bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NB4 cells show bilineage potential and an aberrant pattern of neutrophil secondary granule protein gene expression
Authors: Khanna-Gupta A , Kolibaba K , Zibello TA , Berliner N
Published: October 2019

NB4 is an acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line that has been shown to be inducible to terminal neutrophil maturation with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). HL60 cells are differentially inducible with 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to monocytes or granulocytes, respectively. HL60 cells induced with DMSO undergo defective neutrophil maturation, manifested by a coordinate failure of secondary granule protein gene expression. We observed a similar defect in granulocytic maturation in ATRA-induced NB4 cells. In addition, because normal promyelocytes are known to have bilineage potential, we have investigated differentiation along monocytoid lines induced with TPA. We observed a striking phenotypic change along monocytoid/macrophage lines with TPA induction. Flow cytometry showed a TPA-induced increase in HLA-DR expression, and Northern blot analysis showed induction of expression of CD18, c-fos, and human neutrophil gelatinase (HNG). HNG is unique among the neutrophil secondary granule protein genes in that it is expressed in both the neutrophil and monocyte lineages. This again parallels our findings in TPA-induced HL60 cells, which retain the ability to express HNG. These findings confirm bilineage potential in NB4 cells. They also support the hypothesis of coordinate neutrophil secondary granule protein gene expression and a defect in this control as part of the leukemic phenotype.
Three unrelated Rh D gene polymorphisms identified among blood donors with Rhesus CCee (r'r') phenotypes
Authors: Hyland CA , Wolter LC , Saul A
Published: October 2019

Human red blood cells are traditionally typed as Rhesus (Rh)-positive or -negative depending on the presence or absence of the Rh D antigen. A recent report demonstrated that the Rh D gene is completely absent in Rh D-negative individuals. In this study, Rh D-negative blood donors with ccee (n = 25) and CCee (n = 3) phenotypes were examined for the presence of absence of the D gene. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probes that hybridize to the 5' and 3' regions of the Rh CcEe gene and the closely related D gene were used in a Southern analysis. The D gene was absent in all ccee phenotypes examined. The CCee phenotypes showed three Rh D polymorphisms: one donor lacked the D gene, one donor had a partial deletion on one D gene at the 3' region, and the remaining donor appeared to have one normal D gene within the intron/exon regions examined. We conclude that, while the D gene may be absent in the majority of Rh D-negative phenotypes, rarer polymorphisms also occur that prevent expression of the D antigen resulting in the Rh D-negative phenotype.
Importance of catalase in the disposal of hydrogen peroxide within human erythrocytes
Authors: Gaetani GF , Kirkman HN , Mangerini R , Ferraris AM
Published: October 2019

The catalase within normal, intact human erythrocytes was completely inactivated with amino triazole. The rate of 14CO2 evolution, when the cells were subsequently incubated with 14C-labeled glucose, provided a measure of the rate at which NADPH was being oxidized by the glutathione peroxidase/reductase system for the disposal of H2O2. This rate was determined in control cells and in catalase-inactivated cells while the cells were exposed to H2O2, which was generated at various constant and predetermined rates by glucose oxidase. The results indicated that catalase handles approximately half of the generated H2O2. The glutathione peroxidase/reductase mechanism accounted for the other half. These results are in agreement with our earlier findings on erythrocytes of a subject with a genetic deficiency of catalase. However, an unexpected result with the present approach was the finding that the increased dependence on the glutathione peroxidase/reductase mechanism did not occur until greater than 98% of the catalase had been inactivated. The latter observation indicates that catalase and the glutathione peroxidase/reductase system function intracellularly in a manner very different from that previously ascribed to them. An explanation of the findings requires that the two methods of H2O2 disposal function in a coordinated way, such as a sequential action in which the glutathione peroxidase/reductase system is the rate-limiting step.
CD34+ peripheral blood progenitors as a target for genetic correction of the two flavocytochrome b558 defective forms of chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Li F , Linton GF , Sekhsaria S , Whiting-Theobald N , Katkin JP , Gallin JI , Malech HL
Published: October 2019

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) can result from any of four single gene defects involving components of the superoxide (O2-.)-generating phagocyte NADPH oxidase (phox). The phox transmembrane flavocytochrome b558 is composed of two peptides, gp91phox and p22phox. Mutations of gp91phox cause X-linked CGD, whereas mutations of p22phox cause one of the three autosomal recessive forms of CGD. We used the Maloney leukemia virus-based MFG retrovirus vector to produce replication defective retroviruses encoding gp91phox or p22phox. To maximize viral titer MFG retroviruses do not contain internal promoter or resistance elements. Epstein-Barr virus transformed B-lymphocyte cell lines (EBV- B) derived from normal individuals contain phox components and produce O2-., whereas those derived from CGD patients show the CGD defect. Transduction of gp91phox or p22phox-deficient CGD EBV-B lines resulted in correction of O2-. production from a barely detectable baseline to an average 7.2% and 13.8% of normal control, respectively, without any selective regimen to enrich for transduced cells. CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, the therapeutic target for gene therapy of CGD, were isolated from peripheral blood of CGD patients, transduced with MFG- phox retroviruses, and differentiated in culture to mature phagocytes. Transduction of progenitors corrected the gp91phox (seven patients) and p22phox (two patients) CGD phagocyte oxidase defect to 2.5% and 4.9% of normal O2-. production, respectively, representing an 87-fold and 161- fold increase. These studies show correction of flavocytochrome b558- deficient CGD in primary hematopoietic progenitors, providing a basis for development of gene therapy for the X-linked gp91phox and autosomal p22phox-deficient forms of CGD.
Difference in response to colony-stimulating factors and involvement of protein kinase C signal transduction system in three subclones from the ME-1 cell line and two sublines
Authors: Yanagisawa K , Sato M , Horiuchi T , Hasegawa H , Fujita S
Published: October 2019

We previously established a cell line from a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia with eosinophilia (M4E0), ME-1. ME-1 cells are responsive to colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) such as interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-4, and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), and exhibit monocyte-macrophage differentiation. We isolated three subclones, ME-F1 from ME-1, and ME-F2 and ME-F3 from two sublines of ME-1. These subclones had different morphologic, cytochemical, phenotypic, and cytogenetic features. They represented different monocytic-lineage differentiation stages and exhibited different responses to IL-3, GM- CSF, and especially IL-4. IL-3, GM-CSF, and IL-4 enhanced proliferation and differentiation to macrophage-like cells in the ME-F1 subclone. However, they enhanced only proliferation of ME-F2 cells and only differentiation to macrophage-like cells in the ME-F3 subclone. To elucidate possible differences in signal transduction mechanisms in ME- F1, ME-F2, and ME-F3 cells following stimulation by CSFs, we studied the effects of IL-3 and IL-4 on protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Both IL-3 and IL-4 induced a rapid, transient decrease of cytosolic PKC in ME-F1 cells, but did not affect PKC activity in ME-F2 and ME-F3 cells. The PKC inhibitors, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H- 7) and calphostin C inhibited IL-3-induced enhancement of proliferation and differentiation of ME-F1 cells, but did not inhibit enhancement of proliferation of ME-F2 cells and differentiation of ME-F3 cells. Our data suggest that PKC-dependent signal transduction is considerably related to IL-3-induced proliferation and differentiation of ME-F1 cells. In addition, it was demonstrated that the two subclones, ME-F2 and ME-F3, lost one of the two responses of ME-F1 cells to CSFs, either proliferation or differentiation, and simultaneously lost PKC-dependent response to CSFs.
Pivotal role of the B7:CD28 pathway in transplantation tolerance and tumor immunity
Authors: Guinan EC , Gribben JG , Boussiotis VA , Freeman GJ , Nadler LM
Published: October 2019

The above story illustrates the translation of basic scientific discoveries to the clinic. In vitro and preclinical in vivo experimentation suggests that modulation of the B7:CD28 pathway will result in either amplification or suppression of the immune response. Considering the frequency with which diseases characterized by either inadequate or dysregulated immune function present to the practicing hematologist or oncologist, it is not difficult to envisage clinical applications for reagents that modulate this pathway. However, we still have much to learn about the function and clinical potential of this and other potentially redundant costimulatory pathways and therefore we suspect that this story will become considerably more complex over the next few years.
Syngeneic adoptive transfer of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV- 1)-primed lymphocytes from a vaccinated HIV-seronegative individual to his HIV-1-infected identical twin
Authors: Bex F , Hermans P , Sprecher S , Achour A , Badjou R , Desgranges C , Cogniaux J , Franchioli P , Vanhulle C , Lachgar A
Published: October 2019

Immunotherapy by adoptive transfer of lymphocytes was attempted in identical twins, one who was virus-free and the other who was infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), at the stage of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The noninfected twin was vaccinated by priming with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the envelope glycoprotein of one of his brother's viruses and boosting with the same purified gp160 adsorbed on alum. Vaccination elicited major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocytes specific for HIV-1, but no antibody response. The diseased brother, a 38-year-old homosexual who had developed repeated opportunistic infections since 1990 and had a CD4+ count reduced to practically zero, was treated by infusions of lymphocytes collected from the vaccinated brother by lymphopheresis. After a first transfer of the whole lymphocyte population, no changes were observed in the clinical status and biologic or virologic parameters. A second transfer was then applied with activation of the cells with purified envelope glycoprotein before infusion. The outcome of the treatment was an increase in total lymphocytes, in CD4+ and activated CD8+ DR+ cell counts, and in proliferative responses to HIV antigens. A marked but transient 3-log increase in cellular and plasmatic virus loads was also observed after the second adoptive transfer. These observations will be considered with attention to improve the future adoptive transfer protocols, especially in patients with severe CD4+ depletion.
Bleeding time and bleeding: an analysis of the relationship of the bleeding time test with parameters of surgical bleeding
Authors: De Caterina R , Lanza M , Manca G , Strata GB , Maffei S , Salvatore L
Published: October 2019

The bleeding time is currently the only clinically available comprehensive test to explore primary hemostasis. It is currently performed mostly as a screening procedure before surgery, to detect otherwise unknown defects in platelet-vessel wall interactions, but its use in this specific setting has been seriously questioned by recent reanalyses of previously published literature. We studied the relationship of the bleeding time from a standardized cutaneous incision with other parameters of bleeding derived from the analysis of the bleeding time curve and prospectively investigated possible correlations of these alternative parameters, as well as of the bleeding time, with a number of indices of actual bleeding during or after coronary bypass surgery. Four parameters (bleeding time, total bleeding, peak bleeding rate, and time to peak bleeding) were derived from the analysis of bleeding time curves measuring blood losses from a standardized cutaneous incision at 30-second intervals in 118 subjects. Parameters from the bleeding time curve were subsequently obtained in duplicate as a preoperative assessment in 40 patients with a negative bleeding history and no recent intake of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs who were undergoing elective pure coronary bypass surgery performed by the same operator. These parameters were correlated in simple linear regression analysis with estimates of surgical bleeding (chest tube drainage, transfusion requirements, percentage of hematocrit, percentage of platelet level decrease, and times to hematocrit and platelet level nadir) and then, in multiple regression analysis, with indices of operation complexity (number of bypasses, total duration of the operation, and duration of the extracorporeal circulation). Bleeding time was significantly correlated, among parameters derived from the bleeding time curve, with total bleeding and peak bleeding rate, but not with time to peak bleeding. Bleeding time, total bleeding, and peak bleeding rate were similarly affected by acute interventions with intravenous aspirin (500 mg) and sublingual nitroglycerin (0.3 mg). None of these parameters, which were obtained in duplicate in each patient preoperatively, was significantly related to actual indices of bleeding at surgery. Thus, in patients with a negative history of bleeding and no recent intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, higher values for bleeding time and bleeding time-related parameters are not associated with higher indices of perioperative and postoperative bleeding at coronary bypass surgery. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of the test in this setting to predict perioperative or postoperative bleeding.
Growth of erythroid colonies in chronic myelogenous leukemia is independent of erythropoietin only in the presence of steel factor
Authors: Issaad C , Vainchenker W
Published: October 2019

The mechanisms of the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) clones proliferative advantage over normal clones are currently unknown. They may involve an insensitivity to a negative regulation of a growth factor-independent proliferation. Clonogenic progenitors from CML patient blood or marrow in chronic phase were grown either in the presence or absence of recombinant growth factors. No erythroid colonies were observed in the absence of any cytokine. In contrast, erythroid colonies composed of fully mature hemoglobinized erythroblasts (day 12 burst-forming units-erythroid) were obtained in the presence of Steel factor (SF) alone. Addition of erythropoietin (Epo) to SF either had no effect on the cloning efficiency or increased up to 50% the number of erythroid colonies. No erythroid growth was observed when cultures were stimulated by interleukin-3 or granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor alone. Similar erythroid growth in the presence of SF but without Epo was obtained in “serum-free” cultures when purified blood CML CD34+ cells were grown. This growth of erythroid colonies in the absence of Epo was not accounted for by an autocrine stimulation loop by Epo, because neutralizing antibodies against Epo did not inhibit it. This abnormal response to growth factor was specifically observed in the CML clone, as shown by the presence of the BCR-ABL transcript in all of these erythroid colonies. The direct implication of BCR-ABL was further documented (1) by studies of alpha- interferon-treated patients with a chimerism in which the abnormal growth correlates with the presence of the malignant clone and (2) by the use of antisense oligonucleotide against BCR-ABL transcript, which abrogated this abnormal growth. Finally, erythroid growth in the SF presence was greatly diminished by herbimycin A, whereas, at the same concentration, this tyrosine kinase inhibitor had no marked effect on erythroid colony formation in the presence of SF plus Epo on CML or normal marrow cells. This result suggests that the BCR-ABL kinase activity leads directly to this Epo-independent terminal differentiation requiring, however, the presence of SF.
Optimization of conditions for ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells from patients with stage IV breast cancer
Authors: Shapiro F , Yao TJ , Raptis G , Reich L , Norton L , Moore MA
Published: October 2019

Multiple cycles of high-dose chemotherapy can be hematologically supported by repeated administration of peripheral blood progenitors obtained after mobilization using cytokine alone or in combination with chemotherapy. We have explored the quality of such cells and their potential to undergo ex vivo expansion. Twenty-five leukapheresis samples from 19 patients who had received extensive prior chemotherapy for stage IV breast cancer were subjected to CD34+ cell selection using immunoaffinity columns of immunomagnetic bead separation. Cells were cultured in suspension in the presence of c-kit ligand, interleukin-3, interleukin-6, erythropoietin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Ten experiments were performed using weekly exchange of media and cytokines (Delta assay). Median myeloid and erythroid progenitors expanded 15-fold at 7 days (range, 7 to 43), 40-fold at 14 days (range, 18 to 470), 46-fold at 21 days (range, 0 to 118), and 21-fold at 28 days (range, 0 to 61). In a system using gas-permeable bags without exchange of media or cytokine, median progenitors expanded 13-fold at 7 days (range, 7 to 36), 14-fold at 10 days (range, 4 to 61), 14-fold at 12 days (range, 3 to 46), and 10-fold at 14 days (range, 1 to 35). Progenitor expansion less than 10-fold occurred in 8% of experiments at day 7, in 17% at day 10, in 43% at day 12, and in 50% at day 14. When autologous plasma, autologous plasma processed (removal of cryoprecipitate, centrifugation, then filtration), or human serum were substituted for 20% fetal calf serum, the ratio of progenitor expansion at 7 days relative to 20% fetal calf serum for 10% human serum, 20% human serum, and 1% autologous plasma processed was 1.01 (range, 0.62 to 1.33), 0.88 (range, 0.61 to 1.20), and 0.96 (range, 0.55 to 1.64), respectively. These findings support the feasibility of ex vivo expansion in a system free of nonhuman proteins of CD34(+)-derived progenitors obtained from the peripheral blood of patients who have received prior chemotherapy.
Adhesion of NFS-60 myeloid leukemia cells to MC3T3-G2/PA6 stromal cells induces granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production
Authors: Yoshikubo T , Ozawa K , Takahashi K , Nishikawa M , Horiuchi N , Tojo A , Tani K , Kodama H , Asano S
Published: October 2019

To examine the interaction between immature myeloid cells and stromal cells in the induction of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) production, stromal cells of the MC3T3-G2/PA6 (PA6) murine cell line, which has preadipocyte characteristics and can support hematopoiesis, were cocultured with various myeloid cell lines and G-CSF mRNA expression was examined by Northern and reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction analyses. A significant amount of G-CSF mRNA was induced by the culture of an interleukin-3/G-CSF-dependent murine myeloid leukemia cell line, NFS-60, on PA6 stromal cells for 16 hours. Using a G-CSF-dependent subline of DA-1 (DA-1N), the biologic activity of G-CSF was also detected in PA6/NFS-60 coculture supernatants, but not in the culture supernatant of PA6 or NFS-60 alone. Direct contact of NFS-60 cells with the PA6 stromal layer was essential for the induction of G-CSF mRNA, as indicated by the following observations: (1) NFS-60 cells efficiently adhered to PA6 cells; (2) medium conditioned by NFS-60 cells did not contain the activity to induce G- CSF mRNA in PA6 cells; and (3) induction of G-CSF mRNA was not observed when NFS-60 cells were separated from PA6 cells by a microporous membrane (0.45-microns pore size). Several other myeloid cell lines, including FDC-P2, 32Dcl3, WEHI-3, and DA-1, did not induce G-CSF mRNA expression after the coculture with PA6 cells, although significant numbers of these cells adhered to PA6 cells. Therefore, NFS-60 cells may express or overexpress a molecule that is involved in adhesion- mediated induction of G-CSF production.
Fc-independent cross-linking of a novel platelet membrane protein by a monoclonal antibody causes platelet activation
Authors: De Reys S , Hoylaerts MF , De Ley M , Vermylen J , Deckmyn H
Published: October 2019

A monoclonal antiplatelet antibody (MA-13G8E1) is described that dose- dependently induces platelet aggregation and serotonin release in an Fc- independent fashion. Whereas platelets were equally aggregated by F(ab')2 fragments of this monoclonal antibody (MoAb), its Fab fragments, on the other hand, were inactive, indicating that divalent interaction is an essential requirement to induce platelet activation by MA-13G8E1. In addition, we could show that platelet epitope cross- linking by MA-13G8E1 occurred on the same platelet. MA-13G8E1 stimulated platelet phospholipase C (PLC) and induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC), both of which were almost unaffected by aspirin pretreatment. Furthermore, PLC activation appeared to be a direct antibody-mediated effect, since intracellular Ca2+ rises were not inhibited by EGTA, cytochalasin B, or aggregation-blocking MA-16N7C2 (antiglycoprotein [anti-GP]IIb/IIa). The MA-13G8E1 antigen is constitutively expressed on resting platelets of different species (7,100 +/- 800 molecules per human platelet), but not on other cell types tested. Both immunoprecipitation and affinity isolation by MA- 13G8E1 showed two low-molecular weight proteins (45 and 36 kD), having slightly acidic isoelectric pH levels (4.5 to 5.5) and forming multimolecular complexes. In conclusion, we found an MoAb that is able to induce platelet activation in an Fc-independent fashion. The mechanism involves cross-linking of a hitherto undescribed platelet membrane protein, leading to PLC and PKC stimulation.
Killing of autologous B-lineage malignancy using CD3 x CD19 bispecific monoclonal antibody in end stage leukemia and lymphoma
Authors: Haagen IA , Geerars AJ , de Lau WB , Clark MR , van de Griend RJ , Bast BJ , de Gast BC
Published: October 2019

To develop an effective tumor immunotherapy for B-lineage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a bispecific monoclonal antibody (BsAb) has been generated with the first specificity for the CD3 epsilon-chain and the second for the CD19 antigen. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from patients with NHL or ALL during remission or relapse rapidly proliferated (up to 179-fold increase) on in vitro activation combining phytohemagglutinin or CD3 monoclonal antibody with interleukin-2. After 3 weeks of stimulation, more than 90% of the PBMCs was CD3+ and CD8+, even when cultures were started with only 5% CD3+ cells. Cytotoxic activity against autologous malignant B cells was markedly enhanced (from 5% baseline to 70% lysis) by the addition of the CD3 x CD19 BsAb in all samples tested. Immunophenotypic examination of a series of tumor target cells showed that all samples examined showed CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and HLA class I, but showed no B7 expression. CD11a (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1) expression was heterogeneous. Various types of experiments showed that efficient CD3 x CD19 BsAb-mediated cytolytic capacity was not dependent on expression of either of these surface proteins. This contrasts with normal major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen-specific cytotoxicity and may be essential for effective in vivo application of this BsAb.
The acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease: incidence and risk factors. The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Castro O , Brambilla DJ , Thorington B , Reindorf CA , Scott RB , Gillette P , Vera JC , Levy PS
Published: October 2019

The acute chest syndrome (ACS), a pneumonia-like illness in sickle cell patients, is one of the most frequent causes of their morbidity and hospitalizations. Repeated ACS events may predict the development of chronic lung disease. ACS is reported as a frequent cause of death in these patients. We examine here the incidence and risk factors of ACS in 3,751 patients with sickle cell disease who were observed prospectively for at least 2 years (19,867 patient-years [pt-yrs]) as part of a multicenter national study group. The ACS, defined by a new pulmonary infiltrate on x-ray, occurred at least once in 1,085 patients (2,100 events). ACS incidence was higher in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SS; 12.8/100 pt-yrs) and in patients with sickle cell-beta(0) -thalassemic (9.4/100 pt-yrs), and lower in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) SC disease (5.2/100 pt-yrs) and patients with sickle cell-beta(+) thalassemia (3.9/100 pt-yrs). alpha-Thalassemia did not affect the rate of ACS incidence in SS patients. Within each Hb type the incidence was strongly but inversely related to age, being highest in children 2 to 4 years of age (25.3/100 pt-yrs in SS) and decreasing gradually to its lowest value in adults (8.8/100 pt-yrs in SS). In SS children (< 10 years of age), we documented an age-related within- person reduction in ACS attack rates. Adults with a higher ACS rate had a higher rate of mortality (from all causes) than those with low ACS rates. This increased rate of mortality might also have contributed to the decline in ACS rate with age. In multivariate analysis, other factors affecting incidence in SS patients were degree of anemia (lower ACS rates in patients with lower steady-state Hb levels) and fetal Hb (lower rates in patients with high fetal Hb). There was also a positive association between ACS rate and steady-state leukocyte count. The relationship of ACS rate to higher steady-state Hb levels in SS patients is unexplained but might be caused by increased blood viscosity.
Eradication of minimal disease in severe combined immunodeficient mice with disseminated Daudi lymphoma using chemotherapy and an immunotoxin cocktail
Authors: Ghetie MA , Tucker K , Richardson J , Uhr JW , Vitetta ES
Published: October 2019

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice injected intravenously with a human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line (Daudi) develop disseminated lymphoma (SCID/Daudi), which is fatal in 100% of the mice. Early treatment of these mice with either an immunotoxin (IT) cocktail (consisting of anti-CD19-ricin A chain plus anti-CD22-ricin A chain) or chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival but was not curative. Combination therapy with the IT cocktail and any one of three chemotherapeutic drugs (doxorubicin, cytoxan, or camptothecin) cured the mice. Cure was demonstrated by both histopathologic examination of treated mice and, more importantly, by adoptive transfer of cells from organs of the cured mice to naive SCID mice where 100 tumor cells would have caused disease in the recipients. These results provide a strong rationale for combining IT therapy with conventional chemotherapy in the treatment of B-cell neoplasia.
Distribution of receptors for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on immature CD34+ bone marrow cells, differentiating monomyeloid progenitors, and mature blood cell subsets
Authors: Wognum AW , Westerman Y , Visser TP , Wagemaker G
Published: October 2019

Biotin-labeled granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM- CSF), in combination with phycoerythrin-conjugated streptavidin, enabled flow cytometric analysis of specific cell-surface GM-CSF receptors on rhesus monkey bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) cells. GM-CSF receptors were readily detected on PB monocytes and neutrophils, but not on lymphocytes. In BM, GM-CSF receptors were identified on monocyte and neutrophil precursors and on subsets of cells that expressed the CD34 antigen. CD34+ cells with high GM-CSF- receptor expression coexpressed high levels of the class II major histocompatibility antigen RhLA-DR, whereas CD34+/RhLA-DRlow cells, which represent developmentally earlier cells, were either GM-CSF- receptor negative or expressed GM-CSF receptors at very low levels. The fluorescence histogram of CD34bright/RhLA-DRdull cells stained with biotin-GM-CSF showed that at least a fraction of these cells expressed low levels of GM-CSF receptors. CD34+ cells with high GM-CSF-receptor expression, purified by cell sorting, did not form colonies in culture or proliferate in response to GM-CSF. Instead, GM-CSF stimulation resulted in terminal differentiation into adherent cells, showing that these cells represented monocyte precursors. A distinct subset of CD34+ cells expressed GM-CSF receptors at low-to-intermediate levels and proliferated strongly in the presence of GM-CSF during short-term culture, but produced very few erythroid or monomyeloid colonies after longer culture periods. Most colony-forming cells, also those responsive to GM-CSF alone, were recovered in the subset of CD34+ cells on which GM-CSF receptors were virtually undetectable. These cells showed weaker proliferation in short-term proliferation assays than the CD34+/GM-CSF-receptor-intermediate cells, consistent with an immature phenotype. The results show that GM-CSF-receptor expression is initiated in a subset of immature, CD34bright/RhLA-DRdull cells and is progressively increased during differentiation into mature granulocytes and monocytes. The method used provides a new way to deplete developmentally early CD34+ cell of differentiating granulocyte and monocyte precursor cells.
Mutations in the coding region of c-myc occur frequently in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated lymphomas
Authors: Bhatia K , Spangler G , Gaidano G , Hamdy N , Dalla-Favera R , Magrath I
Published: October 2019

We have analyzed 30 cases of high- and intermediate-grade acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (AIDS-NHL) for mutations in the c-myc coding region. In addition, in these same tumors, we have sought the presence of mutations in a regulatory region within the first c-myc intron defined by the binding to a factor that inhibits c-myc transcription (MYC intron factor, or mif). Mutations in the c-myc coding region were present in 10 of 16 small noncleaved cell lymphoma (SNCL), but in only 3 of 14 other histologic subtypes tested (0/3 large non-cleaved cell, 2/8 immunoblastic, and 1/3 anaplastic large cell lymphomas). Nineteen of the AIDS-NHLs analyzed contained a c- myc rearrangement and in 10 of these the c-myc gene was mutated in its coding region. In contrast, we could detect a mutation in the coding region in only 2 of 8 AIDS-NHL without a c-myc rearrangement. Mutations in the mif region were detected in 5 of 16 SNCL. Among AIDS-NHL carrying mutations in the c-myc coding region, only 4 carried mutations in the regulatory region. These results suggest that the mutations in the coding region of the c-myc protein may either be a consequence of the translocations involving c-myc, or may be necessary only in tumors where c-myc is deregulated as a result of a c-myc/lg translocation.
Mode of action of iron (III) chelators as antimalarials: II. Evidence for differential effects on parasite iron-dependent nucleic acid synthesis
Authors: Lytton SD , Mester B , Libman J , Shanzer A , Cabantchik ZI
Published: October 2019

Iron chelation treatment of red blood cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum selectively intervenes with iron-dependent metabolism of malaria parasites and inhibits their development. Highly permeant hydroxamate iron chelator RSFileum2 affects all parasite stages when cultures are continuously exposed to drug, but affects primarily ring stages when assessed for irreversible effects, ie, sustained inhibition remaining after drug removal. On the other hand, the hydrophilic and poorly permeant desferrioxamine (DFO) affects primarily trophozoite/schizont stages when tested either in the continuous mode or irreversible mode. Unlike parasites, mammalian cells subjected to similar drug treatment show complete growth recovery once drugs are removed. Our studies indicate that parasites display a limited capacity to recover from intracellular iron depletion evoked by iron chelators. Based on these findings we provide a working model in which the irreversible effects of RSFs on rings are explained by the absence of pathways for iron acquisition/utilization by early forms of parasites. Trophozoite/schizonts can partially recover from RSFileum2 treatments, but show no DNA synthesis following DFO treatment even after drug removal and iron replenishment by permeant iron carriers. At trophozoite stage, the parasite uses a limited pathway for refurnishing its iron-containing enzymes, thus overcoming iron deprivation caused by permeant RSFileum2, but not by DFO because this latter drug is not easily removable from parasites. Their DNA synthesis is blocked by the hydroxamate iron chelators probably by affecting synthesis of ribonucleotide reductase (RNRase). Presumably in parasites, prolonged repression of the enzyme leads also to irreversible loss of activity. The action profiles of RSFileum2 and DFO presented in this study have implications for improved chemotherapeutic performance by combined drug treatment and future drug design based on specific intervention at parasite DNA synthesis.
Characterization of von Willebrand factor gene defects in two unrelated patients with type IIC von Willebrand disease
Authors: Gaucher C , Dieval J , Mazurier C
Published: October 2019

Genetic studies were performed in two unrelated patients with the IIC phenotype of von Willebrand disease (vWD) characterized by the increased concentration of the protomeric form of von Willebrand factor (vWF). In patient B, the sequencing of both exons 15 and 16 of the vWF gene showed two sequence alterations: a 3-bp insertion in exon 15 resulting in the insertion of a Glycine at position 625 (625insGly) and a 2-bp deletion in exon 16 leading to a premature translational stop at codon 711 (711 ter), at the heterozygote state. Patient A was found homozygous for a single point mutation also localized in exon 15 and responsible for the substitution Cys623Trp. These candidate mutations were not found in a panel of 96 normal chromosomes, suggesting a causal relationship with IIC vWD phenotypic expression. The composite heterozygote or homozygote state of both patients supports the recessive mode of inheritance already described for this phenotype. Furthermore, the localization of these gene defects in the D2 domain of vWF propeptide, known to play an important role in vWF multimerization, provides another argument in favor of their causative effect regarding the peculiar multimeric pattern of vWF in these patients.
Second primary cancers in patients continuously disease-free from Hodgkin's disease: a protective role for the spleen?
Authors: Dietrich PY , Henry-Amar M , Cosset JM , Bodis S , Bosq J , Hayat M
Published: October 2019

Second primary cancers are a serious late occurrence for patients surviving Hodgkin's disease (HD). In addition to previously described risk factors such as age, gender, clinical stage, and treatment modalities, splenectomy was found to correlate with an increase in risk for secondary acute leukemia. We assumed that splenic irradiation inducing functional hyposplenia and splenectomy could have similar consequences on second cancer risk. We studied a series of 892 continuously disease-free HD adult patients treated at a single institution between 1960 and 1984. The risk of second cancer was analyzed (1) relative to the general population and (2) between risk subgroups using the Cox proportional hazards model. Fifty-six patients developed a second cancer (8 acute leukemias, 3 myelodysplastic syndromes, 8 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and 37 solid tumors; basal cell and in situ cervix carcinomas were excluded). The 15-year cumulative incidence rate (with 95% confidence limits) was 13.2% (9.3% to 17.2%). Relative to the general population incidence data, the risk of second cancer was multiplied by 4.68 (3.51 to 6.12; P < .001); it was multiplied by 2.80 (1.63 to 4.48; P < .001) in patients whose spleen was not treated and multiplied by 6.87 (4.81 to 9.51; P < .001) in splenectomized patients or patients whose spleen was irradiated. Multivariate regression analysis that controlled for confounding variables (age, gender, clinical stage, extent of radiation therapy, and chemotherapy regimen) showed that, in addition to age above 40 years (relative risk [RR] = 3.72; P < .001), combination of MOPP chemotherapy and regional irradiation (RR = 4.99; P = .015) and combination of MOPP chemotherapy and extended irradiation (RR = 10.86; P < .001), splenic irradiation (RR = 3.67; P = .003), and splenectomy (RR = 2.54; P = .018) also significantly correlated with an increased risk. The results of this hospital-based registry study strongly suggest that splenic irradiation and splenectomy might increase the risk for treatment-related second cancer. These findings, if confirmed, have to be considered in future HD treatment policies.
High incidence of serum monoclonal Igs detected by a sensitive immunoblotting technique in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Beaume A , Brizard A , Dreyfus B , Preud'homme JL
Published: October 2019

In a prospective study in 65 untreated patients with early-stage B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), serum monoclonal Igs (moIg) were evidenced in 80% of cases by a sensitive immunoblotting procedure. These low-abundance moIg were generally undetectable by immunoelectrophoresis and individual sera often contained several of them. Their kappa/lambda ratio was close to 1 instead of 2.8 for the lymphocyte surface Igs. A monoclonal IgM of the same light-chain type as the lymphocyte surface IgM was found in 26 sera only. The distribution of the heavy-chain classes and subclasses and light-chain types of the serum moIg was similar to those observed in aging (with a higher incidence and no correlation with age in B-CLL) and conditions with defective T-cell functions. Using a specific filter affinity- transfer assay, rheumatoid factors were detected in 58.5% of sera. However, homogeneous anti-IgG antibodies corresponding to a monoclonal IgM of the same light-chain type as the surface IgM were found in 10 patients only. These data suggest that the majority of discrete serum moIg in B-CLL are not secretion products of the leukemic clones and likely result from the immunodeficiency state inherent in the disease.
Prognostic value of immunophenotyping in acute myeloid leukemia. Australian Leukaemia Study Group
Authors: Bradstock K , Matthews J , Benson E , Page F , Bishop J
Published: October 2019

The diagnostic and prognostic value of immunophenotyping with 18 murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to a variety of leukocyte differentiation antigens was assessed in 168 adults aged 15 to 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients were entered on the multicentre Australian Leukaemia Study Group M4 protocol, and were randomized to receive either standard or high-dose Ara-C together with daunorubicin and etoposide as induction chemotherapy, followed by standard consolidation and maintenance therapy. Diagnostic bone marrow aspirate (152 cases) or peripheral blood samples (16) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. MoAbs used were directed at myeloid (CD11b, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33, CD41), lymphoid (CD2, CD3, CD7, CD9, CD10, CD19), or stem cell (HLA-DR, CD34, c-kit receptor) antigens, as well as the leukocyte integrins CD18 and CD49e, and the transferrin receptor CD71. Of the myeloid markers, CD13 and CD33 were the most useful diagnostically (71% and 79% of cases positive, respectively), with CD11b, CD14, and CD15 less commonly positive. A minority of cases expressed lymphoid antigens, either T cell (CD2 16%, CD3 7%, CD7 28%) or B cell (CD10 2%, CD19 7%). CD34 was detected on 42% and c-kit receptor on 48%. When patients were analyzed for response to treatment, CD2, CD9, and CD14 were significantly associated with complete remission rate: cases expressing these antigens had a poorer response than negative cases. In univariate analysis, CD11b+ cases had shorter periods of remission (relative risk of relapse, 2.33; P = .003) and shorter survival (relative death rate, 1.91; P = .006). In multivariate analysis, adjusting for other prognostic factors, CD9 and CD11b were significantly predictive of shorter survival. No other marker had a significant predictive effect. We conclude that myeloid MoAbs are useful in confirming the diagnosis of AML, but their prognostic value may be limited to CD11b. Lymphoid antigen expression is a consistent phenomenon in a minority of cases of AML, but appears to have little clinical significance.
Molecular analysis of the T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia- associated t(1;7)(p34;q34) that fuses LCK and TCRB
Authors: Burnett RC , Thirman MJ , Rowley JD , Diaz MO
Published: October 2019

Previously we had characterized the t(1;7)(p34;q34) translocation from HSB-2. This translocation fused the beta T-cell receptor gene (TCRB) constant region and transcriptional enhancer with the type I transcription unit of the LCK gene on the derivative 1 [der(1)] chromosome. The type II promoter was translocated to the der(7) chromosome. Regarding the mechanism of the t(1;7) in HSB-2, we identified an alternating purine-pyrimidine tract (G-T)17 at the 1p34/LCK breakpoint. Additionally, sequence analysis of both breakpoint junctions provided data that implicate the V(D)J recombinase in formation of the t(1;7). A heptamer-nonamer recognition sequence with a 12-bp spacer was found in the immediate vicinity of the 1p34/LCK breakpoint and, thus, chromosomal breakage at 1p34 may be explained as resulting from recombinase activity. Because phosphorylation of Tyr-505 in vivo regulates the tyrosine kinase activity of p56lck we amplified a region from LCK exon 12 that contains the codon for Tyr-505 and showed no mutation of this codon in HSB-2 DNA and, therefore, p56lck in HSB-2 is not activated by mutation of Tyr-505. We have analyzed LCK gene expression in HSB-2 and SUP-T12 cell lines. RNase protection analysis identified almost exclusively type I transcripts in HSB-2. An independent t(1;7) in SUP-T12 also resulted in the juxtaposition of LCK to TCRB. The breakpoint in SUP-T12 occurred 2 kb 5′ of the type II promoter, leaving an intact LCK gene on the der(1) chromosome. RNase protection analysis identified both type I and type II LCK transcripts in a 3:1 ratio in SUP-T12. Factors other than proximity to the TCRB enhancer must affect promoter utilization in this cell line.
The regulatory element 3' to the A gamma-globin gene binds to the nuclear matrix and interacts with special A-T-rich binding protein 1 (SATB1), an SAR/MAR-associating region DNA binding protein
Authors: Cunningham JM , Purucker ME , Jane SM , Safer B , Vanin EF , Ney PA , Lowrey CH , Nienhuis AW
Published: October 2019

A cis-acting DNA regulatory element 3′ to the A gamma-globin gene contains eight distinct regions of DNA-protein interaction distributed over 750 bp of DNA. The sequences of two foot-printed regions (sites I and IV) are A-T rich and generate a highly retarded complex on gel shift analysis with nuclear extract from human erythroleukemia (K562) cells. We have purified a 98-kD protein that reproduces this gel shift. Tryptic cleavage and peptide sequence analysis demonstrated that the 98- kD protein is identical to a recently cloned protein, special A-T-rich binding protein 1 (SATB1), that binds selectively to nuclear matrix/scaffold-associated regions of DNA (MARs/SARs). We have shown by functional analysis that the 3′ A gamma regulatory element associates with the nuclear matrix. SATB1 mRNA was identified in K562 cells, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated its transcript in several other hematopoietic lines. Antisera to SATB1 caused ablation of the gel shift complex generated by both the crude nuclear extract and the purified 98-kD protein with the site I oligonucleotide. Furthermore, oligonucleotides that bind SATB1 inhibited formation of the site I gel shift complex when added as excess unlabeled competitor. An immunoblot analysis of the site I gel shift complex documented the presence of SATB1. Binding of SATB1 to two sites within the 3′ A gamma regulatory element and its MAR/SAR activity suggests that this element may influence gene expression through interaction with the nuclear matrix.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) potently enhances in vitro macrophage production from primitive murine hematopoietic progenitor cells in combination with stem cell factor and interleukin-7: novel stimulatory role of p55 TNF receptors
Authors: Fahlman C , Jacobsen FW , Veiby OP , McNiece IK , Blomhoff HK , Jacobsen SE
Published: October 2019

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a bifunctional regulator of hematopoiesis, and its cellular responses are mediated by two distinct cell surface receptors. TNF-alpha generally inhibits the growth of primitive murine hematopoietic progenitor cells (Lin-Scal+) in response to multiple cytokine combinations, and the p75 TNF receptor is essential in signaling such inhibition. In the present study we show the reverse phenomenon in that TNF-alpha on the same progenitor cell population in combination with stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin-7 (IL-7) through the p55 TNF receptor can recruit additional progenitors to proliferate. In contrast, TGF-beta 1, another bifunctional regulator of hematopoietic progenitor cell growth, completely blocked SCF plus IL- 7-induced proliferation. TNF-alpha increased the number of responding progenitors, as well as the size of the colonies formed. The synergistic effects of TNF-alpha were seen at the single cell level, suggesting that its effects are directly mediated. Finally, whereas SCF plus IL-7 promoted primarily granulopoiesis, the addition of TNF-alpha switched the differentiation toward the production of almost exclusively macrophages.
Chimeric fusion protein toxin DAB486IL-2 in advanced mycosis fungoides and the Sezary syndrome: correlation of activity and interleukin-2 receptor expression in a phase II study
Authors: Foss FM , Borkowski TA , Gilliom M , Stetler-Stevenson M , Jaffe ES , Figg WD , Tompkins A , Bastian A , Nylen P , Woodworth T
Published: October 2019

DAB486IL-2 is a recombinant toxin with the cell surface-binding domain of diphtheria toxin (DT) replaced by interleukin-2 (IL-2). To correlate clinical response with expression of components of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), 14 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) received five daily 90-minute infusions every 21 days. There were no complete responses, 1 partial response (PR), 2 major biologic effects (major cutaneous improvement without change in circulating neoplastic cells), 3 stable disease (SD), and 8 progressive disease (PD). Responders had easily detected expression of CD25 (Tac; alpha-chain of IL-2R) in skin, and in two responders expression of the beta chain of the IL-2 receptor (beta-IL-2R) was detectable by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CD25 was also detected in 8 of 11 SD or PD patients, with beta-IL-2R in 3 of 8 SD or PD patients. Two of the three responders had anti-DT antibodies before treatment. Reversible increased hepatic transaminases occurred in 13 of 14 patients during the first course, with decreased frequency in repeated courses. The maximal serum concentration after the first infusion of DAB486IL-2 varied (1,369 +/- 1,155 ng/mL [mean +/- SD]; n = 14; range, 55 to 3,999 ng/mL) with a short half-life (T1/2 beta = 0.21 +/- 0.12 h [mean +/- SD]; range, 0.099 to 0.57 h). The area under the concentration curve varied inversely with anti-DT antibody titer. We conclude that DA-B486IL-2 has valuable activity in certain patients with CTCL. Expression of the IL- 2R may be necessary but is not sufficient to predict response.