Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Decker

Publications and source records attributed to K Decker.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulates prostaglandin but not superoxide synthesis in rat Kupffer cells.

Recombinant mouse TNF-alpha (TNF) stimulated the synthesis of prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin D2 and thromboxane in primary cultures of rat Kupffer cells. Compared to the unstimulated control the 24 h output of these three prostanoids was increased three- to four-fold in a concentration-dependent manner. PGD2-like immunoreactivity was the predominant product, while HPLC analysis of all the prostanoids produced by prelabelled Kupffer cells after TNF stimulation revealed thromboxane and PGE2 (37% each) as the main products. PGD2 was degraded during the incubation period to less polar products, probably PGJ2 and delta 12-PGJ2 that cross-react with the anti-PGD2 antiserum. TNF did not trigger superoxide generation in rat Kupffer cells but it does in neutrophils. The TNF-elicited PGE2 production together with the previously described [Karck, Peters & Decker (1988) J. Hepatol. 7:352-361] inhibition of TNF release by PGE2 in rat Kupffer cells establishes a regulatory circuit of self-limiting TNF production in liver macrophages.

Animals↗

[Microbiology studies of intra- and postoperative autotransfusion in orthopedics].

In order to determine the risk of bacterial contamination of blood during autotransfusion, blood samples were taken from the autotransfusion system of 25 consecutive total hip replacements at various stages and at different times (9 samples per patient). According to the same principle, samples were taken from the identical system after processing the postoperative drainage blood. Since the danger of contamination depends on the quality of the air which is sucked into the autotransfusion system along with the blood, we also measured the amount of bacteria in the air in two different operating rooms: Horizontal laminar air flow was provided for 20, conventional ventilation for a further 5 operations. Evaluation of airborne contamination in the operating rooms showed at most 656 cfu/m3 in the conventionally ventilated room and at most 344 cfu/m3 in the room with laminar air flow. Micrococci and peptococci were cultivated from 2 samples out of 225. The isolates were derived from 2 different patients (1 in the LAF-OR, 1 in the conventionally ventilated OR); both samples were taken from the retransfusion bag towards the completion of surgery. From these results we conclude that even in a conventionally ventilated operating room during primarily aseptic surgery intraoperative autotransfusion does not involve an increased risk of infection. This also applies to the retransfusion of processed blood from Redon drainages using the identical autotransfusion set.

Air Microbiology↗

The activity of GD3 synthase modulates the ganglioside pattern in rat liver.

Variations of the ganglioside composition in the livers of Wistar rats correlated with the activity of GD3 synthase in the corresponding liver homogenates. With increasing enzyme activity, higher proportions of b-series gangliosides (GD3, GD1b, GT1b) were detected. No significant changes in the activity of GM2 synthase or GM1 synthase were observed, indicating a regulatory function for GD3 synthase in this tissue. Young animals showed an average GD3 synthase activity of 0.5-0.6 nmol.h-1.mg protein-1 without sex-dependent variations. Among the older animals, however, males expressed an activity five-fold higher than females, suggesting that this enzyme might be affected by hormones.

Aging↗

Independent regulation of thromboxane and prostaglandin synthesis in liver macrophages.

Incubation of liver macrophages with zymosan, phorbol ester and calcium ionophore A 23187 led to the formation of thromboxane, prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin D2, whereas after external addition of arachidonic acid prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin D2 only were found. This was confirmed by the use of labeled arachidonic acid given together with the stimuli. When the liver macrophages were prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid, and zymosan and [14C]arachidonic acid were added simultaneously, [3H]-label only was found in thromboxane whereas both [3H]- and [14C]-labeled PGE2 and PGD2 were detected in the cell medium. These data suggest that in cultured rat liver macrophages externally added arachidonic acid is accessible to the cyclooxygenase supplying prostaglandin H2 for prostaglandin E2 and D2 synthesis but not for thromboxane synthesis.

Animals↗

The sulfhydryl reagent thimerosal elicits human platelet aggregation by mobilization of intracellular calcium and secondary prostaglandin endoperoxide formation.

The effect of the sulfhydryl (SH) group inhibitor ethylmercurithiosalicylate (thimerosal) on the function of human platelets was investigated. In contrast to known SH reagents such as p-chloromercuribenzoate or N-ethylmaleimide, thimerosal elicited both aggregation and [3H]serotonin release of washed human platelets at low micromolar concentrations (greater than or equal to 2 microM). Only a significant higher dose (greater than or equal to 15 microM) was effective when platelets were pretreated with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor aspirin, indicating an amplification of the proaggregatory effect of thimerosal by secondary prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide and/or thromboxane (TX) formation. Consistent with this notion, thimerosal induced endogenous platelet arachidonic acid (20:4) metabolism which could be attributed to enhanced 20:4 liberation, presumably by activation of phospholipase A2. The latter effect was mediated by mobilization of intracellular calcium (Ca2+), and was not affected by removal of extracellular Ca2+. In the presence of aspirin, the thimerosal-induced Ca2+ elevation was completely reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT) which implicates SH groups in intracellular Ca2+ transport. In contrast to previous observations with other SH reagents, thimerosal had no effect on the inositoltrisphosphate (IP3)-mediated release or the sequestration (and/or extrusion) of intracellular Ca2+ following stimulation with thrombin, indicating an action on an as yet undefined CA2+ transport system.

Aspirin↗

13C, 15N, and 31P NMR studies on 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine oxidase from Arthrobacter oxidans.

The interaction between the apoprotein of 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine oxidase from Arthrobacter oxidans and the prosthetic group FAD has been investigated by 13C, 15N, and 31P NMR techniques. The FAD prosthetic group was selectively enriched in 13C and 15N isotopes by adding isotopically labeled riboflavin derivatives to the growth medium of riboflavin-requiring mutant cells. In the oxidized state the chemical shift of the C(7) and C(8) atoms indicates that the xylene moiety of the isoalloxazine ring is embedded in a hydrophobic environment. The polarization of the isoalloxazine ring as a whole is, however, much more comparable to that of free flavin in a polar and protic environment than to free flavin in an apolar environment. The polarization of the ring system can be ascribed to strong hydrogen bonds between the apoprotein and the two carbonyl groups. The binding of the competitive inhibitor, 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine, influences the resonances of the C(4a) and the N(5) atoms strongly. It is suggested that these shifts are due to a strong hydrogen-bonding interaction between the N(5) atom and the inhibitor. On reduction all resonances, except those of the C(10a) and the N(1) atoms, shift upfield, indicating the increased electron density in the ring system. In the dithionite-reduced enzyme, the ring system is bent at the N(5) position. Due to the bending of the N(5) atom and the sp2 hybridized N(10) atom, electron density from the N(10) atom is reallocated at the C(4) carbonyl group. In contrast, in the substrate-reduced enzyme the N(5) atom is almost completely sp2 hybridized, yielding a rather planar isoalloxazine ring.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arthrobacter↗

Comparative study of cytotoxicity, tumor necrosis factor, and prostaglandin release after stimulation of rat Kupffer cells, murine Kupffer cells, and murine inflammatory liver macrophages.

Macrophages (Mphi) and Mphi-depleted (nonadherent) nonparenchymal cells (NPC) of the liver were examined for their cytotoxic potential against tumor cells, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and release of prostaglandins (PG) following stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), and zymosan. Resident murine liver macrophages had no natural cytotoxicity for the TNF-resistant target cell line P815. Activation of these cells was only obtained by a combination of IFN gamma and LPS. Inflammatory murine macrophages were in a primed stage and could be activated by LPS alone in the absence of IFN gamma. Rat resident macrophages resembled functionally the inflammatory macrophages of the mouse liver rather than the resident macrophages. They displayed natural cytotoxicity against all targets tested and were further activated by LPS in the absence of IFN gamma. Similar results were obtained with respect to macrophage-depleted nonadherent NPC: Mouse NPC had a low level of NK activity against Yac-1 cells. Treatment with pyran copolymer resulted in a strong increase of cytotoxicity against Yac-1; furthermore, a TNF-dependent killing of Wehi 164 and TNF-independent cytotoxicity against P815 cells were now acquired. In the rat NPC prepared from unstimulated animals expressed high levels of natural cytotoxicity against all targets. No major differences could be observed between inflammatory Mphi and Kupffer cells of rat and mouse liver with regard to TNF production and TNF-dependent killing of Wehi 164 tumor cells. The same was true for the spectrum of secreted prostanoids. Upon activation of all cell populations a marked shift toward the production of PGE2 occurred. Experiments involving the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin showed enhanced TNF-dependent tumor cell killing by nonactivated Mphi in the absence of prostanoid production.

Animals↗

4-Bromophenacyl bromide inhibits prostaglandin D2 synthesis from arachidonic acid rather than phospholipase A2 activity in liver macrophages.

4-Bromophenacyl bromide at a concentration of 50 microM does not inhibit phospholipase A2 activity in liver macrophages. Rather, this compound increases the amount of radioactivity released from [3H]arachidonate-prelabeled Kupffer cells and leads to the formation of small amounts of thromboxane, prostaglandin D2 and prostaglandin E2. Also the zymosan-induced formation of thromboxane and prostaglandin E2 from endogenous sources which is thought to involve phospholipase A2 remains unaffected in the presence of this compound. The generation of superoxide and the formation of prostaglandin D2 from arachidonate and after stimulation of the cells with zymosan, however, are blocked by 4-bromophenacyl bromide. Furthermore, this compound suppresses the incorporation of externally added arachidonate into membrane lipids of the cells. 4-Bromophenacyl bromide seems, therefore, not to be a useful tool to demonstrate the involvement of phospholipase A2 in complex biological systems.

Acetophenones↗

Fc receptors mediate prostaglandin and superoxide synthesis in cultured rat Kupffer cells.

Latex beads with covalently bound bovine serum albumin were prepared and coated with anti-BSA immunoglobulin G. These particles were shown to possess on their surfaces a defined quantity of the antibody with the Fc portions exposed to the medium. One homologous and two heterologous antibodies of the G class were used and compared in terms of their binding to the rat Kupffer cells and their ability to elicit the typical phagocytotic responses. These particles were phagocytosed by rat Kupffer cells and elicited synthesis of prostaglandins and superoxide anion radicals. A significant release of superoxide into the medium was observed in the presence of cytochalasin B only. The data presented here suggest that a) Fc-carrying particles can be bound to Kupffer cells and elicit responses via specific receptors; b) coating with the homologous antibody yields the most effective particles; c) superoxide release into the surrounding medium is most abundant when the particle-binding membrane areas are prevented from forming phagocytotic vesicles.

Animals↗

Theory in action. The geriatric assessment team.

The scientific principles of homeodynamics explain the older person in terms of unique wholeness; continuous interaction, and growth. Assessing the functional status of the older adult requires evaluation of both the person and the environment. Comparing the older adult to himself is often more accurate than comparing findings to so-called norms. The role of the clinical nurse specialist as a member of the geriatric assessment team is clarified when nursing actions are theory-based.

Aged↗

Ca2+ requirement of prostanoid but not of superoxide production by rat Kupffer cells.

The release of the prostanoids prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane induced by zymosan and phorbol ester in cultured rat Kupffer cells was found to depend on the extracellular concentration of Ca2+ to some extent. Prostanoid formation following the addition of the calcium ionophore A 23187 was totally inhibited when calcium ions were withdrawn from the medium whereas the prostanoid synthesis from added arachidonic acid was independent of Ca2+. A half-maximal rate of PGE2 release by cells treated with zymosan, phorbol ester or A23187 was obtained at 0.6-0.7 microM free extracellular Ca2+ and greater than or equal to 100 microM free Ca2+ was required to stimulate PGE2 formation maximally. The calmodulin antagonist R24571 partially inhibited the release of PGE2 elicited by zymosan and A23187 but not by phorbol ester or arachidonic acid. Verapamil and nifedipine, two calcium channel blockers, had no effect on the formation of PGE2 irrespective of the stimulus. TMB 8 [3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)-octyl ester] an intracellular calcium antagonist, inhibited the synthesis of PGE2 induced by zymosan and phorbol ester. The superoxide formation following the addition of zymosan and phorbol ester was not influenced by removal of calcium ions from the medium or by addition of the various calcium antagonists. The data presented here suggest that Ca2+-dependent reactions are involved in the synthesis of prostanoids induced by zymosan and phorbol ester and that both extracellular Ca2+ and mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores are needed to induce maximally the production of prostanoids in cultured rat Kupffer cells.

Animals↗

Remodeling of a rat hepatocyte plasma membrane glycoprotein. De- and reglycosylation of dipeptidyl peptidase IV.

The present paper demonstrates the terminal de- and reglycosylation of a rat hepatocyte plasma membrane glycoprotein, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). Cultured hepatocytes were used in pulse-chase experiments with [3H]L-fucose and [14C]N-acetyl-D-mannosamine as markers for terminal carbohydrates, [3H]D-mannose as marker of a core-sugar, and [35S]L-methionine for labeling the protein backbone. Membrane DPP IV was immunoprecipitated with a polyclonal antibody which bound selectively at 4 degrees C to the cell-surface glycoprotein. The times of maximal labeling of hepatocyte plasma membrane DPP IV were 6-9 min for [3H]L-fucose, 20 min for [3H]D-mannose, and 25 min for [35S]L-methionine. When antibodies were bound to cell-surface DPP IV at 4 degrees C, the immune complex remained stable for more than 1 h after rewarming to 37 degrees C, despite ongoing metabolic and membrane transport processes. This was shown by pulse labeling with [35S]L-methionine at 37 degrees C, followed by cooling to 4 degrees C, and addition of antibody against plasma membrane DPP IV. During rewarming, the radioactivity in the complex remained constant. In a similar experiment with [3H]L-fucose, the radioactivity in the immune complex declined rapidly, indicating a defucosylation of the plasma membrane glycoprotein. Using the same experimental design with [3H]D-mannose, the radioactivity in the immune complex remained constant, showing that the core-sugar D-mannose is not cleaved from the membrane glycoprotein. Terminal reglycosylation (refucosylation and resialylation) was demonstrated as follows. Hepatocytes were maintained at 37 degrees C in a medium supplemented with tunicamycin in order to block the de novo synthesis of N-glycosidically bound carbohydrate chains. At 4 degrees C the antibody against DPP IV bound only to cell surface glycoprotein. During the rewarming period at 37 degrees C, radioactivity from [3H]L-fucose and [14C]N-acetyl-D-mannosamine became incorporated into the immune complex. This indicates a fucosylation and sialylation of the glycoprotein originally present at the cell surface. The mechanisms whereby terminal de- and reglycosylation of plasma membrane glycoproteins may occur during membrane recycling are discussed.

Animals↗

Involvement of various organs in the initial plasma clearance of differently glycosylated rat liver secretory proteins.

The initial plasma clearance and organ distribution of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin carrying different types of oligosaccharide, side chains was studied in rats. The differently glycosylated proteins were synthesized by rat hepatocytes in culture in the presence of tunicamycin (unglycosylated form), swainsonine (hybrid type), or 1-deoxymannojirimycin (high-mannose type). Deglycosylated glycoproteins (Asn-GlcNAc) were obtained by endoglucosaminidase H treatment of high-mannose-type glycoproteins. Ten minutes after intravenous injection 3% of complex type, 26% of hybrid type, 84% of high-mannose type. 64% of unglycosylated and 80% of deglycosylated alpha 1-acid glycoprotein disappeared from the plasma. The respective values for alpha 2-macroglobulin were 26%, 42%, 59% and 67%. When the clearance of total hepatic secretory proteins was examined, major differences between glycosylated and unglycosylated (glyco)proteins were found, particularly in the case of low-molecular-mass polypeptides. Whereas complex-type alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin showed no accumulation in various organs, hybrid-type alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin were present in spleen and liver. High-mannose-type alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-macroglobulin also accumulated mainly in spleen and liver. Spleen had the highest specific activity; liver, due to its larger organ mass, represented the major organ for the uptake of high-mannose-type glycoproteins. Competition experiments with mannan and GlcNAc-bovine-serum-albumin showed a mannose/GlcNAc receptor-mediated removal. Whereas unglycosylated alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was taken up by the kidney, unglycosylated alpha 2-macroglobulin was found in the spleen. Deglycosylated glycoproteins (Asn-GlcNAc) were removed from the plasma via two different mechanisms: firstly, clearance by the kidney similar to the unglycosylated glycoproteins; secondly, clearance by a mannose/GlcNAc receptor-mediated uptake mainly into the spleen. We conclude that N-linked oligosaccharide side chains are important for the plasma survival of hepatic secretory glycoproteins and that unphysiologically glycosylated forms are cleared by different mechanisms.

Animals↗

Regulation of synthesis and secretion of major rat acute-phase proteins by recombinant human interleukin-6 (BSF-2/IL-6) in hepatocyte primary cultures.

The regulation of the three major acute-phase proteins alpha 2-macroglobulin, cysteine proteinase inhibitor and alpha 1-antitrypsin by recombinant human interleukin-1 beta, recombinant human interleukin-6 and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha was studied in rat hepatocyte primary cultures. Synthesis and secretion of the acute-phase proteins was measured after labeling with [35S]methionine and immunoprecipitation. Incubation of hepatocytes with interleukin-6 led to dose-dependent and time-dependent changes in the synthesis of the three major acute-phase proteins and albumin, similar to those occurring in vivo during experimental inflammation. alpha 2-Macroglobulin and cysteine proteinase inhibitor synthesis was induced 54-fold and 8-fold, respectively, 24 h after the addition of 100 units/ml interleukin-6. At the same time synthesis of the negative acute-phase protein albumin was reduced to 30% of controls. Half-maximal effects were achieved with 4 units interleukin-6/ml. Interleukin-1 beta had only a partial effect on the regulation of the four patients studied: only a twofold stimulation of alpha 2-macroglobulin and a 60% reduction of albumin synthesis were observed. Tumor necrosis factor alpha did not alter the synthesis of acute-phase proteins. The stimulation of alpha 2-macroglobulin and cysteine proteinase inhibitor synthesis by interleukin-6 was inhibited by interleukin-1 beta in a dose-dependent manner. In pulse-chase experiments the effect of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha on the secretion of acute-phase proteins was examined. Interleukin-6 markedly accelerated the secretion of total proteins and alpha 2-macroglobulin, whereas the secretion of cysteine proteinase inhibitor, alpha 1-antitrypsin and albumin was not affected. The inhibition of N-glycosylation by tunicamycin abolished the effect of interleukin-6 on the secretion of alpha 2-macroglobulin, indicating a possible role of interleukin-6 on N-glycosylation.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗