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Biomedical subjects

D Brown

Publications and source records attributed to D Brown.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

HCV RNA levels and HIV infection: evidence for a viral interaction in haemophilic patients.

In order to investigate a possible interaction between HIV and HCV infections, we compared HCV RNA levels in 29 matched pairs of haemophilic patients seropositive for HCV and serodiscordant for HIV. Levels were assayed using the new Chiron Quantiplex bDNA assay and were found to be significantly higher in HIV seropositive patients. There was no association between HCV RNA and age, duration of HCV infection, concentrate usage, markers of HIV progression, or use of zidovudine. Our study supports the hypothesis that HIV infection facilitates HCV replication and leads to more severe liver damage.

Adolescent↗

Theileria annulata sporozoite surface antigen (SPAG-1) contains neutralizing determinants in the C terminus.

SPAG-1 is a surface antigen on Theileria annulata sporozoites that is a candidate both for inclusion in a subunit vaccine and as a ligand for host cell recognition. We have pinpointed major neutralizing epitopes to the C terminus. To facilitate this we expressed SPAG-1 as a series of defined fragments in the pGEX system. These constructs were validated by sequencing and by their spectrum of reactivity with monoclonal antibody (MoAb) BA4. This MoAb recognizes the elastin motif VGVAPG, that is predicted to occur three times in the N terminal half of SPAG-1. The recombinant proteins were then tested by Western blotting with a neutralizing MoAb (1A7) and two neutralizing bovine sera (10T and 34A). The results demonstrate that 1A7 and the bovine sera react with determinants unique to the C terminus. We mapped the neutralizing determinant recognized by MoAb 1A7 to a 16 residue sequence (residues 807-822) using synthetic peptides. Interestingly the bovine sera do not recognize the 1A7 epitope. The potential role of the C terminus as a ligand for host cell recognition and the implications for sub-unit vaccine production are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential effects of lipid and carbohydrate on enterocyte lactase activity in newborn piglets.

The influence of enteral feeding in the neonate on lactase-phlorizin hydrolase activity in the small intestine has been determined in newborn piglets fed a series of modified colostra, with a controlled metabolizable energy intake, during the first 31.5 h of life. Striking differences were observed between lactase specific activity in mucosal homogenates and enterocyte lactase activity along the villus axis; compared with newborns, the former decreased after feeding colostrum, whereas the latter increased significantly. When lipid was present in adequate amount, the increase in enterocyte lactase activity occurred when carbohydrate was present as either lactose or galactose. However, when the lipid content of the diet was low, there was a specific effect of carbohydrate composition which was dependent on position along the villus axis: in the lower villus, colostra high in lactose or glucose stimulated an increase in lactase, but there was no such effect with a high galactose intake. It is concluded that colostrum increases enterocyte lactase activity during the first day of life, and that this is dependent on both the nutrient composition of the diet and the position of the enterocytes along the villus.

Animals↗

Psychoneuroimmunology: stress effects on pathogenesis and immunity during infection.

The mammalian response to stress involves the release of soluble products from the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Cells of the immune system respond to many of the hormones, neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides through specific receptors. The function of the immune system is critical in the mammalian response to infectious disease. A growing body of evidence identifies stress as a cofactor in infectious disease susceptibility and outcomes. It has been suggested that effects of stress on the immune system may mediate the relationship between stress and infectious disease. This article reviews recent psychoneuroimmunology literature exploring the effects of stress on the pathogenesis of, and immune response to, infectious disease in mammals.

Animals↗

Heterologous expression of delta F508 CFTR results in decreased sialylation of membrane glycoconjugates.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is commonly mutated in cystic fibrosis to the delta F508 CFTR. CFTR has been shown to function as a adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent Cl- channel at the cell surface, and there is evidence to suggest that CFTR may also have a role in transmembrane Cl- conductance in intracellular membrane compartments. Studies using cells from cystic fibrosis patients or heterologous expression systems have demonstrated that defective Cl- conductance at the cell surface and defective acidification of the Golgi compartment are associated with the presence of mutant forms of CFTR. It is possible that mutation of CFTR could also result in altered Golgi function, consistent with reports of changes in the glycosylation of cell surface and secreted glycoproteins in cystic fibrosis. Glycosylation of cell surface glycoproteins, particularly levels of sialylation, may also be related to the increased binding of Pseudomonas to cystic fibrosis cells. The current study was undertaken to compare the sialylation of cell surface glycoconjugates in heterologous cells overexpressing normal CFTR or delta F508 CFTR. The presence of sialylated residues on cells was assessed by the surface binding of the specific lectins, wheat germ agglutinin and elderberry bark lectin. A fluorescent cholera toxin B subunit probe was used to measure surface binding to sialylated gangliosides in transfected cells. Our studies show that cells lacking CFTR and cells expressing normal CFTR have unaltered levels of sialylation. In contrast, cells expressing the delta F508 CFTR have significantly decreased amounts of sialylated glycoproteins and gangliosides on the cell surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Low pH enhances expression of carbonic anhydrase II by cultured rat inner medullary collecting duct cells.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) facilitates the secretion of protons from renal epithelia by catalyzing the buffering of hydroxyl ions by CO2. We have previously found that inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells cultured from rat kidney secrete protons and express CA II. Incubation of IMCD cells in acidic medium for 48 h has been shown to stimulate the secretion of protons by a protein synthesis-dependent process. To establish whether CA II might be involved in this process, IMCD cells were exposed to incubation media supplemented with 10(-7) M deoxycorticosterone acetate, pH 7.0 (acid) or pH 7.7 (control) for 48 h, and CA II mRNA and protein were quantitated. Part of the CA II cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription of total RNA from rat kidney followed by amplification using oligonucleotide primers derived from conserved areas in the coding regions of human, mouse, and chick CA II cDNAs in a polymerase chain reaction. By Northern analysis, steady-state levels of CA II mRNA from acid-incubated cells showed an increase of 80% compared with controls and 70% when expressed relative to a housekeeping mRNA, beta-actin. Western blot analysis using a human antibody to CA II showed an approximate doubling of CA II protein after acid incubation. By immunofluorescence microscopy, the domes of acid-incubated IMCD cells contained considerably more CA II-stained cells than found in control cultures. Thus incubation of IMCD cells in acid medium stimulates the expression of CA II mRNA and protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acids↗

Immunolocalization of anion exchanger AE2 and cation exchanger NHE-1 in distinct adjacent cells of gastric mucosa.

The gastric mucosa secretes both protons and bicarbonate. The molecular identity of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, which mediates acid secretion, has long been known, but the other components of the secretory machinery and their cellular disposition are less well characterized. This study identifies and localizes in rat and rabbit gastric mucosa a chloride-bicarbonate exchanger protein and a Na(+)-H+ exchanger protein. The previously described band 3-related protein of the parietal cell has been identified by isoform-specific antibodies as anion exchanger (AE) 2 and localized to the basolateral membranes of the parietal cells. The Na(+)-H+ exchanger protein NHE-1 was located in the basolateral membranes of the mucous neck cells, interdigitated between the parietal cells of the gastric glands and in the basolateral membranes of the surface mucous cells. Neither transporter protein was abundantly expressed deep in the gland, where most of the pepsinogen cells reside. Carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) was expressed at higher abundance in the surface mucous cells and mucous neck cells, which expressed NHE-1, than in the parietal cells, which expressed AE2. The morphological evidence identified AE2 as a major parietal cell anion exchanger, whereas NHE-1 and CA II colocalized in mucous neck, chief, and surface mucous cells. We propose that all three of these cell types contribute to gastric bicarbonate secretion.

Animals↗

A basolateral CHIP28/MIP26-related protein (BLIP) in kidney principal cells and gastric parietal cells.

The water channel CHIP28 accounts for the high water permeability of proximal tubules and thin descending limbs of Henle; a homologous water channel, WCH-CD, in the apical membrane of collecting duct principal cells, may be the vasopressin-sensitive water channel. We show here that one antiserum, raised against CHIP28, immunostains the basolateral membrane of collecting duct principal cells, in addition to staining CHIP28 in other cells. This serum was named anti-basolateral integral protein (anti-BLIP) to distinguish it from other anti-CHIP28 antisera. By Western blotting, BLIP serum recognized both CHIP28 and MIP26, and it stained lens fibers, which contain MIP26 but not CHIP28. BLIP antiserum immunoprecipitated a 28-kDa band, a broad 35- to 50-kDa band, and an approximately 16-kDa band from kidney papilla. It also stained the basolateral membrane of gastric parietal cells, which were not stained with anti-CHIP28 or anti-MIP26 antibodies. BLIP antiserum immunoprecipitated a 28-kDa protein band from stomach; this protein was not precipitated by anti-CHIP28 antibodies. These results suggest that basolateral membranes of principal cells and parietal cells contain a protein(s) that shares common epitopes with CHIP28 and MIP26. Finally, BLIP but not CHIP28 antiserum stained mesothelial (but not epithelial) cells of toad urinary bladder, a further indication that the BLIP antiserum recognizes a protein distinct from CHIP28.

Animals↗

Effect of cigarette smoke and its condensates on alveolar epithelial cell injury in vitro.

The oxidant-antioxidant balance in the airspaces of the lungs may be critical in protecting the lungs from the effects of cigarette smoke. We studied the effect of cigarette smoke and its condensates on the detachment, attachment, and proliferation of the A549 human alveolar epithelial cell line, in an in vitro model of cell injury and regeneration and the protective effects of antioxidants. Whole and vapor phase cigarette smoke decreased 51Cr-labeled A549 cell attachment, increased cell detachment, and decreased cell proliferation, as assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake. Freshly isolated rat type II alveolar epithelial cells showed an enhanced susceptibility to smoke-induced cell lysis when compared with the A549 cell line. Reduced glutathione (GSH) (400 microM) protected against the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on cell attachment, proliferation, and detachment. Depletion of intracellular GSH with buthionine sulfoxamine enhanced the epithelial cell detachment injury produced by smoke condensates. We conclude that cigarette smoke and its condensates cause an oxidant-induced injury to A549 human type II alveolar epithelial cells. Both intra- and extracellular GSH have important roles in protecting epithelial cells from the injurious effects of cigarette smoke.

Animals↗

H(+)-ATPases of renal cortical and medullary endosomes are differentially sensitive to Sch-28080 and omeprazole.

Adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity stimulated by K+ and inhibited by Sch-28080 (SCH), omeprazole (OME), and vanadate has been measured in microsomes from mammalian renal medulla and attributed to a kidney isoform of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. To determine whether the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitors could also inhibit the vacuolar (V)-type H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase, i.e., H+ pump) in mammalian intracellular vesicles, we examined their effects on bafilomycin-sensitive acidification in renal cortical vesicles (CEV) and medullary endocytic vesicles (MEV). Rats were injected with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran, and labeled endosomes were enriched from kidney tissue homogenates by differential and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. In the CEV, the V-type H+ pump was inhibited 25% by SCH and 30% by OME (100 microM each). Whereas the inhibition by OME was concentration and time dependent, the inhibition by SCH was only concentration dependent. Inhibition by these compounds was similar in the presence of 50 mM K+ (in = out) and in the complete absence of K+, thus ruling out a significant involvement of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-mediated acidification. Inhibition, however, was not observed with 10 microM SCH and OME. The sensitivity of the V-type H+ pump to 100 microM SCH and OME in CEV was confirmed by the comparable inhibitions of intravesicular acidification observed in acridine orange fluorescence quench studies and by inhibition of Pi liberation in an ATPase assay. We also found that the V-type H+ pump in isolated rat liver endosomes is sensitive to 100 microM SCH and OME to a similar degree. In the MEV, acidification was only weakly affected by 100 microM SCH and OME, thus suggesting that H(+)-ATPases in endosomes from cortical and medullary tubules are different, possibly due to a previously described selective expression of subunit isoforms. Our finding indicates the importance of using low concentrations (< 10 microM) of OME and SCH in studies of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in nongastric tissues to avoid misinterpretation of the data due to nonspecific inhibition of V-type H(+)-ATPases.

Animals↗

The microtubule network of renal epithelial cells is disrupted by ischemia and reperfusion.

Ischemia results in alterations in the integrity of the plasma membrane of renal epithelial cells, changes in cell polarity, and initiation of cell division. Because microtubules are implicated in these processes, we examined the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the microtubular cytoskeleton in rat kidney. Major alterations in the microtubule network of S3 proximal tubules were detected after 40 min of ischemia followed by 1 h of reperfusion. There was fragmentation of microtubules and considerably less intense staining with antitubulin antibodies than with normal kidneys. Some thick ascending limbs of Henle close to medullary vascular bundles showed a variable loss of tubulin staining. After 24 and 48 h of reperfusion, tubulin labeling was again present in most proximal tubule cells in contact with the basement membrane but was not detectable in exfoliated cells. Numerous mitotic figures were present in kidneys 48 h after reperfusion. Kidneys subjected to 40 min of ischemia without reperfusion and contralateral kidneys studied after 1 h of reperfusion showed only mild microtubular disruption. Because of the established role of microtubules in the generation and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity, their loss may contribute to structural changes that occur after ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals↗

Thromboxane A2 mimetic U-46619 induces systemic and pulmonary hypertension and delayed tachypnea in the goat.

Cardiorespiratory variables were measured continuously in five conscious goats before and after the infusion of U-46619 at a dose of either 2, 4, or 6 micrograms.kg-1.5 min-1. Infusion of U-46619 led to immediate increases in pulmonary arterial blood pressure (ABP) that were sustained for up to 15 min after the end of the infusion. Systemic ABP also increased, but the relative increase from control was less than the pulmonary pressor response. At the highest dose, U-46619 elicited a delayed tachypneic response that was greatest several minutes after the infusion was stopped. U-46619 was also infused simultaneously with sodium nitroprusside to clamp ABP pressure at baseline levels to determine whether stimulation of baroreceptors might contribute to the latency of the tachypneic response. Although sodium nitroprusside infusion prevented the increase in ABP, the increase in breathing frequency was still delayed 3-4 min from the start of the infusion. We conclude that U-46619 elicits pulmonary and systemic arterial hypertension in the conscious goat. At the higher dose U-46619 also elicits a delayed tachypnea that remains delayed even if ABP is normal.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

Stimulus-induced depletion of pro-enkephalins, oxytocin and vasopressin and pro-enkephalin interaction with posterior pituitary hormone release in vitro.

The secretion of oxytocin (OXT) from the neurohypophysis is modulated by the actions of opioids acting via kappa-receptors. The vasopressin (AVP)-containing nerve terminals in the neurohypophysis contain the kappa-opioid agonist dynorphin, but endogenous opioid restraint of OXT secretion is observed even when AVP release is not activated, suggesting that another source of opioids is responsible for modulating OXT secretion. We now report that acute stimulation of the rat neural lobe in vivo results in depletion of the neural lobe content of OXT, AVP, dynorphin A1-17, dynorphin A1-8 and metenkephalin (Met-Enk). The dynorphin content is depleted to a similar extent as that of OXT and AVP; a correlation analysis suggests that while most dynorphin is co-secreted with AVP, a significant portion is co-secreted with OXT, consistent with a co-localisation of dynorphin with OXT. Met-Enk was depleted to a lesser extent than either hormone, consistent with a partial localisation in non-releasable pools. However, depletion of Met-Enk was also observed following naloxone-precipitated opioid withdrawal accompanying selective hypersecretion of OXT, suggesting co-secretion of OXT and Met-Enk. Met-Enk is a mu-opioid receptor agonist, but extended forms of Met-Enk, as we now report, are active at neurohypophysial kappa-receptors.

Animals↗

The human kidney low affinity Na+/glucose cotransporter SGLT2. Delineation of the major renal reabsorptive mechanism for D-glucose.

The major reabsorptive mechanism for D-glucose in the kidney is known to involve a low affinity high capacity Na+/glucose cotransporter, which is located in the early proximal convoluted tubule segment S1, and which has a Na+ to glucose coupling ratio of 1:1. Here we provide the first molecular evidence for this renal D-glucose reabsorptive mechanism. We report the characterization of a previously cloned human kidney cDNA that codes for a protein with 59% identity to the high affinity Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1). Using expression studies with Xenopus laevis oocytes we demonstrate that this protein (termed SGLT2) mediates saturable Na(+)-dependent and phlorizin-sensitive transport of D-glucose and alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (alpha MeGlc) with Km values of 1.6 mM for alpha MeGlc and approximately 250 to 300 mM for Na+, consistent with low affinity Na+/glucose cotransport. In contrast to SGLT1, SGLT2 does not transport D-galactose. By comparing the initial rate of [14C]-alpha MeGlc uptake with the Na(+)-influx calculated from alpha MeGlc-evoked inward currents, we show that the Na+ to glucose coupling ratio of SGLT2 is 1:1. Using combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry with tubule segment specific marker antibodies, we demonstrate an extremely high level of SGLT2 message in proximal tubule S1 segments. This level of expression was also evident on Northern blots and likely confers the high capacity of this glucose transport system. We conclude that SGLT2 has properties characteristic of the renal low affinity high capacity Na+/glucose cotransporter as previously reported for perfused tubule preparations and brush border membrane vesicles. Knowledge of the structural and functional properties of this major renal Na+/glucose reabsorptive mechanism will advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of renal diseases such as familial renal glycosuria and diabetic renal disorders.

Animals↗

The fodrin-ankyrin cytoskeleton of choroid plexus preferentially colocalizes with apical Na+K(+)-ATPase rather than with basolateral anion exchanger AE2.

A unique feature of the choroid plexus as a single-layer epithelium is its localization of Na+K(+)-ATPase at its apical (lumenal) surface. In contrast, a band 3 (AE1)-related anion exchanger protein has been localized to the basolateral surface of the choroid plexus. Both Na+K(+)-ATPase and AE1 in other tissues have been shown to bind via ankyrin to the spectrin-actin-based membrane cytoskeleton. Since linkage of integral membrane proteins to the membrane cytoskeleton is important for their restriction to specialized domains of the cell surface, we investigated the polarity of the choroid plexus membrane cytoskeleton. We developed isoform-specific antibodies to confirm the identity of choroid plexus band 3-related polypeptide as AE2. We demonstrated that ankyrin, fodrin/spectrin, actin, myosin, and alpha-actinin are predominantly apical in choroid plexus and preferentially colocalize with apical Na+K(+)-ATPase rather than with basolateral anion exchanger AE2. Colchicine administration did not alter the polarity of apical cytoskeletal and transport proteins or basolateral AE2 in choroid plexus, suggesting that biosynthetic targeting of these proteins is not microtubule dependent. In choroid plexus papilloma, Na+K(+)-ATPase and AE2 were decreased in amount and failed to preserve their polarized distributions.

Animals↗

Localization of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, vimentin, c-Fos, and clusterin in the postischemic kidney. Evidence for a heterogenous genetic response among nephron segments, and a large pool of mitotically active and dedifferentiated cells.

The mechanisms leading to the recovery of the kidney after ischemic acute renal failure are poorly understood. To explore the role played by mitogenesis and dedifferentiation in this repair process and to identify whether the genetic response of the nephron segments reflects the level of susceptibility to injury, the temporal and nephron segment expressions of various proteins implicated in mitogenesis, differentiation, and injury were determined. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a marker for the G1-S transition in the cell cycle and hence mitogenesis, was detected primarily in the S3 segment of the proximal tubule, with maximal expression at 2 d postischemia. Vimentin, normally present in mesenchymal cells but not epithelial cells, and hence a marker for the state of differentiation, was prominently expressed in the S3 segment 2-5 d postischemia. In the S3 segments in the outer stripe of the medulla cells that stained positively for PCNA also stained positively for vimentin. Clusterin, a marker for cell injury, was expressed primarily in the S3 segment and in the distal tubule with distinct staining patterns in each segment. None of the cells that stained with clusterin antibodies were positively stained with PCNA or vimentin antibodies. Likewise, none of the PCNA or vimentin-positive cells expressed clusterin at detectable levels. Thus, in the S3 segment, where there is significant ischemic injury, surviving cells express markers indicating that they undergo mitogenesis and dedifferentiate in the postischemic period. While there is some expression of c-Fos in the S3 segment, c-Fos was expressed predominantly, at 1 and 3 h postischemia, in the nuclei of the distal nephron, particularly in the thick ascending limb. The data support the view that the mature renal S3 segment epithelial cell can be a progenitor cell.

Animals↗

Organ distribution in rats of two members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family, gp330 and LRP/alpha 2MR, and the receptor-associated protein (RAP).

We investigated immunohistochemically the distribution in rats of the homologous proteins gp330 and the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP/alpha 2MR), and a receptor-associated protein (RAP), and the sites to which soluble exogenous RAP binds. We found gp330 in a restricted group of epithelial cells, including renal proximal tubule cells, podocytes, Type II pneumocytes, cells of the parathyroid, thyroid, epididymis, lining of the uterus, ependyma, retina, ciliary body, yolk sac, and placenta. In these cells gp330 was detected mainly at the cell surface, except for parathyroid and retinal epithelial cells, where diffuse cell staining was found. LRP/alpha 2MR was widely distributed in interstitial cells, notably in fibroblasts and macrophages, and was also present in a selected group of epithelial or specialized cells, including hepatocytes, adrenal cortical cells, follicular cells of the ovary, cells of the choroid plexus, ciliary body, mesangial cells, and some neurons. In certain cells, notably hepatocytes and adrenal cortical cells, LRP/alpha 2MR was detected mainly on the surface, but in others, including macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells of the choroid plexus and ciliary body, staining throughout the cell was seen. The only cells that clearly expressed both LRP/alpha 2MR and gp330 were retinal and ciliary epithelial cells. RAP was found in intracellular vesicles in all cells that expressed gp330 or LRP/alpha 2MR. RAP was not definitely detected on the cell surface. Binding sites for RAP were found on the surface of those cells with surface gp330 or LRP, and also throughout the cytoplasm in cells with diffuse cellular LRP/alpha 2MR or gp330. Because of their different locations, we conclude that gp330 and LRP/alpha 2MR serve distinct functions in vivo, despite similarities in ligand-binding properties observed in vitro. Since RAP is found largely within cells, its major physiological function may be concerned with intracellular assembly or trafficking of the receptors to which it binds.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clozapine: a 2-year open trial in Parkinson's disease patients with psychosis.

We treated 17 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) complicated by psychosis with the atypical antipsychotic drug, clozapine, for 6 to 24 months (mean, 15 months) in a prospective, open-label trial. At 3-month intervals we evaluated patients, using a simplified brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (PRS), the motor examination portion of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Mean PRS score was significantly improved when compared with baseline over 1 year (p < 0.01) and nonsignificantly improved for the second year. We maintained the levodopa dose at levels that were 17 to 68% higher than baseline, and the mean motor examination score improved by 11 to 22% in the first 15 months. Clozapine dosage utilized in the trial ranged from 6.25 mg every other day to 150 mg/d. Adverse effects, including sedation and confusion, were common. These results demonstrate that clozapine therapy can be effective in treating psychosis in PD patients over 1 to 2 years. The decline in efficacy in the second year was most likely related to an increase in daily levodopa dose, progression of dementia (illustrated by a decline in MMSE score), and an inability of PD patients to tolerate higher doses of clozapine.

Aged↗