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Biomedical subjects

J Silver

Publications and source records attributed to J Silver.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Polymorphism of the HLA-D region in American blacks. A DR3 haplotype generated by recombination.

The polymorphism of HLA class II molecules in man is particularly evident when comparisons between population groups are made. This study describes a DR3 haplotype commonly present in the American black population. Unlike the Northern European population in which almost all DR3 individuals are DQw2, approximately 50% of DR3-positive American blacks express a serologically undefined DQ allelic product. DNA restriction fragment analysis with the use of several unrelated individuals and an informative family has allowed us to identify unique DQ alpha- and beta-fragments associated with the DR3, DQw- haplotype. Based on fragment size, the DQ alpha genes of the DR3, DQw- and DRw8, DQw- haplotypes are similar as are the DQ beta genes of DR3, DQw-; DRw8, DQw-; and DR4, DQw- haplotypes. In addition, a DX beta gene polymorphism has been identified which is associated with some DR3 haplotypes including the American black DR3, DQw- haplotype. cDNA sequence analysis has revealed a DQw2-like alpha gene and a DQ beta gene which is similar to that previously described for a DR4, DQw- haplotype. It is postulated that recombination between DQ alpha and DQ beta genes and between the DQ and DX subregions has generated the various DR3 haplotypes and has played an important role in creating diversity in the HLA-D region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Is astrocyte laminin involved in axon guidance in the mammalian CNS?

This paper provides evidence for the expression of laminin on glia in correlation with axon elongation and nerve pathway formation during embryonic development of the mouse optic nerve and other parts of the central nervous system (CNS). We show that punctate deposits of laminin on immature glial cells precede the entrance of the first optic axons into the nerve, and remain in close association with growing axons. Furthermore, we show that in one particular region of the optic pathway that the retinal ganglion cell axons avoid in normal animals (i.e., the pigmented area of the distal nerve) the punctate laminin matrix is missing. As the optic nerve matures punctate laminin deposits disappear, and laminin is reduced in the astroglial cytoplasm. The close correlation of the punctate form of laminin with early axonal growth is true not only in the optic nerve but also in some other parts of the CNS. We demonstrate such punctate laminin deposits in a model of astrocyte-induced regeneration of the corpus callosum in acallosal mice (G. Smith, R. Miller, and J. Silver, 1986, J. Comp. Neurol. 251, 23-43), and in glia associated with several normal developing axon trajectories, such as the corpus callosum, fornix, and pathways in the embryonic hindbrain. In all of these regions punctate laminin deposits are found on astroglia that are associated with early growing axons. Our results indicate that the punctate form of laminin, produced by astrocytes, may be an important factor involved in axon elongation and nerve pathway formation in the mammalian CNS.

Animals↗

DNA polymorphism in the human Thy-1 gene.

Thy-1 is a membrane glycoprotein expressed predominantly in brain tissue and occasionally in lymphoid tissue. The human Thy-1 gene is located on chromosome 11q22.3. Although two allelic forms of Thy-1 exist in mice (Thy-1.1 and Thy-1.2), no allelic forms have been described for the human Thy-1 gene. We describe a polymorphic MspI site within the human Thy-1 gene that distinguishes two alleles, 8 and 9, which are represented in a northern European population at frequencies of 0.7 and 0.3, respectively. Thy-1, therefore, provides a potentially useful marker to identify linkages with human disease genes located near 11q22.

Alleles↗

DR and DQ beta cDNA sequences associated with a DR2 haplotype.

Three cDNA clones encoding a DQ beta and two DR beta polypeptides have been isolated and sequenced from an American black individual expressing a DR2,DQw1 haplotype. The sequences of the cDNA clones are identical to previously described DR and DQ sequences from a DR2,Dw2 cell. The differences between DQw1-associated beta chains from DR2 and DR1 haplotypes is substantial, although a DQw1-specific sequence can be identified. The identical DQ and DR beta sequences found in unrelated individuals from different racial backgrounds suggests that class II structural polymorphism within the human population will be limited.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping studies and expression of genes located on human chromosome 11, band q23.

Chromosome translocations and deletions may alter cellular proto-oncogenes and result in cellular changes that are important in the pathogenesis of malignancy. The region 11q23 is frequently involved in human malignancy. Utilizing a leukemic cell line with a reciprocal translocation involving 11q23 and somatic cell hybrids derived from this cell line, we analyzed five genes assigned to 11q23: NCAM, CD3D, CD3E, THY1, and ETS1. Our data showed no evidence of direct involvement of these genes in this leukemia but enabled a partial genetic map of this important region of the human genome to be constructed: 11cen--NCAM--CD3([G, D], E)--parallel--(ETS1, THY1)--11qter.

Animals↗

Regulation of calcitonin gene transcription by vitamin D metabolites in vivo in the rat.

Calcitonin is secreted by the C cells of the thyroid in response to a raised serum calcium, and acts on bone to lower serum calcium. The C cells have specific receptors for the dihydroxymetabolite of vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2D3. Moreover, calcitonin stimulates the synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3 in the kidney. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the third calciotrophic hormone, is also trophic to the renal synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3, and in turn 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits PTH gene transcription and synthesis. We report here the marked inhibition of calcitonin gene transcription by the injection of physiologically relevant doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 to normal rats that did not raise serum calcium. Calcitonin mRNA levels after 100 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased to 6% of basal at 6 h and 4% at 48 h, and a dose response showed a marked effect even after 12.5 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3, with no appreciably greater effect with larger doses (up to 200 pmol). Control genes, actin, thyroglobulin (thyroid follicular cells), somatostatin (thyroid C-cells) were not affected by 1,25(OH)2D3. Gel blots showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased calcitonin mRNA levels without any change in its size. In vitro nuclear transcription showed that 1,25(OH)2D3-treated (100 pmol) rats' calcitonin transcription was 10% of control, while thyroglobulin and actin were 100%. We propose that calcium is the major regulator of PTH and calcitonin secretion, while 1,25(OH)2D3 is an important regulator of PTH and calcitonin gene transcription. We believe this to be the first demonstration of an effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the C cells thereby establishing a new target organ and site of action of vitamin D. Calcitonin is trophic to 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis, which in turn inhibits calcitonin synthesis, which are the components of a new endocrinological feedback loop.

Actins↗

Impaired production and decreased urinary excretion of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in primary hyperparathyroidism with vitamin D deficiency.

Increased urinary excretion of cAMP is a common finding in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. We report a patient with hypercalcemia, primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency and high nephrogenous cAMP that fell to low levels during the course of a protracted illness. Surgical removal of a large parathyroid cystic adenoma was associated with a decrease in plasma calcium. Because of the relatively low nephrogenous cAMP with high plasma iPTH the biological activity of the fluid aspirated from the adenoma was examined. Acute clearance studies were performed in parathyroidectomized rats and their response to the parathyroid fluid was compared with the response of synthetic PTH. Similar phosphaturic responses to PTH and the aspirated fluid were recorded and were preceded by similar increments in nephrogenous cAMP. Thus the discrepancy between the high plasma calcium, high PTH and the low nephrogenous cAMP seen in our patient was related to impaired cAMP production by the renal adenylate cyclase. There was no evidence for a hormone with a different biological activity. The impaired formation of cAMP may reflect a combined result of several factors including downregulation of renal adenylate cyclase, phosphate depletion and vitamin D deficiency state.

Adenoma↗

Effect of intravenous glucagon on the urinary excretion of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in man and in rats. Evidence for activation of renal adenylate cyclase and formation of nephrogenous cAMP.

To examine the effect of glucagon in vivo on renal formation and excretion of cAMP, clearance studies were performed in patients with hypoparathyroidism and in parathyroidectomized rats. Four patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and 2 patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism were studied during an intravenous glucagon infusion (20 micrograms/kg body weight). In all patients, glucagon induced a significant increase in nephrogenous cAMP and a 2- to 3-fold increase in fractional excretion of phosphate. The average increase in nephrogenous cAMP was from a baseline of 784 +/- 229 to 18,748 +/- 3,842 pmol/100 ml glomerular filtrate (GF) (p less than 0.01) and occurred 30-60 min after the beginning of the glucagon infusion. The effect of intravenous glucagon, given as a bolus, was further examined in parathyroidectomized rats. Glucagon elicited a significant increase in the urinary excretion of the nucleotide. The excreted cAMP was compared with its filtered load for each urine collection period. In the first two collections, 0-15 and 15-30 min, the filtered load of cAMP was higher than its urinary excretion. During the following periods, 30-90 min, the excreted urinary cAMP exceeded by far its filtered load, suggesting a net nephrogenous contribution to the excretion of the nucleotide. Infusion of exogenous cAMP to parathyroidectomized rats induced significant increments in the filtered load and urinary excretion of the nucleotide. Tubular secretion of extrarenal cAMP could not be detected during the cAMP infusion. These results provide evidence supporting in vivo a possible parathyroid-independent formation of nephrogenous cAMP after glucagon administration, in men and in rats. The glucagon-induced increase in nephrogenous cAMP seems to account, at least partly, for some of the renal actions of this hormone.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Recombination between DQ alpha and DQ beta genes generates human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class II haplotype diversity.

Two major DR7 haplotypes have been defined on the basis of serologic typing: those that type as DQw2 and others that type as DQw3. In order to define the molecular basis for these serologic differences we have isolated and sequenced DQ alpha, DR beta I, and DQ beta cDNA clones from both representative haplotypes. These studies reveal that although the DQ alpha and DR beta I genes of both haplotypes are identical, the DQ beta genes are very different. These data suggest that the serologic differences of these two DR7 haplotypes are the result of a recombinational event that occurred between the DQ alpha and DQ beta genes. In addition, they emphasize the role of DQ recombination in generating "hybrid" HLA-DQ heterodimers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of Thy-1 gene expression in transgenic mice.

Genomic DNA fragments encompassing the human Thy-1 or mouse Thy-1.1 gene have been microinjected into pronuclei of mouse embryos homozygous for the Thy-1.2 allele. In the resulting transgenic mice, the human gene is expressed in a pattern characteristic of normal human tissues, and is not influenced by the pattern of endogenous mouse Thy-1 expression. The mouse Thy-1.1 gene fragment is expressed in a pattern typical of mouse Thy-1, although it is more limited in its distribution. The results indicate the presence of multiple cis-acting regulators of Thy-1 gene expression that have changed in both their character and arrangement over the course of Thy-1 gene evolution.

Animals↗

Differential expression of the human Thy-1 gene in rodent-human somatic cell hybrids [corrected].

Thy-1 is a cell surface differentiation marker which shows distinct patterns of tissue-specific expression in different species. In man, the Thy-1 antigen is encoded by chromosome 11. We have examined the regulatory signals determining human Thy-1 expression through serologic analysis of rodent-human somatic cell hybrids retaining human chromosome 11 in which the fusion partners belong to distinct differentiation lineages. Cell surface expression of human Thy-1 was determined by mixed hemadsorption assays with two monoclonal antibodies (mAb), K117 and L127, shown to detect authentic human Thy-1 through analysis of COS-7 monkey kidney cells transfected with a cloned human Thy-1 gene. Three different patterns of human Thy-1 expression were observed when hybrid cells, constructed with different human and rodent cell types, were tested with mAb K117 and L127. Hybrids formed between Thy-1+ human neuroblastoma cells and Thy-1- mouse neuroblastoma cells, or hybrids between Thy-1+ human fibroblasts and the Thy-1- mouse kidney carcinoma, RAG, retain human Thy-1 expression. In contrast, hybrids formed between either Thy-1+ human neuroblastoma cells or Thy-1+ human fibroblasts and Thy-1- mouse L cells lose expression of human Thy-1 even though chromosome 11 is retained. Finally, hybrids formed between Thy-1- human peripheral lymphocytes or a Thy-1- lymphoblastoid B cell line and Thy-1- Chinese hamster fibroblasts begin to express human Thy-1. These studies suggest that both positive and negative trans-acting signals may play a role in the tissue-specific regulation of the human Thy-1 gene.

Animals↗

Genetic mapping of the mouse interleukin 3 gene to chromosome 11.

Interleukin 3 (IL 3) is a T cell-derived lymphokine that induces the proliferation and differentiation of early hematopoietic stem cells. By using a cDNA clone for IL 3, a single Eco-RI restriction fragment of 8.5 kbp was detected in Southern blot hybridizations of DNA from BALB/c and C57BL/10 mice, whereas an Eco-RI restriction fragment of 10.8 kbp was detected in NFS and A/J mice. Under the conditions used, no hybridization was detected to Chinese hamster DNA. The species and strain differences were used to analyze a series of hamster X mouse somatic cell hybrids and genetic crosses between NFS and C57BL/10 mice. The results demonstrate that the IL 3 gene is located on chromosome 11.

Animals↗

Growth pattern of pioneering chick spinal cord axons.

The early growth pattern of axons in the embryonic chick spinal cord was studied by electron microscopy. Serial perisagittal thin sections were obtained from the lateral margins of spinal cords of stage 17 (S17) and S19 embryos. A simple stereotypic pattern of axonal growth was found. Axons originated from a dispersed population of presumptive interneurons located along the lateral spinal cord margin. They first grew ventrally in a nonfasciculative pattern and later turned at right angles and grew in a fasciculative manner longitudinally in the ventrolateral fasciculus. Growth along the circumferential pathway was analyzed in detail by reconstructing individual axons and growth cones from the S17 specimen. Most circumferential axons, regardless of their site of origin, grew in a parallel orientation, and each of their growth cones projected ventrally. This pattern suggested that circumferential growth cones were guided at many, if not all, points along their path. Study of the region in front of these seven growth cones, however, revealed no apparent structural basis for their guidance. Alternative guidance mechanisms are discussed. In conjunction with previous studies (e.g., Windle and Baxter, 1936; Lyser, 1966), these findings suggest that the circumferential-nonfasciculative and the longitudinal-fasciculative patterns of axonal growth are the two fundamental patterns followed by most early forming axons in the brain stem and spinal cord of all higher vertebrates.

Animals↗