The expression,regulation and adhesion function of a novel CD molecule,CD226, on human endothelial cells

CD226 is a 67 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein mainly expressed on activated T cells, NK cells and platelets, and involved in the differentiation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and NK, as well as platelet activation and aggregation. Here we found that the expression of CD226 protein and CD226mRNA were very weak in resting HUVEC and ECV304 cells, whereas high level expression could be observed when these cells were stimulated. The binding activities between activated endothelial cells and activated Jurkat cells could be partly blocked by CD226/Ig fusion protein. Similarly, CD226/Ig could also partly block the adhesion between activated endothelial cells and some leukocytes or colo205 cells. These data provided the evidence that activated endothelial cells could express high level of CD226, and CD226 was involved in the endothelial cells' adhesion. The above findings suggested that CD226 is a novel inducible adhesion molecule on human endothelial cells.     

A germ cell-specific gene, Prmt5, works in somatic cell reprogramming

Germ cells possess the unique ability to acquire totipotency during development in vivo as well as give rise to pluripotent stem cells under the appropriate conditions in vitro. Recent studies in which somatic cells were experimentally converted into pluripotent stem cells revealed that genes expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs), such as Oct3/4, Sox2, and Lin28, are involved in this reprogramming. These findings suggest that PGCs may be useful for identifying factors that successfully and efficiently reprogram somatic cells into toti- and/or pluripotent stem cells. Here, we show that Blimp-1, Prdm14, and Prmt5, each of which is crucial for PGC development, have the potential to reprogram somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. Among them, Prmt5 exhibited remarkable reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts into which Prmt5, Klf4, and Oct3/4 were introduced. The resulting cells exhibited pluripotent gene expression, teratoma formation, and germline transmission in chimeric mice, all of which were indistinguishable from those induced with embryonic stem cells. These data indicate that some of the factors that play essential roles in germ cell development are also active in somatic cell reprogramming.     

Biochemical studies on sulfate-reducing bacteria. XIV. Enzyme levels of adenylylsulfate reductase, inorganic pyrophosphatase, sulfite reductase, hydrogenase, and adenosine triphosphatase in cells grown on sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, strain Miyazaki, were grown on either sulfate, sulfite, or thiosulfate as the terminal electron acceptor. Better growth was observed on sulfite and less growth on thiosulfate than on sulfate. Enzyme levels of adenylylsulfate (APS) reductase [EC 1.8.99.2], reductant-activated inorganic pyrophosphatase [EC 3.6.1.1], sulfite reductase [EC 1.8.99.1] (desulfoviridin), hydrogenase [EC 1.12.2.1], and Mg2+-activated ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] were compared in crude extracts of these cells at various stages of growth. 1) The specific activity of APS reductase in sulfite-grown cells was only one-fourth that in sulfate-grown cells throughout growth. Thiosulfate-grown cells had an activity intermediate between those of sulfate- and sulfite-grown cells. 2) Cells grown on sulfite had lower specific activity of reductant-activated inorganic pyrophosphatase than cells grown on sulfate or thiosulfate. 3) The specific activity of sulfite reductase (desulfoviridin) was highest in sulfite-grown cells. The sulfite medium gave the enzyme in high yield as well as with high specific activity. 4) The specific activities of hydrogenase and Mg2+-ATPase were not significantly altered by electron acceptors in the growth medium.     

Identification, isolation, and in vitro culture of porcine gonocytes

Gonocytes are primitive germ cells that reside in the seminiferous tubules of neonatal testes and give rise to spermatogonia, thereby initiating spermatogenesis. Due to a lack of specific markers, the isolation and culture of these cells has proven to be difficult in the pig. In the present study, we show that a lectin, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), which has specific affinity for primordial germ cells (PCGs) in the genital ridge, binds specifically to gonocytes in neonatal pig testes. The specific affinity of DBA for germ cells was progressively lost with age. This suggests that DBA binds strongly to primitive germ cells, such as gonocytes, weakly to primitive spermatogonia, and not at all to spermatogonia. The presence of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in the germ cells of neonatal pig testis confirmed the existence of primitive germ cells. Gonocytes from neonatal pig testis were purified, and a cell population that consisted of approximately 70% gonocytes was obtained, as indicated by the DBA binding assay. Purified gonocytes were cultured in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% FBS in the absence of any specific growth factors for 7 days. The cells remained viable and proliferated actively in culture. Initially, the gonocytes grew as focal colonies that transformed to three-dimensional colonies by 7 days of culture. Cultured germ cells expressed SSEA-1, a marker for embryonic stem (ES) cells, and were negative for the expression of somatic cell markers. These results should help to establish a male germ cell line that could be used for studying spermatogenesis in vitro and for genetic modification of pigs.     

Transplantation of adipose stromal cells, but not mature adipocytes, augments ischemia-induced angiogenesis

Therapeutic angiogenesis has emerged as a promising therapy to treat patients with ischemic diseases. Transplantation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) is reported to augment collateral development in ischemic organs either by differentiating into vascular cells or by secreting angiogenic cytokines. Recent evidence suggests that adipose tissues secrete a number of humoral factors and contain pluripotent stem cells. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived cells to promote angiogenesis in a mouse model of hind limb ischemia. Stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFs) were isolated from inguinal adipose tissue. Endothelial-like cells or smooth muscle-like cells could be obtained from the culture of SVFs in the presence of growth factors. Freshly isolated BMCs, SVFs, or mature adipocytes were transplanted into the ischemic hind limb of mice. SVFs significantly augmented collateral development as determined by the restoration of blood perfusion and capillary density of the ischemic muscle. Angiogenic effects of SVFs were as potent as those of BMCs. Mature adipocytes showed no proangiogenic effects. The ischemic muscle contained endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells that derived from the transplanted SVFs and BMCs. These results suggest that SVFs might be used to promote angiogenesis in ischemic tissues.     

Replacement of serum by insulin, transferrin, albumin, phosphatidyl choline, cholesterol, and some trace elements in cultures of mouse myeloid leukemia cells sensitive to inducers of differentiation

In serum-supplemented culture conditions, mouse myeloid leukemia cells (Ml) could be induced by various inducers including dexamethasone to form Fc receptors, phagocytize, migrate in agar, induce lysosomal enzymes, and change into forms that were morphologically similar to macrophages and granulocytes. Ml cells grew in the absence of serum in synthetic medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, and several trace elements. The cells were maintained for more than 6 months in this medium. Induction of differentiation by dexamethasone was obtained with the cells that had been grown in serum-free medium for several days. However, the ability to be induced to differentiate in this medium was then lost with further growth of the cells in this medium. These cells could be induced to differentiate by dexamethasone with the aid of albumin, phosphatidyl choline, and cholesterol, but not by the inducer alone. The cells were leukemogenic in syngeneic mice. Macrophage-like cells that developed spontaneously from Ml cells were continuously maintained in this environment without morphological alteration or loss of their differentiated properties such as formation of Fc receptors, phagocytosis, and lysozyme synthesis.     

Zinc induces mixed types of cell death, necrosis, and apoptosis, in molt-4 cells

To investigate the mode of zinc-induced cell death, the associated morphological changes, and biological events were examined in zinc-treated Molt-4 cells. Fluorescence microscope observations with double staining of zinc-treated cells with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide (PI) indicated that the metal induced both necrosis and apoptosis. To confirm this, cells were stained with both PI and FITC-labeled annexin V, which binds phosphatidylserine, and then analyzed by flow cytometry. The results also confirmed that zinc induces mixed types of cell death, necrosis and apoptosis, and that the former induction occurs earlier and at a greater frequency. Hallmarks of apoptosis such as abnormal chromosome condensation and release of cytochrome c, as well as the appearance of annexin-positive cells, appeared along with the expression of mitochondrial membrane protein 7A6. However, zinc did not induce increases in caspase-3 like protease and caspase-8 activities, and caused slightly hypodiploid cells. Furthermore, the induction of cell death and annexin-positive cells was not blocked by the caspase inhibitors Ac-YVAD-CHO and Ac-DEVD-CHO. These results indicate that zinc induces both necrosis and apoptosis, without caspase-3 activation.     

Contact guidance in vitro : A light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopic study

Contact guidance was studied in cultures of chick heart fibroblasts and kidney epithelium by observing the relation of these cells to fine grooves ruled in plastic culture dishes, and also to ridges or grooves in plastic replicas moulded from rulings made in metal. The relation of the cells to the regularly arranged collagen fibers of fish scales was also studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). On the rulings with groove periodicity in the range of 5 μm about 75% of the cells were aligned, but on grooves separated about 30 μm only 60% of cells were aligned. Cytoplasmic components of the cells such as microfilaments maintained a constant relation to the axis of the cell as a whole, but they, and also any cytoplasmic extensions, such as filopodia, bore no consistent relation to any features of the substratum, whether or not the cells were aligned. The cells were not guided to become aligned by filopodia or lamellipodia. The most remarkable and consistent finding was that cells bridged over grooves without contacting their surfaces, whether the grooves were 2 or 10 μm wide. The bridging was a characteristic of cells growing on any of the substrates, including those with grooves or ridges, and also of collagen substrates made from fish scales. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the contact guidance seen on ridged or grooved substrata and on the orientated collagen fibers involving the observed cell bridging and the fact that linear cell-to-substrate contacts (focal contacts) are known to be vital for cell movement. The cell is considered to be stiff so that as it bridges over much of the substratum there is only a limited area available for contact. Assuming that focal contacts need to be of a certain length to provide adhesion, a cell orientation that presents the maximum linear contact would be favoured. An examination of the results of this study and of the reports in the literature shows that cells on these types of substrata take on an orientation such that linear contacts would be expected to predominate.     

Localization of serotonin, cholecystokinin and somatostatin immunoreactivity in the lower respiratory tract of embryonic, foetal and postnatal sheep.

The lower respiratory tract of the sheep was studied by light-microscopical immunocytochemistry for serotonin, cholecystokinin, somatostatin, bombesin and calcitonin during different periods of lung development; embryonic, foetal and postnatal. At embryonic period only intraepithelial serotonin-containing cells as solitary neuroendocrine cells (NEC) and neuroepithelial bodies (NEB) were found. At foetal stages, immunoreactive cells to serotonin, cholecystokinin and somatostatin were observed in airway epithelium, as solitary NEC and NEBs, and in autonomic intrapulmonary ganglia as single or clusters of small intensely-fluorescent (SIF) cells. In postnatal sheep, serotonin- and cholecystokinin-containing cells were found within airway mucosa as solitary NECs and NEBs. No immunoreactive cells were observed with antiserum to bombesin and calcitonin. Quantitative studies showed that serotonin was the predominant substance, and that solitary neuroendocrine cells were more numerous in distal conducting airways and at foetal stages.     

Morphological Effects,Rate of Incorporation,and the Enzymatic Action of Botulinum ADP-Ribosyltransferase,Known as C3 Exoenzyme,on Human Neuroblastoma GOTO Cells

The susceptibility of various lines of cultured cells to botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase, known as C3 exoenzyme, was examined. Human neuroblastoma GOTO cells were most sensitive. The C3 exoenzyme caused a change in cell shape that involved extension of neurites. The exoenzyme evoked the outgrowth of neurites from chick ganglion as effectively as nerve growth factor, suggesting that C3 exoenzyme possesses neurotropic activity. Experiments with¹²⁵I-labeled enzyme revealed that C3 exoenzyme was rapidly incorporated into cells but the number of incorporated enzyme molecules was small. Once C3 exoenzyme had been incorporated, ADP-ribosylation of the substrate (Rho protein) in GOTO cells occurred immediately and rapidly reached a maximum level. However, some of Rho proteins remained unmodified even after induction of the change in morphology. These findings suggest that ADP-ribosylation by C3 exoenzyme is directly associated with the differentiation of GOTO cells but that other events may also participate in this process.     

Musashi1, an evolutionarily conserved neural RNA-binding protein, is a versatile marker of human glioma cells in determining their cellular origin, malignancy, and proliferative activity.

Tumor cells often express phenotypic markers that are specific to the cells from which they originated. A neural RNA-binding protein, Musashil, is an evolutionarily well-conserved marker for neural stem cells/ progenitor cells. To examine the origin of gliomas, we examined the expression of the human Musashil homolog, MSI1, in human glioma tissues and in normal human adult and fetal brains. As we had seen previously in rodents, in the normal human brain, MSI1 was expressed in cells located in the ventricular and subventricular zones, in GFAP-negative glial cells, and in GFAP-positive astrocytes. In glioblastomas, MSI1 was expressed in GFAP-negative tumor cells forming foci that were clearly demarcated and surrounded by GFAP-positive cells. Tumor cells arranged in pseudopalisades were also strongly immunoreactive with MSI1 antibodies. The percentage of MSI1-labeled tumor cells increased in higher-grade astrocytomas and correlated with proliferative activity, as estimated by an MIB-1 staining index. Our results indicate that MSI1 is an excellent marker for neural progenitor cells including neural stem cells in normal human brains. Furthermore, the expression of MSI1 correlates well with the immature nature as well as the malignancy of tumor cells in human gliomas. Thus, we expect the analysis of MSI1 expression to contribute to the understanding of the cellular origin and biology of human gliomas.     

Hydrostatic Pressure Has Different Effects on the Assembly of Tubulin, Actin, Myosin II, Vinculin, Talin, Vimentin, and Cytokeratin in Mammalian Tissue Cells

Hydrostatic pressures in the range of hundreds of atmospheres are known to disrupt cytoskeletal organization in tissue culture cells, with profound changes in cell shape. The molecular mechanisms of these effects are poorly understood. To determine the effect of pressure on the cytoskeleton, and thus to provide better indicators of the molecular mechanisms, we used fluorescent antibody staining to compare the organizations of seven different cytoskeletal proteins in HeLa cells and rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS-17/2.8) subjected to different pressures up to 400 atm. Pressures of 300 atm or more caused cells of both lines to “round up” and to withdraw their lamellar extensions. However, this response varied within a population of cells, with some cells remaining spread at pressures that caused their neighbors to round up. The most resistant to rounding were those cells touching other cells, and the occasional giant cells. As expected, the rounded cells showed disruption of actin stress fibers and of vinculin and talin at focal contacts. The unrounded cells showed less disruption in the organization of these same proteins. Microtubules and myosin II filaments appeared resistant to 400 atm pressure in both cell types, whether rounded or unrounded. However, in HeLa cells, the intermediate filaments, vimentin and cytokeratin, depolymerized and formed small vesicles when pressures exceeded 200 atm, and this occurred in rounded as well as unrounded cells. In osteosarcoma cells, which do not have cytokeratin, vimentin did not depolymerize. We discuss different mechanisms that might explain these responses to pressure, including direct effects on the equilibria of protein polymerization and less direct effects on regulatory mechanisms, such as phosphorylation pathways, that control cytoskeletal organization. The latter type of explanation seems more consistent with both the variability of response within cell populations and the difference in vimentin's response in one cell line compared with the other.     

Surface receptors and immune activity of purified human circulating mononuclear cells. III. The mechanisms of lysis, by lymphocytes and monocytes, of target cells in the lymphocyte-dependent and monocyte-dependent ADCC, NK, NOCC, and MICC cytotoxic reactions

The abilities of unfractionated mononuclear cells (MNC), monocytes (98-99% pure), and lymphocytes (98-99% pure) to carry out the lysis of target cells in the ADCC, NK, NOCC, and MICC assays were compared. Lymphocytes by themselves were able to lyse the CRBC (ADCC), K-562 (NK), and RRBC (MICC) target cells. The monocytes were very effective in the lysis of the CRBC (MICC) target cells. However, the lysis of two other target cells--RRBC (NOCC) and HRBC (ADCC)--required the simultaneous presence of both lymphocytes and monocytes in order to effect optimal lysis. Soluble factor(s) secreted by the cytotoxic cells capable of lysing the target cells were detected only in the NK assay. The activity of the soluble cytotoxic factor (NKCF) was only 25-40% of that exhibited by the cytotoxic NK cells and it was secreted by the cytotoxic cells after 48 hr of culture and not 24 hr of culture which is the usual assay condition. The NKCF was cytotoxic only to the NK target cells and not to the target cells used in the ADCC, NOCC, and MICC cytotoxic assays. Different classes of lymphocytes were cytotoxic in the monocyte-independent assays [ADCC (CRBC), NK (K-562), and MICC (RRBC)]. The null lymphocytes and the T lymphocytes were the primary cytotoxic cells in the ADCC and MICC assays, respectively, whereas the T, B, and null cells were almost equally cytotoxic in the NK assay. With respect to the monocyte-dependent assays [ADCC (HRBC), NOCC (RRBC), and MICC (CRBC)], the cytotoxic activity of any one class of lymphocytes failed to approach that of the unfractionated MNC. The T cells were the most cytotoxic; the B cells exhibited limited cytotoxic activity in only the ADCC assay and the null cells showed no cytotoxic activity. However, the combination of T and non-T cells and, to a lesser extent, T and B cells, exhibited much greater cytotoxic activity than the individual cells and together were as cytotoxic as the unfractionated MNC. It is concluded that, depending upon the selection of the target cells, lysis in the ADCC, NK, NOCC, and MICC assays may be effected by lymphocytes only, by monocytes only, by both monocytes and lymphocytes, or as a result of lymphocyte-monocyte collaboration. In the latter instance more than one class of lymphocytes must be present in order for maximum cytotoxic activity to be expressed.     

Isolation, Biochemical Characterization, Long-Term Culture, and Phenotype Modulation of Oval Cells from Carcinogen-Fed Rats

Oval cells are liver epithelial cells that proliferate during hepatocarcinogenesis and chemically induced severe liver injury. It has been suggested that these cells represent hepatic stem cells which might play an important role in the histogenesis of cholangiocellular as well as hepatocellular carcinomas. In order to test this hypothesis highly purified oval cell preparations and propagable oval cell lines are needed. In the present study the isolation, biochemical characterization, and longterm culture of oval cells from rats fed a choline-deficient/DL-ethionine-supplemented diet for 6, 14, or 22 weeks are described. The freshly isolated oval cells were γ-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive, cytokeratin 7-, 8-, 18-, and 19-positive, albumin-positive, peroxidase-negative, and α-fetoprotein-negative and expressed lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 1-5. In addition, low but clearly measurable glucose-6-phosphatase and high γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities (when compared to activities in untreated liver parenchymal cells) were measured in oval cells. Three oval cell lines, OC/CDE 6, OC/CDE 14, and OC/CDE 22, were established. They contained small and large epithelial cells replicating to form uniform monolayers with a cobblestone appearance; furthermore, a very low number of mononucleated giant cells were also present in the three cell lines. OC/CDE 6, OC/CDE 14, and OC/CDE 22 cells were γ-glutamyltranspeptidase-negative, were transiently albumin-positive, maintained the glucose-6-phosphatase activity levels measured in freshly isolated oval cells, and expressed lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 2-5. After exposure of the cultured oval cells to dimethyl sulfoxide or sodium butyrate, 35-40% of the cells reexpressed albumin, and glucose-6-phosphatase activity was enhanced; in addition, sodium butyrate strongly increased γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities. In conclusion, oval cells express phenotypic markers of liver parenchymal as well as bile duct epithelial cells and possess a certain intrinsic plasticity. In order to test if the oval cells indeed represent an intermediate step in the differentiation of certain cells within the bile duct and ductular epithelial cell compartment to parenchymal cells, the three cell lines described herein will be transformed in vitro and their potential to give rise to cholangiocellular and/or hepatocellular carcinomas will be verified in vivo.     

Bacterial Abundance, Activity, and Viability in the Eutrophic River Warnow, Northeast Germany

The River Warnow is the drinking water source for the city of Rostock. Its eutrophic status is accompanied by high amounts of bacteria, which may reach up to 24 x 10(6) cells mL(-1) as recorded during a seasonal study in 2002. Because the river is eutrophic and also heavily loaded with organic matter, this burden is a problem for drinking water purification, as it must be removed completely to not trigger new bacterial growth in the pipeline network. Therefore, restoration measures in the river have to be planned, and bacteria have to be favored as decomposers. That includes the investigation of the physiological state of bacteria in situ. Viable and active cells in the lower reaches of River Warnow were estimated using a broad set of methods. Intact bacteria were investigated by the LIVE/DEAD BacLight bacterial viability kit, containing a mixture of permeant and impermeant nucleic acid stains. Cells with ribosomes were visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization with the EUB338 oligonucleotide probe. Intact cells and ribosome-containing bacteria represented 24% of total numbers stained by 4'6,-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) or 66 and 62%, respectively, in relation to all bacteria visualized by the LIVE/DEAD kit. Both fractions were considered as viable, although the fraction of RIB + bacteria is most likely underestimated by the protocol applied. 5-Cyano-2,3-ditolyltetrazolium chloride (CTC) was applied to mark respiring bacteria. The esterase substrate CellTracker Green 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate showed cells with intracellular hydrolytic activity. Whereas 1.5% of DAPI-stained bacteria were observed as respiring, 3.8% exhibited intracellular hydrolytic activity on average. If these active fractions were calculated as the percentages of intact cells, much higher fractions of 5.4% were respiring and 16% hydrolytic. Temperature was a main factor influencing total and viable cell numbers simultaneously. The results confirm that there are different states of viable and active cells in natural bacterioplankton communities. However, it remains unclear why fractions of viable and active cells were rather low in this eutrophic river in comparison to similar waters. We recommend to carefully address cells as viable in contrast to nonviable, i.e., dead. As viable cells may be active or inactive with respect to many different activities, e.g., substrate uptake, respiration, hydrolysis, and cell deviation, it is necessary to choose the method to visualize active cells according to the question to be answered.     

The response of adult rat sertoli cells,immortalized by a temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40, to 1,2-dinitrobenzene, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, 3,4-dinitrotoluene,and cadmium

In this study we test the hypothesis that immortalized adult rat Sertoli cells respond to known testicular toxins in a similar manner to Sertoli cells tested in vivo and in primary culture. This cell line was developed by immortalizing adult rat Sertoli cells with the temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40, ts255, such that the cells proliferate at the permissive temperature of 33 degrees C but express differentiated characteristics at the nonpermissive temperature of 40 degrees C. Confluent monolayers, grown at 33 degrees C or 40 degrees C, were exposed to a range of concentrations of dinitrobenzene (DNB) or dinitrotoluene (DNT) isomers or to cadmium chloride. Cellular response was assessed by neutral-red cell viability assay and ultrastructural changes. Cells grown at 40 degrees C were sensitive to lower concentrations of each toxicant than were cells grown at 33 degrees C. 1,2-DNB was more toxic than 1,3-DNB, and 3,4-DNT was more toxic than 2,4-DNT, as judged by the neutral-red cell viability assay. Ultrastructurally, cells treated with 1,2-DNB or 2,4-DNT showed increased numbers of autophagic vesicles compared to controls. Intercellular penetration of ruthenium red demonstrated breached tight junctions in 1,2-DNB and cadmium-treated cells. From these observations, we conclude that this cell line can serve as a model for studying toxic mechanisms in adult Sertoli cells.     

Effect of relative humidity on Deinococcus radiodurans' resistance to prolonged desiccation, heat, ionizing, germicidal, and environmentally relevant UV radiation

To test the effect of humidity on the radiation resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans, air-dried cells were irradiated with germicidal 254 nm UV, and simulated environmental UV or γ-radiation and survival was compared to cells in suspension. It was observed that desiccated cells exhibited higher levels of resistance than cells in suspension toward UV or γ-radiation as well as after 85°C heat shock. It was also shown that low relative humidity improves survival during long-term storage of desiccated D. radiodurans cells. It can be concluded that periods or environments in which cells exist in a dehydrated state are beneficial for D. radiodurans' survival exposed to various other stresses.     

Comparison of lectin-staining pattern in testis and epididymis of gerbil, guinea pig, mouse, and nutria

The testis and epididymis of gerbil, guinea pig, nutria, and mouse were studied after staining with seven rhodamine-conjugated lectins to disclose the distribution of glycoproteins with different sugar residues. In the testis, the lectins showed a variable affinity for Leydig cells, tubular basement membrane, cytoplasm, acrosome, and plasma membrane of maturing spermatids as well as for Sertoli cell extensions. During acrosomal development, the staining pattern showed characteristic changes with different lectins indicating a gradual processing of the glycoprotein components. The staining in the Sertoli cell extensions displayed a cyclic change linked with the release of spermatozoa. A nuclear staining was prominent in zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes in the mouse, weak in the nutria, but absent in gerbil and guinea pig. The principal cells of epididymis showed a lectin-stained Golgi region as well as a similar staining in the apical surface, microvilli, and tubular contents. This staining was most prominent in the caput/corpus regions with some interspecies differences indicating the epididymal areas active in secretion. Narrow cells active in absorption of testis-derived material were lectin-positive in the initial segment of mouse, gerbil, and nutria epididymis. Large light cells with a strong affinity for some lectins were found in the proximal cauda of gerbil and guinea-pig epididymis. In the nutria, corresponding cells were arranged as islands within the low epithelium. The distal cauda of mouse, gerbil, and nutria was the site for lectin-stained light cells interspersed among the low principal cells. It is concluded that the high and low light cells may be active in the absorption and phagocytosis of residual bodies/cytoplasmic droplets and surplus epididymal secretory material, respectively. Thus, labeled lectins formed a useful tool in the analysis of glycoprotein distribution, processing, secretion, absorption, and degradation in the male reproductive tissues.     

Comparisons of Cells, Refractile Bodies, and Spores of Bacillus popilliae

Spores of Bacillus popilliae from infected larvae and refractile bodies produced in a Trypticase-barbiturate medium were similar but distinct from vegetative cells of this organism in protein, nucleic acid, and enzyme composition. The spores and refractile bodies were found to have catalase activity, some of which was heat-resistant. This enzyme was not found in the vegetative cells. The spores contained dipicolinic acid, but the refractile bodies did not. The latter were similar to cells in having considerably higher levels of phosphate extractable with cold trichloroacetic acid and of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate than had the spores. Electron microscopy demonstrated conclusively that the refractile bodies are distinctly different from either cells or spores of B. popilliae. The possibility that these bodies are formed as a result of an aborted sporulation process is discussed.