Alpha B-crystallin exists as an independent protein in the heart and in the lens

Alpha B-crystallin, a polypeptide of molecular mass 22 kDa, is considered to be one of two subunits (alpha A and alpha B) of the multimeric lens-specific protein, alpha-crystallin. Recent demonstrations of the extra-lenticular presence of alpha B-crystallin have suggested that outside of the lens, this polypeptide may have functions independent of alpha A. Within the lens however, as part of the protein alpha-crystallin, its function is assumed to be structural. In an effort to investigate the functional status of alpha B-crystallin in the lens, we have characterized this polypeptide in the rat heart and the human lens. Unequivocal identity of alpha B-crystallin in the rat heart and the rat lens was established by the sequence analyses of the respective cDNA clones. Size exclusion chromatography (FPLC) and immunoblotting showed that in the rat heart, alpha B-crystallin exists as an aggregate of 300-400 kDa average molecular mass, similar to that of purified alpha B-crystallin isolated from bovine lens. Interestingly, analysis of the human lens proteins by immunoblotting showed that, with age, unlike alpha A-crystallin, the alpha B subunit remains detectable in the soluble fractions derived from normal lenses as old as 82 years. Importantly, the average molecular mass of the alpha B subunit in the soluble fractions prepared from 60-80-year-old human lens nuclei was also found to be 300-400 kDa. These data lead to the conclusion that alpha B-crystallin may exist as an independent protein not only in non-lens tissues (e.g. heart) but in the lens as well.

Progress in studies on the antimutagenicity and anticarcinogenicity of green tea epicatechins

An antioxidative fraction was extracted from green tea and the major compounds in the fraction identified as epicatechins. Experimental results showed that green tea epicatechin compounds (GTEC) inhibited the mutagenicity and/or chromosomal damage caused by different carcinogens in both bacterial and mammalian cells. In vitro, GTEC inhibited transformation of BALB/3T3 cells induced by BP, X-rays, or MCA/TPA. In vivo, green tea extract decreased the incidence of carcinoma in the forestomach and esophagus of mice induced by sarcosine and NaNO2. GTEC inhibited the development of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive foci in the livers of rats treated with diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) or DEN/phenobarbital. Our investigations indicate that the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic mechanisms of GTBC are related to the following: increased glutathione-S-transferase activity; inhibition of edema, hyperplasia, and ODC activity induced by TPA; free radical scavenging; blocked tumor promoter-induced inhibition of intercellular communication; and enhanced cell-mediated immunity. GTEC might be useful in the prevention of some kinds of cancer and a variety of oxidation-related diseases.

Suppression of lymphocyte signal transduction by murine mastocytoma ascites

The lymphocyte signal transduction, as determined by intracellular free Ca2+ mobilization of concanavalin A-stimulated T lymphocytes and of anti-immunoglobulin mu chain antibody-stimulated B lymphocytes, was suppressed in spleen cells from mice injected with murine P1.HTR mastocytoma-induced ascites and in spleen cells treated with the ascites in vitro. The suppression was observed both at the peak level and in the reactive pattern of Ca2+ influx. In the suppression, the ascites were replaceable with tumor culture supernatants or tumor homogenates. Correspondingly, primary and secondary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses of DBA/2 mice to allogeneic antigen were also significantly suppressed by injection of the syngeneic P1.HTR tumor-derived ascites. This new finding suggested that the mechanism of the tumorous ascites or of the tumor-derived factor-mediated immunosuppression involves at least in part the suppression of the early event of the signal transduction for lymphocyte activation.

Purification, gene cloning, and sequence analysis of an L-isoaspartyl protein carboxyl methyltransferase from Escherichia coli

Mammalian tissues contain protein carboxyl methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to the free carboxyl groups of D-aspartyl or L-isoaspartyl residues (EC 2.1.1.77). These enzymes have been postulated to play a role in the repair and/or degradation of spontaneously damaged proteins. We have now characterized a similar activity from Escherichia coli that recognizes L-isoaspartyl-containing peptides as well as protein substrates such as ovalbumin. The enzyme was purified by DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, Sephadex G-100, polyaspartate, and reversed-phase chromatography and was shown to consist of a single 24-kDa polypeptide chain. The sequence determined for the N-terminal 39 residues was used to design an oligonucleotide probe that allowed the precise localization of its structural gene (pcm) on the physical map of the E. coli chromosome at 59 min. Transformation of E. coli cells with a plasmid containing DNA from this region results in a 3-4-fold overproduction of enzyme activity. The nucleotide sequence determined for the pcm gene and its flanking regions was used to deduce a mature amino acid sequence of 207 residues with a calculated molecular weight of 23,128. This sequence shows 30.8% sequence identity with the human L-isoaspartyl/D-aspartyl methyltransferase and suggests that this enzyme catalyzes a fundamental reaction in both procaryotic and eucaryotic cells.

Oxidative degradation of cationic metalloporphyrins in the presence of nucleic acids: a way to binding constants?

Mn(III) and Fe(III) complexes of meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (M-TMePyP) and related hybrid molecules ("metalloporphyrin-ellipticine") were activated by potassium monopersulfate in the presence of variable calf thymus (CT) DNA and NaCl concentrations. Monitored by visible spectroscopy (Soret band), fast degradation of the free metalloprophyrin was observed while the DNA-bound form appeared protected. This direct quantitation of free versus bound metalloporphyrin ratios allowed determination of binding constants: Mn- and Fe-TMePyP respectively bind to CT DNA (5 mM phosphate buffer, 0.1 M NaCl, pH 7) with K = 3 X 10(4) and 1.2 X 10(4) M-1. Mn-TMePyP showed a greater affinity for poly[d(A-T)] (K = 1.2 X 10(5) M-1) than for poly[d(G-C)] (K = 0.2 X 10(4) M-1). This method allowed us access to the intrinsic DNA affinity of the metalloporphyrin moiety of the hybrid molecules "metalloporphyrin-ellipticine".

Dynamic filtration of blood: a new concept for enhancing plasma filtration

We have shown previously that blood flow pulsations created by intermittent squeezing of the inlet blood line significantly increased the plasma filtration rate in membrane plasmapheresis. However, in order to avoid hemolysis, the filtration increase had to be limited to about 50%. We have now devised a more efficient pulsation generator. By properly matching the tubing compliance and the pulsation amplitude, it is possible to extract 50 ml/min of plasma from 90 ml/min of blood at 36% hematocrit with a 1000 cm2 polypropylene hollow fiber filter without hemolysis. Simultaneous recording of the time course of plasma filtration rate measured by an electromagnetic flow meter and transmembrane showed that the increase in mean plasma flow rate was due to a dynamic filtration process which prevents the establishment of concentration polarization. The transmembrane pressure (Ptm) increases over a 0.5-second interval when the tube is squeezed. The membrane responds with an increase in filtration since the concentration polarization layer takes a few seconds to build up. The Ptm then drops when the tube is released before the polarization layer has time to build up appreciably and a sudden acceleration of the blood flow (velocity spike) helps clean the membrane, reducing the polarization. Tests with bovine show that the system is very efficient in reducing membrane plugging with small area filters.

Dehydroandrographolide succinic acid monoester as an inhibitor against the human immunodeficiency virus

Dehydroandrographolide succinic acid monoester (DASM) is the dehydroandrographolyl ester of succinic acid; and andrographolide, from which DASM is made, is the major diterpenoid lactone found in the Chinese medicinal herb, Andrographis paniculata. DASM has been found to be an inhibitor against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. It was nontoxic to the H9 cell at the concentrations of 50-200 (average, 108) micrograms/ml and was inhibitory to the HIV-1 (IIIB) at the minimal concentration of 1.6-3.1 (average 2.0) micrograms/ml. It was also inhibitory to two other strains of HIV-1 and a strain of HIV-2. This inhibitory effect could also be demonstrated in cultures of activated human blood mononuclear cells; the 50% toxic dose and the 50% HIV inhibitory dose were about 200-greater than or equal to 400 and 0.8-2 micrograms/ml, respectively. At the subtoxic concentration, DASM partially interfered with HIV-induced cell fusion and with the binding of HIV to the H9 cell. Presumably, it also interfered with HIV replication at another unidentified step(s).

[Constituents of the root of Berneuxia thibetica Decne]

Three crystals have been isolated from the root of Berneuxia thibetica. On the basis of spectral data, crystals A and B have been identified as chrysosplenetin B and 22,23-dihydrospinasterone respectively, while crystal C is a mix of spinasterol and 22,23-dihydrospinasterol.

Syntheses and in vitro evaluation of water-soluble "cationic metalloporphyrin-ellipticine" molecules having a high affinity for DNA

The synthesis of hybrid "cationic metalloporphyrin-intercalator" molecules is reported. These molecules are based on 9-methoxyellipticine as intercalator and tris-(4-N-methylpyridiniumyl)metalloporphyrins having a 4-aminophenyl or a 4-hydroxyphenyl group for the attachment of the linker. The effect of the length of linker (7-13 bonds), the chemical nature of the linking group (with a carboxamido or an ether function), the position of amino group between the two parts of hybrid molecules, the number of intercalator moieties (ellipticinium) covalently attached to the metalloporphyrin, and the nature of the central metal atom (Mn, Fe, Zn) on the biological activity of these hybrid molecules were studied. In addition, these molecules have a high affinity for double-stranded DNA (affinity constant of hybrid molecule 9Mn,Me = 2.3 x 10(9) M-1 for poly[d(A-T)] and 2.8 x 10(8) M-1 for poly[d(G-C)] and are cytotoxic against murine leukemia cells L1210 in vitro (IC50 of 9Mn,Me = 0.8 microM). Their cytotoxicities are dependent on the nature of central atom. Iron derivatives are less active than manganese analogues and the corresponding zinc derivatives are nearly inactive despite their same affinity for nucleic acids. These highly water-soluble hybrid molecules could be considered as efficient bleomycin models based on a cationic metalloporphyrin.

Albumin recovery enhancement in membrane plasma fractionation using pulsatile flow

In therapeutic plasmapheresis using cascade filtration, it is important to maximize albumin recovery while rejecting as many gamma-globulins as possible. Several membrane fractionation techniques were investigated using fresh bovine and human plasma and cellulose acetate filters (PF 100, AKZO). In dead end mode the sieving coefficients were found to decrease as transmembrane pressure increased. This was due to membrane plugging during the course of filtration after about 20 minutes which lead to a rapid increase in transmembrane pressure. In single pass mode the albumin recovery factor generally remains around 40% since the permeate flux is much less than the inlet flow. When strong pulsations (4 to 6 Hz) were superposed on the inlet plasma flow in single pass mode, the albumin sieving coefficient remained at about 0.95 while the permeate flux was increased by 106%. As a result a recovery factor of more than 80% could be sustained for at least 90 minutes without membrane plugging. Therefore pulsatile flow plasma fractionation seems to be an interesting approach to combine continuous operation with high albumin recovery.

[Study of dental maturity in children aged 3-16 years in Chengdu]

Dental maturity was studied in a group of 903 healthy children (boys: 465, girls: 438) born in Chengudu from 1972 through 1988. Dental maturity was estimated by the method of Demirjian and Goldstein, which is based on the development of seven left mandibular permanent teeth; teeth formation was studied. The standard and curves of dental maturity for Chengdu children (boys and girls) were constructed. At 3-5 years old, boys had their dental maturity slightly earlier than girls; there was no significant difference between boys and girls (P greater than 0.05). At the age of 7-14, girls were more advanced than boys (P less than 0.05). Developmental curves of seven left mandibular permanent teeth were plotted. The sexual difference was smaller at the crown developmental stage, and it increased during the root development. In all, girls were more advanced by 0.45 year than boys. The maximum average difference was 0.85 year for the canine. The time that each developmental stage has taken was shorter in 50% of girls as compared with that in boys, and it was longer in 28% of girls. There was no difference between boys and girls in the remaining 22% of cases.

[Low birth weight infant and its risk factors]

A case-control study on low birth weight was conducted in Qiaokou District, Wuhan City in 1987. 162 low birth weight infants were included with 324 controls. The controls were matched by stratified birth weights (2500-2999g, 3000-3999g). The results showed that beside incomplete pregnancy, severe edema-proteinuria-hypertension syndrome (OR 5.26, 8.18), insufficient prenatal care (OR 5.90, 10.04), heavy physical work during third pregnancy trimester (OR 2.84, 6.43), undernutrition (OR 3.40, 18.50) and cigarette smoking (OR 1.41, 5.50) are risk factors to low birth weight. These relationships became more evident when the low birth weight infants were compared with the higher birth weight infants of Control Group 2. This suggests that treating pregnant complications and strengthening prenatal care must be done to reduce the birth rate of low birth weight infants.

Oxidative cleavage of DNA mediated by hybrid metalloporphyrin-ellipticine molecules and functionalized metalloporphyrin precursors

The nuclease activity of functionalized metalloporphyrins 1-8 and hybrid metalloporphyrin-ellipticine molecules 10-16 in the presence of potassium monopersulfate (KHSO5) or magnesium monoperoxyphthalate (MMPP), water-soluble oxygen atom donors at physiological pH, toward double-stranded phi X174 DNA is reported. The DNA cleavage efficiency as a function of the nature of functionalized metalloporphyrins, the length of the linkage between the two parts of the hybrid molecule, viz., metalloporphyrin and 9-methoxyellipticine, the nature of the central metal atom (Mn, Fe, or Zn) the ionic strength, and the nature of the oxygen donor has been studied. Single-strand breaks (SSBs) are observed on double-stranded DNA with a short incubation time of 2 min in the presence of manganese derivatives of both metalloporphyrins and hybrid molecules. Owing to their cytotoxic and nuclease activity, these new water-soluble hybrid molecules may be considered as efficient bleomycin models based on cationic metalloporphyrins.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of the Escherichia coli K-12 rfaD gene

The rfaD gene encodes ADP-L-glycero-D-mannoheptose-6-epimerase, an enzyme required for the biosynthesis of the lipopolysaccharide precursor ADP-L-glycerol-D-mannoheptose. The precise localization of the rfaD gene on a 1.3-kilobase SspI-HpaI fragment is reported. The rfaD gene and the flanking regions were completely sequenced. The location of the rfaD gene on the physical map of the Escherichia coli chromosome was determined. Primer extension studies were used to define the regulatory region of the rfaD gene. The cloned rfaD gene directed the synthesis of a 37,000-dalton polypeptide in several in vivo and in vitro expression systems. N-terminal analysis of purified ADP-L-glycero-D-mannoheptose-6-epimerase confirmed the first 34-amino-acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the rfaD gene coding region. The primary structure of the rfaD protein contains the sequence fingerprint for the ADP-binding beta alpha beta fold at the N terminus.

Time and pressure dependence of sieving coefficients during membrane plasma fractionation

The apparent sieving coefficient (S') of a membrane, defined as the ratio of permeate to feed concentration, is not an intrinsic property of the membrane, but depends upon operating conditions. The variation of albumin, IgG, and IgM sieving coefficients with time during dead-end filtration was investigated using human pooled plasma and two types of hollow fiber filters (cellulose acetate PF 100 and ethylene vinyl alcohol Eval 2A). For the same filtrate flux (3.6 10(-3) cm/min) the transmembrane pressure (TMP) rises faster with time for the Eval filter because of its smaller hydraulic permeability (0.26 10(-4) cm/min mmHg vs. 7.3 10(-4). The albumin S' of the PF 100 reaches 0.95 after 20 min of filtration but drops to 0.4 after 50 min, whereas the S' of the Eval filter, which never exceeds 0.6, remains at this level for at least 50 min. By varying the inlet flow rate the authors show that for a given membrane, the critical parameter that governs the S' is the TMP. These data suggest that it is essential to specify the TMP when quoting a value of S', and the most permeable membrane, with the highest maximum S', is not necessarily the one that maximizes the overall recovery over a long period.

Modulation by glycyrrhizin of the cell-surface expression of H-2 class I antigens on murine tumour cell lines and normal cell populations

Glycyrrhizin (GL), a saponin fraction of licorice with defined chemical structure, was shown to display a definite action in vitro augmenting the cell-surface expression of H-2 class I antigens as well as class I gene transcription on various tumour cell lines. The magnitude of augmentation was varied among eight different cell lines tested, but reached more than three times. It was also found that GL enhanced the expression of H-2Dd antigens in some normal cell populations in vivo. The augmentation of H-2 class I antigens on tumour cell lines in vitro was probably not mediated by the interferon, which might have been produced by the cultured cells. These findings may suggest a new immunopharmacological action of GL.

Application of target-specific drug immunoconjugates to experimental bone marrow replacement therapy in mice

Immunoconjugates whose cytotoxic component consists of a phytopeptide are often used as purging agents in bone marrow replacement therapy. Less popular are drug immunoconjugates containing a small molecular weight cytotoxic drug attached to the target-specific conjugand via an appropriate spacer molecule. High target specificity, resistance of the drug to intralysosomal proteases and, once cleaved from the spacer, ready exist of the drug from the lysosome are among the advantages drug immunoconjugates hold over phytotoxin immunoconjugates. The cytotoxic drug daunomycin attached via an acid-sensitive spacer to monoclonal antibody of appropriate specificity was shown to purge murine bone marrow of contaminating tumor cells without affecting its hematopoietic potential. Lethally irradiated mice reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow from which contaminating lymphoma cells had been removed survived indefinitely. Furthermore, lymphoma-bearing mice, provided they were sufficiently irradiated to eliminate tumor cells in situ, were successfully reconstituted with fully allogeneic bone marrow from which potentially graft-versus-host-reactive T-cells had been purged.

Effective drug-antibody targeting using a novel monoclonal antibody against the proliferative compartment of mammalian squamous carcinomas

mAb 174H.64, which selectively recognizes an epitope expressed on the proliferating cells of mammalian squamous carcinomas, was covalently coupled to daunomycin (DM) by an acid-sensitive linker and tested for its selective cytotoxicity for squamous carcinomas. A murine lung squamous carcinoma model for chemoimmunotherapy using mAb 174H.64-DM conjugates was developed. This model utilizes the KLN-205 cell line, which metastasizes to the lungs following i.v. injection and shows a pattern of growth similar to those of spontaneous squamous carcinomas, characterized by highly proliferative cells at the periphery of the tumor (reactive with 174H.64) with the keratinized differentiated cells toward the center (not reactive with 174H.64). 174H.64-DM conjugates showed marked and specific cytotoxicity against KLN-205 cells both in vitro and following i.v. injection of the immunoconjugate in mice with established lung metastases. The conjugate was nearly as effective as daunomycin alone when incubated in vitro with KLN-205 cells and much more effective than daunomycin alone in vivo or other control immunoconjugates, which were ineffective. Finally, while the free 174H.64 mAb produced a significantly increased time of survival of mice bearing KLN-205 metastases, a much greater survival was found with mice treated with the 174H.64-DM immunoconjugate, some mice apparently demonstrating long-term survival (greater than 100 days). We conclude that mAb 174H.64 may have potential therapeutic benefit against squamous carcinoma.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognition of the H-2-erbB hybrid gene product lacking the complete H-2 domain structure

The chimeric mouse MHC class I gene derived from a recombinant H-2Kb gene, in which the coding region for a large part of alpha 1 and alpha 2 extracellular domains was replaced with a partial avian erythroblastosis virus erbB gene segment encoding the kinase domain, was successfully introduced into a mouse mastocytoma line P1.HTR (H-2d) and transcribed to mRNA. The transfectant cells expressed the chimeric gene product, which was reactive to a phosphotyrosine-specific antibody. When the chimeric gene transfectant was inoculated into CDF1(H-2d) or BDF1(H-2d/b) mice, it grew at an early time but regressed thereafter. Transfectant-specific as well as parental P1.HTR-specific antibody activities were demonstrated in the sera of these mice. Transfectant-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated in the antigen-sensitized culture of spleen cells from the transfectant-immune mice. The CTL-mediated lysis of target chimeric gene transfectant cells was poorly inhibited by anti-H-2d antiserum, which blocked the lysis of parental P1.HTR cells by anti-tumor CTL developed in parallel. The former was, however, inhibited by either anti-transfectant antiserum or anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, which was ineffective for blocking the latter. Target cell lysis by either anti-transfectant or anti-tumor CTL was blocked by anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody but not by anti-CD4 antibody. It was suggested from these results that the H-2K-erbB hybrid gene product, which lacks complete three-domain class I structure, was recognized by CTL in a manner that was endogenous H-2 class I-independent but CD8-dependent.

Further evidence for H-2-unrestricted induction of minor histocompatibility antigens-specific T cell immunity in vivo

Antigenic requirements for inducing minor histocompatibility antigens (MIHA)-specific T cell immunity for second set rejection (SSR) of a MIHA-allogeneic tumor were studied. An intravenous injection of surprisingly small numbers (10(4)-10(5] of live allogenetic spleen cells (SC) effectively primed mice for SSR of the allogeneic tumor, and this immunity was developed as early as 2-3 days after injection of the SC. In contrast, sonication-disrupted allogeneic SC, which should be readily processed by host antigen presenting cells (APC), were not active as immunogens, even at a dose 1000 times higher than the minimum effective dose of live SC. The possibility that host APC preferentially receive MIHA antigens shed by live allogeneic SC for T cell activation was ruled out. These results demonstrated that antigen processing via conventional pathways is very little involved in the mechanism of T cell activation. Under such restricted experimental conditions, the induction phase but not the effector phase of the MIHA-specific T cell immunity was shown to be H-2-unrestricted.