Functional antagonism between hormone receptor systems: modulation of glycoprotein secretion in secretory epithelial cells.

A physiologic response such as mucin secretion from epithelial cells in vivo may be under the control of several endogenous substances such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). These substances may simultaneously activate distinct membrane receptors that exist on the same epithelial cells, and this activation may result in reciprocal physiologic responses or functional antagonism. To test whether simultaneous activation of the VIP and muscarinic receptors or of beta-adrenoreceptors and muscarinic receptors affect mucin secretion in a reciprocal manner, we studied some characteristics of the resultant physiologic response in human epithelial cells secreting radiolabeled mucin-like glycoprotein (MLGP). Both basal and methacholine (M.chol)-induced MLGP secretion could be blocked by VIP (1 pM to 1 microM) and by isoproterenol (ISO) (0.1 nM to 10 nM) in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner. In a membrane preparation from the same cells, VIP (1 to 1,000 nM) and ISO (0.1 to 10 microM) stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in a concentration-dependent and nonadditive manner. In the same membrane preparation, no effect of M.chol was observed on this response to VIP or to ISO. It is proposed that functional antagonism at the cellular level between basal or cholinergic-stimulated mucin secretion and either activated beta-adrenergic or VIP receptors may play a crucial role in modulation of mucin secretion from epithelial cells.     

重症烧伤大鼠早期外周血单个核细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的：探讨烧伤后早期外周血单个核细胞（ＰＢＭＣ）凋亡的发生、变化规律及ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表达的变化。方法：应用流式细胞仪、ＤＮＡ凝胶电泳等手段观察烧伤大鼠ＰＢＭＣ凋亡发生的动力学变化、ｂｃｌ－２蛋白的表达及烧伤血清对细胞凋亡的影响。结果：烧伤后６ｈ起,ＰＢＭＣ凋亡率明显增加,随时间的推延呈增高趋势,此时ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表达下调;烧伤血清可以诱导单核细胞株Ｒａｗ２６４．７凋亡。结论：ＰＢＭＣ凋亡在严重烧伤的免疫功能紊乱方面起重要作用,而ｂｃｌ－２基因下调可能是重症烧伤早期ＰＢＭＣ细胞凋亡的分子机制之一;烧伤血清含有（或缺乏）某种物质,可以介导细胞凋亡。     

Effect of nicotine on secretory component synthesis by secretory epithelial cells.

Previously, we reported that secretory component (SC), lactoferrin (LF), and lysozyme (LY) levels were significantly lower in saliva from smokeless tobacco (ST) users than in saliva from control non-tobacco users. However, the levels of salivary immunoglobulin A were significantly higher, albeit with an altered attachment of SC, in ST users than in control subjects. SC, LF, and LY are synthesized by secretory epithelial cells at mucosal sites adjacent to lymphocyte regions. In the present report, HT-29 human epithelial cells, cultured with various concentrations of an ST aqueous extract or pure nicotine (0 to 1 mg/ml) or cotinine (0 to 5 mg/ml), exhibited significantly lower levels of cell-associated cell lysate (CL) and secreted culture supernatant (CS) SC, LF, and LY than cells cultured without ST components. Nicotine significantly decreased (P < or = 0.05) the synthesis of SC by 20 to 100%, LF by 20 to 60%, and LY by 5 to 75% of CL and CS control values. Studies also indicated significant decreases (P < or = 0.05) in SC, LF, and LY levels in both CL and CS of cells cultured with ST aqueous extract or cotinine. Total cell numbers and metabolic activity significantly decreased primarily when cells were incubated with higher concentrations of ST extract, nicotine, or cotinine. The addition of human recombinant interleukin-4 or gamma interferon diminished the effects ST had on HT-29 cell synthesis of SC, LF, and LY. Our data indicate that nicotine, cotinine, and ST have an adverse effect on synthesis and secretion of SC, LF, and LY. These effects were below ST concentrations found to be cytotoxic for secretory epithelial cells. Furthermore, addition of interleukin-4 or gamma interferon reduced the suppressive effect of ST on synthesis or secretion of SC, LF, or LY.     

Changes in epithelial secretory cells and potentiation of neurogenic inflammation in the trachea of rats with respiratory tract infections

Summary In rats respiratory tract infections due to Sendai virus and coronavirus usually are transient, but they can have long-lasting consequences when accompanied by Mycoplasma pulmonis infections. Morphological alterations in the tracheal epithelium and a potentiation of the inflammatory response evoked by sensory nerve stimulation (neurogenic inflammation) are evident nine weeks after the infections begin, but the extent to which these changes are present at earlier times is not known. In the present study we characterized these abnormalities in the epithelium and determined the extent to which they are present 3 and 6 weeks after the infections begin. We also determined the magnitude of the potentiation of neurogenic inflammation at these times, whether the potentiation can be reversed by glucocorticoids, and whether a proliferation of blood vessels contributes to the abnormally large amount of plasma extravasation associated with this potentiation. To this end, we studied Long-Evans rats that acquired these viral and mycoplasmal infections from other rats. We found that the tracheal epithelium of the infected rats had ten times as many Alcian blue-PAS positive mucous cells as did that of pathogen-free rats; but it contained none of the serous cells typical of pathogen-free rats, so the total number of secretory cells was not increased. In addition, the epithelium of the infected rats had three times the number of ciliated cells and had only a third of the number of globule leukocytes. In response to an injection of capsaicin (150 g/kg i.v.), the tracheas of the infected rats developed an abnormally large amount of extravasation of two tracers Evans blue dye and Monastral blue pigment, and had an abnormally large number of Monastral blue-labeled venules, particularly in regions of mucosa overlying the cartilaginous rings. This abnormally large amount of extravasation was blocked by dexamethasone (1 mg/day i.p. for 5 days). We conclude that M. pulmonis infections, exacerbated at the outset by viral infections, result within three weeks in the transformation of epithelial serous cells into mucous cells, the proliferation of ciliated cells, and the depletion of globule leukocytes. They also cause a proliferation of mediator-sensitive blood vessels in the airway mucosa, which is likely to contribute to the potentiation of neurogenic inflammation that accompanies these infections.Funded in part by National Institutes of Health Pulmonary Program Project Grant HL-24136 from the US Public Health Service. Dr. Huang is the recepient of an award from the National Science Council of the Republic of China     

Renin secretion in the earliest stage of goldblatt-type hypertension in rats

Summary Unilateral nephrectomy and constriction of the remaining renal artery in the rat induced a sustained increase of systolic blood pressure, which becomes significant as soon as 90 minutes after operation, and a transient rise in renal venous as well as in peripheral plasma renin activity between 20 and 180 minutes after operation. Unilateral nephrectomyper se, after 90 and 180 minutes, caused a significant fall of the systolic blood pressure, a slight increase of renal venous renin activity after 20 and 45 minutes, and between 3 and 24 hours after operation it was followed by a significant decrease of peripheral plasma renin activity. An increased secretion of renin from the clamped kidney may thus contribute to the initial rise of blood pressure in rats with Goldblatt-type hypertension.Supported by Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique, Grant No. 53153.     

Serial culture of adult human prostatic epithelial cells

Summary Techniques for the isolation, establishment, and subculture of normal, benign hyperplastic and malignant epithelial cell cultures from adult human prostates are described. Acini are released from tissues by collagenase digestion, and primary and subcultures are grown in collagen-coated dishes containing medium PFMR-4A supplemented with 1% serum and additional factors. Growth assays can be performed in serum-free medium. Verification of the cultures as prostatic epithelial cells is accomplished by indirect immunofluorescence detection of keratin, prostate-specific antigen, and prostatic acid phosphatase.     

In-vitro co-culture of early stage caprine embryos with oviduct and uterine epithelial cells.

Early stage caprine embryos were incubated with goat oviduct and uterine cells to evaluate whether these cells could be used as a somatic cell culture system to enhance development through the developmental block at the 8- to 16-cell stage during in-vitro culture. Following gonadotrophin treatment and natural mating, 2- to 4-cell embryos were surgically recovered from donor females for in-vitro culture studies. In Experiment 1, embryos were equally and randomly allotted to culture treatments of either culture medium plus caprine oviduct cells or culture medium alone. In both treatment groups, embryos were incubated in Medium-199 with 10% fetal bovine serum, 0.25% lactalbumin and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. In Experiment 2, similar embryos were cultured in the same medium with either caprine oviduct cells, caprine uterine cells or sequentially incubated with oviduct cells and then uterine cells during a corresponding incubation interval. The culture conditions in Experiment 2 were the same as in Experiment 1. Following 72 h in culture, (Experiment 1), significantly more embryos developed through the in-vitro developmental block into blastocysts and hatched blastocysts when cultured with oviduct cells compared with no embryos developing through the in-vitro block when incubated with medium alone. In Experiment 2, caprine embryos co-cultured with oviduct cells alone resulted in more embryos developing into blastocysts and hatched blastocysts compared with those co-cultured with uterine cells alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

克雷伯杆菌分泌因子及菌体成分在细胞内、外刺激肺上皮细胞分泌IL-8的研究

目的:通过比较肺炎克雷伯杆菌(Klebsiellapneumoniae,Kp)分泌因子及菌体成分对经过digitonin处理和未处理的肺上皮细胞株IL8分泌的影响,进一步了解克雷伯杆菌诱导肺上皮细胞炎症反应的信号转导机制。方法:实验分为两组,一组使用能使细胞膜通透性增加的温和去污剂digitonin处理,而另一组不处理。分别用Kp03183的细菌培养上清和超声处理的菌体成分刺激肺上皮细胞株A549,酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测细胞IL8表达水平。并用RT-PCR的方法检测肺上皮细胞胞内模式识别受体NOD1的表达。结果:Kp培养上清对未经digitonin处理的细胞IL8分泌无明显增强作用,与对照相比差异无显著意义(p>0.05),菌体成分能刺激IL8分泌增加(P<0.01),但增高不超过一倍。经digitonin处理使细胞膜通透性增加后,Kp培养上清及菌体成分刺激细胞IL8的作用都增强,菌体成分刺激IL8效果更为显著,为对照的3倍,而培养上清作用相对较弱。RT-PCR检测结果表明,肺上皮细胞表达胞内模式识别受体NOD1。结论:菌体成分是诱导炎症反应更有效的刺激物,肺炎克雷柏杆菌侵入肺上皮细胞可能是引发细胞炎症反应的始动环节。肺上皮细胞表达胞内模式识别受体NOD1,它是否参与肺上皮细胞识别肺炎克雷伯杆菌菌体成分,值得进一步的研究。     

Gene transfer by lipofection in rabbit and human secretory epithelial cells

Lipofection, a recently-developed method for gene transfer, was tested in secretory epithelial cells. Lipofection facilitated both transient DNA transfection with plasmids containing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and stable transfection with a plasmid containing the neomycin resistance gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotic G418 (Geneticin). Gene transfer occurred efficiently in a rabbit kidney medullary thick ascending limb cell line and in primary cultures of rabbit tracheal epithelial cells. The method was also effective in Simian virus 40-transformed human airway cells isolated from a normal individual and from a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cytotoxicity was minimal, particularly when the time of exposure to the lipofectin-DNA was limited to 3–5 h (< 5% cell loss). Thus, the lipofection method is useful for gene transfer in a variety of secretory epithelial cells and should be ideal for studies of defective secretory epithelial cell function in CF.     

The differential absorptive activity of epithelial cells of the rat epididymus before and after castration

Horseradish peroxidase introduced into the lumen of the rat epididymis was taken up by the columnar cells of the epithelium by five minutes and more so after longer periods. The apical cells and particularly the clear cells in the caput and cauda epididymidis, respectively, showed significantly greater endocytotic activity than the principal cell in both locations. Within 14 days after castration, however, such differences in absorptive activity among the various cell types were essentially obscured because of increased endocytosis by the androgen-deficient principal cells. The results are discussed briefly in terms of the function of different epithelial cell types and secretory/absorptive activity in the epididymis.     

大鼠压疮早期的线粒体损伤

目的探讨大鼠压疮早期引起的线粒体损伤情况及其作用。方法将40只大鼠随机分为5组(每组8只)。对照组(control组)大鼠不施压;实验组用特制压力装置对股薄肌处施压(170 mm Hg)2 h,放松0.5 h为一个循环(1C),根据施压循环不同又分为3C、6C、9C和12C组。HE染色法观察受压肌肉组织的病变;Western blot检测Bcl-2和Bax在受压肌肉组织中的表达;透射电镜观察肌纤维和线粒体等超微结构。结果各实验组随着受压循环的增加出现病理损伤并逐渐加重;与对照组相比各实验组中Bcl-2的表达均有显著增加(P<0.05),于3C组达到高峰,随后下降;随着受压循环的增加Bax的表达逐渐增多(P<0.05),于12C组达到高峰;各实验组随着受压循环的增加肌纤维出现排列紊乱和溶解断裂,线粒体嵴消失及空泡变性等逐渐加重的病理损伤。结论大鼠压疮早期发生了线粒体损伤并诱导了细胞凋亡。     

CFTR and lysozyme secretion in human airway epithelial cells

Lysozyme is secreted in large quantities in human airways (10-20 mg/day), where it helps to defend against bacterial and fungal infection. Lysozyme expression is restricted to the serous cells of the submucosal glands, which also express high levels of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels. It is often assumed that mucus secretion in human airways is coupled to anion secretion through CFTR Cl(-) channels located in the apical membrane. Therefore, a defect in CFTR function could cause abnormal mucus secretion leading to persistent bacterial infection and inflammation of the airways. In this study we measured simultaneous secretion of lysozyme and Cl(-) from human airway epithelial serous cells. Secretion of lysozyme was measured by a turbidimetric assay that relies on the ability of lysozyme to disrupt the wall of the bacterium Micrococcus lysodeikticus, thus causing a fall in the optical density of the sample. Secretion of Cl(-) was measured as short-circuit current in a modified Ussing chamber. Activation of Cl(-) secretion by stimulation of cAMP- or Ca(2+)-dependent pathways caused comparable increases in lysozyme secretion. Similarly, blockers of Cl(-) secretion, such as diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC), also reduced lysozyme secretion. However, while treatment of airway submucosal gland cells with antisense oligonucleotides directed against CFTR reduced Cl(-) secretion, it had no significant effect on the total amount of lysozyme secretion. These results suggest a role for functional CFTR in regulation of lysozyme secretion in human airways.     

The differential absorptive activity of epithelial cells of the rat epididymus before and after castration.

Horseradish peroxidase introduced into the lumen of the rat epididymis was taken up by the columnar cells of the epithelium by five minutes and more so after longer periods. The apical cells and particularly the clear cells in the caput and cauda epididymis, respectively, showed significantly greater endocytotic activity than the principal cell in both locations. Within 14 days after castration, however, such differences in absorptive activity among the various cell types were essentially obscured because of increased endocytosis by the androgen-deficient principal cells. The results are discussed briefly in terms of the function of different epithelial cell types and secretory/absorptive activity in the epididymis.     

Use of monoclonal antibodies reactive with secretory epithelial cells for the immunocytochemical identification of plasma cells

Six monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) were identified as plasma cell-reactive when screened on sections of human tonsil. They were all produced following immunisation of mice with cells of a human plasmacytoid line. Three of the antibodies also stained the cytoplasm (but not the surface) of blood B cells and were unreactive with other leucocytes; one McAb showed broad lymphocyte reactivity and two were completely unreactive with blood leucocytes; on testing with a panel of cell lines specificity for the plasmacytoid line was demonstrated by three of the McAbs. In spite of the marked restriction shown by the reactivity of these antibodies in tests on cells of haemopoietic origin, tests on other human tissues - including thyroid and pancreas - showed that a related antigen was present in the cytoplasm of secretory epithelial cells. The overall patterns of reactivity of the individual McAbs on various tissues and blood lymphocytes were different. Comparisons were made with the established McAb OKT10, which binds to plasma cells, early stem cells and activated lymphocytes; its binding to plasma cells was confirmed and it was shown that it did not stain secretory epithelia. The potent reactions obtained with the new McAbs suggest that antibodies to antigens associated with epithelial cell secretory apparatus provide potentially useful reagents for studying plasma cells.     

Temporary accumulation of glycogen in the epithelial cells of the developing mouse submandibular gland

Temporary accumulation of glycogen in the epithelial cells of the developing mouse submandibular gland was examined under light microscopic histochemistry and electron microscopy. To avoid loss of water-soluble glycogen during histological tissue preparation, fixation with ethanol and embedding in hydrophilic glycol methacrylate resin was used for light microscopy, and high-pressure freezing/freeze substitution for electron microscopy. Glycogen was detected on periodic acid-Schiff stain, periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate reaction, and the digestion test with alpha-amylase. On embryonic day 14, glycogen began to accumulate in the proximal portions of the developing epithelial cords. On embryonic day 17, marked glycogen particles were seen at the basal portion of the ductal epithelial cells and an abrupt increase of glycogen accumulation occurred in the secretory cells in the terminal bulbs. Ultrastructural observation indicated large clumps of glycogen particles localized in the basal portion of the terminal bulb cells. The initiation of glycogen accumulation preceded the formation of lumens in the ducts and terminal bulbs. Furthermore, proliferation analysis by bromodeoxyuridine labeling showed that this glycogen accumulation followed the cessation of the epithelial cell proliferation. Postnatally, glycogen accumulation in the terminal bulbs became gradually inconspicuous and completely disappeared by postnatal day 3, but that in the ducts was retained until around postnatal day 12. Temporary glycogen accumulation after the cell proliferation and before/during the lumen formation and secretory granule formation suggests significant involvement of the carbohydrate metabolism in the organogenesis of the submandibular gland.     

Superoxide anion generation in the liver during the early stage of endotoxemia in rats

Infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in the rat liver 3 hr after an intravenous (IV) injection of a sublethal dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was observed without any significant alteration in the total number of Kupffer and endothelial cells. Since previous studies have demonstrated that phagocytic cells in the liver were in a state of metabolic activation under similar experimental conditions, we investigated the in vitro generation of superoxide anion (O2-) by this cell type following the administration of LPS. Kupffer cells from normal rats did not release O2-, in contrast to those obtained from LPS-treated rats. The generation of O2- by Kupffer cells from endotoxic rats was elevated from 3.0 +/- 1.9 nmol/10(6) cells/60 min (mean +/- SD) in the absence of macrophage (M phi) activators, to 5.0 +/- 2.36, 11.33 +/- 5.40, and 4.33 +/- 0.90 in the presence of opsonized zymosan, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and the calcium ionophore A23187, respectively. Hepatocytes from normal or endotoxic rats did not produce detectable O2-. Endothelial cells from LPS-treated rats generated less than 0.8 nmol/10(6) cells in the presence of zymosan. PMN that accumulated in the livers of endotoxic rats released O2- only in the presence of zymosan (8.12 +/- 5.40), PMA (15.43 +/- 5.84), or A23187 (1.70 +/- 0.12). The O2- generation by blood monocytes and PMN increased significantly after endotoxin administration and in the presence of activators. These results suggest that the hypermetabolic state of phagocytic cells in the liver shortly after LPS treatment may be correlated with the increased generation of O2-. The latter may subsequently contribute to the induction of hepatic injury in endotoxemia.