Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Weissmann

Publications and source records attributed to G Weissmann.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Stimuli which provoke secretion of azurophil enzymes from human neutrophils induce increments in adenosine cyclic 3'-5'-monophosphate.

1. Stimuli for human neutrophils were divided into two classes on the basis of their ability to induce degranulation: complete secretagogues provoked release of both azurophil and specific granules, while incomplete secretagogues only induced release of specific granules. 2. Complete secretagogues, which possessed the ability to induce secretion of azurophil granules, also induced transient increments in total cellular cyclic AMP levels: incomplete secretagogues did not. 3. Complete secretagogues, unlike the incomplete variety, also induced further increments of cyclic AMP in prostaglandin E1-pretreated neutrophils. 4. Inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release by prostaglandin E1 was closely correlated with elevated levels of cyclic AMP induced by the prostaglandin alone, than with the much higher transient increment in cyclic AMP produced by stimulation of prostaglandin E1-treated cells. 5. Our results describe the first biochemical difference between neutrophil responses associated with secretion of azurophil granules, as opposed to specific granules: transient increments in cyclic AMP.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1981

Entrapment of human leukocyte interferon in the aqueous interstices of liposomes.

Human leukocyte interferon has been trapped in the aqueous interstices of multilamellar liposomes (phosphatidylcholine, dicetyl phosphate, and cholesterol [7:2:1]). Such liposomes trapped [3H]inulin (aqueous space marker) and interferon to the extent of 0.22 +/- 0.01 mg (n = 8) and 350 +/- 54 U (n = 4) per mumol of liquid, respectively, as judged by molecular sieve chromatography. Interferon trapped within liposomes was resistant to tryptic digestion under conditions which completely inactivated free interferon. Studies in which interferon was added to preformed liposomes excluded the possibility that interferon bound nonspecifically to the outer layer of the multilamellar liposomes. When interferon was added to the aqueous medium in which liposomes of various net surface charges were permitted to form, trapping of interferon varied directly with the interlamellar aqueous compartments of the liposomes. The demonstration that stable liposomes can entrap interferon suggests that these may constitute suitable vectors for the delivery of interferon to cells.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Fibonectin is a component of the surface coat of human neutrophils.

Although adherence to surfaces is central to neutrophil function many of the determinants of neutrophil adherence are still unknown. The possible involvement of cell surface material, fibronectin in particular, was therefore studied. Surface coat material was visualized ultrastructurally by the ferrocyanide--reduced osmium technique of Karnovsky (1971). Loosely attached surface coat material was seen distributed uniformly on cells in suspension. Indirect immunofluorescence indicated the presence of fibronectin on the neutrophil surface. Distribution of fibronectin as determined by indirect immunoferritin localization corresponded with the distribution of cell coat material. Some, if not all, of this fibronectin was synthesized by neutrophils themselves since metabolically labelled fibronectin could be obtained by immunoprecipitation after short-term culture with [36S]methionine. Neutrophils also adhere to Sepharose beads to which gelatin is covalently linked (GS) but not to plain Sepharose beads (PS). In the process they transfer surface coat material to GS but not PS. Similar transfer was seen when cells were permitted to adhere to glass or plastic coverslips. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that fibronectin-containing material was transferred from neutrophils to GS but not PS. Parallel studies with antisera to 2 other plasma proteins, factor VIIIR and alpha 1-antitrypsin showed that neutrophils did not transfer these to either GS or PS beads. The data suggest that material antigenically and functionally related to fibronectin is associated with the extracellular coat of neutrophils and is transferred with cell surface material to surfaces to which neutrophils adhere.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1981

Sudden blindness in acute pancreatitis. Possible role of complement-induced retinal leukoembolization.

During an episode of acute alcoholic pancreatitis, severe visual loss and the funduscopic appearance of Purtscher's retinopathy-a syndrome thought to be caused by posterior retinal microembolization-developed in a patient. We propose that emboli in this case may have consisted of aggregated granulocytes since plasma samples from eight to 12 patients with subsequently studied acute pancreatitis caused granulocyte aggregation in vitro. The aggregant was demonstrated to be an activated fragment of the complement system, derived from C5. Since we could generate identical granulocyte aggregating activity by treating serum or purified C5 with trypsin, we suggest that proteases released from an inflamed pancreas might have produced a C5-derived aggregant in this case, as well as in three other previously reported cases of acute pancreatitis and Purtscher's retinopathy. We conclude that complement-induced leukoembolization may be a previously unsuspected cause of vital-tissue damage.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

Stimulus-response coupling in the human neutrophil. Transmembrane potential and the role of extracellular Na+.

Receptor-ligand interactions at the surface of the human neutrophil induce lysosomal enzyme release and the generation of O2.-, responses which are anteceded by changes in the membrane potential (delta psi) as measured by [3H]-triphenylmethylphosphonium ion distribution. Surface stimuli (immune complexes, concanavalin A) initiated a rapid (less than 10 s) hyperpolarization response by both normal and cytochalasin B-treated cells. Replacement of extracellular Na+ with either K+ or choline depressed O2.- generation and lysosomal enzyme release in neutrophils exposed to concanavalin A or immune complexes. Replacement of Na+ with K+ led to a substantial fall in resting membrane potential, whereas replacement of Na+ with choline did not. Thus, depression of O2.- generation and lysosomal enzyme release in Na+-free medium were specifically due to a lack of extracellular Na+ and not to depolarization of the membrane. Although it has been shown that extracellular Na+, and possibly an influx of Na+, is required for optimal neutrophil function, neither depolarization nor Na+ influx per se was sufficient to activate fully these cells, since the Na+ ionophore, monensin, was not an effective stimulus for beta-glucuronidase release or O2.- generation. The hyperpolarization response to neutrophils exposed to immune complexes and to concanavalin A was greatly diminished in both high [K+] and [choline] buffers. Thus, extracellular Na+ was required for an optimal membrane potential response to receptor-ligand interaction. Since O2.- generation and lysosomal enzyme release in response to the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, were also reduced in the absence of extracellular Na+, it was concluded that extracellular Na+ was also required after induction of Ca2+ fluxes. Ouabain (1 mM) had no effect on O2.- generation, lysosomal enzyme release or the hyperpolarization response to immune complexes, indicating that the hyperpolarization observed on stimulation cannot be due to the action of the electrogenic pump, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. The experiments indicate that extracellular Na+ is required (1) in the delta psi response triggered by receptor-ligand interaction, and (2) at a step(s) subsequent to Ca2+ fluxes and common to O2.- generation and lysosomal enzyme release.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1980

Initial kinetics of lysosomal enzyme secretion and superoxide anion generation by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) exposed to particulate and soluble stimuli secrete lysosomal enzymes. These stimuli cause prompt (less than 10 sec) changes in membrane potential followed 30--45 sec later by superoxide anion (O-2.) production. We describe a new technique utilizing flow dialysis apparatus which monitors the first stages of lysosomal enzyme release with a resolution of approximately 6 sec. Secretion of beta-glucuronidase from cytochalasin B-treated PMN could be detected 19+/-5 sec after exposure to the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP). The "lag" times for release of this enzyme were different for other stimuli: 35+/-8 sec (BSA/anti-BSA immune complex); 48+/-8 sec (serum-treated zymosan, "STZ"); 60+/-25 sec (calcium ionophore A23187). The lag times for lysozyme release were less dependent upon the stimulus presented (28+/-16 sec for FMLP, 28+/-8 sec fo BSA/anti-BSA, 32+/-10 sec for STZ, and 38+/-8 seconds for Con A); only A23187 had a long lag period: 74+/-27 sec. Lag periods for the onset of O-2. production (measured by the same mathematical criteria) were comparable to those for beta-glucuronidase release: 21+/-4 sec for FMLP, 43+/-14 sec for BSA/anti-BSA, 62+/-7 sec for Con A, and 50+/-13 sec for A23187. Changes in FMLP dose up to 100-fold affected the magnitudes of O-2. generation and beta-glucuronidase release, but did not alter the time required for the onset of these processes. A variety of agents, such as corticosteroids, colchicine, 2-deoxyglucose, and N-ethyl maleimide, also affected the magnitudes of the responses, but not the lag periods when FMLP was used as the stimulus. When BSA/anti-BSA immune complex was used as the stimulus, 2-deoxyglucose and N-ethyl maleimide increased the lag period for superoxide anion generation, but not for lysosomal enzyme release. This new flow dialysis technique has permitted us to demonstrate the O-2. production and lysosomal enzyme secretion are concurrent but dissociable processes which are subsequent to earlier responses of the granulocyte-to-ligand-receptor interactions as reflected by changes in membrane potential.

Centrifugation↗
PubMed1980

A general method, employing arsenazo III in liposomes, for study of calcium ionophores: results with A23187 and prostaglandins.

Multilamellar (MLV) and large unilamellar (LUV) lipid vesicles (liposomes) trap the metallochromic dye arsenazo III [2,7-bis(arsonophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid ] in their aqueous compartments. When ionophore A23187 was preincorporated into either MLV or LUV above 0.001 mol%, addition of Ca to the outside of liposomes produced spectral shifts characteristic of the Ca . AIII2 complex. The method permitted detection of two molecules of A23187 per liposome. Liposomes with A23187 were permselective: divalent cations were translocated in the order Mn greater than Ca greater than Sr greater than Mg congruent to Ba. Because prostaglandins (PGs) may act as Ca ionophores, we have incorporated into MLVs and LUVs stable prostaglandins (PGE2, PGI2, PGB1), endoperoxide analogs, and a water-soluble, polymeric derivative of PGB1:PGBx. None acted as ionophore. In contrast, when added to the outside of preformed MLV or LUV, PGBx, at concentrations above 1 micro M, provoked permselective uptake of Ca equivalent to that induced by 10 nM A23187. These studies demonstrate not only that liposomes containing arsenazo III may be employed in a sensitive asssay for agents that translocate divalent cations, but that a water-soluble derivative of a naturally occurring fatty acid, PGBx, is a potent ionophore.

Arsenazo III↗
PubMed1980

Anion channel blockers inhibit lysosomal enzyme secretion from human neutrophils without affecting generation of superoxide anion.

The role of permeant anions in lysosomal enzyme secretion from human neutrophils was investigated by means of anion-channel-blocking agents: 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), and pyridoxal phosphate. Lysosomal enzyme release from cytochalasin B-treated human neutrophils stimulated by immune complexes (bovine serum albumin and IgG anti-bovine serum albumin) was inhibited by DIDS, SITS, and pyridoxal phosphate at concentrations that inhibited sulfate fluxes. Enzyme secretion triggered by calcium ionophore A23187 was also inhibited by DIDS and SITS; these agents acted on secretory events subsequent to Ca2+ influx. Neither the species of permeant anion(s) nor the role of anion fluxes in degranulation was identified, although influxes of chloride, hydroxide, or phosphate ions were not critical. In contrast to degranulation, generation of superoxide anions (O2.-) stimulated by immune complex or A23187 was not inhibited by these agents. Ultrastructural cytochemical studies demonstrated that, although lysosomal contents were not discharged from stimulated cells, vacuole formation and lysosome-lysosome fusion were unaffected by SITS or DIDS. Data suggest that anion channel blockers specifically inhibit fusion of lysosomes with the plasma membrane or its invaginations.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗