Antigen-specific T helper clones in a nonresponder strain require augmentation for expression of helper activity. Evidence for a possible antigen presentation defect in B cells

Hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL)-specific Thy-1+, Lyt-1+2- T cell lines and clones were derived from the nonresponder C57BL/6 strain. Although the antigen-specific proliferative response of these T cells in the presence of syngeneic irradiated spleen cells as a source of antigen-presenting cells (APC) was normal, the same cells were incapable of stimulating B cells to secrete antibody in vitro. This deficiency could, however, be corrected by the addition of an excess of normal T cells or a supernatant from concanavalin A-stimulated rat spleen cells. Alternatively, the use of highly cross-reactive ring-necked pheasant lysozyme in the cultures allowed expression of efficient help, ruling out any inherent deficiency in the T cells. The antibody response was specific and required MHC compatibility between the T lines and responding B cells. By using (H-2b X H-2d)F1 B cells and another H-2d-restricted HEL-specific T line, it was shown that only the H-2b-restricted T-B collaboration required exogenous factors, and the H-2d-restricted collaboration did not. Because both proliferative and helper responses are dependent upon MHC-restricted antigen presentation by macrophage-APC and B cells, respectively, these results suggest that the defect in the nonresponder H-2b-restricted T-B collaborative pathway may relate to the inability of B cells to adequately process and present HEL to clonal T cells.     

The Separation and Characterization of Carbohydrate Rich Component from Ovomucin in Chicken Eggs

We investigated the effects of near-infrared irradiation on the photoconversion of Chenopodium album water-soluble chlorophyll-binding protein (CaWSCP) in the presence of sodium hydrosulfite and found a further photoconversion from CP742 to CP763, a novel form of CaWSCP. Interestingly, one-third of the absorption peak at 668 nm was recovered in CP763, but re-irradiation under oxidative conditions eliminated the photo convertibility of CaWSCP.     

Stimulation of uridine phosphorylation in primary cultures of Xenopus laevis hepatocytes by estradiol-17 beta

The effects of estrogen on the uridine uptake into cells were examined in primary cultures of liver parenchymal cells from Xenopus laevis. The total uptake of [3H]uridine into the estrogen-treated cells and its incorporation into RNA were about 1.5 times higher than the values for control cells. The uptake of [3H]adenosine and its incorporation into RNA were not affected by estrogen. An experiment in which liver parenchymal cells were double labeled with [3H]uridine and [3H]adenosine showed that estrogen elevated the specific radioactivity of the UTP pool 1.4-fold the value found for the control cells, but that of the ATP pool was not altered by estrogen. Short term labeling revealed that estrogen did not significantly alter the rate of the initial uptake of [3H]uridine into the cells, but it did stimulate [3H]uridine phosphorylation about 1.7-fold. Uridine kinase activity measured in cell-free extracts of hepatocytes treated with estrogen had a value 1.6 times that of the control cells. These data indicate that the stimulation of [3H]uridine uptake and phosphorylation in Xenopus laevis hepatocytes in the presence of estrogen is caused by the enhancement of uridine kinase activity.     

A theory of gene-culture coevolution of parental preference and sex ratio in humans

A theory on the evolution of human primary sex ratio is proposed. Effects of parental preference for sons, reflected in birth control based on offspring sex ratio and female biased infanticide, on the evolution of primary sex ratio are analyzed. Both are shown to select for female bias in primary sex ratio. The gene-culture coevolution of female infanticide and primary sex ratio is also studied and it is shown that female infanticide develops more in societies in which the father plays a more important role in the transmission of culture than the mother does.     

Hyperplastic cellular components of a hemangiopericytoma. An ultrastructural study

Based on ultrastructural features of cellular components of a hemangiopericytoma, hyperplastic cells are classifiable into fibroblast-like (group I), endotheloid (group II) and pericyte-like (group III) cells. The transformation of the group I cells to the group II, or to the group III cells, is pronounced in our electron micrographs and this may imply that the group I cell is the principal cell of origin in this neoplasm. The smooth muscle-like (group IV) cells comprising the media of the arteries and veins in this neoplasm may represent modified, possibly de-differentiated smooth muscle cells reacted to the neoplastic proliferation of the surrounding adventitial (group I) cells.     

Identification of a major GTP-binding protein in bovine aortic smooth muscle membranes as smg p21, a GTP-binding protein having the same effector domain as ras p21s

At least two GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) with Mr values of about 20,000 were extracted from bovine aortic smooth muscle membranes by sodium cholate. The most abundant G protein (22K G) was purified to near homogeneity by successive column chromatographies of Ultrogel AcA-44, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, hydroxyapatite and Mono Q HR5/5. 22K G showed kinetic and physical properties very similar to those of smg p21, a G protein recently isolated from bovine brain and human platelet membranes, having the same effector domain as ras p21s. Moreover, 22K G was recognized specifically by the anti-smg p21 antibody. These results indicate that the major G protein in bovine aortic smooth muscle membranes is smg p21.     

Lung burden of green nickel oxide aerosol and histopathological findings in rats after continuous inhalation

There are few inhalation studies of nickel carcinogenesis. In this study, Wistar male rats were exposed to green nickel oxide (NiO(G)) aerosols (mass median aerodynamic diameter, 0.6 μm) for 7 h/d, 5 d/wk for up to 12 mo. The average exposure concentration was controlled at 0.3 and 1.2 mg/m³ during the exposure. For histopathological examination and measurement of the nickel concentration in rat organs, the rats were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 12 mo of exposure and 8 mo clearance period following 12 mo of exposure. The nickel content in rat lungs that was observed up to 2.6 mg after 12 mo exposure, was proportional to the exposure concentration during the exposure. The clearance of the nickel from the lungs was very slow and the biological half time was determined 7.7 mo. Although the rats were exposed continuously to NiO(G), for 12 mo and kept for 8 mo clearance period, there were no malignant tumors in any of the exposed animals.