Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011570 (depression)
 172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Authors present the facts which indicate that in human medicine there is immunity against malignant tumors and leukaemia through T lymphocytes immunological control. The appearance of leukaemia in a certain number of persons is due to reduced immunity in the patient or weak antigen immunogenicity of leukaemic cells. Authors also present evidence for the existance of tumor antigens same as in leukaemic leukocytes in human pathology. These antigens belong either to still undiscovered viruses of human leukaemia, as is the case of reverse transcriptase of RNK virus, found in leukocytes of 95 percent of patients with acute leukaemia, or they are new antigens formed by combination of cell genoma and virus genoma, or by depression of the gene which were active only during the foetal life under the influence of oncogenic chemical substances or viruses. The evidence is given too, concerning the existence of immune response in human medicine, in the form of cytotoxic antibodies or sensitized T lymphocytes to tumor antigens which can be demonstrated in vitro by the test of colonial growth inhibition of tumor cells. As the immunity does not operate against tumor or leukaemic cells, the reason for it must be sought in the disorder of the afferent part (weak immunogenicity of tumor antigens, tolerance of tumor antigens, etc.), or of the efferent part of the immune response (the presence of blocking factors in the patient's plasma). At the end, the authors also discuss about the attempts of immunological treatment of acute leukaemia, and the results to this date are encouraging.
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PMID:[Immunity in leukemia: reason for onset of leukemia, agent for successful therapy of leukemia]. 30 44

The specific effects of the biologically active substances conditioned by the induction of RNA and protein synthesis in certain organs are reproduced by RNA molecules from the organs after their introduction into the recipient organism. The most probable mechanisms of the action of exogenous RNA is the specific depression of genes in the recipient target cells at the interaction of RNA with the regulatory proteins of chromatin. In some cases the inclusion of exogenous RNA by means of reverse transcriptase into the genome++ of the recipient cells with their subsequent transcription is considered to be a possible mechanism. First of all it is the representatives of the class of low molecular nuclear RNA that claim to the role of the active principle of the preparations of exogenous RNA. The experimental findings suggest the use of exogenous RNA for the analysis of complex effects of the biologically active substances.
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PMID:[Mechanisms of reproduction by exogenous RNA of specific effects of biologically active substances]. 247 90

Osteoblastic cells respond to mechanical stimuli with alterations in proliferation and/or phenotypic expression. In some cases, these responses occur within only a few applications of stimuli (i.e. 'cycle-dependent trigger response') rather than in a dose-dependent manner. To explore potential mechanisms of the cycle dependent trigger response, we raised the following questions: (1) Does strain of bone cells alter gene expression; if so, how quickly does it occur and how long does it last? (2) Are alterations in message level strain magnitude dependent? (3) Are alterations in steady-state message levels cycle dependent? Cultures were evaluated for osteocalcin mRNA one week following a daily stretch application at four stretch magnitudes and four cycle numbers and compared to nonstretched controls. Steady state mRNA message was ascertained prior to and at 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min following initiation of stretch. Following mRNA isolation, first strand cDNA synthesis was performed and fluorometrically quantitated. A reverse transcriptase based PCR (RT-PCR) approach allowed assessment of osteocalcin mRNA levels from microcultures (50,000 cells per 10 microliters culture or 5000 cells mm2) of rat calvarial osteoblasts. Optimized PCR was performed using primers to the bone specific protein, osteocalcin (OC) and two 'housekeeping' genes, beta-actin and GAP-DH. PCR products were separated on 4% agarose gels and band intensities digitized with relative quantitation based on internal standards in each gel. The lowest magnitude of stretch (- 1 KPa) at 1800 cycles per day reproducibly depressed message for osteocalcin, but not beta-actin when assayed immediately following the cessation of strain application. By three hours following the initiation of stretch, message levels returned to control values. At the time of stretch cessation, the 1800 cycle stretch regimen diminished (p < 0.0001) steady-state osteocalcin message independently of the four stretch magnitudes. Stretch for 300 cycles failed to depress (p = 0.05) osteocalcin message cultures at any time, but 600 cycles depressed message by 30 min. By one and two hours, cultures stretch 600, 900, and 1800 cycles showed similar levels of message depression. Four hours following the initiation of stretch, message levels returning to nonstrained levels in all groups. We conclude that alterations in cell response to strain are in part mediated by gene expression, that alterations last 3-4 h in this system, and that the message mechanism itself exhibits a trigger-response dependency to cycle number.
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PMID:Cellular deformation reversibly depresses RT-PCR detectable levels of bone-related mRNA. 866 82

The increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) seen in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) may contribute to the AIDS-related wasting syndrome. TNF also induces expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, which binds to the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). Because TNF can decrease the antiretroviral activity of zidovudine (AZT) in vitro, pentoxifylline (PTX) may increase the efficacy of AZT. PTX decreases HIV replication in acutely infected cells and inhibits gene expression controlled by the HIV-1 LTR. The antiretroviral activity of PTX is associated with decreased binding of NF-kappa B to its recognition sequences. Therefore, PTX may inhibit HIV expression indirectly by diminishing TNF production and directly, by decreasing activity of NF-kappa B. PTX, and an inhibitor of the viral transactivator TAT, Ro24-7429, may inhibit HIV gene expression in a cooperative fashion. The first clinical study of PTX in AIDS patients was conducted by us through the AIDS Clinical Trial Group of the National Institutes of Health. AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy received PTX 400 or 800 mg three times daily for 8 weeks. TNF assays included TNF mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and inducible TNF protein levels in the supernatant of PBMCs cultured in the presence of 0.1 microgram/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The median change in TNF mRNA was a 30% decrease. There was a median and significant 40% decrease in the production of inducible TNF protein. HIV load decreased in 10 patients and increased in four patients, but did not change in the group as a whole. Others have extended our initial observations in HIV-infected patients. In a placebo-controlled trial, TNF production by unstimulated PBMCs decreased by 52% in the PTX arm and increased by 7.2% in the placebo arm. In a study comparing AZT, PTX, or a combination of the two, viral load after treatment was ninefold above baseline in the AZT or PTX alone arm, compared to only twofold in the combination arm. In a quality of life trial, PTX was associated with improvement in depression, anger, and social and cognitive function: a placebo effect, however, was not ruled out. PTX 400 mg three times daily is safe and well tolerated. PTX decreases PBMC TNF expression in HIV-infected patients, measured as protein in culture supernatant or as mRNA, and may decrease viral replication. Further studies of HIV-infected persons are needed to ascertain the benefit of PTX as an adjunct either to inhibitors of reverse transcriptase (e.g., AZT) or of transcription (e.g., TAT inhibitor).
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PMID:Pentoxifylline for the treatment of HIV infection and its complications. 869 54

We have previously proposed that pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) contributed to reversible myocardial depression in patients with sepsis and congestive heart failure. Sepsis and heart failure are also associated with refractoriness to beta-adrenoceptor agonists. Therefore, the chronotropic effects of cytokines and the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-methyl-L-arginine (NMA), on beta-adrenoceptor stimulation of neonatal cardiac myocytes were studied. Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 but not interleukin-4 or interleukin-5 significantly enhanced spontaneous beating rates compared to untreated myocytes in serum-free media for 48 h (P < 0.01; n = 12 for each). NMA also significantly enhanced spontaneous beating rates (P < 0.01; n = 12 for each). Only interleukin-1 beta treatment resulted in significant nitrite production, immunohistochemical staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase and detection of inducible NO synthase messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and NMA each completely blocked the positive chronotropic effects of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol (P < 0.01; n = 12 for each). These findings are most consistent with an inducible NO synthase-independent effect of cytokines and NMA on the chronotropic responses of neonatal cardiac myocytes to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. This effect of cytokines and NMA on adrenergic signaling may involve a myocardial constitutive NO synthase or an NO-independent mechanism.
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PMID:Cytokines and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor as mediators of adrenergic refractoriness in cardiac myocytes. 905 50

1. Presynaptic injection of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a modulator of the ryanodine receptor, increased the postsynaptic response evoked by a presynaptic spike at an identified cholinergic synapse in the buccal ganglion of Aplysia californica. 2. The statistical analysis of long duration postsynaptic responses evoked by square depolarizations of the voltage-clamped presynaptic neurone showed that the number of evoked acetylcholine (ACh) quanta released was increased following cADPR injection. 3. Overloading the presynaptic neurone with cADPR led to a transient increase of ACh release followed by a depression. 4. cADPR injections did not modify the presynaptic Ca2+ current triggering ACh release. 5. Ca2+ imaging with the fluorescent dye rhod-2 showed that cADPR injection rapidly increased the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration indicating that the effects of cADPR on ACh release might be related to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. 6. Ryanodine and 8-amino-cADPR, a specific antagonist of cADPR, decreased ACh release. 7. ADP-ribosyl cyclase, which cyclizes NAD+ into cADPR, was present in the presynaptic neurone as shown by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments. 8. Application of NAD+, the substrate of ADP-ribosyl cyclase, increased ACh release and this effect was prevented by both ryanodine and 8-amino-cADPR. 9. These results support the view that Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release might be involved in the build-up of the Ca2+ concentration which triggers ACh release, and thus that cADPR might have a role in transmitter release modulation.
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PMID:Cyclic ADP-ribose and calcium-induced calcium release regulate neurotransmitter release at a cholinergic synapse of Aplysia. 951 1

Borna disease virus (BDV) causes a central nervous system disease in several vertebrate species which is characterized by behavioral disturbances. Seroepidemiological data suggested an association of BDV infection with certain human mental disorders, especially schizophrenia and depression. Here, BDV infection was examined in autopsy brain samples from 4 schizophrenia patients. Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization revealed BDV-RNA only in restricted regions (hippocampus, cerebellum, pons) of the autopsy brain samples from one but not other three patients. Histopathologically mild perivascular cuffing was observed in hippocampus, in which BDV-RNA was detected. Next, BDV isolation from the BDV-positive patient's brain region was carried out by intracranial inoculation of BDV-sensitive Mongolian gerbils with the patient's cerebellum and hippocampus homogenate. BDV-RNA signals were detected in the brain from inoculated gerbils at 20 days post-inoculation by nested RT-PCR. Further, the BDV-RNA positive brain from an inoculated gerbil was used for BDV isolation in cell culture. Serial passages with human oligodendroglioma (OL) cells allowed to establish persistent infection of BDV in the cells.
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PMID:[Isolation of Borna disease virus from the autopsy brain of a schizophrenia patient]. 971 53

To assess the potential for ingestion of yogurt to modulate immunity, its effects on basal gene expression of cytokines in systemic and mucosal sites were determined in mice. Yogurts were manufactured from pasteurized nonfat dry milk using five commercial starter cultures with or without Bifidobacterium sp. and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Treatment mice were fed the AIN-93G diet mixed 1:1 with unheated yogurt or heat-treated yogurt (wt/wt) for 2 and 4 weeks, and control mice were fed the AIN-93G diet mixed 1:1 (wt/wt) with nonfat dry milk. The viability of the various bacterial groups in unheated yogurts was maintained above 10(6) CFU/g throughout the feeding period. The yogurt-feeding regimens did not significantly affect weight gain. Relative mRNA levels in spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, or Peyer's patches for the cytokines interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-2, -4, and -6, and the "housekeeping gene" beta2-microglobulin were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in conjunction with hybridization analysis. Prolonged feeding of some yogurts decreased expression of several cytokine mRNAs, the depression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA in the spleen being the most prominent effect. Heat-treated yogurts were more effective in altering cytokine mRNA expression than were unheated yogurts containing viable organisms. Generally, yogurts either had no effect or decreased specific cytokine mRNA in the test organs, regardless of whether they contained Bifidobacterium sp. and L. acidophilus. These results suggest that, in contrast with previous studies in vitro, some yogurt formulations may reduce rather than stimulate basal cytokine expression and that these effects are most prominent in the systemic compartment.
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PMID:Effects of yogurt ingestion on mucosal and systemic cytokine gene expression in the mouse. 1003 Jun 39

Recent research suggests that antidepressants exert their clinical action in depression via the restoration of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function with a subsequent normalization of the altered feed-back regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) system. We, therefore, studied the effects of amitriptyline, a standard antidepressant, and of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, which has recently been reported to possess antidepressive properties, on glucocorticoid receptor mRNA (GR-mRNA) derived from blood cells of healthy male volunteers. Whole blood samples were exposed in vitro for 24 h to amitriptyline and dexamethasone, the mRNA was extracted, transcripts of the 'house-keeping gene' glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the GR-gene were subjected to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and semiquantitatively determined by subsequent densitometry. In a concentration of 10 nM, amitriptyline induced a significant increase in GR-mRNA (GR/GAPDH ratio) to 186 +/- 31% of the control condition, while a concentration of 10 microM of amitriptyline resulted in an increase of GR-mRNA (GR/GAPDH ratio) to 165 +/- 36%. Dexamethasone also up-regulated blood cell GR-mRNA (GR/GAPDH ratio) levels at a concentration of 10 nM to 184 +/- 29%, whereas an incubation with 10 microM apparently resulted in toxic effects on blood cells with a decreased amount of total mRNA samples recovered. In conclusion, we here show an increase of GR-mRNA in human blood cells after treatment with amitriptyline and dexamethasone, pointing to a direct action of these substances on GR-gene expression in a human system.
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PMID:Regulation of glucocorticoid receptor-mRNA in human blood cells by amitriptyline and dexamethasone. 1040 68

A number of behavioural and cellular studies have suggested that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity associated with learning and memory may lead to the expression of various genes whose protein products can play a critical role in memory acquisition and consolidation. Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) represent two forms of synaptic plasticity which have been widely studied by electrophysiological techniques. However, the molecular mechanisms at target gene involved in the generation of long term depression remain to be determined. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying activity dependent synaptic remodeling in striatal long term depression, we used the mRNA differential display technology to isolate genes that are induced or modulated by high frequency stimulation of the corticostriatal pathway in a rat brain slice preparation. We have differentially displayed, by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, mRNA species isolated from striatal slices in which long term depression was induced by tetanic stimuli as well as from slices stimulated at low frequency. We then compared radio-labeled RT-PCR banding patterns to isolate cDNAs that are differentially expressed. Three independent cDNAs were isolated and identified whose mRNA level were enhanced by tetanic stimulation inducing long term depression. We provide evidence that two of these genes encode proteins involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking (dynamin I and amphiphysin II). Moreover, expression of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene was also increased following striatal long term depression. Our data suggest that a complex pattern of genes acting at presynaptic level and extracellularly may be involved in LTD-associated synaptic remodeling.
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PMID:Modulation of gene expression following long-term synaptic depression in the striatum. 1052 2


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