Biomedical subjects

T J Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to T J Murphy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

The inducible cAMP early repressor ICERIIgamma inhibits CREB and AP-1 transcription but not AT1 receptor gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Growth factors and agonists of both G alpha s and G alpha q-coupled receptor agonists each down regulate angiotensin AT1 receptor gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. To test whether the transcription factor CREB is in the pathway involved in modulation of AT1-receptor gene expression, AT1 receptor mRNA levels were measured after stimulation with forskolin, angiotensin II and PDGF-BB in VSMC expressing the inducible cAMP early repressor protein, ICERIIgamma, fused to the green fluorescent protein (eGFP). This fusion protein inhibits luciferase induction from promoters driven by either CREB response elements (CRE) or, unexpectedly, by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate response elements (TRE), which bind activator protein (AP-1). EGFP-ICERIIgamma expression inhibits occupancy of CRE and TRE elements by endogenous VSMC nuclear proteins. Nevertheless, agonist-induced AT1-receptor mRNA down regulation is unaffected by eGFP-ICERIIgamma expression. Although CREB transcription is activated by multiple classes of agonists in VSMC, and ICER can inhibit agonist-induced transcription mediated by both CREB and AP-1 enhancers, these transcription factors are not obligate components of the pathways regulating AT1-R gene expression in rat VSMC.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1999

Endothelial cell heterogeneity in venules of mouse airways induced by polarized inflammatory stimulus.

We sought to determine whether the changes in microvascular endothelial cells (EC) caused by a polarized chronic inflammatory stimulus depend on proximity to the stimulus. C3H mice were infected with Mycoplasma pulmonis, which attaches to the airway epithelium and creates a polarized inflammatory stimulus across the airway wall. At 1, 2, or 4 weeks, the tracheal vasculature was stained by perfusion of silver nitrate to mark EC borders or biotinylated Lycopersicon esculentum lectin to label the EC surface and adherent leukocytes. E-selectin immunoreactivity and EC proliferation were also localized. We found that the size, shape, and immunoreactivity for adhesion molecules on EC nearest the airway lumen (subepithelial EC) were different from those on the opposite surface of the same vessels. Subepithelial EC were smaller, more irregular in shape, had greater E-selectin immunoreactivity, and had twice as many adherent leukocytes. In contrast, proliferating EC were uniformly distributed around the vessel circumference. We conclude that the polarized stimulus created by M. pulmonis infection differentially changes the size, shape, and function of EC nearest the airway epithelium. This heterogeneity may result from a gradient of inflammatory mediators that triggers the influx of leukocytes into the airway lumen.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Neurogenic plasma leakage in mouse airways.

1. This study sought to determine whether neurogenic inflammation occurs in the airways by examining the effects of capsaicin or substance P on microvascular plasma leakage in the trachea and lungs of male pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice. 2. Single bolus intravenous injections of capsaicin (0.5 and 1 micromol kg(-1), i.v.) or substance P (1, 10 and 37 nmol kg(-10, i.v.) failed to induce significant leakage in the trachea, assessed as extravasation of Evans blue dye, but did induce leakage in the urinary bladder and skin. 3. Pretreatment with captopril (2.5 mg kg(-1), i.v.), a selective inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), either alone or in combination with phosphoramidon (2.5 mg kg(-1), i.v.), a selective inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), increased baseline leakage of Evans blue in the absence of any exogenous inflammatory mediator. The increase was reversed by the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140 (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v.). 4. After pretreatment with phosphoramidon and captopril, capsaicin increased the Evans blue leakage above the baseline in the trachea, but not in the lung. This increase was reversed by the tachykinin (NK1) receptor antagonist SR 140333 (0.7 mg kg(-1), i.v.), but not by the NK2 receptor antagonist SR 48968 (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.). 5. Experiments using Monastral blue pigment as a tracer localized the leakage to postcapillary venules in the trachea and intrapulmonary bronchi, although the labelled vessels were less numerous in mice than in comparably treated rats. Blood vessels of the pulmonary circulation were not labelled. 6. We conclude that neurogenic inflammation can occur in airways of pathogen-free mice, but only after the inhibition of enzymes that normally degrade inflammatory peptides. Neurogenic inflammation does not involve the pulmonary microvasculature.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1999

Relationship between internalization and mRNA decay in down-regulation of recombinant type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1) expression in smooth muscle cells.

In vascular smooth muscle cells, the hormone angiotensin II is thought to cause internalization of the seven-transmembrane domain type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1-R) but it also suppresses expression of the receptor mRNA. As for similarly regulated members of this gene superfamily, the relative roles of these processes in receptor down-regulation are not well understood. In this study a recombinant AT1-R mRNA was synthesized in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells from a tetracycline-suppressible promoter using a retroviral vector system. Angiotensin II induces a profound internalization of the cell surface AT1-R protein but has no effect on steady-state AT1-R mRNA levels. Shortly after either bolus or prolonged dosing with angiotensin II, cell surface AT1-R expression recovers, indicating the existence of a significant restorative externalization pathway. The extent of this recovery is attenuated markedly when transcription of the recombinant AT1-R gene is suppressed by cotreatment of the cells with anhydrotetracycline. Although agonist-stimulated internalization appears to contribute directly to a loss of AT1-R protein, these observations provide direct evidence that a reduction in AT1-R mRNA content plays a significant role in sustained AT1-R down-regulation.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1998

The cyclosporin A-sensitive nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) proteins are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells. Differential localization of NFAT isoforms and induction of NFAT-mediated transcription by phospholipase C-coupled cell surface receptors.

Expression of the antigen-regulated, cyclosporin A-sensitive nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is not restricted to lymphoid cells, as thought initially, but the physiological inducers of NFAT-mediated transcription in non-lymphoid cells are unknown. Here, cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are shown to express two isoforms of the NFAT family endogenously, which are localized differentially in cells under resting conditions. Using a retroviral NFAT-specific luciferase reporter, we show that VSMC support previously unrecognized complexities in NFAT-mediated transcription, including evidence for negative regulation by Ca2+ signaling and positive regulation through co-activation of adenylyl cyclase and Ca2+ mobilization. The VSMC mitogen platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) induces NFAT-mediated transcription in VSMC. Thrombin and angiotensin II, which activate Galphaq-coupled receptors, are significantly weaker inducers of NFAT-mediated luciferase expression than is PDGF-BB. However, co-stimulation studies show that Galphaq receptor agonists augment the NFAT-mediated transcriptional response to PDGF-BB. This synergy can be explained in part by augmented intracellular Ca2+ transients elicited by multiple agonist challenges. These data indicate that agonists for phospholipase C-coupled receptors stimulate NFAT-mediated transcription in VSMC differentially, and that NFAT can function to integrate co-activating signals in the extracellular environment.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1998

Dendritic cells internalize vaccine adjuvant after intramuscular injection.

Vaccine adjuvants help antigens elicit rapid, potent, and long-lasting immune responses. The lack of understanding of the immunological mechanism of action of adjuvants has limited the rational development of vaccines for human use. In particular, little is known about how the immune system processes adjuvants. The goal of the present study was to determine the fate of the vaccine adjuvant MF59, labeled with the fluorescent dye Dil, after injection with fluorescein-labeled gD2 antigen from type 2 herpes simplex virus. At 3 h after intramuscular injection into BALB/c mice, most of the MF59 was still in the form of extracellular droplets in the muscle, but a detectable fraction of the MF59 was in cells in the subcapsular sinus of draining inguinal lymph nodes. At 48 h, most of the MF59 at the site of injection was inside cells that were immunoreactive for the dendritic cell markers DEC-205 and MHC class II molecules, reflecting the interaction of MF59 with antigen presenting cells. At this time, intracellular MF59 was also abundant in the paracortical (T cell) region of lymph nodes. The gD2 antigen was also intracellular in muscle and colocalized MF59 at 48 h, and the presence of MF59 increased the amount of intracellular antigen. Similarly, serological antibody titers to gD2 were 207-fold higher after two injections when MF59 was administered with the antigen. These findings suggest that MF59 interacts with antigen presenting cells at the site of injection and then moves to the draining lymph nodes, where it increases the efficiency of antigen presentation to T cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1998

Cationic liposomes target angiogenic endothelial cells in tumors and chronic inflammation in mice.

This study sought to determine whether angiogenic blood vessels in disease models preferentially bind and internalize cationic liposomes injected intravenously. Angiogenesis was examined in pancreatic islet cell tumors of RIP-Tag2 transgenic mice and chronic airway inflammation in Mycoplasma pulmonis-infected C3H/HeNCr mice. For comparison, physiological angiogenesis was examined in normal mouse ovaries. We found that endothelial cells in all models avidly bound and internalized fluorescently labeled cationic liposomes (1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane [DOTAP]/cholesterol or dimethyldioctadecyl ammonium bromide [DDAB]/cholesterol) or liposome-DNA complexes. Confocal microscopic measurements showed that angiogenic endothelial cells averaged 15-33-fold more uptake than corresponding normal endothelial cells. Cationic liposome-DNA complexes were also avidly taken up, but anionic, neutral, or sterically stabilized neutral liposomes were not. Electron microscopic analysis showed that 32% of gold-labeled liposomes associated with tumor endothelial cells were adherent to the luminal surface, 53% were internalized into endosomes and multivesicular bodies, and 15% were extravascular 20 min after injection. Our findings indicate that angiogenic endothelial cells in these models avidly bind and internalize cationic liposomes and liposome-DNA complexes but not other types of liposomes. This preferential uptake raises the possibility of using cationic liposomes to target diagnostic or therapeutic agents selectively to angiogenic blood vessels in tumors and sites of chronic inflammation.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Angiogenesis in mice with chronic airway inflammation: strain-dependent differences.

Chronic inflammation is associated with blood vessel proliferation and enlargement and changes in vessel phenotype. We sought to determine whether these changes represent different types of angiogenesis and whether they are stimulus dependent. Chronic airway inflammation, produced by infection with Mycoplasma pulmonis, was compared in strains of mice known to be resistant (C57BL/6) or susceptible (C3H). Tracheal vascularity, assessed in whole mounts after Lycopersicon esculentum lectin staining, increased in both strains at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after infection, but the type of vascular remodeling was different. The number of vessels doubled in tracheas of C57BL/6 mice, with corresponding increases of capillaries and venules. In contrast, neither the number nor the length of vessels changed in C3H mice. Instead, vessel diameter and endothelial cell number doubled, and the proportion of venules doubled with a corresponding decrease of capillaries. Although the infection had no effect on baseline plasma leakage, in both strains it potentiated the leakage produced by substance P. We conclude that the same stimulus can result in blood vessel proliferation or enlargement, depending on the host response. Endothelial cells proliferate in both cases, but in one case new capillaries form whereas in the other capillaries convert to venules.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Activation and cellular localization of the cyclosporine A-sensitive transcription factor NF-AT in skeletal muscle cells.

The widely used immunosuppressant cyclosporine A (CSA) blocks nuclear translocation of the transcription factor, NF-AT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), preventing its activity. mRNA for several NF-AT isoforms has been shown to exist in cells outside of the immune system, suggesting a possible mechanism for side effects associated with CSA treatment. In this study, we demonstrate that CSA inhibits biochemical and morphological differentiation of skeletal muscle cells while having a minimal effect on proliferation. Furthermore, in vivo treatment with CSA inhibits muscle regeneration after induced trauma in mice. These results suggest a role for NF-AT-mediated transcription outside of the immune system. In subsequent experiments, we examined the activation and cellular localization of NF-AT in skeletal muscle cells in vitro. Known pharmacological inducers of NF-AT in lymphoid cells also stimulate transcription from an NF-AT-responsive reporter gene in muscle cells. Three isoforms of NF-AT (NF-ATp, c, and 4/x/c3) are present in the cytoplasm of muscle cells at all stages of myogenesis tested. However, each isoform undergoes calcium-induced nuclear translocation from the cytoplasm at specific stages of muscle differentiation, suggesting specificity among NF-AT isoforms in gene regulation. Strikingly, one isoform (NF-ATc) can preferentially translocate to a subset of nuclei within a single multinucleated myotube. These results demonstrate that skeletal muscle cells express functionally active NF-AT proteins and that the nuclear translocation of individual NF-AT isoforms, which is essential for the ability to coordinate gene expression, is influenced markedly by the differentiation state of the muscle cell.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Histamine induces nuclear factor of activated T cell-mediated transcription and cyclosporin A-sensitive interleukin-8 mRNA expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) mediates a cyclosporin A (CsA)- and FK506-suppressible transcriptional program in lymphocytes after antigen-stimulated phospholipase C activation. Nonlymphoid cells also express NFAT isoforms, raising the possibility that these isoforms can be regulated by other extracellular stimuli. This study sought to determine whether histamine can trigger NFAT-mediated transcription in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), using a retrovirus-based luciferase reporter driven by a well characterized, NFAT-specific enhancer. Luciferase levels are induced up to 60-fold over basal levels after costimulation of HUVEC with Ca2+-mobilizing drugs and a phorbol ester, a response that is 20-fold greater than that observed when HUVEC are stimulated with either drug alone. These synergistic responses are inhibited in cells treated with CsA. CsA and FK506 also inhibit the luciferase response to histamine, indicating that histamine can induce NFAT-mediated transcription in HUVEC. To identify candidate genes in HUVEC that might be regulated by NFAT, the expression of several chemokine mRNAs was measured after histamine treatment. Of the mRNAs tested, only those encoding monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (approximately 2-fold over basal) and interleukin-8 (approximately 6-fold over basal) are induced by histamine; both of these responses are suppressed by CsA and FK506. The H1 histamine receptor antagonist chlorpheniramine, but not the H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine, blocks the effects of histamine in this preparation. These data provide the first evidence for a physiological inducer of NFAT-mediated transcription in endothelial cells and support the hypothesis that NFAT participates in H1 histamine receptor-induced interleukin-8 gene expression.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1998

Inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent kinase by expression of a protein kinase inhibitor/enhanced green fluorescent fusion protein attenuates angiotensin II-induced type 1 AT1 receptor mRNA down-regulation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Expression of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) mRNA in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is down-regulated by a variety of agonists, including growth factors, agonists of Galphaq protein-coupled receptors, and activators of adenylyl cyclase. To determine whether cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA) participates in AT1-R mRNA down-regulation controlled by multiple classes of receptors, a PKA inhibitor peptide (PKIalpha) was developed and expressed in rat VSMC as a fusion with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). PKA activity elicited both by forskolin and angiotensin II is suppressed in cells expressing this fusion protein (PKIalpha-eGFP), but platelet-derived growth factor-BB does not stimulate PKA activity in this preparation. PKIalpha-eGFP expression fully inhibits the forskolin-stimulated down-regulation of AT1-R mRNA levels and blocks 50% of the effect elicited by angiotensin II. This indicates that PKA plays a substantial role in angiotensin II-stimulated AT1-R mRNA down-regulation. However, inhibition of PKA has no effect on AT1-R mRNA down-regulation caused by platelet-derived growth factor-BB. These findings show how agonists such as angiotensin II that are not normally considered as activators of PKA can use PKA-dependent processes to modulate gene expression. These findings also provide definitive evidence that PKA-dependent pathways are involved in modulation of AT1-R mRNA levels in VSMC.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

The vascular smooth muscle type I angiotensin II receptor mRNA is destabilized by cyclic AMP-elevating agents.

Although processes involved in mRNA degradation play a significant role in dictating steady state mRNA levels, the influence of cell surface signaling on mRNA stability control is understood incompletely. In this study, the effects of cAMP-elevating agents on type I angiotensin II receptor (AT1-R) mRNA levels were assessed in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). AT1-R mRNA levels are rapidly reduced by forskolin treatment, in which the maximal effect yields an 80% reduction in AT1-R mRNA levels after 6 hr of treatment. The rate of AT1-R mRNA decay in response to forskolin is greater than its apparent intrinsic decay, as assessed in the presence of the transcriptional inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, suggesting forskolin treatment destabilizes the AT1-R mRNA. Nuclear run-on analysis indicates forskolin treatment does not affect transcription of the AT1-R gene in VSMCs, implying induced AT1-R mRNA destabilization accounts for the entire effect of forskolin in decreasing AT1-R mRNA levels. Dose-effect studies that assessed AT1-R mRNA levels and cAMP production were conducted using forskolin and the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol as agonists. Isoproterenol is almost 3 orders of magnitude more potent at eliciting the reduction in AT1-receptor mRNA levels than it is at stimulating cAMP production. Similarly, forskolin elicits reductions in AT1-R mRNA, which occur at concentrations that fail to elicit a detectable production of cAMP. However, protein kinase A activity is stimulated maximally by isoproterenol and forskolin concentrations that do not stimulate detectable cAMP production. These data provide evidence that the mechanism for down-regulation of AT1-R mRNA levels by cAMP-elevating agents in VSMCs occurs via a PKA-regulated mRNA destabilization pathway.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed1997

4-Methylhomoibotenic acid activates a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are a family of glutamate receptors that are coupled to a variety of second messenger systems through GTP-binding proteins. Of the eight subtypes cloned to date, mGluR1 and mGluR5 are coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis in expression systems, and both are activated by the glutamate analogue 1-aminocyclopentane-1S,3R-dicarboxylic acid. Previously, we provided evidence that in rat cortical slices, 4-bromohomoibotenic acid (BrHI) and 4-methylhomoibotenic acid (MHI) activate a 1-aminocyclopentane-1S,3R-dicarboxylic acid-insensitive phosphoinositide hydrolysis-coupled mGluR. We further examine these compounds in expression systems. In a stable cell line expressing mGluR1a, BrHI is a weak partial agonist whereas MHI has no agonist activity. In Xenopus oocytes expressing mGluR1a or mGluR5a, BrHI is a weak agonist at mGluR5a whereas MHI is without effect on either receptor. Both BrHI and MHI have weak agonist activity at mGluRs 4a and 7a expressed in stable BHK cell lines whereas neither compound had any activity on BHK cells expressing mGluR2. Finally, we found that the novel mGluR antagonist LY341495 completely blocked the activation of mGluR1 and mGluR5 and blocked the phosphoinositide hydrolysis response to DHPG in rat cortical slices. In contrast, LY341495 did not block the phosphoinositide hydrolysis response to MHI in rat cortical slices. This provides further evidence that the phosphoinositide hydrolysis response to MHI in rat cortical slices is due to activation of a novel receptor that is distinct from the previously cloned mGluRs.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Induction of NFAT-mediated transcription by Gq-coupled receptors in lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells.

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was discovered as an inducible transcription factor activated by antigen stimulation of the T cell receptor in lymphocytes. Stimulation of NFAT-mediated transcription is now reported in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells following activation of a neurotransmitter receptor. Carbachol induces robust luciferase responses in Jurkat and pheochromocytoma PC12 cells expressing an NFAT-luciferase reporter construct and a Gq-coupled m3 muscarinic receptor. Cyclosporin blocks this response in PC12 cells, as in Jurkat cells. In PC12 cells expressing a Gi-coupled m2 muscarinic receptor, carbachol induces NFAT-mediated luciferase activity that is strictly dependent upon co-expression of a chimeric G alpha q/alpha i subunit, which confers Gq-effector coupling on Gi-linked receptors. These findings suggest that neurotransmitters, autacoids, or hormones acting on Gq-protein-coupled receptors may serve as physiological stimulators of NFAT in lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Enhanced angiotensin receptor type 1 mRNA degradation and induction of polyribosomal mRNA binding proteins by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Stimulation of cultured rat thoracic aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with 100 nM angiotensin II (Ang II) reduces angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1-R) gene expression. mRNA levels are reduced to approximately 30% of control levels 4 hr after the addition of Ang II to the culture medium. The loss of mRNA remains sustained for up to 24 hr after the addition of Ang II. The half-life of the AT1-R mRNA is approximately 2 hr in cells treated with a single dose of 100 nM Ang II. This represents a 3-fold reduction from its half-life of 6 hr in nonstimulated cells, as assessed by treatment with 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole or actinomycin D to block transcription. Thus, the AT1-R mRNA is moderately unstable in VSMC and destabilized further by treatment with Ang II. Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA destabilization is prevented by pretreatment with transcriptional inhibitors or the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, suggesting that Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA destabilization requires the induction of an unknown factor or factors that are postulated to mediate this effect. AT1-R mRNA levels decrease more rapidly in vitro from a polyribosomal fraction isolated from VSMC exposed for 2 hr to 100 nM Ang II compared with that from vehicle-treated cells, suggesting that polyribosomal-associated AT1-R mRNA is at least one site of action for the mRNA destabilization effect of Ang II. Ang II stimulation induces a complex of polyribosomal proteins that bind specifically in the distal 350 bases of the AT1-R mRNA. Regulation of mRNA stability accounts in part for modulation of AT1-R gene expression by Ang II in VSMCs, and Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA polyribosomal binding proteins are associated with this phenomenon.

Angiotensin I↗

PubMed1995

The endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase: is it really constitutively expressed?

During the past two years, the enzyme responsible for production of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, the endothelial cell NO synthase (ecNOS) has been cloned and the gene encoding this enzyme isolated, cloned and its structure characterized. This research has provided direction for a variety of studies of regulation of the ecNOS. Several features of the ecNOS are compatible with a constitutively expressed, poorly regulated gene, including absence of a TATA box and numerous SP-1 sites. The promoter also contains a number of putative binding domains which suggest that it may be regulated by a variety of transcription factor mediated signals. In this review we will discuss evidence to support the concept that the ecNOS is a constitutively expressed gene subject to a modest degree of regulation by important physiological influences.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1995

Bilateral breast carcinoma: mammographic and histologic correlation.

PURPOSE: To determine the mammographic, histologic, and clinical features of bilateral breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-biopsy mammograms of 67 patients with bilateral carcinoma were reviewed. Lesions were synchronous in 35 patients and metachronous in 32. Mammographic appearance, lesion size and location, and bilateral similarities were evaluated. Axillary nodal status was noted. These characteristics were compared with those of unilateral cancers. RESULTS: Of 58 mammographically evident lesion pairs, 31 involved the same quadrant. Of the total 67 lesion pairs, 24 pairs were similar in appearance, and 15 had both mirror image location and a similar appearance. Of 17 lesion pairs considered to represent a single primary carcinoma with metastases to the contralateral breast, eight had a similar mirror image appearance and five had mirror image location and a similar mirror image appearance. The second cancer of metachronous pairs was smaller, with less frequent axillary nodal involvement. CONCLUSION: The appearance of bilateral breast cancer does not differ from that of unilateral carcinoma. Bilateral breast carcinomas frequently demonstrate a similar mammographic appearance and mirror image location.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Regulation of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression by shear stress.

Shear stress enhances expression of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-sensitive endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) mRNA and protein in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). The present studies were performed to investigate mechanisms responsible for regulation of ecNOS mRNA expression by shear stress and to determine if this induction of ecNOS mRNA is accompanied by an enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production. Shear stresses of 15 dyn/cm2 for 3-24 h resulted in a two- to threefold increase of ecNOS mRNA content quantified by Northern analysis in BAEC. Shear stresses (1.2-15 dyn/cm2) for 3 h resulted in an induction of ecNOS mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. In human aortic endothelial cells, shear stresses of 15 dyn/cm2 for 3 h also resulted in ecNOS mRNA induction. In BAEC, this induction in ecNOS mRNA was prevented by coincubation with actinomycin D (10 micrograms/ml). The K+ channel antagonist tetraethylammonium chloride (3 mM) prevented increase in ecNOS mRNA in response to shear stress. The ecNOS promotor contains putative binding domains for AP-1 complexes, potentially responsive to activation of protein kinase C (PKC). However, selective PKC inhibitor calphostin C (100 nM) did not inhibit ecNOS induction by shear stress. Finally, production of nitrogen oxides under both basal conditions and in response to the calcium ionophore A-23187 (1 microM) by BAEC exposed to shear stress was increased approximately twofold compared with cells not exposed to shear stress. These data suggest that ecNOS mRNA expression is regulated by K+ channel opening, but not by activation of PKC, and that shear not only enhances ecNOS mRNA expression but increases capacity of endothelial cells to release NO.

Animals↗