Tacrolimus prevents von Willebrand factor secretion by allostimulated human glomerular endothelium.

Little is known about the endothelial injury caused directly by circulating donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) during antibody-mediated rejection. von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a highly thrombotic glycoprotein stored in Weibel-Palade bodies in endothelial cells. It has been shown that its secretion is triggered by allostimulation. Calcineurin-like phosphatases regulate pathways involved in vWF secretion. Therefore, we hypothesized that tacrolimus would prevent alloantibody-induced glomerular lesions, in part via inhibition of vWF secretion from endothelial cells. Here, we used a human in vitro model of glomerular endothelium expressing HLA class I and II antigens and demonstrated that anti-HLA class II antibodies elicit a higher endothelial release of vWF than do anti-HLA class I antibodies in cell supernatants. We observed that tacrolimus treatment decreased vWF secretion after stimulation with both classes of anti-HLA antibodies and decreased platelet adhesion on allostimulated endothelial cells in a microfluidic chamber. In kidney recipients, tacrolimus trough levels were negatively associated with vWF blood levels. These results indicate that direct disruption of hemostasis via vWF secretion is a potential mechanism of antibody-mediated injury in patients with DSAs. Our results further suggest that the targeting of microcirculation hemostasis may be beneficial to prevent the development of microangiopathic lesions in antibody-mediated rejection.

Railway noise annoyance modeling: Accounting for noise sensitivity and different acoustical features.

Noise annoyance due to railway traffic is a growing issue in today's society. This annoyance may be predicted using noise-exposure relationships with mean energy-based index. However, there is room for improvement of models as other acoustical and non-acoustical factors also influence noise annoyance responses. In this paper, it is proposed to highlight annoying auditory sensations evoked by the railway noise and determine acoustical and psychoacoustical indices combined in a predictive model. A laboratory experiment involving railway pass-by noise in urban areas was carried out. Annoyance ratings, noise sensitivity ratings, and free verbalization data were gathered. The analysis underlined annoying auditory sensations caused by railway pass-by noises. Two indices were proposed to account for irregular amplitude fluctuation and noise event duration-related sensations. A multilevel regression analysis was conducted, leading to two annoyance models considering noise indices and noise sensitivity. These models were finally compared to a similarly obtained multilevel regression model related to tramway noise annoyance. The comparison was carried out as a cross-validation considering the models and the respective datasets collected in laboratory conditions for model construction. Results showed that the railway noise annoyance model led to a good prediction of tramway noise annoyance and vice versa.

Effects of alloantibodies to human leukocyte antigen on endothelial expression and serum levels of thrombomodulin.

Essentials The effect of alloantibodies on the endothelial expression of thrombomodulin is unknown. Thrombomodulin was quantified in stimulated endothelial cells and measured in serum samples. Anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) I vs. II antibodies have different effects on thrombomodulin. Anti-HLA II antibodies may promote a prothrombotic state and contribute to microangiopathy. SUMMARY: Rationale Thrombomodulin (TBM) is an anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory transmembrane protein expressed on endothelial cells. Donor-specific alloantibodies, particularly those against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, are associated with microvascular endothelial damage in solid allografts. Objective Our aim was to characterize the effects of anti-HLA antibodies on endothelial expression of TBM, and in particular, the differential effects of anti-HLA class I compared with those of anti-HLA class II. Methods We used human glomerular microvascular endothelial cells to examine TBM expression on anti-HLA-treated cells, and we tested sera from transplant recipients for soluble TBM. Results We found that whereas membrane TBM expression increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of anti-HLA class I antibodies, treatment with anti-HLA class II led to minimal TBM expression on the endothelial surface but to a cytosolic accumulation. Platelet adhesion studies confirmed the functional impact of anti-HLA class II. Quantitative densitometry of the membrane lysates further suggested that anti-HLA class II impairs TBM glycosylation. Furthermore, we found a significant association between the presence of circulating anti-HLA class II antibodies in transplant recipients and low serum levels of TBM. Conclusion These results indicate that ligation of anti-HLA class I and II antibodies produces different effects on the endothelial expression of TBM and on serum levels of TBM in transplant recipients. Anti-HLA class II antibodies may be associated with a prothrombotic state, which could explain the higher occurrence of microangiopathic lesions in the allograft and the poor outcomes observed in patients with these alloantibodies.

Inhibitors of the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger activate an apical anion conductance with similar features in the epithelial cells of rabbit gallbladder: analysis in intact epithelium.

In the apical plasma membrane of rabbit gallbladder epithelium, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), besides its inhibiting action on Na+-Cl- symport and some side-effects, opens a SITS-sensitive Cl- conductance (Gcl), resulting in depolarization of the membrane due to a cell-to-lumen Cl- backflux. Some previous indications suggest that GCl is someway related to the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Thus the actions on the apical membrane of HCTZ and two inhibitors of the exchanger mainly studied in erythrocytes, namely phlorizin and phenylglyoxal (PG), have been compared. The transapical Cl- influx was measured radiochemically and the anion exchange fraction identified. The apical and transepithelial membrane potentials (Vm, Vm), the apical/basolateral membrane resistance ratio (Rm/Rs) and the transepithelial resistance (Rep) were measured with conventional microelectrodes and the changes in apical electromotive force and conductance were calculated. It has been shown that: (1) 2.5 x 10(-4) mol/l HCTZ abolishes Cl-/HCO3- exchange in a few seconds, (2) exchanger inhibition by HCTZ is direct and not mediated by carbonic anhydrase inhibition, (3) 2 mmol/l phlorizin and 4 mmol/l PG also inhibit the exchanger in a few seconds or at least rapidly and in parallel activate a depolarization of 6-7 mV, like HCTZ, (4) dose/response curves of the three drugs for depolarization activation and anion exchange inhibition overlap, (5) depolarization time courses are similar for the three drugs, (6) a decrease in the Rm/Rs ratio occurs in the presence of the three drugs, with a significant change in apical electromotive force when the luminal Cl- concentration is reduced, all this indicating the appearance of a substantial, quantifiable GCl which is absent in the absence of incubation with the drugs, (7) GCl values are similar, regardless of the drug which generates them, (8) the effects of the three drugs are not additive, and (9) stilbenes and dipyridamole abolish GCl (but not DPC) as well as the basal intrinsic conductance of the exchanger. On this basis it is concluded that some inhibitors of the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger either turn it into an anion channel or, less probably, activate a parallel GCl, as a consequence of the exchanger inhibition.

Effect of frusemide on Cl- channel in rat peritoneal mast cells.

Frusemide can be used as an antiasthma drug and appears to inhibit the release (conditioned by activation of Cl- channels) of mast cell proinflammatory mediators. We studied the cause of the effects of frusemide, checking its action on Cl- channels. The patch-clamp technique was used to study single-channel currents, and differences in electrical potential of the cellular membrane of rat peritoneal mast cells were measured. In inside-out configuration, outwardly-rectifying Cl- channels were identified whose conductance was 2.4/1.7 pS at positive and negative voltages. In cell-attached configuration, the open probability (Po) of the channel increased with depolarization or with the presence of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the incubation medium. Po increased with a rise of cytoplasmic free calcium concentration [Ca2+] and was inhibited by 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB) and by 4-4'-diisothiocyanatoostilbene-2-2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS). These channels seem to be the main cause of mast cell Cl- conductance. Frusemide (10(-5) and 10(-3) M) did not affect Cl- channel activity when using excised patches. In cell-attached configuration experiments, the presence of frusemide (from 10(-5) to 10(-3) M) in the cell incubation medium, increasingly reduced Po (median inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 4.3 x 10(-7) M). In similar conditions, bumetanide also inhibited Po (IC50 = 5.7 x 10(-3) M). The results of this study suggest that frusemide can inhibit mast cell Cl- channels only via an indirect mechanisms, which probably involves an inhibition of a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- symport.

Hydrochlorothiazide action on the apical Cl-, Ca2+ and K+ conductances in rabbit gallbladder epithelium. Presence of an apamin-sensitive, Ca(2+)-activated K+ conductance.

In the rabbit gallbladder epithelium, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was shown to inhibit the transepithelial NaCl transport and the apical Na(+)-Cl- symport, to depolarize the apical membrane potential and to enhance the cell-to-lumen Cl- backflux (radiochemically measured), this increase being SITS-sensitive. To better investigate the causes of the depolarization and the Cl- backflux increase, cells were punctured with conventional microelectrodes on the luminal side (incubation in bicarbonate-free saline at 27 degrees C) and the apical membrane potential (Vm) was studied either with prolonged single impalements or with a set of short multiple impalements. The maximal depolarization was of 3-4 mV and was reached with 2.5 x 10(-4) M HCTZ. It was significantly enhanced by reducing luminal Cl- concentration to 30 mM; it was abolished by SCN-, furosemide, SITS; it was insensitive to DPC. SITS converted the depolarization into a hyperpolarization of about 4 mV; this latter was apamin, nifedipine and verapamil sensitive. It was concluded that HCTZ concomitantly opens apical Cl- and (probably) Ca2+ conductances and, indirectly, a Ca(2+)-sensitive, apamin inhibitable K+ conductance: since the intracellular Cl- activity is maintained above the value predicted at the electrochemical equilibrium, the opening of the apical Cl- conductance depolarizes Vm and enhances Cl- backflux. In the presence of apamin or verapamil, to avoid the hyperpolarizing effects due to HCTZ, the depolarization elicited by this drug was fully developed (7-10 mV) and proved to be Ca2+ insensitive. On this basis and measuring the transepithelial resistance and the apical/basolateral resistance ratio, the Cl- conductance opened by HCTZ has been estimated and the Cl- backflux increase calculate: it proved to be in the order of that observed radiochemically. The importance of this Cl- leak to the lumen in the overall inhibition of the transepithelial NaCl transport by HCTZ has been evaluated.

A developmental study of the behaviour of mice fostered to normal and alcoholic virgin females.

Two conditions of temporary litter fostering, to water-drinking subjects and 28%-ethanol-drinking subjects, were compared to stay-with-mother condition and no-adult-present condition. Significant differences were found in the following variables: body weight during growth, self-feeding latency at weaning, timidity at one-month age, and, in adulthood, latency of females to contact an infant stimulus object and aggressive activities between males. It seems that the normal and the alcoholic virgin females had similar, long-lasting effect on emotionality of the fostered mice.

[Possibilities of study of the human plasma cholinesterase variants by affinity electrophoresis]. / Possibilités d'étude des variantes de la cholinestérase plasmatique humaine par électrophorèse d'affinité.

Affinity electrophoresis has been applied to the study of the multiple molecular forms of three human plasma cholinesterase phenotypes (usual enzyme U, atypical enzyme A and intermediate UA). Electrophoreses were carried out in polyacrylamide gels containing a water-soluble macromolecular derivative of m-amino-(substituted)-phenyltrimethylammonium immobilized within the gel network. Apparent dissociation constants (KD app) were estimated from the mobilities of the enzymes versus ligand concentration. The ratio of KD app values of the molecular forms of phenotypes A and U which is approximately 2 is consistent with the hypothesis that the anionic site is altered in atypical enzyme.