[Effect of biapenem (L-627) on fecal flora in gnotobiotic mice and children]

Biapenem (L-627), a novel injectable carbapenem antibiotic, was studied with regard to its effect on mice inoculated with four types of bacteria and on the intestinal flora of pediatric patients. L-627 was given i.m., 40 mg/kg once daily for 5 consecutive days, to mice inoculated enterically with four types of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bifidobacterium breve). Except for a mild decrease in E. coli, there were no major fluctuations in viable bacterial counts in the feces during the treatment. Five children with bacterial infections (3 boys and 2 girls; ages: 1 month to 7 years and 7 months; body weights 4.62-21.8 kg) were given L-627 at 6.0 to 11.7 mg/kg 3 times daily for 7 to 11 days. Among aerobes, although Enterobacteriaceae such as E. coli tended to decrease remarkably in all patients, there was no major change in Enterococcus. Consequently, total aerobe counts did not change significantly in any patient. Among anaerobes, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Eubacterium, which are the predominant organisms in infants, decreased remarkably in some patients. One of the patients showed a marked decrease in total anaerobe count associated with a change in fecal characteristics (diarrhea). Glucose nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli or fungi did not become predominant organisms in any patient. Recovery from these changes in the intestinal flora was noted promptly after terminating L-627 treatment. L-627 was detected in the feces of 4 patients during treatment. The fecal concentration ranged from 0.24 to 2.22 micrograms/g. Clostridium difficile was not detected in any patient. Although C. difficile D-1 antigen was observed in 2 patients, it bore no relationship to fecal properties. The results indicated that L-627 had relatively few effects on the intestinal flora compared to other new beta-lactam antibiotics.

Fabry-like laminated myelin body associated with IgA nephropathy

We present the first female patient to exhibit Fabry-like myelin bodies in the glomerular epithelial cell in association with IgA nephropathy. This previously healthy 36-year-old woman presented with proteinuria and hematuria without skin lesions. Renal biopsy showed typical IgA nephropathy, with paramesangial deposits, mesangial proliferation and scattered myelin bodies. The leukocytic alpha-galactosidase A activity was abnormally low. She had no family history of Fabry's disease nor the characteristic features, such as skin lesion, neuralgia, or hypohidrosis. Fabry's disease is diagnosed from the renal biopsy findings and the activity of alpha-galactosidase A in leukocytes and/or fibroblasts. We diagnosed the present case with Fabry' disease and IgA nephropathy from these results.

Membranous glomerulonephritis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We investigated the cause of membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The class or stage of RA was diagnosed using the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association, and MGN was diagnosed using renal biopsy. Renal biopsy and laboratory findings, including serologic analysis, were evaluated. Eighteen patients had previously received one of the following antirheumatic agents: bucillamine (n = 13), D-penicillamine (n = 3), or gold (n = 2). The renal lesions of all 24 patients resembled lesions seen with idiopathic MGN on examination by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. We concluded that patients with RA are predisposed to develop MGN, whether or not they receive antirheumatic agents.

Renal complications during pregnancy in a patient with diabetes mellitus

We present a 23-year-old woman with a 7-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who became pregnant. At the 23rd week of pregnancy she exhibited the signs and symptoms (hypertension, edema, proteinuria) of both diabetic nephropathy and preeclampsia. A cesarean section was successfully performed. The proteinuria persisted for more than 3 months after delivery. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diabetic glomerulosclerosis together with the renal findings attributable to preeclampsia. The rapid acceleration of diabetic nephropathy in this patient was attributed to preeclampsia. We therefore recommend that patients with DM be followed closely during pregnancy in an attempt to prevent the acceleration of renal damage by preeclampsia.

Possible functional groups responsible for inhibition of in vivo angiogenesis by herbimycin A

Six herbimycin A (HBM) derivatives were examined for their anti-angiogenic effects in a bioassay system involving chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of growing chick embryos on the basis of our previous observation that HBM is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. 17-Cyclopropylamino-HBM dose-dependently inhibited embryonic angiogenesis. The ID50 value was 0.1 microgram (160 pmol) per egg and thereby lower than that of the parent compound HBM (ID50 = 0.15 micrograms (260 pmol) per egg). In contrast, 19-dimethylamino-, N-acetyl-, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro- and 7-decarbamoyl-HBM at doses of 0.01-10 micrograms/egg failed to affect angiogenesis in CAMs. These results strongly suggest as follows: (1) C-19 position, amino group between positions C-1 and C-20 and carbamoyl group in C-7 are essential for the anti-angiogenic action of HBM; (2) HBM needs certain fixed conformation for expression of angiogenesis inhibition; (3) it is expected that the modification of C-17 with a suitable functional group results in increased anti-angiogenic potency of HBM--that is, a more potent angiogenesis inhibitor than the parent compound would be developed.

Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger)

Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) was examined in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) from a viewpoint of comparative anatomy. The VNO of chinchilla was a pair of tubular structure, about 6mm in length, and situated bilaterally along the base of the nasal septum. The VNO was encircled rostrally by the vomeronasal cartilage, but caudally by a bony capsule. The VNO communicated with the nasal cavity via a small pore at its rostral end, while it ended blindly at its caudal end. Its lumen was crescent to elliptical in a transverse plane, and lined medially with the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE), but laterally with the vomeronasal respiratory epithelium (VRE). Jacobson's glands were tubulo-alveolar in type and distributed from the dorsolateral to the ventrolateral region of the VNO and opened with the duct to the lumen in the transitional region from the VSE to the VRE. Their secretions were periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive but alcian blue (AB)-negative. The VSE consisted of sensory, supporting and basal cells. Supporting cells were characteristic of a large number of huge dense bodies in the perinuclear cytoplasm. The other ultrastructural features in sensory, supporting and basal cells of the VSE were similar to those in the previous reports. The VRE consisted of ciliated, non-ciliated and basal cells. Acinar cells of Jacobson's gland possessed two types of secretory granules. Secretory granules of one type were homogeneous and electronlucent, about 1,700nm in diameter, while granules of the other type were about 2,200nm in diameter, and various in electron density. The present findings suggest that the VNO is functionally active in the chinchilla.

[Brain abscess ruptured into the lateral ventricle: the usefulness of treatment by intraventricular irrigation with antibiotics. A case report]

A case is reported of a brain abscess, which ruptured into the lateral ventricle and was treated using intraventricular irrigation with antibiotics. A 37-year-old man was suffering from a headache and high fever. Precontrast CT scan revealed a heterogeneous low density area in the left temporal lobe, and postcontrast CT scan showed a multilobular ring-like enhanced mass. Diagnosed as a brain abscess, intravenous administration of antibiotics was performed. On the sixth day the patient suddenly became drowsy. Postcontrast CT scan revealed an enhanced effect in the left lateral ventricular wall. Drowsiness was attributed to increased intracranial pressure and severe ventriculitis. Bilateral continuous ventricular drainage via the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle was performed. The drainage fluid from the left lateral ventricle was just like pus. Intraventricular irrigation with antibiotics between the bilateral anterior horns of the lateral ventricle, was performed in order to save the patient. The infusion fluid, Lactate Ringer's solution containing Cefazolin sodium, was infused into the right ventricle and CSF-like pus was drained from the left ventricle. The CSF reading gradually improved, and on the 14th day postoperatively irrigation was terminated. The postoperative course was uneventful. The diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with brain abscesses have improved dramatically as a result of more reliable methods of identifying infecting organisms, more effective antibiotic regimens, the development of microsurgical techniques and CT scan. However, despite these advances, the prognosis for brain abscess ruptured into the ventricle is usually very pessimistic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Production of endothelin-1 and thrombomodulin by human pancreatic cancer cells

Analysis of bioactive substances produced by cancer cells is one approach to understanding the biological features of human cancer. One of these bioactive substances is endothelin (ET)-1, a peptide with potent vasoconstrictive activity produced by vascular endothelial cells. We have previously reported the production of ET-1 by several types of human cancer, especially pancreatic cancer cells. To elucidate whether these cancer cells might share biological characteristics with vascular endothelial cells, we investigated the production of three ET isoforms in pancreatic cancer cells, using a specific radioimmunoassay. Further, we also investigated whether these cells produce thrombomodulin (TM), another product of endothelial cells functioning as a modulator of procoagulant activity. ET-1 was detected in 11 of 12 pancreatic cancer cell lines (92%) while ET-2 and ET-3 were detectable in only one cell line. Gel filtration analysis confirmed the presence of ET-1. Moreover, TM was detected in the cell lysates of 11 of the 12 cell lines (92%) and it was released into the culture medium in the majority (58%) of these cell lines. TM mRNA was also detected in these cells. In addition, TM was demonstrated immunocytochemically along the cell surface. These results suggest that pancreatic cancer cells share two characteristics with endothelial cells: the production of ET-1 and TM.

[Nephropathy in patients with primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome]

Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is characterized by abortion, thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and/or valvular disease and it is liable to complicate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We carried out a study to investigate the clinical and renal pathological findings in five patients with APS, but not SLE. In the clinical findings, the patients had negative tests for proteinuria and hematuria, and their renal function and tubular function were within normal limits. In the light microscopic findings, three patients exhibited mild mesangial hypercellularity, and two had minor glomerular abnormalities. In immunofluorescent study, there were IgM and/or C3 depositions in the mesangial area in some cases, and in electron microscopic study, there were no special findings other than mesangial hypercellularity. In conclusion, nephropathy is a rare complication in patients with APS, unlike systemic lupus erythematosus.

Comparison of prediction methodology for binary traits through Monte-Carlo simulation

SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate simple alternatives to threshold models within the framework of a mixed-model procedure. Four models-linear model, threshold model, normit-transformation and pseudo-linear model-were compared by Monte-Carlo computer simulation. The normit-transformation model was based on simple normit transformation within a subclass while taking into account binomial error. The simulation experiments were carried out with combinations of five subclass sizes (5, 15, 25, 35, 45), five heritabilities (0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45) and 100 replications for each experiment. The loss of accuracy in the prediction models based on binary response was greater than that in the linear model based on continuous records. The accuracy of the threshold model was superior to that of the normit-transformation model and the pseudo-linear model in all the experiments. But the difference in accuracy between the threshold model and the pseudo-linear model was small when the heritability was low and the subclass size was small, while the difference in accuracy between the threshold and the normit transformation was small when the subclass size was large. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Vergleich von Michmodell-Voraussagen mittels Monte-Carlo Simulation Die Absicht dieser Untersuchung war die Bewertung einfacher Alternativen für Schwellenwert-Modelle im Rahmen von Mischmodell Methoden. Folgende vier Modelle wurden untersucht: Lineares, Schwellenwert, Normittransformation und pseudo-lineares Modell wurden mittels Monte-Carlo Computersimulation verglichen. Das Normittransformationsmodell beruhte auf einfachen Normittransformation innerhalb einer Unterklasse unter Berücksichtigung des binomialen Fehlers. Die Simulationsexperimente wurden mit fünf Unterklassen-Größen (5, 15, 25, 35, 45), fünf Heritabilitäten (0,05, 0,15, 0,25, 0,35, 0,45) und 100 Wiederholungen für jeden Versuch durchgeführt. Der Genauigkeitsverlust in den Modellen für binäre Ergebnisse war größer als in linearen Modellen mit kontinuierlichen Daten. Die Genauigkeit des Schwellenwert-Modells war der Normittransformation und dem pseudo-linearen Modell in alien Untersuchungen überlegen. Bei geringem h(2) und kleinen Unterklassen war die Genauigkeitsdifferenz zwischen Schwellenwert- und pseudolinearem Modell klein, ebenso wie die zwischen ersterem und Normittransformation bei großen Unterklassen.

[Influence of S-1108 on intestinal bacterial flora]

The effect of S-1108, a new oral cephem antibiotic, on intestinal bacterial flora was studied in tetra-contaminated mice and pediatric patients. S-1108 in a fine granular form was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg once a day for 5 consecutive days to mice infected with Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides fragilis and Bifidobacterium breve. The viable fecal bacterial cell count of each of these 4 species of bacteria was slightly reduced in 5 days after the start of the drug administration. Five boys (weighing 12.0 to 42.0 kg) with bacterial infections were entered into this pediatric study. Their ages ranged from 2 years 4 months to 9 years 3 months. S-1108 (fine granules) was administered at a dose of 2.3 to 6.0 mg/kg, 3 times a day for 5 to 11 days. Cell counts of primary aerobes, anaerobes and total anaerobic cells decreased markedly in three patients, but in the remaining two patients the total number of aerobic and anaerobic cells did not change appreciably. Glucose-nonfermentating Gram-negative rods did not become predominant during the period of S-1108 administration. Candida became predominant in the three patients in whom the other bacteria had markedly decreased. Counts of predominant aerobic and anaerobic bacteria decreased markedly during the regimen in 3 out of 5 cases. S-1006 was detected in stools of the 3 cases at concentrations ranging from 235 to 516 micrograms/g during the administration of S-1108. Intestinal bacteria that produce beta-lactamase were not present in the feces of any of the patients. Based on these results, S-1108 (fine granules) appears to have relatively little effect on intestinal bacterial flora similarly to other new oral cephems. Because of individual differences, however, the drug may be excreted in the feces at high concentrations, and this would result in changes in intestinal bacterial flora. Therefore, attention must be given to fecal drug concentrations.

Extinction of expression of the PU.1/Sfpi-1 putative oncogene encoding a B-cell- and macrophage-specific transcription factor in somatic cell hybrids

Several examples of extinction of cell type-specific gene expression have been observed following fusion of different cell types. Possible mechanisms of the extinction include loss of transcriptional activators and acquisition of repressor factors responsible for cell type-specific gene expression. In this study, we demonstrated the extinction of expression of the PU.1/Sfpi-1 putative oncogene encoding a B-cell- and macrophage-specific transcription factor when plasmacytoma cells are fused with embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. The hybrid cells retained most chromosome complements from both parental lines including chromosome 2 on which the PU.1 gene is located. Therefore, extinction of PU.1 gene expression in the hybrids is not likely the result of chromosome segregation but rather due to a transacting negative factor(s) present in EC cells. On the contrary, expression of the PU.1 mRNA in plasmacytoma cells was not extinguished upon cell fusion with T-lymphoma cells, although the parental T-lymphoma cells did not express PU.1 transcripts. Hence, T-lymphoma cells seemed to be permissive to PU.1 gene expression, while EC cells were repressive. These results suggest that PU.1 gene expression which positively regulates some B cell- and macrophage-specific gene expression is a target of negative regulatory mechanisms during cell differentiation, and the regulatory mechanisms repressing PU.1 gene expression is different between EC cells and T-cells.

Three novel synthetic retinoids, Re 80, Am 580 and Am 80, all exhibit anti-angiogenic activity in vivo

In a previous study, we demonstrated that retinoic acid or a synthetic retinoid, Ch 55 ((E)-4-[3-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-oxo-1-propenyl]benzoic acid), significantly affects in vivo angiogenesis, on the basis of our working hypothesis that a cell differentiation modulator could also exhibit anti-angiogenic activity. In the present study, three novel synthetic retinoids, Re 80 (4-[1-hydroxy-3-oxo-3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl- 2- naphthalenyl)-1-propenyl]benzoic acid), Am 580 (4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- 5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carboxamido]benzoic acid) and Am 80 (4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl] benzoic acid), whose cell differentiation-modulating effects are roughly comparable to or more potent than that of Ch 55, which was the most effective angiostatic retinoid identified previously, were examined. Their anti-angiogenic effects were tested in an in vivo assay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryos. They were all found to exert dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effects in the picomolar range. Their rank order for inhibitory potency was Re 80 > Am 580 > Am 80, the ID50 values being 6.3, 23 and 28 pmol/egg, respectively. These results indicate that treatment involving these three novel synthetic retinoids might have potential therapeutic efficacy in various angiogenesis-dependent disorders, including solid tumors, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic retinopathy.

The effect of enalapril on proteinuria in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and renal insufficiency

We evaluated the effect of enalapril on proteinuria in 20 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and renal insufficiency. Patients were accepted into the study according to the following criteria: 1) a serum creatinine (s-Cr) level over 1.5 mg/dl or a creatinine clearance (Ccr) under 70 ml/min; and 2) urinary protein (UP) over 1.0 g/day, expect for the cases with uncontrollable hypertension. We measured total protein (TP), albumin, s-Cr, Ccr, UP, and Ht during the elanapril therapy. After enalapril therapy, UP slowly decreased, and TP and albumin levels increased. The levels of s-Cr and Ccr did not vary. None of the patients required discontinuation of enalapril therapy caused by side effects, such as anemia or hyperkalemia. In conclusion, enalapril has the effect of decreasing in proteinuria and increasing TP and albumin in patients with CGN and renal insufficiency irrespective of the original diseases.

[Prophylactic use of concentrated antithrombin III preparation in children with nephrotic syndrome]

Decreased plasma level of antithrombin III was assumed to be one of the major factors underlying hypercoagulable state in nephrotic syndrome. Concentrated antithrombin III preparation was given to 8 children with nephrotic syndrome with a plasma antithrombin III activity of less than 70%, to evaluate the effect on hypercoagulable state. Plasma antithrombin III activity was elevated to more than 70% in 7 of 8 children after treatment, while plasma levels of plasmin-alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex and FDP-D dimer were not significantly decreased. One patient developed brain infarction after the treatment, suggesting that prophylactic administration of concentrated antithrombin III preparation is not fully protective against thrombotic complications in nephrotic syndrome.

Radicicol, a microbial cell differentiation modulator, inhibits in vivo angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in various pathological states, including the progressive growth of solid tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and diabetic retinopathy, in addition to its crucial role in embryonic development. Recent studies have revealed that an angiogenesis inhibitor is efficacious for these so-called angiogenic diseases. In the previous studies, we found that retinoids and vitamin D3 analogs, which are known to exhibit cell differentiation-modulating activity, effectively inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, thus forming the basis of our working hypothesis that a modulator of cell differentiation is capable of affecting angiogenesis. In this study, to verify this hypothesis further, radicicol (syn. monorden; 5-chloro-6-(7,8-epoxy-10-hydoxy-2-oxo-3,5-undecadienyl)-beta -resorcylic acid mu-lactone), a microbial cell differentiation modulator from a fungus, a strain of Neocosmospora tenuicristata, was examined for its anti-angiogenic activity in a bioassay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryos. The microbial cell differentiation modulator dose dependently inhibited embryonic angiogenesis, the ID50 value being 200 ng/egg. Radicicol also inhibited both the proliferation of and plasminogen activator production by vascular endothelial cells in the nM concentration range in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting the possible involvement of these inhibitory effects in the anti-angiogenic action of the microbial product. These results indicate that radicicol might be a potential drug for treating different angiogenesis-dependent diseases, such as solid tumors, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic retinopathy.

Stimulation of plasmin activity in cultured human fibroblast cells by Porphyromonas endodontalis

1. Plasmin activity in the conditioned medium of Gin-1 cells, a human gingival fibroblast cell line, was stimulated by Porphyromonas endodontalis, a putative pathogen of oral submucous abscesses, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. 2. P. endodontalis stimulated the activity of plasminogen activator in both the conditioned medium and the cell lysate. The plasminogen activator in Gin-1 cells was approx. 50 kDa by zymography. 3. The conditioned medium of Gin-1 cells exposed to P. endodontalis stimulated the conversion of human serum prekallikrein to kallikrein. 4. These results suggested that P. endodontalis stimulates the plasminogen activator-plasmin system in Gin-1 cells, and that activated plasmin plays a role in the progress of periodontal tissue inflammation.

[Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus)]

Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) was examined in an insectivore, house musk shrew (Suncus murinus), from a viewpoint of comparative anatomy. The VNO was a pair of tubular structure, about 6mm in length, and situated at the base of the nasal septum. The medial wall of the lumen of the VNO was lined with the sensory epithelium (SE) consisting of sensory, supporting and basal cells, while the respiratory epithelium (RE) lining the lateral wall was pseudostratified and covered with microvilli. Jacobson's glands were distributed on the dorsolateral to ventrolateral side of the VNO and opened to the lumen in the transitional region from the RE to the SE. Their secretion was PAS-positive bu talcian blue-negative. Ultrastructurally, sensory cells of the SE were bipolar neurons and covered on their free surface with conspicuously long microvilli. The other ultrastructural features in sensory, supporting and basal cells were similar to those in previously reported species. The ultrastructural features of the RE were also similar to those in previous reports except that the free surface was covered with microvilli instead of cilia. In addition, a few kinds of migrating cells were often observed in both the SE and the RE. Acinar cells of Jacobson's glands possessed a round to elliptical nucleus and many large secretory granules, about 1,000 nm in diameter. Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were well developed in their cytoplasm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of angiogenesis by erbstatin, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase

Here we describe the inhibitory effect of erbstatin, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on in vivo angiogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis was determined in a bioassay system involving chorioallantoic membranes of growing chick embryos. Erbstatin produced a dose-dependent inhibitory action on embryonic angiogenesis. This inhibition occurred at as small a dose as 10 ng/egg and the ID50 value was 80 ng/egg. To analyze this inhibition, in vitro experiments involving vascular endothelial cells were also performed. Erbstatin affected the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, one of angiogenic components. This inhibition was dose-dependent, the IC50 value being 3.6 microM. These data indicate that erbstatin-sensitive tyrosine kinase(s) is involved in angiogenic endothelial cell proliferation, and that experiments involving erbstatin will provide an important due to understand a mechanism of angiogenesis.

Neurological manifestations of hemorrhagic colitis in the outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection in Japan

An outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 occurred in a kindergarten in Saitama, Japan from September to November, 1990. Seven patients admitted to our hospital showed neurological manifestations: generalized seizures, impaired consciousness, urinary incontinence, gaze nystagmus, phrenic nerve palsy, action tremor and vertigo. Two patients died. On the basis of the clinical courses and laboratory findings of the seven patients and postmortem findings of one case, these neurological symptoms were suspected to be induced by the verotoxin elaborated by Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Extinction of T cell receptor alpha-chain gene expression accompanied by loss of the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) in murine somatic cell hybrids

To investigate the presence of a negative regulatory factor(s) suppressing T-cell receptor alpha-chain (TCR alpha) gene expression in non-T cells, 10 independent cell hybrid clones were generated between mouse T-cell lymphoma EL4 cells (TCR alpha+/beta+) and mouse fibroblast B82 cells. These cell hybrids showed a typical fibroblastic morphology and retained an approximate sum of chromosome numbers derived from both parental cells. No transcripts of the TCR alpha gene were detected in the cell hybrids, although the presence of the rearranged TCR alpha allele from EL4 cells was confirmed. The possibility of involvement of nuclear proteins responsible for the activity of the TCR alpha gene enhancer in the extinction of TCR alpha gene expression in the cell hybrids was examined. Nuclear proteins which bind to the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) binding motif present in EL4 cells disappeared in the hybrid clones, whereas no significant change was observed in DNA-binding activity of nuclear proteins to a consensus cyclic AMP response element (CRE) and the Ets-1 binding motif between the parental cells and the cell hybrids. No transcripts of the LEF-1 gene were detected in the cell hybrids, despite the retention of the LEF-1 gene and murine chromosomes 3, on which the LEF-1 allele is located, from both parental cells. These results suggest that a trans-acting negative regulatory factor(s) present in fibroblasts suppresses LEF-1 gene expression and that suppression of LEF-1 may lead to the extinction of TCR alpha gene expression in the cell hybrids.

Effects of estradiol and progesterone on the cytodifferentiation of epithelial cells in the oviduct of the newborn golden hamster

The effects of estradiol and progesterone on the cytodifferentiation of epithelial cells in the oviduct of the newborn golden hamster were investigated by electron microscopy. Consecutive daily injections of estradiol-17 beta (E2) induced various ultrastructural changes in undifferentiated epithelial cells of the neonatal oviduct. Ciliogenesis, formation of some ciliary buds, and ciliation were frequently observed in the oviductal epithelial cells on days 1-4 of consecutive treatments with E2. On days 2 and 3, the remaining cells contained well-developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Thereafter, a few secretory granules were observed in the cytoplasm of these cells, indicative of differentiation into secretory cells. Occasionally, secretory cells undergoing ciliogenesis or mitosis were found in the epithelium. On day 9, many fully mature ciliated and secretory cells were observed. Quantitative studies clearly showed that E2 induced the differentiation of both ciliated and secretory cells. By contrast, consecutive daily injections of progesterone significantly stimulated the appearance of ciliogenic and ciliated cells but not that of secretory cells. These results indicate that the induction of differentiation of secretory cells is a specific effect of estrogen, whereas the differentiation of ciliated cells may be closely related to effect of progesterone as well as of estrogen. It is suggested that hormonal effects on differentiation differ between ciliated and secretory cells in the oviductal epithelium of the newborn golden hamster.

Observations by scanning electron microscopy of oviductal epithelial cells from cows at follicular and luteal phases

The luminal surfaces of epithelial cells in various regions of the bovine oviduct from cows, at the follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle, were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Marked cyclic changes were observed on the surface of the epithelium in the fimbriae and ampulla, but few changes were found in the isthmus and uterotubal junction. The epithelium of the fimbriae and ampulla of oviducts in the follicular phase were densely ciliated, and the cilia concealed the apical processes of the nonciliated cells. In the luteal phase, the nonciliated cells predominated in the epithelium and most of the ciliated cells were hidden by the bulbous processes of the nonciliated cells. The epithelium of the ampullar-isthmic junction showed similar changes, but to a lesser extent. In the isthmus and at the utero-tubal junction, the apical surfaces of the nonciliated cells were flat or gently rounded during the estrous cycle. Quantitative examinations by light microscopy showed that the mean percentage of ciliated cells significantly decreased in the fimbriae and ampulla at the luteal phase, but not in the other regions. The height of ciliated cells decreased dramatically in the fimbriae, ampulla, and ampullar-isthmic junction at the luteal phase. By contrast, the height of nonciliated cells decreased significantly in the ampullar-isthmic junction, isthmus, and utero-tubal junction at the luteal phase, but not in the fimbriae and ampullae. The results demonstrate that there are regional variations and cellular differences in the cyclic changes associated with the oviductal epithelial cells in the cow.