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Biomedical subjects

G J Wastek

Publications and source records attributed to G J Wastek.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effects of recombinant interleukin 1 and interleukin 2 on human keratinocytes.

The effects of recombinant interleukin 1 alpha and beta, as well as recombinant interleukin 2, on human keratinocyte proliferation were studied in serum-containing as well as defined media. Both interleukin 1 preparations did not stimulate keratinocyte growth; interleukin 2 also did not stimulate keratinocyte growth. To determine whether interleukin 1 beta binds to keratinocytes, a cell membrane assay was developed for these cells. Iodinated interleukin 1 beta binds to keratinocytes with a kD of 6.2 nm and 2500 receptors per cell. To determine the effects of interleukin 1 beta on protein synthesis, the molecular patterns of radiolabeled cell extracts of interleukin 1 beta-treated and nontreated keratinocytes were compared using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No significant changes in the molecular pattern of newly synthesized proteins were detected. Finally, none of these lymphokines induced HLA-DR expression by keratinocytes.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1989

Human keratinocytes in vitro have receptors for leukotriene B4.

We have demonstrated a high-affinity binding site for leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on human epidermal keratinocytes in vitro. In substrate saturation studies, one population of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.03 +/- 0.3 nM and a maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 148.2 +/- 45.3 fmol/mg protein could be demonstrated. On average 5,500 binding sites were found on individual keratinocytes in culture. The affinity constant of this binding site correlates well with previous reports on the proliferative effect of LTB4 on keratinocytes in vitro. These findings confirm that LTB4 may in part be responsible for epidermal hyperproliferation in inflammatory skin diseases.

Epidermal Cells↗
PubMed1979

Benzodiazepine receptors: effect of tissue preincubation at 37 degrees C.

[3H]Flunitrazepam binding to rat brain homogenates was assayed in two ways: by 37-0 degrees C incubations or 0 degrees C only incubations. The affinity of brain benzodiazepine receptors for [3H]flunitrazepam was significantly greater in 37-0 degrees C incubated samples than in 0 degrees C incubated samples, while there was no change in the number of benzodiazepine receptors. The possible mechanisms for this enhanced binding affinity as well as the methodological implications for this observation are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Cerebrospinal fluid gamma-aminobutyric acid variations in neurological disorders.

Neuropathologically, Huntington's disease is characterized by a profound reduction in neuronal cells originating in the corpus striatum and globus pallidus. Since one of these cell types utilizes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter, it may be possible to differentially diagnose this disorder on the basis of the CSF content of this amino acid. In order to determine the validity of this hypothesis, cerebrospinal fluid GABA was analyzed, using a recently developed radioreceptor assay procedure and was found to be significantly reduced in patients diagnosed as having Huntington's disease and also lower in patients with Alzheimer's disease, though no difference was noted between Parkinson patients and control subjects. The results suggest that analysis of cerebrospinal fluid GABA may have diagnostic, and perhaps predictive, value in certain neurological disorders.

Adolescent↗