Modular autonomy, ligand specificity, and functional cooperativity of the three in-tandem fibronectin type II repeats from human matrix metalloproteinase 2

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) contains three fibronectin type II (col) modules that contribute to its collagen specificity. We observed that the CD spectra of the separate col modules account for the CD and temperature profiles of the in-tandem col-123 construct. Thus, to the extent of not significantly perturbing the secondary structure and thermal stability characteristics of the neighboring units, the domains within col-123 do not interact. Via NMR, we investigated ligand binding properties of the three repeats within col-123: col-123/1 (the col-1 domain within col-123), col-123/2, and col-123/3. Interactions of col-123 with the collagen mimic peptide (Pro-Pro-Gly)6 (PPG6) and propeptide segment PIIKFPGDVA (p33-42) were studied. While col-123/1 and col-123/2 bound PPG6, they interacted more weakly with p33-42. In contrast, col-123/3 exhibited a higher affinity for p33-42 than for PPG6. Thus, despite their structural homology, the col repeats of MMP-2 differ in substrate specificity. Furthermore the binding affinities toward the three in-tandem col repeats were close to those determined for the individual isolated domains or for col-12/1, indicating that vis-a-vis these ligands each module interacts essentially as an autonomous unit. Interestingly the domains within col-123 exhibited enhanced affinities for Hel3, a construct that contains ((Gly-Pro-Pro)12)3 in triple helical configuration. Nevertheless the affinities were significantly higher for col-123/1 and col-123/2 relative to col-123/3 in line with their behaviors toward PPG6. This hints at a cooperative participation toward Hel3, which is a closer mimic of collagen, a hypothesis that is supported by the detected lower affinities of col-12/1, col-12/2, col-2, col-23/2, col-3, and col-23/3 for Hel3.     

(+)-3-[123I]Iodo-MK-801: synthesis and characterization of binding to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex

Synthetic methods have been established for preparing high specific activity (+)-3-[123I]Iodo-MK-801 in high radiochemical yield. The binding of the radiotracer to rat cortical membranes has been examined to assess its potential use as an in vivo imaging agent for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-ion channel complex. Under the conditions of the assay, specific (+)-3-[123I]Iodo-MK-801 binding to membrane homogenates represented greater than 95% of the total binding. Several structurally distinct, noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists inhibited binding with potencies in accordance with their reported inhibitory activity at the receptor complex. The concentration of (+/-)-3-Iodo-MK-801 required to inhibit 50% of (+)-3-[123I]Iodo-MK-801 binding (IC50) was 3.4 nM when using a low ionic strength assay buffer and 5.5 nM in a physiological buffer. In a thoroughly washed membrane preparation, (+)-3-[123I]Iodo-MK-801 binding was enhanced by L-glutamate and glycine at concentrations known to activate the NMDA receptor. The results indicate that (+)-3-[123I]Iodo-MK-801 specifically labels the NMDA receptor complex in rat brain membranes and the retention of high affinity under near physiological assay conditions suggests that it may be useful as a SPECT imaging agent for the receptor in vivo.     

Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody mimicking the principal neutralization site in HIV-1 GP120 induces HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies in rabbits

A murine mAb BAT123 (Ab1) directing to the principal neutralization site of human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-IIIB gp120 (amino acid residue 308-322) was used to generate syngeneic anti-Id mAb (Ab2). Among the Ab2, a mAb AB19-4 was characterized by both serologic and biologic methods to be paratope-specific (Ab2 beta), bearing the internal image of the neutralization site. AB19-4 was found to bind specifically to BAT123 and also to its mouse-human chimeric form in ELISA. The binding of AB19-4 to BAT123 was specifically inhibited by HTLV-IIIB gp120 and the synthetic epitope peptides of HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIMN defined by BAT123. AB19-4 also inhibited the binding of BAT123 to HTLV-IIIB-infected H9 cells in flow cytometric studies. Polyclonal goat and sheep antisera against HTLV-IIIB gp120 reacted specifically with AB19-4, suggesting that AB19-4 may recognize cross-species idiotopes. Rabbits immunized with purified AB19-4 generated anti-anti-Id antibodies (Ab3) that reacted specifically with HTLV-IIIB gp120 and the BAT123-binding epitope peptides of HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIMN. The Ab3 bound to H9 cells infected by HTLV-IIIB or HTLV-IIIMN and inhibited the infection of CEM cells by HTLV-IIIB or HTLV-IIIMN, whereas BAT123 also bound H9 cells infected by HTLV-IIIB or HTLV-IIIMN but neutralized only HTLV-IIIB. Our data suggest that AB19-4 mimics the neutralization site on HIV-1 gp120 defined by BAT123. The induction of immunity to HIV using internal-image Ab2 to HIV-neutralizing antibodies may provide a viable approach for developing effective vaccines for AIDS.     

Evaluation of mitochondrial content and activity with nonyl-acridine orange and rhodamine 123: flow cytometric analysis and comparison with quantitative morphometry

Mouse fibroblasts 3T3.4E and two cell lines obtained by fusion (3T3.4E cells x normal human keratinocytes), (3T3 x NHK), and (3T3.4E cells x hand wart keratinocytes), (3T3 x HWK), were compared for mitochondrial activity and content between 5 and 20 days of culture, from the 16th to 20th passage, by using Rh 123 and NAO respectively. In 3T3.4E cells both Rh 123 and NAO fluorescence were similar after 5 and 7 days of culture, indicating no modification of mitochondrial activity and content at that time. However, in cells derived from fusion of 3T3 x NHK or 3T3 x HWK, Rh 123 increased from 5 to 20 days whereas NAO fluorescence was maximal at 7 days of culture and then decreased, indicating that their mitochondrial activity differed from that of 3T3.4E cells. No difference was observed between the 16th and 20th passage. Quantitative morphometry and flow cytometry gave good correlations at 7 days of culture for the cell size, estimated either by the cell area or the cell diameter, and for mitochondria content, evaluated either by the number of mitochondria per cell or NAO fluorescence intensity.Abbreviations FCS Fetal Calf Serum - mt DNA mitochondrial DNA - NAO nonyl-acridine orange - PBS Phosphate Buffer Saline - Rh 123 Rhodamine 123 - 3T3 x NHK (3T3.4E cells x normal human keratinocytes) - 3T3 x HWK (3T3.4E cells x hand wart keratinocytes)     

An alkylating derivative of oxotremorine interacts irreversibly with the muscarinic receptor

A 2-chloroethylamine derivative of oxotremorine was studied in pharmacological experiments and muscarinic receptor binding assays. The compound, N-[4-(2-chloroethylmethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidone (BM 123), forms an aziridinium ion in aqueous solution at neutral pH that stimulates contractions of the guinea pig ileum with a potency similar to that of oxotremorine. Following the initial stimulation, there is a long lasting period of lack of sensitivity of the guinea pig ileum to muscarinic agonists. BM 123 also produces muscarinic effects in vivo. When homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex were incubated with BM 123 and assayed subsequently in muscarinic receptor binding assays, a loss of binding capacity for the muscarinic antagonist, [3H]N-methylscopolamine ( [3H]NMS), was noted without a change in affinity. Similar observations were made in [3H]1-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate ( [3H]1-QNB) binding assays on the forebrains of mice that had been injected with BM 123 24 hr earlier. The loss in receptor capacity for both [3H]NMS and [3H]1-QNB was prevented by atropine treatment. Kinetic studies of the interaction of BM 123 with homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex in vitro showed that the half-time for the loss of [3H]1-QNB binding sites increased from 10 to 45 min as the concentration of BM 123 decreased from 10 to 1 microM. In contrast to the aziridinium ion, the parent 2-chloroethylamine compound and the alcoholic hydrolysis product were largely devoid of pharmacological and binding activity.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of an 123I-labeled bicyclic nucleoside analogue (BCNA) as potential SPECT tracer for VZV-tk reporter gene imaging

An iodine-123 labeled bicyclic nucleoside analogue ([(123)I]-4) has been synthesized and evaluated as a potential single photon emission tomography (SPECT) reporter probe for the non-invasive imaging of expression of the varicella zoster virus thymidine kinase (VZV-tk) reporter gene. In vitro enzymatic assays revealed that the non-radioactive mono-iodo derivative 4 has good affinity for VZV-TK (IC(50): 4.2 microM). Biodistribution of [(123)I]-4 was examined in normal mice. Evaluation of [(123)I]-4 in HEK-293T cells showed 1.74-fold higher accumulation in VZV-TK-expressing cells compared to control cells.     

Antipeptide antibodies of predetermined specificity recognize and neutralize the bioactivity of the pan-specific hemopoietin interleukin 3

Ten peptides that corresponded to portions of the T cell lymphokine pan-specific hemopoietin interleukin 3 (IL 3) were synthesized, coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and used to raise antipeptide antibodies in rabbits. These antisera reacted to varying degrees with native biologically active IL 3. Antibodies directed against peptides corresponding to residues 1-29 at the NH2 terminus, 123-140 at the COOH terminus, and to residues 64-82 and 91-112 were affinity-purified on peptide columns. Immunoabsorbent columns produced from affinity-purified antibodies to the 1-29, 91-112, and 123-140 although not the 64-82 peptide were effective in depleting biologically active IL 3 from conditioned medium. However, the antibodies specific for peptides 91-112 and 123-140 had only a low affinity for native IL 3 and it was only in the case of the anti-1-29 antibodies that a significant amount of IL 3 remained bound after extensive washing and could be recovered from the column by acid elution. The affinity-purified antibodies directed to peptides 1-29, 91-112, and 123-140 significantly inhibited the biological activity of IL 3, although with different dose-response characteristics. Anti-1-29 antibodies inhibited bioactivity over a wide range of concentrations (down to 20 ng/ml) although the inhibition was never complete. In contrast, the anti-91-112 antibodies, although effective only at high concentrations, produced complete inhibition of biological activity. These experiments demonstrated that antibodies to defined peptides can be used to generate antibodies to native IL 3 and should form useful tools in analyzing the structure and function of the native molecules.     

BDCA-2, BDCA-3, and BDCA-4: three markers for distinct subsets of dendritic cells in human peripheral blood

We have generated a panel of mAbs that identify three presumably novel human dendritic cell Ags: BDCA-2, BDCA-3, and BDCA-4. In blood, BDCA-2 and BDCA-4 are expressed on CD11c(-) CD123(bright) plasmacytoid dendritic cells, whereas BDCA-3 is expressed on small population of CD11c(+) CD123(-) dendritic cells. All three Ags are not detectable on a third blood dendritic cell population, which is CD1c(+) CD11c(bright) CD123(dim), or on any other cells in blood. BDCA-4 is also expressed on monocyte-derived and CD34(+) cell-derived dendritic cells. Expression of all three Ags dramatically changes once blood dendritic cells undergo in vitro maturation. BDCA-2 is completely down-regulated on plasmacytoid CD11c(-) CD123(bright) dendritic cells, expression of BDCA-3 is up-regulated on both plasmacytoid CD11c(-) CD123(bright) dendritic cells and CD1c(+) CD11c(bright) CD123(dim) dendritic cells, and expression of BDCA-4 is up-regulated on CD1c(+) CD11c(bright) CD123(dim) dendritic cells. BDCA-2 is rapidly internalized at 37 degrees C after mAb labeling. The three presumably novel Ags serve as specific markers for the respective subpopulations of blood dendritic cells in fresh blood and will be of great value for their further analysis and to evaluate their therapeutic potential.     

Regulation of Sindbis virus RNA replication: uncleaved P123 and nsP4 function in minus-strand RNA synthesis, whereas cleaved products from P123 are required for efficient plus-strand RNA synthesis.

Nonstructural proteins of Sindbis virus, nsP1, nsP2, nsP3, and nsP4, as well as intermediate polyproteins, are produced from two precursor polyproteins, P123 and P1234, by a proteolytic enzyme encoded in the C-terminal half of nsP2. We studied the requirements for and the functions of the intermediate and mature processing products for Sindbis virus RNA synthesis by using site-directed mutants which have a defect(s) in processing the 1/2, 2/3, or 3/4 cleavage sites either singly or in various combinations. A mutant defective in cleaving both the 1/2 and 2/3 sites, which makes only uncleavable P123 and mature nsP4 as final products, produced 10(-3) as much virus as did the wild-type virus after 10 h at 30 degrees C and was nonviable at 40 degrees C. A mutant defective in processing the 2/3 site, which makes nsP1, nsP4, and P23 as well as precursor P123, grew 10(-1) as efficiently as wild-type virus at 30 degrees C and 10(-3) as efficiently at 40 degrees C. Early minus-strand RNA synthesis by these mutants was as efficient as that by wild-type virus, whereas plus-strand RNA synthesis was substantially decreased compared with that by wild-type virus. A mutant defective in processing the 3/4 site was nonviable at either 30 or 40 degrees C. The 3/4 site mutant could be complemented by the mutant unable to cleave either the 1/2 or 2/3 site, which can provide mature nsP4. We interpret these results to signify that (i) mature nsP4 is required for RNA replication, (ii) nsP4 and uncleaved P123 function in minus-strand RNA synthesis, and (iii) cleavage of P123 is required for efficient plus-strand RNA synthesis. We propose that Sindbis virus RNA replication is regulated by differential proteolysis of P123. Early in infection, nsP4 and uncleaved P123 form transient minus-strand RNA replication complexes which vanish upon cleavage of P123. Later in infection, an elevated level of viral proteinase activity eliminates de novo synthesis of P123, and no further synthesis of minus-strand RNA is possible. In contrast, nsP4 and cleavage products from P123 form plus-strand RNA replication complexes which are stable and remain active throughout the infection cycle.     

Atrial natriuretic peptides cleaved by endopeptidase are inactive in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

The dose-related natriuretic and depressor responses to atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) 99-126, 103-126 and 103-123 were determined in unanesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and were compared to the activities of their Cys105-Phe106 ring-opened metabolites. These metabolites were previously identified as the major initial products formed by incubation of the intact peptides with neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The areas over the curves (AOC) of the depressor responses to the intact peptides were dose-related and, at 30 nmole/kg, iv were greatest for ANP 99-126 and 103-126 (833 +/- 241 and 1157 +/- 221 mm Hg x min). Thirty nmole/kg of ANP 103-123, a possible product of NEP cleavage of ANP 103-126, produced a lesser AOC (442 +/- 152 mm Hg x min) than did either of the longer peptides. The AOC responses to 100 nmole/kg of the ring-opened metabolites of ANP 99-126, 103-126 and 103-123 (105 +/- 80, 153 +/- 43 and 148 +/- 64 mm Hg x min) were not significantly different from the effect of vehicle treatment (84 +/- 23 mm Hg x min). Although the natriuretic responses to increasing doses of the intact peptides did not occur in a linear fashion, sodium excretion was maximally elevated by 24 +/- 4, 16 +/- 3 and 10 +/- 3 microEq/kg/min by 3 nmole/kg of ANP 99-126, 30 nmole/kg of ANP 103-126 and 10 nmole/kg of ANP 103-123, respectively. In contrast, the natriuretic responses to 100 nmole/kg of the ring-opened metabolites of ANP 99-126, 103-126 and 103-123 (1 +/- 0, 5 +/- 2 and 2 +/- 1 microEq/kg/min, respectively) were not significantly different from the response to vehicle treatment (3 +/- 1 microEq/kg/min). In conclusion, three ring-opened products of NEP cleavage of ANP 99-126, 103-126 and 103-123 were inactive in conscious SHR.     

Characterization of 3-[(123)I]iodo-L-alpha-methyl tyrosine transport in astrocytes of neonatal rats

3-[(123)I]Iodo-L-alpha-methyl tyrosine ((123)I-IMT) is used for diagnosis and monitoring of brain tumours by means of single-photon emission tomography. As recently shown, (123)I-IMT is predominantly mediated into rat C6 glioma cells by sodium-independent system L for large neutral amino acids. Until now, (123)I-IMT transport in non-neoplastic glial cells has not been examined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the cellular pathways and precise transport kinetics of (123)I-IMT uptake into astrocytes of neonatal rats. In particular sodium-independent (123)I-IMT transport into neonatal astrocytes was compared with sodium-independent (123)I-IMT uptake into neoplastic rat C6 glioma cells. Competitive inhibition experiments showed that (123)I-IMT is exclusively transported via sodium-independent system L into the neonatal astrocytes (92%). Kinetic analysis of sodium-independent (123)I-IMT uptake into neonatal astrocytes and into C6 glioma cells revealed apparent Michaelis constants K(M) = 13.9 +/- 0.5 microM and K(M) = 33.9 +/- 4.1 microM, respectively, which are in the same range of K(M) values as those recently determined for amino acid transport into neoplastic and non-neoplastic glial cells. Indeed, the K(M) values in the micromolar range correspond to the expression of the LAT-1 subunit of system L both in the neonatal astrocytes and in C6 glioma cells. However, sodium-independent maximum transport velocities (V(max)) differed significantly between neonatal astrocytes and C6 glioma cells (11.1 +/- 0.3 and 39.9 +/- 3.3 nmol/mg protein/10 min, respectively).     

Comparison of cell inactivation by Auger electrons using the two reagents 4-[123I]iodoantipyrine and [123I]NaI

The Auger electron emitter ¹²³I was examined in the form of 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine and as [¹²³I]NaI for its effectiveness in killing cells of different sensitivity to photon irradiation. Micronucleus assays showed that 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine is 2–3 times more effective in cell inactivation than [¹²³I]NaI. This can be attributed to the fact that antipyrine, for reason of its lipid solubility, can enter cells and can reach the nucleus, whereas [¹²³I]NaI is excluded from the cytoplasm. In the nucleus Auger decay is conceivably located on the DNA where it may invoke high-LET irradiation damage. Irradiation damage by [¹²³I]NaI is by long range Auger and internal conversion electrons and hence less densely ionising. Results of the present study demonstrate, however, that the enhancement of micronuclei frequency (MNF) seen with 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine as compared to [¹²³I]NaI is similar for all cell lines and that the ratio of 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine/[¹²³I]NaI MN response remains the same. Experiments with the free radical scavenger DMSO, indicated nearly identical dose reduction factors for both ¹²³I carriers. These two observations strongly suggest that the cell inactivation by 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine is not by direct high-LET ionisation of DNA, but is due to an indirect effect. The indirect radiation effect of Auger decay in the nucleus could arise because 4-[¹²³I]iodoantipyrine is not incorporated into the DNA, but is only associated with chromatin where the DNA is shielded by histones. Received: 24 May 2000 / Accepted: 1 November 2000     

Synthesis and evaluation of [123I] labeled iodovinyl amino acids syn-, anti-1-amino-3-[2-iodoethenyl]-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid, and 1-amino-3-iodomethylene-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid as potential SPECT brain tumor imaging agents

syn- and anti-1-amino-3-[2-iodoethenyl]-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (syn-, anti-IVACBC 16, 17) and their analogue 1-amino-3-iodomethylene-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (gem-IVACBC 18) were synthesized and radioiodoinated with [(123)I] in 34-43% delay-corrected yield. All these amino acids entered 9L gliosarcoma cells primarily via L-type transport in vitro with high uptake of 8-10% ID/1 x 10(6) cells. Biodistribution studies of [(123)I]16, 17 and 18 in rats with 9L gliosarcoma brain tumors demonstrated high tumor to brain ratios (4.7-7.3:1 at 60 min post-injection). In this model, syn-, anti-, and gem-[(123)I]IVACBC are promising radiotracers for SPECT brain tumor imaging.     

Hemodynamic and proinflammatory actions of endothelin-1 in guinea pig small intestine submucosal microcirculation

The hemodynamic and proinflammatory effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in proximal (1st/2nd order) and terminal (3rd/4th order) arterioles and venules were examined in small intestine submucosa of anesthetized guinea pigs. Vessel diameter (D), red blood cell velocity, and blood flow (Q) were determined in eight proximal and eight terminal microvessels before and at 20 min of ET-1 suffusion (10(-10), 10(-9), and 10(-8) M) and then with endothelin-A (ET(A))-receptor blockade with BQ-123 (10(-5) M). This protocol was repeated with platelet-activating factor (PAF) inhibition (WEB-2086, 1.0 mg/kg iv; n = 16). The ET-1-mediated microvascular responses were also examined with endothelin-B (ET(B))-receptor blockade using BQ-788 (10(-5) M; n = 11) alone or with ET(A+B)-receptor blockade with BQ-123 + BQ-788 (n = 10). Microvascular permeability was assessed by FITC-albumin (25 mg/kg iv) extravasation in seven series: 1) buffered modified Krebs solution suffusion (n = 6), 2) histamine suffusion (HIS; 10(-3) M, n = 5), 3) ET-1 suffusion (10(-8) M, n = 5), 4) BQ-123 (10(-5) M) plus ET-1 suffusion (n = 5), 5) PAF inhibition before ET-1 suffusion (n = 5), 6) histamine-1 (H1)-receptor blockade (diphenhydramine, 20 mg/kg iv) before ET-1 suffusion (n = 5), and 7) ET(B)-receptor blockade before (BQ-788 10(-5) M; n = 3) or with ET-1 suffusion (n = 3). D and Q decreased at 10(-8) M ET-1 and returned to control values with BQ-123 and BQ-123+BQ788 but not with BQ-788 in proximal microvessels. D did not change in terminal microvessels with ET-1 (10(-8) M) but decreased with BQ-788 and increased with BQ-123. PAF inhibition did not affect the D and Q responses of proximal microvessels to ET-1 but prevented the fall in Q in terminal microvessels with ET-1. ET-1 increased vascular permeability to approximately 1/3 of that with HIS; this response was prevented with BQ-123 and WEB-2086 but not with H1-receptor blockade. This is the first evidence that submucosal terminal microvessel flow is reduced with ET-1 independent of vessel diameter changes and that this response is associated with increased microvascular permeability mediated via ET(A)-receptor stimulation and PAF activation.     

Imaging the Brain Marijuana Receptor: Development of a Radioligand that Binds to Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors In Vivo

Abstract: The major active ingredient of marijuana, (−)-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, exerts its psychoactive effects via binding to cannabinoid CB1 receptors, which are widely distributed in the brain. Radionuclide imaging of CB1 receptors in living human subjects would help explore the presently unknown physiological roles of this receptor system, as well as the neurochemical consequences of marijuana dependence. Currently available cannabinoid receptor radioligands are exceedingly lipophilic and unsuitable for in vivo use. We report the development of a novel radioligand, [¹²³I]AM281{ N -(morpholin-4-yl)-5-(4-[¹²³I]iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1 H -pyrazole-3-carboxamide}, that is structurally related to the CB1-selective antagonist SR141716A [ N -(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1 H -pyrazole-3-carboxamide]. Baboon single photon emission computed tomography studies, mouse brain dissection studies, and ex vivo autoradiography in rat brain demonstrated rapid passage of [¹²³I]AM281 into the brain after intravenous injection, appropriate regional brain specificity of binding, and reduction of binding after treatment with SR141716A. AM281 has an affinity in the low nanomolar range for cerebellar binding sites labeled with [³H]SR141716A in vitro, and binding of [¹²³I]AM281 is inhibited by several structurally distinct cannabinoid receptor ligands. We conclude that [¹²³I]AM281 has appropriate properties for in vivo studies of cannabinoid CB1 receptors and is suitable for imaging these receptors in the living human brain.     

The blockade of endothelin A receptor protects astrocytes against hypoxic injury: common effects of BQ-123 anderythropoietin on the rejuvenation of the astrocyte population

In the present study the role of endothelin (ET) and its receptors (ETA-R and ETB-R) in cellular mechanisms underlying the resistance of astroglial cells to low oxygen level and development of hypoxia has been investigated. To define the influences of ET and its receptors on survival and on antigenic as well as morphologic differentiation of rat astroglial cells in normoxic (NC) and hypoxic culture (HC) the selective antagonists of ETA-R (BQ-123) and ETB-R (BQ-788) were used. Treatment of HC with BQ-123 caused an increase in cell number and inhibited the hypoxia-induced apoptosis by 37%. BQ-123 decreased the hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity in HC. These effects of BQ-123 were abolished in cultures simultaneously treated with BQ-123 and BQ-788. Administration of BQ-788 alone decreased the number of living cells in NC, but not in HC. The activity of caspase-3/-7 was not changed by exposure of NC and HC to BQ-788. The protection provided by BQ-123 to astroglial cells against cytotoxicity in NC and HC was similar to that of erythropoietin (EPO), a cytokine with established neuroprotective effects. The functional improvement of astroglial cells and slowing down of their differentiation under exposure to BQ-123, or EPO, or BQ-123 + EPO has been evidenced by an increased number of nestin+/glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP+) astrocytes accompanied by decrease of nestin-/GFAP+ cells. The simultaneous treatment with BQ-123 and EPO additionally decreased the activities of caspase-3/-7 (64%) and release of LDH into the medium (94%). The benefits in the functional states of astrocytes obtained by combined treatment of HC with BQ-123 and EPO suggest a new therapeutic strategy in treatment of hypoxic brain injury.     

Swelling-activated chloride channels in multidrug-sensitive and - resistant cells

Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in neoplastic cells is often mediated by expression of P-glycoprotein, which functions as a drug- efflux pump for a broad range of substrates. We have used a combination of patch clamp and video-imaging techniques to examine the expression and drug-efflux function of P-glycoprotein and to determine the possible correlation with swelling-activated chloride channels in drug- sensitive and -resistant cell lines. Two pairs of cell lines were used in these experiments: (a) control NIH-3T3 cells and a corresponding MDR1-transfectant; and (b) control 8226 myeloma cells and a derivative cell line selected for resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Control cells lacked detectable P-glycoprotein expression based on Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining with a specific monoclonal antibody, and a functional assay of rhodamine-123 (R123) efflux. Resistant cells expressed P-glycoprotein at high levels and rapidly exported R123. During whole-cell recording using either hyperosmotic pipette solution or hypoosmotic Ringer solution, cell swelling was accompanied by Cl- channel opening in all four cell lines. The rates of induction, biophysical properties and magnitudes of Cl conductance (gCl) were indistinguishable between control and corresponding multidrug-resistant cells: gCl reached 0.96 +/- 0.31 (n = 14) and 0.83 +/- 0.31 nS/pF (mean +/- SD; n = 31) in NIH-3T3 and NIH-3T3/MDR cells, respectively; and 0.31 +/- 0.20 (n = 9) and 0.37 +/- 0.22 nS/pF (n = 7) in 8226 and 8226/Dox40 cells, respectively. gCl exhibited moderate outward rectification in symmetrical Cl- solutions, with a rectification ratio of 1.4 at +/- 50 mV. Cl- channels slowly closed during strong depolarization beyond +60 mV. Using video-imaging techniques with SPQ as a fluorescent probe, we monitored Cl(-)-channel opening in intact drug-sensitive and -resistant cells. gCl, measured either with whole-cell recording or SPQ imaging, was blocked by DIDS (voltage-dependent Kd < 50 microM at +40 mV), NPPB (Kd approximately 30 microM), and tamoxifen (complete and irreversible block approximately 10 microM). None of these blockers inhibited R123 efflux. NPPB accelerated R123 efflux, an effect that was mimicked by CCP, a mitochondrial uncoupler. In contrast, verapamil selectively blocked R123 efflux (Kd = 0.3 to 0.5 microM); 10 microM left gCl unaltered. Induction of gCl was not affected by vincristine or doxorubicin in the pipette solution. Moreover, the rate of R123 efflux did not change during cell swelling. We conclude that P-glycoprotein and swelling- activated chloride channels function independently and are separable by expression and by pharmacological sensitivities.     

Extensive degradation of mutant-type D123 protein is responsible for temperature-sensitive proliferation inhibition in 3Y1tsD123 cells

A temperature-sensitive mutant of 3Y1, 3Y1tsD123, reversibly arrested in G1 phase of cell cycle at the restrictive temperature of 39.8 degrees C, shows a single amino acid exchange in the D123 protein. In this study, we found that the D123 protein level in 3Y1tsD123, which was 1/8 of that in 3Y1 compared at the permissive temperature of 33.9 degrees C, lowered to 1/4 after a shift to the restrictive temperature. During inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide, the D123 protein level in 3Y1tsD123 decreased markedly depending on the incubation temperature, compared with that in 3Y1, indicating that the lowered levels of D123 protein in 3Y1tsD123 are due to its degradation. Unexpectedly, 2 stably temperature-resistant clones were isolated after transfection of SV-3Y1tsD123 (SV40-transformed 3Y1tsD123, which shows cell death instead of G1 arrest at the restrictive temperature) with the cDNA of the mutant-type (3Y1tsD123-derived) D123 protein. The D123 protein in both clones degraded extensively at both temperatures, suggesting that the overexpression of the mutant-type D123 protein exceeds its degradation. Both temperature-resistant clones contained higher levels of D123 protein at the restrictive temperature than did SV-3Y1tsD123 at the permissive temperature. We concluded that the lowered D123 protein level at the restrictive temperature induces the temperature-sensitive characteristics of 3Y1tsD123 and SV-3Y1tsD123.