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Biomedical subjects

M McClelland

Publications and source records attributed to M McClelland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Analysis of gene expression patterns in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts using RAP-PCR for differential display].

OBJECTIVE: Destruction of articular cartilage and bone by invading synovial fibroblasts is a typical histopathologic feature in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, little is known about specific up- or downregulation of genes leading to this aggressive phenotype. Thus, our aim was to identify genes, which are differentially expressed in RA synovial fibroblasts as compared to synovial fibroblasts derived from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) using RAP-PCR for differential display. METHODS: After extraction of total RNA, the first step of RAP-PCR was performed using various different arbitrary 10-12-base primers for first-strand cDNA synthesis. Second-strand synthesis was achieved by cycling at low stringency conditions for 35 cycles using different arbitrary 10-base primers, followed by electrophoretic separation and sequence analysis of the amplified fingerprint products. RESULTS: On average, approximately 70 different RNAs were obtained per primer, of which most were expressed both by RA and OA synovial fibroblasts. Using 26 different primer combinations, in total 12 cDNAs were differentially expressed between RA and OA synovial fibroblasts. In the RA group strong amplification of distinct PCR products suitable for sequencing could be observed. Sequence analysis identified these PCR products as highly homologous to various genes involved in regulation of cell cycle and metabolism. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that RAP-PCR is a suitable method to identify differentially expressed genes in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts potentially involved in the specific pathophysiology of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

Sample sequencing of a Salmonella typhimurium LT2 lambda library: comparison to the Escherichia coli K12 genome.

As part of the ongoing sequencing of the complete Salmonella typhimurium LT2 genome, a partly ordered set of 416 lambda clones has been developed, representing over 90% of the genome. The average insert size is 17 kb. Sequences were obtained from both ends of each clone in this set. A total of over 600 kb of sequence has been deposited in the genome survey sequence section of GenBank. This resource of clones is available from the Salmonella Genome Stock Center. A preliminary comparison with the Escherichia coli K12 genome indicates that there are likely to be many hundred insertion deletion events, encompassing more than one gene, that distinguish these genomes. Fully 30% of the S. typhimurium sequences have no close homologs in the GenBank database.

Adult

Differential display probes for cDNA arrays.

PCR with a combination of one arbitrary and one oligo(dT) anchor primer can be used to generate an effective probe for cDNA arrays. The method uses less than 1/200 of the amount of RNA used in some other array hybridization methods. Each fingerprint detects approximately 5% of the transcribed mRNAs, sampled almost independent of abundance, using inexpensive E. coli colony arrays of expressed sequence tag (EST) clones. It proved necessary to alter the differential display (DD) protocol to generate a sufficient mass of PCR products for use as a probe. The use of different oligo(dT) anchor primers with the same arbitrary primer resulted in considerable overlap among the genes sampled by each probe. This can be avoided by using different arbitrary primers with each oligo(dT) anchor primer. Four genes not previously known to be regulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and three genes known to be regulated by EGF in other cell types were characterized using DD fingerprints as probes for arrays. It should be possible to convert archived DD fingerprints into effective probes for arrays, allowing thousands of experiments that have already been performed to yield further information. The use of DD fingerprints as probes should increase the rate of identification of differentially regulated genes several fold while obviating the need for cloning and sequencing.

Cell Line

Non-stoichiometric reduced complexity probes for cDNA arrays.

A method is presented in which the reduced complexity and non-stoichiometric amplification intrinsic to RNA arbitrarily primed PCR fingerprinting (RAP-PCR) is used to advantage to generate probes for differential screening of cDNA arrays. RAP-PCR fingerprints were converted to probes for human cDNA clones arrayed as Escherichia coli colonies on nylon membranes. Each array contained 18 432 cDNA clones from the IMAGE consortium. Hybridization to approximately 1000 cDNA clones was detected using each RAP-PCR probe. Different RAP-PCR fingerprints gave hybridization patterns having very little overlap (<3%) with each other or with hybridization patterns from total cDNA probes. Consequently, repeated application of RAP-PCR probes allows a greater fraction of the message population to be screened on this type of array than can be achieved with a radiolabeled total cDNA probe. This method was applied to RNA from HaCaT keratinocytes treated with epidermal growth factor. Two RAP-PCR probes detected hybridization to 2000 clones, from which 22 candidate differentially expressed genes were observed. Differential expression was tested for 15 of these clones using RT-PCR and 13 were confirmed. The use of this cDNA array to analyze RAP-PCR fingerprints allowed for an increase in detection of 10-20-fold over the conventional denaturing polyacrylamide gel approach to RAP-PCR or differential display. Throughput is vastly improved by the reduction in cloning and sequencing afforded by the use of arrays. Also, repeated cloning and sequencing of the same gene or of genes already known to be regulated in the system of interest is minimized. The procedure we describe uses inexpensive arrays of plasmid clones spotted as E.coli colonies to detect differential expression, but these reduced complexity probes should also prove useful on arrays of PCR-amplified fragments and on oligonucleotide chips. Genesobserved in this manuscript: H11520, U35048, R48633, H28735, M13918, H12999, H05639, X79781, M31627, H23972, AB000712, R75916, U66894, AF067817.

DNA, Complementary

Differentially expressed genes in the Trypanosoma brucei life cycle identified by RNA fingerprinting.

RNA fingerprinting by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (RAP-PCR) was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed during the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei, as well as in response to heat shock. The standard RAP-PCR protocol was varied in two ways. First, the PCR reactions sometimes included a primer derived from the 5' mini-exon sequence, to ensure that most of the products contained the 5' end of mRNAs. Second, differentially amplified products were reamplified, isolated on single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) gels, cloned, and sequenced. Clones representing 32 different expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained. Twenty-four ESTs were confirmed as differentially expressed by RT-PCR between different stages of the parasite cycle, or in response to temperature elevation. Nine clones had significant similarities to sequences already in the database. These transcripts included genes encoding cell surface proteins, metabolic enzymes, and heat shock proteins, either from trypanosomes or other organisms. Of particular interest, ESAG1 was shown to be heat-inducible in the procyclic stage. Most of the transcripts were unrelated to any other sequences in the database, and were deposited as new ESTs. The identification of stage-specific and heat shock-regulated transcripts will complement the growing T. brucei database. In addition, this experimental approach allows previous entries in the sequence database to be annotated with regulatory information.

Animals

Neural membrane protein 35 (NMP35): a novel member of a gene family which is highly expressed in the adult nervous system.

We have identified and isolated a cDNA that codes for the novel protein NMP35 (neural membrane protein 35) using RNA arbitrarily primed PCR (RAP-PCR) for differential display in the developing rat sciatic nerve. NMP35 is predominantly found in the adult nervous system where both transcripts and protein are strongly upregulated during postnatal development. In situ hybridization studies show that NMP35 mRNA is widely distributed in the brain and spinal cord with a neuronal expression pattern. Database comparisons reveal that NMP35 shares significant homologies with the rat glutamate-binding protein (GBP), the Drosophila NMDARA1, and two orphan C. elegans genes. Comparative analysis of NMP35 and GBP expression indicates that they are similarly regulated during development and display regionally overlapping cellular patterns. We conclude that NMP35 and GBP are members of a gene family which is likely to play a role in the development and the maintenance of the nervous system.

Age Factors

Estrogen-responsive RING finger mRNA induction in gastrointestinal carcinoma cells following bile acid treatment.

The underlying molecular mechanisms of the tumor-promoting activity of bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) and the protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) remain largely unclear. Using RNA arbitrarily primed PCR (RAP-PCR) for differential display, we identified, cloned and sequenced differentially expressed transcripts after treating gastric carcinoma cells (St 23132) with the bile acids CDCA, DCA and UDCA. One of these transcripts was identified to be an estrogen-responsive RING finger protein (efp) mRNA. The differential expression of efp in gastric cancer cells was confirmed by low stringency RT-PCR. efp mRNA levels were induced 3-fold in gastric carcinoma cells after CDCA and DCA treatment, whereas no change in expression was detected after UDCA treatment. Finally, treatment of the colon carcinoma cell line HT 29 with DCA resulted in a 2- to 5-fold induction of efp mRNA levels whereas UDCA did not induce efp. As expected, efp expression was also increased after 24 h of estrogen treatment. In summary, a synergy or a common pathway of tumor enhancement of bile acids and estrogen via efp in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis can be envisioned.

Bile Acids and Salts

Identification and sequence analysis of a 27-kilobase chromosomal fragment containing a Salmonella pathogenicity island located at 92 minutes on the chromosome map of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium LT2.

Using a genomic approach, we have identified a new Salmonella pathogenicity island, SPI-4, which is the fourth Salmonella pathogenicity island to be identified. SPI-4 was located at 92 min on the chromosome map and was flanked by the ssb and soxSR loci. The DNA sequence covering the entire SPI-4 and both boundaries was determined. The size of SPI-4 was about 25 kb and it contains 18 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Three of these ORFs encode proteins that have significant homology with proteins involved in toxin secretion. Another five ORFs encode proteins that have significant homology with hypothetical proteins from Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 or Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The rest of the ORFs encode novel proteins, one of which has five membrane-spanning domains. SPI-4 is likely to carry a type I secretion system involved in toxin secretion. Furthermore, a previously identified locus (ims98), which is required for intramacrophage survival, was also mapped within the SPI-4 region. These findings suggested that SPI-4 is needed for intramacrophage survival.

Amino Acid Sequence

Comparison of sample sequences of the Salmonella typhi genome to the sequence of the complete Escherichia coli K-12 genome.

Raw sequence data representing the majority of a bacterial genome can be obtained at a tiny fraction of the cost of a completed sequence. To demonstrate the utility of such a resource, 870 single-stranded M13 clones were sequenced from a shotgun library of the Salmonella typhi Ty2 genome. The sequence reads averaged over 400 bases and sampled the genome with an average spacing of once every 5,000 bases. A total of 339,243 bases of unique sequence was generated (approximately 7% representation). The sample of 870 sequences was compared to the complete Escherichia coli K-12 genome and to the rest of the GenBank database, which can also be considered a collection of sampled sequences. Despite the incomplete S. typhi data set, interesting categories could easily be discerned. Sixteen percent of the sequences determined from S. typhi had close homologs among known Salmonella sequences (P < 1e-40 in BlastX or BlastN), reflecting the proportion of these genomes that have been sequenced previously; 277 sequences (32%) had no apparent orthologs in the complete E. coli K-12 genome (P > 1e-20), of which 155 sequences (18%) had no close similarities to any sequence in the database (P > 1e-5). Eight of the 277 sequences had similarities to genes in other strains of E. coli or plasmids, and six sequences showed evidence of novel phage lysogens or sequence remnants of phage integrations, including a member of the lambda family (P < 1e-15). Twenty-three sample sequences had a significantly closer similarity a sequence in the database from organisms other than the E. coli/Salmonella clade (which includes Shigella and Citrobacter). These sequences are new candidate lateral transfer events to the S. typhi lineage or deletions on the E. coli K-12 lineage. Eleven putative junctions of insertion/deletion events greater than 100 bp were observed in the sample, indicating that well over 150 such events may distinguish S. typhi from E. coli K-12. The need for automatic methods to more effectively exploit sample sequences is discussed.

Bacteriophages

Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine is elevated in premature infants who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Premature infants are susceptible to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease of infancy that appears to be caused in part by oxidative stress from hyperoxia. To investigate the possible role of nitric oxide-derived oxidants such as peroxynitrite in the etiology of BPD, we measured levels of plasma 3-nitrotyrosine, which is produced by the reaction of peroxynitrite with proteins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten premature infants who developed BPD, defined as requiring supplemental oxygen beyond 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, were identified retrospectively from a group of subjects enrolled in a clinical trial of antenatal therapy. Serial plasma samples had been collected on these infants during the first month of life as part of the trial. Sixteen comparison premature infants were identified from the same population: 5 had no lung disease, 6 had respiratory distress syndrome that resolved, and 5 had residual lung disease at 28 days of life that resolved by 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine levels were measured using a solid phase immunoradiochemical method. RESULTS: All 3-nitrotyrosine values in infants without BPD were <0.25 ng/mg protein, and levels did not change with postnatal age. Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine concentrations were significantly higher in infants with BPD, increasing approximately fourfold during the first month of life. For the 20 infants who had blood samples available at 28 days of life, plasma 3-nitrotyrosine levels correlated with the fraction of inspired oxygen that the infant was receiving (r = 0.7). CONCLUSION: Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine content is increased during the first month of life in infants who develop BPD. This suggests that peroxynitrite-mediated oxidant stress may contribute to the development of this disease in premature infants and that 3-nitrotyrosine may be useful as an early plasma indicator of infants at risk for developing BPD.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

GeneUp: a program to select short PCR primer pairs that occur in multiple members of sequence lists.

A computer program is presented that selects a small set of short primer pairs for PCR to sample all the sequences in a user-specified list of mRNAs. Such primer pairs could be used to increase the probability of sampling mRNAs of particular interest in differential display and to generate simplified hybridization probes for DNA chips or arrays. The program uses simulated PCR to find pairs of primers that sample more than one sequence in the list. A small set of such primer pairs is selected that give maximal coverage of the sequences in the list. Primer pairs are excluded that: (i) generate simulated PCR products of the same size from a number of sequences in the list, (ii) can easily form primer dimers, (iii) are outside a specified range of G + C content or (iv) occur in another list of undesirable sequences, such as rRNAs and Alu repeats. Five lists consisting of from 48-285 cDNA sequences were used to test the program. A small number of pairs of primers, 8-10 bases in length, were selected that fit the above criteria and that generate one or more simulated PCR products in all or most of the cDNAs in each list.

Base Sequence

Overexpression of Lerk-5/Eplg5 messenger RNA: a novel marker for increased tumorigenicity and metastatic potential in human malignant melanomas.

The Lerks, ligands of eph-related receptor tyrosine kinases, are a rapidly expanding family of genes thought to play an important role in the development and oncogenesis of various tissues. However, very little experimental evidence supports this hypothesis. Using RNA fingerprinting, we detected increased expression of Lerk-5 mRNA in human melanocytes as a response to the tumor-promoting drug 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, which suggests a possible role of the Lerks in melanoma tumorigenesis and progression. Therefore, we studied Lerk-5 mRNA expression in various melanoma cell lines and tissues of melanocytic tumors by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Modest expression of Lerk-5 mRNA was found in two melanoma cell lines derived from early primary tumors (WM35 and WM1645B); two metastatic cell lines tested showed a 3.9-fold increased transcript abundance when compared to the primary cell lines (RPMI-7951 and SK-Mel5). Progeny of a melanoma cell line with very low Lerk-5 mRNA abundance (WM35) showed a 5-fold increase in Lerk-5 mRNA expression when it was selected for higher tumorigenicity and multicytokine resistance by passaging in nude mice or repeated high-dose UVB irradiation. Consistent with these experimental data, we found high levels of Lerk-5 mRNA expression in advanced primary malignant melanomas and metastases (n = 22) but significantly lower or undetectable mRNA expression in benign melanocytic nevi (n = 9; P < 0.001). We conclude that increased Lerk-5 expression possibly reflects or induces an increased potential of growth, tumorigenicity, and metastatic abilities in human melanomas. This makes the yet to be elucidated eph-related receptor tyrosine kinase/Lerk signaling system a potential new source for molecular markers as well as a target for new therapies.

Animals

RNA fingerprinting displays UVB-specific disruption of transcriptional control in human melanocytes.

In mammalian cells, UV induces a limited set of early transcribed genes, which overlaps with the set of genes induced by tumor promoting drugs such as 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Among these are genes for transcription factors, the activation of which leads to complex secondary changes in expression of multiple target genes. How these delayed pleiotropic UV effects on transcription may contribute to initiation of melanoma skin cancer is poorly understood. We analyzed changes in the relative abundances of 1900 transcripts in newborn human melanocytes 8 h after treatment with UVB, TPA, and cycloheximide in all combinations, using RNA arbitrarily primed PCR for differential display. The relative abundances of 205 transcripts (11% of all transcripts surveyed) were altered by one or more of the treatment combinations. Fourteen of the 77 genes up-regulated by TPA were also up-regulated by UVB, but 60 of the TPA up-regulated genes were down-regulated by UVB, indicating both intersecting and independent signal transduction pathways for UVB and TPA. A number of UVB and TPA target genes were identified by cDNA cloning. Consistent with UVB induction of a partly transformed phenotype in mammalian cells, UVB antagonized the TPA-inducible expression of tumor-suppressive tropomyosin 3 mRNA. In addition, UVB may impair mitochondrial functioning and induce oxidative stress by strong down-regulation of mitochondrial transcription. Finally, increased expression of the dihydropteridine reductase gene, a major regulator of the cellular tetrahydrobiopterin pool, was linked to the UV pathway.

Carcinogens

Evaluation of artecoll polymethylmethacrylate implant for soft-tissue augmentation: biocompatibility and chemical characterization.

Artecoll polymethylmethacrylate implant (Artecoll) is a combination of polymethylmethacrylate beads suspended in 3.5% atelocollagen and has been designed for use in soft-tissue augmentation applications. The biocompatibility and immunogenicity of Artecoll were evaluated to assess the safety of this product for use in the dermis. To characterize the collagen component, chemical analysis was performed including trypsin sensitivity, differential scanning calorimetry, and pepsin content. Particle size analysis was also performed on the polymethylmethacrylate beads. The ability of this material to elicit an immunologic response was measured in a sensitized and nonsensitized guinea pig intradermal model. In these studies, 24 guinea pigs were injected intradermally with either Artecoll or Zyderm, a bovine collagen product for soft-tissue augmentation. Six sites were evaluated for each material at 3, 7, and 28 days after injection. In the sensitized model, 60 guinea pigs were divided into five groups, and each group received a sensitizing dose (in conjunction with Freund's adjuvant) of Zyderm, Artecoll, or a nonsensitizing dose of the same materials. The fifth group served as a nontreatment control. After the animals were sensitized, they were challenged with intradermal injections of various antigens to evaluate delayed type hypersensitivity reactions. Chemical characterization indicated polymethylmethacrylate beads of varying sizes, including many less than 35 microns, and a vehicle of extensively denatured and impure collagen. In vivo evaluations indicated that Artecoll elicited an immune response in guinea pigs, including delayed type hypersensitivity and antibody reactions. Histological assessment demonstrated particle phagocytosis and transepidermal elimination. Following immunization with Artecoll, guinea pigs were also found to be sensitized to pepsin, an impurity found in the collagen carrier. The biocompatibility of this material was compared with that of bovine dermal collagen (Zyderm collagen implant), which is widely used and accepted as biocompatible. The results of this evaluation indicate that Artecoll polymethylmethacrylate implant has the potential to elicit an immune response in humans, and polymethylmethacrylate beads are susceptible to phagocytosis and elimination.

Adjuvants, Immunologic