ON THE ORIGIN OF HEPARIN : AN EXAMINATION OF THE HEPARIN CONTENT AND THE SPECIFIC CYTOPLASMIC PARTICLES OF NEOPLASTIC MAST CELLS

Modulation of the intestinal mucosal and cell-mediated response against natural helminth infection in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus

Fish gut is a versatile organ serving as the primary pathway for invasion by pathogens, particularly parasites, playing a crucial role in modulating the intestinal adaptive immune response. This study aimed to investigate the cellular-mediated reaction, mucosal acidity, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD68 in the intestines of catfish, Clarias gariepinus, naturally infected with helminths. Forty catfish were collected from the Nile River and examined for intestinal parasites. The intestinal tissues of the control and infected fish were fixed for histochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Two groups of helminths were found: cestodes Tetracampos ciliotheca and Polyonchobothrium clarias, and nematodes Paracamallanus cyathopharynx, with a prevalence rate of 63.63%, 18.0%, and 18.0%, respectively. Our results showed that the infected fish had a statistically significant rise in the activity of immune cells, including mast cells, eosinophil granular cells, and dendritic cells. This correlated with upregulation in the expressions of PCNA, VEGF, and CD68. Histochemical analyses demonstrated a marked increase in acidic mucus production, Sudan black B, and bromophenol mercury blue. This study enriches our understanding of the evolution of vertebrate immunity in combating intestinal parasitic infections and the host's adaptive responses.

Heparanase: Cloning, Function and Regulation

In 2019, we mark the 20th anniversary of the cloning of the human heparanase gene. Heparanase remains the only known enzyme to cleave heparan sulfate, which is an abundant component of the extracellular matrix. Thus, elucidating the mechanisms underlying heparanase expression and activity is critical to understanding its role in healthy and pathological settings. This chapter provides a historical account of the race to clone the human heparanase gene, describes the intracellular and extracellular function of the enzyme, and explores the various mechanisms regulating heparanase expression and activity at the gene, transcript, and protein level.

Canine Mastocytoma

Utilizing a modified capillary tube technique, analysis revealed a significantly higher mean blood coagulation time in a group of 14 dogs with mastocytoma when compared to the mean coagulation time of 70 non-mastocytoma dogs. In dogs with mastocytoma, approximately one third had intermediate size tumors and a prolonged mean coagulation time and two thirds had a mean coagulation time that did not differ significantly from the mean of the non-mastocytoma dogs. Evidence for heparin release and possible heparin inactivating mechanisms is reviewed.

Mast cells and IgE: from history to today

Role of mast cells in allergy had remained undetermined until the discovery of IgE in 1966. Then, IgE purified from many Liters of plasma, which had been donated from a patient with fatal myeloma, was distributed to researchers all over the world, and thus accelerated exploring the mechanisms involved in allergic reactions, particularly about the role of mast cells and basophils in the IgE-mediated reactions. Identification of mast cells as a progeny of a bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell in 1977 led us to successful in vitro culture of human mast cells. Along with the development of molecular biological techniques, the structure of the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) was determined in 1989. These findings and subsequent investigations brought deeper understanding of IgE-mediated allergic diseases in the past half century, especially where mast cells are involved. We have now even obtained the information about whole genome expression of FcεRI-dependently activated mast cells. In sharp contrast to our comprehension of allergic diseases where IgE and mast cells are involved, the mechanisms involved in non-IgE-mediated allergic diseases or non-IgE-mediated phase of IgE-mediated diseases are almost left unsolved and are waiting for devoted investigators to reveal it.

Characterizing the microstructure of heparin and heparan sulfate using N-sulfoglucosamine 1H and 15N NMR chemical shift analysis

Heparin and heparan sulfate (HS) are members of a biologically important group of highly anionic linear polysaccharides called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Because of their structural complexity, the molecular-level characterization of heparin and HS continues to be a challenge. The work presented herein describes an emerging approach for the analysis of unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins, as well as porcine and human-derived HS. This approach utilizes the untapped potential of (15)N NMR to characterize these preparations through detection of the NH resonances of N-sulfo-glucosamine residues. The sulfamate group (1)H and (15)N chemical shifts of six GAG microenvironments were assigned based on the critical comparison of selectively modified heparin derivatives, NMR measurements for a library of heparin-derived oligosaccharide standards, and an in-depth NMR analysis of the low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin through systematic investigation of the chemical exchange properties of NH resonances and residue-specific assignments using the [(1)H,(15)N] HSQC-TOCSY experiment. The sulfamate microenvironments characterized in this study include GlcNS(6S)-UA(2S), ΔUA(2S)-GlcNS(6S), GlcNS(3S)(6S)-UA(2S), GlcNS-UA, GlcNS(6S)-red(α), and 1,6-anhydro GlcNS demonstrating the utility of [(1)H,(15)N] HSQC NMR spectra to provide a spectroscopic fingerprint reflecting the composition of intact GAGs and low molecular weight heparin preparations.

THE MORPHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF NEOPLASTIC MAST CELLS CULTIVATED IN VITRO

Fragments from two mast cell tumors of the dog have been cultured in vitro. Studies on the living and on fixed and stained preparations revealed the following: Only mast cells grew out from the original tumor fragments though these contained other types of cells. They grew in some of the roller tube cultures in a sheet resembling an epithelium but in hanging drop cultures they lay separate and were irregularly spindle or star-shaped with long protoplasmic processes. The cytoplasmic granules of the proliferating mast cells varied in size, number, and tinctorial properties. In most of the cells they stained metachromatically, in occasional cells some of the granules only could be stained, and in a few none could be stained.

Cellular mechanisms of antibacterial defense in lymph nodes; pathogenesis of acute bacterial lymphadenitis

Acute pneumococcic lymphadenitis produced in rats by intradermal inoculation of the foot-pad is characterized by rapid infiltration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes into the intermediary sinuses of the node, and prompt phagocytosis of pneumococci by both the macrophages of the sinuses and the recently arrived leucocytes. After 5 to 7 hours the polymorphonuclear leucocytes are found densely congregated about the hilar region, and 9 hours after inoculation most of the phagocyted organisms have been digested. At the end of the 24 hour period the popliteal node presents the picture of a subsiding inflammation with a marked macrophage reaction and regenerating lymph follicles. Phagocytosis of encapsulated pneumococci in the foot-pad and popliteal node occurs in less than 30 minutes after inoculation. It is assumed that this prompt phagocytosis is effected by the non-antibody mechanism of "surface phagocytosis." The majority of polymorphonuclear leucocytes that enter the sinuses of the inflamed node appear to come from capillaries within the node itself rather than from the primary site of inflammation in the foot-pad. The prompt inflammatory response of the nodal tissues serves as an active defense against lymph-borne infection. Macrophages invade nodal sinuses only after most of the pneumococci have been destroyed by polymorphonuclear leucocytes. It is suggested that the macrophage reaction follows removal of the primary inflammatory stimulus by the granulocytes, and thus constitutes only a late phase of recovery. Fibrin formation in the sinuses of the lymph node is rare during acute lymphadenitis. This finding may be related to the observation that within 5 minutes after entrance of bacteria into the node, heparin-containing granules from mast cells are strewn throughout the sinuses.

The formation of collagen fibers by the action of heparin on soluble collagen: an electron microscope study

Collagen fibers have been formed in vitro by the action of heparm on solutions of collagen. Heparin was found to be effective in inducing collagen fiber formation when present in concentrations as low as 1-80,000. It is postulated that mast cells, by virtue of the heparin which they produce, may play a role in the formation of collagen.

Prognosis of canine mast cell tumors: a comparison of three methods

In this study, age, sex, recurrence, metastasis, death rate, and histologic patterns were in agreement with those of previous reports on canine mast cell tumors. Histologic grading, mitotic index, chromosome nucleolar organizer regions stained with silver (AgNORs), and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were evaluated as indicators of prognosis. Histologic grading, AgNORs estimated in 100 cells, and PCNA-labeled fraction estimated in five high power fields (HPFs) were significantly different between recurring and nonrecurring tumors. Those prognostic factors were also significantly different between tumors that metastasized and those that did not. The survival time was lower in dogs with mast cell tumors with histologic grade 3 (Patnaik's), AgNOR counts higher than 2.25, and PCNA count in five HPFs higher than 261. The significance of these factors as markers for prognosis determined by logistic regression analysis differed with the time period considered. By combining the three most significant prognostic factors in a prognostic index, three models were obtained to determine the probability of nonrecurrence at 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery. The models were accurate in the prediction of the outcome of up to 80% of mast cell tumors. The use of these models provides a less subjective means of prognosticating mast cell tumors than the use of any one component alone.

Canine mast cell tumors: a comparison of staining techniques

Twelve histochemical methods; affinity staining with avidin peroxidase, wheat germ agglutinin, and concavalin-A agglutinin; and an immunohistochemical stain with Kp1 (CD68) antibody were compared for their relative effectiveness in staining canine mast cell tumors. Stains were compared in 28 mast cell tumors and 19 histiocytomas. The effectiveness of the histochemical methods and the lectins decreased as the mast cells became less differentiated. None of the staining methods were positive on histiocytomas. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) gave positive results in a few cases of mast cell tumors where other histochemical stains were negative. Although avidin peroxidase and Kp1 antibody stained more mast cell tumors than any other method, they did not differ significantly from Luna's method, toluidine blue pH 0.5, toluidine blue pH 4.5, alcian blue pH 2.5, safranin O, Unna's method, and Giemsa. No stain was ideal for the diagnosis of canine mast cell tumors; however, this study suggests that the use of avidin peroxidase, Kp1 antibody, and PAS may give additional information for individual poorly differentiated tumors without substantial increase in time or cost.

Canine mast cell tumors

Despite the fact that the mast cell tumor is a common neoplasm of the dog, we still have only a meager understanding of its etiology and biologic behavior. Many of the published recommendations for treatment are based on opinion rather than facts derived from careful studies and should be viewed with some skepticism. Because of the infrequent occurrence of this tumor in man, only a limited amount of help can be expected from human oncologists; therefore, burden of responsibility for progress in predicting behavior and developing treatment effective for canine mast cell tumors must fall on the shoulders of the veterinary profession.

Identification of sulfated mucopolysaccharides including heparin in the lesional skin of a patient with mastocytosis

Comparison of the [35S]mucopolysaccharides extracted after in vitro incubation of skin biopsy specimens from nonlesional and lesional sites of a patient with mastocytosis showed that lesional sites incorporated sulfate into heparin. After in vitro incorporation of the [35S]sulfate, the tissues were extracted sequentially by a 3-step procedure which utilized high salt concentrations, enzymatic digestion and base hydrolysis to liberate essentially all the counts. The extracted [35S]mucopolysaccharides were separated from free [35S]sulfate, histamine, protein, and hyaluronic acid by ion-exchange chromatography utilizing Dowex 1. The [35S]mucopolysaccharide extracts of the nonlesional skin were completely degraded by treatment with chondroitinase ABC, as they age predominantly dermatan sulfate with small amounts of chondroitin sulfates. The absolute quantity of sulfated mucopolysaccharides after Dowex 1 chromatography in micrograms of uronic acid per mg wet weight of starting tissue was higher in the lesional than the nonlesional specimen, while the specific incorporation of [35S]sulfate per microgram of uronic acid was the same. Approximately one-half of the [35S]mucopolysaccharides obtained in the 3 sequential extracts of lesional tissue was resistant to degradation by chondroitinase ABC as determined by gel filtration before and after enzyme treatment, indicating the presence of sulfated mucopolysaccharides in addition to chondroitin and dermatan sulfates. Heparinase treatment of the chondroitinase ABC-resistant [35S]mucopolysaccharides followed by gel filtration revealed an equal distribution of label between heparin and heparinase-resistant material presumed to be heparan sulfate. Heparin was also directly demonstrated in extracts of lesional mastocytosis skin by chemical and functional criteria.

Pathologic report of 29 necropsies on dogs with mastocytoma

At necropsy 28 of 29 dogs with cutaneous mastocytoma had internal accumulations of mast cells in various organs. The order of decreasing incidence in these organs was: regional lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, kidneys, lungs, and heart. No correlation was obvious between the size of the external lesions and the extent of internal involvement. A good correlation existed between the degree of anaplasia of the initial external tumor and the extent of subsequent internal involvement. Other significant lesions observed in these dogs included a diffuse plasmacytosis and a chronic focal glomerulitis. The distribution of neoplastic mast cells in some dogs inferred a multicentric origin. The possibility of an autoimmune reaction in these dogs is briefly discussed.

Ribonucleic acid in canine mast cell granules and the possible interrelationship of mast cells and plasma cells

RNase-sensitive pyroninophilia has been demonstrated in neoplastic and non-neoplastic canine mast cell granules and it was concluded that these granules contain RNA. When combined with (1) the observed morphologic similarities between mast cells and plasma cells, (2) the presence of common distinctive ultrastructures, (3) the differentiation of both cells from a common precursor and (4) the participation in a common reaction, the presence of RNA in mast cell granules is offered as additional evidence for a mast cell-plasma cell relationship. A proposed functional relationship between these two cells is discussed and the “plasma mast cell” is proposed as a possible transitional form between mast cells and plasma cells.

Bone lesions of urticaria pigmentosa in childhood

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