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C C Petersen

Publications and source records attributed to C C Petersen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A simple method for unbiased quantitation of adoptively transferred cells in solid tissues.

In a mouse model, we demonstrate how to obtain a direct, unbiased estimate of the total number of adoptively transferred cells in a variety of organs at different time points. The estimate is obtained by a straightforward method based on the optical fractionator principle. Specifically, non-stimulated C57BL/6J mouse splenocytes were labelled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and adoptively transferred to normal C57BL/6J mice by intravenous injection. The total number of CFSE-positive cells was subsequently determined in lung, spleen, liver, kidney, and inguinal lymph node at six different time points following adoptive transfer (from 60 s to 1 week), providing a quantitative estimate of the organ distribution of the transferred cells over time. These estimates were obtained by microscopy of uniform samples of thick sections from the respective organs. Importantly, the samples were chosen and prepared in accordance with the optical fractionator principle. We demonstrate that the method is simple, precise, and well suited for quantitative immunological studies.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Functionally independent columns of rat somatosensory barrel cortex revealed with voltage-sensitive dye imaging.

Whisker movement is somatotopically represented in rodent neocortex by electrical activity in clearly defined barrels, which can be visualized in living brain slices. The functional architecture of this part of the cortex can thus be mapped in vitro with respect to its physiological input and compared with its anatomical architecture. The spatial extent of excitation was measured at high temporal resolution by imaging optical signals from voltage-sensitive dye evoked by stimulation of individual barrels in layer 4. The optical signals correlated closely with subthreshold EPSPs recorded simultaneously from excitatory neurons in layer 4 and layer 2/3, respectively. Excitation was initially (<2 msec) limited to the stimulated barrel and subsequently (>3 msec) spread in a columnar manner into layer 2/3 and then subsided in both layers after approximately 50 msec. The lateral extent of the response was limited to the cortical column defined structurally by the barrel in layer 4. Two experimental interventions increased the spread of excitation. First, blocking GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic inhibition caused excitation to spread laterally throughout wide regions of layer 2/3 and layer 5 but not into neighboring barrels, suggesting that the local excitatory connections within layer 4 are restricted to single barrels and that inhibitory neurons control spread in supragranular and infragranular layers. Second, NMDA receptor-dependent increase of the spread of excitation was induced by pairing repetitive stimulation of a barrel column with coincident stimulation of layer 2/3 in a neighboring column. Such plasticity in the spatial extent of excitation in a barrel column could underlie changes in cortical map structure induced by alterations of sensory experience.

Animals↗

The excitatory neuronal network of rat layer 4 barrel cortex.

Sensory whiskers are mapped to rodent layer 4 somatosensory cortex as discrete units termed barrels, which can be visualized at high resolution in living brain slices. Both anatomical and physiological properties of the layer 4 neuronal network can thus be investigated in the context of the functional boundaries of this sensory map. Large-scale confinement of neuronal arbors to single barrels was suggested by restricted lateral diffusion of DiI across septa between barrels. Morphological analysis of dendritic and axonal arborizations of individual excitatory neurons showed that neuronal processes remain within the barrel of origin through polarization toward the center of the barrel. Functionally, the large-scale properties of the neuronal network were investigated through mapping the spatial extent of field EPSPs, which were found to attenuate at barrel borders. This ensemble property of a layer 4 barrel was further investigated by analyzing the connectivity of pairs of excitatory neurons with respect to the locations of the somata. Approximately one-third of the excitatory neurons within the same barrel were synaptically coupled. At the septum between adjacent barrels the connectivity dropped rapidly, and very few connections were found between neurons located in adjacent barrels. Each layer 4 barrel is thus composed of an excitatory neuronal network, which to a first order approximation, acts independently of its neighbors.

Animals↗

Effects of reduced vesicular filling on synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal neurones.

The consequence of reduced uptake of neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles on synaptic transmission was examined in rat hippocampal slices and culture using bafilomycin A1 (Baf), a potent and specific blocker of the vacuolar-type (V-type) ATPase, which eliminates the driving force for the uptake of both glutamate and GABA into synaptic vesicles. After incubation with Baf, both the amplitude and frequency of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were reduced in the slice preparation. Similar effects were seen with glutamatergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and GABAergic mIPSCs from cultured neurons. This result indicates that vesicular content is reduced by Baf. The dramatic reduction in the frequency of mPSCs could result either from the exocytosis of empty vesicles or from a mechanism which prevents the exocytosis of depleted vesicles. Vesicle cycling was directly examined using confocal imaging with FM 1-43. In the presence of Baf, vesicles could still be endocytosed and they were released at the same probability as from control untreated synapses. Prolonged high-frequency electrical stimulation of synapses in culture failed to alter the amplitude of mEPSCs, suggesting that the filling of vesicles is rapid compared to the rate of vesicle recycling during repetitive synaptic stimulation. Profound release of glutamate with alpha-latrotoxin did cause a small, but reproducible, reduction in quantal size. These results indicate that decreasing the amount of glutamate and GABA in synaptic vesicles reduces quantal size. Furthermore, the probability of vesicle exocytosis appears to be entirely independent of the state of filling of the vesicle. However, even during high-frequency action potential-evoked release of glutamate, quantal size remained unchanged.

Animals↗

Mechanisms underlying kainate receptor-mediated disinhibition in the hippocampus.

Kainate (KA) receptor activation depresses stimulus-evoked gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-mediated) synaptic transmission onto CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus and simultaneously increases the frequency of spontaneous GABA release through an increase in interneuronal spiking. To determine whether these two effects are independent, we examined the mechanism by which KA receptor activation depresses the stimulus-evoked, inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC). Bath application of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole proprionic acid (AMPA)/KA receptor agonist KA in the presence of the AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 53655 caused a large increase in spontaneous GABA release and a coincident depression of the evoked IPSC. The depressant action on the evoked IPSC was reduced, but not abolished, by the GABA(B) receptor antagonist SCH 50911, suggesting that the KA-induced increase in spontaneous GABA release depresses the evoked IPSC through activation of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors. KA had no resolvable effect on the potassium-induced increase in miniature IPSC frequency, suggesting that KA does not act through a direct effect on the release machinery or presynaptic calcium influx. KA caused a decrease in pyramidal cell input resistance, which was reduced by GABA(A) receptor antagonists. KA also caused a reduction in the size of responses to iontophoretically applied GABA, which was indistinguishable from the SCH 50911-resistant, residual depression of the evoked IPSC. These results suggest that KA receptor activation depresses the evoked IPSC indirectly by increasing interneuronal spiking and GABA release, leading to activation of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors, which depress GABA release, and postsynaptic GABA(A) receptors, which increase passive shunting.

Hippocampus↗

Molecular cloning and immunolocalization of a novel vertebrate trp homologue from Xenopus.

We report the sequence, structure and distribution of a novel transient receptor potential (trp) homologue from Xenopus, Xtrp, determined by screening an oocyte cDNA library. On the basis of sequence similarity and predicted structure, Xtrp appears to be a homologue of mammalian trp1 proteins. Two polyclonal antibodies raised against distinct regions of the Xtrp sequence revealed Xtrp expression in various Xenopus tissues, and the localization of Xtrp at the plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes and HeLa cells. Since capacitative calcium entry into Xenopus oocytes has been shown previously to be substantially inhibited by trp1 antisense oligonucleotides [Tomita, Kaneko, Funayama, Kondo, Satoh and Akaike (1998) Neurosci. Lett. 248, 195-198] we suggest that Xtrp may underlie capacitative calcium entry in Xenopus tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Pericarditis and inflammatory bowel disease].

Extraintestinal manifestations of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are well described in the literature. These may be diagnosed before, concomitantly or after the diagnosis of the specific type of inflammatory bowel disease. Between 25% and 36% of patients with either type of IBD will have at least one extraintestinal manifestation. Pericarditis and myocarditis are rare, but potentially serious complications. We report one such case.

Adult↗

All-or-none potentiation at CA3-CA1 synapses.

The molecular mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation in the hippocampus have received much attention because of the likely functional importance of synaptic plasticity for information storage and the development of neuronal connectivity. Surprisingly, it remains unclear whether activity modifies the strength of individual synapses in a digital (all-or-none) or analog (graded) manner. Here we characterize step-like all-or-none transitions from baseline synaptic transmission to potentiated states following protocols for inducing potentiation at putative single CA3-CA1 synaptic connections. Individual synapses appear to have all-or-none potentiation indicative of highly cooperative processes but different thresholds for undergoing potentiation. These results raise the possibility that some forms of synaptic memory may be stored in a digital manner in the brain.

Animals↗

Capacitative calcium entry is colocalised with calcium release in Xenopus oocytes: evidence against a highly diffusible calcium influx factor.

Depletion of intracellular calcium stores activates the plasma membrane capacitative calcium entry pathway in many cell types. The nature of the signal that couples the depletion of the intracellular calcium stores to the activation of the plasma membrane calcium influx pathway is as yet unknown. It has recently been suggested that a highly diffusible calcium influx factor is involved in the activation of capacitative calcium entry, and that its action is potentiated by the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Depletion of intracellular calcium stores in a localised region of a Xenopus oocyte was found to evoke capacitative calcium entry exclusively colocalised across the stimulated area of the plasma membrane, arguing against the involvement of a highly diffusible calcium influx factor. Equally, no evidence could be found for the presence of a soluble calcium influx factor in the bulk cytosol of Xenopus oocytes. The potentiation of capacitative calcium entry by okadaic acid resembled that mediated by the activation of protein kinase C, thus suggesting that okadaic acid activity may not necessarily be related to the action of a putative calcium influx factor.

Animals↗

Calcium signalling. Cracking ICRAC in the eye.

Capacitative Ca(2+) entry produces the very rapid light response in Drosophila photoreceptors; studies using this amenable system may help unravel the machinery and mechanisms that underlie this Ca(2+)-entry pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Putative capacitative calcium entry channels: expression of Drosophila trp and evidence for the existence of vertebrate homologues.

Capacitative calcium entry is a major pathway through which intracellular calcium stores are refilled after stimulation. It has been suggested that the protein encoded by the transient receptor potential (trp) gene expressed in Drosophila photoreceptors may be homologous with capacitative calcium entry channels. Expression of the trp gene product in Xenopus oocytes led to significant increases in calcium entry only when the intracellular calcium stores were depleted. Previous investigations have found trp to be uniquely expressed in Drosophila photoreceptors, but PCR cloning shows that homologous proteins exist in Calliphora, mouse brain and Xenopus oocytes. It is thus possible that capacitative calcium entry in Xenopus oocytes is mediated by a homologue of trp.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

G-protein regulation of capacitative calcium entry may be mediated by protein kinases A and C in Xenopus oocytes.

Inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate irreversibly activated capacitative calcium entry in Xenopus oocytes, whereas guanosine thiotriphosphate (GTP[S]) and AIF4- only activated capacitative calcium entry transiently. Both GTP[S] and AIF4- inhibited capacitative calcium entry activated by thapsigargin pretreatment, but guanosine thiodiphosphate (GDP[S]), inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate and dibutyryl cyclic GMP did not affect capacitative calcium entry. This suggests the involvement of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins in the regulation of capacitative calcium entry. Activation of protein kinase C or cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase had profound effects on capacitative calcium entry, which were consistent with the hypothesis that the effects of GTP[S] and AIF4- on capacitative calcium entry may be mediated via heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein stimulation of kinases. Further evidence for this hypothesis was derived from the result that the effects of GTP[S] on calcium entry could be inhibited by the application of the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

The regulation of capacitative calcium entry by calcium and protein kinase C in Xenopus oocytes.

Agonists linked to the phosphoinositide signaling pathway evoke capacitative calcium entry in Xenopus oocytes. This entry pathway can also be activated by injection of inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate, application of thapsigargin, or incubation in calcium-free medium. A variety of protocols revealed highly nonlinear behavior of the calcium entry in thapsigargin-treated oocytes suggestive of positive and negative feedback by calcium at the level of its own entry. These feedback mechanisms may account for the highly damped calcium oscillations we observed in thapsigargin-treated oocytes. Low level activation of protein kinase C potentiated calcium influx in thapsigargin-treated oocytes, apparently by blocking the inactivation of the calcium influx. Higher levels of protein kinase C activity inhibited capacitative calcium entry.

Animals↗

Overexpression of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase in Xenopus oocytes inhibits agonist-evoked capacitative calcium entry.

Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase is a key enzyme in the regulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3. Overexpression of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase inhibited agonist-evoked and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-evoked Ca2+ entry in Xenopus oocytes, but did not inhibit Ca2+ entry evoked by thapsigargin or non-metabolizable Ins(1,4,5)P3 analogues. The data suggest that Ins(1,4,5)P3 alone plays the crucial role in the activation of capacitative Ca2+ entry by emptying intracellular stores.

Animals↗

The initiation of a calcium signal in Xenopus oocytes.

Application of acetylcholine to Xenopus oocytes evoked increases in the cytosolic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) after latencies of up to several seconds depending on the agonist dose. Higher acetylcholine concentrations evoked responses with larger amplitudes and shorter latencies. The latencies of responses to acetylcholine could be increased by application of caffeine, injection of calcium buffers or depletion of intracellular calcium stores. Acute inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum calcium pumps without substantial reduction of the calcium store content (by application of thapsigargin shortly before agonist stimulation) reduced the latencies of responses to acetylcholine. A schematic and mathematical model are presented to show a possible mechanism by which a calcium signal is initiated following a latent period after the elevation of the inositol trisphosphate concentration. During the latent period, calcium is slowly released from the intracellular stores. The released calcium is rapidly buffered by cytosolic calcium-binding proteins and some is resequestered into the stores by calcium pumps. The [Ca2+]i changes very little until the buffering is locally saturated. The [Ca2+]i then rises above a threshold concentration which evokes an explosive release of calcium due to positive feedback by calcium on the inositol trisphosphate receptor.

Acetylcholine↗

Osmotic swelling activates intermediate-conductance Cl- channels in human intestinal epithelial cells.

During osmotic swelling of a human intestinal epithelial cell line, stepwise closing unitary events of Cl- channels could be observed in cell-attached patches upon application of large positive potentials only when inactivating whole-cell Cl- currents were simultaneously observed. The closing process became faster with increasing positive command pulses. The unitary conductance was around 32 pS at 60 mV, 37 pS at +100 mV, and 47 pS at +140 mV exhibiting outward rectification.

Cell Line↗

Properties of volume-sensitive Cl- channels in a human epithelial cell line.

A regulatory volume decrease is accomplished by parallel activation of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels and Ca(2+)-independent Cl- channels in cultured human intestinal epithelial cells (Intestine 407). The anion selectivity of whole-cell currents recorded in osmotically swollen cells falls into the Eisenman type I sequence corresponding to a low-field anion channel. The volume-sensitive Cl- channel has an intermediate unitary conductance. Both the whole-cell and single-channel Cl- currents exhibit unique voltage-dependency. The Cl- current can be maintained in the activated state in the physiological voltage range. However, at very large depolarizations (over +50 mV), the current is quickly inactivated. The Cl- current shows moderate outward rectification. The whole-cell Cl- current is sensitive to Cl- channel blockers such as SITS and NPPB as well as to cis unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and oleic acid. The whole-cell current is totally independent of Ca2+ and cyclic AMP, but inhibited by increases in cytosolic free Mg2+ ions. Removal of intracellular ATP, but not Mg2+, abolishes the Cl- current. The ATP role can be substituted for non-hydrolyzable ATP analogs. Therefore, it is likely that intracellular ATP maintains the channel activity through non-hydrolytic binding.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo↗