Eosinophil cationic protein stimulates and major basic protein inhibits airway mucus secretion

Possible roles of eosinophil (EO) products in modulating the release of mucus from airway explants were investigated. Cell- and membrane-free lysates from purified human EOs (1 to 20 x 10(5)) caused a dose-dependent release of respiratory glycoconjugates (RGC) from cultured feline tracheal explants. Crude extracts from isolated EO granules also stimulated RGC release, suggesting that a granular protein might be responsible. Three proteins derived from EO granules, EO-derived neurotoxin, EO cationic protein (ECP), and major basic protein (MBP) were separated by sequential sizing and affinity chromatography. ECP (0.025 to 25 micrograms/ml) caused a dose-dependent increase in RGC release from both feline and human airway explants and also stimulated the release of the serous cell-marker, lactoferrin, from human bronchial explants. EO-derived neurotoxin (0.025 to 50 micrograms/ml) failed to affect RGC release, whereas MBP (50 micrograms/ml) significantly inhibited RGC release from feline explants. Thus, ECP stimulates RGC and lactoferrin release from airway explants, whereas MBP inhibits RGC release.

Purification and characterization of a major human Pneumocystis carinii surface antigen

Previous studies of Pneumocystis carinii have identified the major surface antigen of rat and human isolates as proteins of 116,000 and 95,000 mol wt, respectively, that are antigenically not identical. In this study both rat and human P. carinii proteins were purified by solubilization with zymolyase followed by molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography. The native proteins had an apparent mol wt of 290,000 or greater, based on molecular sieve studies as well as cross-linking studies. Both proteins were glycoproteins; treatment with endoglycosidase H resulted in a 9% decrease in mol wt. The carbohydrate composition of the rat P. carinii glycoprotein was distinct from the human isolate; glucose, mannose, galactose, and glucosamine occurred in approximately equimolar ratios in the human P. carinii protein, whereas glucose and mannose were the predominant sugars of the rat P. carinii protein. To evaluate humoral immune responses to the human P. carinii protein, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using purified protein was developed. Some, but not all, patients who subsequently developed P. carinii pneumonia demonstrated a serum antibody response to the surface antigen. Nearly all subjects without a history of P. carinii pneumonia had no detectable antibodies. Purified P. carinii proteins will greatly facilitate the investigation of host-P. carinii interactions.

Effects of dietary treatment with clofibrate, nafenopin or WY-14.643 on mitochondria and DNA in mouse liver

Male C57bl/6 mice were administered clofibrate (0.5%, w/w), nafenopin (0.125%, w/w) or WY-14.643 (0.125%, w/w) in their diet for 4 days. Assay of eight mitochondrial marker enzymes, -i.e., malate and glutamate dehydrogenases (matrix markers), cytochrome oxidase and cytochromes c + c1 and a (inner membrane), adenylate kinase (intermembrane space) and monoamine oxidase and microsomal glutathione transferase (outer membrane)--and morphometric analysis of electron micrographs was used to examine hepatic mitochondria after treatment with these peroxisome proliferators. A moderate increase in the number of hepatic mitochondrial profiles, with a simultaneous decrease in the average size of these organelles, was observed. The total mitochondrial volume is apparently unchanged during this process. An important experimental consequence of the apparent decrease in mitochondrial size is the redistribution of a large portion of the total hepatic mitochondria from the 'nuclear' to the mitochondrial fraction. A similar effect was seen with rats.

Identification of Pneumocystis carinii chromosomes and mapping of five genes

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to identify the chromosome-size DNA of Pneumocystis carinii, a major pathogen of immunocompromised patients. Thirteen chromosomes of rodent Pneumocystis carinii, ranging in size from 300 to 700 kilobases (kb), were identified. The minimum genome size for P. carinii, estimated on the basis of the sizes of chromosomes, is 7,000 kb. Genetic heterogeneity among different P. carinii isolates was documented by demonstration of chromosomal size variability. By hybridization studies, the genes for topoisomerase I, dihydrofolate reductase, rRNA, actin, and thymidylate synthase were mapped to single chromosomes of approximately 650, 590, 550, 460, and 350 kb, respectively. Hybridization studies further confirmed the genetic heterogeneity of P. carinii.

Isolation and expression of the Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase gene

Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) cDNA sequences have been isolated by their ability to confer trimethoprim resistance to Escherichia coli. Consistent with the recent conclusion that P. carinii is a member of the Fungi, sequence analysis and chromosomal localization show that DHFR is neither physically nor genetically linked to thymidylate synthase. Expression of recombinant P. carinii DHFR in heterologous hosts provides an abundant source of the enzyme that may form a basis for the development of new therapies for this enigmatic pathogen. Studies with the recombinant enzyme show that trimethoprim is a very poor inhibitor of P. carinii DHFR and, in fact, is a more potent inhibitor of human DHFR.

Pulmonary disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Pulmonary disease is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). All parts of the hospital system are expected to be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV infected patients in the coming years. Many different processes cause pulmonary disease alone or in combination. Bilateral interstitial infiltrates are the most frequent chest x-ray abnormality and are most frequently caused by infection with Pneumocystis carinii. Cytomegalovirus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma are the most important parts of the differential diagnosis. An aggressive approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary disease in this patient population is indicated in order to provide optimal care and assess new therapies.

Isolation and expression of the Pneumocystis carinii thymidylate synthase gene

The thymidylate synthase (TS) gene from Pneumocystis carinii has been isolated from complementary and genomic DNA libraries and expressed in Escherichia coli. The coding sequence of TS is 891 nucleotides, encoding a 297-amino acid protein of Mr 34,269. The deduced amino acid sequence is similar to TS from other organisms and is most closely related to the enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with 65% identity. TS is found on a 330-kilobase-pair chromosome in P. carinii. While TS and dihydrofolate reductase reside on a single polypeptide chain in all protozoa studied to date, TS is not linked to dihydrofolate reductase in P. carinii. The TS gene shows the presence of four small intervening sequences, some of which interrupt the coding sequence in highly ordered structural regions of the protein. Heterologous expression of P. carinii TS in E. coli was accomplished by cloning the coding sequence into plasmid vectors under control of the lac and tac promoters. These constructs direct the synthesis of catalytically active enzyme to the extent of 2% of total soluble protein.

Proliferation of peroxisomes and induction of cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolases in different strains of mice and rats after dietary treatment with clofibrate

1. The effects of dietary clofibrate (0.5%, w/w, for 10 days) on seven inbred strains of mice--C57BL/6, C57BL/B10A(5R), ATL/OLA, C3H/HE/OLA, BALB/C, CBA/CA and A/J/OLA--and three strains of rats--Sprague-Dawley, Wistar and LOU/OLA--have been investigated. Liver weight, peroxisome proliferation, catalase activity, cytosolic, microsomal and mitochondrial epoxide hydrolase activities, cytochrome oxidase activity, microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and cytosolic glutathione transferase activity in liver were determined, together with cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolase and cytosolic glutathione transferase activities in the kidneys. 2. In all cases peroxisome proliferation and induction of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase were observed in livers of rodents exposed to clofibrate. Thus, no non-responsive strains were found and further evidence for a coupling between these two phenomena was provided. In many cases significant increases in the liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and decreases in the hepatic cytosolic glutathione transferase activity were also seen. 3. High levels of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase were found in the rat kidney. In several strains of mice and rats renal cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity was increased by clofibrate. 4. There were often considerable strain differences. However, in general mice had higher cytosolic epoxide hydrolase and glutathione transferase activities, whereas rats had higher microsomal epoxide hydrolase activities.

Cardioselective beta-blockade with metoprolol in rest angina: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial

The antiischemic effects of the beta-1 selective beta-blocker metoprolol were studied in 9 hospitalized patients with rest angina in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. After 3 days of placebo treatment, the patients were randomized to metoprolol 100 mg or placebo bid for 2 days, followed by 2 days on the alternative treatment. During the last 24 hours of each period, Holter monitoring was performed. The patients marked angina attacks and NTG consumption on diary cards. Metoprolol significantly reduced the mean number of ST-changes (run-in: 5.7 +/- 0.6; metoprolol: 2.2 +/- 0.9; p = 0.013), the mean maximal ST-change during the attacks (run-in: 3.0 +/- 1.2 mm; metoprolol: 1.5 +/- 0.4 mm; p = 0.015), the mean duration of the ST-changes (run-in: 7.0 +/- 0.6 min; metoprolol: 3.2 +/- 1.0 min; p = 0.015), and the total ischemic time/24 (run-in: 41.1 +/- 7.6; metoprolol: 13.1 +/- 7.2 min; p = 0.008). None of these parameters was modified by placebo. However, the difference between metoprolol and the randomized placebo did not reach statistical significance. Metoprolol also reduced the number of chest pain attacks (p = 0.008), the duration of the attacks (p = 0.051), the severity score of the attacks (p = 0.008), and NTG consumption (p = 0.018) with respect to the run-in period. Six of the patients showed marked improvement on metoprolol while 3 showed only slight improvement or no change. No patients experienced worsening of angina or ST-changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Conception rate for infertile couples. The importance of anamnesis and signs of genital disease in men with abnormal semen findings

During a 4-year period, 259 men were investigated for primary (86%) or secondary (14%) infertility. Some 3-5 years after the initial investigation, a follow-up study of conception rate, was performed in 200 of these cases. Conception had occurred in 79 couples (39%). Sperm density was lower among men with a history of genital disease(s) than amongst men without such a history, but conception rate was not influenced by a positive history. Men with signs of genital disease(s) had lower sperm density, a smaller proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa and lower sperm motility, than men with a normal finding at physical examination. Men with such signs had the same conception rate as men with normal physical findings. The only subgroup, in which conception rate was lower than in men with no physical abnormalities, was men with palpatory abnormal epididymis(des).

Monoclonal antibodies to Pneumocystis carinii: identification of specific antigens and characterization of antigenic differences between rat and human isolates

To increase understanding of the antigenic structure of Pneumocystis carinii, we developed monoclonal antibodies to rat and human P. carinii. The specificity of the antibodies was demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoblot studies. Only one of five monoclonal antibodies to rat P. carinii reacted with human P. carinii, and none of four monoclonal antibodies to human P. carinii reacted with rat P. carinii. Two antibodies to human P. carinii reacted by immunofluorescence with only one human P. carinii isolate. Immunoblot studies identified major antigens of rat P. carinii with molecular masses of 40,000-100,000 daltons and of human P. carinii with molecular masses of 22,000-95,000 daltons. These studies document the existence of antigenic differences between rat and human P. carinii and are consistent with the suggestion that individual isolates of human P. carinii are also antigenically different. Further studies with these antibodies should increase understanding of the antigenic nature of P. carinii and of the interaction of P. carinii with its host.

Induction of cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolases in mouse liver by peroxisome proliferators, with special emphasis on structural analogues of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

Using dietary administration, mice were exposed to eight substances known to cause peroxisome proliferation (i.e. clofibrate clofibric acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, nafenopin, ICI-55.897, S-8527 and Wy-14.643) or the related substance p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (group A). Other animals received di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, or one of 12 other metabolically and/or structurally related compounds (group B). The effects of these treatments on liver cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolases, microsomal cytochrome P-450, cytosolic glutathione transferase activity, the liver-somatic index and the protein contents of the microsomal and cytosolic fractions prepared from liver were subsequently monitored. In general, peroxisome proliferation was accompanied by increases in cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity. Many peroxisome proliferators also caused increases in microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity, although the correlation was poorer in this case. Immunochemical quantitation by radial immunodiffusion demonstrated that the increases observed in both of these enzyme activities reflected equivalent increases in enzyme protein, i.e. that induction truly occurred. Induction of total microsomal cytochrome P-450 was obtained after dietary exposure to clofibrate, clofibric acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, nafenopin, Wy-14.643, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate. The most pronounced effects on cytosolic glutathione transferase activity were the decreases obtained after treatment with clofibrate, clofibric acid and Wy-14.643. Our results, together with those reported by others, suggest that the processes of peroxisome proliferation and induction of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase are intimately related. One possible explanation for this is presented.

The antianginal efficacy and tolerability of controlled-release metoprolol once daily: a comparison with conventional metoprolol tablets twice daily

In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study treatment with a new controlled-release (CR) preparation of metoprolol, given once daily, was compared with treatment with conventional metoprolol tablets, given twice daily, in 115 patients with stable effort angina pectoris. The patients were treated with 100 mg/day or 200 mg/day, depending on their previous beta-blocker dose. Antianginal efficacy was estimated by counting the number of anginal attacks, by noting the consumption of nitroglycerin tablets, and by exercise tolerance testing. Adverse effects were recorded by a standardized questionnaire. When all patients were analysed together there were no differences in antianginal efficacy between the two treatment regimens. However, when the group taking 200 mg daily was analysed separately better exercise tolerance was found during metoprolol CR therapy, as measured by onset of chest pain and ST-segment change, compared with conventional metoprolol therapy. The two formulations were well tolerated. When given once daily in a total daily dose of 100 mg, the CR preparation induced less adverse effects than the conventional tablets, 50 mg twice daily. It was concluded that the new metoprolol CR preparation, given once daily, possesses the same antianginal efficacy as conventional metoprolol tablets, given twice daily, and may be better tolerated in patients susceptible to side-effects. The antianginal effect of metoprolol CR, 200 mg/day, may be greater over 24 h than that produced by conventional metoprolol tablets, 100 mg twice daily.

Comparison of fibronectin receptors from rat hepatocytes and fibroblasts

A cell-surface fibronectin receptor was isolated from primary rat hepatocytes by affinity chromatography on Sepharose conjugated with the cell-binding domain (105 kDa) of fibronectin. The receptor remained bound to the affinity column in the presence of 1 M NaCl but was eluted by 1.5 mM of glycl-arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-seryl-cysteine peptide or by lowering the pH to 4. The eluted material migrated under nonreducing conditions in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis as two bands: the alpha- and beta-components had apparent Mrs of 155,000 and 115,000, respectively. After reduction the 155-kDa component gave rise to two peptides of Mrs 145,000 and 20,000, while the 115-kDa component shifted migration to an Mr of 130,000. Antibodies specifically recognizing the 155- and 115-kDa proteins from hepatocytes inhibited the attachment of these cells to fibronectin-coated dishes, whereas attachment to dishes coated with collagen or laminin was unaffected. A fibronectin receptor isolated from rat fibroblasts showed closely similar, but not identical, migration in sodium dodecyl sulfate-electrophoresis as the hepatocyte receptor. Furthermore, only the beta-subunit of the fibroblast receptor reacted with the antibodies. The results suggest that distinct alpha-subunits of the fibronectin receptors may be the basis for the different fibronectin-binding properties of these cells.

Induction of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and peroxisome proliferation in rat liver caused by dietary exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate

Exposure of rats to 1% or 3% (w/w) di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate in the diet for five days results in two- to three-fold inductions of liver cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity and microsomal cytochrome P-450 content. Cytochromes P-450b + e were induced 20- to 35-fold, but no increase was observed in cytochrome P-450c. Considerably smaller effects were obtained on NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, microsomal epoxide hydrolase and microsomal cytochrome b5 content, and there was no effect on cytosolic glutathione transferase activity, under the same conditions. A dramatic increase in cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl-CoA oxidation and total mitochondrial protein, together with smaller increases in total catalase and cytochrome oxidase activities, were observed after treatment with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate, indicating that this compound causes proliferation of both peroxisomes and mitochondria. It is suggested that the induction of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase and the proliferation of peroxisomes may be related processes.

Induction of cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolases and proliferation of peroxisomes and mitochondria in mouse liver after dietary exposure to p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid

The effects of dietary exposure to 0.125% (w/w) p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid on the content of peroxisomes and levels of certain xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in mouse liver have been investigated. In agreement with the literature on rat liver 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid were found to cause extensive proliferation of peroxisomes (as judged by the total levels of "mitochondrial" protein, carnitine acetyltransferase, cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl-CoA oxidation and catalase) in mouse liver. On the other hand, exposure to p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid did not significantly affect any of these parameters. As with certain other peroxisome proliferators, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid increased total cytochrome oxidase activity as well. In addition, dietary exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and to 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid resulted in increases in the activities of cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolases in mouse liver and generally less pronounced increases in the total cytosolic glutathione transferase activity and microsomal content of cytochrome P-450. In the case of cytochrome P-450, this process can be said to be a true induction (i.e. the amount of enzyme protein is increased), because the assay procedure for cytochrome P-450 measures holoenzyme amount. Immunoquantitation demonstrated that this was also the case for the changes in cytosolic epoxide hydrolase. The dramatic differences in proliferation of peroxisomes and induction of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes seen here with compounds differing relatively little in structure may indicate that a receptor mechanism of some kind is involved.

Examination of the structural requirements for proliferation of peroxisomes and mitochondria in mouse liver by hypolipidemic agents, with special emphasis on structural analogues of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

We have found here that there are clear structural requirements for peroxisome proliferation (monitored as increases in carnitine acetyltransferase activity, cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl-CoA oxidation, catalase and increases in the protein designated PPA 80) in mouse liver. From the investigation of ten structural analogues of 2-ethylhexanoic acid, it could be concluded that the most effective proliferators all have an ethyl group as the substituent on carbon 2 of the main chain, which consists of six carbons. The further observation from this group of compounds that a charged group is required for effective proliferation leads us to speculate that such a group is involved in the molecular mechanism as well. Many, but not all, of the effective peroxisome proliferators in a second group of compounds contain a phenoxy group, often with a substituted alpha carbon. Interestingly, the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acids are both effective peroxisome proliferators, but the closely related p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid is inactive in this respect, indicating that the chlorine atom at position 2 must be essential to the process in these cases. The results presented here also indicate that the structural requirements for proliferation of mitochondria are similar to those for proliferation of peroxisomes. Certainly, the most effective peroxisome proliferators also cause large increases in 'mitochondrial' protein and cytochrome oxidase activity, i.e. there is an obvious qualitative correlation.

Characterization of the induction of cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolases by 2-ethylhexanoic acid in mouse liver

When mice were exposed to 1% 2-ethylhexanoic acid in the diet, cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3) activities were increased maximally (2-2.5- and 0.5-1-fold, respectively) after 3 days. Immunochemical quantitation of these enzymes indicated that the process involved was a true induction in both cases. Maximal levels of peroxisome proliferation (as indicated by carnitine acetyltransferase activity) were obtained after 7 days of exposure. All three of these activities returned to control levels within 4 days after termination of the treatment. The liver somatic index was slightly increased after 4 days of administration of 1% 2-ethylhexanoic acid, but the protein contents of the "mitochondrial," microsomal, and cytosolic fractions were unaffected. The activity of peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA beta-oxidation was increased 2-fold, whereas peroxisomal catalase activity was unaffected. Exposure to 2-ethylhexanoic acid also increased cytochrome oxidase activity, suggesting an effect on mitochondria. Other parameters of detoxication--i.e. total microsomal cytochrome P-450 content, cytosolic glutathione transferase activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, and the "cytosolic" epoxide hydrolase activity localized in the "mitochondrial" fraction--were not affected by 4 days of treatment with 1% 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Quantification of predatory and endoparasitic nematophagous fungi in soil

Methods were developed to quantify predatory and endoparasitic fungi in soil. The methods were based on previously developed detection techniques and combined with a most probable number estimation. The methods were applied to an agricultural soil fertilized with farmyard manure. Large amounts of farmyard manure resulted in increased amounts of organic matter, numbers of propagules of predatory and endoparasitic fungi, and numbers of bacteria and nematodes.

Increased beta I-adrenoceptor density after 6-hydroxydopamine pretreatment in rat colon and lung

Estimation of beta-adrenoceptor-binding sites with 125I-(-)-pindolol in rat colon show a proportion of 30% beta I-adrenoceptors and 70% beta 2-adrenoceptors. Studies on the isolated colon strip have revealed a neuronal beta-adrenoceptor involved in the inhibitory response of colon motility to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. In order to further characterize the beta-adrenoceptors in the colon, acute and chronic treatments with 6-hydroxydopamine were made. Both acute pretreatment of rats with 6-hydroxydopamine for 8 and 24 h (one intravenous injection) and chronic treatment for 3 days (implanted osmotic mini-pumps), reduced the noradrenaline tissue content by 90%, and successively increased the beta-adrenoceptor-binding sites from 14.2 to 21.7 fmol mg-I P-I in colon and from 158 to 240 fmol mg-I P-I in lung membranes. Displacement of the radiolabelled ligand by the selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, pafenolol and ICI 118.551 showed that the density of beta I-adrenoceptor binding sites was more than doubled, whereas the density of beta 2-adrenoceptor-binding sites was only marginally increased by chronic treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine. Thus sympathetic denervation by 6-hydroxydopamine treatment produced a selective increase in beta I-adrenoceptors in the rat colon. These results may indicate that stimulation of beta I-adrenoceptors in both colon and lung have a neuronal linkage.

Efficacy of the acyclic guanosine analog buciclovir [(R)-9-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)guanine] in experimental genital herpes

The efficacy of the anti-herpesvirus drug buciclovir [(R)-9-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)guanine] was investigated in guinea pigs and mice infected intravaginally with herpes simplex virus type 2. Topical treatment initiated early after infection was efficacious, in contrast to topical treatment delayed 24 h or more. Systemic treatment of infected mice could not prevent the spread of virus to the brain and mortality. Systemically administered buciclovir had an effect in guinea pigs, even after delayed onset of treatment, but this effect required high doses of the drug. Our results suggest that buciclovir has only a limited effect against herpesvirus infections once the virus is present in the nervous systems of infected animals.