In vitro degradation of amyloid material by four proteases in tissue of a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

The effects of 4 proteolytic enzymes, alpha-chymotrypsin, bromeline, collagenase, and lysozyme on amyloid tissue sections from a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) were evaluated. Degradation of amyloid fibrils was significant with alpha-chymotrypsin, moderate with bromeline and collagenase, and slight with lysozyme. All of these proteases except collagenase are used as oral mucolytics in humans. The possibility of their clinical usefulness in the treatment or prevention of the development of FAP is discussed.

Experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis in the mouse: histologic and immunologic features and their modulation with cyclosporin A

A murine model of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) was established with transnasally administered Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (Tv) bacilli. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of experimental animals revealed marked increase in the total cell, lymphocyte, and macrophage numbers; the findings were similar to those in human HP. The BAL lymphocytes were mostly Thy 1.2 positive. Lyt-1 positive cells predominated Lyt-2 positive cells. Anti-Tv IgG antibodies and delayed-type hypersensitivity footpad reactions against Tv were detected in animals with HP. Cyclosporin A (CyA), a potent immunosuppressive drug, had marked effects on the development of HP in this model. When CyA was administered throughout the course of Tv inoculations, the granulomatous pneumonitis was markedly suppressed, and an increase in BAL lymphocytes, Thy 1.2 positive cells, was suppressed. When CyA was administered only during the first half period of the Tv treatment, suppression of the disease was minimal; when CyA was administered in the latter half, both the HP lesions and the increase in BAL cell lymphocyte numbers were significantly suppressed. These results indicate that a series of transnasal administration of Tv in mice may provide a good model for human HP.

Serum prealbumin and retinol-binding protein concentrations in Japanese-type familial amyloid polyneuropathy

Serum concentrations of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein were measured in 28 patients with Japanese-type familial amyloid polyneuropathy, 46 relatives and normal controls. Both the serum prealbumin and retinol-binding protein concentrations were significantly decreased in the patients when compared with normal controls. The mean serum levels of these proteins in the asymptomatic relatives were intermediate between controls and patients.

Bleeding manifestations in 24 patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Focal or generalized hemorrhage is a commonly encountered complication in patients with many kinds of amyloidosis. We studied 24 patients (18 males, 6 females) with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and found that five had experienced one or more bleeding episodes. In four of these five patients, bleeding occurred in the terminal stage. The incidence of hemorrhage in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy is lower than that of other types of amyloidosis or that which has been reported in this disease. In our experience clotting abnormalities were rare; clotting factor deficiency appeared not to exist in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

Regulation of glucose uptake in rat slow and fast skeletal muscles

1. Regulation of glucose uptake was compared between extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (Sol) muscles in rats. 2. Insulin stimulated glucose uptake more in EDL than in Sol. 3. Under high concentrations of insulin, the glucose uptake was higher in EDL than Sol. 4. Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by anoxia or an uncoupler stimulated glucose uptake more in EDL than in Sol. 5. Anoxia abolished the effect of insulin on glucose uptake in both EDL and Sol. 6. The blocker to glucose transport system reduced glucose uptake more in Sol than in EDL.

Phosphorylation sites of bovine brain myelin basic protein phosphorylated with Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from rat brain

The phosphorylation sites of myelin basic protein from bovine brain were determined after phosphorylation with Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Four phosphorylated peptides were selectively and rapidly separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Partial sequencing of the phosphorylated peptides by automated Edman degradation revealed that Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphorylated serine-16, serine-70, and threonine-95 specifically, as well as serine-115, which is located on the experimental allergic encephalitogenic determinant of the protein. Of the four amino acid sequences determined, two sequences surrounding phosphorylated amino acids, -Lys-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Ser(P)16-Ala- and -Arg-Phe-Ser(P)115-Trp-Gly-, have both sides of each phosphoserine residue occupied by hydrophobic amino acids, and a basic amino acid, arginine or lysine, is located at the position 2 or 4 residues amino-terminal to the phosphoserine residue. In contrast, the two other sequences surrounding phosphorylated amino acids, -Tyr-Gly-Ser(P)70-Leu-Pro-Glu-Lys- and -Ile-Val-Thr(P)95-Pro-Arg-, have a basic amino acid at the position 2 or 4 residues carboxyl-terminal to the phosphoamino acid residue.

Optimized atomic absorption spectrophotometry of calcium in erythrocytes

We sought to establish optimum conditions for measuring calcium in erythrocytes by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The conditions we selected are as follows. Wash one volume of fresh heparin-treated packed cells once with 30 volumes of isotonic buffered saline (pH 7.4) at a temperature somewhat exceeding 25 degrees C. Dilute the washed packed cells 10-fold with 12 mmol/L hydrochloric acid, and analyze the supernate for calcium. Measure the hematocrit of the washed packed cells, then analyze an aliquot of them for calcium, using a computer-readout type of flame or a non-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a pyrocoated graphite tube. The temperature program is 1000 degrees C for ashing [corrected] and 1800 degrees C for the atomizing cycle. Intraday and day-to-day reproducibility of the assay was 6.55% and 8.19%, respectively, at the mean concentration of calcium in the erythrocytes of healthy adults, which is 4.30 mumol/L.

Optimized atomic absorption spectrophotometry of calcium in erythrocytes

We sought to establish optimum conditions for measuring calcium in erythrocytes by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The conditions we selected are as follows. Wash one volume of fresh heparin-treated packed cells once with 30 volumes of isotonic buffered saline (pH 7.4) at a temperature somewhat exceeding 25 degrees C. Dilute the washed packed cells 10-fold with 12 mmol/L hydrochloric acid, and analyze the supernate for calcium. Measure the hematocrit of the washed packed cells, then analyze an aliquot of them for calcium, using a computer-readout type of flame or a non-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a pyrocoated graphite tube. The temperature program is 1000 degrees C for ashing [corrected] and 1800 degrees C for the atomizing cycle. Intraday and day-to-day reproducibility of the assay was 6.55% and 8.19%, respectively, at the mean concentration of calcium in the erythrocytes of healthy adults, which is 4.30 mumol/L.

Studies of protease and protease inhibitors in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Serum levels of 6 protease inhibitors, alpha 1-antitrypsin, Cl inactivator, alpha 2-macroglobulin, antithrombin-3, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor were measured in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) and a control group without neurologic disease. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. The proteolytic effect of brinase, an enzyme from Aspergillus oryzae, on amyloid tissue sections from patients with FAP was also evaluated. Amyloid fibrils were degraded by brinase, while the tissue structure remained fairly intact.

Glucose uptake after immobilization in fast and slow skeletal muscle in rats

1. 3-O-methylglucose uptake was studied after immobilization in rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (Sol) muscles. 2. The immobilization of the ankle was done in one of extreme positions by plaster casts. 3. In both positions, 3-O-methylglucose uptake in EDL increased and that in Sol decreased after immobilization. 4. When immobilization was released uptake returned to control level. 5. The change in uptake after immobilization and after release of immobilization was earlier in Sol.

Systemic amyloidosis terminating in cardiac insufficiency

An autopsy case of systemic amyloidosis is presented. The patient, a 57-year-old male, died of congestive heart failure. Autopsy revealed systemic amyloidosis which involved the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, lymph nodes, tongue, prostate, rectum, and small blood vessels of various organs. In the heart, amyloid deposited diffusely in the myocardium, subendocardial tissue, and blood vessel walls. A lot of vacuolated cardiac muscle fibers were noted. Electron microscopic examination of the myocardium revealed that amyloid fibrils surrounded most of the cardiac muscle fibers in the very close vicinity of their basement membranes. Fashion of the amyloid deposition throughout various organs and the mechanism of heart failure are discussed.

Granulomatous pneumonitis induced by bacille Calmette-Guérin in the mouse and its treatment with cyclosporin A

Granulomatous pneumonitis was induced intravenously by an injection of BCG, and changes in the population of cells from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were examined. Increased lymphocytes in BAL fluid, especially Lyt-1 positive T-lymphocytes, were observed after the development of granulomatous pneumonitis. Cyclosporin A (Cy A) administered for 5 days before and for 5 days after BCG injection clearly suppressed development of the granuloma. The BAL cell count and cell population became almost the same as those in naive animals. The increase in the number of Lyt-1 positive T cells was abrogated by Cy A treatment. These results suggested the important role of Lyt-1 positive T cells in the development of granulomas and the possible beneficial effect of Cy A in human granulomatous lung diseases.

Rapid identification of NH2-terminal myristyl peptides by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

NH2-terminal myristyl peptides in mixtures of other peptides having the NH2-terminal blocked with acetyl, formyl or pyroglutamyl groups were selectively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using a poly(vinyl alcohol) resin column eluted with 50 mM sodium hydrogen carbonate, pH 8.3, and a linear gradient of acetonitrile. This method was applied to the analysis of an NH2-terminal blocked peptide from a peptic digest of the catalytic subunit of adenosine 3':5'-phosphate-dependent protein kinase type II from bovine heart, showing that the peptide has a sequence myristyl-Gly-Asn-Ala.

Antiepileptic effects of globulin-N, an intact human immunoglobulin and its tissue-distribution in kindled cats

The antiepileptic effects of globulin-N, an intact human immunoglobulin was examined, using the amygdaloid kindled animals prepared by the method of Goddard et al. [1969] and Wada et al. [1974 b]. In the non-treated kindled cats, kindled convulsion and after-discharge (AD) were simultaneously created at 24-hour intervals by electrically stimulating generalized seizure-triggering threshold (GST) in amygdala, hippocampus and neocortex. The kindled cats, treated intravenously with 200 mg/kg of globulin-N, the generalized convulsion and AD produced by GST-stimulation disappeared entirely from 30 min to 8 days in 8 out of 10 cases. Furthermore, kindled cats treated with phenobarbital and phenytoin showed inhibition of GC and AD by GST-stimulation for 24-48 hours. Globulin-N was determined to have a plasma half-life of about 10 days in the kindled cats, and was presented immunohistochemically in the visceral organ, brain and spinal cord. The administered globulin-N passed through the BBB easily in the kindled cats with GST stimulation induced epileptic seizures, and was apparently taken up by the nerve and glial cells in the cerebral cortex and other deep structures of the central nervous system. These results may not only yield clues for the elucidation of the antiepileptic mechanisms of globulin-N, but may also support the clinical use of globulin-N in patients with intractable epilepsy [Ariizumi et al. 1982], including epileptic psychosis.

A thiol protease of peritoneal macrophages in the guinea pig

Proteolytic enzymes of the guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages were investigated using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates. Among several enzymes, t-butyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-seryl-arginine 4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide cleaving enzymes had the highest activity, and the activity in exudate macrophages was about 3 times stronger than that in resident macrophages. The molecular weight of the enzyme was around 35,000 and optimal pH around 6.5-7.0. It was inhibited by thiol-blocking reagents, suggesting a thiol protease.

Effects of stretch and starvation on glucose uptake of rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles

To examine the effects of stretch and starvation on muscle carbohydrate metabolism, glucose uptake was measured using [3H]3-O-methyl-glucose. Glucose uptake was higher in the stretched condition, and more so in soleus muscle than in extensor digitorum longus. After 4 days of starvation, glucose uptake decreased significantly in soleus muscle, but in extensor digitorum longus muscle, glucose uptake per noncollagen protein increased.