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Biomedical subjects

G R Campbell

Publications and source records attributed to G R Campbell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes induce modulation of smooth muscle phenotype.

Macrophages cocultured with rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells at a ratio of 1:3 degraded all the 35S-labeled heparan sulfate proteoglycan from the smooth muscle surface into free sulfate (Kav of 0.84 on Sepharose 6B). Concomitantly, the same macrophages induced a decrease in the volume fraction of myofilaments (Vvmyo) of the smooth muscle cells and a decrease in alpha-actin mRNA as a percentage of total actin mRNA. Both macrophage lysosomal lysate at neutral pH and heparinase degraded cell-free 35S-labeled matrix deposited by smooth muscle cells into fragments which eluted at a Kav of 0.63 and which were identified as heparan sulfate chains by their complete degradation in the presence of low pH nitrous acid. At acid pH the macrophage lysosomal lysate completely degraded the heparan sulfate to free sulfate (Kav 0.84). Both macrophage lysosomal lysate and commercial heparinase at neutral pH induced smooth muscle phenotypic change while other enzymes such as trypsin and chondroitin ABC lyase had no effect. It was therefore suggested that the active factor present in the macrophages is a lysosomal heparan sulfate-degrading endoglycosidase (heparinase). Only a small amount of heparan sulfate-degrading activity was released into the incubation medium by living macrophages, and there was no heparinase activity on their isolated plasma membranes, although proteolytic enzymes were evident in both instances. In pulse-chase studies, high Vvmyo smooth muscle cells were seen to constantly internalize and degrade 35S-labeled heparan sulfate proteoglycan from their own pericellular compartment, suggesting that this may be the mechanism by which smooth muscle phenotype is maintained under normal circumstances and that removal of heparan sulfate from the surface of smooth muscle cells and its degradation by macrophages temporarily interrupts this process, inducing smooth muscle phenotypic change.

Animals

Effect of perindopril on the development of atherosclerosis in the cholesterol-fed rabbit.

1. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril on the development of atheroma in the cholesterol-fed rabbit. 2. The normal human carotid artery, like most large human arteries, has a preformed diffuse intimal thickening. To model this thickening, the right carotid artery of the 12-week-old rabbit had an expanded balloon catheter passed down it to remove the endothelium and partially damage the media. 3. Fourteen weeks after this operation, a myointimal thickening similar in almost all respects to the human intimal thickening had developed. The rabbits were then divided into six groups of six rabbits fed on: (i) a 1% cholesterol diet; (ii) a 1% cholesterol diet plus a hypotensive dose of perindopril (0.3 mg/kg per day); (iii) a 1% cholesterol diet plus a non-hypotensive dose of perindopril (0.01 mg/kg per day); (iv) a normal diet; (v) a normal diet plus a hypotensive dose of perindopril (0.3 mg/kg per day); and (vi) a normal diet plus a non-hypotensive dose of perindopril (0.01 mg/kg per day). 4. After 6 weeks of treatment the animals were sacrificed. There were ameliorating effects of both hypotensive and non-hypotensive doses of perindopril on the development of plaques, as determined by the area of intima covered by Oil Red-O-staining plaque and light microscopy. 5. Cell culture studies indicated that perindopril has no effect on smooth muscle proliferation, but increases collagen and non-collagen synthesis by smooth muscle cells and decreases their binding of the atherogenic lipoprotein beta-very low density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Siderotic cerebral macrophages in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Excessive hemosiderin-laden perivascular macrophages have been described in the brains of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who underwent autopsy; its meaning remains unclear. In the brains of 53 patients with AIDS who consecutively underwent autopsy, we quantified the abnormality, elucidated its relationship to the pathologic features of AIDS, and asked if there was some relationship to endogenous iron storage and transport proteins in brain macrophages and microglia. The number of perivascular siderotic macrophages was significantly increased in patients with AIDS compared with age-matched control subjects. Macrophage siderosis was strongly correlated with the presence of disseminated mycobacterial infection and vacuolar myelopathy at autopsy; a generalized wasting (cachexia) also was related significantly. Many other pathologic abnormalities were not related, including putative human immunodeficiency virus-specific neuropathologic changes such as multinucleated cells and myelin pallor. Activated macrophages and microglial cells in the central nervous system had dense intracytoplasmic accumulation of ferritin (iron storage protein) in AIDS and non-AIDS patients. These results suggest that siderosis of cerebral macrophages is related to an ill-defined nonspecific systemic imbalance associated with the breakdown of abundant stores of endogenous intracellular ferritin. Understanding chronic "secondary" effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection will become increasingly important as improved survival in patients with AIDS is realized.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Glutamine-enhanced enteral diet improves nitrogen balance without increasing portal ammonia.

Following surgical stress the jejunum actively metabolizes endogenous glutamine, a non-essential amino acid, to produce alanine and ammonia, which augments substrate flow to the liver at a time when oral intake of nutrients is decreased. Oral glutamine supplementation theoretically may modify the response to injury. This study was designed to demonstrate the role of the jejunum in postinjury glutamine metabolism and to evaluate the influence of enteral glutamine supplements on nitrogen and ammonia metabolism after laparotomy and bowel resection in dogs. Oral glutamine in the presence of an intact small bowel significantly improved nitrogen balance (461 mg kg body-weight-1 day-1) compared with a control diet (-370 mg kg-1 day-1) (P less than 0.05, analysis of variance). Removal of the proximal small bowel prevented this beneficial effect of glutamine (-507 mg kg-1 day-1). Glutamine-supplemented and control diets were associated with similar portal ammonia concentrations throughout the study.

Ammonia

Density-related expression of caldesmon and vinculin in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells.

Quantitative immunoblotting techniques were used to study the effects of seeding density on the expression of caldesmon and vinculin variants, which are sensitive markers of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation in culture. Rabbit aortic SMC were seeded at different densities: 13 x 10(4) cells/cm2 (high density), 3 x 10(4) cells/cm2 (medium density), and 0.2 x 10(4) cells/cm2 (low density) and cultured in the presence of 5% fetal calf serum. Irrespective of cell density and growth phase, caldesmon150 was gradually and irreversibly substituted by caldesmon77, but at high seeding density this substitution proceeded at a slower rate. The fraction of meta-vinculin (smooth muscle variant of vinculin) was reduced after seeding SMC in culture, but was reestablished when the cells reached confluency. Thus, high SMC seeding density is essential but not sufficient to keep vascular SMC cultured in the presence of serum in the contractile phenotype.

Animals

The macrophage as an initiator of atherosclerosis.

1. Heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the basal lamina of smooth muscle cells is important in the maintenance of the 'contractile', high volume fraction of myofilaments (Vvmyo) phenotype. The mechanism by which this occurs may involve the continuous internalization of heparan sulfate by the smooth muscle cells themselves. 2. One macrophage can degrade all the heparan sulfate from three smooth muscle cells by the action of heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes in their lysosomes, thus leaving none available for internalization by the smooth muscle cell until it has synthesized more, and leading to the induction of smooth muscle phenotypic change from a high Vvmyo to a low Vvmyo. 3. In this altered phenotype the smooth muscle cells proliferate in response to mitogens, synthesize large amounts of extracellular matrix and accumulate lipid, all characteristics of the smooth muscle cell in developing atheroma.

Actin Cytoskeleton

Molecular biology of vascular hypertrophy.

In chronic models of hypertension such as the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), thickening of the media of large arteries occurs mainly through smooth muscle cell (SMC) hypertrophy accompanied by DNA replication resulting in large polyploid cells. In resistance vessels of SHR, medial hypertrophy occurs through a hyperplastic response. It has been suggested that this hyperplasia is due to mitogens such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), while the hypertrophied polyploid cells occur from stimulation by angiotensin II from within the vessel wall. Angiotensin II activates many of the same cellular pathways as PDGF, including stimulation of phospholipase C, mobilization of intracellular calcium and activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Both induce transient increases in the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-myc. However, a possible explanation for the difference in SMC response may be involvement of an intracellular pathway stimulated by PDGF (but not by angiotensin II), such as stimulation of JE (a cytokine-like molecule), which may activate transcriptional events necessary for mitogenesis. In atherosclerosis vascular hypertrophy occurs in the form of focal intimal thickening and results from hyperplasia of diploid SMC and their greatly increased production of extracellular matrix, (particularly collagen) and the accumulation of intra- and extracellular lipid. The SMC involved in atherogenesis are phenotypically modified compared with the SMC of undiseased regions, and amongst other features have a lower volume fraction of myofilaments (Vvmyo). Associated with modulation to a low Vvmyo are increases in SMC expression of mRNA for collagens type I (alpha 1 and alpha 2) and type III (alpha 1), elastin, fibronectin, as well as massive increases in collagen protein (26- to 45-fold), glycosaminoglycans (5-fold), and lipid accumulation (7-fold).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Collagen synthesis by cultured rabbit aortic smooth-muscle cells. Alteration with phenotype.

Enzymically isolated rabbit aortic smooth-muscle cells (SMC) in the first few days of primary culture express a 'contractile phenotype', but with time these cells modulate to a 'synthetic phenotype'. Synthetic-state SMC are able to proliferate, and, provided that they undergo fewer than 5 cumulative population doublings, return to the contractile phenotype after reaching confluency [Campbell, Kocher, Skalli, Gabbiani & Campbell (1989) Arteriosclerosis 9, 633-643]. The present study has determined the synthesis of collagen, at the protein and mRNA levels, by cultured SMC as they undergo a change in phenotypic state. The results show that, upon modulating to the synthetic phenotype, SMC synthesized 25-30 times more collagen than did contractile cells. At the same time, non-collagen-protein synthesis increased only 5-6-fold, indicating a specific stimulation of collagen synthesis. Steady-state mRNA levels are also elevated, with alpha 2(I) and alpha 1(III) mRNA levels 30 times and 20 times higher respectively, probably reflecting increased transcriptional activity. Phenotypic modulation was also associated with an alteration in the relative proportions of type I and III collagens synthesized, contractile SMC synthesizing 78.1 +/- 3.6% (mean +/- S.D.) type I collagen and 17.5 +/- 4.7% type III collagen, and synthetic cells synthesizing 90.3 +/- 2.0% type I collagen and 5.8% +/- 1.8% type III collagen. Enrichment of type I collagen was similarly noted at the mRNA level. On return to the contractile state, at confluency, collagen production and the percentage of type I collagen decreased. This further illustrates the close association between the phenotypic state of SMC and their collagen-biosynthetic phenotype.

Animals

Developmental morphology of vascular and lymphatic capillaries in the working myocardium and Purkinje bundle of the sheep septomarginal band.

The normal development of vascular and lymphatic capillaries in the right ventricular septomarginal band of the sheep heart was studied in 9 fetuses aged 60-143 days (term = 147 days), 14 lambs aged 1 day to 16 weeks, and 3 adults. Tissue was fixed by perfusion and examined with light and transmission electron microscopy. The septomarginal band is composed of working myocardium and a well-defined peripheral bundle of Purkinje cells. Vascular capillaries of the working myocardium were closely apposed to myocardial cells. By contrast, vascular capillaries of the Purkinje bundle were situated within the connective tissue sheath and septa, at variable distances from the Purkinje cells. After birth, the capillaries of the Purkinje bundle were also found in grooves and tunnels within the Purkinje strands. The ultrastructure of fetal vascular capillaries associated with myocardial and Purkinje cells was initially similar, and characterized by an abundance of synthetic organelles in endothelial cells and pericytes. However, after 115 days in utero, capillary endothelium with diaphragmed fenestrae, 40-60 nm in width, were observed within the Purkinje bundle. The fenestrae attained an average frequency of 1 per 11 capillary cross sections just before term, and this was maintained in lambs and adults. The ultrastructure of lymphatic capillaries, which were not observed in the septomarginal band until just before term, changed little during development.

Animals

Bile acids and the increased risk of colorectal tumours after truncal vagotomy.

An association between colorectal cancer and previous peptic ulcer surgery is reported. In a prospective screening study, 100 asymptomatic patients (80 men and 20 women) who had undergone truncal vagotomy at least 10 years previously were investigated by barium enema, colonoscopy and gallbladder ultrasonography. Control data were obtained from forensic autopsy subjects. The incidence of neoplasms greater than or equal to 1.0 cm in the vagotomized group was 14 per cent (11 adenomas, 3 carcinomas) and 3 per cent in controls (P = 0.01). Duodenal bile obtained at endoscopy from 21 vagotomized patients with normal gallbladders and from 21 control patients undergoing endoscopy was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. The mean percentage of cholic (CA), chenodeoxycholic (CDCA), deoxycholic (DCA) and lithocholic (LCA) acids in the bile of vagotomized patients was 32.3, 45.6, 20.7 and 1.4 per cent respectively compared with 45.3, 36.2, 17.9 and 0.7 per cent respectively in controls. The increased proportions of CDCA and LCA and decreased proportions of CA in the duodenal bile of vagotomized patients were significant (P less than 0.001; P = 0.02; P = 0.007). Abnormalities in bile acid metabolism may help to explain the increased risk of colorectal neoplasia 10 years after truncal vagotomy.

Bile Acids and Salts

Relationship between the sympathetic nervous system and vascular smooth muscle: a morphometric study of adult and juvenile spontaneously hypertensive rat/Wistar-Kyoto rat caudal artery.

The relationship between the sympathetic nervous system and vascular smooth muscle has been assessed in adult and juvenile spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) using ultrastructural and light microscopic morphometric analysis of the caudal artery. The absolute volume of smooth muscle in the caudal artery of adult SHR (14-19) months was 169% greater than that in WKY vessels. As well, the axonal volume was 89% greater than that in the WKY. There was also a 51% increase in the number of vesicles per volume of varicosity in SHR compared to WKY. At 3 weeks of age the volume of both smooth muscle and axons within the caudal artery of SHR and WKY was not significantly different. However, there was a significantly greater number of vesicles (25%) per unit volume of varicosity in the SHR compared to the WKY. Thus, in the caudal artery there appears to be a relationship between smooth muscle cell volume and axonal volume. An increase in arterial smooth muscle volume (whether it be due to growth or hypertrophy) is accompanied by an increase in axonal volume, or vice versa. The significant increase in the number of vesicles per unit volume of varicosity in the SHR, compared to the WKY reported here, is consistent with other published data indicating an increased availability or turnover of transmitter in these animals. Since the blood pressures of the SHR and WKY are similar at 3 weeks, the apparent increase in sympathetic nerve activity observed suggests that this may be an initiating factor in the development of high blood pressure in SHR.

Animals

Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by smooth muscle cells of differing phenotype and their response to endothelial cell conditioned medium.

The synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) by contractile and irreversible synthetic phenotypes of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), and their response to endothelial cell conditioned medium (ECCM), has been investigated. Contractile SMC, (with a high volume fraction of myofilaments) were obtained by culturing freshly isolated rabbit aortic SMC for 3 days in primary culture. Irreversible synthetic SMC (with a low volume fraction of myofilaments) were obtained by serially passaging SMC to achieve more than 5 cumulative population doublings. In fresh medium both phenotypes produced significant amounts of GAG, but irreversible synthetic cells were more than twice as active on a per cell and cell volume basis. The proportions of individual GAG also changed with change in phenotype. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was the predominant GAG (78%) synthesised by contractile SMC but was significantly reduced (47%) in the irreversible synthetic cells with a corresponding increase in sulphated GAG (SGAG). The changed levels in GAG synthesis were independent of SMC growth. Both phenotypes responded to ECCM from bovine endothelial cells (EC) and significantly increased their synthesis of GAG and by the same relative amounts (50-100%). This response was density dependent, with ECCM from low and high density cultures of EC producing maximal responses and EC of intermediate densities producing minimal increases. Furthermore, dense cultures of EC preferentially stimulated SGAG. These findings show that an increase in synthesis of SMC GAG, and especially sulphated GAG as is found in atherosclerosis, may occur either through a change in phenotype or through endothelial mediated stimulation of GAG synthesis by either phenotype.

Animals

Determination of bile acids and their conjugates in serum by HPLC using immobilized 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for detection.

A method is described for the separation of unconjugated bile acids and their glycine and taurine conjugates in a single step with adequate sensitivity for analysis of serum samples. Separation was carried out over a period of 80 min using a linear gradient with increasing concentrations of methanol in aqueous ammonium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, on an ODS Spherisorb column. Spectrofluorometric detection of NADH, formed as the column eluate passed through a column of immobilized 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, enabled amounts less than 40 pmol to be quantified. The reaction was carried out at neutral pH so that the lifetime of the enzyme column was increased, compared to other methods where a pH nearer 9.0 is commonly used. Flow rates were optimized to give comparable peak area for both primary and secondary bile acids.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases