甾体激素对C6细胞摄取甘氨酸的快速作用

目的 :探讨甾体激素对C6细胞摄取甘氨酸快速作用的非基因组织机制。方法 :应用液体闪烁技术 ,通过检测C6细胞在加入了甾体激素和 /或其它试剂后摄入标记甘氨酸量的改变 ,确定甾体激素的作用。结果 :C6细胞高亲合力的甘氨酸依赖于钠离子和氯离子。皮质酮 ,孕酮 ,地塞米松可快速抑制这种摄取 ,雌二醇 ,脱氧皮质酮无显著的抑制作用 ,表明甾体激素作用有特异性。皮质酮的作用在 10 4 -8～ 10 -6 mmol/L范围内效应与浓度成正相关。皮质酮偶联牛血清蛋白后作用依然存在。RU38486 能部分阻断皮质酮的效应。细胞外液钙离子缺乏时皮质酮的作用基本消失。结论 :虽然皮质酮 ,孕酮 ,地塞米松神经胶质细胞和神经元摄取甘氨酸的快速作用不一样 ,但均是非基因组机制。     

Stress and immunological phagocytosis: possible nongenomic action of corticosterone

Some immunological responses triggered by stress can be mediated by corticosterone activity through cytosolic receptors regulating gene expression. There are, however some reports on the possibility of a nongenomic effect of this hormone to explain phenomena observed in a few minutes. We have found that macrophages from mice subjected to 10 min of cold stress (at -15 degrees C) showed a lower phagocytic capacity mediated by Fcgamma-receptors than cells from control animals. Treating mice with glucocorticoid antagonist RU 486 did not block the decrease in phagocytic capacity. This inhibitory effect on phagocytosis was also observed by experiments in vitro with corticosterone in the concentration found in serum after stress, and could not be prevented by RU 486, actinomicyn D or cycloheximide. These results indicate that corticosterone could affect phagocytosis by macrophages through a nongenomic mechanism, and may have physiological implications.     

A rapid,nongenomic action of glucocorticoids in rat B103 neuroblastoma cells

We report here a new example in which glucocorticoids (GCs) acted in a rapid, nongenomic way. In rat B103 neuroblastoma cells, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was found to evoke an immediate rise in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Pre-incubation of B103 cells for 5 min with corticosterone (B) or bovine serum albumin-conjugated corticosterone (B-BSA) concentration-dependently (10(-4)-10(-8) M) inhibited the peak increments in [Ca(2+)](i). Cortisol and dexamethasone had a similar effect, while deoxycorticosterone and cholesterol were ineffective. This rapid inhibitory effect of corticosterone could be mimicked by protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and abolished completely by PKC inhibitors Ro31-8220 or GF-109203X. Neither pertussis toxin (PTX) nor nuclear GC receptor (GR) antagonist RU38486 influenced the rapid action of B. Our results suggest that GCs can modulate the 5-HT-induced Ca(2+) response in B103 cells in a membrane-initiated, nongenomic, and PKC-dependent manner.     

Effects of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone on the function of carp, Cyprinus carpio, phagocytes in vitro

The modulation of phagocytic cells by beta-estradiol, 11-ketotestosterone and progesterone was analyzed in common carp Cyprinus carpio. Carp kidney leukocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 0.1, 1, 10, 100 or 1000 nM concentration of each hormone. The production of superoxide anion, nitric oxide (NO) and phagocytosis were measured in vitro. Similar concentrations of cortisol were used as control. Phagocytic activities of carp macrophages was suppressed by treatment with beta-estradiol, progesterone and 11-ketotestosterone. The production of NO in carp macrophages was suppressed by progesterone and 11-ketotestosterone. However, carp macrophages incubated with beta-estradiol, progesterone and 11-ketotestosterone did not show any difference in the production of superoxide anion in comparison with control macrophages in the absence of hormones. Carp macrophages treated with cortisol suppressed phagocytosis and the production of nitric oxide and superoxide anion.     

Inhibition of ATP-Induced Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Influx by Corticosterone in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

In addition to the classic genomic effects, it is well known that glucocorticoids also have rapid, nongenomic effects on neurons. In the present study, the effect of corticosterone (CORT) on ATP-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were detected with confocal laser scanning microscopy using fluo-4/AM as a calcium fluorescent indicator that could monitor real-time alterations of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i). ATP, an algesic agent, caused [Ca²⁺]i increase in DRG neurons by activation of P2X receptor. Pretreatment with CORT (1 nM–1 μM for 5 min) inhibited ATP-induced [Ca²⁺]i increase in DRG neurons. The rapid inhibition of ATP-induced Ca²⁺ response by CORT was concentration-dependent, reversible and could be blocked by glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486 (10 μM). Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of CORT was abolished by protein kinase A inhibitor H89 (10 μM), but was not influenced by protein kinase C inhibitor Chelerythrine chloride (10 μM). On the other hand, membrane-impermeable bovine serum albumin-conjugated corticosterone had no effect on ATP-induced [Ca²⁺]i transients. These observations suggest that a nongenomic pathways may be involved in the effect of CORT on ATP-induced [Ca²⁺]i transients in cultured DRG neurons.     

Acute effect of corticosterone on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca2+ elevation in mouse hippocampal slices

We examined the rapid effects of corticosterone (CORT) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated Ca2+ signals in adult mouse hippocampal slices by using Ca2+ imaging technique. Application of NMDA caused a transient elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration followed by a decay to a plateau within 150s. The 30min preincubation of CORT induced a significant decrease of the peak amplitude of NMDA-induced Ca2+ elevation in the CA1 region. The rapid effect of CORT was induced at a stress-induced level (0.4-10microM). Because the membrane non-permeable bovine serum albumin-conjugated CORT also induced a similar rapid effect, the rapid effect of CORT might be induced via putative surface CORT receptors. In contrast, CORT induced no significant effects on NMDA-induced Ca2+ elevation in the dentate gyrus. In the CA3 region, CORT effects were not evaluated, because the marked elevation of NMDA-induced Ca2+ signals was not observed there.     

Effect of angiotensin II and losartan on the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages from Balb/C mice

Angiotensin II (AII), a product of rennin-angiotensin system, exerts an important role on the function of immune system cells. In this study, the effect of AII on the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages was assessed. Mice peritoneal macrophages were cultured for 48 h and the influence of different concentrations of AII (10(-14) to 10(-7) M) and/or losartan, 10(-16) to 10(-6) M), an AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist, on phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production was determined. Dimethylthiazoldiphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction and the nucleic acid content were used to assess the cvtotoxicity of losartan. A stimulatory effect on phagocytic activity (P < 0.05) was observed with 10(-13) M and 10(-12 M) AII concentrations. The addition of losartan (up to10(-14) M) to the cell cultures blocked (P < 0.001) the phagocytosis indicating the involvement of AT1 receptors. In contrast, superoxide anion production was not affected by AII or losartan. The existence of AT1 and AT2 receptors in peritoneal macrophages was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy. These results support the hypothesis that AII receptors can modulate murine macrophage activity and phagocytosis, and suggest that AII may have a therapeutic role as an immunomodulatory agent in modifying the host resistance to infection.     

Chromium-induced glucose uptake, superoxide anion production, and phagocytosis in cultured pulmonary alveolar macrophages of weanling pigs

The dose-dependent effects of chromium chloride (CrCl₃) and chromium picolinate (CrPic) were evaluated for their glucose uptake, superoxide anion (O ₂ ⁻ ) production, activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and phagocytosis of incubated pulmonary alveolar macrophages in medium containing no or 5 × 10⁻⁸ M insulin. Glucose uptake was found to increase in cells treated with 20 μg/L CrCl₃. Incubation with 20 μg/L of CrPic enhanced glucose uptake and O ₂ ⁻ production in an insulin-dependent manner. However, the inclusion of CrPic to 100 μg/L in the medium absent of insulin also increased O ₂ ⁻ production. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was not affected by either the addition of Cr or insulin. The phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by macrophages was enhanced significantly (p<0.05) in medium containing 10–100 μg/L CrCl₃ or 20–100 μg/L CrPic in the presence of insulin. These results suggest that the addition of 10–20 μg/L CrCl₃ enhances directly the cellular activity of macrophages, whereas the effect of CrPic requires the cooperative action of insulin in enhancing their glucose uptake and phagocytosis.     

Glucocorticoid acts on a putative G protein-coupled receptor to rapidly regulate the activity of NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons

Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been demonstrated to act through both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms. The present study demonstrated that corticosterone rapidly suppressed the activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. The effect was maintained with corticosterone conjugated to bovine serum albumin and blocked by inhibition of G protein activity with intracellular GDP-β-S application. Corticosterone increased GTP-bound G(s) protein and cyclic AMP (cAMP) production, activated phospholipase Cβ(3) (PLC-β(3)), and induced inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)) production. Blocking PLC and the downstream cascades with PLC inhibitor, IP(3) receptor antagonist, Ca(2+) chelator, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors prevented the actions of corticosterone. Blocking adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) caused a decrease in NMDA-evoked currents. Application of corticosterone partly reversed the inhibition of NMDA currents caused by blockage of AC and PKA. Intracerebroventricular administration of corticosterone significantly suppressed long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus within 30 min in vivo, implicating the possibly physiological significance of rapid effects of GC on NMDA receptors. Taken together, our results indicate that GCs act on a putative G protein-coupled receptor to activate multiple signaling pathways in hippocampal neurons, and the rapid suppression of NMDA activity by GCs is dependent on PLC and downstream signaling.     

Rapid, Corticosterone-Induced Disruption of Medullary Sensorimotor Integration Related to Suppression of Amplectic Clasping in Behaving Roughskin Newts (Taricha granulosa)

Endogenously secreted or injected corticosterone (CORT) rapidly suppresses courtship clasping in male roughskin newts (Taricha granulosa) by an action on a specific neuronal membrane receptor. Previous studies, using immobilized newts, showed that CORT administration rapidly depresses excitability of reticulospinal neurons and attenuates medullary neuronal responsiveness to clasp-triggering sensory stimuli. The present study used freely moving newts to examine clasping responses and concurrently record sensorimotor properties of 67 antidromically identified reticulospinal and other medullary reticular neurons before and after CORT injection. Before CORT, reticulospinal neurons fired in close association with onset and offset of clasps elicited by cloacal pressure. Reticulospinal neurons also showed firing correlates of nonclasping motor events, especially locomotion. Neuronal activity was typically reduced during clasping and elevated during locomotion. Medullary neurons that were not antidromically invaded (unidentified neurons) usually showed sensorimotor properties that resembled those of reticulospinal neurons. Intraperitoneal CORT (but not vehicle) reduced the probability and quality of hindlimb clasping in response to cloacal pressure, especially within 5–25 min of injection. Simultaneously, responses of reticulospinal and unidentified neurons to cloacal pressure and occurrence of clasping-related activity were attenuated or eliminated. CORT effects were relatively selective, altering clasping-related neuronal activity more strongly than activity associated with nonclasping motor events. The properties of CORT effects indicate that the hormone impairs clasping by depressing processing of clasp-triggering afferent activity and by disrupting the medullary control of clasping normally mediated by reticulospinal neurons. The rapid onset of these CORT effects implicates a neuronal membrane receptor rather than genomic action of the steroid.     

甾体激素对神经母细胞株SK-N-SH细胞摄取甘氨酸的快速作用

本研究观察了ＳＫ－Ｎ－ＳＨ细胞摄取甘氨酸的一般情况,并进一步研究了甾体激素对ＳＨ－Ｎ－ＳＨ细胞摄取甘氨酸的快速作用。结果显示：ＳＫ－Ｎ－ＳＨ细胞高亲和力的甘到摄取是Ｎａ＾＋和Ｃｌ＾－依赖性的。皮质酮、孕酮和地塞米松对这种摄取有快速促进作用,雌二醇和脱氧皮质酮无明显作用,表明甾体激素快速作用有特异性。皮质酮作用在１０＾－９￣１０＾－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ范围内呈浓度依赖性。此质酮快速作用不受蛋白质合成抑制影响     

Rapid actions of aldosterone: lymphocytes, vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

The genomic theory of steroid action has been the unquestioned dogma for the explanation of steroid effects over the past four decades. Despite early observations on rapid steroid effects being clearly incompatible with this theory, only recently has nongenomic steroid action been recognized more widely and led to a critical reappraisal of unsolved questions about this dogma. Evidence for nongenomic steroid effects come from all fields of steroid research now, and mechanisms of agonist action are studied with regard to membrane receptors and second messengers involved. A prominent example of a receptor/effector-cascade for nongenomic steroid effects has been described for rapid aldosterone effects in various cell types, including lymphocytes, cultured vascular smooth muscle, and endothelial cells involving nonclassical membrane receptors with a high affinity for aldosterone, but not for cortisol, and phosphoinositide turnover. As another important second messenger, [Ca2+]i is consistently increased by aldosterone within 1-2 min. In vascular smooth muscle cells, calcium is released from perinuclear stores, while in endothelial cells a predominant increase of subplasmalemmal calcium is seen. Effects are half maximal at physiological concentrations of free aldosterone (0.1 nmol/L), while cortisol is inactive up to 0.1 micromol/L; the classical mineralocorticoid antagonist canrenone is ineffective in blocking the action of aldosterone. The data show that intracellular signaling for nongenomic aldosterone effects also involves calcium, but pathways of cell activation may vary between different cell types. Future research will have to target the cloning of the first membrane receptor for steroids, and the evaluation of the clinical relevance of these rapid steroid effects.     

Rapid steroid influences on visually guided sexual behavior in male goldfish

The ability of steroid hormones to rapidly influence cell physiology through nongenomic mechanisms raises the possibility that these molecules may play a role in the dynamic regulation of social behavior, particularly in species in which social stimuli can rapidly influence circulating steroid levels. We therefore tested if testosterone (T), which increases in male goldfish in response to sexual stimuli, can rapidly influence approach responses towards females. Injections of T stimulated approach responses towards the visual cues of females 30–45 min after the injection but did not stimulate approach responses towards stimulus males or affect general activity, indicating that the effect is stimulus-specific and not a secondary consequence of increased arousal. Estradiol produced the same effect 30–45 min and even 10–25 min after administration, and treatment with the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole blocked exogenous T's behavioral effect, indicating that T's rapid stimulation of visual approach responses depends on aromatization. We suggest that T surges induced by sexual stimuli, including preovulatory pheromones, rapidly prime males to mate by increasing sensitivity within visual pathways that guide approach responses towards females and/or by increasing the motivation to approach potential mates through actions within traditional limbic circuits.     

Rapid steroid influences on visually guided sexual behavior in male goldfish

The ability of steroid hormones to rapidly influence cell physiology through nongenomic mechanisms raises the possibility that these molecules may play a role in the dynamic regulation of social behavior, particularly in species in which social stimuli can rapidly influence circulating steroid levels. We therefore tested if testosterone (T), which increases in male goldfish in response to sexual stimuli, can rapidly influence approach responses towards females. Injections of T stimulated approach responses towards the visual cues of females 30–45 min after the injection but did not stimulate approach responses towards stimulus males or affect general activity, indicating that the effect is stimulus-specific and not a secondary consequence of increased arousal. Estradiol produced the same effect 30–45 min and even 10–25 min after administration, and treatment with the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole blocked exogenous T's behavioral effect, indicating that T's rapid stimulation of visual approach responses depends on aromatization. We suggest that T surges induced by sexual stimuli, including preovulatory pheromones, rapidly prime males to mate by increasing sensitivity within visual pathways that guide approach responses towards females and/or by increasing the motivation to approach potential mates through actions within traditional limbic circuits.     

Neutralization of B. anthracis toxins during ex vivo phagocytosis

Glycoconjugates (GCs) are recognized as stimulation and signaling agents, affecting cell adhesion, activation, and growth of living organisms. Among GC targets, macrophages are considered ideal since they play a central role in inflammation and immune responses against foreign agents. In this context, we studied the effects of highly selective GCs in neutralizing toxin factors produced by B. anthracis during phagocytosis using murine macrophages. The effects of GCs were studied under three conditions: A) prior to, B) during, and C) following exposure of macrophages to B. anthracis individual toxin (protective antigen [PA], edema factor [EF], lethal factor [LF] or toxin complexes (PA-EF-LF, PA-EF, and PA-LF). We employed ex vivo phagocytosis and post-phagocytosis analysis including direct microscopic observation of macrophage viability, and macrophage activation. Our results demonstrated that macrophages are more prone to adhere to GC-altered PA-EF-LF, PA-EF, and PA-LF toxin complexes. This adhesion results in a higher phagocytosis rate and toxin complex neutralization during phagocytosis. In addition, GCs enhance macrophage viability, activate macrophages, and stimulate nitric oxide (NO) production. The present study may be helpful in identifying GC ligands with toxin-neutralizing and/or immunomodulating properties. In addition, our study could suggest GCs as new targets for existing vaccines and the prospective development of vaccines and immunomodulators used to combat the effects of B. anthracis.     

Rapid Elevation of Calcium Concentration in Cultured Dorsal Spinal Cord Astrocytes by Corticosterone

In addition to the classic genomic effects, increasing evidence suggests that GC can generate multiple rapid effects on many tissues and cells through nongenomic pathway. In the present study, the effects of corticosterone (CORT) on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) in cultured dorsal spinal cord astrocytes were detected with confocal laser scanning microscopy using fluo-4/AM as a calcium fluorescent indicator that could monitor real-time alterations of [Ca²⁺]i. CORT (0.01–10 μM) caused a rapid increase in [Ca²⁺]i with a dose-dependent manner in cultured dorsal spinal cord astrocytes. The action of CORT on astrocytic [Ca²⁺]i was blocked by pertussis toxin (a blocker of G protein activation, 100 ng/ml), but was unaffected by RU38486 (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, 10 μM). In addition, cycloheximide (protein-synthesis inhibitor, 10 μg/ml) pretreatment could not impair the CORT-evoked [Ca²⁺]i elevation. Furthermore, Ca²⁺ mobilization induced by CORT was abolished by chelerythrine chloride (protein kinase C inhibitor, 10 μM), but was not impaired by H89 (protein kinase A inhibitor, 10 μM). These observations suggest that a nongenomic pathways might be involved in the effect of CORT on [Ca²⁺]i in cultured dorsal spinal cord astrocytes. In addition, our results also raise a possibility that a putative pertussis toxin-sensitive mGCR (G-protein-coupled membrane-bound glucocorticoid receptor) and the downstream activation of protein kinase C may be responsible for CORT-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization in cultured dorsal spinal cord astrocytes.     

Inhibition of macrophage priming by sulfatide from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Sulfatide from the outer surface of Mycobacterium tuberculosis blocked priming in cultured human monocytes. Monocytes were primed in vitro with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon-gamma. Primed monocytes released increased amounts of superoxide anion (O2-) when stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or with phorbol myristate acetate. Primed monocytes also showed increased phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes and increased release of interleukin 1. When primed monocytes were treated with 10 micrograms/ml of sulfatide, these enhanced functions, characteristic of primed monocytes, returned to levels found in unprimed monocytes. (With respect to these functions and others, monocytes or macrophages primed in vitro by exposure to LPS or interferon-gamma resemble macrophages activated in vivo by infection. In vivo, activated macrophages provide non-specific resistance to infection). Inhibition of priming by sulfatide could be detected within 10 min, but maximum effect of sulfatide required 3 to 5 hr. Sulfatide had no effect on O2- release, if it was added after the cells had been stimulated by PMA, suggesting that sulfatide did not inhibit enzymes involved in formation of O2-, but rather that sulfatide inhibited priming. Increasing the amounts of LPS or interferon-gamma did not counteract the effects of sulfatide. Sulfatide did cause monocytes to release some prostaglandin E2 (less than 1 nM), but the amount was not sufficient to inhibit monocyte functions. The effect of sulfatide was not blocked by indomethacin. Other sulfated compounds and other products of mycobacteria did not produce the sulfatide effect. We conclude that M. tuberculosis has on its outer surface a chemical that directly interferes with monocyte priming. In vivo, M. tuberculosis might use sulfatide to block macrophage activation and thereby resist being killed by macrophages.     

糖皮质激素快速抑制气道平滑肌游离钙升高与磷脂酶C活性的关系

目的:本实验通过对平滑肌细胞行GCs快速预处理,拟证实糖皮质激素对平滑肌细胞内[Ca2+]i浓度升高有快速抑制作用,并初步探讨该现象的可能分子机制。方法:原代培养的大鼠平滑肌细胞,应用Fura-2/AM显微荧光检测技术,检测肌细胞内[Ca2+]i在受到激动剂刺激后的浓度变化;比较不同浓度地塞米松预处理后10min与对照组之间游离钙上升情况的区别。用Western blot方法,分析气道平滑肌细胞内抑制型磷脂酶C(phospho-PLCβ-ser1105)含量的变化。设立RU486及CHX对照组,排除基因组作用在该反应中的影响。结果:GCs温浴10min,能够明显降低乙酰胆碱引起的ASMCs细胞内[Ca2+]i峰值。并能够明显上调ASMCs内抑制型PLC含量。这些反应不受RU486和CHX影响。结论:GCs能够通过非基因组作用快速抑制刺激物引起的气道平滑肌的收缩反应,这一效应的实现可能是通过抑制PLC分子活性,使其下游的[Ca2+]i浓度降低实现的。     

Effects of steroid hormones on five functional parameters of Tetrahymena: evolutionary conclusions

The unicellular Tetrahymena pyriformis was studied for chemotaxis, chemotactic selection, phagocytosis, growth and body shape changes in the presence of water soluble (beta-cyclodextrin-coupled) steroid hormones (testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone). Testosterone was chemoattractant over a wide range of concentrations, while progesterone and dexamethasone were active only at one concentration (10(-5) and 10(-6) mg ml(-1) respectively) and were either neutral or repellent at other concentrations. Hydrocortisone and estradiol were unambiguously chemorepellent. Chemotactic selection enhanced the effect of testosterone and estradiol, while in the case of hydrocortisone the action was reversed. The other parameters were mildly influenced by the steroid hormones. The results call attention to the fine molecular recognition capacity of Tetrahymena and to the possible rapid effects of steroid hormones at membrane receptors at a very low evolutionary eukaryotic level.     

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of tuftsin by macrophage cells

A fluorescent analog of the phagocytosis stimulating peptide tuftsin was prepared by coupling tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate to a C-terminal elongated derivative of tuftsin. This analog, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Gly-Lys(N epsilon-tetramethyl rhodamine)-OH, was used to visualize tuftsin receptors on mice macrophage cells by fluorescent image intensification. Fluorescent labelling was carried out at 37 degrees C, using a concentration of 200 nM and 2 microM of the fluorescent tuftsin derivative. The formation of peptide-receptor clusters and their subsequent internalization, as discerned by image intensification, were rapid processes, 5 min and 5-30 min, respectively. Preincubation of macrophages with tuftsin for various time intervals, followed by quantification of the tuftsin receptor using radiolabelled tuftsin, suggest that tuftsin receptors are initially increased in amount (5-7 min) and subsequently reduced (after 10-15 min) as judged by sites available for tritiated tuftsin. The binding studies are rather complementary to the fluorescence observations and support the assumption that the tuftsin receptor on the membrane of the mice macrophage cell is rapidly mobilized.