Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Chaudhuri

Publications and source records attributed to M Chaudhuri.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Surface acid proteinase (gp63) of Leishmania mexicana. A metalloenzyme capable of protecting liposome-encapsulated proteins from phagolysosomal degradation by macrophages.

Acid proteinase activity is associated with the major surface glycoprotein (gp63) of both extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of the parasitic protozoan, Leishmania mexicana. The enzyme purified by monoclonal affinity chromatography from promastigotes is strongly inhibited by metal ion chelators, which is reversible by the addition of Zn(II). This proteinase loses its activity after dialysis against 1,10-phenanthroline. The apoenzyme thus prepared is reactivated substantially by Zn(II) and partially by Cu(II), Cd(II), Co(II), or Ni(II). From the recently published structure of the gene encoding gp63, we identify hitherto unrecognized sequences, which can be aligned to the consensus zinc-binding sites of other known metalloproteinases. Anti-gp63 polyclonal antibodies, but not the monoclonals, precipitate similar molecules from amastigotes. These molecules differ slightly from gp63 in electrophoretic mobility but have similar endopeptidase activity. Phagolysosomal degradation by macrophages of proteins entrapped in liposomes is prevented by coating them with native gp63. This protection is lost with heat denaturation of gp63 to kill its enzymatic activity. The proteolytic activity of the metalloenzyme on the surface of these parasites may thus protect their membrane from cytolytic damages during their survival, differentiation, and multiplication in the phagolysosomes of macrophages.

Animals↗

Factor interactions with the simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA influence branch site selection and alternative splicing.

To study the interaction of splicing factors with the simian virus 40 early-region pre-RNA, which can be alternatively spliced to produce large T and small t mRNAs, we used an in vitro RNase protection assay that defines the 5' boundaries of factor-RNA interactions. Protection products reflecting factor interactions with the large T and small t 5' splice sites and with the multiple lariat branch site region were characterized. All protection products were detected very early in the splicing reaction, before the appearance of spliced RNAs. However, protection of the large T 5' splice site was detected well before small t 5' splice site and branch site protection products, which appeared simultaneously. Oligonucleotide-targeted degradation of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) revealed that protection of the branch site region, which occurred at multiple sites, required intact U2 snRNA and was enhanced by U1 snRNA, while protection of the large T and small t 5' splice sites required both U1 and U2 snRNAs. Analysis of several pre-RNAs containing mutations in the branch site region suggests that factor interactions involving the multiple copies of the branch site consensus determine the selection of branch points, which is an important factor in the selection of alternative splicing pathways.

Binding Sites↗

Antagonists of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone bind to rat mast cells and induce histamine release.

It was reported previously that administration of certain synthetic antagonists of LHRH to rats produced allergy-like symptoms that were attributed to their histamine releasing action. In the present study the interaction of LHRH analogs with rat peritoneal mast cells was investigated in vitro. Potent antagonists of LHRH showed strong in vitro histamine releasing activity from rat peritoneal mast cells. Membrane preparations of rat pituitary glands showed specific binding of radioiodinated LHRH antagonist as well as LHRH agonist. However, rat peritoneal mast cells and membrane preparations from those cells bound antagonist but not the agonist. Furthermore, the LHRH antagonist did not bind to membranes prepared from tissues such as prostate, liver, kidney, and brain. Competitive displacement curves of the [125I]-antagonist with different LHRH analogs showed that the ability of the analogs to compete for binding sites on mast cells was related to their histamine releasing activity. We conclude that histamine release from rat mast cells induced by LHRH analogs is mediated by specific binding of the active peptides to cell membranes. Furthermore, using rat mast cells, the binding assay in conjunction with histamine releasing assay may be utilized to predict the in vivo histamine releasing potential of new LHRH peptides which are of clinical importance.

Animals↗

Induced type-B reticulum cell neoplasia in mice III. The importance of T-cell proliferation and cellular relocation in accessory cell transformation.

After the transfer of spleen cells from old CBA/T6T6 mice (greater than 75 weeks) into young syngeneic CBA/Ca recipients there usually follows a selective expansion of the donor T-cell population and the emergence of type B reticulum cell neoplasms (RCN-B), also of donor origin though probably derived not from the T-cells but from lymphoid dendritic accessory cells. As few as one million injected cells led to significant donor T-cell hyperplasia and tumour induction. Injection of cells from young donors did not have such consequences. Similar tumours were induced by transferring syngeneic cells in both C57BL and DBA/2 mice, although in the latter strain there was no requirement for the injected cells to derive from old donors. It appeared that T-cell proliferation was independent of donor accessory cells or RCN-B induction, since injection of enriched T-cells led to few tumours, although the T-cell chimaerism was indistinguishable from that in recipients of unseparated spleen cells. Development of tumours, however, seemed to be dependent upon stimulated T-cells. Recipients of spleen cells from old T-cell-deprived mice did not develop tumours; conversely, tumours, mostly of donor origin, were induced in recipients of young syngeneic cells when an extrinsic stimulus to T-cell proliferation was provided by continued allostimulation. The apparent selectivity of tumorigenesis for donor cells has led to the proposal that cellular relocation, as a result of transfer, may be an important predisposing factor in malignant transformation in circumstances of T-cell stimulation provided by antigenic challenge or by transfer of T-cells from old donors.

Age Factors↗

Urinary steroid concentrations during natural and gonadotrophin-induced oestrus and pregnancy in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Urinary concentrations of conjugated oestrone and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide were measured during and after spontaneous and induced oestrus and during pregnancy. Behavioural oestrus was preceded by a rise in oestrone values from less than 10 ng/mg creatinine (Cr) to peaks of 45 ng/mg Cr. Maximal lordotic response and mating activity coincided with the decline in oestrone levels. After presumed ovulation, urinary pregnanediol glucuronide concentrations increased from less than 5 to 15-30 ng/mg Cr. Further increases in this steroid (to 60-80 ng/mg Cr) occurred 114 days after mating, presumably coincident with implantation. These high levels of pregnanediol glucuronide were maintained for 3 weeks, began to decline 1 week before parturition and fell to a nadir (less than 5 ng/mg Cr) immediately after delivery. When FSH was administered i.m. for 5 days, urinary oestrone values rose markedly and were maximal (580 ng/mg Cr) on Day 7. Mating first occurred on Day 20 and 500 i.u. hCG were given i.m. Urinary pregnanediol glucuronide levels during the next 5 months were similar to those in the previous year during pregnancy with values rising 105-108 days after mating. However, no birth occurred. These results support the suggestion that pandas exhibit delayed implantation and demonstrate that the panda is responsive to exogenous gonadotrophins.

Animals↗

The capability for regulation of insulin secretion by somatostatin in purified pancreatic islet B cells during aging.

Pancreatic islet B cells from Sprague-Dawley and Fisher 344 rats aged 3-27 months were separated from A and D cells by centrifugation over a linear percoll density gradient, and incubated in vitro with various concentrations of glucose and somatostatin. Elevation of glucose concentration in the incubation medium from 2.6 to 16.7 mM provokes an insulin secretory response that is independent of rat donor age. Inhibition of the insulin secretory response by somatostatin is independent of rat donor age beyond 12 months. These data indicate that the impaired regulation of insulin secretion during aging observed previously in vivo and in vitro in intact islets may not be intrinsic to the B cells, but instead reflect changes in islet paracrine regulatory mechanisms that relate to the quality and/or quantity of endogenous somatostatin and/or glucagon.

Aging↗

Regulation of insulin secretion by glucose during aging.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of insulin secretion to glucose and its possible relationship to changes in islet glucose utilization during aging. Pancreatic islets of Langerhans were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2- to 24-months and perifused in vitro with glucose. Insulin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. Glucose utilization was assessed by measuring the rate of conversion of 3H-5-D-glucose to 3H-H20. The sensitivity of isolated, perifused islets to glucose was reduced during aging. Less glucose metabolism, however, may be required to elicit comparable release of insulin by islets from old than from young rats.

Aging↗

Pygopagus twins.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

Neoplasms arising in CBA mice after transfer of spleen cells from syngeneic old donors.

Young (15-week-old) CBA/Ca mice were injected intravenously with spleen cells from individual young (15-week-old) or old (18-24-month-old) CBA/T6T6 mice. Samples of peripheral blood were taken at monthly intervals and cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) to stimulate T lymphocytes into mitosis. In the recipients of young lymphocytes, the percentage of donor cells dividing in these cultures remained low throughout the experiment, but in the recipients of old spleen cells, after an initial period when the percentage of donor cells declined, there was a marked increase in the percentage of donor cells. The interval between the injection and the increase in the proportion of donor cells was very variable. Ten of the 12 recipients of old lymphocytes developed tumours involving the spleen and mesenteric lymph node. They resembled type B reticulum cell neoplasms as described by Dunn & Deringer (1968), and all but two were transplantable. In addition, one mouse that had no evidence of tumour on histological examination nevertheless gave rise to a transplantable tumour. The five tumours on which chromosomal analysis was carried out proved to be of old donor cell origin. Two out of the five recipients of young cells also eventually developed tumours, but these arose later than the others, had a more granulocytic character, and did not transplant.

Age Factors↗

Recirculating and sessile B cell populations in normal and CBA/N mice.

Chromosomally distinguishable syngeneic mice were parabiosed and the resultant chimerism was followed for 6 weeks in the lymphoid organs, by culturing their cells with polyclonal mitogens, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for B cells and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for T cells. As expected of a recirculating population, the T cells equilibrated completely. The B cells in lymph nodes (LN) and Peyer's patches (PP) also equilibrated completely, suggesting that they too are recirculating. B cells in the spleen and blood, however, did not equilibrate over this period. After separation of parabiosed mice, the percentage of partner cells in both the recirculating T and B lymphocyte populations declined steadily, but it continued to rise in the LPS-responsive populations in spleen and peripheral blood suggesting that they were derived from precursor populations which were themselves chimeric. Injection of lymphocytes into CBA/Ca or CBA/N mice showed that LPS-responsive populations in LN and spleen localized differently. These results have been interpreted as demonstrating two major populations of LPS-responsive B lymphocytes in the mouse, one recirculating and the other sessile. The recirculating population appears to be the only LPS-responsive population in LN and PP. In the spleen, however, the recirculating cells constitute about a quarter of the LPS-responsive cells, while the rest are sessile cells. The relationship between these two populations has yet to be clarified. CBA/N mice are deficient in both populations but the sessile one appears to be more severely depleted.

Animals↗

A role for somatostatin in the impaired insulin secretory response to glucose by islets from aging rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible contribution by somatostatin to the impairment in glucose-stimulated secretion of insulin during aging. Pancreatic islets of Langerhans were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2- to 24-months and challenged in vitro with effectors of insulin secretion. Concentrations of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin were determined by radioimmunoassay. The impairment of glucose-stimulated secretion of insulin which characterizes islets isolated from aged rats may be overcome by treatment of islets with antibodies to somatostatin. Enhanced availability and/or effectiveness of endogenous pancreatic somatostatin during aging may be responsible for the modified pattern of glucose-stimulated secretion of insulin.

Aging↗

Effects of glucose and fructose loading on glycogenesis in chicks infected with avian tuberculosis.

The chick was used as a rapid metabolic model to determine the fate of ingested fructose vs. glucose in noninfected chicks and in those subjected to the stress of avian tuberculosis. The chicks were crop-loaded with either a 72% fructose or glucose solution 21 and 28 days post TB inoculation and killed 2 and 4 hr after loading. In noninfected chicks, both sugars were rapidly converted to glycogen, and there was an interaction with time and the amount of glycogen formed from each sugar. Infection depressed glycogen formation from both fructose and glucose. While the total amount of glycogen formed from glucose could be directly correlated to increased liver size in the TB chicks loaded with glucose, in the chicks loaded with fructose less glycogen was formed even though liver size was increased as a result of the TB infection. The depression in glycogen formation was not related to the severity of the infection since the TB involvement was not the same in the two experiments conducted; but in both cases chicks loaded with fructose showed a greater reduction in the capacity of the liver to synthesize glycogen.

Animals↗

The role of hormones in changing adaptive mechanisms during aging.

A generalized characteristic of all aging populations is the progressively impaired ability to adapt to an altered environment. The increased latent period for the response of hepatic glucokinase activity to glucose in aging rats is one specific example of this phenomenon. The disturbed regulation of hepatic glucokinase activity probably is the consequence of altered control of the secretion of key hormones rather than effects of aging on hepatic function. Such changes in the regulation of hormone secretion already are documented or suspected at least for insulin, glucagon, adrenal glucocorticoids, and thyroid hormones. The regulation of insulin secretion by glucose is altered during aging within the predominant population of islets of Langerhans, perhaps by differences in cell-to-cell communication within these islets. Once the nature of limiting biochemical modifications is established within a specific cell population, it may be possible to identify the origin of at least a distinct set of gerontological phenomena.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Studies on hyperlymphoid mice.

Injection of syngeneic, but chromosomally distinguishable, lymph node or spleen cells into adult mice resulted in both T- and B-lymphocyte chimaerism. In spleen-injected mice haematopoietic chimaerism was also established. It appeared that the donor T lymphocytes were added to the host recirculating T-cell pool so that a hyperlymphoid state was produced. The percentage of donor T lymphocytes declined very slowly in normal mice, but remained stable in adult-thymectomized animals. There was no evidence of a homeostatic mechanism involving destruction of excess peripheral T lymphocytes or grossly affecting the flow of T lymphocytes from the thymus into the recirculating T-cell pool. A preliminary model of the T-lymphocyte system is proposed.

Animals↗

Noma neonatorum.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗