NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidative stress: genetic studies of the p22(phox) gene in hypertension

Increased vascular production of reactive oxygen species, especially superoxide anion, significantly contributes to the oxidative stress associated with hypertension. An enhanced superoxide production causes an increased inactivation of nitric oxide that diminishes nitric oxide bioavailability, thus contributing to endothelial dysfunction and hypertrophy of vascular cells. It has been shown that NADPH oxidases play a major role as the most important sources of superoxide anion in phagocytic and vascular cells. Several experimental observations have described an enhanced superoxide generation as a result of NADPH oxidase activation in hypertension. Although these enzymes respond to stimuli such as vasoactive factors, growth factors, and cytokines, recent data suggest a significant role of the genetic background in the modulation of the expression of its different components. Several polymorphisms have been identified in the promoter and in the coding region of CYBA, the gene that encodes the essential subunit of the NADPH oxidase p22phox, some of which seem to influence significantly the activity of these enzymes in the context of cardiovascular diseases. Among CYBA polymorphisms, genetic investigations have provided a novel marker, the -930(A/G) polymorphism, which determines the genetic susceptibility of hypertensive patients to oxidative stress.     

Calcium homeostasis and glucose uptake of murine myotubes exposed to insulin,caffeine and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol

The modulation of glucose uptake by cytosolic calcium and the role of insulin on calcium homeostasis in insulin‐target cells are incompletely understood and results are contradictory. To address this issue, we used the C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cell line model and examined the influence of caffeine and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol, two ryanodine receptor agonists known to mobilize intracellular calcium stores and increase cytosolic free calcium concentration. We followed ⁴⁵calcium efflux, a validated indicator of cytosolic calcium concentration, and 3‐O‐methyl‐[1–³H]‐d ‐glucose uptake in parallel. We also determined if insulin incubation affected ⁴⁵calcium influx rate. A 30‐min treatment by 1 μm insulin highly significantly increased ⁴⁵calcium efflux by 8.5% (P = 0.0014), despite a significant reduction of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx already measurable after 20 and 30 min of insulin stimulation (?16.6%, P = 0.0119 and ?21.3%, P = 0.0047, respectively). Caffeine (1–20 mm ) and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol (0.05–10 mm ) concentration‐dependently increased ⁴⁵calcium efflux, the latter being more potent and efficacious. These agents, in a concentration‐dependent manner, inhibited both basal and, more potently, insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake. This resulted in a negative correlation of glucose uptake and ⁴⁵calcium efflux (r > 0.95, P < 0.001). This effect was ～5 times greater for caffeine than for 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol, suggesting a calcium‐independent part of the glucose uptake inhibition by caffeine. In our in vitro model of cultured muscle cells, insulin appears to prevent calcium overload by both stimulating efflux and inhibiting cell storage. This effect, taken together with the observed inhibitory, inverse relationship between ⁴⁵calcium efflux and glucose uptake, contributes to describing the complex insulin–calcium interplay involved in target cells.     

Anti-anti-idiotypic (Ab3) antibodies that bind progesterone-11alpha-bovine serum albumin differ in their combining sites from antibodies raised directly against the antigen

Polyclonal rabbit anti-idiotypic (Ab2) antibodies raised against the antiprogesterone mAb DB3 (Ab1) were used to induce an Ab3 antiprogesterone response in BALB/c mice. While the affinity of Ab3 sera for progesterone was 10-50-times lower than that of DB3, their steroid-binding specificity showed considerable similarity to DB3. Two immunoglobulin M (IgM) Ab3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 1A4 and 3B11, were obtained, both of which bound progesterone conjugated to bovine serum albumin (progesterone-BSA). 1A4 also bound free progesterone, although with low affinity and very broad cross-reactivity. Like DB3, 1A4 is encoded by a heavy-chain variable region (VH) gene segment from the small VGAM3.8 family, a restriction that is characteristic of antibodies raised against progesterone-11alpha-BSA. In contrast, 3B11 binds progesterone-11alpha-BSA but not free progesterone and is encoded by an unrelated VH gene from the J558 family. The light chain variable region (VL) of 1A4 lacks the intradomain disulphide bridge owing to replacement of CysL23 by Tyr. Both the 1A4 and 3B11 heavy chains have extremely short complementarity determining region (CDR) H3 loops, comprising three and four amino acids, respectively. Modelling of the combining site of 1A4 from the X-ray crystallographic structure of DB3 indicates that the short H3 loop is a major factor in the loss of affinity and specificity for steroid.     

High-dose inhaled steroids in the management of asthma A comparison of the effects of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate on pulmonary function, symptoms, bronchial responsiveness and the adrenal function

Svendsen UG, Frølund L, Heinig JH, Madsen F, Nielsen NH, Weeke B. High-dose inhaled steroids in the management of asthma. A comparison of the effects of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate on pulmonary function, symptoms, bronchial responsiveness and the adrenal function.
The efficacy of budesonide (800 μg b.d.) and beclomethasone dipropionate (750 μg b.d.) in controlling the symptoms of asthma, pulmonary function, bronchial responsiveness to histamine, and adrenal function, was assessed in a double-blind, double-dummy cross-over study of 36 adult chronic asthmatic patients. The patients, the majority of whom were assessed to be affected to a severe degree, were insufficiently controlled in their current regimen of inhaled steroids and/or inhaled and oral bronchodilators. A 2 weeks baseline period preceded 6 weeks of treatment with each of the study drugs. Both treatment groups showed improvements from baseline in clinical assessment of lung function carried out after the first 6 weeks of treatment. No significant differences were seen throughout the entire 12 weeks study, when comparing the effects of the treatments on FEV₁ FVC, PEF or the histamine PC₂₀. Asthma severity, symptom score and inhaled bronchodilator use showed the same results after both treatments. It is concluded that inhalations of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in high doses are equally potent in the treatment of severe asthma. There is no significant influence on the adrenal function and no significant side effects during a period equal to that of the present study.     

Antigenic and genetic analyses of human rotavirus with dual subgroup specificity.

In our previous study (S. Urasawa, T. Urasawa, K. Taniguchi, F. Wakasugi, N. Kobayashi, S. Chiba, N. Sakurada, S. Morita, O. Morita, M. Tokieda, T. Kawamoto, K. Minekawa, and M. Oseto, J. Infect. Dis. 160:44-51, 1989) of antigenic characterization of about 300 human rotavirus (HRV) isolates collected at different localities in Japan, we found 4 HRV isolates having unique antigenic and genetic constructions. The four strains possessed both subgroup I and subgroup II antigens, serotype 3 antigen, and a long RNA electropherotype. The reactivity pattern of these four HRV isolates with three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed to an outer capsid protein, VP4, and with one MAb directed to an inner capsid protein, VP2, was clearly different from those of usual subgroup II HRVs having serotype 1, serotype 3, or serotype 4 specificity and a long RNA pattern, whereas their reactivity pattern was similar to that of strain K8 (subgroup II, serotype 1), which possessed unique VP4 and VP2 proteins. RNA-RNA cross-hybridization analysis indicated that while the four isolates were genetically distinct from the two genetic groups of HRV reported previously, i.e., the Wa family (strains KU, S3, and YO) and the DS-1 family (strain S2), they were closely related to strain K8, a strain having unique antigenic and genetic properties (K. Taniguchi, K. Nishikawa, T. Urasawa, S. Urasawa, K. Midthun, A. Z. Kapikian, and M. Gorziglia, J. Virol. 63:4101-4106, 1989).     

Influence of extracellur Ca2+ on endogenous Cl− channels in Xenopus oocytes

Removal of Ca²⁺ from the external bath solution evoked marked depolarization and large currents (up to several microamperes) in voltage-clamped defolliculated oocytes of Xenopus laevis. The resulting current was not carried by a cation influx but was due to a huge Cl^– efflux, which could be strongly inhibited by the Cl^– channel blockers flufenamic acid and niflumic acid. Removal of Mg²⁺ or Ba²⁺ from the solutions had the same effects as removing Ca²⁺. The reversal potential of –12 mV also indicated that Cl^– channels were responsible for the large currents. Patch-clamp studies revealed a single-channel slope conductance of 90 pS. During oocyte maturation these channels remained active. The half-maximal Ca²⁺ concentration of about 20 M showed that quite low doses of extracellular Ca²⁺ profoundly influence the electrical properties of the oocyte membrane.     

Aberrant T-cell function in vitro and impaired T-cell dependent antibody response in vivo in vitamin A-deficient rats.

We have previously reported that vitamin A deficiency resulted in a reduced IgA antibody response to cholera toxin (CT) after per-oral immunization. In the present investigation we have studied the in vivo and in vitro immune response in vitamin A-deficient rats to two parenterally applied antigens, beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) and picrylsulphonic acid (TNP)-Ficoll. The serum IgG and IgM antibody responses to the T-cell dependent antigen beta-LG were significantly lower in the vitamin A-deficient rats than in the pair-fed control rats. No such differences were seen with the IgG and IgM responses to the T-cell independent antigen TNP-Ficoll. However, the biliary IgA and the serum IgE antibodies against both antigens were decreased in the vitamin A-deficient rats. In vitro lymphocyte stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) or beta-LG gave higher T-cell proliferation rates in the vitamin A-deficient than in the control rats. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in supernatants from Con A-stimulated mesenteric lymph node cells were also higher in the vitamin A-deficient rats, while IL-6 levels were decreased, which is consistent with an up-regulated Th1 activity. Proliferation studies on purified accessory cells and T cells from the deficient and the control rats, mixed in different combinations, showed that the T cells, but not the accessory cells, were disturbed in the vitamin A-deficient rats. Despite the increased T-cell activity in vitro the vitamin A-deficient rats had a lower delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction than the pair-fed control rats. In conclusion, the increased IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels may reflect an up-regulation of Th1 cell function, while the decreased IgA, IgE and IL-6 levels indicate a suppression of Th2 cells. The disturbed T-lymphocyte function is manifested in vivo as a decreased DTH reaction and suppressed antibody production, the latter possibly due to a lack of B-cell switching and proliferation factors in vitamin A-deficient rats.     

Identification of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from swine with diarrhea in Thailand by colony hybridization, using three enterotoxin gene probes.

The DNA colony hybridization assay was used to identify enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli among E. coli isolated from 803 swine with diarrhea at 10 farms in Thailand. Between 5 September and 8 December 1981, enterotoxigenic E. coli were identified in 40% of 58 litters of piglets under 10 days old and 17% of 29 litters between 10 and 21 days old with diarrhea at farms at four different locations in Thailand. All E. coli that hybridized with one or more of the three enterotoxin gene probes produced heat-labile or heat-stable toxin or both, as determined by testing culture supernatants in the Y1 adrenal and suckling mouse assays. The DNA colony hybridization technique is a specific method of identifying enterotoxigenic E. coli from swine and can be used to further characterize these enteric pathogens.     

Adsorption of fibronectin onto polymethylmethacrylate and promotion of Staphylococcus aureus adherence

Recent data suggest that fibronectin may favor Staphylococcus aureus infection by promoting attachment to either injured tissues or implanted foreign bodies. We studied the quantitative adsorption of fibronectin onto polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cover slips by using a 125I-labeled preparation of the purified plasma glycoprotein. Fibronectin in buffer solutions showed a high affinity to PMMA coverslips. Adherence of S. aureus Wood 46 was studied on PMMA pre-exposed to fibronectin, using an assay specifically adapted to the cover slip model. Whereas S. aureus adherence in an albumin-containing buffer was less than or equal to 10(3) CFU on control uncoated cover slips, adherence in the same medium increased up to maximum of 7.7 X 10(4) CFU on cover slips preincubated in a solution of fibronectin (125-micrograms/ml). At intermediate fibronectin concentrations, bacterial adherence was a linear function of both the quantity in solution and of the quantity adsorbed on the PMMA cover slips. The presence of human serum proteins, as represented by a fibronectin-depleted pool, essentially prevented adsorption of radiolabeled fibronectin on PMMA and subsequent bacterial adherence on the cover slips. Precoating of PMMA with denatured collagen resulted in increased fibronectin adsorption on PMMA, even in the presence of serum proteins, and S. aureus adherence was optimal on such surfaces. Collagen may therefore play a role as a cofactor contributing to S. aureus adherence onto fibronectin-coated substrata or foreign bodies.     

Immunocytochemical characterization of lymphocytes in benign and malignant lymphocyte - rich serous effusions

Summary The cytological diagnosis of malignant Lymphoma in serous effusions can be difficult because reactive lymphocytes may be morphologically indistinguishable from malignant cells in lymphocytic and other low grade Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. As a result of the present study, diagnostic accuracy can be improved by means of B- and T-cell enumeration using an immunoalkaline-phosphatase method (IAP). 30 cytological specimens, including 28 pleural, 1 pericardial and 1 ascitic fluids, were studied with a panel of monoclonal anti B- and anti T-cell antibodies (PAN B, kappa, lambda, T1, T2, OKT4, T8). Reactive lymphocytic effusions were characterized by a predominance of T cells constituting 80% of all lymphocytes with an excess of helper/inducer cells (mean helper to suppressor ratio 3.0) and by a surface kappa to surface lambda ratio of 1.6 on B-cells. Tuberculous effusions showed a similar distribution of lymphocyte-subpopulations whilst most of the carcinomatous fluids showed a lower percentage of T cells (lowest value 67%) and lower Th:Ts ratio (mean 2.0). Lymphoid cells in samples of five B-cell lymphomas were characterized by T-cell depression ( 70%). B-cells in three cases expressed clear cut light chain monoclonality which was at least suggested in the other two cases.Lymphoid cells from two cases of Hodgkin's disease expressed an indistinct immunological pattern. Labelling of cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (heavy and light chains) using the peroxidase antiperoxidase method (PAP) may be important to characterize neoplasms of the plasma cell series.It is concluded that the chosen panel of antibodies in combination with IAP labelling method may be of great value in identifying B-cell lymphomas. The technique can be used in the routine laboratory and storage of unlabelled and labelled slides over long periods is possible.Dedicated to Professor K. Lennert, Kiel, on the occasion of his 65th birthdayThis study was supported by the Krebsliga St. Gallen/Appenzell