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Biomedical subjects

L R Emmons

Publications and source records attributed to L R Emmons.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ca2+-channel blockers inhibit the action of recombinant platelet-derived growth factor in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is mainly composed of two polypeptide chains (PDGF-AB). All three possible dimeric forms of PDGF--i.e., PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB--exist in nature. We have used two recombinant PDGF homodimers to determine the roles of each isoform in the activation of phosphatidylinositol turnover in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from rat thoracic aorta, their mitogenic effect on VSMC, and their vasoconstrictor effect on intact strips of aortic vascular tissue. Three Ca2+-channel blockers, nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, were used as antagonists for investigating the PDGF-dependent changes mediated by the homodimers. PDGF-BB had a greater efficacy than PDGF-AA on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate release, on the formation of diacylglycerol, and on Ca2+ mobilization, which was also associated with vasoconstrictor activity and effective mitogenicity. PDGF-AA, on the other hand, was more potent than PDGF-BB in stimulating protein kinase C. In all instances, the activation of the phosphatidylinositol turnover by the two homodimers was inhibited by the Ca2+-channel blockers.

Animals↗

Androgens inhibit proliferation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.

The effect of sex hormones on human lymphocytes was examined in vitro on cell cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBM). Cells were stimulated using T- and B-cell mitogens, and hormones in physiological (nM) or pharmacological (microM) concentrations were added. Proliferation was determined by measuring the incorporation of tritiated thymidine. It was found that both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, in physiological concentrations, can attenuate DNA synthesis. The effect was dose dependent in that pharmacological concentrations of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone caused a strong inhibitory effect on proliferation of in vitro cultured HPBM. However, cell cultures of a few individuals were insensitive to the androgens even at pharmacological concentrations. Also, no difference could be detected in the response between cultured cells of females and males. Although a slight reduction in antibody production was evident in pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cultures, in the presence of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, it was, however, not statistically significant.

Adult↗

A monoclonal antibody recognizes an epitope common to an avian-specific nuclear antigen and to cytokeratins.

X3, a monoclonal antibody of unusual specificity, is described. This antibody reacts with one or more cytokeratin polypeptides and also reacts with an avian (chicken, quail) nuclear antigen that appears to be present in all cell types (chicken) tested, although with variable staining pattern and intensity. This antigen is distinct from the cytokeratins but does have an epitope in common with this class of proteins. It disappears from the nucleus during the early stages of cell division and reappears during anaphase as a granular cytoplasmic structure. In late telophase the antigen is relocated in the nucleus. This antigen, which we have designated as avian-specific nuclear antigen ( AVNA ), is not associated with chromatin or ribonucleoproteins. From immunoblotting experiments on chicken fibroblast nuclei, AVNA is probably a complex composed of one or several polypeptides, one of which has a molecular weight of approximately 60 kD. The proteins were identified as nuclear matrix proteins rather than pore complex-lamina proteins by immunoblotting experiments on the purified nuclear matrix of chicken erythrocytes. The major polypeptide had a molecular weight of 60 kD and the minor polypeptide a molecular weight of 69 kD.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibody which recognizes a common antigenic determinant on intermediate filament proteins, actin, and myosin.

A monoclonal antibody is described which reacts with the intermediate filament proteins vimentin, desmin, keratins, actin, and myosin. This is the first report of an epitope common to intermediate filament proteins and myosin. X1, the wide-spectrum monoclonal antibody in question, was isolated in the course of screening monoclonal antibodies to chicken thymocytes. Cross-reactivities were investigated by immunofluorescence on various types of cultured cells and sectioned tissues, ELISA with a panel of purified antigens, immunoprecipitation, immunodot tests, and immunoblotting.

Actins↗