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Biomedical subjects

D C West

Publications and source records attributed to D C West.

102 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The identification of proliferation and tumour-induced proteins in human endothelial cells: a possible target for tumour therapy.

The continued growth and spread of tumours is dependent on the proliferation of the endothelial cells of their vasculature. The presence of proliferation- or tumour-induced surface proteins on these endothelial cells would offer a suitable epitope for monoclonal antibody therapy of tumours. Using cultured human umbilical and capillary endothelial cells, we have stimulated them with simple mitogens and tumour conditioned media and examined the proteins induced by [35S]methionine incorporation and 125I-surface-labelling. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the induction of proliferation and tumour-related antigens on the surface of the endothelial cells. Subsequent monoclonal antibody studies suggest that tumour specific surface proteins are present on most tumour endothelium.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An N-methylaspartate receptor-mediated synapse in rat cerebral cortex: a site of action of ketamine?

It has been proposed that three major receptor subtypes subserve the putative transmitter role of glutamate and aspartate in the mammalian central nervous system. One subtype is classified by the specific agonist N-methylaspartate (NMA) and the specific antagonist 4-amino-2-phosphonovaleric acid. It has been shown recently that excitation of neurones by NMA is also selectively reduced by dissociative anaesthetics such as ketamine and phencyclidine and by sigma opiates, drugs of abuse with common psychotomimetic properties. Responses to NMA have an unusual voltage relation which may result from a voltage-dependent block of the activated channel by physiological concentrations of magnesium. No synaptic potential with properties similar to those of responses to NMA, however, has yet been reported. We describe here an excitatory postsynaptic potential (e.p.s.p.) evoked by electrical stimulation of the white matter and recorded intracellularly from pyramidal cells in slices of rat somatosensory cortex. This e.p.s.p. has the appropriate voltage relation and sensitivity to Mg2+ and ketamine to be an NMA receptor-mediated synapse and a potential central site for the psychotomimetic actions of ketamine.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hyaluronan, heterogeneity, and healing: the effects of ultrapure hyaluronan of defined molecular size on the repair of full-thickness pig skin wounds.

The extracellular matrix macromolecule, hyaluronan, is thought to modulate wound healing. However, the molecular size of hyaluronan and contaminating associated proteins may be important determinants of these effects. We have examined the results of seven daily topical treatments of full-thickness skin wounds in pigs with ultrapure hyaluronan of defined molecular size. High molecular weight hyaluronan (>1000 kd) enhanced, whereas low molecular weight hyaluronan decreased, the rate of early wound contraction as compared with intermediate hyaluronan (molecular weight = 100 kd) and saline solution controls. Fracture strength at 21 days was reduced by high and intermediate molecular weight hyaluronan but not by low molecular weight hyaluronan. Wound perfusion, measured by means of a scanning laser-Doppler technique as a noninvasive indicator of angiogenesis, showed depression by high and intermediate molecular weight hyaluronan on day 3, but all forms of hyaluronan caused elevated blood flow on day 7. The architecture of granulation tissue in this wet healing model was highly organized, but no gross histologic differences were seen because of treatment. Different molecular species of hyaluronan have differential effects on contraction, angiogenesis, and the evolution of wound strength. Where hyaluronan is used as a treatment or vehicle for wounds, its precise composition should be specified.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elastase activity in capillary and aortic endothelial cells.

Tissue cultured bovine capillary and aortic endothelial cells were examined for cellular and secreted proteinase activity. Cell-lysates from both sources showed significant elastase activity but differed in the level of activity and the pH-optimum and inhibition profile. Secretion of elastase was only detected using aortic cells. Tumour angiogenesis factor (TAF), heparin or 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-acetate (TPA) had no effect on the levels of cell-associated or secreted elastase.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗