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Biomedical subjects

K Vogt

Publications and source records attributed to K Vogt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hyperventilation induces release of cytokines from perfused mouse lung.

Artificial mechanical ventilation represents a major cause of iatrogenic lung damage in intensive care. It is largely unknown which mediators, if any, contribute to the onset of such complications. We investigated whether stress caused by artificial mechanical ventilation leads to induction, synthesis, and release of cytokines or eicosanoids from lung tissue. We used the isolated perfused and ventilated mouse lung where frequent perfusate sampling allows determination of mediator release into the perfusate. Hyperventilation was executed with either negative (NPV) or positive pressure ventilation (PPV) at a transpulmonary pressure that was increased 2.5-fold above normal. Both modes of hyperventilation resulted in an approximately 1.75-fold increased expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA, but not of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA. After switching to hyperventilation, prostacyclin release into the perfusate increased almost instantaneously from 19 +/- 17 pg/min to 230 +/- 160 pg/min (PPV) or 115 +/- 87 pg/min (NPV). The enhancement in TNFalpha and IL-6 production developed more slowly. In control lungs after 150 min of perfusion and ventilation, TNFalpha and IL-6 production was 23 +/- 20 pg/min and 330 +/- 210 pg/min, respectively. In lungs hyperventilated for 150 min, TNFalpha and IL-6 production were increased to 287 +/- 180 pg/min and more than 1,000 pg/min, respectively. We conclude that artificial ventilation might cause pulmonary and systemic adverse reactions by inducing the release of mediators into the circulation.

Animals↗

Bactericidal activity of lansoprazole and omeprazole against Helicobacter pylori in vitro.

The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 39 Helicobacter pylori strains against antibiotics (ampicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole), colloidal bismuth subcitrate and proton pump inhibitors were assessed by the agar dilution method. 20.5% of the strains were metronidazole resistent. The comparison of the bactericidal action of omeprazole and lansoprazole in a killing curve assay showed a dose-dependent reduction of viable bacteria after 24 h, lansoprazole being more effective than omeprazole. Under varying pH conditions, the antibacterial activity of lansoprazole was limited to a pH range of 6-7, reducing bacterial numbers up to 4 logarithmical steps within 24 h.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Influence of tissue preservation methods on arterial geometry and echogenicity.

Thoracic porcine aortas from 5 pigs were investigated with 7.5-MHz ultrasound in vitro at low and high transmural pressure before and after the following tissue preservation methods were applied: 1. Storage in frozen condition (-12 degrees C) for 24 h followed by thawing; 2. fixation in formalin at zero transmural pressure for 24 h; and 3. fixation with formalin for 24 h while applying 74 mmHg of transmural pressure from within the lumen and a tensile force to longitudinally stretch the artery. Fixation in formalin at zero transmural pressure resulted in swelling of the arterial wall (25 +/- 40%, p < 0.02, at low transmural measurement pressure) and in decreased echogenicity (-23 +/- 38%, p < 0.01) of the arterial vessel wall. No changes in this respect were found after storage in a frozen condition nor after fixation in formalin at high transmural pressure which, therefore, are more appropriate procedures for fixation of arteries prior to in vitro ultrasound examination if geometry is important.

Animals↗

Tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis during the poisoning of mice with hepatotoxins.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces murine hepatocyte apoptosis in vitro and in vivo when sensitizing concentrations of toxins are present. The aim of this study was to investigate whether endogenously formed TNF contributes to liver failure caused by hepatotoxins. METHODS: The extent of liver damage, induced by alpha-amanitin or actinomycin D (ActD), was examined under various experimental conditions, preventing the action of TNF on hepatocytes. RESULTS: TNF induced apoptosis of murine hepatocytes or human hepatoma cells in the presence of alpha-amanitin or ActD. TNF and alpha-amanitin induced such hepatotoxicity also in vivo in a synergistic way. After in vivo administration of high doses of ActD or alpha-amanitin alone, hepatic TNF-messenger RNA was increased and hepatocytes underwent apoptosis. A neutralizing antiserum against TNF-alpha prevented the liver injury. Hepatotoxicity of ActD or alpha-amanitin also was prevented by pretreatment of mice with low doses of the tolerizing cytokine interleukin 1. Mice deficient for the 55-kilodalton TNF receptor were protected from ActD- or alpha-amanitin-induced toxicity. Endotoxin-unresponsive C3H/HeJ mice also had liver failure after ActD treatment, and this damage was prevented by treatment with anti-TNF antiserum. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatotoxins such as alpha-amanitin may induce liver failure by an indirect mechanism involving sensitization of parenchymal cells toward endogenously produced TNF.

Amanitins↗

Synaptic plasticity in dissociated hippocampal cultures: pre- and postsynaptic contributions.

The distinction between pre- or postsynaptic expression of synaptic plasticity is difficult to make, unless the postsynaptic receptors can be investigated in isolation. We have studied single synaptic contacts in dissociated cultures of rat hippocampus. The reaction of postsynaptic receptor assemblies to the induction of synaptic plasticity was measured and compared with changes in the rate of spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), which can reflect changes in the transmitter release mechanism. The response of a receptor assembly to locally applied exogenous glutamate was measured before and after synchronized application of glutamate and a train of postsynaptic depolarizations ('pairing'). Pairing induced a variety of changes: (i) the majority of the receptor assemblies showed no change in their response to glutamate before and after pairing; (ii) the postsynaptic current due to exogenous glutamate showed a rapid increase in five out of 26 cases. This was not due to changes in the single channel conductance; (iii) the rate of mEPSCs increased, if it had previously been below 25 Hz; (iv) the rate of mEPSCs decreased, if it had previously been above 25 Hz. Effects 2 and 3 were blocked by antagonists of NMDA receptors. These findings provide direct evidence for an increase of the number of glutamate receptors at a subset of the investigated postsynaptic sites during synaptic potentiation.

Animals↗

T cell stimulus-induced crosstalk between lymphocytes and liver macrophages results in augmented cytokine release.

Polyclonal T cell stimulation in humans leads to a cytokine burst syndrome that may result in organ failure or lethality. Mechanisms of such cytokine-dependent morbidity can be studied in mice challenged with the T cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A). In this model tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent toxicity is characterized by a relatively selective liver failure. We examined here whether a crosstalk between liver macrophages and lymphocytes may be the underlying cause for the overshooting TNF response. Lymphocytes from lymph nodes, thymus, or the spleen were cocultured with Kupffer cells and stimulated with the polyclonal T cell stimuli Con A, anti-CD3 mAb, or staphylococcal enterotoxin B. We observed a rapid and synergistically augmented release of TNF, and also of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-gamma, compared to stimulation of the individual cell types alone. This dramatically upregulated cytokine response did not require direct cell contact, but was mediated by a soluble factor. In order to find out whether TNF upregulation would require additional cell types in the liver, we used cocultures of T cells and a macrophage cell line and confirmed our previous results. In this model system an increase in TNF mRNA was observed in macrophages, but not in T cells. We conclude that the T cell-macrophage crosstalk following polyclonal T cell stimulation may be responsible for an overshooting TNF release from macrophages. This mechanism finally may lead to organ damage such as liver injury upon Con A injection into mice.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of monocytic tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 expression.

Activation of human monocytes by bacterial endotoxin (LPS) results in an initial burst of inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha which is followed by the secretion of anti-inflammatory mediators like interleukin (IL)-10. The signaling pathways in IL-10 induction are unknown. Here, we show that the regulation of IL-10 expression is more complex than that of TNF-alpha. LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-10 expression requires early activation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK). Moreover, delayed addition of PTK inhibitors blocked IL-10, but not TNF-alpha, suggesting the impact of a late PTK activity. Two inducers of PTK activity are the downstream mediators of LPS activation, TNF-alpha and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Both mediators synergistically up-regulate IL-10 expression. Downstream of PTK activation, they use distinct pathways. TNF-alpha, but not cAMP-induced IL-10 gene expression was inhibited by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, suggesting the involvement of reactive oxygen species. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) suppressed LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-10 expression as well, but, unlike TNF-alpha, direct activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) did not induce IL-10 expression. Furthermore, PKC is not involved in late events of IL-10 activation, as delayed addition of PKC inhibitors did not suppress LPS-induced IL-10 expression and did not influence cAMP- or TNF-alpha-induced IL-10. The modulation of IL-10 expression by inflammatory mediators suggests a regulatory circuit of the inflammatory response.

Antioxidants↗

Transmitter concentration profiles in the synaptic cleft: an analytical model of release and diffusion.

A three-dimensional model for release and diffusion of glutamate in the synaptic cleft was developed and solved analytically. The model consists of a source function describing transmitter release from the vesicle and a diffusion function describing the spread of transmitter in the cleft. Concentration profiles of transmitter at the postsynaptic side were calculated for different transmitter concentrations in a vesicle, release scenarios, and diffusion coefficients. From the concentration profiles the receptor occupancy could be determined using alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor kinetics. It turned out that saturation of receptors and sufficiently fast currents could only be obtained if the diffusion coefficient was one order of magnitude lower than generally assumed, and if the postsynaptic receptors formed clusters with a diameter of roughly 100 nm directly opposite the release sites. Under these circumstances the gradient of the transmitter concentration at the postsynaptic membrane outside the receptor clusters was steep, with minimal cross-talk among neighboring receptor clusters. These findings suggest that for each release site a corresponding receptor aggregate exists, subdividing an individual synapse into independent functional subunits without the need for specific lateral diffusion barriers.

Animals↗

Are self-expanding stents superior to balloon-expanded in dilating aortas? An experimental study in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To study the stent/vessel interaction and distensibility following the natural increase in vascular diameter using self-expanding and balloon-expanded stents. DESIGN: Open experimental study. SETTING: Animal laboratory, university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight Palmaz (P) and eight Gianturco (G) stents were transluminally placed in the infrarenal aortas of 16 pigs. Pulsatile diameter changes above, at and below the stents were non-invasively monitored with an ultrasound phase-locked echo-tracking system before and immediately after stenting and at 4 and 18 weeks. Blood pressure was registered intra-arterially and stiffness (beta) was calculated. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed at 18 weeks. RESULTS: Median weight increased from 20 kg (19-26) to 93 kg (62-130). Diameter of the aorta increased 60%. In group P no pulsatile diameter change could be measured at the stent (beta = infinity). In group G stenting increased stiffness from beta 20.7 (9.2) to 43.2 (8.0) (p < 0.05). After 18 weeks stiffness returned to beta 20.1 (12.4). Expanded, median diameter of the P stents was 7.4 (0.8) mm, not increasing after 18 weeks. Initial diameter of the G stents was 7.8 (1.0) mm, increasing 56% to 12.2 (2.3) mm (p < 0.05). IVUS revealed the G stents to be well attached to the vascular wall, but five P stents were detached within half of the circumference. CONCLUSION: Self-expanding stents follow the pulsatile diameter change of the vessel wall, not adversely affecting distensibility after 18 weeks. They show good attachment despite 56% dilation. In contrast, the balloon-expanded stents do not show pulsatile movement and may detach during vessel diameter increase. This may be of importance when choosing stents for endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Animals↗

The enigma of CD57+CD28- T cell expansion--anergy or activation?

Expansion of a CD57+CD8+ T lymphocyte subset has been reported in HIV and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Almost all of these T cells lack CD28 expression. While CD28- cells are often associated with anergy, some authors believe their expansion in HIV infection precipitates immunodeficiency. We studied 15 randomly chosen patients with immune activation and observed that CD57+CD28- T cell expansion may occur in various conditions and to the same degree as in HIV infection without resulting in immunodeficiency. Triple colour flow cytometry also revealed that the CD57 and CD28 antigens are coexpressed in only 3% of CD8+ T cells, irrespective of the underlying condition, so that almost all CD57+CD8+ cells are always CD28-. Analysis of Fas (CD95) expression with respect to CD28 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 10 additional patients indicated no increased commitment to apoptosis in CD28- T cells. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comparing CD28+ and CD28-CD8+ T cells with respect to cytokine gene expression (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-1beta) in five renal transplant patients with expansion of the CD57+ subset detected no cytokine gene expression deficit in CD28- T cells. A direct association of increased proportions of CD57+CD28-CD8+ T cells with immunodeficiency/anergy is disputed.

CD28 Antigens↗

Peripheral T cell activation in long-term renal transplant patients: concordant upregulation of adhesion molecules and cytokine gene transcription.

In renal transplant, patients, the number of T cells expressing high levels of LFA-1 (LFA-1-bright) and of T cells expressing CD57 increases in response to viral infection, even if the latter is asymptomatic. Their role in long-term renal transplant patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia and concomitant transplant dysfunction was investigated. For this purpose, this study used triple-color flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting of peripheral blood T cells (CD3+/LFA-1-dim or -bright and CD8+/CD57+ or CD57- subsets), and subsequent semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Cytokine mRNA levels for interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interferon-gamma, as well as Granzyme A and IL-2R p55 and p75 transcripts were determined and compared in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in separated T cell subsets. Although in patients with CMV infection and/or rejection, cytokine transcripts were readily detected and the levels in the CD3+/LFA-1-bright subsets were, by orders of magnitudes, higher than in the LFA-1-dim subset, hardly any cytokine message was found in patients without CMV infection or rejection episodes or in control subjects. The expression of Granzyme A, which is involved in cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, was not upregulated in LFA-1-bright T cells, which is in discordance with cytokine levels. Differences between CD57+ and CD57- T cells were limited to the IL-2R p55 mRNA, of which the former expressed significantly less than the latter. It is concluded that upon virus-induced activation of peripheral blood T cells, an effector type that is marked by high inflammatory but small cytotoxic potential is produced. The results of this study propose that these cells represent a correlate of persistent immune activation and are liable to produce graft dysfunction, although they are unable to clear the organism from virus infection because of their lack of cytotoxic potential.

Adult↗

Lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-10 in mice: role of endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Interleukin (IL)-10 is known to protect mice against the lethal effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and is considered to be an anti-inflammatory cytokine which suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We have examined the interactions of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) with IL-10. Neutralization of TNF-alpha in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages resulted in a significant reduction of LPS-inducible IL-10 production. In mice, injection of 5 mg/kg LPS induced circulating IL-10 with a biphasic time course exhibiting an early peak 1.5 h after challenge (synchronous with TNF-alpha) and, after a nadir at 6 h, a second increase between 8 and 12 h. Treatment of mice with neutralizing anti-mouse TNF-alpha antiserum significantly increased LPS-induced IL-10 plasma levels between 1.5 and 6 h but diminished those at 12 h, while circulating IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations were attenuated overall, without a biphasic response. Analysis of LPS-induced IL-10 mRNA expression in different tissues 1 h and 8 h after LPS or LPS plus anti-TNF-alpha revealed that the amount of transcripts in the liver correlated with circulating early and late IL-10 levels. Our findings suggest that endogenous TNF-alpha down-regulates the early and up-regulates the late LPS-induced IL-10 synthesis in vivo and that the liver is the major source of circulating IL-10 after stimulation with LPS.

Animals↗

Analysis of synaptic transmission at single identified boutons on rat spinal neurons in culture.

The spatial organization of receptor channels has a major influence on the speed and possible plasticity of synaptic signal transmission. We have studies glutamatergic synapses on neurons in organotypic cultures of rat spinal cord. In order to avoid the problems related to the analysis of currents of unknown origin within a neuron, we chose to examine the functional properties of single identified synapses. Iontophoretic mapping of the cell surface revealed hot spots of high glutamate sensitivity coincident with presynaptic boutons stained with the dye FM 1-43. Local application of KCl to these sites caused bursts of synaptic release. Hot spots typically consisted of 330 receptors with an average single-channel conductance of 8.3 pS. Evoked synaptic currents involved only about 40-50 receptors and nevertheless showed characteristics of saturation. This suggests that glutamate receptor clusters at sites of presynaptic terminals are organized into well separated subclusters opposite release sites.

Animals↗

Up-regulation of monocytic IL-10 by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cAMP elevating drugs.

It is well established that endotoxin [lipopolysacharide (LPS)] induces pro-inflammatory cytokine production in monocytes, which is followed by secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. IL-10 down-regulates inflammatory response [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8] as well as IL-10 synthesis itself. We wondered whether pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha may be involved in the regulation of human IL-10 synthesis. TNF-alpha induced de novo IL-10 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner but no IL-10 protein in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, LPS-induced IL-10 gene and protein expression was significantly inhibited by neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha mAb. On the basis of these results, we conclude that TNF-alpha is involved in the up-regulation of its antagonist IL-10. Paradoxically, drugs that effectively inhibit expression of TNF-alpha via the elevation of intracellular cAMP level (iloprost, pentoxifylline, prostaglandin E2 and N6,2-O-dibutyryl cAMP) augmented the endotoxin-induced IL-10 synthesis at both protein and mRNA levels. In order to provide a basis for the analysis of the transcriptional regulation of the human IL-10 gene, we isolated a fragment of the human IL-10 gene containing 1308 bp of the 5' non-coding sequence. It shows remarkable homology to the mouse IL-10 promoter in regions that have been associated with transcriptional regulation, including a cAMP responsive element which could explain the cAMP-mediated effects. The lack of a NF-kappa B-like binding site in the human sequence suggests a NF-kappa B-independent mechanism of TNF-alpha-induced IL-10 gene activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Comparison of fosfomycin and teicoplanin in serum bactericidal activity against staphylococci.

A serum bactericidal test was established employing human sera of volunteers after intravenous administration of fosfomycin (CAS 23155-02-4) and teicoplanin (CAS 61036-62-2) against 40 staphylococcal strains (20 Staphylococcus aureus and 20 coagulase-negative staphylococci, 10 of each group being susceptible and 10 being resistant to oxacillin). Median serum inhibitory titres were highest for fosfomycin against oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. In the three other groups of strains, the activity of fosfomycin was comparable to that of teicoplanin. The killing curves showed over 99% killing within 24 h for both antibiotics. Here, fosfomycin exerted a rapid killing activity within 4-6 h and was more effective in bacterial growth reduction. It can be concluded that fosfomycin and teicoplanin exerted comparable serum bactericidal antibacterial activity against staphylococci.

Adult↗

Use of a receiver operating characteristic in the evaluation of two commercial enzyme immunoassays for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Two novel commercial IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA) systems based on acid-glycine-extracted (Pyloriset IgG EIA, Orion Diagnostica) or fast protein liquid chromatography-purified (Cobas Core Anti-H. pylori EIA, Roche Diagnostic Systems) Helicobacter antigens were evaluated in a prospective study involving 127 patients. All patients underwent upper endoscopy with biopsy, and biopsies were examined for the presence of Helicobacter pylori by a rapid urease test, microscopy and culture. Of the 71 patients found to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, 69 (97.2%) and 65 (91.5%) tested positive with the Cobas Core and Pyloriset test, respectively. A detailed receiver operating characteristic analysis of the two tests showed that the Cobas Core assay was more sensitive and specific at every possible cut-off level; gave a better resolution of individual results, indicating a greater fine-sensitivity; and had no grey zone compared to a large grey zone encompassing 13.4% of the serum samples tested with the Pyloriset EIA. The Cobas Core assay appears to be a valuable tool for epidemiological purposes as well as for pre-endoscopic screening of dyspeptic patients.

Antigens, Bacterial↗