Collagenase activity in cultures of rat prostate carcinoma

A specific collagenase (EC 3.4.24.3) has been found and purified from serum-free culture medium of 11095 epidermoid carcinoma of rat prostate. The molecular weight of this collagenase was estimated at 71 000 and the pH optimum was approx. 7. At 26 degrees C, the collagenase cleaved collagen at a site 3/4 the length from the N-terminus. At 37 degrees C, this collagenase degraded collagen to smaller peptides. The enzyme activity was inhibited by serum, cysteine and EDTA, but not by protease inhibitors. The presence of collagenase in rat tumor tissue suggests that this enzyme might play a significant role in tissue invasion by cancer cells.

Bone resorption in chronic otitis media

Bone resorption is an important aspect of chronic otitis media contributing to many complications of this disease. It is postulated that the mechanism of this localized destructive process is chemical in origin. Collagenase, lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins, and other cell mediators are thought to induce bone resorption, but the site of action and cellular origin of these substances remains unclear. In this report, we demonstrate the location and attempt to delineate the cellular origin of two enzymes, collagenase and the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase in guinea pig temporal bones and human ossicles from ears containing chronic otitis media. Tissue localization of these enzymes identifies sites of active bone resorption and demonstrates the cells initiating this process. Using immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical techniques, collagenase was seen surrounding mononuclear inflammatory cells of granulation tissue at bone resorbing margins and at the periphery of osteocyte lacunae adjacent to resorbing areas. Electron microscopic data suggests that collagenase is an extracellular enzyme foun at the periphery of osteocytes. In addition, abundant acid phosphatase activity was seen in the same cells that exhibited collagenase staining, lending credence to the destructive function of these cells. The chronic inflammatory reaction found in chronic otitis media appears to activate bone destruction through the dynamic activity of mononuclear inflammatory cells and stimulates bone cells to increase their destructive biochemical functions.

Qualitative identity of cerebral neuronal membrane actions of 5HT LSD, and CPZ

Extra- and intracellular recording of the cerebral cortical actions of close-arterially injected serotonin (5HT) and LSD in the cat shows them to be powerful synaptic inhibitors. They are specifically and differentially blocked by chlorpromazine (CPZ). The membrane parameters including spike generation, polarization, transmembrane conductance, and IPSPs show that all three produce qualitatively identical changes, which must, therefore, be presumed to act on the same receptors with block by CPZ taking place because of competitive inhibition. The relation of these neuronal membrane findings to the characteristic actions of LSD and CPZ in mental disturbance is considered in relation to a general concept of cerebral synaptic dysfunction.

Induction of 8-azaguanine- and ouabain-resistant mutants by cyclophosphamide and 1-(pyridyl-3)-3,3-dimethyltriazene in Chinese hamster cells cultured in diffusion chambers in mice

A host-mediated assay is described for induction of 8-azaguanine-resistant (azgr) and ouabain-resistant (ouar) mutants in Chinese hamster V79 cells cultured in diffusion chambers (DC) in C3H mice. Injection of the hosts with the indirect mutagen/carcinogen cyclophosphamide (CPP) or 1-(pyridyl-3)-3,3-dimethyltriazene (PyDT) caused a dose-dependent increase in mutation frequency at the loci of azgr and ouar in the V79 target cells. Plating efficiency of V79 cells in DC in mice was decreased depending upon the dose of CPP or PyDT given to the hosts. In addition, the relationship between expression time and mutation frequency was examined and discussed. The data support the use of this system as an effective screening procedure for suspected environmental mutagens or carcinogens, especially those that need to be metabolically activated in vivo.

Potential organ- or tumor-imaging agents. 18. Radioiodinated diamines and bisquaternaries

The purpose of this research was to employ diamines and their quaternary derivatives as carrier molecules for gamma-emitting radiation. The diamine putrescine is widespread in nature and has been reported to selectively concentrate in the rat ventral prostate and pancreas. This study confirms the selective uptake of radioactivity in the rat ventral prostate, but not in the pancreas, following administration of [14C]putrescine. The radioiodinated analogues of putrescine showed no predilection for either of these organs. On the other hand, radioactivity associated with a radioidinated quaternary derivative (3) was found to accumulate incartilaginous tissues such as trachea, intervertebral disks, and chondrosarcoma tumor in a manner simular to hexamethonium.

Effect of fungicide Folpet on growth and chromosomes of human lymphoid cell lines

One normal human lymphoid cell line was treated continuously with the fungicide Folpet (N-trichloromethylthio-phthalimide) at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 microgram/ml of media and one Burkitt cell line was pulse-treated with the same compound for 15 min at 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 microgram/ml. Various times after treatment, cell viability counts and chromosomes analyses were made. Severe cell growth inhibition and an increase in chromosome aberrations were observed in both cell lines. There were two types of induced chromosome aberrations. Aberrations type A appeared in cultures treated with lower doses and were characterized by chromosome or chromatid gaps and breaks and also infrequently seen exchanges and dicentrics. In the later stages of the experiment, the rate of growth and aberrations returned to control levels. Chromosome aberrations type B appeared in early samples of cultures treated with higher doses. The whole complement of chromosomes was affected. The aberrations included chromosome stickiness, despiralization and pulverization. The cultures died off within two days.

Sister chromatid exchanges and growth inhibition induced by the flame retardant tris(2,3-dipromopropyl) phosphate in Chinese hamster cells

The effects of the flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (Tris-BP) on growth, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), and chromosome aberrations of Chinese hamster V79 cells cultured either in vitro or in diffusion chambers (DC) implanted into mice were studied. Tris-BP caused a dose- and time-dependent reduction of cell growth as measured by colony-forming activities. A significant dose-dependent increase in SCE was observed in V79 cells either in the cultures treated with Tris-BP or in DC in mice given injections of the chemical. In contrast, Tris-BP in V79 cells in culture, in V79 cells in DC in mice, in two human lymphoid cell lines, or in mouse bone marrow cells in vivo did not significantly increase chromosome aberrations.

Sister chromatid exchanges induced by cyclophosphamide in V79 cells cultured in diffusion chambers in mice

Chinese hamster cells V79 were cultured in diffusion chambers (DC) and implanted into mice. An exponential growth was observed from the 2nd to 4th day after implantation. The maximum growth was reached on the 6th day. After that, cell growth and viable cell counts decreased. Three days after implantation of DC with V79 cells, the hosts received 6 hourly injections of 0.2 ml of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) solution at concentrations of 0.125 to 1.0 x 10(-2) M. DC were removed for chromosome and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) analyses 24 h after the first BUdR injection. The frequency of metaphases with differentially stained chromatids, with aberrations, and the number of SCE per cell increased with BUdR dose. The frequency of metaphases with differentially stained chromatids was also positively correlated with the duration of BUdR exposure or the number of hourly injections of BUdR-solution. The effects of cyclophosphamide (CY) in V79 cells in DC in mice were studied. Injections of CY at 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 microgram per gram of body weight to the hosts caused an increase in the number of SCE per cell in a linear manner. The results from this study indicate that V79 cells cultured in DC in mice may provide a potential test system for mutagenicity.

Localization of collagenase in chronically inflamed guinea pig temporal bone

Bone destruction, commonly associated with chronic otitis media, requires collagen degradation. Collagenase, a neutral protease, appears to be an essential component in the process of collagen breakdown. Collagenase was identified within chronically inflamed and normal guinea pig temporal bones using an immunohistochemical technique with fluorescein isothyocyanate and peroxidase-antiperoxidase labels. Localization of the enzyme identifies sites of matrix resorption. Collagenase was found in osteoclasts, osteocytes, mononuclear inflammatory cells, and at resorbing margins. Inflammation increased the intracellular collagenase content of inflammatory bone osteocytes when compared to normal osteocytes using a microspectrofluorometer. It appears that the inflammatory process directly influences bone destruction through the action of mononuclear inflammatory cells and indirectly by stimulating bone cells to increase their proteolytic enzyme production.

Intracellular recording of cerebral cortical actions of prostaglandins F2alpha (PGF2alpha)

Our reported data on the cortical inhibitory actions of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and the diversity of data in the literature on cerebral PG actions are examined here in the light of intracellular recording which provides the requisite membrane data for the first time. Thus, 1) intracellular recording from the cat cerebral cortex is obtained for the actions of PGF2alpha and for norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5HT). 2) The parallel changes in firing and polarization and the simultaneous transmembrane conductance changes are qualitatively identical for PGF2alpha, NE and 5HT. 3) The reduction in firing accompanied by hyperpolarization indicates that PGF2alpha, NE and 5HT all inhibit these cells. 4) The ionic species responsible for this inhibition is such that it increased the transmembrane resistance, and this was true for all three. 5) The changes in membrane parameters, identical in direction for PGF2alpha and NE, but stronger for the latter, constitute conditions that can lead to competitive inhibition and therefore connote, presumably, actions at the same or related receptors. Such competition with evoked cortical field potentials is shown in the preceding paper.

Response of hematopoietic cell lines derived from patients with Down's syndrome and from normal individuals to mitomycin C and caffeine

Eight human hematopoietic cell lines, five derived from blood of patients with Down's syndrome (DS) and three from normal persons, were treated with mitomycin C (MC) and caffeine at various dose levels and for various durations. An increased rate of chromosome aberrations was found in all treated cultures. The extent of aberrations was correlated with the dose levels and duration; no difference occurred in sensitivity between the group of DS and normal lines at all dose levels and for all durations. Studies on the effect of MC severely reduced cell viability, but no difference was found in the rate of reduction of viable cell counts between DS and normal lines. Inhibition of mitoses by MC in DS lines, however, seemed stronger than that in normal lines.

Localization of collagenase in human middle ear cholesteatoma

The process of connective tissue breakdown in chronic otitis media is described in the context of recent advances in our understanding of collagen degradation and bone resorption. The significance of the initial step in collagen breakdown, brought about by the action of a specific collagen dissolving enzyme is emphasized in terms of recent studies in other chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by connective tissue breakdown. Bone resorption, a characteristic feature of chronic otitis media, requires the breakdown of collagen, which comprises over 90 percent of bone protein. Evidence in support of collagenase in bone resorption from adjacent tissue (in this case, inflammatory connective tissue) would require identification of the enzyme in cells involved in the inflammatory process adjacent to the resorbing bone. Collagenase was found localized in frozen sections of canal wall skin, middle ear granulation and in cholesteatoma by a specific binding of the enzyme with an antiserum produced against purified human skin collagenase. The antigen antibody complex was labelled with fluorescein. Collagenase appeared in the subepithelial connective tissue of cholesteatoma, granulation tissue from the middle ear and the dermis of canal skin; but was not seen in the keratin layer, epithelium or the epidermal appendages. The enzyme appeared within certain fibroblasts, macrophages and endothelial cells of capillary buds. Collagenase enhanced by chronic inflammation attacks the intact collagen molecule, making it susceptible to further digestion by other proteases that are also products of inflammation. This process brings about resorption of connective tissue and bone.

Establishment and characterization of leukemic T-cell lines, B-cell lines, and null-cell line: a progress report on surface antigen study of fresh lymphatic leukemias in man

Permanent human hematopoietic cell lines representing T-cell, B-cell and non T/non B (null-cell) leukemia have been established. Comparative analyses were made for their phenotype characteristics. A number of characteristics common within the 7 T-cell lines studied or distinct from other leukemia-type lines were described. Usefulness, validity and limitation of these findings are discussed in connection to the attempt at classification of ALL, CLL and blastic phase of CML. The great majority of CLL were SmIg+-B-cell leukemia and a single case of T-cell CLL was documented. Except 10% as T-cell ALL and a single case of B-cell ALL, the majority of ALL were found to be the non T/non B ALL. Nevertheless, little evidence was suggested from the present study in favor for a notion that the T-cell ALL and the non T/non B ALL are two distinct diseases.

Extensive chromosome aberrations caused by [3H]thymidine incorporation in a diploid monkey cell line DBS-FRhL-2

Extensive chromosome aberrations were induced in a diploid monkey cell line designated as DBS-FRhL-2 after exposure to [3H]thymidine ([3H]Tdr) for either 30 or 60 min at a dose of 1 muCi per ml of medium. Cultures exposed to [3H]Tdr for a longer period had significantly larger numbers of aberrations than those exposed for a shorter period. The most common type of aberrations were chromatid breaks. The majority of aberrations were observed in cells which were in contact with [3H]Tdr during S phase, especially the middle S. Cells from cultures of early and late passages exposed to [3H]Tdr were affected to a similar extent when chromosomes were examined. No clear relationship between sites of breakage and intensity of labeling could be established.

Purification and characteriazation of collagenase from guinea pig skin

Guinea pig skin col-agenase, isolated from culture medium of whole skin, was separated into two enzymatically active fractions. These two fractions have been purified extensively. Peak II fraction has been purified to homogeneity as examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their molecular weights are approximately 130 000 (peak I) and 40 000 (peak II). Both guinea pig skin collagenase fractions are capable of degrading the native collagen fibrils and are inhibited by serum, cysteine and EDTA. They appear to be glycoproteins. Guinea pig skin (peak II) and human skin collagenase were compared. They are both glycoproteins and have similar molecular size (Mr = 40 000). Immunodiffusion assay showed that no cross-reactivity was seen between the enzymes, indicating species specificity among collagenases.

Chromosomal instability in cell lines derived from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum

The chromosomes of four cell lines derived from skin biopsies of four patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) were studied and compared with corresponding controls. In the early passages, all XP lines had normal chromosome constitution with rates of polyploidy and chromosome aberrations within the range found in the controls. In the later passages, the XP cell lines had higher levels of chromosome abnormalities. The degree of abnormalities varied greatly among the XP lines; two lines had very high level of polyploidy (up to 50%) and cells with chromosome aberrations (up to 79%), the other two XP lines had a normal level of polyploidy and a slightly higher incidence of cells with chromosome aberrations than normal. The most common type of aberration was dicentrics.

Collagenase activity in epidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity and larynx

Summary--Tumor invasion requires the breadkdown of the main structural protein, collagen. A series of fourteen epidermoid carcinomas of the larynx and oral cavity produced a collagen dissolving enzyme in vitro as demonstrated by the breakdown of 14C-labeled collagen. Oral cavity tumors showed greater activity than laryngeal carcinomas while both sites were more active than uninvolved mucosa from the same patients. Tumor associated collagenase activity, in common with previously described collagenases, can only be demonstrated in vitro and requires protein synthesis. Maximum tumor collagenase occurred at 24 hours in vitro and then declined as compared with the maximum collagenase at 72 hours in vitro produced by oral cavity mucosa. The 14 patients in our series were ranked in order of the collagenase activity of their tumors. At 18 months after the diagnosis, four of the six patients with the most active tumors were dead of cancer and one patient was alive with persistent cancer. High collagenase activity may be a factor in the clinical aggressiveness of epidermoid carcinomas of the head and neck.

The chromosomes of 14 species of amphisbaenians (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia)

The chromosomes of 14 species belonging to eight amphisbaenian genera are here reported. The karyotypes of nine species all comprise 6 pairs of metacentric macrochromosomes (M) and 7 to 12 pairs of microchromosomes (m). The M in these species are similar to one another in morphology. One species, <i>Geocalamus acutus, </i>has 7 pairs of M and 12 pairs of m; two of the M are telocentric, perhaps as a result of centric fission of one pair of metacentric M. The remaining four species, <i>Bipes biporus, Amphisbaena alba, A</i>. <i>fuliginosa, </i>and <i>A</i>. <i>innocens, </i>had higher diploid numbers and wide variations in morphology. <i>B</i>. <i>biporus </i>had 10 pairs of biarmed M and 11 pairs of m. <i>A</i>. <i>alba </i>had 11 pairs of M, 7 biarmed and 4 telocentric, and 8 pairs of m. <i>A</i>. <i>fuliginosa </i>had 11 pairs of M, only 3 biarmed and 8 telocentric, and 13 pairs of m. <i>A</i>. <i>innocens </i>also had 11 pairs of M, 4 biarmed and 7 telocentric, and 14 pairs of m. The karyotypes of these four species are so different from one another and from those of the remainder of the group that it was not possible to assess their cytogenetic relationships. A distinct and independent sequence of chromosomal evolution was presumably involved in each case. No heteromorphic pair or monosomy was observed in either male or female amphisbaenians.

Mechanism of triglyceridemia in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

To elucidate mechanisms responsible for the increased plasma triglyceride (TG) which occurs in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits, albino rabbits were fed a 3% cholesterol diet for various durations, and the following determinations were carried out: plasma lipid levels; turnover rate of plasma TG (labeled very low density lipoprotein, or glycerol-2- 3 H method); lipoprotein lipase activity of the heart and plasma; fatty acid and acetate incorporation into TG in the liver (homogenates and slices). Plasma levels of both free and esterified cholesterol and phospholipid increased rapidly, while TG increased relatively slowly during cholesterol feeding without change in hepatic TG synthesis. The fractional turnover was, on the other hand, depressed within a week. The decrease in plasma TG in response to a heparin injection was less in hypercholesterolemic rabbits than in normal animals. However, the measured activity of heart lipoprotein lipase of cholesterol-fed rabbits was higher than that of the control group. When the effects of two substrates (very low density lipoprotein from normo- and from hypercholesterolemic plasma) were compared, the apparent activity was lower with the latter. The Degrees of this inhibition was proportional to the amount of cholesterol in the lipoproteins. The inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity was also observed with the addition of cholesterol to activated Ediol, but not with addition of esterified cholesterol. Lineweaver-Burk plots were constructed using partially purified plasma lipoprotein lipase, and Km values for Ediol, Ediol plus protamine sulphate, and Ediol plus cholesterol were calculated. The presence of cholesterol in the substrate of lipoprotein lipase competitively inhibits the enzyme activity, and this is the mechanism of hyperglyceridemia observed in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits.