Arthur W.M. van der Kamp

Human Plasma Phospholipid Transfer Protein Increases the Antiatherogenic Potential of High Density Lipoproteins in Transgenic Mice

Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) transfers phospholipids between lipoprotein particles and alters high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfraction patterns in vitro, but its physiological function is poorly understood. Transgenic mice that overexpress human PLTP were generated. Compared with wild-type mice, these mice show a 2.5- to 4.5-fold increase in PLTP activity in plasma. This results in a 30% to 40% decrease of plasma levels of HDL cholesterol. Incubation of plasma from transgenic animals at 37 degrees C reveals a 2- to 3-fold increase in the formation of pre-beta-HDL compared with plasma from wild-type mice. Although pre-beta-HDL is normally a minor subfraction of HDL, it is known to be a very efficient acceptor of peripheral cell cholesterol and a key mediator in reverse cholesterol transport. Further experiments show that plasma from transgenic animals is much more efficient in preventing the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol in macrophages than plasma from wild-type mice, despite lower total HDL concentrations. It is concluded that PLTP can act as an antiatherogenic factor preventing cellular cholesterol overload by generation of pre-beta-HDL.

Increased risk of atherosclerosis by elevated plasma levels of phospholipid transfer protein

Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is thought to be involved in the remodeling of high density lipoproteins (HDL), which are atheroprotective. It is also involved in the metabolism of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Hence, PLTP is thought to be an important factor in lipoprotein metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis. We have overexpressed PLTP in mice heterozygous for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, a model for atherosclerosis. We show that increased PLTP activity results in a dose-dependent decrease in HDL, and a moderate stimulation of VLDL secretion (≤1.5-fold). The mice were given a high fat, high cholesterol diet, which resulted in hypercholesterolemia in all animals. HDL concentrations were dramatically reduced in PLTP-overexpressing animals when compared with LDL receptor controls, whereas VLDL + LDL cholesterol levels were identical. Susceptibility to atherosclerosis was increased in a PLTP dose-responsive manner. We conclude that PLTP increases susceptibility to atherosclerosis by lowering HDL concentrations, and therefore we suggest that an increase in PLTP is a novel, long term risk factor for atherosclerosis in humans.

Preservation of aortic heart valves with maintenance of cell viability

Abstract The goal of the present study was to develop a procedure for sterilization and infinite preservation of aortic heart valves with maintenance of cell viability. For this purpose the influence of a number of methods of controlled freezing on the viability of the fibroblasts of the aortic valve was tested. Cell viability was assessed quantitatively by the incorporation of [ 3 H]-proline by the valve fibroblasts. Controlled freezing at a rate of 1°C/min under protection of 10% dimethylsulfoxide yielded the highest number of viable fibroblasts (88%). This preservation method was also tested for its influence on the structural and functional integrity of the valve matrix, which was found to be preserved throughout sterilization and storage. This study is the first to present quantitative data on cell survival, stress—strain characteristics, and the electronmicroscopic structure of collagenic fibrils after sterilization and controlled freezing of aortic valves.

Immortalization of nasal polyp epithelial cells from cystic fibrosis patients

We have developed immortalized epithelial cystic fibrosis (CF) cell lines by infecting cultured nasal polyp cells with a SV40/Adenol2 hybrid virus. The cell lines obtained are epithelial in nature as shown by cytokeratin production and morphology, although cytokeratins 4 and 13 typical of primary nasal polyp cells are produced at a much reduced rate. Ussing chamber experiments showed that the precrisis CF cell line NCF3 was able to perform trans-cellular chloride transport when activated by agents which elevate intracellular calcium. cAMP agonists had no effect on chloride flux in NCF3 as expected for CF cells. The apical chloride channels found with the patch clamp technique in NCF3 and in the postcrisis cell line NCF3A have a conductance similar to that of chloride channels found earlier in normal and CF epithelial cells. The channels show a delay in the onset of activity in off-cell patches and are not activated by increased cAMP levels in the cell. This indicates that immortalized CF epithelial cells will provide a useful model for the study of cystic fibrosis.

The distribution and characterization of HNK-1 antigens in the developing avian heart

The heart originates from splanchnic mesoderm and to a lesser extent from neural crest cells. The HNK-1 monoclonal antibody is a marker for early migrating neural crest cells, but reacts also with structures which are not derived from the neural crest. We investigated whether heart structures are HNK-1 positive before neural crest cells colonize these target tissues. To that end, we determined the HNK-1 antigen expression in the developing avian heart on immunohistochemical sections and on Western blots. The HNK-1 immunoreactivity in the developing chick heart is compared with data from literature cm the localization of neural crest cells in chick/quail chimeras. Structures with neural crest contribution, including parts of the early outflow tract and the related endocardial cushions, the primordia of the semilunar valve leaflets and the aorticopulmonary septum were HNK-1 positive. Furthermore, other structures were HNK-1 positive, such as the atrioventricular cushions, the wall of the sinus venosus at stage HH 15 through 21, parts of the endocardium at E3, parts of the myocardium at E6, and the extracellular matrix in the myocardial base of the semilunar valves at E14. HNK-1 expression was particularly observed in morphologically dynamic regions such as the developing valves, the outflow tract cushion, the developing conduction system and the autonomie nervous system of the heart. We observed that atrioventricular endocardial cushions are HNK-1 positive. We conclude that: a HNK-1 immunoreactivity does not always coincide with the presence of neural crest cells or their derivatives; (2) the outflow tract cushions and atrioventricular endocardial cushions are HNK-1 positive before neural crest cells are expected (stage HH 19) to enter the endocardial cushions of the outflow tract; (3) the observed spatio-temporal HNK-1 patterns observed in the developing heart correspond with various HNK-1 antigens. Apart from a constant pattern of HNK-1 antigens during development, stage-dependent HNK-1 antigens were also found.

Gp96/GRP94 is a putative high density lipoprotein-binding protein in liver.

We have previously shown that three high density lipoproteins (HDL)-binding proteins in liver, of 90, 110 and 180 kDa, are structurally related. In this study, these proteins are identified as gp96/GRP94. This protein is known to occur as a homodimer and has a dual subcellular localization: it is both an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein, where it is supposed to act as a chaperonin, and a plasma membrane protein, whose significance is unknown. In ultrastructural studies the plasma membrane localization of the homodimeric form was verified. The 90-kDa protein was abundantly present at the membranes of the endosomal/lysosomal vesicles as well as at the apical hepatocyte membranes, comprising the bile canaliculi. The monomeric protein is scarcely present at the basolateral membrane of the hepatocytes, but could be demonstrated in coated pits, suggesting involvement in receptor-mediated endocytosis. Labeling of the endoplasmic reticulum was virtually absent. Gp96/GRP94 was transiently expressed in COS-1 cells. However, the expressed protein was exclusively localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Transfection with constructs in which the C-terminal KDEL sequence had been deleted, resulted in plasma membrane localized expression of protein, but only in an extremely low percentage of cells. In order to evaluate the HDL-binding capacities of this protein, stably transfected cells were generated, using several cell types. It appeared to be difficult to obtain a prolonged high level expression of gp96. In these cases, however, a marked increase of HDL-binding activity compared with the control cells could be observed.

Chloride transport in cultured nasal epithelium of cystic fibrosis patients

In this study, nasal polyp epithelial cells from control and cystic fubrosis (CF) patients were cultured using a method which allows multiple passages. The cells were tested in Ussing chamber experiments to study transcellular ion transport. Cultured CF nasal polyp cells did not exhibit spontaneous transcellular chloride transport in the presence of amiloride, in contrast to normal cells. Forskolin increased the short circuit current (Isc) in control but not CF cells. Forskolin and isoproterenol increased the cAMP levels in control and CF cells. Histamine, bradykinin and isoproterenol transiently increased the intracellular calcium level and caused a parallel increase of the transcellular chloride current in both normal and CF cells. The transient effects of isoproterenol were not sensitive to the beta blocker atenol and could not be mimicked by forskolin. We conclude that in cultured nasal polyp cells a difference in chloride transport activity between CF and control cells is retained following multiple passages. Our results suggest that the active state of chloride channels in nasal polyp cells does not require activation of a second messenger pathway. This apparently spontaneous activity appears to be reduced in CF cells. The calcium- but not the cAMP-dependent activation of transepithelial chloride secretion is at least partially preserved in cultured CF airway epithelium.

The Influence of the Stage of Differentiation of the Gut on the Migration of Neural Cells: An Experimental Study of Hirschsprung's Disease

ABSTRACT.: Based on experimental studies in mutant mouse strains, an imbalance between the rate of migration of neural crest cells and the rate of differentiation of the mesenchyme of the distal gut has been proposed as an etiological factor in Hirschsprungs disease. We studied the influence of the stage of differentiation of embryonal chick gut on the migration of neural crest cells in an in vivo culture system: the chorioallantoic membrane. Neural crest cells in cultured gut were demonstrated with antibodies directed against the HNK-1 epitope. Enteric neurons were demonstrated with neurofilament immunoreactivity. By culturing isolated gut segments of E4 embryos, we obtained aneuronal (neurofilament-negative) embryonal chick gut up to 25 days of development. In cocultures of aneuronal gut and the neural anlage (neural tube and neural crest) neural crest cell colonization was observed, even in advanced stages of differentiation. The significance of the results is discussed in terms of the etiology of Hirschsprungs disease.

The effect of experimentally induced intestinal perforation at an early developmental stage

In chick embryos we studied the effect on intestinal development of an experimentally induced perforation and a vascular lesion performed at an early developmental stage. The results show that an intestinal perforation will heal, but may lead to intestinal atresia with microscopic signs of meconium peritonitis. Conversely, a vascular lesion induced at an early stage of development does not lead to intestinal atresia, while a vascular lesion performed at a late stage of development does result in intestinal atresia, but without any signs of meconium peritonitis.

Efficacy of antibody NF2F11 staining in the investigation of severe long-standing constipation. A preliminary report.

A retrospective study of 7 adult patients (6 with severe, long-standing constipation and 1 with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction) was carried out to test the diagnostic potential of the antineurofilament monoclonal antibody NF2F11. In 4 of the cases of constipation and in the 1 case of pseudoobstruction, paraffin sections of resected colon revealed an anomaly in that the axon bundles of both plexus systems remained unstained. This picture differed from that found in the control population. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies of congenital neurogenic abnormalities of the digestive tract in children.