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Biomedical subjects

J Nilsson

Publications and source records attributed to J Nilsson.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Autocrine induction of DNA synthesis by mechanical injury of cultured smooth muscle cells. Potential role of FGF and PDGF.

To determine whether replication of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in response to mechanical injury would occur in the absence of serum and other cells, we created an in vitro model in which confluent, growth-arrested cultures of rat SMCs were injured by gentle pressure of a soft plastic tube and then kept in serum-free medium for up to 4 days. Replication of SMCs in and around the injury, as measured by tritiated thymidine incorporation, was noted within 24 hours and peaked at 48 hours after injury, whereas noninjured cells remained quiescent. An increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A mRNA, noted 6 hours after injury, was followed by an increased PDGF AA immunoreactivity in SMCs in and around the zone of injury at 24 and 48 hours after injury. A PDGF A chain antisense oligonucleotide inhibited 87.0 +/- 4.0% (P < .005) of SMC replication in the injury zone, whereas the corresponding sense oligonucleotide reduced SMC replication by only 37.2%. An antibody to fibroblast growth factor (FGF) almost completely inhibited SMC replication in the injured zone, whereas an antibody to PDGF AA was without effect. Incubation of SMCs with FGF increased PDGF A mRNA levels in SMCs, and 5 mumol/L PDGF A antisense oligonucleotides reduced FGF-induced SMC replication by 62%. Taken together, these results demonstrate that injured rat SMCs in culture release FGF that activates DNA synthesis of neighboring SMCs both by a direct mechanism and by stimulating the production of PDGF AA.

Animals↗

Active oxygen species and lysophosphatidylcholine are involved in oxidized low density lipoprotein activation of smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis.

It has recently been shown that oxidative modification of LDL enhances the mitogenic effect of LDL on smooth muscle cell (SMC) DNA synthesis. However, because of its complex chemical structure, the mitogenic components have not been well characterized. Exposure of LDL to the oxidant Cu2+ is followed by a rapid accumulation of peroxides that peaks after 8 to 12 hours and a conversion of the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine into lysophosphatidylcholine that continues for up to 48 hours. Most of the mitogenic activity is formed during the first 4 hours of oxidation. Both superoxide dismutase and catalase effectively inhibit the mitogenic activity of oxidized LDL, suggesting involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates. In the presence of 1% serum, low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide activated SMC DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal effect at a concentration of 200 mumol/L, whereas higher concentrations were inhibitory. Lysophosphatidylcholine also enhanced SMC DNA synthesis, with a maximal stimulation at a concentration of 10 mumol/L. Oxysterols, which also accumulate in oxidized LDL, effectively inhibited DNA synthesis. These results demonstrate that oxidation of LDL is associated with formation of several substances affecting the growth of SMCs. Among these substances, low levels of reactive oxygen intermediates and lysophosphatidylcholine stimulate DNA synthesis, whereas at a higher concentration they, as well as oxysterols, are inhibitory.

Cells, Cultured↗

Effect of immunization with homologous LDL and oxidized LDL on early atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Although the existence of an immune response against modified lipoproteins in atherosclerosis has been observed in experimental animals as well as in humans, the precise pathophysiological relevance of these findings remains unclear. In this study we determined the effect of an immunization with homologous LDL and copper-oxidized LDL on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Immunizations were performed at the start of a cholesterol-rich diet and 3 weeks later. After 16 weeks, antibodies against oxidized LDL had developed in rabbits given hypercholesterolemic diet alone, but the titers were increased by twofold in rabbits immunized with oxidized LDL as well as in rabbits immunized with LDL, suggesting that the LDL had also become oxidized during the preparation and/or immunization procedure. Immunization with LDL and oxidized LDL reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal aorta by 74% (P < .05) and 48% (P = NS), respectively. The cellular composition of the lesions was not affected by the immunizations. These results support the hypothesis that an immune response against modified LDL has a protective effect against the development of early atherosclerotic lesions.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse carboxyl ester lipase gene and evidence for expression in the lactating mammary gland.

DNA hybridization was used to isolate a 2.04-kb cDNA encoding carboxyl ester lipase (CEL) from a mouse lactating mammary gland, lambda gt10 cDNA library. The cDNA sequence translated into a protein of 599 amino acids, including 20 amino acids of a putative signal peptide. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the mouse CEL with CEL from five other species revealed that there is a high degree of homology between the different species. The mouse CEL gene was also isolated and found to span approximately 7.2 kb and to include 11 exons. This organization is similar to those of the recently reported human and rat CEL genes. We have also analyzed expression of the CEL gene in the mammary glands from other species by performing a Northern blot analysis with RNA from goat and cow. The results show that the gene is expressed in both species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Direct and competitive kinetic analysis of the interaction between human IgG1 and a one domain analogue of protein A.

Direct and competitive kinetic analysis of the binding between a one domain analogue of protein A, and mutants thereof, to immobilised hIgG1 was compared using a biosensor system based on surface plasmon resonance detection. Rate constants determined from both assays were almost identical. The experiments demonstrate that competitive kinetic analysis can be used in combination with biosensor technology, and indicate that competitive kinetic analysis may extend the use of the technology to include low molecular weight analytes.

Allergy and Immunology↗

Synthesis and evaluation of pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of monopropyl analogs of 5-, 7-, and 8-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy]-2-aminotetralins: central dopamine and serotonin receptor activity.

In order to explore further the structure-activity relationships of serotonergic and dopaminergic ligands, a series of enantiopure 5-, 7-, or 8-triflate (-OTf)-substituted 2-(monopropylamino)-tetralins have been synthesized and evaluated in in vitro binding and in vivo biochemical and behavioral assays in rats. Consequently, the 8-OTf-substituted compound R-(+)-6 was found to be a potent and selective 5-HT1A (5-hydroxytryptamine) receptor agonist inducing a full-blown 5-HT syndrome in normal rats, while the corresponding 5-OTf-substituted compound S-(-)-12 was found to be a preferential dopamine (DA) autoreceptor agonist. A partial 5-HT syndrome was also observed for S-(-)-12, while the corresponding R-(+)-12 was found to be inactive at the DA and 5-HT receptors both in vitro and in vivo. Compounds 6 and 12 were found to be major urinary metabolites following oral administration of their dipropyl analogs (2 and 13, respectively). Thus 6 was proposed to be the metabolite responsible for the full-blown 5-HT syndrome seen after oral (but not subcutaneous) administration of 2. Similarly, 12 was proposed to be the metabolite responsible for the partial 5-HT syndrome seen after oral (but not subcutaneous) administration of 13. The bioavailability of R-(+)-6 (7.6 +/- 1.1%) appeared to be slightly lower than that of 2 (11.2 +/- 5.2%), although the in vitro metabolism of R-(+)-6 appeared to be slower than that of 2. Therefore first-pass metabolism was not thought to be the reason for the lower bioavailability of R-(+)-6, as compared to 2.

Animals↗

Application of heteroduplex analysis for detecting variation within the growth hormone 2 gene in Salmo trutta L. (brown trout).

A new method to detect variation at a single copy nuclear gene in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., is provided. The technique entails (i) selective gene amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), (ii) digestion of amplification products by restriction endonucleases to obtain fragments of suitable size, (iii) hybridization with heterologous DNA followed by denaturation and reannealing to obtain heteroduplex molecules, and (iv) screening for variation in polyacrylamide gels. Variation was studied within a growth hormone 2 gene 1489 bp segment and polymorphism was detected in two HinfI-digested fragments. Formation of different heteroduplex patterns in experimental mixtures of digested amplification products from brown trout and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., allowed us to determine the genotype of the brown trout. Polymorphism was observed in four out of six studied populations.

Animals↗

A combinatorial library of an alpha-helical bacterial receptor domain.

The construction and characterization of a combinatorial library of a solvent-exposed surface of an alpha-helical domain derived from a bacterial receptor is described. Using a novel solid-phase approach, the library was assembled in a directed and successive manner utilizing single-stranded oligonucleotides containing multiple random substitutions for the variegated segments of the gene fragment. The simultaneous substitution of 13 residues to all 20 possible amino acids was carried out in a region spanning 81 nucleotides. The randomization was made in codons for amino acids that were modelled to be solvent accessible at a surface made up from two of the three alpha-helices of a monovalent Fc-binding domain of staphylococcal protein A. After cloning of the PCR-amplified library into a phagemid vector adapted for phage display of the mutants, DNA sequencing analysis suggested a random distribution of codons in the mutagenized positions. Four members of the library with multiple substitutions were produced in Escherichia coli as fusions to an albumin-binding affinity tag derived from streptococcal protein G. The fusion proteins were purified by human serum albumin affinity chromatography and subsequently characterized by SDS-electrophoresis, CD spectroscopy and biosensor analysis. The analyses showed that the mutant protein A derivatives could all be secreted as soluble full-length proteins. Furthermore, the CD analysis showed that all mutants, except one with a proline introduced into helix 2, have secondary structures in close agreement with the wild-type domain. These results proved that members of this alpha-helical receptor library with multiple substitutions in the solvent-exposed surface remain stable and soluble in E. coli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Oxidized LDL induces transcription factor activator protein-1 but inhibits activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) has been implicated in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, mainly due to its enhanced uptake by macrophages and its ability to alter gene expression in arterial cells. In the present study we demonstrated that Ox-LDL activates activator protein-1 (AP-1), a transcription factor generally induced by mitogenic substances. Lysophosphatidylcholine, which is generated during oxidation of LDL, stimulated AP-1 in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the radical-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) was not activated by Ox-LDL, and at a concentration of 50 micrograms/mL, Ox-LDL inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NF-kappa B. Oxysterols but not lysophosphatidylcholine inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-kappa B activation, suggesting that they may be responsible for the inhibitory effect of Ox-LDL. In conclusion, Ox-LDL has opposing effects on the activities of NF-kappa B and AP-1, suggesting involvement of mechanisms for transcriptional regulation that are strongly affected by lipid oxidation products.

Cells, Cultured↗

The susceptibility of low density lipoprotein to chemical oxidation is closely related to proneness to biological modification.

U937 is a monocytic cell line dependent on low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-mediated uptake of cholesterol for proliferation. However, exposure of U937 cells to LDL also results in an oxidative modification of LDL. We report here that the oxidative modification of LDL by U937 cells results in inhibition of growth and cell death. This finding suggests that analysis of U937 cell growth in presence of LDL may be used to determine the susceptibility of LDL to biological oxidative modification. There was an inverse association between the effect of LDL on U937 cell growth and the rate of degradation of U937 cell-modified LDL in mouse peritoneal macrophages (r = -0.82, p < 0.05) suggesting a coupling between proneness of LDL to develop cytotoxicity and affinity for scavenger receptors. In a group of young post-infarction patients (n = 18) the susceptibility of LDL to chemical oxidation as determined by analysis of the lag phase for formation of conjugated diens in presence of copper ions was compared with the biological modification of LDL as assessed by analysis of U937 cell growth in presence of LDL. The results demonstrated a close relation between the estimates of chemical oxidation and biological modification (r = 0.86, p < 0.005) suggesting that LDL, which is prone to become oxidised by copper also is more prone to become modified by cells in vivo.

Animals↗

Circulating blood diminishes cement penetration into cancellous bone. In vivo studies of 21 arthrotic femoral heads.

We compared the penetration depth into cancellous bone when pressurizing cement at predetermined pressure levels, and at different times after cement mixing, in 21 arthrotic femoral heads during total hip replacement. To determine the influence of circulating blood on cement penetration, cement was injected into holes drilled into the femoral head before and after osteotomy of the femoral neck. The penetration of cement increased on the average 100 percent in the absence of circulation.

Aged↗

Design features of a five-year Bezafibrate Coronary Atherosclerosis Intervention Trial (BECAIT).

Young survivors of myocardial infarction represent a poignant challenge to clinical research on atherogenic mechanisms and factors predisposing to and precipitating coronary thrombosis. Young male postinfarction patients are characterized by heavy smoking, dyslipoproteinaemias involving very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), a family history of premature coronary artery disease, hyperinsulinaemic responses to oral and intravenous glucose challenges, an elevated plasma fibrinogen concentration and defective fibrinolytic function. Based on the multiplicity of metabolic and haemostatic disturbances present in these patients, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled angiographic trial was initiated to determine whether bezafibrate, a clofibrate analogue, retards the progression or facilitates regression of premature coronary atherosclerosis. Men under the age of 45 years who survived a first myocardial infarction were screened for participation in the study. A fasting serum cholesterol value > or = 5.2 mmol/l and/or serum triglycerides > or = 1.6 mmol/l after three months of dietary treatment and angiographically demonstrable lesions in at least one coronary segment were required for inclusion. Treatment with diet and bezafibrate (200 mg t.i.d.) or matching placebo is continued for five years during which time re-angiography is performed after two years and at the end of the study. The primary aim of the trial is a comparison between the bezafibrate and placebo groups for change in mean minimum luminal diameter between the baseline and five-year coronary angiograms. This report presents the design features of the Bezafibrate Coronary Atherosclerosis Intervention Trial (BECAIT) and a review of current knowledge of mechanisms underlying premature coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction at a young age.

Adult↗

Influence of lipoprotein lipids, dietary fat and smoking on macrophage degradation of native and oxidized low density lipoprotein.

Relatively little is known about the biological mechanisms by which lipoproteins promote atherogenesis. It has, however, been shown that structural modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL), such as by oxidation, results in their uptake and degradation by intimal macrophages and consequently leads to formation of lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of dietary intake of fat, lipoprotein lipid composition, smoking and gender on macrophage degradation of LDL before and after oxidation. The study group consisted of 48 males and 56 females with hyperlipidemia taking part in the open prerandomization phase of the Probucol Quantitative Regression Swedish Trial (PQRST). Analysis including lipoprotein determinations, dietary and smoking habit interviews, LDL degradation by macrophages, LDL receptor binding and LDL thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels before and after copper ion-induced oxidation was done during the pre-andomization phase of the study. Increased plasma and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride levels were associated with an increased macrophage degradation of native LDL, whereas no such association was found after oxidation of LDL. The dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was also inversely related to the degradation of native LDL by macrophages, but increased the rate at which oxidized LDL was degraded. Smoking and gender did not influence the rate of macrophage degradation of native or oxidized LDL. It is concluded that hypertriglyceridemia is associated with an increased macrophage degradation of LDL. This may represent a mechanism by which hypertriglyceridemia promotes atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

6,7,8,9-Tetrahydro-N,N-di-n-propyl-3H-benzindol-8-amines. Derivatives as potent and orally active serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonists.

Derivatives and isosteric derivatives of the potent 5-HT1A agonist 8-(di-n-propylamino)-6,7,8,9- tetrahydro-3H-benz[e]indole-1-carbaldehyde (5) were prepared and evaluated in vivo and in vitro for serotonergic and dopaminergic activity. The 1-cyano analog 8 was found to be almost equipotent to 5 and the previously described 2-cyano derivative 6, while a 1-chloro and 1-(1,1,1-trifluoroethyl) substituent (9 and 10, respectively) formed less potent derivatives. The isosteric 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-1H-benz[g]indoles 4 and 12-15 showed surprisingly low affinity or activity at both serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. The interpretations of these results by means of drug-receptor interactions at the 5-HT1A subtype are discussed. Compounds 6 and 8 were found to have high oral bioavailability in the rat (63% and 54%, respectively).

Animals↗

Competitive elution of protein A fusion proteins allows specific recovery under mild conditions.

A novel system is described for mild elution of fusion proteins by competitive elution. The approach is based on displacement of immobilized fusions containing a monovalent IgG-binding staphylococcal protein A fragment (Z) from an IgG-affinity matrix by a divalent fragment fused to a serum-albumin-binding region derived from streptococcal protein G. Using real-time interaction analysis, the binding (K(aff)) to polyclonal human IgG was found to be 3.3 (+/- 0.4) x 10(8) M-1 for divalent ZZ and 2.0 (+/- 0.1) x 10(7) M-1 for monovalent Z. This more than tenfold difference in binding strength ensures a high efficiency in the elution step. The competitor protein can specifically be removed and recovered from the elution mixture by subsequent passage through a human serum albumin(HSA)-affinity column, leaving only the target fusion protein in the flow-through fraction. Here, we show that a recombinant Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I expressed in Escherichia coli can be recovered with high yield, and retained activity, from a crude bacterial lysate by IgG-affinity chromatography using mild conditions during both binding and elution.

Base Sequence↗