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C E Gargett

Publications and source records attributed to C E Gargett.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Uterine stem cells: what is the evidence?

The mucosal lining (endometrium) of the human uterus undergoes cyclical processes of regeneration, differentiation and shedding as part of the menstrual cycle. Endometrial regeneration also follows parturition, almost complete resection and in post-menopausal women taking estrogen replacement therapy. In non-menstruating species, there are cycles of endometrial growth and apoptosis rather than physical shedding. The concept that endometrial stem/progenitor cells are responsible for the remarkable regenerative capacity of endometrium was proposed many years ago. However, attempts to isolate, characterize and locate endometrial stem cells have only been undertaken in the last few years as experimental approaches to identify adult stem/progenitor cells in other tissues have been developed. Adult stem cells are defined by their functional properties rather than by marker expression. Evidence for the existence of adult stem/progenitor cells in human and mouse endometrium is now emerging because functional stem cell assays are being applied to uterine cells and tissues. These fundamental studies on endometrial stem/progenitor cells will provide new insights into the pathophysiology of various gynaecological disorders associated with abnormal endometrial proliferation, including endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Adult Stem Cells↗

Focal vascular endothelial growth factor correlates with angiogenesis in human endometrium. Role of intravascular neutrophils.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in human endometrium, but the cellular source of VEGF for endometrial angiogenesis has not been determined. In the present study the relationship between focal VEGF associated with microvessels and endothelial cell proliferation was examined in three layers of human endometrium at various stages of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, proliferative and secretory). Immunohistochemical analysis of full thickness endometrium from 18 hysterectomy samples without endometrial pathology were examined. The percentage of proliferating vessels was higher in proliferative compared to secretory endometrium, but this was only statistically significant in the basalis layer. A significantly greater percentage of VEGF-expressing microvessels was observed in proliferative than secretory endometrium (P < 0.05). The most VEGF-expressing microvessels were observed in the subepithelial capillary plexus, followed by the functionalis and least were present in the basalis. There was a significant correlation between focal VEGF-expressing microvessels and proliferating vessels for the subepithelial capillary plexus (R(s) = 0.70, P = 0.008), the functionalis (R(s) = 0.70, P = 0.001) and the basalis (R(s) = 0.76, P < 0.001). Focal VEGF associated with microvessels was found in marginating and adherent neutrophils. These data suggest that neutrophils in intimate contact with endometrial endothelium may be a source of intravascular VEGF for vessels undergoing angiogenesis by elongation or intussusception, particularly during the proliferative phase of rapid endometrial growth.

Adult↗

Human endometrial angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is the development of new microvessels from existing vessels, a process that involves microvascular endothelial cells. Physiological angiogenesis rarely occurs in adults except in the ovary and endometrium during the reproductive life of females. Angiogenesis occurs by sprouting and non-sprouting mechanisms. Since endothelial sprouts are not observed in human endometrium, we hypothesized that non-sprouting mechanisms such as intussusception and elongation are involved in endometrial angiogenesis. The demand for angiogenesis differs spatially and temporally in the endometrium: angiogenesis occurs in the basalis layer during menstruation and in the functionalis and subepithelial capillary plexus during the proliferative and early secretory stages. Most studies have failed to demonstrate a link between expression of endometrial angiogenic factors and new vessel growth. However, we demonstrated recently a strong relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunolocalized in in-travascular neutrophils and endothelial cell proliferation in each of the subepithelial capillary plexus, functionalis and basalis regions of the human endometrium. Our data also indicate that focal neutrophil VEGF has a role in the development of the subepithelial capillary plexus and functionalis microvessels during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. We propose that neutrophils are an intravascular source of VEGF for vessels that undergo angiogenesis by intussusception and elongation.

Endometrium↗

Isolation, characterization and long-term culture of human myometrial microvascular endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis, defined as the growth of new vessels from pre-existing vessels, involves microvascular rather than large vessel endothelial cells. Accordingly, microvascular endothelial cell (MEC) proliferation assays are an appropriate in-vitro model of angiogenesis. We have developed a method for the isolation and long-term culture of large numbers of MEC from the human myometrium, tissue readily available from hysterectomy specimens. Human myometrial MEC were positively selected from tissue dissociated sequentially with collagenase and trypsin using Ulex europeaus antigen-1 (UEA)-coated dynabeads. Cultured myometrial MEC displayed characteristic endothelial phenotype and function for up to 14 passages: cobblestone morphology, formed capillary-like tubes on Matrigel, expressed CD31, Factor VIII-related antigen, bound UEA lectin, incorporated 1,1'-dioctadecyl-1,3,3,3', 3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-labelled acetylated low density lipoprotein, migrated and proliferated in response to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but not epidermal growth factor. Optimal growth of human myometrial MEC occurred in a simple medium comprising M199, 5 ng/ml bFGF, 15% human serum, 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) and heparin. Human serum was essential for growth, although there was a synergistic effect when FCS was included. Almost identical dose-response curves were obtained for bFGF- and VEGF-induced myometrial MEC proliferation in early and late passage cells. Therefore myometrial MEC are a good model for in-vitro studies of uterine angiogenesis, since they have a stable phenotype and proliferative responsiveness to VEGF and bFGF for up to 14 passages.

Adult↗

Activation of the P2Z/P2X7 receptor in human lymphocytes produces a delayed permeability lesion: involvement of phospholipase D.

Leukemic lymphocytes possess a cytolytic P2Z/P2X7 receptor which, when activated by extracellular ATP, opens a Ca2+- and Ba2+-permeable ion channel. This ATP-stimulated influx of divalent cations has been shown to activate an intracellular phospholipase D (PLD) which hydrolyzes membrane phosphatidylcholine. Lymphocytes that were exposed to ATP for 20 min at 37 degrees C, washed, and then incubated without ATP for 2 h showed an increased uptake of propidium2+, a dye widely used to measure cytotoxicity. The potent P2Z/P2X7 receptor inhibitor, KN-62, which is known to prevent the channel opening when added with ATP, did not block development of the permeability lesion when added 15 min before dye addition. The activity of lymphocyte PLD was stimulated fourfold by ATP and a proportion of this increased activity persisted for several hours after removal of ATP. Loading lymphocytes with intracellular choline+ by prior incubation of cells with ATP in isotonic choline chloride abolished both ATP-stimulated PLD activity and the ATP-induced permeability lesion. Addition of PLD but not phospholipase C to the extracellular medium increased lymphocyte permeability to propidium2+ and this effect was not observed in a choline medium. The cytolytic effect of exogenous PLD together with the inhibitory effect of choline, a product of the PLD reaction, suggests that sustained activation of intracellular PLD may be involved in the ATP-initiated cytolytic pathway.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Lack of correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor production and endothelial cell proliferation in the human endometrium.

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometrial angiogenesis was examined by measuring its production in human endometrial tissues from different stages of the menstrual cycle and relating these data to endothelial cell proliferation in the same tissues. Conditioned medium was collected from explant, and separated glandular epithelial and stromal cells cultured from 24 normal human endometrial biopsies and VEGF measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry was also used to assess VEGF and the percentage of proliferating microvessels in the samples. Wide variation in results between individual endometrial samples at each stage of the menstrual cycle was observed for all parameters measured. There was no significant difference in VEGF secretion by explant, glandular epithelial or stromal cell cultures across the menstrual cycle, or in the percentage of proliferating vessels. VEGF immunostaining in the stroma was elevated during the early proliferative stage (P = 0.03). Epithelial cells secreted more VEGF than stromal cells (1.76 +/- 0.46 versus 0.46 +/- 0.06 ng per 10(5) cells; P = 0.002). There was no correlation between VEGF secreted by cultured explants, epithelial or stromal cells, VEGF immunostaining and the proportion of proliferating microvessels. These results show that the majority of endometrial VEGF is produced by glands, but neither total glandular nor stromal VEGF is correlated with endometrial endothelial cell proliferation. There is still no clear understanding on the regulation of human endometrial angiogenesis.

Adult↗

Endometrial angiogenesis.

As a tissue that exhibits rapid cyclical growth and shedding throughout the reproductive life of the female, the human endometrium provides a good model for the study of normal physiological angiogenesis. This paper will review current information on the timing of angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle, the mechanisms involved in endometrial capillary formation, and current information on angiogenesis factors and inhibitors. Based on endothelial cell proliferation studies, the timing of angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle remains unclear. The major mechanism by which endometrial capillaries are formed is probably a mixture of elongation and intussusception, with minimal evidence currently available for sprouting. Numerous angiogenesis factors have been identified in endometrium, the most well studied of which is VEGF. However, to date there is no evidence supporting a relationship between the expression of any given angiogenic factor and the occurrence of angiogenesis in the endometrium. Very limited studies have been undertaken to date on endometrial angiogenesis inhibitors, although the precursors to many of the known proteolytic fragments which act as inhibitors exist in the endometrium. In conclusion, neither the timing of vascular growth during the menstrual cycle nor the mechanisms by which endometrial vessels are formed are currently understood, thus placing major limitations on our understanding of how angiogenesis promoters and inhibitors may act in human endometrium.

Journal Article↗

Partial agonists and antagonists reveal a second permeability state of human lymphocyte P2Z/P2X7 channel.

Extracellular ATP is known to trigger apoptosis of thymocytes and lymphocytes through a P2Z receptor at which ATP is a partial agonist, giving only 70% of the maximum response of 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (BzATP), a full agonist. This cytolytic receptor and its associated ion channel are Ca2+ (and Ba2+) selective but also pass molecules up to the size of ethidium cation (314 Da). RT-PCR showed identity between lymphocyte P2Z and the hP2X7 gene recently cloned from human monocytes. When human leukemic B lymphocytes were incubated with ATP and 133Ba2+, an immediate influx of isotope occurred. It was augmented by 45% when ATP was added 10 min before isotope. Time-resolved flow cytometry was used to examine kinetics of ethidium uptake in cells incubated with BzATP or the partial agonists ATP, 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-triphosphate, or adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Maximally effective concentrations of BzATP (50 microM) induced immediate uptake of ethidium at a rate linear with time. In contrast, a delay was observed (30 s) before ethidium uptake commenced after addition of maximally effective ATP concentrations (500 microM) at 37 degreesC, and the delay was longer at 24 degreesC. ATP addition 2-10 min before ethidium abolished the delay. The delay was longer with other partial agonists and inversely related to maximal flux produced by agonist. A delay was also observed for submaximal BzATP concentrations (10-20 microM). P2Z/P2X7 inhibitors, KN-62 and 5-(N, N-hexamethylene)-amiloride, reduced the rate of agonist-induced ethidium uptake and lengthened the delay. The results support a model in which agonists for P2Z/P2X7 receptor mediate an immediate channel opening allowing passage of small inorganic cations, followed by a slow further permeability increase allowing passage of larger permeant cations like ethidium. The rate of the second step depends on time and temperature and the efficacy and concentration of agonist and is slowed by antagonists, suggesting it depends on the fraction of P2Z/P2X7 channels held in the initial open state.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The isoquinoline derivative KN-62 a potent antagonist of the P2Z-receptor of human lymphocytes.

1. Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is an agonist for a P2Z receptor on human lymphocytes which mediates opening of a cation-selective ion channel, activation of phospholipase D and shedding of the adhesion molecule, L-selectin, from the cell surface. The isoquinolinesulphonamides, KN-62, (1-[N, O-bis(5-isoquinolinesulphonyl)-N-methyl-L-tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperaz ine), a selective antagonist of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and KN-04, (N-[1-[N-methyl-p-(5 isoquinoline sulphonyl)benzyl]-2-(4 phenylpiperazine)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide) an inactive analogue, were used to investigate the possible role of CaMKII in these diverse effects of extracellular ATP. 2. KN-62 potently antagonized ATP-stimulated Ba2+ influx into fura-2 loaded human lymphocytes with an IC50 of 12.7 +/- 1.5 nM (n = 3) and complete inhibition of the flux at a concentration of 500 nM. Similarly, KN-62 inhibited ATP-stimulated ethidium+ uptake, measured by time resolved flow cytometry, with an IC50 of 13.1 +/- 2.6 nM (n = 4) and complete inhibition of the flux at 500 nM. 3. KN-04 antagonized ATP-stimulated Ba2+ influx with an IC50 of 17.3 +/- 2.7 nM (n = 3). Similarly, KN-04 inhibited ATP-stimulated ethidium+ uptake with an IC50 of 37.2 +/- 8.9 nM (n = 4). Both fluxes were completely inhibited at 500 nM KN-04. 4. ATP-stimulated phospholipase D activity, measured in [3H]-oleic acid-labelled lymphocytes by the transphosphatidylation reaction, was antagonized by KN-62 and KN-04, with 50% inhibition at 5.9 +/- 1.2 and 9.7 +/- 2.8 nM (n = 3), respectively. Both KN-62 and KN-04 inhibited ATP-stimulated shedding of L-selectin, measured by flow cytometric analysis of cell surface L-selectin, with IC50 values of 31.5 +/- 4.5 and 78.7 +/- 10.8 nM (n = 3), respectively. Neither of the isoquinolinesulphonamides (500 nM) inhibited phorbol ester- or ionomycin-stimulated phospholipase D activity or phorbol ester-induced shedding of L-selectin. 5. The inhibitory effect of KN-62 or KN-04 on P2Z-mediated responses was slow in onset (5 min) and only partially reversed by washing the cells. 6. Both KN-62 and KN-04 (at 500 nM) had no effect on uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP)-stimulated Ca2+ transients in fura-2 loaded human neutrophils, a response which is mediated by the P2Y2 receptor. 7. Thus, KN-62 and KN-04 are potent antagonists of the P2Z receptor and at nanomolar concentrations inhibit all known responses mediated by the P2Z receptor of human lymphocytes. In contrast, KN-62 and KN-04 had no effect on responses mediated by the P2Y2 receptor of neutrophils. Moreover, since KN-62 and KN-04 are almost equipotent, the P2Z-mediated responses do not involve CaMKII, but indicate that the isoquinolinesulphonamides are potent and direct inhibitors of the P2Z-receptor.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

ATP, a partial agonist for the P2Z receptor of human lymphocytes.

1. Although extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is the natural ligand for the P2Z receptor of human lymphocytes it is less potent than 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP (BzATP) in opening the associated ion channel, which conducts a range of permeants including Ba2+ and ethidium+. We have quantified the influx of ethidium+ into lymphocytes produced by BzATP, ATP, 2-methylthio-ATP (2MeSATP) and ATPgammaS, studied competition between ATP and BzATP and investigated the effects of KN-62, a new and potent inhibitor of the P2Z receptor. 2. BzATP and ATP stimulated ethidium+ influx with EC50 values of 15.4+/-1.4 microM (n=5) and 85.6+/-8.8 microM (n=5), respectively. The maximal response to ATP was only 69.8+/-1.9% of that for BzATP. Hill analysis gave nH of 3.17+/-0.24 (n=3) and 2.09+/-0.45 (n=4) for BzATP and ATP, suggesting greater positive cooperativity for BzATP than for ATP in opening the P2Z receptor-operated ion channel. 3. A rank order of agonist potency of BzATP>ATP=2MeSATP>ATPgammaS was observed for agonist-stimulated ethidium+ influx, while maximal influxes followed a rank order of BzATP>ATP>2MeSATP>ATPgammaS. 4. Preincubation with 30-50 microM oxidized ATP (ox-ATP), an irreversible P2Z inhibitor, reduced the maximal response but did not change the steepness of the Ba2+ influx-response curve produced by BzATP (nH 3.2 and 2.9 for 30 and 50 microM ox-ATP, respectively (n=2)). 5. ATP (300-1000 microM) added simultaneously with 30 microM BzATP (EC90) inhibited both ethidium+ and Ba2+ fluxes to a maximum of 30-40% relative to the values observed with BzATP alone. Moreover, ATP (300 microM) shifted the concentration-response curve to the right for BzATP-stimulated Ba2+ influx, confirming competition between ATP and BzATP. 6. KN-62, a new and powerful inhibitor of the lymphocyte P2Z receptor, showed less potency in antagonizing BzATP-mediated fluxes than ATP-induced fluxes when maximal concentrations of both agonists (BzATP, 50 microM; ATP, 500 microM) were used. 7. These data suggest that the natural ligand, ATP, is a partial agonist for the P2Z receptor while BzATP is a more efficacious agonist. Moreover the competitive studies show that only a single class of P2-receptor (P2Z class) is expressed on human leukaemic lymphocytes.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Phospholipase D activation by P2Z-purinoceptor agonists in human lymphocytes is dependent on bivalent cation influx.

The role of bivalent cations in ATP-stimulated phospholipase D (PLD) activity was investigated in human leukaemic lymphocytes. Cells were labelled with [3H]oleic acid and incubated with extracellular ATP or benzoylbenzoic ATP in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+ and butanol, and PLD activity was assayed by the accumulation of [3H]phosphatidylbutanol ([3H]PBut). ATP stimulated PLD activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effects of suramin, oxidized ATP and extracellular Mg2+ suggested that the effect of ATP was mediated by P2Z purinoceptors known to be present on lymphocytes. Thapsigargin increased cytosolic [Ca2+] but did not stimulate PLD activity, whereas preloading cells with a Ca2+ chelator reduced cytosolic [Ca2+] and, paradoxically, potentiated ATP-stimulated [3H]PBut accumulation. ATP-stimulated [3H]PBut formation was supported by both Ba2+ and Sr2+ when they were substituted for extracellular Ca2+. Addition of EGTA to block bivalent cation influx inhibited the majority of ATP-stimulated PLD activity. Furthermore ATP-stimulated PLD activity showed a linear relationship to extracellular [Ba2+], and ATP-induced 133Ba2+ influx also had a linear dependence on extracellular [Ba2+]. These results suggest that ATP stimulates PLD activity in direct proportion to the influx of bivalent cations through the P2Z-purinoceptor ion channel and that this PLD activity is insensitive to changes in bulk cytosolic [Ca2+].

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Transduction mechanisms of P2Z purinoceptors.

The ability of extracellular ATP to increase the cation permeability of a variety of fresh and cultured cells has been known for decades, but evidence of a separate class of P2 purinoceptor, termed P2Z, which mediates this effect has only recently been obtained. Several features of the P2Z purinoceptor clearly distinguish it from other P2 purinoceptors and show that it is a ligand-gated ion channel. P2Z purinoceptors are highly selective for the ATP4- species and addition of Mg2+ in excess over ATP closes the channel. The most potent agonist is 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl ATP which has a 10-fold lower EC50 than ATP. Ca2+ is the preferred permeant for the P2Z ion channel although it will pass ions up to the size of ethidium(+) (314 Da) in lymphocytes or fura-2 (813 Da) in macrophages. The inhibitors of the P2Z purinoceptor or its associated ion channel include suramin, amiloride analogues, high extracellular Na+ concentrations and 2',3'-dialdehyde ATP (oxidized ATP), which blocks irreversibly. Occupancy of P2Z purinoceptors stimulates a phospholipase D activity, which may be involved in membrane remodelling. Moreover, extracellular ATP causes loss of the glycosylated adhesion molecule L-selection from the surfaces of human lymphocytes by enzymic cleavage, suggesting a possible role for P2Z purinoceptors in intercellular interactions.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗