Impaired proliferative responses of peripheral blood B cells from splenectomized subjects to phorbol ester and ionophore.

The responses of peripheral blood B cells to mitogenic stimulation were examined in 12 splenectomized subjects without residual splenic function, as determined by pitted erythrocyte counts. These were compared to a group of healthy controls matched for age and sex. Polyclonal anti-immunoglobulin evoked a normal transient elevation in intracellular free Ca2+ in splenectomized subjects, thereby suggesting that the early events of the signal transduction pathway are not impaired. However, mitogenic stimulation by pre-treatment with phorbol ester and culture in presence of a calcium ionophore (Ionomycin) resulted in reduced uptake of 3H-thymidine and subsequent proliferation. Nevertheless, entry into the mitotic cycle, as assessed by expression of Ki67, was slightly, but not significantly impaired. Unlike in normal controls, where up to 7% of freshly-isolated B cells were Ki67+, almost no Ki67+ peripheral B cells were observed in splenectomized subjects. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that peripheral B cells in splenectomized subjects are in a reduced state of activation compared with normal controls and require additional growth factor stimulation before they can undergo mitosis.     

Intracellular free Ca2+ fluxes and responses to phorbol ester in T lymphocytes from healthy elderly subjects.

A group of healthy elderly subjects (greater than or equal to 75 years) was selected by the strict criteria of the SENIEUR protocol, and compared with healthy young (less than or equal to 35 years) volunteers. Mitogenic responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to phytohaemagglutinin and anti-CD3 were significantly reduced in the elderly (P less than 0.0002), thereby confirming that even though in perfect health, elderly individuals show impaired cell-mediated immunity. However, no abnormality of intracellular free Ca2+ fluxes could be detected in purified T cells from the elderly subjects when stimulated with anti-CD3 antibody. Nevertheless, both the proliferative responses of purified T cells to phorbol ester and calcium ionophore (Ionomycin) and the phorbol ester-induced inhibition of the Ca2+ response were defective in the elderly subjects (P less than 0.003 and P less than 0.0002, respectively). These data suggest that signal transduction and the generation of second messengers proceed normally in T cells from the elderly, but downstream events mediated by activation of protein kinase C are dysfunctional.     

Cellular and segmental distribution of Ca2+-pump epitopes in rat intestine

We used a monoclonal antibody (5F10) specific for the human erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca⁺⁺-pump to demonstrate the presence and distribution of Ca⁺⁺-pump epitopes in rat intestine. In paraffin embedded tissue sections, antibody 5F10 binds to epitopes in the basolateral membranes of absorptive cells in rat duodenum and portions of jejunum but not ileum. Western blot analysis of intestinal mucosal proteins with antibody 5F10 shows binding of antibody to major bands of Mr 135,000 and Mr 72,000, and to lesser bands of Mr 125,000 and Mr 27,000. This pattern was seen in mucosal homogenates of rat duodenal and jejunal cells and to a lesser extent in ileal cells. The Mr 135,000 band corresponds to the molecular weight of Ca⁺⁺-pumps in other tissues. The other bands correspond in size to known proteolytic fragments of the Ca⁺⁺-pump. Slot-blot analysis of nitrocellulose immobilized mucosal homogenates shows binding of 5F10 to be greatest in duodenum and least in ileum. Ca⁺⁺- transport studies by the everted gut sac technique show a correlation between vitamin D induction of active Ca⁺⁺-transport and the segmental distribution of Ca⁺⁺-pump epitopes.     

Analysis of the mechanism of change in amplitude of the receptor potential of pacinian corpuscles in Ca++-Deficient solution

The causes of the rise in amplitude of the receptor potential (RP) of Pacinian corpuscles in Ca⁺⁺-free solution were investigated by the external perfusion method. In Ca⁺⁺-free solution the amplitude of RP was shown to increase, but this increase was blocked by the addition of 10–20 mM tetraethylammonium to the solution. A temporary increase in the amplitude of RP was observed in solution with 0.2 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol. The sensitivity of the receptor membrane to mechanical stimuli was unchanged in Ca⁺⁺-free solution. It is suggested that there are no negative charges near the mechanically sensitive ionic channel of the receptor membrane of Pacinian corpuscles which could affect the state of the gating system of the mechanically sensitive channel.Laboratory of General Physiology of Reception, I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, V. N. Chernigovskii.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 88, No. 12, pp. 643–645, December, 1979.     

Different calcium phosphate bioglass ceramics implanted in rabbit cortical bone. An interface study

In order to study the interface of calcium phosphate bioglass ceramics, cylinders of standard size were implanted in the tibiae of rabbits. The materials were evaluated by radiography, light microscopy and microradiography. Bioceramics with hydroxyapatite surface give rise to a closer contact with new bone than calcium phosphate glass ceramics.     

Effects of Culture Medium on Cystic Fibrosis and Normal Fibroblasts Studied by X-Ray Microanalysis

The effect of culture medium from fibroblast cultures of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and healthy controls on the elemental composition of fibroblasts was investigated by X-ray microanalysis. Exposure of normal fibroblasts to culture medium from CF fibroblasts caused an increase in calcium level. Exposure of CF fibroblasts to culture medium from normal cells caused an increase of the sodium content of CF cells to approximately normal levels; the calcium level of the CF fibroblasts, however, remained abnormally high. The results may indicate that CF fibroblasts lack a factor needed for the regulation of sodium transport. CF fibroblast medium apparently contains a factor that interferes with the regulation of calcium transport.     

Effect of an increased calcium ion concentration on electrical and contractile activity of the smooth muscles of the guinea pig ureter

Smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig ureter were studied by the double sucrose gap method. An increase in the calcium ion concentration in the Ringer-Locke solution to 22 mM led to hyperpolarization and to a slight increase in the resistance of the membrane. The amplitude of the first spike potential and the height of the plateau were lowered but the amplitude of the oscillations was increased. In sodium-free Ringer-Locke solution, when the action potential in the smooth muscle cells of the ureter was converted into a simple spike potential, a marked increase in amplitude of the action potential was observed with an increase in the calcium ion concentration.Department of Neuromuscular Physiology, A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Gorev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 522–526, May, 1977.     

低强度脉冲电磁场对大鼠骨质疏松的影响

目的：观察低强度脉冲电磁场（pulsed electromagnetic fields，PEMFs）对去卵巢诱导骨质疏松症的大鼠生化指标和骨应力的影响。方法：雌性SD大鼠30只，随机等分为3组（n=10），分别为假手术组（Sham）、骨质疏松模型组（Model）、脉冲电磁场照射组（PEMFs）。经适应4wk后，在25mg·Kg^-1戊巴比妥钠腹腔麻醉下，Model组和PEMFs组摘除双侧卵巢．Sham组找到但不切除卵巢。各实验组均在相同环境下饲养，模型制备4wk后开始治疗，由GZY型低强度低频率脉冲电磁场发生仪产生低频脉冲磁场，根据实验要求，我们使用亥姆霍兹线圈形成均匀磁场，PEMFs组经照射刺激治疗，频率14．3Hz，场强2Gs．日照8h。Model组和Sham组正常饲养。治疗8wk后，对各组大鼠血清、尿液中ALP和Ca以及骨应力进行检测。结果：（1）ALP、Ca检测结果：与Model组相比，PEMFs组ALP值、Ca值差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。其中，血清中ALP值，Model组为（275．16±228，57），PEMFs组为（179．30±87．68）；Ca值，Model组为（2，66±0，13），PEMFs组为（2．52±0．05）。（2）骨应力检测结果：Model组为（923．60±34．15Pa），PEMFs组为（1152．85±118，20Pa），组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：研究发现，PEMFs对于促进骨重建、提高Ca吸收和骨应力恢复具有积极作用。     

Production of genetically modified cells expressing specific transgenes by retroviral vectors for gene therapy

Summary Techniques and protocols are described for the generation of genetically modified cells that can be used for gene therapy. Primary fibroblast cultures are established from skin biopsies, maintained in culture, frozen for long-term storage, and retrieved when necessary. Retroviral packaging cell lines are generated by transfection of DNA into retroviral packaging cells by calcium-phosphate precipitation method or by lipofection method. To generate cell lines expressing high titer virus, individual colonies of cells are cloned and the virus titer is determined. Virus collected from packaging cells expressing high titer virus is then used to infect primary fibroblasts. To obtain fibroblast cell lines expressing high amounts of transgenes, individual cells can be cloned to generate clonal cell lines. Although the methods described here are for fibroblasts, the same methods or modification of the methods can be used for other cell types.