Preclustered receptor arrangement is a prerequisite for galactose-specific clearance of large particulate ligands in rat liver

We had hypothesized that preclustered arrangement of galactose-specific receptor activity on rat liver macrophages enables these cells to internalize multivalent, particulate ligands in contrast to the clearance of molecules mediated by statistically distributed receptors on hepatocytes. We now took advantage of the nonclustered receptor distribution in newborn rat liver macrophages to study the in vivo clearance of particulate ligands. Gold particles 5, 17, and 50 nm in diameter (Au5, Au17, Au50), coated with lactosylated bovine serum albumin (LacBSA), were injected into the vena cava and livers were perfusion fixed after allowing for binding and uptake for 3 min. In sinusoidal cells from rats 15 days old LacBSA-Au5 and LacBSA-Au17 were taken up by endothelial cells and all sizes by liver macrophages. In newborn rat liver no LacBSA-Au50 or LacBSA-Au17 was retained in liver macrophages. Uptake of LacBSA-Au5 by sinusoidal cells was significant. LacBSA-Au17 was taken up in significant amounts by endothelial cells of newborn rats which correlates to the findings that galactose-specific binding sites on endothelial cells were found to localize as clusters over coated pits irrespective of age. These results demonstrate the crucial role of clustered receptors in binding and uptake of larger particulate ligands via this lectin-like binding activity.     

Ontogeny of glucocorticoid receptors in rat liver.

Specific receptors for glucocorticoids are present in liver cytosols of rat fetuses at least as early as the 18th day of gestation. The concentration of the receptor begins to decline after the 20th day reaching undetectable levels shortly before and after parturition. The receptor can be detected again 1 to 2 hours after birth, and its levels increase markedly to higher than adult values between the 2nd and 5th day. The reason for the failure to detect specific hormone binding near parturition appears to be due to occupation of binding sites by endogenous steroids rather than the absence of the receptor. This is indicated by the demonstration of both cytoplasmic and nuclear receptor sites in liver slices of newborn rats incubated with labeled dexamethasone at 37 degrees. The cytoplasmic receptors of fetal and adult liver differ in their relative affinity for cortisol and corticosterone. The fetal receptors have a higher affinity for corticosterone than cortisol while the reverse is true for the adult receptors. These observations suggest either the existence of dissimilar receptors in fetal and adult liver or the presence of more than one type of receptor sites. It is therefore possible that subtle differences in the nature of hepatic receptors may be partly responsible for the maturation-dependent qualitative differences in tissue responsiveness to glucocorticoids.     

GalNAc/Gal-specific rat liver lectins: their role in cellular recognition

By investigating the presence and distribution of GalNAc/Gal-specific receptors on liver cells in vitro and in vivo, we provided evidence that the hepatocyte is not the only liver cell expressing receptor activity but that receptors of similar specificity are found on liver macrophages and also on endothelial cells. The receptor distribution in the plasma membrane is strinkingly different between the three cell types, as judged from the binding pattern of colloidal gold particles coated with asialofetuin or lactosylated serum albumin. Binding to hepatocytes occurs as single particles statistically distributed, binding to liver macrophages in a clustered arrangement all over the cell membrane and binding to endothelial cells also in a clustered arrangement but restricted to coated pits only. The different receptor distribution results in different binding and uptake abilities. Whereas hepatocytes bind and take up molecules and small particles (5 nm) only, the clustered receptor arrangement of endothelial cells and macrophages enables them to effectively bind and ingest larger particles. Ligands larger than 35 nm can be taken up by the macrophages only. The different receptor arrangement results also in different capacities of cell contact formation. Although in vitro liver macrophages and hepatocytes can both bind desialylated cells the macrophage needs much less galactosyl groups exposed on erythrocytes to establish stable contacts than the hepatocyte. The contacts formed by hepatocytes stay reversible for 30 min at 37 degrees C, whereas the contacts formed by the liver macrophages become irreversible after 10 min at 37 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endocytosis via galactose receptors in vivo : Ligand size directs uptake by hepatocytes and/or liver macrophages

We followed the intrahepatic binding and uptake of variously sized ligands with terminal galactosyl residues in rat livers. The ligands were administered to prefixed livers in binding studies and in vivo and in situ (serum-free perfused livers) in uptake studies. Gold sols with different particle diameters were prepared: 5 nm (Au5), 17 nm (Au17), 50 nm (Au50) and coated with galactose exposing glycoproteins (asialofetuin (ASF) or lactosylated BSA (LacBSA)). Electron microscopy of mildly prefixed livers perfused with LacBSA-Au5 in serum-free medium showed ligand binding to liver macrophages, hepatocytes and endothelial cells. Ligands bound to prefixed cell surfaces reflect the initial distribution of receptor activity: pre-aggregated clusters of ligands are found on liver macrophages, single particles statistically distributed on hepatocytes and pre-aggregated clusters of particles restricted to coated pits on endothelial cells. Ligand binding is prevented in the presence of 80 mM N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), while N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is without effect. Electron microscopy of livers after ligand injection into the tail vein shows that in vivo uptake of electron-dense galactose particles by liver cells is size-dependent. Using a LacBSA-Au preparation with heterogeneous particle diameter (2.2-11.7 nm) we found that hepatocytes take up only ligands up to the size of 7.8 nm, whereas particles of all sizes available in this experiment are found in liver macrophages and endothelial cells. ASF-Au17 and LacBSA-Au17 are endocytosed by liver macrophages and endothelial cells, but not by hepatocytes. ASF-Au50 is taken up by liver macrophages only. In vivo uptake by liver macrophages is mediated by galactose-specific recognition as shown by inhibition with GalNAc. Some 52-65% inhibition was measured in in vivo experiments and 78% inhibition in in situ experiments. GlNAc showed no inhibitory effect. Furthermore, we measured uptake of [125J]ASF and of [125J]ASF adsorbed to Au17 by the different cell populations of rat livers in vivo. While the bulk of the molecular ligand is found in the hepatocyte fraction, the particulate ligand is located in the sinusoidal fraction.     

Origin of the central cells of erythroblastic islands in fetal mouse liver: ultrahistochemical studies of membrane-bound glycoconjugates

 To clarify the origin of the central cells in hepatic erythroblastic islands, glycoconjugates on the surface of cellular constituents in fetal mice liver were ultrahistochemically examined using lectin staining. At 11 days of gestation, the cells derived from mesenchyme in fetal liver, including sinusoidal macrophages, endothelial cells, and erythropoietic cells, bound Griffonia simplicifolia isoagglutinin I-B4 (GS-I-B4), but hepatocytes lacked binding sites for the isolectin. Scavenger macrophages in the hepatic cords at 13 days of gestation and the central cells in the erythroblastic islands at 15 days of gestation also bound GS-I-B4. Hepatocytes, however, exhibited no GS-I-B4 binding site at any gestational day. At 11 days of gestation, none of the cells in fetal liver had binding sites for soybean agglutinin (SBA), but cells derived from mesenchyme acquired these binding sites at 13 days of gestation. The central cells in the erythroblastic islands also bound SBA, but hepatocytes did not bind the lectin at all. The central cells in the erythroblastic islands can be considered to belong to a mesenchymal cell lineage, and primitive sinusoidal macrophages at 11 days of gestation are possible precursors of these central cells. Accepted: 22 January 1997     

Extremely rapid endocytosis mediated by the mannose receptor of sinusoidal endothelial rat liver cells.

Isolated sinusoidal endothelial rat liver cells (EC) in suspension bound and internalized ovalbumin, a mannose-terminated glycoprotein, in a saturable manner. The binding and uptake were Ca2+-dependent and were effectively inhibited by alpha-methyl mannoside and yeast mannan, but not by galactose or asialoglycoproteins. This corresponds to the binding specificity described for the mannose receptor of macrophages and non-parenchymal liver cells. Binding studies indicated a surface pool of 20,000-25,000 mannose receptors per cell, with a dissociation constant of 6 x 10(-8) M. Uptake and degradation of ovalbumin by isolated EC were inhibited by weak bases and ionophores which inhibit acidification of endocytic vesicles and dissociation of receptor-ligand complexes. Cycloheximide had no effect on uptake or degradation. Degradation, but not uptake, was inhibited by leupeptin. We conclude that ovalbumin dissociates from the mannose receptors in the endosomal compartment and the receptors are recycled to the cell surface, while the ovalbumin is directed to the lysosomes for degradation. A fraction of the internalized ovalbumin was recycled intact to the cell surface and escaped degradation (retroendocytosis). The rate of internalization of ovalbumin by isolated EC was very fast, with a Ke (endocytotic rate constant) of 4.12 min-1, which corresponds to a half-life of 10 s for the surface pool of receptor-ligand complexes. To our knowledge, this is the highest Ke reported for a receptor-mediated endocytosis system.     

Corticostatic peptides.

In the last four years corticostatic (anti-ACTH) peptides have been isolated from human, rabbit, guinea pig and rat tissues. These peptides do not act via the cAMP cell signalling system but rather via the inhibition of the binding of ACTH to its receptor most probably through direct competition with the 14-18 sequence of ACTH for receptor binding. ACTH has specific high affinity receptors on adrenal cells but rabbit corticostatin I (CSI) has high capacity, low affinity receptors which are competed for by unlabelled excess CSI but not by excess ACTH. This indicates the presence of specific CSI adrenal cell receptors. The rabbit pituitary, hypothalamus, thalamus, adrenals, lungs and placenta contain sizeable amounts of immunoassayable CSI. Immunochemical localization of CSI indicates that it is present in the large macrophages and in neutrophils in rabbit lung, in macrophages and "supporting" endothelial cells in the spleen and in the adrenals in the cells of the zona reticularis. We have also isolated and identified new peptides which contain 12 cysteines from immune cells of humans, rats and a teleost, the carp. The functions of these peptides are now being determined. This large family of peptides may have many other, yet unidentified functions but at present we can only describe a small number of these.     

Functional roles of the ferritin receptors of human liver, hepatoma, lymphoid and erythroid cells.

Ferritin receptors are present on the membranes of many normal and malignant cells. The binding specificity of these receptors for H and L subunits was examined using recombinant human ferritin homopolymers. At least two different types of ferritin receptors were found, one derived from normal rat, pig, and human liver which shows similar binding of H- and L-ferritin. The second receptor type, specific for the H-chain ferritin, has been identified on membranes of hepatic and other transformed cells, and of normal lymphoblasts and erythroid precursors. These two receptor types may have different metabolic functions: the hepatic receptor acting as a scavenger for circulating ferritin and possibly for iron exchange between hepatocytes and macrophages; the H-ferritin receptor having a regulatory role which is not directly related to iron metabolism. The expression of the H-ferritin receptor is closely related to the activation and proliferation state of the cells. Addition of H-ferritin to the culture medium of cells expressing the H-ferritin receptor resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation and of colony formation.     

Red cell aging results in a change of cell surface carbohydrate epitopes allowing for recognition by galactose-specific receptors of rat liver macrophages

Binding and uptake studies of in vitro aged or senescent rat erythrocytes by isolated rat liver macrophages suggest recognition by galactose-specific receptors on the cell surface of the macrophages. We analyzed carbohydrates exposed on old erythrocytes by plant lectins in an agglutination assay in comparison with freshly isolated untreated erythrocytes. Rat erythrocytes aged in vitro by storage are agglutinated by a panel of lectins that do not react with freshly isolated erythrocytes. Specificity of agglutination was shown by inhibition with monosaccharides. Antibodies eluted from senescent rat erythrocytes agglutinate in vitro aged as well as senescent rat erythrocytes, but not freshly isolated cells nor human erythrocytes. Galactose-specific lectins isolated from rat liver give similar results; they also agglutinate normal human erythrocytes. Agglutination by the liver lectin is inhibitable by galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine but not by N-acetylglucosamine or mannose. Furthermore, rat liver macrophages devoid of galactose-specific receptors show markedly reduced binding of senescent rat erythrocytes. We conclude that recognition of old rat erythrocytes is mediated by two systems: old erythrocytes expose different terminal sugar residues or a different arrangement of glycans when compared to young erythrocytes, rendering them recognizable by liver lectins and by autoantibodies.     

The binding of fucose-containing glycoproteins by hepatic lectins. Re-examination of the clearance from blood and the binding to membrane receptors and pure lectins

The nature of the hepatic receptors that bind glycoproteins through fucose at the non-reducing termini of oligosaccharides in glycoproteins has been examined by three different approaches. First, the clearance from blood of intravenously injected glycoproteins was examined in mice with the aid of neoglycoproteins of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The clearance of fucosyl-BSA was rapid and was not strongly inhibited by glycoproteins that inhibit clearance mediated by the galactose or the mannose/N-acetylglucosamine receptors of liver. The clearance of Fuc alpha 1,3(Gal beta 1,4)GlcNAc-BSA (where Fuc is fucose) was inhibited weakly by either Fuc-BSA or Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc-BSA but strongly by a mixture of the two neoglycoproteins, suggesting that its clearance was mediated by hepatic galactose receptors as well as by a fucose-binding receptor. Second, the binding of neoglycoproteins to a membrane fraction of mouse liver was examined. Fuc-BSA binding to membranes was Ca2+ dependent but was not inhibited by glycoproteins that would inhibit the galactose or the mannose/N-acetylglucosamine receptors. In addition, the binding of Fuc-BSA and Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc-BSA differed as a function of pH, in accord with binding of Fuc-BSA through fucose-specific hepatic receptors. Finally, the binding of neoglycoproteins to the pure galactose lectin from rat liver was examined. Neither Fuc-BSA nor Fuc alpha 1,2Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc-BSA bound the galactose lectin, although Fuc alpha 1,3(Gal beta-1,4) GlcNAc-BSA bound avidly. Taken together, these studies suggest that a fucose-binding receptor that differs from the galactose and the mannose/N-acetylglucosamine receptors may exist in rat and mouse liver.     

A membrane-associated form of C-reactive protein is the galactose-specific particle receptor on rat liver macrophages

Rat liver macrophages express a galactose-specific receptor which mediates endocytosis of particles or neuraminidase-treated blood cells. From rat serum we now have isolated and purified a galactose-specific lectin by affinity chromatography. Comparative analysis of this serum galactose-binding protein with the galactose-particle receptor protein purified from rat liver macrophages and with C-reactive protein (CRP) reveals close relation or identity of these proteins. An apparent m.w. of 30,000 was determined for all three proteins by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and m.w. of about 130,000 by native PAGE. All three proteins exhibit the same pentameric, ring-shaped structure in electron microscopy after negative staining. Antibodies raised against the serum galactose-binding protein or against the macrophage receptor cross-react. A mAb specific for rat neo-CRP labels liver macrophages but not hepatocytes and reacts with the isolated protein in a Western blot assay. Furthermore, the galactose-particle receptor can be functionally replaced by purified CRP: the binding capacity for neuraminidase-treated E of receptor-depleted liver macrophages can be restored by preincubation with purified rat CRP. We therefore conclude that CRP occurs as a membrane-associated protein constitutively expressed on liver macrophages functioning as a receptor mediating galactose-specific binding of particulate ligands.     

Distribution of murine mannose receptor expression from early embryogenesis through to adulthood

The mannose receptor is a 175-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that appears to be expressed on the surface of terminally differentiated macrophages and Langerhans cells. The ectodomain of the mannose receptor has eight carbohydrate recognition domains. The receptor recognizes the patterns of sugars that adorn a wide array of bacteria, parasites, yeast, fungi, and mannosylated ligands. Clearance studies in whole animals have localized radiolabeled ligands, such as mannosylated bovine serum albumen, not only to macrophages, but also to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Hitherto, there has been no comprehensive analysis of expression of the mannose receptor in embryonic and adult mouse tissues. In this study, we have undertaken a systematic survey of the expression of the mannose receptor from early embryogenesis through to adulthood. The mannose receptor is expressed on tissue macrophages throughout the adult mouse as expected. However, the mannose receptor is first observed on embryonic day 9 on cells that line blood island vessel walls in the yolk sac. The mannose receptor is localized on sinusoidal endothelial cells in embryonic liver by embryonic day 11 and in bone marrow at embryonic day 17. This pattern persists in these organs throughout embryogenesis into adulthood when sinusoidal endothelial cells of lymph nodes also express the mannose receptor. The receptor is also found on lymphatic endothelial cells of small intestine. In contrast, sinusoids of spleen and thymus do not express mannose receptor antigen. This study demonstrates that the mannose receptor is expressed on tissue macrophages and on subsets of vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells. Thus, the mannose receptor maybe a marker of the so-called reticuloendothelial system.     

Binding, uptake, and transcytosis of ligands for mannose-specific receptors in rat liver: an electron microscopic study

We have investigated the initial distribution of mannose-specific binding sites in rat liver as well as the uptake and transcytosis pathways of ligands for this receptor in in situ and in vivo experiments. As ligands we used mannan adsorbed onto colloidal gold particles of sizes 5, 17, and 35 nm (Man-Au5, Man-Au17, or Man-Au35). The in situ binding pattern of Man-Au5 in the prefixed liver is identical to the one described earlier for galactose-exposing ligands in the same organ. With the exception of the binding by hepatocytes, where only scarce binding of Man-Au5 was observed, ligands were found adhering in a preclustered pattern all over the cell surface of liver macrophages and binding in aggregates over the coated pits of endothelial cells. In double-labeling experiments different particle sizes were used for glycoproteins with terminal mannosyl or galactosyl residues. This simultaneous localization of the two binding activities revealed that on endothelial cells the two activities are always found to be present in the same coated pit. On liver macrophages the clustered binding occurred at different membrane areas. Uptake and transcytosis of Man-Au5, 17, 35 were studied after their injection into the tail vein. Three and fifteen minutes after injection most of the Man-Au5 and all of Man-Au17 or Man-Au35 was found in sinusoidal liver cells, i.e., macrophages and endothelial cells. One hour after injection, endocytosed ligand is redistributed from large--presumably lysosomal--vacuoles to small noncoated vesicles that are localized predominantly near the space of Dissé. Between 1 and 40 h after injection, ligands of all sizes are transcytosed and found in the hepatocytes. No ligand accumulation is observed in hepatocytes as an indirect indication for secretion into bile. With this investigation we give evidence for transcytotic activity not only of liver endothelium but also of the resident liver macrophages.     

Analysis of the sinusoidal endothelial cell organization during the developmental stage of the fetal rat liver using a sinusoidal endothelial cell specific antibody, SE-1

The sinusoid organization during the development of fetal rat livers was studied using a SE-1 antibody, which we have previously established as a specific monoclonal antibody against rat sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC). Expression and localization of the SE-1 antigen in the liver tissues of 13- to 21-day-old fetuses were immunofluorescently and immunoelectron microscopically examined. The first positive fluorescence was observed in the immature liver of 15-day-old fetuses. The initial positive staining was randomly distributed in the liver parenchyma and showed no direct relation to the large vessels which may be derived from the fetal vitelline veins. The positive linear staining increased in number and connected with each other during the course of development. The SE-1 staining pattern and the sinusoidal arrangement became similar to those of the adult liver after 20th day of gestation. Immunoelectron microscopically, the immature SEC showed a weak positive reaction for the SE-1 antigen at their membrane and was observed together with immature hepatocytes and hematopoietic cells in the 15-day-old fetal liver. Along with the liver development, SEC formed a sinusoid structure closely associated with hepatocytes and came to strongly express the SE-1 antigen. These results indicate that the organization of the hepatic sinusoid may start at around 15th day of the gestation and occurs randomly in the fetal liver parenchyma. It is also suggested that the expression of SE-1 antigen is possibly regulated by the intimate association with hepatocytes.     

Carbohydrate specificity of the galactose-recognizing receptor of rat peritoneal macrophages

The galactose-recognizing system of rat peritoneal macrophages mediates the binding and uptake of desialylated blood cells and glycoproteins. To characterize the specificity of this receptor, binding studies were performed with various galactose derivatives as competitive inhibitors and sialidase-treated erythrocytes or asialoorosomucoid as ligands for receptors, which were either membrane-bound or isolated after solubilization. From the results obtained it can be concluded that galactose is recognized via its hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic regions, formed by the accumulation of OH-functions on one side and of H-atoms on the other ("side effect"), whereas the binding partner or the anomeric configuration of galactose has no significant influence. Although it became apparent that not a single hydroxyl group of the sugar is responsible for binding, the hydroxyl at C-4 seems to be most important, followed by the OH-group at C-3. Those at C-1, C-2 and C-6 do not play a great role. This order of importance ("position effect") was found with galactose, derivatized by methylation or otherwise, and with diastereomers of galactose. Whereas the recognition of a single galactose residue leads to weak binding only, an appropriate arrangement of several of these ligands in one molecule results in an enormous increase in the binding strength of each galactose residue. This "cluster effect" was observed not only with membrane-bound but also with solubilized receptor. However, the binding of asialoorosomucoid by the latter was better inhibited with free galactose, when compared with the membrane-bound receptor.     

Glucocorticoid receptors in developing rat brain and liver

Dexamethasone receptors were measured by conventional equilibrium steroid binding studies in rat liver and brain cytosol, during late prenatal and postnatal development, Receptor binding could be detected in both cytosol preparations as early as the 17th day of gestation. Receptor levels in the cytosol from intact animals reached adult values by the 1st day after birth in both tissues. Using adrenalectomized animals an increase which reached adult values was observed during the first postnatal week for liver and the second postnatal week for brain. At physiological concentrations of endogenous glucocorticoids depletion of receptor from the cytosol of intact animals was minimal at postnatal day 1 and reached adult levels by day 7. chromatographie analysis in DEAE-Sephadex A50 minicolumns of unactivated and activated receptor constituents revealed the same pattern as that of adult animals. Glucocorticoid receptor complex from developing liver and brain was shown to be capable of binding to isolated adult liver nuclei after in vitro activation. However full capacity, for nuclear binding was observed in vivo, after injection of inducing doses of [³H]dexamethasone: By the end of the first week after birth adult nuclear binding capacity was observed in experiments in vivo while values peaked during the second week, in both tissues studied.     

Temporal changes in the expression and distribution of adhesion molecules during liver development and regeneration

We have compared by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting the expression and distribution of adhesion molecules participating in cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions during embryonic development and regeneration of rat liver. Fibronectin and the fibronectin receptor, integrin alpha 5 beta 1, were distributed pericellularly and expressed at a steady level during development from the 16th day of gestation and in neonate and adult liver. AGp110, a nonintegrin fibronectin receptor was first detected on the 17th day of gestation in a similar, nonpolarized distribution on parenchymal cell surfaces. At that stage of development haemopoiesis is at a peak in rat liver and fibronectin and receptors alpha 5 beta 1 and AGp110 were prominent on the surface of blood cell precursors. During the last 2 d of gestation (20th and 21st day) hepatocytes assembled around lumina. AGp110 was initially depolarized on the surface of these acinar cells but then confined to the lumen and to newly-formed bile canaliculi. At birth, a marked increase occurred in the canalicular expression of AGp110 and in the branching of the canalicular network. Simultaneously, there was enhanced expression of ZO-1, a protein component of tight junctions. On the second day postpartum, presence of AGp110 and of protein constituents of desmosomes and intermediate junctions, DGI and E-cadherin, respectively, was notably enhanced in cellular fractions insoluble in nonionic detergents, presumably signifying linkage of AGp110 with the cytoskeleton and assembly of desmosomal and intermediate junctions. During liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, AGp110 remained confined to apical surfaces, indicating a preservation of basic polarity in parenchymal cells. A decrease in the extent and continuity of the canalicular network occurred in proliferating parenchyma, starting 24 h after resection in areas close to the terminal afferent blood supply of portal veins and spreading to the rest of the liver within the next 24 h. Distinct acinar structures, similar to the ones in prenatal liver, appeared at 72 h after hepatectomy. Restoration of the normal branching of the biliary tree commenced at 72 h. At 7 d postoperatively acinar formation declined and one-cell-thick hepatic plates, as in normal liver, were observed.     

Localization of acid phosphatase activity in the liver of pregnant rats

Synopsis In the liver of pregnant rats, fedad libitum, there was an increase in acid phosphatase specific activity which occurred in two peaks, one at the 15th day and the other at the end of gestation. By light and electron microscopic histochemistry, the activity was found to be localized in parenchymal cell peribiliary dense bodies and also in phagosomes present in macrophages and parenchymal cells. There was an increase in liver weight which reached a peak at the 17th day of gestation. Total DNA also rose to the 17th day; there was a high rate of cell division in the hepatic parenchyma at the 17th and 18th days of gestation. During this period single cell deletion by apoptosis was relatively frequent and in late pregnancy there was evidence of cell deletion by lysis.During pregnancy there was a slight increase in sinusoidal macrophages as a proportion of the total cell population but there did not appear to be significant changes in macrophage enzymic activity. It is suggested that the acid phosphatase activity present in macrophages makes a minor contribution to total liver activity, most of which is present in parenchymal cells. Acid phosphatase activity associated with single cell deletion appears to be quantitatively negligible.There was a direct relationship between total hepatic acid phosphatase activity and the numbers of peribiliary dense bodies, which were most numerous at the 15th day and at the end of gestation. It is suggested that these residual bodies contain products of detoxification processes and also cell structural elements resulting from enhanced liver metabolism and intracellular turnover during pregnancy.     

The galactose-recognizing system of rat peritoneal macrophages; identification and characterization of the receptor molecule

Resident rat peritoneal macrophages express a galactose-recognizing system, which mediates binding and uptake of cells and glycoproteins exposing terminal galactose residues. Here we describe the identification, isolation, and characterization of the corresponding receptor molecule. Using photoaffinity labelling of adherent peritoneal macrophages with the 4-azido-6-125I-salicylic acid derivative of anti-freeze glycoprotein 8 followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography, we identified the receptor of these cells as a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 42 kDa. Furthermore, cell surface receptors were radioiodinated by an affinity-supported labelling technique using the conjugate of asialoorosomucoid and lactoperoxidase, followed by extraction and isolation by affinity chromatography. Finally, the native receptor was isolated and analysed. To estimate its binding activity in solutions, a suitable binding assay was developed, using the precipitation of receptor-ligand complex with polyethylene glycol to separate bound from unbound 125I-asialoorosomucoid, which was used as ligand. It is shown that the isolated receptor binds to galactose-exposing particles and distinguishes between sialidase-treated and -untreated erythrocytes, similar to peritoneal macrophages. The binding characteristics of the membrane-bound and the solubilized receptor are described in the following paper of Lee et al.     

Ontogeny of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors in rat lung

The binding characteristics of the alpha 1-selective adrenergic ligand [3H]-prazosin were determined in particulate membranes of rat lung from day 18 of gestation to adulthood. Specific binding was present at all ages studied, was reversible and inhibition of specific binding by agonists followed the order of potency: (-)-epinephrine = (-)-norepinephrine much greater than (-)-isoproterenol greater than (+)-norepinephrine. Inhibition by antagonists followed the order of potency: prazosin greater than WB4101, much greater than yohimbine. Binding capacity increased during the neonatal period from 52 +/- 9 fmoles x mg-1 protein in lung preparations on day 18 of a 21 day gestation increasing to 105 +/- 4 fmoles x mg-1 protein (mean +/- SE) by postnatal day 15. Binding activity decreased thereafter, reaching adult levels by 28 days of postnatal age, 62 +/- 3 fmoles x mg-1 protein. This pattern of alpha 1-adrenergic receptor density was distinct from that of beta-adrenergic receptors identified in rat lung membrane with the beta- adrenergic antagonist, (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol ((-)-[3H]DHA). (-)-[3H]DHA binding increased dramatically during this same time period, from 46 +/- 4 fmoles x mg-1 protein on day 18 of gestation to 496 +/- 44 fmoles x mg-1 protein in the adult lung. Affinity for [3H]-prazosin and (-)-[3H]DHA did not change with age. Pulmonary alpha 1-adrenergic receptors are present as early as 18 days of gestation in the rat and alpha 1-adrenergic receptor density is maximal by 15 days of postnatal age. The timing of the changes in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors correlates with the timing of increased sympathetic innervation of the developing rat lung and is distinct from that of beta-adrenergic receptor sites.