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Biomedical subjects

M A Martin

Publications and source records attributed to M A Martin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Lectin reactivities as intermediate biomarkers in premalignant colorectal epithelium.

Normal colonic epithelial cells undergo maturation as they traverse the crypt to the lumenal surface. The binding of lectins to goblet cell mucins and other glycoconjugates changes as the cells migrate and differentiate. Additional stepwise modifications in glycoconjugate expression occur in premalignant and malignant neoplasms that may be detected by lectin binding studies. The lectins Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA) have been developed as markers of differentiation in normal-appearing colonic epithelium. Using a quantitative biometric system to score tissues, reduced levels of lectin binding have been found in rectal tissue from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. The lectin Amaranthus caudatus agglutinin (ACA) binds to a cytoplasmic glycoconjugate expressed at the base of the colonic crypt and serves as a possible proliferation marker in the distal, but not proximal, colon. ACA binding increases in tandem with increased levels of proliferation (using BrdU incorporation) in neoplastic tissues. Binding by the peanut lectin (PNA) occurs late in the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence--in larger adenomas and in cancers--and serves as a marker of advancing neoplasia. Lectins identify the stepwise changes that occur during normal differentiation, proliferation and in advancing neoplasia. By selecting the appropriate probe, biomarkers may be developed for early, intermediate, and late events in colorectal cancer.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1992

Kinetics of HIV-1 interactions with sCD4 and CD4+ cells: implications for inhibition of virus infection and initial steps of virus entry into cells.

The mechanisms of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) entry into CD4+ cells and HIV-1 inactivation by sCD4 were studied by analyzing the kinetics of inhibition of viral infection by sCD4 and the kinetics of fusion of CD4+ cells with intact virions labeled with the lipid fluorophore octadecylrhodamine (R18). sCD4 inhibited HIV-1 infection much more effectively when preincubated with virus prior to interaction with CD4+ cells than when mixed simultaneously with virions and cells. The kinetics of inhibition of infection was much slower at 4 degrees and at low sCD4 concentrations than at 37 degrees and at high sCD4 concentrations. In the absence of sCD4, attachment of virus to cells leading to productive infection occurred within 10-30 min. Fusion of the virions with cells started after a 1-2 min lag time and was complete within 15 min. In high-density cell suspensions (5 x 10(7) cells/ml), even very high sCD4 concentrations (100 micrograms/ml) failed to block viral infection during simultaneous mixing of cells, sCD4 and HIV-1. We conclude that the kinetics of sCD4-virus interaction and the competition of sCD4 with the cell surface associated CD4 for the virus are crucial factors in the inhibition of HIV-1 infection by sCD4. These results provide insight into mechanisms of viral penetration into cells and should be considered when designing new approaches for AIDS therapy.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1992

Gram-negative sepsis and the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Gram-negative sepsis has dramatically increased in frequency throughout the twentieth century in the United States. Currently, approximately 200,000 patients develop gram-negative sepsis each year in this country. Of these, about one-quarter develop the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Among these critically ill patients, mortality is estimated at 60%-90%. In the complex series of events leading to acute lung injury in gram-negative sepsis, endotoxin is the proximal mediator. Although endotoxin may be capable of causing direct injury to the pulmonary endothelium, its primary role is as a trigger activating inflammatory agents, including complement, neutrophils, and platelets, and inducing the production of cytokines and arachidonic acid metabolites. The end results are impairment of the endothelial barrier, diffusely increased capillary permeability, and adherence of neutrophils to the endothelium with subsequent migration into the tissues. The consequent clinical syndrome is one of acute respiratory distress with pulmonary edema, poorly compliant lungs, and refractory hypoxemia. Endothelial injury often becomes widespread, leading to the failure of multiple organs, including the kidneys, brain, intestine, and liver. Conventional therapy consists of supplemental oxygen, positive end-expiratory pressure, inotropic agents, fluid management, and antibiotics aimed at the offending pathogen. Recent discoveries regarding the mediators of sepsis as well as the expansion of the biotechnological armamentarium have provided clinicians with a plethora of new tools with which to manipulate the host's inflammatory response. The challenge for the next decade will be to ensure the safety, efficacy, and cost-effective use of these expensive but potentially lifesaving immunomodulators, singly or in combination, as adjuvant therapy.

Endotoxins↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of the integrity of the blood-brain barrier after meningeal trauma.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to examine the effect of meningeal trauma produced by cisterna magna puncture on the integrity of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB) in a rat model. METHODS: Intravenous gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA), a relaxation rate modifier which normally does not cross the BCB, was used as a probe to follow leakage of fluid across the BCB. After Gd-DTPA injection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serial samples were obtained through the needle used to create the experimental trauma. These samples were subsequently examined in vitro by MRI to obtain their T1 relaxation rates and assayed by mass spectrometry for gadolinium and elemental iron concentrations. RESULTS: The iron levels reflected the severity of puncture-related subarachnoid hemorrhage. Rats with ongoing meningeal damage showed significantly higher CSF levels of gadolinium and significantly higher CSF T1 relaxation rates than controls at all samples times over 1 hour after the puncture. Blood in the CSF could not explain these changes because the CSF iron levels did not significantly differ from control levels. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenously administered Gd-DTPA can gain access to the subarachnoid space through minor defects in the BCB and cause significant increases in CSF T1 relaxation rates.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein regulates the formation of intracellular gp160-CD4 complexes.

Intracellular transport and processing of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope precursor glycoprotein, gp160, proceeds via the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex and involves proteolytic processing of gp160 into the mature virion components, gp120 and gp41. We found that coexpression of gp160 and human CD4 in HeLa cells severely impaired gp120 production due to the formation of intracellular gp160-CD4 complexes. This CD4-mediated inhibition of gp160 processing was alleviated by coexpression of the HIV-1-encoded Vpu protein. The coexpression of Vpu and CD4 in the presence of gp160 resulted in increased degradation of CD4. Although the precise mechanism(s) responsible for the Vpu effect is presently unclear, our findings suggest that Vpu may destabilize intracellular gp160-CD4 complexes.

CD4 Antigens↗
PubMed1992

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein induces rapid degradation of CD4.

CD4 is an integral membrane glycoprotein which is known as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receptor for infection of human cells. The protein is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and subsequently transported to the cell surface via the Golgi complex. HIV infection of CD4+ cells leads to downmodulation of cell surface CD4, due at least in part to the formation of stable intracellular complexes between CD4 and the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) Env precursor polyprotein gp160. This process "traps" both proteins in the ER, leading to reduced surface expression of CD4 and reduced processing of gp160 to gp120 and gp41. We have recently demonstrated that the presence of the HIV-1-encoded integral membrane protein Vpu can reduce the formation of Env-CD4 complexes, resulting in increased gp160 processing and decreased CD4 stability. We have studied the effect of Vpu on CD4 stability and found that Vpu induces rapid degradation of CD4, reducing the half-life of CD4 from 6 h to 12 min. By using a CD4-binding mutant of gp160, we were able to show that this Vpu-induced degradation of CD4 requires retention of CD4 in the ER, which is normally accomplished through its binding to gp160. The involvement of gp160 in the induction of CD4 degradation is restricted to its function as a CD4 trap, since, in the absence of Env, an ER retention mutant of CD4, as well as wild-type CD4 in cultures treated with brefeldin A, a drug that blocks transport of proteins from the ER, is degraded in the presence of Vpu.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1992

Functional characterization of a U5 ribozyme: intracellular suppression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 expression.

We have designed a ribozyme that cleaves human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in U5 (at nucleotide +115). This ribozyme was tested in vitro and was found to give efficient and specific digestion of RNA containing the HIV-1 U5 sequence. When the U5 ribozyme was placed into the HIV-1 genome, virus replication was suppressed in tissue culture. Introduction of this ribozyme into cells by using an amphotropic retrovirus vector significantly reduced expression of U5-containing RNA in cells chronically infected with HIV-1. Naive T cells were cocultivated with packaging cells that produce defective amphotropic retroviruses containing the U5 ribozyme. These lymphocytes were found to be partially protected from HIV-1 infection.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

A comparison of the effectiveness of three regimens in the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a major cause of morbidity and the leading cause of death in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The prevention of the occurrence and recurrence of PCP is a cornerstone in the treatment of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. There are few studies comparing PCP prophylactic regimens. METHODS: The efficacy of three regimens for prophylaxis against PCP was assessed in a retrospective chart review of 211 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients at risk for the disease. Over the course of the 2-year study period, 133 patients were prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (one double-strength tablet twice a day, thrice weekly) for a mean of 7.4 months (range, 1 to 25 months). Seventy-seven patients received dapsone (50 mg daily) for a mean of 5.7 months (range, 1 to 23 months), and 125 patients received aerosolized pentamidine (300 mg via nebulizer once monthly) for a mean of 9.3 months (range, 1 to 21 months). The majority of patients (62%) received primary prophylaxis; 38% had one or more previous episodes of PCP; and 73% were receiving concomitant antiretroviral therapy. RESULTS: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia did not develop in any patient receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 981 patient-months. Five patients receiving dapsone for 437 patient-months and 17 patients receiving aerosolized pentamidine for 1166 patient-months developed PCP. Fifty-six percent of the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group and 55% of the dapsone group changed drug due to adverse reactions, while only 2% in the aerosolized pentamidine group required drug change. CONCLUSION: Despite its adverse reaction profile, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the most effective agent to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of PCP.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Transgenic mice carrying intact HIV provirus: biological effects and organization of a transgene.

Twelve transgenic founder animals retaining intact copies of the infectious molecular clone of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 were obtained. All the founders appeared healthy during a 9- to 12-month observation period. However, transgenic offspring of one of the founders (female #13), died within the 1st month of life while manifesting several symptoms characteristic of human AIDS. To discover why only one transgenic lineage was affected and why the founder animal in the affected lineage remained healthy while all of her transgenic offspring were diseased, we compared the organization of the transgene in the transgenic lineages. Restriction enzyme analysis showed that the founder no. 13 was a mosaic carrying in each transgenic cell four tandemly arranged copies of the infectious molecular clone. All the units of the tandem repeat appeared to be correctly preserved with the exception of the 3'-most copy, which terminated near the start of human sequences that flank the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR). The unaffected founders and their transgenic litter usually carried a high number of copies of the provirus. The 5' terminus of the transgene in the unaffected animals appeared to be deleted or rearranged. None of the 12 transgenic founders carried a single copy of integrated provirus. We conclude that infectious molecular clone of HIV-1 can be expressed in transgenic mice, and that the mode of proviral integration similar to that seen during the retroviral infectious cycle (i.e., a single-copy provirus) may be incompatible with the postnatal survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A controlled clinical trial of E5 murine monoclonal IgM antibody to endotoxin in the treatment of gram-negative sepsis. The XOMA Sepsis Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of adjunctive monoclonal antibody antiendotoxin immunotherapy in patients with gram-negative sepsis. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Thirty-three university-affiliated centers, including Veterans Affairs, community, and municipal hospitals. PATIENTS: Hospitalized adults with signs of gram-negative infection and a systemic septic response. INTERVENTION: Patients were assigned to receive either 2 mg/kg of a murine monoclonal antibody directed against gram-negative endotoxin (E5) or placebo. A second infusion was administered 24 hours later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality over the 30-day study period, resolution of organ failures, and safety. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-six patients were enrolled. Three hundred sixteen had confirmed gram-negative sepsis (54% bacteremic, 46% nonbacteremic). The survival difference was not statistically significant for all patients. Among patients with gram-negative sepsis who were not in shock at study entry (n = 137), E5 treatment resulted in significantly greater survival (relative risk, 2.3; P = .01). Resolution of individual organ failures was more frequent among these patients, occurring in 19 (54%) of 35 patients in the E5 group vs eight (30%) of 27 in the placebo group (P = .05). Four reversible allergic reactions occurred among 247 patients (1.6%) receiving E5. No other toxicity was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with E5 antiendotoxin antibody appears safe. It reduces mortality and enhances the resolution of organ failure among patients with gram-negative sepsis who are not in shock when treated.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

A novel HIV-1 isolate containing alterations affecting the NF-kappa B element.

Three molecular clones of HIV-1, derived from a single isolate (AL1), exhibited distinct replicative and cytopathic properties during propagation in a human T cell line. The phenotypic differences observed were attributable, in large part, to changes affecting the viral LTR. Nucleotide sequence and PCR analyses demonstrated the presence of novel duplications or deletions involving the NF-kappa B motif. These changes in the enhancer element were identified in the original AL1 virus stock. Subcloning of the variant NF-kappa B segments into LTR-driven CAT expression vectors confirmed a correlation between promoter activity and replicative/cytopathic capacity.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Mutations within the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp160 envelope glycoprotein alter its intracellular transport and processing.

Intracellular transport and processing of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope precursor polyprotein, gp160, proceeds via the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex. We examined gp160 processing during the production of HIV-1 virions in transfected HeLa cells using wild-type and env mutant proviral molecular clones. Results from pulse-chase analyses indicated that a single amino acid substitution within a highly conserved domain of the env gene impaired gp160 export from the ER, leading to an increase in oligomeric forms of gp160 and a decrease in gp120 production. In contrast, gp160 which contained a mutated cleavage site was able to traverse the ER/Golgi complex, even in the absence of proteolytic processing, and become incorporated into budding virions. These findings indicate that export from the ER is a point in the intracellular trafficking of gp160 that is crucial to the production of the mature envelope components.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Maturation of human immunodeficiency virus particles assembled from the gag precursor protein requires in situ processing by gag-pol protease.

The vaccinia virus expression system was used to determine the role of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease in viral morphogenesis and maturation. The unprocessed p55 gag precursor polyprotein alone was assembled to form HIV-1 particles which budded from cells. The particles were spherical and immature, containing an electron-dense shell in the particle submembrane; there was no evidence of core formation. Expression of both gag and pol proteins from a recombinant containing the complete gag-pol coding sequences resulted in intracellular processing of gag-pol proteins and the production of mature particles with electron-dense cores characteristic of wild-type HIV virions. To ascertain the role of protein processing in particle maturation, the pol ORF in the gag-pol recombinant was truncated to limit expression of the pol gene to the protease domain. With this recombinant expressing p55 gag and protease, intracellular processing was observed. Some of the resultant particles were partially mature and contained processed gag protein subunits. In contrast, particle maturation was not observed when the HIV-1 protease and p55 gag were coexpressed from separate recombinants, despite evidence of intracellular gag processing. These findings suggest that HIV-1 protease must be an integral component of the full-length gag-pol precursor for optimal processing and virion maturation.

Fusion Proteins, gag-pol↗
PubMed1991

Ultraviolet radiation increases HIV-long terminal repeat-directed expression in transgenic mice.

Previously described FVB/N mice harboring a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long terminal repeat (LTR)/chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) transgene were treated with varying amounts of 254 nm UV-C radiation or 312 nm UV-B radiation. At optimal exposure periods, a 20-fold increase in HIV-LTR-directed expression was observed in ear specimens collected 24 h following UV-C exposure; a fourfold increase in expression was induced by UV-B exposure. Investigation of the kinetics of UV-C induction in vivo revealed that LTR-directed gene expression began to increase 2 hours after exposure and reached a maximum on Day 3 following exposure (greater than 30-fold induction). In experiments examining the kinetics of UV-B activation, the maximum level of CAT activity in the ears of irradiated transgenic animals was fivefold above levels in unirradiated transgenic controls (Day 5). Furthermore, CAT activity was not induced in fur-bearing skin following UV exposure; however, a fourfold increase in HIV-LTR-directed expression could be elicited when hair was removed by shaving prior to UV-B treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Anti-HIV activity of CD4-Pseudomonas exotoxin on infected primary human lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophages.

CD4(178)-PE40 is a recombinant protein consisting of a portion of human CD4 linked to active domains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. In previous experiments with human T cell lines, the hybrid toxin was found to selectively kill cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and to inhibit HIV-1 spread in mixtures of infected and uninfected cells. CD4(178)-PE40 inhibits HIV-1 spread in cultured primary human lymphocytes. Moreover, the hybrid toxin selectively kills HIV-1 chronically infected monocyte/macrophage cell lines and inhibits HIV-1 spread in primary macrophage cultures. Control experiments indicate that the protective effects of CD4(178)-PE40 against HIV-1 spread are due to selective killing of the infected cells rather than simply to neutralization by the CD4 moiety. Thus, for the major cell types susceptible to HIV infection in vivo, surface envelope glycoprotein is expressed at sufficient levels to enable binding and internalization of CD4(178)-PE40 and consequent selective cell killing.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Identification of posttranscriptionally active inhibitory sequences in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA: novel level of gene regulation.

cis-acting inhibitory region (IR) sequences were identified within the gag/pol gene of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by using a novel feedback-stimulated, rev-independent tat reporter gene to screen HIV-1 sequences in transient expression assays. Two regions, a 1,295-nucleotide segment in the gag gene (IR-1) and a 1,932-nucleotide segment of the pol gene (IR-2), each inhibited reporter gene expression 10- to 20-fold. IR-1 and IR-2 both contained subsequences which inhibited reporter gene expression. Introduction of IR sequences into a heterologous reporter plasmid, pCMV-CAT, resulted in decreased chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression, suggesting that the inhibitory effect was not restricted to a reporter gene under the control of the HIV-1 promoter. The presence of HIV IR sequences in cis did not alter relative levels of reporter gene RNA; however, fractionation studies revealed IR-containing RNA accumulated in the nucleus. These findings demonstrate that IR sequences within the gag/pol region affect gene expression by altering the cellular distribution of viral RNA.

Base Sequence↗