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Biomedical subjects

M Fràter-Schröder

Publications and source records attributed to M Fràter-Schröder.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Acidic fibroblast growth factor is present in nonneural tissue: isolation and chemical characterization from bovine kidney.

Endothelial cell growth factor activity purified from bovine kidney by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography was previously identified as basic fibroblast growth factor [Baird, A., Esch, F., Böhlen, P., Ling, N., & Gospodarowicz, D. (1985) Regul. Pept. 12, 202-213]. We now show that a major mitogenic fraction, isolated from heparin-Sepharose-purified material by Mono-S cation-exchange chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, is related to acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF). Sequence analysis showed the amino-terminal sequence to be Tyr-Lys-Lys-Pro-Lys-Leu-Leu-Tyr-X-Ser-Asn-Gly-Gly-Tyr-Phe-Leu-Arg-Ile-Le u-Pro- Asp-Gly-Thr-Val-Asp-. The molecular mass of the protein, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 15.5 kDa. In combination, those data strongly suggest that this mitogen is amino terminally truncated acidic fibroblast growth factor. So far, aFGF has only been found in neural tissues, i.e., in the brain and retina. Our results strongly suggest that this mitogen also occurs in extraneural tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tumor necrosis factor type alpha, a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell growth in vitro, is angiogenic in vivo.

Tumor necrosis factor type alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibits endothelial cell proliferation in vitro. Basal cell growth (in the absence of exogenously added growth factor) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-stimulated cell proliferation are inhibited in a dose-dependent manner from 0.1 to 10 ng/ml with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 0.5-1.0 ng of TNF-alpha per ml. Bovine aortic and brain capillary endothelial and smooth muscle cells are similarly affected. TNF-alpha is a noncompetitive antagonist of FGF-stimulated cell proliferation. Its action on endothelial cells is reversible and noncytotoxic. Surprisingly, TNF-alpha does not seem to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation in vivo. In the rabbit cornea, even a high dose of TNF-alpha (10 micrograms) does not suppress angiogenesis induced by basic FGF. On the contrary, in this model system TNF-alpha stimulates neovascularization. The inflammatory response that is seen in the cornea after TNF-alpha implantation suggests that the angiogenic properties of this agent may be a consequence of leukocyte infiltration.

Animals↗

[Transforming growth factor beta and fibroblast growth factor have opposite effects on the proliferation of endothelial cells].

Recent data indicate that beta type transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) may be a bifunctional regulator of cellular growth: it induces anchorage-independent growth of certain cells but is also capable of inhibiting anchorage-dependent or -independent proliferation of a variety of normal epithelial and transformed cells. We show that TGF-beta is also a reversible inhibitor of proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture. TGF-beta inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells grown in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Dose-dependent inhibition occurs at 0.2-2.0 ng/ml TGF-beta. Inhibition of cell proliferation in the presence of a maximally stimulating dose of bFGF is not overcome by a tenfold excess of bFGF, suggesting that antagonism of bFGF-induced cell proliferation by TGF-beta is of a non-competitive nature. TGF-beta affects the morphology of confluent cells in a reversible manner.

Animals↗

Partial molecular characterization of endothelial cell mitogens from human brain: acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors.

Two endothelial cell growth factors have been isolated from human brain extracts by a procedure involving heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. On the basis of molecular size, amino acid composition and extended amino-terminal sequences, the two proteins are structurally closely related to bovine acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF, bFGF). The N-terminal sequences of human and bovine aFGF differ in two positions while those for bFGF are indistinguishable. Human aFGF is microheterogenous: in addition to aFGF two N-terminally truncated forms lacking the first and the seven first amino acids, respectively, were characterized. Human and bovine mitogens possess similar mitogenic activities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transforming growth factor-beta inhibits endothelial cell proliferation.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is an inhibitor of the proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture. Basal cell growth in serum-containing medium and cell proliferation stimulated by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) are inhibited by TGF-beta in a dose-dependent manner. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at an inhibitor concentration of 0.5-1.0 ng/ml. TGF-beta does not appear to be cytotoxic and cells treated with the inhibitor grow normally after removal of TGF-beta. High concentrations of FGF are ineffective in overcoming TGF-beta-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, suggesting that antagonism of growth factor-induced cell proliferation by TGF-beta is of a noncompetitive nature.

Animals↗

Assignment of human transcobalamin II (TC2) to chromosome 22 using somatic cell hybrids and monosomic meningioma cells.

Human transcobalamin II (TC2), a vitamin B12 binding serum protein, is synthesized and secreted into the medium by cells growing in vitro. Mouse-man somatic cell hybrids were analyzed in order to map the locus of TC2. The presence of human TC2 in the culture media was correlated with the results of genetic marker and chromosome analysis of the hybrid cells. Chromosome 22 showed 100% concordancy. However, chromosome 6 (90% concordancy) and chromosome 7 (96% concordancy) were not completely excluded. Meningioma cells obtained from patients heterozygous for TC2 showed a concomitant loss of one chromosome 22 and one of the TC2 alleles, strongly supporting the assignment to chromosome 22.

Animals↗

Indication against genetic localisation of the human transcobalamin II gene (TC2) on chromosome 16.

The genetic locus of human transcobalamin II (TC2) is not yet known. The mouse transcobalamin II gene has been assigned to mouse chromosome 11, linked to hemoglobin A. This fact suggested a similar linkage of transcobalamin II in man, assigning it thus to human chromosome 16. Our linkage investigation in a family material of more than 600 individuals demonstrated absence of linkage between transcobalamin II and phosphoglycolate phosphatase, which is very closely linked to hemoglobin A on chromosome 16. Additionally we confirmed absence of linkage with the chromosome 16 gene marker system haptoglobin. These two gene marker systems are located far from each other, and the total length of chromosome 16 is estimated only about 100 cM. Together with recent results of investigations in somatic mouse-man cell hybrids, we conclude that TC2 is not located on chromosome 16. Additionally we found absence of linkage between transcobalamin II and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, rhesus blood group (both on chromosome 1), GC (chromosome 4), Esterase D (chromosome 13) and AG; absence of close linkage with "debrisoquin polymorphism".

Animals↗

Synthesis and secretion of the human vitamin B12-binding protein, transcobalamin II, by cultured skin fibroblasts and by bone marrow cells.

Human skin fibroblasts and bone marrow cells were tested for their ability to synthesize the cobalamin-binding protein transcobalamin II. Cobalamin binders secreted in the media of cultured fibroblasts and of dextran-sedimented bone marrow cells in liquid culture could be identified as transcobalamin II on the basis of immunological, electrophoretical and chromatographical identity with serum transcobalamin II. The net secretion of transcobalamin II increased linearly with time of culture, up to 30 days after confluence. The reversible inhibition of transcobalamin II secretion by cycloheximide demonstrated that human fibroblasts are capable of de novo transcobalamin II synthesis. Addition of cyanocobalamin to the fibroblast culture medium induced a reduction of transcobalamin II net secretion, most likely due to preferred uptake of transcobalamin II saturated with cobalamin, as opposed to unsaturated protein. Addition of lysozymal enzyme inhibitors, ammonium chloride and chloroquine, resulted in a markedly increased secretion of transcobalamin II. In the culture medium of fibroblasts, obtained from two transcobalamin II-deficient patients, functionally deficient transcobalamin II was demonstrated on the basis of strongly reduced secretion of immunoreactive transcobalamin II, and the absence of apotranscobalamin II. Individual phenotypes in the culture media of the fibroblasts and bone marrow cells were identical to the corresponding serum transcobalamin II types.

Bone Marrow↗

Localization of the gene for the vitamin B12 binding protein, transcobalamin II, near the centromere on mouse chromosome 11, linked with the hemoglobin alpha-chain locus.

Somatic cell hybrids, recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains, and backcross breeding experiments were used to locate the gene of transcobalamin II (Tcn-2), the vitamin B12 binding protein in mouse serum. TCN-2 was found to be useful genetic marker in the somatic cell hybrids. Selected hybrid clones were derived from fusions between GR mouse cells and the Chinese hamster cell line E36. Analysis of mouse specific chromosomal enzyme markers in relationship to TCN-2 secretion, in the hybrid clones, provided provisional evidence for assignment of the Tcn-2 locus to chromosome 11. The strain distribution pattern of the TCN-2 variants S and F in the RI series CXS, constructed from the cross of BALB/cHeA (TCN-2S) with STS/A (TCN-2F), implied a close linkage with the hemoglobin alpha-chain locus (Hba) on chromosome 11. Backcross breeding using inbred strains confirmed these findings and located the Tcn-2 gene closest to the centromere, linked with waved 2 (wa-2) and Hba with recombination frequencies of 6.9 and 19.2% each. The linkage group Tcn-2/wa-2/Hba was established.

Animals↗

[Transcobalamin II dynamics in a plasma turnover study of patients with lupus erythematosus. Preliminary report].

Increased serum levels of the essential vitamin B12 binding protein, transcobalamin II (TC2) were previously observed in autoimmune disease. The periods of raised serum level correlated with clinical disease activity in patients with SLE and dermatomyositis. The correlation of serum levels with disease activity in a large group of 44 Swiss SLE patients was shown to be most reliable for TC2, when compared to certain established serological markers such as complement factors C3 and C4, antinuclear antibody titer or antinative DNA antibodies. Several questions were raised: Why is the TC2 level elevated in active SLE? Is the accumulation in serum due to lack of TC2 uptake by the cell or is it due to stimulation of synthesis? Answers were sought by applying a plasma turnover test for TC2 to the SLE patients. After 400 ng/kg cyanocobalamin (i.m.) the TC2 level decreased, due to preferential uptake of holo TC2 by the cells. Total TC2 levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Normalisation of the plasma level and corresponding reappearance of apo TC2 was interpreted as newly synthesized TC2. Twelve SLE patients and six healthy controls were investigated. One SLE patient was treated with a higher cobalamin dose (200 micrograms) to ensure complete saturation of TC2. The TC2 level decrease after cobalamin injection was comparable in controls and patients, independently of the state of the disease. Normalisation of plasma levels was significantly faster, elevation above starting levels was observed, in 3 of 5 SLE patients exhibiting active disease. In the remaining 9 patients normalisation of the plasma level was comparable to the control group. Our conclusions are that TC2 uptake, in other words TC2 consumption by the cell, is unchanged in SLE, and that an increased rate of TC2 synthesis may be the cause of elevated plasma levels in active SLE.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

Genetic patterns of transcobalamin II and the relationships with congenital defects.

The vitamin B12-binding protein, transcobalamin II, is a trace component of plasma with a rapid turnover. This protein is essential for absorption, transport, cellular uptake and for recycling of vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Congenital transcobalamin II deficiency, an inborn error of metabolism is inherited as a recessive trait. The homozygous form of the deficiency is accompanied by severe clinical, hematological and immunological disturbances in the first months of life. Analytical, genetic, biochemical and clinical aspects of transcobalamin II in man and in vertebrates have been reviewed here. A genetic polymorphism for the protein has been found in man, rabbits and mice. Family studies revealed that the genetic patterns in man are determined by four polymorphic and several rare alleles. This genetic variability has been applied in paternity testing and in population studies. Transcobalamin II typing in families of patients with the inherited functional deficiency has led to identification of various deficient alleles in heterozygous carriers of the defects. Applying transcobalamin II typing after bone marrow transplantation demonstrated that this protein originates partly in the bone marrow. Subsequent investigations in cell culture have shown that human skin fibroblasts and cultured bone marrow synthesize and secret isotypes of a transport protein corresponding to the genetic isotypes observed in plasma. Comparison of transcobalamin II types in umbilical cord serum with the maternal types, has proven that the transcobalamin II activity in the cord serum is derived from the fetus. This finding will be of crucial importance in the early diagnosis of the deficiency syndrome.

Alleles↗

[Inherited transcobalamin-II-deficiency: clinical, genetic studies and diagnosis using cultured fibroblasts].

A boy born healthy, developed gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, ulcerative stomatitis) and megaloblastic anaemia with thrombocytopenia and neutropenia at the age of five weeks. Serum levels of folate and cobalamin were normal, but there was cobalamin-mal absorption. In his serum apo-TC2 was not detectable and immunoreactive total TC2 was very low (10% of normal values). Cultured skin fibroblasts failed to secrete functioning TC2. Pharmacological amounts of parenteral Cyanocobalamin, administered regularly, led to hematological remission and normal development. Interruption of therapy was followed by relapse within a few weeks. A coexisting hypogammaglobulinemia did not respond to cobalamin therapy at the selected dose level. A family investigation of serum TC2 concentrations and the genetic TC2 variants in 7 persons of three generations yielded evidence of autosomal-recessive inheritance of a silent TC2 allele (TC2 QLFL SEA-like). Three persons with heterozygous deficiency were asymptomatic.

Cells, Cultured↗

Genetic evidence for fetal origin of transcobalamin II in human cord blood.

Phenotypes of transcobalamin II (TC2) were determined in 95 maternal-cord serum pairs in order to identify the origin of TC2 in human cord blood. Unsaturated (apo) TC2 in serum was labeled with radioactive (57Co) cobalamin (CbI) and separated into isoproteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Discordancy between the maternal and the cord serum type was observed in 45% of the pairs. The results demonstrated that, at the end of pregnancy, the fetus is capable of TC2 synthesis and that there is no detectable transplacental passage of maternal apo-TC2. Presence of maternal saturated (holo) TC2 in cord serum could be excluded in 9 informative discordant pairs by exchanging endogenously bound CbI with 57Co-CbI. Our finding that TC2 in human cord serum is of fetal rather than maternal origin suggests an essential role for fetal TC2 in CbI utilization and appears to contradict the hypothesis that transplacental passage of maternal TC2 may explain the normal fetal development in cases of congenital TC2 deficiency. The total immunoreactive TC2 content in 23 maternal serum samples collected at the end of pregnancy (812 +/- 175 pM CbI equivalent) was significantly higher than in the corresponding cord sera (605 +/- 148 pM; p less than 0.001) and did not significantly differ from the value in a control group of healthy male and female adults (841 +/- 192 pM). At the end of pregnancy, the apo-TC2 content in 12 maternal serum samples (760 +/- 347 pM) was significantly higher than in the corresponding cord sera (501 +/- 254 pM; p less than 0.05) and did not significantly differ from the value in the control group (747 +/- 137 pM).

Blood Proteins↗

Allelic forms of mouse transcobalamin 2.

Transcobalamin 2 is the only vitamin B12-binding protein found in mouse serum. Two allelic forms of mouse transcobalamin 2 are described. The two forms differ in their mobilities on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The slowly migrating form has been found in serum from 25 inbred mouse strains. The more rapidly migrating form was detected in 3 inbred mouse strains (NZB, ST/bJ, and CPB-WV). Both parental variants were expressed in F1 progeny of appropriate interstrain crosses, showing codominant expression of the transcobalamin 2 alleles. In backcrosses between F1 and parental individuals, the two electrophoretic variants were inherited as single Mendelian traits. The strain distribution pattern of the two variants in recombinant inbred lines likewise suggested a single-gene mode of inheritance and indicated a lack of close linkage with a number of genetic loci on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, and 17. We propose the symbol Tcn-2 for the polymorphic gene locus coding for transcobalamin 2 in the mouse and Tcn-2s and Tcn-2f for the two alleles.

Alleles↗