The effect of high altitude on the protein composition of human blood

Summary Twelve healthy young individuals had the protein composition of their blood determined in Stalinabad (850 m) and during their sojourn in the mountain of East Pamir between the months of May and October, 1958, at the altitude of 4200 m.During the first month of sojourn at high altitude, the total concentration of protein went up, while towards the end of the 4 month period it dropped somewhat, but still remained above the initial level. The relative and the absolute albumin content in the blood serum dropped immediately after the ascent and remained low for a month after descent from 4200 m to 850 m. The figures for ₁-, - and -globulins rose immediately after ascent. During the 4 month stay at high altitude, the ₁- -globulins went back to normal. During the first month after descent, figures for ₁-, - and -globulins were higher than the initial levels; ₂-globulin went up only after descent. Oncotic pressure of blood rose during the first month after ascent, then returned to normal at the expense of increased concentration of the globulin fraction, which compensates for the decreased albumin content in blood serum.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR S. R. Severin) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 50, No. 10, pp. 78–82, October, 1960.     

The effect of treatment with recombinant γ-interferon on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats

We have investigated the effects of recombinant rat -interferon (rIFN) on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). Lewis rats, inoculated in the left hind-paw with adjuvant (day 0), were given 10⁵ U/rat of rIFN daily (days 0 to 20), subcutaneously and intramuscularly on alternate days. rIFN suppressed the secondary phase of swelling of both hind-paw on and after day 18 without influencing the earlier phases, both primary and secondary, of swelling. rIFN also reduced the hind-paw bone lesions, the degree of splenomegaly, and the increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma fibrinogen. These results indicate a new aspect of the regulatory role of IFN in chronic inflammation.     

Quantitative Immunglobulinbestimmungen im Seminalplasma

Zusammenfassung Es wird über quantitative Immunglobulinbestimmungen im Seminalplasma berichtet.G,A undM sind in unterschiedlicher Menge nachweisbar, wobei jedoch keine Abhängigkeit von den verschiedenen Spermaqualitäten besteht.

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Summary Quantitative estimations of immunoglobulins in seminal plasma were performed.G,A andM are present in various amounts, but there is no dependance in regard to the quality of semen.

     

Altered synthesis of interferon-γ and expression of interferon-γ receptor by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with IgA nephropathy and non-IgA proliferative glomerulonephritis

Previously we reported disease-specific interaction between interferon- (IFN-) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), suggesting the existence of unusual T cell behavior in this disease. In the present study, we investigated characteristic synthesis of interferon- (IFN-) and expression of IFN- receptor (IFN-R) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with IgAN and other chronic proliferative glomerulonephritis (PGN). Heparinized peripheral blood samples were obtained from 38 patients with chronic mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (CGN; including 24 with IgA nephropathy) and 20 healthy controls. PBMC were isolated by gradient centrifugation and fragments were cultured in Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium (IMDM) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) for 72 hr. IFN- concentrations in supernatants were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Other parts of PBMC pellets were reacted with anti-human IFN-R monoclonal antibody and FITC-labeled anti-mouse second antibody for analysis of IFN-R expression on these cells by FACScan. The remaining PBMC were fractionated into CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, B cells, NK, cells and macrophages using the MACS cell sorting system. The isolated cells were evaluated for IFN- or IFN-R mRNA expression by the semiquantitative RT-PCR method.In vitro IFN- synthesis was enhanced in patients with CGN, and NK cells were revealed to be responsible for such enhancement. On the other hand, the expression of IFN-R on macrophages was suppressed in CGN patients. These results suggest that impairment of regulation of the IFN- system might be involved in the development of CGN.     

A comparative immunohistological study of cerebellar enolases

Summary A comparative immunohistological study of the neurone-specific enolase and enolase, demonstrates the exclusive neuronal localization of enolase and its absence from glial cells. In contrast, enolase is located in astroglial cells. The validity of enolase as a neuronal marker and enolase as an astrocytic marker, is confirmed both by a double labelling technique, using antibodies to and to revealed with fluorescence or peroxidase in the same tissue sections, and by immunoelectronmicroscopy.     

Enhancement of interleukin-2 and γ-interferon productionin vitro on cord blood lymphocytes andin vivo on primary cellular immunodeficiency patients with thymic extract (Thymostimulin)

Cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from 20 normal full-term newborns. These MNC were preincubated with either 50, 100, or 200 µg/ml Thymostimulin or without Thymostimulin. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) and -interferon (-IFN) production, cytotoxicity, and lymphoproliferation and IL-2 receptor (Tac) expression were all significantly increased after Thymostimulin treatment. For evaluation of thein vivo effect, two combined-imimunodeficiency patients defective on the thymic level, one with progressive BCG infection, and one with DiGeorge syndrome were used. Before Thymostimulin treatment, the patient's MNC did not produce sufficient amounts of IL-2 and -IFN. The cytotoxicity and lymphoproliferation were also low. After Thymostimulin treatment, the IL-2 and -IFN production, cytotoxicity, and lymphoproliferative response were enhanced. These results suggest that Thymostimulin may be beneficial in the clinical treatment of primary cellular immunodeficiency. The improved immune reactivity including cytotoxicity and enhanced IL-2 and -IFN production in the Thymostimulin treatment also indicates that there may be a beneficial effect on the combination of chemotherapy and Thymostimulin.     

Tranquilizing effects of β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid (phenygam)

Summary In experiments on cats, rabbits, rats and mice a study was made of the action produced by -aminobutyric (GABA) and -phenyl--aminobutyric acids (PGABA) administered by different routes. While GABA had no effect on the animal behavior after parenteral administration, PGABA caused inhibition of the CNS, manifested by a depression of the motor activity, orienting reaction, conditioned reflexes, disturbances of motor coordination, and of central myorelaxation, and hypothermic effect, PGABA produced no analgesic effect. LD₅₀ of PGABA when administered intraperitoneally to mice is 900 mg/kg, to rats –700 mg/kg.Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR, S. V. Anichkov Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny,Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 54–58, January, 1964     

Suppression by interferon-γ of tumor cell-induced increase in mesothelial permeability

The effect of interferon- (IFN-) on the interaction between tumor cells and mesothelial cell layers was studied from the aspect of changes in mesothelial permeability. Mesothelial permeability was assessed as the percentage diffusion of radiolabeled albumin across the mesothelial cell sheets on Matrigel-coated filter cup assemblies. When lined gastric carcinoma cells (KATO-III) were seeded on the confluent mesothelial cell layers, the fine cobblestone appearance of the cell sheet was disrupted and mesothelial permeability significantly increased. The increase in permeability was suppressed by the addition of as little as 1 U/ml of IFN-. The effect of IFN- was observed when either the conditioned medium of tumor cells alone or the IFN--resistant tumor cells, K-562, was placed onto the mesothelium. The cobblestone appearance of the cell sheet was relatively well preserved in the presence of IFN-. In contrast, IFN- did not suppress tumor-induced mesothelial permeability. These results suggest that IFN- has the potential to protect the human mesothelial cell layers against tumor cells.