Biomedical subjects

C F Ferris

Publications and source records attributed to C F Ferris.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Scent marking and the maintenance of dominant/subordinate status in male golden hamsters.

Since it is thought that flank marking communicates dominance status, experiments were designed to look at changes in aggression and flank marking behaviors in pairs of male hamsters with intact flank glands (Experiment One) or when one (Experiment Two) or both (Experiment Three) members of a pair had their flank glands surgically removed. In Experiment One the dominant members of twelve pairs of hamsters had a mean daily frequency of flank marks that was over two-fold greater than their subordinate partners, F(1,11) = 17.59, p less than 0.001. Over the course of five consecutive daily tests there was a significant decrease in the aggression index of both the dominant, t(44) = 4.49, p less than 0.01, and subordinate, t(44) = 3.33, p less than 0.01, hamsters. Accompanying the decrease in aggression was a significant increase in the flank marking of both dominant, t(44) = 7.8, p less than 0.01, and subordinate, t(44) = 3.59, p less than 0.01, hamsters. In Experiment Two, six out of eleven flank glandectomized hamsters were dominant over their sham operated partners while the remaining five were subordinate. Unlike Experiment One there was no significant difference in the flank marking between dominant and subordinate hamsters, in fact, in seven pairs the subordinate hamsters flank marked more than their dominant partners. In Experiment Three both hamsters had their flank glands removed, and as in Experiment Two, there was no significant difference in flank marking between dominant and subordinate hamsters, neither was there any significant change in their aggression and flank marking behaviors over the course of the five test periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aggression↗

PubMed1987

Characterization of immunoreactive substance P and neurotensin in the goldfish retina.

Extracts of goldfish retina and brain were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassays for neurotensin (NT), substance P (SP) and related peptides. Two major peaks of immunoreactive NT were observed, both more hydrophilic than mammalian NT. Although these two forms reacted equally well with two antisera towards the biologically active carboxyl terminal region of NT, they were not recognized by an amino terminal antiserum, nor by antisera toward the related peptides, LANT-6 and xenopsin. Retinal immunoreactive SP eluted as one major peak which may represent the teleost equivalent of mammalian SP; region-specific antisera indicated phylogenetic conservation of the carboxyl terminal region. A more hydrophilic immunoreactive form was found only in brain, and two more hydrophobic forms found in both tissues were relatively more abundant in retina than in brain. The concentrations and molecular forms of these peptides were unchanged after either 48 hr of light adaptation or 48 hr of dark adaptation.

Adaptation, Ocular↗

PubMed1987

Neurotensin levels in the hepatic-portal circulation are inversely related to the circadian feeding cycle in rats.

To investigate whether the circulating level of neurotensin (NT) in the rat is related to either the 24-h pattern in food consumption or environmental lighting conditions, the plasma level of NT was determined every 4 h in the hepatic-portal vein and the abdominal aorta over the course of 24 h. At each time interval, pooled plasma samples from groups of 4 rats were extracted, lyophilized, reconstituted, and subjected to HPLC. Column fractions were radioimmunoassayed with both N- and C-terminal directed antisera. Animals housed in a 12-h light, 12-h dark cycle and given food and water ad libitum had a significant (P less than 0.05) 24-h variation in the level of chromatographically and immunochemically identified NT in the portal circulation while the level of NT in the systemic circulation remained unchanged. The level of NT in portal blood ranged from 12-38 fmol/ml and was highest in the afternoon, 12-16 h after peak feeding. The level of NT in aortic blood never exceeded 7 fmol/ml. Similar results were obtained from animals exposed to constant illumination for 13-32 h with free access to food and water. The release of NT during the fasting phase of the feeding cycle was dependent upon the prior intake of food, since the level of NT in the hepatic-portal circulation of rats housed in 12-h light, 12-h dark cycle and fasted for 20-24 h was about 2-fold less than that observed in animals allowed free access to food. In summary, these data show that the release and circulation of NT are tightly linked to the circadian pattern of food intake and that the greatest release of NT into the hepatic-portal circulation occurs 5-10 h after the cessation of eating during the fasting phase of the feeding cycle.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Generation of immunoreactive neurotensin(s) and enkephalin(s) by pepsin-treatment of plasma.

Treatment of mammalian plasmas with pepsin yielded extraordinary quantities of immunoreactive neurotensin (iNT) and methionine5-enkephalin (iENK). The concentrations measured after pepsin-treatment (iNT, 1-5 microM and iENK, 0.1-0.5 microM) were 1-100 thousand times the normal circulating levels of these peptides. The reactions were shown to be time, temperature and pH dependent and to involve the action of pepsin on albumin-like proteins (Mr, ca, 65,000). Pepsin-generated iNT from rat plasma differed from NT since it reacted only with C-terminal directed antisera and eluted earlier than NT during HPLC on mu-Bondapak C-18. Partially purified iNT was active in two bioassays for NT, one which senses changes in vascular permeability to protein after intradermal injection into rats and another which measures release of histamine from isolated rat mast cells. Other biologic activities generated by pepsin-treating plasma included effects on systemic blood pressure in rats and on the contractility of the isolated guinea pig ileum. Some of these, however, were attributable to the formation of angiotensin- and bradykinin-related peptides. Pepsin-generated iENK gave three major peaks during HPLC, one of which (ca, 25%) co-eluted with oxidized ENK and also registered in a radioreceptor assay for opiate-related substances. In addition, this material produced ENK-like effects on the isolated guinea pig ileum and on vascular permeability in rat skin. The precursor-like protein(s) for iENK were distinguished from adrenal proenkephalins since it did not liberate iENK upon digestion with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. Since pepsin can mimic renin these results suggest the existence of systems in blood (analogous to the renin/angiotensin system) for the generation of biologically active NT- and ENK-related peptides and they also raise the question as to whether other neuropeptides might be found circulating in precursor form(s).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1986

A vasopressin antagonist can reverse dominant/subordinate behavior in hamsters.

Golden hamsters communicate dominance status by flank marking, a behavior that is dependent upon vasopressin-sensitive neurons in the anterior hypothalamus-medial preoptic area (AH-MPOA). The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether arginine vasopressin (AVP) and an antagonist of AVP could alter or reverse dominant/subordinate relationships in pairs of hamsters. Microinjection of AVP into the AH-MPOA of subordinate hamsters dramatically increased their flank marking despite the presence of their dominant partners. Conversely, microinjection of the AVP antagonist into the AH-MPOA of dominant hamsters blocked flank marking in the presence of their subordinate partners. Surprisingly, the untreated subordinate hamsters significantly increased their own flank marking when tested with their dominant partners treated with the AVP antagonist, thereby reversing the pattern of flank marking normally seen in dominant/subordinate relationships. However, the effect of AVP and the AVP antagonist were limited to the day of treatment. When flank marking behavior was reversed in a pair of hamsters by treatments for three consecutive days, the pair immediately displayed the original dominant/subordinate behavior when treatment was stopped.

Aggression↗

PubMed1986

Circadian rhythm of neurotensin levels in rat small intestine.

The present studies were undertaken to determine whether a 24 h rhythm occurs in neurotensin (NT) levels in the small intestine of the rat and if so, whether the rhythm depends upon the 24 h cycles of light or feeding. A total of 145 male rats were sacrificed at 4 h intervals and the levels of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) in the middle 30 cm of small intestine were determined by radioimmunoassay with region specific antisera. There was a significant (P less than 0.05) 24 h rhythm in the levels of NTLI in groups of rats maintained under constant illumination or a 12:12 light:dark cycle and fasted for either 24 h or provided food ad libitum. Levels of NTLI ranged from 50 to 140 pm/g and were highest during the early morning (0400-0800 h) and lowest during the afternoon (1200-1600 h). The NTLI from samples taken at 0400 and 1600 h was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography. The levels of chromatographically and immunochemically characterized NT were consistent with the levels of NTLI, evidence that the 24 h variation in NTLI most likely reflects changes in the intestinal content of NT and not other substances with similar immunochemical properties.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Role of the flank gland in vasopressin induced scent marking behavior in the hamster.

The present study examined whether the induction of scent marking behavior and grooming of the flank gland region by injection of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin (OXY) into the anterior hypothalamus-medial preoptic area (AH-MPOA) required the presence of the flank glands. The flank glands were surgically removed (GLDX) in ten hamsters or patches of skin just dorsal to the flank glands were removed (SHAM) in the control group (N = 7). No statistically significant differences were observed in flank marking or flank grooming between the GLDX and SHAM groups during a 10 min test period immediately following injection of AVP or OXY. AVP and OXY injection produced similar amounts of flank grooming, but AVP resulted in significantly (p less than 0.01) more flank marking than OXY. These data indicate that scent marking induced by AVP injected into the AH-MPOA is similar to environmentally induced scent marking in not requiring the presence of an intact scent gland.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Proliferating cells of human basal cell carcinoma are located on the periphery of tumor nodules.

Study of the growth characteristics of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a relatively well-organized, slow-growing skin cancer, has been limited because of the lack of methods for propagation of the tumor off the human host. We have used newly developed techniques for transplantation and propagation of BCC on athymic mice to study [3H]thymidine incorporation by nodular BCC. In human BCCs labeled in vitro immediately after removal from the mice and in vivo on the mice, [3H]thymidine during a 4-h pulse was incorporated primarily by cells on the periphery of tumor nodules (labeling indices 6-24%) rather than by the cells more central in tumor nodules (labeling indices 0-2%). Similar results were also seen when samples of tumor freshly removed from patients were labeled in vitro. We conclude that the dividing cells within nodular BCC are primarily the cells at the edges of tumor nodules and that this characteristic is related to the slow, progressive, invasive growth of BCC.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Basal cell carcinomas grown in nude mice produce and deposit fibronectin in the extracellular matrix.

Epidermal cells in vitro produce and deposit fibronectin (FN) in the pericellular matrix. Such FN production by epidermal cells may be involved in vivo in wound reepithelialization, tissue morphogenesis, and growth of epithelial tumors. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the FN, previously shown to be within and surrounding human basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lobules, was in part the product of epidermal-derived tumor cells. To examine this question we took advantage of our ability to grow human BCC in nude mice. Since we could demonstrate that all stromal cells surrounding the BCC were of mouse origin, antibodies specific for human FN would distinguish epithelial-derived FN from mesenchymal-derived FN. Five solid BCCs were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice. Growing tumors were removed after 60 days, snap-frozen, sectioned on a cryostat, and verified microscopically as BCC. The Hoescht DNA stain, which can distinguish mouse and human nuclei, demonstrated that mouse, not human, fibroblasts occupied the stroma surrounding each tumor lobule. Sections of all 5 BCCs were stained by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques with antibodies to bullous pemphigoid (BP) antigen, laminin (LM), and FN. BP antigen and LM were present at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of all tumor lobules as previously described for in situ BCC. FN staining was present along the BMZ, within the tumor lobules, and in the surrounding stroma. Antibodies to human FN were passed over a mouse FN affinity column to absorb antibodies which cross-reacted with mouse FN. The resultant antibody preparation, which was specific for human FN in this system, continued to demonstrate FN along the BMZ and within the tumors, but failed to stain FN in more distant stroma. Epidermal-derived cells, therefore, can synthesize and deposit FN in vivo in adjacent extracellular matrix. We speculate that this FN matrix may facilitate growth of BCC in this model.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The biology of basal cell carcinomas--a revisit and recent developments.

This paper will review some of the present information on the biology of basal cell carcinoma. Recent developments include a better understanding of the basement membrane components surrounding the tumor nodules, as well as identifying the most actively dividing cells in solid basal cell carcinoma by autoradiographic techniques. The implications of a recently developed animal model will also be discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Neurotensin stimulates [3H]oleic acid translocation across rat small intestine.

The effect of neurotensin (NT) on the translocation of intraluminally administered lipid across the duodenum as well as across the entire length of the small intestine was studied in the rat. In the first series of experiments, the appearance in the lymph of [3H]oleic acid instilled as a bolus into a segment of the duodenum was followed for 3 h. Infusion of NT (0.6 pmol X kg-1 X min-1) via the superior mesenteric artery resulted in a significant increase in the appearance of label in the lymph when compared with saline infusion (17.3 +/- 3.1 vs. 8.6 +/- 1.4%, P less than 0.01, respectively). In the second series of experiments, lipid was infused into the entire length of the small intestine over 4 h, and the accumulation of label in the lymph was measured. The infusion of NT (1.0 pmol X kg-1 X min-1) into the femoral vein also significantly increased the appearance of label when compared with animals infused with saline (49.0 +/- 2.0 vs. 34.2 +/- 5.2%, P less than 0.05, respectively). In this study, the specific activity of the triglyceride recovered in the lymph was higher in the rats given NT than in the controls (P less than 0.05). No significant changes in lymph flow were observed as a consequence of NT infusion. These results indicate that NT infusion into the circulation increases the translocation of oleic acid from the intestinal lumen into the lymph of rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Chromatographic and immunochemical characterization of neurotensin in cat adrenal gland and its release during splanchnic nerve stimulation.

A subpopulation of norepinephrine-containing cells in the cat adrenal medulla contain neurotensin (NT) immunoreactive material. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay with region-specific antisera we have demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerve releases NT and its metabolites NT(1-8) and NT(1-12) from cat adrenal gland into the circulation. Blood samples from anesthetized cats were simultaneously collected from the adrenolumbar vein and femoral artery over a 10-min period prior to and during splanchnic nerve stimulation. Trains of stimuli (15 Hz/10V) were applied at 30-s intervals over 10 min. Plasma samples were extracted, run on HPLC and column fractions assayed with C- und N-terminal directed antisera. During splanchnic nerve stimulation unchanged. Concomitant with the increase in NT was a two- to threefold increase in the levels of NT(1-8) and NT(1-12). The chromatographic profiles of extracted adrenal glands showed a major peak of immunoreactive material with the same retention time as NT (18.6 +/- 3.0 pmol/g weight wet of tissue) as well as a small peaks on NT(1-8) (0.96 +/- 0.18 pmol/g) and NT(1-12) (2.05 +/- 0.1 pmol/g). HPLC analysis of a tryptic digest of the NT-like material gave 1.0 equivalent of NT(1-8) and NT(9-13). These results are consistent with the presence of NT in adrenal tissue and its release and metabolism during stimulation of the splanchnic nerve.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1986

Microinjection of kainic acid into the hypothalamus of golden hamsters prevents vasopressin-dependent flank-marking behavior.

The purpose of this study was to define the vasopressin-sensitive area in the anterior hypothalamus-medial preoptic area (AH-MPOA) of the golden hamster that is involved in the expression of flank-marking behavior. Male hamsters implanted with guide cannulae stereotaxically aimed at various sites in the AH-MPOA were microinjected initially with 0.1 ng of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in a volume of 10 nl. Hamsters that flank-marked in response to these injections were subsequently microinjected into the same sites with kainic acid (0.2 microgram/20 nl; n = 10) or an equal volume of 1 M NaOH as a vehicle control (n = 10). Four days later hamsters were tested for odor-induced flank marking by placing them into the recently vacated home cage of other hamsters and for flank marking in response to the microinjection of AVP. Animals treated with kainic acid exhibited significantly (p less than 0.01) fewer AVP and odor-induced flank marks as compared to the number of flank marks observed prior to treatment. There was no significant reduction in the number of flank marks in hamsters microinjected with the NaOH vehicle. In another group of hamsters, microinjection of kainic acid (0.2 microgram/20 nl) into the 3rd ventricle (n = 4) and other sites of the hypothalamus (n = 4) did not significantly alter odor-induced flank marking. The locations of the microinjection sites indicate that the neurons sensitive to AVP and involved in the expression of flank-marking behavior are found in the ventromedial area of the AH-MPOA extending from the caudal border of the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the rostral limit of the supraoptic nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Communication↗

PubMed1986

Pepsin treatment of mammalian plasma generates immunoreactive and biologically active neurotensin-related peptides in micromolar concentrations.

Treatment of mammalian plasmas or sera with pepsin gave rise to extraordinary quantities (1-5 microM) of immunoreactive neurotensin (NT)-related peptide(s). Although immunochemical and chromatographic analyses indicated that the peptides liberated by pepsin differed from authentic neurotensin, one of the major immunoreactive products displayed NT-like biological properties. Partially purified preparations of the immunoreactive peptides increased cutaneous vascular permeability when injected intradermally in rats and released histamine from isolated rat mast cells. The pepsin-generated peptides appeared to share the biologically active C-terminal portion of NT, since they reacted with antisera selective for this region but were not recognized by N-terminal-directed antisera. Gel permeation chromatography demonstrated the presence of two substrates in plasma which liberated iNT upon treatment with pepsin, one in the albumin fraction (mol wt, 65 K) and the other a globulin (mol wt, 350 K). A variety of other proteases and substrates failed to have this effect. These results suggest the existence of a system(s) in blood, analogous to the renin-angiotensin system, for the generation of biologically active NT-related peptides.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

A V1-like receptor mediates vasopressin-induced flank marking behavior in hamster hypothalamus.

A vasopressin-sensitive mechanism within the medial preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus (MPOA-AH) appears to be essential for expression of a complex behavior involved in olfactory communication in Golden hamsters called flank marking. The present study investigated whether the induction of flank marking by arginine-vasopressin (AVP) within the MPOA-AH is mediated by a receptor that is more similar to the vasopressor (V1) or the antidiurectic (V2) AVP receptor. Adult male hamsters were anesthetized and implanted with a 26 gauge guide cannula stereotaxically aimed at the MPOA-AH and then microinjected with analogs of vasopressin, oxytocin, and selective V1 and V2 antagonists. Hamsters were tested for flank-marking behavior during a 5 or 10 min observation period following the injection of peptide in a vehicle of 100 nl of saline. None of the 15 analogs of AVP and oxytocin produced more flank marking than the 50.8 +/- 16.2 and 76.8 +/- 4.4 (mean +/- SEM; n = 4) flank marks observed following injection of AVP at the 1 or 10 ng dose, respectively. The number of flank marks produced by each analog was found to be highly related to the pressor activity of that analog at both the 1 ng (rho = +0.74, p less than 0.01) and 10 ng (rho = +0.82, p less than 0.01) doses. In contrast, no statistically reliable relationship between flank marking and the antidiuretic activity of these analogs was found at either dose (1 ng: rho = +0.07, p greater than 0.05; 10 ng: rho = +0.10, p greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Behavioral effects of vasopressin and oxytocin within the medial preoptic area of the golden hamster.

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) microinjected into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) induces flank marking behavior, a form of olfactory communication, in the golden hamster. When exposed to the odors of conspecifics flank marking behavior occurs naturally in association with grooming of the flank gland region. The present study examined whether microinjection of AVP, oxytocin (OXY) and other biologically active peptides into the medial preoptic area (MPOA), lateral cerebroventricle (LV) or the ventromedial or lateral hypothalamus (VMH-LH) would elicit flank gland grooming. Microinjection of AVP and OXY produced 2-3 times more flank gland grooming when microinjected into the MPOA than saline, neurotensin or angiotensin II. Injection of AVP into the LV and VMH-LH produced significantly less flank gland grooming than when injected into the MPOA.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1985

Transplantation of human basal cell carcinomas to athymic mice.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) obtained from 22 subjects undergoing microscopically controlled surgery were transplanted to 40 athymic (nude) mice. With no further immunosuppression of the mice, no tumor growth was noted in the first 14 attempts. When mice were further immunosuppressed with anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS) injections and by splenectomy, successful tumor growth was achieved in 15 of 22 mice by a subcutaneous implantation technique and in 1 of 4 by a superficial grafting technique. Transplanted BCC retained the morphology and basement membrane proteins typical of human BCC. As determined by autoradiography, 3H-thymidine was incorporated primarily in the peripheral palisaded cells of the transplanted tumor. Successful use of the athymic mouse model for study of human BCC requires use of mice further immunosuppressed by splenectomy and ALS, and the use of a subcutaneous implantation technique. With the use of this model, studies of the biology of human BCC may be possible.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Inhibition of flank-marking behavior in golden hamsters by microinjection of a vasopressin antagonist into the hypothalamus.

Microinjection of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) into the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus of the hamster stimulates flank marking, a complex stereotypic motor behavior involved in olfactory communication. Microinjection of an antagonist of AVP, [1-deaminopenicillamine-2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine]arginine-vasopressin, into the same site blocks both the effect of microinjected AVP as well as the natural flank-marking behavior normally elicited by placing a hamster into the recently vacated home cage of another hamster. This finding supports the notion that AVP is a transmitter in the expression of flank marking.

Animal Communication↗