Characterization of xenoantiserum produced against B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line

Antiserum was produced in white rabbit by intravenously injecting living cells of a B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) line (BALL-1). The reactivity of the antiserum against various lymphoid cell lines was examined by membrane immunofluorescence after appropriate absorption. Serum absorbed with non-T, non-B (NALL-1) and T-ALL (TALL-1) cells recognized B cell antigens distinct from Ia-like antigens on both normal and neoplastic B cells. After further absorption with tonsillar cells or normal B cell line (KO-HL-3), it reacted only with BALL-1 cells and did not react with other leukemia/lymphoma and normal B cell lines. The serum absorbed with tonsillar cells reacted only with BALL-1 and some B cell lines. Thus we were able to obtain antisera with specificity to B cell antigen, B-ALL antigen, and B cell line antigen.</p

Detection of HLA-D-region-associated antigens on the surface of adult T-cell leukemia virus particles by immunoelectron microscopy.

To search for lymphocyte marker antigens on the surface of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), an immunoelectron microscopic study was performed on a HTLV-producing human T-cell line, MT-2, using monoclonal antibodies, such as anti-Leu-1, -Leu-2b, -Leu-3a, -Leu-5, -Leu-10 and -HLA-DR and OKIal. The reactivity of each antibody with MT-2 cells was tested by the immunoperoxidase method at the light microscopic level. OKIal, anti-HLA-DR and -Leu-10 gave positive results. At the ultrastructural level, the surface of HTLV as well as the plasma membranes of MT-2 cells were labeled with ferritin by the monoclonal antibodies OKIal, anti-HLA-DR and -Leu-10, but not by anti-Leu-1 and -Leu-3a. These findings suggest that HLA-D region -associated antigens are common antigenic determinants shared by the surface of HTLV and the plasma membranes of MT-2 cells. These antigens on the virus surface are probably picked up selectively from the plasma membranes and may play an important role in the interaction of HTLV and target T-cells.</p

Transformation of human fetal thymus and spleen lymphocytes by human t-cell leukemia virus type &#921;

Co-cultivation of human thymus and spleen lymphocytes, which were obtained from 26-week and 27-week fetuses, with a lethally-irradiated human cord T-cell line harboring human T-cell leukemia virus type &#921;(HTLV-&#921;) resultes in the establishment of T-cell lines positive for adult T-cell leukemia-associated antigens and producing HTLV-&#921;. These cell lines had the phenotype of a helper/inducer subset of peripheral T-cells as evidenced by the reactivity with monoclonal antibodies to human T-cells.</p

Metaplastic bone formation in a hyperplastic polyp of the stomach: a case report.

Metaplastic bony tissue along with hyperplastic mucosal epithelium showing no atypism was detected in biopsy materials from a Yamada type I gastric polyp. The tissue was metaplastic woven bone associated with calcification. Histogenesis of the bone formation is as yet unknown. This is the first reported case of the presence of metaplastic bone accompanied by hyperplastic gastric mucosa so far.</p

Combinational variation temperature and soil water response of stomata and biomass production in maize, millet, sorghum and rice

Environmental responses of stomatal conductance (gs) as basic information for a photosynthesis-transpiration-coupled model have been increasing under global warming. This study identified the impact of gs behavior under different soil water statuses and temperatures in rice, maize, millet, and sorghum. The experiments consisted of various soil moisture statuses from flooding to drying and combination of soil moisture status and temperature. There was a reduction in shoot biomass of maize and sorghum caused by decreasing of gs, photosynthesis (A), and transpiration (E) in early imposed waterlogging without dependent temperature, whereas millet and rice were dependent on temperature variation. The effect of gradual soil drying, gs, A, and E of maize, millet, and sorghum were caused by low temperature, except rice. The impact of the combination of various soil water statuses and temperatures on gs is important for the trade-off between A and E, and consequently shoot biomass. However, we discovered that an ability to sustain gs is essential for photo assimilation and maintaining leaf temperature through evapotranspiration for biomass production, a mechanism of crop avoidance in variable soil water status and temperature

Focal choroidal excavation in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy.

[Purpose]To study the prevalence and 3-dimensional (3-D) tomographic features of focal choroidal excavations in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT). [Design]Prospective, cross-sectional study. [Methods]We examined 116 consecutive eyes with CSC with a prototype 3-D swept-source OCT. 3-D images of the shape of the macular area, covering 6 × 6 mm2, were reconstructed by segmentation of the outer surface of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). [Results]The 3-D swept-source OCT detected focal choroidal excavations in 9 eyes (7.8%). The 3-D scanning protocol, coupled with en face scans, allowed for clear visualization of the excavation morphology. In 5 eyes with focal excavations, unusual choroidal tissue was found beneath the excavation, bridging the bottom of the excavation and the outer choroidal boundary. Additionally, 3 of those 5 eyes showed a suprachoroidal space below the excavation, as if the outer choroidal boundary is pulled inward by this bridging tissue. The focal choroidal excavations were located within fluorescein leakage points and areas of choroidal hyperpermeability. Eyes with focal choroidal excavations were more myopic (−4.42 ± 2.92 diopters) than eyes without excavations (−0.27 ± 1.80 diopters, P = .001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly thinner (301.3 ± 60.1 μm) in eyes with focal excavations than in eyes without the excavations (376.6 ± 104.8 μm, P = .036). [Conclusions]Focal choroidal excavations were present in 7.8% of eyes with CSC. In these eyes, focal choroidal excavations may have formed from RPE retraction caused by focal scarring of choroidal connective tissue

Induction of hepatocyte growth factor production in human dermal fibroblasts and their proliferation by the extract of bitter melon pulp

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is useful as a potential therapeutic agent for hepatic and renal fibrosis and cardiovascular diseases through inducing proliferation of epithelial and endothelial cells. HGF inducers may also be useful as therapeutic agents for these diseases. However, there have been no reports on induction of HGF production by plant extracts or juices. An extract of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) pulp markedly induced HGF production. There was a time lag of 72 h before induction of HGF production after the extract addition. Its stimulatory effect was accompanied by upregulation of HGF gene expression. Increases in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were observed from 72 h after the extract addition. Inhibitors of MAPKs suppressed the extract-induced HGF production. The extract also stimulated cell proliferation. Both activities for induction of HGF production and cell proliferation were eluted together in a single peak with 14,000 Da on gel filtration. The results indicate that bitter melon pulp extract induced HGF production and cell proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts and suggest that activation of MAPKs is involved in the HGF induction. Our findings suggest potential usefulness of the extract for tissue regeneration and provide an insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the wound-healing property of bitter melon