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Biomedical subjects

S Ludwig

Publications and source records attributed to S Ludwig.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Solubilization of low-rank coal by Trichoderma atroviride: evidence for the involvement of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes by using 14C-labelled lignite.

The deuteromycete Trichoderma atroviride is able to solubilize lignite in dependence on a given carbon source for growth. When cultivated on media containing glutamate, this mold excreted a set of different enzymes with hydrolytic activity. Addition of lignite to the growth media induced the synthesis of extracellular lignite-specific esterase activity but no evidence has been provided for its direct involvement in the process of lignite solubilization. Hence, the basic capability of T. atroviride enzymes to degrade a variety of ester and ether bonds at the surface or within the bulky lignite structure was tested using coal following its direct labelling with 14C-alkyl iodide. The participation of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes in lignite degradation was assessed by measuring the release of 14C radioactivity from selectively alkylated carboxylic and phenolic OH groups. T. atroviride cleaved both carboxylic esters using esterases and the phenolic ether bonds by using oxidative enzymes, most likely laccases.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗
PubMed2001

The vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein inhibits glycoprotein 130-dependent STAT activation.

Infection of cells by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in the inhibition of host transcription. We show in this study that infection of HeLa cells with VSV leads to a strongly diminished activation of STAT3 and STAT1 by the inflammatory cytokine IL-6. This effect was mimicked by forced expression of a single viral protein, the matrix (M)-protein of VSV, which blocked STAT activation via chimeric receptors containing the cytoplasmic domain of the IL-6 signal transducer gp130. Western blot analysis revealed that VSV M-protein did not inhibit the nuclear translocation of activated STAT3 but did inhibit its tyrosine phosphorylation. Inhibition of STAT activation was not dependent on tyrosine 759 of the IL-6 signal transducer gp130, suggesting that the inhibitory action of VSV M-protein is not mediated by the induction of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3. VSV M-protein inhibited gene transcription from cotransfected alpha(2)-macroglobulin or antichymotrypsin promoter/luciferase reporter constructs which contain STAT3-binding sites. However, transcription from a STAT5-dependent construct was not negatively affected. In conclusion, our data suggest that infection by VSV and specifically overexpression of the viral M-protein interferes with an important signaling pathway necessary for triggering antiviral and inflammatory responses.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2001

Neurotrophin receptor-interacting mage homologue is an inducible inhibitor of apoptosis protein-interacting protein that augments cell death.

The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) have been shown to interact with a growing number of intracellular proteins and pathways to fulfil their anti-apoptotic role. In the search for novel IAP-interacting proteins we identified the neurotrophin receptor-interacting MAGE homologue (NRAGE) as being able to bind to the avian IAP homologue ITA. This interaction requires the RING domain of ITA. NRAGE additionally coimmunoprecipitates with XIAP. When overexpressed in 32D cells NRAGE augments interleukin-3 withdrawal induced apoptosis, possibly through binding endogenous XIAP. Moreover, NRAGE is able to overcome the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-2.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is required for the differentiation of muscle cells.

Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is a novel member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family with a poorly defined physiological function. Since ERK5 and its upstream activator MEK5 are abundant in skeletal muscle we examined a function of the cascade during muscle differentiation. We show that ERK5 is activated upon induction of differentiation in mouse myoblasts and that selective activation of the pathway results in promoter activation of differentiation-specific genes. Moreover, myogenic differentiation is completely blocked when ERK5 expression is inhibited by antisense RNA. Thus, we conclude that the MEK5/ERK5 MAP kinase cascade is critical for early steps of muscle cell differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Homocysteine inhibits tumor necrosis factor-induced activation of endothelium via modulation of nuclear factor-kappa b activity.

Homocystinuria is a metabolic disorder associated with an increased incidence of vascular disease. Here, we analyzed the effects of homocysteine on endothelial cell activation that is a prerequisite for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of evolving atherosclerotic plaques. Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to homocysteine alone did not modulate expression of the adhesion molecules E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced upregulation of these molecules was almost completely inhibited by homocysteine, but not by related thiol amino acids. Using electrophoretic mobility shift and reporter gene assays, the inhibitory effect of homocysteine could be attributed to inhibition of DNA binding and transcriptional activity of NF-kappa B. TNF-induced phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B-alpha, however, were not affected. Neither was NF-kappa B-independent activation of endothelial cells by interferon-gamma influenced by homocysteine. In summary, our data indicate that homocysteine alters the response to injury of endothelial cells which may have fundamental impacts on mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation. Our findings might refer to a novel pathway by which homocysteine is involved in vascular disorders associated with homocystinuria.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2001

Influenza virus-induced AP-1-dependent gene expression requires activation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Influenza A virus infection of cells results in the induction of a variety of antiviral cytokines, including those that are regulated by transcription factors of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) family. Here we show that influenza virus infection induces AP-1-dependent gene expression in productively infected cells but not in cells that do not support viral replication. Among the AP-1 factors identified to bind to their cognate DNA element during viral infections of Madin-Darby canine kidney and U937 cells are those that are regulated via phosphorylation by JNKs. Accordingly, we observed that induction of AP-1-dependent gene expression correlates with a strong activation of JNK in permissive cells, which appears to be caused by viral RNA accumulation during replication. Blockade of JNK signaling at several levels of the cascade by transient expression of dominant negative kinase mutants and inhibitory proteins resulted in inhibition of virus-induced JNK activation, reduced AP-1 activity, and impaired transactivation of the IFN-beta promoter. Virus yields from transfected and infected cells in which JNK signaling was inhibited were higher compared with the levels from control cells. Therefore, we conclude that virus-induced activation of JNK and AP-1 is part of the innate antiviral response of the cell.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗
PubMed2001

Activation of NF-kappa B via the Ikappa B kinase complex is both essential and sufficient for proinflammatory gene expression in primary endothelial cells.

Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB is necessary for full expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-inducible endothelial chemokines and adhesion molecules. However, a detailed analysis regarding contribution of the different NF-kappaB upstream components to endothelial activation has not been performed yet. We employed a retroviral infection approach to stably express transdominant (TD) mutants of IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, or IkappaBepsilon and dominant negative (dn) versions of IkappaB kinases (IKK) 1 or 2 as well as a constitutively active version of IKK2 in human endothelial cells. TD IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, and IkappaBepsilon were not degraded upon TNF-alpha exposure, and each prevented NF-kappaB activation. These TD IkappaB mutants almost completely inhibited the induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-8, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin expression by TNF-alpha, whereas interferon-gamma-mediated up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and HLA-DR was not affected. Expression of dn IKK2 completely blocked TNF-alpha-induced up-regulation, whereas dn IKK1 showed a partial inhibition of expression of these molecules. Importantly, expression of constitutively active IKK2 was sufficient to drive full expression of all chemokines and adhesion molecules in the absence of cytokine. We conclude that the IKK/IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway is crucial and sufficient for proinflammatory activation of endothelium.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2001

Influenza virus-induced AP-1-dependent gene expression requires activation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Influenza A virus infection of cells results in the induction of a variety of antiviral cytokines, including those that are regulated by transcription factors of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) family. Here we show that influenza virus infection induces AP-1-dependent gene expression in productively infected cells but not in cells that do not support viral replication. Among the AP-1 factors identified to bind to their cognate DNA element during viral infections of Madin-Darby canine kidney and U937 cells are those that are regulated via phosphorylation by JNKs. Accordingly, we observed that induction of AP-1-dependent gene expression correlates with a strong activation of JNK in permissive cells, which appears to be caused by viral RNA accumulation during replication. Blockade of JNK signaling at several levels of the cascade by transient expression of dominant negative kinase mutants and inhibitory proteins resulted in inhibition of virus-induced JNK activation, reduced AP-1 activity, and impaired transactivation of the IFN-beta promoter. Virus yields from transfected and infected cells in which JNK signaling was inhibited were higher compared with the levels from control cells. Therefore, we conclude that virus-induced activation of JNK and AP-1 is part of the innate antiviral response of the cell.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Multiple signaling pathways regulate NF-kappaB-dependent transcription of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene in primary endothelial cells.

The cytokine-induced C-C chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important regulator of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammatory challenge. Here, it is demonstrated that the widely distributed contact hapten NiCl(2), like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), induces monocyte-chemoattractant activity in primary human endothelial cells via induction of MCP-1. NiCl(2) rapidly activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase p38, and inhibition of p38 partially blocked NiCl(2)-induced MCP-1 messenger RNA and protein expression. Both NiCl(2)- and TNFalpha-induced MCP-1 synthesis was sensitive to D609, an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-dependent phospholipase C (PC-PLC). NiCl(2)-induced MCP-1 synthesis required activation of NF-kappaB since mutation of NF-kappaB-binding sites in the promoter resulted in complete loss of inducible promoter activity. Consistent with that finding, stimulation with NiCl(2) or TNFalpha activated IkappaB kinase-beta (IKKbeta), and transient transfection of dominant-negative IKKbeta strongly inhibited NiCl(2)- and TNFalpha-induced MCP-1 expression. However, D609 and the specific p38 inhibitor SB202190 did not affect NiCl(2)- and TNFalpha-induced IKKbeta activation, NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, or transcriptional activity of a Gal4p65 fusion protein. This indicates that p38- and PC-PLC-dependent pathways directly regulate the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB factors in the transcriptional complex. Consistent with that, inhibition of p38 blocked enhanced transcriptional activity induced by the transcriptional coactivator p300. Thus, it was concluded that at least 3 independent pathways regulate MCP-1 expression in endothelial cells. Its induction requires activation of the IKKbeta/IkappaBalpha/NF-kappaB signaling pathway, resulting in nuclear accumulation of p65 and subsequent recruitment of cofactors. Proper assembly and activity of this transcriptional complex is further modulated by the p38 MAP kinase cascade and a PC-PLC-dependent pathway.

Chemokine CCL2↗
PubMed2001

Sleep complaints and restless legs syndrome in adult type 2 diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of sleep complaints and restless legs syndrome (RLS) in type 2 adult diabetics. To test the hypothesis that sleep complaints are more common among adult diabetics. BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome is a common disorder and is a cause of insomnia and daytime somnolence. An association between RLS and diabetes mellitus has been hypothesized but has not been established. METHODS: Consecutive type 2 diabetic patients and controls were subjected to sleep questionnaires, examinations for sensory neuropathy, and laboratory investigations. RESULTS: Diabetics had higher rates of insomnia (50 vs. 31%, P=0.04) and used more hypnotics (25.9 vs. 6.0%, P=0.02) than controls. The proportion of diabetics with elevated Epworth Sleepiness Scores (> or =12) was higher than controls (15.5 vs.2.1%, P=0.02). The prevalence of RLS among diabetics was not significantly different than in controls (24.1 vs. 12.5%, P=0.1). The prevalence of sensory polyneuropathy was similar in diabetics with and without RLS. Age, BMI, duration and level of diabetes control, hemoglobin, ferritin and creatinine levels did not predict the presence of RLS in diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: Adult type 2 diabetics have higher rates of insomnia, excessive somnolence and hypnotic use than controls. There is no evidence that RLS is significantly more common in adult diabetics.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Influenza virus propagation is impaired by inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK signalling cascade.

Influenza A viruses are important worldwide pathogens in humans and different animal species. The functions of most of the ten different viral proteins of this negative-strand RNA virus have been well elucidated. However, little is known about the virus-induced intracellular signalling events that support viral replication. The Raf/MEK/ERK cascade is the prototype of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades and has an important role in cell growth, differentiation and survival. Investigation of the function of this pathway has been facilitated by the identification of specific inhibitors such as U0126, which blocks the cascade at the level of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK). Here we show that infection of cells with influenza A virus leads to biphasic activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade. Inhibition of Raf signalling results in nuclear retention of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), impaired function of the nuclear-export protein (NEP/NS2) and concomitant inhibition of virus production. Thus, signalling through the mitogenic cascade seems to be essential for virus production and RNP export from the nucleus during the viral life cycle.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2001

[Surgery for complications of chronic pancreatitis].

At least 50 % of all patients with chronic pancreatitis require surgical treatment in the course of their disease. Indications for surgery are intractable pain, intra- and extrapancreatic complications and the suspicion of a carcinoma. The basic principles of surgery are resection and drainage. The choice of the surgical procedure depends on the morphological expression and the localization of the pathological changes. Regarding resections in the head-area, previous studies demonstrated uniformly the superiority of the duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection (DPPHR) compared to the Kausch-Whipple operation with and without maintenance of the pylorus. Drainage procedures (pain recurrence in 20-40 % in the long-term course) and left pancreatic resections (de-novo diabetes mellitus in up to 45 %) should be considered critically. Between May 1994 and November 2000 117 patients underwent surgical therapy for complications of chronic pancreatitis at our institution. Resections were performed in 68 % of the patients and drainage procedures in 20 %. There was no mortality. Over the years the proportion of the DPPHR increased in comparison to the Kausch-Whipple procedure and the number of the drainage operations decreased continuously. The DPPHR was significantly superior to the Kausch-Whipple procedure with regard to the glucose metabolism and the quality-of-life. In the spectrum of surgical procedures in chronic pancreatitis, the DPPHR represents a modern, organ-preserving procedure for patients with complications in the pancreas head.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Importance of microcirculatory disturbances in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis.

Pancreatic microvascular control is a complex physiological process which is incompletely understood. Blood flow in the pancreas is altered by a large number of endogenous and exogenous factors in the context of acute and chronic pancreatitis. The frequency of progression from acute pancreatitis to a chronic form is a controversial question. In acute pancreatitis reductions in blood flow and alterations of microvascular integrity resulting in impaired tissue oxygenation play an important part in the progression and possibly the initiation of the disease. Endothelin and nitric oxide are believed to be two of the most effective vasoactive mediators. The beneficial effect of therapeutic strategies affecting vasoactive mediators is confirmed in experimental studies. Chronic disease is associated with decreased pancreatic blood flow and histological changes in the vasculature in both patients and animal models. Further studies are needed to clarify whether ischemia in chronic pancreatitis is more important in perpetuating the disease or as primary cause of the inflammatory processes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

MEK-specific inhibitor U0126 blocks spread of Borna disease virus in cultured cells.

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a highly neurotropic virus that causes Borna disease, a virus-induced immune-mediated encephalomyelitis, in a variety of warm-blooded animals. Recent studies reported that BDV can be detected in patients with psychiatric disorders. BDV is noncytopathic, replicates in the nucleus of infected cells, and spreads intraaxonally in vivo. Upon infection of susceptible cultured cells, virus can be detected in foci. Little is known about the cellular components required for BDV replication. Here, we show that the cellular Raf/MEK/ERK signaling cascade is activated upon infection with BDV. In the presence of the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126, cells get infected with BDV; however, there is a block in virus spread to neighboring cells. The effect of the inhibitor on virus spread was still observed when the compound was added 2 h postinfection but not if treatment was initiated as late as 4 h after infection. Our results provide new insights into the BDV-host cell interaction and show that virus infection can be controlled with drugs interfering with a cellular signaling pathway. Since concentrations of the MEK inhibitor required to block BDV focus formation are not toxic for the host cells, our finding may be important with respect to antiviral drug development.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Activation of cardiac c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinases with abrupt changes in hemodynamic load.

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways as signal transduction intermediates of hemodynamic stress leading to cardiac hypertrophy in the adult heart is not fully established. In a rat model of pressure-overload hypertrophy, we examined whether activation of MAPK pathways, namely, the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), and the p38-MAPK pathways, occurs during rapid changes in hemodynamic load in vivo. A slight activation of ERK2 and marked increases in JNK1 and p38-MAPK activities were observed 30 minutes after aortic banding. The increase in p38-MAPK activity was accompanied by an increase in the phosphorylation of the p38 substrate MAPK-activated protein kinases 2 and 3. Activation of these kinases was coincident with an increase in phosphorylation of c-Jun and activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) and enhanced DNA binding of activator protein-1 factors. Thus, hemodynamic stress of the adult rat heart in vivo results in rapid activation of several parallel MAPK kinase cascades, particularly stress-activated MAPK and p38-MAPK and their target transcription factors c-Jun and ATF-2.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗
PubMed2001

The MKK6/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is capable of inducing SOCS3 gene expression and inhibits IL-6-induced transcription.

In this study we show that activation of p38MAPK by IL-6 acts as an inhibitory signal on IL-6-mediated activation of STAT and the alpha2-macroglobulin promoter. We analyzed the role of MKK6/p38MAPK for IL-6 signal transduction and transcriptional activation of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 3 promoter. Pretreatment of cells with the p38MAPK-specific inhibitor SB202190 downregulates the induction of SOCS3-mRNA expression by IL-6. Accordingly, overexpression of a constitutively active MKK6 in HepG2 cells enhanced basal activity or IL-6-induced transcriptional activation of a SOCS3 promoter reporter construct, whereas overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of MKK6 downregulated the IL-6-mediated activation of the SOCS3 promoter. These data indicate that p38MAPK-activation is crucial for IL-6-induced SOCS3 expression and downregulation of IL-6-mediated gene induction.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗