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PubMed1999

Ambient air particles: effects on cellular oxidant radical generation in relation to particulate elemental chemistry.

Epidemiologic studies have reported causal relationships between exposures to high concentrations of ambient air particles (AAP) and increased morbidity in individuals with underlying respiratory problems. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are frequently present in the airways of individuals exposed to particles. Upon particulate stimulation the PMN may release reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can result in tissue damage and injury. In this study a wide range of AAP samples from divergent sources (1, natural dust; 2, oil fly ash; 2, coal fly ash; 5, ambient air; and 1, carbon black) were analyzed for elemental content and solubility in relation to their ability to generate ROS. Elemental analyses were carried out in AAP and dH(2)O-washed AAP using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF). Percent of sample mass accounted for by XRF-detectable elements was 1.2% (carbon black); 22-29% (natural dust and ambient air particles); 13-22% (oil fly ash particles); 28-49% (coal fly ash particles). The major proportion of elements in most of these particles were aluminosilicates and insoluble iron, except oil-derived fly ash particles in which soluble vanadium and nickel were in highest concentrations, consistent with particle acidity as measured in the supernatants. Human blood-derived monocytes and PMN were exposed to AAP and dH(2)O-washed particles, and generation of ROS was determined using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL) assay. All the particles induced chemiluminescence response in the cells, except carbon black. The oxidant response of monocytes induced by AAP (with the exception of oil fly ash particles) was less than the response elicited by PMN. The LCL response of PMN in general increased with all washed particles, with oil fly ash (OFA) and one urban air particle showing statistically significant (p < 0. 05) differences between dH(2)O-washed and unwashed particles. The LCL activity in PMN induced by both particles and dH(2)O-washed particles was significantly correlated with the insoluble Si, Fe, Mn, Ti, and Co content of particles (p < 0.05). No relationship between LCL activity in PMN and soluble transition metals such as V, Cr, Ni, and Cu was noted. Pretreatment of the particles with a metal ion-chelator, deferoxamine, did not affect LCL in PMN, suggesting that metal ions are not related to the induction of LCL in PMN. Particulate S content and acidity of the particles as measured in the supernatants did not relate to LCL activity in PMN. These results point to the possibility that the insoluble constituents of the particles are related to LCL in PMN. Since some of these dusts are capable of depositing in the lungs and can cause infiltration of PMN, the ability to activate those cells may contribute to particulate toxicity.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1984

Repair and replication of DNA in rat brain and liver during foetal and post-natal development, in relation to nitroso-alkyl-urea induced carcinogenesis.

The susceptibility of rat brain to induction of cancer by N-nitroso-N-ethyl-urea (NEU) increases dramatically from a very low level in the 12 day foetus to a maximum at the time of birth, and then decreases with age. Liver tumors are rarely induced by a single treatment with NEU at any age. If induction of cancer by nitroso-alkyl-ureas depends on replication of DNA containing the mispairing base O6-alkylguanine, susceptibility would reflect the balance between the protective effect of removal of the base by repair mechanisms and the potentiating effect of cell replication. The capacity of tissues to remove O6-alkyl-guanine from DNA depends on the amount of alkyl acceptor protein (AAP) present. To study the concept that carcinogenesis results from replication of alkylated DNA, the AAP contents and relative rates of DNA replication were studied in brain and liver of rats at various stages of development, from the 12 day foetus to the 48 week old rat. Replication in liver was approximately ten times higher than in intra-cranial contents at each stage of development studies. The AAP content was higher in the 12 day foetal brain than later, decreasing to low levels as susceptibility to NEU increased until the time of birth, and then remaining low in the adult. The peak sensitivity of brain therefore corresponds to the time at which AAP content is low and rate of DNA replication is high. With liver, AAP levels are low in the foetus, although higher than in brain, and increase after birth. The higher level of AAP in the foetal liver compared with that of brain is possibly sufficient to explain why cancer is not induced in liver in spite of the high rate of DNA replication. The results are consistent with the concept that replication of alkylated DNA is an essential event in initiation. There may be no quantitative relationship between replication and repair and susceptibility to cancer on comparison of different tissues, owing to the fact that, at the cellular level, cancer is a rare event. The amount of mispairing at replication necessary to bring it about may depend on the detailed organisation of the genome, and hence on cell type.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Exacerbation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by thalidomide and protection by nicotinic acid amide.

1. The effects of racemic thalidomide (D[+]/L[-] alpha-phthalimido-glutarimide) on acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatitis were tested in male NMRI mice (n = 133) and quantified as serum activities of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT). 2. A 2.1-fold increase of GOT and a 1.9-fold increase of GPT activities (P < 0.001) were observed in mice treated perorally with 500 mg/kg of AAP plus 150 mg/kg of thalidomide (Thal). In the absence of AAP, Thal did not display any detectable hepatotoxic effects. 3. The Thal-induced exacerbation of AAP hepatotoxicity was completely inhibited by nicotinic acid amide, a selective inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (P < 0.0001), suggesting a possible influence of Thal on the hepatic metabolism of NAD-adenoribosylation. 4. We see the main application of nicotinic acid amide as for the combinational use in pharmaceutical preparations of AAP in order to avoid hepatic damage in patients treated with AAP and Thal.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1996

Influence of diet free of NAD-precursors on acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in mice.

Recently, we demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of nicotinic acid amide, a selective inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP; EC 2.4.2.30) on mice suffering from acetaminophen (AAP)-hepatitis, suggesting that the AAP-induced liver injury involves a step which depends on adenoribosylation. The present study investigates the effects of a diet free of precursors of NAD, the substrate on which PARP acts, in female NMRI mice with AAP hepatitis and evaluates the influence of simultaneous ethanol consumption in these animals. Liver injuries were quantified as serum activities of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT). While AAP caused a 117-fold elevation of serum transaminase activities in mice kept on a standard laboratory diet, which was significantly exacerbated by ethanol and inhibited by nicotinic acid amide (NAA), adverse effects were noted in animals fed a diet free of precursors of NAD. In these animals, only minor increases of serum transaminase activities were measured in the presence of AAP, and unlike the exacerbation caused by ethanol in mice on a standard diet, the liver damage was inhibited by 50% by ethanol. A further 64% reduction of hepatitis was observed, when NAA was given to ethanol/AAP-mice. Our results provide evidence that the AAP-induced hepatitis and its exacerbation by ethanol can either be reduced by end-product inhibition of PARP by NAA or by dietary depletion of the enzyme's substrate NAD. We see the main application of NAA as for the combinational use in pharmaceutical preparations of acetaminophen in order to avoid hepatic damage in patients treated with this widely used analgesic.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2006

Acetaminophen induces ER dependent signaling in mouse liver.

Role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in liver injury by acetaminophen (AAP) was studied in vivo in mice. Sublethal dose of AAP resulted in a decrease in microsomal total glutathione and in the reduced-to-total glutathione ratio; redox state of thiols of ER resident oxidoreductases ERp72, PDI was shifted towards the oxidized form; ER stress-responsive transcription factor ATF6 was activated. Transcriptional activation and elevated expression of GADD153/CHOP, an ER stress-responsive proapoptotic transcription factor, was observed upon AAP addition. Transient activation of the ER-resident caspase-12 was shown followed by an elevation in procaspase-12 level. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation could not be detected. AAP treatment resulted in an increased apoptosis of hepatocytes. Buthionine-sulfoximine treatment was unable to mimic the effects by AAP indicating that glutathione depletion itself is insufficient to provoke apoptosis. The results show that intraluminal redox imbalance of the ER and consequential activation of signaling processes and proapoptotic events are involved in hepatocellular damage caused by AAP overdose.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2005

The haloperoxidase of the agaric fungus Agrocybe aegerita hydroxylates toluene and naphthalene.

The mushroom Agrocybe aegerita secretes a peroxidase (AaP) that catalyzes halogenations and hydroxylations. Phenol was brominated to 2- and 4-bromophenol (ratio 1:4) and chlorinated to a lesser extent to 2-chlorophenol. The purified enzyme was found to oxidize toluene via benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde into benzoic acid. A second fraction of toluene was hydroxylated to give p-cresol as well as o-cresol and methyl-p-benzoquinone. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum of purified AaP showed high similarity to a resting state cytochrome P450 with the Soret band at 420 nm and additional maxima at 278, 358, 541 and 571 nm; the AaP CO-complex had a distinct absorption maximum at 445 nm that is characteristic for heme-thiolate proteins. AaP regioselectively hydroxylated naphthalene to 1-naphthol and traces of 2-naphthol (ratio 36:1). H2O2 was necessarily required for AaP function and hence the hydroxylations catalyzed by AaP can be designated as peroxygenation and the enzyme as an extracellular peroxygenase.

Agaricales↗
PubMed1997

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 2E1 expression by 2-(allylthio)pyrazine, a potential chemoprotective agent: hepatoprotective effects.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (P450 2E1) is active in both the detoxification and activation of small organic molecules. The effects of 2-(allylthio)pyrazine (2-AP) on P450 2E1-catalytic activity and the expression of rat hepatic P450 2E1 were examined. 2-AP competitively inhibited 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity in vitro (Ki, 12 microM). 2-AP treatment of rats (200 mg/kg/day, p.o., 1-3 days old) resulted in 20-30% decreases in the rates of P450 2E1-specific metabolic activities. Immunoblot analysis also revealed that hepatic microsomes isolated from 2-AP-treated rats showed substantial decreases in P450 2E1 level. 2-AP-suppressed isoniazid (INH)-inducible hepatic P450 2E1 levels, as shown by both metabolic activities and immunoblot analyses. Thus, 2-AP was effective in suppressing both constitutive and inducible P450 2E1 expression. Northern blot analysis showed that 2-AP transiently suppressed the hepatic P450 2E1 mRNA level, suggesting that suppression in P450 2E1 expression by 2-AP may be mediated in part by transcriptional inactivation. Hepatoprotective effects of 2-AP against toxicants were monitored in mice. 2-AP pretreatment prior to the administration of lethal doses of acetaminophen (AAP) or INH substantially reduced toxicant-induced mortality. Whereas serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were markedly elevated after AAP administration (i.e. 9-20-fold), 2-AP pretreatment of animals before AAP administration resulted in >95% decreases in elevated serum aminotransferase activities. 2-AP was also effective against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Whereas CCl4 treatment caused 35-70-fold increases in aminotransferase activities, treatment of mice with 2-AP (>10 mg/kg) resulted in the blocking of CCl4-induced liver toxicity. The hepatoprotective effect of 2-AP was in part due to 2-AP-induced elevation of hepatic GSH levels. Whereas AAP or CCl4 treatment resulted in 70-80% reduction in hepatic GSH levels, pretreatment of mice with 2-AP caused a 40-210% elevation in hepatic GSH levels, as compared with either AAP or CCl4 alone. 2-AP pretreatment also reduced AAP- or CCl4-induced increases in lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The results of these metabolic activities and of immunoblot and RNA blot analyses demonstrate that 2-AP is efficacious in suppressing constitutive and inducible P450 2E1 expression and effective in protecting against toxicant-induced liver toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Involvement of mitochondria in acetaminophen-induced apoptosis and hepatic injury: roles of cytochrome c, Bax, Bid, and caspases.

The role of apoptosis in acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatic injury was investigated. Six hours after AAP administration to BALB/c mice, a significant loss of hepatic mitochondrial cytochrome c was observed that was similar in extent to the loss observed after in vivo activation of CD95 by antibody treatment. AAP-induced loss of mitochondrial cytochrome c coincided with the appearance in the cytosol of a fragment corresponding to truncated Bid (tBid). At the same time, tBid became detectable in the mitochondrial fraction, and concomitantly, Bax was found translocated to mitochondria. However, AAP failed to activate the execution caspases 3 and 7 as evidenced by a lack of procaspase processing and the absence of an increase in caspase-3-like activity. In contrast, the administration of the pan-inhibitor of caspases, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-DL-Asp-fluoromethylketone (but not its analogue benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Ala-fluoromethylketone) prevented the development of liver injury by AAP and the appearance of apoptotic parenchymal cells. This correlated with the inhibition of the processing of Bid to tBid. The caspase inhibitor failed to prevent both the redistribution of Bax to the mitochondria and the loss of cytochrome c. In conclusion, apoptosis is an important causal event in the initiation of the hepatic injury inflicted by AAP. However, as suggested by the lack of activation of the main execution caspases, apoptosis is not properly executed and degenerates into necrosis.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2000

Puromycin-sensitive alanyl aminopeptidase from human liver cytosol: purification and characterization.

A cytosolic alanyl aminopeptidase (AAP-S) was purified to homogeneity from human liver cytosol. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was calculated to be approximately 98,000 on TOF-MS and 90,000 on SDS-PAGE in the presence of beta-ME. These findings suggest that the enzyme exists as a monomeric form in human liver cytosol. The enzyme rapidly hydrolyzed the substrates Ala-, Lys- and Phe-MCAs, and moderately hydrolyzed Met-, Leu-, Tyr- and Lys-Ala-MCAs at pH ranging from 7.5 to 8.0. The order of the K(cat)/K(m) values of AAP-S at the optimal pH was Arg->Arg-Arg->Met->Leu->Lys->Phe->Lys-Ala->Tyr->Ala-MCAs. It was strongly inhibited by bestatin, leuhistin, actinonin, amastatin, 1, 10-phenanthroline, DFP, PCMBS, Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu((2+)), Hg(2+) and puromycin. AAP-S was approximately 80 times more sensitive than human seminal plasma AAP (aminopeptidase N, membrane type). The amino acid sequence of the first 60 residues of AAP-S was highly homologous with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the rat liver puromycin-sensitive enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase. These physicochemical properties and findings indicate that AAP-S from human liver cytosol is identical to those of other puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase(s). Furthermore, with immunohistochemistry the enzyme was strongly stained in the cytoplasm of liver cells and renal tubules, and was ubiquitously localized in various human tissues.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed1998

High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of a novel aminoalkylpyridine anticonvulsant 2-(4-chlorophenyl)amino-2-(4-pyridyl)ethane.

A simple, rapid and specific high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the quantitation of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)amino-2-(4-pyridyl)ethane (AAP-Cl) and identification of its putative metabolite, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)amino-2-(4-pyridyl)ethanol (beta-AA) in rat blood and urine has been developed. AAP-Cl, beta-AA and an appropriate internal standard were extracted from rat biofluids by a solid phase extraction technique using C18 cartridges prior to the HPLC analysis. The extractibility was 92% for AAP-Cl and 98% for beta-AA. The HPLC analysis employed a symmetrical or standard reversed-phase HPLC column (Apex ODS, 5 microm, 25 cm x 0.46 cm) for blood or urine analysis, a mobile phase of water methanol acetonitrile (40:30:30) containing 20 microl 100 ml(-1) diethylamine at a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1), and UV detection at 254 nm. The limit of detection was 100 ng ml(-1) for both analytes in both blood and urine. The calibration curves for AAP-Cl in rat biofluids were shown to be linear in both low and high concentration ranges (blood: 0-1 and 1-10 microg ml(-1); urine: 0-10 and 10-100 microg ml(-1)) with intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation of no more than 18% for blood and 14% for urine. The method developed was successfully applied to a preliminary analysis of intact AAP-Cl in both blood and urine obtained from rats dosed with AAP-Cl.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1995

Relationship between the phasic period of interdigestive migrating contraction and the systemic bioavailability of acetaminophen in dogs.

The relationships of the phasic period of interdigestive migrating contraction to gastrointestinal (GI) transit of drugs and their oral absorption were investigated in mongrel dogs by simultaneous oral dosing of acetaminophen (AAP) and salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) at the starting points of the phase I and phase III periods of gastric contractions. Strain-gauge force transducers were surgically sutured onto the serosa of the GI tracts in the dogs to measure the interdigestive migrating contractions. The mean absorption time of AAP and the time for the first appearance of sulfapyridine (a bacterial metabolite of SASP in the colon) in plasma were used as the indices of gastric emptying time (GET) and small intestinal transit time (SITT), respectively. In individual dogs, the GET and the SITT at phase I showed a clear delay in comparison with those at phase III. For AAP used as a marker compound here, the systemic bioavailability after oral dosing to intact beagle dogs at doses of 3, 10, and 20 mg/kg was about 55, 63, and 79%, suggesting that AAP undergoes a non-linear hepatic clearance. At a dose of AAP 20 mg/kg, the systemic bioavailability of AAP was 100% in the case of dosing at phase III, but was reduced by half when dosing at phase I. These results indicate that, in oral dosing, the transit of drugs through the GI tract was clearly affected by the phases of gastric contractions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2000

Reactions to two versions of affirmative action among whites, blacks, and Hispanics.

Houston-area Whites (n = 414), Blacks (n = 392), American-born Hispanics (n = 162), and Hispanic immigrants (n = 177) evaluated a self-defined "typical" affirmative action plan (AAP) and a tiebreak AAP that applies under conditions of equal qualifications and underrepresentation. Whites preferred Tiebreak; Blacks and Hispanics preferred the typical AAP. The groups differed in beliefs about the procedures and fairness of affirmative action (AA), perceptions of workplace discrimination, and political orientations. Perceived fairness predicted support for both AAPs in all American-born groups, but the impact of other predictors varied greatly across AAPs and ethnic groups. The results clarify the bases for Whites' opposition to AA as they construe it. The results also underscore the importance of specifying the AAP procedures, of uncovering the predictors of AA attitudes among target-group members, and of conducting separate analyses in each ethnic community.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2006

Understanding attitudes toward affirmative action programs in employment: summary and meta-analysis of 35 years of research.

Affirmative action programs (AAPs) are controversial employment policies in the United States and elsewhere. A large body of evidence about attitudinal reactions to AAPs in employment has accumulated over 35 years: at least 126 independent samples involving 29,000 people. However, findings are not firmly established or integrated. In the current article, the authors summarize and meta-analytically estimate relationships of AAP attitudes with (a) structural features of such programs, (b) perceiver demographic and psychological characteristics, (c) interactions of structural features with perceiver characteristics, and (d) presentation of AAP details to perceivers, including justification of the AAP. Results are generally consistent with predictions derived from self-interest considerations, organizational justice theory, and racism theories. They also suggest practical ways in which AAPs might be designed and communicated to employees to reduce attitudinal resistance.

Attitude↗
PubMed1998

Induction of an ATPase inhibitor protein by propylthiouracil and protection against paracetamol (acetaminophen) hepatotoxicity in the rat.

1. The purpose of the present study was to test the following hypothesis: propylthiouracil (PTU) treatments of rats induces an increase in the concentration and activity of the mitochondrial ATPase (m-ATPase) inhibitor protein (IF1). The PTU-induced elevated baseline levels of this inhibitor protein inactivated m-ATPase, and prevented hepatotoxicity by a toxic dose of acetaminophen (AAP) (paracetamol), by maintaining hepatic adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels. 2. Male Wistar rats were either gavaged with a toxic dose of AAP alone, or after pretreatment with PTU for periods of 3 and 12 days. 3. Twenty four hours after acetaminophen treatment alone, toxicity was manifested by: an approximately 10 fold increase in serum transaminase levels (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase); depletion of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and ATP levels; loss of inhibitor protein activity, and extensive pericentral necrosis of the hepatocytes. Propylthiouracil pretreatment for 12 days enhanced the concentration of the following metabolites in the liver: ATP (1.5 fold), ATPase inhibitor protein (IF1) (4.5 fold), and reduced glutathione (1.3 fold), while the activity of the inhibitor protein increased 2 fold. When the PTU treated rats were challenged with AAP, transaminases were not elevated, and only sporadic areas of necrosis were detected by histological examination of the liver tissue. In contrast to the 12 day treatment with PTU the 3 day treatment had no protection against AAP. No histological evidence of protection was manifested and the transaminases were not different from AAP treated controls. Most of the protective metabolites were depleted. 4. Our findings suggest that PTU-induced increased concentration of inhibitor protein and GSH, are contributing factors in the prevention of hepatotoxicity by maintaining hepatic m-ATP levels and reducing the harmful effect of the toxic metabolite of AAP.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1997

Regulation of the TCA cycle and the general amino acid permease by overflow metabolism in Rhizobium leguminosarum.

Mutants of Rhizobium leguminosarum were selected that were altered in the uptake activity of the general amino acid permease (Aap). The main class of mutant maps to sucA and sucD, which are part of a gene cluster mdh-sucCDAB, which codes for malate dehydrogenase (mdh), succinyl-CoA synthetase (sucCD) and components of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (sucAB). Mutation of either sucC or sucD prevents expression of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (sucAB). Conversely, mutation of sucA or sucB results in much higher levels of succinyl-CoA synthetase and malate dehydrogenase activity. These results suggest that the genes mdh-sucCDAB may constitute an operon. suc mutants, unlike the wild-type, excrete large quantities of glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate. Concomitant with mutation of sucA or sucD, the intracellular concentration of glutamate but no 2-oxoglutarate was highly elevated, suggesting that 2-oxoglutarate normally feeds into the glutamate pool. Elevation of the intracellular glutamate pool appeared to be coupled to glutamate excretion as part of an overflow pathway for regulation of the TCA cycle. Amino acid uptake via the Aap of R. leguminosarum was strongly inhibited in the suc mutants, even though the transcription level of the aap operon was the same as the wild-type. This is consistent with previous observations that the Aap, which influences glutamate excretion in R. leguminosarum, has uptake inhibited when excretion occurs. Another class of mutant impaired in uptake by the Aap is mutated in polyhydroxybutyrate synthase (phaC). Mutants of succinyl-CoA synthetase (sucD) or 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (sucA) form ineffective nodules. However, mutants of aap, which are unable to grow on glutamate as a carbon source in laboratory culture, show wild-type levels of nitrogen fixation. This indicates that glutamate is not an important carbon and energy source in the bacteroid. Instead glutamate synthesis, like polyhydroxybutyrate synthesis, appears to be a sink for carbon and reductant, formed when the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex is blocked. This is in accord with previous observations that bacteroids synthesize high concentrations of glutamate. Overall the data show that the TCA cycle in R. leguminosarum is regulated by amino acid excretion and polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis which act as overflow pathways for excess carbon and reductant.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗
PubMed2005

Induction of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation via proteolytic processing of the accumulation-associated protein by staphylococcal and host proteases.

Because of its biofilm forming potential Staphylococcus epidermidis has evolved as a leading cause of device-related infections. The polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) is significantly involved in biofilm accumulation. However, infections because of PIA-negative strains are not uncommon, suggesting the existence of PIA-independent biofilm accumulation mechanisms. Here we found that biofilm formation in the clinically significant S. epidermidis 5179 depended on the expression of a truncated 140 kDa isoform of the 220 kDa accumulation-associated protein Aap. As expression of the truncated Aap isoform leads to biofilm formation in aap-negative S. epidermidis 1585, this domain mediates intercellular adhesion in a polysaccharide-independent manner. In contrast, expression of full-length Aap did not lead to a biofilm-positive phenotype. Obviously, to gain adhesive function, full-length Aap has to be proteolytically processed through staphylococcal proteases as demonstrated by inhibition of biofilm formation by alpha(2)-macroglobulin. Importantly, also exogenously added granulocyte proteases activated Aap, thereby inducing biofilm formation in S. epidermidis 5179 and four additional, independent clinical S. epidermidis strains. It is therefore reasonable to assume that in vivo effector mechanisms of the innate immunity can directly induce protein-dependent S. epidermidis cell aggregation and biofilm formation, thereby enabling the pathogen to evade clearance by phagocytes.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2006

Molecular chaperons, amyloid and preamyloid lesions in the BRI2 gene-related dementias: a morphological study.

Molecular chaperons or amyloid-associated proteins (AAPs) are deposited in vascular and parenchymal amyloid lesions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other amyloidoses. AAPs, such as apolipoprotein E (ApoE) or apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of AD in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore the possession of the ApoE in4 allele is a well-studied risk factor for AD. In view of the similarities between AD and both familial British dementia (FBD) and familial Danish dementia (FDD), we investigated the presence of AAPs in these two diseases to understand better their role in the general process of amyloidogenesis. Immunohistochemistry for ApoE, ApoJ, serum amyloid P (SAP), alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, cystatin C, heparan sulphate proteoglycans, such as agrin, perlecan, syndecans, glypican-1 and for heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycan (HS GAG) side chains was carried out together with immunohistochemical preparations specific to the amyloid subunits. Significant or extensive staining for ApoE, ApoJ, agrin, glypican-1 and HS GAG side chains was found in both amyloid (fibrillar) and preamyloid (nonfibrillar) deposits in FBD and FDD. The remaining AAPs, including SAP, were predominantly found in amyloid lesions. Only very weak staining was present in a small proportion of the amyloid lesions using perlecan immunohistochemistry. These findings suggest that the deposition patterns of AAPs in FBD and FDD are mostly similar to those in AD. The presence of AAPs in the preamyloid lesions supports the notion that chaperon molecules may play a role in the early steps of fibrillogenesis.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1984

Modification of carcinogenesis by antioxidants and other compounds.

Studies were made on the effects of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), sodium L-ascorbate (SA), ethoxyquin (EQ) and acetaminophen (AAF) on the induction of neoplastic lesions in the liver, kidney or urinary bladder of rats initiated by N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN), diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN). The number and area of histochemical gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive (gamma-GT+) foci per unit area of liver section in rats given BHA, BHT, EQ or AAP, but not SA, were significantly less than in rats given EHEN or DEN alone. Similarly, the number of hyperplastic nodules (HN) in groups given BHA or AAP and their area in groups given BHA, EQ or AAP were significantly less than in control groups. Induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was also clearly inhibited by these three chemicals. In contrast, the incidence and quantitative values of preneoplastic lesions and renal cell adenoma in the group given EHEN were significantly increased in groups given BHA, EQ or AAP administration. For assesing the influence of BHA and BHT on urinary bladder carcinogenesis, rats received BHA or BHT after treatment with BBN. The incidences and the number per unit length of basement membrane of papilloma and carcinomas were significantly increased in rats given BHA. BHT also showed significant increase but values were less than with BHA. These results clearly demonstrated that BHA, BHT, EQ and AAP inhibit the development of gamma-GT+ foci, or HN and HCC, whereas BHA, EQ and AAP enhance the appearance of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in the kidney, BHA and BHT also enhancing urinary bladder carcinogenesis.

Acetaminophen↗