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Biomedical subjects

P G Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to P G Phillips.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hypoxia induces capillary network formation in cultured bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells.

The development of new vessels (angiogenesis) is essential to wound healing. The center of a wound space is hypoxic, a condition that has been shown to stimulate angiogenesis in animal models of coronary artery occlusion. Because the mechanisms involved in this complex process are difficult to study in situ, an in vitro model would provide a useful complement to in vivo studies. This laboratory has developed and characterized calf pulmonary microvessel endothelial cell (PMVEC) cultures and an in vitro model system of angiogenesis using collagen three-dimensional gels that permit migration of cells into vessel networks. This system was used to study the direct effect of normoxia (20% O2) or hypoxia (5% O2) on PMVEC ability to undergo angiogenesis in vitro. Major changes leading to formation of capillary-like networks occurred during the first 3 days of hypoxic exposure only and included restructuring of actin filament networks, focal changes in distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor, and orientation and migration of cell tracts into a collagen gel matrix to form vessel networks.

Animals

Hyperoxia increases plasminogen activator activity of cultured endothelial cells.

Confluent calf pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers exposed to 95% oxygen for 1, 2, or 3 days exhibit a time-dependent increase in adherence to substratum, which closely parallels changes in actin cytoarchitecture and the distribution of focal contact proteins vinculin and talin. Oxygen exposure also resulted in elevated plasminogen activator (PA) activity in conditioned media (CM) and in cytoskeletal protein- and focal contact protein-enriched fractions, with highest levels achieved in the latter two fractions at 48 h after oxygen exposure. PAs have been shown to participate in dismantling of extracellular matrix in a number of physiological and pathological situations. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated extensive restructuring of matrix proteins collagen IV, laminin, and fibronectin, which correlated temporally with elevated PA levels. Further, when protease-containing cell fractions were used to study degradation of isolated matrices, those obtained from hyperoxia-exposed cells were substantially more active than those from normoxia-exposed cells. Our data suggest that hyperoxia-induced production of PA (and perhaps other proteases) may be partly responsible for degradation of the extracellular matrix of endothelial cells.

Animals

Time course of thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability: relationship to Ca2+i and inositol polyphosphates.

The temporal relationship between the alpha-thrombin-induced increase in transendothelial permeability and the alpha-thrombin-mediated changes in several key transmembrane signaling events was examined in confluent monolayers of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). The time courses of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] generation, changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i), and reorganization of cytoskeletal F-actin were determined to assess the relationship between these events and the onset of the alpha-thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability. alpha-Thrombin (10(-7) M) increased the transendothelial 125I-albumin clearance rate half-maximally by approximately 1 min and maximally by approximately 2 min (160% over control level). The increase in permeability occurred concomitantly with reorganization of F-actin cytoskeleton (i.e., loss of peripheral band and increased stress fiber density) and increased actin polymerization. Stimulation of fura-2-loaded BPAEC with 10(-7) M alpha-thrombin produced a typical biphasic rise in [Ca2+]i. The initial rapid increase in [Ca2+]i peaked by approximately 16 s after thrombin challenge and the [Ca2+]i response showed a slow decrease to half-maximal within 50 s. The alpha-thrombin-induced increase in permeability as well as the increase in [Ca2+]i were consistently preceded by increased Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation detectable within 10 s after thrombin challenge. These results indicate that alpha-thrombin triggers a cascade of events (i.e., Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation and the ensuing rise in [Ca2+]i), which may comprise the second messengers that mediate F-actin reorganization and the increase in endothelial permeability.

Actins

Influence of extracellular matrix in tumor necrosis factor-induced increase in endothelial permeability.

We examined the possibility that alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contribute to the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced increase in endothelial monolayer permeability. Endothelial permeability to 125I-labeled albumin was determined using bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cell (BPMVE) monolayers grown to confluence on microporous (0.8 microns diam) gelatin- and fibronectin-coated polycarbonate filters. Treatment of BPMVE with TNF-alpha (10(2) to 10(4) U/ml for 4-24 h) produced concentration- and time-dependent increases in endothelial permeability that paralleled the changes in morphology from cobblestone to elongated cells and the formation of prominent intercellular gaps and actin stress fibers. We examined the role of ECM in these changes using filters coated with ECM made by the BPMVE. Fresh BPMVE seeded onto filters coated with ECM produced by TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE had two- to threefold higher 125I-albumin permeability values than BPMVE monolayers seeded onto filters coated with ECM from control cells (P < 0.05). BPMVE seeded onto ECM from TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE also developed intercellular gaps and centralized actin filaments characteristic of the TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE. This effect was not attributable to TNF-alpha adsorbed to ECM. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ECM extracted from BPMVE treated with TNF-alpha showed decreased fibronectin. These findings suggest that the TNF-alpha-induced increase in endothelial permeability involves the loss of fibronectin and remodeling of the ECM. The increase in endothelial permeability may be secondary to decreased endothelial cell-ECM contacts resulting in elongation of cells and formation of intercellular gaps.

Animals

The substrate-associated protein p45 of porcine endothelial cells: multiple isoforms, cytoskeletal-like properties and induction by hyperoxic stress.

1. Cultured mesenchymal cells respond to hyperoxic (hyper-O2) stress with increased cell flattening/substrate adhesion and overall 47-69% reductions in total matrix-associated (i.e. saponin-resistant [SAP fraction]) protein. 2. Electrophoretic analysis revealed a selective hyper-O2-related 2.7- to 4-fold increase in SAP and cytoskeletal fraction deposition of the protein p45 beginning early (within 12 hr) after initial exposure of porcine endothelial cells to hyper-O2 and increasing over a 48 hr period. 3. p45 consisted of 8 distinct isoforms differing only in pI; hyper-O2-augmented matrix deposition of 3. p45 consisted of 8 distinct isoforms differing only in pI; hyper-02-augmented matrix deposition of p45 involved all 8 isoforms with the more basic subtypes exhibiting slightly greater net increases. 4. Both the specificity and time course of p45 induction, relative to the onset of hyper-O2 cytoarchitectural remodeling, indicate that p45 up-regulation constitutes an early aspect of the hyper-O2 adaptive response.

Actins

Mechanisms of pulmonary edema induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

We tested the hypothesis that human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) promotes pulmonary edema by neutrophil-dependent effects on the pulmonary vasculature. The isolated guinea pig lung was perfused with phosphate-buffered Ringer's solution with or without human neutrophils. The infusion of neutrophils (9 x 10(6) total) into lungs isolated after the in vivo administration of TNF (3.2 x 10(5) units/kg) resulted in weight gain (+1.951 +/- 0.311 g versus -0.053 +/- 0.053 g in control) and an increase in the lung (wet-dry)-to-dry weight ratio (8.3 +/- 0.5 versus 6.0 +/- 0.2 in control), indicating the formation of pulmonary edema. The neutrophil-dependent pulmonary edema induced by TNF was associated with a combination of increased capillary permeability (capillary filtration coefficient [Kf,c], 0.170 +/- 0.048 g/min/cm H2O/g at 30 minutes versus 0.118 +/- 0.008 g/min/cm H2O/g at baseline) and increased pulmonary capillary pressure (Ppc, 12.8 +/- 0.8 cm H2O at 60 minutes versus 6.0 +/- 0.3 cm H2O at baseline). The Ppc increase was mediated by thromboxane A2 (TXA2) because the TXA2 synthetase inhibitor Dazoxiben (0.5 mM) prevented the effect (Ppc, 6.7 +/- 0.6 cm H2O at 60 minutes with Dazoxiben), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels were increased in the pulmonary venous effluent (5,244 +/- 599 pg/ml at 60 minutes versus 60 +/- 13 pg/ml at baseline). Studies using WEB-2086 (37 microM), a platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, indicated that PAF mediated the increased vascular permeability (Kf,c, 0.107 +/- 0.014 g/min/cm H2O/g at 30 minutes using WEB-2086) and, in part, the increased Ppc (Ppc, 8.4 +/- 0.7 cm H2O at 60 minutes using WEB-2086). In addition, alterations of endothelial peripheral actin bands were noted after TNF administration. The data indicate that TNF induces neutrophil-dependent pulmonary edema associated with increased Ppc (mediated by TXA2 and PAF), increased Kf,c (mediated by PAF), and changes in endothelial peripheral actin bands.

Actins

Phallacidin prevents thrombin-induced increases in endothelial permeability to albumin.

Calf pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers cultured on polycarbonate filters were utilized to study 125I-labeled albumin permeability and actin filament distribution in response to thrombin challenge. Thirty-minute exposure to alpha-thrombin (10(-7) M) significantly increased albumin clearance rates. These changes were associated with marked alterations in actin filament distribution, resulting in loss of peripheral actin bands and an increase in the number of cytoplasmic stress fibers. Because the actin peripheral filaments are thought to play an important role in junctional stability, we postulated that stabilization of actin filaments should protect against thrombin-induced barrier disruptions. Pretreatment of cells with 0.3 microM 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-phallacidin, a specific actin-stabilizing agent, prevented the changes in actin filament distribution and markedly attenuated the increase in albumin permeability. Because of the potential toxicity of phallatoxins, we evaluated the effects of pretreatment on cell viability and growth parameters. There were no differences in viability, seeding efficiency, or doubling times in cells treated with 0.3 microM NBD-phallacidin in comparison to controls. Our data support the hypothesis that actin filaments, particularly peripheral bands, contribute significantly to the maintenance of barrier function in cultured endothelial cells.

Actins

L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate protects cultured endothelial cells against hyperoxia-induced injury.

When bovine pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers were exposed to hyperoxia (95% O2 and 5% Co2), they responded by selectively elevating the intracellular concentration of glutathione without affecting the activities of glutathione peroxidase or glutathione reductase, L-2-Oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, an intracellular cysteine-delivering agent, further enhanced the intracellular concentration of glutathione in oxygen-exposed endothelial cells and protected them from the lethal effect of hyperoxia. In contrast, buthionine sulfoximine, a potent inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, reduced the glutathione concentration and rendered the cells more sensitive to the toxic effect of oxygen. Both L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate and buthionine sulfoximine had no effect on the activities of glutathione peroxidase or glutathione reductase. Our results suggest that L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate may have the potential of preventing oxygen toxicity.

Cells, Cultured

Hyperoxia causes increased albumin permeability of cultured endothelial monolayers.

When confluent calf pulmonary arterial endothelial monolayers cultured on polycarbonate micropore membranes were exposed to hyperoxia (95% O2) for 3 days, endothelial cells became enlarged, and their permeability to 125I-labeled albumin was markedly increased. Similar changes were not observed when endothelial monolayers were exposed to hyperoxia for 1 or 2 days. Cell counting and acridine orange staining of endothelial monolayers revealed that the hyperoxia-induced increase in albumin permeability was not associated with a denuding injury or loss of cells from the monolayers. Vimentin filament staining of O2-exposed monolayers showed thickening of the perinuclear vimentin coil in some cells. Rhodamine-phalloidin staining demonstrated that hyperoxia caused a progressive alteration in the actin distribution. Two days after O2 exposure, peripheral actin bands became thinner, whereas the number of cytoplasmic stress fibers was increased. Three days after O2 exposure, peripheral actin bands of most cells were disrupted or absent. Because peripheral actin bands play an important role in maintaining the integrity of endothelial monolayers, disruption of peripheral bands by hyperoxia may in part be responsible for the observed change in permeability.

Actins

Direct staining and visualization of endothelial monolayers cultured on synthetic polycarbonate filters.

Endothelial and epithelial cells cultured on synthetic filter supports have been used to study permeability and transport under various experimental conditions. However, because of the non-transparent nature of these filters, morphological studies using light microscopy are not possible. Presently, investigators circumvent this problem by using cells cultured on glass coverslips, extrapolating morphological data from a system clearly different from that used for functional studies. We describe here a useful technique for direct staining and visualization of cells grown on polycarbonate filter supports, using fluorochrome probes and fluorescence microscopy. We have utilized acridine orange, rhodamine phalloidin, and an anti-vimentin monoclonal antibody to provide information about cell shape, monolayer configuration, and cytoskeletal protein distribution in cultured calf pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers. Comparison staining of coverslip and filter preparations revealed a number of clear differences in these parameters. This technique should enable investigators to perform the necessary studies to obtain direct correlations between functional and morphological data.

Acridine Orange

Effect of hyperoxia on the cytoarchitecture of cultured endothelial cells.

When confluent pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture were exposed to hyperoxia (95% O2 and 5% CO2), they became enlarged and mean corpuscular volume increased 30-35%. Rhodamine-phalloidin staining of actin filaments demonstrated that hyperoxia was associated with a progressive alteration in the actin distribution. Three days after oxygen exposure, the number and thickness of cytoplasmic stress fibers were increased, while the peripheral bands were disrupted or absent. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the amount of filamentous actin was increased in oxygen-exposed cells, while the total actin content remained unchanged, suggesting that oxygen exposure shifted the equilibrium from G actin to F actin.

Actins

Cyclosporin-A for the treatment of pure red cell aplasia in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

A 62-year-old man with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia had three separate episodes of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). The last episode was treated with cyclosporin-A (CyA) and prednisone. After the patient was on the therapy for 2 weeks, erythropoietic recovery was observed and with continued therapy the hematocrit (Hct) became normal. The PRCA remission was associated with a fall in the blood lymphocyte count, and a reduction in the spleen and lymph node size and bone marrow lymphocyte density. At diagnosis of PRCA the blood T-cells bearing IgG Fc receptors (T gamma cells) were increased, and the marrow contained very few or no late-stage erythroid progenitors. After remission of PRCA the T gamma cell fraction decreased, and the marrow erythroid progenitor's number became normal. We speculate that therapy with CyA and prednisone inhibited the production of interleukins-1 and -2 from monocytes and T-cells, respectively, and was responsible for the reduction of the T gamma cell fraction and B-cell leukemic mass in this patient. Further, we believe that normalization of T gamma cells in association with the therapy was responsible for the PRCA remission.

Cyclosporins

Alpha 2U-globulin: measurement in rat kidney and relationship to hyaline droplets.

The concentration of renal alpha 2U-globulin increased in a dose-dependent manner in adult male but not female rats which received a single dose of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP). After administration of a single dose of 12 mmol TMP/kg to adult male rats, the renal concentration of alpha 2U-globulin reached a peak at 48 hours and returned to near background level after 7 days. These changes in renal alpha 2U-globulin concentration were closely paralleled by changes in renal hyaline droplet formation. Renal alpha 2U-globulin and hyaline droplets were absent in normal pre-puberty male rats, and neither could be stimulated by a single dose of TMP. alpha 2U-Globulin was localised in the renal cortex of adult male rats, in particular the S2 segment of the proximal tubule. A greater staining intensity due to alpha 2U-globulin was seen in the S2 and adjacent segments after a single dose of TMP. A strong association is suggested between the presence of renal hyaline droplets and the occurrence of alpha 2U-globulin.

Alpha-Globulins

Alpha 2U-globulin: measurement in rat kidney following administration of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.

Hyaline droplet formation was stimulated markedly in the kidneys of post-puberty male rats 24-48 h after a single oral dose of 12/24 mmol/kg 2,2,4-trimethylpentane [TMP]. Renal hyaline droplet formation could not be detected in female rats or in pre-puberty male rats following similar doses of TMP. A dose-dependent increase in the renal concentration of the androgen-dependent low molecular weight protein, alpha 2U-globulin was observed in post-puberty male rats 24 h after a single oral dose of TMP, over the range 0.3-12.0 mmol/kg. After administration of a single dose of 12 mmol/kg TMP to male rats, the renal concentration of alpha 2U-globulin rose steadily up to a peak after 48 h and then returned slowly to near normal after 7 days. Renal alpha 2U-globulin could not be detected in female rats and in pre-puberty male rats. An immunocytochemical assay was developed to examine the distribution of alpha 2U-globulin within the kidney. alpha 2U-Globulin was localised primarily in the S2 segment of renal proximal tubules in untreated male rats. Rats which received a single dose of 12 mmol TMP/kg showed not only a greater staining intensity, due to the presence of a higher concentration of alpha 2U-globulin, but also staining in adjacent segments of the renal cortex. Several urinary biochemical indicators of nephrotoxicity were measured daily in male rats for up to 72 h following a single dose of 12 mmol TMP/kg. Renal proximal tubular function was unimpaired by TMP treatment. On the basis of studies in untreated and TMP-treated rats, a strong association has been found between the presence of renal hyaline droplets and the occurrence of renal alpha 2U-globulin. The findings in the present study provide an explanation for the occurrence of renal hyaline droplets only in adult male rats, but do not, as yet, establish the toxicological significance of increases in renal hyaline droplet formation.

Alpha-Globulins

Mechanism of inhibition of granulopoiesis by ethanol.

The mechanism of inhibition of neutrophilic granulopoiesis by ethanol has not been well characterized. Possible mechanisms investigated include: (a) a direct toxic effect on the granulocyte-macrophage cluster-colony forming unit (CFU-GM), and/or (b) inhibition of production of CFU-GM proliferation stimulating factor activity (CSA) from T lymphocytes (T cells). Addition of as much as 600 mg% ethanol to T-cell- and monocyte-depleted light-density marrow (TMoDLDBM) cells from humans in soft agar cultures which were stimulated with an exogenous source of CSA did not inhibit the CFU-GM proliferation, suggesting that ethanol has no direct toxic effect on the CFU-GM. T cells obtained from the blood of normal humans were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin with 100 to 600 mg% ethanol. Cell-free conditioned media (CM) from these cultures were tested for CSA concentration by their capacity to stimulate proliferation of CFU-GM from human TMoDLDBM or rat whole bone marrow cells. The results indicated that ethanol at a concentration greater than 100 mg% inhibited CSA production from T cells. There was no evidence for production of an inhibitor of CFU-GM proliferation from T cells in the presence of ethanol. These results suggest that the neutropenia which occurs in relation to alcohol abuse may in part be related to decreased CSA production from T cells.

Adult

Regulation of normal human blood neutrophilic, macrophagic, and eosinophilic committed stem cell proliferation by autologous blood T lymphocyte subsets.

The influence of T lymphocyte (T cell) subsets on the proliferation of the blood neutrophilic, macrophagic, and eosinophilic cluster and colony (aggregate) forming cells (CFC) was evaluated. The T cells and the CFC-enriched B-null cells (mononuclear cells depleted of monocytes and T cells) and null cells (B-null) cells depleted of B lymphocytes) were separated from the blood of normal individuals. The population enriched for OKT4 (T4 cells) monoclonal antibody-binding T helper/inducer cells and for OKT8 (T8 cells) monoclonal antibody-binding T suppressor/cytotoxic cells were separated from the T cells or mononuclear cells depleted of monocytes by negative enrichment using an immunoadherence "panning" method. These separated cell populations were cultured separately, and the B-null or null cells were cocultured with the T, T4, and T8 cells in agar medium in the presence and absence of an exogenous source of colony-stimulating activity (CSA). The cultures were evaluated at day 14. The B-null and null cells, but not the T cells or subsets, contained CFC. The number of CFC proliferated from the B-null or null cells increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in cocultures with unseparated T and T8 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The T4 cells neither promoted nor inhibited the CFC growth. The T8 population was a better promoter (p less than 0.01) of CFC growth than the unseparated T cells. This suggests that the CFC promoting effect of the unseparated T cells is probably due to the influence of the T8 subset present within the T cells. The proportion of the neutrophilic, macrophagic, and eosinophilic CFC that proliferated in these cultures was comparable under the influence of the T and T8 cells. The results of these studies indicate that the T8 population, which is the suppressor in the classical immune system, promotes the growth of the blood CFC. We speculate that the T cells are involved in the regulation of granulopoiesis in vivo.

Cell Division

A triple stain technique to evaluate monocyte, neutrophil, and eosinophil proliferation in soft agar cultures.

A useful cytochemical technique has been developed which facilitates the identification of the types of cell aggregates which proliferate in soft agar cultures of hematopoietic stem cells. Staining of fixed agar discs for alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase (CAE) and with Luxol fast blue (LFB) in sequence results in permanent preparations in which monocytic, neutrophilic and eosinophilic aggregates can readily be distinguished on the same slide. This represents an improvement over the currently used technique which relies on the removal of a representative sample of aggregates from the agar discs for cell typing. Whole plate staining results in more accurate estimates of eosinophil growth since the frequency of occurrence of these cell aggregates is low under many of the culturing conditions used. The technique provides a useful tool for studying normal and abnormal hematopoiesis.

Bone Marrow Cells