Mechanisms of Echinocytosis Induced by Crotalus atrox Venom

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 442-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Walton ◽  
D. E. Brown ◽  
D. W. Hamar ◽  
V. P. Meador ◽  
J. W. Horn ◽  
...  

Transient echinocytosis has been reported in association with snake envenomation in humans and dogs. An in vitro model of echinocytosis induced by venom of Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) was established to characterize erythrocyte morphologic changes and to investigate potential mechanisms of echinocytic transformation. Erythrocyte morphologic changes produced after the addition of venom to canine, feline, equine, and human blood were characterized by dose-dependent echinocytosis. Type III echinocytosis was consistently induced in vitro at a dose comparable to in vivo envenomation; higher venom doses produced spheroechinocytic and spherocytic transformations. These changes could not be induced in vitro in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid but were observed in heparinized and citrated blood samples, suggesting the participation of calcium or a metalloprotein in echinocytic change. These findings suggest that phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a calcium-dependent enzyme in snake venom, may be responsible for echinocytic transformation via the production of lysolecithin, a known echinocytic agent. Purified PLA2 from C. atrox venom induced dose-dependent echinocytic change in vitro in canine blood. Other potential mechanisms of echinocytic change evaluated in canine blood included erythrocyte cation loss and erythrocyte ATP depletion. In canine blood mixed with venom, erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations were consistently less than those of controls, likely as a result of membrane alterations produced by the actions of PLA2. There was no difference in blood ATP concentrations from dogs with snakebite when compared with normal controls; however, the power of this comparison was low. Echinocytosis induced by rattlesnake venom is related to the degree of venom exposure and may correlate clinically with the amount of venom absorbed. Echinocytic transformation in vitro is induced by PLA2 present in venom.

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Mann ◽  
Brajesh Pratap Kaistha ◽  
Michael Kacik ◽  
Thorsten Stiewe ◽  
Joachim Hoyer

Background/Aims: Activated fibroblasts are key controllers of extracellular matrix turnover in kidney fibrosis, the pathophysiological end stage of chronic kidney disease. The proliferation of activated fibroblasts depends on the expression of the calcium-dependent potassium channel KCNN4. Expression of this ion channel is upregulated in fibrotic kidneys. Genetic and pharmacological blockade of KCNN4 inhibits fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We studied the regulation of KCNN4 and possible involvement of miRNAs in an in-vitro fibrosis model using murine kidney fibroblasts. We tested fibroblast proliferation, channel function, channel expression and expression regulation after FGF-2 stimulation. Results: Proliferation was significantly increased by FGF-2, channel current and expression were almost doubled (+ 91% and +125%, respectively). MiRNA microarray identified upregulation of miRNA-503, which targets RAF1 and thereby controls KCNN4-expression via disinhibition of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ ERK-cascade. Conclusion: This data show a) a profound upregulation of KCNN4 in stimulated fibroblast and b) identifies miR-503 as a regulator of KCNN4 expression.


1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. I. J. Shennan ◽  
M. C. Sheppard

Neurotensin is a hypothalamic peptide which inhibits secretion of TSH in the rat in vivo. We have demonstrated a calcium-dependent release of neurotensin from incubated rat hypothalamus in response to depolarizing stimuli, as well as a dose-dependent stimulatory effect of tri-iodothyronine (T3) on neurotensin secretion. We suggest that part of the neuroendocrine control of TSH secretion involves the interaction of T3, neurotensin and TSH; the presence of neurotensin in extracts of anterior pituitary gland is further evidence for its hypophysiotrophic role.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (05) ◽  
pp. 805-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuo Takahashi ◽  
Yoshitaka Hosaka ◽  
Hiromi Niina ◽  
Katsuaki Nagasawa ◽  
Masaaki Naotsuka ◽  
...  

SummaryWe examined the anticoagulant activity of two major molecules of soluble thrombomodulin purified from human urine. The apparent molecular weights of these urinary thrombomodulins (UTMs) were 72,000 and 79,000, respectively. Both UTMs showed more potent cofactor activity for protein C activation [specific activity >5,000 thrombomodulin units (TMU)/mg] than human placental thrombomodulin (2,180 TMU/mg) and rabbit lung thrombomodulin (1,980 TMU/mg). The UTMs prolonged thrombin-induced fibrinogen clotting time (>1 TMU/ml), APTT (>5 TMU/ml), TT (>5 TMU/ml) and PT (>40 TMU/ml) in a dose-dependent fashion. These effects appeared in the concentration range of soluble thrombomodulins present in human plasma and urine. In the rat DIC model induced by thromboplastin, administration of UTMs by infusion (300-3,000 TMU/kg) restored the hematological abnormalities derived from DIC in a dose-dependent fashion. These results demonstrate that UTMs exhibit potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities, and could play a physiologically important role in microcirculation.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Ajebli ◽  
Mohamed Eddouks

Aims and objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous aerial part extract of Mentha pulegium L. (Pennyrile) (MPAE) on arterial pressure parameters in rats. Background: Mentha pulegium is a medicinal plant used to treat hypertension in Morocco. Material and methods: In the current study, MPAE was prepared and its antihypertensive activity was pharmacologically investigated. L-NAME-hypertensive and normotensive rats have received orally MPAE (180 and 300 mg/kg) during six hours for the acute experiment and during seven days for the sub-chronic treatment. Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated. While, in the in vitro experiment, isolated denuded and intact thoracic aortic rings were suspended in a tissue bath system and the tension changes were recorded. Results: A fall in blood pressure was observed in L-NAME-induced hypertensive treated with MPAE. The extract also produced a dose-dependent relaxation of aorta pre-contracted with NE and KCl. The study showed that the vasorelaxant ability of MPAE seems to be exerted through the blockage of extracellular Ca2+ entry. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the extract of pennyrile exhibits antihypertensive activity. In addition, the effect may be, at least in part, due to dilation of blood vessels via blockage of Ca2+ channels.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2530
Author(s):  
Bijean D. Ford ◽  
Diego Moncada Giraldo ◽  
Camilla Margaroli ◽  
Vincent D. Giacalone ◽  
Milton R. Brown ◽  
...  

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is dominated by the recruitment of myeloid cells (neutrophils and monocytes) from the blood which fail to clear the lung of colonizing microbes. In prior in vitro studies, we showed that blood neutrophils migrated through the well-differentiated lung epithelium into the CF airway fluid supernatant (ASN) mimic the dysfunction of CF airway neutrophils in vivo, including decreased bactericidal activity despite an increased metabolism. Here, we hypothesized that, in a similar manner to neutrophils, blood monocytes undergo significant adaptations upon recruitment to CFASN. To test this hypothesis, primary human blood monocytes were transmigrated in our in vitro model into the ASN from healthy control (HC) or CF subjects to mimic in vivo recruitment to normal or CF airways, respectively. Surface phenotype, metabolic and bacterial killing activities, and transcriptomic profile by RNA sequencing were quantified post-transmigration. Unlike neutrophils, monocytes were not metabolically activated, nor did they show broad differences in activation and scavenger receptor expression upon recruitment to the CFASN compared to HCASN. However, monocytes recruited to CFASN showed decreased bactericidal activity. RNASeq analysis showed strong effects of transmigration on monocyte RNA profile, with differences between CFASN and HCASN conditions, notably in immune signaling, including lower expression in the former of the antimicrobial factor ISG15, defensin-like chemokine CXCL11, and nitric oxide-producing enzyme NOS3. While monocytes undergo qualitatively different adaptations from those seen in neutrophils upon recruitment to the CF airway microenvironment, their bactericidal activity is also dysregulated, which could explain why they also fail to protect CF airways from infection.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1424
Author(s):  
Seyeon Oh ◽  
Myeongjoo Son ◽  
Joonhong Park ◽  
Donghwan Kang ◽  
Kyunghee Byun

Rosacea is a skin inflammatory condition that is accompanied by not only redness and flushing but also unseen symptoms, such as burning, stinging, and itching. TRPV1 expression in UVB-exposed skin can lead to a painful burning sensation. Upregulated TRPV1 expression helps release neuropeptides, including calcitonin gene-related peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and vasoactive intestinal peptide, which can activate macrophage and inflammatory molecules. In this study, we found that radiofrequency (RF) irradiation reduced TRPV1 activation and neuropeptide expression in a UVB-exposed in vivo model and UVB- or heat-treated in an in vitro model. RF irradiation attenuated neuropeptide-induced macrophage activation and inflammatory molecule expression. Interestingly, the burning sensation in the skin of UVB-exposed mice and patients with rosacea was significantly decreased by RF irradiation. These results can provide experimental and molecular evidence on the effective use of RF irradiation for the burning sensation in patients with rosacea.


Author(s):  
Susan Gallogly ◽  
Takeshi Fujisawa ◽  
John D. Hung ◽  
Mairi Brittan ◽  
Elizabeth M. Skinner ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Endothelial dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome. The study of diseased endothelium is very challenging due to inherent difficulties in isolating endothelial cells from the coronary vascular bed. We sought to isolate and characterise coronary endothelial cells from patients undergoing thrombectomy for myocardial infarction to develop a patient-specific in vitro model of endothelial dysfunction. Methods In a prospective cohort study, 49 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with thrombus aspiration. Specimens were cultured, and coronary endothelial outgrowth (CEO) cells were isolated. CEO cells, endothelial cells isolated from peripheral blood, explanted coronary arteries, and umbilical veins were phenotyped and assessed functionally in vitro and in vivo. Results CEO cells were obtained from 27/37 (73%) atherothrombotic specimens and gave rise to cells with cobblestone morphology expressing CD146 (94 ± 6%), CD31 (87 ± 14%), and von Willebrand factor (100 ± 1%). Proliferation of CEO cells was impaired compared to both coronary artery and umbilical vein endothelial cells (population doubling time, 2.5 ± 1.0 versus 1.6 ± 0.3 and 1.2 ± 0.3 days, respectively). Cell migration was also reduced compared to umbilical vein endothelial cells (29 ± 20% versus 85±19%). Importantly, unlike control endothelial cells, dysfunctional CEO cells did not incorporate into new vessels or promote angiogenesis in vivo. Conclusions CEO cells can be reliably isolated and cultured from thrombectomy specimens in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Compared to controls, patient-derived coronary endothelial cells had impaired capacity to proliferate, migrate, and contribute to angiogenesis. CEO cells could be used to identify novel therapeutic targets to enhance endothelial function and prevent acute coronary syndromes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuxing Shen ◽  
Chao Wu ◽  
Meng Lei ◽  
Qing Yan ◽  
Haoyang Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractCarfilzomib, a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, has significantly improved the survival rate of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, but its clinical application is still restricted by drug resistance and cardiotoxicity. Here, we identified a novel proteasome inhibitor, D395, and assessed its efficacy in treating MM as well as its cardiotoxicity at the preclinical level. The activities of purified and intracellular proteasomes were measured to determine the effect of D395 on the proteasome. CCK-8 and flow cytometry experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of D395 on cell growth and apoptosis. The effects of D395 and carfilzomib on serum enzyme activity, echocardiography features, cardiomyocyte morphology, and hERG channels were also compared. In our study, D395 was highly cytotoxic to MM cell lines and primary MM cells but not normal cells, and it was well tolerated in vivo. Similar to carfilzomib, D395 inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, D395 exhibited lower cardiotoxicity than carfilzomib in all experiments. In conclusion, D395 is a novel irreversible proteasome inhibitor that has remarkable anti-MM activity and mild cardiotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2925
Author(s):  
Victor Häussling ◽  
Romina H Aspera-Werz ◽  
Helen Rinderknecht ◽  
Fabian Springer ◽  
Christian Arnscheidt ◽  
...  

A large British study, with almost 3000 patients, identified diabetes as main risk factor for delayed and nonunion fracture healing, the treatment of which causes large costs for the health system. In the past years, much progress has been made to treat common complications in diabetics. However, there is still a lack of advanced strategies to treat diabetic bone diseases. To develop such therapeutic strategies, mechanisms leading to massive bone alterations in diabetics have to be well understood. We herein describe an in vitro model displaying bone metabolism frequently observed in diabetics. The model is based on osteoblastic SaOS-2 cells, which in direct coculture, stimulate THP-1 cells to form osteoclasts. While in conventional 2D cocultures formation of mineralized matrix is decreased under pre-/diabetic conditions, formation of mineralized matrix is increased in 3D cocultures. Furthermore, we demonstrate a matrix stability of the 3D carrier that is decreased under pre-/diabetic conditions, resembling the in vivo situation in type 2 diabetics. In summary, our results show that a 3D environment is required in this in vitro model to mimic alterations in bone metabolism characteristic for pre-/diabetes. The ability to measure both osteoblast and osteoclast function, and their effect on mineralization and stability of the 3D carrier offers the possibility to use this model also for other purposes, e.g., drug screenings.


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