Developing a district diabetes register.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Tomlinson.
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Two inhibitors of the nucleotide-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel, tolbutamide and quinine, were utilized in order to assess the role of this channel in glucose-stimulated insulin release from perifused rat islets. In the absence of these drugs, the addition of 15 mM glucose elicited a marked biphasic stimulation of insulin secretion concomitant with a reduction in the rate of 86Rb+ efflux. In the presence of either 500 microM tolbutamide or 100 microM quinine, a reduced rate of efflux of 86Rb+ was observed together with an elevated rate of insulin release. Under such conditions, the addition of 15 mM glucose retained the ability to stimulate insulin secretion though this was associated with a marked increase in 86Rb+ efflux. It is concluded that a net reduction in beta-cell K+ permeability is not an obligatory step in glucose-stimulated insulin release. Thus, glucose is likely to exert depolarizing actions on the beta-cell in addition to the closure of K+ channels.
The transport of the nutrient secretagogue 2-ketoisocaproate (KIC) was studied in isolated rat pancreatic islets and in the HIT-T15 insulinoma cell line using an oil-filtration technique. In both islets and HIT-T15 cells, KIC uptake was a slow process, not reaching equilibrium within 10 min KIC transport was not dependent upon Na+ in the medium, was not inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate nor by 2-amino-2-norborane carboxylic acid (BCH) and did not appear to be electrogenic. Evidence was obtained to suggest that KIC uptake occurred via passive diffusion into the cell of the undissociated acid species. This possibility was supported by the apparent unsaturability of KIC uptake in HIT-T15 cells. Addition of 10-30 mM KIC to dispersed islets cells or HIT-T15 cells produced a rapid intracellular acidification. In islets, the rate of transport of 10 mM KIC was comparable with oxidation rate of the keto-acid suggesting that uptake could be rate-limiting factor for KIC oxidation and thus stimulated insulin release. However, in HIT-T15 cells, the rate of uptake of KIC greatly exceeded the oxidation rate. The low rate of KIC oxidation could explain the poor secretory response of HIT-T15 cells to KIC.
The transport of L- and D-lactate into rat pancreatic islets and HIT-T15 insulinoma cells was studied by measuring uptake of 14C-labelled substrate at room temperature and by following changes in intracellular pH (pHi) in islets and HIT-T15 cells loaded with 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5'(6')-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Uptake of L-lactate into HIT-T15 cells was rapid, reaching equilibrium after 5 min with an apparent Km value of 4.8 mM. Transport was markedly inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, alpha-fluorocinnamate, quercetin and p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonate (pCMBS), and was enhanced in citrate medium. Uptake of D-lactate was less rapid, apparent equilibrium not being reached within 10 min. In contrast to HIT-T15 cells, rat pancreatic islets showed greatly reduced rates of transport of L- and D-lactate together with a correspondingly lower degree of inhibition by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate. The addition of L- or D-lactate to HIT-T15 cells, but not dispersed islet cells, resulted in a marked and rapid intracellular acidification followed by a gradual recovery. In both HIT-T15 cells and isolated islets, the rates of transport of both L- and D-lactate in the presence of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate were significantly greater in a depolarising K+ medium compared to the normal Na+ medium. These observations suggest that native rat islet cells have considerably reduced activity of the lactate-/H+ transport system compared to HIT-T15 insulinoma cells. There is evidence in both cell types of an additional electrogenic pathway for lactate which might play a role in coupling lactate efflux to beta-cell depolarisation.
Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes acquire sialic acid (SA) from host glycoconjugates by means of a plasma membrane-associated trans-sialidase (TS). Here we study the substrate specificity of TS, which differs from all known sialyltransferases in that it does not require cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-SA as donor. The T. cruzi TS reversibly transfers SA to saccharides with terminal beta-Gal (but not alpha-Gal) residues. Donors are saccharides with SA linked to terminal beta-Gal residues by (alpha 2-3), but not (alpha 2-6) bonds. The type of beta-linkage of the terminal Gal residue is of minor importance (beta 1-4 and beta 1-6 are slightly better than beta 1-3), whereas chain length and the structure of additional vicinal sugar residues are not relevant. SA on the surface of living trypomastigotes of T. cruzi is transferred back and forth between the parasite surface and acceptor molecules with terminal beta-Gal, either in solution or on the surface of neighbouring mammalian cells. Addition of fucose residue on or close to the terminal galactose impairs TS activity. As a consequence, the enzyme acts poorly on the E-selectin ligand sialyl-Lewisx and its precursor Lewisx, and in vitro adhesion of TS-treated neutrophils to L-cells expressing L-selectin is not affected. Modifications in the structure of the (alpha 2-3)-linked N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) (deoxy or methoxy) of the donor molecules do not impair transfer if the changes are at C9, whereas changes at C4, C7 and C8 impair the ability to donate the modified SA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase (TS) is a recently described enzyme which transfers alpha(2-3)-linked sialic acid from host-derived sialylated glycoconjugates to parasite surface molecules [Schenkman et al. (1991) Cell, 65, 1117]. We report here on the ability of TS to transfer sialic acid from donor sialyl-alpha(2-3)lactose to sialidase-treated sheep and human erythrocytes. Up to approximately 50% resialylation of both desialylated red cells could be attained. Resialylation of desialylated sheep erythrocytes restores their resistance to lysis by human complement. This ascribes a possible biological role for T. cruzi TS and demonstrates directly that sialic acid is solely responsible for preventing alternative pathway activation of human complement by sheep erythrocytes.
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The transport of L-lactate into rat pancreatic islets and RINm5F insulinoma cells was inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, alpha-fluorocinnamate, quercetin and by p-chloromercuribenzene-sulphonic acid. The addition of each of these compounds to perifused islets resulted in an immediate, marked stimulation of insulin release. Enhanced insulin secretion was accompanied by a similarly rapid and pronounced increase in the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux from pre-loaded, perifused islets. In general, these stimulatory effects were most pronounced in the presence of a threshold concentration of glucose (5 mM) in the perifusion medium. In islets pre-loaded with 86Rb+, the addition of alpha-fluorocinnamate or quercetin caused a modest diminution in efflux rate whilst enhanced rates of 86Rb+ outflow were apparent in the presence of 5 mM glucose. It is suggested that these inhibitors of lactic acid transport stimulate the beta-cell, at least in part, by increasing the intracellular: extracellular lactate gradient, thereby promoting the electrogenic efflux of endogenous lactate from the cell.
L-Lactate, D-lactate, propionate and acetate (all 20 mM) caused a marked intracellular acidification in HIT-T15 cells loaded with 2'7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5'(6')-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), followed by recovery to more alkaline values. The effects of L- and D-lactate, but not propionate or acetate, were inhibited by 5 mM alpha-fluorocinnamate. Both L- and D-lactate caused a marked depolarisation and rise in cytosolic [Ca2+] in HIT cells as assessed by oxonol-V and quin2 fluorescence, respectively. Propionate had similar, though less marked, effects, whereas acetate exerted only a modest influence on membrane potential and cytosolic [Ca2+]. The rate of oxidation of L-lactate by HIT cells greatly exceeded that of D-lactate. alpha-Fluorocinnamate delayed, but did not prevent, the effects of L-lactate on HIT cell membrane potential or cytosolic [Ca2+]. L-lactate diminished the rate of efflux of 86Rb+ from preloaded HIT cells. Inhibition of calcium- and nucleotide-sensitive K+ channels with tetraethylammonium and tolbutamide also reduced the 86Rb+ efflux rate, and prevented any further reduction in response to L-lactate. However, such inhibition of K+ channels did not prevent a further depolarisation and rise in cytosolic [Ca2+] upon the subsequent addition of lactate. It is suggested that the activation of HIT-T15 cells by lactate is not the result of intracellular acidification or increased metabolic flux, and does not require diminished K+ permeability. An alternative mechanism is based upon the possible electrogenic flux of lactate across the plasma membrane.
The regulation of thyroid follicular cell growth in vitro involves autocrine or paracrine actions of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), which are partially suppressed by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Using subconfluent monolayers of porcine thyroid follicular cells, the aims of this study were to establish whether the actions of TGF-beta involve changes in the synthesis of, or response to, IGF-I. We also investigated the extent to which inhibitory actions of iodide on IGF-I-dependent proliferation of thyroid follicular cells may be attributable to the production of TGF-beta by follicular cells, as opposed to iodide-mediated autoregulation events. Exposure of porcine thyroid follicular cells in subconfluent monolayer culture to TGF-beta over a 7-day period reduced both IGF-I release and the incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable cellular material, while preincubation of cells with NaI (0.1 mmol/l) for 24 h prior to the addition of TSH reduced the stimulatory effect of the latter on IGF-I release over the following 7 days. Preincubation of cells with iodide also reduced basal (i.e. autonomous) [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation. This effect was partially reversed when, following initial exposure to follicular cells, iodide-containing preincubation medium was immunoadsorbed with a neutralizing TGF-beta antiserum, and subsequently re-added to the cells. Furthermore, similar immunoadsorption of iodide-free preincubation medium resulted in an enhancement of the control level of [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation when the treated medium was returned to the original cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The addition of glucose to suspensions of HIT-T15 insulinoma cells caused a small, transient acidification followed by a gradual, progressive alkalinisation, as assessed by the fluorescent pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-biscarboxyethyl-5'-(6')-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Treatment of cells with acetate or lactate produced an immediate, marked acidification followed by recovery and a subsequent alkalinisation. In contrast, addition of NH4Cl caused a rapid rise in intracellular pH (pHi) and recovery to resting values. In cells where Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited, either with amiloride or by omission of Na+ from the medium, glucose caused a progressive acidification, whilst recovery from acetate- or lactate-induced acidification was prevented. Under sodium-free conditions, recovery from acidification could be initiated by addition of Na+. Inhibition of HCO3-/Cl- exchange by pretreatment with 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene 2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), or by omission of HCO3- or Cl- from the medium did not affect any of the changes in pHi elicited by the above agents. It is concluded that the principal mechanism responsible for pHi regulation in HIT-T15 cells is the Na+/H+ antiporter and that the HCO3-/Cl- exchange systems make little, if any, contribution.
An efficient fusion system between Gram-negative bacteria and liposomes incorporating detergent-extracted C5b-9 complexes has been developed that allows delivery of preformed terminal complexes to the cell envelope (Tomlinson et al., 1989b). Fusion of Salmonella minnesota Re595 and Escherichia coli 17 with C5b-9-incorporated liposomes resulted in the transfer of 1900 C5b-9 complexes to each target bacterial cell. No loss in viability of bacteria was observed following fusion, even though the deposotion of 900 complexes onto the envelope following exposure to lysozyme-free serum effected a greater than 99% loss of viability. Increased sensitivity to antibiotics normally excluded from the cell by an integral outer membrane (OM), as well as the ability of the chromogenic substrate PADAC to gain access to periplasmically located beta-lactamase, indicated that transferred C5b-9 complexes functioned as water-filled channels through the OM. A similar conclusion was drawn from measurements demonstrating the uptake by cells of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (bromide), a result further indicating that the membrane potential across the cytoplasmic membrane was maintained following C5b-9 transfer to the OM. Examination of S. minnesota Re595 by electron microscopy revealed no obvious difference between cells exposed to lethal concentrations of lysozyme-free serum and cells following fusion with C5b-9-incorporated liposomes. These data suggest either that there are critical sites in the OM to which liposome-delivered C5b-9 complexes are unable to gain access or that bacterial cell death is related to events occurring during polymerization of C9 on the cell surface.
Using the fluorescent pH indicator 2'7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5'-(6')-carboxyfluorescein to monitor intracellular pH (pHi), we have investigated whether transmembrane Na+/H+ exchange, as measured by experimental changes in pHi under bicarbonate-free incubation conditions, may be involved in the early growth-promoting actions of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on the rat thyroid cell stain FRTL-5. In initial studies to characterize Na+/H+ exchange in FRTL-5 cell suspensions, the recovery of a resting pHi in acid-loaded cells was shown to be dependent upon the presence of extracellular Na+, was enhanced by the presence of the sodium ionophore monensin and was abolished by amiloride, an antagonist of Na+/H+ antiport activity. Unlike TSH, which was without effect on the pHi of FRTL-5 cells for up to 15 min after addition, IGF-I (1000 micrograms/l) caused a rapid and sustained increase within 3 min, which was abolished in medium in which Na+ had been replaced with an iso-osmotic level of choline chloride. The change in pHi in response to IGF-I was mimicked by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 100 nmol/l), an activator of thyroid cell proliferation. In the presence of TSH, exposure of cells to IGF-I or PMA had no additional effect on the cytoplasmic alkalinization induced by either of these two agonists alone. However, blockade of transmembrane Na+/H+ exchange with amiloride inhibited both the individual actions of IGF-I and PMA on [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation, and the synergistic interaction between TSH and IGF-I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The role of cyclic AMP (cAMP) attenuation in mediating the autoregulatory actions of iodide on thyroid cell iodide uptake and surface morphological responses to TSH was investigated in the rat thyroid cell strain FRTL-5. Preincubation of cells for 6 h with up to 1 mmol sodium iodide/l led to a progressive reduction in both accumulation of cAMP and iodide uptake responses to TSH. Forskolin-mediated accumulation of cAMP and iodide uptake responses were similarly reduced after preincubation with iodide, whilst the iodide accumulation response to dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) was unaffected. The inhibitory effects of iodide on TSH or forskolin-responsive iodide accumulation were not seen if preincubation was limited to 3 h, and were also abolished by the thionamide drug methimazole (1 mmol/l). Medium containing 1 mumol iodide/l prevented the appearance of the surface microvilli and pseudopodia normally observed after re-addition of TSH or forskolin, although cytoplasmic retraction was still apparent under such conditions. In contrast, iodide was without effect on the ability of dbcAMP (1 mmol/l) to induce cytoplasmic retraction and the formation of microvilli and pseudopodia. Inclusion of 1 mmol sodium perchlorate/l together with iodide during preincubation failed to prevent or reduce the suppression by iodide of either iodide uptake or surface morphological differentiation, suggesting that both aspects of autoregulation may involve surface actions of organified iodide. These observations indicate that in FRTL-5 cells, autoregulation by iodide of both the functional and surface morphological actions of TSH principally reflects the attenuating activities of organified iodide on intracellular cAMP generation.
The effect of C5b-9 deposition on the envelope of target Gram-negative bacteria was studied. In order to understand the changes occurring after complement deposition on the bacterial surface, the preparation of Gram-negative bacterial membranes by different methods involving the osmotic lysis of spheroplasts was investigated. Subsequent fractionation of the outer membrane (OM) and cytoplasmic membrane (CM) by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation showed differences in the membrane profiles obtained. The results indicate that optimum separation of OM and CM components requires effective digestion of DNA in the total membrane preparation before density-gradient fractionation. Salmonella minnesota Re595 carrying the intermediate complement complex C5b-7 (BC1-7) or C5b-8 (BC1-8) were efficiently killed upon incubation with purified C8 + C9 or C9 respectively. Human-alpha-thrombin-cleaved C9 (C9n), which is unable to form tubular poly(C9), was shown to be more effective at killing than native C9. By using an optimized system for the separation of OM and CM, it was found that, subsequent to lethal complement attack, the CM could not be recovered when C9 was used as the terminal complement component, but was recovered with reduced yield when C9n replaced C9. The results show that inability to recover the CM on sucrose density gradients after complement attack may not be a consequence of an essential membrane damage event required for complement-mediated killing of Gram-negative bacteria.
Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured in the insulin-secreting HIT-T15 cell line using the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5'(6')-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). It was observed that the addition of a weak acid (e.g., acetate or propionate) caused a rapid decrease in pHi, followed by a slower recovery to the resting pH value. Conversely the addition of N4Cl caused an increase in pHi followed by recovery. The addition of amiloride caused a fall in pHi; however, in this case no recovery to basal pH levels was observed. Subsequent addition of a weak acid caused a further fall in pHi with no recovery. The addition of glucose caused a transient acidification followed by alkalinization. When glucose was added to cells which had been pretreated with amiloride, the initial acidification was not followed by recovery or alkalinization. Addition of glyceraldehyde, alpha-ketoisocaproate, lactate or pyruvate to HIT cells also resulted in intracellular acidification followed by recovery. Similarly, depolarisation of HIT cells by treatment with high K+ or with Ba2+ was associated with a pronounced fall in pHi, followed by a gradual recovery. Insulin secretion from HIT cells was stimulated by glucose, glyceraldehyde, alpha-ketoisocaproate, lactate, pyruvate and KCl, whilst amiloride and weak acids exerted only modest effects in the absence of glucose, but amiloride in particular markedly potentiated glucose-induced insulin release. Thus, HIT cells appear to have an amiloride-sensitive mechanism for the extrusion of protons, probably Na+-H+ exchange. Whilst intracellular acidification appears to potentiate secretory responses to nutrient stimuli, it seems unlikely that the activation of HIT cells by these nutrients occurs as a result of intracellular acidification. The mechanisms by which various nutrient and non-nutrient stimuli might exert distinct effects on pHi are discussed.
The molecular details of the final step in the process of regulated exocytosis, the fusion of the membrane of the secretory granule with the plasma membrane, are at present obscure. As a first step in an investigation of this membrane fusion event, we have developed a cell-free assay for the interaction between pancreatic zymogen granules and plasma membranes. We show here that plasma membranes are able to trigger the release of the granule contents, and that this effect is specific to pancreatic membranes, involves membrane fusion, requires membrane proteins, and is stimulated by activators of G-proteins but not by Ca2+. The assay is simple, reliable, and rapid, and should permit the identification of proteins that are involved in the exocytotic fusion event.