Modulation of in vitro eosinophil progenitors by hydrocortisone: role of accessory cells and interleukins

The growth of human eosinophil progenitors (CFU-Eo) and the modulation of growth by hydrocortisone were studied as functions of the presence of lymphocytes and monocytes in marrow cells under study; and the source of colony-stimulating factors, specifically, media conditioned by macrophage-like cell line, GCT; phytohemagglutinin-stimulated mononuclear cells (PHA-LCM); or the T cell line, MO. CFU-Eo growth was greatest in marrow containing accessory cells as compared to marrow depleted of accessory cells; and in marrow treated with phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte conditioned media (PHA-LCM) or MO (T cell line)-conditioned medium (MO-CM) as compared with GCT cell- conditioned medium (GCT-CM). Hydrocortisone reproducibly inhibited eosinophil progenitor growth in unfractionated marrow stimulated by GCT- CM. This effect was abrogated by admixing irradiated mononuclear cells or T lymphocytes with the target marrow or by adding interleukin 1 or interleukin 2 (IL-1, IL-2). Inhibition by hydrocortisone did not occur when monocyte and T lymphocyte depleted marrow was studied. Unlike GCT- CM, MO-CM and PHA-LCM stimulated equal proportions of eosinophil progenitors in nondepleted and accessory cell-depleted marrow and demonstrated less hydrocortisone inhibition. However, both GCT-CM and PHA-LCM produced in the presence of hydrocortisone stimulated significantly fewer CFU-Eos in both unfractionated and accessory cell- depleted marrow target populations. These results indicate that the growth of CFU-Eo and inhibition of growth by hydrocortisone is a direct function of a monocyte-T cell interaction and probably is mediated through effects on the production/release of eosinophil colony stimulating factor (Eo-CSF).     

Pertussis toxin treatment of whole blood. A novel approach to assess G protein function in congestive heart failure

This study was designed to assess G protein function in mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). MNL membranes were ADP-ribosylated in vitro in the presence of pertussis or cholera toxin. The amount of pertussis toxin substrates did not differ significantly between CHF patients (6,100 +/- 224 fmol/mg, n = 23) and age-matched healthy control subjects (5,812 +/- 972 fmol/mg protein, n = 19). Among the CHF patients, no differences were observed between those with idiopathic and ischemic CHF. The amount of cholera toxin substrates also did not differ significantly between CHF patients (7,522 +/- 1,405 fmol/mg protein, n = 11) and control subjects (5,654 +/- 707 fmol/mg protein, n = 14). Moreover, basal and isoproterenol- and prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in MNL was similar in control subjects and patients. To detect more subtle alterations of the cAMP-generating system, we incubated anticoagulated blood with 250-400 ng/ml pertussis toxin for 4 hours at 37 degrees C. This treatment completely ADP-ribosylated the MNL pertussis toxin substrates. Incubation with pertussis toxin did not change basal or prostaglandin E1-stimulated cAMP generation in MNL of control subjects, but it significantly enhanced stimulated generation (443 +/- 44 vs. 643 +/- 93 pmol/10(7) cells, p less than 0.025) in MNL of CHF patients. This enhancement was most pronounced in the most severely ill patients (New York Heart Association class IV) and correlated with plasma norepinephrine levels, another marker of CHF severity (r = 0.798, n = 11, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differential induction of progestin-binding sites in uterine cell types by estrogen and antiestrogen

Effects of antiestrogen on progestin binding in uterine cell types were determined and compared to those of estrogen. Effects on uterine morphology were also studied. Immature rats were treated with four daily sc injections of 100 micrograms hydroxytamoxifen [TAM(OH)], 5 micrograms estradiol (E2), or oil. On day 5 the rats were injected iv with 1 microgram of the synthetic progestin [3H]Org 2058, and 1 h later uteri were excised, weighed, and processed for thaw-mount autoradiography. Treatment with TAM(OH) or E2 resulted in uterine weight gain, which was greater in animals treated with E2. E2 treatment resulted in cellular hypertrophy in all tissue compartments, especially in the luminal epithelium and myometrium, but TAM(OH) treatment resulted in hypertrophy of only the luminal epithelium. Treatment with TAM(OH) or E2 changed the pattern and intensity of nuclear binding of [3H]Org 2058 from that in oil-treated controls. E2 increased progestin binding in stroma and myometrium and decreased it in luminal epithelium. TAM(OH), similarly, decreased progestin binding in the luminal epithelium and increased it, albeit less than E2, in the myometrium, but left it unchanged in the stroma. The results indicate that E2 and TAM(OH) differentially effect progestin binding among the uterine tissue compartments.     

Effect of the alpha-adrenergic blocker, doxazosin, on endothelial function and insulin action

Essential hypertension is associated with impairment of both endothelial function and insulin action, and this has provided rationale for the use of antihypertensive agents that are at least neutral, if not beneficial, in these areas. This study examines the effect of the alpha-adrenergic blocker, doxazosin, on endothelial function and insulin action. Sixteen patients with essential hypertension were recruited with 13 (3 men/10 women; median age, 55 years; range, 38 to 65 years) completing the study. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study design was used. After a 6-week placebo run-in, there were two 12-week treatment periods of either placebo or doxazosin, separated by a 6-week wash out period. Subjects were studied at the end of each treatment period with endothelial function assessed by forearm plethysmography and insulin action by the hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Blood pressure was significantly lowered by doxazosin (doxazosin 144 +/-3/86 +/- 2 mm Hg; placebo 159 +/- 3/96 +/- 1 mm Hg, P <.005 for both systolic and diastolic pressure; mean +/- SEM). Baseline forearm blood flow (FBF) was unchanged (doxazosin 4.9 +/- 0.9; placebo 4.0 +/- 0.7 mL x 100 mL(-1) x min(-1), P >.05), however, FBF responses (area under dose response curve, percentage change in infused:control arm ratio) to acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent vasodilation) were improved by doxazosin (doxazosin 58.6 +/- 11.7 standard units [SU]; placebo 22.1 +/- 7.0 SU, P =.03) with responses to sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent vasodilation) unchanged (doxazosin 40.3 +/- 5.5 SU; placebo 46.3 +/- 8.1 SU, P >.05). Exogenous glucose infusion rates to maintain euglycemia during hyperinsulinemia were not significantly different (doxazosin 30.4 +/- 0.9; placebo 32.3 +/- 1.0 micromol x kg(-1) min(-1), P >.05). Suppression of postabsorptive endogenous glucose production by insulin was also unchanged by treatment (doxazosin 65.6% +/- 7.5% suppression; placebo 68.3% +/- 11.2% suppression, P >.05). Doxazosin has a neutral effect on both peripheral and hepatic insulin action, but improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation. These results indicate that doxazosin can be used safely in patients with insulin resistance, while its positive effect on endothelial function may lessen the subsequent incidence of atherosclerosis.     

Substrate for endothelial prostacyclin production in the presence of platelets exposed to collagen is derived from the platelets rather than the endothelium

Interactions between vascular endothelial cells and blood platelets have been investigated using a model microcirculation consisting of microcarrier beads colonized with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and perfused with washed platelet suspensions. To simulate the effects of endothelial desquamation and exposure of subendothelium, fibrillar collagen in suspension was coinjected with the platelets. In this model, neither the passage of platelets alone nor collagen alone stimulated prostacyclin (PGI2) production by the HUVECs. Platelets activated by coinjection with collagen released thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and this was associated with the simultaneous production of PGI2 by the HUVECs. By means of double-isotope experiments with [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) incorporated into platelets and [14C]-AA into HUVECs, it was shown that all the PGI2 generated was derived from platelet AA and/or endoperoxides. This interpretation was strengthened by the finding that PGI2 production was not prevented by treatment of HUVECs with indomethacin followed by perfusion with collagen-stimulated platelets. AA metabolites in double-isotope label experiments were further characterized by reverse-phase chromatography, and it was shown that both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products of the HUVECs were derived from platelet membrane lipid. Thrombin regularly produced transient PGI2 release, but showed rapid tachyphylaxis. Platelet-derived compounds including ADP, ATP, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) did not produce PGI2 release by HUVECs in this system. Thus, the transfer of AA and metabolites from collagen- stimulated platelets is likely to be the mechanism for PGI2 production in the context of minor degrees of endothelial desquamation.     

FcR-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 infection by antibody

Although CD4 is a major receptor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of cells, studied by ourselves and others clearly show that the Fc receptor (FcR) also plays a role in infection, perhaps in conjunction with other surface receptors. IgG antibodies to HIV-1 will enhance infectivity in cells (such as monocyte-macrophages) that have surface Fc receptors; F(ab')2 fragments of antibodies did not enhance, and blocking of FcR inhibited enhancement. The high-affinity FcR for IgG (Fc gamma RI) appeared to be functional. Sera from HIV-1-infected patients had neutralizing activity at high concentrations, but enhanced infection at low concentrations (i.e., high dilutions). Our studies show that the CD4 receptor is required for antibody-mediated enhancement of infection, as enhancement can be blocked by recombinant soluble CD4 and by Leu3 antibody. Although enhancement can be demonstrated in vitro, the in vivo importance of enhancing antibodies remains to be defined in HIV-1 infection.     

Nature of polymorphism in HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules.

Diversity in 39 HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules is derived from 20 amino acid positions of high variability and 71 positions of low variability. Variation in the structurally homologous alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains is distinct and may correlate with partial segregation of peptide and T-cell receptor binding functions. Comparison of 15 HLA-A with 20 HLA-B molecules reveals considerable locus-specific character, due primarily to differences at polymorphic residues. The results indicate that genetic exchange between alleles of the same locus has been a more important mechanism in the generation of HLA-A, -B, and -C diversity than genetic exchange events between alleles of different loci.     

吸氧对听感觉门控P50的影响

目的研究呼吸纯氧对健康人听感觉门控P50的影响。方法右利手、健康男性大学生志愿者28名,根据随机数字表分为对照组(n=12)和实验组(n=16)。佩戴面罩,对照组呼吸空气,实验组呼吸医用纯氧60 min。应用条件-测试刺激,记录吸氧前(pre0)、吸氧20 min(Oxy20)、吸氧50 min(Oxy50)、吸氧后30 min(post30)的脑电图,计算听觉P50潜伏期和P50感觉门控电位(S1与S2振幅之差)。结果 S1刺激在4个时间点各组P50潜伏期相对稳定(P0.7);吸氧50 min时,实验组比对照组P50潜伏期缩短(P0.05)。S2刺激在4个时间点各组P50潜伏期相对稳定(P0.30),两组间比较无显著性差异(P0.05)。对照组P50门控电位比较稳定(P=0.70),而实验组随吸氧时间逐渐延长,电位越来越高,停止吸氧后,电位迅速回落,Oxy20和post30(P=0.04)、Oxy50和post30(P=0.02)相比均有显著性差异。组间比较,4个时间点均无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论健康人吸60 min纯氧,可能缩短对刺激的反应时间,有增强听觉门控电位的趋势。