A sensitive peroxidase staining immunoblotting method for measuring total protein S in human plasma

In plasma, protein S is found in its free form and as a complex with C4b-binding protein. After 125I-protein S was added to normal human plasma and applied to SDS-8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the autoradiogram of the gel showed only one single band at free protein S position. Applying this evidence, we have developed a peroxidase staining Western Blotting method to quantitate total protein S in human plasma which consists of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by blotting to nitrocellulose membrane and a sensitive avidin-biotinylated peroxidase staining method (ABC technique). The measurement of protein S by the immunoblotting was reproducible and the coefficient of variation was 7%. As little as 1 ng of protein S could be detected. C4b-binding protein did not affect the measurement of protein S. Compared to other immunoassays, this peroxidase staining immunoblotting method has the advantage of directly estimating the apparent molecular weight of protein of interest, eliminating nonspecific stain and having high sensitivity without using radioisotope.

Biosynthesis of curdlan from culture media containing 13C-labeled glucose as the carbon source

13C-Labeled curdlans were biosynthesized by Agrobacterium sp. (ATCC 31749) from culture media containing D-(1-13C)glucose, D-(6-13C)glucose, or D-(2-13C)glucose as the carbon source, and their structures were analyzed by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The labeling was mainly found in the original position, that is, C-1, C-6, or C-2, indicating direct polymerization of introduced glucose. In addition, C-3 in curdlan obtained from D-(1-13C)glucose, C-1 in curdlan obtained from D-(6-13C)glucose, and C-1 and C-3 in curdlan obtained from D-(2-13)glucose were labeled. From analysis of this labeling, the biosynthesis of curdlan was interpreted as involving five routes: (1) direct synthesis from glucose; (2) rearrangement (1-13C-->3-13C); and (3) isomerization (6-13C-->1-13C) of cleaved trioses by the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, followed by neogenesis of glucose and formation of curdlan; (4) from fructose 6-phosphate formed in the pentose cycle (2-13C-->1-13C, 3-13C); and (5) neogenesis of glucose from fragments produced in various pathways of glycolysis. The 13C-labeling at C-6 and C-2 in the starting glucoses is well preserved in the C-6 carbon and the C-1 to C-3 carbons, respectively, in the curdlan produced.

A new synthetic hypoglycaemic polysaccharide

The synthetic (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranan with branching and without branching were tested as a new hypoglycaemic drug. (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranan having an alpha-D-glucopyranosyl branch at the C-3 position (1) showed a remarkable hypoglycaemic activity on i.p. injection to mice. The polysaccharide having both alpha- and beta-glucopyranosyl branches (2) also lowered the blood sugar (glucose) level in mice. On the other hand, the synthetic linear (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranan (3) and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl branched polysaccharide (4) did not have a hypoglycaemic function, indicating that the branching glucose units are essential for the biological activity.

The effect of low-density lipoprotein apheresis on plasma thrombomodulating factors

The authors have investigated the effects of double-membrane filtration with hollow fiber membranes made of different artificial materials and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-adsorbent dextran sulfate cellulose (DS) columns on coagulation-related proteins and complement components to evaluate their hemocompatibility. All membrane filters showed similar sieving effects, which depended upon the molecular weights of the proteins. In the double-membrane filtration system, free protein S, protein C, antithrombin III, and alpha 1-antitrypsin were returned to the intracorporeal circulation, whereas alpha 2-macroglobulin and fibrinogen were almost completely removed from the circulation; C4b-binding protein (C4BP)-protein S complexes were also trapped by the second membrane, and in some instances were even blocked by the first membrane, if it was made of material that activated the classic pathway of the complement system. The DS column adsorbed C4BP-protein S complex, but free protein S was almost completely recovered in the eluate.

[Clinical evaluation of treatment for prosthetic valve endocarditis and analysis of factors affecting outcome of surgical therapy]

We analyzed the outcome for 18 patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) treated between 1965 and 1990, 17 of whom had undergone valve replacement with mechanical prosthetic valves and one of whom had a bioprosthesis. Two patients developed infection within 60 days after surgery, and 16 thereafter. Fifteen patients received combined medical and surgical therapy and three medical therapy. In 14 patients, surgery had been performed during active infection. Mortality rate of those who had received combined medical and surgical therapy was 27%, and that of those who had received medical therapy was 67%. At operation, para-annular abscess was around the mitral prosthesis was found in three patients and around the aortic prosthesis in eight. Seven patients required reoperation for postoperative paravalvular leakage, in six, para-annular abscess had been found at the operation for PVE, and in one para-annular abscess had been noted. One patient who had undergone reoperation had developed reinfection after the first surgery and died due to multiple organ failure after the second operation (Danielson's translocation technique). In one patient who had complete loss of supporting tissue because of severe para-annular abscess, we had performed aortic valve replacement by implanting the aortic valve prosthesis into the left ventricle with Dacron felt-supported sutures placed in the mitral annulus and the muscles of the left ventricular outflow tract. This patient showed no postoperative infection or no paravalvular leakage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Surgical repair of ischemic mitral regurgitation]

We studied surgical results of 14 cases of ischemic mitral regurgitation. There was no surgical death in 10 cases with left ventricular aneurysm, and their clinical symptoms improved except 3 with the combined operation of left ventricular aneurysmectomy, mitral annuloplasty and bypass grafting. The range of the abnormal contracting segment significantly decreased after surgery except in 3 cases in whom clinical status was not improved. Three of 4 cases which underwent bypass grafting and mitral annulo-valvuloplasty survived, but one of them died of graft-versus-host disease. In the three survived cases, severe mitral regurgitation disappeared. We have concluded as follows: In cases of left ventricular aneurysm, a sufficient aneurysmal resection is very important to control the mitral regurgitation, and the additional procedures of mitral annuloplasty and bypass grafting are essential. The mitral valve replacement is recommended in case of the complete disruption of the papillary muscle. Mitral valvuloplasty combined with annuloplasty is suitable to control the regurgitation in the regional mitral prolapse due to the torn chordae.

A strong inhibition of HIV-induced cytopathic effects by synthetic (1----6)-alpha-D-mannopyranan sulfate

The anti-HIV effects of mannopyranan sulfate (1) were investigated by using MT-4 cells, namely, an HTLV-I-carrying CD-4 positive cell-line, in vitro. Stereoregular (1----6)-alpha-D-mannopyranan, which had been synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of a 1,6-anhydromannose derivative, was sulfated with piperidine-N-sulfonic acid to provide 1. N.m.r. analysis of 1 indicated that the reactivity of hydroxyl groups was in the order, 3-OH greater than 2-OH much greater than 4-OH. Mannopyranan sulfate having degree of substitution (d.s.) of 1.19-1.83 effectively inhibited HIV-induced cytopathic effects at a concentration of greater than 3.3 micrograms/mL. The anticoagulant activity and the adsorption on concanavalin A of 1 indicated the possibility of selective binding of 1 having d.s. of 1.19-1.83 to HIV-protein.

Retarded nuclear migration in Drosophila embryos with aberrant F-actin reorganization caused by maternal mutations and by cytochalasin treatment

Three X-linked mutations of Drosophila melanogaster, gs(1)N26, gs(1)N441 and paralog, had a common maternal-effect phenotype. Mutant embryos show reduced egg contraction that normally occurs at an early cleavage stage in wild-type embryos. In addition, the mutants exhibited retarded nuclear migration while synchronous nuclear divisions were unaffected. The retarded migration causes nuclei to remain in the anterior part of the embryo retaining their spherical distribution even in a late cleavage stage. This consequently results in an extreme delay in nuclear arrival in the posterior periplasm. A mutant phenocopy was induced in wild-type embryos that were treated with cytochalasin B or D at a very early cleavage stage. Remarkable differences were noticed in the organization of cortical F-actin between the mutants and the wild type throughout the cleavage stage: obvious F-actin aggregates were dispersed in the cortex of mutant embryos, in contrast to the wild type where the cortical F-actin layer was smooth and underlying F-actin aggregates were smaller than those in the mutants; the transition of the distribution pattern of F-actin in the yolk mass, from the centralized to the fragmented type, occurred later in the mutants than in wild type. The results suggest that these mutations affect the mechanism underlying establishment and transition of F-actin organization required for normal egg contraction and nuclear migration in the cleavage embryos.

Synthesis of a new inhibitor of the UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide galactosaminyl transferase

Reaction of UDP-glucose with 1-hexadecanesulfonyl chloride (C16H33SO2Cl) in pyridine gave a new inhibitor of O-glycosylation. This reaction product was purified by TLC and shown by 1H-NMR and by chemical analysis of phosphorus to be uridine 5'-phosphoric (1-hexadecanesulfonic) anhydride. This compound was tested against the GalNAc transferase. The UMP-hexadecanesulfonic-anhydride did inhibit this enzyme with 50% inhibition requiring 160 microM. The inhibition with respect to UDP-GalNAc concentration was of the competitive type. We also synthesized the UMP-1-octanesulfonic anhydride (C8) and the UMP-butanesulfonic anhydride (C4) to see way effect fatty acid had on activity. The inhibition was in the order C16:C8:C4.

[A case of nephrotic syndrome with abnormally high level of protein C induced by prednisolone]

Adrenocortical hormones have been used for nephrotic syndrome from 1950. But effects of these drugs in coagulation and fibrinolysis are unknown in detail. We studied the effect of prednisolone in a patient with nephrotic syndrome. Protein C increased remarkably after administration of prednisolone 40 mg/day and then decreased in parallel with the dose of prednisolone. Factor X increased more slowly than Protein C. On the other hand, we couldn't find increase of Protein S. Our results indicate that prednisolone have anticoagulant effect by promotion of production of Protein C.

Purification to homogeneity and properties of glucosidase II from mung bean seedlings and suspension-cultured soybean cells

Glucosidase II was purified approximately 1700-fold to homogeneity from Triton X-100 extracts of mung bean microsomes. A single band with a molecular mass of 110 kDa was seen on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. This band was susceptible to digestion by endoglucosaminidase H or peptide glycosidase F, and the change in mobility of the treated protein indicated the loss of one or two oligosaccharide chains. By gel filtration, the native enzyme was estimated to have a molecular mass of about 220 kDa, suggesting it was composed of two identical subunits. Glucosidase II showed a broad pH optima between 6.8 and 7.5 with reasonable activity even at 8.5, but there was almost no activity below pH 6.0. The purified enzyme could use p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside as a substrate but was also active with a number of glucose-containing high-mannose oligosaccharides. Glc2Man9GlcNAc was the best substrate while activity was significantly reduced when several mannose residues were removed, i.e. Glc2Man7-GlcNAc. The rate of activity was lowest with Glc1Man9GlcNAc, demonstrating that the innermost glucose is released the slowest. Evidence that the enzyme is specific for alpha 1,3-glucosidic linkages is shown by the fact that its activity on Glc2Man9GlcNAc was inhibited by nigerose, an alpha 1,3-linked glucose disaccharide, but not by alpha 1,2 (kojibiose)-, alpha 1,4(maltose)-, or alpha 1,6 (isomaltose)-linked glucose disaccharides. Glucosidase II was strongly inhibited by the glucosidase processing inhibitors deoxynojirimycin and 2,6-dideoxy-2,6-imino-7-O-(beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-D-glycero-L-guloheptitol, but less strongly by castanospermine and not at all by australine. Polyclonal antibodies prepared against the mung bean glucosidase II reacted with a 95-kDa protein from suspension-cultured soybean cells that also showed glucosidase II activity. Soybean cells were labeled with either [2-3H]mannose or [6-3H]galactose, and the glucosidase II was isolated by immunoprecipitation. Essentially all of the radioactive mannose was released from the protein by treatment with endoglucosaminidase H. The labeled oligosaccharide(s) released by endoglucosaminidase H was isolated and characterized by gel filtration and by treatment with various enzymes. The major oligosaccharide chain on the soybean glucosidase II appeared to be a Man9(GlcNAc)2 with small amounts of Glc1Man9(GlcNAc)2.

Plant glucosidase II catalyzes a transglucosylation reaction in addition to the hydrolytic reaction

When the purified plant glucosidase II was incubated with [3H]Glc2Man9GlcNAc in the presence of glycerol and the products were analyzed by gel filtration, a large peak of radioactivity emerged just before the glucose standard. The formation of this peak was dependent on both the presence of Glc2Man9GlcNAc and the presence of glycerol, and the amount of this product increased with time of incubation and amount of glucosidase II in the incubation. When the incubation was performed with [3H]Glc2Man9GlcNAc plus [14C]glycerol, the product contained both 14C and 3H. Strong acid hydrolysis of the purified product gave rise to [14C]glycerol and [3H]glucose. Various other chemical treatments and chromatographic techniques showed that the product was glucosyl----glycerol. Since the glucose was released by alpha-glucosidase, the product must be glucosyl-alpha-glycerol. This study demonstrates that the processing glucosidase II catalyzes a trans-glycosylation reaction in the presence of acceptors like glycerol. Since this transglycosylation reaction may give rise to unexpected products, investigators should be aware of its possible occurrence.

Synthesis of an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Anti-HIV effects of lentinan sulfate were investigated by using an HTLV-I-carrying cell line, MT-4, in vitro. Lentinan, a fungal branched (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, was sulfated to various degrees by means of two kinds of procedures using piperidine N-sulfonic acid in dimethyl sulfoxide or chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine. Lentinan sulfate with a sulfur content of more than 13.9% effectively prevented HIV-induced cytopathic effects (CPE) at concentrations of more than 3.3 micrograms/ml. However, low-substituted lentinan sulfate did not prevent HIV-induced CPE at any concentration tested. When the countercation was 50% Na+ and 50% pyridinium ion, the inhibitory capacity was low. Anticoagulant activity of the lentinan sulfate was also assessed.

Autopsy findings in two patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Special references to apolipoprotein B localization and internalization defect of low density lipoprotein

We have experienced two autopsy cases of familial hypercholesterolemia of type IIa homozygote, one was a 21-year-old female with a defect in the internalization of low density lipoprotein which is thought to be the first autopsy report in the world, and the other was a 31-year-old male with a receptor negative for low density lipoprotein. Autopsy findings, in addition to marked skin xanthomatosis, disclosed reversed distribution of the aortic atherosclerosis, diffuse atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries which led to myocardial necrosis, xanthomatous aortic and mitral valve, and much less severity of cerebral arteries rather than that of aorto-coronary atherosclerosis. We have examined the apolipoprotein B accumulation on these aortas, coronary arteries, and cardiac valves, which showed better correlation between apolipoprotein B deposit areas and preferential accumulation of Alcian blue positive areas suggested to contain sulfate glycosaminoglycan, and documented very rare localization of renal and osseous xanthomas in a patient with internalization defect of low density lipoprotein.

Synthesis of new heparinoids with high anticoagulant activity

New heparinoids were synthesized by the chemical method starting from ring-opening polymerization of anhydro sugar derivatives. Sulfation of synthetic (1----6)-alpha-linked 3-amino-3-deoxy-D-glucopyranan and its copolymers gave dextran-type heparinoids having a sulfamide group on the C-3 carbon of the sugar unit. Heparinoids with different sulfamide contents indicated that the anticoagulant activity (35.3-41.3 units/mg) is independent of the sulfamide content, while an increase in sulfamide content lowered the toxicity. Sulfation of (1----5)-alpha-D-xylofuranan and -ribofuranan provided furanan-type heparinoids the anticoagulant activities of which were higher than those of the corresponding sulfated pyranan-type polysaccharides (1----4)-beta-D-xylopyranan and -ribopyranan. The highest activity (69.1 units/mg) was shown by sulfated (1----5)-alpha-D-xylofuranan. The dextran-type heparinoid having a sulfamide group showed a high anticoagulant activity also in vivo and high lipemia-clearing activity.

Ischemic heart disease in the WHHL rabbit: a model for myocardial injury in genetically hyperlipidemic animals

Myocardial lesions were frequently found in homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. The lesions were of two types. One consisted of a dissolution of muscle cells with inflammatory cell infiltrate. The other consisted of replacement fibrosis. The more the lumens of at least one of the three main coronary arteries were narrowed by atherosclerosis, the more the myocardial lesions occurred. The greater the number of vessels that were occluded, the more the incidence of myocardial lesions increased. From the age distribution of rabbits which died of natural causes, the average life span was estimated to be markedly shorter in homozygous WHHL rabbits than in normal rabbits. These findings suggest that WHHL rabbits suffered from ischemic heart disease, including acute myocardial infarction. Thus, this study shows that WHHL rabbits may be useful not only as a model of familial hypercholesterolemia but also for investigating the mechanisms of various clinical forms of ischemic heart disease.

Synthesis of water-soluble, branched polysaccharides having D-mannopyranose, D-arabinofuranose, or oligo-D-arabinofuranose side-chains and their antitumor activity

Branched polysaccharides having D-mannopyranose, D-arabinofuranose, or oligo-D-arabinofuranose side-chains were synthesized by the reaction of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-(1,2-O-ethylorthoacetyl)-beta-D-mannopyranose, 3,5-di-O-benzoyl-(1,2-O-ethylorthobenzoyl)-beta-D-arabinofuranose, or 3-O-benzoyl-(1,2,5-O-orthobenzoyl)-beta-D-arabinofuranose with cellulose acetate or curdlan acetate, followed by desterification. The structure and antitumor activity of the water-soluble portion of the polysaccharides thus obtained were investigated. Polysaccharides synthesized from (1----3)-beta-D-glucan as the main chain with oligo-D-arabinofuranose side-chains exhibited high antitumor activity.

Hyperlipidemia in mast cell-deficient W/WV mice

Approximately 70% of the W/WV mice lacking mast cells due to a genetic defect showed hypertriglyceridemia combined with hypercholesterolemia. Increases of various magnitudes in chylomicrons, very-low-density lipoprotein, and intermediate-density lipoprotein were observed in the plasma of W/WV mice compared to those in the plasma of congenic normal mice. The increase in these lipoproteins was seen even in normolipidemic W/WV mice. Activities of both lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase in the plasma after heparin injection were markedly lower in the W/WV mice than in the congenic normal mice, although activities of both lipoprotein lipase in the heart and adipose tissue and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase in the liver were not decreased. These results suggest that the W/WV mice have genetic defects in one or more of the following: secretion of both lipases from their synthesising cells, transport to the endothelium, and anchoring to the endothelial surface. Heparin deficiency in these mice may be responsible for the impairment and, thereby, may partially contribute to the hyperlipidemia.

Effects of degranulation of mast cells on proliferation of mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of mice

A mast-cell activator, compound 48/80, causes proliferation of mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of rats. Its effect on W/Wv mice deficient in mast cells was tested to determine whether the proliferation is mediated in the degranulation of mast cells. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine into mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of these mice with or without compound 48/80 was very small compared to their normal litter mates. However, bone marrow transplantation markedly enhanced the effect of compound 48/80, and resulted in an incorporation of [3H]thymidine almost comparable to that observed in normal mice. Our results provide evidence that mesenchymal cell proliferation is caused by a product secreted by mast cells when stimulated by compound 48/80.

Polymyositis associated with dissecting aneurysm of arteries and intracerebral hemorrhage

Dissecting aneurysm and stroke are a rare complication of polymyositis. The present report describes an autopsy case of a 53-year-old woman, who suffered from polymyositis accompanied by dissecting aneurysms of right external iliac and right renal arteries, and furthermore, intracerebral hemorrhage. The latter was caused by necrotizing angiitis. The patient had no abnormal anatomical changes such as coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve or Marfan's syndrome. Atherosclerosis in the patient was mild, and cystic medial necrosis of aorta and arteries was not found. Since the patient was attacked by dissections of arteries following long-term steroid therapy, a possibility can be raised that arterial dissection was attributable to steroid treatment besides necrotizing angiitis complicating in polymyositis.

Higher susceptibility of mast-cell-deficient W/WV mutant mice to brain thromboembolism and mortality caused by intravenous injection of India ink

(WB X C57BL/6)F1-W/WV mice possess a genetic defect in multipotential hematopoietic stem cells; the mice are anemic and lack mast cells. The authors injected diluted India ink intravenously into W/WV mice and congenic normal +/+ mice and searched for genetically determined differences in the development of complications of the injection. In both W/WV and +/+ mice, intravenous ink resulted in thrombocytopenia and markedly prolonged bleeding times, as well as prolonged partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times and reduced fibrinogen concentrations. These effects were similar in W/WV and +/+ mice, although the reduction in platelet counts was greater in W/WV mice. In addition, the mortality associated with ink injection was significantly higher in W/WV mice than in congenic +/+ mice. Most W/WV mice which died first exhibited paralysis, and examination under the dissection microscope revealed that ink injection resulted in significantly more cerebral thromboemboli in W/WV mice than in +/+ controls. Bone marrow transplantation from +/+ mice corrected both the mast cell deficiency and the anemia of W/WV mice and protected the W/WV recipients from the adverse consequences of ink injection. By contrast, +/+ mice rendered as anemic as W/WV mice by breeding did not exhibit increased morbidity and mortality after ink injection. (WC X C57BL/6)F1-Sl/Sld mice, which are anemic and lack mast cells because of a genetic defect different from that of W/WV mice, also exhibited increased morbidity and mortality after intravenous ink. Finally, mixture of ink with commercial heparin prior to intravenous injection markedly reduced the incidence of cerebral thromboembolism and death in W/WV mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that the increased morbidity and mortality exhibited by W/WV and Sl/Sld mice that received injected ink might be related to their mast cell deficiency rather than to their anemia. But measurement of the histamine content of the blood and various tissues of WBB6F1-+/+ mice injected with ink, and examination of their tissues in 1-mu sections, indicated that intravenous ink did not cause substantial mast cell degranulation. As a result, the possibility that mast cells protect +/+ mice from the adverse effects of intravenous ink by a mechanism other than degranulation and release of heparin, or that the differences in the response of W/WV or Sl/Sld mice and their +/+ littermates are due to defects other than their lack of mast cells, cannot be excluded.

Thrombus formation by the application of thrombin to the outer surface of mouse mesenteric vein: comparison with the application of ADP

Mesenteries of mice under anesthesia were stretched over an inverted microscope. A micropipette filled with solution containing various concentrations of ADP or thrombin was brought into contact with the outside of a mesenteric vein by micromanipulation, and then poured over the outer surface of the vein. Morphological characteristics of the thrombi and the time needed for thrombus formation were examined. Application of either thrombin or ADP to the adventitia of mesenteric veins caused thrombus formation. Although thrombi by application of ADP seemed to be anchored by direct adhesion of platelets to the exposed subendothelium, thrombi by application of thrombin seemed to be anchored by deposited fibrin.

Expression in E. coli of finger-domain lacking tissue-type plasminogen activator with high fibrin affinity

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has a high affinity for fibrin and induces lysis of fibrin (fibrinolysis) on the surface of fibrin without degrading circulating fibrinogen. cDNA for t-PA which lacks the 'finger-domain' (the site for fibrin affinity) was isolated from Detroit 562 cells. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed a lack of the sequences which code for the finger-domain. A plasmid (pDPAT 1) containing the Escherichia coli tac promoter/operator and the cDNA sequence coding for 'finger-domain lacking t-PA' was constructed for expression in E. Coli. The polypeptide so produced was a new type of t-PA lacking finger-domain, but revealed plasminogen activator activity with the function of fibrin affinity.

Cerebro-spinal infarction caused by atheromatous emboli

Cholesterol embolization to the abdominal viscera is common, but rare in the central nervous system. Fourteen cases of atheromatous embolization to the central nervous system were morphologically investigated. Among the 800 consecutive autopsy cases, 38 cases had atheromatous emboli in various organs. Cerebro-spinal infarction caused by atheromatous emboli was found in 11 cases. Infarction rate (11/14) was relatively higher than in other organs and 5 of these cases were thought to be due to direct injury to the erosive surface of the aorta; cardiac catheterization (2 cases), intra-aortic balloon pumping (2 cases), and extra-anatomical bypass graft operation (1 case). These 14 patients consisted of elderly patients (70.1 +/- 6.3 years old) usually associated with hypertension (78.6%) and diabetes mellitus (42.8%). Anatomically, aortic aneurysms were seen in 10 cases (71.4%), in which aortic arch aneurysm was seen in 6 cases. Hence, aortic mechanical procedure is of great importance for denuding atheromatous materials from erosive atherosclerosis to the central nervous system.

Three autopsy cases of progression to left ventricular dilatation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The hearts of three cases of congestive heart failure with dilated left ventricles developing in patients with symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were morphologically investigated. The results showed that disproportionate hypertrophy and dilatation of the left ventricles, accompanied by massive fibrosis and myocardial disarray, were present in the three patients. The mean percent area of fibrosis of the left ventricle was 34.7% and 47.4% at the upper third and lower third levels, respectively, and was much more frequently associated with disarray (84.4 +/- 12.3%). Moreover, the fibrosis was most extensive in the lateral wall of the left ventricle, followed by the posterior, anterior, and interventricular walls. The fibrosis was also diffuse regardless of the subendocardial or subepicardial region of the heart. The findings in the present study suggest that the disarray in this particular series of HCM might be responsible for the mechanism of the fibrosis leading to dilatation of the left ventricle.

Specific sorbent of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins for plasmapheresis. Characterization and experimental use in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Dextran sulfate was covalently bound to cellulose beads (LA01) and used as the specific sorbent of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. The binding profiles of very low density, low density, and high density lipoproteins to the material were consistent with simple Langmuir adsorption isotherms. Although the affinities of all lipoproteins for the sorbent were roughly similar, the surface area available for high density lipoprotein binding was much smaller than that for very low and low density lipoproteins (29, 927, and 1934 m2/liter of swollen beads, respectively). When human plasma was passed through a sorbent column, very low and low density lipoproteins were selectively adsorbed, while almost all the high density lipoproteins were recovered from the column together with the other major plasma components. An extracorporeal circulation system with this sorbent was used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (diet-induced and homozygous WHHL). With a 25 ml sorbent column, very low and low density lipoproteins were selectively removed from rabbit plasma, resulting in a reduction of plasma cholesterol concentration by 300 mg/dl.

Trisomy 16q13----qter in a infant from a t(11;16)(q25;q13) translocation-carrier father

A female infant with 16q trisomy resulting from a paternally inherited balanced translocation is described and compared with five previously reported cases. All the babies were of low birth weight and expired within 1 year, with only one exception. Necropsy of the present case revealed atrial septal defect, single left lobe of the lung, anomalous lobulation of the liver, agenesis of the gall bladder, and anovestibular fistula.

Deciduoma formation in uterus of genetically mast cell-deficient W/Wv mice

The role of mast cells in deciduoma formation in the uterus of mice was investigated by using genetically mast cell-deficient (WB x C57BL/6)F1-W/Wv (hereafter called WBB6F1-W/Wv) mice. Deciduoma formation occurred in castrated WBB6F1-W/Wv mice after estradiol-progesterone injection and traumatization in spite of their deficiency of mast cells. Injection of diphenhydramine, which blocks histamine receptors, inhibited deciduoma formation in WBB6F1-W/Wv mice as well as in congenic +/+ mice. THe uterus of WBB6F1-W/Wv mice contained about 10% of the amount of histamine found in the uterus of +/+ mice. These results suggest that mast cells are not essential for formation of deciduomata and that histamine originating from sources other than mast cells may be important in deciduoma formation.

Distribution of mast-cell precursors in hematopoeitic and lymphopoietic tissues of mice

Two experimental systems were used to investigate the origin of precursor cells which differentiate into tissue mast cells in vivo. (a) Increase of mast cell number was examined in the skin, stomach, cecum, and mesentery of genetically mast cell-depleted WBB6F1 (WB X C57BL/6)-W/WV mice after the injection of various hematolymphoid cells of congenic +/+ mice. (b) Appearance of mast cells with giant granules was studied in irradiated C57BL/6-+/+ mice after the injection of lymphoid cells of C57BL/6-bgJ/bgJ (beige, Chediak-Higashi syndrome) mice. Concentrations of mast cell precursors in the thymus, lymph node and Peyer's patch were less than 0.1% of the concentration in the bone marrow. Neither treatment of donor bone marrow cells with anti-Thy-1.2 serum and complement nor thymectomy of the recipient mice affects the development of mast cells in the skin, stomach, cecum, and mesentery. Moreover, the number of mast cells increased to normal level when the skin of WBB6F1-W/WV mice was grafted on the back of nude athymic (BALB/c-nu/nu) mice. These results indicate that mast cell precursors are derived from hematopoietic tissues rather than lymphopoetic ones and that the differentiation of the precursor cells does not depend on T lymphocytes or the thymus.

Clonal nature of mast-cell clusters formed in W/Wv mice after bone marrow transplantation

We have recently found that the number of mast cells in the skin of adult W/Wv mice is less than 1% of that observed in congeneic +/+ mice, and that no mast cells are detected in other tissues of W/Wv mice. After the transplantation of bone marrow cells from congeneic +/+ mice, the number of mast cells in the skin, stomach, caecum and mesentery of the W/Wv mice increased to levels similar to those of the +/+ mice. Study of the mast-cell number in the W/Wv mice at various times after transplantation suggested to use that mast cells might develop in groups, particularly in the skin and mesentery. In this report, we have attempted to elucidate the possible clonal origin of such mast-cell clusters from a single precursor cell, using giant granules of beige (C57BL/6-bgJ/bgJ, Chediak-Higashi syndrome) mice as a marker to identify the origin of the mast cells (Fig. 1). We found that when WB-W/+xC57BL/6-Wv (WBB6F1)-W/Wv mice were injected with a mixture of bone marrow cells from beige C57BL/6 mice and normal C57BL/6 mice, more than 95% of mast-cell clusters consisted of either beige-type cells alone or normal-type cells alone. We conclude, therefore, that the cluster of mast cells originated from a single precursor cell.

Presence of mast cell precursors in peripheral blood of mice demonstrated by parabiosis

The presence of mast cell precursors in peripheral blood was examined. The beige C57BL/6 (bgj/bgj, Chediak-Higashi syndrome) mouse was parabiosed with the normal C57BL/6 mouse. Mast cells containing giant granules and originating in the beige partner appeared in the normal parabiont. A comparable proportion of normal-mouse-type mast cells developed in the beige parabiont as well. In spite of the low radiosensitivity of mature mast cells, irradiation of the normal parabiont reduced the proportion of normal-mouse-type mast cells appearing in the beige partner. It was concluded, therefore, that the precursors of mast cells can migrate through the bloodstream.

Local development of mast cells from bone marrow-derived precursors in the skin of mice

A mechanism to control development of mast cells was investigated in mice. Although mast cells in the skin of normal C57BL/6 mice were still of host type 290 days after irradiation and injection of bone marrow cells from beige (Chediak-Higashi syndrome, C57BL/6 bgJ/bgJ) mice, donor-type mast cells with giant granules appeared after painting of methylcholanthrene on the dorsal skin. Since donor-type mast cells appeared only at the painted portion of the skin, with an increase in the labeling index of such donor-type mast cells with 3H-thymidine, proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow-derived precursors of mast cells seem to be controlled locally. Although the morphologic feature of marrow-derived precursors was not identified, the finding that all fibroblasts cultured from the methylcholanthrene-treated skin were of host type may exclude the possibility that fibroblasts are the precursors of mast cells.

Decrease of mast cells in W/Wv mice and their increase by bone marrow transplantation

Production of tissue mast cells was evaluated in genetically anemic mice of W/Wv genotype and was found to be abnormal. In the skin of adult W/Wv mice the number of mast cells/cm was less than 1% of the number observed in the congeneic +/+ mice. No mast cells were detectable in other tissues of the W/Wv mice. After transplantation of bone marrow cells from +/+ mice the number of mast cells in the skin, stomach, caecum, and mesentery of the W/Wv mice increased to levels similar to those of the +/+ mice. These results show that the W/Wv mouse is a useful tool for the investigations concerning the physiologic roles and the origin of mast cells.