Properties of colony-stimulating factors produced by macrophage cell lines and hybrid cells

Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) produced by two simian virus 40(SV40) transformed macrophage cell lines (BAM1 and BAM3), and three hybrids (HM3-11, HM3-12, and HM3-14) derived from fusion between BAM3 and a Chinese hamster cell line (hs222-16) were examined. HM3-11 and HM3-14 produce two molecular species of CSF, which are not found in the conditioned media from cultures of BAM1 and BAM3 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbolmyristate-acetate (PMA), and zymosan-stimulated BAM3. HM3-12, which is classified into another group in terms of CSF secretion, does not produce these two CSFs. On the basis of various criteria, one of these CSF species (peak 1-CSF) was characterized as a macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The other CSF (peak 2-CSF) induced a group of bone marrow cells in granulocytes and macrophages as well as growth of a mast cell line, IC2. This CSF has an apparent molecular weight of 18,000, estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Unlike interleukin 3 (IL3) from WEHI-3 cells, the growth factor activity of peak 2-CSF binds to DEAE-Sephacel. Thus, peak 2-CSF is similar to a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) rather than to IL3. The anti L cell CSF serum does not inhibit the CSF activity in Chinese hamster fibroblast conditioned medium, and the IC2 cells do not respond to Chinese hamster lung conditioned medium (CHLCM), suggesting that peak 1- and peak 2-CSF are of mouse origin.     

Properties of some bacteriocins produced by Rhizobium trifolii.

Bacteriocins produced by six strains of Rhizobium trifolii were found to be of the relatively low molecular weight, non-phage type. The molecular weights ranged from approximately 1-8 X 105 to 2-0 X 105. All were of protein composition, as indicated by buoyant density (1-32 to 1-34 g/cm3) in CsC1 and by sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes. They were resistant to RNAase but sensitive to DNAase. The six bacteriocins could further be separated into two subgroups on the basis of sensitivity to extremes of pH, binding to filter membranes, activity spectrum on sensitive strains of R. trifolii, and possibly mode of action on sensitive bacteria. Bacteriocin production occurred spontaneously during the early-to mid-exponential phase of bacterial growth in broth culture.     

Tumor angiogenesis factors produced by cancer cells.

Tumor angiogenic activity from tumor angiogenesis factors (TAFs) produced by 25 cell lines was assayed onto chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs). Neovascularization occurred prominently in such cell lines, as HTBOA (poorly differentiated ovarian carcinoma), HUOCA-II (poorly differentiated clear cell adenocarcinoma), HWUA (poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma), HKUS (uterine cervical small cell carcinoma), and in HOTHC (anaplastic thyroid carcinoma). The cell lines which secreted TAF showed high heterotransplantability in nude mice and produced rapidly growing tumors which were rich in blood vessels. The TAFs polypeptides of 14,000 and 78,000 molecular weight, were extracted and purified from the conditioned medium of HUOCA-II or W3UF (sub-line of HUOCA-II) lines, respectively. TAFs at concentrations of 10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml promoted proliferation of the endothelial cells and induced tube formation. Microsequencing analysis revealed that TAF of 78,000 molecular weight has sequence identity with human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF).     

Properties of a gonococcal inhibitor produced by Escherichia coli.

Strains of Escherichia coli can inhibit the in vitro growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. One E. coli strain released a potent agar-diffusible gonococcal growth inhibitor which was extracted and assayed in an agar well assay system. The culture conditions necessary to produce the inhibitor were determined. The inhibitor was bacteriostatic, in most cases, for N. gonorrhoeae. Based on ultrafiltration and column chromatography, the inhibitor appeared to have a molecular weight in the range of 1200 to 2000. Evidence that the molecule contained charged sites was obtained by membrane binding and column chromatography. The inhibitor was stable to extremes of heat, cold and pH. It was not volatile or susceptible to proteolytic enzymes, lysozyme, lipase, DNAase, RNAase or certain chelating agents. Its activity was completely blocked by ferric ammonium citrate. This inhibitor is dissimilar to previously reported gonococcal inhibitors of bacterial origin.     

Properties of purified sporlets produced by spoII mutants of Bacillus subtilis.

A number of abortively disporic spoII mutants of Bacillus subtilis released their forespore compartments (termed stage II sporlets) after mother cell lysis during sporulation in nutrient exhaustion or resuspension media. Stage II sporlets were viable and contained levels of ATP and a number of enzymes similar to those in cells 2 to 3 h after sporulation. However, stage II sporlets carried out essentially no macromolecular synthesis, a result suggesting that they were in a quiescent state. The nucleoid of these quiescent stage II sporlets was significantly condensed relative to that in the original vegetative cells, as was previously found to take place 1 to 2 h after initiation of sporulation (B. Setlow, N. Magill, P. Febbroriello, L. Nakhimousky, D. E. Koppel, and P. Setlow, J. Bacteriol. 173:6270-6278, 1991). Stage II sporlets may be a useful model system for analysis of forespore properties early in stage II of sporulation.     

Leadless pacing in a young patient with cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope

Vasovagal syncope is characterized by vasodilatation and/or bradycardia and thereby a fall in arterial BP and global cerebral perfusion in response to a trigger. Although it is a benign condition, patients with frequent and traumatic episodes need treatment in order to improve quality of life. We describe the case of a 17-years-old boy suffering from cardioinhibitory syncope. At the end of a complete negative cardiac and neurological examination, a loop recorder was implanted. During the subsequent follow-up the ILR documented a 9-s pause. To improve the patient's compliance, and considering cardioinhibitory syncope as a temporary condition, a leadless pacemaker was eventually implanted.     

Properties of wilt-toxins produced by Verticillium albo-atrum Reinke & Berth.

Cultures of Verticillium albo-atrum grown in a liquid, mineral salts/sucrose medium, were harvested at daily intervals and subjected to gel-filtration on Sephadex G-25 columns eluted with demineralized water. Ultraviolet scanning of the eluate indicated a broad division into high and low molecular weight fractions (HMW and LMW). The HMW material was found to be a variable mixture of a protein component (M.W. c. 100,000) possessing mild cellulase activity, and fructosan (M.W. 5,000–10,000). Both components produced wilting in a lucerne detached-leaf bioassay. Heat denaturation resulted only in the loss of the protein component with a corresponding reduction in wilt-toxicity. A number of LMW components were found to produce leaf necrosis, but only in high concentrations and long-duration assays. These were considered to be of doubtful significance in the wilt syndrome. The possible action mechanisms and the basis of resistance are discussed.     

热休克因子生理功能研究进展

热休克因子是调控真核细胞热休克基因转录的关键因子,在应激和正常生理条件下发挥重要作用,使其成为近年来的研究热点。该文简要综述热休克因子在抗炎反应、肿瘤发生与维持、生长发育、衰老等生理病理过程中的重要生理功能。