Compound heterozygosity of the GPIbalpha gene associated with Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

We report the molecular genetic analysis of the Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) phenotype in two related patients showing absence of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha and detectable amounts of GPIX on the platelet surface, and a truncated form of GPIbalpha in solubilized platelets and plasma. They both were compound heterozygotes for the GPIbalpha gene: a maternal allele with a T insertion at position 1418 causing a translational frameshift and premature polypeptide termination, and a paternal allele with a T715A substitution chan-ino Cys209 to Ser. Heterozygotes for either one of these mutations were asymptomatic. Transient transfection of cells coexpressing GPIbbeta and GPIX failed to detect surface expression of the GPIbalpha mutants. Cells transfected with [1418insT]GPIbalpha-cDNA showed a truncated protein of the predicted size in both cell lysate and conditioned medium, indicating the inability of the mutant protein to anchor the plasma membrane. In contrast. transfection of [T715A]GPIbalpha-cDNA yield a mutated protein barely detectable in the cell lysate and absent in the medium, indicating that the loss of Cys209 renders GPIbalpha more vulnerable to proteolysis and unable to undergo the normal secretory pathway. Our findings indicate that the additive effects of both mutations are responsible for the BSS phenotype of the patients.

Efecto inmediato de infusiones de consumo habitual en las propiedades salivales / Immediate effect of commonly consumed infusions in the salivary properties

Gran cantidad de población consume cotidianamente infusiones, como el Té, Manzanilla y Yerba Mate. Diferentes estudios han determinado sus efectos benéficos en los seres humanos, razón por la cual, para este estudio se han seleccionado aquellas infusiones de uso habitual con el fin de caracterizar sus efectos inmediatos sobre las propiedades de la saliva. Con grupos de 37 sujetos sanos, entre 18-23 años, de bajo riesgo cariogénico se obtuvieron 3 muestras de saliva no estimulada: Basal; Post-ingesta de Agua Destilada (Placebo) y Post-ingesta Infusión (Té Negro, Té Verde, Mate, Manzanilla y Manzanilla con Endulzante), respectivamente. Todas las pruebas fueron realizadas bajo condiciones estándar. Se determinó el flujo salival (ml/min), pH mediante pH-metro (PL-600, GOnDO Electronics Co, TW) y capacidad buffer mediante método de Ericsson. Todos los datos se procesaron mediante la prueba ANOVA con el programa Origin 6.0. El promedio de Flujo Salival Basal (0,51 ml/min) tiende a aumentar destacando el efecto de la Manzanilla con Endulzante (0,63 ml/min); el pH basal (7,25) se mantuvo relativamente constante, y la Capacidad Buffer (4,38) también tiende a aumentar destacando la Manzanilla (5,01). El efecto de algunas infusiones es positivo sobre las propiedades salivales, destacando la Infusión de Manzanilla, Manzanilla con Endulzante y Yerba Mate las cuales aumentan significativamente el flujo y la capacidad buffer salival, lo cual sugiere un efecto benéfico en la prevención de caries.

A great number of the population consumes daily a variety of infusions such as Tea, Chamomile and Mate Herb. Different studies have determined their favorable effects in human beings, for this reason those infusions habitually used have been selected for this study, in order to characterize their immediate effects on the saliva properties. We studied groups of 37 healthy subjects, between 18-23 years of age, with low caries risk, and obtained 3 samples of non-stimulated saliva: Basal; Post-ingestion of Distilled Water (Placebo); Post-ingestion of Infusion (Black Tea, Green Tea, Mate Herb, Chamomile and Chamomile with Sucralose). All the tests were realized under standard conditions. We measured, salivary flow (ml/min); pH with pH-meter (PL-600, GOnDO Electronics Co, TW) and buffer capacity with Ericsson's method. All the information was processed with Anova Test in Origin 6.0. Our results showed the average of Salivary Basal Flow (0.51 ml/min) tends to increase standing out the effect of Chamomile with Sucralose (0.63 ml/min), the basal pH (7.25) was maintained relatively constant, and finally the Buffer Capacity (4.38) also tends to increase, emphasizing Chamomile (5.01). The effect of some infusions is positive on the salivary properties, emphasizing the Infusion of Chamomile, Chamomile with Sucralose and Mate Herb, which increase significantly the flow and the salivary buffer capacity. This suggests a favorable effect in the prevention of caries.

Podocalyxin enhances the adherence of cells to platelets.

Podocalyxin (PODXL) is a mucin protein of the CD34 family expressed in kidney glomerular podocytes, vascular endothelium, progenitor bone marrow and tumor cells. It is assumed that PODXL plays an anti-adherent role in kidney podocytes. CHO cells stably expressing human PODXL (CHO-PODXL) or human tumor cells (Tera-1) inherently expressing PODXL showed increased adherence to platelets. The adherence of cells was inhibited (70%) by blockers of platelet P-selectin, prevented by the soluble ectodomain of human PODXL (PODXL-Delta) or by the arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGDS) peptide and partially impeded by inhibition of integrin alphaVbeta3/alphaVbeta5, suggesting a coordinated action of P-selectin and integrins. Colocalization of platelet P-selectin and PODXL expressed on CHO cells was demonstrated by confocal immunofluorescence. No adherence to platelets was observed when PODXL was expressed in glycomutant CHO cells deficient in sialic acid.

Production and characterization of murine monoclonal antibodies against human podocalyxin.

Podocalyxin (podxl) is a protein with a peptide bone of approximately 55.5 kDa that undergoes a post-translational glycosylation, yielding a final molecular mass from approximately 145 to approximately 200 kDa. This protein is normally found covering the vascular side of the epithelial glomerular cells, the podocytes, and its presence is essential to maintain a normal renal function. It has also been reported in other cells and tissues although its function has not been yet clarified. The carboxy-terminal intracellular domain of podxl is nearly 100% identical in most species; however, the ectodomain shows considerable variations although the cysteine residues are conserved. Detection of this protein is elusive, most likely due to differences in post-translational modifications. We aimed at producing murine monoclonal antibodies against human podxl. Immunization with Chinese hamster ovarian -hpodxl-green fluorescence protein live cells yielded five different monoclonal antibodies that were characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/western blot, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation. The different behavior of these antibodies suggests that some of them may react against epitopes masked by different glycosylated protein moieties.

Cell surface molecules related to factor J in human lymphoid cells and cell lines.

Factor J (FJ) is a cationic glycoprotein that is able to inhibit in vitro both the classical and alternative pathways of complement. FJ was purified to homogeneity from human urine by sequential chromatographic steps. To examine the expression of FJ in human cells we obtained mAbs against urine-purified FJ. Preliminary studies by immunocytochemistry revealed that one of the anti-FJ mAbs recognized cell surface components of certain cell lines, such as K562 and U937 cells, so we have focused subsequently on the detection of these homologue membrane-bound FJ Ags (FJ-h Ags) in cell lines of lymphoid (Ramos and Jurkat) and mieloyd (U937 and K562) origin, as well as in peripheral blood cells. The flow cytometry analysis of the examined cell lines revealed partial staining ranging from 10% (U937) to 29% (K562) positive cells. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood cells showed a positive staining in a small but consistent population of lymphocytes (mean = 11%, n = 17) but none at all on monocytes, granulocytes, erythrocytes, or platelets. Double Ab immunostaining of lymphocytes showed that the FJ-h positive population included mainly B lymphocytes (a mean of 63% CD19+ were FJ-h positive). When we analyzed peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia B (95% CD19+/CD5+), the majority of these (55%) bore FJ-h on their surface. Acid strip of these cells did not abrogate the surface staining, which supports the finding that the Ag is tightly bound to the membrane. Immunoprecipitation from U937 cell lysates showed a single 65 kDa band under reducing conditions. FJ-h Ags purified from K562 and U937 cells displayed inhibitory activity in the functional EAC14 assay for the classical complement pathway, as did urine FJ, and they were recognized immunochemically by five different (one polyclonal and four monoclonal) anti-FJ Abs. In conclusion, FJ-homologues are present in the membranes of several human cell lines that show functional and antigenic characteristics similar to soluble urine FJ. They are also found in a small subset of peripheral blood lymphocytes, mainly B cells. The structural relationship between both soluble urine FJ and these membrane-bound FJ-h remains to be established.

Competition between normal [674C] and mutant [674R] subunits: role of the molecular chaperone BiP in the processing of GPIIb-IIIa complexes.

This work aimed at investigating the function of the [C674R] mutation in GPIIb that disrupts the intramolecular 674 to 687 disulfide bridge. Individuals heterozygous for this mutation show a platelet GPIIb-IIIa content approximately 30% of normal controls, which is less than expected from one normal functioning allele. Coexpression of normal [674C]GPIIb and mutant [674R]GPIIb with normal GPIIIa produced a [674R]GPIIb concentration-dependent inhibition of surface exposure of GPIIb-IIIa complexes in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, suggesting that [674R]GPIIb interferes with the association and/or intracellular trafficking of normal subunits. Mutation of either 674C or 687C had similar effects in reducing the surface exposure of GPIIb-IIIa. However, substitution of 674C for A produced a much lesser inhibition than R, suggesting that a positive-charged residue at that position renders a less efficient subunit conformation. The mutant [674R]GPIIb but not normal GPIIb was found associated with the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP in transiently transfected CHO cells. BiP was also found associated with [674R]GPIIb-IIIa heterodimers, but not with normal GPIIIa or normal heterodimers. Overexpression of BiP did not increase the surface exposure of [674R]GPIIb-IIIa complexes, indicating that its availability was not a limiting step. Platelets from the thrombasthenic patient expressing [674R]GPIIb-IIIa were found to bind soluble fibrinogen in response to physiologic agonists or dithiothreitol treatment. Thus, the [674R]GPIIb mutation leads to a retardation of the secretory pathway, most likely related to its binding to the molecular chaperone BiP, with the result of a defective number of functional GPIIb-IIIa receptors in the cell surface.

Internalization of factor J and cellular signalization after factor J-cell interaction.

Factor J (FJ) is a cationic glycoprotein with inhibitory activity in vitro against both classical and alternative pathways of complement activation. Recently FJ has been implicated in adhesion to several cell lines, through a membrane receptor identified as nucleolin. In the present work we study the events that follow the binding of FJ to cells. After incubation of K562 with FJ, this protein was internalized actively and localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Adhesion to immobilized FJ induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins in Jurkat cell line with a similar pattern to that induced by fibronectin (FN), an extracellular matrix protein. This effect was maximal at 5 min and decreased after 10 min, and inhibited by anti-FJ monoclonal antibody (mAb). These results suggest that the binding of FJ to cells may play an important role in transduction of biochemical signals across the plasma membrane to the cell interior.

Cellular adhesion mediated by factor J, a complement inhibitor. Evidence for nucleolin involvement.

Factor J (FJ) is a complement inhibitor that acts on the classical and the alternative pathways. We demonstrated FJ-cell interactions in fluid phase by flow cytometry experiments using the cell lines Jurkat, K562, JY, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. FJ bound to plastic plates was able to induce in vitro adhesion of these cells with potency equivalent to fibronectin. As evidence for the specificity of this reaction, the adhesion was blocked by MAJ2, an anti-FJ monoclonal antibody, and by soluble FJ. Attachment of the cells required active metabolism and cytoskeletal integrity. The glycosaminoglycans heparin, heparan sulfate, or chondroitin sulfates A, B, and C inhibited to varying degrees the binding of FJ to cells, as did treatment with chondroitinase ABC. In the search for a putative receptor, a protein of 110 kDa was isolated by affinity chromatography, and microsequence analysis identified this protein as nucleolin. Confocal microscopy evidenced the presence of nucleolin in cell membrane by immunofluorescence with monoclonal (D3) and polyclonal anti-nucleolin antibodies in Jurkat cells. The interaction FJ-nucleolin was evidenced by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, purified nucleolin and D3 inhibited adhesion of Jurkat cells to immobilized FJ, suggesting that the interaction was specific and that nucleolin mediated the binding.