Binding proteins for insulin-like growth factors in the human ovary: identification, follicular fluid levels and immunohistological localization of the 29-32 kd type 1 binding protein, IGF-bp1.

The occurrence of pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 1-globulin (alpha 1-PEG), a 29-32 kd insulin-like growth factor binding protein, now termed type 1 or IGF-bp1, has been examined in the human ovary by monoclonal and polyclonal antibody based radioimmunoassay and immunohistological techniques. Follicular fluids aspirated from 51 follicles of 32 women undergoing hyperstimulation involving buserelin or clomiphene-based protocols contained 35.5-276.0 ng/ml (mean 101.0 mg/ml) of immunoreactive IGF-bp1. Mean fluid concentrations were three times the level of IGF-bp1 detected in paired serum samples, available for 21 women. Immunoreactive IGF-bp1 in follicular fluid exhibited similar dose-response curves to purified protein and amniotic fluid and immunoreactive IGF-bp1 coeluted in gel filtration with a peak of [125I]-IGF-1 binding corresponding to the elution profile of purified IGF-bp1. Gel filtration also revealed the presence in follicular fluid of a greater than 100 kd binding protein with a binding capacity equal to IGF-bp1 under the conditions employed. A highly significant correlation (P less than 0.001) was found between follicular fluid progesterone and IGF-bp1 and a correlation of lower significance was found between oestradiol and IGF-bp1 (P less than 0.05). However, only low levels of immunoreactive IGF-bp1 were detected in supernatant media of granulosa cells in culture (range undetectable to 2.3 ng/ml). Employing monoclonal antibody-based immunohistology, immunoreactive IGF-bp1 was consistently associated with luteinized granulosa cells of corpora lutea rather than paraluteal cells and its intensity of reactivity appeared to reflect luteal phase steroid hormone profiles. No consistent reactivity was detected in preovulatory follicles and granulosa cells in culture, although reactivity was associated with primordial oocytes. Immunoreactive IGF-bp1 was detected in six of nine supernatant media of explants of luteal tissue obtained from five corpora lutea, with levels ranging from undetectable to greater than 200 ng/ml. These observations suggest that IGF-bp1 is primarily related to luteinization of the granulosa and the resultant luteal cells, and if produced by the luteal cells, additional exogenous factors are required to induce production by granulosa cells in vitro.     

Morphologic evaluation of the liver in hereditary angioedema patients on long-term treatment with androgen derivatives

17 alpha-Alkylated androgens are highly effective in preventing attacks in HAE patients. These drugs, however, seem to be implicated in the development of cholestatic jaundice, peliosis hepatis, and liver tumors. In order to assess the risk-benefit balance of the long-term therapy with androgen derivatives, a follow-up investigation was performed in 13 HAE patients. The results of this study indicate that long-term treatment (15 to 47 mo) with low doses of danazol or stanozolol does not induce significant hepatic damage detectable by laboratory tests or liver biopsy. However, the limited number of patients, although in a rather long period of observation, still suggests a careful control and the use of minimal effective doses.     

Micro-centrifugation of human spermatozoa: its effect on fertilization of hamster oocytes after micro-insemination spermatozoal transfer

Micro-centrifugation (MC) at 6500 r.p.m. (3352 g) has not beenused previously for spermatozoal concentration and subsequentfertilization. We investigated MC for micro-insemination spermatozoaltransfer (MIST) of human spermatozoa from normal donors intohamster oocytes. MC resulted in reduced penetration of hamsteroocytes, both after MIST [77.4% (41/53) versus 87.8% (43/49)for control; NS] and after exposure to zona-free hamster oocytes[60.8% (79/130) versus 72.7% (88/121) for control; P < 0.05].However, MIST under the zona resulted in better incorporationof sperm nuclei when compared with zona-free hamster oocytes,for spermatozoa exposed to micro-centrifugation (77.4 versus60.8%, P < 0.05) and controls (87.8 versus 72.7%, P <0.05). Polyspermy was higher after MIST [22.0% (9/41) versus13.9% (11/79); NS] for MC + , and [25.6% (11/43) versus 13.6%(12/88); NS] for MC-. We conclude that MC does have a negative,but minimal effect on the fertility of human spermatozoa withrespect to hamster oocytes.     

Structure of the functional interleukin-2 receptor: Evidence for the association of human p55 and murine p75 molecules in a mouse T cell line

The structural basis of the high affinity interleukin-2 receptorwhich was previously reconstituted in a cultured murine T cellline, EL4 by expressing either wild-type Tac antigen complementaryDNA (cDNA) or a chimeric cDNA was characterized. The chimericcDNA encodes a membrane portion whose extracellular portionconsists of that of Tac antigen whereas transmembrane and cytoplasmicportions consists of those the human insulin beta chain. TheTac antigen/anti-Tac antibody complex was treated by chemicalcrosslinking reagents, purified by goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin(lg), and was analysed by SDS–PAGE. We here demonstrated the presence in mouse EL4 transfectantsof a novel membrane protein which is closely associated withthe products of transfected cDNAs in the absence of interleukln-2.The protein is 75 kDa in size and is detected in cells whichexpress high affinity interieukln-2 receptor but not in cellswhich only express low affinity interleukin-2 receptor. Thetransmembrane region and the cytoplasmic region of Tac antigenis not necessary for the formation of the complex consistingof Tac antigen and 75 kDa molecule, indicating that a murine75 kDa molecule associates with Tac antigen extra-cellularly.     

Macromolecular DNA-damage in murine and human leukemic and lymphoid cells after in vitro exposure to ASTA Z 7557 (INN mafosfamide)

Summary Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is widely used against leukemic and lymphoproliferative diseases, but in vitro studies on response to this agent so far have been limited to instable derivatives with poor galenic properties. ASTA Z 7557 is a newly synthesized activated cyclophosphamide that circumvents the need for hepatic activation and has good stability. The critical cytotoxic lesions after exposure to bifunctional alkylating agents presumably are DNA interstrand crosslinks (ISC). We have, therefore, examined the formation and apparent removal of ISC after in vitro treatment with ASTA Z 7557 by use of the highly sensitive alkaline elution technique. Survival of murine L1210 cells was determined after 1 hour in vitro exposure with a D 37 value of 5.7 g/ml (from the initial shoulder part of the survival curve) and a Do value of 1.5 g/ml (from the exponential part of the curve). Previous labelling of L1210 cells by ¹²⁵IUdR simplified the alkaline elution procedure but there was some cytotoxicity of the radiochemical itself with a reduction of cloning efficiency from 77% to 61 %. The maximum of ISC was observed at 6 h after initiation of treatment with much of the damage apparently removed at 24 h. The simultaneous presence of DNA single strand breaks (SSB), however, confounds the analysis of DNA damage at 24 h and early cytolysis and unaided death of human lymphocytes often preclude the analysis of macromolecular damage at this time. Human peripheral blood cells isolated from patients with leukemic or lymphoproliferative diseases showed a remarkable heterogeneity with regard to the formation of ISC at 3 h. Thus, analysis of macromolecular damage may become an additional prognostic factor for response to CPA beyond the morphologic classification of these diseases.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to guinea pig lymphoid differentiation antigens

We have prepared 2 mouse monoclonal antibodies which react with differentiation antigens on guinea pig lymphoid cells. Monoclone 5AB2 recognizes an antigen expressed on both T and B lymphocytes and absent on macrophages. It has proven useful in the preparation of populations of antigen presenting cells which are free of T and B lymphocytes. The second monoclonal, 8BE6, is specific for peripheral T cells and 10% of thymocytes. It reacts with a 68,000 dalton molecule which is also expressed on the guinea pig B cell leukemia, EN-L2C. 8BE6 has proven to be lytic for peripheral T cells in the presence of rabbit complement and has been used to deplete T cells from heterogenous cell populations.     

凝血酶对人重组内皮细胞衍生IL—8融合蛋白转换作用

本文报道利用基因工程技术在大肠杆菌中表达出入内皮细胞衍生IL-8(EDhIL-8)与细菌蛋白lacZ 的融合蛋白lac-hIL-8和lac-T-hIL-8,后者含有一个人工合成凝血酶切点。EDhIL-8上含有一个凝血酶切点,凝血酶可以将lac-hIL-8及以前表达的MS2-hIL-8水解为有生物活性的天然IL-8,而对含有两个凝血酶切点的lac-T-hIL-8无水解作用。这些结果提示凝血酶的功能不仅依赖于所识别的氨基酸,而且依赖于这些氨基酸形成的构象。     

The incidence of abnormal morphology and nucleocytoplasmic ratios in 2-, 3- and 5-day human pre-embryos

Human cleaving pre-embryos at 2 and 3 days and cavitated pre-embryos at 5 days post-insemination have been examined for cell number and the incidence of mononucleated cells. At least 60% of polynucleate or anucleate cells have been detected at all these stages and regardless of morphological grading at day 2. It is concluded that even by the time at which pre-embryo replacement would occur therapeutically, the majority of pre-embryos are unlikely to have full developmental potential. The possible origins of the abnormalities of nucleocytoplasmic ratios are discussed.     

Photodynamic action of concanavalin A-chlorin conjugate e6 on human fibroblasts

Laboratory of Biomembranes, Institute of Applied Molecular Biology, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR I. P. Ashmarin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 109, No. 2, pp. 150–152, February, 1990.