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The use of a new in vitro reaction substrate reproducing both U3 and U5 regions of the HIV-1 3'-ends increases the correlation between the in vitro and in vivo effects of the HIV-1 integrase inhibitors.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) is an attractive target for the development of new antiviral therapies. Recently, several HIV-1 recombinant IN (rIN) in vitro inhibitors have been described. However, the great majority of them failed to block the virus replication in cell-based assays, suggesting the inadequacy of the in vitro assay systems used for inhibitor screening. To improve these systems, we designed a 40(mer) duplex DNA reaction substrate consisting of recognition sequences from both U3 and U5 HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) termini. The HIV-1 rIN was able to catalyze its enzyme activities recognizing both ends of the 40(mer) dsDNA. Using this substrate we assayed the effects on rIN catalysis of different classes of compounds which inhibit the HIV-1 rIN in vitro when the reaction substrate is the standard 21(mer) U5 dsDNA, and that are either active or inactive on the HIV-1 replication. We also compared the efficacy of these compounds when added to the reaction before or after the formation of the rIN-dsDNA complex. In this system, the enzyme preincubation with the two-ended 40(mer) dsDNA before the addition of the compounds allowed a strong correlation between the effects of hydroxylated aromatics derivatives on rIN activity in cell-free assays and their effects on viral replication in cell-culture assays. This increase in drug selectivity of the rIN in vitro assay was explored by investigating whether it was due to the length of the 40(mer), longer than the standard 21(mer), or to presence of both viral ends, versus only one viral end. To this purpose we designed four 40(mer) oligonucleotides containing either only one viral end or two-repetitive ends, finding that the architecture of the rIN-dsDNA complex and its compound susceptibility is significantly influenced by the sequence of the dsDNA substrate.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Development of porcine embryos in vivo and in vitro; evidence for embryo 'cross talk' in vitro.

The in vitro development of zygotes of domestic species to the blastocyst stage is facilitated by culture in groups, suggesting a role for autocrine/paracrine factors. A novel method was used to investigate the potential role of such factors using in-vitro-produced and in-vivo-derived porcine embryos. The development of individual zygotes to the blastocyst stage was optimal when they were cultured 81-160 mum apart. As the distance between the embryos was increased, blastocyst rates declined significantly, reaching zero beyond 640 mum. Blastocyst volume and cell number (both inner cell mass and trophectoderm) were also increased when the distance apart was between 81 and 160 mum. Culturing embryos in groups at different stages of development suggested that group culture confers a greater advantage to development after the activation of the genome. Group culture of in-vivo-derived embryos showed a weak distance effect. The results suggest a role for as yet unknown diffusible paracrine/autocrine factors released by early porcine embryos in promoting the growth of neighbouring embryos in vitro. This advantage is observed to a lesser extent by in-vivo-derived zygotes which are likely to have been better conditioned for development in vitro by being conceived in the female reproductive tract.

Analysis of Variance↗

PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles of cisplatin: in vitro nanoparticle degradation, in vitro drug release and in vivo drug residence in blood properties.

The in vitro nanoparticle degradation, in vitro drug release and in vivo drug residence in blood properties of PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles of cisplatin were investigated. The nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsion method and characterized with regard to their morphology, size, zeta potential and drug loading. The rate of in vitro degradation of the PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles in PBS (pH 7.4) depended on their composition, increasing when the mPEG content (mPEG:PLGA ratio) of the nanoparticles increased. Sustained cisplatin release over several hours from the PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles in vitro (PBS) was observed. The composition of the nanoparticles affected drug release: the rate of release increased when the mPEG content of the nanoparticles increased. Within the range of drug loadings investigated, the drug loading of the nanoparticles did not have any significant effect on drug release. The loading efficiency was low and needs improvement in order to obtain PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles with a satisfactory cisplatin content for therapeutic application. The i.v. administration of PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles of cisplatin in BALB/c mice resulted in prolonged cisplatin residence in systemic blood circulation. The results appear to justify further investigation of the suitability of the PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles for the controlled i.v. delivery and/or targeting of cisplatin.

Animals↗

The influence of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol and zearalenol on in vitro maturation of pig oocytes and in vitro culture of pig zygotes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of specific toxins on in vitro maturation and embryo culture. alpha- and beta-zearalenol were tested at increasing levels from 3.75 to 90 microM and deoxynivalenol from 0.94 to 7.5 microM in order to evaluate the effect on in vitro maturation rate of porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes. Furthermore, the influence of alpha-zearalenol (3.75-30 microM) was appraised on the developmental competence of in vivo-derived zygotes during 5 days of in vitro culture. All three substances affected maturation and degeneration rates in a dose-dependent manner, but to different extents. Significant differences were obtained at a concentration of 7.5 microM alpha-zearalenol and higher. beta-zearalenol negatively affected the process of oocyte development beginning at a concentration of 30.0 microM (P<0.05). Deoxynivalenol had significant influence on oocyte maturation at a concentration of 1.88 microM (31.4 vs 79.3% for control). Differences in embryonic development in vitro were observed at a concentration of 15 microM alpha-zearalenol (P<0.05). These data demonstrate a negative effect of alpha-zearalenol on embryonic development of zygotes, and a compound-specific, dose-dependent negative effect of the three substances on meiotic progression of porcine oocytes.

Animals↗

A comparison of the covalent binding of clozapine, procainamide, and vesnarinone to human neutrophils in vitro and rat tissues in vitro and in vivo.

Covalent binding of drug reactive metabolites to neutrophils or their precursors is thought to play a role in the development of drug-induced agranulocytosis. In this study, we used immunochemical techniques to compare the covalent binding of clozapine, vesnarinone, and procainamide (three drugs associated with agranulocytosis) to phorbol-12,13-myristate acetate (PMA)-activated human neutrophils in vitro and rat tissues in vivo. In PMA-activated human neutrophils in vitro, clozapine and procainamide modified neutrophil proteins with molecular masses ranging from 30 to 200 kDa, while vesnarinone predominately formed adducts with molecular masses greater than 70 kDa. All three drugs formed adducts at 126, 98, and 58 kDa, and they all covalently bound to human myeloperoxidase when incubated with this enzyme and H2O2 in vitro. Covalent binding to PMA-activated neutrophils was inhibited by nucleophiles, such as glutathione and N-acetylcysteine, but not by N-acetyllysine. In the presence of the PMA, all three drugs covalently bound to activated rat bone marrow cells in vitro, while in its absence only clozapine did. Covalently modified liver proteins were observed in rats treated for 6 weeks with clozapine (25 or 50 mg/kg/day), vesnarinone (300 mg/kg/day), or procainamide (50 mg/kg/day). Clozapine extensively modified proteins in all subcellular fractions; procainamide formed a 99 kDa adduct in a membrane-containing fraction and 57, 47, and 36 kDa adducts in a cytosolic fraction, while vesnarinone formed liver-protein adducts with molecular masses of 82, 62, 49, and 40 kDa in membrane, cytosolic, and S9 fractions. In addition, clozapine and procainamide, but not vesnarinone, formed a 49 kDa drug-protein adduct in the bone marrow of treated rats. Furthermore, procainamide covalently bound to a 58 kDa protein in neutrophils of a patient treated with the drug. We suspect that covalent modification of common targets in the neutrophils by these three drugs plays a role in the development of drug-induced agranulocytosis.

Animals↗

Prediction of in vivo tissue distribution from in vitro data. 3. Correlation between in vitro and in vivo tissue distribution of a homologous series of nine 5-n-alkyl-5-ethyl barbituric acids.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability to determine accurate in vivo tissue-to-unbound plasma distribution coefficients (Kpue) from in vitro data. METHODS: Fresh pieces of fifteen rat tissues/organs were incubated at 37 degrees C with a homologous series of nine barbiturates covering a wide range of lipophilicity (Log P 0.02 to 4.13). Steady-state in vivo Kpue values were estimated from the tissue and plasma concentrations following simultaneous dosing by constant rate i.v. infusion of all nine barbiturates. Drug concentrations in the tissues and media were determined by HPLC with UV or mass spectrometric detection. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics of the barbiturate series following constant rate i.v. infusion indicated a range of clearance (0.49 to 30 ml x min(-1) x kg(-1)) and volume of distribution at steady state (0.51 to 1.9 l x kg(-1)) values. Good agreement was observed between the in vitro and in vivo Kpu values, although for the most lipophilic barbiturates the in vitro data underpredicted the in vivo tissue distribution for all tissues. CONCLUSION: The in vitro system for predicting the extent of in vivo tissue distribution works well for compounds of widely differing lipophilicity, although for the most lipophilic drugs it may result in an underprediction of in vivo values.

Animals↗

Mouse spleen lymphoblasts generated in vitro. Their replication and differentiation in vitro.

Mouse spleen lymphoblasts induced with lipopolysaccharide and fetal calf serum were obtained in high yield and purity in their first proliferative cell cycle by floatation in dense bovine plasma albumin columns (3). The blasts were maintained in vitro for 3 more days. The cultures were examined in bulk on each day, and in addition, those cells in S phase initially were tagged with [(3)H]thymidine and followed continuously in vitro. Grain count dilution data indicated that most blasts divided but twice over a 2- to 3-day interval in vitro. [(3)H]Thymidine pulse radiolabeling and flow microfluorometry suggested that at least 50-70 percent of the proliferating blasts withdrew from proliferative activity after 2-3 days of culture. Morphologic studies demonstrated that lymphoblasts persisted as such for 1-2 days in vitro and then matured into typical plasma cells. Many of the blastprogeny had small nuclei and considerable basophilic cytoplasm on Giemsa-stained cell smears; abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum by electron microscopy; and readily detectable cytoplasmic Ig by immunocytochemistry. Reversion of blasts to small lymphocytes could not be detected; however, some blasts persisted even after 3 days of culture. The viability of the cultured lymphoblast was followed by initially tagging the cells with [(3)H]thymidine as well as several other techniques. Little cell death was documented during the first day of culture. The number of labeled progeny increased twofold whereas the grain count halved. But 40- 50 percent of the cell-associated label was lost during each of the second and third days, and fewer labeled progeny than predicted by grain count dilution were identified. The culture medium could not be implicated in this loss of lymphoblast progeny, and we suggest that the maturation of the lymphoblast to a short-lived plasma cell was responsible. Therefore mitogen-stimulated B blasts seem to mature into typical plasma cells after just two cycles of cell division. The plasma cells resemble those produced in situ during an immune response in their cytologic features, withdrawal from active proliferative activity, and short life-span.

Animals↗

In vitro transcription of bacteriophage phi 29 DNA. Correlation between in vitro and in vivo promoters.

The phi 29 DNA in vitro transcription initiation sites have been accurately mapped by S1 protection experiments. The results obtained indicated that the B. subtilis RNA polymerase containing the sigma 43 subunit basically recognized the same set of phi 29 promoters in vitro as those used in vivo. In addition, the sequence of the phi 29 early A2a promoter used both in vitro and in vivo has been determined as well as the precise nucleotide where initiation of transcription from the C2 promoter occurs in vitro.

Bacillus subtilis↗

In vitro antibiotic susceptibilities of ocular isolates in North and South America. In Vitro Antibiotic Testing Group.

PURPOSE: To assess the in vitro susceptibility of ocular bacterial isolates from North and South America to antiinfectives that are commonly used in the treatment of external ocular infection. METHODS: Ocular isolates (n = 1,291) from 12 laboratories in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina were tested for their susceptibility to ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and erythromycin using both disk-diffusion and broth-dilution methods. RESULTS: When the results from disk-diffusion and broth-dilution testing were combined, the relative overall in vitro efficacy was (in decreasing order): ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, tobramycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Against gram-positive organisms it was: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin equivalent to chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and erythromycin equivalent to tobramycin. Against gram-negative organisms it was: ofloxacin equivalent to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline comparable to erythromycin. CONCLUSIONS: The fluoroquinolones ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and norfloxacin had higher overall in vitro efficacy than the other antibiotics tested. Of the fluoroquinolones, ofloxacin had the highest in vitro efficacy against gram-positive organisms. All three fluoroquinolones were equivalent in efficacy against gram-negative organisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

In vitro macrophage endotoxin tolerance: defective in vitro macrophage map kinase signal transduction after LPS pretreatment is not present in macrophages from C3H/HeJ endotoxin resistant mice.

Altered endotoxin (LPS) signal transduction in macrophages (Mphi) may mediate development of organ dysfunction in sepsis. C3H/HeJ Mphi have a specific genetic defect that renders them "tolerant" to in vitro LPS activation. LPS tolerance can be induced in normal C3H/HeN Mphi following in vitro LPS pretreatment. In these experiments, in vitro LPS-stimulated activation of Mphi mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases were compared in C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeN Mphi were cultured+/-10 ng/mL LPS pretreatment for 24 h, then stimulated with 0-1,000 ng/mL LPS for 6 h. Western blots were performed on lysates with monoclonal antibody to active ERK1,2 (p42/44), stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK, p54/46), and p38 kinase. Supernatant TNF or IL-1 was determined by bioassay. High dose LPS stimulation activated ERK, SAPK, and p38 kinases in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ Mphi. ERK activation, p46 SAPK, and p38 activation were inhibited in C3H/HeN Mphi after LPS pretreatment, whereas they were unchanged or increased in HeJ Mphi. TNF secretion was significantly decreased in C3H/HeN Mphi following LPS pretreatment, but absent in C3H/HeJ Mphi at all times. Mphi from normal C3H/HeN mice rendered endotoxin tolerant by in vitro, low dose LPS pretreatment have specific signal transduction defects that are not present in genetically LPS hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice.

Animals↗

Up-regulation by cyclosporine (CsA) of the in vitro release of soluble CD23 (sCD23) and of the in vitro production of IL-6 and IgM.

In the present study, we examined the effect of CsA on the in vitro production of Ig and on the in vitro production of molecules known to have B-cell growth and differentiation activities, such as IL-6 and sCD23. For the purpose of this study, we developed an experimental in vitro system closely resembling an in vivo model of ongoing B-cell activation. Pre-activated B cells proliferated and produced IgM optimally when they were re-cultured in the presence of IL-2/IL-6. CsA down-regulated the IL-2/IL-6-induced proliferative responses of pre-activated B cells by at least 50%, but it up-regulated IgM production in the same experiments. This up-regulating effect was not cytokine-related since it was also seen when cells were re-cultured in the absence of any cytokines. Optimal release of sCD23 was observed when SAC-pre-activated B cells were re-cultured in the presence of IL-4 or IL-4 plus IL-2 and CsA up-regulated significantly the release of this molecule in these cultures. Finally, CsA was shown to inhibit PHA-induced cell proliferation of PBMC and to up-regulate IL-6 production in the same cultures. We conclude that CsA can amplify in vitro both the production of Ig and the release of sCD23 by pre-activated B cells. This finding, in combination with the CsA-induced up-regulation of lectin-induced IL-6 production, may have clinical implications in disease states with an ongoing immune activation, where prolonged administration of CsA might be anticipated.

B-Lymphocytes↗

A new in vitro translation system for non-radioactive assay from tobacco chloroplasts: effect of pre-mRNA processing on translation in vitro.

We previously developed an in vitro translation system derived from tobacco chloroplasts. Here, we report a significantly improved in vitro translation system. By modifying preparation procedures for chloroplast extracts and reaction conditions, we achieved 100-fold higher translation activity than the previous system. The new system does not require the supplement of Escherichia coli tRNAs due to the omission of micrococcal nuclease treatment, thus the tRNA population reflects the intrinsic tRNA population in tobacco chloroplasts. The rate of translation initiation from a variety of chloroplast mRNAs may be measured by monitoring the fluorescence intensity of synthesized green fluorescent protein, which is a non-radioactive detection method. Incorporation of an amino acid linked to a fluorescent dye also allows detection of the translation products in vitro. Using our new system, we found that mRNAs carrying unprocessed or processed atpH and rbcL 5'-UTRs were efficiently translated at similar rates, whereas translation of mRNAs with processed atpB and psbB 5'-UTRs was more efficient than those with unprocessed 5'-UTRs. These results suggest that the role of 5'-UTR processing in the regulation of chloroplast gene expression differs between mRNAs. The new in vitro translation system will be a powerful tool to investigate the mechanism of chloroplast mRNA translation.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Experimental study for the development of an in vitro test for contact allergens. 2. Comparison of the in vitro sensitization test with the guinea pig maximization test for contact allergens.

We have previously reported an in vitro hapten-specific sensitization method using Pam-212 cells (in vitro sensitization test) to identify the potential effectiveness of contact allergens. In the present study, we conducted comparison studies of 11 allergens and 2 irritants in order to evaluate the method as an alternative predictive test. The guinea pig maximization test (GPMT) was developed based on the test described by Magnusson and Kligman. Our assay was carried out as follows: we treated Pam-212 cells with 13 test chemical solutions, while T cells and macrophages of BALB/c mice were cultured with hapten-conjugated Pam-212 cells for 5 days. After incubation, 10(5) T cells were stimulated with mitomycin-C-treated spleen cells conjugated with chemicals. Three days later, the [3H]methyl thymidine incorporation was counted. The results of the GPMT were in agreement with those reported in previous studies except for benzocaine. In our GPMT experiments, benzocaine was negative, but it had been classified as a moderate sensitizer in previous studies. Our assay detected extreme, strong and moderate sensitizers as previously classified by the GPMT They could be summarized as follows: three of five chemicals classified as moderate sensitizers, and 100% of strong or extreme sensitizers were detected by both the GPMT and the in vitro sensitization test. No irritants showed a positive reaction in our assay. These results support the view that the sensitivity of our in vitro test may be equivalent to that of the GPMT and may be useful as a rapid and objective allergen screening test.

Allergens↗

In vitro tumor angiogenesis assays: plasminogen lysine binding site 1 inhibits in vitro tumor-induced angiogenesis.

It is generally accepted that tumors are angiogenesis-dependent. For research and clinical purposes it would be very attractive to have a simple in vitro model that allows a rapid screening of the angiogenic potential of tumors and to study the effect of angiogenic inhibitors. In vitro angiogenesis models were developed, based on endothelial sprouting/tube formation on a collagen gel, using both tumor cell lines and tumor biopsies. Best results were obtained using conditioned medium of tumor cell lines. In this model it was found that the plasminogen fragment lysine binding site 1 (LBS-1) inhibited in vitro endothelial cell sprouting. This is the first demonstration that LBS-1, which includes angiostatin, is inhibitory for new vessel formation in an in vitro angiogenesis model. We conclude that the assay system allows for rapid and reliable screening of angiogenesis inhibitors.

Animals↗

[In vitro sensitivity testing of human kidney tumors to cytostatic drugs with a rapid in vitro test].

We present a new modified in vitro culture assay for primary human renal cell carcinoma similar to the 'soft agar clonogenic assay'. However, the carrying out and expense of metrology are more simplified, allowing tumor-specific chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity testing under easier conditions. Twelve different samples of human renal carcinoma and one sample of a transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis were tested for in vitro chemotherapy sensitivity using this modified colony-forming assay. The rate of tumor cells establishing in culture was 100%. Corresponding to clinical experience we observed a nearly complete resistance to the cytotoxic effects of standard chemotherapeutic agents at usual plasma concentrations in man. Only higher concentrated chemotherapeutic drugs showed in vitro therapeutic effects. The assay described here lasts about 7 days, which is beneficial from the clinical point of view. The modification of this in vitro chemotherapeutic drug treatment is unlimited for plasma concentration and duration of standard and experimental chemotherapeutic agents, drug combination and so on. So we have interesting scientific steps which could not have been undertaken under usual clinical-empirical conditions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

In vitro cytotoxicity and transplantation protection by autologous natural and activated killer cells against an in vitro transformed tumorigenic fibroblast line. A case study.

Cytotoxic immune response by autologous natural killer (NK) cells against a spontaneous in vitro transformed tumorigenic fibroblast line, VIP-F:T, was studied in a 4 h 51Cr-release microcytotoxicity assay and in a tumor cell neutralization technique in vivo in nude mice. Although highly cytotoxic against the NK prototype target K562, the autologous NK cells in their nascent state were only marginally cytotoxic against VIP-F:T and unreactive against the autologous normal fibroblasts, Pen-F2. Autologous NK activity against VIP-F:T could, however, be induced by 2-16-h treatment of the NK cells with several species of interferon and by interferon-free interleukin 2 (IL-2). In vitro co-culture (IVC) in IL-2 of autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) against VIP-F:T was shown by fluorescence activated cell sorting and by cold target competition experiments to generate almost exclusively an effector population bearing HNK-1 and Leu-11a phenotypes which exhibited receptor specificity for VIP-F:T distinct from receptors on Pen-F2 or K562 cells. PBL, co-cultured in IL-2 against Pen-F2 or K562, or cultured in IL-2 alone, generated high levels of nonspecific killing and showed no receptor specificity. Identical IVC in IL-2 of autologous PBL against a melanoma line, VIP (PBL and the VIP line derived from the same patient from whom the VIP-F:T line was also derived), and similar IVC in IL-2 of several other autologous PBL against their corresponding target cell lines (established from surgical specimens) generated cytotoxic responses involving cytotoxic populations bearing T8 as well as HNK-1 phenotypes; but the cytotoxic activities in none of these systems showed target receptor specificity. Autologous PBL, co-cultured against VIP-F:T in IL-2, were shown to be capable of rejecting tumorigenic challenge with VIP-F:T.3 (a clone of VIP-F:T) in nude mice at effector to VIP-F:T ratio of 10:1. The protective effect of the co-culture activated PBL was abrogated if the HNK-1+ cells were depleted from the effector population. Our data, thus, demonstrate specificity of cytotoxic reactivity which, by phenotypic markers, can be characterized as HNK-1 and Leu 11a+ cells under these experimental conditions against this particular in vitro transformed VIP-F:T line. In addition, this study shows that similar studies of cytotoxic autologous reactivities against in vitro transformed target cell lines will provide valuable information on the subject of NK-mediated surveillance against human neoplasia.

Animals↗

Developmental competence in vivo and in vitro of in vitro-matured equine oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection with fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the development of equine oocytes in vitro and in vivo after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with either fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa, without the use of additional activation treatments. Oocytes were collected from ovaries obtained from an abattoir and oocytes classified as having expanded cumulus cells were matured in M199 with 10% fetal bovine serum and 5 microU FSH ml(-1). After 24-26 h of in vitro maturation, oocytes with a first polar body were selected for manipulation. Fresh ejaculated stallion spermatozoa were used for the experiment after swim-up for 20 min in sperm-Tyrode's albumen lactate pyruvate. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa from the same stallion were treated in a similar way. Spermatozoa were immobilized and injected into the oocytes using a Piezo drill. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in G1.2 medium for 20 or 96 h after the injection was administered, or were transferred to the oviducts of recipient mares and recovered 96 h later. In addition, bovine oocytes with first polar bodies were injected with the two types of stallion spermatozoa and fixed 20 h after injection to examine pronuclear formation. Fertilization rate (pronucleus formation and cleavage) at 20 h after injection of spermatozoa was not significantly different between fresh and frozen-thawed sperm groups in either equine or bovine oocytes. Pronucleus formation after injection of spermatozoa into bovine oocytes was significantly higher than that for equine oocytes (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cleavage rate or average number of nuclei at 96 h between equine oocytes injected with fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa. However, embryos developed in vivo for 96 h had a significantly higher number of nuclei in both sperm treatments compared with those cultured in vitro. These results indicate that good activation rates may be obtained after injection of either fresh or frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa without additional activation treatment. Injection of frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa results in similar embryo development to that obtained with fresh equine spermatozoa. In vitro culture of equine zygotes in G1.2 medium results in a similar cleavage rate but reduced number of cells compared with in vivo culture within the oviduct. Bovine oocytes may be useful as models for assessing sperm function in horses.

Animals↗

In vitro correlates of rejection. II. Rat mixed lymphocyte reactivity in vitro and cardiac allograft acute rejection, hyperacute or accelerated rejection, and prolongation by active immunization.

The relationship of F1 hybrid to parental strain cardiac allograft rejection rates to mixed lymphocyte reactivity in vitro has been studied in 10 strain combinations crossing the major histocompatibility barrier in three different models of acute rejection, accelerated or hyperacute rejection after skin graft immunization, and attempted active enhancement using 10(7) donor strain bone marrow cells. Although high and low reactivity could be discerned between the F1 hybrid and reciprocal parental strain in three of five instances in the one-way lymphocyte culturr reaction, low reactivity was only associated with prolonged graft survival in one combination. Two strain combinations giving high in vitro lymphocyte responses were associated with easily enhanced grafts. The BN strains was a low responder in vitro in the three combinations tested and as a recipient strain, allografts could not be actively enhanced. After skin graft presensitization, BN recipients rejected grafts hyperacutely in two of three combinations and with a median survival time of 2 days in the third combination. The association of poor in vitro proliferative responses, the inability to induce enhancement, and rapid graft rejection after skin graft presensitization could be related to genetic mechanisms controlling the amount and class or subclass of antibody or to the generation of suppressor cells and remains to be determined.

Animals↗