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D Kenny

Publications and source records attributed to D Kenny.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Requirement of leucine-rich repeats of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha for shear-dependent and static binding of von Willebrand factor to the platelet membrane GP Ib-IX-V complex.

The platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex mediates adhesion to von Willebrand factor (vWf) in (patho)physiologic thrombus formation. The vWf-binding site on GP Ib-IX-V is within the N-terminal 282 residues of GP Ibalpha, which consist of an N-terminal flanking sequence (His-1-Ile-35), 7 leucine-rich repeats (Leu-36-Ala-200), a C-terminal flank (Phe-201-Gly-268), and a sulfated tyrosine sequence (Asp-269-Glu-282). We have used mammalian cell expression of canine-human chimeras of GP Ibalpha, corresponding to precise structural boundaries, to demonstrate the first specific requirement for individual leucine-rich repeats for binding of vWf either induced by a modulator, ristocetin, or under hydrodynamic flow. Implicit in this approach was that the GP Ibalpha chimeras retained a functional conformation, a supposition confirmed by analyzing restoration of function to reversed human-canine chimeras and demonstrating that all chimeras bound vWf activated by botrocetin, a modulator that is indiscriminate between species. Leucine-rich repeats 2, 3, and 4 of GP Ibalpha were identified as being critical for vWf adhesion to GP Ib-IX-V.

Animals↗

Polymorphisms in glycoprotein (GP) lb alpha are not associated with adverse outcomes in primigravidae.

The platelet glycoprotein lb-IX complex is critical in platelet adhesion under conditions of high shear stress. Three genetic polymorphisms in the GPlbalpha subunit have been variably associated with thrombotic disorders. Women with serious obstetrical complications have an increased incidence of polymorphisms in other coagulation factors predisposing them alpha to thrombosis. Three GPlb variants were genotyped in 271 women in an Irish primigravid population, 258 with recorded outcomes, and in 22 patients with recurrent thrombosis and 15 patients with recurrent fetal loss. These were: the 13 amino acid variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR A/B/C/D), the Thr145Met antigen (HPA2) and a variant in the 'Kozak' sequence 5 bases upstream of the methionine initiation codon (T-5C). The VNTR B and HPA2b (145Met) alleles were strongly associated with each other, as found in previous analyses of Caucasian populations (estimated haplotype frequency 5%). The Kozak rarer C variant was found at an allele frequency of 9.1%, and appeared completely associated with the commonest haplotype of the other markers (VNTR/C, 145Thr). GPlb alpha genotype did not have any marked influence on pregnancy outcome. The Kozak/C variant was not significantly elevated in the 15 primigravidae patients who miscarried compared with 233 normal outcomes (OR=2.09, CI=0.7-6.4), neither was the 145Met variant (P =0.38). The Kozak/C variant was not elevated in the six primigravidae patients who developed pre-eclampsia (OR=0.84, CI=0.1-7.3). Comparison of the 271 primigravidae with 15 recurrent fetal loss patients showed no association between Kozak/C and recurrent fetal loss (OR=0.65, CI=0.1-3.0), nor with the 145Met variant (OR=0.62, CI=0.1-4.9). Combining miscarriage cases, recurrent thrombosis cases, pre-eclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation outcome groups together, there is still no significant genotypic difference compared with normal outcome (OR=0.90, CI=0.4-1.9). Genetic variants of GPlbalpha are unlikely to contribute to adverse events associated with thrombosis in a primigravidae population.

Journal Article↗

Usefulness of EC4 essential criteria for quality systems of medical laboratories as guideline to the ISO 15189 and ISO 17025 documents. European Community Confederation of Clinical Chemistry (EC4) Working Group on Harmonisation of Quality Systems and Accreditation.

Many medical laboratories have made a start with the introduction of quality management systems. However, it is still not clear against which standards such systems should be measured. The existing ISO and CEN standards do not cover essential aspects of medical laboratories. The publication of the EC4 Essential Criteria has stimulated the development of the ISO/Draft International Standard 15189. This standard seems adequate for our type of laboratories. However, it is not easy to read. The EC4 Essential Criteria could well serve as a guide, covering additional aspects, e.g. on total quality management and budget management as required in the EFQM model, that are not (yet) included in the ISO standard. In the present article the EC4 Essential Criteria are cross-referenced with two new international ISO standards, ISO/FDIS 15189 and ISO/FDIS 17025, the latter being the successor of ISO guide 25 and EN 45000. Both new ISO documents are in compliance with the new ISO 9000:2000 standard.

Europe↗

The critical interaction of glycoprotein (GP) IBbeta with GPIX-a genetic cause of Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Bernard-Soulier syndrome is an uncommon bleeding disorder caused by a quantitative or qualitative defect in the platelet glycoprotein (GP)Ib/IX complex. The complex is composed of four subunits, GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, GPIX, and GPV. Here we describe the molecular basis of a novel Bernard-Soulier syndrome variant in a patient in whom GPIbalpha and GPIX were undetectable on the platelet surface. DNA sequence analysis showed normal sequence for GPIbalpha, GPIX, and GPV. The GPIbbeta gene has been mapped to the 22q11.2 region of chromosome 22 which was deleted from one chromosome of this patient. There was a single nucleotide deletion within the codon for Ala 80 in GPIbbeta within the other allele. This mutation causes a translational frame shift that encodes for 86 altered amino acids and predicts a premature stop 15 amino acids short of the length of the wild-type protein. Transient coexpression of the mutant GPIbbeta in 293T cells with wild-type GPIbalpha and GPIX resulted in the surface expression of GPIbalpha, but the absence of GPIX. Moreover, when a plasmid encoding the wild-type GPIbbeta was transiently transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing GPalpha, which retain the capacity to reexpress GPIX, there was a significant increase in the surface expression of GPIX. In contrast, when the mutant GPIbbeta was transiently transfected into these cells, GPIX was not reexpressed on the plasma surface. Thus, a deletion of one copy of GPIbbeta and a single nucleotide deletion in the codon for Ala 80 within the remaining GPIbbeta allele causes the Bernard-Soulier phenotype through an interaction of GPIbbeta with GPIX resulting in the absence of GPIbalpha on the plasma membrane. The interaction of GPIbbeta with GPIX is essential for the functional expression of GPIbalpha.

Adolescent↗

Recent activities of EC4 in the harmonization of clinical chemistry in the European Union.

This article describes the recent activities of the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry (EC4). Main goal of EC4 is harmonization of clinical chemistry in the European Union and Europe. EC4's actions connected to that are training and registration of professionals, and accreditation of laboratories. The 35000 professionals practising clinical chemistry in the EU have different backgrounds (medical, pharmaceutical, science-oriented, veterinary, or microbiological). Thus, for the harmonization of training of clinical chemists, EC4 has published a European Syllabus for Postgraduate Training, and instituted a European Union Register for Clinical Chemists. The Syllabus is an indication of the level of requirements in postgraduate training. The EC4 initiative to implement the European Register for Clinical Chemists is based on the 8 years vocational training necessary to obtain sufficient knowledge in clinical chemistry according to the European Syllabus. A guide to the EC4 Register has been published; registration leads to the title European Clinical Chemist (EurClinChem). The accreditation of laboratories must be based on a total quality management system. EC4 has described guidelines (essential criteria) which it judges appropriate for establishing the quality of medical laboratory service; it does not wish to fulfil the role of an accrediting body. Moreover, a working group has been set up to seek to harmonize the work of national accrediting bodies. Therefore, it is logical that EC4 monitors the activities of the different standardizing bodies that might influence the practice of clinical chemistry in the EU. Finally, some aspects concerning the future strategy of EC4 are brought forward.

Chemistry, Clinical↗

Skin collagen glycation, glycoxidation, and crosslinking are lower in subjects with long-term intensive versus conventional therapy of type 1 diabetes: relevance of glycated collagen products versus HbA1c as markers of diabetic complications. DCCT Skin Collagen Ancillary Study Group. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.

The relationships between long-term intensive control of glycemia and indicators of skin collagen glycation (furosine), glycoxidation (pentosidine and N(epsilon)-[carboxymethyl]-lysine [CML]), and crosslinking (acid and pepsin solubility) were examined in 216 patients with type 1 diabetes from the primary prevention and secondary intervention cohorts of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. By comparison with conventional treatment, 5 years of intensive treatment was associated with 30-32% lower furosine, 9% lower pentosidine, 9-13% lower CML, 24% higher acid-soluble collagen, and 50% higher pepsin-soluble collagen. All of these differences were statistically significant in the subjects of the primary prevention cohort (P < 0.006-0.001) and also of the secondary intervention cohort (P < 0.015-0.001) with the exception of CML and acid-soluble collagen. Age- and duration-adjusted collagen variables were significantly associated with the HbA1c value nearest the biopsy and with cumulative prior HbA1c values. Multiple logistic regression analyses with six nonredundant collagen parameters as independent variables and various expressions of retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy outcomes as dependent variables showed that the complications were significantly associated with the full set of collagen variables. Surprisingly, the percentage of total variance (R2) in complications explained by the collagen variables ranged from 19 to 36% with the intensive treatment and from 14 to 51% with conventional treatment. These associations generally remained significant even after adjustment for HbA1c, and, most unexpectedly, in conventionally treated subjects, glycated collagen was the parameter most consistently associated with diabetic complications. Continued monitoring of these subjects may determine whether glycation products in the skin, and especially the early Amadori product (furosine), have the potential to be predictors of the future risk of developing complications, and perhaps be even better predictors than glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Adolescent↗

Cloning and expression of canine glycoprotein Ibalpha.

The interaction of the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex with von Willebrand factor (vWF) is critical in initiation of haemostasis and thrombosis through platelet adhesion to damaged endothelium. The binding site for vWF resides within the GPIbalpha subunit of the complex. To further define the physiological function of platelet GPIbalpha we cloned and expressed the canine GPIbalpha cDNA. A canine platelet cDNA library was constructed and screened with a randomly primed 32P-labeled 1041-base-pair restriction fragment of the human GPIbalpha cDNA. Analysis of 23 clones demonstrated that the canine GPIbalpha cDNA is 2530 nucleotides in length and includes a short 5' untranslated segment of 42 nucleotides followed by a signal peptide of 16 amino acids, a mature peptide of 645 amino acids and a 3' noncoding region of 455 nucleotides. A single intron of 142 nucleotides, 6 nucleotides upstream from the ATG translation initiation codon was identified in the canine gene in a similar location to that present in the human gene. Chinese hamster ovary cells that stably express human GPIbbeta and GPIX were transfected with the canine GPIbalpha cDNA. Canine GPIbalpha was expressed on the surface of these cells and bound vWF in the presence of botrocetin. The binding of vWF was inhibited by an anti-vWF human monoclonal antibody known to inhibit vWF binding to GPIbalpha. The results of this investigation will allow the development of reagents to study the physiological function of GPIbalpha in an animal model.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Naturally occurring mutations in glycoprotein Ibalpha that result in defective ligand binding and synthesis of a truncated protein.

The platelet GPIb-V-IX complex is the receptor for the initial binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF) mediating platelet adhesion. The complex is composed of four membrane-spanning glycoproteins (GP): GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, GPIX, and GPV. Bernard-Soulier syndrome results from a qualitative or quantitative defect in one or more components of the platelet membrane GPIb-V-IX complex. We describe the molecular basis of a novel Bernard-Soulier syndrome variant in two siblings in whom GPIbalpha was not detected on the platelet surface but that was present in a soluble form in plasma. DNA sequence analysis showed that the affected individuals were compound heterozygotes for two mutations. One, inherited from a maternal allele, a T777 --> C point mutation in GPIbalpha converting Cys65 --> Arg within the second leucine rich repeat, the other, a single nucleotide substitution (G2078 --> A) for the tryptophan codon (TGG) causing a nonsense codon (TGA) at residue 498 within the transmembrane region of GPIbalpha, inherited from a mutant paternal allele. The Bernard-Soulier phenotype was observed in siblings who were compound heterozygotes for these two mutations. Although GPIbalpha was not detected on the surface of the patient's platelets, soluble GPIbalpha could be immunoprecipitated from plasma. When plasmids encoding GPIbalpha containing the Cys65 --> Arg mutation were transiently transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the GPbeta-IX complex (CHObetaIX), the expression of GPIbalpha was similar to the wild-type (WT) GPIbalpha, but did not bind vWF. When plasmids encoding GPIbalpha containing the Trp498 --> stop were transiently transfected into CHObetaIX, the surface expression of GPIbalpha was barely detectable compared with the WT GPIbalpha. Thus, this newly described compound heterozygous defect produces Bernard-Soulier syndrome by a combination of synthesis of a nonfunctional protein and of a truncated protein that fails to insert into the platelet membrane and is found circulating in plasma.

Adult↗

Evolution of a papillary fibroelastoma.

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare primary tumor of the heart usually found incidentally at autopsy. Little is known about the natural history of this tumor, but an aggressive surgical approach is recommended because of the high incidence of embolization. We describe a patient whose tumor was found during transthoracic echocardiography and who had had a normal echo 10 years previously. This finding suggests that papillary fibroelastoma may be an acquired rather than a congenital lesion.

Aged↗

Causes of blindness in the adult population of the Republic of Ireland.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Blindness in the developed countries affects 3.5 million people. This study was conducted on the causes of blindness in the Republic of Ireland based on the register of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. The aim was to determine the prevalence of potentially avoidable blindness and to identify its causes. METHOD: Criteria for registration as blind are in Ireland: best corrected visual acuity of 6/60 (0.1) or less in the better eye or a visual field restricted to 20 degrees or less. Data on 5002 adults 16 years an older registered as blind were analysed. The causes of blindness are classified in 17 diagnostic categories. RESULTS: The leading causes of blindness are macular degeneration and glaucoma, each accounting for 16% (812 and 795). Cataract accounted for 11% (561), a third of these had an associated cause of blindness and one tenth had a cognitive deficit. Diabetic retinopathy ranked as the 11th cause of blindness and accounted for 3% (147). More than half of the patients were 65 years and older. CONCLUSION: 25% of blindness was potentially avoidable. The treatable causes were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy in the working population and glaucoma and cataract over 65 years of age. Glaucoma is the most important, which raises the question of a screening programme. The prevalence of blindness of 3% due to diabetic retinopathy is lower than in most other series.

Adolescent↗

A dinucleotide deletion results in defective membrane anchoring and circulating soluble glycoprotein Ib alpha in a novel form of Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

The platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP)Ib-V-IX complex is the receptor for von Willebrand factor and is composed of four membrane-spanning polypeptides: GPIb alpha, GPIb beta, GPIX, and GPV. A qualitative or quantitative deficiency in the GPIb-V-IX complex on the platelet membrane is the cause of the congenital platelet disorder Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS). We describe the molecular basis of a novel variant BSS in a patient in which GPIb alpha was absent from the platelet surface but present in a soluble form in the plasma. DNA sequence analysis showed a homozygous dinucleotide deletion in the codon for Tyr 508 (TAT) in GPIb alpha. This mutation (GPIb alpha deltaAT) causes a frame shift that alters the amino acid sequence of GPIb alpha within its transmembrane region. The hydrophobic nature of the predicted transmembrane region and the cytoplasmic tail at the COOH terminal are altered before reaching a new premature stop codon 38 amino acids short of the wild-type peptide. Although GPIb alpha deltaAT was not detectable on the platelet surface, immunoprecipitation of plasma with specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) identified circulating GPIb alpha. Transient expression of recombinant GPIb alpha deltaAT in 293T cells also generated a soluble form of the protein. Moreover, when a plasmid encoding GPIb alpha deltaAT was transiently transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the GP beta-IX complex, it failed to be expressed on the cell surface. Thus, a dinucleotide deletion in the codon for Tyr 508 causes a frameshift that alters the amino acid sequence of GPIb alpha starting within its transmembrane region, changes the hydrophobicity of the normal transmembrane region, and truncates the cytoplasmic domain affecting binding to the cytoskeleton and cytoplasmic proteins. This mutation affects anchoring of the GPIb alpha polypeptide in platelets and causes the observed BSS phenotype with circulating soluble GPIb alpha.

Aged↗

Mechanisms of stroke in sickle cell disease: sickle erythrocytes decrease cerebral blood flow in rats after nitric oxide synthase inhibition.

The etiology of stroke in sickle cell disease is unclear, but may involve abnormal red blood cell (RBC) adhesion to the vascular endothelium and altered vasomotor tone regulation. Therefore, we examined both the adhesion of sickle (SS)-RBCs to cerebral microvessels and the effect of SS-RBCs on cerebral blood flow when the nitric oxide (NO) pathway was inhibited. The effect of SS-RBCs was studied in the rat cerebral microcirculation using either a cranial window for direct visualization of infused RBCs or laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to measure RBC flow. When fluorescently labeled human RBCs were infused into rats, SS-RBCs had increased adhesion to rat cerebral microvessels compared with control AA-RBCs (P = .01). Next, washed SS-RBCs or AA-RBCs were infused into rats prepared with LDF probes after pretreatment (40 mg/kg intravenously) with the NO synthase inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or the control isomer, D-NAME. In 9 rats treated with systemic L-NAME and SS-RBCs, 5 of 9 experienced a significant decrease in LDF and died within 30 minutes after the RBC infusion (P = .0012). In contrast, all control groups completed the experiment with stable LDF and hemodynamics. Four rats received a localized superfusion of L-NAME (1 mmol/L) through the cranial window followed by infusion of SS-RBCs. Total cessation of flow in all observed cerebral microvessels occurred in 3 of 4 rats within 15 minutes after infusion of SS-RBCs. We conclude that the NO pathway is critical in maintaining cerebral blood flow in the presence of SS-RBCs in this rat model. In addition, the enhanced adhesion of SS-RBCs to rat brain microvessels may contribute to cerebral vaso-occlusion either directly, by disrupting blood flow, or indirectly, by disturbing the vascular endothelium.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

The leukocyte cell adhesion cascade and its role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are known to be mediated by specific cell adhesion receptors expressed on the cell surface. The characterization of these cell adhesion molecules has allowed researchers to examine their roles in a variety of physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is an acute inflammatory process in which leukocytes are intimately involved. In this review, we summarize the current data on the leukocyte cell adhesion cascade, focus upon studies which have demonstrated specific cell adhesion molecule interactions which mediate the leukocyte involvement in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and suggest future avenues of exploration and possible clinical implications of the studies reviewed.

Animals↗

Antibody to platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 reduces myocardial infarct size in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies to selected neutrophil or endothelial cell adhesion molecules decrease myocardial infarct size in vivo. Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) is an immunoglobulin gene superfamily member expressed constitutively on neutrophils and endothelium. F(ab')2 fragments of antibody against PECAM-1 inhibit transendothelial migration of neutrophils in several in vivo models of acute inflammation. Therefore, we examined the effect of F(ab')2 fragments of anti-PECAM-1 antibody in a rat model of myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: F(ab')2 fragments of the anti-PECAM-1 antibody SEW16 and control normal rabbit IgG (NRIgG) were administered at 5 mg/kg to male Wistar rats, and the rats were subjected to a 30-minute coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. At the completion of each experiment, the area at risk, infarct size (IS), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined. Compared with untreated (n = 8; IS, 57 +/- 5%) or NRIgG-treated (n = 10; IS, 62 +/- 3%) control rats, SEW16-treated rats (n = 15; IS, 28.5 +/- 4%) displayed a 54% decrease in myocardial infarct size (P < .001). Hemodynamic parameters, leukocyte counts, total left ventricular weight, and area-at-risk weights did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. However, measurement of MPO activity revealed that neutrophil accumulation was reduced 83% (NRIgG, 975 +/- 55 mU/g; SEW16, 167 +/- 62 mU/g). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that blocking PECAM-1 exerts a significant protective effect in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via blockade of neutrophil accumulation in the myocardium.

Analysis of Variance↗