Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Mostrar: 20 | 50 | 100
Resultados 1 - 20 de 34
Filtrar
1.
J Mass Spectrom Adv Clin Lab ; 27: 61-65, 2023 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36691568

RESUMO

Introduction: The sample matrix composition, which is greatly affected by the type of blood collection tube used during phlebotomy, is of major importance in laboratory testing as it can influence test results. We developed an LC-MRM-MS test to molecularly characterize antithrombin in citrate plasma. The test principle differs greatly from traditional laboratory tests and the influence of varying plasma sample matrices is largely unknown. Objectives: To identify whether variations in sample matrix affect the LC-MRM-MS test for antithrombin and assess whether sample pre-processing by immunocapture reduces matrix-specific effects. Methods: Samples (n = 45) originating from four different blood collection tubes (sodium citrate, lithium heparin, K2-EDTA and K2-EDTA with protease inhibitors) were processed directly or after immunocapture. Antithrombin was digested into proteotypic peptides, which were monitored by LC-MRM-MS. Results from lithium heparin and the K2-EDTA matrices were compared to the standard sample matrix, sodium citrate, using Deming regression analysis and repeated measures one-way ANOVA. Results: Deming regression analysis of directly processed samples revealed slopes deviating >5% from the line of identity for at least six out of 22 peptides in all matrices. Significant differences between all matrices were found upon analysis by ANOVA for at least 10 peptides. Pre-processing by immunocapture led to slopes within 5% of the line of identity for nearly all peptides of the matrices. Furthermore, significant differences between matrices after immunocapture were only observed for four peptides. Conclusion: Variations in the sample matrix affect the measurement of antithrombin by LC-MRM-MS, but observed effects are greatly reduced upon pre-processing by immunocapture.

2.
Transfus Med ; 21(4): 236-46, 2011 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21518046

RESUMO

AIM: To determine the effect of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during cardiac surgery on cytokine gene expression (GE) in relation to multiple organ failure (MOF) development after systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). BACKGROUND: RBC transfusion in cardiac surgery patients is dose-dependently associated with post-operative MOF, possibly acting as a second hit after cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: For this observational study, 29 patients divided into four groups of cardiac surgery patients were selected from a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Group 1: no-RBC, no-MOF (N = 8); group 2: MOF, no-RBC (N = 7); group 3: RBC, no-MOF (N = 6); group 4: RBC and MOF (N = 8). Selection was based on age, gender, number of (leukocyte-depleted) RBC transfusions, type and duration of surgery. A 114 cytokine GE array was applied to blood samples withdrawn before and 24 h after surgery. Expression of selected genes was confirmed with reverse transcriptase real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Nineteen of the 39 detectable genes showed a significant change in GE after surgery. Confirmed by RT-PCR, transfused MOF patients exhibit significantly less downregulation of CD40 ligand than control patients. Patients who would develop MOF show significantly larger increases in GE of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-superfamily members 10 and 13B (TNFsf10/13B). CONCLUSIONS: When tested at 24 h after surgery, cytokine GE in peripheral blood leucocytes showed no significant differences between those transfused and those not transfused. Some alterations were seen in those developing MOF compared to those who did not, but the findings offer no role of leukocyte depleted (LD) RBC transfusion in the development of MOF.


Assuntos
Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos , Citocinas/biossíntese , Transfusão de Eritrócitos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Insuficiência de Múltiplos Órgãos/sangue , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/sangue , Idoso , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica/métodos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Insuficiência de Múltiplos Órgãos/etiologia , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos/métodos , Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como Assunto , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa/métodos , Síndrome de Resposta Inflamatória Sistêmica/sangue
3.
Anal Biochem ; 385(1): 13-9, 2009 Feb 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19026979

RESUMO

Release of non-protein bound iron plays an important role in the toxicity inflicted by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Since large variations have been described for different methods measuring non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), we aimed to obtain more accurate values. After binding to the chelator nitrilotriacetic acid disodium salt (NTA) and ultrafiltration, the NTBI can be measured spectrophotometrically by the addition of thioglycolic acid (TGA) and baptophenanthroline disulfonic acid (BPT). Results demonstrated that NTBI values increased with NTA concentration. In samples incubated with 80 mM NTA, >5-fold higher NTBI values were found compared to using 10 mM NTA. Optimal concentration of NTA was established by additions of iron to serum with known latent iron-binding capacity (LIBC). Iron addition curves showed that NTBI could be measured starting from the LIBC of the serum with optimal yield after incubation with 4 mM NTA in 5 mM Tris-HCl pH 6.5, with 3mM TGA and 6.2 mM BPT for the colour reaction. The results showed excellent correlation with 195 samples measured also by HPLC. For the spectrophotometric method, significantly higher NTBI values were measured in patient samples with maximal iron saturation compared to patients with lower iron saturation.


Assuntos
Quelantes/farmacologia , Ferro/sangue , Sítios de Ligação , Quelantes/química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Humanos , Ferro/metabolismo , Ácido Nitrilotriacético/química , Ácido Nitrilotriacético/farmacologia , Fenantrolinas/química , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sais/química , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Compostos de Sódio/química , Compostos de Sódio/farmacologia , Ácidos Sulfônicos/química , Tioglicolatos/química , Transferrina/metabolismo , Ultrafiltração
4.
Biochim Biophys Acta ; 1181(1): 1-6, 1993 Mar 24.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8457599

RESUMO

In order to obtain information on the disputed nature of melanosomes a comparison was made between the localization of melanosomal markers with those of other well-defined subcellular organelles such as lysosomes and peroxisomes. The distribution of marker enzymes was studied using two different density gradient systems, i.e., Percoll and Nycodenz. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of various types of antigens was analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy. All methods revealed the existence of partial co-localization of melanosomal and lysosomal proteins and different localization of peroxisomal markers. The results suggest that melanosomes may share a common origin with lysosomal structures.


Assuntos
Lisossomos , Melanócitos/ultraestrutura , Microcorpos , Fracionamento Celular , Linhagem Celular , Glucosilceramidase/metabolismo , Humanos , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Melanócitos/enzimologia , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Microscopia Imunoeletrônica , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Frações Subcelulares , beta-N-Acetil-Hexosaminidases/metabolismo
5.
Eur J Cell Biol ; 70(1): 69-75, 1996 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8738421

RESUMO

We studied the adhesive characteristics of melanocytes, cultured either in the presence of the mitogen phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) that keeps them in a proliferative state, or in the absence of PMA allowing them to differentiate. On proliferating melanocytes, several integrins, ICAM-1, E-cadherin, and CD44 were expressed. In the absence of PMA, proliferation was arrested, melanin synthesis increased, and the morphology of the melanocytes became more spreaded. Under these conditions, expression of integrins alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 decreased, whereas expression of alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1, and alpha 6 beta 1 increased. No changes were observed for any of the other adhesion molecules. Immunoprecipitations from metabolically labeled cells confirmed the shift in integrin expression at the level of biosynthesis. The increased surface expression of alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 1 in the absence of PMA was accompanied by an induction of adhesion to basement membrane components collagen and laminin through these integrins. Integrin alpha 5 beta 1/alpha v beta 3-mediated adhesion to fibronectin, CD44-mediated adhesion to hyaluronate, and E-cadherin/beta 1-integrin-mediated adhesion to keratinocytes were not affected by PMA. These findings indicate that by selective modulation of the expression of adhesion molecules, adhesion to components of the basement membrane is reduced in proliferating melanocytes, whereas adhesion to keratinocytes is maintained. Similar events may be involved in melanocyte proliferation and migration during wound healing and initial steps of melanocytic tumor progression.


Assuntos
Membrana Basal/citologia , Queratinócitos/citologia , Melanócitos/citologia , Adesão Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Moléculas de Adesão Celular/fisiologia , Divisão Celular , Células Cultivadas , Matriz Extracelular/fisiologia , Humanos , Integrinas/biossíntese , Masculino , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Acetato de Tetradecanoilforbol/farmacologia
6.
J Invest Dermatol ; 100(2 Suppl): 222S-225S, 1993 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8433011

RESUMO

The activities of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and tyrosinase were measured in subcellular fractions obtained from transplantable melanotic and amelanotic hamster melanoma. The results showed that there was a substantial difference between the localization of these enzymes. Whereas tyrosinase was localized mainly in the large granule fraction, the highest COMT activity was found to be in fractions abundant in microsomal structures. As expected, subcellular fractions obtained from amelanotic melanoma contained low or undetectable tyrosinase activity. On the other hand, the same fractions exhibited higher COMT activity than those from the pigmented tumor. Relatively low specific activity of COMT in fractions containing coated vesicles does not support the idea that this enzyme could be responsible for the inhibition of melanin polymerization in these structures. Because melanogenic intermediates, such as 5,6-dihydroxyindole and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid, are compartmentalized within membraneous structures, the preferential localization of COMT in cytosol and cytosolic membrane network might be advantageous for a detoxification role in (melanotic) melanocytes that produce dihydroxyindoles.


Assuntos
Catecol O-Metiltransferase/análise , Melanoma/ultraestrutura , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/análise , Frações Subcelulares/enzimologia , Animais , Encéfalo/ultraestrutura , Catecol O-Metiltransferase/metabolismo , Cricetinae , Eritrócitos/ultraestrutura , Melanoma/enzimologia , Mesocricetus , Microscopia Eletrônica , Microssomos Hepáticos/enzimologia , Mitocôndrias/enzimologia , Mitocôndrias Hepáticas/enzimologia , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo
7.
J Invest Dermatol ; 92(1): 18-21, 1989 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2462596

RESUMO

Pure melanocytes were obtained from the epidermis of human foreskin by a modification of a previously described method in which geneticin was added for selective killing of fibroblasts. Purity of the culture was confirmed by light and electron microscopy and by the use of a monoclonal antibody NKI-beteb, which is specific for a vesicular membrane antigen present on melanocytes. Melanocytes were tested for their affinity to several microcarriers. They attached to cytodex 1 and 3 and dorma cell, but they did not attach to glass and gelatin beads. The best results were obtained with cytodex 3. After an almost immediate and total attachment of melanocytes a fourfold to fivefold increase in cell number was achieved on this microcarrier within 3 weeks. With the results obtained, it seems that the collagen-coated cytodex 3 microcarrier surface supports the growth of melanocytes. Preliminary results obtained with a microcarrier cell culture fermenter clearly indicate that the large-scale cultivation of normal human melanocytes in such an automated system is possible.


Assuntos
Melanócitos/citologia , Adesão Celular , Divisão Celular , Movimento Celular , Células Cultivadas , Colágeno , Dextranos , Humanos , Melanócitos/ultraestrutura , Microesferas
8.
J Invest Dermatol ; 109(6): 796-800, 1997 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9406823

RESUMO

We investigated the effect of varying concentration of 1-tyrosine and 1-cysteine in culture medium on melanin production by human skin melanocytes (skin phototype II/III). In addition to the analyses of dopa oxidase activity and total melanin, pheomelanin production in the cells was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography determinations of pheomelanin degradation products, 3-aminotyrosine and 4-amino-3-hydroxyphenylalanine. As another marker for pheomelanin, melanosomal sulfur was determined by the use of X-ray microanalysis. With varying concentration of both amino acids, profound changes in the pigmentation patterns of the melanocytes were observed. A high concentration of 1-tyrosine (0.2 mM) was always connected with increased pigmentation. In combination with a low 1-cysteine content we saw an increase in tyrosinase activity and the highest melanin content. At high concentrations of both 1-tyrosine and 1-cysteine, the melanocytes showed reduced tyrosinase activity and they produced notably more pheomelanin. In case of the pheomelanin measurements by high-performance liquid chromatography and the sulfur detection with X-ray microanalysis, strongly increased concentrations were found when cells were maintained in high 1-tyrosine medium as compared with those grown with low 1-tyrosine. This was especially true for the combination with low 1-cysteine showing that the 1-tyrosine content of the medium strongly influences not only the eumelanin but also the pheomelanin production in the cultured melanocyte. It can be concluded that variations in the concentrations of 1-tyrosine and 1-cysteine in culture medium can be used to regulate the melanogenetic phenotype under in vitro conditions.


Assuntos
Cisteína/farmacologia , Melaninas/biossíntese , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Tirosina/farmacologia , Células Cultivadas , Meios de Cultura , Humanos , Pigmentação
9.
J Invest Dermatol ; 111(4): 678-82, 1998 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9764853

RESUMO

The question of whether melanins are photoprotecting and/or photosensitizing in human skin cells continues to be debated. To evaluate the role of melanin upon UVA irradiation, DNA single-strand breaks (ssb) were measured in human melanocytes differing only in the amount of pigment produced by culturing at two different concentrations, basic (0.01 mM) or high (0.2 mM), of L-tyrosine, the main precursor of melanin. In parallel, pheo- and total melanin contents of the cells were determined. Identical experiments were performed with two melanocyte cultures derived from a skin type I and a skin type VI individual. For the first time the correlation between UVA-induced genotoxicity and pheo-/total melanin content has been investigated. We observed that cultured in basic medium, the skin type VI melanocytes contained 10 times more total melanin and about seven times more pheomelanin than the skin type I melanocytes. Elevation of tyrosine level in the culture medium resulted in an increase of both pheo- and total melanin levels in both melanocyte cultures; however, the melanin composition of skin type I melanocytes became more pheomelanogenic, whereas that of skin type VI melanocytes remained the same. The skin type VI melanocytes cultured in basic medium demonstrated a very high sensitivity (1.18 ssb per 10(10) Da per kJ per m2) toward UVA that is probably related to their high pheo- and total melanin content. Their UVA sensitivity, however, did not change after increasing their melanin content by culturing at high tyrosine concentration. In contrast, the skin type I melanocytes demonstrated a low sensitivity (0.04 ssb per 10(10) Da per kJ per m2) toward UVA when cultured in basic medium, but increasing their melanin content resulted in a 3-fold increase in their UVA sensitivity (0.13 ssb per 10(10) Da per kJ per m2). These results demonstrate that UVA-irradiated cultured human melanocytes are photosensitized by their own synthesized chromophores, most likely pheomelanin and/or melanin intermediates.


Assuntos
Dano ao DNA/efeitos da radiação , Melaninas/farmacologia , Fármacos Fotossensibilizantes , Raios Ultravioleta , Células Cultivadas , DNA de Cadeia Simples/efeitos da radiação , Raios gama , Humanos , Melaninas/análise , Melanócitos/química , Melanócitos/efeitos da radiação , Protetores Solares
10.
Biochem Pharmacol ; 48(4): 743-52, 1994 Aug 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8080447

RESUMO

Catechols may interfere in melanogenesis by causing increased levels of toxic quinones. Several catechols and known inhibitors of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) were therefore tested for their toxicity towards a pigmented melanoma cell line, UCLA-SO-(M14). The inhibition of thymidine incorporation as a result of exposure to the compounds was measured. All agents were compared to 4-hydroxyanisole (4HA), a depigmenting agent extensively studied as an antimelanoma drug. The compounds were also tested on the epithelial cell line, CNCM-I-(221) in the presence and absence of tyrosinase. All the compounds were more effective than 4HA towards the M14-cells at either 10(-4) M or 10(-5) M. The toxicity of 4HA towards the 221-cells was shown to be completely dependent on the presence of tyrosinase. Effects of the test agents on the 221-cells were also observed in the absence of tyrosinase. Although some of them were shown to be good substrates for tyrosinase only small changes in toxicity were observed as a result of the presence of the enzyme in comparison with 4HA. No direct correlation of the toxicity of the agents and COMT inhibition was observed. The possible mode of action of the compounds through inhibition of COMT and interference in melanogenesis is discussed together with other possibilities and factors involved.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Inibidores de Catecol O-Metiltransferase , Melanoma/enzimologia , Anisóis/farmacologia , Catecol O-Metiltransferase/isolamento & purificação , Morte Celular , Fracionamento Celular , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Humanos , Melanoma/tratamento farmacológico , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/farmacologia , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Timidina/metabolismo , Células Tumorais Cultivadas
11.
Photochem Photobiol ; 74(3): 424-30, 2001 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11594056

RESUMO

The goal of this investigation was to correlate the melanin content in human pigmentary cells with the generation of UVB-induced photoproducts and to examine the relationship between the melanin content and the removal of the photoproducts. Cultured melanocytes from light-skinned individuals synthesized less melanin and produced more cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts upon UVB exposure than did melanocytes from black skin. Tyrosine-stimulated melanogenesis provided protection against DNA damage in both cell types. In another set of pigmented cell lines a ratio between eumelanin and pheomelanin was determined. The assessment of association between DNA damage induction and the quantity and quality of melanin revealed that eumelanin concentration correlated better with DNA protection than pheomelanin. Skin type-I and skin type-VI melanocytes, congenital nevus (CN)-derived cells and skin type-II melanocytes from a multiple-melanoma patient were grown in media with low or high L-tyrosine concentration. The cells were irradiated with 200 J/m2 UVB, and the levels of the photoproducts were determined immediately and after 6 and 24 h. Once again the induction of the photoproducts was mitigated by increased melanogenesis, and it was inversely correlated with the skin type. No significant differences were found for the removal of photoproducts in the cultures of skin types I and VI and CN cells. No indications of a delay in the removal of photoproducts in the melanocytes from the multiple-melanoma patient were found either.


Assuntos
Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Melanócitos/efeitos da radiação , Dímeros de Pirimidina/efeitos da radiação , Raios Ultravioleta/efeitos adversos , Células Cultivadas , Dano ao DNA , Reparo do DNA , Fotobiologia , Pigmentação da Pele
12.
Melanoma Res ; 7(6): 449-53, 1997 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9464616

RESUMO

Previous studies have shown that sensitivity to high extracellular levels of Zn2+ is a general feature of cells in vitro and that a prerequisite of the toxic action of zinc is entry into cells via channels that are shared with iron or calcium. As the biochemical and toxicological behaviour of zinc chelate complexes could be different from that of free Zn2+, the effect of chelating agents on zinc transport into human melanoma cell lines was tested. EDTAcal and tetracycline reduced the toxic action of zinc ions in vitro, whereas phenytoin and diethyldithiocarbamate potentiated its effects. D-penicillamine, an effective chelator of zinc in vivo, also exerted a protective action in vitro. Comparison of sensitivity to Zn2+ in vitro between human melanoma lines and several lines of pigment cells from skin of various origins demonstrated that melanoma cells are killed by zinc ions at concentrations which are only partially toxic for normal pigment cells. This is consistent with the repeatedly observed high uptake of 65Zn by melanoma cells.


Assuntos
Melanócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Melanoma/tratamento farmacológico , Zinco/farmacologia , Quelantes/farmacologia , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Ácido Edético/farmacologia , Humanos , Melanócitos/citologia , Melanoma/patologia , Tetraciclina/farmacologia , Células Tumorais Cultivadas/efeitos dos fármacos , Zinco/farmacocinética
13.
Melanoma Res ; 2(5-6): 295-304, 1992 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1292781

RESUMO

Substituted phenolic compounds were previously shown to exhibit cytotoxicity towards epithelial cells in the presence of the enzyme tyrosinase as a result of the formation of their quinone products. Seventeen of these compounds were tested for cytotoxic properties towards three different melanoma cell lines. The compounds were split into four groups of phenol derivatives, A; alkoxyethers, including 4-hydroxyanisole (4HA), B; oxyethers derivatized at the acyl side chain, C; oxyethers derivatized at the phenol, and D; acyl thioethers. Toxicity was determined by total cell counts after 3 days exposure to the compounds. Large reductions in cell numbers were observed with 4HA (the methoxy-), ethoxy-, propoxy and iso-butoxyethers of group A and the methyl- and propyl thioethers of phenol of group D. Derivatization of the ethoxy- and propoxy side chains (group B) did not seem to increase the cytotoxic effects, as determined by cell counts. Compounds of group C, which need intracellular esterase activity to release the phenols, showed moderate toxicities. Toxicity of certain compounds was confirmed by LDH release into the culture medium and by increased trypan blue uptake of cells exposed to the compounds. Flow cytometric investigations of cells after exposure for 24 h revealed that most compounds caused an increase in the proportion of cells in G1 phase. A complete accumulation of cells in S-phase was observed after exposure to 4-ethoxyphenol. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was also shown by inhibition of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. The results presented show that phenolic compounds exhibit cytotoxic properties towards melanoma cells some of which may be mediated by tyrosinase activity. Toxicity of the compounds was shown to be exerted during DNA replication but their toxic action may also be due to membrane damage and inhibition of cell metabolism.


Assuntos
Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Fenóis/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bromodesoxiuridina , Citometria de Fluxo/métodos , Humanos , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/análise , Melanoma , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Células Tumorais Cultivadas
14.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 289(3): 145-50, 1997 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9128762

RESUMO

Normal melanosome biogenesis requires the association of structural proteins with tyrosinase. 3T3 Swiss fibroblasts transfected with mouse tyrosinase cDNA (line 13.4, clone c) are a unique system in which melanogenesis takes place in the absence of melanosomal structural proteins. Our study confirmed that transfected fibroblasts displayed tyrosinase activity and some of them produced pigment granules. In the absence of melanosomal structural proteins the granules failed both to show a typical ultrastructure and to undergo the usual melanosome ontogenesis. The differentiating agent--dimethyl sulfoxide--increased phaeomelanin production. Pigment was localized in membrane-bound vesicles which were identified as lysosomes by means of immunogold electron microscopy. Cell line 13.4 had higher levels of lysosomal enzymes (beta-hexosaminidase, alpha-mannosidase) than both parental 3T3 cells and clone pKG4 (fibroblasts transfected with the G418 resistance plasmid). Melanosomal proteins act as scavengers of toxic products of melanogenesis, and our results suggest that in their absence cells may employ an alternative mechanism to sequester injurious products.


Assuntos
Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Lisossomos/fisiologia , Melaninas/biossíntese , Células 3T3 , Animais , Células Clonais , DNA Complementar , Enzimas/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/ultraestrutura , Lisossomos/metabolismo , Lisossomos/ultraestrutura , Camundongos , Microscopia Eletrônica , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/genética , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Pigmentos Biológicos/metabolismo , Transfecção
15.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 286(2): 81-6, 1994.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8154929

RESUMO

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. For melanocytes, the enzyme is of particular importance in preventing the formation of toxic o-quinones during melanin synthesis. It has been suggested that COMT plays a regulatory role in melanin synthesis. Indeed, when the melanin precursor molecule DHI(2C) is methylated by COMT it is no longer available for incorporation into melanin. Auto-destruction by intermediates of melanin metabolism has been implicated in the aetiology of vitiligo. Therefore enzyme activities in vitiligo patients and in healthy controls were compared. Systemic COMT activities were measured using red blood cells (RBC) as starting material. However, as local alterations in COMT activity may be specifically involved in vitiligo, the enzyme activity was also measured in epidermal homogenates. Finally, to ascribe epidermal COMT activity to the responsible cell type(s), enzyme activity was measured in cultured vitiligo non-lesional melanocytes and melanocytes from healthy controls as well as in cultured keratinocytes from lesional skin and in purified keratinocytes from control skin. It was found that epidermal homogenates from vitiligo patients expressed higher levels of COMT activity than homogenates from healthy controls. Such differences were not found at the systemic level (i.e. in RBC) nor could they be explained by measurements on separately cultured epidermal cell types, indicating that the COMT activity was induced at the tissue level by extracellular factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Assuntos
Catecol O-Metiltransferase/metabolismo , Pele/enzimologia , Vitiligo/enzimologia , Adulto , Catecol O-Metiltransferase/sangue , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Eritrócitos/enzimologia , Feminino , Humanos , Queratinócitos/enzimologia , Masculino , Melanócitos/enzimologia , Pele/citologia , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta , Vitiligo/sangue
16.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 290(6): 342-9, 1998 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9705167

RESUMO

In many laboratories, culturing skin melanocytes has become a routine research activity. However, recent investigations have revealed that the quality and quantity of the pigment formed in the cultured cells may differ significantly from those of the original skin pigment cells. To shed more light on this issue, we examined the influence of different culture media on pigment production. We showed that there were notable passage-to-passage variations in the synthesis of melanin. This was particularly true for phaeomelanin. It is therefore advisable to analyse the melanin in the cells before the start of experiments. In spite of the variations, basic differences in the pigmentation pattern between melanocytes isolated from light-skinned and dark-skinned individuals remained preserved in the corresponding cultures as observed by electron microscopy. Also, the total melanin content was higher in a skin type VI melanocyte culture than in skin type I and II melanocyte cultures. In contrast to total melanin, the phaeomelanin concentration of skin type VI cells was similar to that of the skin type I melanocytes. With higher L-tyrosine concentrations in the medium, as well as increased eumelanin synthesis, phaeomelanogenesis was also stimulated in all cultures tested. This stimulation was particularly prominent in skin type I melanocytes. Our preliminary experiments also showed that a melanocyte culture from atypical naevus cells exhibited a similar preference for phaeomelanogenesis when pigmentation was stimulated.


Assuntos
Melaninas/biossíntese , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Pigmentação da Pele , Meios de Cultura/química , Meios de Cultura/farmacologia , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Células Eucarióticas/citologia , Células Eucarióticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Eucarióticas/enzimologia , Humanos , Masculino , Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/citologia , Melanócitos/ultraestrutura , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/efeitos dos fármacos , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Pele/citologia , Pele/efeitos dos fármacos , Pele/metabolismo , Tirosina/administração & dosagem , Tirosina/farmacologia
17.
J Photochem Photobiol B ; 61(3): 106-13, 2001 Aug 30.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11535409

RESUMO

Cultured melanocytes originating from persons with different skin phototypes were utilized for measurement of endonuclease sensitive sites induced by UVB and the determination of cell survival after UVA or UVB irradiation. During culture, the melanocytes largely maintained their phenotypic characteristics according to their original skin phototype. Total melanin concentrations were 4.9 times higher in the darker skin phototype (IV-VI) melanocytes when compared to the cells from lighter skin phototypes (I-III). Also phaeomelanin contents were higher (2.5 times) in the skin phototype (IV-VI) melanocytes which implies that the cells from light skin types contain less melanin, but a relatively high proportion of phaeomelanin. After UVB irradiation a stronger induction of endonuclease sensitive sites was found for melanocytes with a lower level of total melanin and a high content of pheomelanin. By measuring the clone forming ability in different melanocyte cultures after UVB irradiation, significant better survival was found in case of the cells with the higher melanin content. Despite the large variations in melanin content, no significant difference in survival after UVA irradiation could be demonstrated in this way. Our results suggest a protective effect of melanin for UVB and indicate the importance of the measurements of melanin content and composition when different parameters of UV-induced damage are studied in melanin producing cells.


Assuntos
Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/efeitos da radiação , Células 3T3 , Animais , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos da radiação , Células Cultivadas , Dermatite Fototóxica , Humanos , Melanócitos/citologia , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Pigmentação , Raios Ultravioleta/efeitos adversos
18.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd ; 148(46): 2267-72, 2004 Nov 13.
Artigo em Holandês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15584541

RESUMO

Pigmented naevi (moles) are increasingly regarded as risk factors for the development of melanoma. The probability of melanoma developing from congenital naevi is proportional to the volume of the naevi. The risk of melanoma development from large naevi (diameter > 20 cm) is already present in the early years of childhood. The most important risk factor is the higher number of acquired naevi. This applies particularly to dysplastic (also called clinically atypical) naevi that not only represent the highest risk group but are also considered potential melanoma precursors. The development of acquired naevi (including dysplastic naevi) is dependant on the degree of skin pigmentation. The role of sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) in the development of melanoma is less significant than is generally assumed. The indirect effect of sunlight on melanoma development is to stimulate naevogenesis. One of the risk-modifying genes is the gene coding for melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R). The presence of some gene variants has been found to lead to changes in melanin synthesis and is associated with a higher risk of melanoma. Recent research has shown that dysplastic naevi synthesise more phaeomelanin. There are also strong indications that dysplastic naevus cells suffer from chronic oxidative stress. This situation can lead to hypermutability and genetical instability.


Assuntos
Melanoma/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Raios Ultravioleta/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Melanoma/epidemiologia , Melanoma/etiologia , Países Baixos/epidemiologia , Nevo/epidemiologia , Nevo/etiologia , Nevo/genética , Nevo Pigmentado/epidemiologia , Nevo Pigmentado/etiologia , Nevo Pigmentado/genética , Receptor Tipo 1 de Melanocortina/genética , Fatores de Risco , Neoplasias Cutâneas/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/etiologia , Luz Solar/efeitos adversos
20.
Curr Med Chem ; 18(2): 301-15, 2011.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21110798

RESUMO

Calcineurin (protein phosphatase 3, Cn) is best known for its central position in Ca(2+)-dependent T-cell signaling. Interest in calcineurin has, however, conserved its momentum as new Ca(2+)-dependent pathways have been steadily surfacing in several other cell types, such as brain, heart, skin cells and beta pancreatic cells, and Cn appears to serve as a central controller of stress, immune response, and cellular proliferation and differentiation. Calcineurin is the principal target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (TRL). Therapy based on these immunosuppressants has markedly reduced the incidence of transplant rejection in allograft recipients. In addition, these drugs have proven very useful for patients suffering from chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Unfortunately, their application is somewhat limited by a broad spectrum of toxic side-effects, affecting several organ systems. This calls for enhancements in the design of this class of immunosuppressants. An intricate constellation of regulatory systems allows for precise modulation and adaptation of calcineurin activity in vivo. The last few years have been very fruitful in elucidating several long-standing issues regarding the binding patterns of substrates and inhibitors to Cn. This new knowledge may enable more precise manipulation of the Ca(2+)-calcineurin pathway in the near future, preferably targeted towards one specific substrate or cell system. In this review, we will discuss the factors and mechanisms underlying calcineurin activity regulation and their exploitation in recent approaches towards better immunosuppressants.


Assuntos
Calcineurina/metabolismo , Inibidores de Calcineurina , Imunossupressores/química , Imunossupressores/farmacologia , Metais/química , Metais/metabolismo , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Subunidades Proteicas/química , Subunidades Proteicas/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Linfócitos T/metabolismo
SELEÇÃO DE REFERÊNCIAS
DETALHE DA PESQUISA