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Biomedical subjects

A Günther

Publications and source records attributed to A Günther.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Differential sensitivity to fibrinogen inhibition of SP-C- vs. SP-B-based surfactants.

Inhibition of surfactant function by plasma-derived proteins is assumed to occur under conditions of alveolar protein leakage. We investigated surface properties and sensitivity to the inhibitory capacity of fibrinogen (Fbg) of artificial surfactants in a pulsating-bubble surfactometer. Phospholipid-fatty acid mixtures (PLM) with or without hydrophobic apoproteins [natural bovine surfactant proteins (SP) B and C, recombinant human SP-C] were used. Without Fbg, all apoprotein-based surfactants exhibited rapid absorption facilities and reduced surface tension to near zero values under dynamic compression. Fbg caused a dose-dependent reduction of adsorption kinetics and dynamic surface tension-lowering properties of all surfactant preparations, but there was a marked rank order of "Fbg sensitivity": PLM without apoprotein being the most sensitive and SP-B-based PLM the least. Fbg sensitivity of recombinant SP-C-based PLM could be lowered dose dependently by adding small amounts of SP-B. For further support of a putative role of SP-B in resistance to Fbg inhibition, calf lung surfactant extract was incubated with monoclonal antibody against SP-B. Without Fbg, anti-SP-B had little influence. However, sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of Fbg was markedly and dose dependently increased by anti-SP-B but not by control immunoglobulin. We conclude that SP-B-based surfactant preparations display markedly lower susceptibility to Fbg inhibition than SP-C combinants.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1992

Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells express interleukin 6 and interleukin 6 receptors.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic lymphokine which can stimulate a variety of cells including B and T lymphocytes. It has been suggested that IL-6 plays a crucial role in several diseases such as human plasmacytoma, cardiac myxoma or Castleman's Disease by autocrine or paracrine stimulation. To analyse whether IL-6 is involved in the biology of Hodgkin's Disease (HD), we investigated the expression of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in cell lines and primary specimens from patients with HD. IL-6 specific transcripts were detected in three out of six HD derived cell lines by Northern blot analysis and in the culture supernatants of four HD derived cell lines by ELISA. Its biological activity was confirmed by proliferation of an IL-6 dependent cell line. By in-situ hybridization experiments IL-6 specific transcripts were detected in Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in primary tissues in two out of three patients. mRNAs specific for the IL-6 receptor were detected in five HD derived cell lines. Staining of HD derived cell lines revealed expression of the receptor molecules in five cell lines; Western blot experiments confirmed the 80kDa receptor protein in the cells. Immunohistology in primary specimens revealed expression of the receptor molecules on H and RS cells in 8 out of 16 cases with HD. Expression was mostly detected in the mixed cellularity subtype of HD. Elevated levels of IL-6 were detected in the sera of more than 50% of patients with HD. Taken together our data suggest that IL-6 might be involved in the biology of HD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-6 receptor in Hodgkin's disease.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multipotent lymphokine that can mediate differentiation of B cells into Ig-secreting cells, stimulate the growth of plasmacytomas, hybridomas, and T cells, and induce acute-phase proteins in liver cells. It has been suggested that IL-6 is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases by autocrine or paracrine pathways. To examine whether IL-6 is possibly involved in the pathophysiology of Hodgkin's disease (HD), we analyzed the expression of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor mRNA and protein in cell lines and primary specimens from patients with HD. IL-6-specific transcripts were detected in three of six HD-derived cell lines by Northern blot analysis. In the culture supernatants of four HD-derived cell lines, IL-6 was detected by radioimmunoassay. Biologic activity of IL-6 was confirmed by proliferation of an IL-6-dependent cell line. In situ hybridization experiments showed IL-6-specific transcripts in Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in primary tissues of two patients. In addition, mRNAs specific for the IL-6 receptor were detected in five HD-derived cell lines. Immunostaining experiments showed expression of IL-6 receptor molecules on H and RS cells in 8 of 16 cases with HD. Thus, our data suggest that IL-6 might be involved in the pathophysiology of HD.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Surface properties and sensitivity to protein-inhibition of a recombinant apoprotein C-based phospholipid mixture in vitro--comparison to natural surfactant.

Surfactant alterations due to protein leakage are implicated in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome. In the present study, surface properties of a palmitic acid containing phospholipid mixture (DPPC: PG: PA/68.5:22.5:9) supplemented with 2% recombinant human surfactant apoprotein C (PLM-Crec) were compared to those of the lipids alone (PLM) and to those of calf lung surfactant extract (CLSE). Experiments were performed in a Wilhelmy balance and in a pulsating bubble surfactometer. Adsorption facilities and dynamic surface tension-lowering properties of the surfactants alone, their sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of fibrinogen (fbg), and their capacity to restore surface properties of fbg-inhibited CLSE were investigated. PLM revealed limited surface activity, was very sensitive to inhibition by fbg and had moderate effect on the surface properties of fbg-inhibited CLSE. In contrast, PLM-Crec and CLSE revealed similar excellent adsorption kinetics and dynamic surface tension lowering properties. Higher percentage of SP-C within the synthetic mixture (up to 10%) or additional admixture of human purified or recombinant SP-A (up to 10%) did not further improve these surface properties. However, PLM-Crec was markedly more sensitive to inactivation by fbg than CLSE. The surface activity of fbg-inhibited CLSE was fully restored by additional admixture of CLSE or PLM-Crec in both the Wilhelmy and the bubble system, with slight superiority of the natural surfactant extract. We conclude that the surface properties of PLM-Crec are clearly superior to those of the apoprotein-free lipid mixture and are similar to those of the natural surfactant extract CLSE. PLM-Crec is markedly more sensitive to inhibition by fibrinogen than CLSE, but possesses nearly equivalent efficacy in restoring the surface properties of fbg-inhibited CLSE as compared to the natural material.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed1990

A bacteriophage P1-encoded modulator protein affects the P1 c1 repression system.

Bacteriophage P1 encodes a tripartite immunity system composed of the immC, immI, and immT region. Their basic genetic elements are the c1 repressor of lytic functions, the c4 repressor which negatively regulates antirepressor synthesis, and the bof gene, respectively. The function of the latter will be described here. We have cloned and sequenced the bof gene from P1 wild type and a P1 bof amber mutant. Based on the position of a TAG codon of the bof amber mutant the bof wild type gene was localized. It starts with a TTG codon, comprises 82 codons, and is preceded by a promoter structure. The bof protein (Mr = 7500) was overproduced in Escherichia coli from a bof recombinant plasmid and was purified to near homogeneity. The N-terminal amino acids predicted from the DNA sequence of the bof gene were confirmed by sequence analysis of the bof protein. Using a DNA mobility shift assay, we show that bof protein enhances the binding of c1 repressor to the operator of the c1 gene. In accordance with this result, in transformants of Escherichia coli, containing both a bof- and a c1-encoding plasmid, c1 expression is down-regulated. We conclude that bof acts as a modulator protein in the repression of a multitude of c1-controlled operators in the P1 genome.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1989

[Ketoacidosis in long-term therapy with insulin pumps. Incidence, causes, circumstances].

110 type I diabetic patients were treated with CSII from 1980 to the end of 1988 on a routine basis over a total of 337 patient years and a mean of 36.7 months per patient. 14 cases of severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were seen in 14 patients representing an accumulated incidence of one episode of DKA per 209 patients months. DKA occurred on an average of 25 months after start of CSII therapy. The main causes of DKA were undetected leakage of the infusion system in nine, infection in three and mismanagement of the pump in two cases. Technical or electronic failures could be excluded in each case. The lack of checking urine for ketones, the wrong feeling of safety after long-term successful pump treatment, and a concomitant psychological stress situation favoured the misjudgement of the clinical symptoms of ketosis and the delay of hospital admission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Implantation of programmable infusion pumps for insulin delivery in type I diabetic patients.

Five type I diabetic patients were followed prospectively during treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion by externally worn pumps and during the first 12 months after implantation of a remote-controlled insulin infusion device (ID1, Siemens AG). Stabilized insulin (Hoe 21 GH, Hoechst AG) was infused intravenously in two and intraperitoneally in three patients. Total observation time was 47.2 patient-months after implantation. Two devices had to be explanted prematurely, one because of a technical failure after 101 days, one due to a skin necrosis over the implant after 236 days. HbA1, frequency of hypoglycemia, total insulin dose, and basal rate infusion did not change after implantation. There was a reduction in the insulin antibodies 6 months after start of intravenous or intraperitoneal insulin delivery. Fasting plasma free insulin levels could be normalized only by intraperitoneal insulin infusion. Although a technical and a surgical problem was observed, our data show the successful implantation and clinical use of programmable dosing devices and stabilized insulin.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Diabetic ketoacidosis during insulin pump therapy].

During treatment of four type-1 diabetics (aged 20-46 years) by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) a leak developed in the system which caused severe ketoacidosis. The gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain) were misdiagnosed by both the patients and their doctors because there was only mild hyperglycaemia. These observations highlight the importance of carefully instructing and supervising patients at the beginning of CSII and point to the need of frequent urine testing by the patients, also for urinary keto bodies.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Possible decontamination of pancreatin with gamma rays and chemical agents].

Certain pre-conditions given, the microbial contamination of pancreatin in powder form can be reduced below international standard values. However, each of the methods whether physical or chemical, causes a variable loss of activity depending on the methods applied and the concentration of the decontaminating agent used. Therefore during preparation of this complex enzymatic compound, highly aseptic conditions must be kept in all stages of the process to avoid an increase of germal contamination. For a final toxicological assessment of the decontaminated products, further tests are required.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1989

Drug treatment of high blood pressure in the community--experience in eastern Finland.

The effects of antihypertensive drug therapy were assessed in 8,459 patients (2,801 men and 5,658 women) from the hypertension register of the North Karelia Project in 1978-1979. Fifty-two per cent of the men and 56% of the women were taking one drug only. The most common drugs used were diuretics and beta-blockers. Women were on diuretics more often than men, but beta-blockers were more common in men. The effect of the treatment was assessed in terms of the BP means and percentage of patients whose DBP was below 100 mmHg. BP was controlled better in women than men. The best BP control was obtained in groups of patients who were on a single drug. Adequate BP control was achieved in 71% of men and 83% of women on diuretics, in 75% of men and 83% of women on beta-blockers, in 85% of both sexes on fixed combinations of a diuretic + reserpine + vasodilator, and 79% of men and 89% of women on a diuretic + reserpine. Fixed combinations containing only low doses of each drug are a good alternative for some patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Detection of murine S180 cells expressing a multidrug resistance phenotype using different in vitro test systems and a monoclonal antibody.

Doxorubicin (adriamycin) preconditioned S180 cells were more resistant to doxorubicin. The resistance was detected by three different methods (short-term test, colony assay, tissue culture assay). The doxorubicin-resistant S180 cells express the pleitrop drug resistance phenotype. There exists a multidrug resistance to doxorubicin, dactinomycin (actinomycin D), vincristine and colchicine. In addition, collateral sensitivity was found to fluorouracil (5-fluorouracil) and methotrexate. This multidrug phenotype is in accordance with the pleiotropic phenotype of colchicine-resistant CHO cells. Resistant S180 cells express a glycoprotein of Mr 170 kd determined by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody (Mab 265/F4) to the P-glycoprotein of colchicine-resistant CHO-cells. The P-glycoprotein could be an important prognostic factors for tumors with multidrug resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Decreased autolysis of dead cells in adriamycin-resistant lines of the sarcoma 180 of mouse.

Adriamycin-resistant cell lines of the sarcoma 180 of mouse reveal, besides the known resistance mechanism, a decrease in cellular autolysis compared with the original line. This decrease has been demonstrated by comparative analysis of cell-free supernatants isolated from 7-day-old sensitive and resistant ascites tumors in mice. In order to demonstrate these changes we isolated and quantified the DNA, detecting higher amounts within the supernatants of resistant lines. Furthermore, unspecific DNA-cleaving activity within raw homogenates of the cells is substantially lower in the resistant lines. Residual parts of chromatin may trap the drug and in this way lower its effective concentration. However, the results may also reflect changes in enzymatic complement playing a hitherto unknown role within living cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Ia antigens in plastic-embedded tissues: a post-embedding immunohistochemical study.

The aim of the present study was to establish a plastic embedding technique that makes possible the immunohistochemical demonstration of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens (Ia antigens) in undecalcified joint tissues. Therefore a series of fixatives and dehydrating agents was tested for saving Ia immunoreactivity by post-embedding immunostaining of thin sections (2 microns) of rat tissues that had been embedded in glycol methacrylate (GMA), and by comparing with cryostat sections. An indirect immunoperoxidase and the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) technique were used. Combined with fixation by 4% formaldehyde, dehydration with GMA was found to give the best preservation of Ia antigenicity, followed by dehydration with ethylene glycol. The thinness of tissue sections facilitated the association of Ia antigens with different subcellular compartments in distinct cell populations. These various patterns are described.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Differential expression of intermediate-filament proteins in murine sarcoma 180 ascites or solid tumor.

The intermediate-filament proteins in Sarcoma 180 ascites cells and solid tumors generated by s.c. injection of ascites cells in NMRI or nude mice were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by immunological methods. The ascites form of Sarcoma 180 coexpresses keratin and vimentin, whereas the solid tumor ceases to synthesize keratins but continues to express vimentin. These reversible changes in the expression of intermediate-filament proteins may be due to a change in the differentiation program induced by environmental conditions like growth with or without cell contact.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Blockade by neurotransmitter antagonists of veratridine-activated ion channels in neuronal cell lines.

The voltage-dependent Na+ ionophore of various neuronal cells is permeable not only to Na+ ions but also to guanidinium ions. Therefore, the veratridine- (or aconitine-)stimulated influx of [14C]guanidinium in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells was measured to characterize the Na+ ionophore of these cells. Half-maximal stimulation of guanidinium uptake was seen at 30 microM veratridine. At 1 mM guanidinium, the veratridine-stimulated uptake of guanidinium was lowered to 50% by approximately 60 mM Li+, Na+, or K+ and by a few millimolar Mn2+, Co2+, or Ni2+. The basal, as well as the veratridine-stimulated, uptake of guanidinium was inhibited by the cholinergic antagonists (+)-tubocurarine (Ki = 50 to 500 nM) and atropine (Ki = 5 to 30 microM) and the adrenergic antagonists phentolamine (Ki = 5 microM) and propranolol (Ki = 60 microM). The specificity of the inhibitory effects of these agents is stressed by the ineffectiveness of various other neurotransmitter antagonists. However, the corresponding ionophore in neuroblastoma cells (clone N1E-115) seems to be regulated differently. While phentolamine and propranolol inhibit the veratridine-activated uptake as in the hybrid cells, (+)-tubocurarine and atropine exert only a slight effect.

Animals↗