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Biomedical subjects

J Porter

Publications and source records attributed to J Porter.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Deamidation of soluble CD4 at asparagine-52 results in reduced binding capacity for the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120.

High-performance cation-exchange chromatography of recombinant soluble CD4 (rCD4) allowed the resolution of four charge variants. This charge heterogeneity could be eliminated by neuraminidase treatment of rCD4 and therefore can be attributed to different degrees of sialylation of the carbohydrate portion of this glycoprotein. A single acidic variant was observed upon cation-exchange chromatography of neuraminidase-treated rCD4 that had been stored in liquid solution, pH 7.2, at 25 degrees C for 6 months. This acidic variant was isolated by semipreparative cation-exchange chromatography and subjected to tryptic mapping analysis. Tryptic peptides were characterized by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS). The results of this analysis demonstrated that the acidic variant of neuraminidase-treated rCD4 is generated from deamidation at Asn-52. Digestion of the deamidated rCD4 with endoproteinase Asp-N confirmed Asn-52 as the primary site of deamidation. The ability of the deamidated rCD4 variant to bind gp120 was assessed by use of an ELISA-based binding assay. The binding capacity of the deamidated variant was 24% of the binding capacity of unmodified rCD4. The overall structure of the V1 domain in the deamidated variant was not markedly different from that of the native protein as probed with eight conformationally dependent anti-V1 monoclonal antibodies. Therefore, it appears that Asn-52 is directly involved in binding to gp120.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists: novel structures incorporating N omega-cyano modified guanidine moieties.

A series of GnRH antagonists with substitutions at positions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 that included the recently reported homoArg-N omega-cyano-N omega'-alkyl- or Lysine-N epsilon-5'-(3-amino-1H-1,2,4-triazole) [Lys(atz)] amino acid derivatives was synthesized, characterized and tested for antiovulatory and anaphylactoid activities and binding affinity. Overall, these analogs were found to be considerably more soluble at neutral pH than their homologs Nal-Glu or Antide. The decapeptides with these substitutions in positions 5 and/or 6 retained high in vivo potency while those with similar substitutions at positions 1, 2 and 3 were significantly less potent than Nal-Glu or Antide. Of the 16 new analogs reported here, Azaline (Ac-DNal1, DCpa2, DPal3, Lys5(atz),DLys6(atz), ILys8,DA1a10]-GnRH) showed the most promising physico-chemical and biological properties [Lys(atz) = N epsilon-5'-(3-amino-1H-1,2,4-triazole) lysine]. Azaline is readily soluble in dilute buffers at pH 7.0, completely inhibits ovulation at 2.0 to 3.0 micrograms per rat, is equipotent to GnRH in releasing histamine in the rat and has a weaker anaphylactoid response in the rat than other analogs such as Nal-Glu or even Antide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists: peptides incorporating modified N omega-cyanoguanidino moieties.

In order to minimize the deleterious effects of histamine release resulting from the administration to rats and humans of some potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists, various arginine residues were replaced with the less basic N omega-cyano-N omega-alkyl- or -arylhomoarginine, -arginine, or -p-aminophenylalanine and N omega-triazolyllysine, -ornithine or -p-aminophenylalanine residues in active analogues. These novel analogues were synthesized on a solid-phase support via a two-step modification of the N omega-NH2 of lysine, ornithine, or p-aminophenylalanine residues in otherwise protected resin bound peptides. Most analogues were tested in the rat antiovulatory assay (AOA) and three in vitro assays; a pituitary cell culture assay, a binding assay to pituitary cell membranes, and a histamine release assay. Introduction of the cyanoguanidino and N omega-triazolyl moieties into GnRH analogues yielded several water-soluble antagonists which showed a desirable therapeutic ratio (low histamine release activity to high in vivo potency). Among them, "Azaline" (10, [Ac-DNal1,DCpa2,DPal3,Lys5(atz), DLys6(atz),ILys8,DAla10]GnRH), inhibited ovulation in the rat by 90% at 2 micrograms/rat with an ED50 in the in vitro histamine release assay comparable to that of GnRH itself.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Comparative pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B after administration of a novel colloidal delivery system, ABCD, and a conventional formulation to rats.

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of two amphotericin B dosage forms were compared in rats. A novel lipid-based colloidal delivery system for amphotericin B (Amphotericin B Colloidal Dispersion [ABCD]) which reduces the toxicity of amphotericin B in animals was compared with a conventional micellar formulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intravenous injection of 1.0 mg of ABCD, 5.0 mg of ABCD, or 1.0 mg of micellar amphotericin B per kg. Plasma and tissue samples were obtained at 0.5 to 96 h after dosing and analyzed for amphotericin B by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Animals receiving ABCD demonstrated reduced peak levels in plasma, a three- to sevenfold reduction in amphotericin B delivery to the kidneys (the major target organ for toxicity), and prolonged residence time compared with those receiving the micellar formulation. In contrast, amphotericin B concentrations in the liver were two- to threefold higher with ABCD than with the micellar formulation: nearly 100% of the amphotericin B administered as ABCD was recovered from the liver 30 min after dosing. These results suggest that the colloidal particles of ABCD are taken up by the liver, which then acts as a reservoir of amphotericin B.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1991

Eosinophilia, lead poisoning and Toxacaris canis infection in children.

This report identifies Toxacaris canis infestation as a frequent cause of eosinophilia in both lead-poisoned and nonlead-poisoned children. An overall prevalence of 23% was recorded. Literature reveals a vast difference in regional prevalence of T canis infestations and emphasizes the need for the practitioner to be aware of the community in which he/she practices. Because of the adverse neuropsychological effects from T canis infestations, doctors in areas where there is a high prevalence of the disease should consider screening for infestations and conducting psychological testing of infested children.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Caffeine potentiates the renin response to diazoxide in man. Evidence for a regulatory role of endogenous adenosine.

In the rat and dog, exogenous adenosine inhibits renin release and adenosine receptor blockade augments stimulated renin release, suggesting that endogenous adenosine contributes to the regulation of renin release. The present study examines the role of endogenous adenosine in the regulation of renin in humans. The ability of the adenosine receptor blocker, caffeine, to augment renin release in response to the vasodilator, diazoxide, has been investigated in eight normal subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. During each arm of the study, subjects on a 150 mEq of sodium, xanthine-free diet received caffeine (250 mg 3 times daily) or placebo for 3 days before and on the study day, when they were given an i.v. loading dose of diazoxide (4 mg/kg) followed by a 3-hr continuous infusion (0.67 mg/kg/hour). PRA, caffeine and diazoxide levels were measured before, during and after the diazoxide infusion. PRA measurements were repeated with subjects standing, 6 hr after starting diazoxide. Administration of diazoxide resulted in a modest tachycardia and a small, but significant, decrease in BP. Supine PRA was elevated during and after the diazoxide infusion and rose further with standing. Although there was no difference in plasma diazoxide levels, maximal pulse or BP response to diazoxide between the two arms of the study, the renin response was significantly greater in the presence of caffeine. These data confirm that caffeine augments the PRA response to diazoxide and suggest that endogenous adenosine inhibits stimulated renin response in humans.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1990

Antibody raised against soluble CD4-rgp120 complex recognizes the CD4 moiety and blocks membrane fusion without inhibiting CD4-gp120 binding.

We studied the humoral response of mice immunized with soluble CD4-rgp120 complex, testing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the aim of identifying molecular changes that take place after the first interaction between human immunodeficiency virus and the cell surface. The antisera had a paradoxically high syncytia-blocking titer associated with anti-CD4 specificity, while their capacity to inhibit CD4-gp120 binding was relatively modest. One of the mAbs produced from these responders blocks syncytia formation but does not inhibit CD4 interaction with gp120. Apparently, this mAb interacts with the CD4 moiety of CD4-gp120 complex and prevents a post-binding event necessary for membrane fusion and viral infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Screening for prolonged incubation of HTLV-I infection in British and Jamaican relatives of British patients with tropical spastic paraparesis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of antibody to and proviral DNA of the retrovirus HTLV-I in relatives of 11 British patients with tropical spastic paraparesis who had migrated from Jamaica before they developed symptoms, and to examine factors possibly related to transmission of HTLV-I. DESIGN: Migrant, family study. Antibody state was determined by several methods and confirmed by western blotting; the polymerase chain reaction was used to detect proviral DNA. SETTING: Britain and Jamaica. SUBJECTS: All available first degree relatives: those born and still resident in Jamaica (group 1); those born in Jamaica who migrated to Britain (group 2); and index patients' children who were born and resident in Britain (group 3). All had been breast fed and none had had blood transfusions. RESULTS: Of the 66 living relatives, 60 were traced. Seroprevalence among those born in Jamaica (irrespective of current residence) was 22% (10/46; 95% confidence limits 9 to 34%) compared with zero among British born offspring (0/14) and was higher in group 2 at 33% (7/21; 12 to 55%) than in group 1 at 12% (3/25; 0 to 25%). (Patients in group 1 had the greatest mean age.) Proviral DNA was not detected in any subject negative for HTLV-I antibody, making prolonged viral incubation in those negative for the antibody unlikely. CONCLUSION: In this sample factors related to place of birth and early residence were more important in transmission of HTLV-I than maternal or age effects. In areas with a low to moderate prevalence policies of preventing mothers who are carriers of the virus from breast feeding would be premature.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Detection of interleukin 1 beta but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cerebrospinal fluid of children with aseptic meningitis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1 beta have been shown to be mediators of meningeal inflammation in animal models of bacterial meningitis. The presence of both cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with bacterial meningitis has been documented recently. In this study, we measured concentrations of interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in CSF samples from 36 patients with nonbacterial (aseptic) meningitis, 13 of whom had culture-proved enteroviral meningitis, and from 14 control patients. None of the samples from patients with aseptic meningitis and from the controls had detectable tumor necrosis factor activity in CSF. Thirty-two (89%) of 36 patients with aseptic meningitis had detectable interleukin 1 beta in CSF (mean +/- SEM, 48 +/- 11 pg/mL). These concentrations were significantly smaller than those previously reported in patients with bacterial meningitis (944 +/- 128 pg/mL). Only 2 of the 14 control patients had detectable CSF interleukin 1 beta concentrations of 21 and 42 pg/mL. A significant correlation was evident between interleukin-1 beta concentrations and white blood cell counts in the CSF of patients with aseptic meningitis. Our data suggest that the initial events of CSF inflammation in children with aseptic meningitis are different than those in patients with bacterial meningitis, and the participation of these two cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor-alpha, is less critical to the process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Novel 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinones. Synthesis, iron(III)-chelating properties, and biological activity.

The synthesis of a range of novel bidentate and hexadentate ligands containing the chelating moiety 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone is described. The pKa values of the ligands and the stability constants of their iron(III) complexes have been determined. The stability constant of the iron(III) complex of one of the hexadentate ligands is comparable to that of desferrioxamine B. The distribution coefficients of the ligands and their iron(III) complexes were also determined. One of the novel hexadentate compounds has been shown to markedly enhance iron(III) excretion from both hepatocytes and iron-overloaded mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

What is morally distinctive about genetic engineering?

It sometimes seems that genetic engineering is suspect, both to its practitioners and to the general public, because it is perceived as being somehow unnatural. This essay argues, on the basis of an analysis of two senses of "natural," that there is nothing distinctively morally problematic about genetic engineering, at least on the grounds of its alleged unnaturalness. It does not follow that we cannot distinguish among morally legitimate and morally suspect uses of genetic engineering. But these distinctions can and should be drawn on the basis of the same considerations that enter into the evaluation of particular uses of any other medical procedure.

Ethical Analysis↗