Analysis of the soluble organic matrix of five morphologically different kidney stones

Our aims were to analyze the protein composition of the organic matrix of urinary stones and to investigate the role of albumin in its constitution. Five different morphological types of stones were studied. Proteins extracted from the stone were submitted to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and analyzed by immunoblotting with antibodies to 13 urinary proteins. Nine of the 13 proteins were found in all types of stone: human serum albumin (HSA), ₁-acid glycoprotein (₁-GP), ₁-microglobulin (₁-M), immunoglobulins (Igs), apolipoprotein A1 (apo-A1), transferrin (Tr), ₁-antitrypsin (₁-T), retinol-binding protein (RBP) and renal lithostathine (RL). The ₂-microglobulin (₂-M) was present only in calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. In contrast, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) were detected in none of them. Because HSA appeared as the major protein component in all stones, we wondered whether it might play a specific role in the constitution of the stone matrix. Association of HSA with urinary proteins that were present in stones was demonstrated by showing that proteins present in the matrix comigrated with HSA on gel filtration, whereas proteins that were absent did not. Moreover, HSA induced the binding of stone matrix proteins to an albumin-specific affinity column. Finally, we evidenced HSA binding to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals in a solution similar to urine. It was concluded that (1) only a subset of urinary proteins is present in stone matrix, (2) the same proteins are found in all types of stones, (3) HSA shows significant affinity for several proteins of the matrix, but not for proteins absent from stones and, (4) HSA also displays significant affinity for COM crystals.     

Evaluation of seprase activity

Seprase is a serine protease that is integral to the plasma membrane and is overexpressed by invasive tumor cells (Piñeiro-Sánchez et al., J Biol Chem 1997; 272: 7595–601; Monsky et al., Cancer Res 1994; 54: 5702–10). Seprase activity is most often assessed by zymography, which is not a quantitative assay. This study establishes a relatively simple and quantitative method for determining seprase activity. The degradation of a 3H-gelatin substrate is measured in the presence of 5 mM EDTA which inhibits matrix metalloproteinases but not seprase. The quantitative character of the assay was demonstrated using partially purified seprase from chicken embryos, a preparation that lacks detectable matrix metalloproteinase activity. In this assay, release of 3H-gelatin fragments is linear over time for 1.5 g/assay seprase concentration as well as for preparations concentrated or diluted by five fold (7.5 g/assay and 0.3 g/assay respectively). Additional experiments were performed to validate the quantification of seprase activity using the radiographic assay by comparing the results to zymography. Exposure to 22 or 37°C results in maximal seprase activity while exposure to 80 or 100°C completely abolishes seprase activity in both zymography and the radiographic assay. Exposure to 60°C abolished seprase activity as judged by zymography, but about 50% gelatinase activity was observed using the 3H-gelatin substrate. Immunopreciptiation with seprase-specific antibody specifically removed seprase and lowered the seprase activity remaining in the extracts as judged by both assays. Investigation of the seprase that was partially purified from human breast cancer tissue revealed that its specific activity (cpm gelatin fragments released/ {mg protein×h}) is five times greater than that of seprase purified from chicken embryos. This assay will be useful for determining the seprase activity in extracts of tumor tissues and cells as well as for identifying inhibitors of seprase.     

Expression of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes during migration of xenografted brain cells

Proteolytic enzymes, postulated to create an avenue for cell migration by digestion of host extracellular matrix molecules, have been implicated in neoplastic glial cell migration. A similar process is likely to occur in the developing brain. Fetal rabbit brain fragments transplanted into the striatum of the neonatal Shiverer mouse give rise to cells which migrate from the graft site and differentiate into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Proteinase expression by transplanted brain cells was studied using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Immature donor cells expressed the mRNAs for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1 (collagenase) and 3 (stromelysin). Northern blot analysis of rabbit brain showed that MMP-1 in particular is expressed in the immature rabbit cerebrum and down-regulated during maturation. Immature donor cells exhibited immunoreactivity for urokinase plasminogen activator. However, immunoreactivity was also present in maturing neurons. Donor and host astroglia in the vicinity of grafts were immunoreactive for MMP-2 and tissue-type plasminogen activator. This expression may represent a reactive phenomenon, not specifically related to cell migration, by mature astrocytes. Based upon our findings, MMP-1 appears to be a candidate for involvement in migration of immature brain cells in the cerebrum.     

Expression, distribution and ultrastructural localization of the synapse-organizing molecule agrin in the mature avian retina

At the vertebrate neuromuscular junction the extracellular matrix molecule agrin is responsible for the formation, maintenance and regeneration of most if not all postsynaptic specializations. Several agrin isoforms are generated by alternative splicing which differ in their function and which are all expressed in the CNS. To analyse the role of agrin in the CNS, we investigated the expression and ultrastructural localization of agrin in the posthatched chick retina. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of agrin mRNA in all cellular layers of the mature retina, indicating that most if not all major retinal cell types synthesize agrin. Pan-specific as well as isoform-specific antiagrin antisera stained the optic fibre layer and the outer plexiform layer. However, only the pan-specific antiserum additionally stained the inner limiting membrane. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that in the optic fibre layer agrin was associated with ganglion cell axons and that at least part of this agrin corresponds to a neuronal isoform of agrin. In the outer plexiform layer, agrin was localized in the cleft between the photoreceptor terminals and the invaginating horizontal and bipolar cell dendrites. In the synapse-containing inner plexiform layer both antisera revealed punctate immunoreactivity. This staining corresponded to agrin concentrated in the synaptic cleft of conventional synapses as determined by preembedding immunoelectron microscopy. Agrin is thus concentrated at mature interneuronal synapses as it is at the neuromuscular junction, consistent with a role of agrin during formation and/or maintenance of synapses in the CNS.     

Divalent Cations Modulate the Inhibitory Substrate Properties of Murine Glia-derived J1-160 and J1-180 Extracellular Matrix Glycoproteins for Neuronal Adhesion

J1-160 and J1-180 are developmentally late appearing J1 extracellular matrix glycoproteins derived from oligodendrocytes. They prevent adhesion of neurons (but not of astrocytes or fibroblasts) when offered as a substrate in mixture with laminin (Pesheva et al., J. Cell Biol., 109, 1765 - 1778, 1989). In the present study we have examined the influence of divalent cations on the inhibitory substrate properties of J1-160/180 glycoproteins towards adhesion of neurons. By metal chelate affinity chromatography, we show that J1-180, but not J1-160, binds Ca2+, while both J1 components are capable of binding Zn2+ and other divalent metal ions. Divalent cation binding was observed by gel filtration, aggregation assays with coated latex beads and electron microscopic examination to elicit aggregation of the molecules. Divalent cation binding also affects their non-permissive substrate properties towards neurons from early postnatal mouse cerebellum. Without divalent cations, J1-160 and J1-180 are inhibitory for substrate adhesion of neurons independently of the adhesive substrate present (laminin or poly-l-lysine). This effect is neutralized when J1-180 is preincubated with Ca2+ or Zn2+ prior to coating as substrate. In contrast, preincubation with Ca2+ ions does not affect the inhibitory substrate properties of J1-160 under these conditions. These observations show that J1-160/180 molecules may undergo self-aggregation in a divalent cation-dependent mechanism, which correlates with the neutralization of their inhibitory effect on neuronal adhesion. The aggregation state of the molecules may thus influence the process of myelination by a homophilic binding mechanism and determine the effectiveness of neurite extension during central nervous system development and under traumatic conditions in the adult.     

Down-Regulation of Osteoblastic Cell Differentiation by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

The role of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) in osteogenic cell differentiation was investigated using preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 (MC3T3) cells and osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 (ROS) cells. When cultured in the presence of β-glycerophosphate (GP) and ascorbic acid (AA), MC3T3 cells underwent spontaneous differentiation into osteoblasts which was confirmed as they expressed osteoblast markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC). Interestingly, the number of EGF-binding sites decreased during their differentiation into osteoblasts, and the osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) treatment, which accelerated their differentiation, lowered the number of EGF-binding sites even further. On the other hand, ROS cells with high expression levels of osteoblast markers and no EGF-R, after being transfected with human EGF-R cDNA (EROS cells), expressed numerous EGF-binding sites as well as EGF-R mRNA and protein; in the process, they ceased to express osteoblast markers, indicating their dedifferentiation into osteoprogenitor cells. Both MC3T3 and EROS cells showed increased cell growth in response to EGF, whereas ROS cells did not. These results imply that the EGF/EGF-R system in osteogenic cells has a crucial function in osteoblast phenotype suppression and osteogenic cell proliferation.     

Organ-specific acellular matrix for reconstruction of the urinary tract

In urology, replacement of organs or organ segments has proved problematic. Current techniques do not replicate complete organ function, and they cause well-known complications. With the acellular organ-specific matrix we have found a way to regenerate tissue components seen in the normal lower urinary tract. The time required for regeneration depends on the matrix size and function. The matrix is covered by urothelium migrating from the host, after which neovascularization occurs, followed by formation of smooth-muscle cells and nerves. In our studies, normal muscle lining and nerves providing functional tissue were demonstrable and no sign of antigenicity was evident, even after heterologous grafting. The regenerated rat bladder was evaluated by organ bath as well as by in vivo functional tests and demonstrated properties and functions similar to those of host tissue. Besides our obtaining encouraging results in the rat bladder, we also studied the organ-specific acellular matrix in other species (dog and rabbit) and other organ segments (ureter and urethra).     

抗癌作用新靶点及其抑制剂的研究进展

针对靶点分子或某种发生发展机制来设计抗肿瘤药物的研究工作已取得了相当大的成就.这类药物的特异性强,疗效显著,因此,针对这些新靶点进行药物设计可以使抗肿瘤药物的研究产生一次新的革命.本综述旨在讨论目前抗肿瘤药物研究的潜在的新靶点以及它们相应的抑制剂或拮抗剂.     

膀胱粘膜下层无细胞基质的研制

目的 探讨膀胱粘膜下层无细胞基质的制作与评价。方法 自膀胱解剖出膀胱粘膜下层，置于PBS、0．5％SDS、双蒸水中反复洗涤去除细胞，必要时加用胰蛋白酶消化。获得的细胞外基质采用HE、免疫组化、扫描电镜评价去细胞效果，细胞植入无细胞基质观察细胞能否粘附于该材料。结果 HE、免疫组化、扫描电镜均未见制备的材料中存在细胞及细胞碎片，体外细胞植入试验见细胞可粘附于材料并增殖。结论 采用本制备方法可以得到膀胱粘膜下层无细胞基质，有望为临床提供尿道下裂生物替代材料。     

Hologic FD原理浅析及维护

本文浅析了FD(平板探测器)的成像原理,探讨空间分辨率的计算方法,并对DR的使用环境,日常维护、维修作了介绍。