PURPOSE To determine an extensive mRNA phenotype of the established RPE cell line ARPE-19 when grown on a matrix modified by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). METHODS Growth Factor Reduced Matrigel (Collaborative Biomedical Products, Bedford, MA) was nonenzymatically glycated with glycolaldehyde. ARPE-19 cells were seeded on both AGE-Matrigel and Matrigel and grown to confluence, and se...

Background: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors involved in genetic control of many cellular processes. PPAR and PPAR have been implicated in colonic malignancy. Here we provide three lines of evidence suggesting an inhibitory role for PPAR in colorectal cancer development. Methods: Levels of PPAR mRNA and protein in human colorectal cancers were co...

PURPOSE To characterize the osmoprotective properties of L-carnitine on human corneal epithelial cell volume and apoptosis during hyperosmotic stress. METHODS Human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells were exposed to culture medium at 300 mOsm (isotonic) or 500 mOsm (hyperosmotic) with or without L-carnitine (10 mM). Induction of apoptosis was detected by quantifying the proteolytic activi...

We previously reported that mice implanted with mammary tumors show a progressive thymic involution that parallels the growth of the tumor. The involution is associated with a severe depletion of CD4+8+ thymocytes. We have investigated three possible mechanisms leading to this thymic atrophy: 1) increased apoptosis, 2) decreased proliferation, and 3) disruption of normal thymic maturation. The ...

BACKGROUND HIV-induced CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell apoptosis decreases upon start of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Although in vitro evidence suggests an anti-apoptotic effect of protease inhibitors (PIs) as opposed to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), in vivo studies are inconclusive about effects of differential cART regimens on T-cell apoptosis. METHODS Pe...

BACKGROUND Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors involved in genetic control of many cellular processes. PPAR and PPAR have been implicated in colonic malignancy. Here we provide three lines of evidence suggesting an inhibitory role for PPAR in colorectal cancer development. METHODS Levels of PPAR mRNA and protein in human colorectal cancers were co...

Clostridium perfringens delta-toxin is a β-pore-forming toxin and a putative pathogenic agent of C. perfringens types B and C. However, the mechanism of cytotoxicity of delta-toxin remains unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of cell death induced by delta-toxin in five cell lines (A549, A431, MDCK, Vero, and Caco-2). All cell lines were susceptible to delta-toxin. The toxin caused rap...

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is a laser-based, biophysical technology that allows simultaneous multiparametric analysis. For the analysis of dying cells, fluorescently labeled Annexin V (Annexin V(FITC)) and propidium iodide (PI) are the most commonly used reagents. Instead of PI, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) can also be used. DAPI is a fluorescent stain that binds strongl...

The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that trans fatty acids can induce apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). To test this hypothesis apoptosis was measured in HUVEC treated with 0.1, 1.0 or 5.0 mM trans elaidic acid (t-18:1) or linoelaidic acid (t,t-18:2) for 24 hours. For the detection of apoptosis, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay (TUNE...

Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease are causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Different risk factors have been demonstrated, but the exact mechanisms behind these diseases are still not fully understood. Recent studies have suggested Chlamydia pneumoniae to be involved in the pathogenesis, and increased apoptotic indexes in atherosclerotic plaques have been documented. In this ...