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M Didier

Publications and source records attributed to M Didier.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A chymotryptic-type protease inhibitor decreases interleukin 2 synthesis and induces prostaglandin production in Jurkat T cells.

TPCK (N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone), a potent inhibitor of chymotryptic-type serine proteases, was found to decrease IL2 synthesis in Jurkat T cells. Conversely, the tryptic-type protease inhibitor, TLCK (N-alpha-p-tosyl-lysine chloromethylketone), which structurally is very similar to TPCK, had no effect on IL2 synthesis. Prostaglandin synthesis, a process that is known to reduce IL2 production in T cells, was increased by TPCK but not by TLCK, suggesting that this process could be, at least in part, responsible for the inhibition of IL2 production. Our results imply that a chymotryptic-type serine protease plays an active role in the regulation of IL2 synthesis and thus in the whole process of T-lymphocyte activation.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Torsade de pointes. An unusual form of ventricular tachycardia.

A 65-year-old man with hypertension and glaucoma developed diuretic-induced hypokalaemia complicated by torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia. This arrhythmia requires accurate recognition so that appropriate therapy may be administered. When torsade de pointes is diagnosed, a careful search for underlying causes should be conducted as reversal of these may prove curative, as in this case.

Aged↗

IL-1 signaling for IL-2 production in T cells involves a rise in phosphatidylserine synthesis.

Activation of Jurkat T cells with anti-TCR, anti-CD3, anti-CD2, or PHA is accompanied by a strong inhibition of phosphatidylserine (PS) synthesis. The inhibition of the synthesis of this phospholipid could be partially reversed by IL-1. In Jurkat cells, IL-1 did not activate phosphodiesterases as demonstrated by the lack of change of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol levels as well as the lack of change in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Furthermore, IL-1 did not modify the intracellular level of cGMP and cAMP, suggesting that the observed rise of PS synthesis could play the role of mediator IL-1 action. As PS is a necessary cofactor for the activation of protein kinase C, our results suggest strongly that IL-1 modulate protein kinase C activity in the activated lymphocyte through its action on PS synthesis.

Cell Line↗

gamma-Aminobutyric acid and 5-hydroxytryptamine interrelationship in the rat nucleus raphe dorsalis: combination of radioautographic and immunocytochemical techniques at light and electron microscopy levels.

Serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the nucleus raphe dorsalis were identified by immunocytochemistry using antibodies to 5-hydroxytryptamine or GABA. The pattern of the 5-hydroxytryptamine and GABA immunostaining presented similar features: 5-hydroxytryptamine or GABA immunoreactive somata were fusiform or ovoid (15-20 micron) and positive dendritic profiles were found either without any connection with other nerve elements or in contact with one or several terminals. In addition, some 5-hydroxytryptamine nerve endings were apposed to 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive cell bodies or dendrites; also some GABA-immunopositive terminals were in contact with GABA-immunopositive nerve cell bodies. On the other hand, GABA and 5-hydroxytryptamine patterns may be differentiated in several respects: the 5-hydroxytryptamine-reactive nerve cell bodies were more numerous than the GABA ones. Some small, round (8-10 micron) nerve cell bodies were reactive with GABA antiserum, but no neurons of this type were reactive with a 5-hydroxytryptamine antiserum; finally, GABA nerve terminals were more numerous than 5-hydroxytryptamine ones. In order to understand the relationship between GABA and 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons, radioautographic and immunocytochemical procedures were combined: 5-hydroxytryptamine and GABA immunocytochemistry was combined with radioautography of [3H]GABA and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine uptake, respectively. Some nerve cell bodies, dendrites or terminals, which were 5-hydroxytryptamine-immunopositive, were also capable of accumulating [3H]GABA and, conversely, some GABA-immunopositive elements were capable of accumulating [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine. Moreover, several nerve elements were reactive with both glutamate decarboxylase and 5-hydroxytryptamine antisera. These data confirm in electron microscopy previous studies suggesting the coexistence of both GABA and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the same neurons. The presence of uptake mechanisms for GABA and 5-hydroxytryptamine may indicate the action of both neurotransmitters in the same neuron. On the other hand, the [3H]GABA-labelled nerve endings in contact with 5-hydroxytryptamine-positive dendrites or nerve cell bodies indicate the possibility of a GABAergic control of the activity of some 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons; this corroborates biochemical and electrophysiological studies whereby a trans-synaptic control of the 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons by GABA may be envisaged.

Animals↗

[Adrenergic activation of the liberation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH41) in the median eminence of unanesthetized rats].

To shed light on the persistent controversy concerning the role of central adrenergic systems in the corticotropic axis, we measured the effects of adrenaline on the release of IR-rCRH41 into a push-pull cannula stereotaxically implanted in the median eminence. Eight days before experimentation, the cannula was implanted, under deep anesthesia, at which time a standard cannula was additionally placed in the lateral ventricle (i.c.v.). The rats were not anesthetized during the main experiment. An i.c.v. injection of 5 microliter of solvent only slightly affected the release of CRH41, whereas an i.c.v. infusion of 1.4 micrograms adrenaline bitartrate under the same conditions led to an instantaneous, but short-lived, 8-fold rise in the CRH41 release above baseline. The data provide the first demonstration of a central stimulatory effect of adrenaline on the secretory activity of CRH41 producing neurons, in unanesthetized, free-moving rats.

Animals↗

GABA and serotonin (5-HT) pattern in the supraependymal fibers of the rat epithalamus: combined radioautographic and immunocytochemical studies. Effect of 5-HT content on [3H]GABA accumulation.

Numerous studies have suggested the serotoninergic nature of the supraependymal plexuses; moreover, several supraependymal fibers are also able to take up [3H]GABA and could be GABA-containing fibers. In this approach, by combined immunocytochemistry and radioautography, we analyzed and compared the distribution of endogenous and exogenous GABA and 5-HT in the supraependymal layer, after inhibition of their respective catabolisms. The majority of the supraependymal fibers are reactive to GABA and 5-HT antisera which indicates that they could contain both GABA and 5-HT. Furthermore it is possible to show that endogenous 5-HT containing fibers are able to accumulate [3H]GABA and conversely. These data point to a functional role for both neurotransmitters in these nerve elements. On the other hand, GABA and 5-HT contents may be connected since p-chlorophenylalanine treatment which inhibits 5-HT synthesis increased [3H]GABA labelling of these plexuses. Finally, several supraependymal fibers are also able to take up [3H]glutamate (but not [3H]glutamine); this compound might be accumulated as GABA precursor and/or as neurotransmitter.

Animals↗

Differential immunocytochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, S-100 protein and glutamine synthetase in the rat subcommissural organ, nonspecialized ventricular ependyma and adjacent neuropil.

Antibodies raised against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA), S-100 protein (S100) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are currently used as glial markers. The distribution of GFA, S100 and GS in the ependyma of the rat subcommissural organ (SCO), as well as in the adjacent nonspecialized ventricular ependyma and neuropil of the periaqueductal grey matter, was studied by use of the immunocytochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. In the neuropil, GFA, S100 and GS were found in glial elements, i.e., in fibrous (GFA, S100) and protoplasmic astrocytes (S100, GS). The presence of S100 in the majority of the ventricular ependymal cells and tanycytes, and the presence of GFA in a limited number of ventricular ependymal cells and tanycytes confirm the glial nature of these cells. The absence of S100, GFA and GS from the ependymocytes of the SCO, which are considered to be modified ependymal cells, suggests either a non-astrocytic lineage of these cells or an extreme specialization of the SCO-cells as glycoprotein-synthesizing and secreting elements, a process that may have led to the disappearance of the glial markers.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin in one nerve cell. A study on the raphe nuclei of the rat using antibodies to glutamate decarboxylase and serotonin.

A specific and sensitive double immunocytochemical staining for the visualization of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and serotonin (5-HT) on the same brain section is developed. GAD is detected with specific GAD-antibodies by means of the unlabeled antibody enzyme, peroxidase anti-peroxidase, and serotonin with an antibody against the BSA-serotonin conjugate by an indirect immunofluorescent staining. The coexistence of GAD and 5-HT in the same perikaryon is demonstrated by a peroxidase reaction superimposed on fluorescent compounds. Cell bodies containing both antigens are observed in each raphe nuclei. However, the nucleus raphe dorsalis exhibits the largest number of cells containing either GAD alone or GAD and 5-HT together. An intracellular interaction between the metabolism of GABA and serotonin could be reasonably expected. The interactions between GABAergic and serotonergic systems must be thought of in terms of intracellular and/or transynaptic controls.

Animals↗

The viability of transplants of mesencephalic raphe nuclei in the IVth ventricle of the adult rat.

Mesencephalic raphe nuclei were transplanted via the cisterna magna near the locus coeruleus. The transplants were observed at different time intervals ranging from 24 h to 4 months. Microscopic observations revealed that from 3 weeks to 4 months the transplant developed with a well-defined neural organization. Radioautographic results showed that some of the neurons in the implant at 3 weeks captured and retained [3H] serotonin. These results indicate that the intact IVth ventricle seems to be a likely culturing floor for mesencephalic raphe nuclei.

Animals↗