Analyse immunoélectrophorétique comparée des structures antigéniques de 17 espèces de Dermatophytes

Sans résuméTravail effectué avec l'aide de l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale.     

Regulation of vascular development by fibroblast growth factors

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are potent stimulators of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. However, the precise role of FGFs and vascular development in normal and pathological tissue has long remained ill defined. Recently, substantial progress has been made toward a better understanding of their role. Genetic studies in mice or in culture systems indicate a role for FGFs in vessel assembly and sprouting. FGFs also stimulate blood vessel branching and lymphangiogenesis. The molecular mechanisms by which FGFs mediate angiogenesis are also better understood. Finally, the FGF/FGF-receptor system has become a focus for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases such as tissue ischemia.Work described herein from our laboratory was supported by grants from the Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, the Association de la Recherche sur le Cancer, Rétina France, the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), and the Ministère de la Recherche     

Individualisation au microscope optique des grains de proteine secretes par la glande mammaire

Resumé Les grains de protéine sécrétés par la glande mammaire, révélés par le microscope électronique, peuvent s'individualiser au microscope optique à condition d'employer une technique assez fine.

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Summary The protein granules secreted by the mammary gland and first revealed by electron microscopy can be seen in the light microscope, if appropriate techniques are emploied.

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Avec l'aide du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et de l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale.     

A girl with mosaicism for a dicentric X chromosome (45,X/46,X,dic(X) (Xqter→p22::p22→qter))

Summary A 12-year-old girl was examined for growth retardation and a few very discrete dysmorphologic stigmata of Turner's syndrome; the genitalia were infantile yet both ovaries possessed functioning follicles. R- and C-banding techniques and Brdu treatment demonstrated a 45,X formula in 95% of lymphocytes, with 5% presenting a 46,X,dic(X) formula. Cytogenetic and clinical problems raised by this observation are discussed in relation to data from the literature.This work was supported by grants from the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (C.R.L. 75-10-42-24) and from the C.R.E.M.A.G.     

Enhancement of T suppressor activity in mice by high doses of BCG

Summary The spleen cells from mice injected 2 weeks previously with high doses of BCG have a lower reactivity as shown when they are engaged in a graft versus host reaction or in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. This suppression is an active and nonspecific phenomenon, at least partly attributable to the T-cell population.This work was supported by CRAMP and Action urgente DGRST 74-7-11-85, by CRL 74.5.015.01 from the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche médicale.     

Do voluntary changes in inspiratory-expiratory ratio prevent exercise-induced asthma?

It is often admitted that heat exchange in the airways is a major cause of exercise-induced asthma. Because a decrease in the inspiratory time/expiratory time ratio (TI/TE) decreases these exchanges, we postulated that it might decrease bronchoconstriction as well. Twenty-four asthmatic children, divided into three groups, underwent two exercise provocation tests, 24 hours apart (outdoor running for 6 min). The first test was identical for all the subjects. In the second test, the first group did not receive any instruction concerning breathing pattern. The second group was instructed to adopt equal inspiratory and expiratory times (TI/TE = 1). The third group had to adopt an expiratory time three times longer than inspiratory time (TI/TE = 1/3). The three groups displayed similar pulmonary function tests (FEV1 and FVC), cardiac frequency, and running performances. However, FEV1 significantly improved in the second session. This suggested that familiarization with the task and related psychological factors may influence asthma more than voluntary changes in TI/TE.This work was partly supported by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (CJF 89-09) and by the Institut Electricité Santé (grant No. 93 022 CS).     

Zytophotometrische Bestimmung des Histon- und Gesamtproteingehalts von Zellen des lymphatischen Gewebes

Résumé L'étude au microscope électronique a révélé la présence de particules B dans le thymus de la souris NZB, adulte et saine. Les particules se forment dans un type de cellule thymique bien défini, la cellule réticulo-épithéliale à vacuoles et naissent par bourgeonnement des membranes plasmatiques limitant les vacuoles. L'élaboration de particules B dans lethymus d'animaux apparemment sains est un fait nouveau dont la signification n'est pas encore connue.

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Summary An electron microscopical study revealed the presence of virus-like particles in the thymus of adult healthy NZB-mice. The particles are found in the vacuoles of reticuloepithelial cells and are elaborated by a budding process from the membranes surrounding the vacuoles. The formation of B-particles in the thymus of apparently healthy animals is a so far unknown fact the significance of which remains to be determined.

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Avec l'aide du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et de l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, et la collaboration technique dévouée de M^lle J. Patry et de Mr. B. Fontaine.     

Deoxyribonucleic acid base composition and taxonomy in the genus Geotrichum Link

The molar percentage of guanine + cytosine (% GC) in the DNA from 25 yeast-like fungi related to the genus Geotrichum has been measured. This criterion together with the biochemical characteristics allow the division of the species into 3 groups: one group resembling G. candidum (% GC: 31.5–42) and containing 8 imperfect and 6 perfect forms. In this group only G. capitatum has a lower % GC (31.5). A second group of 6 species resembling the genus Trichosporon (57–60%) and a third intermediate category of 4 species (42–53.5%) were observed. The GC-values correlate well with biochemical characters, e.g. the presence of urease, the number of organic substrates assimilated, and also with the presence of characters typical of the Ascomycetes or the Basidiomycetes.This work was supported by I.N.S.E.R.M. (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) C.R.L. n^o 76 1 153 8.     

Discussing epigenetics in Southern California: A report from the International Symposium on Epigenetic Control and Cellular Plasticity,UCI, December 15–16, 2011

With the goal of discussing how epigenetic control and chromatin remodeling contribute to the various processes that lead to cellular plasticity and disease, this symposium marks the collaboration between the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in France and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Organized by Paolo Sassone-Corsi (UCI) and held at the Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences at the UCI campus December 15–16, 2011, this was the first of a series of international conferences on epigenetics dedicated to the scientific community in Southern California. The meeting also served as the official kick off for the newly formed Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism at the School of Medicine, UCI (http://cem.igb.uci.edu).     

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) isozymes in man

Summary Isozymic heterogeneity of human phosphofructokinase was investigated by means of ATP inhibition, immunoneutralization by antihuman muscle-type and antiliver-type phosphofructokinase antisera, solubility in (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions, and starch gel and polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. The enzymes studied by these methods were purified from various normal and malignant human adult tissues by chromatography on blue Dextran Sepharose 4 B columns. From the results of these studies we suggest that three basic phosphofructokinase isozymes could exist: muscle-type, fibroblast-type, and liver-type isozymes.Muscle-type isozyme is the single form found in adult muscle, and is involved in the enzymes from heart, brain, red cell, and testis.Fibroblast-type isozyme is found mainly in the placenta, fibroblasts, kidney, and some malignant tissues.Liver-type phosphofructokinase seems to be very definitely the predominant form in mature polymorphonuclear cells, platelets, and liver.Testis and red cell phosphofructokinase enzymes definitely include muscle-type and liver-type subunits, associated in various hybrid forms.With the technical assistance of R. KernempUnité 129 de l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, laboratoire associé 85 au Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique     

Synthese et reabsorption des proteines dans la glande mammaire en stase,etude autoradiographique au microscope electronique

Resumé L'étude autoradiographique au microscope électronique de la glande mammaire en stase démontre la présence de nombreux grains de protéine marqués trente minutes après l'injection de leucine tritiée. Les grains marqués sont situés dans l'appareil de Golgi des cellules glandulaires, dans les lumières acineuses et dans les espaces conjonctifs inter-acineux. Le mécanisme de passage des grains de protéine dans le tissu conjonctif reste à élucider mais ces protéines sont fraichement synthétisées. Ces constatations indiquent que, dans la stase, la cellule glandulaire conserve une activité sécrétoire normale et n'a aucun caractère involutif.

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Summary Electron microscopic autoradiography has been applied to the study of protein synthesis in the mammary gland during milk stasis. Thirty minutes after injection of tritiated leucine silver grains are localized over the protein granules in the Golgi vacuoles, in the acinar lumina and in the inter-acinar spaces. They indicate that these granules are newly synthetized proteins and that their passage in the inter-acinar spaces is as immediate as it is in the glandular lumina. The mechanism by which the protein granules reach the inter-acinar spaces has still to be elucidated. The observations indicate that during milk stasis the glandular cell preserves its normal secretory activity.

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Avec l'aide du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et de l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale.     

Fine structure of intramembranous particle aggregates in ADH-treated frog urinary bladder and skin: Influence of glutaraldehyde and N-ethyl maleimide

Summary The fine structure of ADH-induced intramembrane particle aggregates has been studied in different tissues and under different experimental conditions. Particle aggregates similar to those previously observed in the amphibian urinary bladder and in the mammalian collecting duct were also found in the frog skin, another ADH target tissue. In the frog urinary bladder, typical aggregates were observed in the absence of glutaraldehyde fixation. Two experimental approaches were used a) the absence of both fixative and cryoprotectant treatments and b) the absence of only glutaraldehyde treatment. In the latter case the reversal of hydrosmotic action was prevented by exposing the preparations to N-ethyl maleimide. In specimens of frog urinary bladder conventionally fixed with glutaraldehyde, two fracture levels could be observed in the aggregates, suggesting that the aggregated particles span an appreciable part of the membrane thickness.J. Chevalier is a career investigator from the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U 48, France     

Lamellar bodies in the epithelial bronchiolar cells in the mouse

Summary Lamellar bodies are described in the non-ciliated epithelial bronchiolar cells of the normal mouse lung. They are constituted of smooth concentric membranes, with a cytoplasmic center. They are related to mitochondria. They seem to belong to smooth endoplasmic reticulum. An origin from Golgi elements is discussed. Acknowledgment. This work was supported by Grant No 69088 of Conseil de la Recherche Médicale du Québec.     

Gastrointestinal somatostatin cells in the human fetus

Summary The stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum from 6 to 24 week-old human fetuses or deceased premature infants and from one totally anencephalic fetus were stained with antisomatostatin serum. The somatostatin containing cells appear in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract from the tenth week of gestation. The somatostatin-containing cells are lead haematoxylin positive. Somatostatin was also detected in the duodenum of the anencephalic fetus. The study of inhibition of the immunofluorescent reaction by homologous and heterologous antigens confirmed the specificity of antiserum.These data demonstrate that somatostatin can be synthetized elsewhere than in the hypothalamus.We are indebted to Professor P. Magnin, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Professor M. Dumont, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Professor Notter and Professor Garmier, Hôtel Dieu, Professor M. Bethenod, Hôpital Debrousse, Lyon, whose kind cooperation allowed us to carry out the rapid removal of gastrointestinal tracts for these studies. We thank Professor Assan, Hôtel Dieu, Paris and Professor Lambert U. 45, Inserm, Lyon, who graciously provided us with antisera. We also wish to express our gratitude to Professor Roger Guillemin, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, whose interest and cooperation made these studies possible.This work was supported by a grant of the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale.     

Correlative immunocytochemical and electron microscopic studies: Identification of (Entero)glucagon-somatostatin- and pancreatic polypeptide-like-containing cells in the human colon

Summary Correlative immunocytochemical and electron microscopic studies, using the semi thin-thin technic, were performed to identify the (entero) glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide-like immunoreactive cells of the human colonic mucosa. Mean granule diameter for each cell type was estimated according to two methods and histograms showing the granule size distribution were constructed. A total of 139 immunostained cells identified at the ultrastructural level were analyzed. Mean granule diameter for (entero)glucagon-containing cells was 318±11 nm but a reduction of granule size with age was noteworthy: granules were larger in the fetus (mean diameter 350±15) than in adults (mean diameter 310±10 nm). Somatostatin-containing cells, very rare in adults, were present in the fetal distal colon. Their general mean granule diameter was 354±18 nm but many cells had a mean granule diameter of more than 400 nm. A pancreatic polypeptidelike immunoreactivity was found only in (entero)glucagon-containing cells, pointing out the possible occurrence of both peptides (or of similar sequences) in the same cells. Previous ultrastructural studies dealing with a tentative classification of the human colonic endocrine cells were compared with the present data.This work was supported by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM).     

Organotypic culture, a powerful model for studying rat and mouse fetal testis development

The key role of the fetal testis in the masculinization of genital organs has been known for a long time. More recently, the observed increases in male reproductive disorders has been postulated to be the result of changes in fetal and neonatal testis development in response to increasing environmental pollution. However, few tools are available for studying fetal testis development and the effects of physiological or toxic substances. We have developed an organ culture system in which rat fetal testis is grown on a filter floating on a synthetic medium containing no serum, hormones or biological factors. In this study, we have compared the long-term morpho-functional development of the various testicular cell types in this system with that observed in vivo and have extended this system to the mouse. Rat Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells and macrophages develop normally over a period of 1–2 weeks in this system. Fewer cells are produced than in vivo but the level of differentiated function is similar. Germ cells, which are difficult to culture in vitro, resume mitosis after a quiescent period, at the same time as in vivo. Similar results have been obtained with mouse fetuses, except that Leydig cells dedifferentiate in vitro if the testis is explanted after 13.5 days post conception. Testicular architecture and intercellular communication are sufficiently preserved for the development of the main fetal and neonatal testicular cell types in vitro with no added factors. Our floating-filter organotypic culture system in synthetic medium therefore allows the morpho-functional development of somatic and germ cells in fetal testis explants taken at all developmental stages in rat and at early stages in mouse. This method is potentially useful for studies of the effects of various factors, and of xenobiotics, in particular.This work was supported by the Université Paris 7, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) and the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and by grant Agence Francaise de Sécurité Sanitaire et Environnementale (AFSSE). G. Delbes is the recipient of a fellowship from the Ministère de la Recherche et de la Technologie and from the Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer.This work is dedicated to the memory of José Maria Saez in recognition of his helpful and constant encouragement and discussions over the last decade.     

Parasitology in France: some aspects of the present

Numerous organizations participate and cooperate on parasitological research in France including the Institut national de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), the Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the Institut Pasteur, the Institut Fran?ais de Recherche Scientifique pour le Développement en Coopération (ORSTOMM), the Institut national de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN), the Universities, the Collège de France, the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE) as well as various commercial firms. Exchanges and collaborations with foreign workers are continuous and essential to the success of research on tropical diseases. Here, in their own words, Odile Bain, Daniel Camus and Jacques Prod'hon highlight some aspects of current parasitological research in France.     

Characterization of plQ5 plasmid originating fromKlebsiella pneumoniae

plQ5 plasmid consists of a group of genes specifying resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, carbencillin, kanamycin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. It is isolated inKlebslella pneumoniae ZD532, is about 26.8 Kb and is freely transmissible to various bacterial species of Gram-negative bacteria. Physical characterization revealed that plQ5 plasmid has a single site forHindill,BamHI,EcoRI and two sites forBglII restriction enzyme.

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Résumé Le blasmide plQ5 consiste en un groupe de genes condant pour la résistance à l'ampicilline, au chloramphénicol, à la carbencilline, à la kanamycine et au triméthoprimsulphamethoxazole. Il est isolé dansKlebsiella pneumoniae ZD532; sa longueur est d'environ 26.8 kb et il est librement transmissible à diverses espèces bactériennes Gram-négatives. La caractérisation physique révèle que le plasmide plQ5 a un site unique pour les enzymes de restrictionHindill,BamHI,EcoRI et deux sites pourBglII.

     

Différenciation ultrastructurale des jonctions intercellulaires de l'endothélium des capillaires télencéphaliques chez l'embryon de poulet

Résumé Au cours du développement embryonnaire du Poulet, les cellules endothéliales des bourgeons vasculaires et des capillaires néo-formés du télencéphale sont unies par des jonctions transitoires au niveau desquelles les feuillets externes des membranes plasmiques n'ont pas fusionné et sont séparés par un espace intercellulaire mesurable. Des points de fusion de ces feuillets externes apparaissent peu à peu et au hasard dans la zone du contact intercellulaire. Entre ces points persistent des espaces intercellulaires qui assurent encore la communication entre la lumière du capillaire et l'espace extracellulaire du tissu nerveux. L'adjonction de nouveaux points de fusion, entre ceux existant déjà, conduit à la disparition progressive de l'espace intercellulaire et à la formation de véritables zonulae occludentes.

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Ultrastructural differentiation of intercellular junctions in the endothelium of capillaries in the embryonic telencephalon of the chicken

Summary During the embryonic development of the chick, the endothelial cells of the vascular sprouts and of the newly-formed capillaries in the telencephalon are linked by transitory junctions at the level of which the external leaflets of the plasma membrane are not fused and are separated by a measurable intercellular space. Some points of fusion of these external leaflets gradually appear at random in the area of the intercellular contact. Between these points of fusion, some intercellular spaces persist which still allow the communication between the capillary lumen and the extracellular space in the nervous tissue. The adjunction of new points of fusion between the preexisting ones, leads progressively to the disappearance of these intercellular spaces and to the formation of true zonulae occludentes.

L'auteur remercie les Professeurs J. Gayet et G. Grignon de leurs conseils lors de la préparation du manuscrit. Ces recherches ont bénéficié de subventions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (E.R.A. n° 331) et de la Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale Française.     

Données nouvelles sur l'assortiment chromosomique de Meriones tristrami Thomas (Rodentia: Gerbillinae)

The chromosome complement of Meriones tristrami Thomas (Rodentia, Gerbillinae), the Israel desert jird, studied by the new technique of chromosome identification (Q and G banding) is described. The diploid number is 72. There are two pairs of submetacentric autosomes (1 and 2) and 33 pairs of acrocentric autosomes. The X chromosome is the largest submetacentric and the Y is the fourth in length among the submetacentric chromosomes of the karyotype. The Fundamental Number (F.N.) is therefore 78 and not 76 as described by Matthey in 1957.

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(Travail effectué avec l'appui du Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Médicale).