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Effects of pregnancy and intensity of Plasmodium falciparum transmission on immunoglobulin G subclass responses to variant surface antigens.

Placenta-sequestering Plasmodium falciparum involved in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) in otherwise clinically immune women expresses particular variant surface antigens (VSA(PAM)) on the surface of infected erythrocytes that differ from VSA found in parasitized nonpregnant individuals (non-PAM type VSA). We studied levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG subclasses with specificity for VSA(PAM) and for non-PAM type VSA in pregnant and nonpregnant women from two sites with different endemicities in Cameroon. We found that VSA(PAM)-specific responses depended on the pregnancy status, parity, gestational age, and parasite transmission intensity, whereas only the parasite transmission intensity influenced the levels of IgG specific for non-PAM type VSA. For both types of VSA, the responses were dominated by the cytophilic subclass IgG1, followed by IgG3. In pregnant women, the levels of VSA(PAM)-specific antibodies either were very low or negative or were very high, whereas the levels of the antibodies specific for non-PAM type VSA were uniformly high. Interestingly, the levels of VSA(PAM)-specific IgG1 increased with increasing gestational age, while the levels of the corresponding IgG3 tended to decrease with increasing gestational age. The IgG subclass responses with specificity for non-PAM type VSA did not vary significantly with gestational age. Taken together, our data indicate that IgG1 and to a lesser extent IgG3 are the main subclasses involved in acquired VSA(PAM)-specific immunity to pregnancy-associated malaria.

Adolescent↗

Antimicrobial and respiratory burst characteristics of pulmonary alveolar macrophages recovered from smokers of marijuana alone, smokers of tobacco alone, smokers of marijuana and tobacco, and nonsmokers.

Rodent studies indicate that marijuana smoke can adversely affect the antimicrobial function of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM). To evaluate whether marijuana smoke similarly affects human PAM, we compared phagocytosis, fungistatic/fungicidal activity, and superoxide anion (O2-) production of PAM recovered from marijuana smokers (MS), tobacco smokers (TS), marijuana and tobacco smokers (MTS), and nonsmokers (NS). Although PAM from the four groups were equally capable of ingesting Candida albicans, the macrophages from smokers differed from normal PAM in their ability to restrict intracellular yeast germination (ungerminated candida in smokers' PAM = 68 +/- 3% [46] versus NS = 54 +/- 6% [17], mean +/- SEM [n], p = 0.022). Despite heightened fungistatic activity, PAM from MS and TS destroyed significantly fewer intracellular yeast (28 +/- 2 and 29 +/- 2%, respectively) after 4 h than did macrophages recovered from NS (40 +/- 4%, p less than 0.05). Both basal and stimulated (dihydrocytochalasin B + opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate) O2- production were similar in PAM from MS and NS, but significantly increased in PAM from TS (p less than 0.05). Our findings indicate that marijuana smoking does not alter the phagocytic behavior or the respiratory burst of human PAM, but marijuana smoking does decrease the ability of human PAM to destroy ingested Candida albicans. These findings contrast with the effects of tobacco smoking, which not only decreases the fungicidal activity of human PAM but also increases their respiratory burst.

Adult↗

Modification by hyperoxia in vivo of endotoxin-induced neutrophil alveolitis in rats. Production of chemotactic factors by alveolar macrophages and ultrastructure.

We have previously shown that prior exposure to hyperoxia intensifies the influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into bronchoalveolar spaces after endotoxemia (E), but the mechanism is unknown. Because pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) regulate the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the lung in several types of acute and chronic alveolitis, we studied the effect of pretreatment with hyperoxia in vivo on production of chemotactic factors by PAM after E. In this study, we cultured PAM recovered by lung lavage from oxygen- and air-pretreated rats 4, 15, and 48 h after E to determine whether a direct effect of hyperoxia on the release of chemotactic factors by PAM in response to E in vivo could contribute to the previous observations. We found that the chemotactic activity of the culture media supernatants from PAM recovered from oxygen-pretreated rats given E was 80% higher than that of media from PAM recovered from air-exposed rats given E. Neither PAM from air-exposed rats nor those from oxygen-exposed rats spontaneously released chemotaxins selective for other PAM. In contrast, when PAM were stimulated with zymosan in vitro, those from the oxygen-breathing group produced 50% more chemotactic activity for other PAM than did those from the air-breathing group. These differences in secretion of chemotactic factors were not associated with decreased viability of PAM either in vivo or in tissue culture, or with impaired adherence by PAM in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Pulmonary alveolar macrophage function during acute inflammatory lung injury.

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) are present during acute lung inflammation, yet the functional role of these cells in both the initiation and resolution of lung injury is not well defined. To better understand the relationship between PAM functional responses and the evolution of acute reversible lung injury, we examined the ability of both unstimulated and stimulated (PMA, zymosan) PAM to secrete reactive oxygen metabolites (superoxide anion O2-) and lysosomal enzymes (lysozyme, N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase) at specific time points (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h) after initiation of acute lung injury via reverse passive Arthus reaction in pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats. After acute lung injury, stimulated PAM produced increasing amounts of O2- compared with PAM from noninjured lungs. Maximal O2- production by PAM occurred at 24 h after lung injury, at which time a 3.5-fold and 50% increase in O2- production by PAM was observed when PAM were stimulated with PMA and zymosan, respectively. The amount of O2- generated by these cells slowly decreased during the next 48 h. Enhanced generation of O2- by PAM from injured lungs was not due to altered enzymatic activity of the O2--producing NADPH oxidase, nor was it due to an absolute increase in the NADPH oxidase in "activated" PAM. These observations suggest that increased O2- generation by PAM from injured lungs is due to enhancement of mechanisms responsible for induction of oxidase activity. In addition, a differential accumulation and secretion of lysozyme and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity by PAM was observed after acute lung injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Immobilized IgG immune complex induces secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by porcine alveolar macrophages.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an important inflammatory mediator produced by activated monocytes and macrophages. We have previously shown that porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) mediate bystander cytotoxicity through hydrogen peroxide production following activation with immobilized IgG immune complex (IIC) (J. Immunol. 1983; 131:1438-1442). In this report, we have investigated whether IIC induces TNF-alpha secretion by PAM. Isolated PAM from Minnesota miniature swine were cultured for 18 h with and without recombinant human interferon-gamma (rhIFN-gamma). Cultured PAM were then incubated with IIC or IgG immune complex in suspension (SIC). The supernatants generated were assessed for cytotoxic activity using a TNF-alpha-sensitive WEHI-164 cell line. Anti-recombinant human TNF-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) monoclonal antibody neutralized the observed cytotoxicity of IIC-activated PAM supernatant completely, indicating that this cytotoxicity is mediated by TNF-alpha. IIC induced TNF-alpha secretion by PAM after 3 h of incubation, reaching a plateau from 6 to 12 h and decreasing thereafter. TNF-alpha release was enhanced by pretreatment of PAM with rhIFN-gamma. SIC did not induce significant levels of TNF-alpha secretion by PAM; however, SIC with cytochalasin B-pretreated PAM induced equivalent levels of TNF-alpha secretion as IIC-activated PAM. We conclude that IIC or SIC with cytochalasin B pretreatment, both of which prevent internalization of IgG immune complex-bound Fc receptor (FcR), provide a signal for PAM to generate TNF-alpha through FcR modulation. This suggests that in vivo, deposited (immobilized) IgG immune complexes-bound FcR may be a stimulus for activation of PAM to generate TNF-alpha rather than circulating (mobilized) immune complexes, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lung, especially in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Animals↗

Comparison of porcine alveolar macrophages and CL 2621 for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and anti-PRRS antibody.

The American and European strains of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus were initially isolated in an established cell line (CL 2621) and porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM), respectively. Subsequent isolation of American strains of this virus in PAM has also been reported. To determine their relative sensitivity for virus isolation, both PAM and CL 2621 cells were inoculated with 98 tissue specimens and 73 serum samples from animals suspected of having PRRS. Four of the 98 tissue samples yielded virus in both cell types, whereas 7 samples were positive only in PAM and 4 samples only in CL 2621. Of the 73 serum samples tested, 18 were positive in PAM of which only 2 were positive in CL 2621. Additionally, 82 isolates obtained initially in CL 2621 were inoculated in PAM cells, and 18 strains isolated originally in PAM were inoculated in CL 2621. Of the 82 CL 2621 isolates, 25 could not be propagated on PAM. Of the 57 that replicated in PAM, as detected by a positive test on indirect fluorescent antibody test, only 28 produced cytopathic effects and 29 did not. Of the 18 PAM isolates, 5 did not grow on CL 2621. Although PAM were relatively more sensitive for virus isolation, their failure to support the growth of certain strains of PRRS virus indicates the existence of variants among PRRS virus strains, and both PAM and CL 2621 should be used for virus isolation from clinical samples. In addition, the sensitivity of these 2 cell types was compared for the detection of fluorescent antibodies to PRRS virus using 179 serum samples from PRRS-infected animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Phase I clinical trial of intravenous L-buthionine sulfoximine and melphalan: an attempt at modulation of glutathione.

PURPOSE: A phase I dose-escalation trial of intravenous (IV) L-buthionine-SR-sulfoximine (BSO) with melphalan (L-PAM) was performed to determine the toxicity and biologic activity of BSO, administered as a short infusion every 12 hours, and the combination of BSO plus L-PAM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with refractory malignancies received 30-minute infusions of BSO every 12 hours for 6 to 10 doses in week 1 followed in week 2 by either IV L-PAM (15 mg/m2) alone or BSO as in week 1 with L-PAM. Patients received the combination in week 5 (course no. 2) if they received L-PAM alone during week 2 and vice versa. BSO doses ranged from 1.5 g/m2 to 13.104 g/m2. RESULTS: The only toxicity observed with BSO infusions was occasional nausea/vomiting. Evaluation of 23 paired courses (L-PAM plus BSO v L-PAM) showed significantly (P < .001) greater leukopenia and thrombocytopenia with L-PAM plus BSO. No other significant toxicity was noted. Measurement of intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBLs) of all patients receiving BSO showed a consistent, non-dose-dependent, linear decrease in GSH with repeated BSO doses. Maximal GSH depletion (40% of baseline values, absolute values 200 to 250 ng/10(6) PBLs) was noted after the sixth BSO dose; extended BSO dosing schedules beyond six total BSO doses did not further deplete GSH. Evaluation of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) activity showed marked inhibition near the end of each infusion with near complete recovery of GCS activity before the next BSO dose. The pattern of GCS inhibition mirrored the plasma BSO concentrations with peak values (level 6, 4 to 8 mmol/L L,R+L,S BSO) observed at the end of the infusion with a rapid decrease in plasma concentrations with an estimated half-life (t1/2) of less than 2 hours. Differential elimination of the R+S stereoisomers was observed. Analysis of L-PAM pharmacokinetics showed marked interpatient variability and a significant decrease in total-body clearance (P = .01) and volume of distribution (P = .03) in courses with L-PAM plus BSO as compared with L-PAM alone. CONCLUSION: This study shows that BSO alone and in combination with L-PAM can be safely given to patients, but that a schedule of short infusions every 12 hours does not result in GSH depletion less than 30% of baseline values.

Adult↗

Estrogen regulation of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase expression in anterior pituitary gland.

The pituitary is a rich source of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). This bifunctional protein contains peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and peptidyl-alpha-hydroxyglycine alpha-amidating lyase catalytic domains necessary for the two-step formation of alpha-amidated peptides from their COOH-terminal glycine extended precursors. Expression of PAM was evaluated in the anterior pituitary of intact cycling adult female rat and after experimental manipulation of estrogen status. PAM messenger RNA (mRNA) levels showed changes inversely related to the physiological variations of plasma estrogen levels during the estrous cycle. Chronic treatment of ovariectomized (OVX) rats with 17 beta-estradiol decreased PAM mRNA levels to values comparable with those found in intact rats at proestrus. In situ hybridization of anterior pituitary sections using 35S-labeled full length RNA antisense transcripts of rat PAM-1 complementary DNA showed that 17 beta-estradiol treatment induced an overall decrease of the hybridization signal, as compared with OVX rats. Progesterone treatment did not change PAM mRNA levels both in OVX or OVX + E2 rats. Based on Northern blot analysis and amplification of fragments derived from rat PAM-1 by RT-PCR, it was found that estrogen status does not affect the distribution of PAM mRNA among its various alternatively spliced forms. In OVX 17 beta-estradiol treated rats, the specific activity of PAM in the anterior pituitary decreased in both soluble and particulate fractions compared with OVX animals. Western blot analysis demonstrated a 105-kDa PAM protein in particulate fractions prepared from OVX and OVX-17 beta-estradiol treated animals. The soluble fraction from OVX animals contained major PAM proteins of 105, 95, 84, 75, and 45 kDa, and 17 beta-estradiol treatment caused a decrease in the prevalence of these proteins. These results indicate that estrogens are involved, either directly or indirectly, in regulating the expression of PAM in several cell types in the anterior pituitary gland.

Alternative Splicing↗

Thyroid hormone regulation of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase expression in anterior pituitary gland.

Peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM; EC 1.14.17.3) is a copper-, molecular oxygen-, and ascorbate-dependent enzyme which catalyzes the COOH-terminal amidation of bioactive peptides. Expression of PAM in the adult male rat anterior pituitary was evaluated after experimental manipulation of thyroid status. Levels of PAM mRNA increased 4- to 7-fold in animals made hypothyroid by treatment with 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil or thyroidectomy and were not diminished below control levels in animals made hyperthyroid by treatment with T4. Treatment of thyroidectomized animals with T4 prevented the increase in PAM mRNA levels; similar doses of T4 returned serum TSH and anterior pituitary PAM mRNA to euthyroid values. Based on Northern blot analysis and amplification of fragments derived from rat PAM-1 by reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction, thyroid status did not affect the distribution of PAM mRNA among its various alternatively spliced forms. The specific activity of PAM in the anterior pituitary was increased slightly in both the soluble and particulate fractions from chemically hypothyroid rats; the majority of the PAM activity in the rat anterior pituitary was soluble, and increased secretion of enzyme may account for the lesser effect of chemical thyroidectomy on specific activity compared to mRNA levels. Western blot analysis demonstrated a 104-kDa PAM protein in particulate fractions prepared from control, PTU-treated, and T4-treated animals. The soluble fraction contained major PAM proteins of 95 and 75 kDa, and PTU treatment brought about an increase in the prevalence of the 75-kDa form of PAM protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Anionic polyacrylamide effects on soil sorption and desorption of metolachlor, atrazine, 2,4-D, and picloram.

Polyacrylamide (PAM) treatment of irrigation water is a growing conservation technology in irrigated agriculture in recent years. There is a concern regarding the environmental impact of PAM after its application. The effects of anionic PAM on the sorption characteristics of four widely used herbicides (metolachlor, atrazine, 2,4-D, and picloram) on two natural soils were assessed in batch equilibrium experiments. Results showed that PAM treatment kinetically reduced the sorption rate of all herbicides, possibly due to the slower diffusion of herbicide molecules into interior sorption sites of soil particles that were covered and/or cemented together by PAM. The equilibrium sorption and desorption amounts of nonionic herbicides (metolachlor and atrazine) were essentially unaffected by anionic PAM, even under a high PAM application rate, while the sorption amounts of anionic herbicides (2,4-D and picloram) were slightly decreased and their desorption amounts increased little. The impact mechanisms of PAM were related to the molecular characteristics of PAM and herbicides. The negative effects of PAM on the sorption of anionic herbicides are possibly caused by the enhancement of electrostatic repulsion by presorbed anionic PAM and competition for sorption sites. However, steric hindrance of the large PAM molecule weakens its influence on herbicide sorption on interior sorption sites of soil particles, which probably leads to the small interference on herbicide sorption, even under high application rates.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Polyacrylamide distribution in columns of organic matter-removed soils following surface application.

Knowledge of how polyacrylamide (PAM) penetrates and distributes in a soil profile after application in irrigation water is important for understanding PAM conditioning depth and evaluating its environmental effects. Little is known, however, about PAM distribution in soil because of the difficulty in quantifying PAM content in natural soils. By using a recently modified substrate-borne PAM quantification method, PAM distribution in columns of organic matter-removed soils was determined. Results showed that penetration of PAM into the soil was affected by salt level of irrigation water, soil texture, initial soil water content, water application method, and other factors. Polyacrylamide penetration depth was about one-eighth to one-half of the water penetration depth, with a particularly high PAM retention in the top few centimeters of the soil. Under different experimental conditions, the PAM retained in the top 0 to 2 cm of soil ranged from 16 to 95% of the total applied amount. More favorable solution-soil contact conditions, longer solution-soil contact time, and lower initial soil moisture caused much more PAM retention in the top few centimeters of the soil. High sorptive affinity of PAM on soil is the main reason for its low penetration into the soil. Although these results were not obtained from natural soils, they are still helpful in improving our understanding of PAM transport behavior in soils.

Acrylic Resins↗

Response of rat alveolar macrophages to ozone: quantitative assessment of population size, morphology, and proliferation following acute exposure.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of an acute exposure to low levels of ozone on rat pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM). Fisher 344 rats exposed to 0.0, 0.12, 0.8, or 1.5 ppm O3 for 6 h were killed immediately after and 3, 18, 42, or 66 h after ozone exposure and their lungs were lavaged. Compared to sham-exposed (control) rats, exposure to 0.12 ppm O3 had no measurable effect on the total number, labeling index (LI), mitotic index (MI), or morphology of rat alveolar macrophages. The number of neutrophils was significantly (p less than or equal to 0.001) greater than in controls at 3, 18, and 42 h after exposure to 1.5 ppm O3 and 42 h after exposure to 0.8 ppm O3. The number of PAM was approximately twice that of controls 42 and 66 h after exposure to 0.8 and 1.5 ppm O3. There was a significant (p less than or equal to 0.001) increase in PAM MI 42 and 66 h after exposure to 1.5 ppm O3 and 42 h after 0.8 ppm O3. The increase in the number of PAM in mitosis was preceded by an increase in PAM LI. The PAM LI was significantly (p less than or equal to 0.001) greater than controls 18 and 42 h after exposure but returned to near normal levels by 66 h after exposure. There was a transient decrease in the mean nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio of PAM from rats exposed to 1.5 ppm O3 18 and 42 h after exposure due to an increase in the mean PAM cytoplasmic area. Comparison of the PAM population doubling time (Dt) and cell cycle time (Ct) suggest that PAM proliferation played a significant role in the observed increase in PAM following exposure to 0.8 and 1.5 ppm O3. These results highlight the dynamic response of PAM to an acute exposure to ozone and suggest that the proliferative response of pulmonary alveolar macrophages may be a useful indicator of pulmonary damage following inhalation of an irritant oxidant.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase from bovine neurointermediate pituitary.

Extracts of bovine neurointermediate pituitary secretory granules and frozen bovine neurointermediate pituitary contain multiple forms of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) activity differing in apparent molecular weight and in charge. Metal chelate affinity chromatography, substrate affinity chromatography, and gel filtration resulted in the purification of two forms of amidation activity from frozen bovine neurointermediate pituitary: PAM-A, apparent molecular weight 54,000, was purified 7,000-fold and PAM-B, apparent molecular weight 38,000, was purified 21,000-fold. Enzyme activity of similar molecular weights was observed in the starting material. Purified PAM-A and PAM-B correspond to two of the three charge forms present in crude extracts, and both exhibited optimal activity at alkaline pH. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PAM-B revealed the presence of two bands with apparent molecular weights of 42,000 and 37,000; autoradiography of 125I-labeled PAM-B revealed only the same two bands, and 125I-labeled PAM-B co-eluted with enzyme activity during gel filtration. PAM-A was still heterogeneous based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The properties of purified PAM-A and PAM-B were very similar to those of amidation activity in crude extracts: activity was reduced upon removal of molecular oxygen; activity was stimulated by the addition of CuSO4 and eliminated by the addition of diethyldithiocarbamate; activity was stimulated by the addition of ascorbate, with optimal levels of ascorbate increasing as the concentration of peptide substrate was increased. In the presence of 1.25 mM ascorbate, PAM-B exhibited a Km of 7.0 microM for D-Tyr-Val-Gly and a Vmax of 84 nmol/micrograms/h.

Animals↗

The effects of essential fatty acid deficiency on pulmonary alveolar macrophage function.

Male rats were maintained for periods of up to 16 weeks on a fat free diet which was supplemented with either 4% tripalmitin (essential fatty acid [EFA] deficient) or with 4% safflower oil (SAFF, control). Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) were obtained by lung lavage. PAM from EFA deficient rats had reduced phagocytic activity and capacity. Intracellular killing of ingested yeast was also reduced by EFA deficiency. The activity of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin D from PAM was not altered by dietary treatment. Transmission electron microscopy failed to show any consistent morphologic differences between PAM from EFA deficient and SAFF animals, but did confirm the decreased phagocytosis by PAM from EFA deficient rats. However, scanning electron microscopy did show loss of pseudopodia in PAM from EFA deficient rats. EFA deficiency was demonstrated by analyzing the methyl esters of the fatty aids from the total lipid extract of PAM. The arachidonate content was decreased while the eicosatrienoate content was increased in PAM derived from rats fed the EFA deficient diet. In an effort to elucidate further the mechanism of action of EFA deficiency in impairing phagocytosis by PAM, inhibitors of various reactions which lead to oxygenated derivatives of arachidonate were studied using PAM from chow fed rats. Some of these inhibitors were effective in diminishing phagocytosis. Furthermore, PAM from these preparations when fixed in suspension and examined with scanning electron microscopy showed morphological changes similar to those seen in EFA deficiency. This similarity of surface ultrastructural changes suggests that EFA deficiency may impair phagocytic function of PAM by reducing availability of an oxygenated derivative of arachidonic acid.

Acid Phosphatase↗

[Studies on Fc-receptor activity of pulmonary alveolar macrophage in granulomatous lung diseases].

A) An assay method for Fc-receptor activity of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) was studied by using SRBC coated with anti-SRBC antibody (IgG) under consideration of variable effects of several conditions on phagocytosis and rosette formation of sensitized SRBC (EA) by rabbit PAM. EA phagocytosis by PAM inhibited EA rosette formation of PAM. Significant number of EA phagocytosis was observed in FCA-activated PAM after incubation at 22 degrees C for 1 hr. Because Fc-mediated phagocytic potential of PAM was influenced by nonspecific phagocytic potential of PAM, Fc-receptor activity should be expressed by EA rosette forming activity of PAM measured in the condition of 4 degrees C for 20 hrs where phagocytosis was minimal. B) Fc-receptor activity of PAM increased significantly in rabbits with granulomatous lung lesions induced by BCG compared to normal rabbits, but not in lung lesions by M. faeni. C) Fc-receptor activity of PAM increased significantly in sarcoid patients compared to control patients. As Fc-receptor activity of PAM increased remarkably in the patients with active findings in chest X-ray films, increase of Fc-receptor, activity of PAM might suggest to reflect the active stage of sarcoidosis.

Adolescent↗

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae culture supernatants interfere with killing of Pasteurella multocida by swine pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

The effect of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae culture supernatant on swine pulmonary alveolar macrophage (PAM) functions was studied. The A. pleuropneumoniae culture supernatant was toxic to PAMs when tested by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Biological activity of the supernatant was ascribed to cytotoxins. Both the LDH and MTT assays were used for measurement of crude A. pleuropneumoniae cytotoxin concentration with good reproducibility. A preparation containing 6,800 toxic units/mL (determined by MTT assay) was used for subsequent experiments. The objective was to study the effect of crude cytotoxin on the ability of swine PAMs to kill Pasteurella multocida. Phagocytosis of opsonized P. multocida type A by PAMs was not efficient. Only 8% of incubated organisms were ingested by noncytotoxin-treated PAMs after 30 min phagocytosis. The bactericidal effect of noncytotoxin-treated PAMs only last for 60 min, after which, the rate of growth of surviving P. multocida exceeded the rate of bacterial killing by PAMs. Complete elimination of P. multocida by PAMs was not observed in this study. A total loss of ability to kill P. multocida by PAMs was seen when the PAMs were pretreated with a high concentration (340 toxic units/mL) of A. pleuropneumoniae cytotoxin. If the PAMs were pretreated with a low concentration (3.4 toxic units/mL) of cytotoxin, a significant reduction in the killing of P. multocida was still observed. The reductions in phagocytosis, phagosome-lysosome fusion (demonstrated using yeast particles of Candida albicans), and oxidative burst (demonstrated by nitro blue tetrazolium reduction (NBT) assay) may have contributed to the impaired killing of P. multocida by PAMs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae↗

Some approaches to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of adoptive chemoimmunotherapy with spleen cells from melphalan-treated BALB/c mice bearing a large MOPC-315 tumor.

Spleen cells from BALB/c mice that are in the process of eradicating a large MOPC-315 tumor following low-dose L-PAM therapy (L-PAM TuB spleen cells) were previously shown to be capable of bringing about the complete regression of a large (15 to 20 mm) s.c. MOPC-315 tumor in a substantial percentage of T-cell-deficient (athymic nude) mice that had been treated with low-dose L-PAM (adoptive chemo-immunotherapy; ACIT). Here we show that aggressive depletion of CD4+T-cells by treatment both of spleen-cell donors and of recipients with anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) greatly improved the therapeutic effectiveness of L-PAM TuB spleen cells in ACIT. In the light of the apparent importance of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) for tumor eradication in low-dose L-PAM-treated MOPC-315-tumor bearers, it is interesting that treatment of L-PAM TuB spleen-cell donors with anti-L3T4 MAb was found to result in the generation of enhanced splenic anti-MOPC-315 cytotoxicity. Although most athymic nude mice in which the tumor had apparently completely regressed following ACIT remained tumor-free, approximately 1/3 of the mice relapsed. However, a substantial percentage of the relapsing mice were rescued by a low dose of L-PAM, which was not effective in causing tumor regression in athymic nude mice bearing a comparably large tumor if the mice had not been subjected previously to ACIT. Almost all athymic nude mice that had been "cured" of a large MOPC-315 tumor by ACIT but did not resist a subsequent MOPC-315 tumor challenge were rescued by low dose L-PAM. Thus, the therapeutic effectiveness of L-PAM TuB spleen cells in ACIT may be improved by aggressive depletion of CD4+ T-cells, suggesting that a low dose of L-PAM, which leads to the acquisition of potent splenic-tumor-eradicating immunity in BALB/c mice bearing a large MOPC-315 tumor, does not eliminate completely (or possibly not at all) the inhibitory activity of CD4+ T-cells. In addition, athymic nude mice that are not endowed with fully protective tumor-eradicating immunity following ACIT still have a substantial residual anti-tumor immune potential that can be exploited to bring about eradication of a large tumor burden following low-dose L-PAM therapy.

Animals↗

Mechanism of melphalan crosslink enhancement by misonidazole pretreatment.

Sensitization of Chinese hamster ovary cells to melphalan (L-PAM) toxicity by prior treatment with misonidazole (MISO, 5 mM, 2 hr, hypoxic conditions, 37 degrees C) is associated with increased levels of DNA crosslinks believed to be the critical lesion for bifunctional alkylating agent toxicity. Enhanced L-PAM crosslinking of DNA could occur by a variety of mechanisms in MISO-pretreated cells including: (1) increased transport or binding of L-PAM, (2) decreased repair of L-PAM monoadducts which would allow more time for their conversion to crosslinks, (3) decreased crosslink repair (unhooking of one arm), or (4) chemical modification of the DNA structure, presumably by bound MISO derivatives, such that crosslink formation is facilitated. Previous studies have eliminated mechanisms (1) and (3). Mechanism (4) was investigated by following MISO-pretreatments of whole cells with L-PAM treatments of the isolated DNA from these cells. This was accomplished by using a modification of the alkaline elution assay for DNA crosslink measurement in which a 1 hr treatment with L-PAM (0-12 micrograms/ml) was inserted between the cell lysis steps and DNA elution procedure. Treatment of bare DNA with L-PAM modeled very well the crosslinking behavior in whole cells although it was somewhat more efficient (more crosslinks at a given L-PAM dose). In the presence of double stranded DNA and absence of repair systems during and after the L-PAM exposure, it was determined that MISO-pretreatments did not increase the crosslinking efficiency of L-PAM (mechanism [4] above). Inhibition of repair of L-PAM monoadducts (mechanism [2] above) still remains as a possible means for crosslink enhancement by MISO-pretreatment.

Animals↗