Glycosylation selectively alters the biological activity of prolactin

We have undertaken studies to determine the effect of glycosylation on the lactogenic activity of ovine PRL (oPRL). Measuring casein production in the in vitro mouse mammary gland explant assay, we found that glycosylated oPRL had 80% of the activity of oPRL. In competitive binding studies using lactogen receptors from mammary glands of lactating rabbits, glycosylated oPRL had only 20% the potency of oPRL. In the Nb2 assay also, glycosylated oPRL was approximately 24% as potent as oPRL in stimulating mitogenic activity. Thus, these studies show that the glycosylated variant of PRL has less biological activity than the major PRL form and that the alteration of an activity by glycosylation is selective.     

Endocytosis and degradation of ovine prolactin by Nb2 lymphoma cells: characterization and effects of agents known to alter prolactin-induced mitogenesis

Rat Nb2 node lymphoma cells proliferate in response to lactogens, but the signal transduction mechanism involved remains unclear. Specific binding, internalization, and degradation of ovine PRL (oPRL) were examined under a variety of experimental conditions to characterize the metabolism of receptor-bound hormone by these cells. Stationary-phase cells were incubated with [125I]oPRL in Fischer's medium containing horse serum. Cell suspensions were centrifuged, and the cell pellets were assayed to determine specific cell-associated radioactivity. Internalized ligand was measured by exposing the cells to an acidic buffer before centrifugation to dissociate hormone from plasma membrane receptors, and cell-surface ligand was calculated by subtracting internalized hormone from the total [125I]oPRL bound by the cells. Hormone degradation was assessed by measuring the radioactivity in an acid-soluble fraction prepared from the incubation medium. Endocytosis of [125I]oPRL was observed within 30 min at 37 C, and the internalized component accounted for approximately 50% of the bound hormone under steady-state conditions. Hormone degradation was detectable within 1 h at 37 C and continued at a relatively linear rate thereafter; by 4 h, 8% of the added [125I]oPRL was acid soluble. Chloroquine (0.2 mM), methylamine (20 mM) and monensin (20 microM) prevented [125I]oPRL degradation and elevated both cell-surface and intracellular hormone 2-fold during a 4-h incubation. Leupeptin (0.2 mM) decreased degradation by only 15% under the same conditions. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 20 nM), a comitogen for lactogen-stimulated Nb2 cells, increased cell-surface hormone by 20% and decreased intracellular hormone by a corresponding amount 1 h after administration. Calcium ionophore A23187 (1 microM) produced similar changes, and a synergistic effect was noted when cells were exposed to both agents for 4 h. Amiloride (125 microM), an inhibitor of Nb2 cell mitogenesis, decreased [125I]oPRL degradation by 25% during a 4-h incubation. This response was abolished when the cells were exposed simultaneously to PMA. These experiments demonstrate that receptor-bound oPRL is rapidly internalized and extensively degraded via the endosome-lysosome pathway when Nb2 cells are maintained at 37 C. The inhibitory effect of PMA on oPRL internalization may help to explain the comitogenic action of this phorbol on Nb2 cells. Since amiloride also produced major changes in oPRL metabolism, post-binding events in lactogen processing by target cells could play an important role in the mitogenic response elicited by such hormones.     

Evidence for a rapid stimulation of tyrosine kinase activity by prolactin in Nb2 rat lymphoma cells.

Studies were designed to determine if the activation of tyrosine kinases may be involved in the signal transduction pathway for PRL. Tyrosyl phosphorylation of cellular proteins was evaluated by western blot analysis of Nb2 cell proteins employing an antibody to phosphotyrosine. Physiological concentrations of ovine PRL (oPRL) had a pronounced effect on the tyrosyl phosphorylation of a 121 kDa protein. Increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of the 121 kDa protein was detectable with concentrations of oPRL as low as 0.5 ng/ml. Consistent with oPRL acting through a PRL receptor, hGH also stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of the 121 kDa protein when tested at concentrations between 5 and 20 ng/ml. In time course experiments, increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of the 121 kDa protein was apparent after a 5 min incubation with 20 ng/ml hGH, and maintained for at least one h. At higher concentrations of hGH (200 ng/ml), increased phosphorylation of the 121 kDa protein was clearly evident after only 1 min, indicating that tyrosyl phosphorylation of cellular proteins is an early event following ligand binding to the PRL receptor. Increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of proteins of 40, 90 and 55-65 kDa was also evident after incubation with hGH for 10, 10, and 60 min respectively. These findings are consistent with PRL-dependent tyrosine kinase activation being an early and perhaps initiating event in the signal transduction pathway for PRL in Nb2 cells.     

Stimulation of GTP hydrolysis in guinea pig bronchial membranes by mastoparan

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, or G proteins, play an important role in transmitting information from membrane receptors to intracellular effector systems. Activation of G proteins results in the hydrolysis of GTP, and the measurement of GTPase activity represents a means by which the role of G proteins in signal transduction can be investigated. GTPase activity of guinea pig bronchial membranes was measured as the liberation of ³²P_i from [-³²P]GTP. GTPase activity was divided into two components, one possessing a high affinity and the other a low affinity for GTP. The contribution of high- and low-affinity GTPase to total hydrolysis was dependent on Mg²⁺. In the presence of submicromolar Mg²⁺, high-affinity GTPase represented 65–80% of all activity, whereas in the presence of 26 µM Mg²⁺, all detectable hydrolysis was due to the low-affinity GTPase. High-affinity GTPase was stimulated by Mg²⁺ in the 0.15–1.1 M range (2.5-fold maximal stimulation, apparent Km for Mg²⁺ 0.31 M). Mastoparan (1–100 M) caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of high-affinity (but not low-affinity) GTPase (71 ± 13% maximal stimulation, EC₅₀ 0.38 M), suggesting that high-affinity GTPase may be due to a G protein. Carbachol (10 M) and fenoterol (10 M) had no effect on high-affinity GTP hydrolysis, suggesting that under the conditions described, GTPase activity of bronchial membranes is not activated by muscarinic or -adrenergic receptors, respectively. Offprint requests to: K. J. Rhoden     

Characterization of a biotin-conjugated ovine prolactin ligand

Ovine prolactin was biotinylated with N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin. Biotinylation was proportional to the molar ratio of reactants. Gel electrophoresis of the biotinylated derivative revealed little or no change in migration, but isoelectric focusing showed an acidic shift when compared to oPRL. Biotinylated ovine prolactin (B-oPRL) was detected by anti-oPRL antiserum and avidin-fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) on protein blots. Competitive binding assays using 125I-B-oPRL and 125I-oPRL revealed: (a) similar dissociation constants and ID50 values for binding to anti-oPRL antibodies; (b) similar dissociation constants and maximum binding values for binding to liver membrane preparations; and (c) similar dissociation curves for displacement by several pituitary hormones. In contrast, binding of biotinylated oPRL to Nb2 node cells was reduced by approximately 70% and its bioreactivity was only 10% of that of oPRL. Our results indicate that biotinylation of oPRL does not alter its binding characteristics as measured by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay using hepatic lactogenic receptors, but decreases its binding and bioreactivity when measured in Nb2 lymphoma cells. Assuming that N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin interacts with reactive free amino groups of oPRL, our results suggest that these groups are essential for binding and bioreactivity of the molecule in the Nb2 lymphoma cell system.     

Relative localization of the prolactin receptor binding sites for lactogenic hormones.

A monoclonal antibody termed MAb R7B4, directed to an epitope present in prolactin receptors (PRLRs), was used as a tool to map the receptor binding sites for human growth hormone (hGH), ovine prolactin (oPRL) and human placental lactogen (hPL). Although the three hormones completely inhibited the binding of each other to Nb2 cells or rat liver receptors, MAb R7B4 behaviour was different depending on the hormone tested and the receptor source. According to the MAb effects, PRLR from Nb2 cells would locate both hGH and oPRL close to R7B4 epitope, whereas hPL would bind far from the MAb binding site. On the other hand, PRLR from rat liver should bind hGH close to the R7B4 epitope but oPRL and hPL would be recognized by a separate region of the same receptor. Thus, results presented in this paper suggest that PRLR binding sites for hGH, oPRL and hPL do not exactly overlap in spite of full competition between ligands.     

Characterization and modulation of growth hormone and prolactin binding in mouse liver.

The specific binding of 125I-labeled insulin, human hormone ([125I]hGH), bovine growth hormone ([125I]bGH), and ovine prolactin ([125I]oPRL) was studied in mouse liver membranes. [125I]hGH and [125I]oPRL bound to adult liver membranes. Pregnancy increased the specific binding of [125I]hGH but not that of [125I]oPRL. [125I]hGH was displaced from membranes of pregnant mice by hGH, oPRL, and bGH, but only by hGH and oPRL from liver membranes of nonpregnant mice. Significant specific binding of [125I]bGH was seen only in pregnancy. The binding of [125I]bGH to pregnant mouse liver membranes increased with increasing concentration of either membrane protein or [125I]bGH. Both the specific binding and dissociation of [125I]bGH were greatly influenced by the time and temperature of incubation. Binding of [125I]bGH was inhibited by growth hormones, including hGH and rat GH, and not by lactogenic hormones (various prolactins and human placental lactogen), ACTH, glucagon, or insulin. The inhibition of [125I]hGH binding by hGH and bGH, in the presence of excess (2 mug/ml) of PRL, was very similar to that seen with [125I]bGH. Scatchard plots of displacement dose-response curves obtained under steady state conditions of 4C were nonlinear and very similar with either [125I]bGH or [125I]hGH. This contrasted with the linear Scatchard plots obtained from displacement dose-response curves of either [125I]oPRL or [125I]hGH in the presence of excess (2 mug/ml) bGH. Termination of pregnancy, either naturally or by hysterectomy, reduced [125I]bGH specific binding to nonpregnant levels by 24 to 36 h. Estrogen administration did not increase [125I]bGH binding in hepatic membranes. Nonpregnant mice possess hepatic lactogen binding sites which are uninfluenced by pregnancy. GH specific binding sites are markedly augmented during pregnancy. The close correlation between the level of these sites and pregnancy suggests that they are regulated by a product of the fetoplacental unit.     

Characteristics of prolactin binding sites in the brain of the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria)

Radiolabeled ovine prolactin ([125I]oPRL) was found to bind specifically to crude membrane fractions prepared from ring dove brain homogenates. Specific binding changed with incubation time and temperature but did not fluctuate systematically with pH. Specific binding levels were highest in hypothalamus and forebrain and were lowest in cerebellum and brain stem. A linear increase in specific binding was observed in pooled midbrain and forebrain membrane fractions as membrane protein concentrations increased from 0.2 to 6.0 mg/ml. Scatchard analysis of binding saturation and competitive binding data revealed that dove midbrain/forebrain membranes bound oPRL with high affinity (Kd = 2.1-2.6 X 10(-10) M) but had low binding capacity (Bmax = 2.9-4.8 fmol/mg protein). Unlabeled oPRL and human growth hormone competed most effectively with radiolabeled oPRL for occupation of midbrain/forebrain binding sites. Turkey PRL and human placental lactogen were less effective as competitors but were 8-15 times more effective than ovine or turkey growth hormone, porcine insulin, or ovine luteinizing hormone. Subcutaneous injection of unlabeled oPRL lowered specific binding in liver and midbrain/forebrain by 76 and 39%, respectively, over that observed after saline injection. Prior MgCl2-induced desaturation of membrane binding sites greatly reduced or eliminated these treatment differences. These results suggest the existence of specific, saturable binding sites for PRL in dove brain which conceivably could mediate the reported effects of PRL on behavior and gonadal function in this species.     

Lactogenic hormones rapidly activate p21( ras )/mitogen-activated protein kinase in Nb2-11C rat lymphoma cells

Lactogenic hormone-dependent Nb2-11C cells proliferate in response to prolactin (PRL) or human growth hormone (hGH). We have investigated the activation of p21 ^ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP-kinase) by hGH in lactogen-dependent Nb2-11C and in autonomous hormone-independent Nb2-SP rat lymphoma cells. Exposure of Nb2-11C cells to hGH resulted in a dose-dependent activation of p21 ^ras and of MAP-kinase. Activation occurs at physiological hGH concentration and with a rapid onset (∼1 min) reaching maximal level at 10–20 min. In contrast, in Nb2-SP autonomous lactogen-independent cells, p21 ^ras and MAP-kinase are constitutively activated and a challenge with lactogenic hormone had a modest additional activating effect. TPA, an activator of protein kinase C, enhanced p21 ^ras and MAP-kinase activity in Nb2-11C cells but failed to induce proliferation. The mechanism of activation of p21 ^ras in Nb2-11C cells by lactogenic hormones involves both an increased binding of guanine nucleotides to p21 ^ras as well as an increase in GTP/GDP+GTP ratio. In summary, we have demonstrated here that activation of the p21 ^ras /MAP-kinase pathway follows PRL receptor activation but is not sufficient for the lactogenic hormone-dependent mitogenesis.     

Modulation of prolactin-stimulated Nb2 lymphoma cell mitogenesis by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin

We have investigated whether cholera toxin (CT)- or pertussis toxin (IAP)-sensitive G proteins are involved in ovine (o) PRL-stimulated mitogenesis in the lactogen-dependent rat Nb2 node lymphoma cell line. Addition of IAP to medium caused a biphasic effect on oPRL-stimulated cell number. Low doses (10(-3) ng/ml) enhanced (mean +/- SEM, 15 +/- 3%) whereas higher doses (greater than or equal to 10 ng/ml) inhibited (24 +/- 3%) mitogenesis stimulated by a submaximal dose of oPRL (0.1 ng/ml) compared to control values. The cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP also had a biphasic effect on cell division stimulated by submaximal doses of PRL. Low doses (10(-5) M) enhanced whereas higher doses (10(-3) M) inhibited Nb2 cell growth in response to PRL. Incubation with CT only inhibited oPRL-stimulated mitogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition (63 +/- 7%) occurred at a concentration of 10 ng/ml or more. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) enhanced mitogenesis stimulated by PRL alone and in the presence of either stimulatory or inhibitory doses of IAP, but PMA did not block IAP inhibition. In contrast, PMA had no effect on cells incubated with CT; the inhibition of PRL-stimulated cell division by CT remained unchanged. Lactogenic receptor-binding sites per cell and affinity were not significantly affected by PMA, IAP, or CT, suggesting a postreceptor mechanism of action. In summary, these data demonstrate that cAMP modifies PRL-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis. The differences between IAP and CT (i.e. biphasic effect, degree of inhibition, and differential effect of PMA) suggest that these agents could also modulate PRL actions in the Nb2 cell through different mechanisms, including a cAMP-independent pathway.     

Mannose binding lectin levels are not related to radiographic damage in ankylosing spondylitis

In the current study we aimed to investigate the effect of MBL deficiency in radiographic damage of the spine in a large group of AS patients. One hundred and ninety-one AS patients and 85 healthy controls were studied. Disease activity, radiological scores, and demographic features were recorded. MBL levels were measured with standard ELISA kits. Results showed that median MBL levels in AS and healthy controls were 2,530 (range 0–5,861) ng/ml and 3,415 (0–7,950) ng/ml, respectively (p = 0.1). MBL deficiency (<500 ng/ml) was comparable in both groups (%21.5 in AS, % 17.6; p = 0.5). Disease activity, clinical picture, and therapies were not associated with MBL levels. Both BASRI and mSASSS scores were found similar in AS patients with or without MBL deficiency [BASRI: MBL < 500 ng/ml: 6(2–12), MBL ≥ 500 ng/ml: 6(2–12); p = 0.75], [mSASSS: MBL < 500 ng/ml: 3(0–72), MBL ≥ 500 ng/ml: 5(0–72); p = 0.81]. We conclude that MBL deficiency prevalence is not increased in AS patients and it is not a cause of a severe radiographic damage.     

Effect of glycation on basic fibroblast growth factor induced angiogenesis and activation of associated signal transduction pathways in vascular endothelial cells: possible relevance to wound healing in diabetes

Ineffectual wound healing in hyperglycaemic patients suffering from diabetes mellitus is characterised by a reduction in capillary reformation (angiogenesis). Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is secreted by fibroblasts, macrophages and in particular endothelial cells (EC) in response to tissue injury and is important in promotion of neovascularisation. Recently, glycation of FGF-2 has been shown to significantly reduce its activity in vitro. We have examined the kinetics of FGF-2 glycation and compared its ability with that of native FGF-2 to activate mitogenesis, capillary formation and associated signal transduction in bovine aortic EC (BAEC). FGF-2 was exposed to 0.25 M glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) for 24–72 h and the degree of glycation determined by matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry. Native FGF-2 was heterogeneous with Mw in the range 15,153.6–17,903 Da. After 24 h incubation with G-6-P there was evidence of glycation, and the mass increase corresponded to addition of 2.7 mol of G-6-P residues; after 48 h, 4 mol sugar was added and this increased to 8.7 after 72 h. Dimerisation of FGF-2 was observed after 72 h of treatment. Induction of mitogenesis in BAEC was significantly reduced by 25%–40% after treatment for 48–96 h with glycated (24 h) FGF-2 (gFGF-2;100 pg/ml–5 ng/ml; P < 0.05), whilst capillary tubule formation was significantly reduced by between 60% and 90% (100 pg/ml–1 ng/ml; P < 0.05) after 5 days compared to native FGF-2. Subsequent investigation of the signal transduction molecules associated with mitogenesis showed a reduction in FGF-2 induced tyrosine phosphorylated proteins of approximate Mw 20–150 kDa between 10 min and 24 h, in particular, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/early response kinase (ERK-1, ERK-2), after glycation. To determine the reason for reduced angiogenic activity of gFGF-2, we compared its binding characteristics to that of native FGF-2. Total binding of gFGF-2 to the cell surface was significantly reduced in BAEC analysed by FACS compared to native FGF-2 (P < 0.05). Further investigation using ¹²⁵I-labelled differentially washed samples, demonstrated a significant reduction in gFGF-2 binding to the high affinity tyrosine kinase receptor (46%) compared to native FGF-2. In summary, glycation of FGF-2 in vitro occurs rapidly within 24 h in the presence of elevated levels of G-6-P. Glycation caused a significant reduction in the ability of FGF-2 to bind to the tyrosine kinase receptor and activate signal transduction pathways responsible for both mitogenesis and capillary formation in BAEC. These results could help to explain the mechanism behind impaired wound healing in patients with diabetes mellitus. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Prolactin and antiprolactin receptor antibody inhibit steroidogenesis by purified rat Leydig cells in culture

The in vitro effects of ovine PRL (oPRL) on testicular testosterone synthesis were determined using isolated, collagenase-dispersed, adult rat Leydig cells in culture. oPRL (50-1000 ng/ml) had no effect either on basal or on LH (50, 100 or 2000 pg/ml)-stimulated testosterone secretion by Leydig cells in short-term culture (4 h). 125I-oPRL binding studies revealed a single class of high affinity sites (Ka 8.7 nM) with a low capacity (Bmax 6.7 fmol/mg protein identical to approximately 980 sites/Leydig cell). Isolated Leydig cells were further purified on a continuous Percoll gradient and cultured in serum-free medium, at 34 degrees C, in 5% CO2 and 95% air. After 3 days of culture, the media were collected, the cells washed and then stimulated with hCG (3 ng/ml) for 3 h. oPRL (1-1000 ng/ml) added at plating, caused a log dose-dependent inhibition of testosterone accumulation during the 3-day culture period; the highest and most consistent inhibition (31%) was with 500 ng/ml oPRL. hCG increased the sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of PRL, 10 ng/ml oPRL causing 40% inhibition and 100 ng/ml causing a maximal inhibition of 50%. PRL in fact caused a reduction in the maximal effect (efficacy) of hCG on steroidogenesis, without significantly affecting the ED50 (sensitivity). The effects of an antiPRL receptor antibody raised by the antiidiotypic route and previously shown to bind to rat testis PRL receptors were tested. The antiPRL receptor IgG (13 micrograms/ml) mimicked the PRL inhibitory effect and acted synergistically with PRL (100 ng/ml) in inhibiting both testosterone accumulation in 3-day cultured Leydig cells and their subsequent response to hCG. In summary, a clear inhibitory effect of PRL and a synergistic effect of antiPRL receptor antibody were demonstrated on testosterone synthesis by rat Leydig cells in 3-day culture.     

Effects of phospholipids and ADP-ribosylation on GTP hydrolysis by Escherichia coli-synthesized Ha-ras-encoded p21.

The Ha-ras protooncogene product p21, which may be involved in control of cellular growth, is a membrane protein that binds guanine nucleotides and hydrolyzes GTP. p21 GTPase activity is stimulated by lysophosphatidylcholine; a delay in activation was observed unless p21 was incubated with the phospholipid prior to assay. Maximal activation by the phospholipid was observed over a narrow concentration range; the presence in the assay mixture of lysophosphatidylcholine at concentrations above this optimum markedly inhibited p21 GTPase. GTP hydrolysis was also stimulated, but to a lesser degree, by phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine did not significantly enhance GTPase activity. The stimulatory effect of phospholipid was mimicked, in part, by nonionic detergents. p21 may be related to other GTPases, the regulatory guanine nucleotide-binding G proteins of the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase complex and transducin of the retinal light-activated phosphodiesterase system. The G proteins and transducin are heterotrimers; the alpha subunits possess GTPase activity and the beta gamma subunit complex along with agonist-receptor complex or light-activated rhodopsin enhance GTP hydrolysis. p21 GTPase activity was slightly stimulated by rhodopsin, but, in contrast to the GTPase activity of transducin, stimulation was not light-dependent. GTP hydrolysis was enhanced somewhat by beta gamma subunit complex in the absence, but not in the presence, of rhodopsin. Like the G proteins and transducin, activity of p21 was altered by ADP-ribosylation. Modification of p21 catalyzed by an NAD: arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase purified from turkey erythrocytes decreased both GTPase activity and guanine nucleotide binding activity.     

Receptors for lactogenic hormones in the ovine corpus luteum. I: A major discrepancy in the specific binding of radiolabelled ovine prolactin and human growth hormone

The characteristics of the binding of 125I-labelled human GH (hGH) and ovine prolactin (oPRL) were studied in the ovine corpus luteum. Although oPRL is the homologous ligand for sheep lactogenic receptors, its binding was significantly and consistently lower than that of 125I-labelled hGH. This was not due to iodination damage of oPRL since: (1) 125I-labelled oPRL tracers which bound poorly relative to 125I-labelled hGH in the ovine corpus luteum were equipotent in the pig and rat corpus luteum, (2) the differences between 125I-labelled hGH and oPRL binding persisted with tracers of equivalent biopotency and (3) the iodination procedure affected neither oPRL bioactivity in the Nb2 tumour assay nor its binding activity with ovine corpus luteum receptors. Ovine luteal receptors were specific for lactogenic hormones. The specific binding of 125I-labelled hGH or oPRL could be inhibited completely by incubation with either unlabelled hormone, with similar potencies. However, oGH inhibited binding only at much higher concentrations, consistent with its known contamination with oPRL. Moreover, 125I-labelled oGH was not bound specifically to sheep luteal tissue. Fractionation of sheep luteal homogenates on sucrose density gradients (with or without cell-surface membrane perturbation by digitonin) demonstrated that binding of 125I-labelled hGH and 125I-labelled oPRL peaked in the same regions of the gradients, coincident with a number of luteal cell-surface membrane markers. We conclude that the marked discrepancy between the binding of hGH and oPRL tracers by sheep luteal tissue was not due to iodination damage of oPRL, binding of 125I-labelled hGH to somatogenic receptors or differential binding to luteal cell-surface versus intracellular receptors.     

The acute cardioprotective effect of glucocorticoid in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute cardioprotective effect of high-dose methylprednisolone (25 mg/kg) in the controlled in vivo model of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass. Forty nondiabetic male patients with three-vessel disease undergoing first-time bypass surgery were enrolled for this double-blind prospective study. Patients were randomized to be given 25 mg/kg methylprednisolone (Group I) and saline (Group II) 1 h before cardiopulmonary bypass. The levels of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) were used as a marker of myocardial tissue damage in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. The cTnI levels were measured before surgery, at the second hour after cardiopulmonary bypass, at the 6th and 24th hours, and 5th day postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in respect to the duration of ischemia and reperfusion. The preoperative cTnI levels were 0.22 ± 0.29 ng/ml in Group I and 0.23 ± 0.28 ng/ml in Group II. cTnI levels increased to 2.40 ± 1.0 ng/ml in Group I and 3.19 ± 0.88 ng/ml in Group II at the 2nd hour after cardiopulmonary bypass. When the differences between T1 and T0 level that showed the amount of troponin release occurring due to ischemia–repefusion injury was calculated and then compared, there was a significant difference between Groups I and II (P = 0.024). The cTnI levels measured at 6 h after CPB were 1.98 ± 0.63 ng/ml in Group I and 2.75 ± 1.15 ng/ml in Group II (P = 0.049). cTnI levels decreased to 0.22 ± 0.10 ng/ml in Group I and 0.49 ± 0.25 ng/ml in Group II on the postoperative day 5 (P = 0.0001). Univalent regression analysis showed that preoperative high-dose corticosteroid usage decreased the troponin release in about 12% and this effect was statistically significant (R² = 0.12, P < 0.05). A single dose of intravenous methylpredisolone (25 mg/kg) given 1 h before ischemia reduced myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. These results demonstrated that the acute cardioprotective effect of corticosteroids has much potential in the future for reducing ischemia–reperfusion injury occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass when it is inevitable.     

Studies on the irreversible nature of prolactin binding to receptors

Studies on hormone-receptor interactions generally assume that the formation of a hormone-receptor complex is a reversible process. This assumption has been examined directly in three experiments using liver membrane receptor preparations from pregnant rats and ovine PRL (oPRL). In Exp 1, Receptors were preincubated with a range of concentrations of oPRL at 23 C for periods up to 60 min, washed thereafter to remove free oPRL, and subsequently incubated with [125I]iodo-oPRL (23 C) to determine specific binding. Preincubation of receptors (0.25 mg membrane protein) with oPRL (5 ng) for periods as brief as 10 min reduced subsequent binding of [125I]iodo-oPRL to receptor, suggesting incomplete dissociation of oPRL even after 30 h. In Exp 2 after preincubation for 30 min with oPRL and subsequent incubation with [125I]iodo-oPRL for 19 h, membranes were washed, and the dissociation (23 or 37 C) of [125I]iodo-oPRL from the hormone-receptor complex in the presence or absence of 1000 ng oPRL was studied. After 48 h, only 35-50% of the [125I]iodo-oPRL dissociated from the hormone-receptor complex even in the presence or excess oPRL, indicating a heterogeneity of binding sites (i.e. 50-65% irreversible; 35-50% reversible). When pregnant rat serum was used in place of oPRL or when rabbit mammary glands were used instead of rat livers to prepare receptor preparations, results were similar to those described above, except for the nearly complete dissociation (90%) obtained at 37 C using rabbit mammary gland receptors. In Exp 3 after incubation (10 min, 2 h, or 15 h) of rat liver receptors with [125I]iodo-oPRL plus various amounts of oPRL, the hormone-receptor complex could be completely dissociated with 5 M MgCl2, restoring binding affinity and capacity of receptor to their original values. Labeled oPRL dissociated by MgCl2 treatment from such a complex is capable of binding to fresh receptor. These data strongly suggest that the PRL-receptor interaction, particularly the rat liver receptor interaction with PRL under usual in vitro conditions, is not reversible to a significant degree. This is not due to hormone or receptor damage but to a significant number of binding sites (50-65%) in the receptor preparation which are not reversible except under extreme conditions.     

Hemin-induced suicidal erythrocyte death

Several diseases, such as malaria, sickle cell disease, and ischemia/reperfusion may cause excessive formation of hemin, which may in turn trigger hemolysis. A variety of drugs and diseases leading to hemolysis triggers suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, i.e., cell membrane scrambling and cell shrinkage. Eryptosis is elicited by increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ activity and by ceramide. The present study explored whether hemin stimulates eryptosis. Cell membrane scrambling was estimated from annexin V-binding to phosphatidylserine exposed at the cell surface, cell shrinkage from forward scatter in fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, cytosolic Ca²⁺ activity from Fluo3 fluorescence and ceramide formation from fluorescence-labeled antibody binding. Exposure to hemin (1–10 μM) within 48 h significantly increased annexin V-binding, decreased forward scatter, increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ activity, and stimulated ceramide formation. In conclusion, hemin stimulates suicidal cell death, which may in turn contribute to the clearance of circulating erythrocytes and thus to anemia.     

Differential coupling of CC chemokine receptors to multiple heterotrimeric G proteins in human interleukin-2-activated natural killer cells

Using two different approaches, we have investigated the types of G proteins coupled to CC chemokine receptors. First, permeabilization of interleukin-2-activated natural killer (IANK) cells with streptolysin-O and introduction of anti-G protein antibodies inside these cells resulted in the following. (1) Anti-G(s), anti-G(o), and anti-G(z) inhibited the migration of IANK cells in response to macrophage- inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), or regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). (2) Anti-Gi inhibited their migration in response to MCP-1 or RANTES but not in response to MIP-1 alpha. Second, incubation of IANK cell membranes with anti-G protein antibodies before incubating with (gamma-35S) GTP or (gamma-32P) GTP, resulted in the following. (1) Anti-G(s), anti-G(o), or anti-G(z) inhibited GTP binding and GTPase activity in the presence of MIP-1 alpha, or RANTES. (2) Anti- G(i) inhibited GTP binding and GTPase activity in the presence of MCP-1 or RANTES but not in the presence of MIP-1 alpha. The inhibitory effect of anti-G protein antibodies was reversed upon incubating these antibodies with their respective synthetic peptides before addition to IANK cell membranes. These results suggest that MCP-1 and RANTES receptors are promiscuously coupled to multiple G proteins in IANK cell membranes and that this coupling is different from MIP-1 alpha receptors, which seem to be coupled to G(s), G(o), and G(z) but not to G(i).