Characterization of host range factor 1 (hrf-1) expression in Lymantria dispar M nucleopolyhedrovirus- and recombinant Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus-infected IPLB-Ld652Y cells

We previously identified a gene, host range factor 1 (hrf-1), in Lymantria dispar M nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) which promoted Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) replication in a nonpermissive cell line IPLB-Ld652Y (Ld652Y). A recombinant AcMNPV, vAcLdPS, that bore hrf-1 controlled by two synthetic baculovirus late promoters and that replicated in Ld652Y cells was constructed. In this study, we constructed a new recombinant AcMNPV, vAcLdPD, bearing only hrf-1 controlled by its own promoter. vAcLdPD replicated in Ld652Y cells in the same manner as vAcLdPS, confirming that hrf-1 alone was sufficient to promote AcMNPV replication in Ld652Y cells. hrf-1 was transcribed as a delayed early gene in LdMNPV but as an immediate early gene in both recombinant AcMNPVs. Primer extension analysis showed that the initiator sequence TCAGT was used as the transcription start site in both LdMNPV and recombinant AcMNPVs. Additional sequencing revealed several regulatory motifs in the hrf-1 upstream region. hrf-1 transcripts in LdMNPV- and vAcLdPS-infected Ld652Y cells terminated near the polyadenylation signal at the end of hrf-1 ORF while in vAcLdPD, the hrf-1 transcripts terminated at a downstream polyadenylation signal at the end of ORF 603. Using Western blot analysis, we detected HRF-1 expression in both recombinant AcMNPV-infected Ld652Y cells but not in LdMNPV-infected Ld652Y cells.

Experimental study on the effects of aprotinin on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

Direct effects of a high-dose aprotinin on the normally perfused hearts and the myocardial protection after ischemia and reperfusion were investigated in an isolated working rat heart model. In trial I, hearts had no ischemia and were perfused with either K-H solution or the K-H solution containing aprotinin (200 KIU/ml) for 55 min. No statistically significant difference was observed in hemodynamics between the two groups. In trial II, hearts were exposed to 150 min period of global ischemia at 15 degrees C with 4 degrees C multidose St. Thomas' II solution (STS). The control group I received normal K-H solution; the group II was treated with the solution with aprotinin added. The group III was similar to the group I and received the STS enriched with aprotinin. On reperfusion, the recovery of hearts in group III was significantly better than those of the group I and II, as reflected by better hemodynamics and myocardial ATP levels and milder myocardial ultrastructural injury. There was no difference between the group I and II. These results suggest that the aprotinin a dose of 200 KIU/ml has no harmful effects on normally perfused hearts and has a marked myocardial protective effect on the prolonged myocardial ischemia when used in cold crystalloid cardioplegia.

[The prevention and treatment of complications after esophagogastrostomy by intraluminal elastic circular ligation]

To summarize our experience on the handling of postoperative complications of esophagogastrostomy by elastic circular ligation (IECL), 176 patients with esophageal or cadiac carcinoma underwent esophagogastrostomy by IECL with absorbable supporting tubes were reviewed. There were 7 cases of postoperative complications with an incidence of 3.97%. Of which, anastomotic leakage in 3 patients, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in one and chylothorax in one were cured by conservative measures; one patient with hiatus hernia was treated by reoperation, and another patient died of right tension pneumothorax. After the causes of complications being analysed, improved operative procedures are recommended. (1) The esophagus must be dissociated up to the apex of pleural cavity when anastomosis is performed above the aortic arch, so as to have the lower end of the supporting tube at least 0.5 cm higher than the arch. (2) The supporting tube must be wrapped with the gastric wall and avoid suturing through the esophageal mucosa layer. (3) When the anastomosis is performed below the aortic arch, reconstruction of the hiatus should be done with the esophagus moved forward to prevent the thoracic aorta from eroded by the supporting tube. (4) If the residual gastric volume is less than one-third of normal, the above-mentioned operation procedures can not be employed.

Murine interleukin-11 (IL-11) is expressed at high levels in the hippocampus and expression is developmentally regulated in the testis

IL-11, derived from a bone marrow stromal cell line, has pleiotropic effects on both hematopoietic cells and nonhematopoietic cells. However, no previous studies have systematically addressed expression of IL-11 in primary tissues in vivo and the relationship of IL-11 tissue specific gene expression and function of IL-11 is not clear. In the present study, we examined constitutive IL-11 expression in various murine adult tissues in vivo. IL-11 mRNA is expressed in a wide range of normal tissues (including hematopoietic organs) at levels only detected by RT-PCR. IL-11 protein was detected in brain and testis by Western blot analysis. The in vivo cellular distribution of IL-11 expression was examined by in situ hybridization. In brain, IL-11 message is distributed in granular layer dentate gyrus and pyramidal cell layers of hippocampus. IL-11 is also expressed in anterior horn cells and lateral column neuronal cells of the spinal cord. In testis, IL-11 mRNA is expressed in round spermatids at stage VI-IX seminiferous tubules. IL-11 expression in testis is restricted to developing spermatogonia and is developmentally regulated, since no expression is seen in mice genetically deficient in germ cells and in mice prior to sexual maturation. These expression data correlate with functional data demonstrating that IL-11 stimulates proliferation in vitro of a hippocampus neuronal progenitor cell line and administration of IL-11 in vivo accelerates recovery of spermatogenesis after cytotoxic therapy. These studies suggest that IL-11 may be an important regulator in neural and testicular function.

[Extra-capsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in cases with cataract and a small pupil with synechiae]

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a new surgical technique for cataract with a small synechia pupil and evaluate its effects.

METHODS

43 eyes of 40 patients were operated on and followed up for 3-30 months. Surgical procedures included iridectomy, separating the posterior synechiae, straight cutting of upper iris and making 3 little cuts at inferior pupillary margin, extracapsular cataract extraction, intraocular lens implantation, and at last suturing the iris cuts to form a round pupil.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, all 43 eyes had 3-4 mm basically round pupil and 42 eyes (97.7%) had improved vision. Of the 32 eyes followed up for more than three months, 22 eyes (68.8%) obtained visual acuities 0.5 or better, 10 eyes (31.2%) had visual acuities worse than 0.4 which were attributed to posterior segment abnormalities. Intraoperatively, no posterior capsular rupture was seen, and postoperatively, no severe complications were found.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that patients with cataract and a small synechia pupil obtain improved vision and round pupil without unacceptable risk by means of the surgical technique mentioned in this paper.

Murine interleukin-11 (IL-11) is expressed at high levels in the hippocampus and expression is developmentally regulated in the testis

IL-11, derived from a bone marrow stromal cell line, has pleiotropic effects on both hematopoietic cells and nonhematopoietic cells. However, no previous studies have systematically addressed expression of IL-11 in primary tissues in vivo and the relationship of IL-11 tissue specific gene expression and function of IL-11 is not clear. In the present study, we examined constitutive IL-11 expression in various murine adult tissues in vivo. IL-11 mRNA is expressed in a wide range of normal tissues (including hematopoietic organs) at levels only detected by RT-PCR. IL-11 protein was detected in brain and testis by Western blot analysis. The in vivo cellular distribution of IL-11 expression was examined by in situ hybridization. In brain, IL-11 message is distributed in granular layer dentate gyrus and pyramidal cell layers of hippocampus. IL-11 is also expressed in anterior horn cells and lateral column neuronal cells of the spinal cord. In testis, IL-11 mRNA is expressed in round spermatids at stage VI-IX seminiferous tubules. IL-11 expression in testis is restricted to developing spermatogonia and is developmentally regulated, since no expression is seen in mice genetically deficient in germ cells and in mice prior to sexual maturation. These expression data correlate with functional data demonstrating that IL-11 stimulates proliferation in vitro of a hippocampus neuronal progenitor cell line and administration of IL-11 in vivo accelerates recovery of spermatogenesis after cytotoxic therapy. These studies suggest that IL-11 may be an important regulator in neural and testicular function.

Interleukin-11 prevents apoptosis and accelerates recovery of small intestinal mucosa in mice treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation

Previous studies have shown that acute injury to rodent small intestinal mucosa as a result of either chemotherapy or radiation is caused by a combination of high-frequency cell death caused by apoptosis, continued migration of epithelial cells from the intestinal crypts toward the villi, and absence of adequate compensatory mitotic activity in the crypt bases. Recently, we have shown that IL-11, a novel multifunctional bone marrow stromal-derived growth factor, could stimulate rapid repair of small intestinal villous structures in mice treated with combined radiation and chemotherapy by increasing the mitotic index of crypt cells. To further clarify the biological mechanism responsible for its protective action, we used a similar experimental model to evaluate whether IL-11 could reduce the high frequency of apoptosis observed after cytoablative treatment. In the present study, 78 C3H/HeJ mice received 5-fluorouracil at 150 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal injection 3 days before 7.0-Gy total body irradiation. The animals received IL-11 250 microg/kg body weight/day divided into two equal doses or vehicle control by subcutaneous injections beginning on the same day of irradiation within 1 hour of the end of the dose. The mice killed on Days 1, 2, and 5 after cytoablative treatment were autopsied, the small intestine was processed for histologic examination, and the mitotic index and other parameters were measured, including the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen and of the p53 protein. Apoptosis was detected by a nonisotopic in situ DNA end-labeling technique applied to the same histologic sections. The cytoablative treatment caused marked degenerative changes in the small intestinal mucosa, including shortening of the villi and damage to the crypt cells. The degenerative changes, which included nuclear fragmentation with formation of apoptotic bodies, increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and strong expression of p53 was seen in mice killed on Days 1 and 2 after cytotoxic treatment. IL-11 administration resulted in a partial suppression of apoptosis, as shown by a reduced number of crypt cells stained with in situ DNA end-labeling for fragmented DNA. In addition, IL-11 treatment was associated with an increase in the frequency of mitosis and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in crypt cells as compared with the vehicle treated mice. Morphometric analysis of intestinal villi and crypt depth showed increased villus length and decreased crypt to villus ratio after IL-11 treatment. These results indicate that IL-11 can exert a potent effect on the recovery of the small intestinal mucosa of mice by its combined effects on proliferation and apoptosis of crypt cells. IL-11 may thus have potential clinical applications in limiting the intestinal toxicity that is associated with cytotoxic therapies.

Identification of baculovirus gene that promotes Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus replication in a nonpermissive insect cell line

A gene that promotes Autographa californica M nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) replication in IPLB-Ld652Y cells, a cell line that is nonpermissive for AcMNPV, was identified in Lymantria dispar M nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV). Cotransfection of AcMNPV DNA and a plasmid carrying the LdMNPV gene into IPLB-Ld652Y cells results in AcMNPV replication. The gene maps between 43.3 and 43.8 map units on the 162-kbp genome of LdMNPV. It comprises a 218-codon open reading frame and encodes a polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 25.7 kDa. The predicted polypeptide is glutamic acid and valine rich and negatively charged, with a pI of 4.61. No protein sequence motifs were identified, and no matches with known nucleotide or peptide sequences were found in the AcMNPV genome or database searches that suggest how this gene might function. A recombinant AcMNPV bearing the LdMNPV gene overcomes a block in protein synthesis observed in AcMNPV-infected IPLB-Ld652Y cells. Using Southern blotting techniques, we were unable to identify a homolog in Orgyia pseudotsugata M nuclear polyhedrosis virus, a baculovirus that is routinely propagated in IPLB-Ld652Y cells. This suggests that the LdMNPV host range is unique among the baculoviruses studied to date. We named this gene hrf-1 (for host range factor 1).

Identification of a binding sequence for the 14-3-3 protein within the cytoplasmic domain of the adhesion receptor, platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha

The zeta-form 14-3-3 protein (14-3-3zeta) regulates protein kinases and interacts with several signaling molecules. We reported previously that a platelet adhesion receptor, glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX, was associated with a 29-kDa protein with partial sequences identical to 14-3-3zeta. In this study, the interaction between GPIb-IX and recombinant 14-3-3zeta is reconstituted. Further, we show that the 14-3-3zeta binding site in GPIb is within a 15 residue sequence at the C terminus of GPIb-alpha, as indicated by antibody inhibition and direct binding of 14-3-3zeta to synthetic GPIb-alpha cytoplasmic domain peptides. The 14-3-3zeta binds to recombinant wild type GPIb-IX but not to the GPIb-alpha mutants lacking C-terminal 5 or more residues, suggesting that the C-terminal 5 residues of GPIb-alpha are critical. Similarity between the GPIb-alpha C-terminal sequence and the serine-rich regions of Raf and Bcr kinases suggests a possible serine-rich recognition motif for the 14-3-3 protein.

Placental teratoma. A case report and review of the literature

A case of teratoma from the placenta is described. Sixteen previous reports of this entity are briefly reviewed, and the histological features, differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of the placental teratoma are discussed. Authors consider the placental teratoma a true tumor and not a fetus amorphus. Placental teratomas are extremely rare tumors. Sixteen cases have been reported since first described by Morville in 1925. Placental teratoma has not been reported in China.

Calpain cleavage of the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin beta 3 subunit

The cytoplasmic domains of integrin beta subunits are involved in bidirectional transmembrane signaling. We report that the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin beta 3 subunit undergoes limited proteolysis by calpain, an intracellular calcium-dependent protease. Calpain cleavage occurs during platelet aggregation induced by agonists such as thrombin. Five cleavage sites have been identified. Four of these sites (C-terminal to Thr741, Tyr747, Phe754, and Tyr759) are utilized in intact platelets and flank two NXXY motifs (Asn744-Pro-Leu-Tyr747 and Asn756-Ile-Thr-Tyr759). The fifth site (Ala735) is accessible to calpain after EDTA treatment of the alpha IIb beta 3 heterodimer. The NXXY motif is critical to the bidirectional signaling functions of beta 3 integrins and their association with the cytoskeleton. Thus, calpain cleavage of the beta 3 cytoplasmic domain may provide a means to regulate integrin signaling functions.

[Biotherapy of advanced cancer by infusion of in vitro activated autolymphocytes]

Autolymphocyte biotherapy is an adoptive cellular therapy based upon the infusion of autologous lymphocytes that have been activated in vitro by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and depleted of suppressor T cells by cimetidine, indomethacin and low dose of gamma irradiation. The patients also receive oral cimetidine to block suppressor T cell activity in vivo. Sixty five patients received 217 autolymphocyte infusions and toxicity was minimal with transient fever and chill accompanying 18 infusions. The efficacy of treatment in patients received more than 3 infusions were evaluated. In 37 evaluable patients, the response rate (CR+PR) was 24% (9/37). As the side reactions are mild, the treatment can be done on an outpatient basis.

Biomedical material for sutureless esophagogastrostomy. Analysis of 31 cases

The results of 31 cases of sutureless esophagogastrostomy by intraluminal elastic circular ligation (IECL) with the biodegradable supporting tube were reported. The fate of the supporting tube could be tracked satisfactorily by X-ray. The tube-dislodge time was 15.03 +/- 2.23 days and unaffected by the size of supporting tube or the site of anastomosis. The supporting tube could be safely absorbed or partially discharged through the alimentary tract. IECL, with the merits of saving time, anastomosing tightly and leaving no suture materials in the anastomotic site, can be expected to further reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage and provide references for other gastrointestinal anastomosis.

Superficial carcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia. A clinicopathological analysis of 141 cases

From January 1970 to June 1992, 141 patients with superficial esophageal and cardiac carcinomas (SEC and SCC) underwent surgical treatment. Of the 141 patients 128(90.8%) had slight symptoms related to swallowing, and the remaining 13(9.2%) were asymptomatic. Balloon cytology and esophagoscopy proved very useful for the diagnosis of SEC and SCC, and Lugol's solution staining technique was an effective auxiliary diagnostic measure. Lymph node metastasis was not found in patients with epithelial (EP) cancer. However, it was present in one (2.9%) of 34 patients with muscularis mucosal (MM) invasion, and in 5 (8.6%) of 58 patients with submucosal (SM) cancer. The 5-year survival rates of the patients with SEC and SCC were 75.5% and 71.4%, respectively (P > 0.05). The different depth of tumor invasion including EP, MM and SM cancers showed significant differences in the 5-year survival rate (P < 0.05). Although the prognosis for the patients with lymph node metastasis is poor, we should advocate extended lymph node dissection in surgical treatment of the patients in whom MM and SM cancers are suspected.

Platelet adhesion receptors

The response to vascular injury involves attachment and aggregation of platelets, coupled with initiation of the coagulation cascade. These inter-related processes ensure that the vessel injury is rapidly blocked with an aggregated clump of platelets that is then stabilized by a crosslinked fibrin matrix. Initial adherence relies on the ability of the platelet adhesion receptors to bind subendothelial matrix molecules. Platelet activation then results in the expression of high affinity integrin receptors on the cell surface that bind soluble ligands, allowing platelets to aggregate and form a haemostatic plug.

[An analysis of pathologic features and prognostic factors of 10 cases with pseudomyxoma peritonei]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the histogenesis and the pathological features of pseudomyxoma peritonei and to analysis its prognostic factors.

METHODS

Ten cases with pseudomyxoma peritonei were clinicopathologically studies, with follown-up at least 24 monthes. All histopathological sections and clinical data were reviewed.

RESULTS

Seven out of 10 patients had the ovarian mucinous tumors which were bilateral in 5 cases (71.4%). Histopathologically, 4 of 7 cases with ovarian tumor were characterized by the presence of the multifocal bleeding, fragmental necrosis, and occasionally, the striated border on the glandular lumens. The mucinous epithelial cells and mucin invased into the peritonei, destroyed normal structure, and formed the desmoplasia. Four patients died of pseudomyxoma peritonei, all with extensive lesions, invasions in the peritonei, and a short recurrent time (mean, 12.0 monthes) after presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

The histogenesis of pseudomyxoma peritonei is heterogenous, the presence of possible metastases including from the appendix, the colon and other organs. The most important factors of the prognosis should include the extent of initial lesions, the presence of invasion in the peritonei and a rapid recurrence.

Synergy between growth factors and transmitters required for catecholamine differentiation in brain neurons

The phenotypically plastic neurons of the embryonic mouse striatum were used to explore mechanisms of catecholamine differentiation in culture. De novo transcription and translation of the CA biosynthetic enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), was induced in striatal neurons exposed, simultaneously or sequentially, to the growth factor, acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and a catecholamine. Although dopamine was the most potent aFGF partner (ED50 = 4 microM), a number of substances, including dopamine (D1) receptor agonists, beta-adrenoceptor agonists, and dopamine uptake inhibitors also trigger TH induction when accompanied by aFGF. However, since none of the receptor antagonists nor transport blockers tested could inhibit dopamine's action, the mechanism remains obscure. Structure-activity analysis suggests that effective aFGF partners all contain an amine group separated from a catechol nucleus by two carbons. Thus, TH expression can be novelly induced by the synergistic interaction of aFGF, and to a lesser extent basic FGF, and a variety of CA-containing partner molecules. We speculate that a similar association between growth factor and transmitter may be required in development for the differentiation of a CA phenotype in brain neurons.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor works coordinately with partner molecules to initiate tyrosine hydroxylase expression in striatal neurons

Previous studies demonstrated that the cooperative interaction of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and a partner molecule could induce the novel expression of the catecholamine (CA) biosynthetic enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in striatal neurons [Du and Iacovitti, J. Neurosci., in press; Du et al., J. Neurosci., 14 (1994) 7688-7694; Iacovitti et al., submitted]. The present study demonstrates that in addition to aFGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also capable of moderate levels of TH induction (30% TH+ striatal neurons) when administered at high concentrations (100 ng/ml). As with aFGF, BDNF's activity depended on its coupling to an appropriate partner molecule; the most potent of which were 10 microM dopamine (DA) and 50 microM mazindol. BDNF + DA-induced TH expression was first evident after at 12 h; peaked by 18 h and declined by 4 days in culture. Cyclohexamide eliminated nearly all and alpha-amanitin reduced by half the TH induction elicited by DA and BDNF; indicating that both de novo transcription and translation were required for increased expression. In contrast with aFGF and BDNF, other putative dopamine differentiation factors, such as glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), were able to elicit barely detectable (10%) levels of TH induction, regardless of the partner molecule used. These studies suggest that aFGF and/or BDNF may work coordinately with partner molecules to initiate TH expression; while a number of factors including, CNTF and GDNF, may be involved in its subsequent modulation.

Update on development of interleukin-11

This paper reviews the recent studies of interleukin-11 gene expression and regulation, receptor and signal transduction, pharmacologic effects, and preclinical and clinical studies. Interleukin-11 is expressed in cells of mesenchymal origin and gene expression can be modulated by several inflammatory cytokines and agonists. The signaling pathways involved in cytokine induction of interleukin-11 gene expression vary between cell types. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that interleukin-11 displays a wide spectrum of bioactivities including responses in hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. Preclinical studies in animal models suggest that interleukin-11 may be useful in acceleration of the recoveries of both hematopoietic cells and gastrointestinal mucosal cells after cytoablative therapies. Several clinical studies have demonstrated interleukin-11 to be well tolerated and suggest interleukin-11 is a promising cytokine to prevent both neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy.

Differences in colorectal cancer between China and Japan: a clinical and histological study of two groups of cases

It is well known that most tumours are attributed to life style, especially the tumours of the digestive system. Clinical and histopathological investigation of tumours in different human groups and societies, and analysis of the variations will provide evidence for this, and is one of the approaches to study carcinogens. Clinical data obtained from 391 patients with colorectal cancer at the Sakai Municipal Hospital, Japan, and Shanghai Jinshan Hospital and Cancer Hospital, China, from 1987 to 1992, included the sex, age and tumour subsite. Sections of histological specimens were also retrieved. The results were compared between two countries. The average age of patients with colorectal cancer in Shanghai was 8.5 years less than in the Sakai group. The age peak of the former was 51-60, and in the latter, 61-70 years. The most frequent site of the cancer in the Shanghai group was the rectum, contrasting with the higher percentage of sigmoid colon cancer in Sakai group. There was also a significant difference in histological subtype of the cancer between the two groups. Mucinous adenocarcinoma was notably more common in the Shanghai group than in the Sakai group, and the high frequency was mainly in the colon. All of the variations were suggested to be attributable to differing socioeconomic circumstances and lifestyle, especially the dietary habits of the countries.

Mouse model of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, an inherited defect in phagocyte superoxide production

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a recessive disorder characterized by a defective phagocyte respiratory burst oxidase, life-threatening pyogenic infections and inflammatory granulomas. Gene targeting was used to generate mice with a null allele of the gene involved in X-linked CGD, which encodes the 91 kD subunit of the oxidase cytochrome b. Affected hemizygous male mice lacked phagocyte superoxide production, manifested an increased susceptibility to infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus fumigatus and had an altered inflammatory response in thioglycollate peritonitis. This animal model should aid in developing new treatments for CGD and in evaluating the role of phagocyte-derived oxidants in inflammation.

Novel expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene requires both acidic fibroblast growth factor and an activator

Substances found in the soluble extract of muscle can alter the differentiative fate of certain brain neurons in culture by triggering novel expression of the gene for the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (Iacovitti et al., 1989; Iacovitt, 1991). In this study, we demonstrate that TH induction in cultured noncatecholamine neurons from the mouse striatum requires the cooperative interaction of at least two substances found in muscle. Purification studies, combined with biological assay, revealed that one necessary component is acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), and the other, an unidentified molecule(s) of < 10 kDa molecular weight that activated aFGF. Thus, muscle-derived aFGF, if incubated in the presence but not the absence of the < 10 kDa fraction of muscle, induced a dose-dependent increase in the number of striatal neurons that novelly express TH. This expression was blocked by prior incubation and protein A precipitation of the factor with polyclonal antibodies to aFGF (1:200-1:1000). Similar to muscle-purified aFGF, commercial preparations of native bovine and human recombinant aFGF (0.1-100 ng/ml) were potent inducers of TH when coincubated with the < 10 kDa activator. In contrast, basic FGF produced little and FGF-7 no induction of TH. Unlike the unidentified activating agent in muscle, heparin (20-500 mU), a known activator of aFGF, did not potentiate the factor's TH-inducing activity. Nonetheless, heparatinase (100 mU) prevented TH induction by aFGF and its activator, indicating that binding of heparan sulfated proteoglycans is necessary for the effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)