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L A Fitzpatrick

Publications and source records attributed to L A Fitzpatrick.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Regulation of parathyroid hormone secretion.

Calcium is the most important physiological regulator of PTH secretion. Peak PTH secretion occurs at an intracellular calcium concentration of about 200 nM, regardless of the extracellular calcium concentration. We suggest, therefore, that intracellular calcium concentration is a regulator of PTH secretion that maintains calcium homeostasis. Other factors may be responsible for modulation of the intracellular calcium concentration, ultimately modulating PTH secretion. The "paradoxical" nature of the dependence of PTH secretion on the calcium concentration may be explained by considering PTH secretion to be unusual in a quantitative, rather than a qualitative, fashion. A possible mechanism for the control of PTH secretion by intracellular calcium, which involves calcium-activated potassium channels, is proposed. The parathyroid cell plasma membrane contains several sensors or channels by means of which the cell senses extracellular calcium. It is not clear whether these entities are coupled to each other or whether they function independently. Guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins are transducers of extracellular signals, including calcium. Several other second messengers that influence PTH secretion have also been described, but possible interactions between these messengers have not yet been determined.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Individual parathyroid cells are more sensitive to calcium than a parathyroid cell population.

Information on the secretory behavior of individual parathyroid cells within a cell population has not previously been available. We now report a technique for examining quantitative changes in hormone secretion in individual parathyroid cells. We have used a reverse hemolytic plaque assay to measure cumulative PTH release in single isolated cells. Bovine parathyroid cells were dispersed with trypsin and mixed with staphylococcal protein-A-linked ovine erythrocytes. Cells were plated in a monolayer in the presence of PTH antiserum. After stimulation by an agonist, complement was added to the cells. Lysis of ovine erythrocytes formed a plaque around each individual cell that releases PTH. Results indicate that inhibition of PTH release by calcium was not affected by trypsinization. Plaque formation was dependent on all reagents; serial dilution of antiserum reduces plaque formation. Cells had a markedly uniform secretory response to calcium. We compared PTH release in individual cells measured by the reverse hemolytic plaque assay with hormone release in a parathyroid cell population measured by RIA. There was an inverse relationship between extracellular calcium concentrations and plaque area. Individual cells were more sensitive to calcium (ED50 = 0.4 mM Ca2+) than cell populations (ED50 = 0.8 mM Ca2+). We demonstrate that PTH release can be quantitated in single viable parathyroid cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Binding of [125I]iodipine to parathyroid cell membranes: evidence of a dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel.

The parathyroid cell is unusual, in that an increase in extracellular calcium concentrations inhibits PTH release. Calcium channels are glycoproteins that span cell membranes and allow entry of extracellular calcium into cells. We have demonstrated that the calcium channel agonist (+)202-791, which opens calcium channels, inhibits PTH release and that the antagonist (-)202-791, which closes calcium channels, stimulates PTH release. To identify the calcium channels responsible for these effects, we used a radioligand that specifically binds to calcium channels. Bovine parathyroid cell membranes were prepared and incubated under reduced lighting with [125I] iodipine (SA, 2000 Ci/mmol), which recognizes 1,4-dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. Bound ligand was separated from free ligand by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B filters. Nonspecific binding was measured by the inclusion of nifedipine at 10 microM. Specific binding represented approximately 40% of the total binding. The optimal temperature for [125I] iodipine binding was 4 C, and binding reached equilibrium by 30 min. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) was approximately 550 pM, and the maximum number of binding sites was 780 fmol/mg protein. Both the calcium channel agonist (+)202-791 and antagonist (-)202-791 competitively inhibited [125I] iodipine binding, with 50% inhibition concentrations of 20 and 300 nM, respectively. These data indicate the presence of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels on parathyroid cell membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Differences in the actions of calcium versus lanthanum to influence parathyroid hormone release.

PTH release from bovine parathyroid cells is inhibited by increasing concentrations of extracellular calcium (Ca2+). We have proposed that this inhibition is mediated by Ca2+ channels via a G-protein. To further test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effect of lanthanum (La3+), a potent Ca2+ channel antagonist that does not cross the cell membrane. PTH release was determined in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells by radioimmunoassay: extracellular Ca2+ concentration was 0.2 mM. PTH release was inhibited by maximal concentrations of La3+ to a greater extent than by Ca2+: 93% inhibition by La3+ vs. 40% by Ca2+. La3+ was more potent (set-point = 0.12 mM) than Ca2+ (set-point = 1.2 mM). Incubation of parathyroid cells with pertussis toxin, which inactivates a G-protein(s) and blocks inhibition by Ca2+, did not block the inhibition of PTH release by La3+ at the concentrations tested. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187, which potentiates the effect of Ca2+, did not enhance the inhibition of PTH release by La3+. Increasing concentrations of calcium enhanced the inhibition of PTH release by the Ca2+ channel agonist, (+)202-791. The Ca2+ channel antagonist, (-)202-791, shifted the Ca2+ inhibition curve to the right. La3+ did not alter the inhibition of PTH release by the Ca2+ channel agonist but blocked the stimulatory effect of the Ca2+ channel antagonist, (-)202-791. In summary: 1) La3+, which blocks Ca2+ channels and does not cross cell membranes, effects a greater inhibition of PTH release than Ca2+; 2) La3+, like Ca2+, overrides the effect of Ca2+ channel antagonist (-)202-791; and 3) La3+, unlike Ca2+, inhibits PTH release by a mechanism that is independent of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein. There may be two cell surface sites that recognize La3+ and Ca2+ independently.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Inhibition of parathyroid hormone release by maitotoxin, a calcium channel activator.

Maitotoxin, a toxin derived from a marine dinoflagellate, is a potent activator of voltage-sensitive calcium channels. To further test the hypothesis that inhibition of PTH secretion by calcium is mediated via a calcium channel we studied the effect of maitotoxin on dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. Maitotoxin inhibited PTH release in a dose-dependent fashion, and inhibition was maximal at 1 ng/ml. Chelation of extracellular calcium by EGTA blocked the inhibition of PTH by maitotoxin. Maitotoxin enhanced the effects of the dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist (+)202-791 and increased the rate of radiocalcium uptake in parathyroid cells. Pertussis toxin, which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that interacts with calcium channels in the parathyroid cell, did not affect the inhibition of PTH secretion by maitotoxin. Maitotoxin, by its action on calcium channels allows entry of extracellular calcium and inhibits PTH release. Our results suggest that calcium channels are involved in the release of PTH. Inhibition of PTH release by maitotoxin is not sensitive to pertussis toxin, suggesting that maitotoxin may act distal to the site interacting with a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, or maitotoxin could interact with other ions or second messengers to inhibit PTH release.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Hypercalcemia in the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia includes disorders with hyperfunction of two or more endocrine tissues. In MEN type 1, hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands causing hypercalcemia is the most common clinical presentation. In vitro, suppression of parathyroid tissue by calcium is similar, but the set-point of hyperplastic tissue is shifted as compared with normal. The gene for MEN-1 has been localized to chromosome 11 and is linked to the basic fibroblast growth factor gene. Parathyroidectomy results in a high failure rate with recurrent hyperparathyroidism or autonomous graft function in autotransplanted tissue. Family screening is recommended once every 5 years in first-degree relatives. The approach to hyperparathyroidism in MEN-2 (2A) must be individualized during surgery for medullary thyroid carcinoma. Hyperparathyroidism in MEN-3 (2B) is often associated with normal serum calcium and may not require intervention.

Chromogranin A↗
PubMed1988

Effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on human parathyroid adenomas: evidence for uncoupling of parathyroid hormone secretion and cAMP accumulation.

Human parathyroid adenomas are aberrantly regulated by extracellular calcium. We tested pertussis toxin, which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates several guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, to test the role of these proteins in the secretory control of adenomatous parathyroid tissue. Pertussis toxin did not affect basal cAMP accumulation in 12 adenomas and enhanced parathyroid hormone (PTH) release in 6 of 10 adenomas. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) inhibited cAMP in three of six adenomas, and pertussis toxin pretreatment did not affect this result. PTH release in 7 of 10 adenomas was inhibited by PGF2 alpha, and pertussis toxin did not significantly alter PTH release. Pertussis toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a 40-kDa protein in all adenomas tested (n = 8). We conclude that cAMP accumulation was not affected by pertussis toxin but that in 6 of 10 adenomas, the toxin enhanced PTH release. We suggest that cAMP accumulation and PTH release may be uncoupled from negative control by inhibitory ligands in adenomatous tissue or that the G-proteins involved do not couple to regulatory receptors or to effector.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1988

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies: detection and characterization in sera from patients with autoimmune hypoparathyroidism.

In a previous report, we described antibodies in autoimmune hypoparathyroidism (AHP) that are cytotoxic for cultured bovine parathyroid cells. In the present study, we show that sera from six AHP patients, but not from 26 patients with other autoimmune diseases or from 7 healthy subjects, react with bovine endothelial cells in culture (by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy) and in tissue sections (by immunohistology). We found uniformly that the immunoglobulin class reacting is IgM. Adsorption experiments showed that the antigenic determinants reacting with AHP sera were similar on bovine cultured endothelial cell membranes and in tissue sections of bovine parathyroid glands. The AHP sera also reacted with endothelial cells cultured from bovine adrenal medulla and pulmonary artery. Immunoblot analysis showed antibody binding to two major bands of 200 and 130 kDa solubilized from the membrane fraction of bovine parathyroid endothelial cells. Only one AHP serum consistently recognized endothelium-related structures on frozen sections of three different human parathyroid adenomas; two other sera reacted with one adenoma each; and three did not react with human adenomas. This indicates that human material is less suitable than bovine in detecting endothelium-related immune phenomena in AHP sera. The anti-endothelium IgM antibodies appear to be disease-specific but are not organ- or species-specific. The identification of endothelial cells as the target for antibodies in AHP raises the possibility that the endothelium subserves an important local function for endocrine epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Antibodies to an alpha subunit of skeletal muscle calcium channels regulate parathyroid cell secretion.

We have shown previously that Ca2+-channel agonists, which open Ca2+ channels, inhibit parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from dispersed bovine parathyroid cells, whereas Ca2+-channel antagonists, which close Ca2+ channels, stimulate PTH release. We now have tested the effects of mouse antibodies specific for purified alpha subunits of rat skeletal muscle Ca2+-channel proteins on PTH secretion by bovine parathyroid cells in vitro. Mouse antisera (MC-2, MC-3, MC-4) blocked the secretion of PTH from parathyroid cells incubated with 0.5 mM Ca2+ ions. Affinity-purified MC-4 antibodies inhibited PTH release in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation of parathyroid cells with pertussis toxin markedly reduced MC-4-dependent inhibition of PTH secretion. Parathyroid cell membrane proteins were fractionated by NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under either reducing or nonreducing conditions and immunoblotted with MC-4 antiserum. Antibodies bound to one major band of protein with Mr approximately equal to 150,000. These results suggest that the antibodies bind to Ca2+-channel alpha subunits and act as agonists that open the channels and inhibit PTH release.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Acute primary hyperparathyroidism.

Acute primary hyperparathyroidism is an unusual form of primary hyperparathyroidism characterized by life-threatening hypercalcemia. Forty-three cases reported in the literature since 1974 are reviewed, along with five new cases. The average age of the patients was 55 (27 to 82), with an even distribution between men and women. Marked hypercalcemia (17.5 +/- 2.1 mg/dl) was accompanied by parathyroid hormone levels 20 times normal. Virtually all patients had symptoms. Hyperparathyroid bone disease occurred in 53 percent of patients; even more (69 percent) had nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis. Combined renal and skeletal involvement was seen in 50 percent. Only three deaths were recorded. The pathophysiology of the acute hyperparathyroid state is unknown but appears to consist of uncontrolled parathyroid hormone secretion followed by cycles of hypercalcemia, polyuria, dehydration, reduced renal function, and worsening hypercalcemia. These features of acute primary hyperparathyroidism are compared with the features reported in the literature antedating multichannel screening, and with the features of the common form of primary hyperparathyroidism. Clinical guidelines by which the diagnosis may be suspected are also reviewed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Control of PTH secretion is mediated through calcium channels and is blocked by pertussis toxin treatment of parathyroid cells.

Parathyroid hormone secretion is negatively regulated by calcium. We utilized calcium channel agents: +202-791, a calcium channel agonist and -202-791, a calcium channel antagonist, to evaluate the role of calcium channels in PTH secretion. +202-791 inhibited PTH release from bovine parathyroid cells and the antagonist stimulated release. Incubation with pertussis toxin which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) releases the inhibition by the calcium channel agonist. These findings indicate that a G-protein is interposed between the calcium channel and a putative intracellular site controlling PTH secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Parathyroid mitogenic activity in plasma from patients with familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands is a central feature of familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. We used cultured bovine parathyroid cells to test for mitogenic activity in plasma from patients with this disorder. Normal plasma stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation, on the average, to the same extent as it was stimulated in a plasma-free control culture. This contrasted with the results of the tests with plasma from patients with familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, in which parathyroid mitogenic activity increased 2400 percent over the control value (P less than 0.001). Plasma from these patients also stimulated the proliferation of bovine parathyroid cells in culture, whereas plasma from normal subjects inhibited it. Parathyroid mitogenic activity in plasma from the patients with familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 was greater than that in plasma from patients with various other disorders, including sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (with adenoma, hyperplasia, or cancer of the parathyroid), sporadic primary hypergastrinemia, sporadic pituitary tumor, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (P less than 0.05). Parathyroid mitogenic activity in the plasma of patients with familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 persisted for up to four years after total parathyroidectomy. The plasma also had far more mitogenic activity in cultures of parathyroid cells than did optimal concentrations of known growth factors or of any parathyroid secretagogue. This mitogenic activity had an apparent molecular weight of 50,000 to 55,000. We conclude that primary hyperparathyroidism in familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 may have a humoral cause.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1986

Antibodies cytotoxic to bovine parathyroid cells in autoimmune hypoparathyroidism.

We utilized a recently developed long-term serum-free culture system for bovine parathyroid cells to detect antibodies in seven patients with autoimmune hypoparathyroidism (AHP). Antibodies were tested by indirect immunofluorescence methods and by cytotoxicity utilizing the chromium (51Cr) release technique. Seven AHP sera caused specific lysis [57 +/- 6% release of 51Cr vs. 5 +/- 1% for 56 controls (15 normal subjects and 41 patients with diverse other conditions associated with immune dysfunction)]. The least effect of any of the AHP sera on cell lysis exceeded the greatest effect of any of the control sera. Absorption of AHP sera (two cases) with bovine pituitary, thyroid, liver, or kidney cells did not affect lysis, but absorption with adrenal or parathyroid cells caused a marked decrease in specific lysis. Cytotoxicity determined by 51Cr release increased with antiserum concentration and time of incubation. Cytotoxicity was dependent on complement. Replicating parathyroid cells provide a uniform reproducible detection method for anti-parathyroid antibodies in AHP. The autoantibodies in AHP appear to be specific for tissue (parathyroid and adrenal cortex) but not for species.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1986

Bovine parathyroid cells: cultures maintained for more than 140 population doublings.

Primary cultures of bovine parathyroid cells were developed using Coon's modified Ham's F-12 medium containing low (0.3 mM) concentrations of calcium and supplements of bovine hypothalamic extract, bovine pituitary extract, epidermal growth factor, insulin, transferrin, selenous acid, hydrocortisone, triiodothyronine, retinoic acid, and galactose. These cells were cultured serially on serum-coated dishes for 140 population doublings before signs of senescence were detected. The cells were epithelioid and maintained a high degree of differentiation as evidenced by calcium regulation of both growth and secretion and by prostaglandin E1 stimulation of cAMP formation and hormone release.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1986

Prostaglandin F2 alpha and alpha-adrenergic agonists regulate parathyroid cell function via the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and alpha-adrenergic agonists inhibit cAMP production and PTH secretion in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. We have tested the mechanism of these effects utilizing pertussis toxin which catalyzes ADP ribosylation and inactivation of the inhibitory adenylate cyclase coupling protein Ni. Dispersed bovine parathyroid cells treated with or without 0.5 micrograms/ml pertussis toxin were tested with stimulatory (epinephrine, isoproterenol) or inhibitory (PGF2 alpha) agonists for responses in cAMP accumulation (5-min incubation) or PTH (90-min incubation) release. Pertussis toxin produced an enhanced response to epinephrine (a mixed alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic agonist) in cAMP production and in PTH secretion. PGF2 alpha inhibited intracellular cAMP by 40% and PTH secretion by 35%. Pertussis toxin treatment of bovine parathyroid cells reduced the PGF2 alpha inhibition. We conclude that: 1) inhibition of PTH release by PGF2 alpha and alpha-adrenergic agonists parallels inhibition of cAMP production; 2) pertussis toxin blocks the inhibitory actions of PGF2 alpha and alpha-adrenergic agents on cAMP accumulation and PTH secretion; 3) the inhibitory coupling protein Ni mediates the inhibitory effects of these agents.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗