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A Doucet

Publications and source records attributed to A Doucet.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Occurrence of a silencer of the interleukin-2 gene in naive but not in memory resting T helper lymphocytes.

In the immune system the first activation of a naive T cell by antigen is a key step in the shaping of the peripheral T cell specificity repertoire and maintenance of self-tolerance. In the present study, analysis of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene activation shows that naive human helper T cells (cord blood CD4+ T cells, adult CD4+CD45RO- T cells) regulate IL-2 transcription by a mechanism involving both a silencer and an activator acting on the purine-rich IL-2 promoter elements (NF-AT binding sites). By contrast, memory cells, either in vitro activated helper T cells reverting to a resting state, or CD4+ T (memory) clones, or CD4+CD45RO+ T cells isolated ex vivo, no longer have a silencer. Their IL-2 transcription seems to be controlled solely by the transition from inactive to active functional state of a positive transcription factor binding to these promoter elements as well as its cytoplasmic or nuclear location: in resting memory T cells the activator is located in the cytoplasm and is inactive, whereas in stimulated cells it is functional in promoting transcription and now resides in the nucleus. Thus, the regulation of the gene coding for the main T cell growth factor changes irreversibly after the first encounter of T cells with antigen. It is most likely that the presence of a silencer contributes to the more stringent activation requirements of naive CD4+ T cells.

Cell Compartmentation↗
PubMed1993

Short-term effect of aldosterone on vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat collecting tubule.

Because previous studies indicated that, in the rat collecting tubule, vasopressin (AVP)-sensitive adenylate cyclase (AC) is controlled by mineralocorticoids in the long term, the present study was designed to investigate whether such a control also exists in the short term. Therefore, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of aldosterone on AC activity in cortical and outer medullary collecting tubules (CCD and OMCD, respectively) from adrenalectomized rats. Injection of aldosterone (10 micrograms/kg body wt) to adrenalectomized rats restored within 3 h AVP-sensitive AC activity in the CCD and OMCD up to the levels observed in the corresponding segments of adrenal intact rats. Similarly, incubating CCD or OMCD from adrenalectomized rats for 2.5 h in the presence of 10(-8) M aldosterone enhanced AVP-sensitive AC activity up to values similar to those found in normal rats. In vitro stimulation of AVP-sensitive AC activity was dose dependent with regard to aldosterone [apparent affinity constant (K0.5) approximately 10(-9) M], appeared after a 30-min lag period, and reached its maximum after 2-2.5 h. In addition, it was totally abolished by the antimineralocorticoid spironolactone, whereas the specific glucocorticoid antagonist RU 38486 had no effect. Finally, actinomycin D and cycloheximide totally abolished the in vitro action of aldosterone, demonstrating the involvement of protein synthesis in that process.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1993

Mechanism of enhanced Na-K-ATPase activity in cortical collecting duct from rats with nephrotic syndrome.

The maximal hydrolytic activity of Na-K-ATPase is specifically increased in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of rats with puromycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS). This stimulation is independent of aldosterone and of endogenous ouabain-like substance. To investigate the mechanism responsible for this change, we compared the maximal Na-K-ATPase hydrolytic activity, the ouabain sensitive 86Rb influx, the specific [3H]ouabain binding, and the sensitivity of Na-K-ATPase to ouabain in the CCD of control rats and of rats given an intraperitoneal injection of puromycin 7 d before study. Both Na-K-ATPase activity and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb influx increased two-fold in rats with NS (ATPase activity: 34.1 +/- 2.1 vs. 18.0 +/- 0.7 pmol.mm-1 x min-1 +/- SE, n = 6, P < 0.001; Rb influx: 14.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 7.4 +/- 0.4 peq.min-1 +/- SE, n = 6, P < 0.001) whereas specific [3H]ouabain binding decreased in rats with NS (6.9 +/- 0.7 vs. 9.0 +/- 0.6 fmol.mm-1 +/- SE, n = 6, P < 0.005). Therefore, the maximal turnover rate of Na-K-ATPase increased over twofold in rats with NS (5,053 +/- 361 vs. 2,043 +/- 124 cycles.min-1 +/- SE, n = 6, P < 0.001). Analysis of the curves of inhibition of Na-K-ATPase by ouabain showed the presence of two Na-K-ATPase populations in both control and NS rats: a highly sensitive population (apparent Ki: 1.4 x 10(-6) M and 0.9 x 10(-6) M) and a less sensitive moiety (apparent Ki: 2.6 x 10(-4) M and 1.1 x 10(-4) M). The enhancement of Na-K-ATPase activity observed in the CCD of rats with NS was entirely due to the stimulation of the population of Na-K-ATPase with low ouabain sensitivity. These results suggest that a dysregulation of this subclass of Na-K-ATPase might be the primary cause of sodium retention in this model of nephrotic syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Frequencies of HIV-reactive B cells in seropositive and seronegative individuals.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-infected seropositive (HIV+) but not from normal, seronegative (HIV-) individuals are known to produce anti-HIV antibodies in vitro, in the absence or presence of pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Previous studies showed that up to 20-40% of spontaneously immunoglobulin-secreting B cells from HIV+ individuals are HIV-specific. To analyse the frequency of anti-HIV B cells among 'total' peripheral blood B cells in the present study, we used a limiting dilution assay in which EL-4 thymoma cells induce clones of immunoglobulin-secreting cells in activated as well as resting B cells. Anti-HIV B cells were detected not only in 11/12 HIV+ individuals (with frequencies from 1/910 to 1/21,500 B cells cultured; one negative test was from a person undergoing seroconversion), but also in 4/9 HIV- normal blood donors (1/16,200 to 1/49,000 B cells cultured) and in 3/6 newborns from HIV- mothers (1/11,800 to 1/26,600 B cells cultured). The mean frequency was nine times higher in the HIV+ individuals than in the normal donors. As in previous studies, only the cells from HIV+ individuals generated anti-HIV antibodies in PBMC bulk cultures with or without PWM. The relative proportion of specific anti-HIV antibody/total immunoglobulin in PBMC bulk cultures was 800 times higher by the mean than in EL-4 B cell cultures from HIV+ individuals (whereby the total immunoglobulin secretion for equal numbers of B cells cultured was 500 times lower for PBMC). These different results obtained with different assays suggest that in seropositives most anti-HIV B cells belong to an activated B compartment which is quite small, even in a disease with B cell hyperactivity. Therefore, the specific B cells are strongly diluted among the EL-4 cell-responsive, total B cells. On the other hand, the EL-4 assay can detect HIV-reactive B cells in the B cell repertoire of normal, non-infected individuals.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1992

Effect of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis on NEM-sensitive ATPase in rat nephron segments.

An N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) displaying the kinetic and pharmacological properties of an electrogenic proton pump has been described in the different segments of rat nephron, where it mediates part of the active tubular proton secretion. This study was therefore designed to evaluate whether changes in urinary acidification observed during metabolic acidosis or alkalosis were associated with alterations of the activity of tubular NEM-sensitive ATPase, and if so, to localize the nephron segments responsible for these changes. Within 1 wk after the onset of ammonium chloride treatment, rats developed a metabolic acidosis, and NEM-sensitive ATPase activity was markedly increased in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and outer medullary collecting tubule, and slightly increased in the cortical collecting tubule. Conversely, treatment with sodium bicarbonate induced a metabolic alkalosis that was accompanied by decreased NEM-sensitive ATPase activity in medullary thick ascending limb and outer medullary collecting tubule. NEM-sensitive ATPase activity was not altered in any other nephron segment tested in alkalotic and acidotic rats, i.e., the proximal tubule and the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. Changes qualitatively similar were observed as soon as 3 h after the onset of NaHCO3 or NH4Cl-loading. In the medullary collecting tubule, alterations of NEM-sensitive ATPase activity are in part due to hyperaldosteronism observed in both acidotic and alkalotic rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1992

Sites of antinatriuretic action of insulin along rat nephron.

This study was aimed at identifying the renal sites of the antinatriuretic action of insulin by evaluating whether this hormone may alter the function of Na-K-ATPase in specific nephron segments. For this purpose, possible actions of insulin on the rate of 86Rb uptake were evaluated in vitro on single segments of proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), thick ascending limb, and collecting tubule microdissected from collagenase-treated kidneys of normal rats. Results indicate that physiological concentrations of insulin inhibited by 44% the initial rate of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake in the medullary and cortical thick ascending limb, whereas it increased it by 40% in proximal tubules and by 60% in both cortical and medullary collecting tubules. The kinetics and dose dependence of insulin actions were different in the thick ascending limb, the PCT, and the collecting tubule, with the latter less sensitive but displaying an earlier response to insulin than the PCT and the thick ascending limb.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Characterization and localization of ouabain-insensitive Na-dependent ATPase activities along the rat nephron.

Single segments of rat nephron contain two distinct ouabain-insensitive, K-independent, Na-dependent ATPase activities: a Na-stimulated ATPase and a Na-inhibited ATPase. Na-inhibited ATPase activity is found in the proximal tubule and the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop but is absent in the collecting tubule whereas Na-stimulated ATPase is exclusively located in the proximal convoluted tubule. Na-inhibited ATPase, but not Na-stimulated ATPase, is totally abolished in the presence of 100 microM Ca2+. Conversely, Na-stimulated ATPase, but not Na-inhibited ATPase, is curtailed when nephron segments are preincubated at pH 7.2 whereas it is activated at pH 7.8. Finally, Na-stimulated ATPase displays an apparent Km for Na+ of approximately 10 mM, and is dose-dependently inhibited by the diuretic triflocin (IC50 approximately 6 x 10(-6) M).

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

K(+)-ATPase-mediated Rb+ transport in rat collecting tubule: modulation during K+ deprivation.

To evaluate the involvement of K(+)-ATPase activity in K+ transport in the terminal segments of the rat nephron, we searched for the existence of a component of Rb+ uptake into microdissected segments of collecting tubule associated with the activity of this ATPase. Results indicated that K(+)-ATPase is stimulated by K+ and by Rb+ in a similar fashion and that it is specifically inhibited by the imidazopyridine Sch 28080 (apparent affinity approximately 5 x 10(-7) M). In both cortical and outer medullary collecting tubules (CCT and MCT) of normal rats, 10(-4) M Sch 28080 significantly inhibited the initial rate of Rb+ uptake. Sch 28080-sensitive Rb+ uptake in these two nephron segments was not altered by ouabain, as K(+)-ATPase activity. Finally, both K(+)-ATPase activity and Sch 28080-sensitive Rb+ uptake were increased by similar factors in the CCT and MCT of rats fed a K(+)-depleted diet for 3 days. In these two nephron segments, the apparent stoichiometry of K(+)-ATPase was 1 Rb+:1 ATP. These results demonstrate that K(+)-ATPase reflects the activity of a K+ pump that is pharmacologically similar to the gastric H(+)-K+ pump.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Biochemical and functional characterization of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in distal amphibian nephron.

Because proton secretion and K+ reabsorption in the late distal tubule of amphibians are active, we evaluated whether these processes could be mediated by an H(+)-K(+)-ATPase similar to the gastric H(+)-K+ pump and to the K(+)-ATPase previously described in the terminal segments of the mammalian nephron. K(+)-stimulated ATPase activity was detected in microdissected segments of frog and Necturus nephron: its activity was high in the late distal and collecting tubules, whereas it was undetectable in the proximal convoluted tubule and early distal tubule. In frog collecting tubule, K(+)-ATPase had a high affinity for K+ (Km approximately 0.30 mM), was inhibited by vanadate, omeprazole, and the imidazopyridine Sch 28080, and was insensitive to ouabain. Furthermore, in vivo administration of Sch 28080 to anesthetized Necturus induced a significant rise of the steadystate intratubular pH in the late distal tubule, demonstrating that this drug inhibited tubular fluid acidification. It is suggested that K(+)-ATPase present in the terminal segments of amphibian nephron is similar to the gastric H(+)-K+ pump and is involved in urinary acidification.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Renal action of progesterone and 18-substituted derivatives.

The recently synthesized progesterone (P) derivatives, 18-vinylprogesterone (18VP) and 18-ethynylprogesterone (18EP), are potent inhibitors of aldosterone synthesis by adrenal glands. To evaluate the potential interest of these compounds as antihypertensive drugs, we determined whether they also interact with renal mineralocorticosteroid receptors (MR) in kidney and, if so, whether they mimic or antagonize aldosterone action. For this purpose, we evaluated the potency of 18VP and 18EP 1) to displace [3H]aldosterone binding in cytosolic fractions of kidney from adrenalectomized rats and 2) to interfere with aldosterone-induced stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the collecting tubule of adrenalectomized rats. The properties of 18VP and 18EP were compared with those of their precursor progesterone and of the antimineralocorticosteroid spironolactone. The binding of [3H]aldosterone was restricted to cytosolic MR by presaturating glucocorticosteroid receptor with RU 38486. All compounds tested displaced [3H]aldosterone binding with the following efficiency: spironolactone greater than aldosterone greater than P greater than 18VP greater than 18EP; apparent Kd varied between 0.66 and 16.4 nM. Spironolactone, P, and 18VP antagonized aldosterone-induced stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the collecting tubule, whereas 18EP mimicked the mineralocorticosteroid action. The different steroids tested altered Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase stimulation and aldosterone binding with the same order of potency.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1991

Characterization and control of proton-ATPase along the nephron.

Since it is now well established that the Na-H exchanger accounts for only part of tubular proton secretion, we attempted to characterize the molecular processes responsible for the remaining moiety. In particular, we evaluated the possible roles of proton pumps in urinary acidification. For this purpose, we characterized ATPase activities associated with the electrogenic H pump, on the one hand, and with H-K-ATPase, on the other. In order to circumvent the axial heterogeneity of nephron, this study was carried out on microdissected segments of nephron. The present report summarized experiments which aimed: (1) at characterizing H-ATPase and H-K-ATPase on kinetic and pharmacologic bases in the successive segments of mammalian nephrons; (2) at evaluating the ionic transport mediated by these two ATPases; and (3) at determining the factors which control the activity of these pumps.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1990

Enhanced intracellular sodium concentration in kidney cells recruits a latent pool of Na-K-ATPase whose size is modulated by corticosteroids.

Besides its role in the control of the rate of functioning of each Na-K-ATPase unit (as a substrate of the enzyme), the intracellular sodium concentration also regulates the number of active Na-K-ATPase units, as previously described in cultured cells. To evaluate such a possibility in kidney epithelial cells, the intracellular concentration of sodium in rat cortical collecting tubules (CCT) maintained in vitro was altered by the use of the sodium ionophore nystatin. When CCT were preincubated for 2-3 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of nystatin, the enzymatic activity of Na-K-ATPase was markedly stimulated as compared to tubules preincubated without nystatin or in the presence of the ionophore but in the absence of extracellular sodium. Although nystatin increased both Na-K-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain specific binding in CCT, its action was independent of de novo synthesis of the pump since neither actinomycin D nor cycloheximide abolished it. It is suggested that increasing the sodium concentration in CCT cells induces the recruitment of a latent pool of Na-K-ATPase units. The size of this latent pool of enzyme is under the control of corticosteroids as it is markedly decreased in CCT from adrenalectomized rats.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1990

Gluco- and mineralocorticoids control adenylate cyclase in specific nephron segments.

Adrenal insufficiency is associated with an impairment of kidney diluting and concentrating ability, defects that may result from alterations of vasopressin-induced adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production. The purpose of this study were 1) to localize the sites of decreased vasopressin-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activity along the nephron of adrenalectomized rats; 2) to determine whether the response of AC to other hormones is altered by adrenalectomy; 3) to evaluate whether changes in AC are due to the deficiency in mineralocorticoids and/or glucocorticoids; and 4) to characterize the mechanism of action of corticosteroids on the AC system. Results indicate that adrenalectomy reduced AC stimulation by vasopressin, glucagon, and calcitonin in the thick ascending limb, whereas only the response to vasopressin decreased in the collecting tubule. Glucocorticoid administration curtailed adrenalectomy-induced alterations of AC in the thick ascending limb, whereas that in the collecting tubule was prevented by mineralocorticoids. Adrenalectomy did not alter forskolin-stimulated AC, whereas it decreased responses to aluminum fluoride and cholera toxin. Finally, alterations of fluoride- and cholera toxin-stimulated AC were prevented by glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid repletion in the thick ascending limb and collecting tubule, respectively.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1990

Measurement of Na-K-ATPase-mediated rubidium influx in single segments of rat nephron.

To determine the functioning rate of Na-K-ATPase in the rat nephron, a micromethod was developed to measure the rate of rubidium uptake in single nephron segments microdissected from collagenase-treated kidneys. Because the hydrolytic activity of Na-K-ATPase displayed the same apparent affinity for K and Rb ions, whereas the Vmax elicited by K was higher than that in the presence of Rb, experiments were performed in the presence of cold Rb plus 86Rb. Before the assay, tubules were preincubated for 10 min at 37 degrees C to restore the normal transmembrane cation gradients. 86Rb uptake was measured after washing out extracellular cations by rinsing the tubules in ice-cold choline chloride solution containing Ba2+. Rb uptake increased quasi-linearly as a function of incubation time up to 30 s in the thick ascending limb, 1 min in the proximal convoluted tubule, and 5 min in the collecting tubule, and reached an equilibrium after 5-30 min. The initial rates of Rb uptake increased in a saturable fashion as Rb concentration in the medium rose from 0.25 to 5 mM. In medullary thick ascending limb, the initial rate of Rb uptake was inhibited by greater than 90% by 2.5 mM ouabain and by 10(-5) M of the metabolic inhibitor carbonyl cyanide trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. Correlation of Na-K-ATPase hydrolytic activity at Vmax and initial rates of ouabain-sensitive Rb uptake in the successive segments of nephron indicates that in intact cells the pump works at approximately 20-30% of its Vmax. Increasing intracellular Na concentration by tubule preincubation in a Rb- and K-free medium increased the initial rates of Rb intake up to the Vmax of the hydrolytic activity of the pump.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Difference in the Na affinity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase along the rabbit nephron: modulation by K.

The sensitivity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase to Na was determined in single segments of rabbit nephron isolated by microdissection. In the cortical collecting tubule (CCT), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was threefold more sensitive to Na (apparent K0.5 approximately 3 mM) than in proximal convoluted tubule and cortical thick ascending limb (apparent K0.5 approximately 10 mM). Furthermore, increasing K concentration from 5 to greater than 100 mM markedly reduced the affinity of the pump for Na in all three nephron segments. In fact, the main shift in Na affinity occurred when K changed from 100 to 120 mM; in the CCT, increasing K concentration from 100 to 120 mM while maintaining Na concentration at 10 mM reduced Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity by greater than 35%. These findings confirm that, in kidney cells as in other cells, intracellular Na limits the rate of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Thus any alteration of intracellular Na concentration modifies the pump activity in a way that contributes to the restoration of intracellular Na homeostasis. This adaptive property is particularly efficient in the collecting tubule in which the apparent K0.5 of the pump for Na is close to normal intracellular Na concentration. Furthermore, changes in intracellular K concentration, which usually accompany those of Na so as to maintain the total cation concentration constant, potentiate the regulatory role of Na through modifications of its affinity for the pump.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Short-term effect of aldosterone on NEM-sensitive ATPase in rat collecting tubule.

Because previous studies indicated that in the collecting tubule, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive ATPase, the biochemical equivalent of the proton pump, is controlled by mineralocorticoids in the long term, the present study was designed to investigate whether such control also exists in the short term. Therefore we investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of aldosterone on the enzyme activity in cortical and outer medullary collecting tubules (CCT and MCT, respectively) from adrenalectomized rats. Administration of aldosterone (10 micrograms/kg body wt) markedly stimulated NEM-sensitive ATPase activity in the CCT and MCT within 3 h. Similarly, incubating CCT or MCT for 3 h in the presence of 10(-8) M aldosterone enhanced NEM-sensitive ATPase activity up to values similar to those previously measured in the corresponding nephron segments of normal rats. In vitro stimulation of NEM-sensitive ATPase was dose dependent in regard to aldosterone (apparent affinity constant approximately 10(-9) M), appeared after a 30-min lag period, and reached its maximum after 2-2.5 h. Finally, actinomycin D and cycloheximide totally abolished the in vitro action of aldosterone, demonstrating the involvement of protein synthesis in this process.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗