Actions of phencyclidine on the action potential and membrane currents of single guinea-pig myocytes

The direct actions of phencyclidine (PCP) on mammalian sarcolemma were examined by determination of the drug's effects on the action potentials of isolated guinea-pig ventricular cells, and on the underlying ionic currents. PCP (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) did not alter the resting membrane potential but produced a dose-dependent prolongation of the duration of the action potential, and a reduction of the rate of depolarization of phase 0 (Vmax) of the action potential. Voltage clamp experiments revealed that PCP blocks both myocardial Ca++ channels and myocardial time-dependent K+ channels. The K+ channel blockade was shown to exhibit an apparent voltage-dependence. The effects of PCP on these ionic channels could explain previous reports of it prolonging myocardial action potentials and conflicting reports of positive and negative inotropism.     

Role of Integrin CD103 in Promoting Destruction of Renal Allografts by CD8+ T Cells

Infiltration of CD8(+)TCRalphabeta(+) T-effector populations (CD8 effectors) into graft epithelial compartments has long been recognized as a key lesion in progression of clinical renal allograft rejection. While the afferent phase of allograft immunity is increasingly well-defined, the efferent pathways by which donor-reactive CD8-effector populations access and ultimately destroy the graft renal tubules (rejection per se) have received remarkably little attention. This is an important gap in our knowledge of transplantation immunology, because epithelial compartments comprise the functional elements of most commonly transplanted organs including not only kidney, but also liver, lung, pancreas, and intestine. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that attack of graft epithelial elements by CD8-effector populations not only causes short-term graft dysfunction but is also a major contributor to development of chronic allograft nephropathy and late graft loss, which now represent the salient clinical problems. Recent studies of the T-cell integrin, alpha(E)beta(7) (CD103), have provided insight into the mechanisms that promote interaction of CD8 effectors with graft epithelial compartments. The purpose of this communication is to review the known properties of the CD103 molecule and its postulated role in the efferent phase of renal allograft rejection.     

Anti-platelet opsonic activity in alloimmune and autoimmune thrombocytopenia

A chemiluminescence technique (CLT) has been developed which measures the interaction between human monocytes and antibody-coated (opsonized) platelets. This technique has an objective end-point, is simple to perform and is of comparable sensitivity to the platelet suspension immunofluorescence test (PSIFT) when used to detect anti-platelet allo-antibodies. In contrast, only 4/20 sera from patients with clinically diagnosed autoimmune thrombocytopenia were opsonic in the CLT, while 8/20 of these same sera bound IgG to platelets in the PSIFT. Only one serum gave positive results in both tests.     

A protocol for the successful long-term enzyme replacement therapy of scurvy in guinea pigs

Summary Gulonolactone oxidase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, is missing from guinea pigs and certain other scurvy-prone species. Weekly intraperitoneal injections of glutaraldehyde cross-linked immunoprecipitates of this enzyme have been shown to provide guinea pigs with the capability of synthesizing their own ascorbic acid and of surviving without an exogenous source of this vitamin. This protocol, however, was successful in only a small percentage of the animals tested. The reasons for the limited therapeutic success were investigated. Apparently, the gulonolactone oxidase-treated guinea pigs fed without ascorbic acid were receiving insufficient nutrition. By supplementing these enzyme-treated animals with vitamins A, B, D and E and selenium, we successfully maintained a high proportion of guinea pigs fed without vitamin C.     

Calcium channel antagonist properties of Bay K 8644 in single guinea pig ventricular cells

The effects of Bay K 8644 on the high-threshold calcium channel was investigated by means of the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in single guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The goal of the experiments was to characterize the inhibitory effects of Bay K 8644 on the calcium channel, and identify the factors that influence the inhibition. Bay K 8644 was found to have strong calcium channel antagonist properties, which were both dose- and voltage-dependent. Channel block by Bay K 8644 had both a tonic and a use-dependent component. The stimulatory effect of the drug was found to have little obvious dependence on the holding potential. The accumulation of use-dependent block during trains of pulses was facilitated by faster rates of stimulation, longer pulse durations, and more positive holding potentials. Application of the drug induced the appearance of a second, slow component of calcium channel recovery. Both the time-constant and relative proportion of the slow component of recovery were found to be voltage-dependent. Bay K 8644 was also found to cause a hyperpolarizing shift of the inactivation curve for the calcium current, suggesting that it has strong interactions with the inactivated state of the calcium channel. Thus, Bay K 8644 has, along with its stimulatory effects, inhibitory effects that strongly resemble those of typical calcium channel antagonists.     

Anulus fibrosus in bulging intervertebral disks

In this investigation the association of radial tears of the anulus fibrosus and bulging of the intervertebral disk was studied. An index of disk bulging was measured in sagittal anatomic sections in 149 lumbar disks from 31 cadavers. The indexes of disk bulging were correlated with stages of disk development and the presence of an annular tear. The largest disk-bulging indexes were always associated with radial tears of the anulus. Eighty-four percent of the disks with radial tears had disk-bulging indexes greater than 2.5 mm. Most normal adult disks had an index of less than 2.5 mm. The results challenge the concept that the anulus fibrosus is intact in bulging disks, although ruptured in herniated disks.