Correlation between Adrenoceptor Expression and Clinical Parameters in Degenerated Lumbar Intervertebral Discs

Despite advanced knowledge of the cellular and biomechanical processes of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), the trigger and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Since the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has been shown to exhibit catabolic effects in osteoarthritis pathogenesis, it is attractive to speculate that it also influences IVDD. Therefore, we explored the adrenoceptor (AR) expression profile in human IVDs and correlated it with clinical parameters of patients. IVD samples were collected from n = 43 patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery. AR gene expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Clinical parameters as well as radiological Pfirrmann and Modic classification were collected and correlated with AR expression levels. In total human IVD homogenates α1A-, α1B-, α2A-, α2B-, α2C-, β1- and β2-AR genes were expressed. Expression of α1A- (r = 0.439), α2A- (r = 0.346) and β2-AR (r = 0.409) showed a positive and significant correlation with Pfirrmann grade. α1A-AR expression was significantly decreased in IVD tissue of patients with adjacent segment disease (p = 0.041). The results of this study indicate that a relationship between IVDD and AR expression exists. Thus, the SNS and its neurotransmitters might play a role in IVDD pathogenesis. The knowledge of differential AR expression in different etiologies could contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches for IVDD.

Adrenoceptor Expression during Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Healthy and degenerating intervertebral discs (IVDs) are innervated by sympathetic nerves, however, adrenoceptor (AR) expression and functionality have never been investigated systematically. Therefore, AR gene expression was analyzed in both tissue and isolated cells from degenerated human IVDs. Furthermore, human IVD samples and spine sections of wildtype mice (WT) and of a mouse line that develops spontaneous IVD degeneration (IVDD, in SM/J mice) were stained for ARs and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. In IVD homogenates and cells α1a-, α1b-, α2a-, α2b-, α2c-, β1-, and β2-AR genes were expressed. In human sections, β2-AR was detectable, and its localization parallels with ECM alterations. Similarly, in IVDs of WT mice, only β2-AR was expressed, and in IVDs of SM/J mice, β2AR expression was stronger accompanied by increased collagen II, collagen XII, decorin as well as decreased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein expression. In addition, norepinephrine stimulation of isolated human IVD cells induced intracellular signaling via ERK1/2 and PKA. For the first time, the existence and functionality of ARs were demonstrated in IVD tissue samples, suggesting that the sympathicus might play a role in IVDD. Further studies will address relevant cellular mechanisms and thereby help to develop novel therapeutic options for IVDD.

Critical role of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis for JNJ-26481585-induced antitumor activity in rhabdomyosarcoma

JNJ-26481585 is a second-generation histone deacetylase inhibitor with broad-range efficacy and improved pharmacodynamic properties. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of JNJ-26481585 and its molecular mechanisms of action in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Here, we report that JNJ- 26481585's anticancer activity critically depends on an intact mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. JNJ-26481585 induces apoptosis and also inhibits long-term clonogenic survival of several RMS cell lines at nanomolar concentrations that cause histone acetylation. Importantly, JNJ-26481585 significantly suppresses tumor growth in vivo in two preclinical RMS models, that is, the chorioallantoic membrane model and a xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, we identify activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis as a key event that is critically required for JNJ-26481585-mediated cell death. JNJ-26481585 upregulates expression levels of several BH3-only proteins including Bim, Puma and Noxa, which all contribute to JNJ-26481585-mediated apoptosis, as knockdown of Bim, Puma or Noxa significantly inhibits cell death. This shift toward proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins promotes activation of Bax and Bak as a critical event, as genetic silencing of Bax or Bak protects against JNJ-26481585-induced apoptosis. Intriguingly, rescue experiments reveal that JNJ-26481585 triggers Bax/Bak activation independently of caspase activation and activates caspase-9 as the initiator caspase in the cascade, as Bcl-2 overexpression, but not the broad-range caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD.fmk) blocks JNJ-26481585-induced Bax/Bak activation and caspase-9 cleavage. In conclusion, JNJ-26481585 exerts potent antitumor activity against RMS in vitro and in vivo by engaging mitochondrial apoptosis before caspase activation and represents a promising therapeutic for further investigation in RMS.

[Acute vascular occlusion caused by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: early and late results of repeat-PTCA]

Acute vascular occlusion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) often necessitates a prompt aortocoronary bypass-operation (CABG). Alternatively, a re-PTCA can be attempted. In 1500 consecutive patients there was acute symptomatic occlusion due to PTCA 5 min to 16 h after the operation in 47 cases (3.1%). An immediate re-PTCA was attempted in all cases.

RESULTS

Reopening was successful in 43 of 47 cases (91%): in 15 patients (30%) within 30 min, in 36 patients (68%) within 60 min and in 42 patients (89%) within 90 min. In eight patients there was early re-occlusion 30 min to 20 h after re-PTCA, necessitating acute CABG in four patients. In 35 patients with re-PTCA the vessel remained open. Re-stenosis occurred within 1 to 10 days in 10 patients, and in additional 12 patients after 2-4 months. In most cases an additional PTCA was successful.

COMPLICATIONS

Six patients had an emergency CABG (three with an exchange wire as a stent in the dissected coronary artery). Three patients died (one after CABG); 14 patients experienced myocardial infarction (30%) (in three of these 14 the infarct was large).

CONCLUSION

Acute vascular occlusion after PTCA can successfully be treated by re-PTCA in four of five cases. However a rate of re-stenosis of about 60% is to be anticipated. Reperfusion with re-PTCA is fast and in these patients with transmural ischemia there are obviously less complications in comparison to emergency CABG after PTCA. 60% of the patients remain symptom free or markedly improved and without infarction or emergency CABG after 4 months.

Studies on the ring-cyclization and ring-expansion enzymes of beta-lactam biosynthesis in Cephalosporium acremonium

Micrococcus luteus was found to be very sensitive to isopenicillin N and was used as assay organism for purification of the enzyme isopenicillin N synthetase, which cyclizes delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine to isopenicillin N. Purification of the enzyme from the crude extract obtained by sonication of mycelia of Cephalosporium acremonium CW-19 was carried out by ammonium sulfate precipitation, desalting with Sephadex G-25, gel filtration on LKB ultrogel AcA44 or ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose. The cyclization enzyme was separated from the ring-expansion enzyme and was purified considerably more than 50-fold by this procedure. Using the purified enzyme, we found that the disulfide bis-delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine required reduction to delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine in order to behave as a substrate. The enzyme activity was stimulated by FeSO4 and ascorbate, but other cofactors, including alpha-ketoglutarate, were inactive. In addition to delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine, the enzyme converted adipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine, N-acetyl-delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine, and glycyl-delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)L-cysteinyl-D-valine to penicillins. All of these latter peptides were competitive inhibitors of the cyclization reaction. The Km of the cyclization enzyme is 10 times higher than that of the ring-expansion enzyme, deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase. The pH and temperature optima of the two enzymes were rather similar. Phosphate inhibited ring expansion, but not cyclization. Both enzymes appear to be soluble enzymes of about 31 000 molecular weight.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. XVII. The effect of marasmic acid on nucleic acid metabolism

From submerged cultures of Lachnella villosa, Lachnella sp. 541, and Peniophora laeta we isolated marasmic acid (1), a metabolite first described from surface cultures of Marasmius conigenus. The sesquiterpenoid exhibits potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. In cells of the ascitic form of Ehrlich carcinoma RNA and DNA syntheses are preferentially inhibited. Marasmic acid inhibits RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei, but does not interfere with the transport of nucleoside precursors into the cells. RNA polymerase II and capping enzyme (mRNA guanylyltransferase), two enzymes of nucleic acid metabolism, are markedly affected after preincubation with marasmic acid. We assume that marasmic acid acts on nucleic acid syntheses by direct inhibition of some of the enzymes involved. This mode of action would also explain its mutagenic properties. The preparation and testing of two derivatives, 2 and 3, revealed that the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde is essential for the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of marasmic acid.

Biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones from Helianthus annuus: antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties; influence on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis

Sesquiterpene lactones, produced in light and capable of inhibiting auxin-induced elongation growth of coleoptile and hypocotyl segments, were isolated from young leaves of Helianthus annuus (Spring and Hager, Planta in press, 1982). These compounds have an antibiotic effect on gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as on some fungi. The minimal inhibiting concentration (MIC) of compound II (15-hydroxy-3-dehydrodesoxyfruticin, Fig. 1), for example, is 15 micrograms/ml for Bacillus brevis, and 95 micrograms/ml for the fungus Eremothecium ashbyi. In addition, cytotoxic effects on mouse myeloma cells (NS-1) were also shown. Compound II causes a 50% inhibition of cell proliferation (ED50) at a concentration of 170 nM, compound I (niveusin C, Fig. 1) at 220 nM. The LD50-values were 0.15 micrograms II/ml and 1.24 micrograms I/ml, respectively. By measuring 14C-labelled thymidine, uridine and leucine incorporation into murine cells of the ascitic form of Ehrlich carcinoma (EAC) it could be shown that compounds I and II inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis, but do not affect the translation processes involved in protein synthesis. Furthermore, it could be shown that the exocyclic methylene group in the molecules of I and II plays an important role in triggering the described inhibitory effects.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. XI. The biological activity of siccayne, isolated from the marine fungus Halocyphina villosa J. & E. Kohlmeyer

From submerged cultures of the marine basidiomycete Halocyphina villosa we isolated siccayne (4-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-1-buten-3-yne) (1), a metabolite first described from fermentations of the deuteromycete Helminthosporium siccans. Siccayne is a moderately active antibiotic, which inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi at concentrations of 10 approximately 50 micrograms/ml. Its cytotoxic effect is much more pronounced on both normal and Rous-sarcoma-virus transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts as compared to cells of the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Siccayne apparently interferes with the uptake of nucleoside precursors into eucaryotic cells as well as with the in vitro incorporation of nucleotides into DNA and RNA.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. X. Scorodonin, a new antibacterial and antifungal metabolite from Marasmius scorodonius (Fr.) Fr

Scorodonin (1), a novel biologically active metabolite, was isolated from submerged cultures of the mushroom Marasmius scorodonius (FR.) FR. Its structure has been determined by chemical and physical methods. The antibiotic inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. In cells of the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma the incorporation of thymidine and uridine into DNA and RNA is strongly inhibited by scorodonin whereas the incorporation of leucine into protein is not affected.

Antibiotics from basidiomycetes. VII. Crinipellin, a new antibiotic from the basidiomycetous fungus Crinipellis stipitaria (Fr.) Pat

A crystalline antibiotic, which we have named crinipellin, was isolated from submerged cultures of the basidiomycete Crinipellis stipitaria, strain No. 7612. High resolution mass spectrometry yielded the formula C22H28O5. The antibiotic is most active against Gram-positive bacteria, although yeasts and filamentous fungi are affected to a lesser extent. Crinipellin exhibits high in vitro inhibitory activity against the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma. The incorporation of precursors of DNA-, RNA-, and protein syntheses in EHRLICH carcinoma (and in Bacillus brevis) cells was completely inhibited at 5(10) microgram/ml. In Bacillus brevis the inhibition of the incorporation of uridine was found to be due to an interference by crinipellin with the transport of the precursor into the cells.