Role of antigen in the B cell response. Specific antigen and the lymphokine IL-5 synergize to drive B cell lymphoma proliferation and differentiation to Ig secretion

CH12 tumor B cells specific for SRBC require SRBC as Ag and the lymphokine IL-5 (formerly known as BCGFII) for optimal proliferation and differentiation to Ig-secreting cells. Lysed SRBC and IL-5 purified to homogeneity synergize markedly, especially at low B cell densities. A sizable proportion of CH12 cells differentiate into Ig-secreting plaque-forming cells when low numbers of the B lymphoma cells (100 to 3000) are cultured with Ag and IL-5. IL-2 or IL-4 have no effects. Intact SRBC or lysed SRBC are equally effective as sources of Ag. Even in the presence of the mitogens LPS and dextran sulfate, there is a striking requirement for Ag for both proliferation and differentiation at low B cell density. Because of the low cell numbers used, the results strongly suggest that the effects of Ag and lymphokine are directly on the B cell. The cell surface phenotype of the CH12 lymphoma and the kinetics of their response suggest that CH12 B cells have the characteristics of activated B cells. Thus, it appears that Ag binding to surface Ig gives a direct signal to at least some B cells that is critical in the later phases of the B cell response after initial activation during which proliferation and differentiation to Ig secretion occur and that the lymphokine IL-5 costimulates with Ag to mediate this phase of the response.     

Effects of exogenous FSH on follicular recruitment in a viviparous lizard Niveoscincus metallicus (Scincidae)

In the viviparous skink Niveoscincus metallicus clutch size appears to be determined before vitellogenesis, and is not altered later by follicular atresia or embryonic loss. This suggests that the number of follicles recruited is determined by the endocrine environment early in the vitellogenic period. Through a series of experiments in which we manipulated gonadotropin concentrations by administering exogenous FSH, we aimed to investigate this hypothesis. Pre-vitellogenic females showed no response to exogenous ovine FSH. In early vitellogenic females, FSH induced follicular recruitment: follicles were enlarged and clutch size increased by recruitment of a second cohort of follicles; some females also ovulated. Females treated with FSH in mid-vitellogenesis had elevated mean plasma estradiol concentrations compared to controls; no follicular recruitment was observed, but most of these animals ovulated. Females treated with a range of doses of FSH in late vitellogenesis ovulated at least one month before natural ovulation, again without recruitment of extra follicles. It appears therefore that in Niveoscincus metallicus exogenous FSH can induce recruitment of additional follicles only if administered during early vitellogenesis. We conclude that in this species clutch size is determined by proximate environmental factors influencing gonadotropin levels early in follicular recruitment, and cannot be increased even if conditions become more favourable once vitellogenesis is established.     

Itaconate confers tolerance to late NLRP3 inflammasome activation

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Secondary compounds and food selection by colobus monkeys

The feeding behaviour of black-and-white colobus monkeys, Colobus guereza, has been studied in the rain forest of Uganda. These animals, which are mainly leaf-eaters, are very selective in their choice of food. Only 32 of the over 60 species of tree in the study area were seen to be eaten and over two-thirds of the diet came from only five species, of which Celtis durandii was the most important. Analysis of food and non-food plants showed a strong inverse correlation between food choice by guerezas and the concentration of procyanidin tannins. There was less correlation with alkaloid content.     

Variation in flavonoid patterns in relation to chromosome changes in Gibasis schiedeana

The distribution of $\text{C-}\text{glycoflavones}$ has been examined in the leaves of plants from five diploid and 12 tetraploid populations of Gibasis schiedeana. Five different chromatographic patterns were found; one occurs only in a single population of diploid plants, two were found in seven populations of tetraploids and the other two in the remaining plants from both diploid and tetraploid populations. Flavonoids were also investigated in three different types of artificially produced triploids. The effects of the changes in ploidy, which are accompanied by Robertsonian fusion and variation in the number of B chromosomes as contributory factors in the observed differences in flavonoid patterns are discussed.     

Photosynthetic and transpiration responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>-regenerated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum nigrum</Emphasis> L. plants to <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex vitro</Emphasis> adaptation

In vitro regeneration of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) plants was achieved through callus-mediated shoot organogenesis followed by 30 d indoor ex vitro adaptation to nutritional stress under environmental ambience and thereafter 6-d outdoor acclimatization in pots prior to field establishment. Relevant physiological parameters including pigment content, chlorophyll a fluorescence, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g _s) of in vitro-regenerated plants were investigated during the course of ex vitro adaptation. During the first 4 d of indoor transplantation to potting substrate, there was a marginal reduction in the leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents but P _N and E were strongly reduced. The stomatal conductance and E/P _N ratio were significantly higher in plants up to 20 d of indoor adaptation than those of comparable age grown naturally from seeds. The shape of the OJIP fluorescence transient varied significantly with acclimatization, and the maximum change was observed at 2.0 ms. The 2.0 ms variable fluorescence (V _j), 30 ms relative fluorescence (M ₀), photon trapping probability (TR₀/Abs), and photosystem II (PSII) trapping rate (TR₀/RC) showed initial disturbance and subsequent stabilization during 30 d of indoor acclimatization. Energy dissipation (DI₀/RC) and electron transport probability (ET₀/TR₀) showed an initial phase of increase during the 4 d after plants were transplanted outdoors. During the 6-d outdoor acclimatization after transfer of plants to soil, no significant change in total chlorophylls and carotenoids, E, and g _s were observed, but P _N improved after reduction on the first d. The OJIP-derived parameters experienced change on the first d but were stabilized quickly thereafter. There was no significant difference between outdoor acclimatized plants and those of the seed-grown plants of comparable age with respect to photosynthetic and fluorescence parameters. Direct transfer of plants without indoor acclimatization, however, showed a completely different trend with respect to P _N, E, and OJIP fluorescence transients. The bearing of this study on optimizing micropropagation is discussed.