Loci controlling lymphocyte production of interferon γ after alloantigen stimulation in vitro and their co-localization with genes controlling lymphocyte infiltration of tumors and tumor susceptibility

Low infiltration of lymphocytes into cancers is associated with poor prognosis, but the reasons why some patients exhibit a low and others a high infiltration of tumors are unknown. Previously we mapped four loci (Lynf1–Lynf4) controlling lymphocyte infiltration of mouse lung tumors. These loci do not encode any of the molecules that are involved in traffic of lymphocytes. Here we report a genetic relationship between these loci and the control of production of IFNγ in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). We found that IFNγ production by lymphocytes of O20/A mice is lower than by lymphocytes of OcB-9/Dem mice (both H2 ^pz ) stimulated in MLC by irradiated splenocytes of C57BL/10SnPh (H2 ^b ) or BALB/cHeA (H2 ^d ) mice, or by ConA. IFNγ production in MLCs of individual (O20 × OcB-9)F₂ mice stimulated by irradiated C57BL/10 splenocytes and genotyped for microsatellite markers revealed four IFNγ-controlling loci (Cypr4-Cypr7), each of which is closely linked with one of the four Lynf loci and with a cluster of susceptibility genes for different tumors. This suggests that inherited differences in certain lymphocyte responses may modify their propensity to infiltrate tumors and their capacity to affect tumor growth.     

Vascular supply of the anterior interventricular epicardial nerves and ventricular Purkinje fibers in the porcine hearts

The aim of this study was to perform a pilot histological and quantitative analysis of the blood vessels accompanying the epicardial nerves (vasa nervorum) in the porcine hearts. Twenty healthy porcine hearts were used in this study. The blood vessels were analyzed by light microscopy using four different staining techniques in transverse sections taken from the upper, middle, and lower segments of the anterior part of the interventricular region and the adjacent parts of the right and left ventricles containing epicardial nerves and the endocardial peripheral parts of the Purkinje fibers. In total, 317 epicardial nerves were detected. The vasa nervorum were present in 75.7% of these nerves. The vasa nervorum resembled arterioles and postcapillary and collecting venules. One hundred and forty nine epicardial nerves were perivascular, located in the adventitia of the anterior interventricular artery and vein. The remaining 168 nerves ran freely through the epicardial interstitium. The presence of the vasa nervorum was not related to topographical location or nerve diameter. Additionally, from a total of 33 analyzed ventricular complexes of Purkinje fibers small blood vessels located in their proximity were identified in only two cases. It can be concluded that the majority of the anterior epicardial nerves of porcine heart possess well-developed vasa nervorum. In contrast, similar blood vessels are rarely present in the vicinity of the Purkinje fibers. The data obtained contribute to a better understanding of the nutrition of the cardiac nerves.     

Contribution of leaves of different ages to plant carbon balance as affected by potassium supply and water stress

The carbon balances of whole, 21-d old French bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in standard nutrient solution (1K) and its modifications without (OK) or surplus (2K) potassium were calculated from the daily photosynthetic carbon inputs of individual leaves, and the daily respiratory carbon losses by individual leaves, stalks and petioles, and roots. Under the three K concentrations, maximum net photosynthetic rates (P_n) were found in the 2nd or in the 3rd trifoliate leaves, maximum respiratory rates (R_d) in the youngest, 4th trifoliate leaves; the P_n/R_d ratio decreased with leaf age. In all leaves of 2K plants, leaf dry masses and thicknesses, P_n, P_n/P_d ratios, and stomatal and intracellular conductances were lower than in OK and IK plants. Daily whole-plant net carbon gain was highest in IK plants, whereas in OK and 2K plants it was 98.0 and 81.3 % of IK, respectively. Similar values were found in the parameters of growth analysis, namely in net assimilation rates and relative growth rates. No differences were found in water potential (Ψ _w ) or water saturation deficit (W_sat) in the OK, 1K and 2K plants sufficiently supplied with water or during wilting and resaturation. The decrease in Ψ_w to −0.97 MPa was associated with a 19.9 %, 31.4 % and 23.4 % decrease in P_n of OK, 1K and 2K plants, respectively, but no effect on R_d was found. In the three variants, the short-time effect of mild water stress was fully reversible.     

Mechanical properties of porcine intralobar pulmonary arteries

The isobaric and isovolumetric properties of intrapulmonary arteries were evaluated by placing a highly compliant balloon inside arterial segments. The passive pressure-volume (P-V) curve was obtained by changing volume (0.004 ml/s) and measuring pressure. The isobaric active volume change (delta V) or isovolumetric active pressure change (delta P) generated by submaximal histamine was measured at four different transmural pressures (Ptm's) reached by balloon inflation. The maximal delta P = 11.2 +/- 0.6 cmH2O (mean +/- SE) was achieved at 30.8 +/- 1.2 cmH2O Ptm and maximal delta V = 0.20 +/- 0.02 ml at 16.7 +/- 1.7 cmH2O Ptm. The P-V relationships were similar when volume was increased after either isobaric or isovolumetric contraction. The calculated length-tension (L-T) relationship showed that the active tension curve was relatively flat and that the passive tension at the optimal length was 149 +/- 11% of maximal active tension. These data show that 1) a large elastic component operates in parallel with the smooth muscle in intralobar pulmonary arteries, and 2) the change in resistance associated with vascular expansion of the proximal arteries is independent of the type of contraction that occurs in the more distal arterial segments.     

Synergism of cortisol and thyrotropin-releasing hormone in lung maturation in fetal sheep

The effects of fetal infusions of cortisol and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) singly and together on pressure-volume relationships and saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC) concentrations in the lungs were studied in 28 fetal sheep delivered at 128 days of gestation. Four groups each of 7 fetuses were infused with either saline (for 156 h), TRH (25 micrograms/h in 60-s pulses for 156 h), TRH (for 156 h) combined with cortisol (1 mg/h for 84 h), or cortisol (for 84 h). Cortisol had no effect on SPC concentrations, whereas both TRH and cortisol plus TRH increased the concentration of SPC in lavage fluid but not lung tissue. Neither cortisol nor TRH significantly affected lung distensibility [V40; 0.64 +/- 0.04 and 0.57 +/- 0.10 (SE) ml/g, respectively, vs. 0.41 +/- 0.03 ml/g in controls] or stability (V5; 0.24 +/- 0.01 and 0.35 +/- 0.07 ml/g vs. 0.24 +/- 0.03 ml/g), whereas treatment with a combination of the two hormones was associated with a fourfold increase in V40 (1.70 +/- 0.16 ml/g) and V5 (1.03 +/- 0.15 ml/g). Since raised concentrations of cortisol, triiodothyronine, and estradiol-17 beta (treatment with cortisol) had no effect on V40 and V5, whereas similar hormonal changes associated with elevated prolactin levels (treatment with cortisol plus TRH) had marked effects, we conclude that prolactin plays an essential part in the synergism of cortisol and TRH.     

Osmotic adjustment in tobacco plantlets

UsingNicotiana tabacum L. plantlets cultivatedin vitro as a model system it was proved that osmotic adjustment may be caused by a decrease in water potential of substrate as well as by a decrease in air humidity.