A multitope SARS-COV-2 vaccine provides long-lasting B cell and T cell immunity against Delta and Omicron variants

Background

The Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 are currently responsible for breakthrough infections due to waning immunity. We report phase I/II trial results of UB-612, a multitope subunit vaccine containing S1-RBD-sFc protein and rationally designed promiscuous peptides representing sarbecovirus conserved helper T cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes on the nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M), and spike (S2) proteins.

Method

We conducted a phase I primary 2-dose (28 days apart) trial of 10, 30, or 100 μg UB-612 in 60 healthy young adults 20 to 55 years old, and 50 of them were boosted with 100 μg of UB-612 approximately 7 to 9 months after the second dose. A separate placebo-controlled and randomized phase II study was conducted with 2 doses of 100 μg of UB-612 (n = 3,875, 18–85 years old). We evaluated interim safety and immunogenicity of phase I until 14 days after the third (booster) dose and of phase II until 28 days after the second dose.

Results

No vaccine-related serious adverse events were recorded. The most common solicited adverse events were injection site pain and fatigue, mostly mild and transient. In both trials, UB-612 elicited respective neutralizing antibody titers similar to a panel of human convalescent sera. The most striking findings were long-lasting virus-neutralizing antibodies and broad T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs), including Delta and Omicron, and a strong booster-recalled memory immunity with high cross-reactive neutralizing titers against the Delta and Omicron VoCs.

Conclusion

UB-612 has presented a favorable safety profile, potent booster effect against VoCs, and long-lasting B and broad T cell immunity that warrants further development for both primary immunization and heterologous boosting of other COVID-19 vaccines.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04545749, NCT04773067, and NCT04967742.

Funding

UBI Asia, Vaxxinity Inc., and Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

An analysis of the variations and clinical applications of the lateral circumflex femoral artery

BACKGROUND

Identifying the arterial variation of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) is a vital step in planning surgical and radiological approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate the variations and discuss the clinical correlates of the LCFA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty eight adult cadavers (male 45, female 13) with 115 usable sides were used to assess and classify the origin and branches of the LCFA. Also its external diameter, distance from mid-inguinal ligament to sites of origin from the profunda femoris artery or femoral arteries.

RESULTS

There were seven types of LCFA variations in this sample. We classified them as types A to G, of which type A was normal, that is, the one showing a single LCFA arising from the profunda femoris artery. Nearly 50.43% of the sample had type B-G variations, each having 13, 10, 23, 4, 4, and 3 cases, accounting for 11.30%, 8.70%, 20.00%, 3.48%, 3.48%, and 2.61%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many variant types in the LCFA. To avoid iatrogenic injuries, clinicians must have a sound understanding of the variation types of this important blood vessel.

[Analysis on the novel compound heterozygous mutation FⅪ of a patient with hereditary factor Ⅺ deficiency]

Objective: To investigate the clinical phenotype and genotype characteristics of a Chinese hereditary factor Ⅺ deficiency pedigree. Methods: The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), FⅪ activity (FⅪ: C) were measured by clotting method using automatic coagulation analyzer. The FⅪ antigen (FⅪ: Ag) was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fifteen exons of F11 from the proband and his pedigree members were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then sequenced. Pymol software was used to analyze the novel mutations. Results: APTT, FⅪ: C and FⅪ: Ag of proband was 74.2 s, 4.0% and 2.9%, respectively. For his older sister, APTT, FⅪ: C and FⅪ: Ag was 67.1 s, 3.0% and 1.8%, respectively. APTT, FⅪ: C and FⅪ: Ag of healthy controls were 34.5 s, 100.0% and 100.0%. FⅪ: C of proband's father, mother and brother were 72.0%, 62.0%, and 78.0%, respectively. FⅪ: Ag of them were 50.0%, 43.0%, and 51.8%, respectively. The other coagulant parameters of the proband and his pedigree were all in the normal range. Sequence analysis showed two heterozygous gene mutations in F11 of the proband and his older sister. One was a deletion of T at nucleotide 1 491 in exon 12, resulting in a frameshift. A substitution of leucine 465 by tryptophan and a terminal coden after 7 amino acid: F11NM_13142c.1491delT (p.Leu465Trp.fs*7). The other was a G to A substitution at nucleotide 1 815 in exon 15, resulting in a substitution of glycine 573 by aspartic acid: F11 NM_13142c.1815G>A (p.Gly573Asp). F11NM_13142c.1491delT (p.Leu465Trp.fs*7) heterozygotes were found both in the proband's father and his brother while p. Gly573Asp heterozygote was only found in his mother. F11 of the proband's uncle was wild. Conclusion: The novel compound heterozygous mutations of F11NM_13142c.1491delT (p.Leu465Trp.fs*7) and F11 NM_13142 c. 1815G>A (p.Gly573Asp) are responsible for FⅪ deficiency to the proband, which induced the decrease of FⅪ: C and FⅪ: Ag.

Characterization of a new insect cell line (NTU-YB) derived from the common grass yellow butterfly, Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus) (Pieridae: Lepidoptera) and its susceptibility to microsporidia

A new lepidopteran cell line, NTU-YB, was derived from pupal tissue of Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus) (Pieridae: Lepidoptera). The doubling time of YB cells in TNM-FH medium supplemented with 8% FBS at 28 degrees C was 26.87h. The chromosome numbers of YB cells varied widely from 21 to 196 with a mean of 86. Compared to other insect cell lines, the YB cells produced distinct esterase, malate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase isozyme patterns. Identity of the internal transcribed spacer region-I (ITS-I) of YB cells to E. hecabe larvae was 96% and to Eurema blanda larvae (tissue isolated from head) was 81%. The YB cells were permissive to Nosema sp. isolated from E. blanda and the infected YB cells showed obvious cytopathic effects after 3weeks post inoculation. The highest level of spore production was at 4weeks post inoculation when cells were infected with the Nosema isolate, and spore production was 1.34+/-0.9x10(6)spore/ml. Ultrastructrual studies showed that YB cells can host in vitro propagation of the E. blanda Nosema isolate, and developing stages were observed in the host cell nuclei as observed in the natural host, E. blanda. The NTU-YB cell line is also susceptible to Nosema bombycis.

Thermal characterization of lowly Nd3+ doped disordered Nd:CNGG crystal

Thermal properties of a lowly Nd(3+)-doped disordered Nd:CNGG crystal have been symmetrically investigated. At room temperature, the specific heat, thermal diffusion coefficient and density were determined to be 0.595 J/g.K, 1.223 mm(2)/s and 4.718 g/cm(3), corresponding the thermal conductivity of 3.43 W/m.K. By measuring the thermal lens at different pump power, the thermal-optical coefficient was calculated to be 9.2x10(-6) K(-1) for the first time to our knowledge. All the thermal properties recovered that this material can be used in the moderate and even high pump power.

Dual-wavelength synchronously mode-locked Nd:CNGG laser

We have experimentally demonstrated a dual-wavelength synchronously mode-locked Nd:CNGG laser based on the semiconductor saturable absorber mirror technique. Mode locking was achieved simultaneously on two gain bands of the crystal that have a central wavelength separation of 2.4 nm. The fundamental mode-locked pulse train has a repetition rate of 88 MHz and pulse duration of 5 ps, with an average output power of approximately 90 mW. Autocorrelation measurements show that each of the synchronously mode-locked pulses consists of a train of quasi-periodic beat pulses with a 660 fs pulse width and a 0.63 THz repetition rate.

Hypermethylation of hepatic Gck promoter in ageing rats contributes to diabetogenic potential

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Hepatic glucokinase (GCK) is a key enzyme in glucose utilisation. Downregulation of its activity is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is unknown whether hepatic Gck expression is influenced by age and is involved in ageing-mediated diabetes, and whether the degree of methylation of the hepatic Gck promoter is correlated with the transcription of Gck. To address the question, we evaluated hepatic Gck transcription and promoter methylation in young (14 weeks), adult (40 weeks) and aged (80 weeks) rats.

METHODS

Hepatic glycogen, Gck expression and the kinase activity of GCK were measured in three age groups. The CpG methylation status was determined by both bisulphite direct sequencing and clone sequencing of the PCR amplificates of Gck promoter. The causal relationship between Gck methylation and mRNA expression was confirmed by treating rat primary hepatocytes with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR).

RESULTS

We have shown an age-associated decline in hepatic glycogen, Gck expression levels and the kinase activity of hepatic GCK. The eleven CpG sites studied displayed age-related progressive methylation changes in hepatic Gck promoter, which were confirmed by two methods: direct and clone sequencing. After 5-Aza-CdR treatment of rat primary hepatocytes, there was a fourfold increase in Gck expression.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our results demonstrate that an age-related increase in methylation is negatively associated with hepatic Gck expression, suggesting that DNA methylation could be involved in increasing age-dependent susceptibility to hepatic insulin resistance and diabetes. Thus, the epigenetic modification of the hepatic Gck promoter may represent an important marker for diabetogenic potential during the ageing process.

Passively Q-switched Yb3+:YCa4O(BO3)3 laser with InGaAs quantum wells as saturable absorbers

A diode-pumped Yb:YCOB laser at 1086 nm is passively Q switched by using InGaAs quantum wells as saturable absorbers and utilizing the Bragg mirror structure as an output coupler. With an absorbed pump power of 9.2 W the laser produces pulses of 100 ms duration with average pulse energy of as much as 165 microJ at a pulse repetition rate of 7 kHz.

Efficient diode-pumped actively Q-switched Nd:YAG/BaWO4 intracavity Raman laser

Barium tungstate (BaWO4) is employed to achieve efficient stimulated Raman scattering conversion in a compact diode-pumped actively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. With an incident pump power of 9.2 W, 1.56 W of 1181 nm first-Stokes average output power was generated at a pulse repetition rate of 20 kHz, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 16.9%.

Effects of melittin on isolated papillary muscles of guinea pig

AIM

To investigate the effect of melittin (Mel) on papillary muscles of guinea pigs.

METHODS

Contraction of papillary muscles were examined by conventional method and action potentials (AP) were recorded by standard glass microelectrode technique.

RESULTS

Mel (0.5, 3 micromol/L) significantly increased the contractility of guinea pig papillary muscles while 5 micromol/L exerted dual action with a transient decrease followed by an increase of the contractility. Mel shortened the functional refractory period (FRP) at concentrations of 0.5, 3, and 5 micromol/L and increased the automaticity induced by adrenaline (Adr) at 3 and 5 micromol/L. Mel shifted the duration-intensity curve upward at 3 micromol/L. It shortened the action potential duration (APD) of fast action potential (FAP), decreased the action potential amplitude (APA) and resting potential (RP) at 0.5 and 3 micromol/L. As to slow action potential (SAP), Mel 0.8 micromol/L shortened APD20 and APD50, and decreased APA and RP.

CONCLUSION

Mel increased the contractility and automaticity of papillary muscles, shortened the FRP, decreased the excitability, shortened the APD, and decreased APA and RP of AP.

Sodium nitroprusside-induced seizure and taurine release from rat hippocampus

We have recently reported that the nitric oxide (NO) donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), induces seizures which are associated with an increase in the basal release of aspartate and glutamate from rat hippocampus (Kaku et al., 1998). In order to determine whether taurine release occurs with SNP-induced seizures, we examined the effects of NO-related compounds, i.e., the NO trapper, diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC), the superoxide radical scavenger, dithiothreitol (DTT), the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, oxypurinol and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazole(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), on SNP-induced seizures and in vivo taurine release from rat hippocampus using microdialysis. Perfusion with 0.5mM SNP provoked seizures and significantly increased taurine release, with the increase in release occurring primarily during reperfusion with artificial cerebrospinal fluid lacking SNP. Perfusion with 5mM DETC significantly abolished the SNP-induced seizures and reduced taurine release during and after perfusion with the drugs. Perfusion with 1mM DTT significantly reduced both the frequency of the SNP-induced seizures and taurine release during and after perfusion with the drugs. Perfusion with 1 mM oxypurinol or 0.5 mM ODQ did not reduce the frequency of the SNP-induced seizures, but tended to decrease taurine release during and after perfusion with the drugs. These results demonstrate that SNP-induced seizures are triggered by an increase in both NO and peroxynitrite and are related to an increase in taurine release from rat hippocampus.

Inhibitory effect of melittin on Na+,K+-ATPase from guinea pig myocardial mitochondria

AIM

To investigate the effect of melittin (Mel) of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and it's kinetic mode of action on guinea pig myocardial mitochondria.

METHODS

Effect of Mel on heart mitochondrial Na+,K+-ATPase activity was determined with colorimetry method.

RESULTS

Mel inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase in a concentration and time dependent manner, IC50 was 2.60 micromol/L. Kinetic studies of interaction between Mel and K+, Na+, ATP revealed that inhibitory effect of Mel was competitive with K+, but not with Na+ and ATP.

CONCLUSION

Mel polypeptide potently inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase, possibly by binding to the K+ site.

Sodium nitroprusside-induced seizures and adenosine release in rat hippocampus

In the present study, we examined the effects of nitric oxide (NO)-related compounds, i.e. sodium nitroprusside (NO donor), diethyldithiocarbamate (NO trapper) and dithiothreitol (superoxide radical scavenger) on release of aspartate and adenosine from rat hippocampus using electrophysiological and microdialysis methods. Perfusion with 0.05 or 0.5 mM sodium nitroprusside significantly reduced high K(+)-evoked release of aspartate during high K(+) perfusion. Perfusion with 0.5 mM sodium nitroprusside always induced seizures and significantly increased release of aspartate and adenosine during washout of sodium nitroprusside. Diethyldithiocarbamate (5 mM) reversed the effects of sodium nitroprusside. Dithiothreitol (1 mM) significantly reduced the increase in adenosine release by sodium nitroprusside. These findings indicate that adenosine release is closely related to development of seizures, which are triggered by an increase in both NO itself and in part peroxynitrite, which results in reaction with superoxide radicals.

Stimulation by melittin of Na+-Ca2+ exchange current in ventricular myocytes of guinea pigs

AIM

To study the mechanism of calcium overload induced by melittin in myocytes.

METHODS

Whole cell patch-clamp technique was applied for recording the currents.

RESULTS

Mel 0.05, 0.1 micromol/L increased the peak amplitude of I(Na) (nA) from -2.1+/-0.8 to -3.2+/-1.0 (n=7, P < 0.05) and -3.7+/-1.5 (n=7, P < 0.05) respectively at testing potential of -40 mV. Mel 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 micromol/L had no significant effect on I(Ca), but enhanced I(Na-Ca) (pA) from 53+/-21 to 427+/-256 (n=5, P < 0.05), 349+/-147 (n=5, P<0.01) and 320+/-97 (n=5, P < 0.05) respectively at a testing potential of +50 mV.

CONCLUSION

The stimulating effect of Mel on I(Na-Ca) rather than the effect on I(Ca) contributes to the calcium overload of myocytes.

Effect of melittin on potassium currents and action potential in ventricular myocytes of guinea pig

AIM

To examine the effects of melittin (Mel), the major component of bee venom, on delayed rectifier K+ current (Ik), inward rectifier K+ current (Ikl) and action potential (AP) in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

METHODS

Ik, Ikl, and AP were recorded using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique.

RESULTS

The action potential duration (APD) was shortened by Mel in a concentration-dependent manner. Mel 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mumol.L-1 shortened APD50 from (520 +/- 55) to (459 +/- 91) (n = 5, P > 0.05), (385 +/- 102) (n = 5, P < 0.01), and (281 +/- 81) ms (n = 5, P < 0.01), respectively; and APD90 from (613 +/- 96) to (536 +/- 93) (n = 5, P > 0.05), (467 +/- 96) ms (n = 5, P < 0.01), and (354 +/- 95) ms (n = 5, P < 0.01), respectively. Mel increased the amplitude of Ik also in a concentration-dependent manner. Mel 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mumol.L-1 increased Ik from (295 +/- 109) to (371 +/- 142) (n = 5, P < 0.05), (467 +/- 180) (n = 5, P < 0.05), (552 +/- 248) pA (n = 5, P < 0.05), respectively at testing potential of + 40 mV. But no significant effect of Mel on Ikl was observed at these concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Mel significantly increased Ik in a concentration-dependent manner which contributed to shortening of APD.

Blocking effects of heteroclitin D and gomisin J on L-type calcium channels in ventricular cells of guinea pig

AIM

To study the effects of heteroclitin D (HD) and gomisin J (GJ), two lignans from Kadsura medicinal plants, on L-type calcium channels in ventricular cells of guinea pig.

METHODS

The calcium currents were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique.

RESULTS

HD 1 and 10 mumol/L decreased the L-type calcium current from (770 +/- 155) to (482 +/- 104) and (384 +/- 85) pA, respectively. GJ 10 mumol/L inhibited calcium current from (822 +/- 169) to (436 +/- 143) pA. Neither HD nor GJ affected the steady-state activation curve. But they had impact on steady-state inactivation curve. HD 10 mumol/L changed the half inactivation voltage (V0.5) from -22.7 to -40.9 mV, and slope factor (kappa) from 10.2 to 20.6 (n = 4 cells from 3 guinea pigs, P < 0.05). GJ 10 mumol/L changed the V0.5 from -17.7 to -33.3 mV, and kappa from 15.9 to 27.8 (n = 5 cells from 3 guinea pigs, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HD and GJ inhibited L-type calcium channels.

Biphasic manner of melittin on isolated guinea pig atria

AIM

To investigate the effect of melittin (Mel) on isolated guinea pig atria.

METHODS

The effect of Mel on the contraction and heart rate of isolated guinea pig atria at different concentrations was determined.

RESULTS

Mel at a lower concentration (0.1-0.8 mumol.L-1) enhanced the contraction of left atria in a concentration-dependent manner; but at a higher concentration (1.6-12.8 mumol.L-1) it exerted an inhibitory effect. At 0.1-30 mumol.L-1 it was found to increase heart rate of right atria. In addition, verapamil (Ver) 0.3 mumol.L-1 was found to depress the effect of Mel.

CONCLUSION

Mel possesses a biphasic effect on left atria and a positive chronotropic effect on right atria. Its mechanism might be related with Ca2+ channel.

7-Nitroindazole reduces nitric oxide concentration in rat hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia

We investigated the effects of 7-nitroindazole, a specific inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase, on NO concentration and on blood flow in rat hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia which was induced by 4-vessel occlusion for 10 min. NO concentration was measured directly by an NO-selective electrode method. Hippocampal blood flow was also estimated by laser Doppler flowmetry. 7-Nitroindazole [0 (vehicle), 12.5, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg] was administered intraperitoneally 20 min before ischemia. 7-Nitroindazole at any dose used did not affect basal NO levels before ischemia. 7-Nitroindazole (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the NO concentration significantly during post-ischemic early reperfusion. Before 10 min of ischemia and during post-ischemic early reperfusion, there were no significant differences in hippocampal basal blood flow and reactive hyperemia between vehicle- and 7-nitroindazole-treated groups. These results demonstrate that the neuronal NO synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole, can effectively inhibit NO synthesis in rat hippocampus during post-ischemic early reperfusion.

Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 knockout mice are refractory to growth hormone-negative feedback on arcuate neurons

The pulsatile nature of GH release is apparently regulated by alternating sequential changes in two hypothalamic hormones, GH releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin. Entrainment of this pulsatility appears to involve GH-mediated negative feedback. Recently a new receptor involved in GH release was cloned. Activation of this receptor by GH-releasing peptides and MK-0677 initiates and amplifies GH pulsatility and is associated with increased Fos immunoreactivity and electrical activity in GHRH containing arcuate neurons. We show that pretreating mice with GH blocks activation of these neurons by MK-0677. Similarly, octreotide inhibited the action of MK-0677. To determine whether this GH-mediated negative feedback on GHRH neurons was direct, or by GH stimulation of somatostatin release from periventricular neurons, we selectively inactivated the gene for one of the five specific somatostatin receptor subtypes (subtype 2). In the knockout mice, both GH and octreotide failed to inhibit MK-0677 activation of arcuate neurons. GH did, however, increase Fos immunoreactivity in the periventricular nucleus, consistent with GH stimulation of somatostatin release from periventricular neurons. Thus, GH-mediated negative feedback involves signaling between periventricular and arcuate neurons with the signal being transduced specifically through somatostatin subtype 2 receptors.

Anti-lipid peroxidation of gomisin J on liver mitochondria and cultured myocardial cells

AIM

To study the influences of gomisin J on lipid peroxidation and calcium paradox.

METHODS

Using two in vitro models of rat liver mitochondria membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and cultured myocardial cells.

RESULTS

Gomisin J inhibited Fe2+/ascorbic acid and ADP/NADPH-induced LPO with IC50 (95% confidence limits) 5.5 (4.5-6.7) and 4.7 (2.8-7.8) mumol.L-1, respectively, when cultured myocardial cells preincubated with Ca(2+)-free medium for 2 min were incubated with normal medium containing Ca2+, a marked increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) formation occurred and gomisin J 10 mumol.L-1 protected myocardial cells through decreasing MDA formation.

CONCLUSION

Gomisin J inhibits LPO in rat liver mitochondria and protects cultured myocardial cells from being injured by calcium paradox.

Effects of m-nisoldipine on aortic calcium accumulation in rats with vascular calcium overload

AIM

To study the effects of a novel calcium channel blocker, m-nisoldipine, on vascular calcium overload (VCO) at both tissue and cellular levels.

METHODS

VCO was induced in Wistar rats by treatment with colecalciferol (Col, 400,000 IU.kg-1, p.o.) and an aqueous mixture of ethanol and polyethyleneglycol-400 for 3 d. The tissue and subcellular calcium contents of aorta were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer and electron probe microanalysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Chronic treatment with m-nisoldipine (m-Nis, 1-15 mg.kg-1, p.o., bid) only had mild inhibition on the elevation of total calcium in aorta, and the dose-response relationship of m-Nis displayed a bell shape, with inhibition ratio of 24% only for m-Nis 2.5 mg.kg-1. The effect of verapamil (12.5 mg.kg-1, p.o., bid) was a little better than that of m-Nis. The intracellular VCO in medial smooth muscle cells of aorta were remarkably inhibited by m-Nis (2.5 mg.kg-1), with inhibition ratios of 72% for cytoplasm and 76% for mitochondrion. The calcium accumulation in nucleus was reduced to a lesser degree than those in cytoplasm and mitochondrion.

CONCLUSION

As for aorta in VCO rats, m-Nis mainly had conspicuous inhibition on intracellular VCO in medial smooth muscle cells, particularly in cytoplasm and mitochondrion, but with little effect on extracellular calcium deposition at tissue level.

Suppression of ischemia-induced fos expression and AP-1 activity by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to c-fos mRNA

Activation of c-fos, an immediate early gene, and the subsequent expression of the Fos protein have been noted following focal cerebral ischemia. Fos and Jun form a heterodimer as activator protein 1 (AP-1), which transregulates the expression of several genes. To study the postischemic events related to c-fos expression, we suppressed the expression of c-fos by intraventricular infusion of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (anti-rncfosr115) of c-fos mRNA. The effectiveness of anti-rncfosr115 was confirmed first by its capability to block in vitro c-fos mRNA translation. In vivo, after intraventricular infusion of 32P-labeled anti-rncfosr115, the oligodeoxynucleotide was internalized within 6 hours and detectable also in the nucleic acids fraction up to 41 hours. Treatment of the recovered nucleic acids with RNase H separated the labeled oligodeoxynucleotide from the nucleic acid fraction, indicating an association of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide and cellular RNA after uptake. When focal cerebral ischemia was induced 16 hours after the infusion of anti-rncfosr115, the postischemic increase in Fos expression and AP-1 binding activity were suppressed. Specificity of the effect of anti-rncfosr115 was suggested by its failure to suppress the DNA binding activity of nuclear cyclic AMP response elements. These results support the hypothesis that increased AP-1 binding activity following focal cerebral ischemia is dependent on Fos expression and can be inhibited in vivo by antisense c-fos oligodeoxynucleotides.

Structural and vasoactive factors influencing intracerebral arterioles in cases of vascular dementia and other cerebrovascular disease: a review. Immunohistochemical studies on expression of collagens, basal lamina components and endothelin-1

The condition of the brain parenchyma in cases of vascular dementia and other cerebrovascular conditions may be influenced by structural and functional changes of the terminal intracerebral blood vessels. Arterioles can develop obliterative lesions, capillaries and postcapillary venules can be altered, causing edema. The first part of this review is focused on expression of different types of collagens and other components of the extracellular matrix in intracerebral arterioles. The changes present in hereditary multi-infarct disease of the brain are compared with those occurring in the Binswanger type of encephalopathy and cases presenting hyalinosis of intracerebral vessels. Deposition of collagens in degenerated parts of the media and adventitia of the arterioles may contribute to impaired blood flow regulation in the brain parenchyma. Fibrillary collagens and basal laminae are probably the most important components of the hyaline material in vessels showing 'hyalinosis'. The second part of our review concerns the possibility that the vasoactive peptide, endothelin-1, released from reactive astrocytes, can influence the function of intracerebral arterioles. Normal astrocytes do not show endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity, but in cases of infarcts, lacunes, hereditary multi-infarct disease, Binswanger's encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease numerous reactive astrocytes express such immunoreactivity. If endothelin-1 is produced and released from reactive astrocytes it may reach intracerebral arterioles and induce long-lasting vasoconstriction. Endothelin-1 is the most powerful vasoconstrictor peptide known to date and has mitogenic capacity. It may promote cellular mechanisms leading to astrocytic gliosis and neovascularization.

Astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease express immunoreactivity to the vaso-constrictor endothelin-1

The avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method and a polyclonal antiserum were used to investigate the distribution of endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity of cerebral astrocytes in autopsy cases of Alzheimer's disease compared with controls. The cases of Alzheimer's disease presented numerous astrocytes with intense endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity of the cell body often extending into the finest ramifications of the cell processes. Absorption of the antiserum by the corresponding antigen eliminated this immunostaining. The immunoreactive astrocytes were most consistently present in the subcortical white matter of the cerebral hemispheres and the folia of the cerebellum. The immunoreactive cells were often located in small clusters close to blood vessels. Five of the seven cases showed immunoreactive astrocytes in the molecular layer of the cerebral cortex and three of the seven cases presented regions in which immunoreactive astrocytes appeared to be located in the periphery of plaques. The pons contained small groups of immunoreactive astrocytes in five of the cases. The cerebellum had such cells in six of the seven investigated patients. Immunoreactive astrocytes were very rare in control cases without cerebral disease. Many nerve cells in the cerebral neocortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and pons of Alzheimer cases and controls exhibited endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity. Oligodendrocytes and endothelial cells of blood vessels of controls and Alzheimer cases did not show such immunoreactivity. The expression of endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity in astrocytes of Alzheimer's disease probably reflects an increased content of endothelin-1. If endothelin-1 is released from such astrocytes it may reach smooth muscle cells of the intracerebral blood vessels and disturb micro-circulation since this compound is a most powerful vasoconstrictor peptide.

Endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity is expressed in human reactive astrocytes

The expression of endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity in astrocytes of the human brain was investigated by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method in post mortem material. A marked immunoreaction was present in reactive astrocytes around infarcts, lacunes, traumatic injuries, the lesions of progressive multifocal leuco-encephalopathy and in the cerebral cortex and white matter of Alzheimer's disease. The brains of patients who had neither history nor signs of cerebral disease exhibited only occasional immunoreactive astrocytes. A hypothesis is presented that endothelin-1 may be released from reactive astrocytes in many organic diseases of the human brain with considerable pathogenic consequences. It is known from experimental investigations that endothelin-1 may for instance cause severe vasoconstriction resulting in cell injury and that it may act as a growth factor for glial cells.

Determination of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in human pulmonary artery and thoracic aorta by radioligand binding

The beta-adrenoceptors of human pulmonary artery (PA) and thoracic aorta (TA) were studied by the use of a high specific activity radioligand [125I]pindolol (Pin). To identify the subtypes of beta-adrenoceptors in the 2 blood vessels, the competitive inhibition curves of [125I]Pin by beta 1-antagonist atenolol and beta 2-agonist salbutamol were analyzed using a computer program LIGAND of a mathematical model of the ligand-binding system. The Bmax (15.3 +/- 1.2 fmol/mg protein) and the dissociation constant Kd (44 +/- 4 pmol.L-1) for PA were similar to those for TA (Bmax, 12.8 +/- 1.2 fmol/mg protein, Kd, 45 +/- 4 pmol.L-1). Competitive inhibition analysis showed that the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor subtypes coexisted in human PA and TA, with beta 1 adrenoceptor dominant. The ratios of beta 1:beta 2 in PA and TA were 2.9:1.0 and 2.1:1.0, respectively.

Effects of (-)-stepholidine and tetrahydroberberine on high potassium-evoked contraction and calcium influx in rat artery

The relaxant effects of (-)-stepholidine ((-)-SPD) and tetrahydroberberine (THB) on rat aorta were studied in vitro. (-)-SPD IC50 18.1 (95% confidence limits 11.1-29.5) mumol.L-1 and THB IC50 18.6 (95% confidence limits 9.2-37.9) mumol.L-1 inhibited the contractions caused by KCl (100 mmol.L-1) concentration-dependently. Both (-)-SPD and THB markedly inhibited the 160 mmol.L-1 KCl-stimulated 45Ca influx. The inhibitions by (-)-SPD 10 mumol.L-1 and 100 mumol.L-1 were 18 +/- 13% (P > 0.05) and 47.0 +/- 2.8% (P < 0.01), respectively. The inhibitions by THB 10 mumol.L-1 and 100 mumol.L-1 were 36 +/- 9% (P < 0.01) and 43 +/- 8% (P < 0.05), respectively. The results showed that the effective concentrations of the 2 drugs inhibiting high KCl-induced contraction and 45Ca transmembrane influx in rat thoracic aorta were at a similar level, and that they were nearly 1/100 and 1/10 of those of verapamil respectively, indicating that (-)-SPD and THB had similar calcium channel blocking effect on rat artery, but were weaker than verapamil.

Immunohistochemical evidence of endothelin-1 in human choroid plexus

An immunohistochemical investigation was carried out on 17 specimens of human choroid plexus obtained post mortem, 1 biopsy of normal choroid plexus including part of the lateral ventricle and 1 papilloma of the choroid plexus removed surgically. The material was fixed in formalin. Paraffin and cryostat sections were used. A polyclonal antiserum to endothelin-1 served as a primary antibody. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase method was applied to demonstrate the immunoreaction. The epithelial cells of the choroid plexuses, the choroid papilloma and most ependymal cells of the lateral ventricle showed a distinct brown reaction product in their cytoplasm indicating antigenic sites to endothelin-1. The reaction was of lesser intensity in the ependymal cells. The connective tissue in choroid plexus was unstained. A positive immunoreaction was present in the walls of some vessels in the choroid plexus in cryostat sections. This is the first report on the presence of antigenic sites to endothelin-1 in the epithelial cells of the human choroid plexus. The role of endothelin in these cells should be investigated to ascertain if the cells synthesize this biologically active peptide or if it is merely bound to receptors in them.

[Effects of l-stepholidine on isolated rabbit basilar artery, mesenteric artery, and thoracic aorta]

l-Stepholidine (SPD) has been shown to be effective in treating migraine, but its mechanism is not clear. So the effects of SPD on isolated rabbit basilar artery (BA), mesenteric artery (MA) and thoracic aorta (TA) were studied. The contractions of BA and MA were induced by KCl (10-160 mmol.L-1) and the contraction of TA was caused by 5-HT (0.1-100 mumol.L-1). Ketanserin was used as reference. SPD (0.1-0.2 mmol.L-1) relaxed the contractions of BA and MA induced by KCl in a noncompetitive manner with pD'2 3.4 +/- 0.3 and 4.0 +/- 0.3, respectively. SPD had no selectivity in BA and MA. SPD also inhibited the contraction of TA induced by 5-HT with pA2 9.7 +/- 2.0 and pD'2 5.4 +/- 0.6, which showed a dual of both competitive and noncompetitive antagonisms. These results suggested that SPD had a blockade effect on the calcium channel and 5-HT2 receptors.