Lipoprotein lipase in guinea-pig adrenals: activity, mRNA, immunolocalization and regulation by ACTH.

Lipase activity in homogenates of guinea-pig adrenals was studied under conditions which exclude the hormone-sensitive lipase/cholesterol ester hydrolase. Antibody inhibition and chromatography on heparin-Sepharose showed that most of the activity was due to lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and that there was only a small amount of hepatic lipase activity. Northern blot analysis of total RNA demonstrated the same three adrenal LPL mRNA species (1.8, 3.1 and 3.5 kb) as were found in adipose tissue and heart. Hence, at least part of the LPL activity in adrenals is due to enzyme synthesized within the tissue. Immunolocalization showed that LPL was associated with the endothelium of blood vessels throughout the gland. In addition, there was cytoplasmic immunoreaction, suggesting that lipase was synthesized in a subpopulation of cells in the transitional zone between the fasciculata and reticularis layer of the cortex, particularly over lipid-filled cells. There was also intense immunofluorescence over scattered cells in the adrenal medulla. Treatment with an ACTH analogue depot (20 IU, i.m.) for 11 days induced a 12-fold increase in serum cortisol and increased adrenal weight 2.2-fold. The treatment induced increases in LPL mRNA (about twofold), LPL activity and in the number of cells in the adrenal cortex which gave an immunoreaction for LPL.     

Demonstration of endogenous lectins in synovial tissue.

We have recently shown that synoviocytes and extracellular matrices exhibit distinct patterns of carbohydrate expression. Their biological relevance is however not known. The purpose of the present study was to find out whether human synovial tissue would also show a specific receptor pattern for complex sugar molecules. Endogenous lectins were displayed by means of biotinylated neoglycoproteins and sulfated polysaccharides in paraffin-embedded material or cryosections. In addition to certain carbohydrate components that are known to be constituents of the carbohydrate part of cellular glycoconjugates, our panel included heparin and fucoidan, a sulfated fucose. Binding sites were shown using the avidin-peroxidase technique for light microscopy. The results were compared with immunohistochemical methods and enzyme histochemistry. Our study demonstrates that human synovial tissue contains a complex pattern of endogenous lectins depending on the different types of synovitis. The staining method we used in the investigation allows for precise localization of saccharide binding receptors and is therefore believed to be a reliable technique for further phenotypic characterization of synovial cells.     

Truncation mutants define and locate cytoplasmic barriers to lateral mobility of membrane glycoproteins.

The lateral mobility of cell membrane glycoproteins is often restricted by dynamic barriers. These barriers have been detected by measurements of fluorescence photobleaching and recovery (FPR) and barrier-free path (BFP). To define the location and properties of the barriers, we compared the lateral mobility, measured by FPR and BFP, of wild-type class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) membrane glycoproteins with the lateral mobility of mutant class I MHC glycoproteins truncated in their cytoplasmic domains. Mutants with 0 or 4 residues in the cytoplasmic domain were as mobile as lipid-anchored class I MHC molecules, molecules whose lateral mobility is relatively unrestricted by barriers. In contrast, mobility of class I MHC molecules with 7-residue cytoplasmic domains was as restricted as mobility of class I molecules with full-length, 31-residue cytoplasmic domains. Though some of the difference between the mobilities of mutants with 4- or 0-residue domains and the other class I molecules may be due to differences in the net charge of the cytoplasmic domain, FPR measurements of the mobility of molecules with 7-residue domains show that length of the cytoplasmic domain has an important influence on the lateral mobility. Model calculations suggest that the barriers to lateral mobility are 2-3 nm below the membrane bilayer.     

Changes in immunologic response in tonsillectomized children. I. Immunosuppression in recurrent tonsillitis.

The possible immunoregulatory role of the tonsils was studied by determining immunoglobulins IgG, A, M, E and factors C'3, C'4 and PFB of the complement system before and after tonsillectomy. The synthesis in vitro of IgG and IgM by lymphocytes stimulated with pokeweed mitogen was also measured. There were statistically significant differences between pre and post-operative levels of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, which decreased after surgery. Practically no change in the mean values of IgE and no significant differences in the levels of serum C'3, C'4, and PFB, were found. The in-vitro synthesis of both immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM) by lymphocytes increased significantly after tonsillectomy. Our results suggest that not only does tonsillectomy have no counterproductive effect on the immune system, but that, on the contrary, it seems to improve the immune response, since it appears to unblock the suppression to which the immune system was subject.     

Report on a conference on organic solvents and the nervous system.

At two scientific conferences in 1985, one in Copenhagen sponsored by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the World Health Organization (WHO), the other in Raleigh, NC, it was concluded that chronic toxic encephalopathy may develop following long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents (1,2). The terms organic affective syndrome, mild and severe chronic toxic encephalopathy were suggested for this condition describing increasing severity. In May 1990, a conference on organic solvents and the nervous system was held in Copenhagen sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities and the Danish Ministry of the Environment (3). Scientists and representatives from the governments, industries, and labour organisations from the EEC and US participated.     

Has smoking changed the epidemiology of ulcerative colitis?

The influence of smoking on the risk of developing ulcerative colitis is well documented. Compared with lifetime non-smokers, the risk is reduced in smokers and increased in ex-smokers. During the past 50 years general smoking habits have changed considerably. The proportions of smokers and ex-smokers among men and women have undergone significant changes and, consequently, probably also their risk of ulcerative colitis. A review of 56 earlier epidemiologic studies of ulcerative colitis from 1930 to 1990 showed that the sex distribution in ulcerative colitis has changed from an earlier female predominance that has now been replaced by a male predominance. In contemporary pediatric studies no such changes were seen. We propose that these changes in adults are not related to the disease per se but to an extrinsic factor affecting adults but not children--namely smoking.