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Biomedical subjects

H Holthöfer

Publications and source records attributed to H Holthöfer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Pathology of renal arteries of dyslipidemic children with congenital nephrosis.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) is well characterized in infants and associated with major lipid risk factors for atherosclerosis. This study was undertaken to investigate if any arterial pathology is present in children with CNF and, if so, to describe its nature in renal arteries collected at nephrectomy at a mean age of 12.5 +/- 4.4 months. Denuded endothelial injury and intimal thickening were seen in 9 out of 10 patient specimens of renal arteries. Intimal thickening contained loose abundant extracellular matrix with a few smooth muscle or myofibroblastoid cells. Only a few Sudan black- or oil red O-positive lipid droplets were found in six and seven samples, respectively. Areas immunoreactive with antibodies against apoprotein B were seen in only two specimens. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal any activated T or B cells, or any expression of IL-1 or IL-2 receptors. Macrophages were present in only two specimens. No foam cells were seen. We conclude that the vascular pathology together with altered lipoprotein metabolism indicates that children with CNF might be at risk for early atherosclerotic arterial disease, particularly if their hyperlipidemia persists.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Novel 13A antigen is an integral protein of the basolateral membrane of rat glomerular podocytes.

BACKGROUND: We described recently the 13A monoclonal antibody recognizing a 120 kilodalton protein located at the bases of podocyte foot processes in rat glomeruli. The antigen was extracellular, either a component of the glomerular basement membrane or an integral membrane protein. As only few markers exist for the basal domain of the podocyte membranes, we wanted to characterize the antigen further. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The distribution of the 13A antigen in rat tissues and cultured cells was studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Cultured cells were also used for its biochemical and functional characterization. RESULTS: The antigen was detected in several rat epithelial and smooth muscle tissues. In polarized epithelia, it was restricted to the basolateral membranes, and in stratified epithelia, to the basal cell layer. In contrast to its limited distribution in vivo, the antigen was detected in vitro in several cultured fibroblastoid or epithelial rat cell lines, and in cultured mesangial cells. In nonpolarized cells, it had a diffuse granular distribution at the cell surface, and at the ventral surface, it colocalized with vinculin in areas resembling focal adhesions, as shown by double immunofluorescence staining. In polarized epithelial cells, the 13A antigen was concentrated at the basolateral membranes. By immunoelectron microscopy, it was often present at the tips of cell extensions and at adhesion sites. Pretreatment of cryostat sections or cultured cells with trypsin partially inhibited antibody binding, whereas detergents abolished it totally. The antigen of cultured cells could not be identified by Western blotting or immunoprecipitation techniques. The antibodies did not seem to affect cell growth or adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: The 13A antigen is an integral membrane protein of several rat epithelial tissues and cultured cells, and is particularly abundant in the podocyte foot processes. Although its identity and function remain unknown, the 13A protein is a valuable marker for the basal membrane domain of the podocyte.

Animals↗

Congenital nephrosis of the Finnish type (CNF): matrix components of the glomerular basement membranes and of cultured mesangial cells.

Congenital nephrosis of the Finnish type (CNF) is a hereditary renal disease of unknown aetiology manifested by massive proteinuria of the newborn and unresponsive to any treatment. In this study kidney samples and cultured glomerular mesangial cells from five patients with CNF were studied by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy for the presence and location of major basement membrane matrix (GBM) components. Histological changes of glomeruli ranging from mild thickening of basement membranes to total obliteration and sclerosis were seen. Notably, thickening of the subepithelial layer of Bowman's capsules was regularly seen along with hypercellularity at the juxtaglomerular areas. The matrix components studied (laminin, plasma- and cellular fibronectin, type IV collagen, including the NC-1, alpha-1 and alpha-3 chains, heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) core protein, thrombospondin) were characteristically seen within the glomeruli. Local thickenings alternating with total loss of epitopes along the GBM were seen, especially with anti-type IV collagen and anti-HSPG antibodies. Sera from CNF patients after transplantation failed to show antibodies against GBM structures in immunofluorescence microscopy, suggesting that no missing epitopes of GBM are introduced with the transplant kidney. Cultured mesangial cells of CNF glomeruli also showed continued in vitro production of the matrix components and their incorporation into the matrix underneath the cell layer.

Adult↗

Post-transplantation nephrosis in congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) is an autosomal recessively inherited disease manifesting as massive proteinuria, edema and ascites in the neonatal period. The disease is believed to be limited to the kidneys and recurrences after renal transplantation have not been reported. At our center 29 transplantations have been performed on 28 CNF patients. One to 33 months after transplantation, seven grafts (24%) of six patients have developed a steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. The clinical data and renal histology of these patients were analyzed in order to elucidate the cause of the proteinuria. At the onset of six of the seven episodes of nephrosis, the patient had evidence of a preceding CMV- or EBV-infection and the remaining patient had sinusitis. Upon light and electron microscopy examination, endothelial swelling of the glomerular capillaries resembling transplant glomerulopathy (TG) was seen, but unlike TG, the glomerular basement membranes were normal. The response of proteinuria to steroid or cyclophosphamide therapy was poor, with total remission in only two patients and partial remission in one patient, all treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide immediately after the diagnosis. Four grafts have been lost. Our data show that CNF patients have an increased tendency for post-transplantation nephrosis.

Biopsy↗

Susceptibility of human cells to Puumala virus infection.

Nephropathia epidemica involves several organs including kidney, lung, liver and brain. To investigate the susceptibility of putative target cells to the agent responsible, Puumala virus, we screened established human cell lines of lung (WI-38, A-427, CCD-11Lu), kidney (A-704), liver (Hep G2), pharynx (Detroit 562), submaxillary gland (A-253) and neural (SK-N-MC, SH-SY5Y) origin as well as primary human kidney glomerular cells, endothelial cells and peripheral blood monocytes/macrophages. Propagation of the Sotkamo strain of Puumala virus was also tested in the primary kidney, spleen and lung cells of bank voles (the natural host of the virus). All of the primary cells and most of the established cell lines expressed viral protein, synthesized viral RNA and secreted infectious virus, except the neural SK-N-MC and SH-SY5Y cells. None of the tested cell types except the primary bank vole kidney cells could propagate the virus as efficiently as the Vero E6 cells. The observed host cell range is wide and consistent with a multiorgan involvement of Puumala virus. No cytopathic effects were seen in any of the infected cell cultures.

Animals↗

Establishment and characterization of a rat glomerular endothelial cell line.

BACKGROUND: Primary cell cultures have been widely used for research purposes, but kidney glomerular and vascular endothelial cells and, particularly, stable endothelial cell lines from these have been difficult to obtain. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used electroporation and lipofectin transfection to introduce various transforming constructs, and direct infection with an oncogenic adeno 31 (Ad31) virus to immortalize cells from freshly isolated rat kidney glomeruli and characterized the cells obtained at their 20th, 40th, 60th, and 80th passage for markers of various glomerular cell types. RESULTS: Direct infection with an oncogenic adenovirus type 31 (Ad31) resulted in a stable cell line (over 120 passages) morphologically resembling epithelial/endothelial cells line (over 120 passages) morphologically resembling epithelial/endothelial cells. These cells were constantly positive for factor VIII-related antigen, podocalyxin and for OX-43 anti-rat endothelial cell antibodies, Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSI-B4) lectin, and expressed receptors for acetylated low density lipoprotein. Anti-Thy 1.1 and anti-desmin antibodies recognizing glomerular mesangial cells and antibodies against O-acetyl GD3 and gp330 antigens of podocytes, as well as anti-thrombospondin and anti-cytokeratin antibodies identifying parietal epithelial cells failed to bind to our cells. These rat glomerular endothelial cells (RGE cells) showed decreased serum requirements for growth, changes in morphology, loss of contact inhibition, and loose adherence to growth support. The transforming E1A gene could not be found by Southern blotting or polymerase chain reaction amplification analysis. Neither did the RGE cells produce any adenoviral proteins tested by immunoprecipitation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The RGE cells represent a stable cell line with various characteristics of endothelial cells. Furthermore, they remain responsive to basic FGF and grow on type IV collagen and fibronectin matrices forming capillary-like structures. Thus, we consider RGE cells a cell line of rat glomerular endothelial origin.

Adenoviridae Infections↗

Distribution of histamine in the rat kidney during pregnancy and development.

An antiserum against conjugated histamine and two oligonucleotide probes that detect the mRNA encoding L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) involved in histamine synthesis were used to study the appearance of histamine and its location in the kidneys of fetal, newborn and young postnatal rats and in the kidneys of pregnant rats. On embryonic days 16 and 18 (E16 and E18), some HA-immunoreactive (HA-ir) cells were found within the largest S-shaped bodies. Histamine was found to appear rapidly between the 18th and 20th embryonic days in the convoluted tubules of the kidneys. On postnatal day 0 (P0), the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts exhibited bright fluorescence, the intensity of which decreased quickly so that it was faint on day P4 and absent at later stages. In kidneys of pregnant rats HA-ir was found in the epithelium of both the Bowman's capsule, collecting ducts and in a few cells within the tubules. Nonuniform HA-ir was also detected within glomeruli. No evidence for the presence of L-histidine decarboxylase mRNA in kidneys of fetuses or pregnant rats was seen. It is concluded that distinct structures in the developing rat kidney contain histamine during a period around birth from day E20 to day P4. In the pregnant rat, the epithelium that is in direct contact with the urine flow is immunoreactive for histamine from day 16 to 20 of pregnancy. The results suggest that histamine is not synthesized locally in the kidneys but rather originates from other tissues.

Animals↗

A cell-type specific ganglioside of glomerular podocytes in rat kidney: an O-acetylated GD3.

We recently described a monoclonal antibody (clone 27A) that detected a membrane antigen specific for glomerular podocytes in adult rat kidney. After binding in vivo, the antibodies induced rapid changes in the foot processes. Here we show that in other rat tissues the antigen is detectable only in cells of adrenal medulla, in some cells of neural or neural crest origin, and in 1 to 5% of the cells of a rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC-12. Attempts to isolate the antigen revealed that it is an acidic, sialic acid containing lipid, as shown by thin layer chromatography and immuno-overlay techniques. Further characterization of the gangliosides extracted from rat glomeruli, bovine kidney, rat adrenal glands, or from PC-12 cells by ion exchange, thin layer, and gas liquid chromatography identified the antigenic lipid as a modified disialosyllactosylceramide (GD3). The results of mild alkaline treatment or periodate oxidation of the antigenic ganglioside, as well as chemical O-acetylation studies of standard gangliosides, showed that the modified ganglioside is O-acetylated, most probably at the 9-carbon of its terminal sialic acid residue. To our knowledge this is the first report of cell-type specific expression of gangliosides in the kidney.

Animals↗

Expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 mRNA in human fetal kidney.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) was studied in tissues of human fetuses from 15 to 23 weeks of gestation. Northern blot analysis revealed IGFBP-1 mRNA in the fetal liver and kidney but not in other fetal tissues, including the brain, heart, lung, skeletal muscle and spleen. Studies by in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that, in all fetal kidneys tested, the IGFBP-1 mRNA was localized preferentially to the epithelial cells of the collecting ducts, as well as to the cells of developing glomeruli and in the subcapsular nephrogenic mesenchyme. Less intense labeling for IGFBP-1 mRNA was seen in the connective tissue stroma of the medullary pyramids. A weak signal was detected in the mature glomeruli, and in the cells of the medullary mesenchyme and capsular connective tissue. IGFBP-1 protein was detected by immunoperoxidase staining mostly around small blood vessels but not in the respective endothelium. The protein was also present in many epithelial cells of the collecting ducts and in stromal connective tissue. These results show that the predominant sites of IGFBP-1 transcription in the developing kidney are those with most active differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Multifunctional nature of P fimbriae of uropathogenic Escherichia coli: mutations in fsoE and fsoF influence fimbrial binding to renal tubuli and immobilized fibronectin.

P fimbriae of the F7(1) serotype of Escherichia coli are composed of a major subunit, FsoA, and of three minor proteins named FsoG, FsoE, and FsoF. FsoG is the Gal alpha(1-4)Gal-specific lectin. We assessed mutated recombinant strains each deficient in one fimbrial component for adhesion to frozen sections of rat cortical kidney and to fibronectin immobilized on glass. Rat kidney lacks the Gal alpha(1-4)Gal-containing glycolipids. The fsoG mutant strain was as adhesive to sections of rat kidney and to fibronectin-coated glass as was the recombinant strain expressing the complete fso gene cluster. The fsoA mutant strain was highly adhesive to fibronectin and to kidney sections. In the rat kidney, the adhesion of these strains was predominantly localized to sites of basolateral membranes of tubuli. The fsoE and the fsoF mutant strains were slightly less adhesive to kidney structures and failed to adhere to fibronectin. The fsoE, fsoF double mutant strain adhered neither to fibronectin nor to kidney sections. None of the fso recombinant strains reacted with soluble fibronectin, suggesting that the interaction is dependent on the conformation of the fibronectin molecules. Recombinant strains expressing the F7(2), F8, F11, F13, and F14 serovariants of the P fimbria also showed adherence to immobilized fibronectin. The results show that in addition to binding to globoseries of glycolipids via the G protein, the P fimbriae of uropathogenic E. coli exhibit a tissue-binding property influenced by fsoE and fsoF gene products and with affinity for basolateral membranes and fibronectin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunocytochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase, NaK-ATPase and the bicarbonate chloride exchanger in the anterior segment of the human eye.

We examined immunohistochemically the localization of three transport enzymes (carbonic anhydrase, Ca-II; sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase, NaK-ATPase; bicarbonate-chloride exchanger, band III) in the anterior segment of the human eye. In accord with earlier studies, NaK-ATPase was primarily found in the corneal endothelium, but also in the corneal basal epithelial cell membranes. In addition, immunoreactivity for NaK-ATPase was observed in the non-pigmented epithelium of the ciliary processes and between the two epithelial cell layers. Ca-II immunoreactivity was found in the corneal endothelium as well as in the non-pigmented epithelial layer of the ciliary processes. Interestingly, band III immunoreactivity was found in the corneal endothelium, as similar to Ca-II, but not in the ciliary processes. These results show that, similar to many other tissues, Ca-II and band III immunoreactivities colocalize in the same cytologic site in the human corneal endothelium. Immunocytochemical detection of these key transport enzymes not only gives their accurate and reliable anatomical distribution, but also provides information on the electrolyte transport at these sites.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Rat glomerular cells do not express podocytic markers when cultured in vitro.

A panel of cell-type specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and lectins was used to examine the early, morphologically epithelial outgrowth of rat renal glomerular cells in culture. The cell type-specific reactivity of the monoclonal antibodies has been previously verified on tissue sections of rat kidneys at light and electron microscopic levels. Morphologically distinct epithelial cells grew out from the isolated glomeruli within 3 days in culture, followed by the growth of morphologically typical stellate mesangial-like cells. Endothelial and mesangial cells were positively identified from the early cultures (up to 10 days) with antibodies to a 350 kD protein, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, podocalyxin, factor VIII, OX-43 and with Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS-I B4) lectin, and with antibodies to smooth muscle actin, desmin, Thy1.1 antigens and with Ricinus communis (RCA-1) lectin, respectively. The antibodies recognizing podocytes in vivo (antipodocalyxin, anti-O-acetyl GD3 ganglioside, anti-gp330, anti-C3b complement receptor, anti-vimentin and anti-CALLA) consistently failed to bind to the predominant epithelial cells in early cultures, although these antibodies readily bound to the cells of the intact glomeruli remaining in culture. The attempts to augment the expression of cell-type specific epitopes by culturing glomeruli on various matrices or by enriching the medium with various growth factors, failed to induce podocytic epitopes on the growing epithelial cells. Glomeruli from newborn rats cultured in vitro, but were also constantly negative for the markers of podocytes. In addition, we cultured glomerular-like bodies from in vitro were induced metanephric mesenchymes but failed to obtain evidence of growing podocytes. However, the epithelial cells reacted with antibodies to thrombospondin and cytokeratin that react with the parietal epithelium of glomeruli on tissue sections. The results show that early glomerular cultures consist of mesangial, endothelial and presumably parietal epithelial cells readily identifiable by immunocytochemical methods. No podocytes could be grown under the various growth conditions tested. This suggests that glomerular podocytes are effectively growth arrested and call for new approaches to obtain these cells in culture.

Animals↗

Identification of specific glomerular cell types in culture by use of lectin and antibody binding.

To characterize the outgrowth of cells from cultured rat glomeruli, we examined the cell morphology in relation to the expression of various antigenic determinants (factor VIII-related antigen, rat Thy 1.1, Heyman nephritogenic antigen, common leucocyte and Ia antigens) and lectin binding patterns. For this purpose, early (3-7 days) to late (4-5 weeks) glomerulus cultures, as well as subcultures of mesangial cells were used. In the early samples, the predominance of small round (type I) cells growing in a cobblestone pattern was noted. These cells failed to express specific binding for any of the antibodies or lectins tested. 5-10% of the outgrowing cells appeared single and morphologically of stellate shape (type II). These cells were reactive for Concanavalia ensiformis (ConA), Triticum vulgaris (WGA) and Ricinus communis (RCA I), and stained for rat Thy 1.1 antigen. Large round, single cells (type III), found mostly at the edges of the outgrowth bound only Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSI-B4) and FVIII antibodies, a pattern consistent with endothelial cells. A fourth (type IV) cell type, elongated, with cells mostly found in bundles and growing on a layer consisting of other cells, was reactive for ConA, WGA, Limax flavus (LFA) and Maclura pomifera (MPA) lectins. In the late outgrowth (3-5 weeks after explant), the lectin and antibody binding patterns of each cell type remained essentially unchanged. However, considerable changes in the prevalence of the morphologic cell types were noted. Cells that had been subcultured to obtain pure 'mesangial' cells, exhibited the same morphology as the type II cells and expressed identical staining patterns with all probes used. The binding of lectins was likewise confirmed by staining frozen sections of rat kidneys.

Animals↗

The effect of cyclosporin A on the interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration and the induction of Heymann's nephritis.

Heymann's nephritis was induced with brush-border (BB) antigen. Interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration was studied with cytological examinations of fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB), and with immunoperoxidase stains of frozen sections with monoclonal antisera. The effect of cyclosporin A (CyA), 20 mg/kg when administered intraperitoneally for 8 days in association with both initial immunization, and with the booster 4 weeks later, on the interstitial leukocyte infiltration and on the development of membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) and proteinuria were investigated. Another group of rats was immunized, but not given CyA. Experimental animals were killed in groups 3, 6 and 20 weeks after initial immunization. CyA inhibited significantly the initial interstitial lymphocyte and blast cell response at 3 weeks (FNAB), but did not inhibit the secondary response after the booster. The anti-BB titre reacted in a similar fashion. Immunoperoxidase stains indicated a clearly suppressed T suppressor/cytolytic (T s/c) cell response. Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) deposits of IgG developed more slowly and were more scarce in the CyA-treated rats, when compared with the untreated group. Only one out of 15 CyA treated rats developed C3 deposits in the GBM during the course of the study, and none developed proteinuria, when most untreated rats (10/17) had C3 deposits and were nephrotic at 20 weeks. Thus, CyA depressed the initial interstitial cellular response after immunization with BB antigen, and also inhibited the development of antibody response, C3 deposits and proteinuria of Heymann nephritis. These effects of CyA may be contributed to an inhibited amplification of the autoimmune response associated with interstitial damage and continuous release of autoantigen.

Animals↗

Type V collagen as the target for type-3 fimbriae, enterobacterial adherence organelles.

Tissue-binding specificity of the type-3 fimbriae of pathogenic enteric bacteria was determined using frozen sections of human kidney. A wild-type Klebsiella sp. strain and the recombinant strain Escherichia coli HB101(pFK12), both expressing type-3 fimbriae, as well as the purified type-3 fimbriae effectively bound to sites at or adjacent to tubular basement membranes, Bowman's capsule, arterial walls, and the interstitial connective tissue. Bacterial adherence to kidney was decreased after collagenase treatment of the tissue sections. Recombinant strains expressing type-3 fimbriae specifically adhered to type V collagen immobilized on glass slides, whereas other collagens, fibronectin or laminin did not support bacterial adherence. In accordance with these findings, specific binding of purified type-3 fimbriae to immobilized type V collagen was demonstrated. Specific adhesion to type V collagen was also seen with the recombinant strain HB101(pFK52/pDC17), which expresses the mrkD gene of the type-3 fimbrial gene cluster in association with the pap-encoded fimbrial filament of E. coli, showing that the observed binding was mediated by the minor lectin (MrkD) protein of the type-3 fimbrial filament. The interaction is highly dependent on the conformation of type V collagen molecules since type V collagen in solution did not react with the fimbriae. Specific binding to type V collagen was also exhibited by type-3 fimbriate strains of Yersinia and Salmonella, showing that the ability to use type V collagen as tissue target is widespread among enteric bacteria.

Acetates↗

Tissue-binding affinity of Proteus mirabilis fimbriae in the human urinary tract.

Binding characteristics of the two major fimbrial hemagglutinin types of uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis were determined in frozen sections of human kidney and in exfoliated uroepithelial cells. P. mirabilis 3087, which expresses the MR/P fimbriae, adhered avidly to the tubular epithelial cells of the kidney and also to the epithelial cells of urinary sediment. No adhesion to glomerular or peritubular elements of the kidney was detected. Indirect immunogold silver staining also showed that the purified MR/P fimbriae recognized the same kidney domains. Adhesion of strain 3087 to uroepithelial cells was completely inhibited by Fab fragments of antibodies against the purified MR/P fimbriae. A completely different tissue-binding pattern was exhibited by the MR/K fimbriae of P. mirabilis 2456. In the kidney, the MR/K fimbriae bound strongly to the Bowman's capsule of the glomeruli and to the tubular basement membranes. A weak binding to glomerular mesangium and tubular epithelial cells was also seen. Strain 2456 did not adhere to epithelial cells of urinary sediment. Analysis of normal human urine showed that it contains low-molecular-weight molecules capable of inhibiting the binding of the MR/P fimbriae; no urinary inhibitors could be detected for the MR/K fimbriae. Poor in vivo binding capacity to intact human uroepithelial cells may be an important factor in explaining the relatively low pathogenicity of P. mirabilis in healthy hosts.

Bacterial Adhesion↗