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Biomedical subjects

D W Ray

Publications and source records attributed to D W Ray.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A common pro-opiomelanocortin-binding element mediates leukemia inhibitory factor and corticotropin-releasing hormone transcriptional synergy.

Using murine AtT20 pituitary cells transfected with a rat pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter (-706/+64) linked to the luciferase reporter, we showed leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to strongly potentiate corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) induction of POMC gene expression. We therefore tested mechanisms for molecular interactions between LIF and CRH. Although LIF and CRH synergized to induce an 8-fold induction of POMC transcription, CRH alone (but not LIF) induced cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation (5-fold) or an increase of c-fos mRNA levels (>100-fold), suggesting that these pathways are not implicated in LIF transcriptional synergistic effects. Using a DNase I footprint assay, POMC promoter regions protected by AtT20 cell nuclear extracts were identified (-121/-109, and -143/-134, and -173/-160). The protected -173/-160 element fused to a heterologous promoter conferred LIF-CRH synergy (6.5-fold induction of POMC) and formed a specific complex with AtT20 cell nuclear extracts. This complex was supershifted by an anti-phosphoserine antibody, and a serine/threonine kinase inhibitor also altered both this complex and LIF-CRH transcriptional synergy on the POMC promoter-luciferase reporter construct, indicating that these events depend on post-translational serine phosphorylations. LIF-CRH synergy on POMC transcription is therefore mediated at least in part by -173/-160 sequences conferring confluent transcriptional activity of both peptides.

Animals↗

Leukemia inhibitory factor induces differentiation of pituitary corticotroph function: an immuno-neuroendocrine phenotypic switch.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) promotes differentiated cell function in several systems. We recently reported LIF and LIF receptor expression in human fetal pituitary corticotrophs in vivo and demonstrated LIF stimulation of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) transcription in vitro, suggesting a role for LIF in corticotroph development. We therefore assessed the action of LIF on proliferating murine corticotroph cells (AtT20). LIF impairs proliferation of AtT20 cells (25% reduction versus control, P < 0.03), while simultaneously enhancing ACTH secretion (2-fold, P < 0.001) and augmenting ACTH responsiveness to corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) action (4-fold, P < 0.001). This attenuation of cell growth is due to a block of cell cycle progression from G1 into S phase, as measured by flow cytometric analysis (24 +/- 0.8 versus 11.57 +/- 1.5, P < 0.001). Using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays, loss of cells in S phase was confirmed (25 +/- 0.08 to 9.4 +/- 1.4, P < 0.008). In contrast, CRH induced the G2/M phase (3.6 +/- 0.2 to 15.4 +/- 3, P < 0.001). This effect was blunted by LIF (P < 0.001 versus CRH alone). Cyclin A mRNA levels, which decline in S phase, were stimulated 3.5-fold by LIF and markedly suppressed by CRH. These results indicate a LIF-induced cell cycle block occurring at G1/S in corticotroph cells. Thus, LIF reduces proliferation, enhances ACTH secretion, and potentiates effects of CRH on ACTH secretion while blocking effects of CRH on the cell cycle. Responses of these three markers of differentiated corticotroph function indicate LIF to be a differentiation factor for pituitary corticotroph cells by preferential phenotypic switching from proliferative to synthetic.

Animals↗

Glucocorticoid receptor structure and function in glucocorticoid-resistant small cell lung carcinoma cells.

Human small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs) frequently express the adrenocorticotrophin precursor gene proopiomelanocortin. Glucocorticoids usually fail to inhibit this ectopic adrenocorticotrophin production, in contrast to their effects in the pituitary. We have shown three human SCLC cell lines to be globally resistant to glucocorticoid action; in two of these lines this occurs despite the presence of glucocorticoid receptors (GR+). Accordingly, we have cloned and sequenced the GR coding region from one of these two GR+, SCLC cell lines, COR L24, and identified compound heterozygous mutations. One allele had a single nucleotide substitution of A to G in the NH2-terminal domain, which altered Asp to Ser at amino acid 363. The other allele contained a trinucleotide insertion at the 5' boundary of exon 4, which introduced an additional amino acid, Arg453, between the two zinc fingers of the DNA binding domain. In cotransfection studies using the glucocorticoid responsive mouse mammary tumor virus-luciferase Ser363 did not alter receptor function. In contrast, Arg453 encoded a GR with 48% Vmax activity compared to wild-type receptor (P < 0.001), with an unchanged EC50. Thus, GR mutations may contribute to the glucocorticoid-resistant phenotype of GR+ COR L24 cells, which could confer survival advantage to this highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) stimulates proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression in a corticotroph cell line. Role of STAT pathway.

We recently described the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in human fetal and murine corticotrophs. LIF and the related cytokine oncostatin M induced basal, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) induced proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and ACTH secretion in AtT20 cells. LIF signaling and regulation of POMC gene transcription were therefore tested. Dexamethasone inhibited both basal- and LIF-induced ACTH secretion (P<0.05) and LIF induction of ACTH was also attenuated by immuneutralization of either the LIF receptor (35%, P<0.05) or the gp130 affinity converter (41%, P<0.05). These antisera also attenuated basal ACTH secretion in the absence of added ligand (P<0.05). To examine intrapituitary LIF signaling, phosphorylation of post-receptor substrates was measured. 1 nM LIF rapidly induced tyrosyl phosphorylation of STAT 1 and STAT 3 proteins, as well as tyrosyl phosphorylation of a 115-kD protein, coimmunoprecipitated with STAT 1. The transfected rat POMC promoter -706/+64, fused to the luciferase reporter gene, was induced by LIF, which exerted strong (18-fold) synergy with CRH. Deletion of the major CRH responsive region in POMC (-323/-166) abolished CRH induction of transcription and severely limited LIF synergy. Although 8 bromo cAMP or forskolin modestly enhanced POMC transcription (2.8-fold), LIF markedly potentiated (7.4-fold) these cAMP activators. These results demonstrate that corticotroph LIF action is receptor mediated and involves activation of STAT signaling pathways. LIF potently synergizes with both CRH and cAMP induction of POMC transcription. This novel intrapituitary signaling mechanism may mediate a neuroimmune pituitary interface.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Impaired processing of proopiomelanocortin in corticotroph macroadenomas.

The regulation and secretion of the ACTH precursors POMC and pro-ACTH were assessed directly using a 2-site immunoradiometric assay in six patients with pituitary macroadenomas (> or = 1.2 cm in diameter) and 27 patients with Cushing's disease due to a microadenoma. ACTH precursor levels were elevated in patients with macroadenomas (150-3690 pmol/L; normal range, < 5-40 pmol/L) and significantly higher than those in microadenoma patients (median, 29 pmol/L; range, 9-104 pmol/L; P < 0.001). Patients with macroadenomas also had increased ACTH precursor/ACTH ratios (15-181:1) compared with microadenoma patients (median, 5:1, range, 0.7-18.5:1; P < 0.001). ACTH precursors were unresponsive to high dose dexamethasone in patients with macroadenomas, whereas ACTH and cortisol responses varied. After CRH administration, ACTH precursors were unchanged, whereas cortisol increased significantly, suggesting the release of biologically active ACTH. This study clearly demonstrates reduced processing of POMC to ACTH in large pituitary tumors, a characteristic usually associated with tumors causing the ectopic ACTH syndrome, and provides evidence for differential regulation of ACTH precursors and ACTH by glucocorticoid and CRH. Variation in the clinical symptoms of patients with corticotroph macroadenomas may be attributable to differences in biological potency between the ACTH precursors and ACTH.

Adenoma↗

Participatory action research for community health promotion.

Community participation is an important feature of community health promotion. One form is participatory action research. This article describes the process and outcomes of participatory action research conducted by a Healthy City in rural Indiana and public health nurse faculty. The community was integrally involved in the entire process, including framing of research questions, construction and distribution of survey tools, analysis of findings, and taking action on the results. Combining local insights of the community with technical assistance from public health nursing yielded multiple benefits. The role of participatory action research is appropriate for public health nurses because it is consistent with the goals and characteristics of the profession.

Community Health Nursing↗

Hypertonicity, but not hypothermia, elicits substance P release from rat C-fiber neurons in primary culture.

Isocapnic dry gas hyperventilation provokes hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs by releasing tachykinins from airway sensory C-fiber neurons. It is unknown whether dry gas hyperpnea directly stimulates C-fibers to release tachykinins, or whether this physical stimulus initiates a mediator cascade that indirectly stimulates C-fiber tachykinin release. We tested the hypotheses that mucosal hypothermia and/or hyperosmolarity--physical consequences of airway heat and water loss imposed by dry gas hyperpnea--can directly stimulate C-fiber tachykinin release. Neurons isolated from neonatal rat dorsal root ganglia were maintained in primary culture for 1 wk. Cells were then exposed for 30 min at 37 degrees C to graded concentrations of NaCl, mannitol, sucrose, or glycerol (0-600 mOsm) added to isotonic medium, or to isotonic medium at 25 degrees C without or with 462 mOsm mannitol added. Fractional release of substance P (SP) was calculated from supernatant and intracellular SP contents following exposure. Hyperosmolar solutions containing excess NaCl, mannitol, or sucrose all increased fractional SP release equivalently, in an osmolarity-dependent fashion. In marked contrast, hypothermia had no effect on fractional SP release under isotonic or hypertonic conditions. Thus, hyperosmolarity, but not hypothermia, can directly stimulate tachykinin release from cultured rat sensory C-fibers. The lack of effect of glycerol, a solute which quickly crosses cell membranes, suggests that neuronal volume change represents the physical stimulus transduced by C-fibers during hyperosmolar exposure.

Animals↗

Elevated levels of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) precursors in post-adrenalectomy Cushing's disease and their regulation by glucocorticoids.

The ACTH precursor pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) undergoes specific endoproteolytic cleavages in the anterior pituitary gland to give ACTH-(1-39). ACTH precursors circulate in normal subjects and are high both in the ectopic ACTH syndrome and in patients with aggressive pituitary adenomas. This study examines plasma levels of ACTH precursors and ACTH in 24 patients with post-adrenalectomy Cushing's disease, in 10 of whom computed tomography showed evidence of tumor progression. ACTH precursors were higher in post-adrenalectomy Cushing's disease (median 97.5 pmol/L, range 26-647 pmol/L) than in untreated Cushing's disease (median 29 pmol/L, range 9-104 pmol/L) and normal controls (5-40 pmol/L) (P < 0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with larger tumors (median 175 pmol/L, range 52-647 pmol/L) than in the remainder (median 41 pmol/L, range 26-510 pmol/L) (P = 0.02). Surprisingly, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) processing to ACTH was enhanced in post-adrenalectomy patients (ratio 1 +/- 0.5) compared with Cushing's disease (5.6 +/- 0.8) and normal subjects (5.3 +/- 0.9). After hydrocortisone ACTH precursors rose in 36% of post-adrenalectomy patients (increase 15-78%) and remained within 10% of basal levels in 46%. Six patients had a rise in precursors and a fall in ACTH suggesting differential regulation of these peptides. In conclusion, whereas ACTH precursors are high in post-adrenalectomy Cushing's disease and higher levels correlate with tumor progression, processing of precursors to ACTH is enhanced.

Adolescent↗

Ontogeny of dry gas hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.

Adolescent guinea pigs (AGPs) demonstrate dry gas hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) that shares key features with HIB in humans with asthma. The airways of immature animals exhibit enhanced reactivity to diverse types of stimulation. We tested whether dry gas HIB is also increased in newborn guinea pigs (NGPs). We quantified HIB as the fractional increase of respiratory system resistance (Rrs) over baseline (BL) in five 4- to 7-day-old NGPs after 10 min of hyperpnea, as well as changes in Rrs elicited by intravenous methacholine or capsaicin, and compared these responses with those of AGPs. During hyperpnea, analogous stimuli were delivered by mechanically imposing hyperpnea at 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 times quiet eucapnic minute ventilation (VE). In AGPs, hyperpnea caused significant bronchoconstriction that increased with VE; peak fractional increase of Rrs was 7.6 +/- 2.0 times BL. In contrast, hyperpnea caused insignificant bronchoconstriction in NGPs (1.4 +/- 0.2 times BL after the largest VE; P < 0.05 vs. AGP). Responses elicited by methacholine (10(-10)-10(-7) mol/kg) or capsaicin (0.01-10.0 microgram/kg) were similar in NGPs and AGPs. In AGPs, hyperpnea suppressed HIB until posthyperpnea. To determine whether the reduced HIB of NGPs was caused by enhanced suppression, NGPs and AGPs were administered acetylcholine (10(-10)-10(-7) mol/kg i.v.) during BL eucapnic ventilation and during eucapnic hyperpnea with warm humidified gas. Responses to acetylcholine were suppressed in AGPs and NGPs to a similar degree. We conclude that HIB is markedly diminished shortly after birth in guinea pigs and that it increases substantially during maturation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

Human small cell lung cancer cell lines expressing the proopiomelanocortin gene have aberrant glucocorticoid receptor function.

Some human small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) secrete proopiomelanocortin (POMC) derived peptides, but in contrast to the pituitary, glucocorticoids fail to inhibit this hormone production. We have previously described an in vitro model using human SCLC cell lines that express POMC and are resistant to glucocorticoids. We have now identified the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the SCLC cell line COR L24 using a whole cell ligand binding assay (Kd = 5.7 nM; Bmax = 11 fmol/million cells), while another cell line, DMS 79, lacked significant glucocorticoid binding. To analyze GR function both positive (GMCO) and negative (TRE)3-tkCAT), glucocorticoid-regulated reporter gene constructs were transfected into COR L24 cells. In the SCLC cell line, neither hydrocortisone nor dexamethasone (500-2,000 nM) significantly induced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression from GMCO; in addition, they did not suppress chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression from (TRE)3-tkCAT. Similar results were obtained with two other POMC-expressing SCLC cell lines. Expression of wild type GR in COR L24 cells restored glucocorticoid signaling, with marked induction of GMCO reporter gene expression by dexamethasone (9,100 +/- 910%; n = 3), and an estimated EC50 of 10 nM. This failure of the GR explains the resistance of the POMC gene to glucocorticoid inhibition and may have implications for cell growth in SCLC.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

Empowering communities: action research through healthy cities.

The Healthy Cities process uses action research to empower communities to take action for health. Five concepts that link community empowerment and action research are: focus on community, citizen participation, information and problem solving, sharing of power, and quality of life. Two city examples from Healthy Cities Indiana, a pilot program of CITYNET Healthy Cities, provide illustrations of these concepts. The dynamics of community participation in action research and the successes and barriers to community participation are presented. Outcomes that empowered the community are suggested: the extent to which Healthy City projects are initiated, their progress monitored, continued action in health supported, resources obtained, and policies promoted that contribute equity in health.

Community Participation↗

Transverse myelitis as the presentation of Jo-1 antibody syndrome (myositis and fibrosing alveolitis) in long-standing ulcerative colitis.

A 32-yr-old woman with long-standing ulcerative colitis developed paraesthesiae, sensory loss and muscle weakness shown by magnetic resonance scan to be due to transverse myelitis in the cervical spinal cord. More than 12 months later, she developed dermatomyositis and fibrosing alveolitis and was found to have the Jo-1 antibody. Her condition worsened despite high dose oral prednisolone but improved following intravenous methylprednisolone, immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange. This is the first reported case of a neurological presentation of the Jo-1 antibody syndrome. We speculate that the association with ulcerative colitis may have been causal rather than coincidental and suggest that plasma exchange should be considered together with aggressive immunosuppression in seriously ill patients with this disease.

Adult↗

Role of eicosanoids in hyperpnea-induced airway responses in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs mechanically hyperventilated with dry gas exhibit hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) and hyperpnea-induced bronchovascular hyperpermeability (HIBVH). Tachykinins released from airway C-fiber neurons are the central mediators of guinea pig HIB but play only a contributory role in HIBVH. Recent studies suggest that eicosanoid mediators can provoke bronchoconstriction and bronchovascular hyperpermeability, are released by dry gas hyperpnea, and can themselves elicit or modulate tachykinin release. We therefore hypothesized that eicosanoids may participate in HIB and/or HIBVH. To test these hypotheses, we analyzed respiratory system resistance changes and Evans blue-labeled albumin extravasation into the airways of 60 tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated guinea pigs. Animals were subjected to 10 min of isocapnic dry gas hyperpnea or to quiet breathing of humidified gas and received as pretreatment either piroxicam, a cyclooxygenase (CO) inhibitor; A-63162, a 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor; BW-755c, a combined CO and 5-LO inhibitor; ICI-198,615, a leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist; or no drug. HIB was substantially (50-80%) reduced by each of the four eicosanoid-modulating drugs. In contrast, HIBVH was reduced only by BW-755c, and this effect occurred only within the extrapulmonary airways (42% reduction). These data indicate that both CO and 5-LO products, including leukotriene D4, participate in the pathogenesis of HIB but that, like tachykinins, they play only a small contributory role in HIBVH. Together with our previous demonstration that sensory neuropeptide release is critical for the occurrence of HIB, we conclude that the roles of eicosanoids and tachykinins in guinea pig HIB are interdependent.

Animals↗

Impaired sensorineural function after allergen-induced mediator release.

We tested the hypothesis that allergen-induced mediator release augments the magnitude of isocapnic dry gas hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction in sensitized guinea pigs. Male Hartley guinea pigs were sensitized by spontaneous inhalation of ovalbumin (OA) aerosol on days 0 and 7 of the study. On day 14, sensitized animals again breathed OA aerosol and were prospectively divided into a group that exhibited labored breathing (LB), presumably reflecting OA-induced inflammatory mediator release, and a group that did not exhibit LB at this time. Control guinea pigs breathed saline aerosol on days 0, 7, and 14. Bronchoalveolar lavage on day 17 disclosed relative eosinophilia in OA+LB, but not in OA-LB, animals. On day 17, the bronchoconstrictor responses to increasing intravenous (i.v.) doses of acetylcholine (ACh), substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), and capsaicin, as well as dry gas hyperpnea, were measured in vivo in animals from each group. Control and OA-LB guinea pigs exhibited similar responses, but OA+LB animals demonstrated augmented bronchoconstriction induced by i.v. administration of ACh, SP, or NKA. However, despite their augmented responsiveness to these exogenous constrictor agonists, OA+LB animals displayed no greater bronchoconstriction after dry gas hyperpnea or i.v. capsaicin administration. It is known that both dry gas hyperpnea and i.v. capsaicin cause bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs by releasing endogenous tachykinins from airway sensory C-fibers. Thus, our results suggest that allergen-induced mediator release impairs endogenous tachykinin release from airway sensory C-fibers in guinea pigs.

Acetylcholine↗

Hyperoxia-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in immature rats.

We exposed 21-day-old rats to either normoxia or hyperoxia (greater than 95% O2) for 8 days and assessed in vivo airway responsiveness to aerosolized and intravenous methacholine (MCh) and airway architecture. Airway responsiveness was determined using a plethysmographic method. Hyperoxia increased airway cholinergic responsiveness, as reflected in a decreased mean ED200 (concentration of MCh required to increase respiratory system resistance by 100%) for both aerosolized MCh [air exposed, 5.94 +/- 2.50 vs. O2 exposed, 0.29 +/- 3.34 (SD) mg/ml, P = 0.0013, unpaired t test] and intravenous MCh (air, 1.40 x 10(-8) vs. O2, 2.45 x 10(-10) mol/kg, P = 0.0002). Airway morphometry was studied in a separate cohort of animals. After fixation by distension with Formalin at 25 cmH2O pressure, each airway cross section was photographed, and airway circumference, epithelial area, and smooth muscle layer area were determined by means of contour tracing using a digitizing pad and microcomputer. For the small airways (circumference less than 1,000 microns), hyperoxia increased both mean epithelial thickness (air, 4.88 +/- 0.53; O2, 8.64 +/- 0.90 microns) and mean smooth muscle layer thickness (air, 2.69 +/- 0.11; O2, 4.79 +/- 0.56 microns; P less than 0.0001 for each). O2 had similar effects on the larger (1,000-3,000 microns) central airways (P less than 0.0001 for both layers). We conclude that chronic hyperoxic exposure induces both airway hyperresponsiveness and airway wall thickening in immature rats.

Aerosols↗

Endogenous sensory neuropeptide release enhances nonspecific airway responsiveness in guinea pigs.

To test whether endogenous sensory neuropeptide release results in airway hyperresponsiveness to exogenous bronchoconstrictor stimuli, male Camm-Hartley guinea pigs were exposed either to capsaicin aerosol for 10 min (CAP-AER) or to saline aerosol (SAL-AER) as a control condition. The following day, animals were anesthetized, tracheostomized, and beta-adrenergically blocked with propranolol, and their bronchoconstrictor responses to intravenously administered acetylcholine (ACh), neurokinin A (NKA), or capsaicin were measured. The bronchoconstriction induced by isocapnic dry gas hyperpnea also was assessed. Compared with the SAL-AER control group, the CAP-AER-treated animals exhibited augmented bronchoconstrictor responses to ACh and NKA. In contrast, the SAL-AER and CAP-AER groups had equivalent bronchoconstrictor responses to dry gas hyperpnea and to intravenously administered capsaicin. CAP-AER treatment caused neutrophilic airway inflammation, as reflected in increased numbers of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from CAP-AER-treated animals. Ablation of airway c-fiber neuron function (by chronic pretreatment with capsaicin prior to capsaicin aerosol inhalation) eliminated the ACh hyperresponsiveness observed in the CAP-AER-treated animals, demonstrating that sensory nerve products play a key role in the development of this nonspecific hyperresponsiveness. Our results demonstrate that sensory nerve stimulation with capsaicin aerosol leads to nonspecific bronchoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness and cellular airway inflammation, and thus disclose another potentially important role of sensory nerves in regulating airway function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

Role of tachykinins in hyperpnea-induced bronchovascular hyperpermeability in guinea pigs.

Isocapnic dry gas hyperpnea causes bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs that is mediated by release of tachykinins from airway sensory nerves. Exogenous neuropeptides can induce microvascular leak. Therefore we tested whether dry gas hyperpnea also elicits bronchovascular hyperpermeability by measuring Evans blue-labeled albumin extravasation along the airways of mechanically ventilated guinea pigs. We found that 1) room temperature dry gas hyperpnea increased Evans blue extravasation in extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary airways as a specific consequence of local airway heat/water losses, 2) capsaicin pretreatment ablated the bronchoconstrictor response to dry gas hyperpnea and reduced bronchovascular leak only in intrapulmonary airways, 3) phosphoramidon given to capsaicin-pretreated animals partially restored dry gas hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction and increased the vascular hyperpermeability response to hyperpnea in intrapulmonary airways, and 4) propranolol administration had no important effects on any of these airway responses. We conclude that dry gas hyperpnea causes bronchovascular hyperpermeability in guinea pigs. Tachykinins have a dominant role in this response in the intrapulmonary airways, although another mechanism may also contribute to the microvascular leak in the extrapulmonary airways.

Animals↗