Ethanol relaxes pulmonary artery by release of prostaglandin and nitric oxide

Acute-intake of ethanol is associated with vasodilation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM). Relaxation of VSM is dependent, in part, on the actions of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) produced by endothelial cells (EC) lining the VSM. We examined the effects of endothelium rubbing and inhibition of EC synthesis of NO and PG on ethanol-induced relaxation of bovine pulmonary artery (BPA) and pulmonary vein (BPV) in vitro. Rings of isolated BPA and BPV were mounted in muscle chambers for the isometric recording of force development. Blood vessels were precontracted with an EC50 concentration of the thromboxane receptor mimetic U46619. Ethanol (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64, and 1.28% (w/v) produced concentration-dependent relaxation of BPA and BPV. Ethanol-induced relaxation was attenuated in BPA with rubbed EC and by the NO synthase inhibitors, L-NG monomethylarginine (LNMMA, 50 microM) and L-nitroarginine (NOLA, 10 microM), and the prostaglandin cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen (10 microM). In contrast, ethanol-induced relaxation of BPV was not affected by endothelium rubbing or by NOLA or LNMMA, but was partially attenuated by ibuprofen. Nitric oxide was measured with the chemiluminescence technique. Ethanol increased the content of NO released under basal conditions by the BPA but did not effect basal NO release from BPV. However, ethanol enhanced bradykinin-induced release of NO from BPA and BPV and, at low concentrations, augmented bradykinin-induced relaxation of both BPA and BPV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Co-stimulation with IL-2, but not via CD28, overcomes immunosuppression by breast tumour-derived factors on the in vitro stimulation of human T-cells

In order to investigate the mode of action of tumour-derived immunosuppressive factor from breast cancer (TDS) we examined its function on human T-cells stimulated via CD3 and co-stimulated via CD28 or the IL-2 receptor. When added at the initiation of culture, TDS inhibited anti-CD3 stimulation and co-stimulation by anti-CD28. In contrast, co-stimulation with IL-2 greatly diminished the TDS inhibition of anti-CD3 stimulated cells. Activation by IL-2 alone was also inhibited at the initiation of culture. When PBMC were activated with IL-2 or anti-CD3 for three days and then exposed to TDS for a further 3 days, only the proliferation of the cells pre-activated with IL-2 was inhibited; the cells pre-activated via CD3 were refractory to TDS inhibition. Pre-activation with anti-CD3 for 48 h was required for this to develop. The cytotoxicity of cells pre-activated with anti-CD3 was lower than that of cells exposed to IL-2, but killing obtained from cultures pre-activated with anti-CD3 plus IL-2 was equivalent to that obtained with IL-2 alone and additionally, these pre-activated cells were not subject to inhibition upon subsequent exposure to TDS.

Transforming growth factor-beta is not the major soluble immunosuppressor in the microenvironments of human breast tumours

The immunosuppressive nature of the human breast cancer microenvironment was investigated. The soluble fraction of individual tumours was tested for its ability to influence the activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and to effect the continued proliferation of cells which had been pre-activated with IL-2. In all cases, both assays were profoundly inhibited (90-100%). None of this inhibition was due to cell killing by the tumour-derived soluble material (TDS). Sixty-two percent of TDS tested contained measurable transforming-growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) activity; following acidification TGF-beta was present in all TDS. However, in neither case was this material present in sufficient amounts to account for the degree of inhibition observed. In addition, neutralisation experiments failed to demonstrate consistent relief of inhibition in the presence of excess anti-TGF-beta antisera. These results demonstrate that TGF-beta s are not the major soluble immunosuppressive materials within human breast tumours.

Effect of hypoxia on the pulmonary beta and alpha 1 adrenoceptors in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of hypoxia on the pulmonary adrenoceptors in rats. The density and distribution of pulmonary adrenoceptors were studied by using radioligand binding techniques and autoradiography. The beta adrenoceptors in lung homogenates were found to decrease by 24 h of hypoxia, and to unexpectedly increase at 1 week of hypoxia. Exposure to hypoxia for 2 and 4 weeks led to another decrease in beta adrenoceptors. In contrast, the alpha 1 adrenoceptors were increased markedly at 24 h and 4 weeks of hypoxia. A somewhat higher density of alpha 1 adrenoceptors was also found at 1 week and 7 weeks of hypoxia. The affinity of beta and alpha 1 adrenoceptors did not change. Using a computer image analysis system, beta adrenoceptors were found to be present in higher density in bronchioles than in pulmonary blood vessels before and during hypoxia, while the reverse was true of alpha 1 adrenoceptors. Both beta and alpha 1 adrenoceptors were found in high densities in the parenchyma.

Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells modulate the effects of IL-2 on a T cell-mediated immune response

The ability of LAK cells and/or IL-2 to affect the course of an established T cell response was examined in a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model. IL-2 greatly increased the magnitude of the response at 24 h, while LAK cells alone had no effect. The administration of LAK cells and IL-2 together also had no effect on the magnitude of the DTH response, demonstrating that LAK cells were able to remove the enhancement seen with IL-2 alone. The presence of LAK cells reduced the serum half-life of IL-2 significantly, but not to an extent able to account for the observed loss of IL-2 induced DTH enhancement. IL-2 administration influenced cell phenotypes in the spleen and draining lymph nodes (DLN), as well as increasing splenic weight; the additional presence of LAK cells markedly altered these effects of IL-2 in the spleen (but not the DLN). Taken together, these results suggest that LAK cells interact with activated T-cells within the immune system and modulate their function.

The effect of thromboxane on contraction of canine mesenteric and lingual arteries

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a potent vasoconstrictor agent, is released from platelets and smooth muscle during inflammation and trauma. TXA2 may cause lingual artery (LA) contraction, leading to lingual paresthesia. The effects of U-46619, a TxA2 mimetic, on isolated rings of canine LA and mesenteric artery (MA) were examined. U-46619 (1 nmol/L to 1 mumol/L) caused a triphasic contraction of LA and MA; a rapid, phasic contraction; a slow, sustained contraction; and, upon washout of U-46619, a maintained contraction. The MA relaxed slowly, but the LA remained contracted for at least three h after washout. Decreasing extracellular calcium ion (Ca2+o) to less than 0.1 mumol/L with 2 mmol/L EGTA relaxed MA, but not LA. EGTA (4 mmol/L) partially relaxed the maintained contraction of LA. Inhibition of protein kinase C with amphotericin B or staurosporine inhibited the phasic and sustained contractions of LA, but did not affect the maintained contraction in the presence or absence of EGTA. Thus, CA2+o was required for the initial contraction of the LA by U-46619, but did not appear to be required for the maintained contraction following washout of U-46619. The data support the conclusion that following a brief exposure to U-46619, maintained contraction of LA persists by a unique mechanism that may be independent of Ca2+ and protein kinase C. Sustained LA contraction after exposure to endogenous TXA2 during inflammation and trauma may contribute to impaired lingual blood flow and orofacial tissue injury.

A cyclopeptidic suicide substrate preferentially inactivates urokinase-type plasminogen activator

c[Arg-aB-(CH2+SCH3 phi)-Gly4] was designed and studied as a mechanism-based inactivator (suicide substrate) for plasminogen activators (u-PA and t-PA) and plasmin. This compound inhibited u-PA and fulfills criteria expected for the involvement of an enzyme-activated inhibitor: first-order and irreversible process, saturation kinetics, protection by substrate. The limiting first-order rate constant kinact and the apparent enzyme-inhibitor dissociation constant KI were 0.021 s-1 and 9 microM, respectively at pH 7.5 and 25 degrees C. The activation of plasminogen by u-PA is compromised after this enzyme has been treated by the reagent. Plasmin and t-PA were inactivated 40- and 2330-fold less efficiently than u-PA, respectively.

Fabrication of holographic microlenses using a deep UV lithographed zone plate

Holographic microlens arrays and elliptical zone plates are fabricated on holographic plates and photoresists by interference between the first- and second-order diffracted waves from an ion etched Fresnel zone plate, which is made by electron-beam scanning and deep UV lithography. This method of fabrication is simple, and a holographic lens with a large numerical aperture and short focal length is obtained. Experimental results of focusing and imaging by a lens array and an elliptical zone plate are given. Two methods of fabricating holographic zone plates for an IR or UV wavelength are also proposed.

A new efficient synthetic method for 2- and 4-hydroxy-17 alpha-ethynylestradiol

The reaction of ethyl magnesium bromide and 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol with formaldehyde in the presence of triethyl phosphate or hexamethylphosphoramide gave the 2- and 4-formyl-17 alpha-ethynylestradiol in high yield. Treatment of the formyl derivatives with an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide in tetrahydrofuran afforded the corresponding catechols in almost quantitative yield. This new synthetic method was far superior to other methods, especially concerning simplicity, selectivity, and high yields.

Double exposure hologram of hyperbolic fringes and its use in the measurement of optical coherence

A hologram of hyperbolic fringes generated by double exposure is presented in this paper. The principle and experimental results of using it to measure optical coherence are given as well.

Inhibitors of the enkephalin degrading enzymes. Modulation of activity of hydroxamate containing compounds by modifications of the C-terminal residue

To further characterize the S'2 subsite of both the neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11, NEP) and aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2, APN), two enzymes physiologically involved in enkephalin metabolism, a new series of hydroxamate inhibitors containing a cyclic amino acid as the P'2 component were synthesized. These amino acids differ by the size of the cycle, the relative position of the functional groups, and their absolute configuration. Highly efficient inhibitors of NEP were obtained whatever the modification on the P'2 component, while for APN inhibition, a cyclic beta-amino acid was preferred. The most active inhibitors contained a trans cyclopentyl beta-amino acid and a cis or a trans cyclohexyl beta-amino acid. When injected intracerebroventricularly in mice, these two latter compounds elicited potent antinociceptive responses on both the jump latency and the fore paw lick times.

New kelatorphan-related inhibitors of enkephalin metabolism: improved antinociceptive properties

In order to improve the in vivo protection of enkephalins from enzymatic degradation, a new series of inhibitors derived from kelatorphan [HONHCOCH2CH(CH2Ph)CONHCH(CH3)COOH], the first-described complete inhibitor of enkephalin metabolism, were designed by modification of the C-terminal amino acid. The progressive lengthening of the chain of this residue shows that a beta-alanine seems to be the best basic model for the conception of such types of compounds. On the other hand, the methylation of the amide bond, which is well accepted by aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) and dipeptidylaminopeptidase, induced a significant loss of affinity for neutral endopeptidase -24.11. Starting from these data, compounds containing a variously substituted beta-alanine residue and corresponding to the general formula HONHCOCH2CH(CH2Ph)CONHCH(R1)CH(R2)COOH were synthesized. All these molecules inhibit neutral endopeptidase -24.11 and dipeptidylaminopeptidase in the nanomolar range, and those containing an aromatic chain (compound 7A, R1 = CH2Ph,R2 = H, and compound 8A, R1 = Ph, R2 = H) inhibit the biologically relevant aminopeptidase N, with IC50's around 10(-8) M. Intracerebroventricular injection in mice of these multienzyme inhibitors produced an efficient and naloxone-reversible analgesic response (hot plate test): compounds 7A and 8A were shown to be more potent than kelatorphan in increasing the jump latency time, in agreement with their in vitro properties, and these new compounds were found to increase the forepaw lick latency, a reflex considered as a typical morphine response.

Enkephalin-degrading enzyme inhibitors. Crucial role of the C-terminal residue on the inhibitory potencies of retro-hydroxamate dipeptides

The retro-inversion of the amide bond in kelatorphan and analogs, the first series of complete inhibitors of enkephalin metabolism, led to compounds highly efficient only against the neutral endopeptidase 24-11 (NEP). In order to increase the recognition of the aminopeptidase N (APN) and dipeptidylaminopeptidase (DAP), without loss of affinity for NEP, the malonyl group of these retro-inhibitors was replaced by diversely substituted succinyl moieties. All the molecules synthesized are highly efficient NEP inhibitors with Ki's in the 0.2-1 nM range, indicating that NEP possesses a relatively large and not very selective S'2 subsite. In contrast, inhibition of DAP activity is crucially dependent on the size and the position of the substituent in the succinyl moiety. Inhibitory potencies in the nanomolar range are obtained with compounds containing a benzyl group in the alpha-position related to the retro amide bond. Finally, a relatively modest inhibition of APN was observed with Ki's in the 0.5-1 microM range for compounds with benzyl or cyclohexyl group in P'2 position. However, these data demonstrate that efficient and complete inhibition of enkephalin degradation can be obtained with hydroxamate dipeptides containing a retro amide bond. The analgesic potency of the most active inhibitors was measured using the hot plate test in mice. Significant antinociceptive responses were obtained but these effects were rather weaker than those expected from the in vitro inhibitory potencies of these compounds on the three enkephalin-degrading enzymes.