[Cytokines in kidney diseases--inflammation mediators and treatment targets].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Klinger.
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G2A is a heptahelical cell surface protein that has recently been described as a potential tumor suppressor, based on its ability to counteract transformation of pre-B cells and fibroblasts by Bcr-Abl, an oncogenic tyrosine kinase. We have isolated cDNAs encoding G2A in the course of screening libraries for clones that cause oncogenic transformation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts. When expressed at high levels in NIH3T3 cells by retroviral transduction, G2A induced a full range of phenotypes characteristic of oncogenic transformation, including loss of contact inhibition, anchorage-independent survival and proliferation, reduced dependence on serum, and tumorigenicity in mice. When expressed by transfection, G2A greatly enhanced the ability of a weakly oncogenic form of Raf-1 to transform NIH3T3 cells. These results demonstrate that G2A is potently oncogenic both on its own and in cooperation with another oncogene. Expression of G2A in fibroblasts and endothelial cells resulted in changes in cell morphology and cytoskeleton structure that were equivalent to those induced by the G protein subunit Galpha13. Transformation of NIH3T3 cells via G2A expression was completely suppressed by co-expression of LscRGS, a GTPase activating protein that suppresses signaling by Galpha12 and Galpha13. Hyperactivity of Galpha12 or Galpha13 has previously been shown to result in activation of Rho GTPases. G2A expression resulted in activation of Rho, and transformation via G2A was suppressed by a dominant negative form of RhoA. These results indicate that G2A may be directly coupled to Galpha13, and that it is the activation of this Rho-activating Galpha protein which is responsible for the ability of G2A to transform fibroblasts.
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In upper urinary tract infections, tubular epithelial cells (TEC) may play a pivotal role in the initiation of the renal inflammatory response. They exert crucial immunological functions such as processing and presentation of foreign antigen, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1, ENA-78, and RANTES). Since monolayer cultures are a limited model for polarized tubular epithelial cells, we studied the side-dependent IL-8 secretion of TEC by using cell culture inserts as a basement membrane imitation. Primary cultures of proximal TEC were stimulated with differently fimbriated mutants of Escherichia coli, E. coli LPS, S-fimbria isolates, and IL-1alpha. IL-8 protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and IL-8-like biological activity was tested by measuring elastase release from polymorphonuclear cells in supernatants of the upper and lower compartments. IL-8 mRNA was compared by competitive PCR. IL-8 secretion by TEC into the basolateral environment was significantly higher than secretion into the apical compartment, representing the tubular lumen. However, stimulation of IL-8 secretion by TEC was restricted to IL-1alpha and was not inducible by E. coli mutants, S fimbriae, or lipopolysaccharide. With this in vitro model of polarized TEC, we show that luminal contact of TEC with uropathogenic E. coli does not result in enhanced IL-8 secretion. The basolaterally directed production of the neutrophil chemotactic factor IL-8 by TEC after stimulation with IL-1alpha might play an important role in the initiation of inflammatory cell influx into the renal parenchyma.
The A(2A)-adenosine receptor, a prototypical G(s)-coupled receptor, activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in a manner independent of cAMP in primary human endothelial cells. In order to delineate signaling pathways that link the receptor to the regulation of MAP kinase, the human A(2A) receptor was heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and HEK293 cells. In both cell lines, A(2A) agonist-mediated cAMP accumulation was accompanied by activation of the small G protein rap1. However, rap1 mediates A(2A) receptor-dependent activation of MAP kinase only in CHO cells, the signaling cascade being composed of G(s), adenylyl cyclase, rap1, and the p68 isoform of B-raf. This isoform was absent in HEK293 cells. Contrary to CHO cells, in HEK293 cells activation of MAP kinase by A(2A) agonists was not mimicked by 8-bromo-cAMP, was independent of Galpha(s), and was associated with activation of p21(ras). Accordingly, overexpression of the inactive S17N mutant of p21(ras) and of a dominant negative version of mSos (the exchange factor of p21(ras)) blocked MAP kinase stimulation by the A(2A) receptor in HEK 293 but not in CHO cells. In spite of the close homology between p21(ras) and rap1, the S17N mutant of rap1 was not dominant negative because (i) overexpression of rap1(S17N) failed to inhibit A(2A) receptor-dependent MAP kinase activation, (ii) rap1(S17N) was recovered in the active form with a GST fusion protein comprising the rap1-binding domain of ralGDS after A(2A) receptor activation, and (iii) A(2A) agonists promoted the association of rap1(S17N) with the 68-kDa isoform of B-raf in CHO cells. We conclude that the A(2A) receptor has the capacity two activate MAP kinase via at least two signaling pathways, which depend on two distinct small G proteins, namely p21(ras) and rap1. Our observations also show that the S17N version of rap1 cannot be assumed a priori to act as a dominant negative interfering mutant.
In many organisms, the primordial germ cells have to migrate from the position where they are specified towards the developing gonad where they generate gametes. Extensive studies of the migration of primordial germ cells in Drosophila, mouse, chick and Xenopus have identified somatic tissues important for this process and demonstrated a role for specific molecules in directing the cells towards their target. In zebrafish, a unique situation is found in that the primordial germ cells, as marked by expression of vasa mRNA, are specified in random positions relative to the future embryonic axis. Hence, the migrating cells have to navigate towards their destination from various starting positions that differ among individual embryos. Here, we present a detailed description of the migration of the primordial germ cells during the first 24 hours of wild-type zebrafish embryonic development. We define six distinct steps of migration bringing the primordial germ cells from their random positions before gastrulation to form two cell clusters on either side of the midline by the end of the first day of development. To obtain information on the origin of the positional cues provided to the germ cells by somatic tissues during their migration, we analyzed the migration pattern in mutants, including spadetail, swirl, chordino, floating head, cloche, knypek and no isthmus. In mutants with defects in axial structures, paraxial mesoderm or dorsoventral patterning, we find that certain steps of the migration process are specifically affected. We show that the paraxial mesoderm is important for providing proper anteroposterior information to the migrating primordial germ cells and that these cells can respond to changes in the global dorsoventral coordinates. In certain mutants, we observe accumulation of ectopic cells in different regions of the embryo. These ectopic cells can retain both morphological and molecular characteristics of primordial germ cells, suggesting that, in zebrafish at the early stages tested, the vasa-expressing cells are committed to the germ cell lineage.
Contraction of skeletal muscle is triggered by the rapid release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via the ryanodine receptor/calcium-release channel. The trypanocidal drug suramin is an efficient activator of the ryanodine receptor. Here, we used high-affinity [3H]ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit skeletal muscle to screen for more potent analogs of suramin. This approach resulted in the identification of NF307, which accelerates the association rate of [3H]ryanodine binding with an EC50 = 91 +/- 7 microM at 0.19 microM calculated free Ca2+. In single-channel recordings with the purified ryanodine receptor, NF307 increased mean open probability at 0.6 microM Ca2+ from 0.020 +/- 0.006 to 0.53 +/- 0.07 with no effect on current amplitude and unitary conductance. Like caffeine, NF307 exerts a very pronounced Ca2+-sensitizing effect (EC50 of Ca2+ shifted approximately 10-fold by saturating NF307 concentrations). Conversely, increasing concentrations of free Ca2+ sensitized the receptor for NF307 (EC50 = 14.6 +/- 3.5 microM at 0.82 microM estimated free Ca2+). The effects of NF307 and caffeine on [3H]ryanodine binding were additive, irrespective of the Ca2+ concentration. In contrast, the effects of calmodulin, which activates and inhibits the ryanodine receptor in the absence and presence of Ca2+, respectively, and of NF307 were mutually antagonistic. If the purified ryanodine receptor was prebound to a calmodulin-Sepharose matrix, 100 microM NF307 and 300 microM suramin eluted the purified ryanodine receptor to an extent that was comparable to the effect of 10 microM calmodulin. We conclude that NF307 and suramin interact directly with a calmodulin binding domain of the ryanodine receptor. Because of its potent calcium-sensitizing effect, NF307 may represent a lead compound in the search of synthetic ryanodine receptor ligands.
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Ciprofibrates (racemate and both enantiomers, Raccip, R- and Scip) were administered orally in doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg once daily over 28 days to male inbred Fischer 344 rats, age 90-110 days at the beginning of the experiment. Body mass gain was observed in all groups. The 1 mg groups showed almost no difference to the control group. The 10 mg groups exhibited less body mass gain, most pronounced in the Scip group. Liver masses were increased in a dose dependent manner up to more than 200%, only the 10 mg Scip group was not significantly different from the 1 mg group which exhibited an increase in liver weight to about 175%. Also the kidney weights increased to 130%, whereas thymus and spleen weights were decreased in the high dose groups. Liver microsomal cytochromes P450 (P450) concentrations were not altered in the 1 mg groups and distinctly lowered in the 10 mg groups. Ethoxyresorufin and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylations were lowered in all experimental groups in a dose dependent manner, after administration of the high doses down to 30% of the control levels or less. Pentoxyresorufin O-depentylation, however, was increased in all 1 mg groups. In the high dose groups it was not altered. Ethylmorphine N-demethylation was decreased after administration of the high doses by about 50%, but only Scip decreased this reaction also after administration of the low dose. NADPH/Fe2+-stimulated microsomal luminol and lucigenin amplified chemiluminescence was increased, whereas hydrogen peroxide formation was depressed even by the low doses to 50% of the normal values, to about 25% by the high doses. Microsomal lipid peroxidation, however, was only slightly or not influenced. Glutathion concentrations (in the reduced and the oxidized form) were increased in a dose dependent manner by about 20 to 30%, the concentration of lipid peroxides was not significantly influenced. Thus, the effects of the enantiomers were not different and were similar to those of the racemate. In serum, cholesterol and triglycerides were only moderately lowered. Albumin concentrations were significantly enhanced in all groups, total proteins after 1 mg/kg Raccip only. Serum bilirubins were not altered, and among the indicator enzymes for liver damage only ALAT, alkaline phosphatase and the dehydrogenases were increased, in no case higher than twofold. Histologically distinct effects were seen after administration of both doses, more pronounced after 10 mg/kg, but with no differences between the enantiomers and Raccip: marked hypertrophy of the hepatocytes, reduced staining of the nuclei, strongly acidophilic granulated cytoplama, no basophilia of the cell bodies, loss of glycogen. These changes were most pronounced around the central veins. Hepatocyte apoptoses also were observed. By immunohistochemistry an increased staining was seen for all P450 isoforms tested (1A1, 2B1, 2E1, 3A2 and 4A1), predominantly perivenously and most pronounced after administration of the high doses without differences between Rcip, Scip or Raccip (preliminary results). By electron microscopy a moderate proliferation of peroxisomes after treatment with 1 mg/kg Cips with a ratio between mitochondria and peroxisomes of about 1:1 (controls: 10:1) was observed, and the peroxisomes were a more heterogeneous population. The relative portions of glycogen and both forms of the ER decreased. Treatment with 10 mg/kg Rcip, Scip or Raccip led to a strong increase in the number of peroxisomes, in some hepatocytes the ratio between mitochondria and peroxisomes was 1:3 with an increased heterogeneity among the peroxisomes evidenced by a broad range of electron densities. Most peroxisomes lacked a nucleoid. Thus, the biochemical effects differed only slightly and the morphological effects of the enantiomers were not different and were similar to those of the racemate.
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Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of death in hypertensive patients. They occur more often in tobacco smokers. The effect of nicotine activity is insulin resistance leading to lipid disorders which are risk factor for atherosclerosis. Smoking and hypertension intensify the atherogenic effect of each other. The risk of ischaemic heart disease in a hypertensive smoker is almost 3.5 times greater than in a non-smoker with normal blood pressure at the same serum cholesterol concentration. Nicotine multiplies the risk of cardiovascular complications caused by left ventricular hypertrophy in arterial hypertension. Strokes (ischaemic strokes and subarachnoid haemorrhages) are more common in smokers. Smokers also develop accelerated malignant hypertension more frequently than non-smokers. Smoking is also a risk factor for renal artery stenosis, both atheromatous and fibromuscular.
We analysed the occurrence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in sera of 191 patients with glomerulonephritis (76 females and 115 males) by the standard indirect immunofluorescence method (IIF). The presence of ANCA was demonstrated in sera of 4.4% (8/181) patients with idiopathic glomerulonephritis (GN) and in 30% (3/10) of patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), as a form of renal limited vasculitis. In the experimental part of our study we analysed the influence of GN ANCA-negative sera on the neutrophil function in vitro and compared with the effect of ANCA-positive sera (titre > or = 4:40) from systemic vasculitis (SV) patients with renal involvement. The activation of neutrophils was established by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the ability of superoxide anion to reduce ferrocytochrome c. Among 30 ANCA-negative GN sera 20% (6/30) revealed the ability to activate neutrophils isolated from healthy donor. Remaining ANCA-negative GN sera and all sera from normal healthy individuals (negative control group) did not affect the neutrophil function and did not induce the superoxide anion production. Their effect was similar to the second negative reference system without serum. Only 33% (3/9) of high titre ANCA-positive sera (> or = 1:40) from SV patients were able to activate neutrophils and to produce the superoxide anion with following ferrocytochrome c reduction, but the effect of activation was most powerfully expressed (three times greater than by GN ANCA-negative sera). The remaining ANCA-positive sera and all SV ANCA-negative sera did not affect the neutrophil function in vitro. These experimental data indicate that the presence of ANCA in GN sera is not necessary to induce neutrophil activation in vitro. On the other hand the influence of the SV ANCA-positive sera was most powerful expressed, although only 33% of sera were able to activate neutrophils in vitro. Our results indicate that not always ANCA presence in serum was connected with the ability to neutrophil activation in vitro. It is possible that in ANCA-negative sera other factors were able to activate neutrophils in vitro, but the effect of activation was markedly lower.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Retransfusion of shed blood collected after operation has become popular, but recent reports of side effects led to a search for possible causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized study of 28 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, shed blood was collected in Solcotrans, Orth-Evac, and ordinary Redon drainage. Osmotic fragility was measured and electron-microscopic pictures of erythrocytes from selective samples were taken. Serotonin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and histamine were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Higher osmotic fragility of erythrocytes collected with Solcotrans appeared to be due to ACD which was used only with that system. Serotonin concentrations did not differ significantly. However, there was a great increase in histamine (Solcotrans 477.7, Orth-Evac 344.0, Redon drainage 453.1 nmol/ml) and PGE2 (Solcotrans 1,908.3, Orth-Evac 1,225.0, Redon drainage 2,666.7 microgram/ml) in shed blood compared with venous blood (histamine 9.5 nmol/l, PGE2 4.2 microgram/ml). CONCLUSION: Unwashed wound drainage blood collected after operation contains levels of proinflammatory mediators that can account for the reported side effects.
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BACKGROUND: Nasal packings are commonly accepted in the treatment of severe epistaxis. Cuffed catheters are known to cause damage to the nasal mucosa most likely by interfering with tissue perfusion. In this study the effect of different pressure levels on local perfusion of septal mucosa is investigated. METHOD: In 15 healthy subjects the blood flow in septal mucosa was measured by laser doppler flowmetry by positioning a cuffed epistaxis catheter into the nasal cavity with a laser probe attached to it. Increasing pressure was administered by injecting saline solution while continuously recording intraluminal pressure, perfusion, and filling volume. The local pressure affecting the septal mucosa at the moment of stalling perfusion was determined by subtracting the extranasal cuff pressure from the current intranasal cuff pressure at same inflation volumes. RESULTS: Microcirculation of the septal mucosa stopped when the local pressure exceeded a value of Pmean = 42 mmHg. Individual variations (n = 15) were small (s = 9 mmHg). The intraluminal cuff pressure was measured to be about ten times higher due to the retraction force of the cuff. Spontaneous oscillations of the blood flow were reduced with increasing pressure to the blood vessels. Filling volumes up to 3.2 ml were sufficient to stop perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Cuffed nasal packings stop the blood flow in nasal mucosa even at low local pressures. Depending on the material characteristics of different cuffs the pressure to dilate the cuff may, however, be several times higher than the actual local pressure. This effect may cause problems in the proper use of cuffed catheters. Laser doppler flowmetry proved to be helpful in determining reproducible perfusion values.
BACKGROUND: Some preliminary observations suggest that predisposition to a particular type of glomerulonephritis (GN) may be connected with the genetically determined charge of the glomerular capillary wall. A correlation between erythrocyte surface and the glomerular capillary wall charges has also been observed. The purpose of this study was to verify and extend previous investigations. Therefore we measured erythrocyte and platelet surface charge from patients with idiopathic membranous and mesangial GN as well as idiopathic membranoproliferative GN and lupus nephritis. METHODS: The erythrocyte and platelet surface charge was determined by the binding of the cationic dye, alcian blue (AB). A fresh alcoholic AB solution was made for each experiment, which were run in batches of four, each including cells from a healthy person and from patients each with a different type of GN. RESULTS: In patients with idiopathic membranous and membranoproliferative GN, a significant decrease in the erythrocyte and platelet charges was observed irrespective of their clinical state (remission or nephrotic syndrome). Erythrocyte charge was decreased despite the normal amount of membranous sialic acid. In contrast, patients with idiopathic mesangial GN, in complete or partial remission, exhibited normal erythrocyte and platelet surface charges. Exclusively in this type of GN, the appearance of nephrotic proteinuria was associated with a slight decrease, the erythrocyte charge, which was not statistically significant (P > 0.1). A reduction in the negative erythrocyte charge in lupus nephritis was less in magnitude than in idiopathic membranous or membranoproliferative GN, and occurred independently of the level of daily proteinuria, whereas the platelet charge was normal. CONCLUSION: The decrease of the erythrocyte and platelet charge in idiopathic membranous and mebranoproliferative GN seems to be a pre-morbid feature.
Cannulation of the femoral vein is the safest method of acute vascular access. It is recommended the removal of the femoral catheter after 72 h. The trial was undertaken, if it is possible a safe prolonged use of the femoral cannulation. The observations were performed in 70 patients (31 F, 39 M, age 3-70 years) with acute and chronic renal failure (RF). The femoral catheter was left in place for the period from 7 to 104 days, mean 21 days. None complications occurred in the group of 16 patients in whose the cannula was left up to 14 days. Bt duration of the cannulation above 15 days (54 patients) exist site infections appeared in 10 patients, catheter thrombosis in 12 patients and fiber in 6 patients (all with the catheter in place above 21 days). Noteworthly chronic RF patients were dialysed mostly on the ambulatory basis. Femoral catheter can be left safely in place for 14 days.