The in vitro effect of new muramyl peptide derivatives on cytotoxic activity of NK (Natural Killer) cells from hamsters bearing AB Bomirski Melanoma

The modulation of NK activity by muramyl dipeptides derivatives against Ab (amelanotic) Bomirski melanoma and human erythroleukemia K562 cells was studied in vitro. The stimulatory effect was observed for 3 of 7 muramyl dipeptides: MDP(L-Ala)C921, MDPC857 and L18-MDP(Ala) in relation to cytotoxic activity of NK cells obtained from peripheral blood and spleen of healthy and Ab Bomirski melanoma bearing hamsters. An increased of cytotoxic activity NK cells isolated from animals before and during the transplantable phase of the tumor against K562 was found. A similar stimulation was received for NK cells obtained from animals against their own melanoma cells. The most significant influence of examined MDP derivatives on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells were obtained from animals between 10 to 12 days of tumor growth. The extent of the modulation of cytotoxic activity of NK cells was dependent on its initial value both in healthy control and Ab Bomirski melanoma bearing hamsters. If natural cytotoxic activity was high the stimulatory effect of the examined MDP derivatives was only slightly expressed.     

Development of a novel ER stress based selection system for the isolation of highly productive clones

Most biotherapeutic drugs are recombinant monoclonal antibodies which are mostly produced in monoclonal cell lines derived from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Various clones expressing a monoclonal recombinant antibody were analyzed and a correlation of the antibody concentration and the relative mRNA level of calreticulin (CALR), glucose‐regulated protein 78 and 94 kDa (GRP78, GRP94) and spliced X‐box binding protein 1 (XPB1) was observed. By means of these results we were motivated to establish a novel selection system based on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which allows the rapid identification and isolation of high‐expressing clones out of a pool mainly consisting of low‐ and medium‐producing cells. Several ER stress responsive elements were tested with the aid of a recombinase mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) procedure. Very surprisingly, only GRP78 reporter constructs were strongly stimulated upon antibody expression. Furthermore we found that GRP78 reporter constructs are very suitable to reflect the level of antibody expression (IgG) in recombinant CHO cells. Based on these results, it is concluded, that the novel ER stress based selection system developed during this study is suitable to identify and isolate clones with a high level of antibody expression. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2599–2611. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Regulation of TRPV5 Single-Channel Activity by Intracellular pH

The transient receptor potential channel TRPV5 contributes to the apical entry pathway for transcellular calcium reabsorption in the kidney. Acid load causes hypercalciuria in animals and humans. We have previously reported that intracellular protons directly inhibit TRPV5. Here, we examined the effects of intracellular pH on single-channel activity of TRPV5. We found that TRPV5 channels exhibit full and subconductance open states in excised inside–out patches of Chinese hamster ovary cells. The slope conductance values (Na⁺ as a charge carrier, between −25 and −75 mV) for full and subconductance opening at intracellular pH 7.4 were 59 ± 6 and 29 ± 3 pS, respectively. Intracellular acidification caused a small decrease in single-channel conductance. Importantly, intracellular acidification decreased open probability for the full and subconductance states and increased probability for closing. To investigate how intracellular protons decrease open probability of the channel, we proposed a simple three-state model for open–subconductance–closed state transition and examined the effects of acidification on the respective forward and reverse rate constants. We found that intracellular acidification decreases opening of TRPV5 predominantly by promoting a transition from the subconductance to the closed state. Thus, intracellular acidification directly inhibits TRPV5 by causing a conformational change(s) leading to a decrease of open probability of TRPV5 as well as of the single-channel conductance. Seung-Kuy Cha and Wasey Jabbar contributed equally to this work.     

The hyperlipemic hamster - a model for testing the anti-atherogenic effect of amlodipine

Male Golden Syrian hamsters were subjected to a hyperlipemic diet. At intervals ranging from 2 to 14 weeks, the animals were examined for changes in serum constituents and structural modifications of lesion-prone areas: the cardiac valves, coronary arteries and aortic arch. Serum was characterized by a gradual increase in cholesterol, triglycerides and a decrease in total peroxyl-radical trapping potential. The sequence of modifications of the endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and migrating plasma monocytes as well as of the extracellular matrix were established. Amlodipine treatment of hyperlipemic hamster was assessed. Amlodipine exhibited an athero-protective effect, acting as antioxidant, reducing the LDL uptake by the vessel wall and consequently, limiting the size and extent of lesioned areas. The hyperlipemic hamster is a reliable model to unravel the cellular alterations leading to atheroma formation, and for testing the effect of drugs in this process.     

Mutagenicity of ptaquiloside, the carcinogen in bracken, and its related illudane-type sesquiterpenes II. Chromosomal aberration tests with cultured mammalian cells

The chromosomal aberration test using a Chinese hamster lung cell line (CHL) was carried out on ptaquiloside and its related compounds, hypoloside B, hypoloside C, illudin M and illudin S. Ptaquiloside induced chromosomal aberrations at doses as low as 4.5 μg/ml (0.0113 mM). The clastogenic effect was ph-dependent. The same activity was observed at a 90-fold higher dose at pH 5.3 in the culture medium compared with the activity at pH 74. or pH 8.0. Both hypoloside B and hypoloside C were also clastogenic at almost the same dose levels as that of ptaquiloside. Illudin M and illudin S were also potet clastogens and induced aberrations at much lower doses than ptaquiloside. These results suggest that the clastogenic effect is involved in the mechanism of carcinogenic potency of ptaquiloside in animals.     

Jolly-Seber法对大仓鼠和黑线仓鼠种群若干参数的估算

本文利用Jolly-Seber法估算了1986和1988年河北省饶阳县大仓鼠和黑线仓鼠的种群大小、存留率等参数。结果表明,大仓鼠的存留率比黑线仓鼠小,而且和密度负相关。大仓鼠和黑线仓鼠对铁丝活捕笼均不存在非等捕性。该方法对大仓鼠和黑线仓鼠种群参数估计是可行的。     

大仓鼠的核型与B染色体研究

采用骨髓细胞染色体制片法,对分布于山东济南、泰山、东北长白山和陕西西安的大仓鼠的染色体组型、Ｇ－带、Ｃ－带和银染核型进行了分析研究。济南、西安和长白山的标本的二倍体数目和核型相似,２ｎ＝２８,２２ｔ＋４ｍ＋ＸＹ（ｓｔ,ｍ）。泰山标本的二倍体数目为２ｎ＝２８～２９,即在６７５％的中期相中多出了一条形态最小的端着丝粒染色体,这条染色体为Ｂ染色体,可能起源于Ｘ染色体。泰山标本的Ａ染色体组与上述３地标本相同。４地标本的Ｇ－带、Ｃ－带和银染核型相似。除Ｂ染色体外,每个端着丝粒染色体都具有着丝粒异染色质,ＡｇＮＯＲｓ较恒定地出现在Ｎｏｓ２,４,８,９,１３染色体上。也就是说大仓鼠的Ｂ染色体为Ｃ－带阴性,不携带核仁组织者。这种Ｂ染色体Ｃ－带阴性的特征在赤狐、黑家鼠和大林姬鼠朝鲜亚种中亦有报道。     

雌二醇对大仓鼠胁腺抑制作用的研究

通过研究发现雌二醇对雌性大仓鼠(Cricetulus triton)胁腺的大小和分泌活动存在明显的抑制作用。利用生理手术, 形成3组不同内分泌状况的鼠: 卵巢切除(OF)、正常(IF)、和卵巢切除后又置入雌二醇硅胶管 (OEF) 的雌性大仓鼠; 经过放射免疫方法测定表明由OF、IF到OEF 鼠血液雌二醇的浓度显著增高(P <0.01), 胁腺的重量、长度、宽度和厚度也显著减小(P< 0.05或P <0.01); 利用气相色谱对胁腺分泌物的分析发现, 从OF、IF到OEF鼠的胁腺分泌物的种类逐渐减少 , 有些成分尽管在 3 组不同生理状况的鼠中都存在, 但含量依次明显减少。以上结果表明雌二醇不仅能够抑制胁腺大小的增长, 而且也抑制了胁腺的分泌活动,从而减少了胁腺分泌物或其中某些成分的分泌量。