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Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of santalbic acid and a study of triacylglycerol species in Santalum album (Linn.) seed oil.

Methyl ricinoleate (1) was treated with bromine and the dibromo derivative (2) was reacted with ethanolic KOH under ultrasonic irradiation to give 12-hydroxy-octadec-9-ynoic acid upon acidification with dil. HCI. The latter compound was methylated with BF3/methanol to give methyl 12-hydroxy-octadec-9-ynoate (3). Compound 3 was treated with methanesulfonyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in CH2Cl2 to give methyl 12-mesyloxy-octadec-9-ynoate (4). Reaction of methyl 12-mesyloxy-octadec-9-ynoate with aqueous KOH under ultrasonic irradiation (20 kHz) gave (11E)-octadecen-9-ynoic acid (5, santalbic acid, 40%) and (11Z)-octadecen-9-ynoic acid (6, 60%) on acidification with dil. HCI. These isomers were separated by urea fractionation. The 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic properties of the methyl ester and the triacylglycerol (TAG) esters of these enynoic fatty acid isomers were studied. The carbon shifts of the unsaturated carbon nuclei of the methyl ester of the E-isomer were unambiguously assigned as 88.547 (C-9), 79.287 (C-10), 109.760 (C-11), and 143.450 (C-12) ppm, while the unsaturated carbon shifts of the (Z)-enynoate isomer appeared at 94.277 (C-9), 77.561 (C-10), 109.297 (C-11), and 142.668 (C-12) ppm. In the 13C NMR spectral analysis of the TAG molecules of type AAA containing either the (Z)- or (E)-enyne fatty acid, the C-1 to C-6 carbon atoms on the alpha- and beta-acyl positions were differentiated. The unsaturated carbon atoms in the alpha- and beta-acyl chains were also resolved into two signals except that of the C-11 olefinic carbon. Sandal (Santalum album) wood seed oil (a source of santalbic acid) was separated by silica chromatography into three fractions. The least polar fraction (7.2 wt%) contained TAG which had a random distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, of which oleic acid (69%) was the predominant component. The second fraction (3.8 wt%) contained santalbic acid (58%) and oleic acid (28%) together with some other normal fatty acids. Santalbic acid in this fraction was found in both the alpha- and beta-acyl positions of the glycerol "backbone." The most polar fraction (89 wt%) consisted of TAG containing santalbic acid only. The distribution of the various fatty acids on the glycerol "backbone" was supported by the results from the 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Epitope mapping of histone 5 (H5) with systemic lupus erythematosus, procainamide-induced lupus and hydralazine-induced lupus sera.

To define the linear epitopes on H5 that react with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and drug-induced lupus (DIL) sera, concurrent overlapping hexameric peptides corresponding to the sequence of H5 were synthesized by stepwise elongation of the polypeptide chains on polyethylene supports. The hexapeptides were tested for reactivity with 8 SLE and 8 DIL sera using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SLE and hydralazine-induced lupus (HIL) antibodies were most reactive with peptide 45 (SSRQSI) and patients with procainamide-induced lupus (PIL) were most reactive with peptide 24 (SHPTYS). The epitopes of highest reactivity were in the globular domain of H5. Low reactivity was observed with carboxyl terminal peptides. These findings differ from immunoblotting studies of protease cleaved peptides which have previously shown that the H5 determinants are in the carboxyl terminus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A population of myogenic cells derived from the mouse neural tube.

Embryonic mouse neural tubes produce a variety of terminally differentiated cells in vitro, mostly neurons and glia. We report here that some of these cells differentiate into skeletal muscle cells. The possibility of mesoderm contamination was ruled out as follows. First, Dil+ muscle cells were present in cultures from a Dil-labeled neuroepithelium. Second, a small fraction of cultured neural tube cells coexpressed muscle myosin and neuronal beta III tubulin within the same cell. Third, embryos generated from embryonic stem cells in which nlacZ was targeted into the myogenic gene myf-5 expressed nlacZ in a localized region of the neural tube. These myf-5+ cells coexpress neuronal and muscle markers in culture. The developmental significance of this phenomenon is discussed in the context of overlapping regulatory networks between myogenesis and neurogenesis.

Animals↗

Kinetics and mechanism of cell membrane electrofusion.

A new quantitative approach to study cell membrane electrofusion has been developed. Erythrocyte ghosts were brought into close contact using dielectrophoresis and then treated with one square or even exponentially decaying fusogenic pulse. Individual fusion events were followed by lateral diffusion of the fluorescent lipid analogue 1,1'-dihexadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) from originally labeled to unlabeled adjacent ghosts. It was found that ghost fusion can be described as a first-order rate process with corresponding rate constants; a true fusion rate constant, k(f), for the square waveform pulse and an effective fusion rate constant, k(ef), for the exponential pulse. Compared with the fusion yield, the fusion rate constants are more fundamental characteristics of the fusion process and have implications for its mechanisms. Values of k(f) for rabbit and human erythrocyte ghosts were obtained at different electric field strength and temperatures. Arrhenius k(f) plots revealed that the activation energy of ghost electrofusion is in the range of 6-10 kT. Measurements were also made with the rabbit erythrocyte ghosts exposed to 42 degrees C for 10 min (to disrupt the spectrin network) or 0.1-1.0 mM uranyl acetate (to stabilize the bilayer lipid matrix of membranes). A correlation between the dependence of the fusion and previously published pore-formation rate constants for all experimental conditions suggests that the cell membrane electrofusion process involve pores formed during reversible electrical breakdown. A statistical analysis of fusion products (a) further supports the idea that electrofusion is a stochastic process and (b) shows that the probability of ghost electrofusion is independent of the presence of Dil as a label as well as the number of fused ghosts.

Animals↗

Light-increased cGMP and K+ conductance in the hyperpolarizing receptor potential of Onchidium extra-ocular photoreceptors.

The phototransduction mechanism of the extra-ocular photoreceptor cells Ip-2 and Ip-1 in the mollusc Onchidium ganglion was examined. Previous work showed that the depolarizing receptor potential of another extra-ocular photoreceptor cell, A-P-1 is produced by a decrease of the light-sensitive K+ conductance activated by a second messenger, cGMP and is inactivated by the hydrolysis of cGMP. Here, a hyperpolarizing receptor potential of Ip-2 or Ip-1 was associated with an increase in membrane conductance. When Ip-2 or Ip-1 was voltage-clamped near the resting membrane potential, light induced an outward photocurrent corresponding to the above hyperpolarization. The spectral sensitivity had a peak at 510 nm. The shift of reversal potentials of the photocurrent depended on the Nernst equation of K(+)-selective conductance. The photocurrent was blocked by 4-AP and L-DIL, which are effective blockers of the A-P-1 light-sensitive K+ conductance. These results suggested that the hyperpolarization is mediated by increasing a similar light-sensitive K+ conductance to that of A-P-1. The injection of cGMP or Ca2+ into a cell produced a K+ current that mimicked the photocurrent. 4-AP and L-DIL both abolished the cGMP-activated K+ current, while TEA suppressed only the Ca(2+)-activated K+ current. These results indicated that cGMP is also a second messenger that regulates the light-sensitive K+ conductance. The photocurrent was blocked by LY-83583, a guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor, but was unaltered by zaprinast, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. Together, the present results suggest that increasing the internal cGMP in Ip-2 or Ip-1 cells light-activates GC rather than inhibits PDE, thereby leading to an increase of the light-sensitive K+ conductance and the hyperpolarization.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

An in vitro investigation of the suitability of press-coated tablets with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and hydrophobic additives in the outer shell for colon targeting.

To develop a new colon targeting formulation, which can suppress drug release completely during 12 h in the stomach and release the drug rapidly after a lag time of 3+/-1 h in the small intestine, the use of press-coated tablets with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) in the outer shell was investigated. The release of diltiazem hydrochloride (DIL) as a model drug contained in the core tablets in the 1st fluid (pH 1.2) was suppressed by preparing with higher compression force, but the lag time in the 2nd fluid (pH 6.8) could not exceed 1.5 h. Therefore, to improve the dissolution characteristics, the effects of addition of various hydrophobic additives to HPMCAS were examined. All of the additives examined suppressed the release rate in the 1st fluid, and prolonged the lag time in the 2nd fluid compared to HPMCAS alone. However, although none of the additives examined fulfilled all of the desired criteria, magnesium stearate (MgSt) and calcium stearate (CaSt) showed interesting effects; the former suppressed drug release completely in 1st fluid, while the latter markedly prolonged the lag time in 2nd fluid. To integrate the merits of each additive, press-coated tablets with a powder mixture of HPMCAS, MgSt and CaSt in the outer shell (HMC tablets) were prepared and in vitro tests were performed. The results indicated that HMC tablets with a mixing ratio of 80% HPMCAS, 5-15% MgSt and 15-5% CaSt in the outer shell met the desired criteria and the lag time in 2nd fluid could also be controlled from 2 to 9 h. At a mixing ratio of 80% HPMCAS, 10% MgSt and 10% CaSt, the dissolution profiles of DIL in 1st fluid and 2nd fluid were not remarkably affected by agitation intensity, and addition of bile salts, pretreatment time or anticipated higher pH except for pH 6.0, respectively. These results indicated the usefulness of HMC tablets with the desirable functions for colon-targeting formulations.

Colon↗

Non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurons innervating the guinea-pig trachea are located in the oesophagus: evidence from retrograde neuronal tracing.

The possibility that non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) neurons innervating the guinea-pig trachea may be located within the oesophagus has been investigated using an in vitro retrograde tracing technique. The cervical trachea and oesophagus were excised from guinea-pigs and Dil was applied to a 5 mm region of the trachealis muscle. These preparations were maintained in organotypic culture for 3 days and processed for immunohistochemistry. A mean of 44 (4 neural cell bodies in the oesophageal myenteric plexus were found to be labelled by Dil. The vast majority of these neurons contained nitric oxide synthase, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y. It is suggested that the population of neurons identified in this study are postganglionic parasympathetic neurons mediating NANC relaxation of the trachealis muscle in this species.

Animals↗

Rat retinal ganglion cells culture enriched with the magnetic cell sorter.

The magnetic cell sorter (MACS) technique was applied to isolate retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) for culture. RGCs were labeled retrogradely with 1.1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil). Subsequently retinal cell suspensions were incubated with biotinylated anti-rat Thy-1 antibody and MACS Streptavidin MicroBeads, and then applied onto the column in the magnetic fields. Cells attached on the column were flashed out without magnetism and plated on glass cover slips. RGCs were enriched to 31.0% of all cells with MACS from 0.55% before applying onto the magnetic column. Mean diameters of Dil-labeled cells were significantly larger than those of unlabeled cells. All cells with soma diameter over 11 microm were labeled. The number of viable RGCs were counted in the 10 fields of six cultures at a magnification of x200; the mean numbers on the 2nd, 7th and 14th culture-day were 53+/-3, 24+/-2 and 21+/-3, respectively (mean +/- SEM, n = 6). Thus, the MACS technique was confirmed to be useful for enrichment of RGCs and long-term study of cultured RGCs.

Animals↗

Long-term observation on the changes of somatotopy in the facial nucleus after nerve suture in the cat: morphological studies using retrograde labeling.

To examine the time course of plasticity of the cranial nucleus during axonal regeneration, we followed the topographical reorganization of the cat facial nucleus (FN) up to 24 months after facio-facial nerve suture using retrograde labeling methods. The trunk of the temporal-zygomatico-orbital and both superior and inferior buccolabial branches (defined as main branch) of the facial nerve was cut and sutured again under ketamine hydrochloride anesthesia. At 11-722 days after nerve suture, Fast Blue (FB) and 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3', 3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were injected into the distal part of the sutured main branch and the unoperated posterior auricular branch, respectively. Until about 3 months after suture, the topographical pattern in FN was similar to that observed in normal cats. At about 4 months after suture, FB-labeled motoneurons were distributed not only in the lateral part (including intermediate, dorsal and ventrolateral divisions) but also in the medial subdivision of FN. After a survival period of 18-24 months, FB-labeled neurons were found all over the FN, and their number increased significantly. Interestingly, in the longer survival cases, we noticed that the Dil- or HRP-labeled posterior auricular branch motoneurons also showed a tendency to distribute outside the medial region. The present study showed that somatotopic disorganization starts at around 4 months after suture, which seems to be somewhat slower than that in rats, and continues until a much later postoperative period. Furthermore, we suggested a possibility that the regeneration of one branch may affect the somatotopy of the unoperated nerve branch. These phenomena may contribute to aberrant facial nerve functions such as abnormal associated movement and facial spasm observed after nerve injury.

Amidines↗

Mesencephalic innervation of the vibrissal follicle-sinus complex in the mouse embryo.

Peripheral projections of neurones whose cell bodies lie in the mesencephalic nucleus of the fifth cranial nerve, situated between the central grey and mesencephalic reticular formation, were studied in mouse embryos aged between day 9 and 15 and in postnatal day 1 mice. Nonspecific neural antibody staining allowed visualisation of the developing cranial nerves, in particular the descending mesencephalic tract. This facilitated successful dissection of the descending mesencephalic tract and trigeminal ganglion in the heads of fresh mouse embryos and postnatal mice. The fluorescent dye, 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil), was injected into the descending mesencephalic tract in mouse embryos aged 12.5, 13.5 and 15 days of gestation and also into postnatal day 1 mice. Following a period of incubation, 100 microm sections were viewed under visible light and episcopic fluorescence. Mesencephalic neurones were observed to pass superiorly over the trigeminal ganglion and enter the maxillary division to innervate vibrissal follicle-sinus complexes, whilst none was observed innervating mandibular and maxillary intraoral structures. There was no fluorescent labelling in non-Dil injected control specimens. Using a highly specific neuronal tracer, this study shows that mesencephalic neurones in the periphery project exclusively to follicle sinus complexes in the developing mouse embryo and remain at least until postnatal day 1. These observations, contrary to those made in other animals, indicate a species specificity of mesencephalic peripheral projections.

Animals↗

Synthesis and biological activity of chimeric structures derived from the cytotoxic natural compounds dolastatin 10 and dolastatin 15.

The natural cytotoxic compounds dolastatins 10 and 15 exhibit great similarities in structure and in their biological activity profiles. Two compounds (1 and 2) formed by interchanging the dolaisoleuine residue of dolastatin 10 and the MeVal-Pro dipeptide of dolastatin 15 were synthesized in order to evaluate the possible equivalence of these units. These compounds can be considered as chimeras of dolastatins 10 and 15 formed by the N-terminal part of the former and the C-terminal part of the latter and vice versa. Both analogues exhibited a marked decrease in their cytotoxic activity but showed similar differential cytotoxicity with regard to the cell lines assayed compared with the parent compounds. HT-29 cell line was the least sensitive one. However, this activity was in the nanomolar level and close to that of vincristine. The differences in their effect on tubulin polymerization were less pronounced. We confirmed the already known crucial role of the Dil residue in this assay. The nonequivalence of the Dil unit and the MeVal-Pro dipeptide probably reflects modification in the relative positions of the N-dimethylamino and the phenyl moieties.

Animals↗

Effect of diltiazem on cardiac remodeling in rats assessed by Doppler echocardiography and mRNA expression.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of diltiazem on cardiac dysfunction and the change in cardiac gene expression after myocardial infarction in rats. On the first day after myocardial infarction, rats were randomly assigned to a diltiazem treatment (Dil, n = 7) or an untreated group (MI, n = 8). We then performed Doppler echocardiographic examinations on the rats and measured their hemodynamics at 4 weeks after myocardial infarction. Following these measurements, their cardiac mRNA was analyzed. Diltiazem decreased the mean aortic pressure and heart rate. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and central venous pressure (CVP) increased to 18 +/- 2 mmHg and 5 +/- 1 mmHg (P < 0.01). Diltiazem reduced LVEDP to 14 +/- 1 mmHg (P < 0.05), but it did not change CVP. The weight of the right ventricle in MI was significantly larger than in the control rats (control, n = 7, 0.46 +/- 0.02 g/kg vs. MI, 0.81 +/- 0.06 g/kg; P < 0.01). The left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) in MI increased to 8.8 +/- 0.3 mm (P < 0.01, control, 6.1 +/- 0.3 mm). Diltiazem prevented an increase in the weight of the right ventricle (0.69 +/- 0.03 g/kg, P < 0.05) and LVDd (7.7 +/- 0.2 mm, P < 0.05 to MI). The rats within MI showed systolic dysfunction, defined by a decreased ejection fraction (control, 67 +/- 2% vs. MI, 36 +/- 3%, P < 0.01), and diastolic dysfunction, defined by the E-wave deceleration rate (control, 13.4 +/- 1.6 m/s2 vs. MI, 30.4 +/- 3.4 m/s2; P < 0.01). Diltiazem significantly prevented systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The increases in beta-MHC, ANP, and collagen type I and III mRNAs in the noninfarcted left ventricle and right ventricle were significantly suppressed by treatment with diltiazem. alpha-Skeletal actin increased in MI, and alpha-skeletal actin was more increased with Dil. In conclusion, diltiazem prevents cardiac dysfunction and morphological change due to left ventricular remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction.

Actins↗

Lipid utilization by human lymphocytes is correlated with high-density-lipoprotein binding site activity.

The nature and physiological importance of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) binding sites on unstimulated (resting) and mitogen-activated (blast) human peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. Specific HDL binding on resting and blast T-lymphocytes was saturable at 50 micrograms of 125I-HDL/ml and of high affinity, with Kd values of 8.1 x 10(-8) M and 6.5 x 10(-8) M, respectively, and Bmax. values of 79 ng and 180 ng/mg of cell protein respectively at 4 degrees C. Binding of HDL double-labelled with fluorescent dioctadecylindocarbocyanine (Dil) and isotope (125I) as well as of single fluorescence- or isotope-labelled HDL was inhibited competitively by HDL apoproteins. Studies of the cholesterol flux between the cells and HDL showed that HDL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or BSA at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml in the tissue culture medium did not result in a significant difference in exogenous [3H]cholesterol efflux from the cell membrane at 37 degrees C. Proliferating T-blasts incorporated more cholesterol from HDL or LDL than did resting lymphocytes. When the cells were pulsed with 125I-HDL and chased in fresh lipid-free medium, up to 80% of the radioactivity released was not precipitable with trichloroacetic acid. This percentage decreased in a competitive manner when unlabelled HDL was present in the chase incubation medium. Finally, cultivation of lymphocytes with conditioned medium from macrophages increased Dil-HDL binding/uptake, while it was decreased by mevinolin-induced inhibition of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coA reductase. In conclusion, human lymphocytes possess a HDL binding site (receptor) responsible for lipid binding/uptake and concomitant internalization and degradation of apoproteins from HDL, but not for reverse cell membrane cholesterol transport. The activity of the binding site is up-regulated during cell proliferation and down-regulated during cell growth suppression.

Adult↗

Cranial anomaly of homozygous rSey rat is associated with a defect in the migration pathway of midbrain crest cells.

Craniofacial development of vertebrates depends largely on neural crest contribution and each subdomain of the crest-derived ectomesenchyme follows its specific genetic control. The rat small eye (rSey) involves a mutation in the Pax-6 gene and the external feature of rSey homozygous embryos exhibits craniofacial defects in ocular and frontonasal regions. In order to identify the mechanism of craniofacial development, we examined the cranial morphology and migration of cephalic crest cells in rSey embryos. The chondrocranial defects of homozygous rSey embryos primarily consisted of spheno-orbital and ethmoidal anomalies. The former defects appeared to be brought about by the lack of the eye. In the ethmoid region, the nasal septum and the derivative of the medial nasal prominence were present, while the rest of the nasal capsule, as well as the nasal and lachrymal bones, were totally absent except for a pair of cartilaginous rods in place of the nasal capsule. This suggests that the primary cranial defect is restricted to the lateral nasal prominence derivatives. Dil labeling revealed the abnormal migration of crest cells specifically from the anterior midbrain to the lateral nasal prominence in homozygous rSey embryos. Pax-6 was not expressed in the crest cells but was strongly expressed in the frontonasal ectoderm. To determine whether or not this migratory defect actually resides in environmental cues, normal midbrain crest cells from wild-type embryos were labeled with Dil and were orthotopically injected into host rSey embryos. Migration of the donor crest cells into the lateral nasal prominence was abnormal in homozygous host embryos, while they migrated normally in wild-type or heterozygous embryos. Therefore, the cranial defects in rSey homozygous embryos are due to inappropriate substrate for crest cell migration towards the lateral nasal prominence, which consistently explains the cranial morphology of homozygous rSey embryos.

Animals↗

Characterization of excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons to the guinea pig lower esophageal sphincter.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The lower esophageal sphincter is innervated primarily by enteric motor neurons. The somata of excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons were identified and mapped. METHODS: Retrograde labeling in organotypic culture and immunohistochemistry were used to identify motor neuron somata. RESULTS: 1,1'-Didodecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) on the left side of the sphincter labeled descending motor neurons located up to 26 mm along the esophagus and locally (within 2 mm) and gastric motor neurons. Dil applied to the right side of the sphincter labeled descending and local motor neurons but very few gastric motor neurons. Inhibitory motor neuron cell bodies, identified by nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity, accounted for 86% +/- 4% (n = 6) of descending motor neurons and 53% +/- 4% of local motor neurons labeled from the right side. Excitatory motor neurons, immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase, accounted for 20% +/- 3% (n = 6) of descending motor neurons and for 47% +/- 4% of local motor neurons. All motor neurons were unipolar, but inhibitory motor neurons were significantly larger than excitatory neurons. CONCLUSIONS: The lower esophageal sphincter is innervated by local excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons and by descending esophageal inhibitory neurons. The oblique muscle, supplied by gastric motor neurons, is closely associated with the gastroesophageal junction.

Animals↗

The effect of cyclosporin A on rat pancreatic B-cell: interaction with the calcium-antagonist diltiazem.

Cyclosporin A (CyA) was fed to male Wistar rats in a dose of 5, 10 or 50 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 days. In another experimental procedure 10 mg/kg b.wt. CyA was given for 7 days combined with Diltiazem (DIL) 6.25 mg/kg b.wt. once daily ip. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion from the isolated perfused pancreas was investigated in these animals. Total insulin secretion (ng/50 min) was not affected after feeding 5 mg/kg b.wt. CyA, but was significantly decreased with 10 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. CyA. The biphasic insulin secretion was reduced after 5 mg/kg b.wt. CyA during the initial peak (0-10 min) but not during the second peak (10-50 min), whereas after 10 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. CyA both peaks nearly reached base-line levels. DIL markedly increased the initial peak (0-10 min) after feeding CyA 10 mg/kg b.wt., whereas the second peak was not affected. Our results demonstrate a toxic effect of CyA on the pancreatic B-cell, which might be partly abolished by calcium-antagonists.

Animals↗

Structural organization of interphase 3T3 fibroblasts studied by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.

We studied the laminar organization of 3T3 fibroblast cells growing on glass slides by use of total internal reflection illumination to excite fluorescence emission (TIRF) from labeled molecules and stained cellular compartments that are very close to the cell-substrate contact region. Mitochondria, distant from the contact regions and stained with the water-soluble cationic dye, dil-C3-(3), fluoresced only as the glass/cytoplasm critical angle was approached. A similar result was obtained when the nuclei were stained with Hoechst dye 33342. From this measured angle a cytoplasmic refractive index in the range 1.358-1.374 was computed. The plasma membrane of 3T3 cells was stained with dil-C18-(3), and the cytoplasmic compartment was stained with fluoresceinyl-dextran (FTC-dextran) or with carboxyfluorescein. We have demonstrated a high degree of correspondence between the low-reflectance zones in the reflection interference image of a live cell and the TIRF images of both the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic compartment. TIRF photometry of selected contact regions of cells provided data from which the absolute separation of cell and substrate was computed. From a population of 3T3 cells microinjected with fluorescein-labeled actin, motile and adherent interphase cells were selected for study. For adherent cells, which displayed fluorescent stress fibers, the TIRF image was composed of intense patches and less intense regions that corresponded, respectively, to the focal contact and close-contact zones of the reflection-interference image. The intense patches corresponded to the endpoints of the stress fibers. Cells of motile morphology, which formed some focal contacts and extensive close-contact zones, gave AF-actin TIRF images of relatively even intensity. Thin lamellar regions of the cytoplasm were found to contain concentrations of actin not significantly different from other close-contact regions of the cell. The major analytical problem of TIRF microscopy is separation of the effects of proximity to substrate, refractive index, and fluorescent probe concentration on the local brightness of the TIRF image. From our results, it appears possible to use TIRF microscopy to measure the proximity of different components of substrate contact regions of cells.

Actins↗

Electric field-induced redistribution and postfield relaxation of low density lipoprotein receptors on cultured human fibroblasts.

The lateral mobility of unliganded low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R) on the surface of human fibroblasts has been investigated by studying the generation and relaxation of concentration differences induced by exposure of the cultured cells to steady electric fields. The topographic distribution of receptors was determined by fluorescence microscopy of cells labeled with the intensely fluorescent, biologically active LDL derivative dioctadecylindolcarbocyanine LDL (dil(3)-LDL), or with native LDL and anti-LDL indirect immunofluorescence. Exposure of the LDL-receptor-internalization defective J. D. cells (GM2408A) to an electric field of 10 V/cm for 1 h at 22 degrees C causes greater than 80% of the cells to have an asymmetric distribution of LDL-R; receptors accumulate at the more negative pole of the cell. In contrast, only 20% of LDL-internalization normal GM3348 cells exposed to identical conditions have asymmetrical distributions. Phase micrographs taken during electric-field exposure rule out cell movement as the responsible mechanism for the effect. In both cell types, postfield labeling with the F-actin-specific fluorescent probe nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin shows that no topographic alteration of the actin cytoskeleton accompanies the redistribution of cell surface LDL-Rs, and indirect immunofluorescence labeling of the coat protein clathrin shows that coated pits do not redistribute asymmetrically. Measurements of the postfield relaxation in the percentage of GM2408A cells showing an asymmetric distribution allow an estimate of the effective postfield diffusion coefficient of the unliganded LDL-R. At 37 degrees C, D = 2.0 X 10(-9) cm2/s, decreasing to 1.1 X 10(-9) cm2/s at 22 degrees C, and D = 3.5 X 10(-10) cm2/s at 10 degrees C. These values are substantially larger than those measured by photobleaching methods for the LDL-R complexed with dil(3)-LDL on intact cells, but are comparable to those measured on membrane blebs, and are consistent with diffusion coefficients measured for other unliganded integral membrane receptor proteins by postfield-relaxation methods.

Cell Membrane↗