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Biomedical subjects

D S Wang

Publications and source records attributed to D S Wang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Osteo-anabolic effects of human growth hormone with 22K- and 20K Daltons on human osteoblast-like cells.

Human growth hormone with 22,000 Dal (22K-hGH) stimulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts as well as production of interleukin-6 in vitro and bone formation and remodeling in vivo. To investigate whether hGH isoform with 20Kd (20K-hGH), which accounts for 10% of circulating hGH, elicits similar metabolic effects on skeletal tissues, we studied the biological effects of 20K-hGH in cultured human osteoblast-like cells (HOB). HOB were obtained from trabecular bone explants and cultured in alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FCS. In subconfluent cultures, 22K- and 20K-hGH stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation by 62 +/- 27% and 63 +/- 23%, respectively (mean +/- SD, n=8, P>0.1). In confluent cultures, 22K- and 20K-hGH increased alkaline phosphatase activity by 38 +/- 23% and 41 +/- 23% (P>0.1), respectively, and increased the osteocalcin concentration in the presence of 10(-9) M 1,25-(OH)2D3 by 50% and 47% (P>0.1), respectively. Furthermore, both hGHs doubled the interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in the conditioned medium. RT-PCR analysis revealed that 22K- and 20K- hGH increased IL-6 gene expression 2.2 +/- 0.6 and 2.4 +/- 0.7 -fold, respectively. In summary, we have demonstrated that 20K-hGH elicits equipotent anabolic effects on HOB and stimulates to the same extent the production of IL-6, a cytokine which initiates osteoclastogenesis. These in vitro findings suggest that 22K- and 20K-hGH may equipotently stimulate bone remodeling and elicit anabolic effects on skeletal tissue when administered in vivo.

Bone Development↗

Localization of Barrington's nucleus in the pontine dorsolateral tegmentum of the rabbit.

The localization of Barrington's nucleus in the dorsolateral pons of the rabbit and its projections to the sacral spinal cord were examined by using retrograde and anterograde labeling methods combined with immunohistochemistry. After injection of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) or a fluorescence tracer, tetramethylrhodamine-dextran amine (TMR), into the sacral spinal cord segments, a cluster of neurons labeled with WGA-HRP or TMR were seen in the pontine dorsolateral tegmentum. To identify whether the retrogradely labeled neurons were situated within the locus coeruleus, the sections containing TMR-labeled neurons through the pons were incubated with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibody and observed under epifluorescence microscope. It was shown that the cluster of TMR-labeled neurons in the dorsolateral tegmentum were surrounded by TH-positive neurons, but they were negatively immunostained with TH-like immunoreactivity. In anterograde experiment, injection of WGA-HRP into the dorsolateral tegmentum resulted in many anterogradely labeled nerve fibers and terminals in the sacral spinal cord, including the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. The present results suggest that the cluster of neurons in the dorsolateral tegmentum of the rabbit may correspond to Barrington's nucleus revealed in the rat and cat, and thus may be involved in micturtion reflex of the rabbit.

Animals↗

5-HT potentiates GABA- and glycine-activated chloride currents on the same neurons in rat spinal cord.

The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of GABA- and glycine (Gly)-induced responses were investigated in neurons acutely dissociated from the rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN) using the nystatin perforated patch recording configuration under voltage-clamp conditions. At a holding potential of -40 mV, the currents evoked by GABA and Gly increased in a sigmoidal fashion with increasing agonist concentration. The reversal potentials of I(GABA)and I(Gly) were close to the Cl- equilibrium potential. Bicuculline (BIC) and strychnine (STR) suppressed I(GABA) and I(Gly) in a concentration-dependent manner, although they have different affinities for GABA and Gly. 5-HT potentiated both I(GABA) and I(Gly) via intracellular protein kinase C on the same neurons. The results indicated that the acutely dissociated SDCN neurons responded to both exogenous GABA and Gly, which activated GABA(A) and STR-sensitive Gly receptors, respectively, and 5-HT may produce spinal antinociception through postsynaptic potentiation of I(GABA) and I(Gly) when they are coreleased; GABA and Gly may act as cotransmitters implicated in the control of spinal nociceptive signal processing in the mammalian spinal cord.

Animals↗

Modulation of glycine-activated chloride currents by substance P in rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons.

The modulatory effect of substance P (SP) on strychnine-sensitive glycine (Gly) response was examined in neurons acutely dissociated from the rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN) using nystatin perforated patch recording configuration under voltage-clamp conditions. Application of SP potentiated 30 mumol/L Gly-activated chloride current (IGly) in a concentration-dependent manner over the range of 1 nmol/L to 1 mumol/L at a holding potential of -40 mV. SP neither changed the reversal potential of Gly response nor affected the affinity of Gly to its receptor. The SP potentiation effect could be blocked by spantide as well as a selective NK1 receptor antagonist, L-668, 169, but not by NK2 receptor antagonist, L-659, 877. The facilitatory action of SP on IGly could also be abolished by pretreatment with chelerythrine or KN-62 in different neurons, a finding suggesting that protein kinase C (PKC) or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) possibly contributes to an intracellular pathway of SP in the augmentation of IGly. The results imply that SP may suppress nociception in the spinal cord by potentiating Gly response.

Animals↗

[Effects of 7 d head down tilt on cardiopulmonary circulation during orthostasis].

Objective. To accumulate data for further studies on the mechanisms of the decrease of cardiovascular function after weightlessness. Method. Cardiopulmonary circulatory function under supine position and head up tilting (HUT) for 20 min before and after exposure to 7 d 6 degrees head down tilt (HDT) in 6 healthy adults who aged 19-21 were measured with a XXH-2000 lesser (pulmonary) circulation and cardiac function instrument. Result. The 7 d HDT resulted in orthostatic intolerance of the subjects; the reduction of RVET (j-z) and the elevation of RPEP [RVET(Q-j)/(j - z)] indicated a decrease of the right heart function. An obvious decrease of the right heart reserves was also observed under HUT after HDT. Conclusion. hc and hc/hz were demonstrated to be useful parameters to evaluate orthostatic tolerance or to forecast orthostatic syncope. The lesser (pulmonary) circulation and cardiac function testing methods are valuable in evaluating the cardiopulmonary circulatory function during HUT.

Adult↗

[The progress in research on changes of central venous pressure under simulated weightlessness and microgravity].

One of the most profound circulatory changes that occur in man during exposure to microgravity is a cephalad redistribution of fluid. Central venous pressure (CVP) is not only an important standard for determining the cephalad redistribution of fluid but also the unique valuable means for measuring continuously cardiac filling pressure under simulated weightlessness (SW) and microgravity, and has a relationship with neurohumoral [correction of nerohumoral] regulation. With the development of manned spaceflight, the researches in space suggested that CVP did not increase, which is directly contradictory to the previous results under SW. This paper mainly discusses the changes of CVP and the effects of countermeasures on CVP under SW and microgravity, and the mechanisms of decreased CVP under microgravity. It is postulated that more suitable SW models, more studies about the area of low pressure including especially pulmonary circulation, and comprehensive studies in multiple systems are needed.

Cardiovascular Deconditioning↗

Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate triggers platelet aggregation by activating Ca2+ influx.

Exogenous phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] stimulates the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets in a Ca2+- and dose-dependent manner. This aggregation is reversible at low PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels, but becomes irreversible when the concentration exceeds a threshold of about 20 microM. Other D-3 and D-4 phosphoinositides examined, including phosphatidylinositol 3, 4-bisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4)P2], phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2], and phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate [PtdIns(3)P], fail to exert appreciable platelet activation at comparable concentrations. In addition, PtdIns(3,4, 5)P3 can reverse the inhibitory effect of wortmannin on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Taken together with the observation that PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 is readily incorporated into cell membranes, these findings reaffirm the second messenger role of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in thrombin receptor activation. The existence of a PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-dependent Ca2+ entry system on platelet membranes is supported by the partial inhibition of thrombin-induced Ca2+ influx by wortmannin. Evidence suggests that this system differs from receptor-operated nonselective Ca2+ channels. However, the mechanism by which PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 facilitates Ca2+ entry remains unclear. Although PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 has been known to stimulate phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma), internal Ca2+ mobilization does not play a significant role in the cytosolic Ca2+ increase in response to PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 stimulation. Collectively, these data provide a putative link between PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and Ca2+ signaling, which may, in part, account for the regulatory function of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 during platelet aggregation. Moreover, this study bears out the notion that individual PI 3-kinase lipid products play distinct roles in the regulation of cellular functions.

Animals↗

Taurine-activated chloride currents in the rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons.

The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of taurine (Tau)-activated Cl- currents (ITau) were investigated in the dissociated rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN) neurons using the nystatin perforated patch recording configuration under voltage-clamp conditions. The reversal potential of ITau was close to the Cl- equilibrium potential. The ITau was not affected by a preceding GABA response but cross-desensitized by a preceding glycine (Gly) response. Strychnine (STR), picrotoxin (PIC), bicuculline (BIC) and Zn2+ suppressed the ITau in a concentration-dependent manner. The pharmacology of the ITau and Gly-induced response (IGly) was similar, though Zn2+ inhibition on ITau differed from that on IGly in being much slower in recovery. Serotonin potentiated the ITau via protein kinase C. The results indicate that both Tau and Gly act on a strychnine-sensitive site to open the same Cl- channels in the SDCN neurons, and suggest that Tau may act as a functional neurotransmitter in the mammalian SDCN.

Algorithms↗

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase in rat liver nuclei.

Biochemical and immunochemical data from the present investigation reveal the existence of a p85/p110 phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in rat liver nuclei. 32P-Labeling of membrane phosphoinositides by incubating intact nuclei with [gamma-32P]ATP results in the formation of [32P]phosphatidyl-inositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3], accompanied by small quantities of [32P]phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P]. Studies with subnuclear fractions indicate that the PI 3-kinase is not confined to nuclear membranes. The nuclear soluble fraction also contains PI 3-kinase and an array of inositide-metabolizing enzymes, including phospholipase C (PLC), phosphoinositide phosphatase, and diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase. As a result, exposure of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] to the nuclear extract in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP generates a series of 32P-labeled D-3 phosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid (PA) in an interdependent manner. On the basis of the immunological reactivity and kinetic behavior, the nuclear PI 3-kinase is analogous, if not identical, to PI 3-kinase alpha, and constitutes about 5% of the total PI 3-kinase in the cell. Moreover, we test the premise that nuclear PI 3-kinase may, in part, be regulated through the control of substrate availability by PtdIns(4,5)P2-binding proteins. Effect of CapG, a nuclear actin-regulatory protein, on PI 3-kinase activity is examined in view of its unique Ca2+-dependent PtdIns(4, 5)P2-binding capability. In vitro data show that the CapG-mediated inhibition of nuclear PI 3-kinase is prompted by PKC phosphorylation of CapG and elevated [Ca2+]. This CapG-dependent regulation provides a plausible link between nuclear PLC and PI 3-kinase pathways for cross-communications. Taken together, these findings provide definite data concerning the presence of an autonomous PI 3-kinase cycle in rat liver nuclei. The nuclear location of PI 3-kinase may lead to a better understanding regarding its functional role in transducing signals from the plasma membrane to the nucleus in response to diverse physiological stimuli.

Animals↗

Stress distribution in the mandible with unilateral condylar fracture.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of unilateral condylar neck fracture upon the stress distribution in the mandible and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to realize primarily the biomechanical mechanism of the temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) caused by TMJ injury. METHODS: The character of stress distribution in the mandible of a normal human and a patient with TMD induced by unilateral condylar neck fracture followed by malpositioned healing was analyzed quantitatively and compared during centric occlusion by combining spiral computed tomography scanning technology with the three-dimensional finite element method. RESULTS: The patient with unilateral condylar neck fracture followed by malpositioned healing had unbalanced stress distribution in the mandible, such as differing nature and value of stress. The stress in the fractured side was higher than in the nonfractured side, in which the condyle was more evident. The maximum principal stress and minimum principal stress of each region in the fractured mandible were much higher than those in a normal mandible. Stress quality also differed. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormal stress changes after unilateral condylar neck fracture with malpositioned healing may be related to the effect of condylar shape change on masticatory muscle function and occlusion. TMJ injury not only damaged the condylar structure, but also compromised its biomechanic environment. It is preliminarily thought that unbalanced stress distribution, evidently increased stress, and varied stress character are biomechanic mechanisms of TMD. Condylar dislocated fracture should be treated promptly and properly to maintain the proper prognostic stress distribution.

Adult↗

Zn2+ depresses GABAA receptor mediated responses in acutely dissociated sacral dorsal commissural neurons.

The effects of Zn2+ on GABAA-receptor mediated responses in acutely isolated rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN) were studied using nystatin-perforated whole cell recording techniques. The results demonstrated that (1) GABA induced inward currents through activation of GABAA-receptor at a holding potential of -40 mV; (2) GABAA-receptor mediated responses were suppressed by Zn2+ in a reversible and voltage-independent manner; and (3) in the presence of Zn2+, the concentration-response curve of GABA-induced responses was shifted to the right in a parallel manner. The results suggest that Zn2+ allosterically depresses GABAA-receptor mediated currents.

Animals↗

[Enhancement of taurine-activated whole-cell currents by serotonin in rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons].

Using nystatin-perforated whole-cell recording configuration, the modulatory effect of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) on taurine (Tau)-activated current (ITau) was investigated in neurons dissociated from the rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN). The results are as follows: (1) Tau acted on strychnine-sensitive glycine (Gly) receptors and elicited inward currents at a holding potential (VH) of -40 mV in SDCN neurons; (2)in a range of 0.01 to 100 mumol/L, 5-HT enhanced ITau in a concentration-dependent manner; (3) both the reversal potential of Tau and the binding affinity of Tau to Gly receptor were not affected by 5-HT; (4) when the neurons were loaded with 3 mumol/L chelerythrine, application of 1 mumol/L 5-HT failed to enhance ITau. The above results thus indicate that intracellular PKC pathway is at least partially involved in the enhancement of ITau by 5-HT. In accordance with our previous study, it is suggested that 5-HT may play an important antinociceptive function in SDCN through enhanced Gly and Tau inhibitory effects.

Animals↗

A comparative analysis of the phosphoinositide binding specificity of pleckstrin homology domains.

Pleckstrin homology (PH) and phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains are structurally related regulatory modules that are present in a variety of proteins involved in signal transduction, such as kinases, phospholipases, GTP exchange proteins, and adapter proteins. Initially these domains were shown to mediate protein-protein interactions, but more recently they were also found to bind phosphoinositides. Most studies to date have focused on binding of PH domains to phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)-4-P and PtdIns-4,5-P2 and have not considered the lipid products of phosphoinositide 3-kinase: PtdIns-3-P, PtdIns-3,4-P2, and PtdIns-3,4,5-P3. Here we have compared the phosphoinositide specificity of six different PH domains and the Shc PTB domain using all five phosphoinositides. We show that the Bruton's tyrosine kinase PH domain binds to PtdIns-3,4, 5-P3 with higher affinity than to PtdIns-4,5-P2, PtdIns-3,4-P2 or inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins-1,3,4,5-P4). This selectivity is decreased by the xid mutation (R28C). Selective binding of PtdIns-3,4,5-P3 over PtdIns-4,5-P2 or PtdIns-3,4-P2 was also observed for the amino-terminal PH domain of T lymphoma invasion and metastasis protein (Tiam-1), the PH domains of Son-of-sevenless (Sos) and, to a lesser extent, the PH domain of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase. The oxysterol binding protein and beta-spectrin PH domains bound PtdIns-3,4,5-P3 and PtdIns-4,5-P2 with similar affinities. PtdIns-3,4,5-P3 and PtdIns-4,5-P2 also bound to the PTB domain of Shc with similar affinities and lipid binding was competed with phosphotyrosine (Tyr(P)-containing peptides. These results indicate that distinct PH domains select for different phosphoinositides.

Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase↗

Membrane binding and enzymatic activation of a Dbl homology domain require the neighboring pleckstrin homology domain.

Dbl-homology (DH) domains are invariably located immediately N-terminal to a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. To understand the functional relationship between these two domains we expressed the DH domain alone, the PH domain alone, and the DH-PH combination of the invasion inducing protein Tiam-1 fused to glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or green fluorescent protein (GFP). We found that the GST-DH-PH and the GST-PH constructs bind to preparations of brain membranes and to the beta gamma subunits of trimeric G proteins in vitro, while the GST-DH and GST control do not. The GFP-DH-PH and GFP-PH constructs are localized to peripheral membranes of COS-7 cells in vivo, while GFP and GFP-DH domain constructs are found diffusely in the cytoplasm. The DH-PH domain combination activates Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) strongly, but the DH domain alone and the PH domain alone have little effect. We conclude that membrane localization and enzymatic activation of the DH domain require the adjacent PH domain.

Animals↗

Characterization of additional casein kinase I sites in the C-terminal "tail" region of chicken and rat neurofilament-M.

In previous studies we have identified Ser502, Ser528, and Ser534 as target sites in chicken neurofilament middle molecular mass protein (NF-M) for casein kinase I (CKI) in vitro and have shown that these sites are also phosphorylated in vivo. We now make use of a combination of molecular biological and protein chemical techniques to show that two additional in vivo phosphorylation sites in chicken NF-M, Ser464 and Ser471, can also be phosphorylated by CKI in vitro. These two sites are conserved in higher vertebrate NF-M molecules, and recombinant protein constructs containing the homologous rat NF-M peptides can be phosphorylated by CKI in vitro, suggesting that phosphorylation of these sites is conserved at least in higher vertebrates. The two new sites are adjacent to a conserved peptide sequence (VEEIIEET-V) found once in higher vertebrate NF-M molecules and twice in lamprey NF-180. Variants of this sequence are also found in neurofilament low and high molecular mass proteins (NF-L and NF-H) and alpha-internexin, and in mammalian NF-L are known to be associated with in vivo phosphorylation sites. We speculate that CKI phosphorylation in general, and these sites in particular, may be important in neurofilament function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Anabolic effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on osteoblasts are enhanced by vascular endothelial growth factor produced by osteoblasts and by growth factors produced by endothelial cells.

Human osteoblast-like cells (HOB) produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the steady state level of which is stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. As osteoblasts and endothelial cells are proximally located in skeletal tissue, we investigated the anabolic effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and VEGF on HOB cocultured with endothelial cells. When HOB with high alkaline phosphatase (Al-P) activity and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with little activity were cultured together, Al-P activity increased, accompanied by an increase in cell number. When HOB and HUVEC were cultured separately, 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not directly stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation into HUVEC, but stimulated it in the presence of HOB. VEGF did not directly stimulate the Al-P activity of HOB but stimulated it in the presence of HUVEC. The conditioned medium of HOB stimulated the proliferation of HUVEC, and this was partially blocked by anti-VEGF antibody. Conversely, the conditioned medium of HUVEC increased Al-P activity and [3H]thymidine incorporation into HOB, and this was partially blocked by antiinsulin-like growth factor I antibody and BQ-123, a specific antagonist of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor. 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated the release of VEGF and ET-1 from HOB and HUVEC, respectively. Furthermore, the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced release of VEGF was enhanced in HOB cocultured with HUVEC. A quantitative reverse transcription-PCR study revealed that genes for VEGF receptors (Flt-1 and KDR) were expressed in HUVEC, but not in HOB, and that 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased the levels of expression of VEGF receptor genes in endothelial cells only when cocultured with HOB. In summary, we demonstrated that 1,25-(OH)2D3 exerts an anabolic effect on osteoblasts by enhancing their production of VEGF, which stimulates its receptors on endothelial cells, followed by increased production of osteotropic growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor I and ET-1. These in vitro findings suggest that the VEGF/VEGF receptor system may be involved in both bone formation and bone remodeling in vivo.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

The pleckstrin homology domain of human beta I sigma II spectrin is targeted to the plasma membrane in vivo.

We have examined the in vivo targeting potential of the Pleckstrin Homology (PH) domain from human beta I sigma II spectrin using a novel Aequoria victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion vector constructed from a human codon optimized cDNA. This vector efficiently expresses both GFP and the GFP spectrin fusion protein in COS7 and other cell lines. GFP expressed alone shows only diffuse cytoplasmic staining which is not associated with the plasma membrane. In contrast the GFP-beta I sigma II spectrin PH domain fusion protein localizes under the plasma membrane of transfected COS7 cells in vivo. Fixation of cells transfected with GFP alone in -20 degrees C methanol results in the removal of all specific fluorescence. In contrast cells transfected with the GFP-beta I sigma II spectrin construct and fixed -20 degrees C methanol continue to show strong membrane fluorescence, consistent with a role for the spectrin PH domain in membrane localization in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗