Opioid peptide receptor studies, 11: involvement of Tyr148, Trp318 and His319 of the rat mu-opioid receptor in binding of mu-selective ligands

Previous data obtained with the cloned rat mu opioid receptor demonstrated that the "super-potent" opiates, ohmefentanyl (RTI-4614-4) and its four enantiomers, differ in binding affinity, potency, efficacy, and intrinsic efficacy. Molecular modeling (Tang et al., 1996) of fentanyl derivatives binding to the mu receptor suggests that Asp147, Tyr148, Trp318, and His319 are important residues for binding. According to this model, Asp147 interacts with the positively charged opiate agonist to form potent electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. In this study, the role of weak electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding "pi-pi" interactions of the O atom of the carbonyl group and the phenyl ring structures of RTI-4614-4 and its four enantiomers with residues Tyr148, Trp318, and His319 were explored via site-directed mutagenesis. Tyr148 (in transmembrane helix 3 {TMH3}), Trp318 (TMH7), and His319 (TMH7) were individually replaced with phenylalanine or alanine. Receptors transiently expressed in COS-7 cells were labeled with [125I]IOXY according to published procedures. Mutation of Tyr148 to phenylalanine reduced the binding affinities of some mu-selective agonists (2-7 fold) but did not alter the affinities of DAMGO, naloxone, and the non-selective opiates etorphine and buprenorphine. In contrast, this mutation significantly increased the binding affinities (decreased the Kd values) of [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin, IOXY, and dermorphin. Mutation of Trp318 decreased opioid receptor binding to almost undetectable levels. Substitution of alanine for His319 significantly reduced binding affinities for the opioid ligands tested (1.3- to 48-fold), but did not alter the affinities of naloxone and bremazocine. These results indicate the importance of Tyrl48 and His319 for the binding of fentanyl derivatives to the mu receptor. Functional studies using the mutant receptors will provide additional insight into the mechanism of action of RTI-4614-4 and its four enantiomers.     

Increased apoptosis of immunoreactive host cells and augmented donor leukocyte chimerism, not sustained inhibition of B7 molecule expression are associated with prolonged cardiac allograft survival in mice preconditioned with immature donor dendritic cells plus anti-CD40L mAb.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported the association among donor leukocyte chimerism, apoptosis of presumedly IL-2-deficient graft-infiltrating host cells, and the spontaneous donor-specific tolerance induced by liver but not heart allografts in mice. Survival of the rejection-prone heart allografts in the same strain combination is modestly prolonged by the pretransplant infusion of immature, costimulatory molecule-(CM) deficient donor dendritic cells (DC), an effect that is markedly potentiated by concomitant CM blockade with anti-CD40L (CD154) monoclonal antibody (mAb). We investigated whether the long survival of the heart allografts in the pretreated mice was associated with donor leukocyte chimerism and apoptosis of graft-infiltrating cells, if these end points were similar to those in the spontaneously tolerant liver transplant model, and whether the pretreatment effect was dependent on sustained inhibition of CM expression of the infused immature donor DC. In addition, apoptosis was assessed in the host spleen and lymph nodes, a critical determination not reported in previous studies of either spontaneous or "treatment-aided" organ tolerance models. METHODS: Seven days before transplantation of hearts from B10 (H-2b) donors, 2x10(6) donor-derived immature DC were infused i.v. into C3H (H-2k) recipient mice with or without a concomitant i.p. injection of anti-CD40L mAb. Donor cells were detected posttransplantation by immunohistochemical staining for major histocompatibility complex class II (I-Ab) in the cells of recipient lymphoid tissue. CM expression was determined by two-color labeling. Host responses to donor alloantigen were quantified by mixed leukocyte reaction, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assays. Apoptotic death in graft-infiltrating cells and in areas of T-dependent lymphoid tissue was visualized by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-catalyzed dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling and quantitative spectrofluorometry. Interleukin-2 production and localization were estimated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with control heart transplantation or heart transplantation after only DC administration, concomitant pretreatment with immature donor DC and anti-CD40L mAb caused sustained elevation of donor (I-Ab+) cells (microchimerism) in the spleen including T cell areas. More than 80% of the I-Ab+ cells in combined treatment animals also were CD86+, reflecting failure of the mAb to inhibit CD40/ CD80/CD86 up-regulation on immature DC in vitro after their interaction with host T cells. Donor-specific CTL activity in graft-infiltrating cells and spleen cell populations of these animals was present on day 8, but decreased strikingly to normal control levels by day 14. The decrease was associated with enhanced apoptosis of graft-infiltrating cells and of cells in the spleen where interleukin-2 production was inhibited. The highest levels of splenic microchimerism were found in mice with long surviving grafts (>100 days). In contrast, CTL activity was persistently elevated in control heart graft recipients with comparatively low levels of apoptotic activity and high levels of interleukin-2. CONCLUSION: The donor-specific acceptance of rejection-prone heart allografts by recipients pretreated with immature donor DC and anti-CD40L mAb is not dependent on sustained inhibition of donor DC CM (CD86) expression. Instead, the pretreatment facilitates a tolerogenic cascade similar to that in spontaneously tolerant liver recipients that involves: (1) chimerism-driven immune activation, succeeded by deletion of host immune responder cells by apoptosis in the spleen and allograft that is linked to interleukin-2 deficiency in both locations and (2) persistence of comparatively large numbers of donor-derived leukocytes. These tolerogenic mechanisms are thought to be generic, explaining the tolerance induced by allografts spontaneously, or with the aid of various kinds of immunosuppression.     

Biomechanics of increased exposure to lumbar injury caused by cyclic loading: Part 1. Loss of reflexive muscular stabilization

STUDY DESIGN: The recording of electromyographic responses from the in vivo lumbar multifidus of the cat, obtained while cyclic loading was applied as in occupational bending/lifting motion over time. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the effectiveness of stabilizing reflexive muscular activity diminishes during prolonged cyclic activity; the recovery of lost muscle activity by a 10-minute rest; and whether such diminished muscular activity is caused by fatigue, neurologic habituation, or desensitization of mechanoreceptors in spinal viscoelastic tissues resulting from its laxity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The literature repeatedly confirms observation that cyclic occupational functions expose workers to a 10-fold increase in episodes of low back injury and pain. The biomechanical evidence indicates that creep in the viscoelastic tissues of the spine causes increased laxity in the intervertebral joints. The impact of cyclic activity on the function of the muscles, which are the major stabilizing structures of the spine, is not known. METHODS: Electromyography was performed from the L1 to L7 in vivo multifidus muscles of the cat, while cyclic passive loading of 0.25 Hz was applied to L4-L5. Cyclic loading was applied for 50 minutes, followed by 10 minutes rest and a second 50-minute cyclic loading session. A third 50-minute cyclic loading period also was applied after the preload was reset to 0.5 N to offset the effect of laxity. RESULTS: Reflexive muscular activity was recorded from the multifidus muscles of all lumbar levels at the initiation of the first 50 minutes of cyclic loading. Activity recorded on electromyography quickly diminished with each cycle during the first 8 minutes of loading to 15% of its initial value. A slower decrease in muscular activity was evident throughout the remaining period, settling at 5% to 10% of its initial level by the end of 50 minutes. A 10-minute rest provided a 20% to 25% recovery of the electromyographic activity, but that was lost within the first minute of cycling. Offsetting the laxity in the spine resulted in full restoration of the electromyographic activity at all lumbar levels. CONCLUSIONS: The creep induced in the viscoelastic tissues of the spine as a result of cyclic loading desensitizes the mechanoreceptors within, which is manifest in dramatically diminished muscular activity, allowing full exposure to instability and injury, even before fatigue of the musculature sets in.     

Spontaneous regression of periodontoid pannus mass in psoriatic atlantoaxial subluxation. Case report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a 41-year-old man with psoriasis who had cervical myelopathy caused by atlantoaxial subluxation and periodontoid pannus mass. OBJECTIVE: To describe the possible mechanism underlying the periodontoid pannus formation and the optimal treatment for such cases. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Atlantoaxial subluxation causing spinal cord compression at the craniocervical junction may develop in patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. Periodontoid pannus formation plays an important role in compromising the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal and in causing neurologic deficits. Transoral transpharyngeal excision of the pannus is sometimes thought necessary for anterior decompression of the spinal cord. Spontaneous resolution of the periodontoid pannus after posterior atlantoaxial fusion and fixation has been documented in rheumatoid arthritis, but not in psoriatic arthritis. METHODS: The patient underwent posterior atlantoaxial fusion and Halifax fixation. RESULTS: The patient experienced clinical improvement. Regression of the periodontoid pannus mass was observed on magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior fusion and instrumentation resulted in spontaneous regression of the pannus mass and symptomatic relief. This report provides evidence that atlantoaxial instability may be the sine qua non for the formation of periodontoid pannus, and that amelioration of such instability leads to spontaneous resolution of the pannus mass.     

烫伤后脂多糖受体CD14和肿瘤坏死因子-α基因表达的变化规律

目的 观察烫伤后机体主要脏器脂多糖受体ＣＤ１４（ＣＤ１４）和肿瘤坏死因子－α（ＴＮＦ－α）ｍＲＮＡ的表达的变化规律及二者的相互关系。方法 采用大鼠３５％Ⅲ度烫伤模型,分别于伤前,伤后１２,２４,４８,７２小时活杀动物,留取组织标本或分离腹腔巨噬细胞,检测组织或巨噬细胞ＣＤ１４,ＴＮＦ－αｍＲＮＡ表达。结果 烫伤后肝,肺,肾,肠等组织ＣＤ１４ｍＲＮＡ水平均有不同程度增高,分别于伤后１２小时和４８小时     

精氨酸对烧伤创面愈合的影响

目的 探讨精氨酸对烧伤创面愈合的影响和量效关系。方法 通过大鼠深Ⅱ度烫伤模型,伤后肠道站充不同剂量精氨酸,观察烧伤创面愈合时间,测定烧伤创面愈合面积百分比,创面Ｉ型／Ⅲ型胶原比例,羟脯氨酸（ＯＨＰ）含量和真皮细胞增殖周期,结果 每天补充１００－４００ｍｇ／ｋｇ精氨酸可缩短烧伤创面愈合时间,增加烧伤创面中ＯＨＰ含量,降低烧伤创面Ｉ／Ⅲ型胶原比例,加速真皮细胞ＤＮＡ复制。比较喂不同剂量精氨酸各组,发现