Evidence that CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells are responsible for murine interleukin-2-deficient colitis

Mice deficient in interleukin-2 production (IL-2null mice) develop colonic inflammation closely resembling ulcerative colitis in humans. Although this disease is marked by substantial infiltration of the colon by CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, no function has yet been assigned to these T cell subsets in the development of colitis in the IL-2null mouse. For the present study, we investigated the involvement of T lymphocytes in the onset of colitis in IL-2null mice, and examined the possible role played by cytotoxic T cells. Both lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) of the colon of IL-2null mice were potently cytotoxic ex vivo in short-term redirected cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) assays. In contrast, colonic T cells of wild-type animals showed little or no constitutive cytotoxic T cell activity. Colonic CTL were detectable prior to the appearance of disease in IL-2null animals and CTL activity was confined to the TcR alpha beta, rather than to the TcR gamma delta IEL subset. IL-2null animals crossed with major histocompatibility complex class I-deficient mice [IL-2null x beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2mnull) mice] also developed colitis, which appeared even earlier than in most IL-2null mice. These findings suggest that neither CD8+ IEL nor LPL were causal in the onset of colitis in IL-2null animals. In IL-2null x beta 2mnull mice, an ulcerative colitis-like disease was evident from histological studies and immunohistological staining which showed very large numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes within the intestinal mucosa. Significant ex vivo killing by CD4+ T cells was observed in IL-2null x beta 2null animals, although this required an extended incubation time compared to colonic CD8+ T cells. Peripheral as well as colonic CD4+ T cells in IL-2null and IL-2null x beta 2mnull animals, were activated as judged by their cell surface phenotype (CD45RBlo, L-selectinlo and CD69+). In light of these findings, we propose that infiltrating CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells are central to the inflammation observed in the intestinal mucosa in IL-2null colitis.

Severe colitis in mice with aberrant thymic selection

Tg epsilon 26 mice display an arrest very early in T cell development that has a profound effect on the architecture of thymic stromal cells. We have recently demonstrated that transplantation of wild-type bone marrow cells restores the thymic microenvironment of fetal but not adult Tg epsilon 26 mice. Here, we report that T cell-reconstituted adult Tg epsilon 26 mice develop a spontaneous wasting syndrome characterized by extensive inflammation of the colon, resembling human ulcerative colitis. Colitis in these animals was marked by substantial infiltration of the colon by activated thymus-derived CD4+ T cells. Importantly, bone marrow-transplanted Tg epsilon 26 mice previously engrafted with a fetal Tg epsilon 26 thymus did not develop colitis. These results suggest that T cells selected in an aberrant thymic microenvironment contain a population of cells able to induce severe colitis that can be prevented by T cells that have undergone normal thymic development.

IL-2-dependent NK cell responses discovered in virus-infected beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice

In vivo NK cell responses to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus were studied in CD8+ T cell-deficient mice. On day 7 after infection, dramatically elevated splenic NK cell activities were observed in both beta 2-microglobulin-negative (beta 2-m-/-) mice deficient in CD8+ T cells and anti-CD8-treated C57BL/6 animals. The enhanced responses could be attributed to increased numbers of activated NK1.1+CD3- cells. The day 7 NK cell responses in beta 2-m-/- mice, but not in normal C57BL/6 animals, were cyclosporin A sensitive and coincided with IL-2 production and high affinity IL-2R expression on NK cells. Proof that IL-2 played an essential role in day 7 responses was provided by the observation that IL-2-/- x beta 2-m-/- mice lacked the late NK cell activation. Taken together, these results showed that NK cells can be activated and expanded by an IL-2-dependent pathway. Because these responses can only be measured in the absence of CD8+ T lymphocytes, an exciting model of networking between T and NK cells in response to viruses is postulated.

IL-2-dependent NK cell responses discovered in virus-infected beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice

In vivo NK cell responses to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus were studied in CD8+ T cell-deficient mice. On day 7 after infection, dramatically elevated splenic NK cell activities were observed in both beta 2-microglobulin-negative (beta 2-m-/-) mice deficient in CD8+ T cells and anti-CD8-treated C57BL/6 animals. The enhanced responses could be attributed to increased numbers of activated NK1.1+CD3- cells. The day 7 NK cell responses in beta 2-m-/- mice, but not in normal C57BL/6 animals, were cyclosporin A sensitive and coincided with IL-2 production and high affinity IL-2R expression on NK cells. Proof that IL-2 played an essential role in day 7 responses was provided by the observation that IL-2-/- x beta 2-m-/- mice lacked the late NK cell activation. Taken together, these results showed that NK cells can be activated and expanded by an IL-2-dependent pathway. Because these responses can only be measured in the absence of CD8+ T lymphocytes, an exciting model of networking between T and NK cells in response to viruses is postulated.

A flow cytometric method for counting very low levels of white cells in blood and blood components

Reduction of white cells (WBCs) in blood components may reduce the risk of virus transmission and HLA alloimmunization. Filtration provides a means by which to achieve high-efficiency WBC reduction. A method has been developed using flow cytometry to quantitate the number of WBCs in WBC-reduced packed red cells or platelet concentrates. This method uses a detergent and propidium iodide (PI) solution to label the WBC nuclei and incorporates a known amount of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled chicken red cells (cRBCs) into the mixture as an indicator of the volume examined. The number of observed WBCs per mL is calculated as follows: Number of PI WBC nuclei events/Number of FITC cRBC events x Number of FITC cRBCs added to mixture/Volume of blood in mixture. The method may allow the detection of WBCs at a concentration as low as 0.01 per microliters (10/mL) in a blood sample. It is an efficient method of collecting data, as it requires less than 10 minutes per sample. This flow cytometric technique is suitable for research purposes and for quality control of WBC-reduced blood components, because it is precise and can be used to quantitate WBCs in large or small numbers in a sample.

Immunological consequences of T cell-specific expression of H-2Kb molecules in transgenic mice

CBA (H-2k) mice carrying a H-2Kb transgene (CD2Kb) linked to transcriptional control elements from the human CD2 gene express H-2Kb at high levels on all thymocytes and peripheral T cells. However, skin grafts from two independent transgenic lineages, CD2Kb-2 and CD2Kb-3, are not rejected by recipient CBA mice. Although mice from both lineages tolerate H-2Kb disparate skin grafts, tolerance is maintained by different mechanisms because H-2Kb-specific cytotoxic T cells cannot be generated in vitro using CD2Kb-2 responder spleen cells, but can be generated when responder cells are from CD2Kb-3 mice. Furthermore, H-2Kb-restricted cytotoxic T cell responses directed against minor histocompatibility antigens can be obtained from CD2Kb-2 responder mice. Thus, negative and positive selection of immature thymocytes seems to take place in CD2Kb-2 mice, even though the pattern of H-2Kb expression is modified by the CD2Kb transgene. In contrast, H-2Kb-specific cytotoxic T cell precursors are not eliminated in CD2Kb-3 mice, even though all thymocytes express H-2Kb in these mice. However, these potentially autoreactive H-2Kb-specific T cells are apparently inactive in vivo and fail to lyse syngeneic CD2Kb-3 target cells in vitro, even when activated to lyse other H-2Kb-expressing cells. These results reveal that tolerance in CD2Kb-3 mice is induced either by a non-deletional mechanism or by partial elimination of a subset of cytotoxic T cell precursors capable of recognizing H-2Kb as a target antigen.

Relationship of C5a receptor modulation to the functional responsiveness of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to C5a

The relationship of C5a receptor expression on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to the functional response of these cells to C5a was studied using flow cytometry. C5a receptor expression was determined with a fluorescein conjugate of C5a and oxidative burst activity was monitored by conversion of dichlorofluorescein to dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as a measure of H2O2 production. These studies showed that after incubation of PMN with increasing concentrations of C5a, and allowing for internalization of bound ligand, more than 40% of the cell surface C5a receptors were internalized before the DCF response to optimal concentrations of C5a was decreased below the levels for untreated control cells. Although C5a responsiveness was lost after preincubation with 10(-8) M C5a, cells remained responsive to formyl peptide. In other studies, cells were preincubated with unlabeled C5a under conditions that provided for internalization of nearly all C5a receptors. PMN were then cultured for up to 90 min and monitored for C5a receptor reexpression and return of cell function. In these studies, the DCF response of PMN to C5a returned to 100% much earlier than the cells regained full expression of C5a receptors. The DCF response to formyl peptide remained intact throughout the period of C5a receptor reexpression. These studies showed that once > 40% of the original population of C5a receptors are reexpressed on the PMN, that these cells regain 100% of their functional responsiveness to C5a in the DCF assay. Evaluation of the affinity and number of C5a receptors using 125I-labeled C5a after receptor reexpression showed that maximal receptor reexpression was approximately 73% of that obtained with control cells and the Kd of reexpressed receptors was 0.60 vs 0.94 nM for control cells. These studies demonstrate that only a portion of the total C5a receptors expressed on PMN are essential to stimulate a 100% functional response in PMN and that the reexpressed receptors are capable of transducing a signal that activates the oxidative burst in these cells.

Relationship of C5a receptor modulation to the functional responsiveness of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to C5a

The relationship of C5a receptor expression on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to the functional response of these cells to C5a was studied using flow cytometry. C5a receptor expression was determined with a fluorescein conjugate of C5a and oxidative burst activity was monitored by conversion of dichlorofluorescein to dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as a measure of H2O2 production. These studies showed that after incubation of PMN with increasing concentrations of C5a, and allowing for internalization of bound ligand, more than 40% of the cell surface C5a receptors were internalized before the DCF response to optimal concentrations of C5a was decreased below the levels for untreated control cells. Although C5a responsiveness was lost after preincubation with 10(-8) M C5a, cells remained responsive to formyl peptide. In other studies, cells were preincubated with unlabeled C5a under conditions that provided for internalization of nearly all C5a receptors. PMN were then cultured for up to 90 min and monitored for C5a receptor reexpression and return of cell function. In these studies, the DCF response of PMN to C5a returned to 100% much earlier than the cells regained full expression of C5a receptors. The DCF response to formyl peptide remained intact throughout the period of C5a receptor reexpression. These studies showed that once > 40% of the original population of C5a receptors are reexpressed on the PMN, that these cells regain 100% of their functional responsiveness to C5a in the DCF assay. Evaluation of the affinity and number of C5a receptors using 125I-labeled C5a after receptor reexpression showed that maximal receptor reexpression was approximately 73% of that obtained with control cells and the Kd of reexpressed receptors was 0.60 vs 0.94 nM for control cells. These studies demonstrate that only a portion of the total C5a receptors expressed on PMN are essential to stimulate a 100% functional response in PMN and that the reexpressed receptors are capable of transducing a signal that activates the oxidative burst in these cells.

C5a and formyl peptide receptor regulation on human monocytes

Regulation of C5a and formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine-lysine (fMLPL) receptors on human monocytes has been studied using fluorescein-conjugated derivatives and flow cytometry. Monocytes have receptors for each of these ligands, as evidenced by their ability to bind specifically biologically active fluorescein derivatives of these ligands. Quenching experiments showed that bound fluoresceinated C5a and fMLPL are rapidly internalized at 37 degrees C. Once internalized, monocytes are able to reexpress these receptors, returning to control levels within approximately 90 min. This contrasts with rate differences seen in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), where fMLPL receptors return more rapidly (approximately 30 min) than do C5a receptors (approximately 100 min). Monensin inhibited the reexpression of C5a but not fMLPL receptors, suggesting that a receptor recycling process is necessary to replenish C5a receptors on the monocyte surface. Similar although less efficient inhibition of C5a receptor reexpression was observed with NH4Cl treatment. Reexpression of both C5a and fMLPL receptors was independent of extracellular Ca2+. Treatment with various agents known to stimulate monocytes and PMNs increased the expression of fMLPL receptors in both cell types but either had no effect on or reduced the level of C5a receptor expression. This would indicate that monocytes, like PMNs, have intracellular pools of preformed fMLPL receptors, available for reexpression. These studies show that, like PMNs, monocytes modulate C5a and fMLPL receptors through different mechanisms. Furthermore, monocytes are capable of reexpressing these receptors following exposure to ligand, a theoretical requirement for chemotaxis.

Variation in chemosensitivity and the control of dietary selection behaviour in the locust

Investigations into the behavioural and underlying physiological mechanisms of dietary selection are presented for the locust, Locusta migratoria. Locusts were fed for 4, 8 or 12 h on one of four chemically defined artificial diets: diet PC, which was nutritionally complete; diet P, containing no digestible carbohydrate; diet C, containing no protein; and diet O, which lacked both protein and digestible carbohydrate. Following this pretreatment, the locusts were provided with both the P and the C diet in a choice test. Detailed analyses of selection behaviour indicated that diets lacking a nutrient for which the insect was deficient were either rejected before a meal was initiated, or, if feeding commenced, eaten in meals of only short duration, while those containing the appropriate nutrients were accepted more readily and eaten in longer meals. Electrophysiological studies showed that this behaviour was paralleled by nutrient-specific changes in gustatory responsiveness. Locusts pretreated for 4h on C diet had increased gustatory responsiveness to stimulation with an amino acid mix, but not to sucrose, while insects fed on P diet showed increased responsiveness to stimulation with sucrose, but not to the amino acid mix. This result is consistent with earlier experiments in which levels of blood nutrients were shown to modulate taste responsiveness in the locust.

Relationship of chemotactic receptors for formyl peptide and C5a to CR1, CR3, and Fc receptors on human neutrophils

The co-expression of C5a and formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine-lysine (FMLPL) receptors with CR1, CR3, and Fc receptors on human neutrophils (PMN) was studied. Fluorescein-conjugated C5a (FL-C5a) and FMLPL (FL-FMLPL) were used to identify C5a and formyl peptide receptors. CR1, CR3, and Fc receptors were identified with monoclonal antibodies and a Texas red-labeled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin second step reagent. The co-expression of chemotactic receptors with CR1, CR3, or Fc receptors was evaluated using two-color flow cytometry. A direct correlation between the degree of expression of receptors for FL-FMLPL and the expression of CR3, CR1, and Fc receptors on individual PMN was observed. In contrast, no correlation between the degree of C5a receptor expression and CR1, CR3, or Fc receptor expression was found. Similar results were obtained with PMN after up regulation of CR1, CR3, Fc, and FMLPL receptors by incubation at 37 degrees C for 10 min with or without phorbol myristate acetate. These data suggest that the expression of FMLPL, CR1, CR3, and Fc receptors are regulated in a similar manner, whereas C5a receptor expression is regulated independently. Furthermore, these data indicate that within a given population of PMN, a parallel exists between the degree of CR1, CR3, FMLPL, and Fc receptor expression on individual cells.

Sensory-specific satiety: food-specific reduction in responsiveness of ventral forebrain neurons after feeding in the monkey

It has been shown previously that some neurons in the lateral hypothalamus and substantia innominata respond to the sight of food, others to the taste of food, and others to the sight or taste of food, in the hungry monkey. It is shown here that feeding to satiety decreases the responses of hypothalamic neurons to the sight and/or taste of a food on which the monkey has been satiated, but leaves the responses of the same neurons to other foods on which the monkey has not been satiated relatively unchanged. This suggests that the responses of these neurons in the ventral forebrain are related to sensory-specific satiety, an important phenomenon which regulates food intake. In sensory-specific satiety, the pleasantness of the sight or taste of a food becomes less after it is eaten to satiety, whereas the pleasantness of the sight or taste of other foods which have not been eaten is much less changed; correspondingly, food intake is greater if foods which have not already been eaten to satiety are offered.

Use of high-resolution 31P-labeled topical magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor in vivo tumor metabolism in rats

A probe using a single-tuned solenoid coil has been constructed to study in vivo metabolism of rats in a wide-bore Bruker nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. Transplantable rat mammary adenocarcinomas (estrogen receptor negative) were implanted into the hind leg muscle of 8-week-old rats. The other leg without tumor was used as a control. Tumor metabolism could be distinguished from that of surrounding muscle by the appearance of inorganic phosphate and sugar phosphate resonances, reflecting tissue necrosis, and increased glycolysis. Tumor growth was accompanied by an increase in the size of these peaks, and the chemical shifts of the inorganic phosphate peak indicated that the intracellular pH became more acidic. Administration of methotrexate (i.v.) reversed these patterns and decreased tumor volume. Changes in the phosphocreatine peaks indicated changes in tumor volume rather than in tumor metabolism. These studies show that topical magnetic resonance not only can monitor the growth of tumors in vivo but can be also used to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Application of the reverse dept polarization-transfer pulse sequence to monitor in vitro and in vivo metabolism of 13C-ethanol by 1H-NMR spectroscopy

Using the reverse 13C----1H DEPT polarization-transfer pulse sequence the metabolism of 13C ethanol in vitro and in vivo has been monitored by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Using yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, acetaldehyde, the hydrated form of acetaldehyde and acetate were identified as metabolites of [2-13C]-ethanol. The ratio of hydrated to free acetaldehyde was dependent upon the protein concentration of the reaction mixture. Binding of acetaldehyde in an irreversible Schiffs base resulted in optimal enzyme activity. Hepatocytes from rats fasted for 20 h, metabolised [1-13C] and [2-13C]ethanol in a linear fashion, but no [13C]acetaldehyde was detected. Metabolic integrity of the hepatocytes was confirmed with [2-13C]acetate. The addition of disulfiram (50 micron) to hepatocyte suspensions which had been incubated with [1-13C]ethanol, resulted in the resynthesis of [13C]ethanol. The amount of [13C]ethanol resynthesized under these conditions represents intracellular acetaldehyde whose concentration was in the range of 400-800 mumol/g wet weight of hepatocytes when 50 mM ethanol had been originally incubated with the hepatocyte suspension. These studies show how NMR-polarization transfer pulse sequences can be used to monitor the metabolism of 13C-ethanol in vivo, and provide a unique tool to measure in vivo concentrations of acetaldehyde. The studies also suggest that cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase may play a major role in hepatic ethanol metabolism.

Estimation of H+ to adenosine 5'-triphosphate stoichiometry of Escherichia coli ATP synthase using 31P NMR

High-field 31P NMR techniques have been used to measure transmembrane delta pH in wild-type, unc A, and hem A mutants of Escherichia coli. delta psi was measured by distribution methods with radioactive tetraphenylphosphonium bromide and 86Rb+ ions as the probes, while intracellular ATP, ADP, and inorganic phosphate concentrations were determined from the 31P NMR spectra. delta G'p and the stoichiometry for ATP synthesis [delta G'p/(F delta p)] were then calculated. The stoichiometry of the ATP synthase was found to vary as a function of the cellular metabolic state. In nongrowing, wild-type cells delta p was 192 +/- 16 mV with succinate as the substrate and saturating oxygen tension. With limiting oxygen (congruent to microM oxygen), delta p was 125 +/- 14 mV. Nucleoside triphosphate synthesis was observed in both cases. The H+/ATP stoichiometry varied from 2.15 +/- 0.35 under aerobic conditions to 3.6 +/- 0.8 at low oxygen tension. delta p for unc A cells was 140 +/- 14 mV with glucose as the substrate (greater than 2.5 microM oxygen) and for hem A mutants was 115 +/- 10 mV. The bulk phase potentials in oxygen-limited, wild-type cells and in respiratory deficient (hem A) cells are comparable, but in the former the ATPase is poised for synthesis while in the latter it generates delta p. The data support a role for localized interactions between the redox and the ATPase sites.

The regulation of feeding: locusts and blowflies are not so different from mammals

The regulation of feeding in two insect groups, the locusts and the blowflies, is reviewed. The patterning of feeding is discussed first, and then the underlying mechanisms are considered in detail. The concept of "central excitability" is the key to understanding the controls of feeding. It represents a central nervous mechanism for tuning the sensitivity of the insect to food-related stimuli. The level of central excitation is influenced positively by food and also non-food stimuli, both from within and outside the animal, and negatively by deterrent stimuli and by feedbacks from peripheral systems such as stretch receptors on the gut wall, hormones and blood composition. Sustained gustatory input is required if feeding is to continue, once initiated. The level of central excitation present as a meal begins influences ingestion rate and the amounts of negative feedback tolerated before feeding stops. The duration of intervals between meals is then a function of a number of excitatory stimuli and of feeding-induced changes which reduce the likelihood of further feeding, e.g., hormone release, changes in nutrient composition or osmotic pressure of the blood, and gut distension. Other areas reviewed include changes in the regulation of feeding during the life history and the control of drinking.

Chemical clastogenicity in lymphoid cell lines of chromosomal instability syndromes

Long-term lymphoid cell lines (LCL) derived from normal individuals, patients with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), and Fanconi anemia (FA) were exposed to various concentrations of 11 chemical clastogens. The agents were chosen to represent a variety of suggested modes of action. In contrast to all other genotypes, the FA lines demonstrated significant rates of spontaneous chromosomal breakage and showed hypersensitivity to all of the clastogens employed. Variability among lines within a genotype suggested individual responses to specific agents. Computation of "corrected values" to address the problem of baseline disparity removed some of the significant differences between the FA and other lines. Nonetheless, following correction, the FA genotype was still delineated by clastogens which are not DNA cross-linkers. The A-T lines were specifically identified by the induction of chromosome damage by bleomycin and neocarzinostatin.

High-field phosphorus NMR studies of the stoichiometry of the lactate/proton carrier in Streptococcus faecalis

High-field 31P-NMR studies of whole cells of Streptococcus faecalis have shown that delta pH can be formed by ATP hydrolysis and also by lactate transport. We have used 31P-NMR to measure the pH dependence of the variable stoichiometry of the proton/lactate carrier. At low external pH (pH approximately equal to 6.5) the influx stoichiometry was 1.1 H+/lactate, while at high pH (7.5) the ratio was almost 2; the apparent midpoint pH of this variable stoichiometry is 7. delta psi measurements support the electrogenic nature of lactate transport at high pH; the variable rate of membrane depolarization caused by lactate transport also had a midpoint near pH 7.0. The data is consistent with a symmetrical carrier operating with variable stoichiometry as proposed by Michels et al.

Bronchodilator effects of salbutamol powder administered via Rotahaler and of terbutaline aerosol administered via Misthaler. A comparison study in children with asthma

A study to compare the bronchodilator effect of salbutamol powder (Ventolin, 200 micrograms) administered via a Rotahaler (SR), with that of terbutaline sulphate (Bricanyl, 500 micrograms) administered via a Misthaler (TM) was carried out in 25 children with stable moderate to severe asthma. The bronchodilator effects of salbutamol powder and terbutaline sulphate were measured by means of spirometry and clinical assessment in a double-blind, randomized fashion. The children were monitored for three hours after administration of the medication on three consecutive days. The administration of salbutamol via a Rotahaler and of terbutaline sulphate via a Misthaler resulted in significant bronchodilatation as measured by peak expiratory flow rate and spirometry. There was a significant trend for SR to give greater bronchodilatation than TM at several time intervals. Over 70% (18 of 25) of the children in this study preferred the Ventolin Rotahaler to the Bricanyl Misthaler. Both SR and TM give effective bronchodilatation and, consequently, these devices should be particularly useful in younger children who have difficulty with managing standard, metered aerosols.

Increased clastogenicity and decreased inhibition of DNA synthesis by neocarzinostatin and tallysomycin in ataxia telangiectasia lymphoid cells

Cytogenetic damage in cells cultured from normal individuals and patients with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) was induced by the chemotherapeutic antibiotics neocarzinostatin (NCS), tallysomycin (TLM) and bleomycin (BLM). Chromosomal breakage was specifically elevated in A-T cells when compared to the other genotypes tested. Similar results were not observed with the clastogens mitomycin C (MMC) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) as all cells responded similarly. All 5 chemical agents caused a marked suppression of de novo DNA synthesis in normal and XP long-term lymphoid cell lines while the A-T cells seemed resistant to this effect of NCS, TLM and BLM.

The identification of fanconi anemia genotypes by clastogenic stress

Clastogen-induced chromosome damage was investigated in peripheral lymphocytes of five patients with Fanconi anemia (FA), 10 obligate heterozygotes, 25 normal controls, and four individuals with some clinical manifestations of FA. The two agents used were diepoxybutane (DEB) and mitomycin C (MMC), previously reported to be specific for the induction of increased chromosome breakage in FA cells. Following clastogenic stress, two of the five FA patients did not exhibit the expected increase in chromosomal damage while three of the four "non-FA" individuals did. In this series of subjects, the possibility of misdiagnosis is considerable when based on either clinical delineation or cytogenetic results alone. Therefore, the integration of both laboratory data and physical findings is essential before reaching a diagnosis. Furthermore, the broad range of response in both the control group and the parents of FA patients yields overlapping results, making reliable heterozygote detection impractical by these procedures.

Comparison of peak expiratory flow rate and forced expiratory volume in one second in histamine challenge studies in children

The difficulty in performing FEV1 in young children prompted us to assess whether PEFR could be used to measure the response to inhaled histamine. In 123 children with recurrent respiratory symptoms we found a highly significant correlation (r = 0.83, P less than 0.001) between the percentage fall from base-line of FEV1 and PEFR. We also performed histamine challenge tests using PEFR alone on 56 children too young to manage spirometry and found our procedure reliable. PEFR is an adequate measurement in histamine provocation studies and can be used interchangeably with FEV1. The criterion for a positive test is a 20% fall in either PEFR or FEV1.

A family study of spontaneous sister chromatid exchange frequency

The frequency of spontaneous sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was determined in PHA-stimulated peripheral lymphocytes of 52 individuals, comprising 12 complete 2-generation pedigrees. Neither intraindividual variation between replicate cultures established from the same blood sample nor variation among samples from the same individual initiated at different times was significant. However, familial factors affecting mean SCE frequencies were indicated by detection of significant differences among, but not within, families. Although sample sizes were small, a genetic contribution to the SCE frequency was suggested by the observed pattern of familial correlations.

The effect of bleomycin on DNA synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia lymphoid cells

Bleomycin, a radiomimetic glycopeptide, inhibits de novo DNA synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblastoid B cells to a markedly lesser extent than in normal and xeroderma pigmentosum lymphoid cells. This observation is similar to that following ionizing radiation; however, the effect is slower following the chemical treatment. Recovery of the normal cells occurs 15-18 hours after treatment, whereas the ataxia telangiectasia lines do not attain normal levels of DNA synthesis during the entire 24-hour observation period. Similar differences were not observed following treatment with mitomycin C, a bifunctional alkylating agent, indicating a specific effect of bleomycin on DNA synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia cells. Following bleomycin treatment and preincubation with hydroxyurea, residual DNA synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia cells was similar to that in both normal and xeroderma pigmentosum lymphoid cells, suggesting that the capacity to repair the induced DNA lesion is present.

The cytogenetic response of Fanconi's anemia lymphoblastoid cell lines to various clastogens

Cytogenetic damage was investigated in long term lymphoid cell lines derived from normal individuals, patients with Fanconi's anemia (FA), ataxia telangiectasia (AT), xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), and FA heterozygotes. The cell lines were exposed to various concentrations of four chemical clastogens, including the alkylating agents diepoxybutane, mitomycin C, and nitrogen mustard, as well as the antitumor glycopeptide bleomycin. The FA cells exhibited chromosomal hypersensitivity to all four clastogens and could be distinguished from the other genotypes. AT cells were identified by bleomycin, while FA heterozygotes could not be reliably detected. Discriminant function analysis was used to describe the cytogenetic response to the various clastogens. This method might prove useful for evaluation and classification of multivariate chromosome breakage studies.

Bronchial reactivity in cystic fibrosis with normal pulmonary function

We studied 20 children with cystic fibrosis who had relatively normal pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume greater than or equal to 70% of predicted) to determine whether demonstration of heightened bronchial reactivity in this group reflects coexistent asthma. Using a standardized histamine provocation, we found that eight (40%) had a positive response. These responders were significantly younger than the nonresponders, had a greater incidence of clinical asthma, and all were atopic on skin testing. However, they had a significantly higher ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity than the nonresponders. Although as a group they were less sensitive to histamine than children with asthma, four of the responders with cystic fibrosis had histamine sensitivity similar to a group of asthmatic patients. We concluded that, in the presence of mild lung disease, the demonstration of heightened bronchial reactivity in children with cystic fibrosis may provide confirmatory evidence of coexistent asthma, particularly if the children are highly sensitive to histamine.

The identification of Y chromosome translocations following Distamycin A treatment

Pretreatment of PHA-stimulated lymphocyte cultures from normal males with 100 micrograms/ml Distamycin A for the final 24 h of incubation led to a striking decondensation of the heterochromatic portion of the long arm of the Y chromosome. The despiralized region of Yq maintained its fluorescent properties in this altered morphologic state. Two cases of Y chromosome translocation (Y/22 and Y/X) were identified with this technique. A review of the literature revealed 62 similar cases in which the phenotypic-karyotypic correlations were instrumental in the prenatal counseling of the family with the Y/22 translocation.

Specificity of bleomycin-induced cytotoxic effects on ataxia telangiectasia lymphoid cell lines

Bleomycin exposure evoked a specific sensitivity in five ataxia telangiectasia (AT) long-term lymphoblastoid cell lines when compared to lines derived from four normal individuals or three patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. At all concentrations tested or after each treatment regimen, statistically significant differences in viability and cytogenetic damage were obvious, with the AT cell lines demonstrating reduced survival and increased chromosomal breakage. However, similar differences were not observed following treatment of all cell lines with mitomycin C. The normal and xeroderma pigmentosum cells appear capable of overcoming the effects of bleomycin during a 48- or 72-hr recovery period while the AT cell lines could not. This specific response to bleomycin constitutes the first demonstration of increased chromosome breakage in vitro in long-term AT lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Allergen skin-prick testing in asthmatic children

Allergen skin-prick tests to the common airborne allergens were performed on 534 children with asthma. A positive reaction to one or more allergens was observed in 81%, and the prevalence increased with age. The specific allergen reactions were characteristic with a high prevalence of reactions to house-dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) (88%), house dust (79%, and cat fur (62%), and a low prevalence of grass-pollen reactions (12% to 25%). We found that the diagnosis of atopy could be made in virtually all (96%) of these children by using only three allergens: D. pteronyssinus, cat fur, and rye grass.

Growth kinetics of ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cells. Evidence for a prolonged S period

Growth rates were investigated in long-term lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from normal individuals and patients with ataxia telangiectasia (ATR). By a cell doubling method, sister chromatid exchanges, and autoradiography, the ATR cells showed a significantly longer total generation time. Autoradiography demonstrated that the difference in cell cycle was due to a specific lengthening of the S period in the ATR lymphoblasts.