Alkaline phosphatase and peptidase levels in invertebrate cartilage.

Cartilage is encountered in the skeletons of many advanced invertebrates, yet it never calcifies or is replaced by bone. In an attempt to account for the absence of bone in invertebrates, we tested a hypothesis proposing that absence or inadequate quantities of several enzymes associated with vertebrate osteogenesis may underlie the failure of the invertebrates to evolve bone. The enzymes examined were alkaline phosphatase, alanyl beta-naphthylamidase, and neutral protease. Their activities were measured in the gill cartilage of the Atlantic horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, and the odontophore cartilage of the marine whelk, Busycon canaliculatum. Animals were collected from the Cape Cod area. Samples of cartilage of Limulus perichondrium, various non-skeletal tissues, and neonatal rat calvaria, the latter as a reference standard, were homogenized in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.1) and analyzed for protein content and the above-mentioned enzyme activities. Alkaline phosphatase specific activity was readily detected in most tissues except the invertebrate cartilage specimens in which it was present only at near-trace levels. Naphthylamidase and protease activities were present in all tissues. In a single experiment, higher phosphatase values were recorded for Limulus cartilage retaining perichondrium, but in a subsequent trial assaying cartilage retaining perichondrium, denuded cartilage, and isolated perichondrium separately, it was demonstrated that phosphatase activity resided primarily within the perichondrium. Exposure of thick cryostat sections to p-nitrophenyl phosphate confirmed the suspicion that alkaline phosphatase activity was present principally in the perichondrium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Delayed carpal ossification in Notophthalmus viridescens Efts: Relation to the progress of mesopodial completion in newt forelimb regenerates.

The persistence of cartilage in the adult newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) forelimb skeletal regenerate has recently been reported by Libbon et al. It is particularly evident in the carpal group, which remains cartilaginous for at least 9 months while all other regrown skeletal parts are either ossified or ossifying. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether delayed ossification in the adult regenerate recapitulates a pattern evident during the development of the forelimb of the red eft (N. viridenscens' immature terrestrial phase). Right upper limbs of 20 efts were examined at low magnification to establish carpal composition and organization. Among five efts of the smallest size (26.54 plus or minus 2.20 mm snout-to-vent length), and displaying bright orange dorsal skin coloration, all carpal rudiments were cartilaginous. Eleven efts, intermediate in length (33.88 plus or minus 0.81 mm), displaying orange-green coloration, all carpals had ossified. These observations demonstrate that during adult newt forelimb regeneration, the failure of the carpal elements to begin ossification in synchrony with other regrown skeletal parts duplicates a similar schedule of delayed mesopodial ossification which is evident during the development of the red eft's forelimb.

Regeneration of growth plate cartilage induced in the neonatal rat hindlimb by reamputation.

Following primary hindlimb amputations dividing the lower femur or the central tibiofibula, the neonatal rat innately regenerates the distal growth plate(s) with a frequency of about 20-30%. One or two reamputation procedures were performed in an effort to increase the frequency of physeal regeneration, noting that such procedures, and related forms of tissue stimulation, have been repeatedly shown to induce regenerative growth at limb amputation sites of some amphibians that display little innate regenerative capacity. The present reamputation sequences divided the skeletal stump through the cartilaginous mass arising at its distal end. Following first reamputation an approximate three fold increase in the frequency of growth plate cartilage regeneration was observed at transfemoral and transtibiofibular sites. Only after second reamputation, however, did tibiofibular physeal cartilage regeneration equal in frequency that observed after first reamputation through the lower femur. Ectopic growth plate cell architecture was identified in cartilaginous extensions arising from the side of the distal femoral shaft, and also within the regrown secondary cartilage body, which unites the lower tibia and fibula in the shank of the rat. Moreover, among 3 of 11 femoral amputees that had sustained reamputations, regrowth of the distal femoral condylar mass and profile were achieved to varying degrees. It is concluded that a regimen of reamputation, known to induce regenerative growth in the amphibian limb, also induces skeletal regneration in the mammalian limb, and lead to the appearance of ectopic growth plate cell architecture at adjacent sites.

Sequence of development of innately regenerated growth-plate cartilage in the hindlimb of the neonatal rat.

It has long been appreciated that the neonatal rat can regenerate the distal femoral growth-plate. Earlier descriptions of this process pointed to the age of the rodent and level and angle of amputation as significant modifiers of the regeneration process; but none identified the origin of the chondrocytes forming the growth-plate regenerate, nor described the time course and significant milestones of the process. Examination of these issues constitutes the objective of the present report. Fifty-four male, outbred albino rats sustained low femoral (48 rats) or midtibiofibular (six rats) hind-limb amputations when ten to eleven days old. They were killed after 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 22 or 29 postoperative days; and their amputation stumps were sectioned longitudinally. Twenty-four hr after amputation, the distal femoral periosteum was thickened and metachromatic regions were observed forming within it. Intraperiosteal cartilage was observed by the end of the second postoperative day in four of six limb stumps and, during the following week, expanded considerably in volume. Regenerated growth-plate cell architecture was recognized within the enlarging cartilage mass by the end of the second week; and, by the end of the fourth postoperative week, the regenerating growth-plate region had achieved considerable architectural maturity.

Regeneration of growth plates in the long bones of the neonatal rat hindlimb.

Twenty-seven male albino rats underwent hindlimb amputations through the lower femur or the midshaft of the tibiofibula on the tenth to 12th day of life. Amputation stumps were examined grossly and histologically in order to assess the significance of level and angle of transaction as determinants of subsequent growth and regeneration and to ascertain whether growth plates can regenerate following their complete excision. Amputees survived for 17-73 days. In order to exclude limbs which had been severed at or distal to the level of the growth plate, amputated limb segments either were cleared to transparency and inspected under low magnification or were sectioned serially and examined by using a compound microscope. Following amputations through the femur, the predominant response involved repair of the skeletal defect and healing of adjacent soft tissues (ten of 17 rats). Among five other animals the skeletal terminus was covered with a plate of cartilage which, in three, included areas of growth-plate architecture. Two additional transfemoral amputees regenerated incomplete growth plates, each overlying a single epicondylar surface, and one provided with a regenerated hemiepiphysis. Five of ten transtibiofibular amputees formed cartilage plates which covered the skeletal terminus in whole or in part and one regenerated an entire growth plate restricted to the distal fibula. It is concluded that angle and level of transection are not pivotal modifiers of growth and regeneration processes, and that distal growth plates may regenerate entirely or in part following their complete removal from the hindlimb.

Regional distribution of adenosine deaminase in the human neuraxis.

Adenosine deaminase was determined in 28 different areas of the human neuraxis in 5 adult male cadavers, with no known disease of the nervous system, using a very sensitive colorimetric method. The enzyme was highest in the frontal lobe white matter, and lowest in the medulla and all levels of the spinal cord. Enzyme content was about twice as great in the white matter of the frontal and temporal lobes and cerebellum as it was in the cortical gray matter of these areas, but only slightly higher in the white matter of the parietal and occipital lobes as compared to gray. Average values of the enzyme were found in the remaining areas of the brain, with the exception of the pons and cerebellar white matter, where a higher than average value was noted.

Effect of inhibition of purine enzymes on benzodiazepine binding in the human brain.

Since inosine is an inhibitory ligand for benzodiazepine binding, and since several of the purine enzymes have a specific localization, it was hypothesized that the unique distribution of benzodiazepine receptors may be dependent on the regional concentrations and specific actions of these enzymes in increasing or decreasing the amount of inosine. To test the above theory, the binding of 3H-flunitrazepam to receptors was studied on homogenates of various regions of autopsied human brain before and after treatment with irreversible potent inhibitors of the purine enzymes guanine deaminase and adenosine deaminase. As predicted, inhibition of guanase, which metabolizes guanine and hypoxanthine to xanthine, caused a marked inhibition of binding in the cerebral cortex and midbrain, where there is an abundance of enzyme, and only slight change in binding in the medulla, cerebellum or pons, where there is little enzyme. When adenosine deaminase, which converts adenosine to inosine, was inhibited, there was increased binding, with as much as a 4-fold increase in the frontal lobe, and very little effect in the cerebellum, medulla or temporal lobe.

Development of chick limb bud chondrocytes in cell culture: morphologic and oxidative metabolic observations.

For the purpose of describing early chondrogenic metabolic and structural events, measurements were made of oxidative and other enzymatic activities at various stages in the morphologic development of chondrocytes over a period of 18 to 20 days in continuous cell culture. Comparisons were also made between cells grown in 20% O2 and in 35% O2. These cultures exhibited rapid confluence (within 24 hours), early development of cartilaginous nodules by Day 2 to 3 and metachromatic staining of the chondrocyte matrix by Day 3 to 4. Under 35% O2, cell sheets were thicker and there was increased pleomorphism of chondrocyte and fibroblast cell types, with a relative increase of fibroblast components and reduction in chondroblasts and chondrocyte aggregates. Using the von Kossa staining procedure, calcium salt deposition was observed by Day 9. There was no apparent difference in mineralization of cultures grown under the low and high O2 tensions. Under normoxic conditions cytochrome oxidase and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities increased rapidly for the first three to four days and then remained essentially constant. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased continuously over the life of the culture. Acid phosphatase increased rapidly until about Day 13 after which it remained constant, whereas alkaline phosphatase showed a bimodal activity profile. Under hyperoxic conditions, cytochrome oxidase, MDH and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly inhibited. LDH and acid phosphatase activities were markedly inhibited initially but with time showed a degree of recovery.

Neonatal rat surgery: avoiding maternal cannibalism.

A simple program of handling and care of pregnant rats before delivery makes it possible to carry out surgical procedures on newborn pups without resultant cannibalism or rejection of the operated animals by their mothers.

Partial regeneration of the above-elbow amputated rat forelimb. I. Innate responses.

Although a number of recent studies describe the facilitation of limb regeneration by electrical and other forms of stimulation, little is known of innate regenerative capacity in the mammalian limb. The present report describes spontaneous regenerative responses following subtotal forelimb amputation in the young white rat. In one group of animals the forelimb was amputated through the lower humerus and the skin sutured closed. In a second group, adjacent muscle tissue still attached to bone at its origin(s) was interposed between the cut surface of the humerus and the skin. Among animals of the first group (skin closure only) bone growth and limb regenerative responses were generally not observed. Animals of the second group displayed significant elaborations of cartilage and bone at the limb terminus. The appearance and subsequent modification of these tissues suggest that some capacity for limb regeneration exists innately in the young rat and can be more readily evoked than has been recognized heretofore. It is concluded that extant and forthcoming reports of electrically stimulated skeletal tissue growth, repair and regeneration among eutherial mammals should be examined to determine whether reported responses to stimulation represent advances beyond what might be expected from innate replacement processes alone.

Partial regeneration of the above-elbow amputated rat forelimb. II. Electrical and mechanical facilitation.

This investigation was undertaken to examine the observations of Becker ('72) pertaining to the electrical facilitation of partial limb regenerative responses by means of Ag-Pt wire couples applied to the limb stumps of young, forelimb-amputated white rats. Additionally, in order to examine the possible role of mechanical effects of such device implantations, we have employed uncoupled devices delivering no current or potential difference. In the present experiments, in response to coupled device implantation, cartilage and bone were actively formed in the vicinity of the Pt electrode tip. These tissues contributed to the lengthwise extension of the limb and to the partial restoration of the distal humeral extremity. In limbs bearing the uncoupled electrical devices, qualitatively similar responses were noted, but osteogenesis was diminished in extent compared to that seen in limbs bearing the active or coupled devices. It is therefore necessary to consider the role of mechanical factors in the elicitation of the observed regenerative responses. Myogenesis was enhanced in electrically stimulated limbs, but not in those rats bearing uncoupled devices.

Absence of mitochondrial terminal respiratory enzymes in cartilage matrix vesicles.

This study attempted to detect evidence of mitochondrial terminal respiratory components in matrix vesicles isolated from rachitic rat tibial epiphyseal plates. Biochemical assays for cytochrome c oxidase, NAD isocitrate dehydrogenase, NADP isocitrate dehydrogenase and succinate-cytochrome c reductase were negative. Polarimetric determinations revealed that the addition of succinate to matrix vesicles in suspension did not cause any increase in oxygen utilization. Spectrophotometric tracings of deoxycholate-solubilized matrix vesicles showed no characteristic absorption peaks or maxima belonging to any of the cytochrome complex components. Attempts to prepare pyridine hemochromes of cytochrome prosthetic groups from the matrix vesicles were also unsuccessful. The above results indicate that key components of mitochondrial respiratory systems are not detectable in rachitic matrix vesicles. The results are compatible with the interpretation that such vesicles are not derived from mitochondria.

In vitro accumulation of mineral components by invertebrate cartilage.

In vitro mineralization of the gill cartilage of Limulus (horse-shoe crab) has been reported previously (Eilberg et al. 1975). The present study demonstrates that cranial cartilage of Loligo (squid) and odontophore cartilage of Busycon (marine snail) also mineralize in vitro in hydroxyapatite-metastable media, but not in carbonate-metastable media. In all three of these cartilages, light phase-contrast microscopy revealed that the mineral phase occured in the form of spherical or ovoid granules ranging between 2 and 9 mum in diameter. During mineralization, the granules appeared successively in the perichondrium, in the matrix, and finally, within chondrocytes. Mineralization occurred more rapidly in Eusycon odontophore cartilage which has a significantly higher content of phosphatidyl serine than in Limulus gill or Loligo head cartilages. In all tissues the mineralization process is related to temperature, taking place most actively at 37 degrees C and only weakly at 50 degrees C.

Renal lysosomes: role in biogenesis of erythropoietin.

The "light" mitochondrial pellet obtained from the kidneys of rats previously treated with Triton WR-1339 and rendered hypoxic was separated into subcellular component fractions by sucrose density gradient centrifugation in a zonal rotor. Selected fractions were pooled, disrupted by osmotic lysis and repeated freeze-thawing, and incubated in the presence and absence of normal rat serum. The incubation mixtures were assayed for erythropoiesis-stimulating activity (erythropoietin). High specific activity was identified only in fractions rich in lysosomes. Biochemical analysis of reference enzymes for the identification of lysosomes and mitochondria, supplemented by electron microscopic examination of the various separated fractions, supports the observed requirement for lysosomal constituents in the formation of erythropoietin by the kidney.