Release of soluble transferrin receptor from the surface of human leukemic HL60 cells

Information regarding transferrin (Tf) receptor degradation is largely incomplete. HL60 cells were shown to release to their growth medium a Tf-binding protein which could be immunoprecipitated by anti-Tf receptor monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) B3/25 and OKT9. Soluble Tf receptor was detected in the medium within one hour of replating of cells, and its release was inhibited at 4 degrees C. The affinity of Tf for the soluble receptor released by cells (kd = 2.3 x 10(-10) mol/L) was slightly lower than its affinity for the detergent-solubilized cellular receptor (kd = 1.2 x 10(-10) mol/L). 125I-Tf internalized and released by cells subsequently bound to Tf receptor released by the same cells, and soluble Tf receptor in the conditioned medium (CM) inhibited 125I-Tf binding to intact cells. The soluble Tf receptor isolated from the CM was smaller (78,000 daltons) than the cell surface receptor (94,000 daltons) when analyzed by gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Isolated cell membranes readily released soluble receptor; however, this release could be blocked by protease inhibitors. The soluble Tf receptor may represent the extracytoplasmic domain of the cellular Tf receptor released from the surface of HL60 cells through proteolytic cleavage by a membrane-based protease.     

Localization of a gene for otosclerosis to chromosome 15q25-q26

Among white adults otosclerosis is the single most common cause of hearing impairment. Although the genetics of this disease are controversial, the majority of studies indicate autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. We studied a large multi- generational family in which otosclerosis has been inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Five of16 affected persons have surgically confirmed otosclerosis; the remaining nine have a conductive hearing loss but have not undergone corrective surgery. To locate the disease- causing gene we completed genetic linkage analysis using short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) distributed over the entire genome. Multipoint linkage analysis showed that only one genomic region, on chromosome 15q, generated a lod score >2.0. Additional STRPs were typed in this area, resulting in a lod score of 3.4. STRPs FES (centromeric) and D15S657 (telomeric) flank the 14. 5 cM region that contains an otosclerosis gene.      

Peritoneal fluid concentrations of interleukin-8 in women with endometriosis: relationship to stage of disease

There is increasing evidence that immunological mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis. It was therefore of interest to study interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine, in the peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood of women undergoing laparoscopic procedures. The presence and concentrations of IL-8 in relation to endometriosis, infertility and abdominal pain were evaluated. Samples of peritoneal fluid (n = 49) and peripheral blood (n = 50) were obtained from 50 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for various gynaecological indications (abdominal pain, infertility, sterilization). IL-8 was present in the peritoneal fluid of most women (87%). The concentration of IL-8 in the peritoneal fluid was higher in women with endometriosis compared to women without (P = 0.02). This difference was more pronounced in early (stage 1) endometriosis (P = 0.001). IL-8 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid were also higher in women with early endometriosis compared to women with later stages of the disease (P = 0.003). Peripheral blood concentrations did not correlate with peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL-8 and/or the presence of endometriosis. We conclude that IL-8 is an important factor that may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis possibly by promoting neovascularization. This information can be a guide in the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of endometriosis.      

A549 lung epithelial cells grown as three-dimensional aggregates: alternative tissue culture model for Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis

A three-dimensional (3-D) lung aggregate model was developed from A549 human lung epithelial cells by using a rotating-wall vessel bioreactor to study the interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and lung epithelial cells. The suitability of the 3-D aggregates as an infection model was examined by immunohistochemistry, adherence and invasion assays, scanning electron microscopy, and cytokine and mucoglycoprotein production. Immunohistochemical characterization of the 3-D A549 aggregates showed increased expression of epithelial cell-specific markers and decreased expression of cancer-specific markers compared to their monolayer counterparts. Immunohistochemistry of junctional markers on A549 3-D cells revealed that these cells formed tight junctions and polarity, in contrast to the cells grown as monolayers. Additionally, the 3-D aggregates stained positively for the production of mucoglycoprotein while the monolayers showed no indication of staining. Moreover, mucin-specific antibodies to MUC1 and MUC5A bound with greater affinity to 3-D aggregates than to the monolayers. P. aeruginosa attached to and penetrated A549 monolayers significantly more than the same cells grown as 3-D aggregates. Scanning electron microscopy of A549 cells grown as monolayers and 3-D aggregates infected with P. aeruginosa showed that monolayers detached from the surface of the culture plate postinfection, in contrast to the 3-D aggregates, which remained attached to the microcarrier beads. In response to infection, proinflammatory cytokine levels were elevated for the 3-D A549 aggregates compared to monolayer controls. These findings suggest that A549 lung cells grown as 3-D aggregates may represent a more physiologically relevant model to examine the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the lung epithelium during infection.     

Resection of inferior vena cava tumor thrombi from renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma is an unusual cancer with the propensity to invade not only the renal vein but to propagate into the inferior vena cava (IVC) as a tumor thrombus. Experience has recently confirmed that MRI will be valuable in evaluating the extent of the tumor thrombus. The surgical techniques used to remove the thrombus are dependent on the extent of the cancer. For lesions involving the infrahepatic IVC, only proximal and distal control of the IVC are necessary. For a thrombus involving the intrahepatic IVC, isolation of the suprahepatic IVC, hepatic circulation, and infrahepatic IVC or cardiopulmonary bypass can be used. For the large thrombus in the supradiaphragmatic IVC or atrium, cardiopulmonary bypass either with or without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is appropriate. In a review of 48 cases with renal cell carcinoma with IVC tumor thrombi, the tumor thrombus was removed intact in 58 per cent and in multiple fragments ("piece-meal") in 42 per cent of the patients. Cardiac bypass has been used in 26 cases with 22 undergoing deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The postoperative mortality of 48 cases between 1965 and 1987 was 4 per cent. Removal of the most complicated and extensive renal cell carcinoma tumor thrombi is now technically feasible. In patients with large tumor thrombi, however, the ultimate outlook remains poor in the absence of effective systemic adjuvant therapy.     

慢性硬膜下血肿168例的诊治和预后

0　引言　 1 992 - 0 5～ 1 999- 0 5我科收治慢性硬膜下血肿 (CS-DH) 1 6 8例 ,其中 1 6 4例经颅骨钻孔冲洗引流术治疗 ,4例保守治疗 ,结果 1 6 5例治愈 ,3例死亡 .结论 :CSDH的诊断主要依靠 CT检查 ,手术简单 ,防止并发症可改善预后 .1　临床资料　男 1 6 3例 ,女 5例 ,年龄 32～ 79岁 ,平均 5 4岁 .有明确的外伤史 1 4 5例 (86 .3% ) ,原因不明 2 3例(1 3.7% ) ,病程 3wk～ 6 a.头昏、头痛、呕吐 1 1 6例 ,肢体运动障碍 6 8例 ,智力及精神障碍 46例 ,语言障碍 1 0例 ,感觉障碍2 1例 ,排尿障碍 5例 ,癫痫 3例 ,视乳头水肿 92例 ,锥体…