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Biomedical subjects

I Fleming

Publications and source records attributed to I Fleming.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelial cells by Akt-dependent phosphorylation.

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is a fundamental determinant of cardiovascular homesotasis: it regulates systemic blood pressure, vascular remodelling and angiogenesis. Physiologically, the most important stimulus for the continuous formation of NO is the viscous drag (shear stress) generated by the streaming blood on the endothelial layer. Although shear-stress-mediated phosphorylation of eNOS is thought to regulate enzyme activity, the mechanism of activation of eNOS is not yet known. Here we demonstrate that the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt/PKB mediates the activation of eNOS, leading to increased NO production. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase/Akt pathway or mutation of the Akt site on eNOS protein (at serine 1177) attenuates the serine phosphorylation and prevents the activation of eNOS. Mimicking the phosphorylation of Ser 1177 directly enhances enzyme activity and alters the sensitivity of the enzyme to Ca2+, rendering its activity maximal at sub-physiological concentrations of Ca2+. Thus, phosphorylation of eNOS by Akt represents a novel Ca2+-independent regulatory mechanism for activation of eNOS.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed1999

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramiprilat interferes with the sequestration of the B2 kinin receptor within the plasma membrane of native endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: ACE (kininase II) inhibitors have been shown to exert their beneficial cardiovascular effects via the inhibition of both angiotensin II formation and bradykinin breakdown. Because recent evidence suggests that ACE inhibitors may also interfere with B2 kinin receptor signaling and thus enhance the vascular response to bradykinin, we examined whether the distribution of B2 kinin receptors within the plasma membrane of native endothelial cells is affected by an ACE inhibitor. METHODS AND RESULTS: Localization of the B2 kinin receptor in membranes prepared from native porcine aortic endothelial cells was evaluated by means of specific [3H]bradykinin binding and immunoprecipitation of the B2 receptor from isolated membranes. Effects of bradykinin and ramiprilat on intracellular signaling were determined by monitoring the activation of the extracellularly regulated kinases Erk1 and Erk2 as well as [Ca2+]i increases in fura 2-loaded endothelial cells. Stimulation of native endothelial cells with bradykinin 100 nmol/L resulted in the time-dependent sequestration of the B2 receptor to caveolin-rich (CR) membranes, which was maximal after 5 minutes. Pretreatment with ramiprilat 100 nmol/L for 15 minutes significantly attenuated the recovery of B2 kinin receptors in CR membranes while increasing that from membranes lacking caveolin. This effect was not due to the inhibition of bradykinin degradation, because no effect was seen in the presence of an inhibitory concentration of the synthetic ACE substrate hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine. Ramiprilat also decreased [3H]bradykinin binding to CR membranes when applied either before or after bradykinin stimulation. Moreover, ramiprilat resulted in reactivation of the B2 receptor in bradykinin-stimulated cells and induced a second peak in [Ca2+]i and reactivation of Erk1/2. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE inhibitor ramiprilat interferes with the targeting of the B2 kinin receptor to CR membrane domains in native endothelial cells. Therefore, effects other than the inhibition of kininase II may account for the effects of ramiprilat and other ACE inhibitors on the vascular system.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1999

Isometric contraction induces the Ca2+-independent activation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Shear stress and tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors have been shown to activate the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in a Ca2+/calmodulin-independent manner. We report here that isometric contraction of rabbit aorta activates eNOS by a pharmacologically identical pathway. Endothelium-intact aortic rings were precontracted under isometric conditions up to 60% of the maximal phenylephrine-induced tone. The NO synthase inhibitor NGnitro-L-arginine (L-NA) and the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor NS 2028 induced an additional contraction, the amplitude of which depended on the level of precontraction. The maximal production of NO by isometrically contracted aortic rings (as estimated by the increase in cGMP in detector smooth muscle cells in a superfusion bioassay) was observed during the initial phase of isometric contraction and was greater than that detected following the application of acetylcholine. The supplementary L-NA-induced increase in vascular tone was inhibited by the nonselective kinase inhibitor staurosporine and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors erbstatin A and herbimycin A. Another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium, and the selective protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro 31-8220, had no effect. Coincident with the enhanced NO formation during isometric contraction was an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of endothelial proteins, which also correlated with the level of precontraction. Thus, isometric contraction activates eNOS via a Ca2+-independent, tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitive pathway and, like shear stress, seems to be an independent determinant of mechanically induced NO formation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1999

NO: the primary EDRF.

Since the discovery of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) by Furchgott and Zawadzki (Furchgott and Zawadzki. 1980), which was later identified as nitric oxide (NO) (Ignarro et al., 1987; Palmer et al., 1987; Furchgott, 1988), it has become clear that there are a number of additional endothelium-derived vasodilator and vasoconstrictor autacoids (endothelin-1, prostaglandin H2, and the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor: EDHF). None of these autacoids play such a central role in the regulation of vascular tone and homeostasis as the primary EDRF, the free radical NO, which is generated via a live-electron oxidation of a guanidino nitrogen from L-arginine by an NO synthase (NOS).

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Inhibition of the production of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor by cannabinoid receptor agonists.

1. The endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, has been reported to induce an 'endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-like' relaxation in vitro. We therefore investigated the effects of cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists; HU 210, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) and anandamide, and a CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist, SR 141716A, on nitric oxide (NO) and EDHF-mediated relaxation in precontracted rings of porcine coronary, rabbit carotid and mesenteric arteries. 2. In rings of mesenteric artery HU 210 and delta9-THC induced endothelium- and cyclo-oxygenase-independent relaxations which were sensitive to SR 141716A. Anandamide (0.03-30 microM) induced a slowly developing, endothelium-independent relaxation which was abolished by diclofenac and was therefore mediated by cyclo-oxygenase product(s). None of the CB1 agonists tested affected the tone of precontracted rings of rabbit carotid or porcine coronary artery. 3. In endothelium-intact segments, HU 210, delta9-THC and anandamide did not affect NO-mediated responses but under conditions of continuous NO synthase/cyclo-oxygenase blockade, significantly inhibited acetylcholine and bradykinin-induced relaxations which are attributed to the production of EDHF. The effects of HU 210 and delta9-THC were not observed when experiments were performed in the presence of SR 141716A suggesting the involvement of the CB1 receptor. 4. In a patch clamp bioassay of EDHF production, HU 210 decreased the EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization of detector smooth muscle cells when applied to the donor segment but was without effect on the membrane potential of detector cells. The inhibition of EDHF production was unrelated to alterations in Ca2+ -signalling or cytochrome P450 activity. 5. These results suggest that the activation of endothelial CB1 receptors appears to be negatively coupled to the production of EDHF.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Protein kinase C isoforms play differential roles in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation.

In this study we first established, by immunoblotting with specific antibodies, the temporal changes in cellular levels of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms during differentiation of 3T3-F442A pre-adipocytes. Both pre-adipocyte and adipocyte 3T3-F442A cells were found to express PKC-alpha, -gamma, -delta, -epsilon, -zeta and -mu. However we were unable to detect PKC-beta, -eta or -theta. The same PKC isoform expression profile was found in rat adipocytes. The alpha, delta and gamma isoforms displayed similar temporal patterns of expression during differentiation of 3T3-F442A cells; all increased rapidly, peaking at day 2 of differentiation. Subsequently, the expression of these isoforms decreased, resulting in lower levels in fully differentiated adipocytes than in pre-adipocytes. The expression of PKC-epsilon increased steadily during differentiation, resulting in markedly elevated levels in adipocytes. Although expression of PKC-mu increased during differentiation, this was attributable to prolonged confluence rather than to the differentiation process itself. No change was observed in PKC-zeta levels during adipocyte development. Anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were used to deplete selectively the individual PKC subtypes. Each of the ODNs used effectively depleted the specific isoforms to undetectable levels and did not affect expression of the other PKC subtypes. This approach indicated that pre-adipocyte differentiation is not dependent upon PKC-zeta but that PKC-alpha,-delta and -mu each exert an inhibitory influence upon differentiation. Use of anti-sense ODNs to deplete PKC-epsilon and -gamma revealed that pre-adipocyte differentiation is dependent upon each of these isoforms. However, PKC-gamma, but not PKC-epsilon, appeared to be necessary for the clonal expansion of differentiating cells, suggesting that PKC-epsilon is required at a later phase in the differentiation process, when its expression is elevated, for the attainment and maintenance of the adipocyte phenotype.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Ca2+-independent activation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase in response to tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors and fluid shear stress.

Fluid shear stress enhances NO formation via a Ca2+-independent tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitive pathway. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor phenylarsine oxide and of fluid shear stress on endothelial NO production as well as on the membrane association and phosphorylation of the NO synthase (NOS) III. Phenylarsine oxide (10 micromol/L) induced an immediate and maintained NO-mediated relaxation of isolated rabbit carotid arteries, which was insensitive to the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium. This phenylarsine oxide-induced vasodilatation was unaffected by genistein but abrogated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin A. Incubation of native or cultured endothelial cells with phenylarsine oxide resulted in a time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of mainly Triton X-100-insoluble (cytoskeletal) proteins, along with a parallel change in the detergent solubility of NOS III, such that the enzyme was recovered in the cytoskeletal fraction. A similar, though slightly delayed, phenomenon was also observed after the application of fluid shear stress but not in response to any receptor-dependent agonist. Although Ca2+-independent NO formation was sensitive to erbstatin A, phenylarsine oxide treatment was associated with the tyrosine dephosphorylation of NOS III rather than its hyperphosphorylation. Proteins that also underwent redistribution in response to the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor included paxillin, phospholipase C-gamma1, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and the tyrosine kinases Src and Fyn. We envisage that fluid shear stress and tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors may alter the conformation and/or protein coupling of NOS III, facilitating its interaction with specific phospholipids, proteins, and/or protein kinases that enhance/maintain its Ca2+-independent activation.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Pulsatile stretch in coronary arteries elicits release of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor: a modulator of arterial compliance.

To date, the release of the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) has been demonstrated only in response to receptor-dependent Ca2+-elevating agonists. Since endothelial cells in situ are continuously subjected to rhythmic distension, we investigated the effect of rhythmic stretch on the release of EDHF from isolated porcine coronary arteries. In the combined presence of diclofenac and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), sinusoidal pressure oscillations (from 40 to 50 mm Hg, 4 minutes, 1.5 Hz) led to simultaneous oscillations in the external diameter of coronary artery segments, the amplitude of which were decreased by iberiotoxin and apamin and also by endothelial denudation. In order to directly demonstrate the release of EDHF, the intraluminal solution from endothelium-intact coronary segments exposed to pulsatile stretch was applied to detector rat aortic smooth muscle cells, the membrane potential of which was continuously measured using the patch-clamp technique. The hyperpolarization of detector cells induced by the intraluminal solution was proportional to the amplitude of the pressure oscillations applied to the donor artery and was attenuated by either preincubation of donor arteries with 17-octadecynoic acid or application of either tetrabutylammonium or iberiotoxin to detector cells. In contrast to the bradykinin-induced release of EDHF, the EDHF synthesized in response to pulsatile stretch did not exhibit any tachyphylaxis. These findings demonstrate for the first time that the synthesis of EDHF in coronary arteries can be mechanically stimulated by rhythmic vessel wall distension and suggest that the continuous release of EDHF may contribute to the adjustment of an adequate vascular compliance and to the control of coronary blood flow.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1998

Vasodilator dysfunction in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats: changes in NO synthase III and soluble guanylyl cyclase expression, and in superoxide anion production.

OBJECTIVE/METHODS: Genetic hypertension is associated with an apparent endothelial dysfunction and impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in response to increased flow and receptor-dependent agonists. However, the link between impaired vasodilatation and nitric oxide (NO) synthase expression is still unclear. In the present study, dilator responses were determined in the aorta and coronary circulation of 16 month old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Changes in vascular reactivity were compared with alterations in superoxide anion production as well as endothelial NO synthase (NOS III) and soluble guanylyl cyclase expression. RESULTS: In the isolated perfused heart both the bradykinin- and sodium nitroprusside-induced vasodilator responses were attenuated in SHR compared to WKY. Western blot analysis revealed a parallel reduction in NOS III expression in coronary microvascular endothelial cells from SHR. Superoxide anion production in aortae from SHR was markedly elevated over that of aortae from WKY, and was almost completely abolished by pretreatment with superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase induced similar relaxations in phenylephrine-preconstricted aortic rings from both SHR and WKY, but failed to restore the attenuated acetylcholine- and sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxations in SHR. No difference in NOS III expression was detected in the aortae from either strain whereas soluble guanylyl cyclase expression was markedly decreased in SHR. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that NOS III expression in different tissues is differentially affected by hypertension. Moreover, although an elevated superoxide anion production is apparent in the aorta, a reduced soluble guanylyl cyclase expression appears to account for the observed vasodilator dysfunction in SHR.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Thrombin receptor expression is increased by angiotensin II in cultured and native vascular smooth muscle cells.

OBJECTIVE: The factors involved in restenosis after balloon angioplasty are poorly characterized but the local concentration of the potent mitogens angiotensin II (AII) and thrombin is known to be increased at sites of vascular injury. We investigated the possibility of a synergistic interaction between AII and thrombin by studying the effects of AII on the expression of the thrombin receptor in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (VMSC). METHODS: Thrombin receptor mRNA expression was studied by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR using total RNA extracted from VMSC or from endothelium-denuded rat aortae. As a measure of thrombin receptor protein expression, we assessed either the thrombin-stimulated release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha from VMSC or the contraction of endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings. RESULTS: The thrombin receptor mRNA was expressed at a low level in both cultured and native VMSC. AII concentration- and time-dependently increased expression of thrombin receptor mRNA in VMSC and augmented the thrombin-induced release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha as well as the thrombin induced contraction. Blockade of the angiotensin subtype 1 (AT1) receptor by EXP3174 or D8731 prevented the AII-mediated increase in thrombin receptor expression. The effect of AII on the increase in thrombin receptor mRNA expression was enhanced by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8220, but was unaffected by prolonged incubation with phorbol myristate acetate or the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and erbstatin A. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that AII enhances the expression of thrombin receptor in cultured and native VMSC. In cultured cells, this effect is mediated by the activation of the AT1 receptor subtype. This synergistic effect between AII and the thrombin receptor may promote the extensive proliferation of smooth muscle cells in response to vascular injury.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1998

History and international developments in cancer staging.

OBJECTIVE: To inform the reader of the objectives of staging classification, and review history of the development of modern staging classifications in cancer. DESIGN: Review of the literature documenting the development of modern cancer staging systems with the emphasis on the history of the development of the TNM classification by the UICC and the history of the Canadian Committee on Cancer Staging. The underlying principles of the TNM system have been reviewed in the context of modern cancer practice. CONCLUSION: In the era of the multidisciplinary approach to cancer management, staging allows precision in documenting disease extent, thereby enhancing the quality of patient care. The recording of cancer stage at diagnosis is necessary to optimise patient care and provides a valuable means for recording patterns of disease presentation and monitoring advances in diagnosis and therapy. The objectives of staging described in the TNM staging system are as valid today as when implemented almost 50 years ago.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed1997

Tyrosine phosphorylation and bradykinin-induced signaling in endothelial cells.

It is generally accepted that in endothelial cells the occupation of bradykinin B2 receptors, which are linked to the guanine nucleotide-dependent regulatory proteins, Gi and Gq, results in the activation of phospholipase C-beta1 (PLC-beta1), followed by a transient increase in the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol. The PLC-beta1 isoform, in contrast to the gamma1 isoform, is present only at a low level in cultured endothelial cells, implying that PLC-gamma1 activation may play an important role in endothelial signaling pathways. In cultured human endothelial cells, bradykinin induced a rapid increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of several Triton-soluble proteins. Immunoprecipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins from bradykinin-stimulated cells followed by Western blotting using the respective antibodies facilitated the identification of a 77 kiloDalton (kDa) protein as paxillin, a 130 kDa protein as PLC-gamma1, and a 42/44 kDa doublet as mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. The bradykinin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1 was relatively transient and was associated with an increase in intracellular levels of IP3. Bradykinin also induced the rapid and transient activation of phosphotyrosine phosphatases localized mainly in the Triton X-100-soluble cell fraction; this tyrosine phosphatase activity was apparently initiated after the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Growth hormone and phorbol esters require specific protein kinase C isoforms to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases in 3T3-F442A cells.

Previous studies have shown that the activation of p44 and p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) by growth hormone (GH) and phorbol esters, but not by epidermal growth factor, in 3T3-F442A preadipocytes is dependent on protein kinase C (PKC). In the present study two approaches have been taken to determine the PKC isoform dependence of MAP kinase activation in these cells. By immunoblotting with specific antibodies, the cells were found to express PKC-alpha, -gamma,-delta, -epsilon and -zeta. Treatment of cells with 500 nM PMA for 3 h led to the complete depletion of PKC-delta and the partial depletion of PKC-alpha but did not significantly affect the expression of the other PKC isoforms. In parallel, such treatment severely attenuated the ability of GH to activate MAP kinase. The degree of this attenuation was not increased by more prolonged PMA pretreatment, indicating that PKC-delta and perhaps PKC-alpha are important for MAP kinase activation by GH. These experiments further revealed that additional PKC isoforms were required for the full activation of MAP kinases by acute treatment with PMA. A second approach involved the use of anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to deplete the individual PKC isoforms selectively. Each of the ODNs used effectively depleted the relevant isoform to undetectable levels and did not affect the expression of the other PKC isoforms. Pretreatment of cells with PKC-delta anti-sense ODN, but not with anti-sense ODN to the other phorbol ester-sensitive isoforms, severely attenuated the activation of MAP kinases by GH. PKC-delta anti-sense ODN also blocked (by approx. 50%) the activation of MAP kinases by PMA. Furthermore a combination of PKC-delta and -epsilon anti-sense ODNs completely blocked the effect of PMA on MAP kinases. Collectively, these results indicate that the novel PKC-delta and -epsilon isoforms can couple to the MAP kinase pathway in 3T3-F442A cells but that the activation of MAP kinases by GH specifically involves PKC-delta.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1997

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: demographics, treatment, and outcome in eleven pediatric patients treated at a single institution.

We describe 11 cases (8 females, 3 males) of papillary thyroid carcinoma in children treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over a 33-year period, and review the literature. Ages ranged from 7-25 years (median, 16 years). Six patients had primary papillary thyroid carcinoma. Five patients had secondary papillary thyroid carcinoma after treatment of Hodgkin's disease (n = 2), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 2), and neuroblastoma (n = 1) with chemotherapy and cervical radiation. The typical presentation was either cervical lymphadenopathy or a thyroid mass of short duration. Treatment consisted of thyroidectomy, cervical lymph node dissection, and postoperative thyroid hormone replacement (n = 1), parathyroid reimplantation (n = 1), 131I ablation (n = 4), external-beam irradiation (n = 1), and chemotherapy with doxorubicin (n = 1) or carboplatin and topotecan (n = 1). Nine patients are alive without evidence of disease 3.0-22.4 years from diagnosis. One patient has persistent but stable disease 17.3 years after diagnosis. One patient relapsed with metastatic lung disease 0.3 years after the initial diagnosis. He continues to do well after a brief but unsustained complete radiographic remission of disease to combination chemotherapy with carboplatin and topotecan. Our review supports excellent long-term outcome for primary or secondary papillary thyroid carcinoma in pediatric patients although complications may require close follow-up in a multidisciplinary setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor: formation and interactions.

Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) represent the two major endothelial autacoids involved in the local control of vascular tone. Here we describe a novel pathway leading to the calcium-independent activation of the endothelial NO synthase by shear stress and enhanced cellular tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition we present evidence that NO inhibits the formation of EDHF, which we have characterized as a transferable, beta-naphthoflavone-inducible P450-dependent metabolite of arachidonic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Endothelial dysfunction coincides with an enhanced nitric oxide synthase expression and superoxide anion production.

We investigated the effects of aortic banding-induced hypertension on the endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses in the aorta and coronary circulation of Sprague-Dawley rats. We studied the influence of hypertension on the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS III) expression, assessed by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions experiments, and on the superoxide anion (O2-) production. Two weeks after aortic banding, the endothelium-dependent relaxations were not altered. At this time, the expression of NOS III in the aorta and in confluent coronary microvascular endothelial cells (RCMECs) exhibited no marked changes, whereas O2- production was enhanced 1.9-fold in aortas from aortic-banded rats. Six weeks after aortic banding, the endothelium-dependent dilations were markedly impaired in the heart (50% decrease) and aorta (35% decrease). Analysis of NOS III protein and mRNA levels revealed marked increases in both aortas and confluent RCMECs (2.6- to 4-fold) from aortic-banded compared with sham-operated rats. There was no further increase in O2production in both the aorta and confluent RCMECs from aortic-banded rats. An enhanced nitrotyrosine protein level was also detected in the aorta from 6-week aortic-banded rats. These findings indicate that in hypertension induced by aortic banding, an enhanced O2- production alone is not sufficient to produce endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial vasodilator hyporesponsiveness was observed only when NOS III expression and O2- production were increased and was associated with the appearance of enhanced nitrotyrosine residues. This would suggest that the development of endothelial dysfunction is linked to an overproduction of not one, but two, endothelium-derived radicals that might lead to the formation of peroxynitrite.

Animals↗