Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C C Chao

Publications and source records attributed to C C Chao.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Immunologically mediated fatigue: a murine model.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an idiopathic disorder in which the chief symptoms is profound fatigue. To explore the relationship between immune stimulation and fatigue, we developed a murine model for quantifying fatigue: reduction in voluntary running and delayed initiation of grooming after swimming. Inoculation of female BALB/c mice with Corynebacterium parvum antigen or the relatively avirulent Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii induced fatigue: baseline running reduced to less than 50 and 30% for 8 and 14 days, respectively, and delayed initiation of grooming after swimming in both immunologically stimulated groups. A threefold evaluation of serum transforming growth factor-beta levels, a cytokine increased in CFS patients, was found in fatigued C. parvum- and T. gondii-inoculated mice. This murine model appears promising for investigation of the pathogenesis of immunologically mediated fatigue.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Microglial cell upregulation of HIV-1 expression in the chronically infected promonocytic cell line U1: the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Culture supernatants from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine microglial cells were found to markedly induce the expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 in the chronically infected human promonocytic cell line U1 as detected by measurements of HIV-1 p24 antigen release into U1 culture supernatants. Antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha had an inhibitory effect on the induction of virus by microglial cell supernatants. Also, treatment of microglia with pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of TNF-alpha production, resulted in suppressed amounts of TNF in the supernatants of LPS-treated microglia and in a reduced stimulatory capacity of these supernatants on HIV-1 expression in U1 cells. These findings support the concept that TNF-alpha production by glial cells plays a pathogenetic role in HIV-1-associated brain disease by promoting the expression of the virus in infected cells.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of a UV-damage recognition factor in vitro that is associated with UV resistance in HeLa cells.

We have previously reported a cisplatin-selected HeLa cell line showing cross-resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and overexpression of UV-damage recognition factors (Chao et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 11, 2075-2080, 1991). Here, we further characterize a UV-damage recognition factor in vitro using a gel mobility shift assay. The results indicate that the damage-recognition factor is (i) localized mostly in the nucleus, (ii) protease-sensitive, (iii) RNA-independent, (iv) active in a wide range of ionic strengths (50-400 mM NaCl), (v) with a high affinity for UV-damaged DNA (50-fold molar excess competitor causes 50% recognition loss), and (vi) resistant to agents and that modify protein conformation (urea and NP-40), but slightly sensitive to CaCl2. The significance of the identified UV-damage recognition factor in the sensitivity or resistance of cells to UV is also discussed.

Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1992

Cytokine release from microglia: differential inhibition by pentoxifylline and dexamethasone.

Cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of gram-negative bacterial meningitis. The effects of pentoxifylline and dexamethasone on the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6 from primary murine microglial cell cultures were explored using bioassays. When added concomitantly with lipopolysaccharide, pentoxifylline blocked the release of TNF and IL-1 but not IL-6, while dexamethasone inhibited the release of TNF and IL-6. After a 2-h exposure of microglia to lipopolysaccharide, pentoxifylline but not dexamethasone still inhibited the release of TNF. Release of TNF was enhanced 20-fold by priming of the microglia with interferon-gamma; only pentoxifylline blocked the priming effect of interferon-gamma on TNF release. These results demonstrate that pentoxifylline and dexamethasone differentially regulate the release of cytokines in microglial cell cultures and provide potential insight into their role in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial meningitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Human cytomegalovirus-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells induce HIV-1 replication via a tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated mechanism.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a potential cofactor in HIV-1 infection. To investigate the mechanism whereby HCMV promotes HIV-1 replication, a PBMC coculture assay which measures HIV-1 p24 antigen release was used as an index of viral replication. HCMV-stimulated PBMC were capable of inducing HIV-1 replication in cocultures with acutely infected PBMC; however, this occurred only when the PBMC were from HCMV-seropositive donors (598 +/- 207 versus 27 +/- 10 pg/ml p24 antigen with PBMC from HCMV-seronegative donors on day 6 of coculture). Upon stimulation with HCMV, PBMC obtained exclusively from HCMV-seropositive donors released tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (270 +/- 79 pg/ml at 18 h of culture). Monoclonal antibodies to TNF-alpha blocked the activity of HCMV-stimulated PBMC in cocultures both with acutely HIV-1-infected PBMC and with the chronically infected promonocytic line U1. Also, treatment of HCMV-stimulated PBMC with pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of TNF-alpha mRNA, markedly reduced HIV-1 replication in cocultures both with acutely and chronically infected cells. These results indicate that TNF-alpha is a key mediator of HIV-1 replication induced by HCMV-stimulated PBMC and support the concept that this cytokine plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1992

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta on murine astrocyte glutamine synthetase activity. Implications in neuronal injury.

Cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of brain diseases in which neurological dysfunction has been attributed to a change in amino acid neurotransmitter metabolism. In the present in vitro study, we investigated the effects of cytokines on astrocyte glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and subsequently on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated neurotoxicity. Proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 at a concentration of 20 ng/ml did not affect GS activity; however, tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibited this activity by 20% in mixed neuronal/astrocyte cultures. Treatment for 24 h with transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 or -beta 2 inhibited up to 60% GS activity. TGF-beta 2 also inhibited GS in enriched astrocyte cultures with an ED50 of 10 pg/ml. Antibodies specific to TGF-beta 2 blocked this effect. Treatment of astrocytes with TGF-beta 2 (250 pg/ml) resulted in markedly dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. Since astrocyte GS may play a protective role in NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity, we treated mixed neuronal/astrocyte cultures with TGF-beta 2 (250 pg/ml) and found a threefold potentiation of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity. These data suggest that TGF-beta impairs astrocyte GS function and enhances neurotoxicity, thus providing insight into understanding one mechanism of cytokine-mediated central nervous system disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Chronic morphine administration impairs cell-mediated immune responses in swine.

Swine were used as an experimental animal model to evaluate immunomodulating effects of the opiate drug, morphine, on antigen-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Morphine free base in peanut oil was administered at 4-day intervals for up to 42 days to maintain drug levels at or above 100 ng/ml. The effect of morphine administration on humoral immune responses was evaluated by immunization on day 7 of morphine treatment with a battery of antigens, including swine herpes virus (also known as pseudorabies virus, PRV), Brucella abortus and the Escherichia coli pilus antigens K88, K99, 987P and F41. Fourteen days later, swine were reimmunized with B. abortus and E. coli pilus antigens. Antibody titers to these antigens were evaluated on a weekly basis. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by measuring skin immune responses to the antigen 2,4-dintroflurobenozene (DNFB). In one experiment, swine were sensitized with DNFB on day 7 of morphine treatment at the same time as immunization with the other antigens. In a second series of experiments, swine were sensitized either 7 days before or 7 days after initiation of morphine treatment. Pigs were challenged with DNFB administered 27 days after the initiation of morphine treatment and skin responses were evaluated 24 h later. The ability of swine to resist PRV infection was evaluated by exposure to virulent virus on day 28 of morphine treatment. Chronic morphine administration did not impair the induction of the humoral immune responses to bacterial or viral antigens. In addition, morphine treatment did not alter the resistance of immunized swine to PRV infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Overexpression of glutathione S-transferase and elevation of thiol pools in a multidrug-resistant human colon cancer cell line.

A human colon cancer cell line with acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) was assayed for the intracellular GSH level and the activity of GSH-S-transferase (GST), which catalyzes the conjugation reaction of electrophilic drugs with GSH. The GSH level and GST activity (as measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) were elevated in the resistant cells by 1.7-fold and 2-fold, respectively. This elevated catalytic activity of the resistant cells was reflected in a 2-fold increase in GST-pi mRNA, which was not the result of gene amplification. In addition, buthionine sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis, significantly increased Adriamycin sensitivity in both the MDR and the parental cells, affecting the former more than the latter. The effects seen with buthionine sulfoximine were not seen with puromycin and actinomycin D. A dramatic overexpression of mdr1, a P-glycoprotein gene responsible for the MDR phenotype, was also observed in the MDR cells. In contrast, none of these products (i.e., mdr P-glycoprotein, GSH level, total GST activity, GST-pi gene copy, and GST-pi mRNA level) was elevated in HeLa cells resistant to cisplatin and some alkylating agents, supporting the notion that the acquisition of cisplatin resistance differs from the mechanism of MDR. These results indicate that the intrinsic GSH level and GST-pi activity affect anthracycline resistance per se and not MDR in the human colon cancer cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1992

Morphine potentiates transforming growth factor-beta release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures.

Opiates modulate a variety of immune responses by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In the present study, we investigated the effect of morphine on the release of several cytokines upon stimulation with mitogens. An interleukin (IL)-4-dependent HT-2 cell proliferation assay was used to quantify transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Morphine (1 pM and 10 nM) alone did not significantly modulate the release of TGF-beta, IL-6 or TNF-alpha. Upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin, PBMC released more (P less than .01) TGF-beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha than unstimulated PBMC. Exposure of PBMC to morphine (1 pM) for 24 hr substantially amplified (P less than .05) the release of TGF-beta in the following 24 hr incubation period. Morphine did not alter the release of immunodetectable IL-6 or TNF-alpha from stimulated cells. The amplifying effect of morphine on the release of TGF-beta was mediated through a naloxone-sensitive mechanism. Given the fact that TGF-beta has a potent immunosuppressive effect, morphine-potentiated release of TGF-beta from PBMC may be involved in the immunomodulatory activity ascribed to morphine.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Ca(2+)-mediated inhibition of a nuclear protein that recognizes UV-damaged DNA and is constitutively overexpressed in resistant human cells: DNA-binding assay.

A nuclear protein that recognizes UV-damaged DNA was detected from HeLa cells using DNA-binding assay. Treatment of cells with Ca2+ ionophore (A23187) caused a dramatic inhibition of the damage-recognition activity. In contrast, in vitro treatment of nuclear extracts with agents that affect protein conformation (such as urea, NP40 and Ca2+) did not significantly affect on the damage-recognition activity. The Ca(2+)-mediated inhibition of UV damage recognition was reconstituted by the addition of the cytosolic extracts, suggesting that the Ca2+ effect does not directly act on the UV damage-recognition protein. The expression of the detected nuclear protein was increased in UV-resistant HeLa cells. In contrast, the level of this protein was dramatically reduced in UV-sensitive xeroderma pigmentosum group A cells. In addition, UV damage-recognition protein is resistant to RNase, and is independent of the previously identified proteins that bind cisplatin-DNA adduct. These findings implied that the recognition of UV-DNA adduct is modulated by the intracellular level of Ca2+.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1991

Co-amplification and over-expression of two mdr genes in a multidrug-resistant human colon carcinoma cell line.

The human P-glycoprotein gene family contains the mdr1 and the mdr3 gene. The mdr1 P-glycoprotein is over-expressed in multidrug resistant (MDR) tumor cells and is believed to play a role in the elimination of certain cytotoxic drugs used in the chemotherapy of cancer. The mdr3 gene has not been found to be amplified or over-expressed in MDR cells. In this study, gene-specific mdr gene probes were developed for the detection of the gene and the total mRNA level. Southern and Northern hybridization analyses showed that the mdr genes and the mRNA levels were increased 30--40-fold in a MDR human colon cancer cell line. In addition, this MDR cell line had an altered growth rate and morphology and detectable double minute chromosomes.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1991

Identification of inducible damage-recognition proteins that are overexpressed in HeLa cells resistant to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II).

Two cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin)-inducible proteins [b 130 (approximately 130 kDa) and b95 (approximately 95 kDa]) in HeLa cells that recognize both the cisplatin-modified and u.v.-modified DNA were identified in this study. These damage-recognition proteins were overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant HeLa cells. The results suggest that the damage-recognition proteins are regulated in the cells in response to DNA damage, and they may be important for DNA repair and probably the emergence of cisplatin resistance.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1991

Ionic and ligand-specific effects on the DNA binding of progesterone receptor bound to the synthetic progestin R5020 and the antiprogestin RU486.

Antiprogestin and other antihormones are valuable therapeutic agents in hormone-responsive cancers. A fundamental mechanism in the action of antiprogestin is its binding to PR,3 an intracellular protein that mediates the action of progesterone by direct interaction at the regulatory sites of responsive genes. To elucidate the mechanism of action of PR bound to agonistic and antagonistic ligands, we determined the binding affinity of rabbit uterine PR bound to R5020 and RU486, respectively, with different DNA sequences. We used 2 recombinant plasmid DNAs, pDHf14 and pDHf2, with 60- and 23-base pair inserts of potential Z-DNA-forming (dA-dC)n.(dG-dT)n sequences, respectively, parental plasmid pDPL6 with no insert, calf thymus DNA, and several synthetic polynucleotides in this study. The concentration of DNA required to elute 50% of the receptor bound to DNA-cellulose (EC50) was used as a measure of the relative binding affinity of the receptor for DNA. EC50 values of plasmids pDHf14 and pDHf2 were 1.2 +/- 0.5 (SD) and 2.5 +/- 0.6 micrograms/ml, respectively, for PR bound to R5020. In contrast, EC50 for control plasmid was 350 micrograms/ml. PR.R5020 had lower affinity for calf thymus DNA and polynucleotides compared with pDHf2 and pDHf14. Receptors complexed with the antiprogestin RU486 had lower affinity for the plasmids; EC50 values were 2.4 +/- 0.4 and 10 +/- 1 microgram/ml, respectively, for pDHf14 and pDHf2. This ligand-specific difference in DNA binding was amplified by the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ or Ca2+. The relative binding affinity of PR.R5020 to pDHf14 was 6- and 7-fold higher than that of PR.RU486, in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ and Ca2+, respectively. These results show that PR.RU486 has lower binding affinity for specific DNA sequences than PR.R5020, but the binding affinity of both receptors is in a range that cannot preclude competitive interactions at the DNA recognition site. The effects of Mg2+ and Ca2+ on PR binding to DNA further suggest that these cations could affect PR recognition of DNA in a ligand-specific manner.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Enhanced host cell reactivation of damaged plasmid DNA in HeLa cells resistant to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

Human HeLa cells resistant to cisplatin were established by stepwise selection. The selected cells showed a 15- to 20-fold cisplatin resistance (CPR) at the dose level resulting in 50% inhibition. These cells were cross-resistant to mitomycin C, melphalan, and ethyl methanesulfonate but not to Adriamycin, colchicine, or vinblastine. The expression of cisplatin-damaged plasmid DNA carrying the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene after its transfection into CPR cells was enhanced by approximately 3-fold. This did not correlate with the degree of CPR. However, the development of the CPR phenotype paralleled the enhanced CAT activity. The addition of aphidicolin (an inhibitor of DNA alpha-polymerase) to CPR cells effectively diminished the enhanced CAT activity and CPR. These studies have identified an enhanced host cell reactivation of the damaged plasmid in the acquisition of CPR, suggesting that DNA repair is a potential mechanism for the development of CPR phenotype in human cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1991

Cocaine potentiates HIV-1 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cocultures. Involvement of transforming growth factor-beta.

Cocaine use is an important high risk behavior in the AIDS epidemic. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that cocaine potentiates the replication of HIV-1 in human PBMC. A coculture system was used in which PBMC from healthy donors were incubated in the absence (control) or presence of cocaine before activation with PHA. Cocultures were then constituted with PBMC infected with a clinical isolate of HIV-1. HIV-1 replication, which was assessed by the measurement of HIV-1 p24 antigen levels in coculture supernatants, was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner by cocaine with maximal stimulation at a concentration of 10(-9) M (965 +/- 196 vs 303 +/- 80 pg p24 Ag/ml in control cocultures). Antibodies to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) blocked cocaine-enhanced HIV-1 replication and purified TGF-beta stimulated viral replication in a manner similar to that observed with cocaine. Augmentation of HIV-1 replication by TGF-beta was maximal at a concentration of 0.01 ng/ml; however, viral proliferation appeared to be inhibited by concentrations of TGF-beta of 1 ng/ml or greater. Taken together, these results indicate that cocaine augments the replication of HIV-1 in PHA-activated PBMC via a mechanism that appears to involve TGF-beta.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1991

Identification of Thy-1 homologue in rabbit brain by immunoblot, immunohistochemistry and DNA/DNA hybridization.

A membrane glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 26,000 reacted on immunoblot with a monoclonal antibody (HB-3S-17) directed toward human Thy-1. At cellular level, HB-3S-17 reacted with both rabbit and human cerebral cortexes in a similar manner as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. Screening of a rabbit brain expression cDNA library with HB-3S-17 resulted in the isolation of a clone designated RBT-2A-1. The rabbit cDNA insert of RBT-2A-1 hybridized in Southern blot with an oligonucleotide probe derived from the mouse Thy-1.2 gene. These data strongly indicate the existence of a glycoprotein in rabbit brain which is the counterpart of human and mouse Thy-1.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Potential negative regulation of damage-recognition proteins in cisplatin-resistant HeLa cells in response to DNA damage.

Nuclear proteins in cisplatin-resistant (CPR) and non-resistant HeLa cells were assayed by 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The levels of at least 4 suppressible nuclear proteins were reduced in CPR cells. These proteins were partially restored in CPR revertants that are known to be less capable of repairing cisplatin-DNA adducts. Southwestern blotting assays indicate that in CPR cells at least 1 DNA-binding protein was suppressed, and concomitantly with it several damage-recognition proteins (DRPs) were induced. In addition, gel mobility shift analysis shows that DRPs were overexpressed in CPR cells. These results suggest a potential negative regulation in normal cells that may be important for the induction of DRPs and the emergence of a repair-mediated CPR phenotype.

Cisplatin↗