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Biomedical subjects

B Coulomb

Publications and source records attributed to B Coulomb.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Fluorimetric determination of aluminium in water by sequential injection through column extraction.

A fluorimetric procedure for the determination of aluminium with matrix removal in drinking water is proposed. The system is based both on the solid phase extraction of aluminium on a new chelating resin (XAD-4 modified by grafting salicylic acid) and the fluorimetric detection of a complex formed between 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQS) and Al(III), after elution of the resin by hydrochloric acid. The sorption and elution of aluminium were studied in both competitive and noncompetitive conditions, varying pH, flow-rates, volume and concentration of reagents, as well as time contact. The optimised procedure allows determination of Al3+ at the sub-ppb level (LOD: 0.2 microg L(-1) for 1 ml of sample) within a working range of 0.2-500 microg L(-1). The analytical procedure was successfully employed for the determination of aluminium in drinking water during and after flocculation/coagulation treatment processes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Validation of a morphometric method for evaluating fibroblast numbers in normal and pathologic tissues.

The aim of this work was to validate an image analysis method, based on cell nuclei form factor determination, for counting fibroblasts within human dermis. We first used reconstructed dermal equivalents in which fibroblasts can also be counted directly after lysis of the collagen matrix. We found a good correlation between the results of direct counting and those of image analysis from day 10 to day 28 of culture. When applied to young normal donors' skin biopsies fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in paraffin, the image analysis method yielded mid-dermis fibroblast counts of between 2100 and 4100 per mm3 of fresh tissue. A nuclear form factor (FF) comprised between 0.35 and 0.84 was found to be a biologic marker of fibroblasts. This was confirmed after fibroblast discrimination from other cell types, which had rounder nuclei (FF >/= 0.85) and were identified either by their location (e.g. endothelial cells) or by labeling with specific antibodies (e.g. lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages). Similar results were obtained with seven healthy donors' skin biopsies that had been frozen in nitrogen liquid and cryostat-sectioned, showing that this counting method is independent of the histologic procedure. Finally, analysis of samples of hypertrophic scars from two patients revealed that fibroblast density in some parts of the dermis was more than twice the value found in other parts presenting a fibroblast density almost normal, showing that this cell counting method can also be used to assess fibroblast heterogeneity within a given tissue.

Cell Count↗
PubMed2002

Human dermal and gingival fibroblasts in a three-dimensional culture: a comparative study on matrix remodeling.

Free-floating collagen lattice is considered a useful tool for assessing wound healing in vitro. This work compared extracellular matrix remodeling in collagen lattices populated by gingival or dermal fibroblasts. For 21 days we followed gel contraction and changes in cell number of collagen lattices seeded with l.5 x 10(5) fibroblasts of each tissue. We also used indirect immunodetection to study extracellular matrix components, metalloproteinases (MMPs), and their tissues inhibitors (TIMPs). In addition, the presence of MMPs and TIMPs in the culture media was analyzed by zymography and western blotting. No significant difference was found concerning gel contraction and changes in cell number. We observed the early expression of fibrillin I and collagen type III, apparently codistributed and at the end of the gel contraction their disappearance. Concomitantly we demonstrated the expression of MMPs and TIMPs, initially localized in cellular cytoplasm, then spreading in the extracellular compartment, and even found in the culture medium. This remodeling was more rapid and intense with gingival fibroblasts than dermal fibroblasts. In conclusion, gingival fibroblasts seem more efficient at remodeling the connective tissue than dermal fibroblasts and could lead to the better wound healing observed in vivo.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Low doses of ultraviolet A radiation stimulate adhesion of human dermal fibroblasts by integrins in a protein kinase C-dependent pathway.

In this work, we have studied the modulation of fibroblast-extracellular matrix interactions by physiological doses of ultraviolet A (UV-A) radiation using an adhesion assay on collagen. We have shown that low doses of UV-A (20 kJ/m2) stimulate fibroblast adhesion while higher doses (100 and 200 kJ/m2) inhibit it. By measurement of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and use of the chain-breaking antioxidant vitamin E, no role of lipid peroxidation can be detected in these effects. By incubating fibroblasts with a specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, GF109203X, we have demonstrated that the stimulation of the adhesion by low doses of UV-A involves, at least in part, a PKC-dependent mechanism. In addition, using function-blocking antibodies of alpha 1, alpha 2 or alpha 5 integrin chains involved in extracellular matrix anchorage, we have shown that they decrease the stimulation of adhesion following low doses of UV-A radiation, demonstrating the involvement of these three integrin chains in this UV-A effect. In parallel, 20 kJ/M2 of UV-A are found to rapidly stimulate membrane expression of alpha 1, alpha 2 and alpha 5 integrin chains. This work, which underlines the involvement of integrins in UV-A effects, contributes to the evaluation of the mechanisms by which cell-matrix interactions modulate cell behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Non-coherent near infrared radiation protects normal human dermal fibroblasts from solar ultraviolet toxicity.

The sun is the most important and universal source of non-ionizing radiation shed on human populations. Life evolved on Earth bathed by this radiation. Solar UV damages cells, leading to deleterious conditions such as photoaging and carcinogenesis in human skin. During the process of evolution, the cells selected dark- and light-dependent repair mechanisms as a defence against these hazardous effects. This study describes the induction by non-coherent infrared radiation (700-2000 nm), in the absence of rising temperature, of a strong cellular defense against solar UV cytotoxicity as well as induction of cell mitosis. Blocking mitoses with arabinoside-cytosine or protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not abolish the protection, leading to the conclusion that this protection is independent of cell division and of protein neosynthesis. The protection provided by infrared radiation against solar UV radiation is shown to be a long-lasting (at least 24 h) and cumulatif phenomenon. Infrared radiation does not protect the lipids in cellular membranes against UVA induced peroxidation. The protection is not mediated by heat shock proteins. Living organisms on the Earth's surface are bathed by infrared radiation every day, before being submitted to solar UV. Thus, we propose that this as yet undescribed natural process of cell protection against solar UV, acquired and preserved through evolutional selection, plays an important role in life maintenance. Understanding and controlling this mechanism could provide important keys to the prevention of solar UV damage of human skin.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1998

Advantage of the presence of living dermal fibroblasts within in vitro reconstructed skin for grafting in humans.

Methods for serial cultivation of human keratinocytes can provide large quantities of epidermal cells, which have the potential of restoring the vital barrier function of the epidermis in extensive skin defects such as burns. To investigate the value of combining an epidermis with a dermal component, fibroblasts originated from the superficial dermis were used to seed a collagen lattice as described by E. Bell (dermal equivalent). Beginning in 1981, we grafted 18 patients (burns and giant nevi) using 35 grafts 10 x 10 cm in size. In the course of this work, the original technique was modified and improved as experience was gained. We began by using small skin biopsy samples as a source of keratinocytes cultured on a dermal equivalent before grafting in a one-step procedure, but this gave poor cosmetic results, because of a nonhomogeneous epidermalization. We then chose to cover the graft bed using a two-step procedure. The first step consisted of grafting a dermal equivalent to provide a dermal fibroblast-seeded substrate for subsequent in vivo epidermalization by cultured epidermal sheets. Whatever the epidermalization technique used, a living dermal equivalent applied to the graft bed was found to reduce pain, to provide good hemostasis, and to improve the mechanical and cosmetic properties of the graft. A normal undulating dermal-epidermal junction reappeared by 3 to 4 months after grafting and elastic fibers were detectable 6 to 9 months after grafting. As a result of the biosynthesis of these products, the suppleness (e.g., elasticity) of the grafts was closer to that of normal skin than the cicatricial skin usually obtained with epidermal sheets grafted without the presence of living dermal cells. This rapid improvement of the mechanical properties of the graft could be attributed to the presence of fibroblasts cultured from the dermis and seeded into the collagen matrix.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Biafine applied on human epidermal wounds is chemotactic for macrophages and increases the IL-1/IL-6 ratio.

Using a model of pure epidermal wounds in normal human volunteers, we have studied the effects of Biafine emulsion firstly on inflammatory cell migration, vascular permeability and cytokine release during the first 24 h, and secondly on epidermal wound healing by measuring transepidermal water loss from day 1 to day 7. Under these conditions, Biafine does not improve epidermal healing, in contrast to what is observed with bleeding dermoepidermal wounds. Our results suggest that the effects of Biafine are essentially at the dermis level. The analysis of epidermal wound exudates leads to the same conclusion. As a matter of fact, we demonstrated that Biafine is chemotactic for macrophages and increases the IL-1/IL-6 ratio, chiefly by reducing the secretion of IL-6. This study permits to progressively clarify the mode of action of Biafine, that seems to be located at the level of granulation tissue formation and not at the epidermal level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Protein kinase C-independent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by epidermal growth factor in skin fibroblasts.

In this study, we demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated the phosphorylation of myelin basic protein (MBP), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) substrate, in crude extracts of human dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, using a selective protein kinase C inhibitor, GF 109203X (3-[1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1 H-indol-3-yl]-4 (1 H-indol-3-yl)-1 H-pyrrole-2,5-dione monohydrochloride), we observed that protein kinase C was partially involved in the total MBP phosphorylation. To determine the role of protein kinase C in the MBP phosphorylation, we separated, using fast protein liquid chromatography, the proteins present in the fibroblast crude extracts; we thus detected two distinct MBP kinase activities. The first one was stimulated by EGF and corresponded to p42mapk and p44mapk isoforms; this stimulation was not modified by GF 109203X. The second MBP kinase activity was not stimulated by EGF and was due to two protein kinase C isoforms reacting with an anti-protein kinase C zeta antibody. These results show that, in human dermal fibroblasts, EGF stimulates p42mapk and p44mapk isoforms in a protein kinase C-independent manner.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Modulation of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) mRNA expression in human dermal fibroblasts grown in monolayer or within a collagen matrix.

In this study, we analysed the modulation of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) mRNA expression in human dermal fibroblasts cultured either in monolayer or within a collagen matrix (dermal equivalent). In monolayer cultures, KGF expression by quiescent fibroblasts was stimulated by different growth substances such as serum, epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Moreover, we demonstrated that the induction of this gene was mediated by at least 2 different signalling pathways involving protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP. In dermal equivalents, we observed that the collagen matrix negatively modulated KGF mRNA expression. Indeed, among the growth substances used, only the serum slightly stimulated KGF expression. Nevertheless, as in monolayers, this induction involved at least PKC and cAMP signalling pathways. As the collagen matrix can modulate fibroblast growth, we also studied KGF expression in growing fibroblasts from either monolayer cultures or dermal equivalents. We then showed that this collagen matrix negatively influenced KGF expression independently of the proliferative state of fibroblasts. All these results underline the fact that KGF mRNA expression by human dermal fibroblasts is induced by different substances; however this expression can be modulated by fibroblast-matrix interactions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

UVA-induced oxidative damage in fibroblasts cultured in a 3-dimensional collagen matrix.

The exposure of dermal equivalent, i.e., fibroblasts cultured in a 3-dimensional collagen matrix to realistic doses of UVA (< or = 200 kJ/m2), results in a lipid peroxidation process as evidenced by the release of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the supernatant. This peroxidative process is shown to be associated with the presence of fibroblasts and is inhibited by preincubation with vitamin E, the well-known chain-breaking antioxidant. Moreover, the UVA irradiation triggers cytotoxic effects which can also be reversed by preincubation with vitamin E. While the peroxidation extent is similar for fibroblasts cultured in monolayers or in dermal equivalent, the cytotoxic response to UVA is more pronounced in dermal equivalent.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Glycosaminoglycans modulate cell-matrix interactions of human fibroblasts and endothelial cells in vitro.

Contact of various cells with extracellular matrix molecules modulates their cellular functions and phenotype. Most investigations have employed dishes coated with purified matrix constituents or plain collagen I lattices omitting the effects of other important matrix components such as proteoglycans. In this study we analyze the effect of purified glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on human fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) embedded within collagen I/III lattices. HUVEC contracted collagen I/III gels far less efficiently than fibroblasts and addition of heparan sulfate and heparin almost completely inhibited contraction. In collagen gels HUVEC down-regulated collagenase mRNA while increasing collagen I, IV mRNA expression. Addition of heparin and heparan sulfate reversed the collagen IV mRNA induction whereas hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate enhanced fibronectin and collagenase transcripts. Fibroblasts readily contracted collagen gels, and mRNA levels for fibronectin, collagenase and interleukin-6 were stimulated. Gel contraction was mostly unaffected by the different glycosaminoglycans. Fibroblasts responded to the addition of dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate and heparin with a decrease in fibronectin, collagenase and interleukin-6 mRNA. Binding studies revealed saturable binding sites on fibroblasts and HUVEC for 35S-labelled heparin, demonstrating specificity for heparin and heparan sulfate over other GAGs in competition experiments. This study implies that glycosaminoglycans participate in cell-matrix interactions by effectively modulating the cellular phenotype via high affinity binding sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Epidermal growth factor stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase by a PKC-dependent pathway in human keratinocytes.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), 20 ng/ml, stimulated myelin basic protein (MBP) phosphorylation in crude extracts from human keratinocyte primary cultures. In order to identify the involved kinases, we separated by fast protein liquid chromatography proteins participating in MBP phosphorylation. We detected three MBP kinase activities in the keratinocyte crude extracts. The first MBP kinase activity was the only one stimulated by EGF and reacted with anti-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) antiserum recognising p42mapk and p44mapk isoforms. However, when protein kinase C (PKC) was either inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X or depleted by a prolonged TPA treatment, the stimulation of MBP phosphorylation by EGF was strongly inhibited. The second MBP kinase activity eluted was due to a PKC isoform reacting with an anti-PKC zeta antibody, and the third was not identified. With this work, we have thus shown that, in human keratinocytes, EGF activates MAPK activity by a PKC-dependent pathway.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMed1995

[In vitro cutaneous organogenesis (application to skin grafts)].

The culture of cutaneous fibroblasts in an environment of collagen results in a resistant, three-dimensional culture in which fibroblasts are differentiated. This dermal sheet can be covered with an epidermal cell layer which will allow to rebuild an in vitro human skin equivalent. This in vitro organogenesis technique was used since 1983 to treat burns and children suffering from severe cutaneous malformations (giant naevi). The results which were obtained after 33 grafts on 16 patients show that, if the epidermal graft is essential to preserve patients' lives the dermal constituent is also important in the long-term since it induces the synthesis, 3 to 6 months later, of numerous elastic fibers which give to the graft mechanical properties close to that of the normal skin as well as the recovery of a normal micro relief. These cutaneous reconstructions can be completed in one or, even better, two stages which enable the successive graft of reconstructed dermis and epidermal sheets, the latter obtained in great quantity thank's to Grenn's method. The conditions of preparation of these living biomaterials require rigorous quality controls. Their further development is of great interest since it will improve skin replacement and will be a very interesting tool for gene therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of epidermal growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor effects on human keratinocyte growth by protein kinase C inhibitor, GF 109203X: comparison to fibroblast growth modulation.

In this study, epidermal growth factor (EGF), 20 ng/ml, and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), 10 ng/ml, were able to stimulate human keratinocyte growth only in presence of GF 109203X 1 microM, a selective PKC inhibitor. This suggests that PKC negatively controls keratinocyte growth in response to EGF and KGF. On the other hand, EGF and KGF have no significant effect on PKC activity. In contrast, in human fibroblasts, EGF stimulated fibroblast growth in the presence or not of GF 109203X. Thus, EGF seems to stimulate fibroblast growth in a PKC independent manner. Moreover, EGF didn't modify significantly PKC activity in fibroblasts. KGF had no effect on fibroblasts. These results show differences in the interconnections between PKC and EGF transduction pathway in the modulation of human keratinocyte and fibroblast growth. Moreover, they especially demonstrate that PKC would negatively control human keratinocyte growth in response to EGF and also to KGF.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Reconstruction of human skin in culture.

The possibility of cultivating cells in vitro has been one of the most important technical breakthroughs of the last decades and is the basis of much of the progress in cell biology. The first aim of cell biologists was to find how to stimulate cell growth using more and more sophisticated culture conditions. The success of Rheinwald and Green for long term subcultivation of keratinocytes is a brilliant example of the importance of this approach. When achieving technical conditions which make possible long term subcultivation of normal cells, biologists have looked to chemically defined medium, making possible analytical study of the effect of peptides or drugs on cells growth and differentiation. When comparing cellular response in monolayer culture in vitro, with cells in vivo, it became clear that most of the cell responses observed on dedifferentiated cells in monolayer culture are not at all predictive for the response of the same cells in vivo. These differences seem to be due to cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions existing in vivo which are responsible for cell differentiation and pharmacological responses. In order to develop in vitro cell culture systems predictive for the in vivo cell response, and to make possible alternative model systems for animal drug testing, new sophisticated systems have been developed. These systems attempt to reproduce in vitro the cell to cell and cell-matrix interactions responsible for cell differentiation, with the hope of realizing, step by step, a real organogenesis in vitro. The first human organ for which this concept has been developed, is the skin. We would like to review the most recent development of this technique, making possible the realization in vitro of a living skin equivalent. The work of our Laboratory has been mainly concerned by the investigation of two questions: Are the cells, in the living skin equivalent, in a functional and differentiated state close to the in vivo one? Is it possible, using the skin equivalent system, to obtain, in vitro, cell responses predictive for the in vivo ones?

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1994

Differential modulation of human fibroblast and keratinocyte growth by the protein kinase C inhibitor GF 109203X.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to be involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation. In this work, we have investigated the effects of a novel PKC inhibitor, GF 109203X, on normal human fibroblast and keratinocyte growth. GF 109203X selectively inhibited PKC activity extracted from either fibroblasts (IC50 = 0.01 microM) or keratinocytes (IC50 = 0.4 microM). The inhibitory effects of GF 109203X on total PKC activity and Ca(2+)-independent PKC activity were similar. Nevertheless, in keratinocytes Ca(2+)-independent PKC activity represented 95% of total PKC activity, whereas in fibroblasts it corresponded to only 32% of total PKC activity. GF 109203X also inhibited a cellular function related to PKC activity in living fibroblasts and keratinocytes; it blocked the inhibitory effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on 125I-epidermal growth factor binding. GF 109203X inhibited fibroblast growth, in terms of tritiated thymidine incorporation and cell counts, in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed that GF 109203X at 1 microM inhibited serum stimulation of expression of mRNA for c-fos and c-jun, which are usually involved in cellular proliferation. These results suggest that PKC stimulates fibroblast growth. In contrast, GF 109203X stimulated keratinocyte growth. We also observed that GF 109203X inhibited c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression in these cells. In fact, in keratinocytes these proto-oncogenes would be involved in the cellular differentiation process rather than in cellular proliferation. This suggests that the inhibition of PKC favors keratinocyte proliferation probably by inhibiting their differentiation. Thus, using GF 109203X, we show that PKC is involved differently in human fibroblast and keratinocyte growth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Mapping the cellular distribution of labelled molecules by SIMS microscopy.

We took advantage of one of the main possibilities of ion microscopy, ie isotopic analysis, to study the cellular distribution of molecules labelled either with carbon 14 or with stable isotopes of low natural abundance such as nitrogen 15 and deuterium. The surface of the sample is bombarded with an ion beam (O2+, Cs+ etc). Secondary ions emitted from the sample are filtered by a mass spectrometer and the distribution of the labelling isotope is recorded. In this way, we obtained images showing the characteristic distribution of 14C-thymidine and D-arginine in human fibroblasts, and of 15N-adenine in organotypic cultures of human breast cancer cells. The spatial resolution on the acquired images was close to 0.1 micron when using the UPS-ONERA ion microprobe. The sensitivity of the method for detecting carbon 14 is far greater than that of autoradiography and the technique is both fast and quantitative. On the other hand, the capacity of ion microscopy for studying the tissular distribution of molecules labelled with stable isotopes, opens the way for biological and pharmacological tracer studies of human diseases.

Adenine↗