bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engagement of CD11b and CD11c β2 integrin by antibodies or soluble CD23 induces IL-1β production on primary human monocytes through mitogen-activated protein kinase–dependent pathways
Authors: Rezzonico Roger , Chicheportiche Rachel , Imbert Veronique , Dayer Jean-Michel
Published: October 2019

β2 integrins are involved in the recruitment of leukocytes to inflammatory sites and in cellular activation. We demonstrate that ligation of CD11b (Mac-1, CR3) or CD11c (p150, CR4) alpha chains of β2 integrins by mAbs or soluble chimeric CD23 (sCD23) on human freshly isolated monocytes rapidly stimulates high levels of interleukin-1β production. This induction takes place at the transcriptional level and is regulated by members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. Indeed, stimulation of monocytes through engagement of CD11b or CD11c results in the phosphorylation and activation of ERK1, ERK2, and p38/SAPK2 MAP kinases. U0126, a potent inhibitor of the upstream activator of ERK1/2, ie, MEK1/2, suppresses IL-1β messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in a dose-dependent fashion, showing the implication of this pathway in the transcriptional control of IL-1β production. On the other hand, inhibition of p38 by SB203580 indicates that this MAPK is involved in the control of IL-1β production at both transcriptional and translational levels. Together these data demonstrate that ligation of CD11b and CD11c β2 integrins by mAbs or sCD23 fusion proteins triggers the activation of 2 distinct MAPK signaling pathways that cooperate in controlling IL-1β synthesis at different levels.
Ki-4(scFv)–ETA′, a new recombinant anti-CD30 immunotoxin with highly specific cytotoxic activity against disseminated Hodgkin tumors in SCID mice
Authors: Barth Stefan , Huhn Michael , Matthey Bärbel , Tawadros Samir , Schnell Roland , Schinköthe Timo , Diehl Volker , Engert Andreas
Published: October 2019

The human lymphocyte activation marker CD30 is highly overexpressed on Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg cells and represents an ideal target for selective immunotherapy. We used the murine anti-CD30 hybridoma Ki-4 to construct a new recombinant immunotoxin (rIT) for possible clinical use in patients with CD30+ lymphoma. Hybridoma V genes were polymerase chain reaction-amplified, assembled, cloned, and expressed as a mini-library for display on filamentous phage. Functional Ki-4 scFv obtained by selection of binding phage on the CD30-expressing Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L540cy was inserted into the bacterial expression vector pBM1.1 and fused to a deletion mutant ofPseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA′). Periplasmically expressed Ki-4(scFv)–ETA′ demonstrated specific activity against a variety of CD30+ lymphoma cells as assessed by different in vitro assays. To evaluate in vivo antitumor activity, severe combined immunodeficient mice challenged with human lymphoma cell lines were treated with the immunotoxin. The blood distribution time t½ of Ki-4(scFv)–ETA′ was 19 minutes, and its serum elimination time t½ was 193 minutes. A single intravenous injection of 40 μg rIT 1 day after tumor inoculation rendered 90% of the mice tumor free, extending the mean survival time to more than 200 days compared with 38.1 days in the phosphate-buffered saline control group (P < .001). This new rIT is a promising candidate for further clinical evaluation in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma or other CD30+malignancies.
Differential expression of a novel C-terminally truncated splice form of SMAD5 in hematopoietic stem cells and leukemia
Authors: Jiang Yunfang , Liang Hong , Guo Wei , Kottickal Lazar V. , Nagarajan Lalitha
Published: October 2019

SMADs are evolutionarily conserved transducers of the differentiation and growth arrest signals from the transforming growth factor/BMP (TGF/BMP) family of ligands. Upon receptor activation, the ligand-restricted SMADs1–35 are phosphorylated in the C-terminal MH2 domain and recruit the common subunit SMAD4/DPC-4 gene to the nucleus to mediate target gene expression. Frequent inactivating mutations of SMAD4, or less common somatic mutations ofSMAD2 seen in solid tumors, suggest that these genes have a suppressor function. However, there have been no identified mutations of SMAD5, although the gene localizes to the critical region of loss in chromosome 5q31.1 (chromosome 5, long arm, region 3, band 1, subband 1) in myelodysplasia (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). A ubiquitously expressed novel isoform,SMAD5β, encodes a 351 amino acid protein with a truncated MH2 domain and a unique C-terminal tail of 18 amino acids, which may be the functional equivalent of inactivating mutations. The levels of SMAD5β transcripts are higher in the undifferentiated CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells than in the terminally differentiated peripheral blood leukocytes, thereby implicating the β form in stem cell homeostasis. Yeast 2-hybrid interaction assays reveal the lack of physical interactions between SMAD5β and SMAD5 or SMAD4. The expression ofSMAD5β may represent a novel mechanism to protect pluripotent stem cells and malignant cells from the growth inhibitory and differentiation signals of BMPs.
Hepatocyte growth factor–stimulated invasiveness of monocytes
Authors: Beilmann Mario , Vande Woude George F. , Dienes Hans-Peter , Schirmacher Peter
Published: October 2019

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pluripotent cytokine with mitogenic, motogenic, and morphogenic activity for mainly epithelial and endothelial target cells. We previously demonstrated that the specific HGF receptor, MET, is induced in stimulated peripheral blood monocytes. In this study, we analyzed the functional consequences of MET activation in primary cultures of peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors. After stimulation of MET-expressing monocytes with recombinant HGF, the gene-expression profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes was significantly modulated, especially with regard to genes involved in cell movement. After stimulation of primary cultured monocytes with HGF, invasion assays showed a significantly increased matrigel invasion rate that was completely abolished by neutralizing antibodies to HGF. The HGF-activated invasiveness and the altered gene-expression profile suggest a proinflammatory role for HGF stimulation of monocytes and support the hypothesis that the HGF/MET signaling system plays an important part in the activation of the nonspecific cellular inflammatory response.
Posttranscriptional cell cycle–dependent regulation of human FANCC expression
Authors: Heinrich Michael C. , Silvey Kirsten V. , Stone Stacie , Zigler Amy J. , Griffith Diana J. , Montalto Michelle , Chai Lin , Zhi Yu , Hoatlin Maureen E.
Published: October 2019

The Fanconi Anemia (FA) Group C complementation group gene (FANCC) encodes a protein, FANCC, with a predicted Mr of 63000 daltons. FANCC is found in both the cytoplasmic and the nuclear compartments and interacts with certain other FA complementation group proteins as well as with non-FA proteins. Despite intensive investigation, the biologic roles of FANCC and of the other cloned FA gene products (FANCA and FANCG) remain unknown. As an approach to understanding FANCC function, we have studied the molecular regulation of FANCC expression. We found that although FANCCmRNA levels are constant throughout the cell cycle, FANCC is expressed in a cell cycle-dependent manner, with the lowest levels seen in cells synchronized at the G1/S boundary and the highest levels in the M-phase. Cell cycle–dependent regulation occurred despite deletion of the 5′ and 3′ FANCC untranslated regions, indicating that information in the FANCC coding sequence is sufficient to mediate cell cycle–dependent regulation. Moreover, inhibitors of proteasome function blocked the observed regulation. We conclude that FANCC expression is controlled by posttranscriptional mechanisms that are proteasome dependent. Recent work has demonstrated that the functional activity of FA proteins requires the physical interaction of at least FANCA, FANCC, and FANCG, and possibly of other FA and non-FA proteins. Our observation of dynamic control of FANCC expression by the proteasome has important implications for understanding the molecular regulation of the multiprotein complex.
Eicosanoid regulation of angiogenesis: role of endothelial arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase
Authors: Nie Daotai , Tang Keqin , Diglio Clement , Honn Kenneth V.
Published: October 2019

Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries from preexisting blood vessels, is a multistep, highly orchestrated process involving vessel sprouting, endothelial cell migration, proliferation, tube differentiation, and survival. Eicosanoids, arachidonic acid (AA)-derived metabolites, have potent biologic activities on vascular endothelial cells. Endothelial cells can synthesize various eicosanoids, including the 12-lipoxygenase (LOX) product 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). Here we demonstrate that endogenous 12-LOX is involved in endothelial cell angiogenic responses. First, the 12-LOX inhibitor, N-benzyl-N-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanamide (BHPP), reduced endothelial cell proliferation stimulated either by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Second, 12-LOX inhibitors blocked VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration, and this blockage could be partially reversed by the addition of 12(S)-HETE. Third, pretreatment of an angiogenic endothelial cell line, RV-ECT, with BHPP significantly inhibited the formation of tubelike/cordlike structures within Matrigel. Fourth, overexpression of 12-LOX in the CD4 endothelial cell line significantly stimulated cell migration and tube differentiation. In agreement with the critical role of 12-LOX in endothelial cell angiogenic responses in vitro, the 12-LOX inhibitor BHPP significantly reduced bFGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo using a Matrigel implantation bioassay. These findings demonstrate that AA metabolism in endothelial cells, especially the 12-LOX pathway, plays a critical role in angiogenesis.
In vitro growth inhibition of a broad spectrum of tumor cell lines by activated human dendritic cells
Authors: Chapoval Andrei I. , Tamada Koji , Chen Lieping
Published: October 2019

Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical subsets of leukocytes providing antigen presentation for initiation of humoral and cellular immune responses. Their role as effector cells in tumor resistance, however, is less known. We report here that human DCs generated by culturing plastic-adherent peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of granulocyte-monocyte colony–stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 have potent growth-inhibition activity in vitro on a wide spectrum of human tumor lines of different tissue origin. Proinflammatory stimuli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ, but not tumor necrosis factor– and CD40 signaling, can further enhance DC-mediated inhibition of tumor growth. The growth inhibition requires contact between DCs and tumor cells while LPS treatment enhances the antitumor activity in DC culture supernatants. Our results suggest that in addition to their predominant role as regulatory cells, activated DCs are also potential effector cells in tumor immunity.
HMBA induces activation of a caspase-independent cell death pathway to overcome P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance
Authors: Ruefli Astrid A. , Smyth Mark J. , Johnstone Ricky W.
Published: October 2019

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is often characterized by the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a 170-kd ATP-dependent drug efflux protein. As well as effluxing xenotoxins, functional P-gp can confer resistance to caspase-dependent apoptosis induced by a range of different stimuli, including Fas ligand, tumor necrosis factor, UV irradiation, and serum starvation. However, P-gp-positive cells remain sensitive to caspase-independent death induced by cytotoxic T-cell granule proteins, perforin, and granzyme B. It is, therefore, possible that agents that induce cell death in a caspase-independent manner might circumvent P-gp-mediated MDR. We demonstrated here that hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) induced equivalent caspase-independent cell death in both P-gp-positive and -negative cell lines at concentrations of 10 mmol/L and above. The HMBA-induced death pathway was marked by release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria and reduction of Bcl-2 protein levels. In addition, we show that functional P-gp specifically inhibits the activation of particular caspases, such as caspases-8 and -3, whereas others, such as caspase-9, remain unaffected. These studies greatly enhance our understanding of the molecular cell death events that can be regulated by functional P-gp and highlight the potential clinical use of drugs that function via a caspase-independent pathway for the treatment of MDR tumors.
Butyrate-induced erythroid differentiation of human K562 leukemia cells involves inhibition of ERK and activation of p38 MAP kinase pathways
Authors: Witt Olaf , Sand Katrin , Pekrun Arnulf
Published: October 2019

Butyrate induces cytodifferentiation in many tumor cells of different origin, suggesting that an as yet unidentified common mechanism inherent to malignant cells is the target of butyrate action. This study determined the role of different mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathways in butyrate-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 human leukemia cells. Using a panel of anti-ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphospecific antibodies, the study showed that phosphorylation of ERK and JNK is decreased following treatment of cells with butyrate, whereas phosphorylation of p38 is increased. In contrast, a K562 subline defective in butyrate-mediated induction of erythroid differentiation did not reveal these changes in phosphorylation patterns. Inhibition of ERK activity by UO126 induces erythroid differentiation and acts synergistically with butyrate on hemoglobin synthesis and inhibition of cell proliferation, whereas inhibition of p38 activity by SB203580 completely abolished induction of hemoglobin expression by butyrate. Taken together, our data suggest a model in which butyrate induces erythroid differentiation of K562 cells by inhibition of ERK and activation of p38 signal transduction pathways.
X-linked genetic factors regulate hematopoietic stem-cell kinetics in females
Authors: Christensen Kaare , Kristiansen Marianne , Hagen-Larsen Heidi , Skytthe Axel , Bathum Lise , Jeune Bernard , Andersen-Ranberg Karen , Vaupel James W. , Ørstavik Karen Helene
Published: October 2019

X inactivation makes females mosaics for 2 cell populations, usually with an approximate 1:1 distribution. Skewing of this distribution in peripheral blood cells is more common among elderly women.1–3 The depletion of hematopoietic stem cells followed by random differentiation may explain the acquired skewing with age.4 However, an animal model suggests that selection processes based on X-linked genetic factors are involved.5 We studied peripheral blood cells from 71 monozygotic twin pairs aged 73 to 93 years and from 33 centenarians, and we found that with age, 1 of the cell populations becomes predominant for most women. We also observed a strong tendency for the same cell line to become predominant in 2 co-twins. This suggests that X-linked genetic factors influence human hematopoietic stem cell kinetics. The fact that females have 2 cell lines with different potentials could be one of the reasons women live longer than men.
Effects of megakaryocyte growth and development factor on platelet production, platelet life span, and platelet function in healthy human volunteers
Authors: Harker Laurence A. , Roskos Lorin K. , Marzec Ulla M. , Carter Richard A. , Cherry Judith K. , Sundell Birgitta , Cheung Ellen N. , Terry Dixon , Sheridan William
Published: October 2019

The effects of thrombopoietic stimulation on megakaryocytopoiesis, platelet production, and platelet viability and function were examined in normal volunteers randomized to receive single bolus subcutaneous injections of 3 μg/kg pegylated recombinant megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) or placebo in a 3:1 ratio. PEG-rHuMGDF transiently doubled circulating platelet counts, from 237 ± 41 × 103/μL to 522 ± 90 × 103/μL (P< .0001), peaking on day 12. Baseline and day-12 samples showed no differences in responsiveness of platelets to adenosine diphosphate or thrombin receptor agonist peptide (P > .4 in all cases); expression of platelet ligand-induced binding sites or annexin V binding sites (P > .6 in both cases); or density of platelet TPO-receptors (P > .5). Platelet counts normalized by day 28. The life span of autologous 111In-labeled platelets increased from 205 ± 18 hours (baseline) to 226 ± 22 hours (P < .01) on day 8. Platelet life span decreased from 226 ± 22 hours (day 8) to 178 ± 53 hours (P < .05) on day 18. The theoretical basis for senescent changes in mean platelet life span was illustrated by biomathematical modeling. Platelet turnover increased from 43.9 ± 11.9 × 103 platelets/μL/d (baseline) to 101 ± 27.6 × 103 platelets/μL/d (P = .0009), and marrow megakaryocyte mass expanded from 37.4 ± 18.5 fL/kg to 62 ± 17 × 1010 fL/kg (P = .015). Although PEG-rHuMGDF initially increased megakaryocyte volume and ploidy, subsequently ploidy showed a transient reciprocal decrease when the platelet counts exceeded placebo values. In healthy human volunteers PEG-rHuMGDF transiently increases megakaryocytopoiesis 2-fold. Additionally, peripheral platelets expand correspondingly and exhibit normal function and viability during the ensuing 10 days. The induced perturbation in steady state thrombopoiesis resolves by 4 weeks.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor as an adjunct to induction and consolidation therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Schiffer Charles A. , Miller Kenneth , Larson Richard A. , Amrein Philip C. , Antin Joseph H. , Zani Valter J. , Stone Richard M.
Published: October 2019

Newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were randomized to receive either 2.5 or 5 μg/kg/day of pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) or a placebo administered subcutaneously after completion of chemotherapy. The study evaluated the toxicity of PEG-rHuMGDF and any effect on the duration of thrombocytopenia. Each of 35 patients under 60 years of age received the following therapy: 45 mg/m2 daunorubicin on days 1-3, 100 mg/m2cytarabine (ARA-C) for 7 days, and 2 gm/m2 high-dose ARA-C (HIDAC) for 6 doses on days 8-10. The 22 patients 60 years or older received standard daunorubicin and ARA-C without HIDAC. PEG-rHuMGDF was well tolerated, and no specific toxicities could be attributed to its use. There was no difference in the time to achieve a platelet count of at least 20 × 109/L among the 3 groups (median 28-30 days for patients less than 60 years old and 21-23 days for patients 60 years or older). Patients receiving PEG-rHuMGDF achieved higher platelet counts after remission. However there was no significant difference in the number of days on which platelet transfusions were administered among the 3 groups. The complete remission rate was 71% for patients less than 60 years and 64% for those 60 years or older, with no significant difference among the 3 groups. Postremission consolidation chemotherapy with either placebo or PEG-rHuMGDF was given to 28 patients beginning the day after completion of chemotherapy. There was no apparent difference in the time that was necessary to reach a platelet count of at least 20 or 50 × 109/L or more platelets or in the number of platelet transfusions received. In summary, PEG-rHuMGDF was well tolerated by patients receiving induction and consolidation therapy for AML; however, there was no effect on the duration of severe thrombocytopenia or the platelet transfusion requirement.
GATA-1 interacts with the myeloid PU.1 transcription factor and represses PU.1-dependent transcription
Authors: Nerlov Claus , Querfurth Erich , Kulessa Holger , Graf Thomas
Published: October 2019

The GATA-1 transcription factor is capable of suppressing the myeloid gene expression program when ectopically expressed in myeloid cells. We examined the ability of GATA-1 to repress the expression and function of the PU.1 transcription factor, a central regulator of myeloid differentiation. We found that GATA-1 is capable of suppressing the myeloid phenotype without interfering with PU.1 gene expression, but instead was capable of inhibiting the activity of the PU.1 protein in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was independent of the ability of GATA-1 to bind DNA, suggesting that it is mediated by protein-protein interaction. We examined the ability of PU.1 to interact with GATA-1 and found a direct interaction between the PU.1 ETS domain and the C-terminal finger region of GATA-1. Replacing the PU.1 ETS domain with the GAL4 DNA-binding domain removed the ability of GATA-1 to inhibit PU.1 activity, indicating that the PU.1 DNA-binding domain, rather than the transactivation domain, is the target for GATA-1–mediated repression. We therefore propose that GATA-1 represses myeloid gene expression, at least in part, through its ability to directly interact with the PU.1 ETS domain and thereby interfere with PU.1 function.
Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 in paracrine tumor-stromal cell interactions in multiple myeloma
Authors: Dankbar Berno , Padró Teresa , Leo Regine , Feldmann Birgit , Kropff Martin , Mesters Rolf M. , Serve Hubert , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Kienast Joachim
Published: October 2019

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a multifunctional cytokine, potently stimulates angiogenesis including tumor neovascularization. Although well established in solid tumors, the role of VEGF in bone marrow neoangiogenesis and paracrine tumor-stromal cell interactions in lymphohematopoietic malignancies has not been fully elucidated. In multiple myeloma (MM), marrow neovascularization parallels disease progression. This parallel prompted us to investigate the expression and secretion of VEGF by myeloma cells and its potential effects in myeloma-marrow stroma interactions. The biologically active splice variants VEGF165 and VEGF121 were expressed and secreted by myeloma cell lines and plasma cells isolated from the marrow of patients with MM. As shown by immunocytochemistry or RT-PCR, myeloma cells did not express or weakly expressed the VEGF receptors FLT-1 and FLK-1/KDR, indicating that autocrine stimulation is unlikely. In contrast, FLK-1/KDR was abundantly expressed by marrow stromal cells. Therefore, we studied the effects of VEGF on marrow stroma, focusing on the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent growth factor for myeloma cells and an inhibitor of plasma cell apoptosis. Exposure of stromal and microvascular endothelial cells to recombinant human (rh) VEGF165 or VEGF121 induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in IL-6 secretion (14- to 27-fold at 50 ng/mL after 24 hours, P < .001). Conversely, rhIL-6 stimulated VEGF expression and secretion in myeloma cell lines (40%-60%; P < .05) and to a variable degree (up to 5.3-fold; P < .005) in plasma cells purified from the marrow of patients with MM. This mutual stimulation suggests paracrine interactions between myeloma and marrow stromal cells triggered by VEGF and IL-6.
Increased angiogenesis in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Padró Teresa , Ruiz Sandra , Bieker Ralf , Bürger Horst , Steins Martin , Kienast Joachim , Büchner Thomas , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Mesters Rolf M.
Published: October 2019

The importance of angiogenesis for the progressive growth and viability of solid tumors is well established. In contrast, only few data are available for hematologic neoplasms. To investigate the role of angiogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), bone marrow biopsies from 62 adults with newly diagnosed, untreated AML (day 0) were evaluated. Further studies were done after the completion of remission induction chemotherapy (day 16 of induction chemotherapy, n = 21; complete remission, n = 20). Microvessels were scored in at least 3 areas (×500 field, 0.126 mm2) of the highest microvessel density in representative sections of each bone marrow specimen using immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor and thrombomodulin. Microvessel counts were significantly higher in patients with AML (n = 62) compared with control patients (n = 22): median (interquartile range) 24.0 (21.0-27.8)/×500 field vs 11.2 (10.0-12.0)/×500 field, respectively (P < .001). On day 16 of induction chemotherapy, microvessel density was reduced by 60% (44-66) (P < .001) in hypoplastic marrows without residual blasts, in contrast to only 17% (0-37) reduction in hypoplastic marrows with ≥ 5% residual blasts (P < .001 for the difference between both groups). Bone marrow biopsies taken at the time of complete remission displayed a microvessel density in the same range as the controls. In conclusion, there is evidence of increased microvessel density in the bone marrow of patients with AML, which supports the hypothesis of an important role of angiogenesis in AML. Furthermore, these findings suggest that antiangiogenic therapy might constitute a novel strategy for the treatment of AML.
MUC1 is activated in a B-cell lymphoma by the t(1;14)(q21;q32) translocation and is rearranged and amplified in B-cell lymphoma subsets
Authors: Dyomin Vadim G. , Palanisamy Nallasivam , Lloyd Kenneth O. , Dyomina Katerina , Jhanwar Suresh C. , Houldsworth Jane , Chaganti R. S. K.
Published: October 2019

The band 1q21 is among the most common sites affected by chromosomal translocations in lymphoid, myeloid, epithelial, and sarcomatous lesions. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), translocations and duplications affecting this chromosomal site are frequently, but not exclusively, seen in association with primary abnormalities such as the t(14;18)(q32;q21) and t(8;14)(q24;q32) translocations, suggesting a role for 1q21 rearrangements in tumor progression. We report here the characterization and cloning of breakpoints in a case of extranodal ascitic B-cell lymphoma with a t(1;14)(q21;q32) translocation. The breakpoints on the der(1) and der(14) chromosomes were mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis and cloned using an IGHG (Cγ) probe. The translocation linked theIGHG4 switch (Sγ4) sequences of the productively rearranged allele to chromosome 1 sequences downstream of MUC1, leaving the MUC1 transcriptional unit intact. MUC1 was markedly overexpressed in the tumor at the mRNA and protein levels relative to lymphoma cell lines lacking a 1q21 rearrangement. Presumably,MUC1 transcription is aberrantly regulated by the IGHA(C) 3′ enhancer element retained on the same chromosome. Screening of a panel of B-cell lymphomas by Southern blot analysis identified a subset with a 3′ MUC1 breakpoint and another with low-level amplification of MUC1. MUC-1 mucin has previously been shown to be frequently overexpressed in human epithelial cancers and to be associated with tumor progression and poor clinical outcome. Thus, MUC1 activation by chromosomal translocation, rearrangement, and amplification, identified here for the first time in NHL, is consistent with its suggested role in tumorigenesis.
Constitutive activation of LIL-Stat in adult T-cell leukemia cells
Authors: Tsukada Junichi , Toda Yoko , Misago Masahiro , Tanaka Yoshiya , Auron Philip E. , Eto Sumiya
Published: October 2019

The activation status of a recently identified STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) factor, LIL-Stat (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]/IL-1–inducible Stat) in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts of leukemic cells from 7 patients with ATL and a GAS (gamma interferon activation site)-like element termed LILRE (LPS/IL-1–responsive element), which is found in the human prointerleukin 1β (IL1B) gene. Spontaneous DNA binding of LIL-Stat was observed in all ATL cells examined. However, in normal human peripheral lymphocytes, DNA binding of LIL-Stat was detected only after stimulation with IL-1. These results demonstrated that LIL-Stat is constitutively activated in ATL cells. Furthermore, our transient transfection studies using LILRE chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporters argue that LIL-Stat in ATL cells functions as a transcriptional activator through binding to the LILRE in theIL1B gene.
Expression of Ig-β (CD79b) by chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells that lack immunoglobulin heavy-chain allelic exclusion
Authors: Rassenti Laura Z. , Kipps Thomas J.
Published: October 2019

Because immunoglobulin (Ig)-β (CD79b) is required for immunoglobulin allelic exclusion, we examined the CD79b expressed by four chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) samples that expressed more than one immunoglobulin heavy-chain allele and five samples that had normal immunoglobulin heavy-chain allelic exclusion. All leukemia cell samples stained poorly with monoclonal antibodies specific for extracellular epitopes of CD79b. However, all samples expressed functional CD79b genes, regardless of whether they did or did not express more than one immunoglobulin heavy-chain allele. We identified variant CD79b genes that had conservative base substitutions restricted to regions encoding the extracellular immunoglobulin-like domain of CD79b. However, these variants were not restricted to samples lacking immunoglobulin heavy-chain allelic exclusion and most likely reflect genetic polymorphism. Collectively, these data indicate that the unusual expression of more than one immunoglobulin heavy allele by CLL B cells is not associated with structural, nonconservative mutations in the signal-transduction domains of CD79b.
Asymptomatic hemochromatosis subjects: genotypic and phenotypic profiles
Authors: Sham Ronald L. , Raubertas Richard F. , Braggins Caroline , Cappuccio Joseph , Gallagher Margaret , Phatak Pradyumna D.
Published: October 2019

Screening for hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) by means of transferrin saturation (TS) levels has been advocated and will identify many patients who are asymptomatic. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine HFE genotypes among asymptomatic HHC patients and correlate this profile with the degree of iron overload and (2) to evaluate the relationship between mobilized iron (mob Fe), age, serum ferritin (SF), and quantitative hepatic iron (QHI) in this population. One hundred twenty-three asymptomatic HHC patients were evaluated; all had quantitative phlebotomy to determine mob Fe and genotyping for C282Y and H63D mutations. Liver biopsies with QHI determinations were performed on 72 of the 123 patients. Of the entire group, 60% were homozygous for C282Y, and 13% were compound heterozygotes (C282Y/H63D). Among asymptomatic patients, the prevalence of homozygous C282Y is lower compared with previous studies that include clinically affected patients. Of those patients with more than 4 g mob Fe, 77% were homozygous C282Y. Asymptomatic patients with lower iron burdens frequently had genotypes other than homozygous C282Y. There was no correlation between age and mob Fe in these patients; however, there was a correlation between mob Fe and both SF (r = 0.68) and QHI (r = 0.75). In conclusion, asymptomatic patients with moderate iron overload had a different genotypic profile than was seen in advanced iron overload. The significance of identifying patients with modest degrees of iron loading, who may not be homozygous for C282Y, must be addressed if routine TS screening is to be implemented.
Hematopoietic stem cells express Tie-2 receptor in the murine fetal liver
Authors: Hsu Hsiang-Chun , Ema Hideo , Osawa Mitsujiro , Nakamura Yukio , Suda Toshio , Nakauchi Hiromitsu
Published: October 2019

Tie-2 receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in endothelial and hematopoietic cells is believed to play a role in both angiogenesis and hematopoiesis during development of the mouse embryo. This article addressed whether Tie-2 is expressed on fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at day 14 of gestation. With the use of anti–Tie-2 monoclonal antibody, its expression was detected in approximately 7% of an HSC population of Kit-positive, Sca-1–positive, lineage-negative or -low, and AA4.1-positive (KSLA) cells. These Tie-2–positive KSLA (T+ KSLA) cells represent 0.01% to 0.02% of fetal liver cells. In vitro colony and in vivo competitive repopulation assays were performed for T+ KSLA cells and Tie-2–negative KSLA (T− KSLA) cells. In the presence of stem cell factor, interleukin-3, and erythropoietin, 80% of T+ KSLA cells formed colonies in vitro, compared with 40% of T− KSLA cells. Long-term multilineage repopulating cells were detected in T+ KSLA cells, but not in T− KSLA cells. An in vivo limiting dilution analysis revealed that at least 1 of 8 T+ KSLA cells were such repopulating cells. The successful secondary transplantation initiated with a limited number of T+ KSLA cells suggests that these cells have self-renewal potential. In addition, engraftment of T+ KSLA cells in conditioned newborn mice indicates that these HSCs can be adapted equally by the adult and newborn hematopoietic environments. The data suggest that T+ KSLA cells represent HSCs in the murine fetal liver.
VEGF-C signaling pathways through VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 in vasculoangiogenesis and hematopoiesis
Authors: Hamada Koichi , Oike Yuichi , Takakura Nobuyuki , Ito Yasuhiro , Jussila Lotta , Dumont Daniel J. , Alitalo Kari , Suda Toshio
Published: October 2019

Signaling by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) through VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) plays important roles in vascular development and hematopoiesis. The authors analyzed the function of VEGF-C signaling through both VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 in vasculoangiogenesis and hematopoiesis using a coculture of para-aortic splanchnopleural mesoderm (P-Sp) explants from mouse embryos with stromal cells (OP9). Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were evaluated by the extent of vascular bed and network formation, respectively. Addition of VEGF-C to the P-Sp culture enhanced vascular bed formation and suppressed definitive hematopoiesis. Both vascular bed and network formations were completely suppressed by addition of soluble VEGFR-1–Fc competitor protein. Formation of vascular beds but not networks could be rescued by VEGF-C in the presence of the competitor, while both were rescued by VEGF-A. VEGFR-3–deficient embryos show the abnormal vasculature and severe anemia. Consistent with these in vivo findings, vascular bed formation in the P-Sp from the VEGFR-3–deficient embryos was enhanced to that in wild-type or heterozygous embryos, and hematopoiesis was severely suppressed. When VEGFR-3–Fc chimeric protein was added to trap endogenous VEGF-C in the P-Sp culture of the VEGFR-3–deficient embryos, vascular bed formation was suppressed and hematopoiesis was partially rescued. These results demonstrate that because VEGF-C signaling through VEGFR-2 works synergistically with VEGF-A, the binding of VEGF-C to VEGFR-3 consequently regulates VEGFR-2 signaling. In VEGFR-3–deficient embryos, an excess of VEGF-C signals through VEGFR-2 induced the disturbance of vasculogenesis and hematopoiesis during embryogenesis. This indicates that elaborated control through VEGFR-3 signaling is critical in vasculoangiogenesis and hematopoiesis.
5-lipoxygenase expression in dendritic cells generated from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors and in lymphoid organs
Authors: Spanbroek Rainer , Hildner Markus , Steinhilber Dieter , Fusenig Norbert , Yoneda Kozo , Samuelsson Olof Rådmark, Bengt , Habenicht Andreas J.R.
Published: October 2019

The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway in human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, which were induced to differentiate into dendritic cells (DCs) by cytokines in vitro and in DCs of lymphoid tissues in situ, was examined. Extracts prepared from HPCs contained low levels of 5-LO or 5-LO–activating protein. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plus tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) promoted DC differentiation and induced a strong rise in 5-LO and FLAP expression. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analyses identified a major DC population coexpressing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR/CD80 and monocytic or Langerhans cell markers. Transforming growth factor–β1 (TGF-β–1), added to support DC maturation, strongly promoted the appearance of CD1a+/Lag+ Langerhans-type cells as well as mature CD83+ DCs. TGF-β–1 further increased 5-LO and FLAP expression, recruited additional cells into the 5-LO+DC population, and promoted production of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and leukotriene B4 in response to calcium (Ca++) ionophore A23187. These in vitro findings were corroborated by 5-LO expression in distinct DC phenotypes in vivo. Scattered 5-LO and FLAP in situ hybridization signals were recorded in cells of paracortical T-lymphocyte–rich areas and germinal centers (GCs) of lymph nodes (LNs) and tonsil and in cells of mucosae overlying the Waldeyer tonsillar ring. 5-LO protein localized to both CD1a+ immature DCs and to CD83+ mature interdigitating DCs of T-lymphocyte–rich areas of LNs and tonsil. As DCs have the unique ability to initiate naive lymphocyte activation, our data support the hypothesis that leukotrienes act at proximal steps of adaptive immune responses.
A carboxy-terminal domain of ELL is required and sufficient for immortalization of myeloid progenitors by MLL-ELL
Authors: DiMartino Jorge F. , Miller Trissa , Ayton Paul M. , Landewe Theresa , Hess Jay L. , Cleary Michael L. , Shilatifard Ali
Published: October 2019

The t(11;19)(q23;p13.1) chromosomal translocation in acute myeloid leukemias fuses the gene encoding transcriptional elongation factor ELL to the MLL gene with consequent expression of an MLL-ELL chimeric protein. To identify potential mechanisms of leukemogenesis by MLL-ELL, its transcriptional and oncogenic properties were investigated. Fusion with MLL preserves the transcriptional elongation activity of ELL but relocalizes it from a diffuse nuclear distribution to the nuclear bodies characteristic of MLL. Using a serial replating assay, it was demonstrated that the MLL-ELL chimeric protein is capable of immortalizing clonogenic myeloid progenitors in vitro after its retroviral transduction into primary murine hematopoietic cells. However, a structure–function analysis indicates that the elongation domain is not essential for myeloid transformation because mutants lacking elongation activity retain a potent ability to immortalize myeloid progenitors. Rather, the highly conserved carboxyl terminal R4 domain is both a necessary and a sufficient contribution from ELL for the immortalizing activity associated with MLL-ELL. The R4 domain demonstrates potent transcriptional activation properties and is required for transactivation of a HoxA7 promoter by MLL-ELL in a transient transcriptional assay. These data indicate that neoplastic transformation by the MLL-ELL fusion protein is likely to result from aberrant transcriptional activation of MLLtarget genes. Thus, in spite of the extensive diversity of MLL fusion partners, these data, in conjunction with previous studies of MLL-ENL, suggest that conversion of MLL to a constitutive transcriptional activator may be a general model for its oncogenic conversion in myeloid leukemias.
The aberrant fusion proteins PML-RARα and PLZF-RARα contribute to the overexpression of cyclin A1 in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Müller Carsten , Yang Rong , Park Dorothy J. , Serve Hubert , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: October 2019

Cyclin A1 is a newly discovered cyclin that is overexpressed in certain myeloid leukemias. Previously, the authors found that the frequency of cyclin A1 overexpression is especially high in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In this study, the authors investigated the mechanism of cyclin A1 overexpression in APL cells and showed that the APL-associated aberrant fusion proteins (PML–retinoic acid receptor alpha [PML-RARα] or PLZF-RARα) caused the increased levels of cyclin A1 in these cells. The ectopic expression of either PML-RARα or PLZF-RARα in U937 cells, a non-APL myeloid cell line, led to a dramatic increase of cyclin A1 messenger RNA and protein. This elevation of cyclin A1 was reversed by treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in cells expressing PML-RARα but not PLZF-RARα. ATRA also greatly reduced the high levels of cyclin A1 in the APL cell lines NB4 and UF-1. No effect of ATRA on cyclin A1 levels was found in the ATRA-resistant NB4-R2 cells. Further studies using ligands selective for various retinoic acid receptors suggested that cyclin A1 expression is negatively regulated by activated RARα. Reporter assays showed that PML-RARα led to activation of the cyclin A1 promoter. Addition of ATRA inhibited PML-RARα–induced cyclin A1 promoter activity. Taken together, our data suggest that PML-RARα and PLZF-RARα cause the high-level expression of cyclin A1 seen in acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Evaluation of Apaf-1 and procaspases-2, -3, -7, -8, and -9 as potential prognostic markers in acute leukemia
Authors: Svingen Phyllis A. , Karp Judith E. , Krajewski Stan , Mesner Peter W. , Gore Steven D. , Burke Philip J. , Reed John C. , Lazebnik Yuri A. , Kaufmann Scott H.
Published: October 2019

Recent studies have suggested that variations in levels of caspases, a family of intracellular cysteine proteases, can profoundly affect the ability of cells to undergo apoptosis. In this study, immunoblotting was used to examine levels of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) and procaspases-2, -3, -7, -8, and -9 in bone marrow samples (at least 80% leukemia) harvested before chemotherapy from adults with newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, 42 patients) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL, 18 patients). Levels of each of these polypeptides varied over a more than 10-fold range between specimens. In AML samples, expression of procaspase-2 correlated with levels of Apaf-1 (Rs = 0.52, P < .02), procaspase-3 (Rs = 0.56,P < .006) and procaspase-8 (Rs = 0.64, P < .002). In ALL samples, expression of procaspases-7 and -9 was highly correlated (Rs = 0.90,P < .003). Levels of these polypeptides did not correlate with prognostic factors or response to induction chemotherapy. In further studies, 16 paired samples (13 AML, 3 ALL), the first harvested before induction therapy and the second harvested at the time of leukemia regrowth, were also examined. There were no systematic alterations in levels of Apaf-1 or procaspases at relapse compared with diagnosis. These results indicate that levels of initiator caspases vary widely among different leukemia specimens but cast doubt on the hypothesis that this variation is a major determinant of drug sensitivity for acute leukemia in the clinical setting.
Donor stromal cells from human blood engraft in NOD/SCID mice
Authors: Goan Silvia-Renate , Junghahn Ilse , Wissler Manuela , Becker Michael , Aumann Jutta , Just Ursula , Martiny-Baron Georg , Fichtner Iduna , Henschler Reinhard
Published: October 2019

Little is known about the presence, frequency, and in vivo proliferative potential of stromal cells within blood-derived hematopoietic transplants. In this study, nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice were injected with human CD34+ peripheral blood cells (PBCs) or cord blood cells (CBCs, either enriched for CD34 or density-gradient separated mononuclear cells). Flow cytometric analysis 5 to 11 weeks after transplantation revealed the presence of a human lymphomyeloid hematopoiesis within the murine bone marrow. Immunohistochemical staining of bone marrow cell suspensions using human-specific antibodies showed human cells staining positive for human fibroblast markers, human von Willebrand factor (vWF) and human KDR (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2) in mice transplanted with CD34+ PBCs or CBCs, with mean frequencies between 0.6% and 2.4%. In stromal layers of bone marrow cultures established from the mice, immunohistochemical staining using human-specific antibodies revealed flattened reticular cells or spindle-shaped cells staining positive with human-specific antifibroblast antibodies (mean frequency, 2.2%). Cell populations of more rounded cells stained positive with human-specific antibodies recognizing CD34 (1.5%), vWF (2.2%), and KDR (1.6%). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and subsequent complementary DNA sequencing detected transcripts of human KDR (endothelial specific) and human proline hydroxylase-α (fibroblast specific) within the bone marrow and spleen of transplanted mice. Analysis of nontransplanted control mice yielded negative results in immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. Cells expressing endothelial and fibroblast markers were also detected in the grafts before transplantation, and their numbers increased up to 3 log in vivo after transplantation. These results indicate that stromal progenitor cells are present in human cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood or cord blood that engraft in NOD/SCID mice.
An expansion phase precedes terminal erythroid differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells from cord blood in vitro and is associated with up-regulation of cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2
Authors: Dai Mu-Shui , Mantel Charlie R. , Xia Zhen-Biao , Broxmeyer Hal E. , Lu Li
Published: October 2019

The dynamics of cell cycle regulation were investigated during in vitro erythroid proliferation and differentiation of CD34+cord blood cells. An unusual cell cycle profile with a majority of cells in S phase (70.2%) and minority of cells in G1 phase (27.4%) was observed in burst-forming unit-erythrocytes (BFU-E)–derived erythroblasts from a 7-day culture of CD34+ cells stimulated with interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), Steel factor, and Epo. Terminal erythroid differentiation was accompanied by a rapid increase of G0/G1 phase cells. Expression of cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) correlated with the proportion of S phase cells. Cyclin D3 was moderately up-regulated during the proliferation phase, and both cyclin E and D3 were rapidly down-regulated during terminal differentiation. This suggests that the high proliferation potential of erythroblasts is associated with temporal up-regulation of cyclin E and cdk2.
Molecular characterization of a case of atransferrinemia
Authors: Beutler Ernest , Gelbart Terri , Lee Pauline , Trevino Reneé , Fernandez Mark A. , Fairbanks Virgil F.
Published: October 2019

Hereditary atransferrinemia is a rare but instructive disorder that has previously been reported in only 8 patients in 6 families. It is characterized by microcytic anemia and by iron loading, and can be treated effectively by plasma infusions. We now report the first case known in the United States. We determined the sequences flanking the exons of the human transferrin gene and sequenced all of the exons and some of the flanking regions of the patient's DNA and that of her parents. The patient's DNA revealed a 10-base pair (bp) deletion, followed by a 9-bp insertion of a duplicated sequence. There was also a G→C transversion at complementary DNA (cDNA) nt 1429, predicting that a proline was substituted for the alanine in amino acid position 477 (Ala 477 Pro). The latter mutation occurs at an evolutionarily highly conserved site; 704 control alleles were screened and this point mutation was not found. Each of the patient's transferrin genes contains one mutation, ie, the patient is a compound heterozygote for these mutations, because one was found in each of her parents. In addition to these mutations, which we regard to be causative in the patient's atransferrinemia, a silent polymorphism at cDNA 1572 G→C was found in exon 13 as well as 2 previously unreported polymorphisms at IVS8 + 62 c→t and IVS14-4 c→a. The mutation in nt 1572 and that in intron 8 were common in the general population; the intron 14 mutation is rare.