Biomedical subjects

M Pring

Publications and source records attributed to M Pring.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

TGF-beta signal transduction in oro-facial health and non-malignant disease (part I).

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of cytokines consists of multi-functional polypeptides that regulate a variety of cell processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix elaboration, angiogenesis, and immune suppression, among others. In so doing, TGF-beta plays a key role in the control of cell behavior in both health and disease. In this report, we review what is known about the mechanisms of activation of the peptide, together with details of TGF-beta signal transduction pathways. This review summarizes the evidence implicating TGF-beta in normal physiological processes of the craniofacial complex-such as palatogenesis, tooth formation, wound healing, and scarring-and then evaluates its role in non-malignant disease processes such as scleroderma, submucous fibrosis, periodontal disease, and lichen planus.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The role of TGF-beta in epithelial malignancy and its relevance to the pathogenesis of oral cancer (part II).

The role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in epithelial malignancy is complex, but it is becoming clear that, in the early stages of carcinogenesis, the protein acts as a potent tumor suppressor, while later, TGF-beta can function to advance tumor progression. We review the evidence to show that the pro-oncogenic functions of TGF-beta are associated with (1) a partial loss of response to the ligand, (2) defects of components of the TGF-beta signal transduction pathway, (3) over-expression and/or activation of the latent complex, (4) epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and (5) recruitment of signaling pathways which act in concert with TGF-beta to facilitate the metastatic phenotype. These changes are viewed in the context of what is known about the pathogenesis of oral cancer and whether this knowledge can be translated into the development of new therapeutic modalities.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

A review of inherited cancer syndromes and their relevance to oral squamous cell carcinoma.

This paper examines the genetic defects associated with inherited cancer syndromes and their relevance to oral cancer. Tumour suppressor genes are now thought of as either gatekeepers or caretakers according to whether they control cell growth directly by inhibiting cell proliferation and/or promoting cell death (gatekeepers) or whether they maintain the integrity of the genome by DNA repair mechanisms (caretakers). In disorders such as xeroderma pigmentosum, ataxia telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome and Fanconi's anaemia, where there are defective caretaker genes, there is an increased incidence of second primary malignancies, including oral cancer. By contrast, with the exception of Li Fraumeni syndrome, abnormalities of gatekeeper genes do not predispose to oral cancer. Not only do Li Fraumeni patients develop second primary malignancies, but defects of the p53 pathway (p53 mutation, MDM2 over-expression, CDKN2A deletion) appear to be a ubiquitous feature of sporadic oral cancer as it occurs in the West. The findings suggest that genetic instability is of fundamental importance in the pathogenesis of oral cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed2000

Profilin enhances Cdc42-induced nucleation of actin polymerization.

We find that profilin contributes in several ways to Cdc42-induced nucleation of actin filaments in high speed supernatant of lysed neutrophils. Depletion of profilin inhibited Cdc42-induced nucleation; re-addition of profilin restored much of the activity. Mutant profilins with a decreased affinity for either actin or poly-l-proline were less effective at restoring activity. Whereas Cdc42 must activate Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP) to stimulate nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex, VCA (verpolin homology, cofilin, and acidic domain contained in the COOH-terminal fragment of N-WASP) constitutively activates the Arp2/3 complex. Nucleation by VCA was not inhibited by profilin depletion. With purified N-WASP and Arp2/3 complex, Cdc42-induced nucleation did not require profilin but was enhanced by profilin, wild-type profilin being more effective than mutant profilin with reduced affinity for poly-l-proline. Nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex is a function of the free G-actin concentration. Thus, when profilin addition decreased the free G-actin concentration, it inhibited Cdc42- and VCA-induced nucleation. However, when profilin was added with G-actin in a ratio that maintained the initial free G-actin concentration, it increased the rate of both Cdc42- and VCA-induced nucleation. This enhancement, also seen with purified proteins, was greatest when the free G-actin concentration was low. These data suggest that under conditions present in intact cells, profilin enhances nucleation by activated Arp2/3 complex.

Actins↗

PubMed1999

Loss of differentiation of 4NQO-induced rat malignant oral keratinocytes correlates with metastatic dissemination and is associated with a reduced cellular response to TGF-beta1 and an altered receptor profile.

This study examined the metastatic capacity of clonal populations of 4NQO-induced rat malignant oral keratinocytes following orthotopic transplantation to athymic mice. Polygonal and spindle cells formed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (keratin positive and vimentin negative) and undifferentiated spindle cell tumours (keratin negative and vimentin positive), respectively, in almost 100% of animals at the site of inoculation (floor of mouth). Transplantation of 5x 10(6) cells of either cell type at high cell density resulted in approximately 50% of animals forming pulmonary metastases. By contrast, inoculation of 2x 10(6) differentiated polygonal cells resulted in the formation of significantly fewer pulmonary metastases than the undifferentiated spindle cells. A single well-differentiated clone of polygonal cells and 3 of 4 of the undifferentiated spindle cell lines produced comparable levels of TGF-beta1. One undifferentiated spindle cell line expressed significantly more TGF-beta1 and, following transplantation orthotopically, fewer animals formed pulmonary metastases despite the formation of primary tumours in almost all grafted animals, suggesting that TGF-beta1 can act as a tumour suppressor in this cell type. All cell lines produced comparable amounts of TGF-beta2. The clones of polygonal cells were markedly inhibited and the spindle cells were only partially inhibited by exogenous TGF-beta1. Both cell types expressed high-affinity TGF-beta cell surface receptors; the ratio of type I to type II TGF-beta receptors was 1.0:<3.0 in the spindle cells and 1.0:17.9 in the polygonal clone. The results suggest that differentiated rat malignant oral keratinocytes are less aggressive and have a decreased potential to metastasise than their undifferentiated spindle cell counterparts. This may be attributable, in part, to a change in TGF-beta receptor profile leading to the partial loss of response to exogenous TGF-beta1.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗

PubMed1998

Mechanism of Cdc42-induced actin polymerization in neutrophil extracts.

Cdc42, activated with GTPgammaS, induces actin polymerization in supernatants of lysed neutrophils. This polymerization, like that induced by agonists, requires elongation at filament barbed ends. To determine if creation of free barbed ends was sufficient to induce actin polymerization, free barbed ends in the form of spectrin-actin seeds or sheared F-actin filaments were added to cell supernatants. Neither induced polymerization. Furthermore, the presence of spectrin-actin seeds did not increase the rate of Cdc42-induced polymerization, suggesting that the presence of Cdc42 did not facilitate polymerization from spectrin-actin seeds such as might have been the case if Cdc42 inhibited capping or released G-actin from a sequestered pool. Electron microscopy revealed that Cdc42-induced filaments elongated rapidly, achieving a mean length greater than 1 micron in 15 s. The mean length of filaments formed from spectrin-actin seeds was <0.4 micron. Had spectrin-actin seeds elongated at comparable rates before they were capped, they would have induced longer filaments. There was little change in mean length of Cdc42-induced filaments between 15 s and 5 min, suggesting that the increase in F-actin over this time was due to an increase in filament number. These data suggest that Cdc42 induction of actin polymerization requires both creation of free barbed ends and facilitated elongation at these ends.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed1996

Voltage-dependent calcium currents and cytosolic calcium in equine airway myocytes.

1. The relationship between voltage-dependent calcium channel current (I(Ca)) and cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was studied in fura-2 AM-loaded equine tracheal myocytes at 35 degrees C and 1.8 mM Ca2+ using the nystatin patch clamp method. The average cytosolic calcium buffering constant was 77 +/- 3 (n = 14), and the endogenous calcium buffering constant component is likely to be between 15 and 50. 2. I(Ca) did not evoke significant calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) since (i)[Ca2+]i scaled with the integrated I(Ca) over the full voltage range of evoked calcium currents, (ii) increases in [Ca2+]i associated with I(Ca) were consistent with cytoplasmic buffering of calcium ions entering through voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) only, (iii) there was a fixed instantaneous relationship between transmembrane calcium flux (J(Ca)) and the change in cytosolic free calcium concentration (delta [Ca2+]i) during I(Ca), (iv) caffeine (8 mM) triggered 8-fold higher calcium transients than I(Ca), and (v) I(Ca) evoked following release of intracellular calcium by caffeine resulted in an equivalent delta[Ca2+]i-J(Ca) relationship. 3. The time constant (T) for the decay in [Ca2+]i was 8.6 +/- 1.5 s (n = 8) for single steps and 8.6 +/- 1.1 s (n = 13) following multiple steps that increased [Ca2+]i to much higher levels. Following application of caffeine (8 mM), however, [Ca2+]i decay was enhanced (T = 2.0 +/- 0.2 s, n = 3). The rate of [Ca2+]i decay was not voltage dependent, was not decreased in the absence of extracellular Na+ ions, and no pump current was detected. 4. We conclude that under near physiological conditions, neither CICR nor Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange play a substantial role in the regulation of I(Ca)-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, and that, even following release of intracellular calcium by caffeine, Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange does not play an appreciable role in the removal of calcium ions from the cytosol.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Mycobacterium chelonae infection following a total knee arthroplasty.

Infection following total knee arthroplasty is a major cause of implant failure, with an incidence of infections between 1 and 12%. Although there have been no previously reported cases of infection with Mycobacterium chelonae following total knee arthroplasty, this mycobacterium appears to be a potential pathogen in arthroplasty. When infection following total knee arthroplasty is evident but standard cultures come back negative, atypical mycobacterium infection should be considered. Mycobacterium chelonae does not grow in the normally allotted culture time, so false negative results are common. Once identified, M. chelonae is difficult to treat because of its resistance to standard drug therapies. Details of the first reported successful diagnosis and treatment of an infection with M. chelonae following a total knee arthroplasty are reported.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Actin polymerization induced by GTP gamma S in permeabilized neutrophils is induced and maintained by free barbed ends.

To address the mechanisms through which agonists stimulate actin polymerization, we examined the roles of monomer sequestering proteins and free barbed ends on actin polymerization induced by guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) in neutrophils permeabilized with streptolysin O. Addition of profilin (without GTP gamma S) caused a net decrease in F-actin. Thus, merely making profilin available in the cell was not sufficient to induce actin polymerization. On the other hand, addition of profilin hardly affected the polymerization induced by GTP gamma S, while thymosin beta 4 or DNase I decreased this polymerization. These data suggested that GTP gamma S induced polymerization by increasing the availability of barbed ends. In the presence of cytochalasin B, profilin did inhibit polymerization induced by GTP gamma S, demonstrating that GTP gamma S did not inhibit profilin's monomer sequestering ability. The F-actin induced by GTP gamma S was not limited by a time-dependent loss of G-actin or G-proteins from permeabilized cells since, following stimulation with suboptimal concentrations of GTP gamma S, addition of more GTP gamma S induced further polymerization. Barbed ends remained free after F-actin reached plateau since (a) cytochalasin B caused depolymerization of induced F-actin and (b) profilin did not depolymerize induced F-actin unless the cells were first treated with cytochalasin to cap barbed ends. The data indicate that GTP gamma S maintains an increased level of F-actin by keeping at least a few barbed ends available for polymerization.

Actins↗

PubMed1994

DNase I increases the rate constant of depolymerization at the pointed (-) end of actin filaments.

We show here that DNase is distinguished from other known actin-binding proteins by its unique ability to increase the depolymerization rate constant of actin at the pointed filament end, thereby speeding up depolymerization of filaments capped at their barbed ends. This action requires relatively high DNase concentrations, 3 orders of magnitude higher than those needed to block elongation, although 10 times lower than those needed for DNase binding to the side of the filament. We propose that a high DNase concentrations, steric interference between the two DNase molecules, bound to the ends of both strands of the two-start actin helix, destabilizes actin binding to the filament.

Actins↗

PubMed1992

Interaction of thymosin beta 4 with muscle and platelet actin: implications for actin sequestration in resting platelets.

Quantitative measurements of the interactions of T beta 4 with muscle actin suggest that its only physiological role is monomer sequestration. T beta 4 forms a 1:1 complex with monomeric actin under physiological salt conditions. Its Kd for actin is not affected by calcium. T beta 4 binds only to actin monomers and not to filament ends or alongside the filament. T beta 4-actin complexes do not elongate actin filaments at either the barbed or the pointed end, and, unlike actobindin, T beta 4 does not specifically suppress the nucleation of polymerization. We assessed the fraction of monomeric actin that can be sequestered by T beta 4 in resting platelets. This was done on the basis of (a) its Kd of 0.4-0.7 microM for platelet actin, which had been prepared by a newly devised simpler method, and (b) the values for the concentrations of monomeric actin and of T beta 4 which we measured as 280 and 560 microM, respectively. Using the higher Kd value of 0.7 microM, the T beta 4-complexed actin is calculated to be between 70 and 240 microM, depending on the steady-state free G-actin concentration. This may vary from 0.1 to 0.5 microM, the critical concentrations for uncapped and for fully barbed-end-capped actin filaments. If the Kd in the platelet is the same as in vitro, most of the sequestered actin would be bound to T beta 4 if more than 95% of the actin filaments are capped at their barbed ends in resting platelets.

Actins↗

PubMed1992

Profilin-actin complexes directly elongate actin filaments at the barbed end.

We demonstrate that the profilin-G-actin complex can elongate actin filaments directly at the barbed end but cannot bind to the pointed end. During elongation, the profilin-actin complex binds to the barbed filament end, whereupon profilin is released, leaving the actin molecule behind. This was first proposed by Tilney [Tilney, L. G., et al. (1983) J. Cell Biol. 97, 112-124] and demonstrated by Pollard and Cooper [(1984) Biochemistry 23, 6631-6641] by electron microscopy. We show that a model without any outside energy supply, in contrast to the mechanism proposed by Pollard and Cooper, can be fitted to our and their [Kaiser et al. (1986) J. Cell Biol. 102, 221-226] findings. Input of outside energy is necessary only if profilin-mediated elongation continues after free G-actin has been lowered to or below the critical concentration observed at the barbed end in the absence of profilin.

Acanthamoeba↗

PubMed1991

Role of the N- and C-terminal actin-binding domains of gelsolin in barbed filament end capping.

Gelsolin is a bivalent Ca(2+)-modulated actin-binding protein that severs, nucleates, and caps filaments. In order to gain a better understanding of the capping mechanism we have studied N- and C-terminal gelsolin fragments, 14NT and 41CT, each of which contains a single functional actin-binding site. The very tight binding measured between gelsolin and the barbed filament end requires gelsolin to greatly decrease the dissociation rate constant of the terminal actin from this end. A mechanism that could account for the observed decrease in dissociation is one in which gelsolin links two actin monomers so that they dissociate more slowly as a dimer. This cannot be the only mechanism, however, since, as shown here, 14NT and 41CT, fragments with single actin-binding sites, decrease the dissociation rate of the capped terminal actin molecule. The observations suggest that these fragments induce a conformational change in the actin monomer that either increases the affinity or alters the kinetics of the terminal actin-actin bond. The available data argue for strengthening of the terminal actin-actin bond.

Acrosome↗

PubMed1989

Inositol lipid turnover and compartmentation in canine trachealis smooth muscle.

We established conditions for the study of metabolism and compartmentation of inositol phospholipids in canine trachealis muscle. Unstimulated muscle was incubated with myo-[3H]inositol for 30 min at 37 degrees C which resulted in labeling of the tissue free myo-inositol pool, whereas only a small amount of radioactivity was incorporated into inositol phospholipids or inositol phosphates. After addition of 5.5 microM carbachol, phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), specific radioactivities increased exponentially, reaching apparent constant values in 180-240 min. Initial rates of increases in PI, PIP, and PIP2 specific radioactivities were 39, 32, and 66 times that measured in unstimulated muscle. Metabolic flux rates (nmol.100 nmol total lipid Pi-1.min-1) during development of force averaged 0.42 +/- 0.09 and during force maintenance averaged 0.14 +/- 0.01. Fractions of total PI, PIP, and PIP2 pools that were linked to muscarinic cholinergic activation were estimated to be 0.97, 0.85, and 0.65, respectively. Initial rates of increase in specific radioactivities and specific radioactivities during carbachol activation were similar in PI, PIP, and PIP2 fast active compartments, suggesting metabolic flux from PI to PIP to PIP2 was in near chemical equilibrium. Turnover times for PI, PIP, and PIP2 fast active compartments were estimated to be 21, 1.6, and 4.0 min, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Cellular uncoupling can unmask dispersion of action potential duration in ventricular myocardium. A computer modeling study.

Although slow conduction is a requirement for the preparation of sustained reentry, it alone is not sufficient for the initiation of reentry. Additionally, unidirectional block and recovery of excitability distal to the site of block must occur. Thus, a comprehensive description of the electrophysiological determinants of reentry must explain both slow conduction and unidirectional block. Although there is a growing body of research exploring the influence of axial resistivity and anisotropy on slow conduction, somewhat less is known about the relation of axial resistivity to spatial dispersion of action potential duration, a condition favorable to the development of unidirectional block. We hypothesized that when cells are well coupled, local differences in intrinsic action potential duration are not evident and that, as axial resistivity increases, local variation in action potential duration becomes manifest. We tested this hypothesis in a numerical model of electrical propagation in a grid of resistively coupled ionic current sources simulating a sheet of ventricular myocardium. Spatial dispersion of intrinsic action potential duration was simulated by varying the magnitude of the fully activated slow inward conductance in Beeler-Reuter membrane ionic kinetics. By then altering coupling resistance, we showed that dispersion of manifest action potential duration is masked in the setting of normal low-resistance cellular coupling and unmasked by increased axial resistance. When nonuniform anisotropy was simulated, dramatic pacing-site-dependent changes in both the pattern of activation and dispersion of action potential duration were noted. These findings may be important in understanding the mechanism of reentrant tachycardia initiation in the border zone of chronic, healed myocardial infarctions where evidence suggests that abnormal cellular coupling is the predominant electrophysiological derangement. In this study, we have shown, using a detailed ionic current-based model of cardiac electrical propagation, that changes in axial resistivity can modulate how spatial dispersion of intrinsic action potential duration is manifest.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1983

Band-3 protein-mediated anion conductance of the red cell membrane. Slippage vs ionic diffusion.

The band 3 protein-mediated, valinomycin-induced KCl efflux continues to increase with increasing [KCl] when the Cl-/Cl- equilibrium exchange becomes saturated. This suggests the existence of a band 3-mediated component of Cl- flux that contributes to the electrical conductance without being related to slippage; i.e., equilibration of the unloaded transport protein between the two membrane surfaces.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

PubMed1979

Disposition of intravenous potassium in anuric man: a kinetic analysis.

The disposition of a constant-rate (0.3 mEq/kg/hr) intravenous potassium load was studied in anuric, chronic hemodialysis patients. Changes in plasma potassium concentration could be adequately described by a two-compartment kinetic model under both isohydric conditions and during acute metabolic alkalosis. From 63 to 92% of the infused potassium left the extracellular fluid (ECF) in isohydric studies, and from 73 to 97% left the ECF in alkalanizing studies. Cellular uptake of the infused potassium was less when the plasma potassium concentration was higher. Plasma aldosterone levels rose but insulin levels did not increase during infusions. In a juvenile-onset diabetic subject, the impairment of cellular potassium uptake at higher plasma potassium was magnified so that infused potassium was virtually confined to the ECF compartment until exogenous insulin was given. This implies a permissive rather than a regulatory role for endogenous insulin in facilitating cellular entry of excess potassium.

Anuria↗

PubMed1978

Erythrocyte concentrations of the lithium ion: clinical correlates and mechanisms of action.

When lithium carbonate is administered to individuals, there is considerable intersubject variation in the extent of accumulation of Li+ by erythrocytes. The primary reason for this is differences in the activity of a Li+-Na+ counterflow system, which, under clinical conditions, removes Li+ from the cell. It appears that some bipolar patients accumulate more Li+ in their red cells than either unipolar depressives or normal controls. The precise clinical characteristics of the bipolar patients who accumulate relatively large amounts of erythrocyte Li+ need to be clarified in future research. Finally, the measurement of red cell concentrations of Li+, in addition to the usual plasma measurement, can be used as an indicator of patient compliance.

Biological Transport, Active↗