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Slow rotational mobilities of antibodies and lipids associated with substrate-supported phospholipid monolayers as measured by polarized fluorescence photobleaching recovery.

Polarized fluorescence photobleaching recovery has been used to monitor slow rotational motions of a fluorescently-labeled anti-dinitrophenyl mouse IgGl monoclonal antibody (ANO2) specifically bound to substrate-supported monolayers composed of a mixture of distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and dinitrophenyldioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DNP-DOPE). ANO2 antibodies were labeled with a new bifunctional carbocyanine fluorophore that has two amino-reactive groups; steady-state fluorescence anisotropy data confirmed the expected result that the ANO2-conjugated bifunctional probe had less independent flexibility than ANO2-conjugated unifunctional fluorescence labels. Rotational mobilities were also measured for the fluorescent lipid 1,1'-dioctadecyl 3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine (dil) in DSPC and in mixed DSPC/DNP-DOPE monolayers in the presence and absence of unlabeled ANO2 antibodies. The apparent rotational correlation time and fractional mobility of ANO2 on supported monolayers were approximately 70 and approximately 0.3 s, respectively. These measured parameters of rotational mobility did not depend on the ANO2 surface density or on kinetic factors, but addition of unlabeled polyclonal anti-(mouse IgG) antibodies significantly decreased the apparent mobile fraction. The measured fluorescence recovery curves for dil were consistent with two fluorophore populations with rotational correlation times of approximately 4 and approximately 100 s and a population of immobile fluorescent lipid. No difference in fluorescence recovery and decay curves was measured for dil in DSPC monolayers, DSPC/DNP-DOPE monolayers, and DSPC/DNP-DOPE monolayers treated with unlabeled ANO2 antibodies.

Animals

Interactions of low density lipoprotein with rat mesangial cells.

Hyperlipidemia may contribute to the pathogenesis of glomerular sclerosis. We therefore studied binding and uptake of low density lipoprotein (LDL) by cultured rat mesangial cells. In addition effects of LDL on PGE2 synthesis and cell proliferation were determined. At 4 degrees C mesangial cells bound [125I] LDL in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with half-maximal binding observed at 5 micrograms/ml of LDL protein. Binding was blocked by excess unlabeled LDL and by heparin. Uptake (binding plus internalization) of LDL at 37 degrees C markedly exceeded binding at 4 degrees C, continued to increase even with longer periods of incubation, and showed no saturability, consistent with uptake of LDL by mesangial cells. Further evidence for LDL uptake by mesangial cells was obtained by use of the fluorescent probe 1,1'-dioactadecyl-3,3,3', 3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-labeled LDL (Dil-LDL). Incubation of mesangial cells with Dil-LDL at 37 degrees C showed positive fluorescence for all mesangial cells, indicating uptake of the Dil-LDL. LDL had a biphasic effect on mesangial cell proliferation as determined by [3H] thymidine incorporation. LDL at 10 micrograms/ml enhanced [3H] thymidine uptake modestly, but significantly, whereas a progressive and marked inhibition occurred at LDL concentration from 100 to 500 micrograms/ml. While LDL at 10 and 100 micrograms/ml significantly stimulated PGE2 production, inhibition of PGE2 by meclofenamate did not influence the effects of LDL on [3H] thymidine incorporation. We conclude that mesangial cells show specific binding and uptake of LDL and that high concentrations of LDL markedly decrease mesangial cell proliferation. These findings may pertain to the pathogenesis of glomerular lesions in hyperlipidemia of renal disease.

Animals

Effect of different calcium antagonists on transcapillary fluid shift.

Chronic treatment with dihydropyridines, and to a lesser extent other calcium antagonists, often results in peripheral edema without fluid retention. The possibility that calcium antagonists affect extracellular fluid volume partition was tested by comparing the effects of nicardipine (Nic), diltiazem (Dil) and Vehicle (Veh) on hematocrit and plasma protein concentration in anephric anesthetized rats. In response to a 45 min infusion of Nic (0.1 or 1 micrograms/kg/min) and Dil (10 or 100 micrograms/kg/min), blood pressure decreased by 4 or 21%, and 4 or 19%, respectively, whereas hematocrit increased only with both doses of Nic (5.3 +/- 0.2 and 5.5 +/- 0.2%). Plasma protein concentration also increased significantly, although slightly, in the Nic group. The possibility of protein extravasation was then assessed using Evans blue dye as a marker. The drug-induced extravasation of dyed albumin in skeletal and cardiac muscles, but not other organs, was significantly increased following Nic, as compared to Dil or Veh. These observations suggest that two structurally different calcium antagonists used at equihypotensive doses may exert different effects on extracellular fluid partition.

Animals

Exercise stress testing in angina patients with positive response to hyperventilation testing: influence of the coronary artery tone.

We studied the exercise stress test and the coronary artery tone in two groups of angina patients with comparable coronary atherosclerosis. Group I (20 males and 5 females, mean age 53.5 years) with a positive, and group II (22 males and 3 females, mean age 52.5 years) with a negative response to the hyperventilation test (HVT). A positive exercise stress test (ST depression greater than or equal to 1 mm) was found in 24 patients in group I vs. 15 in group II (p less than 0.01), despite a lower maximal rate pressure product (198 +/- 11.2 vs. 236 +/- 10.1, p less than 0.05) and maximal work load (110 W +/- 7.1 vs. 136 +/- 7.4 W, p less than 0.02) in group I. A high coronary artery tone (dilatation (DIL%) of the coronary arteries after nitroglycerin greater than or equal to 10%) was found in 18 patients in group I and in 4 in group II (p less than 0.01). DIL% was 22.6 +/- 3.8 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.4 in groups I and II, respectively (p less than 0.005). DIL% was significantly related to persistence of ST depression after exercise (r = 0.36, p less than 0.05), and 21 of 22 patients with high tone had a positive exercise stress test vs. 18 of 28 with low tone (p less than 0.05). These findings suggest that the coronary artery tone influences the response to exercise in some patients with angina. Since the patients in group I were identified by HVT, our results underline the clinical relevance of this test.

Angina Pectoris

Allergen-induced recruitment of bronchoalveolar helper (OKT4) and suppressor (OKT8) T-cells in asthma. Relative increases in OKT8 cells in single early responders compared with those in late-phase responders.

We measured the numbers of helper (OKT4) and suppressor (OKT8) T-cells in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 6 patients who developed single early reactions after allergen inhalational challenge and in 6 subjects who developed dual (early- and late-phase) responses. The asthmatics were lavaged twice. On the first occasion, they inhaled the diluent control (Dil) solution, and after an interval of at least 7 days, allergen (Ag) inhalational challenge was undertaken. Significant differences were observed in the single early responders (SER) only. For instance, when the results obtained on the Dil day were compared with those obtained on the Ag day, there was a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in the percentage of OKT4 cells in the blood of SER. Also in the BAL of SER there was a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in the percentage of OKT4 and an increase (p less than 0.05) in the percentage and absolute numbers of OKT8 cells. Furthermore, the percentage of OKT4 was highly significantly (p less than 0.005) lower on the Ag day in the SER than on the Ag day in the late-phase responders (LPR). The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower on the Ag day than on the Dil day in BAL from SER and highly significantly decreased (p less than 0.001) when results on the Ag day in the SER were compared with those on the Ag day in the LPR. These findings raise the possibility that mobilization of suppressor T-cells into the lung after allergen-induced single early reactions in asthma might be associated with the prevention of a subsequent late-phase response.

Adult

Development of topographic order in the mammalian retinocollicular projection.

We have used the anterograde axon tracer 1,1'-dioctodecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) to characterize the development of topographic order in the rat retinocollicular projection. Retinal axons were labeled by Dil injections covering 0.15-2% of peripheral temporal, nasal, superior, or inferior retina, or more central retina, in rats ranging in age from embryonic day 20 to postnatal day (P) 19. At P11-P12 and later, such injections label retinal axons that form overlapping arbors restricted to a topographically correct terminal zone covering about 1% of the superior colliculus (SC) area. At perinatal ages, though, axons labeled from each retinal site are distributed in the SC over much of its medial-lateral axis and extend caudally well beyond the rostral-caudal location of their correct terminal zone; some continue caudally into the inferior colliculus. Axons typically form side branches and often arborize at topographically incorrect positions throughout the SC; however, they appear to branch preferentially in a region that includes, but is much larger than, their correct terminal zone. The mature, retinotopically ordered projection emerges during an early postnatal remodeling period through the rapid remodeling of the early, diffuse projection. This process involves the large-scale removal of axons, axon segments, branches, and arbors from topographically inappropriate positions concurrently with a dramatic increase in branching and arborization at topographically correct locations. Quantitative measurements show that elimination of aberrant branches without loss of the primary axons contributes substantially to the development of order. By P6, fewer mistargeted axons persist, but those that do persist tend to branch or arborize more extensively in topographically inappropriate regions. By P8, the labeling patterns begin to approximate those seen at maturity. Further refinement leads to an adultlike topographic ordering of axonal arborizations by P11-P12. At maturity, some axons take very indirect routes to reach their correct terminal zone. However, such trajectory changes typically correct only small positional inaccuracies, indicating that axons and axon segments that make larger targeting errors do not survive the remodeling phase. Previous retrograde labeling studies indicate that some retinal axons make topographic targeting errors (O'Leary et al., 1986; Yhip and Kirby, 1990), but none have suggested the degree of diffuseness revealed by anterograde labeling with Dil. Our findings show that directed axon growth is inadequate as a mechanism to develop the topographic ordering of retinal axons in the rat SC. Rather, mechanisms that control the removal of mistargeted axons and promote the arborization of correctly positioned axons are critical for the development of retinotopic order.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome: a disorder occurring in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection that may present as a sicca syndrome.

Certain adults and children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-1 developed a disorder termed diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome (DILS) that, although having certain similarities to classic Sjögren's syndrome, manifests distinctive clinical, serologic, immunologic, and immunogenetic characteristics. DILS is characterized by circulating CD8 lymphocytosis and apparently antigen-driven CD8 T-cell infiltration of salivary and lacrimal gland, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and breast tissues. The disproportionately greater degree of salivary gland enlargement and extraglandular disease, as well as the low frequency of autoantibodies and differing HLA associations, serve to distinguish DILS from classic Sjögren's syndrome.

Diagnosis, Differential

EAMI--exercise training in anterior myocardial infarction: an ongoing multicenter randomized study. Preliminary results on left ventricular function and remodeling. The EAMI Study Group.

To determine the effects of a 6-month exercise training program on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling, 49 consecutive patients (pts) with first Q anterior myocardial infarction (51 +/- 8 years), in I-II NYHA class, were studied 4 to 8 weeks after the acute episode and 6 months later by 2D-ECHO and upright bicycle ergometric test. At entry, pts were randomly allocated to physical training (T = 25pts) or control (C = 24pts). Global endocardial surface area (ESA), LV volumes and EF, extent of abnormal wall motion (%WMA), of regional dilatation (%REG DIL), and the shape distortion (DIST) index were analyzed. After 6 months, a significant increase in work capacity (4,589 +/- 1,417 to 5,379 +/- 1,485 KPM/min, p less than 0.03) and in lactic anaerobic threshold (45 +/- 13 to 63 +/- 15 W, p less than 0.01) was observed only in T. Initial ESA, EDV, EF, %WMA, %REG DIL, and DIST index were similar and they did not change after 6 months in both groups. However, pts with less than 40%EF had greater (p less than 0.0001) EDV and %WMA with marked DIST index at entry and showed further (p less than 0.01) deterioration after 6 months both in C and in T (EDV, ml/m2: 68 +/- 12 to 77 +/- 18 in C, 71 +/- 12 to 74 +/- 18 in T; %REG DIL: 39 +/- 20 to 49 +/- 24 in C, 32 +/- 12 to 35 +/- 23 in T; DIST index: 0.16 +/- 0.07 to 0.21 +/- 0.09 in C, 0.2 +/- 0.07 to 0.22 +/- 0.1 in T). These variables did not change in pts with greater than 40%EF. Thus, from these preliminary data, pts with less than 40%EF at entry are prone to further global and regional LV deterioration. Physical training does not seem to increase this spontaneous deterioration.

Anaerobic Threshold

[Direct integral linear least square regression method for kinetic evaluation of hepatobiliary scintigraphy: clinical application and evaluation of 170 hepatograms].

Kinetic evaluation of 170 hepatobiliary scintigrams was performed using direct integral linear least square regression method (DILS method). Liver time-activity curve (TAC) data were fitted to 2 types of 1 compartment model using heart TAC as input function. One model was 1 compartment model with 2 parameters (extraction rate (ku) and excretion rate (ke)), the other had another parameter for representing non-specific volume of distribution (Vn) in liver. Obtained parameter estimate was then examined to see how they correlate with three major visual findings of scintigram; low tracer uptake, intrahepatic cholestasis, extrahepatic cholestasis. In both models, ku showed significant difference between low uptake positive and negative groups and ke showed significant difference between extrahepatic cholestasis positive and negative groups. Only mean uptake time (Vn/ku) by 3 parameter model showed significant difference between intrahepatic cholestasis positive and negative groups, although the other 2 parameters (ku, ke) were insensitive to intrahepatic cholestasis in either model. Thus, the 3 parameter model was superior to the 2 parameter model because of its sensitivity to intrahepatic cholestasis and ability to differentiate extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholestasis as the difference of parameter values. Based on this 3 parameter model, parametric images were generated by calculating parameter value of each pixel using the DILS method. The DILS method could determine parameters by simple calculation, and hence was very powerful in processing parametric images, which processing otherwise required immense calculation.

Biliary Tract

Innervation of the pancreas by neurons in the gut.

Experiments were done in order to test the hypothesis that neurons in the bowel send axonal projections to the pancreas and can modify pancreatic activity. pancreatic injections of the retrograde tracer, Fluoro-Gold, labeled neurons in the myenteric plexus of the antrum of the stomach and in the first 6 cm of the duodenum. this labeling was not due to the diffusion of Fluoro-Gold from the pancreas, because the injections did not label longitudinal muscle cells overlying labeled ganglia in the bowel or neurons in the phrenic nerve nucleus or nucleus ambiguous; nor were enteric neurons labeled if insufficient time was allotted for retrograde transport. More Fluoro-Gold labeled neurons were found in the stomach (9.2 +/- 0.9/ganglion) than in the duodenum (3.8 +/- 0.3/ganglion; p less than 0.001). Neurons were found in myenteric ganglia of both duodenum and stomach that were doubly labeled by retrograde transport of Fluoro-Gold and anti-serotonin (5-HT) sera. In addition, thick bundles of 5-HT immunoreactive nerve trunks were found to run between the duodenum and the pancreas. Most 5-HT immunoreactive axons in the pancreas terminated in ganglia, although some fibers were also observed near acini, ducts, vessels, and islet cells. The B subunit of cholera toxin (B-CT) was microinjected into single myenteric ganglia in order to determine if axon terminals in the pancreas would become labeled by anterograde transport in the pancreas. B-CT labeled bundles of axons in the pancreatic stroma. Branches of these bundles entered the pancreatic parenchyma and varicose B-CT labeled terminal axons were found in pancreatic ganglia and in proximity to acinar and insulin immunoreactive cells. The intercalating fluorochrome 1, 1', dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylcarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil), which moves by lateral diffusion to outline entire cells, was introduced by microinjection into individual myenteric ganglia of fixed preparations. Fluorescence was seen in sequential observations to move away from the injected ganglion along connectives of the myenteric plexus. After about a month, neurons in ganglia at some distance from the injection site displayed Dil fluorescence as did nerve bundles that exited from the myenteric plexus and pierced the longitudinal muscle in the direction of the pancreas. Varicose Dil fluorescent terminal varicosities were also observed int he pancreas. These observations indicate that there is an extensive entero-pancreatic innervation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Effects of calcium channel blockers and ketotifen on beta 2 adrenergic receptor regulation in intact human lymphocytes.

Effects of three calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, NIF; verapamil, VER and diltiazem, DIL) and one antiallergic drug, ketotifen (KET) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced beta 2 adrenergic receptor desensitization and resensitization have been studied with intact human lymphocytes in vitro. While incubation of lymphocytes with 1.0 microM NIF, VER, or DIL alone neither changed [3H]-CGP-12177 binding (Bmax) nor increased cAMP responsiveness to ISO, they all partially prevented 50 nM ISO-induced beta 2 adrenoceptor-adenylate cyclase uncoupling. VER and DIL also partially prevented beta 2 adrenoceptor down-regulation, but NIF did not. In contrast, 10 microM KET not only diminished ISO-induced desensitization but also accelerated subsequent resensitization. KET alone also induced an up-regulation of cell surface beta adrenergic receptors. The effects of these compounds on beta 2 adrenoceptor regulation may partially explain their potentiation of ISO-induced cAMP accumulation in lymphocytes.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Peripheral nerve regeneration is impeded by interleukin-1 receptor antagonist released from a polymeric guidance channel.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), a true antagonist of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptors, is released by activated macrophages and binds specifically to the IL-1 receptors without triggering IL-1 effects. Following peripheral nerve axotomy, activated macrophages release IL-1, which induces the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA in Schwann cells. IL-1ra may therefore impede peripheral nerve regeneration by blocking the NGF-mediated effect of IL-1. Peripheral nerve regeneration occurring through polymeric guidance channels releasing IL-1ra was investigated in a 4-mm gap transected mouse sciatic nerve model. Cohorts of five animals were implanted with tubes releasing either bovine serum albumin (BSA), BSA with IL-1ra, or BSA with deactivated IL-1ra (dIL-1ra) for 4 weeks. In vitro release kinetics indicated that after an initial burst, IL-1ra release was linear for the next 3 1/2 weeks. Following implantation of a polymeric guidance channel, a regenerated cable bridged the nerve gap in all animals. The cables were similar in size and were composed of nerve microfascicles containing both unmyelinated and myelinated axons in association with their Schwann cells. Tissue regenerated in tubes releasing BSA-IL-1ra contained, however, significantly fewer myelinated and unmyelinated axons and blood vessels than did tubes releasing BSA alone or BSA-dIL-1ra. We conclude that a naturally occurring antagonist of IL-1 receptors impedes peripheral nerve regeneration, suggesting that macrophages play an essential role in controlling peripheral nerve regeneration through the release of stimulatory and/or inhibitory molecules.

Animals

Effects of calcium channel blockers on the development of early rat postimplantation embryos in culture.

Rat embryos (9.5-day-old) were cultured for 48 h in the presence of nifedipine (NIF), nimodipine (NIM), nitrendipine (NIT), gallopamil HCl (GAL), verapamil HCl (VER) and diltiazem HCl (DIL). The effects on growth and morphogenetic differentiation in vitro were monitored. Dose-response relationships were evaluated, including an assessment of the "no-observed-effect-level" (NOEL) or the "lowest-observed-effect-level" (LOEL), and the lowest concentration tested inducing abnormalities in 100% of the embryos ("100% EL"). The morphological alterations observed at the highest concentrations were very similar for all six drugs. The abnormalities concerned yolk sac circulation and morphology, as well as heartbeat, the morphology of the heart, head, neural tube, or forelimbs, and the shape of the embryo. The abnormal embryos were also growth retarded (decrease in protein content and crown-rump length). Interference with calcium channel functions seems to represent an interesting model for studying a special kind of abnormal prenatal development, especially the differentiation of certain mesenchymal structures. The concentration ranges between NOELs and 100% ELs were found to be: NIM = 0.1-1 microgram/ml; NIT and VER = 1-10 micrograms/ml; DIL = 1-30 micrograms/ml, and LOELs-100% ELs were: GAL = 1-10 micrograms/ml; NIF = 10-30 micrograms/ml.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced

Kinetics and mechanism of cell membrane electrofusion.

A new quantitative approach to study cell membrane electrofusion has been developed. Erythrocyte ghosts were brought into close contact using dielectrophoresis and then treated with one square or even exponentially decaying fusogenic pulse. Individual fusion events were followed by lateral diffusion of the fluorescent lipid analogue 1,1'-dihexadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) from originally labeled to unlabeled adjacent ghosts. It was found that ghost fusion can be described as a first-order rate process with corresponding rate constants; a true fusion rate constant, k(f), for the square waveform pulse and an effective fusion rate constant, k(ef), for the exponential pulse. Compared with the fusion yield, the fusion rate constants are more fundamental characteristics of the fusion process and have implications for its mechanisms. Values of k(f) for rabbit and human erythrocyte ghosts were obtained at different electric field strength and temperatures. Arrhenius k(f) plots revealed that the activation energy of ghost electrofusion is in the range of 6-10 kT. Measurements were also made with the rabbit erythrocyte ghosts exposed to 42 degrees C for 10 min (to disrupt the spectrin network) or 0.1-1.0 mM uranyl acetate (to stabilize the bilayer lipid matrix of membranes). A correlation between the dependence of the fusion and previously published pore-formation rate constants for all experimental conditions suggests that the cell membrane electrofusion process involve pores formed during reversible electrical breakdown. A statistical analysis of fusion products (a) further supports the idea that electrofusion is a stochastic process and (b) shows that the probability of ghost electrofusion is independent of the presence of Dil as a label as well as the number of fused ghosts.

Animals

Lipid utilization by human lymphocytes is correlated with high-density-lipoprotein binding site activity.

The nature and physiological importance of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) binding sites on unstimulated (resting) and mitogen-activated (blast) human peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. Specific HDL binding on resting and blast T-lymphocytes was saturable at 50 micrograms of 125I-HDL/ml and of high affinity, with Kd values of 8.1 x 10(-8) M and 6.5 x 10(-8) M, respectively, and Bmax. values of 79 ng and 180 ng/mg of cell protein respectively at 4 degrees C. Binding of HDL double-labelled with fluorescent dioctadecylindocarbocyanine (Dil) and isotope (125I) as well as of single fluorescence- or isotope-labelled HDL was inhibited competitively by HDL apoproteins. Studies of the cholesterol flux between the cells and HDL showed that HDL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or BSA at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml in the tissue culture medium did not result in a significant difference in exogenous [3H]cholesterol efflux from the cell membrane at 37 degrees C. Proliferating T-blasts incorporated more cholesterol from HDL or LDL than did resting lymphocytes. When the cells were pulsed with 125I-HDL and chased in fresh lipid-free medium, up to 80% of the radioactivity released was not precipitable with trichloroacetic acid. This percentage decreased in a competitive manner when unlabelled HDL was present in the chase incubation medium. Finally, cultivation of lymphocytes with conditioned medium from macrophages increased Dil-HDL binding/uptake, while it was decreased by mevinolin-induced inhibition of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coA reductase. In conclusion, human lymphocytes possess a HDL binding site (receptor) responsible for lipid binding/uptake and concomitant internalization and degradation of apoproteins from HDL, but not for reverse cell membrane cholesterol transport. The activity of the binding site is up-regulated during cell proliferation and down-regulated during cell growth suppression.

Adult

The effect of cyclosporin A on rat pancreatic B-cell: interaction with the calcium-antagonist diltiazem.

Cyclosporin A (CyA) was fed to male Wistar rats in a dose of 5, 10 or 50 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 days. In another experimental procedure 10 mg/kg b.wt. CyA was given for 7 days combined with Diltiazem (DIL) 6.25 mg/kg b.wt. once daily ip. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion from the isolated perfused pancreas was investigated in these animals. Total insulin secretion (ng/50 min) was not affected after feeding 5 mg/kg b.wt. CyA, but was significantly decreased with 10 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. CyA. The biphasic insulin secretion was reduced after 5 mg/kg b.wt. CyA during the initial peak (0-10 min) but not during the second peak (10-50 min), whereas after 10 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. CyA both peaks nearly reached base-line levels. DIL markedly increased the initial peak (0-10 min) after feeding CyA 10 mg/kg b.wt., whereas the second peak was not affected. Our results demonstrate a toxic effect of CyA on the pancreatic B-cell, which might be partly abolished by calcium-antagonists.

Animals

Structural organization of interphase 3T3 fibroblasts studied by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.

We studied the laminar organization of 3T3 fibroblast cells growing on glass slides by use of total internal reflection illumination to excite fluorescence emission (TIRF) from labeled molecules and stained cellular compartments that are very close to the cell-substrate contact region. Mitochondria, distant from the contact regions and stained with the water-soluble cationic dye, dil-C3-(3), fluoresced only as the glass/cytoplasm critical angle was approached. A similar result was obtained when the nuclei were stained with Hoechst dye 33342. From this measured angle a cytoplasmic refractive index in the range 1.358-1.374 was computed. The plasma membrane of 3T3 cells was stained with dil-C18-(3), and the cytoplasmic compartment was stained with fluoresceinyl-dextran (FTC-dextran) or with carboxyfluorescein. We have demonstrated a high degree of correspondence between the low-reflectance zones in the reflection interference image of a live cell and the TIRF images of both the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic compartment. TIRF photometry of selected contact regions of cells provided data from which the absolute separation of cell and substrate was computed. From a population of 3T3 cells microinjected with fluorescein-labeled actin, motile and adherent interphase cells were selected for study. For adherent cells, which displayed fluorescent stress fibers, the TIRF image was composed of intense patches and less intense regions that corresponded, respectively, to the focal contact and close-contact zones of the reflection-interference image. The intense patches corresponded to the endpoints of the stress fibers. Cells of motile morphology, which formed some focal contacts and extensive close-contact zones, gave AF-actin TIRF images of relatively even intensity. Thin lamellar regions of the cytoplasm were found to contain concentrations of actin not significantly different from other close-contact regions of the cell. The major analytical problem of TIRF microscopy is separation of the effects of proximity to substrate, refractive index, and fluorescent probe concentration on the local brightness of the TIRF image. From our results, it appears possible to use TIRF microscopy to measure the proximity of different components of substrate contact regions of cells.

Actins

Electric field-induced redistribution and postfield relaxation of low density lipoprotein receptors on cultured human fibroblasts.

The lateral mobility of unliganded low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R) on the surface of human fibroblasts has been investigated by studying the generation and relaxation of concentration differences induced by exposure of the cultured cells to steady electric fields. The topographic distribution of receptors was determined by fluorescence microscopy of cells labeled with the intensely fluorescent, biologically active LDL derivative dioctadecylindolcarbocyanine LDL (dil(3)-LDL), or with native LDL and anti-LDL indirect immunofluorescence. Exposure of the LDL-receptor-internalization defective J. D. cells (GM2408A) to an electric field of 10 V/cm for 1 h at 22 degrees C causes greater than 80% of the cells to have an asymmetric distribution of LDL-R; receptors accumulate at the more negative pole of the cell. In contrast, only 20% of LDL-internalization normal GM3348 cells exposed to identical conditions have asymmetrical distributions. Phase micrographs taken during electric-field exposure rule out cell movement as the responsible mechanism for the effect. In both cell types, postfield labeling with the F-actin-specific fluorescent probe nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin shows that no topographic alteration of the actin cytoskeleton accompanies the redistribution of cell surface LDL-Rs, and indirect immunofluorescence labeling of the coat protein clathrin shows that coated pits do not redistribute asymmetrically. Measurements of the postfield relaxation in the percentage of GM2408A cells showing an asymmetric distribution allow an estimate of the effective postfield diffusion coefficient of the unliganded LDL-R. At 37 degrees C, D = 2.0 X 10(-9) cm2/s, decreasing to 1.1 X 10(-9) cm2/s at 22 degrees C, and D = 3.5 X 10(-10) cm2/s at 10 degrees C. These values are substantially larger than those measured by photobleaching methods for the LDL-R complexed with dil(3)-LDL on intact cells, but are comparable to those measured on membrane blebs, and are consistent with diffusion coefficients measured for other unliganded integral membrane receptor proteins by postfield-relaxation methods.

Cell Membrane