Human lung tumor-associated antigen identified as an extracellular matrix adhesion molecule.

A single chain glycoprotein with an estimated molecular mass of 160 kD (gp160) was previously identified as a human lung tumor-associated antigen. This tumor marker is shown here to be associated noncovalently with a second 130-kD protein. Sequential immunoprecipitation studies of surface iodinated lung tumor cell lysates reveal that this heterodimeric complex is indistinguishable serologically and structurally from the integrin VLA-2, found originally on activated T lymphocytes and platelets. The VLA-2-like complex expressed on the lung tumors possesses similar characteristic Mg2+ dependent binding of collagen and laminin as observed with VLA-2 on normal cells. RNA analysis indicates that human lung tumors express at least 20 times more VLA-2 alpha chain message than normal adult human lung tissue. The results presented here raise the possibility that the overproduction of VLA-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of human lung tumors by modulating the invasive and metastatic potential of the tumor.

Isoflurane attenuates dynorphin-induced cytotoxicity and downregulation of Bcl-2 expression in differentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the volatile anesthetic isoflurane induces neuroprotection and that the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin induces neurocytotoxicity in cells. The levels of dynorphin are often significantly elevated in neuropathophysiological conditions, and dynorphin can directly induce toxicity. However, the neuroprotective effects of isoflurane on dynorphin-induced cytotoxicity are still unclear. METHODS: In order to determine the effect of isoflurane on dynorphin-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, we have designed a device wherein cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells can be exposed to isoflurane. Fully differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were obtained by treating the cells with retinoic acid for 6 days. We examined SH-SY5Y cell survival, apoptosis, and antiapoptotic protein expression by cell viability, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling stain, and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: After 16 h of dynorphin (10 microM) treatment, the SH-SY5Y cells showed significant cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and downregulation of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression. These effects of dynorphin were significantly inhibited by isoflurane exposure for 32 h [pretreatment for 16 h and posttreatment (after dynorphin treatment) for 16 h]. CONCLUSION: Thus, our results suggest that isoflurane exerts neuroprotective effects in the case of dynorphin-induced pathophysiological disruption.

Bioconcentration of heavy metals in selected medicinal plants of India.

This paper presents data on the bioconcentration of heavy metals found in 10 plant species that occur in mangroves and inland ecosystems of India. The average concentration of mercury in the mangrove plants (0.068 microg g(-1)) was 11.3 times that of the inland plants (0.006 microg g(-1); p<0.05). The average concentration of lead in the mangrove plants (19.23 microg g(-1)) was 1.7 times that of the inland plants (11.38 microg g(-1); p<0.05). The mean bioconcentration factors for lead in mangrove plants (2.40 +/- 0.75) were higher than that the inland plants (1.42 +/- 0.15). The factor analysis accounted for 21.55% of the total variance showed accumulation of mercury and lead confirming the polluted nature.

Associations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk and dietary habits and demographic factors in Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to examine levels of PBDEs in breast milk associated with seafood consumptions of Taiwanese mothers. Our participants were selected from healthy women recruited between December 2000 and November 2001 from a medical center in central Taiwan. The congeners of PBDEs in 20 milk samples were analyzed by a gas chromatograph with a high resolution mass detector. The mean level of BDE47 in breast milk from mothers with pre-pregnant BMI <22.0kg/m2 had a significantly higher magnitude compared to those with pre-pregnant BMI > or = 22.0kg/m2 (1.59 vs. 0.995ng/g lipid, p=0.041). We did not find significant correlations between PBDEs exposure levels and women's age, parity, blood pressure, annual household income, and education level. Women who ate more fish and meat did not show significantly higher PBDE levels than those who ate less, but a significant difference in PBDE levels was demonstrated between the higher (2.15ng/g lipid) and lower (3.98ng/g lipid) shellfish consuming subjects (p=0.002) after an adjustment for the confounders. The ratios of PCB153/BDE47, PCB153/BDE153, and PCB153/PBDEs were significantly correlated with frequent consumption of fish and shellfish. The PCB153/BDE153 ratio was not associated with the other dietary habits (i.e. meat). The ratios of PCB153/PBDEs may therefore be a new indicator for exposure as a result of seafood consumption.

Selective growth inhibition of human lung cancer cell lines bearing a surface glycoprotein gp160 by 125I-labeled anti-gp160 monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibody 5E8 which is specific for a Mr 160,000 glycoprotein (gp160) on the surface of human lung cancer was radiolabeled with 125I. Radiolabeled 5E8 antibody is shown here to suppress the growth of gp160 positive human lung tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion, but this same radiolabeled antibody does not alter the growth of gp160 negative lung tumor cell lines. Neither the unlabeled 5E8 nor a control radiolabeled monoclonal antibody has any effect upon the growth of gp160 positive tumors. The specificity of radiolabeled antibody mediated tumor killing is further demonstrated by the ability of unlabeled 5E8 to inhibit tumor killing by 125I-5E8. The efficiency with which the labeled tumor specific antibody suppressed tumor colony formation is enhanced by increasing the molar ratio of 125I to 5E8. This ratio could be increased to a level of two without affecting the capacity of the antibody to bind to the cell surface antigen. An attempt to increase the efficiency of tumor killing by the addition of a second antibody subsequent to incubation with 125I-5E8 was unsuccessful. These results indicate that 125I is a viable isotope and gp160 represents an appropriate target for radioimmunotherapy of human lung cancer.

Cell surface glycoprotein associated with human lung tumors that is similar to but distinct from the epidermal growth factor receptor.

A cell surface glycoprotein (gp160) present on the surface of non-small cell human lung tumors is characterized and compared with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The epitope on gp160 recognized by monoclonal antibody 5E8 is shown to be part of the protein moiety of the molecule and is found to be relatively stable. The epitope is stable over a wide pH range and after treatment with urea as well as most ionic and non-ionic detergents. We have observed that gp160 is similar in several respects to the EGFR. However, despite the similarities, several independent lines of experimental evidence presented here suggest that gp160 and the EGFR are distinct molecules. The first evidence suggesting that these two molecules are different is that the EGFR, but not gp160, is constitutively detectable in the A431 cell tissue culture supernatant, and that a pulse of these cells with epidermal growth factor (under conditions which permit the internalization of the receptor-ligand complexes) significantly reduces the expression of the EGFR without noticeably affecting the level of gp160 on the cell surface. Two very different immunofluorescent patterns marking the position of gp160 and EGFR are observed using monoclonal antibodies specific for each molecule. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, it was determined that these same monoclonal antibodies do not cross-inhibit one another, and it was established that gp160, but not EGFR, was retained on an affinity column containing anti-gp160 antibodies immobilized to the solid matrix. An additional finding that supports the notion that gp160 and the EGFR are distinct molecules is that one human lung tumor cell line (Calu-3) has been identified which expresses gp160 but not the EGFR on its surface. These results indicate that there are characteristics which distinguish gp160 from the EFGR, and we establish here that these distinguishing features reflect differences at the protein moiety and not simply differential glycosylation. We conclude from these studies that we have identified and characterized a cell surface molecule that resembles in several respects the epidermal growth factor receptor. This cell surface molecule represents a potentially useful target for the immunotherapy and diagnosis of human non-small cell lung cancer.

Antitumor immune response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes coengrafted with tumor into severe combined immunodeficient mice.

Here, it is established that human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HuPBLs), injected s.c. with a human lung tumor into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, engraft and display antitumor cytotoxic activity. Initial studies used HuPBLs from normal donors and an allogeneic tumor cell line derived from biopsy tissue of a patient with a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Evidence of HuPBL antitumor activity was revealed by a cell dose-dependent suppression of the tumor xenograft. Tumor suppression was shown to be dependent upon both CD8+ T cells and CD56+ natural killer cells in the donor HuPBLs. By titrating the antitumor activity of HuPBLs in SCID mice with and without cytokines, it was established that interleukin (IL)-12 enhanced the HuPBL-mediated tumor suppression and that IL-2 had a synergistic effect upon the IL-12 enhancement of cytotoxicity. Subsequent studies revealed that a lung cancer patient's PBLs also suppress the growth of the patient's (autologous) tumor when coinjected s.c. with the tumor cells into SCID mice. The patient's antitumor immunity was shown to be mediated by CD8+ T cells and CD56+ natural killer cells. The data presented here indicate that the s.c. coengraftment of HuPBLs and tumor into SCID mice represents a viable model with which to study (and to periodically monitor) patients' immune responses to their tumors for extended periods of time and suggest that this SCID/Winn assay could be used to evaluate novel immunotherapeutic approaches, such as bolus injections of cytokines, cytokine gene therapy, or vaccination strategies for the treatment of human cancer.

Doxorubicin encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes is superior to free drug or drug-containing conventional liposomes at suppressing growth and metastases of human lung tumor xenografts.

Liposomes containing polyethylene glycol-derivatized phospholipids are able to evade the reticuloendothelial system and thereby remain in circulation for prolonged periods. We report here that doxorubicin encapsulated in these sterically stabilized liposomes (S-DOX) suppresses the growth of established human lung tumor xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice and inhibits the spontaneous metastases of these tumors. The enhanced therapeutic efficacy of S-DOX compared to free doxorubicin was demonstrated in two independent human/mouse models. In the first model, S-DOX inhibited the growth of a human non-small cell lung tumor xenograft established orthotopically in the lungs of SCID mice. Treatment of these mice with S-DOX, but not with free drug, suppressed the growth of the tumor in the lung, prevented metastasis from the lung, and enhanced survival percentage. In another model, the human lung tumor is engrafted into gonadal fat pad of SCID mice. Human tumor xenografts grow floridly in this site of engraftment, and the tumor spreads from this primary site into the peritoneal cavity and subsequently reaches the liver and lung. In this model, free drug suppressed the growth of the primary tumor but had no effect upon the subsequent spread of the tumor into the peritoneal cavity, liver, and lung. In contrast, treatment of the tumor-bearing mice with S-DOX (but not with doxorubicin in conventional liposomes) suppressed the tumor spread to the peritoneal cavity, completely arrested metastasis to the liver and lung, and suppressed the growth of the primary tumor xenograft. This report provides the first evidence that antitumor drugs delivered by sterically stabilized liposomes can arrest the metastasis of human tumor xenografts.

Antibody targeting of doxorubicin-loaded liposomes suppresses the growth and metastatic spread of established human lung tumor xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice.

Beta1 integrins, expressed on the cell surface of human non-small cell lung carcinomas, are used here as a target for the selective delivery of anti-cancer drug-loaded liposomes. Fab' fragments of a monoclonal antibody specific for human beta1 integrins were conjugated to sterically stabilized liposomes. Confocal microscopy of beta1 integrin-positive lung tumor cells incubated with fluorescently labeled anti-beta1 Fab immunoliposomes revealed a tumor-specific binding and efficient internalization of the liposomes into the tumor cells. The ability of these liposomes to deliver cytotoxic drugs to the tumor and kill these cells was demonstrated in vitro by incubating tumor cells with doxorubicin-loaded anti-beta1 Fab' immunoliposomes. The drug-loaded immunoliposomes were >30-fold more cytotoxic to the tumor cells than drug-loaded liposomes without antibody, nonspecific Fab' control immunoliposomes with drug or immunoliposomes without drug. The therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded immunoliposomes was also evaluated in a metastatic human lung tumor xenograft/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model. SCID mice that received i.v. injections of human lung tumor cells developed primary tumor nodules in the lung that subsequently metastasized to the liver and adrenal gland. Treatment of SCID mice bearing established lung tumor xenografts with doxorubicin-loaded anti-beta1 Fab immunoliposomes resulted in a significant suppression of tumor growth (monitored periodically by quantifying serum levels of a tumor marker), whereas tumors grew progressively in mice treated with control formulations. In addition to suppressing the growth of the primary lung tumor nodules, the immunoliposomes prevented the metastatic spread of the tumor to the liver and adrenal glands and increased the median survival time of the tumor-bearing mice. We conclude that Fab' immunoliposomes directed to tumor-associated integrins represent a potentially viable approach clinically for the selective delivery of drugs to solid tumors and may be useful in preventing the metastatic spread of lung cancer.

Membrane-associated glycoprotein (gp 160) identified on human lung tumors by a monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody (5E8) has been used to identify and structurally characterize a previously unreported macromolecule present on the surface of human lung tumors. This antibody was derived from a hybrid clone that was produced using spleen cells of mice immunized with a surgically excised squamous cell carcinoma. Using immunofluorescence, the 5E8 antibody was observed to stain many different human lung tumor cell lines and surgically excised human lung tumors including squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, alveolar carcinomas, and a portion of the large cell tumors tested. With few exceptions, notably the basal layer of the skin, little or no detectable staining of 5E8 to normal human tissues (lung, brain, kidney, heart, stomach, breast, erythrocytes, or lymphocytes) was observed. The 5E8 antibody was used to immunoprecipitate detergent lysates of biosynthetically labeled or surface radioiodinated lung tumors. Analysis of the immunoprecipitates by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed a major band and a faster migrating second minor band. The molecular weights of these two proteins were estimated to be 160,000 and 120,000, respectively. The addition of a reducing agent to the gels did not alter the migration pattern of the immunoprecipitated macromolecules. The removal of a terminal carbohydrate, sialic acid, did not restrict the binding of 5E8 to the tumor-associated antigen. However, labeling studies using galactose oxidase and tritiated borohydride revealed the presence of galactose on the immunoprecipitated protein. This major Mr 160,000 glycoprotein that was identified on two different human lung tumor cell lines was also found on a human large cell tumor tissue obtained by surgical biopsy. The 5E8 antibody and the Mr 160,000 glycoprotein that it recognizes represent two very useful components with which to test several new antibody-mediated drug delivery systems in the treatment of human lung tumors. The tumor-associated glycoprotein also represents a potential analyte for a diagnostic or prognostic immunoassay for lung cancer.

Naproxen-induced Ca2+ movement and death in MDCK canine renal tubular cells.

Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory drug that affects cellular calcium ion (Ca(2+)) homeostasis and viability in different cells. This study explored the effect of naproxen on [Ca(2+)](i) and viability in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) canine renal tubular cells. At concentrations between 50 µM and 300 µM, naproxen induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises in a concentration-dependent manner. This Ca(2+) signal was reduced partly when extracellular Ca(2+) was removed. The Ca(2+) signal was inhibited by a Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine but not by store-operated Ca(2+) channel inhibitors (econazole and SKF96365), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and a PKC inhibitor GF109203X. In Ca(2+)-free medium, pretreatment with 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone or thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pumps, partly inhibited naproxen-induced Ca(2+) signal. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not alter naproxen-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) rises. At concentrations between 15 µM and 30 µM, naproxen killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was not reversed by prechelating cytosolic Ca(2+) with the acetoxymethyl ester of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining data suggest that naproxen induced apoptosis. Together, in MDCK renal tubular cells, naproxen induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises by inducing Ca(2+) release from multiple stores that included the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca(2+) entry via nifedipine-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. Naproxen induced cell death that involved apoptosis.

Autoradiographic localization of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone concentrating neurons in the brain of the oyster toadfish.

Vertebrate species with male mating calls or songs tend to have sexually dimorphic sonic neurons that concentrate gonadal steroids. The distribution of [3H]dihydrotestosterone- and testosterone-concentrating neurons was examined in oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), males of which produce a courtship boatwhistle call. Labeled cells in the forebrain were found in the posterior nucleus of the dorsal telencephalon (Dp), a pallial structure, the supracommissural nucleus of the ventral telencephalon (Vs), nucleus propticus parvocellularis anterior (PPa) and other preoptic nuclei, the ventral, dorsal and caudal hypothalamus. Positive brainstem areas included the optic tectum, torus semicircularis, nucleus lateralis valvula, a periventricular nucleus of the rostral medulla and the inferior reticular formation. Compared to estrogen, androgens labeled fewer sites in the forebrain and more in the brainstem. Two of the positive sites, Vs and PPa, have been implicated in boatwhistle production. Many sites that connect to these areas in teleosts likewise concentrate steroids. Unlike the situation in frogs, birds, and one other teleost, the toadfish sonic motor nucleus did not concentrate androgens. Androgen labeling in the posterior nucleus of the dorsal telencephalon represents the first autoradiographic demonstration of steroid concentration in the pallium of a teleost forebrain.

Adhesion molecules as prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To identify the significance of molecular markers in determining the risk of recurrence and distant metastases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective case study, we evaluated archival nasopharyngeal carcinoma specimens for patterns of expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, c-erb-B2, and Ki-67, which have been demonstrated to be important in other tumors. METHODS: Fifty-four cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were identified, with a maximum follow-up of 13 years. The histopathological sections were stained using an automated immunohistochemical stainer (NexES, Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, AZ) for E-cadherin (Zymed Laboratories [San Francisco, CA] and Transduction Laboratories [Lexington, KY] clones), beta-catenin (Zymed), c-erb-B2 (Ventana Medical Systems), and Ki-67 (Novocastra, Burlingame, CA). The numbers of positively staining cells were scored as follows: 0%, 1% to 33%, 34% to 66%, or greater than 67%. RESULTS: E-cadherin (Zymed) stained positively in only one case. The Transduction Laboratories clone demonstrated a spectrum of staining in all cases, from complete to disrupted to no identifiable membranous staining. The staining was consistently absent at the advancing tumor border, regardless of stage. The loss of beta-catenin expression did not correlate with that of E-cadherin or with clinical outcomes. No staining was identified for c-erb-B2. Ki-67 staining was variable and did not correlate with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Altered expression or loss of E-cadherin, or both, may result in loss of function, particularly at the infiltrating edge, with resultant loss of cell polarity, cell migration, and eventual metastasis. The interpretation of E-cadherin staining depends on antibody source. In contrast to recent studies, beta-catenin expression is not altered and c-erb-B2 expression not identified, suggesting that these markers are not important in the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Human dendritic cells pulsed with autologous Epstein-Barr virus transformed B-cell lymphoblastoid cell (BCL) lysate elicit a BCL specific MHC-class II restricted T-cell response.

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) associated lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) express EBV latent antigens that are also expressed on normal B-cells transformed with EBV. This could potentially be exploited to develop immunotherapeutic strategies for LPD and other EBV associated malignancies. To this end we investigated the capacity of human monocyte derived dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with lysate from autologous EBV transformed B-cell lymphoblastoid cell (BCL) lysate to elicit an in vitro antitumor response. BCL lysate pulsed DC generate BCL specific cytotoxic lymphocytes, as lymphocytes primed with such DCs induce cytolysis of autologous (>60%) but not allogeneic BCL (<5%). In addition, lymphocytes primed with BCL lysate pulsed DC secrete gamma-IFN (3176 pg/ml). Whereas gamma-IFN production was markedly reduced (>99%) when BCL specific T-cells were stimulated by BCL lysate pulsed DC in the presence of blocking antibodies to HLA-DR, DP and DQ, use of antibodies to MHC class-I resulted in only a minimal reduction in gamma-IFN production (17%). These studies demonstrate that BCL lysate pulsed DC elicit a predominantly BCL specific, MHC class-Il restricted T cell response. This suggests that vaccination with autologous BCL lysate pulsed DC may represent a viable immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of LPD.

Stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay method and photostability of carprofen.

A rapid, sensitive, and accurate stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay method for determining the degradation of carprofen (CPF) is developed and validated under acidic, basic, or photo-irradiated conditions. The analysis is monitored with a Cosmosil 5C18-AR column using a mobile phase of CH3CN-H2O-AcOH (50:49:1, v/v/v) at 260 nm. The developed method satisfies the system suitability criteria, peak integrity, and resolution among the parent drug and its degradation products. The results indicate that the established assay method shows good selectivity and specificity suitable for stability measurements of CPF. CPF is found to be more sensitive to exposure to light and in acidic conditions, but it is stable in a basic medium. The kinetic study of the photodegradation of CPF follows an apparent first-order reaction in a variety of solvents. The solvent effects on the rates of degradation are in the decreasing order of chloroform > dichloromethane > methanol > ethanol > 2-propanol, which is irrelevant to the dielectric constant epsilon. However, the hydrogen-donating ability of the solvents is essential to the photochemical decomposition of CPF. A plot of log k versus the Kirkwood function exhibits a linear relationship in aqueous ethanolic solutions, which implies that degradation proceeds via an ionic mechanism.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the T-cell activation molecule CD137 (interleukin-A or 4-1BB) block human lymphocyte-mediated suppression of tumor xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice.

A monoclonal antibody specific for the human analog of the murine T-cell activation molecule 4-1BB was generated and is shown here to react selectively with activated human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Treatment of these T cells in a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture with the anti-h4-1BB antibody enhanced the cell proliferation of the allostimulated lymphocytes. Previous studies in the mouse have shown that treatment of tumor-bearing mice with antibodies to 4-1BB augments anti-tumor immunity that is mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The authors consider the possibility that a similar approach may be efficacious for human cancer immunotherapy. This question was addressed by evaluating the effect of an anti-h4-1BB monoclonal antibody on human lymphocyte-mediated suppression of a human tumor xenograft in SCID mice. Mice treated with a control antibody and co-injected with the tumor and peripheral blood lymphocytes exhibited a lymphocyte dose-dependent suppression of tumor growth. In mice treated with the anti-h4-1BB antibody, the lymphocyte-mediated tumor suppression was completely eliminated and tumors grew progressively (as was observed in mice inoculated with tumors without lymphocytes). This monoclonal antibody specific for anti-h4-1BB, which augments the proliferation of allostimulated cells in vitro, blocks T-cell anti-tumor activity in vivo. These results suggest that although 4-1BB plays a role in the human peripheral blood lymphocyte-mediated suppression of tumor growth, antibodies to this molecule on human cells fail to stimulate anti-tumor activity, as was observed in tumor-bearing mice treated with an antibody to murine 4-1BB.

Human antibody response in human peripheral blood leukocyte/severe combined immunodeficient chimeric model is dependent on B and T cell costimulation via CD40/CD40 ligand.

We have used a human/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse chimeric model (in which human PBLs are engrafted into SCID mice) to investigate in vivo the role of the CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction in the generation of humoral immunity by engrafted human cells. It is established in this work that the thymic dependent, multiclonal, humoral immune response of human lymphocytes to mouse erythrocyte protein Ags is inhibited significantly when CD40/CD40L ligation is prevented in vivo. Suppression of the response was observed with administration of neutralizing Abs specific for either CD40 or CD40L, or with the soluble fusion protein human CD40-Fc. Human anti-mouse erythrocyte Abs and the total human Ig levels in the sera of the SCID mice were suppressed for up to 10 wk when the neutralizing agents were administered at the time of human leukocyte engraftment, i.e., coincident with Ag stimulation, and subsequently at 2 and 4 days after Ag stimulation. These results are the first to demonstrate the ability of CD40/CD40L blocking agents to inhibit the human Ag-specific humoral immune response in vivo, and they sustain the notion that these blocking agents may be utilized clinically to eliminate immune responses associated with autoimmunity or allergy. In addition to confirming the importance of the CD40/CD40L interaction of T and B cells in vivo, it is established in this work that the mouse erythrocyte-specific humoral immune response of the lymphocytes in the human PBL/SCID mouse model is a bona fide T cell-dependent response, and that this is a viable model with which to study human lymphocyte activation in vivo. These results also suggest that the costimulatory activation of human B and T cells is not dependent on the microenvironment of the germinal centers.

Generation of monoclonal antibodies that distinguish between mesotheliomas and other tumor of the lung.

The accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma remains difficult despite advances of diagnostic technique. And specific monoclonal antibody (McAb) against mesothelioma have not been reported. In an attempt to develop mesothelioma specific McAb(s), spleen cells from a mouse immunized with isolated tumor cells were fused to a drug resistant mouse myeloma cell lines. Over 200 hybridomas were assayed for their preferential reactivity with mesothelioma cell lines or mesothelioma tumor biopsy tissues. Two monoclonal antibodies 2A3 and 4E1 were identified that bound 6/7 of the mesotheliomas, tested, but did not bind to the majority, 11/13 (for 2A3) and 12/13 (for 4E1), of other lung tumor types. Based upon western blot analysis of one and two-dimensional gels and upon the distribution pattern of the antibody recognized molecule in mesotheliomas and non-mesothelioma lung tumors, 2A3 binds to the cell adhesion molecule CD44. While the specificity of 4E1 has not yet been unequivocally established it appears to recognize a variant form of the CD44 molecule.

Bioconcentration of heavy metals in selected medicinal plants of India.

This paper presents data on the bioconcentration of heavy metals found in 10 plant species that occur in mangroves and inland ecosystems of India. The average concentration of mercury in the mangrove plants (0.068 μg g-1) was 11.3 times that of the inland plants (0.006 μg g-1; p<0.05). The average concentration of lead in the mangrove plants (19.23 μg g-1) was 1.7 times that of the inland plants (11.38 μg g-1; p<0.05). The mean bioconcentration factors for lead in mangrove plants (2.40 ± 0.75) were higher than that the inland plants (1.42 ± 0.15). The factor analysis accounted for 21.55% of the total variance showed accumulation of mercury and lead confirming the polluted nature.