Development of a perceived exertion scale for dogs using selected physiologic parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a perceived exertion scale for dogs exercising on a treadmill and to assess intra- and inter-observer variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy client-owned dogs participated in paired exercise trials. Measurements of lactate, glucose, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate and regional tissue oximetry were obtained before, during and after exercise. Perceived exertion scale scores were recorded during exercise and using video recordings to evaluate inter-observer variability. Correlations were evaluated using the Spearman's non-parametric method. RESULTS: Thirteen dogs completed both trials. Dogs walked or trotted on the treadmill with an average perceived exertion score of 2 in both trials. Holter heart rate was positively correlated with perceived exertion scale scores from all observers for both trials. In trial 1, plasma glucose decreased in association with increase in perceived exertion and, in trial 2, cutaneous oximetry decreased, respiratory rate increased and temperature increased with increases on the perceived exertion scale. Inter-observer perceived exertion scale scores were positively correlated in both trials. There was no intra-observer variability between trials. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The perceived exertion scale correlated with the measured physiologic parameters in dogs exercising at mild to moderate intensity. The perceived exertion scale was consistent and repeatable but larger study numbers and further validation are needed before it can be widely applied.

Dexamethasone exerts profound immunologic interference on treatment efficacy for recurrent glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recurrent glioblastoma have a poor outcome. Data from the phase III registration trial comparing tumour-treating alternating electric fields (TTFields) vs chemotherapy provided a unique opportunity to study dexamethasone effects on patient outcome unencumbered by the confounding immune and myeloablative side effects of chemotherapy. METHODS: Using an unsupervised binary partitioning algorithm, we segregated both cohorts of the trial based on the dexamethasone dose that yielded the greatest statistical difference in overall survival (OS). The results were validated in a separate cohort treated in a single institution with TTFields and their T lymphocytes were correlated with OS. RESULTS: Patients who used dexamethasone doses >4.1 mg per day had a significant reduction in OS when compared with those who used ⩽4.1 mg per day, 4.8 vs 11.0 months respectively (χ(2)=34.6, P<0.0001) in the TTField-treated cohort and 6.0 vs 8.9 months respectively (χ(2)=10.0, P<0.0015) in the chemotherapy-treated cohort. In a single institution validation cohort treated with TTFields, the median OS of patients who used dexamethasone >4.1 mg per day was 3.2 months compared with those who used ⩽4.1 mg per day was 8.7 months (χ(2)=11.1, P=0.0009). There was a significant correlation between OS and T-lymphocyte counts. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone exerted profound effects on both TTFields and chemotherapy efficacy resulting in lower patient OS. Therefore, global immunosuppression by dexamethasone likely interferes with immune functions that are necessary for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Regulation of in vitro and in vivo immune functions by the cytosolic adaptor protein SKAP-HOM.

SKAP-HOM is a cytosolic adaptor protein representing a specific substrate for the Src family protein tyrosine kinase Fyn. Previously, several groups have provided experimental evidence that SKAP-HOM (most likely in cooperation with the cytosolic adaptor protein ADAP) is involved in regulating leukocyte adhesion. To further assess the physiological role of SKAP-HOM, we investigated the immune system of SKAP-HOM-deficient mice. Our data show that T-cell responses towards a variety of stimuli are unaffected in the absence of SKAP-HOM. Similarly, B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated total tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphorylation of Erk, p38, and JNK, as well as immunoreceptor-mediated Ca(2+) responses, are normal in SKAP-HOM(-/-) animals. However, despite apparently normal membrane-proximal signaling events, BCR-mediated proliferation is strongly attenuated in the absence of SKAP-HOM(-/-). In addition, adhesion of activated B cells to fibronectin (a ligand for beta1 integrins) as well as to ICAM-1 (a ligand for beta2 integrins) is strongly reduced. In vivo, the loss of SKAP-HOM results in a less severe clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis following immunization of mice with the encephalitogenic peptide of MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein). This is accompanied by strongly reduced serum levels of MOG-specific antibodies and lower MOG-specific T-cell responses. In summary, our data suggest that SKAP-HOM is required for proper activation of the immune system, likely by regulating the cross-talk between immunoreceptors and integrins.

SHPS-1 is a scaffold for assembling distinct adhesion-regulated multi-protein complexes in macrophages.

Inhibitory immunoreceptors downregulate signaling by recruiting Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing tyrosine and/or lipid phosphatases to activating receptor complexes [1]. There are indications that some inhibitory receptors might also perform other functions [2] [3]. In adherent macrophages, two inhibitory receptors, SHPS-1 and PIR-B, are the major proteins binding to the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. SHPS-1 also associates with two tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (pp55 and pp130) and a protein tyrosine kinase [4]. Here, we have identified pp55 and pp130 as the adaptor molecules SKAP55hom/R (Src-kinase-associated protein of 55 kDa homologue) and FYB/SLAP-130 (Fyn-binding protein/SLP-76-associated protein of 130 kDa), respectively, and the tyrosine kinase activity as PYK2. Two distinct SHPS-1 complexes were formed, one containing SKAP55hom/R and FYB/SLAP-130, and the other containing PYK2. Recruitment of FYB/SLAP-130 to SHPS-1 required SKAP55hom/R, whereas PYK2 associated with SHPS-1 independently. Formation of both complexes was independent of SHP-1 and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1. Finally, tyrosine phosphorylation of members of the SHPS-1 complexes was regulated by integrin-mediated adhesion. Thus, SHPS-1 provides a scaffold for the assembly of multi-protein complexes that might both transmit adhesion-regulated signals and help terminate such signals through SHP-1-directed dephosphorylation. Other inhibitory immunoreceptors might have similar scaffold-like functions.

Transcription factor phosphorylation by pp90(rsk2). Identification of Fos kinase and NGFI-B kinase I as pp90(rsk2).

The in vitro phosphorylation of transcription factors by growth factor-activated protein kinases has resulted in the discovery of a number of activities whose identities and relationships to one another are unclear. Fos kinase is a growth factor-stimulated serine/threonine protein kinase that phosphorylates c-Fos at serine 362 within the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain. Fos kinase activation is dependent on p21(ras) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase kinase (MEK) activity and is independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. We have purified Fos kinase by affinity chromatography using the Sepharose-linked protein kinase inhibitor, bisindolylmaleimide (BIM). Fos kinase has an apparent molecular mass of 88 kDa, and mass spectrophotometric analysis of the isolated protein showed that it produced tryptic fragments identical to those predicted for pp90(rsk2). Fos kinase isolated from nerve growth factor-stimulated PC12 cells is indistinguishable from NGFI-B kinase I, based on their chromatographic behavior, substrate specificities, and relative sensitivity to BIM. Furthermore, we have distinguished Fos kinase from calcium/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) kinase. Therefore, Fos kinase and NGFI-B kinase I and pp90(rsk2) represent the same protein kinase species. Moreover, we report that pp90(rsk2) exists within nerve growth factor-stimulated PC12 cells as two chromatographically and immunologically distinct species. Finally, we demonstrate that CREB kinase is distinct from pp90(rsk2).

ATP-stimulated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases through ionotrophic P2X2 purinoreceptors in PC12 cells. Difference in purinoreceptor sensitivity in two PC12 cell lines.

Extracellular purine nucleotides elicit a diverse range of biological responses through binding to specific cell surface receptors. The ionotrophic P2X subclass of purinoreceptors respond to ATP by stimulation of calcium ion permeability; however, it is unknown how P2X purinoreceptor activation is linked to intracellular signaling pathways. We report that stimulation of PC12 cells with ATP results in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK1 and ERK2 and was wholly dependent upon extracellular calcium ions. Treatment of the cells with adenosine, AMP, ADP, UTP, or alpha,beta-methylene ATP was without effect; however, MAP kinase activation was abolished by pretreatment with suramin and reactive blue 2. The calcium-activated tyrosine kinase, Pyk2, acts as an upstream regulator of the MAP kinases and became tyrosine phosphorylated following treatment of the cells with ATP. We have ruled out the involvement of depolarization-mediated calcium influx because specific blockers of voltage-gated calcium channels did not affect MAP kinase activation. These data provide direct evidence that calcium influx through P2X2 receptors results in the activation of the MAP kinase cascade. Finally, we demonstrate that a different line of PC12 cells respond to ATP through P2Y2 purinoreceptors, providing an explanation for the conflicting findings of purine nucleotide responsiveness in PC12 cells.

Isolation and characterization of a nerve growth factor-regulated Fos kinase from PC12 cells.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment of PC12 cells activates a protein kinase that phosphorylates c-Fos protein at a site near its C terminus, as well as a peptide corresponding to a C-terminal region of c-Fos (Taylor, L. K., Marshak, D. R., and Landreth, G. E. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 90, 368-372). This serine/threonine kinase, termed Fos kinase, has been purified > 24,000-fold through five column steps to near homogeneity and is shown to be a 37-kDa protein as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) with a pI = 6.0. Fos kinase is distinguishable from previously characterized NGF-regulated kinases by its chromatographic behavior, its response to specific kinase inhibitors, and its substrate specificity. The concentration of NGF required to activate Fos kinase is consistent with signaling from the high affinity NGF receptor. Fos kinase phosphorylates c-Fos at its C terminus as indicated by competitive inhibition with a peptide corresponding to C-terminal phosphorylation sites and lack of phosphorylation of a C-terminal deletion mutant of c-Fos. Hyperphosphorylation of c-Fos in vivo, as detected by reduced electrophoretic mobility of c-Fos, is induced by the same ligands which activate Fos kinase. Moreover, Fos kinase phosphorylation of c-Fos in vitro results in a similar electrophoretic mobility shift, demonstrating that Fos kinase may be responsible for growth factor-stimulated alterations in mobility on SDS-PAGE and phosphorylation of this transcription factor. The ability of this unique growth factor-responsive kinase to phosphorylate c-Fos at its C terminus, a region essential for the transrepressive properties of c-Fos, suggests that Fos kinase may play a role in the regulation of the transcriptional repressive activity of c-Fos.

The human and bovine 14-3-3 eta protein mRNAs are highly conserved in both their translated and untranslated regions.

14-3-3 proteins form a highly conserved protein family whose members have been shown to activate tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases, inhibit protein kinase C and possess phospholipase A2 activity in vitro. We have isolated and analyzed a 14-3-3 protein cDNA clone (H14-3-3) from a human fetal brain cDNA library and found it to possess a high level of sequence identity with the bovine 14-3-3 eta protein cDNA in both the translated and untranslated regions, suggesting the presence of cis-regulatory elements in the untranslated regions of these mRNAs. The proteins encoded by these two cDNAs are 98.4% identical. Two different sized RNA species, approx. 1.9 and 3.5 kb in size that are expressed in a variety of tissues hybridize with this cDNA. However, only the 1.9 kb RNA is detected in the fetal brain. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNA isolated from eight different human tissues shows that 14-3-3 protein mRNAs are expressed in many tissues in the body. In agreement with previous reports, the highest abundance of RNA hybridizing with this cDNA is seen in the brain.

Characterization of a Drosophila melanogaster gene similar to the mammalian genes encoding the tyrosine/tryptophan hydroxylase activator and protein kinase C inhibitor proteins.

A cloned 1.3-kb cDNA that hybridizes to genomic clone 549, containing genes predominantly expressed in the head of Drosophila melanogaster, was characterized. DNA sequencing showed that the cDNA-encoded protein is similar to a family of mammalian proteins, called 14-3-3, which activate tyrosine hydroxylase (TyrOHase) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TrpOHase), the two key enzymes regulating biosynthesis of biogenic monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the brain. The putative D. melanogaster 14-3-3 protein (D14-3-3) shares 72.4, 74.3 and 78.3% amino acid (aa) sequence identity and 83.5, 87.7 and 85.9% aa sequence similarity with the beta, gamma and eta forms of bovine 14-3-3 protein, respectively. A lower (71%), but significant level of aa sequence identity was also found between D14-3-3 and sheep brain protein kinase C inhibitor protein (KCIP). The D14-3-3 gene expresses 1.0-, 1.9- and 2.9-kb mRNAs which show differential expression patterns. While the 2.9-kb mRNA is expressed only in the head, the other two mRNAs are found both in the head and body. Compared to the 1.9- and 2.9-kb mRNAs, the 1.0-kb mRNA is more abundant in the ovary and is probably maternally inherited. The 1.9-kb mRNA is the most predominant species in the embryos and its level peaks between 6-15 h of embryogenesis. The D14-3-3 gene is predominantly expressed in the ventral nerve cord of the embryo, and in the neural tissues of the head.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A BamHI repeat element is predominantly associated with the degenerating neo-Y chromosome of Drosophila miranda but absent in the Drosophila melanogaster genome.

In Drosophila miranda, females have two X1 and two evolving X2 chromosomes, and males have one of each of these two X chromosomes and a Y chromosome. In males, the homologue of the X2 chromosome, the neo-Y chromosome, is attached to the Y chromosome and is under the process of degenerative evolution. We have examined a developmentally regulated X2/neo-Y chromosome-linked gene, 549mr, of D. miranda and found that the neo-Y chromosome-linked copy of this gene (549mr-NY) contains an insertional DNA. We discovered that sequences similar to those in the insertional DNA are present in multiple copies in the genome of both sexes of D. miranda but are more abundant in the males. The insertional DNA also identified a 1.1-kilobase BamHI repeat that is present in at least 6-fold excess in the male genome as compared to the female. This BamHI repeat and similar DNA sequences are predominantly concentrated on the evolving neo-Y chromosome, but very few are found on the homologous X2 and other chromosomes. The BamHI repeat also hybridizes with 2.0- and 1.8-kb RNAs and many other RNA species, which together are also approximately 6-fold greater in males. No sequences similar to the BamHI repeat are found in Drosophila melanogaster. Moreover, the BamHI repeat is not homologous to P, copia, or other D. melanogaster transposable elements. This repeat, named the NY element, may be involved in gene disruption and the process of degenerative evolution of the neo-Y chromosome.

Dosage compensation of a retina-specific gene in Drosophila miranda.

The X1R chromosome of Drosophila miranda and the 3L autosome of Drosophila melanogaster are thought to have originated from the ancestral D chromosomal element and therefore may contain the same set of genes. It is expected that these genes will be dosage compensated in D. miranda because of their X linkage. To test these possibilities and to study evolution of the dosage compensation mechanism, we used the 3L-linked autosomal head-specific gene 507 ml of D. melanogaster to isolate the homologous gene (507mr) from a D. miranda genomic library. In situ hybridization showed that gene 507 is located at the 12A region of the X1R chromosome of D. miranda, indicating that the chromosomal homology deduced by cytogenetic means is correct. Restriction analysis and cross-specific DNA and RNA blot hybridization revealed the presence of extensive restriction pattern polymorphism and lack of sequence similarity in some areas of the 507mr and 507 ml DNA, including the 3' portion of the transcribed region. However, the 5' portion of the transcribed region and the DNA sequences, located approximately 0.8 kb upstream and 3 kb downstream from the 507 ml gene showed a high degree of similarity with the DNA sequences of comparable regions of the 507mr gene. In both species gene 507 codes for a highly abundant 1.8 kb RNA which is expressed in the retina of the compound eye. Although in D. miranda the males have one and the females have two copies of the 507 gene, the steady-state levels of the 507 mRNA in both sexes were found to be similar, indicating that gene 507 is dosage compensated in D. miranda.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)