Microenvironment created by stromal cells is essential for a rapid expansion of erythroid cells in mouse fetal liver

Mouse stromal cell lines (FLS lines), established from the livers of 13-day gestation mouse fetus, supported the proliferation and differentiation of the erythroid progenitor cells from mouse fetal livers and bone marrow in a semisolid medium in the presence of erythropoietin. A large erythroid colony of over 1000 benzidine-positive erythroid cells was developed from a single erythroid progenitor cell on the FLS cell layer after 4 days of culture. When in close contact with the layer, the erythroid progenitor cells divided rapidly with an average generation time of 9.6 h and mature erythroid cells, including enucleated erythrocytes, were produced. The present studies demonstrate that the microenvironment created by the stromal cells can support the rapid expansion of erythropoietic cell population in the fetal liver of mice.     

Our method of correcting cryptotia

Our technique for the correction of cryptotia using both Z-plasty and the advancement flap is described. The main advantages are the simple design of the skin incision and the possibility of its application to cryptotia other than severe cartilage deformity and extreme lack of skin.     

Induction of interdigitating reticulum cell-like differentiation in human monocytic leukemia cells by conditioned medium from IL-2-stimulated helper T-cells

Monocytic leukemia (MoL) cells were obtained from the peripheral blood of a patient in whom the leukemic cells infiltrating various lymphoreticular organs exhibited features intermediate between interdigitating reticulum cells (IDC) and ordinary phagocytic macrophages, whereas the leukemic cells in the peripheral blood were essentially monocytic and lacked such features. Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells were established as an interleukin-2-dependent T-cell line. When the MoL cells were exposed for a few days to conditioned medium from the T-cell line, they extended several dendritic cytoplasmic projections and became intensely positive for HLA-DR antigen, cytoplasmic S-100β protein, and CD1 antigen. Functionally, the conditioned medium significantly down-regulated Fc-mediated and Fc-independent phagocytic activities, and the levels of lysosomal enzymes such as lysozyme and nonspecific esterase in the MoL cells. Moreover, the conditioned medium significantly up-regulated the accessory cell function of the MoL cells as measured by the primary allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). Furthermore, the conditioned medium significantly down-regulated the expression of CD14 antigen. Biochemical analysis indicated that the factor responsible for these changes is a protein which is distinct from known human cytokines and whose molecular weight is approximately 31 kDa. These findings suggest that IDC are closely related the monocytic lineage and that helper T-cells play an important role in constructing the microenvironment of T-lymphoid tissues which is necessary for the differentiation and maturation of IDC.     

Effect of a previous voluntary deep breath on laryngeal resistance in normal and asthmatic subjects

We studied changes in both laryngeal resistance (Rla) and respiratory resistance (Rrs) after a voluntary deep breath in 7 normal and 20 asthmatic subjects. Rla was measured using a low-frequency sound method (Sekizawa et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 55: 591-597, 1983) and Rrs by forced oscillation at 3 Hz. In normal subjects, both Rla and Rrs significantly decreased after a voluntary deep breath (0.05 less than P less than 0.01). During methacholine provocation in the normal subjects, a voluntary deep breath significantly decreased Rrs (0.05 less than P less than 0.01, but Rla was significantly increased (0.05 less than P less than 0.01). In 10 asthmatic subjects in remission, a voluntary deep breath significantly increased Rrs (0.05 less than P less than 0.01) but significantly decreased Rla (0.05 less than P less than 0.01). In another 10 asthmatic subjects during spontaneous mild attacks, a voluntary deep breath significantly increased both Rrs and Rla (0.05 less than P less than 0.01). The present study showed that without obvious bronchoconstriction, Rla decreased after a voluntary deep breath in both normal and asthmatic subjects but, with bronchoconstriction, Rla increased in both groups. Subtraction of the change in Rla from Rrs gives the change in Rrs below the larynx (Rlow). Rlow changed little or decreased in normal subjects and increased in asthmatic subjects, irrespective of base-line bronchomotor tone. These results suggest that airway response below the larynx after a voluntary deep breath differentiates patients with bronchial asthma from normal subjects.     

Genetic factors influencing neurosensitivity to early phenobarbital administration in mice

This study was designed to assess the possible genetic determinants of neurosensitivity to early (neonatal) phenobarbital (PhB) administration and to conduct a strain comparison for the cerebellar histology of both inbred and outbred mice. HS/Ibg, C57BL/10 and DBA/1 pups were injected with 50 mg PhB/kg daily on neonatal days 2-21. On day 50, treated animals (B) of all strains had smaller brains than controls (C). Moreover, the cerebellar area was decreased in HS and C57 B mice but not in DBA mice, suggesting genotype-environment interaction. B mice from all strains had similar Purkinje cell losses. Strain comparison showed that control C57 mice had smaller brains than control HS, and DBA had smaller brains than both HS and C57. Similarly, C57 had smaller cerebellar layers than HS and DBA had smaller cerebellar layers than both HS and C57. DBA and C57 mice had fewer Purkinje cells than HS but did not differ from each other.     

Ribosome degradation in Escherichia coli induced by colicin E2

The mode of action of colicin E₂ on ribosomes in $\text{Escherichia coli}$ cells was investigated by zonal centrifugation analysis. Ribosome particles, both 50S and 30S, were degraded to smaller contents with the lapse of time by the action of colicin E₂. Gradual reduction of S values of each particles could not be observed and degradative intermediates of possible RNA-protein complex were detected only at the position between 30S and 4S in the zonal centrifugation profile, which indicated the destruction of ribosome in burst-out attitude. 50S ribosome fraction influenced by colicin E₂ contained both 23S and half-sized RNA. From these data, the mode of action of colicin E₂ on ribosomes in $\text{E. coli}$ was discussed.     

Bilateral giant myelolipoma in the adrenal of a cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)

Abstract: A rare case of bilateral adrenal myelolipomas in a female cotton-top tamarin is reported. Large bilateral masses in the adrenal glands were composed of mature adipose cells containing varying amounts of hematopoietic cells of the myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocyte series. The gross and histologic features of this case closely resemble human “giant” adrenal myelolipomas.     

In vivo anti inflammatory effects of the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor: I. Effects on acute inflammatory parameters

Previous studies have described an IL-1 Inhibitor produced by a myelomonocytic line developed in our laboratory (Eur J Immunol 1986; 16: 1449). This IL-1 Inhibitor was secreted by the M20 line constitutively in addition to IL-1, from which it could be separated. We have recently shown that the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor is distinct from the IL-1ra.In vitro this factor inhibited IL-1 induced proliferative responses as well as PGE₂ secretion by IL-1 induced fibroblasts. We also showed for the first time (Lymphokine Research 1988; 7(3): 268) that an IL-1 inhibitor can reduce IL-1 induced inflammatory effects. This study describes the specific effect of the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor on IL-1 induced parameters of inflammation: fever, leukocytosis and local foot pad swelling or lymph node enlargement. Purified preparations of the IL-1 Inhibitor, when injected together with IL-1, or before the IL-1, reduced fever, leukocytosis, foot pad swelling and lymph node enlargement caused by IL-1. Similar responses were obtained by injection of IL-6 or TNF, but were unaffected by the IL-1 Inhibitor, when injected together.These results indicate that the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor acts specifically on IL-1 induced responsesin vivo. The potential importance of this factor as an anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory factor, is supported by the findings of this study.Abbreviations IL-1 Interleukin 1 - IL-6 Interleukin 6 - IL-1ra Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist - TNF tumor necrosis factor