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Biomedical subjects

P Pradelles

Publications and source records attributed to P Pradelles.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Enzyme immunoassays of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate and guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate using acetylcholinesterase.

The pure tetrameric form of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) from the electric eel Electrophorus electricus has been covalently coupled to 2'-O-succinyl-cAMP tyrosine methyl ester and 2'-O-succinyl-cGMP. Both enzymatic conjugates have been used as tracers in a classical heterogeneous competitive enzyme immunoassay allowing the determination of cAMP and cGMP, respectively. The test was performed in 96-well microtiter plates coated with a mouse monoclonal anti-rabbit Immunoglobulin antibody in order to ensure separation between bound and free moieties of the tracer. Acetylcholinesterase activity bound to the solid phase was measured by colorimetric assay. When standards or samples were first acetylated by treatment with acetic anhydride, the sensitivity of both assays appeared very good since minimum detectable concentration close to 0.04 pmol/mL (2 fmol/well) could be calculated for each assay. Precision was also very satisfying since the coefficient of variation was less than 5% in the 0.2-10 pmol/mL range. Good correlation was noted between enzymoimmunological and radioimmunological measurements of cAMP performed for different biological samples (urine, serum, or tissue extracts).

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Antidiuretic hormone reduces the high PGE2 synthesis in papillary collecting duct of DI rats.

PGE2 synthesis was measured along the nephron of Brattleboro (DI) rats, lacking ADH, and control LE rats, using an enzyme immunoassay. Experiments were performed in vitro, in the absence of exogenous arachidonic acid, using microdissected tubular segments. The effect of a chronic treatment of dDAVP was tested on three ADH sensitive tubular segments, medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL), medullary collecting tubule (OMCD) and papillary collecting duct (IMCD). No difference in PGE2 synthesis was present between LE and DI in glomerulus and tubular segments up to OMCD. In both strains, values were low in the proximal tubule and the loop of Henle, and gradually increased along the collecting tubule. In IMCD, PGE2 synthesis was much higher in DI (12.8 +/- 2.0 pg per 30 min per mm tubular length) than in LE (3.8 +/- 0.5, LE vs. DI p less than 0.001). In MTAL and OMCD, dDAVP treatment did not affect PGE2 synthesis. In IMCD, dDAVP reduced PGE2 synthesis to values (5.3 +/- 0.8 pg per 30 min per mm tubular length), which were not significantly different from those of LE. Neither oxytocin, which has been shown to be elevated in DI rats, nor furosemide, that reduced papillary osmolarity to values comparable to those of DI rats, were able to increase PGE2 synthesis in IMCD of LE rats. The mechanism of the increase in PGE2 synthesis in IMCD of DI rats, and of the inhibitory effect of dDAVP is yet unknown; it may participate to compensate for the lack of ADH in the Brattleboro rat.

Animals↗

Dermorphin and related peptides in rat tissues.

Dermorphin (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2), a naturally occurring peptide isolated from arboreal frog skin, is endowed with outstanding structural and biological features. It has no structural community with the sequence of mammalian opioid peptides and is a unique example of a D-aminoacid containing peptide which is synthesized via ribosomal route. Dermorphin is the most potent of the opioid peptides or opiates in producing long lasting analgesia and catalepsy. Since most amphibians' secretory peptides have counterparts in the mammalian central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, we have developed a sensitive enzyme immunoassay that can detect 1 pg dermorphin to verify the possibility of dermorphin or dermorphin-related peptides occurrence in mammalian tissues. Dermorphin-related peptides were purified by fast protein liquid chromatography followed by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Identification was achieved by chromatographic comparison with synthetic standards and immunological analysis. A peptide behaving like authentic dermorphin was detected (2 ng/g) in rat small intestine. Immunoreactive species of higher Mr were also detected in the brain, adrenal glands and gastrointestinal tract, they may represent extended forms of dermorphin or homologous peptides.

Animals↗

A comparison of bradykinin- and capsaicin-induced myocardial and coronary effects in isolated perfused heart of guinea-pig: involvement of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide release.

1. Bradykinin and capsaicin were compared for their ability to elicit functional effects and to release sensory neuropeptides from guinea-pig isolated perfused hearts. 2. Both bradykinin (10 microM) and capsaicin (1 microM) produced a marked increase in coronary flow, a large positive chronotropic effect and a significant reduction in contractile strength. These actions were associated with a marked release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) and calcitonin gene-related-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI). The percentage of the tissue content of SP-LI and CGRP-LI released by each agent was similar, although bradykinin was less effective than capsaicin. The ratio of SP-LI/CGRP-LI released by both agents was similar to that present in cardiac tissue. 3. Neuropeptide release could be evoked only once with capsaicin but at least four times with bradykinin. Also, functional responses to capsaicin underwent desensitization. After either in vitro or systemic capsaicin pretreatment, the release of SP-LI and CGRP-LI by bradykinin was reduced and the positive chronotropic effect of bradykinin was significantly reduced, while the increase in coronary flow and negative inotropic responses remained unchanged. 4. Pretreatment with indomethacin (10 microM) strongly antagonized the release of SP-LI and CGRP-LI by bradykinin and reduced the increase in heart rate. 5. These findings suggest that activation by bradykinin (probably through indirect mechanisms) of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves in the heart, leads to a local release of sensory neuropeptides. These neuropeptides, in turn, could participate in determining the complex functional effects of this kinin on cardiac performance.

Animals↗

Independent desensitization of rat renal thick ascending limbs and collecting ducts to ADH.

Recent micropuncture studies have demonstrated that administration of high doses of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP), a synthetic analogue of vasopressin (AVP), causes desensitization of the thick ascending limb to AVP but may leave unaltered the effect of this hormone on the permeability to water of the collecting duct. In the present experiments, desensitization to AVP was studied by measuring adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis in microdissected cortical thick ascending limbs (CTAL) and cortical collecting ducts (CCD) incubated in vitro. Desensitization was induced by intramuscular injections of dDAVP (2 micrograms/day for 3 days). In a first series of experiments, performed on Brattleboro rats lacking circulating AVP, the effects of AVP on cAMP accumulation were reduced by 30% in CTAL of the rats given dDAVP, whereas in CCD no reduction was noted. Desensitization of CTAL was selective for AVP (i.e., homologous), the effects of glucagon being unaltered. In a second series of experiments, performed on Sprague-Dawley rats, a marked (up to 75% 2 h after dDAVP injection), homologous and reversible desensitization of CTAL to AVP was observed. However, here again no desensitization was obtained in CCD, indicating that in the normal rat, administration of 2 micrograms dDAVP also elicited preferential desensitization of CTAL.

Animals↗

A second antibody solid-phase enzyme immunoassay of prostaglandin E2 in human gastric juice.

A second antibody solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the determination of prostaglandin E2 in human gastric juice was developed using acetylcholine esterase as label, covalently coupled to the eicosanoid. The assay was performed on 96-well microtiter plates coated with the second antibody (swine antirabbit IgG antibody). The enzyme-labeled and unlabeled prostaglandin E2 were allowed to react in a competitive manner with the immobilized specific antibody (rabbit anti-prostaglandin E2 serum). After addition of the enzyme substrate, the specifically bound acetylcholine esterase was determined at 414 nm by means of a colorimetric assay and the enzyme activity was correlated with the amount of unlabeled prostaglandin E2. According to the calibration curve, prostaglandin E2 was determined in the range of 0.5-250 pg/ml. The minimal detectable concentration of prostaglandin E2 was 1.9 +/- 0.2 pg/ml. The intraassay coefficient of variation was less than 10%. Most prostaglandins and their metabolites tested showed a cross-reactivity of less than 1%.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Capsaicin-induced release of substance P-like immunoreactivity from the guinea pig stomach in vitro and in vivo.

Capsaicin induced a release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) in superfusates from gastric fundic mucosa of guinea pig in vitro and from gastric perfusates of anaesthetized guinea pigs in vivo. Tissue SP-LI from the gastric fundus was reduced (43.4%) by systemic capsaicin desensitization. These findings provide direct neurochemical evidence which supports the hypothesis for the involvement of local neuropeptide release in the 'gastric defence mechanism' played by capsaicin-sensitive nerves.

Animals↗

Increased reactivity to chemical but not to heat noxious stimuli in mice producing anti-idiotypic antibodies for substance P.

Mice immunized against anti-substance P (anti-SP) monoclonal antibodies produced anti-SP anti-idiotypic antibodies (SPAb2). In a previous report. SPAb2 antibodies were found to have in vitro biological activity i.e. to behave either as agonists or as antagonists for substance P (SP) depending on the biological test. In this study, the involvement of SPAb2 in in vivo biological activity has been tested. Because of the possible implication of SP in the generation and transmission of nociceptive information, we have tested the responsiveness of SPAb2 responding mice in behavioral nociceptive tests. SPAb2 mice showed very small behavioral variations in the hot plate test as compared with a control group of mice immunized against an unrelated monoclonal antibody. In the formalin test, however, SPAb2 mice displayed a significant increase in paw licking time, which was significantly correlated with SPAb2 serum concentration. These results are discussed in terms of the use of SPAb2 as pharmacological tools for studying the biological properties of SP receptors and more generally of auto anti-idiotypic antibodies in modulating behavioral responses.

Animals↗

The antagonism induced by ruthenium red of the actions of capsaicin on the peripheral terminals of sensory neurons: further studies.

Ruthenium Red, an inorganic dye which blocks transmembrane calcium (Ca) fluxes in neural tissues, reduced the capsaicin-induced release of substance P-like immunoreactivity from muscle strips of the guinea-pig urinary bladder in a concentration-dependent (30 nM - 3 microM) manner, and protected the sensory fibers from capsaicin-induced densensitization. A similar antagonism of the actions of capsaicin was observed in functional experiments (capsaicin-induced contraction of the isolated guinea-pig bladder or inhibition of twitches of the isolated rat vas deferens). In view of its established action on the depolarization-coupled entry of Ca into synaptosomes and the secretion of transmitter, we propose that Ruthenium Red could antagonize the action of capsaicin on the peripheral terminals of sensory nerves by a similar mechanism, thereby suppressing transmitter secretion and preventing the establishment of desensitization.

Animals↗

Stimulation of release of prostaglandins and thromboxanes from isolated guinea pig lung cells by bradykinin, f-Met-Leu-Phe, phorbol myristate, ionophore A23187, and leukotrienes.

Guinea pig lungs were perfused for 15 min with a solution of protease type VII (0.05 mg/ml) and dispersed to yield a suspension of morphologically intact and metabolically active lung cells (over 250 X 10(6) cells per animal). The viability of these cells assessed with the Trypan blue exclusion technique was more than 80%. Treatment of these mixed cells (1 X 10(6) cells/ml) with chemicals such as phorbol myristate acetate (1 X 10(-9) to 1 X 10(-7) M), f-Met-Leu-Phe (5 X 10(-6) to 1 X 10(-4) M), and the calcium ionophore A23187 (3.1 X 10(-7) to 2.5 X 10(-6) M), and with autacoids such as bradykinin (1 X 10(-5) to 1 X 10(-4) M), leukotriene B4 (1 X 10(-13) to 1 X 10(-7) M), and leukotriene D4 (1 X 10(-10) to 1 X 10(-7) M) stimulated to a variable degree the release of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 (measured with a novel enzyme immunoassay). It is suggested that icosanoid release from the lungs is the result of direct chemical or hormonal stimulation of the cells and not a consequence of vascular changes. Studies are in progress to purify lung cell populations and characterize the cells responsible for the release of these icosanoids.

Animals↗

Substance-P-like levels in inflammatory exudates.

Levels of SP-like immunoreactivity were assessed by enzyme immunoassay in exudates induced in the rat by intrapleural injection of either calcium pyrophosphate (CaPP) or carrageenan. SP-like levels increased during the first hour, up to approximately 2 ng/ml, and remained significantly higher than control values from 1 to 6 h after the induction of pleurisy by CaPP. With carrageenan as the irritant, SP-like levels rose during the first 4 h, up to 3 ng/ml, and remained significantly higher than control values from 4 to 24 h. In terms of the total volume of exudate induced by carrageenan, total amounts increased up to 8 ng/rat at 16 h after the beginning of the reaction. Our data demonstrate a detectable release of SP-like material in these pleural exudates and suggest its involvement in the inflammatory response, either directly, or through other mediators, or simply by acting on nociceptive fibers and inducing vascular changes.

Animals↗

Development and testing of radio and enzyme immunoassays for acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF).

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor from bovine brain stimulate growth in a variety of tissues in several species. Despite the 55% amino acid sequence homology of the two forms of FGF, a specific immunoassay of aFGF has been developed using a polyclonal antibody raised in a rabbit. Two immunoassays were compared: a radioimmunoassay (RIA) using 125I aFGF and an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using aFGF coupled to the tetrameric form of acetylcholinesterase (aFGF-AchE) as tracer. With EIA, the detection limit was 1.5 ng/ml, versus 2.2 ng/ml with RIA, while the dose at 50% was 5.9 ng/ml for EIA and 9.6 ng/ml for RIA. Using a modified EIA procedure where aFGF-AchE was added 2 h after the other reagents, the dose at 50% binding was 1.5 ng/ml. Examples of the performance of both immunoassays are presented for various brain extracts of different species including human. The aFGF content obtained by these methods correlates (CR = 0.987) with the values obtained by biological assay.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Release of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 by mixed isolated human lung cells.

Human lung specimens were minced and treated for 30 min with collagenase (1 mg ml-1) and DNase (0.1 mg ml-1) to obtain a suspension of viable (approximately 80%) and metabolically active lung cells (5 x 10(6) cells per gram of tissue). Treatment of these mixed lung cells with bradykinin (1.25 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-5) M) and f-Met-Leu-Phe (f-MLP; 1 x 10(-8) to 5 x 10(-6) M) did not stimulate to a substantial extent the release of prostaglandins and thromboxanes (measured with novel Enzyme Immunoassays). The only concentration of PAF that stimulated significantly the release of icosanoids from lung cells was 5 x 10(-7) M. Phorbol myristate (PMA; 5 x 10(-8) to 2 x 10(-6) M) and ionophore a-21387 (2.5 x 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-5) M) strongly stimulated the release of prostaglandins and thromboxanes by dispersed human lung cells. These findings support previous observations showing that human lungs have the enzymes necessary for the synthesis and release of prostaglandins and thromboxanes but stimulation of the release of these mediators is not obtained with the hormonal stimuli that are active in guinea pigs. Studies in progress will purify the cell populations and characterize the cells responsible for the release of these icosanoids.

Bradykinin↗

Anti-idiotypic antibodies as a tool for cytochemical identification of substance P receptors in the central nervous system.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies may serve as valuable probes for cytological identification of peptide receptors in the CNS. We have previously described the preparation of anti-substance P (SP) anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id Ab) and have shown that they recognize SP receptors. These anti-Id Ab can be used in cytology to label SP receptors in CNS. We chose rat cervical spinal cord as a model because SP is present in large amounts in the dorsal and ventral horns, where it is implicated in pain and in motor function, respectively. After application of an indirect immunoperoxidase technique to tissue sections from perfused animals, immunolabeling was seen in the two superficial layers of the dorsal horn, the area surrounding the central canal, extending along the white matter in lamina VII, and in part of the ventral horn. This localization is in accordance with the classical distribution of SP receptors as seen by autoradiography with labeled SP. In the light of control experiments, as well as of biochemical and pharmacological arguments, we discuss the specificity of the immunolabeling. We conclude that anti-Id Ab recognize NK-P receptors, although crossreaction with NK-A or NK-B receptors cannot be totally ruled out.

Animals↗

An enzyme immunoassay for synthetic thymulin.

Thymulin, a metallononapeptide with the following aminoacid sequence: pyroGlu-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-AsnOH is a thymic hormone involved in T cell differentiation requiring zinc to express biological activity as measured by the rosette assay. We established an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for synthetic zinc-free thymulin with a thymulin-acetylcholinesterase conjugate as tracer and specific polyclonal rabbit antithymulin antibodies. The assay is performed as a classical competition assay in microtiter plates previously coated with mouse monoclonal IgG to rabbit IgG. A quantitative thymulin assay more sensitive than radioimmunoassays (RIAs) previously described was obtained with a sensitivity (IC50) of 32.5 +/- 5 pg/ml and a detection limit of 5 pg/ml. Analysis in the EIA of synthetic thymulin analogs showed that the minimal peptidic structure necessary for enzymatic tracer competition is the C-terminal part Lys3 to Asn9. It was also shown that the biologically active form of thymulin (zinc-bound) has the same immunoreactivity as zinc-free thymulin and that other thymic hormones, thymosin alpha 1 and thymopoietin II (or TP5) and unrelated short peptides do not cross-react with thymulin. These data demonstrate the specificity of this EIA for thymulin and show its suitability for application in biological fluids.

Antibody Specificity↗

Development, validation and application of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) of atriopeptin.

A rapid, convenient, and sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for atriopeptin (AP) has been developed. The tracer-ligand for the assay is the 24-amino acid peptide, AP24, which has been covalently coupled to the tetrameric form of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (EC 3.1.1.7). Tracer, unknown, and primary antibody are incubated in a 96-well microtiter plate precoated with secondary antibody. After washing, a colorimetric reaction is used to measure acetylcholinesterase activity. A direct linear correlation was obtained when comparing the conventional radioimmunoassay and the EIA by using the same primary antibody to assay: plasma samples (rat or human), HPLC column fractions, or atrial extracts. Besides being technically much less demanding and not requiring the use of the radioisotopes, the EIA is more sensitive than the radioimmunoassay and thereby lends itself to a "flash" same-day assay of samples.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Monoclonal antibodies to substance P: production, characterization of their fine specificities, and use in immunocytochemistry.

Five hybrid clones secreting antibodies to the neuropeptide substance P have been obtained by somatic cell fusion of mouse myeloma cells with splenocytes from immunized mice of the Biozzi strain. To perform rapid and sensitive screening tests as well as to study the fine specificities of each monoclonal antibody, we developed a new enzyme immunoassay of substance P using acetylcholinesterase as label. All five monoclonal antibodies were directed to the C-terminal pentapeptide of substance P, especially to the Phe7 residue. They cross-reacted with neurokinin A and to some extent with neurokinin B but not with other nontachykinin mammalian peptides. One monoclonal antibody (SP 14) was used for immunocytochemical experiments in the rat spinal cord and spinal ganglion, both at the light and electron microscopic levels. A strong specific neurokinin-like immunoreactivity was observed in cell bodies, nerve fibers, and terminals, with a very low background staining. Finally, the affinities of several analogues of substance P for SP 14 monoclonal antibody were shown to be correlated with their biological activities, as measured by their hypotensive effects in vivo. These findings suggested a strong structural resemblance between the combining site of the antibody and that of the physiological substance P receptor.

Animals↗