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B Haag

Publications and source records attributed to B Haag.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Implications of a non-lamellar lipid phase for the tight junction stability. Part II: Reversible modulation of transepithelial resistance in high and low resistance MDCK-cells by basic amino acids, Ca2+, protamine and protons.

The transepithelial resistance of confluent epithelial cell monolayers was monitored to investigate the influence of basic amino acids, Ca2+, protamine and protons on tight junction electrical resistance. In an accompanying paper we investigated the effect of these substances on the lamellar/hexagonal II phase transition in reconstituted phospholipid membranes containing phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. We conclude that the permeability of tight junctions may be described by a lipid phase equilibrium where the lamellar phase corresponds to an open state and the hexagonal lipid phase to the closed state of the cell contact. This dynamic lipid model is well suited to describe the morphological as well as functional properties of the tight junctions.

Amino Acids

The endothelial heparan sulfate-antithrombin III natural anticoagulant pathway in normal and transplanted human kidneys.

This is the first study of the antithrombin III-heparan sulfate natural anticoagulant pathway in human kidneys. Immunocytochemical experiments were done to demonstrate the pathway on normal renal endothelial cells. Enzymatic studies were done to show that the antithrombin III was anchored to endothelium by molecules of heparan sulfate. Displacement studies were done with glycosaminoglycans to show that the antithrombin III was bound to its glycosaminoglycan anchor via a heparinlike binding site, and replacement studies showed that antithrombin III could be returned to the same endothelial cells from which it was displaced. Immunocytochemical studies of biopsies showed that normally functioning renal allografts manifested the endothelial antithrombin III-heparan sulfate anticoagulant pathway. The pathway was compromised or absent from the microcirculation of biopsies from rejecting or rejected renal allografts, and the diminishment of endothelial ATIII was associated with the presence of fibrin deposition. It is concluded that compromise of the antithrombin III-heparan sulfate natural anticoagulant pathway results in compromised renal function in transplanted kidneys.

Adolescent

Tissue factor in normal and transplanted human kidneys.

Tissue factor (TF) plays a central role in the initiation of blood coagulation that frequently is enhanced in renal allografts. The identification and localization of TF was studied immunocytochemically in biopsies from normal and transplanted human kidneys and classified according to its distribution. The clinical status of each allograft was then correlated with the TF classifications. From these correlations, four distributional types of TF were identified. In normal kidneys, TF was localized to glomerular epithelium and basement membranes. Glomerular TF expression did not colocalize with mesangial or endothelial HLA-DR reactivity as determined by double antibody techniques. Tissue factor in donor kidneys also was identified in the renal capsule and in the adventitia of large arteries. These structures were not reactive in long-term transplanted grafts. Some cadaver kidneys prepared for transplantation had depleted glomerular TF, and exhibited TF reactivity within stromal tissues. Long-term allografts with progressive loss of renal function and kidneys with advanced rejection exhibited diminished TF reactivity of glomerular epithelium and basement membranes. This was frequently associated with fibrin deposition within the glomeruli and in the intertubular microcirculation. These findings indicate that the evaluation of TF in transplanted kidneys is related to the prognosis of graft survival.

Adult

Novel immunohistochemical markers of human renal allograft dysfunction--antithrombin III, Thy-1, urokinase, and alpha-smooth muscle actin.

We have studied the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha sm-1) by mesangial cells, and the expression of Thy-1 glycoprotein, antithrombin III (ATIII), and urokinase by tubular epithelial cells in normal kidneys and dysfunctional renal allografts. Kidney biopsies were studied immunocytochemically for changes in each of these markers and the findings were classified into two groups and compared with creatinine plasma levels at the time the biopsies were taken. In dysfunctional grafts, mesangial alpha sm-1 and tubular epithelial Thy-1 reactivities were greatly diminished, and urokinase and ATIII were missing from proximal renal tubular epithelial cells. Urokinase, which was absent from normal renal glomeruli, appeared in glomeruli of some dysfunctional allografts. The possible usefulness of these markers in patient evaluations was supported by our finding that the distribution of vinculin, fibronectin, myosin, actin B4, desmin, glomerular HLA-DR, and the tubular expression of CD15 remained unchanged. These data prompt us to suggest that the immunocytochemical localization and evaluation of alpha sm-1, Thy-1, ATIII, and urokinase in kidney allografts may be useful adjuncts in the assessment of function in renal allografts.

Actins

Acute small bowel ischemia without transmural infarction.

Two patients with atrial fibrillation had abrupt onset of abdominal pain and massive small bowel distension suggesting mesenterial artery embolism. One patient had dilation of the left atrium and ventricle, the other a mitral value prolapse syndrome with a dilated left atrium. Both patients were treated conservatively and gradually recovered. A small bowel series performed several weeks after the acute episode showed loss of normal mucosa and narrowing of a long segment of the small bowel. A control examination in one patient one year later, still revealed jejunal mucosal abnormalities and stenosis, features similar to those occurring in Crohn's disease. Our observations suggest that analogous to ischemic colitis, an entity of acute ischemic small bowel enteritis exists. Mesenteric ischemia apparently can induce a clinical syndrome of "regional enteritis". The radiologic features should not be confused with those of Crohn's disease.

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