Interleukin-3 down-regulates its own receptor

To gain insight into the mechanisms involved in regulating murine interleukin-3 (mIL-3) receptor expression, we have examined the effects of mIL-3 and murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF) on mIL-3 receptor internalization and re-expression and studied the relationship between mIL-3 cell surface receptor density and growth factor sensitivity. As a source of cells for our studies, we used a B6SUtA clone, B6SUtA1, which grows equally well in mIL-3 or mGM- CSF when supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum (FCS) in RPMI 1640. Intracellular processing studies carried out in the presence and absence of methylamine suggested that mIL-3 is cleaved at two specific sites before its complete digestion within lysosomes. However, unlike its ligand, cycloheximide studies indicated that internalized mIL-3 receptors are recycled to the cell surface. When B6SUtA1 cells were continuously passaged in mIL-3, cell populations allowed to exhaust the mIL-3 in the medium (high density cells) expressed more than ten times (ie, approximately 100,000/cell) the mIL-3 receptor number of those growing exponentially at low cell concentrations (low density cells). Since the high density cells were no larger than the low density cells, the marked increase in mIL-3 receptor number per cell reflects a true up-regulation of receptor expression. A kinetic analysis of this up- regulation revealed that it begins within one hour of mIL-3 exhaustion. Moreover, proliferation assays with these two cell populations, using 3H-thymidine incorporation, suggested that the high density cells were 30-fold more responsive to mIL-3. However, when B6SUtA1 cells were passaged in mGM-CSF, there was no difference in mIL-3 receptor number between high density and low density cells (ie, approximately 100,000/cell). Identical studies carried out with another mIL-3 dependent cell line, 32D C3, demonstrated that this phenomenon was not unique to B6SUtA1 cells.     

Effect of uremia on the membrane transport characteristics of red blood cells

Even though there is extensive evidence that uremia affects the fragility and deformability of red blood cells (RBCs), essentially all data on the RBC membrane permeability have been obtained with nonuremic blood. Permeability data were obtained for creatinine and uric acid, two metabolites of interest in hemodialysis, using a stirred ultrafiltration device with direct cell- and protein-free sampling. Experiments examined the effects of temperature and suspending phase on solute transport for both normal and uremic blood cells. Creatinine and uric acid transport from normal RBCs at 37 degrees C were characterized by saturation half-times of 40 +/- 10 minutes and 54 +/- 12 minutes, respectively. The corresponding half-times for uremic cells were significantly longer, 94 +/- 26 minutes and 180 +/- 38 minutes. Data indicated that the slower rate of creatinine transport in uremic blood was caused by an alteration in the RBC membrane, while the reduction in uric acid transport was associated with alterations in the uremic plasma. The temperature dependence of the RBC permeability was also much less pronounced for uremic cells for both solutes. These results provide important insights into the effects of uremia on the RBC membrane permeability, and have important implications for dialysis.     

Inhibition of delayed-type contact hypersensitivity in mice deficient in both E-selectin and P-selectin

Leukocyte rolling and emigration in response to inflammatory stimuli appears to involve both E-selectin- and P-selectin-dependent adhesion, which suggests that these molecules have overlapping functions. To clarify their relative contributions in chronic inflammation, we examined delayed-type contact hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in P- selectin, E-selectin, and E-/P-selectin-deficient mice. Oxazolone- induced increases in ear thickness and ear weight were equivalent in wild-type mice and in P-selectin and E-selectin mutants, but were significantly reduced in E-/P-selectin mutants. The number and area of microabscesses on the ears of E-/P-deficient mice were decreased by 72% and 93%, and the number of leukocytes invading the subdermal ear tissue was reduced. T cells from E-/P-deficient mice transferred oxazolone reactivity into naive wild-type mice. However, when donor T cells from wild-type mice were transferred into E-/P-selectin-deficient mice, the DTH response was significantly impaired. These results show that leukocyte recruitment into a subacute inflammatory reaction can occur when either P-selectin or E-selectin is present, but is significantly reduced when both selectins are absent. Both P- and E-selectin are likely to play important roles in the development and maintenance of inflammatory diseases.     

Compliance of Jordanian dentists with infection control strategies

Objectives : To assess whether dentists in Jordan are employing recommended infection techniques in their clinics and to identify the level of compliance of dentists with the recommended infection techniques commonly found in western countries. Participants : Dentists in Jordan (n=300). Methods : A questionnaire incorporating information regarding: infection control practices, vaccination, personal barrier protection, instrument sterilisation and disinfection, were distributed to 300 dentists in private and public practices. Results : A (93%) response rate (n=279) was available for analysis. Gloves were used by 73.3% of dentists; masks by 69.5%, protective eye wear by 43.8% and white coats worn by 75.9%. About 25% recorded patient medical histories. Offices in Jordan were found to be in compliance with respect to the use of disposable anaesthetic needles and carpules but only 27% use plastic containers for sharps; 72.6% of dentists had been vaccinated against hepatitis B viruses; approximately 70% use an autoclave for sterilisation but only 15% always use plastic bags for packing sterilised instruments. Conclusions : The majority of dental practitioners were found to be in compliance with most of the recommended infection control regulations. In this study the overall compliance with infection control procedures was 61.17% among dentists in Jordan. Further education may be appropriate in taking a medical history of each patient before treatment, wearing of masks and protective glasses and the use of plastic bags to wrap sterilised instruments.     

Suitability of hair type for dermatophytes perforation and differential diagnosis of T. mentagrophytes from T. verrucosum

Most of the dermatophyte species have the ability to perforate hair structure and consume its contents of keratin through secretion of keratinase enzyme. Two clinical isolated species of dermatophytes were diagnosed as Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum and Trichophyton verrucosum. To determine the perforation ability, the isolated fungi were incubated with the hair of four different animals (rabbit, rat, cow and cat) and human hairs with three different colours (black, albino and bleached yellow) for different periods. Variable perforating ability of T. mentagrophytes was shown in rat hair and all types of human hair after 15 days, while other mammalian hairs exhibited resistance to this fungal activity. On the other hand, T. verrucosum was revealed a slow perforating ability, which needed a long time (60 days) for most of tested hairs. Perforation of human black hair could be considered a diagnostic test for differentiation between T. mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum. In conclusion, the treated or untreated human hair was considered more suitable to use as a source of keratin for the growth of dermatophytes than animal hairs. The human black hair was a best type of hair to use in the perforating test for differentiation between T. mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum.