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Biomedical subjects

S Kornguth

Publications and source records attributed to S Kornguth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Increased immunoreactivity of glutathione-S-transferase in the retina of Swiss Webster mice following inhalation of JP8 + 100 aerosol.

The current study was designed to determine whether exposure of mice to aerosolized jet fuel (JP8 + 100) resulted in changes in the cellular distribution or immunoreactivity of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), a biomarker of toxicant exposure. Male mice were exposed to JP8 + 100 at 1000 mg/m3 or 2500 mg/m3 in aerosol for 1 h per day for 7 days and then sacrificed. The retinas were studied by immunohistochemical methods. The JP8 + 100 exposure caused a marked increase in the immunoreactivity of anti-GSTM antibodies with the radial glial cells of the retina, the Müller cells. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that JP8 + 100 acts as a toxicant to mouse retina by permitting the flux of materials across the blood-retina barrier. The findings are relevant to humans because recent studies indicate that Air Force personnel assigned to clean and maintain fuel pods may be exposed to concentrations of JP8 + 100 exceeding 1000 mg/m3.

Aerosols↗

Increased levels of glutathione S transferases and appearance of novel alpha class isoenzymes in kidneys of mice exposed to mercuric chloride. I. Biochemical and immunohistochemical studies.

Glutathione S transferases (GST) are a family of enzymes that detoxify electrophilic xenobiotics. This enzyme family was examined in kidneys of mice exposed to mercuric chloride, a known nephrotoxin, because GST have been shown to protect cells against toxicant-induced damage and may serve as biomarkers for toxicant exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mercuric chloride on GST activity, isoenzyme levels, and cellular localization in the kidney of Swiss Webster mice. The cellular localizations of alpha, mu, and pi class GST in the kidneys of control and mercuric chloride treated mice were studied immunohistochemically. The GST isoenzyme levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mice treated with mercuric chloride had (1) increased amounts of GSTA1/A2 protein in kidney homogenates as compared with controls when analyzed by chromatography and electrophoresis; (2) two new isoforms of the alpha isoenzyme in kidney as demonstrated by Western blot, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and high-performance liquid chromatography, and (3) increased reactivity between antibodies, against GSTA1/A2 or GSTM1 isoenzymes, and cells in the proximal and distal renal tubules as shown by immunohistochemical techniques. The authors conclude that the GSTA1/A2 may protect those cells in the proximal and distal tubules of the renal cortex from toxicant effects of mercuric chloride. This would be one general mechanism for cell protection against a wide variety of toxicants including heavy metals and halogenated aromatics.

Animals↗

Cellular localization of glutathione S-transferases in retinas of control and lead-treated rats.

PURPOSE: The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a family of cytosolic isoenzymes that are involved in the detoxication of electrophilic xenobiotics. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the concentration and cellular distribution of the various classes of cytosolic GSTs in the retina of control and triethyl lead-treated rats and thereby reveal mechanisms by which the cells are protected from damage by lead and other toxicants. METHODS: The regional and cellular distribution of cytosolic GSTs in rat retina of control and lead-treated animals was studied by immunohistochemistry. Enzyme activity was determined by a spectrophotometric assay. The GST subunit distribution of the entire retina of control and lead-treated animals was determined and quantified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Polyclonal antibodies against mu-class Yb1 and Yb2 GSTs were primarily and strongly reactive with Müller cells and their processes. Anti-Yb1 also reacted with photoreceptor outer segments. Antibodies against two alpha-class GSTs (Ya and Yk) were strongly reactive with Müller cells and their cell processes. Antibodies against Yp and Yc GSTs were reactive with amacrine cells and their processes, and anti-Yp antibodies were reactive against retinal ganglion cells. Treatment of rats with triethyl lead caused diminished reactions of the antibodies against Yb1 and Yp GSTs and increased reactions of anti-Ya with its retinal targets, whereas the total GST activity did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The positive reaction between the amacrine neuronal cells of retina and the anti-Yp and anti-Yc class antisera broadens the class of neurons that contains GST enzymes protective against toxicant insult. It also has been shown that Müller cells are strongly immuno-positive for Yb1 and Yb2 GST. Because these phagocytic cells are in contact with the vitreous fluid and proximate to pigmented epithelial layer of the eye, these GSTs may protect the cells from toxicants accumulated from this fluid.

Animals↗

Near-microscopic magnetic resonance imaging of the brains of phenylalanine hydroxylase-deficient mice, normal littermates, and of normal BALB/c mice at 9.4 Tesla.

The near-microscopic resolution of the mouse brain, by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 9.4 T, permits in situ examination of the entire brain and longitudinal studies of neural development. MRI can be utilized to reveal brain structure at a resolution of 100 microns in the X, Y, and Z planes of brain, to differentiate the gray from white (myelin-rich) matter, and to reveal the ventricular compartments. The present report describes the structure of normal BALB/c mouse brain as revealed by imaging at 9.4 T and by histological stains; the structure of normal brain is compared with that from a phenylalanine hydroxylase-deficient mouse mutant line (Pah(enu2)) and those from normal littermates. The brains of patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) were reported to have demyelination and other structural abnormalities revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, high-resolution MRI was used to examine the brain of this mutant, an animal model for the study of human phenylketonuria. Our study revealed no evidence of demyelination or other abnormalities in the brains of Pah(enu2) mice. Histologically, the mutant and normal mouse brains appear similar. This is consistent with a recent study from our laboratory which demonstrated that the histology of the brain of an untreated male patient, who died with PKU at the age of 29, was similar to control brain with the exception of changes directly related to visual blindness and seizures experienced by the patient.

Adult↗

Golgi-Kopsch silver study of the brain of a patient with untreated phenylketonuria, seizures, and cortical blindness.

This report describes the morphological changes observed in the brain of an untreated 27-year-old man with phenylketonuria, cortical blindness, and seizures. Golgi-Kopsch silver, cresyl violet, and hematoxylin and eosin stains were used to study cell structure and organization of the cerebellum, the lateral geniculate nuclei, the visual cortex, frontal cortex, and hippocampus. Extensive neuronal losses occurred in the right lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), the visual cortex, and hippocampus. The left LGN, cerebellum, and frontal cortex retained neuronal components; there was a reduction in the number of dendritic processes on the Purkinje cells of the PKU subject. The loss of neurons in the LGN and occipital cortex is related to the blindness and the neuronal loss in the hippocampus is related to seizure activity.

Blindness↗

Correlation of increased levels of class I MHC H-2Kk in the placenta of murine trisomy 16 conceptuses with structural abnormalities revealed by magnetic resonance microscopy.

Murine trisomy 16 (mts16) placentas and fetuses, 17-day gestation age, were examined histologically and by magnetic resonance imaging at 9.4 T and compared with control littermate tissues. Placentas were studied by immunohistochemical methods, at 15-days gestational age, for expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I H-2Kk cell surface marker. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a markedly increased expression of the MHC marker H-2Kk on cells in the labyrinth of the placenta of mts16. There were differences between the magnetic resonance (MR) images of the trisomic and normal placentas, which may be correlated with the increased expression of H-2Kk in the mts16 placental labyrinth. The decidual and labyrinthine components of the normal placentas showed similar high signal intensities (SI) while in trisomic placentas a marked high SI was characteristic only of the decidual region on proton spin density images. The MRI also revealed a smaller cerebellum in the ts16 fetuses. The potential effects of the compromised structure of the placental labyrinth and the overexpression of the H-2Kk marker on the mts16 neural and placental dysgenesis are discussed.

Animals↗

Relationship between the neural dysgenesis and increased production of class I MHC H-2Kk mRNA and protein in neurons of murine trisomy 16 fetuses.

Neuronal cells from murine trisomy 16 fetuses have increased levels of class I MHC H-2Kk. To determine whether this increased level of H-2Kk protein product resulted from an increased synthesis of mRNA, a 33 base antisense cDNA probe complementary to a region in exon 2 of the H-2Kk sequence (nucleotide 392-424) was synthesized. This probe was used to examine, by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the neural distribution of H-2Kk mRNA and protein product. A marked elevation of the H-2Kk mRNA and protein were localized in mts16 neuronal populations that were susceptible to dysgenesis. The results implicate the expression of the H-2Kk in the neuropathology of mts16 and its human counterpart, Down syndrome.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of central nervous system lesions in patients with lupus erythematosus. Correlation with clinical remission and antineurofilament and anticardiolipin antibody titers.

Clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and serologic studies were performed on 11 patients with diffuse central nervous system (CNS) systemic lupus erythematosus and 8 patients with focal CNS lupus. MRI of patients with diffuse clinical disease showed symmetrically distributed areas of increased signal intensity in the subcortical white matter; these resolved after treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone. These patients' sera contained elevated levels of antineurofilament antibodies. Patients with focal CNS lupus had areas of increased signal intensity and atrophic changes in regions corresponding to the major cerebral vessels. These MRI abnormalities did not improve after treatment with high-dose steroids. The sera of patients with focal CNS lupus had elevated levels of cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant but normal levels of antineurofilament antibody. Our findings suggest that results of a combined clinical, MRI, and serologic evaluation of patients with CNS lupus may predict the response of patients to high-dose steroid therapy.

Adult↗

Proteins of muscle subcellular fractions in Duchenne progressive muscular dystrophy stained with "stains-all" cationic carbocyanine dye and with Coomassie Blue.

The protein compositions of subcellular fractions of muscle obtained from 17 Duchenne dystrophy patients, 15 disease controls (10 different primary myopathies, 5 spinal muscular atrophy patients), and 10 normals were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gels were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue and with "Stains-all," which stains calcium-binding proteins, sialic acid-rich glycoproteins, and phosphoproteins. In muscle membrane fractions of Duchenne dystrophy patients there was a marked reduction in the concentrations of calsequestrin and a 39 kDa protein that stained blue with "Stains-all." There were changes in the proteins of all subcellular fractions of Duchenne's patients; some of these changes appear to be specific for Duchenne dystrophy (DD). There was no apparent correlation between the protein changes observed on acrylamide gels and the age of the patients, the duration of the disease, the degree of disability, or activity of creatine kinase. A decreased level of calsequestrin in DD sarcoplasmic reticulum may contribute to an increased level of free calcium seen in muscle from these patients.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

Elevated calmodulin levels and reduced calmodulin-stimulated calcium-ATPase in Duchenne progressive muscular dystrophy.

We determined the calmodulin concentration and Ca2+-ATPase activity in subcellular fractions recovered from samples of vastus lateralis muscle obtained from 18 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 10 patients with other primary myopathies, 5 with spinal muscular atrophy, and 16 age-matched controls. Calmodulin levels were increased in the cytosol, plasmalemma, and heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum fractions from Duchenne dystrophy patients; the greatest increases occurred at early stages of disease or in mildly progressive cases. The total Ca2+-ATPase activities were decreased in the Duchenne dystrophy muscles; calmodulin caused a minimal stimulation of the activity in calmodulin-depleted membranes from Duchenne dystrophy compared with control membranes. The changes in calmodulin concentration and Ca2+-ATPase activity complement previous observations of reduced calsequestrin and dystrophin concentrations in Duchenne dystrophy muscles and suggest that these muscles lose calcium regulatory functions at early stages of the disease process.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of rabbit brain after intracarotid injection of large multivesicular liposomes containing paramagnetic metals and DTPA.

A procedure has been developed for the preparation of large (10- to 80-microns-diameter) multivesicular liposomes that contain magnetic resonance contrast agent (DTPA and either manganese or gadolinium). Blue dextran was observed to induce the formation of the large liposomes with dioleoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol (1:1 molar ratio) and with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol (1:1 molar ratio). The formation of the large liposomes is dependent upon mixing the blue dextran with the lipid films at temperatures above the transition point of the lipids. Tracer amounts of 153Gd were added to the aqueous phase to permit quantitation of the recovery of encapsulated materials. Liposomes that were prepared using equimolar ratios of phospholipid and cholesterol were stable in serum for more than 12 h. The ultrastructure of the large multivesicular liposomes reveals the existence of individual vesicles (greater than 2 micron diameter) bound together by a multilamellar coating. When injected into the internal carotid artery of the rabbit, the large liposomes became entrapped in the vascular bed primarily in the frontal and occipital regions of brain. The resulting emboli may provide a means to deliver drugs to a specific site in brain, such as a tumor, if the vascular bed of the site can be cannulated precisely.

Animals↗

Immunological reactivity of monoclonal antibodies prepared against large ganglion cells from bovine retina.

This report describes the preparation of a highly specific reagent (monoclonal antibody) that reacts selectively with large ganglion cells of bovine retina. Other cells populations of bovine retina react weakly or not at all, but neurons in brain regions of ox other than retina also bind the immunoglobulins specifically. Species specificity was indicated by a weak reaction with cat and dog retinal neurons, and organ specificity was shown by lack of reaction with bovine liver. This highly specific reagent can be used to classify the subsets of large retinal ganglion cells on the basis of their antigenic properties and to identify neurons in different brains regions that share antigenic determinants.

Animals↗

Extraction of mitochondrial proteins by volatile anesthetics.

Heavy beef heart mitochondria were exposed to controlled concentrations of several volatile anesthetics including halothane, enflurane and chloroform. These anesthetics caused a concentration-dependent release of protein from mitochondria with maximal release occurring at 17.5% halothane and less release at lower and higher concentrations. The proteins released into the supernatants were analyzed by electrophoresis on slab gels containing a 6--20% gradient of acrylamide. The anesthetics caused the release of several polypeptides from mitochondria into the incubation medium; the major polypeptides released had molecular weights of 78 000; 48 000; 47 000; 43 000; 32 000 and 22 000. Two of these were identified by enzyme analysis and by co-electrophoresis with crystalline enzymes as the subunits of aspartate aminotransferase (43 000 daltons; EC 2.6.1.1) and malate dehydrogenase (32 000 daltons; EC 1.1.1.37). Mitochondria exposed to saturated halothane vapors were similar ultrastructurally to controls except that the halothane mitochondria appeared uncoupled. Similar results were obtained with O2 or N2 as carrier gas.

Anesthetics↗