bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibrinogen mediates leukocyte-endothelium bridging in vivo at low shear forces
Authors: Sriramarao P , Languino LR , Altieri DC
Published: October 2019

In addition to preserving hemostasis, fibrinogen assembly on leukocytes mediates inflammatory responses and may aberrantly contribute to vascular injury. In this study, we used real-time intravital video microscopy in exposed rabbit mesentery to investigate the potential role of fibrinogen on leukocyte adherence mechanisms, in vivo. At physiologic concentrations of 0.15 to 0.5 mg/mL, human fibrinogen dose-dependently enhanced by threefold to fivefold the adhesion of chemoattractant-stimulated monocytic HL-60 cells to rabbit mesenteric endothelium, by acting as a bridging molecule between the two types. Fibrinogen-dependent intercellular bridging occurred in venules, but not in arterioles or capillaries (1), was optimal at reduced flow shear forces (range: 0.77 to 2.79 dyne/cm2) (2), and produced a firm attachment of monocytic cells to endothelium, rather than transient rolling (3). Consistent with this model, rabbit fibrinogen failed to support human leukocyte adhesion, while human fibrinogen enhanced monocytic cell attachment to rabbit endothelial cells in vitro, in a reaction indistinguishable from that observed with human endothelium. Antagonists of the recently described association of fibrinogen with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), including monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) LB-2 or 2D5, or the fibrinogen gamma 3 peptide gamma Asn117-Ala133, blocked fibrinogen-dependent leukocyte-endothelium interaction in vitro or in vivo, respectively, while a control nonbinding antibody or the fibrinogen L10 peptide gamma Leu402-Val411 were ineffective. These data suggest that simultaneous assembly of fibrinogen on leukocytes and endothelial ICAM-1 provides a pathway of intercellular adhesion which may act in concert with beta 2 integrins to stabilize firm leukocyte attachment to endothelium, in vivo. Given the recognized role of fibrinogen as a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, this mechanism may directly contribute to thrombus formation and endothelial cell damage in vascular diseases.
Functional comparison of spleen dendritic cells and dendritic cells cultured in vitro from bone marrow precursors
Authors: Garrigan K , Moroni-Rawson P , McMurray C , Hermans I , Abernethy N , Watson J , Ronchese F
Published: October 2019

We have compared dendritic cells (DC) isolated from mouse spleen, or generated in vitro from bone marrow (BM) precursors cultured in granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), for the ability to process and present soluble antigen and stimulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II-restricted T cells. DC from spleen or BM cultures were equally able to stimulate the in vitro proliferation of allogeneic T cells or of antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic T cells. Both DC populations also induced comparable levels of IL-2 secretion by a T-cell hybridoma. Therefore, splenic and BM-derived DC express comparable levels of (Antigen + MHC Class II) ligands and/or costimulatory molecules and have comparable ability to stimulate T-cell responses. When presentation of a native protein antigen, rather than peptide, was evaluated, BM-derived DC were at least 50 times better than splenic DC at stimulating the proliferation of TCR-transgenic T cells. The antigen processing ability of the two populations was similar only when splenic DC were used immediately ex vivo. Therefore, unlike spleen DC, BM-derived DC maintain the capacity to process protein antigen for MHC Class II presentation during in vitro culture. Due to these characteristics, BM-derived DC may represent a useful tool in immunotherapy studies, as they combine high T-cell stimulatory properties with the capacity to process and present native antigen.
Growth Disturbance in Fetal Liver Hematopoiesis of Mll-Mutant Mice
Authors: Yagi Hideshi , Deguchi Kenji , Aono Atsufumi , Tani Yoshihiko , Kishimoto Tadamitsu , Komori Toshihisa
Published: October 2019

The MLL (ALL-1, HRX) gene is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations in acute leukemia and has homology with Drosophila trithorax, which controls homeobox gene expression and embryogenesis. To elucidate the function of Mll, we generated mice with a mutated Mll locus. Mice with a homozygous mutation were embryonic lethal and died at embryonic day 11.5 to 14.5, showing edematous bodies and petechiae. Histological examination revealed that hematopoietic cells were decreased in the liver of homozygous embryos, although they were composed of erythroid, myeloid, monocytic, and megakaryocytic cells with normal differentiation. Colony-forming assays using cells from fetal livers and yolk sacs showed that the number of colonies was markedly reduced and many of the colonies delayed to be recognized in Mllmu/mu embryos, although some of the colonies from Mllmu/mu embryos developed similarly with that from Mll+/+ and Mll+/mu embryos, suggesting the delayed onset of the proliferation of hematopoitic precursors. These data show that the hematopoietic precursors were greatly reduced in mutant mice, and suggest that Mll functions as a regulator of the growth of hematopoietic precursors.
Microsatellite Instability and Frameshift Mutations in BAX and Transforming Growth Factor-β RII Genes Are Very Uncommon in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia In Vivo But Not in Cell Lines
Authors: Molenaar Jan J. , Gérard Bénédicte , Chambon-Pautas Cécile , Cavé Hélène , Duval Michel , Vilmer Etienne , Grandchamp Bernard
Published: October 2019

Mutations in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system lead to an instability of simple repetitive DNA sequences involved in several cancer types. This instability is reflected in a high mutation rate of microsatellites, and recent studies in colon cancer indicate that defects in MMR result in frequent frameshift mutations in mononucleotide repeats located in the coding regions of BAX and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor genes. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the MMR defect may be involved in some lymphoid malignancies, although several allelotype analyses have concluded on the low level of microsatellite instability in acute lymphoblastic leukemias. To further evaluate the implication of MMR defects in leukemogenesis, we have studied a series of 98 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 14 leukemic cell lines using several indicators of MMR defects. Microsatellite markers were compared between blast and normal DNA from the same patients and mutations were sought in mononucleotide repeat sequences of BAX and TGF-β receptor II (TGF-β RII). The absence of microsatellite instability (MI) and the absence of mutations in the genes examined from patient's leukemic cells contrasted with the observation that half of the cell lines displayed a high degree of MI and that three of seven of these mutator cell lines harbored mutations in BAX and/or TGF-β RII. From these results we conclude that MMR defects are very uncommon in freshly isolated blasts but are likely to be selected for during the establishment of cell lines.
Chromosomal and Gene Amplification in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Rao Pulivarthi H. , Houldsworth Jane , Dyomina Katerina , Parsa Nasser Z. , Cigudosa Juan C. , Louie Diane C. , Popplewell Leslie , Offit Kenneth , Jhanwar Suresh C. , Chaganti R.S.K.
Published: October 2019

Chromosomal translocations leading to deregulation of specific oncogenes characterize approximately 50% of cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBL). To characterize additional genetic features that may be of value in delineating the clinical characteristics of DLBL, we studied a panel of 96 cases at diagnosis consecutively ascertained at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) for incidence of gene amplification, a genetic abnormality previously shown to be associated with tumor progression and clinical outcome. A subset of 20 cases was subjected to comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis, which identified nine sites of chromosomal amplification (1q21-23, 2p12-16, 8q24, 9q34, 12q12-14, 13q32, 16p12, 18q21-22, and 22q12). Candidate amplified genes mapped to these sites were selected for further analysis based on their known roles in lymphoid cell and lymphoma development, and/or history of amplification in tumors. Probes for six genes, which fulfilled these criteria,REL (2p12-16), MYC (8q24), BCL2 (18q21),GLI, CDK4, and MDM2 (12q13-14), were used in a quantitative Southern blotting analysis of the 96 DLBL DNAs. Each of these genes was amplified (four or more copies) with incidence ranging from 11% to 23%. This analysis is consistent with our previous finding that REL amplification is associated with extranodal presentation. In addition, BCL2 rearrangement and/or REL, MYC, BCL2, GLI,CDK4, and MDM2 amplification was associated with advanced stage disease. These data show, for the first time, that amplification of chromosomal regions and genes is a frequent phenomenon in DLBL and demonstrates their potential significance in lymphomagenesis.
Analysis of the Human Ferrochelatase Promoter in Transgenic Mice
Authors: Magness Scott T. , Tugores Antonio , Diala Edward S. , Brenner David A.
Published: October 2019

Ferrochelatase catalyzes the chelation of ferrous iron and protoporphyrin to form heme. It is expressed as a housekeeping gene in all cells, but is upregulated during erythropoiesis. Ferrochelatase activity is deficient in the inherited disease protoporphyria as a result of heterogeneous mutations. Although human ferrochelatase is transcribed from a single promoter in both nonerythroid and erythroid cells, previous studies using transient transfection assays failed to demonstrate erythroid-specific increased expression from 4.0 kb of the human ferrochelatase promoter containing the erythroidcis-elements, GATA and NF-E2. The present study analyzes the in vivo regulation of the ferrochelatase gene to provide insights into the mechanism of its erythroid-specific enhancement. Transgenic (TG) mouse lines were generated in which the luciferase reporter gene was driven by either a 150-bp ferrochelatase minimal promoter (−0.15 TG) or by a 4.0 kb extended 5′ upstream region (−4.0 TG). Expression of the −4.0 TG transgene was generally consistent with the endogenous gene during embryonic development and in nonerythroid and erythroid tissues as demonstrated by Northern blotting and mRNA in situ hybridization. The −4.0 TG was expressed at a higher level than the −0.15 TG in nonerythroid and erythroid tissues, including during extramedullary erythropoiesis induced by n-acetylphenylhydrazine injection. The enhanced erythroid expression of the −4.0 TG correlates with the appearance of a DNase I hypersensitive site in the 5′ flanking region of the transgene. Therefore, in the context of chromosomal integration, the 5′ flanking region of the ferrochelatase gene is necessary and sufficient to confer high levels of transgene expression in erythroid tissue.
Beneficial Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone in Children With Mild to Moderately Severe Acute Chest Syndrome Complicating Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Bernini Juan Carlos , Rogers Zora R. , Sandler Eric S. , Reisch Joan S. , Quinn Charles T. , Buchanan George R.
Published: October 2019

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) has historically been managed with oxygen, antibiotics, and blood transfusions. Recently high-dose corticosteroid therapy was shown to reduce the duration of hospitalization in children with SCD and vaso-occlusive crisis. Therefore, we chose to assess the use of glucocorticoids in ACS. We conducted a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of intravenous dexamethasone (0.3 mg/kg every 12 hours × 4 doses) in children with SCD hospitalized with mild to moderately severe ACS. Forty-three evaluable episodes of ACS occurred in 38 children (median age, 6.7 years). Twenty-two patients received dexamethasone and 21 patients received placebo. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic, clinical, or laboratory characteristics between the two groups. Mean hospital stay was shorter in the dexamethasone-treated group (47 hours v 80 hours; P = .005). Dexamethasone therapy prevented clinical deterioration and reduced the need for blood transfusions (P < .001 and = .013, respectively). Mean duration of oxygen and analgesic therapy, number of opioid doses, and the duration of fever was also significantly reduced in the dexamethasone-treated patients. Of seven patients readmitted within 72 hours after discharge (six after dexamethasone; P = .095), only one had respiratory complications (P = 1.00). No side effects clearly related to dexamethasone were observed. In a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, gender and previous episodes of ACS were the only variables that appeared to predict response to dexamethasone, as measured by lengh of hospital stay. Intravenous dexamethasone has a beneficial effect in children with SCD hospitalized with mild to moderately severe acute chest syndrome. Further study of this therapeutic modality is indicated.

© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
Comparison of Immune Reconstitution After Unrelated and Related T-Cell–Depleted Bone Marrow Transplantation: Effect of Patient Age and Donor Leukocyte Infusions
Authors: Small T.N. , Papadopoulos E.B. , Boulad F. , Black P. , Castro-Malaspina H. , Childs B.H. , Collins N. , Gillio A. , George D. , Jakubowski A. , Heller G. , Fazzari M. , Kernan N. , MacKinnon S. , Szabolcs P. , Young J.W. , O’Reilly R.J.
Published: October 2019

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is often complicated by fatal opportunistic infections. To evaluate features unique to immune reconstitution after unrelated BMT, the lymphoid phenotype, in vitro function, and life-threatening opportunistic infections after unrelated and related T-cell–depleted (TCD) BMT were analyzed longitudinally and compared. The effects of posttransplant donor leukocyte infusions to treat or prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections on immune reconstitution were also analyzed. This study demonstrates that adult recipients of TCD unrelated BMTs experience prolonged and profound deficiencies of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell populations when compared with pediatric recipients of unrelated BMT and adults after related BMT (P < .01), that these adults have a significantly increased risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections, and that the rate of recovery of CD4 T cells correlates with the risk of developing these infections. Recovery of normal numbers of CD3+, CD8+, and CD4+ T-cell populations is similar in children after related or unrelated BMT. This study also demonstrates that adoptive immunotherapy with small numbers of unirradiated donor leukocytes can be associated with rapid restoration of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+T-cell numbers, antigen-specific T-cell responses, and resolution of CMV- and EBV-associated disease after unrelated TCD BMT.
Prospective Evaluation of the Thrombotic Risk in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Carrying the MTHFR TT 677 Genotype, the Prothrombin G20210A Variant, and Further Prothrombotic Risk Factors
Authors: Nowak-Göttl Ulrike , Wermes Cornelia , Junker Ralf , Koch Hans-Georg , Schobess Rosmarie , Fleischhack Gudrun , Schwabe Dirk , Ehrenforth Silke
Published: October 2019

The reported incidence of thromboembolism in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with L-asparaginase, vincristine, and prednisone varies from 2.4% to 11.5%. The present study was designed to prospectively evaluate the role of the TT677 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype, the prothrombin G20210A mutation, the factor V G1691A mutation, deficiencies of protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and increased lipoprotein (a) concentrations in leukemic children treated according to the ALL-Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster (BFM) 90/95 study protocols with respect to the onset of vascular events. Three hundred and one consecutive leukemic children were enrolled in this study. Fifty-five of these 301 subjects investigated had one established single prothrombotic risk factor: 20 children showed the TT677 MTHFR genotype; 5 showed the heterozygous prothrombin G20210A variant; 11 were carriers of the factor V G1691A mutation (heterozygous, n = 10; homozygous, n = 1); 4 showed familial protein C, 4 protein S, and 2 antithrombin type I deficiency; 9 patients were suffering from familially increased lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations (>30 mg/dL). In addition, combined prothrombotic defects were found in a further 10 patients: the FV mutation was combined with the prothrombin G20210A variant (n = 1), increased Lp(a) (n = 3), protein C deficiency (n = 1), and homozygosity for the C677T MTHFR gene mutation (n = 1). Lp(a) was combined with protein C deficiency (n = 2) and the MTHFR TT 677 genotype (n = 2). Two hundred eighty-nine of the 301 patients were available for thrombosis-free survival analysis. In 32 (11%) of these 289 patients venous thromboembolism occurred. The overall thrombosis-free survival in patients with at least one prothrombotic defect was significantly reduced compared with patients without a prothrombotic defect within the hemostatic system (P < .0001). In addition, a clear-cut positive correlation (P < .0001) was found between thrombosis and the use of central lines. However, because the prothrombotic defects diagnosed in the total childhood population studied were all found within the prevalences reported for healthy Caucasian individuals, the interaction between prothrombotic risk factors, ALL treatment, and further environmental factors is likely to cause thrombotic manifestations.
Reduced Folate Carrier Expression in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Mechanism for Ploidy but not Lineage Differences in Methotrexate Accumulation
Authors: Belkov Vladimir M. , Krynetski Eugene Y. , Schuetz John D. , Yanishevski Yuri , Masson Eric , Mathew Susan , Raimondi Susana , Pui Ching-Hon , Relling Mary V. , Evans William E.
Published: October 2019

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most active and widely used agents for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To elucidate the mechanism for higher accumulation of MTX polyglutamates (MTX-PG) in hyperdiploid ALL and lower accumulation in T-lineage ALL, expression of the reduced folate carrier (RFC) was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in ALL blasts isolated from newly diagnosed patients. RFC expression exhibited a 60-fold range among 29 children, with significantly higher expression in hyperdiploid B-lineage ALL (median, 11.3) compared with nonhyperdiploid ALL (median, 2.1; P < .0006), but no significant difference between nonhyperdiploid B-lineage and T-lineage ALL. Furthermore, mRNA levels of RFC (mapped by FISH to chromosome 21) were significantly related to chromosome 21 copy number (P = .0013), with the highest expression in hyperdiploid ALL blasts with 4 copies of chromosome 21. To assess the functional significance of gene copy number, MTX-PG accumulation was compared in ALL blasts isolated from 121 patients treated with either low-dose MTX (LDMTX; n = 60) or high-dose MTX (HDMTX; n = 61). After LDMTX, MTX-PG accumulation was highest in hyperdiploid B-lineage ALL with 4 copies of chromosome 21 (P = .011), but MTX-PG accumulation was not significantly related to chromosome 21 copy number after HDMTX (P = .24). These data show higher RFC expression as a mechanism for greater MTX accumulation in hyperdiploid B-lineage ALL and indicate that lineage differences in MTX-PG accumulation are not due to lower RFC expression in T-lineage ALL.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1–Infected Macrophages Induce Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nitric Oxide (NO) Production in Astrocytes: Astrocytic NO as a Possible Mediator of Neural Damage in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Authors: Hori Kotaro , Burd Parris R. , Furuke Keizo , Kutza Joseph , Weih Karis A. , Clouse Kathleen A.
Published: October 2019

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in normal neural cell function. Dysregulated or overexpression of NO contributes to neurologic damage associated with various pathologies, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurological disease. Previous studies suggest that HIV-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) produce low levels of NO in vitro and that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in the brain of patients with neurologic disease. However, the levels of NO could not account for the degree of neural toxicity observed. In this study, we found that induction of iNOS with concomitant production of NO occurred in primary human astrocytes, but not in MDM, when astrocytes were cocultured with HIV-1–infected MDM. This coincided with decreased HIV replication in infected MDM. Supernatants from cocultures of infected MDM and astrocytes also stimulated iNOS/NO expression in astrocytes, but cytokines known to induce iNOS expression (interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-) were not detected. In addition, the recombinant HIV-1 envelope protein gp41, but not rgp120, induced iNOS in cocultures of uninfected MDM and astrocytes. This suggests that astrocytes may be an important source of NO production due to dysregulated iNOS expression and may constitute one arm of the host response resulting in suppression of HIV-1 replication in the brain. It also leads us to speculate that neurologic damage observed in HIV disease may ensue from prolonged, high level production of NO.
Cytoplasmic Domains of the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor Required for STAT3 Activation, Differentiation, and Growth Arrest of Myeloid Leukemic Cells
Authors: Tomida Mikio , Heike Toshio , Yokota Takashi
Published: October 2019

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) induces growth arrest and macrophage differentiation of mouse myeloid leukemic cells through the functional LIF receptor (LIFR), which comprises a heterodimeric complex of the LIFR subunit and gp130. To identify the regions within the cytoplasmic domain of LIFR that generate the signals for growth arrest, macrophage differentiation, and STAT3 activation independently of gp130, we constructed chimeric receptors by linking the transmembrane and intracellular regions of mouse LIFR to the extracellular domains of the human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (hGM-CSFR)  and βc chains. Using the full-length cytoplasmic domain and mutants with progressive C-terminal truncations or point mutations, we show that the two membrane-distal tyrosines with the YXXQ motif of LIFR are critical not only for STAT3 activation, but also for growth arrest and differentiation of WEHI-3B D+ cells. A truncated STAT3, which acts in a dominant negative manner was introduced into WEHI-3B D+ cells expressing GM-CSFR-LIFR and GM-CSFRβc-LIFR. These cells were not induced to differentiate by hGM-CSF. The results indicate that STAT3 plays essential roles in the signals for growth arrest and differentiation mediated through LIFR.
Involvement of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein in B-Cell Cytoplasmic Tyrosine Kinase Pathway
Authors: Baba Yoshihiro , Nonoyama Shigeaki , Matsushita Masato , Yamadori Tomoki , Hashimoto Shoji , Imai Kohsuke , Arai Shigeyuki , Kunikata Toshio , Kurimoto Masashi , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Ochs Hans D. , Yata Jun-ichi , Kishimoto Tadamitsu , Tsukada Satoshi
Published: October 2019

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) has been shown to play a role in normal B-lymphocyte development. Defective expression of Btk leads to human and murine immunodeficiencies. However, the exact role of Btk in the cytoplasmic signal transduction in B cells is still unclear. This study represents a search for the substrate for Btk in vivo. We identified one of the major phosphoproteins associated with Btk in the preB cell line NALM6 as the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), the gene product responsible for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, which is another hereditary immunodeficiency with distinct abnormalities in hematopoietic cells. We demonstrated that WASP was transiently tyrosine-phosphorylated after B-cell antigen receptor cross-linking on B cells, suggesting that WASP is located downstream of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases. An in vivo reconstitution system demonstrated that WASP is physically associated with Btk and can serve as the substrate for Btk. A protein binding assay suggested that the tyrosine-phosphorylation of WASP alters the association between WASP and a cellular protein. Furthermore, identification of the phosphorylation site of WASP in reconstituted cells allowed us to evaluate the catalytic specificity of Btk, the exact nature of which is still unknown.
The Common Marmoset as a Target Preclinical Primate Model for Cytokine and Gene Therapy Studies
Authors: Hibino Hitoshi , Tani Kenzaburo , Ikebuchi Kenji , Wu Ming-Shiuan , Sugiyama Hajime , Nakazaki Yukoh , Tanabe Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Satoshi , Tojo Arinobu , Suzuki Shuzo , Tanioka Yoshikuni , Sugimoto Yoshikazu , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Asano Shigetaka
Published: October 2019

Nonhuman primate models are useful to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new therapeutic modalities, including gene therapy, before the inititation of clinical trials in humans. With the aim of establishing safe and effective approaches to therapeutic gene transfer, we have been focusing on a small New World monkey, the common marmoset, as a target preclinical model. This animal is relatively inexpensive and easy to breed in limited space. First, we characterized marmoset blood and bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs) and showed that human cytokines were effective to maintain and stimulate in culture. We then examined their susceptibility to transduction by retroviral vectors. In a mixed culture system containing both marmoset stromal cells and retroviral producer cells, the transduction efficiency into BMPCs and peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) was 12% to 24%. A series of marmosets then underwent transplantation with autologous PBPCs transduced with a retroviral vector carrying the multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) and were followed for the persistence of these cells in vivo. Proviral DNA was detectable by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in peripheral blood granulocytes and lymphocytes in the recipients of gene transduced progenitors up to 400 days posttransplantation. To examine the function of the MDR1 gene in vivo, recipient maromsets were challenged with docetaxel, an MDR effluxed drug, yet the overall level of gene transfer attained in vivo (<1% in peripheral blood granulocytes) was not sufficient to prevent the neutropenia induced by docetaxel treatment. Using this model, we safely and easily performed a series of in vivo studies in our small animal center. Our results show that this small nonhuman primate, the common marmoset, is a useful model for the evaluation of gene transfer methods targeting hematopoietic stem cells.
Consequences of GATA-1 Deficiency in Megakaryocytes and Platelets
Authors: Vyas Paresh , Ault Kenneth , Jackson Carl W. , Orkin Stuart H. , Shivdasani Ramesh A.
Published: October 2019

In the absence of the hematopoietic transcription factor GATA-1, mice develop thrombocytopenia and an increased number of megakaryocytes characterized by marked ultrastructural abnormalities. These observations establish a critical role for GATA-1 in megakaryopoiesis and raise the question as to how GATA-1 influences megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production. To begin to address this, we have performed a more detailed examination of the megakaryocytes and platelets produced in mice that lack GATA-1 in this lineage. Our analysis demonstrates that compared with their normal counterparts, GATA-1–deficient primary megakaryocytes exhibit significant hyperproliferation in liquid culture, suggesting that the megakaryocytosis seen in animals is nonreactive. Morphologically, these mutant megakaryocytes are small and show evidence of retarded nuclear and cytoplasmic development. A significant proportion of these cells do not undergo endomitosis and express markedly lower levels of mRNA of all megakaryocyte-associated genes tested, including GPIb, GPIbβ, platelet factor 4 (PF4), c-mpl, and p45 NF-E2. These results are consistent with regulation of a program of megakaryocytic differentiation by GATA-1. Bleeding times are significantly prolonged in mutant animals. GATA-1–deficient platelets show abnormal ultrastructure, reminiscent of the megakaryocytes from which they are derived, and exhibit modest but selective defects in platelet activation in response to thrombin or to the combination of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine. Our findings indicate that GATA-1 serves multiple functions in megakaryocyte development, influencing both cellular growth and maturation.
Direct Evidence of Endothelial Injury in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Unstable Angina by Demonstration of Circulating Endothelial Cells
Authors: Mutin Murielle , Canavy Isabelle , Blann Andrew , Bory Michel , Sampol José , Dignat-George Françoise
Published: October 2019

Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been detected in association with endothelial injury and therefore represent proof of serious damage to the vascular tree. Our aim was to investigate, using the technique of immunomagnetic separation, whether the pathological events in unstable angina (UA) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could cause desquamation of endothelial cells in circulating blood compared with effort angina (EA) and noncoronary chest pain. A high CEC count was found in AMI (median, 7.5 cells/mL; interquartile range, 4.1 to 43.5, P < .01 analysis of variance [ANOVA]) and UA (4.5; 0.75 to 13.25 cells/mL, P < .01) within 12 hours after chest pain as compared with controls (0; 0 to 0 cells/mL) and stable angina (0; 0 to 0 cells/mL). CEC levels in serial samples peaked at 15.5 (2.7 to 39) cells/mL 18 to 24 hours after AMI (P < .05 repeated measures ANOVA), but fell steadily after UA. Regardless of acute coronary events, the isolated cells displayed morphologic and immunologic features of vascular endothelium. The CECs were predominantly of macrovascular origin. They did not express the activation markers intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and E-selectin, although some were positive for tissue factor. CECs failed to exhibit characteristics of apoptosis (TUNEL assay) excluding this event as a possible mechanism of cell detachment. The presence of CECs provides direct evidence of endothelial injury in AMI and UA, but not in stable angina, confirming that these diseases have different etiopathogenic mechanisms.
Fibrates Suppress Fibrinogen Gene Expression in Rodents Via Activation of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-
Authors: Kockx Maaike , Gervois Philippe P. , Poulain Philippe , Derudas Bruno , Peters Jeffrey M. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Princen Hans M.G. , Kooistra Teake , Staels Bart
Published: October 2019

Plasma fibrinogen levels have been identified as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Among the few compounds known to lower circulating fibrinogen levels in humans are certain fibrates. We have studied the regulation of fibrinogen gene expression by fibrates in rodents. Treatment of adult male rats with fenofibrate (0.5% [wt/wt] in the diet) for 7 days decreased hepatic A-, Bβ-, and γ-chain mRNA levels to 52% ± 7%, 46% ± 8%, and 81% ± 19% of control values, respectively. In parallel, plasma fibrinogen concentrations were decreased to 63% ± 7% of controls. The suppression of fibrinogen expression was dose-dependent and was already evident after 1 day at the highest dose of fenofibrate tested (0.5% [wt/wt]). Nuclear run-on experiments showed that the decrease in fibrinogen expression after fenofibrate occurred at the transcriptional level, as exemplified for the gene for the A-chain. Other fibrates tested showed similar effects on fibrinogen expression and transcription. The effect of fibrates is specific for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR) because a high-affinity ligand for PPARγ, the thiazolidinedione BRL 49653, lowered triglyceride levels, but was unable to suppress fibrinogen expression. Direct evidence for the involvement of PPAR in the suppression of fibrinogen by fibrates was obtained using PPAR-null (−/−) mice. Compared with (+/+) mice, plasma fibrinogen levels in (−/−) mice were significantly higher (3.20 ± 0.48 v 2.67 ± 0.42 g/L). Also, hepatic fibrinogen A-chain mRNA levels were 25% ± 11% higher in the (−/−) mice. On treatment with 0.2% (wt/wt) fenofibrate, a significant decrease in plasma fibrinogen to 77% ± 10% of control levels and in hepatic fibrinogen A-chain mRNA levels to 65% ± 12% of control levels was seen in (+/+) mice, but not in (−/−) mice. These studies show that PPAR regulates basal levels of plasma fibrinogen and establish that fibrate-suppressed expression of fibrinogen in rodents is mediated through PPAR.
Characterization of T-Cell Repertoire of the Bone Marrow in Immune-Mediated Aplastic Anemia: Evidence for the Involvement of Antigen-Driven T-Cell Response in Cyclosporine-Dependent Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Zeng Weihua , Nakao Shinji , Takamatsu Hideyuki , Yachie Akihiro , Takami Akiyoshi , Kondo Yukio , Sugimori Naomi , Yamazaki Hirohito , Miura Yuji , Shiobara Shintaro , Matsuda Tamotsu
Published: October 2019

To determine whether the antigen-driven T-cell response is involved in the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia (AA), we examined the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) size distribution of T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain (BV) subfamilies in the bone marrow (BM) of untreated AA patients. AA patients who did not respond to immunosuppressive therapy and those who obtained unmaintained remission early after cyclosporine (CyA) or antithymocyte globulin (ATG) therapy exhibited essentially a normal CDR3 size pattern. In contrast, five patients who needed continuous administration of CyA to maintain remission exhibited a skewed CDR3 size pattern in a number (>40%) of BV subfamilies suggestive of clonal predominance. The skewing of CDR3 size distribution became less pronounced in one of the CyA-dependent patients when the patient achieved unmaintained remission after a 4-year therapy with CyA, whereas it persisted longer than 7 years in the other patient requiring maintenance therapy. Sequencing of BV15 cDNA for which the CDR3 size pattern exhibited apparent clonal predominance in all CyA-dependent patients showed high homology of the amino acid sequence of the CDR3 between two different patients. These findings indicate that antigen-driven expansion of T cells is involved in the pathogenesis of AA characterized by CyA-dependent recovery of hematopoiesis.
Ex Vivo Expansion of Autologous Bone Marrow CD34+ Cells With Porcine Microvascular Endothelial Cells Results in a Graft Capable of Rescuing Lethally Irradiated Baboons
Authors: Brandt John E. , Bartholomew Amelia M. , Fortman Jeffrey D. , Nelson Mary C. , Bruno Edward , Chen Luci M. , Turian Julius V. , Davis Thomas A. , Chute John P. , Hoffman Ronald
Published: October 2019

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal in vitro has been reported to result in a diminished proliferative capacity or acquisition of a homing defect that might compromise marrow repopulation. Our group has demonstrated that human HSC expanded ex vivo in the presence of porcine microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) retain the capacity to competitively repopulate human bone fragments implanted in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. To further test the marrow repopulating capacity of expanded stem cells, our laboratory has established a myeloablative, fractionated total body irradiation conditioning protocol for autologous marrow transplantation in baboons. A control animal, which received no transplant, as well as two animals, which received a suboptimal number of marrow mononuclear cells, died 37, 43, and 59 days postirradiation, respectively. Immunomagnetically selected CD34+ marrow cells from two baboons were placed in PMVEC coculture with exogenous human cytokines. After 10 days of expansion, the grafts represented a 14-fold to 22-fold increase in cell number, a 4-fold to 5-fold expansion of CD34+ cells, a 3-fold to 4-fold increase of colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), and a 12-fold to 17-fold increase of cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC) over input. Both baboons became transfusion independent by day 23 posttransplant and achieved absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >500/μL by day 25 ± 1 and platelets >20,000/μL by day 29 ± 2. This hematopoietic recovery was delayed in comparison to two animals that received either a graft consisting of freshly isolated, unexpanded CD34+ cells or 175 × 106/kg unfractionated marrow mononuclear cells. Analysis of the proliferative status of cells in PMVEC expansion cultures demonstrated that by 10 days, 99.8% of CD34+ cells present in the cultures had undergone cycling, and that the population of cells expressing a CD34+ CD38− phenotype in the cultures was also the result of active cell division. These data indicate that isolated bone marrow CD34+ cells may undergo cell division during ex vivo expansion in the presence of endothelial cells to provide a graft capable of rescuing a myeloablated autologous host.
Contribution of Distinct Adhesive Interactions to Platelet Aggregation in Flowing Blood
Authors: Ruggeri Zaverio M. , Dent Judith A. , Saldı́var Enrique
Published: October 2019

Aggregation of blood platelets contributes to the arrest of bleeding at sites of vascular injury, but it can occlude atherosclerotic arteries and precipitate diseases such as myocardial infarction. The bonds that link platelets under flow conditions were identified using confocal videomicroscopy in real time. Glycoprotein (GP) Ib and von Willebrand factor (vWF) acted in synergy with IIbβ3 and fibrinogen to sustain platelet accrual at the apex of thrombi where three-dimensional growth resulted in increasing shear rates. The specific function of distinct adhesion pathways in response to changing hemodynamic conditions helps to explain hemostatic and thrombotic processes.
Marked Temperature Dependence of the Platelet Calcium Signal Induced by Human von Willebrand Factor
Authors: Kermode John C. , Zheng Qi , Milner Elizabeth P.
Published: October 2019

Interaction of von Willebrand factor (vWF) with the platelet is essential to hemostasis when vascular injury occurs. This interaction elevates the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and promotes platelet activation. The present study investigated the temperature dependence of vWF-induced [Ca2+]i signaling in human platelets. The influence of temperature can provide invaluable insight into the underlying mechanism. Platelet [Ca2+]i was monitored with Fura-PE3. Ristocetin-mediated binding of vWF induced a transient platelet [Ca2+]i increase at 37°C, but no response at lower temperatures (20°C to 25°C). This temperature dependence could not be attributed to a reduction in vWF binding, as ristocetin-mediated platelet aggregation and agglutination were essentially unaffected by temperature. Most other platelet agonists (U-46619, -thrombin, and adenosine 5′-diphosphate [ADP]) induced a [Ca2+]isignal whose amplitude did not diminish at lower temperatures. The [Ca2+]i signal in response to arachidonic acid, however, showed similar temperature dependence to that seen with vWF. Assessment of thromboxane A2 production showed a strong temperature dependence for metabolism of arachidonic acid by the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. vWF induced thromboxane A2production in the platelet. Aspirin treatment abolished the vWF-induced [Ca2+]i signal. These observations suggest that release of arachidonic acid and its conversion to thromboxane A2 play a central role in vWF-mediated [Ca2+]i signaling in the platelet at physiological temperatures.
Mucosal Intra-epithelial Lymphocytes in Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma, Ulcerative Jejunitis, and Refractory Celiac Disease Constitute a Neoplastic Population
Authors: Bagdi Eniko , Diss Timothy C. , Munson Philippa , Isaacson Peter G.
Published: October 2019

Loss of response to a gluten-free diet (refractory sprue) and ulcerative jejunitis are complications of celiac disease that may progress to enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL). Both conditions are characterized by the presence of a nonlymphomatous monoclonal T-cell population in the enteropathic mucosa. In EATL, a similar monoclonal population that shows clonal identity with the lymphoma itself is also present in the enteropathic mucosa. In this study we show that in all three circumstances the monoclonal T-cell population is constituted by cytologically normal, noninvasive intraepithelial T lymphocytes that share an identical aberrant immunophenotype with EATL. Patients with refractory sprue and/or ulcerative jejunitis are, therefore, suffering from a neoplastic T-cell disorder for which hematological treatment strategies need to be devised.
Myeloma Cells Selected for Resistance to CD95-Mediated Apoptosis Are Not Cross-Resistant to Cytotoxic Drugs: Evidence for Independent Mechanisms of Caspase Activation
Authors: Landowski Terry H. , Shain Kenneth H. , Oshiro Marc M. , Buyuksal Ibrahim , Painter Jeffrey S. , Dalton William S.
Published: October 2019

We have previously shown that selection for resistance to the anthracenes, doxorubicin or mitoxantrone, results in coselection for resistance to CD95-mediated apoptosis (Landowski et al: Blood89:1854, 1997). In the present study, we were interested in determining if the converse is also true; that is, does selection for CD95 resistance coselect for resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. To address this question, we used two isogenic models of CD95-resistant versus CD95-sensitive cell lines: 8226/S myeloma cells selected for resistance to CD95-mediated apoptosis; and K562 cells expressing ectopic CD95. Repeated exposure of the CD95-sensitive human myeloma cell line, 8226/S, to agonistic anti-CD95 antibody resulted in a cell line devoid of CD95 receptor surface expression and completely resistant to CD95-mediated apoptosis. Multiple clonal populations derived from the CD95-resistant cell line showed no difference in sensitivity to doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, Ara-C, or etoposide, demonstrating that cross-resistance between Fas-mediated apoptosis and drug-induced apoptosis occurs only when cytotoxic drugs are used as the selecting agent. Using the inverse approach, we transfected the CD95-negative cell line, K562, with a CD95 expression vector. Clones expressing variable levels of cell-surface CD95 were isolated by limiting dilution, and analyzed for sensitivity to CD95-mediated apoptosis and response to chemotherapeutic drugs. We show that CD95 surface expression confers sensitivity to CD95-mediated apoptosis; however, it does not alter response to chemotherapeutic drugs. Similarly, doxorubicin-induced activation of caspases 3 and 8 was identical in the CD95-sensitive and CD95-resistant cell lines in both isogenic cell systems. In addition, prior treatment with the CD95 receptor-blocking antibody, ZB4, inhibited CD95-activated apoptosis in 8226/S cells, but had no effect on doxorubicin cytotoxicity. These results show that CD95 and chemotherapeutic drugs use common apoptotic effectors, but the point of convergence in these two pathways is downstream of CD95 receptor/ligand interaction.
Caspase-Mediated Proteolysis and Activation of Protein Kinase Cδ Plays a Central Role in Neutrophil Apoptosis
Authors: Khwaja Asim , Tatton Louise
Published: October 2019

Neutrophils undergo constitutive apoptosis when aged ex vivo. Recent studies have indicated roles for Fas/CD95 and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase system in this process. We have investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in neutrophil death. We show that there is proteolysis and activation of the novel isoform PKCδ in aged neutrophils and that this process is accelerated by the addition of an agonistic Fas antibody. PKCδ proteolysis occurs before the onset of any detectable features of apoptosis and pharmacologic inhibition of this enzyme inhibits neutrophil apoptosis. PKCδ cleavage and activation is dependent on caspase-8/FADD-like interleukin-1β converting enzyme (FLICE)–mediated processing of caspase-3/CPP32. Neutrophil survival is prolonged by the addition of broad spectrum (BD.fmk) or caspase-8 targeted (zIETD.fmk) peptide caspase inhibitors. Inhibition of PKCδ does not prevent apoptosis triggered by factor withdrawal in immature hematopoietic cells, including normal human CD34+ progenitors indicating that within a given lineage, the mechanisms of apoptosis may be differentiation-stage–specific. Ex vivo aging of neutrophils leads to the increasing production of reactive oxygen species and this is attenuated in cells treated with either caspase or PKCδ inhibitors. Proteolytically activated PKCδ acts as a molecular link between the Fas/CD95 receptor and the NADPH-oxidase system and plays a central role in regulating the process of neutrophil apoptosis.
Role of Natural Killer Cell Alloreactivity in HLA-Mismatched Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Ruggeri Loredana , Capanni Marusca , Casucci Myriam , Volpi Isabella , Tosti Antonella , Perruccio Katia , Urbani Elena , Negrin Robert S. , Martelli Massimo F. , Velardi Andrea
Published: October 2019

Because of the expression of inhibitory receptors (KIR) for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I allotypes, a person’s natural killer (NK) cells will not recognize and will, therefore, kill cells from individuals lacking his/her KIR epitopes. This study investigated the role of NK cell alloreactivity in human HLA haplotype-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and, specifically, the role of the three major NK specificities, ie, those for HLA-C group 1, HLA-C group 2, and HLA-Bw4 alleles. In 20 of 60 donor-recipient pairs, KIR epitope incompatibility and functional analyses of donor NK cell clones predicted donor NK cells could cause graft-versus-host (GVH)/graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reactions. NK cell clones of donor origin were obtained from transplanted recipients and tested for lysis of recipient’s cryopreserved pretransplant lymphocytes. Despite the absence of GVH disease, we detected high frequencies of NK clones which killed recipient’s target cells. Lysis followed the rules of NK cell alloreactivity, being blocked only by the MHC class I KIR epitope which was missing in the recipient. The alloreactive NK clones also killed the allogeneic leukemia. Transplants from these KIR epitope incompatible donors had higher engraftment rates. Therefore, a GVL effector and engraftment facilitating mechanism, which is independent of T-cell–mediated GVH reactions, may be operational in HLA mismatched hematopoietic cell transplants.