Fertility after a randomised trial of spontaneous abortion managed by surgical evacuation or expectant treatment.
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Abortion, Spontaneous↗
Biomedical subjects
S Nielsen
Publications and source records attributed to S Nielsen.
The 17 kDa band identified by multiple anti-aquaporin 2 antisera in rat kidney medulla is a histone.
The osmotic water permeability of epithelial cells of the inner medullary collecting duct of the kidney is regulated by antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH causes the insertion and removal of cytoplasmic vesicles containing the aquaporin (AQP-2) water channel protein which is recognized by multiple rabbit antipeptide antisera raised against amino acid sequences comprising its cytoplasmic carboxyl terminal. Immunoblots of rat kidney membrane fractions as well as human urine have all shown that AQP-2 is expressed exclusively by collecting duct cells and have identified a 29 kDa band (corresponding to the nonglycosylated AQP-2 protein), a broad 35-45 kDa band (corresponding to the mature glycosylated form of AQP-2 protein) and an additional immunoreactive 17 kDa band of unknown origin. We now report that the 17 kDa band identified by these anti-AQP-2 antisera is not an AQP-2 component but rather a denatured histone protein type H2A1. This binding of anti-AQP-2 antisera to denatured H2A1 present in protein samples derived from both kidney inner medulla and human urine is blocked specifically by preincubation of immunoblots with solutions containing the acidic protein gelatin.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Detection of Duffy antigen in the plasma membranes and caveolae of vascular endothelial and epithelial cells of nonerythroid organs.
The nonerythroid expression of the Duffy blood group protein (gp-Fy) was confined to certain cell types. Immunocytochemistry studies of the kidney showed gp-Fy in the endothelium of glomeruli, peritubular capillaries, vasa recta, and the principal cells (epithelial) of collecting ducts. Gp-Fy was also produced in the endothelial cells of large venules and epithelial cells (type-I) of pulmonary alveoli. In the thyroid, only the endothelial cells of capillaries produced gp-Fy. In the spleen, the endothelial cells of capillaries, high endothelial venule, and sinusoids produced abundant gp-Fy. Ultrastructural studies showed that apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains, including caveolae, had gp-Fy. Immunoblot analysis showed substantially less gp-Fy in nonerythroid cells than in erythrocytes. Moreover, the analyzed nonerythroid organs of Duffy-negative individuals did not produce more gp-Fy to compensate for the lack of this protein in their erythrocytes. The nucleotide sequence and the size of kidney mRNA from a Duffy-positive individual were the same as that of bone marrow. It is assumed, therefore, that nonerythroid Duffy protein is the product of the same gene as that of bone marrow. This notion is reinforced by the fact that nonerythroid and erythroid gp-Fy have the same antigenic domains.
Cell Membrane↗
Specialized membrane domains for water transport in glial cells: high-resolution immunogold cytochemistry of aquaporin-4 in rat brain.
Membrane water transport is critically involved in brain volume homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of brain edema. The cDNA encoding aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel protein was recently isolated from rat brain. We used immunocytochemistry and high-resolution immunogold electron microscopy to identify the cells and membrane domains that mediate water flux through AQP4. The AQP4 protein is abundant in glial cells bordering the subarachnoidal space, ventricles, and blood vessels. AQP4 is also abundant in osmosensory areas, including the supraoptic nucleus and subfornical organ. Immunogold analysis demonstrated that AQP4 is restricted to glial membranes and to subpopulations of ependymal cells. AQP4 is particularly strongly expressed in glial membranes that are in direct contact with capillaries and pia. The highly polarized AQP4 expression indicates that these cells are equipped with specific membrane domains that are specialized for water transport, thereby mediating the flow of water between glial cells and the cavities filled with CSF and the intravascular space.
Animals↗
Apical and basolateral expression of aquaporin-1 in transfected MDCK and LLC-PK cells and functional evaluation of their transcellular osmotic water permeabilities.
Aquaporin-1 is present in the apical and basolateral membranes in proximal tubules and descending limbs of Henlé's loop. In order ot be able to study the routing of Aquaporin-1 and the regulation of Aquaporin-1-mediated transcellular water flow, we stably transfected LLC-PK1 and MDCK-HRS cell lines with an Aquaporin-1 expression construct. LLC-PK1 clone 7 and MDCK clone K integrated two and one copies, respectively, which was reflected in the amount of Aquaporin-1 mRNA expressed in both clones. The Aquaporin-1 protein levels, however, were similar. In both clones, immuno-electronmicroscopy showed extensive labelling of Aquaporin-1 on the basolateral plasma membrane, endosomal vesicles and the apical plasma membrane, including the microvilli. To measure transcellular water permeation, a simple method was applied using phenol-red as a cell-impermeant marker of concentration. In contrast to the native cell lines, both clones revealed a high transcellular osmotic water permeability, which could not be influenced by forskolin add/3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) or the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl 13-acetate (TPA). After glutaraldehyde fixation, it was inhibitable by HgCl2. These results indicate that targeting of Aquaporin-1 to the apical and basolateral plasma membrane is independent of cell type and show for the first time that water flow through a cultured epithelium can be blocked by mercurial compounds.
1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
The clinical course of renal function in NIDDM patients with normo- and microalbuminuria.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical course of renal function in relation to risk factors in NIDDM patients with normo- and microalbuminuria. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Outpatient diabetic clinic. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two NIDDM patients with normo- or microalbuminuria followed for (mean (range)) 5.5 (3.3-7.5) years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glomerular filtration rate, urinary albumin excretion rate, blood pressure, lipids, glycaemic control. RESULTS: The mean rate of decline of glomerular filtration rate was -1.2 +/- 2.3 (mean +/- SD) (95% confidence intervals: -2.0--0.3) mL min-1 1.73 m-2 year-1 (p = 0.009). A considerable interindividual variation was observed (range -6.7 to + 3.4 mL min-1 1.73 m-2 year-1). No difference was found between normo- and microalbuminuric patients (-1.2 +/- 0.5 vs. -1.0 +/- 0.7 mL min-1 1.73 m-2 year-1) or between patients with and without anti-hypertensive treatment (-1.7 +/- 0.7 vs. -0.7 +/- 0.4 mL min-1 1.73 m-2 year-1). By multiple linear regression analysis the fall rate of glomerular filtration was determined by the mean glomerular filtration rate level (p = 0.036). Analysis of patients without antihypertensive treatment revealed that urinary albumin excretion rate and HbA1c levels significantly determined the fall rate of glomerular filtration (P < 0.001 and = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The average decline in renal function of these normo- and microalbuminuric NIDDM patients was not increased as compared to the age related fall rate of healthy subjects but varied markedly. Low glomerular filtration rate is associated with a higher fall rate. In patients without antihypertensive treatment higher urinary albumin excretion rate, and poorer glycaemic control are factors associated with an increased fall rate of glomerular filtration.
Aged↗
Obesity and cardiovascular disease: is body structure a factor?
Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Individuals who predominantly store fat abdominally (particularly in the visceral area), more often present with an atherogenic lipid profile and are more frequently characterized by hemostatic, metabolic and anatomical abnormalities compatible with insulin resistance and increased atherothrombotic risk. Weight loss improves many of the cardiovascular risk factors associated with abdominal obesity.
Abdomen↗
Role of aquaporins in water balance disorders.
The aquaporins are a recently recognized family of water channels that mediate water transport in kidney and in other organs. Aquaporin-2, 'vasopressin-regulated water channel', is regulated by vasopressin in two ways to account for overall control of collecting duct water permeability. First, vasopressin has a short-term effect in triggering translocation of aquaporin-2-containing intracytoplasmic vesicles to the apical plasma membrane, thus increasing principal cell water permeability. Second, vasopressin has a long-term effect in increasing the abundance of aquaporin-2 in collecting duct principal cells, increasing the maximal attainable water permeability. Using animal models, defects in these control mechanisms have been shown to be associated with several disorders of water balance, including central diabetes insipidus, congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, acquired diabetes insipidus, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and several extracellular fluid volume expanded states.
Animals↗
Unsuccessful treatment of missed abortion with a combination of an antiprogesterone and a prostaglandin E1 analogue.
In a prospective clinical trial the effectiveness of a combination of 400 mg of mifepristone (antiprogesterone) and 400 g misoprostol (synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue), both taken orally, was evaluated for the treatment of missed abortion. Of the 31 patients included, 16 (52%) had an empty uterine cavity at follow up six days after inclusion, 11 (35%) required surgical evacuation for retained intrauterine products of conception found at follow up, and four (13%) required emergency surgical evacuation due to severe pain or bleeding. The results do not support the use of mifepristone and misoprostol for women wishing the miscarriage to be resolved quickly.
Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗
Aquaporins in complex tissues. I. Developmental patterns in respiratory and glandular tissues of rat.
Developmental expression of aquaporin water transport proteins is not well understood in respiratory tract or secretory glands; here we define aquaporin protein ontogeny in rat. Expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3), AQP4, and AQP5 proteins occurs within 2 wk after birth, whereas AQP1 first appears before birth. In most tissues, aquaporin protein expression increases progressively, although transient high-level expression is noted in distal lung (AQP4 at postnatal day +2) and trachea (AQP5 at postnatal day +21 and AQP3 at postnatal day +42). In mature animals, AQP5 is abundant in distal lung and salivary glands, AQP3 and AQP4 are present in trachea, and AQP1 is present in all of these tissues except salivary glands. Surprisingly, all four aquaporin proteins are highly abundant in nasopharynx. Unlike AQP1, corticosteroids did not induce expression of AQP3, AQP4, or AQP5 in lung. Our results seemingly implicate aquaporins in proximal airway humidification, glandular secretion, and perinatal clearance of fluid from distal airways. However, the studies underscore a need for detailed immunohistochemical characterizations and definitive functional studies.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
Aquaporins in complex tissues. II. Subcellular distribution in respiratory and glandular tissues of rat.
The molecular pathways for fluid transport in pulmonary, oral, and nasal tissues are still unresolved. Here we use immunocytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy to define the sites of expression of four aquaporins in the respiratory tract and glandular epithelia, where they reside in distinct, nonoverlapping sites. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is present in apical and basolateral membranes of bronchial, tracheal, and nasopharyngeal vascular endothelium and fibroblasts. AQP5 is localized to the apical plasma membrane of type I pneumocytes and the apical plasma membranes of secretory epithelium in upper airway and salivary glands. In contrast, AQP3 is present in basal cells of tracheal and nasopharyngeal epithelium and is abundant in basolateral membranes of surface epithelial cells of nasal conchus. AQP4 resides in basolateral membranes of columnar cells of bronchial, tracheal, and nasopharyngeal epithelium; in nasal conchus AQP4 is restricted to basolateral membranes of a subset of intra- and subepithelial glands. These sites of expression suggest that transalveolar water movement, modulation of airway surface liquid, air humidification, and generation of nasopharyngeal secretions involve a coordinated network of aquaporin water channels.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Internalization and apical-to-basolateral transport of folate in rat kidney proximal tubule.
Folate derivatives are filtered in the glomeruli and reabsorbed within the nephron. The amount filtered largely exceeds the minimum daily requirements. Thus folate reabsorbed within the kidney must be returned to the circulation. To establish whether renal proximal tubule can accomplish this by transport, of [3H]folate across the cell, microperfusion of rabbit, proximal tubule with [3H]folate and [14C]inulin was performed. Transtubular transport of [3H]folate was 5 +/- 1% (0.25 +/- 0.07 fmol/min) of perfused amount/mm tubule and remained constant during a 2-h perfusion period. An accumulation of 15 +/- 4% (0.8 +/- 0.3 fmol/min) of perfused amount/mm tubule was observed during the same period. Furthermore, to determine whether endocytosis may be involved in the initial process of folate uptake in proximal tubule cells, we performed light microscopy autoradiography on cryosections of rat kidney cortex incubated with [3H]folate. Folate binding sites were located apically as well as intracellularly similar to the location of [3H]folate when injected into the abdominal aorta and visualized by light microscopy autoradiography. Thus folate binding sites as well as internalized folate is localized both apically and intracellularly. Micropuncture of rat proximal tubules with folate-coupled collodial gold particles showed significantly increased endocytosis of folate gold when evaluated quantitatively and compared with controls injected with noncoupled gold particles (0.22 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.03 +/- 0.01 gold particles/micron 2 tubule cell). The results show that kidney proximal tubule cells are capable of transcellular transport of [3H]folate with limited capacity. Folate gold particle uptake suggests that folate can be internalized by endocytosis.
Animals↗
Evidence that aquaporin-1 mediates NaCl-induced water flux across descending vasa recta.
Outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR) were perfused in vitro, and volume efflux was measured by driving water movement with transmural gradients of NaCl or albumin. Consistent with mediation by water channels, p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (pCMBS) markedly inhibited volume flux induced by NaCl. Dithiothreitol reversed the inhibition, pCMBS did not significantly alter water flux induced by albumin. Osmotic water permeability (Pf) of the pCMBS-sensitive pathway of glutaraldehyde-fixed and nonfixed OMDVR was 1,102 +/- 449 and 1,257 +/- 718 microns/s (means +/- SD), respectively. pCMBS reduced Pf to near zero, whereas diffusional water permeability in the same vessels was only slightly inhibited. Immunoreactive aquaporin-1 (AQP1) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in collagenase-treated and untreated OMDVR was 5.2 +/- 1.0 and 4.2 +/- 0.4 fmol/mm, respectively, values that account well for the experimental Pf. We conclude that OMDVR water flux driven by NaCl gradients is most likely mediated by the AQP1 water channel and that NaCl and urea gradients drive water efflux in vivo by this route.
4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗
Downregulation of aquaporin-2 parallels changes in renal water excretion in unilateral ureteral obstruction.
In bilateral ureteral obstruction, both aquaporin-2 (AQP2) levels and urinary concentrating capacity are markedly reduced. However, the mechanisms involved in AQP2 downregulation are unknown. In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) the relative role of intrarenal and systemic factors can be evaluated. Semiquantitative immunoblotting revealed a marked decrease in AQP2 in obstructed kidneys to 23 +/- 7% (n = 9) of sham levels. This downregulation persisted 24 h after release of UUO. Furthermore, there was a significant but less extensive downregulation of AQP2 in the nonobstructed kidneys to 75 +/- 7% (n = 9) of sham levels. Consistent with impairment of collecting duct water reabsorption, free water clearance was greatly elevated in the obstructed kidneys (-2 +/- 1 microliter-min-1.kg-1, determined immediately after release) and only moderately elevated in nonobstructed kidneys (-44 +/- 5 microliters.min-1.kg-1) compared with sham-operated controls (-59 +/- 3 microliters.min-1.kg-1). Also AQP2 mRNA levels were reduced in obstructed kidneys. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the marked decrease in AQP2 expression in obstructed kidneys. In nonobstructed kidneys AQP2 was predominantly found in intracellular vesicles, which together with the reduced expression and elevated free water clearance strongly suggests a role of AQP2 in the observed compensatory diuresis from nonobstructed kidneys. The much lower AQP2 protein and mRNA levels in obstructed vs. nonobstructed kidneys are consistent with intrarenal factors playing a major role for downregulation of AQP2.
Animals↗
Expression of syntaxins in rat kidney.
Previously, we demonstrated that a putative vesicle-targeting protein, syntaxin-4, is expressed in renal collecting duct principal cells and is localized to the apical plasma membrane, suggesting a role in targeting aquaporin-2-containing vesicles to the apical plasma membrane. To investigate whether other syntaxin isoforms are present in the renal collecting duct, we determined the intrarenal localization of syntaxin-2 and -3. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments using total RNA extracted from kidney and various organs revealed that both syntaxin-2 and -3 are expressed in kidney cortex and medulla. RT-PCR experiments using microdissected tubules and vascular structures from the kidney revealed that syntaxin-3 mRNA, but not syntaxin-2, is expressed in collecting duct cells. Syntaxin-3 mRNA was also relatively abundant in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and in vasa recta. Syntaxin-2 mRNA was found chiefly in glomeruli. To investigate the localization of syntaxin-3 protein, a peptide-derived polyclonal antibody was raised in rabbits. In immunoblotting experiments, this antibody labeled a 37-kDa protein in inner medulla that was most abundant in plasma membrane-enriched subcellular fractions. Immunoperoxidase labeling of thin cryosections combined with immunogold electron microscopy showed that, in contrast to the labeling seen for syntaxin-4, syntaxin-3 labeling in medullary collecting duct was predominantly in the basolateral plasma membrane of intercalated cells. These results suggest the possibility that syntaxin-3 may be involved in selective targeting of acid-base transporters and/or in basolateral membrane remodeling in response to systemic acid-base perturbations.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Somatopause and adiposity.
Mobilization of lipids is the pivotal action of growth hormone (GH) in both children and adults. The temporal association between declining GH levels and accumulation of body fat with ageing is, therefore, interesting although the cause-effect relationship remains unknown. Recent cross-sectional data suggest that both stimulated and spontaneous GH release is predominantly predicted by the amount of abdominal fat in both men and women. The same study also shows that ageing is associated with an increased metabolic clearance rate and apparent distribution volume, both of which correlate positively with fat mass and negatively with age. Furthermore, the acute lipolytic response to a GH bolus is somewhat lower in older adults (and in women). It is, therefore, proposed that changes in life style and dietary habits, perhaps together with an age-determined reduced lipolytic responsiveness to GH, initiates fat accumulation. The increased fat mass, in turn, inhibits the release and promotes the clearance of GH thus establishing a vicious circle.
Adipose Tissue↗
Genomic organization and developmental expression of aquaporin-5 in lung.
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Animals↗
Aquaporin-1 water channel expression in human kidney.
The pattern of aquaporin-1 water channel protein (AQP1) expression in the human kidney was analyzed by immunocytochemistry using semi-thin and optimized high-resolution immunoelectron microscopy based on freeze-substituted and Lowicryl HM20 embedded tissue. In addition, in situ hybridization was used to determine AQP1 mRNA distribution. Immunoblots revealed a 28-kd band and a 35- to 45-kd band corresponding to unglycosylated and glycosylated AQP1. Glomerular capillary endothelium exhibited extensive AQP1 labeling, whereas glomerular podocytes and Bowman's capsule epithelium were unlabeled. AQP1 was localized in the proximal tubule, including the neck region directly connected to the glomerulus. However, there was a marked difference in the level of expression between cross-sections of the convoluted part and the proximal straight tubules, the latter displaying the most intense labeling. AQP1 labeling continued uninterrupted from the proximal straight tubule into descending thin limbs in outer medulla. Abrupt transitions from heavily labeled to unlabeled segments of thin limbs were observed, primarily in the inner medulla. This may represent the transition from the water-permeable thin descending limb to the water-impermeable thin ascending limb. In addition, heavy labeling of fenestrated endothelium was also observed in peritubular capillaries in cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla. Immunolabeling controls were negative. In situ hybridization documented a marked difference in AQP1 mRNA levels within the proximal tubule, with the greatest AQP1 mRNA expression in straight proximal tubules. Glomeruli also showed marked signals, and descending thin limbs exhibited extensive expression in exact concordance with the immunocytochemical results. It was concluded that: (1) AQP1 is present in all proximal tubule segments, including segment 1 and the neck region, but there is a pronounced difference in expression levels with respect to both protein and mRNA levels; (2) AQP1 labeling is observed in the endothelium of fenestrated peritubular capillaries, as well as fenestrated glomerular capillaries; (3) AQP1 labeling continues directly from proximal tubules to descending thin limbs; and (4) abrupt transitions from labeled to unlabeled thin limb epithelium are noted.
Aquaporin 1↗