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Cultured rat microglia express C1q and receptor for C1q: implications for amyloid effects on microglia.

Senile plaques, the pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), are associated with complement components, including C1q. Reactive microglia appear to be involved in the later stages of plaque development. Since tissue macrophages are known to synthesize C1q, cultured rat microglia were examined for C1q immunoreactivity. Anti-C1q staining was detected, particularly in process-bearing microglia, indicating constitutive expression of C1q. Thus, microglia could provide a source of C1q for plaques even before becoming reactive. Since it has been previously shown that C1q binds beta 1-42, the major constituent of senile plaques, and since beta 1-42 is toxic to microglia in vitro, we asked if preincubation of beta 1-42 with C1q alters either metabolic indices of amyloid-induced degeneration in microglial cultures or the formation of amyloid deposits on these cells. While electron microscopic analysis of negatively stained amyloid fibrils confirmed that pre-incubation with C1q induced the association of C1q with the fibrils, no effect of the binding of C1q to beta 1-42 on beta 1-42 toxicity in microglia was observed. Interestingly, immunoreactivity for the C1q receptor that is known to modulate phagocytosis was found and was up-regulated in non-process-bearing microglia by interferon-gamma. While these data exclude a role for the C1q receptor in beta 1-42 toxicity in microglia, the observed expression and up-regulation of C1q receptor on microglia by interferon-gamma would be consistent with a role for C1q in complement-mediated inflammatory responses in AD and as a potential activator of microglial function in plaques.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Structure and properties of novel inclusions in Shewanella putrefaciens.

Cytoplasmic inclusions surrounded by a bilayer membrane were seen in thin sections. negatively stained and freeze-fractured preparations of Shewanella putrefaciens. Cells harvested from the late exponential and early stationary phase showed a higher number of these vesicles than bacteria isolated from early exponential or late stationary phase. Chemical dyes for polyphosphate or poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate did not stain the material enclosed within these vesicles. Elemental analysis of the material indicated that the content was organic in nature and might be a protein. HPLC analysis of the material showed that it was probably not a carbon source, nor an electron acceptor used by S. putrefaciens.

Culture Media↗

The spectrum of immunohistochemical staining of small-cell lung carcinoma in specimens from transbronchial and open-lung biopsies.

Immunohistochemistry is increasingly used as an aid in the diagnosis of small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Previous studies have investigated immunohistochemical staining of SCLC with small numbers of antibodies, but few have examined large series with a broad panel of antibodies. For this reason, the authors examined the distribution and intensity of staining of 20 open-lung biopsy (OLB) and 21 transbronchial biopsy (TBB) specimens of SCLC with a panel of epithelial, neuroendocrine, and hormonal markers. Small-cell lung carcinoma stained most frequently with epithelial markers, followed by neuroendocrine and hormonal markers. Similar percentages of OLB and TBB specimens stained for keratin (100% each) and epithelial membrane antigen (100% and 95%, respectively). Unexpectedly, BER-EP4 stained 100% of OLB specimens. Chromogranin A was the most frequent neuroendocrine marker in OLB and TBB specimens (60% and 47%, respectively) followed by neuron-specific enolase (60% and 33%), Leu-7 (40% and 24%), and synaptophysin (5% and 19%). No neuroendocrine immunohistochemical reactivity was found in 24% of TBB specimens and 20% of OLB specimens. Bombesin was the most sensitive hormonal marker (45% of OLB specimens). These results show that keratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and BER-EP4 are reliable epithelial markers for SCLC in both TBB and OLB specimens. In addition, negative staining for neuroendocrine markers, because it can occur in as many as 25% of cases, should not deter the diagnosis of SCLC.

Biomarkers↗

Ultrastructure of the purified and reconstituted Na/K-ATPase of the avian salt gland.

Na/K-ATPase of salt-stressed salt glands of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos) was purified in membrane-bound form by incubation of the microsomal fraction with sodium dodecylsulphate and ATP followed by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. Gel electrophoresis of the purified plasma membrane preparation substantially showed the two polypeptide subunits of the Na/K-ATPase both of which stained with the periodic acid-Schiff reagent. About 99% of the total ATPase activity was ouabain-inhibitable amounting to 1300 mumol Pi/(mg protein X h) of specific activity. The anion-stimulated, ouabain-insensitive ATPase increased parallel to the Na/K-ATPase up to the microsomal fraction until it totally vanished during SDS incubation. Electron microscopy of thin sections revealed that the purified fraction consisted of flat and cup-shaped triple-layered membrane fragments. Particles arranged into clusters and strands were visible as 3 to 5 nm surface particles in negatively stained suspensions and as 8 to 10 nm intramembraneous particles in freeze fracture replicas. The differential distribution of the intramembraneous particles on the fracture faces reflected the structural membrane asymmetry. Solubilization of Na/K-ATPase led to the disappearance of intramembraneous particles. Incorporation of the solubilized enzyme into phosphatidylcholine vesicles again showed 8 to 10 nm particles apparently orientated at random in the artificial membrane. Control liposomes prepared in the absence of solubilized enzyme were devoid of intramembraneous particles. These results clearly demonstrate that the avian salt gland Na/K-ATPase exists as 8 to 10 nm particles in both the purified plasma membrane and the artificial phospholipid membrane.

Animals↗

An immunofluorescence study of influenza virus filament formation.

A study is described in which filamentous forms of influenza virus were observed budding from host cell surfaces. Cell cultures infected with influenza virus were stained by indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum to purified haemagglutinin. Filaments greater than 100 micrometers in length, with several branch points along their length were observed; the number and length of filaments varied according to the virus strain and the time after infection. Examination of infected cells by electron microscopy confirmed the presence of branched structures with an ultrastructure typical of filamentous forms of influenza virus. The immunofluorescence technique was quicker than thin section electron microscopy and was a more sensitive procedure for the detection of filamentous forms of influenza virus than electron microscopy using negative stain. It also enabled the antigenic composition of the filaments to be observed.

Animals↗

Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus mutants altered in type 5 capsule production.

Most clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus produce microcapsules (uronic acid-containing extracellular polysaccharides) that are detectable by serologic methods but are not visible by negative staining. Among the 11 reported serotypes, capsule types 5 and 8 comprise approximately 75% of all isolates. Transposon mutagenesis was performed on S. aureus to create mutants altered in capsule expression. Tn918 was introduced into the capsule type 5 strain Reynolds by filter mating, and a capsule-deficient transconjugate, JL236, was isolated. The wild-type strain was transformed with JL236 chromosomal DNA to confirm that transfer of the appropriate-size chromosomal fragment containing Tn918 generated a capsule-deficient transformant. Strain Reynolds was mutagenized with ethyl methanesulfonate to obtain a capsule-negative mutant (strain JL240). Capsular phenotypes were determined by colony immunoblots, antibody adsorption experiments, and transmission electron microscopy. The virulences of the parental and mutant strains in mice were compared. The 50% lethal doses for strains Reynolds, JL236, and JL240 were similar (10(8.59), 10(8.98), and 10(8.93) CFU, respectively). Animals injected intraperitoneally with either wild-type or mutant strains had comparable levels of bacteremia at 3 and 24 h after challenge. Quantitative cultures of blood and kidneys from animals challenged intravenously with sublethal doses of the S. aureus strains also showed no differences in bacterial clearance or renal abscess formation. These studies indicate that the type 5 S. aureus microcapsule does not promote bacterial virulence in the animal models tested.

Animals↗

An adhesive protein capsule of Escherichia coli.

The nature of the adhesive capacity of three hemagglutinating Escherichia coli strains that had earlier been described as nonfimbriated was studied. The strains that were isolated from human disease adhered to human buccal and urinary tract epithelial cells, an adhesion that was not inhibited by D-mannose. By crossed immunoelectrophoresis it was shown that the three strains produced a common antigen, Z1, developed after growth at 37 degrees C but not 18 degrees C. One of the strains produced an additional antigen, Z2, of almost the same electrophoretic mobility in crossed immunoelectrophoresis. A mutant of this strain deficient of its polysaccharide K antigen had maintained the adhesive capacity, indicating that the K antigen was not responsible for adhesion. A further mutant of the acapsular mutant produced a strongly reduced amount of the Z antigens and had lost the ability to adhere. The Z1 (and Z2?) antigens were therefore deemed to be responsible for adhesion. In sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of extracts of cells of the three strains, a heavy Coomassie-blue stained line was seen, indicating the presence of a protein subunit of molecular weight slightly above 14,400. By immunoblotting with absorbed antiserum, it was shown that this protein was the same as that detected by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Protease from Streptomyces griseus, but not trypsin, digested the protein. Heating to 100 degrees C did not affect it. By immunoelectron microscopy of embedded and sectioned bacteria that had first been treated with specific antisera and ferritin-labeled antirabbit immunoglobulin, the protein adhesin-antibody complex was found to surround the bacteria as a heavy capsule. After negative staining with uranylacetate (pH approximately 4), the capsule appeared as a mesh of very fine filaments. The possible role of this capsule in the pathogenesis of disease is discussed.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Seborrheic keratosis with basal clear cells: a distinctive microscopic mimic of melanoma in situ.

BACKGROUND: We observed seborrheic keratoses with many basilar clear cells, creating a microscopic pattern that mimicked a seborrheic keratosis involved by melanoma in situ. OBJECTIVE: We sought to report a series of these seborrheic keratoses and the immunohistochemical stains used to reach a proper diagnosis. METHODS: We reviewed 9 cases of seborrheic keratosis that had a distinctive pattern of basal clear cells with ample cytoplasm. All cases were evaluated by conventional microscopy, and Melan-A, S-100, and high molecular weight keratin 903 immunostains. RESULTS: The basal clear cells failed to react with Melan-A and S-100 protein antisera. In contrast, these cells labeled with an antikeratin antibody in all cases. In all, 7/9 (78%) showed immunopositivity only at the peripheries of cells, creating a pattern that could be mistaken for a negative stain if not examined at high magnification. LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective review of cases limited to a large referral dermatopathology service. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a previously uncharacterized pattern of seborrheic keratosis that can microscopically mimic melanoma in situ. Careful conventional microscopy coupled with a panel of immunostains can allow the proper diagnosis to be reached.

Aged↗

Effect of various hepatic membrane fractions on microtubule assembly-with special emphasis on the role of membrane phospholipids.

This report describes an interaction between rat brain microtubule protein and various hepatic fractions in vitro. Purified preparations of Golgi membranes, plasma membrane, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membranes, and mitochondria were obtained from the livers of 200-g rats. Several concentrations of fresh or sonicated frozen membranes were incubated with twice-cycled rat brain microtubule protein in a microtubule assembly buffer for 60 min at 30 degrees C. Changes in microtubule assembly were assessed either by quantitative electron microscopy on negatively stained samples or by spectrophotometric methods. The results show that all the tested membranes "bound" microtubule protein, preventing assembly: Golgi and plasma membranes, as well as mitochondria, were especially potent in this regard. To identify the membrane-associated components responsible for microtubule protein binding, the membranes were extracted with methanol-chloroform, and liposomes were prepared from the resulting lipids. Microtubule protein incubated with these liposomes showed a differential ability to assemble that was similar to the effect obtained with intact membranes. Membrane-extracted phospholipids were identified as the lipid component responsible for these changes, with the negatively charged phospholipids (cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine) being uniquely active. These findings indicate that hepatic membranes differentially interact with brain microtubule protein; this interaction may be dependent on membrane phospholipids.

Animals↗

Expression of c-erb B-2 oncogene product in persistent gestational trophoblastic disease.

OBJECTIVE: Much debate exists on the initiation of chemotherapy for women at risk for persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. This is a result of a lack of early predictors for the development of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease after evacuation of a complete hydatidiform mole, because the only current reliable method of detection and diagnosis lies in persistent or rising postmolar beta-human chorionic gonadotropin values. We used immunocytochemical techniques to retrospectively study the expression of the c-erb B-2 oncogene product in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded trophoblastic tissues as a potential indicator of the development of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study 56 trophoblastic tumors were examined by means of immunocytochemical techniques to stain for the oncogene product for evidence of c-erb B-2 expression. Our 56 cases included original tissue from 20 cases of complete mole that progressed to persistent gestational trophoblastic disease, seven cases of choriocarcinoma after term pregnancy or abortion, and 29 cases of hydatidiform mole representing postevacuation, spontaneously regressing disease (including one partial mole). We also studied 11 cases of first-trimester trophoblast and 15 cases of term placenta as additional controls. RESULTS: Our results showed positive immunostaining for c-erb B-2 gene product in one case of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease, with negative staining in all other cases in the study groups and controls. CONCLUSION: Analysis for the significance of c-erb B-2 expression in persistent gestational trophoblastic disease showed that this correlation between c-erb B-2 expression and persistent gestational trophoblastic disease is not significant, suggesting that future efforts should be directed at the involvement of different oncoproteins.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Formic acid pretreatment enhances immunostaining of cerebral and systemic amyloids.

The purpose of this study was to design a method by which immunoperoxidase staining can be applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections to demonstrate amyloid deposits in cerebral and systemic amyloidotic tissues. We used anti-prion protein, anti-beta-protein, anti-amyloid A, and anti-prealbumin antisera. The tissue sections were first treated with 100% formic acid for 5, 20, or 60 minutes and the unlabeled immunoperoxidase method (biotin-streptavidin system reagents) was used. This formic acid pretreatment enhanced immunoreactivity of the amyloid deposits which reacted positively with specific antiserum. The specificity of the immunostainings was well preserved. This method can also be used to demonstrate interspecies cross-reactivity, by using anti-human amyloid A and anti-scrapie hamster prion protein antisera, which stained negatively or faintly with amyloid deposits of heterogenous species. The technique is expected to reveal the buried epitopes of amyloid deposits in tissue sections.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Overexpression of c-ErbB-2 protein in gastric cancer by immunohistochemical stain.

An immunohistochemical stain to the c-ErbB-2 protein was performed in 225 paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who underwent curative resection. The overexpression of the c-ErbB-2 protein was observed in 27.4% of the patients. The c-ErbB-2 positivity showed a statistically significant correlation with nodal status and stage. The patients with an overexpression of the c-ErbB-2 protein had a tendency to a shorter survival than those without, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). The 5-year survival rate after surgery was 54% in the negative staining group to the c-ErbB-2 protein and 49% in the positive staining group. This suggests that the c-ErbB-2 protein has a possible role in lymph node metastasis. Therefore overexpression of the c-ErbB-2 protein is a useful indicator of disease progression in gastric carcinoma patients who received curative surgery.

Adult↗

Ultrastructure of the Bacteroides nodosus cell envelope layers and surface.

The surface structure and cell envelope layers of various virulent Bacteroides nodosus strains were examined by light microscopy and by electron microscopy by using negative staining, thin-section, and freeze-fracture-etch techniques. Three surface structures were described: pili and a diffuse material, both of which emerged from one or both poles of the bacteria (depending on the stage of growth and division), and large rodlike structures (usually 30 to 40 nm in diameter) associated with a small proportion of the bacterial population. No capsule was detected. The cell envelope consisted of four layers: a plasma membrane, a peptidoglycan layer, an outer membrane, and an outermost additional layer. The additional layer was composed of subunits, generally hexagonally packed with center-to-center spacing of 6 to 7 nm. The outer membrane and plasma membrane freeze-fractured through their hydrophobic regions revealing four fracture faces with features similar to those of other gram-negative bacteria. However, some unusual features were seen on the fracture faces of the outer membrane: large raised ring structure (11 to 12 nm in diameter) on cw 3 at the poles of the bacteria; complementary pits or ring-shaped depressions on cw 2; and small raised ring structures (7 to 8 nm in diameter) all over cw 2.

Bacteroides↗

Location of the fracture faces within the cell envelope of Acinetobacter species strain MJT-F5-5.

The cell wall of the gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter species strain MJT/F5/5 shows in thin section an external "additional" layer, an outer membrane, an intermediate layer, and a dense layer. Negatively stained preparations showed that the additional layer is composed of hexagonally arranged subunits. In glycerol-treated preparations, freeze-etching revealed that the cell walls consist of four layers, with the main plane of fracture between layers cw 2 and cw 3. The surface of [Formula: see text] 2 consisted of densely packed particles, whereas [Formula: see text] 3 appeared to be fibrillar. In cell envelopes treated with lysozyme by various methods, the removal of the dense layer has detached the outer membrane and additional layer from the underlying layers, as shown in thin sections. When freeze-etched in the absence of glycerol, these detached outer membranes with additional layers fractured to reveal both the faces [Formula: see text] 2 and [Formula: see text] 3 with their characteristic surface structures, and, in addition, both the external and internal etched surfaces were revealed. This experiment provided conclusive evidence that the main fracture plane in the cell wall lies within the interior of the outer membrane. This and other evidence showed that the corresponding layers in thin sections and freeze-etched preparations are: the additional layer, cw 1; the outer membrane, cw (2 + 3); and the intermediate and dense layers together from cw 4. Because of similarities in structure between this Acinetobacter and other gram-negative bacteria, it seemed probable that the interior of the outer membrane is the plane most liable to fracture in the cell walls of most gram-negative bacteria.

Alcaligenes↗

The role of the estrogen receptor in uterine epithelial proliferation and cytodifferentiation in neonatal mice.

We have examined the relationship between localization of estrogen receptor (ER) and selected cell responses induced by estrogen in the neonatal CD-1 mouse uterus. The following simultaneous staining techniques were used to determine whether only uterine epithelial cells with ER are capable of showing proliferative and secretory activities after estrogen treatment: 1) ER localization and [3H]thymidine incorporation using immunohistochemistry and autoradiography; and 2) immunohistochemical double staining of ER and an estrogen-induced secretory protein lactoferrin (LF). Uterine tissues from two strains (CD-1 and BALB/c) mice on day 4 of age showed detectable ER by immunostaining in both epithelial and stromal cells. Day 4 CD-1 mice received a single injection of diethylstilbestrol (DES; 20 micrograms/kg BW). The percentage of ER-immunostained uterine epithelial cells and the intensity of the staining rapidly increased from 6-36 h, indicating that estrogen stimulates the expression and detectability of ER during the course of hormone treatment. Twenty-eight and 81% of epithelial cells showed positive ER immunostaining 6 and 24 h, respectively, after the DES treatment. The intensity of ER-immunostained stromal cells, however, was slightly decreased by the treatment. DES administration elicited epithelial cell proliferation. Labeling indices of epithelial cells reached a maximum (approximately 44%) 12 h after an injection of DES, and a second small peak was recognized 24 h after the treatment. Labeling indices of positively ER-immunostained epithelial cells and those of negatively stained epithelial cells showed almost the same pattern for 6-18 h after treatment. The respective maximum values were 45% and 43%. When day 4 mice were given three daily injections of DES in saline and killed 12 and 24 h after the last injection, significant amounts of LF were recognized in the apical cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. The epithelial cells that showed LF immunostaining always exhibited ER immunostaining in the nuclei. These results suggest that exogenous estrogen elicits increased expression of ER, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation in neonatal uterine epithelial cells associated with low levels of ER, while there was a direct relationship with the presence of ER in epithelial cells and the induction of LF.

Animals↗

Electron microscopy of adhesive interactions between Gardnerella vaginalis and vaginal epithelial cells, McCoy cells and human red blood cells.

Exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells with attached bacteria, termed 'clue cells', which were procured from a patient with non-specific vaginitis, were stained with ruthenium red and examined by transmission electron microscopy. The attached bacteria appeared to adhere by means of an outer fibrillar coat. An epithelial tissue culture cell line (McCoy) and human red blood cells to which strains of Gardnerella vaginalis attached were similarly examined. The adherence of G. vaginalis to the epithelial cell line appeared to be mediated by an outer fibrillar coat while adherence to red cells appeared to be mediated by fimbriae. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on the Gardnerella strains used. Thin sections of tissue-culture-adherent strains revealed a dense outer fibrillar coat whereas the surface of the haemagglutinating strains showed fine fimbriae. Negative staining of haemagglutinating strains demonstrated fimbriae on a minority of organisms.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Fine structure of Listeria monocytogenes in relation to protoplast formation.

Among the eight strains of Listeria monocytogenes tested for lysozyme sensitivity, two were resistant to lysozyme but became sensitive after lipase pretreatment. Among the other six, one was very sensitive to lipase and another one was extremely susceptible to lysozyme. Stable protoplasts were formed from the lysozyme-resistant strain (42) by lipase and lysozyme treatment, which completely digested the cell wall. The cell wall (uranyl acetate-lead stained) was of a thick triple-layered profile, with the intermediate layer of low density. Lipase treatment for a short time (60 min) did not cause any alteration in structure, but prolonged treatment (180 min) caused extensive digestion of the plasma membrane and the cell wall, liberating cytoplasmic material. When the cells were treated with either lipase or lysozyme, a small number of protoplasts were extruded through the partly digested or weakened transverse cell wall, leaving an almost intact cell wall ghost. There were small vesicular structures in the interspace between cell wall and plasma membrane. Mesosomes of varied organization were prominent in electron micrographs, both in sections and in negatively stained preparations. These were largely everted during protoplasting in the form of tubules and as small peripheral buds; a few small vesicles also remained as intrusive structures, some of which were very unusual because they appeared to be enclosed by the inner layer of plasma membrane alone. Lysis of the protoplasts by dilution of the sucrose, while maintaining a constant ionic environment, liberated many small vesicular structures and fibrillar nuclear material.

Cell Wall↗

Sensitivity and specificity of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride in the gross diagnosis of acute myocardial infarcts.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of sudden death in the United States. However, the identification of early myocardial infarcts at necropsy is frequently difficult, since unequivocal gross changes of infarcts do not become apparent for 24 to 48 hours following myocardial ischemic injury. The use of dyes, such as nitro-blue tetrazolium and 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), that identify the dehydrogenase-deficient infarcted myocardium has been shown, largely by animal studies, to be very helpful in the macroscopic diagnosis of such cases. Such animal studies could not be directly extrapolated to human autopsy studies, however, because of the assumption that autolysis may invalidate the histochemical assessment of myocardial enzymatic changes after death. This study was carried out to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of TTC in the gross diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in the human population. DESIGN: The TTC stain reactions were correlated with histologic findings in the hearts of 638 consecutive adult autopsies. RESULTS: Of the 638 hearts examined by TTC, 174 hearts stained positive for acute infarction; histology confirmed myocardial infarction in 140 hearts. Histologic examination revealed acute infarcts in 41 of the remaining 464 cases that had stained negatively with TTC. The use of TTC in the macroscopic diagnosis of acute myocardial infarcts in the human population was found to have a diagnostic sensitivity of 77.4% and a specificity of 92.6%. The predictive value of a positive test was 80.5%, and that of a negative test was 91.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The overall diagnostic efficiency of the TTC test (ie, number of patients correctly identified) was 88%. These results show that the TTC test is a reliable, sensitive, and specific adjunct in the examination of the human heart at necropsy.

Adolescent↗