小鼠胸腺皮质5′-核苷酸酶的细胞化学定位

用Robinson和Kamovsky法,以腺苷-5′-单磷酸或紐?5′-单磷酸为底物,铈为捕获剂,显示BALB/c小鼠胸腺皮质的5′-核苷酸酶。同时使用左旋咪唑抑制非特异性碱性磷酸酶活性。腺苷-5-单磷酸酶和紐?5′-单磷酸酶活性反应产物的细胞化学定位基本相似。此酶活性定位于上皮性网状细胞和某些胸腺细胞的质膜外层,特别是两者的相邻面。5′-核苷酸酶活性也见于巨噬细胞溶酶体和上皮性网状细胞的囊泡、靠近质膜的小泡及一些溶酶体内。本研究就胸腺皮质内5′-核苷酸酶的生物学意义进行了讨论。     

重组小鼠干细胞逆转录病毒载体高效基因转染CD41+、UT7、U937和MDA-MB-435细胞

目的:研究重组小鼠干细胞逆转录病毒载体介导基因转染,探索一条高效基因转染的途径,为重组小鼠干细胞逆转录病毒载体在基因转染中的应用提供理论依据和奠定实验基础。方法:①逆转录病毒载体的构建:EC1-4(repeats1-4ofcadherin-5extracellulardomains)基因克隆产物和mutant(Ser222A)MEK1基因克隆产物,Bg1Ⅱ和EcoRⅠ限制性内切核酸酶切割后,克隆进入逆转录病毒表达载体pMSCV。②CD41⁺细胞的获取和细胞培养:从脐带血分离的CD34⁺细胞通过TPO诱导表达CD41,FACS分离CD41⁺细胞。高糖DMEM培养液培养NIH3T3和MDA-MB-435细胞,U937细胞培养在RPMI-1640培养液,UT7细胞是细胞因子依赖性细胞株,Iscove'smodifiedDulbeco's培养液中加入GM-CSF。③测定病毒滴度:逆转录病毒载体转入包装细胞293,36h后收集病毒上清液,感染NIH3T3细胞,流式细胞仪测定病毒滴度。④Westernblot:基因转染CD41⁺、UT7、U937和MDA-MB-435细胞,Westernblot检测基因产物的表达。结果:293细胞产生高滴度MEK1pMSCV病毒:3.1×10⁷,高滴度EC1-4pMSCV病毒:1.0×10⁸。用稀释8倍的病毒转染基因,重组逆转录病毒MEK1pMSCV转染白血病细胞株UT7和U973,GFP阳性细胞(转染阳性细胞)分别是60.73％、72.56％。重组逆转录病毒MEK1pMSCV转染原代培养细胞CD41⁺,GFP阳性细胞为30.57％。重组逆转录病毒EC1-4pMSCV转染人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-435,GFP阳性细胞为97.54％。TPO作用CD41⁺和UT7细胞以及血清对U973细胞的作用,显示出外源mutationMEK基因的dominantnegative的效应,实验组磷酸化的MEK1减少。EC1-4基因转染的MDA-MB-435细胞表达了EC1-4基因产物。结论:重组小鼠干细胞逆转录病毒载体能高效基因转染CD41⁺、UT7、U937和MDA-MB-435细胞,转染的基因能稳定地表达。     

Stimulation of NaCl reabsorption by antidiuretic hormone in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse

The effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on transepithelial Na⁺, Cl^–, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ net fluxes (J_Na, J_Cl, J_Mg, J_Ca) was investigated in isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limb segments (cTAL) of the mouse nephron, using the microperfusion technique and the electron microprobe analysis to determine the ionic composition of the collected tubular fluid. Simultaneously, the transepithelial potential difference (PD_te) and the transepithelial resistance (R_te) were recorded. Prior to the flux measurements cTAL segments were perfused for one hour. During this equilibration period PD_te decreased significantly from +19.9±1.6 to +14.9±1.l mV and R_te increased from 30.6±3.5 cm² to 38.8±2.4 cm² (n=7), reflecting a decline in NaCl transport. After ADH was added to the bath solution at 10^–10 mol.l^–1, PD_te increased from +14.4±1.1 to +18.0±1.5 mV, accompanied by a rise in J_Na and J_Cl from 205±11 to 273±19 and from 216±12 to 283±21 pmol.min^–1.mm^–1 (n=7), respectively. J_Ca and J_Mg also increased from 0.81±0.07 to 1.50±0.12 and from 0.43±0.11 to 0.76±0.08 pmol.min^–1.mm^–1 (n=7), respectively. All these effects were fully reversible after withdrawal of the hormone. In conclusion our data indicate that ADH stimulates divalent cation transport and NaCl transport in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse.     

A mammary gland adenomyoepithelioma in a C57BL/6 mouse

Mammary gland adenomyoepitheliomas are benign complex mammary gland tumors composed of neoplastic cells of epithelial and myoepithelial origins, described in many species (humans, dogs, cats, rats) and rarely in mice. We report here an adenomyoepithelioma in a C57BL/6 female mouse. Histologically, tubes and cords formed by neoplastic epithelial cells were separated by bundles of neoplastic myoepithelial cells in a clear and partially mucinous matrix. The tumor displayed characteristics of a benign neoplastic proliferation with a compressive growth pattern, and moderate cellular pleomorphism and mitotic index. At immunohistochemistry, the epithelial cells were strongly cytokeratin positive; the myoepithelial cells were weakly cytokeratin positive and strongly smooth muscle actin positive. This is to our knowledge, the first report of a mammary gland adenomyoepithelioma in a C57BL/6 mouse.     

CD25+ T cells induce Helicobacter pylori‐specific CD25− T‐cell anergy but are not required to maintain persistent hyporesponsiveness

The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori infects over half the world's population. The lifelong infection induces gastric inflammation but the host fails to generate protective immunity. To study the lack of protective H. pylori immunity, CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_reg cells were investigated for their ability to down‐regulate H. pylori‐specific CD4⁺CD25⁻ cells in a murine model. CD25⁻ lymphocytes from infected mice were hyporesponsive to antigenic stimulation in vitro even in the absence of CD25⁺ T_reg cells unless treated with high‐dose IL‐2. Transfer of CD45RB^hi naïve CD25⁻ cells from infected mice into rag1^−/− mice challenged with H. pylori resulted in severe gastritis and reduced bacterial loads, whereas transfer of CD45RB^lo memory CD25⁻ cells from H. pylori‐infected mice resulted in only mild gastritis and persistent infection. CD25⁻ cells stimulated in the absence of CD25⁺ cells in rag1^−/− mice promoted bacterial clearance, but lost this ability when subsequently transferred to WT mice harboring CD25⁺ cells. These results demonstrate that CD25⁺ cells induce anergy in CD25⁻ cells in response to H. pylori infection but are not required to maintain hyporesponsiveness. In addition, CD25⁺ cells are able to suppress previously activated CD25⁻ cells when responding to H. pylori challenge in vivo.     

An electron microscopic study of glomerular lesions in hereditary nephrotic mice (ICGN strain)

Summary Glomerular lesions in hereditary nephrotic mice (ICGN strain) were investigated by electron microscopy. The glomeruli of unaffected animals, which appeared normal by light microscopy, had developed an ultrastructural change in the glomerular capillary basement membrane (GCBM). There was a partial thickening of the GCBM with bilaminar splitting of the lamina densa and an electron-dense fibrillar material exhibiting cross-striations. In affected animals, light microscopy revealed a marked thickening of GCBM and an increase of mesangial matrix without cellular proliferaton. By electron microscopy, multilaminar splitting of the lamina densa in the thickened GCBMs and fusion of the epithelial foot processes were observed. In some severely affected animals, immune complex deposition was found in GCBM, but little if any was observed in other animals. In the end, the glomeruli were globally sclerosed. Our findings suggest that initial structural abnormalities in GCBM may play an important role in the onset and development of the disease, though subsequent events such as immune complex deposition would modify the disease.     

Expression of voltage-dependent sodium and transient potassium currents in an identified sub-population of dorsal root ganglion cells acutely isolated from 12-day-old mouse embryos

The electrophysiological properties of a subset of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons microdissected from 12-day-old (E12) mouse embryos and acutely isolated were analyzed as soon as 3 after their isolation. Two classes of neurons were defined according to their mean diameter. The larger diameter class was examined in this study. They display uniform cytoskeletal properties with co-expression of vimentin and neurofilament triplet proteins. Patch-clamp methods also revealed a homogeneous and limited repertoire of ionic channels that included (1) a TTX-sensitive Na⁺ current whose properties are similar to that reported in mature mammalian neurons, and (2) two types of K⁺ currents that can be compared with the delayed rectifier (I _k ) and the transient (I _a) potassium currents found in other mammalian preparations. It may be possible to use this in vitro model to examine the development of new types of currents, such as Ca²⁺ currents during neuronal growth and differentiation.     

Maternal immunoglobulins have no effect on the rate of maturation of the B cell compartment of the offspring

To elucidate a general role of maternal immunoglobulins (Ig) on the kinetics of B cell development of the offspring, we studied non-genetic influences of maternal Ig on the developing immune system of B cell-competent mice. These animals were the offsprings of either B cell-deprived μMT or of normal C57BL/6 females. In these mice, we have compared the kinetics of Ig production, the numbers of B cell progenitors, the expression of surface markers specific of the B lineage and the progression of Ig variable gene expression. We show that the absence of maternal Ig has no detectable effect on the kinetics of IgM and IgG production by the offspring's immune system. The number of B cell precursors, the kinetics of generation of B cells and their pattern of surface markers expression is identical in both types of mice. The acquisition of diversity in the B cell repertoire and the changes in the ratios of variable gene family expression are also indistinguishable. We conclude that maternally derived Ig has no influence on the rate of development and maturation of the B cell compartment of the offspring.     

Electrophysiological analysis of rhythmic jaw movements in the freely moving mouse

Although rhythmic jaw movement in feeding has been studied in mammals, such as rats, rabbits and monkeys, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying it are not well understood. Transgenic and gene-targeting technologies enable direct control of the genetic makeup of the mouse, and have led to the development of a new category of reagents that have the potential to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural networks. The present study attempts to characterize rhythmic jaw movements in the mouse and to demonstrate its relevance to rhythmic jaw movements found in higher mammals using newly developed jaw-tracking systems and electromyograms of the masticatory muscles. The masticatory sequence of the mouse during feeding was classified into two stages, incision and chewing. Small and rapid (8 Hz) open-close jaw movements were observed during incision, while large and slow (5 Hz) open-close jaw movements were observed during chewing. Integrated electromyograms of the masseteric and digastric muscles were larger during chewing than those observed during incision. Licking behavior was associated with regular (8 Hz), small open-close jaw movements with smaller masseteric activity than those observed during mastication. Grooming showed variable patterns of jaw movement and electromyograms depending on the grooming site. These results suggest that there are neuronal mechanisms producing different frequencies of rhythmic jaw movements in the mouse, and we conclude that the mouse is useful for understanding rhythmic jaw movements in higher mammals.     

Adhesion activity of fetal gonadal cells to EGF and discoidin domains of milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8), a secreted integrin-binding protein which is transiently expressed in mouse early gonadogenesis

MFG-E8, a secreted integrin-binding protein, consists of two EGF domains containing a RGD motif and two discoidin domains. In mouse embryogenesis, MFG-E8 is highly expressed in gonadal stromal cells near mesonephros at 11.5–12.5 dpc, but its function in gonadogenesis has not been characterized. To clarify a possible role of MFG-E8 in developing gonads, we analyzed the adhesion activity of 10.5–15.5 dpc gonadal cells to recombinant proteins of EGF or discoidin domains of MFG-E8. In EGF-coated wells, the gonadal cells at 11.5–12.5 dpc revealed a significantly higher adhesion activity as compared to those at 10.5 and 15.5 dpc, while discoidin domains showed a constant number of the adhered cells throughout these stages. To identify the adhesive cells of 11.5-dpc gonads, immunohistochemistry with anti-SF1/Ad4Bp antibody (a specific marker for supporting, steroidogenic, and coelomic epithelial cells) and staining for alkaline phosphatase (a germ cell marker) were carried out. As a result, EGF domains, as well as discoidin domains, were capable of binding to all three groups of SF1/Ad4Bp-positive and negative somatic cells, and germ cells of 11.5-dpc gonads. These findings therefore suggest that MFG-E8 mediates the cell-to-cell interaction among several somatic cell types and germ cells in mouse early gonadogenesis.