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Biomedical subjects

S T Brady

Publications and source records attributed to S T Brady.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Plasminogen activator system in human coronary atherosclerosis.

Altered coronary artery expression of plasminogen activator (PA) system components may predispose to thrombosis and modulate the vascular response to injury. By immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of PAs (tPA and uPA), their major physiological inhibitor (PAI-1), and a receptor for uPA (uPAR) in human coronary arteries with either pure fibrointimal proliferation (n = 15) or developed atherosclerotic plaques (n = 10). Overall, the degree of staining showed the following rank order: PAI-1 > tPA > uPAR > uPA. A similar pattern was seen in two normal coronary arteries. There were no significant differences in the extent of staining in any vascular compartment between atherosclerotic arteries and those with only fibrointimal proliferation. However, the ratio of intimal to medial expression of tPA (P = .001) and uPAR (P = .004) was significantly increased in atherosclerotic arteries, with a similar trend for uPA (P = .069) but not for PAI-1 (P = .73). Four of 10 atherosclerotic arteries had higher uPAR expression in the intima than in the media, whereas none of the 15 arteries with only fibrointimal proliferation had this pattern (P < .01). Dual labeling studies demonstrated colocalization of all four PA system components in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages, with a predominance of PAI-1. Thus, coronary arteries with a wide range of vascular pathology express an abundance of antifibrinolytic potential with enhanced local expression of profibrinolytic proteins, mainly within atherosclerotic plaques.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Molecular motors and cell motility in the brain.

The advent of video computer-enhanced microscopy has provided a new vision of cell migrations, growth cones, and fast axonal transport in the nervous system. In images obtained in studies of fast transport in isolated axoplasm from the squid giant axon, a virtual torrent of membrane traffic could be seen moving in both directions. Similarly, examination of growth cones and cell migrations in vitro and in vivo revealed properties of cell motility that were previously unsuspected. Evidence has accumulated that many of these activities are driven by a variety of microtubule and microfilament based motors.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of the axonal microtubule cytoskeleton by myelinating Schwann cells.

The Trembler PNS myelin-deficient mutant mouse offers a unique model for the study of axon-glial interactions. Previous work in our laboratory on Trembler mouse sciatic nerve established that myelinating Schwann cells exert a profound effect on the underlying neuronal cytoskeleton. Demyelinated axon segments exhibited decreases in the rate of slow axonal transport, axonal caliber, and neurofilament phosphorylation, as well as increases in neurofilament density. The present study considers effects on the microtubule cytoskeleton. At least two aspects of the microtubule cytoskeleton in Trembler PNS axons were altered by demyelination. First, the stability of the Trembler axonal microtubule cytoskeleton is decreased, as measured by decreased levels of insoluble tubulin (Sahenk and Brady, 1987). Second, the composition and phosphorylation of axonal microtubule-associated proteins, including tau, MAP 1A, and MAP 1B, are changed in Trembler demyelinated nerves. Further, the fraction of axonal tubulin moving at slow component b rates was increased (de Waegh and Brady 1990, 1991). These results provide further evidence that cell-cell interactions between myelinating glia and their underlying axons extend beyond a structural role, actively influencing biochemical and physiological properties of the axon.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Intravascular ultrasonographic assessment of the results of coronary artery stenting.

We studied 12 patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation for either recurrent restenosis or adverse lesion appearance. By use of a 4.8F 20 MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter, the conventional angioplasty site was examined before and after coronary stent implantation. Quantitative angiographic analysis revealed the expected excellent final result with a group mean poststent diameter reduction of 14 +/- 9% and a cross-sectional area reduction of 22 +/- 13%. Angiographic analysis also indicated an increase in minimum stenosis diameter from 1.8 +/- 0.6 mm after conventional balloon angioplasty to 2.8 +/- 0.3 mm after coronary stent implantation. Quantitative analysis of the corresponding intravascular ultrasound images, however, revealed significant residual endoluminal obstruction. Fractional plaque area remained unchanged from 30 +/- 12% after conventional balloon angioplasty to 32 +/- 11% after stent implantation. The circumferential distribution of plaque increased significantly from 0.44 +/- 0.17 to 0.55 +/- 0.15 (p = 0.03) after stent implantation. Despite the lack of significant change in the ultrasound-determined minimum stenosis diameter after stent placement, there was a borderline significant increase in the plaque-free lumen area (before stent, 6.35 +/- 1.55 mm2; after stent, 7.25 +/- 1.6 mm2; p = 0.06). Thus, in contrast to the substantial improvement in the angiographically assessed residual luminal obstruction after stent implantation compared with the prestent condition, considerably less improvement was found by intravascular ultrasound-assessed examination. Morphometric analysis indicated a tendency toward circumferential remodeling of plaque. The inherently different approaches to vascular imaging represented by contrast angiography and intravascular ultrasound techniques appear to provide complementary information.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Angiography↗
PubMed1993

Assay of vesicle motility in squid axoplasm.

Axoplasm prepared as described above will maintain high levels of fast axonal transport for 1-2 hours, although moderate decrements in the average velocity may be noted over time. The organelles and structures that can be detected in isolated axoplasma are as small as the 50-nm synaptic vesicles or 25-nm microtubules, well below the limits of resolution for light microscopy; however, in the center of the axoplasm, where the density of structures is high, individual microtubules are not readily distinguished and individual vesicles can be followed only for short distances before they move out of the plane of focus or are lost in the multitude of neighboring organelles. On the periphery of perfused axoplasm, each of these structures may be readily detected and analyzed, but some information is lost about the role of specific axoplasmic organization in normal transport processes. Fortunately, the juxtaposition in one preparation of essentially structurally intact axoplasm with the extracted individual microtubules transporting organelles provides a unique preparation for molecular dissection of intracellular transport (Brady et al., 1985).

Animals↗
PubMed1993

GTP gamma S inhibits organelle transport along axonal microtubules.

Movements of membrane-bounded organelles through cytoplasm frequently occur along microtubules, as in the neuron-specific case of fast axonal transport. To shed light on how microtubule-based organelle motility is regulated, pharmacological probes for GTP-binding proteins, or protein kinases or phosphatases were perfused into axoplasm extruded from squid (Loligo pealei) giant axons, and effects on fast axonal transport were monitored by quantitative video-enhanced light microscopy. GTP gamma S caused concentration-dependent and time-dependent declines in organelle transport velocities. GDP beta S was a less potent inhibitor. Excess GTP, but not GDP, masked the effects of coperfused GTP gamma S. The effects of GTP gamma S on transport were not mimicked by broad spectrum inhibitors of protein kinases (K-252a) or phosphatases (microcystin LR and okadaic acid), or as shown earlier, by ATP gamma S. Therefore, suppression of organelle motility by GTP gamma S was guanine nucleotide-specific and evidently did not involve irreversible transfer of thiophosphate groups to protein. Instead, the data imply that organelle transport in the axon is modulated by cycles of GTP hydrolysis and nucleotide exchange by one or more GTP-binding proteins. Fast axonal transport was not perturbed by AlF4-, indicating that the GTP gamma S-sensitive factors do not include heterotrimeric G-proteins. Potential axoplasmic targets of GTP gamma S include dynamin and multiple small GTP-binding proteins, which were shown to be present in squid axoplasm. These collective findings suggest a novel strategy for regulating microtubule-based organelle transport and a new role for GTP-binding proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Local modulation of neurofilament phosphorylation, axonal caliber, and slow axonal transport by myelinating Schwann cells.

Studies in Trembler and control mice demonstrated that myelinating Schwann cells exert a profound influence on axons. Extensive contacts between myelin and axons have been considered structural. However, demyelination decreases neurofilament phosphorylation, slow axonal transport, and axonal diameter, as well as significantly increasing neurofilament density. In control sciatic nerves with grafted Trembler nerve segments, these changes were spatially restricted: they were confined to axon segments without normal myelination. Adjacent regions of the same axons had normal diameters, neurofilament phosphorylation, cytoskeletal organization, and axonal transport rates. Close intercellular contacts between myelinating Schwann cells and axons modulate a kinase-phosphatase system acting on neurofilaments and possibly other substrates. Myelination by Schwann cells sculpts the axon-altering functional architecture, electrical properties, and neuronal morphologies.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Association of kinesin with characterized membrane-bounded organelles.

The family of molecular motors known as kinesin has been implicated in the translocation of membrane-bounded organelles along microtubules, but relatively little is known about the interaction of kinesin with organelles. In order to understand these interactions, we have examined the association of kinesin with a variety of organelles. Kinesin was detected in purified organelle fractions, including synaptic vesicles, mitochondria, and coated vesicles, using quantitative immunoblots and immunoelectron microscopy. In contrast, isolated Golgi membranes and nuclear fractions did not contain detectable levels of kinesin. These results demonstrate that the organelle binding capacity of kinesin is selective and specific. The ability to purify membrane-bounded organelles with associated kinesin indicates that at least a portion of the cellular kinesin has a relatively stable association with membrane-bounded organelles in the cell. In addition, immunoelectron microscopy of mitochondria revealed a patch-like pattern in the kinesin distribution, suggesting that the organization of the motor on the organelle membrane may play a role in regulating organelle motility.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Molecular genetics of kinesin light chains: generation of isoforms by alternative splicing.

Movement of membrane-bounded organelles to intracellular destinations requires properly oriented microtubules and force-generating enzymes, such as the microtubule-stimulated ATPase kinesin. Kinesin is a heterotetramer with two heavy chain (approximately 124-kDa) and two light chain (approximately 64-kDa) subunits. Kinesin heavy chains contain both ATP- and microtubule-binding domains and are capable of force generation in vitro. Functions of the light chains are undetermined, although evidence suggests they interact with membrane surfaces. We have used molecular genetic approaches to dissect the kinesin light chain structure. Three distinct kinesin light chain cDNAs were cloned and sequenced from rat brain, and they were found to result from alternative splicing of a single gene. Polypeptides encoded by these cDNAs are identical except for their carboxyl ends. Synthesis of multiple light chains, differing from one another in primary structure, could provide a means of generating multiple, functionally specialized forms of the kinesin holoenzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Hypothyroidism reduces the rate of slow component A (SCa) axonal transport and the amount of transported tubulin in the hyt/hyt mouse optic nerve.

Thyroid hormone deficiency in the developing brain leads to disorders of neuronal process growth. This is evidenced by reduced axonal and dendritic size and complexity (Garza et al.: Developmental Brain Research 43:287-297, 1988; Ruiz-Marcos: Iodine and the Brain. New York: Plenum Press, pp 91-102, 1989). These findings may be related to alterations in the neuronal cytoskeleton in hypothyroidism, such as reduced or abnormal microtubular number and density (Faivre et al.: Developmental Brain Research 8: 21-30, 1983), and altered assembly, stabilization, and composition of microtubule protein in the hypothyroid brain. Neurofilaments also contribute to axonal caliber and process stability. Similar to microtubules, certain properties of neurofilaments are altered in developing hypothyroid axons (Marc and Rabie: International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience 3: 353-358, 1985; Faivre et al.: Developmental Brain Research 8:21-30, 1983) that may affect axonal caliber and process stability. Normal process growth is predicted on formation of appropriate numbers of microtubules and on the normal synthesis and axonal transport of cytoskeletal components [tubulin, microtubule associated proteins (MAPs), and neurofilament proteins]. Hypothyroidism might alter the neuronal cytoskeleton and neuronal growth either by affecting the developmental programs for expression of specific isoforms of cytoskeletal proteins or by changing the delivery of cytoskeletal proteins via slow axonal transport, particularly slow component a (SCa). Previous studies had demonstrated changes in the amount of specific microtubule protein isoforms and mRNAs (Stein et al.: Iodine and the Brain. New York: Plenum Press, pp 59-78, 1989a). To further elucidate the molecular basis for process growth abnormalities in the hypothyroid brain, we investigated slow axonal transport in the mouse to determine the effects of thyroid hormone deficiency on the rate and composition of SCa. Comparisons of SCa in the optic nerve of hyt/hyt hypothyroid mouse and euthyroid hyt/+ littermates and euthyroid progenitor strain, BALB/cBY +/+ mice, indicated that the velocity of SCa was significantly reduced in hyt/hyt optic nerve relative to hyt/+ and +/+. The axonal transport rate for tubulin, which is carried in SCa, was 0.118 mm/day in the hyt/hyt optic nerves. This rate was significantly different for the tubulin rates for the hyt/+ optic nerves (0.127 mm/day) and for the +/+ optic nerves (0.138 mm/day). Neurofilament proteins, as measured by the 140,000 daltons component, NFM, also appeared to be reduced in velocity in the hyt/hyt versus the hyt/+ and +/+ optic nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Actins↗
PubMed1991

Hypothyroidism selectively reduces the rate and amount of transport for specific SCb proteins in the hyt/hyt mouse optic nerve.

Thyroid hormone significantly affects molecular and neuroanatomical properties of the developing nervous system. Altered connectivity in hypothyroidism may reflect reductions in process growth, alterations in process maintenance, or changes in synaptogenesis or synaptic maintenance. These events are dependent on microtubules, neurofilaments, microfilaments, and associated molecular components. Reductions in delivery of microtubules and neurofilaments to the distal axon by slow component a (SCa) of axonal transport may contribute to the neuroanatomical abnormalities of hypothyroidism (Stein et al., J Neurosci Res 28:121-133, 1991). However, hypothyroidism might also affect the axon and synaptic connections by altering slow component b (SCb), which includes actin microfilaments and proteins that contribute to synaptic function, i.e., clathrin, HSC70 (clathrin uncoating ATPase), spectrin, and calmodulin. To determine the effect of hypothyroidism on SCb proteins, slow axonal transport was analyzed in optic nerves of hyt/hyt hypothyroid mice, which have severe primary hypothyroidism, and euthyroid control mice. Clathrin, spectrin, HSC70, and actin showed significant reductions in transport velocity in hyt/hyt optic nerves relative to euthyroid nerves, but the transport rate for calmodulin was less affected. However, the amount of calmodulin was significantly elevated in hyt/hyt nerve over euthyroid nerves. Hypothyroidism selectively reduces transport of SCb proteins, which are thought to play significant roles in synaptic function and in the growth cone. The effects of hypothyroidism on microtubules and neurofilaments combined with actions on SCb suggest that changes in neuronal function associated with reduced thyroid hormone during development and maturity (i.e., alterations in neuronal connectivity, nerve conduction, and synaptic function) may be mediated in part by effects on slow axonal transport.

Actins↗
PubMed1991

Local control of axonal properties by Schwann cells: neurofilaments and axonal transport in homologous and heterologous nerve grafts.

A number of axonal properties, including slow axonal transport and neurofilament phosphorylation, are altered in a mutant mouse strain with a Schwann cell deficiency, the Trembler. The Trembler phenotype is associated with poor myelination and reduced axonal caliber in the peripheral nervous system, but the genetic lesion has not yet been identified. To determine whether changes in axonal properties resulted from a direct action of Schwann cells on the axon, a segment of sciatic nerve from myelin-deficient Trembler mouse was grafted into the sciatic nerve of a normal mouse and normal axons were allowed to regenerate. Normal axons surrounded by Trembler Schwann cells are reduced in diameter, but resume their original diameter distal to the graft. Neurofilament transport was also affected locally in sciatic nerves with Trembler grafts into normal nerve. The velocity of neurofilament transport was not significantly different from controls in portions of the nerve proximal to the Trembler graft, but there was a reduction in neurofilament transport rates upon entering the Trembler graft. This was accompanied by an increase in the ratio of neurofilament over tubulin in the case of the Trembler graft, suggesting both a slowing of the neurofilament and an increase in the rate of tubulin transport. Using heterologous grafts of Trembler nerve segments into wildtype nerves, Schwann cells were shown to locally influence axonal caliber, neurofilament organization, and slow axonal transport. These observations emphasize the importance of glial cells in modulating neuronal structure and functions, as well as focusing attention on the role of glia in the etiology of neuropathologies that alter the neuronal environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Purification of kinesin from bovine brain and assay of microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity.

The protocols described here have proved to be an effective method for preparation of kinesin suitable for biochemical, biophysical, and immunological analyses. Beginning with a 1.2-liter cytosolic extract of bovine brain containing approximately 24 g of protein, 2 mg of approximately 95% pure kinesin can be obtained within 2 days. There are four major enrichment steps, as summarized in Fig. 6 and Table I. Based on quantitative SDS-PAGE, we estimate that these steps result in a purification of more than 300-fold. The ATPase activity in the presence of microtubules is substantial, and the kinetic properties are consistent with cellular levels of ATP (Km approximately 0.2 mM) and microtubules (apparent Km for activation approximately 1.9 microM) in the axon. Minor modifications should allow the procedure to be enlarged or reduced in scale, or adapted to the brains of other vertebrate species. The availability of such procedures will greatly facilitate future studies of the cell and molecular biology of kinesin.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Kinesin associates with anterogradely transported membranous organelles in vivo.

Biochemical, pharmacological and immunocytochemical studies have implicated the microtubule-activated ATPase, kinesin, in the movement of membrane bounded organelles in fast axonal transport. In vitro studies suggested that kinesin moves organelles preferentially in the anterograde direction, but data about the function and precise localization of kinesin in the living axon were lacking. The current study was undertaken to establish whether kinesin associates with anterograde or retrograde moving organelles in vivo. Peripheral nerves were ligated to produce accumulations of organelles moving in defined directions. Regions proximal (anterograde) and distal (retrograde) to the ligation were analyzed for kinesin localization by immunofluorescence, and by immunogold electron microscopy using ultracryomicrotomy. Substantial amounts of kinesin were associated with anterograde moving organelles on the proximal side, while significantly less kinesin was detected distally. Statistical analyses indicated that kinesin was mostly associated with membrane-bounded organelles. These observations indicate that axonal kinesin is primarily associated with anterograde moving organelles in vivo.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

The axonal transport motor 'kinesin' is bound to anterogradely transported organelles: quantitative cytofluorimetric studies of fast axonal transport in the rat.

Monoclonal antibodies to the axonal transport ATPase kinesin were used in an immunofluorescent study on mammalian nerves. Following crushing of the sciatic nerve and the ventral roots of adult rats, immunoreactive material was found to accumulate rapidly, mainly proximal to a crush but also, to some degree, distal to a crush. The strongest immunofluorescence was observed after incubation with the H2 antibody against the heavy subunit of kinesin. Using the cytofluorimetric scanning (CFS) procedure, the accumulated amounts were quantified and it was found that the retrogradely accumulating kinesin-like immunoreactivity (IR) was about 4-12% of the anterogradely transported kinesin-IR. The results were compared to the vesicle marker p38 (synaptophysin), which was found to accumulate to a significant extent on both sides of the crush. Cytofluorimetric scanning measurements indicated that nearly 50% of the anterogradely accumulated p38-IR was recycling to the cell body. The results demonstrate that kinesin in the living axon is affiliated with anterogradely transported organelles. Retrogradely transported organelles appeared to carry very little kinesin-IR, suggesting that kinesin may be subject to turnover, distinct from that of p38, in the distal regions of the axon.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Kinesin interactions with membrane bounded organelles in vivo and in vitro.

The ability of kinesin to interact with microtubules in a nucleotide-dependent manner and mediate microtubule-based motility has received the greatest amount of attention to date. Several lines of experimentation are now beginning to examine the interaction with membrane-bounded organelles. Immunochemical, biochemical and morphological approaches have shown that kinesin is associated with some, but not all, classes of membrane-bounded organelles found in cells. Similarly, evidence suggests that the distal portion of the rod and the tail portions of the kinesin heavy chain as well as the kinesin light chains may be important for the interaction with membrane surfaces. As a substantial amount of information about the molecular structure and biochemistry of kinesin has become available, the functional implications of interactions with membrane structures in vivo are being addressed.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗