Galactosylation of serum IgG and autoantibodies in murine models of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

A number of systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with increased levels of the agalactosyl (G0) IgG isoforms that lack a terminal galactose from the CH2 domain oligosaccharide. The current aim was to determine whether the galactosylation of serum IgG is also reduced in a classic antibody-mediated, organ-specific autoimmune condition, and whether the pathogenic autoantibodies are preferentially G0. In two murine forms of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), sera and autoantibodies eluted from erythrocytes were obtained, and the levels of G0 measured using a lectin-binding assay. Serum IgG galactosylation was unaffected following the induction of AIHA in CBA/Igb mice by immunization with rat erythrocytes, but in all animals with the disease the IgG autoantibodies generated were more G0 than the sera. The anti-rat erythrocyte antibodies were similar to the autoantibodies in being preferentially G0, and when CBA/Igb mice were immunized with canine erythrocytes as a control foreign antigen, there was again a bias towards the production of G0 IgG antibodies. In NZB mice with chronic, spontaneous AIHA, the concentration and galactosylation of both serum IgG and autoantibodies were lower than in the induced model, and the ratio of G0 IgG in the serum and erythrocyte eluates varied markedly between different individuals. Our interpretation of these results is that changes in serum IgG or autoantibody galactosylation are not consistent in different models of AIHA, and that production of low galactosyl antibodies can be a feature of a normal immune response.

Ligand binding to heme proteins. VI. Interconversion of taxonomic substates in carbonmonoxymyoglobin

The kinetic properties of the three taxonomic A substates of sperm whale carbonmonoxy myoglobin in 75% glycerol/buffer are studied by flash photolysis with monitoring in the infrared stretch bands of bound CO at nu(A0) approximately 1967 cm-1, nu(A1) approximately 1947 cm-1, and nu(A3) approximately 1929 cm-1 between 60 and 300 K. Below 160 K the photodissociated CO rebinds from the heme pocket, no interconversion among the A substates is observed, and rebinding in each A substate is nonexponential in time and described by a different temperature-independent distribution of enthalpy barriers with a different preexponential. Measurements in the electronic bands, e.g., the Soret, contain contributions of all three A substates and can, therefore, be only approximately modeled with a single enthalpy distribution and a single preexponential. The bond formation step at the heme is fastest for the A0 substate, intermediate for the A1 substate, and slowest for A3. Rebinding between 200 and 300 K displays several processes, including geminate rebinding, rebinding after ligand escape to the solvent, and interconversion among the A substates. Different kinetics are measured in each of the A bands for times shorter than the characteristic time of fluctuations among the A substates. At longer times, fluctuational averaging yields the same kinetics in all three A substates. The interconversion rates between A1 and A3 are determined from the time when the scaled kinetic traces of the two substates merge. Fluctuations between A1 and A3 are much faster than those between A0 and either A1 or A3, so A1 and A3 appear as one kinetic species in the exchange with A0. The maximum-entropy method is used to extract the distribution of rate coefficients for the interconversion process A0 <--> A1 + A3 from the flash photolysis data. The temperature dependencies of the A substate interconversion processes are fitted with a non-Arrhenius expression similar to that used to describe relaxation processes in glasses. At 300 K the interconversion time for A0 <--> A1 + A3 is 10 microseconds, and extrapolation yields approximately 1 ns for A1 <--> A3. The pronounced kinetic differences imply different structural rearrangements. Crystallographic data support this conclusion: They show that formation of the A0 substate involves a major change of the protein structure; the distal histidine rotates about the C(alpha)-C(beta) bond, and its imidazole sidechain swings out of the heme pocket into the solvent, whereas it remains in the heme pocket in the A1 <--> A3 interconversion. The fast A1 <--> A3 exchange is inconsistent with structural models that involve differences in the protonation between A1 and A3.

The mechanical properties of the human lens capsule following capsulorhexis or radiofrequency diathermy capsulotomy

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the biomechanical properties of the capsulotomy edge following continuous-tear circular capsulorhexis (CTCC) or radiofrequency (RF) diathermy capsulotomy.

METHODS

A test apparatus was constructed that allowed controlled stretching of capsulotomy edges following CTCC or RF diathermy capsulotomy. The lens contents were removed by phacoemulsification to permit the implantation of probes that exerted a test force on the capsulotomy edge and were moved in diametrically opposite directions using computer-controlled stepping motors. The magnitude of the force was measured during the capsule stretch, which allowed precise determination of the degree of capsular distention at the time of capsular rupture. Selected capsular edges were subsequently examined by scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The capsulotomy edge produced by CTCC was significantly stronger (P < .001) than that following RF. The mean (+/-SD) force to achieve capsule rupture was 0.15 +/- 0.06 N with CTCC compared with 0.02 +/- 0.01 N with RF. The mean (+/-SD) increase in the capsulotomy circumference was significantly greater with CTCC at 53% +/- 14.5% compared with RF at 18% +/- 8.5% (P < .001). Scanning electron microscopy disclosed a smooth edge for the CTCC capsulotomy. In contrast, multiple irregularities were seen in the edge following RF.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous-tear circular capsulorhexis provides a stronger capsulotomy and is the preferred method in routine cataract surgery. However, RF diathermy capsulotomy may have a useful role in conditions unfavorable to the safe completion of CTCC.

Factors affecting the ultrasonic properties of equine digital flexor tendons

The velocity, attenuation and apparent backscattering coefficient of 6-11-MHz ultrasound were measured in three orthogonal directions in equine deep digital flexor (DDF) and superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons at 0 degree C. Ultrasonic measurements were examined for correlation with tendon water, collagen, DNA and glycosaminoglycans contents, determined by chemical analyses and with structure observed by scanning electron microscopy. The SDF tendon contained more water, more DNA (i.e., more cells), less collagen and less glycosaminoglycans and exhibited lower velocities and attenuations than the DDF tendon. Velocities were governed primarily by the adiabatic bulk modulus and density, perturbed by a highly direction-dependent rigidity. Ultrasound propagating across tendon generated frequency-independent backscattering which appeared to derive from the large interfaces between the fascicles, while along the fibres backscattering varied as f3.62 +/- 0.88 and appeared to derive from small structures such as collagen fibres. The mechanisms by which ultrasound is attenuated by tendon remain unknown.

Immunolocalization of type III collagen in human articular cartilage prepared by high-pressure cryofixation, freeze-substitution, and low-temperature embedding

We localized Type III collagen by immunogold electron microscopy in resin sections of intact normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage. Comparisons of antibody staining between tissue prepared by high-pressure cryofixation and freeze-substitution without fixatives and that exposed to conventional mild chemical fixation with paraformaldehyde showed that dedicated cryotechniques yielded superior preservation of epitopes that are modified by chemical fixation, and simultaneously provided good ultrastructural preservation. Type III collagen was detected with two polyclonal antibodies, one against the triple-helical domain of the molecule and a second against the more antigenic, globular amino pro-peptide domain, which in this collagen is retained in the extracellular matrix after secretion. Positive labeling was seen in association with the major interstitial fibrils, suggesting co-polymerization of Types III and II collagen in cartilage. Type III collagen could not be detected in aldehyde-fixed normal cartilage. In fixed osteoarthritic cartilage, Type III was detectable only when the antibody to the amino pro-peptide was employed. In contrast, high-pressure cryofixation and freeze-substitution preserved epitopes for both antibodies, permitting immunodetection of Type III collagen in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage. Cryotechniques offer exciting possibilities for significantly improving the immunolocalization of collagens and other fixative-sensitive antigens in situ.

Integrin alpha 2 beta 1-independent activation of platelets by simple collagen-like peptides: collagen tertiary (triple-helical) and quaternary (polymeric) structures are sufficient alone for alpha 2 beta 1-independent platelet reactivity

The platelet reactivities of two simple collagen-like synthetic peptides, Gly-Lys-Hyp-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)10-Gly-Lys-Hyp-Gly and Gly-Cys-Hyp-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)10-Gly-Cys-Hyp-Gly, were investigated. Both peptides adopted a stable triple-helical conformation in solution. Following cross-linking, both peptides proved to be highly platelet-aggregatory, more active than collagen fibres, inducing aggregation at concentrations as low as 20 ng/ml. These peptides formed microaggregates in solution, and cross-linking was thought to stabilize these structures, allowing expression of their platelet reactivity at 37 degrees C. Like collagen fibres, the peptides caused platelet secretion and release of arachidonate from platelet membrane lipids as well as activation of integrin alpha IIb beta 3 culminating in aggregation. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the integrin alpha 2 beta 1 failed to prevent aggregation release of arachidonate or platelet adhesion to the peptides. Our results indicate that collagen can activate platelets by a mechanism that is independent of integrin alpha 2 beta 1 and for which collagen tertiary and quaternary structures are sufficient alone for activity without the involvement of highly specific cell-recognition sequences.

Selection and characterization of 5-fluoroorotate-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

Previous studies have shown that 100 nM 5-fluoroorotate (5-FO) is sufficient to block the in vitro proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum without causing toxicity to mammalian cells. In anticipation of potential drug resistance, a study was undertaken to identify P. falciparum cells that would proliferate in the presence of 5-FO. About 3 x 10(6) UV-irradiated as well as nonirradiated parasites were subjected to a one-step selection with 100 nM 5-FO both in the absence and in the presence of preformed pyrimidines (uracil, uridine, thymine, and thymidine). The P. falciparum cells that emerged after 3 weeks were cloned, and the 90% inhibitory concentration of 5-FO for the cloned cells was found to be 100- to 400-fold greater than that for the parent cell line. Two clones that were further characterized retained resistance to 5-FO even after prolonged propagation in culture without drug pressure. Since the mutants were not cross-resistant to 5-fluorouracil or to dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, it was unlikely that alteration of thymidylate synthase or overproduction of the bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase was responsible for 5-FO resistance. Similarly, resistance was not due to the expression of a pyrimidine salvage pathway since the cells were not pyrimidine auxotrophs, they did not show increased utilization of pyrimidine nucleosides, and they did not show increased susceptibility to 5-fluoropyrimidine nucleosides. When the selection experiments were repeated, without mutagenesis, in the presence of 10(-7) M 5-FO with fewer than 10(6) parasites or in the presence of more than 10(-7) M 5-FO with more than 10(8) parasites, viable mutants could not be recovered from the cultures. The implications of these findings for the in vivo use of 5-FO for malaria chemotherapy are discussed.

Improved preservation of human corneal basement membrane following freezing of donor tissue for epikeratophakia

Current methods for the production of lenticules for epikeratophakia involve rapid freezing, cryolathing, and slow warming of the donor cornea. We have found that this procedure causes structural damage to the epithelial basement membrane in the donor cornea which may subsequently contribute to poor postoperative re-epithelialisation of the implant, leading to graft failure. Endeavouring to overcome these problems, the effects of cryoprotection of donor cornea were investigated, using dimethyl sulphoxide, in conjunction with different cooling and warming rates as part of the protocol for cryolathing. The structural integrity of the epithelial basement membrane zone (BMZ) was then assessed by electron microscopy and by immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies to types IV and VII collagen, components of the basal lamina and anchoring fibrils respectively, and an antibody to a component of the anchoring filaments. No differences in the pattern of immunostaining for these components were detected, indicating that the composition of the BMZ was unaltered by the different treatment regimens applied. However, electron microscopy showed that preservation of basement membrane ultrastructure was markedly improved when cornea was warmed rapidly rather than slowly, both in cryoprotected and non-cryoprotected tissue. Epithelial cell retention and preservation of stromal architecture appeared superior in cryoprotected samples, while keratocyte structure was heterogeneous throughout the experimental groups. Further work is in progress to assess the efficacy of these protocols in the preservation of keratocyte viability in association with improved basement membrane structure in donor tissue for epikeratophakia.

Ultrastructural analysis of skin and aorta from a patient with Menkes disease

Ultrastructural studies of the skin and aorta of a patient with Menkes disease, an X-linked recessive disorder of copper metabolism, are described. Dermal thickness was normal, while dermal collagen fibrils exhibited a heterogeneous size range, with a mean diameter smaller than normal. Long-spacing collagen was often observed near fibroblasts, the plasma membranes of which were decorated by aggregates of interwoven filaments. Dermal elastin fibers were scarce and consisted of thin strands of amorphous elastin associated with numerous microfibrils. In the aorta, the amount of collagen was normal, although the fibrils displayed a broader range of diameters than normal, with a slightly smaller mean. Elastin fibers showed considerable disruption, appearing fragmented and wider than normal, and displaying irregular contours. The inclusion of cationic dyes during tissue fixation gave rise to numerous electron-dense precipitates within the elastin fibers, suggesting the presence there of glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans, among which unsulfated and sulfated chondroitins were demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy to be prominent. Heparan sulfate, observed to be a constituent of normal elastin fibers, was much reduced in amount. Elastin was also found associated with glycosaminoglycans in the soluble matrix of the aortic wall.

Ligand binding to heme proteins: III. FTIR studies of His-E7 and Val-E11 mutants of carbonmonoxymyoglobin

Fouier-transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectra of several His-E7 and Val-E11 mutants of sperm whale carbonmonoxymyoglobin were obtained by photodissociation at cryogenic temperatures. The IR absorption of the CO ligand shows characteristic features for each of the mutants, both in the ligand-bound (A) state and in the photodissociated (B) state. For most of the mutants, a single A substate band is observed, which points to the crucial role of the His-E7 residue in determining the A substrate spectrum of the bound CO in the native structure. The fact that some of the mutants show more than one stretch band of the bound CO indicates that the appearance of multiple A substates is not exclusively connected to the presence of His-E7. In all but one mutant, multiple stretch bands of the CO in the photodissociated state are observed; these B substates are thought to arise from discrete positions and/or orientations of the photodissociated ligand in the heme pocket. The red shifts of the B bands with respect to the free-gas frequency indicate weak binding in the heme pocket. The observation of similar red shifts in microperoxidase (MP-8), where there is no residue on the distal side, suggests that the photodissociated ligand is still associated with the heme iron. Photoselection experiments were performed to determine the orientation of the bound ligand with respect to the heme normal by photolyzing small fractions of the sample with linearly polarized light at 540 nm. The resulting linear dichroism in the CO stretch spectrum yielded angles alpha > 20 degrees between the CO molecular axis and the heme normal for all of the mutants. We conclude that the off-axis position of the CO ligand in the native structure does not arise from steric constraints imposed by the distal histidine. There is no clear correlation between the size of the distal residue and the alpha of the CO ligand.

Abnormalities of collagen fibrils in a rabbit with a connective tissue defect similar to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

A morphometric ultrastructural study was performed to confirm the presence of an abnormality of the collagen fibrils in a rabbit with a connective tissue defect similar to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Median fibril diameter and perimeter were not altered but their ranges were significantly increased. As indicated by the median fibril 'form factor', fibrils were significantly more irregular in shape; the range of irregularity in shape was also increased. Fibril periodicity was unchanged. The results are discussed in relation to collagen fibril structure and fibril abnormalities in similar diseases in man and other animals.

Ligand binding to heme proteins: II. Transitions in the heme pocket of myoglobin

Phenomena occurring in the heme pocket after photolysis of carbonmonoxymyoglobin (MbCO) below about 100 K are investigated using temperature-derivative spectroscopy of the infrared absorption bands of CO. MbCO exists in three conformations (A substrates) that are distinguished by the stretch bands of the bound CO. We establish connections among the A substates and the substates of the photoproduct (B substates) using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy together with kinetic experiments on MbCO solution samples at different pH and on orthorhombic crystals. There is no one-to-one mapping between the A and B substates; in some cases, more than one B substate corresponds to a particular A substate. Rebinding is not simply a reversal of dissociation; transitions between B substates occur before rebinding. We measure the nonequilibrium populations of the B substates after photolysis below 25 K and determine the kinetics of B substate transitions leading to equilibrium. Transitions between B substates occur even at 4 K, whereas those between A substates have only been observed above about 160 K. The transitions between the B substates are nonexponential in time, providing evidence for a distribution of substates. The temperature dependence of the B substate transitions implies that they occur mainly by quantum-mechanical tunneling below 10 K. Taken together, the observations suggest that the transitions between the B substates within the same A substate reflect motions of the CO in the heme pocket and not conformational changes. Geminate rebinding of CO to Mb, monitored in the Soret band, depends on pH. Observation of geminate rebinding to the A substates in the infrared indicates that the pH dependence results from a population shift among the substates and not from a change of the rebinding to an individual A substate.

Clonal viability measurements on Plasmodium falciparum to assess in vitro schizonticidal activity of leupeptin, chloroquine, and 5-fluoroorotate

Until now, the in vitro activity of potential antimalarial agents has been evaluated primarily by monitoring decreases in parasite proliferation. These traditional assays do not distinguish between compounds that arrest proliferation of parasites and compounds that kill them. In this report, a more complex in vitro cytocidal assay for Plasmodium falciparum is described. This assay measures the clonal viability of P. falciparum after the parasites have been treated with an antimalarial agent. The new assay was used to assess cytocidal activities of three antimalarial agents that work through unrelated mechanisms. Leupeptin, a protease inhibitor, arrested the proliferation of W2 clones of P. falciparum at a MIC of 50 microM, but at least 80% of leupeptin-treated cells were viable as judged by the cytocidal assay. On the other hand, chloroquine at 1 microM, its MIC for W2 cells, not only arrested parasite proliferation but also killed more than 99% of the cells. Earlier studies had shown that treatment of P. falciparum with 100 nM 5-fluoroorotate for 48 h was sufficient to inhibit parasite proliferation and parasite thymidylate synthase but not enough to cause significant incorporation of 5-fluoropyrimidines in parasite nucleic acids. By using the new schizonticidal assay, these conditions were found to be necessary and sufficient to kill all parasites in culture. Results of these studies are consistent with the hypothesis that 5-fluoroorotate-based inactivation of P. falciparum thymidylate synthase triggers a lethal mechanism against malarial parasites.

Molecular targets of 5-fluoroorotate in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

5-Fluoroorotate is known to have potent antimalarial activity against chloroquine-susceptible as well as chloroquine-resistant clones of Plasmodium falciparum. It was hypothesized that this activity was mediated through synthesis of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate, an inactivator of thymidylate synthase, or through incorporation of 5-fluoropyrimidine residues into nucleic acids. Treatment of P. falciparum in culture with 100 nM 5-fluoroorotate resulted in rapid inactivation of malarial thymidylate synthase activity. A 50% loss of thymidylate synthase activity as well as a 50% decrease in parasite proliferation were seen with 5 nM 5-fluoroorotate. Dihydrofolate reductase activity, which resides on the same bifunctional protein as thymidylate synthase, was not affected by 5-fluoroorotate treatment. Incubation of malarial parasites with 3 to 10 microM radioactive 5-fluoroorotic acid for 48 h resulted in significant incorporation of radioactivity into the RNA fraction of P. falciparum; approximately 9% of the uridine residues were substituted with 5-fluorouridine. However, compared with the 50% inhibitory concentrations of 5-fluoroorotate, a 1,000-fold higher concentration of the pyrimidine analog was required to see significant modification of RNA molecules. Results of these studies are consistent with the hypothesis that thymidylate synthase is the primary target of 5-fluoroorotate in malarial parasites.

Determination of rate distributions from kinetic experiments

Rate processes in proteins are often not adequately described by simple exponential kinetics. Instead of modeling the kinetics in the time domain, it can be advantageous to perform a numerical inversion leading to a rate distribution function f(lambda). The features observed in f(lambda) (number, positions, and shapes of peaks) can then be interpreted. We discuss different numerical techniques for obtaining rate distribution functions, with special emphasis on the maximum entropy method. Examples are given for the application of these techniques to flash photolysis data of heme proteins.

Some boundary conditions for effective use of alcohol placebos

The present research assessed the conditions under which subjects who consume alcohol and those who consume a placebo beverage, and who report consuming alcohol on a manipulation check question, are equivalent with respect to subjective responses to alcohol. Male subjects were told that they were drinking alcohol and consumed one of four beverages: alcoholic beer, nonalcoholic beer, vodka and tonic with lime, or tonic with lime. Measures of subjective intoxication, body sensations and breath alcohol were taken at different times during and after beverage consumption. Subjective intoxication ratings were higher for subjects who received alcohol, compared to subjects who received a placebo and reported consuming alcohol, when alcohol subjects achieved blood alcohol concentrations at and above .04%. These two groups did not differ in subjective intoxication ratings when alcohol subjects achieved blood alcohol concentrations below .04%. These data suggest that the orthogonal manipulation of alcohol consumption and expectancy effects is problematic at and above blood alcohol concentrations of .04%.

A connective tissue defect in two rabbits similar to the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

A connective tissue disease resembling the human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is reported in two sibling rabbits about four months old. The clinical signs included skin hyperextensibility and fragility and poor wound healing. There were ultrastructural abnormalities in the structure of the collagen fibrils and in their arrangement in bundles of fibres. Affected rabbits may be a useful laboratory animal model for collagen disorders in human beings.

Inhomogeneous broadening in spectral bands of carbonmonoxymyoglobin. The connection between spectral and functional heterogeneity

The rebinding kinetics of CO to myoglobin after flash photolysis is nonexponential in time below approximately 180 K; the kinetics is governed by a distribution of enthalpic barriers. This distribution results from inhomogeneities in the protein conformation, referred to as conformational substates. Hole-burning experiments on the Soret and IR CO-stretch bands test the assumption that an inhomogeneous distribution of conformational substates results in inhomogeneously broadened spectra. CO was slowly photolyzed at different wavelengths in the Soret band at 10 K. Both the Soret band and the CO-stretch band A1, centered at 1,945 cm-1, shift during photolysis, demonstrating that different wavelengths excite different parts of the distributed population. We have also done kinetic hole-burning experiments by measuring peak shifts in the Soret and A1 bands as the CO molecules rebind. The shifts indicate that the spectral and enthalpic distributions are correlated. In the A1 band, the spectral and enthalpic distributions are highly correlated while in the Soret the correlation is weak. From the peak shifts in the spectral and kinetic hole-burning experiments the inhomogeneous broadening is estimated to be approximately 15% of the total width in the Soret band and approximately 60% in A1. We have previously measured the tilt angle alpha between the bound CO and the heme normal (Ormos, P., D. Braunstein, H. Frauenfelder, M. K. Hong, S.-L. Lin, T. B. Sauke, and R. D. Young. 1988. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 85:8492-8496) and observed a wave number dependence of the tilt angles within the CO-stretch A bands. Thus the spectral and enthalpic distributions of the A bands are coupled to a heterogeneity of the structure.

Identification of nonalcoholic and alcoholic beers: effects of consumption practices and beer brand

Because nonalcoholic beer provides sensory cues that simulate alcoholic beer, this beverage may be more effective than other placebos in contributing to a credible manipulation of expectancy to receive alcohol. The present experiment assessed the sensory identification of nonalcoholic and alcoholic beers. Subjects with higher beer consumption practices were more accurate than subjects with lower beer consumption practices in the identification of nonalcoholic beers. Brand of nonalcoholic beer affected the identification performance of subjects with lower beer consumption practices.

Orientation of carbon monoxide and structure-function relationship in carbonmonoxymyoglobin

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the CO stretch bands in carbonmonoxymyoglobin (MbCO) reveals three major bands implying that MbCO exists in three major substates, A0, A1, and A3. After photolysis at low temperatures the CO is in the heme pocket, and the resulting CO stretch bands represent the B substates. Photoselection experiments determine the orientation of CO in the A (bound) and B (photolyzed) substates: Small fractions of MbCO are photolyzed at 10 K with linearly polarized light at 540 nm. The resulting linear dichroism in the A and B IR bands yields the tilt angle between the heme normal and CO. The average angles are as follows: alpha (A0) = 15 degrees +/- 3 degrees; alpha (A1) = 28 degrees +/- 2 degrees, and alpha (A3) = 33 degrees +/- 4 degrees. The A bands are inhomogeneously broadened; the angle alpha shows a wavenumber dependence within the A bands. The wavenumber dependence is interpreted as a distribution of the tilt angle within the individually inhomogeneous A substates, thus providing a structural parameter to characterize the distribution of the conformational substates. The B substates exhibit no induced linear dichroism; in the photolyzed substates the ligand is randomly oriented with respect to the heme plane. The present results together with earlier data on static and kinetic properties of CO binding to Mb establish relations among spectroscopic, structural, energetic, and functional parameters.

Ultrastructural changes in scleral proteoglycans precede destruction of the collagen fibril matrix in necrotizing scleritis

Proteoglycans were localized using cuprolinic blue and visualized by electron microscopy in sclera from the eye of a 58-year-old woman with necrotizing scleritis. Samples of sclera taken from clinically normal anterior and posterior sclera and from sites involved in anterior necrotizing scleritis with ulceration and posterior scleritis showed markedly different patterns of proteoglycan distribution. Proteoglycans appeared as stain-positive filaments associated regularly with the 'd/e' bands of the collagen fibrils in normal anterior sclera, but were absent from intact collagen fibrils in the zone of anterior ulcerative scleritis. In posterior sclera including a site of posterior scleritis, proteoglycans were reduced in number with more heterogeneous associations with collagen fibrils. Depletion of scleral proteoglycans therefore precedes the degradation of scleral collagen in necrotizing scleritis, which may also involve the synthesis of atypical proteoglycan types in pathological sclera.