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Biomedical subjects

A Teixeira

Publications and source records attributed to A Teixeira.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Differential regulation of cyclin D1 and D3 expression in the control of astrocyte proliferation induced by endothelin-1.

We have previously shown that the mitogenic effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in primary astrocytes is dependent on activation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)- and cytoskeleton (CSK)-dependent pathways. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of each of these pathways to the expression and activation of proteins mediating cell cycle progression. Our results suggest that ET-1-induced expression of cyclins D1 and D3 is dependent on the ERK- and CSK-dependent pathways, respectively; moreover, a decrease in the levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) p27 was observed as a consequence of ERK activation. Expression of both cyclins D1 and D3 together with a decrease in the p27 levels are essential for retinoblastoma protein (pRB) phosphorylation and cyclin A expression. Furthermore, the molecular events responsible for cell-cell contact inhibition of astrocyte proliferation were found to be independent of the mitogenic pathways leading to D-type cyclin expression. Cell growth arrest in confluent astrocytes was found to be correlated with increased expression of CKI p21, resulting in inhibition of D-type cyclin-associated pRB phosphorylation and cyclin A expression. Taken together, these results indicate that cyclins D1 and D3, which constitute the key mediators of the proliferative response of primary astrocytes to ET-1, are regulated by distinct signaling pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

CD8+ cell lines isolated from HIV-1-infected children have potent soluble HIV-1 inhibitory activity that differs from beta-chemokines.

CD8+ cells from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected individuals have been shown to suppress HIV-1 replication both through a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytolytic pathway as well as through a noncytolytic pathway mediated through soluble factors. To characterize this soluble activity and its potential role in disease progression further, we studied the HIV-1 inhibition by supernatants derived from herpesvirus saimiri-transformed CD8+ cells isolated from infected children. Three of the six CD8+ cell lines derived had a phenotype consistent with an unusual natural killer (NK) cells phenotype with low CD3, high CD56, and low CD16. Supernatants from some of the cell lines derived from children with rapid progression as well as long-term nonprogressors exhibited broad HIV-1-inhibitory activity in primary CD4+ cells as well as in primary macrophages. In contrast to a cocktail of beta-chemokines, the supernatants inhibited T-tropic as well as M-tropic viruses, efficiently inhibited infection in primary macrophages, and inhibited HIV-1 activation in the chronically infected U1 cell line. The HIV-1-inhibitory activity was heat stable and active over a broad pH range. Fractionation of the supernatant by size and ion exchange chromatography demonstrated activity in the complete absence of RANTES as well as interferons-alpha, beta, and gamma and in a size range of less than 10 kD and greater than 3 kD. CD8+ cell supernatants contain additional unidentified factors that have anti-HIV activity to account for this broad phenomenon.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed2000

DNA release by line-1 (L1) retrotransposon. Could it be possible?

We have verified the presence of line-1 retrotransposon (L1) in plasma DNA in 15/17 brain tumor (glioma) patients and in 6/6 healthy people by applying PCR amplification of part of the L1 5' end. The same samples were separately amplified for K-ras. Results suggested that L1 sequences are circulating throughout the body. We hypothesized the participation of transposable elements such as L1 in a putative DNA release mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Requirement of caveolae microdomains in extracellular signal-regulated kinase and focal adhesion kinase activation induced by endothelin-1 in primary astrocytes.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) mitogenic activity in astrocytes is mediated by the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway together with the Rho-dependent activation of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathway. To clarify the mechanisms responsible for the coordinate activation of both pathways in the ET-1 signal propagation, the involvement of caveolae microdomains, suggested to play a role in signal transduction, was evaluated. In this study, it is reported that caveolae of primary astrocytes are enriched in endothelin receptor (ETB-R). Furthermore, signaling molecules such as the adaptor proteins Shc and Grb2, and the small G protein Rho, also reside within these microdomains. Selective disassembly of caveolae by filipin III impairs the ET-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins including ERK and FAK. In agreement with these observations, astrocytes pretreated with filipin III also failed to form stress fibers and focal adhesions and did not undergo the associated morphological changes in response to ET-1. This study reveals that structural integrity of caveolae is necessary for the adhesion-dependent mitogenic signals induced by ET-1 in astrocytes, through compartmentation of ETB-R with the upstream signaling molecules of the ERK and FAK pathways.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

The role of transjugular liver biopsy in a liver transplant center.

Transjugular liver biopsy is a particularly useful procedure in overcoming the classic limitations of percutaneous biopsy, such as hemorrhagic diathesis or tense ascites. The authors evaluated the impact that this technique had in their liver transplant program, considering performance and safety in 160 procedures. Histologic characterization was accomplished in 75% of cirrhotic patients and in 96% of patients with acute liver disease. Confirmation of a presumptive diagnosis was made in 76% of patients and a previously unsuspected diagnosis was raised in 11%. Hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, and acute alcoholic hepatitis were the most challenging diagnoses and, together with patients with liver failure, had the most relevant implications in transplant decisions. The availability of transjugular liver biopsy provided decisive information regarding patient selection and the best timing to proceed with transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Video-polygraphic-EEG study in the full-term newborn with low birthweight for their gestational age].

Video-polygraphic-EEG studies were performed in the first 24 life-hours of 26 healthy full-term newborns without perinatal injuries. The neurological examination and cranial ultrasonography were normal. The newborns were divided into two groups: one, with full-term appropriate--birth weight 11 newborns (control group) and the other with full-term low-birth weight 15 newborns. Thirteen newborns of the second group had video-polygraphic-EEG study abnormalities. The most frequent abnormalities were found in 11 cases, as far as sleep architecture is concerned. Also, when compared with the control group, 8 cases of an excessive amount of startles and 2 cases of low behavior activities were found. The results demonstrate the usefulness of video-polygraphic-EEG study in the full-term newborns with intra-uterine growth retard. This examination was sensitive to detect behavior, sleep architecture and EEG standard differences in the low birth-weight newborns as to the control group.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

The HIV-1 nef protein inhibits extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent DNA synthesis in a human astrocytic cell line.

The role of nonproductive infection of astrocytes by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), characterized by the overexpression of nef, in brain disease progression is largely unknown. We investigated the consequences of stable expression of nef from the HIV-1 strain LAI in the human astrocytic cell line U373. DNA synthesis induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1) was largely decreased by nef. Stable expression of nef did not affect the ET-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, an adhesion-dependent pathway known to participate in DNA synthesis in astrocytes. Conversely, the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by ET-1 was largely inhibited in cells stably or transiently expressing nef. A similar inhibitory action of nef on ERK activation was observed after direct stimulation of G proteins. Furthermore, the inhibitory action of nef did not require protein kinase C (PKC) and affected mainly the PKC-independent pathway of ERK activation. Following chemokine receptor CXCR4-mediated infection of U373 cells stably expressing CXCR4 with the T-tropic HIV-1 strain m7-NDK, ET-1-induced activation of ERK was also inhibited. Altogether, these results indicate that intracellular signaling pathways associated with the growth factor activity of ET-1 are impaired in nef-expressing and HIV-1-infected astrocytes, suggesting that infection of astrocytes may play a significant role in the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 encephalopathy.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed1995

Immunoadsorption procedure as a potential method for the specific beta 2-microglobulin removal from plasma of patients with chronic renal failure.

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2-M), which accumulates in the plasma of patients undergoing long-term dialysis, has been identified as the principal precursor protein of amyloid fibrils in dialysis-related amyloidosis. As no specific treatment for this affection has been yet established, an extracorporeal immunoadsorption procedure appears to be an attractive therapeutic approach to remove beta 2-M. Several murine monoclonal antibodies to human beta 2-M were developed and compared as affinity ligands. One of them was selected on the basis of its specificity and adsorption capacity. In order to achieve maximum efficiency in protein removal, different parameters of the procedure were studied and optimized: effect of antibody coupling density, determination of maximum adsorption capacity of the immunoadsorbents and influence of antigen concentration and of flow-rate on antigen capture efficiency. The conditions of regeneration of immunoaffinity sorbents were also investigated to allow their multiple use without loss of adsorption capacity. The results show the validity of the proposed technique in removing beta-M from plasma of patients with chronic renal failure.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Geographical distribution of TTR met30 carriers in northern Sweden: discrepancy between carrier frequency and prevalence rate.

The first Swedish case of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) was published in 1965. The same transthyretin (TTR met30) mutation as that seen in Japanese, Portuguese, and other populations was also found in Swedish FAP patients. More than 350 patients with clinical manifestations of FAP have been diagnosed in northern Sweden, most of them originating from the areas around Skellefteå and Piteå. The mean age of onset is 56 years, much later than in patients from Japan and Portugal. To estimate the frequency of the TTR met30 mutation in the counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten, sera from 1276 persons aged 24 to 65 years, randomly sampled from a health programme (MONICA), were screened with the monoclonal antibody FD6. In 19 persons, 13 females and six males, a positive reaction was seen in an Elisa test using this antibody. DNA analysis confirmed the TTR met30 mutation and showed that 18 were heterozygous and one homozygous for this mutation. Other mutations were not looked for in this study. The mean TTR met30 carrier frequency in the area was 1.5% ranging from 0.0 to 8.3% in 23 subpopulations. There was a notable discrepancy between the regional distribution of the TTR met30 allele and the morbidity rate for FAP. The estimated number of TTR met30 gene carriers in a total population of 500,000 in the area is approximately 7500. The penetrance of the TTR met30 mutation shows considerable variation between families, and the overall diagnostic (predictive) value in this population is as low as around 2%.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Levels of cesium-137 in seawater and fish from the Brazilian coast.

Considering environmental pollution problems and their impact on man, we have developed a research programme on environment monitoring. The aim of this work was to develop and to apply radiochemical methods for the analysis of cesium-137 in marine samples, such as seawater and fish. Cesium-137 levels in surface seawater from the coastal region of São Paulo State range from 1.7 to 1.9 Bq.m-3. Samples of the five species of fish most consumed by local population were taken for the analysis of cesium-137. Levels for fish varied from 0.1 to 0.3 Bq.kg-1 of edible part. Data were used to calculate dose assessment.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Immunoassay for transthyretin variants associated with amyloid neuropathy.

An anti-transthyretin (TTR) mouse monoclonal antibody (88.6.FD6) of IgG1 subclass, obtained using as immunogen TTR from the serum of a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, was found to bind to sera from carriers of several amyloidogenic TTR variants associated with peripheral neuropathy, but not to normal sera or sera from carriers of non-pathogenic or cardiomyopathic variants, in an ELISA performed under special conditions. Further characterization suggests that it recognizes an epitope near the N-terminal side of the TTR monomer. We propose that this epitope is exposed in amyloid and could be implicated in fibril deposition in the peripheral nervous system.

Amyloidosis↗