Development and applications of surface-linked single chain antibodies against T-cell antigens

In this report the use of surface-linkage to expand the potential experimental and therapeutic applications of single chain antibody (scFv) constructs is reviewed. A strategy for the generation and functional characterization of surface-linked scFvs that bind selectively to the T-cell proteins CD3epsilon, CD28, and CD152 (CTLA-4) is described in detail. Experimental examples are provided of the use of these constructs to study the positive and negative regulation of T-cell activation and to manipulate the in vivo immunogenicity of tumor cells. In addition, a novel system for Simultaneous T-cell Activation and Retroviral Transduction (START) is described in which retroviral packaging cells are rendered mitogenic for T lymphocytes by combined expression of surface-linked scFvs. Finally, the use of random mutagenesis and yeast surface display to increase the affinity and functional efficacy of scFv constructs is demonstrated.

[Analysis on the present situation of human rabies epidemic in China]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize and analyze human rabies epidemic situation in the last five years in China and to explore the possible factors causing the rising of epidemics to provide reference for the prevention and control of rabies in the future.

METHODS

Collecting and analyzing data of rabies epidemics in the last five years in whole nation.

RESULTS

Human rabies is continuing going up in the last five years in China with an increase of 44.65%, 1.74% and 45.93% in 1997, 1998, 1999. Human rabies incidence was also seen an increase from 0.0134/100,000 in 1996 to 0.02708/100,000 in 1999. The provinces of rabies increase were mainly located in south China. Among them, Jiangsu province reported 40 human cases in 1999, which increased 207.69% than the corresponding period in 1998. The cases in these high epidemic provinces took up 75% of the whole nation's cases. Number of reported rabies case was also rising.

CONCLUSION

Facts as increasing number of dog raising, having not been injected with rabies vaccine and antirabies serum timely or full course after exposure, unstrictly controlling the quality of rabies vaccine as well as lacking good cooperation in different official department on rabies control might serve as factors responsible for the recurrent increase of human rabies.

[The sensitivity to apoptosis is enhanced in U937-ASPI-3K cells which stably express antisense ATM/PI-3K]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the characteristics of apoptosis sensitivity in U937-ASPI-3K cells which is stably expressing anti-sense ATM/PI-3K.

METHOD

Annexin V-PI apoptosis detection kid and flow cytometry were used to determine apoptosis rate, Western blot to the expression level of cytochrome C protein and Bcl-2 protein.

RESULTS

U937-ASPI-3K cells had a lowered threshold for triggering apoptosis in response to low dose irradiation. Cell apoptosis rate was 28% and (53.0 +/- 5.4)%, respectively, at 8 and 48 hours after 1.5 Gy (137)Cs irradiation, while in U937-pZEOSV2 (+) control group it was 4.2% and (11.0 +/- 3.3)%, respectively. Cytosolic cytochrome C protein band was gradually intensified in U937-ASPI-3K in 4 - 8 h after irradiation, but was not detected in control group. Bcl-2 protein gradually decreased in U937-ASPI-3K in 4 - 8 h after irradiation, but didn't change obviously in control group.

CONCLUSION

Cell line U937-ASPI-3K acquired a phenotype with a lowered threshold for triggering apoptosis. It demonstrated that selective inactivation of ATM gene might be of considerable value in tumor treatment.

[Environmental characteristic of walleye pollock fishing ground in high seas of the Okhotsk Sea in summer]

Based on the acoustic survey on the resource of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the high seas of the Okhotsk Sea, the distribution of walleye pollock and the environmental characteristics of its fishing ground were studied, and the relationship between them were analyzed. In August, the high schooling area of walleye pollock was situated in the waters with a depth of less than 500 meters and to the north of 55 degrees N. Walleye pollock mainly distributed in 150-300 m depth, and lived in groups. The main food was Euphausia pacifica, and the densely populated area of wall-eye pollock was roughly consistent with that of Euphausia pacifica. The thermocline was observed at 0-50 m depth, the temperature changed at a rate of 0.25 degree C per meter, and the cold water mass was roughly located in 50-150 m layer. The fish was mainly distributed in the layer below the cold water mass, because of the impeding effect of thermocline and the limiting action of fish food. It seldom inhabited the water below 400 m depth, partly because the dissolved oxygen there was rather low.

[Clinical study on morphological characteristics of placenta in severe pregnancy induced hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To study morphological characteristics of placenta in severe pregnancy induced hypertension (SPIH) and its relationship to pregnant outcome.

METHODS

Morphological changes were observed by light microscopy; Blood biochemical analyses were used to predispose pregnant outcome.

RESULTS

Difference in pathological changes of placental bed between normal term pregnancy (NTP) and SPIH groups was significant: the placental weight, proliferation of cytotrophoblasts, numbers of the placental villi with syncytial knots, thickness of basal lamina, fibrinoid necrosis and deposition of matrix, stromal edema and fibrosis of villi, the vascular numbers of villi, stasis; lack of physiologic changes in decidual spiral arteries. Clinical examination showed that the rate of anemia, thrombocytopenia, blood concentration, hypoproteinemia, ascites, eye ground artery spasm in SPIH were higher in NIT.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathological changes of placenta play important roles in development of SPIH, and the pathological changes are paralleled with the severity of the disease.

Replication but not transcription of simian virus 40 DNA is dependent on nuclear domain 10

DNA viruses from several families including herpes simplex virus type 1, adenovirus type 5, and simian virus 40 (SV40), start their transcription and replication adjacent to a specific nuclear domain, ND10. We asked whether a specific viral DNA sequence determines the location of these synthetic activities at such restricted nuclear sites. Partial and overlapping SV40 sequences were introduced into a beta-galactosidase expression vector, and the beta-galactosidase transcripts were localized by in situ hybridization. Transcripts derived from control plasmids were found throughout the nucleus and at highly concentrated sites but not at ND10. SV40 genomic segments supported ND10-associated transcription only when the origin and the coding sequence for the large T antigen were present. When the large T-antigen coding sequence was eliminated but the T antigen was constitutively expressed in COS-7 cells, the viral origin was sufficient to localize transcription and replication to ND10. Deletion analysis showed that only the large T-antigen binding site II (the core origin) was required but the T antigen was needed for detectable transcription at ND10. Large T antigen expressed from plasmids without the viral core origin did not bind or localize to ND10. Blocking of DNA replication prevented the accumulation of transcripts at ND10, indicating that only sites with replicating templates accumulated transcripts. Transcription at ND10 did not enhance total protein synthesis of plasmid transcripts. These findings suggest that viral transcription at ND10 may only be a consequence of viral genomes directed to ND10 for replication. Although plasmid transcription can take place anywhere in the nucleus, T-antigen-directed replication is apparently restricted to ND10.

[An evaluation of adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay for tumor in vitro chemosensitivity testing]

This study was aimed at the feasibility of using ATP-bioluminescence assay for tumor in vitro chemosensitivity testing. With the use of this assay, the authors determined dose-response curve in mouse fibroma cell line L929 treated with chemotherapeutic agents, and investigated the different in vitro responses of 6 ovarian carcinomas (5 from fresh tumor tissues, 1 from ascites) treated with etopside, cis-plating, 5-fluorouracil and adriamycin. The results showed that the coefficients of variation for triplicate assays ranged from 1.2% to 15.8% which means high reproducibility of the assay. The single cell suspension (including < 30 cells clusters) could be separated from tissue fragments by means of enzyme cocktail (collagenase, Dnase, pronase). The viable cells were over 90%. This study demonstrates that ATP-bioluminescence assay is a sensitive, reliable and efficient method for tumor chemosensitivity testing. In this connection, the correlation between in vitro drug sensitivity and in vivo patient response is worth further studying.

Capillary electrochromatography using continuous-bed columns of sol-gel bonded silica particles with mixed-mode octadecyl and propylsulfonic acid functional groups

Continuous-bed columns containing sol-gel bonded 3 microm silica particles with mixed-mode octadecyl and propylsulfonic acid functional groups (ODS/SCX) were prepared by first packing the ODS/SCX particles into a fused-silica capillary, then filling the packed capillary with a siliceous sol-gel, curing the sol-gel, and finally drying the column with supercritical carbon dioxide. The performance of the sol-gel bonded ODS/SCX columns was evaluated for capillary electrochromatography using acetonitrile aqueous mobile phase containing phosphate buffer. The columns were mechanically strong and permeable. Both EOF velocity and current increased linearly with elevation of the applied electric field strength. The EOF velocity was high at low pH and nearly constant over a range of pH 2-9. Higher buffer concentration resulted in higher current and lower EOF velocity. The acetonitrile content had no significant effect on the EOF. Without thermosetting the column, no bubble formation was noticed with currents up to 2.5 microA. The minimum plate height of a 25/34 cm x 75 microm I.D. sol-gel bonded 3 microm ODS/SCX column was 5.7 microm (1.75 x 10(5) plates per meter) at an optimum EOF velocity of 0.92 mm s(-1). Mixtures of test aromatic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbon homologues gave symmetrical peaks when using a low pH mobile phase. The retention and elution order of aromatic compounds represented a typical reversed-phase separation mechanism similar to conventional ODS columns. The run-to-run and column-to-column retention factor reproducibility was better than 2.5% and 8.0% RSD, respectively.

[Assimilation efficiency of pacific oyster Crassortrea gigas]

The effects of body size, food density and its quality on assimilation efficiency of pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) were studied under artificial conditions in laboratory. The experimental results show that the filtration and ingestion rates of pacific oyster increased with its body size, which tallied with power function. The assimilation efficiency of pacific oyster was not significantly correlated with its body size, but correlated positively with the organic matter content of food and negatively with food density.

A preliminary approach on mass-balance ecopath model of the Bohai Sea

A Bohai Sea mass-balance ecopath model is constructed on the basis of fisheries resources data from the ecosystem survey conducted from April 1982 to May 1983. It is the first ecopath model which consists of 13 function groups (boxes), and only covers the main trophic flow in the Bohai Sea ecosystem. P/B and Q/B parameters (P: production, B: biomass, Q: consumption) for most groups were estimated from similar function groups in other ecopath models of the same latitude regions around. The value of EE (Ecotrophic Efficiency) is the main parameter to check the equilibration of the model. The EE parameters in the model are of high value (> 0.808) for most groups, because the fishing pressure was very high and small living organisms were being heavily preyed upon in the ecosystem. The biomass density of the species commercially utilized estimated by the model is 12.33 ton.km-2. Even though the value is low compared with the density in other ecosystems, such as Caribbean coral reef ecosystem and the Southern B.C. shelf model, it is higher than the value published by some papers on the Bohai Sea using other methods. Considering the lower value estimated by the stock assessment using bottom trawl survey data, the output here is reasonable. It is concluded that the biomass of commercial fishing species in the sea is 950 thousand metric tons, and 338 thousand tons are fish species in the value.

[Effects of YMB injection on hemorheology in rats]

This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of YMB Injection on anti-CAD therapy. Fufang Danshen Injection was used as positive control and saline was taken as negative control to study the effects of traditional medicine YMB Injection on hemorheological parameters in normal rats and hypostasis rats. The results showed YMB Injection had no effect on hemorheological parameters of normal rats, but it could effectively decrease whole blood viscosity and whole blood reduction viscosity of hypostasis rats. The data implied that YMB Injection could decrease blood viscosity and hence improve blood supply of the graft in anti-CAD therapy.

[An adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay for detecting the number of living cells]

The method for detecting the number of living cells was studied. Using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay, the present authors reported a perfect linear relationship between lg ATP concentrations and lg luminescence counts (r = 0.9963) as well as a relationship between lg number of cells and lg ATP luminescence counts (r = 0.9922). The detectable cells ranged from 10(2) to 10(6) cells/ml, the coefficients of variation 1-3%. This method is simple, accurate and sensitive and has a high reproducibility.

Dynorphin A elicits an increase in intracellular calcium in cultured neurons via a non-opioid, non-NMDA mechanism

The opioid peptide dynorphin A is known to elicit a number of pathological effects that may result from neuronal excitotoxicity. An up-regulation of this peptide has also been causally related to the dysesthesia associated with inflammation and nerve injury. These effects of dynorphin A are not mediated through opioid receptor activation but can be effectively blocked by pretreatment with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, thus implicating the excitatory amino acid system as a mediator of the actions of dynorphin A and/or its fragments. A direct interaction between dynorphin A and the NMDA receptors has been well established; however the physiological relevance of this interaction remains equivocal. This study examined whether dynorphin A elicits a neuronal excitatory effect that may underlie its activation of the NMDA receptors. Calcium imaging of individual cultured cortical neurons showed that the nonopioid peptide dynorphin A(2-17) induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium. This excitatory effect of dynorphin A(2-17) was insensitive to (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801) pretreatment in NMDA-responsive cells. Thus dynorphin A stimulates neuronal cells via a nonopioid, non-NMDA mechanism. This excitatory action of dynorphin A could modulate NMDA receptor activity in vivo by enhancing excitatory neurotransmitter release or by potentiating NMDA receptor function in a calcium-dependent manner. Further characterization of this novel site of action of dynorphin A may provide new insight into the underlying mechanisms of dynorphin excitotoxicity and its pathological role in neuropathy.

[Gastric evacuation rate of black sea bream(Sparus macrocephalus)]

The gastric evacuation rate of black sea bream(Sparus macrocephalus) weighing 20-40 g was determined at 18 degrees C in laboratory. Three mathematical models were applied to simulate it. The result indicated that all of these three kinds of models fitted to the experiment data, while statistical analysis showed that the linear model was the best, whether the remained food in stomach was expressed by wet weight or dry weight. When the remained food in stomach was expressed by wet weight, the model was Y = 1.14 - 0.06 t(r2 = 0.82, p < 0.001), and by dry weight, it was Y = 1.36 - 0.07 t(r2 = 0.62, p < 0.001). The gastric evacuation rate of black sea bream was 6-7% of consumed food per hour at 18 degrees C.

Composite cavity semiconductor fiber ring laser

A passive subring cavity that served as mode selector was inserted into a semiconductor fiber ring laser to generate a stable lasing spectrum. A narrow linewidth of less than 10 kHz with unidirectional operation in the composite cavity ring laser was achieved. Tuning over a range of 20 nm was obtained by application of 0-30 V dc to a piezoelectric transducer in the subring cavity.

[Studies on schedules for human rabies immunization]

OBJECTIVES

To study the feasibility of interferon (INF) plus an immunization schedule of two dose-two dose-one dose (2 - 2 - 1) of rabies vaccine and a simple 2 - 2 - 1 schedule, and to explore immune regulation mechanism of INF.

METHODS

For an IFN plus 2 - 2 - 1 schedule, 5.0, 5.0 and 2.5 I.U. of primary hamster kidney cell rabies vaccine (PHKCV) were injected on the 1st, 7th and 14th day, respectively, and 0.2 million I.U. of IFN-alpha on the 1st day simultaneously. For a simple 2 - 2 - 1 schedule, only 5.0, 5.0 and 2.5 I.U. PHKCV were injected on the 1st, 7th and 14th day, respectively. And, for controls, a routine schedule recommended by WHO was used.

RESULTS

On the 7th day after immunization, their geometric mean titer (GMT) of antibody was 1.71, 1.57 and 1.21 for the above three schedule groups, respectively; on the 14th day, 62.77, 58.79 and 28.96; on the 45th day, 76.64, 72.90 and 62.22. Conversion rate of antibody was 85.00%, 61.11% and 65.00%, respectively on the 7th day, and was 100.00% for all on the 14th day. Proportion of those with protective antibody level was 10.00%, 0.00% and 0.00%, respectively for the three schedule groups, on the 7th day; 100.00%, 100.00% and 95.00%, on the 14th day; and was 100.00% for all on the 45th day. Proportion of those with antibody titer more than 1:1 was 55.00%, 33.33% and 20.00%, respectively, on the 7th day. Adverse reaction rate was 0.00% - 55.00%, without significant difference between three schedule groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower dose of IFN could enhance the effect of immune response to rabies vaccine. IFN plus 2 - 2 - 1 rabies vaccine schedule was better than that of simple 2 - 2 - 1 schedule, while the later was better than the routine schedule.

[An electron microscopic histochemical study on the fibrous formation in pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland]

OBJECTIVE

To study the kinds of fibers and mechanism of fibrous formation in myxochondroid tissue of pleomorphic adenoma.

METHODS

Eight cases of pleomorphic adenomas of salivary gland were studied by histological and electron microscopic histochemical techniques.

RESULTS

The histological study showed that collagenous fibers and elastic fibers which constituted the trestle were distributed in myxochondroid areas of pleomorphic adenoma. The electron microscopic histochemical study showed that the myxochondroid tissue contained slender collagen fibrils measuring 50 nm in diameter and heavily stained elastic fibers. In cytoplasm of the myxochondroid cells two types of the Golgi-derived vesicles were seen: one was small round vesicles with a uniform electron dense core of amorphous material and heavily stained; another type was small round vesicles with a non-uniform electron dense core of filamentous material and stained grey. These materials were released into the extracellular space by cytoplasmic exocytosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoplastic myoepithelial cells have the ability to synthesize and secrete procollagen and precursor of elastin, thus forming collagenous fibers and elastic fibers in myxochondroid areas.

[Effect of gandou decoction on copper metabolism of skin fibroblast of hepatolenticular degeneration model]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the cytological mechanism of Gandou Decoction (GDD) in treating hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD).

METHODS

Twenty-three in vitro models of cultured skin fibroblast of HLD were established to observe the intracellular change of microelements (Cu2+, Zn2+, etc.) content before and after adding rabbit's serum containing GDD.

RESULTS

After being treated with GDD contained serum for 24 hours, the intracellular content of Cu2+ decreased from (80.94 +/- 34.76) ng/mg to (46.90 +/- 22.14) ng/mg, P < 0.01, while that of Zn2+ increased from (140.43 +/- 33.81) ng/mg to (151.43 +/- 37.83) ng/mg, P < 0.01.

CONCLUSION

GDD is quite effective in removing the intracellular copper and increasing the intracellular zinc.

High-affinity interaction of (des-Tyrosyl)dynorphin A(2-17) with NMDA receptors

The opioid peptide dynorphin A elicits non-opioid receptor-mediated, neurotoxic response in vivo, which is blocked by pretreatment with MK-801, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. In the present study, we examined the possible direct interaction of dynorphin A on the NMDAR. A nonopioid dynorphin A analog, (125)I-(des-tyrosyl) dynorphin A(2-17), was used in radioligand binding analysis on rat cortical brain membranes. This radioligand exhibited a saturable, specific binding at high affinity with a K(d) value of 9.4+/-1.6 nM and maximal binding of 2.4+/-0.6 pmol/mg protein. This binding site was associated with the NMDAR complex because it was modulated by a number of NMDAR ligands. Transient expression of the rat NR1a/NR2A complex in human embryonic kidney 293 cells confirmed a coexpression of (125)I-(des-tyrosyl) dynorphin A(2-17), [(3)H]CGP39,653, and [(3)H]MK-801 binding. These data provide direct evidence of the presence of a high-affinity binding site for dynorphin A on the NMDAR. The modulatory effect of the various NMDAR-selective ligands on dynorphin A binding suggests that dynorphin A may bind preferentially to the closed/desensitized state of the NMDAR. The physiological role of dynorphin A binding to the NMDAR remains to be established.

[Relationship between methylation status of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) genes and abnormal expression of its enzyme proteins in tissues of human hepatomas]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of expression and alteration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) genes during the development of human hepatomas.

METHODS

The total GGT protein and total RNA were purified in human hepatomas, adjacent paracancerous and distal cancerous tissues. The specific activities of total GGT, membrane-combine GGT and soluble GGT were investigated, the GGT gene of 5'-NC region was amplified by using a nest RT-PCR assay, and methylation status of GGT gene M3 site were analyzed in the present study.

RESULTS

An increasing tendency (P < 0.05) of total RNA concentrations was found from cancer in distal cancerous tissues; the specific activities (U/g) of total GGT, membrane-combine GGT and soluble GGT were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in hepatomas than those in adjacent paracancerous or and that distal cancerous tissues; and the frequencies of amplified fragment and hypomethylated M3 site of GGT 5'-NC region genes were 100% and 75% in hepatomas, 85% and 55% in adjacent cancerous, and 75% and 50% in distal cancerous tissues, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggest that the abnormal expression of GGT proteins in hepatomas was related to hypomethylation status of GGT genes, and that the fragment analysis of the GGT genes might be a sensitive assay to monitor the hepatic cell canceration.

A new mechanism of neurodegeneration: a proinflammatory cytokine inhibits receptor signaling by a survival peptide

Heightened expression of both a proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and a survival peptide, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), occurs in diverse diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, the AIDS-dementia complex, and cerebral ischemia. Conventional roles for these two proteins are neuroprotection by IGF-I and neurotoxicity by TNF-alpha. Although the mechanisms of action for IGF-I and TNF-alpha in the central nervous system originally were established as disparate and unrelated, we hypothesized that the signaling pathways of these two cytokines may interact during neurodegeneration. Here we show that concentrations of TNF-alpha as low as 10 pg/ml markedly reduce the capacity of IGF-I to promote survival of primary murine cerebellar granule neurons. TNF-alpha suppresses IGF-I-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) and inhibits IRS-2-precipitable phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase activity. These experiments indicate that TNF-alpha promotes IGF-I receptor resistance in neurons and inhibits the ability of the IGF-I receptor to tyrosine-phosphorylate the IRS-2 docking molecule and to subsequently activate the critical downstream enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase. This intracellular crosstalk between discrete cytokine receptors reveals a novel pathway that leads to neuronal degeneration whereby a proinflammatory cytokine inhibits receptor signaling by a survival peptide.

[Component in diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-hepatitis B vaccine]

OBJECTIVE

To study immunogenecity of yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B (YHB) component in diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-YHB vaccine (DPTw-YHB).

METHODS

Immunogenecity of tetra-valent DTPw-YHB vaccine and mono-valent recombinant YHB vaccine, and that of the tetra-valent vaccine with varied YHB component were compared. The efficiency and stability of recombinant YHB in the tetra-valent vaccine stored at 2 - 8 degrees C for 18 months were determined.

RESULTS

The efficiency of recombinant YHB in the tetra-valent vaccine enhanced significantly in mice, as compared with that of mono-valent recombinant YHB vaccine, with an average mouse ED(50) of 1:2.0 - 1:3.1. There was no significant difference in efficiency of the tetra-valent vaccine with varied recombinant YHB component. Recombinant YHBin the DPTw-YHB tetra-valent vaccine still kept good stability stored at 2 - 8 degrees C for 18 months.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant YHB in the tetra-valent vaccine was more immunogenic than the mono-valent YHB vaccine. No interference and inhibition of DPTw to recombinant YHB was found, indicating good compatibility between DPTw and YHB.

[Determination of triptolide in tripterygium preparations by gradient high performance liquid chromatography]

A gradient elution method was developed for the separation and determination of triptolide in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook preparations by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using YWG column made in China. Methanol with 0.05 mol/L KH2PO4 was used as mobile phase, and the photodiode array detector was used at lambda = 218 nm. The sample of tripterygium oral preparation was extracted with ethanol and then by chloroform. The extract solution was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in 10 mL of ethanol as a sample solution. The spectrum was obtained by the subtraction of spectrum of ethanol from that of sample solution. In comparing with isocratic elution, the gradient operation used in this paper had higher resolution and sensitivity. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 1.32-21.10 mg/L (r = 0.9999). The average recovery of the method was 97.59%. The method was applied to separate and determine the triptolide in tripterygium tablets and the results indicated that the triptolide content by this method was less than that by isocratic and label-claimed one.

Disrupted retinal development in the embryonic belly spot and tail mutant mouse

The Belly spot and tail (Bst) semidominant mutation, mapped to mouse Chromosome 16, leads to developmental defects of the eye, skeleton, and coat pigmentation. In the eye, the mutant phenotype is characterized by the presence of retinal colobomas, a paucity of retinal ganglion cells, and axon misrouting. The severity of defects in the Bst/+ retina is variable among individuals and is often asymmetric. In order to determine the role of the Bst locus during retinal morphogenesis, we searched for the earliest observable defects in the developing eye. We examined the retinas of Bst/+ and +/+ littermates from embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) through E13.5 and measured retinal size, cell density, cell death, mitotic index, and cell birth index. We have found that development of the Bst/+ retina is notably dilatory by as early as E10.5. The affected retinas are smaller than their wildtype counterparts, and optic fissure fusion is delayed. In the mutant, there is a marked lag in the exit of retinal cells from the mitotic cycle, even though there are no observable differences in the rate of cellular proliferation or cell death between the two groups. We hypothesize that Bst regulates retinal cell differentiation and that variability of structural defects in the mutant, such as those affecting optic fissure fusion, is a reflection of the extent of developmental delay brought about by the Bst mutation.

The immune-endocrine loop during aging: role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I

Why a primary lymphoid organ such as the thymus involutes during aging remains a fundamental question in immunology. Aging is associated with a decrease in plasma growth hormone (somatotropin) and IGF-I, and this somatopause of aging suggests a connection between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Several investigators have demonstrated that treatment with either growth hormone or IGF-I restores architecture of the involuted thymus gland by reversing the loss of immature cortical thymocytes and preventing the decline in thymulin synthesis that occurs in old or GH-deficient animals and humans. The proliferation, differentiation and functions of other components of the immune system, including T and B cells, macrophages and neutrophils, also demonstrate age-associated decrements that can be restored by IGF-I. Knowledge of the mechanism by which cytokines and hormones influence hematopoietic cells is critical to improving the health of aged individuals. Our laboratory has recently demonstrated that IGF-I prevents apoptosis in promyeloid cells, which subsequently permits these cells to differentiate into neutrophils. We also demonstrated that IL-4 acts much like IGF-I to promote survival of promyeloid cells and to activate the enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI 3-kinase). However, the receptors for IGF-I and IL-4 are completely different, with the intracellular beta chains of the IGF receptor possessing intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and the alpha and gammac subunit of the heterodimeric IL-4 receptor utilizing the Janus kinase family of nonreceptor protein kinases to tyrosine phosphorylate downstream targets. Both receptors share many of the components of the PI 3-kinase signal transduction pathway, converging at the level of insulin receptor substrate-1 or insulin receptor subtrate-2 (formally known as 4PS, or IL-4 Phosphorylated Substrate). Our investigations with IGF-I and IL-4 suggest that PI 3-kinase inhibits apoptosis by maintaining high levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The sharing of common activation molecules, despite vastly different protein structures of their receptors, forms a molecular explanation for the possibility of cross talk between IL-4 and IGF-I in regulating many of the events associated with hematopoietic differentiation, proliferation and survival.

[Immunologic and clinical study of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis]

OBJECTIVE

To probe into the pathogenic mechanisms of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) in patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).

METHODS

The indirect immunoperoxidase method and Western blot analysis were used for detecting anti-Hu antibodies in 16 PLE patients associated with SCLC. Autopsy and pathological study were performed on two cases.

RESULTS

Eight patients (50%) had anti-Hu antibodies (anti-Hu+) whereas eight patients (50%) no detectable antineuronal antibodies (anti-Hu-). The clinical and laboratory features of PLE and time to diagnosis of SCLC were similar in the anti-Hu+ and anti-Hu- groups. Involvement of other areas of the nervous system in seven (87.5%) patients of the anti-Hu+ group but in only one (12.5)% of the anti-Hu- group (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of this characteristic neurological disorder strongly suggested that with an accompanying SCLC, existence of anti-Hu autoantibody was in favour of an autoimmune mechanism participating in PLE.

[Determination of chemical constituents of the volatile oil from Curcuma longa by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry]

The study of chemical constituents of the volatile oil from Curcuma longa is reported. The volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation. Fifteen components in the oil were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC/MS). The results were elucidated based on the NBS standard mass spectral data. The total ion current chromatogram showed their mass fraction by normalization method. alpha-curcumene, alpha-zingiberene, 1,8-cineole and zerumbone, which had been reported before were found in Curcuma longa volatile oil, but 1-(3-cyclopentylpropyl)-2,4-dimethylbenzene, beta-sesquiphellandrene, germacrene etc identified simultaneously in the oil had never been reported. The major chemical constituent of the volatile oil from Curcuma longa is alpha-curcumene.

Prevention by inhibitors of arachidonic acid cascade of liver carcinogenesis, cirrhosis and oxidative DNA damage caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

Effects of inhibitors of arachidonic acid (AA) cascade on the development of fatty liver, cirrhosis, glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive preneoplastic nodules, neoplastic nodules and generation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet, were examined in Fischer 344 male rats by feeding CDAA diet supplemented with the inhibitors for 12 and 30 weeks. None of the inhibitors affected fatty liver. Among cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, an irreversibly acting acetylsalicylic acid and a long-acting piroxicam, and to a much lesser extent the short-acting ibuprofen but not indomethacin, inhibited the development of cirrhosis, GST-P-positive and neoplastic nodules and generation of 8-OHdG. A phospholipase A2 inhibitor p-bromophenacylbromide (BPB) also exerted similar but lesser extent of inhibitory effects. Lipoxygenase inhibitors quercetin and nordihydroguiaretic acid inhibited GST-P-positive nodules but not cirrhosis or 8-OHdG. Present results suggest that perturbed AA cascade, particularly augmented COX pathway, might play key roles in the causation of liver lesions in the CDAA diet model.

Partial TCR signals delivered by FcR-nonbinding anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies differentially regulate individual Th subsets

Anti-CD3 mAbs with low FcR affinity prolong graft survival in the absence of the cytokine-mediated toxicity observed with conventional anti-CD3 treatment. Previous studies have shown that FcR-nonbinding anti-CD3 mAbs suppress immune responses, at least in part, by delivering a partial signal resulting in Th1 unresponsiveness. In this study, the biochemical and functional consequences of FcR-nonbinding anti-CD3 treatment for various activated T cell populations were examined. In contrast to Th1 cells, FcR-nonbinding anti-CD3-treated Th2 cells secreted IL-4 and proliferated. Furthermore, Th2 cells cultured with the mAb were not rendered unresponsive. Mixed "Th0" populations responded to FcR-nonbinding anti-CD3 by producing IL-4, and showed a selective decrease in IL-2 production following preculture with the mAb. The stimulation of IL-4-producing cells did not reflect a more complete TCR signal, since similar defects in zeta, ZAP-70, and MAP kinase phosphorylation were observed in Th1 and Th2 cells. Despite the proximal signaling defects, FcR-nonbinding anti-CD3 induced nuclear translocation of NF-ATc. Thus, Abs that deliver partial TCR signals may promote development of a Th2 phenotype during the course of an immune response via selective effects on different Th subsets.

Disruption of the heme iron-proximal histidine bond requires unfolding of deoxymyoglobin

The unfolding behavior of 10 different distal heme pocket mutants of sperm whale deoxymyoglobin (deoxyMb) has been investigated. The effects of distal histidine (His 64) replacement were the primary focus; however, mutations at Leu 29, Val 68, and Ile 107 were also examined. Formation of the spectroscopically distinguishable heme intermediate (I') of deoxyMb was tracked as a function of pH and guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) concentration. The appearance of this intermediate signals cleavage of the iron-proximal histidine (His 93) bond. The key observations are as follows. (1) None of the distal heme pocket mutations investigated alter the nature of the heme intermediates that are formed under low pH unfolding conditions. (2) Unfolding of deoxyMb at high concentrations of GdmCl proceeds through the same heme intermediates that occur under low pH conditions. (3) The rate of the iron-histidine bond cleavage in an acidic medium is dramatically slowed when large hydrophobic residues (Leu and Phe) replace the distal histidine, whereas there is little correlation between the polarity of the residue at position 64 and the rate of denaturation by GdmCl. (4) However, apolar residues at position 64 enhance significantly the equilibrium resistance of deoxyMb to iron-histidine bond cleavage under both low pH and high GdmCl unfolding conditions. There is a direct correlation between the equilibrium pH and GdmCl values for maximum intermediate formation and the stabilities of the corresponding apoproteins. Collectively, these observations suggest that substantial unfolding of deoxyMb is required for Fe(II)-His 93 bond cleavage. Unlike the situation for aquometMb, heme loss from deoxyMb is not driven by protonation of the proximal histidine ligand. Instead, the process is mediated by more global unfolding of the protein that leads to solvation of the prosthetic group.

Inhibition by piroxicam of oxidative DNA damage, liver cirrhosis and development of enzyme-altered nodules caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

Previously, we have reported that aspirin, a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, can prevent the fibrosis, cirrhosis and generation of oxidative DNA damage, and the associated development of glutathione-S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive preneoplastic liver nodules, caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet in rats. In the present study, in order to elucidate the role of COX pathway in liver lesion-induction by a CDAA diet, the modulatory effects of other distinct chemical classes of COX inhibitors were examined. A long-acting example, piroxicam (PIRO) (at doses of 0.01, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06%) and the short-acting ibuprofen (IBU) (at doses of 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06%) and indomethacin (IND) (at doses of 0.005 and 0.008%) were administered in the CDAA diet to male F344 rats, and animals were killed after 12 and 30 weeks. In another experiment, IND was given in drinking water at doses of 0.001, 0.002 and 0.004%. None of the inhibitors affected the development of fatty liver caused by a CDAA diet, but PIRO at doses higher than 0.04%, strongly inhibited the development of GST-P-positive and neoplastic nodules as well as fibrosis, cirrhosis and formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) adducts. IBU at the highest dose also exhibited similar but much less pronounced inhibitory effects. With IND, there was only a tendency for inhibition with no clear dose-dependence. The results together with our previous findings, indicate that relatively strong COX inhibitors, acting irreversibly like aspirin or for extended periods like PIRO, can prevent the endogenous hepatocarcinogenesis associated with a CDAA diet, although not the development of a fatty liver, suggesting that an augmented COX pathway might play key roles in the causation of liver lesions in this model.

Effects of electroosmotic flow on zone mobilization in capillary isoelectric focusing

The electroosmotic mobilization of focused protein zones in a fused-silica capillary is investigated using a mixture of model proteins, including alpha-chymotrypsinogen A (bovine pancreas), myoglobin (horse heart) and carbonic anhydrase II (bovine erythrocytes). The presence of carrier ampholytes in the entire capillary and the adsorption of carrier ampholytes onto the capillary wall almost eliminate the electroosmotic flow in the fused-silica capillary, obviating the need for polymer additives such as methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. In fact, the electroosmotic displacement of focused protein zones can only be achieved by injecting a mixture of proteins and ampholytes as a plug at the inlet of a capillary that has been pre-filled with the catholyte. Various approaches for protein mobilization in the uncoated capillary completely filled with carrier ampholytes are studied. The addition of methylcellulose to the sample mixture of carrier ampholytes and protein analytes serves as an anticonvective medium during the gravity mobilization step and contributes to the reduction of protein adsorption onto the capillary wall.

Decreased retinal ganglion cell number and misdirected axon growth associated with fissure defects in Bst/+ mutant mice

PURPOSE

The autosomal semidominant mutation Bst (belly spot and tail) is often associated with small and atrophic optic nerves in adult mice and shares several important attributes with heritable optic nerve atrophy in humans. In this article, the authors present adult and developmental studies on the retinal phenotype in Bst/+ mice.

METHODS

Retinal ganglion cells in adult Bst/+ mice were labeled retrogradely with horseradish peroxidase injected into the right optic tract. Labeled ganglion cells were mapped in whole-mounted retinas ipsilateral and contralateral to the injection site. The number of axons in optic nerves of these and other cases were quantified using an electron microscopic method. Eyes of neonatal, embryonic day 15 (E15), and embryonic day 12 (E12) Bst/+ mutants were examined histologically to understand the etiology of the retinal phenotype.

RESULTS

Approximately 60% of adult Bst/+ mice have deficient direct pupillary light responses. This neurologic phenotype is associated with a reduction in the number of retinal ganglion cells from the wild-type average of 67,000 to less than 20,000 in Bst/+ mutants. Ganglion cells with crossed projections are more severely affected than those with uncrossed projections. Histologic analysis of eyes from E12 mice reveals a delayed closure of the optic fissure. Despite this abnormality, other ocular structures appear relatively normal. However, some E15 mutants exhibit marked disorganization of the retinal neuroepithelium, and ganglion cell axons are found between pigmented and neural retina. At birth, optic nerves of affected mice are smaller than those of wild-type mice, ectopic axons are found within the eyes, and the ganglion cell layer contains many dying cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of the retinal phenotype in Bst/+ mutants is highly variable-ranging from a complete absence of ganglion cells to numbers comparable to that in wild-type mice. The reduction in ganglion cell number in affected adult Bst/+ mice is attributable to the failure of ganglion cell axons to reach the optic nerve head early in development. Delayed fusion of the fissure is consistently associated with the Bst/+ genotype and probably contributes to the failure of ganglion cell axons to grow out of the eye.

[Determination of pseudouridine in serum by high performance liquid chromatography]

Pseudouridine is a modified nucleoside derived from the degradation of transfer ribonucleic acid. The elevation of modified nucleosides in urine has been suggested to be caused by higher turnover rate of t-RNA in tumor tissue than in healthy tissue, rather than by cell death. A method of pseudouridine determination in serum was developed by high-performance liquid chromatography on a Nova-Pak column (Waters) with 0.04 mol/L KH2PO4 (pH 4.0) as mobile phase. The blood samples were collected and 0.6 mL of serum was treated with 0.4 mL 6% HClO4. The precipitate was centrifuged for 10 min at 3000 r/min. Five-hundred microL of the liquor was dried by air-stream at 60 degrees C. The residue was dissolved with 300 microL mobile phase and 10 microL was injected. The average recovery was 93.50 +/- 2.1%. The calibration curve was linear within the concentration range of 0.7-6.8 micromol/L. The serum pseudouridine concentrations for patients with hepatitis, lung cancer, nephritis and uremia were determined and those of patients with lung cancer and uremia were found significantly higher than those of healthy controls (p<0.05). And for patients treated with He-Ne laser no significant change of the pseudouridine hasn't been found (p<0.05).

T cell receptor-gamma/delta cells protect mice from herpes simplex virus type 1-induced lethal encephalitis

Increased numbers of T cell receptor (TCR)-gamma/delta cells have been observed in animal models of influenza and sendai virus infections, as well as in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, a direct role for TCR-gamma/delta cells in protective immunity for pathogenic viral infection has not been demonstrated. To define the role of TCR-gamma/delta cells in anti-HSV-1 immunity, TCR-alpha-/- mice treated with anti- TCR-gamma/delta monoclonal antibodies or TCR-gamma/delta x TCR-alpha/beta double-deficient mice were infected with HSV-1 by footpad or ocular routes of infection. In both models of HSV-1 infection, TCR-gamma/delta cells limited severe HSV-1-induced epithelial lesions and greatly reduced mortality by preventing the development of lethal viral encephalitis. The observed protection resulted from TCR-gamma/delta cell-mediated arrest of both viral replication and neurovirulence. The demonstration that TCR-gamma/delta cells play an important protective role in murine HSV-1 infections supports their potential contribution to the immune responses in human HSV-1 infection. Thus, this study demonstrates that TCR-gamma/delta cells may play an important regulatory role in human HSV-1 infections.

[The development of 'ECU-1' environmental control units for disabled individuals in their home]

The 'ECU-1' environmental control units are applied to severely disabled individuals for operating home electrical equipments without other's help. They can freely turn on (off) lights, switch on (off) fan, watch on TV and give alarm for help. The circuit principle of 'ECU-1' is described in detail.

Spontaneous occurrence of early region 1A reiteration mutants of type 5 adenovirus in persistently infected human T-lymphocytes

Mutants of type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) with reiterated DNA sequences in the E1a region appeared in a human T-lymphocyte cell line, Molt-4, persistently infected with H5sub304, a deletion/substitution mutant that has a wild-type phenotype in viral replication. Endonuclease analyses and DNA sequencing revealed DNA reiteration in each mutant. In the four representative mutants investigated, the DNA reiterations all started within a six-base-pair consensus sequence, G(or C)CTGTG, located in the second exon of the E1a region (at nt 1333, 1367, or 1419). There was not any DNA homology between the breakpoints in the second exon and the inserting sequences (starting at nt 532, 710, or 792). Northern analyses suggested that the reiterated splicing sites of the representative mutants were all used in RNA splicing, and the closest donor and recipient joints were used most frequently. These observations imply that during persistent infection Ad5 underwent spontaneous mutations by sequence-specific breakage and nonhomologous end-end joining recombination events. These E1a reiteration mutants could be propagated in HeLa, A549, and KB cells; they were genetically stable; and they killed CREF cells at a strikingly high frequency. Preliminary observations tend to correlate this CREF cell killing with the accumulation of the early viral proteins and/or viral DNA in the infected cells. This degree of cell damage was not observed in Ad5wt or H5sub304 infection of CREF cells. The observed E1a reiterations provide a model to gain insight into understanding the evolutionary events of some, if not all, adenovirus types during many years of symbiotic, persistent relationship in human tonsils and adenoids and possibly other lymphoid organs.

The adenovirus E1A repression domain disrupts the interaction between the TATA binding protein and the TATA box in a manner reversible by TFIIB

The human adenovirus E1A 243 amino acid oncoprotein possesses a transcription repression function that appears to be linked with its ability to induce cell cycle progression and to inhibit cell differentiation. The molecular mechanism of E1A repression has been poorly understood. Recently, we reported that the TATA binding protein (TBP) is a cellular target of E1A repression. Here we demonstrate that the interaction between TBP and the E1A repression domain is direct and specific. The TBP binding domain within E1A 243R maps to E1A N-terminal residues approximately 1 to 35 and is distinct from the TBP binding domain within conserved region 3 unique to the E1A 289R transactivator. An E1A protein fragment consisting of only the E1A N-terminal 80 amino acids (E1A 1-80) and containing the E1A repression function was found to block the interaction between TBP and the TATA box element as shown by gel mobility and DNase protection analysis. Interestingly, a preformed TBP-TATA box promoter complex can be dissociated by E1A 1-80. Further, TFIIB can prevent E1A disruption of TBP-TATA box interaction. TFIIB, like TBP, can overcome E1A repression of transcription in vitro. The ability of the E1A repression domain to block TBP interaction with the TATA box and the ability of TFIIB to reverse E1A disruption of the TBP-TATA box complex implies a mechanism for E1A repression distinct from those of known cellular repressors that target TBP.

[Determination of degradation level of antifungal agent in mice serum by high performance liquid chromatography]

L-4-oxalysinyl-norvalinyl-N3-4-methoxyfumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (I-677-Nva-FMDP) is a new tripeptide synthesized in our group. This peptide exhibits potent anticandida Albicans activity. In the presence of serum, the antifun gal activity of I-677-Nva-FMDP decreases after incubating over 1h. In order to investigate the relationship between the degradation and antifungal activity of I-677-Nva-FMDP, the concentrations of I-677-Nva-FMDP and N3-methoxyfumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (FMDP) were determined at different incubating time in mice serum. The incubating time range was from 0 to 300 min and the incubating samples were measured at intervals of 30 min. For this measurement reversed-phase HPLC was used and the mobile phase was composed of 8% methanol and 0.1% trifluoroacitic acid-triethyl amine buffer (pH 3). In this condition the retention time of FMDP and I-677-Nva-FMDP were 3.9 min and 16.5 min respectively. Methanol was superior to other reagents for the removal of protein from the incubating medium and there was not any interference peak before the retention time of I-677-Nva-FMDP. A decrease in concentration of I-677-Nva-FMDP was observed from 0 min to 180 min and no I-677-Nva-FMDP could be detected at 210 min whereas the concentration of FMDP incresed from 30 min to 2h and reached a maximum at 120 min. The results showed that the half life (t1/2) of I-677-Nva-FMDP was 70 min. This result coincided with the antifungal test in vitro.

Proinflammatory functions of IL-2 in herpes simplex virus corneal infection

Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of corneas can lead to blinding inflammation in the corneal stroma, which is referred to clinically as herpes stromal keratitis. In our mouse model of this prevalent human disease, a heavy polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration of the infected cornea leads to progressive tissue destruction. This inflammatory process can be abrogated by in vivo depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes and by neutralization of the cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma. The goal of this study was to define the mechanisms by which IL-2 mediates the corneal inflammation. Systemic neutralization of IL-2 after the onset of corneal disease resulted in a rapid regression of inflammation and complete resolution in 50% of the treated mice. The disease remission was associated with loss of IFN-gamma expression in the cornea, as determined by immunohistochemistry, and a significant reduction of IFN-gamma mRNA, as measured by a semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Within 48 h after anti-IL-2 mAb administration, the PMN chemotactic gradient in the infected corneas was abolished, and those PMN that were already present in the central cornea exhibited clear signs of apoptotic cell death. Our results demonstrate that IL-2 mediates corneal inflammation by 1) regulating local IFN-gamma production in an autocrine or a paracrine fashion, 2) establishing a PMN chemotactic gradient, and 3) maintaining PMN viability in the cornea. These results suggest that IL-2 might be targeted for therapeutic intervention in this blinding disease.

Proinflammatory functions of IL-2 in herpes simplex virus corneal infection

Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of corneas can lead to blinding inflammation in the corneal stroma, which is referred to clinically as herpes stromal keratitis. In our mouse model of this prevalent human disease, a heavy polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration of the infected cornea leads to progressive tissue destruction. This inflammatory process can be abrogated by in vivo depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes and by neutralization of the cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma. The goal of this study was to define the mechanisms by which IL-2 mediates the corneal inflammation. Systemic neutralization of IL-2 after the onset of corneal disease resulted in a rapid regression of inflammation and complete resolution in 50% of the treated mice. The disease remission was associated with loss of IFN-gamma expression in the cornea, as determined by immunohistochemistry, and a significant reduction of IFN-gamma mRNA, as measured by a semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Within 48 h after anti-IL-2 mAb administration, the PMN chemotactic gradient in the infected corneas was abolished, and those PMN that were already present in the central cornea exhibited clear signs of apoptotic cell death. Our results demonstrate that IL-2 mediates corneal inflammation by 1) regulating local IFN-gamma production in an autocrine or a paracrine fashion, 2) establishing a PMN chemotactic gradient, and 3) maintaining PMN viability in the cornea. These results suggest that IL-2 might be targeted for therapeutic intervention in this blinding disease.

Capillary isoelectric focusing-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for transferrin glycoforms analysis

On-line capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF)-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS) as a two-dimensional separation system is employed for high-resolution analysis of bovine serum apotransferrin glycoforms. On the basis of their differences in isoelectric point (pI), the di-, tri-, and tetrasialotransferrins are separated and resolved in CIEF. The focused protein zones of di-, tri-, and tetrasialotransferrins are eluted by combining gravity with cathodic mobilization. At the end of CIEF capillary, the mobilized transferrin zones are analyzed by mass spectrometry coupled on-line to an electrospray interface with a coaxial sheath flow configuration. Additional transferrin variants within each of di-, tri-, and tetrasialotransferrins, differing in their molecular weights, are easily distinguished by ESIMS. In combination with sialidase digestion, the distribution of pI and molecular weight of asialo-, mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrasialotransferrin variants was obtained from the CIEF-ESIMS measurements. In addition to the differences in the number of sialic acid, the microheterogeneity of bovine serum apotransferrin glycans might be complicated by the partial fucosylated structure and the alpha-Gal (1-3)-beta-Gal on the alpha-Man-(1-6) antenna.

Interferon gamma regulates platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 expression and neutrophil infiltration into herpes simplex virus-infected mouse corneas

In a mouse model of herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 corneal infection, tissue destruction results from a CD4+ T cell-mediated chronic inflammation, in which interleukin 2 and interferon (IFN) gamma are requisite inflammatory mediators and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are the predominant infiltrating cells. In vivo neutralization of IFN-gamma relieved inflammation at least in part through a specific block of PMN extravasation into HSV-1-infected corneas. Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) 1 were upregulated on the vascular endothelium of inflamed corneas. Reduced PMN extravasation in anti-IFN-gamma-treated mice was associated with a dramatic reduction of PECAM-1 but not ICAM-1 expression on vascular endothelium. PMN accumulated in the lumen of corneal vessels after in vivo IFN-gamma neutralization. PECAM-1 was readily detectable on PMN inside the vessels but was not detectable on PMN that extravasated into the infected cornea. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis revealed reduced PECAM-1 expression but elevated major histocompatibility complex class I expression on PMN that recently extravasated into the peritoneal cavity when compared with PMN in the peripheral blood. We conclude that IFN-gamma contributes to HSV-1-induced corneal inflammation by facilitating PMN infiltration; this appears to be accomplished through upregulation of PECAM-1 expression on the vascular endothelium; and PMN downregulate PECAM-1 expression during the process of extravasation.

[The value of CA125 and LDH assays in assisting diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma]

40 first-treated cases of epithelial ovarian cancer, 13 cases of cervical cancer, 13 cases of corpus cancer and 50 cases of benign tumor were included in this study from Jan. 1991 through May 1992 to evaluate the significance of the blood CA125, LDH, CR and SA levels in assisting diagnosis of epithelical ovarian cancer. The CA125 levels of the 40 canses of ovarian cancer were higher than those of cervical cancer and corpus cancer (P < 0.05); the SS, PLR and AC of CA125 in ovarian cancer were higher than those of LDH, SA and CR (P < 0.05); the SS of CA125 in ovarian cancer was higher than that of LDH isoenzyme (P < 0.05). The results show that CA125 may be the best tumor marker in assisting ovarian cancer; CA125 is more informative than LDH, CR and SA; when CA125 is used incombination with other tumor markers, SS, SP, NPV and PPV can be greatly raised.

Ex vivo model of leukocyte migration into herpes simplex virus-infected mouse corneas

We are investigating neutrophilic infiltration into herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected mouse corneas. Using a novel ex vivo corneal migration assay, we demonstrated two waves of neutrophil chemotaxis in HSV-1-infected corneas. An early chemotactic gradient developed within 48 h in concert with the appearance of HSV-1 epithelial lesions, peaked by 4 days post-infection (p.i.), and degraded by 6-8 days p.i.. A second chemotactic gradient appeared 10 days after infection, just before the initiation of chronic inflammation. The gradient was maintained in corneas that developed inflammation but rapidly degraded in corneas that failed to develop inflammation. The early chemotactic gradient was established in the absence of T lymphocytes, but the second chemotactic gradient was virtually abrogated by T cell depletion. We conclude that HSV-1 infection induces two temporally separated neutrophil chemotactic gradients in the mouse cornea: an early, transient, T cell-independent gradient; and a later, chronic, T cell-dependent gradient.