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Biomedical subjects

J E Cushing

Publications and source records attributed to J E Cushing.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification of functional insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors in isolated bone cells.

The role of the IGF-II/cation independent mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptor in the transduction of cellular effects evoked by IGF-II has been extensively debated in the literature. Many reports suggest that IGF-II transduces its effects through the IGF-I receptor, while others show that IGF-II utilizes the type II receptor to affect cellular activity. This study 1) verifies the presence of the IGF-II/M6P receptor in rat calvarial osteoblasts, and 2) evaluates the ability of the receptor to initiate intracellular signals. Using conventional receptor binding assays, it was found that osteoblasts bind IGF-II with high affinity. Scatchard analyses indicated that there are 5.08 x 10(4) IGF-II/M6P receptors per osteoblast with a Kd near 2.0 nM). The receptor protein was further identified by cross-linking with 125I-IGF-II. Northern analysis was used to identify an mRNA transcript for the IGF-II/M6P receptor protein. To examine if the IGF-II/M6P receptor can initiate second messenger signals, the ability of IGF-II to evoke Ca2+ transients was evaluated. Osteoblasts pretreated with IGF-I did not lose their ability to respond to IGF-II. Further, a polyclonal antibody against the rat IGF-II/M6P receptor (R-II-PAB1) 1) was able to evoke its own Ca2+ response, and 2) was able to block the generation of Ca2+ transients caused by IGF-II. The data in this report show that the osteoblastic Ca2+ response to IGF-II appears to be caused by an intracellular release of Ca2+ which is mediated by the IGF-II/M6P receptor making it possible to envision how the receptor may be an important modulator of osteoblast mediated osteogenesis.

Animals↗

Fine structure of fetal rat calvarium; provisional identification of preosteoclasts.

This is a study of the fine structure of cells of the 20-day fetal rat calvarium. Special attention is given to identifying and characterizing preosteoclasts. These cells are relatively common and located largely, but not exclusively, at the endocranial bone surface. The preosteoclasts are characterized by abundant mitochondria, an incomplete perinuclear Golgi apparatus, and variable-shaped dense granules. The dense granules are unique in appearance in that they contain an internal dense matrix surrounded by a clear halo. Most granules are circular in shape but some are elongate or tubular in form. Granules with identical appearance are observed in osteoclasts. The preosteoclasts are mononucleate, or occasionally binucleate. It is suggested that because preosteoclasts are morphologically distinctive dna relatively abundant, it should be feasible to separate these cells from a heterogeneous cell isolate.

Animals↗

Comparative immunology: sipunculid bactericidal responses.

This report continues comparative studies of inducible bactericidins of invertebrates. The bactericidin of the sipunculid worm Dendrostomum zostericolum Chamberlain was induced by intracoelomic injections of killed bacteria. With the assay system used, optimal results were obtained with 90 min of incubation at 20 to 35 C. Bactericidal titers in coelomic fluids from noninjected worms were either low or nonexistent. After injections of gram-negative bacteria, bactericidal titers of up to 1:1280 were reached within 7 days. Considerable individual variations were noted. Optimal stimulation was achieved with 4 x 10(8) bacteria per injection. The response was relatively nonspecific as measured by cross-immunization and absorption experiments. Injections of sterile sea water produced no response. Coelomic fluids could be inactivated by heating at 50 or 56 C for 20 min. Activity was not restored by a pool of unheated coelomic fluid from nonimmunized worms. The significance of these observations was discussed with reference to immunity of sipunculids and to comparative immunology.

Bacteria↗