Biomedical subjects

M Post

Publications and source records attributed to M Post.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Differential regulation of glucocorticoid receptor expression by ligand in fetal rat lung cells.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mediates glucocorticoid stimulation of surfactant production by fetal mammalian lung. In many other tissues, glucorticoids decrease expression of GR, thereby reducing responsiveness to these hormones. We therefore determined whether there is a similar effect of exogenous glucocorticoids on GR in fetal rat whole lung, and in the principal cell types involved in the stimulation of surfactant, the fibroblasts and the epithelial cells. The ontogeny of GR in late gestation lung differed between the two cell types, with maximal levels occurring in fibroblasts on gestational d 19, and on d 20 in epithelial cells. Administration of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) to the mother on gestational d 18 or 19 (term = 22 d) increased specific GR binding activity in whole lung 24 h later. Furthermore, in vitro, incubation of cultured fibroblasts of gestational d 20 with 10(-7) M cortisol increased GR immunoreactive protein and binding activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, without affecting cellular levels of GR mRNA. However, identical treatment of d 20 distal airway epithelial cells was followed by decreased GR protein without significant change in cellular GR mRNA. Surfactant protein-A protein levels, taken as assessments of lung maturation, were increased in response to the same treatment. Our findings suggest that hormonal regulation of GR in fetal lung cells occurs at a posttranscriptional level, and is cell-specific. In the context of substantial increases in circulating glucocorticoid concentrations during late gestation, these findings may be of physiologic importance to the biochemical maturation of the antenatal lung.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Regulation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase by cytosolic lipids in rat type II pneumocytes during development.

CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT) catalyses a rate regulatory step in the de novo synthesis of surfactant phosphatidylcholine (PC). We have previously shown that CT activity increases during late gestation in alveolar type II cells, and that this increase is most pronounced in microsomes. As it is known that CT is activated by lipids, we investigated the lipid activation of CT in fetal type II cells during late gestation. The degree of activation of cytosolic CT by PC/oleic acid (OA) (1:1 molar ratio) vesicles was gestation-dependent (a 3-fold stimulation on d 18 and a 1.5-fold stimulation on d 21). In contrast, microsomal CT activation by PC/OA vesicles (1.5-fold) remained constant with advancing gestation. Lipids extracted from microsomes of fetal type II cells of different gestational ages (d 18-21) did not differ in their ability to activate either cytosolic CT of d 18 or 21 fetal type II cells, purified CT from adult lung, or delipidated purified CT. In contrast, lipids extracted from cytosol of fetal type II cells of different gestational ages (d 18 and 21) differed in their ability to activate either delipidated cytosolic CT of fetal type II cells, or delipidated purified CT from adult lung. Day 21 cytosolic lipids activated CT more than d 18 cytosolic lipids. Both cytosolic and purified CT, when delipidated by acetone/butanol extraction, showed reduced activities. Several lipids were tested for their ability to activate cytosolic CT. Acidic phospholipids and the mixture of PC/OA (1:1) were the strongest stimulators of cytosolic CT activity. We conclude that cytosolic but not microsomal lipids are involved in the developmental activation of cytosolic CT in fetal type II cells at late gestation.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Anti-müllerian hormone and anti-müllerian hormone type II receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression during postnatal testis development and in the adult testis of the rat.

Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) induces degeneration of the müllerian ducts during male sex differentiation and may have additional functions concerning gonadal development. In the immature rat testis, there is a marked developmental increase in AMH type II receptor (AMHRII) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in Sertoli cells, concomitant with the initiation of spermatogenesis. AMHRII mRNA is also expressed at a high level in Sertoli cells in adult rats. To obtain information about the possible functions of AMH in the testis, we investigated the postnatal expression patterns of the genes encoding AMH and AMHRII in the rat testis in more detail. Using RNase protection assays, AMH and AMHRII mRNA expression was measured in total RNA preparations from testes or testicular tubule segments isolated from control rats and from rats that had received various treatments. The testicular level of AMHRII mRNA was found to be much higher than that of AMH mRNA in adult rats. AMH mRNA was detected at a maximal level at stage VII of the spermatogenic cycle and at a low level at the other stages. AMHRII mRNA increases from stage XIII, is highest at stages VI and VII, and then rapidly declines at stage VIII to almost undetectable levels at stages IX-XII. It was found that the increase in testicular AMHRII mRNA expression during the first 3 weeks of postnatal development also occurs in sterile rats (prenatally irradiated), and hence, is independent of the presence or absence of germ cells. Yet, the total testicular level of AMHRII mRNA was decreased in sterile adult rats (prenatally irradiated or experimental cryptorchidism), as compared with intact control rats. However, treatment of adult rats with methoxyacetic acid or hydroxyurea, which resulted in partial germ cell depletion, had no effect on total testicular AMHRII mRNA expression. We conclude that a combination of multiple spermatogenic cycle events, possibly involving changes of Sertoli cell structure and/or Sertoli cell-basal membrane interactions, regulate autocrine AMH action on Sertoli cells, in particular at stage VII of the spermatogenic cycle.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

A missense mutation in the second transmembrane segment of the luteinizing hormone receptor causes familial male-limited precocious puberty.

Patients with familial male-limited precocious puberty present with early onset of puberty. Several missense mutations in the LH receptor gene that cause amino acid substitutions in the sixth transmembrane segment of the receptor protein have been shown to be a cause of the disorder. We have identified a novel LH receptor gene mutation in a patient with familial male-limited precocious puberty that results in a threonine for methionine substitution at position 398 in the second transmembrane segment of the receptor protein. In vitro expression in human embryonic kidney 293 cells of this LH receptor mutant and two previously described LH receptor mutants showed that cAMP production in the absence of hormone was elevated up to 25-fold compared to the basal level of the wild-type receptor. The ED50 values of hormone-induced cAMP production were within the same range for wild-type and mutant receptors, but maximal hormone-induced cAMP production was relatively low for mutant receptors. We also produced receptors containing amino acid substitutions in both the second and sixth transmembrane segments. For these double mutants, basal receptor activities were similar to the basal activities observed in single mutants, whereas hormone-induced receptor activation was almost completely abolished.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

PDGF-AA and its receptor influence early lung branching via an epithelial-mesenchymal interaction.

The biological role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA in lung morphogenesis was investigated by incubating embryonic lung explants with phosphorothioate antisense PDGF-A oligonucleotides, which decreased PDGF-AA but not PDGF-BB protein content. Antisense PDGF-A oligonucleotides inhibited DNA synthesis. This inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-A was reversed by the addition of exogenous PDGF-AA but not PDGF-BB. Morphometric analyses of antisense-treated cultures showed a significant reduction in lung size. The number of terminal buds of the lung explants was significantly decreased by antisense PDGF-A oligonucleotides. PDGF-AA but not PDGF-BB attenuated the inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-A on early lung branching. Sense PDGF-A had no effect on DNA synthesis and early lung branching. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed PDGF-A mRNA expression in the epithelial component of the embryonic lung, while message for PDGF alpha-receptor was expressed in the mesenchyme. Incubation of explants with neutralizing PDGF-AA antibodies also reduced DNA synthesis and early branching morphogenesis. We conclude that PDGF-AA and its receptor represent an important epithelial-mesenchymal interaction which plays a critical role in early lung branching morphogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Lung fluid restriction affects growth but not airway branching of embryonic rat lung.

During the later stages of fetal life lung growth and development is dependent upon a variety of factors, including a normal amount of liquid within the lung's lumen. To investigate whether embryonic lung epithelium secretes fluid and whether lung liquid is essential for proper embryonic airway lung growth and branching, we incubated 12-day rat lung primordia (term=22 days) in submersion culture in serum-free medium for 48 h in room air (21% O2/5% CO2). Under these conditions, lung growth and branching proceeded but at a slower rate when compared to growth and branching in vivo. Neither addition of serum nor incubation in a fetal O2 concentration (=3% O2) changed the growth rate or the degree of branching in vitro. The luminal area of the explant increased progressively with time in culture. Inhibitors of active Cl- secretion (200 microM bumetanide and 1 mM furosemide) significantly reduced the lumen size compared with control. A similar effect was noted with lung explants of 13-15 days of gestation. Branching morphogenesis was not impaired by lung fluid reduction. Reduction of luminal liquid significantly increased DNA synthesis of 12-day embryonic lung explants, but this effect of bumetanide and furosemide on DNA synthesis was reversed when 13-15 day lung explants were used. These data suggest that embryonic lung epithelium secretes fluid and that the secretion is chloride dependent. Lung fluid is involved in controlling lung growth but not branching of the embryonic rat lung.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1994

CFTR does not alter acidification of L cell endosomes.

Endosomes from L cells, transduced with the CFTR gene, and the parental line, which does not express detectable levels of CFTR, were loaded with FITC-dextran, isolated and the initial rates of acidification, steady-state pHi, and proton leak rates were compared over a range of chloride concentrations (0-140 mM). Values for these parameters were similar for endosomes from both cell lines in the presence and absence of cAMP and PKA. These results indicate that CFTR does not alter L cell endosome acidification, possibly due to an adequate intrinsic CI- conductance or to a failure to incorporate sufficient functional CFTR or a necessary co-factor in endocytic membranes.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Vitamin D stimulates DNA synthesis in alveolar type-II cells.

Alveolar type-II cells are responsible for alveolar epithelial cell proliferation during growth and development and in response to lung injury. Based on the observation of abnormal lung development in rachitic rat pups and the expression of receptors for vitamin D by fetal alveolar epithelial cells, the present study examined the influence of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (DHD) on the proliferation of primary cultures of fetal, neonatal and adult alveolar epithelial cells. The ontogony of vitamin D responsiveness was examined, using fetal (days 18, 19 and 22 = term), neonatal (days 7 and 18) alveolar epithelial cells as well as adult alveolar type-II cells. Maximal stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation occurred in neonatal d18 cells: (250 +/- 4.8%, n = 4, P < 0.05). Incubation of adult type-II cells, in the presence of 10(-9) M DHD increased thymidine incorporation into DNA (149.1 +/- 33.2%, mean +/- S.E., n = 3, P < 0.001) compared to control cells maintained in basal medium. Exposure to DHD also increased thymidine incorporation after stimulation with a mixture of conventional progression factors (insulin (10 micrograms/ml) (I), cholera toxin (10 micrograms/ml) (C) and EGF (20 ng/ml) (E)) (349.4 +/- 42.9% vs. 213.5 +/- 23.6%, n = 6, P < 0.005). Autoradiographic labeling indices of adult type-II cells increased from 3.1 +/- 0.6% for cells cultured in basal medium to 7.2 +/- 1.7% in cells exposed to DHD from the time of plating and I, C, E from 20-68 h in culture (n = 4, P < 0.05). Although no increase in the number of adult type-II cells was observed in these experiments, flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content revealed an increased proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle (basal: S = 2.6%, G2/M = 3.0%, DHD+GF: S = 4.7%, G2/M = 5.6%, P < 0.05 for each comparison). These data demonstrate that vitamin D3 is a growth factor for alveolar type-II cells and suggest the possibility that local elaboration of vitamin D may provide a novel mechanism of modulation of epithelial proliferation in the context of lung development and repair.

Aging↗

PubMed1994

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase does not regulate CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity in maturing type II cells.

CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase catalyses a rate regulatory step in the de novo synthesis of surfactant phosphatidylcholine in alveolar type II cells. To investigate if cytidylyltransferase can be regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, we first studied the ontogeny of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in type II cells of fetal rat lung. Total cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, measured in the presence of 10 microM cAMP, as well as endogenous activity, measured without cAMP, increased with advancing gestation. Phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity showed a similar developmental profile. This temporal relationship between cAMP-dependent protein kinase and cytidylyltransferase supports a potential role for cAMP-dependent protein kinase in regulating cytidylyltransferase phosphorylation. Cytidylyltransferase purified from adult rat lung was, indeed, phosphorylated in vitro by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Despite the phosphorylation, however, no change in cytidylyltransferase activity was noted. Pre-incubation of fetal type II cell cytosol with ATP and Mg2+ did not affect cytidylyltransferase activity. Addition of either cAMP, dibutyryl-cAMP or the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase to the pre-incubation medium did also not alter cytidylyltransferase activity. Furthermore, neither cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor peptide, nor H8, a cyclic nucleo-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, affected cytidylyltransferase activity in fetal type II cell cytosol. Treatment of intact fetal type II cells with either cAMP, dibutyryl-cAMP or 8-[4-chlorophenylthio]cAMP activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity but did not alter cytidylyltransferase activity. We conclude that the increase in cytidylyltransferase activity in fetal type II cells at late gestation is not regulated by the developmental activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Inhibition of mechanical strain-induced fetal rat lung cell proliferation by gadolinium, a stretch-activated channel blocker.

Normal growth of the fetal lung is dependent upon fetal breathing movements. We have previously demonstrated that mechanical strain, simulating fetal breathing movements, stimulated DNA synthesis and cell division by reaggregated alveolar-like structures of fetal rat lung cells. Herein, we report that both intracellular and extracellular calcium modulate strain-induced proliferative activity. Strain-induced cell proliferation was inhibited by BAPTA/AM, an intracellular calcium chelator. The intracellular calcium modulators, cyclopiazonic acid and 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, increased DNA synthesis of unstrained cultures and partially reduced strain-induced cell growth activity. A similar effect was noted with the calcium ionophore A23187. Extracellular Ca2+ increased DNA synthesis in unstrained cultures in a concentration-dependent fashion. The stimulatory effect of strain on DNA synthesis was also dependent on the calcium concentration in the medium. Furthermore, strain-enhanced DNA synthesis was inhibited by the presence of a divalent ion chelator, EGTA, in the medium. Mechanical strain increased 45Ca2+ influx within 1 min after the onset of strain. This rapid entry of calcium was not affected by calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil or Ni2+. Calcium channel blockers verapamil, nifedipine, Ni2+, Co2+, or La3+ also did not inhibit strain-induced cell growth activity. In contrast, gadolinium, a stretch-activated channel blocker, inhibited strain-induced 45Ca2+ influx and suppressed strain-enhanced DNA synthesis. We conclude that the entry of calcium into cells through stretch-activated ion channels plays a critical role in strain-induced fetal lung cell proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Differential regulation of platelet-derived growth factor genes in fetal rat lung fibroblasts.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or PDGF-like molecules, play a role in fetal lung morphogenesis. The cellular sources of PDGF and its target cells within the fetal lung remain to be defined. In the present study, we investigated the developmental expression of PDGF and its cognate receptor genes in fetal rat lung fibroblasts. Northern analysis revealed that fetal lung fibroblasts express the PDGF A-chain, B-chain, and beta-receptor genes. The cells actively translated these mRNAs into protein as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and by metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine, followed by immunoprecipitation with specific PDGF-AA and -BB antibodies. Affinity cross-linking with 125I-labeled PDGF-BB demonstrated the presence of PDGF beta-receptors on fetal lung fibroblasts. The development expression of the PDGF genes was examined in fibroblasts derived from the early canalicular (Day 19) to the early saccular stage (Day 21) of lung development (term = 22 days). PDGF A-chain gene expression was at a low but constant level during late gestation. No change in either the transcription rate or stability of the message for this gene was observed with advancing gestation. Despite these mRNA observations, PDGF-AA is the major secreted form in the medium of the fibroblasts. Expression of PDGF B-chain gene was greatest during the early canalicular stage (Day 19) and declined sharply thereafter. The greater expression of PDGF B-chain during the canalicular stage was due to a greater rate of transcription and a greater PDGF B-chain mRNA stability. The PDGF beta-receptor gene was expressed at a lower but constant level in these cells during late gestation. The constant level of PDGF beta-receptor mRNA could be attributed to a balanced increased synthesis of the message coupled to an increased breakdown of the transcript. These data indicate that fetal lung fibroblasts synthesize PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, and PDGF beta-receptor and that they regulate the developmental expression of these PDGF genes differently.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Increased expression of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase in maturing type II cells.

We previously reported that phosphatidylcholine synthesis increased in fetal rat lung type II cells with advancing gestation. This increase was accompanied by an increase in CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity, which catalyses a rate regulatory step in de novo phosphatidylcholine synthesis by fetal type II cells. To determine whether this increase in cytidylyltransferase activity is due to an increase in cytidylyltransferase protein levels, the gene and protein expression of cytidylyltransferase was investigated in maturing type II cells. The cytidylyltransferase cDNA was cloned from fetal rat type II cells and showed 99% sequence homology with rat liver cDNA. The cDNA detected two mRNA transcripts (1.8 and 7.5 kb) in fetal rat lung. By reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, cytidyltransferase mRNA content increased three-fold in fetal type II cells with advancing gestation, whereas cytidylyltransferase mRNA levels in fibroblasts remained constant. An antibody against rat liver cytidylyltransferase was used to assess cytidylyltransferase protein. Western blotting revealed that cytidylyltransferase protein content increased threefold in the microsomal fraction of type II cells with advancing gestation. The enzyme protein levels in the cytosolic fraction did not significantly change with development. Enzyme activity studies confirmed these latter observations. We conclude that the increase in surfactant phosphatidylcholine synthesis by type II cells at late fetal gestation is due in part to an increase in the amount of cytidylyltransferase protein.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Functional and biochemical assessment of postpreservation lung viability in a rat model.

We examined the relationship between DNA synthesis and postpreservation lung hemodynamics and gas exchange. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 168) were randomly allocated into seven groups (n = 24) according to the pulmonary vascular flush used [EuroCollins (EC), saline, or no flush] and to the temperature of flush and storage (4, 21, or 37 degrees C). In each group, lungs were stored for four different time periods (0-24 h). After storage, incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA was measured in the right lung, and in 72 rats the left lung was reperfused for 1 h with venous blood in an ex vivo paracorporeal rat lung system. Autoradiography of EC lungs revealed that alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells were the two major cell types synthesizing DNA during ischemia. Gas exchange after preservation with EC was universally poor. In unflushed and saline-flushed lungs, a critical threshold for viability was detected beyond which DNA synthesis and lung effluent PO2 decreased more rapidly at higher storage temperatures. A positive correlation was found between the final lung effluent PO2 and [3H]thymidine uptake (R2 = 0.62; P < 0.0001). In this model, deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was a good index of postpreservation hemodynamics and gas exchange function.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Expression of surfactant proteins in embryonic rat lung.

Because surfactant proteins A, B, and C (SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C) are putative markers for alveolar epithelial type II cells, we investigated their expression in embryonic rat lung (12 to 15 days, term = 22 days). The expression of the messages for SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C was assessed by the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Embryonic rat lung at 12 days' gestation lacked detectable mRNAs for all three surfactant proteins. Messages for SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C were, however, present in embryonic rat lung at 13 days' gestation. Expression of SP-A mRNA increased in embryonic rat lung with advancing gestation. Surfactant protein mRNA expression during the embryonic period of lung development was limited to the epithelial cells. The expression of SP-A mRNA, while limited to the lung, did not appear to be a marker for cells destined to become type II cells, since it was detected in the trachea and the presumptive main bronchial ducts of embryonic rat lung at 13 days' gestation, as well as in the distal lung prealveolar region. Expression of both SP-B and SP-C mRNAs in embryonic lung was confined to the distal portion of the ductal system, although message of SP-C was also found in brain and kidney. These results suggest that none of the three surfactant protein mRNAs studied are, at this early stage of lung development, specific for cells destined to become type II pneumocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Ontogeny and regulation of platelet-derived growth factor gene expression in distal fetal rat lung epithelial cells.

Using flow cytometry, thymidine uptake into DNA, and expression of two growth-related genes, histone 3 and c-myc, we found an increase in the proportion of distal lung epithelial cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle with advancing gestation. Since our previous studies had demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is essential for the progression of these cells from the G0/G1 to the S phase of cell cycle, we investigated the gene and protein expression of PDGF-related genes (PDGF-A, PDGF-B, alpha-receptor, and beta-receptor) in distal fetal lung epithelial cells. The cells transcribed all the PDGF-related genes and translated the PDGF-A and PDGF-B mRNAs into protein, as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation. To explore an autocrine role for PDGF in distal fetal lung epithelial cells, intervention studies using PDGF-A and -B chain-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) were carried out. Antisense PDGF-B ODN, but not antisense PDGF-A ODN, significantly reduced the DNA synthesis of these cells. The inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-B ODN on DNA synthesis was reversed by the addition of exogenous PDGF-BB, which supports an autocrine role in the DNA synthesis of these cells. We also examined the expression of PDGF genes in distal fetal lung epithelial cells during late gestation. PDGF-A chain and beta-receptor gene expressions declined with advancing gestation, whereas expression of message for PDGF-B chain and alpha-receptor increased. The increases in message for PDGF-B chain and alpha-receptor with advancing gestation were due to a greater rate of transcription, whereas the developmental decrease of PDGF-A chain and beta-receptor mRNAs was caused by a decrease in RNA stability. Taken together with the ODN data, these results suggest that the G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of distal lung epithelial cells during late fetal gestation is due to a decrease in PDGF beta-receptor expression by the cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

A novel member of the transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptor family is specifically expressed in the gonads and in mesenchymal cells adjacent to the müllerian duct.

The activin and TGF-beta type II receptors are members of a separate subfamily of transmembrane receptors with intrinsic protein kinase activity, which also includes the recently cloned TGF-beta type I receptor. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA clone (C14) encoding a new member of this subfamily. The domain structure of the C14-encoded protein corresponds with the structure of the other known transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors. It also contains the two inserts in the kinase domain that are characteristic for this subfamily. Using in situ hybridization, C14 mRNA was detected in the mesenchymal cells located adjacent to the müllerian ducts of males and females at day 15 (E15) of embryonic development. Marked C14 mRNA expression was also detected in the female gonads. In female E16 embryos, the C14 mRNA expression pattern remained similar to that in E15 embryos. However, in male E16 embryos C14 mRNA was detected in a circular area that includes the degenerating müllerian duct. The expression of C14 mRNA was also studied using RNase protection assays. At E15 and E16, C14 mRNA is expressed in the female as well as in the male urogenital ridge. However, at E19, a high C14 mRNA level in the female urogenital ridge contrasts with a lack of C14 mRNA in the male urogenital ridge. This correlates with the almost complete degeneration of the müllerian ducts in male embryos at E19. C14 mRNA expression was also detected in embryonic testes at E15, E16 and E19 using RNase protection assays, but at much lower levels than those found in the developing ovaries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activin Receptors↗

PubMed1994

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting PDGF-B mRNA inhibit cell proliferation during embryonic rat lung development.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or PDGF-like molecules play a role in fetal lung morphogenesis. Our previous studies demonstrated the presence of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB homodimers in embryonic and fetal rat lung. To explore further the role for PDGF-BB in embryonic lung development, we conducted intervention studies using PDGF-B chain-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in a simple embryonic rat lung explant system. Unmodified antisense PDGF-B oligodeoxynucleotides inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, DNA synthesis of embryonic lung. A maximal inhibition of 50% was observed. The inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-B oligodeoxynucleotides on DNA synthesis was reversed by the addition of exogenous PDGF-BB but not PDGF-AA. Antisense treatment decreased PDGF-BB but not PDGF-AA protein content, as assessed by immunoblot analyses. Incubation of lung explants with PDGF-BB neutralizing antibodies also resulted in an inhibition of DNA synthesis. Morphometric analyses of antisense-treated cultures showed a significant reduction in lung size when compared to control cultures. The epithelial component of the embryonic lungs was specifically reduced, both in mass and DNA labelling index, by antisense treatment. The number of terminal buds of the lung explants was not significantly affected by antisense PDGF-B treatment. Scrambled PDGF-B oligodeoxynucleotides had no effect. These data suggest that PDGF-BB is involved in regulating growth, but not the degree of branching, of embryonic rat lung.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Induction of the heat shock response reduces mortality rate and organ damage in a sepsis-induced acute lung injury model.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that induction of heat shock proteins before the onset of sepsis could prevent or reduce organ injury and death in a rat model of intra-abdominal sepsis and sepsis-induced acute lung injury produced by cecal ligation and perforation. DESIGN: Prospective, blind, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: One-hundred forty-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats (weight range 200 to 300 g). INTERVENTIONS: Production of intra-abdominal sepsis and exposure to heat stress. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: heated and septic, heated and sham-septic, unheated and septic, and unheated and sham-septic. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We evaluated the mortality rate and pathologic changes in lung, heart, and liver at 18 hrs after cecal perforation, at 24 hrs after removal of the cecum, and at 7 days after perforation. Heated animals exhibited a maximum increase in heat shock protein of 72 kilodalton molecular weight protein concentrations in the lungs and heart 6 to 24 hrs after the hyperthermic stress. By 18 hrs after perforation, 25% of the septic, unheated animals had died whereas none of the septic heated animals had died (p < .005). Septic, heated animals showed a marked decrease in 7-day mortality rate (21%) compared with septic unheated animals (69%) (p < .01). Furthermore, septic heated animals showed less histologic evidence of lung and liver damage than septic unheated animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that thermal pretreatment, associated with the synthesis of heat shock proteins, reduces organ damage and enhances animal survival in experimental sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Although the mechanisms by which heat shock proteins exert a protective effect are not well understood, these data raise interesting questions regarding the importance of fever in the protection of the whole organism during bacterial infection.

Animals↗