Calpain in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells

Calcium dependent proteolysis was examined in supernatant prepared from cultured bovine lens epithelial (BLE) cells. The presence of the calcium activated protease, calpain, was indicated by immunorecognition of 80 kDa and 30 kDa subunits of calpain in BLE cell supernatant. Degradation of 125I-alpha-crystallin and FITC labeled casein by BLE cell supernatant were shown to be calcium dependent. Inhibition of activity was achieved with EGTA, calpastatin or CbzValPheH. The data presented are the first measurement of calpain activity in cultured lens cells.     

Antenatal sonographic diagnosis of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) was suspected on ultrasound examination of a fetus at 30.5 weeks of gestation. The criteria for establishing this prenatal diagnosis as well as the importance of establishing the diagnosis at any gestational age are discussed. The diagnosis of AMC was confirmed at birth in this case.     

Brain beta-endorphin and spinal-cord enkephalin concentrations in experimental arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis was produced experimentally in male albino ICR mice by intrathecal injection of meglumine iocarmate . A control group received intrathecal injection of an electrolyte solution resembling CSF. Eight weeks after injection, the brains and spinal cords were removed for brain beta-endorphin and spinal cord met-enkephalin measurement by radioimmunoassay, and the dural sacs were removed for histologic examination to confirm the presence or absence of arachnoiditis. Brain beta-endorphin content was significantly reduced and spinal-cord enkephalin concentration was significantly elevated in iocarmate-treated animals. The dura and arachnoid in the treated mice were thickened and infiltrated with lymphocytes. These studies indicate that arachnoiditis alters endogenous polypeptide concentrations.