An overview of some mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis

The adherence of microorganisms to host surfaces is highly specific, and in many cases, essential for subsequent pathogenetic events to occur. A dynamic process leading to increased mucosal adherence of gram-negative bacilli to epithelial cell receptors in the oral cavity appears to be the initial step in the development of pneumonia. In infectious processes secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae, adherence may also play a role in specific syndromes. In many cases, however, colonization of oropharyngeal mucus itself, the presence of capsular polysaccharide, and the release of various cell wall components appear to interact to cause clinical disease. In Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections, adherence is all important and is mediated by a number of cell surface structures. These have been studied extensively. Many of these structures, such as pili and protein II, exhibit great variability both between strains and in the same organism at different stages of infection. Others, such as protein I, are more constant. This information has been used in the production of specific vaccines to more preserved structures to inhibit adherence. These will be tested in the near future. It is our view that a better understanding of the many forms of bacterial adherence will be the key to our designing more effective strategies to detect early infection and to intervene more decisively to limit its spread.     

A metabolic switch produced by enzymically interconvertible forms of an enzyme

A system of enzymically interconvertible enzyme forms (interconversion cycle) is known to increase the sensitivity to regulators. Here it is shown that this system may also provide a discrete switching mechanism in which the response is maintained when the stimulus is removed. These switches may be important in producing discontinuous metabolic changes such as those associated with cell differentiation.     

Maximal oxygen uptake in Danish adolescents 16-19 years of age

A random sample of schoolchildren, 119 boys and 153 girls, was tested in the fall of 1983. The data presented here are anthropometric data (height, weight, fat % and vital capacity) and oxygen uptake directly measured on a bicycle ergometer. The mean height and weight for boys were 179.1 cm and 67.7 kg, and those for girls were 168.0 cm and 59.6 kg. The mean fat content was 9.1% for boys and 19.1% for girls, and their mean vital capacities were 4.91 and 3.61 respectively. The boys had a high maximal oxygen uptake (51.7 ml X kg-1 X min-1) showing no reduction over the age span studied. The girls' maximal oxygen uptake was lower (overall mean 40.0 ml X kg-1 X min-1) with a small reduction from 16 to 19 years of age. When comparing maximal oxygen uptake per kg lean body mass in the two sexes, the boys had 18.4% higher values than the girls, indicating that girls of this age have the lower fitness level. The results of maximal aerobic power measurement in the boys compare well with findings from other investigations using direct measurements, indicating that the fitness of teenage boys is kept at a high level. Comparable data from various countries for girls show different pictures, but it appears that in general they have a low fitness level.     

Modulation of the expression of interleukin 2 receptors of human thymocytes by recombinant interleukin 2

The effect of purified recombinant interleukin 2 on the expression of the receptors for interleukin 2 by human thymocytes was examined. Interleukin 2 augmented the expression of interleukin 2 receptors and interferon-gamma synthesis by thymocytes activated with concanavalin A, and it was required to maintain the growth of thymocytes in vitro and the expression of interleukin 2 receptors. The increase observed in the number of receptor bearing thymocytes and in the density of receptors due to interleukin 2 occurred within the first 2 days of culture. Dexamethasone inhibited the expression of interleukin 2 receptors, the synthesis of interferon-gamma, and the early proliferation and protein synthesis of lectin-activated thymocytes during the first 2 days of culture. The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on the expression of interleukin 2 receptors and on the synthesis of interferon-gamma was reversed by interleukin 2, whereas its effect on proliferation and on protein synthesis during the first two days of culture was not reversed by interleukin 2. Interleukin 2 induced the proliferation of thymocytes in vitro, even in the absence of activation by lectin; however, the number of cells displaying receptors which could be detected with anti-Tac remained low throughout the first week of culture and interferon-gamma synthesis was not observed. Nonetheless, interleukin 2-induced proliferation was inhibited by anti-Tac on a dose dependent manner. The results of the study document that recombinant interleukin 2, like purified natural interleukin 2, is required for the expression of interleukin 2 receptors, for interferon-gamma synthesis, and for the growth of thymocytes in vitro.