bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the clinical effects after the first dose of bacterially synthesized recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor
Authors: Lieschke GJ , Cebon J , Morstyn G
Published: October 2019

Bacterially synthesized recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) is an agent with therapeutic potential for neutropenic states, but even at doses below the maximal tolerated dose adverse effects occur during short courses of administration. We have recognized a syndrome of hypoxia and hypotension that follows the first but not subsequent doses of rhGM-CSF. Thirteen of 42 patients receiving rhGM-CSF in phase I studies and 4 of 6 patients in a phase II study developed a reaction that occurred after the first dose of 24 of 78 cycles of rhGM-CSF therapy. The reaction was characterized by flushing (16 of 24), tachycardia (16 of 24), hypotension (14 of 24), musculoskeletal pain (13 of 24), dyspnea (12 of 24), nausea and vomiting (11 of 24), rigors (5 of 24), involuntary leg spasms (3 of 24), and syncope (3 of 24). The reaction did not occur after any of more than 600 second and subsequent consecutive rhGM-CSF doses. Oxygen saturation decreased during first-dose reactions by 8% +/- 4% as compared with 3% +/- 1% on first days without reactions (P less than .001) and 2% +/- 1% on subsequent days (P less than .001). Pulmonary dysfunction was characterized by hypoxemia (59 +/- 9 mm Hg, mean +/- SD) that was fully correctable with supplementary oxygen, decreased single-breath carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, and increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients (25 +/- 6 to 60 +/- 4 mm Hg, mean +/- SD), but no significant abnormalities on chest roentgenogram or lung perfusion scan. Factors predisposing to reactions were rhGM-CSF dose greater than or equal to 3 micrograms/kg (P less than .01), intravenous (IV) rather than subcutaneous (SC) administration (P less than .05), occurrence of a reaction after the first dose of a previous cycle of rhGM-CSF therapy (P less than .01), and for patients receiving 15 micrograms/kg/d by SC bolus, the presence of lung cancer (P less than .05). Administration of 15 micrograms/kg/d rhGM-CSF by 24-hour SC infusion rather than SC bolus resulted in a delayed onset of reaction from 30 +/- 8 minutes to 240 +/- 190 minutes (mean +/- SD, P less than .001), and a slower rate of initial transient decrease in neutrophil levels and a more prolonged duration of transient leukopenia. The time of onset of reactions correlated with the rate of rise of rhGM-CSF levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS).
An epitope of the transferrin receptor is exposed on the cell surface of high-grade but not low-grade human lymphomas
Authors: Esserman L , Takahashi S , Rojas V , Warnke R , Levy R
Published: October 2019

In attempting to identify antigens that are differentially expressed on tumor cells following transformation from follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma (FSC) to immunoblastic lymphoma (IL), we identified a unique epitope of the transferrin receptor (TfR). The epitope is available for binding in aggressive lymphomas but not in indolent lymphomas or normal cells. An immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) antibody that binds this epitope, Trump, was produced by screening on tumor cells from a patient who initially had a low-grade lymphoma which subsequently converted to a high-grade lymphoma. Immunoprecipitation and comodulation studies show that Trump binds to the TfR, but blocking studies and immunostaining reveal that the TfR epitope seen by Trump is distinct from the OKT9 and anti-TfR binding sites. The ability of Trump to discriminate a separate population of more highly malignant cells suggests that the expression of the Trump epitope is determined by the state of activation or degree of malignancy of the cell. In addition, it may be possible to use the Trump antibody diagnostically or therapeutically in the management of lymphomas.
Variations in serum alkaline DNase activity: a new means to assess early detection of relapse in patients treated for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Economidou-Karaoglou A , Lans M , Taper H , Michaux JL , Roberfroid M
Published: October 2019

Our previously published clinical results on various malignancies indicated that the variations in serum alkaline DNase activity (SADA) could be a sensitive test for therapeutic monitoring of human malignancies. In the present study, the clinical efficacy of SADA detecting relapse in 32 acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) patients in remission was tested. The observation period ranged from 3 to 17 months. A simple and rapid biochemical technique based on spectrophotometric measurements was used to assay SADA. Of the 32 patients, 17 remained in remission and had less than a 15% variation in SADA levels. They had no clinical symptoms of recurrence at any time. In the remaining 15 patients, after a period of stability, a progressive decrease in SADA, with variations of more than 15%, was observed without any treatment. At that time, no abnormalities of clinical parameters were detected in these patients. A recurrence of disease as evidenced by routine examinations was found relatively late after the first decrease in SADA in all 15 patients (range 1.5 to 5.5 months). These results suggest that periodic measurements of SADA during the posttherapeutic course can be used as a means to assess early detection of an eventual recurrence.
An in vitro limiting-dilution assay of long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells in the mouse
Authors: Ploemacher RE , van der Sluijs JP , Voerman JS , Brons NH
Published: October 2019

We have developed a limiting-dilution assay of long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells in the mouse using a miniturized stroma- dependent bone marrow culture assay in vitro. The cells were overlaid on irradiated stromal layers in microtiter wells in a range of concentrations, and frequencies of cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC) were calculated by employing Poisson statistics. The production of secondary granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-G/M) in the adherent layer of individual wells was correlated with the presence of such cobblestone areas. CAFC frequencies were determined in bone marrow cell suspensions that were either enriched for marrow repopulating ability (MRA) in vivo, while depleted for spleen colony- forming units (CFU-S), or vice versa. The separation of bone marrow cells (BMC) was either based on centrifugal elutriation, or monoclonal antibody-mediated magnetic depletion of cells carrying cell surface differentiation antigens, and subsequent sorting on the basis of light scatter and rhodamine-123 retention as a measure of mitochondrial activity. In addition, 5-fluorouracil-resistant BMC were studied. Our investigations show that a time-dependent cobblestone area formation exists that reflects the turnover time and primitiveness of CAFC. The frequency of precursors forming cobblestone areas on day 28 after overlay is proposed to be a measure for MRA, whereas the day-7 CAFC frequency closely corresponds with day-12 CFU-S numbers in the suspensions tested.
Detection of interleukin-5 messenger RNA in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease with eosinophilia
Authors: Samoszuk M , Nansen L
Published: October 2019

Hodgkin's disease of nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity subtypes is frequently associated with eosinophilia. To determine if interleukin- 5 (IL-5) is implicated in producing the eosinophilia, we performed in situ hybridization studies on cytopreparations of 16 cases of Hodgkin's disease with eosinophilia as well as cells from various controls. A single-stranded, anti-sense complementary DNA (cDNA) probe coding for a portion of the human IL-5 molecule was tail-labeled with digoxigenin - 11-dUTP using terminal transferase, and then hybridized to messenger RNA (mRNA) within cells. An alkaline-phosphatase-conjugated antibody directed to digoxigenin was used with a chromogenic substrate to detect hybridized probe within cells. In all seven cases of nodular sclerosis subtype and nine cases of mixed cellularity subtype with eosinophilia, there was strong hybridization signal localizable to the cytoplasm of morphologically identifiable Reed-Sternberg cells and variants. Similar activity was detected only in rare cells from three normal spleens, and was undetectable in two cell lines used as a negative control and in one case of Hodgkin's disease without eosinophilia. Pretreatment of the cytopreparations with the RNase inhibitor diethylpyrocarbonate greatly increased the hybridization signal. Based on this controlled study, we conclude that mRNA coding for IL-5 is expressed in Reed-Sternberg cells and variants. This observation may explain the eosinophilia associated with Hodgkin's disease and provide insight into the origin of the Reed- Sternberg cell.
Activation of lymphocytes induced by recombinant human granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with malignant lymphoma
Authors: Ho AD , Haas R , Wulf G , Knauf W , Ehrhardt R , Heilig B , Korbling M , Schulz G , Hunstein W
Published: October 2019

To investigate effects of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on lymphoid cells in vivo, we monitored changes in absolute lymphocyte counts, plasma concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and soluble cytotoxic/suppressor (sCD8) antigens, and phenotypic changes of surface membrane antigens of peripheral mononuclear cells from 14 patients with malignant lymphoma treated with rhGM-CSF. Eight of the 14 patients had relapsed or had refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and received rhGM-CSF after intensive chemotherapy with novantrone (NO) and high- dose Ara-C (AC) (NOAC) as salvage regimen. Six other patients with NHL or Hodgkin's disease (HD) were in complete remission and treated with rhGM-CSF to enhance peripheral hematopoietic progenitor cell harvest for autografting. An increase in absolute lymphocyte count at the zenith of leukocyte elevation and a drastic increase in concentration of sIL-2R from a median of 565 U/mL to 6,700 U/mL on rhGM-CSF infusion were found in all patients. There was also a moderate increase in sCD8 levels from a median of 277 U/mL to 470 U/mL. Ten patients were available for serial studies of phenotypic changes in surface membrane antigens. A significant increase in CD25+ (IL-2R+) (P = .0020) and CD4+ (P = .0137) lymphocytes was observed in all patients, but no significant change in CD3+, CD8+, TCR delta 1+, or CD19+ cells. Elevations in absolute lymphocyte counts or in concentrations of sIL-2R or sCD8 were not observed in four other patients during recovery from intensive chemotherapy without rhGM-CSF support. Our results provide evidence that administration of rhGM-CSF might activate lymphocytes in vivo. The impact of this activation on the remission rate and duration, as well as survival in patients with NHL, warrants further investigation.
In situ localization by double-labeling immunoelectron microscopy of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies in neutrophils and monocytes
Authors: Calafat J , Goldschmeding R , Ringeling PL , Janssen H , van der Schoot CE
Published: October 2019

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) associated with active Wegener's granulomatosis are directed against a soluble 29-Kd protein present in human neutrophils and monocytes. Affinity labeling with tritiated diisopropylfluorophosphate (3H-DFP) suggested that ANCA- antigen is a serine protease. We used immunoelectron microscopy to study the in situ localization of the ANCA-antigen in normal human neutrophils and monocytes using immunoglobulin G (IgG) from ANCA- positive patients and a mouse monoclonal antibody against the ANCA- antigen. Label was observed on the large granules of the neutrophils and in granules of monocytes. Double-labeling, using anti- myeloperoxidase or the peroxidase reaction as markers for azurophil granules and anti-lactoferrin as marker for specific granules, showed that ANCA is colocalized with markers of azurophil granules but not with lactoferrin. Furthermore, elastase and cathepsin G were found in the azurophil granules of neutrophils and in the peroxidase-positive granules of monocytes, colocalized with ANCA-antigen. Cytochalasin-B- treated neutrophils stimulated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl- phenylalanine (fMLP) formed large intracellular vacuoles and were partially degranulated. Some vacuoles contained ANCA-antigen, as well as myeloperoxidase, elastase, and cathepsin G, demonstrating release of these enzymes from the azurophil granules into vacuoles. Our results demonstrate that ANCA-antigen is located in myeloperoxidase-containing granules of neutrophils and monocytes, and is packaged in the same granules as elastase and cathepsin G, the two previously identified serine proteases of myeloid leukocytes.
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells secrete transcobalamin II
Authors: Carmel R , Neely SM , Francis RB Jr
Published: October 2019

Transcobalamin II (TC II) is essential for cellular uptake of cobalamin. However, the origin of this transport protein is controversial and many organ sources have been suggested. We studied human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in vitro. The cells contained TC II (2.3 pmol/10(8) cells) and released progressively increasing amounts of the protein into the surrounding medium during the 3-day incubation period. This release exceeded the starting intracellular content of TC II. In contrast, endothelial cells did not contain or elaborate R binder, the other major circulating binding protein for cobalamin, Cycloheximide inhibited the elaboration of TC II, suggesting that the endothelial cells synthesize the protein. Thrombin, which stimulates tissue plasminogen activator release, did not enhance TC II release, and neither did endotoxin or mellitin. However, thrombin did appear to partially protect TC II release from inhibition by cycloheximide. Among other cells studied, human fibroblasts also released TC II into the incubation medium, while K562 human leukemia cells, ARH-77 and HS Sultan human plasma cell lines, and Raji strain lymphoblasts did not. The data suggest that endothelial cells are an important source of the metabolically crucial TC II.
PPACK-thrombin inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cytoplasmic acidification but does not inhibit platelet shape change
Authors: Greco NJ , Tenner TE Jr , Tandon NN , Jamieson GA
Published: October 2019

We have re-evaluated the previously reported ability of TLCK-thrombin (N alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone-treated alpha-thrombin) and PPACK-thrombin (D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone- treated alpha-thrombin) to inhibit alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation (Harmon JT, Jamieson GA: J Biol Chem 261:15928, 1986; and Harmon JT, Jamieson GA: Biochemistry 27:2151, 1988). Despite several cycles of derivatization with TLCK (10,000-fold molar excess), preparations of TLCK-thrombin have been found to contain about 4% residual alpha-thrombin activity, suggesting that these preparations are an equilibrium mixture of TLCK-thrombin and alpha-thrombin and cannot be used for evaluating competition between these two agents. In contrast, alpha-thrombin activity was completely inhibited by PPACK at 15-fold molar excess. PPACK-thrombin, free of unreacted PPACK and devoid of residual alpha-thrombin activity, did not markedly affect platelet shape change at concentrations as high as 1 mumol/L, but inhibited aggregation and secretion in intact platelets activated with the minimal concentration of alpha-thrombin causing a full response (0.3 to 0.5 nmol/L) and yielded a 50% inhibition constant (IC50) for inhibition of aggregation by PPACK-thrombin of 110 nmol/L. This inhibition was specific for alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation, and no inhibition was seen with activation induced by ADP, collagen, epinephrine, ristocetin, or arachidonate. At these low alpha-thrombin concentrations (approximately 0.4 nmol/L), a persistent cytoplasmic acidification was observed of -0.062 +/- 0.016 pH units, although alkalinization was observed at higher alpha-thrombin concentrations (greater than 1 nmol/L). While inhibition of aggregation and secretion occurred when alpha-thrombin and PPACK-thrombin were added simultaneously, inhibition of cytoplasmic acidification and of the elevation of cytoplasmic [Ca2+] induced by low concentrations of alpha- thrombin (0.4 nmol/L) occurred only if platelets were preincubated with PPACK-thrombin for 5 minutes before the addition of alpha-thrombin. In platelets treated with Serratia marcescens protease to remove glycoprotein lb (GPlb), alpha-thrombin-induced shape change was attenuated but persisted in the presence of a high concentration (2 mumol/L) of PPACK-thrombin, although aggregation and secretion were inhibited, as seen in intact platelets. The IC50 value for inhibition of aggregation by PPACK-thrombin was approximately 1 mumol/L at the higher alpha-thrombin concentrations (5 nmol/L) required for full activation in this case. These results suggest that PPACK-thrombin may be a useful probe of platelet function since it specifically blocks platelet aggregation and secretion induced by alpha-thrombin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Relationship of bcr breakpoint to chronic phase duration, survival, and blast crisis lineage in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients presenting in early chronic phase [see comments]
Authors: Morris SW , Daniel L , Ahmed CM , Elias A , Lebowitz P
Published: October 2019

Strong evidence implicates fusion of control elements and 5′ sequences of the bcr gene of chromosome 22 with 3′ sequences of the c-abl gene of chromosome 9 in the pathogenesis of Ph-positive and certain cases of Ph- negative chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Since this fusion gene gives rise to a chimeric tyrosine protein kinase with transforming potential, and since the bcr exon contribution to this chimeric protein is variable, the question has arisen as to whether bcr breakpoint location and bcr exon contribution could influence the clinical course of CML. Prior studies have yielded conflicting results on this point. Here we have looked, in a manner approximating a prospective analysis, at the relation of bcr breakpoint localization to the duration of chronic phase, total survival, and blast crisis phenotype in 81 patients presenting in the chronic phase of CML. We have found no significant differences in chronic phase duration or total survival among patients with breakpoints in the three major subregions of a breakpoint cluster region within the bcr gene. These findings indicate that chronic phase duration and total survival cannot be predicted from bcr breakpoint for CML patients presenting in chronic phase and suggest that unknown oncogenic events determining the onset of blast crisis are the prime determinants of prognosis. Combined analysis of blast crisis cell lineage in our patients and patients presented in a previous study has revealed an overall ratio of myeloid:lymphoid (M:L) crisis of 3.4:1, but a striking predominance of myeloid crisis in patients with breakpoints in subregion 2 (M:L of 9:1), and a lower than expected M:L ratio (1.6:1) among patients with breakpoints in subregion 3 (P for subregion 2 versus 3 = .012; subregions 0,1,2 versus 3 = .012; subregions 0,1,3 versus 2 = .032). The molecular basis for this divergence from the anticipated M:L ratio in patients with breakpoints in bcr subregions 2 and 3 is unknown.
Effects of parenteral recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor on monocyte number, phenotype, and antitumor cytotoxicity in nonhuman primates
Authors: Munn DH , Garnick MB , Cheung NK
Published: October 2019

Recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhM-CSF) was given to cynomolgus monkeys by continuous intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection, at a dose of 50 to 100 micrograms/kg/d in repetitive 14-day cycles. Starting within 24 to 48 hours of initiation of rhM-CSF, there was a progressive increase in the number of circulating monocytes, from a baseline of 811 +/- 253 cells/microL to a peak of 3,495 +/- 712 cells/microL on day 5 to 7. Many of these cells were large, granular, and extensively vacuolated. The expanded cell population expressed HLA-DR, LFA3, CD11b (904), and CD14 (MY4), and was 77% CD16 (FcRIII) positive by two-color cytofluorometry. In functional assays, fresh monocytes showed little cytotoxicity against cultured human melanoma cells (SKMel-1), with or without prior rhM-CSF treatment. However, after 3 days of in vitro culture in rhM-CSF, monocytes from treated animals mediated efficient antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) against SKMel-1 using the murine monoclonal antibody 3F8 (IgG3, anti-ganglioside GD2). Under the same conditions, monocytes from control animals showed little ADCC (17% versus 82%, P less than .05). Antitumor cytotoxicity in the absence of antibody was less efficient and was not significantly different between the two groups. There was a mild decrease in platelet count during rhM-CSF treatment, without clinical symptoms. No abnormalities of serum biochemical parameters were seen. We conclude that parenteral rhM-CSF increases the number of circulating monocytes in nonhuman primates, and that these monocytes mediate increased antitumor ADCC after a brief period of in vitro differentiation. This study has implications for the design of possible future clinical trials combining antitumor monoclonal antibodies and rhM-CSF.
Prenatal diagnosis of fetal hemoglobin Lepore-Boston disease on maternal peripheral blood
Authors: Camaschella C , Alfarano A , Gottardi E , Travi M , Primignani P , Caligaris Cappio F , Saglio G
Published: October 2019

Molecular diagnosis of hemoglobin (Hb) Lepore-Boston in the fetus was successfully accomplished using maternal blood as a source for fetal cells in three pregnancies at risk for beta-thalassemia/Hb Lepore disease. Taking advantage of the possibility of amplifying Lepore- specific DNA fragments by polymerase chain reaction and of families in which Hb Lepore was inherited by the paternal side, we demonstrated in two cases and excluded in one case the presence of this hemoglobinopathy in the fetus directly on maternal DNA. The diagnosis was concordant with that obtained by traditional approaches in all three cases. Our results unequivocally show that nucleated fetal cells are present in maternal blood during pregnancy, and demonstrate for the first time that prenatal diagnosis of a genetic disease may be feasible without invasive procedures.
A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the activation and inactivation of protein C in vivo in a primate model
Authors: Hoogendoorn H , Nesheim ME , Giles AR
Published: October 2019

A model of Protein C (PC) activation in vivo was used to investigate the complexing of activated PC (APC) with its plasma inhibitors, PC inhibitor (PCI) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT). Chimpanzees were infused with a bolus of activated factor X (F.Xa) together with vesicles of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS). Pre- and post-infusion plasma samples were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent based assays (ELISA) for PC and APC complexes, and immunoblotting of PC from nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Within 2 minutes of infusion, a 60% decrease in nonactivated PC zymogen (PCz) levels was observed. This coincided with a precipitous drop in plasma activities of cofactors VIIIa and Va. In contrast, total PC antigen (PCt) levels decreased by only 1%, indicating APC generation. Complexes of APC with both PCI and alpha 1AT were observed on immunoblots, and further identified and quantified using a sandwich ELISA employing antibodies to both PC and these inhibitors. The distribution of APC between these two inhibitors varied with the dose of F.Xa/PCPS infused. At a dose of F.Xa/PCPS of 24.05 pmol and 37.70 nmol/kg, respectively, an initial spike of APC generation, associated with decreases in the levels of factors VIIIa and Va, was noted but dissipated over the next 30 minutes. During this period, APC/inhibitor complexes appeared with the levels of APC-PCI and APC-alpha 1AT reaching 8.5 nmol/L and 2.2 nmol/L by 30 minutes, respectively. In contrast, at a higher dose of F.Xa/PCPS of 36.60 pmol and 56.30 nmol/Kg respectively, complexes of APC-alpha 1AT appeared rapidly and reached a level of 6 nmol/L by 30 minutes postinfusion, whereas APC-PCI complexes were only present at a concentration of 3.4 nmol/L by this time. Additional experiments with lower doses of F.Xa/PCPS suggest that PCI is the preferred inhibitor of APC, but as the availability of this inhibitor becomes limiting, alpha 1AT plays an increasingly crucial role as a secondary inhibitor of endogenously generated APC. Moreover, evidence is presented suggesting the existence of additional inhibitor(s) of APC that may have a role similar to alpha 1AT.
Degranulating mast cells secrete an endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate in subendothelial extracellular matrix
Authors: Bashkin P , Razin E , Eldor A , Vlodavsky I
Published: October 2019

Mast cells are widely distributed in perivascular connective tissues, especially in areas of active tumor growth and vascular reactivity. Incubation of metabolically [35S]O4 = -labeled subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) with lysates of bone marrow-derived mouse mast cells (BMMC) resulted in extensive degradation of heparan sulfate (HS) into fragments 5 to 6 times smaller than intact HS side chains. A much lower activity (seven- to eightfold) was expressed by intact BMMC incubated in contact with the ECM. These fragments were not produced in the presence of heparin, were sensitive to deamination with nitrous acid, and resistant to further degradation with papain or chondroitinase ABC. These results indicate that an endoglycosidase (heparanase) is involved in BMMC-mediated degradation of HS in the subendothelial ECM. Heparanase activity was not detected in medium conditioned by cultured BMMC, or in lysates of Ableson transformed BMMC and rat basophilic leukemic (RBL) cells. Both heparanase and beta- hexosaminidase, a mast cell granule enzyme, were released on degranulation of BMMC induced by the calcium ionophore A23187, or by exposure to IgE-Ag, suggesting that heparanase is localized in the cell granules. Under these conditions, less than 5% of the cellular content of lactate dehydrogenase were released. Degradation of the ECM-HS by the mast cell heparanase and the associated release of HS-bound endothelial cell growth factors that are stored in ECM (Vlodavsky et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84:2292, 1987; Bashkin et al, Biochemistry 28:1737, 1989) may play a role in the proposed mast cell-mediated stimulation of neovascularization.
Glycophorin C content of human erythrocyte membrane is regulated by protein 4.1
Authors: Reid ME , Takakuwa Y , Conboy J , Tchernia G , Mohandas N
Published: October 2019

Human erythrocyte transmembrane sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin C, plays a functionally important role in maintaining erythrocyte shape and regulating membrane material properties, possibly through its interaction with protein 4.1. Moreover, it has previously been shown that membranes deficient in protein 4.1 exhibit decreased content of glycophorin C. To further define the relationship between protein 4.1 and glycophorin C, a series of studies were performed using both protein 4.1- and glycophorin C-deficient erythrocytes. Quantitation by flow cytometry showed that the glycophorin C content of cells totally deficient in protein 4.1 was 9% of normal and that of cells partially deficient in protein 4.1 was 44% of normal. Interestingly, while homozygous glycophorin C-deficient cells had no detectable levels of this sialoglycoprotein, cells from obligate heterozygotes had normal levels. Protein 4.1 content of membranes of these glycophorin C- deficient cells was also normal. These data suggest that glycophorin C may be synthesized in excess by erythroid cells and its membrane content regulated by protein 4.1. To investigate if this regulation is due to association between protein 4.1 and glycophorin C, we examined the retention of glycophorin C in membrane skeletons (Triton shells) prepared from normal membranes, protein 4.1-deficient membranes, and protein 4.1-deficient membranes reconstituted with exogenous protein 4.1. Glycophorin C is retained by Triton shells prepared from normal membranes, whereas Triton shells prepared from protein 4.1-deficient membranes are totally devoid of this sialoglycoprotein. However, reconstitution of protein 4.1-deficient membranes with purified protein 4.1 resulted in retention of glycophorin C with the Triton shells. This finding suggests that protein 4.1 is necessary for association of glycophorin C with the membrane skeleton. Furthermore, these data suggest that through its interaction with glycophorin C, protein 4.1 may play a role in regulating the membrane content of this sialoglycoprotein in mature human erythrocytes.
Anti-leukemia potential of interleukin-2 activated natural killer cells after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Hauch M , Gazzola MV , Small T , Bordignon C , Barnett L , Cunningham I , Castro- Malaspinia H , O'Reilly RJ , Keever CA
Published: October 2019

The anti-leukemia potential of natural killer (NK) cells has been evaluated in 40 patients transplanted for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) to determine whether differences in NK cell function were correlated with subsequent leukemic relapse. Cells from patients and their donors were tested in 51Cr release assays against fully allogeneic CML targets and against cultured K562 targets; cells from 26 patients were tested against host-derived CML targets that were cryopreserved before transplantation. Cultured CML targets (K562) were highly susceptible to lysis by freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and to a greater degree by PBL cultured in medium containing interleukin-2 (IL-2) in all assays performed. In contrast, noncultured CML targets were lysed only by IL-2-activated cells from a subset of patients. When present, lytic activity to CML targets was detectable as early as 3 weeks after bone marrow transplantation, and remained positive throughout the posttransplant period. Optimal lytic activity developed within the first week of culture and required greater than or equal to 250 U/mL of IL-2 in the culture medium. Lytic activity to fully allogeneic and host-derived CML targets appeared to be mediated by CD16+ and CD56+ cells but not by CD3+ cells. Lysis of allogeneic CML targets was variable, but patients could be divided into two groups: those with and those without lytic activity to the majority of targets tested. The basis for the differences in lytic activity could not be ascribed to target susceptibility to lysis, the proportion of NK cells in the cultures, or to the phenotype of the NK cell subsets in the cultures. When tested in parallel, the lytic activity of donor and recipient cultures against host-derived CML targets was highly correlated, suggesting that there may be inherent differences in the ability of NK cells to recognize CML targets. The risk of relapse for patients who failed to generate lytic activity against host-derived CML targets was significantly increased over that for patients with lytic activity against host leukemia. These data indicate that posttransplant immunotherapy with IL-2 designed to activate NK cells will likely augment the graft-versus-leukemia potential of the graft.
Polymorphism of human platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb associated with the Baka/Bakb alloantigen system
Authors: Lyman S , Aster RH , Visentin GP , Newman PJ
Published: October 2019

The human Baka/Bakb alloantigen system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of post-transfusion purpura and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. Human alloantisera specific for either the Baka or Bakb allele have been shown to react exclusively with the heavy chain of membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb. To investigate the structure of the Bak epitopes, we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify GPIIb cDNA synthesized from platelet RNA samples prepared from individuals of known serologic phenotype. Subsequent DNA sequence analysis of amplified GPIIb cDNAs derived from one Baka homozygous individual and one Bakb homozygous individual revealed a single nucleotide base difference near the 3′ end of the mRNA encoding the GPIIb heavy chain. Short 13 base allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASO) containing the putative phenotype-specific base in the middle were then synthesized, end-labeled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP using terminal transferase, and used as probes in subsequent dot-blot hybridization experiments. Platelet RNA was prepared from a panel made up of four Baka/a, three Bakb/b, and two Baka/b individuals, and the mRNA encoding GPIIb was amplified using PCR and spotted onto nylon membranes. ASO hybridization showed that the nucleotide base difference identified above segregated with Bak phenotype in all nine individuals examined (P = .002). The base pair substitution results in an amino acid polymorphism at residue 843 of the mature heavy chain. The Baka form of GPIIb encodes an isoleucine at this position, whereas the Bakb allele contains a serine. Identification of the polymorphism associated with this clinically important alloantigen system should permit new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for treating and managing patients with alloimmune thrombocytopenic disorders.
Evidence that an abnormality in the glycoprotein Ib alpha gene is not the cause of abnormal platelet function in a family with classic Bernard-Soulier disease
Authors: Finch CN , Miller JL , Lyle VA , Handin RI
Published: October 2019

The underlying molecular basis for Bernard-Soulier Disease (BSD) is currently unknown. Platelets from patients with this autosomal recessive bleeding disorder have multiple abnormalities, including a markedly reduced von Willebrand factor-dependent adhesiveness due to a deficiency of the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX complex. In the present studies, we have used an intragenic restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for Taq I in the GPIb alpha gene to study linkage between this gene and the inheritance of BSD in a family with two affected siblings. Whereas the proband was heterozygous, showing both the 0.7 and 4.0 kb bands of this polymorphism (A/B), her affected brother was homozygous for the 0.7 kb band (A/A). Accordingly, these siblings did not inherit the same pair of GPIb alpha alleles from their parents. Additionally, one child of the proband was A/A, while the second studied child was A/B, with neither showing any evidence of BSD. No construct of heterozygosity or homozygosity for GPIb alpha alleles in this family is consistent with a model in which one or more defective GPIb alpha alleles could produce BSD. RFLP analysis with BamHI or HindIII showed entirely normal patterns in the patients, indicating the absence of any gross deletion of the GPIb alpha gene. GPIb alpha mRNA from patient platelets was reverse transcribed and subsequently amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, demonstrating the presence of GPIb alpha transcript. Furthermore, trace amounts of GPIb could be shown on the surface of patient platelets. Based on these results, a defect in the GPIb alpha gene is unlikely to be the cause of BSD in this family.
Risk factors for chronic graft-versus-host disease after HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Atkinson K , Horowitz MM , Gale RP , van Bekkum DW , Gluckman E , Good RA , Jacobsen N , Kolb HJ , Rimm AA , Ringden O
Published: October 2019

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an important complication of bone marrow transplantation. We analyzed risk factors for chronic GVHD in 2,534 recipients of HLA-identical sibling transplants surviving at least 90 days after transplantation. The actuarial probability of developing chronic GVHD within three years posttransplant was 46% +/- 3% (95% confidence interval). The most important risk factor for chronic GVHD was acute GVHD. The 3-year probabilities of chronic GVHD were 28% +/- 3%, 49% +/- 5%, 59% +/- 6%, 80% +/- 9%, and 85% +/- 15% for persons with grades 0, I, II, III, and IV acute GVHD, respectively (P less than .0001). Among patients with no or grade I acute GVHD, recipient age greater than 20 years, use of non-T-cell depleted bone marrow, and alloimmune female donors for male recipients predicted a higher risk of chronic GVHD. When all three adverse risk factors were present, the probability of chronic GVHD was 62% among persons with no prior acute GVHD and 85% among those with grade I acute GVHD. Among patients with grade II through IV acute GVHD, no other risk factor predicted chronic GVHD. These data identify individuals who might benefit from treatment strategies aimed at changing the incidence of chronic GVHD.
Fetal expression of hemonectin: an extracellular matrix hematopoietic cytoadhesion molecule
Authors: Peters C , O'Shea KS , Campbell AD , Wicha MS , Long MW
Published: October 2019

Hemonectin, a component of bone marrow extracellular matrix, is a lineage- and organ-specific attachment molecule for cells of the granulocytic lineage. We hypothesized that hemonectin is an important marker of fetal granulopoiesis that is developmentally regulated during the ontogeny of the hematopoietic system. Murine hematopoiesis originates in the yolk sac and subsequently appears in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Using an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody to purified hemonectin as a probe of developing hematopoietic organs, we observe that hemonectin is coordinately expressed at developmental stages of the mouse in those tissues that are supporting hematopoiesis. Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis reveals that approximately 7% of fetal liver cells express hemonectin by day 13 of gestation, and that 32% of the cells are positive by day 19. Additionally, restricted hemonectin expression is noted in other tissues (cartilage, skin, developing bone, and capillary endothelial cells), suggesting that this molecule subserves other developmental functions and/or belongs to a previously unrecognized family of molecules.
Effects of interleukin-3 and interleukin-4 on the development of "connective tissue-type" mast cells: interleukin-3 supports their survival and interleukin-4 triggers and supports their proliferation synergistically with interleukin-3
Authors: Tsuji K , Nakahata T , Takagi M , Kobayashi T , Ishiguro A , Kikuchi T , Naganuma K , Koike K , Miyajima A , Arai K
Published: October 2019

We examined the effects of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and interleukin-4 (IL- 4) on connective tissue-type mast cells (CTMC) purified from murine peritoneal cells. Although both factors failed to induce extensive proliferation of CTMC, they stimulated CTMC proliferation synergistically in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of CTMC with IL-3 and/or IL-4 indicated that the sustained presence of both factors was required for the development of type 1 mast cell colonies. The delayed addition of IL-3 to cultures of purified CTMC with IL-4 induced no colony formation, while the delayed addition of IL-4 to cultures with IL-3, even on day 28 of culture, induced type 1 colony formation. In replating type 1 colonies induced by IL-3 and IL-4 to secondary cultures with IL-3 alone, few secondary colonies developed. However, the delayed addition of IL-4 to the secondary culture induced many type 1 colonies. The purified CTMC cultured with IL-3 retained the morphological and cytochemical characteristics of CTMC, as well as proliferative ability. These observations indicate that IL-3 supports the survival of CTMC in methylcellulose culture and that IL-4 triggers and supports CTMC proliferation synergistically with IL-3. The serum- free culture of purified CTMC and the culture of single CTMC demonstrated that the synergistic effect of IL-3 and IL-4 on colony growth and the surviving effect of IL-3 on CTMC require no influence from accessory cells or other humoral factors.
Human neutrophils contain a protein kinase C-like enzyme that utilizes guanosine triphosphate as a phosphate donor. Cofactor requirements, kinetics, and endogenous acceptor proteins
Authors: Stoehr SJ , Smolen JE
Published: October 2019

Investigations of protein kinase C (PKC) activity have focussed on protein phosphorylation using adenosine triphosphate (ATP), not guanosine triphosphate (GTP), as the phosphate donor. In a continuing study of the enzymology of the PKC of human neutrophils, we wanted to determine if there might be protein kinases that do use GTP as a phosphate donor. Soluble extracts or detergent-extracted fractions of human neutrophils were used as enzyme sources. Phosphorylation of histone using [gamma-32P]-GTP was 31% as effective as [gamma-32P]-ATP. Phosphorylation with GTP depended on Ca2+, Mg2+, and phospholipid, just as the ATP, and the Ca2+ requirements were similar. In all cases, H-7, an inhibitor of ATP-supported PKC activity, blocked GTP-utilizing activity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that similar endogenous proteins were phosphorylated with ATP or GTP. The apparent Km and Vmax for the enzyme(s) for both phosphate donors were identical, although these were modified by treatment with Triton X-100. GTP competitively inhibited use of ATP by PKC; however, low concentrations of ATP enhanced GTP- utilizing kinase activity in some cases. Non-hydrolyzable forms of ATP and other nucleotide triphosphates were inhibitory. Detergent treatment also markedly altered the number of proteins phosphorylated by either nucleotide. The major protein phosphorylated in the soluble or detergent extract was a single polypeptide band in the 34 Kd range. These studies are the first to explicitly examine the possible phosphorylation by neutrophil PKC using GTP and point to a potential alternative mode of enzyme activity. Since high concentrations of GTP are available within neutrophils, the ability of PKC or a PKC-like enzyme to use this nucleotide may have important ramifications in signal transduction.
Sequence analysis of the gamma-globin gene locus from a patient with the deletion form of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin
Authors: Stolle CA , Penny LA , Ivory S , Forget BG , Benz EJ Jr
Published: October 2019

The gamma-globin genes from a patient homozygous for a deletion form of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH-1) have been cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequence of the patient's gamma-globin genes corresponds to a previously identified sequence framework (chromosome A) with the exception of 10 base changes. Seven of these base changes can be attributed to normal allelic variation generated by small gene conversion events. The remaining three base changes are present in a 0.76 kb HindIII fragment containing a putative enhancer located 3′ to the A gamma-globin gene. The same three base changes have also been described in the Seattle variant of nondeletion HPFH. We have analyzed 16 alleles from non-HPFH individuals and five alleles from individuals with nondeletion or deletion HPFH for the presence of these base changes by polymerase chain reaction amplification of cloned or chromosomal DNA and hybridization to allele-specific oligonucleotide probes. Although these base changes were found in an individual with HPFH-2, they were not found in the DNA from two patients with nondeletion HPFH. More importantly, all three base changes were detected in DNA from five non-HPFH individuals and appear to be common in blacks. We conclude that these base changes do not correlate with an HPFH phenotype and that the significant mutation in HPFH-1 is the deletion of over 100 kb of genomic DNA.
Effects of tiazofurin on guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins in HL-60 cells
Authors: Kharbanda SM , Sherman ML , Kufe DW
Published: October 2019

Guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) are regulatory molecules that couple membrane receptors to effector systems such as adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C. The alpha subunits of G proteins bind to guanosine 5′-diphosphate (GDP) in the unstimulated state and guanosine 5′ triphosphate (GTP) in the active state. Tiazofurin (2-beta- D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide), a specific inhibitor of inosine monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase, decreases guanylate synthesis from IMP in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells and depletes intracellular guanine nucleotide pools. This study demonstrates that treatment of HL- 60 cells with tiazofurin is associated with a fourfold increase in membrane binding sites for the nonhydrolyzable analogue GDP beta S. This increase in binding sites was associated with a 3.2-fold decrease in GDP beta S binding affinity. Similar findings were obtained with GTP gamma S. These effects of tiazofurin treatment on guanine nucleotide binding were also associated with decreased adenosine diphosphate- ribosylation of specific G protein substrates by cholera and pertussis toxin. The results further demonstrate that tiazofurin treatment results in inhibition of G protein-mediated transmembrane signaling mechanisms. In this regard, stimulation of adenylate cyclase by prostaglandin E2 was inhibited by over 50% in tiazofurin-treated cells. Furthermore, tiazofurin treatment resulted in inhibition of N- formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine-induced stimulation of phospholipase C. Taken together, these results indicate that tiazofurin acts at least in part by inhibiting the ability of G proteins to function as transducers of intracellular signals.
Severe type III von Willebrand's disease caused by deletion of exon 42 of the von Willebrand factor gene: family studies that identify carriers of the condition and a compound heterozygous individual
Authors: Peake IR , Liddell MB , Moodie P , Standen G , Mancuso DJ , Tuley EA , Westfield LA , Sorace JM , Sadler JE , Verweij CL
Published: October 2019

Southern blotting was performed with cDNA probes for the human von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene on six patients with severe type III von Willebrand's disease (vWD). A partial deletion in the 3′ end of the vWF gene was demonstrated in one individual whose parents were related and who had an alloantibody inhibitor to vWF. A resulting novel 2.0- kilobase (kb) EcoRI fragment was used for carrier detection within the patient's family, and seven carriers of this recessive trait were identified. Of the six tested, five had normal or only slightly reduced levels of vWF antigen, but with generally higher levels of factor VIII. The sixth carrier had moderately severe vWD and it is proposed that this patient is heterozygous for the defective vWF gene and a second recessive vWF defect. The novel 2.0-kb EcoRI restriction fragment was cloned and sequenced, and compared with that of the corresponding normal 4.2-kb EcoRI fragment that includes exons 41 and 42 of the vWF gene. A deletion of 2,320 base pairs (bp) which included exon 42, was identified and a novel 182-bp insert was found between the breakpoints. This insert was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification both in the patient's DNA and in his carrier relatives.