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Biomedical subjects

A Wendel

Publications and source records attributed to A Wendel.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The 55-kD tumor necrosis factor receptor and CD95 independently signal murine hepatocyte apoptosis and subsequent liver failure.

BACKGROUND: Activation of either the 55-kD tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF-R1) or CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) causes apoptosis of cells and liver failure in mice, and has been associated with human liver disorders. The aim of this study was first to clarify the association between CD95 activation, hepatocyte apoptosis, and fulminant liver failure. Next, we investigated whether TNF-R1 and CD95 operate independently of each other in the induction of hepatocyte apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using both mice and primary liver cell cultures deficient in either TNF-R1 or functional CD95, the induction of apoptosis and hepatocyte death following activation of TNF-R1 or CD95 were studied in vitro and in various in vivo models of acute liver failure. RESULTS: In vivo or in vitro stimulation of CD95 caused apoptosis of wild-type (wt) murine hepatocytes which had not been sensitized by blocking transcription. Time course studies showed that DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation preceded, respectively, membrane lysis in vitro and necrosis in vivo. Similar results were obtained after CD95 activation in hepatocytes or livers lacking TNF-R1. Conversely, hepatocytotoxicity due to endogenous or exogenous TNF was not affected in animals or liver cell cultures lacking the expression of functional CD95. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-R1 and CD95 are independent and differentially regulated triggers of murine apoptotic liver failure.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1995

Quinine inhibits release of tumor necrosis factor, apoptosis, necrosis and mortality in a murine model of septic liver failure.

We investigated the effect of quinine on liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice sensitized with D-galactosamine. This model is characterized by high systemic release of tumor necrosis factor, which mediates hepatic apoptosis and necrosis. Pretreatment with quinine, a K+ channel blocker, prevented formation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as well as the subsequent hepatic DNA fragmentation and liver enzyme leakage. Thus, inhibition of K+ channels may be a novel therapeutic approach in cytokine-related organ damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment on ex vivo blood cytokine response in human volunteers.

We explored the ex vivo alteration in the cytokine release of stimulated blood taken from healthy volunteers treated subcutaneously with 480 micrograms granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). In a double-blind, controlled, randomized study with 21 volunteers who received G-CSF once or twice 24 hours apart, we measured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-inducible release of various cytokines and soluble receptors at different times after treatment. At day 1 after a single dose of G-CSF, mediator release was also initiated with muramyl dipeptide, Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A, lipoteichoic acid, streptolysin O, complement factor C5a, phytohemagglutinin, or phorbol myristate acetate. In blood from G-CSF-treated subjects, our major findings were (1) a maximal 12-fold increase in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) release and an increase of both the p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors; (2) a reduction in TNF release when using all the various stimuli described except LPS; (3) an increase in G-CSF and, to lesser extent, in IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 release; and (4) an attenuation of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF release. Our findings demonstrate that the major effect of G-CSF treatment is a change in the responsiveness of blood towards a variety of stimuli, which we interpret as a shift toward an antiinflammatory cytokine response.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed1995

Activation of the 55 kDa TNF receptor is necessary and sufficient for TNF-induced liver failure, hepatocyte apoptosis, and nitrite release.

The systemic inflammatory response is characterized by release of circulating TNF which may cause multiorgan failure including septic liver failure. We studied TNF signaling in an appropriate in vitro system with primary murine hepatocyte cultures from normal and genetically altered animals. Either one of the three different TNF species, huTNF-alpha, huTNF-beta, or muTNF-alpha (at concentrations > 1 ng/ml) induced direct hepatocytotoxicity preceded by DNA fragmentation in cells prepared from wild-type C57BL mice. TNF-induced cytotoxicity was preceded by oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Further cellular responses to TNF exposure were induction of nitric oxide synthase and secretion of serum amyloid A. None of the above events occurred in hepatocytes lacking the gene for the 55-kDa TNF receptor (TNF-R1), even after stimulation with > 1 micrograms/ml TNF. However, selective stimulation of the TNF-R1 in wild-type hepatocytes with huTNF-alpha elicited a pattern of responses essentially similar to that seen with muTNF-alpha. We obtained analogous results when we examined the hepatotoxicity of TNF in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice, i.e., DNA fragmentation and liver failure was noted in wild-type mice, whereas TNF-R1-deficient mice were completely resistant. We conclude that the TNF-R1 is not only necessary, but also sufficient for TNF signaling in murine hepatocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Tunicamycin potently inhibits tumor necrosis factor-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.

The protein glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin protected male BALB/c mice from tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced liver failure. Tunicamycin also inhibited tumor necrosis factor-induced cell death in primary hepatocyte cultures with a median inhibitory concentration of 8 nM, but not in the tumor cell line WEHI 164 clone 13. Hepatocyte death in our culture system was characterized by DNA fragmentation and apoptotic changes. These two characteristic signs of programmed cell death were also inhibited by tunicamycin treatment. These data suggest that protein glycosylation is an early and causal event of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced parenchymal cell death in the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-10 in mice: role of endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Interleukin (IL)-10 is known to protect mice against the lethal effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and is considered to be an anti-inflammatory cytokine which suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We have examined the interactions of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) with IL-10. Neutralization of TNF-alpha in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages resulted in a significant reduction of LPS-inducible IL-10 production. In mice, injection of 5 mg/kg LPS induced circulating IL-10 with a biphasic time course exhibiting an early peak 1.5 h after challenge (synchronous with TNF-alpha) and, after a nadir at 6 h, a second increase between 8 and 12 h. Treatment of mice with neutralizing anti-mouse TNF-alpha antiserum significantly increased LPS-induced IL-10 plasma levels between 1.5 and 6 h but diminished those at 12 h, while circulating IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations were attenuated overall, without a biphasic response. Analysis of LPS-induced IL-10 mRNA expression in different tissues 1 h and 8 h after LPS or LPS plus anti-TNF-alpha revealed that the amount of transcripts in the liver correlated with circulating early and late IL-10 levels. Our findings suggest that endogenous TNF-alpha down-regulates the early and up-regulates the late LPS-induced IL-10 synthesis in vivo and that the liver is the major source of circulating IL-10 after stimulation with LPS.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Isolation and characterization of rat primary lung cells.

Lung cell culture may be useful as an in vitro alternative to study the susceptibility of the lung to various toxic agents. Lungs from female Wistar rats were enzymatically digested by recirculating perfusion through the pulmonary artery with a sequence of solutions containing deoxyribonuclease, chymopapain, pronase, collagenase, and elastase. Lung tissue was microdissected and resuspended and the cells obtained were washed by centrifugation. By this isolation method, 2 x 10(8) cells per rat lung were obtained with an average viability of 97%. Lung cells cultured in medium containing antibiotics and serum maintained a viability of > 70% for 5 d. Rat primary lung cells were exposed to various toxic agents and their viability was assessed by formazan production capacity after 18 h of incubation. Compared to rat and mouse hepatocyte cultures (EC50 = 5.8 mM), rat primary lung cells were much more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide (EC50 = 0.6 mM). All cell types were equally sensitive to the more potent toxicant tert-butylhydroperoxide (EC50 = 0.1 mM). Paraquat was more toxic to lung cells (EC50 = 0.03 mM) than to rat (EC50 = 2.8 mM) and mouse (EC50 = 0.2 mM) hepatocytes. In contrast, rat lung cells were less sensitive to sodium nitroprusside (EC50 = 2.6 mM) compared to rat (EC50 = 0.2 mM) and mouse (EC50 = 0.03 mM) hepatocytes. Nitrofurantoin and menadione (at EC50 = 0.04 mM and 0.006 mM, respectively) were more toxic to rat lung and liver cells than to murine hepatocytes (EC50 = 0.2 mM and 0.04 mM, respectively). Our findings demonstrate the applicability of this rat primary lung cell culture for studying the effects of lung toxicants.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Tolerance against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice: the role of nitric oxide.

D-Galactosamine-sensitized mice challenged with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) developed severe apoptotic and secondary necrotic liver injury as assessed by histology, measurement of cytosolic DNA fragments and determination of liver-specific enzymes in plasma. Pretreatment of mice with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) resulted in elevated levels of nitrite/nitrate in serum and rendered mice insensitive towards TNF toxicity. Pharmacological doses of the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) also conferred complete protection against TNF toxicity, suggesting a possible link between IL-1- and NO-induced protection. However, NO-synthesis inhibition by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine failed to abrogate IL-1-induced tolerance against TNF toxicity. We conclude that IL-1 and NO protect against TNF-induced liver injury through distinct pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Identification of phosphodiesterase IV activity and its cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent up-regulation in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT).

Cellular activity of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-degrading phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is of crucial importance for the regulation of cAMP levels. However, PDE isoenzymes in human keratinocytes have not been characterized previously. In the present study, the PDE isoenzyme activity profile of the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT was investigated by PDE activity measurements. In addition, the cAMP-mediated regulation of PDE activities was examined. The isoenzymes PDE IV and PDE V activities were identified in HaCaT cell homogenates by activity measurements and were found to be preferentially located in the soluble fraction. Long-term exposure of HaCaT cells to cAMP-elevating agents (e.g., rolipram, salbutamol, forskolin) triggered a maximum threefold up-regulation of PDE IV activity, whereas PDE V activity was not affected. The PDE IV inhibitor rolipram synergistically amplified PDE IV up-regulation by beta 2-receptor agonists. Experiments applying protein kinase A activators and inhibitors as well as actinomycin D and cycloheximide indicated that de novo mRNA and protein synthesis were at least partly involved in PDE IV up-regulation. Functionally, the enhanced PDE IV activity was reflected by an impaired cAMP response to salbutamol. This hyporesponsiveness toward the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists was partly reversed by rolipram. This study describes a cAMP-dependent long-term up-regulation of PDE IV in HaCaT cells, which is at least partly reflected by a simultaneous reduced cAMP response to a beta-agonist.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1995

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from purified human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes are suggested to differentially affect airway inflammation in asthma. Agents which increase intracellular cAMP levels, such as PDE inhibitors, have been shown to diminish lymphocyte growth and differentiation, and to affect cytokine expression. Differences in the PDE isoenzyme profile between CD4+ and CD8+ cells might form a basis to differentially modify their functions by PDE inhibitors. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates and compares the PDE isoenzyme activity profiles of human peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. METHODS: CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes were purified (> 98%) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by negative selection. PDE isoenzyme activity profiles were investigated using PDE isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators. RESULTS: In CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte homogenates, PDE IV and PDE III activities were the predominant PDE isoenzyme activities at 0.5 microM cyclic nucleotide substrate concentrations. PDE IV was localized in the soluble fraction whereas PDE III was membrane bound. Low PDE I, II and V activities were detected. About 20% of total cAMP hydrolysing capacity at 0.5 microM cAMP was insensitive to PDE isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators and therefore could not be assigned to PDE I-IV. The PDE isoenzyme pattern was not different between CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. Moreover, representative inhibitors of PDE III and IV activity inhibited cAMP hydrolysis in soluble fractions of both T-lymphocyte subsets with similar potency. Enzyme kinetic analysis similarly did not reveal differences between CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Normal CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes are likely to be equally sensitive targets for the effects of PDE inhibitors.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1995

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzyme activities in human alveolar macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar macrophages and their precursors, the monocytes are involved in airway inflammation in asthma. An increase in intracellular cAMP by PDE inhibitors is known to suppress macrophage and monocyte functions. A comparison of the PDE-isoenzyme profiles of human alveolar macrophages from normal and atopic donors and of human peripheral blood monocytes might form a basis to differentially affect functions of these cells by PDE inhibitors. OBJECTIVE: The study compares the PDE isoenzyme activity profiles of human alveolar macrophages from normal and atopic asthmatic donors and human peripheral blood monocytes. In addition, the effect of in vitro maturation of monocytes on their PDE isoenzyme profile is studied. METHODS: Macrophages were purified (95-97%) by adherence to plastic, and blood monocytes were purified (88%) by counter-current elutriation. PDE isoenzyme activity profiles were investigated using isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators. RESULTS: In macrophages substantial PDE I activity, which was significantly higher than PDE III-V activity was detected and PDE II was absent. PDE III was membrane-bound whereas PDE I, IV and V were soluble. No difference was found between alveolar macrophages of normal donors and atopic asthmatics. Monocytes exclusively contained PDE IV but their in vitro maturation led to a PDE isoenzyme profile similar to that of alveolar macrophages. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that human monocytes and alveolar macrophages are distinct targets for the effects of selective PDE inhibitors while alveolar macrophages from normal and atopic individuals appear to be equally sensitive.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacologic characterization of endothelin receptor responses in the isolated perfused rat lung.

Endothelin receptor subtypes were characterized in isolated perfused rat lungs using the peptide ETA-receptor antagonists BQ 610 and BQ 123, the nonpeptide mixed ETA-/ETB-receptor antagonist bosentan, and the ETB-receptor agonist IRL 1620. Intra-arterial injection of 1 nmol IRL 1620 caused an enhanced reduction in pulmonary conductance compared with 1 nmol endothelin (ET-1) or 0.33 nmol IRL 1620. Pretreatment of lungs with BQ 610, BQ 123, or bosentan aggravated the bronchoconstriction induced by 1 nmol ET-1 so that it was comparable to that induced by 1 nmol IRL 1620. Although perfusion with 1 nmol IRL 1620 had only minor effects on vascular conductance, 1 nmol ET-1 caused a marked decrease in this parameter. This vasonconstriction was prevented by BQ 610, BQ 123, or bosentan. High concentrations of the stable prostacyclin metabolite, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, were found in the perfusate of lungs treated with 1 nmol IRL 1620 or 1 nmol ET-1. The ET-1-induced release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was blocked by bosentan, but not by BQ 610. ET-1, but not IRL 1620, provoked the release of thromboxane B2. The main effect of ETA-receptor stimulation is vasoconstriction, whereas ETB-receptor stimulation causes bronchoconstriction. Both actions, however, are attenuated by the other receptor, i.e., the ETA-induced vasoconstriction is attenuated by ETB-receptor-induced release of vasodilators such as prostacyclin, whereas the ETB-receptor-induced bronchoconstriction is attenuated by an unknown ETA-receptor-dependent bronchodilatory mechanism.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Interleukin-1 and nitric oxide protect against tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced liver injury through distinct pathways.

Mice sensitized with D-galactosamine (GalN) and challenged with recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) developed severe apoptotic and secondary necrotic liver injury as assessed by histology, measurement of cytosolic DNA fragments, and determination of liver specific enzymes in plasma. Pretreatment with recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) rendered mice insensitive to this TNF alpha toxicity. Coadministration of the liver-specific transcriptional inhibitor GalN with IL-1 prevented the development of tolerance, implicating de novo synthesis of liver specific proteins in the induction of tolerance. Pretreatment of mice with IL-1 resulted in elevated levels of nitrite/nitrate in serum and in enhanced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in liver cells isolated from these animals. In addition, pharmacological doses of the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside conferred complete protection against TNF alpha-induced liver injury in galactosamine-sensitized mice, suggesting a possible link between IL-1- and NO-induced protection. However, prevention of NO-synthesis by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) did not abolish IL-1-induced tolerance to TNF alpha in vivo. Cytotoxicity of TNF alpha to isolated hepatocytes sensitized with actinomycin D (ActD) was not significantly altered by inhibition of endogenous nitrite release. Also, enhanced NO production elicited in vitro by glycerol trinitrate or ex vivo by pretreatment with IL-1 had no significant effect in this system. We conclude that IL-1- and NO-induced protection of mice against TNF alpha-mediated liver damage follow distinct pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Tumor necrosis factor-induced hepatocyte apoptosis precedes liver failure in experimental murine shock models.

We investigated the role of hepatocyte apoptosis in four different murine models of acute inflammatory liver failure. Liver damage induced in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice by endotoxin infection was initiated by processes typical of apoptosis, ie, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and formation of intracellular apoptotic bodies. DNA was cleaved into oligonucleosomal fragments in the liver before a significant rise of alanine aminotransferase in plasma occurred. Passive immunization against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) completely inhibited the injury caused by endotoxin. Direct injection of recombinant TNF-alpha also caused DNA fragmentation followed by alanine aminotransferase release into the plasma. Pretreatment of mice with interleukin-1 beta, which is known to suppress TNF-induced lethality, completely prevented apoptosis and liver failure in this model. These results demonstrate the causal role of TNF in endotoxin-induced hepatic apoptosis. TNF-inducible hepatocyte apoptosis in vivo was not only observed in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice, but also when the alternative transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D was used. In mice injected with the TNF-inducing T cell mitogen concanavalin A, hepatic apoptosis was even noticed without requirement of additional sensitizers. We conclude that TNF-induced hepatocyte apoptosis is an early, general, and possibly causal event during experimental liver failure triggered by inflammatory stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Functional and fine structural changes in isolated rat lungs challenged with endotoxin ex vivo and in vitro.

The aim of this study was to relate changes in rat lung functions caused by the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to alterations in structure. The following four experimental groups were used: 1), control in vitro, perfusion for 150 minutes; 2), LPS in vitro, perfusion for 150 minutes and infusion of 5 mg of LPS after 40 minutes; 3), control ex vivo, perfusion for 10 minutes; and 4), LPS ex vivo, lungs perfused for 10 minutes from rats treated for 110 minutes with 20 mg/kg LPS intraperitoneally. Histologically, blood-derived leukocytes were detectable only in lungs from group 4, where neutrophils were found in capillaries, interstitium, and endothelial pouches. LPS treatment increased pulmonary resistance and decreased pulmonary compliance in group 4 (ex vivo), and, to a greater extent, in group 2 (in vitro). In these two groups, formation of giant lamellar bodies in the type II pneumocytes was observed. By histological examination, the bronchoconstriction induced by LPS in vitro was localized to the terminal bronchioles. At 2 hours after LPS treatment, no edema and no change in precapillary and postcapillary resistance, capillary pressure, vascular compliance, capillary permeability, and the wet/dry ratio was observed. Thus, our major findings are that LPS induced constriction of the terminal bronchioles in vitro, formation of giant lamellar bodies in type II pneumocytes ex vivo and in vitro, and trapping of neutrophils in endothelial pouches in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Murine hepatocyte apoptosis induced in vitro and in vivo by TNF-alpha requires transcriptional arrest.

Freshly isolated mouse hepatocytes were essentially insensitive to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity. However, TNF-alpha induced a concentration-dependent cell death in hepatocytes that had been pretreated with the transcriptional inhibitors actinomycin D (ActD), D-galactosamine, or alpha-amanitin. Unlike RNA synthesis inhibition, a translational block in the presence of cycloheximide (CHX) or puromycin did not sensitive hepatocytes to TNF. On the contrary, these agents prevented hepatocytotoxicity induced by ActD/TNF. Pretreatment with peroxides or glutathione depletors had no significant influence on TNF cytotoxicity. In vivo treatment of mice with ActD/TNF caused hepatic failure, which was significantly reduced by co-treatment with CHX. These findings demonstrate that protein synthesis is required for this mechanism of cell death. To test whether TNF may trigger an endogenous suicide program in hepatocytes, we examined whether DNA fragmentation preceded cell death. In the culture system, hepatocellular DNA fragmentation in the presence of ActD/TNF was observed several hours before lactate dehydrogenase release and was inhibited by CHX. Similar results were obtained in vivo. Chromatin condensation and the formation of apoptotic bodies were observed in livers from mice treated with ActD/TNF and significant DNA fragmentation was detected as early as 4 h after challenge. At this time, organ total glutathione content and plasma transaminase levels were not significantly different from those of untreated controls. The findings of this study demonstrate that direct hepatotoxicity of TNF-alpha is associated with an apoptotic mechanism that becomes manifest under the metabolic condition of arrested transcription and functional translation.

Animals↗