Use of a radioimmunoassay technique to measure the titer of anti-cow-zona antibodies in marmoset monkeys

A double antibody radioimmunoassay technique is described for the measurement of anti-zona antibodies in the peripheral plasma of marmosets actively immunized against intact cow zonae pellucidae. The method has been shown to be a reliable, repeatable indicator of antibody titer, enabling direct comparison of the response obtained between marmosets. This is the first report of a procedure describing the active immunization of a primate against zona antigens, and the first time a radioimmunoassay technique has been used to monitor profiles of anti-cow zona antibody production following active immunization. The method should prove to be a useful tool in the evaluation of zona antigens as agents for immunocontraception.     

MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression,quantitative analysis and biomechanical changes in scar hypertrophy after autologous free transplantation of rabbit oral mucosa and scrotal skin

This study aimed to investigate the long-term scar hypertrophy in the rabbit transplanted oral mucosa and scrotal skin with changed matrix environment, as well as the scar location expression, quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and biomechanical changes in the transplanted tissues. The split-thickness skin grafts were collected from the oral mucosas and scrotal skins of 30 male rabbits, and prepared into reelpipes for autologous transplantation into the rabbit back muscular tissues. Samples were collected to carry out elastic tensile mechanical detection and histological observation. The maximum longitudinal tensile displacement of scrotal skin before 8 weeks of transplantation was greater than that after 8 weeks of transplantation (P < 0.05). The expression intensities of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the oral mucosa and in scrotal skin at 2 W time point were higher than those at T_o time point (P < 0.05). The expression quantities of TIMP-2 in oral mucosa and scrotal skin during 8–24 W were higher than those of MMP-2 (P < 0.05). At 8 W time point, the TIMP-2/MMP-2 ratio in scrotal skin was higher than that in oral mucosa (P < 0.05). MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression in normal oral mucosa and scrotal skin is weak, but their expression is remarkably up-regulated after 2 weeks of transplantation, revealing that scar formation was related to the high expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2. At the 8th–24th weeks, the AOD values of TIMP-2 in oral mucosa and scrotal skin are apparently higher than those of MMP-2; moreover, the TIMP-2/MMP-2 ratio in scrotal skin at the 8th week was higher than that in oral mucosa, which can well explain the earlier scar formation in scrotal skin than in oral mucosa, and it also suggests that the different expression levels between TIMP-2 and MMP-2 may account for the important cause of scar formation.     

A human recombinant monoclonal antibody to cocaine: Preparation,characterization and behavioral studies

Cocaine abuse remains prevalent worldwide and continues to be a major health concern; nonetheless, there is no effective therapy. Immunopharmacotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment strategy by which anti-cocaine antibodies bind to the drug blunting its effects. Previous passive immunization studies using our human monoclonal antibody, GNCgzk, resulted in protection against cocaine overdose and acute toxicity. To further realize the clinical potential of this antibody, a recombinant IgG form of the antibody has been produced in mammalian cells. This antibody displayed a high binding affinity for cocaine (low nanomolar) in line with the superior attributes of the GNCgzk antibody and reduced cocaine-induced ataxia in a cocaine overdose model.     

Wild chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) mouthwashes in methotrexate-induced oral mucositis

Oral mucositis is a known complication of methotrexate (MTX) therapy, but a single efficacious intervention or agent for prophylaxis or management of this side effect has not yet been identified. We report a case of MTX-induced oral mucositis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, who was successfully treated with Wild chamomile mouthwashes.     

用体外免疫法建立人—人抗流行性乙型脑炎病毒杂交瘤细胞株

利用单克隆抗体(McAb)进行病毒病的治疗是人们所关心的一个重大课题。 流行性乙型脑炎(乙脑)是一种严重威胁人民健康的急性传染病,病死率高,后遗症严重。国内外目前尚无特效疗法。陈伯权等用乙脑病毒皮下或腹腔感染3周龄小白鼠24、48小时及5天后,分别用乙脑病毒51-8McAb进行治疗,平均治愈率分别为78％、73％及22％。     

Pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in immunized mice

Paracoccidioidomycosis was induced in immunized (IM) and non-immunized (NI) mice. The histopathology, the number of fungi in the lungs, the cellular (footpad test — FPT and macrophage inhibition factor assay — MIF) and humoral (immunodiffusion test) immune response were investigated serially postinfection. In the IM mice, at days 1 and 3, there was intense and predominant macrophagic-lymphocytic alveolitis with loose granulomatous reaction; at day 30, inflammation was mild. In the NI group, up to day 3, the lesions were focal; later there was formation of extensive epithelioid granuloma. The number of fungi in IM mice were always smaller than those of NI group. Immunization alone induced positive FPT and MIF indices with low titer of antibody. After infection, there was a significant decrease of the FPT indices in the IM group, which we interpreted as desensitization due to trapping of sensitized lymphocytes in the lungs. In conclusion, (1) The lesional pattern of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in IM mice was similar to that of a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This reaction was probably effective in reducing the extension of the infection and decrease the number of fungi. (2) In this model, pulmonary resistance against P. brasiliensis seems to be related to local and systemic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.     

Effect of oral contraceptives on the rat brain and pituitary opioid peptides

This study was designed to explore the hormonal regulation of CNS opioid peptide levels in female Sprague Dawley rats. Forty-eight animals were divided into 2 equal groups for acute and chronic studies. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups, each containing 6 animals. Each rat in the control group received an inert pill (in 0.25 ml corn oil daily by gavage); the second group, 15 micrograms norethindrone (NE, a potent progestin present in the oral contraceptive Micronor); the third group, 15 micrograms NE and 1 microgram ethinyl estradiol, EE2 (present in the oral contraceptive Modicon) and the fourth group, 10 times the dose of the third group. Rats were treated either acutely for 5 days or chronically for 7 weeks. Opioid peptides were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Acute administration of 150 micrograms NE + 10 micrograms EE2 decreased the levels of methionine-enkephalin (ME), leucine-enkephalin (LE), dynorphin (DYN) and beta-endorphin like immunoreactivity (beta-EI) by about 50% in the pituitary. The same dose on chronic administration also decreased DYN, but increased the levels of ME and LE in the pituitary by 331 and 69%, respectively. In the hypothalamus, chronic administration of NE + EE2 increased the level of ME (155%) and LE (87%) as well as of DYN (97%). In the striatum, the levels of LE (33%) and DYN (115%) were elevated during chronic administration. It is concluded that the acute administration of NE + EE2, in general, reduces the levels of ME, LE, DYN and beta-EI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epithelial differentiation at the edentulous alveolar ridge in man

Summary The epithelial lining of the mucosa of the edentulous, maxillary alveolar ridge was subjected to an ultrastructural and stereological analysis. Four biopsies collected from the non-inflamed crest, i.e., the center over former tooth sockets, in non-denture-wearing female patients 30 to 55 years of age were processed for light and electron microscopy. At the light-microscopic level, epithelial thickness was determined histometrically. Electron micrographs were sampled at two levels of magnification, from five strata in regions of epithelial ridges and from three strata over connective tissue papillae. Standardized stereological pointcounting techniques were employed to analyze a total of 990 electron micrographs. Observations and data revealed that at the alveolar ridge the oral epithelium is truly keratinizing and comprises four strata including a 40±5 m-thick stratum corneum, which displays the oral keratin pattern. The histoand cytodifferentiation were peculiar: (1) Compared to the neighbouring gingival and hard palate epithelium, that of the alveolar crest was markedly thicker, with elongated rete ridges indicating acanthosis. (2) The cytoarchitecture was identical neither to the gingival nor to the hard palate epithelium but revealed a mixture of features typical for either of these two epithelia. Reasons for this are explained on the basis of factors, possible genetic, inherent in epithelial cells that are possibly derived from both the gingival and the palatal environment.