Neuropeptides TRH and cyclo(His-Pro) share neuromodulatory,but not stimulatory,action on hypothalamic neurons in vitro: implication for the regulation of feeding

Summary Electrical activity of neurons in rat hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus was recorded in tissue slices, to investigate central neural mechanisms underlying reduction of food intake caused by TRH and its metabolite, cyclo(His-Pro) [cHP]. Application of TRH had two actions: stimulation of neuronal activity, which was desensitized on closely repeated applications; and modulation of neuronal responses to neurotransmitters, even in the absence of the stimulatory action. The neuromodulatory but not the direct stimulatory action could also be achieved by cHP. The neuromodulatory action is more likely to be a neural mechanism underlying the inhibition of feeding, while other biological functions, unique to TRH, may depend on direct stimulation. In this way, TRH could achieve different biological results through different modes of action on hypothalamic neurons.     

Effects of SITS on urate transport by isolated,perfused snake renal tubules

Effects of an inhibitor of membrane anion-exchange transport processes, 4-acetamido-4-isothiocyano-2,2-disulfonic stilbene (SITS), on urate transport by isolated, perfused snake (Thamnophis spp.) proximal renal tubules were studied. SITS (10^–4 mol/l) in the luminal perfusate had absolutely no effect on net urate secretion (J _urate ^net ) or on net fluid absorption (J _v). This observation is compatible with other data that give no support to the concept of a mediated transport step for urate from the cells to the lumen. SITS (10^–4 mol/l) in the bathing medium reversibly inhibitedJ _urate ^net without affectingJ _v. At the time of maximum inhibition ofJ _urate ^net , the concentration of urate in the cell water was increased and the apparent permeability of the luminal membrane to urate was decreased, but the urate efflux across the peritubular membrane and the apparent permeability of the peritubular membrane to urate were unchanged. There was no evidence of significant intracellular binding or trapping of urate. Although an increase in the initial rate of urate transport into the cells across the peritubular membrane could not be demonstrated conclusively in nonperfused tubules, the results still suggest that SITS in the bathing medium may inhibitJ _urate ^net by inhibiting urate movement from the cells to the lumen while actually enhancing transport from the bathing medium into the cells.     

Generation of the eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) from various cell types by melittin

The peptide melittin, the main constituent of bee venom is a potent stimulus for the generation of an eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils, rat mast cells and rat peritoneal cells depleted in mast cells. Optimal EFC induction required a sublytic activation of the cells. With each cell type the kinetics of ECF generation were similar in that after an early rise in activity a steep fall off occurred at later times of incubation suggesting a mechanism of inactivation. The induction of ECF by melittin is increased in the presence of calcium. The polar portion of the melittin molecule (aminoacids 20–26) is responsible for the generation of the chemotactic activity. Other peptides of honey bee venom such as the mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD) or apamine do not initiate ECF release. It appears that melittin leads to ECF induction via the phospholipase A₂-arachidonic acid dependent pathway of cell activation. Our data suggests that the lipid mediator ECF can be obtained from phagocytes and mast cells thus indicating the interdependence of inflammatory reactions.     

大鼠嗅球和鼻腔嗅粘膜成鞘细胞的形态学研究

目的：观察大鼠嗅神经成鞘细胞在嗅球和嗅粘膜的分布及其形态学结构特征，研究其与中枢神经再生的关系。方法：Luxol固蓝染色、Mallory染色和NGFRp75免疫组织化学染色结合透射电镜观察。结果：在嗅球纤维层的成鞘细胞随神经纤维呈纵向排列，在嗅小球层的成鞘细胞则围绕着嗅小球环行排列。在嗅粘膜的成鞘细胞位于柱状上皮深方，沿基底膜分布。成鞘细胞的胞体为细长梭形，有较长的突起，细胞核呈圆形或椭圆形。在嗅小球周围或嗅粘膜内的成鞘细胞呈NGFRp75免疫反应阳性。在电镜下，嗅球成鞘细胞的纵断面上可见其胞体呈长梭形，细胞核为不规则形，核仁清晰。在胞体的周围有大量的平行神经纤维纵向排列，在放大的横断面上，可见在1个成鞘细胞的细胞核周围有数根神经纤维被胞质包裹在一起。结论：嗅成鞘细胞是一种特殊的胶质细胞，分布于嗅球的纤维层、嗅小球层和嗅粘膜内。嗅神经成鞘细胞的胞体细长，有较长突起，其轴系膜紧密包裹成束的无髓神经纤维。     

Bilateral Occlusion of Carotid Artery in Awake Hypertensive Rats (SHR-SP) as a Model of Global Cerebral Ischemia

Bilateral occlusion of carotid arteries in awake hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) was used as a model of global brain ischemia (duration of occlusion — until appearance of seizures). In normotensive rats (WKY), no seizures developed over 60 min. We revealed swelling of mitochondria in dendrites of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells, which was more pronounced in SHP-SP than in WKY rats. Blood pressure and heart rate in SHR-SP rats increased starting from the first minutes of occlusion, while in WKY rats these parameters remained unchanged. We proved that bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries in awake SHR-SP rats can be used as an adequate model of global cerebral ischemia. Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 146, No. 12, pp. 627–630, December, 2008     

子宫畸形患者HOXA13基因同源结构域分析

目的探讨中国子宫畸形患者中HOXA13基因同源结构域是否存在突变及其相关性分析。方法国外文献报道手-足-生殖器综合征（hand-foot-genital syndrome,HFGS）患者中发现HOXA13基因2号外显子同源结构域存在点突变,而此综合征的女性患者部分症状表现为子宫畸形,因此对58例中国子宫畸形患者和54例正常对照者进行HOXA13基因同源结构域检测,PCR扩增目的片断后自动化测序分析基因2号外显子同源结构域区域。结果HOXA13基因同源结构域直接自动化测序分析结果显示,在患者和对照者中均没有突变发生。结论中国妇女子宫畸形的发生可能与HOXA13基因同源结构域突变无关。     

Dual function of Langerhans cells in skin TSLP-promoted TFH differentiation in mouse atopic dermatitis

1. Download : Download high-res image (187KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Construction of radiation-reduced hybrids and their use in mapping of microclones from chromosome 10p11.2-q11.2

Summary Radiation-reduced hybrids for mapping of DNA markers in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 were developed. A Chinese hamster/human somatic cell hybrid (762-8A) carrying chromosomes 10 and Y as the only human material were exposed to 40,000 rads of irradiation and then rescued by fusion with non-irradiated recipient Chinese hamster cells (GM459). Southern hybridization analyses revealed that 10 of 128 HAT-resistant clones contained human chromosomal fragments corresponding to at least one marker locus betweenFNRB (10p-11.2) andRBP3 (10q11.2). These hybrids were then used to map microdissection clones previously isolated and roughly mapped to this chromosomal region by fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH). Two of the six microclones studied could be mapped to the proximity of the D10-S102 locus. These radiation hybrids are useful for the construction of refined genetic maps of the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10.     

Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on the intestinal absorption of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), tricaprylin

The intestinal absorption of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) was studied by electron microscopy and biochemical analysis. In jejunal absorptive cells of rats fed tricaprylin, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the apical cytoplasm appeared to increase in number and contained one or two particles about 40–80 nm in diameter that were less electron dense and similar in size and profile to very low density lipoprotein. Similar particles were also observed packed in the dilated Golgi sacs and in the extended intercellular spaces. These particles were remarkably increased in number as compared with those in fasted rats. Biochemical analysis of lymph from the main intestinal lymph duct showed that caprylate was apparently demonstrated only in the lymph of rats given tricaprylin at the maximum rate 3h after oral administration. The study strongly suggests that medium-chain triglyceride is at least in part transported via lacteal, possibly in the form of very low density lipoprotein.     

Protein kinase C in IL- 2 signal transduction

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), secreted principally by activated helper T-cells, plays a pivotal role in the generation and regulation of the immune response. The various biologic functions of IL-2 have been the focus of intensive study over the years and have been well worked out. By contrast, an understanding of the intracellular signals coupled to the IL-2 receptor and responsible for mediating IL-2 effects in T-cells is far less developed, and the role that protein kinase C (PKC) may play in the various cellular responses to IL-2 receptor activation is unclear. In this article we will discuss IL-2, its receptors, and IL-2 signal transduction in relation to the physiological roles PKC activation may play in IL-2-mediated activation of T-cells and other hematopoietic cells.