Induction of interdigitating reticulum cell-like differentiation in human monocytic leukemia cells by conditioned medium from IL-2-stimulated helper T-cells

Monocytic leukemia (MoL) cells were obtained from the peripheral blood of a patient in whom the leukemic cells infiltrating various lymphoreticular organs exhibited features intermediate between interdigitating reticulum cells (IDC) and ordinary phagocytic macrophages, whereas the leukemic cells in the peripheral blood were essentially monocytic and lacked such features. Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells were established as an interleukin-2-dependent T-cell line. When the MoL cells were exposed for a few days to conditioned medium from the T-cell line, they extended several dendritic cytoplasmic projections and became intensely positive for HLA-DR antigen, cytoplasmic S-100β protein, and CD1 antigen. Functionally, the conditioned medium significantly down-regulated Fc-mediated and Fc-independent phagocytic activities, and the levels of lysosomal enzymes such as lysozyme and nonspecific esterase in the MoL cells. Moreover, the conditioned medium significantly up-regulated the accessory cell function of the MoL cells as measured by the primary allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). Furthermore, the conditioned medium significantly down-regulated the expression of CD14 antigen. Biochemical analysis indicated that the factor responsible for these changes is a protein which is distinct from known human cytokines and whose molecular weight is approximately 31 kDa. These findings suggest that IDC are closely related the monocytic lineage and that helper T-cells play an important role in constructing the microenvironment of T-lymphoid tissues which is necessary for the differentiation and maturation of IDC.     

In Vitro Binding of Wheat-Germ Proteins to the 5'-Upstream Region of the rolC Gene of Ri Plasmid

In vitro binding of nuclear proteins from wheat germ to the5'-upstream region of the rolC gene of Ri plasmid was investigated.The specific DNA sequences interacting with proteins were detectedby DNase I footprinting. (Received October 8, 1990; Accepted November 30, 1990)     

Kinetic and molecular orbital studies on the rate of oxidation of monosubstituted phenols and anilines by lactoperoxidase compound II in comparison with the case of horseradish peroxidase

The second-order rate constant (k4) for the oxidation of monosubstituted phenols and anilines by lactoperoxidase compound II was examined by Chance's method [B. Chance, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 71 (1957), 130–136]. When the electronic states of these substrates were calculated by an ab initio molecular orbital method, it was found that the log k4 value correlates well with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level but not with the net charge or frontier electron density. These results are essentially similar to those reported previously in the case of horseradish peroxidase [J. Sakurada, R. Sekiguchi, K. Sato, and T. Hosoya, Biochemistry 29 (1990), 4093–4098], showing some dissimilar features which are considered to reflect the structural difference between the two enzymes.Abbreviations HOMO highest occupied molecular orbital - HRP horseradish peroxidase - LPO lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) - LUMO lowest unoccupied molecular orbital     

Cervicovaginal and endometrial cytology in ovarian cancer

The clinical significance of cytologic examination was studied in 114 patients with ovarian cancer who had received preoperative cytologic examinations. The overall positive rate of the cytologic examinations was 26.3% (30 of 114): 22 (19.3%) of the 114 cases had positive cervicovaginal smears while 13 of 31 endometrial aspiration smears (41.9%) were positive. The positive rate was not related to the volume of ascites but rather to its presence or absence. Thus, if ascites was observed, the positive rate was about 2.1 times higher than if it was absent. In two of four cases of ovarian cancer with no endometrial invasion but a positive cytologic examination of ascitic fluid, fallopian tube specimens contained cancer cells; this suggests that ovarian cancer cells may reach the cervix and/or vagina by passing through the fallopian tube, particularly if ascites is present. Since cytologic examination, especially of endometrial aspiration smears, shows a high positive rate if ovarian cancer cells are observed in the abdominal cavity, cytology should be used as an important ancillary method for the assessment of ovarian cancer.     

Postoperative changes in vaginal smears after vaginal reconstruction with a free skin graft

Surgical vaginal reconstruction was performed by a free skin graft in two patients without a vagina. The postoperative changes in vaginal smears collected from the artificial vaginas were observed for about two years. Marked operation-induced inflammatory changes were observed until the second postoperative month. After the third postoperative month, the background became relatively clear. Cyanophilic and eosinophilic superficial cells, intermediate cells and D?derlein bacilli were observed occasionally in addition to keratotic cells. Six to 12 months after surgery, the vaginal smears showed little abnormality, except for the presence of keratotic cells. The changes in the vaginal smears after the third month show that the artificial vaginal epithelium changed cytologically to an almost normal vaginal mucosa that, although not histologically complete, responded to hormones. The presence of D?derlein bacilli suggests that the regional environment of the artificial vagina was almost the same as that of the normal vagina.     

Human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha-mediated stimulation of procollagenase production and suppression of biosynthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in rabbit uterine cervical fibroblasts

Influence of human recombinant interleukin-1 (hrIL-1) on collagen metabolism was investigated with rabbit uterine cervical fibroblasts. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for collagenase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) indicated that hrIL-1 participates in both stimulation of procollagenase production and suppression of TIMP synthesis by uterine cervical cells. IL-1 did not modulate collagen synthesis. In addition, the sensitivity to IL-1 of uterine cervix from ovariectomized rabbits was augmented by estradiol-17 beta treatment. Thus it is proposed that IL-1 accelerates collagenolysis in the cervical tissue and its effect on uterine cervix is hormonally regulated.     

Purification and characterization of thylakoid-bound Mn-superoxide dismutase in spinach chloroplasts

Thylakoid-bound superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) was solubilized by Triton X-100 from spinach and purified to a homogeneous state. The molecular weight of thylakoid-bound SOD was 52000; the enzyme was composed of two equal subunits. Its activity was not sensitive to cyanide and hydrogen peroxide, and the isolated SOD contained Mn, but neither Fe nor Cu. Thus, the thylakoid-bound SOD is a Mn-containing enzyme. The subunit molecular weight of thylakoid Mn-SOD is the highest among Mn-SODs isolated so far, a fact which might reflect its binding to the membranes.     

Assignment of the gene locus for the sixth component (C6) of complement in mice to chromosome 15

A structural locus (C-6) for the sixth component of complement in mice is assigned to chromosome 15. Three-point linkage analysis indicated that the order of loci is C-6, Gpt-1, Gdc-1, and that the map distances are 25.9±4.9 between C-6 and Gpt-1, and 36.4±5.5 between C-6 and Gdc-1. Since Gdc-1 is more distal than Gpt-1, and C-6 is 26 cM away from Gpt-1, it is estimated that the C-6 is proximal to the centromere. In addition, a new C6 form found in AKR mice is described. We propose the designation C6B for it and C-6 ^b for the allele encoding C6B.Abbreviations used in this paper IEF isoelectric focusing - GPT glutamic-pyruvic transaminase - GDC L-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase - cM centimorgan     

Behavior of Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) mothers and neonates at parturition

Parturitional behavior in 12 caged Macaca fuscatawas analyzed. Wild-caught mothers showed adequate maternal behaviors immediately following the neonate’s expulsion. Parity differences existed in the behaviors; primiparae were more idiosyncratic than were multiparae. Among multiparae, those with two or more offspring were uniformly adequate, but those with a single birth experience varied in the adequacy of the maternal care they provided at parturition. Mothers embraced and licked their neonates and had ventroventral contact with them frequently immediately after parturition but decreased these behaviors after expulsion of the placenta. In contrast, mothers showed allogrooming after consuming the placenta. Placentophagy was correlated with the level of orality represented by maternal licking behaviors. An isolation-reared primipara reacted to her newborn in a basically negative manner, although she showed little actual aggression. She showed a rapid shift in her negative behavior during the immediate postpartum period. This mother’s newborn sought contact with her, indicating the neonate’s active role in establishing a stable mother-neonate bond.