bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis induced by erythroid differentiation of human leukemia cell lines is inhibited by Bcl-XL
Authors: Benito A , Silva M , Grillot D , Nunez G , Fernandez-Luna JL
Published: October 2019

The induction of tumor cell differentiation represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of a wide range of malignancies. Differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells towards neutrophils or monocytes has been shown to induce apoptotic cell death, which is inhibited by bcl-2 over-expression. However, the role of the bcl-2 gene family during erythroid differentiation of human leukemia cells remains unknown. We found that human erythroleukemia (HEL) and K562, two leukemia cell lines that undergo erythroid differentiation do not express Bcl-2, but express Bcl-XL, a related protein that functions as an inhibitor of apoptosis. Differentiation of HEL or K562 cells with inducers of erythroid differentiation (hemin, retinoic acid, or transforming growth factor-beta) was accompanied by progressive cell death and degradation of genomic DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments. The loss of cellular viability was associated with downregulation of bcl-xL mRNA and protein. In contrast, the levels of Bax, another Bcl-2 family member implicated in apoptosis remained unaltered. Constitutive expression of Bcl-XL by gene transfer inhibited apoptosis triggered by erythroid differentiation of HEL K562 cells. Yet, Bcl-XL did not alter the expression of epsilon-globin, which is induced during erythoid differentiation of HEL and K562 cells, arguing that apoptosis and differentiation can be uncoupled by Bcl-XL. These results indicate that Bcl-XL acts as an antiapoptosis protein in leukemia cells that undergo erythroid differentiation and that downregulation of bcl-x is a component of the apoptotic response that is coupled to differentiation in human leukemia cells.
Thrombopoietin, but not erythropoietin, directly stimulates multilineage growth of primitive murine bone marrow progenitor cells in synergy with early acting cytokines: distinct interactions with the ligands for c-kit and FLT3
Authors: Ramsfjell V , Borge OJ , Veiby OP , Cardier J , Murphy MJ Jr , Lyman SD , Lok S , Jacobsen SE
Published: October 2019

Thrombopoietin (Tpo), the ligand for c-mpl, has been shown to be the principal regulator of megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production. The ability of Tpo to potently stimulate the growth of committed megakaryocyte (Mk) progenitor cells has been studied in detail. Murine fetal liver cells, highly enriched in primitive progenitors, have been shown to express c-mpl, but little is known about the ability of Tpo to stimulate the growth and differentiation of primitive multipotent bone marrow (BM) progenitor cells. Here, we show that Tpo alone and in combination with early acting cytokines can stimulate the growth and multilineage differentiation of Lin-Sca-1+ BM progenitor cells. In particular, Tpo potently synergized with the ligands for c-kit (stem cell factor [SCF]) and flt3 (FL) to stimulate an increase in the number and size of clones formed from Lin-Sca-1+ progenitors. When cells were plated at 1 cell per well, the synergistic effect of Tpo was observed both in fetal calf serum-supplemented and serum-depleted medium and was decreased if the addition of Tpo to cultures was delayed for as little as 24 hours, suggesting that Tpo is acting directly on the primitive progenitors. Tpo added to SCF + erythropoietin (Epo)-supplemented methylcellulose cultures potently enhanced the formation of multilineage colonies containing granulocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, and Mks. SCF potently enhanced Tpo-stimulated production of high-ploidy Mks from Lin- Sca-1+ progenitors, whereas the increased growth response obtained when combining Tpo with FL did not translate into increased Mk production. The ability of Tpo and SCF to synergistically enhance the growth of Lin- Sca-1+ progenitors was predominantly observed in the more primitive rhodamine 123(lo) fraction. Tpo also enhanced growth of Lin- Sca-1+ progenitors when combined with interleukin-3 (IL-3) and IL-11 but not with IL-12, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or Epo. Epo, which has high homology to Tpo, was unable to stimulate the growth of Lin-Sca-1+ progenitors alone or in combination with SCF or FL, suggesting that c-mpl is expressed on more primitive stages of progenitors than the Epo receptor. Thus, the present studies show the potent ability of Tpo to enhance the growth of primitive multipotent murine BM progenitors in combination with multiple early acting cytokines and documents its unique ability to synergize with SCF to enhance Mk production from such progenitors.
Lovastatin inhibits T-cell antigen receptor signaling independent of its effects on ras
Authors: Goldman F , Hohl RJ , Crabtree J , Lewis-Tibesar K , Koretzky G
Published: October 2019

Lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, has antiproliferative properties that may be related to its inhibition of protein isoprenylation. We examined the effects of lovastatin on signal transduction via the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). Lovastatin inhibited both proximal and distal TCR-mediated signaling events in a time-and concentration-dependent manner in the human Jurkat T-cell line. Upregulation of CD69 surface expression after TCR stimulation was blocked by lovastatin, although no inhibition of phorbol ester-induced CD69 expression was noted. Proximal TCR-mediated signaling events, including intracellular calcium mobilization, inositol phosphate production, and tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma1, were similarly inhibited by lovastatin, although global protein tyrosine kinase activity remained intact. In a Jurkat variant transfected with the human type-1 muscarinic receptor, lovastatin also inhibited TCR- mediated calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate production but failed to affect muscarinic receptor-induced responses. Lovastatin, at similar doses, also disrupted post-translational processing of ras and inhibited ras-dependent signals, including phosphorylation and activation of mitogen-associated protein kinase after TCR stimulation. These findings suggest that the antiproliferative properties of lovastatin may be independent of ras and could result from uncoupling protein tyrosine kinases from distinct signal transduction pathways.
Bispecific antibodies target operationally tumor-specific antigens in two leukemia relapse models
Authors: Lindhofer H , Menzel H , Gunther W , Hultner L , Thierfelder S
Published: October 2019

Despite improved procedures in chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation (BMT), post-BMT leukemia relapse rates have remained rather constant in the last decade. Immunotherapy with monoclonal or bispecific antibodies (bsAb) is a promising approach to improve this situation, but is hampered by the absence of tumor-specific antigens on the majority of tumors. To evade this problem, we developed a new tumor-specific approach in which bispecific antibodies exploit chimerism after allogeneic BMT by redirecting donor T cells against recipient-specific antigens on tumor cells. Two different leukemia relapse models were established using a T-cell lymphoma (ST-1) and a B-cell lymphoma (BCL1) to evaluate the efficiency of such a therapy. In these experiments, irradiated BALB/c (Thy-1.2+, I-Ad) mice were transplanted with C57BL/6 Thy-1.1 (I-Ab) BM cells under the protection of graft- versus-host disease-preventing monoclonal antibodies. Forty-five days after BMT, the chimeric mice were injected with either 2 x 10(4) recipient-type, Thy-1.2+, CD3- ST-1 cells or major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II+ (I-Ad)-BCL1 cells. Four days later, the mice were treated with 8 microg bsAb G2 (anti-CD3 x anti-Thy-1.2) or 10 microg (+10 microg, day 6) bsAb BiC (anti-CD3 x anti-I-Ad), respectively. These combinations guaranteed exclusive binding of the bsAbs target arms to tumor cells, leaving the surrounding, donor-type hematopoietic cells unbound. Compared with the parental antibodies, the bsAbs markedly reduced tumor mortality. Between 34% and 83% of mice survived in the bsAb groups compared with 0% of the control groups treated with parental antibodies, clearly documenting the benefit of the redirection principle. Furthermore, cytokine release (interleukin- 6) after anti-CD3 antibody or bsAb treatment was decreased by administering a low-dose antibody preinjection. We have shown (1) that 6 weeks after BMT, when donor T-cell reconstitution is still in progress, T-cell-redirecting bsAb are clearly superior to parental antibodies in terms of tumor cell elimination; and (2) that the polymorphism of a common antigen such as Thy-1 or a clinically more relevant target antigen such as MHC class II can be used as an operational tumor-specific antigen after allogeneic BMT.
Myeloma cell growth arrest, apoptosis, and interleukin-6 receptor modulation induced by EB1089, a vitamin D3 derivative, alone or in association with dexamethasone
Authors: Puthier D , Bataille R , Barille S , Mellerin MP , Harousseau JL , Ponzio A , Robillard N , Wijdenes J , Amiot M
Published: October 2019

We have previously shown that malignant plasma cells expressed the specific receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and that this derivative could significantly inhibit the proliferation of such malignant cells. More recently, new vitamin D3 derivatives have been generated with extraordinarily potent inhibitory effects on leukemic cell growth in vitro. These new data prompted us to (re)investigate the capacity of such new vitamin D3 derivatives to inhibit myeloma cell growth in comparison with that of dexamethasone, a potent antitumoral agent in multiple myeloma. In the current study, we show that EB1089, a new vitamin D3 derivative, (1) induces G1 growth arrest of human myeloma cells, which is only partially reversed by interleukin-6 (IL-6); (2) induces apoptosis in synergy with dexamethasone, IL-6, leukemia-inhibitory factor, and Oncostatin M, with an agonistic anti-gp130 monoclonal antibody being unable to prevent this apoptosis; (3) downregulates both the gp80 (ie, the alpha chain of the IL-6 receptor [IL-6Ralpha]) expression on malignant plasma cells and the production of soluble IL-6Ralpha, and finally (4) inhibits the deleterious upregulation of gp80 expression induced by dexamethasone while limiting the dexamethasone-induced upregulation of gp130 expression. Considering that these in vitro effects of EB1089 have been observed at doses obtainable in vivo (without hypercalcemic effects), our present data strongly suggest that EB1089 could have a true interest in the treatment of multiple myeloma, especially in association with dexamethasone.
Characterization of RAFTK, a novel focal adhesion kinase, and its integrin-dependent phosphorylation and activation in megakaryocytes
Authors: Li J , Avraham H , Rogers RA , Raja S , Avraham S
Published: October 2019

We have recently isolated a cDNA encoding a novel human intracellular tyrosine kinase, termed RAFTK (for a related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase). The RAFTK cDNA, which encodes a polypeptide of 1,009 amino acids, shares 65% homology to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), including several consensus motifs. In this report, we describe the biochemical characterization and functional analysis of the RAFTK protein. Coexpression of RAFTK and FAK proteins in megakaryocytic cells and blood platelets was observed. Using a specific antibody to RAFTK and the monoclonal antibody 2A7 to FAK, FAK and RAFTK could be distinguished antigenically. RAFTK had intrinsic tyrosine kinase and autokinase activities. It was phosphorylated on tyrosine in growing cultures of COS cells transfected with the pCDNAIII/flag-RAFTK expression vector containing the RAFTK cDNA ligated with the 8 amino acid flag peptide sequence. Similar to FAK, dephosphorylation of RAFTK was observed when adherent transfected COS cells were detached. Phosphorylation was regained upon replating of these cells on the fibronectincoated dishes. Analysis of tyrosine-phosphorylated RAFTK from adherent transfected COS cells showed that the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of the Src and Fyn protein kinases as well as the Grb2 adaptor protein were able to specifically associate with RAFTK. Tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous RAFTK was observed upon fibronectin-induced activation of human megakaryocytic cells. Furthermore, colocalization of RAFTK protein with vinculin, a focal adhesion protein, was observed by confocal microscopy in focal adhesion- like structures in adherent CMK cells and in transfected pCDNAIII/flag- RAFTK COS cells upon fibronectin activation. These data suggest that RAFTK is a novel member of the FAK family, that it localizes to focal adhesion-like structures in CMK megakaryocytic cells, that it participates in integrinmediated signaling pathways in megakaryocytes, and that it is able to associate with the tyrosine kinases Src and Fyn as well as the adaptor protein Grb2 via SH2-phosphotyrosine interactions.
In situ radiation sensitivity of recombinant human granulocyte colony- stimulating factor-recruited murine circulating blood and bone marrow progenitors (colony-forming unit [CFU]-granulocyte-macrophage and CFU- megakaryocyte): evidence for possible biologic differences between mobilized blood and bone marrow
Authors: Scheding S , Media JE , KuKuruga MA , Nakeff A
Published: October 2019

Increasing evidence especially stemming from peripheral blood progenitor transplantation studies points to a possible biologic difference between mobilized blood and bone marrow progenitor cells. The objective of this study was to compare the in situ radiation sensitivity of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF)-recruited circulating granulopoietic (blood colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage [CFU-GM(blood)]) and megakaryocytopoietic (blood CFU-megakaryocyte [CFU-Meg(blood)]) progenitors, with the nonmobilized fraction remaining in the bone marrow (CFU-GM(femur) and CFU-Meg(femur)). Splenectomized male B6D2F1 mice received 50 micrograms/kg/d rhG-CSF daily for 8 days to induce high levels of circulating progenitors, followed by either total body X-irradiation (TBI) or X-irradiation of the chest (CI) with 62.5, 125, 250, or 500 cGy. Progenitor cells were assayed 24 hours after irradiation. Circulating CFU-GM and CFU-Meg in the blood were decreased in a dose- dependent fashion by both TBI and CI, with TBI causing greater damage than CI. Average D0 values for TBI were 53 cGy for CFU-GM(blood) and 40 cGy for CFU-Meg(blood) D0 values for CI were 90 cGy for CFU-GM(blood) and 140 cGy for CFU-Meg(blood). As seen for blood progenitor cells, TBI caused a dose-dependent decrease of both CFU-GM(femur) (D0, 136 cGy) and CFU-Meg(femur) (D0, 148 cGy). However, radiation-induced bone marrow progenitor cell kill was significantly lower when compared with blood progenitors. Despite the fact that circulating blood elements only received a fraction of the total dose administered as Cl, the extent of blood progenitor kill caused by Cl was higher than the effects of identical TBI doses on bone marrow CFU. The results of this study showed that rhG-CSF-recruited CFU-Meg(blood) and CFU-GM(blood) were considerably more radiosensitive than femoral progenitors, thereby providing novel evidence for a biologic difference between rhG-CSF- recruited peripheral blood progenitors and the nonrecruited bone marrow CFU.
The supportive effects of erythropoietin and mast cell growth factor on CD34+/CD36- sorted bone marrow cells of myelodysplasia patients
Authors: Brada S , de Wolf J , Hendriks D , Esselink M , Ruiters M , Vellenga E
Published: October 2019

In the present study, we analyzed the capacity of CD34+/CD36- sorted bone marrow cells of myelodysplasia patients (n = 4) to differentiate along the erythroid lineage in the presence of erythropoietin (Epo) and mast cell growth factor (MGF). Two subgroups could be identified. In 6 patients, a normal number of burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-Es) were cultured from CD34+/CD36- sorted cells. Cells from these patients did have the capacity to differentiate to colony-forming units- erythroid (CFU-Es) progenitors in cell suspension cultures with Epo plus MGF followed by Epo in the culture assay. Moreover, the cells became CD34-/CD36+/gly-cophorin A (GpA)+ after 7 days of culture with Epo plus MGF, a pattern comparable to that of normal progenitors. In contrast, in 8 patients, a different pattern was observed. No BFU-Es or a low number of BFU-Es were cultured from the CD34+/CD36- sorted cell fraction that was, in most of the cases, incapable of differentiating to CFU-E progenitors. Flow cytometry of the sorted population showed that, after 7 days of culture with Epo plus MGF, a high proportion of CD34+/CD36- cells persisted, whereas a low proportion of cells became CD34-/CD36+/GpA+. The unresponsiveness is not caused by the used growth factor combination, because the addition of interleukin-3 did not correct the defect. Evi-1 expression was studied in 9 cases to show whether an aberrant Evi-1 expression correlates with a disturbed erythroid development. Evi-1 expression was shown in 4 of 9 cases, whereas 3 of 9 cases did have a disturbed erythroid differentiation. In summary, the results show that the defects in the erythroid development in a subpopulation of patients with myelodysplasia is localized at an early stage of the erythroid differentiation and is associated with the persistent expression of the CD34 antigen and, in some cases, with the expression of Evi-1.
Stimulation of tissue-type plasminogen activator expression by retinoic acid in human endothelial cells requires retinoic acid receptor beta 2 induction
Authors: Lansink M , Kooistra T
Published: October 2019

We previously showed the involvement of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR alpha) in the induction of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t- PA) synthesis by RA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). However, the rather slow onset of this induction of t-PA synthesis suggested an indirect role of RAR alpha. Here, we show that the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide completely blocks the induction of t- PA by RA, which points to the need of an intermediary protein in t-PA stimulation. This intermediary protein is likely to be RAR beta 2 on the basis of the following findings: (1) the induction of RAR beta by RA exactly precedes that of t-PA; (2) HUVECs with elevated RAR beta mRNA levels show an undelayed t-PA induction on stimulation with RA, and this response can be almost completely inhibited with an RAR antagonist; and (3) an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against the translation initiation site of RAR beta 2 mRNA greatly reduces the t-PA induction by RA. Thus, induction of t-PA by RA in HUVECs involves a 2- step mechanism requiring induction of RAR beta 2 via RAR alpha, followed by induction of t-PA synthesis via RAR beta 2. Each of these steps is shown to have a different activation profile with RA and 9 cis RA.
Apoptosis of Burkitt's lymphoma cells induced by specific interaction of surface IgM with a self-antigen: implications for lymphomagenesis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Roncella S , Cutrona G , Favre A , Ulivi M , Fais F , Signorini A , Grossi CE , Chiorazzi N , Ferrarini M
Published: October 2019

In a previous study, we described a cell line (BRG-P) derived from a woman with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that shared the same characteristic cytogenetic abnormalities as the patient's malignant cells. This cell line contained subclones that displayed an isotype switch from IgM to IgA1 and an accumulation of point mutations in the Vh region genes. Because these two features suggested an antigen-driven process, we began a search for the antigen responsible for the stimulation of the malignant B cells. Specifically, we hypothesized that because the patient's tumor had presented as a lymphomatous infiltration of the breast, the malignant B cells were recruited to this site because of the reactivity of their surface lg with breast tissue. A hybridoma (BRG-H) was obtained by fusing BRG-M cells (an IgM producing subclone of the BRG-P cell) with an appropriate cellular partner. The monoclonal antibody (BRG MoAb) produced by this hybridoma reacted strongly with two of five breast cancer cell lines and stained normal and malignant ductal epithelial cells on breast tissue sections. The antigen recognized by the BRG MoAb consisted of a single, minimally glycosylated polypeptide chain of 45 kD (p45). The BRG MoAb failed to react with a panel of human cell lines from different tissues, except for one cell line from a uterine cervical carcinoma. No reactivity was detected for a panel of exogenous antigens from various pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus and self- antigens frequently recognized by polyspecific antibodies. Experiments were performed to investigate the functional consequences of the interaction of surface IgM with its specific ligand. Coculture of BRG-M cells with p45+, but not with p45-, breast cells caused apoptosis of BRG-M cells. The specificity of the interaction was shown by the observation that apoptosis was prevented by pretreatment of BRG-M cells with a monovalent F(ab′) fragment of rabbit IgG antibody to human mu chains. Moreover, only BRG-M cells, but not other BL cells, underwent apoptosis after exposure to p45+ breast cells. The interaction between the CD40 molecule expressed by BRG-M cells and its specific ligand (CD40L) prevented p45-induced cell apoptosis. Because this interaction mimics that occurring in vivo between T and B cells during immune responses, our data suggest that various events contributed to the emergence of the BL, in this particular patient, including antigenic stimulation possibly assisted by T-cell help.
Tumor-specific aneuploidy not detected in CD19+ B-lymphoid cells from myeloma patients in a multidimensional flow cytometric analysis
Authors: McSweeney PA , Wells DA , Shults KE , Nash RA , Bensinger WI , Buckner CD , Loken MR
Published: October 2019

Aneuploidy and lg light chain restriction were used as separate, independent tumor specific markers to study 26 patients with multiple myeloma to determine whether bone marrow B cells, as defined by CD19 expression, are clonally related to myeloma plasma cells. Specimens were characterized using multidimensional flow cytometry to identify the presence of clonality in both the B lymphoid and plasma cell populations using both surface and cytoplasmic staining with antibodies specific for kappa or lambda lg light chain In none of the patients with multiple myeloma were CD19+ cells found to be clonally restricted to kappa or lambda. The monoclonal plasma cells (MPC) were found to be uniformly negative for CD10, CD19, and CD34, while the CD19+ B lymphoid cells present within the samples expressed normal intensities and relationships of these antigens, which allowed them to serve as internal positive controls. Combined analysis of call surface antigen expression and DNA content allowed plasma cell populations to be characterized for aneuploidy without interference from normal bone marrow cells. The MPC, detected on the basis of bright CD38 expression (CD38+2), demonstrated DNA aneuploidy in 65% of cases (DNA index range of 0.9 to 1.3). These aneuploid DNA distributions had typical cell cycle profiles (including G1,S and G2+M) expected of a proliferating population. In all cases, DNA aneuploidy was confined almost entirely to the CD38+2, CD19- malignant plasma cells, while cells expressing CD19 were diploid. These results support the concept that myeloma is a disease process mediated by self-replicating, late compartments of B- cell ontogeny.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of t(3; 12)(q26; p13): a recurring chromosomal abnormality involving the TEL gene (ETV6) in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Raynaud SD , Baens M , Grosgeorge J , Rodgers K , Reid CD , Dainton M , Dyer M , Fuzibet JG , Gratecos N , Taillan B , Ayraud N , Marynen P
Published: October 2019

We have identified a new recurrent reciprocal translocation between chromosome 3 and 12 with breakpoints at bands 3q26 and 12p13, t(3;12)(q26;p13) in the malignant cells from five patients with acute transformation of myelodysplastic syndrome or blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia. t(3;12)(q26;p13) appears as a rare but nonrandom event present in various myeloid leukemia subtypes, which is frequently associated with dysplasia of megakaryocytes, multilineage involvement, short duration of any blastic phase, and a very poor prognosis. Here, we report the molecular cytogenetic analysis of the t(3;12). Fluorescence in situ hybridization results indicate that the 3q26 breakpoints are quite heterogeneous and occur 5′ of MDS1, 3′ of EVI1, or between MDS1 and EVI1. Our results are very similar to those observed in other 3q26 rearrangements in which breakpoints were shown to occur over considerable distances 5′ and 3′ of EVI1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization investigations proved that, in three myelodysplastic syndrome cases with t(3;12)(q26;p13), the 12p 13 breakpoint occurred within the TEL gene.
Combination of quinine as a potential reversing agent with mitoxantrone and cytarabine for the treatment of acute leukemias: a randomized multicenter study
Authors: Solary E , Witz B , Caillot D , Moreau P , Desablens B , Cahn JY , Sadoun A , Pignon B , Berthou C , Maloisel F , Guyotat D , Casassus P , Ifrah N , Lamy Y , Audhuy B , Colombat P , Harousseau JL
Published: October 2019

A phase III prospective randomized multicenter study was performed to determine whether quinine could improve the response rate of poor-risk acute leukemias (ALs) to standard chemotherapy including a multidrug resistance (MDR)-related cytotoxic agent. The rationale of the study was based on the negative prognostic value of MDR phenotype in ALs and the ability of quinine to reverse this phenotype both in vitro and ex vivo. Three hundred fifteen patients (median age, 49 years; range, 16 to 65) with relapsed (n = 108) or refractory (n = 32) acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), relapsed (n = 27) or refractory (n = 9) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), secondary AL (n = 22) or blastic transformation of myelodysplastic syndrome ([MDS] n = 74) or myeloproliferative syndrome ([MPS] n = 43) were randomly assigned to receive mitoxantrone ([MXN] 12 mg/m2/d, days 2 to 5) and cytarabine ([Ara-C] 1 g/m2/12 h, days 1 to 5) alone or in combination with quinine (30 mg/kg/d, days 1 to 5; continuous intravenous infusion beginning 24 hours before MXN infusion). Side effects of quinine were observed in 56 of 161 quinine-treated patients and disappeared in all but four cases after one or two 20% dose decreases. Sera from quinine-treated patients showed increased MXN uptake in an MDR-positive cell line compared with matched sera obtained before quinine infusion. Quinine induced a significant increase in the incidence of nausea, vomiting, mucositis, and cardiac toxicity. A complete response (CR) was observed in 85 of 161 patients (52.8%) from the quinine-treated group versus 70 of 154 patients (45.5%) in the control group (P = .19). The most important differences between quinine and control group CR rates were observed in patients with refractory AMLs and blastic transformation of MDS and MPS. The CR rate was higher in P-glycoprotein-positive cases, although the difference was not significant. Failure of the regimen due to blastic persistence or blast number increase was higher in the control group (61 of 154 patients) than in the quinine group (45 of 161, P = .04). Early death was observed in eight cases (four in each arm) and death in aplasia in 27 cases (20 in quinine group v seven in control group, P = .01). The significant increase of toxicity in the quinine arm could have masked the clinical benefit of MDR reversion in poor- risk ALs.
PU.1 (Spi-1) and C/EBP alpha regulate the granulocyte colony- stimulating factor receptor promoter in myeloid cells
Authors: Smith LT , Hohaus S , Gonzalez DA , Dziennis SE , Tenen DG
Published: October 2019

Cytokines, important for lineage commitment and differentiation during hematopoiesis, exert their influence by binding specific receptors. Receptor expression is tightly regulated and examining the factors that govern their expression will allow better understanding of the events that determine lineage commitment. The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor is expressed exclusively in myeloid cells and the placenta. We show here that the G-CSF receptor transcription start site is identical in each of these tissues. A 1,391-bp fragment of the G-CSF receptor promoter is both active in myeloid cell lines and tissue specific. We have also found two regions that are important for G-CSF receptor promoter activity. One region, located at bp -49, contains a GCAAT site that specifically binds the C/EBP alpha transcription factor in myeloid nuclear extracts. Mutation of this site prevents C/EBP alpha binding and reduces promoter activity by 60%. The other functionally important region of the G-CSF receptor promoter is in the 5′ untranslated region, at bp +36 and +43, where there are two sites for the ets family member PU.1. Mutation of these sites prevents PU.1 binding and reduces promoter activity by 75%. These results reinforce the importance of both PU.1 and C/EBP alpha in the expression of myeloid-specific genes and neutrophil development.
Characterization of a bipotent erythro-megakaryocytic progenitor in human bone marrow
Authors: Debili N , Coulombel L , Croisille L , Katz A , Guichard J , Breton-Gorius J , Vainchenker W
Published: October 2019

The aim of the present study was to determine if the human erythroid (E) and megakaryocytic (MK) lineages were closely linked to the existence of a bipotent burst-forming unit (BFU) E/MK progenitor. In methylcellulose cultures, BFU-E/MK colonies were observed at day 12 and closely resembled mature BFU-E with the exception that the erythroid component was surrounded by MK. These colonies were quite different from the colony forming unit (CFU)-GEMM-derived colonies, which were composed of a larger number of erythroblasts and which developed later in culture. The existence of these bilineage colonies composed of 100 to 1,000 erythroblasts intermingled with a few MK and without granulocytic cells was confirmed by the plasma clot technique and immunoalkaline phosphatase labeling of the MK. To investigate if this bipotent progenitor belonged to the compartment of primitive progenitors, CD34+ marrow cells were subfractionated according to expression of the CD38 antigen. The bipotent BFU-E/MK progenitor as well as a large fraction of MK progenitors were found in the CD34+ CD38+/- or in the CD34+ CD38- cell fractions. Growth of this bipotent BFU-E/MK progenitor required the combination of stem cell factor (SCF), Interleukin-3 (IL-3), and Epo in serum free conditions. Addition of IL- 6 had only a marginal effect, whereas megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) was not an absolute requirement, but slightly increased the plating efficiency of CFU-MK and of BFU-E/MK progenitors when combined with SCF, IL-3, and Epo. In contrast, when these cultures were performed in the presence of 30% fetal calf serum, no BFU-E/MK colonies were observed irrespective of the combination of growth factors used, including the presence of MGDF; however, inclusion of the MS-5 cell line restored the growth of this bipotent progenitor. In contrast, in cultures performed in the presence of human normal or aplastic plasma, MS-5 had only a slight effect on the cloning efficiency but improved MK cytoplasmic maturation and MK size, suggesting that the main effect of MS-5 is to diminish the inhibitory effect of the fetal calf serum on the MK differentiation. The clonal origin of bipotent BFU-E/MK colonies was demonstrated in liquid culture of single CD34+ CD38low cells by immunophenotyping individual clones. At day 12, 30% of the clones contained erythroblasts (glycophorin A+) and some MK (CD41+) without granulocytes (G) or macrophages (M) (CD14+ and CD15+). At day 20, clones containing erythroblasts and MK were rare (5%). In contrast multilineage clones could be frequently detected at this time without passage from BFU-E/MK clones at day 12 to GEMM at day 20. These results suggest that a bipotent BFU-E/MK progenitor may be a nonrandom step in the hierarchical development of stem cells.
Association of smooth muscle cell tissue factor with caveolae
Authors: Mulder AB , Smit JW , Bom VJ , Blom NR , Ruiters MH , Halie MR , van der Meer J
Published: October 2019

There is still no satisfactory explanation for the low catalytic activity of tissue factor (TF)/factor VII(a) complexes towards coagulation factor X, as found on the apical surface side of cell layers. It has been hypothesized that TF exists in a latent form. Layers of cultured human smooth muscle cells, constitutively expressing TF, were immunogold-labeled for TF in situ and processed for electron microscopy. We showed that, besides internalization and accumulation in lysosomal-like structures, TF remained associated with noncoated, flask- shaped microinvaginations of the plasma membrane. These invaginations were identified as caveolae. In regions in which intercellular contacts were interrupted, more TF-positive caveolae were observed. Enzymatically detached smooth muscle cells exhibited a similar enlargement of caveolar structures. Concomitantly, an increase of catalytic activity of apically formed TF/VIIa complexes towards factor X was found on the suspended cells. We speculate that caveolae- associated TF may function as a latent pool of procoagulant activity, which can rapidly be activated at sites in which vessel wall integrity is lost.
CD38 expression distinguishes two groups of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemias with different responses to anti-IgM antibodies and propensity to apoptosis
Authors: Zupo S , Isnardi L , Megna M , Massara R , Malavasi F , Dono M , Cosulich E , Ferrarini M
Published: October 2019

The expression of CD38 by B cells chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) was studied in 20 untreated patients. The cells expressed abundant CD38 (relative fluorescence intensity range, 6 to 15) in 6 cases (group I patients), whereas CD38 expression was low to absent (relative fluorescence intensity range, 0 to 3) in the remaining cases (group II patients). Exposure of the cells from group I patients to goat antihuman mu chain antibodies (Ga mu-ab) resulted in the elevation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration([Ca2+]i) followed by apoptosis. In contrast, exposure of group II cells to Ga mu-ab was not followed by increased levels of [Ca2+]i, programmed cell death or cell proliferation. No differences in the expression of surface IgM were noted in the two groups of B-CLL cells. Normal peripheral blood B cells, which expressed low to absent CD38, were capable of mobilizing [Ca2+]i and of proliferating after exposure to Ga mu-ab. The collected data suggest that, although group I B-CLL cells were able to transduce the signals delivered by IgM crosslinking, this pathway was severely impaired in group II B-CLL cells. However, unlike that observed in normal circulating B cells, stimulation of group I cells with Ga mu-ab resulted in apoptosis rather than proliferation. CD38 did not appear to be directly involved in [Ca2+]i mobilization induced by Ga mu-ab in group I B-CLL cells because their exposure to anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies failed to cause [Ca2+]i mobilization or to block the [Ca2+]i response induced by Ga mu-ab. These data indicate that CD38 expression identified a particular subset of B-CLL cells with defined functional properties, including the propensity to undergo apoptosis.
Protease receptors in Hodgkin's disease: expression of the factor Xa receptor, effector cell protease receptor-1, in Reed-Sternberg cells
Authors: Adida C , Ambrosini G , Plescia J , Crotty PL , Costa J , Altieri DC
Published: October 2019

The expression of a cellular receptor for the blood-clotting protease factor Xa, designated effector cell protease receptor-1 (EPR-1), was investigated in lymphoma. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated prominent reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to EPR-1 with Reed- Sternberg cells in 30 of 35 cases of nodular-sclerosis, lymphocyte- depletion, and mixed-cellularity Hodgkin's disease (HD). In contrast, several non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, or the nonneoplastic cellular components of HD, did not react with anti-EPR-1 monoclonal antibodies. A single molecular species of approximately 62 kD, consistent with the size and structural organization of EPR-1, was immunoblotted by an anti- EPR-1 monoclonal antibody from tissue samples of HD, but not from normal lymph nodes. Expression of EPR-1 transcripts in Reed-Sternberg cells was demonstrated by in situ hybridization with an antisense EPR-1 riboprobe, and by amplification of reverse-transcribed HD RNA with EPR- 1-specific primers. These findings identify the factor Xa receptor, EPR- 1, as a novel marker of Reed-Sternberg cells, and suggest its potential role in the histopathogenesis of HD.
Hydroxyurea for treatment of severe sickle cell anemia: a pediatric clinical trial
Authors: Ferster A , Vermylen C , Cornu G , Buyse M , Corazza F , Devalck C , Fondu P , Toppet M , Sariban E
Published: October 2019

Hydroxyurea (HU) enhances the synthesis of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and can improve the clinical course of some adult patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). In a randomized trial, we studied the biologic effects and the clinical benefit of HU in children and young adults with severe SCA. Twenty-five patients (median age, 9 years) were randomized to receive either HU (at the initial dosage of 20 mg/kg/d) or a placebo for 6 months and were then switched to the other arm for the next 6 months. Among the 22 evaluable patients (median age, 8 years), significant increases in HbF and mean corpuscular volume occurred during the HU treatment period. The white blood cell and reticulocytes counts decreased significantly, but these changes were not clinically relevant. Sixteen of 22 patients (73%) experienced a complete disappearance of events requiring hospitalization. The number of days of hospitalization as well as the number of hospitalizations for patients on HU, as compared with those for the patients receiving placebo, were significantly reduced. We conclude that treatment with HU in children and young adults is feasible, well-tolerated, and improves the clinical course of SCA. The long-term effects of HU require further investigation.
Human hematopoiesis in SCID mice implanted with human adult cancellous bone
Authors: Sandhu JS , Clark BR , Boynton EL , Atkins H , Messner H , Keating A , Hozumi N
Published: October 2019

The persistence of hematopoietic cells from human adult cancellous bone fragments implanted subcutaneously into CB-17 scid/scid mice was studied. Recipient mice received either no pretreatment (control group) or pretreatment with 3 Gy total-body irradiation and anti-asialo GM1 sera (ASGM1; pretreated group) before implantation. Pretreated severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice implanted with human bone were subsequently given ASGM1 every 7 days for the duration of the experiments. At 12 weeks postimplantation, flow cytometry of cells from pretreated and control animal tissues detected human CD45+ cells in the mouse spleen (mean, 7.8% and 3.4% positive cells, pretreated and control animals, respectively), bone marrow (BM; mean, 16.5% and 4.8% positive cells, respectively), and blood (mean, 5.5% and < 2% positive cells, respectively), and in the implanted human bone (73% and 8.9% positive cells, respectively). At 12 weeks, pretreated mice had human granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) and burst-forming units-erythrocyte (BFU-E) in the implanted human bone in the murine BM and in some of the spleens. The spleens also had extensive infiltration of human B cells and macrophages. Mean serum levels of human IgG in pretreated animals were 14 micrograms/mL during weeks 6 to 12, compared with trace levels (< 1 microgram/mL) in control mice. Bone from patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) was also implanted in pretreated SCID mice, and retrieved at 8 weeks for analysis. Comparison of preimplantation and implanted samples showed that the original histology was maintained, and massive infiltration of human CD68+ cells was observed in the mice spleens and BM. Implantation of AML bone in SCID mice facilitates analysis of in situ AML cell interaction with stromal cells in the leukemic state, and therapies against AML can be tested in this system, especially the selective killing of AML cells in the presence of other BM cells. Furthermore, this model requires no exogenous administration of cytokines to maintain human hematopoiesis with both normal or AML bone. Because the structure and function of both normal and diseased human adult bone is maintained, this animal model should facilitate investigation of both normal human hematopoiesis and hematopoietic malignancies.
Expression of Fas/CD95 and Bcl-2 by primitive hematopoietic progenitors freshly isolated from human fetal liver
Authors: Barcena A , Park SW , Banapour B , Muench MO , Mechetner E
Published: October 2019

The cell-surface expression and the functional status of the CD95/Fas antigen on primitive hematopoietic progenitors (PHPs) freshly isolated from human fetal liver (FL) were studied. PHPs were phenotypically defined as CD34++ CD38 -/+ cells. The most immature subfractions of PHPs, CD34++CD38- and CD34+2CD38+ FL cells, expressed CD95, whereas the more mature CD34++CD38++ and CD34+CD38++2 FL cells displayed low CD95 expression. Combinations of cytokines, such as kit ligand (KL) + interleukin-3 or KL + granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) upregulated the expression of CD95 on PHPs upon in vitro culture. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) further increased the CD95 expression induced by KL+GM-CSF. The hematopoietic potential of sorted CD34++lineage (lin)- CD95+ versus CD34++ lin-CD95-FL cells was compared by colony-forming unit-culture (CFU-C) assays performed in serum-deprived medium. Lin+ cells were composed of erythrocytes, monocytes, T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. Our results indicated that both CD95- and CD95+ subsets contained pluripotent progenitors, generating myeloid and erythroid progenitors. The functional status of CD95 and the effects of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, cytokines known to induce CD95-mediated apoptosis, were analyzed by incubation of PHPs in the presence of anti-CD95 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). The effect of anti-CD95 MoAbs was measured by viable cell counting, flow cytometry, and CFU-C assays. A decrease of CFU-C numbers was observed in the presence of anti-CD95 MoAbs and TNF- alpha and/or IFN-gamma. However, whereas growth factor deprivation induced apoptosis of PHPs, cross-linking of CD95 did not lead to apoptosis of PHPs measured by flow cytometry and viable cell counting. The correlation of increased intracytoplasmic levels of bcl-2 with high levels of cell-surface CD34 and the presence of CD95 on fresh FL cells suggests that bcl-2 may be involved in protecting against CD95-mediated apoptosis of FL PHPs.
Phenotypic and functional characterization of long-term culture- initiating cells present in peripheral blood progenitor collections of normal donors treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
Authors: Prosper F , Stroncek D , Verfaillie CM
Published: October 2019

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) have successfully been used as stem cells for both autologous and allogeneic transplants. However, little is known concerning the absolute number and phenotype of primitive progenitors, such as long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) in mobilized PBPC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the capacity of G- CSF to mobilize LTC-IC in the PB of normal individuals and to evaluate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of G-CSF mobilized LTC- IC. G-CSF was administered to 29 healthy volunteers at 7.5 micrograms or 10 micrograms/kg/d subcutaneously (SC) for 5 consecutive days and PBPC were harvested on day 6. Mobilization with G-CSF increased the absolute number of week 5 LTC-IC in PB 60-fold, while the number of CD34+ cells and committed colony forming cells (CFC) was increased sevenfold to 12-fold. The frequency of CFC and week 5 LTC-IC in CD34+ cells selected by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) from mobilized PBPC was 2 +/- 0.3-fold and 9 +/- 2.2-fold higher respectively than in CD34+ cells selected from unmobilized PBMNC. CFC were enriched in the CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ HLA-DR+ populations. The absolute number of LTC-IC present in CD34+ CD38- and CD34+ HLA-DR- cells selected by FACS from either mobilized PBPC, unmobilized PBMNC or steady state bone marrow (BM) was similar (0.5% to 2%). In contrast to unmobilized PBMNC or steady state BM CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ HLA-DR+ cells, which contain less than 0.1% LTC-IC, CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ HLA- DR+ cells sorted from mobilized PBPC contained 0.5% to 5% of cells capable of sustaining hematopoiesis in long-term cultures for 5 weeks. However, 90% to 95% of LTC-IC present in mobilized CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ HLA-DR+ cells were not able to sustain hematopoiesis for 8 weeks, while 30% of CD34+ CD38- and CD34+ HLA-DR- LTC-IC present in mobilized PBPC could sustain hematopoiesis for at least 8 weeks. This suggests that the majority of CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ HLA-DR+ week 5 LTC-IC represent progenitors at an intermediate state of differentiation. We conclude that G-CSF effectively mobilizes LTC-IC in the blood of normal individuals. Although a fraction of these cells has functional characteristics similar to those of steady state PBMNC or BM LTC-IC, more than 85% of mobilized PBPC LTC-IC are CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ HLA- DR+, capable of sustaining hematopoiesis for 5 weeks, but not for 8 weeks. The functional and phenotypic characterization of primitive and more mature populations of LTC-IC in mobilized PBPC should prove extremely useful in future studies examining the role of these progenitors in engraftment following transplantation.
Presence in peripheral blood of healthy individuals of autoreactive T cells to a membrane antigen present on bone marrow-derived cells
Authors: Filion MC , Proulx C , Bradley AJ , Devine DV , Sekaly RP , Decary F , Chartrand P
Published: October 2019

Intrathymic clonal deletion is thought to be the major mechanism responsible for tolerance to nonsequestered antigens such as the ones expressed by bone marrow-derived cells. In the case of sequestered antigens that potentially do not come in contact with T cells in the thymus, it is thought that autoreactive T cells are present in periphery but are tightly regulated to prevent autoimmune disease. Indeed, autoreactive T cells to sequestered antigens can be isolated in healthy individuals. However, the presence of autoreactive T cells to nonsequestered circulating antigens had not been observed. In this report, we present evidence for the presence, in the periphery of all healthy individuals tested (n = 25), of autoreactive T cells to GpIIb- IIIa, a membrane antigen present on bone marrow-derived cells that is expressed on circulating platelets and on the cell surface of the epithelial cells of the thymic stroma early in intrauterine life. Using an in vitro T-cell proliferation assay, we have demonstrated that activation of these specific GpIIb-IIIa autoreactive alpha beta TCR+ CD4+ CD8- T cells requires internalization and processing of the GpIIb- IIIa by antigen-presenting cells and its presentation by HLA-DR class II molecules in the presence of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL-2). This indicates that some autoreactive T cells directed against membrane antigens present on bone marrow-derived cells and also expressed in the thymus are not necessarily eliminated by intrathymic deletion.