Distribution of intravenously administered acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors in the mouse

Summary Iodinated acidic or basic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF or bFGF) were separately injected into adult mice to follow their distribution in the main organs of the animals. Iodinated FGFs intravenously injected into mice cleared from blood with aT _1/2 of 30 s. They mainly bound to kidney, liver and spleen. The binding of FGFs to these organs was maintained when the latter were washed with a physiological buffer containing 0.15 M NaCl, but it was eliminated when the buffer contained 2 M NaCl. Simultaneous injections of the FGFs together with increasing doses of heparin weakened the binding of FGF to vessels in a dose-dependent manner.     

Effect and fate of intravenously administered porphobilin in rats

Summary It rats after i.v. prophobilin, blood pressure and pulse rate remained stable, the animals were calm and moved freely with no symptoms or signs of nervous effect. Prophobilin was rapidly excreted in the urine.     

Effects of inflammatory mediators on the glomerular localization of intravenously administered ferritins

Summary Effects of inflammatory mediators such as serotonin, histamine, and bradykinin upon glomerular localization of i.v. administered ferritins have been investigated. These mediators appear to enhance accumulation of the i.v. injected ferritins in the glomerular capillary walls of rats.     

Nuclear localization of mouse fibroblast growth factor 2 requires N-terminal and C-terminal sequences

In vertebrates, different isoforms of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) exist, which differ by their N-terminal extension. They show different localization and expression levels and exert distinct biological effects. Nevertheless, genetic inactivation of all FGF2 isoforms in the mouse results in only mild phenotypes. Here, we analyzed mouse FGF2, and show that, as in the human, mouse FGF2 contains CTG-initiated high molecular-weight (HMW) isoforms, which contain a nuclear localization signal, and which mediate localization of this isoform to the nucleus. Using green fluorescent protein-FGF2 fusions, we furthermore observed, that C-terminal deletions disable nuclear localization of the short low-molecular-weight (LMW) 18-kDa isoform. This loss of specific localization is accompanied by a loss in heparin binding. We therefore suggest that, first, localization of mouse FGF2 is comparable to that in other vertebrates and, second, FGF2 contains at least two sequences important for nuclear localization, a nuclear localization sequence at the N terminus which is only contained in the HMW isoform, and another sequence at the C terminus, which is only required for localization of the LMW 18-kDa isoform. Received 1 July 2003; accepted 14 August 2003     

A comparison of the pharmacological activity in man of intravenously administered 1368-11368-11368-1, cannabinol,and cannabidiol

Resumen Se hizo un estudio comparativo de la actividad del ⁹-tetrahidrocannabinol, cannabinol, y cannabidiol en producir efectos similares a la marihuana cuando son inyectados i.v. a humanos. Estas substancias son los componentes predominantes de la marihuana o del hashish. Se encontro que a las dosis inyectados cannabidiol no tiene ninguna potencia, y que cannabinol es capaz de producir efectos tipicos de la marihuana, aunque a dosis varias veces mas grandes que las del ⁹-tetrahidrocannabinol.     

Distribution of CSF (colony stimulating factor) in kidney of the mouse.

The activity of the colony stimulating factor (SCF) was measured in kidney subcellular fractions in mice. The highest activity was noted in microsomes. From other fractions, the cytosol had large amounts of CSF. On the basis of literature data, and the findings presented we suggest that the kidney is at least one of the organs of CSF biosynthesis.     

Cholinesterase in the atherosclerotic intima and in fibroblast cultures.

Cholinesterase activity was present in the atheromatous plaque of the rabbit's atherosclerotic aorta. Cholinesterase activity was significantly increased in rat fibroblast cultures grown in the presence of hypercholesterolemic serum. Cholesterol ester synthesis in these cultures was inhibited by neostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor.     

Biology of FGFRL1, the fifth fibroblast growth factor receptor

FGFRL1 (fibroblast growth factor receptor like 1) is the most recently discovered member of the FGFR family. It contains three extracellular Ig-like domains similar to the classical FGFRs, but it lacks the protein tyrosine kinase domain and instead contains a short intracellular tail with a peculiar histidine-rich motif. The gene for FGFRL1 is found in all metazoans from sea anemone to mammals. FGFRL1 binds to FGF ligands and heparin with high affinity. It exerts a negative effect on cell proliferation, but a positive effect on cell differentiation. Mice with a targeted deletion of the Fgfrl1 gene die perinatally due to alterations in their diaphragm. These mice also show bilateral kidney agenesis, suggesting an essential role for Fgfrl1 in kidney development. A human patient with a frameshift mutation exhibits craniosynostosis, arguing for an additional role of FGFRL1 during bone formation. FGFRL1 contributes to the complexity of the FGF signaling system.     

The role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors in the immune system

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can modulate the development and function of the immune system. In this chapter, we present data on the expression of receptors for GH and IGFs and the in vitro and in vivo effects of these proteins. We show that expression of GH and IGFs in the immune system opens up the possibility that these proteins are not only involved in endocrine control of the immune system but can also play a role as local growth and differentiation factors (cytokines). Endocrine control of GH could be direct or mediated via endocrine or autocrine/paracrine IGF-I. In addition, GH can act as an autocrine or paracrine factor itself. Furthermore, IGF-I in the immune system has been shown to be regulated by cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and interferon-γ, alluding to a cytokine-like function of IGF-I. In addition to data on the function of GH and IGF-I in the immune system, we present new findings which imply a possible function of IGF-II and IGF-binding proteins.     

Immunospecificity and localization of radiolabeled human growth hormone in the mouse

Zusammenfassung Bei männlichen Mäusen wurde die Bindung von¹²⁵I-HGH untersucht. Im Vergleich zur Bindung an andere Gewebe derselben Tiere konnte eine zellspezifische Bindung im Bereich der Samenblasen festgestellt werden. Die Befunde werden in Hinblick auf eine Steroid-ergänzende Tätigkeit des HGH diskutiert.     

Heat production of the albino mouse during growth

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe eines Gradientenkalorimeters wurde die Wärmeproduktion der weissen Laboratoriumsmaus während des Wachstums verfolgt und 3 Stadien unterschieden: 1. anfänglich niedrige Wärmeproduktion, 2. nach 5 Tagen starker Anstieg, 3. bei Sexualreife Absinken auf ein Plateau. Wärmeabgabe durch Strahlung, Verdunsten, Leitung und Konvektion wurde separat registriert.     

Inhibition of human chlorionic gonadotrophin-induced ovarian and uterine growth in the mouse by synthetic arginine vasotocin-1.

21-day-old Swiss-Webster female mice were injected with 1 IU HCG at 09.00 h. Injection of freshly prepared arginine vasotocin (2 mug/0.1 ml/injection) every 12 h inhibited the HCG-induced hypertrophy of the ovaries at 36, 48, 60 and 72 hr after HCG-treatment while the uterine weight was depressed at 60 and 72 h.