Epidermal growth factor binding sites on human erythrocytes in donors with different ABO blood groups

Analysis of epidermal growth factor (125J-EGF) binding to human red cells revealed the presence of two classes of binding sites with apparent equilibrium dissociation constants (app.Kd) in the 10(-10)-10(-9) M and in the 10(-8) M range, respectively. The number of binding sites/cell ranged between 600 and 2,400 for the high-affinity binding site and between 7,200 and 23,000 for the low-affinity site. No differences were seen in the apparent Kd values for both types of binding sites between red cells obtained from donors with different ABO-blood groups. An increase in the number of high affinity EGF binding sites was observed in donors with blood group A1-erythrocytes as compared to red cells taken from donors with blood groups O and B.

Recovery of proteins from the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid proposal for a standardisation

In this study various precipitation methods have been used to concentrate the proteins from broncho-alveolar-lavages. The highest percentage of proteins was recovered from the broncho-alveolar-lavages using the method of Wessel & Flügge (Anal. Biochem. 138 (1984) 141-143). The recovered proteins were further analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Except for low molecular mass proteins, the method of Wessel & Flügge proved to be the most effective for the recovery of individual proteins. In general, the method of Wessel & Flügge seems to be the superior method for concentrating proteins of broncho-alveolar-lavages for further analysis.

A critical evaluation of neoglycoprotein binding sites in vivo and in sections of mouse tissues

Endogenous lectins are reported to play a vital role in cell to cell communication. Their distribution in tissues has been widely studied by the use of labelled neoglycoproteins. In the present study, labelled neoglycoproteins were used on fixed and unfixed tissue sections and the results were compared with those observed after i.v. application of neoglycoproteins in mice. The study indicates that neoglycoprotein binding to tissue sections is not inhibited by application of the simple monosaccharides that were used to synthesize them. Furthermore the binding of neoglycoproteins following i.v. application into mice is rather limited. It is concluded that neoglycoproteins, which are synthesized using simple monosaccharides, do not provide a sensible tool to detect endogenous lectins in animal tissue sections. This is in sharp contrast to the results of most other studies reported in the literature.

Primary B-cell gastric lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 145 patients

Resection specimens from 145 patients with primary B-cell gastric lymphoma at stage IE (n = 88) and at stage IIE (n = 57) were investigated. Histologically, low-grade malignant B-cell lymphomas arising from the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, including immunocytoma (n = 71), could be distinguished from high-grade malignant B-cell lymphomas with (n = 25) and without (n = 49) evidence of a low-grade component. The very rare low-grade B-cell lymphomas of centroblastic-centrocytic, centrocytic, and plasmacytic type were not considered. All patients had undergone primary gastric resection, and 65 received additional chemotherapy (n = 33), radiotherapy (n = 22), or both (n = 10). Actuarial overall survival rates calculated by the Kaplan-Meier life-table method were 76% after 5 years and 58% after 10 years. According to the Mantel test and a multivariate analysis using the Cox regression method, patients at stage IE had a significantly better survival probability than those at stage IIE (P less than 0.0001); 5-year survival rates were 87% and 61%, respectively. The survival probability for low-grade malignant lymphomas was significantly better than for tumors with secondary high-grade transformation (P less than 0.05) or for primary high-grade lymphomas (P less than 0.0001), whereas the two high-grade groups were not significantly different. Five-year survival rates were 91% for low-grade, 73% for secondary high-grade, and 56% for primary high-grade malignant lymphomas. Retrospectively, no significantly different survival rates were found between patients who had undergone gastric resection alone and patients who had received additional treatment. However, survival analyses showed that classification and grading according to the histopathological concept of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-derived gastric lymphomas into low-grade B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type and high-grade B-cell lymphomas with or without evidence of a low-grade component has great prognostic relevance.

Similar frequency of autoantibodies against pneumocytes type II and Clara cells in patients with interstitial lung diseases and healthy persons

Several experimental findings suggest an association between interstitial lung diseases and autoantibodies. Antibodies against lung tissue including pneumocytes type II in patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were reported in recent years. In this investigation the serum of 103 persons (10 with IPF, 23 with M. Boeck, 18 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 52 healthy controls) was examined for autoantibodies against pneumocytes type II and Clara cells by indirect immunofluorescence on human lung tissue. These antibodies against both cell types are an additional proof for common antigens in pneumocytes type II and Clara cells. The autoantibodies were present in similar frequency in the 4 groups (IPF: 20%, M. Boeck: 26.1%, RA: 22.2% and 23.1% of the healthy controls). So no significant association was found between the antibodies and the interstitial lung diseases. A role of the antibodies in the pathogenesis of the diseases, however, can not be excluded by this study. A possible role as parameter of development of interstitial lung diseases should be subject to further investigations in form of a prospective follow up study.

Lectin histochemistry of human bone marrow: investigation of trephine biopsy specimens in normal and reactive states and neoplastic disorders

The lectin binding pattern of bone marrow cells in normal and reactive states and in various neoplastic disorders was investigated using trephine biopsy specimens taken from the iliac crest. The tissue samples were routinely processed (fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax) and subjected to mild decalcification with EDTA. The following results were obtained. (1) More than half of the 23 fluoresceinated lectins used reacted with normal blood cells and/or their neoplastic derivatives. Inhibition tests with the appropriate sugars confirmed the specificity of binding for the majority, but not all, of the lectins. (2) WGA, Con A, PSA, STA and RCA60 and RCA120 produced a particularly intense reaction with normal, reactive and neoplastic myeloid cells. Erythroblasts exhibited weak staining in a few cases by a few lectins (WGA producing the strongest staining), while megakaryocytes nearly always remained unstained. Neoplastic lymphoid cells in various lymphoproliferative disorders and plasmacytoma cells generally reacted with the same lectins as the myeloid cells. (3) Since neoplastic myeloid cells in various myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders exhibited a lectin binding pattern similar to that of myeloid cells in normal and reactive bone marrow, it is unlikely that lectin histochemistry of the bone marrow will prove of great value in the diagnosis of myelodysplastic-myeloproliferative disorders.

Direct tissue isoelectric focusing on mini ultrathin polyacrylamide gels followed by subsequent western blotting, enzyme detection, and lectin labeling as a tool for enzyme characterization in histochemistry

Application of cryostat sections directly onto mini ultrathin polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing gels allows an elution of proteins out of the sections into the gels under conventional focusing conditions. Protein bands representing alkaline phosphatases can easily be identified on nitrocellulose after performing a modified Western blot procedure. Furthermore, carbohydrate residues of several isoforms of alkaline phosphatases separated by isoelectric focusing can be demonstrated in a single blot strip by subsequent incubation of this strip with substrates for alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase, the latter being employed as the enzyme to which the applied lectins are covalently linked. This simple and reproducible procedure is likely to enable histochemists to determine isoforms of enzymes from a single cryostat section.

Role of ABH blood group antigens in the stimulation of a DIDS-sensitive Ca2+ influx pathway in human erythrocytes by Ulex europaeus agglutinin I and a monoclonal anti A1 antibody

Of eleven agglutinating lectins tested, only one, Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA1), stimulated Ca2+ uptake in quin2-loaded erythrocytes by about 2-fold. UEA1 is known to be an alpha-L-fucose and ABH blood group specific lectin. The 45Ca2+ influx induced by UEA1 was absent in the presence of extracellular fucose (5 and 15 mM) and depended on the ABH blood group of the donor, the stimulatory potency of the lectin decreasing in the order H greater than A2 greater than A1. Ca2+ entry blockers, such as cobalt and verapamil, did not affect the 45Ca2+ influx induced by UEA1. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) inhibited dose-dependently with a Ki of 1-2 microM. 10 microM DIDS, 10 microM 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS) and 20 microM dipyridamole fully blocked the 45Ca2+ influx induced by UEA1. The effect of UEA1 on 45Ca2+ influx was absent in K+ and Mg2+ media and was less pronounced in choline than in Na+ media. The 45Ca2+ influx induced by the lectin was abolished by preincubation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 60 ng/ml). A monoclonal antibody raised against A1 erythrocytes (Bric 54) accelerated 45Ca2+ influx in quin2 loaded A1 erythrocytes by about 2-fold. No effect was seen in A2 and H erythrocytes. The 45Ca2+ influx elicited by Bric 54 exhibited a sensitivity towards inhibition by DIDS and TPA, as well as a dependence on the cation composition of the incubation medium similar to that observed with UEA1. The effects of UEA1 and Bric 54 were not additive. These observations suggest that the Ca2+ influx induced by UEA1 and Bric 54 is mediated by the same transport pathway. Since both the lectin and the antibody exhibit ABH blood group specificity, it appears reasonable to conclude that ABH antigens can serve as recognition sites for activation of a Ca2+ influx pathway in human erythrocytes, which is sensitive to inhibitors of the band 3 anion-exchanger.

Lectin binding patterns of human tissue mast cells indicate marked phenotypical diversity

Glycoconjugate expression by human tissue mast cells (MCs) from various sources (including lymph nodes with signs of chronic non-specific lymphadenitis, skin lesions of urticaria pigmentosa, and bone marrow infiltrates associated with systemic mastocytosis) was studied histochemically with a broad panel of fluorescein-labelled lectins. Of the 19 lectins applied, 11 (sugar specificities: fucose, N-acetylgalactosamine and neuraminic acid) did not stain any MCs, while 8 (sugar specificities: mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, and galactose) were found to bind to MCs. These lectins exhibited different binding patterns in various disease entities. Only a few of these 8 lectins (in particular, phythaemagglutinin-L) produced strong staining of the MCs in most or all of the cases. Some (e. g. phythemagglutinin-E) produced only weak staining, and this in only a few cases. The lectins used, however, did not distinguish between reactive and tumorous MCs. Although lectins are therefore unlikely to be of use in resolving problems of differential diagnosis concerning proliferation of MCs, our investigation has shown that tissue MCs exhibit marked phenotypical diversity with regard to their lectin-binding properties.

Direct tissue isoelectric focusing on ultrathin polyacrylamide gels. Applications in enzyme, lectin and immunohistochemistry

Application of cryostat sections directly onto ultrathin polyacrylamide gels and subsequent isoelectric focusing allows elution of proteins, glycoproteins and peptides out of the sections into the gels. The eluted compounds reveal clearly delineated band patterns in the polyacrylamide gels. The advantage of this method is that enzyme histochemical reactions can be directly performed in the gel and in the electroeluted tissue sections. Therefore, this method is suitable for specifying, in more detail, histochemical enzyme reactions and for detecting multiple forms of enzymes even from a single tissue section. Furthermore, the transfer of proteins, glycoproteins and peptides from the gel onto nitrocellulose by a modified Western blot procedure offers the possibility of checking findings obtained by lectin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

[Gingiva pigmentation in PFM and amalgam restorations]

A 27-year-old white female patient, claiming her psychiatric disorder to stem from a mercury intoxication caused by amalgam restorations, was examined. Circumscribed gingival pigmentations were found around PM crowns cemented on amalgam fillings. The histologic and metallographic examination of the incisional biopsy sample of the pigmented lesion together with the toxicological results revealed no indication of a mercury intoxication. In order to enable corrosive reactions to proceed as slowly as possible PM crowns should not be in contact with amalgam fillings, as this case showed.

Use of chlortetracycline fluorescence for the detection of Ca storing intracellular vesicles in normal human erythrocytes

The uptake of chlortetracycline (CTC) and the nature of the fluorescence of CTC was studied in intact human erythrocytes from apparently healthy donors. The uptake of CTC at 22 degrees C proceeded with a t1/2 of about 3 min, and after 15 min a stable equilibrium was achieved with an intracellular accumulation by a factor of 5-6 relative to the medium concentration. The accumulation did not change in the range of CTC concentrations tested (20-500 microM). The Ca specificity of the CTC fluorescence spectrum was confirmed by Ca depletion of red cells using A23187 in the presence of EGTA and 0.2 mM Mg. This procedure decreased the total intracellular calcium content by about 70% and reduced the fluorescence intensity to one-fourth. Fluorescence microscopy of red cells incubated with 100 microM CTC at 22 degrees C showed that the fluorescence originated mainly from the red cell membrane. In addition, in about 15% of erythrocytes one or more fluorescent dots (diameter greater than 0.2 less than 1 microns) were detected. The fluorescence of the dots and membranes was related to calcium, as evidenced by the reduction of their intensity in Ca depleted cells. The number of erythrocytes with fluorescent dots and the frequency of the dots per cell was largely unaffected by lowering the incubation temperature to 0 degrees C, indicating that the dots most probably do not represent endocytotic artifacts induced by CTC. The number of dots was increased in erythrocytes preincubated with primaquine, demonstrating that CTC fluorescence can be applied to monitor the appearance of intracellular Ca storing vesicles. It is concluded that in (at least) 15% of erythrocytes obtained from apparently healthy donors intracellular vesicles containing Ca can be detected by CTC fluorescence microscopy.

Allogeneic transplantation of fetal rat intestine: anastomosis to the normal bowel of the host

We have examined the functional integrity of the transplanted fetal rat intestine following anastomosis of the transplant to the intestine of the host after successful allogeneic transplantation of fetal rat intestine into the peritoneal cavity of the host. In the syngeneic group all the 10 animals survived after end-to-side anastomosis. After end-to-end anastomosis 11 of 20 rats survived in the syngeneic group. In the allogeneic group we saw a marked host versus graft reaction (HVGR) after end-to-end anastomosis when treated orally with cyclosporin A in a dosage of 10 mg/kg per day. After administering the cyclosporin A parenterally, the survival rate in the allogeneic group after end-to-end anastomosis was 45%.

Histopathological findings in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) found dead on the German North sea coast

Various organs--lung, trachea, liver, kidney, heart, adrenal gland, skin, spleen, thymus, lymph node, gut, thyroid, spinal cord and brain--were removed from 43 seals at dissections performed on the German North sea coast. The specimens were fixed in formalin and routinely processed for light microscopy. The major pathological findings were Lung: acute congestion with interstitial and intra-alveolar oedema; intra-alveolar haemorrhage; suppurative bronchitis and bronchopneumonia; larvae and adult forms of Parafilaroides gymnurus. Liver: acute congestion; granulomatous lesions and infiltrates of eosinophils; intravascular nematodes. Spleen: varying degrees of atrophy of the white pulp; haemosiderosis; acute congestion of the red pulp. Lymph nodes: varying degrees of atrophy of the lymphatic tissue; long-standing sinus histiocytosis with partial fibrotic obliteration of the lumina; parasitic infiltration, sometimes with the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon; germinal centre hyperplasia. Thymus: pronounced atrophy of the lymphatic tissue, particularly in the cortical areas. Thyroid: marked reduction in colloid content. The other organs studied were normal or showed only minor histopathological changes. The morphological findings do not allow definite conclusions to be made about the aetiology and pathogenesis of the illness and death of the seals. However, evidence has been published that the seals' illness is probably due to canine distemper virus. The atrophy of the lymphoreticular tissues is consistent with infection by this virus.

Analysis of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L), and lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) binding to isolated rat neocortical membrane glycoproteins and to brain tissue sections

Different lectin transport directions--either anterograde or retrograde in tracing neuronal pathways--have been attributed to different sugar specificities of the lectins. To test this hypothesis, transmembrane neocortical glycoproteins were isolated to analyze their lectin-binding properties. The lectins tested exhibited a broad binding pattern to these glycoproteins. Arguing against the above-mentioned hypothesis, sugar residues of transmembranal glycoproteins probably are not exclusively responsible for the different transport directions observed in lectin tracing.

[Spontaneous interleukin 1 secretion by alveolar macrophages from the bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with active sarcoidosis]

Alveolar macrophages from 28 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, from 6 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and from 8 control subjects were tested for their spontaneous interleukin-1 release. Whereas alveolar macrophages from the controls and from the patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis did not show a significant release of interleukin 1, 14 of the sarcoidosis patients displayed a considerable spontaneous interleukin-1 secretion. Besides radiographic signs of an increased disease activity these patients revealed a significantly elevated number of lymphocytes and a significantly increased T4/T8-ratio in the bronchoalveolar lavage indicating an enhanced inflammatory activity of sarcoidosis. The spontaneous interleukin-1 release is possibly due to a raised number of immature alveolar macrophages in the lung of patients with sarcoidosis.

Aimed movements to visual targets in hemiplegic and normal children: is the "good" hand of children with infantile hemiplegia also normal?

The accuracy, reaction and movement time of pointing movements to visual targets were examined in children aged 3-13 yr with infantile hemiplegia and compared to those of comparably aged normal children. Hemiplegic children pointed with the "good" hand (i.e. ipsilateral to the lesion). Half the normal children used the preferred hand, half the non-preferred hand. Movements were made with unrestricted/restricted visual feedback, when movement distance was short/medium/long, and when number of target alternatives were 2/4/8. Normal children using the preferred hand were more accurate but reacted more slowly than children using the non-preferred hand. The performance of most of the hemiplegic children with bilateral and/or unilateral lesions was impaired; degree of accuracy was related to the extent of the brain lesion; and reaction time was related to the level of intelligence. It was concluded that unilateral lesions in children can result in bilateral visuomotor impairment.

Lectin-binding studies of a human skin mastocytoma

A solitary mastocytoma of the skin was investigated to assess the lectin-binding pattern of human mast cells. Of 18 Fluorescein-labelled lectins tested, nine reacted with mast cell granules. While lectins recognizing N-acetylgalactosamine or fucose residues did not stain mast cells, lectins with binding sites for N-acetylglucosamine, alpha-methyl mannopyranoside, galactose, complex carbohydrates of N-acetyl-lactosamine type and sialic acid gave a positive reaction.

Immunoscintigraphy in intraocular malignant melanoma

Immunoscintigraphy of malignant tumours has become an encouraging tool in nuclear medicine. Early diagnosis of small lesions is mandatory for successful cancer therapy. The scintigraphic detectability of small lesions (less than 1 cm in diameter) by immunoscintigraphy is shown in 39 patients suffering from ocular tumours (37 malignant choroidal melanoma, two benign choroidal naevi) using 99Tcm-labelled F(ab')2 fragments of the anti-melanoma monoclonal antibody 225.28S; this antibody recognizes the high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen. No adverse effects were observed. In terms of true-positive results, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) proved to be superior to planar scans (73% versus 41% true-positive results).

Structural, histochemical and biochemical observations on horse milk-fat-globule membranes and casein micelles

Horse milk fat globules (MFGs) and casein micelles were studied using freeze fracturing, freeze etching and thin-section electron microscopy, as well as lectin histochemistry, gel electrophoresis, and Western blotting. Horse MFGs were found to be relatively small, their average volume-surface diameter being about 2.75 microns. The MFG membrane is composed of three layers: an inner proteinaceous coat occasionally having a paracrystalline substructure, a unit membrane, and a prominent filamentous glycocalyx. The last is rich in glycoconjugates, as revealed by its binding of various lectins. In addition, the glycocalyx binds cationized ferritin, which indicates the presence of negative electric charges. Gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of high-molecular-weight glycoproteins in the MFG membrane of horse milk. Such glycoproteins are also present in human MFG membranes but are absent in the bovine MFGs. The casein micelles in horse milk are relatively large, their average volume-surface diameter being about 200 nm.

Histochemistry of mucosubstances in Brunner's-gland cells and duodenal goblet cells of two New World monkey species (Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus fuscicollis)

Duodenal goblet cells and Brunner's-gland cells obtained from two species of New World monkeys (Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus fuscicollis) were studied using conventional histochemical methods and by applying a panel of 17 labelled lectins. The secretions of both goblet and Brunner's-gland cells were found to contain neutral mucosubstances, while those of goblet cells also exhibit acid and sulphated carbohydrate components. Lectin binding studies allowed a more detailed analysis of the mucus glycoproteins. Marked differences between the two examined species were not detected. N-Acetyl-galactosamine, galactose, fucose and N-Acetyl-glucosamine were found to be the predominant sugar residues in Brunner's-glands glycoproteins, with mannose and glucose being only minor components.

[Radioimmunoscintigraphy with monoclonal antibodies]

Radioimmunoscintigraphy is presented as a new imaging modality in nuclear medicine, using specific antigen-antibody interactions. Monoclonal antibodies to tumor-associated antigens facilitate the characterization of molecular differences between tumors and normal cells. Labelled with gamma-emitting radioisotopes like I-131, I-123, In-111, and Tc99M, these antibodies can be used for in-vivo imaging. Radioimmunoscintigraphy does not compete with morphological modalities like CT and ultrasound, but provides additional information based on its functional principle. Hidden lesions may be detected. Target-to-background ratios, however, are still rather low hampering scintigraphic imaging. The use of Single Photon Emissions Computed Tomography (SPECT) in addition to planar scintigraphy resolves background activities thus providing better visualization and localization of tumors, and increasing sensitivity. The high cost of these time-consuming studies is still a limiting factor to its wider use. Its preliminary indication is founded on the suspicion of tumor progression, based on clinical findings and/or increasing serum tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9, CA 12-5). This paper provides an overview over possible applications of radioimmunoscintigraphy. Its clinical use is demonstrated by studies of malignant melanoma, colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer.