Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0036690 (sepsis)
 59,461 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We examined in vivo spontaneous and prednisolone-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood samples of 23 children with ALL by flow cytometric and morphologic methods. There was no significant spontaneous apoptosis before the therapy. Six hours after prednisolone therapy, increased apoptosis was found in 19 of 23 cases. In one case, the apoptosis of blast cells could not be compared with the clinical data, because the patient died in sepsis during the induction therapy. In 18 of 22 evaluable cases, the in vivo apoptosis correlated with the decrease of leukemic blasts during the first 8 days of prednisolone monotherapy. In 20 of 22 children, a correlation was found between in vivo prednisolone-induced apoptosis and clinical outcome. The p53 gene expression was elevated in 2 of 10 patients. No elevation in the expression of bcl-2 gene was observed. In 6 of 23 cases, the glucocorticoid receptors were measured. The correlation of clinical responsiveness and gcR mRNA shows less parallelism than does the apoptosis correlation.
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PMID:Apoptosis and acute lymphocytic leukemia in children. 938 53

In rodents calorie restriction (CR) reduces cancer incidence, improves health by delaying age-related declines in physiologic measures, and extends both median and maximal life span. The mechanisms underlying the various beneficial effects of CR remain undefined. In this study, heterozygous p53-deficient (p53(+/-)) mice (in which the inactivation of one allele of the p53 tumor suppressor gene increases susceptibility to spontaneous and carcinogen-induced tumor development) and wild-type (WT) litter mates were subjected to a two-stage skin carcinogenesis protocol with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Instead of skin carcinomas, however, the chemical treatment protocol caused ulcerous skin lesions, and 89% of mice fed ad libitum died from infection/septicemia. When WT mice were restricted to 60% of the average calorie intake of the respective ad libitum group, however, only 33% developed such lesions, and the CR mice survived twice as long on average as the ad libitum mice. CR also extended life span in p53(+/-) mice, but 50% of p53(+/-) mice subjected to CR still developed skin ulcers and mean life span was shorter than that seen in WT mice. Differences in response to CR between WT and p53(+/-) mice may be due to the reduction in p53 gene dosage, dissimilarity in the application of the CR treatment, or both. These results suggest that some of the beneficial effects of CR may need full expression of p53 for complete realization.
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PMID:Calorie restriction reduces ulcerative dermatitis and infection-related mortality in p53-deficient and wild-type mice. 969 32

The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene is expressed by hepatocytes in a number of physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions affecting the liver including septic and hemorrhagic shock. The molecular regulation of iNOS expression is complex and occurs at multiple levels in the gene expression pathway. The cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and INF-gamma synergistically activate iNOS expression in the liver, and the human iNOS gene was first cloned from cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes. iNOS expression requires the transcription factor NF-kappaB and is down-regulated by steroids, TGF-beta, the heat shock response, p53, and nitric oxide (NO) itself. In vivo, hepatic iNOS induction is differentially regulated from the typical acute-phase reactants and is not expressed as a mandatory component of the acute phase response. Thus, numerous mechanisms have evolved to regulate iNOS expression during hepatocellular injury. Studies of the effects of NO in the liver demonstrate that induced NO synthesis plays an important role in hepatocyte function and protects the liver during sepsis and ischemia reperfusion. Its cytoprotective role is best exemplified in a rodent model of endotoxemia. Here the addition of the nonspecific NOS inhibitors significantly increased hepatic damage. NO exerts a protective effect through its ability to prevent intravascular thrombosis by inhibiting platelet adhesion and neutralizing toxic oxygen radicals. NO also exerts a protective effects both in vivo and in vitro by blocking TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and hepatotoxicity, in part by a thiol-dependent inhibition of caspase-3-like protease activity. These studies demonstrate the cytoprotective effects of NO in the liver and suggest hepatic iNOS expression functions as an adaptive response to minimize inflammatory injury. In addition, NO has anti-tumor effects as well as known mutagenic effects, is involved in the systemic vasodilatation of cirrhosis, and has potent antimicrobial properties.
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PMID:Inducible nitric oxide synthase in the liver: regulation and function. 972 29

An effective local-regional therapy is needed for adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton NJ) may enhance the effect of radiation therapy. Paclitaxel synchronizes cells at G2/M, a relatively radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle. We have shown that response to paclitaxel and concurrent radiation (paclitaxel/RT) was not affected by p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This suggested that paclitaxel/RT was a rationale treatment approach for other malignancies which frequently harbor p53 mutations such as upper gastrointestinal malignancies. We have completed a phase I study of paclitaxel/RT for locally advanced pancreatic and gastric cancers. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel was 50 mg/m2/week for 6 weeks with abdominal radiation. The dose limiting toxicities were abdominal pain within the radiation field, nausea and anorexia. Twenty-five patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer have now completed treatment at the phase II dose level of paclitaxel 50 mg/m2/week with 50 Gy concurrent RT. Thus far, the only grade 3/4 toxicities have been hypersensitivity reactions in 2 patients, asymptomatic grade 4 neutropenia in 3 patients, and non-neutropenic biliary sepsis in 1 patient. Of the first 22 assessable patients treated at the phase II study, 8 obtained a partial response (PR) for a preliminary response rate of 36%. These findings demonstrate that paclitaxel/RT is well tolerated with substantial activity for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
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PMID:Paclitaxel and concurrent radiation for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma. 979 3

An effective locoregional therapy is needed for adenocarcinomas of the pancreas, stomach, and gastroesophageal junction. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) may enhance the effect of radiation therapy (RT). Paclitaxel synchronizes cells at G2/M, a relatively radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle. We have shown that response to paclitaxel and concurrent RT (paclitaxel/RT) was not affected by p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. This finding suggested that paclitaxel/RT was a rational treatment approach for other malignancies that frequently harbor p53 mutations, such as upper gastrointestinal malignancies. We completed a phase I study of paclitaxel/RT for locally advanced pancreatic and gastric cancer. The maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel was 50 mg/m2/wk for 6 weeks with abdominal RT. The dose-limiting toxicities were abdominal pain within the radiation field, nausea, and anorexia. Phase II studies are now under way. Twenty-five patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer have been entered at the phase II dose level of paclitaxel 50 mg/m2/wk with concurrent RT (total dose, 50 Gy). Thus far, the only grade 3/4 toxicities have been hypersensitivity reactions (n = 2), asymptomatic grade 4 neutropenia (n = 3), and nonneutropenic biliary sepsis (n = 1). Of the first 18 assessable patients with pancreatic cancer treated on the phase II study, six obtained a partial response, for a preliminary response rate of 33%. In the phase II study for locally advanced gastric cancer, 20 patients have been enrolled. Of the first 19 patients who have completed treatment, nine (47%) had grade 3/4 toxicities, including nausea, anorexia, esophagitis, and gastritis. Of the first 16 patients with gastric cancer, complete and partial responses have been observed in one and eight patients, respectively, for a preliminary response rate of 56%. We have also completed treatment on 24 patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction with neoadjuvant paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m2, weekly for 4 weeks, with concurrent RT (total dose, 40 Gy) followed by surgical resection. Ten patients (41%) had grade 3/4 toxicities, including neutropenia, nausea, and dehydration. Of 24 patients, four complete responses (17%) and 14 partial responses (58%) were observed, for an overall response rate of 75%. Severe esophagitis was uncommon, making this a well-tolerated outpatient regimen for adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus. These findings demonstrate that paclitaxel-based chemoradiation for locally advanced upper gastrointestinal malignancies is well-tolerated with substantial activity.
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PMID:Paclitaxel and concurrent radiation therapy for locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the pancreas, stomach, and gastroesophageal junction. 1021 May 40

Sepsis induces extensive apoptosis of lymphocytes, which may be responsible for the profound immune suppression of the disorder. Two potential pathways of sepsis-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, Fas and p53, were investigated. Lymphocyte apoptosis was evaluated 20-22 h after sepsis by annexin V or DNA nick-end labeling. Fas receptor-deficient mice had no protection against sepsis-induced apoptosis in thymocytes or splenocytes. p53 knockout mice (p53-/-) had complete protection against thymocyte apoptosis but, surprisingly, had no protection in splenocytes. p53-/- mice had no improvement in sepsis survival compared with appropriately matched control mice with sepsis. We conclude that both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways of cell death exist in sepsis. This differential apoptotic response of thymocytes vs splenocytes in p53-/- mice suggests that either the cellular response or the death-inducing signal is cell-type specific in sepsis. The fact that p53-/- lymphocytes of an identical subtype (CD8-CD4+) were protected in thymi but not in spleens indicates that cell susceptibility to apoptosis differs depending upon other unidentified factors.
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PMID:p53-dependent and -independent pathways of apoptotic cell death in sepsis. 1072 25

There is a wealth of clinical and experimental evidence indicating the interaction of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and rejection in cardiac and other solid organ allografts. A plausible explanation for this association comes from data showing that therapy with biologicals, sepsis, and rejection, all lead to the release of TNF-alpha which, upon binding to its receptor, activates NF-kB. TNF-alpha is also able to stimulate the activity of the CMV-IE enhancer/promoter region. CMV infection of several cell lines leads to NF-kB activation. NF-kB binding sites are present in regulatory regions of various cellular and viral genes, including the IE enhancer region of CMV. In a reciprocal situation, CMV infection, most likely via gamma-interferon, leads to upregulation of MHC antigens in the transplant and, thereby, to increased transplant immunogenicity. Thus, a vicious circle is induced. We have investigated in detail the pathobiology of CMV and allograft vasculopathy (chronic rejection) in experimental animals, using aortic and cardiac allografts as well as a trachea model. The results may be summarized as follows: Infection of the recipient with rat CMV results in an early inflammatory response in the aortic and cardiac allograft vascular adventitia and intima (endothelialitis) and in the airway wall of tracheal allografts. This early inflammatory response leads to enhanced intimal thickness in aortic and cardiac allografts and enhanced luminal occlusion of tracheal allografts. Timewise, this coincides with early activation of intragraft inflammatory leukocytes and increased mRNA of various growth factors and cytokines. When the recipients receive gancyclovir, the enhanced intimal response in aortic and cardiac allografts and luminal occlusion in tracheal allografts is entirely abolished. Gancyclovir treatment dramatically reduces the inflammatory response in the allograft, and thereby growth factor synthesis in response to injury. However, gancyclovir does not prevent the expression of IE antigen of CMV, suggested to inactivate tumor suppressor protein p53 predisposing smooth muscle cells to increased growth. Taken together, the effect of CMV infection on cardiac allograft dysfunction is bidirectional and biphasic. The bidirectional nature emerges from the observations that acute CMV infection may accelerate acute rejection, and, on the other hand, acute alloimmune response-associated cytokine response may activate latent CMV infection. The biphasic effect of CMV on allograft dysfunction refers to its early and late detrimental effects, i.e. during the time of acute and chronic rejection. These two effects of CMV on allograft dysfunction emphasize the need for precise diagnosis of CMV infection in transplant recipients and pre-emptive or prophylactic anti-viral therapy. The benefits of this strategy may not be evident during the early post-transplant period, but 5-10 years after transplantation they manifest as better graft survival.
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PMID:Cytomegalovirus infection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy. 1142 79

The importance of the macrophage in innate immunity is underscored by its secretion of an array of powerful immunoregulatory and effector molecules. We report herein that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a product of activated macrophages, sustains macrophage survival and function by suppressing activation-induced, p53-dependent apoptosis. Endotoxin administration to MIF(-/-) mice results in decreased macrophage viability, decreased proinflammatory function, and increased apoptosis when compared with wild-type controls. Moreover, inhibition of p53 in endotoxin-treated, MIF-deficient macrophages suppresses enhanced apoptosis and restores proinflammatory function. MIF inhibits p53 activity in macrophages via an autocrine regulatory pathway, resulting in a decrease in cellular p53 accumulation and subsequent function. Inhibition of p53 by MIF coincides with the induction of arachidonic acid metabolism and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression, which is required for MIF regulation of p53. MIF's effect on macrophage viability and survival provides a previously unrecognized mechanism to explain its critical proinflammatory action in conditions such as sepsis, and suggests new approaches for the modulation of innate immune responses.
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PMID:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) sustains macrophage proinflammatory function by inhibiting p53: regulatory role in the innate immune response. 1175 71

Over the past year, human studies have confirmed and expanded the involvement of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in a number of diseases that had originally been studied in animals. In addition to sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis and inflammatory lung disease, elevated MIF levels have been described in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, inflammatory neurological diseases and cancer. Cellular studies indicate that in addition to macrophages, MIF affects the activities of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells, actions that may explain the contribution of MIF to inflammatory diseases and cancer. Molecular studies have identified direct interactions between MIF and several intracellular regulatory proteins (Jab1, PAG and p53) that control cellular growth and proliferation; however, how interactions with these proteins fit into a general scheme to explain MIF's biological activity has not been elucidated. The three-dimensional structure of MIF has offered some surprising clues and if the potential enzymatic sites identified are involved with MIF-associated diseases, they may provide good targets for therapeutic intervention.
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PMID:Glucocorticoid counter regulation: macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a target for drug discovery. 1175 24

Activated protein C (APC) is a systemic anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory factor. It reduces organ damage in animal models of sepsis, ischemic injury and stroke and substantially reduces mortality in patients with severe sepsis. It was not known whether APC acts as a direct cell survival factor or whether its neuroprotective effect is secondary to its anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. We report that APC directly prevents apoptosis in hypoxic human brain endothelium through transcriptionally dependent inhibition of tumor suppressor protein p53, normalization of the pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and reduction of caspase-3 signaling. These mechanisms are distinct from those involving upregulation of the genes encoding the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 homolog A1 and inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (IAP-1) by APC in umbilical vein endothelial cells. Cytoprotection of brain endothelium by APC in vitro required endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), as did its in vivo neuroprotective activity in a stroke model of mice with a severe deficiency of EPCR. This is consistent with work showing the direct effects of APC on cultured cells via EPCR and PAR-1 (ref. 9). Moreover, the in vivo neuroprotective effects of low-dose mouse APC seemed to be independent of its anti-coagulant activity. Thus, APC protects the brain from ischemic injury by acting directly on brain cells.
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PMID:Activated protein C blocks p53-mediated apoptosis in ischemic human brain endothelium and is neuroprotective. 1261 68


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