Diffusion in the aqueous compartment.

Measurements of diffusion of molecules in cells can provide information about cytoplasmic viscosity and structure. In a series of studies electron-spin resonance was used to measure the diffusion of a small spin label in the aqueous cytoplasm of mammalian cells. Translational and rotational motion were determined from the same spectra. Based on measurements made in model systems, it was hypothesized that calculations of the apparent viscosity of the cytoplasm from both rotational and translational motion would distinguish between the effects of viscosity and structure on diffusion. The diffusion constant measured in several cell lines averaged 3.3 X 10(-6) cm2/s. It was greater in growing cells and in cells treated with cytochalasin B than in quiescent cells. The viscosity of the cytoplasm calculated from the translational diffusion constant or the rotational correlation time was 2.0-3.0 centipoise, about two to three times that of the spin label in water. Therefore, over the dimensions measured by the technique, 50-100 A, solvent viscosity appears to be the major determinant of particle movement in cells under physiologic conditions. However, when cells were subjected to hypertonic conditions, the translational motion of the spin label decreased threefold, whereas the rotational motion changed by less than 20%. These data suggest that the decrease in cell volume under hypertonic conditions is accompanied by an increase in cytoplasmic barriers and a decrease in the space between existing cytoplasmic components without a significant increase in viscosity in the aqueous phase. In addition, a comparison of reported diffusion values of a variety of molecules in water and in cells indicates that cytoplasmic structure plays an important role in the diffusion of proteins such as bovine serum albumin.

DNA synthesis in the anterior pituitary of the male rat: effect of castration and photoperiod.

Castration increased incorporation of tritiated thymidine into total DNA in the anterior pituitary gland. Furthermore, there was a threefold increase in the percentage of labeled basophils 1 month after castration. Exposure of rats to constant light or dark also changed DNA synthesis; these changes depended on age of the animal and on exposure length. The results reflect physiologically induced mitotic activity in specific classes of pituitary cells and further suggest that neuroendocrine mechanisms may be involved in control of cell turnover in the gland.

Management of colorectal liver metastases in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

We have taken into consideration papers published in the last 10 years on the treatment of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer and the pre-operative prognostic factors needed to consider these subjects eligible for surgical treatment. Peritoneal carcinomatosis should not be considered an absolute contraindication to hepatic resection if it is possible to perform a complete resection of all peritoneal and liver disease.

Appropriate intervention strategies for weight gain induced by olanzapine: a randomized controlled study.

Weight gain induced by antipsychotics is the second most frequently given reason for noncompliance with pharmacologic therapy; excessive sedative effects rank first, with extrapyramidal side effects ranking third. Frequently, weight gain leads to inconsistent pharmacologic treatment; this exposes patients to the risk of recurrent symptoms. In fact, one of the key contributors to good clinical outcomes in schizophrenic patients is compliance with pharmacologic treatment. The goals of this study were to evaluate weight gain in a group of patients treated with olanzapine, diet modifications, and moderate physical activity and to compare the findings with those from a second group of patients who were given only olanzapine treatment. For 8 wk, investigators followed 2 groups of patients suffering from schizophrenia and hypomania in bipolar disorder, according to the nosographic criteria of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). The first group (A) of 18 patients (9 female, 9 male) affected by manic episodes in bipolar disorder received olanzapine (10-20 mg/d), jogged lightly for 30 min 3 times a week, and complied with a diet that consisted of 500 kcal/d less than usual. The second group (B) of 10 patients (4 female, 6 male) with schizophrenia received only olanzapine (10-20 mg/d). All patients from both groups were weighed at the beginning of the observation period and weekly thereafter for 2 mo. After 2 mo of observation, group A showed a mean weight gain of 1.47 kg, whereas group B exhibited a mean weight gain of 3.5 kg; the difference between the 2 groups was almost 2 kg (P<.005). Group A showed a statistically significant reduction in weight gain compared with group B, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of moderate physical activity and diet therapy in reducing weight gain in atypical antipsychotic treatment. Therefore, patient weight and body mass index must be monitored during the first weeks of antipsychotic treatment, with the goals of avoiding significant weight gain and treatment interruption.

A multicentric phase II clinical trial on intra-arterial hepatic radiotherapy with 90yttrium SIR-spheres in unresectable, colorectal liver metastases refractory to i.v. chemotherapy: preliminary results on toxicity and response rates.

BACKGROUND: In patients locally progressing after two lines of chemotherapy, some locoregional approaches showed encouraging results in terms of local control of disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate toxicity, clinical response and quality of life in 48 patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases submitted to selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Up to now 35 patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases, refractory to two lines of chemotherapy, underwent intra-arterial infusion of resin microspheres with yttrium-90 (SIR-spheres). Pre-treatment evaluation included a CT scan, blood tests, a PET scan and arteriography of celiac trunk, hepatic and superior mesenteric artery; extrahepatic uptakes and pulmonary shunts more than 10% were excluded by a Scinti-scan. The gastroduodenal artery was embolized before the SIR-spheres injection. Other exclusion criteria were liver dysfunction and anatomical vascular anomalies. The clinical response was evaluated by CT-scan following the RECIST criteria. Median follow-up was 4 months. RESULTS: Median number of metastases was 4 (range, 1-15), 38% of cases presenting hepatic involvement < 25%. The median SIRT dose delivered was 1.7 GBq. Median pulmonary shunt was 6%. No operative mortality occurred; early toxicity (within 48 hours) was 20.6%, shown as fever, acute pain and leucocytosis. The late toxicity was 24.1% with chronic pain, jaundice and nausea being the most frequent. All the toxic events were graded 2 or 3 according to the WHO scale. Preliminary results were available in terms of clinical response after 6 weeks: 12.5% had a partial response, 75% a stable disease, while progression of disease, was observed in 12.5% of the patients. CONCLUSION: SIRT is a safe treatment in terms of acute and late toxicity. Intra-arterial microspheres could represent a good therapeutic option for patients with progressing liver metastases only, after two lines of systemic chemotherapy.

Suppression of lectin-stimulated DNA synthesis in bovine lymphocytes by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) modulates DNA synthesis in bovine lymph node lymphocytes in culture. Whether TPA enhances or depresses DNA synthesis depends on when the TPA is added with regard to time of mitogenic stimulation. We have previously reported that TPA acts as a comitogen when added with the lectins phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A, but it inhibits DNA synthesis in these cells in mixed lymphocyte culture. We report in this study that pretreatment of bovine lymph node lymphocytes with TPA depressed their proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, or pokeweek mitogen. The extent of inhibition varied somewhat with each animal and particular lectin. The effect was reversible. Inhibition was not due to a shift in the kinetics of the response or to a change in the dose response. TPA may act directly by changing the lymphocyte surface properties and/or indirectly through a cell population or product to suppress the proliferative response. One cell product, plasminogen activator, was identified in culture medium, although we have no evidence at this time that it is responsible for the inhibitory effect of TPA.

Effect of macrophages on phorbol ester-stimulated comitogenesis in bovine lymphocytes.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) added together with mitogenic lectins to bovine lymph node lymphocytes causes a synergistic increase in DNA synthesis. This comitogen effect is due to an increase in cell proliferation. To determine the role of macrophages in comitogenesis, lymphocyte preparations were depleted of macrophages by sequential adherence to glass, plastic, and nylon wool. Phagocytic cells were removed by incubation with carbonyl iron and a magnet. After macrophage depletion, the lymphocyte response to lectins decreased, indicating the accessory function of macrophages in mitogenesis. The addition of TPA or macrophages to the depleted cultures restored its response to that of the unfractionated cells. TPA was still comitogenic with lectin in lymphocyte preparations from which all residual macrophages were removed by antimacrophage serum and complement. Therefore, the comitogenic effect of TPA is independent of macrophages in these cultures.

Differentiation of peanut lectin positive suppressor T-cells from peanut lectin negative precursors in bovine cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Although 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) can synergize with lectins to enhance lymphocyte proliferation, pretreatment of lymphocytes with TPA decreases their response. Pretreatment also inhibits the response to allogeneic cells in the mixed lymphocyte culture. In this study we determined that at least part of this inhibition was due to the generation of T-lymphocytes with the ability to suppress proliferation in vitro. By using populations enriched in lymphocytes or macrophages we determined that the interaction of TPA with lymphocytes, but not macrophages, was required to mediate the suppression. The number of macrophages present in culture (range, 0.5-10%) was irrelevant to the generation of inhibitory activity. Moreover, the TPA-induced suppressor activity copurified with T-cells. Furthermore, when peanut lectin (agglutinin) (PNA) was used to separate T-cells after treatment with TPA, essentially all of the activity copurified with the PNA positive cells. When PNA separations were carried out before treatment with TPA, the suppressor activity arose from the PNA negative fraction. Therefore, TPA appeared to cause phenotypically PNA negative T-cells to gain the PNA positive marker, as well as to function as suppressor cells in vitro. Suppressor activity was also found in the culture medium. Thus the suppression observed may be mediated through a soluble factor released by the TPA-treated cells. Although the suppressor cell activity induced by TPA can only partially account for its in vitro inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation, the development of suppressor cells merits further study with respect to lymphocyte phenotypic and functional differentiation. The results also suggest the possibility that similar processes could occur in vivo, possibly during the course of tumor promotion.

Differential activation and inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by phorbol esters, mezerein, teleocidin, and okadaic acid.

Lymphocytes can be stimulated to proliferate in vitro by mitogens such as concanavalin A. The tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) can enhance this proliferation, partly because of an increase in interleukin 2 (IL-2) production. However, if lymphocytes are treated with TPA for 24 h before concanavalin A exposure, IL-2 production and proliferation are depressed. The target of the action of TPA is protein kinase C, which is activated after a short exposure but down-regulated after a longer one. This study was designed to determine if the modulation of IL-2 was separable from the modulation of protein kinase C. When phorbol esters phorbol 12-retinoate-13-acetate, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate, and 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate-20-acetate, as well as nonphorbol tumor promoters mezerein, telocidin, and okadaic acid, were tested, all but okadaic acid reproduced the effects of TPA. However, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate and 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate-20-acetate were required at nearly 100-fold higher concentrations than TPA to suppress IL-2 production, suppress mitogenesis, and cause down-regulation of protein kinase C. A comparison of structures indicated that an R group at the 12-position was less important for IL-2 production and mitogenesis than for down-regulation of protein kinase C and the suppression of mitogenesis. In no case was the modulation of protein kinase C separated from the effects on IL-2 production and proliferation.

Interaction of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate with cells in mixed-lymphocyte culture.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibits DNA synthesis in bovine lymph node lymphocytes in mixed-lymphocyte cultures. Using a radioautographic study, we determined that TPA also blocked morphological changes in these cultures. Pretreatment of cultures of isologous lymphocytes with 10(-7) M TPA for three days prior to mixing was sufficient to block their subsequent response in mixed culture. Thus, TPA did not need to be present during the initial cell-to-cell interactions of the mixed lymphocyte response. The inhibition was not due to the death of the responding cell population because the effect was reversible. In one-way mixed-lymphocyte cultures, TPA pretreatment of either responding or stimulating cells could block DNA synthesis. The responding cells were more sensitive to TPA than were the stimulating cells. The inhibitory effect of the stimulators increased with an increase in the stimulating-to-responding cell ratio. In one-way cultures, it was also seen that lymphocytes from different animals varied both in their sensitivity to TPA and in their response to TPA-treated cells from other animals. The data taken together are consistent with the idea that TPA acts by changing cell surface recognition structures and/or indirectly, through activation of a subpopulation of cells to block the proliferative response. TPA may prove to be a valuable tool in studying cell-cell interactions and lymphocyte differentiation in vitro.

Detection of high mobility group I HMGI(Y) protein in the diagnosis of thyroid tumors: HMGI(Y) expression represents a potential diagnostic indicator of carcinoma.

Hyperplastic or neoplastic proliferative lesions of thyroid follicular epithelium consist of a spectrum, ranging from nodular hyperplasia to undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma, and usually present as palpable thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are a common occurrence in the general population, but only a small proportion of them are eventually diagnosed as carcinoma. The difficulty in objectively identifying those thyroid nodules that are malignant to avoid unnecessary surgery, combined with the range and effectiveness of the available therapeutic options in those patients who do, indeed, have thyroid carcinoma, has prompted the search for tumor markers and prognostic indicators. The high mobility group I (HMGI) proteins represent a class of nuclear proteins involved in the regulation of chromatin structure and function. HMGI(Y), one of the members of this class, is expressed at high levels during embryogenesis and in malignant tumors but at generally low levels in normal adult human tissues. Previous work on a limited number of thyroid samples suggested that the detection of the HMGI(Y) proteins may provide a clinically useful diagnostic tool. To verify this assumption, we analyzed HMGI(Y) expression by a combination of immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-PCR in 358 thyroid tissue samples that were representative of the spectrum of thyroid tumor pathology. HMGI(Y) was detectable in 18 of 19 follicular carcinomas, 92 of 96 papillary carcinomas, and 11 of 11 undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinomas but in only 1 of 20 hyperplastic nodules, 44 of 200 follicular adenomas, and 0 of 12 normal tissue samples. The correlation between HMGI(Y) expression and a diagnosis of carcinoma was highly significant (P < 0.0001). We also prospectively collected and analyzed for HMGI(Y) expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-PCR in 12 fine needle aspiration biopsies from 10 patients who subsequently underwent surgical removal of a solitary thyroid nodule. HMGI(Y) was detectable only in the four fine needle aspiration biopsies, corresponding to the thyroid nodules that were definitively diagnosed as carcinomas after surgery (two follicular carcinomas and two papillary carcinomas). The remaining eight samples (six follicular adenomas and two samples consisting of normal follicular cells) were negative. The findings of this study confirm the differential expression of HMGI(Y) in thyroid neoplasia and indicate the HMGI(Y) protein as a potential marker for thyroid carcinoma.

RET/PTC oncogene activation is an early event in thyroid carcinogenesis.

RET/PTC oncogene activation occurs in about 20% of human thyroid papillary carcinomas. However, it is not known yet whether it is an early or late event in the process of thyroid carcinogenesis. Here we demonstrate, by using a combined immunohistochemical and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction based approach, that RET/PTC activation is present in 11 out of 26 occult thyroid papillary carcinomas analysed. Therefore, we conclude that it represents an early event in the process of thyroid cell transformation.

Inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte proliferative response by phorbol esters.

The phorbol diester, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, a potent cocarcinogen in mice, blocks the induction of DNA synthesis in lymphocytes undergoing the mixed lymphocyte response. At 10(-7) M diester, the induced DNA synthesis is inhibited almost completely (99%). This action of the diester affects some early step in the response which is necessary for the triggering of cell replication; on-going DNA replication is not significantly affected. Phorbol 12,13-diacetate, a less potent analogue in tumor promotion in vivo, is also a less potent inhibitor of the mixed lymphocyte response (75% inhibition at 10(-6) M). Phorbol, the parent alcohol, is not effective in either system. The use of phorbol diesters in the molecular dissection of mixed lymphocyte responses is discussed.

Phorbol ester circumvents the need for macrophages as well as for mitogenic lectins in the stimulation of lymphocytes with wheat germ agglutinin or the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin.

Numerous biochemical events precede the proliferation of primary lymphocytes stimulated by mitogenic lectins in the presence of macrophages. Various compounds can activate parts of this response. Specifically the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, (TPA), can replace the requirement for macrophages, apparently by mimicking the macrophage product interleukin 1 (IL1). Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), itself a non-mitogenic lectin, is reported to cause a calcium flux, phosphatidylinositol turnover, and enhance interleukin 2 (IL2) synthesis. In spite of these positive responses, WGA inhibits DNA synthesis caused by mitogenic lectins. Nevertheless, in this study, we tested the possibility that together TPA and WGA could complement and bring about DNA synthesis. This prediction turned out to be true. The combination of two non-mitogenic compounds resulted in lymphocyte proliferation. The TPA overcame the inhibitory effects of WGA. Moreover, macrophages were not required. The TPA also synergized with the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin to cause lymphocyte proliferation in the absence of macrophages. WGA and the ionophores together did not cause proliferation, a finding which suggested that they fulfill the same roles. These observations led us to conclude that at least two signals were required for lymphocyte stimulation. One signal caused the mobilization of calcium and the other signal circumvented the need for macrophages or macrophage products possibly by mimicking diacylglycerol, the activator of protein kinase C.

Activation of primary lymphocytes requires prolonged lectin stimulation.

T lymphocytes are activated by a complex series of events, but the mechanisms remain unclear. One uncertainty is the time of receptor-ligand interaction necessary for commitment to DNA synthesis and proliferation. Although this issue has broad implications for the interpretation of T cell activation data, it remains unresolved. Therefore, we examined the temporal activation requirements of rat splenocytes stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) by measuring proliferation, as well as interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and IL-2 receptor IL-2R) expression. Splenocytes stimulated with various Con A concentrations for 3 h did not incorporate significantly more [3H]thymidine than unstimulated splenocytes. Some increase occurred after 6 h of lectin exposure but maximum proliferation occurred only after the 52-h stimulation. Furthermore, Con A incubations of 6 h or more were required for significant increases in IL-2 or IL-2R. Maximum lymphokine production and receptor expression were observed after the 52-h stimulation. Thus, activation of some primary lymphocytes required only 6 h of stimulation, but much longer mitogen contact was necessary for maximum recruitment.

DNA synthesis and production of interleukin 1 by lymph node macrophages in culture.

When bovine lymph node cells are cultured for several days the adherent macrophage population increases by as much as tenfold. This increase in cell number is primarily due to cell division, which reaches a maximum on day 4 or 5 of culture. Although the presence of the nonadherent cells seems required for cell division, we have been unable to detect a macrophage growth factor in either the nonadherent cell populations. The adherent cells were identified as macrophages based on positive esterase staining, the presence of Fc receptors, beta-glucuronidase activity, and phagocytosis. Moreover, these adherent cells produced interleukin 1 (IL1) after exposure to lipopolysaccharide in serum-free medium. Approximately 10(7) macrophages were stimulated to produce about 900 units of IL1 in a 24-hr period. Thus, the bovine lymph node preparation is a potential source of a large number of macrophages capable of dividing in culture and of producing IL1.

Antiorthostatic suspension as a model for the effects of spaceflight on the immune system.

We describe the use and appropriateness of antiorthostatic suspension in immunological investigations. This manuscript describes the model and discusses how well data obtained by using the model correlate with spaceflight data. This review concludes with some suggestions for future experiments using antiorthostatic suspension.

Immune changes in test animals during spaceflight.

Over the past two decades, it has become apparent that changes in immune parameters occur in cosmonauts and astronauts after spaceflight. Therefore, interest has been generated in the use of animal surrogates to better understand the nature and extent of these changes, the mechanism of these changes, and to allow the possible development of countermeasures. Among the changes noted in animals after spaceflight are alterations in lymphocytic blastogenesis, cytokine function, natural killer cell activity, and colony-stimulating factors. The nature and significance of spaceflight-induced changes in immune responses will be the focus of this review.

Prolactin receptors are found on heterogeneous subpopulations of rat splenocytes.

An increasingly large body of evidence implicates PRL as an immunoregulatory molecule. While most of the data relate to PRL levels and immunocompetence in vivo, we have shown that PRL is mitogenic for splenocytes from ovariectomized rats and rats in certain other hormonal states. This finding suggests that these lymphocytes express PRL receptors. Here, we wished to determine whether all or only a subset of splenocytes were PRL receptor positive. By using polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibodies to PRL receptor, we determined that as many as 20% of the primary splenocytes expressed PRL receptors. In a culture of Nb2 cells, a PRL receptor-positive lymphoid line, as many as 70% were PRL receptor positive. Dual labeling for lymphoid-specific antigen surface markers and PRL receptor indicated that about one third of the PRL receptor-positive splenocytes were kappa-light chain-positive B-cells, while the others stained with antibodies to T-cell markers, CD4 or CD8. These data confirm that lymphocytes express PRL receptors and show for the first time that PRL receptor-positive lymphocytes are a heterogenous subset of total primary splenocytes. These cells may be the target for PRL-mediated immunoregulation.

Prolactin induction of interleukin-2 receptors on rat splenic lymphocytes.

A case for the involvement of PRL in the regulation of the immune system is strong. However, no mechanism by which PRL exerts this regulation has yet been identified. We studied the in vitro effects of PRL on splenocytes from ovariectomized (OVX) rats and discovered that PRL induced the formation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) cell surface receptors. However, PRL did not induce IL-2 secretion. This response, which was dependent on the concentration of PRL, also depended upon the estrogen status of the splenocyte donor; thus, splenocytes from OVX rats or rats in diestrus responded to PRL, whereas those from estrogen-treated OVX rats or rats in estrus did not. We propose that in vivo exposure of PRL, under certain physiological conditions, may prime a pool of splenocytes to express IL-2 cell surface receptors, allowing these cells to be responsive to variations in local concentrations of IL-2.