Calcium content and distribution as a function of growth and transformation in the mouse 3T3 cell

Total Ca content and that fraction of Ca sensitive to removal by the chelator ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (EGTA) have been investigated in the mouse 3T3 cell as a function of growth stage, transformation with SV40 virus, and serum levels of the media. Cells were allowed to grow through several doublings in media containing (45)Ca. The cellular content of (45)Ca was used to access total cell Ca. That fraction of (45)Ca removed by EGTA was presumed to represent primarily surface-localized Ca. The data are expressed on a per cell volume basis to compensate for size differences as a function of growth stage and transformation. During exponential growth phase, the 3T3 cell contains 525pmol Ca/μl cell volume. Of this, approx. 457 pmol/μl is not removable by EGTA and, presumably, is cytoplasmically located. This value is in close agreement with previous studies on the HeLa cell (470 pmol Ca/μl cell water after the removal of the surface Ca). The low level of EGTA- removable Ca present in the 3T3 cell during early exponential growth (68 pmol Ca/μl cell volume) increases progressively with increasing cell density, and upon quiescence it is sevenfold greater. In contrast, SV40- transformed 3T3 cells growing exponentially possess total levels of Ca which are approximately two-thirds the levels of the normal 3T3 cell. However, their EGTA-sensitive Ca is not significantly different from that of exponentially growing, normal 3T3 cells. As the transformed cells continue to grow at high density, their total ca and their sensitivity to EGTA do not change, in contrast to the normal 3T3 cell. Thus, an increase in Ca associated with the cell surface appears to be correlated with growth inhibition. This has been investigated further by regulating growth of the normal and transformed cell with alterations in the serum level of the media. In 4 percent calf serum the normal cell is stopped from continued proliferation. Growth stoppage under these conditions is characterized by a nearly fourfold increase in EGTA-removable Ca, similar to the increase observed upon quiescence in depleted 10 percent serum. Similar treatment of the transformed cell does not reduce its growth rate, nor does it significantly alter Ca distribution. However, at 0.5 percent medium serum levels, the SV40 3T3 growth rate is substantially reduced and, under these conditions, EGTA-removable Ca increases twofold.     

Type I collagen structure regulates cell morphology and EGF signaling in primary rat hepatocytes through cAMP-dependent protein kinase A

Adhesion to type 1 collagen elicits different responses dependent on whether the collagen is in fibrillar (gel) or monomeric form (film). Hepatocytes adherent to collagen film spread and proliferate, whereas those adherent to collagen gel remain rounded and growth arrested. To explore the role of potential intracellular inhibitory signals responsible for collagen gel-mediated growth arrest, cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) was examined in hepatocytes adherent to collagen film or gel. PKA activity was higher in hepatocytes on collagen gel than on film during G1 of the hepatocyte cell cycle. Inhibition of PKA using H89 increased cell spreading on collagen gel in an EGF-dependent manner, whereas activation of PKA using 8-Br-cAMP decreased cell spreading on collagen film. PKA inhibition also restored ERK activation, cyclin D1 expression and G1-S progression on collagen gel, but had no effect on cells adherent to collagen film. Analysis of EGF receptor phosphorylation revealed that adhesion to collagen gel alters tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, leading to reduced phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 845, which was increased by inhibition of PKA. These results demonstrate that fibrillar type 1 collagen can actively disrupt cell cycle progression by inhibiting specific signals from the EGF receptor through a PKA-dependent pathway.     

Importance of factors determining the effective lifetime of a mass, long-lasting, insecticidal net distribution: a sensitivity analysis

Background

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) reduce malaria transmission by protecting individuals from infectious bites, and by reducing mosquito survival. In recent years, millions of LLINs have been distributed across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Over time, LLINs decay physically and chemically and are destroyed, making repeated interventions necessary to prevent a resurgence of malaria. Because its effects on transmission are important (more so than the effects of individual protection), estimates of the lifetime of mass distribution rounds should be based on the effective length of epidemiological protection.

Methods

Simulation models, parameterised using available field data, were used to analyse how the distribution's effective lifetime depends on the transmission setting and on LLIN characteristics. Factors considered were the pre-intervention transmission level, initial coverage, net attrition, and both physical and chemical decay. An ensemble of 14 stochastic individual-based model variants for malaria in humans was used, combined with a deterministic model for malaria in mosquitoes.

Results

The effective lifetime was most sensitive to the pre-intervention transmission level, with a lifetime of almost 10 years at an entomological inoculation rate of two infectious bites per adult per annum (ibpapa), but of little more than 2 years at 256 ibpapa. The LLIN attrition rate and the insecticide decay rate were the next most important parameters. The lifetime was surprisingly insensitive to physical decay parameters, but this could change as physical integrity gains importance with the emergence and spread of pyrethroid resistance.

Conclusions

The strong dependency of the effective lifetime on the pre-intervention transmission level indicated that the required distribution frequency may vary more with the local entomological situation than with LLIN quality or the characteristics of the distribution system. This highlights the need for malaria monitoring both before and during intervention programmes, particularly since there are likely to be strong variations between years and over short distances. The majority of SSA's population falls into exposure categories where the lifetime is relatively long, but because exposure estimates are highly uncertain, it is necessary to consider subsequent interventions before the end of the expected effective lifetime based on an imprecise transmission measure.     

First detection, isolation and molecular characterization of infectious salmon anaemia virus associated with clinical disease in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Chile

Background  

Several forms of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) segregate in more than 100 breeds of dog with each PRA segregating in one or a few breeds. This breed specificity may be accounted for by founder effects and genetic drift, which have reduced the genetic heterogeneity of each breed, thereby facilitating the identification of causal mutations. We report here a new form of PRA segregating in the Border Collie breed. The clinical signs, including the loss of night vision and a progressive loss of day vision, resulting in complete blindness, occur at the age of three to four years and may be detected earlier through systematic ocular fundus examination and electroretinography (ERG).     

Up-regulation of TRPV1 in mononuclear cells of end-stage kidney disease patients increases susceptibility to N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (NADA)-induced cell death

Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 channels function as sensors for a variety of noxious and inflammatory signals, including capsaicin, heat and protons, and are up-regulated under inflammatory conditions. As end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with chronic inflammation, impaired immunity and depressed lymphocyte numbers, we sought to determine whether altered TRPV1 (and related TRPV2) expression in immune cells might be a contributing factor. TRPV1 and TRPV2 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was similar in controls and ESKD patients by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. However, using immunocytochemistry, TRPV1-immunoreactivity was significantly higher and TRPV2-immunoreactivity was significantly lower in PBMC from ESKD patients compared to controls. The plant-derived TRPV1 agonists, capsaicin and resiniferatoxin (RTX) and the putative endovanilloid/endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (NADA) and N-oleoyl-dopamine (OLDA), induced concentration-dependent death of PBMC from healthy donors with a rank order of potency of RTX > NADA > OLDA >> capsaicin. TRPV1 (5′-iodoresiniferatoxin) and cannabinoid (CB₂; AM630) receptor antagonists blocked the cytotoxic effect of NADA. In subsequent experiments, PBMC from ESKD patients exhibited significantly increased susceptibility to NADA-induced death compared to PBMC from controls. The apparent up-regulation of TRPV1 may be a response to the inflammatory milieu in which PBMC exist in ESKD and may be responsible for the increased susceptibility of these cells to NADA-induced death, providing a possible explanation as to why ESKD patients have reduced lymphocyte counts and impaired immune function. Thus, TRPV1 (and possibly CB₂) antagonists may have potential for the treatment of immune dysfunction in ESKD.     

MMP-9, uPAR and Cathepsin B Silencing Downregulate Integrins in Human Glioma Xenograft Cells In Vitro and In Vivo in Nude Mice

Background

Involvement of MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B in adhesion, migration, invasion, proliferation, metastasis and tumor growth has been well established. In the present study, MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B genes were downregulated in glioma xenograft cells using shRNA plasmid constructs and we evaluated the involvement of integrins and changes in their adhesion, migration and invasive potential.

Methodology/Principal Findings

MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B single shRNA plasmid constructs were used to downregulate these molecules in xenograft cells. We also used MMP-9/uPAR and MMP-9/cathepsin B bicistronic constructs to evaluate the cumulative effects. MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B downregulation significantly inhibits xenograft cell adhesion to several extracellular matrix proteins. Treatment with MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B shRNA of xenografts led to the downregulation of several alpha and beta integrins. In all the assays, we noticed more prominent effects with the bicistronic plasmid constructs when compared to the single plasmid shRNA constructs. FACS analysis demonstrated the expression of αVβ3, α6β1 and α9β1 integrins in xenograft cells. Treatment with bicistronic constructs reduced αVβ3, α6β1 and α9β1 integrin expressions in xenograft injected nude mice. Migration and invasion were also inhibited by MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B shRNA treatments as assessed by spheroid migration, wound healing, and Matrigel invasion assays. As expected, bicistronic constructs further inhibited the adhesion, migration and invasive potential of the xenograft cells as compared to individual treatments.

Conclusions/Significance

Downregulation of MMP-9, uPAR and cathespin B alone and in combination inhibits adhesion, migration and invasive potential of glioma xenografts by downregulating integrins and associated signaling molecules. Considering the existence of integrin inhibitor-resistant cancer cells, our study provides a novel and effective approach to inhibiting integrins by downregulating MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B in the treatment of glioma.     

Cord Blood Stem Cell-Mediated Induction of Apoptosis in Glioma Downregulates X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP)

Background

XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) is one of the most important members of the apoptosis inhibitor family. XIAP is upregulated in various malignancies, including human glioblastoma. It promotes invasion, metastasis, growth and survival of malignant cells. We hypothesized that downregulation of XIAP by human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCBSC) in glioma cells would cause them to undergo apoptotic death.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We observed the effect of hUCBSC on two malignant glioma cell lines (SNB19 and U251) and two glioma xenograft cell lines (4910 and 5310). In co-cultures of glioma cells with hUCBSC, proliferation of glioma cells was significantly inhibited. This is associated with increased cytotoxicity of glioma cells, which led to glioma cell death. Stem cells induced apoptosis in glioma cells, which was evaluated by TUNEL assay, FACS analyses and immunoblotting. The induction of apoptosis is associated with inhibition of XIAP in co-cultures of hUCBSC. Similar results were obtained by the treatment of glioma cells with shRNA to downregulate XIAP (siXIAP). Downregulation of XIAP resulted in activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 to trigger apoptosis in glioma cells. Apoptosis is characterized by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and upregulation of mitochondrial apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad. Cell death of glioma cells was marked by downregulation of Akt and phospho-Akt molecules. We observed similar results under in vivo conditions in U251- and 5310-injected nude mice brains, which were treated with hUCBSC. Under in vivo conditions, Smac/DIABLO was found to be colocalized in the nucleus, showing that hUCBSC induced apoptosis is mediated by inhibition of XIAP and activation of Smac/DIABLO.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results indicate that downregulation of XIAP by hUCBSC treatment induces apoptosis, which led to the death of the glioma cells and xenograft cells. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of XIAP and hUCBSC to treat malignant gliomas.     

Adenosine kinase regulation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

There is evidence that extracellular adenosine can attenuate cardiac hypertrophy, but the mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. Here we investigated the role of adenosine receptors and adenosine metabolism in attenuation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Phenylephrine (PE) caused hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with increases of cell surface area, protein synthesis, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) expression. These responses were attenuated by 5 μM 2-chloroadenosine (CADO; adenosine deaminase resistant adenosine analog) or 10 μM adenosine. While antagonism of adenosine receptors partially blocked the reduction of ANP expression produced by CADO, it did not restore cell size or protein synthesis. In support of a role for intracellular adenosine metabolism in regulating hypertrophy, the adenosine kinase (AK) inhibitors iodotubercidin and ABT-702 completely reversed the attenuation of cell size, protein synthesis, and expression of ANP by CADO or ADO. Examination of PE-induced phosphosignaling pathways revealed that CADO treatment did not reduce AKT(Ser??3) phosphorylation but did attenuate sustained phosphorylation of Raf(Ser33?) (24-48 h), mTOR(Ser2???) (24-48 h), p70S6k(Thr3??) (2.5-48 h), and ERK(Thr2?2/Tyr2??) (48 h). Inhibition of AK restored activation of these enzymes in the presence of CADO. Using dominant negative and constitutively active Raf adenoviruses, we found that Raf activation is necessary and sufficient for PE-induced mTORC1 signaling and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. CADO treatment still blocked p70S6k(Thr3??) phosphorylation and hypertrophy downstream of constitutively active Raf, however, despite a high level phosphorylation of ERK(Thr202/Tyr204) and AKT(Ser??3). Reduction of Raf-induced p70S6k(Thr3??) phosphorylation and hypertrophy by CADO was reversed by inhibiting AK. Together, these results identify AK as an important mediator of adenosine attenuation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which acts, at least in part, through inhibition of Raf signaling to mTOR/p70S6k.     

Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2-mediated gene delivery into the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rpe65</Emphasis><Superscript>-/-</Superscript> knockout mouse eye results in limited rescue

Background  

Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a severe form of retinal dystrophy. Mutations in the RPE65 gene, which is abundantly expressed in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, account for approximately 10–15% of LCA cases. In this study we used the high turnover, and rapid breeding and maturation time of the Rpe65 ^-/- knockout mice to assess the efficacy of using rAAV-mediated gene therapy to replace the disrupted RPE65 gene. The potential for rAAV-mediated gene treatment of LCA was then analyzed by determining the pattern of RPE65 expression, the physiological and histological effects that it produced, and any improvement in visual function.     

Regulation of rat ovarian cell growth and steroid secretion

A cultured rat ovarian cell line (31 A-F(2)) was used to study the effect of growth factors (epidermal growth factor [EGF] and fibroblast growth factor [FGF]), a survival factor (ovarian growth factor [OGF]), a hormone (insulin), and an iron-binding protein (transferring) on cell proliferation and steroid production under defined culture conditions. EGF and insulin were shown to be mitogenic (half-maximal response at 0.12 nM and 0.11 muM, respectively) for 31A-F(2) cells incubated in serum-free medium. EGF induced up to three doublings in the cell population, whereas insulin induced an average of one cell population doubling. FGF, OGF, and transferrin were found not to have any prominent effect on cell division when incubated individually with 31A-F(2) cells in serum-free medium. However, a combination of EGF, OGF, insulin, and transferrin stimulated cell division to the same approximate extent as cells incubated in the presence of 5 percent fetal calf serum. EGF or insulin did not significantly affect total cell cholesterol levels (relative to cells incubated in serum-free medium) when incubated individually with 31A-F(2) cells. However, cell cholesterol levels were increased by the addition of OGF (250 percent), FGF (370 percent), or a combination of insulin and EGF (320 percent). Progesterone secretion from 31A-F(2) cells was enhanced by EGF (25 percent), FGF (80 percent), and insulin (115 percent). However, the addition of a mitogenic mixture of EGF, OGF, insulin, and transferrin suppressed progesterone secretion 150 percent) below that of control cultures. These studies have permitted us to determine that EGF and insulin are mitogenic factors that are required for the growth of 31A-F(2) cells and that OGF and transferrin are positive cofactors that enhance growth. Also, additional data suggest that cholesterol and progesterone production in 31A-F(2) cells can be regulated by peptide growth factors and the hormone insulin.