Evidence on the involvement in inflammation of an enzyme resembling aminopeptidase B

The presence of arginine aminopeptidases in samples obtained from human oral abscesses and cysts (acute or chronic) and the respective serum was studied, with special reference to the possible involvement of aminopeptidase B (APB). All pus and inflammatory cyst fluid samples studied contained an enzyme closely related to rat liver APB (true APB). The serum of these patients revealed an APB-like enzyme when chromatographed on Sephadex G-100 Superfine columns, but the peak representing this enzyme disappeared when penicillin was administered to the patient. There was no APB like enzyme in the serum of persons with no oral abscesses. The results supported the earlier suggestions of APB as an aminopeptidase being extracellularly active in pathological conditions only. It is possible that an APB-assay in serum could show the efficacy of the treatment with antibiotics in the cases described. The APB-like enzyme studied differed from the rat liver enzyme as regards substrate specificity and molecular weight, but resembled it in several other properties.     

Acute renal failure in early life

Data are presented on 25 children under 2 years of age with acute renal failure treated by peritoneal dialysis. The clinical features, treatment, complications, and outcome of the illnesses are described. 22 (88%) survived, and though the incidence of serious complications during the illness was high most regained full health and normal renal function.     

Ultrasonic findings in the vitreous space in patients with detachment of the retina

Summary Ultrasonic observations were made of the vitreous body and the subretinal space of the sick eye and of the vitreous body of the other eye on 32 unselected subjects with idiopathic detachment of the retina. In almost all sick eyes a severe state of degeneration of the vitreous body was observed, and in all cases examined the subretinal space was acoustically heterogeneous.In the other eye degeneration of the vitreous body was often observed, although to a lesser degree than in the eye with retinal detachment. The ultrasonic examination of the vitreous body may yield information as to the disposition of the eye with regard to detachment of the retina.

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Zusammenfassung Bei 32 nicht ausgewählten Patienten, die an einseitiger idiopathischer Netzhautablösung litten, wurden mit Ultraschall der Glaskörper und Subretinalraum des Ablösungsauges sowie der Glaskörper des andern Auges untersucht. In allen an Netzhautablösung leidenden Augen wurde deutliche Degeneration, d.h. Synärese des Glaskörpers festgestellt, und der Subretinalraum war in allen untersuchten Fällen akustisch heterogen.In dem anderen Auge stieß man oft auf Glaskörperdegeneration, die jedoch geringer war als im Ablösungsauge. Die Ultraschalluntersuchung des Glaskörpers kann uns Kenntnis von der Disposition des Auges für Netzhautablösung vermitteln.

     

Comparison of nitric oxide donors in lowering intraocular pressure in rabbits: role of cyclic GMP.

L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway participates in the physiology and in many pathological processes in the eye, such as glaucoma. The aim of the present study was to compare the ocular hypotensive effect of different NO-donors, and to get more information on the role of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) in this process. The test compounds were administered topically or intravitreally in the eye of a normotensive rabbit. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a pneumatonometer after topical anesthesia. The metabolites of NO (nitrite, nitrate, NOx) and cGMP were assayed from the aqueous humor and plasma. NO-synthase (NOS) protein expression was assayed in the ciliary body by Western blotting. The maximal lowering of IOP was achieved as follows: atriopeptin III (concentration 78 (microM, decrease in IOP 50%), atriopeptin II (84 (microM 37%). 8-Br-cGMP (90 mM, 37%), zaprinast + 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM + 90 mM, 34%), L-arginine (1 mM, 29%), SNP (40 mM, 28%), nitrosocaptopril (100 mM, 28%), S-nitrosothiol (SNOG) (10 mM, 27%), YC-1 (10 (microM, 25%), zaprinast + SNP (1 mM + 40 mM, 22%), spermine NONOate (100 mM, 20%) [corrected]. The decrease in IOP lasted for 2-5 hr, except with atriopeptin II and III, when IOP values were first normalized in 6 hr and 2 days, respectively. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that by increasing the activity of L-arginine/NO/cGMP-pathway it is possible to lower IOP in rabbits equally to the currently used antiglaucomatous drugs.     

Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) and the urokinase receptor (CD87) form a functional unit on monocytic cells

The leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) and the urokinase receptor (uPAR, CD87) mediate complementary functions in myelomonocytic cells. Both receptors promote degradation of fibrin(ogen) and also confer adhesive properties on cells because Mac-1 and uPAR bind fibrin and vitronectin, respectively. Staining of lung biopsy specimens from patients with acute lung injury indicated that fibrin and vitronectin colocalize at exudative sites in which macrophages bearing these receptors accumulate. Because of the parallel roles and physical proximity of Mac-1 and uPAR, the capacity of these receptors to functionally interact was explored. Induction of Mac-1 and uPAR expression on monocytic cell lines by transforming growth factor- beta 1 and 1.25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 conferred urokinase and uPAR-dependent adhesion to vitronectin, which was further promoted by engagement of Mac-1. Vitronectin attachment promoted subsequent Mac-1-mediated fibrinogen degradation threefold to fourfold. In contrast, enhancement of uPAR occupancy by exogenous urokinase or receptor binding fragments thereof inhibited Mac-1 function. Addition of urokinase progressively inhibited Mac-1-mediated fibrinogen binding and degradation (maximal inhibition, 91% +/- 14% and 72% +/- 15%, respectively). Saturation of uPAR with urokinase also inhibited binding of the procoagulant Mac-1 ligand, Factor X. These inhibitory effects of uPAR were reproduced in fresh monocytes, cultured monocytic cells, and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with both human Mac-1 and human uPAR. These data show that the procoagulant and fibrinolytic potential of monocytic cells is co-ordinately regulated by ligand binding to both Mac-1 and uPAR and identify uPAR as a regulator of integrin function. Vitronectin- enhanced fibrin(ogen) turnover by Mac-1 may operate as a salvage pathway in the setting of urokinase and plasmin inhibitors to promote clearance of the provisional matrix and subsequent healing.