Ligand-induced translocation of epidermal growth factor receptor to the nucleus of NR6/HER fibroblasts is serum dependent

Ligand-induced translocation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) to the nucleus of NR6/HER fibroblasts has been studied by immunoelectron microscopy. Following treatment of NR6/HER cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 1 h, there was a decrease in EGF-R labeling at the plasma membrane and a corresponding increase in EGF-R in the nucleus. This was preceded by a rapid and sustained increase in nuclear phosphotyrosine content, detectable within 2 min of EGF treatment. EGF-R translocation into the nucleus was completely prevented by 18 h serum starvation prior to treatment with EGF. These results indicate that translocation of EGF-R to the nucleus is a controlled process and they suggest that EGF-R may directly influence nuclear function.

Growth inhibitory effects of FK506 and cyclosporin A independent of inhibition of calcineurin

The ability of the immunosuppressive agent FK506 to affect growth of the epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) overexpressing cell line, A431, was compared with that of the structurally unrelated immunosuppressive compound, cyclosporin A (CyA). Both were shown to inhibit growth, although neither of them caused down-regulation of the EGF-R or affected epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R. Inhibition of growth was not specific to EGF-R pathways, as both FK506 and CyA also inhibited EGF- and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced DNA synthesis in fibroblasts. In all assays FK506 was less potent than CyA even though it is 10-100 times more potent as an immunosuppressive agent. The role of calcineurin in CyA- or FK506-induced growth inhibition was investigated using the synthetic pyrethroid insecticides: cypermethrin, deltamethrin and fenvalerate, which are known calcineurin inhibitors. Failure of these agents to block cell growth or influence growth factor-induced mitogenesis indicated that the biochemical pathway(s) by which CyA or FK506 inhibited cell growth did not depend solely on inhibition of calcineurin.

Contribution of the transforming growth factor alpha B-loop beta-sheet to binding and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

We have exploited the differences in binding affinities of the chicken epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor for EGF and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) to study the role of the B-loop beta-sheet of these ligands in receptor recognition and activation. Although EGF and TGF alpha share similar secondary and tertiary structures imposed by three highly conserved intramolecular disulfide bonds, they have only 30-40% overall sequence identity. The B-loop beta-sheet is the major structural element in EGF and TGF alpha, but sequence similarity in this region is low. To investigate its role in receptor binding, we constructed two chimeric growth factors (mEGF/hTGF alpha 21-30 and mEGF/hTGF alpha 21-32) composed of the murine EGF (mEGF) amino acid sequence with residues 21-30 of the B-loop beta-sheet replaced by the equivalent residues of human TGF alpha (hTGF alpha); in chimera mEGF/hTGF alpha 21-32, asparagine 32, which lies at the boundary of the amino and carboxyl domains of mEGF, was also replaced by its hTGF alpha counterpart (valine). In initial studies using unpurified medium, it was found that the recombinant growth factors exhibited differing mitogenic potencies (mEGF/hTGF alpha 21-32 > mEGF/hTGF alpha 21-30 > mEGF) when assayed on chicken fibroblasts, even though they were equivalent in mitogenesis assays using cells expressing the human EGF receptor. After purification, mEGF/hTGF alpha 21-32 was found to be 50 times more potent than mEGF in the chick fibroblast mitogenesis assay and exhibited a 10-fold increase in relative affinity for the chicken EGF receptor; both growth factors still exhibited equivalent mitogenic and receptor binding activity when tested on cells expressing human EGF receptors. We conclude that the B-loop beta-sheet of hTGF alpha is an important determinant of EGF receptor binding affinity and biological activity.

Contribution of host-derived growth factors to in vivo growth of a transplantable murine mammary carcinoma

The contribution of host-derived growth factors to tumour growth in vivo was studied using the transplantable murine mammary carcinoma, MT1, grown in syngeneic mice. Promotion of growth of the mammary carcinoma by a factor(s) from the host was evident in experiments in which the carcinoma cells were inoculated intraperitoneally. In this environment, tumours develop as multiple solid nodules, each probably arising from an individual cell or a small cluster of cells. Tumour growth was found to occur in the peritoneal cavity following inoculation of 10(3) cells, but an inoculum of as few as ten cells grew if a leucocyte-rich exudate had first been induced. To determine which host-derived growth factors might contribute to growth of MT1, extracts of the tumour were first examined for growth factor activity. Fractionation of tumour extracts by either ion-exchange chromatography or gel filtration revealed several peaks of mitogenic activity, but none of this could be attributed to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Accordingly, an anti-EGF antibody was tested as a putative inhibitor of tumour growth as any effect of this antibody could be ascribed to removal of EGF derived from the host. The antibody was found to have potent anti-tumour activity when tested against MT1 tumours that had been inoculated into the peritoneal cavity. In contrast, the antibody had little effect on growth of the discrete tumour mass which formed when MT1 was transplanted subcutaneously. The results suggest that host-derived EGF contributes to establishment of microcolonies of MT1 carcinoma within the peritoneal cavity. This may be directly, by providing growth factors to supplement those produced by the tumour until it reaches a certain critical mass to sustain autocrine growth, or indirectly, by affecting the production of other growth-stimulatory factors or cytokines.

Structural studies on bioactive compounds. 23. Synthesis of polyhydroxylated 2-phenylbenzothiazoles and a comparison of their cytotoxicities and pharmacological properties with genistein and quercetin

A series of polyhydroxylated 2-phenylbenzothiazoles 3 has been prepared by demethylation of the precursor methoxylated 2-phenylbenzothiazoles 9. The key step in the construction of the benzothiazole nucleus involves a Jacobson cyclization of methoxylated thiobenzanilides 8. The target compounds inhibit WiDr human colon tumor cells and MCF-7 human mammary tumor cells in vitro with IC50 values in the low micromolar range, but the activity against MCF-7 cells is not related to estrogen receptor-binding affinity. None of the compounds showed selective cytotoxicity against Abelson virus-transformed ANN-1 cells encoded with the pp120gag-abl tyrosine kinase compared with the parental 3T3 line. Compounds were only marginally inhibitory to the EGF receptor-associated protein tyrosine kinase from a membrane preparation of A431 cells. The most active compound was 4,6-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (3b) which has the same overall hydroxyl substitution pattern as genistein (1a). The compounds were weakly cytotoxic for an EGF receptor, overexpressing cell line HN5, but when tested for differential toxicity against the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase or the PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase in a standard mitogenesis assay utilizing human fibroblasts, no discrimination was observed. In this assay, the compounds inhibited DNA synthesis when added to cells during S phase. This suggests that inhibition could not be interpreted in terms of tyrosine kinase inactivation but more likely as a relatively broad specificity for the ATP-binding domain of other kinases such as thymidine kinase.

Epidermal growth factor induced tyrosine phosphorylation of nuclear proteins associated with translocation of epidermal growth factor receptor into the nucleus

Treatment of human squamous carcinoma cells (HN5 cells) with epidermal growth factor (EGF) caused a time-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of six nuclear proteins of molecular mass 166, 140, 117, 95, 86 and 79 kDa. The major tyrosine phosphorylated protein was indistinguishable from the plasma membrane form of the epidermal growth factor receptor and was shown by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to be translocated into the nucleus from extra-nuclear sites upon ligand stimulation. Using immunoelectron microscopy of both isolated nuclei and whole cells, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) was found to be associated with the chromatin and, to a lesser extent, with the inner surface of the nuclear membrane. Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins other than EGF-R was particularly notable in the nucleoli. These observations suggest that EGF-R may exert some of its physiological functions by directly inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of specific nuclear proteins. Translocation of EGF-R to the nucleus may provide a vital link between plasma membrane signalling and gene activation.

Multidomain binding of transforming growth factor alpha to the epidermal growth factor receptor

Solubilized epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) has been used in an extension of the Geysen epitope mapping protocol in order to provide additional insight into the amino acid residues in human transforming growth factor alpha (hTGF alpha) which are critical to recognition and binding. Overlapping heptapeptides which encompassed the 50 amino acid primary sequence of hTGF alpha were synthesized on a polyethylene solid phase, and the amount of detergent-solubilized EGF-R bound to each peptide was measured using ELISA. EGF-R appeared to bind reproducibly to four heptapeptides cognate to sequences in both the N- and C-domains of hTGF alpha (residues 22-28, 28-34, 36-42, and 44-50). Visualization of these four regions on three-dimensional solution phase structures of hTGF alpha, derived from 1H NMR measurements [Kline, T.-P., Brown, F.K., Brown, S.C., Jeffs, P.W., Kopple, K.D., & Mueller, L. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 7805-7813], indicated that the peptide segments are located on a single face of the protein and suggested the presence of a potential receptor binding cavity. If peptide segments within both the N- and C-domains of hTGF alpha are involved in binding to EGF-R, then this has direct consequences for possible molecular mechanisms by which receptor activation might take place. For example, the observed conformational flexibility in the six NMR-derived hTGF alpha structures due to variations in the main-chain torsion angles of Val-33, in combination with the involvement of residues from both domains in the proposed binding cavity, may imply that receptor activation results from interdomain reorientation in the protein ligand.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Small unilamellar liposomes from mixed natural and polymeric phospholipids: stability and susceptibility to phospholipase A2

The concept of the uncorkable liposome composed of phase-separated mixtures of a polymerized phospholipid and an enzymically digestible phospholipid has been investigated, using small unilamellar vesicles composed of mixtures of (polymerized) dienoylphosphatidylcholine (DENPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). Mixed liposomes, even those containing only 10% DENPC, were much more stable than DMPC liposomes, as indicated by the release of entrapped [3H]inulin or [14C]glucose. DMPC liposomes released entrapped solute on exposure to phospholipase A2, whereas mixed vesicles were resistant. The results are compared with those of an earlier study on monolayers of similar compositions. It is concluded that the liposomes, like the monolayers, are phase-mixed, and that uncorkable liposomes cannot be constructed from the phospholipid mixture employed. It is proposed that, until further experimental evidence is produced, the enzymatically uncorkable liposome must be regarded as a theoretical construct.

Urinary epidermal growth factor (hEGF) levels in patients with carcinomas of the breast, colon and rectum

A specific two-site ELISA for human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) has been used to measure urinary hEGF/creatinine ratios in 30 normal subjects, 30 hospital in-patients with breast cancer and 30 hospital in-patients with colonic or rectal cancer. There was no significant difference between patients with breast cancer and controls. Although a statistically significant difference between patients with colorectal cancer and controls was observed, the biological significance of this observation is doubtful. No clear effect of the presence of breast or colorectal carcinoma on the urinary excretion of hEGF has been observed.

Quantitation of pinocytosis in human monocytes during in vitro maturation into macrophages

Methods are reported for the quantitative measurement of pinocytosis in human monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. The cells, in adherent culture in plastic wells, were exposed for periods of up to 48 h to culture medium containing 125I-labelled polyvinylpyrrolidone (50 micrograms/ml) and the pinocytosis enhancer suramin (500 micrograms/ml). Uptake of radiolabel was linear with time and was inhibited by colchicine (100 micrograms/ml), results that are consistent with uptake of radiolabelled substrate by pinocytosis but not with superficial adsorption of radiolabel. Similar results were obtained using a 125I-labelled vinylamine-vinyl-pyrrolidone copolymer as radiolabelled substrate. The rates of pinocytotic uptake of 125I-labelled polyvinylpyrrolidone (in the presence of suramin) and of 125I-labelled copolymer were measured at various stages of in vitro monocyte-to-macrophage maturation. In contrast to an earlier report, we found no consistent differences in pinocytotic activity between cells at different stages of differentiation.

Co-operation between interleukin-1 and the fibrinolytic system in the degradation of collagen by articular chondrocytes

1. The interaction between interleukin 1 (IL-1) and the fibrinolytic system in the control of collagen degradation by rabbit chondrocytes has been investigated in a tissue-culture system where cells are grown on a 14C-labelled collagen matrix. 2. Culture of rabbit chondrocytes in the presence of human recombinant IL-1 beta at a concentration of 57pM for 48 h led to the presence of procollagenase but not active collagenase in the medium. The latent collagenase could be activated by incubation with an organomercurial, aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). 3. Addition of IL-1 beta to chondrocytes grown on a 14C-labelled collagen matrix did not increase the degradation of the matrix compared to control over a 48 h period. However, in the presence of plasmin (200 micrograms ml-1) or plasminogen (100 micrograms ml-1), IL-1 beta (57 pM) caused almost complete degradation of the collagen matrix. Plasmin or plasminogen alone caused only slight degradation of the collagen matrix. 4. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) or the selective metalloproteinase inhibitor, SC44463, inhibited the degradation induced by IL-1 beta and plasminogen in a concentration-related manner and at concentrations that were correlated with inhibition of collagenase. 5. When concentrations of IL-1 beta which caused only minimal degradation of the matrix in the presence of plasminogen were combined with fibrin (1 microgram ml-1), there was almost total degradation of the matrix by 48 h. 6. These results indicate there is a synergistic interaction between IL-1 and the fibrinolytic system in the degradation of collagen by rabbit chondrocytes in culture.

Mixed monolayers of natural and polymeric phospholipids: structural characterization by physical and enzymatic methods

This study has focused on physical characterization and enzymatic hydrolysis of mixed monolayers of a natural phospholipid substrate and a polymerizable phospholipid analogue. Such a mixed system presents the possibility to stabilize model biomembranes, vary the molecular environment within the layer through polymerization and simultaneously examine these influences on monolayer structure. Phospholipase A2 was used here as a sensitive probe of the molecular environment within these mixed, polymerizable monolayers to complement information obtained from isotherm and isobar data. The results clearly show a strong influence of molecular environment on phospholipase A2 activity, even if differences in the physical state of mixed monolayers are not detectable with isotherm and isobar measurements. Physical characterization indicated that both monomeric and polymeric mixed monolayers were phase-mixed. Enzyme hydrolysis, however, showed large differences in the ability of the enzyme to selectively hydrolyze the natural phosphatidylcholine component from the monomeric as opposed to the polymeric mixtures. This demonstrates a high sensitivity of phospholipase A2 to distinguish subtle differences in molecular arrangement within mixed monolayers on a molecular level.

Monocyte-to-macrophage transition in vitro. A systematic study using human cells isolated by fractionation on Percoll

Improved density-gradient methods, using Percoll or Nycodenz, have recently been introduced for the isolation of human monocytes, but the capacity of cells thus isolated to differentiate into macrophages has not been systematically studied. We have compared Percoll and Nycodenz methods for the isolation of monocytes from human blood. The Nycodenz method yielded a monocyte population of high purity, but the yield was low. The Percoll method gave almost quantitative yield of monocytes, and the contaminating cells, mostly lymphocytes, were readily washed away after allowing the monocytes to adhere to a plastic surface. The Percoll method was then successfully scaled up, providing a simple method to obtain the monocytes from 180 ml blood. These monocytes were maintained in culture and their capacity to mature into macrophages was studied, using the following criteria: increase in cell size and protein content, increase in specific activity of hexosaminidase, differential hexosaminidase release on exposure to opsonized zymosan and unopsonized polystyrene beads, loss of peroxidase activity, and development of fluoride-insensitivity by the cells' cytochemically demonstrable esterase. The cells also displayed morphological changes typical of the monocyte-to-macrophage transition. The procedures reported constitute a simple and reliable method for the production of human macrophages in increased yield.

Optical coherence-domain reflectometry: a new optical evaluation technique

An optical evaluation technique is described that is suitable for determining the positions and magnitudes of reflection sites within miniature optical assemblies. This method utilizes the coherence effects exhibited by a broadband optical source and is referred to as optical coherence-domain reflectometry. Background theory is given, and experimental results have demonstrated a resolution of 10 microm with an optical dynamic range of more than 100 dB.

A preliminary investigation of the electrochemical properties of a nitrided stainless steel for dental applications

A comparison has been made of the electrochemical behaviour of investment cast coupons of a 20Cr, 25Ni, Ti stabilized stainless steel (in the nitrided and un-nitrided conditions) with a cobalt-chromium alloy in order to make a preliminary assessment from the point of view of corrosion of the nitrided material for dental and other biomedical applications. Electrochemical tests have been carried out in vitro in artificial saliva and in Ringer's solution, with some additional tests carried out in natural saliva. Both the potential-time behaviour and the magnitude of the breakdown potential on anodic polarization suggest that the protective properties of the passivating film are substantially improved in the case of the nitrided stainless steel alloy.

Human renin: a new class of inhibitors

A new class of human renin inhibitor is described, containing a novel analogue of the peptide bond. High inhibitory potency was observed for octapeptide-length substrate analogues but inhibition progressively weakened as the molecule was shortened from the amino terminal end.

Dextromethorphan and codeine: comparison of plasma kinetics and antitussive effects

Plasma kinetics of dextromethorphan (as dextrorphan ) and codeine were investigated after acute oral doses in 8 patients with pathological cough; after which the patients participated in an acute dose-response study of the antitussive effects of each drug administered as syrups. Maximum plasma codeine concentrations averaged 384 ng.ml-1 (s.d. +/- 78.3) occurring between 0.75 and 2h after ingestion of 60 mg codeine phosphate; in comparison mean peak plasma dextrorphan levels were 386 ng.ml-1 (s.d. +/- 107.2) and 388 ng.ml-1 (s.d. +/- 101.3) respectively, after administration of 60 mg dextromethorphan syrup and tablet formulations. Bioavailability of dextromethorphan tablets was comparable to syrup. No correlation emerged between instantaneous plasma concentrations of either dextrorphan or codeine and antitussive responses; however, peak antitussive effect was significantly related to log dose with both drugs. Antitussive effects of 30 mg codeine phosphate and 60 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide did not differ significantly; both were superior to 30 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide and placebo.

On the treatment of migraine. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships for a programmed release formulation of dihydroergotamine administered orally in the human

With the combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic approach, the bioavailability and venoconstrictor effects of two DHE formulations (programmed release capsules and oral solution) have been compared after acute oral dose administrations in the healthy volunteer subjects. The bioavailability of DHE from programmed release capsules has been significantly greater than that shown by the oral solution. DHE capsules formulation has seemed to provide appropriate plasma concentrations for at least 10 h after administration. That may well account for its efficacy in the treatment of morning migraine.

Long-term monitoring of the effects of thymoxamine hydrochloride tablets in the management of patients with Raynaud's disease

Seventeen patients with Raynaud's disease were followed whilst receiving treatment with 40 mg thymoxamine hydrochloride 4-times daily for period ranging between 11 and 19 months. Digital artery patency and blood flow changes, assessed by Doppler ultrasound techniques after different thermal stresses, were monitored regularly as were platelet aggregation to ADP and collagen, platelet adhesion to glass beads, measures of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, and plasma viscosity. Significant clinical improvement noted at 1 month appeared to improve further at 3 months and was maintained thereafter. Vessel patency rates at 10 degrees C and 21 degrees C improved significantly during treatment and both collagen- induced aggregation and platelet retention were significantly inhibited. These unexpected effects on platelet function are not readily explained by the drug's documented activity as a selective alpha-adrenergic antagonist and they may represent other hitherto unrecognized pharmacological effects which merit further exploration. The study also confirmed the usefulness of Doppler techniques for continuous atraumatic evaluation of digital vessel patency and investigation of therapeutic regimens on intermittent digital artery obstruction in Raynaud's disease.

Air embolism during caesarean section

Air embolism is an uncommon cause of cardiovascular collapse in obstetric surgery. A case is presented in which air was introduced through the open venous sinuses of a partially separated placenta during a delivery by caesarean section. The mechanism of death, methods of monitoring for air embolus, and treatment of embolism are discussed.

Clinical therapeutic evaluation of methylcysteine hydrochloride in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis: a balanced double-blind trial with placebo control

A double-blind, between-patient, placebo controlled trial was carried out to investigate the effects of methylcysteine hydrochloride in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. After a 2-week washout period on placebo, 30 patients were allocated at random to treatment for 6 weeks with either methylcysteine (1200 mg daily in Week 1, 800 mg daily in Week 2, then 600 mg daily) or with identical placebo tablets on the same regimen. During the post-treatment period, all patients returned to a single-blind placebo regimen (6 tablets daily) for a further 14 days. Assessments were made at the start, at regular intervals during the trial, and at the end of the post-treatment period, of subjective and objective measures of clinical response, and measurements of pulmonary function and certain physico-chemical properties of sputum. The results showed that methylcysteine increased sputum volume, reduced the viscidity of sputum, and significantly improved the subjective assessments of ease of expectoration and severity and frequency of cough, leading to a definite improvement in the patients' clinical state. No side-effects of clinical significance were reported and no abnormalities were found in any of the haematological, hepatic and renal function tests carried out.