To design therapies for demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, it will be important to understand the mechanisms that control oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) numbers in the adult central nervous system (CNS). During development, OPC numbers are limited by the supply of platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A). Here, we examine the role of PDGF-A in regulating OPC numbers in n...

BACKGROUND There is an increase in inflammatory and a reduction in anti-inflammatory cytokines in multiple sclerosis (MS). Considering the role of thyroid hormones in the development and regulation of both neural and immune systems, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of levothyroxine on serum concentrations of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in animal models o...

Lipid fractions of native plasma and of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were analyzed, and the clotting times of native platelet-rich and -poor plasma were recorded in patients with coronary artery disease and age-matched control subjects not taking any medication known to alter plasma lipid levels, coagulation, or platelet aggregation. Patients with coronary artery disease had lower HDL cholest...

Fusion between vesicles, cells, or organelles may be defined as confluence of two membrane-bound compartments without access of their solutes to external milieu. To study fusion by this criterion, we have trapped the metallochromic calcium-sensitive dye, arsenazo III (AIII), partially calcium-saturated (AIII-Ca) in one population of liposomes (phoshatidylcholine 90:dicetylphosphate 10), and eth...

A one step HPLC method for the determination of the main phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SP) and lysolecithin (LL) in amniotic fluid, milk, tracheal secretion, lung lavages, gastric aspirates, infant formulas and some other human and animal media has been developed. Quantitation occurs a...

The role of phospholipases in the regulation of the changing phospholipid composition of normal human aortae with age was studied. Portions of grossly and histologically lesion-free ascending aortae from 16 females and 29 males obtained at autopsy, were analyzed for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), phospholipid, and cholesterol content and phospholipid composition. Enzymic activity toward four subs...

Blood platelets from eight patients with hyperbetalipoproteinemia (type II) were more reactive to aggregating agents in vitro than those of 13 type IV patients or 12 normal subjects. Platelets of two patients with abeta-lipoproteinemia were also slightly hyperreactive in comparison with normal platelets. However, in one patient with Tangier disease the platelets were distinctly hyporeactive to ...

The interaction of multilamellar liposomes with mouse peritoneal macrophages cultured in vitro has been examined. The principal mechanism of liposome uptake by these cells is by phagocytic engulfment. Studies with radiolabeled liposomes demonstrated that they are incorporated into macrophages as intact structures and that treatment of macrophages with inhibitors of phagocytosis prevents liposom...