Lung function changes in mice sensitized to ammonium hexachloroplatinate.

Occupational exposure to halogenated platinum salts can trigger the development of asthma. The risk to the general population that may result from the use of platinum in catalytic converters and its emerging use as a diesel fuel additive is unclear. To investigate pulmonary responses to platinum, we developed a mouse model of platinum hypersensitivity. Mice were sensitized through application of ammonium hexachloroplatinate (AHCP) to the shaved back on days 0, 5 and 19, and to each ear on days 10, 11 and 12. On days 24 and 29, mice were challenged by oropharyngeal aspiration with AHCP in saline. Before and immediately after challenge, pulmonary responses were assessed using whole body plethysmography (WBP). A dose-dependent increase in immediate responses was observed in AHCP-sensitized and challenged mice. On days 26 and 31, changes in ventilatory responses to methacholine (Mch) aerosol were assessed by WBP; dose-dependent increases in Mch responsiveness occurred in sensitized mice. Lymph node cell counts indicate a proliferative response in lymph nodes draining the sites of application. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid harvested from sensitized mice contained an average of 5% eosinophils compared to less than 0.5% in non-sensitized mice (p < 0.05); significant increases in total serum immunoglobulin E were observed for all sensitized mice. Although a second airway challenge on day 29 affected some results, only one airway challenge was needed to observe changes in lung function.

Development and utilization of an ex vivo bromodeoxyuridine local lymph node assay protocol for assessing potential chemical sensitizers.

The murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) is widely used to identify chemicals that may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Exposure to a dermal sensitizer results in proliferation of local lymph node T cells, which has traditionally been measured by in vivo incorporation of [(3) H]methyl thymidine. A more recent non-isotopic variation of the assay utilizes bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation in vivo. To further improve the utility of this assay, we developed an ex vivo BrdU labeling procedure eliminating the need for in vivo injections. The results of this assay correctly identified a strong sensitizer (i.e., trimellitic anhydride) as well as weak/moderate sensitizers (i.e., eugenol, cinnamaldehyde and hexylcinnaminic aldehyde). As anticipated, neither non-sensitizers isopropanol and lactic acid nor the false negative chemical nickel II sulfate hexahydrate induced a positive threshold response in the assay. The results of this assay are in close agreement with those of the in vivo LLNA:BrdU-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay labeling procedure. We also used the ex vivo BrdU LLNA procedure to evaluate ammonium hexachloroplatinate, ammonium tetrachloroplatinate and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and the assay correctly identified them as sensitizers based on the calculation of EC2 values. We conclude that this ex vivo BrdU labeling method offers predictive capacity comparable to previously established LLNA protocols while eliminating animal injections and the use of radioisotope. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Corticosterone induced morphological changes of hippocampal and amygdaloid cell lines are dependent on 5-HT7 receptor related signal pathway.

Stress is an unavoidable life experience. It induces mood, cognitive dysfunction and plasticity changes in chronically stressed individuals. Among the various brain regions that have been studied, the hippocampus and amygdala have been observed to have different roles in controlling the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (limbic-HPA axis). This study investigated how the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) affects neuronal cells. The first aim is to test whether administration of CORT to hippocampal and amygdaloid cell lines induces different changes in the 5-HT receptor subtypes. The second goal is to determine whether stress induced morphological changes in these two cell lines were involved in the 5-HT receptor subtypes expression. We now show that 5-HT(7) receptor mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in HT-22 cells, but downregulated in AR-5 cells by exposure to a physiologically relevant level of CORT (50 µM) for 24 h, which was later confirmed by primary hippocampal and amygdaloid neuron cultures. Additionally, pretreatment of cells with 5-HT(7) antagonist SB-269970 or agonist LP-44 reversed CORT induced cell lesion in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, CORT induced different changes in neurite length, number of neurites and soma size in HT-22 and AR-5 cells were also reversed by pretreatment with either SB-269970 or LP-44. The different effects of 5-HT(7) receptors on cell lines were observed in two members of the Rho family small GTPase expression: the Cdc-42 and RhoA. These observed results support the hypothesis that 5-HT may differentially modulate neuronal morphology in the hippocampus and amygdala depending on the expression levels of the 5-HT receptor subtypes during stress hormone insults.

The effect of a vitamin A acetate diet on ultraviolet radiation-induced immune suppression as measured by contact hypersensitivity in mice.

The adverse health effects caused by increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) due to deterioration of stratospheric ozone are of major concern. These health effects include sunburn, skin cancer, cataracts and immune suppression. Immune suppression has been associated with the release of cytokines, a defect in antigen presentation, induction of suppressor T cells and suppression of contact hypersensitivity (CH). CH is typically assessed by the mouse ear swelling test (MEST). Previous studies have demonstrated enhanced CH responses with vitamin A acetate (VAA) dietary supplementation assessed by MEST and the local lymph node assay (LLNA). To determine the effect that VAA has on UVR-induced immune suppression, we examined both the induction and elicitation phases of CH using murine models. The MEST was used to evaluate the interaction of UVR and VAA on CH elicitation. However, a positive MEST response requires that the induction phase as well as the elicitation phase of CH be functional. The LLNA was used to evaluate the interaction of UVR and VAA only on CH induction. We tested the hypothesis that mice maintained on a VAA-enriched diet are more resistant to UVR-induced immune suppression (CH) than those maintained on a control diet. Mice were maintained on a VAA-enriched or the control diet for 3 weeks and then exposed to UVR 3 days prior to sensitization with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). VAA enhanced the MEST response in both UVR-exposed and non-UVR-exposed mice. The VAA-enriched diet did not significantly alter the LLNA response in either UVR- or non-UVR-exposed mice. However, there was significant suppression in CH by UVR as measured by the LLNA. These results indicate that (1) the VAA-enriched diet does not restore the number of proliferating cells in the CH induction phase of UVR-induced immunosuppression; (2) the immunosuppressive effects of UVR affect the induction phase of CH; and (3) the LLNA should be examined as an alternative to the MEST for measurement of UVR-induced immunosuppression. The data indicate that the VAA-enriched diet enhanced the elicitation response (MEST) but not the earlier induction phase (LLNA). Further studies are necessary to define mechanisms of action, but modulation of cytokines and effects of specific lymphocyte subsets, as well as systemic effects and local modulation at the site of elicitation are possible. Additionally, future studies to evaluate the effect of the VAA-enriched diet when multiple doses of both UVR and DNFB are used would be of interest for both the LLNA and MEST end-points.

Inhalable particles and pulmonary host defense: in vivo and in vitro effects of ambient air and combustion particles.

The ability of particulate air pollutants (and possible constituents) to alter pulmonary host defenses was examined using an in vitro alveolar macrophage cytotoxicity assay and an in vivo bacterial infectivity screening test which employed intratracheal injection of the particles. A wide range of response between particles was seen at the 1.0-mg/ml level in vitro and the 0.1-mg/mouse level in vivo. A sample of fluidized-bed coal fly ash, bentonite, asbestos, some ambient air particles, and heavy metal oxides greatly increased susceptibility to pulmonary bacterial infection. Most coal fly ash samples and some air particles caused moderate increases in infectivity, while diesel particulates, volcanic ash, and crystalline silica caused only small increases. Cytotoxic effects on macrophages in vitro were observed with most of the particles. The in vivo and in vitro assays produced a similar ranking of toxicity; however, not all particles that were highly cytotoxic were potent in increasing bacterial infectivity. Increased toxicity measurable by either assay often appeared to be associated with small size or with the presence of metal in the particles.

Correlation of effects of inhaled versus intratracheally injected males on susceptibility to respiratory infection in mice.

Effects of intratracheally administered air pollutant chemicals on susceptibility of mice to infection by aerosolized bacteria were compared with effects of the same chemical previously studied by the inhalation route. Out of 22 compounds previously studied by inhalation, the same 3 (CdSO4, CuSO4, and ZnSO4) that caused significantly increased mortality because of infection after a 3-h exposure to 1 to 2 mg/m3 showed large (greater than or equal to 40% over sham injected) mortality increases when administered by intratracheal injection at lung concentrations calculated to be equivalent to those achieved during inhalation exposures (0.6 to 1.2 microgram). Dose-effect curves of these compounds were similar by the 2 routes. Five of the compounds caused a moderate (20 to 30%) enhancement in the mean excess mortality at concentrations of 2 to 3 microgram/animal. The remaining compounds, which showed no significant effect by inhalation, also showed no effect when given by intratracheal injection. Thus, similar effects on susceptibility to lung bacterial infection were seen whether chemicals were deposited in te lung by inhalation or by intratracheal injection.

Multichannel electrochemical microbial detection unit.

A compact multichannel unit for electrochemical detection of microorganisms that automatically displays detection time length is described. This unit was successfully tested with various members of the Enterobacteriaceae group.

Specimen housing unit for cinemicrographic studies in the vertical plane.

A compact housing unit for low-power (X6 to X50) cinemicrographic studies of microbial specimens in the vertical plane is described. This unit was used successfully to record the development of a "halo" of cells around subsurface colonies of Escherichia coli.

Microbial detection method based on sensing molecular hydrogen.

A simple method for detecting bacteria, based on the time of hydrogen evolution, was developed and tested against various members of the Enterobacteriaceae group. The test system consisted of (i) two electrodes, platinum and a reference electrode, (ii) a buffer amplifier, and (iii) a strip-chart recorder. Hydrogen evolution was measured by an increase in voltage in the negative (cathodic) direction and recorded on a strip-chart recorder. Hydrogen response curves consisted of (i) a lag period, (ii) a period of rapid buildup in potential due to hydrogen, and (iii) a period of decline in potential. A linear relationship was established between inoculum size and the time hydrogen was detected (lag period). Lag times ranged from 1 h for 10(6) cells/ml to 7 h for 10(0) cells/ml. For each 10-fold decrease in inoculum, length of the lag period increased 60 to 70 min. Mean cell concentrations at the time of hydrogen evolution were 10(6)/ml. Based on the linear relationship between inoculum size and lag period, these results indicate the potential application of the hydrogen-sensing method for rapidly detecting coliforms and other gas-producing microorganisms in a variety of clinical, food, and other samples.

Cinemicrographic study of the development of subsurface colonies of staphylococcus aureus in soft agar.

Cinemicrographic studies revealed that the development of elongated subsurface colonies of Staphylococcus aureus in soft agar (<0.2% agar) originated with a colony-forming unit of about 10 to 20 cells. It was then observed that small clusters of 3 to 12 cells broke off from the main colony unit and drifted away under the combined influence of gravity and Brownian motion. Once the downward or slightly sideward motion of the small clusters ceased, the clusters would continue to increase in size; at the same time, additional small clusters broke off, and the cycle was repeated until the entire colony was formed. Displacement and velocity measurements were made on the drifting small clusters. When compared with the dimensional growth rate and geometry of the subsurface colony, these showed that a correlation existed between the movement and velocity of the small clusters and the subsequent colony development. A relationship between the role of gravity reported in these results and the development of spherical colonies after rotation on a clinostat is suggested.

Automatic surface inoculation of agar trays.

A machine is described which automatically inoculates a plastic tray containing agar media with a culture by use of either a conventional inoculating loop or a cotton swab. Isolated colonies were obtained with an inoculating loop when a heavy inoculum (10 cells/ml) was used or with a cotton swab when a light inoculum (ca. 10 cells/ml) was used. Trays containing combinations of differential or selective media were used to (i) separate mixtures of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, (ii) facilitate isolation of organisms from clinical specimens, and (iii) compare colony growth characteristics of pure cultures. The design of the machine is simple, it is easy to use, and it relieves the operator from the manual task of streaking cultures.