Cells expressing Ia antigens in the avian thymus.

The various cell types expressing Ia antigens in the chick and quail thymus have been studied by means of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) prepared by using chick and quail thymic adherent cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) as immunogens. Three reagents were selected by the following criteria: (a) they react with a surface determinant carried by thymic adherent cells and bursal lymphocytes, (b) they can be used to immunoprecipitate from spleen cell membrane extracts molecular entities of an apparent molecular weight close to 55,000, which can be fractionated into monomers at approximately 30,000 mol wt in dissociating conditions. Among these three reagents, two are strictly species specific, i.e., they recognize either chick (TaPl) or quail (TaCl) Ia determinants, whereas the third, TaC2, recognizes both chick and quail Ia molecules. Chimeric thymuses in which the epithelioconnective stroma is derived from the quail thymic primordium and the whole hemopoietic cell population (lymphocytes and accessory cells) are of chick origin were constructed as previously described by our group (20). The different mAb were applied on normal (quail and chick) and chimeric thymuses. It appears that the thymus is divided into two compartments in terms of the nature of cells expressing Ia: the cortex, in which class II antigens are exclusively expressed by endodermal epithelial cells, and the medulla, where the majority of nonlymphoid cells are Ia-positive cells of hemopoietic origin. A few epithelial cells only are present in the thymic medulla. They are closely intricated with the sessile Ia-positive cells, whose precursors penetrate the thymus along with the lymphocyte progenitors and which are renewed in the course of thymic development. In contrast, the epithelial reticulum, expressing Ia both in the cortex and medulla, contributes a stable thymic component. During early thymic ontogeny, the hemopoietic cells expressed detectable levels of Ia antigen before the epithelial cell network.

EndoCAM: a novel endothelial cell-cell adhesion molecule.

Cell-cell adhesion is controlled by many molecules found on the cell surface. In addition to the constituents of well-defined junctional structures, there are the molecules that are thought to play a role in the initial interactions of cells and that appear at precise times during development. These include the cadherins and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Representatives of these families of adhesion molecules have been isolated from most of the major tissues. The notable exception is the vascular endothelium. Here we report the identification of a cell surface molecule designated "endoCAM" (endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule), which may function as an endothelial cell-cell adhesion molecule. EndoCAM is a 130-kD glycoprotein expressed on the surface of endothelial cells both in culture and in situ. It is localized to the borders of contiguous endothelial cells. It is also present on platelets and white blood cells. Antibodies against endoCAM prevent the initial formation of endothelial cell-cell contacts. Despite similarities in size and intercellular location, endoCAM does not appear to be a member of the cadherin family of adhesion receptors. The serologic and protease susceptibility characteristics of endoCAM are different from those of the known cadherins, including an endogenous endothelial cadherin. Although the precise biologic function of endoCAM has not been determined, it appears to be one of the molecules responsible for regulating endothelial cell-cell adhesion processes and may be involved in platelet and white blood cell interactions with the endothelium.

Separation of luminal and abluminal membrane enriched domains from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells: monoclonal antibodies specific for endothelial cell plasma membranes.

Two kinds of membrane (luminal and abluminal membrane domains) fractions have been isolated from bovine aortic endothelial cells by fractionation of whole cell homogenate on discontinuous sucrose density gradients. The luminal membrane domain was enriched 12-16-fold for angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and 8-10-fold in alkaline phosphatase activity. The abluminal membrane domain displayed an enrichment of 8-fold in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. Both of the membrane domains were minimally contaminated with mitochondria, microsomes and Golgi bodies, as assessed by their corresponding marker enzyme activities. 125I-labeling of endothelial cell monolayers by the Enzymo-Bead lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination procedure, followed by isolation of membranes, revealed that the radioactivity was predominantly associated with membranes enriched in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, corresponding to the luminal membrane domain. However, when cells were radioiodinated in suspension culture, radioactivity was found equally associated in both the luminal and abluminal membrane fractions. Electron microscopy of freeze-fractured and sectioned material showed both luminal and abluminal membrane domains to be in the form of vesicles varying in size from 100 to 400 nm in diameter. To characterize the separation of endothelial cell membrane domains, we have attempted to prepare monoclonal antibodies specific for endothelial cells. Several clones were obtained, producing antibodies which bound to endothelial cells of arterial, venous and capillary origin. Two antibodies of these clones, XIVC6 and XVD2, were studied in more detail. In the ELISA assay, these antibodies reacted with bovine vascular endothelial cells, but not with human umbilical cord endothelial cells, nor with bovine corneal endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells or fibroblasts. Both of these antibodies are directed against an antigen of approximately 130 kDa, under reducing and non-reducing conditions, as assayed by the immunoprecipitation method. Western blot analysis of luminal and abluminal membrane fractions revealed that only MAb XVD2 reacted with an antigen, indicating that the antibody XIVC6 is directed against an epitope which is denatured by SDS. Moreover, MAb XVD2 preferentially reacted with the luminal membrane compared to the abluminal membrane domain of the endothelial cell. These monoclonal antibodies do not react with platelet membrane proteins, indicating that this 130 kDa membrane antigen is not common to both endothelial cells and platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mitochondrial superoxide dismutase in mature and developing human retinal pigment epithelium.

Human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contains two genetically distinct forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes that scavenge harmful superoxide anions. Biochemical and immunochemical techniques were used to compare levels of copper-zinc- and manganese-containing forms of SOD (CuZn-SOD and Mn-SOD) in human adult and fetal RPE cells. It was found that Mn-SOD activity was higher in adult than fetal RPE cells, both in vivo and in vitro. Immunolocalization of Mn-SOD in cultured RPE cells showed a greater reactivity in the mitochondria of the adult cells. Primary cultures of adult RPE contained cells with various patterns of mitochondria as shown by immunolabeling for Mn-SOD. Adult RPE cells were more resistant to the effects of a superoxide generator, paraquat, which appeared to disrupt mitochondrial integrity as judged by staining with rhodamine 123. These results suggest that high levels of Mn-SOD protect mitochondria from oxidative damage that probably occurs with aging in the RPE.

Metallothionein shows an age-related decrease in human macular retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possible role of zinc-metallothionein in human retinal pigment epithelium with regard to age-related changes. METHODS: A cadmium/heme assay was used to quantitate metallothionein in isolated macular and peripheral retinal pigment epithelium from donors ranging in age from 28 to 91 yr (n = 16, mean age = 68.6 yr). RESULTS: It was found that peripheral retinal pigment epithelium contained significantly more metallothionein and zinc than macular retinal pigment epithelium. Macular retinal pigment epithelium cells contained 17.6 +/- 2.2 micrograms metallothionein/mg cytosolic protein in donors younger than 70 yr, compared to 5.6 +/- 0.9 in macular retinal pigment epithelium from donors older than 70 yr, a 68% decline (P = 0.0007). In cultured retinal pigment epithelium, when we lowered the zinc concentration in the medium, metallothionein was reduced by 72% after 1 wk of incubation. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that lower levels of metallothionein in retinal pigment epithelium are caused by reduced metallothionein gene activity or a faster rate of protein degradation, both of which are known to be regulated, at least partly, by bioavailable zinc.

Human retinal pigment epithelium contains two distinct species of superoxide dismutase.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) molecules occur in all cells exposed to an oxygen-containing environment, including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Previous studies of nonhuman RPE have either probed specifically for copper-zinc-containing SOD (CuZn-SOD) or have not distinguished between CuZn-SOD and the SOD molecule that contains manganese (Mn-SOD). The authors used specific enzymatic assays and immunologic probes, both in vivo and in vitro, to show that human RPE cells contain both CuZn-SOD and Mn-SOD. The CuZn-SOD had a diffuse cytosolic distribution, whereas the Mn form was located primarily in the mitochondria. The role of SODs in protecting the chorioretinal complex against oxidative damage and with regard to aging processes is not well understood and warrants further investigation, and the two cellular forms of SOD should be considered in future studies.

Antioxidant enzymes in the aging human retinal pigment epithelium.

The antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase have integral roles in controlling reactive oxygen radicals that can harm cells. In the present study, we quantitated catalase activity in retinal pigment epithelium, retina, iris, and vitreous from human donors. To our knowledge, our results represent the first quantitation of catalase activity in human retinal pigment epithelium and show six-fold greater catalase activity in retinal pigment epithelium than in other ocular tissues analyzed (P less than .0001). To investigate whether aging or macular degeneration affects retinal pigment epithelium catalase or superoxide dismutase activities, we measured enzyme levels in retinal pigment epithelium from donors 50 to 90 years of age with and without evidence of macular degeneration. Superoxide dismutase activity showed no significant correlations with aging or macular degeneration, while catalase activity decreased with age (P less than .02) and macular degeneration (P less than .05) in both macular and peripheral retinal pigment epithelium.

Age-dependent change in the hyaluronic acid content of the human chorioretinal complex.

OBJECTIVE: Hyaluronic acid (HA) has a key role in the structure and organization of the extracellular matrix. We sought to identify the distribution of HA in human eye tissue with regard to age using a biotinylated HA-binding protein. METHODS: Fetal and adult (from donors ranging from 28 to 94 years of age) eye tissues were fixed less than 24 hours post mortem and embedded in JB-4 medium (Polysciences, Warrington, Pa). Sections of 2-microns thickness were used. Control sections were pretreated either with Streptomyces hyaluronidase or HA-binding protein inactivated by HA. The binding of the protein to HA was detected with avidinbiotin alkaline phosphatase and developed by incubation with naphthol as-mx phosphate and Texas Red Salt (Pierce, Rockford, Ill). RESULTS: Specific staining for HA was observed in fetal eyes in the choroid, Bruch's membrane, sclera, retinal pigment epithelium, and developing retina from the vitreoretinal interface to the inner plexiform layer. Specific staining decreased with age in the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium, and Bruch's membrane. Hyaluronic acid-specific staining was undetectable in tissues from donors over 50 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The localization of HA in the chorioretinal complex and its disappearance after the fifth decade of life may play a role in aging and age-related retinal disorders.

Experimental transplantation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells on collagen substrates.

We studied the use of human retinal pigment epithelial cells cultured on a collagen support as a potential transplantation therapy to replace diseased or damaged retinal pigment epithelium. Using a transvitreal approach, we transplanted human retinal pigment epithelial cells attached to either a sheet of noncross-linked or cross-linked type I collagen into the subretinal space of New Zealand white rabbits, whose eyes lack pigment. Animals were killed after six weeks, and the eyes were fixed for light microscopy. The results demonstrated that, in eyes receiving the noncross-linked collagen support, a layer of pigmented donor retinal pigment epithelium was visible within the subretinal space, with a normal-appearing retina and no evidence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy or graft rejection. We believe this method may be applicable to replace dysfunctional retinal pigment epithelial cells in humans.

Carbon dioxide laser irradiation of bacterial targets in vitro.

Agar targets seeded with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in roll tubes simulating the vaginal vault were irradiated with a CO2 laser at various power densities and durations. Viable bacteria were detected in the plume emissions in all instances. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be more resistant to the thermal effects of lasing than E. coli. This suggests that CO2 irradiation of cervical lesions could disseminate viable particles which may be a hazard for patients and operators.

Metallothionein in human retinal pigment epithelial cells: expression, induction and zinc uptake.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays several important roles in the continual support and renewal of photoreceptor outer segments. In the present study, we have demonstrated that RPE cells contain a low molecular weight protein with a high capacity for zinc binding that is dependent on available sulfhydryl groups. This protein is inducible by a 24 hour incubation of cultured RPE in medium supplemented with zinc, cadmium, or dexamethasone. The induction of this protein is correlated with an increased capacity for zinc-65 uptake into cultured RPE. Analysis with a cDNA probe specific for the human metallothionein II gene corroborated the existence and induction of metallothionein gene products in RPE cells. Based on these properties, we have identified this protein as metallothionein. The induction of metallothionein likely has a critical influence on the zinc economy of the RPE.

Zinc uptake by primate retinal pigment epithelium and choroid.

We studied zinc uptake by nonhuman primate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, using 65Zn as a probe. With intravenously administered 65ZnCl2, virtually all detectable tracer was lost from the plasma after 20 hours but the pigment epithelium-choroid showed prominent uptake and retention. Plasma concentrations of oral 65ZnO remained high 20 hours after feeding. Uptake and retention of orally administered 65Zn as 65ZnO from the bloodstream by the RPE/choroid was avid in both young and old animals. Excretion in urine and feces was minimal. All pigmented ocular tissues took up and retained 65Zn. A survey of total zinc content of human and nonhuman primate ocular tissues showed that the pigmented tissues had consistently higher concentrations of zinc. Our results demonstrate for the first time direct uptake and retention of zinc from the blood by primate RPE and other ocular tissues.

Influence of zinc on selected cellular functions of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium.

Zinc is a necessary micronutrient, usually abundant in human RPE. Our study was undertaken to determine the effects of short-term, zinc deficiency on human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) using a culture model of fetal human RPE cells. Human fetal RPE cells were isolated and cultured in Coon's modified Ham's F-12 medium. For zinc depletion studies, cells were cultured for 1 week in Chelex-treated Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing low (0.25 microM) or physiologic (11 microM) total zinc concentrations as determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Protein synthesis was determined by incorporation of 35S-cysteine/methionine and labeled proteins analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Several cell parameters and enzymes were significantly reduced below control when cultured in low zinc: zinc content (40%), proliferation (63%), protein/well (50%), catalase activity (68%), alkaline phosphatase activity (61%), alpha-mannosidase activity (68%), and metallothionein (82%). No statistically significant decline was seen in acid phosphatase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity and dexamethasone induction of metallothionein. Zinc repletion (100 microM, 1 h) increased catalase and alpha-mannosidase activities from 32% and 33% of control to 75% and 73%, respectively. Cycloheximide did not inhibit this short-term zinc-induced repletion of catalase or alpha-mannosidase. Protein synthesis in low zinc medium was depressed, but not significantly, as shown by incorporation of radiolabeled 35S-cysteine/methionine into newly synthesized proteins. The effects of zinc deficiency in cultured human RPE are selective. Adequate intracellular zinc was required for maximal activity of some enzymes. The dependence of catalase activity on zinc was not predicted and may help explain the observed decline in catalase activity seen with age in RPE. Our model of zinc deficiency should prove useful in elucidating the complex effects of zinc deficiency and repletion in human RPE.

Avian thymic accessory cells.

On the basis of morphologic criteria and ingestion of latex particles, two basic types of accessory cells can be identified from quail and chick thymuses, dendritic cells, and macrophages. By using embryonic grafting techniques, we show that cells of this lineage enter the thymus during the initial colonization of the epithelial thymic rudiment by hemopoietic cells, and within a few days differentiate into cells exhibiting properties of glass adherence, Ia expression, and formation of rosettes with thymocytes. It appears that the precursors of this lineage undergo extensive, but finite, proliferation and are eventually replaced by further influx of the accessory cell lineage. In chimeric grafts, quail thymocytes were seen forming rosettes with chick accessory cells, and vice versa, indicating, as in the interaction between the epithelial cells and thymocytes, that the molecules involved in thymocyte-accessory cell association can interact across species barriers in our system.

Ontogeny of primary lymphoid organs and lymphoid stem cells.

Cells of the immune system go through a series of important developmental steps that begin early in embryonic life and include, first, the various waves of hemopoietic-cell production in the embryo and, second, the homing of these cells to the hemopoietic organs, which are the sites of hemopoiesis and lymphopoiesis in embryonic and adult life. The avian embryo is an important model for investigating these early steps; and this paper presents a comprehensive review of the work done on the early ontogeny of the avian immune system.

Inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa B cause apoptosis in cultured macrophages.

The precise role of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF- kappaB) in the regulation of cell survival and cell death is still unresolved and may depend on cell type and position in the cell cycle. The aim of this study was to determine if three pharmacologic inhibitors of NF-kappaB, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, N-tosyl-L-lysl chloromethyl ketone and calpain I inhibitor, induce apoptosis in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) at doses similar to those required for NF-kappaB inhibition. We found that each of the three inhibitors resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in morphologic indices of apoptosis in unstimulated, LPS-stimulated and TNF-stimulated cells. Lethal doses were consistent with those required for NF- kappaB inhibition. We conclude that nuclear NF-kappaB activation may represent an important survival mechanism in macrophages.

Nitric oxide induces apoptosis in a human colonic epithelial cell line, T84.

Chronic inflammation is associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in infiltrating and resident cells (epithelia, neurons) and an exaggerated release of nitric oxide. NO can induce apoptosis in macrophages and tumour cell lines. We investigated whether NO induced cell death in an epithelial (T84) cell fine via apoptosis. Culture T84 cells were exposed to a bolus of NO (40 or 80 muM) dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). After incubation for 4 h at 37( degrees )C in 5% CO(2), cells were either stained for DNA fragmentation with the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) method, or cytosolic DNA fragments quantified by a cell death detection ELISA assay. Nitric oxide induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner which preceded frank cell death (failure to exclude Trypan blue). These data suggest that epithelial cell death may be NO dependent and via apoptosis, in states of gut inflammation.

A new type of erythemal radiometer for use in phototherapy.

A new type of radiometer is described which, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation lamps, displays the time required to achieve a minimal erythema. The radiometer incorporates a switch on the front panel to allow for the erythemal sensitivity of different sun-reactive skin types. The instrument was exposed to a number of different lamp/filter combinations commonly used for phototherapy, and in each case indicated an exposure time to within +/- 10% of that determined by combining the spectral irradiance with the erythema action spectrum. Good agreement was also obtained between the exposure times necessary to achieve 24 h minimal erythema in Caucasian subjects of different sun-reactive skin types, and those exposure times predicted by the erythemal radiometer.

Genistein and gut inflammation: role of nitric oxide.

Genistein, a principal soy isoflavone, has been identified as a protein kinase inhibitor that possesses immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the study was to determine if genistein modified chronic ileitis in guinea pigs induced by the hapten trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), and the activity index of cultured macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Genistein at low doses (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) had mild anti-inflammatory effects in TNBS ileitis. Therapeutic benefit included a reduction in nitric oxide production, granulocyte infiltration and improved mucosal architecture. Genistein, at low doses, also appeared to attenuate immunohistochemical staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine. The beneficial effects of genistein were not apparent at doses above 0.1 mg/kg. We found that genistein also inhibited LPS-induced nitrite production by cultured macrophages and protected against LPS-induced necrosis despite its ability to cause apoptosis. These results indicate that genistein displayed mild anti-inflammatory properties which may, in part, involve an attenuation of nitric oxide release via inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the formation of peroxynitrite.