[On the mechanism of thrombocyte aggregation. I. The importance of charging high molecular weight substances, particularly dextran derivatives, for aggregation in vitro]

Induced flocculation of animal cells in suspension culture

Recycle unit operations for suspension cell cultures may be improved by flocculation of the cells. A flocculant search was conducted, and it was found that where strongly cationic polymers were severly toxic to the cells, neutral and anionic polymers were nontoxic and ineffective at flocculating the cells. A weak and poorly soluble polycation, poly-L-histidine, was capable of flocculating cultures of CHO, HeLa, U-937, and CRL 1606 hybridoma cells with no toxicity to the majority of cells. In addition to the lowered acute toxicity, the polymer treatment left the cells in a growing state for recycle. Flocculation was found to be mediated by precipitates of the polymer. The low toxicity of poly-L-histidine is probably due to its low solubility and charge at physiological pH. Nonelectrostatic interactions may also play a role.

Acute hypotension due to platelet serotonin-induced chemoreflexes after intravenous injection of dextran sulfate in the rabbit

The hypotension and bradycardia observed after intravenous injection of dextran sulfate in rabbits was prevented by prior depletion of circulating platelets, but was not prevented by depletion of the third component of complement or Hageman factor. Dextran sulfate injection caused immediate thrombocytopenia with temporary localization of platelets within lungs. Morphological analysis revealed platelet aggregates in lung capillaries. The platelets had changed shape and were in the process of degranulating. Serotonin and histamine levels in blood increased approximately 5-fold and 7-fold, respectively, after dextran sulfate injection. The cardiovascular events following dextran sulfate injection were mimicked by intravenous serotonin but not by intravenous histamine injection, although a combination of serotonin and histamine reproduced the pattern of blood pressure changes better than did either agent alone. Quantification of platelets trapped in lung revealed that the potential release of serotonin from trapped platelets could account for the rise in plasma serotonin concentration and the hemodynamic changes observed. Both the dextran sulfate-induced cardiovascular effects and serotonin-induced hypotension were markedly diminished by cutting vagus and depressor nerves, and were virtually abolished by carotid ligation in addition to nerve section. These results support the concept that platelet activation within rabbit lungs may cause hypotension via serotonin-induced chemoreflexes.

Purification and partial characterization of cardiac plasma membranes rich in beta-adrenoreceptors

A procedure was developed to purify plasma membranes from cardiac tissue. Canine ventricular tissue was homogenized relatively gently in hypotonic buffer, extracted briefly with 0.15 M sodium perchlorate at 4 degrees C, and membranes were collected in an intermediate pellet by centrifugation at 27,500 X gmax. At this stage, most contractile proteins were removed (although Z-band structures were apparent), and the recoveries of Na+, K+-ATPase, beta-adrenoreceptors and 5'-nucleotidase were 40--50%. Treatment of these particles with 0.5% dextran sulfate and continuous density gradient centrifugation resulted in the separation of membranes having 111 and 3.6 pmol/mg protein specific binding sites for [3H] ouabain and [3H] dihydroalprenolol, respectively. Electron micrographs showed medium-sized vesicles. 5'-Nucleotidase was also markedly purified but could be partially separated from the other plasma membrane markers in continuous sucrose gradients. Enzymes associated with mitochondria, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum were efficiently removed. SDS-polyacrylamide gels showed six major and many minor bands. Adenylate cyclase remained responsive to hormones and Gpp(NH)p, but little purification was apparent. The membrane preparation has proved useful for studies of a nucleotide-binding protein associated with cyclase activation.