Purification of epidermal G2-chalone using immunoaffinity chromatography

Epidermal G2-chalone was purified from rat skin extract by immunoaffinity chromatography with the use of mono-specific antibodies coupled to CNBr-activated sepharose 4B. During SDS PAAG electrophoresis, it produced a single band with a molecular weight of 13000 dalton. G2-chalone purified in this way had a 60% antimitotic inhibitory effect on external ear epidermocytes in mice in a dose of 2 micrograms/g bw but had no effect on the mitosis in the sebaceous glands.     

Determination of epidermal G2-chalone in epidermal-type tissues

By means of monospecific immune serum, using the indirect method by Coons, the epidermal G2-chalone was revealed in the corneal epithelium, in the transitory epithelium of the urinary bladder, renal pelvis, as well as in stromal epithelial cells of the cortical substance and in thymic bodies, the facts that suggest epithelial nature of these tissues. In tracheal epithelium the method mentioned failed to reveal G2-chalone. Analysing localization of the epidermal G2-chalone in various tissues of the epidermal origin, it has been stated that in the non-cornified multistratified flat epithelium it is present in cellular cytoplasm of all layers, while in the cornified epithelium - it is predominantly detected in basal and scupular cells. A suggestion is made that distribution of the intratissue epidermal G2-chalone depends on the process of cornification. A possibility to use G2-chalone as a marker for tissues of the epidermal type is discussed.     

Immunomorphologic analysis of G2-chalone localization in epidermal-type tissues

Localization of the epidermal G2-chalone in tissues has been established by means of indirect method of Coons using a monospecific immune serum. It has been found in dermal epithelia of the back, external ear, tongue, esophagus, forestomach, vagina, hairy follicles, but it has not been found in the sebaceous glands and derma. These findings are fully in agreement with the results obtained by the method of double diffusion after Ouchterlony. Tissue specificity of G2-chalone is proved by the fact that at places where epithelia differing histogenetically join with each other, it is found only in the epithelia of the epidermal type. Within the epithelial layer G2-chalone is mainly localized in the spinous and partly in the basal cells. Possible mechanisms on regulation of the mitotic activity are discussed in connection with the data obtained.     

Changes in the level of epidermal G2-chalone and mitotic activity in the rat vaginal epithelium]

The content of tissue-specific inhibitor of mitosis in epidermal epithelium (G2-chalone) was estimated by a single radial immunodiffusion test in the rat vagina during various stages of the estrous cycle. The level of chalone was found to correlate with the mitotic index (MI) of vaginal epithelium. The lowest level of G2-chalone is detected in proestrus and the highest one in estrus. The level of G2-chalone in vaginal epithelium was shown to be significantly decreased in aging rats (14--16 month-old) with regular cycles as compared to that in young normal cycle rats (3--4 month-old). The single injection of estradiol benzoate (1 microgram/100 g) into ovariectomized rats led to an increase in the MI following 18 hours. The increased MI is preceeded by a substantial drop of the G2-chalone level 12 hours after estrogen injection.     

Effects of propranolol on mitosis-inhibiting activity of G2-chalone and adrenaline in cell culture of Ehrlich's ascites tumor]

Chalone-containing preparation from ascite Ehrlich's tumour blocks these cell transition from G2-phase to mitosis and its motion in mitosis in vitro (G2-block, M-block). Adrenaline blocks these cell transition from G2-phase to mitosis. Propranolol raises G2-block of chalone or adrenaline. Consequently this way of chalones action on cell division includes beta-adrenergic receptors influence of preparation on cell motion in mitosis doesn't change with addition of propranolol. Consequently this way of chalone system action on mitosis doesn't include beta-adrenergic receptors.     

Immunomorphological analysis of G2-chalone localization during the process of rat epidermis histogenesis

The appearance of G2-chalone in the cytoplasm of the intermediate cell layer and partly in the periderm of 17-day-old rat embryo epidermis has been demonstrated by the indirect method of Coons using a monospecific antiserum. G2-chalone was absent from the basal cell layer of 17--21-day-old embryos and of the newborn rats. It was found in all the epidermal layers in 2--5-day-old postnatal rats, while in 6--9-day-old animals it was primarily detected in the cytoplasm of spinous and basal cells. Thus the localization of epidermal G2-chalone typical for defined tissue becomes stabilized at the end of epidermis histogenesis.     

Immunological determination of epidermal G2-chalone as a squamous cell marker in lung tumors in rats

Epidermal G2 chalone was determined in induced rat lung tumors by the double immunodiffusion test or by immunoautoradiography. Epidermal chalone normally contained by keratinized tissues alone was detected in squamous cell lung carcinomas or adenomas with areas of squamous cell differentiation rather than in so-called pure adenocarcinomas. The antigen concentration correlated with the expansion of the areas of squamous cell differentiation. Thus the detection of epidermal G2 chalone can serve as marker of squamous cell metaplasia in the rat lung tissue.     

Cell cycle specificity and reversibility of the inhibitory effect of epidermal G1-chalone on DNA synthesis in partially synchronized RTE-2 keratinocytes in vitro

The specific action of a pig skin fraction enriched in epidermal G1-chalone, a tissue-specific inhibitor of epidermal DNA synthesis, was investigated by means of flow cytofluorometry. The results indicate that G1-chalone inhibits progression of partially synchronized rat tongue epithelial cells (line RTE-2) through the cell cycle at a point 2 h prior to the beginning of the S-phase. Approximately 8 h after chalone addition, the cells can overcome the inhibition and begin to enter the S-phase. The duration of this delay is concentration-independent, but the fraction of cells affected is proportional to the chalone concentration. The progression of cells which already have entered S-phase is not affected. In contrast to the G1-chalone preparation, aphidicolin, a potent inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha, clearly shows S-phase-specific inhibition. These results indicate that the epidermal G1-chalone inhibits epidermal cell proliferation in a fully reversible manner by a highly specific effect on cell cycle traverse.     

A system for the study of epidermal G1-chalone in cell culture. The rat tongue epithelial cell line RTE2

A pig-skin preparation enriched in epidermal G1-chalone when administered to cells of the rat tongue epithelial line RTE2 at concentrations of 3-300 micrograms/ml (dry mass) caused a 60% reduction in cell number. Three other cell lines showed essentially no growth inhibition during chalone treatment. The kinetics of chalone inhibition were similar to those observed in mouse epidermis in vivo. Five hours after the addition of chalone preparation in fresh medium a decrease in the rate of DNA synthesis was observed. Maximum inhibition at 12 h was followed by a subsequent increase in DNA synthesis, reaching control values again after 30 h. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent up to 3 micrograms/ml. At higher concentrations the degree of inhibition remained constant at about 50% of the control up to 300 micrograms/ml. Removal of added chalone by changing the medium at the time of maximum inhibition gave rise to a complete recovery within 9 h. These results indicate a cell-line specific, non-toxic and reversible inhibitory effect of the chalone preparation which resembles that observed in the living animal. The RTE2 cell line may thus be considered to provide a highly sensitive experimental system suitable for more detailed studies on the mechanism of action of epidermal G1-chalone.     

Superficial origin of erythrocytic chalone in polycythemia in vitro]

It was shown in the culture of rat bone marrow cells in experimental polycythemia that the chalone activity of erythrocytic chalone considerably drops in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The chalone inhibits the agglutinating activity of PHA with respect to bone marrow cells. Absorption of the chalone on the immobilized PHA leads to disappearance from it and of PAS-positive bands recorded electrophoretically and to a strong decrease in PAS-negative band intensity. Experiments with preliminary incubation of rat red cells before preparation of the chalone suggest that in the course of its preparation two polypeptides one of which is PAS-positive are released into the medium. It is suggested that the chalone includes superficial membrane proteins of red cells, possibly, in the form of a combination of PAS-positive and PAS-negative bands. Potential mechanisms of chalone release from the surface of cells and features of their action on the cells are discussed.     

Regulation of mitotic activity in rat vaginal epithelium: relationships between the level of its inhibitor (G2-chalone) and estrogens.

The level of a tissue-specific inhibitor of mitotic activity (G2-chalone) and mitotic activity in the vaginal mucosa of cycling rats of varying age and castrated rats were studied. A direct correlation between the level of the inhibitor and mitotic index is found in cycling animals. Both parameters are maximal during estrus and minimal in proestrus, when estrogen level in blood circulation is the highest. The undulating variations in G2 inhibitor level during estrous cycle are less pronounced and the concentrations of the inhibitor in relevant phases are significantly lower in aged females than in adult rats. Administration of estradiol benzoate (1 microgram/100 g) to castrated female rats was followed by a significant decrease in mitotic inhibitor level in vaginal mucosa within 12 hrs. This, in turn, was followed by a rise in mitotic activity 18 hr after estrogen administration. Therefore, the estrogen exerts its effect on mitotic activity in target tissue after it has induced a decrease in the level of the antimitotic factor (G2-chalone).     

Dry erythrocytic diagnostic agent for the determination of antiglobulins]

Dry erythrocytic diagnostic agents were obtained under experimental conditions for determination of antiglobulins forming in the organism of man and animals under the effect of serum preparations from the blood of horses and homologoum immunoglobulins. A study was made of the sera of 100 patients with tick-borne encephalitis treated with heterologous and homologous immunoglobulins of directed action; in response to the administration of horse gamma-globulin antiglobulins (in titres below 1 : 10000) appeared in the serum; they circulated in the blood for long periods and inhibited the accumulation of hormonal antibodies to the causative agent; in the majority of cases a high level of antiglobulins to the foreign protein correlated with the presence of remote side-reactions of the serum sickness type. In patients treated with immunoglobulin of human origin antiglobulins were determined in low titres, disappeared from the blood in 15--20 days and did not hinder the accumulation of antihemmagglutinins to the tick-borne encephalitis virus.     

Effect of the spleen extracts on primary immune response in mice]

Experiments were conducted on mice. Direct Jerne's test demonstrated a possibility of intensification of the primary immune response in the sexually mature mice under the effect of the splenic extracts. The significance of the extract dose and of the time of administration for the manifestation of the stimulating action was studied.