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Biomedical subjects

J Kaplan

Publications and source records attributed to J Kaplan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of iron uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ferrireductase and Fe(II) transporter are regulated independently.

Iron is required for the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. High concentrations of iron, however, are toxic, forcing this yeast to tightly regulate its concentration of intracellular free iron. We demonstrate that S. cerevisiae accumulates iron through the combined action of a plasma membrane ferrireductase and an Fe(II) transporter. This transporter is highly selective for Fe(II). Several other transition metals did not inhibit iron uptake when these metals were present at a concentration 100-fold higher than the Km (0.15 microM) for iron transport. Pt(II) inhibited ferrireductase activity but not the ability of cells to transport iron that was chemically reduced to Fe(II). Incubation of cells in a synthetic iron-limited media resulted in the induction of both ferrireductase and Fe(II) transporter activities. In complex media, Fe(II) transport activity was regulated in response to media iron concentration, while the activity of the ferrireductase was not. When stationary phase cells were inoculated into fresh media, ferrireductase activity increased independent of the iron content of the media; in contrast, transporter activity varied inversely with iron levels. These results demonstrate that the ferrireductase and Fe(II) transporter are separately regulated and that iron accumulation may be limited by changes in either activity.

Biological Transport

Effect of age on human immunodeficiency virus type 1-induced changes in lymphocyte populations among persons with congenital clotting disorders. Transfusion Safety Study Group.

Children other than neonates infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have low rates of progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Through 1989, 5.3% of 95 infected hemophiliacs aged 5 to 13 years developed AIDS, compared with 20.3% of 364 aged greater than or equal to 25 years. We asked whether the HIV-1 impact on peripheral blood mononuclear cell subpopulations differed with age using pairwise comparisons of uninfected and infected male children and adult hemophiliacs. Infected children had lesser reductions of total lymphocytes than adults, but proportionately lower numbers of CD2+, CD4+, CD2+CD26+, and CD4+CD29+ counts. CD4+CD45RA+ cell counts were greater than twofold higher in uninfected and infected children than adults; with infection, the CD4+CD45RA+/CD4+ proportion increased by 1.4-fold in adults, but was unchanged in children. Infected adults had highly significantly increased total CD8+ counts; both age groups had elevated CD8+HLA-DR+ counts. Infected children had significantly higher total B-cell counts than infected adults, with a disproportionately lower number of resting B cells (CD20+CD21+). During 2 years of follow-up, infected children and adults had lymphocyte changes in the same directions and these were proportionately equal. The lower rate of HIV-1 progression in children may be partly associated with differences in lymphocyte populations compared with adults; functional properties of immune cells may be equally or more important.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Human lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells suppress generation of allospecific cytotoxic T cells: implications for use of LAK cells to prevent graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We have found that murine lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells have veto and natural suppressor activities in vitro, and prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in vivo. To determine whether human LAK cells mediate veto and natural suppression we measured their ability to inhibit generation of allospecific cytotoxic T cells (CTL) in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). When added to MLCs at low concentrations LAK cells caused veto-type inhibition: stimulator-type LAK cells inhibited generation of CTL but responder or third-party LAK cells did not. At higher concentrations LAK cells caused nonspecific inhibition: all three LAK cell types inhibited generation of CTL. LAK cell veto and natural suppressor activities were largely eliminated by irradiation with 30 Gy and by depletion of CD56+ cells, but increased after depletion of CD3+ cells. LAK cell veto activity is not likely an artifact of cold-target inhibition by the LAK cells themselves or by proliferation of T cells contaminating LAK cell preparations: (1) veto only occurred when LAK cells were added to MLC on days 0 through 2, but not when added on day 5; (2) addition of saturating numbers of labeled targets to fixed numbers of allo-CTL effectors failed to overcome the inhibitory effects of adding stimulator-type LAK cells at the onset of MLC; and (3) CD3-depleted LAK cells showed greater veto activity than threefold greater numbers of control LAK cells. In light of our previous findings in mice, the current results imply that adoptive immunotherapy with LAK cells may be useful in preventing GVHD in human bone marrow transplant recipients.

Adult

Increase in CD5+ B cells in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Relationship to IgM rheumatoid factor expression and disease activity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between CD5+ B cell expression and IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: CD5+ B cell levels analyzed by flow cytometry and IgM-RF expression determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared in children with JRA, children with other collagen vascular diseases, and healthy controls. RESULTS: Children with polyarticular JRA had expanded populations of CD5+ B cells, and expansion of CD5+ B cells and IgM-RF both correlated with disease activity. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that an expanded CD5+ B cell population leads to IgM-RF production in patients with polyarticular JRA, as well as patients with RA.

Antigens, CD

Circulating lymphocyte subsets in second- and third-trimester fetuses: comparison with newborns and adults.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to compare the relative sizes of circulating lymphocyte subsets in fetuses, newborns, and adults. STUDY DESIGN: Two-color flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte cell surface markers was performed on blood from 64 fetuses, 22 newborns, and 67 normal adults. RESULTS: All three groups had similar percentages of CD3+ total T cells, CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, and CD20+ B cells. Compared with adults, fetuses and newborns had markedly reduced percentages of CD57+ natural killer T cells and consistently increased percentages of CD5+CD20+ B cells. Most fetal and cord T and B lymphocytes expressed the activation marker CD38. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities and age-dependent differences exist among fetal, newborn, and adult circulating lymphocyte subsets. Lymphocyte marker analysis may prove useful in the detection of fetal infection and other complications of gestation.

Adult

A gene for Usher syndrome type I (USH1A) maps to chromosome 14q.

Usher syndrome (US) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by congenital hearing impairment and retinitis pigmentosa. It is the most frequent cause of deaf-blindness in adults and accounts for 3 to 6% of deaf children. Here, we report the genetic mapping of a gene for US type I (USH1A), the most severe form of the disease, to the long arm of chromosome 14, by linkage to probe MLJ14 at the D14S13 locus in 10 families of Western France ancestry (Z = 4.13 at theta = 0). Among them, 8 families originated from a small area of the Poitou-Charentes region (Z = 3.78 at theta = 0), suggesting that a founder effect could be involved. However, since not all US type I families were found to be linked to this locus, the present study provides evidence for genetic heterogeneity of this condition (heterogeneity versus homogeneity test HOMOG, P < 0.05; heterogeneity versus no linkage, P < 0.01).

Chromosome Mapping

Autosomal inheritance of "senile" retinitis pigmentosa. A report of a family with consanguinity.

We describe two sisters affected with retinitis pigmentosa of late onset. Night blindness and progressive visual field loss occurred after 50 years of age in both cases. The parents of affected individuals were first cousins and there was no known history of other similar cases in previous generations. Autosomal recessive inheritance is suggested for such senile retinitis pigmentosa.

Aged

Prenatal prediction of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease using linked polymorphic DNA probes.

Werdnig-Hoffmann disease is a common autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that results in paralysis and death. No treatment to prevent this disease or to alter its unremitting course has been found. Recently, linkage analysis with cloned DNA probes has shown that the mutation causing Werdnig-Hoffmann disease is located on chromosome 5q12-q14. We performed genetic analysis for the prenatal diagnosis of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease in seven at risk families. Two fetuses were diagnosed as being affected and the remainder as unaffected, and this was confirmed after birth. This study shows that prenatal diagnosis of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease has become feasible.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5

Phenotype-genotype correlations in X linked retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a group of clinically heterogeneous retinal degenerations in which all modes of inheritance have been described. We have previously found two different clinical profiles in X linked RP as a function of age and mode of onset. The first clinical form has very early onset with severe myopia. The second form starts later with night blindness with mild myopia or none. At least two genes have been identified in X linked forms, namely RP2 (linked to DXS7, DXS255, and DXS14) and RP3 (linked to DXS84 and OTC) on the short arm of the X chromosome. In order to contribute to phenotype-genotype correlations in X linked RP, we tested the hypothesis that the two clinical profiles could be accounted for by the two different gene loci. The present study provides evidence for linkage of the clinical form with early myopia as the onset symptom with the RP2 gene (pairwise linkage to DXS255: Z = 3.13 at theta = 0), while the clinical form with later night blindness as the onset symptom is linked to the RP3 gene (pairwise linkage to OTC: Z = 4.16 at theta = 0).

Female

Mapping the eye diseases.

In this review the authors first give an overview of the general strategies of mapping which differ whether the biochemical (molecular) defect of the disease is known or not. The main problems besides mapping are concerned for the first category with the correlation between mutation and phenotype and for the second, with heterogeneity, genetic vs phenotypic. Finally, tables are displayed of eye diseases or diseases with eye involvement (metabolic or not) which have been currently mapped, as well as candidate genes actually or putatively involved in visual transduction.

Chromosome Mapping

Confirmation and refinement of the genetic localization of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome locus in Xp22.1-p22.2.

The Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked inherited disease of unknown pathogenesis characterized by severe mental retardation, typical facial and digital anomalies, and progressive skeletal deformations. Our previous linkage analysis, based on four pedigrees with the disease, suggested a localization for the CLS locus in Xp22.1-p22.2, with the most likely position between the marker loci DXS41 and DXS43. We have now extended the study to 16 families by using seven RFLP marker loci spanning the Xp22.1-p22.2 region. Linkage has been established with five markers from this part of the X chromosome: DXS274 (lod score [Z] (theta) = 3.53 at theta = .08), DXS43 (Z(theta) = 3.16 at theta = .08), DXS197 (Z(theta) = 3.03 at theta = .05), DXS41 (Z(theta) = 2.89 at theta = .08), and DXS207 (Z(theta) = 2.73 at theta = .13). A multipoint linkage analysis further placed, with a maximum multipoint Z of 7.30, the mutation-causing CLS within a 7-cM interval defined by the cluster of tightly linked markers (DXS207-DXS43-DXS197) on the distal side and by DXS274 on the proximal side. Thus, these further linkage data confirm and refine the map location for the gene responsible for CLS in Xp22.1-p22.2. As no linkage heterogeneity was detected, this validates the use of the Xp22.1-p22.2 markers for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in CLS families.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Indeterminate HTLV serologic results in U.S. blood donors: are they due to HTLV-I or HTLV-II?

Current screening tests to detect human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in volunteer blood donors commonly yield indeterminate HTLV serologic results (mostly isolated gag reactors). To assess the significance of indeterminate HTLV serologic results in U.S. blood donors, we compared 56 persons who had such serologic patterns with 30 HTLV seropositive blood donors and with HTLV seronegative controls. Polymerase chain reaction assays showed that none of the 56 individuals with indeterminate HTLV serologic results were infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-II, while all 30 HTLV seropositive blood donors were infected with either HTLV-I (in 15) or HTLV-II (in the other 15). The seroindeterminate blood donors were also different from the HTLV seropositive blood donors and more like HTLV seronegative controls in their demographic characteristics and the presence of HTLV risk factors. These results are evidence that volunteer blood donors with isolated and persistent gag seroreactivity in the United States are unlikely to be infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-II.

Adolescent

Iron absorption in hypotransferrinemic mice.

We used a unique animal model, the hypotransferrinemic (Htx) mouse, to examine the role of transferrin (Tf) in gastrointestinal iron uptake. Despite the absence of Tf, Htx animals hyperabsorb iron. Transfusion of red blood cells sufficient to normalize the hematocrit and reticulocyte count resulted in a return of iron absorption to normal values. These studies indicate that Tf does not play an obligate role in iron absorption, either as a carrier or as a humoral signal regulating absorption. Transfer of plasma or whole blood from Htx mice or from other animal models of iron hyperabsorption to normal mice did not cause an increase in iron absorption in recipient animals. Using the plasma or blood transfer approach, we have been unable to detect a humoral regulator of gastrointestinal iron absorption.

Animals

Regulation of the transferrin-independent iron transport system in cultured cells.

Mammalian cells accumulate iron via the binding of transferrin to high affinity surface receptors, or through a transferrin-independent pathway which involves the uptake of iron-organic anion chelates by a membrane-based transport system. Previously we determined that the transferrin-independent transport system was present on a wide variety of cultured cells (Sturrock, A., Alexander, J., Lamb, J., Craven, C. M., and Kaplan, J. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 3139-3145). In this communication we demonstrate that the transferrin-independent iron uptake system is regulated differently than the transferrin-mediated pathway. The activity of the transferrin-independent system was unaffected by changes in cellular growth rate, induction of DNA synthesis and cell division, or depletion of cellular iron. Exposure of cells to ferric or ferrous iron, however, resulted in a time-dependent increase in transport activity, due to a change in Vmax with no change in Km. Increased transport activity was seen in a variety of cultured cell types, occurred in the presence of cycloheximide, and persisted for hours after removal of iron. The ability of other transition metals to induce changes in transport, or to compete with iron for accumulation by the transferrin-independent uptake system, was critically dependent on the composition of the media in which the cells were incubated. Metals such as Cu2+ or Zn2+, but not Cd2+ or Mn2+, when dissolved in a balanced salt solution buffered with 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid, induced changes in the transferrin-independent iron transport system. The same metals which induced changes in transport were ineffective in media containing amino acids, ascorbate, or N-[2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]glycine. The Vmax of the transferrin-independent iron transport system was also elevated by increases in intracellular Ca2+. The effect of iron on transport activity, however, did not result from an iron-induced release of intracellular Ca2+. These results suggest a novel form of regulation in which the presence of extracellular iron induces the appearance of previously cryptic transporters and thus accelerates the clearance of potentially toxic molecules.

Biological Transport

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis in quintuplets: a practical approach using step-by-step embryo reduction.

A multiple pregnancy of high rank may occur in a couple at risk for a Mendelian disorder. Prenatal diagnosis is hampered by the difficulty of (1) obtaining chorionic villi from each zygote and (2) unequivocally relating each sample to the corresponding embryo. The calculation of the genetic risk according to the number of zygotes led us to propose a diagnostic strategy based on embryo reduction, a technique initially designed to improve the perinatal outcome of multiple pregnancies with normal embryos. We report a case in which this approach allowed rational use of first-trimester chorionic villus sampling in a quintuplet pregnancy at risk for non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia, resulting in the selective birth of unaffected twins.

Abortion, Therapeutic