Relationship among nitric oxide, leptin, ACTH, corticosterone, and IL-1beta, in the early and late phases of adjuvant arthritis in male Long Evans rats.

Leptin, a hormone regulating body weight, food intake, and metabolism, is associated with activation of immune cells and inflammation. In this study we analyzed levels of leptin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), and nitric oxide (NO) production on days 10 and 22 of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in male Long Evans rats to ascertain possible relationship of leptin with its modulators during the early and late phases of chronic inflammation. The circulating leptin levels were significantly reduced already on day 10 of AA compared to controls (1.

Boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction attenuates the leptin concentration and restores the thymus mass during pregnancy in mice.

The immunosuppressive fraction (ISF) of boar seminal vesicle fluid was recently demonstrated to inhibit production of T helper (Th)1 cytokines and enhance production of Th2 cytokines. The present study shows the effect of the ISF on leptin concentrations in blood plasma and adipose tissue in mice during pregnancy. The ISF effect on thymus weight during pregnancy is also demonstrated.

Effects of boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction on production of cytokines by Concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells and on proliferation of B lymphoma cell lines.

Problem: The immunosuppressive fraction (ISF) of boar seminal vesicle fluid has recently been demonstrated to inhibit mitogen-stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes and antibody response to corpuscular and soluble antigens. The effects of ISF on in vitro and in vivo production of cytokines as well as its possible inhibitory effect on proliferation of B lymphoma cells remain to be elucidated.

Methods: The effect of ISF on proliferation of normal mouse spleen cells stimulated by Concanavalin A (Con A) and on mouse B lymphoma cells was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation.

Reverse effect of indomethacin on the immunosuppressive activity of boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction.

The inhibitory activity of seminal immunosuppressive fraction (ISF) on mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and on production of antibody to a soluble antigen was modified by indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF. The ability of indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF to reverse the ISF-induced inhibition of mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was estimated by measuring bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into replicated DNA. Splenocytes from mice treated with indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF prior to the application of ISF were tested.

Suppression of adjuvant arthritis in rats by boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction.

Objective: The effect of the immunosuppressive fraction of boar seminal vesicle fluid (ISF) was tested on the manifestation of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats.

Methods: The inhibitory effect of ISF on mitogen-stimulated proliferation of rat lymphocytes was evaluated by immunoassay using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Adjuvant arthritis was induced in male Long Evans rats with Mycobacterium butyricum in adjuvant.

Inhibition of the antibody responses to rat blood transfusion antigens in mice by boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction.

Problem: Immunosuppressive fraction of boar seminal vesicle fluid (ISF) was tested to muffle primary and secondary antibody responses to xenotranfusions. Contemporaneously, heparin non-binding fraction of seminal plasma (H- fraction), presumed to be identical to ISF, was used to support the results.

Method: To study their similarity, ISF and H- fraction were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and the separated proteins by N-terminal sequencing.

Immunolocalization of the boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction infused via uterus on the lymphocytes populating mouse genital tract tissues.

Intrauterine deposition of the immunosuppressive fraction from boar seminal vesicle fluid (ISF) led to a suppression of antibody response to soluble and corpuscular antigens in mice. By means of an immunofluorescent method using specific monoclonal antibody, ISF was detected on the membranes of white blood cells and splenocytes of mice subjected to intrauterine treatment from the third day to the thirteenth day after its deposition. ISF was also detected on the lymphocytes populating the mucosal tissues of vagina, cervix, oviduct and uterus from day 1 to 13 after its intrauterine administration.

Influence of active immunization against angiotensin AT1 or AT2 receptor on hypertension development in young and adult SHR.

The influence of long-lasting blockade of angiotensin AT1 or AT2 receptors by antibody against the particular receptor peptides on blood pressure and relative heart and kidney weight was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Young and adult SHR were repeatedly immunized against the sequence 14-23 of angiotensin AT1 receptor from the age of either 1 or 3 months. Other groups of young and adult SHR were immunized against the sequences 37-43 and 106-116 of angiotensin AT2 receptor.

Characterization of boar spermadhesins by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and their role in binding to oocytes.

Problem: The role of Ala-Trp-Asn (AWN) and Ala-Gln-Asn (AQN) families of spermadhesive sperm proteins in fertilization.

Method Of Study: The preparation and characterization of polyclonal antibodies against AWN and AQN spermadhesins and one monoclonal antibody (MAb), designated Bo.5, against AWN spermadhesin.

Spermadhesins of the AQN and AWN families, DQH sperm surface protein and HNK protein in the heparin-binding fraction of boar seminal plasma.

Heparin-binding proteins (designated BHB-2-BHB-9) were isolated from boar seminal plasma by affinity chromatography on heparin immobilized on polyacrylamide gel, followed by reverse phase HPLC. According to their N-terminal amino acid sequences, BHB-3-BHB-5 belong to the AQN family of spermadhesins and BHB-7-BHB-9 to the AWN family. BHB-6 is composed of two different proteins.

Inhibition of bacterial and boar epididymal sperm immunogenicity by boar seminal immunosuppressive component in mice.

Intravenous deposition of the immunosuppressive component, isolated from boar seminal vesicle secretion, led to suppression of primary and secondary antibody response to boar epididymal spermatozoa and to bacterial antigens. The most effective suppression of the immune response was achieved in female mice treated with immunosuppressive component 3 days before the immunization with antigen. The treatment with immunosuppressor 3 days after the immunization resulted in less effective immunosuppression.

Effect of boar seminal immunosuppressive component on humoral immune response in mice.

Problem: The effect of seminal immunosuppressive component (ISF) on the primary and secondary antibody response, induced by soluble and/or corpuscular antigens, was evaluated in the sera obtained at different intervals before and after immunizations. The duration of the immune suppression induced by ISF treatment within the primary and secondary immunizations was also determined.

Method Of Study: The ability of the seminal immunosuppressive component to suppress the primary and secondary antibody response was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in the sera of mice treated in vivo with the immunosuppressor before and after immunization with antigens.

Effect of boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction on B lymphocytes and on primary antibody response.

Repeated i.p. or rectal treatment of male and female mice with an immunosuppressive component isolated from boar seminal vesicle secretion reduced responses of B lymphocytes to mitogen as evaluated by [3H]thymidine or bromo-deoxyuridine incorporation.

Blockade of AT1 receptors by specific antibody attenuated hypertension development in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The influence of chronic angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade by specific antibody on the development of genetic hypertension was studied in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The immunization of 4-week-old SHR with a small part of the angiotensin AT1 receptor molecule attenuated the development of hypertension in these animals. After five subcutaneous injections of the antigen both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower (p < 0.

Immunosuppressive effect induced by intraperitoneal and rectal administration of boar seminal immunosuppressive factor.

The immunosuppressive component was isolated from boar seminal vesicle secretion and administered i.p. or rectally to male mice.

Effect of intra-rectal administration of boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction on mouse lymphocytes.

The repeated deposition of an immunosuppressive fraction isolated from boar vesicular gland secretion into the rectum of healthy male and female mice reduced responses of lymphocytes to mitogens in vitro. Rectal deposition of the immunosuppressive component also led to a decrease in the activity of plaque-forming cells. These findings indicate that repeated rectal deposition of semen may compromise some aspects of the immune system and may be an important cofactor in the development of viral or bacterial infections among homosexual men.

Angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade by specific antibody prevented two-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension in the rat.

The effect of chronic angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade by a specific antibody on the development of two-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension was studied in Wistar rats. Renal artery constriction resulted in a fast and large increase in blood pressure in comparison with that of control rats. On the other hand, the pre-immunization of rats with a small part of the angiotensin AT1 receptor completely prevented the development of renal hypertension.

Serine protease activity in boar seminal vesicles and its immunological similarity to sperm acrosin.

A mouse monoclonal antibody against boar acrosin and antiserum prepared to highly purified acrosin in female rabbits were used to detect the antigen in various fluids and tissues of boars using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. A strong reaction was found in fluid and epithelial tissue of the seminal vesicles as well as in the germinal cells in the testis. No immunoreactivity was detected in tissues of the epididymides and other organs of the boar.

Reactivities of a monoclonal antibody directed against an immunosuppressive molecule in boar seminal plasma.

Using a monoclonal antibody (LIS-4) to an immunosuppressive factor isolated from boar vesicular gland secretion it was determined that this gland secretes a tissue-specific immunosuppressive molecule that is absorbed onto the acrosome of spermatozoa during ejaculation. Absorption of the immunosuppressive molecule onto murine embryos at the 2-, 4-, 8-cell, morula and blastocyst stages in vitro was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence. In vivo absorption was detected on the zona pellucida of murine embryos obtained from oviducts injected with the immunosuppressive molecule.

Effect of boar seminal plasma immunosuppressive factor on NK cell activity and skin graft survival.

The B 10 strain of mice was used to test the effect of the boar seminal vesicle immunosuppressive factor on the female mouse response to the male-specific transplantation antigen. Influence of this factor on human natural killer (NK) cell activity was also studied. No inhibitory effect of the immunosuppressive factor on graft survival was apparent during a time of more than 200 days, nor did the factor suppress NK cell activity.

Binding of a 15 kDa glycoprotein from spermatozoa of boars to surface of zona pellucida and cumulus oophorus cells.

A highly purified 15 kDa glycoprotein isolated from ejaculated spermatozoa was used to raise antisera in female rabbits. An indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to detect the antigen in the seminal vesicle tissue and on the acrosomes of ejaculated, native and capacitated, boar spermatozoa. No immunoreactivity was detected on cells of the seminiferous tubules (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids), on spermatozoa in the ductus epididymis and in cells of the epididymal and testicular tissues.

Purification and partial characterization of the 17 kDa sperm coating protein from boar seminal plasma.

Sperm coating proteins of 16, 17, and 19 kDa have been purified from boar seminal plasma. The 17 kDa protein has been identified as an antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody ACR.3 and is thus identical to low molecular mass zona pellucida binding protein from boar spermatozoa (Moos et al.

Immunosuppressive factor in cow follicular fluid.

The activity of the immunosuppressive fraction and proteinase inhibitor isolated from cow follicular fluid was investigated. The immunosuppressive factor was separated from the accompanying proteinase inhibitor by Sepharose 6B and Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography. In vitro, the fraction significantly reduced mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation.

Lack of effect of boar seminal vesicle fluid immunosuppressor factor on embryo development.

The effects of an immunosuppressive factor (ISF) isolated from boar seminal vesicle fluid on in vitro and in vivo mouse development were investigated. It was found that the zona pellucida of porcine and mouse oocytes pre-incubated with ISF reacted in indirect immunofluorescence with antibodies against ISF. Further results indicated that the boar ISF had no effect on embryo development.

In vivo and in vitro immunosuppression by boar seminal vesicle fluid fraction.

Boar seminal vesicle fluid inhibits blast transformation of porcine lymphocytes. Boar seminal vesicle fluid was precipitated in 8% ethanol and the dissolved precipitate separated into two peaks upon chromatography on a Sephacryl S-200 column. The inhibitory activity was found predominantly in the second peak.