Lipid thesaurismosis rheumatism. Arthropathies in alpha galactosidase A deficiency (Fabry's disease). Ultrastructural study of the synovial membrane demonstrating microcrystals in the mitochondria of synoviocytes]

Articular manifestations may be the onset of genetic alpha galactosidase deficiency (Fabry's disease). Ultrastructural study shows typical osmiophilic lamellar inclusions of trihexosylceramides in synoviocytes, capillaries and adipocytes. Furthermore microcrystals identical to those seen in Gaucher's disease and type II hyperlipoproteinemia were observed in mitochondria and free in cytoplasm. These data suggest a microcrystalline pathogenesis of these arthropathies, as in gout and chondrocalcinosis, and what we have generally called crystallopathic arthropathies.     

Blood pressure lowering effect of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich diet in normotensive,hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects

Summary A mackerel diet or a herring diet in which two cans of fish fillet were consumed daily over 2 weeks within a prescribed regimen, in a crossover design, were given to 15 normotensive volunteers, 14 patients with mild essential hypertension and eight patients with type IV and V hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). In normotensives a markedly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the end of the period on the mackerel diet could be observed, whereas in hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects only systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased. After the herring diet, which served as control, changes in blood pressure were of a minor degree.     

Blood pressure lowering effect of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich diet in normotensive, hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects

A mackerel diet or a herring diet in which two cans of fish fillet were consumed daily over 2 weeks within a prescribed regimen, in a crossover design, were given to 15 normotensive volunteers, 14 patients with mild essential hypertension and eight patients with type IV and V hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). In normotensives a markedly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the end of the period on the mackerel diet could be observed, whereas in hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects only systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased. After the herring diet, which served as control, changes in blood pressure were of a minor degree.     

Etiology of rheumatoid arthritis

Definite genetic associations with immunological cooperative HLA-D(R) antigens have been demonstrated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Microbial etiology has not been proven, but some hope for the supporters of this view is still given by small viruses, plasmids of enteric bacteria or perhaps oncogen-like DNA-sequences. Yet, electrophoretical analysis of membrane proteins or surface glycoproteins of RA synovial cells does not show any differences compared to reference cells. Autoimmunity to several tissue elements has been demonstrated, but most of it is of secondary nature. Antigenicities of type II and III collagens are probably only contributory factors for HLA-DR4 positive individuals. Proteoglycans or minor cartilage collagens have not been extensively studied, so far. Endocrine, dietary or psychological influences might be triggering events for otherwise 'preloaded' individuals.     

Selectivity of alterations in skeletal fibers in chronic Chagas' disease of the mouse

In mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the masseter muscle (rich in type II fibers) was devoid of inflammatory infiltrates and parasites. In contrast, other muscles, composed of type I and II fibers, showed a decrease of type I fibers, parasites and lesions, suggesting that in T. cruzi infection type I muscle fibers are selectively damaged.     

Selectivity of alterations in skeletal fibers in chronic Chagas' disease of the mouse

Summary In mice chronically infected withTrypanosoma cruzi, the masseter muscle (rich in type II fibers) was devoid of inflammatory infiltrates and parasites. In contrast, other muscles, composed of type I and II fibers, showed a decrease of type I fibers, parasites and lesions, suggesting that inT. cruzi infection type I muscle fibers are selectively damaged.     

Etiology of rheumatoid arthritis

Summary Definite genetic associations with immunological cooperative HLA-D(R) antigens have been demonstrated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Microbial etiology has not been proven, but some hope for the supporters of this view is still given by small viruses, plasmids of enteric bacteria or perhaps oncogen-like DNA-sequences. Yet, electrophoretical analysis of membrane proteins or surface glycoproteins of RA synovial cells does not show any differences compared to reference cells. Autoimmunity to several tissue elements has been demonstrated, but most of it is of secondary nature. Antigenicities of type II and III collagens are probably only contributory factors for HLA-DR4 positive individuals. Proteoglycans or minor cartilage collagens have not been extensively studied, so far. Endocrine, dietary or psychological influences might be triggering events for otherwise preloaded individuals.     

A mechanism of formation of desmosome-like structures between synovial intimal cells

Summary Desmosomes or desmosome-like structures do not occur between normal human synovial cells but such structures do develop between the synovial cells in cases of traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and villonodular synovitis. Morphological evidence is presented suggesting that such structures develop as a result of the interaction of fibrin trapped between synovial cells and the plasmamembrane of these cells.     

Subtypes of protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels

Summary Protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels was characterized. By hydroxyapatite column chromatography, protein kinase C in the soluble fraction was resolved into two major peaks corresponding to type II and III enzymes, in the proportions of 57% and 38%, respectively. Since each subtype is considered to have a distinct role, the high proportion of type II enzyme found in this study suggests that this type may be involved in specific functions of the cerebral microvessels.     

Subtypes of protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels

Protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels was characterized. By hydroxyapatite column chromatography, protein kinase C in the soluble fraction was resolved into two major peaks corresponding to type II and III enzymes, in the proportion of 57% and 38%, respectively. Since each subtype is considered to have a distinct role, the high proportion of type II enzyme found in this study suggests that this type may be involved in specific functions of the cerebral microvessels.     

A light microscopic study of denervation atrophy in serial sections

Summary Type I and type II muscle fibers from rat extensor digitorum longus muscle were sequentially followed in serial sections after various time intervals following denervation. The type II fibers exhibited the greatest degree of atrophy as well as showing a systematic diameter variability along its length.This study has been supported in part by Research grant No. G008003038 from the National Institute of Handicapped Research, Department of Education, and by the Muscular Dystrophy Association of America.     

Isolation of type II epithelial cells from rabbit fetal lungs by adherence on an IgG-coated surface

The lung is comprised of about 40 different cell types, of which only 15% are type II cells. These are the major, if not the sole, source of synthesis and secretion of lung surfactant. To date a large number of methods have been described for the isolation of pure populations of type II cells using a wide variety of techniques, but most of these have employed differential centrifugation methods and have used adult rodents. The present study reports the isolation of type II cells from fetal rabbit lungs by the immunoglobin G plating method. Pure populations of fetal type II cells in high yield and with good viability were obtained by the procedure for the first time from rabbit fetal tissue.     

Capillary lengths and areas, and intercapillary distances in tissue near the human knee.

Quantiative stereological electron microscopy has been used to investigate the capillary lengths, surface areas and intercapillary distances in the tissues around the human knee, the synovial membrane, synovial capsule, fat and tendon. The vascularity of these regions was much less than in other areas of the body, especially muscle.     

Histochemical characterization of the red fibres in pigeon pectoralis muscle

Summary Red fibres of the pigeon pectoralis muscle showed high ATPase reaction at pH 9.4. Veronal-acetate pretreatment completely inhibited the ATPase reaction in these red fibres but not in type I fibres of the gastrocnemius. The former are type II red muscle fibres and hence are unlike type I red, the so-called slow-twitch muscle fibres.     

Histochemical characterization of the red fibres in pigeon pectoralis muscle.

Red fibres of the pigeon pectoralis muscle showed high ATPase reaction at pH 9.4. Veronal-acetate pretreatment completely inhibited the ATPase reaction in these red fibres but not in type I fibres of the gastrocnemius. The former are type II red muscle fibres and hence are unlike type I red, the so-called slow-twitch muscle fibres.     

Annexin V interactions with collagen

Annexin V was originally identified as a collagen-binding protein called anchorin CII and was isolated from chondrocyte membranes by affinity chromatography on native type II collagen. The binding of annexin V to native collagen type II is stable at physiological ionic strength when annexin V is reconstituted in liposomes. The binding to native collagen types II and X, and to some extent to type I as well, was confirmed using recombinant annexin V. A physiological role for annexin V interactions with extracellular collagen is consistent with the localization of annexin V on the outer cell surface of chondrocytes, microvilli of hypertrophic chondrocytes, fibroblasts and osteoblasts. A breakthrough in our understanding of the function of annexin V was made with the discovery of its calcium channel activity. At least one of several putative functions of annexin V became obvious from studies on matrix vesicles derived from calcifying cartilage. It was found that calcium uptake by matrix vesicles depend on collagen type II and type X binding to annexin V in the vesicles and was lost when collagens were digested with collagenase; calcium influx was reconstituted after adding back native collagen II or V. These findings indicate that annexin V plays a major role in matrix vesicle-initiated cartilage calcification as a collagen-regulated calcium channel.     

Role of phospholipid transfer protein in rabbit lung development

A 36-kDa phospholipid transfer protein (PLT-P_R), which preferentially transfers phosphatidyl choline (PC) compared to phosphatidyl inositol (PI), was purified 827-fold from rabbit lung homogenate. Incorporation of cholesterol in unilamellar vesicles reduced the PC transfer activity of PLTP_R. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline uptake by alveolar type II cells was increased in the presence of the protein, and further enhanced in the presence of surfactant liposomes. However, a decrease in uptake was noted with cholesterol in host membranes. Incorporation of PI into host membranes had a low stimulatory effect on the process. All these effects were more pronounced in adult type II cells compared to premature, term and 3-day-old pups. Received 12 September 2001; accepted 11 October 2001     

Hageman factor (factor XII) activity in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients and its possible pathogenic significance

Résumé Nous avons constaté que l'activité spécifique du facteur de Hageman dans le fluide synovial de malades atteints de polyarthrite chronique évolutive est beaucoup plus elevée que celle d'autres agents de coagulation. L'activité du facteur de Hageman a été isolée du fluide synovial et de la suspension de leucocytes par adsorption sur kaolin et élution au pH alcalin.     

Capillary lengths and areas,and intercapillary distances in tissue near the human knee

Summary Quantitative stereological electron microscopy has been used to investigate the capillary lengths, surface areas and intercapillary distances in the tissues around the human knee, the synovial membrane, synovial capsule, fat and tendon. The vascularity of these regions was much less than in other areas of the body, especially muscle.This work was performed with the support of the Australian Research Grants Committee and the skilful assistance of Mr.K. W. J. Crocker.     

Anti-elastase of human pancreas: preparation and biological interest

The present paper deals with the use of a new technique in type II human pancreatic elastase studies based on the use of a reversible immune-adsorbent which provides a unique specificity. According to the type of ligand linked on activated Sepharose, the elastase or its antibody in Rabbit could be obtained, in very pure form, in a one step process. The anti-human pancreatic elastase II, which specifically inhibits the enzyme, may be used in therapy whenever the elastase-inhibitor system becomes unbalanced.