Epidermal growth factor synergistically enhances interleukin-8 production in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with interleukin-1beta.

The chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) has been implicated in inflammatory diseases including periodontitis. In this study the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the production and regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was investigated. EGF, in comparison to the effect of IL-1beta, weakly increased the mRNA and protein expression of IL-8 in gingival fibroblasts.

Bradykinin upregulates IL-8 production in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated by interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

The proinflammatory mediator bradykinin (BK) is suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases including periodontitis. In this study, BK per se stimulated interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. Furthermore, BK upregulated the stimulatory effect of the cytokines IL-1beta and TNFalpha on the production of IL-8.

Enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in human gingival fibroblasts induced by cell contact with human lymphocytes.

Prostaglandins, especially prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. We have previously reported that inflammatory mediators interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) increase the production of PGE2 in human gingival fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated the effect of cell-to-cell interactions between gingival fibroblasts and lymphocytes on PGE2 production by using co-culture technique.

Effect of phenytoin on the production of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in human gingival fibroblasts.

The in vitro effect of phenytoin (PHT) on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human gingival fibroblasts, challenged with or without interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), was studied. PHT (20 microg/ml) alone increased the mRNA level for both IL-6 and IL-8, as well as synergistically enhancing the production of IL-6 and IL-8, at both transcriptional and translational level in fibroblasts challenged with IL-1beta (30 pg/ml). The stimulatory effect of PHT on IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production was strongly reduced by the specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 (1 microM).

Safe biotechnology 9: values in risk assessment for the environmental application of microorganisms. The Safety in Biotechnology Working Party of the European Federation of Biotechnology.

Risk assessment for the deliberate release of microorganisms into the environment is traditionally carried out on a case-by-case basis. In a similar approach to that used when assessing human pathogenicity, we propose an alternative approach by introducing risk classes to facilitate or complement this type of risk assessment. These consider several sets of scenarios that address the different values that need to be protected.

Safe biotechnology. 8. Transport of infectious and biological materials. Working Party "Safety in Biotechnology" of the European Federation of Biotechnology.

The transport of infectious and biological material is regulated by a number of international organizations. This mini-review has been compiled to increase awareness within the scientific community of problems caused by differences in terminology (such as infectious materials/substances, biological products, diagnostic specimens, genetically modified microorganisms) and certain technical aspects of the main international guidelines, and to assist policy makers in the creation of harmonized guidelines. A list of relevant Internet resources has been compiled.

Safe biotechnology. 7. Classification of microorganisms on the basis of hazard. Working Party "Safety in Biotechnology" of the European Federation Biotechnology.

The current systems for classifying human pathogens on the basis of hazard are well developed and their basic criteria are in general agreement one with another. Of more importance, the safety practices based on these classifications have generally been successful. They have enabled extensive research activities, medical practice and industrial production to be conducted on an ever-increasing scale, involving dangerous microorganisms (e.

Effect of phenytoin on interleukin-1 beta production in human gingival fibroblasts challenged to tumor necrosis factor alpha in vitro.

Effects and interaction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and the antiepileptic drug phenytoin (PHT) on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) production as well as on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation were studied in gingival fibroblasts in vitro. TNF alpha, in contrast to PHT, dose-dependently stimulated the production of cell-associated IL-1 beta. The stimulatory effect of TNF alpha on IL-1 beta production was accompanied by enhanced PGE2 formation.

Safe biotechnology. Part 6. Safety assessment, in respect of human health, of microorganisms used in biotechnology.

The assessment of microorganisms in respect to human health is an important step for the introduction of new natural and genetically modified production strains to biotechnology. This report outlines the potential hazards posed by industrial microorganisms, important considerations related to pathogenicity, such as routes and portals of entry into the human body, mechanisms of spread of biological material and a definition of pathogenicity. Furthermore the most important steps in the assessment of pathogenicity of unknown strains are described.

Safe biotechnology (5). Recommendations for safe work with animal and human cell cultures concerning potential human pathogens.

The benefits of using animal or human cell cultures have been clearly demonstrated in diagnostic and therapeutic research and in their application for manufacturing. Cell cultures serve as a tools for the production of vaccines, receptors, enzymes, monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA-derived proteins. They represent an integral part of drug development for which corresponding facilities, equipment and manufacturing processes are required.

The phenytoin metabolite p-HPPH upregulates prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts challenged to interleukin-1.

The effects of and interactions between the major phenytoin (PHT) metabolite 5-parahydroxyphenyl-5-phenylhydantoin (p-HPPH) and interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) on prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts were studied. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF alpha, dose-dependently, stimulated PGE2 formation in gingival fibroblasts. The metabolite, p-HPPH (1.

Safe biotechnology (4). Recommendations for safety levels for biotechnological operations with microorganisms that cause diseases in plants.

The Working Party on Safety in Biotechnology of the European Federation of Biotechnology has proposed a classification of microorganisms that cause diseases in plants. In this paper appropriate safety levels are proposed for these classes of microorganisms in order to ensure that research, development and industrial fermentation work with plant pathogens will limit the risk of outbreaks of diseases in crops that could result from work with such microorganisms when they are cultivated in laboratories, glasshouses and biotechnology installations.

Bradykinin induces a B2 receptor-mediated calcium signal linked to prostanoid formation in human gingival fibroblasts in vitro.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of bradykinin (BK) on the level of cytoplasmic-free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, in human gingival fibroblasts and its relation to BK-induced prostanoid formation. BK, but not des-Arg9-BK, induced a significant rapid (within seconds) and transient increase in [Ca2+]i, that was not dependent on extracellular Ca2+. The stimulatory effect of BK was seen in concentrations at or above 10(-8) M, with the most pronounced effect at 10(-6) M.

On the signal transducing mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction between interleukin-1 and bradykinin on prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts.

Recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and bradykinin (BK) synergistically stimulate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation in human gingival fibroblasts cultured for 24 h. Neither BK or IL-1 beta per se, nor their combinations, caused any acute stimulation of cellular cyclic AMP accumulation. BK, but not IL-1 beta, caused a rapid, transient rise of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), as assessed by recordings of fura-2 fluorescence in monolayers of prelabelled gingival fibroblasts.

Phenytoin potentiates interleukin-1-induced prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts.

1. The effect of phenytoin (PHT) on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta) or by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was studied. 2.

Influence of phenytoin on cytoplasmic free Ca2+ level in human gingival fibroblasts.

Influence of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (phenytoin; PHT) on the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, was studied in fura 2 loaded adherent monolayers of human gingival fibroblasts derived from three patients before and after 9 months of PHT therapy. In the patient where gingival overgrowth developed during PHT medication (responder), addition of PHT to gingival fibroblasts derived before PHT medication induced a transient extracellular Ca2+ dependent increase in [Ca2+]i. In a non-responder patient, where gingival overgrowth did not develop during the same period of PHT therapy, addition of PHT to gingival fibroblasts derived before the start of medication did not significantly affect [Ca2+]i.

Effect of phenytoin on intracellular 45Ca2+ accumulation in gingival fibroblasts in vitro.

Effect of 5,5 diphenylhydantoin (phenytoin; PHT) alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the intracellular accumulation of the radioisotope 45Ca2+ (4 min labelling period) was determined in gingival fibroblasts. EGF as well as PHT increased the intracellular accumulation of the radioisotope in normal gingival fibroblasts by approximately 2 and 1.6-fold, respectively.

An improved standardized procedure for urine mutagenicity testing.

The aim of the present study was to optimize the procedures for urinary mutagenicity testing in order to lower the baseline variation in mutagenic activity found in urine from unexposed subjects and to increase the sensitivity of the method. This was accomplished by using urine from nonsmokers and smokers as well as chemically spiked nonsmokers' urine. Diet was standardized.

Mitogenic activity of chloroform and carbon tetrachloride in serum-deficient or calcium-deficient cultures of human embryonic lung fibroblasts.

It was demonstrated that chloroform--studied in the non-toxic concentration interval 0.025-0.1% w/v--as well as carbon tetrachloride at 0.

The effect of Ca2+ on the thermal stability of trypsin in phosphate-buffered saline solution used for harvesting of human embryonic lung fibroblast cultures.

The stabilizing effect of Ca2+ (264.9 mg CaCl2 X 2H2O ml-1) on a 0.5% solution of twice-crystallized bovine trypsin in phosphate-buffered saline (used for harvesting human embryonic lung fibroblasts) was studied at 7-37 degrees C and at -20 and -70 degrees C.

Interaction between Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and the HeLa cell surface.

The adherence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis to the surface of HeLa cells at 4 degrees C was studied. This temperature allows adhesion of bacteria but prevents engulfment. Adhesion between the bacteria and the cells was not dependent upon the presence of serum, Ca2+ or Mg2+ in the medium.

Variation in cell surface morphology of two 90Sr-induced osteosarcomas serially transplanted in CBA mice.

The induction of skeletal tumours, which can be classified as osteosarcomas of many different types, is considered to be the primary carcinogenic effect of radiostrontium. In the present report the cell surface morphology in vivo of 90Sr-induced osteosarcoma cells was investigated, since a variety of tumour cells--and especially those investigated in vitro--have been shown to possess morphologic changes compared with their normal counterparts. Using scanning electron microscopy, variations in cell surface morphology were observed in 2 tumour series, which were serially transplanted in mice for 45 and 60 transfer generations, respectively.

Ingestion of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis into human fibroblasts in vitro.

The ingestion into human fibroblasts of different strains (avirulent and virulent) of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was investigated. The kinetics of ingestion was studied with the addition of 10(7) bacteria to human lung fibroblast cultures. The number of ingested bacteria after 0.

Luminescence immunoassay (LIA): a solid-phase immunoassay monitored by chemiluminescence.

A luminescence immunoassay (LIA) has been developed utilizing the chemiluminescent luminol reaction with heme as catalyst. Rabbit antibody against human serum albumin was quantitated in antigen coated plastic tubes using commercially available goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated to horseradish peroxidase which was the source of heme. The measurable range of antibody is considerably wider by LIA than by enzyme immunoassays.