Segregation of modified bacteriorhodopsin aggregations in reconstituted vesicle membrane induced by the change of thermodynamical parameters

It was clearly shown that the change in thermodynamical parameters could cause the segregation of membrane protein aggregations in the phospholipid membrane. At first, reconstituted vesicles were prepared with a membrane protein, bacteriorhodopsin and a constituent phospholipid of biomembranes, L-alpha-dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine. When the temperature of the suspension was decreased or the osmotic pressure was increased by adding poly(ethylene glycol) to this vesicle suspension at 23 degrees, the circular dichroism spectra showed a typical band indicating bacteriorhodopsin trimer formation implying their aggregation. This suggests that the aggregation of trimers proceeded by adding poly(ethylene glycol) into vesicle suspension, just as it proceeded by decreasing the temperature. Next, vesicles were prepared with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bacteriorhodopsin, photoemissive bacteriorhodopsin and L-alpha-dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine. The excitation energy transfer between the two modified proteins was measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. In this case, however, when poly(ethylene glycol) was added into the suspension, the yield of the excitation energy transfer decreased. This result indicates that modified proteins aggregate separately in a segregated form in the vesicle membrane.

Ventricular-load optimization by inotropic stimulation in patients with heart failure

To evaluate the effects of inotropic stimulation on ventriculo-arterial coupling, we determined both the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (ventricular elastance) and the slope of end-systolic pressure-stroke volume relationship (arterial elastance) at rest and during dobutamine infusion (5 micrograms/kg/min). We also determined stroke work, end-systolic potential energy and the ventricular work efficiency defined as stroke work per pressure volume area (stroke work + potential energy). In the resting state, ventricular elastance was lower than arterial elastance and work efficiency was about 59.7 +/- 9.3% (mean +/- SD). This condition is remote from the point where stroke work or mechanical efficiency is optimal. Enhanced ventricular elastance by 41% with dobutamine resulted in a significant reduction in both left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and was accompanied by the reduction in arterial elastance by 23%. Consequently, the ratio of arterial elastance to ventricular elastance decreased from 1.43 +/- 0.57 to 0.82 +/- 0.47, which resulted in an increase in stroke work, a decrease in potential energy and hence a marked increase in work efficiency. Thus, inotropic stimulation of depressed hearts could modulate ventriculo-arterial coupling towards optimization of either stroke work or mechanical efficiency.

Target size for a fibronectin-cell adhesion system determined by the X-ray inactivation method

In order to elucidate the mechanism of cell adhesion, the size of the functional site, both in the fibronectin molecule and in the mouse fibroblast cell, responsible for cell adhesion activity, was determined. The size was assumed to be equivalent to the target size, that can be determined from the X-ray inactivation dose. The target size of the cell-binding site in the fibronectin molecule was 32 kdalton. The molecular weight was much larger than that of the tripeptide, which has been reported to be the minimum peptides having a cell-binding activity. This suggests that submolecular regions in fibronectin other than the tripeptide are necessary for cell adhesion. The target size in the cell responsible for the adhesion to the fibronectin-coated surface was 4300 kdalton. The large molecular weight of the target could be explained by assuming that a complex protein system is involved in the cell-adhesion process in the cell.

Ventricular load optimization by unloading therapy in patients with heart failure

The effects of unloading a depressed heart were assessed in terms of optimal coupling between the ventricle and arterial system. To assess the effects of preload on ventricular load coupling, preload was reduced with a lower body negative pressure of -20 mm Hg. Nitroprusside was used to evaluate the effects of afterload on the coupling under the condition that preload reduction was comparable to that with lower body negative pressure. In 13 patients with heart failure (ejection fraction 32 +/- 3%, mean +/- SE), direct arterial pressure was simultaneously recorded with the left ventricular echocardiogram as the pressure was elevated by phenylephrine. Left ventricular contractile properties were defined by the slope (Ees) of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation. The effective arterial elastance (Ea) was expressed by the slope of the end-systolic pressure-stroke volume relation. Left ventricular external work, end-systolic potential energy and work efficiency, defined as external work per pressure volume area (external work + potential energy), were determined. Baseline ventricular load coupling in these patients was characterized by an increase in the ratio of arterial elastance to ventricular elastance (Ea/Ees) (1.96 +/- 0.31). This ratio decreased significantly, to 1.45 +/- 0.22, with nitroprusside, and increased to 2.37 +/- 0.34 with lower body negative pressure. Therefore, end-systolic potential energy was decreased by nitroprusside but was unaltered by lower body negative pressure while external work was comparably decreased by both manipulations, indicating that work efficiency was significantly augmented with nitroprusside but declined with lower body negative pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A novel oral adjuvant for hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines

A plasma-derived HBV vaccine was administered to 86 healthy men ranging in age from 40-56 years. A relatively high rate of nonresponders was found among the men who received the HBV vaccine alone. There was a significantly higher HBs antibody response rate among the vaccinees who received an oral adjuvant (taurine) compared to those not receiving the adjuvant. In the vaccinees who received the oral adjuvant, an in vitro polyclonal antibody response to taurine was detected in 17 (58.6%) of the 29 HBs responders, but in none of the HBs nonresponders. The development of oral adjuvants other than aluminum may be a valuable approach to the study of HBV vaccination.

Effects of heparin treatment on collateral development and regional myocardial function in acute myocardial infarction

To define the effects of heparin treatment during the acute stage of the first anterior myocardial infarction on coronary collateral development and regional myocardial function, we evaluated angiographically the extent of a collateral visualization (collateral index: 0-3) to the completely obstructed infarct-related coronary artery and regional wall motion in 18 patients during convalescence after infarction. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence (group I) or absence (group II) of heparin treatment (170 to 220 IU/kg per day) during the acute phase of infarction. The collateral index was significantly higher in group I (1.5 +/- 0.9) than in group II (0.4 +/- 0.4; p less than 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction tended to be greater in group I than in group II (49 +/- 12% vs 38 +/- 16%), and there was a significant difference in regional wall motion of the infarct area that was evaluated by the percentage of segment shortening between the two groups (group I:7.4 +/- 9.2%, group II:-0.8 +/- 4.5%, p less than 0.05). These findings indicate that heparin treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction is worthwhile in terms of the preservation of left ventricular function as a result collateral development.

Effects of acetate on the immune system of mice

The effects of acetate on antibody production and cell-mediated immunity in mice were investigated. Polyclonal antibody responses could be enhanced in vivo by single intraperitoneal administration of acetate (5 mg/mouse) in C57BL/6 mice but not in DBA/2 mice. No enhancement of antibody production by acetate was also induced in athymic C57BL/6 nude mice and carrageenan-pretreated, macrophage-depleted mice. The inoculation of acetate-nonresponder BDF1 mice with T-cells and peritoneal adherent cells derived from acetate-treated C57BL/6 mice resulted in an enhanced antibody response. These results suggest that acetate increases polyclonal antibody responses in vivo by activating indirectly T-cells and macrophages. Acetate administration increased delayed hypersensitivity to pircryl chloride in C57BL/6 mice but not in DBA/2 mice. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of T-lymphocytes derived from the spleen of acetate-treated C57BL/6 mice was also enhanced. The natural killer (NK) activity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were also increased in C57BL/6 mice that were administered acetate. The possible mechanism of the immunopotentiating effect of this chemical is discussed.

In vivo depletion of macrophages by desulfated iota-carrageenan in mice

Almost 90% of the sulfate groups of iota-carrageenan (CGN) was removed with acid-methanol in an attempt to obtain a product which would selectively eliminate macrophages in mice. Desulfated CGN(DS-CGN) failed to induce in vivo polyclonal antibody production in DBA/2 mice. However, the number of phagocytes in the peritoneal cavity, spleen, thymus and lymph node of DBA/2 mice was reduced stringently by DS-CGN treatment. The number of Mac-1 positive cells(macrophages) in DS-CGN-treated mice gradually decreased for at least 7 days after the last injection of DS-CGN. In contrast, the relative proportion of T and B lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs was unaffected by DS-CGN treatment. DS-CGN suppressed antibody responses to SRBC, a T cell and macrophage-dependent antigen, but no such suppressive effect was observed in the polyclonal antibody responses to LPS, a T cell and macrophage-independent B cell activator. Furthermore, the impaired SRBC antibody responses in DS-CGN-treated mice were restored following transfer of adherent cells but not T cells. These experimental results indicate that DS-CGN selectively eliminates macrophages without influencing lymphocyte function in vivo.

[Impaired B lymphocyte function during open heart surgery]

Sequential in vitro lymphocyte function tests in 13 patients undergoing cardiac operation were performed to study B lymphocyte function following operation. Lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC). Mitogen responses were measured by 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation. The SAC responses were significantly depressed following operation. Immunoglobulin secreting cells were measured by protein A plaque forming cell assay. The numbers of immunoglobulin secreting cells induced by PWM or SAC decreased remarkably at least as long as 3 day after the operation. The percentage of circulating B lymphocytes increased significantly postoperatively. This indicates that the B lymphocytes remaining after the operation were functionally impaired.

Plasma-polymerized membrane electrode for the determination of dextromethorphan and dimemorfan

Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) responsive to the antitussives dextromethorphan and dimemorfan were constructed by the fixation of an ion-exchanger, ammonium tetraphenylborate, on a Millipore membrane by means of a plasma-polymerization technique. The electrodes showed a Nernstian response over the range of 10(-5)-10(-2) M dextromethorphan and dimemorphan, and the working pH range was 5-7. The interference from common cations such as Na+, K+ and Ca2+ was negligible but some organic cations interfered weakly. The electrodes were applied successfully for the determination of the drugs in pharmaceutical preparations.

Participation of food antigens in increased polyclonal antibody production induced by alcohol

In order to obtain a better understanding of hyperglobulinemia in chronic alcoholism, we investigated whether food antigens participated in the effects of long-term oral alcohol (AL) administration on serum immunoglobulin levels and polyclonal antibody production in spleen, Peyer's patch and bone marrow of C57BL/6 mice in specific pathogen free (SPF) circumstances. In animals fed antigen food (AF), three weeks of oral AL administration elicited an increase in polyclonal IgA antibody production in Peyer's patch. Moreover, seven weeks of oral AL administration elicited increases in both polyclonal IgA antibody production and serum IgA level. However, in animals fed antigen free food (AFF), oral AL administration failed to elicite increases in serum IgA level and polyclonal antibody production in spleen, Peyer's patch and bone marrow. Furthermore, in animals fed AF or AFF, oral AL administration failed to elicite increases in polyclonal IgM and IgG antibody production in any organ and serum IgM and IgG level. It is suggested that food antigens participated greatly in the elevation of serum IgA level in chronic alcoholism and that Peyer's patch is the major site of polyclonal IgA antibody production.

Adsorption of vitronectin in human serum onto plastics is augmented by sodium dodecyl sulfate

We have investigated the adsorption of cell-spreading activity in human serum onto polystyrene plates after treatment of the serum with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Vitronectin in human serum was remarkably adsorbed onto the plate after boiling the serum with 0.1% SDS for 5 min. SDS was effective over the concentration range from 0.05 to 0.25%. Increase of the vitronectin adsorption was accompanied by an increase of cell spreading on the plates. The cell-spreading activity in SDS-treated serum was impeded by anti-vitronectin antibody but not by anti-fibronectin antibody. After treatment with SDS, fibronectin-depleted serum could induce cell spreading but vitronectin-depleted serum could not. These results indicate that vitronectin alone was the cell-spreading factor in SDS-treated human serum. However, SDS-treated pure vitronectin itself did not retain the cell-spreading activity. The activity was recovered when bovine serum albumin was added to pure vitronectin before or after boiling with 0.1% SDS. Therefore, vitronectin adsorbed from SDS-treated serum might retain the cell-spreading activity with the aid of serum protein. Treatment of serum with SDS provides an easy, specific, and efficient method of coating polystyrene plates with vitronectin.

Sustained inotropic effects of a new cardiotonic agent. OPC-8212 in patients with chronic heart failure

OPC-8212, a newly synthesized noncatecholamine, nonglycosidic, orally effective inotropic agent, has been shown to exert a potent cardiotonic action in acute administration to patients with heart failure. However, its long-term effect has not yet been established. Eight patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (New York Heart Association functional class II-III) were given a single dose of 60 mg of OPC-8212 daily for 4 to 8 weeks. OPC-8212 produced symptomatic improvement in four patients. Though there were no detectable changes in arterial pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, heart rate and end-systolic dimension significantly decreased after administration of OPC-8212. Baseline fractional shortening rose significantly and depression of shortening in response to acute pressor stress (afterload mismatch) was corrected after OPC-8212. The end-systolic pressure-dimension relation was shifted to the left with a steeper slope. These findings indicate that the inotropic state was substantially enhanced by the drug. No adverse effects were observed in any patient. Thus, the drug appears to hold promise for the chronic treatment of patients with moderate congestive heart failure who are essentially asymptomatic at rest, but develop severe impairment of cardiac function in a stressed state.

IL-2 antibody production in lupus mice

We show here that antibody responses to IL-2 were detected in NZBWF1 and BXSB mice but not in MRL/lpr mice in vivo and in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in the presence or in the absence of T cells, also induced anti-IL-2 antibody production in NZBWF1 and BXSB mouse spleen cells but not in MRL/lpr spleen cells in vitro. Anti-IL-2 antibody production increased progressively with age. Supernatants (SN) obtained from NZBWF1 B cell cultures were able to elicit anti-IL-2 antibody production in LPS-stimulated spleen cells of normal BALB/c mice, whereas SN from NZBWF1 T cells culture had no detectable effect.

Enhancing effects of oral adjuvants on anti-HBs responses induced by hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine is very promising for the prevention of HB infection. There exist, however, some non-responders to current vaccination trials. In this study, taurine, parotin and lithium were selected as adjuvants which can be administered orally. The mechanisms of these three materials as adjuvants and their effects on HB vaccine were investigated in mice. For instance, taurine induced polyclonal antibody production and exhibited adjuvant activity. Although taurine did not have any activity on the proliferation of thymocytes nor stimulate IL-2 production, taurine did induce IL-1 production by macrophages. It was considered that taurine-induced IL-1 would play an essential role in the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. Parotin also induced polyclonal antibody production and exhibited adjuvant activity. These effects of parotin were not affected even if macrophages or T cells were depleted, and parotin itself had an IL-1-like activity. Therefore, it was considered that parotin acted directly on B cells by its IL-1-like activity and mitogenic activity, resulting in the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. Lithium induced neither polyclonal antibody production, nor IL-1 or IL-2 production. However, when given with an antigen, lithium activated the humoral immune system, resulting in the augmentation of antibody production. Oral administration of taurine, parotin and lithium were capable of restoring antibody responses to HB surface antigen (HBsAg) in HBsAg-nonresponder mice. Furthermore, taurine, parotin and lithium enhanced the adjuvant effects of aluminium contained in the present HB vaccine. These observations indicate that use of these oral adjuvants may open new perspectives in the field of human HB vaccination.

[Effect of dobutamine on ventriculo-arterial coupling and ventricular work efficiency in patients with cardiac failure]

In nine patients with cardiac dysfunction (ejection fraction less than or equal to 50%), we evaluated the effects of dobutamine (5 micrograms/kg/min) on ventriculo-arterial coupling by monitoring direct arterial pressures and simultaneously-recorded M-mode echocardiograms guided with two-dimensional images. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were calculated by the formula of Teichholz, and left ventricular end-systolic pressure (ESP) was approximately from the arterial dicrotic pressure. Arterial pressure was altered by phenylephrine or nitroprusside and the slope (Ees) and volume axis intercept (Vo) of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship were determined as the contractile properties of the ventricle. The arterial system properties were expressed by the slope (Ea) of the end-systolic pressure-stroke volume relationships. Ees during dobutamine infusion was derived assuming that the Vo was unchanged from the baseline state. The left ventricular pressure-volume area (PVA), the sum of external work (EW) and end-systolic potential energy (PE), and ventricular work efficiency (EW/PVA) were determined from a time-varying elastance model. The EDV and ESV were significantly decreased by dobutamine (-4%, p less than 0.05; -22%, p less than 0.01), while the ESP and heart rate remained unchanged. Dobutamine increased the Ees markedly (+41%, p less than 0.01) and decreased the Ea (-23%, p less than 0.01). These changes resulted in a substantial decrease in the ratio of Ea to Ees (-44%, p less than 0.01). The EW was augmented (+22%, p less than 0.01), but the PE was reduced (-33%, p less than 0.01) by dobutamine, while the PVA remained the same as in the baseline state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interaction between cell-binding domain and extracellular matrix-binding domain of fibronectin determined by fluorescence depolarization

Interaction of domains in fibronectin was observed by photometry of fluorescence polarization of three kinds of dye; [N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)]maleimide (ANM tau = 5 ns), [N-(3-fluoranthyl)]maleimide (FAM tau = 20 ns), and [N-(3-pyrene)]maleimide (PRM tau = 100 ns). Each dye was labeled at a free sulfhydryl group in the cell-binding domain. Neither fluorescence of ANM with short fluorescent lifetime, FAM with long lifetime, nor PRM with longer fluorescent lifetime on fibronectin depolarized as much as the free dye. It was found that each dye was firmly fixed in the cell-binding domain. When heparin or gelatin was added in the solution of PRM-fibronectin complex, the fluorescence polarization tended to increase principally by combining heparin or gelatin to fibronectin. It was found that the rotation of whole or partial fibronectin containing the cell-binding domain through fluorescent lifetime of 100 ns was suppressed by combining of heparin or gelatin to fibronectin. When heparin or gelatin was added in the solution of ANM- or FAM-fibronectin complex, on the contrary, the fluorescence polarization tended to decrease, that is, slightly depolarize through the fluorescent lifetime of 5 or 20 ns, respectively. It was found that the rotation of the cell-binding domain, or of part of the fibronectin molecule containing the domain, was slightly promoted by combining heparin or gelatin to its domain. These results indicate that an interaction of the heparin- or gelatin-binding domain with the cell-binding domain was induced by the combining of heparin or gelatin to the respective domains.

[The efficacy of temporary retention chemotherapy of the treatment of polyps in the remnant rectum of familial polyposis after total colectomy and ileorectostomy--a case report]

A case of familial polyposis is reported. The patient was a 24-year-old woman on whom total colectomy followed by ileorectostomy had been performed. However, there were multiple polyps remaining in the remnant rectum. For the treatment of these residual polyps, a new chemotherapeutic method known as Temporary Retention Chemotherapy (TRC), originally devised by us for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, was applied. A balloon catheter was inserted and fixed into the rectum via the anus for the treatment of the rectal tumors. Through the catheter, high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) solution was injected into the rectum and retained there for one hour before being discarded. During the therapy, the patient was asked to change her position of recumbency at certain intervals, so that the 5-FU solution could act evenly on the lesions in question. This therapy was repeated twice a week, and followed by routine endoscopic studies. A total dose of 5,700 mg of 5-FU was necessary for obtaining a complete response of the remnant lesions. 6 months later, 4 polyps were found, and TRC was again applied, resulting in disappearance of the polyps again after the therapy. So far, no side-effect have been noted as a result of this therapy. She is currently still alive without any residual polyps, carcinoma or metastasis 6 years after the operation.

Immunopharmacological study of CCA (Lobenzarit disodium), an anti-arthritis agent--I. Abrogation of IL 1 secretion by LPS-stimulated human monocytes and induction of gamma-interferon production with CCA

In vitro effects of CCA, an anti-arthritis agent, were studied upon autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), lymphocyte mitogenesis, IL 1 and IL 2 production, immunoglobulin production and gamma-interferon (IFN) production. CCA at 50 micrograms/ml, which was not toxic to cells, blocked AMLR, IL 1 production and immunoglobulin production (IgM and IgG) significantly, while CCA at the same dose did not affect IL 2 production and lymphocyte mitogenic responses to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I(SAC) and pokeweed mitogen(PWM). CCA at both 20 ng/ml and 20 micrograms/ml induced human gamma/IFN. Addition of IL 1 and/or IL 2 reversed inhibitory effect of CCA on AMLR. These data suggest that CCA exerts its actions by mainly affecting T cells and monocytes and can be used as an immunomodulator.

Photodynamic inactivation of bladder cancer cells (MGH-U1) sensitized with acridine orange and irradiated by argon laser

Photodynamic inactivation of bladder cancer cells (MGH-U1) was investigated in order to apply laser therapy to the treatment of bladder cancer. After stained with acridine orange (AO), the material cells were irradiated with argon laser. After 24 hr incubation the survival was counted with a hemocytometer. The number of stained cells showed a less than 5% decrease and the number of irradiated (for 15 min) unstained cells showed no decrease compared with untreated cells. Participation of singlet oxygen process in inactivation of MGH-U1 cells was confirmed by the use of D2O and NaN3. The result shows that argon laser at the low intensity and with short irradiation time has a sufficient cytocydal effect, suggesting the usefulness of photodynamic inactivation of argon laser with topical use of acridine orange in the treatment of bladder cancer.

Polysaccharides with sulfate groups are human T cell mitogens and murine polyclonal B cell activators (PBAs) II. Cellulose sulfate and dextran sulfate with two different lower molecular weights

In our previous paper, we reported that various types of carrageenan, dextran sulfate and fucoidan, which are sulfated homopolysaccharides with high molecular weights, were human T cell mitogens and murine polyclonal B cell activators (PBAs) and that heparin, a sulfated heteropolysaccharide, was a very weak human mitogen and mouse PBA. Here we used cellulose sulfate (Mr 7-9 X 10(3], dextran sulfate with two different low molecular weights (Mr 5 X 10(3) and 8 X 10(3], two different condroitin sulfates (Mr 3.5 X 10(4], polyvinyl sulfate and polygalacturonic acid to investigate mitogenic activities of polysaccharides in detail. The following results were obtained. Low-molecular-weight sulfated homopolysaccharides, dextran sulfate and cellulose sulfate, were very weak or not human T cell mitogens. However, they were better murine PBAs. Sulfated heteropolysaccharides, chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate, hardly induced mitogenic changes in human T cells and mouse B cells, even though the molecular weight of these substances was more than 1 X 10(4). There were no other polymers examined so far which activated both human T cells and murine B cells. The relationship among molecular size, sulfate groups and lymphocyte activation is discussed in detail.

Polyclonal antibody production induced by parotid protein and its active glycopeptide in mouse and human lymphocytes

Parotid protein (extracted from bovine parotid gland), one parotid subunit, and the active fragment (FrAA-1) induced polyclonal IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody production in murine spleen cells in vivo and in vitro. The parotid subunit also elicited polyclonal IgM antibody responses in immune defective CBA/N and LPS nonresponder C3H/HeJ mouse. When one carbohydrate residue in the subunit was removed by treatment with mixed galactosidase, the ability to generate nonspecific responses was markedly reduced. In human peripheral lymphocytes, the parotid subunit and FrAA-1 induced considerable polyclonal IgM antibody production. The subunit was not toxic to human lymphocytes. Therefore, it seems possible that parotid protein could be applied to immunopharmacological therapy for conditions such as immunodeficiency.