Adenovirus-mediated in vivo gene transfer and expression in normal rat liver.

Replication deficient, recombinant adenovirus (Ad) vectors do not require target cell replication for transfer and expression of exogenous genes and thus may be useful for in vivo gene therapy in hepatocytes. In vitro, primary cultures of rat hepatocytes infected with a recombinant Ad containing a human alpha 1-antitrypsin cDNA (Ad-alpha 1AT) synthesized and secreted human alpha 1AT for 4 weeks. In rats, in vivo intraportal administration of a recombinant Ad containing the E. coli lacZ gene, was followed by expression of beta-galactosidase in hepatocytes 3 days after infection. Intraportal infusion of Ad-alpha 1AT produced detectable serum levels of human alpha 1AT for 4 weeks. Thus, targeted gene expression has been achieved in the liver, albeit at low levels, suggesting that adenovirus vectors may be a useful means for in vivo gene therapy in liver disorders.

Targeted disruption of the biglycan gene leads to an osteoporosis-like phenotype in mice.

The resilience and strength of bone is due to the orderly mineralization of a specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of type I collagen (90%) and a host of non-collagenous proteins that are, in general, also found in other tissues. Biglycan (encoded by the gene Bgn) is an ECM proteoglycan that is enriched in bone and other non-skeletal connective tissues. In vitro studies indicate that Bgn may function in connective tissue metabolism by binding to collagen fibrils and TGF-beta (refs 5,6), and may promote neuronal survival. To study the role of Bgn in vivo, we generated Bgn-deficient mice. Although apparently normal at birth, these mice display a phenotype characterized by a reduced growth rate and decreased bone mass due to the absence of Bgn. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which deficiency of a non-collagenous ECM protein leads to a skeletal phenotype that is marked by low bone mass that becomes more obvious with age. These mice may serve as an animal model to study the role of ECM proteins in osteoporosis.

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor mediates non-redundant functions necessary for normal wound healing.

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a serine protease inhibitor with anti-microbial properties found in mucosal fluids. It is expressed during cutaneous wound healing. Impaired healing states are characterized by excessive proteolysis and often bacterial infection, leading to the hypothesis that SLPI may have a role in this process. We have generated mice null for the gene encoding SLPI (Slpi), which show impaired cutaneous wound healing with increased inflammation and elastase activity. The altered inflammatory profile involves enhanced activation of local TGF-beta in Slpi-null mice. We propose that SLPI is a pivotal endogenous factor necessary for optimal wound healing.

Human rhabdosarcoma cell-induced aggregation of blood platelets.

The ability of tumor cells shed into the circulation to cause adhesion and aggregation of blood platelets may be involved in successful metastasis of primary tumors. Rhabdosarcoma is a rare, early metastasizing tumor previously uncharacterized for ability to alter platelet function. It was found that human rhabdosarcoma cells (American Type Culture Collection) dose dependently induce biphasic aggregation of human blood platelets in heparinized platelet-rich plasma; aggregation responses could also be elicited in citrated plasma. Aggregation caused by rhabdosarcoma can be inhibited by apyrase treatment of either rhabdosarcoma or platelets, and by pretreatment of platelets with prostacyclin, cilostamide, inhibitors of thromboxane A2 production, or TMB-8; only apyrase and prostacyclin inhibited both phases of aggregation. Tumor cell supernatant contained only enough ADP to cause a negligible, reversible aggregation response. Hirudin, verapamil, and triazolam do not inhibit rhabdosarcoma-induced aggregation. Aggregation of platelets by rhabdosarcoma cells thus appears to involve ADP, from tumor cells and/or platelets, and platelet calcium mobilization and thromboxane A2 synthesis and release.

Migration defects of cdk5(-/-) neurons in the developing cerebellum is cell autonomous.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a member of the family of cell cycle-related kinases. Previous neuropathological analysis of cdk5(-/-) mice showed significant changes in CNS development in regions from cerebral cortex to brainstem. Among the defects in these animals, a disruption of the normal pattern of cell migrations in cerebellum was particularly apparent, including a pronounced abnormality in the location of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Complete analysis of this brain region is hampered in the mutant because most of cerebellar morphogenesis occurs after birth and the cdk5(-/-) mice die in the perinatal period. To overcome this disadvantage, we have generated chimeric mice by injection of cdk5(-/-) embryonic stem cells into host blastocysts. Analysis of the cerebellum from the resulting cdk5(-/-) left arrow over right arrow cdk5(+/+) chimeric mice shows that the abnormal location of the mutant Purkinje cells is a cell-autonomous defect. In addition, significant numbers of granule cells remain located in the molecular layer, suggesting a failure to complete migration from the external to the internal granule cell layer. In contrast to the Purkinje and granule cell populations, all three of the deep cerebellar nuclear cell groupings form correctly and are composed of cells of both mutant and wild-type genotypes. Despite similarities of the cdk5(-/-) phenotype to that reported in reeler and mdab-1(-/-) (scrambler/yotari) mutant brains, reelin and disabled-1 mRNA were found to be normal in cdk5(-/-) brain. Together, the data further support the hypothesis that Cdk5 activity is required for specific components of neuronal migration that are differentially required by different neuronal cell types and by even a single neuronal cell type at different developmental stages.

Kinetics of ibuprofen effect on platelet and endothelial prostanoid release.

Reciprocal control of platelet function in the circulation has been proposed for the platelet-produced platelet proaggregatory prostanoid thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and the vascular endothelium-produced antiaggregatory prostanoid prostacyclin (PGI2). Forty drug-free healthy subjects were given a single dose of ibuprofen (0, 8, 10, 12, or 14 mg/kg) in a randomized, double-blind study. Blood samples were drawn 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours and 7 days after dosing for determination in serum (from untreated or in vitro indomethacin-treated portions of the blood) of TxA2 and PGI2 by radioimmunoassay of their stable metabolites (TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha). Maximal platelet release of TxA2 (untreated serum) was lower in all drug groups 2, 4, and 6 hours after dosing. There was no significant decrease in PGI2 release. All doses of ibuprofen (except 0 mg/kg) induced essentially identical plasma levels at the times of measurement (postpeak decline), and effects could not be distinguished by dose for 8, 10, 12, or 14 mg/kg at these times. It is concluded that ibuprofen induces antiplatelet effects for at least 6 hours while preserving normal antiplatelet mechanisms.

Memory decline in the aged: treatment with lecithin and physostigmine.

Normal aged subjects were given lecithin and placebo for 5 weeks each in a double-blind crossover study. Supraspan tests of memory and learning failed to show any significant changes as a result of these treatments. Addition of a single IV infusion of physostigmine did not improve performance. These findings neither support nor weaken the "cholinergic hypothesis" of cognitive impairment in aging and dementia, but they imply that simple cholinergic hypofunction is unlikely.

Characterization of polymorphonuclear leukocyte aggregation in vitro induced by heat-inactivated group B streptococcus.

We studied the aggregatory characteristics of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in response to heat-inactivated group B streptococcus. PMNs suspended in physiologic salt solution do not aggregate to heat-inactivated group B streptococcus (GBS) unless the GBS is previously opsonized in autologous plasma. The aggregating activity of both opsonized GBS and activated plasma are reduced if the plasma is decomplemented before incubation with GBS. Pretreatment of PMNs with pronase inhibited opsonized GBS-induced aggregation, suggesting aggregation via cell membrane receptors for opsonic fragments of C3. Pronase pretreatment had no significant effect on aggregation induced by activated plasma or arachidonic acid. Unlike PMNs in physiologic salt solution, PMNs suspended in plasma aggregate when stimulated by unopsonized GBS. GBS aggregates PMNs via complement cascade activation, opsonization, and interaction with cell membrane receptors to stimulate cellular mechanisms resulting in PMN aggregation.

In vitro inhibition of group B streptococcus-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte aggregation.

Evidence suggests that part of the pathophysiologic response seen in group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis may be due to polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) activation. Indomethacin (INDO), which inhibits eicosanoid metabolism, attenuates the pathophysiologic response stimulated by GBS, possibly due to inhibition of PMN aggregation. We examined the capability of two eicosanoid metabolism inhibitors, INDO and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), to inhibit PMN aggregation induced by heat-inactivated opsonized GBS and GBS-activated plasma. Opsonized GBS-induced PMN aggregation was inhibited by INDO (50-500 microM) and NDGA (1-100 microM). Over similar concentration ranges, INDO and NDGA had no significant effect on PMN aggregation induced by GBS-activated plasma. PMNs in plasma aggregate in response to unopsonized GBS. The stimuli for aggregation are opsonized GBS and GBS-activated plasma. INDO (50-500 microM) was unable to inhibit aggregation under this condition. Over the same concentration range in which INDO inhibited opsonized GBS-induced PMN aggregation, INDO was unable to inhibit opsonized GBS-induced superoxide production in PMNs. NDGA was examined but was found to interfere with the assay. The above evidence suggests PMN aggregation via eicosanoid metabolism may play a role in GBS-induced sepsis, which may be attenuated by agents such as INDO and NDGA.

Effects of acetaldehyde condensation products on human platelet aggregation.

Condensation products (CP) of the ethanol metabolite, acetaldehyde, and endogenous amines, such as dopamine and serotonin, have been proposed to be effectors of some symptoms of chronic ethanol use. Since hemostatic defects are known to occur in chronic ethanol use, the effects of CP on in vitro human platelet aggregation responses induced by several agents were determined. Both isoquinoline and beta carboline type CP significantly inhibited aggregation responses induced by epinephrine, with the concentrations to produce 50% inhibition ranging from 8-347 uM. The beta-carbolines significantly inhibited ADP-induced aggregation and also inhibited aggregation induced by collagen or arachidonic acid, but at high concentrations. Effects on epinephrine aggregation and ADP aggregation were reversible. Potential mechanisms of the inhibitory effects were briefly examined. Concomitant use of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline potentiated the effect of some but not other CP, possibly indicating an involvement of cyclic AMP. Concomitant use of the non-specific beta-adrenergic inhibitor propranolol had no effect on CP inhibition, indicating that CP probably do not stimulate platelet adenylyl cyclase-coupled beta 2-adrenoceptors. Thus, general inhibition by CP of platelet responses in the circulation is unlikely, except, possibly, for epinephrine-induced aggregation, because of the high concentrations of CP required. However, local regulation of platelet responses by release of stored CP during aggregation is possible since CP are stored in platelet dense granules.

Tetrahydroisoquinolines and beta-carbolines: specific binding to human platelet alpha 2-receptors in vitro.

Previous human platelet aggregation studies indicated that tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) and beta-carboline (BC) compounds act as competitive antagonists for epinephrine for the platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor. In this study, the relative binding affinities of 1,2,3,4-TIQ (THIQ), salsolinol (SAL), norharman (NH), harmaline (HAR) and tetrahydronorharman (THN) for the platelet alpha 2-receptor were determined using the selective antagonist [3H]-yohimbine. The order of potency in yohimbine-displacing ability was THIQ = THN greater than HAR greater than NH greater than SAL, with IC50's ranging from 10 microM to 170 microM. A structure-activity relationship could also be identified for the condensation products examined.

Sodium arachidonate induced in vitro polymorphonuclear leukocyte aggregation.

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) aggregated to sodium arachidonate (AA) in a dose dependent manner. Other agents such as epinephrine, or ADP were unable to initiate aggregation. The cells released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during aggregation, and electron microscopy demonstrated distinct morphologic changes in PMNs aggregated with AA. Indomethacin enhanced AA induced aggregation, whereas 1-methylimidazole inhibited aggregation and LDH release. Preincubation with cytochalasin B (CTB) did not enhance AA induced aggregation, nor did it reduce LDH release. Also, the effects of indomethacin or 1-methylimidazole on AA induced aggregation were unaltered by the presence of CTB. The results indicate that 1) LDH release occurs as a function of the aggregation process rather than a non-specific effect, 2) competition between cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase occurs and 3) shifting this competition in favor of lipoxygenase enhances the PMN aggregation process.

Alteration of platelet reactivity following a shock-inducing procedure in pigs.

Changes (usually increases) in platelet reactivity occur concomitantly with circulatory shock. This suggests both effects of the shock state on platelets and participation by platelets in sequelae of shock such as shock-lung syndrome. Changes in platelet reactivity have not been documented previously for splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO)-induced shock. SAO shock in pigs produced a decrease in platelet reactivity in the postrelease period. This decreased reactivity was not accompanied by changes in platelet counts or size distribution. Since exposure of the platelets to a submaximal aggregating stimulus prior to the sampling time at 15 minutes postrelease may cause this type of relative refractoriness, it is possible that the platelets may have been in a hyperreactive state very early in the postrelease period or prior to release. Exposure to increased but submaximal ADP levels, or to other submaximal stimuli, could cause the observed decrease in reactivity. Further examination of the time sequence and causes of changes of platelet reactivity in shock are necessary and desirable.