Myosin head interactions in Ca2+-activated skinned rabbit skeletal muscle fibers.

Interactions between the two myosin heads were studied in skinned rabbit slow-twitch muscle fibers activated in the presence of vanadate (Vi), a phosphate analog. The strong complex between Vi, MgADP, and myosin trapped the myosin in an inactivated myosin x MgADP x Vi state. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to quantitate the fraction of myosin heads trapped in the presence of a spin labeled analog of ATP (SLATP). Force was found to depend directly on the fraction of untrapped heads. At high [Vi] (low force), most untrapped heads would have a trapped partner. The equivalence of force with the proportion of untrapped heads shows that the isometric force produced by a single untrapped myosin head on a molecule with a trapped partner is equivalent to that produced by either head of a myosin molecule with neither head trapped. The actin-activated MgATPase activities of one-headed and two-headed skeletal myosin species were inhibited similarly by Vi, suggesting that trapping one head did not preclude trapping its partner. These data indicate that the two skeletal muscle myosin heads can function without interacting during maximal Ca2+-activated force generation.

Glucocorticoids coordinately regulate type I collagen pro alpha 1 promoter activity through both the glucocorticoid and transforming growth factor beta response elements: a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid regulation of eukaryotic genes.

Glucocorticoids have previously have shown to decrease Type I collagen synthesis in vivo and in fibroblast cell culture. Several studies have demonstrated that glucocorticoids decrease Type I procollagen gene expression. These latter studies have included uridine incorporation into pro alpha 1 (I) and pro alpha 2 (I) mRNAs and nuclear run-off experiments. Using the ColCat 3.6 plasmid, which contains part of the 5' flanking region of the pro alpha 1 (I) collagen gene and the reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, the present studies demonstrate by stable transfection of fetal rat skin fibroblasts that dexamethasone down regulates the promoter activity of the pro alpha 1 (I) collagen gene. The glucocorticoid-mediated down-regulation of procollagen gene expression was demonstrated using the ColCat 3.6, 2.4, 1.7, or 0.9 plasmid. In addition, competitive oligonucleotide transfection experiments and site specific mutation of the glucocorticoid response element (GRE) in the whole ColCat 3.6 plasmid did not eliminate the effect. The possibility existed that another cis-element in the 5' flanking region of the pro alpha 1 (I) collagen gene was also required for the collagen glucocorticoid-mediated down-regulation of procollagen gene expression, since TGF-beta has been shown to stimulate in a decrease of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) secretion into the media. Gel mobility studies demonstrated that glucocorticoid treatment of rat skin fibroblasts decreased glucocorticoid receptor binding to the GRE and TGF-beta activator protein to the TGF-beta element which were brought back to control values by coordinate exogenous TGF-beta treatment. Thus the interaction of these TGF-beta molecules with cellular membrane receptors and subsequent transduction is dramatically decreased resulting in less signals to regulate collagen gene expression. These data indicate that glucocorticoids coordinately regulate procollagen gene expression through both the GRE and TGF-beta elements. Depression of procollagen gene expression by glucocorticoids through the TGF-beta element is mediated by decreased TGF-beta secretion, possibly involving a secondary effect on regulatory protein(s) encoded by noncollagenous protein gene(s). The present studies provide the basis for a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid-mediator regulation of eukaryotic genes containing the TGF-beta element.

Inhibition of muscle force by vanadate.

Vanadate (Vi), an analogue of inorganic phosphate (Pi), is known to bind tightly with a long half life to the myosin MgATPase site, producing a complex which inhibits force. Both of these ligands bind to an actin.myosin.ADP state that follows the release of Pi in the enzymatic cycle, and their effects on muscle fibers and proteins in solution provide information on the properties of this state. The inhibition of active force generation began to occur at a [Vi] of 5 microM and was 90% complete at a [Vi] of 1 mM. Hill plots of the inhibition of force by Vi approximated that expected for a simple binding isotherm. Similar plots were obtained at both 25 degrees C and 5 degrees C. A simple binding isotherm is not expected to occur in a muscle fiber where steric constraints imposed by the intact filaments should introduce more complexity into the energetics of ligand binding. The inhibition of MgATPase activity for acto-subfragment-1 to 50% of controls occurred at a [Vi] which was only 20-fold higher than that required to inhibit force generation in fibers to the same level. Some models of actomyosin interactions would predict that the range of [Vi] required for complete force inhibition in fibers and the difference in the [Vi] required for inhibition in fibers and of myosin in solution would both be much larger.

Glucocorticoid-induced down regulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in adult rat lung fibroblasts.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA and transforming growth factor beta activity are decreased with exposure of normal adult rat lung fibroblasts to dexamethasone. Dexamethasone caused a decrease in transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA within 2 hours, which was sustained at least over a 24-hour period. The decrease in transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA was dose related. Dexamethasone treatment of rat lung fibroblasts also resulted in a decrease of transforming growth factor beta activity as determined by the mink lung cell growth inhibition assay. These data indicate that glucocorticoids may regulate collagen synthesis at least in part through the mediation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in rat lung fibroblasts.

Auto-induction of transforming growth factor-beta in human lung fibroblasts.

The type beta transforming growth factors (TGF-beta s) are a family of potent cytokines with diverse effects on proliferation, differentiation, turnover of extracellular matrix components, oncogene expression, and other aspects of cellular phenotype. Unlike lung fibroblasts of certain species, unstimulated human lung fibroblast lines produce little or no TGF-beta in culture. However, TGF-beta has been reported to autoregulate its own production in certain human tumor cells and in rodent cell lines. To test whether this phenomenon is operative in fibroblasts from normal human lung tissue, confluent cultures of IMR90 normal fetal lung fibroblasts were exposed to TGF-beta. Cultures were exposed briefly to purified TGF-beta 1 under serum-free conditions and secretion of newly synthesized TGF-beta over the ensuing 72 h was determined by immunoblotting and bioassays made specific with the use of neutralizing antibodies. Steady-state levels of mRNA for TGF-beta 1 were detected by Northern and slot blot hybridization analysis of total cellular RNA. The 2.5 kb TGF-beta 1 mRNA species rose within 1.5 h of exposure of IMR90 cells to TGF-beta 1 and reached maximal levels after 16 h. Increased levels of TGF-beta were detected in conditioned medium 9 h after the start of the exposure. Thereafter, TGF-beta continued to accumulate at an elevated rate (90 +/- 7 versus < or = 15 pg/10(6) cells/h in uninduced cells) for up to 72 h. As little as 1 ng/ml TGF-beta 1 auto-induced TGF-beta secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Privilege and discharge decisions for psychiatric inpatients with dysphagia.

Psychiatric patients have an increased risk for choking compared with the general population because of risk factors such as medication side effects and food gorging. A state hospital program for managing patients with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, includes interventions such as modified diets, mealtime monitoring, and adjusting psychotropic medications. Clinicians may find it difficult to make decisions about privileges and placement for dysphagic patients who do not comply with dietary modifications in unsupervised settings. For many such patients, close supervision and even placement on a locked ward may seem necessary. The authors recommend a risk-benefit approach: clinicians must balance the safety afforded by restrictions against the benefits of increased privileges or placement in a less restrictive setting. Quality of life and patients' preferences must also be considered.

Glucocorticoid and retinoid regulation of alpha-2 type I procollagen promoter activity.

Glucocorticoids decrease type I procollagen synthesis by decreasing the steady state levels of procollagen mRNAs and mRNA synthesis. The present studies were undertaken to determine the functional sequences of the pro alpha 2(I) collagen gene required for the glucocorticoid-mediated decrease of type I procollagen mRNA synthesis. Embryonic mouse fibroblasts were stably transfected with the pR40 DNA CAT construct containing the 5' flanking region fragment from -2048 to +54 and the intronic fragment from +418 to +1524 of the mouse alpha 2(I) collagen gene. Dexamethasone treatment of these pR40 transfected fibroblasts resulted in a significant decrease in CAT activity which agrees with the glucocorticoid-mediated decrease of the steady state levels of type I procollagen mRNAs. To determine the possible role of the first intron fragment in the dexamethasone-mediated decrease of CAT activity, pR36, a CAT plasmid containing the first intron fragment and the SV40 early promoter, was transfected into mouse fibroblasts and treated with dexamethasone. No significant decrease in CAT activity was observed. The dexamethasone-mediated response was then localized within the 5' flanking region by preparing a series of constructs containing internal deletions and transfecting these plasmids into mouse fibroblasts. The regions -2048 to -981 and -506 to -351 were required for the dexamethasone response of gene activity. However, the DNA stretch from -981 to -506 was not. Analysis of the DNA sequences of these regions revealed a single GRE at -1023 to -1018 and a modified doublet at -873 to -856.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bleomycin regulation of transforming growth factor-beta mRNA in rat lung fibroblasts.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a well-known toxic response to bleomycin treatment. Here we demonstrate the direct effects of bleomycin on lung fibroblasts that resulted in a marked increase of collagen synthesis as compared with total noncollagen protein synthesis. Bleomycin treatment of rat lung fibroblast cultures resulted in an increase of total cellular transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) mRNA and increased secretion of TGF-beta protein into the conditioned media. beta 2-Microglobulin was measured as an mRNA that did not increase with bleomycin treatment. The bleomycin-induced increase of TGF-beta mRNA was decreased by cells cultured in the presence of either cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, or 2-mercapto-1-(beta-4-pyridethyl) benzimidazole, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis. To assess the mechanism underlying increased steady-state mRNA levels, the nuclear fraction was isolated from bleomycin-treated cells and the TGF-beta transcripts were determined. Transcription of TGF-beta mRNA was increased 12 h after bleomycin treatment, whereas the transcription of type I procollagen, type III procollagen, and beta-actin mRNAs were increased after 48 h of bleomycin treatment. beta 2-Microglobulin mRNA synthesis was not increased within this time frame. These results suggest bleomycin regulation of TGF-beta at both the mRNA and protein levels. Rats lung fibroblasts were separated by cell sorting into two subpopulations. One population of fibroblasts demonstrated increased procollagen type I mRNAs, whereas fibroblasts in the other population had increased procollagen type III mRNA. Following bleomycin treatment, TGF-beta mRNA was shown to be located more prominently in those fibroblasts that contain primarily collagen type I mRNAs.

Differential regulation of antioxidant enzymes in response to oxidants.

We have demonstrated the selective induction of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) or catalase mRNA after exposure of tracheobronchial epithelial cells in vitro to different oxidant stresses. Addition of H2O2 caused a dose-dependent increase in catalase mRNA in both exponentially growing and confluent cells. A 3-fold induction of catalase mRNA was seen at a nontoxic dose of 250 microM H2O2. Increase in the steady-state mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and MnSOD were less striking. Expression of catalase, MnSOD, and GPX mRNA was highest in confluent cells. In contrast, constitutive expression of copper and zinc SOD (CuZnSOD) mRNA was greatest in dividing cells and was unaffected by H2O2 in both exponentially growing and confluent cells. MnSOD mRNA was selectively induced in confluent epithelial cells exposed to the reactive oxygen species-generating system, xanthine/xanthine oxidase, while steady-state levels of GPX, catalase, and CuZnSOD mRNA remained unchanged. The 3-fold induction of MnSOD mRNA was dose-dependent, reaching a peak at 0.2 unit/ml xanthine oxidase. MnSOD mRNA increases were seen as early as 2 h and reached maximal induction at 24 h. Immunoreactive MnSOD protein was produced in a corresponding dose- and time-dependent manner. Induction of MnSOD gene expression was prevented by addition of actinomycin D and cycloheximide. These data indicate that epithelial cells of the respiratory tract respond to different oxidant insults by selective induction of certain antioxidant enzymes. Hence, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes does not appear to be coordinately regulated in these cell types.

Functional repair of transected spinal cord in embryonic chick.

The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental stage of the chick embryo when descending spinal tracts lose the capacity for anatomical and functional repair after complete transection of the thoracic spinal cord. Previous studies have demonstrated that the first reticulospinal projections descend to the lumbar cord by embryonic day (E) 5. A comparison of the distribution and density of retrogradely labelled brainstem-spinal neurons in embryos versus hatchling chicks suggests that the descent of all brainstem-spinal projections is essentially complete to lumbar levels between E10 and El2. Transections and control sham operations were performed on different embryos from E3 through E14 of development. After a recovery period of 5-18 days, the extent of anatomical repair was assessed by injecting a small volume of a retrograde tract-tracing chemical into the upper lumbar spinal cord, caudal to the transection site. The brainstem nuclei were then examined for the number and distribution of retrogradely labelled brainstem-spinal neurons. In comparison to control animals, anatomical recovery appeared to be complete for embryos transected as late as E12, whereas thoracic cord transections conducted on E13-E14 resulted in reduced labelling of most brainstem-spinal nuclei. In addition, a number of E3-E6 transected embryos were allowed to hatch and with some assistance a few E7-E14 transected embryos also hatched. Functional recovery was assessed by behavioral observations and by focal electrical stimulation of brainstem locomotor regions (known to have direct projections to the lumbar spinal cord). Brainstem stimulation experiments were undertaken on transected and control embryos, either in ovo on E18-E20 or after hatching. Leg and wing muscle electromyographic recordings were used to monitor any brainstem evoked motor activity. Voluntary open-field locomotion (hatchling chicks) or brainstem evoked locomotion (embryonic or hatchling) in animals transected on or before E12 was indistinguishable from that observed in control (i.e. sham-operated or unoperated) chicks, indicating that complete functional recovery had occurred. In contrast, chicks transected on or after El3 showed reduced functional recovery. Since a previous study has shown that neurogenesis in chick brainstem-spinal neurons is complete prior to E5, the possible intrinsic neuronal mechanisms underlying the repair of descending supraspinal pathways are: (1) subsequent projections from later developing (undamaged) neurons, or (2) regrowth of previously axotomized projections (regeneration). For the E5-E12 chick embryos examined in this study, significant descending supraspinal fibers are present within the thoracic cord at the time of transection. Even if the transection is made at E12, when descending projections have completed their development to the lumbar cord, there is still a similar number and distribution of brainstem-spinal neurons labelled afterward (when compared to controls). This suggests that regeneration of previously axotomized projections may account for some of the observed anatomical and functional repair of brainstem-spinal pathways.

Antithrombin III/low-dose heparin in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty. A preliminary report.

This preliminary report outlines the rationale for a new approach to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients and describes preliminary hematologic and venographic findings. A protocol was employed to (1) document a series of hematologic events surrounding cemented TKA and the alterations of these events by the study drugs and (2) compare the safety and efficacy of a regimen of antithrombin III/low-dose heparin (ATIII/LDH) to that of low-molecular-weight dextran (LMWD) in the prevention of DVT after TKA. Using a dosage regimen of 3000 units of ATIII as a loading dose followed postoperatively by 2000 units daily combined with 5000 units of LDH twice daily, a prospective randomized study of patients treated by cemented TKA was performed. The ATIII/LDH regimen was compared with LMWD (10 ml/kg x 12 hours loading dose followed by 7 ml/kg x 24 hours maintenance dose). The rate of DVT after TKA in 42 patients was 25% (5/20) for the ATIII/LDH group versus 82% (18/22) for the LMWD group (p less than 0.001). Bleeding complications were minimal and comparable for each group. Hematologic studies demonstrated that quantitative and functional ATIII levels decreased after TKA and that preoperative loading with ATIII prevented levels from falling below 100%. Studies of clot formation (fibrinopeptide A) and plasmin activity (fibrinopeptides B beta 15-42 and 1-42) in 34 patients suggest some reduction in procoagulant activity in patients in the ATIII/LDH group. These findings indicate that the combination of ATIII and LDH may offer superior protection from DVT than does LMWD.

Magnetic resonance imaging: failure to demonstrate spinal arteriovenous malformations in four patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often useful for detecting spinal lesions, was unsuccessful in revealing spinal arteriovenous malformations in four patients, as recorded here. Patients with persistent neurological symptoms after "normal" MRI scans should undergo additional imaging procedures.

Identification of a vitamin D-responsive protein on the surface of human osteosarcoma cells.

Monoclonal antibodies were elicited to membrane constituents of the osteoblastic human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2. Two types of antibody reactivities were characterized: one group of antibodies identified fibroblastic and osteoblastic cultured cells, whereas the other group was specific for the parent cell line, Saos-2. Primary endothelial cells and hepatoma cells were not recognized by either group of antibodies. Through indirect immunofluorescent microscopy, the Saos-2-specific antigen was demonstrated to reside on the surface of these osteosarcoma cells. Metabolic radiolabeling of cultured Saos-2 cells and subsequent immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic separation, and autoradiography revealed this protein to have a Mr of 80,000. Similar experiments in the presence of hormones showed that the expression of this cell surface protein was influenced in an opposing fashion by the bone-regulating hormones parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Vitamin D stimulated expression by 300%, whereas parathyroid hormone depressed expression by 50%. Thus, Saos-2 human osteoblastic cells demonstrate hormonal regulation through an apparently specific membrane protein.

Radiology and pathology in canine acalculous cholecystitis.

Although the value of hepatobiliary scan and ultrasonography are well established in calculous cholecystitis, their role in acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is less certain. This study assesses the diagnostic reliability of these tests in AAC chemically induced in 10 dogs with rutin, a compound known to induce AAC. Ultrasonography demonstrated pericholecystic fluid or wall thickening in 8 of 10 dogs. Hepatobiliary scans were abnormal in only 2 of 9 dogs. Pathologic evaluation showed significant abnormalities in all gallbladders. Our studies confirm the usefulness of ultrasonography in diagnosing AAC and suggest caution in using a normal hepatobiliary scan to exclude the diagnosis of AAC.

Characterization of a human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos-2) with osteoblastic properties.

This study examines the osteoblastic properties of the established human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2. Saos-2 cells inoculated into diffusion chambers, which were implanted i.p. into nude mice, produced mineralized matrix in 4 of 6 chambers at 8 weeks. In 5 of 6 chambers there was a strong positive alkaline phosphatase reaction. In culture the alkaline phosphatase levels increased with time and cell density, reaching very high levels at confluence: 4-7 mumol/mg protein/min. The cells show a sensitive adenylate cyclase response to parathyroid hormone, 50% effective dose = 2.8 nM, which increases with cell density and is further raised by dexamethasone treatment. They also exhibit typical binding of 1-25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to 3.2S receptor protein with an apparent Kd of 0.21 nM; the numbers of sites per cell were 3,300 at 50,000 cells/cm2 and 1,800 at 280,000 cells/cm2. The presence of osteonectin was visualized with a monoclonal antibody which revealed a reticular pattern on the cell surface. Osteonectin was also detected in the medium by Western blots, migrating at around Mr 40,000 in nonreduced gels and Mr 44,000 in reduced gels. The Saos-2 cells thus possess several osteoblastic features and could be useful as a permanent line of human osteoblast-like cells and as a source of bone-related molecules.

Glucocorticoids change the ratio of type III to type I procollagen extracellularly.

Rat skin fibroblasts were treated with dexamethasone and labeled with radioactive proline for 2 hours. Intracellular and extracellular procollagens were immunoprecipitated with monospecific polyclonal antibodies. Both intracellular and extracellular types I and III procollagen were decreased coordinately by glucocorticoid treatment. The ratio of type III to type I procollagen was the same for control and dexamethasone-treated cell cultures. However, when rat skin fibroblasts were prelabeled with radioactive proline and chased in the presence of unlabeled proline the ratio of type III to type I extracellular procollagens remained constant in the glucocorticoid-treated cells and increased in control fibroblasts.

Glucocorticoids decrease the synthesis of type I procollagen mRNAs.

Glucocorticoids selectively decrease procollagen synthesis in animal and human skin fibroblasts. beta-Actin content and beta-actin mRNA are not affected by glucocorticoid treatment of chick skin fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids on procollagen synthesis is associated with a decrease in total cellular type I procollagen mRNAs in chick skin fibroblasts. These effects of dexamethasone are receptor mediated as determined by pretreatment with the glucocorticoid antagonists progesterone and RU-486 and with the agonist beta-dihydrocortisol. Dexamethasone has a small but significant inhibitory effect on cell growth of chick skin fibroblasts. The ability of this corticosteroid to decrease the steady-state levels of type I procollagen mRNAs in nuclei, cytoplasm, and polysomes varies. The largest decrease of type I procollagen mRNAs is observed in the nuclear and cytoplasmic subcellular fractions 24 h after dexamethasone treatment. Type I procollagen hnRNAs are also decreased as determined by Northern blot analysis of total nuclear RNA. The synthesis of total cellular type I procollagen mRNAs is reversibly decreased by dexamethasone treatment. In addition the synthesis of total nuclear type I procollagen mRNA sequences is decreased at 2, 4, and 24 h following the addition of radioactive nucleoside and dexamethasone to cell cultures. Although the synthesis of pro alpha 1(I) and pro alpha 2(I) mRNAs is decreased in dexamethasone-treated chick skin fibroblasts, the degradation of the total cellular procollagen mRNAs is not altered while the degradation of total cellular RNA is stabilized. These data indicate that the dexamethasone-mediated decrease of procollagen synthesis in embryonic chick skin fibroblasts results from the regulation of procollagen gene expression.

Skin lysyl oxidase activity is not rate limiting for collagen crosslinking in the glucocorticoid-treated rat.

Lysyl oxidase activity in the skin of rats receiving triamcinolone diacetate (12 mg/kg) for three consecutive days was decreased by sixty-four percent as compared to control values. A decrease of lysyl oxidase activity was observed twelve hours after the initial glucocorticoid injection. The decreased lysyl oxidase activity was accompanied by a forty-nine percent decrease of acetic acid extractable collagen. There was also a forty-two percent decrease in the alpha/beta ratio of the acetic acid soluble skin collagen of glucocorticoid-treated animals. These data indicate that although skin lysyl oxidase activity is decreased by glucocorticoid treatment, the crosslinking of acid extracted collagen as measured by the alpha/beta ratio and collagen solubility is increased. Accordingly lysyl oxidase activity is not rate limiting for collagen crosslink formation in the skins of rats treated with glucocorticoids.

Bleomycin selectively elevates mRNA levels for procollagen and fibronectin following acute lung injury.

We employed the technique of dot blot hydridization of radiolabeled cDNA probes to examine the role of specific mRNA content in the control of extracellular matrix turnover in the remodeling rat lung. Following bleomycin instillation, total RNA content gradually doubled during the first 5 days following the initial lung injury, then rose much more rapidly during the ensuing 9 days. Individual mRNAs for procollagens I and III and for fibronectin were selectively enriched 2- to 4-fold above total RNA during the first week after bleomycin instillation. No comparable increases were observed in specific RNAs from liver, indicating that the response observed in the lung was not generalized to other organs. Moreover, the increases in mRNA species for procollagen types I or III in the lung could not be related to the influx of inflammatory cells which migrate into the lungs during acute injury, as cells obtained by alveolar lavage contained no mRNAs for procollagens.