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Biomedical subjects

C Malmsten

Publications and source records attributed to C Malmsten.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetic deficiency of human mast cell alpha-tryptase.

BACKGROUND: Human alpha- and beta-tryptases are proteases secreted by mast cells. Beta (but not alpha) tryptases are implicated in asthma. Genes encoding both types of tryptases cluster on chromosome 16p13.3. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the hypothesis, generated from mapping data, that alpha-alleles compete with some beta-alleles at one locus and that an adjacent locus contains beta-alleles exclusively. This hypothesis predicts that beta-alleles outnumber alpha and that some genomes lack alpha genes altogether. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we developed PCR-based techniques to distinguish alpha from beta genes. We then genotyped genomic DNA from individuals and tryptase-expressing cell lines. RESULTS: In support of our hypothesis, we find that alpha-tryptase deficiency affects 80/274 (29%) of individuals surveyed. The genotype of the alpha-deficient individuals is betabetabetabeta, due to inheritance of four beta genes. The percentage of the population with the mixed genotypes alphaalphabetabeta and alphabetabetabeta is 21% and 50%, respectively. Accounting for all alpha- and beta-alleles at the tandem loci on 16p13.3, overall alpha-allele frequency is only 0.23, with beta-alleles considerably outnumbering alpha as hypothesized. In samples of defined ethnicity, alpha deficiency affects 45% of Caucasians, but a much lower percentage of other backgrounds, including African-Americans and Asians. Examination of cell lines reveals that HMC-1 and U-937 lack alpha-genes; thus, lack of alpha transcripts in these cells is due to absence of alpha-genes rather than beta-selective transcription. By contrast, alpha-transcribing Mono Mac 6 and KU812 cells contain alpha- and beta-genes. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic alpha-tryptase deficiency is common and varies strikingly between ethnic groups. Because beta-tryptases are implicated in allergic disorders, inherited differences in alpha/beta-genotype may affect disease susceptibility, severity and response to tryptase inhibitor therapy.

Base Sequence↗

Effects of auranofin on leukotriene production and leukotriene stimulated neutrophil function.

Arachidonic acid is metabolized in neutrophils by lipoxygenase to leukotrienes, which are suggested to play a central role in inflammation. The antirheumatic drug auranofin (4 micrograms/ml) was found not to inhibit neutrophil production of the lipoxygenase products 5-HETE-, 15-HETE and LTB4, in vitro when stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187. Auranofin, however, modulated neutrophil aggregation, enzyme release and chemotaxis induced by LTB4. The results suggest that auranofin may exert some of its antirheumatic effects through affecting neutrophil responses to leukotrienes.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Effects of leukotriene C4 and prostaglandin E2 on the rat mesentery in vitro and in vivo.

Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been studied for their effects on the rat mesentery in vitro and in vivo. Their effects on the norepinephrine (NE) induced vasoconstrictions in the above vascular bed have also been investigated. LTC4 (10(-10)M) and PGE2 (2.8 X 10(-7)M) produced no direct effects on the perfusion pressure in the isolated perfused rat mesentery. However, LTC4 (10(-10)M) produced constriction of the arterioles in vivo. PGE2 (2.8 X 10(-7)M) did not produce any direct effect on the microcirculation. Indomethacin, when superfused for 10 min. in a concentration of 7 X 10(-5)M, produced significant arteriolar constriction; this effect was reversed when PGE2 was added to the superfusing media containing indomethacin. LTC4, perfused in a concentration of 10(-10)M, produced a time - dependent inhibitory effect on NE induced vasoconstrictions in vitro whereas PGE2 perfusions (2.8 X 10(-7)M) potentiated the NE responses. This potentiating effect of PGE2 was inhibited by indomethacin. In contrast, the topical application of PGE2 in vivo attenuated NE responses of the mesenteric arterioles.

Animals↗

The local edemogenic effects of leukotriene C4 and prostaglandin E2 in rats.

Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been studied for their effects on vascular permeability in rats. LTC4 and/or PGE2 were dissolved in 0.3% ethanol and were administered subcutaneously (0.1 m1) in the plantar surface of one of the hind paws of different series of rats. The changes in vascular permeability were measured by the radioactive marker (HSA.I125) method. LTC4 administered in dose of 2 X 10(-8) M produced marked increase (77 and 133%) in the vascular permeability (local edemogenic effect). PGE2 administered in a dose of 10(-6) M also produced significant increase (38 and 40%) in the vascular permeability. However, PGE2 in the same dose either administered along with LTC4 or administered at 30 minutes after the injection of LTC4 (2 X 10(-8) M) did not have any potentiating effect on the edemogenic response of LTC4.

Animals↗

Effects of novel lipoxygenase products on migration of eosinophils and neutrophils in vitro.

Since it has been suggested that a lipoxygenase product might be specific chemotactic factor for eosinophils, we assessed the stimulating effects of a variety of lipoxygenase products (LTB4, 20-OH-LTB4, 20-COOH-LTB4 and 5(S)12(S)-DHETE) on both neutrophil and eosinophil migration under agarose. LTB4 was the most potent lipoxygenase cytotaxin for neutrophils as well as eosinophils and its stimulating potential for both cell types was similar. The other leukotrienes stimulated migration of neutrophils less than LTB4, whereas eosinophils did not respond. Thus, the previous suggestion that an eosinophil chemotactic factor could be identical with LTB4 was not verified.

Cell Movement↗

Leukotriene biosynthesis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes from two patients with chronic granulomatous disease.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) isolated from two patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) were tested for their ability to metabolize arachidonic acid to lipoxygenase products including 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (LTB4). Analyses of incubations of these PMNL with arachidonic acid and the calcium ionophore A23187 did not differ from simultaneous controls in the production of LTB4, other 5,12-dihydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids, or monohydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids. The clinical diagnosis of CGD was confirmed in both cases by determination of PMNL chemiluminescence. Leukocytes from both patients failed to generate active oxygen species in response to either LTB4 or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The observation of arachidonic acid oxidation in the absence of superoxide anion precludes a role for the active oxygen species in this metabolic process. These studies clearly dissociate the ionophore-induced leukocyte respiratory burst from the oxidation of arachidonate to the leukotrienes. In addition, the defect of CGD appears to be unrelated to the ability of PMNL to carry out arachidonate oxygenation.

Adult↗

A novel leukotriene produced by stimulation of leukocytes with formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine.

Stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with the chemotactic peptide formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine led to the formation of a novel leukotriene: 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraen-1,20-dioic acid. This dihydroxydicarboxylic acid is derived from omega-oxidation of 5(S),12(R),dihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetradienoic acid (leukotriene B4). The intermediate 5(S),12(R),20-trihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid was also isolated from these incubations. The two metabolites of leukotriene B4 exhibit chemotactic properties for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes but are less active in this respect than the parent compound.

Arachidonic Acids↗

Impaired platelet response to thromboxane-A2 and defective calcium mobilization in a patient with a bleeding disorder.

Platelet aggregation, secretion, and thromboxane formation induced by various agonists, including arachidonate, prostaglandin-G2 (PGG2), and thromboxane-A2 (TxA2), were examined in a patient with a bleeding disorder who was previously reported to have a TxA2-related defect. Aggregation and 14C-5HT secretion were decreased, and no TxB2 formation occurred in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, or collagen. Arachidonate-induced aggregation and TxB2 formation, and PGG2-induced aggregation (but not TxB2 formation) were impaired at low agonist concentrations. The patient's platelets did not aggregate in response to TxA2 generated from arachidonate in normal platelets, but were capable of synthesizing TxA2 from both arachidonate and PGG2. In addition, aggregation and secretion induced by low concentrations of the ionophore A23187 were impaired in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and in gel-filtered platelets in the absence of extracellular calcium; these responses became normal at higher A23187 concentrations or, in GFP, at low A23187 concentrations in the presence of exogenous calcium. These findings indicate that the TxA2 defect in this patient does not result from a thromboxane synthetase deficiency, but may be due to impaired mobilization of platelet calcium, and thus are consistent with the possibility that TxA2 may act as a calcium ionophore.

Arachidonic Acids↗

Leukotriene A. Isolation from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Leukotriene A, an unstable intermediate in the conversion of arachidonic acid to stable leukotrienes, was isolated from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The allylic epoxide intermediate is rapidly hydrolyzed under acidic conditions. A method was therefore developed for esterification and extraction of the intermediate as the methyl ester from an alkaline aqueous phase, into an aprotic solvent. This was achieved by addition of methanol and an excess of diazomethane in ether to the incubatio mixture, followed by addition of water, and phase separation. The identity of the isolated compound with the previously synthesized methyl ester of 5 (S)-trans-5,6-oxido-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicostatetraenoic acid (leukotriene A), was established by comparing chromatographic and chemical properties of the isolated compound and synthetic leukotriene A.

Arachidonic Acids↗