The normal female and the male breast epithelium does not express prostate-specific antigen. Preliminary immunohistochemical observations of autopsy breast tissues.

In the normal female and male breast epithelial structures any prostate-specific antigen (PSA) immunohistochemical positivity was observed. Variable PSA expression, which often borders the positivity, was observed in membranes of adipocytes of fat tissue and in the endothelium of small vessels in a female and a male breast. Based on these initial observations, tissue of the normal breast, male or female, can not be considered to be the principal source of PSA.

Immunohistochemical distribution of rabbit polyclonal antiurinary protein 1 antibody in the female (Skene's gland) and male prostate: new marker for neuroendocrine cells?

Using rabbit polyclonal antiurinary protein 1 antibody to study the female prostate (Skene's gland) and the male prostate, characteristic localizations patterns appeared in single cells and groups of cells. The majority correspond to cells positive for neuroendocrine markers. In the cytoplasm, cells positive for protein 1 were most frequently found in the epithelial lining of the female urethra, in the pars prostatica of the male urethra, and in the ducts of the female and male prostate where the lining consisted of pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Their occurrence rate was far lower among secretory and basal cells of the male and female prostate glands. The cells with protein 1 corresponded to those displaying positivity for chromogranin A, silver staining by the Grimelius and less by the Sevier-Munger method, and by neuron specific enolase. Using the Masson-Hamperl argentaffin method, positive cells were only exceptionally found. The cells positive for protein 1, and particularly chromogranin A, and characterized by Grimelius positivity, contained different amounts of neuroendocrine granules and varied in size and shape. The majority of these cells had contact with the lumen of male and female prostatic ducts (open type of neuroendocrine cells). In some cases of the male and female urethra and of the great paraurethral ducts, a remarkably high number of cells containing protein 1 corresponded to cells only containing neuron-specific enolase but not chromogranin A and other neuroendocrine markers. These cells can be considered stem cells responsible for the renewal of the uroepithelium of the urethra and prostatic ducts. Protein 1 may thus be a further, though presumably not specific marker for the identification of cells of the neuroendocrine system in the prostate of the male and female. This marker could well be used to study uroepithelium maturation. The corresponding immunohistochemical distribution of human protein 1 in neuroendocrine and other cells of the male and the female prostate provides another analogous functional and morphological parameter of prostatic tissue in both sexes and further evidence supporting the non-vestigial concept of the prostate in the female.

Immunohistochemical localization of human protein 1 in the female prostate (Skene's gland) and the male prostate.

Mouse monoclonal anti-urine protein 1 antibody and the biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase technique were used for the immunohistochemical demonstration of human protein 1 in prostatic tissue of both sexes. In the female prostate (Skene's gland), like the male prostate, high expression of human protein 1 was observed on the luminal surface and in the apical cytoplasm of secretory cells of prostatic glands, as well as on the luminal surface of the epithelium of the large ducts of the female prostate and urethra. Expression was also found in the membranes of secretory and basal cells of the glands, in membranes of the urethral uroepithelium and of the female prostate ducts, in the content of glands and ducts, as well as in vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. Human protein 1 (urine protein 1) expression in the secretory cells of the male and female prostate and its incorporation into the surface of cells lining the lumina of the female urethroprostatic complex is indicative not only of the secretory role of protein 1 but also of its potential protective properties operative in shielding the uroepithelium from the aggressive urinary environment. All genito-urinary tissue, and especially the female prostate, were found to be a potential source of urine protein 1 (human protein 1), refuting the notion held so far that it is exclusively the genito-urinary prostatic tissue of the male that participates in its production. The corresponding immunohistochemical distribution of human protein 1 in the same structures of the male and female prostate provides yet another analogous functional-morphological parameter of prostatic tissue in both sexes and further evidence supporting the non-vestigial concept of the prostate in the female.

Production of high levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in mice with acquired transplantation tolerance.

Specific transplantation tolerance was induced in newborn mice by the intravenous injection of hematopoietic cells from semiallogeneic donors. Success of tolerance induction was tested by skin allografts. Spleen cells from mice bearing tolerated allografts for more than 60 days after transplantation spontaneously produced high levels of various cytokines. Production of both Th1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines, as well as of IL-3, was significantly increased in tolerant animals. The elevated production of Th1 cytokines was associated with the high secretory activity of CD4+ cells, while the production of Th2 cytokines was high in both CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations. The hyperproduction of cytokines was an intrinsic property of the T cells from tolerant animals and was not caused by a larger size of major T-cell subsets. The production of high levels of cytokines was a consequence of neonatal induction of tolerance and persisted for a long time after skin grafting of neonatally tolerized animals. These results show that neonatal induction of transplantation tolerance results in the production of enhanced levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines which could be involved in the establishment and maintenance of immunological tolerance.

[Antineoplastic effects of natural substances]. / Protina dorove úcinn é prírodní látky.

The present paper surveys natural substances with antitumour activity, particularly primary metabolites--polysaccharides, lectins and lipids tested in vitro or on laboratory animals. The presented data cover the period of 1990-1995.

[Reactivity of antibodies to collagen types I to IV and antibodies to chondroitin sulfate in the spleen]. / Reaktivita protilátok proti kolagénu I.-IV. typu a protilátok proti chondroitínsulfátu v slezine.

Antibodies to collagen type I and III reacted negatively, antibodies to collagen type IV positively with reticulin, trabeculae and circumferent reticulum of lymphatic sheaths, poorly positively with capsula, strongly positively with subcapsular zone. Antibodies to collagen type II reacted positively with capsula, poorly with subcapsular zone, strongly with sinus wall and poorly with trabeculae. They did not react with circumferent reticulum of periarterial lymphoid sheaths. Antibodies to collagen type II and IV reacted positively with central arteries. Antibodies to chondroitinsulphate C reacted poorly and antibodies to chondroitinsulphate B strongly positively with sinus walls and oval cells spread in the white and red pulpa. Antibodies to chondroitin sulphate A reacted similarly as antibodies to chondroitinsulphate B.

[Dermoid cyst of the spleen]. / Dermoidná cysta sleziny.

The case report of a 14-year old girl is given. In her spleen of the weight of 1580 g an irregular cyst of glossy inner surface and with striking trabeculation developed. It was filled with clear greenish liquid. The wall was formed by hyalinised collagen tissue which was covered by epidermoid and cuboidal epithelium on the inner surface. Vessel conglomerates were frequent, some bleeding or mononuclear infiltrates, foci of giant cell granulation tissue, lymphoid or fatty tissue were present.

Effect of domperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia on selected immune parameters in healthy women.

Domperidone, anti-emetic drug, given to healthy female volunteers, induced an elevation of plasma prolactin (PRL) concentration with the peak in 1-4 h. The release of prolactin had a transient stimulating effect on theophylline sensitive T lymphocytes and on concanavalin A induced mitogenic activity, suggesting an enhanced activity of T suppressor lymphocytes. The relative number of CD4+ lymphocytes decreased markedly one hour after domperidone administration and returned to normal values within 2 h (that means 3 h after taking the drug). The number of lymphocytes positive for dipeptidyl peptidase IV exhibited similar transient increase and normalization of activity. No change was observed in the number of CD8+ lymphocytes. The production of interferon by leukocytes treated with Newcastle disease virus was found to be significantly increased 2 h after domperidone administration. The results suggest that prolactin can selectively stimulate some functions of cellular immunity as well as the release of cytokines (IFN). The present study may contribute to the understanding of the role of the immune system in endogenous hyperprolactinemia.

[The significance of prostate markers in the orthology of the female prostate]. / Výnam prostatických markerov v ortológii zenskej prostaty.

In addition to knowledge gained in the first half of the 8th decade, the evidence of cross-antigenicity between male prostate and Skene's glands by means of PSA and PSAcP demonstrations in Skene's glands and ducts justifies utilization of the term prostate in both sexes. The authors compared the results of immunohistochemical examination of prostatic markers by means of the PAP method which was used at the beginning of the 8th decade, with that of BSAP technique. Prostatic tissues of 11 females and children at the age ranging from 5 to 71 years were examined. The results gained by means of the BSAP method were identical with those gained by means of the PAP method. Prostatic markers PSA and PSAcP were expressed on the surface and in apical cytoplasm of cells lining the prostatic ducts, and in prostatic glands. The authors proved the expression also in membranes of the stratified cylindrical epithelial cells of the ducts, and in female prostatic fluid in ducts and glands, especially PSAcP. Even though both immunohistochemical methods brought identical results, the authors recommend to prefer the BSAP method to the PAP method due to optically more contrast expression. (Fig. 8, Ref. 36.)

The use of lectins identified with specific antibodies in lectin histochemistry of NZB/W F1 mouse kidney.

The affinity of Helix pomatia, peanut, Pisum sativum, soy bean, and wheat germ agglutinins to various nephron parts of NZB/W F1 mice was different and is assumed to be age dependent. The affinity of Pisum sativum agglutinin to basal membranes of small renal vessels increased with the age of NZB/W F1 mice. The wheat germ agglutinin bound to structures with alkaline phosphatase activity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) was measured in the serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The number of DPP IV positive (DPP IV+) lymphocytes in blood smears was determined cytochemically in groups of patients with active, moderate and inactive disease. Compared with healthy subjects, serum DPP IV activity was significantly decreased regardless of the level of disease activity. DPP IV activity in MNC was markedly decreased only in the patients with the active disease. Moreover, marked differences in the number of DPP IV+ lymphocytes could be detected between the groups of patients with the inactive and/or moderately active forms of the disease and those with active disease. The percentages of DPP IV+ lymphocytes, as well as DPP IV activity in MNC, showed significant correlations with the percentages of E-rosetting cells. Evaluation of DPP IV in SLE patients represents a new approach in the study of the pathological process of this disease.

[Structural basis of appendiceal function in rabbits]. / Struktúrne základy funkcie králicieho apendixu.

Enzymo-, immuno- and lactin-histochemical methods were used to study the structure of the rabbit appendix wall. The value of some structural components in the function of this part of the intestine is discussed. Some findings were documented electronmicroscopically. In addition to its resorptive function, the rabbit appendix is equipped with a potent defense mechanism against adverse environmental effects of the appendix content. Individual structures of this defensive barrier are closely characterized with regard to cellular equipment and possibilities of its morphological identification.

[Antibodies against hyaline cartilage. Antigen isolation and their characterization]. / Protilátky proti hyalínovej chrupke. Izolácia antigénov a ich charakterizácia.

Extracts from human hyaline cartilage were analyzed quantitatively. The extracts were obtained by the action of salts, enzymatic processing and chromatography on Sephadex G-200 columns. The obtained fractions were characterized by thin layer chromatographic methods, electrophoretically, and immunochemically by means of polyclonal antibodies to individual components. Qualitative analysis of amino acids and electrophoretic separation showed that the 1st fraction contained mainly proteins and glycosaminoglycans after separation on Sephadex G-200, while the 2nd fraction exhibited mainly amino acids characteristic for collagen.

[Lectin histochemical analysis of the epithelial lining of the appendix in rabbits]. / Lektínová histochemická analýza epitelovej výstelky králicieho apendixu.

The binding of PSA, PNA, HPA, WGA, Con A, LCL, RCA, SBA, and PHA lectins to epithelial structures of the normal rabbit appendix was studied. Differences were observed in the affinity of some lectins to the epithelium of the intercryptal lining of the rabbit appendix, to the epithelium hemming the glandules and crypts of the domes of Peyer's patches. The obtained results document the difference in the affinity of individual batches of anti-WGA antibodies to this lectin after its binding to the epithelial structures studied. This implies the possibility that differently reacting antibodies may develop to different commercially available batches of WGA. Precipitation of WGA at sites of alkaline phosphatase occurrence demonstrates the relationship of this enzyme to WGA binding sites in tissues.

[Structural basis of the spleen in rats]. / Struktúrne základy funkcie sleziny potkana.

The basic function of the spleen in the rat, similarly as in man, is to cleanse the blood of damaged old particles of the body itself, but also of foreign particles. To fulfill this function, the spleen is equipped with the white and red pulp with a specific structure of blood circulation. In an open system of circulation, blood from the arterial terminals opens into the cords of the red pulp, where it is adequately processed. From the cords the blood gets through the walls of sinuses, acting as the last filtration barrier, into the lumen of sinuses and then into the venous circulation. Unlike the human spleen, this organ in the rat has a marked marginal sinus and channel systems bridging the marginal zone. The channels mediate the circulation of lymphocytes between the red white pulp.

Human hyaline cartilage--biochemical and immunochemical study.

Hyaline cartilage from the knee or rib of newborns was divided in neutral salts into a soluble and insoluble part. The insoluble part was treated with collagenase and was separated into 2 peaks by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The 1st peak revealed a low concentration of proteins, no hydroxyproline, and very high levels or uronates. In the 2nd peak, very high values of hydroxyproline and very low values of uronate were found. Thus the 1st peak contained only proteoglycans and no collagen, while the entire collagen was found in the 2nd peak. The individual fractions were inoculated into rabbits to obtain antibodies. Compared to the fraction containing macromolecular proteoglycans, antisera proved remarkably suitable particularly for analysis of human spleen, yet also of other organs. These anti-cartilage antisera visualized primarily spongy structures of pericapillary sheaths and circumferential reticulum of the periarterial lymphatic sheaths, but to a lesser extent also other extracellular structures of the spleen and of other organs.