Disease Systems Analysis of Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers in Response to Alendronate, Placebo, and Washout in Postmenopausal Women.

A previously established mechanism-based disease systems model for osteoporosis that is based on a mathematically reduced version of a model describing the interactions between osteoclast (bone removing) and osteoblast (bone forming) cells in bone remodeling has been applied to clinical data from women (n = 1,379) receiving different doses and treatment regimens of alendronate, placebo, and washout. The changes in the biomarkers, plasma bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity (BSAP), urinary N-telopeptide (NTX), lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), and total hip BMD, were linked to the underlying mechanistic core of the model. The final model gave an accurate description of all four biomarkers for the different treatments. Simulations were used to visualize the dynamics of the underlying network and the natural disease progression upon alendronate treatment and discontinuation. These results complement the previous applications of this mechanism-based disease systems model to data from various treatments for osteoporosis.

Application of a Systems Pharmacology-Based Placebo Population Model to Analyze Long-Term Data of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass resulting in increased fracture risk. The objective of this investigation was to test whether a recently developed disease systems analysis model for osteoporosis could describe disease progression in a placebo-treated population from the Early Postmenopausal Intervention Cohort (EPIC) study. First, we qualified the model using a subset from the placebo arm of the EPIC study of 222 women who had similar demographic characteristics as the 149 women from the placebo arm of the original population. Second, we applied the model to all 470 women. Bone mineral density (BMD) dynamics were changed to an indirect response model to describe lumbar spine and total hip BMD in this second population. This updated disease systems analysis placebo model describes the dynamics of all biomarkers in the corresponding datasets to a very good approximation; a good description of an individual placebo response will be valuable for evaluating treatments for osteoporosis.

Hierarchically structured titanium foams for tissue scaffold applications.

We present a novel route for producing a new class of titanium foams for use in biomedical implant applications. These foams are hierarchically porous, with both the traditional large (>300µm) highly interconnected pores and, uniquely, wall struts also containing micron scale (0.5-5µm) interconnected porosities. The fabrication method consists of first producing a porous oxide precursor via a gel casting method, followed by electrochemical reduction to produce a metallic foam. This method offers the unique ability to tailor the porosity at several scales independently, unlike traditional space-holder techniques. Reducing the pressure during foam setting increased the macro-pore size. The intra-strut pore size (and percentage) can be controlled independently of macro-pore size by altering the ceramic loading and sintering temperature during precursor production. Typical properties for an 80% porous Ti foam were a modulus of ∼1GPa, a yield strength of 8MPa and a permeability of 350 Darcies, all of which are in the range required for biomedical implant applications. We also demonstrate that the micron scale intra-strut porosities can be exploited to allow infiltration of bioactive materials using a novel bioactive silica-polymer composite, resulting in a metal-bioactive silica-polymer composite.

Effects of living room, Snoezelen room, and outdoor activities on stereotypic behavior and engagement by adults with profound mental retardation.

Two experiments were conducted to test the effect of a room with sensory equipment, or Snoezelen room, on the stereotypic behavior and engagement of adults with profound mental retardation. In Experiment 1, participants were observed in their living room before and after attending the Snoezelen room. Results showed that there tended to be a reduction in stereotypy and increase in engagement when participants went from their living room to the Snoezelen room, and a return of these behaviors to pre-Snoezelen levels in the living room. Positive effects in the Snoezelen room did not carryover to the living room. In Experiment 2, the living and Snoezelen rooms were compared to an outdoor activity condition with the same participants and target behaviors. Results showed that the outdoor condition was superior, the Snoezelen condition intermediate, and the living room least effective in their impact on stereotypic behavior and engagement. Conceptualizations regarding factors that maintain stereotypic behavior and engagement were discussed in the context of the three experimental conditions.

ATP modulates anti-IgE-induced release of histamine from human lung mast cells.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is released from the cytoplasm under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions and enters the extracellular space, where it acts on a group of recently cloned cell-surface receptors termed P2-purinoceptors (subtypes P2X and P2Y). We examined the effects of extracellular ATP, uridine triphosphate (UTP), the stable ATP analogues alpha,betamethylene-ATP (alpha,betamATP), beta,gammamethylene-ATP (beta,gammamATP), and 2-methylthio-ATP (2mSATP), and adenosine (10(-6)-10(-3) M) on histamine release from human lung mast cells (HLMC) induced by anti-IgE and the calcium ionophore A23187. None of the nucleotides or adenosine directly induced histamine release. Adenosine exhibited a bimodal effect, enhancing histamine release at 10(-6) to 10(-4) M (P > 0.05, NS) and inhibiting it at 10(-3) M (P < 0.05). ATP (10(-4) M) enhanced anti-IgE-induced histamine release (10.9 +/- 2.7% to 19. 2 +/- 2.9%, n = 20, P < 0.01), but not ionophore A23187-induced histamine release (n = 10). The adenine nucleotides consistently enhanced anti-IgE-induced histamine release; the rank order for this action was: ATP > 2mSATP > alpha,betamATP > beta,gammamATP, suggesting mediation by a P2Y-purinoceptor subtype. The selective P2X purinoceptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2', 4'-disulfonic acid failed to influence the effect of ATP, further supporting P2Y-purinoceptor mediation of anti-IgE-induced histamine release. UTP, an agonist at P2Y-purinoceptors, also significantly enhanced anti-IgE-induced histamine release. Application of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that HLMC constitutively express the messenger RNAs encoding the P2Y1- and P2Y2-purinoceptor subtypes, and not that encoding the P2X7-purinoceptor (i.e., P2Z), a subtype implicated in ATP-induced histamine release in rodent peritoneal mast cells. The data produced in the study suggest that ATP plays an important modulatory role in histamine release from HLMC, and that it may therefore be mechanistically involved in human allergic/asthmatic reactions.

Cloning and characterization of the guinea pig eosinophil eotaxin receptor, C-C chemokine receptor-3: blockade using a monoclonal antibody in vivo.

Certain C-C chemokines, signaling via the eotaxin receptor C-C chemokine receptor-3 (CCR3), are thought to be central mediators of eosinophil accumulation in allergic inflammation. To investigate the role of CCR3 in vivo, we cloned the guinea pig eotaxin receptor (guinea pig CCR3) from a genomic DNA library. We isolated a single-exon open reading frame coding for a 358-amino acid chemokine receptor protein with 67 and 69% homology to human and murine CCR3, respectively. When expressed in stable transfectants, this receptor bound 125I-labeled guinea pig eotaxin, 125I-labeled human monocyte chemotactic protein-3, and 125I-labeled human RANTES. In chemotaxis assays, guinea pig CCR3 transfectants responded only to guinea pig eotaxin, with a maximal effect at 100 nM. mAbs were raised that bound selectively to both guinea pig CCR3 transfectants and guinea pig eosinophils. One of these mAbs, 2A8, blocked both ligand binding to transfectants and their chemotaxis in response to eotaxin. The Ab also inhibited chemotaxis and the elevation of cytosolic calcium in guinea pig eosinophils in response to eotaxin. F(ab')2 fragments of 2A8 were prepared that retained the ability to inhibit eosinophil calcium responses to eotaxin. Pretreatment of (111)In-labeled eosinophils in vitro with F(ab')2 2A8 selectively inhibited their accumulation in response to eotaxin in vivo. These data demonstrate that functional blockade of eosinophil chemokine receptors can be achieved in vivo and provide further support for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs targeting eosinophil recruitment through chemokine receptor antagonism.

Human lung mast cell activation leads to IL-13 mRNA expression and protein release.

Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we studied the generation of the recently described Th2 cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13) by anti-IgE-activated lung fragments (LF), lung mast cells (LMC), and the mast cell line HMC-1. We found that IL-13 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was constitutively expressed in LF and rapidly increased after anti-IgE challenge, persisting throughout a 16-h period. Quantitative-competitive PCR (QCPCR) demonstrated an increase from 1.2 fg to 120 fg of IL-13 mRNA/micrograms LF total cellular RNA. Time-course experiments showed that IL-13 protein was not increased in supernatants at 2 h after activation, but was upregulated by 8 h. Anti-IgE-activated LF supernatants contained 592.1 +/- 314.8 pg IL-13/g wet weight of tissue at 24 h (mean +/- SE; n = 11). LMC demonstrated upregulation of IL-13 mRNA expression following treatment with A23187 (n = 4), with maximal upregulation by 3 h; anti-IgE or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) also led to increased IL-13 mRNA expression. QCPCR analysis of LMC IL-13 mRNA expression at 4 h after activation showed a 7-, 13.8-, and 13.2-fold increase after A23187, anti-IgE, and PMA, respectively. Quantities of IL-13 released from optimally activated LMC and peripheral blood T cells were comparable. HMC-1 also showed enhanced IL-13 mRNA beginning 30 min after A23187 activation, with peak expression from 1 to 10 h, followed by waning over the subsequent 24 h. A23187 stimulation of HMC-1 led to 100-fold upregulation of IL-13 mRNA within 4 h and detectable IL-13 in 24-h supernatants. These results demonstrate that activation of LF and LMC through multiple signal-transduction pathways results in increased IL-13 mRNA and protein expression temporally consistent with a potential role in chronic allergic inflammation.

Mouse astrocytes respond to the chemokines MCP-1 and KC, but reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction does not detect mRNA for the KC or new MCP-1 receptor.

Previous studies demonstrated the involvement of astrocytes in the development of astrogliosis, a condition in which these cells undergo proliferation and hypertrophy. To examine whether astrocytes could migrate into lesions, we tested the influence of the murine chemokines MCP-1, KC, TCA3, and MIP-1 beta on migration of cultured neonatal mouse astrocytes. Subnanomolar concentrations of MCP-1 and KC were active chemoattractants indicating that these molecules were effective at physiologic concentrations. Specificity of MCP-1 was demonstrated by antibody inhibition and by the finding that the chemokine MIP-1 beta failed to induce astrocyte migration. The migratory responses were sensitive to pertussis toxin; this finding is consistent with involvement of G protein-coupled receptors. To examine the receptors for these chemokines further, we cloned the mouse homolog of the human MCP-1 receptor from a mouse peritoneal exudate cell cDNA library. The gene had 78% nucleotide sequence homology with the human MCP-1 receptor (the nucleotide sequence of clone 1 encoding the mouse MCP-1 receptor can be obtained from the GenBank database, accession number U56819). However, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) failed to detect message for either the MCP-1 or KC receptors in astrocytes. The combined data suggest that mouse astrocytes use novel receptors to recognize these chemokines.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a human eotaxin receptor expressed selectively on eosinophils.

The chemokine eotaxin is unusual in that it appears to be a highly specific chemoattractant for eosinophils. Ligand-binding studies with radiolabeled eotaxin demonstrated a receptor on eosinophils distinct from the known chemokine receptors CKR-1 and -2. The distinct eotaxin binding site on human eosinophils also bound RANTES (regulated on activation T expressed and secreted) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)3. We have now isolated a cDNA from eosinophils, termed CKR-3, with significant sequence similarity to other well characterized chemokine receptors. Cells transfected with CKR-3 cDNA bound radiolabeled eotaxin specifically and with high affinity, comparable to the binding affinity observed with eosinophils. This receptor also bound RANTES and MCP-3 with high affinity, but not other CC or CXC chemokines. Furthermore, receptor transfectants generated in a murine B cell lymphoma cell line migrated in transwell chemotaxis assays to eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3, but not to any other chemokines. A monoclonal antibody recognizing CKR-3 was used to show that eosinophils, but not other leukocyte types, expressed this receptor. This pattern of expression was confirmed by Northern blot with RNA from highly purified leukocyte subsets. The restricted expression of CKR-3 on eosinophils and the fidelity of eotaxin binding to CKR-3, provides a potential mechanism for the selective recruitment and migration of eosinophils within tissues.

Molecular characterization of two murine eosinophil beta chemokine receptors.

beta or C-C chemokines including RANTES, MCP-3, MIP-1 alpha, and eotaxin have been implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic inflammation. Two human beta chemokine receptors have been cloned and characterized: the MIP-1 alpha/RANTES receptor or C-C chemokine receptor 1 (CCR-1) and the MCP-1 receptor or C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR-2). However, no murine beta chemokine receptors have thus far been reported. Molecular cloning from mouse genomic DNA and cDNA libraries yielded two murine beta chemokine receptors with 79% and 65% sequence identity with human CCR-1, and 50% and 55% with human CCR-2. COS cells transiently transfected with the murine homologue of human CCR-1 bind murine MIP-1 alpha and human RANTES with Kds of 3.4 nM and 4.2 nM and murine MIP-1 beta with an EC50 of 8.9 nM. The other murine beta chemokine receptor, which we have designated murine CCR-3, also binds murine MIP-1 alpha. The mRNAs for both receptors are expressed in eosinophils from IL-5 transgenic mice. The level of murine CCR-3 mRNA in these mouse eosinophils exceeds that of CCR-1 mRNA and approaches actin levels. Murine MIP-1 alpha was found to be a potent chemoattractant for murine eosinophils. Our findings suggest that the murine MIP-1 alpha ligand/receptor system is an important mediator of murine eosinophil trafficking.

Human lung mast cell IL-5 gene and protein expression: temporal analysis of upregulation following IgE-mediated activation.

The late-phase of allergic asthma is characterized by infiltration of the airway with eosinophils within 6 h of mast cell activation. Pro-eosinophilic/pro-allergic (TH2) cytokines, originally described as T-lymphocyte products, have recently been ascribed to mast cells as well. To date, however, it is unknown if TH2 cytokine gene expression by the human mast cells is subject to receptor-mediated regulation analogous to that of T-cells, and if messenger RNA (mRNA) expression results in protein secretion occurring in a temporal context consistent with the late-phase response. We examined interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-6 mRNA expression induced by anti-IgE activation of human lung explants as assessed using reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Anti-IgE stimulation resulted in rapid and sustained upregulation of IL-5 message, but did not have analogous effects on IL-4 or IL-6. Using quantitative-competitive PCR, we demonstrated that 100 ng of total cellular RNA from human lung contained 1 fg of IL-5 mRNA; this increased to 100 fg 4 h after anti-IgE activation. The source of the anti-IgE-enhanced IL-5 mRNA is likely the mast cell itself, as anti-CD3 activation of lung led to a dissimilar array of cytokine expression. In addition, human lung mast cells purified to near homogeneity expressed IL-5 mRNA after activation, as shown by both RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. In both lung fragments and purified human lung mast cells, the modulation of IL-5 mRNA expression preceded the secretion of IL-5 protein, detected as early as 4 h after activation. Neither isolated purified mast cells nor purified peripheral blood T cells could be induced to secrete detectable amounts of IL-5 protein when activated only with antibodies against IgE or CD3-T cell receptor complex, respectively. However, mast cells (n = 4) and T cells (n = 6) cultured at comparable concentrations (4 x 10(6)/ml) activated through their respective antigen receptors in the presence of phorbol ester yielded comparable IL-5 production (253 +/- 126 pg/ml versus 183 +/- 75 pg/ml, mean +/- SE). We conclude that mast cells are analogous to T cells in the requirement of co-stimuli for the production of IL-5 protein. Moreover, the rapid kinetics of IgE-mediated IL-5 transcription and protein elaboration are consistent with a primary role for mast cell activation directly leading to late-phase airway eosinophilia.

IgE-dependent expression of interleukin-5 mRNA and protein in human lung: modulation by dexamethasone.

mRNA and protein expression of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 from human lung were examined during the first 4 hr following IgE-mediated triggering, a time representative of the evolving late-phase reaction (LPR). Lung explants were incubated for 16 hr at 37 degrees C in culture media alone or with added dexamethasone (10(-6) M), washed, and then challenged with buffer or anti-IgE (3 micrograms/ml). Using RNase protection assays, in 16/16 individual lungs IL-5 mRNA expression was observed at 4 hr following anti-IgE and at no points following buffer challenge. Fragments released 1129 +/- 499 ng of IL-5/g wet wt over a 24-hr period (mean +/- SEM, n = 5). Neither IL-4 transcripts nor protein were detected in any anti-IgE challenges. Both the IgE-mediated IL-5 mRNA and protein responses were below the limits of detection following dexamethasone preincubation, suggesting a mechanism for the potent inhibitory effects of these agents observed in the LPR.

Characterization of the promoter region of the membrane cofactor protein (CD46) gene of the human complement system and comparison to a membrane cofactor protein-like genetic element.

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) is a widely expressed C regulatory protein that inhibits C activation on self-tissue. MCP binds C3b and C4b deposited on autologous cells and then serves as a cofactor for their inactivation by limited proteolytic cleavage. To characterize the DNA sequence elements responsible for controlling MCP expression, the 5' flanking region of the human MCP gene was cloned. Sequencing of 1350 nucleotides upstream from the ATG codon revealed a GC-rich region in the initial 500 nucleotides that is especially rich in the CpG dinucleotide. A CAAT box in reverse orientation, surrounded by four putative SP1 binding sites but lacking a typical TATA element, was within the first 200 nucleotides of this GC-rich region. The major transcriptional initiation site for HeLa cells, determined by primer extension and S1 nuclease protection analyses, was located 105 nucleotides from the translational start site. This overall orientation of the promoter region is characteristic of "housekeeping" genes. The MCP promoter region was further examined in HEp-2 cells by the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene assay, using various constructs derived from the 5' region of the MCP gene. The MCP promoter activity was confined to the GC-rich region from -624 to +96 (start site of transcription being +1). Inclusion of an AT-rich sequence from -624 to -1204 resulted in a 42% reduction in CAT activity suggesting that an inhibitor is present among the AT-rich sequences. The 5' flanking region of a highly homologous partial duplication of the MCP gene was also cloned and sequenced, and various constructs were assessed in the CAT reporter system. Many of the functionally relevant sequences seen in MCP are also found in the MCP-like 5' UT region, which is 85% homologous to MCP. The most striking difference was a 224 nucleotide deletion that was upstream from the corresponding MCP region harboring most of the promoter activity. Although expression of an MCP-like protein has not been reported, the MCP-like promoter region produced promoter activity comparable with that of MCP. These results serve as a basis for subsequent analyses of the expression of MCP in various cells and tissues and for understanding the mechanism of its modulation in inflammatory conditions. Also, through a comparison of the 5' region of MCP with other genes in the regulators of C activation gene cluster (at 1 q32), we propose a model for the evolution of the promoters in this tight linkage group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mast cell mediators prostaglandin-D2 and histamine activate human eosinophils.

Airway damage secondary to eosinophil activation is thought to contribute to the development of asthma. Using the fluorescent dye FURA-2 to measure the concentration of cytosolic calcium, we found that supernatants from anti-IgE-stimulated human lung mast cells increased cytosolic calcium in human eosinophils. We then examined the major mast cell mediators (histamine, PGD2, platelet-activating factor (PAF), eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A), leukotriene (LT)C4 and LTB4) for their ability to increase cytosolic calcium in eosinophils. We found that both PAF (5 x 10(-9) to 5 x 10(-6) M) and PGD2 (two of five donors responsive at 1 x 10(-9) M) were potent stimuli for calcium mobilization. LTB4 (10(-8), 10(-7) M) and histamine were also active, although higher concentrations of histamine were required to see a response (3 x 10(-7) to 10(-5) M). LTC4, val-ECF-A, and ala-ECF-A were inactive. The effects of PGD2 and histamine were specific for eosinophils, although LTB4 and PAF increased calcium in both neutrophils and eosinophils. The histamine-induced increase in intracellular calcium was not blocked by the H1 or H2 antagonists pyrilamine or cimetidine (10(-4) M), respectively; however, the response to 10(-6) M histamine was completely blocked by the specific H3 antagonist thioperamide (10(-6) M). To evaluate the relative contribution of these stimulatory mast cell mediators on the calcium mobilizing activity in supernatants from anti-IgE-stimulated human lung mast cell (HLMC), we examined the effect of supernatants from HLMC pretreated with indomethacin and/or the 5-lipoxygenase pathway inhibitor MK886. These supernatants were added to FURA-2-loaded eosinophils that had been preincubated with thioperamide and/or the PAF antagonist WEB-2086. We found that the increase in eosinophil calcium in response to supernatants from anti-IgE-stimulated-HLMC was totally inhibited only when the mast cells were challenged in the presence of indomethacin and MK886, and the eosinophils were preincubated with thioperamide. WEB-2086 had little effect. When we examined the effect of these mediators on eosinophil secretory function, we found that PGD2 (not histamine) primed eosinophils for enhanced release of LTC4 in response to the calcium ionophore A23187. We conclude that the activation of eosinophils by PGD2 and other mast cell products may contribute to airways inflammation that is characteristic of asthma.

Analysis of the human regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster with yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs).

The human regulators of complement activation gene cluster (RCA cluster) have been partially characterized with yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs). While the data confirm many points previously elucidated, the finer resolution of YAC mapping has allowed the discovery and/or localization of partial gene duplications, the determination of gene orientations, and the measurement of gaps between known genes. Here nine overlapping YACs that encompass a genomic region of 800 kb, encoding four RCA genes and three gene-like elements, are described. The encoded genes and two of the gene-like elements share the same orientation and are ordered (5' to 3') DAF, CR2, CR1, MCP-like, CR1-like, and MCP. A C4bp-like region lies upstream from DAF and is likely to correspond to one recently observed by F. Pardo-Manuel, J. Rey-Campos, A. Hillarp, B. Dahlback, and S. Rodriguez de Cordoba (1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 4529-4533). MCP-like, a new genetic element, was discovered and found to be homologous to the 5' portion of the MCP gene. Two large gaps of 85 kb (between CR2 and DAF) and 110 kb (between DAF and the C4bp-like element) could carry additional RCA genes. The arrangement of CR1, MCP-like, CR1-like, and MCP, in that order, strongly suggests that this region was generated by a single duplication of neighboring CR1/CR1-like and MCP/MCP-like forerunners. The RCA YACs will now serve as convenient DNA sources for the subcloning and further characterization of this region.

Membrane cofactor protein of the complement system: alternative splicing of serine/threonine/proline-rich exons and cytoplasmic tails produces multiple isoforms that correlate with protein phenotype.

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP) is a complement regulatory protein that is expressed on human cells and cell lines as two relatively broad species with Mr of 58,000-68,000 and 48,000-56,000. The structure of a previously reported cDNA clone indicated that MCP was a type 1 membrane glycoprotein and a member of the regulators of complement activation gene/protein cluster. However, it did not provide an explanation for the unusual phenotypic pattern of MCP. Therefore, in parallel with an analysis of the gene, additional cDNAs were cloned and characterized. Six different MCP cDNA classes were identified. All encode the same 5' untranslated signal peptide, four SCRs, transmembrane domain, and basic amino acid anchor. However, they differ in the length and composition of an extracellular serine/threonine/proline (STP)-rich area, a site of heavy O-glycosylation, and cytoplasmic tail. Analysis of the MCP gene demonstrated that the variation in cDNA structure was a result of alternative splicing. Peripheral blood cells and cell lines predominantly expressed four of the six isoforms. These varied by the presence or absence of an STP-rich segment of 15 amino acids (STPB) and by the use of one of two cytoplasmic domains. Analysis by polymerase chain reaction, Northern blots, and transfection indicated that the predominance of MCP cDNA isoforms with STPB correlated with the high molecular weight protein phenotype, while the predominance of isoforms without STPB correlated with the lower molecular weight phenotype. The expression in a single cell of four distinct protein species with variable STP-rich regions and cytoplasmic tails represents an interesting example of the use of alternative splicing to provide variability in a mammalian protein.

Membrane cofactor protein of the complement system. A HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism that correlates with the expression polymorphism.

An RFLP was found in the DNA of 25 unrelated persons, two families, and five cell lines that correlated with their membrane cofactor protein phenotype. If restricted with HindIII, DNA derived from upper band predominant protein (U) phenotypes had a band at 2 kb, whereas DNA of lower band predominant (L) phenotypes had a 4-kb band. The equal band protein phenotype, in which equal quantities of the two species are expressed, had bands at both 4 and 2 kb. The polymorphic HindIII site was localized to an intron within the membrane cofactor protein gene between exon 1 (codes for 5'UT/signal peptide) and exon 2 (codes for the first short consensus repeat). Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequences around this site were amplified and a single band of 260 bp was produced. In the U phenotype, the PCR product was restricted with HindIII into 200- and 60-bp fragments. In the L phenotype, there was no change in the size of 260 bp upon restriction with HindIII. For the equal band protein phenotype, the PCR product was partially cleaved. The 260-bp PCR product was subcloned and sequenced. DNA from the U phenotype demonstrated an intact HindIII site (AAGCTT), whereas in the DNA of the L phenotype, this site was altered because a "G" was substituted for a "C" (AAGGTT).

Patterns of development of gonads, sex-drive and hormonal responses in tropical beef bulls.

The development of different traits was studied in tropical beef bulls of seven genotypes (Brahman, Africander, British and combinations of these) from approximately 500 to 910 d of age. Bulls were raised under pasture conditions without supplementation. At each examination, approximately 2 mo apart, bulls were weighed, palpated (including scrotal and testicular measurement), electroejaculated, and subjected to two libido tests with estrus-induced females. At alternate examinations, plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) was measured at 30 and 150 min post gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) injection (LH - 30 and LH - 150) and testosterone (T) was measured at 150 min (T - 150). In general, nutritional and environmental stressors appeared to impede bull reproductive development. Scrotal circumference increased nonlinearly, apparently influenced by puberty and average daily gain (ADG). Libido increased overall, albeit nonlinearly also. No apparent marked differences in development of either trait could be attributed to genotype differences, although Brahman bulls tended to display lower sexual interest. The LH-30 level was relatively high (>14 ng/ml) at 500 and 640 d of age, but then dropped markedly at 760 d followed by a slight recovery. The LH-150 level followed a similar pattern, although it was very low at 500 d of age. The T-150 level showed a reverse pattern, being lower initially and higher in the latter part of the study. No apparent genotype differences occurred. Possible contributory influences on these patterns, including the onset of puberty and sexual maturity, season and nutrition, are discussed herein.

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP or CD46): newest member of the regulators of complement activation gene cluster.

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) is a widely distributed C3b/C4b-binding cell surface glycoprotein which serves as an inhibitor of complement activation on host cells. The protein has been purified, multiple cDNAs cloned and sequenced, and the genomic organization determined. MCP belongs to a family known as the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster. The RCA members are related structurally [possess approximately 60 amino acid repeating motifs termed short consensus repeats (SCR)], functionally (bind C3b/C4b), and genetically (genes are tightly clustered on chromosome 1 at q3.2). Beginning at its amino-terminus, MCP is composed of four SCRs, a ser/thr/pro-enriched region, an area of undefined function, a transmembrane hydrophobic domain, a cytoplasmic anchor and cytoplasmic tail. On SDS-PAGE, MCP migrates as two broad forms with Mrs of 59,000-68,000 and 51,000-58,000. The quantity of each form expressed is inherited in an autosomal codominant fashion. This structural heterogeneity is partly explained by the expression of multiple cDNA/protein isoforms that arise by alternative splicing of ser/thr/pro-rich exons (sites of heavy O-glycosylation) and of cytoplasmic tails. This protein is of interest to immunologists and clinicians because of its role in regulation of the complement pathways and, therefore, inflammation in immune complex-mediated syndromes; to reproductive immunologists on account of its expression on sperm and at the maternal-fetal interface; and to tumor immunologists because of its high expression on malignant cells. The availability of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and molecular probes will be helpful in addressing questions about the biology of MCP in these and other areas.