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Changes in the synthesis of minor cartilage collagens after growth of chick chondrocytes in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine or to senescence.

Analyses were made of the minor collagens synthesized by cultures of chondrocytes derived from 14-day chick embryo sterna. Comparisons were made between control cultures, cultures grown for 9 days in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and clones of chondrocytes grown to senescence. Separation of minor collagens from interstitial collagens was achieved by differential salt precipitation in the presence of carrier collagens in acid conditions. The precipitate at 0.9 M NaCl 0.5 M acetic acid from control cultures was shown by CNBr peptide analysis to contain only the alpha 1(II) chain of type II collagen, whereas after BrdU treatment or growth to senescence synthesis of only alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) chains occurred. The synthesis of type III collagen was not detected. Analysis of the precipitate at 2.0 M NaCl, 0.5 M HAc from control cultures demonstrated the synthesis of 1 alpha, 2 alpha and 3 alpha chains together with the synthesis of short chain (SC) collagen of Mr 43000 after pepsin digestion. After BrdU treatment or growth to senescence alpha chains were isolated which possessed the migration positions on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), or the elution positions on CM-cellulose chromatography, of the alpha 1(V) and alpha 2(V) chains of type V collagen. In addition, for BrdU-treated but not for control cultures, intracellular immunofluorescent staining was observed with a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an epitope present in the triple helix of type V collagen. Synthesis of short chain (SC) collagen was not detected after BrdU treatment or growth to senescence. These results suggest that chick chondrocytes grown in conditions known to cause switching of collagen synthesis from type II to type I collagen also undergo a switch from the synthesis of 1 alpha, 2 alpha and 3 alpha chains to the synthesis of the alpha 1(V) and alpha 2(V) chains of type V collagen. It appears that there are several cartilage-specific collagens which together undergo a regulatory control to the synthesis of collagens typical of other connective tissues.

Animals↗

A fibroblast protein binds the 3'-untranslated region of pro-alpha 1(I) collagen mRNA.

Post-transcriptional regulation of the expression of the pro alpha 1(I) chain of type I collagen (COL1A1) was studied by analysing cytoplasmic RNA-binding proteins and by transient transfections with collagen minigene plasmids. In this paper we present evidence for a factor from NIH 3T3 cells and human skin fibroblasts that interacts with the conserved 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the shorter 4.8 kb mRNA species of the COL1A1 gene. The specificity of the interaction was confirmed by using (i) unlabelled specific and non-specific competitor RNAs and (ii) oligodeoxyribonucleotides annealed to the probe or used as single-stranded competitors. An antisense oligonucleotide annealed to the RNA probe near its 3'-terminus [20-42 nucleotides upstream of the first polyadenylation signal of the alpha 1(I) collagen mRNA] inhibited the binding, whereas other sense or antisense oligonucleotides had no effect on the interaction. The binding was sensitive to alkylation of free SH groups but not to phosphatase treatment of the extracts. In u.v. cross-linking analysis this factor migrated as a single polypeptide chain of about 67 kDa, and was named alpha 1-RBF67 (type I collagen alpha 1 chain RNA-binding factor). Dexamethasone treatment of fibroblasts, which is known to accelerate the turnover of COL1A1 mRNA, decreased the alpha 1-RBF67 activity markedly as evaluated by gel-retardation and u.v. cross-linking assays. Transient transfections with plasmids carrying the alpha 1(I) collagen promoter and 3'-UTR sequences demonstrated that the 3'-UTR participates in the response to dexamethasone. Thus the loss of alpha 1-RBF67 activity might be associated with decreased alpha 1(I) collagen mRNA levels after dexamethasone treatment.

3T3 Cells↗

Ligand recombination to the alpha and beta subunits of human hemoglobin.

The rebinding of CO, O2, NO, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and n-butyl isocyanide to isolated alpha and beta chains and intact hemoglobin at pH 7, 20 degrees C was examined both during and after a 30-ns dye laser pulse. The resultant absorbance changes were analyzed in terms of a linear three-step reaction scheme: Hb + X in equilibrium with C in equilibrium with B in equilibrium with A or HbX, where A is the final bound state, and C and B are geminate states. Rate constants were assigned for each of the transitions in this mechanism using fitting procedures described previously for analyzing ligand rebinding to sperm whale myoglobin at room temperature (Gibson, Q. H., Olson, J. S., McKinnie, R. E., and Rohlfs, R. J. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10228-10239). Five major conclusions were obtained. First, initial geminate recombination phases for the NO and O2 complexes of hemoglobin and its isolated subunits exhibit half-times equal to approximately 12 and approximately 440 ps, respectively. These values are in excellent agreement with more direct, picosecond measurements of the geminate recombination of HbNO (Cornelius, P. A., Hochstrasser, R. M., and Steele, A. W. (1983) J. Mol. Biol. 163, 119-128) and HbO2 (Friedman, J. M., Scott, T. W., Fisanick, G. J., Simon, S. R., Findsen, E. W., Ondrias, M. R., and MacDonald, V. W. (1985) Science 229, 187-229) following extremely short laser pulses. Second, the correspondence between our nanosecond measurements and the published picosecond data suggests strongly that the intrinsic photochemical yield of all ferrous, hexacoordinate heme complexes approaches one. Third, the major differences between the isolated alpha and beta chains involve the rate of ligand migration to the solvent, kC----X and the extent of recombination from the second geminate state, C, as measured by the ratio kC----B/kC----X. Fourth, for both isolated chains and intact hemoglobin, the rate and equilibrium constants for the formation of the initial O2 geminate state starting from ligand in the solvent (i.e. kX----B and KX----B) are 5-10 times greater than the corresponding parameters for the formation of the first CO geminate state. Fifth, the rate-limiting step for NO, O2, and isonitrile binding to hemoglobin and its isolated subunits is ligand migration up to the initial geminate state (i.e. kX----B). In the case of CO binding, both migration to state B and iron-ligand bond formation (kB----A) affect the overall, bimolecular association rate constant.

Carbon Monoxide↗

Populations with constant immigration.

"We consider a Leslie-type model of a one-sex (female) population of natives with constant immigration. The fertility and mortality schedule of the natives may be below or above replacement level. Immigrants retain their fertility and mortality, their children adopt the fertility and mortality of the natives. It is shown how this model may be written in a homogeneous form (without additive term) with a Leslie-type matrix. Reproductive values of individuals in each age group are discussed in terms of a left eigenvector of this matrix. The homogeneous form of our projection model permits the transformation into a Markov chain with transient and recurrent states. The Markov chain is the basis for the definition of genealogies, which incorporate immigration. It is shown that genealogies describe the life histories of individuals in a population with immigration. We calculate absorption times of the Markov chain and relate them to genealogies. This extends the theory originally designed for closed populations to populations with immigration." (SUMMARY IN FRE)

Demography↗

Some innovative methods in demographic analysis.

"This paper suggests the use of the Matusita affinity and distance measures for the relative ranking of human populations and for developing an age distribution free index of demographic phenomena. A plea for modifying the conventional parity progression rates through semi-Markov analysis is made. The input-output model, the notion of entropy, etc., are suggested as new tools for looking at demographic events." Some illustrations based on Canadian and U.S. data concerning family planning attitudes, mortality, migration, and stable populations are included.

Age Distribution↗

S100A4 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide suppresses invasive potential of neuroblastoma cells.

BACKGROUND: S100A4 gene product has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. The overall survival rate of children with neuroblastoma remains poor because of disease dissemination at the time of diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of S100A4 on invasion and metastasis of neuroblastoma. METHODS: A 20-mer phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (asODN) targeted against the S100A4 mRNA was transfected into the human neuroblastoma cell line LA-N-6 by Lipofectamine 2000. The expressions of S100A4 and MMP-2 mRNAs were quantified by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The capability of migration and invasion of LA-N-6 cells were evaluated by the transwell chamber assay. RESULTS: The S100A4 mRNA and the MMP-2 mRNA levels in asODN-treated cells were decreased by 35.6% and 25.5%, respectively, compared with those in nontreated cells. The numbers of migrating and invading LA-N-6 cells were both significantly lower in the asODN-treated groups than those in the nontreated groups ( 9.33 +/- 4.73 vs 20.67 +/- 2.89 and 2.33 +/- 1.15 vs 9.00 +/- 2.65, respectively; both P = .03 ). CONCLUSIONS: The S100A4 asODN significantly reduced the S100A4 mRNA levels and the motility and invasive ability of neuroblastoma cells, with concomitant decrease of the MMP-2 mRNA levels. Thus, S100A4 may exert its effect on invasion and metastasis of neuroblastoma cells by stimulating the motility of tumor cells as well as influencing the expression of MMP-2.

Cell Movement↗

Role of activated c-H-ras oncogene in the induction and progression of immortal liver epithelial cell lines derived from normal C3H mice.

The nature of 15 immortal mouse liver epithelial cell (MLEC) lines established from normal C3H mice was investigated specifically in terms of ras oncogene activation. Neither transforming activity nor point mutation within codon 61 of c-H-ras could be demonstrated in any of the cell lines by DNA transfection in a NIH/3T3 cell system or by the direct sequencing method after polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Acrylamide gel migration analysis of ras p21 products did not show any shift from the normal. Transplantation experiments demonstrated only 2 out of the 15 lines to be tumorigenic in nude mice. When 4 of the non-tumorigenic MLEC lines were transfected with cloned activated c-H-ras containing a point mutation within codon 61, they all became tumorigenic, the resultant neoplasms being hepatocellular carcinomas often associated with albumin mRNA expression. Our results thus indicate that ras activation is not necessary for immortalization or even for transformation of mouse liver cells in culture, and that ras activation may be an event during the progression process in mouse hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo.

Animals↗

Role of alpha8 integrin in mesangial cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular matrix receptors of the integrin family are known to regulate cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. The alpha8 integrin chain is expressed in the glomerulus exclusively by mesangial cells. The contribution of alpha8 to mesangial cell function, however, has not yet been studied. METHODS: Mesangial cells from wild-type and alpha8-deficient mice were isolated and characterized. Integrin expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, or fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. Cell adhesion was determined by conventional attachment assay and a centrifugal assay for cell adhesion. Cell migration was determined by a fluorescence-based transmigration assay and a chemotaxis assay. Proliferation rates were determined by BrdU and [3H]-thymidine assays. RESULTS: On the alpha8 ligands fibronectin and vitronectin, but not on collagens, attachment of alpha8-deficient mesangial cells was reduced compared to wild-type cells. In contrast, alpha8-deficient mesangial cells migrated more easily and displayed an increased proliferative response on fibronectin or vitronectin, but not on collagens, compared to wild-type cells. These effects were not due to an up-regulation of the fibronectin or vitronectin receptors alpha5 or alphav in alpha8-deficient mesangial cells, as the cell surface expression of integrins alpha5 and alphav was comparable in wild-type and alpha8-deficient mesangial cells. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm a role for alpha8 integrin in the regulation of the mesangial cell phenotype. alpha8 integrin seems to promote adhesion, but inhibit migration and proliferation of mesangial cells. Thus, the data support the hypothesis that alpha8 integrin could play an important role for maintaining tissue integrity in the glomerulus during glomerular injury.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of alpha2-plasmin inhibitor from human plasma. A novel proteinase inhibitor which inhibits activator-induced clot lysis.

A procedure is presented for purifying a novel proteinase inhibitor in human plasma whose apparent unique biological property is to inhibit efficiently the lysis of fibrin clots induced by plasminogen activator. The final product is homogeneous as judged by disc gel electrophoresis, and immunoelectrophoresis. Its molecular weight estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis or sedimentation equilibrium is 67,000 and 63,000, respectively. The inhibitor is a glycoprotein consisting polypeptide chain containing 11.7% carbohyrate. It migrates in the alpha2-globulin region in immunoelectrophoresis. The inhibitor is chemically and immunologically different from all the other known inhibitors in plasma. Inhibition of plasmin by the inhibitor is almost instantaneous even at 0 degrees, in contrast to the slow inhibition of urokinase (plasminogen activator in urine). Plasminogen activation by urokinase-induced clot lysis is inhibited by the inhibitor mainly through a mechanism of instantaneous inhibition of plasmin formed and not through the inhibition of urokinase. The inhibitor also inhibits trypsin. Consequently, it is suggested that this newly identified inhibitor is named alpha2-plasmin inhibitor or alpha2-proteinase inhibitor. A specific antibody directed against the inhibitor neutralizes virtually all inhibitory activity of plasma to activator-induced clot lysis. Immunochemical quantitation of the inhibitor was specific antiserum to the inhibitor and the purified inhibitor as a standard indicates that the concentration of the inhibitory in the serum of a healthy man is in or near the range of 5 to 7 mg/100 ml, which is the lowest concentration among the concentration of the proteinase inhibitors in plasma. The inhibitor and plasmin, trypsin, or urokinase form a complex which cannot be dissociated with denaturing and reducing agents. The formation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex occurs on a 1:1 molar basis and is associated with the cleavage of a unique peptide bone, which is most clearly demonstrated in the interaction of the inhibitor and beta-trypsin. In the complex formation between the inhibitor and plasmin, the inhibitor is cross-linked with the light chain which contains the active site of plasmin. It is suggested that, in a fashion analogous to complex formation between alpha1-antitrypsin and trypsin, the cross-links are formed between the active site serine of the enzyme and the newly formed COOH-terminal residue of the inhibitor, with cleavage of a peptide bond.

Amino Acids↗

Architecture and the division of labor in the extensor carpi radialis muscle of horses.

The extensor carpi radialis muscle of the horse is deceptive at first appearance. It has a fusiform shape similar to other forearm extensor muscles. The fiber arrangement also appears long and relatively parallel. However, it may contain two or more compartments that correlate with differing functional roles. Histochemical and immunocytochemical analysis of proximal and distal regions of the muscle (n = 9) demonstrate that the proximal portion of the muscle is composed of a mean of 13% type I, presumed slow twitch, and 61% type IIb, presumed fast twitch fibers. In contrast, the distal compartment is composed of a mean of about 43% type I and only 22% type IIB fibers. The type I and IIa fibers are all highly aerobic based on nicotinamide dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase reactions. Correlative data regarding the myosin isoforms has been obtained with 4% SDS-PAGE analysis of myosin heavy chain isoforms which demonstrate isoforms migrating at rates similar to rat type I, IIa, and IIx. The latter has been referred to as type IIB/X in a study of the horse's gluteus medius muscle. We propose that the in-series 'compartmentalization' of the muscle, while not conforming strictly to the definitions of neuromuscular compartments, relates to the insertion of the lacertus fibrosus, a distal slip of the biceps brachii, upon the extensor carpi radialis. Earlier studies demonstrated a high proportion of type I fibers in the equine lateral biceps brachii which were thought to stabilize the shoulder during long periods of quiet standing. Because of action imposed on the distal compartment by the biceps brachii, slow and fatigue-resistant functions are part of the limb's passive stay apparatus to effect long-term standing by the horse. Thus, the fatigue-resistant compartments of biceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis may constitute an in-series arrangement of the two muscles. The proximal compartment is suited to provide powerful, more fatigable contractions during locomotion and likely affects stress or strain within the distal postural compartment.

Anatomy, Artistic↗

Detection of p53 mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) gel electrophoresis. A comparative study of radioactive and nonradioactive silver-stained SSCP analysis.

p53 mutations are the most common genetic abnormality in humans tumors, but their clinical significance remains to be precisely elucidated. Conventional single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, a well-established technique for detecting p53 mutations, uses radioactively labeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products, which migrate abnormally in the presence of mutations. We performed radioactive PCR-SSCP analysis in a series of 30 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ovarian carcinomas and two cell lines (SW480 and Caov4) harboring known homozygous p53 mutations and compared the results with nonradioactive silver-stained SSCP. The purpose was to assess whether nonradioactive SSCP is suitable for detecting p53 mutations in a rapid, sensitive, cost-effective fashion, without the need of radioactive isotopes. We accomplished PCR amplification of p53 exons 5 through 8 in 26 carcinomas, and radioactive SSCP detected p53 mutations in 13 tumors; three mutations were localized in exon 5, six in exon 6, two in exon 7, and two in exon 8. All mutations were correctly identified with nonradioactive SSCP, except for one exon 8 mutation. To establish the sensitivity of nonradioactive SSCP, DNA samples of SW480 and Caov4 were mixed with increasing amounts (0-90%) of normal DNA and subjected to PCR-SSCP analysis. Mutations were detected until the concentration of SW480 and Caov4 was 15% and 10%, respectively, of the total sample. The results of our investigation demonstrate that nonradioactive silver-stained SSCP is a sensitive, rapid, and simple technique to detect p53 mutations, even in formalin-fixed tissues, and could be easily used to investigate large series of patients to assess the clinical significance of p53 mutations in human tumors.

Carcinoma↗

The mutation in fibrinogen Bicêtre II (gamma Asn308-->Lys) does not affect the binding of t-PA and plasminogen to fibrin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions of t-PA and plasminogen with fibrin derived from an abnormal fibrinogen detected in a 40-year-old male patient who had had an episode of thrombophlebitis with pulmonary embolism. An abnormal fibrinogen was diagnosed on the basis of prolonged thrombin and reptilase times also detected in two other family members. Fibrinogen purified from plasma, in the presence of protease inhibitors, by glycine precipitations, gel filtration and affinity chromatography, was devoid of plasminogen, fibronectin, and vWf. SDS-PAGE analysis according to Laemmli under reducing conditions, showed an abnormal gamma chain (approximately 50% of the total) migrating in a more anodic position (M(r) 48 kDa). By PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, the abnormality was identified as an Asn308-->Lys mutation of the gamma chain. Since such a mutation constitutes a new plasmin cleavage site as first reported for fibrinogen Kyoto I, it may modify interactions of plasminogen and t-PA with carboxy-terminal lysine residues. Ligand-binding studies were therefore performed using intact and plasmin-degraded fibrin surfaces obtained from the abnormal fibrinogen. The plasminogen and t-PA binding isotherms obtained with the abnormal fibrinogen were similar to the control. Moreover, the stimulation by fibrin of plasminogen activation by t-PA was not different from the control. These results suggest (i) that the lysine 308 residue may not be exposed to plasmin cleavage in fibrin, and (ii) that the thrombotic accident of the propositus cannot be explained by an abnormality of the plasminogen/t-PA binding to fibrin.

Adult↗

Interleukin-7 modulates extracellular matrix production and TGF-beta signaling in cultured human subconjunctival fibroblasts.

PURPOSE: We examined the role of interleukin-7 (IL-7) in modulation of production of extracellular matrix (ECM), immunolocalization of Smads, and cell migration and expressions of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in cultured human subconjunctival fibroblasts. IL-7 is capable of inducing Smad7, an inhibitory Smad that interferes with TGF-beta/Smad signal. METHODS: The effects of IL-7 on ECM production, immunolocalization of Smads, type I collagen, fibronectin, alpha -smooth muscle actin (alpha -SMA), and cell migration were examined in human subconjunctival fibroblast culture with or without TGF-beta1. ECM production, such as type I collagen and fibronectin, was measured by immunoassay or real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell migration was examined using an in vitro wound model in monolayer cultures. We also examined the effects of IL-7, PKC inhibitor, and STAT inhibitor on the expressions of TGF-beta1 and type I collagen alpha1 chain (col1A1) m-RNA by using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: IL-7 reduced the ECM production much more markedly in the cells treated with TGF-1beta than in the control fibroblasts. TGF-beta1 strongly showed immunolocalization of phospho-Smad2, and IL-7 also showed immunolocalization of Smad7 in the nuclei. The immunoreactivities of alpha -SMA and fibronectin were weaker in the presence of IL-7 than in the control cells. IL-7 also delayed defect closure in the monolayer cell sheets, and the delay was recovered by exogenous type I collagen or fibronectin. Each of IL-7, BIS I, or AGS 490 reduced the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1 and col1A1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that IL-7 is involved in ECM production in the subconjunctival fibroblasts activated by exogenous TGF-beta1, suggesting that administration of IL-7 can be a novel therapeutic strategy in preventing undesirable bleb scar formation during healing after filtration surgery.

Actins↗

Influence of pH on the migration properties of oligonucleotides in capillary gel electrophoresis.

The effect of pH on the electrophoretic migration properties of single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides in capillary gel electrophoresis was investigated. Different homooligodeoxyribonucleotides of equal chain length showed significant differences in relative migration when the pH of the gel buffer was varied from pH 6 to 8, parallel with the running buffer. A similar variation in migration order was observed during the electrophoretic equilibration of a pH 8 gel-filled capillary column with a pH 6 running buffer. In the latter instance, the current reached the new level after 20 min of electrophoretic equilibration with the pH 6 running buffer. However, it was observed that the migration order characteristic of the pH 6 gel was achieved only after 4 h of electrophoretic equilibration. To avoid this time-consuming equilibration process, these results suggest that gel-filled capillary columns should be prepared with the same buffer (composition and pH) that will be used as the running buffer during the separations.

Buffers↗

Glycosylated human prolactin: detection by immunoblotting of biological fluids is confounded by antisera crossreactivity with immunoglobulins.

Glycosylated human prolactin is found in several biological fluids and can only be detected by western immunoblotting. Glycosylated prolactin migrates at 25,000-27,000 molecular weight while prolactin migrates at 23,000. We have discovered that several anti-human prolactin sera crossreact with some light chain components of human immunoglobulins, which also migrate at 25,000 on electrophoretic gels run under reducing conditions. Evidence is provided for prolactin binding to immunoglobulins in biological fluids, which may explain why some polyclonal anti-prolactin sera demonstrate this crossreactivity.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Replicative forms of TT virus DNA in bone marrow cells.

TT virus (TTV) is a human virus consisting of a single-stranded, circular DNA genome of 3.8 kilobases (kb). To examine whether TTV replicates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow cells (BMCs), DNA was extracted from the PBMCs and/or BMCs of six TTV-infected individuals and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The TTV DNAs from the PBMCs migrated to the 2.0- to 2.5-kb region. The TTV DNAs from the BMCs migrated to the 2.0- to 2. 5-kb and 3.3- to 6.1-kb regions. The faster-migrating TTV DNAs were sensitive to S1 nuclease, while the slower-migrating TTV DNAs were resistant and their position on the agarose gel shifted to the position of the full genomic size upon digestion with restriction enzyme PstI. Full-length inverted polymerase chain reaction on the slower-migrating, double-stranded TTV DNAs from the BMCs amplified a 3.8-kb product. Replicative intermediate forms of TTV DNA are present in BMCs but not in PBMCs.

Base Sequence↗

A post-translational modification, unrelated to hydroxylation, in the collagenous domain of nonhelical pro-alpha 2(I) procollagen chains secreted by chemically transformed hamster fibroblasts.

Transformed Syrian hamster embryo (NQT-SHE) fibroblasts do not synthesize the pro-alpha 1 subunit of type I procollagen, but secrete two modified forms of the pro-alpha 2(I) subunit that migrate more slowly than the normal chain during gel electrophoresis (Peterkofsky, B., and Prather, W. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 16818-16826). By electrophoretic analysis of cyanogen bromide and V8 protease-derived peptides from the collagenous domains of intra- and extracellular pro-alpha 2(I) chains, we find that the modification occurs almost exclusively in secreted molecules, is located in the region spanned by the cyanogen bromide peptide CB3,5, and persists when hydroxylation is inhibited. Thus, modification is due to a post-translational reaction other than hydroxylation. The modified chains appear to be secreted in the denatured state since: 1) helical structures formed at 4 degrees C under acidic conditions were unstable under neutral conditions at 37 degrees C; 2) conditions that destabilize the type I procollagen helix and thus inhibit its secretion, i.e. inhibition of proline hydroxylation or incorporation of the proline analog cis-hydroxyproline, did not affect secretion of the modified chains. The time courses for secretion of nonhelical modified chains from NQT-SHE and of hydroxylated helical procollagen I from control cells, as a proportion of total collagen synthesized, were similar. Although cis-hydroxyproline did not inhibit the secretion of the modified chains, it induced their rapid intracellular degradation.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of macrophage-derived C1q and its similarities to serum C1q.

Recently, we have shown that the collagen-like, Fc-recognizing subcomponent C1q of the first complement component is synthesized by human, guinea pig and mouse peritoneal macrophages. To test whether macrophages may contribute to the serum pool of C1q, C1q was purified from guinea pig serum and from guinea pig peritoneal macrophage supernatants and compared for similarities. Both molecules had a similar sedimentation rate (macrophage C1q: 11.3 S, serum C1q: 11.2 S) and showed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions three identical bands with molecular weights of Mr, 29 000, Mr, 27 000 and Mr 23 000 for the A, B and C chains, respectively. Both C1q molecules migrated by immunoelectrophoresis in the gamma region and, in Ouchterlony analysis, showed complete antigenic identity with rabbit anti-serum C1q. These experiments demonstrate the antigenic and protein chemical similarities between serum C1q and C1q secreted by macrophages supporting the idea that macrophages have to be considered as one potential source of serum C1q. Furthermore, macrophage-derived C1q may be of importance in the local microenvironment at an inflammatory site involving macrophages.

Animals↗