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Biomedical subjects

D Joseph

Publications and source records attributed to D Joseph.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Antagonists of PAF-acether do not suppress thrombin-induced aggregation of ADP-deprived and aspirin-treated human platelets.

Four chemically distinct PAF-acether antagonists were used to test the hypothesis that the cyclooxygenase and ADP-independent thrombin-induced aggregation of human platelets is due to PAF-acether. The compounds 48740 RP, CV-3988, BN 52021 and Ro 19-3704 inhibited aggregation by PAF-acether whereas 48740 RP also interfered with aggregation by arachidonic acid, U 46619, collagen and thrombin. Aspirin-treated platelets aggregated in response to PAF-acether and to 0.25 U/ml thrombin as much as control platelets in absence of detectable thromboxane A2, and were less responsive to 0.05-0.1 U/ml. Thrombin-induced aggregation of aspirin-treated platelets was unaffected by the PAF-acether antagonists BN 52021, CV-3988 and Ro 19-3704. In separate experiments, platelets were exposed for five min to convulxin, a glycoprotein extracted from a snake venom, which depletes granular ADP and ATP. A combination of PGI2, aspirin and anticrotalid serum used to disaggregate allowed the recovery of approximately 80% free platelets, which failed to respond to PAF-acether, but still aggregated in presence of thrombin. This residual ADP and cyclooxygenase-independent aggregation is not accountable for by the platelet formation of PAF-acether, since it was not modified by the latters' antagonists nor by platelet exposure to convulxin. Our results do not support the proposal that PAF-acether mediates a third pathway of human platelet aggregation.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1987

Differences in local conformation around cysteine residues in alpha alpha, alpha beta, and beta beta rabbit skeletal tropomyosin.

The ability of 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoate (Nbs2) to form a disulfide crosslink between the Cys-190s of the alpha alpha and alpha beta molecular components of rabbit skeletal tropomyosin (Tm) and the Cys-36s and Cys-190s of purified beta beta was studied in separate experiments, as a function of urea concentration in 0.5 M NaCl, 20 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid, pH 7.4, 15 degrees C. In the absence of urea, complete reaction of the Cys-190s of Tm with Nbs2 as well as with 2- and 4-pyridine disulfide quantitatively produced two crosslinked species, alpha-alpha and alpha-beta, in a 60/40 ratio, respectively, visualized as bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels; similar reactions of beta beta produced both doubly (at Cys-36 and Cys-190) and singly crosslinked species (at Cys-190 as identified by amino acid analysis of separated tryptic peptides). In the presence of 4 M urea where the chains were unfolded and separated, only Nbs-blocked uncrosslinked species were obtained after complete reaction with Nbs2. The loss of Nbs2-crosslinking at increasing [urea] showed that the relative stability of the Cys-containing regions of the three species of Tm, alpha alpha, alpha beta, and beta beta increases in the order Cys-36 of beta beta, Cys-190 of alpha beta, Cys-190 of alpha alpha.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Desensitization and antagonism of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with PAF acether.

The activation of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with PAF-acether (platelet-activating factor) was blocked by two antagonists: 48740 RP and BN 52021. The release of beta glucuronidase was usually better inhibited than that of lysozyme suggesting that the tested antagonists interfere rather with PAF-acether exocytosis of azurophil granules. Inhibition was relatively specific, even though a moderate effect (below 34%) upon PMN activation by the two unrelated agonist n-formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine (fMLP) and leukotriene B4 sometimes reached significance. The partial persistence of inhibition to stimulation with PAF-acether after elimination of both inhibitors suggests that they do not act at the PAF-acether receptor only. Furthermore, the observation of cross desensitization between PAF-acether and fMLP may be related to common pathways and/or metabolites, including PAF-acether itself.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Cellular localization and age-dependent changes in mRNA for cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinases in rat testis.

Gonadotropin activation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinases plays an important role in the regulation of testicular function. This study was undertaken to establish the expression of various subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinases in different testicular cell types as well as during sexual maturation. RNA was extracted from cultured Sertoli cells, cultured peritubular cells, germ cells (pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids), tumor Leydig cells, as well as whole testis from rats of various ages. Messenger RNA levels were studied by Northern analysis using available cDNA probes. The regulatory subunit (R) designated RII51 was found to be predominantly expressed in cAMP-stimulated Sertoli cells and tumor Leydig cells. Much lower levels were found in cultured peritubular cells and germ cells. A 2.9- and 3.2-kb mRNA for the RI subunit were found at about similar levels in all cell types, whereas the smaller 1.7-kb mRNA was expressed in high levels in germ cells. Also, the catalytic subunit (C) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, designated C alpha, was expressed in all cell types; the highest mRNA levels for this subunit were found in germ cells and in tumor Leydig cells. The 1.7-kb mRNA for androgen-binding protein (ABP) was abundant in cAMP-stimulated Sertoli cells and was not present in other cell types of the testis. Furthermore, the cellular localization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits was also supported by developmental studies. The mRNA level of the RII51 3.2-kb species was relatively constant until Day 30, after which there was a tendency to decrease. A 1.6-kb message first appeared at greater ages. The mRNA for the smaller 1.7-kb species of RI, as well as the C alpha, showed a significant increase during development, supporting an enrichment of these mRNAs in germ cells. Messenger RNA levels for ABP were not detected in testis from 5- to 10-day-old rats but increased up to Day 30. After this age, mRNA for ABP revealed an age-dependent decrease, which parallels the relative increase of germ cells in the testis. In summary, these results demonstrate a clear pattern of cellular localization of the various mRNA species for subunits of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the rat testis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Platelet-leukocyte interaction: activation of rabbit platelets by FMLP-stimulated neutrophils.

1 The effect of the chemotactic peptide, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP) was studied on cells in whole rabbit blood or on a mixture of purified rabbit platelets and neutrophils. 2 In blood, FMLP triggered cell aggregation (measured by electrical impedance) which was dependent upon the concentration of FMLP (9.9 +/- 0.7 and 5.2 +/- 1.2 ohms at 1 and 0.01 microM FMLP respectively). This aggregation was accompanied by a strong decrease in platelet counts (54.6 +/- 6.0 and 45.6 +/- 3.8% for 1 and 0.01 microM FMLP respectively) and by a smaller decrease in neutrophil counts (25.0 +/- 1.9 and 12.9 +/- 1.7% at 1 and 0.01 microM FMLP respectively). 3 When purified platelets and neutrophils were co-incubated, the addition of 0.1 microM induced a marked aggregation (50.0 +/- 1.6 vs. 19.5 +/- 1.6% of light transmission, n = 8, P less than 0.001), ATP secretion (8.4 +/- 1.0 vs. 0.1 +/- 0.1 nmol ml-1, n = 6, P less than 0.001) and a decrease in platelet counts. FMLP induced aggregation of purified neutrophils and release of lysozyme but lacked direct platelet-stimulating effects. The release of lactate dehydrogenase, a cytoplasmic marker and lysozyme were unchanged under the interaction conditions. 4 Platelet activation was reduced by about 30% with 100 microM aspirin or indomethacin and by about 70% with 100 microM BW 755C. Two Paf-acether antagonists, BN 52021 (100 microM) and WEB 2086 (1 microM) suppressed platelet activation by 70-80%. 5 The supernatant of FMLP-stimulated neutrophils induced platelet activation only when bovine serum albumin was present. Rabbit neutrophils stimulated in the presence of serum albumin by 1 microM FMLP formed 2 nM Paf-acether of which half was released to the extracellular medium. 6 Our results indicate that the stimulation of neutrophils by FMLP induces platelet activation in whole blood and on isolated cells and that both arachidonic acid-metabolites and Paf-acether participate in platelet activation.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1986

Modulation by cyclic AMP of arachidonic acid-induced platelet desensitization.

We have previously demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) and the stable cyclic endoperoxide analogue (U46619) desensitize human platelets at a common site, which is sensitive to endoperoxides/thromboxane receptor antagonists. We now report on the influence of agents which evaluate intracellular levels of platelet adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) on AA- and U46619-induced platelet desensitization. Prostaglandin E1, prostacyclin, carbacyclin, forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP prevented platelet activation by and desensitization to AA and to U46619 under conditions where the formation of thromboxane B2 was not significantly modified. Inhibition of platelet activation (aggregation and secretion) required a lower increase of the cAMP content than was needed to inhibit desensitization, confirming previous findings that desensitization to and by AA or U46619 are independent from the platelet release reaction. Together, these results indicate that AA-induced desensitization can be modulated by the adenylate cyclase/cAMP system acting at a site distinct from the known mechanisms of Ca2+ sequestration. This site is shared by the AA metabolite responsible for desensitization and by U46619 and is related to their common platelet membrane receptor.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1985

PAF-acether may not mediate the third pathway of platelet aggregation since self-desensitization reduces the effects of low thrombin but enhances those of convulxin.

PAF-acether (platelet-activating factor) was hypothesized as the mediator of the ADP and thromboxane-independent activation of platelets induced by thrombin (Thr) and by the snake venom glycoprotein convulxin (Cx). Aspirinized rabbit platelets self-desensitized to PAF-acether were less responsive to low amounts of Thr, as expected if PAF-acether would be formed, but were hyper-reactive to Cx, in contradiction with its hypothesized mediating role. Aggregation by higher concentrations of Thr overcame inhibition. Experiments with ADP-depleted platelets showed that secretion is neither involved with desensitization to PAF-acether nor with hyper-reactivity to Cx. Those effects required the presence of PAF-acether in the platelet suspension and persisted when transformation of PAF-acether into its recognized metabolite alkyl-acyl-glycerophosphorylcholine was inhibited. The ADP and thromboxane-independent activation of rabbit platelets by low and medium concentrations of Thr may be accounted for by platelet formation of PAF-acether, but overall the contrasting effects of platelet desensitization to PAF-acether on responsiveness to Thr and to Cx suggest that the third pathway of aggregation requires other explanations.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Induced chemiluminescence of oxidized fatty acids and oils.

The injection of a strong organic base into milligram quantities of fats and oils dissolved in methylene chloride results in a burst of chemiluminescence whose peak intensity is a function of the previous thermal oxidation history and of the degree of unsaturation of the starting material. The flash of this induced chemiluminescence can be 10(8) times higher than the steady-state "spontaneous" chemiluminescence. The kinetics of the induced chemiluminescence are first order in concentration and second order in time. The emission spectrum is broad and extends into the near infrared. A model based on dioxetane chemiluminescence is proposed to explain the observed kinetics.

Fatty Acids↗
PubMed1984

Structural requirements for preventing the aspirin- and the arachidonate-induced inactivation of platelet cyclo-oxygenase: additional evidence for distinct enzymatic sites.

2-Hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) prevents the inhibition by aspirin (ASA) of platelet aggregation and of the generation of thromboxane A2 from arachidonic acid (AA). We studied the ability of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid analogues to block ASA and to prevent the platelet desensitization due to a first exposure to AA. Inactivation was prevented when exposure to AA was done in the presence of reversible inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase. Phenol, methyl salicylate and L8027 were thus strong inhibitors of AA-induced platelet activation and desensitization. The minimal structural requirement for inhibition of thromboxane A2 generation from AA was a phenol group as benzoic acid was fully inactive. 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, and to some extent 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid were effective against ASA, the most active substances being methyl salicylate and L8027. The minimal structural requirement for blocking ASA was that 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-methoxybenzoic acid should be devoid of activity, which highlights the fact that the hydroxyl group must be available. Our work favours the hypothesis that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs react with two sites of cyclo-oxygenase, which were named the supplementary and the catalytic sites. The interaction of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid and of its analogues with the supplementary site is necessary but not sufficient for the efficacy of these compounds as cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. The intensity of interaction with the supplementary site and the modifications of the catalytic site determine the potency of these compounds as cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. For preventing ASA inactivation, an interaction with the supplementary sites is always necessary, but furthermore an appropriate group, preferentially in the position ortho to the hydroxyl, is needed.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Convulxin-induced activation of intact and of thrombin-degranulated rabbit platelets: specific crossed desensitisation with collagen.

The aggregation of plasma-free rabbit platelets induced by convulxin (Cx), a glycoprotein extracted from the venom of Crotalus durissus cascavella was accompanied by the secretion of ATP and by the formation of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and of 'platelet-activating factor' (PAF-acether). Thrombin-induced exhaustion of the pool of releasable ADP, or inactivation of cyclooxygenase with aspirin or with arachidonic acid failed to suppress Cx-induced activation. Electron microscopy studies showed that platelets exposed to Cx could be recovered without damage to the cytoplasmic membrane, whereas dense bodies were depleted. Convulxin-treated platelets aggregated in response to ADP, to arachidonic acid and to thrombin, but failed to aggregate in response to Cx itself as well as to collagen. Crossed desensitisation between Cx and collagen was also observed when platelets were exposed to Cx in the presence of prostaglandin E1, which prevented granule depletion, demonstrating that desensitisation was not due to the inability of Cx-treated platelets to secrete ADP in response to collagen. Formation of PAF-acether by thrombin-treated platelets was impaired when thrombin was used as a second stimulus but was maintained when Cx was used as such. The formation of TxA2 by Cx-treated platelets stimulated with arachidonic acid or with thrombin was preserved of only slightly reduced whereas these platelets failed to synthesize TxA2 when stimulated with Cx or with collagen, showing that crossed desensitization between Cx and collagen was not restricted to aggregation, but extended to stimulation of arachidonate metabolism as well. Convulxin is a powerful platelet-stimulating agent which operates through mechanisms which may involve PAF-acether, and which interacts with sites related with those of collagen at an unknown level.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1983

Capillary perfusion patterns in reperfused ischemic subendocardial myocardium: experimental study using fluorescent dextran.

The relationship between functional capillary perfusion patterns and sarcolemmal membrane permeability in localized acute myocardial ischemia was investigated in the rat model. The macromolecule dextran (MW 150,000) labeled with fluorescein (FITC) was intravenously injected. In histological sections, the label fluorescence showed those capillaries which had been perfused by the stained plasma; the blood-tissue barrier could be explored by detection of fluorescein in interstitial spaces and/or within the myocardial cells. Morphological parameters were calculated by semiautomatic image analysis. The data obtained indicate that (1) there is a great heterogeneity in the pattern of capillary perfusion within the reperfused ischemic myocardium; (2) as early as 20 min after coronary artery clamping followed by short reperfusion, the macromolecular tracer can be seen in the cytoplasm of muscle cells randomly distributed in subendocardial areas; (3) only the underperfused areas display permeated myocardial cells. It is suggested that capillary perfusion varies from site to site depending on the difference in cellular membrane permeability changes. The ischemia-induced cell changes can lead to capillary filling defects and an increase in coronary flow resistance. Whether the inadequate blood flow upon reperfusion contributes to further myocyte damage remains a matter of debate.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1983

I--isolation and electron microscope studies of a potent platelet-aggregating glycoprotein from the venom of Crotalus durissus cascavella.

A potent acid-soluble platelet-aggregating glycoprotein was purified from the venom of Crotalus durissus cascavella by molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and by adsorption onto Sepharose 4B gels at acidic pH. This new protein with an apparent Mr of 300,000 at acidic pH and containing a low amount of sugars is non-toxic for mice. Electron microscope studies showed that the platelet-aggregating glycoprotein appeared as regular rosettes of 150 A in diameter at acidic pH and underwent polymerization in rod-like particles in the presence of sodium chloride. This glycoprotein, probably hydrophobic, is dissociated into an active molecular form whose apparent Mr was 144,000; however, it is believed to still be a not totally dissociated molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Identification and partial purification of human T lymphocyte colony-enhancing factor (LCEF), distinct from T cell-growth factor.

Colony growth of T lymphocytes in a soft agar culture system, following stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), is enhanced by T cell-derived conditioned medium (CM). The putative enhancing factor present in this CM has been termed lymphocyte colony-enhancing factor (LCEF). The purification of LCEF from CM has been complicated by the fact that active CM could be obtained only in the presence of 7-8 mg/ml of serum proteins. In order to circumvent this problem, CM which was shown to be active in the colony formation assay, was produced in the presence of a serum fraction precipitated by 1.6 M ammonium sulphate (AS). The first step of the purification of this CM was fractionation by 1.6 M AS, whereby the active material was fully recovered in the supernatant. The 20-fold purified material was applied on a DEAE-cellulose column. Two peaks of activity were obtained using the colony formation assay. The purification achieved by this second step was 5-10 fold for the first peak, eluting around 0.06 M NaCl, and two- to three-fold for the second peak, eluting around 0.19 M NaCl. Two peaks of activity were also obtained upon hydrophobic chromatography on a phenyl-Sepharose column, with enhancement factors of 5-8 for the first peak and 25-60 for the second peak. These results imply the presence of more than one LCEF molecule in the original CM. None of the LCEF-active fractions contained any T cell-growth factor (TCGF) activity; LCEF seems therefore to be a molecular entity distinct from TCGF.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed1982

Degranulation of rabbit platelets with PAF-acether: a new procedure for unravelling the mode of action of platelet-activating substances.

Aggregation and secretion of ATP induced by thrombin, collagen, the snake venom component convulxin and platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) were studied after the exposure of rabbit platelets to 1 microM of PAF-acether. This concentration, which is around 6 orders of magnitude above the concentration needed to induce full aggregation, was required to remove most of the releasable ATP from the platelets. The depleted platelets aggregated to PAF-acether, to thrombin and to convulxin under conditions where only very low amounts of ATP were secreted, confirming that these agents do not require the release of dense body components to trigger aggregation. Furthermore, when exposure to PAF-acether was associated to inactivation of platelet cyclooxygenase with aspirin, aggregation to thrombin persisted, validating the claim that thrombin induces aggregation by a third pathway unrelated to ADP and to thromboxane A2. Aggregation by collagen was markedly reduced by exposure of the platelets to PAF-acether or to aspirin; when both procedures were associated, aggregation was suppressed. Failure to desensitize the rabbit platelets to PAF-acether upon exposure to high amounts of it indicates the absence of irreversible membrane changes due to PAF-acether, and allows its use as a depleting procedure for the dense body materials, which does not affect platelet membrane components as is the case for thrombin.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗