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Biomedical subjects

R K Rhodes

Publications and source records attributed to R K Rhodes.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Chinese hamster lung cells synthesize and confine to the cellular domain a collagen composed solely of B chains.

The acid-soluble collagen extracted from cultured Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cell layers has been isolated after limited pepsin digestion and differential salt fractionation. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of this material under denaturing conditions showed the presence of collagen chains with an apparent molecular mass of 120,000 daltons both before and after reduction, indicating the absence of interchain disulfide bonds in the native molecule. When chromatographed on CM-cellulose under denaturing conditions, the majority (> 90%) of the CHL cell layer collagen chains eluted as relatively basic components slightly before the human alpha 2(I) chain and coincident with the human B chain. In addition, the CM-cellulose elution profiles of the cyanogen bromide peptides derived from the human B chain and from the CHL cell layer chain were essentially identical. Examination of CHL cells in culture by using affinity-purified antibody to human B chain revealed this collagen to be localized in an extracellular matrix surrounding the cells. Furthermore, analysis of the culture medium indicated the absence of any comparable collagen chain. These data provide additional evidence for the existence of a molecular form of collagen composed solely of B chains and suggest that this molecular form of collagen has an unusual affinity for the cell layer in this system.

Animals↗

The isolation and characterization of the cyanogen bromide peptides from the B chain of human collagen.

Cleavage of the collagen B chain with cyanogen bromide yields nine peptides which have been isolated and characterized with regard to molecular weight and amino acid composition. The peptides are recovered in equimolar quantities and account for the full amino acid complement of the chain as isolated following limited pepsin digestion of human placental tissue. These data thus confirm the unique composition of the chain and further indicate that the chain has been isolated in essentially pure form. The total number of amino acid residues (1018) observed in the cyanogen bromide peptides of the B chain indicate that it is comparable in length to the previously characterized collagen alpha chains. Thus, the apparent larger size of the B chain noted in previous studies may possibly be attributed to the relatively large quantities of hydroxylysine-linked carbohydrate, but more likely to the increased numbers of large hydrophobic amino acids in the B chain. Although the cyanogen bromide peptide pattern obtained in studies on the B chain serves to differentiate this chain from other known chains, some possible homologies between the B chain peptides and peptides derived from the alpha chains of type I, II, and III collagens are noted.

Amino Acids↗

Laboratory evaluation of new reusable blood glucose sensor.

An enzyme-electrode sensor designed specifically for pocket-portable self-monitoring of blood glucose is described. The sensing device in this instrument is unique because it is reusable for at least 30 days, at which time it is easily replaced by placing a new enzyme-membrane cartridge over the electrode. As little as 7 microliters of undiluted whole blood, plasma, or serum is applied directly to the sensor, and glucose is automatically determined in 30 s. No manual timing or wiping step is required after sample application. On eight production instruments, plasma glucose concentration was determined (n = 20) at 57, 125, 246, and 347 mg/dl. The average coefficient of variation for the 80 determinations for each instrument ranged from 2 to 5%, averaging 3.7%. The instrument is inherently linear, independent of hematocrit, and without oxygen limitation when dissolved oxygen concentration is greater than 35 mmHg. No interferences were found from plasma constituents, heparin, or acetaminophen.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Development and evaluation of a wearable blood glucose monitor.

Complex operation, prolonged set-up time, reliability problems, high cost, and excessive size limits the use of currently available extracorporeal continuous blood glucose analyzers. A self-calibrating, wearable blood glucose monitor has been developed to overcome these impediments. The wearable blood glucose monitor is a 410 g forearm-mounted instrument with three miniature pumps for blood sampling, calibration, and insulin infusion, and a flow cell containing an enzyme-electrode sensor capable of determining plasma glucose levels accurately and precisely in undiluted whole blood. The unit is connected to a computer controller with graphics display. Venous blood is drawn from a 21 gauge single lumen cannula through the sensor flow cell. A rate determination of glucose is completed in 20 sec and the blood is returned to the arm vein. Heparinized saline wash solution follows. No blood loss or significant systemic heparinization occurs. Cycle time is set from 2 to 5 min. The method is linear to at least 300 mg/dl glucose, independent of hematocrit, and free of interferences from blood constituents at normal venous pO2 with a coefficient of variation of 1-3% between calibrations. The sensor has a service life of at least 3 weeks. This wearable blood glucose monitor, with its high performance sensor, reduced size, and ease of operation, shows promise for evaluating and treating diabetes.

Animals↗

Enzymatic glucose sensors. Improved long-term performance in vitro and in vivo.

We studied the long-term in vitro and in vivo performance of enzyme electrode glucose sensors. Single commercially produced enzyme-active membranes remained functional for estimating glucose in vitro for 14-36 months. These membranes were implanted subcutaneously in rats for 1 year and, upon explanation, remained functional for measuring glucose in vitro. Sensors with these membranes plus an additional outer membrane with lower glucose permeability allowed glucose monitoring in the low oxygen tension of subcutaneous tissue. These sensors were surgically implanted in three nondiabetic dogs. Each sensor implant was coupled to a radio transmitter to allow continuous long-term glucose monitoring in these awake unrestrained dogs. In vivo sensor performance was evaluated by intravenous glucose infusion, with reference blood glucose determinations made in the clinical laboratory. These subcutaneously implanted sensors tracked changes in plasma glucose for up to 12 weeks. The in vivo initial response for three sensor implants was approximately 35 sec (n = 8). Sensor peak response to glucose after bolus infusion ranged from 3 to 14 min. Stability of sensor sensitivity within +/- 15% for more than 1 month was demonstrated in two of the dogs. Sensor lifetime was limited not by loss of enzyme activity, but by biodegradation of the outermost polyurethane membrane. The findings suggest that long-term continuous monitoring of blood glucose using a subcutaneously implanted enzyme electrode sensor may be possible.

Animals↗