scholarly journals A Novel Single Compartment In Vitro Model for Electrophysiological Research Using the Perfluorocarbon FC-770

2016 ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. CHOUDHARY ◽  
F. CLAVICA ◽  
R. VAN MASTRIGT ◽  
E. VAN ASSELT
Keyword(s):  
Afferent Nerve ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Bladder Tissue ◽  
Single Compartment ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Electrophysiological Studies ◽  
Spontaneous Contractions ◽  
Stimulation Of

Electrophysiological studies of whole organ systems in vitro often require measurement of nerve activity and/or stimulation of the organ via the associated nerves. Currently two-compartment setups are used for such studies. These setups are complicated and require two fluids in two separate compartments and stretching the nerve across one chamber to the other, which may damage the nerves. We aimed at developing a simple single compartment setup by testing the electrophysiological properties of FC-770 (a perfluorocarbon) for in vitro recording of bladder afferent nerve activity and electrical stimulation of the bladder. Perflurocarbons are especially suitable for such a setup because of their high oxygen carrying capacity and insulating properties. In male Wistar rats, afferent nerve activity was recorded from postganglionic branches of the pelvic nerve in vitro, in situ and in vivo. The bladder was stimulated electrically via the efferent nerves. Organ viability was monitored by recording spontaneous contractions of the bladder. Additionally, histological examinations were done to test the effect of FC-770 on the bladder tissue. Afferent nerve activity was successfully recorded in a total of 11 rats. The bladders were stimulated electrically and high amplitude contractions were evoked. Histological examinations and monitoring of spontaneous contractions showed that FC-770 maintained organ viability and did not cause damage to the tissue. We have shown that FC-770 enables a simple, one compartment in vitro alternative for the generally used two compartment setups for whole organ electrophysiological studies.

In-vitro characterization of the pharmacological effects induced by (–)-α-bisabolol in rat smooth muscle preparations

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo J.B. de Siqueira ◽  
Walter B.S. Freire ◽  
Alfredo A. Vasconcelos-Silva ◽  
Patrícia A. Fonseca-Magalhães ◽  
Francisco J.B. Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pharmacological Effects ◽  
Bladder Tissue ◽  
In Vitro Characterization ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Spontaneous Contractions

The present study deals with the pharmacological effects of the sesquiterpene alcohol (–)-α-bisabolol on various smooth-muscle preparations from rats. Under resting tonus, (–)-α-bisabolol (30–300 µmol/L) relaxed duodenal strips, whereas it showed biphasic effects in other preparations, contracting endothelium-intact aortic rings and urinary bladder strips, and relaxing these tissues at higher concentrations (600–1000 µmol/L). In preparations precontracted either electromechanically (by 60 mmol/L K+) or pharmacomechanically (by phenylephrine or carbachol), (–)-α-bisabolol showed only relaxing properties. The pharmacological potency of (–)-α-bisabolol was variable, being higher in mesenteric vessels, whereas it exerted relaxing activity with a lesser potency on tracheal or colonic tissues. In tissues possessing spontaneous activity, (–)-α-bisabolol completely decreased spontaneous contractions in duodenum, whereas it increased their amplitude in urinary bladder tissue. Administered in vivo, (–)-α-bisabolol attenuated the increased responses of carbachol in tracheal rings of ovalbumin-sensitized rats challenged with ovalbumin, but was without effect in the decreased responsiveness of urinary bladder strips in mice treated with ifosfamide. In summary, (–)-α-bisabolol is biologically active in smooth muscle. In some tissues, (–)-α-bisabolol preferentially relaxed contractions induced electromechanically, especially in tracheal smooth muscle. The findings from tracheal rings reveal that (–)-α-bisabolol may be an inhibitor of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Substance P decreases fluid absorption in the renal proximal tubule

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (5) ◽  
pp. R1396-R1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Fildes ◽  
J. L. Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Substance P ◽  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
The Body ◽  
Afferent Nerve ◽  
Fluid Absorption ◽  
Organ Systems

Substance P is a neuropeptide found principally in the central nervous system and peripheral afferent nerve fibers. It is widely distributed in the body, and its local release is thought to have important effects in the normal physiology and pathophysiology of several organ systems. Substance P releases histamine from mast cells and nitric oxide from endothelial cells. Systemic infusion of substance P causes a brisk natriuresis. Previously, proximal tubule transport in the kidney was measured in vivo during the infusion of substance P. Transport was inhibited. This could have been a direct action of substance P or secondary to the release of histamine or nitric oxide. Therefore, we have now studied the effect of substance P on isolated proximal tubules perfused in vitro. We found that 10(-10) M substance P caused a 50% reduction in the rate of fluid absorption in rabbit proximal straight tubule. This effect was reversible on removal of substance P from the bath. Inhibition of nitric oxide production with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (10(-4) M) did not influence the action of substance P at 10(-10) M. The sensitivity of the proximal tubule to low concentrations of substance P, together with the recent findings of substance P-containing afferent fibers within the cortex of the kidney, suggest a role for substance P in the control of proximal tubule reabsorption, particularly in pathophysiological conditions associated with increased afferent nerve activity, such as ureteric occlusion.

Thrombopoietin-Induced Stimulation of Megakaryocyte- Enriched Bone Marrow Cultures

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Kellar ◽  
B. L. Evatt ◽  
C. R. McGrath ◽  
R. B. Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Rabbit Plasma ◽  
Bone Marrow Cultures ◽  
Plasma Fractions ◽  
Marrow Cultures ◽  
Stimulation Of

Liquid cultures of bone marrow cells enriched for megakaryocytes were assayed for incorporation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) into acid-precipitable cell digests to determine the effect of thrombopoietin on DNA synthesis. As previously described, thrombopoietin was prepared by ammonium sulfate fractionation of pooled plasma obtained from thrombocytopenic rabbits. A control fraction was prepared from normal rabbit plasma. The thrombopoietic activity of these fractions was determined in vivo with normal rabbits as assay animals and the rate of incorporation of 75Se-selenomethionine into newly formed platelets as an index of thrombopoietic activity of the infused material. Guinea pig megakaryocytes were purified using bovine serum albumin gradients. Bone marrow cultures containing 1.5-3.0x104 cells and 31%-71% megakaryocytes were incubated 18 h in modified Dulbecco’s MEM containing 10% of the concentrated plasma fractions from either thrombocytopenic or normal rabbits. In other control cultures, 0.9% NaCl was substituted for the plasma fractions. 3H-TdR incorporation was measured after cells were incubated for 3 h with 1 μCi/ml. The protein fraction containing thrombopoietin-stimulating activity caused a 25%-31% increase in 3H-TdR incorporation over that in cultures which were incubated with the similar fraction from normal plasma and a 29% increase over the activity in control cultures to which 0.9% NaCl had been added. These data suggest that thrombopoietin stimulates DNA synthesis in megakaryocytes and that this tecnique may be useful in assaying thrombopoietin in vitro.

scholarly journals Contamination of erythropoietin by endotoxin: in vivo and in vitro effects on murine erythropoiesis

Blood ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
KS Zuckerman ◽  
PJ Quesenberry ◽  
J Levin ◽  
R Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Erythropoietic Activity ◽  
Limulus Amebocyte Lysate ◽  
Endogenous Erythropoietin ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
In Vitro Effects ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Endotoxin was detected in all erythropoietin preparations tested and was removed from four lots, without loss of erythropoietic activity, by adsorption with limulus amebocyte lysate. Comparison of adsorbed (endotoxin-depleted) and nonadsorbed (endotoxin-containing) erythropoietin preparations demonstrated significant inhibition of CFU- e and BFU-e in vitro by nonadsorbed erythropoietin at concentrations higher than 0.25 U/ml and 2.0 U/ml, respectively. CFU-e and BFU-e were inhibited significantly by readdition in vitro of 10(-5)-10(-3) mug of endotoxin per unit of limulus-adsorbed erythropoietin. Administration of saline or 6 U of nonadsorbed or adsorbed erythropoietin twice a day for 4 days of CF1 mice resulted in reticulocyte counts of 2.1%, 9.9%, and 15.9%, respectively. Nonadsorbed erythropoietin resulted in a 29% decrease in erythropoiesis, a 42% decrease in CFU-e, and a 16% increase in granulopoiesis in the marrow, whereas adsorbed erythropoietin caused a 28% increase in erythropoiesis, no significant change in CFU-e and a 19% decrease in granulopoiesis in the marrow. Both preparations resulted in marked increases in splenic erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis. The effects of adsorbed erythropoietin are similar to those produced following stimulation of hematopoiesis by endogenous erythropoietin. Hemopoietic changes induced by nonadsorbed erythropoietin in vivo and in vitro are affected substantially by contamination of the erythropoietin preparations with endotoxin.

Metabolic importance of Na+/K+-ATPase activity during sea urchin development.

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (22) ◽  
pp. 2881-2892 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Leong ◽  
D Manahan
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Sodium Pump ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus ◽  
Lytechinus Pictus ◽  
Stimulation Of

Early stages of animal development have high mass-specific rates of metabolism. The biochemical processes that establish metabolic rate and how these processes change during development are not understood. In this study, changes in Na+/K+-ATPase activity (the sodium pump) and rate of oxygen consumption were measured during embryonic and early larval development for two species of sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Lytechinus pictus. Total (in vitro) Na+/K+-ATPase activity increased during development and could potentially account for up to 77 % of larval oxygen consumption in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (pluteus stage) and 80 % in Lytechinus pictus (prism stage). The critical issue was addressed of what percentage of total enzyme activity is physiologically active in living embryos and larvae and thus what percentage of metabolism is established by the activity of the sodium pump during development. Early developmental stages of sea urchins are ideal for understanding the in vivo metabolic importance of Na+/K+-ATPase because of their small size and high permeability to radioactive tracers (86Rb+) added to sea water. A comparison of total and in vivo Na+/K+-ATPase activities revealed that approximately half of the total activity was utilized in vivo. The remainder represented a functionally active reserve that was subject to regulation, as verified by stimulation of in vivo Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the presence of the ionophore monensin. In the presence of monensin, in vivo Na+/K+-ATPase activities in embryos of S. purpuratus increased to 94 % of the maximum enzyme activity measured in vitro. Stimulation of in vivo Na+/K+-ATPase activity was also observed in the presence of dissolved alanine, presumably due to the requirement to remove the additional intracellular Na+ that was cotransported with alanine from sea water. The metabolic cost of maintaining the ionic balance was found to be high, with this process alone accounting for 40 % of the metabolic rate of sea urchin larvae (based on the measured fraction of total Na+/K+-ATPase that is physiologically active in larvae of S. purpuratus). Ontogenetic changes in pump activity and environmentally induced regulation of reserve Na+/K+-ATPase activity are important factors that determine a major proportion of the metabolic costs of sea urchin development.

scholarly journals A Selective TSH Receptor Antagonist Inhibits Stimulation of Thyroid Function in Female Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 310-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Neumann ◽  
Eshel A. Nir ◽  
Elena Eliseeva ◽  
Wenwei Huang ◽  
Juan Marugan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Sodium Iodide ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Tsh Receptor ◽  
Free T4 ◽  
Serum Free ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Lowered Serum

Because the TSH receptor (TSHR) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of thyroid disease, a TSHR antagonist could be a novel treatment. We attempted to develop a small molecule, drug-like antagonist of TSHR signaling that is selective and active in vivo. We synthesized NCGC00242364 (ANTAG3) by chemical modification of a previously reported TSHR antagonist. We tested its potency, efficacy, and selectivity in a model cell system in vitro by measuring its activity to inhibit stimulation of cAMP production stimulated by TSH, LH, or FSH. We tested the in vivo activity of ANTAG3 by measuring its effects to lower serum free T4 and thyroid gene expression in female BALB/c mice continuously treated with ANTAG3 for 3 days and given low doses of TRH continuously or stimulated by a single administration of a monoclonal thyroid-stimulating antibody M22. ANTAG3 was selective for TSHR inhibition; half-maximal inhibitory doses were 2.1 μM for TSHR and greater than 30 μM for LH and FSH receptors. In mice treated with TRH, ANTAG3 lowered serum free T4 by 44% and lowered mRNAs for sodium-iodide cotransporter and thyroperoxidase by 75% and 83%, respectively. In mice given M22, ANTAG3 lowered serum free T4 by 38% and lowered mRNAs for sodium-iodide cotransporter and thyroperoxidase by 73% and 40%, respectively. In conclusion, we developed a selective TSHR antagonist that is effective in vivo in mice. This is the first report of a small-molecule TSHR antagonist active in vivo and may lead to a drug to treat Graves' disease.

scholarly journals Combined Stimulation of Toll-Like Receptor 5 and NOD1 Strongly Potentiates Activity of NF-κB, Resulting in Enhanced Innate Immune Reactions and Resistance to Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 3855-3864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir I. Tukhvatulin ◽  
Ilya I. Gitlin ◽  
Dmitry V. Shcheblyakov ◽  
Natalia M. Artemicheva ◽  
Lyudmila G. Burdelya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Immune Reactions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Stimulation Of

ABSTRACTPathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) are essential components of host innate immune systems that detect specific conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) presented by microorganisms. Members of two families of PRRs, transmembrane Toll-like receptors (TLRs 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6) and cytosolic NOD receptors (NOD1 and NOD2), are stimulated upon recognition of various bacterial PAMPs. Such stimulation leads to induction of a number of immune defense reactions, mainly triggered via activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. While coordination of responses initiated via different PRRs sensing multiple PAMPS present during an infection makes clear biological sense for the host, such interactions have not been fully characterized. Here, we demonstrate that combined stimulation of NOD1 and TLR5 (as well as other NOD and TLR family members) strongly potentiates activity of NF-κB and induces enhanced levels of innate immune reactions (e.g., cytokine production) bothin vitroandin vivo. Moreover, we show that an increased level of NF-κB activity plays a critical role in formation of downstream responses. In live mice, synergy between these receptors resulting in potentiation of NF-κB activity was organ specific, being most prominent in the gastrointestinal tract. Coordinated activity of NOD1 and TLR5 significantly increased protection of mice against enteroinvasiveSalmonellainfection. Obtained results suggest that cooperation of NOD and TLR receptors is important for effective responses to microbial infectionin vivo.

scholarly journals Binding of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) to eIF4G represses translation of uncapped mRNA.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 6876-6886 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Z Tarun ◽  
A B Sachs
Keyword(s):  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation ◽  
Stimulation Of

mRNA translation in crude extracts from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is stimulated by the cap structure and the poly(A) tail through the binding of the cap-binding protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and the poly(A) tail-binding protein Pab1p. These proteins also bind to the translation initiation factor eIF4G and thereby link the mRNA to the general translational apparatus. In contrast, uncapped, poly(A)-deficient mRNA is translated poorly in yeast extracts, in part because of the absence of eIF4E and Pab1p binding sites on the mRNA. Here, we report that uncapped-mRNA translation is also repressed in yeast extracts due to the binding of eIF4E to eIF4G. Specifically, we find that mutations which weaken the eIF4E binding site on the yeast eIF4G proteins Tif4631p and Tif4632p lead to temperature-sensitive growth in vivo and the stimulation of uncapped-mRNA translation in vitro. A mutation in eIF4E which disturbs its ability to interact with eIF4G also leads to a stimulation of uncapped-mRNA translation in vitro. Finally, overexpression of eIF4E in vivo or the addition of excess eIF4E in vitro reverses these effects of the mutations. These data support the hypothesis that the eIF4G protein can efficiently stimulate translation of exogenous uncapped mRNA in extracts but is prevented from doing so as a result of its association with eIF4E. They also suggest that some mRNAs may be translationally regulated in vivo in response to the amount of free eIF4G in the cell.

Role of IRS-1-GRB-2 complexes in insulin signaling

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 3577-3587
Author(s):  
M G Myers ◽  
L M Wang ◽  
X J Sun ◽  
Y Zhang ◽  
L Yenush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Insulin Receptor ◽  
Insulin Receptors ◽  
Growth Factor Signaling ◽  
Insulin Stimulation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
D Cells ◽  
Stimulation Of

GRB-2 is a small SH2- and SH3 domain-containing adapter protein that associates with the mammalian SOS homolog to regulate p21ras during growth factor signaling. During insulin stimulation, GRB-2 binds to the phosphorylated Y895VNI motif of IRS-1. Substitution of Tyr-895 with phenylalanine (IRS-1F-895) prevented the IRS-1-GRB-2 association in vivo and in vitro. The myeloid progenitor cell line, 32-D, is insensitive to insulin because it contains few insulin receptors and no IRS-1. Coexpression of IRS-1 or IRS-1F-895 with the insulin receptor was required for insulin-stimulated mitogenesis in 32-D cells, while expression of the insulin receptor alone was sufficient to mediate insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and activation of p21ras and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. The Shc-GRB-2 complex formed during insulin stimulation is a possible mediator of p21ras and MAP kinase activation in IRS-1-deficient 32-D cells. Interestingly, IRS-1, but not IRS-1F-895, enhanced the stimulation of MAP kinase by insulin in 32-D cells expressing insulin receptors. Thus, IRS-1 contributes to the stimulation of MAP kinase by insulin, probably through formation of the IRS-1-GRB-2 complex at Tyr-895. Our results suggest that the Shc-GRB-2 complex and the activation of p21ras-dependent signaling pathways, including MAP kinase, are insufficient for insulin-stimulated mitogenesis and that the essential function(s) of IRS-1 in proliferative signaling is largely unrelated to IRS-1-GRB-2 complex formation.

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