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Biomedical subjects

V M Kushnaryov

Publications and source records attributed to V M Kushnaryov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transforming growth factor beta-1 stimulates articular chondrocyte elaboration of matrix vesicles capable of greater calcium pyrophosphate precipitation.

Objective To determine the role of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta) in early calcium pyrophosphate formation by measuring its effects on articular chondrocyte matrix vesicle (MV) formation, specific activity of the inorganic pyrophosphate(PPi)-generating enzyme nucleoside triphosphate pyrophospho-hydrolase (NTPPPH) and biomineralization capacity. Methods MV elaborated from mature porcine chondrocyte monolayers+/-TGFbeta were compared for protein content, NTPPPH activity, and ATP-dependent biomineralization. Precipitation of calcium pyrophosphate mineral phases by MV was determined by a radiometric assay and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results MV from monolayers exposed to TGFbeta were enriched in NTPPPH activity compared to MV from control monolayers (P< 0.01) and precipitated more calcium/mg MV protein than controls (P</= 0.01). FTIR spectra of mineral generated by monolayer-elaborated MV were consistent with poorly crystalline CPPD. Conclusions TGFbeta is capable of increasing the capacity of articular chondrocyte-derived MV to generate PPi via NTPPPH and precipitate calcium in the form of CPPD mineral. These data support the concept that this growth factor plays a key role in cartilage matrix CPPD deposition.

Animals↗

Constitutive production of a murine retrovirus in the human B-lymphoblastoid cell line, DG-75.

During the screening of human lymphoblastoid cells as suitable hosts for retrovirus transmission studies, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative, B-lymphoblastoid cell line DG-75 was found to be chronically infected with a heretofore unrecognized retrovirus. Two DG-75 sublines obtained from different sources (designated UW and KAR) were found to produce constitutively particles identified as retroviral by electron microscopy and reverse transcriptase activity. The ultrastructure, morphogenesis, and density in sucrose of the particles were typical of C-type retroviruses. Immunoblot analysis of the DG-75(UW) retrovirus proteins showed antigenic similarity to Moloney murine leukemia virus. A third DG-75 subline in early passage, designated HAD, was free of retrovirus. The DG-75(UW) retrovirus was infectious and produced progeny virions that could be passaged to uninfected cells. We have thus demonstrated that DG-75 cells, which have been used extensively in studies of the biological effects of EBV-encoded genes and their promoters, may be chronically infected with a murine retrovirus and that an early passage subline is retrovirus free and available for such studies.

Animals↗

Ruthenium red preserves glycoprotein peplomers of C-type retroviruses for transmission electron microscopy.

Peplomers, the glycoprotein projections of the outer viral envelope, are distinctive for many viruses. Peplomers of retroviral C-type particles are fragile and are not preserved in standard preparations for transmission electron microscopy of thin sections, whereas the peplomers of B- and D- type retroviruses are usually preserved. Ruthenium red, extensively used in transmission electron microscopy to enhance the preservation of glycosylated proteins, was used in the preparation of three retrovirus-producing lymphoblastoid cell lines: murine SC-1 cells producing the C-type murine leukemia retrovirus LP-BM5 that causes immunodeficiency, human DG-75 cells producing a murine leukemia retrovirus, and human C5/MJ cells producing human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). Fixation of cells was carried out with ruthenium red present in the glutaraldehyde, osmium tetroxide, and the ethanol dehydration through the 70% ethanol step. The detailed structure of peplomers of these three different viruses was well preserved.

Animals↗

Analysis of fluconazole effect on Candida albicans viability during extended incubations.

Fluconazole is an azole agent with primarily fungistatic activity in standard in vitro susceptibility tests. However, recent work has demonstrated that this drug can reduce Candida albicans viability during prolonged incubations under non-growing conditions. The present study was undertaken to examine more closely some of the parameters of this killing activity. Fungicidal effects of 1.0 microg ml-1 of fluconazole were found during 7-14-day exposures in each of two media that prevented proliferation, distilled water and metal-depleted RPMI 1640 tissue-culture medium. Fluconazole appeared to be stable after being incubated at 37 degreesC for either 7 or 14 days. Strains of C. albicans resistant to fluconazole in standard short-term growth-inhibition assays were also found to be resistant to fluconazole's effect on viability in prolonged culture, suggesting similar mechanisms of action for these effects. C. albicans yeast cells pre-incubated for 7 days in distilled water were not more sensitive to the drug in short-term susceptibility assays. Although all proliferation of the organisms in distilled water cultures appeared to cease after 3 days, fluconazole added at 7 days still reduced C. albicans viability. Therefore, the drug appeared to kill the non-proliferating organisms directly rather than preventing growth and thereby the emergence of younger organisms that would live longer. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated damage to the cell wall-cell membrane complex and interior contents of yeast cells incubated in distilled water alone; fluconazole appeared to increase the percentages of cells so affected. In summary, extended-incubation susceptibility tests demonstrated that fluconazole has direct fungicidal activity of non-proliferating C. albicans yeast cells. These results may be relevant to the manner in which this drug promotes clearance of chronic fungal infections.

Antifungal Agents↗

Selective switch between latency and lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus in dually infected body cavity lymphoma cells.

The BC-1 cell line, derived from a body cavity-based, B-cell lymphoma, is dually infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). In these studies, the relationships between these two gammaherpesviruses and BC-1 cells were characterized and compared. Single-cell cloning experiments suggested that all BC-1 cells contain both genomes. In more than 98% of cells, both viruses were latent. The two viruses could be differentially induced into their lytic cycles by chemicals. EBV was activated into DNA replication and late-gene expression by the phorbol ester tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA). KSHV was induced into DNA replication and late-gene expression by n-butyrate. Amplification of both EBV and KSHV DNAs was inhibited by phosphonoacetic acid. Induction of the KSHV lytic cycle by n-butyrate was accompanied by the disappearance of host-cell beta-actin mRNA. Induction of EBV by TPA was not accompanied by such an effect on host-cell gene expression. Induction of the KSHV lytic cycle by n-butyrate was associated with the expression of several novel polypeptides. Recognition of one of these, p40, served as the basis of development of an assay for antibodies to KSHV in the sera of infected patients. BC-1 cells released infectious EBV; however, there was no evidence for the release of encapsidated KSHV genomes by BC-1 cells, even though n-butyrate-treated cells contained numerous intranuclear nucleocapsids. The differential inducibility of these two herpesviruses in the same cell line points to the importance of viral factors in the switch from latency to lytic cycle.

Animals↗

The use of dimethylsulfoxide for fixation of yeasts for electron microscopy.

Conventional methods of chemical fixation are often inadequate for preserving yeast ultrastructure. The thick cell wall severely limits penetration of fixatives rendering poor detail of the cell wall, membranes, and overall anatomy. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) enhances penetration of chemicals and has been added to fixatives to improve cell preservation. At high concentrations (5 to 50%), however, it affects ultrastructure unpredictably. We found that adding 0.1% DMSO to fixatives greatly improved retention of yeast ultrastructure. Candida albicans, C. glabrata and Aspergillus fumigatus were fixed for 3 hr in 3% paraformaldehyde, 1% glutaraldehyde, 1 mM MgCl2, 1 mM CaCl2, 0.1% DMSO in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer followed by 1% OsO4, 1% K2Cr2O7, 0.85% NaCl, 0.1% DMSO in the same buffer. Thin epoxy sections were post-stained in uranyl acetate and lead citrate. The multilayered character of the cell wall was distinct and well structured. Addition of ruthenium red or alcian blue to the fixatives further enhanced the outer fibrillar layer. The plasma membrane was contiguous and tightly adjacent to the inner mannoprotein layer of the cell wall. The cytoplasm was well preserved and the overall preservation of the yeast ultrastructure was significantly improved.

Aspergillus fumigatus↗

Transmissible retrovirus in Epstein-Barr virus-producer B95-8 cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) released from the B95-8 marmoset cell line has served as a prototype for biologic and biochemical studies of EBV. Here we identify and characterize a retrovirus carried by many cultures of B95-8 cells. The experiments were stimulated by the isolation of a cDNA clone from B95-8 cells in which sequences from the EBV large internal repeat were linked to gag sequences similar to those of squirrel monkey retrovirus, human isolate, SMRV-H. However, among 413 amino acids predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the gag region of the B95-8 SMRV isolate there were 48 amino acid changes that distinguished this virus from SMRV-H originally isolated from a human lymphoid cell line by Oda et al. (1988, Virology 167, 468-476). Nucleic acid and antibody probes were developed for the B95-8 isolate of SMRV. Using such probes, we found that SMRV-B95-8 was readily transmissible, independent of EBV, as an infectious virus to human B and T cell lines. SMRV-B95-8 was highly fusogenic in the presence or absence of EBV. The ultrastructural appearance of the B95-8 retrovirus was characteristic of a type D retrovirus. Cells dually infected with EBV and SMRV-B95-8 did not demonstrate increased levels of lytic EB viral replication. SMRV-B95-8 did not by itself cause lymphocyte immortalization or enhance immortalization by EBV. Thus SMRV-B95-8 does not contribute to the major biologic properties of the B95-8 strain of EBV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clostridium difficile toxin A therapy for HCT 116 human colon cancer in nude mice.

Clostridium difficile toxin A was evaluated for an antitumor effect in vivo on HCT 116 human colon carcinoma cells growing subcutaneously in nude mice. A mean reduction in tumor volume of at least 65%, by measurement in three dimensions, was observed in mice who received two 9- to 13-day courses of daily intraperitoneal injections of toxin A as compared to mice receiving diluent alone. Reversible adverse effects of toxin A were noted in some animals, consisting primarily of liver toxicity and skin rash. HCT 116 cells in toxin A-treated mice grew as flattened tumors with ulcerated centers compared to rounded tumors without ulceration in controls. Histologic examination of tumors from representative mice revealed that two thirds of the tumor in a treated mouse was necrotic compared to only one third in a control, suggesting greater antitumor efficacy of toxin A than estimated by tumor measurements alone.

Animals↗

Cytotoxicity of Clostridium difficile toxin A for human colonic and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.

The use of bacterial exotoxins may constitute novel adjuncts to treatment of gastrointestinal tract malignancies. Clostridium difficile toxin A was evaluated for its cytotoxic effect in vitro on 24 human cell lines and strains including carcinomas of the colon, pancreas, prostate, lung, breast, and lymphoid malignancies, as well as nonmalignant tissues. All nine colon and five pancreas cell lines were extraordinarily sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of Clostridium difficile toxin A at very low concentrations. This effect, which occurred rapidly and was dose dependent, was observed in all cells of seven colon and two pancreas cell lines at concentrations as low as 1-5 ng/ml (10(-12) to 10(-11) M), whereas cells derived from other sites required 60 to greater than 500 ng/ml to achieve an equivalent effect. The data suggest that Clostridium difficile toxin A may have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of some gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Articular cartilage vesicles generate calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate-like crystals in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the morphology of a mineral-forming of adult porcine hyaline articular cartilage digest and characterize the mineral it forms. METHODS: Electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray microanalysis, compensated polarized light microscopy, and biochemical studies including 14C-labeled UDPG pyrophosphohydrolase radiometric assay. RESULTS: This fraction of articular cartilage digest contained membrane-limited vesicles resembling growth plate cartilage matrix vesicles and formed mineral after only 24 hours in physiologic salt solution containing 1 mM ATP: The mineral contained inorganic pyrophosphate, 95% of which derived from ATP, and phosphate, 93% of which derived from inorganic phosphate in the medium. The FTIR spectrum of this mineral closely resembled the spectrum of standard calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals. Compensated polarized light microscopy showed positively birefringent, rod-shaped crystals morphologically identical to CPPD. Ca:P ratios, defined by energy-dispersive microanalysis, were also consistent with CPPD. CONCLUSION: The articular cartilage vesicle fraction of porcine hyaline cartilage is capable of generating mineral that strongly resembles CPPD.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

ATP-induced chondrocalcinosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether adult articular cartilage mineralizes in the presence of ATP. METHODS: Intact adult porcine articular cartilage and monolayers of chondrocytes were cultured in physiologic media containing ATP, and mineralization was measured as retention of 45Ca. Cartilage was analyzed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Articular cartilage sequestered 45Ca when incubated with 100 microM ATP: Use of the ATP analog alpha, beta-methylene ATP did not promote mineralization and addition of pyrophosphatase inhibited mineralization, indicating that hydrolysis of ATP to AMP and inorganic pyrophosphate is necessary for the process to occur. Mineral was concentrated in articular cartilage vesicles in the perichondral area. CONCLUSION: Adult articular cartilage mineralizes in the presence of ATP, in a manner similar to that found with isolated matrix or articular cartilage vesicles. This supports the notion that these structures have a role in chondrocalcinosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Actin and lamin comprised filaments in the nuclei of Chinese hamster ovary cells affected with Clostridium difficile enterotoxin A.

The major change in the ultrastructure of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells treated with Clostridium difficile enterotoxin A was the formation of bundles of filaments in the nucleoplasm. The filaments appeared after 2.5 h and disappeared by the fourth hour of incubation with the toxin. To partially characterize these filaments, laser diffractometry and ultrastructural immunocytochemistry were employed. The bundles consist of coiled filaments of about 11 nm and 16 nm diameter and a main long axial periodicity of about 26 nm. Postembedding immunogold labelling with monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that these intranuclear filaments are comprised mainly of actin, but also contain lamin and vinculin. Between 2.5 and 3 h of incubation with enterotoxin A, the lamins were located close to the nuclear envelope, but they were also consistently found scattered in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Such an unusual distribution of lamins might mediate the adverse effects of enterotoxin A on nuclear organization and function and thus cause the eventual death of CHO cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Interferon receptors and their role in interferon action.

Interferon (IFN) proteins interact with cells through specific cell surface receptors, some of which have been purified and cloned. The alpha-IFNs and beta-IFN bind to a common receptor (type I), whereas gamma-IFN binds to a separate receptor (type II). Both types of high-affinity receptors have been demonstrated on a variety of receptors and the ways in which IFNs may affect cellular physiology and gene expression is discussed.

Animals↗

Effect of Clostridium difficile enterotoxin A on ultrastructure of Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Electron microscopical immunocytochemistry and light microscopy were used to study the effect of Clostridium difficile enterotoxin A (EA) on cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. At 4 degrees C, immunocytochemically detected EA was randomly distributed along the plasma membrane; when cells were subsequently transferred to 37 degrees C, the EA moved into coated pits and coated vesicles within 2 min. Within 2 h of incubation at 37 degrees C with EA, the perinuclear cytoplasm of the CHO cells became highly refractile, and in 4 h, most of the cells were round; however, the majority of rounded cells excluded erythrosin B while remaining firmly attached to the culture dish plastic. When EA was removed from the cultured cells within 2 h, the cells returned to a normal morphology and formed a confluent monolayer. The nuclei of rounded cells were irregularly shaped; cytoplasmic intermediate filaments were collapsed toward the nucleus. Long bundles of parallel, 11-nm-diameter filaments appeared in the nuclei after 3 h of incubation with EA and disappeared by the fourth hour of incubation. Intoxicated cells did not undergo mitosis. Thus, EA was internalized, at least in part, by receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequently affected the nuclei of CHO cells.

Animals↗

The cellular internalization of recombinant gamma interferon differs from that of natural interferon gamma.

Purified natural and recombinant murine gamma interferons (MuIFN-gamma) bind at 4 degrees C to cultured L929 mouse fibroblasts with comparable receptor-binding affinity (Kd = 9 x 10(-10) M). Both 125I-labeled MuIFNs are rapidly internalized by cells at 37 degrees C, although recombinant IFN is internalized somewhat more slowly than natural IFN (t1/2 = 90 sec and 45 sec, respectively). Immunoelectronmicroscopy showed that the majority of bound recombinant MuIFN-gamma was located on the plasma membrane outside of coated areas, whereas natural interferon was found mainly in coated pits. At 37 degrees C most of the recombinant molecules entered the cytoplasm in pinocytotic vesicles, while natural interferon was internalized by the specific mechanism of receptor-mediated endocytosis [1]. However, nearly equal amounts of immunocytochemically detectable molecules of both IFNs were found in the cell nucleus within 2-3 min incubation at 37 degrees C. Thus, the process of translocation of the recombinant IFN-gamma appears to differ from that of the natural product.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis of mouse interferon-beta receptor-mediated endocytosis and nuclear entry.

The dynamics of internalization and transport of murine interferon-beta (MuIFN-beta) to the cell nucleus was studied in cultured L929 mouse fibroblasts employing postembedding, ultrastructural quantitative immunocytochemistry. Cells preincubated with MuIFN-beta at 4 degrees C were transferred to 37 degrees C for various times, and then fixed and embedded in Lowicryl K4M. Internalized native IFN molecules were identified and quantified on the surface of ultrathin sections with monoclonal (MAb) or polyclonal (PAb) anti-IFN antibodies and a colloidal gold-protein A (CGPA) conjugate. Immunocytochemically recognizable MuIFN-beta molecules entered the cytoplasm by receptor-mediated endocytosis and were translocated via transport vesicles to the nuclear envelope. IFN molecules entered the nucleus through nuclear pores and accumulated maximally in the dense chromatin within 3 min of incubation of the cells at 37 degrees C. The data presented constitute the first direct observation of the dynamics of the extremely rapid transfer of ligand to its intracellular target, in this case, the cell nucleus.

Animals↗

Quantification of low numbers of immunogold label on Lowicryl K4M sections.

Postembedding immunogold staining was used to quantify low numbers of intracytoplasmic cytokine interferon molecules in cells embedded in Lowicryl K4M by the rapid technique of Altman et al. (1984). When labelling with colloidal gold-protein A (CGPA) was performed as suggested by the manufacturers, the relatively high background precluded the statistically significant distinction of small amounts of specific label. The standard procedure of postembedding staining was modified by introducing: (1) UV-irradiation of the sections before immuno-staining; (2) 10- to 50-fold greater dilution of CGPA than recommended by the manufacturers, and (3) washing the sections at 60 degrees C between staining steps. The resulting decrease in nonspecific binding of CGPA facilitated the quantification of as few as 6-10 CGPA particles per 1,000 micron2 of the surface of the Lowicryl K4M sections at greater than a 95% confidence level.

Animals↗

Transport of gamma-interferon into the cell nucleus may be mediated by nuclear membrane receptors.

Purified mouse interferon gamma (MuIFN-gamma), a lymphokine having potent antiviral, immunomodulatory, and growth inhibitory activities, is internalized (t1/2 less than 1.0 min) by mouse L929 fibroblasts via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Individual MuIFN-gamma molecules, identified by a postembedding immuno-gold technique, are then transported to the cell nucleus, perhaps through nuclear pores, into areas of dense chromatin. Purified, isolated nuclei of L929 cells bind radiolabeled MuIFN-gamma specifically and with high affinity (Kd = 2 X 10(-10) M). These nuclear membrane receptors, distinct from those for MuIFN-beta, number about 24,000/nucleus. Treatment of nuclei with trypsin prevents binding of MuIFN-gamma. The demonstration of rapid cellular uptake and transport of MuIFN-gamma into the dense chromatin, perhaps facilitated by nuclear receptors, suggests that IFN-gamma molecules, alone or bound to receptor, may directly affect genome regulation.

Animals↗