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Biomedical subjects

C Okolo

Publications and source records attributed to C Okolo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Small intestinal pathology.

During the past year, important studies on various mechanisms of small bowel disease have been reported. The section on enterocyte function evaluates studies on hypoxia and apoptosis. Many of the studies of small intestinal epithelia use as models T84 cells. When these cells are referred to as intestinal cells, it may be in a general sense. This may be of relevance in permeability studies because the transepithelial resistance of T84 cells is on the order of 1000 to 2000 ohm.cm, much higher than the resistance of the small intestine. These studies produce added insights into cellular function. Hypoxia causes changes in epithelial permeability through autocrine pathways. Additional studies methodically detail apoptosis in the small intestinal cell caused by ischemia-reperfusion and the potential mechanisms. Apoptosis is also important in graft-versus-host disease. A number of studies of the mechanism of action of Clostridium difficile toxins are reviewed; these may have therapeutic implications in the future. Finally, the role of mast cells in immunity and in postischemic inflammation is reviewed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Trypsin activates pancreatic duct epithelial cell ion channels through proteinase-activated receptor-2.

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is cleaved by trypsin within the NH2-terminus, exposing a tethered ligand that binds and activates the receptor. We examined the secretory effects of trypsin, mediated through PAR-2, on well-differentiated nontransformed dog pancreatic duct epithelial cells (PDEC). Trypsin and activating peptide (AP or SLIGRL-NH2, corresponding to the PAR-2 tethered ligand) stimulated both an 125I- efflux inhibited by Ca2+-activated Cl- channel inhibitors and a 86Rb+ efflux inhibited by a Ca2+-activated K+ channel inhibitor. The reverse peptide (LRGILS-NH2) and inhibited trypsin were inactive. Thrombin had no effect, suggesting absence of PAR-1, PAR-3, or PAR-4. In Ussing chambers, trypsin and AP stimulated a short-circuit current from the basolateral, but not apical, surface of PDEC monolayers. In monolayers permeabilized basolaterally or apically with nystatin, AP activated apical Cl- and basolateral K+ conductances. PAR-2 agonists increased [Ca2+]i in PDEC, and the calcium chelator BAPTA inhibited the secretory effects of AP. PAR-2 expression on dog pancreatic ducts and PDEC was verified by immunofluorescence. Thus, trypsin interacts with basolateral PAR-2 to increase [Ca2+]i and activate ion channels in PDEC. In pancreatitis, when trypsinogen is prematurely activated, PAR-2-mediated ductal secretion may promote clearance of toxins and debris.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Na,K-ATPase in diabetic rat small intestine. Changes at protein and mRNA levels and role of glucagon.

Na,K-ATPase activity and isoform expression were measured in rat small intestinal mucosa taken from both normal and streptozocin-treated diabetic rats. Enzyme activity and abundance was 1.7-2.3-fold higher in rats diabetic for 2 wk than in controls. This was associated with 1.4-1.7-fold increases in small intestinal protein and DNA content. Ouabain inhibition curves of Na,K-ATPase were monophasic with Kis of 2.6 +/- 1.4 x 10(-4) and 2.0 +/- 1.2 x 10(-4) M for control and diabetic rats, respectively (NS). Northern blot analysis revealed a 2.5-fold increase in mRNA alpha 1 and a 3.4-fold increase in mRNA beta 1 in diabetic rats relative to controls. Two thirds of this increase occurred within 24h after injection of streptozocin. Immunoblots of intestinal enzyme preparations from diabetic and control rats indicated the presence of alpha 1 and beta 1 subunits but not of alpha 2 or alpha 3. Administration of glucagon (80 micrograms/kg) to normal rats daily for 14-16 d increased mRNA alpha 1 3.1-fold but did not increase mRNA beta 1 or enzyme activity. In experimental diabetes, alpha 1 and beta 1 isoforms of Na,K-ATPase are coordinately upregulated at both protein and mRNA levels, an effect which appears to be partially mediated by the associated hyperglucagonemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Analysis of autoantibodies to recombinant La (SS-B) peptides in systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Autoantibodies to a polymerase III transcription factor, La (SS-B), are frequently detected in the serum of patients with Sjogren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. To define the humoral immune response to this protein, we analyzed the patterns of antibody recognition toward 13 recombinant La peptides by immunoblotting and determined the heterogeneity of antibodies reactive with the immunodominant epitopes. The smallest epitopes that were strongly antigenic and recognized by greater than 70% of sera tested (immunodominant) were encoded by the subclones BgX and XA located in the 5' and 3' halves of the La cDNA, respectively. Conformation of the immunodominant La peptides played a major role in antibody recognition. Although greater diversity in antibody binding to carboxyl-terminal La peptides was observed, the overall pattern of peptide recognition by anti-La antibodies was similar in different diseases. The antibody responses to the immunodominant peptides were strongly correlated (r = 0.68, P less than 0.001). One- and two-dimensional isoelectric focusing of affinity purified IgG anti-La peptide antibodies revealed restricted heterogeneity and oligoclonal bands (kappa light chains). These observations suggest that anti-La antibodies are induced and/or maintained by the self antigen and that their diversity is constrained either by mechanisms related to tolerance or by affinity maturation of the humoral immune response.

Animals↗