Activation of salivary secretion: coupling of cell volume and [Ca2+]i in single cells

High-resolution differential interference contrast microscopy and digital imaging of the fluorescent calcium indicator dye fura-2 were performed simultaneously in single rat salivary gland acinar cells to examine the effects of muscarinic stimulation on cell volume and cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Agonist stimulation of fluid secretion is initially associated with a rapid tenfold increase in [Ca2+]i as well as a substantial cell shrinkage. Subsequent changes of cell volume in the continued presence of agonist are tightly coupled to dynamic levels of [Ca2+]i, even during [Ca2+]i oscillations. Experiments with Ca2+ chelators and ionophores showed that physiological elevations of [Ca2+]i are necessary and sufficient to cause changes in cell volume. The relation between [Ca2+]i and cell volume suggests that the latter reflects the secretory state of the acinar cell. Agonist-induced changes in [Ca2+]i, by modulating specific ion permeabilities, result in solute movement into or out of the cell. The resultant cell volume changes may be important in modulating salivary secretion.     

Elemental and redox analysis of single bacterial cells by x-ray microbeam analysis

High-energy x-ray fluorescence measurements were used to make elemental maps and qualitative chemical analyses of individual Pseudomonas fluorescens strain NCIMB 11764 cells. Marked differences between planktonic and adhered cells were seen in the morphology, elemental composition, and sensitivity to Cr(VI) of hydrated cells at spatial scales of 150 nm. This technology can be applied to natural geomicrobiological systems.     

Constitutive display of cryptic translation products by MHC class I molecules

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules display tens of thousands of peptides on the cell surface, derived from virtually all endogenous proteins, for inspection by cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). We show that, in normal mouse cells, MHC I molecules present a peptide encoded in the 3' "untranslated" region. Despite its rarity, the peptide elicits CTL responses and induces self-tolerance, establishing that immune surveillance extends well beyond conventional polypeptides. Furthermore, translation of this cryptic peptide occurs by a previously unknown mechanism that decodes the CUG initiation codon as leucine rather than the canonical methionine.     

Homograft target cells: contact destruction in vitro by immune macrophages

Specific adherence of immune macrophages to monolayers of target cells is a passive phenomenon which represents only the first step in the mutually destructive interaction of immune macrophages and target cells. A specific hemagglutinin, responsible for specific adherence, was eluted from well-washed immune macrophages by heat treatment. The nature of the events in the interaction subsequent to adherence are unknown, but apparently demand the biosynthetic activities of the immune macrophage.     

Hemoglobin aggregation in single red blood cells of sickle cell anemia

A laser light scattering technique was used to observe the extent of hemoglobin aggregation in solitary red blood cells of sickle cell anemia. Hemoglobin aggregation was confirmed in deoxygenated cells. The light scattering technique can also be applied to cytoplasmic studies of any biological cell.     

Promotion of tissue inflammation by the immune receptor Tim-3 expressed on innate immune cells

CD4+ T helper 1 (TH1) cells are important mediators of inflammation and are regulated by numerous pathways, including the negative immune receptor Tim-3. We found that Tim-3 is constitutively expressed on cells of the innate immune system in both mice and humans, and that it can synergize with Toll-like receptors. Moreover, an antibody agonist of Tim-3 acted as an adjuvant during induced immune responses, and Tim-3 ligation induced distinct signaling events in T cells and dendritic cells; the latter finding could explain the apparent divergent functions of Tim-3 in these cell types. Thus, by virtue of differential expression on innate versus adaptive immune cells, Tim-3 can either promote or terminate TH1 immunity and may be able to influence a range of inflammatory conditions.     

促黄体素(LH)对猪卵巢颗粒细胞细胞周期及类固醇激素分泌的影响

为揭示促黄体素对猪卵巢颗粒细胞生长及类固醇分泌的影响,从当地屠宰场采集猪卵巢,选择表面直径大于6 mm的卵泡(优势卵泡)作为试验材料,将从其中获得的颗粒细胞进行体外培养,并在培养基中添加不同浓度(0 IU/ml、2 IU/ml和4 IU/ml)的促黄体素(LH),通过流式细胞仪、放射性免疫和定量PCR分别检测细胞周期的...     

T-Independent immune response: new aspects of B cell biology

Recent results emphasize the roles of T-independent antibody response in humoral defenses, for which B1 cells and marginal zone B cells are mostly responsible. We discuss how these cells are activated, migrate, and differentiate into antibody-producing cells in various lymphoid tissues. Based on recent findings in each of these areas of B cell biology, we propose a possible mechanism for peripheral tolerance of autoreactive B cells at target organs.     

Behavioral acts elicited by stimulation of single, identifiable brain cells

By stimulation of and recording from all of the nerve trunks and from over 50 of the large nerve cell bodies in the isolated brain of the nudibranch Tritonia gilberti a map of the axonal paths and synaptic connections has been constructed. The nervous correlates of sensory and motor activities can be monitored in single cells of the intact animal. Similarly, discrete responses in local muscles of the body wall and complex behavioral sequences such as turning and swimming are triggered by stimulation of single identifiable units.     

Cell proliferation: enhancement by extracts from cell surfaces of polyoma-virus-transformed cells

Dispersion of confluent monolayers of BHK21 cells with ethylenediaminetetraacetate yields a material that inhibits cell proliferation, whereas identical extraction of polyoma-virus-transformed cells provides material which enhances cellular proliferation. The material was partially characterized.     

Activation of single lateral geniculate cells by stimulation of either optic nerve

The lateral geniculate nucleus is organized in such a way that, initially at least, information from the one eye is almost exclusively segregated from that from the other eye. Single-unit recording, however, confirms the histological evidence that bilateral integration does take place. A small number of cells (< 8.5 percent) receive afferents directly from both optic nerves and are discharged by stimulating either nerve (direct interaction). More common is delayed interaction, where the cells are discharged independently by either optic nerve but only after a relatively long latency. Indirect interaction effects also occur.     

Modulation of cell adhesion and motility in the immune system by Myo1f

Although class I myosins are known to play a wide range of roles, the physiological function of long-tailed class I myosins in vertebrates remains elusive. We demonstrated that one of these proteins, Myo1f, is expressed predominantly in the mammalian immune system. Cells from Myo1f-deficient mice exhibited abnormally increased adhesion and reduced motility, resulting from augmented exocytosis of beta2 integrin-containing granules. Also, the cortical actin that co-localizes with Myo1f was reduced in Myo1f-deficient cells. In vivo, Myo1f-deficient mice showed increased susceptibility to infection by Listeria monocytogenes and an impaired neutrophil response. Thus, Myo1f directs immune cell motility and innate host defense against infection.     

Phylogenetic stains: ribosomal RNA-based probes for the identification of single cells

Rapid phylogenetic identification of single microbial cells was achieved with a new staining method. Formaldehyde-fixed, intact cells were hybridized with fluorescently labeled oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and viewed by fluorescence microscopy. Because of the abundance of rRNA in cells, the binding of the fluorescent probes to individual cells is readily visualized. Phylogenetic identification is achieved by the use of oligonucleotides (length 17 to 34 nucleotides) that are complementary to phylogenetic group-specific 16S rRNA sequences. Appropriate probes can be composed of oligonucleotide sequences that distinguish between the primary kingdoms (eukaryotes, eubacteria, archaebacteria) and between closely related organisms. The simultaneous use of multiple probes, labeled with different fluorescent dyes, allows the identification of different cell types in the same microscopic field. Quantitative microfluorimetry shows that the amount of an rRNA-specific probe that binds to Escherichia coli varies with the ribosome content and therefore reflects growth rate.     

Auditory cortex of squirrel monkey: response patterns of single cells to species-specific vocalizations

Most of the neurons tested in the superior temporal cortex of awake squirrel monkeys responded to recorded species-specific vocalizations. Some cells responded with temporally complex patterns to many vocalizations. Other cells responded with simpler patterns to only one call. Most cells lay between these two extremes. On-line deletion of parts of a vocalization revealed the role of temporal interactions in determining the nature of some responses.     

Private lives: reflections and challenges in understanding the cell biology of the immune system

The immune system comprises a variety of cell types whose activities must be carefully regulated to act as a coherent unit for the purpose of host defense. To perform their autonomous functions, immune cells must rely on the same basic organizational features that apply to all cells, although immune cells often exhibit remarkable degrees of specialization and adaptation. The study of these specializations has lagged behind advances in understanding the immune response and cell biology individually. As a result, there are great opportunities, but also great challenges, for new conceptual discoveries by taking a more cell-biological approach to probing the function of the immune system.     

Transformation of chick embryo neuroretinal cells by Rous sarcoma virus in vitro: induction of cell proliferation

Neuroretinal cells from 7-day-old chick embryos are transformed and induced to proliferate after infection with Rous sarcoma virus in vitro. Susceptibility of neuroretinal cells to the virus is also dependent on the stage of development since infection of cells from 10-day-old embryos is uneffective.     

Allelopathy of decomposed maize straw products on three soil-born diseases of wheat and the analysis by GC-MS

In northern China, the soil-born diseases of wheat have been getting more and more serious under a new farming system that returns maize straw to the ifeld. In order to investigate the alelopathy of th...     

利用EST-SSR座位对鲤鱼几种生长性状的单标记回归分析

利用Windows Map Manager 2.0 的标记回归法对大头鲤/荷包红鲤抗寒品系的雌核发育群体进行QTL单标记定位分析.从70个微卫星座位对鲤鱼体重、体长、体厚、体高性状的标记回归研究中,共得到3个标记与性状相关.其中HLJE1、HLJE633与体长、体高、体厚相关,HLJE633、C88433与体重相关.将C88433通过BLAST比对,结果显示与斑马鱼上控制V型离子泵 (ATPase) 的基因相关.     

Initiation of behavior by single neurons: the role of behavioral context

Flying crickets avoid sources of ultrasound, possibly echolocating bats, by making rapid steering movements that turn them away from the stimulus. Electrical stimulation of a single, identified sensory interneuron (Int-1) elicits avoidance steering; depressing its response to ultrasound abolishes avoidance steering. Int-1 is necessary and sufficient for this behavior but only while the cricket is in flight. Thus, the sufficiency of Int-1 for eliciting this behavior is contingent on behavioral context.     

Cell-mediated immune responses in vitro: interaction of thymus-derived cells during cytotoxic allograft responses in vitro

A mouse in vitro allograft system was used to check for synergism among thymus-derived cells during cell-mediated immune responses. Synergistic interactions occurred between thymus and thymus-derived lymphocytes. The majority of precursors of cytotoxic effector cells were peripheral thymus-derived cells; thymocytes acted mainly as amplifier cells.