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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A First-in-Class Chemical-Induced Proximity System Achieves Dose-Dependent Control of Tumor Protein P53 Gene Activation in Preclinical Models of Gastric Cancer.

The tumor protein P53 (TP53) gene has long been studied in cancer research with genomic and epigenetic aberrations playing a driving role in cancer pathology, yet even after decades of work, only a few methods have been developed to specifically target TP53 therapeutically. Some cancers are driven by loss-of-function TP53 mutations, while others have wild-type TP53 in a transcriptionally repressed state; the latter is exploitable by advances in epigenome editing. In our previous work, we demonstrated that deactivated CRISPR/Cas9 systems (dCas9), combined with an FK-506-binding protein (FKBP) recruitment protein tag and chemical epigenetic modifier (CEM) small molecules, can elicit gene-specific changes in expression in a dose-dependent manner. Here, we describe the development, application, and characterization of the dCas9-FKBP-CEM technology to increase TP53 expression. We demonstrate that catalyzing increased TP53 expression via dCas9-FKBP-CEM87 induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and tumor growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner in preclinical models of gastric cancer.

CRISPR↗

A bivalent molecular glue linking lysine acetyltransferases to oncogene-induced cell death.

Developing cancer therapies that induce specific death of malignant cells is critical for preventing relapse. Highly effective strategies, such as immunotherapy, exemplify this principle. Here, we provide the mechanistic basis for a small-molecule approach that leverages chemically induced proximity (CIP) to kill diffuse large B cell lymphoma, the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We developed lysine acetyltransferase (KAT)-based TCIPs (transcriptional/epigenetic chemical inducers of proximity), or KAT-TCIPs, which redirect p300/CREB-binding protein (CBP) to activate cell-death networks repressed by the oncogenic driver BCL6. Our lead KAT-TCIP reprograms the epigenome to initiate apoptosis. The crystal structure of the chemically induced p300-BCL6 complex reveals how chance protein-protein interactions may be exploited to confer the potency and selectivity of KAT-TCIPs. Thus, oncogenic drivers can be co-opted to activate robust cell death. Consistent with their gain-of-function mechanism, TCIPs recruiting different transcriptional activators-p300, BRD4, or CDK9-produce distinct genomic responses, suggesting specialized therapeutic uses.

Humans↗

Mitochondrial stress protein actions during chemically induced renal proximal tubule cell death.

We have previously shown that the potent mammalian nephrotoxicant tetrafluoroethyl-L-cysteine (TFEC) covalently modifies a select group of mitochondrial proteins prior to cell death. More recently we have identified these adducted proteins as subunits of mitochondrial dehydrogenase multienzyme complexes, which are involved in key regulatory steps of cellular respiration. Most importantly the E2 and E3 subunits of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase are adducted. We report here that the consequence of adduction is the formation of tertiary complexes between dehydrogenase subunits and the mitochondrial heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) and a HSP70 homolog (mortalin/PBP74). Thus, adduction perturbs protein structural integrity sufficiently to allow for mitochondrial stress protein recognition. These data also suggest that, in our mammalian system, HSP60 appears to act in the identification and maintenance of protein integrity, as has been previously established for simpler eukaryotic systems.

Animals↗

Rapid and reversible epigenome editing by endogenous chromatin regulators.

Understanding the causal link between epigenetic marks and gene regulation remains a central question in chromatin biology. To edit the epigenome we developed the FIRE-Cas9 system for rapid and reversible recruitment of endogenous chromatin regulators to specific genomic loci. We enhanced the dCas9-MS2 anchor for genome targeting with Fkbp/Frb dimerizing fusion proteins to allow chemical-induced proximity of a desired chromatin regulator. We find that mSWI/SNF (BAF) complex recruitment is sufficient to oppose Polycomb within minutes, leading to activation of bivalent gene transcription in mouse embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, Hp1/Suv39h1 heterochromatin complex recruitment to active promoters deposits H3K9me3 domains, resulting in gene silencing that can be reversed upon washout of the chemical dimerizer. This inducible recruitment strategy provides precise kinetic information to model epigenetic memory and plasticity. It is broadly applicable to mechanistic studies of chromatin in mammalian cells and is particularly suited to the analysis of endogenous multi-subunit chromatin regulator complexes.Understanding the link between epigenetic marks and gene regulation requires the development of new tools to directly manipulate chromatin. Here the authors demonstrate a Cas9-based system to recruit chromatin remodelers to loci of interest, allowing rapid, reversible manipulation of epigenetic states.

CRISPR-Cas Systems↗

Spatial Mapping and Interactome Profiling of m6A-Modified R-Loops via Chemically Inducible Split-APEX2 Proximity Labeling.

m6A-Modified R-loops (m6A-R-loops) play crucial roles in epigenetic regulation and genome stability, yet resolving their spatial distribution and protein interactomes in live cells remains challenging. To address this, we developed m6A-R-loop proximity labeling (m6A-RLPL), a chemically inducible split-APEX2 proximity labeling technology integrating dual-target recognition using the RNA-DNA hybrid binding domain of RNase H1 for R-loop targeting and m6A reader protein's YTH domain for m6A recognition, coupled with an abscisic acid (ABA)-inducible dimerization system for signal amplification. This technology revealed host m6A-R-loops enriched with nucleoli under normal conditions. When applied to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, it further demonstrated viral m6A-R-loops undergoing dramatic accumulation within phase-separated granules in replication compartments during late-stage infection. Proximity proteomics identified ZC3H4 and CCDC124 as essential regulators maintaining these structures, which serve as transcription sites for HSV late genes, with disruption selectively impairing viral transcription. m6A-RLPL establishes a generalizable approach for spatially resolved profiling of m6A-R-loop interactomes and organizational dynamics in living systems.

Humans↗

Susceptibility of primary cultures of proximal tubular and distal tubular cells from rat kidney to chemically induced toxicity.

Isolated proximal tubular (PT) and distal tubular (DT) cells from rat kidney were cultured for up to 9 days under serum-free, hormonally-defined conditions on 35-mm polystyrene culture dishes. Several hormonal and growth factor supplements were assessed for their ability to promote growth (increased protein and DNA content) and stability of differentiated phenotype (high activities of gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase as brush-border membrane markers in PT cells; maintenance of high activities of glutamate dehydrogenase as a mitochondrial marker in both PT and DT cells; maintenance of low and high activities of lactate dehydrogenase in PT and DT cells, respectively; expression of cytokeratins). Basal supplemented media (DMEM/F12, 1:1 v/v) contained insulin, hydrocortisone, epidermal growth factor, sodium selenite and transferrin as supplements. Additionally, triiodothyronine selectively promoted growth and stability of differentiated phenotype in PT cells and thyrocalcitonin selectively promoted growth and stability of differentiated phenotype in DT cells. On Day 3 of primary culture, PT and DT cells were incubated for up to 8 h with either tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH; 0.5-10 mM), methyl vinyl ketone (MVK; 1-10 mM), or p-aminophenol (PAP; 1-10 mM) and cellular injury, as assessed by cellular release of lactate dehydrogenase, was determined. DT cells were significantly more susceptible to injury from both tBH and MVK, but the two cell populations were equally susceptible to injury from PAP, which is the same susceptibility pattern seen in freshly isolated cells. These results suggest that primary cultures of rat renal PT and DT cells reflect similar biochemical properties as freshly isolated cells and are, therefore, useful models for study of chemically induced injury.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

In vitro methods of assessing renal damage.

Freshly isolated and primary cultures of rat kidney cells derived from specific nephron segments can be useful in vitro models for studying processes such as drug metabolism, membrane transport, and biochemical mechanisms of chemically induced toxicity. Proximal tubular (PT) and distal tubular (DT) cells were isolated from rat renal cortex by collagenase perfusion and Percoll density-gradient centrifugation. Oxidants produced glutathione (GSH) oxidation and lipid peroxidation and were markedly more cytotoxic to DT cells than to PT cells. Similarly, alkylating agents that target soft nucleophiles such as GSH and protein sulfhydryls were more toxic to DT cells than to PT cells, whereas an alkylating agent that targets hard nucleophiles was equally cytotoxic in the 2 cell types. DT cells were also more sensitive to brief periods of oxygen deprivation and were markedly more susceptible to ATP depletion by treatment with iodoacetate and cyanide than were PT cells. Serum-free, hormonally defined conditions have been optimized for primary culture of rat renal PT and DT cells to maintain differentiated function for up to 9 days. Primary cultures exhibited similar susceptibilities as freshly isolated cells to acute injury from chemical toxicants and the cultures express several isoforms of cytochrome P-450. These studies show that freshly isolated and primary cultures of rat renal PT and DT cells can be used to study both short-term and long-term responses to toxic chemicals.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Protection of NRK-52E cells, a rat renal proximal tubular cell line, from chemical-induced apoptosis by overexpression of a mitochondrial glutathione transporter.

The dicarboxylate carrier (DCC) is one of two carriers responsible for glutathione (GSH) transport into rat kidney mitochondria. The central hypothesis of the present study was that overexpression of this carrier in renal proximal tubular cells increases content of mitochondrial GSH, which in turn can protect these cells from chemical-induced injury. We first cloned the carrier protein and verified its properties. This was accomplished by reverse transcribing total rat kidney RNA and polymerase chain reaction amplification with primers based on the complete cDNA sequence for the mitochondrial DCC protein. DCC was expressed as a His(6)-tagged protein, purified from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies, and reconstituted into proteoliposomes for transport assays. Time- and concentration-dependent uptake of both L-[(3)H-glycyl]GSH and [2-(14)C]malonate was observed with kinetics, substrate specificity, and inhibitor sensitivities similar to those observed in rat kidney proximal tubules. We next transiently transfected NRK-52E cells with the cDNA for rat kidney DCC to overexpress the protein. The presence of the recombinant DCC-His(6) protein was confirmed by immunoblots. Transport of both GSH and malonate into the mitochondrial fraction of transfected cells was enhanced 2.45- to 11.3-fold, compared with that in wild-type cells. Transfected cells exhibited markedly less apoptosis from tert-butyl hydroperoxide or S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine than did wild-type cells, validating the central hypothesis and providing us with a valuable and novel tool with which to further study GSH and thiol redox status in renal mitochondria, and the function of GSH transport in regulation of processes such as apoptosis and oxidative phosphorylation.

Animals↗

Suppression of chemically induced apoptosis but not necrosis of renal proximal tubular epithelial (LLC-PK1) cells by focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Role of FAK in maintaining focal adhesion organization after acute renal cell injury.

Decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is associated with loss of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers and precedes the onset of apoptosis in renal epithelial cells caused by nephrotoxicants (Van de Water, B., Nagelkerke, J. F., and Stevens, J. L. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 13328-13337). The role of FAK in the control of apoptosis caused by nephrotoxicants was further investigated in LLC-PK1 cells that were stably transfected with either green fluorescent protein (GFP)-FAK or dominant negative acting deletion mutants of FAK, GFP-FAT, and GFP-FRNK. GFP-FAT and GFP-FRNK delayed the formation of focal adhesions and prevented the localization of endogenous (phosphorylated) FAK at these sites. GFP-FAT and GFP-FRNK overexpression potentiated the onset of apoptosis caused by the nephrotoxicant dichlorovinyl-cysteine. This was associated with an increased activation of caspase-3. GFP-FAT also potentiated apoptosis caused by doxorubicin but not cisplatin. The potentiation of apoptosis by GFP-FAT was related to an almost complete dephosphorylation of FAK; this did not occur in cells overexpressing only GFP. This dephosphorylation was associated with a pronounced loss of focal adhesion organization in GFP-FAT cells, in association with loss of tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. In conclusion, the data indicate an important role of cell-matrix signaling in the control of chemically induced apoptosis; loss of FAK activity caused by toxic chemicals results in perturbations of focal adhesion organization with a subsequent inactivation of associated (signaling) molecules and loss of survival signaling.

Animals↗

Histone deacetylase inhibitor stimulate CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity in HepG2 cells.

The expression of CYP3A4 gene is induced by a variety of structurally unrelated xenobiotics including the antibiotic rifampicin, pregnenolone 16-carbonitrile (PCN), and endogenous hormones, that might mediate through steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR) system. The molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of CYP3A4 gene expression have not been understood. In order to gain the insight of the molecular mechanism of CYP3A4 gene expression, study has been undertaken to investigate if the histone deacetylation is involved in the regulation of CYP3A4 gene expression by proximal promoter in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Also we have investigated to see if SXR is involved in the regulation of CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were transfected with a plasmid pCYP3A4-Luc containing approximately 1 kb of the CYP3A4 proximal promoter region (-863 to +64 bp) in front of a reporter gene, luciferase, in the presence or absence of pSAP-SXR. In HepG2 cells, CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampicin, PCN and RU486 showed minimal stimulation of CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity in the absence of SXR and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. 4-Dimethylamino-N-[4-(2-hydroxycarbamoylvinyl)benzyl]benzamide (IN2001), a new class HDAC inhibitor significantly increased CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity over untreated control cells and rifampicin concomitant treatment with IN2001 increased further CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity that was stimulated by IN2001. The results of this study demonstrated that both HDAC inhibitors and SXR are essential to increase of CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity by CYP3A4 inducers such as PCN, rifampicin, and RU486. Especially SXR seems to be important for the dose dependent response of CYP3A4 inducing chemicals to stimulate CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity. Also this data suggested that HDAC inhibitors seemed to facilitate the CYP3A4 proximal promoter to be activated by chemicals.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Histone H3 phosphorylation is coupled to poly-(ADP-ribosylation) during reactive oxygen species-induced cell death in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Although the cellular response to chemical-induced stress is relatively well characterized, particularly the response to DNA damage, factors that govern the outcome of the stress response (cell survival or cell death) are less clearly defined. In this context, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family responds to a variety of physical and chemical stresses. The activation of MAPKs, especially the extracellular-regulated protein kinase subfamily, seems to play a causal role in death of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (LLC-PK1) induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we show that extracellular signal receptor-activated kinase (ERK) activation may be coupled with LLC-PK1 cell death via changes in chromatin structure, which is mediated by increases in the phosphorylation of histone H3 (a post-translational modification required for both chromosome condensation and segregation during mitosis) and premature chromatin/chromosomal condensation, leading to cell death. In support of this view, 2,3,5-tris-(glutathione-S-yl)hydroquinone (TGHQ)-induced phosphorylation of histone H3 is accompanied by increases in chromatin condensation, as observed with the use of 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-fluorescent staining, and by decreases in the sensitivity of chromatin to digestion by micrococcal nuclease. Changes in chromatin structure precede cell death. TGHQ-induced histone H3 phosphorylation and chromatin condensation are inhibited by PD098059, which selectively inhibits MAPK kinase, an upstream regulator of ERKs. Moreover, histone phosphorylation is modulated by poly(ADP-)ribosylation. Thus, the inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase with 3-aminobenzamide prevents histone H3 phosphorylation and increases cell survival, suggesting that ADP-ribosylation and histone H3 phosphorylation are coupled in this model of ROS-induced DNA damage and cell death. The coupling of histone phosphorylation with ribosylation has not been previously demonstrated.

Animals↗

Cytotoxicity of alkylating agents in isolated rat kidney proximal tubular and distal tubular cells.

Patterns of chemical-induced cytotoxicity in different regions of the nephron were studied with freshly isolated proximal tubular and distal tubular cells from rat kidney. Three model alkylating agents, methyl vinyl ketone, allyl alcohol, and N-dimethylnitrosamine, were used as test chemicals. Methyl vinyl ketone and a metabolite of allyl alcohol, acrolein, are Michael acceptors that bind to cellular protein sulfhydryl groups and GSH. N-Dimethylnitrosamine binds to cellular protein and DNA. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage was used to assess irreversible cellular injury. Distal tubular cells were more susceptible than proximal tubular cells to injury produced by methyl vinyl ketone or allyl alcohol while the two cell populations were equally susceptible to injury produced by N-dimethylnitrosamine. Preincubation of both proximal tubular and distal tubular cells with GSH protected them from methyl vinyl ketone- and allyl alcohol-induced cytotoxicity but had no effect on N-dimethylnitrosamine-induced cytotoxicity. Similarly, incubation of cells with methyl vinyl ketone or allyl alcohol, but not N-dimethylnitrosamine, altered cellular GSH status. As with GSH status, incubation of cells with methyl vinyl ketone or allyl alcohol, but not N-dimethylnitrosamine, caused pronounced inhibitory effects on mitochondrial function, as evidenced by ATP depletion and inhibition of cellular oxygen consumption. These results demonstrate that alkylating agents are cytotoxic to both proximal tubular and distal tubular cells, and that interaction with cellular GSH is a factor determining nephron cell type specificity of injury.

1-Propanol↗

Influence of compensatory renal growth on susceptibility of primary cultures of renal cells to chemically induced injury.

Primary cultures of rat renal proximal tubular (PT) and distal tubular (DT) cells from control and uninephrectomized (NPX) Sprague-Dawley rats were established to study whether the altered toxicological responses identified in freshly isolated cells are maintained in culture. Previous work showed that primary cultures of PT cells from hypertrophied rat kidneys maintained their differentiated properties, as evidenced by their high respiratory rate, active transport function, transport and metabolism of glutathione, and their hypertrophic phenotype. In the present study, primary cultures of PT cells from NPX rat kidneys, but to a much lesser extent DT cells, were more susceptible to cellular injury induced by either mercuric chloride, KCN, or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH), than corresponding cells from normal rat kidneys. Direct comparisons of cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation induced by tBH in freshly isolated renal cells showed that the primary cultures of cells from NPX rat kidneys retained their altered susceptibility relative to cells from control rats. These results show that primary cultures of PT cells from NPX rats are more sensitive to cellular injury induced by three mechanistically distinct toxicants, demonstrating their usefulness in the study of the molecular and biochemical basis for the altered phenotype of compensatory renal growth. This is the first report validating the use of a mammalian renal cell culture model to study the toxicological effects of compensatory renal cellular hypertrophy.

Animals↗

Chemical anoxia of tubular cells induces activation of c-Src and its translocation to the zonula adherens.

Cyanide (CN)-induced chemical anoxia of cultured mouse proximal tubular (MPT) cells increased the kinase activity of c-Src by approximately threefold. 4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2), a specific inhibitor of c-Src, prevented Src activation. CN also increased the permeability of MPT cell monolayers, an event ameliorated by PP2. During CN treatment, the proteins of the zonula adherens (ZA; E-cadherin and the catenins) disappeared from their normal location at cell-cell borders and appeared within the cytosol. CN also resulted in the appearance of c-Src at cell-cell borders. PP2 prevented these CN-induced alterations in the distribution of ZA proteins and c-Src. CN also increased the association of c-Src with beta-catenin and p120 and induced a substantial increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of both catenins. PP2 prevented the CN-induced phosphorylation of these catenins. In summary, we show that CN-induced chemical anoxia activates c-Src and induces its translocation to cell-cell junctions where it binds to and phosphorylates beta-catenin and p120. Our findings suggest that these events contribute to the loss of the epithelial barrier function associated with chemical anoxia.

Actins↗

Renal mouse proximal tubular cells are more susceptible than MDCK cells to chemical anoxia.

To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the resistance of continuous cell lines to anoxic injury, we have compared the effects of ATP depletion induced by chemical anoxia on primary cultures of mouse proximal tubular (MPT) cells and on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Inhibition of ATP production by cyanide and 2-deoxyglucose (CN+DOG) in the absence of dextrose reduced cell ATP content to < 5% of control values in MPT cells and caused progressive deterioration in mitochondrial function as well as loss of cell viability in these cells. Cell free fatty acid (FFA) content rose from 4.3 +/- 0.9 to 23.7 +/- 2.0 micrograms/mg of total lipid weight after 4 h of CN + DOG (P < 0.05). The mitochondrial injury and cell death induced by CN + DOG in MPT cells was ameliorated by the addition of fatty acid-free bovine albumin to the cell medium, which reduced cell FFA content during chemical anoxia from 25.0 +/- 3.0 to 10.4 +/- 2.0 micrograms/mg (P < 0.05). The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, mepacrine, also resulted in functional protection and reduction of cell FFA content from 20.2 +/- 2.3 to 15.9 +/- 1.7 micrograms/mg (P < 0.05). These data suggest a role for phospholipase activation and accumulation of toxic lipid metabolites in the pathophysiology of MPT cell injury. We then compared cell injury induced by CN + DOG in MPT and MDCK cells. Despite comparable reduction in cell ATP content in the two cell types, injury was far more severe in MPT than MDCK cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Specific estrogen-induced cell proliferation of cultured Syrian hamster renal proximal tubular cells in serum-free chemically defined media.

It has long been recognized that the renal proximal tubular epithelium of the hamster is a bona fide estrogen target tissue. The effect of estrogens on the growth of proximal tubule cell explants and dissociated single cells derived from these explant outgrowths has been studied in culture. Renal tubular cells were grown on a PF-HR-9 basement membrane under serum-free chemically defined culture conditions. The cells of tissue explant outgrowths exhibited ultrastructural features typical of proximal tubules including junctional complexes, numerous mitochondria, peroxisomes, and microvilli. At 7-14 days in culture, cell number was enhanced 3-fold in the presence of either 17 beta-estradiol or diethylstilbestrol. Maximal proliferative response was observed at hormone concentrations of 0.6-1 nM. A similar 3-fold increase in cell number was also seen at 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol in subcultured dissociated single tubular cells derived from hamster renal tubular explant outgrowths at 21 days in culture. Neither progesterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, nor the inactive diethylstilbestrol metabolite beta-dienestrol elicited this mitogenic effect. Concomitant exposure of tamoxifen at 3-fold molar excess in culture completely abolished the increase in cell number seen with 17 beta-estradiol. Tubular cells obtained from hamster medulla did not exhibit this proliferative response when exposed similarly to 17 beta-estradiol or diethylstilbestrol. The proliferative effect of estrogens on proximal tubular cell growth appears to be species specific since 17 beta-estradiol did not alter the growth of either rat or guinea pig proximal tubules in culture. In addition, at 7-10 days in culture in the presence of 17 beta-estradiol, [3H]thymidine labeling of hamster tubular cells was enhanced 3-fold. A similar increase in mitoses was also observed in cultures containing these potent estrogens during the same time interval of estrogen exposure. These results clearly indicate that estrogens can directly induce primary epithelial cell proliferation at physiologic concentrations and provide strong additional evidence for an important hormonal role in the neoplastic transformation of the hamster kidney.

Animals↗

Preparation of precision-cut renal slices and renal proximal tubular fragments for evaluating segment-specific nephrotoxicity.

Previous research in animals and humans has demonstrated that many nephrotoxic chemicals induce selective injury within the kidney affecting either renal proximal straight (PST) or proximal convoluted (PCT) tubules. Selective injury has also been observed following in vitro nephrotoxicant exposure to precision-cut renal slices and isolated PCT and PST segments. These in vitro models provide a means of comparing and contrasting basic mechanistic differences which render these segments innately susceptible to nephrotoxicant injury. In this article, methods for preparing precision-cut slices and isolating PST and PCT segments will be reviewed.

Animals↗

Effect of gut-associated lymphoid tissue on cellular proliferation in proximal and distal colon of the rat.

In previous studies, chemically induced colonic carcinomas were found to originate preferentially from crypts adjacent to lymphoid tissue. Proliferative parameters and mucosecretion were analyzed in proximal and distal rat colon in relation to the proximity of lymphoid patches. Animals received an intraperitoneal pulse of bromodeoxyuridine 1-hr before death. In both proximal and distal colon, crypts located at the immediate proximity of the lymphoid formations contained fewer mucous cells (P less than 0.001), but a higher percentage of proliferative epithelial cells (P less than 0.001) than the crypts far from lymphoid formations. The labeling index was higher in crypts adjacent to lymphoid patches compared to crypts distant from lymphoid patches only in the lower third of the crypts. The association of an increased proliferative activity and a decrease in differentiated mucosecreting cells in colonic crypts adjacent to lymphoid patches could be related to the particular sensitivity of these crypts cells to the effects of mutagens and carcinogens.

Animals↗