Influence of polysaccharide-based edible coatings as carriers of prebiotic fibers on quality attributes of ready-to-eat fresh blueberries

BACKGROUND

Little information is available regarding the effect of dietary fibers added into edible coatings on quality attributes of ready-to-eat fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium alginate (AL) and chitosan (CH) edible coatings enriched with four different dietary fibers (apple fiber, orange fiber, inulin and oligofructose) on microbiological, nutritional, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of ready-to-eat fresh blueberries stored for 18 days at 5 °C.

RESULTS

The most encouraging results were found for CH coatings (with and without fibers) which significantly inhibited the growth of mesophilic bacteria and yeasts/molds (reductions up to 1.9 log CFU g^-1 ), reduced decay rate by more than 50%, enhanced antioxidant properties, retained fruit firmness, delayed off-odor development and improved overall visual quality of blueberries. Oligofructose and orange fiber added to CH coatings enhanced antioxidant properties of fruits and allowed higher reductions in yeast/mold counts compared to the use of CH alone. CH-based coatings enriched with inulin, oligofructose and apple fiber extended sensory shelf life of blueberries by 6 days. AL coatings (with and without fiber) allowed delaying fungal decay and also retaining antioxidant properties but did not improve the microbiological and sensory quality of fruits.

CONCLUSION

The results proved that fiber-enriched CH treatments allowed the maintenance of freshness and the improvement of the quality of ready-to-eat blueberries. It might be an interesting option to offer consumers a healthy product with prebiotic potential and an extended shelf life. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

The impact of biopreservatives and storage temperature in the quality and safety of minimally processed mixed vegetables for soup

BACKGROUND

The combined effects of bioactive agents (tea tree essential oil, propolis extract and gallic acid) and storage temperature on the microbiological and sensory quality of fresh-cut mixed vegetables for soup (celery, leek and butternut squash) were studied with the objective of preserving its quality and safety.

RESULTS

Refrigeration temperature was confirmed as the main factor to limit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Biopreservatives applied on mixed vegetables were effective only when combined with optimal refrigeration temperature (5 °C). Bioactive compounds showed slight effectiveness in controlling the microbiota present in mixed vegetables, although coliforms were greatly reduced by gallic acid and propolis treatments, achieving 0.5-2 log unit reductions during storage. Also, these agents showed antimicrobial activity against endogenous Escherichia coli and inoculated E. coli O157:H7, exerting a bacteriostatic effect and reducing population counts by 0.9-1.2 log CFU g(-1) at 10 days of refrigerated storage. The combination of propolis treatment with refrigerated storage conditions effectively preserved the sensory quality and prolonged the sensory shelf life of fresh-cut mixed vegetables by 3 days.

CONCLUSION

The use of natural agents such as propolis extract to preserve the quality and safety of mixed vegetables for soup might be an interesting option to address the concerns of the consumer about the use of synthetic chemical antimicrobials potentially harmful to health.

Inhibition of the intimal hyperplasia in an arterial autograft model by blockade of the N-terminal of the integrin beta3 subunit by monoclonal antibody P37

Myointima formation or intimal hyperplasia is a major undesirable problem at the anastomotic ends of narrow bore arterial autografts and in other arterial wall injuries, which often leads to late restenosis and thrombosis and whose pathogenesis is still not understood. Platelets are suspected to intervene at some stages of its development, together with endothelial and muscle cells, the extracellular matrix and, most probably, adhesion receptors. To ascertain whether and at what stage beta3 integrins are involved, a rat arterial autograft model was used, together with monoclonal antibody P37, which is directed to the sequence 101-109 of the beta3 subunit of the human platelet fibrinogen receptor (integrin alphaIIbbeta3) and inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro and acute thrombosis in vivo. Three groups of animals were used: group I underwent an arterial autograft of a 5-mm segment of the right common iliac artery; group II received, intravenously, a single dose (0.8 mg/kg) of P37 at 15 min before the graft implantation; and group III was treated as group II but a similar dose of antibody was additionally given on day 14 after the operation. Animals in each group were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21, 30 and 50 after the operation, and the grafts were removed for light and electron microscopy observation and further time-dependent morphometric analysis. By day 14, group I autografts already showed intimal hyperplasia and secretory smooth muscle cells, while group II and II autografts presented only some degenerative changes in the medial layer, with no signs of hyperplasia. Intimal hyperplasia was observed on day 21 in group II and on day 30 in group III, although less pronounced than in the corresponding controls. However, by day 50, the three groups had the same thickness of myointima. The immunohistochemical determination of metalloproteases suggests no role for these enzymes in the immunoinhibition of myointima formation. We conclude that P37 inhibits the onset of the intimal hyperplasia in the arterial autografts and that this onset in treated animals seems to be related to the decay of the circulating antibody. Further work is required to decide whether a higher or longer presence of circulating P37 can definitively prevent the development of intimal hyperplasia, as well as to ascertain which cells and which beta3 integrin receptors intervene.

Functional characterization of GPIIb- and GPIIIa-specific monoclonal antibodies. Further evidence for the existence of agonist-specific activated states of the platelet fibrinogen receptor

In this work human platelet aggregation induced in vitro by ADP, collagen, arachidonic acid and U-46619 (a thromboxane A(2) analogue) was used as a functional test to characterize 19 anti-GPIIb (M series) and anti2 GPIIIa (P series) monoclonal antibodies whose epitope location is known for most of them. Additionally, flow cytofluorimetry was applied to study the epitope expression of these antibodies in resting, EDTA-treated and SFLLRN peptide (thrombin receptor agonist)-activated platelets. Antibodies M6 (epitope located at GPIIbH 657-665), P23-7 (GPIIIa 114-122) and P40 (GPIIIa 262-303) bind weakly to only 43%, 70% and 66%, respectively, of the resting platelet population. This binding was enhanced in EDTA-treated and in activated platelets. Platelet activation enhances the apparent binding of most of the other antibodies. Further evidence on the existence of agonist-specific activated states of GPIIb/IIIa was provided by the agonist-dependent immunochemical inhibition in vitro of platelet aggregation by some of the anti-subunit antibodies studied here. The most notable cases are those of P40 and M6, which at 140 nM inhibit most, the platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid and U-46619. On the other hand, three of the most strong and agonist-independent inhibitors, P37 (GPIIIa 101-109), P97 and P95-2 (GPIIIa N-terminal half) bind to resting platelets with high affinity (5-8 nM), compete with each other for binding to GPIIb-IIIa and their epitopes are located at the N-terminal domain of GPIIIa, where the receptor ligand binding site(s) have been found. Given that the formation of activated GPIIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa*) is the first step at which the anti-subunit antibodies can intervene as inhibitors and that agonist-specific inhibitors should block only agonist-specific steps, while nonspecific inhibitors should block steps common to all the agonists, then our present work support the hypothesis that there are different agonist-specific GPIIb-IIIa*s or, alternatively, different receptor environments, that can be specifically blocked by some of the antibodies. These results add to earlier evidence on agonist-dependent ligand specificity and activated states found for this and other integrins. Finally, the correlation between the in vitro inhibition of platelet aggregation and the antithrombotic activity in vivo is discussed for these antibodies.

Antithrombotic map of the N-terminal domain of the GPIIIa subunit of the human platelet fibrinogen receptor (GPIIb-IIIa) determined in vivo by monoclonal, immunochemical inhibition of acute arterial thrombosis

The inhibition of the platelet fibrinogen receptor, the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa) or integrin alphaIIbbeta3, has recently became an accepted practice in clinical cardiology. The interest lies now in the improvement of the antithrombotic activity and the minimization of the secondary effects of the receptor inhibitors, by their evaluation in vivo in the different dynamic conditions and pathological states under which these inhibitors have to perform. In this paper, we functionally map in vivo the N-terminal domain of the GPIIIa subunit, using the antithrombotic activity of five murine monoclonal antibodies (mabs) (P37, P40, 95-1, P95-2 and P97), all of them inhibitors of platelet aggregation in vitro and directed to this ligand binding domain of the human fibrinogen receptor. Competition experiments have shown that these mabs bind with high affinity (5-7 nM) and compete very strongly among themselves for binding to human resting platelets, except P40, which neither binds nor competes. These antibodies were assayed in a dog model of acute thrombosis in the carotid artery, which were induced 15 min after their intravenous administration (0.8 mg/kg). The antithrombotic activity was quantified by the measurement of the [111In]oxine-labelled platelet deposition at the site of the arterial lesion and was expressed as the percentage of the total circulating platelets. Antibody P37, directed to the GPIIIa 101-109 sequence, decreased the platelet deposition 630-fold with respect to control animals. P95-2, P97 and P95-1 decreased the platelet deposition 160-, 32- and 25-fold, respectively, while P40, directed to the GPIIIa 260-302 sequence, did not show any antithrombotic activity. We conclude that all the mabs directed to the N-terminal domain of GPIIIa, which inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro and whose epitopes are very close to each other and exposed in resting platelets, have high antithrombotic activity in vivo, which varies depending on the actual location of the epitopes in the receptor topography. Among these antibodies, P37, the strongest receptor inhibitor in vivo and whose epitope is most probably the closest to the fibrinogen binding site(s), seems the best candidate for comparative studies in animal models with today's best GPIIb-IIIa inhibitors and for clinical trials in humans in order to arrest or prevent thrombosis, reocclusion and late restenosis.

Organization of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa heterodimer on resting human platelets studied by flow cytometric energy transfer

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa is a heterodimer of glycoproteins IIb and IIIa which serves as the inducible receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins at the surface of platelets. Although a model of the quaternary structure of the GPIIb/IIIa molecule has been constructed in solution by Calvete et al. [Biochem. J. 282 (1992) 523], a corresponding model at the surface of intact platelets is still missing. In the present work conformation and lateral distribution of the GPIIb/IIIa heterodimer were studied at a nanometer resolution on the surface of resting human platelets under physiological conditions. The experiments were based on dual wavelength flow cytometric detection of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and application of a panel of monoclonal antibodies raised against well described binding sites. Monodisperse distribution of the GPIIb/IIIa heterodimer has been observed and a detailed three-dimensional proximity map of antibody binding sites was constructed on the platelet membrane, under physiological conditions, for the first time. Our data support the view that the GPIIb subunit is in a bent conformation. A detailed analysis of the K(d)-values and the number of binding sites for a set of monoclonal antibodies was also carried out giving supplementary data for the topology of the binding sites. Our results provide a refinement of the membrane-topology of the GPIIb/IIIa heterodimer.

[Spinal cord infarction and recurrent venous thrombosis in association with estrogens and the 20210A allele of the prothrombin gene]

The acute spinal cord infarction is a rare cause of acute-onset paraplegia. Furthermore, it is specially uncommon that the infarction occurs in patients with apparent low predisposition to vascular disease. The 20210A allele of the prothrombin gene (causing a threefold-increased risk in venous thromboembolism) was recently associated with unexplained spinal cord infarction in young women under treatment with estrogens (contraceptive pill). We report a case of anterior spinal artery syndrome resulting from an ischaemic infarction at the anterior aspect of the spinal cord in a healthy 50-year-old woman, carrying this mutation, being the first published case under treatment with transdermal estradiol. She referred the typical sudden-onset back pain associated to clinical anterior spinal artery syndrome with sphincter dysfunction and nontraumatic paraplegia. A possible multiple sclerosis was ruled out and the steroids or immunoglobulin therapy induced no clinical improvement. Cerebrospinal fluid and other investigations were all negative. Sequential MRI scans revealed development of spinal cord infarction from T10 to T11, with increased signal in T2-weighted image (T2). Because she referred a previous thrombophlebitis and suffered a deep-vein thrombosis one month after paraplegia, a complete coagulation study was performed. Antithrombin, proteins C and S, homocysteine, factor V Leiden, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies were all normal or negatives. In opposite, the 20210A variation was positive (heterozygous) and the factor VIIIc level was very high (280 U/dl eight months later). We argue the relative importance of both findings. The patient had no a substantial recovery over a period of 20 months.Certainly, the prothrombin 20210A seems to be associated with unexplained ischemic myelopathy among the young women with estrogens.

Normal frequencies of the C677T genotypes on the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene among lymphoproliferative disorders but not in multiple myeloma

The folate availability seems to be critical for the DNA integrity since it is required for the transfer of methyl groups in the biosynthesis of thymidilate. Although the excessive incorporation of uracils to the DNA can be efficiently removed, this mechanism of reparation produces many double-strand breaks from two opposing nicks. Several chromosomal abnormalities (mainly translocations and deletions perhaps not well understood) are involved in the origin of lymphoproliferative disorders. The TT homozygosity at nucleotide 677 in the gene of methylene tetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR), a key enzyme in folate metabolism, was recently linked to a significant protection against colon carcinoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in adults. We analysed the genotype frequencies of C677T-MTHFR in a group of 143 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (REAL classification) and 200 controls. Overally, the frequencies of the polymorphic allele were similar (35.3% and 32.0% respectively)(P=0.6). We did not find differences between patients and controls except for myeloma/plasmacytoma group (n=26) which showed a CC genotype less than expected (19% vs 46%) (p=0.01) with a frequency ratio of 0.28 (0.10-0.77). Even among the IgG myeloma cases only one patient showed a common genotype (CC) (1/15, 7%) (P=0.003). If these preliminary data are validated with prospective studies, the 677C allele of MTHFR gene could be confirmed as an effective multiple myeloma protective factor (specially for the IgG cases).

Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in pyogenic granulomas

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analysed in biopsy samples from patients with pyogenic granuloma. The results disclosed the presence of a strong VEGF signal in pyogenic granulomas, which are constituted by a vast majority of cells of endothelial lineage. A marked positivity was evident in areas of proliferating endothelial cells without vessel lumen formation. In the same respect, staining for VEGF was less marked in the vessels with a well-developed lumen. The fact that VEGF production appears to be limited to endothelial cell precursors or immature endothelial cells prior to the complete development of the vessels, leads to the possibility that VEGF may act as an autocrine factor in circumstances of endothelial cell stimulation.

Molecular genetic analysis of a compound heterozygote for the glycoprotein (GP) IIb gene associated with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: disruption of the 674-687 disulfide bridge in GPIIb prevents surface exposure of GPIIb-IIIa complexes

This work was aimed at elucidating the molecular genetic lesion(s) responsible for the thrombasthenic phenotype of a patient whose low platelet content of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa indicated that it was a case of type II Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT). The parents did not admit consanguinity and showed a reduced platelet content of GPIIb-IIIa. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis of genomic DNA showed no mutations in the patient's GPIIIa and two novel mutations in the GPIIb gene: one of them was a heterozygous splice junction mutation, a C-->A transversion, at position +2 of the exon 5-intron 5 boundary [IVS5(+2)C-->A] inherited from the father. The predicted effect of this mutation, insertion of intron 5 (76 bp) into the GPIIb-mRNA, was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR analysis of platelet mRNA. The almost complete absence of this mutated form of GPIIb-mRNA suggests that it is very unstable. Virtually all of the proband's GPIIb-mRNA was accounted for by the allele inherited from the mother showing a T2113-->C transition that changes Cys674-->Arg674 disrupting the 674-687 intramolecular disulfide bridge. The proband showed a platelet accumulation of proGPIIb and minute amounts of GPIIb and GPIIIa. Moreover, transfection and immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that [Arg674]GPIIb is capable of forming a heterodimer complex with GPIIIa, but the rate of subunit maturation and the surface exposure of GPIIb-IIIa are strongly reduced. Thus, the intramolecular 674-687 disulfide bridge in GPIIb is essential for the normal processing of GPIIb-IIIa complexes. The additive effect of these two GPIIb mutations provides the molecular basis for the thrombasthenic phenotype of the proband.

Cardiac troponin I (cTn I) and the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction

In clinical practice several biochemical markers are used for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Because of its extremely high specificity for myocardial damage, cardiac troponin I (cTn I) is frequently used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of postmortem cTn I determinations in pericardial fluid and serum and to compare these results with other biochemical markers and with structural findings used to diagnose acute myocardial ischaemia. We studied 89 cadavers with a mean age of 51.38 +/- 2.04 (SD 19.27 years). Cases were allocated to 1 of 4 diagnostic groups depending on the probable intensity of myocardial damage and cause of death. In pericardial fluid we obtained statistically significant differences for the four biochemical parameters, while in serum myosin heavy chains and myoglobin showed statistically significant differences. The highest levels of biochemical markers in pericardial fluid were observed in subjects who had died from definite myocardial infarction.

HLA-B27 polymorphism and worldwide susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis

HLA-B27 is strongly associated to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and represents a family of eleven B27 alleles (B*2701-11). Our aim was to analyze the distribution of B27 subtypes by PCR/SSOP and genomic sequencing in a large group of populations (n = 17). 711 B27-positive samples from Caucasoid, Asian, African, Amerindian and Polynesian populations were selected to ascertain transracial gene mapping of the B27 subtypes. 476 of these were AS patients, chosen to investigate the contribution of B27 alleles to AS susceptibility. Some significant new findings have arisen from this study: 1) B*2705 was the predominant subtype in circumpolar and subarctic areas. B*2702 was found to be practically restricted to Caucasian populations, showing a higher frequency in Middle-East (Jews) and North Africa (Arabs/Berbers) groups. 2) B*2703 appears associated with AS in Western Africans. This is of remarkable interest since it was suggested that B*2703 would be negatively disease-associated. 3) Although B*2706 appears negatively associated with AS in Thais, we identified two patients from northern China carrying it. This may be a reflection of a disease heterogeneity and could indicate that more than one pathogenic agent can be involved in AS. B*2709 has been recently described as negatively associated with AS in Sardinians. The molecular changes His114Asp (B*2706) and Asp116His (B*2709) could modify the genetic susceptibility to AS.

[Cesarean section in a patient with a congenital deficit of antithrombin III: apropos of a case]

Antithrombin III (AT III) is a physiological inhibitor of coagulation. AT III deficit, whether congenital or acquired, results in a state of hypercoagulability characterized by recurring instances of venous thrombosis in young people. Although AT III levels normally change little during pregnancy, a deficit can be associated to the appearance of recurring thromboembolism and the need to perform cesarean section increases the risk. We report a cesarean section under general anesthesia in a patient with congenital AT III, reviewing the etiology and pathophysiology of this entity as well as its treatment.

Twofold symmetry of human fibrinogen proved at the beta chain distal domains by monoclonal-immunoelectron microscopy and image analysis

Using a murine antibody (F7) specific for the C-terminal domain of the beta chain of human fibrinogen combined with electron microscopy and image analysis, we show unequivocally that the epitopes for F7 are at the distal nodules of fibrinogen, equidistant from the center of the molecule and arranged not colinearly with the long axis of the molecule but at opposite sides of it, i.e., following twofold symmetry. Thus, given the monoclonality of the immunochemical probe used and the dimeric nature of the fibrinogen molecule, we can conclude that the distal domains of the two beta chains are arranged in the same manner as these epitopes and, therefore, that the fibrinogen molecule has twofold symmetry. This symmetry pattern found here for F7 is the same as that found recently for the platelet fibrinogen receptor binding sites [Weisel, J. W., Nagaswami, C., Vilaire, G., & Bennett, J. S. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 23, 16637-16643], located almost certainly at the C-terminal end of the gamma chains, and gives further support to the most accurate model of fibrinogen available so far. We discuss the consequences of this symmetry pattern and of the molecular rigidity of fibrinogen in the actual models of fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation and adhesion.

Prevention of arterial thrombosis by a monoclonal antibody against the 100 to 109 amino acid sequence stretch of the beta-subunit of the human platelet fibrinogen receptor: a comparative study with low dose aspirin

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare, in dogs, the antithrombotic activity of aspirin and the murine monoclonal antibody P37, which inhibits platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding to activated platelets.

BACKGROUND

The antithrombotic activity of P37 has been somewhat predictable, given its in vitro platelet antiaggregating activity and localization at or very near the fibrinogen binding site in the platelet fibrinogen receptor, the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa or integrin alpha IIb-beta 3.

METHODS

The monoclonal antibody P37 of the immunogamma-globulin-1 isotype was prepared according to previously described immunization and fusion protocols and screening assays. To compare its antiaggregating capacity with that of aspirin, experimental thrombosis was induced in all dogs by means of direct current applied to the carotid artery. Autologous platelets had previously been labeled with indium-111 oxine. The dogs were assigned to three groups: group I (n = 18) was the control group; group II (n = 12) was treated orally with 5 mg of aspirin/kg body weight per day for 7 days before induction of thrombosis, and group III (n = 10) was treated intravenously with a single dose of P37 (0.8 mg/kg).

RESULTS

The indium-111 oxine activity deposited in the thrombi was 12.94 +/- 12.83% (mean +/- SD) in group I, 3.55 +/- 2.99% in group II and 0.03 +/- 0.03% in group III. The differences between groups were always statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a single dose (0.8 mg/kg) of P37 in a canine model of arterial thrombosis is approximately 100 times more efficient than the administration of aspirin (5 mg/kg per day) in preventing platelet deposition during thrombus formation.

Rotational mobility of the fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein IIb/IIIa or integrin alpha IIb beta 3 in the plasma membrane of human platelets

Integrin alpha IIb beta 3 or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa, 228 kDa) is a Ca(2+)-dependent, noncovalent heterodimer of glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb or alpha IIb, 136 kDa) and IIIa (GPIIIa or beta 3, 92 kDa), which serves as the receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins at the surface of activated platelets. We have determined the microsecond-range rotational motions of alpha IIb beta 3 in resting platelets, in isolated plasma membranes, and reconstituted in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayers. The measurements were based on the time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy [r(t)] of erythrosin-labeled F(ab) fragments [Er-F(ab)] of monoclonal antibodies bound to alpha IIb beta 3. In general, the r(t) decays were satisfactorily fitted to the sum of the two exponential terms and a constant, from which the initial anisotropy (r(in) approximately 0.05-0.11), the short (phi 1 approximately 1-14 microseconds) and the long (phi 2 approximately 15-60 microseconds) rotational correlation times, and the limiting anisotropy (r infinity approximately 0.02-0.07) were obtained. The observed values depended on the platelet preparation, temperature, Ca2+ concentration, and the antibody used. In accordance with data on the order parameter and the viscosity of the lipid bilayer of the platelet plasma membrane, phi 2 and r infinity of the alpha IIb beta 3-Er-F(ab) complexes in the three preparations decreased with the increase of temperature, the r(t) curves being fully reversible within the interval from 5 to 35 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proteolytic dissection of the isolated platelet fibrinogen receptor, integrin GPIIb/IIIa. Localization of GPIIb and GPIIIa sequences putatively involved in the subunit interface and in intrasubunit and intrachain contacts

Human platelet glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb) and IIIa (GPIIIa) form the subunits of the Ca(2+)-dependent heterodimer GPIIb/IIIa, which belongs to the integrin family of phylogenetically related receptors mediating a wide variety of cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions. GPIIb/IIIa plays a central role in haemostasis as a receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins at the surface of activated platelets. The covalent structure of the subunits is largely known; however, the tertiary and quaternary structures of the heterodimer remain to be determined. To this end, our approach consisted of limited proteolysis of the isolated heterodimer with proteinases of different specificities, followed by protein-chemical and immunochemical analyses of the peptide fragments within each isolated proteolytic product. From the information obtained, we have drawn a rudimentary map which outlines the demarcation of compact domains and the subunit peptide stretches carrying the sequences putatively involved in intrachain, intrasubunit and intersubunit non-covalent connectivity in the heterodimer. Three compact domains have been well defined: one in the heavy (H) chain of GPIIb [GPIIbH-(600-700)], and two in GPIIIa, the N-terminal [GPIIIa-(1-52)] and the core [GPIIIa-(423-622)] domains. Between the latter two domains there is a proteolysis-susceptible region, which is partly involved in ligand binding [GPIIIa-(100-220)] and partly implicated as being in teh subunit interface of the heterodimer. Contrary to GPIIIa, GPIIbH is highly susceptible to proteolysis all along its sequence. Equally susceptible are the extracellular end of the transmembrane segment of both GPIIIa and the light (L) chain of GPIIb (GPIIbL), and the N-terminal end of GPIIbL. Three sequence stretches along the C-terminal half of GPIIbH, one sequence stretch in GPIIbL and three sequence stretches within the GPIIIa-(217-421) region were putatively involved in the subunit interface of the heterodimer. Most likely, the N-terminal end of GPIIbL is folded over the N- and C-terminal regions of GPIIbH, and the N-terminal end of GPIIbH is folded against the GPIIbH-(600-700) domain. This map of GPIIb/IIIa does not fit the current accommodation of the amino acid sequence of GPIIb and GPIIIa in the head/two-tails image of the heterodimer obtained by metal-rotary-shadowing electron microscopy.

Further studies on the topography of the N-terminal region of human platelet glycoprotein IIIa. Localization of monoclonal antibody epitopes and the putative fibrinogen-binding sites

The precise localization of the epitopes for six monoclonal antibodies specific for the N-terminal region of human platelet glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) was determined. The epitope for P37, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits platelet aggregation, was found at GPIIIa 101-109, flanked by the epitopes for P23-3 (GPIIIa 16-28), P23-4 (GPIIIa 83-91), P23-5 (GPIIIa 67-73), P23-7 (GPIIIa 114-122) and P40 (GPIIIa 262-302), and very close to the early chymotryptic cleavage site of GPIIIa in whole platelets (Phe-100). When the amino acid sequence of GPIIIa was searched for peptide sequences hydropathically complementary to the fibrinogen gamma-chain C-terminal (gamma 400-411) and A alpha-chain RGD-containing peptides, none was found for the gamma 400-411, two (GPIIIa 128-132 and 380-384) were found complementary to fibrinogen A alpha 571-575 and two (GPIIIa 109-113 and 129-133) were found for A alpha 94-99. Two of these putative fibrinogen-binding sites overlap with each other, and a third one overlaps with the epitope for P37. These findings reinforce the earlier suggestion that the N-terminal region of GPIIIa is involved in fibrinogen binding, and suggest the existence in GPIIIa of either multiple or alternative RGD-binding sites or one RGD-binding domain with several moieties. Finally, early chymotryptic cleavage of GPIIIa in whole platelets liberates to the soluble fraction the peptide stretch Ser-101-Tyr-348, which carries the epitope for P37 and the putative binding sites for fibrinogen. The rest of the molecule, together with the GPIIb-resistant moiety, remains membrane-bound. This leads us to propose that the fibrinogen-binding domain of GPIIIa is not involved in the binding to GPIIb to form the Ca2(+)-dependent GPIIb-GPIIIa complex.

Further studies on the topography of human platelet glycoprotein IIb. Localization of monoclonal antibody epitopes and the putative glycoprotein IIa- and fibrinogen-binding regions

Glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) is a major glycoprotein of the human platelet plasma membrane, which together with glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) forms a Ca2(+)-dependent heterodimer, GPIIb/IIIa, which serves as the major fibrinogen receptor in activated platelets. The precise localization of the epitopes for six anti-GPIIb monoclonal antibodies (M1-M6) has been determined by a combination of enzymic and chemical cleavage procedures, peptide isolation, N-terminal sequence analysis, peptide synthesis and enzyme immunoassay. The following localizations were found: M1, beta 1-16-36, beta 2-4-24; M2, alpha 747-755; M alpha 2, alpha 837-843; M3, alpha 849-857; M4, alpha 143-151; M5, alpha 550-558; M6, alpha 657-665. Besides considerations of the degree of exposure of these epitopes, several remarkable features are readily apparent. The earliest and main chymotryptic cleavage site of GPIIb in whole platelets is between alpha cysteine-545 and alpha phenylalanine-551. The epitope for M3 was located within the same sequence (alpha 842-857) as is the epitope for PMI-1 [Loftus, Plow, Frelinger, D'Souza, Dixon, Lacy, Sorge & Ginsberg (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 7114-7118] in spite of the fact that the exposure of the latter in whole platelets is EDTA-dependent whereas that in the former is not. The epitope for M5 shares full homology with the 540-548 peptide stretch of the alpha-subunit of the vitronectin receptor, and this antibody cross-reacts with endothelial cells. The M6 epitope is located in the 25 kDa membrane-bound fragment of GPIIb, which is most epitope is destroyed at an early stage of chymotrypic digestion. This suggests that this region of GPIIb, somewhere between the epitope for M5 (alpha 550-558) and the epitope for M2 (alpha 747-755), may carry the surface of interaction of GPIIb with GPIIIa in the GPIIb/IIIa heterodimer. Finally, the sequence where the epitope for M6 has been located (alpha 657-667) was the only one found to be hydropathically complementary to the gamma 402-411 peptide of fibrinogen within the amino acid sequence of both GPIIb and GPIIIa. This complementariness, the EDTA- or thrombin-dependence of the exposure of the alpha 657-665 stretch in whole platelets to M6 and the ability of this antibody to inhibit platelet aggregation led us to postulate that this peptide stretch is a putative binding site for fibrinogen in the platelet receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Glyoxylic compounds as radiosensitizers of hypoxic cells

The radiosensitizing effect of five glyoxal derivatives on the survival of TC-SV40 cells has been measured, under aerobic and hypoxic conditions. A toxicity study was previously performed in order to use nontoxic concentrations. The OER for the TC-SV40 cells was 2.74. None of the glyoxylic compounds showed radiosensitizing activity under aerobic conditions while in hypoxia their radiosensitizing factors decreased in the order phenylglyoxylic acid (1.68 at 8 x 10(-3) mole dm-3) greater than phenylglyoxal (1.55 at 5 x 10(-6) mole dm-3) greater than 2-2' furil (1.48 at 5 x 10(-5) mole dm-3) greater than glyoxylic acid (1.39 at 1 x 10(-3) mole dm-3) greater than glyoxal (1.30 at 5 x 10(-5) mole dm-3). The dose-modifying factors were also determined at two equimolar concentrations 5 x 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-6) mole dm-3. A concentration effect was noticed for all the compounds although their relative radiosensitizing activity kept, independently of the concentration, the same order noted above. Glyoxals with aromatic or heterocyclic rings exert a greater radiosensitization than the others. The acidic compounds have less radiosensitizing activity than their aldehydic counterparts. Interaction of these glyoxals with NPSH cellular groups was tested and the low degree of inhibition shows that this mechanism would contribute very little, if any, to the radiosensitization effect.

Interchain and intrachain disulphide bonds in human platelet glycoprotein IIb. Localization of the epitopes for several monoclonal antibodies

The single interchain disulphide bond in platelet glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) is accessible to extracellular reductants, and selective cleavage does not liberate GPIIb alpha from platelet plasma membrane, confirming that non-covalent interactions contribute to maintaining attachment of this subunit to the membrane. Eosin-maleimide labelling of isolated GPIIb after selective cleavage of this interchain disulphide bond, followed by full reduction and alkylation, CNBr cleavage, and analysis of the cleavage products allowed us to establish that this interchain disulphide bridge is formed between GPIIb beta (GPIIb beta-subunit) Cys-9 and GPIIb alpha Cys-826, and this conclusion was confirmed by independent routes. The other two cysteines of GPIIb beta (Cys-14 and Cys-19) form the single intrachain disulphide bond in this subunit. Last, the intrachain disulphides in GPIIb alpha (GPIIb alpha-subunit) are distributed in four main peptide domains which are not disulphide-bonded among themselves. The linear epitope for monoclonal antibody M1 is localized between Pro-4 and Met-24 (or Met-31) of GPIIb beta. The linear epitope for M3 is situated between Cys-826 and the C-terminus of GPIIb alpha. The M4 epitope is also linear and localized somewhere between residues 115 and 285 of GPIIb alpha. Finally, the epitopes for M5 and M6 are somewhere between Cys-608 and Met-704, within a 35 kDa membrane-bound chymotryptic product of digestion of GPIIb in whole platelets. The N-terminal amino acid sequences determined for eight different cleavage products of GPIIb alpha and GPIIb beta agree with the corresponding amino acid sequences predicted by cDNA sequence for human-erythroleukaemic-cell GPIIb [Poncz, Eisman, Heindenreich, Silver, Vilaire, Surrey, Schwartz & Bennett (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 8476-8482].

Radiosensitization by quaternary salts of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives

The radiosensitizing effects of five newly synthesized quaternary salts of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives on the survival of TC-SV40 mammalian cells have been measured. A toxicity study was carried out in order to determine the concentrations to be used in the radiosensitizing experiments. The oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) for TC-SV40 cells was 2.74. None of the five 5-nitroimidazole derivatives showed radiosensitizing activity in aerobic conditions, while in hypoxia their dose-modifying factors (DMF) at the concentration of 0.2 mmol dm-3 range from 1.52 to 1.03 in this order: unsubstituted pyridinium greater than carbamoyl pyridinium greater than trimethyl pyridinium greater than t-butyl pyridinium greater than imidazolium. This latter product at the concentration of 2 mmol dm-3 has a DMF of 1.64. As comparison, metronidazole was also tested on this cell line and its DMF at 0.2 mmol dm-3 was 1.35. The response-concentration dependences for the unsubstituted pyridinium 5-nitroimidazole derivative and for metronidazole (comparing charged and uncharged structures) showed the flattening response-concentration curve of quaternary compounds. The electron affinity was evaluated through the CNDO/S theoretical method, and an exponential relationship between these values and the DMFs of the pyridinium derivatives was demonstrated.

Tryptic digestion of human GPIIIa. Isolation and biochemical characterization of the 23 kDa N-terminal glycopeptide carrying the antigenic determinant for a monoclonal antibody (P37) which inhibits platelet aggregation

Early digestion of pure human platelet glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) leads to a single cleavage of the molecule at 23 kDa far from one of the terminal amino acids. Automated Edman degradation demonstrates that GPIIIa and the smaller (23 kDa) tryptic fragment share the same N-terminal amino acid sequence. A further cleavage occurs in the larger fragment (80 kDa), reducing its apparent molecular mass by 10 kDa. The 23 kDa fragment remains attached to the larger ones in unreduced samples. Stepwise reduction of early digested GPIIIa with dithioerythritol selectively reduces the single disulphide bond joining the smaller (23 kDa) to the larger (80/70 kDa) fragments. Two fractions were obtained by size-exclusion chromatography of early digested GPIIIa after partial or full reduction and alkylation. The larger-size fraction contains the 80/70 kDa fragments, while the 23 kDa fragment is isolated in the smaller. The amino acid compositions of these fractions do not differ very significantly from the composition of GPIIIa; however the 23 kDa fragment contains only 10.2% by weight of sugars and is richer in neuraminic acid. Disulphide bonds are distributed four in the 23 kDa glycopeptide and 20-21 in the 80/70 kDa glycopeptide. The epitope for P37, a monoclonal antibody which inhibits platelet aggregation [Melero & González-Rodríguez (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 141, 421-427] is situated within the first 17 kDa of the N-terminal region of GPIIIa, which gives a special functional interest to this extracellular region of GPIIIa. On the other hand, the epitopes for GPIIIa-specific monoclonal antibodies, P6, P35, P40 and P97, which do not interfere with platelet aggregation, are located within the larger tryptic fragment (80/70 kDa). Thus, the antigenic areas available in the extracellular surface of GPIIIa for these five monoclonal antibodies are now more precisely delineated.

Theoretical approach for radiosensitizers. Correlation between calculated electroaffinity and sensitization factors of nitro-compounds

The electron affinity of eight well-known nitroaromatic and nitroheterocyclic radiosensitizers is computed resorting to a quantum mechanical approach. Four of the compounds studied were nitroimidazoles; but p-nitroacetophenone and some 5-nitrofuran derivatives were also investigated for comparison. A good correlation between the theoretical electroaffinity values and the radiosensitization efficiencies is found in the case of the nitroimidazoles, in which the pi-electron system appears to be limited to the aromatic ring, except for small side groups. In the case of molecules where the pi-electron system spreads out on the side-chain the theoretical procedure seems to fail.

Studies on cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) as a radiosensitizer

Cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cisDDP) has been extensively studied as an antitumour agent; its binding to DNA has been proved but the radiosensitizing action has scarcely been tested. We report here that on TC.SV -40 mammalian cells cisDPP acts as a dose-modifying factor for ionizing radiation. The radiosensitizing action can be induced by two different mechanisms: reaction with non protein-SH groups and inhibition of repair processes. The cisDDP-DNA complex was studied against increasing radiation doses by analytical centrifugation and by spectrophotometrical measurements. The native complex seems to be more radiation resistant than the denatured one.