B-Cells in ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative lesions express B-cell attracting chemokine 1 (CXCL13)

PURPOSE: The homeostatic chemokine, B cell attracting chemokine 1 (CXCL13), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lymphocyte-mediated diseases. We investigated the cellular expression of this chemokine in the spectrum of ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative lesions. DESIGN: Laboratory investigation. METHODS: CXCL13 expression in paraffin-embedded adnexal biopsy specimens was determined by indirect immunohistochemistry with antigen retrieval. RESULTS: In 15 of 16 biopsy specimens, including reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 7), atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 3), and B cell lymphoma (n = 6), CXCL13 was detected. CD20-positive B-cells, as well as dendritic cells and endothelial cells, expressed the chemokine. CONCLUSIONS: B-cells in ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative lesions demonstrate expression of CXCL13, a chemokine that may participate in tumor pathogenesis and is a potential target for novel therapies.     

Basal and TRH stimulated TSH secretion and determination of total thyroxine (T4). Thyroxine-binding capacity and free thyroxine index (FT4-I) in patients with chronic uremia

In 11 patients with chronic uremia both the basal and TRH stimulated TSH levels and T4, TBC and FT4-I were determined. The investigations were repeated in 2 cases after renal transplantation. TSH and T4 in serum were determined by RIA, TBC by radio reagent assay. FT4-I was calculated. In 8 patients the basal TSH levels were in the normo- and in 3 in the hypothyreotropic range. In 9 patients the response to TRH was adequate. There were deviations from the physiological range in 7 patients for T4 and in 6 for FT4-I.     

Development of affinity microparticles for extracorporeal blood purification based on crystalline bacterial cell surface proteins.

In this article, the development of specific adsorbents for extracorporeal blood purification are described. Affinity microparticles were prepared by linking Protein A to crystalline cell surface layers (S-layers) from Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus 1111-69. S-layers were used in the form of cell wall fragments obtained by breaking whole cells by ultrasonification, resulting in cup-shaped structures (average size 0.5 x 1 microm) completely covered with S-layer protein. Protein A was covalently bound to carboxylic acid groups of the S-layer protein after activation with 1-ethyl-3,3'(dimethylamino)propylcarbodiimide. In batch adsorption experiments with fresh frozen human plasma, the resulting S-layer based affinity microparticles showed a high adsorption capacity for IgG (40 mg IgG were bound per g wet pellet of S-layer based affinity microparticles). Fractions eluted from the microparticles were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They contained only IgG demonstrating that adsorption was specific. In biocompatibility tests, preparations of the S-layer microparticles showed no low-density lipoprotein-reactivity, no cytotoxicity, and no cytokine inducing activity.     

A clinical study on different cellulosic dialysis membranes

A controlled clinical study was performed over a period of 8 weeks in two dialysis centres (Rostock, GDR, and Munich, FRG). The aim was to compare a dialysis membrane made of modified cellulose (Hemophan) with classical regenerated cellulose (Cuprophan). Dialysers containing these membranes, together with a cellulose acetate dialyser, were therefore incorporated in a cross-over programme and clinical and biochemical investigations undertaken. The efficacy of the modified cellulosic membrane with respect to urea and creatinine clearance was shown to be comparable to that of regenerated cellulose and cellulose acetate. However, modified cellulose showed an increased clearance for inorganic phosphate, significantly different from that demonstrated by both regenerated cellulose and cellulose acetate. Blood compatibility studies, which included the assessment of C3a activation and the reduction of white blood cell (WBC) and platelet count, clearly demonstrated that in comparison to regenerated cellulose, modified cellulose resulted in significantly less complement activation and WBC reduction. Similarly in comparison to cellulose acetate, modified cellulose showed reduced complement-activating and WBC-reducing properties. The reason for the improved blood compatibility of modified cellulose is not, as was originally assumed, related to binding of complement-inhibiting heparin, but appears instead to be due to the substitution of hydroxyl groups of regenerated cellulose.     

Rotary cell culture system (RCCS): a new method for cultivating hepatocytes on microcarriers

The Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS) is a new technology for growing anchorage dependent or suspension cells in the laboratory. The RCCS is a horizontally rotated, bubble free disposable culture vessel with diffusion gas exchange. The system provides a reproducible, complex 3D in vitro culture system with large cell masses. During cell growing the rotation speed can be adjusted to compensate for increased sedimentation rates. The unique environment of low shear forces, high mass transfer, and microgravity, provides very good cultivating conditions for many cell types, cell aggregates or tissue particles in a standard tissue culture laboratory. The system enables to culture HepG2 cells on Cytodex 3 microcarriers (mcs) to high densities. We inoculated 2 x 10(5)/ml HepG2 cells and 200 mg Cytodex 3 mcs in 50 ml Williams E medium (incl. 10% FCS) allowing them to attach to the mcs in the rotating vessel (rotation rate 14-20 rpm). HepG2 cells readily attached to the mcs while the vessel was rotating. Attachment of HepG2 to the mcs was about 50% after 24 hrs and 100 % within 48 hrs. After 72 hrs of rotary culturing small aggregates of Hep G2 on mcs were built. HepG2 cells and the aggregates rotated with the vessel and did not settle within the vessel or collide with the wall of the vessel. We conclude that this new RCCS is an excellent technology for culturing HepG2 cells on Cytodex 3 mcs. The system is easy to handle and enables to culture anchorage dependent cells to high densities in a short period.     

Behavior of basal and stimulated serum levels of prolactin, growth hormone and gonadotropins in females with chronic uremia

In 11 female patients with chronic uraemia at the age of 20 to 47 years (average age: 33.1 years) the behaviour of basal and stimulated serum levels of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (HGH) and gonadotropins (LH, FSH) was investigated. For stimulation of the hormone secretion a sequential test with arginine hydrochloride, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was used. In 2 women the investigations were repeated after kidney transplantation. The determination of LH, FSH, PRL and HGH was performed radioimmunologically. The investigations show that in women with chronic uraemia the basal LH-levels in general lie clearly above of those ones of women with biphasic cycles, whereas the FSH-levels are not increased. The LH-response after administration of 25 micrograms GnRH is adequate in 6 women and is absent in 5 women. After kidney transplantation a clear reduction of the basal LH-levels in comparison to the preliminary values is to be established. The increased basal LH-levels are causally made responsible for the disturbances of the menstrual cycle in women with chronic uraemia. For PRL hyper- and normoprolactinaemic as well as hypoprolactinaemic basal levels are found. A connection between the height of the PRL and creatinine levels cannot be proved. Apart from a adequate PRL response to the stimulation with TRH in the individual case this response is inadequate or is absent. The basal HGH-levels are in the area of reference. In all women HGH can adequately be stimulated, whereby the case in question is presumably a so-called paradoxical TRH-effect.