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Biomedical subjects

H M Lander

Publications and source records attributed to H M Lander.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Macrophages derived from C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) mice respond to bacterial lipopolysaccharide by activating NF-kappa B.

The effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on macrophage gene expression are mediated in part by its ability to induce activation of transcription factor NF-kappa B. We compared the ability of LPS-treated macrophages from Lpsn (LPS-responsive) C3H/HeN and Lpsd (LPS-hyporesponsive) C3H/HeJ mice to mobilize NF-kappa B by electrophoretic mobility shift assays with oligonucleotide probes containing a unique NF-kappa B sequence from the promoter of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In response to ng/ml concentrations of LPS, this probe bound proteins that appeared rapidly in the nuclei of thioglycollate-elicited macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophage cell lines from both Lpsn and Lpsd mice. Only in macrophages from Lpsn mice, however, was LPS able to induce iNOS or tumor necrosis factor alpha. NF-kappa B-containing DNA-protein complexes from Lpsd macrophages were formed in lesser amounts than from Lpsn macrophages but shared the same composition, insofar as they displayed the same electrophoretic mobilities and content of heterodimers of p50/RelA (p65) and p50/c-rel. Two conclusions emerge from these findings: (1) NF-kappa B activity alone is not sufficient for induction of certain LPS-responsive genes and (2) An LPS-response pathway involving activation of NF-kappa B is preserved in Lpsd mice. The inability of cells from Lpsd mice to induce gene expression in response to LPS thus cannot be attributed to inability to activate NF-kappa B.

Animals↗

Functional identification of histamine H3-receptors in the human heart.

Norepinephrine release contributes to ischemic cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias. Because activation of histamine H3-receptors inhibits norepinephrine release, we searched for the presence of H3-receptors directly in sympathetic nerve endings (cardiac synaptosomes) isolated from surgical specimens of human atria. Norepinephrine was released by depolarization with K+. The presence of H3-receptors was ascertained because the selective H3-receptor agonists (R) alpha-methylhistamine and imetit reduced norepinephrine release, and the specific H3-receptor antagonist thioperamide blocked this effect. Norepinephrine release was exocytotic, since it was inhibited by the N-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker omega-conotoxin and the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro31-8220. Functional relevance of these H3-receptors was obtained by showing that transmural electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerve endings in human atrial tissue increased contractility, an effect blocked by propranolol and attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner by (R) alpha-methylhistamine. Also, thioperamide antagonized the effect of (R) alpha-methylhistamine. Our findings are the first demonstration that H3-receptors are present in sympathetic nerve endings in the human heart, where they modulate adrenergic responses by inhibiting norepinephrine release. Since myocardial ischemia causes intracardiac histamine release, H3-receptor-induced attenuation of sympathetic neurotransmission may be clinically relevant.

Cell Separation↗

Nitric oxide signaling: a possible role for G proteins.

We have previously reported various inductive effects of nitric oxide on human PBMC. We describe a novel and potentially important mechanism of nitric oxide signaling-through direct activation of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). We have found that nitric oxide treatment of membranes isolated from fresh human PBMC enhances the ability of these membranes to hydrolyze [gamma-32P]GTP and bind [gamma-35S]GTP. In addition, treatment of whole cells with nitric oxide yielded membranes with enhanced GTPase activity. Furthermore, the GTPase activity of pure, recombinant Gs alpha, Gi alpha 1, and p21ras was greatly enhanced by nitric oxide. In support of the existence of this pathway in whole cells, we found that the G protein inhibitor, GDP-beta-S, blocked NF-kappa B translocation induced by nitric oxide or LPS in permeabilized cells. In addition, nitric oxide greatly reduced the pertussis toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of 45- and 41-kDa proteins in membranes of these cells. Because G proteins play a central role in many diverse signaling systems, activation by an endogenous and inducible oxidant may represent a novel signaling pathway.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Haemin enhancement of glucose transport in human lymphocytes: stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase and activation of p56lck tyrosine kinase.

Following our previous observation that haemin is mitogenic for human lymphocytes, we investigated the ability of haemin to enhance glucose uptake in these cells. We found that preincubation of human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with haemin for 60 min increased up to 5-fold the rate of 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose uptake by the cells. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide did not inhibit the effect, and cytochalasin B completely blocked it. Among the metalloporphyrins tested (Fe-, Ni-, Co-, Zn- and Sn-protoporphyrin), only haemin (Fe-protoporphyrin) induced a marked increase in glucose uptake. Thiourea, a scavenger of oxygen free radicals, and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole inhibited haemin-induced glucose uptake. Oxidants such as H2O2 and phenylarsine oxide were previously reported to stimulate protein tyrosine phosphorylation and to enhance glucose uptake. We found that incubation of PBMC with haemin resulted in an increase in protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity, probably that identified as CD45. Similarly to haemin, we found that phytohaemagglutinin also enhanced PTPase activity. Haemin also activated the tyrosine kinase p56lck, which is negatively controlled by phosphorylation of Tyr-505 at the C-terminus, and increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation in these cells. Tyrphostins, specific inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, at low concentrations markedly enhanced glucose uptake and synergized with haemin in enhancing glucose uptake. At high doses, tyrphostins inhibited the effect of haemin. Taken together, we postulate that haemin enhancement of glucose uptake in human lymphocytes results from its stimulation of PTPase, followed by activation of tyrosine kinase p56lck, leading to an increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Animals↗

Activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by nitric oxide-generating compounds.

Recent work in this laboratory has identified immune-stimulatory properties of the oxidant hemin. In this study, we examined whether the nitrogen-based oxidant nitric oxide (NO) had inductive effects on human lymphocytes. We found that the NO-generating compounds sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine rapidly enhanced the rate of glucose transport in resting human PBMC. In addition, NF-kappa B binding activity was induced by these agents as was the secretion of TNF-alpha. The data suggest that a cGMP-independent mechanism is involved as the cell permeant cGMP analogue, 8-Br-cGMP, had no effect in eliciting these inductive events. Activation of lymphocytes by these NO-generating compounds may be mediated through the protein tyrosine phosphorylation signal transduction pathway. We found that membrane-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase activity was enhanced in PBMC treated with sodium nitroprusside or S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and that the src family protein tyrosine kinase p56lck was activated in these cells. Inasmuch as p56lck activity is negatively controlled by tyrosine phosphorylation, its activation may be related to the enhancement of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity. 8-Br-cGMP had no effect on these enzymes. Taken together, these data suggest that NO may have immune-stimulatory properties and may signal through a hitherto undescribed cGMP-independent pathway.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Hemin-induced cap formation in lymphocytes: inhibition by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Hemin, an oxidant which is mitogenic for lymphocytes, was found to induce cap formation for Con A sites in murine and human lymphocytes and for IgG and Thy 1.2 sites in murine lymphocytes. Doses of hemin which induced capping also induced a redistribution of actin to a detergent-insoluble form. Similar to hemin, we found that heat shock also induced capping of Con A and IgG sites in murine splenocytes, as well as actin redistribution in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Specific inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, termed tyrphostins, were found to inhibit hemin-induced cap formation. In addition, ligand-dependent cap formation was also inhibited by tyrphostins. Hemin-induced cap formation may result from alteration in cytoskeletal structure and distribution. In addition, changes in membrane lipid composition induced by phospholipase C-gamma 1, known to be activated by protein tyrosine phosphorylation, may initiate actin polymerization and membrane-site redistribution.

Actins↗

Agonistic effects of tyrphostins on human peripheral mononuclear cells.

Tyrosine kinases of the src family, p56lck and p59fyn, were implicated in the transduction of signals via the T-cell receptor complex. These kinases are negatively regulated by phosphorylation of a carboxyl-terminal tyrosine residue. Tyrphostins are synthetic low molecular weight compounds that selectively inhibit different protein tyrosine kinases. We report here on the agonistic and antagonistic effects of tyrphostins on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM). At low concentration, the tyrphostins enhanced glucose uptake and maximal stimulation was attained at a concentration characteristic for each of the tyrphostins used. Higher concentrations were less effective. The tyrphostins AG126 and AG183 were also found to enhance IL-2-induced cytotoxicity in human PBM in a biphasic manner. In contrast, the tyrphostin AG17 markedly inhibited IL-2-induced cytotoxicity at low AG17 concentration and no stimulation was observed. The tyrphostins tested had selective effects on [3H]thymidine incorporation induced by the mixed lymphocyte culture and different agents. The most potent inhibitor was AG17. Tyrphostins also affect cytokine secretion by human PBM. AG126 and AG183 enhanced TNF-alpha secretion and this effect was more prominent in the presence of IL-2. AG126 enhanced IFN-gamma, IL-1, and IL-6 production in PBM that were costimulated with the stress stimuli heat shock and phenylarsine oxide. The stimulatory effects of the tyrphostins on cytokine secretion and induction of cytotoxicity might be interrelated. The agonistic and antagonistic effects of tyrphostins on lymphocyte functions may have therapeutic potential.

Benzylidene Compounds↗

Hemin stimulation of cAMP production in human lymphocytes.

Hemin stimulates cAMP production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The kinetics are similar to that of hormone-induced cAMP generation, namely a rapid effect followed by a desensitization phase. Several experimental findings suggest that prostaglandins do not mediate this effect. First, macrophage depleted T and B cells purified by erythrocyte-rosetting were as responsive as unfractionated PBMC to hemin. Second, indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, and meclofenamate, a prostaglandin E2 receptor antagonist, had no effect on hemin stimulated cAMP production. In addition, propranolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, had no effect on hemin-stimulated cAMP production. We also examined structural analogues of hemin. Among the metalloporphyrins (Fe, Ni, Co, Zn and Sn) and protoporphyrin IX tested only hemin (Fe-protoporphyrin) was active in stimulating cAMP production. No correlation was found between the ability of metalloporphyrins to stimulate cAMP production and their ability to generate H2O2. The data indicate that hemin stimulates cAMP production by directly affecting lymphocytes and that prostaglandins do not mediate this effect.

Animals↗

Stress stimuli-induced lymphocyte activation.

Oxidants, heavy metals, and heat shock, collectively known as stress stimuli, induce the synthesis of a variety of proteins, termed stress proteins, and enhance glucose uptake. In this study, we have demonstrated that stress stimuli enhance protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PTyr-P), modulate protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity, activate the src family protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), p56lck, and enhance glucose uptake in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The heavy metal Hg2+ and heat shock stimulated PTPase activity at an optimal dose, whereas the oxidant phenylarsine oxide (PAO) was only marginally stimulatory. Treatment of lymphocytes with stress stimuli at a dose which activated PTPase did not produce discernable PTyr-P using Western blotting techniques. PTyr-P was only seen at doses of stress stimuli which were associated with an inhibition of PTPase activity. We could demonstrate a correlation between the dose of stress stimuli effective in increasing PTPase activity and p56lck activation using heat shock and Hg2+ as stress stimuli. On the other hand, much lower concentrations of PAO were effective in activating PTPase than those effective in eliciting p56lck activation. We could not demonstrate a correlation between an effective dose inducing PTyr-P and glucose uptake. Our data do not permit us to draw a simple correlation between enhancement of PTPase activity, activation of p56lck, induction of PTyr-P, and induction of the biological response. It is possible that both stimulation and inhibition of PTPase could regulate PTyr-P by either activating the src family PTKs or preventing dephosphorylation of target proteins which are involved in the biological response. Our data may also provide the biochemical basis for the previously reported mitogenic effects of Hg2+ on lymphocytes.

Cells, Cultured↗