Cytohesin-1 is a dynamic regulator of distinct LFA-1 functions in leukocyte arrest and transmigration triggered by chemokines.

Cytohesin-1 is a regulatory interaction partner of the beta2 integrin alphaLbeta2 (LFA-1) and a guanine exchange factor (GEF) for ADP ribosylation factor (ARF)-GTPases. However, a functional role of cytohesin-1 in leukocyte adhesion to activated endothelium and subsequent transmigration in response to chemokines has not been defined. Overexpression of cytohesin-1 increased LFA-1-dependent arrest of leukocytic cells triggered by chemokines on cytokine-activated endothelium in flow while reducing the fraction of rolling cells. Conversely, a dominant-negative PH domain construct of cytohesin-1 but not a mutant deficient in GEF activity impaired arrest, indicating an involvement of the PH domain while GEF function is not required. Expression of these constructs and a beta2 mutant interrupting the interaction with cytohesin-1 indicated that shape change in flow and transendothelial chemotaxis involve both LFA-1 avidity regulation and GEF activity of cytohesin-1. As a potential downstream target, ARF6 but not ARF1 was identified to participate in chemotaxis. Our data suggest that cytohesin-1 and ARF6 are involved in the dynamic regulation of complex signaling pathways and cytoskeletal remodeling processes governing LFA-1 functions in leukocyte recruitment. Differential effects of cytohesin-1 and ARF6 mutants in our systems reveal that cytohesin-1 with its GEF activity controls both conversion of rolling into firm arrest and transmigration triggered by chemokines, whereas a cyclical activity of ARF6 plays a more important role in diapedesis.

Dual role of H-Ras in regulation of lymphocyte function antigen-1 activity by stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha: implications for leukocyte transmigration.

We investigated the role of H-Ras in chemokine-induced integrin regulation in leukocytes. Stimulation of Jurkat T cells with the CXC chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) resulted in a rapid increase in the phosphorylation, i.e., activation of extracellular signal receptor-activated kinase (ERK) but not c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase or p38 kinase, and phosphorylation of Akt, reflecting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) activation. Phosphorylation of ERK in Jurkat cells was enhanced and attenuated by expression of dominant active (D12) or inactive (N17) forms of H-Ras, respectively, while N17 H-Ras abrogated SDF-1alpha-induced Akt phosphorylation. SDF-1alpha triggered a transient regulation of adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mediated by lymphocyte function antigen-1 (LFA-1) and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), respectively, and a rapid increase in LFA-1 binding to soluble ICAM-1.Ig, which was inhibited by D12 but not N17 H-Ras. Both D12 and N17 H-Ras abrogated the regulation of LFA-1 but not VLA-4 avidity, and impaired LFA-1-mediated transendothelial chemotaxis but not VLA-4-dependent transmigration induced by SDF-1alpha. Analysis of the mutant Jurkat J19 clone revealed LFA-1 with constitutively high affinity and reduced ERK phosphorylation, which were partially restored by expression of active H-Ras. Inhibition of PI3-K blocked the up-regulation of Jurkat cell adhesion to ICAM-1 by SDF-1alpha, whereas inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase impaired the subsequent down-regulation and blocking both pathways abrogated LFA-1 regulation. Our data suggest that inhibition of initial PI3-K activation by inactive H-Ras or sustained activation of an inhibitory ERK pathway by active H-Ras prevail to abolish LFA-1 regulation and transendothelial migration induced by SDF-1alpha in leukocytes, establishing a complex and bimodal involvement of H-Ras.

Induction of cancer cell apoptosis by alpha-tocopheryl succinate: molecular pathways and structural requirements.

The vitamin E analog alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) can induce apoptosis. We show that the proapoptotic activity of alpha-TOS in hematopoietic and cancer cell lines involves inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), since phorbol myristyl acetate prevented alpha-TOS-triggered apoptosis. More selective effectors indicated that alpha-TOS reduced PKCalpha isotype activity by increasing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. The role of PKCalpha inhibition in alpha-TOS-induced apoptosis was confirmed using antisense oligonucleotides or PKCalpha overexpression. Gain- or loss-of-function bcl-2 mutants implied modulation of bcl-2 activity by PKC/PP2A as a mitochondrial target of alpha-TOS-induced proapoptotic signals. Structural analogs revealed that alpha-tocopheryl and succinyl moieties are both required for maximizing these effects. In mice with colon cancer xenografts, alpha-TOS suppressed tumor growth by 80%. This epitomizes cancer cell killing by a pharmacologically relevant compound without known side effects.

Different coupling for the reach and grasp components in bimanual prehension movements.

In this study on functional coupling in bimanual grasping movements, nine normal subjects had to reach and grasp two different objects simultaneously. Both objects could be either small or large, resulting in four different conditions of bimanual grasping. The main dependent variables were the coupling coefficients calculated either between the hand displacements or between the grip apertures of both hands, serving as variables for the coupling of the reach and the grasp component respectively. The correlation was significantly higher for the reach component than for the grasp component, with only the latter one changing significantly with variation of object size. These findings suggest different temporo-spatial coupling modes for the reach and the grasp components of bimanual grasping movements.

Hospital readmission after transvenous cardioverter/defibrillator implantation; a single centre study.

AIMS: Hospital readmission after implantation of cardioverter/defibrillators has a major impact on quality of life and cost-effectiveness in defibrillator patients. Rehospitalization has not been studied in large patient populations with modern transvenous defibrillation systems. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report on incidence, reasons, time in follow-up, duration and predictors of hospital readmission in 180 patients after transvenous implantation of a cardioverter/defibrillator during a follow-up period of 25+/-18 months. There were 156 readmissions in 79 patients with a 0.87 readmission rate per patient during the time followed, a 0.46 readmission rate per patient-year of follow-up and a 0.38 readmission rate per patient-year of follow-up for cardiac reasons. The majority of readmissions was caused by multiple appropriate shock interventions (26%), battery depletion (19%) and lead- and device-related complications (14%). The time to first hospital readmission was 12+/-9 months for arrhythmia-related and 20+/-16 months for other cardiac-related reasons (P<0.05), and could not be predicted by clinical variables, respectively. The duration of rehospitalization was 14+/-15 days for cardiac-related reasons and 12+/-17 days for arrhythmia-related reasons. Age >60 years was an independent predictor of rehospitalization time per patient-year of follow-up for both cardiac-related (P<0.005) and arrhythmia-related reasons (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The rate of hospital readmission per patient-year of follow-up is as high as 0.46 after implantation of a modern cardioverter/defibrillator. Rehospitalization time in such patients is significantly longer in the patient cohort >60 years. The majority of readmissions is caused by multiple appropriate shock treatments. Further studies are needed to systematically investigate strategies for the prevention of rehospitalization in modern ICD therapy.

Non-random distribution of mutations in the PHEX gene, and under-detected missense mutations at non-conserved residues.

Thirty newly detected mutations in the PHEX gene are reported, and pooled with all the previously published mutations. The spectrum of mutations displayed 16% deletions, 8% insertions, 34% missense, 27% nonsense, and 15% splice site mutations, with two peaks in exon 15, and 17. Since 32.8% of PHEX amino acids were conserved in the endopeptidases family, the number of missense mutations detected at non-conserved residues was smaller than expected, whereas the number of nonsense mutations observed at non-conserved residues was very close to the expected number. Compared with conserved amino acids, the changes in non-conserved amino acids may result in benign polymorphisms or possibly mild disease that may go undiagnosed.

[PAF-antagonists with phospholipid structure. 4. Alkylcarbamoylphospholipids with heteroarene and heterocyclase head groups and variation of the P-N-distance; synthesis, characterization and structure-activity relationship]. / PAF-Antagonisten mit Phospholipidstruktur. 4. Mitteilung: Alkylcarbamoylphospholipide mit Heteroaren- bzw. Heterocyclankopfgruppen und verändertem Phosphor-Stickstoff-Abstand; Synthese, Charakterisierung und Struktur-Wirkungs-Vergleich.

A series of 11 PAF-analogues, structurally modified in position 1 (alkylcarbamoyloxy), position 2 (n-propyl), and position 3 (polar head group) were synthesized, and the inhibitory potencies on human blood platelets in vitro was evaluated. Investigations of structure-activity relationships revealed, that the PAF antagonist activity is strongly influenced by the chain length of the alkylcarbamoyl residue and the structure of the polar head group. Derivatives with pentadecyl and octadecylcarbamoyl structure emerged effective inhibitors. The best activity was observed by dimethylaminopyridinium, analogues with a P-N distance of 3 or 4 methylene groups and pentadecyl or octadecylcarbamoyl structure (IC50 = 1.0-1.6 mumol/l).

[PAF-antagonists with phospholipid structure. 3. Phospholipids with heterocyclane head groups and variations of the phosphorus-nitrogen distance; synthesis, characterization and structure-activity relationship]. / PAF-Antagonisten mit Phospholipidstruktur. 3. Mitteilung: Phospholipide mit Heterocyclankopfgruppen und veränderter Phosphor-Stick-stoff-Distanz; Synthese, Charakterisierung und Struktur-Wirkungsvergleich.

A series of 13 PAF-analogues with heterocyclane head groups and variation of the P-N-distance on the C-3-position of the backbone were synthesized. The proaggregatory and inhibitory potencies on rabbit and human blood platelets in vitro was evaluated. Investigations of structure-activity relationship revealed that the PAF-inhibitory potency is strongly influenced by the distance between phosphate and onium center and the structure of the heterocyclane. Derivatives with a P-N-distance of 4 or more methylene groups emerged effective inhibitors. The best activity was observed by chinuclidine- and N-methylpiperidine analogues with a chain length of 6 methylene groups (KB = 1.1 to 2.3 mumol/l).

Synthesis and proaggregatory activity of 1-O-(2-methyloctadecyl)-2-O-acetyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine.

Racemic 1-O-(2-methyloctadecyl)-2-O-acetyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine, a branched chain PAF species, was prepared by chemical synthesis and investigated for biological activity on human blood platelets in vitro. The synthesis started from 2-O-benzylglycerol and 2-methyloctadecyl-1-methyl sulfonate and was accomplished in five reaction steps. A comparison with 'octadecyl-rich' PAF showed that the PAF species described here exerts a 22-fold weaker proaggregatory activity. Based on [3H]PAF-binding studies, an obstruction of PAF-binding or the signal transduction by the branched alkyl chain in C-1 position of the glycerol backbone is suggested.

Species-dependent differences of high affinity [3H]PAF-binding to platelets from humans and pigs and its inhibition by selected antagonists.

The sensitivity of blood platelets towards PAF (1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) strongly varies with species and is primarily responsible for different pathophysiological effects after its administration to experimental animals. Platelets from domestic pigs were shown to possess one single class of high-affinity PAF-binding sites. Receptor density and sensitivity of pig platelets towards PAF were distinctly higher than those from humans. Preincubation of platelets from both species with PAF-specific antagonists diminished the high affinity [3H]PAF-binding concentration-dependently. Eight PAF-related antagonists, the ginkgolide BN 52021, as well as the hetrazepine WEB 2086 were included and mean inhibitory concentrations (IC50) between 0.09 and 124 mumol/l ascertained. Comparing the rank order of inhibitory potency considerable differences became evident between both species. The quotients of the IC50 values obtained with human and pig platelets differed for about two orders of magnitude. Moreover, the inhibitory profile of the PAF-related antagonists was found to be highly sensitive to small structural changes. Based on these findings a species-dependent difference at the PAF receptor level of platelets from pigs and humans is suggested.

[PAF-antagonists with phospholipid structure. 2. Phospholipids with heteroarene head groups and variations of the phosphorus-nitrogen distance; synthesis, characterization and structure-activity relationships]. / PAF-Antagonisten mit Phospholipidstruktur. 2. Mitteilung: Phospholipide mit Heteroarenkopfgruppen und verlängerter Phosphor-Stickstoff-Distanz; Synthese, Charakterisierung und Struktur-Wirkungs-Vergleich.

A series of 27 PAF-analogues with heteroarene head groups and variation of the P-N-distance on the C-3-position of the backbone were synthesized, and the PAF-antagonistic activity on human blood platelets in vitro was evaluated. Investigation of structure-activity relationships revealed that PAF-antagonistic activity is strongly influenced by the 4-(Dimethylamino)-pyridine as polar head base and the distance between phosphate group and onium center. Maximal activity was observed with a chain length of 3 or 4 methylene groups. Among the compounds tested, 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-n-propylpropan-1,3-diol-3-phosphoric acid-4'-[4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium]butylester was the most effective inhibitor in the in vitro assay (KB = 0.3 mumol/l).

[PAF-antagonists with a phospholipid structure. 1. Phospholipids with hetero-arene head groups: synthesis, characterization and determination of the action of structural elements]. / PAF-Antagonisten mit Phospholipidstruktur. 1. Mitteilung: Phospholipide mit Heteroarenkopfgruppen; Synthese, Charakterisierung und wirkungsbestimmende Strukturelemente.

A series of analogues of platelet-activating factor (PAF) with heteroarene head groups have been synthesized, and tested for biological activities on blood platelets in vitro. In comparison with PAF most of the structural modifications exerted weak proaggregatory effects. The 4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium compound did not activate platelets but inhibited selectively PAF-induced platelet responses. These results point to a crucial role of the distance between the phosphoryl group and polar head for expression of PAF-antagonistic properties. Structural features of PAF-antagonist have been investigated by two-dimensional proton NMR spectroscopy, and proposed a model with three-dimensional structure.

PAF-agonistic and -antagonistic behaviour of new synthetic ether phospholipids. II. Relationships between chemical structure and inhibition of PAF-induced human platelet activation.

A series of 30 newly synthesised racemic ether phospholipids was evaluated for PAF-antagonistic action on human blood platelets in vitro. The chemical structure of these compounds was derived from the 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-ethyl-glycero-3-phosphoric acid 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridinium ethylester which was recently characterised as a PAF-specific antagonist. Anti-PAF effects were demonstrated by means of an aggregation and a binding assay. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and of competitive type. KB-values for inhibiting platelet aggregation in plasma were greater than or equal to 0.3 mumol/l. The most effective antagonists were 3-10 times more effective in comparison with the ginkgolide BN 52021. Structure-activity relationship studies showed the 4-dimethylaminopyridine moiety in the 3 position to be the ultimate structural requirement for expressing PAF-antagonistic activity. Moreover, a short-chain substituent in the 2 position and a distinct distance between the phosphate group and the onium center were found to be essential for high PAF-antagonistic activity.

Inhibition of PAF-induced human platelet responses by newly synthesized ether phospholipids.

A series of 10 analogues of platelet-activating factor (PAF) was evaluated for proaggregatory and inhibitory behaviour on human blood platelets in vitro. Most of the compounds did not activate platelets but inhibited the PAF-induced aggregation. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and selective for PAF. Platelet responses to ADP and collagen were not suppressed. Schild analysis of the aggregation data was consistent with a simple competitive antagonism. The pA2 of the most effective antagonist (1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-ethylglycero-3-phosphoric acid-6'-(1-chinuclidinium)-hexylester) was 5.96. There is also evidence for its ability to inhibit the high affinity binding of [3H]PAF to the platelet receptors.

Effects of the synthetic ether phospholipid KO-286011 on cells and components of rabbit blood.

The ether phospholipid KO-286011, which is related to platelet-activating factor (PAF), was examined for PAF-antagonistic action on rabbit platelets both in vitro and ex vivo. It inhibited the aggregation of washed platelets induced by PAF (5 nmol/l) concentration dependently (IC50 = 6.5 X 10(-7) mol/l). After injecting 0.5 mg/kg to rabbits, the ex vivo PAF-mediated aggregation in heparinized platelet-rich plasma was influenced selectively. The inhibition was short and maximal after 5 min. In contrast, hematocrit, counts of peripheral platelets and leukocytes, hemoglobin content, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and fibrinolytic activity in plasma were not affected. However, the therapeutic range of KO-286011 is limited because of membranolytic activity at higher dosages, leading to hemolysis and drop of circulating platelet counts.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) inhibitory profile of KO-286011 on blood platelets in vitro and in vivo.

A newly synthesised structural analogue of PAF, coded KO-286011 (1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-ethyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphoric acid 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridinium butylester), was proved for its ability to inhibit PAF-mediated platelet responses in vitro and in vivo. The compound inhibited effectively the PAF-induced aggregation and secretion of human and rabbit platelets. In contrast, there was little influence on ADP-, collagen-, and arachidonic acid-triggered platelet responses. Schild-analysis of aggregation data ascertained in human platelet-rich plasma was consistent with a simple competitive antagonism and yielded a pA2 of 6.44. Proaggregatory activity of KO-286011 was excluded turbidimetrically as well as by means of a single cell counting technique. [3H]PAF binding studies provided evidence that KO-286011 exerts its inhibitory action at the PAF-receptor level. A significant inhibition of the ex vivo PAF-induced platelet aggregation was found after i.v. administration of 0.5 mg/kg KO-286011 to rabbits. The effect was most pronounced 5 min after dosing the inhibitor and detectable over a period of 30 min. Intravenous administration of 10 and 25 micrograms/kg KO-286011 to guinea pigs prevented dose-dependently the PAF-induced formation of thromboxane A2. The PAF-inhibitory action of KO-286011 was more potent than that of the ginkgolide BN 52021.

PAF-agonistic and -antagonistic behaviour of new synthetic ether phospholipids. I. Studies on blood platelets in vitro.

Structural analogues of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) in which the acetyl group and the polar head have been replaced by ethyl and a pyridine ring, respectively, were tested for biological activities on blood platelets in vitro. In comparison with PAF most of the analogues exerted weak pro-aggregatory effects and both structural modifications were found to contribute to the lowering of platelet-stimulating activity. 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-O-ethyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphoric acid 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-pyridinium ethylester (DMAP-ethyl-PAF) did not activate platelets but inhibited PAF-induced platelet responses. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and of competitive type. KB values for inhibiting the PAF-induced aggregation of human and rabbit platelets in plasma were 3.2 and 0.55 mumol/l, respectively. There is also evidence that the PAF-antagonistic behaviour of DMAP-ethyl-PAF is attributable to an inhibition of the binding of PAF to its putative receptor.