Nitric oxide derivative in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology with a number of inflammatory cells playing a role in its pathogenesis. In this study, we have attempted to find out the possible role of nitric oxide in its pathogenesis by way of measuring the nitrite and nitrate levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Ten patients of histologically proved idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 10 controls (5 with normal chest skiagrams and 5 with sarcoidosis) were included in the study Bronchoalveolar lavage was carried out in these cases. The levels of nitrates and nitrites were increased in cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (0.77+/- 0.36 and 8.93 +/- 2.63 nmol/mg of protein) compared to those in controls (0.38 +/- 0.06 and 3.80 +/- 1.11, respectively for sarcoidosis patients); (0.39 +/- 0.13 and 6.56 +/- 1.61 for subjects with normal chest skiagrams). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05 to 0.01). These findings suggest a possible role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

An analysis of the effects of smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors on obliteration rates after arteriovenous malformation radiosurgery

PURPOSE

To assess the relationships of smoking and other cardiovascular disease risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and gender) to rates of radiosurgery-induced obliteration of arteriovenous malformations (AVM).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We evaluated follow-up imaging and clinical data in 329 AVM patients who received gamma knife radiosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 1994. There were 113 smokers, 29 hypertensives, 5 diabetics, 4 hypercholesterolemics, 159 male patients, and 170 female patients. All patients had regular clinical or imaging follow-up for a minimum of 3 years after radiosurgery.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that smoking had no effect on AVM obliteration (p > 0.43). Hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia had no discernible effect on AVM obliteration in this study (p > 0.78). However, females aged 12-49 had a statistically significant lower in-field obliteration rate than males (78% vs. 89%, p = 0.0102).

CONCLUSION

Smoking has no effect on AVM obliteration. Hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia had no discernible effect in this study. Further study is needed to establish whether estrogen has a vascular protective effect that could partially limit radiosurgical AVM obliteration, as suggested by this study.

In vitro nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, survival and nutrient release by Azotobacter strains in an aquatic system

In vitro nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, survival and nutrient release by the three strains of Azotobacter (Mac-27, nitrogen fixer; PS-21, phosphate solubilizer and MSX-9, a phytohormone producer) in an aquatic system using three different organic substrates (cow-dung, piggery and poultry waste/excreta) were studied. It was shown that Azotobacter can grow and multiply in an aquatic system when fertilized either with cow-dung (100 mg 1(-1)), poultry (50 mg 1(-1)) or piggery (25 mg 1(-1)) waste/ excreta. Mac-27 and MSX-9 strains of Azotobacter fixed higher quantities of nitrogen (0.03-0.12 mg 1(-1) d(-1)) in aquaria water treated with cow-dung, while with poultry and piggery excreta, the three strains of Azotobacter fixed 0.03-0.09 mg 1(-1)d(-1) of nitrogen. O-PO4 concentration was also high in microbial-inoculated aquaria as compared to the controls which decreased with respect to time. Similarly, a decrease in total nitrogen concentration was also observed in the aquaria water after the maximum levels of fixation had been reached. Concomitant with the decrease in total nitrogen concentration, a simultaneous increase in NO3-N, NO2-N and NH4-N was observed. Maximum phytoplankton population was observed in MSX-9, while the population of zooplankton was maximum in Mac-27 inoculated aquaria. These studies indicated that Azotobacter can be used as a biofertilizer for enhancing nitrogen input and phosphate solubilization in fish ponds. Microbial inoculation along with organic substrate, however, has to be repeated at least at biweekly intervals.

Cell-type specific effects of endocytosis inhibitors on 5-hydroxytryptamine(2A) receptor desensitization and resensitization reveal an arrestin-, GRK2-, and GRK5-independent mode of regulation in human embryonic kidney 293 cells

The effect of endocytosis inhibitors on 5-hydroxytryptamine(2A) (5-HT(2A)) receptor desensitization and resensitization was examined in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and in C6 glioma cells that endogenously express 5-HT(2A) receptors. In HEK-293 cells, 5-HT(2A) receptor desensitization was unaffected by cotransfection with a dominant-negative mutant of dynamin (DynK44A), a truncation mutant of arrestin-2 [Arr2(319-418)], or by two well-characterized chemical inhibitors of endocytosis: concanavalin A (conA) and phenylarsine oxide (PAO). In contrast, beta 2-adrenergic receptor desensitization was significantly potentiated by each of these treatments in HEK-293 cells. In C6 glioma cells, however, DynK44A, Arr2(319-418), conA, and PAO each resulted in the potentiation of 5-HT(2A) and beta-adrenergic receptor desensitization. The cell-type-specific effect of Arr2(319-418) on 5-HT(2A) receptor desensitization was not related to the level of GRK2 or GRK5 expression. Interestingly, although beta 2-adrenergic receptor resensitization was potently blocked by cotransfection with DynK44A, 5-HT(2A) receptor resensitization was enhanced, suggesting the existence of a novel cell-surface mechanism for 5-HT(2A) receptor resensitization in HEK-293 cells. In addition, Arr2(319-418) had no effect on 5-HT(2A) receptor resensitization in HEK-293 cells, although it attenuated the resensitization of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. However, in C6 glioma cells, both DynK44A and Arr2(319-418) significantly reduced 5-HT(2A) receptor resensitization. Taken together, these results provide the first convincing evidence of cell-type-specific roles for endocytosis inhibitors in regulating GPCR activity. Additionally, these results imply that novel GRK and arrestin-independent mechanisms of 5-HT(2A) receptor desensitization and resensitization exist in HEK-293 cells.

Transform spectrometer based on measuring the periodicity of Talbot self-images

We demonstrate a compact transform spectrometer based on measuring the periodicity of Talbot self-images. The system has no moving parts; it contains only a tilted absorption grating that is imaged onto a CCD camera. The linear architecture of the system makes it possible to use this design in imaging arrays of spectrometers. Unlike other transform spectrometers, its resolution is independent of wavelength.

Decline in beta-2 microglobulin levels after antitubercular therapy in tubercular patients with HIV infection

BACKGROUND

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis results in a state of immune activation, more so, when there is concomitant HIV infection. Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) is a useful marker to study the state of immune activation among the HIV infected. Objective. To study the modulation of B2M levels among patients with HIV/TB coinfection, to correlate it with the CD4 count and also to study the change in these levels after four weeks of therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve patients with HIV infection and having concomitant TB diagnosed on the basis of positive acid fast bacilli were studied both at baseline and then at four weeks. Fourteen HIV infected individuals who had no overt opportunistic infection at the time of the study were also studied along with fourteen age and sex matched healthy volunteers. CD4 counts were performed using a flowcytometer. B2M was measured using a commercially available ELISA kit.

RESULTS

B2M levels in HIV/TB coinfected patients were 1.62+/-0.45 mg/L (range 1-2.7 mg/L) and were significantly higher (p<0.0002) when compared with healthy controls, whose levels were 0.74+/-0.05 mg/L (range 0.48-81 mg/L). The levels in HIV infected individuals free of opportunistic infections were 1.2+/-0.16 mg/L (range 0.78-1.92 mg/L) and were significantly lower than the levels in HIV/TB coinfected (p<0.017), but significantly higher than the levels in healthy controls (p<0.01). Four weeks of antitubercular therapy resulted in a decline in B2M to 1.08+/-0.26 mg/L (range 0.8-1.74 mg/L) and was statistically significant (p<0.012). There was no correlation between the CD4 counts and the pre-treatment levels of B2M among these patients.

CONCLUSION

Patients with HIV/TB coinfection had significantly higher levels of B2M than individuals with HIV infection without associated opportunistic infection and healthy controls. Four weeks of anti-tuberculous therapy resulted in a significant decline in these levels.

Identification of biochemical pathways for the metabolism of oxidized low-density lipoprotein derived aldehyde-4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal in vascular smooth muscle cells

Oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) generates high concentrations of unsaturated aldehydes, such as 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal (HNE). These aldehydes are mitogenic to vascular smooth muscle cells and sustain a vascular inflammation. Nevertheless, the processes that mediate and regulate the vascular metabolism of these aldehydes have not been examined. In this communication, we report the identification of the major metabolic pathways and products of [(3)H]-HNE in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. High-performance liquid chromatography separation of the radioactivity recovered from these cells revealed that a large (60-65%) proportion of the metabolism was linked to glutathione (GSH). Electrospray mass spectrometry showed that glutathionyl-1,4 dihydroxynonene (GS-DHN) was the major metabolite of HNE in these cells. The formation of GS-DHN appears to be due aldose reductase (AR)-catalyzed reduction of glutathionyl 4-hydroxynonanal (GS-HNE), since inhibitors of AR (tolrestat or sorbinil) prevented GS-DHN formation, and increased the fraction of the glutathione conjugate remaining as GS-HNE. Gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectroscopy of the metabolites identified a subsidiary route of HNE metabolism leading to the formation of 4-hydroxynonanoic acid (HNA). Oxidation to HNA accounted for 25-30% of HNE metabolism. The formation of HNA was inhibited by cyanamide, indicating that the acid is derived from an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-catalyzed pathway. The overall rate of HNE metabolism was insensitive to inhibition of AR or ALDH, although inhibition of HNA formation by cyanamide led to a corresponding increase in the fraction of HNE metabolized by the GSH-linked pathway, indicating that ALDH-catalyzed oxidation competes with glutathione conjugation. These metabolic pathways may be the key regulators of the vascular effects of HNE and oxidized LDL.

Structural and kinetic modifications of aldose reductase by S-nitrosothiols

Modification of aldose reductase (AR) by the nitrosothiols S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) and N-(beta-glucopyranosyl)-N(2)-acetyl-S-nitrosopenicillamide (glyco-SNAP) resulted in a 3-7-fold increase in its k(cat) and a 25-40-fold increase in its K(m) for glyceraldehyde. In comparison with the native protein, the modified enzyme was less sensitive to inhibition by sorbinil and was not activated by SO(2-)(4) anions. The active-site residue, Cys-298, was identified as the main site of modification, because the site-directed mutant in which Cys-298 was replaced by serine was insensitive to glyco-SNAP. The extent of modification was not affected by P(i) or O(2), indicating that it was not due to spontaneous release of nitric oxide (NO) by the nitrosothiols. Electrospray ionization MS revealed that the modification reaction proceeds via the formation of an N-hydroxysulphenamide-like adduct between glyco-SNAP and AR. In time, the adduct dissociates into either nitrosated AR (AR-NO) or a mixed disulphide between AR and glyco-N-acetylpenicillamine (AR-S-S-X). Removal of the mixed-disulphide form of the protein by lectin-column chromatography enriched the preparation in the high-K(m)-high-k(cat) form of the enzyme, suggesting that the kinetic changes are due to the formation of AR-NO, and that the AR-S-S-X form of the enzyme is catalytically inactive. Modification of AR by the non-thiol NO donor diethylamine NONOate (DEANO) increased enzyme activity and resulted in the formation of AR-NO. However, no adducts between AR and DEANO were formed. These results show that nitrosothiols cause multiple structural and functional changes in AR. Our observations also suggest the general possibility that transnitrosation reactions can generate both nitrosated and thiolated products, leading to non-unique changes in protein structure and function.

Expression of activation, adhesion molecules and intracellular cytokines in acute pancreatitis

Adhesion and activation molecules as well as cytokines play an important role in an immune scenario. In acute pancreatitis, we have studied some of these in order to evaluate dysregulation. For this we took peripheral blood mononuclear cells and pancreatitis tissue cells. We analysed activation markers like CD69, CD25 and HLA-DR and found a marked elevation of CD69 as well as CD25 in both peripheral blood cells and tissue mononuclear cells when compared to controls. In PBMC-CD69: P<0.01 and CD25: P<0.01; in tissue-CD69: P<0.001 and CD25: P<0.001. The HLA-DR levels, however, were reduced in the disease state (in acute pancreatitis patient blood (P<0.01) and tissue cells (P<0.001)). The adhesion molecules showed unanimous rise in the blood and the tissue samples. In blood samples, CD11a: P<0.05 and CD11b: P<0.05 and tissue samples CD11a: P<0.01 and CD11b: P<0.01and CD54 in peripheral blood (P<0.05) and tissue (P<0.01) of AP was high as compared to controls. By simultaneous flowcytometric analysis, we determined the co-expression of a surface marker (CD4/CD8/CD14) and intracellular cytokine (TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) in individual cells. The IFN-gamma producing CD8+T cells were elevated in pancreatic tissue (P<0.01). TNF-alpha producing cell numbers were significantly higher in tissue cells than in blood and also in CD8+ T cells (P<0.001). We conclude that monocyte function is affected in AP as shown by reduced HLA-DR numbers and lowered TNF-alpha producing cells. Moreover, the CD8+T cells appear to play an important role in cytokine synthesis at the effector site.

Intracellular cytokines in cells of necrotic tissue from patients with acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the alterations in intracellular cytokine responses in necrotic pancreatic tissue obtained on debridement from patients with acute pancreatitis.

DESIGN

Laboratory study.

SETTING

Teaching hospital, India.

MATERIAL

Necrotic tissue obtained at necrosectomy from 34 patients with alcohol-induced or biliary pancreatitis (n = 17 in each) and at autopsy from 12 controls.

INTERVENTIONS

Histopathological evaluation; measurement of intracellular content of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and IL-6 and IL-12 in CD14+ monocytes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intracellular content of the measured cytokines.

RESULTS

CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD14+ monocytes responded to in vitro stimulation of mitogens and synthesised cytokines to varying degrees in the three groups. The heterogeneous cytokine response pattern did not show a typical type 1/type 2 polarised model.

CONCLUSIONS

This profile suggests that the cells retain the capacity to modulate their phenotype in response to local conditions at the effector site. These results could be taken into consideration when designing new and specific treatments for modifying the immune inflammatory response.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the novel MDR1 and MRP1 inhibitor biricodar administered alone and in combination with doxorubicin

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of biricodar (VX-710), an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), alone and with doxorubicin in patients with advanced malignancies. The effect of VX-710 on the tissue distribution of (99m)Tc-sestamibi, a P-gp and MRP1 substrate, was also evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with solid malignancies refractory to standard therapy first received a 96-hour infusion of VX-710 alone at 20 to 160 mg/m(2)/h. After a 3-day washout, a second infusion of VX-710 was begun, on the second day of which doxorubicin 45 mg/m(2) was administered. Cycles were repeated every 21 to 28 days. (99m)Tc-sestamibi scans were performed before and during administration of VX-710 alone.

RESULTS

Of the 28 patients who enrolled, 25 patients were eligible for analysis. No dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in the nine assessable patients who received 120 mg/m(2)/h or less. Among seven patients receiving VX-710 160 mg/m(2)/h, two DLTs were seen: reversible CNS toxicity and febrile neutropenia. All other adverse events were mild to moderate and reversible. Plasma concentrations of VX-710 in patients who received at 120 and 160 mg/m(2)/h were two- to fourfold higher than concentrations required to fully reverse drug resistance in vitro. VX-710 exhibited linear pharmacokinetics with a harmonic mean half-life of 1.1 hours. VX-710 enhanced hepatic uptake and retention of (99m)Tc-sestamibi in all patients.

CONCLUSION

A 96-hour infusion of VX-710 at 120 mg/m(2)/h plus doxorubicin 45 mg/m(2) has acceptable toxicity in patients with refractory malignancies. The safety and pharmacokinetics of VX-710 plus doxorubicin warrant efficacy trials in malignancies expressing P-gp and/or MRP1.

Binding of pyridine nucleotide coenzymes to the beta-subunit of the voltage-sensitive K+ channel

The beta-subunit of the voltage-sensitive K(+) (K(v)) channels belongs to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, and the crystal structure of K(v)beta2 shows NADP bound in its active site. Here we report that K(v)beta2 displays a high affinity for NADPH (K(d) = 0.1 micrometer) and NADP(+) (K(d) = 0.3 micrometer), as determined by fluorometric titrations of the recombinant protein. The K(v)beta2 also bound NAD(H) but with 10-fold lower affinity. The site-directed mutants R264E and N333W did not bind NADPH, whereas, the K(d)(NADPH) of Q214R was 10-fold greater than the wild-type protein. The K(d)(NADPH) was unaffected by the R189M, W243Y, W243A, or Y255F mutation. The tetrameric structure of the wild-type protein was retained by the R264E mutant, indicating that NADPH binding is not a prerequisite for multimer formation. A C248S mutation caused a 5-fold decrease in K(d)(NADPH), shifted the pK(a) of K(d)(NADPH) from 6.9 to 7.4, and decreased the ionic strength dependence of NADPH binding. These results indicate that Arg-264 and Asn-333 are critical for coenzyme binding, which is regulated in part by Cys-248. The binding of both NADP(H) and NAD(H) to the protein suggests that several types of K(v)beta2-nucleotide complexes may be formed in vivo.

Nonobese diabetic mice display elevated levels of class II-associated invariant chain peptide associated with I-Ag7 on the cell surface

Peptide presentation by MHC class II molecules plays a pivotal role in determining the peripheral T cell repertoire as a result of both positive and negative selection in the thymus. Homozygous I-A(g7) expression imparts susceptibility to autoimmune diabetes in the nonobese diabetic mouse, and recently, it has been proposed that this arises from ineffectual peptide binding. Following biosynthesis, class II molecules are complexed with class II-associated invariant chain peptides (CLIP), which remain associated until displaced by Ag-derived peptides. If I-A(g7) is a poor peptide binder, then this may result in continued occupation by CLIP to the point of translocation to the cell surface. To test this hypothesis we generated affinity-purified polyclonal antisera that recognized murine CLIP bound to class II molecules in an allele-independent fashion. We have found abnormally high natural levels of cell surface class II occupancy by CLIP on nonobese diabetic splenic B cells. Experiments using I-A-transfected M12.C3 cells showed that I-A(g7) alone was associated with elevated levels of CLIP, suggesting that this was determined solely by the amino acid sequence of the class II molecule. These results indicated that an intrinsic property of I-A(g7) would affect both the quantity and the repertoire of self-peptides presented during thymic selection.

The dynamin-dependent, arrestin-independent internalization of 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) serotonin receptors reveals differential sorting of arrestins and 5-HT2A receptors during endocytosis

5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptors, a major site of action of clozapine and other atypical antipsychotic medications, are, paradoxically, internalized in vitro and in vivo by antagonists and agonists. The mechanisms responsible for this paradoxical regulation of 5-HT2A receptors are unknown. In this study, the arrestin and dynamin dependences of agonist- and antagonist-mediated internalization were investigated in live cells using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged 5-HT2A receptors (SR2-GFP). Preliminary experiments indicated that GFP tagging of 5-HT2A receptors had no effect on either the binding affinities of several ligands or agonist efficacy. Likewise, both the native receptor and SR2-GFP were internalized via endosomes in vitro. Experiments with a dynamin dominant-negative mutant (dynamin K44A) demonstrated that both agonist- and antagonist-induced internalization were dynamin-dependent. By contrast, both the agonist- and antagonist-induced internalization of SR2-GFP were insensitive to three different arrestin (Arr) dominant-negative mutants (Arr-2 V53D, Arr-2-(319-418), and Arr-3-(284-409)). Interestingly, 5-HT2A receptor activation by agonists, but not antagonists, induced greater Arr-3 than Arr-2 translocation to the plasma membrane. Importantly, the agonist-induced internalization of 5-HT2A receptors was accompanied by differential sorting of Arr-2, Arr-3, and 5-HT2A receptors into distinct plasma membrane and intracellular compartments. The agonist-induced redistribution of Arr-2 and Arr-3 into intracellular vesicles and plasma membrane compartments distinct from those involved in 5-HT2A receptor internalization implies novel roles for Arr-2 and Arr-3 independent of 5-HT2A receptor internalization and desensitization.

Suppression of beta 2 microglobulin by pentoxiphylline therapy in asymptomatic HIV infected individuals

Pentoxiphylline, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The inhibition of TNF-alpha results in decreased immune activation. Beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2 M) has been used as a surrogate marker to study the progression of HIV infection. The objective of this study was to see if use of pentoxiphylline resulted in any decline in beta 2 M levels. Twenty patients with HIV infection who were free of opportunistic infections at the time of inclusion in the study and 18 age and sex matched controls were studied. beta 2 M was measured using an enzyme immunoassay before and four weeks after the start of treatment with pentoxiphylline. Mean levels of beta 2 M before therapy were 1.51 +/- 0.77 mg/l (range 0.78-3.8 mg/l) and were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the levels among controls [0.72 +/- 0.06 mg/l (range 0.46-0.88 mg/l)]. beta 2 M levels in patients declined to 0.85 +/- 0.22 mg/l (range 0.72-1.0 mg/l) after four weeks of therapy and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Use of pentoxiphylline for four weeks results in a significant decline in the levels of beta 2 M suggesting that the level of immune activation is reduced with the therapy.

Binding of pyridine coenzymes to the beta-subunit of the voltage sensitive potassium channels

The beta-subunit of the voltage-sensitive K(+) channels shares 15-30% amino acid identity with the sequences of aldo-keto reductases (AKR) genes. However, the AKR properties of the protein remain unknown. To begin to understand its oxidoreductase properties, we examine the pyridine coenzyme binding activity of the protein in vitro. The cDNA of K(v)beta2.1 from rat brain was subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The purified protein was tetrameric in solution as determined by size exclusion chromatography. The protein displayed high affinity binding to NADPH as determined by fluorometric titration. The K(D) values for NADPH of the full-length wild-type protein and the N-terminus deleted protein were 0.1+/-0.007 and 0.05+/-0.006 M, respectively - indicating that the cofactor binding domain is restricted to the C-terminus, and is not drastically affected by the absence of the N-terminus amino acids, which form the ball and chain regulating voltage-dependent inactivation of the alpha-subunit. The protein displayed poor affinity for other coenzymes and the corresponding values of the K(D) for NADH and NAD were between 1-3 microM whereas the K(D) for FAD was >10 microM. However, relatively high affinity binding was observed with 3-acetyl pyridine NADP, indicating selective recognition of the 2' phosphate at the binding site. The selectivity of K(v)beta2.1 for NADPH over NADP may be significant in regulating the K(+) channels as a function of the cellular redox state.

Metabolic regulation of aldose reductase activity by nitric oxide donors

Regulation of aldose reductase (AR), a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, by nitric oxide (NO) donors was examined. Incubation of human recombinant AR with S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) led to inactivation of the enzyme and the formation of an AR-glutathione adduct. In contrast, incubation with S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) or N-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-SNAP (GlycoSNAP) led to an increase in enzyme activity which was accompanied by the direct nitrosation of the enzyme and the formation of a mixed disulfide with the NO-donor. To examine in vivo modification, red blood cells (RBC) and rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were incubated with 1 mM GSNO or SNAP. Exposure of VSMC to SNAP and GSNO for 2 h at 37 degrees C led to approximately 71% decrease in the enzyme activity with DL-glyceraldehyde as the substrate. Similarly, exposure of RBC in 5 mM glucose to NO-donors for 30 min at room temperature, followed by increasing the glucose concentration to 40 mM, resulted in >75% decrease in the formation of sorbitol. These investigations indicate that NO and/or its bioactive metabolites can regulate cellular AR, leading to either activation (by nitrosation) or inactivation (by S-thiolation).

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by aldose reductase

Aldose reductase (AR) is a broad-specificity aldo-keto reductase with wide species and tissue distribution. The enzyme has been implicated in the development of pleiotropic complications of long-term diabetes. However, the euglycemic function of the enzyme remains unclear. To examine its potential role in cell growth, changes in AR mRNA and protein were measured in human aortic smooth muscle cells exposed in culture to serum or thrombin. Stimulation by these mitogens led to an increase in the abundance of AR mRNA and protein. Furthermore, inhibition of the AR by tolrestat and sorbinil diminished DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in response to serum. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-AR antibodies revealed no significant expression of AR in the smooth muscle cells of rat carotid arteries. However, 10 and 21 days after balloon injury, intense staining was associated with the proliferating cells of the neointima. Treatment of these animals with 40 mg/kg/day sorbinil diminished the ratio of neointima to the media. Together, these observations suggest that, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), AR is a growth-responsive gene product and that inhibition of AR prevents VSMC growth and decreases intimal hyperplasia and restenosis.

Involvement of aldose reductase in the metabolism of atherogenic aldehydes

Phospholipid peroxidation generates a variety of aldehydes, which includes free saturated and unsaturated aldehydes, and aldehydes that remain esterified to the phosphoglyceride backbone - the so-called 'core' aldehydes. However, little is known in regarding the vascular metabolism of these aldehydes. To identify biochemical pathways that metabolize free aldehydes, we examined the metabolism of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal in human aortic endothelial cells. Incubation of these cells with [3H]-HNE led to the generation of four main metabolites, i.e. glutathionyl HNE (GS-HNE), glutathionyl dihydroxynonene (GS-DHN), DHN and 4-hydroxynonanoic acid (HNA), which accounted for 5, 50, 6, and 23% of the total HNE metabolized. The conversion of GS-HNE to GS-DHN was inhibited by tolrestat, indicating that it is catalyzed by aldose reductase (AR). The AR was also found to be an efficient catalyst for the reduction of the core aldehyde - 1-palmitoyl-2- (5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine, which is generated in minimally modified low-density lipoprotein, and activates the endothelium to bind monocytes. As determined by electrospray mass spectrometry, reduction of POVPC (m/z=594) by AR led to the formation of 1-palmitoyl-2- (5)-hydrovaleryl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (PHVPC; m/z=596). These observations suggest that due to its ability to catalyze the reduction of lipid-derived aldehydes AR may be involved in preventing inflammation and diminishing oxidative stress during the early phases of atherogenesis.

Characterization of the glutathione binding site of aldose reductase

Despite extensive investigations, the physiological role of the polyol pathway enzyme-aldose reductase (AR) remains obscure. While the enzyme reduces glucose in vivo and in vitro, kinetic and structural studies indicate inefficient carbohydrate binding to the active site of the enzyme. The active site is lined by hydrophobic residues and appears more compatible with the binding of medium- to long-chain aliphatic aldehydes or hydrophobic aromatic aldehydes. In addition, our recent studies show that glutathione (GS) conjugates are also reduced efficiently by the enzyme. For instance, the GS conjugate of acrolein is reduced with a catalytic efficiency 1000-fold higher than the parent aldehyde, indicating specific recognition of glutathione by the active site residues of AR. An increase in the catalytic efficiency upon glutathiolation was also observed with trans-2-nonenal, trans-2-hexenal and trans, trans-2,4-decadienal, establishing that enhancement of catalytic efficiency was specifically due to the glutathione backbone and not specific to the aldehyde. Structure-activity relationships with substitution or deletion of amino acids of GSH indicated specific interactions of the active site with gamma-Glu1 and Cys of GSH. Molecular modeling revealed that the glutathione-propanal conjugate could bind in two distinct orientations. In orientation 1, gamma-Glu1 of the conjugate interacts with Trp20, Lys21 and Val47, and Gly3 interacts with Ser302 and Leu301, whereas in orientation 2, the molecule is inverted with gamma-Glu1 interacting with Ser302, and Leu301. Taken together, these data suggest that glutathiolation of aldehydes enhances their compatibility with the AR active site, which may be of physiological significance in detoxification of endogenous and xenobiotic aldehydes.

Role of calcium-dependent protease(s) in globulization of isolated rat lens cortical fiber cells

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of calcium-activated proteases in calcium-dependent disintegrative globulization of isolated rat lens cortex fiber cells.

METHODS

Rat lens fiber cells were isolated and plated on coverslips at the bottom of a temperature-controlled chamber. The fiber cells were incubated with 10 microM protease substrate, (t-butoxycarbonyl-leu-met-7-amino-4-chloromethylcoumarin:BOC-Leu-M et- CMAC) and the proteolytic activity in the fiber cells was determined by observing the increase in fluorescence, using an excitation wavelength of 360 nm, and measuring emission at 410 nm. Free intracellular calcium was measured using the cell-permeable calcium indicator Fluo-3-AM, and the globulization time (T(g)) was determined using image analysis.

RESULTS

T:(g) of fiber cells superfused with Ringer's solution containing 2 x 10(-)(3) M, 10(-)(6) M, and 10(-)(8) M [Ca(2+)](o) were: 24.7 +/- 1.3, 53.0 +/- 2.8, and more than 120 minutes, respectively. A significant increase in T:(g) ( approximately 95 minutes) was observed when the fibers were preincubated with acetoxymethyl ester of 1,2-bis (2-amino-phenoxy) ethane N:, N:, N:, N:-tetra-acetic acid (BAPTA-AM) to buffer changes in [Ca(2+)](i), or the protease substrate to competitively inhibit degradation of cellular proteins. In the presence of Ringer's solution containing 2 x 10(-)(3) M [Ca(2+)](o) and 0.5 mM of the cysteine protease inhibitor, leupeptin, T:(g) increased to 100 minutes, without affecting [Ca(2+)](i). The proteolytic activity of fiber cells in Ringer's solution containing 10(-)(6) M and 2 x 10(-)(3) M [Ca(2+)](o) increased by approximately 7- and 12-fold, respectively, compared with sucrose-EDTA solution or Ringer's solution containing 10(-)(8) M [Ca(2+)](o). This increase in proteolytic activity was inhibited by leupeptin.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevation of calcium in the medium results in a proportionate increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and the proteolytic activity in isolated lens fiber cells. The increase in the proteolytic activity is accompanied by an increase in the rate of globulization of the fiber cells. Inhibition of the proteolytic activity by leupeptin increases T:(g) without affecting the gain in [Ca(2+)](i). These results suggest that globulization of isolated fiber cells in physiological salt solutions is mediated by Ca(2+)-activated protease(s).

Selective recognition of glutathiolated aldehydes by aldose reductase

In this study, the selectivity and specificity of aldose reductase (AR) for glutathionyl aldehydes was examined. Relative to free aldehydes, AR was a more efficient catalyst for the reduction of glutathiolated aldehydes. Reduction of glutathionyl propanal [gammaGlu-Cys(propanal)-Gly] was more efficient than that of Gly-Cys(propanal)-Gly and gamma-aminobutyric acid-Cys(propanal)-Gly suggesting a possible interaction between alpha-carboxyl of the conjugate and AR. Two active site residues, Trp20 or Ser302, were identified by molecular modeling as potential sites of this interaction. Mutations containing tryptophan-to-phenylalanine (W20F) and serine-to-alanine (S302A) substitutions did not significantly affect reduction of free aldehydes but decreased the catalytic efficiency of AR for glutathiolated aldehydes. Combined mutations indicate that both Trp20 and Ser302 are required for efficient catalysis of the conjugates. The decrease in efficiency due to W20F mutation with glutathionyl propanal was not observed with gamma-aminobutyric-Cys(propanal)-Gly or Gly-Cys-(propanal)-Gly, indicating that Trp20 is involved in binding the alpha-carboxyl of the conjugate. The effect of the S302A mutation was less severe when gammaGlu-Cys(propanal)-Glu rather than glutathionyl propanal was used as the substrate, consistent with an interaction between Ser302 and Gly-3 of the conjugate. These observations suggest that glutathiolation facilitates aldehyde reduction by AR and enhances the range of aldehydes available to the enzyme. Because the N-terminal carboxylate is unique to glutathione, binding of the conjugate with the alpha-carboxyl facing the bottom of the alpha/beta-barrel may assist in the exclusion of unrelated peptides and proteins.

Pentoxiphylline reduces nitric oxide production among patients with HIV infection

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) levels are elevated among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. TNF-alpha is known to lower NO production. In this study we used a TNF-alpha inhibitor, pentoxiphylline, to treat patients with HIV infection who were free of opportunistic infections and see if NO production was altered with this drug. NO production was determined by spectrophotometric analysis using nitrite and citrulline as surrogate markers and TNF-alpha levels were determined by ELISA before and after 4 weeks of the treatment. Nineteen patients (ten males, mean age 36.6+/-5.2 years) and 16 age and sex matched healthy controls were studied. Mean CD4 counts of patients were 206.5 mm(3). Nitrite level among patients at recruitment was 99.7+/-26.5 nmol/ml (range 50-167 nmol/ml) and was significantly higher than 46.4+/-16.2 nmol/ml; the value of healthy controls (P<0.05). Patient levels declined significantly to 44. 2+/-19.7 nmol/ml (range 10-106.6 nmol/ml) following 4 weeks of therapy (P<0.01). Citrulline level at recruitment was 810.8+/-425.8 nmol/ml (range 366.6-1888.7 nmol/ml), which was significantly higher than 488.6+/-224.5 nmol/ml, the level of controls (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant decrease in these levels among patients to 533.6+/-299.5 nmol/ml (range 250-163.4 nmol/ml) after 4 weeks of therapy (P<0.01). TNF-alpha levels showed a significant decline in the OD values from 0.34+/-0.22 at the start of therapy to 0.24+/-0.18 (P<0.05). We conclude that the use of pentoxiphylline is associated with decrease in TNF-alpha levels and NO production.