral area. Raphe stimulation also greatly suppressed jaw opening reflex evoked by tooth pulp stimulation, which lasted longer than suppression of spinal trigeminal nucleus.