PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Hilf

Publications and source records attributed to R Hilf.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

In vitro photosensitization of tumour cell enzymes by photofrin II administered in vivo.

The ability of injected Photofrin II, a preparation enriched in hydrophobic dihaematoporphyrin ethers and esters, to photosensitize selected mitochondrial and cytosolic enzymes during illumination in vitro was examined. Preparations of R3230AC mammary tumours, obtained at designated times after a single dose of Photofrin II, displayed a time-dependent photosensitivity. Maximum inhibition of mitochondrial enzymes occurred at 24 hours post-treatment, whereas no inhibition of the cytosolic enzyme, pyruvate kinase, was observed over the 168 hour time course. At the selected 24 hour time point, mitochondrial enzyme photosensitisation was found to be drug dose (5.25 mg kg-1 Photofrin II) and light dose dependent, the rank order of inhibition being cytochrome c oxidase greater than F0F1 ATPase greater than succinate dehydrogenase greater than NADH dehydrogenase. We conclude that porphyrin species contained in Photofrin II accumulate in mitochondria of tumour cells in vivo and produce maximum photosensitisation at 24-72 hours after administration to tumour-bearing animals. The time course observed here with Photofrin II is similar to that seen previously with the more heterogenous haematoporphyrin derivative preparation in this in vivo-in vitro model.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Picosecond fluorescence of R3230AC mammary carcinoma mitochondria after treatment with hematoporphyrin derivative and Photofrin II in vivo.

Hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and other porphyrin samples were excited by 20-ps 532-nm laser pulses. Fluorescence was detected using a low-jitter streak camera. Data were fitted to a sum of exponential decay times on the order of picoseconds. Fluorescence of porphyrins in aqueous solution show various behaviors depending on the hydrophobicity of the porphyrins. The most hydrophilic porphyrins show long decays only (greater than 500 ps). Porphyrins intermediate in hydrophobicity have intensity-dependent fast decays. The most hydrophobic have fast decays (less than 20 ps). Picosecond fluorescences of mitochondria prepared from rat tumors treated in vivo with HPD or Photofrin II show an increase in the ratio of fast to slow decays when compared to the injected porphyrins. These results are consistent with the concentration of the more hydrophobic porphyrins in mitochondria in photosensitization treatment. Thus picosecond fluorescence studies of porphyrins may provide a means to obtain photoproperties which differentiate between effective and ineffective in vivo photosensitizers.

Animals↗

Effects of laser photodynamic therapy on tumor phosphate levels and pH assessed by 31P-NMR spectroscopy.

The effects of photodynamic therapy using 632 nm photoradiation emitted from an ion pumped dye laser system on the phosphate metabolite levels of rat mammary tumors were monitored by 31P-NMR spectroscopy. A dramatic decline to almost undetectable levels, in the ratio of whole tumor beta-ATP (NTP) to Pi was observed after systemic administration of 5 mg/kg Photofrin II 24 h prior to exposure of R3230AC rat mammary tumor to laser irradiation at 180 and 360 J/cm2 total fluence. This decline in ATP was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the levels of Pi relative to the total observable phosphate signals. Whole tumor pH was calculated from the chemical shift in inorganic phosphate using the water proton signal as reference. Under the same treatment conditions used to monitor the phosphate metabolites following Photodynamic Therapy, the pH of the tumor as a whole decreased approximately 0.35 units at the time when the beta-ATP to Pi ratios were lowest. This maximal decrease in whole tumor ATP levels and pH, which occurred at 4-6 h post irradiation, was followed by a gradual return to pre-treatment levels over a 24 h period. These results demonstrate that Photodynamic Therapy employing porphyrin photosensitization and monochromatic laser irradiation is effective in reducing both tumor high energy phosphate levels and pH. Depending on sensitizer dose and light fluence, metabolic inhibition, represented by depleted nucleoside triphosphates and elevated Pi, may be reversible.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol kinase of R3230AC mammary tumors and normal mammary glands and effects of insulin on tumor enzyme activity.

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) kinase was characterized, its activity was measured in plasma membrane-enriched fractions of R3230AC rat mammary tumors, and these results were compared to enzyme activity in normal mammary glands at various stages of differentiation. PI kinase activity was found to be highest in mammary adenocarcinomas, whereas the mammary gland displayed the following order of decreasing activity: late lactation greater than early lactation greater than late pregnancy. Although diabetes only slightly increased tumor membrane PI kinase activity, insulin treatment of tumor-bearing diabetic rats, which reduced R3230AC tumor growth, caused a significant reduction (30 to 40%) in PI kinase activity. These results imply that PI kinase activity may be correlatable with normal mammary gland differentiation and with mammary tumor growth behavior. Formation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate in tumor membranes was inhibited by low concentrations of calcium (microM range), suggesting the presence of calcium-sensitive polyphosphoinositide metabolism in the R3230AC carcinoma.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Effects of diabetes and sex steroid hormones on insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity in R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas.

Insulin binding and receptor tyrosine kinase activity were investigated in the insulin-responsive R3230AC mammary adenocarcinoma. Insulin receptors, partially purified by wheat germ agglutinin-agarose chromatography, displayed electrophoretic properties similar to those of normal tissues and demonstrated autophosphorylation of the beta subunit. Tyrosine kinase activity of tumor preparations was measured by incorporation of 32P from ATP into the synthetic polypeptide substrate glutamic acid80:tyrosine20. The Km (app) for ATP, 15 to 30 microM in tumors from ovariectomized or intact rats, appeared to be increased by 10(-7) M insulin in vitro, with the calculated Vmax increased by 3- to 5-fold; the Km (app) for glutamic acid80:tyrosine20 was 2 to 3 microM and insulin increased the Vmax by 25 to 50%. The effects of diabetes and insulin treatment and of various doses of estradiol, progesterone, estradiol plus progesterone, or tamoxifen on insulin binding, basal tyrosine kinase activity, and insulin-inducible tyrosine kinase activity in vitro were studied in tumors from treated animals. Preparations from diabetic rats had elevated insulin binding and basal tyrosine kinase activity and displayed a striking dose-related increase in the ability for insulin induction of tyrosine kinase activity in vitro compared to intact animals; these effects of diabetes were prevented by administration of insulin. Over comparable doses, insulin growth factor 1 added in vitro induced tyrosine kinase activity minimally versus that seen for insulin. Treatment of rats with pharmacological doses of sex steroid hormones produced changes in insulin binding capacity and/or basal tyrosine kinase activity and, depending on dose, usually resulted in increased basal kinase activity relative to insulin binding. The insulin-inducible increase in tyrosine kinase activity in vitro was not altered by treatment with estradiol or estradiol plus progesterone in vivo, whereas high doses of progesterone attenuated the response. A consistent finding with increasing doses of sex steroids was an increase in the half-maximum dose or 50% maximum induction dose for insulin, implying reduced responsiveness. Tamoxifen administered to intact rats increased insulin binding and blunted the insulin-induced increase in tyrosine kinase in vitro; these effects were not seen in ovariectomized rats...

Adenocarcinoma↗

Photosensitizing effects of hematoporphyrin derivative and photofrin II on the plasma membrane enzymes 5'-nucleotidase, Na+K+-ATPase, and Mg2+-ATPase in R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas.

The sensitivity to photodynamic treatment of three plasma membrane enzymes in R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas was assessed. The activities of Na+K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase in isolated membranes were measured after exposure of membranes to either hematoporphyrin derivative or Photofrin II plus light in vitro or in tumor membranes prepared from animals previously injected with 25 mg/kg Photofrin II and sacrificed at various times prior to exposure to light (in vivo-in vitro protocol). The activities of both Na+K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase were inhibited at equivalent rates by Photofrin II in vitro; inhibition was drug dose and light dose related. For 5'-nucleotidase in vitro, a 10-fold higher porphyrin concentration was required to achieve a similar rate of enzyme inhibition as that for the ion-activated ATPases. Injection of Photofrin II in vivo followed by preparation of tumor plasma membranes, which were subsequently exposed to light in vitro, produced no photosensitization of 5'-nucleotidase activity at any time studied (up to 72 h after Photofrin II administration). Under the same conditions Na+K+-ATPase activity was reduced by 40-60% from 2 to 72 h after drug injection, whereas Mg2+-ATPase activity was inhibited by 10-25% over the same time course. The differential sensitivity of these three enzymes observed in this in vivo-in vitro protocol suggests that each enzyme may possess different characteristics, such as three-dimensional configuration or membrane location, that afford varying susceptibility to porphyrin photosensitization. The data also suggest that photosensitivity-induced damage to these ion-activated plasma membrane ATPases could have deleterious effects on tumor cell survival.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Picket-fence porphyrins as potential phototherapeutic agents.

The synthetic "picket fence" porphyrin, tetra(o-acetamidophenyl)porphine (TAc), as a biological photosensitizer has been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in mitochondria from the R3230AC mammary tumor. Studies in vitro, consisting of incubation of mitochondria with TAc at a concentration of 4.0 micrograms/ml followed by photolysis, result in the inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase, proton translocating ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase. The diminution in activity of the first three enzymes is approximately 2-fold greater than that seen with Photofrin II under the same conditions. Although TAc exists as four isolable atropisomers, no differences among these different forms were observed in their photosensitized inhibition of mitochondrial enzymes. Administration to tumor-bearing rats of TAc i.p. at a dose of 25 mg/kg did result in accumulation of porphyrin within the mitochondria of the R3230AC tumor as determined by subsequent irradiation of isolated mitochondria. The potential utility of TAc and related porphyrins in cancer phototherapy is discussed.

Animals↗

Properties of a high-affinity DNA binding site for estrogen receptor.

It has been shown previously that a short sequence from the 5' regulatory region of the Xenopus laevis vitellogenin gene A2, when appropriately placed, can confer estrogen responsiveness to another gene. Using the Xenopus sequence and similar sequences from the 5' regulatory regions of other estrogen-responsive genes, we derived a consensus sequence 38 nucleotides long. The sequence contains an inverted repeat (5' C-A-G-G-T-C-A-G-A-G-T-G-A-C-C-T-G 3') and an A/T-rich region. Plasmids carrying a single copy of the sequence bound 3-fold-more partially purified estrogen receptor (ER) than did control plasmids when assayed by gel filtration. Maximum specificity for ER binding occurs at 100-150 mM ionic strength and pH 7.5-8.0. Plasmids carrying multiple copies of the sequence bound correspondingly more ER. The dissociation constant for ER bound to the sequence is 0.5 nM. This value is lower by a factor of about 400 than the dissociation constant for ER bound to an equivalent length of plasmid DNA. Portions of the consensus sequence were evaluated for binding efficiency. Plasmids containing the inverted repeat alone bound ER, though less efficiently than did plasmids containing the entire sequence. The A/T-rich region alone was ineffective in binding ER. Linearization of the plasmid DNA did not enhance specific binding efficiency for ER. This model system represents an effective tool for characterization of ER binding to DNA sequences involved in the regulation of gene expression.

Animals↗

Photosensitizing effects of Photofrin II on the site-selected mitochondrial enzymes adenylate kinase and monoamine oxidase.

The response to Photofrin II-induced photosensitization on the activities of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) and adenylate kinase (AK) were studied in order to gain further insight into site specific effects. Utilizing intact mitochondria in vitro, both MAO, located on the cytoplasmic side of the outer mitochondrial membrane, and AK, located in the intermembrane space, were inhibited by exposure to Photofrin II plus light; inhibition was drug-dose and light-dose dependent. However, MAO activity was inhibited to a greater extent than AK; at 35 micrograms/ml of Photofrin II and 160 J/cm2, MAO activity was decreased by 80% whereas AK activity was inhibited by 30%. Higher doses of Photofrin II had no further effect on AK activity. Studies of photosensitization of AK in different mitochondrial preparations demonstrated that inhibition of activity was evident only when mitochondrial membranes containing sequestered porphyrins were present in the reaction mixture. Using an in vivo-in vitro protocol and sampling at 2 to 72 h after administration of 25 mg/kg of Photofrin II, photosensitization of MAO (30% inhibition) was seen at 2 h after drug treatment but inhibition of activity was not observed at later times. AK activity was unchanged over the entire time course. Compared to cytochrome c oxidase, located in the inner mitochondrial membrane and which displayed a sustained inhibition of activity, we suggest that inhibition of MAO or AK activities probably does not contribute to the tumor cytotoxicity under the usual conditions used for photodynamic therapy.

Adenylate Kinase↗

Estrogen receptor binding to nuclei from normal and neoplastic rat mammary tissues in vitro.

To investigate the role of hormones in regulating growth of neoplastic mammary cells, we established a heterologous assay for studying interactions of partially purified calf uterine [3H]estradiol-charged estrogen receptor ([3H]ER) with rat tumor nuclei in vitro. This system displays saturable high affinity binding of [3H]ER which is time and salt dependent. Optimal assay conditions required for the heterologous system were identical to those we reported for the homologous calf nuclear binding system. Specificity of [3H]ER binding was demonstrated; 10-fold excess unlabeled estrogen-charged ER (EcR) competed for greater than 90% of the [3H]ER binding sites and binding of [3H]estradiol (not complexed with ER) was less than 1% of [3H]ER binding. Binding of [3H]ER displayed tissue specificity in decreasing order: R3230AC mammary tumor greater than lactating mammary gland = liver greater than kidney greater than lung. Scatchard analysis of saturation data provided estimates of binding affinity to nuclei from R3230AC mammary tumors [Kd, 2.0 +/- 0.3 (SE) nM); the number of binding sites per nucleus for R3230AC tumors was 95,000 +/- 13,800. [3H]ER binding to nuclei isolated from R3230AC rat mammary tumors grown in intact rats was 40% higher than that observed in tumors from ovariectomized animals. Results of administration of individual pharmacological doses of either progesterone or an estrogen to ovariectomized rats did not restore nuclear ER binding levels in R3230AC tumors to those detected in tumors from intact rats. These results suggest that the physiological levels of endogenous hormones produced by the ovaries are important in regulating the number of ER binding sites in nuclei from these mammary tumors.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Effects of estradiol and tamoxifen on creatine kinase in rodent mammary carcinomas.

The effects of altered estrogenic environments on creatine kinase (CK) and adenylate kinase (AK) were studied in two rodent mammary tumor systems, R3230AC and primary 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinomas, to determine whether response of these enzymes could be related to their hormone dependence. The hormonal perturbations studied were ovariectomy and administration of various doses of estradiol valerate or the antiestrogen tamoxifen. Total CK activity and AK activity were assessed by a spectrophotometric assay followed by electrophoretic separation of the CK isozymes to determine their relative activities. In the ovarian-independent R3230AC tumors, estrogen treatment produced a dose-related decrease in CK activity, whereas CK was not responsive in ovarian-dependent DMBA-induced tumors. Adenylate kinase activity remained unchanged regardless of the hormonal perturbation. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, which were studied for comparative purposes, were both estrogen responsive. While both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects on enzyme activities were observed in the DMBA-induced tumors, the effect of tamoxifen in the R3230AC tumors was generally estrogenic. We conclude that the effect of estrogen on CK-BB in DMBA-induced tumors is not sufficient to be used as a biochemical marker of hormone dependence.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Characterization of a cytosolic inhibitor of calf estrogen receptor binding to nuclei.

An inhibitory component that diminishes estrogen receptor (ER) binding to nuclei in vitro is present in cytosol prepared from calf uterus. The inhibitor is heat stable and resistant to enzymatic treatment with trypsin, chymotrypsin, proteinase K, deoxyribonuclease I, or ribonucleases A, T1, and U2. Results of chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-150 indicate that the factor is a negatively charged macromolecule. Inhibitory activity is sensitive to sequential digestion with chondroitinase ABC, hyaluronidase, and heparinase. Approximately 70% of the inhibitory activity is destroyed by treatment with heparinase alone. Heparitinase destroys only 30% of this activity. Furthermore, the addition of pure hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate to the ER-nuclei binding assay results in little inhibition, whereas addition of heparin inhibits 75% of receptor binding. Overall, these results indicate that glycosaminoglycans, present in bovine uterine cytosol, are capable of inhibiting ER-nuclei interactions. The most potent inhibitory glycosaminoglycan displays heparin-like characteristics.

Animals↗

31P-NMR spectroscopy demonstrates decreased ATP levels in vivo as an early response to photodynamic therapy.

31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance was used to monitor in situ phosphorus containing compounds in mammary tumors after photodynamic therapy, consisting of administration of hematoporphyrin derivative followed by photoradiation of the lesion. A rapid decrease in ATP along with an increase in Pi resonance intensities was observed. The beta-ATP/Pi ratio decreased by 1 hour, dropping in 2 to 8 hours to 0 to 20 percent of that found prior to photoradiation. Disrupted cells and pycnotic nuclei were observed 48 to 72 hours after photoradiation to a depth of approximately 5 mm. Together with previous studies in vitro, reduction in tumor ATP levels appears to be an early biochemical response to photodynamic therapy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibition of mammalian DNA polymerases by hematoporphyrin derivative and photoradiation.

Hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) plus photoradiation caused the inactivation of DNA polymerases from calf thymus and R3230AC rat mammary tumor. Photosensitization of purified DNA polymerase-alpha as well as two forms of DNA polymerase-delta (I and II) from calf thymus were evaluated. Although all polymerase enzyme forms were inactivated at 70 micrograms HPD/ml, DNA polymerase-delta II was the most sensitive, displaying a 90% inactivation under conditions that did not cause significant inactivation of the other polymerase forms. Unlike DNA polymerase-alpha, the delta-forms have an associated 3'- to 5'-exonuclease activity. The exonuclease associated with DNA polymerase-delta II was uniquely sensitive to a low level of HPD and light exposure. DNA polymerase-delta II can be distinguished from other polymerase forms in cell extracts by its relative insensitivity to the polymerase inhibitor N2-(p-n-butylphenyl)deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate. In cytosols prepared from calf thymus and R3230AC rat mammary tumors, DNA polymerase-delta II was preferentially inhibited by HPD plus light. Furthermore, in experiments in which tumor-bearing rats were administered HPD prior to preparation of tumor cytosols, DNA polymerase-delta II was specifically inactivated by exposure to light. These results are discussed in view of their possible role in cancer therapy, and the potential use of HPD as a specific inhibitory agent of DNA polymerase-delta II is suggested.

Animals↗

Relationship of mitochondrial function and cellular adenosine triphosphate levels to hematoporphyrin derivative-induced photosensitization in R3230AC mammary tumors.

The effects of hematoporphyrin derivative-induced photosensitization on the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas were studied. Enzymatically dissociated tumor cells were exposed to various doses of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) in vitro plus photoradiation. A drug and light dose-dependent decrease in cellular ATP levels was observed; ATP levels were reduced by 60% after treatment with 7.0 micrograms HPD per ml plus 0.72 J total energy density per cm2. Cell viability, assessed by exclusion of trypan blue, displayed an apparently coordinate behavior to ATP levels. The effects of hematoporphyrin derivative plus photoradiation were examined in the presence of oligomycin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, or iodoacetate, an inhibitor of glycolysis, experiments designed to elucidate the site of action leading to reduced ATP levels. The results indicated that HPD-induced photosensitization had little additive effects to oligomycin-sensitive ATP production, whereas significant further reduction in ATP levels was obtained by HPD-induced photosensitization in the presence of iodoacetate. Taken together, along with earlier studies of selected mitochondrial enzymes, we conclude that HPD plus photoradiation inhibits mitochondrial function leading to reduction in cellular ATP levels and loss of viability.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗