Biomedical subjects

R Pinkus

Publications and source records attributed to R Pinkus.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

A novel IL-18BP ELISA shows elevated serum IL-18BP in sepsis and extensive decrease of free IL-18.

IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a circulating antagonist of the proinflammatory Th1 cytokine IL-18. It effectively blocks IL-18 by forming a 1:1 high affinity (Kd=400 pM) complex, exhibiting a very low dissociation rate. We have developed a sandwich ELISA for IL-18BPa and determined its limit of detection (62 pg/ml). Interference by IL-18 and related cytokines, as well as cross reactivity with other IL-18BP isoforms (b, c, and d) were determined. Using this ELISA, we measured serum IL-18BPa in large cohorts of healthy individuals and in septic patients. Serum IL-18BPa in healthy individuals was 2.15+/-0.15 ng/ml (range 0.5-7 ng/ml). In sepsis, the level rose to 21.9+/-1.44 ng/ml (range 4-132 ng/ml). Total IL-18 was measured in the same sera by an electrochemiluminescence assay and free IL-18 was calculated based on the mass action law. Total IL-18 was low in healthy individuals (64+/-17 pg/ml) and most of it ( approximately 85%) was in its free form. Total IL-18 and IL-18BPa were both elevated in sepsis patients upon admission (1.5+/-0.4 ng/ml and 28.6+/-4.5 ng/ml, respectively). At these levels, most of the IL-18 is bound to IL-18BPa, however the remaining free IL-18 is still higher than in healthy individuals. We conclude that IL-18BPa considerably inhibits circulating IL-18 in sepsis. Yet, exogenous administration of IL-18BPa may further reduce circulating IL-18 activity.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1997

Regulatory mechanisms involved in activator-protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated activation of glutathione-S-transferase gene expression by chemical agents.

Induction of murine glutathione-S-transferase (GST) Ya gene expression by a variety of chemical agents is mediated by a regulatory element, EpRE, composed of an Ets and two adjacent activator protein-1 (AP-1)-like sites and activated by the Fos/Jun heterodimeric complex (AP-1). The mechanism of this induction was examined in the present study. We find that the regulation of EpRE-mediated GST Ya gene expression by 3-methylcholanthrene, tert-butylhydroquinone and beta-naphthoflavone is associated with an induction of AP-1 DNA-binding activity and that the AP-1 complex induced in hepatoma cells by these chemicals contains members of the Fos and Jun protein families. We show that tert-butylhydroquinone induces c-fos gene expression and indicate the formation of a transcriptionally active AP-1 complex that contains Fos/Jun heterodimer. In F9 cells, which are considered to lack AP-1 complex, a careful examination reveals that tert-butylhydroquinone induces a low level of an AP-1-related activity responsible for the enhanced expression of EpRE as well as of AP-1 reporter constructs. We find that protein phosphorylations mediate the activation of the GST Ya gene by chemical agents since okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, can mimic this activation while protein kinase inhibitors abolish it. Evidence is presented that 3-methylcholanthrene, tert-butylhydroquinone and beta-naphthoflavone use a signal transduction pathway to Fos/Jun-dependent GST Ya gene expression via Ras and protein-tyrosine kinase activity. Furthermore, we find that activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which uses both protein kinase C and protein-tyrosine kinase activities, may share a common pathway with these chemicals downstream of Ras.

Benzoflavones↗

PubMed1996

Role of oxidants and antioxidants in the induction of AP-1, NF-kappaB, and glutathione S-transferase gene expression.

Transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB have been implicated in the inducible expression of a variety of genes in response to oxidative stress. Recently, based on the observation that butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) induce AP-1 binding activity and AP-1-dependent gene expression and assuming that these compounds exert an antioxidant effect, it was claimed that AP-1 is an antioxidant-responsive factor. To determine whether AP-1 can be responsive to both oxidant and antioxidant, we examined the nature of BHA and PDTC inducing activity. Using EPR spectroscopy to detect semiquinone radicals, we demonstrate the autoxidation of BHA metabolite tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) to tert-butylquinone. The kinetics of TBHQ-mediated generation of .OH radicals were monitored in intact hepatoma HepG2 cells by EPR spin trapping technique. Exogenous catalase inhibited the rate and amount of .OH radical formation and the induction of AP-1-mediated glutathione S-transferase (GST) Ya gene expression by BHA and TBHQ, thus indicating the intermediate formation of H2O2 in the metabolism of these chemicals. Furthermore, we show that the induction of AP-1 and NF-kappaB activities and GST Ya gene expression by BHA and TBHQ is due to a pro-oxidant activity, since this induction was inhibited by thiol compounds N-acetyl cysteine and GSH. Similarly, induction of AP-1 and GST Ya gene expression by PDTC was inhibited by N-acetyl cysteine and GSH. The present findings do not support the notion that the induction of AP-1 by BHA, TBHQ, or PDTC is an antioxidant response and demonstrate that both AP-1 and NF-kappaB activities are induced by oxygen radicals.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed1995

Role of quinone-mediated generation of hydroxyl radicals in the induction of glutathione S-transferase gene expression.

Induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) Ya gene expression by a variety of chemical agents is mediated by a regulatory element composed of two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites and activated by the Fos/Jun heterodimeric complex (AP-1). We have previously shown that the induction of GST Ya gene expression and of AP-1 binding activity is regulated by intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels. To study the role of reactive oxygen species in the induction of AP-1 activity and GST Ya gene expression and their effect on intracellular GSH levels, we have exposed hepatoma cells to adriamycin and two synthetic quinones, Qcb and Qn, with different capacities to generate oxygen radicals. The kinetics of quinone-mediated generation of hydroxyl radicals were monitored in intact cells by a spin trapping technique and EPR spectral measurements. We find that quinones which can chelate Fe(III) ions, adriamycin and Qcb, are more effective in hydroxyl radical production than the nonchelating quinone Qn. Furthermore, we show that the induction of AP-1 binding activity and GST Ya gene expression by these quinones correlates with their oxygen radical production, adriamycin and Qcb being stronger inducers that Qn. The present study indicates that the AP-1-mediated induction of GST Ya gene expression is part of the response to oxidative stress. A transient increase by 2.5-fold in the intracellular GSH level was observed 30 min after exposure of cells to quinone and was followed by a rapid depletion of GSH. This increase in the GSH level represents an induction of GSH synthesis since it was blocked by buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Intracellular glutathione levels regulate Fos/Jun induction and activation of glutathione S-transferase gene expression.

Induction of glutathione S-transferase Ya and NAD(P)H:quinone reductase gene expression by a variety of chemical agents is mediated by regulatory elements, EpRE and ARE, composed of two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites and activated by Fos/Jun heterodimeric complex (AP-1). Recent studies show that chemical induction of glutathione S transferase Ya and quinone reductase gene expression is associated with an induction of c-fos and c-jun gene expression and AP-1 binding activity. In this report we present evidence that the AP-1 binding activity and the expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity from an EpRE Ya-cat gene construct are induced by an increase in intracellular oxidant levels. We observe that lowering the glutathione levels with buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, or diamide, a thiol-oxidizing agent, stimulates both basal and chemical-inducible expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity from EpRE Ya-cat and the AP-1 binding activity. Furthermore, we observe that the induction of these activities by a variety of chemical agents is inhibited by thiol compounds N-acetylcysteine and glutathione. These findings suggest that diverse chemicals that induce the AP-1 complex, leading to the AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation of glutathione S-transferase Ya gene expression, may act through a common mechanism involving the production of reactive oxygen species and depletion of reduced glutathione.

Buthionine Sulfoximine↗

PubMed1994

Induction of AP-1 (Fos/Jun) by chemical agents mediates activation of glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase gene expression.

A regulatory element, EpRE, was found to be responsible for the induction of mouse glutathione S-transferase (GST) Ya gene expression by a variety of chemical agents such as planar aromatic hydrocarbons, diphenols, phorbol ester, phenobarbital and electrophilic compounds. The EpRE is composed of two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites and was recently found to be activated by Fos/Jun heterodimeric complex (AP-1). In this report we show that regulatory elements ARE, previously demonstrated to mediate the chemical induction of rat GST Ya and quinone reductase genes, have a similar structure with EpRE and are activated by Fos/Jun complex. The activation of GST Ya and quinone reductase genes by a variety of chemical inducers is found to be associated with an increase in AP-1 binding activity. We present evidence that chemical agents induce expression of c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogenes and an enhanced synthesis of protein components of AP-1 complex. We suggest that the increased synthesis of AP-1 complex followed by an AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation of GST Ya and quinone reductase genes may provide a molecular mechanism for the induction of these drug-metabolizing enzymes by chemical agents.

Arsenates↗

PubMed1993

Phenobarbital induction of AP-1 binding activity mediates activation of glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase gene expression.

Phenobarbital is an inducer of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P-450, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and NAD(P)H:quinone reductase, as well as being a promoter of hepatocarcinogenesis. The molecular mechanisms regulating these biological activities are, however, unknown. In this paper we show that induction by phenobarbital of GST Ya and quinone reductase gene expression is mediated by regulatory elements, EpRE and ARE respectively, which are composed of two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites. EpRE was recently found to be activated by a Fos/Jun heterodimeric complex (AP-1). Here we show that phenobarbital induces an increase in AP-1 binding activity in nuclear extracts of cultured hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we observe that the induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity from an EpRE Ya-cat gene construct and of AP-1 binding activity by phenobarbital is inhibited by the thiol compounds N-acetyl-L-cysteine and glutathione. These results suggest that the phenobarbital induction of AP-1 activity, leading to the AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation of the GST Ya and quinone reductase genes, may involve production of reactive oxygen species and an increase in intracellular oxidant levels, which is prevented by thiol compounds. In view of the involvement of AP-1 in the control of cell proliferation and transformation, the induction by phenobarbital of AP-1 binding activity observed here provides a possible molecular mechanism for the tumour-promoting activity of this drug.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed1992

Delineation of tissue damage mechanisms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). II. Characteristics of astrocyte detachment mediated by myelin basic protein (MBP) specific CD4+ T lymphocytes.

We have shown that encephalitogenic, myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific CD4+ T cells can cause astrocyte and oligodendrocyte detachment in vitro. Similar processes may damage the central nervous system (CNS) in vivo by causing disorganization and destruction of brain tissue structure. The finding that 'bystander' allogeneic fibrosarcoma cells were detached by MBP-specific CD4+ T cells only when syngeneic astrocytes were present, suggested that a soluble cell-detaching factor (CDF) is released during the specific astrocyte-CD4+ effector interaction. In this study, CDF activity was detected in the supernatants of MBP-reactive CD4+ T cells incubated with concanavalin A or astrocytes. Lymphocyte-induced astrocyte lysis, but not detachment, was inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide and puromycin, indicating that de novo protein synthesis is required for this type of lysis, but not for detachment. Astrocyte detachment was not inhibited, but rather augmented, by the trypsin inhibitors, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha 1), suggesting that the CDF activity is not due to tryptic serine proteases, although it may be protease susceptible. The heparanase inhibitor, heparin, inhibited CD4+ T cell-mediated astrocyte detachment at low doses, but augmented detachment at higher doses, indicating that detaching activity is not due to heparanases. The actin microfilament disrupting agent, cytochalasin B (CB), inhibited astrocyte detachment induced by MBP-specific CD4+ T cells. CB pretreatment of the target astrocytes, but not of the effector CD4+ T cells, inhibited astrocyte detachment, suggesting that the integrity of the target's, but not the effector's, cytoskeleton is required for astrocyte detachment. The results herein suggest that during astrocyte interaction with MBP-specific CD4+ T cells, soluble factors are released that trigger an intrinsic astrocyte detachment mechanism.

Animals↗