Cerebrospinal fluid immune complexes in multiple sclerosis.

Using a C1q binding test, immune complexes have been detected in one half of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with multiple sclerosis. These results provide additional evidence for the participation of an immune reaction in the disease process.     

Cerebrospinal fluid immune complexes in multiple sclerosis

Summary Using a C 1q binding test, immune complexes have been detected in one half of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with multiple sclerosis. These results provide additional evidence for the participation of an immune reaction in the disease process.     

Effects of physalaemin, a vaso-active peptide from amphibian skin, on the excitability of an identifiable molluscan giant neurone of Achatina fulica Férussac.

We examined effects of several vasoactive peptides (substance P, physalaemin, neurotensin, bradykinin, angiotensin etc.) on the excitability of molluscan giant neurones identified in the subesophageal ganglia of Achatina fulica Férussac. Of these peptides, only physalaemin showed a remarkable excitatory effect on a giant tonically autoactive neurone.     

Cleavage of des-Arg9-bradykinin by angiotensin I-converting enzyme from pig kidney cortex

Fast and very slow hydrolyses of des-Arg9-bradykinin and angiotensin II by angiotensin I-converting enzyme were detected by high performance liquid chromatography. The Michaelis constants of the enzyme, Km values, for des-Arg9-bradykinin and bradykinin were found to be 0.24 mM and 4.4 microM, and the maximum velocities, Vmax values (mumol . min-1 . mg protein-1) for these compounds to be 3.24 and 0.34, respectively. The enzyme also hydrolyzed Z-Gly-Pro-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ala to a tripeptide that was identified as dansyl-Gly-Pro-Ala by TLC on polyamide. These observations show that the enzyme hydrolyzes the peptides at the bond before the prolyl residue in the penultimate position.     

Effects of physalaemin,a vase-active peptide from amphibian skin,on the excitability of an identifiable molluscan giant neurone ofAchatina fulica Férussac

Summary We examined effects of several vasoactive peptides (substance P, physalaemin, neurotensin, bradykinin, angiotensin etc.) on the excitability of molluscan giant neurones identified in the subesophageal ganglia ofAchatina fulica Férussac. Of these peptides, only physalaemin showed a remarkable excitatory effect on a giant tonically autoactive neurone.     

Iron transport across the blood–brain barrier: development,neurovascular regulation and cerebral amyloid angiopathy

There are two barriers for iron entry into the brain: (1) the brain–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier and (2) the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Here, we review the literature on developmental iron accumulation by the brain, focusing on the transport of iron through the brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) of the BBB. We review the iron trafficking proteins which may be involved in the iron flux across BMVEC and discuss the plausible mechanisms of BMVEC iron uptake and efflux. We suggest a model for how BMVEC iron uptake and efflux are regulated and a mechanism by which the majority of iron is trafficked across the developing BBB under the direct guidance of neighboring astrocytes. Thus, we place brain iron uptake in the context of the neurovascular unit of the adult brain. Last, we propose that BMVEC iron is involved in the aggregation of amyloid-β peptides leading to the progression of cerebral amyloid angiopathy which often occurs prior to dementia and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Untersuchungen zur Klärung der Funktion des Reissnerschen Fadens. In-vitro-Bindung von Noradrenalin,Adrenalin und Serotonin

Summary The glycoprotein of Reissner's fibre is able to bind norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin. Bound amines can be demonstrated at the RF, even after washing with artificial cerebrospinal fluid for some, hours. It is discussed whether it is a function of the RF to remove substances, for instance biogenic amines, from the cerebrospinal fluid.     

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.     

Cleavage of des-Arg9-bradykinin by angiotensin I-converting enzyme from pig kidney cortex

Summary Fast and very slow hydrolyses of des-Arg⁹-bradykinin and angiotensin II by angiotensin I-converting enzyme were detected by high performance liquid chromatography. The Michaelis constants of the enzyme, K_m values, for des-Arg⁹-bradykinin and bradykinin were found to be 0.24 mM and 4.4 M, and the maximum velocities, V_max values (mol·min^–1·mg protein^–1) for these compounds to be 3.24 and 0.34, respectively. The enzyme also hydrolyzed Z-Gly-Pro-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ala to a tripeptide that was identified as dansyl-Gly-Pro-Ala by TLC on polyamide. These observations show that the enzyme hydrolyzes the peptides at the bond before the prolyl residue in the penultimate position.Acknowledgments. We thank Dr Kinzo Nagasawa of Kitasato University for encouragement in this work and Dr Ervin G. Erdös, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Dallas, for valuable discussion and suggestions.Abbreviations used: Z, carbobenzoxy; Bz, benzoyl; ACE, angiotensin I-converting enzyme; BK, bradykinin; HPLC, high performance liquid chromatography.     

Drug action on adenylate kinase activity in cerebrospinal fluid of arteriosclerotic patients

A manifest presence of adenylate kinase activity in cerebrospinal fluid was found in patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis. This activity was significantly higher during treatment with co-dergocrine (Hydergin) compared with the two periods before and after treatment.     

Fine structure histochemical study of the distribution of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) in the meningeal lamellae of the rat

Summary DPP IV was localized in the meningeal lamellae of the spinal cord sheaths of the rat by light and electron microscopy. A membrane-bound reaction product of DPP IV was found in the internal, intermediate and external meningeal lamellae which delineated the CSF-filled meningeal spaces. The cells of the marginal glia displayed heterogeneous localization of the reaction product for DPP IV. DPP IV distribution in the spinal cord sheaths suggests its possible participation in the interactions of the meningeal cells with the neuropeptides in cerebrospinal fluid.     

Fine structure histochemical study of the distribution of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) in the meningeal lamellae of the rat

DPP IV was localized in the meningeal lamellae of the spinal cord sheaths of the rat by light and electron microscopy. A membrane-bound reaction product of DPP IV was found in the internal, intermediate and external meningeal lamellae which delineated the CSF-filled meningeal spaces. The cells of the marginal glia displayed heterogeneous localization of the reaction product for DPP IV. DPP IV distribution in the spinal cord sheaths suggests its possible participation in the interactions of the meningeal cells with the neuropeptides in cerebrospinal fluid.     

Behavioural effects of naloxone in rats.

Naloxone in rats induces a behavioural syndrome closely resembling that induced by intraliquorally injected ACTH peptides. This effect is probably due to a displacement of the ACTH peptides from other receptors (e.g. opiate receptors).     

Characterization of a set of abdominal neuroendocrine cells that regulate stress physiology using colocalized diuretic peptides in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis>

Multiple neuropeptides are known to regulate water and ion balance in Drosophila melanogaster. Several of these peptides also have other functions in physiology and behavior. Examples are corticotropin-releasing factor-like diuretic hormone (diuretic hormone 44; DH44) and leucokinin (LK), both of which induce fluid secretion by Malpighian tubules (MTs), but also regulate stress responses, feeding, circadian activity and other behaviors. Here, we investigated the functional relations between the LK and DH44 signaling systems. DH44 and LK peptides are only colocalized in a set of abdominal neurosecretory cells (ABLKs). Targeted knockdown of each of these peptides in ABLKs leads to increased resistance to desiccation, starvation and ionic stress. Food ingestion is diminished by knockdown of DH44, but not LK, and water retention is increased by LK knockdown only. Thus, the two colocalized peptides display similar systemic actions, but differ with respect to regulation of feeding and body water retention. We also demonstrated that DH44 and LK have additive effects on fluid secretion by MTs. It is likely that the colocalized peptides are coreleased from ABLKs into the circulation and act on the tubules where they target different cell types and signaling systems to regulate diuresis and stress tolerance. Additional targets seem to be specific for each of the two peptides and subserve regulation of feeding and water retention. Our data suggest that the ABLKs and hormonal actions are sufficient for many of the known DH44 and LK functions, and that the remaining neurons in the CNS play other functional roles.     

Aminoacidi della Perilinfa

Summary The following aminoacids have been detected in the perilymph from horses by filter paper chromatography: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phosphocolamine, glycine, serine, taurine, threonine, alanine, glutamine, lysine, arginine,-aminobutyric acid, proline, valine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cystine.A comparative study of chromatograms obtained from blood, perilymph and liquor showed that the perilymph is much more similar to the blood than to the cerebrospinal fluid either for qualitative and for quantitative content in aminoacids.     

Highly elevated content of free myo-inositol in the cerebrospinal fluid of neonates

Summary Free myo-inositol in cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 60 babies aged from newborn to 12 months. In the neonates, a high inositol concentration was found (18–81 mg/100 ml). With increasing age, the values gradually decreased. The finding is discussed in relation to the maturation processes in central nervous tissue.     

Determination of cerebrospinal fluid and serum lead levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurological diseases

In a total of 62 samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and an equal number of serum samples obtained from 16 patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 22 patients suffering from miscellaneous neurological diseases, and 24 controls, lead was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No statistical difference in lead concentration was found between the above three groups.     

Production of antibodies against bradykinin

Summary High-titer antibodies against bradykinin were raised in rabbits. 2 different conjugates of bradykinin were used for immunization: bradykinin coupled to human serum albumin via 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and bradykinin coupled to edestin via 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodiimide. The sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay method is in the range of 1–50 pg of bradykinin. Cross-reaction of anti-bradykinin antisera occurred with kallidin and met-lysbradykinin.     

Histologische und zytologische Untersuchungen über das Ependym und seine Abkömmlinge (insbesondere die Epiphyse und den Saccus vasculosus) bei niederen Vertebraten

Summary In the brain wall of different vertebrate species, ependymal cells of different type occur. These cells possess protuberances which protrude into the ventricle.Although cytologically these structures are all variations of one theme, they must at present be interpreted in different ways as regards function.Probably these cell types form a complex system for the regulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. It remains possible that one or more of these cell types act as light receptors.     

Production of antibodies against bradykinin.

High-titer antibodies against bradykinin were raised in rabbits. 2 different conjugates of bradykinin were used for immunization: bradykinin coupled to human serum albumin via 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and bradykinin coupled to edestin via 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodiimide. The sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay method is in the range of 1-50 pg of bradykinin. Cross-reaction of anti-bradykinin antisera occurred with kallidin and met-lys-bradykinin.