Application of reverse transcription-PCR to total RNA prepared from TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha)-stimulated HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) revealed that the syndecan-2 mRNA was up-regulated by this inflammatory stimulus. By immunoprecipitation using an anti-syndecan-2 antibody on TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVEC lysates, inflammation-induced interleukin-8 was found to be ...

We read with interest the report by Neidal et al on the eVects of methotrexate (MTX) on articular cartilage in vitro and in vivo. The relevance of these findings to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other diseases who are receiving MTX is of considerable interest. In a previous study we reported that treatment of RA patients with MTX resulted in reduced numbers of leucocytes and reduc...

We read with interest the report by Neidal et al on the eVects of methotrexate (MTX) on articular cartilage in vitro and in vivo. The relevance of these findings to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other diseases who are receiving MTX is of considerable interest. In a previous study we reported that treatment of RA patients with MTX resulted in reduced numbers of leucocytes and reduc...

Bleeding as a complication of liver disease can occur in the absence of recognised haemostatic defects. It is now possible to measure the concentration of endogenous heparinoid substances in the blood using a competitive binding assay. One such substance, heparan sulphate (normal range < 600 ng/ml) was assayed in the plasma of 49 patients admitted because of oesophageal varices. In 27 patients ...

We read with interest the report by Neidal et al on the eVects of methotrexate (MTX) on articular cartilage in vitro and in vivo. The relevance of these findings to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other diseases who are receiving MTX is of considerable interest. In a previous study we reported that treatment of RA patients with MTX resulted in reduced numbers of leucocytes and reduc...

Thrombospondin is a 420-kD platelet alpha-granule glycoprotein that binds specifically to heparin. We examined adhesion to thrombospondin of CHO K1 cells and three mutant CHO lines with varying deficiencies in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis. In an experiment in which the parent line (K1) had 78% adherence to thrombospondin adsorbed to tissue culture plastic, CHO S745 cells, with less than 6%...

The secretory enzyme extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) occurs in at least three forms, which differ with regard to heparin affinity: A lacks affinity, B has intermediate affinity, and C has relatively strong affinity. The affinity of EC-SOD C for various sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was assessed (a) by determining the concentration of NaCl required to release the enzyme from GA...

The precise nature and role of a charge-selectivity barrier, existing at the level of the glomerular capillary wall has been the subject of continuing controversy since it was first postulated over 30 years ago. Recent studies suggest that some earlier observations may have been overinterpreted and that the conclusions reached should be re-examined. The concept of a charge-selectivity barrier a...