Morphological heterogeneity of secretory granules of rat Clara cells: an immunocytochemical study.

The secretory granules of rat bronchiolar Clara cells were classified into different types by their ultrastructural appearances followed by immunocytochemistry using anti-rat 10 kDa Clara cell-specific protein (10 kDa CCSP) antibody. One predominant type was the oval to round granule (type A granule), of which the matrix was composed of a map-like mixture of electron-dense and less electron-dense material. Another predominant type was the rod-shaped granule (type B granule). The content of type B granules varied from a finely fibrillar (type B1 granule) to an electron-dense, rod-like (type B3 granule) structure. Various intermediate types (type B2 granule) between type B1 and B3 granules were also found. Small cytoplasmic vesicles were found occasionally in close proximity to type B2 or B3 granule. Another type of granule (type C granule) was large, up to 8 microns in diameter, and contained a moderately electron-dense amorphous matrix. Both type A and C granules stained at a similar density with the antibody. The nascent form of type A granules, which was found in the vicinity to the trans face of the Golgi apparatus, was also labeled. On the other hand, the labeling density of type B granules varied: type B1 granules were almost devoid of immunolabeling, whereas type B3 granules were intensely labeled. Type B2 granules stained with the antibody; however, the labeling density was less than that of type B3 granules. The small cytoplasmic vesicles of type B2 granules were labeled.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Electron microscopic pathological patterns of alveolar septum in acute dextran-induced and alloxan-induced pulmonary edema in dogs

We studied the incidence of electron microscopic pathological patterns of the alveolar septum observed 30 min after induction of pulmonary edema by dextran-70 infusion (6 dogs, dextran group) and by alloxan injection (6 dogs, alloxan group). For comparable amounts of extravascular lung water in both dextran and alloxan groups, which were twice as much as control group (6 dogs), we characterized the pathological changes. The incidence of the electron microscopic pathological patterns that appeared in dextran group compared with that in control group was significantly high in terms of the widening of the interstitial space, dispersion and disarray of collagen fibrils, and erythrocytes in the interstitial space. The incidence in alloxan group compared with that in control group was significantly high in terms of the swelling of epithelial cells and endothelial cells as well as the widening of the interstitial space, and dispersion and disarray of collagen fibrils. We conclude that dextran causes interstitial changes exclusively and alloxan causes cellular changes primarily coupled with secondary interstitial changes in acute pulmonary edema.     

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on collagenase production in rabbit uterine cervix culture

Rabbit uterine cervical explants were found to produce a typical collagenase, latent form, in tissue culture, 4-Aminophenylmercuric acetate and trypsin were potent activators of the enzyme. The enzyme was purified simply in one step of CM-52 cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and then further characterized. Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) to culture medium significantly stimulated collagenase production, but DHAS did not directly activate the enzyme. In addition, dehydroepiandrosterone and 17 beta-estradiol, the main metabolites of DHAS in vivo, depressed enzyme production. Our previous result, that increases in cytoplasmic DHAS-binding protein in rabbit uterine cervices parallel the progress of pregnancy, and these results suggest that DHAS might have direct actions toward cervical ripening.     

Prevalence of Antibodies to Borrelia Spirochetes among Wild Small Rodents in Central and Western Japan

Field rodents serve as a reservoir for Lyme disease spirochetes. To evaluate the antibody responses of rodents against different Borrelia species in relation to fauna of vector ticks feeding on them, we examined 272 sera of wild rodents, Apodemus speciosus, A. argenteus, and Eothenomys smithii, obtained in 27 locations in central and western Japan from 1981 to 1994. As to prevalences by rodent species using immunoperoxidase test, A. speciosus, A. argenteus and E. smithii showed 29.4%, 11.6% and 30.8% reactivity to Borrelia japonica, 10.7%, 7.2% and 3.8% to B. afzelii, 0.6%, 1.4% and 0% to B. garinii, and 14.7%, 7.2% and 11.5% to an unknown Borrelia species designated as It type, respectively. Each antibody to B. japonica, B. afzelii and B. sp. It type was detected widely both in central and western Japan, but the antibody to B. garinii was scarcely detectable in any area and rodent species examined. Apodemus mice in high mountain altitudes tend to have antibody to B. afzelii or B. japonica, and those in lower altitudes tend to have B. japonica or B. sp. It type. All 13 Apodemus mice from which B. japonica or B. sp. It type were isolated showed higher titers of antibodies to each homologous Borrelia species. The present results indicate that these antibody prevalences among rodents may be associated with dominant Ixodes ovatus and sporadic I. persulcatus on the mainland of Japan, and that Apodemus mice may not be an efficient reservoir for B. garinii. Such a serosurvey is a useful measure to evaluate the natural distribution of the pathogen.