Aggregated proteoglycan synthesis in organ cultures of human nucleus pulposus.

Proteoglycans isolated under associative conditions in the presence of protease inhibitors from human nucleus pulposus contained 17% aggregate and 83% non-aggregating monomer (Kav = 0.5 on Sepharose CL-2B). Isolated aggregate after reduction and alkylation was resolved into two components (Kav = 0.15 and 0.43) on Sepharose CL-2B. Labeled proteoglycans isolated from parallel samples pulsed with [35S]sulfate and chased for up to 18 h were present largely as aggregated material (up to 78%). Reduction and alkylation of the labeled samples gave a labeled proteoglycan monomer with Kav = 0.15. Both the labeled and unlabeled chondroitin sulfate chains had the same distribution on Sepharose CL-6B and equivalent molecular weights (Mr = 2.0 x 10(3)). After chondroitinase ABC digestion, the unlabeled keratan sulfate-protein core was polydisperse with a Kav = 0.38 on Sepharose CL-4B while the labeled keratan sulfate-protein core had a Kav = 0.05. This indicates that the newly synthesized proteoglycan had a large core protein and suggests that the proteoglycans present in nucleus pulposus are originally synthesized as large molecular weight, aggregating proteoglycans.     

Self-synchronization of the protein synthesis rhythm in HaCaT cultures of human keratinocytes

In cultures of human keratinocytes HaCaT contained in a serum-free medium on glass, a circahoralian rhythm of protein synthesis was found similar to the one in hepatocytes in vitro. The intensity of the synthesis was determined by the inclusion of ³H-leucine corrected for the pool of free marked leucine. Rhythm was studied in washed 1- or 2-day cultures after the change of the medium. The medium conditioned with keratinocytes HaCaT synchronized the rarefied hepatocyte cultures nonsynchronous in the control. Therefore, the keratinocytes liberate synchronizing factors into the medium. A BAPTA-AM chelator of calcium ions eliminates the protein synthesis rhythm both in dense hepatocyte cultures synchronous in the control and in the HaCaT keratinocyte cultures. The effect of the H7 inhibitor of protein kinases was analogous. Thus, both in keratinocytes and hepatocytes, self-synchronization of fluctuations of the intensity of protein synthesis takes place. The mechanism of self-synchronization is the calcium-depending phosphorylation of cell proteins.     

Stimulation by concanavalin A of cartilage-matrix proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocyte cultures

The effect of concanavalin A on proteoglycan synthesis by rabbit costal and articular chondrocytes was examined. Chondrocytes were seeded at low density and grown to confluency in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, and then the serum concentration was reduced to 0.3%. At the low serum concentration, chondrocytes adopted a fibroblastic morphology. Addition of concanavalin A to the culture medium induced a morphologic alteration of the fibroblastic cells to spherical chondrocytes and increased by 3- to 4-fold incorporation of [35S]sulfate and [3H]glucosamine into large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan that was characteristically found in cartilage. The stimulation of incorporation of labeled precursors reflected real increases in proteoglycan synthesis, as chemical analyses showed a 4-fold increase in the accumulation of macromolecules containing hexuronic acid in concanavalin A-maintained cultures. Furthermore, the effect of concanavalin A on [35S]sulfate incorporation into proteoglycans was greater than that of various growth factors or hormones. However, concanavalin A had smaller effects on [35S]sulfate incorporation into small proteoglycans and [3H]glucosamine incorporation into hyaluronic acid and chondroitinase AC-resistant glycosaminoglycans. Since other lectins tested, such as wheat germ agglutinin, lentil lectin, and phytohemagglutinin, had little effect on [35S]sulfate incorporation into proteoglycans, the concanavalin A action on chondrocytes seems specific. Although concanavalin A decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation in chondrocytes, the stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis could be observed in chondrocytes exposed to the inhibitor of DNA synthesis, cytosine arabinoside. These results indicate that concanavalin A is a potent modulator of proteoglycan synthesis by chondrocytes.     

Steroid synthesis by primary human keratinocytes; implications for skin disease

Mechanical stretch has been shown to increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultured myocytes. Sympathetic neurons (SN) also possess the ability to express and secrete VEGF, which is mediated by the NGF/TrkA signaling pathway. Recently, we demonstrated that SN respond to stretch with an upregulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Whether stretch increases neuronal VEGF expression still remains to be clarified. Therefore, SN from the superior cervical ganglia of neonatal Sprangue Dawley rats were exposed to a gradual increase of stretch from 3% up to 13% within 3 days (3%, 7% and 13%). Under these conditions, the expression and secretion of VEGF was analyzed. Mechanical stretch significantly increased VEGF mRNA and protein expression (mRNA: control = 1 vs. stretch = 3.1; n = 3/protein: control = 1 vs. stretch = 2.7; n = 3). ELISA experiments to asses VEGF content in the cell culture supernatant showed a time and dose dependency in VEGF increment due to stretch. NGF and CNTF neutralization decreased stretch-induced VEGF augmentation in a significant manner. This response was mediated in part by TrkA receptor activation. The stretch-induced VEGF upregulation was accompanied by an increase in HIF-1α expression. KDR levels remained unchanged under conditions of stretch, but showed a significant increase due to NGF neutralization. In summary, SN respond to stretch with an upregulation of VEGF, which is mediated by the NGF/CNTF and TrkA signaling pathway paralleled by HIF-1α expression. NGF signaling seems to play an important role in regulating neuronal KDR expression.     

Steroid synthesis by primary human keratinocytes; implications for skin disease

Cortisol-based therapy is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory treatments available for skin conditions including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Previous studies have investigated the steroidogenic capabilities of keratinocytes, though none have demonstrated that these skin cells, which form up to 90% of the epidermis are able to synthesise cortisol. Here we demonstrate that primary human keratinocytes (PHK) express all the elements required for cortisol steroidogenesis and metabolise pregnenolone through each intermediate steroid to cortisol. We show that normal epidermis and cultured PHK express each of the enzymes (CYP11A1, CYP17A1, 3βHSD1, CYP21 and CYP11B1) that are required for cortisol synthesis. These enzymes were shown to be metabolically active for cortisol synthesis since radiometric conversion assays traced the metabolism of [7-³H]-pregnenolone through each steroid intermediate to [7-³H]-cortisol in cultured PHK. Trilostane (a 3βHSD1 inhibitor) and ketoconazole (a CYP17A1 inhibitor) blocked the metabolism of both pregnenolone and progesterone. Finally, we show that normal skin expresses two cholesterol transporters, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), regarded as the rate-determining protein for steroid synthesis, and metastatic lymph node 64 (MLN64) whose function has been linked to cholesterol transport in steroidogenesis. The expression of StAR and MLN64 was aberrant in two skin disorders, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, that are commonly treated with cortisol, suggesting dysregulation of epidermal steroid synthesis in these patients. Collectively these data show that PHK are capable of extra-adrenal cortisol synthesis, which could be a fundamental pathway in skin biology with implications in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.     

Proteolytic modification of membrane-associated phospholipase C-β by μ-calpain enhances its activation by G-protein βγ subunits in human platelets

Membrane-associated phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PI-PLC)-β (150 kDa) and its truncated forms (100 kDa and 45 kDa) were purified from human platelets. The 100 kDa PI-PLC-β was found to be activated to a greater extent by brain G-protein βγ subunits compared to the intact 150 kDa enzyme. Furthermore, treatment with μ-calpain of the intact PI-PLC-β (150 kDa) caused a marked augmentation of its activation by βγ subunits. This enhanced PLC activation by βγ subunits was due to truncation by μ-calpain, producing a 100 kDa PI-PLC, but not by another protease,thrombin.     

Fungus β-glycosidases: immobilization and use in alkyl-β-glycoside synthesis

Production of β-glycosidases: β-xylosidase and β-glucosidase by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was optimized in the presence of different carbon sources. Immobilization supports with different physico-chemical characteristics were evaluated for use in continuous reactors. Immobilization and activity yields were calculated. Among the adsorption on Duolite, Amberlite, Celite and DEAE-sepharose, and entrapment in polyacrylamide gel or reticulation using glutaraldehyde, highest yields were obtained when β-xylosidase was adsorbed on Duolite A 7 and when β-glucosidase was adsorbed on DEAE-sepharose.

Enzyme preparations from S. sclerotiorum cultures were used in a biphasic (alcohol/aqueous) medium for the synthesis of alkyl-glycosides by trans-glycosylation of sugars and long-chain alcohols. The synthesis was studied under different conditions with primary and secondary alcohols as substrates, in the presence of free or immobilized enzyme. Xylan and cellobiose were used for the synthesis of alkyl-xylosides and alkyl-glucosides, respectively. The majority of the immobilized preparations were unable to catalyze the synthesis of alkyl-glycosides.

Highest yields were obtained when using xylan and C₄–C₆-alcohols. The reaction produced alkyl-β-xyloside and alkyl-β-xylobioside, as confirmed by MS/MS. Up to 22 mM iso-amyl-xyloside and 14 mM iso-amyl-xylobioside were produced from iso-amyl alcohol and xylan.     

Interferon-β treatment of human disease

After nearly 20 years in the clinic, the benefits of interferon-β treatment in specific disease states are being recognized increasingly. Two major clinical studies completed within the past two years have firmly established the use of this drug in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Its therapeutic activity in several indications, including acute and chronic viral hepatitis, has also been demonstrated; however, the general use of interferon-β in these settings awaits the results of ongoing studies and the development of practical dosing regimens.     

Inhibition of protein synthesis by the β-subunit of spectrin

The 220 kDa β-subunit of erythroid cell spectrin is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in lysates from rabbit reticulocytes. On the basis of weight of protein added to a lysate reaction mixture, it has about half the inhibitory activity of highly purified heme-regulated eIF-2 kinase. Inhibition appears to be at the level of peptide initiation but does not involve a kinase that phosphorylates eIF-2 on its -subunit.     

Parallel solid-phase synthesis of 3β-peptido-3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one derivatives for inhibition of type 3 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Type 3 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), a key steroidogenic enzyme, transforms 4-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ⁴-dione) into testosterone. In order to produce potential inhibitors, we performed solid-phase synthesis of model libraries of 3β-peptido-3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-ones with 1, 2, or 3 levels of molecular diversity, obtaining good overall yields (23–58%) and a high average purity (86%, without any purification steps) using the Leznoff's acetal linker. The libraries were rapidly synthesized in a parallel format and the generated compounds were tested as inhibitors of type 3 17β-HSD. Potent inhibitors were identified from these model libraries, especially six members of the level 3 library having at least one phenyl group. One of them, the 3β-(N-heptanoyl- -phenylalanine- -leucine-aminomethyl)-3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (42) inhibited the enzyme with an IC₅₀ value of 227 nM, which is twice as potent as the natural substrate Δ⁴-dione when used itself as an inhibitor. Using the proliferation of androgen-sensitive (AR⁺) Shionogi cells as model of androgenicity, the compound 42 induced only a slight proliferation at 1 μM (less than previously reported type 3 17β-HSD inhibitors) and, interestingly, no proliferation at 0.1 μM.     

α2-Macroglobulin synthesis by the human monocytic cell line THP-1 is differentiation state-dependent

Human α₂-macroglobulin (α₂M) is a broad spectrum proteinase inhibitor and cytokine carrier synthesized by a number of cell types including monocytes and macrophages. In this study, we report on the expression of α₂M by THP-1 cells. This monocytic cell line can be differentiated into a macrophage-like phenotype by treatment with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). α₂M was synthesized by THP-1 cells at a rate of 75 ng/10⁶ cells/24 h, as determined by Western blot analysis. After treating the cells with 500 U/ml of IFN-γ or with 100 ng/ml PMA, the synthesis rate increased to 219 ng/10⁶ cells/24 h and to 179 ng/10⁶ cells/24 h, respectively. The same agents also increased α₂M expression, as determined by Northern blot analysis. When the α₂M receptor antagonist, receptor associated protein (RAP), was included in the THP-1 medium, the amount of α₂M recovered in the conditioned medium increased. This result suggests that THP-1-secreted proteinases react with secreted α₂M and that the resulting complexes are catabolized by the α₂M receptor, which is also called low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). We conclude that α₂M synthesis by THP-1 cells depends on the state of cellular differentiation. Reaction of α₂M with secreted proteinases may have minimized previous estimates of the rate of synthesis of α₂M by certain cells in culture. J. Cell. Biochem. 67:492–497, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Determination of 1-β--arabinofuranosylcytosine and 1-β--arabinofuranosyluracil in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method is described for the determination of 1-β--arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C) and its metabolite 1-β--arabinofuranosyluracil (Ara-U) in human plasma. After deproteinization of the plasma sample, separation is performed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. For Ara-C concentrations exceeding 0.05 mg/l and for Ara-U concentrations exceeding 1 mg/l, injection volumes of 100 μl are applied. For lower concentrations an injection volume of 500 μl is used. Ara-C is detected at 280 nm with a lowest detection limit of 0.002 mg/l in plasma. Ara-U is detected at 264 nm with a lowest detection limit varying from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/l in plasma. This variation is caused by an unknown substance with the same elution properties as Ara-U and which appears to be present in plasma in variable concentrations. The coefficient of variation of the whole procedure is about 6% for Ara-C concentrations above 0.005 mg/l and for Ara-U concentrations above 0.1 mg/l. For lower concentrations the coefficient of variation is about 14%.     

Enzymatic synthesis of β-D-2', 3'-unsaturated-5-fluorocytidine from β-D-2',3'-unsaturated thymidine

We have used crude preparations of N-deoxyribosyl transferases (NdRT-II) from Lactobacillus helveticus to catalyze the transfer of a glycosyl moiety from a donor nucleoside to an acceptor base. Optimal conditions for the transglycosylation reaction to make D-D4FC starting from D-D4T and 5-FC were determined after the analysis of several experimental parameters including reaction time, concentration of substrate, pH and the type of buffer. For the first time, a practical procedure for enzymatic synthesis of β-D-2',3'-unsaturated-5-fluorocytidine (β-D-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine, D-D4FC) from β-D-2',3'-unsaturated thymidine (D-D4T) has been established. This method will be useful in the manufacture of important nucleoside analogues for anti-viral therapy.     

Ligand interaction of human α2-macroglobulin-α2-macroglobulin receptor studied by partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems

Alpha 2-macroglobulin (α2-M) is a major proteinase inhibitor in human blood and tissue. Besides its antiproteolytic potential, α2-M was found to modulate antigen- and mitogen-driven immune responses and cell growth by binding and transporting distinct cytokines, growth factors and hormones. The inhibitor is cleared from circulation by binding to a multifunctional cellular receptor present on different cell types. α2-M, as well as its receptor, are capable of binding a variety of ligands. In the present study we have applied aqueous two-phase systems to analyze the interaction of IL-1β and α2-M receptor to different forms of α2-M. The partition of IL-1β was changed by addition of transformed α2-M to the two-phase systems rather than by the native inhibitor. The interaction between IL-1β and α2-M was enhanced by divalent cations. In addition, the complex formation between ¹²⁵I-labelled receptor and α2-M could clearly be demonstrated by partitioning. In the presence of divalent cations, transformed α2-M, in contrast to the native inhibitor, effectively changed the partition of the receptor. However, the observed alteration of the partition coefficient was found to be less compared with the values obtained by partitioning of the receptor in the presence of whole plasma containing the inhibitor in equivalent concentrations. The results indicate that other components of the plasma exist which competitively bind to the receptor but independent of Ca²⁺-ions.     

Differentiation-related changes in glycoprotein synthesis by human keratinocytes.

Human keratinocytes were cultured in media in which the Ca2+ concentration controlled the stage of differentiation. In media containing less than 0.1 mM-Ca2+ keratinocytes grew as a monolayer, but in the presence of 2mM-Ca2+ the cells differentiated and formed stratified colonies. Glycoproteins of both stratified and unstratified cells were radiolabelled by metabolic incorporation of radioactive precursors and by cell-surface labelling using galactose oxidase/NaB3H4. The radiolabelled keratinocytes were extracted with 0.5% Triton X-100, and the glycoproteins in both the Triton X-100-soluble and Triton X-100-insoluble fractions were analysed by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS. Two Triton X-100-soluble glycoproteins with high Mr values (greater than 200,000) were major glycoproteins in stratified keratinocytes, but were present in only trace amounts in unstratified keratinocytes. Characterization of these glycoproteins by examination of the effect of tunicamycin on their synthesis and the effect of neuraminidase on their migration characteristics showed that they were cell-surface sialoglycoproteins containing O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides. Analysis of the adherent cytoskeletons left after Triton X-100 extraction of stratified and unstratified keratinocytes revealed that a glycoprotein of Mr 184,000 was decreased in stratified keratinocytes. Incubation of unstratified keratinocytes in high-Ca2+ medium resulted in a rapid modification of the glycoprotein of Mr 184,000, and it is suggested that this event may be related to desmosome formation and stratification.     

Studies on γM and γG Antibody Response of Mice to Bovine Serum Albumin

Response of CBA mice with γM and γG antibodies to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied in relation to a variety of conditions of antigen administration. The variables in the conditions were doses and physical forms of antigen, and injection routes. It was realized that γG antibody response to soluble BSA and both γM and γG antibody responses to particulate forms of BSA were augmented as the dose was increased. The γM response to soluble BSA was not elevated by an increase in the amount of antigen up to 1 mg. The soluble form was not so immunogenic as the particulate forms, in which alum-precipitated BSA was capable of inducing both γM and γG antibodies to high titers, and heat-denatured BSA elicited preferably antibody. Alum-precipitated BSA and the emulsified BSA were strong inducers for γG antibody response when injected subcutaneously. In any antigen form, γM response was markedly influenced by changing the injection route, the order of decreasing efficiency for antibody being intravenous, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous. The γG antibody response was hardly affected by the injection route. The effect of a single intravenous injection of 0.01 mg of endotoxin, given 1 to 2 hr after antigen injection, on γM and γG antibody production differed according to the antigen administration procedures. Generally speaking, this agent had an enhancing effect when the antigen was given in the particulate forms, and it depressed the response when the antigen was given in the soluble form.     

Studies on γM and γG Antibody Response of Mice to Bovine Serum Albumin

Tolerogenic effect of soluble deaggregated bovine serum albumin (sBSA) on the _γM and _γG antibody responses was studied. Normal and tolerogen-treated animals were immunized with the intravenous injection of alum-precipitated BSA (net 0.1 mg) and a bacterial endotoxin (0.01 mg), since this immunizing procedure was the most adequate to elicit the strong responses of both types of antibodies. Both _γM and _γG responses were decreased evenly by a single injection of small dose (0.01 or 0.1 mg) of sBSA. Larger doses (1 mg or 5 mg) caused the marked suppression of _γM response, but the _γG response was reduced only slightly. The tolerant state was facilitated by weekly injections of 0.1 mg of sBSA, both _γM and _γG responses being abrogated profoundly by more than three injections. The induction of such a complete tolerance was not ascribed solely to either the total dose or the period of time between the first tolerogen injection and the challenge immunization, but to the retention of antigen more than a certain threshold amount in the body for some duration.