scholarly journals Expression of Glutamine Synthetase in Macrophages

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Georg Bode ◽  
Thorsten Peters-Regehr ◽  
Ralf Kubitz ◽  
Dieter Häussinger

We studied the expression of glutamine synthetase in liver macrophages (Kupffer cells, KCs) in situ and in culture. Glutamine synthetase was detectable at the mRNA and protein level in freshly isolated and short-term-cultured rat liver macrophages. Enzyme activity and protein content were about 9% of that in liver parenchymal cells. In contrast, glutamine synthetase mRNA levels in liver macrophages apparently exceeded those in parenchymal liver cells (PCs). By use of confocal laser scanning microscopy and specific macrophage markers, immunoreactive glutamine synthetase was localized to macrophages in normal rat liver and normal human liver in situ. All liver macrophages stained positive for glutamine synthetase. In addition, macrophages in rat pancreas contained immunoreactive glutamine synthetase, whereas glutamine synthetase was not detectable at the mRNA and protein level in blood monocytes and RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. No significant amounts of glutamine synthetase were found in isolated rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). The data suggest a constitutive expression of glutamine synthetase not only, as previously believed, in perivenous liver parenchymal cells but also in resident liver macrophages.

1976 ◽  
Vol 251 (10) ◽  
pp. 3014-3020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R F Kletzien ◽  
M W Pariza ◽  
J E Becker ◽  
V R Potter ◽  
F R Butcher

1989 ◽  
Vol 264 (3) ◽  
pp. 737-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Steinberg ◽  
H Schramm ◽  
L Schladt ◽  
L W Robertson ◽  
H Thomas ◽  
...  

The distribution and inducibility of cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.19) activities in rat liver parenchymal, Kupffer and endothelial cells were studied. In untreated rats glutathione S-transferase activity with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 4-hydroxynon-2-trans-enal as substrates was 1.7-2.2-fold higher in parenchymal cells than in Kupffer and endothelial cells, whereas total, selenium-dependent and non-selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activities were similar in all three cell types. Glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells isolated from untreated rats were separated by chromatofocusing in an f.p.l.c. system: all glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes observed in the sinusoidal lining cells were also detected in the parenchymal cells, whereas Kupffer and endothelial cells lacked several glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes present in parenchymal cells. At 5 days after administration of Arocolor 1254 glutathione S-transferase activity was only enhanced in parenchymal cells; furthermore, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity decreased in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. At 13 days after a single injection of Aroclor 1254 a strong induction of glutathione S-transferase had taken place in all three cell types, whereas selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity remained unchanged (endothelial cells) or was depressed (parenchymal and Kupffer cells). Hence these results clearly establish that glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase are differentially regulated in rat liver parenchymal as well as non-parenchymal cells. The presence of glutathione peroxidase and several glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes capable of detoxifying a variety of compounds in Kupffer and endothelial cells might be crucial to protect the liver from damage by potentially hepatotoxic substances.


1969 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Berry ◽  
D. S. Friend

A new technique employing continuous recirculating perfusion of the rat liver in situ, shaking of the liver in buffer in vitro, and filtration of the tissue through nylon mesh, results in the conversion of about 50% of the liver into intact, isolated parenchymal cells. The perfusion media consist of: (a) calcium-free Hanks' solution containing 0.05% collagenase and 0.10% hyaluronidase, and (b) magnesium and calcium-free Hanks' solution containing 2 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Biochemical and morphologic studies indicate that the isolated cells are viable. They respire in a medium containing calcium ions, synthesize glucose from lactate, are impermeable to inulin, do not stain with trypan blue, and retain their structural integrity. Electron microscopy of biopsies taken during and after perfusion reveals that desmosomes are quickly cleaved. Hemidesmosome-containing areas of the cell membrane invaginate and appear to pinch off and migrate centrally. Tight and gap junctions, however, persist on the intact, isolated cells, retaining small segments of cytoplasm from formerly apposing parenchymal cells. Cells which do not retain tight and gap junctions display swelling of Golgi vacuoles and vacuoles in the peripheral cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic vacuolization in a small percentage of cells and potassium loss are the only indications of cell injury detected. By other parameters measured, the isolated cells are comparable to normal hepatic parenchymal cells in situ in appearance and function.


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