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Query: T20B12 .5
 956,342 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The deposition and ultrastructure of calcium pyrophosphate (CPPD) crystals in joint tissues of pseudogout patients and cadavers were studied. Nine calcified menisci, 2 articular cartilages and 6 samples of synovial fluid were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Some of them were examined by analytical electron microscopy (EMMA). In the samples of menisci and cartilages, the findings were compared with those in the soft X-ray examinations and polarized light microscopy. The results are summarized as follows: 1) SEM observation of the cut surfaces of calcified menisci and cartilages showed a three-dimensional ultrastructure for the CPPD crystals. The crystals in the synovial fluid taken from pseudogout knees were also clearly demonstrated by this method. The EMMA analysis provided the possibility to examine the structure and content of the crystals simultaneously. 2) Crystal deposition in the meniscus varied with the depth of the tissues; it was diffuse in the collagen framework of the superficial layer, but showed accumulation in the deep layer where a clear line of demarcation between the collagen framework and crystals was seen. 3) The crystals in the meniscus were rod, granular or rectangular in shape, and 0.2-6.5 micro by 0.2-3.5 micro in size. Crystals from the articular cartilage were granular or rod-like in shape, and 0.2-3.5 micro by 0.2-1.0 micro in size. Most of the crystals found in the synovial fluid were rod-shaped. 4) X-ray microanalysis of the meniscus crystals by EMMA showed the same pattern of PK alpha, CaK alpha, and CaK beta content as that of CPPD crystals commercially available. The P/Ca ratio was about 0.7. 5) SEM and EMMA examination can be very useful for accurate identification of the form and content of the tiny crystals in joint tissues and synovial fluid. This can also be useful in proving a diagnosis of crystal-induced synovitis.
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PMID:[Scanning electron microscopic observations of calcium pyrophosphate crystals of joint tissues and synovial fluid (author's transl)]. 22 73

Lysosomal cathepsins B and N complete the depolymerization of native fibrillar collagen in the phagolysosome after prior extracellular fragmentation by collagenase and other neutral proteinases. In vitro studies have confirmed that cathepsins B and N cleave native collagen only at the short non-helical telopeptides, which generate the intermolecular cross-links. This action occurs maximally at pH 3.5 and at 37 degrees C the released monomers denature spontaneously and are susceptible to further breakdown. In the phagolysosome the collagenous debris is already weakened and probably therefore, more easily disrupted by these cathepsins. Complete digestion would then be undertaken by the whole complement of proteases. The lysosomal glycosidases may assist this breakdown by degrading ground substance components which are normally tightly bound to collagen. In certain situations cells may instead generate an acidic pericellular environment that could permit the direct action of secreted lysosomal enzymes. This extracellular action may supersede the action of collagenase and the activity of these different enzymes would thus be regulated by changes in the nature of this microenvironment.
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PMID:Proteinases in connective tissue breakdown. 23 55

Microsomal preparations from rat liver mediate transfer of glucosyl units from UDP-glucose to three different kinds of acceptors: an endogenous glycoprotein, exogenous glycogen and collagen. Both glucosyl transferases work at acidic pH, 6.5 for transfer on endogeneous acceptor and glycogen and at pH 5.5 for transfer on collagen. None of these enzymes require divalent cations for activity. While transfers on endogenous acceptor and glycogen are inhibited by the presence of a non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, the transfer on collagen is activated by the same detergent. Glycogen-synthase activity requires glucose 6-phosphate at an optimal concentration of 1 mM. The Km values for UDP-glucose are respectively: 0.5 mM, 0.33 mM, and 1 mM for transfer on endogenous acceptor, glycogen and collagen. Characterisation of the product indicates that a protein-bound alpha1-4 glucan is formed when no primer is added. Enzymatic and acidic hydrolyses of radioactive glycogen and collagen show only glucose as a radioactive sugar identified by thin layer chromatography on cellulose. Pre-treatment of microsomal membranes by alpha-amylase demonstrates that glucosyltransferases are not adsorbed on endogenous glycogen and seem to be really membranous enzymes.
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PMID:[Transfer of glucose from UDP-glucose in microsomal membranes of rat hepatocytes (author's transl)]. 23 31

A proteinase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibiting collagenolytic activity was purified 1575-fold with a recovery of 24% by use of chemical and chromatographic technics. The enzyme preparation appeared to be homogeneous when subjected to chromatographic, electrophoretic and ultracentrifugational analyses. A standard state sedimentation coefficient of 2.10 S was calculated and further analyses indicated that the enzyme had a molecular weight of 17 500 and dimerizes under certain conditions to yield an apparent molecular weight of 34 000. In addition to insoluble collagen, the enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of congocoll, azocoll, soluble collagen and casein, but did not attack orcein-elastin, azoalbumin, p-toluene eulfonyl-L-arginine methyl ester, benzoyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester, and the hexapeptide N-benzyloxycarbonyl-glycyl-L-prolyglycylglycyl-L-prolyl-L-alanine. Enzymatic activity against congocoll was 6-fold greater at pH 7.5 in Tris with HCl than in phosphate buffer at the same ionic strength. Cobalt, and to a lesser extent, Zn2+ appeared to activate the enzyme, especially in phosphate buffer. NcCN and p-chloromercuribenzoate did not appreciably inhibit enzyme activity, while (NH4)2 SO4, EDTA and cysteine displayed a significant inhibitory effect under certain conditions.
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PMID:Purification and partial characterization of a collagenolytic enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 23 5

To determine the effect on platelet behavior of transient exposure of platelets to ascorbic acid, studies of platelet function and ultrastructure were done before exposure to ascorbic acid at pH 6.5, during exposure to pH 6.5, and after restoration of pH to pre-acidification levels. The effect of ascorbic acid (A.A.) was compared to that of HCl and citric acid (C.A.). ADP- and collagen-induced aggregation of normal platelets were significantly impaired by both A.A. and C.A. but were less affected by HCl. The release of 14C-serotonin was significantly reduced by each agent. The ultrastructure of normal platelets brought to pH 6.5 by A.A. was normal. After neutralization, there was marked dilatation of the open channel system and loss of the disc shape. When platelets were brought to pH 6.5 by A.A., then neutralized, the aggregates which formed after stimulation by ADP or collagen were smaller than normal, the platelets were less closely approximated, and degranulation was less complete. The data show that exposure of platelets to ascorbic acid for short intervals impairs their function when measured after restoration of pH to levels compatible with maximal responses. Platelet survival studies using autologous platelets labelled with 51Cr in the presence or absence of ascorbic acid showed that the recovery of normal platelets was unaffected by ascorbic acid, whereas recovery of platelets from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathic thrombocythemia, and alcohol-related thrombocytopenia was markedly reduced. The injury resulting from the use of ascorbic acid in preparing platelets for studies of platelet survival in patients with disorders affecting platelets may impair the recovery of the cells, resulting in artifactual changes in the survival studies.
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PMID:The influence of ascorbic acid on platelet structure and function. 24 92

We have investigated the role of the carbohydrate moiety in the biological activity of fibronectin in vitro by using tunicamycin to inhibit the glycosylation of this glycoprotein. Tunicamycin is a glucosamine-containing antibiotic that specifically inhibits glycosylation of protein asparaginyl residues mediated by dolichol pyrophosphate. Fibronectin synthesized in the presence of 0.5 microgram of tunicamycin per ml was not glycosylated, as determined by amino sugar analysis, lack of incorporation of [14C]glucosamine and [3H]mannose, and concanavalin A binding studies. Nonglycosylated fibronectin that was isolated from chicken embryo fibroblasts and added to transformed cells in vitro was as effective as the glycosylated protein in promoting a more normal fibroblastic phenotype, including cell flattening, elongation of cell processes, and parallel alignment of cells. The nonglycosylated protein was also as effective as the glycosylated species in mediating cell attachment to collagen and spreading on plastic, as well as in agglutination of formalin-fixed sheep erythrocytes. The nonglycosylated protein was twice as sensitive as the glycosylated protein to proteolytic hydrolysis in vitro as had been suggested by previous studies with intact cells [Olden, K., Pratt, R.M. & Yamada, K.M. (1978) Cell 13, 461-473]. We conclude that the carbohydrate moiety of fibronectin is not required for the mediation of a number of biological activities characteristic of this glycoprotein.
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PMID:Role of carbohydrate in biological function of the adhesive glycoprotein fibronectin. 29 Oct 8

Human epidermal cells grew and differentiated in vitro, provided that the pH of the culture medium was at 5.6-5.8, the seeding density was optimal (approximately 2.5 x 10(5) cells per cm2), and the incubation temperature was maintained at 35-37 degrees C. Under these conditions, epidermal cells from many different skin locations grew to confluency within 15-20 days and formed multi-layered sheets whose differentiated structure resembled that of the full depth of skin epidermis. Cell proliferation and differentiation did not require a feeder layer, a collagen substrate, a high concentration of fetal bovine serum, or added hormones. The sheets of differentiated epidermal cells could be dissociated from the plastic surfaces of the tissue culture flasks. The use of such cultured cells for wound dressing is proposed.
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PMID:Human epidermal cell cultures: growth and differentiation in the absence of differentiation in the absence of dermal components or medium supplements. 29 51

Two dogs were prepared with Pavlov pouches of the fundic area of the stomach using standard techniques. During treatment periods of 14 days, 200 mg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was introduced into the pouch twice daily by insufflation. One hour after each drug administration the pouch was washed with saline and the fluid assayed for blood. Bleeding from the pouch increased to a maximum on the 3rd or 4th day of the treatment period and subsequently declined such that by the 8th day blood loss was minimal and approximated that found during control periods. Platelet aggregation (in vitro) responses to adenosine diphosphate were significantly (p less than 0.01) inhibited on day 3 when aggregation curve heights were reduced by 66.2 +/- 13.11% (mean +/- SEM) from control values. On day 7 and during the ensuing 7-day period when ASA was given twice daily, the heights of aggregation responses were reduced by only 20-30% from controls. These responses were significantly (p less than 0.001) greater than those found on day 3. Similar changes in platelet reactivity were found in plasma from rats given ASA twice daily for 7 days. Aggregation responses to collagen were depressed by 95.5 +/- 4.49% on day 1 following two doses of ASA. As the treatment period continued, the aggregation responses increased in magnitude until the 7th day they were similar in height to those from control animals. The mechanism involved in this adaptation to ASA treatment seen with these platelets is not known.
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PMID:Changes in platelet function and gastrointestinal bleeding following repeated administration of acetylsalicylic acid in the rat and the dog. 31 83

The present investigation was conducted to determine the rate of collagen and non-collagen protein synthesis by rat lung under in vitro conditions. The rate of synthesis of non-collagen protein was greater than the rate of collagen synthesis in animals between 1 and 95 days of age. Synthesis of both types of proteins was highest in 1-day-old animals. Rate of synthesis of non-collagen protein was markedly diminished after 7 days of age and that of collagen decreased after 14 days. Per gram lung, the total amount of collagen increased 3.5-fold between Day 7 and 95 whereas total protein was relatively constant. When lung was exposed to smoke under in vitro conditions synthesis of collagen and non-collagen protein was almost completely depressed.
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PMID:Collagen and non-collagen protein synthesis in developing lung exposed to tobacco smoke. 31 14

In the mixed venous blood of anaesthetized, heparinized cats prostacyclin de-aggregated platelet thrombi, which were formed on the surface of blood-superfused collagen strips or on the surface of blood-superfused aortic strips from atherosclerotic rabbits. The reversal of platelet aggregation by prostacyclin was still achieved 3 hrs after the formation of platelet clumps. After an intravenous injection of prostacyclin the ID50 for its de-aggregatory action was 7.5 microgram/kg. Theophylline ethyl-diamine (aminophylline), at a dose of 3 mg/kg i.v., did not reverse platelet aggregation but it enhanced the duration of the de-aggregatory action of prostacyclin; it had little effect on the hypotensive action of prostacyclin. It is concluded that prostacyclin disintegrates platelet clumps long after they are formed in heparinized blood in vivo and that its anti-platelet action, but not hypotensive action, is selectively potentiated by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The above experimental data indicate the possibility of the combined use of theophylline and prostacyclin in arterial thrombosis.
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PMID:De-aggregatory action of prostacyclin in vivo and its enhancement by theophylline. 35 3


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