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Biomedical subjects

R DeBiasio

Publications and source records attributed to R DeBiasio.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Cell-based, high-content screen for receptor internalization, recycling and intracellular trafficking.

A variety of physiologically important receptors are internalized and then recycled back to the plasma membrane by the endocytic recycling compartment. These include the transferrin receptor and many G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The internalization of GPCRs is a result of agonist stimulation. A cell-based fluorescent imaging assay is described that detects and quantifies the presence of fluorescently labeled receptors and macromolecules in the recycling compartment. This High Content Screening application is conducted on the ArrayScan II System that includes fluorescent reagents, imaging instrumentation and the informatics tools necessary to screen for compounds that affect receptor internalization, recycling and GPCR activation. We demonstrate the Receptor Internalization and Trafficking application by quantifying (i) the internalization and recycling of the transferrin receptor using a fluorescently labeled ligand and (ii) the internalization of a physiologically functional model GPCR, a GFP-parathyroid hormone receptor chimera. These assays give high signal-to-noise ratios, broad dynamic ranges between stimulated and unstimulated conditions and low variability across different screening runs. Thus, the Receptor Internalization and Trafficking application, in conjunction with the ArrayScan II System, forms the basis of a robust, information-rich and automated screen for GPCR activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Quantification of G-Protein Coupled Receptor Internatilization Using G-Protein Coupled Receptor-Green Fluorescent Protein Conjugates with the ArrayScantrade mark High-Content Screening System.

Many G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) undergo ligand-dependent homologous desensitization and internalization. Desensitization, defined as a decrease in the responsiveness to ligand, is accompanied by receptor aggregation on the cell surface and internalization via clathrin-coated pits to an intracellular endosomal compartment. In this study, we have taken advantage of the trafficking properties of GPCRs to develop a useful screening method for the identification of receptor mimetics. A series of studies were undertaken to evaluate the expression, functionality, and ligand-dependent trafficking of GPCR-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion conjugates stably transfected into HEK 293 cells. These GPCR-GFP expressing cells were then utilized in the validation of the ArrayScantrade mark (Cellomicstrade mark, Pittsburgh, PA), a microtiter plate imaging system that permits cellular and subcellular quantitation of fluorescence in whole cells. These studies demonstrated our ability to measure the internalization of a parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor-GFP conjugate after ligand treatment by spatially resolving internalized receptors. Internalization was time- and dose-dependent and appeared to be selective for PTH. Similar results were obtained for a beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2) AR)-GFP conjugate stably expressed in HEK 293 cells. The internalized GFP-labeled receptors were visualized as numerous punctate ³spots² within the cell interior. An algorithm has been developed that identifies and collects information about these spots, allowing quantification of the internalization process. Variables such as the receptor-GFP expression level, plating density, cell number per field, number of fields scanned per well, spot size, and spot intensity were evaluated during the development of this assay. The method represents a valuable tool to screen for receptor mimetics and antagonists of receptor internalization in whole cells rapidly.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Immunofluorescence signal amplification by the enzyme-catalyzed deposition of a fluorescent reporter substrate (CARD).

Progress has been made in improving the immunohistochemical detection of antigens for imaging and flow cytometry. We report the synthesis of a novel fluorescent horseradish peroxidase substrate, Cy3.29-tyramide, and its application in an enzyme-based signal amplification system, catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD). The catalyzed deposition of Cy3.29-tyramide was used to detect cell surface markers such as CD8 and CD25 on tonsil tissue and human lymphocytes. We compared the fluorescence CARD method to standard indirect immunofluorescence detection methods and found that an amplification of up to 15-fold was possible with CARD. The detection of the intracellular protein myosin II in fibroblastic cells and rabbit serum proteins blotted onto nitrocellulose was also improved. Thus, fluorescent CARD is a simple modification that can be made to standard immunofluorescence staining protocols to enhance significantly the detection of antigens.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Antigen presentation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing studied in individual, living cells.

Interactions between individual, living fibroblasts and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones were analyzed by using video-enhanced differential interference contrast and fluorescence microscopy in a multimode configuration. Fibroblasts expressing known major histocompatibility complex I alleles (MC57: H-2b; Balb: H-2d) were sensitized for killing by incubating or microinjecting them with peptide fragments of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Previous determination of the CTL clones' specificity for these peptides and MHC-I alleles enabled us to study CTL killing of fibroblasts, and nonlethal CTL interaction with targets due to "mismatches" of the CTL, target, and/or peptide. During viral peptide-specific MHC-restricted CTL killing, distinct morphological alterations were observed (CTL shape changes, movements of granules in CTL cytoplasm, and target cell contraction and blebbing). When no killing occurred, CTL engaged in prolonged, nonrandom movement on the target cells. Alloreactive and virus-specific CTL displayed the same morphology during killing. To study antigen presentation further within individual, living cells, a LCMV glycoprotein peptide (aa 272-286, LSDSSGVENPGGYCL) was covalently labeled with tetramethylrhodamine. In 51Cr release assays, the labeled peptide specifically induced potent CTL killing, but neither labeled nor unlabeled peptide proved toxic for unsensitized targets. Microinjection of the labeled peptide into the cytoplasm of fibroblast cells led to CTL killing of those cells, yet nearby uninjected cells contacted by CTL were not killed, indicating that killing was due to presentation of microinjected peptide rather than binding of extracellular peptide to cell surface MHC. Peptide-injected target cells were killed only when combined with CTL specific for the peptide and for the MHC allele of the injected cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Patterns of elevated free calcium and calmodulin activation in living cells.

The temporal and spatial dynamics of intracellular signals and protein effectors are being defined as a result of imaging using fluorescent reagents within living cells. We have described a new class of fluorescent analogues termed optical biosensors, which sense chemical or molecular events through their effects on protein transducers. One example of this new class of indicators is MeroCaM, an environmentally sensitive fluorophore which when it is attached to calmodulin reflects the activation of calmodulin by calcium in vitro. We report here that the rise in free calcium and MeroCaM activation occur in the same period during serum stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts. MeroCaM activation also correlates with the spatial pattern of increased free calcium and the contraction of transverse fibres during wound healing. Finally, migrating fibroblasts in the later stages of wound-healing exhibit an increasing gradient of free calcium and MeroCaM activation from the front to the rear.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1987

Five-parameter fluorescence imaging: wound healing of living Swiss 3T3 cells.

Cellular functions involve the temporal and spatial interplay of ions, metabolites, macromolecules, and organelles. To define the mechanisms responsible for completing cellular functions, we used methods that can yield both temporal and spatial information on multiple physiological parameters and chemical components in the same cell. We demonstrated that the combined use of selected fluorescent probes, fluorescence microscopy, and imaging methods can yield information on at least five separate cellular parameters and components in the same living cell. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial dynamics of each of the parameters and/or components can be correlated with one or more of the others. Five parameters were investigated by spectrally isolating defined regions of the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectrum based on five distinct fluorescent probes. The parameters included nuclei (Hoechst 33342), mitochondria (diIC1-[5] ), endosomes (lissamine rhodamine B-dextran), actin (fluorescein), and the cell volume Cy7-dextran). Nonmotile, confluent Swiss 3T3 cells did not show any detectable polarity of cell shape, or distribution of nuclei, endosomes, or mitochondria. These cells also organized a large percentage of the actin into stress fibers. In contrast, cells migrating into an in vitro wound exhibited at least two stages of reorganization of organelles and cytoplasm. During the first 3 h after wounding, the cells along the edge of the wound assumed a polarized shape, carried the nuclei in the rear of the cells, excluded endosomes and mitochondria from the lamellipodia, and lost most of the highly organized stress fibers. The cell showed a dramatic change between 3 and 7 h after producing the wound. The cells became highly elongated and motile; both the endosomes and the mitochondria penetrated into the lamellipodia, while the nuclei remained in the rear and the actin remained in less organized structures. Defining the temporal and spatial dynamics and interplay of ions, contractile proteins, lipids, regulatory proteins, metabolites, and organelles should lead to an understanding of the molecular basis of cell migration, as well as other cellular functions.

Actins↗
PubMed1980

Kinetics of phagocyte response to group B streptococcal infections in newborn rats.

To test the hypothesis that inadequate in vivo mobilization of leukocytes may contribute to the unique susceptibility of neonates to infection, we studied the kinetics of phagocyte response to neonatal and adult rats to intraperitoneal infection with group B streptococcus, type Ia. The 50% lethal dose was considerably greater for adults than for neonates (1.1 x 10(7) colony-forming units per g versus 2.7 x 10(2) colony-forming units per g). After challenge with group B streptococcus, type Ia, the number of neonatal peritoneal leukocytes increased more slowly than did those of adult rats. For example, at 4 h, the adult neutrophil count was 41 times greater than that of the neonate, but at 24 h, neonatal peritoneal neutrophils had not yet reached the adult 4-h level. Peritoneal macrophages also increased more rapidly in adults than in neonates. After intraperitoneal infection, both adults and neonates developed bacteremia, but adults cleared the bacteria with greater efficiency. Adult blood neutrophils increased 247% by 12 h and then decreased; neonatal neutrophils steadily decreased to a 57% reduction by 24 h. These data suggest that the neonatal neutrophil response to group B streptococcus, type Ia, infection is inadequate and may contribute to the high mortality associated with this infection.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Potential of machine-vision light microscopy in toxicologic pathology.

Major developments in machine-vision light microscopy and in reagent chemistry have led to a renaissance and revolution in the use of the light microscope in biology, biotechnology, and medicine. The potential use of this technology in the field of toxicologic pathology is discussed. It is suggested that a combination of investigating living cells and tissues and fixed samples using the new technologies will lead to understanding mechanisms of toxicity. Examples of the use of the methods in basic cell biology and medicine are presented.

Animals↗