[Evaluation of a cytokeratin 19 assay kit "BALL ELSA CYFRA21-1"]

We evaluated "BALL ELSA CYFRA21-1" kit, an immunoradiometric assay kit for cytokeratin 19. Monoclonal antibodies KS19-1 and BM19-21 are used for immunoadsorbent and indicator, respectively. There was no problems in reproducibility, dilution test and recovery test. Minimum detectable concentration was 0.42 ng/ml. The antigen measured by this kit was immunologically cross-reactive with tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and CYFRA21-1 concentration was closely correlated with TPA concentration in patient's serum. One of twenty-six healthy subjects showed serum concentration over a cut-off value of 2.0 ng/ml. Serum CYFRA21-1 concentration elevated in 5 of 10 esophageal cancer patients, 5 of 10 gastric cancer patients, 7 of 10 colorectal cancer patients and 6 of 10 pancreatic cancer patients. Positive rate in patients with benign disease including hepatopathy was low. BALL ELSA CYFRA21-1 kit is reliable and CYFRA21-1 could be a useful tumor marker in gastrointestinal cancer.

Effects of a new forskolin derivative, NKH477, on canine ventricular arrhythmia models

Using two-stage coronary ligation-, digitalis- and epinephrine-induced canine ventricular arrhythmia models, we examined whether a new positive inotropic agent, NKH477, 6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl)forskolin hydrochloride, a water-soluble derivative of forskolin, had deleterious effects on arrhythmias. NKH477 increased heart rate (HR) and decreased blood pressure (BP) in dogs with all the arrhythmia models. Unexpectedly, NKH477 suppressed digitalis- and epinephrine-induced arrhythmias, but did not suppress two-stage coronary ligation arrhythmia or aggravate it. These results indicate that NKH477, unlike other new positive inotropic agents such as amrinone, milrinone, sulmazole and vesnarinone, did not worsen these arrhythmias; thus, NKH477 may be a useful positive inotropic agent with little arrhythmogenic effect.

Similarity and co-expression of tumour-associated antigens recognised by different monoclonal antibodies

The concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA130, CA125, SLX, CA19-9, SPan1, and tumour-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) in the culture supernatant of 15 cancer cell lines and in the sera of 58 cancer patients was measured, and the co-expression of these antigens was examined by double determinant immunoradiometric assays. The high correlation coefficient of the concentrations and significant binding in the double determinant assays indicated a close relationship between CA125 and CA130 and between CA19-9 and SPan1. There was variable binding of the 125I-labelled anti-SLX, anti-CA19-9, and anti-SPan1 antibodies to anti-CA130 beads that had been pre-incubated with the culture supernatants, suggesting the presence of the epitopes of SLX, CA19-9, and SPan1 on the molecule expressing CA130. Similarly, the epitopes of SLX, CA19-9, and SPan1 could be present on the molecule expressing CEA. 125I-labelled anti-CA19-9, anti-SLX, and anti-TAG-72 antibodies were bound in variable proportions to anti-CA130 beads or to anti-CEA beads that had been pre-incubated with patients' sera. However, CEA and CA130 were not expressed on the same molecule, either in the culture supernatant, or in patients' sera. In conclusion, the carbohydrate epitopes of CA19-9, SPan1, SLX, and TAG-72 could be present on the molecule recognised by the anti-CA130 or anti-CEA antibody; however, the epitopes of CA130 and CEA did not co-exist on the same molecule.

Scintigraphic detection of xenografted tumors producing human basic fibroblast growth factor

A murine monoclonal antibody 3H3 recognizes the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and inhibits the growth of human glioblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. We studied the potential of a scintigraphic technique using the 3H3 antibody to detect tumors that produce basic FGF. 125I- and 111In-labeled 3H3 bound to U87MG human glioblastoma cells in vitro. U87MG cells were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice. After development of the tumor, radiolabeled 3H3 was injected into the subcutaneous space surrounding the tumor. A high level of radioactivity from 3H3 was retained at the tumor, whereas an irrelevant antibody cleared rapidly from the injected site. Radiolabeled 3H3 was not retained in tumors that did not produce basic FGF. Scintigraphic detection of tumors expressing basic FGF would be valuable for the therapeutic application of the antibody.

Scintigraphic evaluation of tenosynovial giant-cell tumor using technetium-99m(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid

Technetium-99m(V) dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy were performed in three patients with primary and recurrent tenosynovial giant-cell tumor (one localized type and two diffuse type). In all cases, 99mTc(V)DMSA showed marked accumulation in all primary and recurrent tumors; however, 67Ga-citrate showed no accumulation in any of the tumors. Technetium-99m(V)-DMSA scintigraphy was useful in detecting tenosynovial giant-cell tumor and in diagnosing recurrence of this tumor.

Induction of renal pelvic carcinoma by phenacetin in hydronephrosis-bearing rats of the SD/cShi strain

Carcinogenicity of phenacetin (PH) to the urinary tract was tested with the use of spontaneously hydronephrosis-bearing rats. In Experiment 1, 55 SD/cShi male rats were fed with 2% PH-containing diet for 85 weeks, and 32 SD/cShi male rats fed basal diet for 85 weeks served as controls. Forty-three of 53 rats fed with PH had renal pelvic carcinoma with lung metastases in three. The mean induction time was 78 weeks. Ureteral carcinoma and urinary bladder carcinoma were observed in 2 and 6 of 53 rats given PH, respectively. No urinary tract carcinoma was found in control animals. In Experiment 2, early lesions of the kidney affected by PH were also evaluated with the use of SD/cShi and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Two groups of animals containing 6 SD/cShi or 6 SD male rats per group were fed 2% PH-containing diet for 8 weeks. Control animals containing 6 SD/cShi rats or 6 SD rats were fed basal diet for 8 weeks. Simple hyperplasia was found in 5 of 6 SD/cShi rats given PH and 2 of 6 SD/cShi control rats. Papillary necrosis was seen in 4 of 6 SD/cShi and 2 of 6 SD rats given PH. SD/cShi rats, especially those treated with PH, showed higher but not significant 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling indices in the covering epithelium of the renal pelvis and papillae. In this short term experiment PH and its metabolites, N-hydroxyphenacetin and N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, were measured in urine and plasma by using high performance liquid chromatography. Significantly higher PH and slightly higher metabolites were detected in urine and plasma of SD/cShi rats compared to SD rats. These results indicated that the renal pelvis of SD/cShi rats had more sensitivity to PH carcinogenicity. This paper provides experimental proof of PH carcinogenicity toward the renal pelvis in an animal model.

CD4+/CD8- thymocytes dominate the fetal thymus treated with a combination of anti-T cell receptor-beta and anti-CD4 antibodies

Two major phenotypic changes characterize the development of a mature thymocyte from its CD4+/CD8+ (double positive or DP) precursor: the loss of expression of either CD4 or CD8 and the increase in the level of surface TCR. The specific surface interactions responsible for these changes are unknown, but studies using the fetal thymus as an experimental system have provided clues by identifying conditions that alter these maturational events. Development to the CD4+/CD8-/TCR-alpha beta high (single positive) phenotype is inhibited when thymocytes in fetal organ culture are exposed to antibodies directed against the CD4 molecule, the CD3 complex or the TCR-alpha/beta heterodimer. We show in this study, however, that treatment of fetal thymic lobes with a combination of anti-CD4 and anti-TCR-beta antibodies results in a marked increase in the proportion of mature CD4+/CD8-/TCR-alpha beta+ thymocytes and a decrease in the proportion of DP thymocytes. Although treatment of lobes with a combination of anti-CD4 and anti-CD3 epsilon antibodies also depletes cultures of DP thymocytes, the CD4+/CD8-/TCR+ population does not develop. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that coengagement of CD4 and TCR biases development to the CD4 single positive phenotype and with observations that TCR engagement and CD3 engagement have different developmental consequences.

CD4+/CD8- thymocytes dominate the fetal thymus treated with a combination of anti-T cell receptor-beta and anti-CD4 antibodies

Two major phenotypic changes characterize the development of a mature thymocyte from its CD4+/CD8+ (double positive or DP) precursor: the loss of expression of either CD4 or CD8 and the increase in the level of surface TCR. The specific surface interactions responsible for these changes are unknown, but studies using the fetal thymus as an experimental system have provided clues by identifying conditions that alter these maturational events. Development to the CD4+/CD8-/TCR-alpha beta high (single positive) phenotype is inhibited when thymocytes in fetal organ culture are exposed to antibodies directed against the CD4 molecule, the CD3 complex or the TCR-alpha/beta heterodimer. We show in this study, however, that treatment of fetal thymic lobes with a combination of anti-CD4 and anti-TCR-beta antibodies results in a marked increase in the proportion of mature CD4+/CD8-/TCR-alpha beta+ thymocytes and a decrease in the proportion of DP thymocytes. Although treatment of lobes with a combination of anti-CD4 and anti-CD3 epsilon antibodies also depletes cultures of DP thymocytes, the CD4+/CD8-/TCR+ population does not develop. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that coengagement of CD4 and TCR biases development to the CD4 single positive phenotype and with observations that TCR engagement and CD3 engagement have different developmental consequences.

A human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody against CA125 for radioimmunoimaging of ovarian cancer

Murine monoclonal antibody 196-14 recognizes the ovarian-cancer-associated antigen CA125, but the epitope it recognizes is different from that of monoclonal antibody OC125. We developed a human/mouse chimeric 196-14 using the variable regions of the murine 196-14 and human heavy-chain (gamma 1) and light-chain (kappa) constant regions. Cell binding and competitive inhibition assays using chimeric 196-14 labeled with 125I, 111In or 99mTc demonstrated that the in vitro immunoreactivity of the chimeric antibody was identical to that of the parental murine monoclonal antibody. However, in mice bearing human ovarian cancer xenografts, the clearance from blood was faster and absolute levels of accumulation in the tumor were lower for the 125I-labeled or 99mTc-labeled chimeric antibody than for the murine antibody labeled with the corresponding radionuclides. The tumor-to-blood radioactivity ratio was not significantly different between the chimeric antibody and the murine antibody, regardless of the radionuclide used for labeling. Chimeric antibody 196-14 labeled with 131I, 111In or 99mTc is promising for the radioimmunoimaging of ovarian cancer.

Changes in CA125 release and surface expression caused by drugs in uterine cervix adenocarcinoma cells

The effect of drugs on the release of CA125 antigen and the binding of anti-CA125 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to malignant cells was evaluated in vitro. TMCC-1, uterine cervical adenocarcinoma cells, were exposed to dexamethasone (DEX), sodium n-butyrate (NaB), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), retinoic acid (RA), calcitriol (VD3), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). NaB, RA and VD3 increased CA125 release per cell and 125I-labeled anti-CA125 MoAb binding to the cells. DEX also increased the 125I-labeled anti-CA125 MoAb binding to the cells, and CA125 antigen release per cell was also slightly increased. IFN-gamma suppressed both CA125 release and 125I-labeled MoAb binding. A combination of DEX, VD3 and RA and increased the binding of MoAb to TMCC-1 cells, but the amount of bound MoAb was not significantly different from that obtained by single drug treatment. DbcAMP had no significant effect on enhancing MoAb binding. Drugs can increase the binding of anti-CA125 MoAb to malignant cells and they may be applied to increase the tumor uptake of radiolabeled MoAbs in vivo.

In vivo instability of reduction-mediated 99mTc-labeled monoclonal antibody

A murine monoclonal antibody that reacts with human osteogenic sarcoma (OST7) was reduced and directly labeled with 99mTc without any loss of immunoreactivity. No fragmentation of the antibody was detected by high performance liquid chromatography after the labeling. However, SDS-PAGE analysis of the labeled antibody demonstrated the presence of low molecular weight species. Although more than 95% of the radioactivity remained bound at the antibody after incubation with human serum for 24 h, 99mTc-labeled OST7 was cleared faster from the circulation than 125I-labeled OST7 or 111In-labeled OST7 in mice. Urinary and fecal excretion of 99mTc were higher than those of 125I. When the 125I-labeled antibody was dual-labeled with 99mTc, the blood clearance of 99mTc was faster than that of 125I, suggesting release of 99mTc from the antibody in vivo. 99mTc-labeled OST7, however, gave a higher tumor-to-blood ratio than 125I- or 111In-labeled OST7 in mice bearing human osteogenic sarcoma. The 99mTc-labeled antibody prepared by the direct method was unstable in vivo, but retained a good tumor targeting ability.

Population movement and fate of autoreactive V beta 6+ T cells in Mls-1a mice

In order to demonstrate the precise fail-safe mechanisms involved in the prevention of autoreactive T-cell functions, we analysed the movement of the population of self-reactive V beta 6+ cells in Mls-1a mice. T cells bearing V beta 6 T-cell receptor (TcR) could be detected in the thymus at birth. They increased in number during the next few days, then decreased and disappeared by 1 week after birth. These cells are autoreactive and capable of eliciting a syngeneic graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR). The autoreactive V beta 6+ cells in the thymus on day 3 were abolished by a previous injection of Mls-expressing syngeneic adult spleen cells, showing that the tolerance-inducing antigens had probably not yet developed in newborn mice. These autoreactive V beta 6+ cells escaping clonal deletion may leave the thymus and become appreciable as their percentages rise in the periphery in mice thymectomized 3 days after birth (d3-ThX). However, the 'autoreactive' T cells seemed to be neither cell cycling nor proliferating even after exogenous antigenic stimulation. The proportion of these peripheralized V beta 6+ cells in an 'anergy' state decreased gradually to a half-life of about 50 days in adults, in contrast to the complete deletion in a few days of V beta 6hi cells in the developing thymus. On the other hand, in weanlings the percentage of V beta 6+ T cells was reduced to a half-life of less than 20 days, probably because of the diluting out of these cells by the physiological expansion of the irrelevant T-cell population and probably by an increase of body fluid by a factor of 10. In contrast, V beta 8+ T cells, Mls-1a-unrelated, maintained a constant proportion, as in non-thymectomized mice. Thus, T-cell repertoire shaping may not always be achieved in the thymus, but may be completed after the cells leave the thymus a few days after birth in a developmentally programmed process.

Concomitant enhancement of the response to Mls-1a antigens and the induction of post-thymectomy autoimmune gastritis in BALB/c mice

We examined the role of Mls antigens in the induction of autoimmune gastritis (AIG) in BALB/c and DBA/2 mice subjected to thymectomy. The prevalence of AIG in Mls-1b mice which underwent thymectomy on day 3 after birth (3d-Tx) was 78% (mean), while in Mls-1a DBA/2 mice it was < 6%. Whereas AIG-negative 3d-Tx DBA/2 mice produced 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME)-sensitive antiparietal cell autoantibody, AIG-positive BALB/c mice made 2-ME-resistant anti-parietal cell autoantibody. In addition, the prevalence of AIG in 3d-Tx BALB/c mice which were rendered tolerant to MIs-1a antigens by injection of bone marrow cells from (BALB/c x DBA/2)F1 mice within 24 h after birth was decreased compared with the non-tolerant control mice; the prevalence being 80% in the controls and 30% in the tolerant animals. Thus, the activation of helper T cells, including T cells responding to Mls-1a antigens and including immunoglobulin class switch, appeared to be closely associated with the induction of AIG. Flowcytometric analysis confirmed that CD4- V beta 6 T cells had increased in the regional lymph nodes of the stomach in AIG mice. However, an increase in the number of V beta 11 T cells, which are known to increase in 3d-Tx mice, occurred in the CD8, but not in the CD4 T cell population. Injection of MoAb to L3T4, but not Lyt2, V beta 6- or V beta 8-TCR, into 3d-Tx BALB/c and syngeneic nude mice which had received spleen cells of 3d-Tx BALB/c mice bearing AIG completely abrogated the development of AIG, despite there being remarkable decreases in T cells expressing relevant markers to the injected antibodies in all the mice. These findings suggest that the increase of V beta 6+ L3T4+ T cells in AIG mice was concomitant with the activation of AIG-inducing V beta 6- L3T4+ T cells.

Radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity

The management of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity, a relatively rare tumor, is described, with results of long-term follow-up. We treated five such patients by means of radiotherapy combined with surgery in all but one case. Three patients received a dose of 40 Gy preoperatively, one received 60 Gy of radical radiotherapy, and one received 38 Gy of postoperative radiotherapy. During the follow-up period, one patient developed a local recurrence and two patients developed distant metastases. Nasal cavity tumors in our patients were diagnosed early, and local control using a combination of radiotherapy and surgery was relatively effective. Distant metastases occurred in two of five patients during the follow-up period, suggesting that the possibility of distant metastases during follow-up was considered.

Technetium-99m(V)dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake in intra-abdominal massive deposit of amyloid protein

Technetium-99m(V)dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy was performed in two patients with pathologically confirmed primary amyloidosis. Both patients had tumor-like deposits of AL-type amyloid in the abdomen. Marked uptake of the tracer by the amyloid deposits was noted. Technetium-99m-(V)DMSA scintigraphy appears to be useful in detecting the distribution of amyloid deposits and in determining the appropriate site for biopsy.

Agglutinins from aquatic insects--tumor cell agglutination activity

Agglutinins were identified in whole body extracts of aquatic insects by means of murine tumor cell agglutination, using sarcoma 180 ascites, Ehrlich, and MM-46 cells. Screening revealed agglutinins in 5 of 10 of the larvae tested, and in 2 of 6 of the water-dwelling adult insects; Gerris paludum insularis and Gyrinus japonicus. Only the agglutinin from adult G. paludum also agglutinated human erythrocytes. An ascites tumor was converted into a solid form in vivo after administration of G. paludum agglutinin. The observation that these aquatic insect agglutinins preferentially agglutinate tumor cells has considerable implications in terms of anti-tumor effects such as inhibition of cell proliferation and metastasis.

Purification and some properties of ribonuclease from Xenopus laevis eggs

A 122 kDa RNase from eggs of Xenopus laevis was purified by sequential chromatography on Sephadex G-75, DEAE-cellulose, heparin-Sepharose and TSK gel G3000SW columns, and gave a single 60 kDa band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and nonreducing conditions. The RNase composed of two 60 kDa subunits is able to recognize pyrimidine bases specifically. The pH optimum of the RNase was 7.5 in Tris-HCl buffer. The enzyme activity was abolished by treatment at 80 degrees C for 5 min and pH 2 or 12 for 1 h. Since egg lectins with RNase activity obtained from Rana catesbeiana and R. japonica and bovine pancreatic RNase A show about 30% protein homology and these three proteins are 12-14 kDa heat-stable RNases, [K. Titani, K. Takio, M. Kuwada, K. Nitta, F. Sakakibara, H. Kawauchi, G. Takayanagi and S. Hakomori, Biochemistry, 26, 2189 (1987); Y: Kamiya, F. Oyama, R. Oyama, F. Sakakibara, K. Nitta, H. Kawauchi, Y. Takayanagi and K. Titani, J. Biochem. (Tokyo), 108, 139 (1990)], the data suggest that the X. laevis egg RNase is a unique protein compared with RNases from not only amphibians, but also mammals.

Effects of intrathymic injection of organ-specific autoantigens, parietal cells, at the neonatal stage on autoreactive effector and suppressor T cell precursors

Thymectomy on day 3 after birth (3d-Tx) induces autoimmune gastritis (AIG) in 81%, and oophoritis (AIO) in 25% of BALB/c mice at the age of 2 to 3 months. Intrathymic, but not intraperitoneal injection of syngeneic parietal cells into sex-matched BALB/c mice within 24 h of birth resulted in almost complete prevention of the development of AIG in these mice in which 3d-Tx was performed. The prevention induced was parietal cell specific, since the development of AIO was not inhibited in female mice. Moreover, the injection of BALB/c liver cells, Mls-matched (BALB/c) and -disparate (DBA/2) B blasts which resulted in V beta 6 T cell deletion, as well as the injection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B failed to prevent the diseases. These findings suggested that recognition of an autoantigen in the thymus is necessary for the induction of tolerance, and that involvement of Mls-1 antigens in the pathogenesis of AIG, as has been suggested previously (Schwartz, R. H., Cell 1989. 57: 1073), was unlikely. T cells that suppress the development of organ-specific autoimmune diseases in 3d-Tx mice seem to maintain the unresponsiveness of autoreactive T cells at the periphery in normal mice. In agreement with our previous observations, we found that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of spleen cells from 3-month-old normal mice into 3d-Tx mice on day 10 after birth prevented the development of AIG, whereas spleen cells from age-matched AIG+ (mice with AIG) or AIG- (mice without AIG) 3d-Tx mice failed to do this. This implies that the suppressor cells probably affect the differentiation of effector-precursor to effector. In fact, these suppressor cells did not inhibit the adoptive transfer of AIG to nu/nu BALB/c mice by spleen cells from 3d-Tx mice manifesting AIG. By negative selection using monoclonal antibody and complement, it was confirmed that the phenotype of the suppressor cell was CD4. In contrast to 3d-Tx, 10d-Tx did not induce AIG, indicating the peripheralization of the suppressor cell by that time. On the other hand, intrathymic injection of parietal cells immediately after birth did not affect suppressor cell generation, implying that some T cells, including suppressor cells, escape thymus selection. We postulate that these cells correspond to the precursors of the autoreactive effector T cells and suppressor T cells that are present in normal mice.

Three rhamnose-binding lectins from Osmerus eperlanus mordax (olive rainbow smelt) roe

Three rhamnose-binding lectins were purified from the roe of Osmerus eperlanus mordax (olive rainbow smelt) by affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. The apparent molecular weights of Osmerus eperlanus mordax lectin (OML) -1, -2 and -3 were 25000, 32000 and 26000, respectively, on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing conditions. On native PAGE, these three lectins showed different migration patterns (Rm value; 0.37, 0.53 and 0.66, respectively). OMLs agglutinated rabbit and human type B erythrocytes and sarcoma 180 cells, but not human type A and O erythrocytes and AH109A cells. The most effective monosaccharide inhibitor was L-rhamnose. L-Mannose and D-galactose were also good inhibitors. Furthermore, OML-induced hemagglutination was inhibited more strongly by melibiose or raffinose rather than lactose or lactulose. Therefore, OMLs are L-rhamnose/alpha-D-galactosyl type lectins. OMLs did not require a detergent, when extracted from crude material, and Ca2+, Mg2+, EDTA and dithiothreitol were not necessary for the OML-induced hemagglutination activities. The OMLs had similar N-terminal amino acid sequences.

Construction of immunoradiometric assay for circulating c-erbB-2 protooncogene product in advanced breast cancer patients

The human c-erbB-2 protooncogene product (erbB-2 protein) is a 185 kilodalton glycoprotein closely related to epidermal growth factor receptor protein. In this study, we measured the concentration of circulating erbB-2 protein in cancer patients by means of a new immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). Two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), SV2-61 gamma and 6G10, recognize erbB-2 protein but bind to separate epitopes. SV2-61 gamma was used as an immunoadsorbent and 6G10 as an 125I-labeled probe. A serum was considered positive for erbB-2 protein if the percent binding exceeded the mean of the normal group by more than 3 standard deviations. Eleven of 21 patients with advanced breast cancer and 1 of 15 with advanced gastric cancer were positive. Serum erbB-2 protein levels correlated well with the therapy and the status of the patients with breast cancer. On the contrary, all patients with advanced colon, ovarian, or pancreatic cancers, showed levels below the cut-off value. These results suggest that circulating erbB-2 protein can be measured using the newly constructed IRMA. Since c-erbB-2 protooncogene amplification and overexpression are accepted as a good marker of aggressiveness, relapsing potency, and poor prognosis, this IRMA should be a promising tool with which to help manage breast cancer patients.

Purification and characterization of Silurus asotus (catfish) roe lectin

A rhamnose-binding lectin isolated from Silurus asotus (catfish) roe by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange and galactose-Sepharose affinity chromatographies predominantly agglutinated human type B and rabbit erythrocytes. S. asotus lectin (SAL) also agglutinated sarcoma 180 ascites carcinoma cells, but not AH109A cells. The most effective saccharide in hemagglutination inhibition assay was L-rhamnose. The monosaccharides possessing steric similarity to the hydroxyl group orientation at C2 and C4 of the pyranose ring structure of L-rhamnose, such as L-mannose and L-lyxose, were also effective. The molecular weight of SAL was determined to be 38000 by size exclusion chromatography on TSK gel G3000SW and 33000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. SAL did not require a Ca2+ ion or free thiol group for its agglutination activity. The N-terminal 29 amino acid sequence was determined by a gas-phase sequencer as follows, ANMITCYGDVQKLHXETGLIIVKSXLYGR (X: not determined). It has no homology to the sequences of well known vertebrate lectins.

Different antigenic nature in apparently healthy women with high serum CA 125 levels compared with typical patients with ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

CA 125 is a representative ovarian cancer-associated antigen defined by monoclonal antibody OC125. Recently, monoclonal antibodies were produced (designated 130-22 and 145-9) that were reactive with CA 125 but bound to a separate epitope named CA 130. There was a close correlation between serum CA 125 and CA 130 values in most instances. However, among more than 8000 serum samples, 5 apparently normal women had high serum CA 125 values, despite having normal CA 130 values. In this study, the antigenic nature of these five women was investigated.

METHODS

Using gel chromatography, the molecular masses of CA 125 and CA 130 were estimated that were found in the five women with false-positive CA 125 values. The sera were examined using double-determinant assays combining iodine-125-labeled OC125 or iodine-125-labeled 130-22 with OCI25-coated or 145-9-coated beads.

RESULTS

The molecular masses of both CA 125 and CA 130 were estimated as greater than 1000 kilodaltons (KD); the CA 130 mass from one of the five women with an abnormal CA 125 level was approximately 200 KD using gel chromatography. Using the double-determinant assays that combined iodine-125-labeled OC125 or iodine-125-labeled 130-22 with OC125-coated or 145-9-coated beads, high radioactivity was found only in the homologous assay using iodine-125-labeled OC125 with OC125-coated beads. These results suggest that the antigenic nature of CA 125 found in apparently healthy women differs from that found in patients with ovarian cancer and that CA 130 epitopes are not present.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of serum CA 130 concentrations may be useful for excluding women with falsely elevated CA 125 values.

In vitro and ex vivo Ca-antagonistic effect of 2-methoxyethyl(E)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-yl(+/-)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl- 4-(3- nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (FRC-8653), a new dihydropyridine derivative

The characteristics of calcium antagonism and vascular effect of 2-methoxyethyl(E)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-yl(+/-)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dime thyl-4-(3- nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (FRC-8653) were investigated. FRC-8653 inhibited an increase in intracellular free calcium concentration during membrane depolarization in PC12 cells. FRC-8653 also inhibited the specific binding of 3H-nitrendipine to cardiac membranes, in a similar manner to nifedipine and nicardipine. FRC-8653 inhibited KCl- and CaCl-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aorta, but failed to affect norepinephrine-induced contraction. The vasorelaxing effect of FRC-8653 in rabbit aorta developed more slowly than those of nifedipine and nicardipine. In ex vivo experiment, the inhibitory effect of orally administered FRC-8653 against KCl-contraction in rat aorta lasted longer than that of nifedipine. These findings suggest that FRC-8653 dilates blood vessels by blocking calcium influx via dihydropyridine-sensitive, voltage-dependent calcium channels and that the vascular effects are slow in development and long in duration.

Neonatal tolerance induction in the thymus to MHC-class-II-associated antigens. V. Thymus medulla and the site for deletional signaling achievement in Mls tolerance

Intravenous (i.v.) injection of Mls-1a peritoneal cavity (PerC) cells from (BALB/c x AKR)F1 (Mls-1b/a, H-2d/k) mice into newborn BALB/c (Mls-1b, H-2d) mice induced thymus cell tolerance by one week of age, accompanied by V beta 6+ cell elimination. The tolerant state is associated with intrathymic chimerism with MHC-class II(IA+) cells, confluent in the medulla and scattered in the cortex. To clarify the anatomical site for the deletional signaling, we injected Mls-1a PerC cells directly into the thymus lobe of BALB/c mice on the day of birth. Thus induced tolerant state was limited to the injected lobe and there was no penetration to the contralateral lobe. The tolerant state lasted less than 2 weeks, by which time donor-derived Ia+ cell had disappeared from the thymus. Thus, PerC cells seem to have little self-renewing ability. One week after the intrathymic injection of a small amount (0.3 microliter) of PerC cell suspension in several different sites, the thymus lobes were removed without killing the mice and serial cryostat sections were cut and stained immuno-histochemically for analysis of the donor cell distribution. Four weeks later, the functional activities of peripheral T cells in the spleens of the treated mice were tested. These experiments revealed that inoculated cells lodging in the medulla, but not in the cortex, induced tolerance to the Mls determinants. Target thymocytes for negative signaling are probably located in the medulla/juxta-medullary area in the thymus. Data are discussed in relation to Mls-bearing stroma cells in the thymus.

Profile of cardiovascular effects of NKH477, a novel forskolin derivative, assessed in isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations: comparison with isoproterenol

Cardiac and coronary vasodilator effects of NKH477, a novel water-soluble forskolin derivative, and isoproterenol, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor full agonist, were compared in isolated, blood-perfused papillary muscle, sinoatrial (SA) node, and atrioventricular (AV) node preparations of dogs. Both agents were injected intraarterially. The two agents increased the force of contraction of the paced papillary muscle and of the unpaced muscle, and the rate of automaticity of the latter. They increased sinus rate and accelerated AV nodal conduction. In producing these cardiac effects, both agents were similar, although NKH477 was 120-350 times less potent than isoproterenol; however, NKH477 differed distinctly from isoproterenol in that the former increased coronary blood flow more greatly than the latter. Thus, NKH477 is more coronary vasodilatory than positive inotropic, and more positive inotropic than positive chronotropic. Such a cardiovascular profile of NKH477 was similar to that of forskolin, except for the duration of actions; NKH477 was longer-acting than forskolin.