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Biomedical subjects

H Fries

Publications and source records attributed to H Fries.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Differential expression of Rel/NF-kappaB and octamer factors is a hallmark of the generation and maturation of dendritic cells.

A key feature of maturation of dendritic cells is the down-regulation of antigen-processing and up-regulation of immunostimulatory capacities. To study the differential expression of transcription factors in this process, we investigated the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of Rel/NF-kappaB and octamer factors during in vitro generation and maturation of dendritic cells compared with macrophage development. RelB was the only factor strongly up-regulated during the generation of both immature dendritic cells and macrophages. Cytokine-induced maturation of dendritic cells resulted in an increase in nuclear RelB, p50, p52, and especially c-Rel, whereas cytokine-treated macrophages responded poorly. This up-regulation of NF-kappaB factors did not correlate with lower levels of cytosolic NF-kappaB inhibitors, the IkappaBs. One IkappaB, Bcl-3, was strongly expressed only in mature dendritic cells. Furthermore, generation and maturation of dendritic cells led to a continuous down-regulation of the octamer factor Oct-2, whereas monocytes and macrophages displayed high Oct-2 levels. A similar pattern of maturation-induced changes in transcription factor levels was found in cultured murine epidermal Langerhans cells, suggesting a general physiological significance of these findings. Finally, this pattern of differential activation of Rel and octamer factors appears to be suitable in determining the maturation stage of dendritic cells generated by treatment with different cytokine combinations in vitro. (Blood. 2000;95:277-285)

Animals↗

Localisation of hyaluronate (HA) in primary tumors and nude mouse xenografts of human pancreatic carcinomas using a biotinylated HA-binding protein.

A biotinylated hyaluronate (HA)-binding protein isolated from bovine cartilage was used to analyze the distribution of HA in nude mouse xenografts derived from human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines as well as in primary human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The most reproducible results for the localisation of HA were obtained using cryostat sections. When the biotinylated HA-binding protein was applied to histological sections of nude mouse xenografts, the specific staining found could be inhibited by preincubating the HA-binding protein with an excess of HA or by hyaluronidase treatment of the tissue before staining. The highest HA concentration was found at the tumor boundaries, while in the central part of the tumor staining was slight or absent. In cryostat sections of primary tumors HA was found predominantly in the connective tissue immediately around tumor cells or at the border between the tumor and normal pancreatic tissue.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The effect of long-term inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis on the oxidation capacity of mitochondria for NADH-linked substrates.

Experiments are presented showing that specific inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis by tetracyclines decreases the activity of the NADH-dehydrogenase complex in liver mitochondria, if rats are treated for long periods with these antibiotics. The corresponding inhibition of this complex in tumor cells (Zajdela hepatoma) and tumor mitochondria (Leydig cell tumor) is even more pronounced. It is concluded that the mitochondrial genetic system is involved in the assembly of the NADH-dehydrogenase complex, most likely by coding for one or more subunits. It is argued that this information, contrary to the situation for cytochrome c oxidase, the cytochrome bc1 complex and ATPsynthase, has been missed in previous experiments employing differential inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis, because of the circumstance that the inhibition did not reach the level at which it became rate-limiting.

Animals↗

Choice of peptide and peptide length for the generation of antibodies reactive with the intact protein.

N-terminal peptides of bovine ribonuclease (RNase) of 20, 13 and 7 amino acid residues were isolated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antibodies were raised in mice against these peptides coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA). It was shown that antibodies against the peptides reacted with the intact protein and that the immune response decreased with decreasing size of peptide. In order to obtain a satisfactory reaction with the intact protein, the peptide immunogen should be longer than 7 amino acids.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Self-inflicted haematuria and the syndrome of hospital addiction.

Self-inflicted haematuria may occur as part of the so-called Münchhausen syndrome or, better, the syndrome of hospital addiction. This rare but important differential diagnosis must be kept in mind in the investigation of obscure urological cases with long-standing and polysymptomatic histories. Two patients with factitious haematuria and hospital addiction are described. Some practical viewpoints on aetiology, diagnosis and management are given. An early recognition of the syndrome is important in order to avoid unnecessary and expensive investigations.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Successful induction of follicular maturation and ovulation by prolonged treatment with LH-releasing hormone in women with anorexia nervosa.

Four women with anorexia nervosa were treated with synthetic LH-releasing hormone (LRH) in an attempt to induce ovulation. All the women had very low pretreatment levels of gonadotropins and estrogens. Administration of LRH resulted in significant gonadotropin increases. The FSH response to LRH in relation to the LH response was higher than in regularly menstruating women. LRH (500 mug) was administered parenterally three times daily over about 4 weeks. During this period there were no significant effects on mood, eating behavior, weight, or libido. All the women responded with follicular maturation and ovulation to the prolonged LRH treatment.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗