核转录因子结合活性与血管平滑肌细胞增殖的关系

通过培养血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）的直接细胞计数显示自发性高血压大鼠ＳＨＲ的细胞增殖快于正常血压大鼠ＷＫＹ;应用ＤＮＡ－蛋白质凝胶漂移泳动技术比较ＳＨＲ和ＷＫＹ的ＶＳＭＣ核转录因子Ａｐ１、Ａｐ２、ＧＲＥ、ＣＲＥＢ、Ｓｐ１、ＣＴＦ／ＮＦ１、ＮＦ－κＢ结合活性,发现ＳＨＲ的ＣＴＦ／ＮＦ１和ＮＦ－κＢ结合活性高于ＷＫＹ,用Ｐ６５和Ｐ５０抗体证明了ＮＦ－κＢ结合的特异性;同时,ＬＰＳ诱导ＶＳＭＣ和ＰＤＴＣ抑制ＬＰＳ诱导的实验表明ＮＦ－κＢ结合活性增强是通过ＩκＢ磷酸化而激活。本研究提示核转录因子ＮＦ－κＢ对高血压ＶＳＭＣ异常增殖有重要作用。     

利用GFP示踪细胞内源性P53活性检测DNA损伤

ＤＮＡ损伤的检测对预防癌症和遗传病等非常重要。采用分子克隆技术,将报告基因—绿色荧光蛋白（ＧＦＰ）置于ＳＶ４０基本启动子调控下,构建成对照载体ｐＳＶ－ＧＦＰ。在ＳＶ４０基本启动子上游插入寡核苷酸Ｐ５３ＲＥ,构建成示踪载体ｐ５３ＲＥ－ＧＦＰ。转染ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞,以ＧＦＰ示踪细胞内源性Ｐ５３的转录激活活性。紫外线照射或Ｈ２Ｏ２处理转化细胞使ＤＮＡ损伤,诱导细胞内源性Ｐ５３的表达。用激光扫描共聚焦成像系统（ＬＳＣＩＳ）对细胞进行红、绿、蓝三色光融合成像,并测定ＧＦＰ经４８８ｎｍ激发后发出的绿色荧光光密度,验证ＧＦＰ示踪Ｐ５３的特异性。ｐ５３ＲＥ－ＧＦＰ转化细胞３Ｔ３－ＲＥＧ经紫外线照射或Ｈ２Ｏ２处理后,ＧＦＰ的表达增高,处理后１ｈｒ光密度即达到最高水平,随后逐渐降低。血清“饥饿”—非ＤＮＡ损伤处理的３Ｔ３－ＲＥＧ细胞,以及经紫外和Ｈ２Ｏ２处理的对照载体ｐＳＶ－ＧＦＰ转化细胞３Ｔ３－ＳＶＧ,ＧＦＰ的表达无明显增强。实验表明：ＧＦＰ示踪内源性Ｐ５３转录激活活性用于检测ＤＮＡ损伤有很高的灵敏度和特异性,适宜推广应用。     

猪生长激素基因在杆状病毒载体系统中的表达

通过对猪生长激素（ｐＧＨ）基因的ｃＤＮＡ进行测序,得到ｐＧＨｃＤＮＡ的全序列,并与Ｓｅｅｂｕｒｇ等报道的序列进行了比较和讨论。然后利用具人工合成启动子和多角体蛋白ＸＩＶ启动子的转移载体质粒ｐＳＸＩＶＶＩ＾＋Ｘ３／４构建出含ｐＧＨ基因的重组质粒ｐＸ３／４－ｐＧＨ。将ｐＸ３／４－ｐＧＨ与致死缺失型线性化ＡｃＭＮＰＶ－ＯＣＣ＾－ＤＮＡ共转染Ｓｆ９细胞,构建出既能形成多角体又能表达ｐＧＨ基因的苜蓿丫纹夜蛾     

重组人MCAF／GM－CSF融合蛋白表达及其生物学活性研究

利用ＰＣＲ技术和ＤＮＡ体外重组方法,把作为导向效应细胞到靶部位的单核细胞趋化激活因子（ＭＣＡＦ）和粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ）进行基因融合,置于ｐＢＶ２２０载体的λＰＲＰＬ串联启动子下游,构建了ＳＤ序列与ＡＴＧ之间含有不同核苷酸组成的重组质粒ｐＭＧ０１、ｐＭＧ０２和ｐＭＧ０３。ｐＭＧ０１、ｐＭＧ０２和ｐＭＧ０３的翻译起始区都不存在稳定的二级结构,但ＤＨ５α（ｐＭＧ０２、ＤＨ５α（ｐＭＧ０３）的表达水平远远高于ＤＨ５α（ｐＭＧ０１）,ＤＨ５α（ＰＭＧ０１）几乎没有表达。表达产物经Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ检测表明,它能分别与ＭＣＡＦ和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ抗体发生特异反应。生物学活性测定表明,表达产物具有明显的单核细胞趋化活性和维持ｈＧＭ－ＣＳＦ依赖的ＴＦ１细胞生长的特性,说明ＭＣＡＦ和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ的生物学功能是相容的．     

乙型肝炎病毒preC／C基因在杆状病毒载体系统中的表达

通过ＰＣＲ获得长度为６４０ｂｐ的ＨＢＶ ｐｒｅＣ／Ｃ基因片段,将其克隆入转移载体质粒ｐＳＸＩＶＶＩ＾＋Ｘ３／４,构建出重组质粒ｐＳＸＩＶＶＩ＾＝Ｘ３／４－ｐＣ＝Ｃ。利用共转染的方法,构建出既能形成多角体又能表达ｐｒｅＣ／Ｃ基因的重组毒株ＴｎＮＰＶ－Ｃ／Ｃ－ＯＣＣ＾＋。该重组毒株中ｐｒｅＣ／Ｃ基因受到串联的双启动子－合成启动子和含ＨｉｎｄⅢ接头的ＸＩＶ启动子的双重调控。     

荧光素酶基因的克隆表达及其产物纯化和鉴定

利用能形成多角体的杆状病毒载体系统ｐＳＸＩＶＶＩ＋Ｘ３,把萤火虫荧光素酶（Ｆｉｒｅｆｌｙｌｕｃｉｆｅｒａｓｅ,Ｌｕｃ）ｃＤＮＡ克隆到转移功体质粒ｐＳＸＩＶＶＩ＾＋３／３通过共转染草地夜蛾（Ｓｐｏｄｏｐｔｅｒａｆｒｕｇｉｐｅｒｄａ,Ｓｆ）细胞得到重组毒株ＴｎＮＰＶ－Ｌｕｃ－ＯＣＣ,在该重组杆状病毒株中Ｌｕｃ基因受到合成启动子和ＸＩＶ启动子的双重调控。该重组杆状病毒株在Ｓｆ９细胞中能形成多角体,有Ｘ－     

白介素10的临床应用研究

１９８９年,Ｆｉｏｒｅｎｔｉｏ等发现Ｔｈ２细胞分泌一种能抑制Ｔｈ１细胞功能的未知因子,称为细胞因子合成抑制因子（ｃｙｔｏｋｉｎｅｓｙｎｔｈｅ－ｓｉｓｉｎｈｉｂｉｔｏｒｙｆａｃｔｏｒ,ＣＳＩＦ）。Ｍｏｏｒｅ等发现ＣＳＩＦ与ＥＢ病毒（ＥＢＶ）中ＢＣＲＦ－...     

人转化生长因子β1cDNA在COS—7细胞中的表达

在测定了ＴＧＦβ１全长序列的基础上,构建了两个ＴＧＦβ１的表达载达ｐＣＭＶβ和ｐＳＶＬβ;分别从转录水平和翻译水平检测了这两个载本在ＣＯＳ－７细胞中的表达。同时利用ＣＯＳ－７短暂表达系统,建立了ＴＧＦβ１的生物测活法;并分别研究了上清收获时间、表达载体、转染方法对ＴＧＦβ１表达的影响。     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原S和前S1融合基因转基因细胞系的建立与细胞性质的研究

构建了ｐＣＨＢＳＳＩＧ质料,其特点是ＣＭＶ立即早期启动子调控乙型肝炎（乙肝）表面抗原Ｓ＋前Ｓ１融合基因在前,ＳＶ４０早期启动子调控ＧＳ扩增基因在后,此质粒转化到ＣＨＯ－ｄｈｆｒ＾－细胞中,经克隆加ＭＳＸ及ＭＴＸ筛选、扩增,建立了７个高效表达乙肝表达抗原Ｓ及前Ｓ１融合蛋白细胞系ＧｄＳＳ１,并检测了其中ＧｄＳＳ１－１８细胞系的生物学特性,结果表明：未发现微生物污染,无致瘤性、遗传稳定,电镜下可观察到２     

DETECTION OF INFECTIOUS VIRUS AND VIRAL RNA IN THE MYOCARDIUM OF MICE INFECTED EXPERIMENTALLY WITH COXSACKIE VIRUS’B

ＤＥＴＥＣＴＩＯＮＯＦＩＮＦＥＣＴＩＯＵＳＶＩＲＵＳＡＮＤＶＩＲＡＬＲＮＡＩＮＴＨＥＭＹＯＣＡＲＤＩＵＭＯＦＭＩＣＥＩＮＦＥＣＴＥＤＥＸＰＥＲＩＭＥＮＴＡＬＬＹＷＩＴＨＣＯＸＳＡＣＫＩＥＶＩＲＵＳ’Ｂ３ＸｉａｏｍｅｉＯｕｙａｎｇ,ＨｏｎｇｙｉＺｈａｎ...     

Encapsulated human primary myoblasts deliver functional hFIX in hemophilic mice

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia B is a bleeding disorder caused by defective factor IX (FIX), currently treated by regular infusions of plasma-derived or recombinant FIX. We propose a gene therapy strategy based on the implantation of cells secreting FIX enclosed in alginate microcapsules as a highly desirable alternative treatment. We have reported sustained delivery of human factor IX (hFIX) in immunocompetent mice implanted with encapsulated primary mouse myoblasts engineered to secrete hFIX. As a step towards the treatment of human patients, in this study we report the implantation of encapsulated human primary myoblasts secreting hFIX in hemophilia B mice. METHODS: Human primary myoblasts were transfected with plasmids pKL4M-hFIX, pLNM-betaIXL, pMFG-hFIX, and transduced with retrovirus MFG-hFIX. Two human primary myoblast clones secreting approximately 1 microg hFIX/10(6) cells/day were enclosed in biocompatible alginate microcapsules and implanted intraperitoneally into SCID and hemophilic mice. RESULTS: Circulating hFIX (peak of approximately 120 ng/ml) was detected in hemophilia B mice on day 1 after implantation. Human FIX delivery was transient, however, becoming undetectable on day 14. Concurrently, anti-hFIX antibodies were detected. At the same time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was reduced from 94 s before treatment to 78-80 s. Tail bleeding time decreased from 15 min to 1.5-7 min after treatment, some mice being normalised. These findings indicate that the delivered hFIX is biologically active. Similarly treated NOD/SCID mice had circulating hFIX levels of 170 ng/ml on day 1 that remained detectable for 1 month, albeit at low levels. Cell viability of microcapsules retrieved on day 60 was below 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that encapsulated human primary myoblasts secrete functional hFIX. Furthermore, implantation of encapsulated human primary myoblasts can partially correct the phenotype of hemophilia B mice, supporting the feasibility of this gene therapy approach for hemophilia B. However, the long-term viability of the encapsulated human myoblasts must first be improved.     

Sustained and therapeutic levels of human factor IX in hemophilia B mice implanted with microcapsules: key role of encapsulated cells

BACKGROUND: A gene therapy delivery system based on microcapsules enclosing recombinant cells engineered to secrete a therapeutic protein was explored in this study. In order to prevent immune rejection of the delivered cells, they were enclosed in non-antigenic biocompatible alginate microcapsules prior to being implanted intraperitoneally into mice. We have shown that encapsulated C2C12 myoblasts can temporarily deliver therapeutic levels of factor IX (FIX) in mice, but the C2C12 myoblasts elicited an immune response to FIX. In this study we report the use of mouse fetal G8 myoblasts secreting hFIX in hemophilia mice. METHODS: Mouse G8 myoblasts were transduced with MFG-FIX vector. A pool of recombinant G8 myoblasts secreting approximately 1500 ng hFIX/10(6) cells/24 h in vitro were enclosed in biocompatible alginate microcapsules and implanted intraperitoneally into immunocompetent C57BL/6 and hemophilic mice. RESULTS: Circulating levels of hFIX in treated mice reached approximately 400 ng/ml for at least 120 days (end of experiment). Interestingly, mice treated with encapsulated G8 myoblasts did not develop anti-hFIX antibodies. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of plasmas obtained from treated hemophilic mice was reduced from 107 to 82 sec on day 60 post-treatment, and whole blood clotting time (WBCT) was also corrected from 7-9 min before treatment to 3-5 min following microcapsule implantation. Further, mice were protected against bleeding following major trauma. Thus, the FIX delivery in vivo was biologically active. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the type of cells encapsulated play a key role in the generation of immune responses against the transgene. Further, a judicious selection of encapsulated cells is critical for achieving sustained gene expression. Our findings support the feasibility of encapsulated G8 myoblasts as a gene therapy approach for hemophilia B.     

膜性高分子材料在兔眼部的生物相容性

目的评价聚羟基脂肪酸(polyhydroxyalkanoates,PHA)、聚乳酸(polylacetic acid,PLA)和聚己内酯(polycaprolactone,PCL)三种膜性高分子材料在兔眼部的生物相容性。方法将24只新西兰兔随机分为4组,每组6只。PHA、PLA、PCL为实验组,材料植入兔右眼结膜下。假手术组结膜下钝性分离,但不植入任何高分子材料。使用裂隙灯显微镜观察并记录植入后不同时间手术眼的反应并评分。裂隙灯下观察材料的吸收时间。术后4周和16周取眼球,行HE染色、Masson染色和天狼猩红染色分别定性观察组织结构和炎症细胞、胶原纤维和胶原纤维的亚型与排列方向。结果术眼刺激性评分等级各组均不高于"轻度刺激性"。结膜下吸收时间PHA、PLA和PCL组分别是16周,12周和大于16周。组织学观察术后4周PHA、PLA和PCL组均形成材料包裹囊腔,囊壁以纤维组织为主,伴有毛细血管形成和炎性细胞浸润,以中性粒细胞为主。胶原纤维染色与假手术组无明显差异,以Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型为主,大致呈平行排列。术后16周PHA和PLA组材料已不可查及,包裹囊腔结构不规则,而PCL材料整体可查及,包裹囊腔规则。各组未见毛细血管,偶见淋巴细胞浸润。胶原纤维与假手术组无明显差异,以Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型为主,仍大致呈平行排列。结论 PHA、PLA和PCL三种膜性高分子材料在兔眼具有较好的生物相容性,结膜下吸收时间分别是16周,12周和大于16周。     

Cholesterol metabolism in fibroblasts from rabbits resistant to diet-induced hypercholesterolemia

We have previously described a colony of New Zealand White rabbits that are resistant to hypercholesterolemia when fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. The present studies used skin fibroblasts obtained from normal and hypercholesterolemia-resistant rabbits to investigate cholesterol metabolism and lipid composition in vitro. The lipid compositions of the two cell lines after incubation in either fetal calf serum or lipoprotein-deficient serum were similar. The conversion of radiolabeled acetate into sterol and phospholipids was higher in resistant fibroblasts than in normal fibroblasts. In contrast, incorporation of radiolabeled oleic acid into cholesteryl ester was significantly lower in resistant fibroblasts than in normal cells. In parallel experiments, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity was higher and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity was lower in resistant cells compared to normal cells. Furthermore, binding, uptake, and degradation of normal rabbit 125I-labeled LDL (low density lipoproteins) were 30% higher in resistant than in normal fibroblasts. These observations are consistent with results from previous studies of cholesterol metabolism in the liver membranes of these rabbits. The results indicate that extrahepatic cells (such as fibroblasts) from the resistant rabbit exhibit the same altered cholesterol metabolism as that found in the hepatic tissues of these rabbits. These studies suggest that the resistant rabbit may provide an in vivo and in vitro system for studying the mechanisms by which some individuals of a species can minimize the effect of dietary cholesterol on the development of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.     

Evaluation of fentanyl transdermal patches in rabbits: blood concentrations and physiologic response

In the study reported here, we sought to evaluate transdermal fentanyl patches for their ability to achieve detectable plasma concentrations with minimal adverse effects in New Zealand White rabbits. Fentanyl patches were applied to the dorsum after removing hair either by clipping or by application of a depilatory agent. Blood samples were collected every 12 h for a total of 96 h (24 h after patch removal) for determination of plasma fentanyl concentration. At those times, rabbits were assessed for changes in body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body weight. In rabbits with clipped hair, where rapid hair re-growth was not a mitigating factor, mean plasma fentanyl concentration reached a mean (+/- SEM) peak of 1.11 +/- 0.32 ng/ml at 24 h, decreased to 0.77 +/- 0.21 ng/ml at 72 h, and was negligible at 96 h. In rabbits with depilated hair, peak concentration was obtained at 12 h (6.7 +/- 0.57 ng/ml) and decreased gradually to 0.27 +/- 0.06 ng/ml at 72 h. In a second group of fentanyl-treated rabbits in which hair started growing back within 24 h, plasma fentanyl concentration was not detectable. Control and fentanyl-treated rabbits with clipped hair had no effect from the experimental manipulations other than slight loss in body weight. In the depilatory group, two rabbits appeared moderately sedated during the initial 12-h period, and had decreased respiratory rate for 24 h. In conclusion, rabbits tolerate the transdermal fentanyl patch well. Hair regrowth in rabbits may present a complicating factor that impedes dermal absorption of fentanyl. The application of a depilatory agent lead to early and rapid absorption of fentanyl causing undue sedation in some rabbits and lack of sustained plasma concentrations for the desired three-day period.     

A novel mechanism by which probucol lowers low density lipoprotein levels demonstrated in the LDL receptor-deficient rabbit

Treatment of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient rabbits (WHHL rabbits) with probucol (1% w/w in a chow diet) lowered their LDL-cholesterol levels by 36%, consonant with the reported effectiveness of the drug in patients deficient in the LDL receptor. Initial studies of LDL fractional catabolic rate (FCR) using 125I-labeled LDL prepared from the serum of untreated WHHL rabbits showed no difference between probucol-treated WHHL rabbits and untreated WHHL rabbits. When, however, 125I-labeled LDL was prepared from donor WHHL rabbits under treatment with probucol and injected back into them, the FCR was found to be increased by about 50% above that measured simultaneously using 131I-labeled LDL prepared from untreated WHHL donors. The labeled LDL from probucol-treated donors was also metabolized more rapidly than that from untreated donors when injected into untreated WHHL rabbits or into untreated wild-type New Zealand White rabbits. Finally, it was shown that rabbit skin fibroblasts in culture degraded labeled LDL prepared from probucol-treated WHHL rabbits more rapidly than that prepared from untreated WHHL donors. This was true both for normal rabbit fibroblasts and also for WHHL skin fibroblasts, although the absolute degradation rates in the latter were, of course, much lower for both forms of LDL. The data indicate that a major mechanism by which probucol lowers LDL levels relates not to changes in the cellular mechanisms for LDL uptake or to changes in LDL production but rather to intrinsic changes in the structure and metabolism of the plasma LDL of the probucol-treated animal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

胶原/纤维蛋白止血效果观察

目的研究胶原/纤维蛋白对新西兰兔的止血作用,并与胶原蛋白海绵止血效果作比较。方法选用胶原/纤维蛋白止血贴,对新西兰兔耳部动、静脉出血、耳表创面、股动脉割伤、肝损伤、体表创面进行止血试验,同时与胶原蛋白海绵止血效果作比较,观察其止血时间、失血量、敷料与创面的粘合等情况,并定期观察创面愈合、体内吸收和抗炎情况。结果胶原/纤维蛋白复合止血贴组、胶原蛋白海绵组新西兰兔耳动、静脉、耳表创面、股动脉割伤、标准肝创伤的止血时间与对照组比较,差异显著（P〈0.05）。胶原/纤维蛋白复合止血贴组新西兰兔耳动、静脉、耳表创面的止血时间与胶原蛋白海绵组,差异显著（P〈0.05）。胶原/纤维蛋白复合止血贴组、胶原蛋白海绵组动物的耳表创面、标准肝创伤失血量与对照组比较,差异显著（P〈0.05）。体内标准肝创伤、体表创伤后期观察,胶原/纤维蛋白复合止血贴与胶原蛋白海绵均能在21d内完全吸收,未见炎症反应。结论胶原/纤维蛋白复合止血贴对新西兰兔耳动脉割伤、耳静脉割伤、耳标创伤、股动脉割伤和标准肝损伤模型都具有明显的止血作用,体表创面伤口恢复良好,体内吸收速度快,具有一定的抗炎作用,而且在新西兰兔耳动脉、耳静脉割伤和耳表创伤的止血效果明显优于胶原蛋白海绵。胶原/纤维蛋白复合止血贴是一种较安全有效的局部止血生物材料。     

Interleukin-6 counteracts effects of cyclosporin A on extracellular matrix metabolism by human dermal fibroblasts

Although the actions of cyclosporin (CyA) on keratinocyte are well established, little is known about its effects on dermal fibroblasts. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the inflammatory cytokines playing a pivotal role in certain skin diseases such as psoriasis. The aim of this study has been to determine whether CyA modifies the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) by human fibroblasts in vitro. CyA altered the morphology of fibroblasts in the collagen matrix. Fibroblast proliferation was suppressed by CyA at 100 and 10 ng/ml. The production of type I collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 was also suppressed by CyA at 1000 ng/ml, and co-stimulation with IL-6 enhanced decreased production at 1000 and 100 ng/ml CyA. The production of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) was also suppressed by CyA in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the decreased production of MMP-1 was restored at 0.1-100 ng/ml CyA in the presence of IL-6. Regardless of the presence or absence of IL-6, the production of MMP-2 decreased at 1000 and 100 ng/ml, whereas the production of MMP-9 was unchanged. The production of transforming growth factor-beta decreased at 100 ng/ml CyA. This study thus indicates that CyA influences ECM metabolism and the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, and that the effects of CyA are modulated by IL-6. CyA might also, in part, improve psoriatic skin by regulating the remodeling of ECM and by its action on immunocompetent cells.     

慢性心衰新西兰家兔某些生化指标和心功能的改变

目的：研究慢性心衰实验动物某些生化指标和心功能的变化,为慢性心衰的诊断提供依据。方法：使用阿霉素制备新西兰兔慢性心衰模型,将20只新西兰兔随机分为模型组（n=15）和对照组（n=5）,分别耳缘静脉注射阿霉素（ADR）和生理盐水1 ml/kg,每周2次,共8周。随后进行心肌酶、颈动脉压、心电和心音信号的检测。结果：经统计学分析得知,两组的各项指标均有显著性差异（P<0.05）。结论：慢性心衰导致新西兰兔心肌受损,收缩功能和舒张功能下降,心脏储备指标有助于慢性心衰的诊断。     

Intrathymic implants of genetically modified fibroblasts.

Implantation of autologous rodent fibroblasts genetically altered to express human growth hormone has recently been shown to be a feasible approach to the delivery of new gene products in somatic gene therapy. However, the novel gene product elicited in its recipients an intense antibody response that would have curtailed the effectiveness of such therapy. The possibility of inducing tolerance to foreign gene product was explored by implanting allogeneic fibroblasts transfected with the human growth hormone gene into rat thymus, a site recently shown to be immunologically privileged and able to induce donor-specific tolerance to transplanted tissues. In the circulation of the implanted rats, human growth hormone was detected at 4-15 ng/ml serum within the first day and subsided to 0.6-9 ng/ml within the first wk in all animals implanted either thymically or intraperitoneally. Within 2-3 wk, high titers of anti-human growth hormone were detected in all animals regardless of the site of implantation. The failure of the thymus to offer immune protection for the foreign antigen was further confirmed when the animals were subsequently challenged with purified human growth hormone. An immediate twofold increase in titer within the first week of challenge was detected in animals previously implanted thymically. In contrast, animals implanted intraperitoneally but treated with short-term daily injection of cyclosporine A (28-41 days) did not mount any significant antibody response to human growth hormone throughout the experiment or even when challenged subsequently at weeks 8-10 with purified growth hormone. In conclusion, implantation of genetically modified fibroblasts in the thymus does not lead to tolerization toward soluble novel gene product secreted by these cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)