Modulation of antigen-induced T cell proliferation by alpha 2M-trypsin complexes

Proteinase-complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) could be shown to interfere with T cell proliferation in response to antigen presented by autologous antigen-pulsed monocytes (M phi) (antigen-induced M phi-T cell interaction, MTI). Addition of alpha 2M-trypsin (alpha 2M X T) complexes to cultures of T cells and antigen-pulsed M phi led to a dose-dependent decrease of T cell proliferation (up to 91% inhibition of the T cell response), whereas the same concentrations of free (native) alpha 2M had no effect on antigen-induced MTI. The observed interference with MTI could be attributed to residual enzymic activity of the alpha 2M X T complex. Addition of aprotinin, a low Mr protein proteinase inhibitor able to penetrate to the enzyme entrapped within the alpha 2M molecule and thus bind to and inactivate the enzyme's active site, resulted in a reversal of the alpha 2M X T-induced biological effect. Inactivation of the enzyme's active site within alpha 2M X T was monitored by a decrease in the hydrolytic activity of the complex. Kinetic studies (addition of alpha 2M X T 24 to 48 hr after culture onset was shown to be still inhibitory) indicated an effect at the level of the T cell or its mediators, but an overnight incubation of T cells with alpha 2M X T did not alter these cells' capacity to proliferate in response to an antigenic stimulus. An additional effect of alpha 2M X T on the antigen-presenting cell cannot be ruled out at present. However, alpha 2M X T did not alter the percentage of monocytes expressing HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ or interfere with interleukin 1 release if added to M phi at concentrations that significantly inhibited MTI. Furthermore, incubation of M phi with alpha 2M X T for 1 hr before antigen pulsing had no effect on the M phi antigen presenting capacity.     

Changes in plasma thyroid hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone of laying hens during a forced molt

1. Circulating concentrations of iodothyronines, luteinizing hormone(LH), estradiol(E2), progesterone and corticosterone were measured in hens before, during, and after a forced molt induced by fasting. 2. Corticosterone increased at the onset of molt, peaked at the maximal molt and returned to pre- and post-molt levels. LH, E2 and progesterone declined during the molt, and the decline was coincident with the cessation of egg production. 3. Thyroxine(T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine(rT3) increased during the molt. The increases of T4 and T3 were not abolished even if the forced molt was conducted in mild weather.     

Modification by azocombination of the catalytic properties of ribonucleases

Using pancreatic RNAase and RNAase from Act. rimosus as models, the effect of modification by azocombination on the catalytic properties of enzymes were studied. It was shown that RNAases binding to soluble dextran did not cause any significant changes in their major catalytic properties, when polymeric RNA was used as a substrate. At the same time, the physico-chemical properties of the modified enzymes may result in changes in the catalytic properties in a reaction with low molecular weight substrates. Evidence for this observation can be obtained from the increase in the synthetic activity of modified pancreatic RNAase as compared to the hydrolase activity in the dinucleotide synthesis reaction.     

Isolation of serum chylomicrons prior to density gradient ultracentrifugation of other serum lipoprotein classes

A method for the removal of serum chylomicrons before density gradient ultracentrifugation of the other serum lipoproteins using an SW 41 swinging bucket rotor is presented. In a preliminary spin, the chylomicrons with an Sf greater than 400 X 10(-13) s float to the top of the gradient, whereas the other lipoproteins are retained in the infranatant fraction. After removal of the chylomicrons, the other serum lipoproteins are subsequently fractionated by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation. Analysis of the separated lipoprotein fractions suggested that this procedure permits isolation of a chylomicron fraction consisting solely of chylomicrons but that the very low density lipoprotein fraction subsequently isolated also contains chylomicrons or chylomicron remnants with an Sf less than 400 X 10(-13) s, and that there is considerable overlap in flotation rate and particle size of very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons.     

Immunocytochemical detection of triphosphoinositide in vestibular hair cells

Triphosphoinositide (TPI), an aminoglycoside receptor and a possible regulator of cationic permeation through its ability to bind with Ca++, was localized by the protein-A gold technique in vestibular sensory epithelia using an antibody highly specific to TPI. TPI was detected on the stereocilia, kinocilia, and cuticular plate of hair cells, and in the reticular membrane of supporting cells. The cilia of hair cells are damaged by aminoglycosides at a relatively early stage of toxicity. Ca++-regulated bioactivity in this area is probably involved.     

Characterization of messenger RNA from epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

The cell-free translation products of polyribosomal and post-polyribosomal mRNAs from the non-infective epimastigotes and the infective metacyclic trypomastigotes of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi were compared by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The result show that although many polypeptides are conserved, quantitative and qualitative differences are observed between both differentiation stages. The results also indicate the existence of post-polyribosomal mRNAs in equilibrium with polyribosomal counterparts. The immunoprecipitation of the in vitro synthesized polypeptides with chagasic human serum and the serum raised against an 85-kDa glycoprotein (P2-WGA), potentially involved in the process of T. cruzi penetration into mammalian cells, shows that while the chagasic serum recognizes the same 72-kDa, 68-kDa and 46-kDa polypeptides in both differentiation stages, the anti-P2-WGA serum immunoprecipitates a single 48-kDa polypeptide from in vitro translation products of metacyclic trypomastigotes.