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Biomedical subjects

D L French

Publications and source records attributed to D L French.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Interleukin-1 beta regulates human cytotrophoblast metalloproteinase activity and invasion in vitro.

During early human pregnancy, fetal cytotrophoblasts rapidly invade the uterus. This process has many similarities to tumor invasion, except that the extent and the timing of cytotrophoblast invasion are carefully regulated. Therefore, this system is particularly useful for studying mechanisms that regulate invasive processes. Previously, we showed that production and activation of the 92-kDa type IV collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9) is necessary for cytotrophoblast invasion in vitro. In other systems, interleukin (IL)-1 beta is an important regulator of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases. Therefore, we investigated trophoblast production of IL-1 beta and its receptors, as well as the effects of this cytokine on cytotrophoblast metalloproteinase activity and invasion. The results showed that release of IL-1 beta parallels the invasive potential of the cytotrophoblasts; the highest levels are produced by first trimester cells and the lowest levels by term cells. Immunoprecipitation showed that cytotrophoblasts express the 80-kDa type I IL-1 receptor, suggesting that autocrine effects are possible. IL-1 beta stimulated trophoblast MMP-9 secretion (by a mechanism that required nascent mRNA and protein synthesis) as well as metalloproteinase activity and invasion of Matrigel. Increasing (by lipopolysaccharide treatment) or decreasing (by glucocorticoid treatment) IL-1 beta production had parallel effects on MMP-9 secretion, metalloproteinase activity, and invasion. Because IL-1 beta and corticosteroids are present in high concentrations at the maternal-fetal interface, normal trophoblast invasion may be regulated, in part, by their opposing actions. In contrast, stimulation of cytotrophoblast IL-1 beta secretion by lipopolysaccharide may play a role in the sequela of infected fetal membranes.

Collagenases↗
PubMed1994

Cloning of a 72 kDa matrix metalloproteinase (gelatinase) from chicken embryo fibroblasts using gene family PCR: expression of the gelatinase increases upon malignant transformation.

Chicken embryo fibroblasts secrete a 72 kDa progelatinase that displays all of the characteristics of a matrix metalloproteinase. Employing reverse-transcription PCR and degenerate oligonucleotide primers that are specific for two highly conserved sequences found in all matrix metalloproteinases, a DNA fragment specific for the chicken gelatinase was generated. Using this PCR product as a probe, cDNA clones were isolated from a chicken embryo cDNA library and the entire protein coding sequence was determined. The chicken progelatinase is 84% identical, at the amino acid level, with human and mouse 72 kDa progelatinase/type-IV procollagenase, with the greatest degree of similarity occurring in the propeptide and catalytic domains. The avian and mammalian proteinases diverge significantly in the C-terminal, hemopexin-like domain. The last 100 residues of the chicken gelatinase are only 66% identical with mammalian gelatinases. Mouse 72 kDa progelatinase, however, does not diverge significantly (> 98% identity) from human progelatinase in the hemopexin-like domain. The divergence in this domain of the chicken progelatinase may explain some of the distinct catalytic and inhibitory properties of the 72 kDa chicken progelatinase. Northern-blot analysis reveals that steady-state levels of the chicken progelatinase mRNA are increased 5-fold upon malignant transformation of chicken embryo fibroblasts with Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and 3-fold by treatment with the tumour-promoting phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). This represents the first reported cloning of an avian matrix metalloproteinase. The increased expression of the chicken progelatinase by RSV transformation and the tumour promoter PMA suggests that the progelatinase is regulated differently in chicken cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Type IV collagenase(s) and TIMPs modulate endothelial cell morphogenesis in vitro.

It has been proposed that proteases are important in endothelial cell behavior. We examined the contribution of the gelatinase/type IV collagenase system in an in vitro model of endothelial differentiation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells rapidly align and form networks of tubes when cultured on a basement membrane preparation, Matrigel. Zymograms of culture supernates demonstrate a 72-kD and a 92-kD gelatinase activity; the cells produce most of the 72-kD gelatinase, whereas the 92-kD activity is derived entirely from the Matrigel. Addition of antibodies against type IV gelatinase/collagenase decreases the area of the tube network. Both tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, similarly decrease tube formation when added to cultures. Conversely, exogenous recombinant 72-kD gelatinase increases tube-forming activity. The effects of the anti-gelatinase antibodies and the TIMPs are not additive. Inhibition by either antibodies or TIMPs is greatest when they are added at culture initiation, suggesting that the protease activity is important in the early steps of morphogenesis. However, culture of the cells on Matrigel does not increase early expression of mRNA for the 72-kD gelatinase. Expression of message for the enzyme actually decreases during the course of the assay, while transcription of mRNAs for TIMPs increases, further supporting the concept that collagenases facilitate an early event in tube formation. These data demonstrate that gelatinase/type IV collagenase activity is important in endothelial cell morphogenesis on Matrigel, and suggest a role for collagenases in formation of new capillaries in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the physicochemical properties and dissolution characteristics of mesalamine: relevance to controlled intestinal drug delivery.

The physicochemical properties of mesalamine and the effect of pH and buffer concentration on the dissolution rate of pure mesalamine and mesalamine with Carbopol 974P were investigated. The aqueous solubilities at 25 and 37 degrees C were 0.844 and 1.41 mg/mL, respectively. Consistent with the observed pKa1 (2.30) and pKa2 (5.69) or mesalamine, the solubility-pH profile is increased at pH < 2.0 and pH > 5.5 and is minimized from pH 2.0 to pH 5.5. The flux data were consistent with the solubility data from pH 1.0 to pH 5.5. The flux increased and plateaued at pH values 5.5 to 7.0 and was dependent on the bulk buffer concentration. At low bulk buffer concentrations, mesalamine reduces the pH in the diffusion layer, which results in a decrease in flux. The medium with the highest buffer capacity has a greater ability to increase the surface pH and dissolution rate. The addition of Carbopol reduces the flux and the sensitivity of the dissolution rate of mesalamine to increasing bulk buffer concentration. This reduction is postulated to be due to neutralization of the basic dissolution media, gel formation, and possible drug-polymer interactions.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1993

Subtractive immunization yields monoclonal antibodies that specifically inhibit metastasis.

Subtractive immunization allowed the isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies that specifically inhibit metastasis but not proliferation of highly metastatic human tumor cells. The tolerizing agent cyclophosphamide was used to suppress the immune system in mice to dominant immunodeterminants present on a non-metastatic variant (M-) of the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line (HEp3). Mice were then inoculated with a highly metastatic variant (M+) of HEp3 to enhance an immune response to antigenic determinants present on metastatic cells. Hybridomas were generated and screened by ELISA for differential reactivity to M+ HEp3 over M- HEp3 cells. This experimental approach, termed subtractive immunization (S.I.), was compared to a control immunization protocol, which eliminated the cyclophosphamide treatment. The S.I. protocol resulted in an eight-fold increase in the proportion of mAbs that react with molecules enriched on the surface of the M+ HEp3 cells. Two of the mAbs derived from the S.I. protocol, designated DM12-4 and 1A5, were purified and examined for their effect in a metastasis model system in which chick embryos are transplanted with primary HEp3 tumors. Purified mAbs DM12-4 and 1A5, inoculated i.v. into the embryos, inhibited spontaneous metastasis of HEp3 cells by 86 and 90%, respectively. The mAbs are specifically anti-metastatic in that they have no effect on the growth of HEp3 cells in vitro nor did they inhibit primary tumor growth in vivo. The mAbs recognize M+ HEp3 cell surface molecules of 55 kD and 29 kD, respectively. These data demonstrate that the S.I. protocol can be used for the development of unique mAbs that are reactive with antigenic determinants whose expression is elevated on metastatic human tumor cells and which function mechanistically in the metastatic cascade.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 9 activation by a specific monoclonal antibody.

Two members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1 family of enzymes are expressed at elevated levels in highly aggressive human tumor cells and have been implicated in the catalytic functions of extracellular proteolysis. The zymogen forms of these enzymes are designated proMMP-2 and proMMP-9, also known as 72kDa and 92kDa type IV collagenases/gelatinases, respectively. The MMP family of enzymes can be activated in vitro by a number of compounds including the organomercurial 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). The natural or in vivo activators of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are at present unknown. A partially purified preparation of MMP-9 was used to immunize mice for the isolation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Three IgG1 mAbs were identified by immunoreactivity with purified MMP-9 and are designated 6-6B, 7-11C, and 8-3H. These mAbs react specifically with MMP-9 by ELISA and Western blot. Additionally, these mAbs react with N-glycanase treated 92kDa protein. These mAbs were tested for their ability to inhibit enzyme activation in a radio-labeled gelatin assay. The 6-6B mAb inhibited the activation of MMP-9, but had no effect on MMP-2. These mAbs are highly specific to human MMP-9 and the 6-6B mAb will be extremely useful for examining the autolytic and catalytic activity of MMP-9 in normal and abnormal biological processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Stimulation of the 92-kD type IV collagenase promoter and enzyme expression in human melanoma cells.

The 92-kD type IV collagenase is a member of the metalloproteinase family which degrades type IV collagen, a major component of basement membrane and is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. The promoter and adjacent regulatory sequences of the 92-kD type IV collagenase have been identified previously and three cis-acting elements homologous to the binding sites for AP-1, NF-KB and SP-1 proteins contributed to induction of the promoter activity by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in HT1080 cells. To date, no direct correlation between promoter activity and expression of the 92-kD type IV collagenase has been reported in normal or cancer cells. In this study, the effects of the transcriptional stimulation of the 92-kD type IV collagenase gene on the expression of the enzyme in human A2058 melanoma cells was analyzed by zymography experiments. Quantitative immunoblots using a monoclonal antibody that recognized specifically and exclusively the 92-kD type IV collagenase, confirmed that the 92-kD gelatinase was 92-kD type IV collagenase. Stimulation of the promoter activity resulted in increased gelatinase activity in the culture medium of A2058 cells. A direct correlation between TPA- and TNF-alpha-mediated promoter stimulation of the 92-kD type IV collagenase gene and its expression was also demonstrated in the human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells. Interleukin-1 alpha failed to induce 92-kD gene promoter activity and type IV collagenase expression in melanoma and fibrosarcoma cell lines. Our data demonstrated that TPA- and TNF-alpha-induced 92-kD type IV collagenase promoter stimulation leads to a proportional increase of enzyme expression and secretion and thus could contribute to the activation of the invasive phenotype.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The molecular and biochemical characterization of mutant monoclonal antibodies with increased antigen binding.

Mutant mAb with increased Ag binding were generated from a hybridoma cell line, 36-65, that secretes an IgG1,kappa anti-p-azophenylarsonate-(Ars) specific antibody. The mutant antibodies were identified using an Ars-specific ELISA and sib selection so that approximately 10(6) cells could be analyzed. The ELISA used as Ag a low ratio of Ars coupled to BSA and was set up so that only those antibodies that had higher binding than the parent would be detected. Seven mutant producing cell lines were isolated from five independent clones of 36-65. The mutant antibodies bind Ag 20 to more than 200-fold better than the parent and have wild type V region sequences. All have C region mutations that result in an increased avidity. At least five different genetic events are responsible for the C region mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Intravascular metabolism of normal and mutant mouse immunoglobulin molecules.

The metabolism of IgG immunoglobulins in the body is tightly regulated in order to maintain their intravascular concentration. Different subclasses may have different intravascular half-lives, and in the mouse, passively administered IgG2b disappears from the circulation more rapidly than IgG2a. We have attempted to localize the sequences in the constant region which are responsible for this difference by examining the intravascular metabolism of mutant immunoglobulins that were generated in tissue culture and have undergone deletions of individual constant region domains or contain different combinations of gamma 2b and gamma 2a CH2 and CH3 domains. Our results suggest that the regulation of intravascular metabolism is complex but indicate that sequences in the CH3 domain are important in determining the different intravascular half-lives of IgG2b and IgG2a antibodies in the mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The role of somatic hypermutation in the generation of antibody diversity.

The immune system is capable of establishing an enormous repertoire of antibodies before its first contact with antigen. Most antibodies that express germ-line sequences are of relatively low affinity. Once antigen enters the system, it stimulates a somatic mutational mechanism that generates antibodies of higher affinity and selects for the expression of those antibodies to produce a more effective immune response. The details of the mechanism and regulation of somatic hypermutation remain to be elucidated.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Identification of mutant monoclonal antibodies with increased antigen binding.

Sib selection and an ELISA have been used to isolate hybridoma subclones producing mutant antibodies that bind antigen better than the parental monoclonal antibody. Such mutants arise spontaneously in culture at frequencies of 2.5-5 X 10(-5). The sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions of the mutant antibodies are identical to that of the parent and the Ka values of the mutants and the parent are the same. The increase in binding is associated with abnormalities of the constant region polypeptide and probably reflect changes in avidity of these antibodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Studies on the somatic instability of immunoglobulin genes in vivo and in cultured cells.

We have examined the molecular mechanism and impact of somatic diversification on the T15 heavy chain variable region gene in vivo and in vitro. Somatic point mutation appears to be responsible for the changes we have observed in both hybridomas from early and late in the immune response and in the S107 myeloma cell line in culture. By identifying S107 mutants with decreases in antigen binding, we have shown that a single point mutation can cause the loss of binding to the eliciting antigen and the acquisition of binding to another antigen. Furthermore, in this case a point mutation of the T15 heavy chain variable region gene caused the conversion of an important protective antibody to an autoantibody. While the S107 cell line frequently generates both constant and variable region mutants, hybridomas appear to have relatively stable variable region genes and unstable constant region genes which in some cases result in mutants with increased binding.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A role for helper cell subpopulations in a genetically controlled cytolytic T lymphocyte response to the H-2Db antigen.

The primary cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to the H-2Db antigen in several strain combinations appears to be under genetic control. Our studies were undertaken to determine the mechanisms involved in responders that were absent from the nonresponders and that led to CTL generation. In these studies, H-2Dk-anti-H-2Db combinations served as CTL responders, and H-2Dd-anti-H-2Db combinations served as CTL nonresponders. The nonresponsiveness of the H-2Dd-anti-H-2Db strain combinations appeared to be due to the inability of the Db antigen to activate a helper cell subpopulation. The activation of this helper cell subpopulation, as demonstrated in the H-2Dk-anti-H-2Db response, resulted in the production of factors that led to the induction of CTL differentiation. Antigen-specific pre-CTL for Db were present in the nonresponders as well as in the responders. Interleukin 2 (IL 2)-producing cells were also present in both nonresponders and responders, because all strain combinations tested in this system produced detectable levels of IL 2. Additional analysis of these data suggested that different determinants on the H-2Db antigen were recognized by distinct populations of cells. The activation of pre-CTL and IL 2-producing cells by the recognition of determinants on the H-2Db antigen was not sufficient for the generation of effector CTL, as demonstrated in the H-2Dd-anti-H-2Db response. We suggest that determinants on the H-2Db antigen that are distinct from those recognized by pre-CTL and IL 2-producing cells are recognized by a helper cell subpopulation in the H-2Dk strains, and that activation of this subpopulation is required for the production of factors that mediate CTL differentiation. This is the first description of the role that CTL differentiation factors play in a genetically controlled response.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Cell-mediated suppression of the fifth component of complement in mice.

Suppression of levels of circulating C5 in (C5- C5+)F1 hybrids by administration of (C5- C5-) parental lymphoid cells in the neonatal period has been accomplished with the three strain combinations tested ((SWR X RIII)F1, (A/He x RIII)F1, and (SWR X DBA/1)F1). Suppression was shown to be specific for C5 and not accompanied by reductions of C1, C2, C6, or other major groups of blood proteins. This demonstrated that the C5 reduction was not due to activation of complement (C) with resultant hypercatabolism of C components. When there was a concurrent chronic GVH reaction induced by lymphoid cells administered to offspring of H-2 incompatible parents, there was usually a resultant hypergammaglobulinemia that was also unrelated to the presence or absence of C5 suppression. Effective suppression required preimmunization of either the cell donor, the mother of the F1 hybrids, or both. This suggests that either two cell types or a single cell plus a humoral factor are required for suppression in this system.

Animals↗