Increases in frequency of sister chromatid exchange following tumor grafts in different immunocompetent hosts]

Measurement of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) frequency of inbred Rat or nu/nu Mice bone marrow cells, following tumour grafts, have been developed. Increase of SCEs was observed in hosts which present or not metases and with reduced survival rates after malignant tumour grafts. These results suggest a remote control of tumoral tissue by a diffused matter effect.     

Prolongation of the survival of skin grafts in mice by PUVA treatment

The combined application of psoralen and UVA radiation to skin grafts induced a prolongation of the survival time of the grafts in mice. This was observed using the H-Y barrier, an allogeneic barrier without H-2 disparities, and a strong H-2 incompatible barrier. The effect is probably due to a reduction of antigen-presenting cells, or to other, unknown mechanisms.     

Prolongation of the survival of skin grafts in mice by PUVA treatment

Summary The combined application of psoralen and UVA radiation to skin grafts induced a prolongation of the survival time of the grafts in mice. This was observed using the H-Y barrier, an allogeneic barrier without H-2 disparities, and a strong H-2 incompatible barrier. The effect is probably due to a reduction of antigen-presenting cells, or to other, unknown mechanisms.     

Structural and biochemical aspects of keratan sulphate in the cornea

Keratan sulphate (KS) is the predominant glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the cornea of the eye, where it exists in proteoglycan (PG) form. KS-PGs have long been thought to play a pivotal role in the establishment and maintenance of the array of regularly-spaced and uniformly-thin collagen fibrils which make up the corneal stroma. This characteristic arrangement of fibrils allows light to pass through the cornea. Indeed, perturbations to the synthesis of KS-PG core proteins in genetically altered mice lead to structural matrix alterations and corneal opacification. Similarly, mutations in enzymes responsible for the sulphation of KS-GAG chains are causative for the inherited human disease, macular corneal dystrophy, which is manifested clinically by progressive corneal cloudiness starting in young adulthood.     

Synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by the three cell types of the rabbit cornea in culture.

Rabbit corneal cells were cultivated for 21 days and then exposed to Na235SO4, a precursor of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG). All 3 cell types of the cornea, the fibroblasts, the epithelial as well as the endothelial cells, synthesize GAG. The fractionation-patterns of the epithelial and endotherlial GAG are almost identical and differ clearly from the one of fibroblastic GAG.     

Treatment of spontaneous murine lymphomas with syngeneic lymphoid cells

Syngeneic thymus grafts and spleen cells were administered to thymectomized and intact (C57BL/1XA)F1 mice with spontaneous lymphomas. Their life span was prolonged significantly compared to untreated tumor-bearing controls. Dramatic clinical and histologic evidence of tumor regression was observed.     

Cyclosporine resistant effector cells in rabbit skin allografts

Histoincompatible skin grafts in rabbits treated with cyclosporine can permanently engraft but show a transient mononuclear cellular infiltrate. This transient cyclosporine-resistant infiltrate consists of cells which are sensitive to steroids, radiation and cryopreservation. They have the same ACM-1 phenotype and the same characteristics as cyclosporine-sensitive cells.     

Satellite cells in the regenerated and regrafted skeletal muscles of rats

Soleus (SOL) muscles were grafted into extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle beds (EDL-first-graft). Sixty days later, some mature EDL-first-grafts were regrafted into their own beds (EDL-second-grafts). Fully regenerated muscle fibers and satellite cells were observed in both types of mature grafts. The ratios of satellite cell nuclei per total nuclei (myonuclei and satellite cell nuclei) were 4.81 +/- 0.47% for EDL-2nd graft, 4.26 +/- 0.51% for EDL-1st-graft, 4.30 +/- 0.33% for control SOL, and 3.30 +/- 0.18% for control EDL. It is thought that satellite cells are required for the repeated activity of muscle fiber regeneration. The persistance of satellite cells in EDL-second-grafts suggests that satellite cells are not depleted during the first grafting, making second-grafts possible.     

Satellite cells in the regenerated and regrafted skeletal muscles of rats

Summary Soleus (SOL) muscles were grafted into extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle beds (EDL-first-graft). Sixty days later, some mature EDL-first-grafts were regrafted into their own beds (EDL-second-grafts). Fully regenerated muscle fibers and satellite cells were observed in both types of mature grafts. The ratios of satellite cell nuclei per total nuclei (myonuclei and satellite cell nuclei) were 4.81±0.47% for EDL-2nd graft, 4.26±0.51% for EDL-1st-graft, 4.30±0.33% for control SOL, and 3.30±0.18% for control EDL. It is thought that satellite cells are required for the repeated activity of muscle fiber regeneration. The persistance of satellite cells in EDL-second-grafts suggests that satellite cells are not depleted during the first grafting, making second-grafts possible.     

Hyperprolactinemia and estrogen-induced rhythms in LH and prolactin release in the ovariectomized rat

Short-term (9 days) hyperprolactinemia induced by pituitary grafts reduced basal plasma LH levels in ovariectomized rats whereas long-term (31 days) grafts increased basal LH levels. Although long-term grafts inhibited estradiol-induced prolactin surges, hyperprolactinemia had no effect on the LH surge. It is concluded that the estrogen-treated ovariectomized rat is not suitable for studying the effects of hyperprolactinemia on LH release.     

Hyperprolactinemia and estrogen-induced rhythms in LH and prolactin release in the ovariectomized rat

Summary Short-term (9 days) hyperprolactinemia induced by pituitary grafts reduced basal plasma LH levels in ovariectomized rats whereas long-term (31 days) grafts increased basal LH levels. Although long-term grafts inhibited estradiol-induced prolactin surges, hyperprolactinemia had no effect on the LH surge. It is concluded that the estrogen-treated ovariectomized rat is not suitable for studying the effects of hyperprolactinemia on LH release.     

Secificity of mouse endocervical cell response progesterone: presence of receptors]

The mouse cervical cell response to progesterone, corticosterone, and androgens was studied in vitro and comparatively by grafts on males. Contrary to the exocervical cells which responded more or less to the three steroid hormones, the endocervical cells responded exclusively to progesterone even in an estrogen free system. This result suggests the existence in the mouse endocervical cells of specific receptors to progesterone and indicates that the squamons cells of the uterine cervix have a different response to steroid hormones depending on where these cells are located.     

Occurrence of circulating immunocytes in the process of graft rejection in nemertines of the genus Lineus (acelomate invertebrates)]

Performed upon bispecific Lineus chimaeras of a suitable constitution, the grafting of tissues excised from nemerteans of a third Lineus species resulted in a confrontation between graft cells, fixed cells from one chimaera component and mobile cells which originate from the second chimaera component. Survival of such grafts was dependent only upon compatibility in the "graft cells/mobile cells of recipient" interspecific combination. This result shows evidence for the existence of circulating immunocompetent cells which are responsible for the specific immune response to tissue transplantation in nemerteans of the genus Lineus.     

Synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by the three cell types of the rabbit cornea in culture

Summary Rabbit corneal cells were cultivated for 21 days and then exposed to Na₂ ³⁵SO₄, a precursor of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG). All 3 cell types of the cornea, the fibroblasts, the epithelial as well as the endothelial cells, synthesize GAG. The fractionation-patterns of the epithelial and endothelial GAG are almost identical and differ clearly from the one of fibrolastic GAG.Supported by SNSF, grant No. 3.534.71.     

Cyclosporine resistant effector cells in rabbit skin allografts

Summary Histoincompatible skin grafts in rabbits treated with cyclosporine can permanently engraft but show a transient mononuclear cellular infiltrate. This transient cyclosporine-resistant infiltrate consists of cells which are sensitive to steroids, radiation and cryopreservation. They have the same ACM-1 phenotype and the same characteristics as cyclosporine-sensitive cells.9 January 1987Supported by the Swiss National Research Foundation, Grant No. 3.908-0.83.     

Calcium uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum from nerve-intact and standard skeletal muscle grafts

A freely grafted rat soleus muscle exhibits a decrease in velocity and capacity of SR calcium uptake. This deficit is not prevented by maintaining neural connections (nerve-intact graft) during grafting. Thus the greater mechanical capability of nerve-intact grafts, relative to standard grafts, is not accompanied by any enhancement of the SR tubules.     

Inductions cérébrales et médullaires chez les Oiseaux

Summary Two grafts of the Hensen's node, one young (stage 3) and the other older (stage 5+), were implanted into area opaca of the same blastoderm. The hosts were at stages 2, 3 and 4. The young grafts always elicited the formation of the brain. On the contrary, old grafts only induce very small spinal cords. Moreover, the frequency of spinal cord induction is lowest in the oldest hosts.     

Treatment of spontaneous murine lymphomas with syngeneic lymphoid cells

Summary Syngeneic thymus grafts and spleen cells were administered to thymectomized and intact (C57BL/1XA)F₁ mice with spontaneous lymphomas. Their life span was prolonged significantly compared to untreated tumor-bearing controls. Dramatic clinical and histologic evidence of tumor regression was observed.Supported by US P.H.S. grants Nos AM12151 and CA 15500.     

Calcium uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum from nerve-intact and standard skeletal muscle grafts

Summary A freely grafted rat soleus muscle exhibits a decrease in velocity and capacity of SR calcium uptake. This deficit is not prevented by maintaining neural connections (nerve-intact graft) during grafting. Thus the greater mechanical capability of nerve-intact grafts, relative to standard grafts, is not accompanied by any enhancement of the SR tubules.     

Extracellular matrix formation after transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CM) for cardiac regeneration is hampered by the formation of fibrotic tissue around the grafts, preventing electrophysiological coupling. Investigating this process, we found that: (1) beating hESC-CM in vitro are embedded in collagens, laminin and fibronectin, which they bind via appropriate integrins; (2) after transplantation into the mouse heart, hESC-CM continue to secrete collagen IV, XVIII and fibronectin; (3) integrin expression on hESC-CM largely matches the matrix type they encounter or secrete in vivo; (4) co-transplantation of hESC-derived endothelial cells and/or cardiac progenitors with hESC-CM results in the formation of functional capillaries; and (5) transplanted hESC-CM survive and mature in vivo for at least 24 weeks. These results form the basis of future developments aiming to reduce the adverse fibrotic reaction that currently complicates cell-based therapies for cardiac disease, and to provide an additional clue towards successful engraftment of cardiomyocytes by co-transplanting endothelial cells.