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Specificity of leucocyte migration inhibition test in coeliac disease. A reassessment using different gluten subfractions.

Production of leucocyte migration inhibition factor by peripheral blood leucocytes in response to challenge with gluten fractions has been proposed as a reliable in vitro test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease. We have performed the leucocyte migration inhibition test with two different gluten fractions, GFIII and B2, in untreated and treated coeliac patients, patients with other intestinal diseases (abnormal controls) and healthy controls, and evaluated the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictability of the test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Using GFIII as antigen leucocyte migration was significantly inhibited, compared to healthy controls, not only in treated and untreated coeliacs but also in abnormal controls. Using B2 gluten subfraction as antigen only treated coeliacs and abnormal controls differed significantly from healthy controls. The elevated number of abnormal controls showing migration inhibition consistently affected the diagnostic value of the test, which did not vary using B2 subfraction instead of GFIII as antigen. Our study confirms previous observations of gluten sensitization, as detected by leucocyte migration inhibition, in coeliac patients but strongly questions the claim that coeliac disease can be diagnosed on the basis of a positive leucocyte migration inhibition test without the need for intestinal biopsy.

Adolescent↗

Changes in plasma levels of gonadotropins and sex steroids in the toad, Bufo japonicus, in association with behavior during the breeding season.

Plasma levels of gonadotropins and sex steroids in Bufo japonicus were surveyed at different behavioral stages during the breeding period in March. All hormone levels were lower in torpid toads, which were found underground 1 week before the start of the breeding migration, than in active toads in the breeding season, although the levels were higher than those in the other months. LH and FSH levels in toads migrating toward a breeding pond were still low or only slightly elevated. Gonadotropin levels increased markedly when toads arrived at the pond and were highest for individuals actually in the pond. These LH and FSH surges occurred in both sexes, although peak levels were higher in females. Gonadotropin levels decreased in individuals of both sexes when they left the pond after breeding ("landed" individuals). LH and FSH levels in solitary males were significantly lower than those in amplexing males. In females, there was no significant difference in the level of any hormone between amplexing and solitary individuals. Circulating testosterone increased to the highest level in migrating males; this elevated level was maintained after arrival in the pond. DHT in males showed a pattern similar to that of testosterone. Both androgens decreased to the lowest level in landed males. In females, estradiol was dominant during migration, while progesterone became dominant shortly after arriving near or in the pond. This progesterone surge coincided with the LH surge. Androgen may stimulate amplexus behavior in male toads, and then amplexus seems to induce the LH surge that is necessary for spermiation. In females, however, amplexus seems to have no direct correlation with the gonadotropin surge, and the LH surge may induce the progesterone surge which causes ovulation.

Animals↗

Regulation of protein kinase A activation and prostaglandin E2-stimulated migration of Lewis lung carcinoma clones.

Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) clones were used in in vitro models for dissemination to identify mechanisms regulating the stimulation of metastatic LLC-LN7 migration by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or forskolin plus 3-isobutyl-I-methylxanthine (IBMX), and the lack of responsiveness to generated cAMP in non-metastatic LLC-C8 cells. The regulatory subunits of protein kinase A (PKA) from LLC-LN7 cells bound more 8-N3-32P-cAMP, even though production of regulatory subunits was equal to that in LLC-C8 cells. Protein kinase C (PKC) differentially regulated PKA activation in the LLC variants. PKC activation inhibited PGE2-stimulated migration by LLC-LN7 cells. Inhibition of PKC with staurosporine stimulated LLC-LN7 cell migration to a level comparable with that induced by PGE2. However, PGE2 did not further stimulate the migration of staurosporine-treated cells. The PGE2 or staurosporine stimulation of LLC-LN7 cell migration was dependent on PKA activation. The effects that modulation of PKA and PKC had on LLC-LN7 cell migration paralleled the effects on endogenous protein phosphorylation. LLC-LN7 cell autophosphorylation was stimulated to a similar degree by PGE2, forskolin plus IMBX, staurosporine, or the combination of staurosporine and forskolin plus IBMX. In contrast, neither migration nor autophosphorylation was stimulated in non-metastatic LLC-C8 cells by cAMP elevation or by PKC inhibition. Autophosphorylation, although not migration, of LLC-C8 cells was stimulated by forskolin plus IBMX when PKC activity was inhibited. These results suggest that the increased PKA response of metastatic LLC-LN7 cells is contributed by an increased binding of cAMP by the PKA regulatory subunits and a reduced level of regulation by PKC.

Animals↗

Hepatic-mediated elevation and maintenance of metastatic tumor cell glutathione.

Metastatic migration of murine L1210 leukemia cells, sensitive and resistant to the antitumor agent L-phenylalanine mustard, from the peritoneal cavity of mice to the liver resulted in a 2-fold elevation in their GSH content. This increase in GSH was accompanied by a corresponding increase in their resistance to the drug. Cell surface binding studies with the non-penetrating disulfide, 6,6'-dithiodinicotinic acid, indicated that both tumors isolated from the liver had a greater than 5-fold elevation in surface sulfhydryls when compared to their ascitic counterparts. These results indicate a role for the hepatic microenvironment in the maintenance of tumor cell GSH, drug responsiveness, and surface sulfhydryls.

Animals↗

Regulation and functions of the protein C anticoagulant pathway.

The protein C pathway plays a critical role in the negative regulation of the blood clotting process. We recently identified an endothelial cell receptor for protein C/activated protein C (APC). The receptor is localized almost exclusively on endothelial cells of large vessels and is present at only trace levels or indeed absent from capillaries in most tissues. Patients with sepsis or lupus erythematosus exhibit elevated levels of plasma EPCR which migrates on gels as a single band and is fully capable of binding protein C/APC. There is no correlation with thrombomodulin levels, probably due to different vascular localizations and/or cellular release mechanisms. To understand the mechanisms by which EPCR plasma levels are elevated, we examined EPCR mRNA expression in a rat endotoxin shock model. The EPCR mRNA gene exhibited an early immediate gene response to endotoxin with the mRNA levels increasing nearly 4 fold in the first 3-6 hrs, before returning toward baseline. Plasma levels of EPCR also rose about 4 fold with little change in tissue EPCR levels. Both processes were markedly attenuated by hirudin suggesting that thrombin was responsible for increases in mRNA and plasma EPCR levels. At the level of mRNA, the induction is mediated by a thrombin response element in the 5' flanking region of the gene. Direct thrombin infusion and cell culture experiments support this contention. On endothelium, thrombin is capable of releasing cell surface EPCR and this process is blocked by the metalloproteinase inhibitor orthophenanthroline. Taken together these studies indicate that elevation in soluble plasma EPCR reflects endothelial cell activation in the larger vessels and is likely to be an indication of local thrombin generation near these vessel surfaces.

Animals↗

Immunoglobulin levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in certain viral infections of the central nervous system.

It is seriously debated whether the presence of immunoglobulins in CSF is due to local production, diffusion of proteins through the blood-brain barrier, or both. Tourtellotte et al [1] strongly suggest that in both healthy and diseased individuals, immunoglobulins are synthesized extravascularly and subsequently diffuse into the CSF. Cohen and Bannister [2] demonstrated that lymphocytes from the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis could produce IgA and IgG in vitro. Although such evidence suggests the likelihood of local production of immunoglobulins, others believe that elevated protein levels in CSF are due to migration of immunoglobulins from serum to CSF because of damage to the blood-brain barrier [3]. Thus, the elevated IgG level in CSF could be an expression of such an impaired blood-brain barrier. A further implication of this hypothesis is that the more the function of this barrier is impaired, the more extensive is the transudation. This includes the migration of large molecules such as IgM during the inflammatory state, a condition which increases not only the number of theoretical filters but also the size of the pores. IgG levels in CSF and serum were elevated in all five infections studied except viral encephalitis, in which this value remained normal. The serum IgA level was elevated in all five lesions, but the IgA level in CSF was elevated only in viral encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and meningeal carcinomatosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Central Nervous System Diseases↗

Distinct mechanisms mediate the initial and sustained phases of cell migration in epidermal growth factor receptor-overexpressing cells.

Elevated levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are predictive of increased invasion and metastasis in many human cancers. In the present study, we have shown that two distinct pathways regulate cell migration in EGFR-overexpressing invasive cells such as MDA 468 breast cancer cells: mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or ERK 1 and 2) pathways play a major role in early stages to cell migration; and protein kinase C delta isoforms (PKC-delta) play a significant role in later stages of sustained cell migration. Inhibition of MAPK activity with MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 blocks early stages of cell migration (up to 4 h); however, cells revert back to enhanced cell migration after 4 h. While inhibition of PKC-delta activity with rottlerin or dominant-negative PKC-delta expression blocks sustained cell migration after 4 h and up to 12 h, the combination of MAPK and PKC inhibitors completely blocked transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha)-induced cell migration in EGFR-overexpressing breast cancer cells. However, inhibition of MAPK activity completely blocked cell migration in low EGFR-expressing non-invasive breast cancer cells such as MCF-7 cells. Forced overexpression of EGFR in MCF-7 cells (EGFR/MCF-7 cells) resulted in cell migration patterns seen in MDA 468 cells, that is, MAPK pathways play a major role in early stages to cell migration, and PKC-delta plays a major role in later stages of sustained cell migration. The above data demonstrate that EGFR-overexpressing invasive cells have the ability to compensate the loss of MAPK-mediated signaling through activation of PKC-delta signaling for cell migration, which plays a major role in invasion and metastasis. In addition, data suggest that inhibition of MAPK and PKC-delta signaling pathways should abrogate cell migration and invasion in EGFR-overexpressing human breast cancer cells.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Plasma endotoxin and serum cytokine levels in patients with alcoholic hepatitis: relation to severity of liver disturbance.

BACKGROUND: Endotoxin plays an important role in the initiation and aggravation of alcoholic liver disease. In this study, we evaluated plasma endotoxin levels and serum concentrations of cytokines and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) during the acute and recovery phase of patients with alcoholic hepatitis; we also explored the prognostic factors associated with a fatal outcome. METHODS: Fourteen patients, consisting of eight patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH), five cirrhotics with superimposed AH (LC+AH), and one patient with severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH), were studied. Among these, two with LC+AH died of hepatic failure. RESULTS: Plasma endotoxin levels in the acute phase were higher in patients with AH (184.4 +/- 159.4 pg/ml) and LC+AH (206.9 +/- 174.9 pg/ml) than in healthy subjects (10.4 +/- 5.5 pg/ml, p < 0.001). In particular, in one patient with SAH and one of two nonsurvivors, plasma endotoxin levels were markedly high relative to the other cases. In most survivors, plasma endotoxin levels decreased in the recovery phase, whereas they further increased at the terminal stage in one of two nonsurvivors. Serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels in the acute phase were significantly higher in patients with AH and LC+AH as compared with healthy subjects. These levels were especially high in nonsurvivors and in one patient with SAH. IL-10 increased in two nonsurvivors, one patient with SAH, and one with LC+AH. In the recovery phase, these cytokine levels in survivors tended to decrease, but in nonsurvivors, IL-6 remained high, and IL-8 and IL-10 further increased. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were below the detection limit throughout the course in all patients. Serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) generally was elevated in the acute phase and decreased in the recovery phase in all survivors, but in one of the nonsurvivors, LBP was elevated markedly at the terminal stage. In the acute phase, plasma endotoxin levels were correlated positively with white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, and serum IL-8. IL-8 was correlated positively with neutrophil counts and negatively with serum cholinesterase, hepaplastin test, and serum albumin levels. IL-6 was correlated positively with white blood cell and neutrophil counts, C-reactive protein, and serum total bilirubin and negatively with hepaplastin test and serum total protein levels. Serum LBP was correlated positively with white blood cell and neutrophil counts. CONCLUSIONS: Endotoxemia and related elevation of IL-8 may play an important role in the activation and migration of neutrophils in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Marked elevation of inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, are related to severity and poor prognosis of alcoholic hepatitis. Serum LBP may serve as an index of inflammatory reaction in alcoholics.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

In vitro evaluation of reactive astrocyte migration, a component of tissue remodeling in glaucomatous optic nerve head.

In order to improve understanding of remodeling events in the glaucomatous optic nerve head, the migration of optic nerve head astrocytes was studied in vitro. Since elevated intraocular pressure is an important stress factor identified in glaucomatous eyes, optic nerve head astrocytes were incubated under physical stress created by elevated hydrostatic pressure. In addition, they were incubated in the presence of a chemical stimulus, lipolysaccharide (LPS). Migration of reactivated astrocytes in the presence of these stressors was examined using chambers in which cell migration through extracellular matrix-coated pores is only possible following proteolytic digestion of the matrix. We observed that the migratory ability of optic nerve head astrocytes was approximately 4-6 times greater following exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure or LPS for up to 48 h. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and tyrosine kinase were found to be involved in the signal transduction for activated migration of optic nerve head astrocytes in response to elevated hydrostatic pressure or LPS. In addition, we observed that the stress-induced migration of optic nerve head astrocytes, which is accompanied by proteolytic degradation, resulted in the formation of culture cavities containing mucopolysaccharides. These in vitro findings provide a clearer understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of characteristic tissue remodeling events that occur, in vivo, in the glaucomatous optic nerve head.

Astrocytes↗

In vivo regulation of axon extension and pathfinding by growth-cone calcium transients.

Growth cones at the tips of extending neurites migrate through complex environments in the developing nervous system and guide axons to appropriate target regions using local cues. The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of growth cones correlates with motility in vitro, but the physiological links between environmental cues and axon growth in vivo are unknown. Here we report that growth cones generate transient elevations of [Ca2+]i as they migrate within the embryonic spinal cord and that the rate of axon outgrowth is inversely proportional to the frequency of transients. Suppressing Ca2+ transients by photorelease of a Ca2+ chelator accelerates axon extension, whereas mimicking transients with photorelease of Ca2+ slows otherwise rapid axonal growth. The frequency of Ca2+ transients is cell-type specific and depends on the position of growth cones along their pathway. Furthermore, growth-cone stalling and axon retraction, which are two important aspects of pathfinding, are associated with high frequencies of Ca2+ transients. Our results indicate that environmentally regulated growth-cone Ca2+ transients control axon growth in the developing spinal cord.

Animals↗

Enhanced expression of the LDL receptor family member LR11 increases migration of smooth muscle cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: LR11, a member of the LDL receptor family, is highly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the hyperplastic intima but not media. To further clarify the involvement of LR11 in the process of atherosclerosis, we have characterized the migration and invasion activities of LR11-overexpressing SMCs. METHODS AND RESULTS: LR11 cDNA was transfected into the rat SMC line A7r5. Compared with mock cells (C-1), in the presence of platelet-derived growth factor-BB, the transfected cells (R-1 and R-2) showed 3.5- to 4.0-fold higher expression of LR11 protein, 1.7- to 1.8-fold increased migration, and 2.0- to 2.2-fold elevated invasion activities, respectively. The increases were essentially abolished by the addition of receptor-associated protein, anti-LR11 antibodies, or apolipoprotein E. Immunological analyses showed that urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) levels were increased in LR11-overexpressing cells. Anti-urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and anti-uPAR antibodies reduced the migration and invasion activities of R-1 and R-2 cells to baseline levels. Receptor-associated protein, anti-LR11 antibodies, and apolipoprotein E decreased uPAR expression in the LR11-overexpressing cells by approximately 50%. Cellular catabolism of uPAR was significantly decreased in R-1 and R-2 cells compared with control. Cultured SMCs isolated from intima of atherosclerotic rabbit aortas showed increased expression levels of LR11 and uPAR and enhanced migration and invasion compared with SMCs from medial layers. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of LR11 induces enhanced migration and invasion activities of intimal SMCs in vitro, probably through its regulation of the uPA/uPAR system.

Animals↗

Analysis of polarization and orientation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by computer-interfaced video microscopy.

Chemotactic behavior is a complex cellular response to chemical environmental stimuli. For polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), such behavior involves net migration as well as changes in cell shape and cell orientation. Accordingly, we have applied computer-interfaced video microscopy to analyze cell shape and orientation in control and patient PMNs migrating under agarose. From a digitized tracing of the PMNs at the leading front of migration, cells were characterized in terms of area, circumference, and longest dimension. A shape factor and angle of orientation were computed. Numerical shape factors discriminated three PMN morphologies: polar, apolar, and hyperpolar. Only polar cells could be oriented. Orientation of polar cells was defined as toward, away, or disoriented with respect to the chemotactic gradient. Apolar cells were considered to be nonoriented. Of PMNs from healthy controls, 30 +/- 5% of the cells were oriented toward and 11 +/- 4% of the cells were oriented away from the gradient. For PMNs from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis, a 40% deficit in net migration was associated with reduced orientation toward (5 +/- 2%) and elevated orientation away from the gradient (33 +/- 9%). PMNs from a panel of patients with thermal injury showed reduced migration and orientation toward the gradient associated with elevated percentages of apolar cells. Such analysis of PMN polarization and orientation of the leading front permitted calculation of a chemotactic behavior index. Application of this multiparameter index to the analysis of the chemotactic response may identify PMNs that are defective, but not by evaluation of any single variable.

Burns↗

Aerial migration of the Dictyostelium slug.

The Dictyostelium slug lays down curved marks in its slime sheath trail as it migrates across an agar substrate. These 'footprints' are caused by elevation of the slug anterior as it initiates a period of aerial migration and can be used as a measure of the slug's propensity for this behavior. A variety of factors have been found to affect the number of footprints created per distance migrated. Smaller slugs produce a higher incidence of footprints than larger slugs. Migration in the light and lower temperatures during migration increase footprint incidence. Activated charcoal reduces, while exogenous addition of ammonia increases, the incidence of footprints. Simulation of the three-dimensional (3D) environment of the soil suggests that aerial migration plays a role in the slug's movement through the cavities of its natural environment. A model proposes that aerial migration is initiated by a small group of continually changing prestalk cells that acts as a pacemaker and is moved around the circumference of the slug tip by the rotation of the prestalk cells. As this pacemaker reaches the upper surface of the slug it can initiate aerial migration.

Agar↗

Characterizing fibroblast migration on discrete collagen threads for applications in tissue regeneration.

Collagen threads with mechanical properties and fibrillar substructure similar to native tissue have been synthesized for the repair of injured tendon and ligament. While these scaffolding materials have demonstrated the potential for inducing tissue regeneration, one limitation has been an insufficient rate of tissue ingrowth for complete regeneration. We hypothesize that the structural hierarchy and biochemical cues on the surfaces of these threads will enhance the rate of cell migration and ultimately the rate of new tissue ingrowth. We developed an in vitro assay to measure the effects of various collagen sources and crosslinking on the rate of fibroblast migration on the surfaces of collagen threads. Threads were suspended from elevated platforms and seeded with fibroblast-populated collagen lattices. Cell migration rates ranging from 0.75 to 1.25 mm/day were measured as the fibroblasts left the lattices and migrated onto various thread types. Threads self-assembled from type I collagen were found to have migration rates similar to native tendon threads while crosslinking by severe dehydration decreased the rate. This novel in vitro model system allows examination of cell migration from a wound margin onto biomaterials to determine the effects of various cell types, matrix materials, and surface biochemistries on cell-matrix interactions. Ultimately, this assay will allow us to identify design parameters that will be most effective for enhancing the rate of tissue ingrowth on fiber-based collagen scaffolds for soft tissue regeneration.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Tyrosine kinase activity, cytoskeletal organization, and motility in human vascular endothelial cells.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins occurs during integrin-mediated cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. We have investigated the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the migration and initial spreading of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Elevated phosphotyrosine concentrations were noted in the focal adhesions of HUVEC migrating into wounds. Anti-phosphotyrosine Western blots of extracts of wounded HUVEC monolayers demonstrated increased phosphorylation at 120-130 kDa when compared with extracts of intact monolayers. The pp125FAK immunoprecipitated from wounded monolayers exhibited increased kinase activity as compared to pp125FAK from intact monolayers. The time to wound closure in HUVEC monolayers was doubled by tyrphostin AG 213 treatment. The same concentration of AG 213 interfered with HUVEC focal adhesion and stress fiber formation. AG 213 inhibited adhesion-associated tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK in HUVEC. Tyrphostins AG 213 and AG 808 inhibited pp125FAK activity in in vitro kinase assays. pp125FAK immunoprecipitates from HUVEC treated with both of these inhibitors also had kinase activity in vitro that was below levels seen in untreated HUVEC. These findings suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins may be important in HUVEC spreading and migration and that pp125FAK may mediate phosphotyrosine formation during these processes.

Catechols↗

Cell-associated proteases affect tumour cell migration in vitro.

The in vitro migratory activity of mouse fibrosarcoma cells in medium containing either foetal calf serum or normal human serum was studied. These 2 sera were studied because foetal calf serum contains high levels of protease inhibitor activity while human serum contains much less. The cells migrated actively in medium with foetal calf serum but migration was greatly inhibited in human serum-containing medium. When protease inhibitors such as soybean trypsin inhibitor, lima bean trypsin inhibitor and bovine pancreas trypsin inhibitor were added to human serum-containing medium cell migration was supported almost as effectively as in medium with foetal calf serum. Addition of epsilon-amino-n-caproic acid to human serum or depletion of the plasminogen from human serum did not enable it to support enhanced migration. epsilon-amino-n-caproic acid actually inhibited migration. A variant cell population with elevated levels of caseinolytic activity and elevated levels of activity against the substrate n-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine-beta-naphthyl ester (a substrate specific for chymotrypsin-like enzymes) was isolated from the parent cells. When the variant cells were compared to the parent cells regarding migratory activity in foetal calf serum or human serum-containing medium, the variant cells showed much less activity. Only a few, widely scattered variant cells migrated in the human serum-containing medium. These data suggest that a cell-associated factor interferes with the migration of the cells in medium with human serum. This factor apparently is neutralized in medium sontaining human serum to which protease inhibitors with antitrypsin activity have been added.

Animals↗

Polyamines regulate Rho-kinase and myosin phosphorylation during intestinal epithelial restitution.

Polyamines are required for the early phase of mucosal restitution that occurs as a consequence of epithelial cell migration. Our previous studies have shown that polyamines increase RhoA activity by elevating cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) through controlling voltage-gated K(+) channel expression and membrane potential (E(m)) during intestinal epithelial restitution. The current study went further to determine whether increased RhoA following elevated [Ca(2+)](cyt) activates Rho-kinase (ROK/ROCK) resulting in myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Studies were conducted in stable Cdx2-transfected intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-Cdx2L1), which were associated with a highly differentiated phenotype. Reduced [Ca(2+)](cyt), by either polyamine depletion or exposure to the Ca(2+)-free medium, decreased RhoA protein expression, which was paralleled by significant decreases in GTP-bound RhoA, ROCK-1, and ROKalpha proteins, Rho-kinase activity, and MLC phosphorylation. The reduction of [Ca(2+)](cyt) also inhibited cell migration after wounding. Elevation of [Ca(2+)](cyt) induced by the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin increased GTP-bound RhoA, ROCK-1, and ROKalpha proteins, Rho-kinase activity, and MLC phosphorylation. Inhibition of RhoA function by a dominant negative mutant RhoA decreased the Rho-kinase activity and resulted in cytoskeletal reorganization. Inhibition of ROK/ROCK activity by the specific inhibitor Y-27632 not only decreased MLC phosphorylation but also suppressed cell migration. These results indicate that increase in GTP-bound RhoA by polyamines via [Ca(2+)](cyt) can interact with and activate Rho-kinase during intestinal epithelial restitution. Activation of Rho-kinase results in increased MLC phosphorylation, leading to the stimulation of myosin stress fiber formation and cell migration.

Amides↗

How adhesion, migration, and cytoplasmic calcium transients influence interleukin-1beta mRNA stabilization in human monocytes.

We investigated the mechanisms by which primary human monocyte migration and the production of important cytokines are co-regulated. Motile monocytes underwent cyclic morphologic and adhesive changes that were associated with intracellular free calcium changes; in such cells, cytokine transcripts were unstable and translationally repressed. Agents that activate monocytes, including lipopolysacharrides (LPS), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha), have been shown to de-repress translation and these agents stabilize adhesion-induced transcripts for IL-lbeta and IL-8 and markedly diminish cell migration in the presence of autologous serum. LPS suppressed Rho A activity and either this agent or C3 transferase elevated intracellular free calcium, stabilized transcripts, and, in tandem, inhibited cell migration by preventing tail retraction, a prerequisite for cell translocation. These results, therefore, suggest that monocyte activating agents inhibit the RhoA pathway and continuously elevate intracellular calcium leading to a concomitant decrease in monocyte migration and stabilization of cytokine transcripts prior to translation.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗