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J S Davidson

Publications and source records attributed to J S Davidson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Blood group-related antigen expression in normal and metaplastic human upper gastrointestinal mucosa.

Lewis antigen expression in upper gastrointestinal epithelium was studied using four monoclonal antibodies to determine the relationship between aberrant differentiation and antigen expression. Specific patterns of type 1 and type 2 Lewis blood group antigen expression were found in the surface and glands of the esophagus, gastric fundus, and duodenum. In biopsy specimens of Barrett's esophagus, gastric fundic-type columnar metaplasia expressed Lewis antigens indistinguishable from those in the normal stomach. In Barrett's junctional and specialized columnar metaplasia, Lewis a antigen was aberrantly expressed on the surface in secretors and in the glands independent of secretor state. Lewis x reactivity was markedly diminished in the glands of Barrett's junctional and specialized columnar epithelium irrespective of secretor state. There was no significant aberrancy observed in the expression of Lewis b and y antigens. The observed aberrant expression of Lewis antigens may be caused by an altered differentiation program in Barrett's metaplastic epithelium and may define a role for these glycoconjugates in the process of metaplasia and carcinogenesis in Barrett's epithelium.

Barrett Esophagus↗

Involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive GTP-binding proteins in luteinizing hormone exocytosis distal to second messenger generation.

Inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) exocytosis by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S) in permeabilized pituitary cells has indicated the involvement of one or more GTP-binding proteins in the exocytotic mechanism distal to second messenger generation. We now report that two inhibitory sites of action of GTP gamma S can be distinguished by their dependence on GTP gamma S concentration and their sensitivity to pertussis toxin. Ca(2+)-stimulated exocytosis was half-maximally inhibited by 6.8 microM GTP gamma S, a six-fold higher concentration than that required for inhibition of exocytosis stimulated by phorbol ester plus cAMP. In addition, GTP gamma S inhibition of Ca(2+)-stimulated exocytosis was insensitive to pertussis toxin, in contrast to the inhibition of exocytosis stimulated by phorbol ester plus cAMP, which was abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. These results indicate that at least two stimulus-specific GTP-binding proteins are involved in regulating LH exocytosis distal to second messenger generation.

Animals↗

Arachidonic acid-induced LH release is ATP-independent and insensitive to N-ethyl maleimide.

The mechanism of arachidonic acid (AA)-induced LH release was characterized using sheep pituitary cells in primary culture permeabilized with Staphylococcal alpha-toxin. In intact cells, exogenous AA evoked release of LH in a manner which was partially dependent on extracellular Ca2+. At similar concentrations, AA also caused cell permeabilization as monitored by efflux of [3H]2-deoxyglucose metabolites. In alpha-toxin-permeabilized cells where cytosolic Ca2+ was clamped at resting levels, AA retained its ability to cause LH release. Unlike the stimulation of exocytosis produced by Ca2+, phorbol ester or cyclic AMP, AA-evoked release was independent of ATP and was not inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethyl maleimide. These findings indicated that exogenous AA does not cause LH release by Ca2+ influx or mobilization or by activating protein kinase C. The results suggest that LH release induced by exogenous AA is probably due to its detergent-like properties, and does not represent true exocytosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibition of luteinizing-hormone exocytosis by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate reveals involvement of a GTP-binding protein distal to second-messenger generation.

Dual inhibitory and stimulatory actions of guanine nucleotides on luteinizing-hormone (LH) exocytosis were observed in primary sheep gonadotropes permeabilized with staphylococcal alpha-toxin. At resting cytosolic [Ca2+]free (pCa 7), 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) and guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) stimulated rapid LH exocytosis, which was maximal between 5 and 10 min. GTP[S] and p[NH]ppG had similar potencies (50% of maximum effect at 20-50 microM), but the effect of p[NH]ppG was more prolonged. Experiments carried out in the presence of saturating concentrations of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or in PMA-desensitized cells, suggested that stimulation by p[NH]ppG is mediated by a mechanism additional to protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Furthermore, p[NH]ppG stimulated LH exocytosis in the presence of saturating cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations, although its effect was less than additive. However, when both PMA and cAMP were present, p[NH]ppG did not stimulate a further increase in the rate of LH exocytosis. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with GTP[S] at low [Ca2+]free markedly inhibited subsequent responses to Ca2+, cAMP, PMA, and cAMP plus PMA. This inhibitory effect required lower GTP[S] concentrations than the stimulatory effect (50% inhibition at 1-10 microM), and was not observed with p[NH]ppG. A similar inhibition was observed with adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, probably by its conversion into GTP[S]. These results suggest that the stimulatory actions of guanine nucleotides can be accounted for by the combined activation of PKC and generation of cAMP, resulting from activation of conventional signal-transducing GTP-binding proteins. The inhibitory effect of GTP[S] can be clearly distinguished and indicates the involvement of a distinct GTP-binding protein in exocytosis at a site distal to second-messenger generation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Cyclic AMP stimulates luteinizing-hormone (lutropin) exocytosis in permeabilized sheep anterior-pituitary cells. Synergism with protein kinase C and calcium.

Sheep anterior-pituitary cells permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin were used to investigate the role of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in exocytosis of luteinizing hormone (lutropin, LH) under conditions where the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]free) is clamped by Ca2+ buffers. At resting [Ca2+]free (pCa 7), cAMP rapidly stimulated LH exocytosis (within 5 min) and continued to stimulate exocytosis for at least 30 min. When cAMP breakdown was inhibited by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), the concentration giving half-maximal response (EC50) for cAMP-stimulated exocytosis was 10 microM. cAMP-stimulated exocytosis required millimolar concentrations of MgATP, as has been found with Ca2(+)- and phorbol-ester-stimulated LH exocytosis. cAMP caused a modest enhancement of Ca2(+)-stimulated LH exocytosis by decreasing in the EC50 for Ca2+ from pCa 5.6 to pCa 5.9, but had little effect on the maximal LH response to Ca2+. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) dramatically enhanced cAMP-stimulated LH exocytosis by both increasing the maximal effect 5-7-fold and decreasing the EC50 for cAMP to 3 microM. This synergism between cAMP and PMA was further augmented by increasing the [Ca2+]free. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gonadoliberin, GnRH) stimulated cAMP production in intact pituitary cells. Since GnRH stimulation is reported to activate PKC and increase the intracellular [Ca2+]free, our results suggest that a synergistic interaction of the cAMP, PKC and Ca2+ second-messenger systems is of importance in the mechanism of GnRH-stimulated LH exocytosis.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Staurosporine enhances gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-stimulated luteinizing hormone secretion.

In intact sheep gonadotropes, the protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, inhibited the stimulatory effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Under the same conditions staurosporine enhanced gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated LH exocytosis without altering the EC50 of GnRH and without affecting basal LH exocytosis. These results suggest that PKC does not play a major role in mediating acute GnRH-stimulated LH exocytosis. Furthermore, they demonstrate that staurosporine enhances GnRH stimulus-secretion coupling. Both extracellular Ca2(+)-dependent and Ca2(+)-independent components of GnRH-stimulated LH secretion were enhanced by the drug. Staurosporine had no effect on GnRH stimulation of cAMP and inositol phosphate synthesis. In permeabilized cells staurosporine did not enhance Ca2(+)- and cAMP-stimulated LH exocytosis. Based on these results we hypothesize that staurosporine inhibits a protein kinase which is activated by GnRH and which negatively modulates GnRH stimulus-secretion coupling.

Alkaloids↗

Calcium stimulates luteinizing-hormone (lutropin) exocytosis by a mechanism independent of protein kinase C.

Using permeabilized gonadotropes, we examined whether Ca2(+)-stimulated luteinizing-hormone (LH) exocytosis is mediated by the Ca2(+)-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). In the presence of high [Ca2+]free (pCa 5), alpha-toxin-permeabilized sheep gonadotropes secrete a burst of LH and then become refractory to maintained high [Ca2+]free. The protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is able to stimulate further LH release from cells made refractory to high [Ca2+]free, suggesting that Ca2+ does not stimulate LH release by activating protein kinase C. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibited PMA-stimulated (50% inhibition at 20 nM), but not Ca2(+)-stimulated, LH exocytosis. In cells desensitized to PMA by prolonged exposure to a high PMA concentration, Ca2(+)-stimulated LH exocytosis (when corrected for depletion of total cellular LH) was not inhibited. Ba2+ was able to stimulate LH exocytosis to a maximal extent similar to Ca2+, although higher Ba2+ concentrations were necessary. Ba2+ and Ca2+ stimulated LH exocytosis with a similar time course, and both were inhibitory at high concentrations. Furthermore, cells made refractory to Ca2+ were also refractory to Ba2+. These data strongly suggest that Ba2+ and Ca2+ act through the same mechanism. Since Ba2+ is a poor activator of protein kinase C, these findings are additional evidence against a major role for protein kinase C in mediating Ca2(+)-stimulated LH exocytosis.

Alkaloids↗

A novel extracellular nucleotide receptor coupled to phosphoinositidase-C in pituitary cells.

In primary cultures of sheep pituitary cells extracellular nucleotides stimulated rapid increases in inositol tris- and bisphosphate, accompanied by intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. A similar stimulation of inositol phosphate production by extracellular nucleotides was observed in rat and baboon pituitary cells. The inositol phosphate response to nucleotides was greater than that elicited by any of the known hypothalamic releasing peptides. UTP, ATP, and ATP gamma S were the most potent agonists, with EC50 values for inositol phosphate production of 1.2, 2.6, and 2.7 microM. The relative potencies of a range of nucleotides indicates that the pharmacological specificity of the pituitary nucleotide receptor is different from that of the previously characterized P2X and P2Y purinoceptors present in other tissues. Increasing extracellular Mg2+ concentrations caused a shift to the right of the ATP dose-response curves, indicating that the predominantly active agonist species is not MgATP and may be ATP4-. In the absence of both Ca2+ and Mg2+ (1 mM EDTA) ATP stimulated inositol phosphate production with high potency (EC50 = 200 nM), indicating that an ectokinase or ecto-ATPase reaction is not involved in its mode of action. Phosphoinositidase-C activation by ATP was insensitive to pertussis toxin. The magnitude of the inositol phosphate and 45Ca2+ responses to extracellular nucleotides indicates that a substantial fraction of the cells in primary pituitary cultures bears nucleotide receptors. None of the major pituitary hormones appear to be released by extracellular nucleotides. The cell types in the pituitary that bear these nucleotide receptors are at present unidentified.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mechanisms of luteinizing-hormone exocytosis in Staphylococcus aureus-alpha-toxin-permeabilized sheep gonadotropes.

We have used primary gonadotropes permeabilized with the pore-forming protein Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin to investigate luteinizing hormone (lutropin, LH) exocytosis. The diameter of the alpha-toxin pores (2-3 nm) allows the exchange of small molecules, whereas larger cytosolic proteins are retained. Because of the slow exchange of small molecules through the pores, we have developed a protocol which combines prolonged pre-equilibration of the permeabilized cells at 0 degrees C before stimulation with strong Ca2+ buffering. Under these conditions, increasing the free Ca2+ concentration from 0.1 microM to 10 microM [EC50 (concentration effecting half-maximal response) 2-3 microM] resulted in a 15-20-fold increase in LH exocytosis. LH exocytosis was maximal in the first 3 min and completed by 12 min. When permeabilized cells were equilibrated for prolonged periods in the absence of MgATP, Ca2(+)-stimulated LH secretion gradually declined (greater than 90% decrease by 60 min). Addition of MgATP (5 mM) rapidly restored full Ca2(+)-stimulated LH secretion. MgATP supported Ca2(+)-stimulated LH secretion at a half-maximal concentration of 1.5 mM. UTP and adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate were 40 and 31% as effective as MgATP, whereas other nucleotide triphosphates were ineffective. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 50 nM) stimulated LH exocytosis at free Ca2+ concentrations as low as 1 nM and was additive with Ca2+ at higher free Ca2+ concentrations. PMA-stimulated exocytosis required MgATP at concentrations similar to those required for Ca2(+)-stimulated LH exocytosis. These results demonstrate that LH exocytosis can be triggered both by micromolar Ca2+ concentrations or, in the virtual absence of Ca2+, by PKC activation. Both mechanisms of stimulated exocytosis have an absolute requirement for millimolar ATP. Because they retain cytosolic proteins, alpha-toxin-permeabilized cells may have advantages over alternative permeabilization methods provided that conditions are used that compensate for slow diffusion through alpha-toxin pores.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Extracellular nucleotides stimulate receptor-mediated calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate production in human fibroblasts.

In human skin fibroblasts, low concentrations of extracellular ATP stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from a slow-turnover intracellular pool, accompanied by inositol phosphate generation. These effects of ATP were not due to a generalized increase in plasma-membrane permeability. The EC50 (concn. giving 50% stimulation) for ATP was dependent on Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations in a manner which indicates that a form of ATP uncomplexed with bivalent cations is the active species. The rank order of potency of nucleotides was: ATP = UTP greater than adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate greater than ITP greater than ADP greater than UDP greater than other nucleoside triphosphates. Adenosine 5'-[alpha beta-methylene]triphosphate, adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-methylene]triphosphate and 2-methylthio-ATP were inactive. Thus the nucleotide specificity of this receptor is different from that of previously characterized P2 purinoceptors. Nucleotide-stimulated 45Ca2+ mobilization and inositol phosphate production were markedly inhibited by phorbol ester, and partially inhibited by pertussis-toxin pretreatment. These findings suggest that the coupling of nucleotide receptor to phospholipase C is mediated both by a pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein and by a pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanism.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Ba2+ stimulation of luteinizing-hormone release demonstrates two mechanisms of Ca2+ entry in gonadotrope cells.

Kinetic studies on gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (gonadoliberin, GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing-hormone (lutropin, LH) release in the cultured rat gonadotrope demonstrated a biphasic pattern of LH release. The first rapid phase of release was unaffected by the voltage-gated Ca2+-channel blockers methoxyverapamil (D600) and nifedipine [a dihydropyridine (DHP)], whereas the later second phase was partially inhibited by both drugs. These results suggested that the initial phase of LH release is independent of Ca2+ entry through dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive Ca2+ channels and might depend on entry of extracellular Ca2+ by another mechanism. These mechanisms were further studied by utilizing Ba2+ as a Ca2+ substitute. Ba2+, which freely permeates DHP-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the absence of GnRH, induced LH release which was sensitive to blockade by D600 and nifedipine. However, in the presence of the channel blockers, Ba2+-induced LH release could be elicited when GnRH was added to the system. This indicates that GnRH stimulates LH release by initially activating a DHP-insensitive Ca2+-entry mechanism and then a DHP-sensitive mechanism. The DHP-sensitive mechanism freely allows Ba2+ entry in the absence of GnRH-receptor occupancy, whereas the DHP-insensitive mechanism requires GnRH-receptor activation for Ba2+ entry.

Animals↗

Euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia due to endogenous antibodies to thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine. A case report.

A case of euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia caused by auto-antibodies to thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine is presented. Gel filtration chromatography of the patient's serum showed increased binding of radio-labelled thyroxine analogue to a macromolecular component, which migrated in the gammaglobulin region on electrophoresis. Precipitation by protein A confirmed that this was an immunoglobulin. The importance of recognising this condition so that inappropriate therapy can be avoided is stressed.

Autoantibodies↗

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate activates phospholipase C and mobilizes intracellular calcium in primary cultures of sheep anterior pituitary cells.

In primary cultures of sheep anterior pituitary cells extracellular ATP (ED50 0.4-0.8 microM) stimulated efflux of 45Ca2+ from a slow-turnover intracellular pool. ADP was also effective whereas AMP and adenosine were not. The ATP effect was not due to cell permeabilization as 100 microM ATP did not elicit efflux of 2-deoxy[3H]glucose metabolites. This 45Ca2+ mobilization may be mediated by inositol trisphosphate, since ATP (ED50 1 microM) stimulated inositol phosphate generation. These results demonstrate P2-purinoceptors in sheep anterior pituitary cells which are coupled to phospholipase C activation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and raise the possibility of a regulatory role for extracellular ATP in the anterior pituitary.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with ciprofloxacin.

Twenty-seven patients with chronic osteomyelitis were treated with oral ciprofloxacin, 500 mg (13 patients) or 750 mg (13) twice daily and one patient was treated with 300 mg twice daily intravenously. Treatment was given for 17-189 days (mean 69). Twenty-three patients had prosthetic implants, 16 patients had infections caused by one bacterium and 11 had polymicrobial infections. The predominant organisms were strains of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Cure was obtained in 20 patients and improvement in four. Three patients failed to respond to therapy. Concentrations of ciprofloxacin, measured in pus 1 h after 500 mg orally ranged from 0.6-1.3 mg/l, whilst 2 h after 750 mg orally concentrations of 2.4-6.8 mg/l were found. Sterilization of pus and closure of infected wounds or draining sinuses were observed within four weeks of treatment in the majority of patients. Ciprofloxacin was well tolerated in 26 patients, whilst one had severe nausea after oral administration.

Adolescent↗

Cervical spine injury in patients with facial skeletal trauma.

The records of 2,555 patients admitted to hospital with facial fractures were reviewed for concomitant neck injury. Cervical spine injury occurred in 1.3% of all patients with facial fractures, the incidence rising to 5.5% with facial fractures resulting only from MVA's. Neck injuries occurred most frequently in the setting of MVA's (85%) and multisystem trauma (70%) and tended to involve two main levels of the cervical spine: C2 (31%) and the two lower cervical vertebrae C6 and C7 (50%). Examination of the pattern of cervical spine injury with respect to the pattern of facial skeletal injury does not support the premise of a direct causal relation between them.

Adult↗

Gonadal steroid modulation of signal transduction and luteinizing hormone release in cultured chicken pituitary cells.

The mechanism whereby gonadal steroids modulate GnRH-stimulated LH secretion by primary cultures of chicken pituitary cells was investigated. Estradiol (10(-8) M), testosterone (10(-7) M), and progesterone (10(-7) M) inhibited LH release stimulated by GnRH (10(-7) M) by 56%, 61%, and 53%, respectively, and the inhibitory effects required prolonged preincubation (24-48 h) with the steroids. The steroids inhibited the spike (0-3 min) and plateau (9-30 min) phases of LH release to a similar degree. The ED50 values of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone for inhibition of GnRH-stimulated LH release were 7 x 10(-11), 2 x 10(-9), and 1 x 10(-9) M, respectively. Estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone inhibited the maximal LH response to GnRH, but the ED50 of GnRH (4 x 10(-9) M) was not altered by steroid pretreatment. Steroid pretreatment did not cause a change in cellular LH content, suggesting that the steroids do not inhibit LH synthesis. Combinations of two or three of the steroids were not additive, suggesting that all three steroids affect GnRH-stimulated LH release via the same mechanism. In experiments investigating their mechanism of action, the steroids inhibited LH release stimulated by GnRH and Ca2+ ionophore A23187, but generally had no effect on the responses to phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate), forskolin, K+, Bay K8644, or veratridine. Estradiol inhibited GnRH-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux, but its inhibitory effect on GnRH-induced inositol phosphate production was not significant. Estradiol had no effect on binding of 125I-[His5,D-Tyr6]GnRH to a pituitary cell preparation. These findings suggest that the site of steroid modulation of GnRH action is distal to binding of GnRH to its receptor, and that the inhibitory effects are exerted at two intracellular sites: 1) the coupling events linking receptor activation to mobilization of Ca2+, and 2) a site distal to Ca2+ mobilization.

Animals↗

Effects of SV40 transformation on intercellular gap junctional communication in human fibroblasts.

The effect of SV40 viral transformation of human fibroblasts on intercellular gap junctional communication (IJC) was investigated using a short-term quantitative assay. IJC was measured using metabolic cooperation in a coculture system of argininosuccinate synthetase- and argininosuccinate lyase-deficient human fibroblasts. These cell lines were transformed with origin-defective adenovirus/SV40 recombinant virions, and IJC was determined both between transformed cells (homologous IJC) and between transformed and untransformed cells (heterologous IJC). At equivalent cell densities, homologous IJC between transformed cells was reduced to 25-55% of the level between untransformed cells. Intermediate levels of IJC (50-70% of normal) were observed in heterologous cocultures of transformed with untransformed cells. Transformed and untransformed cells were equally sensitive to inhibition of IJC by phorbol esters and by glycyrrhetinic acid, and also did not differ in the degree of upregulation of IJC by forskolin. We conclude that SV40 transformation of human fibroblasts leads to a partial impairment of IJC which is additive when both communicating partners are transformed.

Cell Communication↗

Dual pathways of calcium entry in spike and plateau phases of luteinizing hormone release from chicken pituitary cells: sequential activation of receptor-operated and voltage-sensitive calcium channels by gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

It has previously been shown that, in pituitary gonadotrope cells, the initial rise in cytosolic Ca2+ induced by GnRH is due to a Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. This raises the possibility that the initial transient spike phase of LH release might be fully or partially independent of extracellular Ca2+. We have therefore characterized the extracellular Ca2+ requirements, and the sensitivity to Ca2+ channel blockers, of the spike and plateau phases of secretion separately. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+ the spike and plateau phases were inhibited by 65 +/- 4% and 106 +/- 3%, respectively. Both phases exhibited a similar dependence on concentration of extracellular Ca2+. However, voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel blockers D600 and nifedipine had a negligible effect on the spike phase, while inhibiting the plateau phase by approximately 50%. In contrast, ruthenium red, Gd3+ ions, and Co2+ ions inhibited both spike and plateau phases to a similar extent as removal of extracellular Ca2+. A fraction (35 +/- 4%) of spike phase release was resistant to removal of extracellular Ca2+. This fraction was abolished after calcium depletion of the cells by preincubation with EGTA in the presence of calcium ionophore A23187, indicating that it depends on intracellular Ca2+ stores. Neither absence of extracellular Ca2+, nor the presence of ruthenium red or Gd3+ prevented mobilization of 45Ca2+ from intracellular stores by GnRH. We conclude that mobilization of intracellular stored Ca2+ is insufficient by itself to account for full spike phase LH release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗