牙龈卟啉杆菌W83单克隆抗体的研制与鉴定

牙龈类杆菌曾是重要的产黑色素类杆菌群菌株,最近重新命名为牙龈卟啉杆菌,该菌为牙周病龈下菌斑中关键性厌氧菌,与成人慢性牙周炎的发生、发展有密切关系。作者用牙龈卟啉杆菌侵袭型菌株W83,作为免疫原,通过免疫小鼠、细胞融合、筛选、克隆化,最后得到一株能够稳定分泌抗牙龈卟啉杆菌W83的单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞系,经鉴定该单抗特异性良好,可用于临床该菌的检出和生态学研究。     

血链球菌在不同牙周状态下的分布及相关研究

目的：探讨口腔主要过氧化氢产生菌血链球菌和口腔链球菌在不同牙周健康状态下龈下菌群中的分布,及与牙周健康状态和牙龈卟啉单胞菌群中分布的相互关系。方法：纳入符合标准的受试者30人,受试位点86个,其中健康组11人,位点30个,龈炎组9人,位点29个,慢性牙周炎组10人,位点27个,检查记录牙周健康状态[包括牙龈指数（GI）和牙周袋深度（PD）],采集龈下菌斑标本,经厌氧菌培养基和AP-PCR及PCR鉴定后,将各受试组进行比较分析。结果：共获得草绿色链球菌523株,产黑色素菌241株。经AP-PCR及PCR鉴定后,得到血链球菌112株,口腔链球菌56株,牙龈卟啉单胞菌84株,健康组龈下菌斑中血链球菌,口腔链球菌和牙龈卟啉单胞菌构成比与牙周炎组相比有差异显著性;血链球菌和口腔链球菌与GI、PD呈负相关,牙龈卟啉菌与GI、PD呈正相关;血链球菌的构成与牙龈卟啉单胞菌的构成比呈负相关。结论：血链球菌等过氧化氢产生菌在龈下菌斑中比例的下降。可能是微生态失衡,致病菌过度增殖的重要机制。     

牙周微生态研究进展

１　牙周细菌克隆的多型性与感染模式７０年代以后,随着对厌氧微生物分离、培养和鉴定技术的发展,从口腔内发现了三百多种不同种类的细菌,目前认为最可疑的牙周致病菌有：放线共生放线杆菌、牙龈卟啉菌、中间普氏菌、具核梭杆菌、福氏类杆菌、直形弯曲菌、优杆菌、溶齿艾肯氏菌、微小消化链球菌、月形单胞菌和密螺旋体,其中放线共生放线杆菌作为局限性青少年牙周炎的主要致病菌,牙龈卟啉菌作为成人牙周炎的主要致病菌是被研究得最广泛,证据也是最充足的。在感染微生物学领域,一个非常普遍的现象是致病菌往往存在多种克隆型,有些是毒…     

突发疫情中炭疽芽孢杆菌的分离及鉴定

对疑似炭疽感染病牛牛肉标本和牛血污染土壤标本进行了病原菌分离,经菌落形态和菌体形态观察、血清学实验和生化鉴定,证明分离到的细菌为炭疽芽孢杆菌。为进一步了解其特性,分别用保护性抗原、水肿因子和荚膜基因特异性引物对2株菌进行PCR扩增。结果显示,这两株菌有两个毒力相关质粒pX01和pX02,为有毒株。序列测定表明,这两株菌基因间同源性达99%,这两株菌与GenBank中炭疽芽孢杆菌A2012株、Ames Ancestor株和A16R疫苗株同源性达99%。     

Viili乳制品中干酪乳杆菌的分离鉴定

从引进Viili乳制品中筛选、鉴定出3种优良乳酸菌。采用平板分离法从Viili乳制品中分离3株乳酸菌,通过表型1、6S rRNA的PCR扩增、克隆、测序鉴定。3株乳酸菌的表型鉴定结果符合伯杰细菌鉴定手册中乳杆菌属的干酪乳杆菌,16S rRNA序列同源性分析结果表明3株分离菌与干酪乳杆菌的同源性分别为99.93%、100.00%9、9.78%,从Viili乳制品分离到3株干酪乳杆菌。     

L.sp.HXQ001菌株16SrRNA基因序列及聚类分析

目的 在表型鉴定的基础上使用遗传学方法鉴定一株明串珠菌属的细菌。方法 扩增Ｌ．ｓｐ．ＨＸＱ００１菌株１６ＳｒＲＮＡ基因并测序,将结果与同属,非同属的乳酸作同源性比较。结果 ｌｏｓｐＨＸＱＯＯ１菌株与同属的乳酸菌柠蒙色明串珠菌的同源性为９８％～９９％,与肠膜明串珠菌的同源性为９５％以上,与非同属的乳酸菌酒类酒球菌和类肠膜魏斯菌的同源性均小于７０％。结论 Ｌ．ｓｐ．ＨＸＱ００１菌为柠蒙色明串珠菌。     

乳扇制品中乳酸杆菌的分离鉴定及16S rRNA序列同源性分析

目的乳扇是云南大理白族的一种传统乳制品,明确大理乳扇制品中乳杆菌的多样性及优势种群分布,为科学利用奠定基础。方法采用表型鉴定及16S r RNA鉴定方法,对10个家庭作坊的大理乳扇制品中的乳杆菌进行了分离鉴定。结果共分离到50株乳杆菌,通过表型鉴定为8个种,包括植物乳杆菌10株、德氏乳杆菌7株、发酵乳杆菌6株、干酪乳杆菌6株、棒状乳杆菌4株、鼠乳杆菌2株、弯曲乳杆菌3株和食果糖乳杆菌2株;06422和06430两株表型鉴定未能定种,进一步通过16S r RNA鉴定为植物乳杆菌和马酒乳杆菌,06422株与植物乳杆菌L.arizonensin、L.pentosus和L.plantarum P158的同源性分别是100%、100%和99.9%,与乳杆菌属其它种的同源性为83.4%(L.gallinarum)至93.5%(L.brevis),06430株与L.kefiranofaciens.subsp.Kefirgranum的16S r RNA同源性是99.9%,与乳杆菌属其它种的同源性为83.7%(L.plantarum P158)至96.3%(L.acidophilus)。结论大理乳扇制品中有9种乳杆菌,其优势种群为植物乳杆菌、德氏乳杆菌、发酵乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌等四种。     

牙髓紫卟啉杆菌血清学特性分析

牙髓类杆菌曾是重要的产黑色素类杆菌群菌株,最近重新命名为牙髓紫卟啉杆菌,与牙髓尖周感染和牙源性脓肿有特殊关系。本文用牙髓紫卟啉杆菌ATCC 35406国际标准菌株免疫Balb/c小鼠制得免疫血清,ELISA法检测该抗血清的特异性。发现与中间型类杆菌、产黑色素类杆菌、赖氏类杆菌、躯体类杆菌、牙类杆菌、牙龈紫卟啉杆菌、脆弱类杆菌、黄褐二氧化碳嗜纤维菌、生痰二氧化碳嗜纤维菌、衣氏放线菌反应均阴性,而同不解糖紫卟啉杆菌呈现弱阳性反应,说明矛髓紫卟啉杆菌与不解糖紫卟啉杆菌具有某种相同抗原结构,存在血清交叉反应,血清学关系较近。牙髓紫卟啉杆茵多克隆抗体直接用于临床该菌的检出与鉴定,尚存一定缺陷。     

一株细薄星芒海绵细菌的抗菌活性与分类学研究

采用平板涂布法从我国南海细薄星芒海绵分离得到一株细菌A72,以大肠埃希氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、荧光假单胞菌、黑曲霉、白假丝酵母、宛氏拟青霉7种指标菌对A72的抗菌活性进行了研究,同时采用形态学观察、生理生化分析与16S rDNA同源性与系统发育分析进行种属鉴定。研究发现A72对于枯草芽孢杆菌等具有显著的活性,初步确认A72为粪产碱杆菌。     

我国仓贮昆虫病原芽孢杆菌的研究

对９５１个样品分离鉴定,有７４７个样品含芽孢杆菌,有菌率为７８．５５％．共分离得到芽孢杆菌１１３８株,其中苏云金杆菌（Ｂａｃｉｌｌｕｓｔｈｕｒｉｎｇｉｅｎｓｉｓ,简称Ｂ．ｔ）１４３株,占１２．５％;球形芽孢杆菌（Ｂａｃｉｌｌｕｓｓｐｈａｅｒｉｃｕｓ,简称Ｂ．ｓ）１１株,占０．９７％;其他芽孢杆菌９８４株,占８６．４０％．从芽孢杆菌中选出产生晶体、苏云金素或磷酸酯酶Ｃ（ＰｈｏｓｐｈａｌｉｐａｓｅＣ,简称ＰＬＣ）的毒素菌株１６８株,其中Ｂ．ｔ占１４３株,Ｂ．ｓ有５株,其他芽孢杆菌１０株．在产毒素菌株中,经测定有１２０株菌对供试昆虫毒性达标．占７７．９２％．不同菌株的杀虫毒素、杀虫范围和毒力各异,认为这种差异取决于毒素和虫种两方面的特异性．     

亚甲基蓝/光化学法辅助治疗慢性牙周炎对牙龈卟啉单胞菌的影响

目的研究亚甲基蓝/光化学法辅助治疗慢性牙周炎对牙龈卟啉单胞菌(Porphyromonas gingivalis,Pg)检出率的变化。方法经伦理委员会同意后,本研究拟筛选出45例慢性牙周炎患者(每位患者经过详细牙周检查及X线检查后确认为牙周炎,有4个以上≥5 mm的牙周袋并分布在2个以上口腔区域),随机分3组:其中A组在SRP之后接受1次PERIOWAVE光化学治疗,B组在SRP后接受1次PERIOWAVE治疗以及在6周后再一次接受光化学治疗,而SRP组仅接受SRP治疗,各组患者取治疗前后相同4个位点龈下菌斑,聚合酶链式反应(Poly-merase chain reaction,PCR)检测Pg,观察Pg菌的检出率,采用卡方检验,并计算χ2值。结果 SRP组、A组、B组3组各组治疗后均较治疗前检出率降低(P<0.001),A组与SRP组治疗后比较差异无统计学意义[A组:40%(24/60),SRP组:45%(27/60),χ2=1.4815,P>0.05],B组与SRP治疗后比较检出率降低[SRP组:45%(27/60),B组:20%(12/60)χ2=8.547,P<0.01];B组与A组治疗后比较检出率降低[A组:40%(24/60),B组:20%(12/60),χ2=5.7143,P<0.05]。结论亚甲基蓝/光化学法辅助治疗慢性牙周炎后牙龈卟啉单胞菌的检出率较治疗前降低;结合临床试验结果,尚可认为2次激光疗效较1次激光好。     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 expression induced by lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis in human gingival fibroblast

In the gingival tissues of patients with periodontitis, inflammatory responses are mediated by a wide variety of genes. In our previous screening study, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) mRNA binding protein expression was increased in gingiva from periodontitis patients. In this study, we further investigated the signaling pathway involved in PAI-1 expression induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS (Pg LPS) in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). When HGFs were treated with Pg LPS, both PAI-1 mRNA expression and PAI-1 protein were induced in a dose-dependent manner. Pg LPS induced NF-κB activation and the expressions of PAI-1 mRNA and protein were suppressed by pretreating with a NF-κB inhibitor. Pg LPS also induced ERK, p38, and JNK activation, and Pg LPS-induced PAI-1 expression was inhibited by ERK/p38/JNK inhibitor pretreatment. In conclusion, Pg LPS induced PAI-1 expression through NF-κB and MAP kinases activation in HGF.     

Resolution of conformational activation in the kinetic mechanism of plasminogen activation by streptokinase

Streptokinase (SK) activates plasminogen (Pg) by specific binding and nonproteolytic expression of the Pg catalytic site, initiating Pg proteolysis to form the fibrinolytic proteinase, plasmin (Pm). The SK-induced conformational activation mechanism was investigated in quantitative kinetic and equilibrium binding studies. Progress curves of Pg activation by SK monitored by chromogenic substrate hydrolysis were parabolic, with initial rates (v(1)) that indicated no transient species and subsequent rate increases (v(2)). The v(1) dependence on SK concentration for [Glu]Pg and [Lys]Pg was hyperbolic with dissociation constants corresponding to those determined in fluorescence-based binding studies for the native Pg species, identifying v(1) as rapid SK binding and conformational activation. Comparison of [Glu]Pg and [Lys]Pg activation showed an approximately 12-fold higher affinity of SK for [Lys]Pg that was lysine-binding site dependent and no such dependence for [Glu]Pg. Stopped-flow kinetics of SK binding to fluorescently labeled Pg demonstrated at least two fast steps in the conformational activation pathway. Characterization of the specificity of the conformationally activated SK.[Lys]Pg* complex for tripeptide-p-nitroanilide substrates demonstrated 5-18- and 10-130-fold reduced specificity (k(cat)/K(m)) compared with SK.Pm and Pm, respectively, with differences in K(m) and k(cat) dependent on the P1 residue. The results support a kinetic mechanism in which SK binding and reversible conformational activation occur in a rapid equilibrium, multistep process.     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌诱导T淋巴细胞活化、凋亡的体外研究

目的检测牙龈卟啉单胞菌对人外周血中T淋巴细胞活化及凋亡的作用,并检测Fas/FasL在牙龈卟啉单胞菌(Porphyrom onas gingivalis,Pg)诱导的T淋巴细胞凋亡中的表达。方法选取10例全身及牙周组织健康受试者,分离外周血中T淋巴细胞,在有/无Pg情况下培养0~96 h,用荧光探针(Annexin V-FITC、PI、CD69)及特殊的单克隆抗体(Fas、FasL)进行标记,并进行流式细胞仪检测。结果 CD69+淋巴细胞+Pg组Annexin V+/PI-细胞百分数在各个时间点上都明显高于T淋巴细胞+Pg组(P0.01)。Fas和FasL的表达量明显上调。用抗Fas单克隆抗体阻滞Fas-FasL相互作用导致T细胞凋亡的明显减少,百分比为(20.56±2.43)%,未加抗体的为(50.41±2.68)%。但残余的细胞凋亡活动与阴性对照相比仍高。结论 Pg能够诱导人外周血中T淋巴细胞活化,并且能够通过活化促进其凋亡,Pg诱导T淋巴细胞凋亡主要通过Fas-FasL途径,并具有时间依赖性。     

Porphyromonas gingivalis and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of various compartments including the synovial tissue

Introduction

We evaluated the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) DNA in the synovial tissue through synovial biopsy and in other compartments of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in comparison with patients affected by other arthritides. Possible links with clinical, immunologic and genetic features were assessed.

Methods

Peripheral blood (PB), sub-gingival dental plaque, synovial fluid (SF) and synovial tissue samples were collected from 69 patients with active knee arthritis (32 with RA and 37 with other arthritides, of which 14 had undifferentiated peripheral inflammatory arthritis - UPIA). Demographic, clinical, laboratory and immunological data were recorded. The presence of Pg DNA was evaluated through PCR. The HLA-DR haplotype was assessed for 45 patients with RA and UPIA.

Results

No differences arose in the positivity for Pg DNA in the sub-gingival plaque, PB and SF samples between RA and the cohort of other arthritides. Full PB samples showed a higher positivity for Pg DNA than plasma samples (11.8% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.04). Patients with RA showed a higher positivity for Pg DNA in the synovial tissue compared to controls (33.3% vs. 5.9%, P <0.01). UPIA and RA patients carrying the HLA DRB1*04 allele showed a higher positivity for Pg DNA in the synovial tissue compared to patients negative for the allele (57.1% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.04). RA patients positive for Pg DNA in the sub-gingival plaque had a lower disease duration and a higher peripheral blood leucocyte and neutrophil count. The presence of Pg DNA did not influence disease activity, disease disability or positivity for autoantibodies.

Conclusions

The presence of Pg DNA in the synovial tissue of RA patients suggests a pathogenic role of the bacterium. The higher positivity of Pg DNA in full peripheral blood and synovial tissue samples compared to plasma and synovial fluid suggests a possible intracellular localization of Pg, in particular in patients positive for HLA-DR4.     

The impact of continuous positive airway pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the primary barrier to gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux is associated with periods of LES relaxation, as occurs during swallowing. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to reduce reflux in individuals with and without sleep apnea, by an unknown mechanism. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CPAP on swallow-induced LES relaxation. Measurements were made in 10 healthy, awake, supine individuals. Esophageal (Pes), LES (Ples), gastric (Pg), and barrier pressure to reflux (Pb = Ples - Pg) were recorded using a sleeve catheter during five swallows of 5 ml of water. This was repeated at four levels of CPAP (0, 5, 10, and 15 cmH(2)O). Pressures were measured during quiet breathing and during the LES relaxation associated with a swallow. Duration of LES relaxation was also recorded. During quiet breathing, CPAP significantly increased end-expiratory Pes, Ples, Pg, and Pb (P < 0.05). The increase in Pb was due to a disproportionate increase in Ples compared with Pg (P < 0.05). During a swallow, CPAP increased nadir Ples, Pg, and Pb and decreased the duration of LES relaxation (4.1 s with 0-cmH(2)O CPAP to 1.6 s on 15-cmH(2)O CPAP, P < 0.001). Pb increased with CPAP by virtue of a disproportionate increase in Ples compared with Pg. This may be due to either reflex activation of LES smooth muscle, or nonspecific transmission of pressure to the LES. The findings suggest CPAP may make the LES less susceptible to reflux by increasing Pb and decreasing the duration of LES relaxation.     

Clinical correlations with Porphyromonas gingivalis antibody responses in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Prior studies have demonstrated an increased frequency of antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a leading agent of periodontal disease, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, these patients generally had long-standing disease, and clinical associations with these antibodies were inconsistent. Our goal was to examine Pg antibody responses and their clinical associations in patients with early RA prior to and after disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.

Methods

Serum samples from 50 DMARD-naïve RA patients were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with whole-Pg sonicate. For comparison, serum samples were tested from patients with late RA, patients with other connective tissue diseases (CTDs), age-similar healthy hospital personnel and blood bank donors. Pg antibody responses in early RA patients were correlated with standard RA biomarkers, measures of disease activity and function.

Results

At the time of enrollment, 17 (34%) of the 50 patients with early RA had positive immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses to Pg, as did 13 (30%) of the 43 patients with late RA. RA patients had significantly higher Pg antibody responses than healthy hospital personnel and blood bank donors (P < 0.0001). Additionally, RA patients tended to have higher Pg antibody reactivity than patients with other CTDs (P = 0.1), and CTD patients tended to have higher Pg responses than healthy participants (P = 0.07). Compared with Pg antibody-negative patients, early RA patients with positive Pg responses more often had anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody reactivity, their anti-CCP levels were significantly higher (P = 0.03) and the levels of anti-Pg antibodies correlated directly with anti-CCP levels (P < 0.01). Furthermore, at the time of study entry, the Pg-positive antibody group had greater rheumatoid factor values (P = 0.04) and higher inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR) (P = 0.05), and they tended to have higher disease activity scores (Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count (DAS28)-ESR and Clinical Disease Activity Index) and more functional impairment (Health Assessment Questionnaire). In Pg-positive patients, greater disease activity was still apparent after 12 months of DMARD therapy.

Conclusions

A subset of early RA patients had positive Pg antibody responses. The responses correlated with anti-CCP antibody reactivity and to a lesser degree with ESR values. There was a trend toward greater disease activity in Pg-positive patients, and this trend remained after 12 months of DMARD therapy. These findings are consistent with a role for Pg in disease pathogenesis in a subset of RA patients.     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌血凝素2氯化血红素结合位点多肽对牙龈卟啉单胞菌生长抑制作用

目的探讨牙龈卟啉单胞菌血凝素2（Porphyromonas gingivalis hemagglutinin-2,PgHA-2）的氯化血红素结合位点多肽对牙龈卟啉单胞菌（Porphyromonasgingivalis,Pg）摄取氯化血红素生长的影响。方法合成多肽DHYAVMISK（肽1）,DEYAVMISK（肽2,肽1中第2位氨基酸突变为谷氨酸）,ALHPDHYLI（肽3,HA-2结合位点不相关多肽）。将肽l、肽2、肽3分别与氯化血红素琼脂糖珠预孵育,加入Pg重组血凝素2（Porphyromonas gingivalis recombinant HA-2,PgrHA-2）,收集与氯化血红素结合的PgrHA-2,SDS—PAGE电泳,分析多肽对PgrHA-2与氯化血红素结合的抑制作用。肽1、肽2、肽3与氯化血红素预孵育后,加入到CDC液体培养基中培养Pg,测定菌液A600值,分析多肽对Pg生长的抑制作用。结果肽1浓度依赖性抑制PgrHA-2与氯化血红素结合,而肽2和肽3对PgrHA-2与氯化血红素的结合无抑制作用。在24、48和72h时间点,肽1组的A600值较肽2、肽3和PBS组明显降低（P〈0．05）。结论本研究表明PgHA-2氯化血红素结合位点多肽DHYAVMISK与Pg竞争结合氯化血红素,抑制Pg的生长,为开发新的牙周病防治方法奠定基础。     

Amphibian pepsinogens: purification and characterization of xenopus pepsinogens, and molecular cloning of Xenopus and bullfrog pepsinogens

Two pepsinogens (Pg C and Pg A) were isolated from the stomach of adult Xenopus laevis by Q-Sepharose, Sephadex G-75, and Mono-Q column chromatographies. Autolytic conversion and activation of the purified Pgs into the pepsins were examined by acid treatment. We determined the amino acid sequences from the NH2-termini of Pg C, pepsin C, Pg A, and pepsin A. Based on the sequences, the cDNAs for Pg C and Pg A were cloned from adult stomach RNA, and the complete amino acid sequences of the Pg C and Pg A were predicted. In addition, a Pg A cDNA was cloned from the stomach of adult bullfrog Rana catesbeiana, and the primary structure of the Pg A was predicted. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that such anuran Pg C and Pg A belong to the Pg C group and the Pg A group in vertebrates, respectively. The molecular properties of Pg C and Pg A, such as size, sequences of the activation peptide and active site, profile of autolytic activation, and pH dependency of proteolytic activity of the activated forms, pepsin C and pepsin A, resemble those of Pgs found in other vertebrates. However, the hemoglobin-hydrolyzing activity of Xenopus pepsin C is completely inhibited in the presence of equimolar pepstatin, an inhibitor of aspartic proteinases. Thus, the Xenopus pepsin C differs significantly from other vertebrate pepsins C in its high susceptibility to pepstatin, and closely resembles A-type pepsins.     

Plasminogen carbohydrate side chains in receptor binding and enzyme activation: a study of C6 glioma cells and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The human [Glu1]-plasminogen carbohydrate isozymes, plasminogen type I (Pg 1) and plasminogen type II (Pg 2), were separated by chromatography and studied in cell binding experiments at 4 degrees C with primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and rat C6 glioma cells. In both cell systems, Pg 1 and Pg 2 bound to an equivalent number of receptors, apparently representing the same population of surface molecules. The affinity for Pg 2 was slightly higher. With hepatocytes, the KD for Pg 1 was 3.2 +/- 0.2 microM, and the KD for Pg 2 was 1.9 +/- 0.1 microM, as determined from Scatchard transformations of the binding isotherms. The Bmax was approximately the same for both isozymes. With C6 cells, the KD for Pg 1 was 2.2 +/- 0.1 microM vs. 1.5 +/- 0.2 microM for Pg 2. Again, the Bmax was similar with both isozymes. 125I-Pg 1 and 125I-Pg 2 were displaced from specific binding sites by either nonradiolabeled isozyme. The KI for Pg 2 was slightly lower than the KI for Pg 1 with hepatocytes (0.9 vs. 1.3 microM) and with C6 cells (0.6 vs. 1.1 microM). No displacement was detected with miniplasminogen at concentrations up to 5.0 microM. Activation of Pg 1 and Pg 2 by recombinant two-chain tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was enhanced by hepatocyte cultures. The enhancing effect was greater with Pg 2. Hepatocyte cultures did not affect the activation of miniplasminogen by rt-PA or the activation of plasminogen by streptokinase. Unlike the hepatocytes, C6 cells did not enhance the activation of plasminogen by rt-PA or streptokinase; however, plasmin generated in the presence of C6 cells reacted less readily with alpha 2-antiplasmin.