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H W Harris

Publications and source records attributed to H W Harris.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The protective effect of serum lipoproteins against bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Lipoproteins bind and inactivate bacterial endotoxin, both in vitro and in vivo. Both cholesterol ester-rich and TG-rich lipoproteins, and TG-rich lipid emulsions can prevent death in mice when pre-incubated with a lethal dose of endotoxin before intraperitoneal administration. Chylomicrons can also prevent death when given intravenously after endotoxin in rats. The metabolic fate of lipoprotein-bound endotoxin appears to be directed by the lipoprotein particle. When administered with chylomicrons, the plasma clearance and hepatic uptake of endotoxin are enhanced. Endotoxin is shunted preferentially to hepatocytes and away from hepatic macrophages, thereby increasing endotoxin excretion [corrected] in bile. The survival benefit and alterations in metabolism afforded by chylomicrons correlate with a reduction in peak serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), providing a possible mechanism by which lipoproteins protect against endotoxin-induced death. These findings suggest a possible role for lipoproteins or lipid emulsions in the body's defence against endotoxaemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Purification and partial characterization of candidate antidiuretic hormone water channel proteins of M(r) 55,000 and 53,000 from toad urinary bladder.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases toad bladder granular cell apical membrane osmotic water permeability (Pf) by insertion of cytoplasmic vesicles containing water channels into the apical membrane. Termination of ADH stimulation results in endocytosis of water channel-containing membrane. In previous work, we have purified water channel-containing vesicles and demonstrated that they contain 12 major protein bands when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On the basis of vectorial labeling studies of granular cells and purified vesicles, we have proposed previously that vesicle proteins of 55, 53, and 17 kDa are ADH water channel components. In this report, we have purified and analyzed these three proteins using a combination of SDS-PAGE, peptide mapping, amino acid composition, and amino-terminal analyses. The 55- and 53-kDa proteins are distinct protein species possessing a high degree of structural similarity. Both possess a large content of cysteine. The 17-kDa protein appears to be a proteolytic fragment of the 53-kDa protein. None of these three proteins is phosphorylated or contains large amounts of covalently linked carbohydrate. ADH-elicited Pf is inhibited by the organic mercurial reagent fluorescein mercuric acetate (FMA). Exposure of water channel-containing vesicles to FMA labels selectively four vesicle proteins of 92, 55, 53, and 29 kDa while reducing vesicle Pf by 82%. The combination of FMA and 2-mercaptoethanol or exposure to another mercurial reagent, n-ethylmaleimide, does not inhibit vesicle Pf. Together, these data provide additional evidence for the role of the 55- and 53-kDa proteins as components of the ADH water channel. These candidate ADH water channel proteins are distinct from a 28-kDa candidate water channel protein (CHIP 28) isolated recently from human erythrocyte membranes and kidney proximal tubule by Agre and co-workers (Preston, G. M., Carroll, T. P., Guggino, W. B., and Agre, P. (1992) Science 256, 385-387).

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Molecular aspects of water transport.

Due to its fundamental importance, the movement of water across cell membranes has been an active area of research for more than 100 years. This subject is central to consideration of normal water metabolism by terrestrial animals, as well as derangements in overall water balance that are frequently encountered by nephrologists in the care of their patients. The objective of this review is to discuss the most basic aspects of cell membrane water permeability and provide a framework for these data in the context of the care of pediatric patients with renal disease. While the water permeability of most cell membranes can be accounted for by the diffusion of water across the lipid bilayer, other cells, including the red blood cell and certain epithelial cells that line the proximal and collecting tubules of the kidney and the urinary bladder of amphibians, possess specialized water channels. Water channels are composed of specialized proteins that create aqueous pores across cell membrane. Currently, there are active research efforts to isolate and characterize water channel proteins from these cell types. Data concerning the distribution, permeability and function of these various water channels will greatly enhance our knowledge of how water is transported across cell membranes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Molecular genetics, reductionism, and disease concepts in psychiatry.

The study of mental illness by the methods of molecular genetics is still in its infancy, but the use of genetic markers in psychiatry may potentially lead to a Virchowian revolution in the conception of mental illness. Genetic markers may define novel clusters of patients having diverse clinical presentations but sharing a common genetic and mechanistic basis. Such clusters may differ radically from the conventional classification schemes of psychiatric illness. However, the reduction of even relatively simple Mendelian phenomena to molecular genetics has been shown to be a surprisingly complex and problematic enterprise. Mental illnesses exist at many levels of including social, environmental, and developmental interactions. Reductionistic shifts in the classification of such a disease entity will have to address the interlevel dynamics that take place within the structure of theories of mental illness. The question of how molecular analysis of psychiatric disease will impact on the structure of existing theories and classification systems is the central topic of this paper.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1992

Water and nonelectrolyte permeabilities of apical membranes of toad urinary bladder granular cells.

Certain types of epithelial cells such as those lining the toad urinary bladder have been classified as "tight" because their apical membranes exhibit low permeabilities to water, ions, and small nonelectrolytes. However, the permeability properties and structural features of these specialized apical membranes remain unclear because these membranes have never been purified. To isolate toad bladder granular cell apical membranes, we derivatized the bladder apical surface with the membrane-impermeant bifunctional reagent N-hydroxysulfosuccinimydyl-S,S-biotin (NHS-SS-biotin). After cell disruption, these derivatized apical membranes were purified using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads in a magnetic field. With the use of lactoperoxidase-mediated radioiodination as a marker for apical membrane, this preparative procedure purified apical membrane 48- or 72-fold as compared with homogenate. Thin section electron microscopy revealed unilamellar vesicles with some nonvesiculated membranes, while fragments of organelles such as mitochondria were absent. Water and nonelectrolyte permeabilities of purified apical membrane vesicles were similar to those obtained in intact bladders in the absence of antidiuretic hormone stimulation. The results demonstrate that isolated apical vesicles do not contain water channels and confirm the applicability of Overton's rule to the apical membrane of the toad urinary bladder. The technique has general applicability to isolation of other plasma membranes, and the apical membranes obtained are suitable for structural analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cytoplasmic dilution induces antidiuretic hormone water channel retrieval in toad urinary bladder.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases the osmotic water permeability (Pf) of the toad urinary bladder by insertion of water channels into the apical cell membrane. Transepithelial water flow (Jv) reduces Pf by inducing endocytosis of apical water channels despite continuous ADH stimulation. This phenomenon is termed flux inhibition. We wished to determine whether cytoplasmic dilution or transcellular Jv causes flux inhibition because both have been proposed previously as a primary regulatory mechanism for this process. Apical membrane endocytosis was quantified by monitoring the uptake of the fluid phase marker fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dextran). FITC-dextran fluorescence was monitored in Triton X-100 extracts of epithelial cells as the ratio of total tissue fluorescence compared with background fluorescence. The background was defined as cellular autofluorescence and nonspecific tissue staining due to the presence of small amounts of free fluorescein contaminating the FITC-dextran. FITC-dextran uptake measured under symmetric isotonic (220 mosmol/kgH2O) conditions in either the absence (1.0 +/- 0.4 SD; n = 14) or presence (1.3 +/- 0.3; n = 4) of ADH was not statistically different from that of background. In contrast, flux inhibition induced by a 180 mosmol/kgH2O apical-to-basolateral osmotic gradient increased FITC-dextran uptake to 3.4 +/- 1.3 (n = 7). FITC-dextran uptake was identical in bladders exposed to symmetric hypotonic (150 mosmol/kgH2O) solutions during ADH (3.6 +/- 0.9; n = 6) or adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (3.1 +/- 0.4 fold; n = 3) stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Functional and structural characterization of endosomes from toad bladder epithelial cells.

Previous functional studies of toad bladder endosomes have been complicated by the presence of multiple endosome subpopulations each possessing different permeability characteristics. To identify and characterize both water channel-containing vesicles (WCV) and other endosome subpopulations, we combined flow cytometry, electron microscopy, stop-flow fluorometry, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Flow cytometry of endosomes identified distinct populations of fluorescein-labeled endosomes in bladders after removal of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulation (ADH withdrawal). Centrifugation separated the larger fluorescein-labeled vesicles, sedimenting at lower speed (intermediate pellet, IP), from the smaller fluorescein-labeled vesicles, sedimenting at high speed (high-speed pellet, HSP). Permeability and structural studies of these subpopulations revealed the following. 1) IP endosomes labeled 10 min after ADH withdrawal (ADH IP) represented a highly purified population of WCV with high water permeability (Pf) that exhibited a low-activation energy and sensitivity to organic mercurials. 2) IP endosomes from unstimulated bladders did not contain functional water channels. 3) HSP from either ADH withdrawal or unstimulated bladders exhibited low Pf and acidified after addition of extravesicular ATP; moreover, protein compositions of purified HSP were distinct from those of purified IP. These results suggest that HSPs represent constitutive and not ADH-sensitive endosomes. 4) High permeability to protons (PH+) was seen in ADH IP endosomes but not the other fractions, providing strong evidence that the ADH water channel conducts protons. 5) Multivesicular bodies (MVB) exhibited low Pf and PH+, indicating that they do not possess functional water channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Differential laminar distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons in infant and adult monkey prefrontal cortex.

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to evaluate the laminar distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive axons in area 9 of infant and adult rhesus monkey prefrontal cortex. In neonatal animals, TH-positive axons had a bilaminar location in the superficial and deep cortical layers, whereas in the adults, labeled fibers were more evenly distributed across all layers. These differences reflected the fact that fiber density in the superficial layers was over 35% greater in neonates than in adults, but in the middle cortical layers, fiber density was over 100% greater in adults than in neonates. The most striking changes in fiber distribution appeared to occur during the first few months of life. These findings may reveal differences in the role of dopamine in the regulation of prefrontal cortical function in neonatal and adult monkeys.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Chylomicrons can inhibit endotoxin activity in vitro.

Trauma, thermal injury, and nonlethal doses of endotoxin can promote the translocation of endotoxin across the mucosal barrier of the colon into the mesenteric lymphatics and systemic circulation. Bacterial endotoxemia induces changes in lipid metabolism, including an increase in circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Because cholesterol-rich lipoproteins can neutralize the toxic activity of endotoxin, both in vitro and in vivo, we asked whether triglyceride-rich chylomicrons can inhibit endotoxin activity in vitro as measured by a chromogenic Limulus assay. We tested the effect of intact versus heat-denatured chylomicrons on the in vitro activity of increasing concentrations of Escherichia coli (055:B5) endotoxin. Intact chylomicrons inhibited up to 12-fold the detection of as much as 1 microgram of endotoxin/mg of chylomicron triglyceride, compared to denatured chylomicrons (P less than 0.001). This study shows that chylomicrons are potent inhibitors of endotoxin activity in vitro. Because translocated endotoxin from the colon associates with gut-derived chylomicrons in the mesenteric lymphatics, this may represent a natural defensive mechanism against endotoxemia of enteric origin.

Chylomicrons↗
PubMed1991

The mouse polycystic kidney disease mutation (cpk) is located on proximal chromosome 12.

The mouse congenital polycystic kidney (cpk) mutation produces a condition that resembles human autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) in its pattern of inheritance, clinical progression, and histopathology. Inheritance of this mouse mutation in crosses segregating the Rb(12.14)8Rma translocation chromosome and various DNA markers of Chromosome 12 have localized cpk to a site near D12Nyu2, approximately 7 cM from the centromere of Chromosome 12. This result suggests that the homologous PKD2 gene should be localized to either human chromosome 2p23-p25 or chromosome 7q22-q31.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Toad urinary bladder epithelial cells contain an analogue of cytoskeletal protein 4.1.

Epithelial cell polarity and vectorial transport require cytoskeletal proteins that maintain local cell membrane structure and mediate cytoplasmic vesicle movement. The cytoskeleton of leaky epithelia, such as the intestinal mucosa and renal proximal tubule cells, has been extensively studied. However, cytoskeletal studies in tight epithelia such as the mammalian collecting duct and toad urinary bladder generally have been confined to ultrastructural investigation. Recent research in nonepithelial cell types has identified an interesting family of cytoskeletal proteins. Present in multiple cell types, these protein 4.1 analogues share a number of similar functional characteristics, yet are structurally diverse. They are multiply phosphorylated by several different kinases, and phosphorylation regulates their associations with other cytoskeletal constituents, integral membrane components, and cytoplasmic vesicles. Using a combination of immunochemical and immunofluorescent techniques, we have demonstrated that toad bladder epithelial cells contain a 65-kDa analogue of human erythrocyte protein 4.1. Toad bladder epithelial cell protein 4.1 is structurally similar to its erythrocyte counterpart and is phosphorylated. This protein 4.1 species is present throughout the toad bladder granular cell cytoplasm, suggesting that it participates in multiple granular cell functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Quantitation and topography of membrane proteins in highly water-permeable vesicles from ADH-stimulated toad bladder.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulation of toad bladder granular cells rapidly increases the osmotic water permeability (Pf) of their apical membranes by insertion of highly selective water channels. Before ADH stimulation, these water channels are stored in large cytoplasmic vesicles called aggrephores. ADH causes aggrephores to fuse with the apical membrane. Termination of ADH stimulation results in prompt endocytosis of water channel-containing membranes via retrieval of these specialized regions of apical membrane. Protein components of the ADH water channel contained within these retrieved vesicles would be expected to be integral membrane protein(s) that span the vesicle's lipid bilayer to create narrow aqueous channels. Our previous work has identified proteins of 55 (actually a 55/53-kDa doublet), 17, 15, and 7 kDa as candidate ADH water channel components. We now have investigated these candidate ADH water channel proteins in purified retrieved vesicles. These vesicles do not contain a functional proton pump as assayed by Western blots of purified vesicle protein probed with anti-H(+)-ATPase antisera. Approximately 60% of vesicle protein is accounted for by three protein bands of 55, 53, and 46 kDa. Smaller contributions to vesicle protein are made by the 17- and 15-kDa proteins. Triton X-114-partitioning analysis shows that the 55, 53, 46, and 17 kDa are integral membrane proteins. Vectorial labeling analysis with two membrane-impermeant reagents shows that the 55-, 53-, and 46-kDa protein species span the lipid bilayer of these vesicles. Thus the 55-, 53-, and 46-kDa proteins possess characteristics expected for ADH water channel components. These data show that the 55- and 53- and perhaps the 46-, 17-, and 15-kDa proteins are likely components of aqueous transmembrane pores that constitute ADH water channels contained within these vesicles.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Antidiuretic hormone modulates membrane phosphoproteins in toad urinary bladder and retrieved water channel containing apical membrane vesicles.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) dramatically increases the water permeability of toad urinary bladder by insertion of unique highly selective water channels into the apical membranes of granular cells. Before ADH stimulation, water channels are stored in high concentrations in the limiting membranes of large cytoplasmic vesicles called aggrephores. ADH stimulation causes aggrephore fusion with the granular cell apical membrane and increases water permeability. Transepithelial osmotic water flow causes a rapid attenuation of the ADH-elicited increase in water permeability through a process called flux inhibition. Flux inhibition is due to retrieval of ADH water channels by apical membrane endocytosis. When phosphoproteins of intact bladders are labeled with (32P)orthophosphate, the 32P content of 34-, 28-, and 17-kDa proteins is increased by ADH stimulation. When flux inhibition occurs, the 32P-labelling of a 15.5-kDa protein is reduced to approximately one half its original value (Konieczkowski M, Rudolph SA, J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1985;234:515). These observations have been confirmed, and these studies have been extended, by using a combination of subcellular fractionation and membrane protein chemistry techniques. All four of these phosphoproteins are present in membrane fractions of granular cells. Analysis of membrane proteins by a combination of Triton X-114 partitioning and an alkaline stripping technique reveals that the 28- and 17-kDa species are integral membrane proteins of unknown function. In contrast, the 32P-labeled 15.5-kDa protein is a peripheral membrane protein. It is attached to the cytoplasmic (outer) surface of highly water-permeable vesicles retrieved during flux inhibition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Detection of endotoxin in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in vitro.

Numerous investigations have been performed in which volunteers have received infusions of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins without apparent screening of the infusates for bacterial endotoxin. This study was designed to examine the capacity of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to mask their endotoxin content in vitro as measured by a chromogenic modification of the standard Limulus assay. Lipoproteins and lipoprotein-deficient plasma were isolated from normal human plasma by sequential ultracentrifugation under apyrogenic conditions. Individual lipoproteins and a synthetic lipid emulsion were suspended in 10% lipoprotein-deficient plasma. Samples were then incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 hours with increasing concentrations of E. coli (055:B5) endotoxin and assayed for detectable endotoxin activity. The capacity to inhibit detection of endotoxin in 10% lipoprotein-deficient plasma was significantly increased (10 to 100 times) by the addition of VLDL (1.0 mg triglyceride/ml), chylomicrons (1.0 mg triglyceride/ml), or the synthetic lipid emulsion (2.5 mg triglycerides/ml). These data demonstrate that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and the synthetic lipid emulsion, can markedly inhibit the detection of endotoxin by the Limulus assay in vitro. In addition to the potential of harm to experimental subjects, infusion of endotoxin could vitiate kinetic studies by direct alteration of lipoprotein metabolism and by inducing changes in hepatic blood flow. Thus experimental protocols that involve the infusion of humans with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins should include detailed testing for the presence of endotoxin.

Chylomicrons↗
PubMed1990

Results of a program to reduce admissions for adult asthma.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of an outpatient program designed to reduce readmissions for asthma exacerbations among adults with asthma. DESIGN: Randomized patient selection with crossover. SETTING: Bellevue Hospital, New York City, New York. PATIENTS: We identified 104 adult asthmatics who had previously required multiple hospitalizations for asthma attacks. Forty-seven patients were randomly assigned to an intensive outpatient treatment clinic and 57 patients continued to receive their previous outpatient care. Nineteen patients from this latter group were then crossed to the intensive outpatient therapy clinic. INTERVENTIONS: Attenders of the intensive outpatient treatment program were treated with a vigorous medical regimen and educational program. Emphasis was placed on teaching patients aggressive self-management strategies in case of marked asthma exacerbation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main measurement used to determine efficacy of the study program was readmission rate and hospital days used. Prospective comparison of treated compared with untreated patients indicated that program enrollment resulted in a threefold reduction in readmission rate and a twofold reduction in hospital day use rate (P less than 0.004 and P less than 0.02, respectively). Using retrospective data with patients serving as their own controls, we found a threefold reduction in readmission rate and in hospital day use (P less than 0.003) during a 32-month follow-up period. A similar magnitude of reduction in hospital utilization was found when patients were crossed over to the intensive treatment group (P less than 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: By using a vigorous medical regimen and intensive educational program, we were able to decrease hospital use among a group of adult asthmatics who had previously required repeated readmissions for acute asthma exacerbations.

Adult↗