Ultrastructural localization of intracellular calcium stores by a new cytochemical method

We describe a new cytochemical method for ultrastructural localization of intracellular calcium stores. This method uses fluoride ions for in situ precipitation of intracellular calcium during fixation. Comparisons made using oxalate, antimonate, or fluoride showed that fluoride was clearly superior for intracellular calcium localization in eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Whereas oxalate generally gave no intracellular precipitate and antimonate gave copious but random precipitate, three prominent calcium stores were detected using fluoride: the tubular endoplasmic reticulum, the cortical granules, and large, clear, acidic vesicles of unknown function. The mitochondria of these eggs generally showed no detectable calcium deposits. X-ray spectra confirmed the presence of calcium in the fluoride precipitates, although in some cases magnesium was also detected. Rat skeletal muscle and sea urchin sperm were used to test the reliability of the fluoride method for calcium localization. In rat skeletal muscle, most fluoride precipitate was confined to the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Using sea urchin sperm, which transport calcium into the mitochondria after exposure to egg jelly to induce the acrosome reaction, the expected result was also obtained. Before the acrosome reaction, sperm mitochondria contain no detectable calcium-containing precipitate. Within 4 min after induction of the acrosome reaction, the expected result was also obtained. Before the acrosome reaction, sperm mitochondria displayed many foci of calcium-containing precipitate. The use of fluoride for intracellular calcium localization therefore appears to be a substantial improvement over previous cytochemical methods.     

The effect of substance P on the regional lymph node antibody response to antigenic stimulation in capsaicin-pretreated rats

The undecapeptide substance P (SP) contained in primary afferent nerves is thought to mediate that part of the neurogenic inflammatory response consisting of vasodilation and plasma extravasation. This response is diminished in rats pretreated as neonates with the neurotoxin capsaicin. It is not known whether primary afferent nerves influence cellular responses of the immune response to antigenic stimulation. Using 6- to 12-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated as neonates with capsaicin, we examined the regional lymph node response to a s.c. antigenic stimulus of sheep red blood cells. The number of cells secreting antigen-specific antibody in these animals was reduced by more than 80% using direct and indirect plaque assay methods. The reduced antibody response in capsaicin-pretreated animals was reversed by a s.c. infusion of SP given over a 4-hr period at the injection site immediately after antigen stimulation. This response had a threshold at approximately 1.0 X 10(-5) M SP. SP1-7 (1.0 X 10(-5) M) was without effect but an infusion of SP5-11 (1.0 X 10(-5) M) reversed the effects of capsaicin treatment indicating a carboxyl-terminal effect of SP. The results suggest that the reduced response of capsaicin-treated animals to an antigenic stimulus is due to an effect of capsaicin on the SP-containing primary afferent nerves rather than a toxic effect of capsaicin on the immune system.     

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes from mice with soluble class I Q10 molecules in their serum are not tolerant to membrane-bound Q10

Q10 is a class I Qa-2 region-encoded molecule that is secreted by the liver and present in serum at high concentrations (about 10 to 60 micrograms/ml) in most strains of mice. The amino terminal portion of this molecule can also be expressed as an integral membrane protein by splicing the 5' end of the Q10 gene to the 3' end of H-2Ld and transfecting the hybrid gene into murine L cells. Because CTL primarily recognize polymorphic determinants controlled by the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of class I molecules and because the Q10d/Ld product expressed by transfected L cells includes the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of Q10d, we could address whether mice bearing serum Q10 were tolerant to this molecule at the CTL level. The results of these experiments demonstrate that Q10+ mice are able to generate H-2-unrestricted CTL activity against Q10d expressed on transfected L cells, and this response was not inhibitable by the addition of Q10-containing normal mouse serum. It is unlikely that this CTL activity is due to possible polymorphic differences in Q10 alleles, since semisyngeneic BALB/c (H-2d) mice, from which the Q10d hybrid gene construct was derived, are able to generate anti-Q10d effector cells. The Q10d molecule was shown to cross-react with H-2Ld, lending support to the concept that Qa genes can serve as donors for polymorphic sequences found in H-2K, -D, and -L. That mice can generate anti-Q10 CTL activity suggests that this soluble class I protein does not act as a toleragen for these cells. The implications of these findings for an understanding of self-tolerance are discussed.     

Qc-1, a novel Q-region-controlled CTL determinant expressed on B lymphocytes

Using cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), we have identified a Q region controlled determinant with a unique strain and tissue distribution. Several strains that express the classically defined Qa-2 determinant and other Q region controlled determinants do not express the CTL determinant. In addition, strain BALB/cByJ, which does not normally express any Q region controlled cell surface determinant, expresses this new determinant. Cross-reactivity between the Q region controlled CTL determinant and a Kk region controlled class I product (probably H-2Kk) was observed. Finally, among lymphocytes, the CTL determinant is expressed preferentially (if not exclusively) on B cells, thus distinguishing it from all previously described Q region controlled determinants, which are expressed predominantly on T cells. We provisionally designate this novel Q region controlled CTL determinant Qc-1. The possibility that Qc-1 is recognized together with a self antigen is discussed.     

Evidence for negative regulation of T cell growth by low affinity interleukin 2 receptors

Two experimental situations have been studied, and the results provide evidence for a negative regulatory role for the low affinity interleukin 2 receptor (LA-IL 2R). The IL 2-dependent T helper cell line L-14, deprived of IL 2, becomes quiescent and expresses comparable numbers of high affinity IL 2R (HA-IL 2R) and LA-IL 2R. After activation by recombinant IL 2, this cell line preferentially expresses LA-IL 2R. The IL 2 responsiveness of the L-14 cell line was found to vary according to the ratio of LA-IL 2R to HA-IL 2R: the relative predominance of the LA-IL 2R coincides with a hyporeactivity of cells to IL 2. In contrast, a predominance of HA-IL 2R is accompanied by an increase in cellular IL 2 reactivity. Treatment of three IL 2-dependent T cell lines (L-14, HT-2, and C30.1) with limited amounts of recombinant IL 2 and moderate concentrations of anti-IL 2R monoclonal antibodies stimulates T cell growth. This treatment was shown to selectively diminish the expression of membrane LA-IL 2R. The stimulation was attributed to the decrease of expression of LA-IL 2R.     

Expression of tumor necrosis factor receptors on human monocytes and internalization of receptor bound ligand

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a polypeptide produced by monocytes and macrophages. Although TNF receptors have been identified on a variety of cell types, previous studies have not determined whether these receptors also exist on monocytes. In the present work, highly purified recombinant TNF was labeled with 125I. The 125I-labeled TNF bound specifically to receptors on human monocytes and monocyte membrane preparations. A curvilinear Scatchard plot indicated the presence of TNF-binding sites with two different affinities. The results also indicate that receptor-bound TNF is rapidly internalized by monocytes and then degraded intracellularly. These findings are in concert with recent studies demonstrating that TNF immunomodulates monocyte function by an autocrine mechanism.     

A synthetic peptide homologous to the envelope proteins of retroviruses inhibits monocyte-mediated killing by inactivating interleukin 1

The synthetic peptide CKS-17 has homology to a highly conserved region of the immunosuppressive retroviral envelope protein P15E, to envelope proteins of HTLV I, II, III, and to that encoded by an endogeneous C-type human retroviral DNA. CKS-17 inhibits the immune response of lymphocytes and the respiratory burst of human monocytes. Because P15E-related antigens are present in human malignant cell lines and cancerous effusions, we sought to determine the effect of CKS-17 on monocyte-mediated tumor cell lysis. Lysis of A375 tumor cells by lymphokine or lipopolysaccharide-activated human monocytes was inhibited by 10 microM CKS-17 (control, 79%; CKS-17-treated, 19%). Another synthesized peptide, CS-2, which has partial homology to CKS-17, failed to block monocyte-mediated killing. Thus, the inhibition by CKS-17 appeared to be specific. Because interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a cytocidal factor produced by activated monocytes, we also investigated the effect of CKS-17 on IL-1 production by monocytes and on direct IL-1-mediated cytotoxicity. CKS-17 did not block production or secretion of IL-1 by lipopolysaccharide- or interferon-gamma-activated monocytes. However, the direct cytocidal activity of both recombinant IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta against A375 tumor cells was blocked by CKS-17. The cytotoxic activity of IL-1 was inhibited by CKS-17 if (a) IL-1 was preincubated with CKS-17 for 1 hr at 37 degrees C or (b) the A375 cells were incubated with CKS-17 for 1 hr prior to the addition of IL-1. CKS-17 also blocked IL-1-induced proliferation of murine thymocytes, the D10 T cell line, and an IL-1-responsive astrocytoma cell line. These data suggest that CKS-17 may be a potent inhibitor of IL-1.     

Improved method for the synthesis of 1- or 3-acyl-sn-glycerols

Optically active 1- or 3-acyl-sn-glycerols were synthesized from 2,3- or 1,2-isopropylidene-sn-glycerols, respectively. The 2,3- or 1,2-isopropylidene-sn-glycerols were condensed with appropriate long saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and the resulting acyl isopropylidene compounds were treated with dimethylboronbromide at - 50 degrees C to give the title compounds. The ketal cleavage of acyl isopropylidene-sn-glycerols by dimethylboronbromide to produce the long 1- or 3-acyl-sn-glycerols was effective and gave good yields (70-90%). The reaction conditions were mild and there was no acyl migration, as shown by optical rotation of the monoacyl-sn-glycerols. The synthesis of 2,3-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol was improved to give an overall yield of 40% from L-arabinose. L-Arabinose was first converted to its 1,1'-diethylmercapto derivative and then condensed with 2-methoxypropene to yield 1,1'-diethyl-mercapto-4,5-isopropylidene-L-arabinose. Oxidation of this compound with sodium periodate followed by reduction with sodium borohydride under alkaline conditions yielded 2,3-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol [alpha]22D = -14.90 degrees, neat (Lit. 8 [alpha]22D = -14.5 degrees, neat; 14 [alpha]25D = -10.8 degrees; methanol C, 16.9). The optical purity of isopropylidene-sn-glycerols was determined as benzoyl derivatives on a high performance liquid chromatographic column packed with a chiral stationary phase.     

Polypeptides of the Golgi Apparatus of Neurons from Rat Brain

An antiserum was raised against fractions of the Golgi apparatus of neurons from rat brain. Immunoblots of these fractions with the antiserum showed two principal bands of 185 and 150 kilodaltons (kd) in apparent molecular mass. The antiserum reacted with five or six bands of 200, 150, 130, 100-110, 64, and 40 kd in apparent molecular mass in immunoblots of several crude brain membrane fractions. Affinity-purified antibodies from the different gel bands transferred to nitrocellulose paper were used in immunoblot and immunocytochemical studies. Antibodies eluted from the 200-, 150-, 100-110-, and 64-kd bands reacted not only with the corresponding band but also with the other three bands. Antibodies eluted from the 40-kd band stained only the corresponding band. On light and/or electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, the antiserum stained the Golgi apparatus of rat neurons, glia, liver, and kidney tubule cells. Weaker, segmented, and less consistent staining was observed in nuclear envelopes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membranes of neurons. Antibodies eluted from the bands at 200, 150, 100-110, and 64 kd stained intermediate cisterns of the Golgi apparatus of neurons. These findings suggest that a group of related polypeptides of brain membranes is preferentially expressed or enriched in the Golgi apparatus of neurons. Polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 185 and 150 kd probably represent moieties endogenous to membranes of the neuronal Golgi apparatus.     

Retrospective evaluation of gynecologic cytodiagnosis. II. Interlaboratory reproducibility as shown in rescreening large consecutive samples of reported cases

Two laboratories exchanged and rescreened a large sample of cases with cervicovaginal smears they had consecutively accessioned to examine the reproducibility of gynecologic cytodiagnosis under optimum conditions. At least a "working agreement" (diagnoses within +/- 1 category on a ten-category scale) was achieved in diagnoses of normal, benign reaction and squamous abnormality (from minimal dysplasia though invasive cancer) in 18,859 cases (96.8%), of endometrial abnormality in 21 cases (42%) and of "unsatisfactory" in 99 cases (20.7%). Larger differences occurred in greater than or equal to 30% of cases except in the categories of "normal" and "benign reaction," reaching a maximum of 82% for moderate dysplasia. Reexamining 382 cases decreased disagreement by category to the 20% to 65% range only in the five categories of dysplasia plus carcinoma in situ. Agreement was not predicated on the presence of endocervical cells or squamous metaplasia; the basis for "unsatisfactory" calls was not uniform. Comparison of the laboratories' diagnoses with referee diagnoses or, on 178 cases, with tissue diagnoses also demonstrated differences in diagnostic criteria.