Molecular and cellular signatures underlying superior immunity against Bordetella pertussis upon pulmonary vaccination

Mucosal immunity is often required for protection against respiratory pathogens but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of induction remain poorly understood. Here, systems vaccinology was used to identify immune signatures after pulmonary or subcutaneous immunization of mice with pertussis outer membrane vesicles. Pulmonary immunization led to improved protection, exclusively induced mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and T helper type 17 (Th17) responses, and in addition evoked elevated systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels, IgG-producing plasma cells, memory B cells, and Th17 cells. These adaptive responses were preceded by unique local expression of genes of the innate immune response related to Th17 (e.g., Rorc) and IgA responses (e.g., Pigr) in addition to local and systemic secretion of Th1/Th17-promoting cytokines. This comprehensive systems approach identifies the effect of the administration route on the development of mucosal immunity, its importance in protection against Bordetella pertussis, and reveals potential molecular correlates of vaccine immunity to this reemerging pathogen.

Molecular and cellular signatures underlying superior immunity against Bordetella pertussis upon pulmonary vaccination

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/mi.2017.81.

The transcriptome of HIV-1 infected intestinal CD4+ T cells exposed to enteric bacteria

Global transcriptome studies can help pinpoint key cellular pathways exploited by viruses to replicate and cause pathogenesis. Previous data showed that laboratory-adapted HIV-1 triggers significant gene expression changes in CD4+ T cell lines and mitogen-activated CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood. However, HIV-1 primarily targets mucosal compartments during acute infection in vivo. Moreover, early HIV-1 infection causes extensive depletion of CD4+ T cells in the gastrointestinal tract that herald persistent inflammation due to the translocation of enteric microbes to the systemic circulation. Here, we profiled the transcriptome of primary intestinal CD4+ T cells infected ex vivo with transmitted/founder (TF) HIV-1. Infections were performed in the presence or absence of Prevotella stercorea, a gut microbe enriched in the mucosa of HIV-1-infected individuals that enhanced both TF HIV-1 replication and CD4+ T cell death ex vivo. In the absence of bacteria, HIV-1 triggered a cellular shutdown response involving the downregulation of HIV-1 reactome genes, while perturbing genes linked to OX40, PPAR and FOXO3 signaling. However, in the presence of bacteria, HIV-1 did not perturb these gene sets or pathways. Instead, HIV-1 enhanced granzyme expression and Th17 cell function, inhibited G1/S cell cycle checkpoint genes and triggered downstream cell death pathways in microbe-exposed gut CD4+ T cells. To gain insights on these differential effects, we profiled the gene expression landscape of HIV-1-uninfected gut CD4+ T cells exposed to bacteria. Microbial exposure upregulated genes involved in cellular proliferation, MAPK activation, Th17 cell differentiation and type I interferon signaling. Our findings reveal that microbial exposure influenced how HIV-1 altered the gut CD4+ T cell transcriptome, with potential consequences for HIV-1 susceptibility, cell survival and inflammation. The HIV-1- and microbe-altered pathways unraveled here may serve as a molecular blueprint to gain basic insights in mucosal HIV-1 pathogenesis.

ABCG2pos lung mesenchymal stem cells are a novel pericyte subpopulation that contributes to fibrotic remodeling

Genesis of myofibroblasts is obligatory for the development of pathology in many adult lung diseases. Adult lung tissue contains a population of perivascular ABCG2(pos) mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) that are precursors of myofibroblasts and distinct from NG2 pericytes. We hypothesized that these MSC participate in deleterious remodeling associated with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and associated hypertension (PH). To test this hypothesis, resident lung MSC were quantified in lung samples from control subjects and PF patients. ABCG2(pos) cell numbers were decreased in human PF and interstitial lung disease compared with control samples. Genetic labeling of lung MSC in mice enabled determination of terminal lineage and localization of ABCG2 cells following intratracheal administration of bleomycin to elicit fibrotic lung injury. Fourteen days following bleomycin injury enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-labeled lung MSC-derived cells were increased in number and localized to interstitial areas of fibrotic and microvessel remodeling. Finally, gene expression analysis was evaluated to define the response of MSC to bleomycin injury in vivo using ABCG2(pos) MSC isolated during the inflammatory phase postinjury and in vitro bleomycin or transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-treated cells. MSC responded to bleomycin treatment in vivo with a profibrotic gene program that was not recapitulated in vitro with bleomycin treatment. However, TGF-β1 treatment induced the appearance of a profibrotic myofibroblast phenotype in vitro. Additionally, when exposed to the profibrotic stimulus, TGF-β1, ABCG2, and NG2 pericytes demonstrated distinct responses. Our data highlight ABCG2(pos) lung MSC as a novel cell population that contributes to detrimental myofibroblast-mediated remodeling during PF.

Seasonal variation in dysplastic naevi

There is a relationship between sunlight and the development of melanocytic neoplasms. Because the incidence and excision of melanocytic neoplasms varies according to season, we sought to determine if dysplasia and/or intraepidermal melanocytic expression differed in a cohort of dysplastic naevi (DN) removed in January compared with a similar cohort removed in August. The DN were graded based on the degree of dysplasia, and the number of intraepidermal melanocytes were counted after immunohistochemical staining with HMB-45 and Melan-A. There was no seasonal difference in the grading of the dysplastic naevi in either season (P = 0.08). Comparing 85 cases from August and 86 from January, there was a larger number of Melan-A-positive melanocytes in the August samples (P < 0.02), and a larger number of HMB-45-positive melanocytes in January (P < 0.01). This difference may be related to seasonal variations such as exposure to ultraviolet light exposure; however, there was no difference between the two groups in the degree of atypia seen.

Development of a cardiologist delivered service leads to improved outcomes following admission with acute coronary syndromes in a large district general hospital

BACKGROUND

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust reorganized its services in October 2007 with acute admissions sent to one site which allowed the development of a 24/7 Consultant delivered cardiology service.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with an acute coronary syndrome between two periods: Group 1: October 2006 to September 2007 and Group 2: October 2007 and September 2008. We looked at the following end points-length of stay, in-hospital and 30 day all cause mortality.

RESULTS

633 patients in group 1 and 748 patients in group 2. There was significant reduction in length of stay from a median (IQ range) 7 (5-11) days to 5 (3-9) days; P<0.0001. The in-hospital mortality reduced from 15.8% (n=100) to 7.6% (n=56); P<0.0001. The mortality at 30 days reduced from 15.2% (n=96) to 8.3% (n=62); P<0.0001. These reductions remained significant after adjustment for demographic and risk factor variables.

CONCLUSION

A 24/7 Consultant Cardiologist delivered cardiac care is associated with marked reductions in all cause mortality following admission with acute coronary syndromes. This improvement occurred with a significant reduction in hospital length of stay.

Publishing flow cytometry data

Cellular measurements by flow cytometric analysis constitute an important step toward understanding individual attributes within a population of cells. Assessing individual cells within a population by protein expression using fluorescently labeled antibodies and other fluorescent probes can identify cellular patterns. The technology for accurately identifying subtle changes in protein expression within a population of cells using a vast array of technology has resulted in controversy and questions regarding reproducibility, which can be explained at least in part by the absence of standard methods to facilitate comparison of flow cytometric data. The complexity of technological advancements and the need for improvements in biological resolution results in the generation of complex data that demands the use of minimum standards for their publication. Herein we present a summarized view for the inclusion of consistent flow cytometric experimental information as supplemental data. Four major points, experimental and sample information, data acquisition, analysis, and presentation are emphasized. Together, these guidelines will facilitate the review and publication of flow cytometry data that provide an accurate foundation for ongoing studies with this evolving technology.

Acute and maintenance treatment of atopic dermatitis in children – two comparative studies with fluticasone propionate (0.05%) cream

BACKGROUND

Two multicentre, randomised, parallel group, double-blind, comparative studies in children (2-14 yr) evaluated fluticasone propionate (FP) 0.05% cream for both acute and maintenance treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

METHODS

One study compared FP with hydrocortisone (HC) 1% cream (FP 70, HC 67) and the other with hydrocortisone butyrate (HCB) 0.1% cream (FP 67, HCB 62). Treatments were applied twice daily, for 2-4 weeks until the AD was stabilised, and thereafter intermittently ('as required') for up to 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The primary outcome measure, Total AD Score, recorded at the end of the acute and maintenance phases, was significantly lower (indicating improvements in disease severity) following treatment with FP compared with either HC or HCB (acute phase difference vs. HC, -2.39, 95%CI -3.47, -1.31; p<0.001 and vs. HCB, -1.25, 95%CI -2.46, -0.05; p=0.042) and (maintenance phase difference vs. HC, -1.88, 95%CI -3.20, -0.56; p=0.006 and vs. HCB, -1.39, 95%CI -2.72, -0.05; p=0.042). In both studies treatments were equally well tolerated with no visible signs of skin atrophy.

CONCLUSION

In both the acute and longer term management of AD in children, FP demonstrated a high level of efficacy and maintenance of disease control with a tolerability similar to HC 1%, a lower potency corticosteroid.

Neonatal lung side population cells demonstrate endothelial potential and are altered in response to hyperoxia-induced lung simplification

Lung side population (SP) cells are resident lung precursor cells with both epithelial and mesenchymal potential that are believed to play a role in normal lung development and repair. Neonatal hyperoxic exposure impairs lung development leading to a long-term decrease in gas exchange surfaces. The hypothesis that lung SP cells are altered during impaired lung development has not been studied. To address this issue, we characterized the endothelial potential of neonatal lung SP and subsets of lung SP from neonatal mice following hyperoxic exposure during room air recovery. Lung SP cells were isolated and sorted on the basis of their capacity to efflux Hoechst 33342. The lung SP was further sorted based on expression of Flk-1 and CD45. In vitro, both CD45pos/Flk-1pos and CD45neg/Flk-1pos bind isolectin B4 and incorporate LDL and form networks in matrigel, indicating that these populations have endothelial cell characteristics. Hyperoxic exposure of neonatal mice resulted in subtle changes in vascular and alveolar density on P13, which persisted with room air recovery to P41. During room air recovery, a decrease in lung SP cells was detected in the hyperoxic-exposed group on postnatal day 13 followed by an increase on day 41. Within this group, the lung SP subpopulation of cells expressing CD45 increased on day 21, 41, and 55. Here, we show that lung SP cells demonstrate endothelial potential and that the population distribution changes in number as well as composition following hyperoxic exposure. The hyperoxia-induced changes in lung SP cells may limit their ability to effectively contribute to tissue morphogenesis during room air recovery.

Comparative analysis of the CD19+ and CD138+ cell antibody repertoires in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

Increased amounts of intrathecally synthesized IgG and oligoclonal bands have long been recognized as a hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS). B cells and plasma cells are components of the inflammatory infiltrates in both active and chronic MS lesions, and increased numbers of these cells are present in MS cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Single-cell RT-PCR was used to analyze both the CD19+ B cell and CD138+ plasma cell populations in CSF of two patients with clinically definite MS and of one MS patient whose CSF was obtained after a clinically isolated syndrome, but before the second episode. Sequence analysis of amplified IgG V region sequences identified the rearranged germline segments, extent of somatic mutation, and clonal relationships within and between the two cell populations in the three MS patients. Expanded B cell and plasma cell clones were detected in each MS CSF and in all three patients the CD138+ IgG repertoire was more restricted. However, little if any significant sequence overlap was observed between the CD19+ and CD138+ repertoires of each donor. Detection of plasma cell clones by single-cell PCR will facilitate the in vitro production of recombinant Abs useful in identifying disease-relevant Ags.

Immunolocalization of 5alpha-reductase isozymes in acne lesions and normal skin

BACKGROUND

Dihydrotestosterone mediates androgen-dependent diseases, such as acne, hirsutism, and androgenetic alopecia. This hormone is produced from testosterone by the 5alpha-reductase enzyme. There are 2 isozymes of 5alpha-reductase (types 1 and 2) that differ in their localization within the body and even within the skin. Activity of the type 1 isozyme predominates in sebaceous glands, where it may be involved in regulation of sebum production. Since specific inhibition of 5alpha-reductase type 1 may represent a novel therapeutic approach to acne, it is important to define the localization of these isozymes in normal sebaceous follicles and acne lesions.

OBSERVATIONS

Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from the backs of 11 subjects: 8 with acne and 3 without acne. Sections of normal follicles, open comedones, closed comedones, and inflammatory lesions were incubated with antibodies to types 1 and 2 5alpha-reductase. In all samples, the type 1 antibody localized specifically to sebaceous glands, and the type 2 antibody localized to the companion layer of the hair follicle (the innermost layer of the outer root sheath) and granular layer of the epidermis. Localization of the type 2 isozyme was also noted within the walls of open and closed comedones and in endothelial cells from sections of inflammatory lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The immunolocalization of 5alpha-reductase isozymes in normal sebaceous follicles and acne follicles is similar to the pattern described in terminal hair follicles and corresponds with the findings of biochemical studies that have demonstrated predominance of type 1 activity in sebaceous glands. The function of type 2 5alpha-reductase in comedones or endothelial cells in inflammatory lesions is unknown.

Multisite comparison of CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte counting by single- versus multiple-platform methodologies: evaluation of Beckman Coulter flow-count fluorospheres and the tetraONE system. The NIAID DAIDS New Technologies Evaluation Group

New analytic methods that permit absolute CD4 and CD8 T-cell determinations to be performed entirely on the flow cytometer have the potential for improving assay precision and accuracy. In a multisite trial, we compared two different single-platform assay methods with a predicate two-color assay in which the absolute lymphocyte count was derived by conventional hematology. A two-color method employing lymphocyte light scatter gating and Beckman Coulter Flow-Count fluorospheres for absolute counting produced within-laboratory precision equivalent to that of the two-color predicate method, as measured by coefficient of variation of replicate measurements. The fully automated Beckman Coulter tetraONE System four-color assay employing CD45 lymphocyte gating, automated analysis, and absolute counting by fluorospheres resulted in a small but significant improvement in the within-laboratory precision of CD4 and CD8 cell counts and percentages suggesting that the CD45 lymphocyte gating and automated analysis might have contributed to the improved performance. Both the two-color method employing Flow-Count fluorospheres and the four-color tetraONE System provided significant and substantial improvements in between-laboratory precision of absolute counts. In some laboratories, absolute counts obtained by the single-platform methods showed small but consistent differences relative to the predicate method. Comparison of each laboratory's absolute counts with the five-laboratory median value suggested that these differences resulted from a bias in the absolute lymphocyte count obtained from the hematology instrument in some laboratories. These results demonstrate the potential for single-platform assay methods to improve within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision of CD4 and CD8 T-cell determinations compared with conventional assay methods.

Characterization and phenotypic analysis of differentiating CD34+ human bone marrow cells in liquid culture

Our current understanding of human haematopoietic stem cell biology is based in part on the characterization of human CD34+ bone marrow cell differentiation in vitro. CD34 is highly expressed on early stem cells and haematopoietic progenitor cells with clonogenic potential and is gradually lost during differentiation and commitment. However, CD71 (transferrin receptor) is expressed at low levels on early stem cells and generally increases during haematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation. We reasoned that the combination of these surface markers would provide a useful framework for the simultaneous analysis of multiple lineage differentiation of CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cells in liquid culture. In this report, we identify the phenotype of distinct subpopulations of myeloid, erythroid and lymphoid cells in liquid suspension culture using differential expression of CD34 vs. CD71 in combination with specific lineage markers. Freshly isolated human CD34+ bone marrow cells were introduced into suspension culture and monitored over a 6-d period using 3-colour flow cytometry. This is the first demonstration that differential expression of CD34 vs. CD71 can be used to simultaneously monitor differentiation of multiple haematopoietic cell lineages in liquid suspension culture, facilitating the study of cytokine-, drug- or chemical-induced alterations in haematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation in vitro.

Ex vivo expansion of megakaryocyte progenitors: effect of various growth factor combinations on CD34+ progenitor cells from bone marrow and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood

Prolonged thrombocytopenia resulting from inadequate megakaryocyte (MK) progenitor cell reconstitution is a serious complication of hematopoietic cell-supported high-dose chemotherapy (HDC). In this situation, the infusion of MK progenitors that are expanded ex vivo could be clinically beneficial. In this study we investigated the ability of various growth factor combinations to generate MK progenitors. CD34+ cells derived from bone marrow (BM) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood (PB) from 17 patients with breast cancer, lymphoma, or myeloma were cultured unpertubed for 10 days in a serum-free liquid culture system that contained recombinant growth factors. Five different growth factors combinations were evaluated: Stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6 + G-CSF (combination 1); SCF, megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) + G-CSF (combination 2); SCF + MGDF (combination 3); MGDF alone (combination 4); and SCF, IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF + MGDF (combination 5). PB CD34+ cells yielded significantly higher numbers of CD41+ MK progenitors than BM CD34+ cells with any of the growth factor regimens assayed. PB CD34+ cells (2x10[5]) at day 0 generated 1.2 to 1.3x10(6) CD41+ cells by day 10 when cultured in the presence of growth factor combinations 1, 2, or 3. In contrast, 2x10(5) BM CD34+ cells produced 5x10(5) CD41+ cells after 9 days in the presence of combination 1, whereas lower numbers of CD41+ cells were generated in cultures with combinations 2 and 3 (2.3x10[5] and 4.2x10[4], respectively). The addition of MGDF to cultures that were grown with combination 1 for 5 days increased the number of CD41+ cells (1.7-fold increase in PB-derived cultures, 1.6-fold increase in BM-derived cultures). Treatment with MGDF alone resulted in higher frequencies of MK progenitors than those obtained in cultures with combined growth factors (79% in PB-derived cultures, 25% in BM-derived cultures), but because total cell growth was attenuated, absolute numbers of MK progenitors were lower (7x10(5) in PB-derived cultures, 7x10(4) in BM). Morphological analysis of immunocytochemically identified megakaryocytic cells revealed mononuclear cells as the predominant cell type in all of the cultures. During the 10-day culture period, PB-derived MK progenitors did not show notable maturation, even under the influence of MGDF, whereas in BM-derived cultures MGDF induced a significant shift to binuclear cells and stage I MK after day 5. Phenotypic analysis of cell surface markers showed that the majority of cultured megakaryocytic cells coexpressed CD34 and platelet glycoproteins (GPs), also indicating an immature stage of development. The ex vivo proliferative activity of CD34+ cells and their potential to develop into the megakaryocytic lineage demonstrated considerably high interpatient variations. There was no correlation between platelet recovery following HDC with hematopoietic cell support and the magnitude of GP+ cell expansion ex vivo, suggesting the feasibilty of MK expansion ex vivo in patients with prolonged thrombocytopenia posttransplantation. In summary, these data indicate that GCSF-mobilized CD34+ PBPCs are more effectively expanded ex vivo into the megakaryocytic lineage than are CD34+ BMPCs. CD34+/GP+ MK progenitors may be an appropiate cell population for transplantion as prophylaxis or treatment of prolonged thrombocytopenia. The efficacy of this procedure will be tested prospectively in a clinical trial.

Contributions of donor CD4 and CD8 cells to liver injury during murine graft-versus-host disease

We have determined the capacity of donor CD4 and CD8 T cells to mediate liver injury in the B10.D2 (donor) into BALB/c (host) chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model. First, we compared the effects of treating GVHD mice with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 versus no treatment on the liver histology scores and elevated serum IgE levels in this model. We also examined the abilities of purified donor total T, CD4, and CD8 cells to mediate hepatic GVHD lesions. Anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 treatments caused profound depletion of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ cells, respectively, and produced a relative enrichment of the CD8+ and CD4+ cells in the liver. Hepatic GVHD lesions and elevated serum IgE concentrations were both suppressed by anti-CD4 treatment. Anti-CD8 treatment had no effect on the severity of hepatic lesions and caused a significant increase in serum IgE levels. Attempts to induce hepatic GVHD with purified donor CD4 and CD8 cells were inconclusive because the onset of liver lesions was delayed and the lesions in both groups were contaminated by the opposite subset. Altogether, our results indicate that both hepatic lesions and elevated serum IgE concentrations in this GVHD model are dependent on donor CD4 cells. Donor CD4 cells mediated hepatic GVHD in the absence of CD8 cells. Donor CD8 cells did not produce hepatic GVHD in the absence of CD4 cells and appeared to be dependent on CD4 cells.

Expansion of bronchial epithelial cell populations by in vitro culture of explants from dysplastic and histologically normal sites

The genetic and phenotypic properties of cells which ultimately give rise to carcinoma of the lung are not well defined in part because of unavailability of preneoplastic cells from well-characterized dysplastic sites. In order to expand bronchial epithelial cell populations from patients at high risk for lung cancer, endobronchial biopsy specimens were explanted onto collagen- and fibronectin-coated dishes and cultured in serum-free, chemically defined media. One hundred forty-nine biopsy pairs were obtained from smokers and from healthy volunteers for culture and histologic evaluation. The histologic appearances of mucosa adjacent to the site of the cultured biopsies ranged from normal through varying degrees of noninvasive squamous dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. Confluent monolayers of pure epithelial cells were obtained from 68% of the cultured explants. Sites exhibiting high-grade dysplasia were 51% more likely to yield successful cultures than sites exhibiting normal histology (13 of 14 cultures successful versus 52 of 83 cultures successful, P < 0.02). Cultures had a maximum proliferative life span of 81 days and none of the cultures spontaneously became immortalized. Immunolabeling studies revealed that all cultured epithelial cells, regardless of the in situ histologic appearances of the mucosa at the biopsy site, strongly expressed keratin and epidermal growth factor receptor, weakly expressed transferrin receptor and human folate receptor, and were negative for neural cell adhesion molecule and human leukocyte antigen DR (HLADR). Ploidy and karyotypic analyses were performed in a limited number of explants from normal and dysplastic sites and all were found to be diploid without karyotypic abnormality. We conclude that pure bronchial epithelial cell populations can be routinely expanded from histologically normal and dysplastic sites by tissue culture of biopsy explants and that the expanded cell populations may represent a library of normal and preneoplastic cells which are suitable for immunophenotypic, ploidy, genetic, or functional analyses.

Neutral endopeptidase: variable expression in human lung, inactivation in lung cancer, and modulation of peptide-induced calcium flux

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP; CALLA, CD10, EC 3.4.24.11) is a cell surface endopeptidase that hydrolyses bioactive peptides, including the bombesin-like peptides, as well as other neuropeptides. Bombesin-like peptides and other neuropeptides are autocrine growth factors for both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Low expression of NEP has been reported in SCLC and NSCLC cell lines. NEP inhibition has been shown to increase proliferation in one cell line. To date, NEP expression has not been quantitatively evaluated in normal adult lung, SCLC or NSCLC tumors, paired uninvolved lung from the same patient, or in other pulmonary neoplasms such as mesotheliomas and carcinoids. We examined the expression of NEP in these tissues and human cell lines using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, enzyme activity, ELISA, Western blot, and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Uninvolved lung tissue from different individuals displayed considerable variation in NEP activity and protein. By immunohistochemistry, NEP expression was detectable in alveolar and airway epithelium, fibroblasts of normal lung, and in mesotheliomas, whereas it was undetectable in most SCLC, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and carcinoid tumors of the lung. NEP activity and protein levels were lower in all SCLC and adenocarcinoma tumors when compared to adjacent uninvolved lung, often at levels consistent with expression derived from contaminating stroma. NEP expression and activity were reduced or undetectable in most SCLC and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. NEP mRNA by RT-PCR was not expressed or was in low abundance in the majority of lung cancer cell lines. The majority of lung tumors did not express NEP by RT-PCR as compared with normal adjacent lung. In addition, recombinant NEP abolished, whereas an NEP inhibitor potentiated, the calcium flux generated by neuropeptides in some lung cancer cell lines, demonstrating potential physiological significance for low NEP expression. NEP, therefore, is a signal transduction and possibly a growth modulator for both SCLC and NSCLC, emphasizing the role of neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of the major histological forms of lung cancer.

[A new variant of the simian T-lymphotropic retrovirus type I (STLV-IF) in the Sukhumi colony of hamadryas baboons]

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for the detection of simian T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (STLV-1) infection of P. hamadryas and direct sequencing using oligo-nucleotide primer pairs specific for the tax and env regions of the related human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Excellent specificity was shown in the detection of STLV-1 provirus in infected baboons by PCR using HTLV-1-derived primers. The nucleotide sequences of env 467bp and tax 159bp of the proviral genome (env position 5700-6137, tax position 7373-7498 HTLV-1, according to Seiki et al., 1983) derived from STLV-1-infected P. hamadryas were analysed using PCR and direct sequencing techniques. Two STLV-1 isolates from different sources (Sukhumi main-SuTLV-1 and forest stocks-STLV-1F) were compared. Two variants of STLV-1 among P. hamadryas with different level of homology to HTLV-1 were wound (83.8% and 95.2%, respectively). A possible role of nucleotide changes in env and tax sequenced fragments and oncogenicity of STLV-1 variants is discussed.

Evaluations of diapers containing absorbent gelling material with conventional disposable diapers in newborn infants

We evaluated 149 infants diapered in either conventional cellulose core disposable diapers or diapers containing cellulose core with absorbent gelling material. The infants were evaluated from 1 day of age to 14 weeks of age for the prevalence and severity of diaper dermatitis. We identified a low prevalence of diaper dermatitis throughout the study period. At 14 weeks of age, we noted that infants in diapers containing absorbent gelling material had significantly less diaper dermatitis than those in conventional disposable diapers. Despite the overall low prevalence of diaper dermatitis in the newborn period, 7 of 204 infants evaluated had small skin erosions in the diaper area noted within the first 4 days of age. Both diaper types were associated with infants with erosions. This surprisingly high incidence of erosions in newborn infants suggests previously undocumented increased skin fragility of full-term infants.

Systemic cytomegalovirus in a patient with the keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome

We describe a patient with the keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome who also had a generalized cytomegalovirus infection. Patients with the KID syndrome are susceptible to not only bacterial and fungal infections, but also to viral infections.

Thermotolerance is developmentally dependent in germinating wheat seed

During the initial 9 to 12 hours of imbibition, the imbibing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed was found to exhibit substantial tolerance to high temperature relative to later times of imbibition. Tolerance was assessed by seed viability and seedling growth. This initial high temperature tolerance gradually declines with increasing time of seed imbibition. A range of 2 hour heat pretreatments (38-42 degrees C) prior to imposition of a 2 hour heat shock (51-53 degrees C) during this same 9 to 12 hour interval was unable to increase survival or seedling growth over that of seed that did not receive a pretreatment. However, after 9 to 12 hours of imbibition the pretreatment provided both increased survival and increased seedling growth, measured 120 hours later, i.e., classical thermotolerance could be acquired. This response is called a ;thermotolerance transition.' Isolated embryos responded in a similar manner using a 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay for viability determination following heat treatments. The high temperature tolerance during early imbibition indicates that the thermotolerance transition involves the loss of an existing thermotolerance coincident with acquiring the ability to become thermotolerant following heat pretreatment. Despite the inability to acquire thermotolerance, heat shock protein synthesis was induced by heat shock immediately upon imbibition of wheat seed or isolated embryos. Developmentally regulated heat shock proteins of 58 to 60, 46, 40, and 14 kilodaltons were detected at 1.5 hours of imbibition following heat shock, but were absent or greatly reduced by 12 hours. Constitutive synthesis of 70 and 90 kilodalton hsp groups appeared to be greater at 1.5 hours of imbibition than at 12 hours of imbibition.

Epidermal growth factor stimulates luteinizing hormone and arachidonic acid release in rat pituitary cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) directly enhanced luteinizing hormone (LH) release from dispersed rat pituitary cells in monolayer cultures as well as in superfusion columns. This 2.3-fold stimulatory effect was dose and time dependent and was also reconfirmed in a superfusion system. Retinal, a protein kinase C inhibitor, counteracted the EGF effect only partially. Further experiments were therefore carried out to investigate alternate EGF mechanisms. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid and chloroquine suppressed the stimulatory effect of EGF in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, EGF (10(-7) M) stimulated [3H]arachidonate release from pre-labelled rat pituitary cells. This indicates that phospholipase A2 and arachidonic acid may be involved in EGF action on LH release from rat pituicytes.

Contraceptive progestins and gonadotropin secretion in vitro

In an in vitro bioassay using rat pituitary cell cultures the effect of contraceptive progestins was tested on basal and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in vitro. Progestins diminished gonadotropin release in pituitary cells stimulated with GnRH, but did not alter basal values. This inhibitory effect was dose dependent in a range of 10(-10)-10(-5) M tested and the inhibitory action of most of the progestins examined was more potent than that of progesterone. The maximal reduction of LH and FSH values was by 60% of GnRH-induced control levels. Progestins also caused a shift in sensitivity of cells to GnRh (10(-12)-10(-6) M). When time dependence was investigated, some progestins potentiated GnRH effect on gonadotropins in pituitary cell cultures pre-incubated for a short time (4 h) with steroids. More prolonged pre-incubations from 23 to 71 h resulted in a progressive suppression of LH and FSH response to GnRH (10(-7) M). In order to examine intracellular effects, cells were pretreated with progestins and inositol phosphate metabolism was investigated. The data obtained in pituitary cells give evidence that polyphosphoinositide breakdown is potentially an early step in the action of GnRH on gonadotropin secretion by providing diacylglycerol and inositol phosphates. Addition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to myo-2[3H]inositol-prelabeled rat pituitary cells in primary culture evoked a dose-dependent increase of the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates with a rise of inositol triphosphate, inositol diphosphate and inositol monophosphate within 1 min. Using one contraceptive progestin, gestoden, inositol phosphate production was inhibited by 80% compared to controls of GnRH-treated cells without the addition of steroids. The data obtained in this study suggest that this in vitro bioassay using rat pituitary cells is a useful tool in testing progestational compounds regarding their potency on gonadotropin release. In addition, these results show that one possible site of interference of progestins with GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion may involve polyphosphoinositide breakdown.

Capacity of different cell types to prime in vivo for secondary in vitro cytotoxic T-cell responses against non-major-histocompatibility antigens

The capacity of several types of cell preparations to induce in vivo a state of memory for a secondary in vitro cytotoxic response against non-major-histocompatibility antigen was markedly reduced (on a per cell basis) by uv-irradiation. This indicated that memory induction requires metabolically active stimulator cells. An "adherent cell preparation" (AC) that was enriched for dendritic cells was among the most effective memory-inducing cell populations; but concanavalin A-activated nylon-wool-nonadherent spleen cells (Con A-NWT) or concanavalin A-activated unfractionated spleen cells (Con A-spl) were on the average equally effective. Normal unfractionated spleen cells (spl) or nonactivated nylon-wool-nonadherent cells (NWT) were markedly less effective on a per cell basis. This pattern of stimulatory activity was in line with the relative stimulatory activity of these cell types in primary cytotoxic responses in the presence of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and also in line with the relative capacity to induce IL-2-dependent proliferation in H-2D-incompatible T-cell populations (cf. W. Dröge et al., J. Immunol. 132, 2749, 1984). These differences in the immunogenic potential and the requirement for metabolically active stimulator cells suggested that these cells stimulated the CTL system directly and not indirectly through antigen processing cells of the immunized host. Nevertheless, the secondary cytotoxic response after injection of low numbers of Con A-spl into H-2 heterozygous recipients, (BALB/c X BALB/b)F1, or into recipients with recombinant H-2 haplotype (A.J) was only preferentially but not exclusively restricted to the H-2 haplotype of the immunizing cell populations. Restriction was considerably more complete when AC were used for immunization.