Activity of alkaline phosphatase, acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase in the oviducts of puerperal ewes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls

The objective of this study was to examine the alkaline, acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activity in the epithelial cells of oviducts after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the time of puerperium. PCBs were administered in the last days of pregnancy and during early puerperium. Animals in the experimental group were exposed to Delor 105 at a dose of 100 &mu;g/kg/day and were euthanised on Day 17 postpartum (<i>n</i> = 4), i.e. 5 days after the termination of 30-day PCB administration; on Day 25 postpartum (<i>n</i> = 5), i.e. 17 days from the last PCB administration and on Day 34 postpartum (<i>n</i> = 5), which corresponded to Day 28 from the completion of PCB administration. Ewes in the control group were euthanised on Day 17 (<i>n</i> = 3), Day 25 (<i>n</i> = 4) and Day 34 (<i>n</i> = 4) postpartum. The authors demonstrated the inhibitory effect of PCB on the enzymatic system of the oviduct during the puerperal period. The alkaline phosphatase, acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activity in the oviductal epithelial cells during a 34-day observation period exhibited a rising trend (<i>P</i> < 0.001 vs. <i>P</i> < 0.001 vs. <i>P</i> < 0.01) in the control group of animals. Experimental animals exposed to the 30-day PCB administration (Delor 105) showed a stagnant tendency (<i>P</i> > 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase while acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activity (<i>P</i> > 0.05) dropped even below the level of their activity values in the control group. It is essential to continue to monitor the effect of pollutants in exposed industrial areas on reparative and regenerative processes in puerperium and their possible impact on reproductive performance.

CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitors From Human Cord Blood Differentiate Along Two Independent Dendritic Cell Pathways in Response to Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Plus Tumor Necrosis Factor α: II. Functional Analysis

In response to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus tumor necrosis factor α, cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells differentiate along two unrelated dendritic cell (DC) pathways: (1) the Langerhans cells (LCs), which are characterized by the expression of CD1a, Birbeck granules, the Lag antigen, and E cadherin; and (2) CD14+ cell-derived DCs, characterized by the expression of CD1a, CD9, CD68, CD2, and factor XIIIa (Caux et al, J Exp Med 184:695, 1996). The present study investigates the functions of each population. Although the two populations are equally potent in stimulating naive CD45RA cord blood T cells through apparently identical mechanisms, each also displays specific activities. In particular CD14-derived DCs show a potent and long-lasting (from day 8 to day 13) antigen uptake activity (fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran or peroxidase) that is about 10-fold higher than that of CD1a+ cells, which is restricted to the immature stage (day 6). The antigen capture is exclusively mediated by receptors for mannose polymers. The high efficiency of antigen capture of CD14-derived cells is coregulated with the expression of nonspecific esterase activity, a tracer of lysosomial compartment. In contrast, the CD1a+ population never expresses nonspecific esterase activity. The most striking difference is the unique capacity of CD14-derived DCs to induce naive B cells to differentiate into IgM-secreting cells, in response to CD40 triggering and interleukin-2. Thus, although the two populations can allow T-cell priming, initiation of humoral responses might be preferentially regulated by the CD14-derived DCs. Altogether, those results show that different pathways of DC development might exist in vivo: (1) the LC type, which might be mainly involved in cellular immune responses, and (2) the CD14-derived DC related to dermal DCs or circulating blood DCs, which could be involved in humoral immune responses.

CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitors From Human Cord Blood Differentiate Along Two Independent Dendritic Cell Pathways in Response to Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Plus Tumor Necrosis Factor α: II. Functional Analysis

In response to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus tumor necrosis factor α, cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells differentiate along two unrelated dendritic cell (DC) pathways: (1) the Langerhans cells (LCs), which are characterized by the expression of CD1a, Birbeck granules, the Lag antigen, and E cadherin; and (2) CD14+ cell-derived DCs, characterized by the expression of CD1a, CD9, CD68, CD2, and factor XIIIa (Caux et al, J Exp Med 184:695, 1996). The present study investigates the functions of each population. Although the two populations are equally potent in stimulating naive CD45RA cord blood T cells through apparently identical mechanisms, each also displays specific activities. In particular CD14-derived DCs show a potent and long-lasting (from day 8 to day 13) antigen uptake activity (fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran or peroxidase) that is about 10-fold higher than that of CD1a+ cells, which is restricted to the immature stage (day 6). The antigen capture is exclusively mediated by receptors for mannose polymers. The high efficiency of antigen capture of CD14-derived cells is coregulated with the expression of nonspecific esterase activity, a tracer of lysosomial compartment. In contrast, the CD1a+ population never expresses nonspecific esterase activity. The most striking difference is the unique capacity of CD14-derived DCs to induce naive B cells to differentiate into IgM-secreting cells, in response to CD40 triggering and interleukin-2. Thus, although the two populations can allow T-cell priming, initiation of humoral responses might be preferentially regulated by the CD14-derived DCs. Altogether, those results show that different pathways of DC development might exist in vivo: (1) the LC type, which might be mainly involved in cellular immune responses, and (2) the CD14-derived DC related to dermal DCs or circulating blood DCs, which could be involved in humoral immune responses.

Nonspecific esterase activity in astrocytes of the goldfish brain.

We examined the distribution of nonspecific esterase (NSE) activity in the brain of the goldfish, Carassius auritus, and found that the enzyme is expressed at high levels in cells that appeared to be radial astrocytes. Several instances in which neurons expressed NSE activity were also seen. To confirm the identity of the radial profiles as astrocytes, similar sections were labeled with antiserum against goldfish glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The concordance between the NSE and the anti-GFAP data in both the visual system and the telencephalon was essentially complete, confirming that the NSE reaction was labeling astrocytes in these structures. The two methods also gave similar results in both the cerebellum and the vagal lobes, although the concordance between them in these instances was somewhat less complete. Both the NSE reaction and immunohistochemistry with anti-GFAP serum revealed labeled nonradial cells lying free in the cerebellar molecular layer. We suggest that these cells may represent free astrocytes, a cell type that has not previously been reported in morphological studies of the teleostean brain. On the basis of our observations, we suggest that the NSE reaction may be a useful adjunct in morphological studies of teleost astroglia. Finally, we propose that the expression of NSE activity in goldfish astrocytes may he related to their ability to internalize neural debris during Wallerian degeneration.

The morphology and cytochemistry of the blood leukocytes of Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi)

Blood leukocytes of Lepidochelys kempi were examined by bright-field microscopy and cytochemistry for the determination of glycogen, lipids, and several hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes. Mature large and small eosinophils and small lymphocytes were the principle leukocytes encountered; basophils were rarely seen, and neutrophils and monocytes were not demonstrated. The large eosinophils contained two types of granules and demonstrated periodic acid – Schiff (PAS) reactivity and some sudanophilia. The large eosinophils also possessed alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, adenosine triphosphatase, and some nonspecific esterase activity. The small eosinophils demonstrated acid phosphatase. No reactivity for β-glucuronidase, aryl-sulfatase, or for the oxidative enzymes, succinate, lactate, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases, or cytochrome oxidase, occurred in the large or small eosinophils. Small lymphocytes contained a few PAS-positive granules or intracellular particles; some nonspecific esterase activity but no reactivity for other hydrolytic or oxidative enzymes or for neutral lipids was observed.

Interaction of insecticide resistance genes in field populations of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) from italy in response to changing insecticide selection pressure

Culex pipiens Linnaeus larvae were collected from various locations in Italy and colonized as separate strains. These were analysed for elevated nonspecific esterase activity and frequency of altered acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mechanisms of insecticide resistance, and bioassayed, to define the cross-resistance spectra conferred by these to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. These mechanisms were further characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Elevated esterase A1 (formerly known as Est 3A) which predominated in C. pipiens from Italy in 1985 had been replaced by two esterases, A2 and B2. Altered acetylcholinesterase was still present at high frequencies. Altered and normal acetylcholinesterase were distinguished by differential mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Levels of insecticide resistance were higher in the Lucca region of Italy than in other areas sampled, in response to intensive use of temephos and to a lesser extent chlor-pyrifos, employed to reduce mosquito biting nuisance to tourists in this area.

Enzyme histochemistry of monocytes/macrophages: a study in a murine model of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.

In a model of immune complex glomerulonephritis in BALB/c mice, cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage (M phi), identifiable by electron microscopy, infiltrate the glomerulus. In spite of this, no unequivocal nonspecific esterase activity can be demonstrated histochemically in the glomeruli. On the other hand, many mononuclear cells with strong acid phosphatase activity are consistently present. This observation is in line with other studies that have demonstrated the heterogeneity of enzyme profiles in different M phi populations. Despite the wide acceptance of nonspecific esterases as markers for M phi, the present study indicates that exclusive reliance on a single marker in investigating the participation of M phi in a pathological process can lead to erroneous conclusions. Use of multiple markers and preferably multiple investigative modalities is recommended.