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Albumin transcytosis across the epithelium of the lactating mouse mammary gland.

Murine milk contains 18 mg ml(-1) serum albumin, a concentration equal to that in the serum of the lactating mouse. We examined cellular transport using in vivo methods in the mouse. At steady state the specific activity of (125)I-albumin injected into the blood stream was equal in plasma and whey, confirming that milk albumin is extra-mammary in origin. Fluorescent albumin crossed the gland from basolateral surface to lumen via cytoplasmic vesicles, but was not transported in the apical to basal direction. Albumin was segregated from transferrin at the basal surface of the epithelial cells and did not colocalize with either caveolin-1 or -2. Vesicular transport was not disrupted by filipin providing additional evidence that, unlike the vascular endothelium, caveoli are not involved. Cytoplasmic albumin was localized to vesicles containing IgA and transport was disrupted by agents that interfere with clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Together, these findings provide evidence that albumin is transported across the mammary epithelium by the same pathway as immunoglobulin. The possibility that the massive transfer of albumin into mouse milk is mediated by fluid phase transport is considered.

Animals↗

Developmental stage-specific expression of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein CREB during spermatogenesis involves alternative exon splicing.

Spermatogenesis is a temporally regulated developmental process by which the gonadotropin-responsive somatic Sertoli and Leydig cells act interdependently to direct the maturation of the germinal cells. The metabolism of Sertoli and Leydig cells is regulated by the pituitary gonadotropins FSH and LH, which, in turn, activate adenylate cyclase. Because the cAMP-second messenger pathway is activated by FSH and LH, we postulated that the cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) plays a physiological role in Sertoli and Leydig cells, respectively. Immunocytochemical analyses of rat testicular sections show a remarkably high expression of CREB in the haploid round spermatids and, to some extent, in pachytene spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. Although most of the CREB antigen is detected in the nuclei, some CREB antigen is also present in the cytoplasm. Remarkably, the cytoplasmic CREB results from the translation of a unique alternatively spliced transcript of the CREB gene that incorporates an exon containing multiple stop codons inserted immediately up-stream of the exons encoding the DNA-binding domain of CREB. Thus, the RNA containing the alternatively spliced exon encodes a truncated transcriptional transactivator protein lacking both the DNA-binding domain and nuclear translocation signal of CREB. Most of the CREB transcripts detected in the germinal cells contain the alternatively spliced exon, suggesting a function of the exon to modulate the synthesis of CREB. In the Sertoli cells we observed a striking cyclical (12-day periodicity) increase in the levels of CREB mRNA that coincides with the splicing out of the restrictive exon containing the stop codons. Because earlier studies established that FSH-stimulated cAMP levels in Sertoli cells are also cyclical, and the CREB gene promoter contains cAMP-responsive enhancers, we suggest that the alternative RNA splicing controls a positive autoregulation of CREB gene expression mediated by cAMP.

Animals↗

Visualization and measurement of calcium transients in Amoeba proteus by fura-2 fluorescence.

A fura-2 microspectrofluorimeter was used to visualize and measure intracellular calcium transients in normal locomoting and experimentally treated Amoeba proteus. The results show that subcellular heterogeneities of cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]i, correlate in time and distribution with characteristic patterns of protoplasmic streaming and ameboid movement. In detail, calcium ions have a dual effect by regulating both the contractile activities of the actomyosin cortex and the rheological properties of the cytoplasmic matrix. A high resting [Ca2+]i of 1.5 to 2.0 x 10(-7) M in the uroid region or in retracting pseudopodia is associated with the transformation of rigid ectoplasmic gel into fluid endoplasmic sol, and a low [Ca2+]i of 10(-9) to 10(-8) M in the front region or in extending pseudopodia with the re-transformation of endoplasmic sol into ectoplasmic gel. Locally increased peripheral [Ca2+]i accumulations higher than 10(-7) M are also observed at places where the actomyosin cortex is known to generate motive force by contraction, i.e., in the intermediate region of orthotactic amebas or in large pseudopodia of polytactic cells. External application of 30 mM KCl abolishes the intracellular Ca2+ gradient such that [Ca2+]i attains a uniform distribution and a maximum concentration of 2 x 10(-7) M; as a consequence, cells can show a transient loss of their locomotor activity and polarity by undergoing spherulation and total contraction. On the other hand, high external Ca2+ concentrations in the range of 100 mM stabilize the bipolar cellular organization, enhance the movement velocity and induce the propagation of Ca2+ waves repeatedly running from the uroid to the front region. The significance of external ions for signal transmission and the control of dynamic activities as well as the origin and fate of calcium participating in the observed transients are discussed.

Amoeba↗

The evolution of megakaryocytes to platelets.

Megakaryocytes (MKs) arise from pluripotent stem cells by a process of cell division, endoreplication and maturation. Progressively, the MK cytoplasm is invaded by the demarcation membrane system speculated to delimit pre-formed platelets. One theory is that the passage of entire MKs (or fragments) into the blood stream is followed by their physical break-up into platelets in the pulmonary circulation. A second theory is that MKs produce beaded processes (proplatelets) which then separate into platelets. Functionally vital platelet receptors such as GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb-IX complexes are specific markers of the MK lineage. CD34 and CD4 are present in progenitors but progressively disappear as MKs mature. Stroma cells secrete cytokines, produce extracellular matrix proteins and mediate cellular contact interactions that regulate MK development. Studies on thrombopoietin and the use of transgenic mouse models are helping to clarify MK biology.

Animals↗

Blood-brain barrier damage in reperfusion following ischemia in the hippocampus of the Mongolian gerbil brain.

Vascular permeability to intravenously injected horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was qualitatively examined in the hippocampus of ischemic Mongolian gerbil brains by light and electron microscopy. After 30 min of right common carotid artery occlusion followed by 90 min of reperfusion, the animal was perfused with a fixative and killed. Before the perfusion of the fixative, HRP was injected into the femoral vein. HRP was visualized with tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) and diamino-benzidine (DAB) for light and electron microscopy, respectively. Staining reaction with TMB for HRP appeared in medial or dorsal portions of the operated side of the hippocampus, especially around some vessels along the hippocampal fissure. Ultrastructural examination in the vessels along hippocampal fissure revealed that the endothelial cytoplasm contained HRP-filled vesicles or vacuoles in close proximity to the basal lamina, and seemed to be slightly electron-dense. Swollen pericytes, swollen astrocytic foot processes and perivascular cells with HRP-filled cytoplasm were also observed in that area. In this study, it was clearly demonstrated that intravascular macromolecules leaked transendothelially, through vessel walls in the hippocampal fissure, from the blood stream in the medial portions of the hippocampus during reperfusion following ischemia. These findings suggest that the blood-brain barrier in some vessels along the hippocampal fissure in the medial parts of the hippocampus is more vulnerable to ischemic insults than those in other brain areas.

Animals↗

Studies on a hill-stream fish, Pseudecheneis sulcatus (McClelland). II. Histocytology of the corpuscles of Stannius.

There are 1...2 corpuscles of Stannius in the Indian hill-stream teleost, Pseudecheneis sulcatus. They are encapsulated bodies, measuring about 400 micrometer in length and 200 micrometer in width. The secretory cells of CS have fine granules in their cytoplasm which are AF, PTAH, CAH and silverpositive. The cells are arranged along blood sinusoids in which their secretions are probably discharged. Individual neurons and other neural structures are found scattered among the secretory cells.

Animals↗

Granule containing cells and fibres in the sinus venosus of elasmobranchs.

The concentrations of catecholamines in the heart chambers of elasmobranchs were measured by the fluorimetric method of Bertler et al. (1958). Noradrenaline (NA) can be detected in all the chambers, but the sinus venosus is by far the richest in NA. This can either be due to the presence of storage sites for this amine in the sinus wall, or to a transport of amine to the sinus venosus from the anterior chromaffin bodies. The sinus wall contains large numbers of "granule containing cells" and axon-like processes, both with numerous dense-core vesicles of about 1800 A diameter. The dense-core vesicles contain a uranophilic matrix indicating the presence of protein, phospholipids and/or nucleic acid. The reactions failed to demonstrate amine, which may be due to a loss of amine by diffusion, to a relatively low intravesicular amine concentration, or, to the absence of amines in these granule-containing cells and processes. Heavy accumulations of granule-containing processes occur in the subendothelial area. The endothelium contains fenestrae and pores through which granule-containing fibres protrude into the venous cavity. Granule-containing cells are innervated by presumed cholinergic nerve endings. It is suggested that the granule-containing cells and fibres belong to the neurosecretory system with a cholinergic input, releasing the contents of the dense-core vesicles into the blood stream at the level of the venous cavity.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Laser microscope irradiation of Physarum polycephalum: dynamic and ultrastructural effects.

Streaming plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum were irradiated with a microscope-mounted ruby laser and the resulting changes were recorded by cinemicrography or streak photographs. Some lesions were processed for electron microscopy. By varying the incident energy, three levels of response were detected. Two transient responses, a gelation briefly blocking streams and a more severe gelation with contraction, changed movement patterns but not organelle ultrastructure. At higher energies, a permanently coagulated lesion was rapidly segregated from normal and transiently altered cytoplasm by formation of new membranes. Within the coagulum, pigment granules were destroyed, membranes were disrupted, and cytoplasm was flocculent. Nuclei and mitochondria were compact in the center and swollen in a peripheral space left by contraction of the coagulum. These changes are probably caused by heat produced by the interaction between the laser beam and the pigment granules of the plasmodium. Many of the changes seem to be secondary responses that follow the primary capture of energy during irradiation.

Cell Nucleus↗

Multicentric benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors in two related bearded dragons, Pogona vitticeps.

Multiple subcutaneous masses from two sibling bearded dragons were removed. Nodules were well demarcated, restricted to the subcutis, and soft, white to yellow, resembling adipose tissue. Histologically, the masses were composed of short interlacing streams and bundles of spindle cells, with regions of vague nuclear palisading. Two of the tumors contained a subpopulation of polygonal cells with abundant periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasmic granules. Neoplastic cells were immunohistochemically positive for S100 and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) but negative for desmin and smooth muscle actin. Electron microscopy and reticulin stains demonstrated a continuous basal lamina separating intertwining cells. Histologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical features were consistent with a peripheral nerve sheath origin. At 1 year postexcision, local reoccurrence of a single incompletely excised mass from the left shoulder was noted.

Animals↗

Hemangiopericytoma in the eyelid of a horse.

Hemangiopericytoma (HP) is a well-recognized neoplasm arising from vascular pericytes that has been reported only in the dog and man. In this study, we describe a 14-year-old female Arabian horse that was presented for surgical excision of a 2-cm-diameter expansile subcuticular mass in the right lower eyelid. Histologically, the mass consisted of loosely arranged interlacing streams and storiform bundles of spindle cells that often formed distinct whorls around a central capillary and bundles of collagen (Antoni A-like pattern). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong diffuse cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for vimentin and focal immunoreactivity for smooth muscle actin, whereas neoplastic cells did not stain for Factor VIII-related antigen, Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), or S100. On the basis of histomorphology and immunohistochemical reactivity, the present tumor was diagnosed as HP. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a HP in a horse.

Animals↗

[Cyclic changes in mast cell response and capillaries in the wall of the Fallopian tubes of women].

Mast cells reaction in the wall of the normal fallopian tubes has been studied morphometrically in 48 women subjected to the operation for a uterine myoma and ovarian retention cyst. It has been stated that volume and degree of the mast cell degranulation depends on the menstrual cycle phase, age and part of the fallopian tube. The changes of the mast cells reaction correlate with the capillary diameters in the ampulla and the isthmus of the oviduct. Labrocytes participate in regulation of the microcirculatory blood stream of the fallopian tubes.

Adolescent↗

Three-dimensional reconstruction of a small-granule paracrine cell cluster in an adult hamster bronchus.

Amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) small-granule cells were stained by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-lead hematoxylin in 0.5-micron etched Epon sections of adult hamster lung fixed for transmission electron microscopy. The leading edge of a small-granule cell cluster was identified in a segmental bronchus as a single PAS-positive cell. From 256 serial thin sections through its entirety, a three-dimensional wooden reconstruction of the cluster and morphometric estimates of the apical and basal surfaces, cell volume, and intracytoplasmic distribution of mitochondria and small granules was made. Of moderate size, the body consisted of 16 small-granule cells, 11 forming its ovoid core with five outlying cells diverging at the margin; these were pyramidal, possessing wide bases and thin apical processes. At the bronchial surface, processes from the 11-cell core emerged together, whereas the divergent cells emerged in groups of two and three. Ten Clara-like cells and one ciliated cell encircled the core. Altogether they formed a pseudostratified epithelium in contrast to the surrounding simple columnar epithelium. Deeper in the cluster, numerous cytoplasmic extensions interdigitated with those from adjacent cells, and toward the base the Clara-like and APUD cells were increasingly interposed. In marked contrast to the apical cytoplasm, the infranuclear cytoplasm of the latter was densely packed with ca. 1,000 A electron-dense granules; and the basal, presumptively secretory face of each cell was five to six times greater than the area exposed to the bronchial lumen. Judged by granule size and ultrastructure, only one APUD cell type was recognized in the reconstructed cluster. Beneath it many fibrocytic processes were separated from the APUD cells by only the thickness of the basal lamina. Two fascicles of smooth muscle approached the cluster within 0.4-0.8 micron. Unmyelinated nerve fibers came as close but contacted only the muscle. Capillaries, in contrast, came no closer than 15 micron from the base of the body. Evidently, 1) fibrocytes and smooth muscle are more likely targets for secretions from such a paracrine body than cells reached through the blood-stream, and 2) not all small-granule cell clusters are innervated.

APUD Cells↗

The role of myosin heavy chain phosphorylation in Dictyostelium motility, chemotaxis and F-actin localization.

To assess the role of myosin II heavy chain (MHC) phosphorylation in basic motility and natural chemotaxis, the Dictyostelium mhcA null mutant mhcA(-), mhcA(-) cells rescued with a myosin II gene that mimics the constitutively unphosphorylated state (3XALA) and mhcA(-) cells rescued with a myosin II gene that mimics the constitutively phosphorylated state (3XASP), were analyzed in buffer and in response to the individual spatial, temporal and concentration components of a cAMP wave using computer-assisted methods. Each mutant strain exhibited unique defects in cell motility and chemotaxis. Although mhcA(-) cells could crawl with some polarity and showed chemotaxis with highly reduced efficiency in a spatial gradient of cAMP, they were very slow, far less polar and more three-dimensional than control cells. They were also incapable of responding to temporal gradients of cAMP, of chemotaxis in a natural wave of cAMP or streaming late in aggregation. 3XASP cells were faster and chemotactically more efficient than mhcA(-) cells, but still incapable of responding to temporal gradients of cAMP, chemotaxis in natural waves of cAMP or streaming late in aggregation. 3XALA cells were fast, were able to respond to temporal gradients of cAMP, and responded to natural waves of cAMP. However, they exhibited a 50% reduction in chemotactic efficiency, could not stream late in aggregation and could not enter the streams of control cells in mixed cultures. F-actin staining further revealed that while the presence of unphosphorylated MHC was essential for the increase in F-actin in the cytoplasm in response to the increasing temporal gradient of cAMP in the front of a natural wave, the actual dephosphorylation event was essential for the associated increase in cortical F-actin. The results of these studies indicate that MHC phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, like myosin II regulatory light chain phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, represents a potential downstream target of the regulatory cascades emanating from the different phases of the wave.

Actins↗

Ponticulin, a developmentally-regulated plasma membrane glycoprotein, mediates actin binding and nucleation.

Ponticulin is a 17,000-dalton transmembrane glycoprotein that is involved in the binding and nucleation of actin filaments by Dictyostelium discoideum plasma membranes. The major actin-binding protein isolated from these membranes by F-actin affinity chromatography, ponticulin also binds F-actin on blot overlays. The actin-binding activity of ponticulin in vitro is identical to that observed for purified plasma membranes: it resists extraction with 0.1 N NaOH, is sensitive to high salt concentrations, and is destroyed by heat, proteolysis, and thiol reduction and alkylation. A cytoplasmic domain of ponticulin mediates binding to actin because univalent antibody fragments directed against the cytoplasmic surface of this protein inhibit 96% of the actin-membrane binding in sedimentation assays. Antibody specific for ponticulin removes both ponticulin and the ability to reconstitute actin nucleation activity from detergent extracts of solubilized plasma membranes. Levels of plasma membrane ponticulin increase 2- to 3-fold during aggregation streaming, when cells adhere to each other and are highly motile. Although present throughout the plasma membrane, ponticulin is preferentially localized to some actin-rich membrane structures, including sites of cell-cell adhesion and arched regions of the plasma membrane reminiscent of the early stages of pseudopod formation. Ponticulin also is present but not obviously enriched at phagocytic cups of log-phase amebae. These results indicate that ponticulin may function in vivo to attach and nucleate actin filaments at the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane. A 17,000-dalton analogue of ponticulin has been identified in human polymorphonuclear leukocyte plasma membranes by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

Studies on bacteriemia. I. Mechanisms relating to the persistence of bacteriemia in rabbits following the intravenous injection of staphylococci.

During the course of studies on the characteristics of experimental bacteriemia, staphylococci were swiftly cleared from the blood stream of rabbits during the initial 10 to 15 minutes following intravenous injection of microorganisms. A subsequent abrupt decline in the rate of clearance ensued, resulting in a low grade bacteriemia which was demonstrable for many hours. The experiments reported have indicated that this strain of staphylococcus is rapidly phagocyted within the vascular system of rabbits, and that viable staphylococci circulate within the cytoplasm of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The removal mechanisms contained within the liver and spleen appear to preferentially trap circulating extracellular staphylococci. When most of the circulating staphylococci are contained within leukocytes, splanchnic removal declines or virtually ceases. These observations suggest that viable, intracellular microorganisms are responsible for the persistence of staphylococcal bacteriemia in rabbits following the phase of rapid removal from the blood stream.

Animals↗

Intraductal growth of malignant mammary myoepithelioma.

This report describes the histologic and immunohistologic features of an intraductal myoepithelial tumor that developed in the breast of a 61-year-old woman. Histologically, the tumor proliferated intraductally, with both a comedo or doughnut pattern and a solid pattern containing narrow fibrovascular cores, mimicking what appeared to be a conventional intraductal carcinoma. No fine papillary or arborizing growth or cribriform formation was observed. Tumor cells at the ductal peripheral zone were polygonal and clear with abundant glycogen in the cytoplasm; they were transformed into nonclear cells with slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm toward the center of the involved ducts. Occasionally, nonclear cells were elongated, with a centrally located cigar-shaped nucleus. These elongated or spindle cells tended to show a fascicular and streaming pattern similar to that of a smooth muscle tumor. Immunohistochemically, alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SM-actin) and S-100 protein were expressed in most of the nonclear cells. While clear cells also had a positive reaction for S-100 protein, they were mostly negative or barely positive for alpha-SM-actin. Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) was also positive in a certain number of polygonal cells. These results support the myoepithelial nature of the present tumor, and some cells might also be immunologically differentiated into ductal epithelial cells. In addition to cytological atypia, frequent mitoses, and central necrosis within ducts, there was a minimal but evident stromal invasion, suggesting histological malignancy in this peculiar tumor.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The antithrombotic factor singlet oxygen/light (1O2/h nu).

Activated phagocytes (especially polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs)) by respiratory oxidative/photonic burst (activation of NADPH-oxidase and myeloper-oxidase) generate large amounts of oxidants of the hypochlorite-/chloramine-type, which are physiologic sources for singlet oxygen (1O2), a nonradical-excited (photon (h nu) emitting) oxygen species [Weiss SJ, NEJM 1989;320:365-376]. In vitro experiments show that 1O2 (1) inhibits coagulation by inactivation of thrombocytes, fibrinogen, factor V, factor VIII, and factor X and (2) activates fibrinolysis by inactivation of the main fibrinolysis inhibitors plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and alpha-2-antiplasmin, and by activation of single-chain urokinase by plasmin and oxidized fibrin. Additionally, this work suggests that 1O2/h nu acts antithrombotically, inducing selective thrombolysis in vivo (i.e., thrombolysis induced by 0.1 to 0.5 mmol/l chloramine within 30 to 60 minutes without changes of the plasmatic hemostasis system). 1O2 might activate flowing to (on the endothelium) rolling PMN, increasing their chance to get in contact with fibrin/platelet aggregates deposited on the endothelial layer. Via 1O2 generation, the thrombus-activated phagocytes might call for (acute, physiologic) inflammation/fibrinolysis amplification, resulting in the "moving front" of PMN, which infiltrates and destroys the thrombus. 1O2 seems to (partially) participate in the reactivity of nitric oxide, another prooxidative agent. The inhibition of physiologic amounts of 1O2 by blood cholesterol might be involved in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. Consequently, it is suggested that activated PMNs modulate hemostasis, shifting it into an antithrombotic state; this cellular part of fibrinolysis seems to be of greater physiologic importance than the plasmatic one. Impaired PMN function (e.g., as occurring in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies or under cytostatic treatments) often results in serious thrombotic complications. Light is the only signal whose origin can be immediately recognized by a fast moving cell in the (dark) blood stream. The cell signal action of 1O2/h nu (e.g., released by chloramines such as taurine-chloramine or vancomycin, by fiberoptic, by photodynamic therapy, or by so-called redox-cycling drugs such as quinones or tetracyclines) might be a new and physiologic principle for pharmacologic intervention in atherothrombosis.

Animals↗