The adaptation of the plaque reduction assay for measuring specific cytotoxic cells in limiting dilution cultures

The use of the original haemolytic plaque reduction technique to measure cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been developed further as a rapid screening assay, particularly suitable for limiting dilution analyses. Using hybridoma cells as targets, the cytotoxicity has been measured by the loss of haemolytic plaque formation and by the reduction of the amount of haemolytic monoclonal antibody secreted from viable target cells into the assay supernatants. The assessment of large numbers of cytotoxic samples has been greatly facilitated by quantitating the amount of haemoglobin released in the assay with an automated microELISA multiscanner and by scoring visually using a modification of the spot test. Using these new techniques, relatively high frequency estimates of cytotoxic cell precursors in an allogeneic response (1 in 462 spleen cells) and an anti-fluorescein response (1 in 3970 spleen cells) were obtained.     

Characterization and cross-reactivity of rabbit antisera to plaque toxins

The effects of heat labile, high molecular weight water-soluble toxins from bacterial plaque on HL60 promyelocytic cells were examined. On gel filtration, four inhibitors of HL60 cell growth and two inhibitors of HeLa cell growth (PT1, PT2) were detected. The first and third HL60 cell inhibitors corresponded to the two HeLa cell inhibitors. The last eluted HL60 cell inhibitor (plaque leukotoxin, PL) did not inhibit HeLa cell growth. Anti-PT2 antibodies reduced the activity of enriched PT2 by 20-50%, but all other antisera tested exhibited no effect. Anti-PL antibodies detected antigens from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, although anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans and anti-Capnocytophaga sputigena antibodies did not react with plaque extract. These findings suggest that the plaque toxins examined in this study were probably not derived from these two bacteria.     

False results associated with darkground microscopy of subgingival plaque

This study considers false results which may arise due to problems in the preparation or examination of specimens for darkground microscopy of subgingival plaque. Subgingival plaque samples obtained with a sterile curette were placed in 0.1-0.3 ml sterile full or 1/4 strength Ringer's solution: 0.85% saline, 1% gelatin in 0.85% saline, formal saline or pyrogen-free water for injection. Test slides were prepared from the original dispersion, and control slides from the corresponding sterile solution. Optimal dispersion solution, syringe dispersion frequency and the effect on motility of delay in processing samples were tested. Slides were also prepared from dispersions of 11 representative subgingival "periodontopathic" organisms. Problems in sampling included variability in counts between sites with comparable pocket depths, contamination of the sample and reduction of the sample volume after scaling. Problems in dispersion included contamination, uneven distribution of the different morphotypes and destruction of delicate organisms. Problems in slide preparation included slide contamination, limitation in the number of samples that can be assessed by one examiner at a given time without loss of activity of motile cells, and preparation of a cell monolayer. Problems in identification and counting included confusion of Brownian movements with motility, coccoid particles with cocci, spirochetes with campylobacter, flagella with flagella-like structures, size of cocci, counting of fragmented spirochetes and non-motile flagellated organisms and motile cells, and also bias in counting. Problems in morphotype grouping included the observation that many (10 of the 11 representative) periodontitis-related organisms were in the non-motile groups and not all cells of the motile species (Campylobacter, Capnocytophaga) showed motility. The results indicate that each stage of subgingival plaque darkground microscopy, sampling, dispersion, slide preparation, counting, morphotype grouping and interpretation may lead to false results if not representative or reproducible. Procedures are suggested for the minimisation of problems in the preparation and examination of subgingival plaque specimens for darkground microscopy.     

Immunohistological study of senile brains by using a monoclonal antibody recognizing β amyloid precursor protein: significance of granular deposits in relation with senile plaques

Summary Immunochemical analyses revealed that a monclonal antibody Am-3 recognized amyloid precursor protein (APP) in senile plaques extracted from Alzheimer's brain, but did not recognize amyloid protein. Immunohistochemically, however, the staining pattern of Am-3 in frozen section of Alzheimer's brain was almost the same with that of rabbit polyclonal antibody to amyloid peptide which could recognize both amyloid protein and APP. In other words, APP was present in senile plaques of various types, cerebrovascular amyloid and granular deposits. The granular deposits were 5–10 m in size and laminarily distributed in the 1st, 3rd and 4th layers of cerebral cortex. They were especially abundant in 1st and 4th layers where senile plaques were usually fewer in number. Although the distribution in the cerebral cortex was different between the senile plaques and the granular deposits, the number of the granular deposits was well correlated with that of senile plaques. The granular deposits were negative in Congo-red birefringence, but contained amyloid protein as well as APP fragment judging from positive staining by both Am-3 and polyclonal antibody to synthetic amyloid peptide. Thus, they could be regarded as pre-amyloid.     

Amyloid-P-component-like immunoreactivity in β/A4-immunoreactive deposits in Alzheimer-type dementia brains

An immunohistochemical study using the mirror-image technique was performed in order to establish whether amyloid P component is involved in the mechanism of deposition of amyloid fibrils in senile plaques (SPs) in Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD). Ninety percent of /A4 protein-immunoreactive SPs were also stained by the anti-amyloid P component immunchistochemistry, and this applied to all of the diffuse, primitive and classical types of /A4 deposits. These findings may suggest an involvement of amyloid P component in the formation of amyloid fibrils in senile plaques in ATD brains.     

Polyclonal 111In-IgG, 125I-LDL and 125I-endothelin-1 accumulation in experimental arterial wall injury

To test iodine-125 labelled low-density lipoprotein (¹²⁵I-LDL), polyclonal indium-111 labelled immunoglobulin G (¹¹¹In-IgG) and iodine-125 labelled endothelin-1 uptake in metabolically active atheromatous plaques after arterial wall injury, we performed balloon de-endothelialization of carotid arteries or abdominal aortas in 24 New Zealand male rabbits which were fed with a normal diet (n=14) or a hypercholesterolaemic diet (n=10) after surgery. Six weeks later the animals were injected with 200 Ci of (¹²⁵I-LDL), and/or with 100 Ci of ¹¹¹In-IgG or with 9 Ci of ¹²⁵I-endothelin-1. Forty-eight hours later the animals were sacrificed. Carotid arteries and aortas were removed, counted and fixed for autoradiography and light microscopy examination. Contralateral carotid arteries and thoracic aortas served as controls.Significant ¹¹¹In-IgG uptake was observed in the injured arteries at autoradiography, with localization mainly in the healing edges, and at well counting. The percentage of the injected dose per gram (%D.inj/g) was 0.0188±0.06 versus 0.0059±0.003 in controls (P< 0.05). There was no difference in ¹¹¹In-IgG uptake between arteries with injury alone and those with active atheroma formation at the site of the injury. Significant (¹²⁵I-LDL), uptake was observed only when lipid deposition was present at light microscopy (%D.inj/g of 0.0024±0.0005 vs 0.0010±0.0003 in controls, P < 0.05). ¹²⁵I-endothelin-1 accumulation was observed in four of five injured aortas both at autoradiography, with diffuse localization, and at well counting (%D.inj/g of 0.0012±0.0004 in the abdominal aortas vs 0.0008±0.0003 in the thoracic aortas).Polyclonal IgG may accumulate in injured arteries without active atheroma formation. Inflammatory reaction at the site of the injury may cause ¹¹¹In-IgG uptake independently of atheromatous plaque formation. LDL accumulation takes place only with active atheroma formation at the site of the injury. Use of labelled peptides such as endothelin-1 may provide further insight into the mechanisms of atheromatous plaque formation.     

缬沙坦对颈动脉不稳定斑块患者血清炎症介质及缺血性脑卒中复发的影响

目的探讨缬沙坦对颈动脉不稳定斑块患者血清C-反应蛋白(CRP)、可溶性血管内皮细胞黏附分子-1(sVCAM-1)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的影响及对缺血性脑卒中复发干预的临床研究。方法不稳定斑块65例,缬沙坦治疗组33例,缬沙坦胶囊,80 mg,每日1次,口服,其他治疗措施与对照组基本相同。对照组32例,利尿降压药,口服。治疗前、1个月、2个月、38个月抽空腹静脉血共计5 ml,检测CRP、sVCAM-1、IL-6、血糖,同时监测血压。38个月时统计两组脑梗死复发和死亡情况,以CT或磁共振成像(MRI)出现新的梗塞灶为准。结果在1、2、38个月后治疗组血清CRP、sVCAM-1I、L-6浓度逐渐降低,组内相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),对照组除转变为硬斑者外其余变化不大。治疗组和对照组组间相比变化较大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。终点38个月时,治疗组、对照组经CT或MRI证实脑梗死复发为7例(21.2%)和15例(46.9%)例,死亡为2例(6.1%)和5例(15.6%)例,治疗组复发率和病死率明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论缬沙坦稳定颈动脉斑块与血清中CRP、sVCAM-1I、L-6炎症介质的降低密切相关,降低不稳定斑块的破裂,从而减少了缺血性脑卒中的复发和死亡。     

Inactivation Methods for Experimental Nipah Virus Infection

Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes severe disease in humans and livestock. Due to its high pathogenicity in humans and the lack of available vaccines and therapeutics, NiV needs to be handled in biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories. Safe inactivation of samples containing NiV is thus necessary to allow further processing in lower containment areas. To date, there is only limited information available on NiV inactivation methods validated by BSL-4 facilities that can be used as a reference. Here, we compare some of the most common inactivation methods in order to evaluate their efficacy at inactivating NiV in infected cells, supernatants and organs. Thus, several physical and chemical inactivation methods, and combinations thereof, were assessed. Viral replication was monitored for 3 weeks and NiV presence was assessed by RT-qPCR, plaque assay and indirect immunofluorescence. A total of nineteen methods were shown to reduce NiV infectious particles in cells, supernatants and organs to undetectable levels. Therefore, we provide a list of methods for the safe and efficient inactivation of NiV.     

血脂与血管内超声-虚拟组织学评价冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块性质

目的:探讨血脂和血管内超声-虚拟组织(IVUS-VH)学评价急性冠脉综合征(ACS)和稳定性心绞痛(SA)患者冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块性质。方法:对44例ACS患者及22例SA患者行IVUS-VH分析,并对其血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、脂蛋白a[LP(a)]进行测定,计算LDL-C/HDL-C比值,分析冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块坏死核心(NC)所占的比例与LP(a)、LDL-C/HDL-C的相关关系。结果:ACS组斑块中NC和钙化组织比例明显高于SA组(t=4.669、9.894,P<0.001),而纤维组织及纤维脂肪组织则明显低于SA组(t=7.184、5.290,P<0.001)。ACS组患者血清LDL-C/HDL-C、LP(a)水平高于SA组患者(t=3.512、19.139,P<0.001)。ACS组患者冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块中NC比例与血清LP(a)水平有显著的相关性(r=0.549,P<0.001)。结论:LP(a)可能代替IVUS-VH帮助了解冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块的性质。     

缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与超敏-CRP关系

目的探讨脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化性斑块与超敏C-反应蛋白（Hs-CRP）含量的关系。方法分别测定30名通过颈动脉超声检查发现有粥样硬化斑块的急性脑梗死（A组）、脑供血不足患者（B组）和无颈动脉粥样硬化斑块老年健康体检者（C组）血清中Hs-CRP含量。结果A组Hs-CRP含量明显高于B组和C组（P〈0.05）;而B组和C组之间无显著性差异。结论Hs-CRP与动脉硬化引起的急性脑梗死有关,Hs-CRP与稳定性颈动脉硬化性斑块患者的脑供血不足的症状无关。