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S Treves

Publications and source records attributed to S Treves.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification of calreticulin isoforms in the central nervous system.

In the present paper we report the cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding two calreticulin isoforms from Xenopus laevis central nervous system. The two isoforms display 93% identity at the amino acid level. The predicted amino acid sequences of the amphibian calreticulins are very similar (76%) to those of mammalian liver and skeletal muscle. Xenopus laevis calreticulins are characterized by a very acidic c-terminal domain endowed with the endoplasmic-reticulum retention signal KDEL. The cDNAs of both clones encode an N-glycosylation consensus sequence. A third clone of calreticulin was also identified. The restriction map of this clone was clearly distinct from that of the two sequenced clones. These results indicate the existence of multiple calreticulin isoforms in the central nervous system and open questions about their functional role in different cells and/or subcellular compartments.

Amino Acid Sequence

Molecular cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of the cDNA encoding frog skeletal muscle calsequestrin.

We have cloned, sequenced and expressed the cDNA encoding frog skeletal muscle calsequestrin. The processed frog calsequestrin is 398 residues long, with an Mr of 45941 (unglycosylated form), and exhibits 77% sequence similarity with its rabbit counterpart. Consensus sequences for glycosylation and phosphorylation of the protein were conserved. Compared with rabbit calsequestrin, the mature amphibian protein has peculiar structural properties, which include (i) a higher content of negatively charged residues (142 versus 109), and (ii) a striking repeat sequence at the C-terminal region of 44 aspartic acid residues. Furthermore, this is the first report on the expression of calsequestrin cDNA in COS-1 cells; the expressed protein exhibited an Mr and antigenic properties which were indistinguishable from those of the native protein. In addition, it was capable of binding 45Ca in a ligand overlay. Northern blot analysis of frog skeletal muscle, liver, heart and brain RNA showed that the protein is mainly expressed in skeletal muscle. The high density of negative charges at the C-terminus might constitute high-capacity low-affinity Ca(2+)-binding sites, which may account for the higher Ca(2+)-binding capacity of frog calsequestrin compared with other members of the calsequestrin family (56 mol/mol versus 40-44 mol/mol of protein).

Amino Acid Sequence

Efficacy of domperidone in infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux.

This study sought to define the therapeutic efficacy of domperidone in infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in seventeen children (ages 5 months to 11.3 years) with moderate to severe gastroesophageal reflux who had not responded to standard nonpharmacological therapy. Subjective and objective measures (weight gain, esophageal pH probe study, radionuclide gastric emptying scan) of gastroesophageal reflux were evaluated. Therapy with domperidone for 4 weeks was effective only in reducing the total number of reflux episodes in the two-hour postprandial period (p less than 0.01); however, it did not result in symptomatic improvement or significant improvement in other measures of gastroesophageal reflux or gastric emptying. After therapy for 8 weeks symptomatic improvement was reported in some patients who had denied improvement after 4 weeks of therapy, suggesting that more than 4 weeks of therapy may be required for some patients to obtain a clinical response. Mild self-limited diarrhea was reported by six patients (four domperidone, two placebo). We conclude that domperidone is tolerated by most infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux; however, 4 weeks of therapy was only minimally effective in producing objective improvement of gastroesophageal reflux and did not result in symptomatic improvement. Further studies of longer duration are needed to resolve the question raised by this study: that domperidone may be beneficial for patients with gastroesophageal reflux when given for more than four weeks.

Child

Na+/H+ antiporter has different properties in human B lymphocytes according to CD5 expression and malignant phenotype.

In B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol esters fail to activate the plasma membrane-associated Na+/H+ antiporter and, subsequently, to elicit a rise in cytosolic pH. Since these events are thought to be a prerequisite for LPS-induced proliferation of B normal lymphocytes, we analyzed the kinetic properties of Na+/H+ antiporter in B-CLL cells as compared to both CD5- and CD5+ normal B lymphocytes. In the present work we report that Na+/H+ exchange rate after acid loading is drastically decreased in B-CLL cells, as compared to normal CD5- B lymphocytes, although the antiporter affinity for external Na+ and internal H+ is not significantly different in both cell populations. Kinetic data account for a reduction in the number of operating antiport units in B-CLL. The Na+/H+ antiporter of CD5+ normal B lymphocytes exhibits both an exchange rate and an ion affinity significantly higher than that observed in both CD5+ B-CLL cells and CD5- B normal lymphocytes, thus suggesting a possible explanation for their activated phenotype.

Antigens, CD

Calreticulin is a candidate for a calsequestrin-like function in Ca2(+)-storage compartments (calciosomes) of liver and brain.

In a search for the non-muscle equivalent of calsequestrin (the low-affinity high-capacity Ca2(+)-binding protein responsible for Ca2+ storage within the terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum), acidic proteins were extracted from rat liver and brain microsomal preparations and purified by column chromatography. No calsequestrin was observed in these extracts, but the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the major Ca2(+)-binding protein of the liver microsomal fraction was determined and found to correspond to that of calreticulin. This protein was found to bind approx. 50 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein, with low affinity (average Kd approx. 1.0 mM). A monoclonal antibody, C6, raised against skeletal-muscle calsequestrin cross-reacted with calreticulin in SDS/PAGE immunoblots, but polyclonal antibodies reacted with native calreticulin only weakly, or not at all, after SDS denaturation. Immuno-gold decoration of liver ultrathin cryosections with affinity-purified antibodies against liver calreticulin revealed luminal labelling of vacuolar profiles indistinguishable from calciosomes, the subcellular structures previously identified by the use of anti-calsequestrin antibodies. We conclude that calreticulin is the Ca2(+)-binding protein segregated within the calciosome lumen, previously described as being calsequestrin-like. Because of its properties and intraluminal location, calreticulin might play a critical role in Ca2+ storage and release in non-muscle cells, similar to that played by calsequestrin in the muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Amino Acid Sequence

Role of Na+/H+ exchange in the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent growth of a leukemic cell line.

The growth of the human leukemia cell line AML-193 in a serum-free medium is strictly dependent on the presence of the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which is one of the major regulators of the myelomonocytic lineage. At present, little is known about the mechanisms by which this growth factor transduces the signal intracellularly. The results of this study demonstrate that GM-CSF needs the operation of a Na+/H+ exchanger, which is located in the plasma membrane of almost every vertebrate cell. In fact, the GM-CSF-dependent proliferation of AML-193 cells is strongly reduced in the presence of the amiloride analog EIPA, a specific inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger. When acidified, AML-193 cells are able to recover the original pHi in a Na(+)-dependent and EIPA-inhibitable way; this demonstrates for the first time the presence of the Na+/H+ exchanger in these cells. Finally, GM-CSF, at doses superimposable to those needed for triggering proliferation, induces in AML-193 cells a sustained alkalinization, which is dependent on a operating Na+/H+ exchange, as it is inhibited by EIPA. These results suggest that GM-CSF, like other growth factors in other cell systems, exerts its mitogenic activity in AML-193 cells by inducing a Na+/H+ exchanger-mediated rise in pHi.

Amiloride

Sequence homology of a canine brain calcium-binding protein with calregulin and the human Ro/SS-A antigen.

A 60 kDa calcium-binding protein (CBP) was purified from canine brain and its N-terminal sequence determined to be: Glu-Pro-Ala-Ile-Tyr-Phe-Lys-Glu-Gln-Phe-Leu-Asp-Gly-Asp-Gly-X-Thr-Arg-X- Ile- Glu-Ser-Lys. This sequence is very similar to that of "Ccalregulin", a CBP of unknown function which is similar in size and appears to be present in most animal tissues. An unexpected and even more striking similarity was found with the N-terminal sequence of the human Ro/SS-A antigen, a 60 kDa protein which has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. These findings suggest that the Ro/SS-A antigen is probably also a CBP.

Amino Acid Sequence

Interaction of lymphokine-activated killer cells with susceptible targets does not induce second messenger generation and cytolytic granule exocytosis.

CTL activation by specific targets leads to a rapid rise of inositol phosphates (InsPs) and of cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). While these events are considered necessary to trigger granule secretion, Ca2+-independent cytolytic mechanisms have been recently proposed in addition or as an alternative to the classical Ca2+-dependent exocytosis model. We observed that lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, obtained after stimulation with supraoptimal concentrations of IL-2 in short- or long-term cultures, kill susceptible targets in the absence of a [Ca2+]i rise and InsP3 formation. Moreover, LAK cell-mediated lysis was not associated with an increase in cytotoxic granule exocytosis, as evaluated by BLT-esterase release into the culture supernatant. Furthermore, using an antigen-specific CTL clone, which acquires LAK-like activity when cultured in medium containing high IL-2 doses, second messenger generation and cytolytic granule content secretion were not detected during lysis of unrelated target cells, while killing of specific targets triggered both these processes. These findings suggest that two lytic pathways may coexist in the same effector cells: a second messenger-dependent pathway involving degranulation, which is activated after TCR interaction with specific targets, and another pathway, independent of any known second messenger generation, responsible for unrelated target cell lysis.

Animals

Na+/H+ exchange activation mediates the lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of human B lymphocytes and is impaired in malignant B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes.

In various mammalian cell types the stimulation of the plasma membrane amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchange and the resulting increase of intracellular pH (pHi) play a key role in the initiation of cell proliferation. In the present work we have investigated whether Na+/H+ exchange is involved in normal human B cell proliferation and whether it is also operating in malignant B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) lymphocytes. Our results show that: 1) normal human B cells contain an operating Na+/H+ exchanger, as inferred by their ability to recover pHi after acid-loading in a HCO3- -free medium and by evidences that LPS and phorbol ester PMA elicit a pHi rise inhibitable by either 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA) or a Na+-free medium; 2) LPS-induced proliferation of normal human B cells is strongly inhibited when the amiloride analog EIPA (5 microM) is present in the culture medium (after 72 h the proportion of B cells incorporation bromodeoxyuridine falls from 13.9 +/- 3.9% to 2.8 +/- 1.1%); 3) EIPA does not affect BdR incorporation when B cells proliferation is induced by the co-mitogenic activity of IL-4 and low m.w. B cell growth factor (BCGF); 4) B-CLL cells, which proliferate in response to IL-4/BCGF but not to LPS, fail to increase pHi above their pHi resting levels when challenged with LPS or PMA and pHi recovery after acid-loading is highly impaired. These results lead to conclude that Na+/H+ exchange operation is necessary for LPS-(but not for IL-4/BCGF)-induced proliferation of human normal B lymphocytes and that Na+/H+ exchange activation is impaired in malignant B-CLL lymphocytes.

Aged

Role of Na+/H+ exchange in thrombin- and arachidonic acid-induced Ca2+ influx in platelets.

Platelet activation is accompanied by an increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, (due to both extracellular Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ movements from the dense tubular system) and an Na+ influx associated with H+ extrusion. The latter event is attributable to the activation of Na+/H+ exchange, which requires Na+ in the extracellular medium and is inhibited by amiloride and its analogs. The present study was carried out to determine whether a link exists between Ca2+ transients (measured by the quin2 method and the 45CaCl2 technique) and Na+/H+ exchange activation (studied with the pH-sensitive intracellular probe, 6-carboxyfluorescein) during platelet stimulation. Washed human platelets, stimulated with thrombin and arachidonic acid, showed: (1) a large and rapid [Ca2+]i rise, mostly due to a Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane; (2) a marked intracellular alkalinization. Both phenomena were markedly inhibited in the absence of extracellular Na+ or in the presence of an amiloride analog (EIPA). Monensin, a cation exchanger which elicits Na+ influx and alkalinization, and NH4Cl, which induces alkalinization only, were able to evoke an increase in [Ca2+]i, mostly as an influx from the extracellular medium. Our results suggest that Ca2+ influx induced by thrombin and arachidonic acid in human platelets is strictly dependent on Na+/H+-exchange activation.

Ammonium Chloride

Regulation of arachidonic acid-dependent Ca++ influx in human platelets.

Quin2 was used to study the rise in cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca++]i) and the role of prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides/thromboxane A2 (TxA2), reduced glutathione (GSH), ADP and the glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex in mediating [Ca++]i rise during arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation. Ca++ mobilization, mostly due to an influx across the plasma membrane, is completely inhibited by aspirin and persists after selective blockade of TxA2 synthase by dazoxiben. GSH total depletion causes a complete aggregation block and 90% inhibition of the transient: U-46619, a stable analog of cyclic endoperoxide PGH2, stimulates [Ca++]i transient in aspirin-treated or in GSH-depleted platelets. ADP-scavengers, ATP (which competes for the ADP receptor), and monoclonal antibodies against the GP IIb-IIIa complex reduce AA-induced Ca++ influx. Therefore, PG endoperoxides alone or a PGH2/TxA2 mimetic stimulate Ca++ influx. Synthesis of PGH2 and TxA2 depends on the availability of GSH, which acts as the reducing cofactor for the PG-peroxidase activity. ADP and GP IIb-IIIa are regulating factors of AA-mediated Ca++ influx during platelet activation.

Adenosine Diphosphate

Platelet arachidonic acid metabolism in patients with cardiovascular disorders.

There is increasing evidence that prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxane (Tx) play a major role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. The regulation of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism through cyclooxygenase (COx) pathway and the AA-dependent Ca2+ influx were investigated in platelets from 10 patients with unstable angina and 10 controls. The activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS), a sensitive index of the flux through the PGG2 to PGH2 step of the COx pathway, in response to AA was significantly enhanced in platelets from patients. AA-induced malonyldialdehyde (MDA) production as well as AA-evoked Ca2+ flux and glutathione-dependent peroxidase activity resulted significantly increased. Moreover, platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin (PGI2), measured as inhibition of Ca2+ flux, was highly decreased. Thus far, evidence is presented for intrinsic platelet hyperactivity (at the PG-peroxidase reaction of the COx pathway) in patients with unstable angina: the resulting increase in PGH2 and TxA2 synthesis, alone or in combination with decreased PGI2 sensitivity, may account for a facilitated thrombus formation.

Angina Pectoris

Calcium and inositolphosphates in the activation of T cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Reports from a number of laboratories have shown that mAbs against the T3-Ti receptor complex cause an increase in cytosolic-free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) and the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositolbisphosphate (PIP2) in CTLs. In the present report we show that activation of CTLs by their specific targets causes: (a) release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores; (b) transient formation of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3); and (c) an increased permeability to Ca2+ of CTL plasma membrane. Killing of unrelated targets could be induced by cocentrifugation of the unrelated targets with CTLs in the presence of A23187 or PMA. We conclude that: (a) activation of CTLs by specific antigens triggers the generation of the same intracellular mediators generated by stimulation of lymphocytes with anti-T3-Ti receptor antibodies and/or with polyclonal mitogens; and (b) intracellular signals that mediate the delivery of the lethal hit by CTLs are indistinguishable from those that induce cell proliferation.

Animals

Effect of cytochalasins on cytosolic-free calcium concentration and phosphoinositide metabolism in leukocytes.

Cytochalasins are routinely used to stimulate a variety of functions in eukaryotic cells even though their precise mode of action remains to be elucidated. In the present work we used the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin2 to study the effect of various cytochalasins, cytochalasins A, B, C, D, E (CA, CB, CC, CD, CE) and dihydrocytochalasin B (dhCB) on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in various types of leukocytes, viz, neutrophils and lymphocytes. In human neutrophils, cytochalasins increase [Ca2+]i mainly by releasing Ca2+ from membrane-bound, intracellular stores. Thus, in order to readily appreciate the effect of cytochalasins on [Ca2+ )i, these cells must be loaded with low intracellular quin2 concentrations. On the other hand, in peripheral blood lymphocytes, splenocytes and thymocytes, the increase in [Ca2+]i is predominantly due to an increased Ca2+ influx from the extracellular medium. In addition, we found that in neutrophils these drugs prolong the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by chemotactic peptides, probably by increasing the cell permeability to Ca2+. Finally, in thymocytes, cytochalasins potentiate the production of inositol phosphates induced by the polyclonal mitogen concanavalin A (conA).

Animals

A 133-xenon inhalation system for cerebral blood-flow measurements in ventilated premature babies.

We constructed a Xenon-133 inhalation and trapping system in order to measure cerebral blood flow of ventilated premature babies by means of the noninvasive 133Xe clearance method. The completely lead-shielded inhalation device is a closed system driven by the baby's own respirator and can thus be safely used at the patients bedside in the intensive care unit. Reproducible proximal airway concentrations of 133Xe (with or without leaks around the endotracheal tube) were obtained by in vitro simulation.

Cerebrovascular Circulation

The development of an 191Os----191mIr generator using an osmium chelate parent complex--I. Trans-dioxobismalonatoosmate(VI).

A 191Os----191mIr generator has been developed that has higher 191mIr yield and lower 191Os breakthrough than previous designs. These improvements have been realized through the use of the osmium chelate complex trans-dioxobismalonatoosmate(VI) as the parent species on the generator. The new generator provides an initial 191mIr yield of 40%/mL and 191Os breakthrough of 2-3 X 10(-3)% when eluted with a solution of 0.05 M malonic acid/0.10 M sodium chloride at pH 4. Other advantages of the new design include faster clearance of the 191Os breakthrough products and simpler assembly.

Angiography

Inositol phosphate formation in fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated human neutrophils does not require an increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration.

The accumulation of inositol phosphates in myo-[3H]inositol-labelled human neutrophils stimulated with the chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe was measured. The challenge with the chemotactic peptide caused the generation of inositol monophosphate (InsP), inositol bisphosphate (InsP2) and inositol trisphosphate (InsP3). The formation of the three inositol phosphates followed a differential time course: InsP3 accumulated very rapidly and transiently, whereas InsP increased steadily for more than 2 min. Inositol phosphate formation was only partially decreased by procedures which prevented the fMet-Leu-Phe-dependent increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration.

Calcium