IgE-binding factors from mouse T lymphocytes. I. Formation of IgE-binding factors by stimulation with homologous IgE and interferon

Incubation of normal mouse spleen cells with homologous IgE resulted in the formation of soluble factors that inhibited rosette formation of mouse Fc epsilon R+ cells with IgE-coated ox erythrocytes. The soluble factors could be absorbed with mouse or rat IgE coupled to Sepharose and recovered from the beads by acid elution. However, the factors had no affinity for either human IgE or mouse IgG. The IgE-binding factors were derived from T cells. Production of the factors required Lyt1+ T cells and Fc gamma R+ cells, which suggests that the factors are derived from Fc gamma R+ Lyt 1+ T cells. The molecular size of IgE-binding factors was approximately 15,000 daltons. When IgE-binding factors were formed by BALB/c spleen cells, nearly one-half of the factors had affinity for lentil lectin, and the remaining half of the factors failed to bind to the lectin. The proportion of the two species of IgE-binding factors differed depending on mouse strains. The majority of the factors formed by B6D2F1 spleen cells had affinity for lentil lectin, but those formed by SJL spleen cells failed to bind to the lectin. The IgE-binding factors were also induced by incubation of normal spleen cells with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (pI:pC). The nucleotide stimulated splenic adherent cells to form "inducers" of IgE-binding factors, which in turn induced normal lymphocytes to form IgE-binding factors. The inducers of IgE-binding factors were inactivated (or neutralized) by antibodies specific for mouse Type I interferon. It was also found that purified mouse beta interferon could induce the formation of IgE-binding factors. IgE-binding factors induced by pI:pC consisted of two different molecules: one had a m.w. of 15,000 daltons, and another had a m.w. of between 40,000 and 60,000 daltons.     

Correlation Analysis between Productivity of Chinese Pine Pinus tabulaeformis (Carr.) Plantations and Ecological Factors in Shaanxi Province

This paper centers on the relationships between productivity of Chinese pine stands and ecological factors. The effects of geographictopographic factors, climatic factors, stand factors, soil factors, and combination of these factors are analysed. The whole 84 step-by-step and multiple regression equations are obtained. There are 6 best equations selected for future use. The standard regression coefficients of environmental factors in each equation are calculated. According to their effects on the production of tree components the important sequence is put in order. At last, the practical utilization of study on the relationships between productivity and ecological factors is explored.     

Multiple growth factors are associated with lesions of atherosclerosis: Specificity or redundancy?

Within the last five years, a number of specific growth factors have been localized in developing lesions of atherosclerosis. This localization of growth factors that is not observed in normal vessels, together with the pleotrophic activities of growth factors, have suggested a role for growth factors in atherosclerotic lesion progression. However, based on in vitro studies, many of the growth factors identified in lesions have overlapping target cells and are derived from the same cellular sources. What is the relative role of the specific growth factors identified? How is the their activity altered by the local conditions in the vessel wall? How do different risk factors for atherosclerosis alter the balance between growth factors and their natural regulators? Evidence for the involvement of specific growth factors in the progression of lesions of atherosclerosis is discussed, as well as the multiple levels at which the activities of these growth factors may be regulated by the vessel wall.     

陕西省油松人工林的生产力与生态因素的相关分析

本文研究了油松林分生产力和生态因素的关系,分析了地理、地形,气候、林分和土壤因素单独及综合对林分生产的影响,得到84个逐步回归方程和全回归方程,选出了6个最优方程。计算了各林分外部因素的标准回归系数,找出了影响林分不同部分生产量的因素重要性序列,还探讨了生产力与生态因素相关关系的研究在实践中的应用。     

Polypeptide growth factors in embryogenesis and tumor growth

Polypeptide growth factors, which belong to different families (epidermal growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factors-beta, and some others), were characterized regarding their specific role in embryogenesis and tumor growth. Differences and parallels of the functioning of growth factors in these processes have been noted. Potential significance of the described characteristics of growth factors for directed modulation of embryogenesis and tumor growth is discussed.     

Reasons for the increase in emerging and re-emerging viral infectious diseases

In the past two decades, humans have faced many new viral infectious agents in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Many factors contribute to the appearance of EIDs. These factors are complex but can be classified into three different categories: virus factors, human factors, and ecological factors. The factors contributing to the cause of such viral infectious diseases will be systematically reviewed in this article.     

Anthropogenic, ecological and genetic factors in extinction and conservation

Anthropogenic factors constitute the primary deterministic causes of species declines, endangerment and extinction: land development, overexploitation, species translocations and introductions, and pollution. The primary anthropogenic factors produce ecological and genetic effects contributing to extinction risk. Ecological factors include environmental stochasticity, random catastrophes, and metapopulation dynamics (local extinction and colonization) that are intensified by habitat destruction and fragmentation. Genetic factors include hybridization with nonadapted gene pools, and selective breeding and harvesting. In small populations stochastic factors are especially important, including the ecological factors of Allee effect, edge effects, and demographic stochasticity, and the genetic factors of inbreeding depression, loss of genetic variability, and fixation of new deleterious mutations. All factors affecting extinction risk are expressed, and can be evaluated, through their operation on population dynamics.     

中国香菇自然群体的交配型因子分析*

以自收集于中国14个省、区的53个野生香菇菌株分离得到的94个单核体为材料,进行了交配型因子分析。从该样本中鉴定出66个不同的A因子和72个不同的B因子,而且A、B不亲和性因子系列中的特异性因子均呈等概率分布。据此估算在中国香菇自然群体中存在121个特异的A因子和151个特异的B因子,表明中国香菇自然种质中蕴藏着丰富的遗传多样性。     

Ecological and evolutionary factors of intraspecific variation in inducible defenses: Insights gained from Daphnia experiments

Phenotypic variation among individuals and species is a fundamental principle of natural selection. In this review, we focus on numerous experiments involving the model species Daphnia (Crustacea) and categorize the factors, especially secondary ones, affecting intraspecific variations in inducible defense. Primary factors, such as predator type and density, determine the degree to which inducible defense expresses and increases or decreases. Secondary factors, on the other hand, act together with primary factors to inducible defense or without primary factors on inducible defense. The secondary factors increase intraspecies variation in inducible defense, and thus, the level of adaptation of organisms varies within species. Future research will explore the potential for new secondary factors, as well as the relative importance between factors needs to be clarified.     

丹江口水库水滨带植物群落空间分布及环境解释

探讨了环境因素对丹江口水库(南水北调中线水源地)水滨带植物群落空间分布的影响。通过对水滨带植物群落和环境因素的实地调查,用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)对201个水滨带植物群落进行分类;结合地形、土壤和水文因素用除趋势典范对应分析法(DCCA)分析环境因素对水滨带植物群落的影响;并对环境因素的解释能力进行定量分离。结果表明:(1)水滨带植物群落包括7种类型,分别是萹蓄群落、苘麻群落、细叶水芹+狗牙根群落、狗牙根群落、响叶杨-狗牙根群落、杜梨-白刺花-狗牙根群落和侧柏-牡荆-三穗苔草群落;(2)海拔和水淹影响对水滨带植物群落空间分布具有主导作用。海拔升高,水淹影响减弱,植物群落呈现由草本植物群落向木本植物群落变化的格局;(3)土壤因素的解释能力大于地形因素,水文因素的解释能力最小。各类环境因素之间存在交互作用,地形、水文和土壤因素三者间的交互作用最大,地形和土壤因素之间的交互作用最小。环境因素共解释水滨带植物群落空间分布的21.99%,未解释部分为78.01%。结果证明环境对植被的解释能力是由植被的复杂程度决定的,植被越复杂,环境的解释能力越低。     

松嫩盐碱草地西部的植物群落特征与土壤因子动态关系分析

应用逐步回归法,分析了5~9月松嫩盐碱草地植物群落的生物量、丰富度、多样性和均匀度与同月土壤因子间的关系。松嫩盐碱草地植物群落特征受若干土壤因子的共同影响,不同月份影响因子的变化较复杂。5~7月土壤盐分和养分共同影响着松嫩盐碱草地植物群落生物量,但是土壤盐分因子与群落生物量的相关性更明显（5月的Ca²⁺质量分数,6月和7月的Mg²⁺质量分数）。土壤盐分因子在整个生长季内对松嫩盐碱草地植物群落生物量的直接作用都大于土壤养分因子的。6月时影响松嫩盐碱草地植物群落丰富度、Simpson指数和Shannon指数的土壤养分因子增加,其中土壤全氮质量分数的直接作用是所有土壤因子中最大的。8月植物群落生物量、Simpson指数和Shannon指数仅受土壤盐分因子影响,其中生物量与土壤pH值以及Simpson指数与土壤碱化度都是极显著负相关,Shannon指数与土壤含盐量显著负相关。6~9月的松嫩盐碱草地植物群落均匀度也同时受土壤养分和盐分因子的作用,其中6月和9月时土壤盐分因子对群落均匀度的直接作用更突出。生长末期（9月）松嫩盐碱草地植物群落生物量与土壤因子间的关系以及生长初期（5月）植物群落均匀度与土壤因子间的关系都不明显。     

Presence of an antigen-specific T cell subset that forms IgE-suppressive factor and IgG-suppressive factor on antigenic stimulation

B6D2F1 mice were given three i.v. injections of ovalbumin (OA), and antigen-specific T cell clones were established from their spleen cells. One of the FcR+ T cell clones formed IgE-binding factors on incubation with OA-pulsed syngeneic macrophages. Neither soluble antigen nor macrophages alone induced factor formation. T cell hybridomas were constructed by fusion of the antigen-specific T cell clone with BW 5147 cells. Among 11 T cell hybridomas established, six clones produced IgE-binding factors on incubation with OA-pulsed BDF1 macrophages. Mouse IgE also induced the same hybridoma to form IgE-binding factors. The majority of IgE-binding factors formed by two T hybridomas and by those produced by the parent T cell clone had affinity for peanut agglutinin but for neither lentil lectin nor Con A. These hybridomas and the original T cell clone spontaneously released glycosylation-inhibiting factor, which inhibits the assembly of N-linked oligosaccharide(s) on IgE-binding factors. On antigenic stimulation, the T cell hybridomas produced both IgE-binding factors and IgG-binding factors. The IgE-binding factors consisted of three species with m.w. of 60,000, 30,000, and 15,000. Both the 60K and 15K IgE-binding factors selectively suppressed the IgE response of DNP-OA-primed rat mesenteric lymph node cells, whereas IgG-binding factors selectively suppressed the IgG response. The results indicate that antigen-primed FcR+ T cells produced IgE-suppressive factors and IgG-suppressive factors on antigenic stimulation. However, the T cell hybridomas were not committed to suppressive activity. When the hybridomas were stimulated by antigen in the presence of glycosylation-enhancing factor (GEF), the 60K, 30K, and 15K IgE-binding factors formed by the cells selectively potentiated the IgE response. IgG-binding factors formed by the cells in the presence of GEF failed to suppress the IgG response. It appears that antigen-specific FcR+ T cells regulate the antibody response through the formation of Ig-binding factors, but that the function of the cells could be switched from suppression to enhancement, depending on the environment of the cells.     

Purification of seven protein synthesis initiation factors from Krebs II ascites cells.

Seven protein synthesis initiation factors were isolated from Krebs II ascites cells using the procedures developed for the purification of the corresponding factors from rabbit reticulocytes. The ascites factors display identical characteristics in ion exchange chromatography and sucrose density gradient sedimentation. Based on their profiles in SDS polyacrylamide gels, the ascites factors have polypeptide profiles and molecular weights identical to those of the reticulocyte factors. Most significantly, each ascites factor is competent in replacing its corresponding reticulocyte factor in a reconstituted in vitro protein synthesizing system which is dependent on all seven factors.     

Host factors against plant viruses

Plant virus genome replication and movement is dependent on host resources and factors. However, plants respond to virus infection through several mechanisms, such as autophagy, ubiquitination, mRNA decay and gene silencing, that target viral components. Viral factors work in synchrony with pro-viral host factors during the infection cycle and are targeted by antiviral responses. Accordingly, establishment of virus infection is genetically determined by the availability of the pro-viral factors necessary for genome replication and movement, and by the balance between plant defence and viral suppression of defence responses. Sequential requirement of pro-viral factors and the antagonistic activity of antiviral factors suggest a two-step model to explain plant–virus interactions. At each step of the infection process, host factors with antiviral activity have been identified. Here we review our current understanding of host factors with antiviral activity against plant viruses.     

Transfer factors: identification of conserved sequences in transfer factor molecules

BACKGROUND: Transfer factors are small proteins that "transfer" the ability to express cell-mediated immunity from immune donors to non-immune recipients. We developed a process for purifying specific transfer factors to apparent homogeneity. This allowed us to separate individual transfer factors from mixtures containing several transfer factors and to demonstrate the antigen-specificity of transfer factors. Transfer factors have been shown to be an effective means for correction of deficient cellular immunity in patients with opportunistic infections, such as candidiasis or recurrent Herpes simplex and to provide prophylactic immunity against varicella-zoster in patients with acute leukemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transfer factors of bovine and murine origin were purified by affinity chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Cyanogen bromide digests were sequenced. The properties of an apparently conserved sequence on expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity by transfer factor recipients were assessed. RESULTS: A novel amino acid sequence, LLYAQDL/VEDN, was identified in each of seven transfer factor preparations. These peptides would not transfer expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to recipients, which indicates that they are not sufficient for expression of the specificity or immunological properties of native transfer factors. However, administration of the peptides to recipients of native transfer factors blocked expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity by the recipients. The peptides were not immunosuppressive. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the peptides may represent the portion of transfer factors that binds to the "target cells" for transfer factors. Identification of these cells will be helpful in defining the mechanisms of action of transfer factors.     

Loss of Colicinogeny in Escherichia coli Strains Infected by Certain Resistance Factors

The original observation that in wild-type colicinogenic Escherichia coli strains the introduction of some R factors abolish their colicin production was studied in certain col(+) strains bearing well-defined col factors. Two resistance (R) factors were used and introduced by conjugation in these strains, namely the 222 factor of Watanabe and a Salmonella typhimurium ST factor (coding for resistance to streptomycin and tetracycline only). The introduction of above mentioned R factors abolished the colicin production of col(+) strains most probably by elimination of col factors. All col factors, however, were not equally susceptible to elimination by the R factors tested, since colicin production in ML strains was abolished by infection by the 222 factor but not by the R factor of S. typhimurium ST, which is able to eliminate other col factors.     

Initiation factors that bind mRNA. A comparison of mammalian factors with wheat germ factors

Three mammalian eukaryotic initiation factors (eIF) are required for the ATP-dependent binding of mRNA to the 40 S ribosomal subunit. These three factors, eIF-4A, eIF-4B, and eIF-4F, have also been isolated from wheat germ. Three assays were used to measure the ability of the wheat germ factors to interact with and/or substitute for the mammalian factors. Two assay systems were used to measure partial reactions involving the interaction of the three factors, ATP, and mRNA: 1) RNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis and 2) cross-linking of the factors to the 5' cap of oxidized mRNA. A third assay system was used to measure the ability of the factors to support initiation of protein synthesis. The results of the ATP hydrolysis and cross-linking experiments indicate that the wheat germ factors can interact with or substitute for the mammalian factors. Wheat germ eIF-4A appears to be functionally equivalent to mammalian eIF-4A. Wheat germ eIF-4B and eIF-4F appear to be isozymes possessing functions similar to mammalian eIF-4F. Wheat germ eIF-4B does not appear to be a functional equivalent to the mammalian eIF-4B. In a complete translation system from wheat germ, mammalian factors partially substitute for wheat germ factors, whereas the wheat germ factors are ineffective in the mammalian system.     

Comparisons of F Factors and R Factors: Existence of Independent Regulation Groups in F Factors

The similarity of sex pili mediated by F factors and R(fi(+)) factors and the ability of R(fi(+)) factors to control by repression the functioning of pilus genes encoded by the F factor suggested that F factors and R(fi(+)) factors are closely related. Further comparisons of the episomal properties of F factors and R(fi(+)) factors, however, indicated many differences. F factors contain information for a restriction system for phages phiII and T7. Cells containing R factors are sensitive to these phages. Furthermore, R(fi(+)) factors do not repress the F factor phiII restriction system in cells containing both an R(fi(+)) factor and an F factor. R factors and F factors are heteroimmune episomes. In addition, an R(fi(+)) factor in cells containing both an R factor and an F factor does not fully repress the expression of F-factor immunity to an incoming second F factor. R-factor and F-factor replication systems are not identical. Wild-type F-factor replication genes will complement the mutant F(ts114)lac(+) replication genes in cells containing two F factors. The F(ts114)lac(+) episome is retained when these cells are grown at 42 C; however, cells containing an R(fi(+)) factor and F(ts114)lac(+) lose the F(ts114)lac(+) when grown at 42 C, at the same rate as cells containing only the F(ts114)lac(+). The replication system of the R(fi(+)) factor will not complement the mutant F(ts114)lac(+) replication system.     

乌拉尔图小麦NAC转录因子的筛选与分析

NAC是植物特有的具有多种功能的一类转录因子,广泛参与植物的生长发育,器官建成及抗逆境胁迫等反应.目前有关NAC转录因子的研究主要针对模式植物(如拟南芥和水稻),而在小麦中的研究相对较少.本文利用生物信息学方法,获得乌拉尔图小麦(Triticum urartu)NAC转录因子家族基因的全长序列,并对其进化关系,生物学功能,染色体定位以及基因复制等进行预测与分析,同时利用荧光定量PCR验证相关转录因子在非生物胁迫下的表达模式.结果显示,共筛选得到87个乌拉尔图小麦全长NAC转录因子,通过进化树分析将其分为7个亚族,其中39个NAC 转录因子被定位在7条染色体上.通过基因复制分析发现,有5对NAC转录因子基因发生了复制.进一步通过荧光定量验证4个NAC转录因子在非生物胁迫下的表达模式,发现4个转录因子均受不同胁迫而上调表达.