Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Weissmann

Publications and source records attributed to G Weissmann.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Granulocytes without degranulation: neutrophil function in granule-depleted cytoplasts.

Neutrophils respond to a variety of stimuli by generating superoxide anion, degranulating, and aggregating. Because it has been suggested that fusion of granules with the plasmalemma (degranulation) is necessary for aggregation and superoxide anion generation, we have tested whether these responses can be demonstrated in "neutrophilic cytoplasts" (granule-free vesicles of cytoplasm enclosed by plasmalemma). When examined by electron microscopy, cytoplasts were found to be approximately 4 microns in diameter and essentially granule free. Cytoplasts exposed to fMet-Leu-Phe (0.1 microM) generated superoxide anion after a lag of 16 sec but released no detectable beta-glucuronidase, lysozyme, or elastase. Aggregation of cytoplasts, as measured by changes in light transmission, was also activated by fMet-Leu-Phe; no lag period was observed. Electron microscopy of the aggregates demonstrated clusters of cytoplasts with a scalloped appearance. Superoxide anion generation and aggregation of cytoplasts were also activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, concanavalin A, and leukotriene B4. Exposure of cytoplasts to the dye 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3)] led to dye uptake and enhancement of fluorescence, implying that the vesicles were sealed and maintained a membrane potential across the plasmalemma. Exposure of DiOC6(3)-loaded cytoplasts to fMet-Leu-Phe and PMA caused a rapid loss of dye fluorescence that was not inhibited by CN-, compatible with their lack of mitochondria. Exposure of dye-loaded cytoplasts to concanavalin A or leukotriene B4 caused an increase in fluorescence--i.e., a hyperpolarization. These results demonstrate that degranulation is not a prerequisite for aggregation or superoxide anion generation. The retention of ionic gradients and changes in membrane potential, as measured by DiOC6(3) fluorescence changes, suggest a fundamental role for ionic movements in activating superoxide anion generation and aggregation.

Cytochrome c Group↗
PubMed1983

AIDS and heat.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

Granulocytes without degranulation: neutrophil function in granule-depleted neutroplasts.

Neutroplasts, which are vesicles consisting of cytoplasm enclosed by plasmalemma, have been prepared and found to be incapable of degranulation in response to f-Met-Leu-Phe. However, neutroplasts generate superoxide anion in response to f-Met-Leu-Phe and PMA, and therefore, degranulation is not essential for superoxide anion generation. In addition, neutroplasts aggregate and show shape changes in response to f-Met-Leu-Phe and PMA, and thus degranulation is not essential for aggregation. Neutroplasts take up the carbocyanine dye DiOC6(3), thereby providing evidence for ionic gradients. Dye-loaded neutroplasts show fluorescence changes in response to a variety of stimuli. This response is not CN--inhibitable; therefore, activation of neutroplasts is associated with changes in membrane potential at the plasmalemma, suggesting a role for ion fluxes in the activation sequence for aggregation and superoxide anion generation.

Anions↗
PubMed1983

Novel liposome composition for a rapid colorimetric test for systemic lupus erythematosus.

This test for systemic lupus erythematosus utilizes a novel liposome composition entrapping the cation-responsive red dye Arsenazo III. In dilutions of normal sera the liposome membranes undergo a rearrangement when divalent cations are added, resulting in the release of the encapsulated dye and the rapid formation of a stable blue cation-dye complex. Microliter amounts of sera from patients with active lupus stabilize the liposome preparation such that the vesicles remain intact in the presence of the added divalent cations and thus maintain their red color for extended periods. The assay requires 1-min incubations in sera at room temperature and can be performed with standard microtiter plates, allowing the screening of large numbers of serum samples in a short time. Moreover, the unique absorption spectra of the complexed and uncomplexed dye allow for quantification of results.

Arsenazo III↗
PubMed1983

Proust in khaki.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Asthma↗
PubMed1982

The roles of degranulation and superoxide anion generation in neutrophil aggregation.

Human neutrophils when exposed to appropriate stimuli aggregate, generate O(2) and secrete lysosomal constituents. To determine whether a causal relationship may exist between these responses neutrophils were exposed to either N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, phorbol myristate acetate, or the two calcium ionophores, A23187 and prostaglandin Bx. Each agent elicited all of the above responses. The concentrations required to elicit the aggregation of 30 . 10(6) neutrophils/ml were comparable to that required for O(2) generation or lysozyme release. In a series of experiments designed to dissociate these responses, cells were suspended in a concentration too dilute (3 . 10(6) neutrophils/ml) to permit aggregation to occur. O(2) generation and lysozyme release was measurable and varied in a dose-dependent fashion to the concentration of stimulus. In a second series of experiments, neutrophils were treated with 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid to inhibit degranulation without affecting O(2) generation. Aggregation was inhibited in a parallel fashion with lysozyme release. When detectable O(2) was removed from the medium by superoxide dismutase and catalase, aggregation and lysozyme release unaffected showing that aggregation can not be due to the presence of O(2) or its products in the extracellular medium. Neither aggregation of resting cells nor augmentation of fMet-Leu-Phe-induced aggregation was observed when cells were exposed to either supernatants of degranulated neutrophils or constituents of specific granules (lysozyme, lactoferrin). Kinetic analysis showed that in the absence of cytochalasin B degranulation preceded aggregation, while in its presence aggregation preceded degranulation.

Cell Aggregation↗
PubMed1982

The fluorescence response of chlorotetracycline-loaded human neutrophils. Correlations with lysosomal enzyme release and evidence for a 'trigger pool' of calcium.

Neutrophils labelled with chlorotetracycline (commonly employed as a probe for membrane-bound calcium), underwent rapid decreases in fluorescence upon exposure to N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (more than 1 nM). This decrease was maximal at 1 min and was followed by partial recovery by 3 min. When neutrophils were stimulated with N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine and then re-exposed to the same stimulus 3 min later, an additional decrease in chlorotetracycline fluorescence was observed. The magnitude of this second response was inversely related to the concentration of the initial stimulus. Similarly, neutrophils exposed to N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine and then restimulated by N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine in the presence of cytochalasin B secreted the azurophil granule enzyme beta-glucuronidase; release of the enzyme was also inversely related to the initial concentration of N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine. These responses were also time-dependent. Both the second decrement in chlorotetracycline fluorescence and beta-glucuronidase release increased with time allowed between the two administrations of N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine. In contrast, decreases in chlorotetracycline fluorescence induced by phorbol myristate acetate showed no comparable recovery phase. When neutrophils, stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate, were then exposed to N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine, the second decrement in chlorotetracycline fluorescence diminished as the time allowed between the two stimuli was increased. Secretion of beta-glucuronidase in response to N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine was also diminished by increasing the time of exposure to the initial stimulus of phorbol myristate acetate. When N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine was used as the initial stimulus, the chlorotetracycline fluorescence response characteristic of phorbol myristate acetate could not be observed for at least 1 min. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that chlorotetracycline serves as a probe of mobilizable membrane-bound 'trigger calcium', a replete pool of which is an obligate requirement for lysosomal enzyme release.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1982

The effect of various stimuli and calcium antagonists on the fluorescence response of chlorotetracycline-loaded human neutrophils.

Chlorotetracycline has been used in neutrophils and other cells as probe of the state of membrane-bound calcium. We report here that human neutrophils treated with chlorotetracycline response to soluble secretagogues by a prompt decrease in chlorotetracycline fluorescence. This response was observed within 2-5 s, making it one of the most immediate reactions in neutrophils to stimulation, and was obtained with three secretagogues studied: a chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, a tumor promotor (phorbol myristate acetate) and a lectin (concanavalin A). The responses of neutrophils to the three stimuli differed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The calcium EGTA, did not effect the onset of the decrease in chlorotetracycline fluorescence, suggesting that the probe was measuring changes in intracellular calcium pools. The intracellular calcium antagonists, TMb-8, W-7 and trifluoperazine, did not block, but actually augmented, the fluorescence response. All four of these calcium antagonists blocked the recovery of chlorotetracycline fluorescence which was usually observed several minutes after stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. This suggests that recovery was dependent upon both extracellular calcium and active calmodulin. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in chlorotetracycline fluorescence reflect changes in a pool of membrane-bound 'trigger calcium', the release of which is an essential first step in stimulus-response coupling in human neutrophils.

Calcium↗
PubMed1982

Superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils exposed to monosodium urate.

We studied the capacities of naked and protein-coated monosodium urate (MSU) crystals to stimulate superoxide anion (O(2)) release by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Uncoated MSU estimated significant O(2) production by cytochalasin B-treated PMN. Precoating MSU with IgG caused an increase in mean O(2) production, whereas precoating heated MSU with serum or plasma inhibited O(2) release. Unheated MSU crystals, which activate complement to a greater extent than heated crystals, also provoked O(2) generation, an effect again abrogated by precoating with serum but not with plasma. Coincubation of unheated MSU and plasma resulted in an enhancement of O(2) generation. The results of these experiments support the hypothesis that adsorbed proteins modulate the phlogistic potential of MSU and that the surface activation of humoral mediators contributes to the local inflammatory response.

Adsorption↗