The glycoprotein 90K was originally described as a tumor‐secreted antigen and subsequently found to have immunostimulatory activity as well as other possible functions. This protein interacts with an endogenous lectin, galectin‐3, and may play a role in tumor metastasis through this interaction. Because 90K is heavily glycosylated, it may also interact with other members of the galectin family, which would contribute to the multifunctionality of 90K. To test this possibility, we studied the recognition of 90K by galectin‐1, which, like galectin‐3, has been associated with neoplastic transformation. In a solid‐phase binding assay, human recombinant galectin‐1 bound immobilized human recombinant 90K in a fashion that was inhibitable by lactose. Galectins 1 and 3 appeared to bind to separate sites on 90K because they did not affect the binding of each other. The dissociation constant of galectin‐1 to 90K was on the order of 10−7 M. Galectin‐1 also induced aggregation of a human melanoma cell line, A375, in a carbohydrate‐dependent manner, and this appeared to be mediated, at least in part, by 90K expressed on A375 cells, since it was inhibitable by a specific anti‐90K monoclonal antibody. We conclude that 90K interacts with both galectin‐1 and galectin‐3 and both interactions contribute to the formation of multicell aggregates. Because both of these galectins as well as 90K are often over‐expressed in neoplasm, these interactions may occur in the setting of various carcinomas and contribute to their progression and metastasis. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Six partially developed line 15I5-B congenic White Leghorn chicken strains were used to investigate age and B haplotype effects on hematocrit, total and differential leukocyte counts, hemolytic complement, immunoglobulins, and body weights. The .C-12 line had the lowest hematocrit values throughout the study. The .15I-5 line always had the highest mean hematocrit value and differed from the .C-12 and .P-13 lines at 3, 8, and 12 weeks, as well as lines .N-15 and .6-2 at 12 weeks. Ontogenically, the total leukocyte, hemolytic complement, immunoglobulins, and body weight values increased after 3 weeks in all lines. Lymphocytes were the predominant leukocyte after 3 weeks in all lines studied. At 12 weeks, the .C-12 line had the highest total leukocytes, heterophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes among the lines studied. The .6-2 line had a significantly higher hemolytic complement level than the .P-13 or the .C-12 line at all 3 ages, and at 12 weeks it also differed from the .7-2 line. The lines were found to be comparable for immunoglobulin classes M and G. In this study the line 15I5-B congenic lines differ for the traits of hematocrit and hemolytic complement level, and the results suggest the difference may be determined by genes in the B complex.

No abstract

A technique for staining avian blood smears using combined Wright's-Giemsa's stain is described. This procedure is very easy to perform and is suitable for routine avian hematology. (