Endocytosis in Chang liver cells. Quantitation by sucrose- 3 H uptake and inhibition by cytochalasin B

The addition of 0.08 M sucrose to a culture medium containing Chang-strain human liver cells causes intense cytoplasmic vacuolation. Electron microscopy of these cells grown inferritin, time-lapse cinematography, and radioautography reveal that the vacuoles arise by endocytosis and that the sucrose is taken into the cell and localized in the vacuoles. Tracer studies demonstrate that sucrose-³H provides a marker for quantitation of endocytosis and that it neither induces nor stimulates endocytosis. Electron micrographs of vacuolated liver cells show microfilaments in close proximity to the inside of the plasma membrane, in the pseudopodia, and to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane surrounding endocytosis vacuoles. Cytochalasin B (CB), a mold metabolite that inhibits various types of cell motility, has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the uptake of sucrose-³H by these cells. This inhibition is accompanied by a cessation of the movement of ruffles and pseudopodia on the surface of the cells and the formation of blebs which arise from the cell''s surface. These morphological changes are quickly reversible upon removal of CB. Alterations in the appearance and location of microfilaments are also observed in CB-treated cells.     

Blood pressure response to Ro15-1788, a benzodiazepine antagonist

The effects of Ro15-1788, a benzodiazepine antagonist, on heart rate and blood pressure were studied in chloralose anesthetized cats. In previously untreated controls, Ro15-1788 lowered both systolic and diastolic arterial pressure about 15 mm Hg, and slightly decreased heart rate. In cats that had been given a single acute dose of diazepam or flurazepam, Ro15-1788 increased blood pressure about 40 mm Hg. A similar increase was measured in cats that were tolerant and physically dependent after 5 weeks of chronic flurazepam treatment. High spinal (C-1) section abolished all Ro15-1788 effects. It is suggested that the observed drug actions occur within the CNS rather than in the periphery, and that it might be useful to study further the cardiovascular actions of benzodiazepine agonists and antagonists.     

Effects of thyroid status on membrane-bound low Km cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities in rat adipocytes

Adipocyte membranes from hypothyroid rats showed increased low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase activity compared to normals, provided that the subcellular fractionations were done in isotonic, as opposed to hypotonic, buffers. The enhanced cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in hypothyroid membranes was nearly normalized by incubation with a 10-fold excess of cGMP. Preincubation of hypothyroid adipocytes with cGMP also restored to normal the blunted lipolytic response to micromolar concentrations of epinephrine. DEAE-Sephacel chromatography of detergent-solubilized membrane-bound cAMP phosphodiesterase showed a 2.5-fold enhancement in hypothyroid membranes of a form of the enzyme that was completely inhibited by cGMP; the enzymatic elution profiles of the soluble fractions showed no difference between normal and hypothyroid fat pads. The results suggest a possible regulatory role of cGMP in adipocytes in the hypothyroid state.     

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by malassezia ovalis (Pityrosporum ovale)

Activation of C3 and factor B in normal human serum by P. ovale was demonstrated using a standard unidirectional immunoelectrophoresis technique. Activation of complement by the alternative (properdin) pathway is a possible mechanism by which P. ovale may mediate an inflammatory response.