Self-thyroid epithelial cell (TEC)-reactive CD8+ T cell lines/clones derived from autoimmune thyroiditis lesions. They recognize self-thyroid antigens directly on TEC to exhibit T helper cell 1-type lymphokine production and cytotoxicity against TEC

Self-thyroid epithelial cell (TEC)-reactive CD8+ and CD4+ T cell lines were established by culturing T cells that infiltrate in autoimmune thyroiditis lesions. We investigated the properties of CD8+ T cell lines and clones in comparison with previously characterized CD4+ T cell lines/clones. Although the recognition of self-Ag by anti-TEC CD4+ T cell lines/clones required the cooperation of syngeneic spleen cells as APC, a representative CD8+ line (N4C) was stimulated with syngeneic TEC in the absence of APC. Precise analysis of MHC restriction using N4C-derived clones revealed that CD8+ clones recognize self-Ag on TEC in the context of class I MHC molecules. Most CD8+ clones were also found to express TCR with V beta specificities that were different from those observed for anti-TEC CD4+ clones. N4C cells produced IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha beta, but not IL-4 and IL-5 after stimulation with TEC, thus exhibiting the profile of lymphokine production similar to that expressed by CD4+ Th1 on one hand, but on the other, they showed the functional property that has not been observed for anti-TEC CD4+ clones. Namely, they elicited appreciable levels of cytolytic effects on syngeneic TEC in a short-term (4-h) 51Cr release assay. Thus, these results indicate that self-TEC-reactive CD8+ T cell lines/clones recognize Ag directly on TEC in a class I MHC-restricted way so as to exhibit various functions including the Th1-like profile of lymphokine production and anti-TEC cytolysis. The results are also discussed in terms of the nature of self-Ag presented with class I MHC molecules on TEC, as well as the potential roles of anti-TEC CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of thyroiditis.

A porcine homolog of human integrin alpha 6 is a differentiation antigen of granulosa cells

To search for new molecules relating to the mechanism(s) of follicular differentiation, we raised a new monoclonal antibody (mAb), POG-2, which reacted with the surface of porcine ovarian granulosa cells. An immunohistological study revealed that the antigen appeared initially on the primary follicles. The antigen expression increased during follicular development, reached the highest level in small follicles 1-2 mm in diameter, and then decreased in the preovulatory follicles. The antigen was not detected on luteal cells in the CL. SDS-PAGE profiles of POG-2 antigen purified from isolated porcine granulosa cells by immunoaffinity chromatography indicated that it consisted of two proteins (120 and 130 kDa) and that the antigenic epitope of POG-2 was on the 120-kDa protein. We next purified a large amount of POG-2 antigen from the homogenate of porcine ovaries by immunoaffinity chromatography. Analysis of the partial amino acid sequence of the 120-kDa protein showed that 16 amino acids from the amino terminus were very similar to those of both human and murine mature integrin alpha 6, with 88% homology. SDS-PAGE profiles revealed that the 120-kDa protein was bound to a 28-30-kDa protein by a disulfide bond; this was compatible with the reported characteristics of human integrin alpha 6. We then examined the immunoreactive distribution of integrin alpha 6 using anti-integrin alpha 6 mAb GoH3. The staining profiles obtained with GoH3 were very similar to those obtained with POG-2. These findings showed that the molecule detected by POG-2 was a porcine homolog of human integrin alpha 6 and that integrin alpha 6 was a differentiation antigen of porcine granulosa cells, suggesting an involvement of integrins in follicular differentiation.

Self-thyroid epithelial cell (TEC)-reactive CD8+ T cell lines/clones derived from autoimmune thyroiditis lesions. They recognize self-thyroid antigens directly on TEC to exhibit T helper cell 1-type lymphokine production and cytotoxicity against TEC

Self-thyroid epithelial cell (TEC)-reactive CD8+ and CD4+ T cell lines were established by culturing T cells that infiltrate in autoimmune thyroiditis lesions. We investigated the properties of CD8+ T cell lines and clones in comparison with previously characterized CD4+ T cell lines/clones. Although the recognition of self-Ag by anti-TEC CD4+ T cell lines/clones required the cooperation of syngeneic spleen cells as APC, a representative CD8+ line (N4C) was stimulated with syngeneic TEC in the absence of APC. Precise analysis of MHC restriction using N4C-derived clones revealed that CD8+ clones recognize self-Ag on TEC in the context of class I MHC molecules. Most CD8+ clones were also found to express TCR with V beta specificities that were different from those observed for anti-TEC CD4+ clones. N4C cells produced IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha beta, but not IL-4 and IL-5 after stimulation with TEC, thus exhibiting the profile of lymphokine production similar to that expressed by CD4+ Th1 on one hand, but on the other, they showed the functional property that has not been observed for anti-TEC CD4+ clones. Namely, they elicited appreciable levels of cytolytic effects on syngeneic TEC in a short-term (4-h) 51Cr release assay. Thus, these results indicate that self-TEC-reactive CD8+ T cell lines/clones recognize Ag directly on TEC in a class I MHC-restricted way so as to exhibit various functions including the Th1-like profile of lymphokine production and anti-TEC cytolysis. The results are also discussed in terms of the nature of self-Ag presented with class I MHC molecules on TEC, as well as the potential roles of anti-TEC CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of thyroiditis.

N-terminal deletion mutants of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) show Thr7 and Leu8 important for binding to insulin and IGF-I receptors and Leu8 critical for all IGF-II functions

To define the role of the N-terminal region of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) in its binding to insulin and IGF receptors, deletion mutants des-(1-5)-, des-(1-7)-, and des-(1-8)-recombinant (r) IGF-II, and the Gly8 for Leu substitution mutant of rIGF-II were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified. The binding affinity and mitogenic activity of these rIGF-II mutants as well as commercially available des-(1-6)-rIGF-II were analyzed. While the relative affinity of des-(1-5)- and des-(1-6)-rIGF-II for purified human insulin and IGF-I receptors remained at > or = 50% levels of that of rIGF-II, the affinity of des-(1-7)-rIGF-II decreased to approximately 10% and approximately 3%, respectively, of that of rIGF-II. When the octapeptide including Leu8 was removed prior to the Cys9-Cys47 intrachain bond, the relative affinity of this deletion mutant, des-(1-8)-rIGF-II, for these receptors dramatically decreased to < 1% of that of rIGF-II. Substituting Gly8 for Leu in rIGF-II decreased the affinity of this mutant for the IGF-I and insulin receptors to about the same extent. These results suggest that the side chains of Thr7 and Leu8 may play an important role in retaining all of the IGF-II functions. Decreases in the relative affinity for binding of the mutants to these receptors paralleled the decreases in their mitogenic potency for cultured Balb/c 3T3 cells. Although the relative affinity of des-(1-8)- or [Gly8]rIGF-II for rat IGF-II/CIM6-P (cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate) receptors was also < 1% of that of rIGF-II, the relative affinities of des-(1-5)-, des-(1-6)-, and des-(1-7)-rIGF-II for these receptors was significantly greater than that of rIGF-II. These results clearly demonstrate that Thr7 and Leu8 are important for binding to insulin and IGF-I receptors and Leu8 is critical for expression of all IGF-II functions.

Systemic administration of rIL-12 induces complete tumor regression and protective immunity: response is correlated with a striking reversal of suppressed IFN-gamma production by anti-tumor T cells

Unfractionated spleen cells taken from tumor-bearing mice 2 weeks after tumor implantation contained tumor-primed T cells which produced cytokines including IL-2 and IFN-gamma when cultured in vitro. With progressive tumor growth this initial lymphokine-producing capacity decreased. Here, we investigated the ability of IL-12 to (i) restore suppressed IFN-gamma production, (ii) cause tumor regression and (ii) induce anti-tumor protective immunity. Addition of rIL-12 to spleen cell cultures from 4- to 10-week-old tumor-bearing mice resulted in a striking enhancement in the production of IFN-gamma compared with cultures of these cells in the absence of rIL-12 or of normal spleen cells in the presence of rIL-12. Five i.p. injections of rIL-12 into mice bearing s.c. tumors induced complete tumor regression. This was found when rIL-12 was given at early (1-2 weeks), intermediate (4-5 weeks) or even late (7 weeks) stages of tumor growth. Furthermore, IL-12-treated mice which rejected the primary tumor exhibited complete resistance to a rechallenge with the same tumor but did not reject a second syngenetic tumor. Immunohistochemical analyses following IL-12 treatment revealed that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrate the tumor. More importantly, IFN-gamma mRNA expression was observed in fresh tumor masses from tumor-bearing mice receiving IL-12 treatment. The importance of IFN-gamma was further demonstrated by the observation that the systemic administration of anti-IFN-gamma mAb prior to IL-12 treatment completely abrogated the anti-tumor effect of IL-12. Thus, these results indicate that administration of modest levels of rIL-12 to tumor-bearing mice results in tumor regression through mechanisms involving reversal of suppressed IFN-gamma production by anti-tumor T cells and the establishment of a tumor-specific protective immune response.

The association of health management with the health of elderly people

To assess the effect of health management on the health of a community-based sample of people aged 65 years and over, a cross-sectional survey was carried out of 1491 people aged 65 years and over (22.3%) randomly drawn from the computerized age-sex register in Settsu City, Osaka. A total of 1473 people were contacted and complete responses were obtained from 1383 of these (a response rate of 93.9%). The proportion of the sample who had been receiving regular health checks or had been taking care of their health decreased with a decline in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This trend was more pronounced among the younger subjects aged 65-74 years. For disability, those who had been receiving regular health checks had lower overall severity scores in both the 65-74 years and 75 years and over age groups. There were no significant differences in the severity scores for those practising health maintenance (watching diet and exercise) in both age groups, but those practising health maintenance tended to have less disability. The percentage of those who were socially active and thought life worth living also decreased with the decline in ADL for both age groups. These psycho-social factors were also associated with a lower overall severity score. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that health checks, social activity and the presence of aspects of life subjectively evaluated as making it worth living (Ikigai) were shown to have statistically significant negative associations with disability when other factors were controlled for.

Cloning of an ecdysone receptor homolog from Manduca sexta and the developmental profile of its mRNA in wings

Using the Drosophila melanogaster ecdysone receptor (DmEcR) B1 cDNA clone, we isolated three genomic clones for EcR from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Subsequent isolation and sequencing of several cDNAs yielded a homolog of the B1 isoform with 50, 95 and 70% amino acid identities with DmEcR in the N-terminal A/B, the DNA binding and the ligand binding domains respectively. Unlike Drosophila, an intron occurs between the exons encoding the two zinc fingers of Manduca EcR (MsEcR). A 6.0 kb mRNA encoding MsEcR was found in both larval wing discs and prothoracic glands and in pupal wings. During the final larval instar, the mRNA was maximal in the wing discs at one day after wandering (W1), whereas in the prothoracic gland EcR mRNA increased rapidly to high levels on day 2 and remained high thereafter. During the onset of adult development, two peaks of EcR mRNA were observed in wings from day 3 to 5 and on day 8 after pupal ecdysis. These two peaks correlated with the time of increasing titers of ecdysone (E) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), respectively. The EcR mRNA peaks always preceded the large ecdysteroid peak, suggesting that the transcription of the EcR gene is induced by a low concentration of ecdysteroid in vivo.

Protoporphyric disorder in livers of broiler chickens

Two cases of protoporphyrin (PP) disorder detected in a 60- and 65-day old female chicken were described. The gross lesions were restricted to the livers which were enlarged and dark green to black in color. Histologically, dark brown granules were found in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, macrophages, sinusoids, bile canaliculi, and bile ducts. These granules, as seen in smears and sections of livers, were red under a fluorescence microscope and exhibited bright birefringence with a centrally located dark Maltese-cross by polarized light. Ultrastructurally, these granules consisted of aggregates of needle-like crystals in a radial arrangement. Fluorometrically, extracted level of PP in the affected liver was determined to be 390.6 micrograms per gram of wet tissue. Spectrofluorometric scans of liver extract and PP standard were almost identical.

Modulation of left ventricular iodine-125-MIBG accumulation in cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters using the renin-angiotensin system

Genetically inbred cardiomyopathic hamsters were examined to investigate the mechanism of reduced myocardial accumulation of metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in the cardiomyopathic heart.

METHODS

Bio 14.6 Syrian hamsters (hypertrophic stage: n = 15, early heart failure stage: n = 17) and control F1b strain golden hamsters (n = 36) were injected with 296 kBq of [125I] MIBG and killed 30 min or 4 hr later. Thirty-three of these hamsters were pretreated with 10 mg/kg of desipramine to determine non-neuronal MIBG accumulation. To evaluate the nonexocytotic MIBG release from nerve endings, desipramine was administered to four Bio 14.6 hamsters 15 min after [125I]MIBG injection. To determine the role of the activated renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in MIBG washout from sympathetic nerve terminals in cardiomyopathy at early heart failure stage, 10 mg/kg/day cilazapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, was given orally to 7 controls and 16 cardiomyopathic hamsters for 16 wk.

RESULTS

In the absence of desipramine pretreatment, left ventricular [125I]MIBG accumulation 4 hr after injection was 0.376% +/- 0.015 %kg dose/g (mean +/- s.e.m.) in the hypertrophic hamsters (versus 0.418 +/- 0.019 in controls of the same age; ns), and 0.195 +/- 0.025 in early heart failure hamsters. Treatment with cilazapril partially restored MIBG accumulation in the Bio 14.6 hamsters but did not affect the controls.

CONCLUSION

Decreased [125I]MIBG accumulation in cardiomyopathic hamsters during the early heart failure stage is caused by neuronal release which is partially modulated by the activated RAS.

Homotypic aggregation of murine B lymphocytes is independent of CD23

CD23 is a low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII). Functions attributed to CD23 not involving IgE suggest that it interacts with ligands other than IgE. CD21 has recently been described as a counter ligand for CD23. A number of lines of evidence have implicated CD23 as an adhesion molecule in human B cells. We have investigated the role of CD23 in homotypic B cell aggregation in the mouse, using lipopolysaccharide plus interleukin-4-induced aggregation as a model system. In this system high levels of aggregation are accompanied by a massive up-regulation of CD23 expression. However, in contrast to what has been observed in human B cells, we find no evidence of a role for CD23 in homotypic adhesion of murine B cells.

A mouse monoclonal antibody, S2n8, detects a 140 kDa protein on the surface of human endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells

We developed a mouse monoclonal antibody, S2n8, by immunizing mice i.p. with human decidual cells collected in the first trimester of pregnancy. By indirect immunofluorescence staining of frozen sections, S2n8 was found to react with decidual cells and endometrial stromal cells throughout the menstrual cycle, but not with endometrial glandular cells or with the endometrial surface epithelium. Judging from the fluorescence intensity, the antigen expression on stromal cells was weak in the proliferative phase, and became stronger in the secretory phase. Decidual cells in the first trimester of pregnancy and decidual cells at term showed strong expression of this antigen. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of enzymatically dispersed decidual tissue revealed that the S2n8 antigen was expressed on the decidual cell surface. Flow cytometric analysis of 12 freshly prepared stromal cell-enriched cell suspensions showed that 74.8-94.2% (mean +/- SD 86.1 +/- 6.6%) of the cells carried the antigen. The expression of S2n8 antigen on cultured stromal cells was enhanced by the addition of oestradiol and/or progesterone. The antigenic molecule was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography from decidua collected in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 140 kDa. These findings indicate that the S2n8 antigen is a useful cell surface marker for stromal cells/decidual cells and is associated with their differentiation.

Do structural changes of T cell receptor complex occur in tumor-bearing state?

T cells in tumor-bearing mice and cancer patients were recently shown to be devoid of CD3-zeta chain, a signal-transducing invariant chain in T cell receptor (TCR) complex, and p56lck tyrosine kinase. In the present study, we investigated the structure and function of TCR complex in T cells from BALB/c mice bearing CSA1M fibrosarcoma. The expressions of TCR chains and p56lck in a T cell-enriched population from spleen were analyzed. Almost complete loss of CD3-zeta and p56lck was observed in the preparation from tumor-bearing mice as assessed by immunoblotting analysis using whole cell lysates, whereas the amounts of other TCR chains were relatively unchanged. However, these changes were due to the increase of contaminating Mac-1+ cells in the spleen of tumor-bearing mice because: 1) the removal of Mac-1+ cells led to the restoration of CD3-zeta and p56lck; and 2) CD3-zeta was clearly present when the preparation was solubilized with ionic detergent. Fc receptor gamma chain detected in the preparation from tumor-bearing mice disappeared along with the removal of Mac-1+ cells. These observations were further supported by the finding that addition of Mac-1+ cells from tumor-bearing mice to normal T cells resulted in loss of CD3-zeta, leaving CD3-epsilon largely intact. When T cells from tumor-bearing mice were highly purified by depletion of Mac-1+ cells, these T cells contained normal amounts of CD3-zeta at mRNA, protein, and surface levels, and expressed the properly assembled TCR complex on their cell surface. Moreover, stimulation of the TCR in these T cells by anti-TCR antibodies resulted in a comparable Ca2+ mobilization to that observed in normal T cells. These results suggest that no structural changes occur in TCR complex in our tumor-bearing mice, and that complete depletion of Mac-1+ cells in important to assess the structure of TCR complex.

[Treatment of aneurysm of aortic arch using selective cerebral perfusion]

The objective of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of the selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) for an adjunct to perform operation of aortic arch aneurysms. From November 1982 to June 1993, surgical treatment of aneurysm of aortic arch using SCP was performed in 22 patients. The hospital death was accounted in 5 cases (23%), the intraoperative stroke was observed in 3 cases (14%) and these patients died. The cause of intraoperative stroke was cerebral hypoperfusion due to multiple sclerosis of intracranial arteries or insufficient SCP. Variables of an increased operative risk seemed to be older age (over 70 y.o.) and rupture. SCP time more than 120 minutes did not promote the operative risk. Cerebral hypoperfusion was directly responsible for not only intraoperative stroke, but also operative death. Therefore, SCP seems effective and safe if hypoperfusion is prevented.

Inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) may occasionally require an invasive treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has recently been introduced as a selective pulmonary vasodilator for treatment of PPHN. We describe a case of PPHN in which neither inhaled NO nor ECMO was effective in reversing pulmonary hypertension. The clinical course of the patient suggested a potential role of NO inhalation in predicting the outcome of ECMO treatment for PPHN.

Angiotensin II stimulates production of nitric oxide in guinea pig airways via AT1 receptor activation

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and nitric oxide (NO) regulate a variety of physiological functions. In this study, we suggest that inhaled Ang II produces an initial bronchodilation apparently by stimulating NO production via AT1 receptors. Also, we demonstrate that following the initial bronchodilation, Ang II causes bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig, also via AT1 receptors. Both of the findings are important for our understanding of airway functions induced by Ang II.

Plasma adrenaline modulates alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediated pressor responses and the baroreflex control in patients with borderline hypertension

Plasma level of adrenaline has been reported to be elevated in borderline hypertension. However, its role in developing and maintaining hypertension is still not completely understood. This study aimed to estimate the role of plasma adrenaline in developing hypertension. Ten patients with borderline hypertension (BHT) and 10 age-matched normotensive subjects were included. We infused at least three graded doses of phenylephrine, an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, into the antecubital vein of subjects lying quietly in a supine position. Mean blood pressure was measured continuously through the right radial artery. Cardiac output was measured by the thermodilution method before and after the administration of each dose of phenylephrine infusion. We obtained dose-response curves for mean blood pressure and total peripheral resistance to phenylephrine. Baroreflex sensitivity was calculated by plotting the longest R-R intervals against the elevated peak mean blood pressure after the infusion of each dose of phenylephrine. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations at rest were measured by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with trihydroxyindole fluorimetric detection. The plasma adrenaline level at rest was higher in patients with BHT than in normotensive subjects. With graded infusion of phenylephrine, both the pressor responses and the changes in total peripheral resistance were greater in patients with BHT than in normotensive subjects. The plasma adrenaline level was positively correlated with the slope of dose response curves for the increments of mean blood pressure to phenylephrine (r = 0.60, p < 0.01). Baroreflex sensitivity was reduced in patients with BHT as compared with normotensive subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Micelle/water partition properties of phenols determined by liquid chromatographic method. Proposal for versatile measure of hydrophobicity

Partition properties have been determined for 28 monosubstituted phenols in the sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/water system by micellar liquid chromatography (MLC), offering a useful and versatile method to estimate the hydrophobicity of compounds. The enthalpy and entropy terms of partition have also been determined from variable temperature experiments on MLC and are interpreted by such factors as molecular size and hydrogen-bond ability of the solute. The pi constants (pi, pi H and pi S) are determined from the experimental partition properties and applied to quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) analysis, and their versatility supported.

Transient adenosine infusion before ischemia and reperfusion protects against metabolic damage in pig hearts

We investigated whether transient adenosine (Ado) infusion before ischemia had the same effect on myocardial metabolism and function as ischemic preconditioning (IP). The control (C) group underwent 15 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion. The Ado group received a 15-min infusion of Ado (200 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) into the left atrium starting 20 min before ischemia. IP was elicited by two cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion. In the area at risk, tissue levels of ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), and intracellular pH (pHi) were serially measured by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 10 pigs from each group, and percent segment shortening (%SS) was measured in 7 pigs from each group. ATP and pHi were preserved after 15 min of ischemia in both Ado and IP groups [ATP = 64 +/- 7, 76 +/- 6, and 74 +/- 9% of baseline; pHi = 6.35 +/- 0.19, 6.54 +/- 0.11, and 6.64 +/- 0.11 in C, Ado, and IP groups, respectively (P < 0.05, Ado and IP vs. C)]. During reperfusion, ATP was restored progressively in both groups [71 +/- 7, 90 +/- 8, and 91 +/- 9% of baseline at 120 min of reperfusion in C, Ado, and IP groups, respectively (P < 0.05, Ado and IP vs. C)]. However, in contrast to the IP group, CP was not preserved during 15-min ischemia nor did it show persistent overshoot during reperfusion in the Ado group. There were no significant differences in %SS during ischemia and reperfusion among the three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Targeted disruption of the NF-IL6 gene discloses its essential role in bacteria killing and tumor cytotoxicity by macrophages

To investigate the role of NF-IL6 in vivo, we have generated NF-IL6 (-/-) mice by gene targeting. NF-IL6 (-/-) mice were highly susceptible to infection by Listeria monocytogenes. Electron microscopic observation revealed the escape of a larger number of pathogens from the phagosome to the cytoplasm in activated macrophages from NF-IL6 (-/-) mice. Furthermore, the tumor cytotoxicity of macrophages from NF-IL6 (-/-) mice was severely impaired. However, cytokines involved in macrophage activation, such as TNF and IFN gamma, were induced normally in NF-IL6 (-/-) mice. Nitric oxide (NO) formation was induced to a similar extent in macrophages from both wild-type and NF-IL6 (-/-) mice. These results demonstrate the crucial role of NF-IL6 in macrophage bactericidal and tumoricidal activities as well as the existence of a NO-independent mechanism of these activities. We also demonstrate that NF-IL6 is essential for the induction of G-CSF in macrophages and fibroblasts.

Human luteal cells express leukocyte functional antigen (LFA)-3

Leukocyte functional antigen-3 (LFA-3)/cluster of differentiation-58 (CD-58) antigen is known as a ligand for CD-2 antigen, which is a specific surface marker of T-lymphocytes. To investigate the involvement of T-lymphocytes on corpus luteum (CL) function, the expression of LFA-3 in human CL was examined by the indirect immunofluorescence method with frozen sections. LFA-3 was not detected on the granulosa cells of primordial, primary, or atretic follicles, but was weakly expressed on the granulosa cells of growing and preovulatory follicles. After ovulation, LFA-3 was clearly expressed on large luteal cells of the CL in any stage of the luteal phase, and the highest expression was observed in the midluteal phase. Antigen expression was also observed in the large luteal cells in CL of pregnancy. Human granulosa cells were isolated from the patients who had undergone in vitro fertilization treatment and were cultured in vitro with or without hCG (1 IU/mL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha; 10 ng/mL), or interleukin-1 alpha (10 ng/mL). By the indirect immunofluorescence method, LFA-3 was detected on granulosa cells after culture for 1 day, although the fluorescence intensity was very weak. LFA-3 was clearly detected on granulosa cells after 7 days of culture, especially on those with TNF alpha. Flow cytometrical analysis with 7-day cultured cells showed that the percent positivity of LFA-3-positive granulosa cells cultured with TNF alpha was significantly higher than that of the controls (without treatment; 66.5 +/- 3.7% vs. 34.3 +/- 4.9%; P < 0.01; n = 7). The percent positivity of cells cultured with interleukin-1 alpha was slightly higher (51.5 +/- 4.5%; P < 0.1) than that of the controls, whereas treatment with hCG caused no significant difference (46.6 +/- 4.7%) from the controls. These findings indicate that LFA-3 is a differentiation antigen of human granulosa cells. They also suggest that large luteal cells can interact, through LFA-3 molecules, with the CD-2 antigen-positive T-lymphocytes invading the CL after ovulation, and that the expression of LFA-3 is under the control of some cytokines, including TNF alpha.

Antithrombotic effect of ticlopidine on occlusive thrombi of small coronary arteries in (NZWxBXSB)F1 male mice with myocardial infarction and systemic lupus erythematosus

We examined the antithrombotic effect of ticlopidine on occlusive thrombi of small coronary arteries in (NZWxBXSB)F1 [(WxB)F1] male mice with myocardial infarction (MI) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ticlopidine (3 and 10 mg/kg) was given to the mice as an additive to a standard laboratory diet from the time the mice were aged 16-24 weeks. The higher dose of ticlopidine significantly increased survival rate of the mice. In mice that received 10 mg/kg ticlopidine, the incidence of MI, the percentage of MI area (%MI), and the incidence and number of small coronary arteries with significant stenosis were significantly lower than in controls. The stenosed lesions were divided into occlusive thrombi related to acute MI and intimal thickening related to old MI. No mice had evidence of significant stenosis or thrombosis in the extramyocardial coronary arteries. Glomerulonephritis, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and circulating immune complexes were not significantly different among the three groups. A high dose of ticlopidine prevented small coronary artery disease and MI and increased the survival of (WxB)F1 male mice, suggesting that this agent has an antithrombotic effect on occlusive thrombi of the small coronary arteries in such mice.

The macrolide antibacterial roxithromycin reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness and superoxide anion production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in patients with asthma

We investigated the effects of a macrolide antibacterial, roxithromycin, on the generation of free radicals by peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and on the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Ten asthmatic patients were treated for 3 months with roxithromycin, 150 mg orally once daily; such treatment significantly reduced the production of superoxide anion by PMNs (p = 0.0029) and reduced the bronchial hyperreactivity (p = 0.0016), as compared with results in healthy controls. Most of the patients required at least 2 months of treatment with roxithromycin for clinical improvement. We conclude that long-term, low-dose administration of roxithromycin may be useful in treatment of patients with bronchial asthma.