| 1. |
- Angelucci, F, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of neuropeptide Y on cell survival and neurotrophin expression in in-vitro models of Alzheimer's disease
- 2014
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Ingår i: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 1205-7541 .- 0008-4212. ; 92:8, s. 621-630
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a disorder characterized by the accumulation of abnormally folded protein fragments in neurons, i.e., β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau protein, leading to cell death. Several neuropeptides present in the central nervous system (CNS) are believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of AD. Among them, neuropeptide Y (NPY), a small peptide widely distributed throughout the brain, has generated interest because of its role in neuroprotection against excitotoxicity in animal models of AD. In addition, it has been shown that NPY modulates neurogenesis. Interestingly, these latter effects are similar to those elicited by neurotrophins, which are critical molecules for the function and survival of neurons that degenerate during the course of AD. In this review we summarize the evidence for the involvement of NPY and neurotrophins in AD pathogenesis, and the similarity between them in CNS neurons. Finally, we recapitulate our recent in-vitro evidence for the involvement of neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the neuroprotective effect elicited by NPY in AD neuron-like models (neuroblastoma cells or primary cultures exposed to toxic concentrations of Aβ’s pathogenic fragment 25–35), and propose a putative mechanism based on NPY-induced inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx in pre- and post-synaptic neurons.
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| 2. |
- Bergdahl, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Caveolae-associated signalling in smooth muscle
- 2004
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 82:5, s. 289-299
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Caveolae are flask-shaped invaginations in the membrane that depend on the contents of cholesterol and on the structural protein caveolin. The organisation of caveolae in parallel strands between dense bands in smooth muscle is arguably unique. It is increasingly recognised, bolstered in large part by recent studies in caveolae deficient animals, that caveolae sequester and regulate a variety of signalling intermediaries. The role of caveolae in smooth muscle signal transduction, as inferred from studies on transgenic animals and in vitro approaches, is the topic of the current review. Both G-protein coupled receptors and tyrosine kinase receptors are believed to cluster in caveolae, and the exciting possibility that caveolae provide a platform for interactions between the sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasmalemmal ion channels is emerging. Moreover, messengers involved in Ca2+ sensitization of myosin phosphorylation and contraction may depend on caveolae or caveolin. Caveolae thus appear to constitute an important signalling domain that plays a role not only in regulation of smooth muscle tone, but also in proliferation, such as seen in neointima formation and atherosclerosis.
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| 3. |
- Bkaily, Ghassan, et al.
(författare)
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Modulation of intracellular Ca2+ via L-type calcium channels in heart cells by the autoantibody directed against the second extracellular loop of the alpha1-adrenoceptors.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 81:3, s. 234-46
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effects of methoxamine, a selective alpha1-adrenergic receptor agonist, and the autoantibody directed against the second extracellular loop of alpha1-adrenoceptors were studied on intracellular free Ca2+ levels using confocal microscopy and ionic currents using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in single cells of 10-day-old embryonic chick and 20-week-old fetal human hearts. We observed that like methoxamine, the autoantibody directed against the second extracellular loop of alpha1-adrenoreceptors significantly increased the L-type calcium current (I(Ca(L))) but had no effect on the T-type calcium current (I(Ca(T))), the delayed outward potassium current, or the fast sodium current. This effect of the autoantibody was prevented by a prestimulation of the receptors with methoxamine and vice versa. Moreover, treating the cells with prazosin, a selective alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist blocked the methoxamine and the autoantibody-induced increase in I(Ca(L)), respectively. In absence of prazosin, both methoxamine and the autoantibody showed a substantial enhancement in the frequency of cell contraction and that of the concomitant cytosolic and nuclear free Ca2+ variations. The subsequent addition of nifedipine, a specific L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, reversed not only the methoxamine or the autoantibody-induced effect but also completely abolished cell contraction. These results demonstrated that functional alpha1-adrenoceptors exist in both 10-day-old embryonic chick and 20-week-old human fetal hearts and that the autoantibody directed against the second extracellular loop of this type of receptors plays an important role in stimulating their activity via activation of L-type calcium channels. This loop seems to have a functional significance by being the target of alpha1-receptor agonists like methoxamine.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- de Boer, W. I., et al.
(författare)
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Altered expression of epithelial junctional proteins in atopic asthma : possible role in inflammation
- 2008
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 86:3, s. 105-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epithelial cells form a tight barrier against environmental stimuli via tight junctions (TJs) and adherence junctions (AJs). Defects in TJ and AJ proteins may cause changes in epithelial morphology and integrity and potentially lead to faster trafficking of inflammatory cells through the epithelium. Bronchial epithelial fragility has been reported in asthmatic patients, but little is known about the expression of TJ and AJ proteins in asthma. We studied epithelial expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and AJ proteins E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, and beta-catenin in bronchial biopsies from nonatopic nonasthmatic (healthy) subjects (n = 14), and stable atopic asthmatic subjects (n = 22) at baseline conditions. Immunostaining for these proteins was semi-quantified for separate cellular compartments. E-cadherin, alpha-catenin and beta-catenin were present in the cellular membrane and less in the cytoplasm. Only beta-catenin was present in the nucleus in agreement with its potential function as transcription factor. ZO-1 was present in the apicolateral membrane of superficial cells. alpha-Catenin expression was significantly lower in subjects with asthma than without and correlated inversely with numbers of eosinophils within the epithelium. ZO-1 and E-cadherin expression were significantly lower in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic subjects. Expression of beta-catenin was not different. Our results suggest that the lower epithelial alpha-catenin, E-cadherin and (or) ZO-1 expression in patients with atopic asthma contributes to a defective airway epithelial barrier and a higher influx of eosinophils in the epithelium.
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| 6. |
- Fritz, N, et al.
(författare)
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Acetylcholine evokes an InsP3R1-dependent transient Ca2+ signal in rat duodenum myocytes
- 2008
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Ingår i: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 86:9, s. 626-632
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In smooth muscle myocytes, agonist-activated release of calcium ions (Ca2+) stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) occurs via different but overlapping transduction pathways. Hence, to fully study how SR Ca2+ channels are activated, the simultaneous activation of different Ca2+ signals should be separated. In rat duodenum myocytes, we have previously characterized that acetylcholine (ACh) induces Ca2+ oscillations by binding to its M2 muscarinic receptor and activating the ryanodine receptor subtype 2. Here, we show that ACh simultaneously evokes a Ca2+ signal dependent on activation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor subtype 1. A pharmacologic approach, the use of antisense oligonucleotides directed against InsP3R1, and the expression of a specific biosensor derived from green-fluorescent protein coupled to the pleckstrin homology domain of phospholipase C, suggested that the InsP3R1-dependent Ca2+ signal is transient and due to a transient synthesis of InsP3 via M3 muscarinic receptor. Moreover, we suggest that both M2 and M3 signalling pathways are modulating phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and InsP3 concentration, thus describing closely interacting pathways activated by ACh in duodenum myocytes.
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| 7. |
- Hellstrand, Per
(författare)
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Cross-bridge kinetics and shortening in smooth muscle
- 1994
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. - 0008-4212. ; 72:11, s. 1334-1337
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stiffness measurements were performed on smooth muscle preparations from guinea-pig taenia coli to obtain information on the number of attached cross bridges under varying contractile conditions. The normalized stiffness of the cross-bridge system in smooth muscle may be of a magnitude similar to that assumed in skeletal muscle. Transition from isometric contraction to unloaded shortening was associated with a decrease in stiffness to 50% or less of the isometric value, slightly higher than that found in skeletal muscle fibers. Comparison of phasic (5 s) and tonic (5 min) contractions showed lower Vmax, intracellular [Ca2+], and myosin 20 kDa light chain phosphorylation at 5 min, indicating development of a latch state. Isometric force and stiffness were identical in the two types of contraction. However, stiffness during unloaded shortening was greater in the latch state, which may be the result of the presence of a population of cross bridges with a low rate constant for detachment.
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| 8. |
- Hellstrand, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Stretch-dependent growth and differentiation in vascular smooth muscle: role of the actin cytoskeleton
- 2005
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 83:10, s. 869-875
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The smooth muscle cells in the vascular wall are constantly exposed to distending forces from the intraluminal pressure. A rise in blood pressure triggers growth of the vessel wall, which is characterized primarily by hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells with maintained differentiation in a contractile phenotype. Growth factor stimulation of dissociated smooth muscle cells, on the other hand, causes proliferative growth with loss of contractility. This type of response is also found in neointima development following angioplasty and in atherosclerotic lesions. An intact tissue environment is therefore critical for preserved differentiation. Recent advances point to a role of actin polymerization in the expression of smooth muscle differentiation marker genes, in concert with serum response factor (SRF) and cofactors, such as myocardin. Stretch of intact venous smooth muscle activates Rho and inhibits the actin filament severing factor cofilin, resulting in increased actin polymerization. Concomitantly, the rates of synthesis of SRF-regulated differentiation markers, such as SM22 alpha, calponin, and alpha-actin, are increased. This increase in differentiation signals is parallel with activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Thus stretch-induced growth in a maintained contractile phenotype occurs by dual activation of signal pathways regulating both growth and differentiation. A current challenge is to identify sites of crosstalk between these pathways in intact smooth muscle tissue.
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| 9. |
- INABA, T, et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacogenetics in clinical pharmacology and toxicology
- 1995
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Ingår i: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 73:3, s. 331-338
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An international symposium entitled Pharmacogenetics in clinical pharmacology and toxicology: a tribute to Werner Kalow was held in Toronto, Ontario, July 20, 1994. This subject was particularly important to discuss in the presence of Werner Kalow, 77 years young, who is considered as one of the grandfathers of this unique combination of medical research fields. It has become increasingly appreciated that dozens of human drug metabolism polymorphisms exist. The interindividual variabilities in drug metabolism discussed at this symposium do not represent small differences such as 50% or 3-fold but, rather, represent 10- to greater than 1000-fold differences. When attributed to a single gene, dramatic differences can be seen among family members, just as blue and brown eyes can occur in siblings. These differences can result in acute drug toxicity. In addition, there are chronic effects: over one's lifetime, striking differences in the metabolism of drugs, occupationally hazardous chemicals, and other environmental pollutants can lead to interindividual differences in the buildup of DNA damage (e.g., mutations, chromosomal breaks, rearrangements) leading to toxicity and tumor initiation, as well as leading to a buildup in nongenotoxic signals (signal transduction pathways without DNA damage) important for toxicity, tumor promotion, and tumor progression. The human UDP glucuronosyltransferase (UGT superfamily is known to comprise more than 10 genes in humans, and probably in other mammalian species. Breakthroughs in UGT gene mutations responsible for the Crigler-Najjar syndrome and Gilbert's disease have recently been reported. The human cytochrome P450 termed CYP3A4 is a major P450 enzyme in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, and the full impact of the CYP3A4 polymorphism has yet to be fully appreciated. CYP3A4 metabolism of cyclosporin A, commonly prescribed to organ transplant recipients, the induction of CYP3A4 by rifampicin, and inhibition of CYP3A4 metabolism by erythromycin or ketoconazole are now quite well understood. The field of ethnopharmacology, or pharmacoanthropology, has recently emerged, pioneered at least in part by Kalow. Differences in debrisoquine–sparteine metabolism, S-mephenytoin hydroxylation, diazepam clearance, and omeprazole clearance in various Caucasian and Oriental subpopulations in a number of countries have been extensively reported. After a number of inconclusive studies, it has now been shown unequivocally that the human S-mephenytoin 4′-hydroxylase polymorphism represents at least two distinct mutations (one involving a splice site) in the CYP2C19 gene. Finally, the implications and clinical significance of a number of human polymorphisms (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, N-acetylation (NAT2), S-methylation by thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), and ester hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase) were carefully reviewed at this symposium.Key words: pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism, pharmacogenetic polymorphism.
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| 10. |
- Johansson, Fredrik, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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An indomethacin-sensitive contraction induced by β-antagonists in guinea pig airways
- 2004
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 82:6, s. 393-401
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonists have been associated with increased airway reactivity in asthmatics and potentiation of contractile stimuli in animal models. In the present study, using an in vitro model of tracheal preparations from guinea pigs, we show that the β-AR antagonists propranolol and pindolol induce a smooth muscle contraction. A prerequisite for this contraction is that the airway preparations have been pre-treated with an β-AR agonist. Our data show that the contractile effect of β-AR antagonists is not a simple consequence of reversing the agonist-induced relaxation. Furthermore, the effect seems to be mediated through interaction with β2-ARs since the response is stereo-selective, and the selective β1-AR receptor antagonist atenolol did not induce any contractile response. SQ 29,546, a thromboxane A2 antagonist; MK 886, a lipoxygenase inhibitor; and indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor significantly inhibited the contractions of the tracheal preparations induced with propranolol or pindolol. We put forward the hypothesis that the contractile effect of the β-AR antagonist is a consequence of their inverse agonist activity, which is only evident when the receptor population have a higher basal activity. Our results indicate a novel additional explanation for the known side effect, bronchoconstriction, of β-AR antagonist.Key words: beta antagonist, guinea pig trachea, propranolol, formoterol, pindolol, indomethacin.
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