Biomedical subjects

J Kärner

Publications and source records attributed to J Kärner.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

In situ hybridisation of chick embryos with p53-specific probe and their immunostaining with anti-p53 antibodies.

Tumor-suppressor protein p53 is an important regulator of cell cycle and apoptosis. On the level of embryo extracts it has been shown earlier that both p53 protein and mRNA are expressed in developing chicken. Here we describe the expression patterns of p53 mRNA and protein in developing chicken embryos (stages 2-12) using in situ hybridisation and immunostaining with p53-specific monoclonal antibody Mab421. p53 mRNA is equally localised all over the embryo in the stages observed. According to electron microscopy data a subfraction of p53 mRNA is bound to dissolving yolk granules expressing acid phosphatase activity characteristic for lysosomes. Protein p53 is synthesised starting from the medium primitive streak stage (stage 3) and reaches its maximum level at the full primitive streak stage. During these stages protein p53 is distributed evenly across the embryos. After gastrulation p53 protein remains visible at higher levels only in certain anlages and areas. In developing nervous system the expression is observable in neuroectoderm, during the closure of the neural tube and in mesenchyme in the area of migrating neural crest cells. In cardiogenesis protein p53 is expressed during formation of tubular heart in the epimyocardium, endocardium and cardiac jelly. p53 protein localises in the neurocoele (obviously connected with cellular debris) and cardiac jelly. Our data support the role of p53 in early development, especially during embryo gastrulation, the development of central nervous system, neural crest and heart. In some cases increased p53 amounts colocalise with the areas of intensive epithelium-mesenchyme transition.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The role of microtubules in the regulation of proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes under hydrostatic pressure.

Chondrocytes of the articular cartilage sense mechanical factors associated with joint loading, such as hydrostatic pressure, and maintain the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix by regulating the metabolism of proteoglycans (PGs) and collagens. Intermittent hydrostatic pressure stimulates, while continuous high hydrostatic pressure inhibits, the biosynthesis of PGs. High continuous hydrostatic pressure also changes the structure of cytoskeleton and Golgi complex in cultured chondrocytes. Using microtubule (MT)-affecting drugs nocodazole and taxol as tools we examined whether MTs are involved in the regulation of PG synthesis in pressurized primary chondrocyte monolayer cultures. Disruption of the microtubular array by nocodazole inhibited [(35)S]sulfate incorporation by 39-48%, while MT stabilization by taxol caused maximally a 17% inhibition. Continuous hydrostatic pressure further decreased the synthesis by 34-42% in nocodazole-treated cultures. This suggests that high pressure exerts its inhibitory effect through mechanisms independent of MTs. On the other hand, nocodazole and taxol both prevented the stimulation of PG synthesis by cyclic 0. 5 Hz, 5 MPa hydrostatic pressure. The drugs did not affect the structural and functional properties of the PGs, and none of the treatments significantly affected cell viability, as indicated by the high level of PG synthesis 24-48 h after the release of drugs and/or high hydrostatic pressure. Our data on two-dimensional chondrocyte cultures indicate that inhibition of PG synthesis by continuous high hydrostatic pressure does not interfere with the MT-dependent vesicle traffic, while the stimulation of synthesis by cyclic pressure does not occur if the dynamic nature of MTs is disturbed by nocodazole. Similar phenomena may operate in cartilage matrix embedded chondrocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Dorsoventral compartmentalization of mesoderm in heart-forming area of chick embryo.

In early chick development (stages 5-8) the seemingly homogeneous mesoderm in the heart-forming area splits to somatic and splanchnic cardiogenic layers. Little is known about dorsoventral compartmentalization before splitting. Electron microscopic analysis shows the early dorsoventral polarization of precardiomyocytes. The dorsal compartment has epithelial and the ventral compartment mesenchymal features with numerous protrusions. At stage 5+-6 staining for wheat germ agglutinine (WGA) transiently demarcates the ventral part of mesoderm. The glycosomes (beta-glycogen) show a dorsoventral gradient in the mesoderm of the cardiogenic field during the initial step of the compaction. The differential expression of glycosomes depends on the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta, a component of the wnt-signaling pathway, and might in this spatiotemporal developmental window be involved in the commitment of presumptive cardiogenic and somatic cells. To verify this hypothesis simulation experiments with LiCl in vitro were carried out. The normal splitting of the mesoderm and the development of heart primordia were disturbed. Blocking the receptors of WGA by WGA in vitro at stage 5-5+ perturbs the migration of mesoderm to anterio-medial direction. It appears that early specification of dorsal and ventral compartments of the mesoderm in the heart-forming area correlates with the gradient of glycosomes. Our results suggest that the target of LiCl action (glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta) might be involved in the specification of heart primordia and that WGA receptors mediate the migration of mesoderm to the anteriomedial direction.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Ultrastructural morphometry on human parathyroid tissue. Morphological and functional implications.

Ultrastructural morphometry was performed on human parathyroid tissue from adenomas in chronic and acute (pernicious) hyperparathyroidism (HPT) including contralateral atrophic glands with the aim to compare the observed alterations with the corresponding clinico-functional findings. Quantitative assessment of various cell organelles, nucleus and cell perimeter revealed that significant correlations between ultrastructural features and laboratory parameters were only calculable by regarding extreme ranges of functional stages, i.e. adenomas of acute HPT (hyperparathyroid crisis) and contralateral atrophic glands. In chief cells of chronic HPT there was an inhomogeneity of measurements due to the disparate composition of the adenomatous tissue. Our results show that large complex lipid bodies and extensive accumulations of glycogen are valuable indicators of a functionally suppressed chief cell in atrophic parathyroid glands. An increased number of coated pits and vesicles is amongst other features (increase in size or number of Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, nucleus and nucleolus as well as extension of the plasma membrane) characteristic of an endocrine stimulation.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1978

Virus-like particles in yeast: isolation and infectivity.

Virus-like particles containing electron dense cores are seen in thin sections of intact and degenerated cells of a thermosensitive (ts) strain of Candida tropicalis. A particulate fraction not present in wild-type cells has been isolated from the ts cells disrupted by pressure. The particles are 80-120 nm in diameter. Empty particles with a central cavity are observed. The method of infecting mating pairs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by partially purified particles is described.

Candida↗

PubMed1976

Distribution of acid phosphatase in chick Hensen's node.

Acid phosphatase distribution and yolk drop ultrastructure in Hensen's node of chick blastoderm at Hamburger-Hamilton stages 3 and 4 are described. At stage 3 large deposits of the reaction product are localised in type-A yolk drops, where signs of intensive degradation are seen. It seems that during this degradation lipid droplets are being formed in the degrading yolk drops. Partly digested yolk drops with a vesicular appearance are extruded from the cells, especially in deeper layers of the node. The phosphatase reaction product is also distributed into intercellular spaces. At stage 4 the cells of the node are more vacuolated and contain acid phosphatase and electron-dense yolk drops in lesser amounts. The possible physiological role of acid phosphatase in Hensen's node during gastrulation is discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1976

Macrobodies in chick blastoderm.

The results of this study show that the epiblast cells of chick blastoderm at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 1 contain macrobodies which themselves contain particles resembling the 'lining bodies' described by Bellairs. Since different structures ranging from macrobodies to light vacuoles have been found, it seems probable that their contents are utilized at this stage. Typically, they are surrounded by mitochondria, some of which have an abnormal internal structure. At later developmental stages neither macrobodies nor abnormal mitochondria were observed.

Animals↗