[Amino acid analysis of retinal S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein]

Retinal S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were purified by DEAE-Sephacel ionexchange chromatography and Con A Sepharose affinity chromatography. Amino acid analysis of the S-antigen and IRBP was carried out and compared with that presented by others. The possible reason for difference with regard to some amino acids and related problems were analyzed and discussed.

[Malonaldehyde, superoxide dismutase and human cataract]

UV-spectrophotometry and fluorometry were used to study Malonaldehyde (MDA) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in normal, cataractous human lenses and red blood cells of the patients with cataract. MDA content of senile and complicated cataractous lenses was significantly higher than that of normal human lenses, while that of complicated cataract was significantly higher than that of senile cataract. SOD activity of senile and complicated cataractous lenses was significantly lower than that of normal human lenses, while there was no marked difference between senile and complicated cataractous lenses. Significant correlation between cataractous lenses and red blood cells was not found in MDA content and SOD activity. There was a negative correlation between SOD and MDA in normal human lenses, but no correlation between SOD and MDA in cataractous lenses. The study shows that lipid peroxidation may be one of the possible mechanisms of cataractogenesis in human, and emphasizes the role of SOD in prevention of photoperoxidative damages to the tissues.

An immunologic study on age-related macular degeneration

Forty-one patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were detected for serum autoantibodies against normal human retinal protein by means of Western immunoblot analysis. Twenty-seven out of the 41 patients showed positive response, with a rate of 66 per cent. The positive rate of anti-retinal antibody in the AMD patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls (18%) and in patients with other retinal diseases (24%) (p < 0.0005). These antiretinal antibodies from the AMD patients partly reacted with the retinal protein of molecular weight between 28 and 32 Kd, partly with Mr of 38 to 42 Kd, 48 to 52 Kd, 62 to 65 Kd or 110 to 130 Kd. Of them, the antiretinal antibody against the protein with Mr of 28 to 32 Kd in the AMD patients was higher than in normal controls (p < 0.05). Two or more antibodies were found in the serum from AMD patients, showing a significant difference between the patients and the controls (p < 0.005). The results indicated that in the occurrence of AMD and/or during its developing process there were inflammation and immunological response, involving antibodies against retinal proteins of various molecular weight.

Role of superoxide dismutase in mechanism of diethyldithiocarbamate-induced gastric antral ulcer in rats: protective effect of prostaglandin, cimetidine and pirenzepine

The role of superoxide radicals and the protective effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD), allopurinol, 16,16-dimethyl-prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2), cimetidine and pirenzepine in diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC)-treated rats were evaluated. Pretreatment with Cu,Zn-SOD (superoxide radical scavenger) 60,000 units/kg, allopurinol (competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase) 50 mg/kg, dmPGE2 (prostaglandin analogue) 10 micrograms/kg, cimetidine (H2-receptor antagonist) 10 mg/kg or pirenzepine (selective antimuscarinic drug) 10 mg/kg all significantly reduced the DDC-induced (800 mg/kg) gastric antral ulcer formation in rats. DDC treatment substantially decreases the gastric mucosal Cu,Zn-SOD activity. In this study treatment with DDC and SOD, DDC and dmPGE2, DDC and cimetidine, and DDC and pirenzepine were demonstrated significantly to prevent the decrease of gastric mucosal Cu,Zn-SOD activity. However, allopurinol did not have this effect. The results suggest that SOD and/or superoxide radicals may play an important role in the mechanism of DDC-induced gastric antral ulcer. The protective property against ulcer formation of these drugs studied might be due to the action of SOD in the gastric mucosa.

[Effect of superoxide dismutase on experimental allergic uveitis]

In this study, experimental allergic uveitis (EAU) in guinea pigs was induced by an injection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) into the vitreous after having pre-immunized them intradermally with BSA plus incomplete Freund adjuvant, and the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on EAU was observed. The result showed that, histopathologically, the phlogistic cell infiltration and exudation within the anterior ocular part of the SOD- treated animals reduced notably. It is suggested that SOD which can scavenge the free radical superoxide anion may alleviate the cellular reaction in the pathological process of uveitis.

[Study on human gamma-crystallins: IV. Photooxidation of fetal gamma 2-crystallin by ultra-violet irradiation]

Human fetal gamma 2-crystallin solution was irradiated by ultra-violet (UV) (lambda 365 nm) at varying time, and analysed by light scattering, SDS-PAGE with DACM, which could specifically combine to free sulphydryl, as well as tryptophan fluorescence and its quenching with acrylamide. The results showed that light scattering of gamma 2-crystallin solution increased after 24 hour irradiation; SDS-PAGE reveled formation of dimer which did not have free sulphydryl and low molecular weight peptide of gamma 2-crystallin. The tryptophan fluorescence of gamma 2-crystallin decreased, and acrylamide fluorescence quenching effect did not show significant change. It suggested that human fetal gamma 2-crystallin photooxidized by UV could aggreate by disulfide and degrated to low molecular weight peptide, and its tryptophan were also oxidized in some degree.

The effect and mechanism of the prokinetic action of cisapride on gastrointestinal smooth muscle

Cisapride is a new prokinetic agent which can facilitate or restore motility throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. Although facilitation of acetylcholine release has been suggested, the mechanism of action of cisapride is not clear. To investigate the effect and mechanism of action of cisapride, we used isolated muscle strips (with mucosa and submucosa removed) of guinea pig antrum, ileum and colon to study: (1) the dose response to cisapride, (2) the effect of antagonists (atropine and tetrodotoxin) on the stimulatory effect of cisapride. Besides these studies, we also used 3H-acetylcholine release method to investigate the acetylcholine release effect of cisapride. Cisapride elicited a dose-related enhancement of baseline activity (motility index) on the antrum and contraction on the ileum and colon at the dose of 4, 40 and 400 nM. At higher doses (4 microM) cisapride caused inhibition. This bell-shaped dose response curve suggested that cisapride might be autoinhibitory or that the receptors of cisapride might consist of high affinity stimulatory and low affinity inhibitory sites. The stimulatory responses elicited by cisapride (400 nM) were not significantly inhibited by atropine and tetrodotoxin in the antrum, ileum and colon. This suggested that cisapride might act directly on the smooth muscle. Cisapride (400 nM) evoked a rather small increase of 3H-acetylcholine release on the antrum, ileum and colon. Because the percentage of increase was small and we had demonstrated that the stimulatory effects of cisapride were not blocked by atropine and tetrodotoxin, the acetylcholine release effect of cisapride was considered unimportant.

Use of calcium antagonist (nifedipine) in premature labour

Effectiveness of nifedipine in suppressing premature uterine activity was studied on 20 normal pregnant women who received, depending on the frequency of uterine contractions and degree of cervical dilatation, 5-10 mg nifedipine orally 8 hourly till the uterine contractions were abolished followed by 5 mg 12 hourly up to 38 weeks of gestation. Another 20 age, gravida and gestational period matched normal pregnant women received 10 mg isoxsuprine hydrochloride orally 8 hourly till the uterine contractions were abolished, followed by 10 mg 12 hourly up to 38 weeks of gestation. Successful tocolysis was observed in 85% of cases receiving nifedipine in contrast to 40% of women receiving isoxsuprine hydrochloride. The mean time from presentation to delivery and mean birth weight were 21.8 days and 2510 g respectively in isoxsuprine hydrochloride treated cases and 34.2 days and 2750 g respectively in cases treated with nifedipine. In either group there were no serious untoward effects on mother, labour and baby.

Electrophoretic karyotypes of clinical isolates of Coccidioides immitis

Chromosomes of the fungal respiratory pathogen, Coccidioides immitis, were separated by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis. Twelve isolates were examined, the majority of which showed four chromosomes with a range of molecular size from 11.5 to 3.2 Mb. Three isolates (C634, C735, and L) revealed three chromosomal bands under the conditions employed for electrophoretic separation. However, in two of these isolates (C634 and C735), four chromosomes were visible on membrane transfers of pulsed-field gels after Southern hybridization between the chromosomal DNA and selected DNA probes. The probes included a conserved ribosomal gene and three previously described cDNAs isolated from C. immitis expression libraries. The L isolate was determined to have the same genome size as a typical four-chromosome isolate on the basis of microspectrophotometric comparison of fluorescence intensity of the ethidium bromide-stained nuclear DNA. The genome size of C. immitis determined by microspectrophotometry was approximately 28.2 +/- 2.6 Mb. The calculated genome size based on addition of the average molecular weights of chromosomal bands separated by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis was approximately equal to the estimate derived from the spectrophotometric analyses. This is the first report of the electrophoretic karyotype of C. immitis.

Potassium iodide and acrylamide fluorescence quenching studies on gamma-crystallins of human lenses in development and aging

gamma 1-, gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallin (corresponding to gamma s-, gamma C- and gamma D-crystallin respectively) of human fetal, 2 year and 20+ year old lenses are separated by Sephadex gel chromatography. Iodide and acrylamide are used to quench the tryptophane fluorescence of sub-gamma-crystalline fractions and Ksv and fa values are calculated. The results show that iodide has no clear quenching effects on all gamma-crystallins, the quenching effects of acrylamide on the tryptophan fluorescences of gamma 1-, gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallin from lenses of the same age have little differences, and the quenching rates of tryptophane fluorescences of gamma 1-crystallin decreases and that of gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallin increase with age. These results indicate that all tryptophan residues in these three gamma-crystallins lie in hydrophobic environments of molecule and their exposure degree is in the order gamma 2 < gamma 3 < gamma 1. The tryptophan exposure of gamma 2 and gamma 3 increase (gamma 2 > gamma 3) and of gamma 1 decrease with age. The age related change of gamma 1 may be related to the changing of structure or containing of new constituents. Although the tryptophan exposure in gamma 3 is higher than that in gamma 2, the change of structure with age in gamma 2 is more prominent than in gamma 3.

Sequence and variability of the 5.8S and 26S rRNA genes of Pneumocystis carinii

The sequence of the coding region of the rRNA operon of rat-derived Pneumocystis carinii has been completed, including the genes for 5.8S and 26S rRNA. These genes show homology to the rRNA genes of yeast, and an apparent group I self-splicing intron is present in the 26S rRNA gene. Like a similar intron in the 16S rRNA gene, this intron is in a phylogenetically conserved region. Variation in the 26S rRNA sequence was noted between P. carinii organisms isolated from two different sources.

Evidence for clonal expansion of T cell receptor V gamma II+ T cells in the synovial fluid of patients with arthritis

We have demonstrated among synovial fluid T cells a unique profile of V gamma II sequences likely arising from clonally expanded T cells. We have determined the junctional diversity associated with each expressed V gamma family by resolving amplified fragments of cDNA into component parts on large denaturing gels. Among synovial fluid T cells we frequently find dominant fragments of a unique size clearly smaller than the dominant band observed with peripheral blood T lymphocytes. In some cases the dominant bands are 12 or 15 nucleotides smaller than the corresponding most abundant band from peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Patterns of lower m.w. species not typical of a polyclonal population argues that clones of T cells expressing the V gamma II family are expanding in the joint and that a high proportion of these cells do not express the V gamma IIJP sequence typical of peripheral blood but rather express V gamma II in combination with a shorter J fragment, JP1, JP2, J1, or J2. In addition by examining joint effusions from the left and right knees from the same individual we have shown that the profiles of V gamma II sequences derived from the fluids are identical to each other but clearly distinct from that of peripheral blood. We have, in addition, quantitated with a series of synthetic internal standards the relative usage of each V gamma family expressed by T cells in the synovial fluid and peripheral blood of seven patients with arthritis including six patients who were either children or adolescents and one adult patient. All patients showed a reduction in the relative expression of V gamma II in synovial T cells relative to peripheral blood T lymphocytes and a corresponding increase in the expression of V gamma I or V gamma III or both. We did not detect expression of V gamma IV in either lymphocyte population.

Evidence for clonal expansion of T cell receptor V gamma II+ T cells in the synovial fluid of patients with arthritis

We have demonstrated among synovial fluid T cells a unique profile of V gamma II sequences likely arising from clonally expanded T cells. We have determined the junctional diversity associated with each expressed V gamma family by resolving amplified fragments of cDNA into component parts on large denaturing gels. Among synovial fluid T cells we frequently find dominant fragments of a unique size clearly smaller than the dominant band observed with peripheral blood T lymphocytes. In some cases the dominant bands are 12 or 15 nucleotides smaller than the corresponding most abundant band from peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Patterns of lower m.w. species not typical of a polyclonal population argues that clones of T cells expressing the V gamma II family are expanding in the joint and that a high proportion of these cells do not express the V gamma IIJP sequence typical of peripheral blood but rather express V gamma II in combination with a shorter J fragment, JP1, JP2, J1, or J2. In addition by examining joint effusions from the left and right knees from the same individual we have shown that the profiles of V gamma II sequences derived from the fluids are identical to each other but clearly distinct from that of peripheral blood. We have, in addition, quantitated with a series of synthetic internal standards the relative usage of each V gamma family expressed by T cells in the synovial fluid and peripheral blood of seven patients with arthritis including six patients who were either children or adolescents and one adult patient. All patients showed a reduction in the relative expression of V gamma II in synovial T cells relative to peripheral blood T lymphocytes and a corresponding increase in the expression of V gamma I or V gamma III or both. We did not detect expression of V gamma IV in either lymphocyte population.

[Studies on human gamma-crystallins. I. Quantitative changes with age and cataract formation]

Water soluble protein from human lenses at various ages are separated by Sephadex gel chromatography. The results show that there are major three gamma-crystallins (gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3) in human lenses. In normal lenses the total contents of the three gamma-crystallins in water soluble fraction of lens proteins keep stable as age increases. However, among the three gamma-crystallins, gamma 1 increase and gamma 2 decrease markedly, and very little change with gamma 3 are found as age increases. In nuclear cataractous lenses, all three gamma-crystallins decrease as compared with the normal lenses of the same age. The variety of synthesis of each gamma-crystallin is mainly responsible for the changes of their quantities. It is postulated that the total low molecular weight crystallin contents in water soluble proteins of the human lens is related to the transparency of lens. The structural characterization of gamma 3-crystallin is responsible for the relative constant as age increases.

T cell receptor V beta usage in synovial fluid of children with arthritis

We have examined synovial fluid (SF) T cells from 5 children with various types of juvenile arthritis. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the expression of 20 individual T cell receptor (TCR) beta variable (V) region families, we have shown with each patient that the SF T cells are polyclonal. Nevertheless, expanded usage of some families by SF T cells relative to peripheral blood T cells was evident in some cases. We conclude that the pattern of T lymphocytes in the inflamed joint may be a consequence in part of a polyclonal expansion or nonspecific homing of T cells to the joint, and in part a more restricted expansion of T cells potentially driven by arthritogenic antigens.

Purification of bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein and its uveitogenicity in Lewis rats

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, IRBP, not only functioning as a shuttle to carry the retinoid between photoreceptor cells and pigment epithelium, but also inducing experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), was purified by ConA Sepharose affinity chromatography from the fractions containing IRBP obtained in the course of ion-exchange chromatography by which the bovine retinal S-antigen was purified. This much simplified method allows more rapid purification of the two kinds of protein. EAU was successfully induced with injecting 50 micrograms of IRBP emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind footpads of Lewis rats. It was characterized by panophthalmia or endophthalmia with the severest damage in the posterior retina. Lymphocytes, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells were found to be the inflammatory cells of infiltration, with lymphocytes being predominant.

Acute esophageal ulcer with massive bleeding: an unusual complication of uremic patient during hemodialysis

Inflammatory mucosal changes of upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract including stomach and duodenum are well documented in uremic patients and assumed to be the major source of upper GI bleeding. However, acute esophageal ulcer which causes massive bleeding on hemodialysis is rare. Herewith a case is reported. A 28-year-old male uremic patient had a sudden onset of hematemesis on hemodialysis. Urgent endoscopy revealed an acute mucosal lesion with bleeding at the upper and middle third esophagus. It was demonstrated by esophageal biopsy. The patient had taken some pepper one day before and was choked during hemodialysis. This special condition is suggested to induce the acute esophageal ulcer and bleeding.

Serum biochemical and histological changes in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats: a correlative study

We investigated correlations between serum biochemical changes and pathological alterations in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Seven consecutive doses of caerulein consisting of 50 mu g/kg, were given intraperitoneally, in 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats at hourly intervals. Serum biochemical and histological changes of the rats were studied at hours 7, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 after the first injection, as well as day 3 and 5 respectively. Serum amylase in the controlled rats (n = 6) was 2549 +/- 221 U/L (mean +/- SE). It was elevated to twenty times that of the baseline value (52630 +/- 11397 U/L) at the seventh hour, declined to about two times the control (5520 +/- 800 U/L) at the 18th hour, and returned to the baseline level at the 24th hour after the first caerulein injection. Serum lipase, elevated since the 7th hour, reached its peak value (631 +/- 34 U/L) at the 12th hour, then declined abruptly to the baseline value (0 U/L) at the 24th hour, after the first injection. However, severe histological changes of the pancreas were apparent at the 7th hour, reaching maximal destruction at the 18th hour, with severe inflammatory changes at the 24th hour; all after the first injection. The frank inflammation did not subside until 5 days after the first injection. These results suggest that, in the case of acute pancreatitis, normalization of serum biochemistries does not indicate recovery of the pancreas from acute inflammation.

[Longitudinal changes of serum specific antibodies in Lewis rats immunized with IRBP]

The serum antibodies specific to either interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) or retinal S-antigen were longitudinally determined in Lewis rats immunized with 50 x 10(-6)g of IRBP emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant. To our knowledge, it is the first time to purify IRBP and to address the experiment with IRBP in China. It was shown that the antibody specific to IRBP appeared on the 7th day, followed by a gradual increase, and reached its peak on the 26th day after immunization. No antibody specific to S-antigen was found. The relation between anti-IRBP antibody and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) which occurred in the increasing phase of the antibody suggests that the humoral immunity may be implicated in the pathogenesis of EAU.

Epithelial lining of sinus tracts associated with periapical disease: an immunocytochemical study using monoclonal antibodies to keratins

We examined 30 specimens of mucosal sinus tracts arising in association with periapical inflammation. Immunocytochemistry and a panel of monoclonal antibodies to keratins were used to demonstrate the epithelial lining and its pattern of keratin expression. Half of the specimens were found to have an epithelial lining that was continuous with the mucosal epithelium and showed various degrees of extension into the sinus. The presence of an epithelial lining appeared to correlate with the duration of the sinus tracts. The immunostaining patterns of the epithelial linings were similar to those of the mucosal epithelium near the sinus opening although some differences were found. Proliferating strands of epithelium, presumably derived from the rest of Malassez, were observed deep in the tissues but were not continuous with the epithelial lining. The results suggest that the epithelial lining of sinus tracts is derived not from epithelial rests in the periapical region but from the mucosal epithelium adjacent to the opening of the sinus tract and that the observed changes in the pattern of keratinization are due to the influence of inflammation or of the connective tissue substrate.

Adenosine deaminase and thymocyte maturation

The congenital absence of adenosine deaminase in humans results in severe combined immunodeficiency. To clarify the process whereby thymocytes are destroyed in the absence of adenosine deaminase activity, we induced a parallel condition in mice through the injection of an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, deoxycoformycin. We have observed that deoxycoformycin, in addition to maintaining high levels of dATP in thymocytes, blocks the progression of thymocyte differentiation at two points. As a result of the first block, the cortex is depleted of immature cortical thymocytes while CD4+CD8+ thymocytes with functionally rearranged T-cell receptors survive. As a result of the second block, the CD4+CD8+ thymocytes are prevented from further differentiation to mature CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ T lymphocytes and accumulate at the corticomedullar junction and in the medulla. These observations suggest that the maintenance of dNTP pools by adenosine deaminase is critical to at least two stages of thymocyte differentiation.

Participation of noradrenergic neurotransmission in angiotensin III-induced dipsogenic behavior in the rat

Conscious, adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats, instrumented with in-dwelling cannula for drug application into the lateral cerebral ventricle, were used to evaluate the participation of noradrenergic neurotransmission in angiotensin III (AIII)-induced dipsogenic behavior. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of AIII (20, 40 or 80 pmol) elicited a robust and dose-related drinking response. Chemical lesion produced by i.c.v. injection of the catecholaminergic neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (25 micrograms x 3), or the selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (250 micrograms), promoted significant antagonization of the dipsogenic behavior produced by AIII (40 or 80 pmol, i.c.v.). Under equimolar doses (3.25 or 6.50 nmol), the specific alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, prazosin, antagonized; the specific alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, enhanced; and the nonselective alpha-adrenoceptor blocker, phentolamine, elicited minimal action, on AIII (40 pmol)-induced drinking response. These results suggest that central noradrenergic neurotransmission may participate actively in AIII-induced dipsogenesis, in a process that may involve both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

The histological maturity of regenerating mucosa of healed duodenal ulcer and ulcer recurrence after treatment with H2-antagonist

We investigated the relationship between the histological maturity of regenerating mucosa of healed duodenal ulcer and ulcer recurrence, after treatment with an H2-antagonist. Duodenal ulcer patients were given H2-antagonists (either cimetidine or famotidine) for 4 wk of therapy. Fifty-two (77.6%) of the 67 patients were healed endoscopically. The histological state of the regenerating mucosa of healed duodenal ulcer was divided into three categories: good, fair, and poor patterns. Of the 52 healed patients, 15 achieved a good histological pattern. None of these 15 patients had a recurrence 3 months later. However, nine of the 37 patients with a fair or poor pattern of regenerating mucosa had a recurrence 3 months after healing (p = 0.034). We concluded that a duodenal ulcer should be treated until the regenerating mucosa of the healed ulcer reaches a good histological pattern, so as to prevent the recurrence of the ulcer.

In vivo SPECT imaging of CNS D-2 dopamine receptors: initial studies with iodine-123-IBZM in humans

Iodobenzamide (IBZM) is a D-2 dopamine receptor antagonist. In this paper the results of Phase I clinical studies of iodine-123-(123I)IBZM in humans are reported. Preliminary imaging studies, both planar and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), of no-carrier added [123I]IBZM in humans show specific localization in the basal ganglia of the brain. At 2 hr after an i.v. injection, the brain uptake was 3.72% of the dose, and at 20 hr later the uptake diminished to 0.7%. Radiation dosimetry calculation indicated that the radiation dose to the brain was minimum, 0.039 rad/mCi, while the large intestine wall received the highest dose, 0.28 mrad/mCi. The radiation dosimetry and pharmacology data suggest that this agent is safe for human use.

Quantitative study of the structure-stability relationship of TcvO(III) complexes

This paper describes the quantitative structure-stability relationship of TcvON2S2 compounds using a stability indicator based on the solid angle factor sum (SAS) for predicting the in vitro stability. The SAS values of six TcvON2S2 and one TcvON4 (D,L-HMPAO) complexes were calculated from their x-ray crystallography data. The rank order of in vitro stability of these compounds, as measured by ligand exchange reaction, is directly related to that of the SAS values. The SAS values are potentially useful for predicting stability and designing new 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.

Depletion of CD8+ cells in human thymic medulla results in selective immune deficiency

CD8 molecules expressed on the surface of a subset of T cells participate in the selection of class I MHC antigen-restricted T cells in the thymus, and in MHC-restricted immune responses of mature class I MHC antigen-restricted T cells. Here we describe an immune-deficient patient with lack of CD8+ peripheral blood cells. The patient presented with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and was unable to reject an allogeneic skin graft, but had normal primary and secondary antibody responses. Examination of the patient's thymus revealed that the loss of CD8+ cells occurred during intrathymic differentiation: the patient's immature cortical thymocytes included both CD4+ and CD8+ cells while the mature medullary cells expressed the CD4 but not the CD8 protein on their surface. Northern blot and polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed the presence of CD8 alpha and beta mRNA in the patient's thymus but not in the peripheral blood. Both class I MHC antigen expression and the expressed TCR V beta repertoire are normal in this patient. These data are consistent with an impaired selection of CD8+ cells in the patient's thymus and support the role of the CD8 surface protein in thymic selection previously characterized in genetically manipulated and inbred mice.

Biology, cytogenetics, and sensitivity to immunological effector cells of new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma lines

Twenty-one head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines were established from 89 fresh tumor specimens in order to study the biology of HNSCC lines, establish tumors in nude mice, and evaluate the sensitivity to immunological effector cells of these tumors in vitro and in vivo in nude mice. The lines were established from explants using differential trypsinization and culture for 2 to 20 mo. The explants were derived from 11 different sites. Three pairs of lines were derived from both the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes in the same patients. All cultures grew as either compact or diffuse adherent monolayers, and they had a median doubling time of 86 h (range, 33 to 531 h). DNA fingerprinting confirmed that the HNSCC lines were individual isolates. Thirteen of 14 lines tested induced tumors in athymic mice. The histology of each line growing in nude mice was similar to that of the original tumor tissue. Immunocytochemistry showed keratin production in all lines tested. Aneuploidy (36 to 87 chromosomes) was present in all 16 lines studied; the median chromosome number for lines derived from primary tumors was 70, whereas for lines originating from metastatic or recurrent tumors, it was 54. Karyotypic analysis showed deletion of the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p-) in 12 of 16 cell lines and trisomy 6 in 12 of 16 lines. In addition, translocations between chromosomes 9 and 11 or 9 and 12 were each present in five of 16 lines tested. The HNSCC lines were resistant to lysis by natural killer cells, but were efficiently lysed by lymphokine-activated killer cells in 4-h 51Cr release assays. These new lines have allowed us to establish a model of local adoptive immunotherapy of HNSCC in tumor-bearing nude mice, and they provide a resource for future studies of the biology of HNSCC.

(+/-)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-1-(4'-[125I]iodophenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine: a potential CNS D-1 dopamine receptor imaging agent

Synthesis, radiolabeling, and in vitro and in vivo properties of an iodinated benzazepine, (+/-)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-1-(4'-[125I]iodophenyl)-3- methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine, [125I]FISCH, as a potential imaging agent for evaluation of central nervous system (CNS) D-1 dopamine receptors in humans, were investigated. After an iv injection, this benzazepine derivative showed good brain uptake in rats (2.27, 1.40, 0.55% dose/whole brain at 2, 15, and 60 min, respectively). The striatum/cerebellum ratio was high (2.47 at 60 min after the injection). The binding affinity of this agent in rat striatum tissue preparation displayed a Kd of 1.43 +/- 0.15 nM. Competition data (in vitro) showed the following rank order of potency: SCH-23390 greater than (+/-)-FISCH greater than (+/-)-IBZP much greater than apomorphine greater than WB 4010 greater than ketanserin approximately spiperone. The preliminary data suggest that the agent is highly selective for the CNS D-1 receptor.

Rapid amplification of complementary DNA from small amounts of unfractionated RNA

We have combined, in a rapid and straightforward manner, the synthesis and subsequent amplification of individual cDNA sequences from microgram quantities of unfractionated total RNA. Taq1 polymerase, a thermostable DNA polymerase, and Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) reverse transcriptase share similar buffer conditions; these reactions can be performed sequentially, in a single tube, without the need for purification or changes of buffer after the synthesis of cDNA. In this way, nonspecific losses of material are minimized and the required number of cells is reduced. Cell numbers, particularly from human tissues, can be limiting; the requirement for only small amounts of unfractionated RNA makes possible the isolation and characterization of cDNAs from biological materials available in limited quantities. As a demonstration system, we report the rapid synthesis and amplification of cDNA sequences corresponding to the first exon of human immunoglobulin E (IgE). MMLV reverse transcriptase is used with specific (i.e., IgE) or generic (i.e., oligo-[dT(12-18)]) oligomers to prime first strand cDNA synthesis from unfractionated RNA isolated from a human myeloma line, U-266. The necessary primers, deoxynucleotides and Taq1 polymerase, required for second strand cDNA synthesis and the subsequent logarithmic amplification process, are then added to the reaction mixture. This technique provides a useful means of characterizing expressed and processed gene transcripts.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of [123I]IBZM: a potential CNS D-2 dopamine receptor imaging agent

In vitro binding characteristics of a CNS dopamine D-2 receptor imaging agent, (S)-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)] methyl-2-hydroxy-3-iodo-6-methoxybenzamide [( 125I]IBZM), was carried out in rats. Also brain images, as well as organ biodistribution were determined in a monkey following the administration of 123I-labeled compound. The S-(-)-I[125I]IBZM showed high specific dopamine D-2 receptor binding in rat striatum (Kd = 0.426 +/- 0.082 nM, Bmax = 480 +/- 22 fmol/mg of protein). Competition of various ligands for the IBZM binding displayed the following rank order of potency: spiperone greater than S(-)IBZM much greater than R(+)IBZM greater than or equal to S(-)BZM greater than dopamine greater than ketanserin greater than SCH-23390 much greater than propranolol, norepinephrine, serotonin. In vivo planar images of a monkey injected with [123I]IBZM demonstrated a high concentration in basal ganglia of brain. The ratios of activity in the basal ganglia to cerebellum and the cortex to cerebellum in monkey brain were 4.93 and 1.44, respectively, at 120 min postinjection. These preliminary results indicate that [123I]IBZM is a potentially promising imaging agent for the investigation of dopamine D-2 receptors in humans.

[125I](+/-)FISCH: a new CNS D-1 dopamine receptor imaging ligand

Radiolabeling and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of an iodinated benzazepine: [125I] FISCH 7-Chloro-8-hydroxy-1-(4'-iodophenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine, as a potential imaging agent for CNS D-1 dopamine receptors in animals, were investigated. After an iv injection, this benzazepine derivative showed good brain uptake in rats (2.70, 1.28, 0.48 %dose/whole brain at 2, 15 and 60 min, respectively). The striatum/cerebellum ratio was 2.50 at 60 min after the injection. The regional distribution in rat brain, as measured by ex vivo autoradiography, displayed highest uptake in the regions of the striatal complex and the substantia nigra, regions known to have a high concentration of D-1 dopamine receptors. Furthermore, this localized regional cerebral distribution was blocked by pretreatment with SCH-23390, a selective D-1 dopamine receptor antagonist. The in vitro binding affinity of this agent in rat striatum tissue preparation displayed a Kd of 1.43 +/- 0.15 nM. Competition data (in vitro) showed the following rank order of potency: SCH-23390 greater than (+/-)IBZP much greater than apomorphine greater than WB 4101 greater than ketanserin approximately spiperone. The preliminary data suggest that this analog of SCH-23390 shows similar selectivity for the CNS D-1 receptor.

Immune control of SV40-induced tumors in mice

The ability of mice to mount a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) immune response to SV40 T-antigen is determined by the H-2 haplotype of the host; H-2b and k mice are high responders and H-2d mice are low responders. Mice of these 3 H-2 haplotypes were challenged with SV40 and their ability to generate and sustain an antibody response to SV40 T-antigen was found to be equivalent. To investigate the role of the different components of the host immune response in controlling growth of SV40-induced tumors, the tumorigenic potential of freshly established cell lines, obtained by SV40 transformation of cells from normal tissues of inbred strains of mice of 6 H-2 haplotypes, was assessed. Each cell line was tumorigenic in athymic and newborn mice but not in adult syngeneic immunocompetent mice. Cells from these initial SV40-transformed lines were then passaged in athymic (nu/nu) mice, re-established in vitro and again transferred into syngeneic animals. Transfer of H-2d SV40 transformants to low or non-responder mice of the H-2d haplotype resulted in tumor formation in some animals. Cells derived from these tumors expressed both the viral encoded T-antigen and the H-2Dd restriction element. Furthermore, the proportion of animals with tumors varied with the strength of their CTL-responsiveness to SV40 T-antigen in association with H-2Dd. Therefore, in H-2d animals, tumor cell growth appears to result from escape of cells from inefficient CTL surveillance. No tumors were formed by transfer of the in vivo selected H-2b or H-2k SV40 transformants to syngeneic high-responder mice. We therefore investigated the role of CTL in the selection of SV40-transformed cells able to escape immune surveillance. Under conditions of stringent immune selection by CTLs, tumorigenic cells that no longer expressed the relevant H-2 class-I restriction element were obtained. Although interaction between the various immune effector mechanisms may play a role in the recognition and elimination of SV40 transformants, our results were consistent with the hypothesis that the SV40-specific CTL response is the predominant control of SV40 tumor growth.

Simian virus 40 (SV40)-transgenic mice that develop tumors are specifically tolerant to SV40 T antigen

The ability to mount an immune response to simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen was evaluated using mice from two distinct SV40 transgenic lines derived from injection of the same gene construct. Our studies demonstrate functional immune tolerance to SV40 T antigen in a SV40 transgenic line that consistently develops tumors of the choroid plexus by 7 mo of age. Antibodies to SV40 T antigen are undetectable in the serum of these animals; furthermore, mice from this line are unable to generate SV40-specific CTL after primary or secondary immunization with the virus, although they mount a normal CTL response to vaccinia virus when appropriately immunized. In contrast, we find that mice from a second transgenic line of low tumor incidence can mount a humoral response to SV40 T antigen, and upon immunization they generally respond with a vigorous cytotoxic T cell response to SV40 T antigen. These data suggest that specific immune tolerance to the product of an integrated viral oncogene may be induced, and is likely a reflection of the time in development at which the gene product first appears. Immune tolerance or responsiveness to the endogenous oncogene product may in turn play a role in the tumorigenic potential of such genes.

The use of spun columns in the purification of double-stranded cDNA appropriate for tailing

A reliable estimation of the efficiency of adding homopolymeric tails to double-stranded cDNA molecules by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase is extremely important in the construction of cDNA libraries. Appreciable differences in transformation efficiency result when the homopolymer tails to be annealed are of inadequate length. We report here that the use of a Sephadex G-50 spun column to remove oligo(dT)12-18 frequently coprecipitating in ethanol with the cDNA results in a more dependable estimation of tail lengths.

Differential requirement for SV40 early genes in immortalization and transformation of primary rat and human embryonic cells

A series of recombinant plasmids carrying various DNA fragments of SV40 early region were used to test for their ability to immortalize primary cultures of rat embryo (RE) and human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. When primary RE cells were transfected with plasmids containing an entire early region of wild-type SV40- or a deletion mutant in the small tumor (t) antigen, dl 1410-DNA, they were all immortalized. The immortalized cells could grow in soft-agar medium and produced large tumor (T)-antigen. Cultured RE cells transfected with pW2-t, which contains a deletion in the large-T-specific coding region, also gave rise to continuous cell lines. Interestingly, two of nine RE lines immortalized by pW2-t could also grow in soft-agar medium. The plasmid pW-t8 carrying a similar fragment of SV40 DNA as pW2-t, but lacking the processing and polyadenylation signal sequences, also immortalized RE cells. Surprisingly, the plasmid pD-t1 which contains neither the intact large-T nor the small-t function also immortalized RE cells. However, the RE lines immortalized by pW-t8 or pD-t1 were unable to grow in soft-agar medium and displayed a wide range of growth phenotypes. On the contrary, when primary HEK cells were used for immortalization experiments, only those SV40 plasmids carrying the intact large-T function were able to generate immortalized lines. The growth properties of these immortalized HEK lines can be categorized into two groups. Those HEK lines immortalized by the large T alone grew slightly denser and rounder than their parental normal HEK cells, while those immortalized by both the large-T and small-t antigens grew extremely fast, reached higher density, piled up on each other, and were anchorage independent. In addition, when these SV40 plasmids were used to directly transform primary HEK cells by the focus assay, the large-T clone, pD3-05, only transformed HEK cells to form light foci. Transfection by the large-T plus the small-t sequences either in cis or in trans, did increase the frequency of focus formation, and gave rise to dense foci which could grow in soft-agar medium.

Expression of histocompatibility antigens H-2K, -D, and -L is reduced in adenovirus-12-transformed mouse cells and is restored by interferon gamma

Primary mouse cells transformed by adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) expressed negligible amounts of class I antigens H-2K, -D, and -L on the cell surface and were capable of forming tumors in syngeneic animals, whereas cells transformed by Ad5 continued to express class I antigens and were nontumorigenic. Cells from a tumor, generated by injection of Ad12-transformed mouse cells into a syngeneic mouse, also expressed low levels of H-2 antigens, indicating that this phenotype is maintained in vivo. In all Ad12-transformed cells, synthesis of the H-2 heavy chain was not detected whereas the beta 2-microglobulin light chain was synthesized. Furthermore, the level of cytoplasmic H-2 mRNA in the Ad12 lines was greatly reduced. Reduction of H-2 expression is instructed solely by the transforming region of the viral genome, since this repression occurred in cells transformed by a DNA fragment containing only Ad12 E1A and E1B genes. Addition of recombinant murine interferon gamma strongly stimulated expression of class I antigens in the Ad12 transformants as well as in cells from the Ad12 tumor. This result indicates that Ad12 does not preferentially transform cells that are deficient for class I genes and that Ad12 does not mutate the class I genes in cells it transforms. The correlation between tumorigenicity and loss of H-2 expression in Ad12-transformed cells is discussed.

Stability and utility of the unique human small cell carcinoma line SHP-77

The human small cell (oat cell) carcinoma line, SHP-77, established by Fisher and Paulson in 1977 and originally described as a "large cell variant of oat cell cancer" has been evaluated by several different parameters and shown even after more than 200 passages to retain properties described for the original cell line. Karyotypic, histological, and biochemical features are retained, as well as tumorigenicity in nude mice. The original authors' suggestion that this is a propitious cell line for both in vitro and in vivo studies is supported by this report. Modulation of growth characteristics in vivo (in xenografts) emphasizes the plasticity of this unique line which serves as a valuable model for basic as well as therapeutic studies. SHP-77 can serve as an in vitro target in 51Cr and 111In release cytotoxicity assays as well as in in vivo nude mouse assays for evaluating immune reactivity of cells and serum from lung cancer patients. The potential histological variability of SHP-77, despite its biochemical stability, calls attention to the inadequacy of histological criteria for lung tumor classification.

Tumor induction by simian virus 40 in mice is controlled by long-term persistence of the viral genome and the immune response of the host

Simian virus 40 (SV40), which transforms mouse cells in vitro, has not been previously observed to cause tumors when injected in immunocompetent mice. We have investigated both the fate of the injected virion in mice and several immunological parameters as potential factors controlling tumorigenicity. We find that although SV40 does not replicate in mouse cells, the viral DNA can persist for many months postinjection; the majority of the viral DNA is found in the cytoplasm, but a small amount of the viral DNA is integrated at multiple sites in the host nuclear DNA. The persistence of the viral genome is independent of the ability of the mouse to mount an SV40 TSTA specific cytotoxic T-cell response and may be attributed to the cytoplasmic location of the majority of the viral genome. However, in long-term studies of SV40-injected mice, genetically identical except for the major histocompatibility complex, we find that tumors were induced in some mice of the H-2d (low cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responder to SV40 TSTA) but not of the H-2k (high responder to SV40 TSTA) haplotype. Thus, a combination of inefficient disposal of the injected virion and inefficient immunological surveillance and elimination of cells containing nuclear SV40 DNA can eventually result in SV40-induced tumors at multiple sites in mice.

Recognition of herpes simplex virus antigens on the surface of mouse cells of the H-2b haplotype by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein(s) in association with the H-2K and the H-2D gene products of the H-2b complex was examined by using cell lines derived from H-2 recombinant mice as target cells, and by using H-2 recombinant mouse strains for the generation of HSV-specific CTL populations. CTL from H-2b HSV-immunized mice were found to lyse HSV-infected B6/WT-3 (KbDb) and K5RSV (KbDd) cells, but not KHTGSV (KdDb) cells. Unlabeled HSV-infected K5RSV cells were as efficient in competing for specific CTL lysis of 51Cr labeled HSV-infected B6/WT-3 cells as unlabeled B6/WT-3 cells themselves, whereas infected KHTGSV cells were ineffective. Furthermore, CTL generated in H-2 recombinant mice containing the H-2Kb allele (KbDd) effectively lysed infected B6/WT-3 cells; no specific lysis was observed with immune lymphocytes from those mice containing the H-2Db (KkDb) allele. Limiting dilution analysis of the interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent, antigen-independent, CTL precursor populations showed that CTL precursors giving rise to H-2Kb-restricted progeny were present at a relatively high frequency, whereas H-2Db-restricted progeny were present at low frequency or were undetectable. Target cells carrying mutations in the H-2Kb glycoprotein (H-2Kbm1 and H-2Kbm8) infected with HSV-1 were found to be drastically reduced in their ability to be lysed by anti-HSV-1 CTL. HSV-1-infected H-2Kbm5 cells provided a good target for anti-HSV CTL. We conclude that the HSV-specific glycoprotein(s) are recognized by CTL primarily in association with the H-2Kb gene product.

Recognition of herpes simplex virus antigens on the surface of mouse cells of the H-2b haplotype by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein(s) in association with the H-2K and the H-2D gene products of the H-2b complex was examined by using cell lines derived from H-2 recombinant mice as target cells, and by using H-2 recombinant mouse strains for the generation of HSV-specific CTL populations. CTL from H-2b HSV-immunized mice were found to lyse HSV-infected B6/WT-3 (KbDb) and K5RSV (KbDd) cells, but not KHTGSV (KdDb) cells. Unlabeled HSV-infected K5RSV cells were as efficient in competing for specific CTL lysis of 51Cr labeled HSV-infected B6/WT-3 cells as unlabeled B6/WT-3 cells themselves, whereas infected KHTGSV cells were ineffective. Furthermore, CTL generated in H-2 recombinant mice containing the H-2Kb allele (KbDd) effectively lysed infected B6/WT-3 cells; no specific lysis was observed with immune lymphocytes from those mice containing the H-2Db (KkDb) allele. Limiting dilution analysis of the interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent, antigen-independent, CTL precursor populations showed that CTL precursors giving rise to H-2Kb-restricted progeny were present at a relatively high frequency, whereas H-2Db-restricted progeny were present at low frequency or were undetectable. Target cells carrying mutations in the H-2Kb glycoprotein (H-2Kbm1 and H-2Kbm8) infected with HSV-1 were found to be drastically reduced in their ability to be lysed by anti-HSV-1 CTL. HSV-1-infected H-2Kbm5 cells provided a good target for anti-HSV CTL. We conclude that the HSV-specific glycoprotein(s) are recognized by CTL primarily in association with the H-2Kb gene product.