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Metabolic substrates alter attachment and differentiated functions of proximal tubule cell culture.

Proximal tubules cultured in vitro gradually lose their differentiated functions. Because standard culture media lacks several substrates important for renal proximal tubule oxidative metabolism, whether a mixture of substrates including butyrate, alanine, and lactate (BAL) would modify growth and/or differentiated function of proximal tubular cells in culture was examined. Tubules cultured in media supplemented with 2 mM butyrate, alanine, and lactate exhibited enhanced attachment but did not exhibit an altered growth rate. Higher levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and leucine-amino peptidase were sustained, although these activities were still diminished in comparison with that in fresh tubules. Sodium-dependent glucose uptake and dome formation--other reflections of epithelial cell differentiated function--also were enhanced. These studies demonstrate that the substrates used to culture proximal tubules can modify both their attachment and their manifestation of differentiated function in culture.

Alanine↗

Regulation of adrenal cell-differentiated functions by growth factors.

Adrenal cell-differentiated functions and, therefore, their steroidogenic capacity can be regulated in an opposite direction by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1). The enhanced steroidogenic responsiveness of bovine and ovine adrenal cells treated with IGF-I can be explained by its positive effects on the number of corticotropin (ACTH) and angiotensin II (A-II) receptors associated with an increase in the alpha s and alpha i subunits of G proteins but also by its effects on several steps of the steroidogenic pathway. In contrast, TGF beta 1 is a potent inhibitor of differentiated functions of both bovine and ovine adrenal cells. TGF beta 1 reduces ACTH and A-II receptor number, inhibits cAMP formation, and decreases several steroidogenic enzyme activities. The physiological role of these peptides in adrenal cells is strengthened by the fact that both are synthetized and secreted by these cells and that their secretion can be regulated by the specific hormones, ACTH and A-II.

Adrenal Glands↗

Evolution of the vertebrate H1 histone class: evidence for the functional differentiation of the subtypes.

Histone H1 subtypes are involved in chromatin higher-order structure. The representation of the subtypes varies greatly depending on the cellular and developmental context. We have estimated the rates of nucleotide substitution for several H1 subtypes, including mammalian and amphibian H1 degree, avian H5, and mammalian H1a-e and H1t, with the aim of finding evidence for their functional differentiation. The rates of nonsynonymous substitution differ among the subtypes by almost one order of magnitude. Such a wide variation in the degree of tolerance of amino acid substitutions is consistent with the functional differentiation of the subtypes. H1 has a characteristic three-domain structure. The rate ratios among the domains of the molecule are not systematically maintained in the different subtypes. This suggests the assumption of differentiated functions by the individual domains in chromatin structure. We have estimated the average time of divergence of H1a-e and H1t paralogs as 406 +/- 80 Myr. The lack of evidence for concerted evolution of H1a-e and H1t since long before the mammalian radiation further supports the functional differentiation of the subtypes.

Animals↗

Evidence for a role of IL-17 in organ allograft rejection: IL-17 promotes the functional differentiation of dendritic cell progenitors.

IL-17 is a T cell-derived cytokine that stimulates stromal cells and macrophages to secrete proinflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that IL-17 might play a role in alloimmune responses, and that interference with its activity might suppress allograft rejection. IL-17R:Fc or control IgG was added at the start of mouse MLR or was administered i.p. (100-500 microg/day) for different durations post-transplant to murine recipients of MHC-mismatched cardiac allografts. IL-17R:Fc (50-200 microg/ml) markedly inhibited T cell proliferation in vitro and significantly prolonged nonvascularized cardiac allograft median survival time from 13 to 20 days (100 microg/day; days 0 and 1) or to 19 days (100-300 microg/day; days 0-4). Survival of vascularized grafts was also extended significantly from 10.5 to 19 days by IL-17R:Fc (500 microg/day; days 0-6). To address a possible mechanism by which IL-17 may promote alloreactivity, we examined the influence of IL-17 on the differentiation and function of bone marrow-derived cells propagated in granulocyte-macrophage CSF with or without IL-4 to promote dendritic cell (DC) growth. A minor proportion of CD11c+ DC expressed the IL-17R. IL-17 promoted the maturation of DC progenitors, as evidenced by increased cell surface expression of CD11c, costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86), and MHC class II Ag, and allostimulatory capacity. IL-17 had a lesser effect on the phenotype and function of more fully differentiated myeloid DC. These findings suggest a role for IL-17 in allogeneic T cell proliferation that may be mediated in part via a maturation-inducing effect on DC. IL-17 appears to be a novel target for therapeutic intervention in allograft rejection.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Item and scale differential functioning of the Mini-Mental State Exam assessed using the Differential Item and Test Functioning (DFIT) Framework.

OBJECTIVES: To illustrate the application of the Differential Item and Test Functioning (DFIT) method using English and Spanish versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). SUBJECTS: Study participants were 65 years of age or older and lived in North Manhattan, New York. Of the 1578 study participants who were administered the MMSE 665 completed it in Spanish. MEASURES: : The MMSE contains 20 items that measure the degree of cognitive impairment in the areas of orientation, attention and calculation, registration, recall and language, as well as the ability to follow verbal and written commands. RESEARCH DESIGN: After assessing the dimensionality of the MMSE scale, item response theory person and item parameters were estimated separately for the English and Spanish sample using Samejima's 2-parameter graded response model. Then the DFIT framework was used to assess differential item functioning (DIF) and differential test functioning (DTF). RESULTS: Nine items were found to show DIF; these were items that ask the respondent to name the correct season, day of the month, city, state, and 2 nearby streets, recall 3 objects, repeat the phrase no ifs, no ands, no buts, follow the command, "close your eyes," and the command, "take the paper in your right hand, fold the paper in half with both hands, and put the paper down in your lap." At the scale level, however, the MMSE did not show differential functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents to the English and Spanish versions of the MMSE are comparable on the basis of scale scores. However, assessments based on individual MMSE items may be misleading.

Aged↗

Dibutyryl cyclic AMP resistant MDCK cells in serum free medium have reduced cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase activity and a diminished effect of PGE1 on differentiated function.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has a stimulatory effect both on the growth and the expression of differentiated function of Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells in a hormonally defined medium (Medium K-1). While the stimulatory effect of PGE1 on MDCK cell growth is observed in subconfluent cultures, the effect of PGE1 on differentiated function (i.e., dome formation) is observed at confluency. PGE1 may possibly affect growth and such differentiated functions by separate mechanisms. In order to examine this possibility, dibutyryl cyclic AMP resistant variants of MDCK were selected. All of the variants were partially resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline. The cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase activity of four of the five variant clones studied was significantly reduced as compared with normal MDCK cells. The dependence of the kinase activity of several of the dibutyryl cyclic AMP resistant variants (DBr2 and DBr3) on the cyclic AMP concentration in the reaction mixture was compared with that of normal MDCK cells. At all of the cyclic AMP concentrations tested DBr2 and DBr3 cells had reduced protein kinase activity as compared with normal MDCK cells. This reduced activity could be attributed to a decrease in the Vmax for kinase in the two variants, rather than to a change in the Km of kinase for cyclic AMP. The cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity of dibutyryl cyclic AMP resistant variants was also studied. Unlike PGE1 independent clone 1, DBr2 and DBr3 cells did not differ significantly from normal MDCK cells with regard to their ability to degrade cyclic AMP. The growth and functional responsiveness of DBr2 and DBr3 cells to PGE1 was also examined. DBr2 and DBr3 cells were shown to retain a normal growth response to PGE1. However the capacity of DBr2 and DBr3 cells to form domes in response to PGE1 was dramatically reduced as compared with normal MDCK cells. Nevertheless DBr3 cells were shown to still retain the capacity to form domes in response to other inducers. The effect of PGE1 on one of the functional parameters involved in dome formation (the activity of the Na+/K+ATPase) was examined. The rate of ouabain-sensitive Rb+ uptake was observed to be elevated in confluent monolayers of normal MDCK cells maintained in Medium K-1, as compared with monolayers maintained in Medium K-1 minus PGE1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Functional differentiation of the auditory association area in prelingually deaf subjects.

BACKGROUND: it is believed that the number of neurons of the human cortex increases rapidly in the first postnatal year, and then decreases gradually towards adult level as their functions are revised up to 11 years of age ('synaptic revision'). It is also confirmed that regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at rest represents the density of the neurons and decreases in accordance with the synaptic revision in process. If synaptic revision does not occur, rCBF remains at high level. Thus, we can evaluate whether functional differentiation has occurred in the human cortex by measuring rCBF at resting state. OBJECTIVE: to examine functional differentiation of the auditory association area (A2) in prelingually deaf subjects. METHODS: six postlingually and six prelingually deaf subjects who had undergone cochlear implant (CI) were involved in the current study. All prelingually deaf subjects underwent CI over 8 years old. The rCBF in A2 was examined during resting and listening to speech sounds using positron emission tomography (PET) and H2(15)O intravenous injection. Twelve normal subjects' rCBFs were also measured as control. Furthermore, three prelingually deaf subjects underwent follow up PET studies in which cortical activities in A2 for listening and lipreading were examined. RESULTS: in the examination of rCBF at rest, rCBFs of prelingually deaf subjects in A2 showed significantly higher than those of either the postlingually deaf subjects or normal subjects. During listening, rCBFs in A2 increased in postlingually deaf subjects and normal subjects, while there was no significant rCBF increase in the prelingually deaf. High rCBF level in A2 at rest observed in prelingually deaf subjects implied a lack of synaptic revision, and it was suggested that the functional differentiation for auditory processing was little in the A2 of prelingually deaf subjects. In the follow up study for three prelingually deaf subjects, activation of A2 was observed during lipreading but not during listening in two cases, who had developed the skill of lipreading while speech recognition was not improved by CI. In contrast, the other case had not used any visual clues in daily communication prior to CI, and the hearing acuity was well improved by CI. This case demonstrated an activity in A2 during listening, while lipreading induced no activation. CONCLUSION: it is suggested that functional differentiation of A2 should differ according to which of visual and auditory clue is chiefly used during critical periods for speech acquisition. The findings are thought to be important for us to schedule the education and treatment for prelingually deaf children.

Adolescent↗

Delta1-Notch3 interactions bias the functional differentiation of activated CD4+ T cells.

Following activation by antigen, naive CD4+ T helper precursor cells execute distinct genetic programs that result in their differentiation toward the type 1 or type 2 helper T cell (Th1 or Th2) phenotype. Although the differentiation and function of these Th subsets has been well studied, little is known about the contribution to these differentiation events of cell surface receptors other than those for soluble cytokines, such as IL-12 or IL-4. Here, we provide direct evidence that the Delta1 interaction with Notch3 on CD4+ T cells transduces signals, promoting development toward the Th1 phenotype. The positive role of Notch signaling in effector cell differentiation was dose dependent, with high levels of stimulation resulting in reduced T cell activation. Our data revealed a clear contribution of Notch pathways to Th1 versus Th2 fate decisions, while also providing insight into another mechanism for inhibition of CD4+ T cell activation.

Animals↗

Establishment of tsA58 transgenic rats as a source of conditionally immortalized cell lines with differentiated functions.

To isolate a variety of rat cell lines with differentiated functions, we developed transgenic rat lines that ubiquitously express the temperature-sensitive large T-antigen gene of the simian virus 40 (SV40) tsA58 mutant under the control of the SV40 large T-antigen promoter. These rats might be advantageous for simultaneously establishing cell lines from different tissues of rats with the same genetic origin. The transgenic rat lines transmit a functional copy of the transgene and were bred with sib mating to generate the homozygous transgene. The established cell lines from this transgenic rat had temperature dependent growth and retained some of the differentiated functions of each particular tissue, and were useful as a ready source of novel conditionally immortalized cell lines. The possible use and perspectives of these transgenic cell lines are discussed.

Animals↗

The influence of cell shape on the induction of functional differentiation in mouse mammary cells in vitro.

To define more clearly the in vitro conditions permissive for hormonal induction of functional differentiation, we cultured dissociated normal mammary cells from prelactating mice in or on a variety of substrates. Cultivation of an enriched epithelial cell population in association with living adult mammary stroma in the presence of lactogenic hormones resulted in both morphological and biochemical differentiation. This differentiation, however, was not enhanced over that seen when the cells were associated with killed stroma, provided that the killed stroma had a flexibility similar to that of the living stroma. Cells cultured in inflexible killed stroma usually did not differentiate. Cells cultured within the flexible environment of a collagen gel, but removed from the gas-medium interface, differentiated in a manner similar to those cultured in flexible stroma. Cells cultured on the surface of an attached collagen gel were squamous, and their basolateral surfaces were sequestered from the medium; they did not differentiate. Cells cultured on floating collagen gels were cuboidal-columnar, with basolateral surfaces exposed to the medium, and showed good functional differentiation. Cells cultured on inflexible floating collagen gels were extremely flattened and had exposed basolateral surfaces, and showed no evidence of functional differentiation. We infer that assumption of cuboidal to columnar shapes differentiation in vitro. The additional requirement of basolateral cell surface exposure also is important.

Adipose Tissue↗

A simple method for predicting the functional differentiation of duplicate genes and its application to MIKC-type MADS-box genes.

A simple statistical method for predicting the functional differentiation of duplicate genes was developed. This method is based on the premise that the extent of functional differentiation between duplicate genes is reflected in the difference in evolutionary rate because the functional change of genes is often caused by relaxation or intensification of functional constraints. With this idea in mind, we developed a window analysis of protein sequences to identify the protein regions in which the significant rate difference exists. We applied this method to MIKC-type MADS-box proteins that control flower development in plants. We examined 23 pairs of sequences of floral MADS-box proteins from petunia and found that the rate differences for 14 pairs are significant. The significant rate differences were observed mostly in the K domain, which is important for dimerization between MADS-box proteins. These results indicate that our statistical method may be useful for predicting protein regions that are likely to be functionally differentiated. These regions may be chosen for further experimental studies.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

99mTc-glucoheptonate for quantitation of differential renal function.

Differential renal function was calculated by using 99mTc-glucoheptonate (Tc-GH) in 51 patients. Computer-acquired background-corrected individual renal function was calculated by using both the 1-3-min uptake counts and the 2-4-hr delayed static counts. The degree of correlation between the two was high (r = .96). An equally high correlation was noted in 16 children who were 12 years old or younger, in 15 patients with renal size disparity greater than 60/40%, and in six patients with abnormal creatinine clearances. Ten patients had a 30-min dynamic 99mTc-DTPA study followed immediately by the injection of Tc-GH and acquisition of delayed static images 2-4 hr later. A high degree of correlation (r = .99) was seen between the 1-3-min differential function obtained by using Tc-DTPA and the 2-4-hr delayed differential function obtained by using Tc-GH. This study shows that Tc-GH is a clinically useful and valid tool for calculation of differential renal function and that Tc-GH combines many of the best aspects of Tc-DTPA and Tc-DMSA.

Adolescent↗

Autocrine regulation of Leydig cell differentiated functions by insulin-like growth factor I and transforming growth factor beta.

The expression and the maintenance of specific differentiated function of Leydig cells are regulated not only by gonadotropin but by locally produced factors, which may act as autocrine regulators. Many factors, in particular growth factors, have been postulated to have such a type of effect on testicular cells, but very few fulfilled the three criteria required to establish a paracrine/autocrine role: (a) presence of receptors and biological action on local cells; (b) local secretion regulated by physiological signals; and (c) blockade of the factor or its receptors must modify the function of local cells. In the present work we demonstrate that two factors, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) fulfilled the three criteria: (a) IGF-I stimulates the transcription of the genes encoding Leydig cell differentiated function, leading to an enhanced steroidogenic responsiveness to LH/hCG; (b) Leydig cells (LC) express and secrete IGF-I and this secretion is enhanced by hCG; and (c) incubation of LC with IgG anti-IGF-I, but not with IgG-control, markedly reduced the steroidogenic responsiveness to LH/hCG. In contrast to IGF-I, TGFbeta is a potent inhibitor of LC differentiated function. Moreover, LC express TGFbeta1 mRNA and secrete this peptide. To prove that the locally produced TGFbeta has an autocrine role, LC were transfected with 10 microM of an antisense oligonucleotide (AON) complementary to the translation initiation region of TGFbeta1 mRNA. Transfection with AON but not with sense deoxynucleotide induces a complete disappearance of TGFbeta immunoreactivity in LC and an enhanced hCG-induced testosterone production by LC. This increased steroidogenic responsiveness was associated with a significant enhancement of both LH/hCG receptor mRNA and P450c17 mRNA. Taken together, the above results show that both factors play an autocrine role, although opposite, on Leydig cell function.

Animals↗

Regulation by growth factors of Leydig cell differentiated functions.

In this paper the effects of growth factors on the differentiated function of pig Leydig cells and other steroidogenic cells are reviewed. Two types of action have been observed, i.e. positive or negative acute effects on testosterone secretion, and long-term trophic effects of hCG receptor and responsiveness to hCG. Among the growth factors, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta-1) are of particular interest. IGF-I is required for the maintenance and probably the expression of differentiated functions of several steroidogenic cells, including the Leydig cells. TGF beta-1 has effects opposite to IGF-I on Leydig cell functions. When considering effects of growth factors on Leydig cells, caution should be taken in extrapolating results obtained in one species to another.

Animals↗

Anterior cingulate cortex: an fMRI analysis of conflict specificity and functional differentiation.

In this event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we provide evidence that the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in cognitive control may not be unitary, as the responses of different ACC subregions vary depending upon the nature of task-irrelevant information. More specifically, using the color-word Stroop task (congruent, incongruent, and neutral trial types), we examined the degree to which increases in neural activity within ACC are specific to conditions of conflict, as posited by the conflict monitoring theory (Botvinick et al. [1999]: Rev Neurosci 10:49-57; Carter et al. [1998]: Science 280:747-749). Although incongruent and congruent trials both involve two competing sources of color information (color word and ink color), only incongruent trials involve a direct conflict between task-relevant and task-irrelevant information. Although the anterior division of the ACC rostral zone exhibited conflict specific increases in neural activity (i.e., incongruent > congruent = neutral), the posterior division exhibited a more generalized pattern, increasing whenever the task-irrelevant information was color related, regardless of whether it was conflicting (i.e., incongruent and congruent > neutral). Our data thus suggest a possible functional differentiation within the ACC. As such, it is unlikely that the role of the ACC in cognitive control will be able to be accommodated by a single unifying theory.

Adolescent↗

Bidirectional effects of hypergravity on the cell growth and differentiated functions of osteoblast-like ROS17/2.8 cells.

A low level of hypergravity (1.5-2.0 G) stimulated the proliferation of ROS17/2.8 cells, whereas it inhibited the differentiated functions of alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin synthesis. These results were just the opposite of our results obtained when the cells were exposed to a high level of hypergravity (40-80 G): inhibition of cell growth and the stimulation of the differentiated functions. The direction of change in the cAMP contents of the cells was also reversed, with a low level of hypergravity causing a decrease in the cAMP content and a high level of hypergravity an increase in it. Therefore, bidirectional effects of hypergravity on the growth and differentiated functions exist in ROS17/2.8 cells according to the magnitude of the hypergravity.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Differential functions of Ras for malignant phenotypic conversion.

Among the effector molecules connected with the group of cell surface receptors, Ras proteins have essential roles in transducing extracellular signals to diverse intracellular events, by controlling the activities of multiple signaling pathways. For over 20 years since the discovery of Ras proteins, an enormous amount of knowledge has been accumulated as to how the proteins function in overlapping or distinct fashions. The signaling networks they regulate are very complex due to their multiple functions and cross-talks. Much attention has been paid to the pathological role of Ras in tumorigenesis. In particular, human tumors very frequently express Ras proteins constitutively activated by point mutations. Up to date, three members of the Ras family have been identified, namely H-Ras, K-Ras (A and B), and N-Ras. Although these Ras isoforms function in similar ways, many evidences also support the distinct molecular function of each Ras protein. This review summarizes differential functions of Ras and highlights the current view of the distinct signaling network regulated by each Ras for its contribution to the malignant phenotypic conversion of breast epithelial cells. Four issues are addressed in this review: (1) Ras proteins, (2) membrane localization of Ras, (3) effector molecules downstream of Ras, (4) Ras signaling in invasion. In spite of the accumulation of information on the differential functions of Ras, much more remains to be elucidated to understand the Ras-mediated molecular events of malignant phenotypic conversion of cells in a greater detail.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Changes in the expression of differentiated functions during long-term cultivation of rat hepatoma cells.

The stability of the expression of six differentiated functions was examined during long-term cultivation of rat hepatoma cells. Faza 967 cell line--a clonal descendant of the Reuber H35 hepatoma--is characterized by the activity of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) and gluconeogenetic enzymes; secretion of serum albumin; and the presence of liver isozymes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH-L), aldolase (aldolase-B) and five isozymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). During the 3-year-long cultivation of Faza 967 cells TAT specific activity, inducibility, and albumin production were reduced drastically whereas the expression of the three liver-specific isozymes examined was maintained. The majority of Faza 967 cells were able to perform gluconeogenesis after 3 years of continuous cultivation. Our results show that long-term cultivation of hepatoma cells may change the expression of certain liver-specific functions independently of the expression of other differentiated functions.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗