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L G Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to L G Johnson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effects of hormone replacement on growth hormone and prolactin exercise responses in postmenopausal women.

Exercise elevates growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) blood concentrations in premenopausal women. Postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) maintain higher estrogen levels that could affect GH and PRL. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of HRT on GH and PRL responses to treadmill exercise. Seventeen healthy women who were postmenopausal (naturally or surgically) [8 on HRT; 9 not on HRT (NHRT)], completed 30 min of treadmill exercise at 79.16 +/- 1.2% maximal O2 consumption (HRT group) and 80.19 +/- 0.91% maximal O2 consumption (NHRT) group). Blood samples were collected from an intravenous catheter during an exercise session and during a control session without exercise. GH and PRL concentrations were significantly higher in the exercise trial than in the nonexercise trial, whereas resting concentrations were similar for both trials. GH and PRL peaked at 10.8 +/- 1.60 and 12.67 +/- 2.58 ng/ml, respectively, for HRT subjects and at 4.90 +/- 1.18 and 9.04 +/- 2.17 ng/ml, respectively, for NHRT subjects. GH concentrations in the exercise trial were significantly higher for HRT than for NHRT subjects. This is the first study to demonstrate that HRT enhances treadmill-exercise-induced GH release and that similar PRL responses to treadmill exercise occur in postmenopausal women regardless of HRT status.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy↗
PubMed1998

Interleukin-8 production by cystic fibrosis nasal epithelial cells after tumor necrosis factor-alpha and respiratory syncytial virus stimulation.

High levels of neutrophils and the neutrophil-attracting chemokine interleukin (IL)-8 have been observed in the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We hypothesized that CF respiratory epithelium produces excessive amounts of IL-8 either at baseline or after stimulation. To test this hypothesis we compared immunoreactive IL-8 release by primary nasal epithelial cell (NEC) cultures established from young children with or without CF, at several time points after stimulation of cultures with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Both stimuli induced significantly increased IL-8 release by both CF and control cultures. However, there was no difference between CF and control cells in either the magnitude or duration of the IL-8 response. The effect of transduction of CF cells with Ad5-CBCFTR, an adenovirus vector mediating expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), on IL-8 production was also determined. TNF-alpha stimulated IL-8 production was not different in Ad5-CBCFTR-transduced, -untransduced, or Ad5-CMVLacZ-transduced control cells. Lastly, immortalized CF tracheal epithelial cell lines, both uncorrected and retrovirally corrected with CFTR, were compared. Again, TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-8 production did not differ significantly between cell lines with and without functioning CFTR. Our data suggest that isolated CF NECs cultured under these conditions do not produce more IL-8 than do non-CF control cultures, either at baseline or after incubation with the nonspecific stimuli TNF-alpha and RSV. We conclude that the absence of functioning CFTR alone is not sufficient to cause excessive production of IL-8.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1997

Loss of binding and entry of liposome-DNA complexes decreases transfection efficiency in differentiated airway epithelial cells.

The target cells for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis lung disease are the well differentiated cells that line airway lumens. Employing cultures of airway epithelial cells that grow like "islands" and exhibit a continuum of cellular differentiation, we studied the mechanisms that render well differentiated cells more difficult to transfect with cationic liposomes than poorly differentiated cells. The poorly differentiated cells at the edge of the islands were transfectable with liposome-DNA complexes (pCMVbeta:LipofectACE = 1:5 (w/w)), whereas the more differentiated cells in the center of the islands were not. Evaluation of the steps leading to lipid-mediated transfection revealed that edge cells bound more liposome-DNA complexes, in part due to a more negative surface charge (as measured by cationized ferritin binding), and that edge cells internalized more liposome-DNA complexes than central cells. Edge cells exhibited receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL, pinocytosis of 10-nm microspheres, and phagocytosis of 2-microm microspheres, whereas central cells were only capable of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Cytochalasin B, which inhibited pinocytosis by 65% and phagocytosis by 93%, decreased edge cell liposome-DNA complex entry by 50%. Potassium depletion, which decreased phagocytosis by >90% but had no effect on pinocytosis, inhibited edge cell liposome-DNA complex entry by 71%. These results indicate that liposome-DNA complexes enter edge cells via phagocytosis and that this pathway is not detectable in central cells. In conclusion, both reduced negative surface charge and absence of phagocytosis internalization pathways in relatively differentiated cells may explain differentiation-dependent decrements in cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer in airway epithelia.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of estrogen replacement therapy on dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol responses to exercise in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), and cortisol (F) responses to treadmill exercise. DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: Female volunteers in an academic research environment. PATIENT(S): Sixteen healthy, postmenopausal women (7 were receiving HRT, 9 were not). INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples were taken from an intravenous catheter before, during, and after 30 minutes of treadmill exercise following an overnight fast. A second session was conducted one month later for the same subjects using the same blood sampling protocol without exercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum DHEA, DHEAS, and F concentrations. RESULT(S): The HRT and untreated DHEA area under the curve (AUC) for the exercise trials was significantly greater than that for the control trials. The untreated, but not the HRT, DHEAS AUC for the exercise trials was significantly greater than that for the control trials. The HRT and untreated F AUC for the exercise trials was significantly greater than that for the control trials. The AUC for the HRT exercise trials was significantly higher than the untreated exercise trials for DHEA and F, but not DHEAS. CONCLUSION(S): Data suggest that treadmill exercise elevates DHEA, DHEAS, and F levels in postmenopausal women and that HRT enhances the DHEA and F responses.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1997

Catecholamine modulatory effects of nepicastat (RS-25560-197), a novel, potent and selective inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase.

1. Inhibitory modulation of sympathetic nerve function may have a favourable impact on the progression of congestive heart failure. Nepicastat is a novel inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, the enzyme which catalyses the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline in sympathetic nerves. The in vitro pharmacology and in vivo catecholamine modulatory effects of nepicastat were investigated in the present study. 2. Nepicastat produced concentration-dependent inhibition of bovine (IC50 = 8.5 +/- 0.8 nM) and human (IC50 = 9.0 +/- 0.8 nM) dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. The corresponding R-enantiomer (RS-25560-198) was approximately 2-3 fold less potent than nepicastat. Nepicastat had negligible affinity (> 10 microM) for twelve other enzymes and thirteen neurotransmitter receptors. 3. Administration of nepicastat to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) (three consecutive doses of either 3, 10, 30 or 100 mg kg-1, p.o.; 12 h apart) or beagle dogs (0.05, 0.5, 1.5 or 5 mg kg-1, p.o.; b.i.d., for 5 days) produced dose-dependent decreases in noradrenaline content, increases in dopamine content and increases in dopamine/noradrenaline ratio in the artery (mesenteric or renal), left ventricle and cerebral cortex. At the highest dose studied, the decreases in tissue noadrenaline were 47%, 35% and 42% (in SHRs) and 88%, 91% and 96% (in dogs) in the artery, left ventricle and cerebral cortex, respectively. When tested at 30 mg kg-1, p.o., in SHRs, nepicastat produced significantly greater changes in noradrenaline and dopamine content, as compared to the R-enantiomer (RS-25560-198), in the mesenteric artery and left ventricle. 4. Administration of nepicastat (2 mg kg-1, b.i.d, p.o.) to beagle dogs for 15 days produced significant decreases in plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and increases in plasma concentrations of dopamine and dopamine/noradrenaline ratio. The peak reduction (52%) in plasma concentration of noradrenaline and the peak increase (646%) in plasma concentration of dopamine were observed on day-6 and day-7 of dosing, respectively. 5. The findings of this study suggest that nepicastat is a potent, selective and orally active inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase which produces gradual modulation of the sympathetic nervous system by inhibiting the biosynthesis of noradrenaline. This drug may, therefore, be of value in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders associated with over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system, such as congestive heart failure.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Role of mutant CFTR in hypersusceptibility of cystic fibrosis patients to lung infections.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are hypersusceptible to chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections. Cultured human airway epithelial cells expressing the delta F508 allele of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) were defective in uptake of P. aeruginosa compared with cells expressing the wild-type allele. Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-core oligosaccharide was identified as the bacterial ligand for epithelial cell ingestion; exogenous oligosaccharide inhibited bacterial ingestion in a neonatal mouse model, resulting in increased amounts of bacteria in the lungs. CFTR may contribute to a host-defense mechanism that is important for clearance of P. aeruginosa from the respiratory tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

In vitro assessment of variables affecting the efficiency and efficacy of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to cystic fibrosis airway epithelia.

Primary cultures of airway epithelia were used to evaluate variables pertinent to adenovirus (Ad)-mediated gene transfer efficiency and efficacy including: (i) Ad-vectors with different promoters, (ii) the duration of vector incubation with cells, (iii) the concentration and depth of vector-containing medium at constant multiplicity of infection (moi) (10(3)), and (iv) the relative sensitivity of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) versus functional analysis for the detection of transduced cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). An Ad5-lacZ vector with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer/promoter transduced the greatest amount of beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) activity, while an Ad2-lacZ vector with an E1a enhancer/promoter transduced the least. Ad5-lacZ vectors with the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), E1a/RSV, or CMV enhancer/beta-actin (CB) promoters transduced intermediate levels of beta-Gal. Optimal gene transfer efficiency was detected with a 4-8 hr incubation of Ad5-CMVlacZ with cells, although optimal CFTR Cl-transport function was detectable after only a 30 min incubation of Ad5-CBCFTR with cells, consistent with correction of > or = 6-10% of cells in the epithelial sheet. Ad5-CBCFTR transduction of CF airway epithelial cells (moi = 10(3)) was optimal when higher concentrations, lower volumes, or smaller depths of vector-containing medium were utilized. RT-PCR was at least 100-fold more sensitive for the detection of transduced CFTR than functional analysis, and could detect as few as 0.001% Ad5-CBCFTR-infected CF cells admixed with uninfected CF cells. In summary, the variables studied clearly affect the efficiency of Ad-mediated gene transfer in vitro and potentially in vivo. They also suggest that RT-PCR is a poor marker of gene transfer efficiency and efficacy.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1995

Effect of adenoviral vector infection on cell proliferation in cultured primary human airway epithelial cells.

Although recombinant adenoviruses are used as vectors for delivering therapeutic genes to the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, the effects of these vectors on the kinetics of airway epithelial cell growth have not been investigated. We tested whether E1, E3-deleted Ad vectors (Ad5-CMV-lacZ) affect the kinetics of cell proliferation of human airway epithelial cells in primary culture. There was a dose-dependent relationship between the vector multiplicity of infection (moi) and the efficiency of Ad-mediated lacZ gene transfer. Growth curves of cells exposed to vector were shifted to the right as compared to vehicle in a dose-dependent manner. The vector-induced slowing of cell proliferation resulted from both (i) increased apoptotic cell death and (ii) lower recruitment into S phase. UV inactivation of the vector genes abolished the effects on cell proliferation. These data demonstrate that as the moi of vectors is increased to achieve effective gene transfer, apoptosis and slowing of the cell cycle of infected cells increases concomitantly. The identification and inactivation of these vector effects on human airway cells may be important for reducing the toxicity of adenovirus vectors for gene therapy of CF airways.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1995

The arachidonic acid content of the Australian diet is lower than previously estimated.

Linoleic acid [18:2(n-6)] is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Western diet and is considered to be the primary source of tissue arachidonic acid [20:4(n-6)]. Dietary 20:4(n-6) may also contribute to tissue 20:4(n-6) levels in humans, but the extent of this contribution is unclear. We believe that literature estimates of 20:4(n-6) intake of 200-1000 mg/d are too high, possibly because of incorrect values in food composition tables where high amounts of 20:4(n-6) are recorded in margarines, some vegetable products and animal fat. We assessed the 20:4(n-6) content of common Australian foods and found that the 20:4(n-6) levels (on a 100-g edible basis), were 891 mg and 390 mg, respectively, for duck and chicken egg yolks, 294 mg for liver, 153 mg for kidney, 75 mg for skinless turkey, 56 mg for lean pork, 49 mg for lean lamb, 31 mg for chicken breast, 56 mg for chicken legs and 35 mg for lean beef. Eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5(n-3)] levels were < 10 mg/100 g in chicken meat, turkey meat, emu meat and chicken eggs, whereas the values for 20:5(n-3) for beef, lamb, liver, kidney and duck egg yolk ranged from 11 to 138 mg/100 g food. Applying our current 20:4(n-6) measurements to previously determined food intakes of Australian adults determined in an Australiawide survey in 1983, we estimated the mean 20:4(n-6) intake for Australian adult males to be 130 mg/d and females 96 mg/d. Whether such intakes of dietary 20:4(n-6) make an important contribution to tissue 20:4(n-6) levels is uncertain.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacological characterization of RS 25259-197, a novel and selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, in vivo.

1. The pharmacological effects in vivo, of RS 25259-197, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, have been investigated. 2. In anaesthetized rats, RS 25259-197, administered by the intravenous, intraduodenal or transdermal route, dose-dependently inhibited the von Bezold-Jarisch reflex induced by 2-methyl 5-HT (ID50 = 0.04 micrograms kg-1, i.v., 3.2 micrograms kg-1, i.d. and 32.8 micrograms per chamber, respectively). In this regard, when administered intraduodenally, RS 25259-197 was more potent and exhibited a longer duration of action than either ondansetron or granisetron. 3. In conscious ferrets, RS 25259-197, administered intravenously or orally, dose-dependently inhibited emesis induced by cisplatin. The ID50 estimates of RS 25259-197 were 1.1 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 3.2 micrograms kg-1, p.o. In this respect, RS 25259-197 was more potent than ondansetron and equipotent with granisetron. 4. In conscious dogs, RS 25259-197, administered intravenously or orally, dose-dependently inhibited emesis induced by cisplatin (ID50 = 1.9 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 8.5 micrograms kg-1, p.o.), dacarbazine (ID50 = 4.1 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 9.7 micrograms kg-1, p.o.), actinomycin D (ID50 = 4.9 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 2.5 micrograms kg-1, p.o.) and mechlorethamine (ID50 = 4.4 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 3.0 micrograms kg-1, p.o.). Against each of the emetogenic agents, RS 25259-197 was very much more potent than ondansetron. When tested at equi-effective intravenous doses against cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs, RS 25259-197 had a longer duration of anti-emetic activity (7 h) than ondansetron (4 h). At doses up to and including 1000 microg kg-1, p.o., neither RS25259-197 nor ondansetron was capable of inhibiting apomorphine-induced emesis.5. At doses up to 1000 microg kg-1, i.v., RS 25259-197 produced no meaningful haemodynamic changes in anaesthetized dogs.6. In summary, RS 25259-197 is a novel, highly potent and orally active 5-HT3 receptor antagonist in vivo. With respect to its anti-emetic activity, RS 25259-197 appears to be a significant improvement over ondansetron in terms of potency and duration of action.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

RS 39604: a potent, selective and orally active 5-HT4 receptor antagonist.

1. Selective antagonism of 5-HT4 receptors may provide therapeutic benefit in certain disorders of the myocardium, alimentary and lower urinary tract. We now report on RS 39604, a novel and selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonist and compare its pharmacological properties with those of SB 204070. 2. In guinea-pig striatal membranes, both RS 39604 and SB 204070 inhibited specific binding of [3H]-GR 113808 in a concentration-dependent manner yielding pKi estimates of 9.1 and 10.9, respectively. RS 39604 displayed a low affinity (pKi < 6.5) for 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3, alpha 1c, D1, D2, M1, M2, AT1, B1 and opioid mu receptors and moderate affinity for sigma 1, (pKi = 6.8) and sigma 2 (pKi = 7.8) sites. 3. In the rat isolated oesophagus, precontracted with carbachol, RS 39604 (30-300 nM) behaved as a competitive antagonist towards 5-HT-induced relaxation (pA2 = 9.3; Schild slope = 1.0). We and others have shown previously that SB 204070 behaves as an unsurmountable antagonist in this preparation (pA2 approximately 10.5). In the guinea-pig isolated ileal mucosa, RS 39604 (30 nM) antagonized 5-MeOT-induced increase in short-circuit current (pA2 = 9.1). 4. In anaesthetized vagotomized micropigs, RS 39604, administered by the i.v. or intraduodenal (i.duod.) route, produced dose-dependent inhibition of 5-HT-induced tachycardia (ID50 = 4.7 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 254.5 micrograms kg-1, i.duod). At maximal doses of 30 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and 6 mg kg-1, i.duod., the inhibitory effects of RS 39604 lasted for more than 6 h. In this preparation, SB 204070 was as potent as RS 39604by the i.v. route but was inactive by the intraduodenal route at doses up to 3 mg kg-1.5. In conscious mice, RS 39604, administered by the i.p. or p.o. route, produced dose-depend entinhibition of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced diarrhoea (ID50= 81.3 microg kg-1, i.p. and 1.1 mg kg-1,p.o.). In this assay, SB 204070 was inactive by the oral route at doses up to 30 mg kg-1.6. In anaesthetized guinea-pigs, RS 39604 antagonized the contractile effect of 5-HT in the proximal colon by producing parallel, dextral displacement of the dose-response curve to 5-HT. The mean dose ratios to 5-HT at 0.1 mg kg-1, i.v., 1 mg kg-1, i.v. and 10 mg kg-1, i.duod. were 4.6, 30.7 and 10.8,respectively. SB 204070 behaved as an unsurmountable antagonist in this assay.7. In a model of visceral pain in conscious rats, RS 39604 (0.01-1 mg kg-1, i.v.) did not affect colorectal distension-induced increases in arterial pressure whereas morphine (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) produced significant inhibition of the response, implying that 5-HT4 receptors are not involved in nociception in this model.8. The data suggest that RS 39604 is a high affinity and selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonist that is orally active and long-lasting in vivo. It is concluded that RS 39604 may be the preferable probe to use for investigating the physiological and pathophysiological role of 5-HT4 receptors in vivo.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacological characterization of two novel and potent 5-HT4 receptor agonists, RS 67333 and RS 67506, in vitro and in vivo.

1. The pharmacology of two novel 5-HT4 receptor agonists, RS 67333 (1-(4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-3-[1(n-butyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1- propanone HCl) and RS 67506 (1-(4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-3-[1-(2-methyl sulphonylamino)ethyl-4-piperidinyl]-1-propanone HCl) have been assessed in vitro and in vivo. 2. RS 67333 and RS 67506 exhibited affinities (pKi = 8.7 and 8.8, respectively) for the 5-HT4 binding sites, labelled with [3H]-GR 113808, in guinea-pig striatum. The Hill coefficients from these displacement curves were not significantly different from unity. The compounds exhibited lower affinities (< 6.0) at several other receptors including 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, dopamine D1, D2 and muscarinic M1-M3 receptors. However, RS 67333 and RS 67506 did exhibit affinities for the sigma 1 (pKi = 8.9 and 7.9, respectively) and sigma 2 (pKi = 8.0 and 7.3, respectively) binding sites. 3. At the 5-HT4 receptor mediating relaxation of the carbachol-precontracted oesophagus, RS 67333 and RS 67506 acted as potent (pEC50 8.4 and 8.6, respectively), partial agonists (intrinsic activities, with respect to 5-HT were 0.5 and 0.6, respectively) with respect to 5-HT. Relaxant responses to RS 67333 or RS 67506 were surmountably antagonized by GR 11308 (10 nM), with apparent affinities (pKB) of 9.1 and 9.0, respectively. RS 67333 and RS 67506 induced dose-dependent increases in heart rate of the anaesthetized micropig (ED50 4.9 and 5.4 micrograms kg-1, i.v.), with maximal increases of 35 and 47 beats min-1, respectively. 4. RS 67333 and RS 67506, therefore, acted as potent, partial 5-HT4 receptor agonists in vitro and in vivo. These compounds, by virtue of their high potency and selectivity, may have some utility in elucidating the physiological role of 5-HT4 receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Normalization of raised sodium absorption and raised calcium-mediated chloride secretion by adenovirus-mediated expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in primary human cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells.

Cystic fibrosis airway epithelia exhibit a spectrum of ion transport properties that differ from normal, including not only defective cAMP-mediated Cl- secretion, but also increased Na+ absorption and increased Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion. In the present study, we examined whether adenovirus-mediated (Ad5) transduction of CFTR can correct all of these CF ion transport abnormalities. Polarized primary cultures of human CF and normal nasal epithelial cells were infected with Ad5-CBCFTR at an moi (10(4)) which transduced virtually all cells or Ad5-CMV lacZ as a control. Consistent with previous reports, Ad5-CBCFTR, but not Ad5-CMV lacZ, corrected defective CF cAMP-mediated Cl- secretion. Basal Na+ transport rates (basal Ieq) in CF airway epithelial sheets (-78.5 +/- 9.8 microA/cm2) were reduced to levels measured in normal epithelial sheets (-30.0 +/- 2.0 microA/cm2) by Ad5-CBCFTR (-36.9 +/- 4.8 microA/cm2), but not Ad5-CMV lacZ (-65.8 +/- 6.1 microA/cm2). Surprisingly, a significant reduction in delta Ieq in response to ionomycin, a measure of Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion, was observed in CFTR-expressing (corrected) CF epithelial sheets (-6.9 +/- 11.8 microA/cm2) when compared to uninfected CF epithelial sheets (-76.2 +/- 15.1 microA/cm2). Dose response effects of Ad5-CBCFTR on basal Na+ transport rates and Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion suggest that the mechanism of regulation of these two ion transport functions by CFTR may be different. In conclusion, efficient transduction of CFTR corrects hyperabsorption of Na+ in primary CF airway epithelial cells and restores Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion to levels observed in normal airway epithelial cells. Moreover, assessment of these ion transport abnormalities may represent important endpoints for testing the efficacy of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1995

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis.

Following the cloning of the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene, in vitro studies rapidly established the feasibility of gene therapy for this disease. Unlike ex vivo approaches that have been utilized for other genetic diseases such as adenosine deaminase deficiency, gene therapy for CF will likely require direct in vivo delivery of gene transfer vectors to the airways of patients with CF. Hence, major research efforts have been directed at the development of efficient gene transfer vectors that are safe for use in human subjects. Several vectors have now emerged from the laboratory for evaluation in clinical safety and efficacy trials in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer has been utilized for initial clinical safety and efficacy trials in the United States, while liposome-mediated gene transfer has been chosen for initial clinical safety and efficacy trials in the United Kingdom. The rationale and laboratory studies are reviewed leading to initial clinical safety and efficacy trials. Also reviewed are the currently available vectors for potential use in clinical studies, their advantages and disadvantages, and the promises and pitfalls of current gene therapy efforts for CF in the United States focusing on adenovirus vectors in current clinical trials.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1994

Inefficient gene transfer by adenovirus vector to cystic fibrosis airway epithelia of mice and humans.

The success of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) depends on efficient transfer of the complementary DNA encoding the correct version of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) to the affected columnar epithelial cells lining the airways of the lung. Pre-clinical studies in vitro suggest that low doses of adenovirus vectors carrying this CFTR cDNA can correct defective Cl- transport in cultured human CF airway epithelia. Here we use mice carrying the disrupted CF gene to test the efficacy of this transfer system in vivo. We find that even repeated high doses can only partially (50%) correct the CF defect in Cl- transport in vivo and do not correct the Na+ transport defect at all. We investigated this discrepancy between the in vivo and in vitro transfer efficiency using CF mouse and human samples, and found that it reflects a difference in the susceptibility to adenovirus-5 transduction of the epithelial cell types dosed in vivo (columnar) and in vitro (basal-cell-like). These studies indicate that more efficient adenoviral gene-transfer vectors and/or refinement of dosing strategies are needed for therapy of CF lung disease.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1994

A multiplicative model of the dispositional antecedents of a prosocial behavior: predicting more of the people more of the time.

Researchers have demonstrated that individual differences in prosocial behavior may be a function of dispositional or person variables. However, the observed empirical relations have been relatively modest, perhaps because researchers have most often examined simple additive or single predictor models. The present investigation examined a multiplicative model of the relation of dispositional variables to a prosocial behavior. Eighty-six children between 6 and 9 years old completed a monetary donation task and measures of the general tendency to understand and reason about the affective state of others, to be sympathetic, and to understand the units and value of money. As expected, children who scored high in affective reasoning, sympathy, and money knowledge donated considerably more than children who scored low in any of these dispositional variables.

Altruism↗
PubMed1994

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis using E1-deleted adenovirus: a phase I trial in the nasal cavity. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease that reflects mutations in the CFTR gene. Multiple mutations in this gene have been detected that lead to a protein (CFTR) that is abnormally metabolized, dysfunction, or both. The full spectrum of the activities of the gene product have not been defined, but it is clear that CFTR can act as a cAMP-regulated Cl- channel. This type of defect is consistent with the physiologic characterization of CF epithelia, which has revealed abnormalities in salt and water transport. In the lung, abnormalities in epithelial salt and water metabolism lead to abnormal mucociliary clearance. This defect in clerance represents a major failure of lung defense and leads ultimately to infection of the lung with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other bacterial organisms. The chronic inflammatory response to this persistent intraluminal bacterial infection leads to protease-induced destruction of airway walls and finally, lung failure. More than 95% of CF patients die of lung disease. The clinical therapy of CF lung disease is limited to agents designed to promote clearance of secretions from the lung and antibiotics to treat the chronic bacterial infection. Recent laboratory demonstrations that introduction of the normal CFTR cDNA into CF cells corrects the ion transport defects of these cells has led to the hypothesis that gene therapy in the lung can be an effective, novel mode of therapy for this lung disease. The classic gene transfer vectors, e.g., retroviruses, appear to be not well suited for therapy of lung disease because of the low proliferation rate of airway epithelia in vivo. Recently, adenoviruses, which have a natural tropism for airway epithelia, have been genetically modified (E1-deleted) in an attempt to reduce potential toxicity of this virus and provide space for the CFTR cDNA. A series of in vitro studies have shown that this vector is highly efficient for transferring CFTR into airway epithelial cells in culture and correcting the CF defect. Further, studies in whole animals appear to indicate that this mode of gene transfer is associated with a low degree of toxicity. The present study is a dose-effect study designed to test for the safety and efficacy of E1-deleted recombinant adenovirus containing the CFTR cDNA under a CMV-beta-actin promoter in CF nasal epithelia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenoviridae↗