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Junctional membrane uncoupling. Permeability transformations at a cell membrane junction.

The permeability of the membrane surfaces where cells are in contact (junctional membranes) in Chironomus salivary glands depends on Ca(++) and Mg(++). When the concentration of these ions at the junctional membranes is raised sufficiently, these normally highly permeable membranes seal off; their permeability falls one to three orders, as they approach the nonjunctional membranes in conductance. This permeability transformation is achieved in three ways: (a) by iontophoresis of Ca(++) into the cell; (b) by entry of Ca(++) and/or Mg(++) from the extracellular fluid into the cell through leaks in the cell surface membrane (e.g., injury); or (c) by entry of these ions through leaks arising, probably primarily in the perijunctional insulation, due to trypsin digestion, anisotonicity, alkalinity, or chelation. Ca(++) and Mg(++) appear to have three roles in the junctional coupling processes: (a) in the permeability of the junctional membranes; (b) in the permeability of the perijunctional insulation; and (c) a role long known- in the mechanical stability of the cell junction. The two latter roles may well be closely interdependent, but the first is clearly independent of the others.

Animals↗

Sarcolemmal blebs and osmotic fragility as correlates of irreversible ischemic injury in preconditioned isolated rabbit cardiomyocytes.

The hypothesis that irreversible ischemic injury is related to sub-sarcolemmal blebbing and an inherent osmotic fragility of the blebs was tested by subjecting isolated control and ischemically preconditioned (IPC) or calyculin A (CalA)-pretreated (protected) rabbit cardiomyocytes to ischemic pelleting followed by resuspension in 340, 170 or 85 mosmol medium containing trypan blue. At time points from 0-240 min, osmotic fragility was assessed by the percentage of trypan blue permeable cells. Membrane blebs were visualized with India ink preparations. Bleb formation, following acute hypo-osmotic swelling, developed by 75 min and increased with longer periods of ischemia. Osmotic fragility developed only after 75 min. Cells resuspended in 340 mosmol media did not form blebs and largely retained the ability to exclude trypan blue, even after 240 min ischemia. Although the latent tendency for osmotic blebbing preceded the development of osmotic fragility, most osmotically fragile cells became permeable without evident sarcolemmal bleb formation. The onset of osmotic fragility was delayed in protected cells, but protection did not reduce the bleb formation. It is concluded that blebbing and osmotic fragility are independent manifestations of ischemic injury. The principal locus of irreversible ischemic injury and the protection provided by IPC may lie within the sarcolemma rather than at sarcolemmal attachments to underlying adherens junctions.

Animals↗

IAM chromatography: an in vitro screen for predicting drug membrane permeability.

Fluid cell membranes are the main barrier to drug absorption when diffusion limits uptake. Immobilized artificial membranes (IAMs) are solid phase models of fluid membranes that predicted oral drug absorption in mice for a homologous set of cephalosporins. IAMs also predicted drug permeability through Caco-2 cells. Since drug permeability in Caco-2 cells is known to correlate with the oral absorption of drugs in humans, IAMs may also model drug absorption in humans. IAM analysis is experimentally simple, and large-volume screening of experimental compounds for drug absorption is possible.

Animals↗

Ocular manifestations of diabetes mellitus: diabetic cataracts in dogs.

Cataracts form in diabetic dogs because of the disruption of normal lens metabolism. The pathophysiology seems to be a combination of increased lens cell membrane permeability, reduced cell membrane function, damage from accumulating osmotic products (polyols), glycosylation of lens proteins, and oxidative injury. Lens-induced uveitis must be recognized and managed in presurgical preparation of dogs with diabetes cataracts. Phacoemulsification is the current treatment of choice for diabetic cataracts in dogs and can be performed at an earlier time than traditional extracapsular lens extraction. This may allow for greater success rates after surgery.

Animals↗

Clinical application of subforms of creatine kinase MM and macro creatine kinases.

The subforms of MM isozyme of creatine kinase (ATP:creatine N-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.3.2, CK) in sera obtained from healthy adults and patients were determined by agarose gel isoelectric focusing (IEF). The patients were classified into six groups according to serum CK-MM activities and IEF patterns. The IEF spectra offered useful information on cell hyperplasia, augmented cell membrane permeability, cell destruction and release time of CK-MM in the circulation from the cells for diagnosis, progress observation and prognosis, especially in the cases of chronic hepatic diseases, acute myocardial infarction and muscular dystrophy. Macro CKs were also determined by IEF. Macro CKs could be completely distinguished from each other, and CK isozymes consisting of macro CK type 1 could be presumed by isoelectric points.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Comparison of 2-methoxyestradiol-induced, docetaxel-induced, and paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells and its correlation with reactive oxygen species.

BACKGROUND: Previously, the authors observed that paclitaxel treatment of hepatoma cells resulted in differential cytotoxicity. Whether other antimicrotubule agents (docetaxel and 2-methoxyestradiol) are more effective than paclitaxel is not clear. Moreover, whether the modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in the drug-induced growth inhibition of hepatoma cells is not known. METHODS: The authors examined the effects of 2-methoxyestradiol, paclitaxel, and docetaxel on HepG2, Hep3B, HA22T/VGH, and Hepa1-6 hepatoma cell lines. The parameters examined included cell viability, cell membrane permeability, cell cycle distribution, DNA fragmentation, and ROS generation. RESULTS: Docetaxel and paclitaxel inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells at submicromolar concentrations, whereas that of 2-methoxyestradiol was within a micromolar range. This drug-induced growth inhibition was cell cycle dependent. 2-Methoxyestradiol-treated (10-50 microM) cells resulted in G2/M block prior to apoptosis. High dose (0.1 microM) docetaxel- and paclitaxel-treated cells resulted in a G2/M arrest followed by generation of polyploidy or apoptosis; however, low dose (0.01 microM) treatment induced apoptosis without G2/M arrest. The low dose effect was more significant in docetaxel-treated cells than in paclitaxel-treated cells. Although these antimicrotubule agents increased the formation of ROS, antioxidant treatment did not block drug-induced cell cycle and growth inhibition effects. CONCLUSIONS: The current results suggest that the growth inhibition of hepatoma cells induced by 2-methoxyestradiol, paclitaxel, and docetaxel was mediated through G2/M-phase arrest, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. The drug-induced apoptosis was independent of ROS formation. Docetaxel was more effective than paclitaxel in killing hepatoma cells. The potential of using 2-methoxyestradiol and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with hepatoma is worthy of further study.

2-Methoxyestradiol↗

Expression of SARS-coronavirus envelope protein in Escherichia coli cells alters membrane permeability.

To promote viral entry, replication, release, and spread to neighboring cells, many cytolytic animal viruses encode proteins responsible for modification of host cell membrane permeability and for formation of ion channels in host cell membranes during their life cycles. In this study, we show that the envelope (E) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus can induce membrane permeability changes when expressed in Escherichia coli. E protein expressed in bacterial and mammalian cells under reducing conditions existed as monomers, but formed homodimer and homotrimer under non-reducing conditions. Site-directed mutagenesis studies revealed that two cysteine residues of the E protein were essential for oligomerization, leading to induction of membrane permeability. This is the first report demonstrating that a coronavirus-encoded protein could modify membrane permeability in E. coli cells.

Animals↗

Cell membrane ionic permeability, calcium ion, mitochondria, and carcinogenesis.

The interrelations between changes in cell membrane permeability, increase of intracellular concentration of calcium ion and alterations of the bioenergetic and genetic mechanisms of the mitochondria are formalized in a hypothesis of carcinogenesis. It seems very likely that changes in the permeability of the cell membrane induced by the carcinogen are responsible for increased intracellular accumulation of Ca2+. This phenomenon produces mitochondrial damage associated with permanent modifications of the structural and functional characteristics of the cell membranes as well as of the genetic mechanisms controlling cell division.

Biological Transport↗

Poly-arginine-fused calpastatin peptide, a living cell membrane-permeable and specific inhibitor for calpain.

Calpain, a Ca2+-dependent neutral protease, is highly related to the pathogenesis of a variety of disorders and its inhibitors offer potential for therapeutic intervention. General calpain inhibitors, however, have the disadvantage of a lack of specificity or poor cellular permeability or oxidization under physiological conditions. Here, we developed a membrane-permeable specific calpain inhibitor by fusing calpastatin peptide (CS) and 11 poly-arginine peptides (11R). The 11R-fused CS (11R-CS) effectively penetrated across the plasma membrane of living neurons and significantly inhibited calpain activity in the cells.

Animals↗

Lysophosphatidylcholine cell depolarization: increased membrane permeability for use in the determination of cell membrane potentials.

Current techniques for the determination of cellular membrane potentials based on the uptake of a radiolabeled lipophilic cation, [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium, and the cyanine dye, DiOC5(3), were analyzed in terms of the proportions of these probes which are accumulated due to potential-dependent and potential-independent forces. Measurements were made of probe uptake in two model systems: rabbit type II pneumocytes and human promyelocytic HL60 cells. For both cell types, the membrane potential-independent component of triphenylmethylphosphonium uptake was found to be a function of several variables, including the length of exposure of the cells to the transport facilitator tetraphenylboron, the concentration of tetraphenylboron, and the integrity of the cell membrane. To accurately determine the magnitude of the potential-independent component of probe uptake by type II and HL60 cells, the cell-permeabilizing agent lysophosphatidylcholine was used. The ability of lysophosphatidylcholine to depolarize cell membranes and accurately predict membrane potential-independent accumulation was found to be equal to or superior to several other techniques commonly used to achieve membrane depolarization (e.g. gramicidin, valinomycin plus high external potassium). Lysophosphatidylcholine cell treatment was found to be a simple, rapid, and accurate technique to increase cell membrane permeability and allow equilibration of intra- and extracellular ions. The method is shown to be useful for determining membrane potential-independent accumulation of both radiolabeled and fluorescent probes of membrane potential.

Animals↗

Micromanipulation of endothelial cells: ultrasound-microbubble-cell interaction.

Ultrasound (US) in combination with contrast microbubbles has been shown to alter the permeability of cell membranes without affecting cell viability. This permeabilisation feature is used to design new drug delivery systems using US and contrast agents. The underlying mechanisms are still unknown. One hypothesis is that oscillating microbubbles cause cell deformation resulting in enhanced cell membrane permeability. This technical note reveals the interaction between oscillating microbubbles and endothelial cells under a microscope recorded with a fast framing camera at 10 million frames per second. A microbubble expansion of 100% resulted a 2.3-mum displacement of the cell membrane. During the insonification, changes of approximately 15% in the cross-sectional distance of the endothelial cells were observed due to microbubble vibrations. In conclusion, the use of such a camera makes it possible to reveal the mechanisms of interactions between ultrasound, microbubbles and cells.

Animals↗

Pathophysiology of ischemic cell death: II. Changes in plasma membrane permeability and cell volume.

Isolated rabbit retinas were subjected for various durations to several types of ischemic insult, and then returned to control medium for periods of up to 4 3/4 h before measurements were made of total water, inulin-free water, and plasma membrane permeability as assessed by mannitol penetration into the inulin-free water. Neither anoxia nor substrate deprivation alone, for as long as 50 min, caused significant irreversible swelling, but they were synergistic in combination. Restricting the volume of extracellular fluid during the combined deprivation caused the changes responsible for swelling to occur much sooner. There was a progressive increase in membrane permeability, with a delayed increase in intracellular water beginning about 2 h after the ischemic insult. Cell swelling correlated closely with loss of viability as evidenced by failure to reinstitute protein synthesis, but the swelling appeared to be the consequence rather than the cause of the initial irreversible damage.

Animals↗

Virulent Shigella flexneri causes damage to mitochondria and triggers necrosis in infected human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Shigella flexneri is a gram-negative bacterium that causes bacillary dysentery in humans that is characterized by an acute inflammatory response of the colon. The fate of phagocytes that are infected in vitro with virulent Shigella has been the subject of some investigation and debate. In this study we found that virulent Shigella caused a rapid increase in the cell membrane permeability of infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) but not in the cell membrane permeability of monocytes, as demonstrated by the uptake of fluorescent vital dyes. Within 2 h of infection, 59% +/- 6% of the HMDM and </=4% of the monocytes were stained with propidium iodide. Treatment of the cells with the inhibitors of caspases YVAD and zVAD, the antioxidants N-acetyl-l-cysteine and butylated hydroxyanisole, or an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, diphenyleniodonium, did not alter the infection outcome. Importantly, we found that virulent Shigella caused a rapid drop in the ATP level to about 50% in infected HMDM. Furthermore, using a combination of fluorescent vital dyes and mitochondrial membrane potential-sensitive dyes, we observed that cells that exhibited a permeable cell membrane were not stained by the mitochondrion-specific dyes, indicating that the mitochondrial membrane potential was lost in these cells. We also observed infected cells that were not stained with either type of dye, indicating that the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential preceded the increase in cell membrane permeability. Taken together, our studies showed that virulent Shigella flexneri targets the host cell mitochondria for destruction. This activity may account for the necrotic cell death precipitated by these pathogens.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

ATP-resistant variants of transformed mouse fibroblasts.

Addition of ATP to cultures of transformed mouse fibroblasts, 3T6 cells, resulted in cell growth inhibition, whereas the growth of the non-transformed counterparts, 3T3 cells, was only slightly affected. The inhibition was found to be specific for adenine nucleotides, and concentration dependent. At relatively low concentrations (e.g., 1.0 mM) the effect of ATP was cytostatic, whereas at higher concentrations (e.g., 1.0 mM) a cytotoxic effect was exerted. ATP-resistant variants of 3T6 cells were selected by exposure of cultures to gradually elevated concentrations of ATP. The variants were found to resemble the non-transformed counterparts, 3T3 cells, more than the 3T6 parent cells, by the following criteria: ATP-induced alterations in the membrane potential, changes in membrane permeability, cell growth inhibition, and colony formation on soft agar. The data indicate that long exposure of the transformed cells to external ATP results in redifferentiation and reduction in their tumorigenicity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effects of tumor necrosis factor on tumor cell plasma membrane permeability.

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells incubated with rabbit tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-serum showed a temperature-dependent functional impairment of the plasma membrane as reflected by permeability changes. Trypan blue inclusion and Ca2+-transport were considerably increased at hyperthermia temperature. This characteristic of the TNF-plasma membrane interaction may explain the cytotoxicity of TNF.

Animals↗