Suppression of lymphokine production: I. Macrophage-mediated inhibition of MIF production

Macrophages have been found to suppress the in vitro production by stimulated T lymphocytes of a lymphokine, migration inhibitory factor. When macrophages isolated from primary MSV-induced tumors were added to antigen-stimulated MSV-immune spleen cells, a complete suppression of MIF production was observed. This suppression was nonspecific, since MIF production by antigen-stimulated alloimmune spleen cells and by PHA-stimulated normal spleen cells was also inhibited. Suppressor macrophages could also be induced by inoculation with Corynebacterium parvum, whereas light mineral oil-induced peritoneal macrophages had no detectable effect on MIF production. The failure to detect MIF in the supernatants of stimulated cultures containing activated macrophages appeared to be due to inhibition of lymphokine production rather than to absorption or inactivation of MIF or to interference with the assay for detection of MIF. Macrophages were able to suppress MIF production only when added during the first 4–5 hr of culture and they had no effect when added later. These data show that activated macrophages can nonspecifically suppress lymphokine production and that this appears to be due to inhibition of an early step in lymphocyte stimulation.     

Restriction enzyme analysis of the β-globin gene in DNA from β°-thalassaemic subjects from Ferrara

The map of restriction sites including and surrounding the δ- and β-globin genes has been established for three Ferrara β°-thalassaemic subjects. The fragments obtained using nine restriction enzymes do not show any differences from normal DNA. Among others, restriction enzymes giving short fragments at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the β-globin structural gene have been employed. The results obtained for the thalassaemic DNA are identical to those for control DNA, thus excluding the presence of extensive deletions in or adjacent to the coding regions of the β-globin gene in Ferrara β°-thalassaemia.     

Selective exposure of mucopolysaccharides is involved in macrophage physiology.

Surface and intracellular mucopolysaccharides of guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages maintained in suspension and monolayer culture were studied. At least five classes of compound (hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate) were resolved and characterized by electrophoresis and enzymatic degradation. The results reported here suggest that modulation of mucopolysaccharide exposure is involved in macrophage physiology. The possible biological role of surface mucopolysaccharides in macrophage activity is discussed.     

On the fungitoxicity of some new thiocyanatopyrazole derivatives: Electron microscopical study in trichophyton mentagrophytes

Four thiocyanatopyrazole derivatives were synthesized and their fungistatic activity was demonstrated in vitro against a number of dermatophytic fungi. In Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most active compound induced an unusual increase of the plasma membrane with production of intra and extracytoplasmic complexes, a deterioration of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes and a formation of autophagic-like vacuoles. Plasmolysis, accompanied by an almost complete disorganization of cytoplasmic structures, seemed to be the final event. A possible mechanism of action of the compounds was discussed.Investigation supported by a grant from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche of Italy (Contract No. 7500536).     

Fluorogenic detection of primary amines in plant histochemistry with fluorescamine: A comparative study on the effects of coagulant and non-coagulant fixatives

Summary The new highly sensitive method of fluorescamine reaction for the topochemical detection of primary amino groups was studied as a substitude of ninhydrin-Schiff's reaction for the localisation of total proteins in plant tissues. The influence of various coagulant and non-coagulatn fixatives on the induction of fluorescamine fluorescence was examined: ethanol, formaldehyde gas and solution, glutaraldehyde, acrolein, osmium tetroxide, Bouin, Rossman, Clarke and Zenker's fluids and FMA were employed. It was found that the use of the fluorogenic method is conditioned by the fixative ability to keep the amino groups disposable and by its capability to reduce the natural autofluorescence of plant material. A detailed account of the fixation methodology demonstrated that non-coagulant acrolein and coagulant mercuric chloride are the most promising fixatives for the use of the fluorescamine reaction in plant histochemistry.     

The subacrosomal granule and its evolution during spermiogenesis in a lizard

Summary Some aspects of spermiogenesis have been studied in the testis of the teiid lizard Cnemidophorus lemniscatus lemniscatus by electron microscopy. Shortly after the acrosomal vesicle is lodged in a nuclear concavity of the spermatid, a dense granule differentiates in the center of the subacrosomal space. It is cone-shaped and shows a longitudinal striation. Its base applies to the acrosomal membrane and, through this, to the acrosomal granule. Its rounded vertex causes a depression of the nuclear membranes which, initially juxtaposed, separates at this point to form a vesicle. The granule develops and becomes a rod when spermiogenesis is advanced and the subacrosomal space has taken the form of a secondary cap. The rod is cylindrical, retains its original striation and has a convex acrosomal end. It encloses the vesicle formed by the nuclear envelope in its base and follows the apex of the nucleus. Meanwhile, the acrosomal granule loses its identity and the acrosomal cap is filled with a dense substance, in which a fringe of translucent material differentiates. This fringe lies in the dorsal and apical margins of the acrosome and is incompletely divided by longitudinal crests of the dense acrosomal substance. A projection of the Sertoli cell forms an accessory cap which envelops the acrosome and is in turn covered by the cytoplasm of the spermatid, constituting an intricate association. Two reflex membranes underlie the plasmalemma in the outer surface of the projection of the Sertoli cell. They are continuous with one another at their ends and with the cell membrane in the edge of pores. In the peripheral cytoplasm of the spermatid facing the accessory cap, numerous microtubules run longitudinally. By means of thin membranes some are interconnected or connected with the plasmalemma, from which they seem to originate.This research forms part of project N. 31.26.S1-0244 supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas     

Familial true hermaphrodism in three siblings: clinical, cytogenetic, histological and hormonal studies.

Three affected siblings with the hermaphrodism are described. The propositi showed the following characteristics: male phenotype and gender role, hypospadias, bilateral scrotal ovotestes with palpable nodules, and absence of müllerian structures. The X chromatin was positive and the Y chromatin was negative in the 3 affected subjects. Their karyotype in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in gonadal fibroblasts was 46,XX and no Y chromosome fluorescence was observed. Plasma FSH was elevated in the 2 older patients and plasma LH was elevated only in the oldest. Plasma testosterone was low and plasma estradiol high in the 3 siblings; plasma progesterone was elevated in 2, but normal in 1 sibling. Since some of the clinical characteristics of these 3 affected siblings are not the most common features in the majority of sporadic cases of true hermaphrodism, it is suggested that the presence of all of them may be the first clue for the clinical suspicion of the familial type of true hermaphrodism.     

Aphrodisiac action of MAO inhibitors and of parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) in sexual asthenias]

The sexual function in man can be modified decreasing brain serotonin by PCPA and increasing brain cathecolamines by monoamineoxidase inhibitors. In 5 volunteers, sexual deficient men, the combination of PCPA with phenelzine (IMAO) stressed an increase in sexual stimulation, measured by number of erections. In two subjects this effect lasted for 2 months. A clear improvement in mood has also been shown. This pharmacological combination opens new and interesting possibilities in sexual deficiency treatment.