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A Zicca

Publications and source records attributed to A Zicca.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Ultrastructural localization of alpha-naphthyl acid esterase in human TM lymphocytes.

The localization of alpha-naphthyl acid esterase (ANAE) activity in T lymphocytes with receptors for IgM (T(M) cells) have been studied at the electron microscope. The electron-opaque product of the cytochemical reaction was detected around, but never inside, single (or groups of) vesicles, which suggested a possible membrane localization of the enzyme activity. These same vesicles were found to contain acid phosphatase by both light- and electron-microscopic examination and were bound by unit membranes; this data indicates that they likely represent primary lysosomes. The presence of such lysosomes in a restricted paranuclear area is a distinctive feature of T(M) cells.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Similarities between the cells of the third population and TG lymphocytes.

The ultrastructural and cytochemical features of human peripheral blood TG cells (T cells with receptors IgG) and of the cells of the so-called third population (non-T, non-B cells with high avidity receptors for IgG) have been investigated and compared. Both TG and third-population cells (TPC) contained acid hydrolases with a paranuclear localization of alpha-naphthyl acid esterase, beta-glucuronidase or acid phosphatase. At the electron microscopy level, TG and TPC were indistinguishable and displayed rough cell surface, indented nuclei, abundant cytoplasm with predominance of the smooth over the rough membranes and peroxidase-negative granules. A large proportion of cells of the TPC could form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes after treatment with neuraminidase. The observed close similarities between TG and TPC may suggest that both cell types belong to a special subset of T cells. However, the alternative hypothesis that both TG and TPC are part of a subset unrelated to T cells, such as a new non-T, non-B cell population, or even of the monocytic-macrophage lineage, is also discussed.

Histocytochemistry↗

Morphological and histochemical analyses of two human T-cell subpopulations bearing receptors for IgM or IgG.

Two subpopulation of circulating human T cells forming rosettes with neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes were purified on the basis of the presence of receptors for IgG (TG cells) or for IgM (TM cells), and were shown to have distinguishing morphological and histochemical characteristics. TM cells had the general features of typical small- or medium-sized lymphocytes; most were easily identifiable by distinctive cytoplasmic accumulations, usually one and sometimes two large spots, of nonspecific acid esterase activity. The release of the vesicular contents on short-term culture of TG cells was inhibited by cytochalasin B. Definition of these distinguishing characteristics of TM and TG cells provides a basis for practical enumeration of these functionally distinct subpopulations of human T cells. Some of the TG cells were capable of endocytosis of IgG antibody-coated erythrocytes.

Binding Sites, Antibody↗

Iron-ethanol synergism and pathological liver transformation.

The synergistic effects of iron overload and ethanol on the liver of mice were studied over a period of 46 weeks. The determination of several parameters (iron, calcium, magnesium, alpha-hydroxyproline, lipid peroxidation, hepatomegalic and splenomegalic indexes) showed that ferrous and ferric lactates provoke an increase of calcium in the liver, higher than that of ethanol in the control animals. The relationship between liver calcium homeostasis modification and the increase of collagen and lipid peroxidation is discussed. Histological examinations showed differences in the tissular characteristics especially when iron and ethanol were given together. These findings suggest the liver calcium homeostasis changes found as a synergistic effect in the early stages of chronic iron overload may be of importance as a trigger of events leading to the pathway of fibrosis-->cirrhosis-->hepatocarcinoma reported in pathologies such as nutritional siderosis and hemochromatosis.

Animals↗

Synthesis and antitumor activity of a new cis-diammineplatinum (II) complex containing procaine hydrochloride.

This paper refers to some of the chemical and biological properties of a new platinum (II) complex where the aromatic amino group of procaine is involved in the coordination with platinum and whose structure was defined by UV, IR, 1H-NMR, and elemental analysis. This new cationic platinum-triamine complex (DPR) displays excellent solubility (> 50 mg/ml) and stability in water. DPR has significant in vitro cytotoxicity against murine P388 leukemic cell line, human K562 erythroleukemic cell line and human Jurkat T cell line. The in vitro cytotoxic effects of DPR on P388 and Jurkat leukemic cells were comparable to those of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP), while its activity on K562 cells was significantly better than that of DDP [IC50 = 1.07 +/- 0.36 (SD) microM vs 2.62 +/- 0.23 (SD) microM, P < 0.01]. The in vitro Pt accumulation rate for P388 cells was twice as rapid after DPR than after DDP exposure, while no difference in cellular platinum efflux was observed. The antitumor activity of DPR was tested in vivo against P388 leukemic cells in BDF1 mice and gave a % ILS value (75%) similar to that of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of DDP (8 mg/Kg). A comparative study of plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels and kidney morphological analysis in tumor-bearing mice receiving the LD50 dose of both drugs (39.3 mg/Kg and 16.5 mg/Kg for DPR and DDP, respectively), showed DPR to be less nephrotoxic than DDP. These results indicate that this new cationic platinum-triamine complex containing primary amine ligand is surprisingly active both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, the good characteristics of DPR in terms of high solubility, encouraging anticancer activity and absence of nephrotoxic effects make DPR a promising new platinum anticancer agent for preclinical development.

Animals↗

Cultured tibial rat osteoblasts: in vitro production and topography of osteonectin, biglycan and decorin.

Rat osteoblasts in culture undergo differentiative changes culminating in the formation of mineralized foci. We here report on the pattern of temporal expression and compartmentalization of osteonectin and of the two small proteoglycans, byglican and decorin. They were constitutively synthesized during in vitro differentiation of rat osteoblasts. The 3 proteins were detected in the conditioned medium and associated with the cell-matrix compartment. Within this compartment they showed prevalent cytoplasmic location and differential distribution on unmineralized noduli was detected for osteonectin and byglican, while decorin was detected throughout the nodules. Along with known functions in the matrix, a possible role in the cytoplasm may have to be sought for these bone cells components.

Animals↗