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Biomedical subjects

M M Reddy

Publications and source records attributed to M M Reddy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of immunotherapy on sCD23 levels in patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom.

BACKGROUND: sCD23 is the designation given to the low affinity IgE receptor. The soluble fragment of this receptor (sCD23) participates in the regulation of IgE synthesis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a venom immunotherapy regimen on sCD23 levels. METHODS: We measured sCD23 levels by ELISA in Hymenoptera venom-allergic patients (positive skin tests and a history of systemic reactions to Hymenoptera sting) in serial sera collected over a course of venom immunotherapy with a mean duration of 54 months. Mean pre-sCD23 and post-sCD23 levels were compared using a Student's two-tailed t test. RESULTS: sCD23 levels were found to be unchanged over the course of venom immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first longitudinal study that has been done. It suggests that while both immunotherapy and sCD23 are known to be involved in the regulations of IgE synthesis in the atopic patient, the immunomodulation seen in venom immunotherapy is not mediated through sCD23 in any simple regulatory manner.

Adolescent↗

Deactivation of CFTR-Cl conductance by endogenous phosphatases in the native sweat duct.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a phosphorylation-activated Cl channel. However, very little is known about the endogenous mechanism(s) of deactivation of CFTR-Cl conductance (CFTR-GCl) in vivo. We studied the action of endogenous phosphatases in regulation of the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)- and ATP-induced CFTR-GCl in the apical membrane of microperfused preparations of basolaterally permeabilized native sweat duct. Activation of CFTR-GCl was monitored by measuring the apical Cl diffusion potentials and GCl, which spontaneously deactivated on removal of cAMP. This spontaneous loss of CFTR-GCl activity could be prevented by a cocktail of phosphatase inhibitors (fluoride, vanadate, and okadaic acid). We studied the effects of each of these phosphatase antagonists on the rate of deactivation of CFTR-GCl after cAMP washout. In contrast to vanadate or fluoride, okadaic acid virtually prevented deactivation of CFTR-GCl after cAMP washout. We conclude that either or both protein phosphatases 1 and 2A are responsible for the dephosphorylation deactivation of CFTR-GCl in vivo.

Adult↗

Hydrolytic and nonhydrolytic interactions in the ATP regulation of CFTR Cl- conductance.

Previously, we showed in the native sweat duct that, in the presence of 0.1-0.5 mM ATP, nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue adenosine 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) can activate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- conductance (CFTR GCl) (15). The objective of this study is to determine if 1) nonhydrolytic ATP binding alone can activate CFTR GCl after stable phosphorylation [in the presence of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and phosphatase inhibition cocktail] of CFTR or 2) an ATP hydrolysis (in addition to phosphorylation) is required to support subsequent nonhydrolytic ATP regulation of CFTR GCl. We show that stably phosphorylated CFTR could only be activated by AMP-PNP in the presence of a small background ATP concentration. However, AMP-PNP can sustain previously activated CFTR GCl in the absence of ATP, even though Mg2+ is required for phosphorylation activation of CFTR GCl. However, once stably phosphorylated, ATP activation of CFTR GCl is independent of Mg2+. Our results show that both hydrolytic and nonhydrolytic interactions regulate CFTR GCl in vivo. Nonhydrolytic ATP interaction plays a significant role in both activation and deactivation of CFTR GCl.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Distinct cellular mechanisms of cholinergic and beta-adrenergic sweat secretion.

The cholinergic and beta-adrenergic sweat secretions from human sweat glands differ with respect to secretory rates and their susceptibility to cystic fibrosis (CF). Using the cultured beta-adrenergic-sensitive sweat secretory cell, we sought to determine the intracellular electrophysiological mechanisms underlying these functional differences. We found that the cholinergic agonist methacholine (10(-6) M) induced a Ca(2+)-dependent biphasic membrane potential (Vm) response: an initial hyperpolarization and a secondary depolarization. The initial hyperpolarization was independent of bath Cl- and dependent on transmembrane K+ gradient. However, the secondary depolarization of Vm was dependent on bath Cl-. In contrast, the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10(-5) M) induced a monophasic depolarization of Vm. This depolarization was 1) dependent on bath Cl-, 2) independent of K+ conductance (GK) blocker Ba2+ (5mM), 3) unaffected by the methacholine-induced secondary depolarization of Vm, and 4) absent in cells derived from CF subjects. These results indicated that the cholinergic agonist-induced secretion mainly involves the activation of Ca(2+)-dependent GK and Cl- conductance (GCl), whereas the beta-adrenergic secretion seems to mainly depend on the activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-GCl.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Serum IgE in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of IgE synthesis has been noted in the past in several immunodeficiency states. More recently, analysis of IgE synthesis and atopy in patients who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been conflicting. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether IgE dysregulation occurs in HIV-infected patients and if so, whether this dysregulation is antigen-specific and accompanied by any significant changes in T and B cell markers. METHODS: Thirty-six HIV-infected patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine patients completed the study. All patients completed an allergy questionnaire and physical examination. Interval visits occurred every 3 months. Blood was obtained at baseline and every 3 months for total IgE, antigen-specific IgE to eight environmental allergens and lymphocyte markers. Study was not blinded. RESULTS: Analysis of results at baseline and 1 year revealed a subset of patients who had marked elevations in serum IgE protein. This increase was not accompanied by any detectable antigen-specific IgE to the measured allergens nor was any significant change noted in lymphocyte markers. Student's paired t tests were used for data analysis. CONCLUSION: In a subset of patients with HIV infection, acquired dysregulation of IgE synthesis occurs that results in increased circulatory levels of IgE protein not attributable to atopic allergens or associated with detectable changes in lymphocyte markers.

Adult↗

Rapid regulation of electrolyte absorption in sweat duct.

Even though the same Cl channel (CFTR) is common to certain fluid transport functions that are oppositely directed, i.e., secretion and absorption, only fluid secretion has clearly been shown to be acutely regulated. It is now clear that fluid secretion activated by beta-adrenergic stimulation is controlled by cAMP-mediated opening and closing of CFTR-Cl channels. Since the conductance of the human sweat duct is almost wholly due to CFTR-Cl conductance (CFTR-GCl), we sought to determine whether salt absorption via CFTR-Cl channels could also be subject to acute regulation in this purely absorptive epithelium. After alpha-toxin permeabilization, we found that addition of cAMP resulted in a large increase in Cl diffusion potentials across the apical membrane and a more than twofold increase in the average membrane conductance. Since the cAMP effects were dependent on Cl alone, not on Na, and since apical Cl conductance appears to be almost exclusively comprised of CFTR-GCl, we surmise that this form of electrolyte absorption like secretion is also subject to acute control through CFTR-GCl. Acute regulation of absorption involves both activation by phosphorylation (PKA) and inactivation by dephosphorylation (unknown endogenous phosphatase) of CFTR. Phosphorylation of CFTR was shown by the facts that CFTR-GCl could be activated by cAMP and inhibited by the kinase antagonist staurosporine, or by removal of either substrate ATP or Mg2+ cofactor. Inactivation of CFTR-GCl by endogenous phosphatase(s) was indicated by a spontaneous but reversible loss of CFTR-GCl upon removal of cAMP. Such loss of CFTR-GCl activity could be prevented either by application of phosphatase inhibitors or by using phosphatase-resistant ATP-gamma-S as substrate to phosphorylate CFTR. We surmise that absorptive function is subject to rapid regulation which can be switched "on" and "off" acutely by a control system that is common to both absorptive and secretory processes and that this control is crucial to switching between conductive and nonconductive transport mechanisms during salt absorption.

Absorption↗

Intracellular Cl activity: evidence of dual mechanisms of cl absorption in sweat duct.

The human sweat duct (SD) reabsorbs NaCl from lumen to blood over a wide range of luminal concentrations. The physiological strategies employed by the SD to cope with such extreme transport loads remain elusive. When we employed intracellular Cl-sensitive microelectrodes, we found that at high (150 mM) luminal NaCl concentrations ([NaCl]) transcellular Cl absorption occurs through passive diffusion that is evidenced by a large Cl conductance (GCl) in both cell membranes and by a favorable electrochemical driving force for Cl (delta psi Cl) across the apical and basolateral membranes. However, lowering the luminal [NaCl] to 15 mM markedly altered the electrochemical gradient for Cl and reversed the direction of delta psi Cl. Under these conditions, passive absorption of Cl was not feasible, so that Cl can only be absorbed by a nonconductive transport carrier. We surmise that, in the face of such changes in delta psi Cl as a function of luminal [NaCl], continuous transcellular Cl transport in SD could only be sustained if both electroconductive and carrier-mediated Cl transport are present in the SD.

Absorption↗

Regulation of absorption by phosphorylation of CFTR.

In contrast to fluid secretion which in many tissues is well known to be regulated by phosphorylation, little is known of phosphorylation regulation of electrolyte absorption. It is now well established that CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator) is a Cl- channel which is activated by phosphorylation. The human eccrine sweat duct is an absorptive epithelium which expresses relatively large amounts of CFTR. We find that the Cl- conductance (GCl) expressed in the isolated, microperfused sweat duct is also dependent upon phosphorylation activation which can be mediated via cAMP. The activation is Mg2+ dependent, Ca2+ independent, and inhibited by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine. Deactivation appears to occur via endogenous phosphatases that can be inhibited by okadaic acid. We surmise that phosphorylation regulation of CFTR GCl is an important mechanism for shifting Cl- absorption efficiently between electroconductive and carrier mediated transport.

Chloride Channels↗

Elevated levels of soluble CD54 (ICAM-1) in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Soluble CD54 levels in sera were quantitated in asymptomatic intravenous drug users, homosexuals, and patients with lymphadenopathy, AIDS-related complex, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Soluble CD54 levels were elevated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative asymptomatic intravenous drug users, reflecting infections like cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis B virus. The sera of human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive groups of patients also had elevated levels of soluble CD54, reflecting infections like cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

CD4 Antigens↗

Cortisol levels, immune status, and mood in homosexual men with and without HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: Alteration in cortisol levels has been reported in HIV infection and may be related to levels of psychiatric distress and immune function. The goals of this study were to assess cortisol levels in subjects with HIV infection and to determine whether stress-related activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis results in compromised immune function. METHOD: As part of a longitudinal study, the authors assessed urinary free cortisol levels of HIV-positive and HIV-negative homosexual men at four time points during a period of 2 years. Subjects' scores on the Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales, medical stage of HIV infection, and CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts were also assessed. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine whether subjects' cortisol levels at the four time points differed according to their serological status. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to examine the relationships among mood ratings, cortisol levels, medical stages, and cell counts. RESULTS: Cortisol levels did not differ significantly between the HIV-positive and the HIV-negative subjects and were not associated with stage of medical illness in HIV infection. An association between cortisol level and depressed and anxious mood was found only at the first assessment. Cortisol level was not associated with CD4+ cell count in either group of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant elevations of cortisol levels in the HIV-infected subjects, nor was there consistent evidence for stress-related activation of the HPA axis in either the HIV-positive or the HIV-negative subjects.

Adult↗

Control of CFTR chloride conductance by ATP levels through non-hydrolytic binding.

Site-specific mutation and membrane reconstitution experiments provide compelling evidence that the product of the gene which is at fault in the disease cystic fibrosis, termed the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), is a small-conductance chloride channel activated by phosphorylation. As transport of chloride ions is passive, the predicted presence of two nucleotide-binding domains in CFTR seems as puzzling as a report that ATP hydrolysis is essential to activate the channel. We now find that in the sweat duct, which expresses high levels of CFTR and has a very high Cl- conductance, intracellular concentrations of ATP must be about normal (5 mM) for activation of this conductance, apparently by a non-hydrolytic, perhaps allosteric, mechanism. This passive dependence on ATP should mean that even a modest depletion of cell energy levels will significantly lower the energy demands of electrolyte transport by decreasing chloride conductance. We believe this direct coupling between cellular ATP levels and chloride channel activity is an adaptive mechanism to protect the tissue from damage resulting from excessive energy depletion.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

An improved method for monitoring efficacy of anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-infected individuals: a highly sensitive HIV p24 antigen assay.

Circulating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen levels were measured by a highly sensitive HIV p24 antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC) otherwise negative for HIV p24 antigen measured by a commercial antigen-capture ELISA. The assays were performed at baseline and at several intervals during treatment with either zidovudine (ZDV) or dideoxyinosine (ddl). To further enhance the rate of antigen detection, serum was pretreated with hydrochloric acid to denature antibody in immune complexes. Utilizing this assay system, we monitored these patients for drug efficacy. HIV p24 antigen levels obtained by using this sensitive assay decreased in 3 of 8 patients receiving ZDV during 8 weeks of ZDV treatment. Similarly, ddl administration was associated with a decrease of HIV p24 antigen levels in 3 of 5 patients. Thus, the use of the highly sensitive HIV p24 antigen assay permitted the monitoring of surrogate HIV p24 antigen as a measure of efficacy of anti-retroviral therapy in all of these patients who were otherwise HIV p24 antigen-negative at the onset of anti-retroviral therapy.

Biomarkers↗

cAMP activation of CF-affected Cl- conductance in both cell membranes of an absorptive epithelium.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by abnormal epithelial Cl- conductance (GCl). In vitro studies that have shown that cAMP regulation is an intrinsic property of the CF-affected GCl(CF-GCl) have been carried out previously on cultured secretory cells and on nonepithelial cells. Even though GCl in absorption is defective in CF, a clear demonstration of cAMP regulation of CF-GCl in a purely absorptive tissue is lacking. We studied the cAMP regulation of CF-GCl in the microperfused intact human reabsorptive sweat duct. About 40% of the ducts responded to cAMP (responsive) while the remainder of the ducts did not. In responsive ducts, cAMP-elevating agents: beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (IPR), CPT-cAMP, forskolin, theophylline or IBMX increased Gt by about 2.3-fold (n = no. of ducts = 8). Removal of media Cl-, but not amiloride pretreatment (in the lumen), abolished the cAMP response, indicating exclusive activation of GCl. cAMP activated both apical and basolateral GCl. cAMP hyperpolarized gluconate: Cl- (lumen:bath) transepithelial bionic potentials (delta Vt = -20.3 +/- 5.2 mV, mean +/- SE, n = 9) and transepithelial 3: 1 luminal NaCl dilution diffusion potentials (delta Vt = -8.8 +/- 2.9 mV, n = 5). cAMP activated basolateral GCl as indicated by increased bi-ionic (gluconate:Cl-, bath:lumen) diffusion potentials (by about 12 mV). The voltage divider ratio in symmetric NaCl solutions increased by 60%. Compared to responsive ducts, nonresponsive ducts were characterized by smaller spontaneous transepithelial potentials in symmetrical Ringer's solution (Vt = -6.9 +/- 0.8 mV, n = 24, nonresponsive vs. -19.4 +/- 1.8 mV, n = 22, responsive ducts) but larger bi-ionic potentials (-94 +/- 6 mV, n = 35, nonresponsive vs. -65 +/- 5 mV, n = 17, responsive ducts) and dilution diffusion potentials (-40 +/- 5 mV, n = 11, nonresponsive vs. -29 +/- 3 mV, n = 7, responsive ducts). These results are consistent with an inherently (prestimulus) maximal activation of GCl in nonresponsive ducts and submaximal activation of GCl in responsive ducts. We conclude that cAMP activates CF-GCl which is expressed and abnormal in both apical and basal membranes of this absorptive epithelium in CF.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

A system for the high efficiency replication of HIV-1 in neural cells and its application to anti-viral evaluation.

Stable transfection of H4 neuroglioma cells with the Epstein-Barr virus-based eucaryotic CD4 expression vector pKS286 generated the cell line, H4/CD4, in which greater than 90% of cells express surface CD4 receptors. Optimal conditions for infection of H4/CD4 cells with HIV-1 were determined; these included a cocultivation with growth-arrested, chronically infected T cells. Under these conditions, 3-days after infection up to 50% of H4/CD4 cells expressed HIV-1 antigens as detected by immunofluorescence assay, the number of intracellular HIV-1 RNA copies reached 10(3) molecules per cell as determined by liquid hybridization, and virus production ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 micrograms HIV-1 p24 core antigen per ml of culture supernatant, comparable to that measured under the same conditions in HIV-1 infected T cells. Giant cells and cytolysis were common. Inhibition of HIV-1 infection by nucleoside analogues in H4/CD4 cells was comparable to that in T cells, suggesting that the early stages of HIV-1 infection were similar in both cell systems. Infection in the presence of soluble CD4 reduced HIV-1 expression to the levels determined in CD4-negative H4 cells. This system may be useful for screening of drugs intended to block HIV-1 replication in the brain and for the evaluation of the HIV-1 life cycle in brain cells.

CD4 Antigens↗

Effect of foscarnet therapy on human immunodeficiency virus p24 antigen levels in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Circulating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen levels were measured in 22 AIDS patients who had detectable serum antigen at baseline after induction and maintenance therapy of foscarnet for cytomegalovirus retinitis in phase I/II multicenter trials. The HIV p24 antigen levels decreased from a baseline value of 199 +/- 236 (mean +/- SD) and 140 pg/mL (median) to 106 +/- 218 and 28 pg/mL after 14 days of foscarnet induction therapy (60 mg/kg every 8 h). During chronic foscarnet maintenance, there was a sustained decrease in mean HIV p24 antigen levels below pre-foscarnet therapy baseline concentrations for a median of 16 weeks after foscarnet induction. These results provide evidence for a sustained clinical antiretroviral effect of chronic foscarnet maintenance therapy, consistent with a recent report that foscarnet-treated AIDS patients live longer than ganciclovir-treated patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Reversed anion selectivity in cultured cystic fibrosis sweat duct cells.

The human genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by defective epithelial Cl- conductance (GCl). To distinguish the CF-affected GCl from other Cl- channels, we have studied the properties of GCl in normal and CF cells grown from explanted reabsorptive sweat ducts (RD). The cultured cells from normal subjects retained some of the typical duct cell properties. The Na+ conductance inhibitor amiloride hyperpolarized intracellular potentials (Vm) by 10.4 +/- 1.6 mV (n = 12). Substitution of gluconate for Cl- depolarized Vm by 15.5 +/- 1.1 mV (n = 33). The apparent GCl (G'Cl) of normal cells was sensitive to adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (forskolin, 10(-6) M), as evidenced by a significant increase (63%, n = 9) in the Cl- gradient induced depolarization, and more selective for Cl- than I- (substitution of Cl- by I- depolarized Vm by 6.3 +/- 0.3 mV, n = 49). Although the cells from CF subjects were statistically indistinguishable from normal cells based on Vm (-18.5 +/- 1.2 mV, n = 49 vs. -20.1 +/- 1.8 mV, n = 28), CF cells expressed differences in G'Cl, responses to forskolin, and anion selectivity. CF cells had a significantly reduced G'Cl as indicated by blunted responses to imposed Cl- gradients (26% of normal, n = 28). In contrast to our observations in normal cells, the G'Cl of CF cells was insensitive to forskolin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anions↗

Electrophysiologically distinct cell types in human sweat gland secretory coil.

The human sweat gland secretory coil consists of three histologically distinct cell types: myoepithelial (ME), light (or clear), and dark cells. The electrophysiological properties of all these cells are poorly defined. Employing electrophysiological techniques, we report distinct pharmacological responses of three different cell types from freshly isolated human sweat gland secretory coil. The superficial ME cells are characterized by 1) spontaneous depolarizing spikes (2 to 50 mV), 2) high cell membrane potentials [Vm = -68.6 +/- 3.9 (SE) mV; n = 21], 3) a K(+)-selective cell membrane (slope response = 54.2 +/- 6.7 mV per decade K+ concentration; n = 4), 4) depolarizing responses to cholinergic agonist mecholyl (delta Vm = 29.1 +/- 3.1 mV, n = 21), and 5) insensitivity to beta-adrenergic stimulation (n = 12). Two other types of cells, presumably secretory, were also observed. We arbitrarily labeled these cells as beta-adrenergic sensitive (beta-S) and beta-adrenergic insensitive (beta-I) cells based on their respective sensitivity to isoproterenol (IPR), a beta-adrenomimetic. Properties of the beta-S cells include 1) relatively higher basolateral membrane potentials (Vm = -57.3 +/- 3.1 mV; n = 13), 2) depolarizing responses to IPR (delta Vm = 16.8 +/- 2.6 mV; n = 9) inhibitable by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol, and 3) hyperpolarizing responses to mecholyl (delta Vm = -21.8 +/- 2.0 mV; n = 13). The beta-I cells are characterized by 1) low basolateral membrane potentials (Vm = -23.6 +/- 2.1 mV; n = 16), 2) insensitivity to beta-adrenergic stimulation, and 3) hyperpolarizating responses to mecholyl (delta Vm = -16.1 +/- 2.1 mV; n = 16).

Electrophysiology↗