bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthetic factor VIII peptides with amino acid sequences contained within the C2 domain of factor VIII inhibit factor VIII binding to phosphatidylserine
Authors: Foster PA , Fulcher CA , Houghten RA , Zimmerman TS
Published: October 2019

The effective activation of factor X by factor IXa requires the co- factor activity of activated factor VIII (FVIII). Factor Xa formation is also dependent on the presence of negatively charged phospholipid. A phospholipid binding domain of FVIII has been reported to be present on the FVIII light chain. Recent observations on a subset of human FVIII inhibitors have implicated the carboxyl-terminal C2 domain of FVIII as containing a possible phospholipid binding site. The purpose of this study was to investigate directly the role of the C2 domain in phospholipid binding. Twenty-six overlapping peptides, which span the entire C2 domain of FVIII, were synthesized. The ability of these peptides to inhibit the binding of purified human FVIII to immobilized phosphatidylserine was evaluated in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three overlapping synthetic FVIII peptides, 2303–2317, 2305- 2332, and 2308–2322, inhibited FVIII binding to phosphatidylserine by greater than 90% when tested at a concentration of 100 mumols/L. A fourth partially overlapping peptide, 2318–2332, inhibited FVIII binding by 65%. These results suggest that the area described by these peptides, residues 2303 to 2332, may play an important role in the mediation of FVIII binding to phospholipid.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha exhibits greater proinflammatory activity than lymphotoxin in vitro
Authors: Desch CE , Dobrina A , Aggarwal BB , Harlan JM
Published: October 2019

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha/cachectin (TNF-alpha) and lymphotoxin (LT, TNF-beta) are primarily products of monocytes and lymphocytes, respectively. The proteins are 51% homologous in their primary structure, cause necrosis of Meth A sarcoma in vivo, are toxic to selected tumor cells in vitro, and bind to the same receptor on cells in vitro. However, some recent studies have indicated both qualitative and quantitative differences between recombinant human (rh) LT and rhTNF with respect to inducing human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HEC) adhesiveness for neutrophils and release of hematopoietic growth factor and interleukin-1 (IL-1) from HEC. The rhLT used in these studies was expressed in bacteria and was consequently not glycosylated, whereas natural LT is glycosylated. Therefore, we have compared various preparations of glycosylated and nonglycosylated rhLT with two preparations of rhTNF with respect to their proinflammatory characteristics. We now report that the same LT cDNA, when expressed in mammalian cell line and appropriately glycosylated, is also markedly less potent than rhTNF on a molar basis in inducing endothelial adhesiveness for neutrophils and in directly activating neutrophil adherence to albumin-coated plastic. All recombinant proteins, however, were equipotent on a molar basis in producing cytotoxicity in L929 cells. We conclude that differences in the primary structure of rhTNF and rhLT, rather than alterations induced by prokaryote protein processing, account for the disparate proinflammatory activity in vitro.
Inducible production of interleukin-6 by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils: role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha
Authors: Cicco NA , Lindemann A , Content J , Vandenbussche P , Lubbert M , Gauss J , Mertelsmann R , Herrmann F
Published: October 2019

The recent demonstration of the ability of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to secrete various cytokines in response to the granulocyte activator granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) but not to other cytokines, has led to the identification of PMN as biosynthetically active cells. In this study we have investigated the ability of PMN to secrete interleukin-6 (IL-6), a molecule known to be involved in inflammatory reactions. Using RNA blotting analysis and bioassays, we show that PMN could be induced to synthesize transcripts specific for IL-6, indistinguishable in size from IL-6 mRNA produced by activated human macrophages. Consequently, PMN released IL-6-like activity into their culture supernatants that could be neutralized by monospecific anti-IL-6 antibody. Interleukin-6 secretion by PMN, however, required previous stimulation with GM-CSF or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), whereas other cytokines, including interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), macrophage-CSF (M-CSF), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and lymphotoxin (LT), failed to induce IL-6 mRNA accumulation and protein secretion by PMN. Similar to GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, other compounds, including the inhibitor of protein synthesis cyclohexemide (CHX), endotoxin (Escherichia coli- derived lipopolysaccharide), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (but not the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine [FMLP]), induced detectable levels of IL-6 transcripts in PMN.
Interleukin-7 is a growth factor of precursor B and T acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Touw I , Pouwels K , van Agthoven T , van Gurp R , Budel L , Hoogerbrugge H , Delwel R , Goodwin R , Namen A , Lowenberg B
Published: October 2019

We investigated the proliferation-inducing effects of human recombinant interleukin-7 (IL-7) on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. It is shown that IL-7 stimulates DNA synthesis in ALL cells of B-cell precursor (n = 5) as well as immature T-cell origin (n = 2). Cytogenetic analysis of the cells of four patients proliferating in IL7- supplemented cultures established the leukemic descendence of the IL-7- responsive cells. 125I-IL-7 binding experiments with the cells of one patient and with two ALL cell lines showed the presence of two types of IL-7 receptors: one with a high affinity (kd 29 to 51 pmol/L) and one with a low affinity (kd 2.3 to 76 nmol/L) for the ligand. We conclude that IL-7 is one of the cytokines involved in the complex regulation of ALL cell proliferation.
Early deaths and anti-hemorrhagic treatments in acute promyelocytic leukemia. A GIMEMA retrospective study in 268 consecutive patients [see comments]
Authors: Rodeghiero F , Avvisati G , Castaman G , Barbui T , Mandelli F
Published: October 2019

The records of 268 consecutive patients with acute hypergranular promyelocytic leukemia, treated at 29 Italian centers between January 1984 and December 1987, have been reviewed to assess the incidence of early hemorrhagic deaths and the effectiveness of various antihemorrhagic treatments. Three separate groups were considered: 94 patients were treated with heparin, 67 with anti-fibrinolytics (tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, or aprotinin), and 107 with supportive therapy alone. The overall incidence of early hemorrhagic death (within the first 10 days of treatment) was 9.4%, with no significant differences between the various groups. Similarly, there were no differences in complete remission rates or duration of survival. The consumption of packed red blood cells and platelet concentrates was similar for two of the groups, and there was a significantly greater use of platelet concentrates for heparin-treated patients. High blast cell counts on the day of admission were significantly associated with hemorrhagic death within the first 10 days. These counts, plus high blast cell counts and low platelet counts, were associated with death within 24 hours.
Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor increases circulating burst forming unit-erythron and red blood cell production in patients with severe human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Miles SA , Mitsuyasu RT , Lee K , Moreno J , Alton K , Egrie JC , Souza L , Glaspy JA
Published: October 2019

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a major regulatory factor controlling red blood cell (RBC) production in humans. Although other humoral factors can alter the proliferation of committed early erythroid progenitors in vitro, no factor other than EPO has been clearly shown to induce proliferation of these cells in vivo. In a clinical trail of recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and recombinant EPO in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, we noted reticulocytosis and increases in hemoglobin when G-CSF was administered before the administration of EPO. Subsequent studies demonstrated a significant increase in circulating burst forming unit-erythron (BFU-E) during daily recombinant G-CSF therapy. This increase was both time- and dose-dependent. The magnitude of increase in BFU-E correlated with the magnitude of increase in neutrophils and was associated with a mean increase in reticulocytes of 32,363/microL and a significant increase in mean hemoglobin of 1.04 +/- 0.34 g/dL over an 18-day interval. There was a significant increase in iron binding capacity and decreases in iron saturation and ferritin levels. In patients who were not recently transfused, there was an associated fall in endogenous erythropoietin levels. The increase in RBC production was most marked in patients who were severely anemic, transfusion-dependent, and who had elevated pretreatment EPO levels. There was no correlation between the increase in BFU-E and endogenous EPO levels or the time since last dose of zidovudine. The addition of recombinant EPO therapy three times weekly to patients did not result in further significant increases in BFU-E but did significantly increase hemoglobin. Our data suggest that recombinant G-CSF may be one of the hematopoietic factors that influences production of BFU-E and RBCs in humans.
Abnormal responses of myeloid progenitor cells to recombinant human colony-stimulating factors in congenital neutropenia
Authors: Kobayashi M , Yumiba C , Kawaguchi Y , Tanaka Y , Ueda K , Komazawa Y , Okada K
Published: October 2019

The effects of recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3) and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the growth of myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-C) in semisolid agar culture were studied in two patients with Kostmann-type congenital neutropenia. CFU-C growth in bone marrow cells from patients was significantly reduced in response to various concentrations of either IL-3 or G-CSF alone, compared with that from normal subjects. There was no inhibitory effect of bone marrow cells from patients on normal CFU-C formation supported by IL-3 or G-CSF. However, the simultaneous stimulation with IL-3 and G- CSF induced the increase of CFU-C formation in patients with congenital neutropenia. Furthermore, CFU-C growth in both patients was supported when bone marrow cells were preincubated with IL-3 in liquid culture followed by the stimulation with G-CSF in semisolid agar culture. In contrast, that was not supported by the preincubation with G-CSF and the subsequent stimulation with IL-3. This evidence suggests that the hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with congenital neutropenia have the potential for developing CFU-C in the combined stimulation with IL-3 and G-CSF, and that this growth may be dependent on the priming of IL-3 followed by the stimulation with G-CSF. The level of mature neutrophils in peripheral blood was not fully restored to normal levels by the daily administration of G-CSF in doses of 100 to 200 micrograms/m2 of body surface area for 20 to 25 days in both patients. These observations raise the possibility that the combination of IL-3 and G-CSF might have a potential role for the increase of neutrophil counts in patients with congenital neutropenia.
Gova/b alloantigen system on human platelets
Authors: Kelton JG , Smith JW , Horsewood P , Humbert JR , Hayward CP , Warkentin TE
Published: October 2019

In this report we describe a platelet alloantigen system that is carried on a novel platelet protein of 175 Kd. Antisera against the two alleles (Gova/Govb) were found in two patients who had received large numbers of platelet transfusions. The anti-Gov alloantibodies could not be detected using a whole platelet solid phase enzyme immunoassay, or by a platelet glycoprotein capture enzyme immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies against glycoproteins Ib/IX, Ia/IIa, and IIb/IIIa. Using radioimmunoprecipitation techniques, a protein was precipitated that migrated at 175 Kd (reduced). Under nonreduced conditions, a 150-Kd protein was detected with a minor component at 175Kd. The detection of the alloantigens was not activation-dependent. Using immunodepletion studies, we demonstrated that each alloantiserum recognized an epitope on a discrete population of the 175-Kd platelet protein. Family studies demonstrated that the alloantigens designated as Gova and Govb were inherited in an autosomal codominant fashion. The phenotypic frequencies were Gova/Gova, 26%; Gova/Govb, 55%; Govb/Govb, 19%; giving gene frequencies of 0.532 and 0.468 for Gova and Govb, respectively (n = 33).
Gamma-interferon modulates von Willebrand factor release by cultured human endothelial cells
Authors: Tannenbaum SH , Gralnick HR
Published: October 2019

Endothelial cells (EC) synthesize and secrete von Willebrand factor (vWF), a multimeric glycoprotein required for normal hemostasis. Within human endothelial cells, vWF multimers of extremely high molecular weight are stored in rod-shaped organelles known as Weibel-Palade bodies. Inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1, induce in vitro a variety of procoagulant responses by EC, including the secretion of stored vWF. We postulated that other inflammatory mediators might act to balance this procoagulant reaction, thereby assisting in the maintenance of blood fluidity during immune activation. Both gamma- interferon (gamma-IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were found to act independently and cooperatively to depress the stimulated release of vWF from EC. Analysis of stored vWF in either gamma-IFN and/or TNF- treated EC demonstrated a loss of high molecular weight multimers while immunofluorescent studies documented a loss of visible Weibel-Palade bodies. This suggests that gamma-IFN and TNF interfere with normal vWF storage. gamma-IFN acted in a dose-, time-, and RNA-dependent fashion, and its inhibition of vWF release was reversible with time. No effect of gamma-IFN on EC was noted when anti-serum to gamma-IFN was added. Unlike gamma-IFN, alpha-interferon did not effect EC vWF. Therefore, gamma-IFN and TNF may be important in decreasing vWF release during inflammatory or immunologic episodes.
Effects of red blood cell concentration on hemostasis and thrombus formation in a primate model
Authors: Cadroy Y , Hanson SR
Published: October 2019

Because the effects of red blood cell (RBC) concentration on hemostasis and thrombus formation have not been studied experimentally under conditions of whole blood flow without anti-coagulation, normal baboons were bled or transfused to obtain three different groups: a low hematocrit (Ht) group (20% less than Ht less than 25%), a normal Ht group (35% less than Ht less than 40%), and a high Ht group (50% less than Ht less than 55%). Measurements of platelet count, bleeding time, platelet aggregation, fibrinogen level, and coagulation time (APTT) were equivalent to normal values in each group. Thrombus formation was induced using a device composed of collagen-coated tubing followed by two sequentially placed expansion chambers designed to exhibit flow recirculation and stasis. The device was exposed for up to 40 minutes in an arterio-venous shunt system. Wall shear rates in the tubular collagen segment were 100 seconds-1 and 500 to 750 seconds-1. The accumulation of 111In-platelets and 125I-fibrinogen/fibrin was measured radioisotopically; RBC incorporation was determined from measurements of total thrombus hemoglobin. Thrombus that formed on the collagen substrate was rich in platelets and poor in fibrin and RBCs. Under high flow conditions, thrombus composition showed no dependence on Ht. Surprisingly, under low flow conditions, platelet thrombus volume was negatively correlated with Ht (r = -.73, P = .005), and was increased by greater than twofold in the low Ht group as compared with the high Ht group. Thrombus that formed in the disturbed flow regions contained relatively few platelets but was rich in fibrin and RBCs. The predominant finding was a positive correlation between RBC incorporation and Ht at both high and low shear rates (r = .90, P = .00003; and r = .77, P = .002, respectively), with thrombus volume increasing three- to sixfold between the low and high Ht groups. Thus, in vivo variations in Ht ranging between 20% and 55% did not affect hemostasis, but were found either to promote or inhibit the net accumulation of thrombus, depending on local flow conditions.
Monoclonality in B-lymphoproliferative disorders detected at the DNA level
Authors: Trainor KJ , Brisco MJ , Story CJ , Morley AA
Published: October 2019

A new method was developed for detection of monoclonality at the DNA level in B-lymphoproliferative disease using the polymerase chain reaction and consensus primers for the V and J regions of the immunoglobulin gene. Monoclonality was detected in DNA from 15 of 15 clonal B-lymphoblastoid cell lines and from 19 of 23 cases of B- lymphocyte neoplasia, but not from any of 16 normal T-lymphocyte clones, 9 cases of T-lymphocyte neoplasia, 20 samples of polyclonal peripheral blood lymphocytes, and 8 cases of reactive lymphadenopathy. This method for detection of monoclonality is likely to be of routine value in diagnosis owing to its simplicity, speed, and versatility.
Comparative analysis by two-dimensional iodopeptide mapping of the RhD protein and LW glycoprotein
Authors: Bloy C , Hermand P , Cherif-Zahar B , Sonneborn HH , Cartron JP
Published: October 2019

The RhD polypeptide and LW glycoprotein were separately immunopurified with monoclonal antibodies and compared by two-dimensional (2-D) iodopeptide mapping after digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin. These proteins have distinct 2-D maps, as seen after 125I-labeling tyrosine residues (chloramine-T procedure), and even more strikingly after labeling primary amine residues (Bolton-Hunter procedure). Of the more than 20 iodopeptides visualized, only five migrated identically when preparations of RhD and LW were directly compared, suggesting that RhD and LW are different proteins that may share some common protein domains. N-glycanase treatment of the iodopeptides did not modify the 2- D map of the RhD protein but greatly affected the LW map, further indicating that LW, but not RhD, carries N-linked carbohydrate chains. After deglycosylation the LW map was different from the RhD map, confirming that the RhD and LW polypeptides are different proteins. These findings demonstrate that LW is neither a glycosylated form of Rh protein nor is Rh a precursor of LW.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha strongly potentiates interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced proliferation of human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells
Authors: Caux C , Saeland S , Favre C , Duvert V , Mannoni P , Banchereau J
Published: October 2019

Previous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) inhibit the proliferative effects of crude or purified colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) on low density human bone marrow cell fractions. In the present study we investigated the effects of TNF alpha on the growth of highly purified CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) in response to recombinant CSFs. In short-term liquid cultures (5 to 8 days), TNF alpha strongly potentiates interleukin-3 (IL-3) and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF)-induced growth of CD34+ HPC, while it has no proliferative effect per se. Within 8 days, the number of viable cells obtained in TNF alpha-supplemented cultures is threefold higher than in cultures carried out with IL-3 or GM-CSF alone. Secondary liquid cultures showed that the potentiating effect of TNF alpha on IL-3-induced proliferation of CD34+ HPC does not result from an IL-3-dependent generation of TNF alpha responsive cells. Limiting dilution analysis indicates that TNF alpha increases both the frequency of IL-3 responding cells and the average size of the IL-3-dependent clones. The potentiating effect of TNF alpha on IL-3- and GM-CSF- dependent growth of CD34+ HPC is also observed in day 7 colony assays. Under these short-term culture conditions, TNF alpha does not appear to accelerate cell maturation as a precursor morphology is retained. Finally, TNF alpha inhibits the relatively weak growth-promoting effect of granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), which acts on a more committed subpopulation of CD34+ HPC different from that recruited by IL-3 and GM- CSF. TNF beta displays the same modulatory effects as TNF alpha. Thus, TNFs appear to enhance the early stages of myelopoiesis.
Rapid purification and characterization of human platelet glycoprotein V: the amino acid sequence contains leucine-rich repetitive modules as in glycoprotein Ib
Authors: Shimomura T , Fujimura K , Maehama S , Takemoto M , Oda K , Fujimoto T , Oyama R , Suzuki M , Ichihara-Tanaka K , Titani K
Published: October 2019

Glycoprotein V (GPV) is a membrane-associated, 82 Kd platelet glycoprotein that is hydrolyzed during thrombin activation to yield 69 Kd fragment. We have developed a rapid and simple method for isolation of the protein from platelet extracts using a combination of gel permeation, anion-exchange, and lectin affinity chromatography. The partial amino acid sequence was determined by analysis of peptides generated by digestion of the S-carboxyamido-methylated protein with Achromobacter protease I or cyanogen bromide. The sequence shows a remarkable periodicity of leucine residues, which is homologous to the consensus sequence of a highly diversified protein super-family with a common repetitive module. Thrombin cleavage site was determined to be located at the C-terminal region of GPV by analysis of the products separated by sizing and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. By lectin blot analysis, the existence of mucin-type carbohydrate chains was indicated, as well as the existence of asparagine-linked carbohydrate chains shown by the amino acid sequence analysis. From these data, we report a structural model of GPV that is analogous to glycoprotein Ib.
Glycoprotein IIIa is phosphorylated in intact human platelets
Authors: Parise LV , Criss AB , Nannizzi L , Wardell MR
Published: October 2019

The glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex (GP IIb-IIIa) is a multifunctional transmembrane protein on platelets. Its most completely described function is as a fibrinogen receptor that mediates platelet aggregation, but it is also involved in clot retraction, signal transduction, calcium transport, and other events. However, the mechanisms that regulate the functions of GP IIb-IIIa during platelet activation are largely unknown. One possible mechanism is phosphorylation, since several other receptors are regulated by this process. We found that GP IIIa, but not GP IIb, was phosphorylated in 32P-labeled platelets, predominantly on threonine residues. Furthermore, GP IIIa phosphorylation increased four-fold in platelets activated with thrombin or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, but not at all in platelets treated with prostacyclin, an inhibitor of platelet activation. The thrombin-induced increase in phosphorylation was inhibited by pretreating platelets with prostacyclin or with staurosporin, a specific protein kinase C inhibitor. Thus, there is an increase in the level or turnover of phosphate on GP IIIa during platelet activation, most likely involving protein kinase C. This phosphorylation may regulate some aspect(s) of GP IIb-IIIa function.
Interferon gamma increases in vitro and in vivo expression of C1 inhibitor
Authors: Heda GD , Mardente S , Weiner L , Schmaier AH
Published: October 2019

C1 inhibitor (C1 INH) is the major protease inhibitor of the first components of the classic complement system and of the proteases of the Hageman factor pathways. Since C1 INH may modulate inflammatory reactions associated with complement and contact system activation, we sought to determine if the cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) could modulate C1 INH production. Initial studies investigated the effect of IFN-gamma on the molecular and protein expression of C1 INH in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. HEL cells constitutively expressed the 2.1 kb mRNA for C1 INH. IFN-gamma (50 to 1,000 U/mL), but not interferon alpha or beta, increased twofold the amount of C1 INH mRNA expressed within HEL cells. Similarly, this cytokine increased HEL cell C1 INH synthesis of a 105 Kd protein 10-fold, from 1.9 +/- 0.5 microgram C1 INH antigen per 10(8) cells (mean +/- SEM) to 19 +/- 8 micrograms/10(8) cells in 8 days. C1 INH produced by HEL cells after IFN-gamma stimulation had fully intact kallikrein neutralizing activity. Moreover, conditioned media of IFN-gamma-treated HEL cells accumulated more secreted C1 INH in 8 days (6.7 micrograms/mL/10(8) cells) than untreated cells (0.6 microgram/mL/10(8) cells). Additional studies were done on plasma specimens from 22 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who received IFN-gamma daily for 4 days by intravenous infusion. Before treatment, the mean +/- SEM C1 INH levels in these patients was 438 +/- 16 micrograms/mL. At day 10 from the start of the infusion, the plasma C1 INH in these patients increased to 586 +/- 32 micrograms/mL (P less than .0001). The extent of rise of plasma C1 INH after IFN-gamma treatment was independent of dose from 0.01 to 40 U/m2. After 30 days, the mean plasma C1 INH levels decreased to 502 +/- 27 micrograms/mL. These combined studies indicate that IFN-gamma can increase C1 INH protein expression in vitro and in vivo.
Interferon gamma augments Lym-1-dependent, granulocyte-mediated tumor cell lysis
Authors: Vaickus L , Biddle W , Cemerlic D , Foon KA
Published: October 2019

Lym-1 is a therapeutically promising IgG2a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) that reacts with variant class II molecules expressed on B-lineage malignancies. To optimize antitumor immunotherapy with Lym-1, we determined whether granulocytes could participate in tumor lysis mediated by Lym-1 and whether recombinant interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) could influence this reaction. Granulocytes had minimal activity in mediating Lym-1 antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, IFN- gamma markedly augmented and occasionally induced granulocyte Lym-1 ADCC in a dose-dependent fashion (optimal 100 U/mL). Granulocytes primed with IFN-gamma for 24 hours displayed greatly increased ADCC in the absence of further IFN-gamma exposure. In most individuals, IFN- gamma also enhanced PBMC Lym-1 ADCC. Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha), although able to enhance PBMC-mediated Lym-1 ADCC and non-ADCC lysis, had no effect on granulocyte activity. Lym-1 ADCC involved an interaction between Fc receptor-bearing granulocytes and Lym-1 antigen positive targets based on the following: (1) The reaction was Lym-1 dose-dependent with cytotoxicity detectable at concentrations as low as 0.5 microgram/mL. (2) An irrelevant, isotype-matched MoAb (UPC-10) was unable to mediate ADCC. (3) In the absence of Lym-1, granulocytes--with or without IFN-gamma--displayed no intrinsic tumor lytic ability. Conversely, without granulocytes, Lym-1 or Lym-1 plus IFN-gamma had no effect. (4) Protein A, which binds avidly to Lym-1, inhibited the reaction 95%. (5) IFN-gamma induced granulocyte expression of CD64, the IgG Fc receptor that binds murine IgG2a MoAbs. (6) Of nine malignant human cell lines, only the three that moderately or strongly expressed the Lym-1 antigen were consistently lysed. Preclinical studies such as these may provide a rational basis for designing clinical trials with Lym-1 in combination with IFN-gamma.
In vitro differentiation of leukemic cells to eosinophils in the presence of interleukin-5 in two cases of acute myeloid leukemia with the translocation (8;21)(q22;q22)
Authors: Ema H , Kitano K , Suda T , Sato Y , Muroi K , Ohta M , Yoshida M , Sakamoto S , Eguchi M , Miura Y
Published: October 2019

We demonstrated the significant eosinophilic growth of leukemic cells in the presence of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in 2 of 15 cases of acute myeloid leukemia. These two cases were M2 (FAB classification) with the translocation (8;21)(q22; q22). Bone marrow examination revealed the rather high percentages (6% and 9%) of atypical eosinophils in the total nucleated bone marrow cells in these two cases. In the remaining 13 cases, eosinophils were less than 2% in the nucleated bone marrow cells. In the methylcellulose culture system, 142 +/- 18 or 54 +/- 2 colonies were formed by 5 x 10(4) mononuclear cells in the presence of IL-5 in these two cases. These colonies mainly comprised mature eosinophils. Eosinophils were confirmed by Biebrich scarlet staining and electron microscopic examination using a specific lectin binding assay. The eosinophilic differentiation and proliferation of leukemic cells were also observed in the liquid culture system. It was shown that eosinophils observed in both systems were derived from leukemic cells using the chromosomal marker of leukemic cells, t(8;21). Leukemic cells also differentiated to neutrophils or both neutrophils and eosinophils in response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or interleukin-3, respectively, but did not respond noticeably to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Although IL-5 acts on normal eosinophil committed precursors as a lineage-specific growth factor, at least some leukemic cells reacted to IL-5 and could proliferate and differentiate along eosinophilic pathway. Our findings suggest that atypical eosinophils observed in the bone marrow were derived from the leukemic clone in two cases of AML.
Retroviral vector-mediated transfer of the bacterial neomycin resistance gene into fetal and adult sheep and human hematopoietic progenitors in vitro
Authors: Ekhterae D , Crumbleholme T , Karson E , Harrison MR , Anderson WF , Zanjani ED
Published: October 2019

We compared the efficiency of retroviral vector (N2)-mediated transfer of the bacterial neomycin resistance gene (NeoR) into adult and fetal hematopoietic progenitors of sheep and humans by assessing their ability to form colonies in the presence of lethal doses of the neomycin analogue G418 in vitro. Fetal cells from both sheep and humans exhibited a higher degree of NeoR transfer than adult cells. The overall level of NeoR expression was significantly higher for sheep than human cells. The transfer/expression of NeoR into adult human bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors was not affected by the presence or absence of T cells and monocyte/macrophages. The efficiency of NeoR transfer into both adult and fetal human cells, however, was improved when transduction was carried out in the presence of recombinant human interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These results demonstrate the greater efficiency of NeoR gene transfer into fetal hematopoietic progenitors, which may provide a basis for the relatively higher efficiency of the in utero approach to gene therapy.
Proliferative properties of unfractionated, purified, and single cell human progenitor populations stimulated by recombinant human interleukin-3
Authors: Kannourakis G , Johnson GR
Published: October 2019

In this report, the biological properties of human recombinant interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) were studied. We investigated the range of unfractionated, purified and single cell human progenitors responsive to IL-3; compared the colony types observed with those obtained in the presence of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF). The results show that IL-3 directly stimulates the formation of colonies derived from eosinophil and, to a lesser degree, granulocyte and macrophage progenitors. In combination with erythropoietin, it supports the development of erythroid and mixed-erythroid colonies. Furthermore, the data show that IL-3 is a more potent stimulus for both erythroid and eosinophil progenitors than GM-CSF. Interleukin-3 stimulates the formation of both compact and dispersed colonies derived from eosinophil progenitors, whereas GM-CSF stimulates the formation of only the compact type. We conclude that some of the proliferative effects of IL-3 observed on unfractionated and semipurified bone marrow populations are indirect and most likely involve accessory cell interactions.
Metalloprotease activity of CD13/aminopeptidase N on the surface of human myeloid cells
Authors: Ashmun RA , Look AT
Published: October 2019

We previously found that the myeloid cell surface glycoprotein CD13 (gp150) is identical to aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2), a widely distributed membrane-bound, zinc-dependent metalloprotease with an extracellular enzymatic domain that cleaves N-terminal amino acid residues from oligopeptides (J Clin Invest 83:1299, 1989). As a first step toward defining the function of this molecule on myeloid cells, we assessed cell surface-associated N-terminal peptidase activity by sensitive spectrophotometric measurements of the cleavage of p- nitroanilide amino acid derivatives. Aminopeptidase activity detected on the surface of normal and malignant hematopoietic cells coincided with the level of cell surface CD13 expression as measured by flow cytometry. The enzyme was specifically inhibited by the zinc-binding metalloprotease inhibitors, bestatin, 1,10-phenanthroline, or 2.2′- dipyridyl, but was not affected by several inhibitors of other classes of proteases. Aminopeptidase activity was demonstrated for CD13 molecules specifically immunoprecipitated from the surface of CD13- positive cells and was blocked by the metalloprotease inhibitor 1,10- phenanthroline. Moreover, cell surface aminopeptidase activity was partially inhibited when viable cells were incubated with two of a panel of 11 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) known to be specific for extracellular epitopes of human CD13. This inhibition was apparent in the absence of detectable downmodulation of CD13 molecules from the cell surface, suggesting that these MoAbs either physically interfere with substrate binding or alter the zinc-coordinating properties of aminopeptidase N molecules. Aminopeptidase N could play an important role in modulating signals generated by peptides at the surface of myeloid cells, either by removing key N-terminal residues from active peptides or by converting inactive peptides to active forms. The inhibitory antibodies used in this study should prove useful in delineating the physiologic roles of CD13/aminopeptidase N on normal and malignant myeloid cells.
Subcellular distribution and mobilization of MAC-1 (CD11b/CD18) in neonatal neutrophils
Authors: Jones DH , Schmalstieg FC , Dempsey K , Krater SS , Nannen DD , Smith CW , Anderson DC
Published: October 2019

The CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) heterodimeric surface glycoprotein contributes to a broad range of adherence-dependent neutrophil inflammatory functions. Previous investigations have indicated that diminished expression or regulation of Mac-1 may underlie abnormalities of stimulated adhesion and chemotaxis of neonatal neutrophils in vitro and inflammatory deficits in human neonates. To define the pathogenic mechanisms contributing to these findings, we compared the distribution and translocation of Mac-1 in subcellular fractions of neonatal and adult neutrophils before and after chemotactic stimulation. The total cell content of Mac-1 and the proportions of Mac-1 in beta fractions (vitamin B12 binding protein-rich granules), pre-gamma fractions (gelatinase-rich granules), or gamma fractions (plasma membrane) of neonatal neutrophils were comparable with those of adult neutrophils. However, after stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP; 10 nmol/L, 37 degrees C, 15 minutes), neonatal neutrophils demonstrated (1) diminished translocation of Mac-1 from pre-gamma fractions (P less than .05), and (2) diminished surface expression of Mac-1 (P less than .05), as compared with healthy adult neutrophils. As shown in enzymatic and immunochemical assays, neonatal cells contained significantly (P less than .01) diminished levels of neutrophil gelatinase. In response to FMLP (0.1 to 10 nmol/L, 37 degrees C, 15 minutes), neonatal suspensions also released significantly (P less than .001) less gelatinase, as compared with adult neutrophil suspensions. These observations demonstrate that diminished mobilization of Mac-1 from gelatinase-rich granular pools in neonatal neutrophils is associated with abnormal surface expression of this glycoprotein after chemotactic stimulation. This abnormality may contribute, in part, to abnormal migratory properties of neonatal neutrophils in response to inflammatory stimuli.
Effective prophylaxis against platelet refractoriness in multitransfused patients by use of leukocyte-free blood components
Authors: Saarinen UM , Kekomaki R , Siimes MA , Myllyla G
Published: October 2019

Development of permanent platelet refractoriness is a major problem in multitransfused patients with diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, or pediatric solid tumors. We tried to prevent alloimmunization in these patients by systematic use of leukocyte-free blood components with less than one million of contaminating leukocytes per unit of platelets or red cells. Our study group comprised 26 patients with a minimum of 10 platelet transfusions per patient. These patients were compared with a historical reference group of 21 patients who had received standard blood products. In the leukocyte-free group none developed platelet refractoriness, in contrast to the reference group where 11 of the 21 patients became refractory to random platelets. The median corrected platelet increment for random pooled platelets was significantly higher in the leukocyte-free group compared with the reference group. The increasing number of transfusions did not correlate with the development of platelet refractoriness; instead we propose that the lower limit of antigenic exposure is important. We conclude that systematic use of leukocyte-free blood components effectively prevents development of platelet refractoriness and contributes to optimal supportive care of children with cancer.
Vancomycin-dependent antibodies associated with thrombocytopenia and refractoriness to platelet transfusion in patients with leukemia
Authors: Christie DJ , van Buren N , Lennon SS , Putnam JL
Published: October 2019

Two patients with leukemia experienced profound thrombocytopenia and refractoriness to platelet transfusion during vancomycin treatment. In one patient, withdrawal of drug and administration of platelet transfusions restored platelet counts to near normal levels (approximately 100 x 10(9)/L), however, subsequent challenge with vancomycin due to recurring infection again precipitated severe thrombocytopenia (platelets less than 10 x 10(9)/L) and life- threatening hemorrhagic symptoms. Potent vancomycin-dependent antiplatelet antibodies were detected in the serum of both patients during the refractory period using staphylococcal protein A rosette formation. Employing a monoclonal antibody-antigen capture enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the patients were found to have vancomycin-dependent IgG antibodies that bound specifically to platelet glycoproteins (GP) IIb and/or IIIa. One of these antibodies failed to react with platelets deficient in GPIIb/IIIa obtained from an individual with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. These findings provide the first major evidence for drug-dependent antibodies in association with severe thrombocytopenia and refractoriness to platelet transfusion in alloimmunized leukemia patients and, further, provide the first demonstration of vancomycin-dependent antibodies reactive with platelets.
Graft-versus-leukemia reactions after bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Horowitz MM , Gale RP , Sondel PM , Goldman JM , Kersey J , Kolb HJ , Rimm AA , Ringden O , Rozman C , Speck B
Published: October 2019

To determine whether graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reactions are important in preventing leukemia recurrence after bone marrow transplantation, we studied 2,254 persons receiving HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in first remission, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first remission, and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in first chronic phase. Four groups were investigated in detail: recipients of non--T-cell depleted allografts without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), recipients of non-- T-cell depleted allografts with GVHD, recipients of T-cell depleted allografts, and recipients of genetically identical twin transplants. Decreased relapse was observed in recipients of non--T-cell depleted allografts with acute (relative risk 0.68, P = .03), chronic (relative risk 0.43, P = .01), and both acute and chronic GVDH (relative risk 0.33, P = .0001) as compared with recipients of non--T-cell depleted allografts without GVHD. These data support an antileukemia effect of GVHD. AML patients who received identical twin transplants had an increased probability of relapse (relative risk 2.58, P = .008) compared with allograft recipients without GVHD. These data support an antileukemia effect of allogeneic grafts independent of GVHD. CML patients who received T-cell depleted transplants with or without GVHD had higher probabilities of relapse (relative risks 4.45 and 6.91, respectively, P = .0001) than recipients of non--T-cell depleted allografts without GVHD. These data support an antileukemia effect independent of GVHD that is altered by T-cell depletion. These results explain the efficacy of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in eradicating leukemia, provide evidence for a role of the immune system in controlling human cancers, and suggest future directions to improve leukemia therapy.
Expression of IMP dehydrogenase in differentiating HL-60 cells
Authors: Collart FR , Huberman E
Published: October 2019

Addition of mycophenolic acid to cultures of HL-60 cells results in a decreased cellular level of guanine nucleotides and the induction of cell differentiation. During the early stages of this induction, steady- state levels of cellular IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH), messenger RNA (mRNA), and protein are increased, perhaps because of cellular compensation for the inhibition of IMPDH activity. The subsequent decrease in IMPH mRNA and protein levels after several days of treatment suggests a change in the control of IMPDH expression. In contrast to the pattern of increased IMPDH expression observed in the mycophenolic acid-treated cells, treatment of HL-60 cells with two other inducers of differentiation, namely retinoic acid and phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate, resulted in stable or decreased levels of cellular IMPDH mRNA and protein. However, the kinetics of this expression were different. These results suggest that a number of factors influence the regulation of IMPDH expression during the induction of HL-60 cell differentiation, including the nature of the inducer. A decrease in the cellular IMPDH activity was observed for all of the inducers, suggesting that this decreased activity may be a determining factor in the acquisition of a mature phenotype in the HL- 60 cells.
Hematopoietic progenitor cell expression of the H-CAM (CD44) homing- associated adhesion molecule
Authors: Lewinsohn DM , Nagler A , Ginzton N , Greenberg P , Butcher EC
Published: October 2019

We explored the expression of a lymphocyte homing-associated cell adhesion molecule (H-CAM, CD44) on hematopoietic progenitors. We demonstrate that immature myeloid and erythroid leukemic cell lines stain intensely with monoclonal antibodies Hermes-1 and Hermes-3, which define distinct epitopes on lymphocyte surface H-CAM, a glycoprotein involved in lymphocyte interactions with endothelial cells. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), human marrow cells were fractionated into Hermeshi, Hermesmed, and Hermeslo populations according to the expression of both the Hermes-1 and Hermes-3 epitopes. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit and erythroid burst-forming unit precursors were found predominantly in the brightly positive fractions. Two-color FACS analysis confirmed that the My10 (CD34) positive populations of cells in bone marrow, which contain most of the progenitor cell activity, are brightly positive for Hermes-1. Finally, we demonstrate that among bone marrow cells, the highest levels of H- CAM are expressed on myeloid and erythroid progenitors as well as mature granulocytes and lymphocytes. Thus we provide evidence that molecules related or identical to the H-CAM homing receptor are expressed on marrow progenitor cells. H-CAM may contribute to progenitor cell interactions with marrow endothelial and stromal cell elements important to the maintenance and regulation of hematopoiesis.
Recurrent mutations and three novel rearrangements in the factor VIII gene of hemophilia A patients of Italian descent
Authors: Casula L , Murru S , Pecorara M , Ristaldi MS , Restagno G , Mancuso G , Morfini M , De Biasi R , Baudo F , Carbonara A
Published: October 2019

Hemophilia A (HA), a common inherited bleeding disorder in humans, is due to the deficiency or absence of the factor VIII (FVIII) activity. The cloning of the FVIII gene has made molecular probes available for the characterization of the basic defect in this disease. In this study we describe six different mutations in the FVIII gene detected by DNA analysis of 100 HA patients of Italian descent. In two of them, with a severe clinical picture, we identified two novel deletions, one in the middle of the FVIII gene from exons 7 to 22 and the other encompassing the entire factor VIII gene. Both of these patients produced antibodies to factor VIII. In a patient with mild HA we detected a duplication of exon 13, which is a rearrangement not yet described within the FVIII gene. A possible explanation for the mild phenotype in this patient is that the molecular defect results in the production of an unstable FVIII protein with residual 10% FVIII activity. Screening by Taq I restriction endonuclease detected three mutations that were further characterized by direct sequencing on amplified DNA: a C-T substitution at codon 1960, in exon 18, converting the codon for arginine to a non- sense codon; and a G-A substitution at codon 2228 and 2326, in exons 24 and 26 respectively, resulting in the substitution of glutamine for arginine. All three of these mutations have been previously described. The non-sense mutation and the codon 2228 G-A mutation was found in patients with severe HA, while the codon 2326 G-A mutation was associated with a quite severe condition. These results confirm that the molecular bases of HA are very heterogeneous and provide further evidence that recurrent mutations are not uncommon in this system.
Perforin gene expression in granular lymphocyte proliferative disorders
Authors: Oshimi K , Shinkai Y , Okumura K , Oshimi Y , Mizoguchi H
Published: October 2019

By Northern blot analysis using a cDNA clone of the perforin gene, we studied the levels of perforin mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 11 cases of granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders (GLPDs). The granular lymphocytes studied were characterized by morphologic, immunophenotypic, and immunogenotypic analyses. Cytolytic functions of the lymphocytes assayed included nonmajor histocompatibility complex-requiring cytotoxicity, anti-CD3-redirected cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and lectin- dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The results showed that in lymphocytes with strong cytolytic functions high levels of perforin mRNA existed, whereas in lymphocytes with weak or undetectable levels of cytolytic functions, low levels of perforin mRNA existed. Because the levels of perforin mRNA correlated with those of cytolytic functions, perforin is probably a mediator in cytolytic functions of granular lymphocytes in patients with GLPDs. When the lymphocytes were cultured for 1 day, however, the levels of cytolytic activity were increased, and those of perforin mRNA were decreased. Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that factors other than perforin protein are involved in the cytolytic functions of granular lymphocytes.