Attempts to identify the active factor of reticulin-M by high voltage electrophoresis and by acetone precipitation

The reticulin-M forte (R forte), an antianaphylactic peptide, extracted from organs rich in RES, previously stimulated with India ink, was analysed after acetone precipitation by paper high voltage electrophoresis. Finally the biological activity remains concentrated in the second, arbitrary group of basic peptides, fractions 1 and 3.

Reticulin-M, an antianaphylactic peptide secreted by reticulo-endothelial system

I. Moldovan (1923) demonstrated in the blood ultrafiltrate from anaphylactically prepared guinea pigs, which believed to anaphylactic shock, or which were previously injected with coloidal substances as India ink to stimulate the RES, an antianaphylactic principle named Reticulin-M(R). Authors extracted R from organs rich in RES with acetone, established their, peptidic nature and tested it on anaphylactic prepared guinea pig uterine horns in vitro. The peptides were fractioned by high voltage paper electrophoresis. The fractions were cut up in four groups, eluted and tested. The second basic group was identified as active and concentrated by acetone, recipitation. In conclusion several techniques were used to obtain, to test, to isolate and to concentrate R, a natural antianaphylactic peptidic factor, which may be a cytokine.

Collagen in the cellular and fibrotic stages of scleroderma

The collagen in localized and systemic scleroderma skin was studied by light microscopy with silver impregnation (50 patients), electron microscopy (14 patients), and immunofluorescence microscopy using specific antibodies against Type I and Type III collagens (12 patients). In the cellular stage, the dermis and adipose tissue revealed perivascular or diffuse cellular infiltrates (mostly lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages), accompanied by deposition of Type III collagen. The lower dermis also showed an increase in Type III collagen. In the fibrotic stage, the papillary layer showed a reduction and/or clumping of Type III collagen as compared to normal skin. The lower dermis and the adipose tissue revealed compact collagen consisting exclusively of Type I collagen or a mixture of Type I and Type III collagen. The pattern of Type III collagen distribution was similar to that of reticulin, thus suggesting that at least some reticulin fibrils may represent Type III collagen.

Isolation of a non-collagenous reticulin component and its primary characterization

A reticulin component has been extracted from the saline insoluble residue of pig renal cortex and liver by a distilled water dispersion method. The water dispersed component, that could be precipitated by addition of NaCl up to 0·15 mol/l, was proved to be a protein distinct from collagen in that it contained no hydroxyproline and 9% glycine. The carbohydrate content was 4%, consisting mainly of galactose and mannose. The protein showed an affinity for the silver impregnation method, as used for reticulin. Antibodies to it, raised in rabbits, showed typical anti-reticulin staining by immunofluorescent techniques. It is suggested therefore that this protein, having peculiar solubility characteristics, may be a significant, non-collagenous component of reticulin.