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Biomedical subjects

J D Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to J D Wilson.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Women with steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 deficiency have normal concentrations of plasma 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone during the luteal phase.

Steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 deficiency has been identified in two adult women from unrelated families, one a homozygote and the other a compound heterozygote. The homozygote carries the G183S mutation and is the sister of an affected male; the compound heterozygote (R246W/splice junction abnormality) is married to a heterozygote (splice junction abnormality) and is the mother of two compound heterozygotes and two homozygotes. The fact that these two women are the mothers of seven children and appear to be endocrinologically normal confirms the previous deduction that this disorder is not manifest in women. Concentrations of plasma 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone were normal in these two women during the luteal phase; this finding implies that circulating 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone in women is derived principally from the steroid 5 alpha-reductase 1 isoenzyme and leaves unresolved the question of whether 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone plays a physiological role in women.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1995

Mutations of the androgen receptor coding sequence are infrequent in patients with isolated hypospadias.

Androgen receptor defects can cause severe hypospadias. To examine the possibility that androgen receptor defects are a common cause of such deficiencies, we have determined the coding sequence of the androgen receptor gene in nine patients with severe hypospadias. The analysis of the androgen receptor coding sequence predicts a normal amino acid sequence for the androgen receptor of eight of the nine patients, indicating that the observed defects in virilization are infrequently caused by mutations of the open-reading frame of the androgen receptor. These findings demonstrate the importance of family history and endocrine studies in identifying patients likely to harbor coding sequence mutations in the androgen receptor gene, and they serve to focus attention on other genes that may influence androgen action in this group of patients.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Prostaglandin H synthase and lipoxygenase gene families in the epithelial cell barrier.

Epithelial barrier cells (in skin, gut, and airway) are both active modulators and important targets of the inflammatory response, and some of these cellular events may be regulated at a molecular level by products of phospholipid-arachidonic acid metabolism. Accordingly, we have defined some of the characteristics of gene expression and enzyme regulation for distinct members of the PGH synthase and lipoxygenase gene families in normal and inflamed epithelial tissues and in epithelial cells isolated from mucosal and epidermal tissue (Table 1). A unifying scheme for our findings includes the following enzymatic systems: (i) a PGH synthase-1/PG isomerase pathway responsible for constitutive generation of prostaglandins (e.g., PGE2) and maintenance of physiologic epithelial function; (ii) a PGH synthase-2/PG isomerase and synthase pathway capable of producing additional prostaglandins (e.g., excess PGE2 and/or PGF2 alpha and PGD2) especially after stimulation by growth factors and cytokines; and (iii) a family of arachidonate 12- and 15-lipoxygenases that may serve to generate hydroxy acids (e.g., 12- and 15-HETE) as mediators of basal epithelial function and that (after overexpression and oxidant activation) may also catalyze membrane peroxidation that contributes to epithelial damage during inflammation. The regulatory mechanisms inherent in the control of this scheme provide a biochemical rationale for balancing constitutive and inducible oxygenation activities and maintaining epithelial barrier function.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Natural mutagenesis study of the human steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 isozyme.

The enzyme steroid 5 alpha-reductase utilizes NADPH to reduce the double bonds of a variety of steroid substrates with generalized 3-oxo, delta 4,5 structures. One substrate for this membrane-bound enzyme is testosterone, whose reduction to dihydrotestosterone is required for the embryonic differentiation of the external male genitalia and prostate. There are two 5 alpha-reductase isozymes, designated types 1 and 2, which have different biochemical and pharmacological properties. Inherited deficiencies of 5 alpha-reductase type 2 result in a form of male pseudohermaphroditism in which the external genitalia fail to develop normally. Here, nine additional mutations in the 5 alpha-reductase 2 gene in subjects with 5 alpha-reductase deficiency are described. The biochemical consequences of these mutations, as well as 13 previously identified missense mutations, were characterized by recreating the mutations in an expressible cDNA and transfecting into mammalian cells. Twelve of the 22 mutations inactivated the enzyme. The remaining 10 mutations impaired enzyme function by affecting either substrate or cofactor binding. Almost all mutations decreased the half-life of the protein, and all but one of the impaired enzymes had an altered pH optimum. The mutations provide insight into functional domains in the protein as well as an unusual acidic pH optimum characteristic of the 5 alpha-reductase type 2 isozyme.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1994

Vagal tone during quiet sleep in normal human term fetuses.

The purpose of this paper was to calculate vagal tone (V) for 17 normal human fetuses in quiet sleep (QS) between 36 and 40 weeks gestation. The fetal cardiac electrical signal was captured transabdominally in 3-min blocks at a rate of 833 times per second and fetal R-waves were extracted using adaptive signal processing techniques. Fetal R-wave interbeat intervals were converted to equally spaced, time-based data, and the low-frequency component was removed using a 21-point third-order moving polynomial. The parameter V was calculated by taking the natural logarithm of the sum of the power densities between 0.3 Hz and 1.3 Hz. We found that fetal breathing was associated with an approximately 25% increase in V as compared to nonbreathing, 3.33 +/- 0.48 versus 2.57 +/- 0.47, p < 0.0001. Furthermore, there was a significant linear relationship between the mean single-fetus V during spontaneous respiration and the mean single-fetus V during normally occurring apneic periods, r = 0.772, p < 0.002. We conclude that respiratory activity is associated with a significant increase in vagal tone for normal human fetuses in QS.

Arousal↗
PubMed1994

CT angiography of the common carotid artery bifurcation: comparison between two techniques and conventional angiography.

We prospectively compared CT angiography (CTA) of the common carotid artery bifurcation using two different techniques with conventional angiography in patients with suspected stenoses of the internal carotid arteries in 20 symptomatic patients. Ten patients (Group 1) received 60 cc of contrast (medium 2 cc/sec) and CTA was acquired using 5 mm slices, reconstructed at 3 mm slice thickness. Ten patients (Group 2) received 90 cc of contrast (medium 3 cc/sec) and CTA was acquired using 3 mm slices reconstructed at 1 mm slice thickness. All CTA studies were postprocessed using maximum intensity projection algorithm. Stenoses were graded prospectively from CT angiograms and compared with selective conventional catheter angiograms. In Group 1, CTA overestimated the degree of narrowing in 9 of 10 stenoses proven by conventional angiograms. We interpreted 2 nearly occluded internal carotid arteries, 2 with moderate and marked stenoses, and 2 with no narrowings, but fibromuscular dysplasia on conventional angiograms as occluded on CTA, and 3 vessels as showing marked stenoses, not confirmed by angiography. CTA clearly depicted 1 mild stenosis, 4 normal bifurcations, and 6 occluded internal carotid arteries. In Group 2, CTA overestimated two stenoses; a correct diagnosis was made in 7 normal bifurcations, 3 mild, 2 moderate and 2 severe stenoses, 2 near occlusions, and 2 occlusions. Ulcerations were missed by CTA regardless of the technique utilized.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The androgen receptor of the urogenital tract of the fetal rat is regulated by androgen.

To provide insight into androgen-mediated virilization, we measured the androgen receptor in tissues of male and female rat fetuses prior to and during the period of phenotypic sex differentiation. Western immunoblotting was performed utilizing an antibody directed against the 21 amino-terminal segment of the androgen receptor. In immunoblots prepared from urogenital tract tissues of day 17 male and female fetal rats, this antibody specifically recognizes a 110K protein band characteristic of the androgen receptor. Androgen receptor levels were low to undetectable in a variety of non-urogenital tract tissues. After day 18 of fetal development, the amount of androgen receptor decreased in female urogenital tissues, and by day 22 the amount of immunoreactive androgen receptor was higher in the male urogenital sinus and tubercle than in the corresponding tissues of the female. Administration of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone to pregnant rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight per day from day 12 to day 22 caused an increase in immunoreactive androgen receptor in the female urogenital sinus and tubercle to levels approaching those in male tissues. Administration of the androgen antagonist flutamide (100 mg/kg body weight per day) during the same interval caused a reduction in androgen receptor level in the urogenital sinus and tubercle of the male. These findings suggest that androgens modulate the amount of androgen receptor in the embryonic urogenital tract either by inducing the proliferation of androgen-responsive cells or by increasing androgen receptor levels in individual cells.

Androgens↗
PubMed1994

Male pseudohermaphroditism caused by mutations of testicular 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3.

Defects in the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone in the fetal testes by the enzyme 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) give rise to genetic males with female external genitalia. We have used expression cloning to isolate cDNAs encoding a microsomal 17 beta-HSD type 3 isozyme that shares 23% sequence identity with other 17 beta-HSD enzymes, uses NADPh as a cofactor, and is expressed predominantly in the testes. The 17 beta HSD3 gene on chromosome 9q22 contains 11 exons. Four substitution and two splice junction mutations were identified in the 17 beta HSD3 genes of five unrelated male pseudohermaphrodites. The substitution mutations severely compromised the activity of the 17 beta-HSD type 3 isozyme.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1994

Plasma tumor necrosis factor and post-traumatic hyperdynamic sepsis evoked by endotoxin.

To examine the role of systemic plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the septic response following trauma, an endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) challenge was administered to anesthetized mongrel pigs 72 h following either hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation or sham shock. For TNF to be considered a mediator, at least two conditions should be satisfied: a TNF increase should precede other manifestations of the septic response and the magnitude of that increase should correlate with the symptoms. Immediately following resuscitation from shock, hemodynamics were stable, but heart rate, cardiac index (CI), and systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) were elevated 20-60%, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was decreased 40%, relative to the preshock baseline. After 72 h, the animals were reanesthetized, reinstrumented, and all hemodynamic values were near normal in both groups. At this point, either 1.5 (shock, n = 2; sham, n = 2), 15 (shock, n = 7; sham, n = 6) or 150 (shock, n = 11; sham, n = 4) micrograms/kg of Escherichia coli LPS was administered intravenously over 30 min. Serial hemodynamic data, complete blood counts, and TNF were recorded for 3 h post-LPS. LPS evoked profound leukopenia and pulmonary hypertension within 15 min that was followed by a hyperdynamic septic response (i.e., progressive arterial desaturation, tachypnea, tachycardia, increased CI, and decreased SVR) and rise in plasma TNF at 60-90 min. In the shock group, LPS-evoked TNF changes were less than or equal to those in the sham group, even though mortality was higher after shock.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Target cell death triggered by cytotoxic T lymphocytes: a target cell mutant distinguishes passive pore formation and active cell suicide mechanisms.

The role of the target cell in its own death mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been controversial. The ability of the pore-forming granule components of CTL to induce target cell death directly has been taken to suggest an essentially passive role for the target. This view of CTL-mediated killing ascribes to the target the single role of providing an antigenic stimulus to the CTL; this signal results in the vectoral degranulation and secretion of pore-forming elements onto the target. On the other hand, by a number of criteria, target cell death triggered by CTL appears fundamentally different from death resulting from membrane damage and osmotic lysis. CTL-triggered target cell death involves primary internal lesions of the target cell that reflect a physiological cell death process. Orderly nuclear disintegration, including lamin phosphorylation and solubilization, chromatin condensation, and genome digestion, are among the earliest events, preceding the loss of plasma membrane integrity. We have tested directly the involvement of the target cell in its own death by examining whether we could isolate mutants of target cells that have retained the ability to be recognized by and provide an antigenic stimulus to CTL while having lost the capacity to respond by dying. Here, we describe one such mutant, BW87. We have used this CTL-resistant mutant to analyze the mechanisms of CTL-triggered target cell death under a variety of conditions. The identification of a mutable target cell element essential for the cell death response to CTL provides genetic evidence that target cell death reflects an active cell suicide process similar to other physiological cell deaths.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Epidermis contains platelet-type 12-lipoxygenase that is overexpressed in germinal layer keratinocytes in psoriasis.

Human epidermal cells exhibited none of the cytosolic lipoxygenase activity that is prominent in mucosal epithelial cells, but instead contained a microsomal activity that converted arachidonic acid to 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). Identification of the extractable 12-HETE-forming activity as a 12-lipoxygenase (distinct from cytochrome P-450) included (S)-12-stereospecificity of product formation, trapping of 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid as an intermediate reaction product, and lack of NADPH dependence for activity. Epidermal cell poly(A)+ RNA contained high levels of a 2.3-kb mRNA that selectively hybridized with human platelet 12-lipoxygenase cDNA, and partial cDNA sequence of this mRNA indicated identity to platelet 12-lipoxygenase. The epidermal 12-lipoxygenase was not recognized by antibodies against the leukocyte-type 12- and 15-lipoxygenases (found in leukocytes, reticulocytes, and mucosal epithelial cells) but was detected by an antiplatelet 12-lipoxygenase antibody. The epidermal 12-lipoxygenase antigen was selectively expressed in germinal layer keratinocytes in healthy and psoriatic skin, and these layers exhibited hyperplasia and increased immunostaining in inflamed psoriatic skin. Together with previous results, these observations indicate that 1) epidermis generates 12-HETE by either cytochrome P-450 or lipoxygenase-based mechanisms depending on reaction conditions, and 2) 12-lipoxygenases (originally described in hematopoietic cell types) may be expressed in at least two distinct isoforms in epithelial barriers in humans, and in the case of the skin, a microsomal (platelet-type) 12-lipoxygenase is selectively overexpressed in germinal layer keratinocytes during psoriatic inflammation.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗