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Biomedical subjects

M Poot

Publications and source records attributed to M Poot.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with duplication of 11q23-qter.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively common birth defect with a high mortality. Although little is known about its etiology, there is increasing evidence for a strong genetic contribution. Both numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities have been described in patients with CDH. Partial trisomy 11q and partial trisomy 22 associated with the common t(11;22) has been reported in several cases of CDH. It has been assumed that the diaphragmatic defect seen in these individuals was primarily due to duplication of material from chromosome 22q11. However, in this report we describe a family with a t(11;12) in which one of two brothers with partial trisomy 11q has a left sided posterolateral CDH. This is the second case of CDH in partial trisomy 11q due to an unbalanced translocation other than t(11;22). Using array-based comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we mapped the breakpoints in both brothers and their mother who is a balanced translocation carrier. Our results suggest that duplication of one or more genes on a approximately 19 Mb region of 11q23.3-qter predisposes to the development of CDH. These effects may be the primary cause of CDH in individuals t(11;22) or may be additive to effects from the duplication of chromosome 22 material. We also conclude that the partial trisomy 11q syndrome has a variable phenotype and that CDH should be added to the spectrum of anomalies that can be present in this syndrome.

Adult↗

Striking facial dysmorphisms and restricted thymic development in a fetus with a 6-megabase deletion of chromosome 14q.

During routine ultrasound screening at 12 weeks 5 days of gestation, a nuchal translucency of 7 mm, an omphalocele, and fetal hydrops were found and prompted chorionic villus sampling at 13 weeks 2 days. Chromosome analysis showed an unbalanced karyotype with an abnormal chromosome 14. The mother was a carrier of a translocation karyotype 46,XX,t(13;14) (q34;q32.2). In the fetus this gave rise to a partial trisomy 13q and partial monosomy 14q (fetal karyotype: 46,XX,der[14]t[13;14][q34;q32.2]). By Array-CGH on DNA extracted from a postmortem skin culture, a duplication of approximately 1.7 Mbp of the distal part of chromosome 13q34 and a deletion of approximately 6.0 Mbp of the distal part of chromosome 14q32.2 was demonstrated. Postmortem findings after termination of pregnancy at 14 weeks 6 days included, among others, a severe hypoplasia of the median part of the maxilla, no recognizable nose, a broad median palatoschisis, nonlobulated lungs, a horseshoe kidney with multicystic dysplasia, and decreased development of cortical cellularity in the thymus. These clinical manifestations and autopsy findings of the fetus are compared with those of previously published cases and the possible involvement in this pathology of the YY1 and JAG2 transcription factors and the BCL11b and SIVA-1 regulators of thymic development is discussed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Virilization of the external genitalia and severe mental retardation in a girl with an unbalanced translocation 1;18.

A female infant with dysmorphic facial features, psychomotor retardation, and clitoris hypertrophy is described. Molecular cytogenetic analyses revealed a de novo unbalanced translocation, causing partial monosomy 1p36 and partial trisomy 18q22. Monosomy 1p was confirmed by FISH, and trisomy of the distal part of chromosome 18q was demonstrated by microFISH. Gene copy number changes in these chromosomal regions were determined by array-CGH. The absence of a number of facial dysmorphic signs, and the presence of clitoris hypertrophy indicate that the combination of a del(1p36->pter) with a dup(18q22->qter) may lead to a unique phenotypic constellation. The findings at birth and at age 12 years in our patient are compared with genotype-phenotype correlations discussed in the literature.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Supernumerary ring chromosome 7 mosaicism: case report, investigation of the gene content, and delineation of the phenotype.

We report a girl with severe retardation of expressive speech development carrying a small, supernumerary ring chromosome derived from the proximal region of the long arm of chromosome 7. The r(7) chromosome is present in 50% of lymphocytes. We also review the six additional cases with a supernumerary r(7) chromosome reported in the literature. Among these patients, a severe retardation of productive language capabilities is seen as a shared clinical feature, irrespective of the degree of mosaicism as detected in blood. The dysmorphisms in these patients are minor and no shared congenital abnormalities seen. We, therefore, recommend chromosomal investigations in children with unexplained, disproportionately retarded expressive speech performance. Because speech and language acquisition are subject to genetic influences, we investigated whether there are genes on the r(7) chromosome that may affect brain development or function in a dosage-dependent manner. We found that both in our patient and in four patients described by others, the supernumerary r(7) chromosome contains the region from the centromere up to marker D7S613 located at 7q11.23. We speculate that the effects on speech acquisition are mediated by the supernumerary copies of the STX1A and LIMK1 genes, which are both located in this region and known to suppress neurite growth when overexpressed in vitro.

Child, Preschool↗

Efficacy of MitoTracker Green and CMXrosamine to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane potentials in living cells and tissues.

BACKGROUND: Chloromethyl-X-rosamine (CMXRos) and MitoTracker Green (MTG) have proved to be useful dyes with which to measure mitochondrial function. CMXRos is a lipophilic cationic fluorescent dye that is concentrated inside mitochondria by their negative mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). MTG fluorescence has been used as a measure of mitochondrial mass independent of MMP. The fluorescence ratio of the two dyes is a relative measure of the MMP independent of mitochondrial mass. Because MTG was recently reported to be sensitive to MMP, we have reevaluated the effects of loss of MMP on MTG and CMXRos fluorescence, using both flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). METHODS: Using flow cytometry, the relative fluorescence of CMXRos, R123, and MTG was determined in human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) with or without carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxylphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP), used to collapse the MMP. LSCM analysis was also used to evaluate the effect of FCCP on MTG and CMXRos fluorescence of mouse cells and viable lenses in culture. The cytotoxicity of the dyes was determined using flow analysis of endogenous NADH fluorescence. The sensitivity of MTG fluorescence to H(2)O(2) was also evaluated using flow cytometry. RESULTS: CMXRos fluorescence was dependent on MMP, whereas MTG fluorescence was not affected by MMP, using either flow or LSCM. Specific staining of mitochondria was seen with both dyes in all cell types tested, without evidence of cytotoxicity, as determined by NADH levels. H(2)O(2) damage slightly increased MTG staining of cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that CMXRos is a nontoxic sensitive indicator of relative changes in MMP, whereas MTG is relatively insensitive to MMP and oxidative stress, using both flow and LSCM analyses, provided optimal staining conditions are used. In addition, these dyes can be useful for the study of mitochondrial morphology and function in whole tissues, using LSCM.

Aldehydes↗

Protein tyrosine phosphatase RQ is a phosphatidylinositol phosphatase that can regulate cell survival and proliferation.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase RQ (PTPRQ) was initially identified as a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase)-like protein that is upregulated in a model of renal injury. Here we present evidence that, like PTEN, the biologically important enzymatic activity of PTPRQ is as a phosphatidylinositol phosphatase (PIPase). The PIPase specificity of PTPRQ is broader than that of PTEN and depends on different amino acid residues in the catalytic domain. In vitro, the recombinant catalytic domain of PTPRQ has low PTPase activity against tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide and protein substrates but can dephosphorylate a broad range of phosphatidylinositol phosphates, including phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and most phosphatidylinositol monophosphates and diphosphates. Phosphate can be hydrolyzed from the D3 and D5 positions in the inositol ring. PTPRQ does not have either of the basic amino acids in the catalytic domain that are important for the PIPase activity of PTEN or the sequence motifs that are characteristic of type II phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphatases. Instead, the PIPase activity depends on the WPE sequence present in the catalytic cleft of PTPRQ, and in the "inactive" D2 domains of many dual-domain PTPases, in place of the WPD motif present in standard active PTPases. Overexpression of PTPRQ in cultured cells inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis. An E2171D mutation that retains or increases PTPase activity but eliminates PIPase activity, eliminates the inhibitory effects on proliferation and apoptosis. These results indicate that PTPRQ represents a subtype of the PTPases whose biological activities result from its PIPase activity rather than its PTPase activity.

Animals↗

Simultaneous analysis of surface marker expression and cell cycle progression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

One method for examining cell cycle kinetics by flow cytometry uses continuous DNA labeling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analogue. Upon incorporation into DNA, BrdU causes stoichiometric quenching of the DNA fluorochrome Hoechst 33258. After counterstaining with a secondary DNA fluorochrome (e.g., ethidium bromide), the analyst can distinguish cells in different phases of the cell cycle over a number of mitotic cycles with flow cytometry. In this report, we describe a modification of the flow cytometric BrdU-Hoechst assay that allows combined analysis of cell proliferation and immunophenotyping at the single cell level. To demonstrate an application of this method, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with tetanus toxoid or interleukin-2 for up to 6 days in the presence of BrdU, harvested, and immunostained for the cell surface markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD19, and the cytokine receptor, CCR5. We used four-color flow cytometry analyses to simultaneously measure cell proliferation and surface marker expression, for the purpose of immunophenotyping and identifying specific cell subsets responding to antigen stimulation. Our successful application of this method suggests that it may be used to study immune responses at the molecular and cellular level and to identify mechanisms of immune system modulation.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗

Effects of bile salts on cholestan-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol-induced apoptosis in dog gallbladder epithelial cells.

Oxysterols are cytotoxic agents. The gallbladder epithelium is exposed to high concentrations of oxysterols, and so elucidating the mechanisms of cytotoxicity in this organ may enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of biliary tract disorders. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of the oxysterol cholestan-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol (TriolC) on dog gallbladder epithelial cells. Apoptosis was the major form of cytotoxicity, as determined by analysis of nuclear morphologic changes and by multiparameter flow cytometry. Hydrophobic bile salts are known to have cytotoxic effects, whereas hydrophilic bile salts have cytoprotective effects. We therefore examined whether the hydrophobic bile acid taurodeoxycholic acid (TDC) and the hydrophilic bile acid tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDC) had modifying effects on oxysterol-induced cytotoxicity. TriolC caused an increase in the number of apoptotic cells from 14+/-11% (control) to 48+/-12% of total cells (P<0.01). After combining TriolC with TDC, cell apoptosis increased to 63+/-16% (P<0.05), whereas after addition of TUDC, the number of apoptotic cells decreased to 31+/-12% (P<0.05) of total cells. In summary, oxysterols such as TriolC induce apoptosis. Hydrophobic bile salts enhance TriolC-induced apoptosis, whereas hydrophilic bile salts diminish TriolC-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that interactions between oxysterols and bile salts play a role in the pathophysiology of biliary tract disorders.

Animals↗

Diabetes accelerates smooth muscle accumulation in lesions of atherosclerosis: lack of direct growth-promoting effects of high glucose levels.

In combination with other factors, hyperglycemia may cause the accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in people with diabetes. Arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and accumulation contribute to formation of advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, we investigated the effects of hyperglycemia on SMC proliferation and accumulation in vivo and in isolated arteries and SMCs by taking advantage of a new porcine model of diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis, in which diabetic animals are hyperglycemic without receiving exogenous insulin. We show that diabetic animals fed a cholesterol-rich diet, like humans, develop severe lesions of atherosclerosis characterized by SMC accumulation and proliferation, whereas lesions in nondiabetic animals contain fewer SMCs after 20 weeks. However, high glucose (25 mmol/l) does not directly stimulate the proliferation of SMCs in isolated arterial tissue from diabetic or nondiabetic animals, or of cultured SMCs from these animals or from humans. Furthermore, the mitogenic actions of platelet-derived growth factor, IGF-I, or serum are not enhanced by high glucose. High glucose increases SMC glucose metabolism through the citric acid cycle and the pentose phosphate pathway by 240 and 90%, respectively, but <10% of consumed glucose is metabolized through these pathways. Instead, most of the consumed glucose is converted into lactate and secreted by the SMCs. Thus, diabetes markedly accelerates SMC proliferation and accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions. The stimulatory effect of diabetes on SMCs is likely to be mediated by effects secondary to the hyperglycemic state.

Animals↗

Disruption of redox homeostasis in tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis in a murine hepatocyte cell line.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a mediator of the acute phase response in the liver and can initiate proliferation and cause cell death in hepatocytes. We investigated the mechanisms by which TNF causes apoptosis in hepatocytes focusing on the role of oxidative stress, antioxidant defenses, and mitochondrial damage. The studies were conducted in cultured AML12 cells, a line of differentiated murine hepatocytes. As is the case for hepatocytes in vivo, AML12 cells were not sensitive to cell death by TNF alone, but died by apoptosis when exposed to TNF and a small dose of actinomycin D (Act D). Morphological signs of apoptosis were not detected until 6 hours after the treatment and by 18 hours approximately 50% of the cells had died. Exposure of the cells to TNF+Act D did not block NFkappaB nuclear translocation, DNA binding, or its overall transactivation capacity. Induction of apoptosis was characterized by oxidative stress indicated by the loss of NAD(P)H and glutathione followed by mitochondrial damage that included loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, inner membrane structural damage, and mitochondrial condensation. These changes coincided with cytochrome C release and the activation of caspases-8, -9, and -3. TNF-induced apoptosis was dependent on glutathione levels. In cells with decreased levels of glutathione, TNF by itself in the absence of transcriptional blocking acted as an apoptotic agent. Conversely, the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid, that protected against the loss of glutathione in cells exposed to TNF+Act D completely prevented mitochondrial damage, caspase activation, cytochrome C release, and apoptosis. The results demonstrate that apoptosis induced by TNF+Act D in AML12 cells involves oxidative injury and mitochondrial damage. As injury was regulated to a larger extent by the glutathione content of the cells, we suggest that the combination of TNF+Act D causes apoptosis because Act D blocks the transcription of genes required for antioxidant defenses.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Response of human oral epithelial cells to oxidative damage and the effect of vitamin E.

Smoking and periodontal inflammation are various conditions with the potential to induce oxidative stress and thus DNA damage in the oral cavity. In cellular defense systems, vitamin E is considered the most powerful lipid-soluble antioxidant. To investigate whether oxygen-free radicals alter normal progression of the cell cycle and whether vitamin E prevents this damage, we exposed cultured normal human oral epithelial cells to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the presence or absence of vitamin E. Two primary cell lines were analyzed for the presence of hydroxyl radical, cell cycle distribution and morphology. Each cell line received five treatments: control, ethanol only, vitamin E only, H2O2 only or vitamin E followed by H2O2. Degradation of hydroxyl radicals was detected by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis, cell cycle by flow cytometry and morphology by organotypic technique. Hydroxyl radicals were generated in H2O2-treated cells at an initial concentration, which decreased over a period of time. Cell cycle analysis showed that H2O2-treated cells differed from normal cells in that the percentage of cells in the G1 phase decreased markedly (34.3 vs. 61.2% in control) and the S phase increased (35.5 vs. 15.6% in control). Organotypic cultures treated with H2O2 demonstrated nuclear hyperchromatism, loss of maturation and prominent nucleoli, features consistent with premalignant epithelial transformation. In conclusion, our data suggest that H2O2 produced hydroxyl radicals and altered the cell cycle. Also, vitamin E may have the potential to reduce oxidative damage caused by hydroxyl radicals.

Epithelial Cells↗

5-Fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in cultured oral cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and is known to kill cancer cells through apoptosis. Our hypothesis states that 5-fluorouracil (5FU) also kills cultured oral epithelial cells through programmed cell death or apoptosis. Cultured oral cancer cells were exposed to an optimum dose of 20 mg/ml of 5FU. Cells were analyzed for changes in cell cycle distribution and induction of cell death including apoptosis. Normal control, human papilloma virus-immortalized (PP), ATCC SCC cell line (CA1) and two primary oral SCC cell lines (CA3 and -4) were studied. Inhibition of apoptosis by a pan-caspase inhibitor was used. SYTO 11 flow cytometry showed increased apoptosis in all 5FU-treated cell cultures compared to untreated controls. The results show biological variation in apoptotic response. CA1 had the lowest apoptotic rate of the cancer cell lines at 1.5%. Next lowest was CA3, followed by CA4 and PP. In addition, alteration in the G1 and S phase fractions were found. Untreated CA1 showed 28% G1, 53% S compared to 43% G1, and 40% S of treated. We investigated the pathway of apoptosis using the pan-caspase inhibitor IDN-1529 by methylthiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric analysis. Results showed mild inhibition of cell death when cells were incubated with 50 microM IDN-1529 for 24 h. This suggests a probable caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. In conclusion, our data suggest that 5FU induces oral cancer cell death through apoptosis and that biological variation exists between normal and cancer cells and between different types of cancer cells themselves. Our data indicate that cultures of a useful in vitro model for chemosensitivity assays are possible. Our results also suggest a caspase-dependent pathway for chemocytotoxicity in oral SCC.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Detection of changes in mitochondrial function during apoptosis by simultaneous staining with multiple fluorescent dyes and correlated multiparameter flow cytometry.

BACKGROUND: The possible relationships between changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and other mitochondrial functions during apoptosis remain controversial. METHODS: To detect concomitant changes in mitochondrial function during apoptosis, we performed correlated multiparameter flow cytometry after simultaneous cell staining with several dyes. RESULTS: After camptothecin treatment, nonapoptotic cells exhibited a concomitant rise in mitochondrial membrane potential [8-(4'-chloromethyl) phenyl-2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, 15-octahydro-1H, 4H, 10H, 13H-diquinolizino-8H-xanthylium chloride, or CMXRos; CMXRos fluorescence divided by MitoTracker Green fluorescence], NADH level (ultraviolet-excited blue autofluorescence), and oxidative turnover (H2-CMXRos oxidation). Frankly apoptotic cells showed a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, NADH level, and oxidative turnover. Oxidative turnover was not sensitive to antimycin A treatment, which suggests that H2-CMXRos oxidation in these cells may be due to lipid peroxidation. In addition, frankly apoptotic cells showed lower cardiolipin levels (by nonyl-acridine orange staining). The efficiency of energy transfer between nonyl-acridine orange and CMXRos was slightly lower in camptothecin-treated nonapoptotic cells and reduced to zero in frankly apoptotic cells. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in an initial phase of camptothecin-induced apoptosis, mitochondrial activity is increased and a subtle loss of structural integrity of the mitochondrial membranes takes place. In frankly apoptotic cells, all measured parameters of mitochondrial collapse and lipid peroxidation occurs.

Apoptosis↗

Werner syndrome lymphoblastoid cells are sensitive to camptothecin-induced apoptosis in S-phase.

Werner Syndrome (WRN) is an autosomal recessive disorder showing an endogenous mutator phenotype in combination with an elevated risk of predominantly mesenchymal cancer. The gene mutated in WRN patients codes for 3'-->5' DNA helicase and 3'-->5' exonuclease activities. We have found similar S-phase arrest in both WRN and control cells after treatment with the DNA-topoisomerase-I-trapping drug camptothecin; this may be responsible for the drug-exposure-related growth inhibition seen in both cell types. A clearer phenotypic difference between WRN and control immortalized B-cell lines (LCLs) is obtained by examining cell death. The mechanism of camptothecin-induced cell death in WRN-deficient LCLs appears to be through apoptosis, a phenotype that strongly differentiates WRN-deficient from wild-type LCLs. We hypothesize that, in cells deficient for WRN function, a topoisomerase-I-DNA intermediate persists. Conflict with DNA replication may lead to apoptosis, increased mutation rates, and cancer in WRN.

Apoptosis↗