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Biomedical subjects

S A Lewis

Publications and source records attributed to S A Lewis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

RP 59227, a novel PAF receptor antagonist: effects in guinea pig models of airway hyperreactivity.

The PAF antagonists RP 59227 and WEB 2086 (100 micrograms.kg-1 i.v., 10 min prior to platelet-activating factor (PAF) infusion) abolished or reduced (P less than 0.05) hyperreactivity to bombesin measured at 1 h. Similarly, RP 59227 and WEB 2086 (10 mg.kg-1 p.o., 1 h prior to PAF aerosol) abolished or reduced (P less than 0.01) hyperreactivity to bombesin measured at 24 h. Lower concentrations of RP 59227 and WEB 2086 (3 mg.kg-1 p.o.) were without effect. RP 59227 or WEB 2086 (3 or 10 mg.kg-1 p.o., 1 h prior to antigen aerosol) did not protect against antigen-induced hyperreactivity to histamine measured at 24 h. Antigen-(but not PAF)-induced hyperreactivity was accompanied by an increase in total cell number and, specifically, eosinophil number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The PAF antagonists did not affect BALF cell populations. It is concluded that RP 59227 and WEB 2086 are potent PAF antagonists which inhibit PAF-but not antigen-induced airway hyperreactivity. These data suggest that endogenous PAF may not be involved in antigen-induced hyperreactivity in the guinea pig.

Animals

Identification and characterization of the structural and nonstructural proteins of African horsesickness virus and determination of the genome coding assignments.

Proteins present in purified African horsesickness virus (AHSV) and in infected cells were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twelve viral proteins were identified, one minor and four major structural proteins, three major and two minor nonstructural proteins, as well as variable amounts of two additional structural proteins. Cell-free translation of total AHS virion RNA in a rabbit reticulocyte system resulted in the synthesis of proteins which were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those found in infected cells. The in vivo and in vitro synthesized proteins were viral specific as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation. The coding assignments of all the purified genome segments were determined by in vitro translation and confirmed by immunoprecipitation.

African Horse Sickness Virus

RP 58802B, a long-acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist: assessment of antiasthma activity in the guinea-pig in vivo.

We have examined the protective actions of RP 58802B, a novel beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, administered by the inhaled and oral routes in the anaesthetized and conscious guinea-pig against bronchospasm induced by histamine or antigen (ovalbumin). We have also examined the effects of RP 58802B on airway reactivity and inflammatory cell infiltration in platelet-activating factor (PAF) (aerosol)-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and on PAF (tracheal instillation)-induced microvascular leakage in the guinea-pig. Nebulized RP 58802B produced a rapid onset and long lasting inhibition of histamine-induced bronchospasm in the anaesthetized guinea-pig (EC50 = 3.2 +/- 0.9 micrograms/ml; duration greater than 90 min). Given orally, RP 58802B (5 mg/kg, 60 min before challenge) produced a greater than three-fold shift to the right of the dose-response curve and depressed the maximum response to histamine by 39 +/- 11%. Increasing the concentration to 25 mg/kg had no futher effect. Similar protection was still seen 4 h after oral dosing. In conscious guinea-pigs, RP 58802B (5 or 25 mg/kg, p.o. 60 min before challenge) significantly attenuated antigen-induced dyspnoea with the time to severe dyspnoea increasing from 170 +/- 32 to 325 +/- 32 s at the higher dose of drug. RP 58802B (10 or 25 mg/kg, p.o. 60 min before exposure to PAF) prevented the development of bronchial hyperreactivity. Although PAF-induced bronchial hyperreactivity was not accompanied by an increase in the number of pulmonary eosinophils, RP 58802B (25 mg/kg p.o.) reduced the numbers of eosinophils recovered by lavage. RP 58802B (10 mg/kg p.o.) significantly inhibited PAF-induced microvascular leakage into guinea-pig lung. These data suggest that RP 58802B, in addition to being a potent and long acting bronchodilator, may have a prophylactic role in preventing bronchial hyperreactivity and in reducing plasma exudation into the lungs.

Administration, Inhalation

Transport-related modulation of the membrane properties of toad urinary bladder epithelium.

Impedance analysis and transepithelial electrical measurements were used to assess the effects of the apical membrane Na+ channel blocker amiloride and anion replacement on the apical and basolateral membrane conductances and areas of the toad urinary bladder (Bufo marinus). Mucosal amiloride addition decreased both apical and basolateral membrane conductances (Ga and Gbl, respectively) with no change in membrane capacitances (Ca and Cbl). Consequently, the specific conductances of these membranes decreased without significant changes in membrane area. Following amiloride removal, an increase was obtained in the steady-state rate of sodium transport compared to values before amiloride addition. This increase was independent of the initial transport rate, suggesting activation of a quiescent pool of apical sodium channels. Chloride replacement by acetate or gluconate had no significant effects on apical or basolateral membrane capacitances. The effects of these replacements on membrane conductances depended on the anion species. Gluconate (which induces cell shrinkage) decreased both membrane conductances. In contrast, acetate (which induces cell swelling) increased Ga and had no effect on Gbl. The increase in the apical membrane conductance was due to an increase in the amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance of this membrane. In summary, mucosal amiloride addition or chloride replacements led to changes in membrane conductances without significant effects on net membrane areas.

Amiloride

Urinary proteases degrade epithelial sodium channels.

The mammalian urinary bladder epithelium accommodates volume changes by the insertion and withdrawal of cytoplasmic vesicles. Both apical membrane (which is entirely composed of fused vesicles) and the cytoplasmic vesicles contain three types of ionic conductances, one amiloride sensitive, another a cation-selective conductance and the third a cation conductance which seems to partition between the apical membrane and the mucosal solution. The transport properties of the apical membrane (which has been exposed to urine in vivo) differ from the cytoplasmic vesicles by possessing a lower density of amiloride-sensitive channels and a variable level of leak conductance. It was previously shown that glandular kallikrein was able to hydrolyze epithelial sodium channels into the leak conductance and that this leak conductance was further degraded into a channel which partitioned between the apical membrane and the mucosal solution. This report investigates whether kallikrein is the only urinary constituent capable of altering the apical membrane ionic permeability or whether other proteases or ionic conditions also irreversible modify apical membrane permeability. Alterations of mucosal pH, urea concentrations, calcium concentrations or osmolarity did not irreversible affect the apical membrane ionic conductances. However, urokinase and plasmin (both serine proteases found in mammalian urine) were found to cause an irreversible loss of amiloride-sensitive current, a variable change in the leak current as well as the appearance of a third conductance which was unstable in the apical membrane and appears to partition between the apical membrane and the mucosal solution. Amiloride protects the amiloride-sensitive conductance from hydrolysis but does not protect the leak pathway. Neither channel is protected by sodium. Fluctuation analysis demonstrated that the loss of amiloride-sensitive current was due to a decrease in the sodium-channel density and not a change in the single-channel current. Assuming a simple model of sequential degradation, estimates of single-channel currents and conductances for both the leak channel and unstable leak channel are determined.

Amiloride

Expression, processing, and assembly of foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid structures in heterologous systems: induction of a neutralizing antibody response in guinea pigs.

Plasmids containing the foot-and-mouth disease virus structural protein precursor (P1) and 3C protease genes or the P1 gene alone were expressed in Escherichia coli. A recombinant baculovirus containing the P1 gene was also generated and expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. Expression of the P1 and 3C genes in E. coli resulted in efficient synthesis and processing of the structural protein precursor and assembly into 70S empty capsids. This material reacted with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies which recognize only conformational epitopes and elicited a significant neutralizing antibody response in vaccinated guinea pigs. Expression of the P1 gene in E. coli resulted in synthesis of an insoluble product, whereas in insect cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus a soluble product was synthesized. Both soluble and insoluble P1 reacted with a 12S-specific monoclonal antibody, but only soluble P1 elicited a neutralizing antibody response in guinea pigs.

Animals

A spectroscopic method for assessing confluence of epithelial cell cultures.

We describe a convenient nonelectrophysiological technique for assessing cell proliferation and subsequent tight junction formation for epithelial monolayers grown on permeable supports. The method involves the use of phenol red (PR), a standard pH indicator in most cell culture media. In addition, we report a systematic error in a commercially available system for measuring transepithelial electrical properties. Briefly, the flux of PR across the epithelium was measured from the serosal solution into the mucosal solution. The mucosal solution was first replaced with a PR-free solution and then collected at timed intervals. The PR concentration was measured using a spectrophotometer set at the isosbestic point for PR (479 nm). PR flux was then calculated and used as an index of the permeability of the epithelium to PR. This method was tested using the renal epithelial cell line A6. After cell seeding, PR flux decreased in two phases: an initial large decrease, associated with cell growth and monolayer confluence, and a second decrease associated with tight junction formation [assessed by measuring transepithelial conductance (Gt)]. In addition to monitoring tight junction formation, PR flux measurements were also used to estimate the net movement of solution by the epithelial cells between the mucosal and serosal compartments. For convenience, Gt was initially measured in culture dishes using a commercially available "chopstick" electrode system. However, the chopstick system yielded Gt values that were on average 51% lower than values for the same preparations when measured in standard Ussing-type chambers. The discrepancy was due to a nonuniform current field produced by the chopstick electrodes.

Cell Division

Characterization of proteins and immunogens released by adult Schistosoma mansoni.

The proteins released in vitro by metabolically radiolabeled adult Schistosoma mansoni were identified by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. To determine the origin of these proteins, adult worms were fractionated into surface membrane, tegument, and remaining body components, and the electrophoretic patterns of the proteins in the 3 fractions were compared to those of the released proteins. The immunogens present in these fractions then were identified by immunoprecipitation with sera from humans infected with S. mansoni. This analysis indicated that essentially all of the proteins released from the worm were immunogenic, whereas most of the major membrane and tegumental proteins were not reactive with the immune sera. Thus, it appears that the adult worm is defended against immune attack by detection of the host's antibody response against released proteins rather than against proteins-exposed on the worm's surface.

Animals

Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction.

The effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function has not been systematically investigated in patients treated for unstable angina or ischemia after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). To assess the relation between reduction of stenosis severity and improvement in diastolic function in this setting, 42 patients with either unstable angina (n = 22) or post-AMI ischemia (n = 20) were serially monitored by Doppler echocardiography 8 +/- 5 hours before and 2 +/- 1 days after PTCA. Doppler LV filling indexes included isovolumic relaxation time, mitral deceleration time, E/A peak velocity ratio and atrial filling fraction. Eighteen aged-matched control subjects served to establish normal values for comparison. Before PTCA, both groups exhibited abnormal diastolic function demonstrated by prolonged isovolumic relaxation time and mitral deceleration time, decreased E/A ratio and increased atrial filling fraction. After PTCA isovolumic relaxation time and deceleration time decreased 18 +/- 28 (p less than 0.005) and 33 +/- 43 ms (p less than 0.002) in the unstable angina group and 18 +/- 23 (p less than 0.003) and 14 +/- 34 ms (difference not significant), respectively, in the post-AMI ischemia group. An increase in E/A ratio and a decrease in atrial filling fraction occurred in both groups; however, these changes were significant only in patients with post-AMI ischemia (+21%, p less than 0.03 and -11.4%, p less than 0.005, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Clinical and angiographic recurrence following PTCA for nonacute total occlusions: comparison of one- versus five-minute inflations.

To assess potential efficacy of longer inflations to reduce restenosis, 49 patients with nonacute total occlusions were randomized into two groups after successful guide wire passage across the occlusive stenosis. Twenty-one group I patients had all inflations less than 1 minute, while 28 group II patients received at least one inflation of 5 minutes' duration. There was no significant difference between group I and group II patients in mean age (56 +/- 3 versus 57 +/- 2 years), percent male sex (76% versus 68%), or frequency of left anterior descending (LAD) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (33% versus 32%), p = NS for all. All lesions post PTCA were less than or equal to 50% stenosed and no patient had coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Mean post PTCA stenosis was 29 +/- 2% for group I versus 33 +/- 2% for group II, p = NS. Clinical follow-up was available for all patients 8 +/- 0.6 months after PTCA. Recurrent symptoms were present in 8 of 21 (38%) group I patients compared with 12 of 28 (43%) patients in group II, p = NS. Angiographic follow-up was available in 32 patients (65%), with confirmation of restenosis in seven (33%) group I patients and in 11 (39%) group II patients, p = NS. In conclusion, this prospective study suggests that recurrence rates following successful PTCA of nonacute total occlusions is not modified by 5-minute versus 1-minute inflations.

Angiography

Bluetongue virus: surface exposure of VP7.

The exposed proteins of bluetongue virus serotype 17 were determined using surface labeling and reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. Iodination of amino groups predominantly labeled VP2; however, iodination of tyrosine residues labeled both VP2 and VP5, with VP7 labeled to a significantly lesser degree. To investigate the exposure of VP7 on the intact virion further, monoclonal antibodies that reacted with this protein were used. At least two antibodies, reacting with different epitopes on VP7, bound to intact virions, as determined by adsorption of infectious particles, electron microscopic observation of antibody-bound virus, and co-sedimentation of antibody and virus. Surface iodination of viral cores was used to show that VP7 and VP3 are major exposed proteins on these particles. We conclude that a major core protein, VP7, has at least two epitopes exposed on the virus surface.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Effect of hyperosmotic challenge on basolateral membrane potential in rabbit urinary bladder.

In the rabbit urinary bladder, serosal hyperosmotic challenge (SHOC) with either 33 mM NaCl or 66 mM mannitol caused basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) to initially depolarize from -52.6 +/- 1.6 to -48.4 +/- 1.4 mV, followed by a recovery of Vbl to -57.5 +/- 1.3 mV after 13.7 +/- 1.0 min. The voltage recovery was dependent on both serosal HCO3- and Cl-, and in the absence of both, Vbl depolarized to -11.6 +/- 1.5 mV and the ratio of apical-to-basolateral resistance (Ra/Rbl) decreased from 21.0 +/- 3.4 to 8.3 +/- 3.1. This decrease in Ra/Rbl and consequent depolarization of Vbl is caused by a decrease in basolateral K+ conductance. Replacement of serosal Cl- with NO3- or SCN- followed by SHOC caused a sustained depolarization of Vbl to -32.5 +/- 4.4 and -40.9 +/- 0.9 mV, respectively. However, when Br- was used to replace Cl-, voltage recovery occurred but was slowed (24.0 +/- 2.7 min) and reduced in magnitude (-47.5 +/- 3.5 mV). Addition of amiloride (1 mM) or niflumic acid (100 microM), but not bumetanide (1 microM), to the serosal bathing solution inhibited voltage recovery causing Vbl to depolarize to -36.3 +/- 2.6 and -41.5 +/- 4.5 mV, respectively. Serosal addition of ouabain after SHOC caused Vbl to depolarize by 10.8 +/- 0.9 mV in 2 min. We speculate that the SHOC-induced initial depolarization of Vbl is a loss of Ba2(+)-sensitive K+ conductance caused by cell shrinkage. The subsequent repolarization/hyperpolarization of Vbl is caused by an enhanced basolateral membrane Na+ pump current and a reappearance of the Ba2(+)-sensitive K+ conductance. The parallel operation of Na(+)-H+ and Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanges will then supply Na+ for the pump current and, via cellular accumulation of Na+, K+, and Cl-, might result in a partial recovery of cell volume and thus Ba2(+)-sensitive K+ conductance.

Amiloride

Vectorial secretion of a kallikrein-like enzyme by cultured renal cells. I. General properties.

Urinary kallikreins are proteolytic enzymes known to be secreted by distal nephron tubules. In this study, we demonstrate (using the chromogenic tripeptide substrate S 2266) that the renal cell line A6 from Xenopus laevis secretes a kallikrein-like enzyme. Secretion is present only when the cells are grown on filters, and enzyme is secreted only into the apical membrane bathing solution. Enzyme secretion consists of two components, one soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) sensitive (SSBTI) and the other insensitive to SBTI (ISBTI). Both enzymes were inhibited by aprotinin, a kallikrein-like enzyme inhibitor. Using a bioassay, only the ISBTI enzyme produced a hypotensive effect on blood pressure and is thus a kallikrein-like enzyme. The apical membrane of cells grown on filters contains both enzyme species, whereas the basolateral membrane contains only the ISBTI (kallikrein-like) enzyme. Both enzymes were present in the apical membrane of cells grown on plastic. Initiation of enzyme secretion occurred after the cells formed electrically tight monolayers and the increase in membrane activity always preceded enzyme secretion. Using an irreversible inhibitor of the apical membrane-bound enzymes, the turnover rate for the SSBTI and ISBTI enzymes (cells on filters) was 3 and 7 h, respectively. Because the recovery of enzyme secretion was proportional to the recovery of membrane-bound enzyme activities, this suggests that enzyme secretion is due to the release of membrane-bound enzyme.

Animals