Inhibition of DNA synthesis in concanavalin A stimulated rat lymph node cells by serum from arthritic rats

Summary Serum from adjuvant arthritic rats inhibits the mitogenic response of rat lymph node cells to concanavalin A, leaving unaffected the response to phytohemagglutinin. This activity is already evident 4 days after adjuvant administration and persists for at least 28 days.     

Inhibition of DNA synthesis in concanavalin A stimulated rat lymph node cells by serum from arthritic rats.

Serum from adjuvant arthritic rats inhibits the mitogenic response of rat lymph node cells to concanavalin A, leaving unaffected the response to phytohemagglutinin. This activity is already evident 4 days after adjuvant administration and persists for at least 28 days.     

Chemical reactivity and biological properties of a series of aminochlorambucil derivatives]

The substitution of aminochlorambucil by a methyl group increased the chemical reactivity in IV b (n = 1) and IV b (n = 2) but their cytotoxicity remained low. The immunosuppressive effect (adjuvant arthritis in Rats and tuberculin related skin reaction) was observed with IV b (n = 2). Aminochlorambucil was effective on adjuvant arthritis only and IV b (n = 1) had no activity. Aminochlorambucil, IV b (n = 1) and IV b (n = 2) were devoid of any non-specific anti-inflammatory activity.     

Local haemostasis in brain tumours.

The thromboplastic activity and the fibrinolytic activity were examined in 7 human meningiomas and 6 gliomas obtained at neurosurgery. Two different haemostatic patterns emerged, meningiomas having lower thromboplastic and higher fibrinolytic activity than that of gliomas. This difference might help to explain the better haemostatic capacity of gliomas during and after operation than that of meningiomas.     

Local haemostasis in brain tumours

Summary The thromboplastic activity and the fibrinolytic activity were examined in 7 human meningiomas and 6 gliomas obtained at neurosurgery. Two different haemostatic patterns emerged, meningiomas having lower thromboplastic and higher fibrinolytic activity than that of gliomas. This difference might help to explain the better haemostatic capacity of gliomas during and after operation than that of meningiomas. Supported by Tore Nilson's Fund for Medical Research.     

Effects of catalase,peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and 10 scavengers of oxygen radicals in carrageenin edema and in adjuvant arthritis of rats

Summary Catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were found to inhibit significantly carrageenin edema and the primary phase of adjuvant arthritis in rats after i.v. injection. Heat-inactivated enzymes were as effective as the native enzymes. None of 10 scavengers of oxygen radicals inhibited the adjuvant arthritis at any time. Accordingly, no evidence for a participation of oxygen radicals in the secondary arthritis phase could be found, whereas a role of oxygen radicals in the primary arthritis phase and in carrageenin edema cannot be ruled out.     

Necessity of adjuvants for inducing effective antibody response to zona pellucida antigens

Rhesus monkeys evoked a vigorous antibody response to a single heteroimmunization dose of zona pellucida antigens, when these were administered along with complete Freund's adjuvant. The antisera recognized all the three major porcine zona glycoprotein families and the animals were rendered amenorrheic after such immunization. Monkeys immunized with zona without adjuvant, however, failed to show any anti-zona antibody response and had normal menstrual cycles. Zona pellucida glycoproteins are thus not effective immunogens unless administered along with a powerful adjuvant.     

Necessity of adjuvants for inducing effective antibody response to zona pellucida antigens

Summary Rhesus monkeys evoked a vigorous antibody response to a single heteroimmunization dose of zona pellucida antigens, when these were administered along with complete Freud's adjuvant. The antisera recognized all the three major porcine zona glycoprotein families and the animals were rendered amenorrheic after such immunization. Monkeys immunized with zona without adjuvant, however, failed to show any anti-zona antibody response and had normal menstrual cycles. Zona pellucida glycoproteins are thus not effective immunogens unless administered along with a powerful adjuvant.     

Evidence for the existence of two carbonic anhydrase isozymes in rabbit ciliary body

Two carbonic anhydrase isozymes were found in the rabbit ciliary body. Their isoelectric points were determined to be pH 6.6 and pH 7.4, respectively. The total activity of the higher isoelectric point isozyme was higher than that of the lower isoelectric point isozyme.     

Evidence for the existence of two carbonic anhydrase isozymes in rabbit ciliary body

Summary Two carbonic anhydrase isozymes were found in the rabbit ciliary body. Their isoelectric points were determined to be pH 6.6 and pH 7.4, respectively. The total activity of the higher isoelectric point isozyme was higher than that of the lower isoelectric point isozyme.     

Immunostimulating and adjuvant activities of a low molecular weight lipopeptide]

From crude extracts of a Streptomyces strain exhibiting immunopotentiating effects, a tetrapeptide was isolated and its structure established as L Ala leads to D isoGlu leads to L, L Dap comes from Gly. This peptide was devoid of biological activity but its chemical coupling with lauric acid gave a substance endowed with adjuvant and immunostimulating properties. This substance and the corresponding synthetic lauroyltetrapeptide were as active in this respect as the muramyl-dipeptide, thus far considered as the minimal adjuvant-active structure of bacterial cell walls: the presence of a sugar moiety is therefore not a prerequisite for immunopotentiating activities.     

Glucose phosphate isomerase heterophenotypes in the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi from peninsular Malaysia

Glucose phosphate isomerase of subperiodic Brugia malayi was studied by horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis. Two heterophenotypes, each represented by 3 bands of enzyme activity, were found among 38 parasites studied. This finding is attributed to the occurrence of 2 Gpi gene loci.     

Species-specific differences in the mitogenic activity of heparin-binding growth factors in the sera of various mammals

Sera from different mammalian species displayed great differences in mitogenic activity, as measured by stimulation of DNA synthesis in BALB/c 3T3 cells (3T3 cells). Among the sera examined, fetal bovine serum was least active, and increasing activity was detected in calf serum, human serum, rat serum and mouse serum, in that order. Rat and mouse sera exhibited extremely high mitogenic activity with 3T3 cells, but when TIG-1 human fetal lung fibroblasts were used for the DNA assay instead, the activity levels of all of the sera were lower, and the differences between them were smaller. To determine the reasons for these differences, the heparin-binding growth factors in each serum were separated on a heparin affinity column. Five peaks of DNA-stimulating activity were obtained. Three of these were found in all sera examined, with both 3T3 cells and TIG-1 cells. Two other peaks were found only with 3T3 cells; one was peculiar to rat and mouse sera, with extremely high activity in the rat, and the other was specific to fetal serum. The dependence of the activity of these peaks on the cells used for the test was confirmed using normal rat lung fibroblasts and immortalized rat kidney cells. These findings adequately explain the species-specific differences in mitogenic activity of whole sera, and the variation in activity depending on the cells used for assay of DNA synthesis.     

Species-specific differences in the mitogenic activity of heparin-binding growth factors in the sera of various mammals.

Sera from different mammalian species displayed great differences in mitogenic activity, as measured by stimulation of DNA synthesis in BALB/c 3T3 cells (3T3 cells). Among the sera examined, fetal bovine serum was least active, and increasing activity was detected in calf serum, human serum, rat serum and mouse serum, in that order. Rat and mouse sera exhibited extremely high mitogenic activity with 3T3 cells, but when TIG-1 human fetal lung fibroblasts were used for the DNA assay instead, the activity levels of all of the sera were lower, and the differences between them were smaller. To determine the reasons for these differences, the heparin-binding growth factors in each serum were separated on a heparin affinity column. Five peaks of DNA-stimulating activity were obtained. Three of these were found in all sera examined, with both 3T3 cells and TIG-1 cells. Two other peaks were found only with 3T3 cells; one was peculiar to rat and mouse sera, with extremely high activity in the rat, and the other was specific to fetal serum. The dependence of the activity of these peaks on the cells used for the test was confirmed using normal rat lung fibroblasts and immortalized rat kidney cells. These findings adequately explain the species-specific differences in mitogenic activity of whole sera, and the variation in activity depending on the cells used for assay of DNA synthesis.     

Lymphocyte subpopulations in adjuvant arthritis of rats. Effects of corticoids and gamma irradiation]

Experimental model of human chronic inflammatory arthritis, adjuvant arthritis may be induced only in several strains of inbred Rats: it is well developed in LEW and practically absent in WAG. After adjuvant injection, the PHA-stimulable lymphocytes subpopulation quite disappears from the blood, if polyarthritis is well developed. These cells are probably capted in the tissues implicated in immunological conflict. On the contrary, the ConA-stimulable subpopulation is enhanced in both strains after adjuvant injection, earlier and more intense in WAG than in LEW and that phenomenon is probably linked to a stimulation of suppressor T lymphocytes. Treatment with prednisone or gamma rays inhibits partially and delays the appearance of arthritis in LEW, acting essentially on ConA-stimulable subpopulation.     

Zur Bestimmung der Katalaseaktivität in Bodenproben

Summary Two methods for the determination of catalase activity in soil samples are described.     

Effects of Freund's complete adjuvant on the dirunal rhythms of neuroendocrine processes and ornithine decarboxylase activity in various tissues of male rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) on the diurnal rhythms of hormonal parameters in serum and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in various tissues of male rats. On days 1–2 after FCA, increase of ODC activity (used to evaluate the level of activation) was observed in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal medulla, adrenal cortex, liver and lymphoid tissues, while the ODC activity in the kidney was reduced. This was accompanied by an increase in serum corticosterone. On days 3–4 after FCA, ODC activity remained elevated in the pituitary gland, liver and lymphoid tissues, while the ODC activity in the testes and panceas was reduced; kidney ODC activity returned to baseline. This was associated with increased serum levels of prolactin (Prl) and luteinizing hormone, but decreased growth hormone, testosterone and insulin. The increase in ODC activity in the thymus, as well as the reduced ODC activity in the testes and kidney, can be obtained with paraffin. Furthermore, bromocryptine microcapsules (CBLA) reduced the FCA-induced increase of ODC activity in the pituitary gland, liver and lymphoid tissues (days 3–4) but did not affect the changes in other tissues. The increase in ODC activity in the pituitary gland, liver and lymphoid tissues is specific for FCA. A role for Prl in the induction of ODC in liver and lymphoid tissues is suggested by the fact that CBLA suppresses this enhancement.     

Arylsulfatase in coelomocytes of Holothuria polii

Holothuria polii coelomocytes possess arylsulfatase enzymes. Two pH optima were found for arylsulfatase activity in cell lysate preparations, one at pH 5.0 and the other at pH 5.8. Both increased after injection of zymosan particles or formalinized sheep red blood cells (fSR-BC), indicating an active role of the enzymes during phagocytosis of particulate substances. Under a light microscope, the acid hydrolase arylsulfatase were localized in the granules of spherula cells, and therefore considered lysosomal in nature.     

Sleep in the tortoiseKinosternon sp.

Summary Individuals ofKinosternon sp., previously confined to laboratory conditions, were chronically implanted with electrodes for electroencephalogram, electro-oculogram and electrocardiogram recording. Behavioral states of waking and sleep were clearly observed. Two sleep stages were present: quiet sleep and REM or active sleep. Electrical cerebral activity was polymorphic and irregular. EEG frequencies declined and amplitudes diminished with sleep. Arrhythmic spikes occurred during behavioral sleep and declined with waking. Heart rate decreased when passing from wakefulness to quiet sleep. It was slightly but consistently higher during active sleep compared with quiet sleep.     

Immune phenomena during experimental schistosomiasis in the rat: role of specific and non specific factors]

Partial immunity to Schistosoma mansoni in the rat can be obtained by injection of a bilharzian antigen together with Freund's complete adjuvant. The results are the same no matter what form of the parasite is used (infecting cercariae or adult). This immunity is the result of both specific and non-specific mechanisms, as is proved by the fact that a lesser but still quite clear degree of resistance to infestation can be obtained by injection of Freund's adjuvant alone.