[Study of ventricular function by means of echocardiographic quantification of the thickness/radius (h/r) ratio of the left ventricle in healthy subjects]

We studied 72 healthy subjects; 31 of them were adults and 41 children. By means of two-dimensional echocardiography we obtained a short axis view at the papillary muscle level of the ratio of the thickness (h) of the ventricular wall and the radius (r) of the cavity. We analysed ventricular performance determinants (pre-load, after-load and contractility). This non-invasive method gives information similar to pressure-volume curves. Thus, we propose it for the study of left ventricular overloads.

Insulin receptor kinase activity in rat adipocytes is decreased during aging

The tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor derived from rat adipocyte plasma membranes was examined during aging. In the absence of insulin, autophosphorylation and histone H2B phosphorylation activities, measured with equal numbers of insulin receptors, were comparable among 3- and 24-month-old rats. In contrast, insulin-stimulated kinase activity was significantly reduced in the old animals. We have also found that the insulin dependent phosphorylation of a putative endogenous substrate of 60 kDa was drastically reduced in old animals. These results suggest that the decrease in kinase activity in old rats could be related with the insulin resistance of aging.

Expression of the p75 interleukin 2-binding protein on CD3+4-8-Tac- cells from autoimmune MRL/MP-lpr/lpr mice

The recently described (Sharon, M. et al., Science 1986. 234:859) interleukin 2 (IL 2)-binding molecule p75 was detected in the CD3+4-8-Tac- "double-negative" cell population selectively expanded in lupus-like autoimmune mice MRL/MP-lpr/lpr using cross-linking studies. Scatchard analysis of the IL 2 binding revealed the existence of approximately 4700 sites per cell with an apparent Kd of 1500 pM. The cell line LD1.T3B, derived from this population, shared surface markers and the p75 presence/p55 absence of IL 2-binding proteins with its in vivo counterpart, displaying around 3100 sites per cell with a Kd of about 1300 pM. Functional studies showed that high doses of IL 2 had an inhibitory effect on the autonomous growth of this cell line in the absence of the development of killer activity. This study provides evidence of the functional abilities of p75, and shows that the use of Tac/p55 surface expression only to evaluate IL 2 receptors and T cell activation can be an oversimplification as well as misleading.

Activation of the interleukin 2 pathway precedes CD3-T cell receptor expression in thymic development. Differential growth requirements of early and mature intrathymic subpopulations

T cell activation induced via the CD3-T cell receptor (TcR) complex, or by triggering of polyclonal antigen-independent pathways, involves both interleukin 2 (IL 2) production and IL 2 receptor (IL 2R) expression and results in T cell proliferation. To assess the potential role of the IL 2 pathway in T cell development, growth and activation requirements of intrathymic T cell precursors were analyzed and correlated with the expression of IL 2R. In contrast to CD3-TcR+ (either CD4+ or CD8+) mature thymic cells, CD3-TcR- CD1-4-8- early prothymocytes constitutively expressed IL 2R and displayed IL 2-mediated proliferation, which was inhibited by anti-IL 2R monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Moreover, prothymocytes developed spontaneous proliferation in the absence of exogenous IL 2, which was also abrogated by blocking of IL 2R with specific mAb. The possibility that both IL 2 production and IL 2R expression are autonomously activated early in T cell development, before acquisition of the CD3-TcR complex, led us to study the implication of alternative pathways of activation at this ontogenic stage. Triggering of the CD2 pathway with mAb against two different epitopes of the molecule (D66 and 9.6/T11(1) induced proliferation of CD3-TcR- prothymocytes in the absence of exogenous IL 2, while proliferation of CD3-TcR+ mature thymocytes required Il 2 supplementation. These data suggest that polyclonal activation of the Il 2 pathway may be selectively operative at early stages of T cell development, being involved in the growth and differentiation of intrathymic T cell precursors.

Involvement of the interleukin 2 pathway in the rearrangement and expression of both alpha/beta and gamma/delta T cell receptor genes in human T cell precursors

In this report, we have undertaken the phenotypic, functional and molecular characterization of a minor (less than 5%) subpopulation of adult thymocytes regarded as the earliest intrathymic T-cell precursors. Pro-T cells were immunoselected and shown to express different hematopoietic cell markers (CD45, CD38, CD7, CD5) and some activation-related molecules (4F2, Tr, HLA class II), but lack conventional T cell antigens (CD2-1-3-4-8-). TCR-gamma RNA messages are already expressed at this early ontogenic stage, while alpha and beta chain TCR genes remain in germline configuration. In vitro analyses of the growth requirements of pro-T cells demonstrated the involvement of the IL-2 pathway in promoting their proliferation and differentiation into CD3+ CD4+ or CD8+ mature thymocytes. Moreover, during the IL-2-mediated maturation process rearrangements and expression of both alpha and beta chain TCR genes occurred, and resulted in the acquisition of alpha/beta as well as gamma/delta (either disulphide-linked or non-disulphide-linked) heterodimeric TCR among the pro-T cell progeny.

Decreased TcR-CD3+ T cell numbers in healthy aged humans. Evidence that T cell defects are masked by a reciprocal increase of TcR-CD3- CD2+ natural killer cells

While there is accumulating evidence to indicate the presence of functional abnormalities in T cells from aged healthy humans, their cellular basis remains unclear. By using two-color immunofluorescence and multiparameter flow cytometry we show that (a) the number of peripheral blood antigen receptor-positive (TcR-CD3+) T cells is significantly lower in aged than in young adults; (b) the numbers of E-rosette-forming (CD2+) cells are maintained in the elderly due to a reciprocal increase in the frequency of TcR-CD3- cells, which constitute only a minor lymphocyte subpopulation in young adults, and (c) TcR-CD3-CD2+5- lymphocytes exhibit the phenotypic features of natural killer (NK) cells. By using functional assays we show the TcR-CD3-CD2+16+ lymphocytes are indeed NK cells because they are activated by and lyse NK targets. In contrast, they are unresponsive to either phytohemagglutinin or mitogenic CD2 monoclonal antibody stimulation, which in turn activates TcR-CD3+CD2+16- T cells. We conclude that the increase in TcR-CD3-CD2+ NK cells masks the T cell reduction in aged humans by normalizing CD2+ cell frequencies. However, NK cells cannot functionally substitute the thymus-derived lymphocytes they replace.

Diminished natural killer activity in pregnancy: modulation by interleukin 2 and interferon gamma

We investigated the alterations of natural killer (NK) cells in pregnancy, which led to decreased killing from the first trimester to the puerperium. We show that this phenomenon cannot be ascribed to a defective number of NK cells since the amounts of HNK-1+, CD16+ (Leu 11), and CD11b+ (OKM1) cells were within normal ranges. Recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) corrects the functional defect in a dose and time-dependent manner, without modification in the surface phenotype of the population. Analysis of the pattern of target cell susceptibility to lysis, together with the similar ability of recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) to correct the deficiency, and CD16+, CD3- phenotype of the precursor and effector lymphocytes, demonstrated that the induced cytotoxicity was mediated by NK cells. Inhibitors in pregnancy sera block IL-2 production by specific T cells, but we show that they do not influence either NK activity or its reconstitution by rIL-2. These findings place the deficiency at the level of NK cell maturation into cytotoxic effector lymphocytes. Thus, homeostasis of the NK activity of pregnant women may provide a biological model for clarifying the internal mechanisms regulating NK-cell activation in vivo. Present studies in vitro suggest that modulation of lymphokine production may play a role in the adaptive response of NK cells in pregnancy.

Electron microscopic studies on the pars intermedia of the rat under stress

Using electron microscopy, we have studied the pars intermedia (PI) of the pituitary gland of Wistar rat under psychogenic stress, finding a considerable increase in dark cells. The cells of the PI present striking vacuoles in all their cytoplasms, increasing up to a phase of total cellular disintegration. We have also observed a cell type, not found in the animal control group, of regular size and electrondense matrix of medium contrast.

Interaction with RNA polymerase of nucleosomal cores lacking one H2A.H2B dimer

Nucleosomal particles lacking one H2A.H2B dimer interact with RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli more strongly than the complete nucleosomal core particles. Moreover, the in vitro transcription of the H2A.H2B-deficient particles is much more efficient than that of the whole nucleosomal cores, both in the presence and absence of rifampicin. Although a substantial fraction of particles in the preparation of whole nucleosomal cores binds to RNA polymerase, the efficiency of these particles as transcription templates is very small. This block to transcription is partially eliminated when one H2A.H2B dimer is released from the core particle. Our results suggest that the lack of one H2A.H2B dimer from nucleosomal particles might be required for the formation of complexes with RNA polymerase active in transcription.

Permanent cell lines established from ts-COS cells that regulate by temperature the amplification and expression of cloned genes

Temperature-sensitive COS cells have been transformed at restrictive temperature with SV40 replicons containing the neo or pac markers. Puromycin-resistant cell clones maintained at the restrictive temperature contain the pac gene integrated into the cell DNA. However, when the cells are shifted to the permissive temperature the pac gene is amplified in episomal forms up to 2-4 X 10(4) copies per cell. Concomitant with this, an induction of 35-300 fold in the levels of puromycin acetyl transferase activity is observed, leading to the accumulation of the enzyme up to 10-60 mU/mg of total cell protein. A band of apparent molecular weight 26,500 daltons is observed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of induced culture extracts, that accounts for approximately 3% of the newly synthesized protein. The expression of non-selectable genes can also be regulated, as shown by the induction of influenza virus nucleoprotein synthesis in transformed cells. These results indicate that the ts-COS cells can be used as a highly efficient, regulable mammalian expression system.

[Abdominal pain in childhood due to a Cryptosporidium parasitosis]

Three cases of cryptosporidiosis in children are described. Abdominal pain without concomitant acute diarrhoea, was the main clinical symptom. No other intestinal pathological agent was isolated. All children were males, aged between 25-27 months, living in urban area and with a high socioeconomic level. They went to day nurseries and only one was contacted with home animal. This last child had a previous giardiasis treated with metronidazole. Nutritional status was normal. Neither humoral nor cellular immunodeficiency was detected. Cryptosporidium muris isolation was performed with Ziehl-Neelsen modified technique. All recovered with negativity of abdominal pain and bacteriologic controls, using solely dietetic measures.

Oriented synthesis and cloning of influenza virus nucleoprotein cDNA that leads to its expression in mammalian cells

The influenza virus nucleoprotein gene has been cloned by a procedure that involves direct cDNA synthesis onto the primer-vector pBSV9, a pBR322-SV40 recombinant plasmid. dT-tailed pBSV9 was used to prime the synthesis of cDNA on a template of in vitro synthesized viral mRNA. The synthesis of ds-cDNA was initiated by a specific oligodeoxynucleotide and the resulting recombinant was circularized by intramolecular ligation. Recombinant pSVa963 contained the viral nucleoprotein gene directly fused to the SV40 early promoter region included in pBSV9 and followed by a dA:dT tail and the SV40 polyadenylation signal. When pSVa963 was used to transfect COS-1 cells, the presence of three NP-specific mRNAs of 1600, 1900 and 2500 nucleotides in length could be detected. Pulse labelling experiments of COS-1 transfected cells and immunobinding to a nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody indicated the synthesis of nucleoprotein. This nucleoprotein accumulated in the nucleus of transfected cells at a level similar to that found in infected cells. The vector and method described may be useful for the specific cloning and expression of any mRNA for which a 5'-terminal sequence is known.

A primer vector system that allows temperature dependent gene amplification and expression in mammalian cells: regulation of the influenza virus NS1 gene expression

Influenza virus RNA segment 8 has been cloned into primer-vector pSLts1. This vector was designed to replicate in simian cells in a temperature dependent fashion by use of the SV40 tsA209 T-antigen gene. The oriented synthesis of cDNA on dT-tailed pSLts1 was performed on in vitro synthesized mRNA, and the second DNA strand was primed with an influenza-specific terminal oligodeoxynucleotide. Recombinant pSLVa232 contained the RNA segment 8 sequence directly fused to the SV40 late promoter contained in pSLts1, and followed by the SV40 polyadenylation signal. Expression of NS1 gene in transfected COS cells took place at a level comparable to that found in infected cells. When VERO cell cultures were transfected with recombinant pSLVa232, expression of the NS1 gene was temperature dependent. Close to one hundred fold increase in the amplification and expression of the cloned gene was observed after shift down of the transfected cells to permissive temperature. Vector pSLts1 and the cloning strategy described may be useful for the specific cloning and regulated expression of mRNAs of known 5'-terminal sequence.