Nutritional Controlled Preparation and Administration of Different Tomato Purées Indicate Increase of ß-Carotene and Lycopene Isoforms, and of Antioxidant Potential in Human Blood Bioavailability: A Pilot Study.

The isoforms of lycopene, carotenoids, and their derivatives including precursors of vitamin A are compounds relevant for preventing chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Tomatoes are a major source of these compounds. However, cooking and successive metabolic processes determine the bioavailability of tomatoes in human nutrition. To evaluate the effect of acute/chronic cooking procedures on the bioavailability of lycopene and carotene isoforms in human plasma, we measured the blood levels of these compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential in volunteers after a meal containing two different types of tomato sauce (rustic or strained). Using a randomized cross-over administration design, healthy volunteers were studied, and the above indicated compounds were determined by HPLC. The results indicate an increased bioavailability of the estimated compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential with both types of tomato purée and the subsequently derived sauces (the increase was greater with strained purée). This study sheds light on the content of nutrient precursors of vitamin A and other antioxidant compounds derived from tomatoes cooked with different strategies. Lastly, our study indicates that strained purée should be preferred over rustic purée.

In Vitro Potency and Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Comparison of All-D-Enantiomeric Peptides Developed for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Diffusible amyloid-ß (Aß) oligomers are currently presumed to be the most cytotoxic Aß assembly and held responsible to trigger the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, Aß oligomers are a prominent target in AD drug development. Previously, we reported on our solely D-enantiomeric peptide D3 and its derivatives as AD drug candidates. Here, we compare one of the most promising D3 derivatives, ANK6, with its tandem version (tANK6), and its head-to-tail cyclized isoform (cANK6r). In vitro tests investigating the D-peptides' potencies to inhibit Aß aggregation, eliminate Aß oligomers, and reduce Aß-induced cytotoxicity revealed that all three D-peptides efficiently target Aß. Subsequent preclinical pharmacokinetic studies of the three all-D-peptides in wildtype mice showed promising blood-brain barrier permeability with cANK6r yielding the highest levels in brain. The peptides' potencies to lower Aß toxicity and their remarkable brain/plasma ratios make them promising AD drug candidates.

Plasma levels of n-decanoyl ghrelin, another acyl- and active-form of ghrelin, in human subjects and the effect of glucose- or meal-ingestion on its dynamics.

Besides n-octanoyl ghrelin (O-ghrelin), there is another acyl-form of ghrelin; n-decanoyl ghrelin (D-ghrelin), which has a decanoic acid modification. In this study, we examined the kinetics of D-ghrelin immunoreactivity in human plasma in comparison to O-ghrelin or total ghrelin by using a D-ghrelin-specific radioimmunoassay. The dynamics of plasma D-ghrelin was assessed following glucose- or meal-ingestion in healthy, non-obese subjects (5 males and 5 females). Correlations were also analyzed between the levels of plasma D-ghrelin and anthropometric or metabolic indicators in healthy human subjects (n=111, BMI 17.4-34.3). The plasma levels of D-ghrelin, like O- or T-ghrelin, significantly declined (p<0.05 for male and p<0.01 for female) 60 min after the ingestion of glucose in non-obese subjects. However, in the same subjects, no significant decline was noted in the levels of D-ghrelin, unlike O- or T-ghrelin, upon the meal ingestion. A significant increase was observed in the proportion of plasma D-ghrelin levels to that of T-ghrelin (p<0.05) in the healthy human subjects as BMI increased, unlike the proportion of O-ghrelin to T-ghrelin, which did not change. Since D-ghrelin possesses almost the same potential as that of O-ghrelin with regard to the feeding-stimulation, these differences between the dynamics of D- and O-ghrelin in human plasma might influence appetite-control, especially in those with increased BMI.

Validation of a novel LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of colistin A and B in human plasma.

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, characterized by complete automation and high-throughput, was developed for the determination of colistin A and B in human plasma. All sample preparation procedures were performed by using 2.2 mL 96-deep-well plates, whereas robotic liquid-handling workstations were utilized for all liquid transfer steps, including solid-phase extraction (SPE). The whole preparation procedure was very rapid, whereas the method had a very short chromatographic run time of just 2 min. Sample analysis was performed by reversed phase LC-MS/MS, with positive electrospray ionization, using multiple reaction monitoring. The absence of available purified colistin A and B standards led to the development of a novel LC method with evaporative light-scattering detector for the determination of their stoichiometries in the standard mixture, along with its purity. The proposed bioanalytical method was fully validated and it was proven to be selective, accurate, precise, reproducible and suitable for the determination of colistin A and B in human plasma. It was applied successfully to a pharmacokinetic study for the determination of both analytes in samples of patients.

Indução do sistema citocromo P450 em linhagens de hepatoma humano para utilização como modelo in vitro no desenvolvimento de fármacos / Induction of cytochrome P450 system in human hepatoma cell lines for using as in vitro model in drug development

Na etapa inicial do desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, a avaliação do metabolismo e da toxicidade é fundamental para definir seu potencial emprego como candidato a fármaco. Nestes estudos, diversos modelos in vitro são empregados, dentre eles linhagens de hepatoma humano. Entretanto, uma grande limitação ao uso deste modelo in vitro é a baixa expressão das enzimas do sistema citocromo P450. O carotenóide bixina, componente majoritário do anato (urucum), apresentou em estudos in vivo, a capacidade de induzir algumas isoformas do sistema citocromo P450, com a vantagem de apresentar baixa toxicidade. Neste trabalho, a fração lipossolúvel do anato (bixina) e hidrossolúvel (norbixina) foram avaliadas como indutores do sistema citocromo P450 em linhagens de hepatoma humano. Ensaios de MTT, empregando as linhagens HepG2, C3A e SK-HEP-1 indicaram que bixina e norbixina em concentrações abaixo de 0,22 mM são seguras quanto à citotoxicidade. A expressão dos genes CYP 1A1, 1A2, 2C9, 2B6, 2E1 e 3A4 foi avaliada, através de ensaios de RT-PCR em tempo real, em linhagens de hepatoma humano submetidas a tratamento com os compostos bixina e norbixina. Os resultados mostraram que células HepG2 e C3A tratadas com bixina nas concentrações de 0,05 e 0,1 mM, por períodos de 24 e 48 horas, apresentaram aumento de expressão da CYP 1A1 e CYP 1A2. Porém, a exposição de células HepG2 e C3A ao composto norbixina não resultou em aumento de expressão das isoformas avaliadas neste estudo. Os resultados deste trabalho indicaram o potencial emprego de bixina como agente indutor das CYPs 1A1 e 1A2, em linhagens de hepatoma humano utilizadas como modelo in vitro, para estudo de compostos cuja metabolização envolva uma destas vias, entretanto, estudos adicionais são fundamentais, a fim de avaliar a ação deste composto sobre outras isoformas do sistema citocromo P-450, bem como outros sistemas enzimáticos.

In the early development stage of the new drugs, the pharmacological and toxicological properties are critical to define the potential use of the candidate drug. During this stage, several in vitro models systems are employed, including human hepatoma cell lines. However, the main limitation of the use of cell lines as in vitro model is the low expression level of cytochrome P450 enzymes. A carotenoid knowed as bixin, the main pigment in the annatto (urucum), it has been reported to induce some isoforms of cytochrome P450 in rats, with the advantage of its low toxicity. In this work, the oil-soluble (bixin) and aqueous soluble extracts (norbixin) were evaluated as inducers of the cytochrome P450 system in human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2, C3A, SK-HEP-1). The results of MTT assays showed that bixin concentrations below 0.22 mM were not cytotoxic in HepG2, C3A and SK-HEP-1 cell lines. Expression changes in CYP 1A1, 1A2, 2C9, 2B6, 2E1 and 3A4 were evaluated, by real time RT-PCR and the results showed that the exposition to 0,05 mM and 0,1 mM bixin, for 24 and 48 hours of treatment, lead to an increase in CYP 1A1 and CYP 1A2 expression level. By contrast, the cytochrome P450 isoforms were not affected by the exposition to norbixin. In conclusion, this work indicated the potential use of bixin induced hepatoma cell lines as in vitro model for studies of biotransformation and toxicity of drugs involving CYP 1A, however, further studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of bixin on the other cytochrome P450 isoforms as well as other enzymatic systems.

Hiperplasia de célula beta inducida por resistencia hepática a insulina: Papel de un eje hepato-pancreático / Beta-cell hyperplasia induced by hepatic insulin resistance: Role of a liver-pancreatic endocrine axis

Type 2 diabetes results from a combination of insulin resistanceand impaired insulin secretion. To directly address the effects ofhepatic insulin resistance in adult animals, we developed aninducible liver-specific IR knockout mouse (iLIRKO). Using thisapproach, we were able to induce variable IR deletion in a tissuespecificmanner (liver mosaicism). These mice demonstrateprogressive hepatic and extra hepatic insulin resistance, without liverdysfunction. Initially there is hyperinsulinemia and increased betacellmass in parallel to IR deletion by the liver. Our results withiLIRKO demonstrate a cause and effect relationship betweenprogressive insulin resistance and the fold-increase of plasma insulinlevels and beta-cell mass. Ultimately the beta cells undergo a failurein the insulin secretion that leads to uncontrolled diabetes. In thiscontext, iLIRKO mice induced IGF-1 in parallel to IR (IR) deletionin the liver. This resulted in an increase of circulating IGF-1.ÓSCAR ESCRIBANO Y COLS. AN. R. ACAD. NAC. FARM.24Concurrently, there was a huge increase of IR-A in the hyperplasticbeta cells. More importantly, as assessed in mouse beta-cell lines,IR-A, but not IR-B, confers a proliferative capability to beta-cellsin response to insulin or IGF-1 that may account for beta-cellhyperplasia induced by liver insulin resistance in iLIRKO mice. Thus,our results in iLIRKO mice suggest a liver-pancreatic endocrine axis,IGF-1 being a liver factor that might contribute together with insulinto compensatory pancreatic islet hyperplasia through IR-A(AU)

La diabetes tipo 2 es el resultado de una combinación de resistenciaa insulina y un defecto en la secreción de la misma. Paradeterminar el papel de la resistencia a la insulina hepática en animalesadultos, nuestro grupo generó un ratón para el receptor deinsulina en hígado de forma inducible (iLIRKO). Utilizando estatecnología fuimos capaces de obtener ratones con distinto grado dedeleción del receptor de insulina hepático. Estos ratones mostraronuna resistencia progresiva a la insulina inicialmente hepática peroque se extendió a tejidos extrahepáticos. Además, no se observóningún tipo de patología hepática. Inicialmente se observó un incrementoen los niveles de insulina circulantes y un aumento de lamasa de célula beta pancreática que fue proporcional al grado dedeleción del receptor de insulina en hígado. Finalmente, tiene lugarun fallo en la secreción de insulina por parte de la célula beta pancreática.En este contexto, el hígado de los animales iLIRKO escapaz de sintetizar IGF-1 de forma proporcional al grado de delecióndel receptor de insulina en hígado. Además, tuvo lugar un importanteincremento en la expresión de la isoforma A del receptor de insulina(IR-A) en las células beta. Más importante, como demostramosen células beta inmortalizadas, IR-A pero no IR-B confiere una grancapacidad proliferativa a las células beta en respuesta tanto a insulinacomo IGF-1, lo que puede explicar, al menos en parte, losmecanismos involucrados en la hiperplasia de la célula beta pancreáticadesarrollada por los ratones iLIRKO(AU)

Monocarboxylate transporter-mediated transport of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

The objectives of this study were to determine mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) and to evaluate intestinal transport of the MCT substrates gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and d-lactate in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The presence of mRNA for MCT1, 2, 3, and 4 was observed in Caco-2 cells. The uptake of both GHB and d-lactate in Caco-2 cells was demonstrated to be pH- and concentration-dependent and sodium-independent. The uptake of GHB and d-lactate was best described by a Michaelis-Menten equation with passive diffusion (GHB: K(m) = 17.6 +/- 10.5 mM, V(max) = 17.3 +/- 11.7 nmol/min/mg, and P = 0.38 +/- 0.15 microl/min/mg; and d-lactate: K(m) = 6.0 +/- 2.9 mM, V(max) = 35.0 +/- 18.4 nmol/min/mg, and P = 1.3 +/- 0.6 microl/min/mg). The uptake of GHB and d-lactate was significantly decreased by the known MCT inhibitor alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and the MCT substrates GHB and d-lactate but not by the organic cation tetraethylammonium chloride. Directional flux studies with both GHB and d-lactate suggested the involvement of carrier-mediated transport with the permeability in the apical to basolateral direction higher than that in the basolateral to apical direction. These findings confirm the presence of MCT1-4 in Caco-2 cells and demonstrate GHB and d-lactate transport characteristics consistent with proton-dependent MCT-mediated transport.

[Human serum albumin: gene-technological possibilities]. / Humant serumalbumin: genteknologiske muligheder.

Gene technology will soon render it possible to make recombinant human serum albumin for clinical use, to produce albumins with altered biological half-lives and isoforms with such high and specific binding affinity that they may be used as antidotes. Mutants with increased affinity for different cell types can be designed and used for drug targeting. Albumin-ligand complexes with new properties can be made. The bioavailability of peptide-therapeutics can be prolonged by forming albumin fusions. In time, it will probably be possible to tailor useful albumins to specific types of patients.

huBC1-IL12, an immunocytokine which targets EDB-containing oncofetal fibronectin in tumors and tumor vasculature, shows potent anti-tumor activity in human tumor models.

IL-12 is a cytokine which showed anti-tumor effects in clinical trials, but also produced serious toxicity. We describe a fusion protein, huBC1-IL12, designed to achieve an improved therapeutic index by specifically targeting IL-12 to tumor and tumor vasculature. huBC-1 is a humanized antibody that targets a cryptic sequence of the human ED-B-containing fibronectin isoform, B-FN, present in the subendothelial extracellular matrix of most aggressive tumors. B-FN is oncofetal and angiogenesis-associated, and is undetectable in most normal adult tissues. The original murine BC-1 antibody has been used successfully for immunoscintigraphy to image brain tumor mass in glioblastoma patients. In huBC1-IL12, each of the IgG heavy chains is genetically fused to the N-terminus of the IL-12 p35 subunit, which in turn is disulfide-bonded to the p40 subunit, resulting in a hexameric molecule of MW of approximately 300 kDa. Since human IL-12 has no biological activity in mice, we produced huBC1-muIL12 as a surrogate molecule for animal tumor models. Despite the relatively poor PK profile of this molecule in mice and the apparent drawbacks of xenogeneic models in SCID mice, which lack T and B cells, one cycle of treatment with huBC1-muIL12 was efficacious in the PC3mm2, A431, and HT29 subcutaneous tumor models and PC3mm2 lung metastasis model. This molecule also was found to have surprisingly low toxicity in immunocompetent mice. A fusion protein that contains human IL-12 (huBC1-huIL12), which is a suitable molecule for investigation as a therapeutic, has also been produced. This protein has been shown to have a longer serum half-life than huBC1-muIL12 in mice, and retains both antigen binding and IL-12 activity in in vitro assays.

Uptake of the glycosphingolipid sulfatide in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas in vivo and in isolated islets of Langerhans.

BACKGROUND: The glycosphingolipid sulfatide has previously been found in several mammalian tissues, but information on the uptake of exogenously administered sulfatide in different organs in vivo is limited. In pancreatic beta cells, sulfatide has been shown to be involved in insulin processing and secretion in vitro. In this study, we examined the uptake of exogenously administered sulfatide and its distribution to the pancreatic beta cells. This might encourage future studies of the function(s) of sulfatide in beta cell physiology in vivo. Radioactive sulfatide was given orally to mice whereafter the uptake of sulfatide in the gastrointestinal tract and subsequent delivery to the pancreas was examined. Sulfatide uptake in pancreas was also studied in vivo by i.p. administration of radioactive sulfatide in mice, and in vitro in isolated rat islets. Isolated tissue/islets were analysed by scintillation counting, autoradiography and thin-layer chromatography-ELISA. RESULTS: Sulfatide was taken up in the gastrointestinal tract for degradation or further transport to other organs. A selective uptake of short chain and/or hydroxylated sulfatide fatty acid isoforms was observed in the small intestine. Exogenously administered sulfatide was found in pancreas after i.p, but not after oral administration. The in vitro studies in isolated rat islets support that sulfatide, independently of its fatty acid length, is endocytosed and metabolised by pancreatic islets. CONCLUSION: Our study supports a selective uptake and/or preservation of sulfatide in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and with emphasises on pancreatic sulfatide uptake, i.p. administration results in sulfatide at relevant location.

Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone: a controversial issue--without controversy.

Recent developments in recombinant DNA technology have resulted in a rapidly expanding range of new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. This technology paved the way for identification, isolation, cloning and production of specific proteins. Recently, recombinant human gonadotropins became available for clinical use. Pharmacokinetics, receptor availability, pharmacodynamics and safety were extensively studied and the drugs were found to be identical, if not superior, to urinary gonadotropins that have been used in reproductive medicine for the last 40 years. It is currently apparent that the use of recombinant human gonadotropins is expected to provide improved batch-to-batch consistency, steady supply and most importantly, a purified compound with highly specific activity, which accounts for > 99% of the protein content of the preparation, making it possible to administer subcutaneously. The purpose of this report is to describe and evaluate recent developments in the use of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone.

Comparative in vivo metabolism of apolipoproteins E2 and E4 in heterozygous apoE2/4 subjects.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) exists in three common forms in humans: the wild-type apoE3 and two common genetic variants, apoE2 and apoE4. Although previous studies have examined the metabolism of the different apoE isoforms in human subjects, they have not involved direct comparison of two different isoforms in subjects heterozygous for the same two isoforms. We conducted this study to directly compare the catabolism of apoE2 and apoE4 in heterozygous E2/4 subjects in vivo. Iodine 131-labeled apoE2 and iodine 125-labeled apoE4 were simultaneously injected into three E4/2 heterozygous subjects. The mean residence time of apoE4 (0.40 +/- 0.01 day) was found to be one-third that of apoE2 (1.20 +/- 0.18 day). ApoE2 was present primarily in high-density lipoprotein, whereas apoE4 was present equally in very low density and high-density lipoprotein. In all lipoprotein subfractions, apoE4 was catabolized at a much faster rate than apoE2. In conclusion, E4 is catabolized three times faster than apoE2 in heterozygous E2/4 subjects, indicating that these two apoE isoproteins have distinct metabolic pathways.

Preparation and characterization of mono-PEGylated epidermal growth factor: evaluation of in vitro biologic activity.

PURPOSE: To isolate mono-PEGylated epidermal growth factor (EGF) isoforms, identify the site of PEGylation, and evaluate the biologic activity of each isoform. METHODS: EGF was PEGylated with an NHS-PEG derivative (Mw 3,400). Mono-PEGylated EGF fraction was separated by gel-filtration HPLC and three mono-PEGylated EGF isoforms were purified by RP-HPLC. Tryptic digestion mapping of both EGF and mono-PEGylated EGF isoforms was performed to identify the PEGylation sites using RP-HPLC. The digested fragments were also analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy for further verification of the three PEG conjugation sites. The biologic activity of positional isoforms was evaluated by a cell proliferation assay and a receptor tyrosine kinase activity assay to determine the effect of PEGylation site on its activity. RESULTS: Mono-PEGylated EGF was composed of three positional isomers. Tryptic digestion mapping and MALDI-TOF analysis permitted the identification of the PEGylated site of the three isoforms at N-terminus. Lysine 28, and Lysine 48. PEG-N-terminus EGF, among the three positional isomers, showed the highest activity in a cell proliferation assay and in a receptor-binding assay. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that biologic activities of mono-PEGylated EGF isomers are highly dependent upon the site of PEGylation in EGF.

The epithelial cell cytoskeleton and intracellular trafficking. I. Shiga toxin B-subunit system: retrograde transport, intracellular vectorization, and more.

Many intracellular transport routes are still little explored. This is particularly true for retrograde transport between the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. Shiga toxin B subunit has become a powerful tool to study this pathway, and recent advances on the molecular mechanisms of transport in the retrograde route and on its physiological function(s) are summarized. Furthermore, it is discussed how the study of retrograde transport of Shiga toxin B subunit allows one to design new methods for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic compounds.

MRI and fluorescence microscopy of the acute vascular response to VEGF165: vasodilation, hyper-permeability and lymphatic uptake, followed by rapid inactivation of the growth factor.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the key growth factors regulating tumor angiogenesis and thus it is one of the primary targets for antiangiogenic therapy. The long-term effects of VEGF include induction of proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, tube formation and maintenance of the immature capillaries. The early effects of VEGF include vasodilation and increased permeability. We hypothesize that the early responses to VEGF can serve to develop a quantitative measure of the activity of VEGF, and therefore may be applicable for monitoring the efficacy of systemic suppression of VEGF signaling during antiangiogenic therapy. For that end we tested the ability of MRI and fluorescence microscopy to detect the early response to intradermal VEGF165 in nude mice. VEGF-induced local vasodilation and increased permeability was detected by intravenous administration of macromolecular biotin-BSA-GdDTPA(23) 30 min after intradermal administration of VEGF. Contrast leak showed saturation kinetics. Delayed contrast administration (90 min after intradermal administration of VEGF) resulted in low contrast leak and demonstrated that the saturation kinetics is not due to contrast equilibration between plasma and the interstitial space, but rather is due to suppression of vascular permeability. Permeability was restored by a second bolus of VEGF, showing that the saturation kinetics is primarily due to inactivation of the growth factor. Confocal microscopy of fluorescent BSA-FITC confirmed the permeability changes monitored by MRI. Moreover, confocal microscopy showed efficient lymphatic uptake of the extravasated contrast material specifically in regions of VEGF induced hyper-permeability.

Factor de crecimiento transformante beta-1: estructura, función y mecanismos de regulación en cáncer / Transforming growth factor beta-1: structure, function and regulation mechanisms in cancer

El factor de crecimiento transformante beta-1 (TGF-b1) es sintetizado por muchas estirpes celulares como linfocitos, macrófagos y células dendríticas, y su expresión regula de manera autócrina o parácrina la diferenciación, proliferación y el estado de activación de éstas y muchas otras células. En general, el TGF-b1 tiene propiedades pleiotrópicas en el contexto de la respuesta inmune durante el desarrollo de infecciones y procesos neoplásicos; sin embargo, los mecanismos de acción y regulación de la expresión de esta citocina aún no se comprenden del todo. En la presente revisión se describen las propiedades biológicas y los procesos moleculares que regulan la expresión del TGF-b1, para entender los efectos de esta citocina durante la proliferación y la diferenciación celular. El conocimiento de los mecanismos moleculares de la regulación del TGF-b1 puede representar una importante estrategia de tratamiento del cáncer. El texto completo en inglés de este artículo está disponible en: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html

Pharmacological properties of naturally occurring variants of the human norepinephrine transporter.

The human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) gene has five sequence polymorphisms that predict amino acid substitutions in the transporter protein: Val69Ile, Thr99Ile, Val245Ile, Val449Ile, and Gly478Ser. In order to functionally characterize the naturally occurring transporter variants, we used site-directed mutagenesis to establish the hNET variants and compared some basic pharmacological properties (uptake of norepinephrine and its inhibition by the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine) in COS-7 cells transiently expressing variant hNETs and wild-type hNET. None of the hNET variants displayed changes in the potency (Ki) of desipramine for inhibition of norepinephrine uptake. Furthermore, variants Val69Ile, Thr99Ile, ValZ45Ile, and Val449Ile did not affect kinetic constants (Km, Vmax) of norepinephrine uptake. However, COS-7 cells expressing the hNET variant Gly478Ser displayed an approximately four-fold increase in the Km for norepinephrine, while the Vmax was unaffected. The increase in the Km, which is equivalent to a four-fold reduction in the affinity of the variant hNET for its natural substrate norepinephrine, indicates that the glycine in position 478 is part of a substrate recognition domain. The reduced clearance of released norepinephrine by reuptake through the Gly478Ser variant might cause an increase in the synaptic and the circulating concentration of norepinephrine. Elevated norepinephrine concentrations have been associated with human diseases and it will be interesting to explore a possible contribution by the Gly478Ser variant to certain disease states.

Activation of natural killer T cells by alpha-galactosylceramide in the presence of CD1d provides protection against colitis in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: CD1d is a major histocompatibility complex class I-like molecule that presents glycolipid antigens to a subset of natural killer (NK)1.1(+) T cells. These NK T cells exhibit important immunoregulatory functions in several autoimmune disease models. METHODS: To investigate whether CD1d and NK T cells have a similar role in intestinal inflammation, the effects of the glycolipid, alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis were examined. Wild-type (WT), CD1d(-/-), and RAG(-/-) mice were examined for their response to either alpha-GalCer or the control analogue, alpha-mannosylceramide (alpha-ManCer). RESULTS: WT mice, but not CD1d(-/-) and RAG(-/-) mice, receiving alpha-GalCer had a significant improvement in DSS-induced colitis based on body weight, bleeding, diarrhea, and survival when compared with those receiving alpha-ManCer. Elimination of NK T cells through antibody-mediated depletion resulted in a reduction of the effect of alpha-GalCer. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of NK T cells preactivated by alpha-GalCer, but not alpha-ManCer, resulted in diminished colitis. Using a fluorescent-labeled analogue of alpha-GalCer, confocal microscopy localized alpha-GalCer to the colonic surface epithelium of WT but not CD1d(-/-) mice, indicating alpha-GalCer binds CD1d in the intestinal epithelium and may be functionally active at this site. CONCLUSIONS: These results show an important functional role for NK T cells, activated by alpha-GalCer in a CD1d-restricted manner, in regulating intestinal inflammation.

VEGF(165) mediates glomerular endothelial repair.

VEGF(165), the most abundant isoform in man, is an angiogenic cytokine that also regulates vascular permeability. Its function in the renal glomerulus, where it is expressed in visceral epithelial and mesangial cells, is unknown. To assess the role of VEGF(165) in glomerular disease, we administered a novel antagonist - a high-affinity, nuclease-resistant RNA aptamer coupled to 40-kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) - to normal rats and to rats with mesangioproliferative nephritis, passive Heymann nephritis (PHN), or puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN). In normal rats, antagonism of VEGF(165) for 21 days failed to induce glomerular pathology or proteinuria. In rats with mesangioproliferative nephritis, the VEGF(165) aptamer (but not a sequence-scrambled control RNA or PEG alone) led to a reduction of glomerular endothelial regeneration and an increase in endothelial cell death, provoking an 8-fold increase in the frequency of glomerular microaneurysms by day 6. In contrast, early leukocyte influx and the proliferation, activation, and matrix accumulation of mesangial cells were not affected in these rats. In rats with PHN or PAN, administration of the VEGF(165) aptamer did not influence the course of proteinuria using various dosages and administration routes. These data identify VEGF(165) as a factor of central importance for endothelial cell survival and repair in glomerular disease, and point to a potentially novel way to influence the course of glomerular diseases characterized by endothelial cell damage, such as various glomerulonephritides, thrombotic microangiopathies, or renal transplant rejection.

Biological characterization of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone isoforms.

It has been established that follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) circulates in the bloodstream as a heterogeneous population of molecules. Individual FSH isoforms, while displaying identical amino acid sequences, differ in their extent of post-translational modification. As a result of these variations, the FSH isoforms exhibit differences in overall charge, degree of sialic acid or sulphate incorporation, receptor binding affinity and plasma half-life. Taking advantage of the fact that these forms can be separated from each other on the basis of their charge, we have evaluated in rats the metabolic clearance rates of the acidic [with an isoelectric point (pI) 4.8) isoforms of recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) obtained after chromatofocusing. The less acidic isoform group was found to have a faster clearance from the circulation in rats as compared with the acidic isoform group. This finding is in agreement with the lower bioactivity in vivo (as determined by the Steelman-Pohley assay) of the less acidic isoform group, compared with the acidic one. The mass spectra of the two groups of isoforms showed a difference in the sialic acid content thus highlighting the importance of these residues on the in-vivo activity of FSH. Conversely, when the two groups of isoforms were tested in vitro by using the Y1 human FSH receptor (Y1 hFSHR) assay and a reporter gene assay, no significant differences in the biological activities between these preparations were detected when test concentrations were based on mass.