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Biomedical subjects

K Burns

Publications and source records attributed to K Burns.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Immune cells in a mouse airway model of obliterative bronchiolitis.

Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), a form of chronic lung rejection, affects 50% of all lung-transplant recipients and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We used the mouse tracheal allograft model of OB to quantitate inflammatory cells during disease progression to evaluate the pathogenesis of this disorder. Tracheas of BALB/c mice were implanted into C57BL/6, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and BALB/c mice. Cyclosporin was administered at 25 mg/kg/d. Grafts were harvested at 2, 6, 10, and 15 wk, and analyzed immunohistochemically. Tracheal allografts developed epithelial injury and cellular infiltrates at 2 wk, epithelial denudation and complete luminal obliteration at 6 wk, and dense collagenous scarring by 15 wk. SCID allografts and isografts demonstrated intact epithelium throughout, although a mononuclear infiltrate was initially present at 2 wk in the SCID allografts. Immunohistochemical staining, using antibodies to mouse CD4(+) (T-helper lymphocyte), CD8(+) (T-cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocyte), and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and myofibroblasts, revealed large numbers of macrophages and CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes in allografts at 2 wk, compared with isografts. The allograft CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was 0.75 at 2 wk. Allografts demonstrated macrophage, myofibroblast, and CD4(+) predominance at 6 and 10 wk (CD4(+)/CD8(+) = 2/1), but by 15 wk had minimal cellularity and were densely scarred. SCID allografts demonstrated a macrophage-predominant infiltrate at 2 wk, with minimal cellularity at later time points. These results indicate that: (1) OB is predominantly an immunologic airway injury; and (2) CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes and macrophages play an important role in the evolution of airway inflammation and fibrosis. Additionally, this model suggests that chronic airway fibrosis follows a period of intense airway-directed, cell-mediated rejection.

Animals↗

Inhibition of death receptor signals by cellular FLIP.

The widely expressed protein Fas is a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor family which can trigger apoptosis. However, Fas surface expression does not necessarily render cells susceptible to Fas ligand-induced death signals, indicating that inhibitors of the apoptosis-signalling pathway must exist. Here we report the characterization of an inhibitor of apoptosis, designated FLIP (for FLICE-inhibitory protein), which is predominantly expressed in muscle and lymphoid tissues. The short form, FLIPs, contains two death effector domains and is structurally related to the viral FLIP inhibitors of apoptosis, whereas the long form, FLIP(L), contains in addition a caspase-like domain in which the active-centre cysteine residue is substituted by a tyrosine residue. FLIPs and FLIP(L) interact with the adaptor protein FADD and the protease FLICE, and potently inhibit apoptosis induced by all known human death receptors. FLIP(L) is expressed during the early stage of T-cell activation, but disappears when T cells become susceptible to Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis. High levels of FLIP(L) protein are also detectable in melanoma cell lines and malignant melanoma tumours. Thus FLIP may be implicated in tissue homeostasis as an important regulator of apoptosis.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Viral FLICE-inhibitory proteins (FLIPs) prevent apoptosis induced by death receptors.

Viruses have evolved many distinct strategies to avoid the host's apoptotic response. Here we describe a new family of viral inhibitors (v-FLIPs) which interfere with apoptosis signalled through death receptors and which are present in several gamma-herpesviruses (including Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus-8), as well as in the tumorigenic human molluscipoxvirus. v-FLIPs contain two death-effector domains which interact with the adaptor protein FADD, and this inhibits the recruitment and activation of the protease FLICE by the CD95 death receptor. Cells expressing v-FLIPs are protected against apoptosis induced by CD95 or by the related death receptors TRAMP and TRAIL-R. The herpesvirus saimiri FLIP is detected late during the lytic viral replication cycle, at a time when host cells are partially protected from CD95-ligand-mediated apoptosis. Protection of virus-infected cells against death-receptor-induced apoptosis may lead to higher virus production and contribute to the persistence and oncogenicity of several FLIP-encoding viruses.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

TRAMP, a novel apoptosis-mediating receptor with sequence homology to tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and Fas(Apo-1/CD95).

A novel member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, designated TRAMP, has been identified. The structural organization of the 393 amino acid long human TRAMP is most homologous to TNF receptor 1. TRAMP is abundantly expressed on thymocytes and lymphocytes. Its extracellular domain is composed of four cysteine-rich domains, and the cytoplasmic region contains a death domain known to signal apoptosis. Overexpression of TRAMP leads to two major responses, NF-kappaB activation and apoptosis. TRAMP-induced cell death is inhibited by an inhibitor of ICE-like proteases, but not by Bcl-2. In addition, TRAMP does not appear to interact with any of the known apoptosis-inducing ligands of the TNF family.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

TRAIL receptors 1 (DR4) and 2 (DR5) signal FADD-dependent apoptosis and activate NF-kappaB.

TRAIL induces apoptosis through two closely related receptors, TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5). Here we show that TRAIL-R1 can associate with TRAIL-R2, suggesting that TRAIL may signal through heteroreceptor signaling complexes. Both TRAIL receptors bind the adaptor molecules FADD and TRADD, and both death signals are interrupted by a dominant negative form of FADD and by the FLICE-inhibitory protein FLIP. The recruitment of TRADD may explain the potent activation of NF-kappaB observed by TRAIL receptors. Thus, TRAIL receptors can signal both death and gene transcription, functions reminiscent of those of TNFR1 and TRAMP, two other members of the death receptor family.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Calreticulin inhibits glucocorticoid- but not cAMP-sensitive expression of tyrosine aminotransferase gene in cultured McA-RH7777 hepatocytes.

Calreticulin is a ubiquitously expressed Ca2+ binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum which inhibits DNA binding and transcriptional activation by steroid hormone receptors. In this study the effects of calreticulin on tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene expression in cultured McA-RH7777 hepatocytes was investigated. McA-RH7777 cells were stably transfected with calreticulin expression vector to generate cells overexpressing the protein. The transcriptional activity of the TAT gene, which is glucocorticoid-sensitive and cAMP-dependent, was investigated in the mock transfected McA-RH7777 and in cells overexpressing calreticulin (designated McA-11 and McA-17). In the presence of dexamethasone or the cAMP analog (CTP-cAMP) expression of the TAT gene was induced in mock transfected McA-RH7777 cells by approximately 4.5 and 5 fold, respectively. In McA-11 and McA-17 cells, overexpressing calreticulin, glucocorticoid-sensitive expression of the TAT gene was significantly inhibited, however, the CTP-cAMP-dependent expression of the TAT gene was not affected. The ability of calreticulin to inhibit glucocorticoid-sensitive TAT gene expression but not the cAMP-dependent expression of the gene suggests that the protein affects specifically the action of transcription pathways involving steroid receptors or transcription factors containing KxFF(K/R)R-like motifs. Calreticulin may play an important role in the regulation of glucocorticoid-sensitive pathway of expression of the hepatocytes specific genes during development.

Animals↗

Endoplasmic reticulum form of calreticulin modulates glucocorticoid-sensitive gene expression.

Calreticulin is a ubiquitously expressed Ca2+-binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which inhibits DNA binding in vitro and transcriptional activation in vivo by steroid hormone receptors. Transient transfection assays were carried out to investigate the effects of different intracellular targeting of calreticulin on transactivation mediated by glucocorticoid receptor. BSC40 cells were transfected with either calreticulin expression vector (ER form of calreticulin) or calreticulin expression vector encoding calreticulin minus leader peptide, resulting in cytoplasmic localization of the recombinant protein. Transfection of BSC40 cells with calreticulin expression vector encoding the ER form of the protein led to 40-50% inhibition of the dexamethasone-sensitive stimulation of luciferase expression. However, in a similar experiment, but using the calreticulin expression vector encoding cytoplasmic calreticulin, dexamethasone-stimulated activation of the luciferase reporter gene was inhibited by only 10%. We conclude that the ER, but not cytosolic, form of calreticulin is responsible for inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene expression. These effects are specific to calreticulin, since overexpression of the ER lumenal proteins (BiP, ERp72, or calsequestrin) has no effect on glucocorticoid-sensitive gene expression. The N domain of calreticulin binds to the DNA binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor in vitro; however, we show that the N+P domain of calreticulin, when synthesized without the ER signal sequence, does not inhibit glucocorticoid receptor function in vivo. Furthermore, expression of the N domain of calreticulin and the DNA binding domain of glucocorticoid receptor as fusion proteins with GAL4 in the yeast two-hybrid system revealed that calreticulin does not interact with glucocorticoid receptor under these conditions. We conclude that calreticulin and glucocorticoid receptor may not interact in vivo and that the calreticulin-dependent modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor function may therefore be due to a calreticulin-dependent signaling from the ER.

3T3 Cells↗

Interaction of calreticulin with protein disulfide isomerase.

We report here that calreticulin interacts with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). The PDI-calreticulin complex can be dissociated by Zn(2+)-iminodiacetate-substituted Sepharose-agarose chromatography, suggesting that these interactions may be Zn2+-dependent. Direct interaction between calreticulin and PDI is also documented by calreticulin affinity chromatography. PDI was the only pancreatic microsomal protein retained on the calreticulum affinity column. Calreticulin and PDI were identified by their NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis, mobilities in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, binding of 45Ca2+, and their reactivity with specific antibodies. Using glutathione S-transferase-calreticulin fusion proteins, we show that PDI interacts strongly with the P-domain and only weakly with the N-domain of calreticulin. Expression of calreticulin domains and PDI as fusion proteins with GAL4 in the yeast two-hybrid system revealed that calreticulin interacted with PDI also under normal cellular conditions. Interaction with PDI required only the NH2-terminal region of the N-domain (amino acid residues 1-83) and the P-domain (amino acid residues 150-240) of calreticulin. Importantly, interaction between calreticulin and PDI led to the modulation of their activities. In the presence of PDI, calreticulin does not bind Ca2+ with high affinity. Calreticulin or the N-domain of calreticulin inhibited PDI ability to refold scrambled RNase A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Outcome monitoring of fluvastatin in a Department of Veterans Affairs lipid clinic.

The aggressive lipid-lowering goals recommended by the second Adult Treatment Panel (ATP II) have created an increasing demand for treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. Fluvastatin is the first completely synthetic agent in this class and offers a considerable price advantage over the other HMG-CoA therapies. In May 1994, the Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center Lipid Clinic adopted a fluvastatin-preferred program in which all patients who were recommended for an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor would be treated with fluvastatin as a first-line agent. Fluvastatin was started at 20 mg daily and titrated to goal. Patients who were stable with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were converted to fluvastatin as just described. Preliminary analysis shows that, for new patients, 20 mg of fluvastatin daily at bedtime reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by an average of 22% (range, 5-32%). Preliminary results for patients converted from another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor showed that fluvastatin produced an additional LDL-C reduction of 18% (range, 5-30%). With a daily dose of 20 mg fluvastatin, patients with no heart disease (primary prevention) achieved ATP II goals in 60% of cases. For patients with established heart disease (secondary prevention), the goals of ATP II are lower but, despite this, 30% of patients taking fluvastatin at 20 mg daily achieved these goals. The patients in both groups who failed to achieve ATP II goals were titrated to a 40 mg daily dose, but the results of this titration are not yet available. Pharmacoeconomic outcomes were favorable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Calreticulin modulates the in vitro DNA binding but not the in vivo transcriptional activation by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor/retinoid X receptor heterodimers.

Calreticulin is a ubiquitous calcium binding/storage protein found primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum. Calreticulin has been shown to inhibit DNA binding and transcriptional activation by glucocorticoid and androgen hormone receptors by binding to the conserved sequence KXFF(K/R)R, present in the DNA-binding domains of all known members of the steroid/nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. To determine whether calreticulin might be a general regulator of hormone-responsive pathways, we examined its effect on DNA binding in vitro and transcriptional activation in vivo by heterodimers of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR alpha). We show here that purified calreticulin inhibits the binding of PPAR/RXR alpha heterodimers and of other nuclear hormone receptors, to peroxisome proliferator-responsive DNA elements in vitro. However, overexpression of calreticulin in transiently transfected cultured cells had little or no effect on transactivation mediated by PPAR/RXR alpha. Therefore, while calreticulin inhibits the binding of both nuclear and steroid hormone receptors to cognate response elements in vitro, our findings suggest that calreticulin does not necessarily play an important role in the regulation of all classes of hormone receptors in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structures of histamine H1-receptor antagonists derived from the cimetidine group of histamine H2-receptor antagonists.

The crystal and molecular structures of ten compounds with strong structural resemblances to the cimetidine group of histamine H2-receptor antagonists, but exhibiting selective H1-receptor antagonist activity, (1)-(7), or H1 and H2 activity (8)-(10), have been determined: (1) 2-[4-(5-Bromo-3-methyl-2-pyridyl)butylamino]-5- (6-methyl-3-pyridylmethyl)-4-pyrimidone trihydrobromide (temalastine), C21H27BrN5O3+.3Br-, M(r) = 685.09, triclinic, P1, a = 6.314 (2), b = 11.192 (2), c = 19.441 (5) A, alpha = 102.47 (2), beta = 92.77 (2), gamma = 103.28 (2) degrees, V = 1298.51 A3, Z = 2, Dx = 1.75 g cm-3, mu = 61.6 cm-1, F(000) = 672, R = 2.93% for 3208 independent reflexions. (2) 2-[4-(5-Bromo-3-methyl-2-pyridyl)butylamino]-4-pyrimidone, C14H19BrN4O2, M(r) = 355.23, monoclinic, I2/a, a = 16.359 (3), b = 10.469 (6), c = 18.339 (4) A, beta = 90.90 (2) degrees, V = 3140.49 A3, Z = 8, Dx = 1.503 g cm-3, mu = 26.0 cm-1, F(000) = 1176, R = 4.2% for 1872 independent reflexions. (3) 3-[4-(5-Bromo-3-methyl-2-pyridyl)butylamino]-4- amino-1,2,5-thiadiazole-1-oxide, C12H16BrN5OS, M(r) = 358.26, triclinic, P1, a = 14.295 (2), b = 12.447 (2), c = 9.917 (2) A, alpha = 95.77 (2), beta = 113.86 (2), gamma = 106.91 (1) degrees, V = 1495.18 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.59 g cm-3, mu = 50.96 cm-1, F(000) = 728, R = 5.98% for 5674 independent reflexions. (4) 3-[4-(5-Bromo-3-methyl-2-pyridyl)butylamino]-4- benzylamino-1,2,5-thiadiazole-1-oxide, C19H22BrN5OS, M(r) = 448.38, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 36.293 (7), b = 4.826 (2), c = 11.528 (3) A, beta = 96.91 (2) degrees, V = 2004.27 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.49 g cm-3, mu = 39.2 cm-1, F(000) = 920, R = 12.1% for 1945 independent reflexions. (5) 2-[3-(N-Benzyl-N-2- pyridylamino)propylamino]-4-pyrimidone, C19H21N5O, M(r) = 335.4, orthorhombic, Pbna, a = 7.082 (1), b = 19.889 (3), c = 24.899 (3) A, V = 3507.16 A3, Z = 8, Dx = 1.27 g cm-3, mu = 6.24 cm-1, F(000) = 1424, R = 4.05% from 2470 independent reflexions. (6) 3-[3-(N-4-Fluorobenzyl-N-2- pyridylamino)propylamino]-4-ethylamino-1,2,5-thiadiazole-1-oxide, C19H23FN6OS, M(r) = 402.5, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 6.686 (2), b = 14.717 (3), c = 20.850 (5) A, beta = 97.83 (2) degrees, V = 2032.47 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.32 g cm-3, mu = 16.41 cm-1, F(000) = 848, R = 8.5% from 2484 independent reflexions. (7) 5-(6-Methyl-3-pyridylmethyl)-2-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8- quinolyl)propylamino]-4-pyrimidone, C23H29N5O2, M(r) = 407.5, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 14.966 (2), b = 16.075 (2), c = 9.1608 (9) A, beta = 99.158 (8) degrees, V = 2175.83 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.24 g cm-3, mu = 6.19 cm-1; F(000) = 872, R = 5.3% from 2784 independent reflexions. (8) 2-(4-Phenylbutylamino)-5-(3-pyridyl-methyl)-4-pyrimidone, C20H26N4O3, M(r) = 370.5, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 8.040 (4), b = 21.279 (4), c = 11.404 (2) A, beta = 92.08 (5) degrees, V = 1949.68 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.26 g cm-3, mu = 0.93 cm-1, F(000) = 792, R = 4.05% from 3816 independent reflexions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cimetidine↗

Modulation of gene expression by calreticulin binding to the glucocorticoid receptor.

Calreticulin is a multifunctional protein that acts as a major Ca(2+)-binding (storage) protein in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. It is also found in the nucleus, suggesting that it may have a role in transcription regulation. Calreticulin has been reported to bind to the synthetic peptide KLGFFKR, which is almost identical to an amino-acid sequence in the DNA-binding domain of the superfamily of nuclear receptors. Could calreticulin interact with the DNA-binding domain of these receptors and affect their function? Here we report that the amino terminus of calreticulin interacts with the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor and prevents the receptor from binding to its specific glucocorticoid response element. Overexpression of calreticulin in mouse L fibroblasts inhibits glucocorticoid-response-mediated transcriptional activation of a glucocorticoid-sensitive reporter gene and of the endogenous, glucocorticoid-sensitive gene encoding cytochrome P450. Together these results indicate that calreticulin may be important in gene transcription, regulating the glucocorticoid receptor and perhaps other members of the super-family of nuclear receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the beta-blocker/vasodilator agent prizidilol, DL-6-(2-[3-(tert-butylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxylphenyl)-3-pyridazinylhydr azine hemisulfate monohydrate.

Prizidilol, a compound combining vasodilator and beta-blocker functionalities in the same molecule, has been synthesized and characterized by Smith Kline and French Research Ltd. Crystal data: C17H25N5O2 x 1/2H2SO4 x H2O, M(r) = 398.47, orthorhombic, a = 10.722 (2), b = 11.635 (6), c = 34.105 (3) A, V = 4254.61 A3, Pbnm (non-standard form of Pnma) (D16(2h), No. 62), Z = 8, F(000) = 1704, Dx = 1.244 Mg m-3, mu(Cu K alpha) = 11.673 cm-1, R = 0.064 for 2432 independent reflections with I > 3 sigma(I). Prizidilol shows strong conformational similarities to propranolol and is protonated at the secondary amine. The 6-phenyl-3-hydrazinopyridazine residue is not planar. The hydroxy group at the asymmetric carbon is disordered so that both enantiomers are found at each molecular site. The sulfate ions and disordered water molecules lie in the crystallographic mirror plane.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Crystal and molecular structures of pyridazinone cardiovascular agents.

The crystal and molecular structures of 11 6-substituted pyridazinone derivatives: 6-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone-acetic acid (1/1) (1), 6-(4-aminophenyl)- 3(2H)-pyridazinone (2), 6-(4-aminophenyl)- 5-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (3), 6-(4-acetamidophenyl)- 3(2H)-pyridazinone (4), 6-(4-acetamido-2- methoxyphenyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone (5), 6-(2-aminophenyl)-3(2H)- pyridazinone (6), 6-phenyl-3(2H)- pyrazinone (7), 6-(4-aminophenyl)-4,5-dihydro- 3(2H)-pyridazinone (8), (R)-(-)-6[4-(3-bromopropionamido)phenyl]- 4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (9), (R)-(-)-6-(4-ammoniophenyl)-4,5- dihydro-5-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (-)-tartrate-dichloromethane-methanol (1/1/1) (10), 4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (11) have been determined as part of a study to determine the relationship between their cardiovascular properties and molecular structure and dimensions. For the two optically resolved chiral derivatives (9) and (10) the absolute configuration has been determined.

Cardiovascular Agents↗

Calreticulin: from Ca2+ binding to control of gene expression.

Calreticulin is a highly conserved Ca(2+)-binding/storage protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Recently, it has been shown to play a role in the control of gene expression by interacting with the DNA-binding domain of various steroid receptors. How does this ER protein gain access to the nuclear steroid receptors? We propose that calreticulin undergoes unique intracellular trafficking that allows it to colocalize with and bind to steroid receptors.

Journal Article↗

Environmental influences on the developing premature infant: theoretical issues and applications to practice.

The neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU) environment may interfere with the maturation and organization of premature infants' central nervous systems and may fail to meet these infants' developmental needs. In particular, immature distance receptors (i.e., hearing and vision) may receive overwhelming stimulation, whereas more mature tactile and vestibular pathways receive little stimulation. Furthermore, research on fetal learning suggests that the NICU environment should sensitively address requirements for learning by providing contingent experience. Nurses are ideally suited to reorganize the NICU and intervene to optimize infants' growth and development.

Child Development↗

Infant stimulation: modification of an intervention based on physiologic and behavioral cues.

Research involving developmental intervention with premature infants in the hospital has traditionally taken two paths: application of a sensory stimulation protocol and individualized assessment and treatment. This article describes a new method that combines some of the philosophical strengths of these two approaches. A decision tree is presented to standardize the modifications of a developmental intervention based on physiologic and behavioral cues.

Clinical Protocols↗