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L C Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to L C Harrison.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Mapping of multiple B cell epitopes on the 70-kilodalton autoantigen of the U1 ribonucleoprotein complex.

High titer IgG autoantibodies to the 70-kDa polypeptide component (p70) of the U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex occur in the sera of patients with mixed connective tissue disease, SLE, and related rheumatic diseases. To gain insight into the pathogenesis and diversity of this antibody response we have used recombinant DNA technology to map the linear B cell epitopes on p70. A full length 1.7-kb cDNA clone encoding p70 was isolated from a human placental library and restriction fragments or polymerase chain reaction-generated fragments of the gene subcloned into the bacterial expression vector pGEX. Purified fusion proteins representing specific regions of p70 were immunoblotted with a panel of 70 anti-(U1)RNP+ sera containing anti-p70 antibodies. Six epitopes, four major (A, B, C, and F) and two minor (D and E) were mapped and were located throughout the molecule. The anti-(U1)RNP sera displayed heterogeneity in their pattern of reactivity to the six epitopes although reactivity to epitope C was more frequently associated with SLE rather than mixed connective tissue disease. The identification of multiple B cell epitopes on p70 is consistent with the concept that this self Ag drives the autoantibody response.

Autoantigens↗
PubMed1990

Hexose specificity for downregulation of HepG2/brain-type glucose transporter gene expression in L6 myocytes.

Glucose deprivation of L6 myocytes results in the upregulation of glucose transporter activity, protein and mRNA. We have investigated the downregulation of transporter gene expression by glucose and other hexoses in glucose-deprived L6 myocytes. Glucose transport activity was measured as the uptake of 3H-2-deoxyglucose. Transporter protein and mRNA were detected by immunoblot and Northern blot analysis, respectively, with probes to the rat brain glucose transporter. Glucose deprivation of myocytes, in the absence and presence of insulin, increased 3H-2-deoxyglucose uptake, transporter protein and mRNA levels. Refeeding with glucose reversed the glucose deprivation effects on transport activity and mRNA within 12 h, with half-maximal effects at 1-2 mmol/l glucose. Mannose fully substituted for glucose. Refeeding with the non-metabolisable glucose analogues 2-deoxyglucose and 3-0-methylglucose, or with glucosamine or mannitol, downregulated 3H-2-deoxyglucose uptake but had little or no effect on transporter protein and mRNA expression. In contrast, glucose-6-phosphate markedly increased 3H-2-deoxyglucose uptake but partly downregulated transporter mRNA levels, whereas galactose had a small stimulatory effect on both 3H-2-deoxyglucose uptake and transporter mRNA; neither affected transporter protein levels. The transporter mRNA level was not affected by several metabolites (pyruvate, glyceraldehyde, glycerol) and amino acids (alanine, glutamine). These findings indicate that (i) there are independent pathways for hexose regulation of transport activity, protein and mRNA and (ii) down-regulation of transporter mRNA requires metabolism beyond hexose phosphate whereas glucose uptake may be regulated by direct interaction of hexoses with the transporter.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The thyroid stimulating hormone receptor in human disease.

The initial step in the action of thyrotropin (TSH) is its binding to the TSH receptor. TSH receptor antibodies are detected in up to 90% of patients with Graves' disease. Serial measurements of TSH receptor antibodies in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism are helpful in predicting relapse. The TSH receptor was purified using affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin agarose and TSH-agarose. Using an immunoblotting technique to characterize the TSH receptor, it was found to be an oligomeric glycoprotein consisting of three noncovalently bound subunits of Mr approximately 70,000, approximately 50,000 and approximately 35,000 which on reduction yield a single subunit of Mr approximately 25,000.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1990

A2B5-reactive ganglioside expression determines the differentiation stage and capacity of rat insulinoma (RIN) sublines.

We have generated rat insulinoma (RIN) sublines AlGh, m5F, A12, A13 and AhGh with increasing surface expression of the A2B5 ganglioside, a marker of differentiation. We asked whether the capacity of the sublines to differentiate was related to their stage of differentiation, as is characteristic of cells within the normal beta-cell lineage. To answer this, we measured the effect of the differentiation inducer sodium butyrate (NaB, 1 mM) on proliferation, insulin content, secretion and biosynthesis, and the expression of A2B5 and 3G5 gangliosides by the sublines. Six days after exposure to NaB, cell numbers/dish ranged from (1-3) x 10(6) compared to (4-6) x 10(6) in control cultures. By day 2, AlGh, m5F, A12, A13 and AhGh cells exposed to NaB contained 1.5-, 1.4-, 1.4-, 1.2- and 1.0-fold higher amounts of insulin, respectively, and by day 6, 3.6-, 2.3- and 1.0-fold higher, and 1.2- and 2.4-fold lower, amounts of insulin, respectively, than control cells. After 2 days, insulin secretion from AlGh, m5F, A12, A13 and AhGh cells was 1.7-, 1.0-, 1.5-, 1.0- and 1.0-fold higher, respectively, and the rate of (pro)insulin biosynthesis 1.7-, 2.3-, 1.3-, 1.0- and 1.0-fold higher, respectively, than control cells. After 6 days, A2B5 ganglioside expression was increased 3-, 1.9- and 2-fold on m5F, A12 and A13 cells, respectively, but was not significantly altered on AlGh and AhGh cells. 3G5 ganglioside expression was increased 1.5- and 8.4-fold, respectively, on AlGh and m5F cells, but was unaltered on A12, A13 and AhGh cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

T-cell epitopes on the 70-kDa protein of the (U1)RNP complex in autoimmune rheumatologic disorders.

High-titre IgG antibodies against the immunodominant 70-kDa protein of the (U1)ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex are present in virtually 100% of patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and less commonly in a variety of other autoimmune rheumatic diseases. As T-cell 'help' is assumed to be required for this potentially pathogenic form of immune response, investigations to define T-cell epitopes on the 70-kDa protein were undertaken. In prior studies we expressed the 70-kDa protein and a number of its fragments, spanning most of the molecule, as recombinant fusion proteins using the pGEX expression-vector system. These fusion proteins were used as antigens in the epitope mapping studies reported here. PBMC were isolated from patients with (U1)RNP-positive rheumatic diseases and from both normal controls and rheumatologic patients with other autoantibody reactivities, including those to Ro, La and dsDNA. Reactivity to the purified 70-kDa protein was assayed by thymidine incorporation and was evident only in anti-(U1)RNP positive patients but was not restricted to MCTD patients, being present also in patients with SLE and rheumatoid arthritis. The stimulation indices (SIs) observed were in the two- to five-fold range. Using the 70-kDa protein fragments, a T-cell stimulatory epitope was localized to the C-terminal 63 amino acids of the autoantigen. A T-cell line, derived from PBMC of a (U1)RNP positive patient with MCTD, also reacted predominantly with this C-terminal fragment but with an SI of approximately 15-fold. Thus, we have demonstrated the presence and specificity of autoreactive T lymphocytes to a defined peptide epitope in systemic rheumatic disease.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1990

A new view of the beta cell as an antigen-presenting cell and immunogenic target.

Cellular autoimmunity is thought to be primarily responsible for the selective destruction of islet beta cells in Type I diabetes. Why the T lymphocyte reacts to self and recognizes the beta cell as foreign, as against the other endocrine islet cells, is unknown. One key issue is whether the beta cell itself is capable of presenting autoantigen(s) and thereby breaking T lymphocyte tolerance. In this paper we discuss current concepts of antigen presentation and relate these to recent findings from our laboratory, suggesting that the beta cell can be induced to display many of the phenotypic properties of classical antigen-presenting cells, including induction of MHC and ICAM-1 expression and production of IL-6. Finally, a model is presented which provides a new view of the initiation and perpetuation of autoimmune beta-cell destruction in Type I diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The dexamethasone suppression test in anorexia nervosa. The influence of weight, depression, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and dexamethasone.

When 20 female anorexic in-patients were investigated with weekly DSTs, 10 had an abnormal result at initial testing. There was no identifiable relationship between severity of weight loss and DST status; % ideal body weight was no different between suppressors and non-suppressors. There was no consistent relationship between normalisation of the DST response and weight gain. Depressive symptoms were common, with half the patients scoring 20 or more on the HRSD. Plasma ACTH concentrations before and after the DST were normal. There was a significant negative correlation between plasma dexamethasone concentrations and pre- and post-dexamethasone plasma cortisol concentrations.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1990

A2B5-reactive ganglioside expression is an index of differentiation in rat insulinoma (RIN) cells.

To investigate the relationship between surface ganglioside expression and pancreatic islet cell differentiation, we examined the function of five rat insulinoma (RIN-m5F) sublines A4, A6, A7, A10, and A12 selected for increased expression of A2B5-reactive gangliosides, as well as a subline AlGh, low in A2B5- but high in 3G5-reactive ganglioside expression. Class I major histocompatibility (MHC) protein expression was also measured in the sublines because of our previous finding that class I proteins were preferentially expressed on human insulinoma tissue compared with differentiated islet cells. In comparison with parental RIN-m5F cells, subline A12 displayed a 7.6-fold increase in A2B5 expression and a 3.4-fold increase in the number of A2B5 positive cells (81% vs. 24%). A2B5 expression was increased 1.3-, 5.4-, 5.4-, and 6.9-fold on A4, A6, A7, and A10 sublines, respectively. In contrast, AlGh cells, which had comparable A2B5 expression to parental cells, displayed a 2.9-fold increase in 3G5 expression and an 8-fold increase in the number of 3G5 positive cells (72% vs. 9%). Insulin secretion and content increased with increasing A2B5 expression. On day 2, secretion was 1.2-, 8-, 8-, 21-, and 18-fold higher and content 1.4-, 4-, 5-, 26-, and 33-fold higher for A4, A6, A7, A10, and A12 cells, respectively, compared to parental cells. There was a direct association between expression of A2B5 and the level of insulin messenger RNA (mRNA) in the sublines. Neither glucagon nor somatostatin was detected in any subline. The AlGh subline secreted and contained less insulin than parental cells. Fully differentiated adult rat islet cells, the majority of which are beta-cells, contained a lower number of 3G5 (12%) than A2B5 (57%) positive cells. Compared to parental cells, class I MHC proteins were decreased 4-fold on A12 cells, but increased 1.5-fold on AlGh cells. We conclude that, at least in RIN cells, the expression of A2B5-reactive ganglioside expression is associated directly, and class I MHC protein expression indirectly, with beta-cell differentiation.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1990

Tumor necrosis factor secreted by transformed human B lymphocytes: lack of an autocrine growth effect.

There is evidence that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may be a proliferation and differentiation factor for B lymphocytes. We found that three of four lymphoblastoid cell lines (ADD, IM-9, W1) secreted TNF-beta and expressed TNF receptors, whereas one pre-B cell leukemia and six Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines had no detectable TNF secretion and, except for one Burkitt's cell line (LOU), very low expression of TNF receptors. When IM-9, W1 or LOU cells were cultured over seven days in the presence of either TNF-alpha or antiserum to TNF-beta there was no difference between their growth rate, endogenous TNF-beta secretion or immunoglobulin secretion compared to untreated cells. These findings indicate that TNF does not have a universal role as an autocrine growth factor in transformed B lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Molecular pathology of type 1 diabetes.

Evidence from epidemiological and histopathologic studies in humans with autoimmune type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes suggests that beta-cell destruction within the islets of Langerhans progresses through a number of stages. In this review we draw on recent experimental evidence in an attempt to define the molecular pathology of these stages. Stage 1 is postulated to be initiated by modification of the beta cell by virus, chemical or other factors, leading to the production of interferon-alpha, hyperexpression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and induction of MHC class II molecules. Experiments in transgenic mice suggest that overexpression of MHC molecules is in itself detrimental to beta-cell function. Shedding of antigen(s) from dying beta cells in combination with hyperexpression of MHC molecules may be a powerful immunogenic stimulus. Stage 2 commences with infiltration of the islets by immuno-inflammatory cells (termed insulitis). It is proposed that production of cytokines from the infiltrating cells induces "phenotypic switching" in beta cells, with further upregulation of MHC molecules and the induction of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and interleukin-6 production. Together, these properties are seen as a prerequisite for the presentation of autoantigen by beta cells to adherent T lymphocytes and autoimmune activation. The final stage encompasses autoimmune-mediated destruction of the beta cells by the targeted delivery of cytotoxic cytokines and other mediators.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Insulin receptor expression in Burkitt lymphoma cell lines.

The specific binding of insulin to 7 different Burkitt lymphoma cell lines containing chromosomal translocations t(8;14), t(8;2) and t(8;22) was markedly decreased when compared to binding to lymphoblastoid cells of normal karyotype derived from Burkitt lymphoma patients or the human IM-9 lymphoblastoid line. The number of insulin-binding sites on intact Burkitt cells was decreased by greater than 90% compared to lymphoblastoid cells, with no change in affinity. This decrease in binding was paralleled by reduced amounts of insulin receptor alpha (Mr 130,000) and beta (Mr 95,000) subunits detected by cell-surface-labelling and insulin receptor mRNA transcripts, indicating that transcription of receptor mRNA is decreased in Burkitt cells compared to lymphoblastoid cells and/or that receptor mRNA is less stable. Burkitt cells displayed negligible insulin-stimulated beta subunit auto-phosphorylation, which could reflect either their decreased number of receptors or a defect in signal transduction. Structural analysis also revealed that the Burkitt cells had an increase in a precursor form (Mr 210,000) of the receptor, suggesting that decreased expression of the receptor may be associated with defective processing. Four Burkitt cell lines with t(8;14) also had reductions of 45-100% in expression of class-1 major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens. The expression of insulin receptors in both Burkitt and lymphoblastoid cells correlated with the expression of class-1 MHC antigens. There was also an inverse correlation between the expression of c-myc and both insulin receptors and class-1 MHC antigens. As the insulin receptor is absent on resting B cells and is induced after cell activation, the decrease in receptor expression on Burkitt cells may reflect their less activated phenotype compared to lymphoblastoid cells.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed1989

Evidence for IL-6 production by and effects on the pancreatic beta-cell.

IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha injure the pancreatic beta-cell and may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Because the induction of IL-6 appears to be an important host cell response to injury, we have examined whether IL-6 is produced by murine pancreatic islets or rat insulinoma (RIN-m5F) cells after their exposure to IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Islet culture supernatants contained detectable IL-6 activity which was increased 6-fold when islets were exposed to IFN-gamma and 40- and 115-fold when islets were exposed to TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma, respectively. A mAb against murine IL-6 abolished (control and IFN-gamma) or significantly reduced (TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma) the IL-6 activity in islet supernatants. The magnitude for the effects of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha on the production of IL-6 from mouse islets was found to be both time and dose dependent. Northern blot hybridization analysis of islet total cytoplasmic RNA with a cDNA probe to murine IL-6 revealed a band at 1.3 kb, the intensity of which increased in islets exposed to IFN-gamma + TNF-alpha. IL-6 activity was also detected in culture supernatants from RIN-m5F cells exposed to TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma. Islets cultured with rIL-6 secreted higher levels of insulin compared with control islets. Pancreatic islet cells, in all probability beta-cells, produce IL-6, the expression of which is up-regulated by IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha. In addition to a possible role in regulating pancreatic beta-cell function we propose that IL-6 produced by the pancreatic beta-cell may act as a costimulator for autoreactive B and T lymphocytes in autoimmune diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Induction of the insulin receptor and other differentiation markers by sodium butyrate in the Burkitt lymphoma cell, Raji.

The very low expression of insulin receptors in the Burkitt lymphoma cell Raji was increased 2-fold, 6-fold and 10-fold after 1, 2 and 3 days, respectively, by incubation with the differentiation inducer sodium butyrate. Insulin receptor number was increased without a change in receptor affinity, in association with an increase in the receptor alpha and beta subunits detected after cell-surface labelling and immunoprecipitation. Expression of cell-surface class I and II human leukocyte antigens, the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the CD38 leukocyte antigen was also increased, consistent with B cell differentiation. Butyrate effects were not unspecific, as the binding of tumour necrosis factor and growth hormone and the expression of the B cell markers CD20, B5 and CD21 was not increased. The low expression of insulin receptors on Raji cells is therefore a reflection of the less differentiated state of these cells compared to lymphoblastoid cells.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1989

Delineation of atypical insulin receptors from classical insulin and type I insulin-like growth factor receptors in human placenta.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding sites copurifying with human placental insulin receptors during insulin-affinity chromatography consist of two immunologically distinct populations. One reacts with monoclonal antibody alpha IR-3, but not with antibodies to the insulin receptor, and represents Type I IGF receptors; the other reacts only with antibodies to the insulin receptor and is precipitated with a polyclonal receptor antibody (B-10) after labelling with 125I-multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA, rat IGF-II). The latter is a unique sub-population of atypical insulin receptors which differ from classical insulin receptors by their unusually high affinity for MSA (Ka = 2 x 10(9) M-1 compared with 5 x 10(7) M-1) and relative potencies for insulin, MSA and IGF-I (40:5:1 compared with 150:4:1). They represent 10-20% of the total insulin receptor population and account for 25-50% of the 125I-MSA binding activity in Triton-solubilized placental membranes. Although atypical and classical insulin receptors are distinct, their immunological properties are very similar, as are their binding properties in response to dithiothreitol, storage at -20 degrees C and neuraminidase digestion. We conclude that atypical insulin receptors with moderately high affinity for IGFs co-exist with classical insulin receptors and Type I IGF receptors in human placenta. They provide an explanation for the unusual IGF-II binding properties of human placental membranes and may have a specific role in placental growth and/or function.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Viruses and cytokines: evidence for multiple roles in pancreatic beta cell destruction in type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is due to the selective autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells possibly initiated by viruses. To elucidate the possible role of viruses and cytokines in the pathogenesis of IDDM, we have examined the effect of reovirus infection on beta cell major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression and the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on beta cell function in vitro. Infection of RIN-m5F (rat insulinoma) cells with reovirus-1 or reovirus-3 was associated with a tenfold increase in class 1 MHC protein and mRNA expression. Reovirus infection did not induced the expression of class 11 MHC by RIN-m5F cells. Exposure of reovirus to ultraviolet light almost completely abolished its ability to induce class 1 MHC protein expression on infected cells. Murine islets cultured for 3 days with IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha had a significantly reduced insulin response to glucose, which was more marked with a combination of the cytokines. During 6 days of culture in IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha islets underwent noticeable degeneration associated with an 80% reduction in insulin content. These findings together with previous data suggest viruses and cytokines may have multiple roles in beta cell destruction, indirectly through enhanced MHC protein expression and directly through functional impairment and loss of viability.

Animals↗