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Biomedical subjects

D Kelleher

Publications and source records attributed to D Kelleher.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Retinoid X receptor alpha forms tetramers in solution.

Protein-protein interactions allow the retinoid X receptor (RXR) to bind to cognate DNA as a homo- or a heterodimer and to participate in mediating the effects of a variety of hormones on gene transcription. Here we report a systematic study of the oligomeric state of RXR in the absence of a DNA template. We have used electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions and chemical crosslinking to show that in solution, RXR alpha forms homodimers as well as homotetramers. The dissociation constants governing dimer and tetramer formation were estimated by fluorescence anisotropy studies. The results indicate that RXR tetramers are formed with a high affinity and that at protein concentrations higher than about 70 nM, tetramers will constitute the predominant species. Tetramer formation may provide an additional level of the regulation of gene transcription mediated by RXRs.

Base Sequence↗

Cellular proliferation and activation of NF kappa B are induced by autocrine production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the human T lymphoma line HuT 78.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine which has both cytotoxic and proliferative effects. HuT 78, a T-cell line derived from a Sezary lymphoma, is resistant to the cytotoxic effects of TNF, suggesting that TNF may be a growth factor for this cell line. The aim of this study was to determine whether autocrine TNF production could function as a growth factor for HuT 78. Resting HuT 78 and K-4 cells, a protein kinase C-beta-deficient clone of HuT 78, both produced significant amounts of TNF compared with Jurkat cells. Thymidine incorporation by HuT 78 and K-4 cells was inhibited by 90.5 and 73.2%, respectively, with addition of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to TNF alpha, suggesting that TNF is an autocrine growth factor for these cells. HuT 78 and K-4 cells also expressed high levels of constitutively active NF kappa B, unlike Jurkat cells, which expressed high levels only upon activation with TNF or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. p50 was the major component in the NF kappa B complexes in HuT 78 and K-4 cells. Anti-TNF alpha antibody dramatically decreased levels of NF kappa B in both HuT 78 and K-4 cells. As the TNF gene has an NF kappa B binding motif, an autocrine loop involving TNF induction of NF kappa B is therefore likely in these cells. These findings in a neoplastic T-cell line suggest that therapy directed against TNF could be effective in a subset of T-cell lymphomas.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Regulation of non-classical protein kinase C isoenzymes in a human T cell line.

We have examined the expression and responses to activation, of novel/atypical protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms epsilon, zeta, and delta in the T cell lymphoma cell line K-4. The effects of 1-h phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and OKT3 activation of K-4 cells on PKC isoform distribution were examined. In addition, the effects of PMA-mediated down-regulation on the expression of PKC epsilon and zeta were determined using high concentrations of PMA over 24- and 48-h time periods in these cells. PKC zeta expression was not altered by incubation of K-4 cells with up to 200 ng/ml PMA over a 24- or 48-h period. PKC epsilon was down-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner by PMA after both 24- and 48-h of activation. Expression of PKC epsilon was not completely depressed, however, even at the highest concentration of the phorbol ester after 48-h incubation with PMA. The presence of PKC epsilon, zeta, and delta was confirmed by immunohistochemistry with distinct patterns of expression observed. PMA-induced PKC activation for a 1-h period resulted in a translocation of PKC delta from resting cytoplasmic/nuclear staining to a cytoplasmic aggregate. Following 1-h activation through the T cell receptor-associated complex CD3, PKC delta translocated from a peri-nuclear/cytoplasmic compartment to a putative cytoskeletal location in K-4 cells. This translocation was time dependent and redistributed to a cytoplasmic aggregate prior to the cytoskeleton. Similarly, following 1-h activation through the T cell receptor, PKC zeta redistributed directly to what is possibly a cytoskeletal cell compartment. The cytoplasmic distribution of PKC zeta was unaltered following activation with PMA over a 1-h time period. There was no apparent redistribution of PKC epsilon cytoplasmic staining pattern following a 1-h direct or indirect activation. These results underline the differences in individual PKC isoform distribution, and responses to different stimuli, thereby providing additional evidence for the use of discrete PKC isoform signaling pathways in T cells. Furthermore, this data underlines the differences in PMA-mediated PKC activation and activation through the T cell receptor.

Biological Transport↗

RAG1 and RAG2 expression in human intestinal epithelium: evidence of extrathymic T cell differentiation.

We examined the hypothesis that the adult human gastrointestinal tract is a site of extrathymic T cell differentiation. When T lymphocytes undergo gene rearrangement, the products of both RAG1 and RAG2 genes are expressed; RAG mRNA is present only in tissue governing lymphocyte maturation. In this study, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect RAG1-and RAG2-specific mRNA. Total RNA was purified from small intestinal samples from five adults. Peripheral blood mRNA from the same patient was used as a negative control in two cases. Bone marrow RNA preparations from two healthy donors were used as positive controls. cDNA synthesis was carried out using random hexamers. Primers for first round and nested PCR of RAG1 and RAG2 were synthesized. RAG1 and RAG2 mRNA was detected in all bone marrow preparations but was absent in all peripheral blood samples. RAG1 and RAG2 mRNA was detected in the small intestine of four of the five patients studied. RAG1 and RAG2 expression was localized in the epithelial layer and absent in the lamina propria. RAG1 and RAG2 expression in the epithelial layer is strong evidence that T cell differentiation occurs in the adult human intestine.

Adolescent↗

Leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) and CD44 are signalling molecules for cytoskeleton-dependent morphological changes in activated T cells.

Signaling through the leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) molecule has previously been shown to induce homotypic aggregation in T cells and to induce cytoskeletal changes in T lymphoma cells. In this study we describe the induction of a dendritic phenotype associated with cytoskeletal rearrangement in activated human peripheral blood T cells stimulated with monoclonal antibody SPV-L7 to LFA-1 alpha. Maximal expression of this phenotype required 72 h preactivation with phorbol myristate acetate and expression was abolished using the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine. Monoclonal antibody to CD18, the beta-chain of LFA-1, did not induce this phenotype. Monoclonal antibody MEM 83 to presumably a discrete epitope on LFA-1 alpha did not induce this phenotype but induced homotypic aggregation. However, a monoclonal antibody to CD44 induced a similar phenotype in activated lymphocytes. Induction of both homotypic in activated lymphocytes. Induction of both homotypic aggregation and the dendritic phenotype was abolished by preincubation with soluble intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Cytoskeletal inhibitors prevented the morphological changes in SPV-L7-activated lymphocytes. Preincubation with tyrosine kinase inhibitor, protein kinase C inhibitors, and inhibitors of new protein synthesis also prevented these morphological changes. These data suggest that discrete epitopes on LFA-1 alpha may be capable of inducing discrete signals either for homotypic aggregation or for a dendritic phenotype. As both LFA-1 and CD44 are involved in the migration of lymphocytes through high endothelial venules, these data could suggest that these molecules transduce signals resulting in cytoskeletal modification necessary for lymphocyte transmigration.

Alkaloids↗

Up-regulation of CD44 and ICAM-1 expression on gastric epithelial cells by H. pylori.

Interaction between lymphocytes and epithelial cells may play a key role in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastric mucosal inflammation. This interaction process is at least partially mediated by various cell adhesion molecules. The aims of the present study were to assess using flow cytometric analysis whether H. pylori directly or supernatants from H. pylori-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) can affect the expression of adhesion molecules on the gastric epithelial cell line AGS in vitro. The results showed that resting AGS cells expressed CD44 and ICAM-1. Co-culture of AGS with H. pylori or cytokine-rich supernatants from H. pylori-activated PBMC resulted in up-regulation of expression of CD44 and ICAM-1 on AGS cells. These data suggest that H. pylori directly and indirectly through inflammatory cytokines may contribute to alternations in adhesion molecule expression on gastric epithelial cells. This may be of pathological significance in H. pylori-associated gastric mucosal inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Epithelium↗

Expression of CD44 on rheumatoid synovial fluid lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the involvement of the adhesion molecule CD44 in the homing of lymphocytes to synovial tissue, by examining the density of expression and molecular mass of CD44 on rheumatoid synovial fluid lymphocytes. METHODS: Twenty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied. Peripheral blood and synovial fluid lymphocytes were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque sedimentation. CD44 expression was analysed by two colour flow cytometry of CD3 positive T lymphocytes with calculation of mean fluorescence intensity. Expression of activation markers M21C5, M2B3, interleukin (IL)-2 receptor and transferrin receptor was quantitated. In addition, CD44 molecular mass was examined by Western blot in six patients. RESULTS: CD44 expression was markedly increased on synovial fluid T lymphocytes of rheumatoid patients relative to peripheral blood lymphocytes from the same individuals. CD44 molecular mass on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 88 kDa, but that on synovial fluid lymphocytes was only 83 kDa. CD44 expression correlated significantly with expression of activation markers M21C5, M2B3, and the IL-2 receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in density of expression or of the molecular mass of CD44 could contribute to local tissue injury, either directly by facilitating adhesion, or indirectly through effects on other adhesion molecules.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation in the human duodenum.

Many growth factor receptors including the epidermal growth factor receptor function through tyrosine kinase activity. The aim of this study was to examine the constitutive level of tyrosine phosphorylation in the normal duodenum and in the hyperproliferative coeliac duodenum. A flow cytometric assay was devised using monoclonal antibody to phosphorylated (but not native) tyrosine residues to determine the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in both CD3 positive intraepithelial lymphocytes and CD3 negative epithelial cells obtained by EDTA treatment of endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsy specimens. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed on 18 formalin fixed coeliac duodenal biopsy specimens and eight control specimens. Tyrosine phosphorylation could be detected by flow cytometry on duodenal enterocytes and this expression was up regulated by pretreatment with epidermal growth factor. Tyrosine phosphorylation decreased with progression from the villus to the crypt, however, and was virtually undetectable on crypt enterocytes. Immunohistochemistry of the coeliac duodenum showed virtually absent tyrosine phosphorylation in the crypt. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation was detected in the infiltrating T cells. In conclusion, tyrosine phosphorylation in the duodenum is confined to the non-proliferative villous epithelium and is virtually undetectable in the proliferative crypt compartment. These findings suggest that tyrosine kinase activity is not a significant factor in the regulation of crypt cell proliferation in the human duodenum either in normal subjects or in coeliac disease patients.

CD3 Complex↗

Adhesion molecule expression on gastric intra-epithelial lymphocytes of patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of adhesion molecules on gastric intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) from patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. DESIGN: The expression of adhesion molecules and T-cell activation markers by gastric IELs from patients with gastritis or duodenal ulceration was examined using two-colour flow cytometry. Ten of the patients were H. pylori positive and eight were H. pylori negative. RESULTS: Expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on IELs was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients with H. pylori infection than in patients negative for H. pylori. There were no significant differences in the expression on IELs of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), human mucosal lymphocyte (antigen)-1 (HML-1), very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) or CD43 between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative individuals. In addition, the transferrin receptor, a maker associated with proliferation and activation, was found on a small population of IELs from H. pylori-positive individuals. CONCLUSION: A reduction in the expression of LFA-1 has previously been reported on activation of IELs. The finding of reduced LFA-1 expression and increased transferrin receptor expression on IELs from H. pylori-positive individuals suggests that activation of these cells is associated with H. pylori infection.

Case-Control Studies↗

Protein kinase C isoform expression in CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ T lymphocytes.

Differences in levels of specific enzymes utilized in intracellular signalling could be a factor in the distinct signalling properties observed in memory and naive T cells. We have studied the expression of both classical and non-classical protein kinase of C (PKC) isoenzymes in CD45RA and CD45RO cells using a combination of Western blot and flow cytometric analysis. These data indicate that CD45RA cells express higher levels of PKC alpha, PKC beta and PKC delta than CD45RO cells. In addition, CD45RA+ cells show greater proliferative activity when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore than their CD45RO+ counterparts. Variations in the levels of these isoenzymes could be implicated in functional differences, such as proliferation and cytokine production, in these cell subsets.

Animals↗

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and microalbuminuria in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is important in the pathogenesis of microalbuminuria in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured serum TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and microalbuminuria in 48 patients with IBD. Serum TNF-alpha was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microalbuminuria was measured using an immunoturbiditimetric method. Clinical disease activity was quantified using the simple index of Harvey and Bradshaw. RESULTS: Microalbuminuria was more severe in patients with IBD than in controls, and in patients with active versus inactive disease. TNF-alpha levels were higher in patients with IBD than in controls (mean +/- SE 16.4 +/- 1.4 versus 6.6 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.01) and in patients with active versus inactive IBD (means +/- SE 20.1 +/- 2 versus 12.8 +/- 2.7 pg/ml; respectively P = 0.056). Microalbuminuria correlated strongly with TNF-alpha (r = 0.60; P < 0.009), ESR (r = 0.67, P < 0.02) and CRP levels (r = 0.935, P < 0.001). TNF-alpha correlated significantly with CRP (r = 0.54, P < 0.01). IL-6 levels were raised significantly in patients with IBD (7 +/- 4 pg/ml, controls undetectable; P < 0.05). Patients with active IBD had higher IL-6 levels than those with inactive IBD (mean +/- SE 13 +/- 8 versus 0.90 +/- 0.35 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). However, IL-6 levels did not correlate with microalbuminuria in patients with IBD (r = 0.105, P = 0.256). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TNF-alpha may be important in the pathogenesis of microalbuminuria in patients with IBD, possibly through TNF-induced damage to the glomerular basement membrane. The mechanism for this has not been defined but may relate to TNF-induced disruption of sulphated glycosaminoglycans.

Adolescent↗

Adhesion molecules utilized in binding of intraepithelial lymphocytes to human enterocytes.

The expression of adhesion molecules by human duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) was examined by two-color flow cytometry. Resting IEL expressed LFA-1, HML-1, CD44. Stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) resulted in down-regulation of expression of these molecules with induction of expression of ICAM-1 and VLA-4. VLA-4 expression was also found on non-activated IEL from patients with celiac disease. In addition, IEL expressed an antigen recognized by a novel monoclonal antibody D2.1. The molecular mass of D2.1 is heterogeneous: 82 kDa in peripheral blood lymphocytes and 44 kDa in an IEL line. Expression of this antigen was also up-regulated by PHA. To determine the involvement of these antigens in binding of IEL to human enterocytes, we developed a system based on adherence of an IEL cell line to the I407 fetal intestinal cell line. Monoclonal antibodies VLA-4, D2.1 and to a lesser extent ICAM-1 blocked adherence of IEL to I407 cells. These data suggest that VLA-4 and D2.1 may be involved in adherence of IEL to human enterocytes or secreted matrix molecules in vivo.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Gastric T lymphocyte responses to Helicobacter pylori in patients with H pylori colonisation.

Helicobacter pylori has been identified as a dominant factor in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer. The aim of this study was to examine peripheral blood and gastric lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production in patients with H pylori colonisation. Sixty five dyspeptic patients attending for endoscopy were studied; 35 of these were H pylori positive and 30 H pylori negative as assessed by culture, histology, and rapid urease test. H pylori antigen was capable of stimulating peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferative responses even in H pylori negative patients. Peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferative responses to H pylori (but not to purified protein derivative or phythaemagglutinin) were significantly lower in H pylori positive than H pylori negative patients. Similarly, antigen specific proliferative responses and interferon gamma production by gastric lamina propria lymphocytes were also depressed in H pylori positive patients compared with H pylori negative patients. CD8 and CD22 positive lamina propria lymphocytes were increased in H pylori positive patients. These data show that antigen specific responses to H pylori are significantly lower in H pylori positive patients and could indicate activation of antigen specific suppression.

Adolescent↗

Microalbuminuria in inflammatory bowel disease.

Microalbuminuria independently predicts the development of nephropathy and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, but it may be an indicator of the acute phase response. This study examined microalbuminuria as a marker of the acute phase response in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and correlated it with the disease activity in 95 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis (n = 52), Crohn's disease (n = 43)) determined by the simple index of Harvey and Bradshaw. Fifty patients were in complete clinical remission and 45 patients had active disease. Microalbuminuria was detected in all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (147 (17) v 18 (2) microgram/min, inflammatory bowel disease v controls mean (SEM), p < 0.007). Patients with active inflammatory bowel disease had higher concentrations of microalbuminuria compared with patients in remission (206 (19) v 65 (8) microgram/min, mean (SEM), p < 0.0001). Eight patients with active inflammatory bowel disease who were sequentially followed up with measurements of microalbuminuria had significantly lower values, when the disease was inactive (active inflammatory bowel disease 192 (44) v inactive inflammatory bowel disease 64 (14) microgram/min, p < 0.03). There was a significant correlation with the simple index of Harvey and Bradshaw (r = 0.818, p < 0.0001). Microalbuminuria values were significantly lower in inflammatory bowel disease patients in remission, maintained with olsalazine compared with those patients maintained with mesalazine and salazopyrine, but no significant difference was seen in values of microalbuminuria in active inflammatory bowel disease patients receiving different salicylates. This study also measured serum amyloid-A as an indicator of the acute phase response in the same patients. Serum amyloid-A was significantly increased in active disease compared with inactive disease (151 (43) v 33 (7) or controls 11 (2) micrograms/ml, p < 0.05). In conclusion microalbuminuria is present in abnormal amounts in all patients with active inflammatory bowel disease, and values fall when the disease is quiescent. Microalbuminuria is probably a consequence of an acute phase response and provides a simple, rapid, and inexpensive test, which has the potential to monitor inflammatory bowel disease activity and response to treatment.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Adenovirus 12 E1A gene detection by polymerase chain reaction in both the normal and coeliac duodenum.

A 12 amino acid sequence from the adenovirus 12 E1B protein is homologous at the protein level with a similar 12-mer derived from the wheat protein A-gliadin. It has been suggested that exposure to Ad 12 could sensitise individuals to gliadins with resultant gluten sensitive enteropathy. In this study, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse duodenal biopsy tissue from patients with coeliac disease for the presence of Ad 12. The sensitivity of the assay system was at least 1 in 10(5) cells and specificity was confirmed both by probing with an internal oligonucleotide and by direct sequencing. Ad 12 sequences were detected in three of 17 patients with adult coeliac disease and in five of 16 adult controls with normal duodenal biopsies. Since exposure to the virus would be predicted to occur in infancy we also studied patients with childhood coeliac disease diagnosed at less than 1 year of age. Ad 12 was positive in three of 10 childhood coeliac patients and one of seven controls. In addition, we studied a cohort of patients who presented with a diarrhoeal illness and associated anti alpha gliadin antibodies in 1983. These patients had duodenal biopsies performed at this time. One of three patients with abnormal histology had detectable Ad 12 while two of 14 with normal findings were positive for Ad 12. Finally, the potential oncogenic nature of Ad 12 prompted examination of a group of patients with intestinal tumours. Ad 12 DNA was, however, in only two of 19 tumour samples tested. These data indicate that Ad 12 can be successfully detected using PCR on paraffin embedded tissue. Furthermore, Ad 12 was detected at a relatively high level in normal duodenum. The results do not, however, support the hypothesis that prior exposure to Ad 12 is implicated in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The problem of integration: Asian people and diabetes.

There is a high prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDD) in some Asian populations in the UK. The study by Mckeigue showed that the prevalence was high amongst the Bangladeshi population. Most doctors were aware of this and concerned that they did not know sufficient about the everyday lives and eating patterns of their patients to advise them about how to adjust their lifestyle to control their diabetes. As non-insulin dependent diabetes is managed by controlling eating, and by tablets which stimulate the production or use of the naturally produced insulin, it is important that the medically prescribed treatment is integrated into the lifestyle because the day to day treatment is in the hands of the patients themselves. The patient has to control his or her eating; decide what to eat, how much to eat, and what not to eat. All diabetic people have to make these decisions in the context of their everyday lives surrounded by other people who are enjoying eating without such restraints. The evidence from this study suggests that the problem is particularly difficult for diabetic. Bangladeshi people. The reason for this appears to be that food plays a very important part in Bangladeshi culture which has many rules restricting what can be eaten and also placing importance on eating certain foods. The problem for them, is to integrate this traditional and religious rule governed system of eating with the system of modern medicine. The aim of this study was to understand and describe the ways in which diabetic Bangladeshi people are attempting this integration.

Adult↗

Celiac disease and other nutrient related injuries to the gastrointestinal tract.

Celiac disease is the major nutrient-induced disease of the small intestine. The disease is traditionally characterized by villous atrophy responsive to gliadin. Recent data suggest that there is an extended spectrum of gluten sensitivity that includes first-degree relatives and patients with latent celiac disease. Genetic studies have identified HLA DQ A1 *0501 B1 *0201 as the predominant HLA gene most tightly linked to this condition. Gliadin-specific T cell clones restricted by DQ have now been identified in the small intestine lamina propria. Such T cells may be important in mediating many of the features of the disease. This review discusses the interrelationship of genetics, cereal chemistry, environmental factors, and immunology involved in the pathogenesis of celiac disease and explores its relationship with other nutrient-induced enteropathies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗