Possible different mechanisms of B cell activation in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: opposite expression of low-affinity receptors for IgE (CD23) on their peripheral B cells

To clarify the differential state of B cell activation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we investigated the expression of low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII; CD23) on their peripheral B cells by a cytofluorometry using H107 (CD23) and Leu-16 (CD20) monoclonal antibodies. The percentage of CD23-negative B cells in total lymphocytes was significantly greater in both groups of patients than in normal subjects, suggesting the hyperactivity of late-phase B cells in both diseases. However, the increase of CD23-negative B cells in RA was brought about by the increased number of total B cells, although that in SLE was mainly based on the relative decrease of CD23-positive B cells. The number of IgD-positive B cells was decreased, and the number of colony-forming B cells was markedly increased in SLE patients. These observations indicate that a B cell abnormality is mainly qualitative in SLE but quantitative in RA.

Physiological determinants of race walking performance in female race walkers

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between race pace on a 5 km walking performance and velocity at the lactate threshold (V-LT), VO2 at the lactate threshold (VO2-LT), velocity at which blood lactate corresponded to 4 mM level (V-OBLA), VO2 at which blood lactate corresponded to 4 mM level (VO2-OBLA), walking economy (steady state VO2 at a standard velocity) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in eight female race walkers. A multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to predict the race pace on a 5 km walking performance as dependent variable. Since V-OBLA was highly correlated to 5 km race walking performance (r = 0.94, P less than 0.001), it was selected as the first predictor. When VO2max was added to V-OBLA as the second predictor the predictive accuracy increased significantly, but multiple R did not increase significantly by adding variables of walking economy or other parameters as independent variance. As a result, the combination of V-OBLA and VO2max as independent variables accounted for the greatest amount of total variance (97 per cent). It is suggested that blood lactate variable such as V-OBLA can account for a large portion of the variance in race pace on a 5 km walking performance.

Human spleen histone H1. Isolation and amino acid sequences of three minor variants, H1a, H1c, and H1d

Following the previous determination of the main variant H1b of human spleen histone H1, we have determined the complete amino acid sequence of another variant, H1d. Limited chymotryptic digestion of H1d produced four fragments, I to IV, and one partial fragment I-II, as in the case of H1b. These fragments were aligned with two overlapping peptides, produced by another enzyme from the intact H1d. We also confirmed the C-terminal sequence of H1d by carboxypeptidase digestion. This H1d has an acetylated N-terminal serine, equimolar alanine or valine residue at 17, and is composed of 212 residues. The molecular weight was 21,233 for the alanine variant and 21,261 for the valine variant in the unmodified form. We also deduced the total sequences of H1a and H1c in a similar way, considering the maximum homology with H1b and H1d. Each N-terminal serine residue is acetylated, too. H1a consists of 222 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 22,178 in its unmodified form; the H1c consists of 220 residues and has a molecular weight of 22,218 in that form. The human spleen H1 sequences varied to about the same extent in the N-terminal 40 and C-terminal 110 residues. However, the sequences of the about 70 internal residues are well conserved between the variants. The extent of differences among the human H1 variants is similar to, or rather smaller than, those among the mammalian somatic H1 species. The implications of these differences in the sequence for H1 function are discussed from the evolutionary viewpoint.

[Immunohistochemical study of idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia]

To examine the characteristics of idiopathic BOOP and to compare them with those of organizing pneumonia (OP) with known causes, immunohistochemical examinations using monoclonal antibodies against T- and B-lymphocytes which are available for formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections, and polyclonal antibodies against human IgG, IgA and IgM, and bovine S-100 protein, were carried out, along with conventional histopathological examinations. Histopathological observations demonstrated that both of the 7 BOOP cases and 5 OP cases had polypoid masses of organizing tissue in the lumen of small airways, alveolar ducts, and some alveolar sacs, and infiltration of pulmonary interstitium by a large number of lymphocytes and moderate number of plasma cells, eosinophils and mast cells. Degree of bronchiolo-alveolitis was greater in idiopathic BOOP. Immunohistochemically, the majority of lymphocytes which had diffusely infiltrated into the interstitium were T-lymphocytes, the degree of which was higher in the cases of BOOP. On the other hand, B-lymphocytes were seen mainly in the lymphoid follicles. Furthermore, S-100 protein positive dendritic cells were noted in the lymphocyte rich interstitium in the all cases of both groups, and similarly between two groups. Immunoglobulin (Ig) positive plasma cells were also seen, but there was no evidence indicating the preferential increase of plasma cells which produce a particular class of Ig. These observations suggest that there might be some immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of BOOP in which T-lymphocytes, mast cells and eosinophils are involved.

Introduction and expression of the human insulin gene in adult rat liver

Liposomes associated with gangliosides and loaded with the human insulin gene were incubated with HVJ (Sendai virus) and red blood cell membranes containing non-histone chromosomal protein, high mobility group 1 (HMG-1), or bovine serum albumin (BSA) to form vesicle complexes. These vesicle complexes were then injected into the portal vein of adult rats. The insulin gene co-introduced with HMG-1 was transported into the nuclei of liver cells much more efficiently than the gene co-introduced with BSA. Moreover, the amount of transcript of the insulin gene co-introduced with HMG-1 was more than 10 times greater than that of the gene co-introduced with BSA. Similar amounts of DNA and RNA of human insulin were found in the liver within 7 days after injection of the gene, and then the amounts of both decreased rapidly. The level of human insulin in rat serum gradually increased to a maximum (20-30 microunits/ml) after 7 or 8 days and then decreased rapidly.

Adenosine-induced hyperemia attenuates myocardial ischemia in coronary microembolization in dogs

We have recently reported that coronary microembolization sustains myocardial ischemia with hyperemic response of coronary blood flow (CBF) induced by massive release of adenosine from the ischemic myocardium. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that this hyperemic flow caused by released adenosine improves myocardial ischemia. In eight dogs (control), microspheres (5.0 X 10(4)/ml of base-line CBF) were repetitively injected until CBF decreased toward zero, and the changes in CBF, fractional shortening, lactate extraction ratio (LER), and adenosine release were studied. In 15 other dogs, an identical procedure was done with an intracoronary infusion of prazosin (4 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, n = 8) or theophylline (0.1 mg.kg-1.min, n = 7) to elucidate the effect of adenosine, since prazosin inhibits release of adenosine from ischemic myocardium and theophylline blocks adenosine receptors. In 16 other dogs, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were examined with and without these drugs after a single injection of microspheres (1.0 X 10(5)/ml of base-line CBF). In the control group, CBF increased to 170 +/- (SE) 14% of the base-line CBF at 16-30% of maximal embolization. In contrast, intracoronary infusion of prazosin markedly attenuated adenosine release and hyperemic response and significantly deteriorated both fractional shortening and LER. Theophylline also significantly attenuated the hyperemic response and tended to decrease both fractional shortening and LER. A salutary effect of adenosine release was further confirmed by the improvement of ischemic changes in the same dog after withdrawal of prazosin and theophylline associated with an increase in CBF. Thus we conclude that adenosine released from ischemic myocardium improves ischemia in microembolization through the hyperemic response.

[Three-dimensional reconfirmation of the gingivo-periosteal microvasculature and its angiogenesis during the healing process]

Periodontal surgical procedures are conducted largely on the basis of the angiogenic and fibrogenic activity of the periosteum. Therefore, it is considered that correlating treatment with this healing activity of the periosteum is a key to a successful outcome. The purpose of the present study was to reconfirm the periosteal microvasculature in the periodontal region, and closely observe the role of the vasculature in wound healing and its angiogenesis during the healing process by means of a vascular corrosion cast. In 30 adult mongrel dogs with healthy periodontium, the basic morphology of the periosteal vasculature was observed, with the left maxillary attached gingiva and alveolar mucosal regions serving as a control. A 6 x 6 mm incision was made in the right attached gingiva in order to remove a layer of not slear at a predetermined position, and the healing process was observed on the 5th, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative day. A difference in histological construction between the gingiva and the alveolar mucosa was observed in the vasculature, which enabled easy distinction of muco-gingival junction from the periosteal vasculature. In addition, the fact that the gingivo-periosteal vasculature served as a base for vigorous angiogenesis associated with gingival regeneration and bone resorption and formation was made clear when a layer of partial thickness was removed.

An increase in myocardial beta-adrenoceptors to compensate for postischaemic dysfunction following coronary micro-embolisation in dogs

This study examined whether beta-adrenoceptors increase in number during recovery from prolonged myocardial stunning and whether they compensate for lack of physiological response to beta-adrenergic stimulation in this abnormality. The left coronary artery was embolished in anaesthetised dogs with non-labelled microspheres (15 +/- 1 micron; 1.2 X 10(6).kg-1 body weight). Haemodynamic studies were performed before (control) and 24 h and 1 week after embolisation, in the conscious state. Myocardial noradrenaline content, plasma catecholamine concentrations and the density of beta-adrenoceptors (Bmax) were also assessed at three study intervals. At 24 h after embolisation, both systolic and diastolic cardiac function was significantly depressed. The inotropic response to isoprenaline was preserved, but the response to forskolin was markedly depressed. One week after embolisation, resting systolic function was restored to control levels and histological examination showed absence of myocardial necrosis. Although plasma noradrenaline concentration had returned to normal, myocardial noradrenaline content had decreased by 36% and the density of beta-adrenoceptors had increased by 48%. Myocardial relaxation was still impaired and the inotropic response to forskolin was also still depressed, whereas the response to isoprenaline was normal. Moreover, the down regulation of the increased beta-adrenoceptors by isoprenaline infusion for 24 h unmasked the latent systolic dysfunction. These results indicate that the density of beta-adrenoceptors increases during the recovery process from prolonged myocardial stunning and that this increase may compensate, at least in part, for impairment of the inotropic mechanism distal to the beta-adrenoceptors.

Evidence for an intraluminal mediator in rat pancreatic enzyme secretion: reconstitution of the pancreatic response with dietary protein, trypsin and the monitor peptide

New evidence has been obtained suggesting that the "monitor" peptide is an essential intraluminal mediator in the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to protein intake in rats. Experiments were performed in vivo using a mixture of 50 mg of ovalbumin, alpha-lactalbumin or casein, 2 micrograms of purified protease-sensitive, cholecystokinin-releasing monitor peptide and 1 mg of porcine trypsin which was infused by cannula into the duodenum of atropine-treated rats. The small intestine had previously been washed with bicarbonate to eliminate proteases and the pancreatic juice was diverted. The amount of trypsin secreted in 2 h was comparable to that of rats in which the pancreatic juice was returned into the duodenum. However, in the presence of a monitor peptide--specific antibody which recognizes the N-terminal region of the peptide, the monitor peptide did not induce any pancreatic response. Therefore, the characteristic pattern of pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to protein intake can be reproduced by infusing only three components--dietary proteins, porcine trypsin and the purified monitor peptide.

Role of alpha 1-adrenoceptor activity in progression of cardiac hypertrophy in guinea pig hearts with pressure overload

To elucidate the role of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic activities in pressure overload hypertrophy, changes of alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors were measured by radioligand binding assay, and the preventive effects of alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade on cardiac hypertrophy were assessed in guinea pigs after aortic banding. Five days after banding, dry weight of left ventricle had not increased, though wet weight increased due to marked intercellular oedema. In this period, the maximum binding capacity of [3H] prazosin increased to 31.1 (SEM 2.2) fmol.mg-1 from (sham operation) 17.0(2.1) fmol.mg protein-1, p less than 0.01, whereas the maximum binding capacity of [3H]dihydroalprenolol did not increase: 143(16) fmol.mg-1 (banded) v 153(13) fmol.mg-1 (sham). Three weeks after aortic banding, the maximum binding capacity of both ligands increased to 45.6(5.5) fmol.mg-1 and 232(21) fmol.mg-1, respectively, accompanied by a significant increase in left ventricular dry weight, from 0.46(0.02) mg.g-1 (sham) to 0.62(0.08) mg.g-1 (banded), p less than 0.01. Continuous subcutaneous administration of the alpha 1-blocker bunazosin (0.1 mg.kg-1.d-1) significantly attenuated the increase in left ventricular dry weight whereas the beta-blocker propranolol (5 mg.kg-1.d-1) did not: 0.55(0.03) v 0.66(0.04) mg.g-1 respectively, after 3 weeks. These results show that pressure overload elicited an increase in myocardial alpha 1-adrenoceptors before the onset of cardiac hypertrophy, and that an alpha 1-blocker could prevent the development of hypertrophy in the pressure overloaded heart.

Tetrahymena HMG nonhistone chromosomal protein. Isolation and amino acid sequence lacking the N- and C-terminal domains of vertebrate HMG 1

The complete amino acid sequence of a high mobility group (HMG) nonhistone chromosomal protein of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis (GL strain) was determined. This protein was extracted with 0.5 M HClO4 together with histone H1 (molar ratio 1:1) from the whole histone extract, then purified by gel filtration and reverse-phase HPLC. The HMG protein showed a single electrophoretic band on SDS gel electrophoresis. The amino acid sequence was determined by Edman degradation of intact protein, BrCN fragments, and their staphylococcal protease and tryptic peptides. Thus the total sequence, consisting of 99 amino acid residues and having a molecular weight of 11,626, was completely determined. Phosphorus analysis of the tryptic peptides, containing serine or threonine, showed that this HMG protein was phosphorylated at two positions, each 6-7%, and contained 0.15 mol phosphate/mol protein. This Tetrahymena HMG is rather similar to the central part of vertebrate HMG 1 in terms of the amino acid sequence and the hydropathy profile.

In vivo binding of the winged bean basic lectin labeled with iodo[2-14C]acetic acid to the intestinal epithelial cells of the rat

Winged bean basic lectin was labeled with iodo[2-14C]acetic acid. The radiolabeling affected neither the antigenicity nor the hemagglutinating activity of the lectin. A liquid test meal consisting of [14C]lectin and an unabsorbable marker, [3H]polyethylene glycol (PEG), was administered to rats in order to investigate behavior of the lectin in the gastrointestinal tract. At 1 h after administration, 54% of the administered [14C]lectin was still in the stomach, 1% had reached the cecum, and 1-6% was found in the intestinal mucosa, indicating that the lectin was binding to the mucosa. In another experiment, rats were fed a commercial nonpurified diet for 3 d after administration of the test meal. About 87% of the administered lectin as well as 83% of [3H]PEG was recovered from the feces during these 3d. Lectin bound to the epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa was recovered by liberating it from the cells with D-galactose. The recovered lectin showed both hemagglutinating activity and the antigenicity identical with those of the original lectin. These results clearly indicated that the lectin remained intact in the gastrointestinal tract while a part of it was bound to the intestinal mucosa, the rest being excreted directly into feces.

Heterogeneity in terms of interleukin 4-dependent regulation of Fc epsilon...receptor/CD23 expression on chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia cells

To discriminate the stages of maturation arrest of leukemic B cells, we have investigated the cell surface expression of Fc epsilon RII (H107 antigen) on leukemic B cells from 6 patients with chronic type B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) by a double staining method combined with cytofluorometry, and their production of soluble Fc epsilon RII by an ELISA technique. Fc epsilon RII was expressed on mu+/delta- cells of case 5 as well as on mu+/delta+ cells of cases 1, 2 and 4, but not on mu+/delta+ cells in cases 3 and 6. The cultivation of leukemic cells with IL-4 not only increased the percentage of Fc epsilon RII+ cells but also enhanced the production of soluble Fc epsilon RII+ in most cases. However, IL-4 had no effects on mu+/delta-/Fc epsilon RII+ cells of case 5, which appeared to correspond to a rather late stage of normal B cell differentiation. Moreover, while leukemic B cells from case 1 spontaneously produced large amounts of soluble Fc epsilon R, the release seemed to be inhibited by an addition of IL-4. From our observations, it is speculated that IgM+/IgD+/Fc epsilon RII- leukemic B cells express surface membrane Fc epsilon RII and produce soluble Fc epsilon RII following stimulation with IL-4, and that IgM+/IgD-/Fc epsilon RII+ B-CLL cells may exist at some late stage of B cell differentiation.

[Statistical observation of crowns and bridges in Matsumoto Dental College]

A study was made of 11,425 crowns and 2,385 bridges which had been fabricated for 5,588 patients at the Prosthetic Clinic of Matsumoto Dental College during the fourteen-year period, from January 1973 to December 1986. Some of the results were as follows: 1. 753 patients, 1,585 crowns and 372 bridges in 1983 were the most numerous in all the survey years. 2. The rate of vital teeth of crowns has increased from 1984. 3. Of crowns, 22.1% and of bridge retainers, 22.3% were fabricated as porcelain fused to metal crown in 1985. 4. The rate of resin facing crowns of crowns and bridge retainers increased sharply in 1986. 5. Of crowns, 19.0% and of bridge retainers, 30.5% were fabricated as partial coverage crowns in 1986. 6. The rate of more than 5-unit bridges increased from 1982 to 1985.

Two hypotheses on the feedback regulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion

We review the mechanisms underlying the feedback regulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to a meal. Pancreatic enzyme secretion in the rat and pig is known to be regulated by a negative feedback mechanism mediated by intestinal trypsin and chymotrypsin. Such a mechanism has recently been noted in humans. The presence of these enzymes in the small intestine suppresses pancreatic enzyme secretion, whereas their removal increases it. Two novel peptides have been proposed to account for the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to feeding trypsin inhibitor. One was assumed to be present in rat pancreatic juice and the other to be spontaneously secreted from the rat small intestine. In either case, trypsin and trypsin inhibitors do not directly interact with the luminal surface of the small intestine, but their actions are mediated by a trypsin-sensitive, cholecystokinin-releasing peptide. This is a novel explanation of the well-recognized stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to dietary protein intake.

Increased expression of DNA cointroduced with nuclear protein in adult rat liver

DNA and nuclear proteins were transferred into cells simultaneously at more than 95% efficiency by means of vesicle complexes. The DNA was rapidly transported into the nuclei of cultured cells, and its expression reached a maximum within 6 to 8 hours after its introduction. Moreover, when the plasmid DNA and nuclear protein were cointroduced into nondividing cells in rat liver by injection into the portal veins of adult rats, the plasmid DNA was carried into liver cell nuclei efficiently by nuclear protein. The expression of the DNA in adult rat liver, on introduction of the DNA with nuclear protein, was more than five times as great as with nonnuclear protein.

[Studies on experimentally induced malformations of the spine and spinal cord: neuropathology of lumbosacral agenesis]

The neuropathology of rats with sacral agenesis were studied. On day 8 of gestation, Donryu rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of trypan blue (40 mg/kg), and the offspring were raised. Sixty (23.1%) out of 260 offspring showed abnormalities in the lower half of the body, tail of hind limbs, and the six-week survival rate of the rats with these abnormalities was 38.3%. The grown malformed rats showed complete or incomplete lumbosacral agenesis. In these rats, the spinal level of motor paralysis corresponded to the vertebral level of malformation, and the average spinal level of sensory disturbance was 4.1 segments lower than that of motor paralysis. In the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord, the ventral horns and the ventral roots were more hypoplastic than the dorsal horns and the dorsal roots, which seemed to be the cause of the difference in the levels of motor paralysis and sensory disturbance. Rats displayed mirror movements of their hind limbs induced by a similar method, which might have resulted from dysplasia of the ventral region of the lumbar spinal cord.

Immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in salivary gland tumours

Immunohistochemical localization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in normal salivary glands and tumours (108 cases) was studied using a monoclonal antibody. In the normal salivary glands, EGFR was occasionally detected in ductal segments of intercalated, striated, and excretory ducts, but not in acinar cells. The frequency of positive EGFR staining in salivary gland tumours was not high: pleomorphic adenoma, 33.8%; mucoepidermoid tumour, 25.0%; adenolymphoma, 44.4%; and sialoadenocarcinoma, 66.6%. Pleomorphic adenomas showed positive staining for EGFR on the luminal side of luminal cells and in squamous metaplastic cells of tumour tissue. Some modified myoepithelial cells were also reactive whereas outer spindle tumour cells were unstained. Adenolymphomas regularly exhibited positive EGFR staining in the cell membrane; mucoepidermoid carcinoma displayed positive staining in cell membranes in epidermoid tumour cells and cytoplasmic staining in mucous-secreting tumour cells. Sialocarcinomas revealed cell membrane staining and whole cytoplasmic staining for EGFR. The immunohistochemical localization of EGFR could be classified into two types, one the cell membrane-positive type found in epithelial tumour cells, and the second the cytoplasmic positive type seen in normal ductal cells, the luminal tumour cells of pleomorphic adenomas and mucous-secreting tumour cells.

Localizing efficiency of [48V]vanadyl-pheophorbide in tumor as a new tumor imaging agent

[48V]vanadyl-pheophorbide (48V-Pheo) was synthesized by insertion of 48V into pheophorbide (Pheo), a decomposition product from chlorophyll. At 24 h after injection, 48V-Pheo showed a clearer image of an FM3A tumor than inorganic 48V. This agent also accumulated in MH 134 and S 180 tumors as well as in FM3A tumors. The imaging efficiency was dependent on the affinity of Pheo for tumors. 48V-Pheo seems to be suitable as a tumor imaging agent in conjunction with photodynamic therapy.

Cardiac output, renal blood flow and hepatic blood flow in rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure

Cardiac output (CO), renal blood flow (RBF) and hepatic blood flow (HBF) were measured by the microsphere method before (control) and at 4 and 10 h after the induction of acute renal failure by intramuscular injection of glycerol in water-drinking, long-term saline-drinking and long-term captopril (converting enzyme inhibitor)-drinking rats. At 4 h after glycerol injection, CO, RBF and HBF significantly decreased in all three groups. At 10 h after glycerol injection, CO, RBF and HBF recovered to 88% of the respective control levels in only the saline-drinking rats, whereas CO, RBF and HBF further decreased to 53, 38 and 58% of the control levels, respectively in the captopril-drinking rats. At this time, not only acute renal failure but also hepatic disorder developed in the water-drinking and captopril-drinking rats as indicated by elevations of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase and other blood chemistry levels. The development of acute renal failure was not suppressed by captopril, but by long-term saline load. Thus, we conclude that the decrease in CO is an important variable of the early decrease in renal and hepatic perfusion in glycerol-induced acute renal failure, and that the early recovery of HBF as well as RBF may play an important role in preventing the development of acute renal failure.