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Biomedical subjects

I Vlodavsky

Publications and source records attributed to I Vlodavsky.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in normal human tissues.

The distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was studied immunohistochemically in fresh frozen sections of normal human tissues. Immunodetection was performed with a specific anti-bFGF mouse monoclonal antibody that was found to react with recombinant human bFGF in Western blot analysis, and to specifically neutralize the mitogenic activity of bFGF on bovine vascular endothelial cells. Expression of bFGF on normal human tissues was ubiquitously detected in the basement membranes of all size blood vessels, but was not found in epidermal or epithelial basement membranes of a variety of tissues tested. Intensity and patterns of localization in blood vessels was consistent in various tissues, but varied among different regions of the vascular bed. Whereas homogeneous and intense immunoreactivity were observed in large and intermediate size blood vessels, heterogeneity of expression was found in capillaries. The most intense immunoreactivity was observed in branching capillaries. Endothelial cell staining was heterogeneous and varied in different regions. Strong staining for bFGF was also found in cardiac muscle fibers, smooth muscle cells of mid-size blood vessels, the gut and the myometrium, in central nervous system neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells, and on epithelial cells of the bronchi, colon, endometrium, and sweat gland ducts of the skin. The presence of bFGF in the extracellular compartment of a diverse variety of organs may play a role in angiogenesis. However, the function of bFGF in parenchymal cells remains to be determined.

Adult↗

Effects of irradiation on the release of growth factors from cultured bovine, porcine, and human endothelial cells.

The effects of radiation on the release of mitogenic factors into the media of cultured endothelial cells of bovine, porcine, and human origins were studied. Although unirradiated controls revealed a significant background activity, single doses of irradiation (20-60 Gy) resulted in a dose-related increased release of growth factor activity, measured by the mitogenic effects of the conditioned media on both 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and unirradiated endothelial cells serving as target cells. Receptor binding competition assays for the platelet-derived growth factor receptor revealed that 12-28% of the total mitogenic activity was due to platelet-derived growth factor-like mitogens. Mitogenic assays using endothelial cells and specific antibody mediated inhibition assays suggested that another component of the mitogenic activity was due to a fibroblast growth factor-like factor. Although radiation resulted in a significant increase in cell death, the enhanced growth factor activities did not appear to result from cell lysis-related leakage of intracellular stores of growth factor. Instead, our data suggest that the growth factors were synthesized de novo and secreted at elevated levels by the cells which maintained postradiation a high level of metabolic activity. Time course studies demonstrated that the growth factors accumulation in the conditioned media started within the first 24 h after radiation and reached a plateau within 72 h after treatment. Radiation-induced release of endothelial cell-derived growth factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of both early vascular damage and the late fibrosis which represents a prominent feature of late radiation damage in normal tissues.

Animals↗

Basic fibroblast growth factor binds to subendothelial extracellular matrix and is released by heparitinase and heparin-like molecules.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) exhibits specific binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by cultured endothelial cells. Binding was saturable as a function both of time and of concentration of 125I-bFGF. Scatchard analysis of FGF binding revealed the presence of about 1.5 X 10(12) binding sites/mm2 ECM with an apparent kD of 610nM. FGF binds to heparan sulfate (HS) in ECM as evidenced by (i) inhibition of binding in the presence of heparin or HS at 0.1-1 micrograms/mL, but not by chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, or hyaluronic acid at 10 micrograms/mL, (ii) lack of binding to ECM pretreated with heparitinase, but not with chondroitinase ABC, and (iii) rapid release of up to 90% of ECM-bound FGF by exposure to heparin, HS, or heparitinase, but not to chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, or chondroitinase ABC. Oligosaccharides derived from depolymerized heparin, and as small as the tetrasaccharide, released the ECM-bound FGF, but there was little or no release of FGF by modified nonanticoagulant heparins such as totally desulfated heparin, N-desulfated heparin, and N-acetylated heparin. FGF released from ECM was biologically active, as indicated by its stimulation of cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in vascular endothelial cells and 3T3 fibroblasts. Similar results were obtained in studies on release of endogenous FGF-like mitogenic activity from Descemet's membranes of bovine corneas. It is suggested that ECM storage and release of bFGF provide a novel mechanism for regulation of capillary blood vessel growth. Whereas ECM-bound FGF may be prevented from acting on endothelial cells, its displacement by heparin-like molecules and/or HS-degrading enzymes may elicit a neovascular response.

Animals↗

Megakaryocyte function and dysfunction.

More than a hundred years have passed since platelets were recognized as cells and their haemostatic functions discovered. However, the process of platelet production is still not understood. The location, the mechanism and the regulation of thrombopoiesis remain elusive. Megakaryocytes are known to be the source of platelets. Investigations of megakaryocytes have revealed their normal functions and some of the abnormalities present in various diseases which affect platelets. In recent years, new techniques of cell isolation and tissue culture have been developed and have made possible advances in characterizing megakaryocyte precursors and differentiation. The primary function of megakaryocytes is to synthesize and assemble platelet components and organelles. Although debated for a long time, new data seems to indicate that the lung may be a central locus of platelet production. The new techniques for megakaryocyte investigations have barely begun to be of use in the study of abnormal platelet production in disease.

Animals↗

Perturbation of endothelial functions by ionizing irradiation: effects on prostaglandins, chemoattractants and mitogens.

Numerous studies have shown that early radiation injury is characterized by vascular damage and that the initial site of damage appears to be the EC lining of the vessel wall. Chronic irreversible tissue reactions to radiation include thrombotic occlusion of capillaries, enhanced atherosclerosis in larger vessels, inflammatory changes, and late tissue fibrosis. These processes may be mediated by endothelial products released as a result of cellular injury. Using EC cultures, we show that ionizing irradiation affects one of the major vascular defense mechanisms against platelet activation, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis--the capacity to produce PGI2. Dose- and time-related damage to enzymes of the arachidonic acid cascade were demonstrated. Radiation damage is associated with oxidant stress and production of free radicals. The oxygen radical scavenger, vitamin C, was found to protect the capacity of irradiated ECs to produce PGI2. Radiation injury often induces an acute inflammatory response. We found that irradiated ECs release a chemotactic factor for neutrophils, which is a lipid product of the lipoxygenase pathway. Late radiation-induced tissue fibrosis and the capacity of radiation to enhance arteriosclerosis may involve participation of mitogens released from perturbed and damaged ECs. We show that conditioned medium of irradiated ECs contain larger amounts of newly synthesized mitogens capable of stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts, SMCs, and ECs. Hence, it may be assumed that the mitogenic activity released by irradiated ECs includes both PDGF and FGF-like mitogens.

Animals↗

Basic fibroblast growth factor is an extracellular matrix component required for supporting the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and the differentiation of PC12 cells.

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) seeded sparsely on extracellular matrix (ECM) will proliferate in the absence of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). This ECM will also stimulate neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors. We have previously shown that bFGF is found in subendothelial ECM (Vlodavsky, I., J. Folkman, R. Sullivan, R. Fridman, R. Ishai-Michaeli, J. Sasse, and M. Klagsburn. 1987. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84:2292-2296) and in basement membranes (Folkman, J., M. Klagsburn, J. Sasse, M. Wadzinski, D. Ingber, and I. Vlodavsky. 1988. Am. J. Pathol. 130:393-400). The actual requirement of ECM-associated bFGF for the growth of ECs and differentiation of PC12 cells was shown in two ways. First, polyclonal anti-bFGF antibodies added to subendothelial ECM inhibited both EC proliferation and PC12 neurite outgrowth. Secondly, PF-HR-9 cells, which do not synthesize bFGF and which produce an ECM not permissive for EC proliferation and PC12 neurite outgrowth, were transfected with bFGF cDNA. PF-HR-9 cells transfected with bFGF, but not with the dominant selectable marker SV2-neomycin, were found to express bFGF and to produce an ECM which did support both EC proliferation and PC12 differentiation. The ECM-mediated stimulatory effects were inhibited by anti-bFGF antibodies but not by anti-nerve growth factor antibodies or nonimmune rabbit IgG. These results indicate that bFGF associated with ECM is a required ECM component for ECM-mediated cell proliferation and differentiation.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Cytocidal effect caused by the envelope glycoprotein of a newly isolated avian hemangioma-inducing retrovirus.

We isolated a field strain of avian hemangioma retrovirus (AHV) which induces a cytopathic effect (CPE) on cultured avian and mammalian cells shortly after infection. The kinetics of cell killing were dependent on the multiplicity of infection. The CPE on avian and mammalian cells was independent of virus replication, because UV-irradiated virus led to cell death as well. Biochemical and genetic experiments indicated that AHV env gene products were responsible for the CPE. Partially purified AHV envelope glycoproteins (gp85), but not those of the Rous sarcoma virus Prague C strain, induced a CPE. Rous-associated virus type 1, in which the env region was replaced by the AHV gp85 region, induced a CPE on avian and mammalian cultured cells. Therefore, we suggest that CPE is induced by AHV via interaction between viral gp85 and the cell membrane. This mode of CPE is unique among avian sarcoma-leukemia viruses.

Alpharetrovirus↗

Suppression of experimental autoimmune diseases and prolongation of allograft survival by treatment of animals with low doses of heparins.

The ability of activated T lymphocytes to penetrate the extracellular matrix and migrate to target tissues was found to be related to expression of a heparanase enzyme (Naparstek, Y., I. R. Cohen, Z. Fuks, and I. Vlodavsky. 1984. Nature (Lond.). 310:241-243; Savion, N., Z. Fuks, and I. Vlodavsky. 1984. J. Cell. Physiol. 118:169-176; Fridman, R., O. Lider, Y. Naparstek, Z. Fuks, I. Vlodavsky, and I. R. Cohen. 1987. J. Cell. Physiol. 130:85-92; Lider, O., J. Mekori, I. Vlodavsky, E. Baharav, Y. Naparstek, and I. R. Cohen, manuscript submitted for publication). We found previously that heparin molecules inhibited expression of T lymphocyte heparanase activity in vitro and in vivo, and administration of a low dose of heparin in mice inhibited lymphocyte traffic and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions (Lider, O., J. Mekori, I. Vlodavsky, E. Baharav, Y. Naparstek, and I. R. Cohen, manuscript submitted for publication). We now report that treatment with commercial or chemically modified heparins at relatively low doses once daily (5 micrograms for mice and 20 micrograms for rats) led to inhibition of allograft rejection and the experimental autoimmune diseases adjuvant arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Higher doses of the heparins were less effective. The ability of chemically modified heparins to inhibit these immune reactions was associated with their ability to inhibit expression of T lymphocyte heparanase. There was no relationship to anticoagulant activity. Thus heparins devoid of anticoagulant activity can be effective in regulating immune reactions when used at appropriate doses.

Acetylation↗

Binding of thrombin to subendothelial extracellular matrix. Protection and expression of functional properties.

We have analyzed the binding of thrombin, a serine protease with central roles in hemostasis, to the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by cultured endothelial cells. This substrate provides a thrombogenic surface where hemostasis is initiated. Binding was saturable and equilibrium was achieved after 3 h incubation with 125I-alpha-thrombin. Scatchard analysis of thrombin binding revealed the presence of 5.1 X 10(9) binding sites per squared millimeter ECM, with an apparent Kd of 13 nM. The catalytically blocked enzyme, diisofluorophosphate (DIP)-alpha-thrombin competed efficiently with 125I-alpha-thrombin, indicating that the binding was independent of its catalytic site. Moreover, high concentrations of the synthetic tetradecapeptide, representing residues 367-380 of thrombin B chain (the macrophage mitogenic domain of thrombin), competed with thrombin binding to ECM, indicating that the binding site may reside in the vicinity of "loop B" region. Thrombin binds to dermatan sulfate in the ECM, as demonstrated by the inhibition of 125I-alpha-thrombin binding to ECM pretreated with chondroitinase ABC, but not with heparitinase or chondroitinase AC. This stands in contrast to 125I-FGF (fibroblast growth factor) binding to ECM, which was inhibited by heparitinase but not by chondroitinase ABC, ECM-bound thrombin exhibits an exposed proteolytic site as monitored by the Chromozyme TH assay and by its ability to convert fibrinogen to a fibrin clot and to induce platelet activation as indicated by 14C-serotonin release. ECM-bound thrombin failed to form a complex with its major circulating inhibitor-antithrombin III (AT III), compared with rapid complex formation with soluble thrombin. We propose that thrombin binds to subendothelial ECM where it remains functionally active, localized, and protected from inactivation by circulating inhibitors.

Amides↗

Synergistic effect of human chorionic gonadotropin and extracellular matrix on in vitro differentiation of human granulosa cells: progesterone production and gap junction formation.

The effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the form of a native basement membrane and of hCG on progesterone production, cellular morphology, and gap junction formation in cultured human granulosa cells (GCs) were examined. GCs were harvested from human preovulatory follicles in the course of oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization. Cells grown on ECM secreted by bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCE) produced significantly higher amounts of progesterone (up to 3-fold) than cells on uncoated dishes. Culturing of cells on BCE-ECM in the presence of hCG resulted in a further increase in progesterone production; in the first 2 days an additive effect was noted, and on days 3, 4, and 5 a synergistic effect became evident (1.2- to 1.8-fold above the sum of the individual treatments). LH/hCG receptor content on day 3 of culture was 4-fold higher in GCs grown on BCE-ECM compared to that in uncoated dishes. A similar elevation was found when cells were grown on ECM secreted by PFHR-9 mouse endodermal cells. Cells grown on both types of ECM maintained their epithelioid shape but, in addition, formed cytoplasmic processes interconnected with neighboring cells by gap junctions. Morphometric analysis revealed that the area of cell membrane occupied by gap junctions increased by 3- to 4-fold on ECM compared to that in cells grown on plastic. Enlargement of endoplasmic reticulum was evident on ECM along with clustering of numerous mitochondria, lipid droplets, and lysosomes characteristic of highly luteinized cells. Cells grown in the presence of hCG on ECM showed morphological modulation similar to that of cells cultured on ECM alone. These observations suggest that growing of human GCs on a ECM similar to a naturally produced basement membrane enhances morphological and biochemical differentiation, and that ECM and gonadotropin affect synergistically the extent of luteinization in these cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

Generation of lipid neutrophil chemoattractant by irradiated bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Radiation injury to blood vessels is associated with an acute inflammatory process. We investigated the capacity of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) to produce chemotactic factors after radiation injury. BAEC in serum-free media were irradiated with a cobalt-60 Gammacell 220 and the cell supernatants were assayed for chemotactic activity for human neutrophils in a Boyden chamber. There was a rapid release of chemotactic activity into the BAEC supernatants which was dependent both on the dose of radiation (5 to 40 Gy) and the time between irradiation and sample collection. In contrast, isolation of BAEC lysates by freeze-thawing was not associated with the presence of similar chemotactic activity. The chemotactic activity released from the irradiated BAEC was not destroyed by boiling nor by treatment with trypsin. The release of the chemotactic activity was, however, inhibited by the addition of a lipoxygenase inhibitor but not by the addition of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor before the irradiation. The chemotactic activity was recovered from the cell supernatants in the lipid phase after extraction with chloroform/methanol. Furthermore, the chloroform/methanol extracts co-eluted with authentic leukotriene B4 when the BAEC were prelabeled with [14C] arachidonic acid. However, we were unable to detect endogenous leukotriene B4 with RIA. Instead, the only detectable endogenous lipid present in the supernatants was 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid which is derived from linoleic acid via the lipoxygenase pathway. 13-Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, however, had no chemotactic activity. These findings suggest that endothelial cells rapidly release a chemotactic agent after irradiation, the release of which is associated with a lipoxygenase pathway. The release of this chemotactic activity may account in part for the acute inflammatory response that is observed after ionizing irradiation.

Animals↗

Indication of selective growth of human endometrial epithelial cells on extracellular matrix.

The culturing of human endometrium in conventional plastic dishes and media is only partially successful, mainly because a growth of a heterogeneous population of cells is achieved. Naturally produced extracellular matrix closely resembles the subepithelial basement membrane and seems to affect both growth and differentiation of cells. These qualities of the extracellular matrix (ECM) were applied for obtaining endometrial epithelial cultures. Endometrial tissue specimens were plated after slicing on ECM-coated dishes and kept for up to 8 d. The growth of a confluent homogeneous tissue composed of polygonal epithelial-like cells was demonstrated. To further characterize these cells, cultures were examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed flattened polygonal cells covered with microvilli, among which ciliated cells were observed. By transmission electron microscopy the cells were seen as a monolayer, with some cells overlapping, closely adherent to the matrix. Microvilli, as well as intracellular vacuoles and glycogen granules were observed. Cell type specific cytoskeletal markers were demonstrated by antibodies to intermediate filament proteins (keratin and epithelial membrane antigen). Taken together, the morphologic and immunohistochemical studies indicate that a selective growth of the epithelial component of endometrial tissue was obtained after plating unprocessed endometrial tissue fragments on ECM-coated culture dishes.

Adult↗

Differentiating human leukemia cells express heparanase that degrades heparan sulfate in subendothelial extracellular matrix.

Human promyelocytic (HL-60) and monoblast-like (U-937) leukemia cell lines were tested for expression of an endoglycosidase (heparanase) capable of degrading heparan sulfate (HS) side chains in the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM). Heparanase activity has been previously shown to be expressed by activated lymphocytes and macrophages and by highly metastatic tumor cells, in correlation with their ability to invade blood vessels and extracellular matrices. Incubation of HL-60 and U-937 cells with sulfate-labeled ECM in the presence of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) resulted in heparanase-mediated release of heparan sulfate degradation products. This degradation was inhibited by heparin, stimulated by plasminogen and not expressed by cells treated with retinoic acid or dimethylsulfoxide and undergoing neutrophilic differentiation. Heparanase activity was not detected in media conditioned by HL-60 and U-937 cells but was found in their cell lysates, regardless of whether or not the cells were exposed to TPA. These findings imply that TPA-induced differentiation of human myeloid leukemic cells to macrophage-like cells, but not to neutrophilic granulocytes, is associated with expression on the cell surface of a preformed heparanase activity. The enzyme may serve as a marker for human cell differentiation into macrophages, allowing the differentiating cells to traverse the vascular compartment and reach their target sites.

Cell Line↗

Decreased neutrophil thromboxane A2 and endothelial PGI2 production in the postoperative period. An in vitro assay for detection of neutrophil and plasma dysfunction.

Severe trauma results in reversible abnormalities in neutrophil function, but the specific role in the pathogenesis of postoperative sepsis is undetermined. Twenty adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were studied. Blood samples were obtained prior to and 24 hours after operation. Blood neutrophils were isolated and incubated (10(7) cells/mL) on bovine vascular endothelial cell monolayers. Untreated plasma or zymosan-activated plasma (ZAP) or 65 C inactivated plasma was added, and TxB2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha production measured after 2 hours. Endothelial damage was detected by light and scanning electron microscopy beginning 2 and 4 hours after treatment. Preoperatively, neutrophil TxB2 release was less than 200 pg/mL; following ZAP it was 2153 pg/mL (p less than 0.001), with untreated plasma 1055 pg/mL (p less than 0.005) and inactivated plasma 764 pg/mL (p less than 0.01). Neutrophil TxB2 release on a plastic dish was not different from incubation on endothelium. Endothelial 6-keto PGF1 alpha release following addition of untreated plasma preoperatively was 1308 pg/mL (p less than 0.01), and with ZAP 1305 pg/mL (p less than 0.01). Activated neutrophils did not alter 6-keto PGF1 alpha production. Postoperatively, neutrophil TxB2 production in response to ZAP was 1092 pg/mL, which was significantly reduced compared to the preoperative response (p less than 0.01). Endothelial damage by activated neutrophils in the postoperative period demonstrated on scanning electron microscopy was also reduced; 6-keto PGF1 alpha release in the postoperative period inducted by ZAP was 569 pg/mL and by untreated plasma 549 pg/mL, which was significantly lower than in the preoperative period (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.05, respectively). No difference in chemotaxis was demonstrated. It is concluded that operative trauma is followed by lowered neutrophil TxB2 release, appearance of a plasmatic factor that depresses endothelial 6-keto PGF1 alpha production, as well as decreased neutrophil-induced endothelial damage. The neutrophil-endothelial monolayer system is a sensitive method for detection of neutrophil and plasmatic dysfunction.

Adult↗

Striated muscle fibers differentiate in primary cultures of adult anterior pituitary cells.

Anterior pituitary cells from adult male rats were cultured on a natural extracellular matrix (ECM). From the 5th day, spindle-shaped cells, fusing to form elongated fibers, were observed among the epithelial cells. These fibers later increased in size and number and were identified as striated muscle fibers, based on their multi-nucleation, cross-striation and rhythmic contraction. Striated muscle development was further validated by the appearance of cholinergic-nicotinic receptors, as demonstrated by the binding of 125I-alpha bungarotoxin (a-Btx). The effect of various supplements added to the cultures on a-Btx binding was used as a measure of muscle cell differentiation. ECM and serum were essential for myotube formation. Insulin (or IGF-I) and cortisol synergistically caused a 20-fold increase in myogenesis. FGF and EGF were effective only in the presence of insulin and cortisol. The data suggest that: (a) cells, derived from adult pituitary, differentiate, in primary culture, into striated muscle fibers; (b) the induction of this differentiation is multi-factorial; ECM, serum, insulin and glucocorticoids facilitate this myogenesis.

Animals↗