Preparation, characterization and application of monoclonal antibodies against PAI-1

Six hybridoma cell lines (AP1-AP6) secreting monoclonal antibodies (McAb) against PAI-1 were obtained by fusing the murine myeloma cell line SP2/0 with the spleen cells from Balb/c mouse immunized with recombinant PAI-1 expressed in E. coli. These antibodies were purified by SPA affinity chromatography. All McAbs recognized rPAI-1 and PAI-1 from the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The titers of ascites were more than 10(6). The antibody-antigen affinity constants (Kaff) for anti-PAI-1 McAb measured by EIA were between 3.45 x 10(7)-1.05 x 10(10) M. AP2 and AP3 McAbs were effective in quenching the activity of PAI-1. Partial quenching of PAI-1 activity was achieved with AP4, AP5 and AP6 McAbs respectively. AP1 McAb had no effect upon PAI-1 activity. Three of the six McAbs (AP1, AP4 and AP5) bound to the PAI-1/t-PA complex, while the others did not. The PAI-1 was purified 51 folds to homogeneity from serum free medium of HepG2 with the recovery rate of 92% by one-step procedure using Sepharose 4B conjugated with anti-PAI-1 McAb (AP1, AP3 and AP4). A sandwich ELISA for the measurement of PAI-1 antigen in human plasma was developed, based on anti-PAI-1 McAb against non-overlapping epitopes. The mean value of plasma PAI-1 for the healthy donors was 24.7 +/- 7.75 ng/ml measured by ELISA.

MMPs and proteinase inhibitors in the human aqueous humor

PURPOSE

This study was performed to examine the gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activities and the levels of two proteinase inhibitors, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-antitrypsin) and alpha 2-macroglobulin, in the human aqueous humor.

METHODS

Aqueous humor samples were collected during elective surgery in patients with cataracts. Zymography with gelatin- and casein-containing gels was performed. The inhibitors were examined by Western blot analyses, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and dot blot assays.

RESULTS

The aqueous humor contained a major band of gelatinolytic activity at a molecular weight of 66 kD and minor bands at 125, 95, and 62 kD. These gelatinases were inhibited by 10 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or 1,10-phenanthroline. After extended incubation (48 hours), zymography on casein-containing gels showed proteinase bands with molecular weights in the 80- to 84-kD range. Additional bands at 68 and 48 kD also were observed. All the caseinase activities were inhibited by 10 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and 1 microgram/ml aprotinin. No inhibition was observed with 5 mM EDTA, 5 microM E-64, or 1 microM pepstatin. These results indicated that the caseinases are serine proteinases. Western blot analysis showed a 53-kD alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor band in the aqueous humor. The concentration was 32.2 +/- 9.9 micrograms/ml, constituting approximately 15% of the total protein. A 360-kD protein band immunoreactive to anti-alpha 2-macroglobulin also was detected. Its level in the aqueous humor was 3.2 +/- 1.3 micrograms/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The gelatinases, serine-like proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors found in the aqueous humor may participate in the remodeling of extracellular matrices in the trabecular meshwork and other tissues bordering the anterior chamber.

Major histocompatibility complex class I-binding peptides are recycled to the cell surface after internalization

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize target antigens as short, processed peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) heavy and light chains (beta 2-microglobulin; beta 2-m). The heavy chain, which comprise the actual peptide binding alpha-1 and alpha-2 domains, can exist at the cell surface in different forms, either free, bound to beta 2-m or as a ternary complex with beta 2-m and peptides. MHC-I chains are also known to internalize, and recycle to the cell surface, and this has been suggested to be important in peptide presentation. Whether MHC-I-bound peptides also can recycle is not known. We have investigated this by using both peptide transporter mutant RMA-S cells and EL4 cells loaded with Db-binding peptides, by two different approaches. First, peptides were covalently linked with galabiose (Gal alpha 4Gal) at a position which did not interfere with Db binding or immunogenicity, and peptide recycling tested with Gal2-specific monoclonal antibodies. By flow cytometry, a return of Gal2 epitopes to the cell surface was found, after cellular internalization and cell surface clearance by pronase treatment. This peptide recycling could be discriminated from free fluid-phase uptake and was inhibited by methylamine, chloroquine and low temperature (18 degrees C) but not by leupeptin. Second, specific CTL were reacted with peptide-loaded target cells after complete removal of surface Db molecules by pronase, and after different times of incubation at 37 degrees C to allow reexpression. By this procedure, reappearance of target cell susceptibility was confirmed. The results are in agreement with a model for optimizing peptide presentation by recycling through an intracellular compartment similar to early endosomes in certain antigen-presenting cells.

Parkinsonism induced with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in cats: behavioral, biochemical and pathological studies

Intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in four cats produced akinesia, bradykinesia, crouched posture, feeding difficulty, and so on, lasting for two weeks. Madopar therapy ameliorated these motor impairments. Reduction of the concentration of dopamine and its metabolites was determined in the substantia nigra and putamen by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Depletion of noradrenaline, serotonin and their metabolites was also seen. Loss of nerve cells and proliferation of glial cells in the substantia nigra were observed under the light microscope. The results indicate that MPTP-induced Parkinsonism in the cat provides an animal model that can be used for basic and therapeutic research on Parkinson's disease.

Effects of low level prenatal 60Co gamma-irradiation on postnatal growth and behavior in mice

Pregnant Kun Ming strain mice were exposed to a total dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 Gy from 60Co gamma-rays from the 13th to the 18th days of gestation. An overall delay of the appearance of two physiologic markers (pinna detachment, eye opening) and the age of acquisition of four reflexes (surface righting, air righting, auditory startle, visual placing) was observed in offspring exposed to 0.2 or 0.4 Gy in utero. Postnatal growth retardation, shortened length of hanging time, inhibited exploratory activity in the hole board test (decreased number of head-dipping), and hyperactivity in the open field test (shortened latency to leave the center area and increased number of squares entered) were also found among the offspring exposed to 0.2 Gy or more in utero. The results indicate that 0.1-0.2 Gy may represent a threshold range in mice for certain physiologic and behavioral effects resulting from continuous exposure to 60Co gamma-rays on the 13th-18th days of gestation.

Cartilage homeoprotein 1, a homeoprotein selectively expressed in chondrocytes

We identified a rat cDNA that encodes cartilage homeoprotein 1 (Cart-1). The deduced amino acid sequence of Cart-1 contains a paired-type homeodomain. Northern blot hybridization and RNase protection assay revealed that Cart-1 RNA was present at high levels in a well-differentiated rat chondrosarcoma tumor and in a cell line derived from this tumor. Cart-1 RNA was detected in primary mouse and rat chondrocytes but not in various fibroblasts including mouse 10T1/2 cells, NIH 3T3 cells, BALB 3T3 cells, and rat skin fibroblasts. It was also undetectable in mouse C2 myoblasts, S194 myeloma cells, and embryonic stem cells. Cart-1 RNA was present at a very low level in tested but was not detected in other soft tissues of 8-week-old rats. In situ hybridization of rat embryos between 14.5 and 16.5 days post coitum revealed relatively high levels of Cart-1 RNA in condensed prechondrocytic mesenchymal cells and in early chondrocytes of cartilage primordia. The levels of Cart-1 RNA were lower in mature chondrocytes. No hybridization was observed in brain, spinal cord, heart, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and muscle. We speculate that Cart-1 has a role in chondrocyte differentiation.

Reduction of ringing and blurring artifacts in fast spin-echo imaging

A simple method was devised to reduce ringing and blurring artifacts caused by discontinuous T2 weighting of k-space data in fast spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The method demodulates the weighting function along the phase-encoding direction by using multiple T2 values derived from a set of non-phase-encoded echoes obtained from an extra excitation. The performance of this method was evaluated by computer simulations and experiments, which confirmed its capability of effectively reducing or, in some cases, even completely removing the ringing and blurring artifacts. The results also show that the proposed method produces better results than other artifact reduction methods. The method is particularly useful at high magnetic field strengths (7.1-9.4 T) and with strong gradients (> 20 G/cm) used in MR microscopy, in which the apparent T2 values are short for most tissues. The authors expect that the proposed method will find useful applications in various fast spin-echo pulse sequences.

The hypoxic moderation of systemic hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The mechanism of hypoxic moderation of systemic systolic blood pressure was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHR rats were divided into hypoxic (H, 5000 m for 15 d) and normoxic (N) groups. The systemic blood pressure of SHR-H (24.9 +/- 1.2 kPa) was found to be 3 kPa lower than that in SHR-N (27.0 +/- 1.3 kPa) (P < 0.05). This protective effect may have been related to the adaptive changes in vascular reactivity which manifested as an increase in the relaxation response of the aorta to ACh (P < 0.01) and a drop in its contraction in response to 5-HT (P < 0.05) following hypoxic exposure. The hypoxic moderating effect against the development of systemic hypertension may have also been related to the increased plasma levels of ANP observed.

Antigen processing mutant T2 cells present viral antigen restricted through H-2Kb

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize foreign antigens as short peptides presented by class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). T2 cells are profoundly defective in the presentation of endogenously synthesized antigens to CTL due to a deletion of MHC class II-encoded genes for transporters associated with antigen presentation (TAP1/TAP2). Surprisingly, we here demonstrate that T2 cells, after infection with Sendai virus, are readily killed by H-2Kb restricted CD8+ T cells. In contrast to classical class I-mediated antigen presentation, the presentation of Sendai virus antigen in T2Kb cells is brefeldin A (BFA) insensitive. The present findings may suggest the presence of an alternative pathway for MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation in T2 cells.

Diffusion-weighted MR microscopy with fast spin-echo

A diffusion-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) imaging sequence for high-field MR microscopy was developed and experimentally validated in a phantom and in a live rat. Pulsed diffusion gradients were executed before and after the initial 180 degrees pulse in the FSE pulse train. This produced diffusion-related reductions in image signal intensity corresponding to gradient ("b") factors between 1.80 and 1352 s/mm2. The degree of diffusion weighting was demonstrated to be independent of echo train length for experiments using trains up to 16 echoes long. Quantitative measurements on a phantom and on a live rat produced diffusion coefficients consistent with literature values. Importantly, the eight- to 16-fold increase in imaging efficiency with FSE was not accompanied by a significant loss of spatial resolution or contrast. This permits acquisition of in vivo three-dimensional data in time periods that are appropriate for evolving biological processes. The combination of accurate diffusion weighting and high spatial resolution provided by FSE makes the technique particularly useful for MR microscopy.

Effects of monophasic and biphasic shocks on action potentials during ventricular fibrillation in dogs

This study determined the response of action potentials during ventricular fibrillation (VF) to timed monophasic and biphasic shocks. A floating glass microelectrode was used to record intracellularly from the anterior right ventricle in 10 open-chest dogs. After 10 seconds of electrically induced VF, 5-millisecond monophasic and 2.5/2.5-millisecond biphasic shocks or 16-millisecond monophasic and 8/8-millisecond biphasic shocks were given via mesh electrodes on either side of the microelectrode. Monophasic and biphasic truncated exponential shocks of 5 V/cm were given with coupling intervals timed from the beginning of a VF action potential to the shock ranging from 50 to 70 milliseconds in 5-millisecond increments. Each coupling interval for each waveform was tested during a different VF episode. The interval between successive activations during VF was 86 +/- 15 milliseconds (mean +/- SD). The refractory period during VF was 61 +/- 5 milliseconds for 5-millisecond monophasic shocks and 66 +/- 6 milliseconds for 2.5/2.5-millisecond biphasic shocks (P < .05). At each coupling interval, action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD50) was significantly prolonged by the shocks compared with the mean preshock APD50 (P < .05). ADP50 duration increased significantly with increases in the coupling interval (P < .05) for both monophasic and biphasic waveforms. For all coupling intervals together, APD50 prolongation as a percent of the mean preshock APD50 was 170 +/- 55%, 192 +/- 45%, 151 +/- 44%, and 175 +/- 45% for 5- and 16-millisecond monophasic and 2.5/2.5- and 8/8-millisecond biphasic waveforms, respectively. This APD50 prolongation was greater for monophasic than biphasic shocks and was greater for longer than shorter waveforms (P < .05). Thus, during VF, (1) the refractory period for 5-V/cm truncated exponential waveforms lasting 5 milliseconds is approximately 75% of the VF activation interval; (2) the refractory period is shorter for monophasic than for comparable biphasic waveforms; (3) both monophasic and biphasic 5-V/cm shock fields cause prolongation of action potential duration; (4) prolongation of action potential duration increases as the coupling interval increases; and (5) prolongation of action potential duration is greater for monophasic shocks and for longer shock waveforms.

TFEC, a basic helix-loop-helix protein, forms heterodimers with TFE3 and inhibits TFE3-dependent transcription activation

We have identified a new basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) DNA-binding protein, designated TFEC, which is closely related to TFE3 and TFEB. The basic domain of TFEC is identical to the basic DNA-binding domain of TFE3 and TFEB, whereas the helix-loop-helix motif of TFEC shows 88 and 85% identity with the same domains in TFE3 and TFEB, respectively. Like the other two proteins, TFEC contains a leucine zipper motif, which has a lower degree of sequence identity with homologous domains in TFE3 and TFEB than does the BHLH segment. Little sequence identity exists outside these motifs. Unlike the two other proteins, TFEC does not contain an acidic domain, which for TFE3 mediates the ability to activate transcription. Like the in vitro translation product of TFE3, the in vitro-translated TFEC binds to the mu E3 DNA sequence of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene enhancer. In addition, the product of cotranslation of TFEC RNA and TFE3 RNA forms a heteromeric protein-DNA complex with mu E3 DNA. In contrast to TFE3, TFEC is unable to transactivate a reporter gene linked to a promoter containing tandem copies of the immunoglobulin mu E3 enhancer motif. Cotransfection of TFEC DNA and TFE3 DNA strongly inhibits the transactivation caused by TFE3. TFEC RNA is found in many tissues of adult rats, but the relative concentrations of TFEC and TFE3 RNAs vary considerably in these different tissues. No TFEC RNA was detectable in several cell lines, including fibroblasts, myoblasts, chondrosarcoma cells, and myeloma cells, indicating that TFEC is not ubiquitously expressed.

TAP2-defective RMA-S cells present Sendai virus antigen to cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The murine antigen-processing-defective mutant cell line RMA-S is leaky in the presentation of certain endogenously synthesized minor histocompatibility and viral antigens to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The viral antigens include influenza virus nucleoprotein, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) nucleocapsid and Rauscher murine leukemia virus (MuLV) antigen. Here we demonstrate Sendai virus antigen presentation by the HAM2 (murine TAP2, transporter associated with antigen presentation type 2)-defective RMA-S cell line and compare antigen presentation after restoration of the defect by murine TAP1/2 gene transfection. Kinetic studies revealed that RMA-S cells required 2-3 h longer incubation and approximately 10 times higher doses of Sendai virus to reach the same level of killing as the RMA parental line. After transfection of RMA-S cells with the murine TAP1/2 gene, Sendai virus antigen presentation was restored to levels of the RMA wild-type line with regard to time of virus infection and dose of virus needed for sensitizing target cells. The presentation of Sendai virus antigen in RMA-S cells was sensitive to brefeldin A (BFA), suggesting that the presentation was mediated via the endogenous pathway. Our findings confirmed leakiness of antigen presentation in RMA-S cells and extended it to Sendai virus. The results underscored the role for intact expression of the TAP 1/2 molecules for efficient MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation.

High-field MR microscopy using fast spin-echoes

Fast spin-echo imaging has been investigated with attention to the requirements and opportunities for high-field MR microscopy. Two- and three-dimensional versions were implemented at 2.0 T, 7.1 T, and 9.4 T. At these fields, at least eight echoes were collectable with a 10 ms TE from fixed tissue specimens and living animals, giving an eightfold improvement in imaging efficiency. To reduce the phase-encoding gradient amplitude and its duty cycle, a modified pulse sequence with phase accumulation was developed. Images obtained using this pulse sequence exhibited comparable signal-to-noise (SNR) to those obtained from the conventional fast spin-echo pulse sequences. Signal losses due to imperfections in RF pulses and lack of phase rewinders were offset in this sequence by reduced diffusion losses incurred with the gradients required for MR microscopy. Image SNR, contrast, edge effects and spatial resolution for three k-space sampling schemes were studied experimentally and theoretically. One method of sampling k-space, 4-GROUP FSE, was found particularly useful in producing varied T2 contrast at high field. Two-dimensional images of tissue specimens were obtained in a total acquisition time of 1 to 2 min with in-plane resolution between 30 to 70 microns, and 3D images with 256(3) arrays were acquired from fixed rat brain tissue (isotropic voxel = 70 microns) and a living rat (isotropic voxel = 117 microns) in approximately 4.5 h.

Modulation of cellular immune responses by cold water swim stress in the rat

Alterations of cell-mediated immune responses in the rat produced by 5-day (one 3-min stress session each day for 5 days) and 1-day (three 3-min stress sessions within 12 h) cold water stress administration were investigated. Mitogenic responses to concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratios, and natural killer (NK) cell activity of blood and spleen lymphocytes were increased by the 5-day cold water stress. Responses to Con A and LPS, IL-2 production, and CD4+ and CD8+ percentages of blood and spleen lymphocytes were decreased by the 1-day cold water stress. Corticosterone levels were increased by both the 1-day and 5-day cold water stress. Cold water stress, as a natural stressor, may have its own unique pattern of neuroendocrine changes because of the accompanying body temperature variations that may influence immune functions.

Three-dimensional NMR microscopy of rat spleen and liver

Three-dimensional microscopic NMR images of spleen and liver specimens from rats injected with dextran magnetite particles and from controls were obtained at 4.7 T, using a specially designed probe in conjunction with a 3D filtered back projection reconstruction algorithm. All of the images were reconstructed as 64(3) arrays with (25 microns) 3 isotropic voxels. With the aid of the MR contrast agent, the red pulp and marginal zone of the spleen and the portal triad of the liver could be distinguished from the surrounding tissue in T2-weighted images. For mature rat spleen, natural contrast in T2-weighted images was found to distinguish the same features. Histological examinations of the tissues with and without contrast agent were also performed using an optical microscope. Microscopic NMR images, despite their lower resolution, clearly revealed many features seen in the optical images.

In vitro translation of the human insulin proreceptor results in N-linked glycosylation without dimer formation

The heterotetrameric configuration of the cell surface human insulin receptor (hINSR) is important for mediating insulin action. Investigation of proreceptor dimerization, the quaternary processing event during biogenesis, offers the potential to examine interactions between disulfide-linked receptor subunits. Thus, dimer formation of the proreceptor was examined in a cell-free system that utilized a coupled transcription and translation method with rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Translation products were labeled with [35S]methionine and identified by non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. In vitro synthesis in the presence of oxidized glutathione failed to demonstrate dimerization of the nascent proreceptor. Co-translational processing with the addition of microsomal membranes resulted in N-linked glycosylation of the proreceptor but without dimer formation. Thus, similar to that observed in vivo, insulin proreceptor dimerization does not appear to be a co-translational or early post-translational event.

The endosperm-specific expression of a rice prolamin chimaeric gene in transgenic tobacco plants

The 5' upstream region (-680 to +40), containing the potential promoter and complete signal peptide coding sequence of the rice seed storage prolamin gene was amplified in vitro using the polymerase chain reaction from the genome of Chinese rice cultivar Zhonghua 8. The physical map and DNA sequence analysis show strong homology with the 5' flanking region of the rice prolamin gene published by Kim and Okita (1988a). No change in the signal peptide coding sequence and a long leader sequence with several small open reading frames were found. The chimaeric gene containing the 5' flanking region of the prolamin gene (-680 to -18) was transcriptionally fused with the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and the fusion junction was confirmed by both physical mapping and DNA sequence analysis. The resultant chimaeric gene was used to transform tobacco explants, using the Ti binary system of Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404. Three transgenic tobacco plants with as many as 20 copies of the chimaeric GUS gene (confirmed by dot and Southern hybridization) were analysed further. Histochemical analysis revealed GUS activity in the endosperm tissue of tobacco seed at the developmental stage about 20 days after flowering (DAF). No GUS activity was found in leaves, stems, roots and flowers of the transgenic tobacco plants. Therefore, we conclude that the 5' upstream region from -680 to -18 was sufficient to confer the endosperm-specific expression of the rice prolamin gene.

Evaluation of an automatic cardiac activation detector for bipolar electrograms

The identification of local activation events in bipolar cardiac electrograms, the first step of isochronal map construction, is a time-consuming and difficult process. Owing to the variability among bipolar activation complexes and the lack of practical knowledge concerning the relationship of the bipolar waveform to action potential characteristics, a set of empirical rules to guide the assignment of local activation times have been adopted. A computer program, called AP, has been designed, which implements these rules in the form of a syntactic analyser. Canine epicardial recordings were used to evaluate AP by comparing local activation times, assigned by AP, with times assigned independently by three investigators. The Hermes-Cox model for detector evaluation and a bootstrap statistical method were used in conjunction with ROC analysis to evaluate the ability of AP to detect events. Analysis of discrepancies among investigator-assigned times showed that the reliabilities of AP event detection and AP-assigned times were comparable to those of the investigators. The methods used in system design and evaluation are applicable to a broad range of problems in the detection and localisation of waveform components.

Metabolism of alkyl lysophospholipid in epithelial cancer cell lines and inhibition of cell growth

The mechanism of inhibition of cancer cell growth by alkyllysophospholipids is not known. We have investigated the metabolism of 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methylglycerophosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) in MCF7, A427, and A549 cell lines to determine whether there is a correlation between metabolism and sensitivity and whether the growth-inhibitory effects are due to ET-18-OCH3 or its metabolites. After 12 h incubation with ET-18-OCH3, less than 1.5% of ET-18-OCH3 taken up in the cells was converted to 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methylglycerol (OMG). No correlation was observed between the extent of metabolism and sensitivity to the compound. Incubation of cells with 1 microgram OMG/mL (2.8 microM) for 12 h resulted in cellular quantities of OMG in MCF7, A427, and A549 that were, respectively, 8-, 5-, and 25-fold greater than those in cells incubated with 5 micrograms ET-18-OCH3/mL (9.6 microM). While 12 h incubation with 1 microgram OMG/mL did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of MCF7 or A427 cells, incubation with 5 micrograms ET-18-OCH3/mL inhibited MCF7 and A427 growth by 90 and 15%, respectively. A549 cell growth was inhibited 10% by 1 microgram OMG/mL, but not by 5 micrograms ET-18-OCH3/mL. Incubation of cells for 12 h with 5 micrograms OMG/mL (13.9 microM) inhibited the growth of all three cell lines. Our results indicate that both ET-18-OCH3 and OMG can inhibit cell growth but the low quantities of OMG produced from ET-18-OCH3 are not responsible for the observed inhibition of MCF7 and A427 cell growth.

Nodal is a novel TGF-beta-like gene expressed in the mouse node during gastrulation

During gastrulation, the three germ layers of the embryo are formed and organized along the anterior-posterior body axis. In the mouse, gastrulation involves the delamination of ectodermal cells through the primitive streak and their differentiation into mesoderm. These processes do not occur in embryos homozygous for a retrovirally induced recessive prenatal lethal mutation, the strain 413-d insertional mutation. Instead of giving rise to mesoderm, embryonic ectoderm in 413-d mutants overproliferates and then rapidly degenerates, although extraembryonic lineages remain viable. Here we isolate a candidate for the mutated gene which encodes a new member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. Expression is first detected in primitive streak-stage embryos at about the time of mesoderm formation. It then becomes highly localized in the node at the anterior of the primitive streak. This region is analogous to chick Hensen's node and Xenopus dorsal lip (Spemann's organizer), which can induce secondary body axes when grafted into host embryos (reviewed in refs 5 and 6). Our findings suggest that this gene, named nodal, encodes a signalling molecule essential for mesoderm formation and subsequent organization of axial structures in early mouse development.

Epicardial mapping of ventricular defibrillation with monophasic and biphasic shocks in dogs

To study the mechanism of defibrillation and the reason for the increased defibrillation efficacy of biphasic waveforms, the potential gradient in a 32 x 30-mm region of the right ventricle in 15 dogs was progressively lowered in four steps while a strong potential gradient field was maintained throughout the rest of the ventricular myocardium. The volume of right ventricle beneath the plaque was 10 +/- 2% of the total ventricular mass. A 10-msec monophasic (eight dogs) or 5/5-msec biphasic (seven dogs) truncated exponential shock 30% above the defibrillation threshold voltage was given via electrodes on the left ventricular apex and right atrium to create the strong potential gradient field. Simultaneously, a weaker shock with the same waveform but opposite polarity was given via mesh electrodes on either side of the small right ventricular region to cancel part of the potential difference in the region and to create one of the four levels of potential gradient fields. Shock potentials and activations were recorded from 117 epicardial electrodes in the small region, and in one dog global epicardial activations and potentials were recorded from a sock containing 72 electrodes. Each gradient field was tested 10 times for successful defibrillation after 10 seconds of electrically induced fibrillation. For both monophasic and biphasic shocks, the percentage of successful defibrillation attempts decreased (p < 0.05) as the potential gradient decreased in the small region. Defibrillation was successful approximately 80% of the time for a mean +/- SD potential gradient of 5.4 +/- 0.8 V/cm for monophasic shocks and 2.7 +/- 0.3 V/cm for biphasic shocks (p < 0.05). No postshock activation fronts arose from the small region for eight waveform when the gradient was more than 5 V/cm. For both waveforms, the postshock activation fronts after the shocks were markedly different from those just before the shock and exhibited either a focal origin or unidirectional conduction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mechanisms of rubidium permeation by rabbit cortical collecting duct during potassium restriction

To examine the pathways of K permeation in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) from K-restricted rabbits, we studied the effects of the following three maneuvers: 1) luminal amiloride addition; 2) luminal Ba addition; and 3) luminal Na removal. Luminal addition of amiloride (1 mM) significantly increased the 86Rb lumen-to-bath efflux coefficient (KRb), and this effect was fully blocked by the presence of 2 mM luminal Ba. Addition of 2 mM luminal Ba reduced KRb both in the absence of luminal Na and in the presence of luminal Na. In contrast to the effect of amiloride addition, removal of luminal Na significantly increased KRb, but neither 2 mM luminal Ba nor 4 mM luminal Ba totally abolished this effect. However, simultaneous addition of luminal Ba and Sch 28080 (10 microM) fully inhibited the increase in KRb upon luminal Na removal, indicating that luminal Na removal enhances Rb efflux in part via H-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (H-K-ATPase). To test whether Na acts as a partial agonist for cation efflux via the H-K-ATPase we examined the effect of Sch 28080 on the 22Na lumen-to-bath efflux coefficient (KNa). These studies were conducted in the presence of 0.1 mM luminal amiloride to block fully apical conductive Na efflux, and the effect of Sch 28080 on KNa was examined at two different ambient K concentrations. In the presence of 0.5 mM K, Sch 28080 (10 microM) significantly inhibited KNa from 47.6 +/- 4.8 to 35.0 +/- 6.8 nm/s (P < 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Construction of an EB virus based shuttle vector plasmid pZH32]

The shuttle vector can replicate in both bacteria and eukaryotic cells. We have constructed a shuttle vector pZH32 based on the EB virus. Three component parts of the plasmid come from pSV2gpt, pS189 and pMCi5. An E. coli tyrosine suppressor tRNA gene, supF, was used as a mutagenic target in this plasmid, and a gpt gene was used as a selectable marker gene for transformed cells. This pZH32 based on EBV replicates autonomously in the nuclei of human cells. It has a low background mutation frequency. The plasmid can be used to examine the mutagenic mechanism of potential mutagens and carcinogens in mammalian cells.

In vivo priming of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in relation to in vitro up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules by short synthetic peptides

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize target antigens as short peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules (MHC-I). Externally added peptides can sensitize target cells by binding directly to MHC-I without any need for internal processing. Those which are similar in length to endogenously processed peptides are more potent in this respect than slightly longer peptides. Peptide MHC-I interactions can also be reflected as up-regulation of MHC-I in vitro on certain cells. We have compared the capacity of Db, Kb- and Ld-binding peptides, which are slightly different in length, to up-regulate MHC-I in vitro with their immunogenicity in vivo, in relation to generation of CTL responses. A clear correlation between these two different functions was found. We have also modified a 9-mer Db-binding peptide by adding cystein to the amino terminus and lysine to the amino- or carboxy terminus and studied the effects on MHC-I up-regulation and in vivo immunogenicity. Cystein and lysine contain reactive groups which are likely to influence the binding of modified peptides into the antigen-binding groove of Db. These small modifications of the optimal 9-mer peptide strongly influenced their functions but still there was a correlation between MHC-I up-regulation and CTL responses. Up-regulation of MHC-I in vitro may reflect a capacity of peptides to accumulate on the surface of particular antigen-presenting cells in vivo.

The relationship between cellular ether glycerophospholipid content and sensitivity of cancer cells to 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-glycerophosphocholine

Cancer cells are more susceptible to the growth-inhibitory effects of alkyl lysophospholipids than normal cells, but the mechanism of this selectivity is unknown. In this study we have investigated the hypothesis that the sensitivity of cells to alkyl lysophospholipids is related to the cellular ether lipid content. The order of decreasing sensitivity of the cells to the growth-inhibitory effect of 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-glycerophosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) was MCF 7 > T84 > Malme 3M > A427 > A549, while the order of decreasing ether phospholipid content as a proportion of the total phospholipid was T84 > A427 = A549 = Malme 3M > MCF7. There was also no correlation between ET-18-OCH3-sensitivity and the proportion of ether lipid in the cholineglycerophospholipid or ethanolamineglycerophospholipid classes. Our results clearly indicate that the postulated relationship between ether phospholipid content and ET-18-OCH3-susceptibility may have very limited applicability and is unlikely to be the underlying reason for the selective effects of alkyl lysophospholipids.

In vivo primary induction of virus-specific CTL by immunization with 9-mer synthetic peptides

A primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in vivo requires antigen presentation by cytosolic processing and can not in general be obtained by vaccination with soluble proteins. In the present work we have found that vaccination of mice with pre-processed synthetic peptides, corresponding to endogenous 9-mers produced in influenza A virus-infected cells, resulted in strong primary CTL responses. The generated CTL efficiently killed virus-infected target cells with preference for viral strains having the identical amino acid sequences to the peptides used for immunization. The optimal conditions for a primary in vivo CTL response was obtained with 100 micrograms peptide dissolved in incomplete Freund's adjuvant and injected s.c. at the base of tail. Spleen cells which had been primed 7-10 days earlier were restimulated for 5 days in vitro, using an optimal low peptide concentration (0.05 microM) and tested against virus-infected and peptide-treated target cells. The peptide-induced CTL were major histocompatibility complex class I restricted and CD8 positive.

Class I restricted CTL recognition of a soluble protein delivered by liposomes containing lipophilic polylysines

CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes recognize peptides derived from endogenous antigens complexed with class I major histocompatibility complex while CD4+ helper cells recognize peptides from exogenous antigens bound to class II MHC molecules. A soluble protein can be introduced into the class I pathway of antigen processing and presentation using an appropriate vehicle to deliver the antigen into the cytosol. Cationic liposomes containing lipophilic polylysine readily form complexes with an anionic, soluble protein ovalbumin. Mouse thymoma EL4 cells incubated with such complexes can be sensitized for killing by OVA-specific CTL effector cells. This method of target sensitization by a soluble antigen is more sensitive than the osmotic loading method previously reported.

Improved procedures for the determination of lipid phosphorus by malachite green

We have developed two procedures for the measurement of lipid phosphorus based on interaction between phosphomolybdenum and malachite green. One method, the "micro" assay uses 50-200 microliters of HClO4 and has a sensitivity range of 0.01-1.5 micrograms phosphorus. The second method, the "macro" assay, has a sensitivity range of 0.03-5.0 micrograms phosphorus with 100-500 microliters HClO4. Both assays are very reproducible with day to day standard deviations of less than 6% between triplicates irrespective of the HClO4 content used. At different concentrations of HClO4, each method was successfully used to determine the phosphorus content in phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin standards that covered the proposed sensitivity ranges. The increased range, sensitivity and greater volumes of HClO4 permitted in the procedures represent significant improvements over existing methods.

Ethanol inhibits C6 cell growth: fetal alcohol syndrome model

Maternal consumption of ethanol produces a pattern of malformations, including nervous system abnormalities, in the developing fetus, a state called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. We report the dose-dependent inhibition by ethanol of the growth of a glioma derived cell line, C6 cells; the effects occur at ethanol concentrations commonly encountered in the blood during human intoxication. The effects occur with different morphological subtypes of the cell line and do not occur when the cells are exposed to iso-osmolar concentrations of other chemicals. The results demonstrate that C6 cells are a model for the study of the effects of ethanol on nervous system cell growth.

Sexuality in a natural population of bacteria– Bacillus subtilis challenges the clonal paradigm

Reproduction by binary fission necessarily establishes a clonal genotypic structure in bacterial populations unless a high rate of genetic recombination opposes it. Several genetic properties were examined for a wild population of Bacillus subtilis in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona to assess the extent of recombination in a natural population. These properties included allozyme variation revealed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, phage and antibiotic resistance, and restriction fragment length polymorphism with Southern hybridization. Evidence of extensive genetic recombination was found along with evidence of modest clonal structure. Recombination must be frequent relative to binary fission in this population. This mixed population structure provides broader options for bacterial evolution than would a purely clonal structure.

H-K-ATPase enhancement of Rb efflux by cortical collecting duct

Previous studies suggest that enhancement of rubidium tracer (86Rb) lumen-to-bath efflux following removal of luminal Na is mediated in part by a Ba-insensitive pathway. To determine the role of a primary active K pump in this response, we examined the action of known inhibitors of H-K-ATPase (Sch 28080) and Na-K-ATPase (ouabain) on the 86Rb lumen-to-bath efflux coefficient (KRb). Luminal Sch 28080 (10 microM) significantly reduced KRb by 39 +/- 8.0% (P less than 0.05), whereas luminal ouabain (0.1 mM) reduced KRb by 10 +/- 14% (P = not significant), suggesting that a luminal H-K-ATPase mediates Rb efflux. To examine whether H-K-ATPase mediates Rb in KRb following removal of luminal Na, additional experiments were conducted to examine the effect of Sch 28080 on KRb in the presence and the absence of luminal Na. In the presence of luminal Na, 10 microM Sch 28080 reduced KRb by 15 +/- 5.0%. However, in the absence of luminal Na, 10 microM Sch 28080 decreased KRb by 48 +/- 8.2%. The percentage inhibition of KRb by Sch 28080 was significantly greater in the absence of luminal Na than in its presence (P less than 0.01), suggesting that the enhancement of KRb following removal of luminal Na is mediated in part by an H-K-ATPase pathway. In either case transepithelial voltage was not significantly altered. In contrast to the lack of effect of luminal ouabain, addition of 0.1 mM ouabain to the bath increased KRb (69.8 +/- 11.1 vs. 95.9 +/- 18.7 nm/s, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Tetrandrine on monocyte migration induced by endothelial cell-derived chemotactic factor]

The medium conditioned by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC-CM) was used as a source of chemotactic factor, and its chemotactic activity for monocytes was tested by using micropore filter assay in modified Boyden chamber. The effects of tetrandrine, a calcium antagonist, on monocyte migration induced by EC-CM were investigated. The results showed that cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells secreted a chemotactic factor for monocytes, and the monocyte migration induced by this chemoattractant could be inhibited by tetrandrine at the concentration of 10(-8)-10(-5) mol/L in a dose-dependent manner. Verapamil at the concentration of x10(-8) mol/L also showed the same effect. It is suggested that tetrandrine may inhibit monocyte migration into arterial subendothelial space through antagonism to calcium and thereby suppress atherogenesis.

Insertional mutation of a gene involved in growth regulation of the early mouse embryo

A transgenic mouse strain derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells infected with multiple copies of a retroviral vector carries a recessive insertional mutation resulting in prenatal lethality. A detailed histological analysis of developing embryos has shown that the mutation results in hyperplasia of both embryonic and extraembryonic ectoderm and failure of mesoderm formation in the egg cylinder stage embryo. The number of cells in each lineage of normal and mutant embryos was estimated using stereological analysis of serial sections taken from implantation sites. We observed a 2-fold increase in the number of embryonic ectoderm cells in mutant embryos at 7.5 days postcoitum (dpc). In addition, we found that mutant embryonic ectoderm cells are only 0.6 times as large as normal cells. The number of extraembryonic ectoderm cells in mutant embryos at 7.5 dpc is also increased, by almost 4-fold. Mutant extraembryonic ectoderm cells are also smaller than normal, being only two-thirds the size of wild-type cells. The mutant phenotype suggests that the gene identified by this insertional mutation plays an important role in the growth control of early embryonic lineages.

Nonoxidative ethanol metabolism: expression of fatty acid ethyl ester synthase-III in cultured neural cells

Alcohol metabolism in the human brain has been characterized as essentially nonoxidative in nature, with the esterification of ethanol with fatty acids via fatty acid ethyl ester synthase. This pathway of ethanol metabolism is related to end organ damage in the brain but the neural cell type expressing FAEES has not been identified. In this study human and rodent neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines are assayed for fatty acid ethyl ester synthase activity. Cells with neuronal properties demonstrated higher activity than glioma cell lines. We confirmed the presence of the mRNA for one type of synthase, fatty acid ethyl ester synthase-III in three neuronal cell lines--N1E115 cells, PC12 cells, and SK-N-MC cells. These results support the hypothesis that FAEES activity is expressed chiefly in cells with neuronal properties and suggest that non-oxidative ethanol metabolism is potentially related to the toxic effect of ethanol on the human brain.

[Determination of total alkaloid in seedling bulbs of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq]

This paper reports the determination of total alkaloid in the seedling bulbs and cultivars of the traditional Chinese medicine Fritillaria thunbergii. The result shows that the content of total alkaloid reaches the standard value specified in Chinese Pharmacopeia, and thus is useful for further production of sexual propagation.

Existence of both fast and slow channel activity during the early stages of ventricular fibrillation

Although sodium channels have been reported to be inactive after 5-10 minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF), their state during early VF is unknown. In 12 open-chest dogs, a floating glass microelectrode was used to record intracellular action potentials from the right ventricle during pacing and during electrically induced VF. Before any drug was administered, an initial episode of VF was continuously recorded for at least 20 seconds followed by defibrillation. Recordings were made during VF episodes after superfusion for 15 minutes around the microelectrode site by low (2.8 x 10(-5) M) and high (10(-4) M) concentrations of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in five dogs, or by low (4 microM) and high (100 microM) concentrations of verapamil in another four dogs. In three dogs, VF was induced without drugs three times to determine if the effects observed in the previous dogs were caused by the drugs or by successive episodes of VF. Ten consecutive action potentials were analyzed at the onset and after 5, 10, 15, and 20 seconds of VF. Action potential amplitude and duration during paced rhythm or VF were not changed by the local perfusion of either TTX or verapamil. In the TTX group, the maximum upstroke rate of depolarization of an action potential (Vmax) during paced rhythm was 104 +/- 14 V/sec for control cycles before any drug was given, 86 +/- 15 V/sec for the low TTX concentration, and 55 +/- 14 V/sec for the high TTX concentration (p less than 0.05 versus other two). Vmax decreased from 55 +/- 32 V/sec at the beginning of VF to 37 +/- 27 V/sec after 20 seconds of VF for predrug VF, from 39 +/- 20 V/sec to 18 +/- 11 V/sec for low-dose TTX VF, and from 18 +/- 13 V/sec to 12 +/- 7 V/sec for high-dose TTX VF (p less than 0.05 among the three groups). In the dogs receiving verapamil, VF was still inducible with Vmax not significantly different from predrug VF at the onset and after 5 or 20 seconds of VF but with Vmax smaller (p less than 0.05) for verapamil than for predrug VF after 10 or 15 seconds of VF. In three dogs, Vmax was not significantly different during three successive episodes of VF when no drug was given between the episodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel rat activin receptor

We report the isolation of a full-length rat cDNA for a new activin receptor. The deduced amino acid sequence of this receptor shows 67 percent overall identity with that of a previously identified mouse activin receptor. As predicted for the mouse activin receptor, the amino acid sequence of the rat receptor is consistent with a polypeptide containing an extracellular ligand binding domain, a hydrophobic transmembrane domain, and a serine/threonine kinase intracellular domain. In an expression assay, this new receptor was found to bind I125 radiolabeled activin.

The relationship between the changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and renin angiotensin contents and hemodynamics in pulmonary hypertensive rats

Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) increased significantly in rats after hypobaric hypoxic exposure for 15 days (CH15) (P less than 0.001) and was maintained at the same level after prolonged hypoxic exposure for 40 days (CH40). There were no significant changes in carotid systolic and diastolic blood pressure in CH15 and CH40 rats. The contractility of the right and left ventricles of CH15 and CH40 rats showed no difference as compared with the control group. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) content in CH40 rats was obviously increased (P less than 0.001), while angiotensin II (AII) dropped markedly (P less than 0.05). Plasma renin activity was increased in both hypoxic groups (P less than 0.05 respectively). These results indicate that during chronic hypoxia, plasma ANP and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) play an important role in the modulation of pulmonary as well as systemic hemodynamics. They may work cooperatively to limit the development of pulmonary hypertension and to maintain systemic blood pressure within the normal range.

[Mechanism of the photosensitive effects of methylene blue in the inhibition of DNA synthesis in cancer cells]

In the present study, we found that various concentrations of methylene blue (38, 3.8, 0.38, 0.038, 0.0038 mumol/L) significantly inhibited DNA synthesis in ascites hepatoma (AH) cells. The inhibition increased with the concentration of methylene blue as well as with irradiation time. Photosensitization of methylene blue was not due to 1O2, OH., or O2.-, but was closely related to H2O2. The mechanism of inhibition of DNA synthesis may be attributed to the damage of DNA replication template.

[Preliminary study on the relation between serum growth hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in acromegalic patients]

Eight acromegalic patients were treated with SMS 201-995 for 12 months. At the 3rd, 6th and 12th month from the beginning of treatment, blood samples of these patients were taken for determination of growth hormone (GH), 1,25-(OH)2D3, SMC, calcium and phosphorus. The serum levels of GH decreased significantly at the 3rd, 6th and 12th months compared with the basal levels before treatment (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.05 respectively). The concentrations of serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 and SMC also decreased significantly. Mean serum GH, 1,25-(OH)2D3 and SMC levels were reduced from 34.8 +/- 10.7 to 15.5 +/- 5.9 ng/ml (P less than 0.05), 76.2 +/- 2.7 to 45.9 +/- 8.3 pg/ml (P less than 0.05) and 8.5 +/- 1.2 to 4.4 +/- 1.0 U (P less than 0.05) respectively at the 12th month after treatment. Serum phosphorus levels reduced from 4.7 +/- 0.4 to 4.1 +/- 0.2 mg% (P less than 0.05) at the 6th month after treatment, but there was no change in the serum levels of total calcium. The treatment with SMS 201-995 directly evoked a reduction of serum GH in acromegalic patients and at the same time, the levels of serum SMC and 1,25-(OH)2D3 were decreased. The results suggest that GH may stimulate indirectly the production of 1,25-(OH)2D3 through the mediation of SMC.