Biomedical subjects

M D Tharp

Publications and source records attributed to M D Tharp.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1984

Gastrin induces histamine release from human cutaneous mast cells.

Physiologic concentrations of human gastrin I (G17) and a synthetic analog of the carboxy-terminal region of gastrin, pentagastrin, provoked a dose-related release of histamine from human cutaneous mast cells in vitro. The N-terminal tridecapeptide portion of gastrin (G1-13) neither stimulated histamine release nor blocked the action of G17. In vivo correlation studies demonstrated that low concentrations (10(-12)M to 10(-10)M) of G17 or pentagastrin administered intradermally provoked a modest but definite wheal-and-flare response in four out of six normal subjects and a more marked, dose-related response in a patient with mastocytosis. These results indicate that physiologic concentrations of gastrin can stimulate mediator release from human cutaneous mast cells. We propose that this response may be mediated through receptors recognizing the carboxy-terminal region of the gastrin molecule. The possible role of gastrin-induced human mast cell-mediator release should be considered in the assessment of allergic disorders and in experimental models investigating mast cell function.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Rodent epidermal Langerhans cells demonstrate greater histochemical specificity for ADP than for ATP and AMP.

Langerhans cells (LCs) in mammalian epidermis possess the ectoenzyme Ca++/Mg++-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), which has served as a useful histochemical marker for these dendritic cells in a variety of tissue preparations. Since ATPase represents only one of several potential cell surface polyphosphatases, we investigated the capacities of 3 related adenine nucleotide substrates to identify rodent epidermal LCs. Cell surface ATPase activity was not inhibited in the presence of ouabain and was observed to be strictly divalent cation-dependent, with complete interchangeability between Ca++ and Mg++. Optimal staining in the presence of either cation occurred at a 20 mM concentration. Substrate concentration dependence was also observed, with optimal staining at 0.33 mM adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). On an equimolar basis, however, adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) was superior to ATP for the identification of LCs both in whole mounts of epidermis and in suspensions of disaggregated epidermal cells. The substrate adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) stained follicular epithelial cells in both rodent species but failed to identify epidermal LCs in the mouse and only weakly stained these dendritic cells in rat epidermis. We conclude from these studies that ADP demonstrates greater specificity for LC surface polyphosphatase activity than ATP and that the inadvertent inclusion of AMP during identification procedures for epidermal cell suspensions will falsely identify cells other than LCs.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1984

Conjugated avidin identifies cutaneous rodent and human mast cells.

Avidin conjugated to the fluorescent dyes rhodamine or fluorescein binds to mast cell granules in rodent and human skin. Sequential staining of tissue mast cells first with conjugated avidin, and then with a metachromatic stain demonstrated that both techniques identify the same mast cell granules. Specificity for mast cells was confirmed by the absence of avidin-positive cells in the skin of mast cell-deficient (W/Wv) mice. Binding of conjugated avidin to mast cells was inhibited by pretreating tissue specimens with unconjugated avidin but not by pretreating conjugated avidin with biotin, indicating that avidin does not bind to biotin or a biotin-like molecule. Within murine dermis, unique patterns of mast cell distributions were observed, with a prominent perivascular localization in ear skin, and a complete absence of mast cells underlying the scales in tail skin. In tissue sections of guinea pig skin undergoing basophil hypersensitivity reactions and in murine and human skin specimens infiltrated with eosinophils, conjugated avidin selectively stained only dermal mast cells, demonstrating specificity for mast cells in sites of inflammation. Conjugated avidin also readily stained rat peritoneal mast cells, demonstrating its utility for identifying extracutaneous mast cells. Unlike the metachromatic stains, avidin binding to mast cells in tissues is not limited by methods of fixation or special embedding and cutting procedures. Thus, mast cell identification with conjugated avidin is a reliable, specific, and simple method with important clinical and investigative applications.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

IgE-mediated release of histamine from human cutaneous mast cells.

We investigated the ability of antigen-IgE interactions to stimulate histamine release from human infant cutaneous mast cells. Skin obtained at circumcision contained numerous perivascular mast cells, as assessed by light and electron microscopy. The histamine content of this tissue averaged 17.7 ng (+/- 1.5 SEM)/mg wet weight. Challenge of 200-microns thick sections of unsensitized skin with varying concentrations of monoclonal murine antibodies to human IgE caused no net release of histamine. After skin sections were incubated in the presence of 5 micrograms/ml of human myeloma IgE (S) for 120 min at 37 degrees C, monoclonal anti-IgE challenge resulted in 40.1% (+/- 6.0 SEM) histamine release. Similar passive sensitization with 1/20 dilutions of serum from humans expressing IgE to purified Juniperus sabinoides (JS) antigen rendered the tissue responsive to specific antigen challenge. Dose-related histamine release occurred over 30 min with optimal release of 12.6% (+/- 2.4 SEM) after stimulation with 100 ng/ml of JS antigen. This reaction required sensitization with serum containing IgE to JS and was antigen-specific. Optimal reactions to antigen occurred at 3 mM added Ca++, 34 degrees C to 37 degrees C, pH 7.2. Antigen-induced release was markedly influenced by the added Ca++ concentration; no release occurred in the absence of Ca++, 54% of the optimal response was observed at 2 mM Ca++, and 28% of the optimal response occurred at 4 mM Ca++. The addition of Mg++ did not influence antigen-induced release. The results of this study provide functional evidence that 1) human infant cutaneous mast cells express Fc-epsilon receptors; 2) these receptors are largely unoccupied in vivo; and 3) stimulation of passively sensitized infant mast cells with anti-IgE or specific antigen leads to immediate histamine release. This new system should permit detailed in vitro studies of immediate hypersensitivity reactions in human skin.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Contact hypersensitivity reactions to dinitrofluorobenzene mediated by monoclonal IgE anti-DNP antibodies.

Several studies have suggested a possible role for IgE antibodies in the pathogenesis of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions that reach maximum intensity 24 to 48 hr after antigen challenge. The recent availability of murine monoclonal IgE anti-hapten antibodies has made possible the direct examination of the range of cutaneous inflammatory reactions that can be mediated by such antibodies. We have examined the effects of passively sensitizing BALB/c mice with monoclonal IgE anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody 48 hr before antigen challenge. Inflammatory responses were assessed by measuring ear swelling in mice challenged on the ears with the reactive hapten 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Compared with unsensitized controls, the ears of mice passively sensitized with IgE anti-DNP displayed a biphasic pattern of ear swelling after DNFB challenge. An early, transient response (present within 15 to 30 min of challenge and returning to control levels within 4 to 9 hr) was followed by a second, more persistent increase in ear swelling that peaked 24 to 48 hr after challenge. This biphasic pattern of ear swelling seen in IgE-sensitized mice was temporally indistinguishable from that observed in mice conventionally sensitized for allergic contact dermatitis reactions by epicutaneous application of DNFB 5 days before DNFB ear challenge. Antigen specificity of the IgE-mediated contact hypersensitivity reactions was demonstrated by the failure of mice passively sensitized with IgE anti-DNP to display early or delayed ear swelling greater than unsensitized controls when challenged with either of two noncross-reacting haptens, fluorescein isothiocyanate or oxazolone. Mice passively sensitized with a monoclonal IgA anti-DNP antibody (MOPC 315) 48 hr before DNFB challenge failed to display early or delayed ear swelling greater than unsensitized controls. Heat inactivation of the IgE anti-DNP ascitic fluid at 56 degrees C for 30 min completely abolished its capacity to passively sensitize mice for contact hypersensitivity reactions after DNFB challenge. These results document the existence of an antigen-specific, IgE-mediated, delayed-in-time cutaneous hypersensitivity response that can be elicited by epicutaneous challenge (contract) with a reactive hapten.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Pharmacological characterizations of adrenergic receptors in human adipocytes.

Three types of adrenergic receptors, beta, alpha-1, and alpha-2, were identified in human adipocytes, isolated from properitoneal adipose tissue, using both the binding of radioactive ligands and the effects of adrenergic agents on receptor-specific biochemical responses. Adrenergic binding studies showed the following results: [(3)H]dihydroalprenolol binding (beta adrenergic) B(max) 280 fmol/mg protein, K(D) 0.38 nM; [(3)H]para-aminoclonidine binding (alpha-2 adrenergic) B(max) 166 fmol/mg protein, K(D) 0.49 nM; [(3)H]WB 4101 binding (alpha-1 adrenergic) B(max) 303 fmol/mg protein, K(D) 0.86 nM. In adipocytes from subcutaneous adipose tissue, [(3)H]dihydroergocryptine binding indicated the presence of alpha-2 but not alpha-1 receptors. Beta and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors appeared to be positively and negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase, respectively. Cells or cell membranes were incubated with epinephrine (10 muM) alone and in combination with the antagonists yohimbine (alpha-2) and prazosin (alpha-1). Epinephrine alone prompted a modest increase in adenylate cyclase activity, cyclic AMP, and glycerol release, an index of lipolysis. Yohimbine (0.1 muM) greatly enhanced these actions whereas prazosin was without effect. The beta agonist, isoproterenol, stimulated glycerol release, whereas the alpha-2 agonist, clonidine, inhibited lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation. To assess further alpha-1 receptors, cells were incubated with [(32)P]phosphate and epinephrine (10 muM) alone and in combination with prazosin and yohimbine. Epinephrine alone caused a three- to fourfold increase in (32)P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol. Prazosin (0.1 muM) blocked this action whereas yohimbine (0.1 muM) was without effect. Thus, in a homogeneous cell preparation, the human adipocyte appears to have three different adrenergic receptors, each of which is coupled to a distinct biochemical response.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1981

alpha-Adrenergic receptors in human adipocyte membranes: direct determination by [3H]yohimbine binding.

The presence of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in membranes derived from human sc adipose tissue was directly demonstrated with a new alpha 2-selective ligand, [3H]yohimbine. Binding of this radiolabeled antagonist to adipocyte membranes was of high affinity (Kd = 3.9 +/- 2.4 nM) and saturable. Computer modelling of [3H]yohimbine saturation curves demonstrated that it binds to a homogeneous class of sites with a density of 145.0 +/- 33.8 fmol/mg protein. Adrenergic agonists competed with [3H]yohimbine in the order expected of alpha-receptors, and their binding was strongly influenced by guanine nucleotides. Competition of alpha-antagonists with this radioligand demonstrated yohimbine to be more potent than prazosin, indicative of alpha 2-receptors. Antagonist binding was unaffected by guanine nucleotides. Paired saturation curves in these adipocyte membranes with the alpha 2-selective [3H]yohimbine and the nonsubtype selective alpha-antagonist [3H]dihydroergocryptine demonstrated similar receptor concentrations. [3H]Dihydroergocryptine has been previously shown to label both alpha 3- and alpha 2-receptors with equal affinity. Therefore, these data indicate that the vast majority of alpha-receptors in human sc fat are of the alpha 2-subtype. [3H]Yohimbine with its alpha 2-selectivity and high specific binding will provide an excellent tool for the clinical investigation of human adipocyte alpha-receptor mechanisms in both normal and pathological states.

Adipose Tissue↗