Intrinsic collaterals of layer 6 Meynert cells and functional columns in primate V1

Meynert cells are a distinct type of large neuron which project to area MT/V5 and to subcortical targets, including the superior colliculus. They have recently been shown to have extensive intrinsic collaterals spreading up to 8.0 mm within layer 6 of area V1 [J Comp Neurol 441 (2001) 134]. Using intrinsic signal imaging combined with tracer injections, this study investigates how Meynert cell collaterals are mapped in relation to the functional architecture of area V1 in macaque monkeys. In particular, we examined whether terminations of individual axon segments are selective for same-eye or opposite-eye domains. Analysis of 39 anterogradely labeled axon segments (from six injection sites in four hemispheres) showed that terminal segments cross over several pairs of ocular dominance columns (ODCs) and contact both left- and right-eye ODCs, with a slight bias for the contralateral eye. This contrasts with the same-eye bias previously reported for intrinsic collaterals of pyramidal neurons in layer 3. The suggestion is that the system of Meynert intrinsic collaterals is involved with binocular interactions over wide sectors of the visual field. This might be related to processes such as optic flow or, especially given the wide-field spread, even contour completion or interpolation.     

Tumor cell surface β1–6 branched oligosaccharides and lung metastasis

NIH3T3 cells transfected with an activated Ha-ras oncogene were treated with L-PHA, the leukoagglutinin from red kidney beans. Cell lines resistant to L-PHA-mediated cytotoxicity were isolated and found to contain reduced levels of L-PHA-binding oligosaccharides. The levels of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V, the enzyme responsible for the initiation of the1–6 branch, were reduced in L-PHA-resistant cells. Tumorigenicity in nude mice was unchanged by the change in oligosaccharide expression, but the ability to form lung tumors after intravenous injection was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate that the ability of NIH3T3 cells transfected with an activated Ha-ras oncogene to form lung tumors after intravenous injection into nude mice is reduced in all six L-PHA selected cell lines containing a reduction in1–6 branched Asn-linked oligosaccharides.     

Characterization of idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA using monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies

The isologous antiidiotypic response in BALB/c mice to immunization with the DNP-binding IgA myeloma protein, MOPC 315, alters the expression of the anti-DNP antibody repertoire and confers immunity against MOPC 315 myeloma tumors. In order to characterize the idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA which elicit this response we have isolated four monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies (AIA), D10 (IgG_2a), A2(IgG₁), G3 (IgG_2b) and F1 (IgG_2a), produced by splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with MOPC 315 IgA in three independent fusion experiments. These AIA react with MOPC 315 IgA. reassociated H³¹⁵ L³¹⁵ and F³¹⁵_V but not with free H³¹⁵, L³¹⁵, V³¹⁵_H or V³¹⁵₂. In addition the AIA do not react with the closely related DNP-binding IgA myeloma protein, MOPC 460, suggesting that they are directed against private idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA. These idiotopes can be divided into two groups. Group I, defined by D10, A2 and G3 consists of two overlapping idiotopes, one of which is related to the hapten-binding site. The two idiotopes are formed by an interaction of amino acids in H³¹⁵ and L³¹⁵. Group II defined by F1 consists of one idiotope which is related to the hapten-binding site. This idiotope is comprised of an aminoacid sequence on H³¹⁵ which requires an interaction with either L³¹⁵ or L⁴⁶⁰ for expression. A2 and G3 react identically with the same idiotope but were derived from two independent fusion experiments. This indicates an identity of AIA clonotypes among individual mice and suggests that the isologous AIA response to MOPC 315 IgA is restricted.     

猫延髓背角第Ⅴ层的细胞构筑学研究

本文应用Nissl法,Luxol Fast Blue法及Golgi法对猫延髓尾段背角(三叉神经脊束核尾侧亚核)第Ⅴ层进行了系统的细胞构筑学研究。发现此层中含有大、中、小型神经元,其中中型最多,小型次之,大型最少。依树突分支形态及树突棘的多寡,将第Ⅴ层中的神经元分成辐射状和丛状两大类。前者又可分成锥体型、多极型及“双极型”神经元。其中,锥体型与多极型神经元各包括着有棘的及平滑的两类。本文并结合电生理学、细胞内注射技术及HRP追踪技术的研究结果,对第Ⅴ层中神经元的功能进行了探讨。     

TCRVβ基因谱系分析在AIDS疾病T细胞克隆性研究中的应用

对于T淋巴细胞TCRVB基因家族以及T细胞的克隆性的研究是近年的热点问题.通过对艾滋病人(模型)的TCRVβ基因谱系分析,测定特定CDR3长度及序列出现的频率能反映T细胞克隆扩增的程度和功能状态,进而有助于对MDS的临床诊断、免疫机制、药物或疫苗的治疗效果等的理解.     

Congenital tracheal stenosis in Pfeiffer syndrome

We report an infant with Pfeiffer syndrome (acrocephalosyndactyly type V) and a solid cartilaginous trachea lacking rings. This airway abnormality has been reported in a child with Crouzon syndrome but has not been described in Pfeiffer syndrome.     

T cell receptor (TCR) V gene segment use in HLA-typed Japanese healthy subjects

The expression of 13 different α and β V gene segments of the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) was examined, using V gene-specific MoAbs, on human peripheral blood T lymphocytes from 32 healthy Japanese subjects. In addition, to examine associations between TCR V gene products and HLA alleles, the HLA class I and class II types of all subjects were serologically determined. The reactivities of the anti-TCR V-specific MoAbs were, with some significant exceptions, similar to those previously described in healthy Caucasian subjects. We found a non-random V gene usage as well as a statistically significant bias of the expression of eight Vβ gene products towards the CD4⁺ subpopulation, and a significant skewness in the usage of Vα12 towards the CD8⁺ population. Some subjects showed increased reactivities (above 10%) of certain MoAbs, mainly in the CD8⁺ subpopulation. We found no distinct correlation between any certain HLA class I or II allele and TCR V gene usage in the CD8⁺ or CD4⁺ subpopulations, respectively. In conclusion, the pattern of anti-TCR V-specific MoAb reactivities found in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy Japanese subjects was in general found to match that previously described in healthy Caucasian subjects.     

Quantitation of aberrant interlocus T-cell receptor rearrangements in mouse thymocytes and the effect of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

Small studies in human populations have suggested a correlation between the frequency of errors in antigen receptor gene assembly and lymphoid malignancy risk. In particular, agricultural workers exposed to pesticides have both an increased risk for lymphoma and an increased frequency of errors in antigen receptor gene assembly. In order to further investigate the potential of such errors to serve as a mechanistically based biomarker of lymphoid cancer risk, we have developed a sensitive PCR assay for quantifying errors of V(D)J recombination in the thymocytes of mice. This assay measures interlocus rearrangements between two T-cell receptor loci, V-gamma and J-beta, located on chromosomes 13 and 6, respectively. The baseline frequency in four strains of mice was determined at several ages (2-8 weeks of age) and was found to be stable at approximately 1.5 x 10(-5) per thymocyte. Strain AKR, which has a high susceptibility to T-cell lymphomas, did not show an elevated frequency of aberrant V(D)J events. We used this assay to examine the effects of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the frequency of these events. Female B6C3F1 mice, 27 days of age, were exposed to 2,4-D by gavage at doses of 0, 3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg/day for 4 successive days and sacrificed on day 5. Thymus DNA was isolated and examined for illegitimate V(D)J recombination-mediated gene rearrangements. In addition, pregnant mice were exposed to 2,4-D and thymocytes from the offspring examined at 2 weeks of age. No significant increase in aberrant V(D)J rearrangements was found, indicating that under these conditions 2,4-D does not appear to effect this important mechanism of carcinogenesis.     

双重实时PCR快速同时检测霍乱弧菌和副溶血弧菌

目的建立改良分子信标双重实时PCR同时检测霍乱弧菌和副溶血弧菌的快速方法,应用于霍乱监测、副溶血弧菌食物中毒的快速诊断和海产品检验。方法根据GenBank公布的霍乱弧菌肠毒素基因A亚单位(ctxA)和副溶血弧菌的耐热直接溶血毒素基因(TDH)的保守序列,分别设计引物和改良分子信标探针,以10种细菌作对照,建立双重实时PCR改良分子信标检测体系,应用于副溶血弧菌食物中毒快速诊断和霍乱监测。结果改良分子信标双重实时PCR反应体系DNA灵敏度为102.4～166.6fgμl,菌液灵敏度为32～64CFUml或3～6CFUPCR反应体系,无交叉反应。此反应体系同时检测40株副溶血弧菌和50株霍乱弧菌,均出现特异的荧光信号,两种细菌检测互不干扰。对3起细菌性食物中毒共48份样品和100份海产品进行检测,9份副溶血弧菌实时PCR阳性,其中7份副溶血弧菌细菌培养阳性,其余样品都为阴性。从样品处理到检测结果仅需1天时间。结论改良分子信标双重实时PCR检测体系快速、灵敏度高、特异性强,可用于霍乱和副溶血弧菌食物中毒的快速诊断,为食源性疾病的分子流行病学调查提供新的检测手段。