Other Cell Types

Neurotensin. Neurotensia [39379-15-2] (NT),j )-Glu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Try-Ile-Leu-OH, is a tridecapeptide that is cleaved from the ribosomaHy synthesized precursor, proneurotensia. NT is distributed through the peripheral and central nervous systems as well as ia certain other cell types (3,67). NT is colocalized with catecholamines ia some neurons. 

In most cylindrical carbon—zinc cells, the zinc anode also serves as the container for the cell. The zinc can is made by drawing or extmsion. Mercury [7439-97-6J has traditionally been incorporated in the cell to improve the corrosion resistance of the anode, but the industry is in the process of removing this material because of environmental concerns. Corrosion prevention is especially important in cylindrical cells because of the tendency toward pitting of the zinc can which leads to perforation and electrolyte leakage. Other cell types, such as flat cells, do not suffer as much from this problem. 

The term adipokine refers to any protein secreted from adipocytes [1]. Collectively, the various adipokines form the adipokinome which together with the lipid moieties secreted from fat cells (e.g. fatty acids, cholesterol, retinol) constitute what can be referred to as the secretome of adipocytes. Most adipokines are also secreted from other cell types in other organs, but one in particular - adiponectin - is considered to be exclusive to adipocytes. 

AMPK can also be activated by a Ca2+-mediated pathway involving phosphorylation at Thr-172 by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, CaMKK 3. CaMKKa and CaMKK 3 were discovered as the upstream kinase for the calmodulin-dependent protein kinases-1 and -IV they both activate AMPK in a Ca2+/ calmodulin-dependent manner in cell-free assays, although CaMKK 3 appears to much more active against AMPK in intact cells. Expression of CaMKKa and CaMKK(3 primarily occurs in neural tissues, but CaMKKp is also expressed in some other cell types. Thus, the Ca2+-mediated pathway for AMPK activation has now been shown to occur in response to depolarization in rat neuronal tissue, in response to thrombin (acting via a Gq-coupled receptor) in endothelial cells, and in response to activation of the T cell receptor in T cells. 

CNG channels are expressed in retinal photoreceptors and olfactory neurons, and play a key role in visual and olfactory signal transduction. In addition, CNG channels are found at low density in some other cell types and tissues such as brain, testis, and kidney. While the function of CNG channels in sensory neurons has been unequivocally demonstrated, the role of these channels in other cell types, where expression has been observed, remains to be established. Based on their phylogenetic relationship, the six CNG channels... 

A factor known as scatter factor has been characterized which causes the break up and stimulates motility of epithelial cell clumps (Stoker et al., 1987). This factor is identical to hepatocyte growth factor and increases the rate of locomotion of several other cell types. Motility factors elaborated from tumor cells are considered to play an important role in metastasis (see later). Guidance of cells by the physical topography of the substratum is another factor that profoundly affects the behavior of cells. 

In the sarcoplasm of smooth muscle cells there is a membrane bound compartment usually referred to as the SR by analogy with skeletal muscle. However, it is not at all clear that the interior of these membrane-bound regions are continuous as they are in skeletal muscle. The primary properties of this system seem to be quite similar to those of the endoplasmic reticulum of many other cell types. In general, calcium is concentrated into the membrane-bound reticulum and then released to initiate the characteristic action of the cell. 

Lastly, we will describe how these methods have been used to characterize the effects of hexachlorocyclohexanes on neutrophil functions. Although we are limiting this to a discussion of neutrophils, these approaches are completely generalizable to other cell types and have already been applied to some. We hope this summary will be useful to workers who wish to extend these techniques to the cell systems of interest to them. 

Our initial bioavailabihty experiments indicate that cationic aPNAs are readily intemahzed by cells without any additional delivery vehicle and that they do not affect ceU viabihty. We are currently examining aPNA internalization with other cell types as weU as the intracellular localization of aPNAs. 

CCR1 is a promiscuous chemokine receptor bound by several chemokines, such as MIP-la/CCL3, MIP-lp/CCL4, and RANTES/CCL5 (25-28). Although these chemokines are generally known to attract monocytes but not neutrophils in vitro (29), a previous report indicated that human MIP-la but not MIP-ip, could induce a small but detectable level of calcium flux in human neutrophils (30). When recombinant human MIP-la was injected into human skin to examine the in vivo role of this chemokine, rapid infiltration of neutrophils was observed prior to the appearance of other cell types, such as monocytes and lymphocytes (31). 

As far as we are aware, OPCs are the only normal mammalian cells, other than eggs and blastomeres, that have been shown to survive, proliferate and differentiate in serum- and extract-free culture in the absence of other cell types. Indeed, a single OPC can survive and proliferate in these conditions in the absence of any other cells, suggesting that diffusible autocrine factors are not required (Y. Tokumoto, unpublished work). These properties make OPCs especially attractive for studying how intracellular programmes and extracellular signals can combine to control when the cells exit the cell cycle and differentiate. It seems likely that similar mechanisms operate in other cell lineages. 

Altogether, there are many unknowns about carotenoid transport in the retina. However, present knowledge on carotenoid uptake in other cell types and the finding of multiple proteins potentially involved in carotenoid transport in the RPE and adjacent neural retina leads to the suggestion that several hypothetical pathways exist (Figure 15.3). Many such pathways can be easily tested in cultured RPE. 

It has been demonstrated in other cell types that lutein can inhibit expression of MMPs and/ or activity (Philips et al., 2007). For example, in dermal fibroblasts lutein inhibits expression of MMP-1 and decreases levels of MMP-2 protein (Philips et al., 2007). In melanoma cells, lutein inhibits MMP-1 expression while stimulating TIMP-2 (Philips et al., 2007). Moreover it has been shown that lutein inhibits elastin expression in fibroblasts subjected to oxidative stress by exposure to ultraviolet light (Philips et al., 2007). These results clearly indicate that lutein can play an important role in remodeling of the extracellular matrix. 

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