Glycine minimizes reperfusion injury in a low-flow, reflow liver perfusion model in the rat

This study investigated the effects of glycine on reperfusion injury in a low-flow, reflow liver perfusion model. With this protocol, livers were perfused at low flow rates of approximately 1 ml.g-1. min-1 for 75 min, which caused cells in pericentral regions of the liver lobule to become anoxic because of insufficient delivery of oxygen. When normal flow rates (approximately 4 ml.g-1.min-1) were restored for 40 min, an oxygen-dependent reperfusion injury occurred. Upon reflow, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a cytosolic enzyme, and malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, were released into the effluent perfusate. LDH increased from basal levels of approximately 1-35 IU.g-1.h-1 in livers from control rats. Glycine (0.06-2.00 mM) minimized enzyme release in a dose-dependent manner (half-maximal decrease = 133 microM), with maximal values only reaching 5 IU.g-1.h-1 when glycine was increased to 2 mM. Reflow for 40 min after 75 min of low-flow hypoxia caused death in approximately 30% of previously anoxic parenchymal cells in pericentral regions; however, infusion of glycine (2 mM) decreased cell death to less than 10%. Strychnine (1 mM), which was found to mimic the cytoprotective effect of glycine in proximal renal tubules, also reduced LDH release to 11 IU.g-1.h-1 in this study. Bile was released at rates of approximately 42 microliters.g-1.h-1 in livers from control rats, but values were not altered significantly by glycine. Maximal MDA production during reperfusion decreased by 35% with 0.6 mM of glycine. Trypan blue distribution time, an indicator of hepatic microcirculation, was reduced significantly by glycine at 5 and 40 min after reflow, but changes were about twofold greater at later time points compared with earlier ones (half-maximal decrease = 225 microM). Time for oxygen to reach steady state upon reflow was reduced by glycine in a dose-dependent manner, and the rates of entry and exit of a dye confined to vascular space (fluorescein dextran) were increased two- to threefold by glycine, respectively. Taken together, these data indicate that a reperfusion injury that occurs in previously hypoxic pericentral regions of the liver upon reintroduction of oxygen is minimized by glycine, possibly by action on a glycine-sensitive anion channel to improve microcirculation during the reperfusion period.

Regulation of the balance of cytokine production and the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) transcription factor activity by cytokines and inflammatory synovial fluids

The balance between type 1 and 2 T helper cell cytokine production plays an important role in several animal models of autoimmunity, and skewed patterns of cytokine expression have been described in human inflammatory diseases. Many cytokines activate signal transducer and activation of transcription (STAT) transcription factors, which, in turn, activate transcription of inflammatory effector genes. We used mononuclear cell priming cultures and inflammatory synovial fluids (SFs) derived from arthritis patients to examine the regulation of cytokine production and STAT activity by an inflammatory synovial microenvironment. Exposure to SFs during priming resulted in an 81% inhibition of interferon (IFN)-gamma, but not interleukin (IL) 4, production by effector cells generated in priming cultures. SF suppression was mediated by IL-4 and IL-10 and inhibition of IL-12 expression, and it was reversed in a dominant fashion by exogenous IL-12. SFs blocked the sustained activity of transcription factor Stat1, but not Stat3, during the priming period, and Stat1 activity was differentially regulated by cytokines in parallel with their positive or negative regulation of IFN-gamma production. Active Stat3, but not Stat1, was detected in cells from inflamed joints. These results suggest a role for altered balance of Stat1 and Stat3 transcriptional activity in the regulation of T cell differentiation and in the pathogenesis of inflammatory synovitis.

Role of Kupffer cells in reperfusion injury in fat-loaded livers from ethanol-treated rats

Reperfusion injury was studied in blood-free perfused livers from fat-loaded, ethanol-treated rats. Rats were pair-fed a modified Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 36% calories as ethanol or isocaloric maltose-dextrin for 4 to 5 weeks. Reperfusion injury to the liver, which occurs in previously hypoxic regions upon reintroduction of oxygen, was studied in a low-flow, reflow perfusion model. Lactate dehydrogenase in effluent perfusate increased from basal levels of < 1 to 17 IU/g/h in livers from controls, whereas prior alcohol treatment elevated values to 37 IU/g/h. Pretreatment of rats with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3, 20 mg/kg i.v.), a selective Kupffer cell toxicant, minimized lactate dehydrogenase release during reperfusion to 7 to 8 IU/g/h in livers from both groups. Rates of malondialdehyde production were 144 and 166 nmol/g/h during reperfusion in control and alcohol-treated rats, respectively, but values reached only 54 and 79 nmol/g/h after GdCl3 treatment. Interestingly, a typical PBN/carbon-centered free radical adduct signal was detected in bile of livers from ethanol-treated rats, but not in controls or ethanol-treated rats given GdCl3. Portal pressure increased during the reperfusion period in livers from alcohol-treated rats, although not in controls, and GdCl3 reduced it significantly. Taken together, these data indicate that reperfusion injury is greater in fatty livers from alcohol-treated rats in a blood-free model. Inactivation of Kupffer cells minimized reperfusion injury in both control and alcohol-treated rats, most likely by diminishing lipid peroxidation thereby improving hepatic microcirculation.

Distribution of the mammalian Stat gene family in mouse chromosomes

Studies of transcriptional activation by interferons and a variety of cytokines have led to the identification of a family of proteins that serve as signal transducers and activators of transcription, Stats. Here, we report that the seven mouse Stat loci map in three clusters, with each cluster located on a different mouse autosome. The data suggest that the family has arisen via a tandem duplication of the ancestral locus, followed by dispersion of the linked loci to different mouse chromosomes.

A fish oil diet minimizes hepatic reperfusion injury in the low-flow, reflow liver perfusion model

In this study, the effects of fish oil treatment on hepatic reperfusion injury in a low-flow, reflow perfusion model were investigated. Rats were fed powdered diets containing either 5% corn or 5% encapsulated fish oil for 13 to 15 days. Average daily food intake in both control and fish oil groups was about 20 g per rat, and weight gain averaged 9 g/rat/d. Livers were perfused at flow rates around 1 muL/g/min for 75 minutes, which caused cells in pericentral regions to become anoxic because of insufficient delivery of oxygen. When normal flow rates (about 4 mL/g/min) were restored for 40 minutes, reperfusion injury occurred. Upon reflow, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased from basal levels around 1 to 50 IU/g/h in livers from control rats, whereas fish oil treatment minimized values to 16 IU/g/h Rates of bile production reached 23 muL/g/h during reperfusion in livers from controls and 38 muL/g/h in the fish oil-treated group. Oxygen uptake was about 110 mumol/g/h during the reperfusion period in livers from both groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, was released into the effluent perfusate at rates around 80 nmol/g/h during reperfusion in controls, and values were not affected by fish oil treatment, Portal pressure, an indicator of hepatic microcirculation, increased from basal levels of 3 to 10.5 cm H2O during reperfusion in controls, but was only elevated to 8.3 cm H2O in the fish oil-treated group. In addition, Trypan Blue distribution time, another indicator of hepatic microcirculation, was reduced significantly by 44% by fish oil treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of Kupffer cells in failure of fatty livers following liver transplantation and alcoholic liver injury

Kupffer cells have been implicated in mechanisms of pathophysiology following liver transplantation. Recently, postoperative injury in ethanol-induced fatty liver has been evaluated because fatty livers often fail following transplantation. The low-flow, reflow liver perfusion model was used to study the role of Kupffer cells (KC) in reperfusion injury to fatty livers from rats fed a diet containing ethanol for 4-5 weeks. Treatment with GdCl3, which selectively destroys KC, decreased cell death significantly. Thus, destruction of KC minimized hepatic reperfusion injury, most likely by inhibiting free radical formation and improving microcirculation. Since it was demonstrated recently that destruction of KC prevented the hypermetabolic state observed with acute alcohol exposure, their involvement in events leading to alcohol-induced liver disease was investigated. In rats exposed to ethanol continuously via intragastric feeding for up to 4 weeks, GdCl3 treatment prevented elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and dramatically reduced the average hepatic pathological score. These results indicate that KC participate in the early phases of alcohol-induced liver injury. Endotoxaemia occurs in alcoholics and activates KC; therefore, we evaluated the effect of minimizing bacterial endotoxin by intestinal sterilization with the antibiotics polymyxin B and neomycin. Antibiotics diminished plasma endotoxin levels significantly and prevented ethanol-induced increases in AST values. These results indicate that endotoxin is involved in the mechanism of ethanol-induced liver injury. A six-line radical spectrum was detected with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in bile from alcohol-treated rats which was blocked by GdCl3. The free radical adducts had hyperfine coupling constants characteristic of lipid-derived free radical products. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that KC are involved in reperfusion injury to ethanol-induced fatty livers and hepatic injury due to long-term treatment with ethanol.

Analysis of human monoclonal antibodies elicited by vaccination with a Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan capsular polysaccharide vaccine

The Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) has been conjugated to tetanus toxoid (GXM-TT) as an investigational vaccine. GXM-TT elicits antibodies that are protective in C. neoformans-infected mice. In an effort to characterize the fine specificity and molecular structure of human GXM-TT-elicited antibodies, we generated two GXM monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a volunteer GXM-TT recipient and studied serum GXM antibody idiotype expression in 10 additional vaccinees. The MAbs, 2E9 and 3B6, are the immunoglobulin M(lambda) isotype and bind capsular polysaccharides of C. neoformans serotypes other than the serotype A that was used for immunization. Neither antibody competes with murine GXM MAbs for antigen binding, suggesting that the human MAbs recognize a different epitope. The B-cell superantigen staphylococcal protein A binds both MAbs, and human immunodeficiency virus gp120 binds 2E9. MAb nucleic acid sequence analysis revealed that both antibodies use an identical V lambda 1a-J lambda genetic element with different, somatically mutated, members of the VH3 gene family and different DH and JH gene elements. The gene elements used by both MAbs occur in fetal B-lymphocyte repertoires, autoantibodies, and other polysaccharide antibodies. Post-GXM-TT vaccination GXM antibodies from 10 additional vaccinees expressed a shared idiotype defined by rabbit antiserum raised against MAb 2E9. Our data suggest that the human GXM antibody response is restricted and raise questions regarding the importance of specific variable-region elements and superantigens in the generation of human antibody responses to encapsulated pathogens.

Maximal activation of transcription by Stat1 and Stat3 requires both tyrosine and serine phosphorylation

Stat1 and Stat3 are latent transcriptional factors activated initially through phosphorylation on single tyrosine residues induced by cytokine and growth factor occupation of cell surface receptors. Here we show that phosphorylation on a single serine (residue 727) in each protein is also required for maximal transcriptional activity. Both cytokines and growth factors are capable of inducing the serine phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat3. These experiments show that gene activation by Stat1 and Stat3, which obligatorily require tyrosine phosphorylation to become active, also depends for maximal activation on one or more of the many serine kinases.

STAT3 activation by cytokines utilizing gp130 and related transducers involves a secondary modification requiring an H7-sensitive kinase

Ciliary neurotrophic factor, oncostatin M, leukemia-inhibitory factor, and interleukin 6 are related cytokines that initiate signaling by homodimerizing the signal-transducing receptor component gp130 or by heterodimerizing gp130 with a gp130-related receptor component. Receptor dimerization in turn activates receptor-associated kinases of the Jak/Tyk family, resulting in the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins, including those of two members of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family--STAT1 and STAT3. Here we show that all cytokines that utilize gp130 sequentially induce two distinct forms of STAT3 in all responding cells examined, with the two forms apparently differing because of a time-dependent secondary serine/threonine phosphorylation involving an H7-sensitive kinase. While both STAT3 forms bind DNA and translocate to the nucleus, the striking time-dependent progression from one form to the other implies other important functional differences between the two forms. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, which utilizes a receptor highly related to gp130, also induces these two forms of STAT3. In contrast to a number of other cytokines and growth factors, all cytokines using gp130 and related signal transducers consistently and preferentially induce the two forms of STAT3 as compared with STAT1; this characteristic STAT activation pattern is seen regardless of which Jak/Tyk kinases are used in a particular response, consistent with the notion that the receptor components themselves are the primary determinants of which STATs are activated.

Interleukin 12 signaling in T helper type 1 (Th1) cells involves tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 and Stat4

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) initiates the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells to T helper type 1 (Th1) cells critical for resistance to intracellular pathogens such as Leishmania major. To explore the basis of IL-12 action, we analyzed induction of nuclear factors in Th1 cells. IL-12 selectively induced nuclear DNA-binding complexes that contained Stat3 and Stat4, recently cloned members of the family of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). While Stat3 participates in signaling for several other cytokines, Stat4 was not previously known to participate in the signaling pathway for any natural ligand. The selective activation of Stat4 provides a basis for unique actions of IL-12 on Th1 development. Thus, this study presents the first identification of the early events in IL-12 signaling in T cells and of ligand activation of Stat4.

Choice of STATs and other substrates specified by modular tyrosine-based motifs in cytokine receptors

Many members of the cytokine receptor superfamily initiate intracellular signaling by activating members of the Jak family of tyrosine kinases. Activation of the same Jaks by multiple cytokines raises the question of how these cytokines activate distinct intracellular signaling pathways. Selection of particular substrates--the transcriptional activator Stat3 and protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1D--that characterize responses to the ciliary neurotrophic factor-interleukin-6 cytokine family depended not on which Jak was activated, but was instead determined by specific tyrosine-based motifs in the receptor components--gp130 and LIFR--shared by these cytokines. Further, these tyrosine-based motifs were modular, because addition of a Stat3-specifying motif to another cytokine receptor, that for erythropoietin, caused it to activate Stat3 in a ligand-dependent fashion.

Inhibition of beta-amyloid formation identifies proteolytic precursors and subcellular site of catabolism

Cerebral deposition of beta-amyloid protein is a pathological feature central to Alzheimer's disease. Production of beta-amyloid by proteolytic processing of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) is a critical initial step in beta-amyloidogenesis. We use an inhibitor of beta APP processing to block beta-amyloid peptide formation. Application of the inhibitor to cultured cells results in an accumulation of proteolytic intermediates of beta APP, enabling a precursor-product relationship between beta APP carboxy-terminal fragments and beta-amyloid peptides to be demonstrated directly. In the presence of inhibitor, these amyloidogenic carboxy-terminal fragments can be degraded to nonamyloidogenic products. The catabolism of beta APP carboxy-terminal intermediates and the formation of beta-amyloid peptides are likely to involve an early endosomal compartment as the subcellular site of processing.

Activation of monocyte effector genes and STAT family transcription factors by inflammatory synovial fluid is independent of interferon gamma

Activated monocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis. Blood monocytes which enter the inflamed joint become activated upon adherence to extracellular matrix and exposure to a complex inflammatory environment. We have analyzed the mechanism of monocyte activation by soluble factors present in inflammatory synovial fluid (SF). Greater than 75% of inflammatory SFs tested (a total of 22 fluids to date) increased cell surface expression and dramatically increased mRNA levels of monocyte activation markers Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RIII, and HLA-DRA. This induction was not triggered by adherence, a known activating stimulus, and several lines of evidence showed that induction was not dependent upon interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Induction was not prevented by neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma antibodies and IFN-gamma was not detected in the SFs using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SFs also were not able to activate the IFN-gamma-activated transcription factor Stat1, thus providing further support for the absence of IFN-gamma. SFs did activate a related signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family factor, termed Stat-SF, which bound specifically to the IFN-gamma response region (GRR), a well-characterized transcription element in the Fc gamma RI promoter. Based upon DNA-binding specificity and mobilities in gel shift assays, and reactivity with specific antisera, Stat-SF likely contains Stat3, or a closely related STAT family member. Neutralization of interleukin 6, a cytokine present in SFs which is known to activate Stat3, abolished the activation of Stat-SF and inhibited the induction of Fc gamma RI expression by SFs. These results demonstrate the activation of monocytes by inflammatory SF and suggest that monocyte activation at an inflammatory site may occur in the absence of IFN-gamma through the triggering of signal transduction pathways that activate STAT transcription factors.

The genomic structure of the STAT genes: multiple exons in coincident sites in Stat1 and Stat2

The genomic structure of Stat2 has been determined and compared with a large portion of the Stat1 gene. There are 24 exons in the Stat2 gene and a matching number in very similar positions in the Stat1 gene. Thus a very complicated genomic structure was presumably duplicated and has been closely maintained throughout evolution.

In vivo growth hormone treatment rapidly stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Stat3

The mechanisms by which GH regulates gene expression to alter growth and metabolism are unknown. We have demonstrated previously that in vivo GH treatment rapidly stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple nuclear proteins and have identified the inducible transcription factor Stat1 (formerly Stat91) as one of the major GH-activated nuclear phosphoproteins. We now show that Stat3, a new member of the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) family of transcription factors, is also phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and rapidly appears in the nucleus in response to GH. Activated Stat3 interacts with the naturally occurring c-sis-inducible element of the c-fos gene after GH treatment, as demonstrated by gel mobility shift assay, and is a component of gel-shifted bands A and B when the high affinity sis-inducible element is used as a probe. Our results suggest that multiple STAT proteins may mediate some of the pleiotropic effects of GH on gene expression.

Epidermal growth factor and lipopolysaccharide activate Stat3 transcription factor in mouse liver

Previous studies demonstrated that the intraperitoneal injection of epidermal growth factor (EGF) into mice resulted in the appearance, within minutes, of several tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in liver nuclei. Two of these proteins have been identified as the transcription factors p91/p84 (Stat1 alpha/1 beta) (Ruff-Jamison, S., Chen, K., and Cohen, S. (1993) Science 261, 1733-1736). We have now identified, by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, an additional EGF-modulated transcription factor, Stat3. We find that Stat3 is tyrosine-phosphorylated and present in mouse liver nuclei following either EGF or lipopolysaccharide administration. Gel shift analyses show that Stat3 is capable of specifically binding the SIE (a DNA sequence present in the c-fos promoter). Three active SIE binding complexes (SIF A, B, and C) exist in the nucleus after the administration of EGF: one complex that contains Stat3, one that contains Stat1, and a third complex that appears to contain both proteins. Only one active SIE binding complex, containing Stat3, was detected after the administration of lipopolysaccharide.

Role of Kupffer cells in storage and metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene in the liver

This study investigates the possible role of Kupffer cells in storage and metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene in the liver. In perfused liver, benzo(a)pyrene (4-120 microM) in 0.3% albumin increased fluorescence (366-->405 mm) on the liver surface in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that it accumulated in liver tissue. The maximal increase of benzo(a)pyrene fluorescence was diminished by 60% when Kupffer cells were destroyed by gadolinium chloride treatment (10 mg/kg iv). Gadolinium chloride also decreased the yield of isolated nonparenchymal cells by 65%. In frozen sections of livers perfused with 4 microM benzo(a)pyrene for 1 hr, fluorescence was approximately 5 times greater in cells lining the sinusoids than in parenchymal cells. Moreover, yellow-green fluorescent particles were detected in cultured Kupffer cells, but were barely visible in parenchymal and Ito cells, indicating that Kupffer cells actively accumulated benzo(a)pyrene. In contrast to the cell specificity for benzo(a)pyrene accumulation, rates of monooxygenation of benzo(a)pyrene were up to 20-fold higher in isolated parenchymal than in Kupffer cells. In nonparenchymal cells, basal rates of production of benzo(a)pyrene phenols were approximately 50 pmol/10(6) cells/hr. In contrast, rates were approximately 335 pmol/10(6) cells/hr in parenchymal cells. Further, total [3H]benzo(a)pyrene metabolism was approximately 8-fold higher in parenchymal than in nonparenchymal cells. Albumin increased production of benzo(a)pyrene phenols by 3-fold in parenchymal cells, but was without effect in nonparenchymal cells. Pretreatment of rats with gadolinium chloride increased the production of benzo(a)pyrene phenols in perfused liver by > 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stat3 and Stat4: members of the family of signal transducers and activators of transcription

The deduced amino acid sequence of two members of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family from the mouse are described. Comparison with the deduced protein sequence of the two previously described genes (Stat91 and Stat113), discovered because of their activation as transcription factors after interferon-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, shows several highly conserved regions, including the putative SH3 and SH2 domains. The conserved amino acid stretches likely point to conserved domains that enable these proteins to carry out the several required functions they are known and proposed to carry out. While Stat1 and Stat3 are widely expressed, Stat4 expression is restricted to testis, thymus, and spleen. Antiserum to Stat3 detects a major approximately 92-kDa protein and a minor approximately 89-kDa protein, while antiserum to Stat4 precipitates one major protein of approximately 89 kDa.

Increased amyloid production from aberrant beta-amyloid precursor proteins

The 4-kDa beta-amyloid protein that forms fibrillar deposits in Alzheimer's diseased brains is derived from a large precursor, the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP). Recently, it has been reported that beta-amyloid is normally produced and secreted by cultured mammalian cells. In our studies involving recombinant expression of beta-APP, increased yields of beta-amyloid were associated with expression of aberrant beta-APP molecules. Deletion mutations within the beta-amyloid domain, incorrect beta-APP isoform expression in fibroblasts or neuronal cells, or excess amounts of beta-APP all led to increases in beta-amyloid production. Aberrant beta-APP appears to be diverted from the secretory pathway and then degraded to beta-amyloid.

Stat3: a STAT family member activated by tyrosine phosphorylation in response to epidermal growth factor and interleukin-6

The STAT family of proteins carries out a dual function: signal transduction and activation of transcription. A new family member, Stat3, becomes activated through phosphorylation on tyrosine as a DNA binding protein in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) but not interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). It is likely that this phosphoprotein forms homodimers as well as heterodimers with the first described member of the STAT family, Stat91 (renamed Stat1 alpha), which is activated by the IFNs and EGF. Differential activation of different STAT proteins in response to different ligands should help to explain specificity in nuclear signaling from the cell surface.

Secretion of beta-amyloid precursor protein involves multiple cleavage sites

A major histopathological feature of Alzheimer's disease is deposits of a approximately 4-kDa beta-amyloid peptide derived by proteolytic processing from a precursor, the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP). Proteolytic cleavage of beta-APP within the approximately 4-kDa beta-amyloid domain permits the secretion of the amino-terminal portion of beta-APP while concomitantly producing a membrane bound approximately 9-kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment. We have characterized the proteolytic cleavage site for beta-APP secretion by amino acid sequence analysis of the approximately 9-kDa beta-APP carboxyl-terminal cleavage product produced by recombinant and native expression systems. Recombinant beta-APP was generated by a vaccinia virus expression system in CV-1 monkey fibroblasts; endogenous beta-APP was obtained using a fibroblast line derived from an individual with Down's syndrome. The sequences of both unlabeled and metabolically radiolabeled approximately 9-kDa fragment from CV-1 cells reveal that the major (60%) secretory cleavage site is after Lys16 of the beta-amyloid domain as reported previously; however, an additional cleavage site is seen after Phe19 (40%). Radiosequence analysis of the carboxyl-terminal fragment purified from Down's syndrome fibroblasts indicates cleavage sites after Phe19, Glu22, and Gly25 and not after Lys16. CV-1 cells expressing beta-APP mutants lacking 4 and 6 amino acids adjacent to Lys16 yielded approximately 9-kDa fragments with two identical cleavage sites, neither of which occurred after the retained Lys16 but were after Glu11 and His13. These data suggest that secretion of beta-APP involves multiple proteinases and that the composition of these proteinases may vary within different cell backgrounds.

[Surveillance for AIDS among key population at border ports of Guangdong in 1990 and 1991]

A total of 260,112 persons of nine categories of key population were tested serologically for AIDS by the Quarantine Service in Guangdong Province and 16 cases were found HIV-positive (one of whom was confirmed), of whom 6 were foreigners and 10 were Chinese returned from overseas.

A multivariate analysis of the relationship between work ability and S. japonicum infection in Dongting Lake region, in China

A cross-sectional case-control study on the association between the reduced work ability and S. japonicum infection was carried out in a moderate endemic area for schistosomiasis japonica in the southern part of Dongting lake in China. A total of 120 cases with reduced work ability and 240 controls paired to the case by age, sex, occupation and without reduced work ability, participated in the study. The mean age for individuals was 37.6 years old (21-60), the ratio of male:female was 60:40, the prevalence of S. japonicum in the individuals was 28.3%. The results obtained in this study showed that the infection of S. japonicum in case and control groups was 49.2% (59/120) and 17.9% (43/240), respectively. Odds ratio for reduced work ability among those who had schistosomiasis was 4.34 (95%), confidence interval was 2.58-7.34, and among those who had S. japonicum infection (egg per gram > 100) was up to 12.67 (95%), confidence interval was 3.64-46.39. After odds ratio was adjusted by multiple logistic regression, it was confirmed that heavier intensity of S. japonicum infection and splenomegaly due to S. japonicum infection were the main risk factors for reduced work ability in the population studied.

A study and analysis of the deaths due to advanced Schistosoma japonicum infection in the Dongting Lake area of China

This study collected records of 245 cases of death due to advanced schistosomiasis japonica in the eastern Dongting Lake area between 1985 and 1990. The mean survival of the patients was 5.16 years. The patients with ascitic type had a shorter expected life while the life span of splenomegalic type patient markedly improved after splenectomy. The HBsAg positive rate was 43.64%; the rate of those complicated with carcinoma of liver was 19.18%. The latter group had a HBV infection rate as high as 61.70%.

A mammalian factor that binds telomeric TTAGGG repeats in vitro

We have identified a DNA-binding activity with specificity for the TTAGGG repeat arrays found at mammalian telomeres. This factor, called TTAGGG repeat factor (TRF), is present in nuclear extracts of human, mouse, and monkey cells. TRF from HeLa cells was characterized in detail by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. It binds double-stranded TTAGGG repeats in linear and circular DNAs. Single-stranded repeats are not recognized. The optimal site for TRF appears to contain more than six contiguous TTAGGG repeats. Tandem arrays of TAGGG, TTTAGGG, TTTTAGGG, TTGGGG, and TTAGGC repeats do not bind TRF well, indicating that TRF preferentially recognizes the telomeric repeat sequence present at mammalian chromosome ends. The apparent molecular mass of this factor, based on recovery of TRF from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, is approximately 50 kDa. We suggest that TRF binds along the length of mammalian telomeres.

Inhibition of glucuronidation of benzo(a)pyrene phenols by long-chain fatty acids

Long-chain fatty acids inhibit glucuronidation of benzo(a)pyrene phenols in perfused liver; therefore, this study was designed to investigate interactions of fatty acids with beta-glucuronidase, glucuronosyl transferase, and energy supply. In beta-glucuronidase-deficient C3H/He mice, infusion of oleate (250 microM) increased the release of free benzo(a)pyrene phenols from 14 to 33 nmol/g/h and decreased release of glucuronides into the perfusate from 25 to 17 nmol/g/h. Rates of accumulation of glucuronides in the liver were also diminished from 11 to 4 nmol/g/h after infusion of oleate (250 microM). Fatty acids did not affect the release of benzo(a)pyrene metabolites into bile, and the ratio of free phenol to glucuronide production was increased from 0.57 to 1.30. A similar trend was observed in livers from DBA/2 mice that have beta-glucuronidase. Rates of hydrolysis of benzo(a)pyrene-O-glucuronide were not altered in isolated microsomes by addition of oleoyl coenzyme A (CoA) or octanoyl CoA (10- approximately 100 microM). Thus, we conclude that fatty acids do not alter glucuronidation by acting on beta-glucuronidase. The concentration of cofactors (UDP-glucuronic acid, UDP-glucose, and adenine nucleotides) involved in hepatic conjugation was not altered by infusion of concentrations of oleate (300 microM) that inhibited glucuronidation in perfused livers. When oleate concentrations were increased to 600 microM, UDP-glucuronic acid and UDP-glucose decreased 44 and 49%, respectively, and the ATP:ADP ratio declined concomitantly. Oleoyl CoA inhibited UDP-glucuronosyl transferase noncompetitively (half-maximal inhibition, 10 microM) in microsomes with 3-hydroxy-benzo(a)pyrene or p-nitrophenol as substrate. In contrast, octanoyl CoA was a very poor inhibitor of transferase activity. Inhibition of the transferase by oleoyl CoA was increased markedly by treatment with detergents (Triton X-100), i.e., half-inhibition of glucuronosyl transferase was obtained with about 2 microM oleoyl CoA. Inhibition of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase by oleoyl CoA was also increased in a dose-dependent manner by albumin, possibly due to increasing access of the CoA derivative to the enzyme. Collectively, these data indicate that fatty acids diminish glucuronidation via the formation of acyl CoA compounds that inhibit UDP-glucuronosyl transferase noncompetitively.

Evidence that graft survival is not related to parenchymal cell viability in rat liver transplantation. The importance of nonparenchymal cells

Injury to parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells of livers stored in cold Euro-Collins solution was assessed following reperfusion and compared with graft survival following orthotopic rat liver transplantation. Parenchymal cells maintained their viability nearly completely after up to 24 hr of cold storage as assessed by trypan blue exclusion (97% of cells) and LDH release (4% of total) from livers reperfused for 20 min following storage. Furthermore, hepatic glycolysis (rates of lactate plus pyruvate production), oxygen uptake and NADH redox state (lactate:pyruvate ratio) were in the normal range at all time points studied up to 24 hr of cold storage. In contrast, nonparenchymal cells lost viability as assessed from trypan blue staining beginning after 8 hr of storage: 40% were nonviable after 24 hr of storage. Since injury to nonparenchymal cells occurs only upon reperfusion, oxygen radicals may be involved. Accordingly, xanthine and hypoxanthine, substrates for oxygen radical formation, were measured in perfusate upon reperfusion. Both purines accumulated (up to 80 microM) with time of storage and were washed out rapidly (less than 10 min) upon reperfusion. Although parenchymal cell function was in the normal range in livers stored in the cold for 24 hr, liver grafts stored for 6 hr and longer in Euro-Collins solution could not be transplanted successfully. Thus, we conclude that viability of parenchymal cells in liver grafts prior to transplantation is a poor parameter to predict the outcome of transplantation. Therefore, assessment of parenchymal cell energy state (e.g., with 31P NMR and other methods) most likely will not predict survival reliably. On the other hand, nonparenchymal cells lose their viability significantly earlier following storage and reperfusion. These data suggest that preservation of nonparenchymal cell viability is critical for successful liver transplantation.

Role of purines and xanthine oxidase in reperfusion injury in perfused rat liver

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible involvement of xanthine and xanthine oxidase in reperfusion injury in a low-flow, reflow model of liver perfusion. Livers were perfused at flow rates around 25% of normal for 90 min and then at normal flow rates (4 ml/g/min) for 30 min. When flow was restored to normal, malondialdehyde and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were released into the effluent perfusate. Malondialdehyde production rapidly reached values of 300 nmol/g/hr whereas LDH increased from basal levels of 100 to 600 U/l upon reperfusion. Trypan blue was taken up exclusively in cells in pericentral regions of the liver lobule under these conditions. Xanthine and hypoxanthine in the effluent perfusate increased steadily during the low-flow period reaching values around 5 and 10 microM, respectively, and decreased rapidly after the flow was restored to normal. Perfusion with nitrogen-saturated buffer for 3 min before restoration of normal flow rates or infusion of the radical scavenger catechin (400 microM) reduced cell damage by about 50%. Infusion of allopurinol (2-6 mM), an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, prevented reperfusion injury in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these data indicate that a reperfusion injury occurs in liver upon reintroduction of oxygen which is initiated by oxidation of xanthine and hypoxanthine via xanthine oxidase and ultimately leads to production of lipid peroxides. Surprisingly, infusion of xanthine (4 mM), substrate for xanthine oxidase, reduced hepatocellular injury on reperfusion. LDH release was decreased from values around 700 to less than 200 U/l and trypan blue uptake in pericentral region was prevented totally by xanthine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of fatty acids on formation, distribution, storage, and release of benzo(a)pyrene phenols and glucuronides in the isolated perfused rat liver

The hydroxylation of benzo(a)pyrene and conjugation, storage, and release of benzo(a)pyrene phenols and glucuronides by the perfused rat liver were studied in the presence and absence of acute addition of physiological concentrations of common dietary fatty acids. The actions of fatty acids on the oxidation and conjugation of benzo(a)pyrene in the intact liver were compared with their actions on microsomes isolated from rat liver. Rats were treated with beta-naphthoflavone to stimulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism. Long-chain fatty acyl CoA compounds (palmitoyl CoA, oleoyl CoA, linolenoyl CoA; 50 microM) inhibited hydroxylation of benzo(a)pyrene by isolated microsomes by about 45%; however, long-chain fatty acids did not affect overall rates of hydroxylation of benzo(a)pyrene by the perfused liver at concentrations ranging up to 300 microM. The medium-chain acyl CoA compound, octanoyl CoA, also did not affect benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation in microsomes or liver. Although fatty acids did not alter rates of hydroxylation, the ratio of free benzo(a)pyrene phenols to glucuronides (F/G ratio) increased about 60% (P less than 0.05) in livers perfused with long-chain fatty acids (palmitate, oleate, linolenate). Inhibition of glucuronidation was not observed with the medium-chain fatty acid, octanoate. Benzo(a)pyrene phenols and glucuronides accumulated linearly in the liver at rates of approximately 40 nmol/g/h. A second action of both long- and medium-chain length fatty acids was to increase rates of release of benzopyrene phenols into the perfusate by 50 to 80%. Fatty acids did not effect release of benzo(a)pyrene phenols and glucuronides into bile. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that fatty acids displace carcinogenic metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene from binding sites in the liver which enter the circulation and travel to target tissues.