Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Z Fuks

Publications and source records attributed to Z Fuks.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Growth characteristics of human first trimester decidual cells cultured in serum-free medium: production of prolactin, prostaglandins and fibronectin.

A procedure for the establishment of pure human first trimester decidual cells in primary cultures has been developed. The high rate of success in obtaining such cultures resulted from the elimination of fibroblasts by appropriate enzyme dissociation and filtration of the initial tissue sample, and subsequent maintenance of the cells in a serum-free medium supplemented with insulin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), estradiol, progesterone, hydrocortisone, transferrin and sodium selenite. Under these culture conditions, we obtained pure and actively dividing decidual cells forming tightly packed and nonoverlapping epithelioid cell monolayers covering more than 75% of the culture area. The cultured decidual cells retained their in vivo capacity to produce prolactin and various prostaglandins (PGs), primarily PGE2. There was a marked reduction in hormone production after 20 days in culture. A massive network of fibrillar surface fibronectin was detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining of the cultured cells. The production of prolactin and PGs together with the secretion of fibronectin may play a role in the implantation and subsequent growth of the embryo. The described procedure of obtaining fibroblast-free decidual cell monolayers will promote studies on the hormonal regulation of this tissue at the time of early intrauterine life.

Cells, Cultured↗

Interferon enhances prostacyclin production by cultured vascular endothelial cells.

The effects of interferon (IFN) on the arachidonate metabolism and physiological functions of cultured endothelial cells and blood platelets have been examined. Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were found to be sensitive to the antiviral and antiproliferative activities of human leukocyte (alpha) IFN and to increase their capacity to synthesize prostacyclin (PGI2) upon exposure to IFN. Several observations indicate that IFN stimulates PGI2 synthesis at the level of the enzymes phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase: (a) PGI2 production was dependent upon the supply of exogenous arachidonic acid or the liberation of endogenous cellular arachidonate by ionophore A23187, but was not observed when IFN-treated cells were exposed to the endoperoxide prostaglandin H2. (b) IFN had no effect on the spontaneous release of PGI2 into the culture medium during the incubation period (24-72 h). (c) The stimulatory effect of IFN on PGI2 production was inhibited by both glucocorticoids and indomethacin. The effect of IFN on platelet prostaglandin metabolism was also investigated. Incubation of platelet-rich plasma with IFN had no effect on platelet aggregation and thromboxane A2 production. The biological significance of the findings presented in this paper may be considered in view of the protective role of PGI2 in the vessel wall and the fact that infection with certain viruses induces endothelial damage both in man and experimental animal models.

Animals↗

Degradation of sulfated proteoglycans in the subendothelial extracellular matrix by human platelet heparitinase.

Cultured vascular and corneal endothelial cells produce an underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) which induces platelet adherence, aggregation, and release reaction. Incubation of a metabolically (35S)O = 4-labeled ECM with platelet-rich plasma or washed platelets, but not with platelet-poor plasma, resulted in degradation of its heparan sulfate-containing proteoglycans into labeled fragments four to five times smaller than intact glycosaminoglycan side chains. These fragments were sensitive to deamination with nitrous acid and were not produced in the presence of heparin, indicating that heparan sulfate in the ECM is susceptible to cleavage by the platelet heparitinase. This degradation required adhesion of platelets to the ECM rather than aggregation since it was not inhibited by aspirin, which prevented platelet aggregation but not adherence. The enzyme was not released during aggregation of platelets on the ECM but was readily liberated upon their exposure to thrombin. This liberation was inhibited in the presence of prostacyclin (PGI2). Isolated high molecular weight proteoglycans first released from the ECM by incubation with platelet poor plasma served as a substrate for further degradation by the platelet heparitinase, suggesting a cascade mechanism for degradation of heparan sulfate in the ECM. Heparitinase, although to a lower level, was also active when washed platelets were added on top of a confluent endothelial cell monolayer covering the (35S)O = 4-labeled ECM. It is suggested that the platelet heparitinase may be involved in the impairment of the integrity of the vessel wall and thus facilitate the extravasation of blood-borne cells.

Blood Platelets↗

Suppression of cell-mediated immune responses after total lymphoid irradiation (TLI). I. Characterization of suppressor cells of the mixed lymphocyte reaction.

Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) was administered to (BALB/c X C57BL/6)F1 mice in eight daily doses of 200 rad (total 1600 rad). Spleen cells isolated from mice after treatment with TLI do not respond to alloantigens in vitro in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), but normal reactivity recovers after approximately 2 mo. Radioresistant, antigen-nonspecific suppressor cells are documented in the spleens of TLI-treated mice immediately after radiotherapy, but suppressive capacity gradually disappears within 30 days. After TLI, the spleen is repopulated with large cells, the proportion of which is greatest at a time when theta-bearing cells are still depleted. Radioresistant suppression is mediated predominantly by the large cell subset and is thymus independent. Suppressor function can be abolished by lethal physicochemical procedures including formaldehyde fixation, multiple freeze-thawing, and heating to 56 degrees C, and it cannot be conferred by supernatants of TLI-suppressed MLR suspensions. Suppression cannot be overcome by adding various cell factors including T cell growth factor (TCGF) and lymphocyte-activating factor (LAF), nor is it affected by a prostaglandin inhibitor. Equally potent radioresistant suppressive activity is documented by co-culturing cells derived from other sources enriched in large, immature hematopoietic cells, including fetal liver cells and bone marrow cells obtained from normal and congenitally athymic mice. The presence of a large cell population and MLR suppressor function is also documented in the spleens of mice treated with single dose or fractionated doses of lethal whole body irradiation, followed by reconstitution with bone marrow cells obtained from normal mice. The data suggest that MLR suppressor cells, which are large, immature and predominantly radioresistant, can be induced after a short and well-tolerated TLI regimen.

Animals↗

Reversal of acquired resistance to doxorubicin in P388 murine leukemia cells by tamoxifen and other triparanol analogues.

The effects of the triparanol analogues chlorotrianisene, clomiphene, tamoxifen, 5-[p-(fluoren-9-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]-2-piperidineethanol (MDL 10393), MDL 8917v, nafoxidine, 2-[p-(6-methoxy-2-phenylinden-3-yl)phenoxy]triethylamine (U-11555A), 2-[p-(3,4-dihydro-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1-naphthyl)phenoxy]triethylamine (U-10520A), and nitromifene, as well as triparanol itself, were studied in the P388 murine leukemia cell line and in a doxorubicin-resistant subline (P388/ADR). At noninhibitory concentrations, all the analogues increased the sensitivity of P388/ADR cells to doxorubicin but did not have such an effect on the doxorubicin-sensitive cells. Diethylstilbestrol, deacetylated cyclofenil (F6060), hexestrol, and 17 beta-estradiol did not have such an activity. The effects of tamoxifen on doxorubicin sensitivity of P388/ADR cells could not be reversed by 17 beta-estradiol. Estrogen receptors could not be demonstrated in either cell line. It is therefore suggested that the reversal of the doxorubicin-acquired resistance by the triparanol analogues is unrelated to their estrogenic or antiestrogenic activities. The possible clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Animals↗

Establishment of cell lines from somatic cell hybrids between human monocytes and mouse myeloma cells.

To study human monocyte functions, we attempted to immortalize human monocytes by producing somatic cell hybrids between such monocytes and the mouse myeloma cell line NSI. In this study we report the successful establishment of eight hybrid cell lines that have been grown in culture for more than a year, and some of them retained part of the human chromosome complement, as well as monocyte markers and activities. Karyotype analysis of these hybrid lines revealed that cells of seven out of eight of the lines contained one to 16 human chromosomes and in four of them, more than nine human chromosomes were observed. Several of the cell lines expressed monocytic markers and functions. Thus, in two of the hybrid lines nonspecific esterase could be demonstrated in 10 to 29% of the cells, and Fc receptors were demonstrated in three of the hybrid cell lines. Significant levels of human ferritin were detected in one of the lines, and two other cell lines secreted interleukin 1-like substance into the culture medium. These results encourage us to use human-mouse somatic cell hybridization as an approach for the establishment of human monocyte cell lines, which will preserve their functions and produce monocyte-derived factors.

Animals↗

Reversal of acquired resistance to doxorubicin in P388 murine leukemia cells by perhexiline maleate.

The effects of perhexiline maleate on growth and drug sensitivity were studied in the P388 murine leukemia cell line and in an anthracycline-resistant subline (P388/ADR). At noninhibitory concentrations, perhexiline maleate markedly increased the sensitivity of P388/ADR cells to doxorubicin but did not have such an effect on anthracycline-sensitive cells. The effects of perhexiline maleate on P388/ADR cells were reversible. Perhexiline maleate also increased the accumulation of another anthracycline, daunorubicin, in P388/ADR cells but did not increase its accumulation in the anthracycline-sensitive cells. Perhexiline maleate did not affect the sensitivity of either cell line to methotrexate or to 6-mercaptopurine. However, its effects on the sensitivity and on drug accumulation of vinblastine, a drug to which P388/ADR cells are cross-resistant, were similar to those observed for the anthracyclines. Although perhexiline maleate has been reported to be a calcium antagonist in other systems, our data do not suggest that this mechanism is involved in its enhancement of the sensitivity of P388/ADR cells to doxorubicin. We suggest instead that this effect might be associated with alterations of cell lipid metabolism induced by perhexiline maleate.

Animals↗

Acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteriogram after mantle field radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease.

A case of an acute myocardial infarction occurring in a 19-year-old woman, 27 months after mantle radiotherapy for Stage II-A Hodgkin's disease is described. The coronary arteriogram demonstrated patent and normal coronary arteries, but the echocardiogram revealed pericarditis. The clinical course was further complicated by variant type of angina pectoris which could not be prevented by treatment with vasodilators, but subsided promptly to corticosteroid therapy. It is suggested that radiation induced pericarditis triggered coronary vasospasm leading to the myocardial infarction and to variant angina pectoris.

Adolescent↗

High-density lipoprotein and extracellular matrix promotes growth and plating efficiency of normal human mammary epithelial cells in serum-free medium.

A routine procedure has been developed for the establishment in culture of normal primary and secondary human mammary epithelial cells. The high (80-100%) rate of success resulted from the combined use of a serum-free medium supplemented with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and of cell plating on a naturally produced extracellular matrix (ECM). Plating on ECM greatly improved cell attachment, plating efficiency and initial outgrowth. HDL supported epithelial cell proliferation and prevented their detachment and degeneration while the omission of serum prevented the growth of stromal fibroblasts. Under these conditions we obtained from each specimen, and regardless of the patient's age, pure and actively dividing epithelial cell cultures forming a tightly packed and non-overlapping cell monolayer covering the entire area of the culture dish. These epithelial cultures could be easily dissociated and subcultured at a split ratio of 1:10. The described procedure will promote studies on the role of hormones and growth factors in the proliferation and differentiation of human mammary epithelial cells and on the susceptibility of human breast epithelial cells to various transforming agents and anti-cancer treatments.

Blood↗

Enhanced growth and morphological differentiation of isolated adult rat oligodendrocytes in vitro: use of a naturally produced extracellular matrix.

Attachment, growth and morphological differentiation of isolated adult rat oligodendrocytes cultured on a naturally produced basement membrane-like extracellular matrix (ECM) occurred much faster than on poly-L-lysine (PLL) coated tissue culture dishes. In each individual trial the cells cultured on ECM exhibited, within 3-5 days in culture, a massive outgrowth of long and branched cytoplasmic processes. Outgrowth to such an extent, using PLL or plastic tissue culture dishes, was not observed even after 2 weeks in culture. The successful high plating efficiency, rapid growth and network formation as well as its resemblance to the in vivo environment of cells make this naturally produced substrate a superior substitute for PLL and therefore more attractive for studying the behavior and function of oligodendrocytes in vitro.

Animals↗

Constitutive secretion of interleukin 1 by human monocytes.

The constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of interleukin 1 (IL 1) by cultured human monocytes and macrophages has been studied. Both freshly obtained monocytes and their culture-derived macrophages were induced by LPS to secrete similar amounts of IL 1. Such induction, however, was accompanied by the secretion of dialyzed inhibitory activity. Constitutive secretion of IL 1 was detected in concentrated supernatants of monocyte cultures. The factor obtained constitutively did not manifest significant inhibitory activity. A method is described for the recovery of IL 1-containing supernatants in serum- and other stimulant-free medium. The biological activities of the constitutively secreted IL 1 were similar to the LPS-induced activities. The constitutive secretion of IL 1 was not equally distributed in the entire monocyte population. We found that a small fraction of loosely adherent monocytes secreted higher amounts of IL 1 than the strongly adherent monocytes. However, the property of higher secretion of IL 1 was not stable and disappeared following monocyte cultivation. Thus, constitutive activity of IL 1 could be recovered either by concentrating the culture supernatants or by enriching a subset of monocytes with higher IL 1 activity.

Adolescent↗

Selection and continuous growth of antigen-specific human T cells by antigen-treated monocytes.

Antigen-specific human T lymphocytes were selected by adsorption of peripheral blood mononuclear cells on monolayers of antigen-treated autologous monocytes. The enriched cell populations were propagated in interleukin 2-containing medium for 60-80 days. Their activity was tested by a proliferative response against the sensitizing antigen in the presence of irradiated autologous lymphocytes. Continuous cultures of enriched T cells responded specifically to three different protein antigens. The specific reactivity induced in vitro against at least one of the antigens was probably a primary response. In addition, the selected cultures were found to be enriched for OKT4-positive cells, in contrast to cultures of nonselected T cells which were enriched for OKT8-positive cells. These properties of the selected T lymphocyte populations were obtained following only one exposure to the sensitizing antigen, which was concomitant with adsorbance on monocytes and without cloning of the reactive cells. We suggest that specific adsorbance of lymphocytes on antigen-treated monocytes may result in a T cell population which combines both properties of antigen specificity and enrichment for the helper proliferative subset of T cells.

Adolescent↗

Cultured endothelial cells increase their capacity to synthesize prostacyclin following the formation of a contact inhibited cell monolayer.

The synthesis of the prostaglandins (PG), prostacyclin (PGI2), PGE2, and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), has been investigated in actively growing and contact-inhibited bovine aortic endothelial cell cultures. Cells were stimulated to synthesize prostaglandins by exposure to exogenous arachidonic acid or to the endoperoxide PGH2 and by the liberation of endogenous arachidonic acid from cellular lipids with melittin or ionophore A23187. Increased capacity of the cells to synthesize PGI2 and PGE2 was observed as a function of time in culture, regardless of the type of stimulation. TXA2 production increased with time only upon stimulation of the cells with ionophore A23187. This increased PG synthetic capacity was independent of cell density since it was mainly observed in confluent, nondividing endothelial cell cultures. The fact that increased PGI2 production in confluent cells was also observed with PGH2, a direct stimulator of PGI2 synthetase, implies that this process is independent of the arachidonate concentration within the cells or in the culture medium. This increased capacity is likely to reflect an increased activity of the PG synthetase system associated with the formation of a contact inhibited endothelial cell monolayer. A similar time-dependent increase in the PGI2 production capacity was also observed during growth of cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells.

Animals↗

The effect of radiation on prostacyclin (PGI2) production by cultured endothelial cells.

The effect of ionizing irradiation on the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells was determined. PGI2 was measured in the culture medium by a radioimmunoassay for 6-Keto PGF1 alpha. Two phenomena were observed following irradiation: a) Cells which suffered an immediate radiation damage (1000-5000 rads) released high quantities of PGI2 to the culture medium. This was due to a de novo synthesis of PGI2 stimulated by radiation induced cellular damage, since pretreatment with aspirin of the endothelial cell monolayers resulted in a marked inhibition of PGI2 release following irradiation. b) Metabolically active cells which remained confluent and firmly attached to the culture dish following single, low and intermediate doses (200-1200 rads) radiation, exhibited a marked decrease in their capacity to synthesize PGI2 upon exposure to various stimuli of the arachidonic acid cascade (arachidonic acid, melittin, ionophore A23187 and PGH2). Similar results were observed with cells treated with fractionated radiation. The quantities of PGI2 produced by the endothelial cells decreased as a function of the dose of radiation and time interval between irradiation and subsequent stimulation. Radiation had a minimal effect on the nonthrombogenic properties of the endothelial cells, as evidenced by the small increase in platelet adherence to the endothelial cells. The effect of radiation on PGI2 production by the vascular endothelium may be relevant to the development of radiation induced capillary occlusions, and the enhancement of atherosclerotic lesions in large vessels.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

The instability of membrane markers expressed by human monocytes and macrophages in culture.

Surface markers were tested on freshly isolated human monocytes and following their in vitro maturation to macrophages. The markers tested were HLA-DR antigens, receptors for the Fc of IgG and complement as well as membrane markers defined by monoclonal antibodies. The results revealed a dynamic expression of some of the markers on monocytes which was influenced by several variables. The expression of the markers was modulated by the presence of different sera, by treatment with lymphokines and interferon and following the in vitro maturation of monocytes to macrophages. The most unstable marker was found to be the HLA-DR, which was modulated by all these variables. The 63D3 was affected by different sera and culture supernatant, as well as following the maturation of monocytes to macrophages, but not by lymphokines and interferon. One of the markers, the Mac 120, was found to be relatively stable and did not change significantly following the maturation of monocytes to macrophages. The Fc and complement receptors were also stable in their expression under these conditions, but were probably partially blocked in the presence of human serum. These results indicated that at least some of the heterogeneity related to the monocyte population was probably not due to the occurrence of stable subsets of cells, but rather to reversible changes in marker expression.

Adolescent↗