Acetylcholine receptors in small cell carcinomas

The presence of muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (m- and nAChR, respectively) in small cell carcinomas (SCC) of the lung was assessed by measurement of specific binding of (-)[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) and 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin, respectively. Of five SCC studied, four were originally derived from patients with the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, an autoimmune disease of neuromuscular transmission, and one was from a patient without evidence of neurological disease. There was no evidence of nAChR, but all tumors bound (-)[3H]QNB in a saturable and specific manner. Dissociation constants derived from saturation isotherms ranged between 35.4 and 181.7 fmol/mg protein (mean values for the five SCC). Competition studies revealed a pharmacological profile consistent with previous descriptions of mAChR. Competition by pirenzepine revealed only one class of binding sites, that with a relatively low affinity for pirenzepine. In the presence of the guanine nucleotide analogue 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate, a decrease in affinity of the mAChR of SCC for oxotremorine was observed, with an increase in the pseudo-Hill coefficient, but there was no change in the binding of atropine. The expression on SCC of mAChR, apparently of the M2 subclass, represents yet another neural differentiation marker of SCC. It is noteworthy that the expression of this marker is not restricted to patients with an autoimmune paraneoplastic syndrome involving cholinergic neurons.

Stability of bombesin in serum, plasma, urine, and culture media

Using a radioimmunoassay, we studied the stability of bombesin added to pooled human serum, plasma, urine, and two culture media (RPMI-1640 and M199). Bombesin was stable in serum for 5 h at 4 degrees C and 2 h at 21 degrees C. However, in plasma, about half was no longer detected by 5 h at 4 degrees C, and this decline was unaffected by added aprotinin. Bombesin was stable in urine for 24 h at 4 degrees C and for 2 h at 21 degrees C. When incubated in the culture media at 37 degrees C for 60 min, no loss was detected. Bombesin-like immunoreactivity was detectable in the serum of 22 mice bearing tumors established from biopsied small-cell lung carcinomas, two of 12 mice bearing tumors established from other malignancies and zero of nine control mice. In contrast, immunoreactivity to this analyte was detected in urine specimens from all mice except for one bearing a non-small-cell tumor. The concentrations detected in serum and urine were uncorrelated.

Stability of bombesin in serum, plasma, urine, and culture media

Using a radioimmunoassay, we studied the stability of bombesin added to pooled human serum, plasma, urine, and two culture media (RPMI-1640 and M199). Bombesin was stable in serum for 5 h at 4 degrees C and 2 h at 21 degrees C. However, in plasma, about half was no longer detected by 5 h at 4 degrees C, and this decline was unaffected by added aprotinin. Bombesin was stable in urine for 24 h at 4 degrees C and for 2 h at 21 degrees C. When incubated in the culture media at 37 degrees C for 60 min, no loss was detected. Bombesin-like immunoreactivity was detectable in the serum of 22 mice bearing tumors established from biopsied small-cell lung carcinomas, two of 12 mice bearing tumors established from other malignancies and zero of nine control mice. In contrast, immunoreactivity to this analyte was detected in urine specimens from all mice except for one bearing a non-small-cell tumor. The concentrations detected in serum and urine were uncorrelated.

The N-ras oncogene assigned to the short arm of human chromosome 1

The human N-ras oncogene, isolated from the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line, is distantly related to viral oncogenes of Kirsten and Harvey sarcoma viruses. We have determined its chromosomal location by Southern blot analysis of DNAs from 37 human x rodent hybrid cell lines derived from 8 different human donors, some of whom carried balanced rearrangements of chromosome 1. The results indicate that the N-ras oncogene (RASN) is localized on the proximal part of the short arm of human chromosome 1, in region p3200 leads to cen.

The HL-60 transforming sequence: a ras oncogene coexisting with altered myc genes in hematopoietic tumors

The oncogene of the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line has been passed serially through NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Oncogene-specific probes prepared from the resulting tertiary transfectants by molecular cloning have been used to show that loss of the transfected oncogene from NIH/3T3 cells correlates with reversion to nontransformed morphology. Analysis of cells transfected by the oncogenes of other tumors and tumor cell lines indicates that the transforming gene of the HL-60 leukemia cell line is closely related to oncogenes of a Burkitt's lymphoma, an acute myelogenous leukemia, an adenocarcinoma of the colon, a neuroblastoma, and two sarcomas. This oncogene is distantly related to the viral oncogenes of Kirsten and Harvey sarcoma viruses. It has been termed N-ras. The active N-ras oncogene coexists with altered versions of the myc oncogene in the HL-60 and AW Ramos human tumors. This suggests a multistep mechanism involving both ras and myc genes in the creation of these tumors.

Experimental allergic neuritis. Humoral and cellular immune responses to the cyanogen bromide peptides of the P2 protein

Lewis rats were immunized with P2 protein and peptides CN1, CN2 and CN3. In P2 immunized rats, antibody and cellular sensitivity to the P2 protein were seen prior to the appearance of clinical signs of EAN, during disease and during recovery. CN1 immunized rats had equal or more severe clinical and histological signs of EAN but lower antibody titers than P2 immunized animals. CN-1 elicited a greater blastogenic response in both P2 and CN-1 immunized animals. CN-2 and CN-3 immunized rats showed little clinical and histological evidence of EAN and no antibody. However, lymphocytes sensitive to the immunizing antigen and the P2 protein were present.

Characterization of a human colon/lung carcinoma oncogene

DNA sequences capable of inducing oncogenic transformation of NIH3T3 mouse cells are found in a number of human tumour cell lines. When DNAs of these cell lines are applied to monolayer cultures of the mouse fibroblasts, foci of transformed cells are observed 2-3 weeks later. DNA from cells of such primary foci can be used in turn to induce foci in a second cycle of gene transfer. The human DNA sequences responsible for transformation have been called oncogenes, the best characterized of which is closely related to the Harvey murine sarcoma virus oncogene. Here we present a characterization of an oncogene which we found originally to be present in DNA of the SW480 colon carcinoma cell line. We indicate its structural outlines and demonstrate, in extension of reported results, its presence in an activated form in the genome of several types of human tumour cell lines as well as in biopsy tissue from an adenocarcinoma of the large bowel. We identify this tumour oncogene with c-Ki-ras2, one of two known members of the Kirsten ras family of human proto-oncogenes, extending a series of recent reports which have demonstrated homologies between human oncogenes and those of Harvey and Kirsten murine sarcoma viruses. The c-Ki-ras2 oncogene of several tumour cell lines is shown to be amplified.

Prevention of experimental allergic neuritis in the Lewis rat with bovine P2 protein

Protective doses of bovine P2 protein (5, 15 or 50 micrograms) in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) were administered to Lewis rats and were followed 2, 4 or 10 weeks later by challenging doses of either 250 micrograms bovine P2 or 2.5 mg bovine PNS myelin in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Protection from experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) could be achieved with a single dose of 5 micrograms of P2 in IFA. There was little difference between prophylactic 5 micrograms and 15 micrograms doses of P2. The degree of protection depended upon the interval between protective innoculation and challenge. Protection was partial at 2 weeks and maximal at 4 weeks at which time there was complete protection against P2-induced EAN and less complete protection from myelin-induced disease. Complete protection at 4 weeks from myelin-induced EAN was achieved with a 50 micrograms dose. Protection lasted for at least 10 weeks (the longest interval assessed) and was complete with respect to P2-induced EAN. Partial protection was observed in myelin-challenged animals after 10 weeks with the level of protection greater than that observed after 2 weeks.

Combination of multiple-family therapy with parallel groups

Parallel groups for children, adolescents, and parents have been a usual modality in the Community Guidance Center for over 12 years. This has provided effective therapeutic intervention. However, an inherent difficulty in these groups was discussion with parents about the identified patient's progress. Various methods, on a trial-and-error basis, were attempted. The most successful process, which evolved four years ago, is a multiple-family-therapy session combined with the parallel groups. The multiple-family-therapy group provides an interface for five subsystems [parents and children, also forming families; trainees; staff], opens communication to parents about the child's progress and includes the parent more viably in the treatment process. It provides greater awareness and opportunity for work toward family and individual goals with major focus on communication skills, role modeling for parents and trainees, and realistic goal setting.