Circadian expression of clock genes in mouse macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells

In mammals, circadian and daily rhythms influence nearly all aspects of physiology, ranging from behavior to gene expression. Functional molecular clocks have been described in the murine spleen and splenic NK cells. The aim of our study was to investigate the existence of molecular clock mechanisms in other immune cells. Therefore, we measured the circadian changes in gene expression of clock genes (Per1, Per2, Bmal1, and Clock) and clock-controlled transcription factors (Rev-erbα and Dbp) in splenic enriched macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells in both mice entrained to a light-dark cycle and under constant environmental conditions. Our study reveals the existence of functional molecular clock mechanisms in splenic macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells.

Cytogenetic engineering in vivo: restoration of biologic complement activity to C5-deficient mice by intravenous inoculation of hybrid cells

Splenic macrophages were identified as at least one source of C5 elaboration in normal mice. Hybrid cells were formed from splenic macrophages from C5-deficient mice and either kidney cells from mice with normal amounts of C5 or chicken erythrocytes. These hybrids elaborated C5 in vitro. C5-Deficient mice inoculated with these hybrid cells developed, in their serum, antigenically active mouse C5, as well as both hemolytic and biologic complement activity. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of genetic "repair" in mammals.