Simple/rapid test devices for anti-HIV screening: do they come up to the mark?

Thirteen simple/rapid test devices (S/RTDs) for the detection of antibodies to HIV 1 and HIV 2 were assessed. Ninety-two specimens in four categories were used and results with the thirteen S/RTDs were compared with those obtained with six currently available commercial laboratory-based anti-HIV 1/2 EIAs. Seven of the 13 S/RTDs scored all 26 blood donors' specimens as unreactive, and 11 correctly identified all the 25 "straightforward" anti-HIV positive specimens. False negative results arose when testing by Uni-Gold HIV and SeroCard HIV, which gave 72 and 68 correct positive observations, respectively, out of 75. No S/RTD detected seroconversion earlier than the most sensitive EIAs, but four S/RTDs performed similarly to most of the EIAs. On the low-titre panel specimens, six S/RTDs were less sensitive than the least sensitive EIA and, in contrast to four of the six EIAs, only one S/RTD was able correctly to identify all the positive specimens. A manufacturing problem was identified that allowed the HIV antigen-sensitised area on the membrane of two SeroCard HIV devices to be misaligned with the device's reading window so that the reaction was almost entirely obscured. As long as small numbers of specimens were involved, most S/RTDs required considerably less time and less equipment than EIAs, but overall they were slightly less sensitive. Their use in various health settings and for confirmatory procedures is discussed.

Hematopoietic retroviral gene marking in patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

We conducted a double retroviral vector (RV) gene marking trial to test for the possible contribution to relapse of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (FNHL) cells present in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) grafts used for hematopoietic reconstitution of patients undergoing myelaoblative chemotherapy and autologous transplant. CD34 positive selection using the CellPro Ceprate CD34 column was performed on PB mononuclear cells obtained after cyclophosphamide/G-CSF mobilization. CD34 positive cells were exposed for 4-6 hours to the LNL6 or G1 Na RV in the absence of growth factors or stromal monolayers. One week later, BM mononuclear cells were similarly processed. Patients then received total body irradiation (TBI), cyclophosphamide, and etoposide followed by infusion of both PB and BM CD34 positive cells. Semiquantitative Southern blot analysis of DNA t(14;18) amplification products showed approximately a three log reduction in t(14;18) positive cells after CD34 positive selection. The first patient showed evidence of engraftment with RV positive BM and PB cells for 9 months. He relapsed one year after transplant. At relapse, one year after transplant, he had lost evidence of RV positive cells in ficolled mononuclear BM and PB cells as well as in CD19 positive cells. The second and third patients showed evidence of engraftment with RV positive cells up to 9 and 6 months post BMT respectively. The second and third patients are still in clinical remission. Our results demonstrate engraftment of RV transduced hematopoietic cells in the PB and BM for up to 9 months.

Results of MDR-1 vector modification trial indicate that granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming unit cells do not contribute to posttransplant hematopoietic recovery following intensive systemic therapy

To formally test the hypothesis that the granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming unit (GM-CFU) cells can contribute to early hematopoietic reconstitution immediately after transplant, the frequency of genetically modified GM-CFU after retroviral vector transduction was measured by a quantitative in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is specific for the multidrug resistance-1 (MDR-1) vector, and by a quantitative GM-CFU methylcellulose plating assay. The results of this analysis showed no difference between the transduction frequency in the products of two different transduction protocols: "suspension transduction" and "stromal growth factor transduction." However, when an analysis of the frequency of cells positive for the retroviral MDR-1 vector posttransplantation was carried out, 0 of 10 patients transplanted with cells transduced by the suspension method were positive for the vector MDR-1 posttransplant, whereas 5 of 8 patients transplanted with the cells transduced by the stromal growth factor method were positive for the MDR-1 vector transcription unit by in situ or in solution PCR assay (a difference that is significant at the P = 0.0065 level by the Fisher exact test). These data suggest that only very small subsets of the GM-CFU fraction of myeloid cells, if any, contribute to the repopulation of the hematopoietic tissues that occurs following intensive systemic therapy and transplantation of autologous hematopoietic cells.

Recent advances in the application of gene therapy to human disease

PURPOSE

To review the recent advances in the application of genetic modification strategies to the therapy of human diseases for which a molecular defect is known.

METHODS

A computerized data bank search, the minutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee published in the Federal Record, and reports of human clinical trials were used as data sources for this review. Clinical trials included in this review were published in the literature or approved by the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee.

STUDY SELECTION

Evaluations of the efficacy of genetic modification strategies in clinical trials in human and in animal models are summarized. The design and outcome of the genetic modification strategies employed are reviewed for 16 marking trials, 16 gene replacement trials for molecular deficiency diseases, 3 chemoprotection and 4 chemotherapy sensitization trials, 11 cancer vaccine trials, 2 antisense oligonucleotide trials, and 3 molecular immunotherapy trials.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The marking trials have shown that residual leukemia cells in the infused autologous marrow can contribute to relapse following autologous bone marrow transplants. The use of genetic modification for the replacement of missing or deficient genes in severe combined immunodeficiency, familial hypercholesterolemia, and cystic fibrosis has been associated with encouraging results so far. Clinical genetic therapy trials involving cancer vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, adoptive immunotherapy with genetically modified T cells, delivery vectors containing interleukin-1 receptor inhibitor for arthritis, replacement strategies for storage diseases, and genetic suppression of human immunodeficiency viral replication are just commencing.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical application of genetic modification techniques has thus far been successful in the beginning phases of this field. These early results suggest that continuation of gene therapy trials designed to correct the molecular changes that lead to disease states in humans is warranted. Evaluation of such clinical trials in the future may be based on the analysis of assays for short-term surrogate endpoints, as well as on the therapeutic outcomes of the trial, such as survival or remission.

Renal and antihypertensive effects of a novel eukalemic diuretic, ICI 207,828

ICI 207,828, an aminomethylphenol pyrazine derivative, produces water diuretic effects with only minimal alterations in kaliuresis in dogs and rats after oral and parenteral administration. In the dog, ICI 207,828 reached maximum activity at a dose of 10 mg/kg, p.o. This was comparable to that of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) at a dose of 5 mg/kg, p.o. or higher. In the rat, a dose of 30 mg/kg, p.o. of ICI 207,828 was comparable to the maximum of water diuretic and saluretic response obtained with HCTZ at a dose of 10 mg/kg, p.o. Based upon studies using in vitro amphibian models of the mammalian nephron, ICI 207,828 appeared to act on both the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and the late distal nephron. In the toad bladder preparation, ICI 207,828 inhibited Na+ transport when placed on either the mucosal (amiloride-like) or serosal (thiazide-like or loop diuretic-like) sides. This compound also inhibited Cl- transport in the toad cornea preparation (loop diuretic-like). ICI 207,828 did not change plasma K+ significantly in dogs dosed for 14 days at doses having diuretic effects (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o., daily). In contrast, HCTZ consistently decreased plasma K+, whereas amiloride increased it significantly. ICI 207,828 demonstrated antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats. At 30 mg/kg, p.o., b.i.d., ICI 207,828 and HCTZ produced approximately equal antihypertensive activities during a 3 1/2-day treatment period. The pharmacological profile of ICI 207,828 indicates that this compound is a potent eukalemic diuretic and antihypertensive agent in animals.

Biologic characterization of ICI 200,880 and ICI 200,355, novel inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase

ICI 200,880 and its close structural analog, ICI 200,355, are representatives of a new chemical class of inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Both compounds are substituted tripeptide ketones, which demonstrated competitive kinetics versus HNE, with identical Ki values of 5.0 x 10(-10) M. The selectivity of ICI 200,880 for HNE versus a variety of enzymes ranged from 150-fold [relative to porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)] to greater than 360,000-fold in favor of HNE. The compound effectively inhibited HNE-hydrolysis of bovine ligamentum nuchae elastin. In pharmacokinetic studies, ICI 200,880 and ICI 200,355 displayed long retention times when administered directly to the lung and were rapidly eliminated after intravenous administration. Pretreatment of hamsters with either inhibitor before intratracheal administration of HNE produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition of enzyme-induced increases in lung weight, total lavageable red cells, and total lavageable white cells. Aerosol administration of ICI 200,880 produced similar results. Subcutaneous administration of either 50 or 100 mumol/kg (twice/day) of ICI 200,880 for 14 or 28 days prevented the time-dependent increase in alveolar diameter produced by a single intratracheal dose of PPE when compound dosing was initiated 24 h after the enzyme. Treatment of hamsters with the same protocol and doses of ICI 200,880 for 8 wk prevented the destructive lesion induced by a single intratracheal dose of HNE. It is concluded that ICI 200,880 and ICI 200,355 have biochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacologic profiles that make them useful therapeutic agents for understanding the role of HNE in various diseases. ICI 200,880 is presently being evaluated in humans.

Evaluation of the mutagenic effects of SV40 in mouse, hamster, and mouse-human hybrid cells

We have examined the ability of SV40 to induce changes in drug or temperature resistance in mouse, hamster, and mouse-human hybrid cells. SV40 induced a substantial increase of cells resistant to 5-bromodeoxyuridine + trifluorothymidine in Balb/c 3T3 cells and induced an increase of hybrid cells resistant to 6-thioguanine. SV40 was found to be nonmutagenic or weakly mutagenic in other test systems. The 3T3 cells were T-antigen positive, exhibited a marked reduction in TK activity, were heterogeneous for [3H]BrdU incorporation by autoradiography, and exhibited instability of the drug-resistance phenotype, suggesting that SV40 may be inducing resistance by an epigenetic process. SV40-induced 6-thioguanine resistance in the hybrids appears to occur predominantly by chromosome loss.

Biochemistry and pharmacology of ICI 200,880, a synthetic peptide inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase

ICI 200,880 is representative of a new chemical class of inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE). The compound demonstrated competitive kinetics vs HNE with a Ki value of 5.0 x 10(-10) M. The selectivity of ICI 200,880 for HNE versus a variety of enzymes ranged from 150- (relative to porcine pancreatic elastase [PPE]) to greater than 360,000-fold in favor of HNE. In pharmacokinetic studies ICI 200,880 displayed a long retention time when administered directly to the lung and was rapidly eliminated when administered intravenously. Aerosol pretreatment of hamsters with ICI 200,880 before intratracheal administration of HNE produced a long-lasting inhibition of enzyme-induced increases in lung weight, total lavageable red cells, and total lavageable white cells. Subcutaneous administration of either 50 or 100 mumol/kg (twice/day) of ICI 200,880 for 14 or 28 days prevented the time-dependent increase in alveolar diameter produced by a single intratracheal dose of PPE when compound dosing was initiated 24 hours following the enzyme. Treatment of hamsters with ICI 200,880 using the same protocol and doses for 8 weeks prevented the destructive lesion induced by a single intratracheal dose of HNE. It is concluded that ICI 200,880 has biochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacologic profiles that make it a useful therapeutic agent for understanding the role of HNE in various diseases. ICI 200,880 is presently being evaluated in man.

Meropenem: evidence of lack of proconvulsive tendency in mice

The proconvulsive tendency of the novel carbapenem, meropenem was compared to that of imipenem, alone and in combination with cilastatin. The potentiation of metrazole-induced convulsions in mice was measured. Both imipenem and imipenem/cilastatin caused significant potentiation of metrazole-induced convulsions at a dose of 200 mg/kg, i.v. In contrast, meropenem (50-400 mg/kg, iv) failed to exhibit any significant potentiation of metrazole-induced seizures.

Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of ICI 198,615: a peptide leukotriene receptor antagonist

ICI 198,615 is one representative of a new chemical class of peptide leukotriene receptor antagonists that are the most potent and selective described to date. ICI 198,615 antagonized LTC4-, LTD4- and LTE4-induced increases in cutaneous vascular permeability in the guinea pig, with i.v. ED50 values of 0.083, 0.11 and 0.067 mumol/kg, respectively. Against LTD4, ICI 198,615 was 615 and 415 times more potent than LY 171883 and FPL 55712, respectively. L-Serine borate, an inhibitor of the metabolism of LTC4 to LTD4, did not influence the antagonism by ICI 198,615 of LTC4-induced increases in cutaneous vascular permeability. The compound both inhibited and reversed aerosol ovalbumin antigen-induced increases in pulmonary resistance in passively sensitized guinea pigs, but demonstrated little ability to inhibit or reverse ovalbumin antigen-induced decreases in dynamic lung compliance. At concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M, ICI 198,615 had no significant effect on either the spontaneous or ovalbumin antigen-induced release of histamine, peptide leukotrienes, thromboxane B2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha from chopped guinea pig lung. At 10 microM, the compound did not inhibit 5-, 12- or 15-lipoxygenase. Finally, ICI 198,615 antagonized LTD4-induced increases in TxB2 release from chopped guinea-pig lung.

Insurmountable beta receptor blockade by ICI 147,798 in rabbits

In rabbits, the characteristics of cardiac beta-1 receptor blockade produced by ICI 147,798, a novel beta receptor blocking agent with diuretic properties, were evaluated and compared with those of propranolol. In conscious rabbits, i.v. injections of 0.31, 1.0 and 3.1 mg/kg of ICI 147,798 and 1.0 mg/kg of propranolol caused significant bradycardia. ICI 147,798 produced a dose-dependent shift to the right of the dose-response (chronotropic) curve of isoproterenol with suppression of the maximal tachycardia, an effect characteristic of insurmountable beta receptor blockade. Propranolol also produced a shift to the right of the dose-response curve of isoproterenol without affecting the maximal tachycardia. ICI 147,798-induced antagonism was specific for beta adrenoceptors as it failed to modify the effects of acetylcholine, angiotensin II, phenylephrine, adenosine, histamine and prostaglandin E2 on mean arterial pressure and heart rate. In rabbits with prior autonomic blockade, ICI 147,798, like propranolol, failed to inhibit the positive chronotropic effects of theophylline which are mediated by postreceptor mechanisms. In reserpinized rabbits, ICI 147,798 was found to have no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Unlike the effects of propranolol, which were attenuated by first-pass through the hepatic vascular bed, the effects of ICI 147,798 were unaffected suggesting an absence of first-pass metabolism. The effects of propranolol (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) were not detectable at 24 hr after injection, whereas significant beta receptor blocking activity was still present at 24 hr after ICI 147,798 (1.0 mg/kg i.v.). The results suggest that ICI 147,798 is a specific, long-acting, insurmountable beta-1 receptor blocking agent without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ICI 147,798: a slowly dissociable beta adrenoceptor antagonist that causes insurmountable beta-1 and surmountable beta-2 adrenoceptor antagonism in isolated tissues

ICI 147,798 has been shown to exhibit both diuretic and beta-antagonist properties in vivo. The present study investigated the nature and selectivity of the beta-antagonism in a variety of isolated tissues. ICI 147,798 produced a concentration-dependent suppression of the maximum chronotropic response of norepinephrine in guinea pig right atria (beta-1 adrenoceptor). ICI 147,798 caused a concentration-dependent shift to the right of the salbutamol concentration-response curve in the guinea pig trachea (beta-2 adrenoceptor), and Schild analysis suggested competitive inhibition. Propranolol produced parallel shifts to the right of the norepinephrine concentration-response curve in guinea pig right atria, except at relatively high concentrations. The inhibitory effects of propranolol in guinea pig right atria were reversed by greater than 95%, whereas the effects of ICI 147,798 were only slightly reversed after a 6-hr washout period. Preincubation of propranolol with ICI 147,798 in guinea pig right atria prevented completely the suppression of the norepinephrine maximum chronotropic response. Postincubation of propranolol with ICI 147,798 partially reversed the suppression of the maximum chronotropic response. ICI 147,798 had no effect on the maximum chronotropic responses of either histamine (H2-receptor) or forskolin (adenylate cyclase activation) in guinea pig right atria and had no effect on agonist responses in a variety of other receptor systems. The insurmountable beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonism was evaluated based on the assumptions of irreversible competitive antagonism, mixed competitive and noncompetitive antagonism and slowly dissociating competitive antagonism ("hemi-equilibrium" conditions). Concentration-dependent changes in norepinephrine KA values suggested the first three possibilities were unlikely.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preclinical studies with pyrazolopyridine non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics: ICI 190,622

Tracazolate is a pyrazolopyridine anxiolytic that enhances the binding of [3H]-flunitrazepam [( 3H]FLU) to brain tissue. The discovery that a metabolite of tracazolate, desbutyltracazolate, was a weak inhibitor of [3H]FLU binding led to the synthesis of a series of potent anxiolytics. From this series, ICI 190,622 emerged as a viable drug candidate, being a potent anxiolytic in rats and monkeys. This anxiolytic agent appears to produce only minimal sedation. Furthermore, ICI 190,622 appears less likely to potentiate the actions of ethanol than diazepam. ICI 190,622 is also a potent anticonvulsant (anti-metrazol ED50 = 1.1 mg/kg, PO) in rodents. Neurochemically, ICI 190,622 is similar to the benzodiazepine anxiolytics. In vitro, ICI 190,622 competitively inhibited [3H]FLU binding in cerebral cortex with an IC50 of 81 nM and was 4.3-fold more potent in the cerebellum (IC50 = 19 nM). This suggests a selectivity for the Type 1 benzodiazepine binding site. In contrast, diazepam showed similar affinities in both regions (cerebral cortex = 7 nM and cerebellum = 9 nM). Following oral administration, ICI 190,622 displaced [3H]FLU binding from cerebellar membranes more potently than diazepam (ED50 = 3 and 6 mg/kg, respectively, 1 hour after administration). Thus, ICI 190,622 should be an effective anxiolytic with significant advantages over benzodiazepines.

In vitro pharmacology of ICI 198,615: a novel, potent and selective peptide leukotriene antagonist

ICI 198,615 is a representative compound from a new class of peptide leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonists. In isolated guinea pig trachea and parenchymal lung strips, ICI 198,615 demonstrated competitive antagonism of the contractile activity of LTD4 and LTE4 with pA2 values of 10.1 to 9.5, respectively. The compound also appeared to antagonize the contractile activity of LTC4 in guinea pig trachea; however, in the presence of an inhibitor of the metabolism of LTC4 to LTD4, ICI 198, 615 provided a pKB value of 5.3, indicating weak antagonism at the LTC4 receptor. ICI 198,615 was also a potent antagonist of LTC4 and LTD4 in isolated human bronchi and pulmonary veins with pKa values of 9.75 +/- 0.32 to 9.20 +/- 0.24, respectively. When evaluated for activity on a broad variety of non-LT receptors, the compound displayed a minimal selectivity of 6310 and a maximal selectivity of greater than 125,000 for the LTE4 receptor. These in vitro studies indicate that ICI 198,615 is the most potent and selective peptide LT receptor antagonist described to date.

In vivo pharmacology of ICI 198,615: a novel, potent and selective peptide leukotriene antagonist

The in vivo pharmacology of ICI 198,615, a highly potent and selective peptide leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist, is described. In a conscious guinea pig model, ICI 198,615 provided dose-related antagonism of aerosol LTD4-induced dyspnea when administered p.o., i.v. or by aerosol. The pharmacologic half-lives of ICI 198,615 by these routes of administration were greater than 16 hr, 68 min and 34 min, respectively. In pulmonary mechanics studies in which the effects of i.v. or aerosol administration of LTC4 and LTD4 on pulmonary resistance (Rp) or dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) could be quantitated, ICI 198,615 provided dose-related antagonism when administered p.o., i.d, i.v. or by aerosol. The compound also antagonized LTE4-induced changes in Rp and Cdyn when administered i.v. ICI 198,615 reversed the effect of LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 on Rp, as well as the effect of LTC4 and LTE4 on Cdyn. The compound was less able to reverse the effect of LTD4 on Cdyn. These results indicate that ICI 198,615 possesses an in vivo profile which is consonant with utility in the treatment of allergic diseases.

ICI 147,798: a novel diuretic agent with beta adrenoceptor blocking activity

ICI 147,798 is a novel compound which has both diuretic and beta adrenoceptor blocking properties in a single molecule. The natriuretic activity at 30 mg/kg p.o. was about 65% of the hydrochlorothiazide value at 10 mg/kg p.o. in saline-loaded rats; the corresponding kaliuretic activity was 42%. The natriuretic and the kaliuretic activity of ICI 147,798 in dogs were similar to that of hydrochlorothiazide over the doses 1 to 20 mg/kg p.o., although significantly less kaliuresis was obtained with ICI 147,798 at 1 mg/kg p.o. In the toad bladder preparation (analogous to the distal mammalian nephron), ICI 147,798 inhibited Na+ transport with mucosal and serosal IC50 values of 56 and 120 microM, respectively. ICI 147,798 inhibited isoproterenol-induced tachycardia in rats, cats, guinea pigs and dogs; these effects were associated with antagonism of isoproterenol vasodepressor responses. The pKB values of ICI 147,798 were 9.1 and 8.8 in isolated right atria and trachea of guinea pigs, respectively. ICI 147,798 did not exhibit local anesthetic activity in rabbit cornea and intrinsic sympathomimetic activity in catecholamine-depleted dogs and rats. Duration of beta blockade after a p.o. dose of 1 mg/kg in dogs followed the sequence: nadolol greater than ICI 147,798 greater than atenolol greater than timolol greater than propranolol. It is concluded that ICI 147,798 is a novel diuretic agent with nonselective beta blockade, and it appears to have the potential of a direct tubular action.

Pharmacology of aerosol leukotriene C4- and D4-induced alteration of pulmonary mechanics in anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys

Aerosol administration of solutions of 900 micrograms/ml of leukotriene C4 (LT) or D4 to cynomolgus monkeys produced dose-dependent, equipotent increases in pulmonary resistance (Rp) and decreases in dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn). Time to peak response was, in part, related to dose and ranged from 4 to 20 min. Both LTC4 and LTD4 were less potent than histamine. Aerosol pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin had no significant effect on either LTC4 or LTD4 dose-response curves; however, at the highest doses of these agonists a notable, nonsignificant inhibition of effects on both Rp and Cdyn was seen. Intravenous dl-propranolol had no effect on responses to LTD4. Aerosol pretreatment with FPL 55712 significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited airway responses to both LTC4 and D4. In contrast, an intravenous infusion of FPL 55712 failed to block the bronchospastic activity of LTD4. In conclusion, cynomolgus monkeys are responsive to aerosol administration of LTC4 and LTD4, and the pharmacology of their responses appears to resemble that of man.

Genetic studies of leucine transport in mammalian cells

We have taken two approaches to the study of the genetics of leucine transport in mammalian cells. First, from a mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell line that has a temperature-sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase, we isolated temperature-resistant revertants with increased leucine transport activity. This transport elevation is reflected by increased Vmax values of leucine uptake and unchanged Km values of uptake. The temperature resistance in each revertant appears to result from the increased transport and not from any change in the leucyl-tRNA synthetase. We conclude that in each revertant there is a stable derepression of amino acid transport system L. In a second approach, we started with a Chinese hamster-human hybrid strain formed by the fusion of a temperature-sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutant hamster cell line and normal human leukocytes. From this temperature-sensitive hybrid strain we selected temperature-resistant hybrids, one class of which we found to have greatly elevated leucine transport activity. We have allowed human chromosomes to segregate from these high-transport hybrids, promoted by the presence of low concentrations of colcemid. The loss of the high-transport phenotype coincides with the loss of a single small human chromosome, which we are attempting to identify by using G-11 and G-banding staining techniques.

Physiological consequences of beta-adrenoceptor desensitization in guinea pigs

The effects of repetitive doses of beta-adrenoceptor stimulants on the resting tone and responsiveness of bronchopulmonary smooth muscle were studied in guinea pigs. Collapse time was used to assess bronchospasm in conscious animals while resistance and compliance measurements were used in the anesthetized guinea pigs. Repetitive administration of either isoproterenol or salbutamol, at effective bronchodilator doses, caused an exacerbation of the histamine-induced bronchospasm in the presence or absence of anesthesia. Repetitive administration of either prostaglandin E1, 20 micrograms/kg i.m., or aminophylline, 400 micrograms/kg i.m. did not enhance histamine-induced bronchospasm. Furthermore, in guinea pigs preselected for lack of histamine sensitivity, treatment with salbutamol caused a decrease in both dynamic compliance values and peak expiratory flow rate as well as an increase in resistance values. Trachea removed from guinea pigs treated with isoproterenol or salbutamol retained normal responsiveness to histamine and dibutyryl cAMP while the responsiveness to isoproterenol was reduced. These studies indicate that repetitive administration of beta-adrenoceptor stimulants can produce a specific desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors in pulmonary tissue and an alteration of resting baseline values of pulmonary mechanics measurements.

Heterogeneity of leukotriene receptors in guinea-pig trachea

The selective leukotriene (LT) antagonist FPL 55712 antagonized the contractile activity of synthetic LTD4 and E4 on guinea-pig trachea. Schild analysis of the antagonism provided evidence for two distinct receptors for LTD4: one with significantly higher affinity for FPL 55712 than the other. LTE4 appears to interact preferentially with the high affinity receptor.

Maternal inheritance of human mitochondrial DNA

Human mitochondrial DNA was obtained from peripheral blood platelets donated by the members of several independent families. The samples were screened for nucleotide sequence polymorphisms between individuals within these families. In each family in which we were able to detect a distinctly different restriction endonuclease cleavage pattern between the parents, the progeny exhibited the maternal cleavage pattern. Informative polymorphisms were detected for Hae II (PuGCGCPy) in a three-generation family composed of 33 members, for HincII (GTPyPuAC) in a two-generation family composed of four members, and for Hae III(GGCC) in a two-generation family composed of four members. The Hae II polymorphism was analyzed through all three generations in both the maternal and paternal lines. The results of this study demonstrate that human mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited. The techniques described for using peripheral blood platelets as a source of human mitochondrial DNA represent a convenient way to obtain data on mitochondrial DNA variation in both individuals and populations.

Assignment of a human genetic locus to chromosome 5 which corrects the heat sensitive lesion associated with reduced leucyl-tRNA synthetase activity in ts025Cl Chinese hamster cells

A heat-sensitive (hs) leucyl-tRNA synthetase (leuRS) deficient CHO mutant, ts025Cl, was fused with human leukocytes and hybrids isolated in HAT medium at the nonpermissive temperature. Nineteen heat-resistant (hr) and 14 hs subclones were isolated from four independent primary hybrids and tested for the expression of 24 human isozymes which have been assigned to 17 human chromosomes. Four hr independent subclones and three hs independent subclones were analyzed for the presence of human chromosomes. A pattern of concordant segregation was noted for the hr phenotype, human hexosaminidase B (EC 3.2.1.30) and human chromosome 5. Based on these results, we have defined the human genetic locus which corrects the heat-sensitive lesion in ts025Cl as hr025Cl and have assigned this locus to human chromosome 5. Two hr hybrids exhibited leuRS activity 2.5 and 4 times the leuRS activity of ts025Cl but a wild-type level of activity was not restored. One hs hybrid had only 73% of the leuRS activity exhibited by ts025Cl while another hs hybrid had 1.8 times the leuRS activity of ts025Cl.

Characterization of mitochondrial DNA in chloramphenicol-resistant interspecific hybrids and a cybrid

We have examined the restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns exhibited by the mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNA) of four chloramphenicol-resistant (CAPR) human x mouse hybrids and one CAPR cybrid derived from CAPR HeLa cells and CAPS mouse RAG cells. Restriction fragments of mtDNAs were separated by electrophoresis and transferred by the Southern technique to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper. The covalently bound DNA fragments were hybridized initially with 32P-labeled complementary RNA (cRNA) prepared from human mtDNA and, after removal of the human probe, hybridized with mouse [32P]cRNA prepared from mouse mtDNA. Three hybrids which preferentially segregated human chromosomes and the cybrid exhibited mtDNA fragments indistinguishable from mouse cells. One hybrid, ROH8A, which exhibited "reverse" chromosome segregation, contained only human mtDNA. The pattern of chromosome and mtDNA segregation observed in these hybrids and the cybrid support the hypothesis that a complete set of human chromosomes must be retained if a human-mouse hybrid is to retain human mitochondrial DNA.

X-linkage of a human genetic locus that corrects the DNA synthesis lesion in tsC1AGOH mouse cells

GM 126 diploid fibroblasts were fused with a heat-sensitive mouse cell mutant defective in DNA synthesis, and primary hybrids were selected at permissive and nonpermissive temperatures in HAT medium. Primary hybrids, primary hybrid clones back-selected in 8-azaguanine at the permissive temperature, and subclones of heat-resistant primary hybrids isolated under nonselective conditions or after 8-azaguanine treatment were tested for heat sensitivity, the expression of 26 human enzymes assigned to 19 different human chromosomes, and the presence of human chromosomes. Only the human X chromosome and X-linked marker enzymes exhibited a clear pattern of concordant segregation with the heat-resistant phenotype. On the basis of these observations, we have defined the human genetic locus that corrects the heat-sensitive lesion in tsC1AGOH as hrC1AGOH and have assigned this locus to the X chromosome. This observation provides the first instance where two selectable markers (heat resistance and 8-azaguanine sensitivity) are found on a single human chromosome and suggests that these markers may prove to be a valuable push-pull selective system of use in determining the linear arrangement of genes on human chromosomes by somatic cell genetics.

Pharmacologic studies on W10,294A, a new bronchodilator

W10,294A (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8,9-dimethoxy-3(2-piperidinoethyl)-5H-[1] benzopyrano [3,4-c] pyridin-5-one dihydrochloride) is a potent antagonist of the bronchoconstriction induced by histamine, methacholine or acetylcholine. In vitro evaluation on guinea pig trachea indicated that W10,294A had both direct smooth muscle relaxant activity and modest antihistaminic properties. Resistance and dynamic compliance measurements in anesthetized dogs indicated that W10,294A prevented or reversed bronchoconstriction due to histamine or pilocapine. Bronchodilator activity of long duration was observed in dogs after oral administration. W10,294A was compared with aminophylline in several tests. W10,294A was 6 times more potent than aminophylline in relaxing isolated guinea-pig trachea. In the anesthetized dog W10,294A was more potent and longer acting than aminophylline in reversing pilocarpine-induced bronchospasm. The bronchodilator activity of W10,294A was not blocked by the beta adrenoceptor antagonist bunolol. Comparative studies in dogs and guinea pigs, using identical doses, showed that W10,294A had considerably less effect on the cardiovascular system than did aminophylline.

Somatic cell genetic assignment of the human gene for mitochondrial NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase to the long arm of chromosome 15

A double-immunodiffusion method has been developed to detect human mitochondrial NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.42; designated as IDH-2) using rabbit antiserum against the relevant enzyme. The method allows one to distinguish human IDH-2 from its mouse counterpart in extracts from human-mouse somatic cell hybrids. A correlation was found between the expression of human IDH-2 and the presence of human chromosome 15 in a "panel" of eight independent hybrid clones. Analysis of human marker enzymes for 37 different clones revealed a syntenic relationship between IDH-2 and mannose phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.8; MPI), which has been assigned to chromosome 15 (1). These results permit the assignment of the structural gene for human IDH-2 to human chromosome 15. IDH-2 and human cytoplasmic IDH (IDH-1) were found to be asyntenic. Evidence from hybrid clones carrying a human X/15 translocation chromosome indicates that the human IDH-2 gene can be localized to the q11-qter region of chromosome 15.