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Preparation and characterization of recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP-4).

TIMP-4, a novel human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, was identified and cloned (Greene, J., Wang, M., Raymond, L. A., Liu, Y. E., Rosen, C., and Shi, Y. E. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 30375-30380). In this report, the production and characterization of recombinant TIMP-4 (rTIMP4p) are described. rTIMP4p, expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, was purified to homogeneity by a combination of cation exchange, hydrophobic, and size-exclusion chromatographies. The purified protein migrated as a single 23-kDa band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in Western blot using a specific anti-TIMP-4 antibody. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities by rTIMP4p was demonstrated in five MMPs. Enzymatic kinetic studies revealed IC50 values (concentration at 50% inhibition) of 19, 3, 45, 8, and 83 nM for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9, respectively. Purified rTIMP4p demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the invasion of human breast cancer cells across reconstituted basement membranes. Thus, TIMP-4 is a new enzymatic inhibitor in MMP-mediated extracellular matrix degradation and may have therapeutic potential in treating cancer malignant progression.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Intramitochondrial filamentous bodies in the thick limb of henle of the rat kidney.

"Intramitochondrial filamentous bodies" (IMFB) were occasionally found within the matrix of some mitochondria of the thick limb of Henle of the rat kidney, but not elsewhere in the tubular system. Three types were recognized: type I, an accumulation of filaments 55 A thick; type II, a bundle of parallel filaments having the same thickness as those of type I and regular spacing, 87 A apart, from center to center; and type III, consisting of type II with regular light bands of 280 A periodicity and a helical border of prismatic tubular cristae. In addition to these, electron-opaque masses showing variable and faint substructures were found in the matrix of mitochondria. It is suggested that all these IMFB may originate from mitochondrial cristae and that type II IMFB may be an intermediate developmental form between type I and type III. After uranyl acetate staining, IMFB and the membranes of prismatic tubular cristae showed highly increased electron opacity. The literature has been reviewed for reports of intramitochondrial filamentous inclusions in various types of cells. These inclusions have been classified according to their structural characteristics and the localization in the mitochondria and compared with IMFB reported herein.

Animals↗

Targeted deletion of ROCK1 protects the heart against pressure overload by inhibiting reactive fibrosis.

Ventricular myocyte hypertrophy is an important compensatory growth response to pressure overload. However, pathophysiological cardiac hypertrophy is accompanied by reactive fibrosis and remodeling. The Rho kinase family, consisting of ROCK1 and ROCK2, has been implicated in cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular remodeling. However, these previous studies relied heavily on pharmacological inhibitors,and not on gene deletion. Here we used ROCK1knockout (ROCK1-/-) mice to investigate role of ROCK1 in the development of ventricular remodeling induced by transverse aortic banding. We observed that ROCK1 deletion did not impair compensatory hypertrophic response induced by pressure overload. However, ROCK1-/- mice exhibited reduced perivascular and interstitial fibrosis, which was observed at 3 wk but not at 1 wk after the banding. The reduced fibrosis in the myocardium of ROCK1-/- mice was closely associated with reduced expression of a variety of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and fibrogenic cytokines such as TGFbeta2 and connective tissue growth factor. This inhibitory effect of ROCK1 deletion on pathophysiological induction of fibrogenic cytokines was further confirmed in the myocardium of transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Gq. Thus, these results indicate that ROCK1 contributes to the development of cardiac fibrosis and induction of fibrogenic cytokines in cardiomyocytes in response to pathological stimuli.

Animals↗

Defect modes and transmission properties of left-handed bandgap structures.

We analyze transmission of electromagnetic waves through a one-dimensional periodic layered structure consisting of slabs of a left-handed metamaterial and air. We derive the effective parameters of the metamaterial from a microscopic structure of wires and split-ring resonators possessing the left-handed characteristics in the microwave frequency range, and then study, by means of the transfer-matrix approach and the finite-difference time-domain numerical simulations, the transmission properties of this layered structure in a band gap associated with the zero averaged refractive index. By introducing defects, the transmission of such a structure can be made tunable, and we study the similarities and differences of the defects modes excited in two types of the band gaps.

Journal Article↗

Doping dependence of the mass enhancement in (Pb,Bi)2Sr2CaCu2O8 at the antinodal point in the superconducting and normal states.

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy is used to study the mass renormalization of the charge carriers in the high-T(c) superconductor (Pb,Bi)2Sr2CaCu2O8 in the vicinity of the (pi,0) point in the superconducting and the normal states. Using matrix element effects at different photon energies and due to a high momentum and energy resolution the bonding and the antibonding bands could be separated in the whole dopant range. A huge coupling to a bosonic collective mode is observed below T(c) for both bands, in particular, for the underdoped case. Above T(c), a weaker coupling to a continuous spectrum of modes is detected.

Journal Article↗

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) expression in human fibroblasts is regulated by growth factors and extracellular matrix.

Many cell types express a membrane receptor, activated by trypsin-like proteases, termed protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2). Previous studies describing PAR-2 expression on fibroblasts have been conflicting. In this report, we investigated in vitro PAR-2 expression on several fibroblast cell lines using flow cytometry, immunohistology, and immunoblots of cell lysates. Consistent PAR-2 expression was detected in cultured fibroblasts, although we observed heterogeneity of cellular expression among the cell lines. Some fibroblast lines expressed PAR-2 predominantly as an intracellular protein with differing cytoplasmic staining patterns, whereas other fibroblast lines displayed PAR-2 primarily as a cell surface receptor. Immunoblots of cell lysates with polyclonal anti-PAR-2 demonstrated a 44 kDa band, the predicted molecular weight for the PAR-2 core protein. Furthermore, we noted that expression of PAR-2 was subject to regulation. Fibroblasts grown within a collagen matrix downregulated receptor expression whereas increased PAR-2 expression was observed by the addition of fibroblast growth factors PDGF-BB and TGF-beta. This study may explain the previous inconsistencies in PAR-2 expression observed on tissue fibroblasts. Results indicate that the degree of fibroblast proliferation, attenuated by extracellular matrix and upregulated by growth factors, influences whether fibroblasts express PAR-2 and, thus, would be responsive to protease signaling.

Becaplermin↗

Dental involvement in congenital chloride diarrhea.

Dental involvement in a case of congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) was studied using light microscopy of decalcified and undecalcified sections, microradiography and TEM. Mixed enamel lesions were found, involving gross hypoplasia at the cuspal level and hypocalcification occurring all over enamel. The hypocalcification resulted in the immature aspect of the prismatic enamel, porosities, amorphous areas, prominent incremental lines and round-ended crystallites. A marked hypocalcification suggests a temporary break of amelogenesis likely related to acute episodes of the disease. Globular calcifications were associated with enamel formation. Dentinal hypocalcification was conspicuous and diffuse all over dentine. A globular mineralization pattern was revealed by the tretracycline (TC) stain which was well preserved in decalcified sections, thus indicating that TC uptake is related to the organic matrix. It is unlikely that TC alone is responsible for the hypocalcified areas which extended widely beyond the TC-stained bands. It is suggested that TC uptake only adds to dental defects induced by the metabolic troubles of CCD.

Alkalosis↗

Separation of long DNA molecules in a microfabricated entropic trap array.

A nanofluidic channel device, consisting of many entropic traps, was designed and fabricated for the separation of long DNA molecules. The channel comprises narrow constrictions and wider regions that cause size-dependent trapping of DNA at the onset of a constriction. This process creates electrophoretic mobility differences, thus enabling efficient separation without the use of a gel matrix or pulsed electric fields. Samples of long DNA molecules (5000 to approximately 160,000 base pairs) were efficiently separated into bands in 15-millimeter-long channels. Multiple-channel devices operating in parallel were demonstrated. The efficiency, compactness, and ease of fabrication of the device suggest the possibility of more practical integrated DNA analysis systems.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical↗

Application of blood cadmium determination to industry using a punched disc technique.

A paper disc flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method is described for the determination of cadmium (Cd) in blood, enabling difficulties in sample preparation to be minimized. By control of the ashing step the matrix can be removed without loss of cadmium. Problems with the fast signal response during atomization can be met by spectral band width and temperature control. At the 106 pg level (471 nmol Cd/1 blood; 5-3 mug/100 ml) the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0-06. Results in four industrial situations are reported. This description of the method should facilitate further investigation of its application to industry using capillary or venous blood.

Cadmium↗

Induction and antimicrobial activity of platelet basic protein derivatives in human monocytes.

The antimicrobial activity of a number of chemokines has recently come into focus of research about innate immunity. We have previously shown that platelet basic protein (PBP), which gives rise to several antimicrobial peptides of platelets, is also expressed in human monocytes. In the present studies, we show that exposure of human monocytes to bacteria or microbial components (lipopolysaccharide and zymosan) induces a several-fold greater expression of derivates of PBP. Also, activation of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) by thrombin or the synthetic peptide ligand SFLLRN of PAR-1 significantly increased PBP expression, presumably on the transcriptional level, as evidenced by higher mRNA levels. Derivates of PBP appeared to reach phago-lysosomes, as higher concentration was found in latex phagosomes isolated by a flotation method. By the gel-overlay technique, two bactericidal derivatives of PBP could be visualized, which were immunoreactive with anti-PBP antibody in Western blots. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight and surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization techniques, it was confirmed that the bands corresponded to PBP derivates. After immunofixation with a monoclonal antibody to PBP, the major peptide in zymosan-stimulated monocytes was identified to correspond by molecular weight to connective tissue-activating peptide III, which has been reported to be a major antimicrobial PBP derivate also in platelets. Our observations indicate that PBP and its derivates are constituents of the antimicrobial arsenal of human monocytes. Their increased expression after exposure to microorganisms allows a rapid host response to pathogens.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗

A novel adrenocorticotropin-inducible cytochrome P450 from rat adrenal microsomes catalyzes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism.

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) causes massive ACTH-dependent necrosis of the rat adrenal cortex. This may be related to an ACTH-inducible adrenal microsomal cytochrome P450 that metabolizes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The proportions of major monooxygenated products of rat adrenal microsomal DMBA metabolism (DMBA-8,9-diol, DMBA-3,4-diol, and DMBA-phenols) differ significantly from that of P450IA1, the most active PAH-metabolizing P450 in rat liver microsomes. After hypophysectomy, both DMBA metabolic activity and a 57K protein which is distinct from P450XXI disappear from rat adrenal microsomes. ACTH restores both 57K protein and DMBA metabolic activity in hypophysectomized rats almost to the levels in intact untreated rats, but not to levels in ACTH-induced intact rats. The 57K protein has been partially purified from solubilized microsomes in a single step, using detergent elution from a new HPLC matrix consisting of monolayers of phosphatidylcholine covalently bound to a silica support. The resulting P450 preparation contains a single major (57K) band, constituting approximately 70% of the total protein (specific content, 2 nmol P450/mg protein; turnover number, 1.5 nmol DMBA min-1. A rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against this preparation also recognizes a single ACTH-inducible 57K rat adrenal microsomal protein on immunoblots and dose-dependently inhibits DMBA metabolism in solubilized reconstituted rat adrenal microsomes. This 57K P450 is immunochemically distinct from rat P450s of the I, II, III, XVII, and XXI families, but it is immunochemically closely related to a 55K benz(a)anthracene-inducible P450 in the 10T1/2 mouse embryo fibroblast cell line.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Defect modes in photonic crystal slabs studied using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.

We describe broadband coherent transmission studies of two-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of a hexagonal array of air holes in a dielectric slab in a planar waveguide. By filling several of the air holes in the photonic crystal slab, we observe the signature of a defect mode within the stop band, in both the amplitude and phase spectra. The experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical calculations using the transfer matrix method.

Journal Article↗

Comparative factor analysis models for an empirical study of EEG data.

This paper (the first in a series) applies new, empirical factor analysis methods to the problem of "banding" EEG power spectra. A measure is introduced for the comparison of factor analysis results (factor loading matrices). The measure, Ambient Matrix Coherence (AC) is "geometrically unbiased", and invariant of so-called "oblique rotations." AC is used in a "stability computation" to find the dimension of the stable factor analysis solution common to several subsets of a given dataset. If the factor analysis model is appropriate, then the correct number of factors is empirically determined in this way. Stability computations were first performed on various simulated datasets to establish the robustness and efficacy of this method (for various noise levels). These techniques were then applied to EEG power spectra datasets for each of 8 leads. Comparison of these results indicated 3 stable factors in common to all 8 leads, an additional less stable factor in common to 5 leads, and weak stability for the six-dimensional solution for one lead.

Adult↗

[Cognitive set depends on the involvement of the ventral and dorsal visual systems].

Healthy adults were examined in three series of experiments with formation of an unconscious visual set: 1) the set was formed by repeated presentation of pairs of unequal circles (control); 2) an additional task of recognition of words/pseudowords was introduced into the context of the set-forming trials; 3) in the task additionally introduced, a subject had to spatially localize a certain target letter in a letter matrix. Scores of stability of the visual set to circles were compared. Coherence of the cortical electric activity in the alpha band was analyzed. We revealed a significant decrease in stability (rigidity) of the nonverbal visual set in the series with the additional task of spatial localization of the target stimulus. On the contrary, the set rigidity increased in the series with additional recognition of the verbal stimulus. EEG coherence patterns and behavioral data suggest that successful cognitive performance that demands dynamic situation-dependent shifts of unconscious sets takes place under conditions of alternation of tasks involving, predominantly, either the ventral ("what?") or dorsal ("where?") visual streams and, respectively, anterior or posterior systems of selective attention.

Adult↗

Sialoglycoproteins of the frog rod outer segment plasma membrane.

Photoreceptors can segregate inner segment proteins from outer segment proteins. It is uncertain whether such a sorting process occurs during disc morphogenesis in rods, thereby resulting in an outer segment plasma membrane which differs compositionally from the discs. In this study, the plasma membranes of intact, purified frog rod outer segments (ROS) have been labeled with a peanut lectin (PNA), either with or without prior neuraminidase treatment of the ROS. Neuraminidase removes terminal sialic acid residues from membrane-bound sialoglycoconjugates. PNA was demonstrated to bind to the plasma membrane of ROS only after neuraminidase treatment, as detected by fluorescence light microscopy and electron microscopy. In order to identify the sialoglycoproteins responsible for this labeling, ROS proteins were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose paper for incubation with PNA. A single, prominent band at 125 Kd bound PNA after neuraminidase treatment of ROS. This band represents a protein which is an integral component of the ROS plasma membrane and is not associated with the interphotoreceptor matrix or other potential contaminants. Selective degradation of ROS prior to neuraminidase treatment indicates that this sialoglycoprotein is absent from discs and, thus, can serve as a marker specific for ROS plasma membrane during fractionation studies.

Animals↗

Cytochrome b558 from (bovine) granulocytes. Partial purification from Triton X-114 extracts and properties of the isolated cytochrome.

A membrane-associated b-type cytochrome (a proposed component in the neutrophil microbicidal superoxide generating system) has been partially purified from nonactivated beef granulocytes to a specific heme content of 20 nmol of heme/mg of protein, a value about 10-fold higher than those previously reported. The hemoprotein was solubilized at low temperature (4 degrees C) from mixed granule (30,000 X g) cell fractions using Triton X-114 detergent. Warming the extract to 25 degrees C allowed separation into detergent and aqueous phases; cytochrome b558 partitioned exclusively into the detergent phase, allowing separation from other visible-absorbing species (e.g. myeloperoxidase) and indicated an intrinsic membrane localization (Bordier, C. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 1604-1607). The partitioned cytochrome was chromatographed on hydroxylapatite and a hydrophobic affinity matrix, allowing a 185-fold (heme content) purification from the granule extract. The cytochrome preparation revealed three equal-staining protein bands by sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; apparent molecular weights were 14,000, 12,000, and 11,000. The question of heterogeneity of the preparation versus subunit structure is not resolved at present. The hemoprotein binds carbon monoxide, consistent with a proposed role as a terminal oxidase, and has an unusually negative oxidation-reduction potential (-225 mV) similar to that observed in granulocyte membranes. The preparation is devoid of NAD(P)H-diaphorase and cytochrome c reductase activities.

Animals↗

Elimination of polymer interference in chromatographic analysis of estradiol degradation products in a transdermal drug delivery formulation by proper selection of extraction solvents.

This article describes the proper selection of extraction solvents to eliminate interference from a polymer matrix to the quantitation of estradiol degradation products in a transdermal formulation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The separation is performed by gradient elution with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase on Inertsil ODS columns. Severe band distortion and insufficient recovery are observed for two geometric degradation products (or impurities) when the sample is prepared by acetonitrile. It is anticipated that the poor resolution and recovery are caused by multiple retention processes due to the reversible binding of degradation products to the polymer matrix (or the impurity-polymer interaction). This interaction is eliminated by adding formamide, a solvent that possesses similar properties to the matrix, in the extraction solvent. It is believed that the favorable interaction between formamide and the polymer matrix releases the impurity molecules, and they can then be separated by a single retention mode. It has been confirmed experimentally that the use of formamide in the extraction solvent not only sharpens the peaks tremendously, but also recovers the degradation products completely.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Heparanase expression during normal liver development and following partial hepatectomy.

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans are major components of the liver extracellular matrix. Their cleavage by heparanase (endo-beta-glucuronidase) may thus be involved in liver-specific normal and pathological processes. Heparanase mRNA and protein were expressed during liver development but not in the mature healthy liver. A biphasic gain of heparanase expression, detected by immunostaining, western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR, was clearly noted following partial hepatectomy, peaking at 12 and 96-168 h and subsiding 2 weeks post-surgery. Expression of heparan sulphate gradually increased throughout the regeneration process. Unlike heparanase, baseline levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were detected in the intact liver, increasing up to 4 days following partial hepatectomy and subsiding at day 10. Bands matching MMP-9 were absent prior to hepatectomy, but visible 2 h post-hepatectomy. Thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis was associated with increased levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2, correlating with the severity of the disease. Elevated heparanase levels were noted in the early stages of fibrosis, with no further increase evident in rats exhibiting higher fibrotic grades. Taken together, these data suggest a role for heparanase during liver development and remodelling.

Animals↗