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Biomedical subjects

E Persson

Publications and source records attributed to E Persson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The sow endometrium at different stages of the oestrous cycle: immunohistochemical study on the distribution of SWC3-expressing cells (granulocytes, monocytes and macrophages).

Uterine samples from sows taken immediately after slaughter at late di-oestrus, pro-oestrus, oestrus, early di-oestrus and di-ocstrus, were analysed by immunohistochemistry with an avidinbiotin-peroxidase method using a monoclonal antibody (anti-SWC3) to granulocyte, monocyte and macrophage populations. The endometrium was then examined by light microscopy. In the surface and glandular epithelium, the largest numbers of SWC3-expressing cells (P < or = 0.01 and P < or = 0.05) were found at oestrus, and at pro-oestrus and oestrus, respectively. The numbers of SWC3-expressing cells in the epithelium were positively correlated with the plasma levels of oestradiol-17beta. In the connective tissue of the subepithelial and glandular layers, no significant effect of the oestrous Cycle stage was found on the number of SWC3-expressing cells. The present study showed a variation in the distribution of SWC3-expressing cells in the sow endometrium, especially in the surface and glandular epithelium, during different stages of the oestrous cycle.

Animals↗

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa): characterization, manufacturing, and clinical development.

Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) (NovoSeven) was developed for treatment of bleeding in hemophilia patients with inhibitors (antibodies) against factors VIII or IX. rFVIIa initiates the coagulation cascade by binding to tissue factor at the site of injury and causes the formation of sufficient amounts of thrombin to trigger coagulation. Patients with a variety of other coagulation deficiencies than hemophilia characterized by an impaired thrombin generation and life-threatening bleeding have been reported as successfully treated with rFVIIa. Data are now entered into clinical registries established to further monitor this experimental treatment with NovoSeven. rFVIIa is produced free of any added human protein. The amino acid sequence of rFVIIa is identical to plasma-derived FVIIa (pdFVIIa). Posttranslational modifications (i.e., gamma-carboxylations, N- and O-glycosylations) are qualitatively identical in pdFVIIa and rFVIIa although some quantitative differences exist. The activities of rFVIIa and pdFVIIa are indistinguishable. Manufacturing of rFVIIa involves expression in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells followed by purification, including three ion-exchange and one immunoaffinity chromatography steps. The last anion-exchange chromatography step ensures completion of the autoactivation of recombinant factor VII (rFVII) to rFVIIa. This review describes the mechanism of action, characterization, manufacturing, and preclinical and current clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa.

Animals↗

Observation of resonance trapping in an open microwave cavity

The coupling of a quantum mechanical system to open decay channels has been theoretically studied in numerous works, mainly in the context of nuclear physics but also in atomic, molecular, and mesoscopic physics. Theory predicts that with increasing coupling strength to the channels the resonance widths of all states should first increase but finally decrease again for most of the states. In this Letter, the first direct experimental verification of this effect, known as resonance trapping, is presented. In the experiment a microwave Sinai cavity with an attached waveguide with variable slit width was used.

Journal Article↗

Inhibitors of the tissue factor/factor VIIa-induced coagulation: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel specific 2-aryl substituted 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones.

The synthesis of a series of novel 2-aryl substituted 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones and their evaluation as specific inhibitors of the Tissue Factor (TF)/Factor VIIa (FVIIa)-induced pathway of coagulation is reported. Inhibitory activities (IC50 values) in the range 0.17 to > 40 microM on the activation of Factor X (FX) by the TF/FVIIa complex were found for compounds having one or two electronegative substituents such as F, Cl and NO2 in the 2-aryl substituent. Different substitutions both electron-attracting and donating groups were allowed in the 5, 6, 7 and 8 positions. Several of the compounds showed a selectivity ratio towards FX and thrombin of > 50, thus being the first small molecules described as potential drugs for oral antithrombotic treatment without side effects such as bleeding which is observed especially with thrombin inhibitors. The best substituent pattern being the 2-aryl group substituted with: 2-F; 2,6-F2; or 2-FX; 6-Cl; together with electronegative substitution in the 5, 6, 7, or 8 positions. 2-Heteroaryl substituents like thienyl and furanyl were of low activity while some 2-(2-chloro-3-pyridyl) derivatives had inhibitory activity < 10 microM and a good selectivity.

Animals↗

Inhibitors of the tissue factor/factor VIIa-induced coagulation: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel 2-aryl substituted pyrid.

The synthesis of a series of 2-aryl substituted hetero annulated 1,3-oxazin-4-ones and their evaluation as specific inhibitors of the tissue factor (TF)/factor VIIa (FVIIa)-induced pathway of coagulation is reported. Inhibitory activities (IC50 values) in the range 0.64 to > 40 microM on the activation of factor X (FX) by the TF/FVIIa complex were found for compounds having one or two electronegative substituents such as F and NO2 in the 2-aryl substituent. Some of the compounds showed a selectivity ratio towards FX and thrombin of > 50, thus being similar in specificity to 2-aryl substituted 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones described as potential drugs for oral antithrombotic treatment without side effects, such as bleeding, which is observed especially with thrombin inhibitors.

Anticoagulants↗

Anaesthesia, recovery and postoperative nausea and vomiting after breast surgery. A comparison between desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Whereas induction and recovery will occur more rapidly with the new low soluble anaesthetics than with isoflurane, the quality of anaesthesia and recovery with special emphasis on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is not well known. METHODS: In an open (peroperatively), double-blinded (postoperatively), randomised controlled study, we assessed anaesthesia characteristics, recovery and 24 h PONV after breast surgery comparing isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane. RESULTS: There were no significant quality differences between the three agents during anaesthesia and recovery except for the incidence of PONV in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). The PONV rate (24 h in PACU and ward) was higher in the desflurane group (67%) than in the isoflurane group (22%), (P<0.01). The corresponding PONV rate for sevoflurane was 36%. CONCLUSION: The quality of anaesthesia, time to opening of eyes and influence on respiration was similar with all three anaesthetics. As the emergence from anaesthesia did not differ significantly between the three agents, the choice of agent could be based on PONV rate and price. Desflurane had a significantly higher 24 h PONV rate than isoflurane. Early PACU PONV rate was significantly (P<0.05) lower for the more soluble isoflurane (4%) than for the low soluble gases, desflurane and sevoflurane together (28%). The result of this study does not give a rationale for a transition to the new low soluble agents in breast cancer surgery.

Anesthesia Recovery Period↗

Spectroscopic probing of the influence of calcium and the gla domain on the interaction between the first EGF domain in factor VIIa and tissue factor.

The binding of factor VIIa (FVIIa) to tissue factor (TF) initiates blood coagulation. The binary complex is dependent on Ca2+ binding to several sites in FVIIa and is maintained by multiple contacts distributed throughout the various domains. Although the contributions from various residues and domains, including the Ca2+ coordination, to the global binding energy have been characterized, their importance for specific local interactions is virtually unknown. To address this aspect, we have attached four spectroscopic probes to an engineered Cys residue replacing Phe140 in soluble TF (sTF). This allows the monitoring of local changes in hydrophobicity and rigidity upon complex formation at the interface between the first epidermal growth factor-like (EGF1) domain of FVIIa and sTF. The fluorescent labels used sense a more hydrophobic environment and the spin labels are dramatically immobilized when FVIIa binds sTF. The results obtained with a 4-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-domainless derivative of FVIIa indicate that the Gla domain has no or minimal influence on the interaction between EGF1 and sTF. However, there is a difference in local Ca2+ dependence between Gla-domainless and full-length FVIIa.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Structure of human coagulation activated factor VII.

Activated factor VII (FVIIa) is a trypsin-like serine protease that plays a key role in the initiation of the blood coagulation cascade. FVIIa, which comprises a light chain (152 residues) and a heavy chain (254 residues) linked by a disulphide bond, is generated by the cleavage of the Arg152-Ile153 peptide bond in factor (F)VII. While a corresponding internal peptide bond cleavage unleashes the activity of other trypsin-like enzymes, FVIIa is unusual in that it remains in a zymogen-like state after cleavage and only becomes an efficient catalyst when associated with tissue factor, its protein cofactor and allosteric regulator. We have determined the structure of free FVIIa lacking the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain as a means to elucidate the molecular reasons for its poor activity when not bound to tissue factor and the conformational changes induced by its association with tissue factor.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Collective modes in an open microwave billiard

Numerical calculations for a microwave Sinai billiard coupled strongly to a lead are performed as a function of the coupling strength between billiard and lead. They prove the formation of different time scales in an open quantum system at large coupling strength. The short-lived collective states are formed together with many long-lived trapped states.

Journal Article↗

Spectroscopic studies in open quantum systems

The Hamiltonian H of an open quantum system is non-Hermitian. Its complex eigenvalues E(R) are the poles of the S matrix and provide both the energies and widths of the states. We illustrate the interplay between Re(H) and Im(H) by means of the different interference phenomena between two neighboring resonance states. Level repulsion may occur along the real or imaginary axis (the latter is called resonance trapping). In any case, the eigenvalues of the two states avoid crossing in the complex plane. We then calculate the poles of the S matrix and the corresponding wave functions for a rectangular microwave resonator with a scatter as a function of the area of the resonator as well as of the degree of opening to a waveguide. The calculations are performed by using the method of exterior complex scaling. Re(H) and Im(H) cause changes in the structure of the wave functions which are permanent, as a rule. The resonance picture obtained from the microwave resonator shows all the characteristic features known from the study of many-body systems in spite of the absence of two-body forces. The effects arising from the interplay between resonance trapping and level repulsion along the real axis are not involved in the statistical theory (random matrix theory).

Journal Article↗

Binding of Zn2+ to a Ca2+ loop allosterically attenuates the activity of factor VIIa and reduces its affinity for tissue factor.

The protease domain of coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa) is homologous to trypsin with a similar active site architecture. The catalytic function of FVIIa is regulated by allosteric modulations induced by binding of divalent metal ions and the cofactor tissue factor (TF). To further elucidate the mechanisms behind these transformations, the effects of Zn2+ binding to FVIIa in the free form and in complex with TF were investigated. Equilibrium dialysis suggested that two Zn2+ bind with high affinity to FVIIa outside the N-terminal gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain. Binding of Zn2+ to FVIIa, which was influenced by the presence of Ca2+, resulted in decreased amidolytic activity and slightly reduced affinity for TF. After binding to TF, FVIIa was less susceptible to zinc inhibition. Alanine substitutions for either of two histidine residues unique for FVIIa, His216, and His257, produced FVIIa variants with decreased sensitivity to Zn2+ inhibition. A search for putative Zn2+ binding sites in the crystal structure of the FVIIa protease domain was performed by Grid calculations. We identified a pair of Zn2+ binding sites in the Glu210-Glu220 Ca2+ binding loop adjacent to the so-called activation domain canonical to serine proteases. Based on our results, we propose a model that describes the conformational changes underlying the Zn2+-mediated allosteric down-regulation of FVIIa's activity.

Alanine↗

Structure of human factor VIIa and its implications for the triggering of blood coagulation.

Factor VIIa (EC 3.4.21.21) is a trypsin-like serine protease that plays a key role in the blood coagulation cascade. On injury, factor VIIa forms a complex with its allosteric regulator, tissue factor, and initiates blood clotting. Although the structure of the binary complex has already been determined [Banner, D. W., D'Arcy, A., Chène, C., Winkler, F. K., Guha, A., Konigsberg, W. H., Nemerson, Y. & Kirchhofer, D. (1996) Nature (London) 380, 41-46], the conformational effects of cofactor binding to factor VIIa are not known in detail because of a lack of structural information on free factor VIIa. Here we report the structure of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-domainless human coagulation factor VIIa at a resolution of 2.8 A. The molecule adopts an extended conformation within the crystal similar to that previously observed for the full-length protein in complex with tissue factor. Detailed comparison of free and tissue factor-bound factor VIIa reveals several structural differences. The binding mode of the active-site inhibitor D-Phe-Phe-Arg methyl ketone differs in the two structures, suggesting a role for the cofactor in substrate recognition. More importantly, a surface-exposed alpha-helix in the protease domain (residues 307-312), which is located at the cofactor recognition site, is distorted in the free form of factor VIIa. This subtle structural difference sheds light on the mechanism of the dramatic tissue factor-induced enhancement of factor VIIa activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oxidation of methionine residues in coagulation factor VIIa.

The oxidation of the activated form of recombinant coagulation factor VII (FVIIa) by hydrogen peroxide has been studied. The three predominant oxidation products observed at pH 7.5 have been characterized as methionine sulfoxide derivatives of the parent protein involving two of the four methionine residues of the protein, Met298 and Met306. We conclude that oxidation of FVIIa with hydrogen peroxide only affects methionine residues and selectively oxidizes those which are readily accessible to the solvent. The oxidation process has been studied in the pH range 3.5-9.5. The total rate of oxidation of FVIIa as well as the formation of the three oxidation products is consistent over the pH interval 7.5-9.5. However, under acidic conditions, significant variations have been observed indicating a conformational change of FVIIa. Oxidized FVIIa had the same amidolytic activity as the native protein. The binding to soluble tissue factor (TF) was weaker after oxidation as manifested by a threefold increase in dissociation constant and the amidolytic activity in complex with soluble TF was 80% compared to that of native FVIIa. In complex with lipid surface TF, the rate of factor X activation catalyzed by oxidized FVIIa was also reduced by approximately 20% compared to that of native FVIIa. However, native and oxidized FVIIa appeared to bind lipidated TF with indistinguishable affinities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Properties of spin and fluorescent labels at a receptor-ligand interface.

Site-directed labeling was used to obtain local information on the binding interface in a receptor-ligand complex. As a model we have chosen the specific association of the extracellular part of tissue factor (sTF) and factor VIIa (FVIIa), the primary initiator of the blood coagulation cascade. Different spectroscopic labels were covalently attached to an engineered cysteine in position 140 in sTF, a position normally occupied by a Phe residue previously characterized as an important contributor to the sTF:FVIIa interaction. Two spin labels, IPSL [N-(1-oxyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolidinyl)iodoacetamide] and MTSSL [(1-oxyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethylpyrroline-3-methyl)methanethiosulfonate], and two fluorescent labels, IAEDANS [5-((((2-iodoacetyl)amino) ethyl)amino)naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid] and BADAN [6-bromoacetyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene], were used. Spectral data from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence spectroscopy showed a substantial change in the local environment of all labels when the sTF:FVIIa complex was formed. However, the interaction was probed differently by each label and these differences in spectral appearance could be attributed to differences in label properties such as size, polarity, and/or flexibility. Accordingly, molecular modeling data suggest that the most favorable orientations are unique for each label. Furthermore, line-shape simulations of EPR spectra and calculations based on fluorescence depolarization measurements provided additional details of the local environment of the labels, thereby confirming a tight protein-protein interaction between FVIIa and sTF when the complex is formed. The tightness of this local interaction is similar to that seen in the interior of globular proteins.

Binding Sites↗

Thermal effects on an enzymatically latent conformation of coagulation factor VIIa.

Activation of the zymogen factor VII yields an enzyme form, factor VIIa, with only modest activity. The thermal effect on this low activity of factor VIIa and its enhancement by the cofactor tissue factor was investigated. Factor VIIa activity measured with a chromogenic peptide substrate is characterized by an unusual temperature dependency which indicates that the activated protease exists in an equilibrium between a latent (enzymatically inactive) and an active conformation. As shown by calorimetry and activity measurements the thermal effects on factor VIIa are fully reversible below the denaturation temperature of 58.1 degrees C. A model for factor VIIa has been proposed [Higashi, S., Nishimura, H., Aita, K. & Iwanaga, S. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 18891-18898] in which the protease is supposed to exist primarily as a latent enzyme form because of the poor incorporation into the protease structure of the N-terminal Ile153 released by proteolytic cleavage during activation of factor VII. Binding of tissue factor to factor VIIa is assumed to shift the equilibrium towards an active conformation in which the N-terminal Ile153 forms a salt bridge with Asp343. We corroborate the validity of this model by: (a) chemical modification of factor VIIa; this suggests that the thermal effect on the equilibrium between the active and inactive conformation is reflected in the relative accessibility of the active site and the N-terminal Ile153; (b) measurements of factor VIIa binding to tissue factor indicating that complex formation is favoured by stabilization of the active conformation; and (c) activity measurements of a cross-linked factor VIIa-tissue factor complex; this showed that cross-linking stabilized the active conformation of factor VIIa and essentially prevented its thermally-induced transformation into the inactive state.

Alkylation↗

Pregnancy outcome after laser vaporization of the cervix.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with cold knife or CO2-laser conization is associated with obstetrical problems in subsequent pregnancies. Little is published about pregnancy outcome after laser vaporization of the uterine cervix. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight in pregnancies following this kind of treatment. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-six women who during the 11 year period 1982 to 1992 underwent laser vaporization of the uterine cervix and after treatment gave birth were included in this study. For each case two controls matched for parity, age (-/+ 3 years) and year of delivery were identified. The material was analyzed as a matched cohort study. RESULTS: No relationship was found between laser vaporization and preterm delivery or low birth weight. Medial gestational length was in both groups 40 weeks (range 3142 weeks among cases and 2842 weeks among controls). Mean birth weight was 3428 g (range 1370 to 6130 g) among cases and 3407 (range 672 to 5470 g) among controls. CONCLUSION: Laser vaporization of the uterine cervix does not influence the outcome of subsequent pregnancy.

Adult↗

Conformational stability of factor VIIa: biophysical studies of thermal and guanidine hydrochloride-induced denaturation.

The binding of the multidomain protein factor VIIa (fVIIa) to tissue factor provides the interprotein communication necessary to make fVIIa an efficient catalyst of the initial event in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. We have investigated the stability of individual domains in fVIIa and the influence of Ca2+ and an irreversible active-site inhibitor (FFR-chloromethyl ketone). Equilibrium guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl)-induced unfolding monitored by tryptophan fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) demonstrated that the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain unfolds at 0.3 M GuHCl and the serine protease (SP) domain at 3 M GuHCl and that Ca2+ is a prerequisite for the formation of an ordered, compact structure in the Gla domain. The loss of amidolytic activity coincides with the first transition, which is stabilized by the active-site inhibitor, and a change in the environment of the active site is demonstrated using a fluorescent inhibitor (DEGR-chloromethyl ketone). Thermal unfolding monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveals that Ca2+ stabilizes the SP domain slightly, increasing the unfolding temperature by 2.7 degrees C. In addition, Ca2+ is required for a large enthalpy change concomitant with unfolding of the Gla domain, and this unfolding enthalpy is only detectable in the presence of the SP domain, indicating some kind of interaction between these domains. Thermal unfolding measured by CD indicates secondary structural changes at the same temperature as the heat absorption in the DSC but only when both the Gla domain and the SP domain are present together with Ca2+ ions. Taken together, these results indicate a Ca2+-dependent interaction between the Gla domain and the SP domain, implying a high degree of flexibility of the domains in free fVIIa. It is also shown that the epidermal growth factor-like domains are stable at elevated temperatures and high GuHCl concentrations. Moreover, already at physiological temperature, subtle structural changes take place which influence the overall shape of fVIIa and are detrimental to its enzymatic activity.

Acrylamide↗