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Biomedical subjects

G Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to G Murphy.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 are produced by kidney collecting duct principal cells but are differentially regulated by SV40 large-T, arginine vasopressin, and epidermal growth factor.

We analyzed the expression and regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 gelatinases in a rabbit kidney collecting duct principal cell line (RC.SVtsA58) (Prié, D., Ronco, P. M., Baudouin, B., Géniteau-Legendre, M., Antoine, M., Piedagnel, R., Estrade, S., Lelongt, B., Verroust, P. J., Cassingéna, R., and Vandewalle, A. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 113, 951-962) infected with the temperature-sensitive (ts) SV40 strain tsA58. At the permissive temperature (33 degreesC), cells produced only MMP2. Shifting cells to a nonpermissive temperature (39.5 degreesC) induced a marked increase in total gelatinolytic activity due to an increase of MMP2 and an induction of MMP9 synthesis. This effect was attributed to large-T inactivation at 39.5 degreesC because it was abolished by re-infecting the cells with wild-type SV40 strain LP. Run-on experiments showed that negative regulation of MMP2 and MMP9 by large-T was transcriptional and posttranscriptional, respectively. MMP2 and MMP9 were also produced by primary cultures of collecting duct cells. In rabbit kidney, both MMP2 and MMP9 were almost exclusively expressed in collecting duct cells, where an unexpected apical localization was observed. Arginine vasopressin and epidermal growth factor, which exert opposite hydroosmotic effects in the collecting duct, also exhibited contrasted effects on MMP9 synthesis. Epidermal growth factor increased but arginine vasopressin suppressed MMP9 at a posttranscriptional level, whereas MMP2 was not affected. These results suggest a specific physiological role of MMP2 and MMP9 in principal cells of renal collecting duct.

Animals↗

Active gelatinase B is identified by histozymography in the cartilage resorption sites of developing long bones.

In order to determine which proteinases mediate the resorption of endochondral cartilage in the course of long bone development, a novel assay called "histozymography" has been developed. In this assay, frozen sections of tibial head from 21-day-old rats are placed for 4 hr at room temperature on light-exposed photographic emulsion (composed of silver grains embedded in gelatin). We report a localized but complete digestion of emulsion gelatin facing two tissue sites which are, therefore, presumed to contain an active proteinase. One of the sites is localized at the growth plate surface forming the epiphysis/metaphysis interface. The other consists of small patches located within the epiphysis at the edge of the marrow space. Both sites are engaged in the resorption of endochondral cartilage. In both sites, inhibitor tests have established that the involved proteinase is a gelatinase. Furthermore, the use of neutralizing antibodies against gelatinase A or B have demonstrated that only those that are specific for the latter block the reaction. That gelatinase B is present in the two sites has been confirmed by light microscopic immunohistochemistry. Finally, when immunoelectron microscopy is used for fine localization of the cartilage structures that form the epiphysis/metaphysis interface, the enzyme is detected within the 0.5-microm thick edge of the cartilage, and outside the cartilage, it is present in debris composed of type II collagen-rich fibrils in various states of digestion. It is concluded that gelatinase B attacks the edge of an endochondral cartilage and helps to solubilize the type II-collagen-rich fibrillar framework, which is then released as debris for further digestion. This final step opens the way to invasion by capillaries, thereby making possible the replacement of cartilage by bone. Dev Dyn 1999;215:190-205.

Animals↗

The small, the large and the wild: the value of comparison in plant genomics.

Studies of the model plant Arabidopsis are providing knowledge about the function of plant genes with an unprecedented clarity and quantity. A major challenge now is to apply this new information to the improvement of crop plants in a systematic manner. Sequence comparisons between Arabidopsis and rice can define potential functional relationships, and conserved gene order among cereals can then be used to ascribe functions to genes in many cereals.

Agriculture↗

Proteolysis and cell migration: creating a path?

Both serine and metalloproteinases have been implicated in the complex integrated events underlying cell migration but no definitive single mechanism has emerged. Work over the past two years linking both membrane and soluble proteinases with integrins and other adhesion proteins and with intracellular signalling systems could herald the beginnings of a potential expansion of our understanding of the role and regulation of proteolysis in cell migration.

Animals↗

Inhibition of invasion and induction of apoptotic cell death of cancer cell lines by overexpression of TIMP-3.

Dysregulation of matrix degrading metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs) leads to increased extracellular matrix turnover, a key event in the local invasion and metastasis of many tumours. The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) limit the activity of MMPs, which suggests their use in gene therapy. We have previously shown that overexpression of TIMP-1, -2 or -3 inhibits vascular smooth muscle and melanoma cell invasion, while TIMP-3 uniquely promotes apoptosis. We have therefore sought to determine whether TIMP-3 can inhibit invasion and promote apoptosis in other cancer cell types. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of TIMP-3 inhibited invasion of HeLa and HT1080 cells through artificial basement membrane to similar levels as that achieved by TIMP-1 and -2. However, TIMP-3 uniquely promoted cell cycle entry and subsequent death by apoptosis. Apoptosis was confirmed by morphological analysis, terminal dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry. The apoptotic phenotype was mimicked by addition of exogenous recombinant TIMP-3 to uninfected cultures demonstrating that the death signal is initiated extracellularly and that a bystander effect exists. These results show that TIMP-3 inhibits invasion in vitro and promotes apoptosis in cancer cell type of differing origin. This clearly identifies the potential of TIMP-3 for gene therapy of multiple cancer types.

Adenoviridae↗

Quantitation of TIMP-1 in plasma of healthy blood donors and patients with advanced cancer.

A kinetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 was developed in order to examine the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of TIMP-1 measurements in cancer patients. The ELISA enabled specific detection of total TIMP-1 in EDTA, citrate and heparin plasma. The assay was rigorously tested and requirements of sensitivity, specificity, stability and good recovery were fulfilled. TIMP-1 levels measured in citrate plasma (mean 69.2+/-13.1 microg I(-1)) correlated with TIMP-1 measured in EDTA plasma (mean 73.5+/-14.2 microg I(-1)) from the same individuals in a set of 100 healthy blood donors (Spearman's rho = 0.62, P< 0.0001). The mean level of TIMP-1 in EDTA plasma from 143 patients with Dukes' stage D colorectal cancer was 240+/-145 microg I(-1) and a Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a highly significant difference between TIMP-1 levels in healthy blood donors and colorectal cancer patients (P < 0.0001). Similar findings were obtained for 19 patients with advanced breast cancer (mean 292+/-331 microg I(-1)). The results show that TIMP-1 is readily measured in plasma samples by ELISA and that increased levels of TIMP-1 are found in patients with advanced cancer. It is proposed that plasma measurements of TIMP-1 may have value in the management of cancer patients.

Adult↗

Identification of early self-injurious behaviour in young children with intellectual disability.

Very little is known about the early stages of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in young children with developmental disabilities, even though there has been a great deal of research into the prevalence, assessment and treatment of well-established SIB in older individuals. In the present initial study, teachers in special schools for children under II years of age with severe intellectual disability and/or autism were asked to identify children who were beginning to show early self-injury (the index group). These children were then matched to classroom controls (of the same ability level and mobility), and teachers were interviewed about the children's behaviours and skills. The index children showed significantly more potential SIB than the control group children, but there was overlap between the groups in terms of percentage duration of potential SIB, suggesting that teachers do not find it easy to identify children with 'early' SIB. The index children's skills and problem behaviours, their sensory impairments and degree of autism did not differ significantly from those of the control group. When all the children showing any potential SIB were pooled together, it transpired that developmental age and degree of mobility were significantly correlated with percentage duration of SIB, suggesting that these characteristics may be important risk markers. The index children were also observed at 3-month intervals at school over the following 18 months and self-injury clearly escalated for some of the index children, while it did not do so for others. Using regression analysis, increases in SIB were shown to be associated only with the degree of concern expressed about the child's behaviour at time I by the teacher, no other variables predicting increases in SIB.

Age Factors↗

Post partum subclinical hypocalcaemia and effects on ovarian function and uterine involution in a dairy herd.

Episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia occurred in the first 6 weeks after calving in 6 out of 12 multiparous Friesian cows calving in the winter period and 7 out of 23 calving in the summer in a subtropical environment. In the winter calving group, there were significant (P< 0.05) decreases in mean plasma calcium concentrations (PTCa) on days 6, 27 and 36 after calving in those animals unable to maintain PTCa >2.0 mmol/L in the first 21 days. These cows had a significantly higher mean body weight and higher mean milk production than normocalcaemic cows. In the summer calving group, the seven cows with episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia had significantly lower mean PTCa over periods of 21 and 60 days. Intervals until involution of the uterus were negatively (P< 0.05) correlated with mean PTCa over the first 21 and 30 days after calving in the winter and summer calving groups (r = -0.62 and -0.42), respectively. The mean size of the first ovulated follicles was significantly smaller in cows showing episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia in the winter group and the mean number of ovulatory size follicles was less in these cows at 15 days (P< 0.001) (1.2 +/- 0.17 vs 2.3 +/- 0.21) and at 30 days (P< 0.03) (3.5 +/- 0.43 vs 5.2 +/- 0.54). During the first three dioestrus periods, mean plasma progesterone concentration as a function of corpus luteum area was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in the cows with episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia in the winter group.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Multiple independent defective suppressor-mutator transposon insertions in Arabidopsis: a tool for functional genomics.

A new system for insertional mutagenesis based on the maize Enhancer/Suppressor-mutator (En/Spm) element was introduced into Arabidopsis. A single T-DNA construct carried a nonautonomous defective Spm (dSpm) element with a phosphinothricin herbicide resistance (BAR) gene, a transposase expression cassette, and a counterselectable gene. This construct was used to select for stable dSpm transpositions. Treatments for both positive (BAR) and negative selection markers were applicable to soil-grown plants, allowing the recovery of new transpositions on a large scale. To date, a total of 48,000 lines in pools of 50 have been recovered, of which approximately 80% result from independent insertion events. DNA extracted from these pools was used in reverse genetic screens, either by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers from the transposon and the targeted gene or by the display of insertions whereby inverse PCR products of insertions from the DNA pools are spotted on a membrane that is then hybridized with the probe of interest. By sequencing PCR-amplified fragments adjacent to insertion sites, we established a sequenced insertion-site database of 1200 sequences. This database permitted a comparison of the chromosomal distribution of transpositions from various T-DNA locations.

Arabidopsis↗

Mechanisms for pro matrix metalloproteinase activation.

The activation of pro matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by sequential proteolysis of the propeptide blocking the active site cleft is regarded as one of the key levels of regulation of these proteinases. Potential physiological mechanisms including cell-associated plasmin generation by urokinase-like plasminogen activator, or the action of cell surface MT1-MMPs appear to be involved in the initiation of cascades of pro MMP activation. Gelatinase A, collagenase 3 and gelatinase B may be activated by MT-MMP based mechanisms, as evidenced by both biochemical and cell based studies. Hence the regulation of MT-MMPs themselves becomes critical to the determination of MMP activity. This includes activation, assembly at the cell surfaces as TIMP-2 complexes and subsequent inactivation by proteolysis or TIMP inhibition.

Animals↗

Discrimination of subtype B and non-subtype B strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by serotyping: correlation with genotyping.

The ability of a peptide-based serotyping assay to differentiate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) subtype B infections from non-subtype B infections was investigated with 166 anti-HIV-1- and HIV RNA-positive (by PCR) serum or plasma specimens. The specimens were divided genetically into those infected with subtype B and non-subtype B by application of a screening heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) that used plasmids for subtypes A and B alone. Specimens that were not clearly infected with HIV-1 subtype B by HMA or for which the two methods had discordant results in distinguishing those infected with subtype B from those infected with non-subtype B were then investigated with a full HMA plasmid panel and, for selected specimens, env sequencing. For the 141 genotyped and serotypically reactive specimens, the correlation between genotyping and serotyping (all subtypes) was 69%. Of the 67 specimens that reacted monotypically as serotype B, 64 were shown to be infected with genotype B (positive predictive value, 96%). Of the 82 specimens that contained genotype B nucleic acid, 64 reacted monotypically as serotype B (sensitivity, 78%), and 4 specimens reacted with a single non-subtype B peptide; the viruses in 14 specimens could not be assigned a serotype. Initial screening results had indicated that 12 samples had results discordant between restricted HMA and serotyping. The V3 loop amino acids of the infecting HIV strains from the seven specimens with discordant serology results were analyzed. For five specimens discordance occurred when the amino acid sequence of the infecting virus closely resembled those of more than one consensus peptide antigen or when the observed V3 crown motif of the strain was atypical for the genetic subtype present. For the other two specimens no explanation for the discordance was identified. Five specimens gave unclear or discordant results in the initial HMA screen, but the results were resolved when the full plasmid panel was used. Serotyping, although of limited sensitivity, distinguishes between subtype B and non-subtype B infections with a high degree of specificity. However, it poorly differentiates the major non-subtype B subtypes, particularly subtypes A and C. When HIV-1 subtype B predominates, serological typing and/or subtype-restricted HMA screening usefully distinguishes between subtype B and non-subtype B infections.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Trauma related symptoms in British soldiers 36 months following a tour in the former Yugoslavia.

This paper measures the prevalence of psychological symptoms in two British Infantry battalions, 36 months after being involved in peace keeping operations in the former Yugoslavia during November 1992-April 1993. Those deployed had a high level of post traumatic stress disorder (16%) compared to (9%) in the control group. However, there was a high level of probable psychiatric disorder in both the Bosnia and control group of around 25%. The possible explanations for these findings are discussed.

Adult↗

Role of collagenase in mediating in vitro alveolar epithelial wound repair.

Type II pneumocytes are essential for repair of the injured alveolar epithelium. The effect of two MMP collagenases, MMP-1 and MMP-13 on alveolar epithelial repair was studied in vitro. The A549 alveolar epithelial cell line and primary rat alveolar epithelial cell cultures were used. Cell adhesion and cell migration were measured with and without exogenous MMP-1. Wound healing of a cell monolayer of rat alveolar epithelial cell after a mechanical injury was evaluated by time lapse video analysis. Cell adhesion on type I collagen, as well as cytoskeleton stiffness, was decreased in the presence of exogenous collagenases. A similar decrease was observed when cell adhesion was tested on collagen that was first incubated with MMP-1 (versus control on intact collagen). Cell migration on type I collagen was promoted by collagenases. Wound healing of an alveolar epithelial cell monolayer was enhanced in the presence of exogenous collagenases. Our results suggest that collagenases could modulate the repair process by decreasing cell adhesion and cell stiffness, and by increasing cell migration on type I collagen. Collagen degradation could modify cell adhesion sites and collagen degradation peptides could induce alveolar type II pneumocyte migration. New insights regarding alveolar epithelial cell migration are particularly relevant to investigate early events during alveolar epithelial repair following lung injury.

Animals↗

Interaction of metargidin (ADAM-15) with alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 integrins on different haemopoietic cells.

Metargidin (ADAM-15) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the ADAM (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease Domain) family of proteins and is widely expressed in different tissues and cell types. Members of this family contain an amino-terminal metalloprotease domain followed by a disintegrin domain, a cysteine-rich region and a membrane proximal EGF-like domain. The disintegrin domain of metargidin contains an RGD tripeptide sequence, suggesting that it may potentially interact with the integrin family of proteins. Here we identify integrin ligands for metargidin on haemopoietic cells, by using a chimeric protein containing the extracellular domain of metargidin fused to the Fc portion of human IgG. Binding activity to a panel of human cell lines was analysed by solid-phase cell-adhesion assays. Metargidin bound to a monocytic cell line, U937, and a T cell line, MOLT-4, in a specific manner. Adhesion was divalent cation- and temperature- dependent and strongly enhanced by Mn2+, all features of integrin-mediated binding. Using a panel of anti-integrin antibodies we show that alphavbeta3 is a ligand for metargidin on U937 cells. In contrast, for MOLT-4 cells, the integrin alpha5beta1 contributes to cell binding. Adhesion was mediated by the disintegrin domain of metargidin as RGD-based peptides inhibited cell binding to both cell lines. The specificity of the interaction between both alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 and metargidin was further confirmed by solid-phase adhesion assays using purified recombinant integrins. These results together indicate that metargidin can function as a cell adhesion molecule via interactions with alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 integrins.

ADAM Proteins↗

Stromelysin (MMP-3) synthesis is up-regulated in estrogen-deficient mouse osteoblasts in vivo and in vitro.

Sex steroids are important regulators of bone cell function and osteoblast-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key mediators of bone resorption during the initial stage of osteoid removal prior to osteoclast attachment. To investigate the mechanism of bone loss following estrogen deficiency, we examined the effects of estrogen on osteoblast synthesis of MMPs and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Immunolocalization in mouse bone samples ex vivo and primary mouse osteoblast (MOB) cultures was used to document the synthesis of mouse interstitial collagenase (MMP-13), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), gelatinase-A (MMP-2), and gelatinase-B (MMP-9). Endosteal bone lining cells from distal femoral head and lumbar vertebral body showed an increase in the pattern of synthesis of stromelysin-1 following ovariectomy, compared with sham-operated controls; the synthesis of other MMPs was unaffected. The expression of all classes of MMPs and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 by MOB in culture was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Following the withdrawal of 17beta-estradiol, MOB cultures showed a significant increase in the number of cells synthesizing stromelysin-1; this effect was enhanced by stimulation with either interleukin-1 or interleukin-6. Northern blot analysis showed only a slight increase in stromelysin-1 mRNA message following the withdrawal of 17beta-estradiol. Our data show an unexpected up-regulation of stromelysin-1 synthesis by osteoblasts both in vivo and in vitro following estrogen withdrawal. Although this effect was not reflected in a significant change in stromelysin-1 mRNA expression in vitro, there is evidence to suggest a role for this enzyme in the early stages of bone loss during the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

Animals↗