Adenylate cyclase system of human trichilemmoma cell line

The adenylate cyclase system of an established human trichilemmoma cell line was investigated. Stimulators of human epidermal adenylate cyclase system, epinephrine, histamine, adenosine, and prostaglandin E increased cyclic AMP levels of the trichilemmoma cells. The effects of epinephrine, histamine, and adenosine were inhibited by the addition of propranolol (a beta-adrenergic antagonist), cimetidine (histamine H2-antagonist), and theophylline (adenosine-receptor antagonist), respectively. The epinephrine, histamine, and prostaglandin E effects were augmented by the addition of cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX); the adenosine effect was augmented by another phosphodiesterase inhibitor, papaverine. Without the addition of these phosphodiesterase inhibitors, the maximal accumulations were observed at 3 min incubation. Following this, the cAMP content returned to the basal level, and the cells did not respond to repeated stimulations with the same initial stimulator. This fact indicates receptor-specific refractoriness. For example, epinephrine-pretreated cells did not respond to epinephrine, but retained their sensitivity to histamine. It has been known that normal epidermal keratinocytes are regulated in vitro by glucocorticoids, colchicine, and retinoids, resulting in the augmentation of their beta-adrenergic response. Only hydrocortisone treatment on the trichilemmoma cells resulted in the augmentation of the beta-adrenergic response. Although the established human trichilemmoma cell line has similar adenylate cyclase systems as normal epidermis, it apparently has lost some of the regulatory mechanism of the beta-adrenergic response.

Traumatic lung pseudocyst

Traumatic lung pseudocyst is an uncommon lung injury due to closed chest trauma. Four cases are reported; all were male and one was a child. Three cases showed spontaneous resolution of the pseudocyst and in one case, where resolution was slow, lobectomy was carried out at the patient's insistence. Diagnosis poses no serious problems as there is inevitably a history of substantial chest trauma. The chest radiograph shows a characteristic cavitatory lesion. The pseudocysts may be multiple. Tomography may be helpful in diagnosis and computed tomography can be particularly useful in the demonstration of paramediastinal traumatic pseudocysts.

Epidermal cell culture using Sephadex beads coated with denatured collagen (cytodex 3)

Epidermal cell culture using microcarriers of Sephadex beads coated with denatured collagen (cytodex 3) was performed. Epidermal basal cells (above 95%) obtained from human skin by trypsinization were cultivated statically on the beads in 96-well culture plates. Proliferation was rapid and great in synchronous waves during 2-7 days after inoculation. The growth rate depended on the inoculation cell population densities. When cells were inoculated at 7.75 X 10(4)/well, the maximum increase was 3.6-fold and at 1.69 X 10(4)/well and 0.32 X 10(4)/well, 2.5-fold and 2.1-fold, respectively. Differentiation was assessed visually on a hemocytometer. The percentage of basal cells of the total cells present in each well was reduced from 98% (on inoculation) to approximately 25% in a week and thereafter. In 1 month after inoculation, cells with keratohyaline-like granules were observed at 12%. The attachment of cells to the beads was rather loose. Cells were supposed to be attached to denatured collagen on the beads via fibronectin contained in the serum of the medium, because denatured collagen had the property to bind strongly to fibronectin. Loose attachment made it possible to harvest intact cells without the use of trypsin. This cell culture system with such new characteristics will be a useful tool for studying epidermal cell biology and biochemistry.

Monoclonal antibodies against epidermal cell surface and dermal-epidermal junction: antigens which may be epidermal cell spreading factors

Two monoclonal antibodies which reacted with the epidermal cell surface (SF-1) and the dermal-epidermal-junction (SF-2), respectively, were obtained by immunizing mice with partially-purified human epibolin. The corresponding antigens were partially purified from fetal bovine serum by affinity chromatography using these antibodies. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that these antigens contained polypeptide components with molecular weights different from that of epibolin (mol. wt. 65,000 daltons); SF-1 antigen had a 68,000 dalton main component, and SF-2 antigen a broad 58,000-61,000 dalton main component. Both of these partially-purified antigens promoted the spreading of dissociated pig epidermal cells. SF-2 antigen also promoted the spreading of Pam cells (a murine keratinocyte line). The results suggest that proteins capable of promoting epidermal cell spreading may be present on the epidermal cell surface and at the dermal-epidermal junction. However, their physiological role in keratinization remains to be elucidated.

Monoclonal antibodies to the beta-adrenergic receptor: modulation of catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase by the antibody

We have developed two types of hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to the turkey erythrocyte beta 1-adrenergic receptor in order to study the beta-adrenergic-cAMP system of epidermis. Splenic cells from BALB/c mice immunized with partially purified turkey erythrocyte beta 1-receptors were fused with mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0-Ag14. Five hybridomas of 17 positive cells producing antibodies which could precipitate soluble turkey erythrocyte beta 1-receptors were cloned by the limiting dilution method. The antibodies cross-reacted with beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors and stained epidermal basal cells with immunocytochemical techniques. Neither type of antibody interfered with the antagonist binding, i.e., all antibodies bound to sites other than the ligand binding site on the surface. One type of antibody inhibited epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in our "leaky" epidermal cell system. The data suggest that the antibody interferes with the coupling of the receptor to the regulatory protein.

A cell-spreading inhibitor exists in serum and in epidermal basal cells

A unique monoclonal antibody was obtained by immunizing mice with complement-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). This antibody, named SI-1, stained epidermal basal cells of humans, pig, guinea pig, and rat by an indirect immunofluorescence technique after pretreatment of cryostat sections with alkali buffer (pH 9.6). After dissociating pig epidermal cells by trypsin, the SI-1 antibody stained exclusively and strongly one type of uniquely shaped cells. They were small and hanging-bell or columnar in shape with one convoluted side on the base, consisting of less than 2.8% of the dissociated epidermal cell population. The antigen contained in FBS was partially purified by affinity chromatography using the SI-1 antibody. The affinity-purified antigen inhibited the spreading of PAM cells, a spontaneously transformed murine keratinocyte line, in serum-free medium in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10(-5) to 10 ng/ml. The antigen also inhibited the spreading of trypsinized pig epidermal cells in the range of 10(-2) to 10(3) ng/ml in the presence of 0.05% FBS. Although there have been a few reports indicating that serum inhibited both spreading and attachment, a specific factor in serum has not been purified before. This is, to our knowledge, the first presentation of a cell-spreading inhibitor contained in serum.

[The effect of antral branch on canine antral gastrin and somatostatin concentrations in gastric vagotomy]

Three types of vagotomy: selective proximal gastric vagotomy with (SPV + P) or without (SPV) pyloroplasty and selective gastric vagotomy with pyloroplasty (SV + P) were performed on mongrel dogs, and antral immunoreactive gastrin (IRG) concentration and somatostatin like immunoreactivity (SLI) concentration were measured before and after operations. In both SPV and SPV + P groups, significant (p less than 0.01) increase in IRG concentration at the 8th and 12th postoperative weeks were observed. IRG concentration at the 12th postoperative week was significantly high (p less than 0.01) in SPV + P group compared with that in SPV group. In SV + P group, no significant change in IRG concentration was observed up to the 12th postoperative week, however, after 6th postoperative month a significant (p less than 0.01) increase was observed. SLI concentration showed no significant increase in both SPV and SV + P groups. In SPV + P group, it showed a significant (p less than 0.05) increase at the 12th postoperative week, when IRG concentration was remarkably high compared with that in the other groups. Furthermore, a significant (p less than 0.01) correlation was observed between pre- and post-operative IRG concentrations and SLI concentrations in SPV and SPV + P groups. The above results suggested that the antral branch influenced the increase in antral IRG concentration early after vagotomy and that the IRG increase might affect the increase in SLI concentration.

Cushing's syndrome presenting the coexistence of a pituitary corticotrophic cell hyperplasia and a unilateral functional adrenal adenoma

A very unusual case of Cushing's syndrome is presented. Most of the preoperative biochemical and radiological examinations were compatible with Cushing's syndrome owing to a right adrenal adenoma. Exceptional findings include normal concentrations of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) in plasma as well as a disturbance of its circadian rhythmicity and a significant adrenocortical responsiveness to exogenous ACTH. Secretory patterns of ACTH did not change even after right adrenalectomy. Studies in vitro revealed that the adenoma itself, but not the surrounding normal adrenal, was the source of cortisol secreted in response to ACTH. Post mortem examinations disclosed unexpectedly a hormonally inactive left adrenal adenoma and a focal hyperplastic lesion of the anterior pituitary with an ACTH concentration 53 times higher than that of the remaining tissue of the gland. It is a possibility that this case may have represented a transition between pituitary-dependent adrenocortical hyperplasia and adrenal adenoma to this date reported in only one similar case.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thoracic region]

A clinicopathological investigation of five malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in the thoracic region was performed. They were two cases of metastasis to the lung and 1 each of the primary lesion in the lung, chest wall and sternal region. This tumor usually occurs on the extremities, in the abdominal cavity or the retroperitoneal areas, so instances of its arising in the thoracic region, except for metastatic episodes, are considered to be rare. Tumors in 4 cases were excised surgically, while one was inoperable. On light microscopy, the lesions were found to be composed of two types of neoplastic cells, fibroblast-like cells and histiocyte-like cells, showing the characteristic histologic pattern of storiform and pleomorphic. Electron-microscopically, these two types of cells were discriminated according to the quantitative and quantitative differences of the various intracytoplasmic organelles. The histogenesis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma has been commonly considered to be the histiocytic cell derived from the bone marrow. However, more detailed pathological investigations are necessary.

Calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase in pig epidermis

We investigated calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase in pig epidermis. Pig epidermal homogenates were centrifuged at 30,000 g for 30 min, and the supernatant was applied on a DEAE-cellulose column for purification. The partially purified enzyme was stimulated by simultaneous addition of Ca2+ and phospholipid. Successive addition of small amounts of diolein further activated the enzyme activity. The calcium-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase preferentially phosphorylated serine residues and its endogenous substrate protein in the pig epidermis has a molecular weight of about 97,000.

Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase activity in plasma cells containing Russell's bodies in periodontitis

Acid phosphatase activity was examined ultracytochemically in gingival specimens to elucidate the response of plasma cells to Russell's bodies. The acid phosphatase activity was discernible in lysosomes of various morphology, some of which contained Russell's bodies. The acid phosphatase activity was stronger in the peripheries of such lysosomes, but weak activity was also found inside Russell's bodies. These findings indicated that at least some of Russell's bodies formed within the plasma cells were degraded in autophagolysosomes.

Analyses of risk factors of ischemic heart disease in diabetics--multivariate analyses

In order to confirm the principal risk factor of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in diabetes, multivariate analyses were performed. ST depression in electrocardiogram (ST-ECG) and 18 other clinical-laboratory findings (sex, age, duration of diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, etc.) were measured in 70 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. ST-ECG findings were divided into five ranges as an index of the severity of IHD, based on the assumption that the degree of ST-ECG would provide a reasonable correlation to the grade of IHD. In partial correlation analysis, the degree of ST-ECG was significantly correlated both to the level of triglyceride (r = 0.455, p less than 0.001) and to blood pressure (r = 0.392, p less than 0.01), but not to the other 16 variables. Three selected variables (blood pressure, triglyceride and atherogenic index) were sufficient to provide a satisfactory discrimination between patients with and without IHD. Five selected variables (sex, blood pressure, triglyceride, atherogenic index and weight index) were sufficient for evaluation of regression. These results suggest that the high level of triglyceride and hypertension are essential risk factors of IHD in diabetes. It is noticeable that the high level of triglyceride is one of the independent risk factors of IHD in diabetes; it does not depend on the degree of control of hyperglycemia or on the other variables.

[Analgesic and narcotic antagonist effects of buprenorphine (author's transl)]

Pharmacological properties of buprenorphine were studied in comparison with those of morphine and pentazocine. Buprenorphine was more potent than morphine and pentazocine in analgesic tests, using chemical, thermal, pressure, and electrical stimulation as the nociceptive stimuli. Buprenorphine exhibited analgesic activity in the D' Amour-Smith's test at high stimulus intensity and in the Haffner's test, while pentazocine exhibited little or no analgesic action in these tests. Buprenorphine showed a bell-shaped dose-response curve in the mouse D'Amour-Smith's test at high stimulus intensity. Analgesic action of buprenorphine was antagonized by naloxone administered before buprenorphine, but not antagonized by naloxone administered after buprenorphine. Duration of the analgesic action of buprenorphine was longer than those of morphine and pentazocine. Buprenorphine decreased the amplitudes of evoked potentials which were recorded from the nucleus ventralis posteromedialis, nucleus centralis lateralis, and periaquaductal central gray. As a naloxone antagonist, Buprenorphine was equivalent or less potent than naloxone and more potent than pentazocine. Tolerance developed to the analgesic activity of buprenorphine, but development of tolerance to buprenorphine was less than that of tolerance to morphine. It was concluded that buprenorphine may be a useful analgesic drug because of its high intrinsic activity and long duration of action.

Phototoxicity of the chemotherapeutic agents hematoporphyrin D, meso-tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphine and zinc-tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphine

Interest in natural and synthetic porphyrins as tumor-localizing agents, tumor-photoinactivating agents and anti-trypanosomal drugs prompted a laboratory evaluation of the phototoxic potency of these compounds. At UV wavelengths greater than 3200A three porphyrin compounds were significantly more phototoxic than the positive control, 6,8-dichloro-2-phenyl-alpha-2-piperidyl-4-quinoline methanol. Phototoxicity was seen after intraperitoneal administration but not after oral administration. Minimum effective phototoxic doses of Hematoporphyrin D were < 2.40 mg; TPPS < 1.25 mg/kg, and ZnTPPS < 1.24 mg/kg. Hematoporphyrin D produced toxic deaths at doses of 37.5-150 mg/kg.

Dentinal response against carious invasion: localization of antibodies in odontoblastic body and process

The pulpal origin of dentinal immunoglobulins was demonstrated by means of immunohistological methods. Immunoglobulins were located both in the cytoplasm of odontoblasts in pulp and at odontoblastic processes in dentin. Positive reactivity of the immunoglobulins to antigens was confirmed using peroxidase-immunized rabbits. IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C4 were observed on some invasive bacteria in human carious dentin.

[Pharmacological properties of procaterol, a newly synthesized, specific beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulant. Part II. Effects on the peripheral organs (author's transl)]

Pharmacological properties of procaterol (PRO) in the peripheral organs were examined in comparison with those of sulbutamol (SAL) and isoproterenol (ISO). PRO slightly enhanced twitch tension of the tibialis anterior muscle but affected little the mono- and poly-synaptic spinal reflexes and ganglionic transmission. PRO depressed spontaneous contractions of the isolated ileum, non-pregnant and pregnant uterus and also the gastrointestinal and uterine movements in vivo. PRO prolonged the time of peroral charcoal transport in the intestine. Potencies of PRO in producing these effects were between those of ISO and SAL except those on the uterus in which PRO was more potent than ISO and SAL. Pro depressed gastric and bile secretion but had no effect on pancreatic secretion. ISO, PRO and SAL reduced resistance of the common carotid, femoral and renal arteries and the relative potencies of PRO and SAL to ISO were significantly less in the renal artery than in the other arteries. In accelerating heart rate in conscious rats and dogs, PRO (p.o. or s.c.) was almost equipotent to SAL. Urine flow, GFR, RPF, free water and osmolar clearance and also excretion of electrolytes were reduced by PRO with the concomitant fall of systemic blood pressure. PRO has no effect on blood coagulation and hemolysis but inhibited carrageenin edema and an increase in permeability of blood vessels induced by acetic acid. PRO had no alpha-adrenolytic, cholinolytic and anti-histaminic effects.

[Pharmacological properties of procaterol, a newly synthetized, specific beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulant. Part I. Effects on the CNS (author's transl)]

Effects of procaterol (PRO) on the CNS were investigated in comparison with those of salbutamol (SAL) and isoproterenol (ISO). PRO, 15 to 50 mg/kg given subcutaneously suppressed spontaneous movement in mice, rats and rabbits and with a large dose, 1000 mg/kg, the animals became quiet and immobile. In dogs, PRO produced similar symptoms and in addition, there was nausea and vomiting. The animals recovered within 3--8 hours. ID50's in depressing spontaneous movement were 20.2 and 245 mg/kg for PRO, 51.1 and 133 mg/kg for SAL and 2.37 and 143 mg/kg for ISO, respectively, both by the subcutaneous and oral routes of administration. Methamphetamine induced increase in motility and fighting behavior was also suppressed by PRO when similar doses were given. PRO had no effect on coordinating movement, halothane anesthesia, drug and electric stimulation induced convulsions and body temperature, and there was no muscle relaxant action. However, PRO in large doses prolonged sleeping time with hexobarbital. The analgesic effect of PRO was not observed with Haffner's and Landall Selitto's methods but acetic acid induced writhing was suppressed by PRO. PRO had little effect on spontaneous EEGs either cortical or from deep structures, and EEG arousal responses. The effects of PRO on the CNS were slight and nonspecific, and similar to those of SAL and ISO.

Serum proteins and secretory component in human carious dentin

By the use of the peroxidase-labeled antibody method, significant localization of IgG, IgA, albumin and transferrin was demonstrated in the deep lesion of 20 carious teeth, where the secretory component was absent. These serum proteins formed a distinct zone, surrounding the overlying, shallow lesion infected with bacteria.

Tumor localizing agents: the transport of meso-tetra(p-sulfophenyl) porphine by Vero and HEp-2 cells in vitro

The mechanism of transport of the tumor localizing agent, meso-tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphine (TPPS4), was investigated in Vero and HEp-2 cells in vitro. Vero cells proved to be basically impermeable to the porphyrin, but a slow transport was observed. The uptake was linear with time and appeared to be carrier mediated, as it was strongly inhibited by cyanide or low temperature and demonstrated saturation kinetics. Transport in HEp-2 cells was more rapid and non-linear, reaching a plateau after about 2 h. Analysis of this uptake over a 20-fold range of porphyrin concentration revealed it to be biphasic. A low affinity, high capacity component appeared to be unsaturable and was unaffected by low temperature or metabolic inhibitors. This system is probably one of a passive diffusion. The high affinity, low capacity phase is probably carrier mediated. The tumor cells appear to be "leaky" to the porphyrin, with respect to the Vero cells. This may explain part of the localizing ability of TPPS4.

Localization of meso-tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphine in murine sarcoma virus-induced tumor-bearing mice

meso-Tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphine (TPPS4) has been found to accumulate in the tumors of mice bearing a murine sarcoma virus-induced rhabdomyosarcoma to a greater degree than in all other tissues except for the kidney. Tumor to tissue ratios of from 3:1 (tumor to liver) to 9:1 (tumor to muscle) were observed. The uptake of TPPS4 was found to be dose dependent, and the highest tumor to tissue ratios were found 96 hours after injection. The water-soluble TPPS4 appears to be cleared through the kidneys and absolute concentrations there are reduced with increasing time after injection. These data are compared with previous studies on TPPS4 localization in Walker 256 carcinosarcoma-bearing mice. In view of this localizing ability and its relative lack of toxicity, TPPS4 seems to represent an ideal candidate for a tumor-localizing agent if high levels of the porphyrin in the kidneys can be reversed.