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Retention of a differentiated endothelial phenotype by outgrowth endothelial cells isolated from human peripheral blood and expanded in long-term cultures.

Rapid adequate vascularization by autologous human endothelial cells remains a limiting step in the treatment of ischemic tissues and the generation of new tissues. We have expanded outgrowth endothelial cells (OEC) from human peripheral blood and investigated their phenotypic stability in long-term cultures. Our goal has been to obtain suitable numbers of autologous endothelial cells for pro-angiogenic cell therapies. Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood. During culture, cells were characterized for several endothelial and stem cell markers in mono- or in co-culture with mature endothelial cells. In cultures from peripheral blood, we observed cells with a variable ability to assume a differentiated endothelial phenotype. Most of the cells showed markers reported for endothelial progenitor cells or hemangioblasts (CD31, KDR, VE-cadherin, CD34, CD117, CD45) but failed to develop a differentiated phenotype. Caveolin-1 was not detectable in these cells by reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or immunofluorescence. Another cell type arising from the same cultures expressed a differentiated phenotype and was designated as an OEC. This subset as an OEC was expanded in long-term cultures and analyzed by immunofluorescence, flow-cytometry, and RT-PCR for a stable endothelial phenotype. OEC showed several markers of a differentiated endothelium, such as high levels of caveolin-1 throughout all tested passages, and the ability to form angiogenic sprouts in vitro. Thus, OEC in long-term expansion cultures from blood mononuclear cells are phenotypically highly stable, a feature that is an important prerequisite for using OEC from peripheral blood for autologous endothelial cell therapies.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Induction of the lipocyte phenotype in murine hepatic stellate cells: reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are intralobular connective tissue cells presenting myofibroblast or lipocyte phenotypes. They participate in the homeostasis of liver extracellular matrix, repair, regeneration and fibrosis under the former phenotype, and control retinol metabolism, storage and release under the latter one. Responding to systemic or local demands, they can convert into the required phenotype with deep modifications of their structures. Using immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blots, we investigated the expression and organisation of actin filaments and of two actin-binding proteins, alpha-actinin and tropomyosin, in the cloned GRX cell line representative of murine HSCs. GRX cells expressing the myofibroblast phenotype showed typical well-organised actin stress-fibres, anchored at the focal adhesions located at the cell periphery. Retinol treatment induced active reorganisation of the cytoskeleton. The major stress fibres were reduced in length, and frequently formed a polygonal meshwork. Subsequently, they fragmented and generated diffuse or granular actin in the perinuclear area, a thin continuous layer around lipid droplets and, in fully converted lipocytes, a peripheral layer of thin actin fibres. alpha-Actinin and tropomyosin were present only in lipocytes, co-distributed with actin in a granular form. Since the cytoskeleton reorganisation preceded lipid accumulation, we conclude that the induction of the lipocyte phenotype represents a full reprogramming of cell gene expression and function. We consider that both the lipocyte and the myofibroblast phenotypes should be considered "activated states" of HSCs, each responding to specific physiological or pathological modifications of liver functions.

Actinin↗

Estimation of haplotype associated with several quantitative phenotypes based on maximization of area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

An algorithm for estimating haplotypes associated with several quantitative phenotypes is proposed. The concept of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was introduced, and a linear combination of the quantitative phenotypic values was considered. This set of values was divided into two parts: values for subjects with and without a particular haplotype. The goodness of its partition was evaluated by the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The AUC value varied from 0 to 1; this value was close to 1 when the partition had high accuracy. Therefore, the strength of association between phenotypes and haplotypes was considered to be proportional to the AUC value. In our algorithm, the parameters representing a degree of association between the haplotypes and phenotypes were estimated so as to maximize the AUC value; further, the haplotype with the maximum AUC value was considered to be the best haplotype associated with the phenotypes. This algorithm was implemented by using R language. The effectiveness of our algorithm was evaluated by applying it to real genotype data of the Calpine-10 gene obtained from diabetics. The results showed that our algorithm was more reasonable and advantageous for use with several quantitative phenotypes than the generalized linear model or the neural network model.

Algorithms↗

Characterization of switch phenotypes in Candida albicans biofilms.

The aim of this study was to characterize switch phenotypes in Candida albicans biofilms. Cells of Candida albicans 192887g biofilms (24 h) were resuspended and these together with their planktonic counterparts were separately inoculated on Lee's medium agar supplemented with arginine and zinc, at 25 degrees C for 9 days, for colony formation. The different switch phenotypes, as reflected by varying colony morphologies, were then examined for their (i) stability under various growth conditions, (ii) carbohydrate assimilation profiles, (iii) susceptibility to the polyene antifungal, nystatin, (iv) adhering and biofilm-forming ability, (v) filamentation, and (vi) growth rate in yeast nitrogen base medium supplemented with 100 mM glucose. Our data showed that the frequency of phenotypic switching in C. albicans biofilms was approximately 1%. Compared with the planktonic yeasts, cells derived from candidal biofilms generated one of the phenotypes less frequently (Chi-square-tests: P = 0.017). The five phenotypes derived from the biofilm growth demonstrated differing profiles for carbohydrate assimilation, adhesion, biofilm formation, filamentation, and growth rate. These findings reported here, for the first time, imply that phenotypic switching in the candidal biofilms differs from that in the planktonic growth, and affects multiple biological attributes.

Biofilms↗

A large-scale collection of phenotypic data describing an insertional mutant population to facilitate functional analysis of rice genes.

In order to facilitate the functional analysis of rice genes, we produced about 50,000 insertion lines with the endogenous retrotransposon Tos17. Phenotypes of these lines in the M2 generation were observed in the field and characterized based on 53 phenotype descriptors. Nearly half of the lines showed more than one mutant phenotype. The most frequently observed phenotype was low fertility, followed by dwarfism. Phenotype data with photographs of each line are stored in the Tos17 mutant panel web-based database with a dataset of sequences flanking Tos17 insertion points in the rice genome (http://tos.nias.affrc.go.jp/). This combination of phenotypic and flanking sequence data will stimulate the functional analysis of rice genes.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

Differential regulation of phenotypic expression in a pluripotential neuroblastoma cell line.

Our laboratory has recently been involved in investigating factors which influence plasticity of neurotransmitter phenotypic expression both in vivo and in culture. Our previous studies have shown that precursor neuroblasts are pluripotential with respect to neurotransmitter phenotype and respond differentially to microenvironmental signals. In the present study, we examined phenotypic expression in neuroblastoma cells, P2 clone, using the activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as neuronal markers for the cholinergic and catecholaminergic phenotypes, respectively. Cells were plated and grown for 4 days in culture, harvested and frozen for assay of ChAT and TH. Basal activity of ChAT was 2.47 +/- 0.22 nmoles Ach formed /h/mg protein and that of TH was 5.23 +/- 0.41 pmoles CO2 formed /h/mg protein in control cultures. When intracellular cAMP levels were increased by addition to the growth medium of 10 micrograms/ml prostaglandin E1 (PGE1; a receptor-mediated enhancer of adenylate cyclase activity) or 200 micrograms/ml RO20-1724 (an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase) the activity of TH was increased 340- and 423-fold, respectively. In marked contrast, the activity of ChAT was not affected by either agent. Double staining immunocytochemical examination demonstrated that both ChAT and TH were colocalized in the same cell. The molecular mechanism whereby catecholaminergic expression exclusively is affected in this cell model is currently under investigation. We conclude that (1) P2 neuroblastoma is a pluripotential cell line, (2) phenotypic expression in a homogenous cell population, such as P2 neuroblastoma, is differentially regulated. Moreover, this cell line is a unique model for studying the molecular mechanisms of phenotypic expression and neuronal plasticity.

4-(3-Butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone↗

Depolarization effects on the peptidergic phenotypes of chick sympathetic and adrenal cells.

Depolarizing stimuli are among the factors known to influence the phenotypic plasticity of nerve cells. In order to determine the prevalence of the depolarization effects in terms of cell and neuropeptide phenotypes, we have analyzed the effect of potassium (K+)-induced depolarization on the avian sympathoadrenal system. The expression of three peptidergic phenotypes, somatostatin (SS), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and enkephalin (Enk) by two cell types, adrenal and sympathetic, was studied under different depolarizing regimens. Cells from the sympathetic paravertebral ganglion and adrenal gland of 10-11-day chick embryos were cultured and the peptide levels were measured by radioimmunoassays. Chronic depolarization causes differential effects on the peptidergic phenotypes increasing NPY and Enk but decreasing SS in both adrenal and sympathetic cultures. However, shorter exposures to depolarizing stimuli revealed diverse effects on NPY and Enk phenotypes and even between adrenal and sympathetic cells. Moreover, the maintenance of the effects after removal of the depolarizing stimuli showed additional differences among the phenotypes. Our results are not compatible with a previously established hypothesis stating that depolarization increases the synthesis of whichever neurotransmitters a neuron is already producing. They provide evidence indicating that the depolarization effect is much more complex than originally thought, and serve to initiate an in depth probe into the effect of depolarization of cellular plasticity.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

We report apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) phenotypes of 69 myocardial infarction survivors and 56 stroke patients, and compare them with those of 190 healthy Chinese. The results indicate that the distribution of apo(a) phenotype frequency in cardio-cerebrovascular disease patients is different from those of controls. The frequency of the phenotypes B, S1 and S2 in patients is remarkably higher than those in controls within the same single-band apo(a) phenotype. Moreover, the Lp(a) serum concentrations in CCVD patients are significantly higher than those in controls within the same single-band apo(a) phenotype. The apo(a) phenotype analyses of two pedigrees are shown as a typical autosomal dominant inheritance.

Adult↗

A rapid flat gel isoelectric focusing method for the determination of apolipoprotein E phenotypes and its application.

A rapid flat gel isoelectric focusing method has been developed for the determination of apolipoprotein E phenotypes. Isoelectric focusing in 5% polyacrylamide flat gel with 8 mol/l urea and 2.8% pharmalyte (pH 4-6.5) was carried out at 3,000 V and 4 degrees C for 1 h under a constant power of 30 W. The separation of apolipoprotein E isoproteins was good and the isoelectric points were determined. Using this method, the apolipoprotein E phenotype frequency was examined in the Japanese population, and a higher frequency of phenotype E3/3 and a lower frequency of phenotype E3/2 were found in Japanese than those reported for the German, American or English population. In our focusing system the cut-off point of apolipoprotein E2/E3 ratio between the phenotype E3/3 and E3/2 was assumed to be approximately 0.9. These results indicate that this method may be useful for the determination of apolipoprotein E phenotypes.

Acrylic Resins↗

Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by smooth muscle cells of differing phenotype and their response to endothelial cell conditioned medium.

The synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) by contractile and irreversible synthetic phenotypes of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), and their response to endothelial cell conditioned medium (ECCM), has been investigated. Contractile SMC, (with a high volume fraction of myofilaments) were obtained by culturing freshly isolated rabbit aortic SMC for 3 days in primary culture. Irreversible synthetic SMC (with a low volume fraction of myofilaments) were obtained by serially passaging SMC to achieve more than 5 cumulative population doublings. In fresh medium both phenotypes produced significant amounts of GAG, but irreversible synthetic cells were more than twice as active on a per cell and cell volume basis. The proportions of individual GAG also changed with change in phenotype. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was the predominant GAG (78%) synthesised by contractile SMC but was significantly reduced (47%) in the irreversible synthetic cells with a corresponding increase in sulphated GAG (SGAG). The changed levels in GAG synthesis were independent of SMC growth. Both phenotypes responded to ECCM from bovine endothelial cells (EC) and significantly increased their synthesis of GAG and by the same relative amounts (50-100%). This response was density dependent, with ECCM from low and high density cultures of EC producing maximal responses and EC of intermediate densities producing minimal increases. Furthermore, dense cultures of EC preferentially stimulated SGAG. These findings show that an increase in synthesis of SMC GAG, and especially sulphated GAG as is found in atherosclerosis, may occur either through a change in phenotype or through endothelial mediated stimulation of GAG synthesis by either phenotype.

Animals↗

Structure and expression of Ri T-DNA from Agrobacterium rhizogenes in Nicotiana tabacum. Organ and phenotypic specificity.

The incorporation of transferred DNA (T-DNA) from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes into the chromosomal DNA of higher plants is correlated with the appearance of a complex phenotype. The transformed genotype and phenotype undergo Mendelian inheritance. Through studies of Ri T-DNA content and transcription in Nicotiana tabacum, we have delineated a particular part of this foreign DNA as the likely source of the transformed phenotype. One inducible/repressible aspect of the transformed phenotype is termed T' and is correlated with the presence of a supplementary Ri T-DNA-encoded transcript. This transcript is found specifically in leaves, whereas most of the other T-DNA transcripts are more abundant in roots. The T' phenotype does not appear to be due to structural changes in the Ri T-DNA. It is inherited in a dominant Mendelian fashion. We propose that the T' phenotype is caused by heritable changes in the regulation of Ri T-DNA expression. We comment on the potential of this system as a model for studying eukaryotic gene expression.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotypes in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotypes were determined in 47 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. The MM phenotype was present in 85%, the MS phenotype in 4%, the MZ phenotype in 11%, and the ZZ phenotype not present in any patients. The MZ phenotype occurred significantly more often in patients with aneurysms than would be expected in the general population. The current data would support a genetic mechanism of either autosomal-dominant or multifactorial influences but not an X-linked mechanism for families with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

The influence of apolipoprotein E phenotype on the response to lovastatin therapy in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Apolipoprotein E (apo E) phenotypes have been previously shown to influence plasma lipoprotein concentrations in normal populations and to affect the response to some lipid lowering drugs. The purpose of the present study was to determine if variations in the apo E phenotype also affect basal lipoprotein concentrations in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and if the apo E phenotype influenced their subsequent response to lovastatin. Apo E phenotypes were determined on plasma from 134 FH patients. The relative frequencies of the epsilon 2, epsilon 3, and epsilon 4 alleles were .090, .772, and .138, respectively. Plasma triglycerides were found to be 34% higher in E3/2 heterozygotes relative to E3/3 patients. Baseline concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in untreated FH patients were not influenced by the apo E phenotype; the hypolipidemic response to lovastatin (20 or 40 mg twice daily) was also independent of the apo-E phenotype of the patients.

Adult↗

Plasma levels of lathosterol and phytosterols in relation to age, sex, anthropometric parameters, plasma lipids, and apolipoprotein E phenotype, in 160 Dutch families.

In this study, the relation of plasma levels of lathosterol (an indicator of whole body cholesterol synthesis) and plant sterols (indicator of cholesterol absorption) with age, sex, weight, height, plasma lipids, and lipoproteins, and with apolipoprotein (apo) E phenotype, was investigated in a group of 160 nuclear families consisting of twins living with their parents. Lathosterol was higher in fathers than in mothers, but not different between boys and girls. In each of these four groups, there was a strong correlation with plasma and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and -triglyceride, as well as with body weight, but not with height or high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. In adults, lathosterol was inversely correlated with plant sterols. Lathosterol was higher in children with E4/3 phenotype than in those with E3/3 or E3/2; in adults, lathosterol did not differ among the various E phenotypes. The plasma levels of the two plant sterols, campesterol and beta-sitosterol, were highly correlated with each other, and also with plasma or LDL-cholesterol, in each of the four groups. Plant sterols were higher in adults or children with E4/3 phenotype as compared with those with other phenotypes. In multivariate analysis (performed separately for two groups of adults and children) plasma cholesterol, plasma plant sterols, plasma triglycerides, and weight were found to make significant contributions to the variation of lathosterol in all groups, and E phenotype and sex only in one group, while age did not contribute in any group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Relationship between obesity and serum lipoproteins in children with different apolipoprotein E phenotypes: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

The influence of apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism on the association between body fatness and concentrations of serum lipoprotein variables was studied in a random subsample (n = 892) of 8- to 17-year-old children from a total community. Covariates (age, race, and sex)-adjusted mean values of percent body fat, ponderal index (wt/ht3), and subscapular skinfold thickness differed significantly among apo E phenotype groups, with the apo E2 group (n = 61) carrying E2/2 and E3/2 phenotypes having significantly (P < .01) lower values than the apo E3 group (n = 480) carrying the E3/3 phenotype. In the apo E3 group, covariates-adjusted partial correlation coefficients showed significant (P < .05 to P < .001) associations between obesity measures and lipoprotein variables studied that are generally seen in populations. However, these associations, with the exception of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apo B, were altered in the other apo E phenotype groups. In the apo E2 group, obesity measures correlated significantly with triglycerides (P < .05 to P < .001), but not with very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and apo A-I. In contrast, in the apo E4 group (n = 212) carrying E4/3 and E4/4 phenotypes, obesity measures correlated significantly with HDL cholesterol (P < .05 to P < .001) and apo A-I (P < .01), but not with triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol. Therefore, the apo E phenotype should be taken into account in the association between body fatness and serum lipoproteins.

Adolescent↗

Multiple new phenotypes induced in 10T1/2 and 3T3 cells treated with 5-azacytidine.

Three new mesenchymal phenotypes were expressed in cultures of Swiss 3T3 and C3H/10T1/2CL8 mouse cells treated with 5-azacytidine or 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. These phenotypes were characterized as contractile striated muscle cells, biochemically differentiated adipocytes and chondrocytes capable of the biosynthesis of cartilage-specific proteins. The number of muscle and fat cells which appeared in treated cultures was dependent upon the concentration of 5-azacytidine used, but the chondrocyte phenotype was not expressed frequently enough for quantitation. The differentiated cell types were only observed several days or weeks after treatment with the analog, implying that cell division was obligatory for the expression of the new phenotypes. Oncogenically transformed C3H/10T1/2CL8 cells also developed muscle cells after exposure to 5-azacytidine, but at a reduced rate when compared to the parent line. Five subclones of the 10T1/2 line which were the progeny of single cells all expressed both the muscle and fat phenotypes following 5-azacytidine treatment. The effects of the analog are therefore not due to the selection of preexisting myoblasts or adipocytes in the cell populations. Rather, it is possible that 5-azacytidine, after incorporation into DNA, causes a reversion to a more pluripotential state from which the new phenotypes subsequently differentiate.

Adipose Tissue↗

Transplanted sweat glands from mature and aged donors determine cholinergic phenotype and altered density of host sympathetic nerves.

Contact with sweat gland acini causes sympathetic neurons to switch from a catecholaminergic to a cholinergic phenotype during development and following experimental manipulations. Substantial reductions of cholinergic innervation have been shown in the sweat glands of ageing rats and humans. Using in oculo transplantation, we have now studied whether sweat gland target tissues retain the capacity to regulate changes in the phenotype of sympathetic neurons observed in maturity and old age, including a switch from catecholaminergic to cholinergic characters. Markers have been used which indicate changes in nerve fibre morphology (the pan-neuronal marker, PGP9.5) as well as neurotransmitter expression (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), vasocative intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)). Sweat glands from young and old donor rats became reinnervated by an organotypic pattern of cholinergic host nerves. Surgical sympathectomy demonstrated that these cholinergic nerve fibres originate from sympathetic neurons of the host superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Retrograde tracing combined with staining for VIP (a marker associated with cholinergic phenotype in neurons supplying sweat glands) showed that SCG neurons projecting to irises with sweat gland implants may be induced to express VIP. We hypothesise that these neurons have been switched from their normal catecholaminergic phenotype to a cholinergic one by contact with the sweat gland implants. Transplants from old donors attracted a density of reinnervation by young host nerves which was appropriate to the age of the donor, thus old sweat glands received a significantly reduced density of innervation compared to young glands. Despite the reduced density of innervation, there was no obvious difference in the ability of young and old implants to induce the switch to a cholinergic phenotype, suggesting that different mechanisms regulate nerve growth and neurotransmitter phenotype.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Transplanted sweat glands from mature and aged donors determine cholinergic phenotype and altered density of host sympathetic nerves.

Contact with sweat gland acini causes sympathetic neurons to switch from a catecholaminergic to a cholinergic phenotype during development and following experimental manipulations. Substantial reductions of cholinergic innervation have been shown in the sweat glands of ageing rats and humans. Using in oculo transplantation, we have now studied whether sweat gland target tissues retain the capacity to regulate changes in the phenotype of sympathetic neurons observed in maturity and old age, including a switch from catecholaminergic to cholinergic characters. Markers have been used which indicate changes in nerve fibre morphology (the pan-neuronal marker, PGP9.5) as well as neurotransmitter expression (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), vasocative intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Sweat glands from young and old donor rats became reinnervated by an organotypic pattern of cholinergic host nerves. Surgical sympathectomy demonstrated that these cholinergic nerve fibres originate from sympathetic neurons of the host superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Retrograde tracing combined with staining for VIP (a marker associated with cholinergic phenotype in neurons supplying sweat glands) showed that SCG neurons projecting to irises with sweat gland implants may be induced to express VIP. We hypothesise that these neurons have been switched from their normal catecholaminergic phenotype to a cholinergic one by contact with the sweat gland implants. Transplants from old donors attracted a density of reinnervation by young host nerves which was appropriate to the age of the donor, thus old sweat glands received a significantly reduced density of innervation compared to young glands. Despite the reduced density of innervation, there was no obvious difference in the ability of young and old implants to induce the switch to a cholinergic phenotype, suggesting that different mechanisms regulate nerve growth and neurotransmitter phenotype.

Adrenergic Fibers↗