Physiological and biochemical response of glomerular epithelial cells to exogenous epidermal growth factor.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a growth-promoting cytokine which acts in a paracrine and autocrine fashion on epithelial cells of various tissues. Although previously demonstrated, we have now confirmed the presence of EGF receptors in cultured glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) using radioligand binding studies. Further, the biochemical consequences of EGF receptor activation in this cell type were investigated.

Effect of polycations on permeability of glomerular epithelial cell monolayers to albumin.

Polycations can interact with the surface negative charges of the glomerular epithelial cells in the kidney and give rise to metabolic alterations. This study examined whether charge neutralization can affect intercellular junctions and increase macromolecular permeability across epithelial monolayers. We examined this question by studying the effect of polycations on the leakage of albumin across monolayers of glomerular epithelial cells.

PHNO, a novel dopamine agonist, in animal models of parkinsonism.

PHNO, a naphthoxazine compound, was investigated in animal models of central dopaminergic activity. The drug in doses of 5-300 micrograms/kg when administered subcutaneously, or transdermally, induced stereotypic behavior in rats which was blocked by haloperidol but not by reserpine pretreatment. In rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra PHNO induced dose-dependent contralateral turnings.