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Biomedical subjects

M K Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to M K Robinson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Antibodies that activate beta 2 integrins can generate different ligand binding states.

A human erythroleukemic cell line (K562) that does not normally express beta 2 integrins has been transfected with the genes encoding these integrins. The resulting cell lines show minimal background adhesion but can be stimulated to bind to appropriate substrates when activated with either of two different antibodies to CD18. The two antibodies appear to generate different ligand binding states in LFA-1 such that different members of the ICAM family are recognized. Antibody-activated complement receptor type 3 and p150,95-transfected cells bind protein-coated surfaces, although they require slightly different activation conditions for optimal binding.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Two-dimensional protein electrophoresis and multiple hypothesis testing to detect potential serum protein biomarkers in children with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) surveillance and intervention efforts are hampered by the lack of a specific biochemical test for diagnosis of the syndrome. Based on the hypothesis that abnormalities in growth and development (key features of FAS) involve altered protein metabolism, we analyzed serum proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and image analysis to search for potential protein biomarkers of FAS. Serum samples from 12 participants in whom FAS had been diagnosed and 8 sex- and age-matched participants whose mothers did not consume alcohol were analyzed in duplicate to determine whether the integrated intensities of matched proteins are significantly altered in children with FAS. Multiple hypothesis testing on 34 of the gels consisting of more than 1700 spots per gel revealed 21 proteins that we classified as potential protein biomarkers of FAS on the basis of significant t-test differences at p < 0.02. We classified 8 of the proteins as candidate biomarkers on the basis of significant concentration differences between case and control subjects at p < 0.01. One of the proteins is clearly an isoform of retinol binding protein; two appear in the area of the gel where alcohol dehydrogenase is expected to appear; one appears to be an isoform of alpha-1-antitrypsin; three appear to be isoforms of the beta-chain of haptoglobin; three may be forms of immunoglobulin light chains; and several others have not been associated with known proteins. No single protein differentiated all case subjects from control subjects, but stepwise canonical discriminant analyses revealed four groups of spots that distinguished between FAS case and control subjects with no misclassifications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biomarkers

Porcine E-selectin: cloning and functional characterization.

E-selectin, a member of the selectin family, is believed to play an important role in mediating the initial adhesive events between leucocytes and the endothelium during inflammation. A monoclonal antibody against human E-selectin was found to cross-react with the porcine equivalent, a glycoprotein of 92,000 MW. Isolation of the cDNA for porcine E-selectin showed that it was 71% homologous with human E-selectin but had two less short consensus repeats. The porcine adhesion molecule could also support the adhesion of both porcine and human neutrophils. Expression of E-selectin on interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha)- or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-activated porcine aortic endothelial cells in culture was prolonged, persisting for up to 48 hr. Binding studies using a chimeric molecule consisting of the lectin domain of porcine E-selectin and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain of human E-selectin fused to the human IgG constant region, further characterized porcine E-selectin as recognizing mainly granulocytic leucocytes and a subpopulation of lymphocytes.

Animals

Cloning and expression kinetics of porcine vascular cell adhesion molecule.

Human vascular cell adhesion molecule is believed to play a key role in recruiting leukocytes to sites of injury. Here we report the identification of a homologous molecule in the pig which has five Ig domains and an overall 77% homology with the human protein. The expression of this protein was also characterised on porcine endothelial cells. Like the human adhesion molecule, the porcine protein could be induced by LPS, TNF and IL-1 alpha, although differences were noted in the kinetics of expression.

Amino Acid Sequence

Isotype choice for chimeric antibodies affects binding properties.

Construction of a series of chimeric antibodies (murine variable region and human constant region) derived from the murine antibody BIRR1, which recognizes intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), has revealed differences in the relative binding abilities of the chimeric antibody to antigen. The chimeric antibodies show a ranking of their ability to compete with BIRR1 for antigen on the surface of cells with the order BIRR1 = cIgG1 (100%) > cIgG4 (30%) > cIgG2 (10%) as demonstrated by solid-phase competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Papain digestion yielded Fab fragments that were purified to homogeneity. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the chimeric and murine Fab binding constants were equivalent. A solution-phase binding assay (analyzed by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography) between the intact mAbs and recombinant soluble ICAM-1 further established that the binding constants involving the Fab arms of the two antibodies were equivalent. In summary, the murine and chimeric anti-ICAM-1 antibodies bind cellular ICAM-1 with equivalent affinities but with differing avidities.

Animals

Glutathione deficiency accentuates hepatocellular fluid accumulation after ischemia-reperfusion.

Liver ischemia-reperfusion is known to be associated with free radical-mediated hepatocellular damage but alterations in hepatocellular fluid flux under these conditions are incompletely understood. Deficiency of the antioxidant glutathione, which increases the liver's susceptibility to ischemia-reperfusion injury, may exacerbate pathological fluid shifts. This study examined alterations in hepatic fluid dynamics during liver ischemia-reperfusion in glutathione-deficient and glutathione-replete rats. Normal and glutathione-deficient rats underwent liver ischemia-reperfusion. Changes in hepatic extra- and intracellular fluid were monitored by calculating extra- and intracellular conductance from liver multifrequency bioelectrical impedance measurements. Liver malonyl dialdehyde content and plasma transaminase concentrations were measured and correlated with changes in hepatic impedance. Hepatic extracellular conductance decreased during ischemia and returned toward baseline values during reperfusion in a similar fashion in both study groups. Intracellular conductance increased during ischemia in both groups and continued to rise during the initial phase of reperfusion before falling toward normal. Glutathione-deficient rats had a significantly higher intracellular conductance during early reperfusion compared to controls. Glutathione-depleted rats also had higher serum transaminases and liver malonyl dialdehyde content following reperfusion. Intracellular and extracellular conductance were significantly correlated with hepatic malonyl dialdehyde content. We conclude that (1) liver ischemia-reperfusion results in movement of fluid from the extracellular to intracellular space with hepatocellular swelling; (2) glutathione deficiency accentuates hepatocyte swelling following ischemia-reperfusion; and (3) changes in extra- and intracellular fluid are related to the severity of membrane damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

TPD1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a protein phosphatase 2C-like activity implicated in tRNA splicing and cell separation.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae TPD1 gene has been implicated in tRNA splicing because a tpd1-1 mutant strain accumulates unspliced precursor tRNAs at high temperatures (W. H. van Zyl, N. Wills, and J. R. Broach, Genetics 123:55-68, 1989). The wild-type TPD1 gene was cloned by complementation of the tpd1-1 mutation and shown to encode a protein with substantial homology to protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) of higher eukaryotes. Expression of Tpd1p in Escherichia coli results in PP2C-like activity. Strains deleted for the TPD1 gene exhibit multiple phenotypes: temperature-sensitive growth, accumulation of unspliced precursor tRNAs, sporulation defects, and failure of cell separation during mitotic growth. On the basis of the presence of these observable phenotypes and the fact that Tpd1p accounts for a small percentage of the observed PP2C activity, we argue that Tpd1p is a unique member of the PP2C family.

Amino Acid Sequence

Comparison of the Bio Image Visage 2000 and the GELLAB-II two-dimensional electrophoresis image analysis systems.

To compare the Visage 2000 analysis system (Bio Image, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) with the GELLAB-II analysis system (National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA), we used each to perform image analysis of the same 29 silver-stained two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) gel image files from a study of urinary proteins in metal recovery plant workers who had confirmed body burdens of cadmium. Visage, aided by interactive analysis, detected an average of 890 +/- 177.6 spots per gel, or a total of 25,800 spots, whereas GELLAB-II detected 1971 +/- 198.5 spots per gel, or a total of 57,160 (a 222% increase over the Visage system), without operator intervention. Visage automatically quantified 52.5% (13,556) of the spots; 47.2% (12,173), consisting mostly of larger spots, had to be quantified interactively with an image editor, and 0.3% (71) were not quantified. GELLAB-II automatically quantified all detected spots. After we interactively assigned the maximum allowed number of landmarks (30 for Visage and 52 for GELLAB-II), we found that Visage matched 657 +/- 211.2 spots per gel, and GELLAB-II matched all detected spots and also extrapolated an average of 1269 virtual spots per gel. Plots of densities from the two systems on selected spots showed excellent agreement, and both systems showed high correlation between their measurements of the beta-2-microglobulin spot densities and an independent radioimmunoassay quantification of the original urine samples. By comparing the regression of the densities of all spots with urinary cadmium (UCD) levels, we found that several of the same detected spots from each system were highly correlated. The densities of four acidic proteins with relative molecular weights of approximately 112,000 Da (as quantified by GELLAB-II but not by Visage) were highly correlated with UCD concentrations. These proteins are new candidate biomarkers of cadmium toxicity. We compared the estimated labor costs of using each system to analyse a hypothetical 20-sample (60 gels) 2DE study and found that GELLAB-II was six times less expensive to use than Visage, primarily because of the operator time required to do interactive error correction with the Visage system.

Cadmium

Comparison of L-selectin and E-selectin ligand specificities: the L-selectin can bind the E-selectin ligands sialyl Le(x) and sialyl Le(a).

The L- and E-selectins are leukocyte and endothelial cell surface molecules which mediate leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion by interacting with carbohydrate ligands. In the present study we find that L-selectin, like E-selectin, can interact with synthetic neoglycoproteins containing Sialyl Le(x) (Neu5Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4[Fuc alpha 1-3]GlcNAc beta-R), or Sialyl Le(a) (Neu5Ac-alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3[Fuc alpha 1-4]GlcNAc beta-R). Additionally, both the E-selectin and L-selectin can bind the peripheral lymph node addressin, a high endothelial venule ligand for L-selectin. Despite overlapping interactions, the L- and E-selectins discriminate between their native ligands. The peripheral lymph node addressin is a preferential ligand for L-selectin; and furthermore, L-selectin expressing cells do not interact detectably with the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen, a native glycoprotein ligand for E-selectin found on a subset of lymphocytes associated with the skin.

Animals

Antibody against the Leu-CAM beta-chain (CD18) promotes both LFA-1- and CR3-dependent adhesion events.

The Leukocytic cell-adhesion molecule (beta 2 integrin) family of adhesion molecules play a key role in the intercellular adhesive interactions necessary for normal immune cell function. In this study, we report an antibody that recognizes an epitope on the Leukocytic cell-adhesion molecule common beta-chain (CD18) and promotes both lymphocyte function-associated Ag-1- and CR3-dependent adhesion events. The antibody recognizes a temperature-sensitive epitope that is not dependent on the presence of divalent cations. It is proposed that antibody binding promotes a conformational change in both lymphocyte function-associated Ag-1 and CR3, which may mimic a natural activation mechanism, resulting in increased cellular adhesion.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Neutrophil adhesion: a point for therapeutic intervention?

It has become increasingly clear over the last 20 years that the potential exists to modulate inflammatory responses with compounds that interfere with intercellular adhesion. This review highlights the adhesion interactions that occur during neutrophil extravasation and indicates some of the possible ways of disrupting these interactions.

Animals

Glutamine preserves liver glutathione after lethal hepatic injury.

Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant that protects tissues from free radical injury. Glutamine augments host defenses and may be important in GSH synthesis. Acetaminophen toxicity causes hepatic GSH depletion and hepatic necrosis. The authors hypothesized that glutamine-supplemented nutrition would enhance liver GSH stores and diminish hepatic injury and death after acetaminophen overdose. Wistar rats received either a standard total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution (STD) or an isocaloric, isonitrogenous glutamine-supplemented solution (GLN). On the 5th day of feeding, animals were given acetaminophen (400 mg/kg intraperitoneally) and then killed at various time points. Standard TPN solution animals had a rapid depletion of hepatic glutathione, whereas GLN animals were resistant to this drop and rapidly repleted hepatic GSH stores. Glutamine-supplemented animals maintained higher plasma glutamine concentrations, had lesser elevations in hepatic enzymes, and sustained significantly fewer complications compared with STD animals. The authors conclude that glutamine-supplemented nutrition preserves hepatic glutathione, protects the liver, and improves survival during acetaminophen toxicity. Glutamine may augment host defenses by enhancing antioxidant protection.

Acetaminophen

Hypercholesterolemia: case finding in family practice.

The recommendations of the expert panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) have been endorsed by national medical organizations as standards for the detection and treatment of hypercholesterolemia, yet information on how these recommendations are being followed in primary care settings is limited. This study was done to determine how family physicians in four primary care clinics associated with a teaching hospital in a large southern city follow the NCEP guidelines. Of the total patient sample (N = 817), about 60% had at least one total serum cholesterol measurement. Patients in the younger age groups were less likely to have a cholesterol determination than older patients. Of those in the "self-pay" category only 33% had a cholesterol determination. Variability by clinic and provider type was also noted, with physician assistants showing the highest compliance with screening guidelines (75%), whereas only 43% of patients seen by family practice residents had a cholesterol measurement. Of patients who should have had a lipoprotein analysis, based on total serum cholesterol and risk factors, only 23% actually had a lipid profile. Our study and other similar ones point out that case finding varies considerably and that efforts to improve case finding need to continue.

Adult

Retinal vein occlusion.

Retinal vein occlusion is a common form of retinal vascular disease, especially in middle-aged and older individuals. The diagnosis is based on the funduscopic finding of retinal vein dilatation in association with retinal hemorrhages and cotton-wool spots. The pathology can involve the entire venous system or can be limited to a branch of the central retinal vein. Retinal vein occlusion can be distinguished clinically from diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. Treatment for the acute phase of retinal vein occlusion has been disappointing. However, some late complications, such as persistent macular edema and neovascularization of the iris and retina, respond well to retinal photocoagulation. The family physician has an important role in detecting and controlling risk factors for retinal vein occlusion, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperviscosity syndromes.

Adult

Glutathione deficiency increases organ dysfunction after hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen metabolites contribute to tissue destruction in a wide variety of diseases. Glutathione, a potent endogenous antioxidant, neutralizes the destructive potential of free radicals, but this tripeptide may be depleted during illness. We hypothesized that glutathione deficiency would amplify organ dysfunction after shock in rats. METHODS: Rats received either diethyl maleate to deplete tissue glutathione or a control solution intraperitoneally. The animals were subsequently bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg for 30 minutes and then fully resuscitated. Sham animals underwent blood pressure monitoring only. Tissue glutathione, liver and renal function tests, organ bacterial content, and mortality rates were determined 4 and 24 hours after shock. RESULTS: Normal rats subjected to shock and sham animals had similar laboratory chemistry results, organ culture results, and mortality rates. However, glutathione-depleted animals subjected to shock had elevated liver and renal function tests, increased organ bacteria, and a dramatic increase in mortality rates compared with control shock and sham animals. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that glutathione deficiency predisposes animals to organ failure and death after an otherwise nonlethal period of hypotension. Because glutathione deficiency is associated with severe injury and sepsis, treatment strategies that maintain glutathione stores may decrease the incidence of multisystem organ failure.

Animals

The cutaneous lymphocyte antigen is a skin lymphocyte homing receptor for the vascular lectin endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1.

A skin-associated population of memory T lymphocytes, defined by expression of the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA), binds selectively and avidly to the vascular lectin endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1), an interaction that may be involved in targeting of CLA+ T cells to cutaneous sites of chronic inflammation. Here we present evidence that CLA itself is the (or a) lymphocyte homing receptor for ELAM-1. Antigen isolated with anti-CLA monoclonal antibody HECA-452 from human tonsillar lysates avidly binds ELAM-1 transfected mouse cells. Anti-CLA antibody blocks T lymphocyte binding to ELAM-1 transfectants. HECA-452 and ELAM-1 binding to lymphocytes or to isolated tonsillar HECA-452 antigen is abrogated by neuraminidase treatment implying a prominent role for sialic acid in CLA structure and function. The dominant form of CLA on T cells is immunologically distinct from the major neutrophil ELAM-1 ligand, the sialyl Lewis x (sLex) antigen (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4[Fuc alpha 1-3]GlcNAc), which is absent, weakly expressed, or masked on T cells. However, neuraminidase treatment of CLA+ T cells, but not of CLA- T cells, reveals Lewis x (CD15) structures. In combination with the known requirement for terminal NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal and fucose residues attached to N-acetylglucosamine for ELAM-1 and HECA-452 binding, this finding suggests that CLA may comprise an additionally sialylated or otherwise modified form of sLex. The identification of a lymphocyte homing receptor for skin may permit novel approaches to the diagnosis and therapy of cutaneous and inflammatory disorders.

Animals