A soluble transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta ) type I receptor mimics TGF-beta responses.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling requires a ligand-dependent interaction of TGF-beta receptors Tau beta R-I and Tau beta R-II. It has been previously demonstrated that a soluble TGF-beta type II receptor could be used as a TGF-beta antagonist. Here we have generated and investigated the biochemical and signaling properties of a soluble TGF-beta type I receptor (Tau beta RIs-Fc).

Urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and 5-(hydroxymethyl) uracil in smokers.

Cigarette smoke is known to generate free radicals by various mechanisms. In this study involving 30 non-smokers and 30 smokers, we show that urinary excretion of 5-(hydroxymethyl) uracil (HMUra) was not different in the two groups (6.54+/-2.

Urine 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2-deoxyguanosine vs. 5-(hydroxymethyl) uracil as DNA oxidation marker in adriamycin-treated patients.

We measured the base 5-(hydroxymethyl) uracil (HMUra) and the nucleoside 8-oxo-7,8-dehydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo) in urine of adriamycin-treated cancer patients. Adriamycin has been shown to generate oxygen free radicals by various mechanisms. HMUra and 8-oxo-dGuo are two known lesions of DNA, produced by oxygen free reaction on thymine and 2'-deoxyguanosine, respectively.

Measurement of oxidative base damage to DNA by using HPLC-32P-postlabelling and GC/MS-selective ion monitoring assays.

A 32P-postlabelling assay has been developed for singling out specific oxidized base lesions. Emphasis was placed on the quantitative aspect and the accuracy of the assay, which require the use of calibration curves and microreactions, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the detection and the measurement of adenine N1-oxide and 5-hydroxymethyluracil in cells exposed to agents inducing oxidative stress including H2O2 and UV-A radiation.

IMOCUR stimulates production of immunoglobulins; preliminary results concerning a correlation between in vitro and in vivo experiments.

The bacterial extract IMOCUR is described as an in vivo stimulant of antibody production during animal testing and human clinical trials. Using a slightly modified procedure (13) dealing with in vitro immunoglobulin production by C57B1/6 mouse spleen cells, we have shown that IMOCUR potentiates spontaneous IgM production. In order to explore the putative relation between this in vitro activity and the current in vivo control test (stimulation of plaque-forming cell production after sheep red blood cell injection to Balb/c mouse), we have assayed 10 lyophilisates in vitro and in vivo before and after heat inactivation (80 degrees C, 7 days in a saturated water atmosphere).