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Biomedical subjects

G Marone

Publications and source records attributed to G Marone.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Modulation of histamine release from human basophils in vitro by physiological concentrations of zinc.

Zinc, at physiologic concentrations, inhibits in vitro histamine release from human basophils induced by several immunologic (i.e., antigen and anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) and nonimmunologic [Ca++ ionophore A23187 and formylated tripeptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-met peptide)] stimuli in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition begins at about 10(-6) (ionophore A23187, anti-IgE and antigen) or 10(-5) M (f-met peptide) and is maximum at 10(-4) M (80--100% inhibition of histamine release). The activity of zinc is about 25-fold greater with respect to ionophore A23187 (ID50 = 1.1 x 10(-6) M) than to f-met peptide-induced (ID50 = 4 x 10(-5) M) histamine release. Its activity on IgE-mediated histamine release is intermediate between these two extremes (ID50 = 9.7 x 10(-6) M). Zinc does not affect the first stage of histamine release but acts on the calcium-dependent second stage. It is a competitive antagonist of the action of Ca++ in histamine secretion induced by antigen, anti-IgE and f-met peptide (but not by A23187) with a dissociation constant of about 1.2 x 10(-5) M. The addition of colchicine with zinc fails to increase the inhibition caused by the ion alone, suggesting the two compounds work via a common mechanism of action. Deuterium oxide reversed, in a dose-dependent manner, the inhibition of histamine release caused by zinc. These results suggest that the effect of zinc on histamine release from human basophils may be related to its influence on the microtubule system, directly or via its interaction with calcium.

Allergens↗

The role of agonists that activate adenylate cyclase in the control of cAMP metabolism and enzyme release by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

An inverse relationship between cAMP content and effector function is ascribed generally to immune and inflammatory cells. Previous reports imply, however, that human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are less responsive than other inflammatory cells to adenylate cyclase (AC) agonists. We therefore examined the effects of isoproterenol, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), adenosine, and histamine on the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) content of PMN and on particle-stimulated lysosomal enzyme release. For comparison, the effect of AC agonists on the cAMP content of human peripheral lymphocytes was evaluated in parallel. Although potent stimuli for cAMP accumulation in lymphocytes, the AC agonists produced only marginal increases in the cAMP content of PMN; this difference in responsiveness was independent of agonist concentration or length of incubation. Inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release by the AC agonists was likewise marginal (< 20%). The addition of theophylline with isoproterenol produced additive inhibition without significant cAMP increases. Hydrocortisone, which caused a small increase in the cAMP content, markedly potentiated the effects of AC agonists on the cAMP level in PMN; the synergistic increases in cAMP were accompanied by additive effects on lysosomal enzyme release. It is concluded that human lymphocytes and PMN exhibit differential sensitivity to AC agonists and that this difference may provide a basis for the selective modulation of individual PMN- or lymphocyte-mediated events.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Hydrocortisone and human lymphocytes: increases in cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and potentiation of adenylate cyclase-activating agents.

We have investigated the effect of hydrocortisone on the cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) response of human lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Hydrocortisone (10(-6)-10(-3)M) caused a dose-dependent increase in the cAMP content of human lymphocytes which occurred rapidly (within 1 min); the cAMP level peaked at about 10 min, remained elevated for 90 min and decreased promptly to base line if the cells were washed free of hydrocortisone. In contrast to its effects on lymphocytes, hydrocortisone caused only a small dose-dependent increase in cAMP content of polymorphonuclear leukocytes which became significant only at high concentrations. In addition to increasing lymphocyte cAMP levels, hydrocortisone (10(-6)-10(-3)M) markedly potentiated the effect of many adenylate cyclase-stimulating agents including beta adrenergic stimuli, histamine, adenosine, prostaglandin E1 and cholera enterotoxin. The biochemical mechanism(s) of these actions of hydrocortisone were explored and it was found that hydrocortisone exerted its effects neither by blocking extracellular cAMP efflux, nor by inducing protein synthesis, nor by activating prostaglandin metabolic pathways, nor by preventing receptor (e.g., beta adrenergic receptor) desensitization. Hydrocortisone probably does not work as a cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, since it did not inhibit lymphocyte phosphodiesterase, and the magnitude of synergistic potentiation by hydrocortisone was greater than that of potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Thus, hydrocortisone might act on the adenylate cyclase enzyme system by other, unknown mechanism(s). The ability of hydrocortisone to increase cAMP and especially to potentiate adenylate cyclase-stimulating agonists may partly explain the potent in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroids in man.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Adenosine receptor on human basophils: modulation of histamine release.

Adenosine, at physiologic concentrations, inhibits in vitro IgE-mediated human basophil histamine release in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition dose-response curve is paralleled by an adenosine-induced increase in cAMP levels of human leukocyte preparations. Further evidence that the adenosine effect is related to changes in cAMP levels is that the nucleoside inhibits only in the first stage of antigen-induced histamine release and fails to inhibit the release caused by ionophore A23187. A poorly metabolized derivative of adenosine, 2-chloroadenosine inhibits as effectively as adenosine; dipyridamole, which blocks adenosine uptake, does not impair the inhibition caused by adenosine. Finally, theophylline, which is a competitive antagonist of adenosine in human lymphocytes also blocks the inhibition of release caused by adenosine. These data suggest that adenosine acts via a specific cell-surface receptor linked to adenylate cyclase. It appears that the human basophil has a specific receptor for adenosine and that this nucleoside may modulate the in vivo release of the mediators of immediate hypersensitivity reactions.

Adenosine↗

The role of basophils in inflammatory reactions.

This review demonstrates that basophils reflect skin and lung mast cell reactivity and show characteristic changes in mediator release associated with clinical disease. Although the numbers of IgE molecules and IgE receptors on basophils have been enumerated, these have, in most instances, little influence on the release of histamine after challenge. There is, rather, a parameter of "releasability" that may be a major variable in allergic disease states. Basophils contain and release histamine, the eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECFA), a slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), and a kallikrein. The release process is controlled by hormone-basophil receptor interactions that determine the cyclic AMP level; plasma and tissue adenosine levels appear prominent in this control. Histamine feeds back to negatively modulate basophil and mast cell release through a specific histamine 2-receptor; it also inhibits lymphocyte and neutrophil function. Like neutrophils, basophils contain beta-glucuronidase while neutrophils contain SRS-A and a low-molecular-weight ECF. The stimuli for primary basophil and neutrophil release are, however, quite different, although phagocytic stimuli, which fail to cause basophil mediator release, potentiate the IgE response. It is concluded that basophols play a significant in vivo role in inflammation by acting as an interface between foreign antigens, the serum cascade systems, and other inflammatory cells.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Characterization of a specific adenosine receptor on human lymphocytes.

We have examined the mechanism of action of adenosine, a naturally occurring nucleoside that has profound effects on lymphocyte function. Adenosine (0.01 micrometer to 10 micrometer) increased lymphocytes cAMP levels in a dose-dependent fashion with a maximal (10 micrometer) increase of about 4-fold, whereas adenine, guanosine, and inosine had no effect on lymphocyte cAMP levels at concentrations of 100 micrometer. Adenosine appears to act on the cell surface since 1) 2-chloroadenosine, a poorly metabolized adenosine analogue, was as active as adenosine and 2) dipyridamole, which markedly inhibited [3H]-adenosine uptake by human lymphocytes, did not affect adenosine-induced accumulation of cAMP. The specificity of the adenosine effect was established by showing that the methylxanthine derivatives, theophylline and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), specifically block the accumulation of cAMP in lymphocytes induced by adenosine. Theophylline is a competitive inhibitor of the effect of adenosine, with an estimated dissociation constant of theophylline-receptor complex of about 6.3 X 10(-7) M. The results suggest that adenosine increases the intracellular cAMP content of lymphocytes as a result of its interaction with a specific membrane receptor which results in the activation of adenylate cyclase.

Adenosine↗

Role of the hypophysis in erythropoietin production during hypoxia.

Hypophysectomized or sham-operated male rats were exposed to hypoxia (0.42--0.40 or 0.37--0.35 atm for 6, 12, or 24 hr) applied 2 wk to 7 mo after surgery. Erythropoietin (Ep) levels in rat serum were evaluated on the basis of the exhypoxic polycythemic mouse assay. Ep activity evoked by hypoxia was significantly lower in hypophysectomized rats than in sham-operated controls. Progressive increase of the EP response to hypoxia correlated with extension of the time interval between hypophysectomy and hypoxia from 2 wk to 2--4 mo apparently mediated by the simultaneous inverse decline of red cell mass (RCM) values, i.e., of the "relative plethora" induced by a low O2 demand associated with relatively high RCM values. However, after 3--7 mo hypoxic Ep activity was still lower than in sham-operated controls. In these ablated animals the relative plethora became negligible or absent; accordingly, the Ep response apparently had reached plateau levels. These studies indicate that hypophysis (hypophyseal and target hormones, with the exception of estrogens) modulates Ep production under hypoxic conditions, possibly via a permissive enhancement of renal Ep activity.

Animals↗

Hepatic erythropoietin: enhanced production in anephric rats with hyperplasia of Kupffer cells.

Erythropoietin (Ep) levels were assayed in serum of adult male rats subjected sequentially to (1) administration of colloidal carbon, Zymosan or their vehicles (2) sham operation or bilateral nephrectomy with and without subtotal hepatictomy, and (3) hypoxia (0.45-0.40 atmospheres of air for 6 h starting 1 h after the operation). In anephric rats these agents induced a significant potentiation of hypoxic Ep activity. Since they did not apparently modify the kinetics of exogenous Ep, it is postulated that this phenomenon is mediated by enhanced extrarenal Ep production. Both colloidal carbon and Zymosan induced hyperplasia of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Moreover, subtotal hepatectomy almost abolished the Ep response to hypoxia evoked by Zymosan. The correlation between hyperplasia of hepatic RES and enhanced Ep production in anephric rats primed with these agents suggests that Kupffer cells constitute a major source for extrarenal Ep. Additionally, it is of interest that colloidal carbon and Zymosan did not significantly modify the renal production of Ep.

Animals↗

Erythropoietin production in the rat: additive role of kidney and liver.

Erythropoietin (Ep) levels were evaluated in serum of neonate, weanling, or adult rats subjected to 1) sham operation, nephrectomy, and/or subtotal hepatectomy and 2) a standard bout of hypoxia (0.45 atm air/6 h, starting 1 h after the operation). Ep activity was quantitated by means of strictly controlled assays in exhypoxic polycythemic mice. The sum of Ep titers in the serum of nephrectomized or hepatectomized rats was compared to Ep levels in sham-operated animals of corresponding age levels, with the exception of 1-wk-old rats: it is relevance that no significant difference is apparent between these Ep production curves. Thus, evidence is presented indicating for the first time that Ep derives from two functionally distinct and additive sources, i.e., the kidney and the liver. Liver Ep, although prevalent in neonatal animals, is obscured in the weanling adult rat by both gradual initiation of massive renal Ep production and progressive decrease of hepatic Ep activity.

Age Factors↗

Increased erythropoietin production in anephric rats with hyperplasia of the reticuloendothelial system induced by colloidal carbon or zymosan.

Adult rats were subjected sequentially to (1) administration of colloidal carbon, zymosan, or gadolinium; (2) subtotal hepatectomy, bilateral nephrectomy, or sham operation; and (3) a 6-hr bout of hypoxia, starting 1 hr or 24 hr after the operation. Control animals received the respective vehicles. The erythropoietin (Ep) activity was assayed in exhypoxic polycythemic mice on the basis of 48-hr per cent RBC(-59) Fe incorporation values. Ep levels in serum of anephric rats primed with either colloidal carbon or zymosan were considerably more elevated than in control animals. This potentiating effect was observed in rats subjected to hypoxia starting either 1 or 24 hr after nephrectomy. On the other hand, gadolinium did not enhance the extrarenal Ep response to hypoxia. It is emphasized that both colloidal carbon and zymosan induced marked hyperplasia of the hepatic and splenic reticuloendothelial system (RES), while gadolinium did not induce this effect. A strict correlation was thus established between potentiation of extrarenal Ep production and hyperplasia of the RES. It is therefore tentatively concluded that the RES is a source of extrarenal Ep. Additionally, since the liver plays a prominent role in extrarenal Ep production, Kupffer cells may represent a major source for Ep in the anephric rat. Finally, it is of interest that both colloidal carbon and zymosan did not potentiate the Ep response to hypoxia in sham-operated or subtotally hepatectomized rats.

Animals↗