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Biomedical subjects

Peter C Weber

Publications and source records attributed to Peter C Weber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Docosahexaenoic acid induces ciap1 mRNA and protects human endothelial cells from stress-induced apoptosis.

Induction of apoptosis represents a potential reaction of endothelial cells (ECs) after injury of the vascular endothelium. Beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in vascular diseases are widely recognized although the responsible mechanisms are not fully understood. Because it is not known whether PUFAs modulate EC apoptosis, we investigated the effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)-induced EC apoptosis by annexin V staining and caspase-3 activation assays. Pretreatment with the n-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reduced HNE-induced EC apoptosis. DHA-treated cells did not show the pronounced drop in intracellular GSH after HNE exposure seen in vehicle- or n-6 arachidonic acid-treated cells. This is most likely due to increased GSH levels in DHA-treated cells. Furthermore, DHA pretreatment increased ciap1 mRNA levels and transfection of cIAP1 small interfering RNA abolished the protective effect of DHA in HNE-induced apoptosis in HUVECs. Thus pretreatment of HUVECs with DHA reduces HNE-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, and the protective effects of DHA seem to be dependent on cIAP1. The results provide a possible new mechanism for the atheroprotective effects of n-3 fatty acids in vascular disease.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2005

Docosahexaenoic acid induces apoptosis in proliferating human endothelial cells.

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to exert beneficial effects in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and on tumor growth. To investigate effects of PUFAs on proliferation and apoptosis in endothelial cells, we tested the n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the production of reactive oxygen species were examined by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of p53 or p38 MAP kinase, and total levels of p53 were measured by Western blot. DNA binding activity of p53 was analyzed with a TransAM transcription factor assay kit. Tube formation was assessed on Matrigel. In proliferating HUVEC, but not in confluent cells, DHA reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by increases in membrane leakage (propidium iodide (PI) staining), Annexin-V binding, sub G(1) phase in the cell cycle, and TUNEL-positive cells. AA had no effect on these parameters. In addition to a reduced MMP and increased reactive oxygen species, phosphorylation of p38 and p53 (serine 15) and impaired DNA binding of p53 were observed. There was no change in total levels of p53. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 had no effect on Annexin V binding. DHA also attenuated HUVEC tube formation. Taken together, DHA induces apoptosis in proliferating, but not in resting HUVEC, potentially via the phosphorylation of p53, resulting in decreased p53 DNA binding. The results suggest that anti-angiogenic effects of DHA may be due to induction of apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

Iatrogenic complications from chronic ear surgery.

Iatrogenic complications can and do occur in ear surgery. Whether the surgery is undertaken to treat chronic infectious disease or for other purposes (eg, for cochlear implants, shunts, or skull base approaches), the key to avoiding iatrogenic injuries and untoward events is attention to detail. Knowledge of what to do when the unexpected happens is the key to minimizing any negative outcome for the patient.

Blood Vessels↗
PubMed2004

Apoptotic bodies from endothelial cells enhance the number and initiate the differentiation of human endothelial progenitor cells in vitro.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a role in the repair of ischemic or injured tissue. Because endothelial injury can be associated with apoptosis, we have investigated whether apoptotic bodies from mature endothelial cells (ECs) may affect growth and differentiation of EPCs in vitro. A 24-hour incubation of isolated human EPCs with apoptotic bodies-rich medium (ABRM) from ECs led to a significant increase in the number of spindle-shaped attached cells. EPCs were characterized by DiI-Ac-LDL/lectin staining and measurement of CD34 and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) expression. The treatment with ABRM resulted in a 2-fold increase of DiI-Ac-LDL/lectin-positive cells and up-regulation of CD34 (22% +/- 2% versus 13% +/- 3%, P < .05 and KDR (49% +/- 12% versus 19% +/- 7%, P < .05). Fluorescence and confocal laser microscopy demonstrated the uptake of apoptotic bodies by the EPCs. Apoptotic bodies-depleted medium had no effect, whereas the incubation with suspension of apoptotic bodies induced effects similar to those of ABRM. Our results suggest that apoptotic bodies from ECs are taken up by EPCs, increasing their number and differentiation state. Such a mechanism may facilitate the repair of injured endothelium and may represent a new signaling pathway between progenitor and damaged somatic cells.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2004

Cyclopentenone prostaglandins induce endothelial cell apoptosis independent of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma.

Cyclopentenone prostaglandins (CP-PG), such as prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) or 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2), induce apoptosis in different cell types. PGJ2 is also a potent activator of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma). We investigated whether PPARgamma regulates CP-PG-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells (EC). We show that CP-PG induce apoptosis in human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC). Incubation with PGA1 or PGJ2 for 24 h reduced HUVEC number and viability, while the synthetic activators Wy14643 or rosiglitazone had no effect. Flow cytometry and cell cycle analysis revealed externalized phosphatidylserine, caspase-3 activation, and an increased percentage of cells with a reduced DNA content by CP-PG treatment. EMSA demonstrated an activation of PPARgamma by PGJ2 and rosiglitazone. Immunohistochemistry of HUVEC and immunoblot analyses of protein extracts showed that PPARgamma was localized in the nuclei of HUVEC, and that CP-PG treatment decreased the amount of PPARgamma protein. This degradation was prevented by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Treatment of differentiated, endothelial-like PPARgamma-deficient stem cells, or of HUVEC transfected with dominant-negative PPARgamma with CP-PG, induced cell death and apoptosis. Our findings show that PGA1 and PGJ2 induce apoptosis in endothelial cells independent of PPARgamma. As the synthesis of PGJ2 is increased at sites of inflammation, our results may suggest a possible mechanism for endothelial damage.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2004

The development of antibiotic resistant organisms with the use of ototopical medications.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing concern over the use of systemic antibiotics and the development of bacterial resistance. The question remains as to whether ototopical medications may also promote antibiotic-resistant organisms, either on a local level (in the ear) or in other areas of the aerodigestive tract. We performed an evidence-based review to answer the following clinical question, "Do antibiotic ototopical medications induce antibiotic resistant organisms?" STUDY DESIGN: We performed a MEDLINE search of the published literature from 1966 to the present. We used appropriate search terms such as "ototopical antibiotics," "ototopical drops," "antibiotic resistance," "topical antibiotics and otitis externa," "otitis externa and treatment," "otitis externa and antibiotic drops," "otitis externa and ototopical drops," "otitis media," "otitis media and treatment," "otitis media and antibiotic drops," "chronic suppurative otitis media," "chronic suppurative otitis media and treatment," "chronic suppurative otitis media and antibiotic drops," " otitis externa and resistant organisms," "otitis media and resistant organisms," "chronic suppurative otitis media and resistant organisms," "ophthalmic antibiotic drops," "draining ear," "P.E. tube otorrhea," "pressure equalizing tube otorrhea," "pressure equalizing tube otorrhea and treatment," and "pressure equalizing tube otorrhea and ototopical therapy" to identify pertinent articles. These articles were reviewed and graded according to the evidence quality. RESULTS: After an initial screening of over 2,500 articles, 38 articles were analyzed further; of these, 11 were determined to warrant extensive review. Eight articles evaluated chronic suppurative otitis media; 2, otitis externa; and 1, post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea, whereas 3 others studied systemic absorption. Of the 8 chronic suppurative otitis media studies, there were thought to be 5 grade 2B studies, 1 grade 1B study, and 1 grade 2C study. These studies did not demonstrate a propensity for the development of resistant organisms. No study answered the question as to whether resistance to systemic antibiotics might occur in otitis externa. CONCLUSIONS: Overall grade B evidence seems to indicate that no significant antibiotic resistance develops from the use of ototopical antibiotic treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Purification and characterization of recombinant Staphylococcus haemolyticus DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV expressed in Escherichia coli.

The subunits of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV from Staphylococcus haemolyticus were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and used to reconstitute active enzymes that were sensitive to known topoisomerase inhibitors. This represents the first description of a method for isolating type II topoisomerases of a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Structural requirements of cyclopentenone prostaglandins to induce endothelial cell apoptosis.

Prostaglandins are a family of structurally related molecules formed by many cells in response to extrinsic stimuli. A member of this family, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), shows unique biological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumour activity, and has attracted much attention as a high affinity ligand for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Increasing evidence points to additional effects. We investigated several structurally related prostaglandins in comparison to 15d-PGJ(2) with respect to their apoptosis-inducing capacity in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC). Cell viability was tested with a modified MTT assay and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V staining and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry. Incubation of confluent HUVECs with 15d-PGJ(2) markedly reduced endothelial cell viability which was due to apoptosis. In contrast, none of the other PGs tested affected cell viability. Interestingly, the cyclopentenone ring alone dose-dependently reduced cell viability and significantly induced apoptosis in HUVECs with as low a concentration as 0.25 microM. In conclusion, we report that the cyclopentenone moiety of cyPGs is an essential component for the apoptosis-inducing properties of 15d-PGJ(2). For 15d-PGJ(2) the position of the cyclopentenone ring in conjunction with the side chains yields a molecule with unique biological properties.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2003

Endothelial progenitor cells: mobilization, differentiation, and homing.

Postnatal bone marrow contains a subtype of progenitor cells that have the capacity to migrate to the peripheral circulation and to differentiate into mature endothelial cells. Therefore, these cells have been termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The isolation of EPCs by adherence culture or magnetic microbeads has been described. In general, EPCs are characterized by the expression of 3 markers, CD133, CD34, and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. During differentiation, EPCs obviously lose CD133 and start to express CD31, vascular endothelial cadherin, and von Willebrand factor. EPCs seem to participate in endothelial repair and neovascularization of ischemic organs. Clinical studies using EPCs for neovascularization have just been started; however, the mechanisms stimulating or inhibiting the differentiation of EPC in vivo and the signals causing their migration and homing to sites of injured endothelium or extravascular tissue are largely unknown at present. Thus, future studies will help to explore areas of potential basic research and clinical application of EPCs.

AC133 Antigen↗