Dome formation and tubule morphogenesis by Xenopus kidney A6 cell cultures exposed to microgravity simulated with a 3D-clinostat and to hypergravity.

Confluent high-density cell cultures of A6 cells derived from adult male Xenopus kidney exhibit spontaneous dome-formation at 1 g. To determine whether this morphogenetic property is altered by gravity, we used a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat to subject the cells to simulated microgravity, and a centrifuge to subject them to hypergravity. We used the generation orbit control method as the new rotation control system of the 3D-clinostat, not the random method.

Histamine release from mast cells of EAE rats by Gi protein-dependent and IgE-dependent pathways.

We investigated both Gi protein-dependent and IgE-dependent pathways that control release of histamine by PMCs derived from EAE or Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) immunized rats. The number and histamine content of MCs per rat were the same between normal and EAE rats. Activation of Gi pathway by substance P (SP), DSA, 48/80, and mastoparan resulted in a dose-dependent increase in release of histamine by PMCs in normal, EAE-, and CFA-immunized rats.