Proliferative but not nonproliferative responses to granulocyte colony- stimulating factor are associated with rapid activation of the p21ras/MAP kinase signalling pathway

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can elicit responses that include proliferation, granulocytic differentiation, and activation of cellular functions in target cells. The biochemical pathways responsible for transduction of these signals from the G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) have not been defined. In this report, we show that, in murine (NFS-60) and human (OCI-AML 1) myeloid leukemia cell lines and in murine pro-B-lymphocytic cells, BAF/B03, transfected with the murine G- CSFR, proliferative responses to G-CSF are associated with rapid activation of p42 and p44 MAP kinases and p21ras. Truncation of the cytoplasmic portion of the murine G-CSFR at residue 646 but not at residue 739 abolished G-CSF-induced stimulation of cellular proliferation as well as activation of MAP kinase and p21ras in transfected BAF/B03 cells. G-CSF-induced granulocytic differentiation of the murine leukemic cell line 32DC13(G) occurred in the absence of detectable activation of p42 MAP kinase. Nonproliferative responses to G-CSF in the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 and in human neutrophils were similarly associated with no MAP kinase activation. These results imply that differing cellular effects of G-CSF may be involve the recruitment of differing signal transduction pathways with the p21ras/MAP kinase pathway being limited to proliferative responses.     

The role of MAP kinase kinase in interleukin-3 stimulation of proliferation

Expression of a dominant interfering mutant of MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK) inhibits interleukin-3 (IL-3) activation of MAP kinase in the murine bone marrow-derived cell line BAF3. This results in an increase in the level of IL-3 required to stimulate cell proliferation and suppress apoptosis. When apoptosis is constitutively inhibited by coexpression of bcl-2, the dominant interfering MAPKK inhibits IL-3 driven cell cycle progression. Thus, MAPKK function is necessary for optimal IL-3 inhibition of apoptosis and optimal IL-3 stimulation of entry into S phase. Expression of a constitutively activated mutant of MAPKK does not replace IL-3, but renders cells able to proliferate in a density-dependent manner. Cell contact is required to allow cell proliferation; such contact can be supplied by cells without activated MAPKK.     

Early occurrence of influenza A epidemics coincided with changes in occurrence of other respiratory virus infections

Background

Viral interaction in which outbreaks of influenza and other common respiratory viruses might affect each other has been postulated by several short studies. Regarding longer time periods, influenza epidemics occasionally occur very early in the season, as during the 2009 pandemic. Whether early occurrence of influenza epidemics impacts outbreaks of other common seasonal viruses is not clear.

Objectives

We investigated whether early occurrence of influenza outbreaks coincides with shifts in the occurrence of other common viruses, including both respiratory and non‐respiratory viruses.

Methods

We investigated time trends of and the correlation between positive laboratory diagnoses of eight common viruses in the Netherlands over a 10‐year time period (2003–2012): influenza viruses types A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, coronavirus, norovirus, enterovirus, and rotavirus. We compared trends in viruses between early and late influenza seasons.

Results

Between 2003 and 2012, influenza B, RSV, and coronavirus showed shifts in their occurrence when influenza A epidemics occurred earlier than usual (before week 1). Although shifts were not always consistently of the same type, when influenza type A hit early, RSV outbreaks tended to be delayed, coronavirus outbreaks tended to be intensified, and influenza virus type B tended not to occur at all. Occurrence of rhinovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and enterovirus did not change.

Conclusion

When influenza A epidemics occured early, timing of the epidemics of several respiratory winter viruses usually occurring close in time to influenza A was affected, while trends in rhinoviruses (occurring in autumn) and trends in enteral viruses were not.     

Effects of recombinant activated factor VII on coagulation measured by thromboelastography in liver transplantation.

Besides the conventional laboratory tests, thromboelastography (TEG) is used to monitor hemostasis during liver transplantation. A previous pilot study suggested a beneficial effect of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) on transfusion requirements in liver transplantation. In the present study, we assess the effects of rFVIIa on coagulation variables and TEG. In six study patients, the prothrombin time (PT), the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and TEG variables [reaction time (r), kinetic time (k), or clot formation time, alpha angle (alpha), and maximal amplitude (MA)] were recorded before and after the administration of a bolus of 80 microg/kg rFVIIa. These patients were compared with six controls who did not receive rFVIIa. In contrast with the control group, a significant shortening of PT (P = 0.028) and aPTT (P = 0.028), r (P = 0.046) and k (P = 0.043) values, and a significant incline of the alpha angle (P = 0.028) were noticed after injection of rFVIIa, whereas MA increased not significantly (P = 0.075). rFVIIa rapidly improved coagulation variables in liver transplant patients including PT and aPTT. Of the TEG variables, r, k and alpha angle significantly improved, and MA showed a trend to increase. These data suggest that rFVIIa not only influences the speed of clot formation, but also the physical properties of the clot, which cannot be detected by routine coagulation tests.     

Impaired interleukin-3 response in Pim-1-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells

The mouse Pim-1 gene encodes two cytoplasmic serine-threonine-specific protein kinases. The gene has been found to be activated (overexpressed) by retroviral insertion in hematopoietic tumors in mice. Transgenic mice that overexpress Pim-1 (E mu-Pim-1) have a low incidence of spontaneous T-cell lymphomas and an increased susceptibility to Moloney murine leukemia virus and N-ethyl-N- nitrosourea-induced lymphomas. Apart from a slight enlargement of the spleen, no abnormalities were found in prelymphomatous transgenic mice. Inactivation of the Pim-1 gene in the germline of mice resulted in mice with a surprisingly subtle phenotype. Therefore, we investigated whether subtle effects of the absence of Pim-1 could be made visible during in vitro culturing of hematopoietic cells. We found that bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) lacking Pim-1 had a distinct growth disadvantage when grown on interleukin (IL)-3, but not when stimulated by the factors IL-4, IL-9, or Steel factor (SF). This indicates a role for Pim-1 as a modulator of the IL-3 signal transduction pathway.     

Exercise-induced oxidative stress in older adults as a function of habitual activity level

OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that regular physical activity might maintain and promote the antioxidant defense capacity against oxidative stress. Therefore, we assessed exercise-induced oxidative stress in relation to habitual physical activity level (PAL) in older adults. DESIGN: The study included a 2-week observation period for the measurement of average daily metabolic rate (ADMR) and PAL. Exercise-induced oxidative stress was measured during a 45-minute cycling test at submaximal intensity. SETTING: A university medical research center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six subjects volunteered for the study (n = 26; mean age +/- standard deviation 60 +/- 1; body mass index 27 +/- 1 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: PAL was determined as ADMR combined with a measurement of basal metabolic rate (BMR): PAL = ADMR/BMR. ADMR was measured over 2 weeks with the doubly labeled water method, preceded by a BMR measurement with a ventilated hood. Antipyrine oxidation was used as marker for oxidative stress in vivo. Reaction of antipyrine with hydroxyl radicals results in the formation of para-hydroxyantipyrine (p-APOH) and ortho-hydroxyantipyrine (o-APOH), where o-APOH is not formed through alternative oxygenetic pathways. RESULTS: PAL was inversely related to the exercise-induced increase in the ratio of o-APOH to native antipyrine (r = 0.49, P = .010). The relationship between PAL and exercise-induced increase in the ratio of p-APOH (r = 0.30, P = .140) or thiobarbituric acid reactive species (r = 0.31, P = .130) did not reach the level of significance. CONCLUSION: Physically active older adults have a reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress than older adults with a lower level of physical activity. It seems that regular physical activity improves the antioxidant defense capacity.     

Identification of residues in the first and fourth helices of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor involved in biologic activity and in binding to the alpha- and beta-chains of its receptor

Residues within the first and fourth helices of human granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) were analyzed for their role in biologic activity and interaction with the alpha- and beta- chains of the hGM-CSF receptor. Within the first helix substitution of the surface residues Glu14, Asn17, Gln20, Arg23, Arg24, and Asn27 or the buried residues Ala18, Leu25, and Leu28 did not significantly impair bioactivity or receptor binding. Substitutions at the buried residues Ala22 and Leu26 had intermediate bioactivity. However, substitutions of the surface residue Glu21 or the buried residue Ile19 reduced the relative bioactivity of the analogues to as little as 0.45% and 0.3%, respectively. Substitution of the charged surface residues of the fourth helix showed that substitution at Glu104, Lys107, and Lys111 had no significant effect on bioactivity, but substitution at Glu108 and Asp112 reduced the potency of the analogues to 34% and 7%, respectively. Receptor binding studies showed that, whereas Glu21 is the critical residue for binding to the hGM-CSF-receptor beta-chain, Asp112 is likely to be involved in binding to the GM-CSF-receptor alpha- chain. These results establish the relative contribution of residues in the first and fourth helices for GM-CSF bioactivity and receptor binding, and support a model where the fourth helix of GM-CSF interacts with the alpha-chain, and the first helix with the beta-chain of the GM- CSF receptor.     

Distinct contribution of cone photoreceptor subtypes to the mammalian biological clock

Ambient light detection is important for the synchronization of the circadian clock to the external solar cycle. Light signals are sent to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the site of the major circadian pacemaker. It has been assumed that cone photoreceptors contribute minimally to synchronization. Here, however, we find that cone photoreceptors are sufficient for mediating entrainment and transmitting photic information to the SCN, as evaluated in mice that have only cones as functional photoreceptors. Using in vivo electrophysiological recordings in the SCN of freely moving cone-only mice, we observed light responses in SCN neuronal activity in response to 60-s pulses of both ultraviolet (UV) (λ_max 365 nm) and green (λ_max 505 nm) light. Higher irradiances of UV light led to irradiance-dependent enhancements in SCN neuronal activity, whereas higher irradiances of green light led to a reduction in the sustained response with only the transient response remaining. Responses in SCN neuronal activity decayed with a half-max time of ∼9 min for UV light and less than a minute for green light, indicating differential input between short-wavelength–sensitive and mid-wavelength–sensitive cones for the SCN responsiveness. Furthermore, we show that UV light is more effective for photoentrainment than green light. Based on the lack of a full sustained response in cone-only mice, we confirmed that rapidly alternating light levels, rather than slowly alternating light, caused substantial phase shifts. Together, our data provide strong evidence that cone types contribute to photoentrainment and differentially affect the electrical activity levels of the SCN.

In addition to rods and cones, light is also sensed in the retina by a specialized subset of melanopsin-containing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). ipRGCs incorporate input from rod and cone photoreceptors (1). Two types of cone photoreceptors are present in the murine retina: short-wavelength–sensitive cones (S-cones; λ_max 360 nm), which are maximally sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, and mid-wavelength–sensitive cones (M-cones; λ_max 508 nm), which are maximally sensitive to green light (2). The ipRGCs project to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus, hereby subserving photoentrainment of the major pacemaker for circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior (3). The ablation of ipRGCs results in the loss of photoentrainment of circadian rhythms to the environmental light–dark (LD) cycle (1). Although rod and cone photoreceptors are not essential for entrainment of the biological clock to the external LD cycle, both rod and cone photoreceptors influence the SCN, which is evidenced by the experimental finding that mice can entrain to an LD cycle in the absence of melanopsin (4, 5). In addition, recordings in SCN of melanopsin-deficient mice show preservation of sustained light responses in the SCN, the magnitude of which seems unaffected by the absence of melanopsin (6, 7).Whereas rods are capable of driving photoentrainment at a wide range of light intensities (8), the majority of cone-only (Opn4^−/−Gnat1^−/−) mice, which lack melanopsin and functional rod signaling, show surprisingly large interindividual differences in their ability to entrain to LD cycles of white light, and some of them exhibit a positive phase angle of entrainment (9, 10). However, phase-shifting responses in mice lacking M-cones are attenuated (11, 12), which contradicts the reduced ability of Opn4^−/−Gnat1^−/− mice to entrain to an LD cycle. The question is, therefore, to what extent cones contribute to photic entrainment and whether S- and M-cones contribute similarly to the entrainment of the circadian clock.Photoentrainment is dependent on light-induced changes in SCN neuronal activity (13, 14). Typically, SCN neurons respond to light with a transient increase in SCN electrical activity followed by a sustained component throughout light exposure. Together, rod and cone photoreceptors can mediate light responses at the level of the SCN, including both the fast and the sustained components (6, 7, 15). These findings are consistent with rod- and cone-mediated responses recorded in ipRGCs (16–18). In this study, we determined the specific contribution of the S- and M-cone photoreceptors to circadian photoreception. We performed behavioral and in vivo electrophysiological recordings in Opn4^−/−Gnat1^−/− mice to determine the effects of λ_max 365 nm (UV) and λ_max 505 nm (green) light on photoentrainment and on light-induced responses in electrical activity of SCN neurons. Furthermore, we assessed the capability of Opn4^−/−Gnat1^−/− mice to phase shift in response to intermittent monochromatic light pulses aimed to stimulate the UV- or green-sensitive cones.     

Limited oral bioavailability and active epithelial excretion of paclitaxel (Taxol) caused by P-glycoprotein in the intestine

In mice, the mdr1a and mdr1b genes encode drug-transporting proteins that can cause multidrug resistance in tumor cells by lowering intracellular drug levels. These P-glycoproteins are also found in various normal tissues such as the intestine. Because mdr1b P-glycoprotein is not detectable in the intestine, mice with a homozygously disrupted mdr1a gene [mdr1a(−/−) mice] do not contain functional P-glycoprotein in this organ. We have used these mdr1a(−/−) mice to study the effect of gut P-glycoprotein on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel. The area under the plasma concentration-time curves was 2- and 6-fold higher in mdr1a(−/−) mice than in wild-type (wt) mice after i.v. and oral drug administration, respectively. Consequently, the oral bioavailability in mice receiving 10 mg paclitaxel per kg body weight increased from only 11% in wt mice to 35% in mdr1a(−/−) mice. The cumulative fecal excretion (0–96 hr) was markedly reduced from 40% (after i.v. administration) and 87% (after oral administration) of the administered dose in wt mice to below 3% in mdr1a(−/−) mice. Biliary excretion was not significantly different in wt and mdr1a(−/−) mice. Interestingly, after i.v. drug administration of paclitaxel (10 mg/kg) to mice with a cannulated gall bladder, 11% of the dose was recovered within 90 min in the intestinal contents of wt mice vs. <3% in mdr1a(−/−) mice. We conclude that P-glycoprotein limits the oral uptake of paclitaxel and mediates direct excretion of the drug from the systemic circulation into the intestinal lumen.     

Mrp2 is essential for estradiol-17beta(beta-D-glucuronide)-induced cholestasis in rats

The present study evaluates the roles of the multidrug resistance-1 P-glycoprotein, Mdr1a/1b, the bile salt export pump (Bsep), and the multidrug resistance-associated protein-2 (Mrp2) in mediating cholestasis induced by estradiol-17beta(beta-D-glucuronide) (E(2)17G). Administration of ?(3)HE(2)17G (18 nmol/g body weight) gave a similar degree of cholestasis and biliary excretion of E(2)17G-equivalents in wild-type and Mdr1a(-/-)/1b(-/-) mice. When expressed in Sf9 cells, Bsep-mediated adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent transport of taurocholate (TC, 1 micromol/L) in membrane vesicles was 110% +/- 12.5% and 108% +/- 17.3% of control in the presence of 10 and 50 micromol/L E(2)17G, respectively, whereas in rat canalicular membrane, both E(2)17G and the choleretic estradiol-3-beta-D-glucuronide (E(2)3G) inhibited ATP-dependent transport of TC to the same extent. Infusion of ?(3)HE(2)17G (24 micromol) did not induce cholestasis in Mrp2-deficient TR(-) rats whereas 2 micromol of ?(3)HE(2)17G inhibited bile flow by 51% in control Wistar rats. The maximal biliary concentration of E(2)17G was 3.5 and 2.5 mmol/L in control and TR(-) rats, respectively. However, 2.2 mmol/L of E(2)17G in bile is associated with inhibition of bile flow in control rats. These data show that (1) Mdr1a/1b are not essential for E(2)17G-mediated cholestasis, (2) direct inhibition of Bsep-mediated bile acid transport is not the mechanism for E(2)17G cholestasis, and (3) accumulation of E(2)17G in bile alone is not sufficient to induce cholestasis. These data indicate that the process of Mrp2-mediated transport of high concentrations of E(2)17G is essential for its induction of cholestasis.