Combined administration of G-CSF and GM-CSF stimulates monocyte-derived pro-angiogenic cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells has been suggested to contribute to neo-vascularization of ischemic organs. Aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF may influence the expansion of circulating KDR+ cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). KDR+ cells significantly increased in peripheral blood of AMI patients treated with G-CSF and GM-CSF compared to untreated patients. This KDR+ cells population was CD14+ but not CD34+ or CD133+. CD14+/KDR+ cells were also obtained in vitro by culturing mononuclear cells from healthy donors in a Rotary Cell Culture System in the presence of G-CSF + GM-CSF, but not of the individual growth factors. CD14+/KDR+ cells, obtained from patients or from in vitro culture, co-expressed hematopoietic (CD45, CD14) and endothelial markers (CD31, CD105, and VE-cadherin). CD14+/KDR+, but not CD14+/KDR- cells, stimulated the organization of human microvascular endothelial cells into capillary-like structures on Matrigel both in vitro and in vivo. The combination of G-CSF and GM-CSF induced a CD14+/KDR+ cell population with potential pro-angiogenic properties.     

Glycine transport by cultured human fibroblasts

The transport of glycine was studied in cultured human fibroblasts. The amino acid entered the cell by Na+-dependent and Na+-independent mechanisms. Na+-independent glycine (0.1 mM) transport was less than 10% of total uptake and occurred by a mechanism formally indistinguishable from diffusion. Two distinct routes contributed to Na+-dependent glycine transport. The first route was identified with system A because it was inhibited by MeAIB and underwent adaptive regulation. The second route was identified with system ASC as it was inhibited by L-alanine, but not by MeAIB. Kinetic analysis revealed that the two systems operated glycine transport with the same Km of 1.6 mM, a value unusually high for system ASC.     

Immunocytochemical detection of tumour markers in bone metastases from carcinoma of the breast

Summary The value of immunocytochemical methods for detecting seven tumour-associated antigens was assessed in ten cases of bone metastases from carcinoma of the breast. In order to obtain the optimal preservation of both their structure and antigenicity, the biopsies were fixed-decalcified in Bouin's fluid by means of an apparatus based on ion-exchange resins recently developed in this laboratory. Of the different tumour markers, milk fat globule membrane antigen and carcino-embryonic antigen were found to be present in the majority of the cases of neoplastic cells. These two markers appear, therefore, to be the most useful for the immunocytochemical identification of metastatic neoplastic cells in the bone marrow originating from carcinoma of the breast.     

Presence of intra-mucosal smooth muscle cells in normal human and rat colon

Intramucosal smooth muscle cells surrounding the crypts and originating from the muscularis mucosae were observed in normal human and rat colon. Immunohistochemical techniques, using anti-desmin and anti-actin antibodies, along with ultrastructural procedures were employed to investigate the nature and distribution of these cells. Desmin-positive and actin-rich smooth muscle cells sprouting from the muscularis mucosae into the lamina propria and surrounding the crypts were observed both in rat and human colon. The intramucosal smooth muscle cells may play an important role in some pathophysiological conditions.     

Electron microscopical identification of the immunofluorescent gastrin cells in the cat pyloric mucosa

Summary To solve the unsettled problem of the identification of the gastrin cells, a study has been undertaken on the electron microscopical characteristics of the gastrin-containing cells of the cat pyloric mucosa. Cells which, on semithin sections, were shown by an immunofluorescence method to contain gastrin, have been identified on serial ultrathin sections. The ultrastructural features of these cells are those which have been described as characteristic of the G cells of the antropyloric mucosa. Other non-entero-chromaffin endocrine cells, which have been recognized as the D cells of the gastro-intestinal mucosa, did not result to contain gastrin.     

Immuno-electron-cytochemical localization of the somatostatin cells in the human antral mucosa.

Immuno-cytochemical methods were used to identify, in light and electron microscopy, the somatostatin-containing cells of the human antral mucosa. By means of immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods sequentially applied on the same section, it was shown that the somatostatin cells are distinct from the gastrin cell population; these two endocrine cell types are often closely related. On ultrathin sections from aldehyde-fixed. Epon-araldite embedded tissues, the site of storage of somatostatin was localized with the peroxidaseantiperoxidase complexes technique, after removal of the resin by means of sodium ethoxide. This procedure represents a new technical approach to the use of electron-cytochemical techniques. The results indicate that somatostatin, a growth hormone release inhibiting factor, is localized in the endocrine granules of the D cells.