Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Paracrine Communication”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Stromal cell-derived factor 1 regulates primitive hematopoiesis by suppressing apoptosis and by promoting G(0)/G(1) transition in CD34(+) cells: evidence for an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.

The stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) chemokine has various effects on hematopoietic cell functions. Its role in migration and homing of hematopoietic progenitors is currently well established. Previously it was shown that SDF-1 stimulates myeloid progenitor proliferation in synergy with cytokines. Results of this study indicate that SDF-1 alone promotes survival of purified CD34(+) cells from human unmobilized peripheral blood (PB) by counteracting apoptosis as demonstrated by its capacity to reduce DNA fragmentation, annexin-V(+) cell number, and APO2.7 detection and to modulate bcl-2 homolog protein expression. The study demonstrates that SDF-1, produced by sorted CD34(+)CD38(+) cells and over-released in response to cell damage, exerts an antiapoptotic effect on CD34(+) cells through an autocrine/paracrine regulatory loop. SDF-1 participates in the autonomous survival of circulating CD34(+) cells and its effect required activation of the phosphotidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3-K)/Akt axis. Cell sorting based on Hoechst/pyroninY fluorescences shows that SDF-1 production is restricted to cycling CD34(+) cells. SDF-1 triggers G(0) quiescent cells in G(1) phase and, in synergy with thrombopoietin or Steel factor, makes CD34(+) cells progress through S+G(2)/M phases of cell cycle. By assessing sorted CD34(+)CD38(-) and CD34(+)CD38(+) in semisolid culture, the study demonstrates that SDF-1 promotes survival of clonogenic progenitors. In conclusion, the results are the first to indicate a role for endogenous SDF-1 in primitive hematopoiesis regulation as a survival and cell cycle priming factor for circulating CD34(+) cells. The proposal is made that SDF-1 may contribute to hematopoiesis homeostasis by participating in the autonomous survival and cycling of progenitors under physiologic conditions and by protecting them from cell aggression in stress situations.

Antigens, CD34↗

Emerging translational therapies for mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma remains a therapeutic and diagnostic problem. Translational mechanisms for treatment of the disease are emerging from newly learned characteristics of the tumor on a molecular, cellular, and extracellular basis. Although slow to reach the clinical arena, these potential strategies do show proof of principle in the in vitro and in vivo settings, and some, including adenoviral molecular chemotherapy, have completed phase I testing. This review describes the rationale and status of these newer treatment ideas.

Adenoviridae↗

Autocrine/paracrine mechanisms in human hematopoiesis.

Autocrine/paracrine regulatory mechanisms are believed to play a role in the pathophysiology of several hematologic malignancies. Evidence is accumulating that various growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines are expressed and secreted by normal early and differentiated hematopoietic cells and thus could also regulate normal hematopoiesis in an autocrine/paracrine manner. In this review we summarize recent advances in identification and understanding of the role of autocrine/paracrine axes in the growth of both malignant and normal human hematopoietic cells. Better understanding of intercellular crosstalk operating in normal and pathological states and the mechanisms regulating synthesis of these endogenously produced factors (potential targets for various pharmacological approaches) may allow us to improve antileukemia treatments, undertake more efficient ex vivo stem cell expansion, and develop other therapeutic strategies.

Animals↗

Roles of the activin regulatory system in fish reproduction.

Activin (betaAbetaA, betaAbetaB, and betaBbetaB) is a dimeric growth factor with diverse biological activities in vertebrate reproduction. Activin exerts its actions by binding to its specific type II and type I receptors. The activity of activin is regulated by follistatin, its binding protein, and the antagonists inhibin and antivin. All major components of the activin-inhibin-follistatin system have been identified in fish except the alpha subunit of inhibin. Using goldfish as a model, we have demonstrated that activin is expressed in the pituitary and the recombinant goldfish activin B has novel inverse effects on the expression of GTH beta subunits. Activin increases the mRNA level of GTH-Ibeta while significantly suppressing the expression of GTH-IIbeta. We have also demonstrated the expression of activin and its receptors in the goldfish and zebrafish ovary. Using an in vitro ovarian follicle incubation as the system, we have investigated the involvement of the activin system in the process of final oocyte maturation. Our evidence clearly indicates that activin has potent effect of promoting final oocyte maturation, and that it may play a role in mediating the stimulatory effect of pituitary gonadotropin in the event of oocyte maturation.

Activin Receptors↗

The cellular, immune, and metabolic response to trauma.

The major challenge in treatment of the multiple trauma victim has shifted from early and effective resuscitation to treatment of the host response to injury. Patients surviving for the first 24 h after major injury as a result of effective resuscitation remain at risk of progressive organ failure and death from what appears to be an uncontrolled inflammatory process. A septic cause is frequently not identifiable, yet the response is as if the patient were infected. While organ-supportive measures such as mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, renal replacement therapies, and total parenteral nutrition help to maintain tissue substrate delivery and metabolite removal, these therapies eventually fail if the microvaculature ceases to function. As the soluble and cell-mediated pathways of the inflammatory response are now being unraveled, possible interventions designed to attenuate selected elements of the inflammatory pathways are being developed. These measures include antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, pharmacological agents, antibodies both to soluble mediators and cell surface receptor antagonists. Most of these interventions are at the experimental stage and so far have only met with limited clinical success. A major problem with attenuation of the inflammatory response is the overlap of inflammatory pathways, such that modulation of one or two is unlikely to be of benefit in a patient with major injuries. In addition, the speed of these responses, once initiated, requires that therapies have to be administered very soon after injury to be effective. However, the tremendous increase in knowledge of the inflammatory response, and the increasing sophistication of laboratory science that can provide both assessment of mediators of inflammation and the patients' response to the inflammatory process allows early identification of patients at risk of post-trauma organ failure. Armed with this knowledge, treatment can be tailored to each patients' individual response to injury, and when definitive antiinflammatory regimes are available, patients who can benefit from this treatment can be identified rapidly.

Animals↗

Occurrence of immunoreactive Activin/Inhibin beta(B) in thyrotropes and gonadotropes in the bullfrog pituitary: possible Paracrine/Autocrine effects of activin B on gonadotropin secretion.

Occurrence of immunoreactive activin/inhibin beta(B) in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) pituitary was investigated immunocytochemically by use of antibody against Xenopus activin/inhibin beta(B) subunit. Thyrotropes were demonstrated to contain activin/inhibin beta(B)-immunoreactive substances. Moreover, immunoelectron microscopy revealed that in the secretory granules of thyrotropes and, to a lesser extent, in those of gonadotropes, activin/inhibin beta(B)-immunoreactive substances were present. Based on this observation, we investigated the effect of activin B on the release of gonadotropins from dispersed anterior pituitary cells of the bullfrog. Activin B stimulated the release of not only follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) but also luteinizing hormone (LH) dose dependently. Under the culture conditions used in this experiment, inhibin B, as well as follistatin, did not affect the basal levels of LH and FSH, but they suppressed the activin-induced release of these hormones. This is the first study on the effect of activin on pituitary hormone secretion in lower tetrapods.

Activins↗

Detection of interleukin-1 in the cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis: a possible autocrine/paracrine role in pathogenesis.

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) cytokines stimulate the synthesis of degradative enzymes in joint tissues and may play a role in the pathological joint destruction in osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we have used immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis to identify IL-1 in human OA cartilage. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were evident in chondrocytes at the articular surface, as well as distributed throughout the cartilage. In many specimens, IL-1 beta but not IL-1 alpha was detected as a diffuse staining of the extracellular matrix especially surrounding superficial zone chondrocytes. Although chondrocyte-associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were detected in most specimens, cartilages exhibiting early osteoarthritic changes had the highest intensity of staining and the highest frequency of positive cells. Western blot analysis revealed intense immunoreactive bands corresponding to the 35 kDa precursor form of IL-1 alpha in all four chondrocyte lysates tested. The processed 18 kDa IL-1 beta species was present in only one of four chondrocyte lysates, and there was no clear evidence of precursor form within these cells. The results of this study indicate increased IL-1 alpha in cartilage showing early degenerative changes, suggesting an autocrine/paracrine role for this cytokine in OA pathogenesis.

Adult↗

Expression of nerve growth factor and its receptors in the somatosensory-motor cortex of Macaca nemestrina.

The present study was designed to examine the nerve growth factor (NGF) system (ligand and receptor-expressing neurons) in the somatosensory (areas 1, 3a, and 3b) and motor (area 4) cortices of the mature macaque. Light and electron microscope immunohistochemistry was used to assess the distribution and identity of NGF-, p75-, and trk-expressing elements. In each cortical area examined, NGF-positive neuronal somata were distributed through all laminae; most immunolabeled neurons were in layers II, III, and V. Based upon light microscope criteria (e.g., the morphology of proximal dendrites), both pyramidal and stellate neurons expressed NGF. Of the identifiable NGF- immunoreactive cells, 92% were pyramidal neurons and the remainder was stellate neurons. The electron microscope study showed that most (88%) NGF-positive somata formed symmetric synapses, whereas the others formed both symmetric and asymmetric synapses. As the somata of pyramidal neurons form only symmetric synapses and those of inhibitory stellate neurons form both symmetric and asymmetric somatic synapses, the ultrastructural data support the light microscopic analyses. In contrast, neurotrophin receptors, p75 and trk, were expressed chiefly by the cell bodies of layer V pyramidal neurons and the supragranular neuropil. At the ultrastructural level, receptor-positive profiles were post-synaptic elements (e.g., dendritic shafts and spines) and the concentration of immunoreactivity was greatest in the vicinity of post-synaptic densities. Thus, NGF regulatory systems parallel excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems. Cortex contains the morphological framework by which pyramidal and/or inhibitory stellate neurons can affect the activity of post-synaptic pyramidal neurons via anterograde and autocrine/paracrine NGF systems.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Co expression of SCF and KIT in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) suggests an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.

KIT is a tyrosine kinase receptor expressed by several tumours, which has for specific ligand the stem cell factor (SCF). KIT is the main oncogene in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and gain-of-function KIT mutations are present in 70% of these tumours. The aim of the study was to measure and investigate the mechanisms of KIT activation in 80 KIT-positive GIST patients. KIT activation was quantified by detecting phosphotyrosine residues in Western blotting. SCF production was determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR, ELISA and/or immunohistochemistry. Primary cultures established from three GISTs were also analysed. The results show that KIT activation was detected in all cases, even in absence of KIT mutations. The fraction of activated KIT was not correlated with the mutational status of GISTs. Membrane and soluble isoforms of SCF mRNA were present in all GISTs analysed. Additionally, SCF was also detected in up to 93% of GISTs, and seen to be present within GIST cells. Likewise, the two SCF mRNA isoforms were found to be expressed in GIST-derived primary cultures. Thus, KIT activation in GISTs may in part result from the presence of SCF within the tumours.

Autocrine Communication↗

Control of oocyte growth and maturation by follicular cells and molecules present in follicular fluid. A review.

The aim of this review is to summarize the interactions between the oocyte and its surrounding granulosa cells which are involved in the control of oocyte growth or apoptosis as well as those playing a key role in the ability of the oocyte to undergo nuclear (resumption as meiosis to reach the MII stage) or cytoplasmic maturation (ability to fertilize and develop to the blastocyst stage). The respective roles of the oocyte and of the granulosa cells in controlling the initiation of growth are poorly understood. During the preantral follicular stage when most oocyte growth is achieved, a local regulation appears to be in operation involving growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor alpha (EGF/TGF alpha), together with two proteins (c-kit present on the oocyte's membrane and its ligand KL produced by granulosa cells). In-situ techniques used to detect apoptosis demonstrate apoptotic oocytes in the reserves of primordial follicles but seldom within preantral follicles (because it is too fast?). Proteins involved in cell death (bax) or cell survival (bcl2) are present in oocytes as well as compounds (TNF alpha, Fas) involved in the initiation of apoptosis. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms triggering oocyte apoptosis are not fully clarified. Three approaches have been used to identify compounds which are relevant to the oocyte's nuclear or cytoplasmic maturation. a) Correlation between amounts of specific compounds in follicular fluid or within follicle cells and the oocyte's ability to mature. b) Analysis of the consequences of pharmacological disruption of mechanisms such as steroidogenesis on oocyte maturation. c) Analysis of the consequences of addition of graded amounts of specific compounds on oocyte maturation in defined media. Factors playing a key role in stimulating nuclear maturation appear to be epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the inhibin (cattle)/activin (rodents) family, while testosterone has an inhibitory effect. Cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte appears to be stimulated by oestradiol, EGF and inhibin.

Animals↗

Aldosterone acts via an ATP autocrine/paracrine system: the Edelman ATP hypothesis revisited.

Aldosterone, the most important sodium-retaining hormone, was first characterized >50 years ago. However, despite numerous studies including the classical work of Isidore S. "Izzy" Edelman showing that aldosterone action depended on ATP production, the mechanism by which it activates sodium reabsorption via the epithelial sodium channel remains unclear. Here, we report experiments that suggest that one of the key steps in aldosterone action is via an autocrine/paracrine system. The hormone stimulates ATP release from the basolateral side of the target kidney cell. Prevention of ATP accumulation or its removal blocks aldosterone action. ATP then acts via a purinergic mechanism to produce contraction of small groups of adjacent epithelial cells. Patch clamping demonstrates that it is these contracted cells that have channel activity. With progressive recruitment of contracting cells, there is then a parallel increase in transepithelial electrical conductance. In common with other stimuli of sodium transport, this pathway involves phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase blocks both cell contraction and conductance. We put forward the hypothesis that redistribution of the cell volume caused by the lateral contraction results in apical swelling and that this change, in turn, disrupts the epithelial sodium channel interaction with the F-actin cytoskeleton, opening the channel and hence increasing sodium transport.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mechanical signaling through connective tissue: a mechanism for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture.

The mechanism of action of acupuncture remains largely unknown. The reaction to acupuncture needling known as 'de qi', widely viewed as essential to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture, may be a key to understanding its mechanism of action. De qi includes a characteristic needling sensation, perceived by the patient, and 'needle grasp' perceived by the acupuncturist. During needle grasp, the acupuncturist feels pulling and increased resistance to further movement of the inserted needle. We hypothesize that 1) needle grasp is due to mechanical coupling between the needle and connective tissue with winding of tissue around the needle during needle rotation and 2) needle manipulation transmits a mechanical signal to connective tissue cells via mechanotransduction. Such a mechanism may explain local and remote, as well as long-term effects of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

The role of growth hormone in neural development.

Growth hormone (GH) is integrally involved in the development of the central nervous system (CNS), as well as during its recovery from injury, two processes that share many similarities and may influence CNS functionality. This review discusses some of the most recent findings in the field and, in particular, the ontogeny, distribution, regulation and putative functions of GH and its receptor within the CNS, particularly during development. The relative roles of peripheral GH, acting in part through insulin-like growth factor-I, and of the autocrine/paracrine GH system within the brain are considered. The potential role of GH as a therapeutic agent to influence brain development and function is discussed.

Animals↗

Endothelin-1 is synthesized and inhibits cyclic adenosine monophosphate- dependent anion secretion by an autocrine/paracrine mechanism in gallbladder epithelial cells.

Ion and fluid transport across the biliary epithelium contributes to bile secretion. Since endothelin (ET)-1 affects ion transport activities and is released by human gallbladder- derived biliary epithelial cells in primary culture, we examined the expression of ET peptides and ET receptors and the influence of ET-1 on ion transport in this epithelium ex vivo. In freshly isolated gallbladder epithelial cells, preproET-1, -2, and -3 mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription PCR and ET-1 isopeptide was identified by chromatography. The cells also displayed ET receptor mRNAs and high-affinity binding sites for ET-1, mostly of the ETB type. Electrogenic anion secretion across intact gallbladder mucosa was stimulated by forskolin, secretin, and exogenous ATP, as assessed by short-circuit current (Isc) increases in Ussing-type chambers. ET-1 inhibited forskolin- and secretin-induced changes in Isc, without affecting baseline Isc or ATP-induced changes. Accordingly, ET-1 significantly reduced the accumulation of intracellular cAMP elicited by forskolin and secretin in the epithelial cells, and this effect was abolished by pertussis toxin. This is the first evidence that ET-1 is synthesized and inhibits, via a Gi protein-coupled receptor, cAMP-dependent anion secretion in human gallbladder epithelium, indicating a role in the control of bile secretion by an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.

Anions↗

Origins and manifestations of oocyte maturation competencies.

Mammalian oocytes acquire a series of competencies during follicular development that play critical roles at fertilization and subsequent stages of preimplantation embryonic development. These competencies involve remodelling of chromatin and the cytoskeleton in the oocyte at critical stages of folliculogenesis when gametes and somatic cells communicate by paracrine and junctional mechanisms. While the detailed steps involved in bi-directional signalling between oocytes and granulosa cells remain unknown, studies from mice bearing targeted deletions in essential 'communication' genes reveal selective disturbances in oocyte maturation competencies that compromise the oocyte's developmental potential. Recent data are reviewed that illustrate the general principle that competencies acquired at sequential stages of oogenesis are manifest during oocyte growth, maturation, or following fertilization. The recognition that oocyte-specific genes are called into play at key developmental transitions in mammalian embryogenesis emphasizes the importance of monitoring genetic and epigenetic determinants when using current assisted reproductive technologies manipulations.

Animals↗

Intercellular signaling between adipose tissue and muscle tissue.

Adipose and muscle tissues undergo regulated growth and differentiation processes that are modulated by a wide range of factors. The interactions between myogenic cells and adipocytes play a significant role in growth and development, including the rate and extent of myogenesis, muscle growth, adipogenesis, lipogenesis/lipolysis, and in the utilization of energy substrates. Important hormones and growth factors involved in the regulation of these processes include glucocorticoids, insulin-like growth factors, various cytokines, insulin, and leptin. Interactions among these axes have important implications in their influence on relative fat and lean deposition and the efficiency of energy utilization in growth and development. As research progresses to better clarify the interactions among adipose tissue depots and muscle of different fiber types, pathways will become better understood, ultimately leading to the optimized management of fat and lean growth in domestic livestock species. This review will focus on elements of intercellular signaling, using data from cell culture studies to illustrate specific examples of signaling pathways between cells.

Adipocytes↗