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Biomedical subjects

C Gerard

Publications and source records attributed to C Gerard.

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

Cloning of the mouse fusin gene, homologue to a human HIV-1 co-factor.

Previous studies have demonstrated that mouse cells do not become infected with HIV-1 despite transfection with human CD4. Recently, a human protein termed "fusin" with characteristics of a seven-transmembrane-spanning receptor was found to be a co-factor required for the entry and fusion of HIV-1 with human CD4-bearing lymphocytes. Thus, cloning of the murine homologue of the human fusin (also termed CXCR-4) gene could provide an important comparative tool for identification of the structures crucial for fusin function. Using degenerate PCR, the mouse homologue of human fusin was cloned from a peritoneal exudate cell cDNA library. The predicted amino acid sequence is 91% identical to human fusin. Twenty-eight of the 37 amino acid differences between mouse and human fusin are located in the ectodomains, suggesting that the intracytoplasmic components that mediate G protein binding and signaling are highly conserved. Northern blot analysis showed a message of 2.2 kb in thymus, spleen, neutrophils, and primary astrocyte cultures. Lymphoid and monocyte cell lines also expressed message for fusin. The coding regions of most chemokine receptors lack introns. In contrast, cloning of genomic DNA for mouse fusin revealed the presence of a 2.3-Kb intron separating the first seven amino acids from the remaining 352 residues. Therefore, the mouse fusin gene has a unique genomic organization compared with other chemokine receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

CD4-induced interaction of primary HIV-1 gp120 glycoproteins with the chemokine receptor CCR-5.

For efficient entry into target cells, primary macrophage-tropic and laboratory-adapted human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 (HIV-1) require particular chemokine receptors, CCR-5 and CXCR-4, respectively, as well as the primary receptor CD4 (refs 1-6). Here we show that a complex of gp120, the exterior envelope glycoprotein, of macrophage-tropic primary HIV-1 and soluble CD4 interacts specifically with CCR-5 and inhibits the binding of the natural CCR-5 ligands, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and MIP-1beta (refs 7, 8). The apparent affinity of the interaction between gp120 and CCR-5 was dramatically lower in the absence of soluble CD4. Additionally, in the absence of gp120, an interaction between a two-domain CD4 fragment and CCR-5 was observed. A gp120 fragment retaining the CD4-binding site and overlapping epitopes was able to interact with CCR-5 only if the V3 loop, which can specify HIV-1 tropism and chemokine receptor choice, was also present on the molecule. Neutralizing antibodies directed against either CD4-induced or V3 epitopes on gp120 blocked the interaction of gp12O-CD4 complexes with CCR-5. These results suggest that HIV-1 attachment to CD4 creates a high-affinity binding site for CCR-5, leading to membrane fusion and virus entry.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Neurogenic amplification of immune complex inflammation.

The formation of intrapulmonary immune complexes in mice generates a vigorous inflammatory response characterized by microvascular permeability and polymorphonuclear neutrophil influx. Gene-targeted disruption of the substance P receptor (NK-1R) protected the lung from immune complex injury, as did disruption of the C5a anaphylatoxin receptor. Immunoreactive substance P was measurable in fluids lining the lung at time points before neutrophil influx and may thus be involved in an early step in the inflammatory response to immune complexes in the lung.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The C5a chemoattractant receptor mediates mucosal defence to infection.

A family of G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptors is known to mediate the transport and activation of neutrophils and macrophages This family includes receptors for chemokines, such as interleukin-8, bacterial formylated peptides, platelet-activating factor, leukotriene B4, and the complement anaphylatoxins. The apparent redundancy of these receptors suggests that they have an important underlying role in host defence. To isolate the contribution of particular molecules, we disrupted a gene that encodes a single chemoattractant receptor. Here we show that mice deficient in the chemoattractant C5a receptor, in comparison to their wild-type littermates, were unable to clear intrapulmonary-instilled Pseudomonas aeruginosa, despite a marked increase in neutrophil influx, and succumbed to pneumonia. These C5a-receptor-deficient mice challenged with sublethal inocula of Pseudomonas become superinfected with secondary bacterial strains. We conclude that the C5a receptor has a non-redundant function, and is required for mucosal host defence in the lung.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Mouse astrocytes respond to the chemokines MCP-1 and KC, but reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction does not detect mRNA for the KC or new MCP-1 receptor.

Previous studies demonstrated the involvement of astrocytes in the development of astrogliosis, a condition in which these cells undergo proliferation and hypertrophy. To examine whether astrocytes could migrate into lesions, we tested the influence of the murine chemokines MCP-1, KC, TCA3, and MIP-1 beta on migration of cultured neonatal mouse astrocytes. Subnanomolar concentrations of MCP-1 and KC were active chemoattractants indicating that these molecules were effective at physiologic concentrations. Specificity of MCP-1 was demonstrated by antibody inhibition and by the finding that the chemokine MIP-1 beta failed to induce astrocyte migration. The migratory responses were sensitive to pertussis toxin; this finding is consistent with involvement of G protein-coupled receptors. To examine the receptors for these chemokines further, we cloned the mouse homolog of the human MCP-1 receptor from a mouse peritoneal exudate cell cDNA library. The gene had 78% nucleotide sequence homology with the human MCP-1 receptor (the nucleotide sequence of clone 1 encoding the mouse MCP-1 receptor can be obtained from the GenBank database, accession number U56819). However, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) failed to detect message for either the MCP-1 or KC receptors in astrocytes. The combined data suggest that mouse astrocytes use novel receptors to recognize these chemokines.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The beta-chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR5 facilitate infection by primary HIV-1 isolates.

We examined the ability of chemokine receptors and related G protein-coupled receptors to facilitate infection by primary, clinical HIV-1 isolates. CCR5, when expressed along with CD4, the HIV-1 receptor, allowed cell lines resistant to most primary HIV-1 isolates to be infected. CCR3 facilitated infection by a more restricted subset of primary viruses, and binding of the CCR3 ligand, eotaxin, inhibited infection by these isolates. Utilization of CCR3 and CCR5 on the target cell depended upon the sequence of the third variable (V3) region of the HIV-1 gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. The ability of various members of the chemokine receptor family to support the early stages of HIV-1 infection helps to explain viral tropism and beta-chemokine inhibition of primary HIV-1 isolates.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Molecular cloning and characterization of a human eotaxin receptor expressed selectively on eosinophils.

The chemokine eotaxin is unusual in that it appears to be a highly specific chemoattractant for eosinophils. Ligand-binding studies with radiolabeled eotaxin demonstrated a receptor on eosinophils distinct from the known chemokine receptors CKR-1 and -2. The distinct eotaxin binding site on human eosinophils also bound RANTES (regulated on activation T expressed and secreted) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)3. We have now isolated a cDNA from eosinophils, termed CKR-3, with significant sequence similarity to other well characterized chemokine receptors. Cells transfected with CKR-3 cDNA bound radiolabeled eotaxin specifically and with high affinity, comparable to the binding affinity observed with eosinophils. This receptor also bound RANTES and MCP-3 with high affinity, but not other CC or CXC chemokines. Furthermore, receptor transfectants generated in a murine B cell lymphoma cell line migrated in transwell chemotaxis assays to eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3, but not to any other chemokines. A monoclonal antibody recognizing CKR-3 was used to show that eosinophils, but not other leukocyte types, expressed this receptor. This pattern of expression was confirmed by Northern blot with RNA from highly purified leukocyte subsets. The restricted expression of CKR-3 on eosinophils and the fidelity of eotaxin binding to CKR-3, provides a potential mechanism for the selective recruitment and migration of eosinophils within tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Neutral endopeptidase modulates septic shock.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11) is a type-2 cell-surface metalloproteinase known by a variety of eponyms, including enkephalinase, common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), and CD10. Identified substrates are largely neural or humoral oligopeptide agonists, and the enzyme functions to terminate signaling by degrading the ligand, analogous to the acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase system. Targeted disruption of the NEP locus in mice results in enhanced lethality to endotoxin shock with a pronounced gene-dosage effect. The site(s) of action appears downstream from release of TNF and IL-1, as NEP-deficient animals demonstrate increased sensitivity to these mediators as well. This unexpected finding indicates an important protective role for NEP in septic shock.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

PAf receptor anchors Streptococcus pneumoniae to activated human endothelial cells.

Streptococcus pneumoniae can produce asymptomatic colonization or aggressive sepsis. We sought to differentiate the molecular mechanisms of these disparate courses. Cytokine or thrombin activation of human vascular endothelial cells and type II pneumocytes enhanced pneumococcal adherence relative to resting cells. Adherence and subsequent invasion was dramatically reduced by PAF receptor antagonists. Cells transfected with the PAF receptor gained the ability to support pneumococcal adherence. PAF or PAF receptor antagonists inhibited attachment and invasion. Adherence involved phosphorylcholine on the pneumococcal teichoic acid. Virulent pneumococci target the PAF receptor on activated human cells, a necessary step to facilitate subsequent invasion.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1996

Receptor binding specificity and pulmonary gene expression of the neutrophil-activating peptide ENA-78.

Neutrophil-activating peptide ENA-78 is a novel chemotactic cytokine isolated from a human type II pulmonary epithelial cell line. It is a member of the chemokine family of proinflammatory polypeptides and exhibits structural homology to interleukin-8 (IL-8) and GROalpha. The immunohistochemical identification of ENA-78 in pulmonary alveolar leukocytes of bovine pneumonic lungs supports a role for ENA-78 in the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation. Although ENA-78 is able to stimulate polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), neither its binding specificities nor its expression in human pulmonary disease states have been determined. 125I-labeled ENA-78 binds with high affinity to human PMN. Its actions on PMN appear to be mediated by the IL-8 type B receptor, to which it binds with a K(d) of 2.2 nM. Human IL-8, GROalpha, and murine KC compete with high affinity for 125I-ENA-78 binding to the human IL-8 type B receptor. In contrast, 125I-ENA-78 does not bind to the IL-8 type A receptor nor does it compete significantly for 125I-IL-8 binding to this same receptor. ENA-78 is a potent upregulator of Mac-1 cell surface expression. In addition, ENA-78 mRNA is detected in cystic fibrosis lung but is not detected in normal donor lung. Thus, ENA-78 mRNA levels appear to be increased in human pulmonary inflammation and its stimulatory activities on PMN appear to be a function mediated primarily by the IL-8 type B receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of a xylanase-encoding gene from Streptomyces sp. strain EC3.

Using the p1J702 vector, a xylanase-encoding gene (xin) of Streptomyces sp. EC3 has been cloned by functional complementation of a mutant of Streptomyces lividans TK24, producing xylanase at a very low level. Normal level of xylanase synthesis was restored in at least three clones, containing the same 3802 bp Sstl DNA fragment. In this fragment, several open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified, one of which coded for a xylanase; the products of the other ORFs did not show homology with any of the already known proteins. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 3802 bp Ssti insert has been determined on both strands. Xylanase is very probably synthesized as a 240 amino acid (aa) precursor (25949 Da) including a long (49 aa) signal sequence presenting significant similarity with the signal sequences of other Streptomyces xylanase genes. The xylanase aa sequence showed a clear homology with the aa sequences of other xylanases of the glycanase G family. The xln gene has been introduced into Streptomyces parvulus, a naturally xylanase-negative species. In contrast with its expression in Streptomyces sp. EC3, in S. parvulus, xln was expressed constitutively, a probable consequence of the absence of a regulatory system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

The secretory intestinal transport of some beta-lactam antibiotics and anionic compounds: a mechanism contributing to poor oral absorption.

The mechanisms of intestinal permeation of several beta-lactam antibiotics and anionic compounds were studied in vitro using excised rat intestinal segments. Permeation of cefazolin through jejunum, ileum and colon was highly secretory-oriented; serosal-to-mucosal permeation rates were two- to three-fold greater than mucosal-to-serosal permeation rates. Serosal-to-mucosal permeation decreased in the absence of D-glucose, and mucosal-to-serosal permeation increased, indicating that the preferential secretory transport of cefazolin is energy dependent. Ampicillin permeation across rat jejunum also favored secretion, whereas the permeation of cefaclor and cephradine favored absorption. Because cefazolin is anionic, several structurally unrelated anionic compounds were also tested. Of these only phenol red exhibited preferential serosal-to-mucosal permeation. The intestinal permeation of phenol red was concentration dependent and glucose dependent. Verapamil and a monoclonal antibody to P-glycoprotein only modestly and inconsistently affected the permeation of cefazolin, ampicillin and phenol red. Probenecid and guanidine were much more effective inhibitors of cefazolin and phenol red secretion. Mutual interactions between cefazolin and phenol red were also observed. These results show that the rat intestine has the capability for net secretory transport of some hydrophilic, anionic compounds. Transport of these compounds has some of the characteristics of organic anion and organic cation transport systems.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1996

[Microbiological and serological verification of cornea donors].

A study was made during 1994 about microbiological contamination on the donor eyes before enucleation of whole globe. We studied the efficiency of the decontamination method by checking sterility of corneal storage medium after two days. We give results of serological tests on 252 donors.

Cornea↗
PubMed1995

Molecular characterization of two murine eosinophil beta chemokine receptors.

beta or C-C chemokines including RANTES, MCP-3, MIP-1 alpha, and eotaxin have been implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic inflammation. Two human beta chemokine receptors have been cloned and characterized: the MIP-1 alpha/RANTES receptor or C-C chemokine receptor 1 (CCR-1) and the MCP-1 receptor or C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR-2). However, no murine beta chemokine receptors have thus far been reported. Molecular cloning from mouse genomic DNA and cDNA libraries yielded two murine beta chemokine receptors with 79% and 65% sequence identity with human CCR-1, and 50% and 55% with human CCR-2. COS cells transiently transfected with the murine homologue of human CCR-1 bind murine MIP-1 alpha and human RANTES with Kds of 3.4 nM and 4.2 nM and murine MIP-1 beta with an EC50 of 8.9 nM. The other murine beta chemokine receptor, which we have designated murine CCR-3, also binds murine MIP-1 alpha. The mRNAs for both receptors are expressed in eosinophils from IL-5 transgenic mice. The level of murine CCR-3 mRNA in these mouse eosinophils exceeds that of CCR-1 mRNA and approaches actin levels. Murine MIP-1 alpha was found to be a potent chemoattractant for murine eosinophils. Our findings suggest that the murine MIP-1 alpha ligand/receptor system is an important mediator of murine eosinophil trafficking.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of the structure and expression of the human and rat neprilysin (endopeptidase 24.11)-encoding genes.

The existence of a third non-coding exon in the human neprilysin-encoding gene (h-NEP), positionally located as exon 3, has been demonstrated by reverse transcription of RNA from human kidney and lung, coupled with the polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of nucleotide sequences between h-NEP and the rat NEP (r-NEP) genes shows a high degree of sequence conservation within noncoding exons 1 and 2. In contrast, the region of the gene containing exon 3 is highly divergent. Two transcripts derived from exon 2 by alternative splicing, type-2a and type-2b, were demonstrated in human kidney and lung. In contrast, only the type-2b transcript was present in these same tissues in the rat. The type-1 transcript was detected in human kidney, lung and brain, this transcript appearing to be the major species in brain.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1995

The role of N-glycosylation for functional expression of the human platelet-activating factor receptor. Glycosylation is required for efficient membrane trafficking.

Streptococcus pneumoniae has been shown to utilize the platelet activating factor receptor for binding and invasion of host cells (Cundell, D. R., Gerard, N. P., Gerard, C., Idanpaan-Heikkila, I., and Tuomanen, E. I. (1995) Nature, in press). Because bacterial binding is in part carbohydrate dependent, and the human platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor bears a single N-linked glycosylation sequence in the second extracellular loop, we undertook studies to determine the role of this epitope in PAF receptor function. Binding of pneumococci to COS cells transfected with the human PAF receptor is greatly reduced for a receptor mutant that bears no N-linked glycosylation site. Immunohistochemical and binding analyses show decreased expression of the non-glycosylated molecule on the cell membrane relative to the wild type receptor; however, metabolic labeling and immunopurification indicate it is synthesized intracellularly at a level similar to the native molecule. A mutant receptor encoding a functional glycosylation site at the NH2 terminus is better expressed at the cell surface compared with the non-glycosylated form, indicating that trafficking to the cell surface is facilitated by glycosylation, but its location is relatively unimportant. The binding affinity for PAF is not significantly effected by the presence or location of the carbohydrate, and variations in cell surface expression have little influence on signal transduction, as the non-glycosylated PAF receptor is equally effective for activation of phospholipase C as the native molecule. These data are supportive of pneumococcal binding on protein moiety(ies) of the PAF receptor and indicate that N-glycosylation facilitates expression of the protein on the cell membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Streptococcus pneumoniae anchor to activated human cells by the receptor for platelet-activating factor.

The Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. Although the invasive disease is severe, some 40% of individuals harbour the pneumococcus in the nasopharynx asymptomatically. Here we investigate the molecular elements of the encounter between host and pathogen that distinguish these different outcomes. We show that inflammatory activation of human cells shifts the targeting of the pneumococcus to a new receptor, that for the G-protein-coupled platelet-activating factor (PAF). Only virulent pneumococci engage the PAF receptor. Attachment of the bacterial phosphorylcholine to the PAF receptor enhanced adherence, which was coupled to invasion of endothelial, epithelial and PAF-receptor-transfected cells. This progression could be arrested in vitro and in vivo by PAF-receptor-specific antagonists, suggesting a possible approach to therapy.

Bacterial Adhesion↗