Sulfated malto-oligosaccharides bind to basic FGF, inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, and disrupt endothelial cell tube formation.

The interaction of basic FGF (bFGF) with heparin, heparan sulfate and related sugars can potentiate or antagonize bFGF activity, depending on the size of the saccharide used. Oligosaccharides based on heparin structures, as small as six sugar residues, have been demonstrated to bind to bFGF and block its activity, while larger structures (> 10 sugar residues) tend to potentiate bFGF. In this study we have synthesized a series of compounds designed to test the requirements of size and sulfation for binding of oligosaccharides to bFGF. These oligosaccharides are not derived from heparin, but rather, are linear chains of glucose linked alpha 1-4 (malto-oligosaccharides) that have been chemically sulfated. In addition to bFGF binding, these compounds were tested for their ability to block basic functions of endothelial cells that are known to be mediated, at least in part, by bFGF. We report that the ability of sulfated malto-oligosaccharides to block binding of bFGF to heparan sulfate was dependent on the size (at least a tetrasaccharide is required), and the degree of sulfation. The activity profile in the bFGF ELISA closely correlated with the ability of these compounds to block REEC or HMVEC tube formation on Matrigel. There was a similar relationship of size and sulfation to the ability of the sulfated malto-oligosaccharides to inhibit endothelial cell growth for most human and rat EC types tested. The single exception was REEC cell growth. One isolate of these cells was stimulated by sulfated malto-oligosaccharides rather than inhibited by them, while a second isolate was neither stimulated nor inhibited. This stimulation showed no correlation with inhibition of bFGF binding in the ELISA assay, suggesting that growth of this cell type was probably not dependent on bFGF. Compounds derived from this series of sulfated, malto-oligosaccharides have the potential to function as bFGF antagonists, are relatively easy to produce, and possess relatively low anticoagulant properties.

Peptides inhibit selectin-mediated cell adhesion in vitro, and neutrophil influx into inflammatory sites in vivo.

The selectins are cell adhesion molecules whose carbohydrate-binding domain (C-type lectin) is thought to be involved in leukocyte adhesion to activated vascular endothelium in the inflammatory process. A series of peptides, based on a conserved region (48YYWIGIRK55-NH2) of the lectin domain of E-, L- and P-selectins, were analysed for their ability to block selectin-mediated cell adhesion in vitro, and neutrophil infiltration into sites of inflammation in vivo. The peptides inhibited the adhesion of myeloid cells to recombinant forms of E- and P-selectin. The adhesion of myeloid cells to human endothelial cells, stimulated to express E-selectin, was also inhibited by the peptides. Finally, the peptides blocked the adhesion of lymphocytes, expressing L-selectin, to high endothelial venules in lymph nodes which contain the ligand for L-selectin. A clear structure-activity relationship was established when peptides of different amino acid chain lengths were tested in these assays. Peptides lacking tyrosine residues (e.g. WIGIR-NH2) at their amino terminus were poor inhibitors of selectin-mediated cell adhesion in vitro. The peptides that were found to be inhibitors of cell adhesion in vitro were also found to inhibit (up to 70%) neutrophil infiltration into sites of inflammation in a thioglycollate-induced peritonitis mouse model system. They also significantly reduced (> 50%) the migration of neutrophils into cytokine-treated skin. These results strongly suggest that compounds based on these tyrosine-containing, selectin-derived peptides could be used as anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.

Dealing with the special patient.

It is important to prevent the spread of disease in the dental office, both from the immunocompromised patient to the healthcare providers and/or other patients, and vice versa. This paper reviews some of the standard infection control practices, also called universal precautions, that ensure the safety of all patients, immunocompromised or not.

Sialyl Lewis X mimics derived from a pharmacophore search are selectin inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity.

The selectins, a family of adhesion receptors involved in leukocyte extravasation, recognize sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x); NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc) and related oligosaccharides. We used conformational energy computations, high field NMR, and structure-function studies to define distance parameters of critical functional groups of sLe(x). This sLe(x) pharmacophore was used to search a three-dimensional data base of chemical structures. Compounds that had a similar spatial relationship of functional groups were tested as inhibitors of selectin binding. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpene glycoside, was identified and found to block selectin binding to sLe(x) in vitro. We substituted different sugars for the glucuronic acids of glycyrrhizin and found the L-fucose derivative to be the most active in vitro and in vivo. A C-fucoside derivative, synthesized on a linker designed for stability and to more closely approximate the original sLe(x) pharmacophore, resulted in an easily synthesized, effective selectin blocker with anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of exercise training on intracellular free Ca2+ transients in ventricular myocytes of rats.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training induces enhanced intracellular free Ca2+ (Cai) availability to the contractile elements of cardiac cells. Cai transients were directly measured in single isolated contracting ventricular myocytes from exercise-trained (EX) and sedentary control (SED) rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 16 wk of progressive treadmill exercise (32 m/min, 8% grade, 1.5 h/day) (EX) or were cage confined (SED). EX rats had lower resting heart rate and elevated skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. Cai was measured with the fluorescent Cai indicator fura-2. Simultaneous video monitoring indicated that myocytes suspended in physiological salt solution were quiescent until stimulated electrically at a frequency of 0.2 Hz (12-36 V, 2-ms duration). Stimulated Cai transients, measured from changes in fura-2 fluorescence, were similar in cells from EX and SED groups. Peak shortening, time to peak shortening, velocity of shortening, contraction duration, and time to half-relaxation were also similar in cells from EX and SED rats. Ryanodine (10 microM) was applied to eliminate the contribution of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum to the Cai transient. Verapamil was applied to eliminate the contribution of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to Cai transients. Cai transients were also similar in cells from EX and SED groups after these pharmacological interventions. These results suggest that treadmill training of rats does not alter Cai availability to the contractile elements in isolated ventricular myocytes.

Adrenergic responsiveness and intrinsic sinoatrial automaticity of exercise-trained rats.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that bradycardia in exercise-trained rats results from decreased intrinsic automaticity of the sinoatrial (SA) node and/or alterations in the responsiveness of the beta-receptors of atrial pacemaker cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into exercise trained (ET) and sedentary (SED) groups. ET rats underwent a 12-16 wk program of progressive treadmill training, during which time the SED rats were cage confined. In vivo, resting heart rates were significantly less (P less than 0.05) in ET rats (301 +/- 8 bpm) compared with the SED group (320 +/- 6 bpm). In vitro experiments were conducted on atria isolated from ET and SED rats, and the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol was used to investigate cardiac adrenergic control of chronotropic mechanisms in spontaneously beating right atria and inotropic mechanisms in electrically paced (1 Hz) left atria. There were no significant differences between ET and SED cardiac preparations in either the efficacy (maximal response) or potency (EC50) of isoproterenol dose-response relationships for chronotropic or inotropic responses. Intrinsic right atrial beating frequency, measured in the presence of beta-adrenoceptor block by propranolol and cholinergic muscarinic block by atropine, was lower in ET rats. We conclude that training-induced bradycardia in rats is related, at least in part, to alterations in intrinsic automaticity of SA nodal pacemaker tissue, but does not appear to be associated with changes in the properties of the beta 1-adrenoceptors or their affiliated signal transduction mechanisms in either SA pacemaker cells or atrial myocytes.

Hazardous waste management.

The management of waste in the dental office is dictated by the federal, state, and local ordinances in force in the locale in which the office is located. The dentist must first determine what the laws require and then implement the changes in waste management into the office setting. The local component society of the ADA often provides such information; otherwise, the health department of the government branch having jurisdiction over the office locale will either have the information or know where to find it. Once it has been established what constitutes hazardous waste, the next steps are to contain it, store it, and finally dispose of it according to the information gained from the authorities. Storage of sharps should be accomplished in "hard-walled, leak-proof containers," usually red, which can be closed securely when they have been filled, and which are located as close to the point of use as possible. Solid waste should usually be contained in red bags, which are then bagged in a second bag when full or in a hard-walled container. Waste may then be hauled away for disposal by a qualified company that keeps the required records of the waste from the time it leaves the office until final disposal by incineration or burial in an approved landfill. The company chosen to do the hauling should be able to demonstrate that they have appropriate insurance to indemnify your office in the event of a problem while they have the waste in their possession.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

T cell-derived B cell growth factor(s) can induce stimulation of both resting and activated B cells.

The effects of a preparation containing partially purified, EL4-derived B cell growth factor(s) (BCGF) on B cell growth and proliferation have been examined by using B lymphocyte subpopulations separated on the basis of size. BCGF was found to maintain and enhance proliferation of a significant proportion of large activated B cells. In contrast, small resting B cells required the presence of BCGF and a second stimulus such as anti-IgM antibody (anti-mu) to be induced to proliferate. This disparity was not due to a lack of an effect of BCGF on small resting B cells. A factor contained within the partially purified EL4 supernatant produced time-dependent increases in cell size and RNA content in all subpopulations. These effects were independent of possible effects due to contaminating lymphokines such as interleukin 2 (IL 2), concanavalin A (Con A), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Nonmitogenic doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) failed to show similar effects. Our data suggest that B cells at all levels of in vivo activation are responsive to stimulation by a growth factor present in EL4 supernatant, as manifested by cell growth and RNA synthesis. This activity has not previously been described for BCGF preparations. However, because the partially purified, EL4-derived supernatant used as BCGF in these studies has not been purified to homogeneity, we cannot conclude whether the factors that induce resting B cells to increase in size are the same as the growth factors that synergize with anti-mu to induce B cell proliferation or that maintain the proliferation of activated B cells.

Size-dependent B lymphocyte subpopulations: relationship of cell volume to surface phenotype, cell cycle, proliferative response, and requirements for antibody production to TNP-Ficoll and TNP-BA.

Murine splenic B lymphocytes were separated into size-dependent subpopulations by using counterflow centrifugation. Spleen cells were rigorously depleted of T lymphocytes to yield a population of cells that were greater than 90% surface immunoglobulin (Ig)-positive and that had a mean cell volume of 136.6 +/- 3.3 microns. From this population, five fractions of cells were obtained with mean cell volumes that ranged from 115.8 +/- 3.7 microns in fraction 1 to 168.0 +/- 6 microns in fraction 5. The cells in these five subpopulations were characterized by analysis on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter after staining with acridine orange to evaluate RNA and DNA content, and with fluorescein-conjugated anti-mu, anti-delta, and anti-Ia antibodies to evaluate their surface membrane phenotypes. DNA analysis revealed that virtually all of the cells in fractions 1 to 4 had 2 N DNA. Between 7 and 21% of fraction 5 cells were either in S-phase or contained 4 N DNA. In contrast, RNA content increased through the fractions, suggesting a transition from G0 to G1 in the subpopulations with increasing B cell size. As another measure of cell activation seen with increasing cell size, we observed a progressive increase in the expression of surface Ia and a decrease in the expression of surface IgD. In the absence of in vitro stimulation, the larger cells showed significantly higher levels of thymidine incorporation. When polyclonal B cell activators such as LPS or anti-Ig antibody were added, peak proliferative responses were similar in all of the fractions, but the time necessary to achieve a maximal response was shorter for the larger-sized cell subpopulations than it was for the smaller-sized cell subpopulations. Unprimed, size-dependent B lymphocyte subpopulations exhibited spontaneous or "background" antibody formation that occurred primarily in the subpopulations containing the largest cells. T cell factors present in EL4 supernatant enhanced the efficiency of in vitro differentiation of these same subpopulations. When cultured in the absence of T cell help, the thymus-independent type 1 (TI-1) antigen TNP-Brucella abortus (TNP-BA) or the thymus-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigen TNP-Ficoll induced the largest anti-TNP plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses in the fractions containing intermediate-sized cells, suggesting that in vitro, antigen-specific responses came primarily from B cells that have been influenced in vivo to leave their small resting state. The subpopulations containing the smallest size B cells required the presence of both a TI antigen and EL4 supernatant for efficient differentiation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The use of hepatitis B vaccine in U.S. dental schools.

A questionnaire was sent to the deans of 59 dental schools in the United States. They were asked to indicate their plans for the use of the new hepatitis B vaccine, whether hepatitis B antigen-positive patients were treated in the dental school clinics, and if so, what special precautions were used. The requirements for serological testing of patients were also addressed. Fifty questionnaires were returned. Eight schools (16 percent of the respondents) had not formulated plans for use of the vaccine. Thirty-one schools (62 percent) planned to use it for all students, faculty, dental assistants, and hygienists. In 74 percent of the schools planning to use the vaccine, the cost would be borne by the recipients; in 16 percent, costs would be paid by the institution. Several stated that the cost would be shared by both. Twenty percent of the respondents had not yet formulated plans for payment. The responses indicated that a great deal of indecision still exists among dental administrators as to the use of the hepatitis B vaccine and who will assume the cost.