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Biomedical subjects

R M Senior

Publications and source records attributed to R M Senior.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning, chromosomal localization, and bacterial expression of a murine macrophage metalloelastase.

Murine macrophages have previously been shown to secrete a zinc-dependent proteinase that can degrade elastin. In this report, we identify murine macrophage elastase (MME) cDNA and show that it is a distinct member of the metalloproteinase gene family. Small amounts of MME were purified to homogeneity, and N-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained. This sequence was used to obtain a partial cDNA clone by the polymerase chain reaction; a cDNA library derived from a mouse macrophage-like cell line (P388D1) was screened with this probe. A full-length MME cDNA spanning approximately 1.8 kilobases contained an open reading frame of 1386 base pairs; the predicted molecular mass of the MME proenzyme is 53 kDa. The gene encoding MME is represented only once in the mouse genome and is located on chromosome 9. Despite a size that is similar to other metalloproteinases, MME is distinct, sharing only 33-48% amino acid homology with other metalloproteinases. In contrast to other metalloenzymes, MME appears to be rapidly processed to an active truncated form (N-terminal and C-terminal cleavage). We expressed recombinant MME in Escherichia coli and demonstrated that it has significant elastolytic activity that is specifically inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases. MME is therefore a true metalloproteinase that may be involved in tissue injury and remodeling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The serpin-enzyme complex (SEC) receptor mediates the neutrophil chemotactic effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin-elastase complexes and amyloid-beta peptide.

The serpin-enzyme complex (SEC) receptor mediates catabolism of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT)-elastase complexes and increases in synthesis of alpha 1-AT in cell culture. The SEC receptor recognizes a pentapeptide domain on alpha 1-AT-elastase complexes (alpha 1-AT 370-374), and the same domain in several other serpins, amyloid-beta peptide, substance P, and other tachykinins. Thus, it has also been implicated in the biological properties of these ligands, including the neurotoxic effect of amyloid-beta peptide. In this study, we examined the possibility that the SEC receptor mediates the previously described neutrophil chemotactic activity of alpha 1-AT-elastase complexes, and whether the other ligands for the SEC receptor have neutrophil chemotactic activity. The results show that 125I-peptide 105Y (based on alpha 1-AT 359-374) binds specifically and saturably to human neutrophils, and the characteristics of this binding are almost identical to that of monocytes and hepatoma-derived hepatocytes. Peptide 105Y and amyloid-beta peptide mediate chemotaxis for neutrophils with maximal stimulation at 1-10 nM. Mutant or deleted forms of peptide 105Y, which do not bind to the SEC receptor, have no effect. The neutrophil chemotactic effect of alpha 1-AT-elastase complexes is blocked by antiserum to peptide 105Y and by antiserum to the SEC receptor, but not by control antiserum. Preincubation of neutrophils with peptide 105Y or substance P completely blocks the chemotactic activity of amyloid-beta peptide, but not that of FMLP. These results, therefore, indicate that the SEC receptor can be modulated by homologous desensitization and raise the possibility that pharmacological manipulation of this receptor will modify the local tissue response to inflammation/injury and the neuropathologic reaction of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1992

Entactin stimulates neutrophil adhesion and chemotaxis through interactions between its Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) domain and the leukocyte response integrin.

Entactin is an integral component of basement membranes that plays a major role in basement membrane assembly through its ability to bind avidly to both laminin and type IV collagen. Because neutrophil (PMN) interactions with entactin have not been examined, we investigated the ability of natural and recombinant entactin to mediate PMN adhesion and chemotaxis. With both forms of entactin, we observed that entactin-coated surfaces promoted PMN adhesion and that entactin stimulated PMN chemotaxis. The increase in adhesion to entactin over control was two to threefold whereas the chemotactic response to 15 ng/ml (1 x 10(-10) M) entactin was equivalent to the chemotactic response elicited with 1 x 10(-8) M formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). HL-60 cells, after differentiation with dimethylsulfoxide, also demonstrated adhesion and chemotaxis to entactin. A synthetic peptide of the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) domain in entactin, SIGFRGDGQTC (S-RGD), mediated PMN adhesion and chemotaxis, and preexposure of PMN to S-RGD blocked PMN adhesion and chemotaxis induced by entactin without diminishing the adhesive and chemotactic activities of fMLP. In contrast, preexposure to peptides SIGFRGEGQTCA or SIGFKGDGQTCA had no effect. The findings with synthetic peptides were confirmed with a recombinant entactin mutant in which aspartic acid at residue 674 was replaced with glutamic acid, thus converting the RGD sequence of entactin to RGE. RGE-entactin was neither adhesive nor chemotactic for neutrophils. Monoclonal antibodies to the leukocyte response integrin (LRI) and the integrin-associated protein blocked entactin-mediated adhesion and chemotaxis whereas monoclonal antibodies to beta 1 and beta 2 integrins had no effect and PMN from an individual with leukocyte-adhesion deficiency adhered normally to entactin-coated surfaces. These data demonstrate that entactin mediates biologically and pathologically important functions of PMN through its RGD domain and that LRI, which has been shown previously to mediate RGD-stimulated phagocytosis, is also capable of mediating RGD-stimulated PMN adhesion and chemotaxis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Neutral proteinase expression by human mononuclear phagocytes: a prominent role of cellular differentiation.

Human mononuclear phagocytes have the capacity to participate directly in extracellular matrix turnover via the secretion of neutral proteinases. These neutral proteinases include the serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G and the metalloproteinases, interstitial collagenase, 92 kD type IV collagenase, 72 kD type IV collagenase and stromelysin. Mononuclear phagocytes also produce the counter-regulatory metalloproteinase inhibitor, TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases). We have studied the capacity of normal human mononuclear phagocytes and of the human monocytic tumor line U937 to elaborate proteinases and inhibitors. The serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G, are present only at the earliest stages of mononuclear phagocyte differentiation (U937 cells in the basal state, freshly isolated peripheral blood monocytes) and are stored within intracellular granules. As human mononuclear phagocytes differentiate (U937 cells exposed to phorbol esters, human monocytes cultured in vitro), the cellular content of these serine proteinases declines rapidly. Accompanying the acquisition of a more differentiated state, the ability for regulated secretion of the neutral metalloproteinases is attained. This capacity is acquired in a sequential manner, with secretion of the 92 kD type IV collagenase observed at earlier states of differentiation while release of stromelysin requires a fully differentiated and LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated alveolar macrophage. Interstitial collagenase and 72 kD type IV collagenase are synthesized at intermediate stages of differentiation. In comparison to human fibroblasts, human mononuclear phagocytes produce approximately 10-30% of the interstitial collagenase, 10% of the stromelysin and 1-2% of the 72 kD type IV collagenase on a per cell basis. Synthesis of the 92 kD type IV collagenase is restricted to the inflammatory cell (but also occurs in neutrophils and keratinocytes).

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Human 92- and 72-kilodalton type IV collagenases are elastases.

Elastin is critical to the structural integrity of a variety of connective tissues. Only a select group of enzymes has thus far been identified capable of cleaving insoluble elastin. Recently, we observed that human alveolar macrophages secrete elastase activity that is largely inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP). This finding suggested that one or more of the metalloproteinases released by alveolar macrophages has elastase activity. Accordingly, we tested pure human interstitial collagenase, stromelysin, 92-kDa type IV collagenase, and 72-kDa type IV collagenase for elastolytic activity using kappa-elastin zymography and insoluble 3H-labeled elastin. The 92- and 72-kDa type IV collagenases were found to be elastolytic in both assay systems. A recombinant preparation of 92-kDa type IV collagenase with gelatinolytic activity was also found to be elastolytic. Organomercurial activation was essential to detect elastolytic activity of the native 92- and 72-kDa type IV collagenases and enhanced the elastase activity of the recombinant 92-kDa enzyme. On a molar basis the recombinant 92-kDa type IV collagenase was approximately 30% as active as human leukocyte elastase in solubilizing 3H-labeled elastin. Exogenously added TIMP in significant molar excess abolished the elastase activity of the 92- and 72-kDa type IV collagenases. Stromelysin and interstitial collagenase showed no significant elastolytic activity, although both were catalytically active against susceptible substrates. Conditioned media from cultures of human mononuclear phagocytes containing the 92-kDa enzyme produced a distinct zone of lysis in the kappa-elastin zymograms at this molecular mass. These results definitively extend the spectrum of human proteinases with elastolytic activity to metalloproteinases and suggest the enzymatic basis for elastase activity observed with certain cell types such as human alveolar macrophages.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Elastin degradation by mononuclear phagocytes.

During their development, mononuclear phagocytes express a changing profile of proteinases that may participate in the degradation of elastin and other extracellular matrix components. Neutrophil elastase is produced and stored in azurophil-like granules in immature mononuclear phagocytes. Monocytes contain small amounts of neutrophil elastase but do not synthesize the enzyme. Macrophages neither synthesize nor contain neutrophil elastase, but they can internalize and secrete scavenged neutrophil elastase. Human alveolar macrophages synthesize cysteine proteinases including cathepsin L, a lysosomal enzyme with elastolytic activity at an acidic pH. Macrophages from several animal species synthesize an approximately 22-kD metalloelastase that, in the mouse, is secreted as a zymogen of about 36 kD. In addition to its direct elastolytic properties, this metalloelastase may also promote elastolysis by cleaving alpha 1-antiproteinase and thus protecting neutrophil elastase from inhibition. A human counterpart of this enzyme has not yet been purified; however, the elastolytic activity of human macrophages appears to depend predominantly on the activity of one or more metalloproteinases. Because elastin is intertwined with other matrix components in natural matrices, degradation of elastin in vivo probably involves cooperation of multiple proteinases to uncover macromolecules that mask the elastic fibers. Degradation of matrix may be localized to pericellular sites, where proteinases are protected from inhibitors and where potentially surface-bound enzymes may be concentrated. Complete breakdown of matrix may be completed within the cells after partially cleaved molecules are internalized. Growth and remodeling of the extracellular matrix must involve highly coordinated interactions between cells, cytokines, proteinases, proteinase activators and inhibitors, as well as the matrix itself. The intrapulmonary process resulting in emphysema probably involves equally complex interactions. Mononuclear phagocytes accumulate in large numbers in the lung in response to cigarette smoking, and they may play a role in the pathogenesis of the alveolar septal injury that characterizes pulmonary emphysema.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Proteinases secreted by human mononuclear phagocytes.

Human mononuclear phagocytes express an array of serine and metal dependent proteinases that are under complex developmental control and are also highly regulated by physiologic and pharmacologic stimuli. Monocytes contain the intracellular serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G, but have little metalloproteinase secretory capacity. Macrophages, on the other hand, produce predominantly metalloproteinases. Phorbol induced differentiation of promonocyte-like U937 cells into more mature mononuclear phagocytes results in transcriptional suppression of cathepsin G and temporally delayed onset of collagenase transcription. Mature macrophages upregulate metalloproteinase synthesis in response to lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristic acetate; expression is downregulated with interferon gamma and dexamethasone. Thus, during the development of the mononuclear phagocyte, stores of serine proteinases are replaced by regulated secretion of metalloproteinases. These alterations may reflect changing roles of these cells in extracellular matrix degradation.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1990

Developmental regulation of the human cathepsin G gene in myelomonocytic cells.

Cathepsin G is a neutral serine protease that is found in the azurophil granules of neutrophils and monocytes. Previous experiments had demonstrated that cathepsin G is actively produced by the promonocytic U937 cell line, and that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced differentiation of these cells toward macrophages resulted in a reduction of cathepsin G activity. In this study, we have analyzed the mechanism of this TPA-induced down-regulatory event. Using in situ hybridization techniques, we demonstrated that cathepsin G mRNA is detectable only at the promyelocytic stage of myeloid development. Using U937 promonocytic cells as a model, we demonstrated; 1) cathepsin G protein levels decline in TPA-treated cells; 2) this decline was due to a nearly complete loss of cathepsin G mRNA in cells treated with TPA for 24 h; and 3) the rate of cathepsin G mRNA loss with TPA treatment was similar to that with actinomycin D. These results suggested that cathepsin G transcription was down-regulated within several hours of TPA addition. This was directly tested by performing nuclear run-off assays of TPA-treated U937 cells; cathepsin G transcription was shown to be strand-specific, and declined within 4 h of TPA addition. Cathepsin G transcription was essentially undetectable 8 or more hours after TPA treatment, suggesting that down-regulation is predominantly transcriptional. Cycloheximide treatment of U937 cells resulted in a partial block of TPA-mediated cathepsin G down-regulation, indicating that continuous protein synthesis is required for down-regulation to occur. A newly synthesized protein or proteins may therefore be required for the transcriptional down-regulation of cathepsin G during the normal development of promyelocytes or promonocytes.

Cathepsin G↗
PubMed1990

Neutral metalloproteinases produced by human mononuclear phagocytes. Enzyme profile, regulation, and expression during cellular development.

Mononuclear phagocytes are developmentally and functionally complex cells that play critical roles in extracellular matrix remodeling. We hypothesized that differentiated mononuclear phagocytes, typified by alveolar macrophages, use a spectrum of metalloproteinases to degrade various matrix macromolecules. To test this hypothesis, we have evaluated synthesis and secretion of four metalloproteinases (interstitial collagenase, stromelysin, 72-kD type IV collagenase, and 92-kD type IV collagenase) by human mononuclear phagocytes with regard to (a) the effect of cellular differentiation, (b) regulation of secretion, and (c) comparisons/contrasts with a prototype metalloproteinase-secretory cell, the human fibroblast. We found that regulated secretion of greater quantities and a wider spectrum of metalloenzymes correlated with a more differentiated cellular phenotype. As extreme examples, the 92-kD type IV collagenase was released by peripheral blood monocytes and uninduced U937 monocyte-like cells, whereas stromelysin was secreted only by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated alveolar macrophages. Macrophage production of interstitial collagenase, stromelysin, and 72-kD type IV collagenase was approximately 20%, 10%, and 1-2%, respectively, of that from equal numbers of fibroblasts; secretion of the 92-kD type IV collagenase was not shared by fibroblasts. This work confirms the potential of macrophages to directly degrade extracellular matrix via secreted metalloproteinases in a manner that differs both qualitatively and quantitatively from that of fibroblasts. Moreover, varying regulation of metalloenzyme synthesis, evidenced by distinct patterns of basal and stimulated secretion during differentiation, can be studied at a molecular level in this model system.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1989

The elastin receptor shows structural and functional similarities to the 67-kDa tumor cell laminin receptor.

Laminin- and elastin-binding proteins were isolated by ligand affinity chromatography from plasma membranes of fetal bovine auricular chondroblasts and human A2058 melanoma cells. From both cell types, a 67-kDa protein was identified which bound to either elastin or laminin affinity resins. Structural and functional similarities between the elastin and laminin-binding proteins were suggested by 1) cross-reactivity between antibodies directed against the two proteins; 2) elution of the laminin receptor from laminin columns with soluble elastin peptides; and 3) modulation of substrate binding by galactoside sugars. In addition, extraction properties indicate that both receptors are peripheral membrane proteins whose association with the cell surface is mediated by their lectin properties. Mapping of the binding site on laminin suggests that the 67-kDa chondroblast receptor interacts with a hydrophobic elastin-like sequence in domain V of the B1 chain, and chemotaxis studies indicate that cell migration to elastin peptides and laminin involves the same receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Elastin binds to a multifunctional 67-kilodalton peripheral membrane protein.

Elastin binding proteins from plasma membranes of elastin-producing cells were isolated by affinity chromatography on immobilized elastin peptides. Three proteins of 67, 61, and 55 kDa were released from the elastin resin by guanidine/detergent, soluble elastin peptides, synthetic peptide VGVAPG, or galactoside sugars, but not by synthetic RGD-containing peptide or sugars not related to galactose. All three proteins incorporated radiolabel upon extracellular iodination and contained [3H]leucine following metabolic labeling, confirming that each is a synthetic product of the cell. The 67-kDa protein could be released from the cell surface with lactose-containing buffers, whereas solubilization of the 61- and 55-kDa components required the presence of detergent. Although all three proteins were retained on elastin affinity columns, the 61- and 55-kDa components were retained only in the presence of 67-kDa protein, suggesting that the 67-kDa protein binds elastin and the 61- and 55-kDa proteins bind to the 67-kDa protein. We propose that the 67-, 61-, and 55-kDa proteins constitute an elastin-receptor complex that forms a transmembrane link between the extracellular matrix and the intracellular compartment.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1989

Differential stimulation of collagenase and chemotactic activity in fibroblasts derived from rat wound repair tissue and human skin by growth factors.

Epidermal growth factor and cartilage-derived basic fibroblast growth factor (EGF and CD-bFGF) are mitogens shown to increase the rate of wound repair in animal models. In addition to being a mitogen for granulation tissue, CD-bFGF stimulates the recruitment of cells to the wound site. CD-bFGF and a closely-related chondrosarcoma-derived fibroblast growth factor stimulated chemotaxis of granulation tissue cells in vitro, each factor having a maximum activity at a concentration of 55 pM. Epidermal growth factor was also a potent chemoattractant for rat granulation tissue fibroblasts; however, maximum activity was obtained at 1.7 nM. Cells from all stages of wound repair were chemotactically responsive to these factors, but there was some attenuation of the response to bFGF in cells derived from fully-organized day 28 granulation tissue. Collagenase-catalyzed restructuring of collagen, an additional significant feature of wound repair, is probably critical to cell movement in an extracellular matrix. Cells derived from organizing (6-day old) sponge granulation tissue secreted latent collagenase constitutively in vitro. In the presence of serum, the production of collagenase was stimulated three-four fold by 1.8 nM bFGF derived either from cartilage or chondrosarcoma. When serum was present, as at a wound site, collagenase production was not enhanced by the addition of EGF. Cells from fully organized, day 21 sponge granulation tissue did not secrete latent collagenase constitutively and could not be stimulated to do so by the addition of EGF, bFGF, or phorbol ester. Human skin fibroblast collagenase production was also stimulated by bFGF and was refractory to EGF. While both classes of growth factor have the ability to promote wound healing, the varying responses they elicit in cell populations from the wound site emphasize the different pathways of cellular activation.

Cartilage↗
PubMed1989

Platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta enhance tissue repair activities by unique mechanisms.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) markedly potentiate tissue repair in vivo. In the present experiments, both in vitro and in vivo responses to PDGF and TGF-beta were tested to identify mechanisms whereby these growth factors might each enhance the wound-healing response. Recombinant human PDGF B-chain homodimers (PDGF-BB) and TGF-beta 1 had identical dose-response curves in chemotactic assays with monocytes and fibroblasts as the natural proteins from platelets. Single applications of PDGF-BB (2 micrograms, 80 pmol) and TGF-beta 1 (20 micrograms, 600 pmol) were next applied to linear incisions in rats and each enhanced the strength required to disrupt the wounds at 5 d up to 212% of paired control wounds. Histological analysis of treated wounds demonstrated an in vivo chemotactic response of macrophages and fibroblasts to both PDGF-BB and to TGF-beta 1 but the response to TGF-beta 1 was significantly less than that observed with PDGF-BB. Marked increases of procollagen type I were observed by immunohistochemical staining in fibroblasts in treated wounds during the first week. The augmented breaking strength of TGF-beta 1 was not observed 2 and 3 wk after wounding. However, the positive influence of PDGF-BB on wound breaking strength persisted through the 7 wk of testing. Furthermore, PDGF-BB-treated wounds had persistently increased numbers of fibroblasts and granulation tissue through day 21, whereas the enhanced cellular influx in TGF-beta 1-treated wounds was not detectable beyond day 7. Wound macrophages and fibroblasts from PDGF-BB-treated wounds contained sharply increased levels of immunohistochemically detectable intracellular TGF-beta. Furthermore, PDGF-BB in vitro induced a marked, time-dependent stimulation of TGF-beta mRNA levels in cultured normal rat kidney fibroblasts. The results suggest that TGF-beta transiently attracts fibroblasts into the wound and may stimulate collagen synthesis directly. In contrast, PDGF is a more potent chemoattractant for wound macrophages and fibroblasts and may stimulate these cells to express endogenous growth factors, including TGF-beta, which, in turn, directly stimulate new collagen synthesis and sustained enhancement of wound healing over a more prolonged period of time.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Tissue-specific expression and developmental regulation of the human fgr proto-oncogene.

In this study, we show that c-fgr proto-oncogene expression is limited to normal peripheral blood granulocytes, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages, all of which contain 50 to 100 copies of c-fgr mRNA per cell. The c-fgr RNA molecules in these cells consisted of partially spliced transcripts containing intron 7 and completely spliced molecules capable of encoding the predicted p55 c-fgr protein. The splicing of intron 7 appeared to occur after the splicing of most of the other introns; partially spliced molecules containing intron 7 did not appear to be transported into the cytoplasm. Very low levels of fgr transcripts were also present in U937 promonocytic cells and increased in abundance with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced differentiation. The level of fgr transcripts began to increase 2 to 4 h after TPA addition, peaked at 8 h, and subsequently declined. Since we found that the half-life of fgr mRNA was longer than 8 h, these changes are best explained by transient transcriptional activation of fgr during TPA-induced differentiation, although nuclear runoff experiments were not sensitive enough to detect this event. Cycloheximide also caused accumulation of c-fgr transcripts in U937 cells; no superinduction was observed when TPA and cycloheximide were added at the same time. Induction by either agent was blocked with actinomycin D. These results demonstrate that the c-fgr gene is expressed in a tissue- and development-specific fashion and suggest that constitutive expression of c-fgr in U937 cells is regulated by a labile transcriptional repressor.

Endonucleases↗
PubMed1989

Elastin degradation by human alveolar macrophages. A prominent role of metalloproteinase activity.

Macrophages are thought to play an important role in the turnover of extracellular matrix, but the capacity of human macrophages to degrade elastin, and the elastolytic mechanisms of these cells, have been controversial. Particular difficulty has been encountered in efforts to establish whether human macrophages secrete a metalloelastase that is analogous to the enzyme secreted by rodent macrophages. We studied elastin degradation by human alveolar macrophages cultured directly in contact with radiolabeled elastin using media containing 10% fetal bovine serum, and for comparison performed parallel studies of P388D1 murine macrophagelike cells that are known to secrete metalloelastase. With both cell types, we observed elastin degradation and the following: (1) direct contact between the cells and elastin substrate was required for elastin degradation; (2) elastin degradation was inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, but minimally or not at all by inhibitors of cysteine proteinases (E-64, CBZ-phe-phe-CHN2, CBZ-phe-ala-CHN2, and cystatin C), or by the serine proteinase inhibitor eglin-c; (3) elastin degradation increased sharply after the cells were in contact with elastin for 24 h, and required new protein synthesis as indicated by sensitivity to cycloheximide; (4) inclusion of dexamethasone (10(-6) to 10(-8) M) in the cultures led to decreased elastin degradation. Also, with both cell types, elastin degradation occurred despite the finding that cell-conditioned media did not contain elastase activity and could inhibit P388D1-derived metalloproteinase elastase. These results indicate a prominent role for metalloproteinase activity in elastin degradation by both human and murine macrophages and support the concept that events at the cell-substrate interface are critically important to macrophage-mediated elastin degradation.

Animals↗