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Biomedical subjects

M Moore

Publications and source records attributed to M Moore.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Dihydropyridine receptor mutations cause hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hypoKPP) is an autosomal dominant skeletal muscle disorder manifested by episodic weakness associated with low serum potassium. Genetic linkage analysis has localized the hypoKPP gene to chromosome 1q31-q32 near a dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor gene. This receptor functions as a voltage-gated calcium channel and is also critical for excitation-contraction coupling in a voltage-sensitive and calcium-independent manner. We have characterized patient-specific DHP receptor mutations in 11 probands of 33 independent hypoKPP kindreds that occur at one of two adjacent nucleotides within the same codon and predict substitution of a highly conserved arginine in the S4 segment of domain 4 with either histidine or glycine. In one kindred, the mutation arose de novo. Taken together, these data establish this DHP receptor as the hypoKPP gene. We are unaware of any other human diseases presently known to result from DHP receptor mutations.

Alleles↗

Benzo[a]pyrene-resistant MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. A unique aryl hydrocarbon-nonresponsive clone.

Wild-type MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were cultured for 3 months in 1 microM benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and resistant clones were screened for inducibility of CYP1A1 gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). One of the BaP-resistant (BaPR) clones exhibited unique genotypic expression which distinguished it from both wild-type and drug-resistant (AdrR) variant MCF-7 cells. Glutathione levels, glutathione S-transferase activities, estrogen receptor levels, estrogen responsiveness, and expression of the multidrug-resistant MDR1 and MRP mRNA levels were similar in the wild-type and BaPR cells, whereas these parameters were reported to be altered in AdrR cells. In contrast, TCDD induced CYP1A1 gene expression and inhibited selected estrogen-induced responses in wild-type but not BaPR MCF-7 cells. Treatment of wild-type and BaPR cells with [3H]TCDD resulted in formation of the radiolabeled aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) 6 S nuclear receptor complex in both cell lines. The loss of Ah responsiveness in the BaPR variant cells correlated with the failure of the nuclear or transformed cytosolic Ah receptor complex to bind genomic dioxin-responsive elements as determined in gel retardation assays.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

A fungal metabolite which inhibits the interaction of CD4 with major histocompatibility complex-encoded class II molecules.

CD4, a cell-surface glycoprotein expressed on a subpopulation of T cells, is the receptor for class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC II) and a receptor for the envelope glycoprotein (gp 120) of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Screening of microbial metabolites for CD4-binding activity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the binding of the CD4-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), anti-Leu3a, identified a family of compounds comprising several novel polyketides. The parent compound (411F, Vinaxanthone) is a C28 molecule probably arising from a dimerization of two C14 polyketide units. It strongly inhibited the interaction of anti-Leu 3a and that of several other D1/D2 epitope-specific mAb with CD4, but only weakly inhibited the binding of HIV-1 gp120. Binding of a representative MHC class II molecule, HLA-DRB*0401, was also inhibited by 411F with a comparable inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 1 microM). In functional assays 411F inhibited antigen-induced CD4-dependent T cell proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. At the clonal level 411F exhibited selectivity in that the compound inhibited peptide-induced CD4+ T cell proliferative responses but not alloantigen-induced CD8+ T cell proliferation. It is hypothesized that 411F, a polyanionic compound in aqueous solution at neutral pH, inhibits CD4-dependent functions by binding over a broad area of the positively charged amino-terminal D1 and D2 domains implicated in the interaction with MHC II molecules. 411F has the potential for development as an immunosuppressive agent with a novel mechanism of action.

Animals↗

Double-negative thymocyte subsets in CD3 zeta chain-deficient mice: absence of HSA+CD44-CD25- cells.

Double-negative (DN) thymocyte subsets were examined in mice deficient in the CD3 zeta chain (zeta-/-). The HSA+CD44-CD25- subset was found to be missing, and DN thymocytes seemed to differentiate directly from HSA+CD25+CD44- cells to double-positive (DP) cells. When fetal thymic ontogeny was examined, we found a marked difference between zeta-/- embryos and heterozygous littermates from embryonic day 17.5, in terms of CD25, CD4 and CD8 expression, and thymus size. The zeta-/- thymocytes failed to down-regulate CD25 and to expand exponentially. The cell cycle status of adult thymocyte subsets indicated that although the HSA+CD25-CD44- subset was missing, the CD25+ DN population contained normal numbers of cycling cells, and the CD25+ DP cells (which were not detectable in normal mice) contained 5-10% cells in G2/M+S. Taken together these data suggest that the CD3 zeta chain might have a specific role in the control of proliferation of DN thymocytes during T cell development. Our data clearly show that one can dissociate the signal for a CD25+ DN cell to differentiate (which occurs in the absence of CD3 zeta), from a signal to proliferate and from loss of cell surface CD25.

Animals↗

Physical and genetic mapping of human chromosome 3 loci containing microsatellite repeats.

One hundred and six microsatellite repeat-containing loci, including 59 CA-containing repeats from the CEPH/Genethon collection, were regionally assigned on human chromosome 3 using a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel, diving the chromosome into 14 intervals. The others were dinucleotide and tetranucleotide repeat-containing loci newly developed for human chromosome 3, of which 26 were also localized by means of genetic linkage analysis against selected CEPH microsatellites. The regional assignment of these two marker sets in a common mapping panel facilitates their integration. Incorporation of these highly polymorphic loci into the developing physical and genetic maps should provide useful information for studies of various diseases involving chromosome 3.

Base Sequence↗

Mammalian cell gene mutation assays working group report.

As part of the International Workshop on Standardization of Genotoxicity Test Procedures, in Melbourne, 27-28 February 1993, various international guidelines were examined with respect to protocol issues in the area of mammalian cell gene mutation assays. The working group on mammalian cell gene mutation assays discussed a wide range of protocol issues related to study design; in most cases the recommendations are reasonably consistent with existing guidelines. Agreement was reached on several issues as follows. The upper limit of concentration for testing non-toxic substances should be 10 mM or 5 mg/ml, whichever is lower. For testing toxic substances the criteria of an acceptable upper limit of concentration should yield 10-20% survival. Any of several established mammalian cell mutation assays (L5178Y TK+/-, CHO/HPRT, AS52/XPRT, V79/HPRT) can be used to evaluate mutagenesis in mammalian cells; the ouabain (Na/K-ATPase) system is not an acceptable mutation assay for routine evaluation of mutagenesis in mammalian cells. Ability to recover small colonies must be convincingly demonstrated when using the L5178Y TK+/- mouse lymphoma assay. In the mouse lymphoma assay (L5178Y TK+/-), colonies in positive controls and at least two (if available) representative positive doses of the test compound should be sized if a positive response is seen; in the event of a negative response due to the test compound, colony sizing of the positive control is necessary to validate the conduct of the assay. Testing both in the presence and absence of S9 metabolic activation is necessary. It was not possible to come to a firm conclusion about the length of treatment. There was a general agreement that extended treatment times (> 2 cell cycles) often bear more disadvantages than advantages and should only be used with adequate justification. It is not necessary to repeat clear positive or clear negative tests when the assay has been adequately performed; this recommendation differs significantly from the UK guidelines. If treatment groups are not replicated, the numbers of doses tested should be increased; this recommendation differs significantly from the UK guidelines. Each laboratory should establish a historical database for the performance of a given assay in that laboratory.

Animals↗

Untreated or drug-treated tumor cells are differentially recognized by allogeneic lymphocytes.

Murine tumor cells treated with triazene compounds (TZC), in vivo or in vitro, are capable of eliciting specific transplantation resistance in syngeneic hosts, and T-cell-mediated proliferative and cytotoxic responses, directed against novel drug-induced antigen(s). Since this phenomenon, referred to as chemical xenogenization (CX) could open up new perspectives in the immunochemotherapy of human neoplasias, it was of interest to investigate whether CX could also occur in human tumors. However, established human tumor cell lines along with fully immunocompetent autologous lymphocytes, are seldom available. Therefore studies were carried out to test whether parental or TZC-treated tumor cells could be differentially recognized by allogeneic lymphocytes. Experiments were performed in both human and murine models, using a lung adenocarcinoma line treated in vitro with TZC, or an established xenogenized mouse lymphoma, respectively. The results indicate that allogeneic cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) recognize specifically murine TZC-treated tumor cells. This was supported by the finding that antisera directed against the drug-treated cells abrogated the generation and the cytolytic activity of allogeneic CTL reactive against the TZC-treated tumor. In addition it was found that changes of the antigenic pattern of cell membrane recognizable by cloned allogeneic CTL occur in the TZC-treated human carcinoma cell line.

Animals↗

Docetaxel in advanced renal carcinoma. A phase II trial of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

BACKGROUND: Most patients diagnosed with renal carcinoma developed metastatic disease at some time during their course, with available therapy inducing response in only a small proportion of patients. Docetaxel (Taxotere, RP56976) a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel with a broad range of in vitro antitumor activity, was evaluated in a phase II study. METHODS: Eligibility criteria included histologically proven metastatic or advanced, bidimensionally measurable disease, no prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormonal therapy, adequate hematologic (neutrophils > or = 2.0 x 10(9)/L, platelets > or = 100 x 10(9)/L) and biochemical (serum creatinine and bilirubin < or = 1.5 x normal, transaminases < or = 3 x normal) parameters, WHO performance status of at least 2, and a life expectancy of > 12 weeks. Docetaxel was administered in a dose of 100 mg/m2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks. The first 2 patients entered onto the study were not premedicated for hypersensitivity reactions; subsequent patients received dexamethasone 10 mg and diphenhydramine 50 mg i.v. 30 minutes prior to docetaxel. RESULTS: Twenty patients were entered onto the study, with 2 considered inevaluable for response. Sixty cycles of therapy were administered, with only 2 cycles delivered at a dose of 55 mg/m2 or less. No objective responses were seen; 1 patient demonstrated a mixed response. Neutropenia was significant, with 42/60 cycles developing grade 3/4 granulocytopenia. Fifty-five percent of patients demonstrated hypersensitivity reactions despite the premedication regimen employed, higher than that of the phase I studies which established the dose and schedule used in this trial. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Docetaxel is an ineffective agent in advanced renal carcinoma. 2) The high rate of hypersensitivity reactions suggests the need for more intensive premedication and/or slower infusion times at this dose level.

Adult↗

Multiple adenovirus serotypes use alpha v integrins for infection.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the penton base integrin-binding domains of several human adenoviruses was obtained by homology PCR. Each of the penton base proteins contains a conserved Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence that is predicted to lie at the apex of two extended alpha helices. The penton base RGD domain promotes efficient infection of host cells by multiple adenovirus serotypes via interaction with alpha v integrins, thus indicating that alpha v integrins play a central role in the entry of adenoviruses into host cells.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Abnormal haem biosynthesis in the chronic anaemia of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The chronic microcytic anaemia of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs despite the presence of adequate reticulo-endothelial iron stores. The red cell microcytosis is evidence of impaired haemoglobin production. This study has examined possible abnormalities of erythroid haem biosynthesis that may contribute to the anaemia. METHODS: 5-Aminolaevulinate (ALA) synthase and ferrochelatase activities were assayed in whole bone marrow and in purified erythroblasts from patients with RA and in control subjects. All patients were iron replete with demonstrable iron in the bone marrow. RESULTS: ALA synthase activity was significantly reduced in both whole bone marrow and purified erythroblasts from patients with the anaemia of RA. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels were raised in nine of 12 patients tested while ferrochelatase activity was normal. CONCLUSION: These abnormalities provide absolute evidence of abnormal erythroblast haem biosynthesis and iron metabolism in the anaemia of RA and most likely reflect decreased ALA synthase mRNA translation and some abnormality of erythroblast iron transport. Further studies using highly purified erythroblast populations will attempt to identify the causal factors leading to this abnormal erythroblast metabolism.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Why, where and with whom do Israeli teenagers drink? To whom do they turn for help with alcohol problems?

This article describes preferred sources of support after having drinking problems, reasons for drinking and the social context of drinking of 1458 Israeli adolescents in the North of Israel in winter 1992. The article analyses the results by gender, grade and place of living (large city, small or developing town, kibbutz, religious settlement). Most teenagers drink with same-age friends, their preferred location of drinking is the pub and enjoyment is their most prevalent reason for drinking. The majority of the sample chose parents as the main source of support in cases of having problems with alcohol. The study provides pointers towards environmental approaches in the prevention of problem drinking.

Adolescent↗

Phase I pharmacokinetic study of cyclosporin A combined with doxorubicin.

We performed a phase I trial of cyclosporin A (CsA) in combination with doxorubicin (dox) to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination in man, to define the quantitative and qualitative toxicities of the combination, and to determine the pharmacokinetics of the two drugs when used together. CsA was administered as a continuous infusion for 6 days, and dox was administered as a single 10-min infusion 24 h after the initiation of CsA. The starting CsA infusion rate was 5 micrograms/kg/min, and the dox starting dose was 30 mg/m2. Courses were administered every 4 weeks with first CsA and then dox being escalated in consecutive cohorts of patients until the MTD was determined. Twenty-three patients and 40 courses were evaluable for toxicity. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed in 23 patients on the first course for whole blood CsA and plasma dox and doxorubicinol. The MTD of CsA was 6 micrograms/kg/min, and for dox it was 45 mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia. Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance did not change over the infusion period. Bilirubin increased from a median of 10 mumol/liter at the initiation of the infusion to a median of 40.4 mumol/liter at the end of the infusion but returned to normal before the next cycle of therapy. Nausea and vomiting were common and marked, whereas thrombocytopenia was mild. Two patients, one with small cell lung cancer and one with breast cancer, had stable disease while receiving treatment for 5 and 6 months, respectively. Mean whole blood steady state concentrations of CsA were 2210 ng/ml during the infusion with total body clearance of 0.177 liter/h/kg. The area under the concentration x time curve (AUC) increased linearly with dose of dox, and total body clearance was independent of dose. The mean total body clearance was 2.46 liters/h/m2, and terminal half-life was 49.6 h. The AUC for dox was greater and clearance was less than has been previously reported at the doses administered in this study. The ratio of AUC for doxorubicinol to AUC for dox was less than expected, suggesting that the metabolism and/or excretion of dox was decreased when administered with CsA. We conclude that dox can be combined with infusioned CsA but at a lower dose than when given alone. This may be due to altered metabolism and/or excretion of dox or increased bone marrow stem cell sensitivity to dox.

Adult↗

The hydroxylation of plant diterpene analogues by the fungus Syncephalastrum racemosum.

Triepoxide diterpenes isolated from the perennial herb, Tripterygium wilfordii, have shown promising antileukemic and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo. However, the toxicity of these epoxides has limited their clinical usefulness and analogues are sought which possess the pharmacological actions but have a lower toxicity. In this study, we have generated oxidized analogues of these diterpenes from a synthetic lactone precursor (19-hydroxy-18 (4-3) abeo-abieta-3,8,11,13-tetraen-18-oic acid lactone) by incubating the lactone with the Zygomycete fungus, Syncephalastrum racemosum. Incubation of lactone with S. racemosum in liquid media yielded four distinct polar metabolites as determined by thin-layer chromatography of ethyl acetate extracts. Column purification followed by structural analysis by 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy revealed these compounds to be 7-beta-hydroxylactone, 7-alpha-hydroxylactone, 15-hydroxylactone, and 7-ketolactone. When lactone was added to 48-h-old cultures, 7-beta-hydroxylactone appeared after 30 min whereas there was a 4-h lag period before the 7-alpha-hydroxy and 15-hydroxy metabolites were detected suggesting that enzyme induction was necessary before metabolism occurred. The 7-ketolactone was not detected until 24 h of incubation and this may represent a nonenzymatic oxidation of 7-hydroxylactone. The addition of various cytochrome P450 inhibitors (ketoconazole, miconazole, alpha-naphthoflavone, aminobenzothiazole, and carbon monoxide) to liquid cultures prevented the 15-hydroxylation of lactone. Interestingly, in contrast to the other agents, ketoconazole and miconazole (20 microM) were not able to inhibit 7-hydroxylation even though 15-hydroxylation was inhibited by these agents. With the exception of carbon monoxide, cell growth was unaffected by these agents. These data suggest that the biotransformation of diterpenes by S. racemosum was mediated by an inducible hydroxylase system which is sensitive to cytochrome P450 inhibitors and that more than one hydroxylase enzyme may be responsible for the observed products.

Biotransformation↗

Potentiation of CYP1A1 gene expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells cotreated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

In MCF-7 cells treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) causes a time- and concentration-dependent modulation of TCDD-induced CYP1A1 gene expression. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 1 nM TCDD for 24 h resulted in the induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity and CYP1A1 mRNA levels. In cells treated with TCDD for 24 h and 100 ng/ml TPA for 26 and 30 h, the TCDD-induced CYP1A1 gene expression was detected. For example, TCDD-induced EROD activity decreased from 122 pmol/min/mg to 25.5 pmol/min/mg after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TPA for 26 h and this was also paralleled by a 44% decrease in CYP1A1 mRNA levels. There was also a decrease in nuclear Ah receptor levels and the binding of nuclear extracts to a 32P-labeled dioxin responsive element (DRE) in a gel mobility shift assay. In parallel studies which measured EROD activities, similar TCDD/TPA interactions were observed in wild-type Hepa 1c1c7 cells, whereas no interactive effects were observed in T47-D human breast cancer cells. In MCF-7 cells treated with TPA for 36 or 48 h, the TCDD-induced EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA levels were restored and in cells exposed to TPA for 72 or 96 h superinducibility of CYP1A1 gene expression was observed; there was a 2.8- and 2.2-fold increase in EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA levels, respectively, compared to MCF-7 cells treated with TCDD alone. The biphasic temporal effects of TPA on TCDD-induced CYP1A1 gene expression in MCF-7 cells were paralleled by comparable changes in nuclear Ah receptor levels and binding to a synthetic DRE. In contrast, prolonged exposure of the wild-type Hepa 1c1c7 or T47-D cells to both TCDD plus TPA gave results similar to those observed after 24 h. These data show that the effects of TPA on TCDD-induced expression of CYP1A1 are cell-specific and suggest that the proposed protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex may not be required in MCF-7 cells since TPA downregulates PKC activity within 11 h and this inactivation persists for at least 96 h.

Base Sequence↗

Multicenter phase II study of brequinar sodium in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

Eighty-six patients with advanced colorectal, gastric or pancreatic carcinoma and no prior exposure to chemotherapy were treated with brequinar sodium. Brequinar was administered at a median weekly dose of 1200 mg/m2 intravenously. The toxicity was moderate, with thirty patients (35%) experiencing grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Objective responses were observed in 1/32 evaluable colorectal and 2/29 evaluable gastric carcinoma patients. There were no objective responses in 17 evaluable pancreatic cancer patients. We conclude that, at this dose and schedule, brequinar does not have sufficient activity in these gastrointestinal malignancies to warrant further evaluation.

Adult↗

CD4-binding compounds: an assay to detect new classes of immunopharmacological agents.

The interaction of antibodies with protein antigens is accepted as a paradigm of protein-protein interactions. In searching for a new generation of immunomodulatory compounds based on the interaction of the T-cell surface glycoprotein CD4 with MHC class II antigens, a model assay has been developed in which MHC molecules have been substituted by a monoclonal antibody (anti-Leu3a) to the CD4 amino-terminal domain-specific epitope, Leu3a. This assay can detect diverse classes of molecules including proteins such as HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 and low molecular weight compounds such as aurin tricarboxylic acid, dextran sulphate and Evans blue. The interaction of these molecules with CD4 in the assay appears to be identical to their interaction with native CD4 on intact cells. Other protein-antibody pairs could be substituted for CD4-anti-Leu3a enabling this assay format to be used for the detection of proteins or small organic compounds which interfere with a wide range of therapeutically-relevant macromolecular interactions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Interaction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 17 beta-estradiol in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) are both tumor promoters which act through different mechanisms. In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, both TCDD and TPA inhibited constitutive and 17 beta-estradiol-induced cell proliferation but showed no apparent interactive effects. TCDD also inhibited the 17 beta-estradiol-induced secretion of the 52-kDa protein (procathepsin D) and induced CYP1A1 gene expression whereas TPA alone was inactive for these responses. Moreover, TPA did not modulate the TCDD-mediated antiestrogenic or induction responses and did not decrease levels of the nuclear Ah receptor complex as determined in a gel mobility shift assay using a 32P-dioxin responsive element (DRE). The interactions of TPA and TCDD on the metabolism of [13C]glucose to [13C]lactate was also investigated using 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The rate of formation of [13C]lactate from [13C]glucose in MCF-7 cells treated with DMSO (control), 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol, 1 nM TCDD, 1 nM TCDD plus 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol, and 0.1 ng/ml TPA plus 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol was 28, 48, 20, 22 and 50 fmol lactate formed/cell/h, respectively. Thus, TCDD, but not TPA, inhibited this estrogen-induced response. However, a comparison of the rate of lactate formation in cells treated with TCDD plus 17 beta-estradiol (22 fmol/cell/h) or TCDD plus 17 beta-estradiol plus TPA (61 fmol/cell/h) showed that TPA significantly inhibited the TCDD-mediated antiestrogenic response. The results of these studies in MCF-7 cells demonstrate that the interactions of TCDD and TPA are highly response-specific and do not involve TPA-mediated downregulation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex.

Base Sequence↗