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Eur J Ophthalmol. 2000 Jul-Sep;10(3):215-26.
Matrix metalloproteinase 2: involvement in keratoconus.
Smith VA, Easty DL.
Department of Ophthalmology, Bristol Eye Hospital, University of Bristol, UK.
PURPOSE: The activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is postulated to be a crucial pathogenic factor behind progressive and chronic diseases in which basement membranes are disrupted. An ocular example is keratoconus. The purpose of the present enquiry was therefore to investigate and compare the activities of the MMP-2 secreted by keratocytes of normal and keratoconic corneas. METHODS: The spectrum of MMP-2 activities secreted by cultures of keratocytes derived from normal and keratoconic corneas was analysed by zymography. Subsequently, selected preparations were assayed for peptidase activity, using Type I, Type III, Type IV and Type V collagen as substrate, under native conditions and after treatment with a variety of putative activating reagents. RESULTS: Although MMP-2 of Mr 65,000 on SDS gelatin polyacrylamide gels is the major protease secreted by keratocytes of normal corneas, the keratocytes of early-phase keratoconic corneas secrete an additional zymographic activity of Mr 61,000. From their N-terminal amino acid sequences, both these proteins were shown to be conformers of proMMP-2. Treatment with SDS followed by protein fractionation was required to achieve in vitro activation of the MMP-2 secreted by normal corneal keratocytes. Treatment with SDS alone partially activated the enzyme produced by early-phase keratoconic corneal keratocytes. This procedure and autocatalysis, yielded an enzyme of Mr 43,000 that selectively hydrolysed Type IV and denatured Type 1 collagen. CONCLUSIONS: The zymographic gelatinase activities of apparent Mr 65,000 and 61,000 are conformers of corneal proMMP-2. Activated enzyme, of Mr 43,000, is more readily generated from protein preparations of the culture media of early phase keratoconic corneal keratocytes than from protein preparations of the culture media of normal corneal keratocytes.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11071029&dopt=Abstract
Biol Cell. 2000 Aug;92(5):351-62.
Characterization and distribution of extracellular matrix components and receptors in GH3B6 prolactin cells.
de Carvalho DF, Silva KL, de Oliveria DA, Villa-Verde DM, Coelho HS, Silva LC, Nasciutti LE.
Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitaria-Ilha do Fundao, Brazil.
GH3B6 cells, a rat pituitary tumor cell line, synthesize and secrete large amounts of prolactin (PRL) in vitro. In the present work, we evaluated the capacity of these cells to express extracellular matrix (ECM) components and receptors in vitro. The expression of laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN) and type IV collagen (CIV) was investigated by immunofluorescence assays. In comparison to PRL distribution, where around 50-70% of the cells contained PRL concentrated in the Golgi region, a variable immunolabeling for the three ECM components could be observed in the majority of GH3B6 cells. Importantly, this pattern was not modified when cells were cultured in the presence of 30 nM thyroliberin (TRH). The expression of the ECM receptors: alpha5beta1 (FN receptor), alpha6beta1 (LN receptor) and CD44 (hyaluronic acid receptor) could be demonstrated by cytofluorometric analysis. Using biochemical procedures, we analyzed the synthesis and secretion of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The cells synthesized and secreted mainly heparan sulfate (75%) with a minor amount of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate. In an attempt to evaluate the individual contribution of the ECM components to influence cell morphology and PRL distribution in vitro, GH3B6 cells were cultivated separately on LN, FN and CIV substrates. Under all conditions, it was possible to observe an increase of cell adherence to the substrate, accompanied with changes of cellular morphology, characterized by the appearance of cytoplasmatic processes. However, no changes on PRL distribution could be observed. Our results suggest that endocrine tumor cell lines are involved in synthesis of ECM components and receptors.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11071044&dopt=Abstract
Inflamm Res. 2000 Sep;49(9):466-72.
Expression of platelet P-selectin and detection of soluble P-selectin, NPY and RANTES in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Fagerstam JP, Whiss PA, Strom M, Andersson RG.
University of Linkoping, Department of Medicine and Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sweden. patrik.fagerstaelta.telenordia.se
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: P-selectin, a membrane glycoprotein which is expressed on activated platelets and endothelial cells, plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response. The main action is adhesion of leukocytes, facilitation of diapedesis and induction of cytokine production from monocytes (MCP-1 and IL-8), mediated via RANTES released from activated platelets. An abnormal platelet activity has been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), jointly referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which could have an aggravating influence on the inflammatory response. In addition, an up-regulation of platelet IL-8 receptors among patients with IBD has been reported. To reveal a presumptuous platelet dysfunction we analysed the expression of platelet surface P-selectin at resting state and after stimulation with thrombin, collagen, epinephrine and interleukin 8 (IL-8), and plasma levels of soluble P-selectin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and RANTES in patients with IBD. SUBJECTS: Blood from twelve healthy subjects (control group) and twenty-one patients with IBD who had not taken any anti-platelet drugs or steroids were analysed. METHODS: Patients were sub-grouped according to disease entity, disease activity and 5ASA medication. Surface P-selectin expression on isolated human platelets and plasma P-selectin, NPY and RANTES were analysed with ELISA. All values are presented as mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM). Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon matched rank test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Patients with IBD in remission (n = 9) had higher basal P-selectin expression, 0.38+/-0.04, compared to the control group (n = 12), 0.22+/-0.03,p < 0.01. UC patients (n = 16) showed down-regulation of P-selectin expression after stimulation with IL-8, 0.26+/-0.03 to 0.22+/-0.02, p < 0.05. No significant differences could be observed concerning soluble P-selectin and NPY in plasma. Patients with 5ASA (n = 12) had lower levels of plasma RANTES, 2.39+/-0.06 microg/l, compared to the control group (n = 12), 3.29+/-0.19 microg/l, p < 0.01, and patients without 5ASA (n = 9), 2.90+/-0.17 microg/l, p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD in remission have higher basal platelet surface P-selectin expression. An exaggerated platelet activity with increased expression of platelet P-selectin and release of inflammatory mediators such as RANTES, which is chemotactic and induce chemokine production, could have a reinforcing and aggravating influence on the inflammatory response and increase the susceptibility to IBD. In addition IL-8 has a down-regulating effect on platelet surface P-selectin expression and 5ASA medication seems to lower plasma RANTES. If 5ASA is responsible for lowering the concentration of RANTES this could be one of the beneficial outcomes of 5ASA medication.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11071121&dopt=Abstract
Amino Acids. 2002;23(4):419-26.
Effect of taurine chloramine, the product of activated neutrophils, on the development of collagen-induced arthritis in DBA 1/J mice.
Kwasny-Krochin B, Bobek M, Kontny E, Gluszko P, Biedron R, Chain BM, Maslinski W, Marcinkiewicz J.
Department of Rheumatology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
Taurine chloramine (TauCl), a product of neutrophil myeloperoxidase - halide system, formed by a reaction of taurine with HOCl, is known as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory long-lived oxidant. We previously reported that TauCl inhibits in vitro the production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) by RA synoviocytes. Therefore we performed this study to investigate the effect of TauCl treatment on the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA1/J mice. Early administration of TauCl (after primary immunization) resulted in the delay of the onset of CIA, but had no effect on severity of arthritis. TauCl, given daily for 21 days after booster immunization, did not reduce the symptoms of arthritis in those mice, which already developed CIA, but significantly diminished incidence of the disease (55% vs. 90% of placebo mice). The mechanism of this effect is unknown. This is the first in vivo study suggesting that TauCl may be used for immune intervention in chronic inflammatory diseases.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12436210&dopt=Abstract
Theriogenology. 2000 Sep 1;54(4):641-50.
In vitro development of caprine ovarian preantral follicles.
Huanmin Z, Yong Z.
Department of Bioengineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, China. zhouhuanmiahoo.com
The in vitro growth and developmental pattern of caprine preantral follicles cultured in agar gel was observed. Preantral follicles 50 to 150 microm in diameter were isolated from prepuberal goat ovaries by treatment with collagenase and DNase. The isolated preantral follicles were cultured in agar gel for up to 14 days. A group of 10 follicles in different developmental stages was cultured in a culture well coated with 0.6% agar gel and filled with DMEM medium supplemented with FCS (10%), hypoxanthine (2 mmol/mL), dbcAMP (2 mmol/mL), FSH (100 ng/mL), insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) (50 ng/mL), IGF-1 (50 ng/mL), hydrocortisone (40 ng/mL) and antibiotics. Follicle viability was determined under an inverted phase-contrast microscope according to morphological and histological criteria, and follicle growth was assessed by their size and appearance. The results showed that the three-dimensional structures and forms of follicles were basically maintained intact during culture. Primary follicles developed into secondary follicles and a few of them into antral follicles. A large portion of secondary follicles entered the antral stage, and oocytes also acquired growth. The formation of theca lamina and zona pellucida was observed. The survival capacity of secondary follicles was greater than primary follicles. The survival rates for primary and secondary follicles were 11.36% (5/44) and 71.16% (53/74), respectively. During in vitro development the follicles demonstrated dominance. This experiment revealed the preliminary characteristics of the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11071138&dopt=Abstract
The average human scalp is covered by approximatey 100,000 hair follicles. Each hair undergoes
Loss of hair itself does not pose critical health problems because biological role of human hair is relatively marginal. Hair on our scalp protects the head from mechanical shock, heat loss, and exposure to UV-light. The eyelashes and eyebrowes protect the eyes, and hair in the ear canal or the nasal passages help filter out particles and pathogens, thus protecting our internal organs.
However, hair does play important social role: it is one of the major determinants of our appearance and identity in daily life. Fullness of hair also implicates or manifests physical integrity and youthfulness of the person. Losing hair could have more than just emotional impacts on individuals.
The hair is a unique organ that goes through a characteristic cycle consisting of an immature phase, a growing phase called anagen, a transitional phase between the growing phase and the resting phase called catagen, and finally a resting phase called telogen in which the hair stops growing, waiting to fall out. 85-90% of hairs on our body are in anagen phase or growing phase, which lasts anywhere from two to five years. This phase is followed by a short regression phase, or catagen, which lasts 2-3 weeks. Approximately 1% of hair follicles are in catagen. Approximately 10-15% of hair follicles are in the resting phase, the telogen, which lasts about 3-5 months. Hair follicles typically goes through 10-20 asynchronous cycles during the lifetime.
Persistent loss of more than 150 hairs would consist a state of hair loss, or alopecia, albeit it could be temporary.
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