scholarly journals Kidney-Tonifying Recipe Can Repair Alterations in Adrenal Medullary Chromaffin Cells in Asthmatic Rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Ping Hu ◽  
Jun-Tao Zou ◽  
Ye-Qiang Zou ◽  
Xiao-Zhao Li ◽  
Jun-Tao Feng
Keyword(s):  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Causative Factor ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Methyl Transferase ◽  
Neuronal Phenotype ◽  
Cellular Architecture

Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that renal deficiency is a causative factor of asthma, and tonifying kidney drugs are believed to be an appropriate and beneficial treatment. The adrenal medullary chromaffin cells (AMCC) transition to the neuronal phenotype is known to occur in asthma, as evidenced by degranulation of chromaffin granules, decline of epinephrine (EPI) and phenylethanolamine-n-methyl transferase (PNMT), and obvious alterations in cellular architecture. In this study, rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin, then treated with Kidney-Tonifying Recipe (KTR) to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Tissues were evaluated for changes in pathology and EPI, PNMT, and peripherin expression. Degranulation of chromaffin granules and appearance of neurite-like process were found in AMCC from asthmatic rats, and these changes were corrected by KTR treatment. EPI and PNMT expressions were decreased in asthmatic rats and increased by KTR treatment. Peripherin expression was increased in asthmatic rats and decreased in the KTR-treated group. Morphological changes and decreases in EPI were observed when cultured AMCC were exposed to sera from asthmatic ratsin vitro, and these changes were attenuated with the addition of sera from KRT-treated rats. These results suggest that the Kidney-Tonifying Recipe is capable of repairing asthma-associated alterations in endocrine function and the ultrastructure of AMCC.

Docking of chromaffin granules—A necessary step in exocytosis?

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theo Schäfer ◽  
Urs O. Karli ◽  
Felix E. Schweizer ◽  
Max M. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Secretory Vesicles ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Permeabilized Cell ◽  
Permeabilized Cells ◽  
Pc 12 Cells

Putative docking of secretory vesicles comprising recognition of and attachment to future fusion sites in the plasma membrane has been investigated in chromaffin cells of the bovine adrenal medulla and in rat phaeochromocytoma (PC 12) cells. Upon permeabilization with digitonin, secretion can be stimulated in both cell types by indreasing the free Ca2+-concentration to μM levels. Secretory activity can be elicited up to 1 hr after starting permeabilization and despite the loss of soluble cytoplasmic components indicating a stable attachment of granules to the plasma membrane awaiting the trigger for fusion. Docked granules can be observed in the electron microscope in permeabilized PC 12 cells which contain a large proportion of their granules aligned underneath the plasma membrane. The population of putatively docked granules in chromaffin cells cannot be as readily discerned due to the dispersal of granules throughout the cytoplasm. Further experiments comparing PC 12 and chromaffin cells suggest that active docking but not transport of granules can still be performed by permeabilized cells in the presence of Ca2+: a short (2 min) pulse of Ca2+ in PC 12 cells leads to the secretion of almost all releasable hormone over a 15 min observation period whereas, in chromaffin cells, with only a small proportion of granules docked, withdrawal of Ca2+ leads to an immediate halt in secretion. Transport of chromaffin granules from the Golgi to the plasma membrane docking sites seems to depend on a mechanism sensitive to permeabilization. This is shown by the difference in the amount of hormone released from the two permeabilized cell types, reflecting the contrast in the proportion of granules docked to the plasma membrane in PC 12 or chromaffin cells. Neither docking nor the docked state are influenced by cytochalasine B or colchicine. The permeabilized cell system is a valuable technique for the in vitro study of interaction between secretory vesicles and their target membrane.

Properties of the sodium current in rat chromaffin cells exposed to nerve growth factor in vitro

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 1938-1948 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Islas-Suarez ◽  
M. Gomez-Chavarin ◽  
R. Drucker-Colin ◽  
A. Hernandez-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Sodium Current ◽  
Na Channel ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Nerve Growth ◽  
Na Currents

1. This paper examines the electrophysiological properties of cultured rat adrenal chromaffin cells at different stages of neuron-like morphological differentiation in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). 2. Chromaffin cells display a large variability in the morphological changes after exposure to NGF. However, a marked tendency to neuronal phenotypic transformation prevails after two weeks in culture. 3. The voltage dependence of the macroscopic Na currents, judged by the current to voltage relationship, did not change significantly as a result of NGF treatment. Moreover, when kinetics, half-activation, and half-inactivation parameters of Na currents were compared between control and NGF-treated cells, no significant differences were observed. 4. Peak Na currents in control cells remained < 1 nA throughout the 17 d of observation, whereas currents > 1 nA became more frequent after the first week of NGF exposure. Cells with Na currents > 2 nA were found routinely in cultures exposed to NGF for > or = 15 d, but inadequate voltage control and neurite spiking prevented a thorough examination. Sodium current density in the population of NGF-treated chromaffin cells increased progressively over time, until an apparent plateau (3.5-fold increase) was reached by the end of the second week. No significant changes were observed in control, untreated cells. 5. The increase in Na channel density induced by NGF in chromaffin cells in compatible with the acquisition of the neuronal phenotype. Interestingly, the increase in Na channel expression occurs in slower time scale than in their neoplastic correlate, the PC12 cells. Na channels newly expressed by chromaffin cells after NGF treatment are functionally indistinguishable from those already present before treatment.

scholarly journals IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF ERYTHRINA VARIEGATA L. ON BREAST CANCER CELL LINES

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
Vaishali Rai M ◽  
Vinitha Ramanath Pai ◽  
Samuel Kevin ◽  
Herga P Kedilaya
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Erythrina Variegata ◽  
Ic50 Value ◽  
Mcf 7

Objective: Species of Erythrina variegata L. is reported to be used in the treatment of cancer in traditional/folklore medicine which could be explored for their anticancer potential. We aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of crude extracts of the leaves of E. variegata with two solvents; explore the mechanism of cytotoxicity with the effective extract and correlation with the phytochemicals in the extract.Methods: The extracts with Erythrina variegata L methanol (EVM) and chloroform (EVC) as solvents were screened for cytotoxicity by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium assay on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines. The effective extract was further evaluated on MDA-MB-231 cells by nucleoprotein content estimation, and cell morphology was studied. High resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HRLCMS) of EVM was done to find the phytochemical composition.Results: Among the two extracts, EVM was effective at an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 92 μg/ml and 143 μg/ml on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. At the IC50 value (143 μg/ml) the nucleoprotein content of the cells was 58.2%, and the apoptotic index was calculated to be 51.8%. EVM treated group showed significant morphological changes suggestive of apoptosis. HRLCMS revealed the presence of rutin, podocarpatriene, and cepharanthine which are known to be cytotoxic.Conclusion: This report is a contribution toward the validation of E. variegata as a potential source of anticancer agents.

scholarly journals Effects of changes in osmolality on the stability and function of cultured chromaffin cells and the possible role of osmotic forces in exocytosis

1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 1082-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
RY Hampton ◽  
RW Holz
Keyword(s):  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Extracellular Medium ◽  
Volume Measurements ◽  
And Function ◽  
Osmotic Properties ◽  
Nicotinic Agonist

Recent evidence indicates that osmotic forces may play a role in exocytosis. To examine this possibility and to investigate the osmotic properties of storage granules within cells, we investigated the effects of changes of osmolality on stability and function of cultured bovine chromaffin cells. Cell volume measurements indicated that the cells behaved as osmometers and that the intracellular osmolality rapidly equilibrated with the osmolality of the extracellular medium. Hyperosmotic solutions strongly inhibited nicotinic agonist-stimulated secretion but did not alter nicotinic agonist-stimulated Ca(2+) uptake. Hyperosmotic solutions also strongly inhibited elevated potassium- stimulated secretion but only weakly inhibited elevated K(+)-stimulated Ca(2+) uptake. Thus, hyperosmotic solutions inhibited secretion at a step after calcium entry. Cells exposed to 165 mOs(1) solutions did not lyse and retained their capacity to store and secrete catecholamine upon stimulation. Significant intracellular lysis of chromaffin granules occurred within cells exposed to lower osmolalities. In contrast, 75 percent of the catecholamine was released from granules from cultured cells or from fresh adrenal medulla incubated in vitro at 210 mOs. The data provide evidence for a role for osmotic forces in exocytosis and suggest that if osmotic stress of the granule occurs during exocytosis, then water influx into chromaffin granules increases granule volume by at least 70 percent. The results also indicate that the osmotic properties of the granules are altered upon homogenization and subcellular fractionation of the cells.

Effects of Inhibitors of Δ24(25)-Sterol Methyl Transferase on the Ultrastructure of Epimastigotes ofTrypanosoma cruzi

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 506-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina V. Braga ◽  
Filippo Magaraci ◽  
Silvia Orenes Lorente ◽  
Ian Gilbert ◽  
Wanderley de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Cytoplasmic Vacuole ◽  
Flagellar Pocket ◽  
Methyl Transferase ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Membrane Components ◽  
And Function

Trypanosoma cruziis the ethiological agent of Chagas disease. New compounds are being developed based on the biosynthesis and function of sterols, becauseT. cruzihas a requirement for specific endogenous sterols for growth and survival. Sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBIs) are drugs commonly used against fungal diseases. These drugs act by depleting essential and specific membrane components and/or inducing the accumulation of toxic intermediary or lateral products of the biosynthetic pathway. In this work we present the effects of WSP488, WSP501, and WSP561, specific inhibitors of Δ24(25)-sterol methyl transferase, on the ultrastructure ofT. cruziepimastigotes. All three drugs inhibited parasite multiplication at low concentrations, with IC50values of 0.48, 0.44, and 0.48 μM, respectively, and induced marked morphological changes including (a) blockage of cell division; (b) swelling of the mitochondrion, with several projections and depressions; (c) swelling of the perinuclear space; (d) presence of autophagosomes and myelin-like figures; (e) enlargement of the flagellar pocket and of a cytoplasmic vacuole located in close association with the flagellar pocket; (f) detachment of the membrane of the cell body; and (g) formation of a vesicle at the surface of the parasite between the flagellar pocket and the cytostome. Our results show that these drugs are potentin vitroinhibitors of growth ofT. cruzi.

Correlation Between Cellular Functions and Morphological Changes of Human Trophoblast in Vitro

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 600-601
Author(s):  
John C. Garancis ◽  
Robert O. Hussa ◽  
Michael T. Story ◽  
Donald Yorde ◽  
Roland A. Pattillo
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Culture Fluid ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Marked Activity ◽  
Malignant Trophoblast

Human malignant trophoblast cells in continuous culture were incubated for 3 days in medium containing 1 mM N6-O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) and 1 mM theophylline. The culture fluid was replenished daily. Stimulated cultures secreted many times more chorionic gonadotropin and estrogens than did control cultures in the absence of increased cellular proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed remarkable surface changes of stimulated cells. Control cells (not stimulated) were smooth or provided with varying numbers of microvilli (Fig. 1). The latter, usually, were short and thin. The surface features of stimulated cells were considerably different. There was marked increase of microvilli which appeared elongated and thick. Many cells were covered with confluent polypoid projections (Fig. 2). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated marked activity of cytoplasmic organelles. Mitochondria were increased in number and size; some giant forms with numerous cristae were observed.

Immunogold labeling of the calcium binding protein synexin in isolated adrenal chromaffin granules and chromaffin cells

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 952-953
Author(s):  
Gemma A.J. Kuijpers ◽  
Harvey B. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Medulla ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Immuno Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Adrenal Chromaffin

Exocytotic fusion of granules in the adrenal medulla chromaffin cell is triggered by a rise in the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ upon cell activation. The protein synexin, annexin VII, was originally found in the adrenal medulla and has been shown to cause aggregation and to support fusion of chromaffin granules in a Ca2+-dependent manner. We have previously suggested that synexin may there fore play a role in the exocytotic fusion process. In order to obtain more structural information on synexin, we performed immuno-electron microscopy on frozen ultrathin sections of both isolated chromaffin granules and chromaffin cells.Chromaffin granules were isolated from bovine adrenal medulla, and synexin was isolated from bovine lung. Granules were incubated in the presence or absence of synexin (24 μg per mg granule protein) and Ca2+ (1 mM), which induces maximal granule aggregation, in 0.3M sucrose-40m MMES buffer(pH 6.0). Granules were pelleted, washed twice in buffer without synexin and fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde- 2% para formaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (GA/PFA) for 30 min. Chromaffin cells were isolated and cultured for 3-5 days, and washed and incubated in Krebs solution with or without 20 uM nicotine. Cells were fixed 90 sec after on set of stimulation with GA/PFA for 30 min. Fixed granule or cell pellets were washed, infiltrated with 2.3 M sucrose in PBS, mounted and frozen in liquid N2.

Effect of Temperature, Velocity Gradient and I.V. Heparin on in Vitro Blood Coagulation and Platelet Aggregation

1967 ◽  
Vol 17 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 112-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Dintenfass ◽  
M. C Rozenberg
Keyword(s):  
Blood Coagulation ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Clotting Time ◽  
Progressive Change ◽  
Aggregation Of Platelets ◽  
Microscopic Techniques

SummaryA study of blood coagulation was carried out by observing changes in the blood viscosity of blood coagulating in the cone-in-cone viscometer. The clots were investigated by microscopic techniques.Immediately after blood is obtained by venepuncture, viscosity of blood remains constant for a certain “latent” period. The duration of this period depends not only on the intrinsic properties of the blood sample, but also on temperature and rate of shear used during blood storage. An increase of temperature decreases the clotting time ; also, an increase in the rate of shear decreases the clotting time.It is confirmed that morphological changes take place in blood coagula as a function of the velocity gradient at which such coagulation takes place. There is a progressive change from the red clot to white thrombus as the rates of shear increase. Aggregation of platelets increases as the rate of shear increases.This pattern is maintained with changes of temperature, although aggregation of platelets appears to be increased at elevated temperatures.Intravenously added heparin affects the clotting time and the aggregation of platelets in in vitro coagulation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document