bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trisomy 12 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an interphase cytogenetic study
Authors: Losada AP , Wessman M , Tiainen M , Hopman AH , Willard HF , Sole F , Caballin MR , Woessner S , Knuutila S
Published: October 2019

Interphase cytogenetics by means of in situ hybridization with the chromosome 12-specific biotinylated alpha satellite DNA probe pSP 12–1 was used for the study of trisomy 12, the most common chromosomal abnormality in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In situ hybridization was performed on methanol/acetic acid fixed cells of conventional cytogenetic preparations from eight patients and on morphologically and immunologically classified cells of cytospin preparations from seven patients. The results show that trisomy 12 is more common than assumed on the basis of karyotype analysis of metaphase chromosomes: 2 of 13 patients with a normal karyotype in G-banding analysis were shown to have trisomy 12 by interphase cytogenetics. Immunophenotyping of the cells of one patient showed that the trisomy was restricted to cells with Ig light chain clonality. For the evaluation of the prognostic, therapeutic, and biologic significance of trisomy 12, in situ hybridization should be used in parallel with karyotype analysis because it allows the study of all cell populations of both interphase and mitotic cells, whether neoplastic or normal.
Growth-promoting effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on hematopoietic cells: overexpression of introduced IGF-1 receptor abrogates interleukin-3 dependency of murine factor-dependent cells by a ligand-dependent mechanism
Authors: McCubrey JA , Steelman LS , Mayo MW , Algate PA , Dellow RA , Kaleko M
Published: October 2019

Although insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation upon addition to the interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line FDC-P1, IGF-1 did not relieve IL-3 dependency for growth. To further examine the effects of IGF-1 on hematopoietic cells, FDC-P1 cells were infected with a retroviral construct (LISN) containing the human IGF-1 receptor (hIGF-1R) and neo genes. IL-3-independent cells were readily isolated after LISN infection when either IGF-1 or supraphysiologic concentrations of insulin were included in the culture medium. These cells were transformed to IL-3 independence by a ligand- dependent mechanism because their growth was dependent on the presence of either IGF-1 or insulin and growth factors capable of supporting autocrine growth were not detected. Furthermore, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) directed against the human IGF-1R (alpha IR-3) inhibited IGF-1 but not IL-3-induced proliferation and these cells contained 20- to 200- fold more IGF-1 receptors than uninfected FDC-P1 cells. In contrast, when LISN-infected cells were plated in medium without exogenously supplied IGF-1 or insulin, factor-independent cells were rarely isolated. Growth of these cells was also inhibited by the alpha IR-3 MoAb and they expressed 100- to 400-fold more IGF-1 receptors than uninfected FDC-P1 cells. The endogenous IGF-1 and/or insulin present in the calf serum may have enabled their growth because these cells, unlike the parental cells, would proliferate in serum-free defined media and their growth was again inhibited by the alpha IR-3 MoAb. These results demonstrate that IGF-1 can replace IL-3 for growth when FDC-P1 cells overexpress the IGF-1R. Given the fairly ubiquitous expression of the IGF-1 receptor, these and additional experiments might help to determine whether increased expression of endogenous receptors by cells can lead to leukemogenesis and tumorigenesis. Moreover, hIGF-1R-infected cells will be useful in investigating the mechanisms of IGF1-mediated signal transduction because they are now known to proliferate in response to IGF-1.
Molecular cloning and in vivo evaluation of canine granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor
Authors: Nash RA , Schuening F , Appelbaum F , Hammond WP , Boone T , Morris CF , Slichter SJ , Storb R
Published: October 2019

Canine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (caGM-CSF) was cloned and expressed to allow further investigation of GM-CSF in a large animal model. The cDNA is 850 base pairs (bp) long and encodes a peptide of 144 amino acids. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology between caGM-CSF and human GM-CSF (hGM-CSF) is 80% and 70%, respectively. A mammalian expression vector pCMV/CAGM was constructed and used to transfect COS cells for expression of caGM-CSF. Supernatant from transfected COS cells enriched with caGM-CSF was shown to have significant stimulating activity in granulocyte-macrophage colony forming unit (CFU-GM) assays of canine marrow. caGM-CSF, expressed from bacteria, was used to treat seven dogs at varying doses twice daily subcutaneously (sc) for 14 to 16 days. Circulating blood neutrophils and monocytes increased significantly. The increase in circulating eosinophils was variable. Thrombocytopenia developed during administration of caGM-CSF but corrected rapidly after cessation of treatment. Evaluation of survival times of 51Cr-labeled autologous platelets suggested increased consumption as the primary reason for thrombocytopenia. A species-specific GM-CSF will be a useful tool for hematologic or immunologic studies in dogs.
Refractory period phenomenon in the induction of tissue factor expression on endothelial cells
Authors: Busso N , Huet S , Nicodeme E , Hiernaux J , Hyafil F
Published: October 2019

Tissue factor (TF) is the first factor of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. Normally, TF is not expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. However, expression of TF can be induced in these cells in response to stimulation by diverse inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We have studied the effect of these mediators on the kinetics of the induction of TF-related procoagulant activity (PCA) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). PCA is transiently induced on HUVECs, attaining a peak some 4 to 8 hours after addition of inflammatory agents, with maximal accumulation of TF messenger RNA (mRNA) occurring 3 to 5 hours earlier. Because the expression of PCA by treated HUVECs returns to basal levels by 20 to 30 hours, we examined the response of these cells to a second inflammatory stimulus. Continuous incubation of cells with a single inflammatory agent for 24 to 48 hours induces a hyporesponsive state with respect to the reinduction of TF expression by the same agent (14% of the initial stimulation for IL-1 beta, 39% for TNF-alpha 30% for LPS, and 7% for PMA). Such a diminution in PCA was also observed in the levels of TF mRNA. By contrast, pretreatment of HUVECs with one agent did not dramatically affect the reinduction of TF by any of the three other factors. We subsequently focused our attention on the induction of the autologous refractory period by IL-1 beta. De novo protein synthesis was not required during the preincubation of ECs for hyporesponsiveness to be observed. The establishment of the refractory state did not depend on the downmodulation of IL-1 beta receptor affinity or expression. Moreover, pretreatment of HUVECs with IL-1 beta increased prostacyclin (PGI2) production in response to a second stimulation by IL-1 beta, although such cells were unable to reexpress TF under the same conditions. This result suggests that distinct secondary messenger pathways are involved in TF induction and PGI2 synthesis by IL-1 beta in HUVECs.
Immunophenotype of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, clinical parameters, and outcome: an analysis of a prospective trial including 562 tested patients (LALA87). French Group on Therapy for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Boucheix C , David B , Sebban C , Racadot E , Bene MC , Bernard A , Campos L , Jouault H , Sigaux F , Lepage E
Published: October 2019

The aim of the multicentric trial LALA87 was to test the efficacy of different postremission therapies in adults (15 to 60 year olds) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). An immunologic subclassification based on surface marker expression was proposed. Among the 562 tested patients, 511 were assigned either to the B lineage (361 cases, 63%) or to the T lineage (150 cases, 26%). T-ALL were significantly associated with male sex, age less than 35 years, mediastinal mass, central nervous system involvement, high white blood cell count, and low anemia. In a univariate and multivariate analysis, T-cell leukemia had a more favorable outcome than B-cell leukemia with respective median disease-free survivals (DFSs) of 28 and 14 months (P < .005). However, the type of postremission therapy modifies the value of the immunophenotype prognostic factor. In the chemotherapy arm, T-ALL patients (26 patients) had a more favorable outcome than B-ALL patients (57 patients) (P < .003). In the autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) arm, the apparent better outcome of T-ALL patients (35 T/50 B) did not reach statistical significance (P = .2) and there was no difference in the allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) arm (37 T/71 B: P = .9). In the B-cell-lineage leukemias, subclassification by stages and myeloid antigen coexpression (10%) were not associated with different prognosis. CD10+ T-ALL (31 patients) were associated with a better DFS compared with the CD10- T-ALL (73 patients) with respective median DFS, not reached and 18.5 months (P = .04).
Association of Erythrodermic Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Superantigen-Positive Staphylococcus aureus, and Oligoclonal T-Cell Receptor Vβ Gene Expansion
Authors: Jackow Clotilde M. , Cather Jennifer C. , Hearne Vicki , Asano Arisa T. , Musser James M. , Duvic Madeleine
Published: October 2019

Forty-two patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including 31 with exfoliative erythroderma or Sezary syndrome and 11 with mycosis fungoides, were studied for the occurrence of staphylococcal infection. Thirty-two of 42 (76%) had a positive staphylococcal culture from skin or blood. One half of the patients with positive cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. This group included 11 with Sezary syndrome and 5 with rapidly enlarging mycosis fungoides plaques or tumors. All of the S aureus carried enterotoxin genes. Surprisingly, 6 of 16 strains were the same toxic shock toxin-1 (TSST-1)-positive clone, designated electrophoretic type (ET)-41. Analysis of the T-cell receptor Vβ repertoire in 14 CTCL patients found that only 4 had the expected monoclonal expansion of a specific Vβ gene, whereas 10 had oligoclonal or polyclonal expansion of several Vβ families. All patients with TSST-1+S aureus had overexpansion of Vβ 2 in blood and/or skin lesions. These studies show that S aureus containing superantigen enterotoxins are commonly found in patients with CTCL, especially individuals with erythroderma where they could exacerbate and/or perpetuate stimulate chronic T-cell expansion and cutaneous inflammation. Attention to toxigenic S aureus in CTCL patients would be expected to improve the quality of care and outcome of this patient population.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor as an Adjunct to Induction Chemotherapy for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia — A Randomized Phase-III Study
Authors: Geissler Klaus , Koller Elisabeth , Hubmann Eva , Niederwieser Dietger , Hinterberger Wolfgang , Geissler Dietmar , Kyrle Paul , Knöbl Paul , Pabinger Ingrid , Thalhammer Renate , Schwarzinger Ilse , Mannhalter Christine , Jaeger Ulrich , Heinz Renate , Linkesch Werner , Lechner Klaus
Published: October 2019

Because of the recommendation to avoid the concomitant administration of growth factors and chemotherapy, there is only limited information on colony-stimulating factor (CSF ) therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) induction protocols, in which cytotoxic drugs are administered in divided doses over a prolonged period of time, thus requiring a simultaneous administration of growth factors and chemotherapy. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to determine the safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim) as an adjunct to phase I of induction chemotherapy for adult ALL. Patients (n = 53) were randomized to receive no growth factor or G-CSF (5 μg/kg/d subcutaneously) starting on day 2 of chemotherapy consisting of daunorubicin (45 mg/m2) and vincristine (1.5 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22; L-asparaginase (2500 U/m2) on days 1 through 14; and prednisone (60 mg/m2) on days 1 through 28. A total of 25 patients in the G-CSF group and 26 patients in the control arm fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. G-CSF markedly ameliorated neutropenia because the median proportion of days with neutropenia less than 1,000/μL was 29% in the G-CSF group as compared with 84% in the control arm (P < .00005). The median time to reach absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) ≥ 1,000/μL was 16 days in G-CSF patients and 26 days in controls (P < .001). More importantly, G-CSF significantly reduced the incidence of febrile neutropenia (12% v 42% in controls, P < .05) and documented infections (40% v 77%, P < .05). No significant differences were found with regard to requirements for red blood cell transfusions and platelet concentrates. A total of 24 of 25 (96%) patients in the G-CSF group and 20 of 25 (80%) evaluable control patients had complete remission after phase I of induction therapy. We conclude that G-CSF can be safely administered as an adjunct to induction therapy of ALL and is clinically beneficial by ameliorating neutropenia and reducing infectious complications.
CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitors From Human Cord Blood Differentiate Along Two Independent Dendritic Cell Pathways in Response to Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Plus Tumor Necrosis Factor α: II. Functional Analysis
Authors: Caux Christophe , Massacrier Catherine , Vanbervliet Béatrice , Dubois Bertrand , Durand Isabelle , Cella Marina , Lanzavecchia Antonio , Banchereau Jacques
Published: October 2019

In response to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus tumor necrosis factor α, cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells differentiate along two unrelated dendritic cell (DC) pathways: (1) the Langerhans cells (LCs), which are characterized by the expression of CD1a, Birbeck granules, the Lag antigen, and E cadherin; and (2) CD14+ cell-derived DCs, characterized by the expression of CD1a, CD9, CD68, CD2, and factor XIIIa (Caux et al, J Exp Med 184:695, 1996). The present study investigates the functions of each population. Although the two populations are equally potent in stimulating naive CD45RA cord blood T cells through apparently identical mechanisms, each also displays specific activities. In particular CD14-derived DCs show a potent and long-lasting (from day 8 to day 13) antigen uptake activity (fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran or peroxidase) that is about 10-fold higher than that of CD1a+ cells, which is restricted to the immature stage (day 6). The antigen capture is exclusively mediated by receptors for mannose polymers. The high efficiency of antigen capture of CD14-derived cells is coregulated with the expression of nonspecific esterase activity, a tracer of lysosomial compartment. In contrast, the CD1a+ population never expresses nonspecific esterase activity. The most striking difference is the unique capacity of CD14-derived DCs to induce naive B cells to differentiate into IgM-secreting cells, in response to CD40 triggering and interleukin-2. Thus, although the two populations can allow T-cell priming, initiation of humoral responses might be preferentially regulated by the CD14-derived DCs. Altogether, those results show that different pathways of DC development might exist in vivo: (1) the LC type, which might be mainly involved in cellular immune responses, and (2) the CD14-derived DC related to dermal DCs or circulating blood DCs, which could be involved in humoral immune responses.
Human Kininogens Regulate Thrombin Binding to Platelets Through the Glycoprotein Ib-IX-V Complex
Authors: Bradford Harlan N. , Dela Cadena Raul A. , Kunapuli Satya P. , Dong Jing-Fei , López José A. , Colman Robert W.
Published: October 2019

We and others have shown that both high and low molecular mass kininogens are able to inhibit the thrombin-induced aggregation of gel-filtered platelets, indicating that the locus for inhibition resides in the heavy chain. The inhibitory site is present in domain 3, confined to the C-terminal portion of the region encoded by exon 7 (K270-G292), and the minimal effective sequence is a heptapeptide (L271-A277; Kunapuli et al, J Biol Chem 271:11228, 1996). Kininogens inhibit thrombin binding to platelets and thus inhibit thrombin-induced aggregation. The molecular mechanism by which kininogens inhibit thrombin-induced aggregation of platelets is unknown. Thrombin has previously been shown to bind to two receptors on the platelet surface, glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex and the hepta-spanning transmembrane receptor coupled to G protein(s). We now show that, unlike its effect on normal platelets, kininogen (2 μmol/L) did not inhibit the thrombin-induced aggregation of Bernard-Soulier platelets, which lack the GP Ib-IX-V complex, suggesting that kininogen interacts either directly or indirectly with that complex and restricts access by thrombin to this receptor. We further show that both recombinant K270-G292 polypeptide and the synthetic peptide L271-A277 derived from high molecular mass kininogen lower thrombin binding to platelets in a manner similar to monoclonal antibodies to or ligands (von Willebrand factor and echicetin) of GP Ib-IX. The anti–GP Ib-IX-V complex antibodies, TM-60 and SZ 2, can inhibit 125I-high molecular mass kininogen binding to platelets. Conversely, kininogen could block the binding of biotinylated TM-60 or of 125I-SZ 2. Kininogen inhibited the binding of biotinylated thrombin bound to a mouse fibroblast cell line transfected with the GP Ib-IX-V complex. These results indicated that kininogen binds to the GP Ib-IX-V complex modulating thrombin binding to platelets and the consequent platelet aggregation. Kininogen can thus serve as an important regulator of the early stages of platelet stimulation by thrombin.
Fluid Shear Stress Modulates von Willebrand Factor Release From Human Vascular Endothelium
Authors: Galbusera Miriam , Zoja Carla , Donadelli Roberta , Paris Simona , Morigi Marina , Benigni Ariela , Figliuzzi Marina , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Remuzzi Andrea
Published: October 2019

Fluid shear stress generated by blood flow on arterial wall may play a role in the process of atherosclerosis, not only affecting the mass transport phenomena that take place in blood, but also by modulation of synthesis and secretion of humoral factors released by vascular endothelium that mediate platelet-vessel wall interactions. The present study was designed to investigate whether shear stress, induced by laminar flow, modulates von Willebrand factor (vWF ) release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and whether this physical stimulation can affect vWF synthesis. Monolayers of HUVEC were exposed to laminar flow of varying magnitude (from 2 to 12 dynes/cm2) using a cone-and-plate device. The release of vWF in cell supernatant and in extracellular matrix by cells exposed to flow or maintained in static conditions was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC exposed to laminar flow released higher amounts of vWF into the cell supernatant within few hours of exposure and vWF secretion was dependent on shear stress magnitude. vWF released in extracellular matrix was also higher in cell monolayers exposed to shear than in static controls. vWF mRNA expression in HUVEC was not affected by exposure of cells to laminar flow, indicating that shear-induced vWF release reflected enhanced secretion without de novo protein synthesis. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the release of vWF is due to exocytosis from Weibel-Palade bodies, the storage organelles of vWF. These data indicate a novel mechanism by which local hemodynamic shear forces modulate endothelial cell function and may play a role in development of arterial thrombotic events.
Contact Between Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and B Lymphocytes Enhances Very Late Antigen-4/Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1–Independent Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase, Paxillin, and ERK2 in Stromal Cells
Authors: Jarvis Lisa J. , Maguire Jean E. , LeBien Tucker W.
Published: October 2019

Contact with bone marrow stromal cells is crucial for the normal growth and development of B-cell precursors. We have previously shown that human bone marrow stromal cell tyrosine kinase activity can be activated by direct contact with B-lymphoid cells (J Immunol 155:2359, 1995). In the present study, we show that increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and extracellular-related kinase 2 (or p42 MAP kinase) accounted for the major changes occurring in stromal cell tyrosine phosphorylation after 5 to 10 minutes of contact with the RAMOS B-lymphoma cell line. Although adhesion of B-cell precursors to stromal cells is primarily mediated by very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), VLA-4–deficient and adhesion-deficient RAMOS cells were equally capable of stimulating stromal cell tyrosine phosphorylation. Similar changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation pattern of stromal cells were induced by contact with normal human B-cell precursors and several other B-lineage cell lines. After 5 to 30 minutes of contact with stromal cells, no change in protein tyrosine phosphorylation was detected in RAMOS or normal human B-cell precursors removed from stromal cells. Pretreatment of stromal cells with cytochalasin D abrogated contact-mediated enhancement of stromal cell tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that an intact cytoskeleton was essential. These results suggest that B-cell contact activates stromal cell signaling cascades that regulate cytoskeletal organization and transcription, independent of the interaction mediated by VLA-4 and VCAM-1.
Interferon γ Downregulates Stem Cell Factor and Erythropoietin Receptors But Not Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptors in Human Erythroid Colony-Forming Cells
Authors: Taniguchi Shuichi , Dai Chun-Hua , Price James O. , Krantz Sanford B.
Published: October 2019

Interferon γ (IFNγ) has been shown to inhibit proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells and to produce apoptosis of erythroid cells, whereas stem cell factor (SCF ), erythropoietin (EP), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) have distinct roles in enhancing erythroid cell production and preventing apoptosis. The mechanism by which IFNγ exerts an inhibitory effect on the positive roles of these growth factors is unknown. Although some inhibitory cytokines including IFNγ have been shown to downregulate growth factor receptors, the effect of IFNγ on SCF, EP, and IGF-I receptors of human erythroid progenitor cells has not been defined. We obtained highly purified day-5 or day-6 erythroid colony-forming cells (ECFCs) from human blood in sufficient quantity and purity for radiolabeled cytokine binding studies and analysis of mRNA. When day-5 ECFCs were incubated with increasing concentrations of recombinant human (rh) IFNγ for 24 hours at 37°C, specific binding of 125I-rhSCF to SCF receptors was significantly decreased by 25% to 40% in a dose-dependent fashion, with the maximum effect at 2,500 to 5,000 U/mL of IFNγ. The decrease was apparent by 12 hours of incubation and was only slightly lower by 24 hours. The numbers of SCF and EP receptors, but not of IGF-I receptors, per ECFC, calculated by Scatchard analysis, were significantly decreased by 30% and 23% to 25%, respectively, after incubation with 2,500 U/mL rhIFNγ for 24 hours at 37°C, whereas the binding affinities were not affected. This decrease in SCF receptors was confirmed by flow cytometry using an anti–c-kit mouse monoclonal antibody. Northern blot analysis showed that the mRNAs for the SCF and EP receptors, but not for the IGF-I receptors, were decreased by 50% to 60% after 3 hours of incubation at 37°C with 2,500 U/mL of rhIFNγ. This persisted for 24 hours without alteration of the stability of the SCF and EP receptor mRNAs. These observations suggest that one means by which IFNγ inhibits erythroid cell proliferation and differentiation and produces apoptosis may be through the reduction of the number of target receptors for SCF and EP and that this occurs through transcriptional inhibition of the corresponding mRNAs.
Fib420 , the Novel Fibrinogen Subclass: Newborn Levels Are Higher Than Adult
Authors: Grieninger Gerd , Lu Xianghan , Cao Yan , Fu Yiping , Kudryk Bohdan J. , Galanakis Dennis K. , Hertzberg Kathe M.
Published: October 2019

Fib420 is a recently identified subclass of normal human fibrinogen in which two extended α chain isoforms (αE ) replace the common α chains, yielding a molecule (ca. 420 kD) which is larger than the more abundant 340-kD form. Evidence for preservation of this subclass throughout vertebrate evolution suggests it performs some as yet unidentified vital function. A survey was undertaken to establish the range of plasma Fib420 levels in normal, healthy adults and in placental cord (fetal) blood. For measuring Fib420 , a quantitative Western blot assay was developed using monoclonal antibody against the exon-VI encoded C-terminus of the molecule's unique αE chain. This αE chain signal was normalized to that of the β chain, common to both fibrinogen forms. Analysis of plasma samples from the adult and newborn cohorts (n = 25 each; total fibrinogen ca. 2.6 mg/mL in both) revealed a statistically significant difference, with a mean level of 100 ± 28 μg/mL in the neonate compared to 34 ± 7 μg/mL in the adult. On average, 1 out of every 100 fibrinogen molecules in adult plasma belongs to the Fib420 subclass. Unlike in the newborn, adult Fib420 levels remained the same over a wide range of total plasma fibrinogen. The striking difference observed between these two cohorts suggests a changing developmental expression of the Fib420 subclass and a homeostatic control operating in later stages of life.
Dysregulation of Membrane-Bound Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors on Mononuclear Cells in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection: Low Percentage of p75-Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Positive Cells in Patients With Advanced Disease and High Viral Load
Authors: Hestdal Kjetil , Aukrust Pål , Müller Fredrik , Lien Egil , Bjerkeli Vigdis , Espevik Terje , Frøland Stig S.
Published: October 2019

The correlation of persistent tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activation with disease progression in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), suggests a role for TNF-α in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. In the present study, we examined by flow cytometry the expression of membrane-bound (m) components of the TNF system in 33 HIV-1–infected patients and 12 healthy controls. While peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from asymptomatic and symptomatic non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients showed a significantly increased percentage of mTNF-α+ and mTNF receptor (TNFR)+ cells compared with controls, this was not found in the AIDS group. Compared with healthy controls, AIDS patients had a significantly decreased percentage of both monocytes and lymphocytes expressing p75-TNFR. PBMC from AIDS patients showed a higher p75-TNFR mRNA level and a higher spontaneous release of soluble p75-TNFR than healthy individuals, suggesting enhanced cell surface turnover of this TNFR. The low expression of TNFRs on both lymphocytes and monocytes in the AIDS group was associated with high numbers of HIV-1 RNA copies in plasma, low numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes, and high serum levels of soluble TNFRs. AIDS patients had a decreased percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes expressing TNFRs compared with healthy controls. In contrast, these patients, as well as symptomatic non-AIDS patients, had an increased percentage of TNF-α+ and TNFRs+ cells among remaining CD4+ lymphocytes. The pattern of abnormalities seen in AIDS patients suggests a role for persistent activation of the TNF system in the accelerated CD4+ lymphocyte destruction, the enhanced HIV-1 replication, and the markedly impaired antimicrobial defense in advanced HIV-1-related disease.
Band 3 Campinas: A Novel Splicing Mutation in the Band 3 Gene (AE1 ) Associated With Hereditary Spherocytosis, Hyperactivity of Na+/Li+ Countertransport and an Abnormal Renal Bicarbonate Handling
Authors: Lima Paulo R.M. , Gontijo José A.R. , Lopes de Faria José B. , Costa Fernando F. , Saad Sara T.O.
Published: October 2019

We have studied the molecular defect underlying band 3 deficiency in one family with hereditary spherocytosis using nonradioactive single strand conformation polimorphism of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA of the AE1 gene. By direct sequencing, a single base substitution in the splicing donor site of intron 8 (position + 1G → T) was identified. The study of the cDNA showed a skipping of exon 8. This exon skipping event is responsible for a frameshift leading to a premature stop codon 13 amino acids downstream. The distal urinary acidification test by furosemide was performed to verify the consequences of the band 3 deficiency in α intercalated cortical collecting duct cells (αICCDC). We found an increased basal urinary bicarbonate excretion, associated with an increased basal urinary pH and an efficient distal urinary acidification. We also tested the consequences of band 3 deficiency on the Na+/H+ exchanger, by the measurement of Na+/Li+ countertransport activity in red blood cells. The Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was increased threefold to sixfold in the patients compared with the controls. It is possible that band 3 deficiency in the kidney leads to a decrease in the reabsorption of HCO−3 in αICCDC and anion loss, which might be associated with an increased sodium-lithium countertransport activity.
Modulation and Functional Involvement of CB2 Peripheral Cannabinoid Receptors During B-Cell Differentiation
Authors: Carayon Pierre , Marchand Jean , Dussossoy Danielle , Derocq Jean-Marie , Jbilo Omar , Bord Annie , Bouaboula Monsif , Galiègue Sylvaine , Mondière Paul , Pénarier Géraldine , Fur Gérard Le , Defrance Thierry , Casellas Pierre
Published: October 2019

Two subtypes of G-protein–coupled cannabinoid receptors have been identified to date: the CB1 central receptor subtype, which is mainly expressed in the brain, and the CB2 peripheral receptor subtype, which appears particularly abundant in the immune system. We investigated the expression of CB2 receptors in leukocytes using anti-CB2 receptor immunopurified polyclonal antibodies. We showed that peripheral blood and tonsillar B cells were the leukocyte subsets expressing the highest amount of CB2 receptor proteins. Dual-color confocal microscopy performed on tonsillar tissues showed a marked expression of CB2 receptors in mantle zones of secondary follicles, whereas germinal centers (GC) were weakly stained, suggesting a modulation of this receptor during the differentiation stages from virgin B lymphocytes to memory B cells. Indeed, we showed a clear downregulation of CB2 receptor expression during B-cell differentiation both at transcript and protein levels. The lowest expression was observed in GC proliferating centroblasts. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of the cannabinoid agonist CP55,940 on the CD40-mediated proliferation of both virgin and GC B-cell subsets. We found that CP55,940 enhanced the proliferation of both subsets and that this enhancement was blocked by the CB2 receptor antagonist SR 144528 but not by the CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716. Finally, we observed that CB2 receptors were dramatically upregulated in both B-cell subsets during the first 24 hours of CD40-mediated activation. These data strongly support an involvement of CB2 receptors during B-cell differentiation.
Molecular Identity of Hematopoietic Precursor Cells Emerging in the Human Embryo
Authors: Labastie Marie-Claude , Cortés Fernando , Roméo Paul-Henri , Dulac Catherine , Péault Bruno
Published: October 2019

It is now accepted from studies in animal models that hematopoietic stem cells emerge in the para-aortic mesoderm-derived aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of the vertebrate embryo. We have previously identified the equivalent primitive hematogenous territory in the 4- to 6-week human embryo, under the form of CD34+CD45+Lin− high proliferative potential hematopoietic cells clustered on the ventral endothelium of the aorta. To characterize molecules involved in initial stem cell emergence, we first investigated the expression in that territory of known early hematopoietic regulators. We herein show that aorta-associated CD34+ cells coexpress the tal-1/SCL, c-myb, GATA-2, GATA-3, c-kit, and flk-1/KDR genes, as do embryonic and fetal hematopoietic progenitors later present in the liver and bone marrow. Next, CD34+CD45+ aorta-associated cells were sorted by flow cytometry from a 5-week embryo and a cDNA library was constructed therefrom. Differential screening of that library with total cDNA probes obtained from CD34+embryonic liver cells allowed the isolation of a kinase-related sequence previously identified in KG-1 cells. In addition to emerging blood stem cells, KG-1 kinase is also strikingly expressed in all developing endothelial cells in the yolk sac and embryo, which suggests its involvement in the genesis of both hematopoietic and vascular cell lineages in humans.
Protease-Activated Receptor 1 (PAR-1) Is Required and Rate-Limiting for Thrombin-Enhanced Experimental Pulmonary Metastasis
Authors: Nierodzik Mary Lynn , Chen Kui , Takeshita Kenichi , Li Jian-Jun , Huang Yao-Qi , Feng Xue-Sheng , D’Andrea Michael R. , Andrade-Gordon Patricia , Karpatkin Simon
Published: October 2019

Thrombin-treated tumor cells induce a metastatic phenotype in experimental pulmonary murine metastasis. Thrombin binds to a unique protease-activated receptor (PAR-1) that requires N-terminal proteolytic cleavage for activation by its tethered end. A 14-mer thrombin receptor activation peptide (TRAP) of the tethered end induces the same cellular changes as thrombin. Four murine tumor cells (Lewis lung, CT26 colon CA, B16F10 melanoma, and CCL163 fibroblasts) contain PAR-1, as detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). B16F10 cells did not contain the two other thrombin receptors, PAR-3 and glycoprotein Ib. TRAP-treated B16F10 tumor cells enhance pulmonary metastasis 41- to 48-fold (n = 17). Thrombin-treated B16F10 cells transfected with full-length murine PAR-1 sense cDNA (S6, S7, S14, and S22) enhanced their adhesion to fibronectin 1.5- to 2.4-fold (n = 5, P < .04), whereas thrombin-treated wild-type cells do not. S6 (adhesion index, 1.5-fold) and S14 (index, 2.4-fold) when examined by RT-PCR and Northern analysis showed minimal expression of PAR-1 for S6 over wild-type and considerable expression for S14. Immunohistochemistry showed greater expression of PAR-1 for S14 compared with wild-type or empty-plasmid transfected cells. In vivo experiments with the thrombin-treated S14 transfectant showed a fivefold to sixfold increase in metastases compared with empty-plasmid transfected thrombin-treated naive cells or S6 cells (n = 20, P = .0001 to .02). Antisense had no effect on thrombin-stimulated tumor mass. Thus, PAR-1 ligation and expression enhances and regulates tumor metastasis.
Involvement of Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger in Inside-Out Signaling Through the Platelet Integrin IIbβ3
Authors: Shiraga Masamichi , Tomiyama Yoshiaki , Honda Shigenori , Suzuki Hidenori , Kosugi Satoru , Tadokoro Seiji , Kanakura Yuzuru , Tanoue Kenjiro , Kurata Yoshiyuki , Matsuzawa Yuji
Published: October 2019

The platelet integrin IIbβ3 has become a new target for the treatment of pathological thrombosis. It becomes apparent that the affinity of IIbβ3 for its ligands is dynamically regulated by inside-out signaling. However, the components that couple diverse intracellular signals to the cytoplasmic domains of IIbβ3 remain obscure. Employing a chymotrypsin-induced IIbβ3 activation model, we previously proposed the hypothesis that Na+/Ca2 +exchanger (NCX) may be involved in inside-out signaling (Shiraga et al:Blood 88:2594, 1996). In the present study, employing two unrelated Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitors, 3′,4′-dichlorobenzamil (DCB) and bepridil, we investigated the role of NCX in platelet activation induced by various agonists in detail. Both inhibitors abolished platelet aggregation induced by all agonists examined via the inhibition of IIbβ3 activation. Moreover, these inhibitors abolished IIbβ3 activation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or A23187. On the other hand, neither of these inhibitors showed apparent inhibitory effects on protein phosphorylation of pleckstrin or myosin light chain, or an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentrations evoked by 0.1 U/mL thrombin. These effects of the NCX inhibitors are in striking contrast to those of protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro31-8220. Biochemical and ultrastructural analyses showed that NCX inhibitors, particularly DCB, made platelets “thrombasthenic”. These findings suggest that the NCX is involved in the common steps of inside-out signaling through integrin IIbβ3.
The C-Terminus of c-Abl Is Required for Proliferation and Viability Signaling in a c-Abl/Erythropoietin Receptor Fusion Protein
Authors: Okuda K. , D’Andrea A. , Van Etten R.A. , Griffin J.D.
Published: October 2019

Activated ABL oncogenes cause B-cell leukemias in mice and chronic myelogenous leukemia in humans. However, the mechanism of transformation is complex and not well understood. A method to rapidly and reversibly activate c-ABL was created by fusing the extra-cytoplasmic and transmembrane domain of the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor with c-ABL (EPO R/ABL). When this chimeric receptor was expressed in Ba/F3 cells, the addition of EPO resulted in a dose-dependent activation of c-ABL tyrosine kinase and was strongly antiapoptotic and weakly mitogenic. To evaluate the contributions of various ABL domains to biochemical signaling and biological effects, chimeric receptors were constructed in which the ABL SH3 domain was deleted (▵SH3), the SH2 domain was deleted (▵SH2), the C-terminal actin-binding domain was deleted (▵ABD), or kinase activity was eliminated by a point mutation, K290M (KD). The mutant receptors were stably expressed in Ba/F3 cells and analyzed for signaling defects, proliferation, viability, and EPO-induced leukemia in nude mice. When compared with the ability of the full-length EPO R/ABL receptor to induce proliferation and support viability in vitro, the ▵SH3 mutant was equivalent, the ▵SH2 mutant was moderately impaired, and the ▵ABD and KD mutants were profoundly impaired. None of these cell lines caused leukemia in mice in the absence of pharmacological doses of EPO. However, in mice treated with EPO (10 U/d), death from leukemia occurred rapidly with wild-type and ▵SH3. However, time to death was prolonged by at least twofold for ▵SH2 and greater than threefold for ▵ABD. This inducible model of ABL transformation provides a method to link specific signaling defects with specific biological defects and has shown an important role for the C-terminal actin-binding domain in proliferation and transformation in the context of this receptor/oncogene.
Inhibition of Activation of the Classical Pathway of Complement by Human Neutrophil Defensins
Authors: van den Berg Rocco H. , Faber-Krol Maria C. , van Wetering Sandra , Hiemstra Pieter S. , Daha Mohamed R.
Published: October 2019

Defensins are small, cationic antimicrobial peptides that are present in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils. Earlier studies have shown that defensins may influence complement activation by specific interaction with activated C1, C1q, and C1-inhibitor. In the present study, we show that the defensin human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) is able to inhibit activation of the classical complement pathway by inhibition of C1q hemolytic activity. The binding site for HNP-1 on C1q is most likely located on the collagen-like stalks, as a clear, dose-dependent binding of HNP-1 to either intact C1q or to the collagen-like stalks of C1q was demonstrated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides binding of HNP-1 to C1q, also a limited binding to C1 and to a mixture of C1r and C1s was observed, whereas no binding to C1-inhibitor was found. Because binding of HNP-1 to C1-inhibitor has been suggested in earlier studies, we also assessed the binding of HNP-1 to mixtures of C1-inhibitor with either C1r/ C1s or C1. No binding was found. Using a competition ELISA, it was found that HNP-1, but not protamine, inhibited binding of biotin-labeled HNP-1 to C1q in a dose-dependent fashion. In the fluid phase, preincubation of HNP-1 with C1q resulted in complex formation of HNP-1 and C1q and generation of stable complexes. In conclusion, HNP-1 is able to bind to C1q in the fluid phase and inhibits the classical complement pathway. This mechanism may be involved in the control of an inflammatory response in vivo.
Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria Successfully Treated by Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Tezcan I. , Xu W. , Gurgey A. , Tuncer M. , Cetin M. , Öner C. , Yetgin S. , Ersoy F. , Aizencang G. , Astrin K.H. , Desnick R.J.
Published: October 2019

The long-term biochemical and clinical effectiveness of allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was shown in a severely affected, transfusion-dependent 18-month-old female with congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), an autosomal recessive inborn error of heme biosynthesis resulting from mutations in the uroporphyrinogen III synthase (URO-synthase) gene. Three years post-BMT, the recipient had normal hemoglobin, markedly reduced urinary porphyrin excretion, and no cutaneous lesions with unlimited exposure to sunlight. The patient was homoallelic for a novel URO-synthase missense mutation, G188R, that expressed less than 5% of mean normal activity in Escherichia coli, consistent with her transfusion dependency. Because the clinical severity of CEP is highly variable, ranging from nonimmune hydrops fetalis to milder, later onset forms with only cutaneous lesions, the importance of genotyping newly diagnosed infants to select severely affected patients for BMT is emphasized. In addition, the long-term effectiveness of BMT in this patient provides the rationale for future hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy in severely affected patients with CEP.
Intravascular Coagulation Activation in a Murine Model of Thrombomodulin Deficiency: Effects of Lesion Size, Age, and Hypoxia on Fibrin Deposition
Authors: Healy Aileen M. , Hancock Wayne W. , Christie Patricia D. , Rayburn Helen B. , Rosenberg Robert D.
Published: October 2019

We consecutively inactivated both alleles of the thrombomodulin (TM) gene in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and generated TM-deficient (TM−/−) chimeric mice. Quantitation of an ES-cell marker and protein C cofactor activity indicates that up to 50% of pulmonary endothelial cells are ES-cell derived and therefore TM deficient. Infusions of 125I-fibrinogen into mice show a significant increase (fourfold, P < .005) in radiolabeled cross-linked fibrin in TM−/− chimeric mouse lung as compared with wild-type mice. However, only chimeric mice that exhibit at least a 30% reduction in protein C cofactor activity and are at least 15 months old display this phenotype. Immunocytochemical localization of TM in chimeras shows a mosaic pattern of expression in both large and small blood vessels. Colocalization of cross-linked fibrin and neo (used to replace TM) reveals that fibrin is deposited in TM−/− regions. However, the fibrin deposits were largely restricted to pulmonary vessels with a lumenal area greater than 100 μm2. The hypercoagulable phenotype can be induced in younger chimeric mice by exposure to hypoxia, which causes a fivefold increase in β-fibrin levels in lung. Our findings show that TM chimerism results in spontaneous, intravascular fibrin deposition that is dependent on age and the magnitude of the TM deficiency.
A Missense Mutation in γ-Glutamyl Carboxylase Gene Causes Combined Deficiency of All Vitamin K-Dependent Blood Coagulation Factors
Authors: Brenner Benjamin , Sánchez-Vega Beatriz , Wu Sheue-Mei , Lanir Naomi , Stafford Darrel W. , Solera Jesus
Published: October 2019

To identify potential mutations in the γ-glutamyl carboxylase gene, the sequence of all exons and intron/exon borders was determined in 4 patients from a consanguineous kindred with combined deficiency of all vitamin K-dependent procoagulants and anticoagulants and results were compared with normal genomic sequence. All 4 patients were homozygous for a point mutation in exon 9 that resulted in the conversion of an arginine codon (CTG) to leucine codon (CGG) at residue 394. Screening of this mutation based on introduction of Alu I site in amplified fragment from normal allele but not from the mutated allele showed that 13 asymptomatic members of the kindred were heterozygous for the mutation. The mutation was not found in 340 unrelated normal chromosomes. The segregation pattern of the mutation which is the first reported in the γ-glutamyl carboxylase gene fits perfectly with phenotype of the disorder and confirms the suggested autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance of combined deficiency of all vitamin K-dependent procoagulants and anticoagulants in this kindred. The mutated carboxylase protein expressed in Drosophila cells was stable but demonstrated threefold reduced activity compared with WT carboxylase, confirming that the L394R mutation results in a defective carboxylase.
Moderate Dose Escalation for Advanced Stage Hodgkin’s Disease Using the Bleomycin, Etoposide, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine, and Prednisone Scheme and Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Study of the German Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Study Group
Authors: Tesch H. , Diehl V. , Lathan B. , Hasenclever D. , Sieber M. , Rüffer U. , Engert A. , Franklin J. , Pfreundschuh M. , Schalk K.P. , Schwieder G. , Wulf G. , Dölken G. , Worst P. , Koch P. , Schmitz N. , Bruntsch U. , Tirier C. , Müller U. , Loeffler M.
Published: October 2019

The BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) regimen, a rearranged and accelerated version of the standard COPP/adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy, has been shown to be effective and safe in a previous pilot study for advanced stage Hodgkin’s disease (HD). The present study aimed to determine a maximum practicable dose of three drugs, ie, etoposide, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide, for which acute toxicities were acceptable and to assess the feasibility of the escalated scheme. Sixty untreated patients with advanced stage HD were enrolled in this study. Radiotherapy was given in 44 patients (73%) after chemotherapy to initial bulk lesions and residual disease. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given from day 8 to prevent prolonged neutrocytopenia and severe infections. The intended doses of adriamycin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide in the BEACOPP schedule could be substantially escalated: adriamycin from 25 to 35, cyclophosphamide from 650 to 1,200, and etoposide from 100 to 200 mg/m2. The major toxicities were leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia with considerable heterogeneity between individual patients. Of 60 patients, 56 (93%) achieved a complete remission (CR). At a median observation of 32 months, the rates of survival and freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) were estimated to be 91% (95% confidence interval 83% to 99%) and 90% (82% to 98%). These results show that a moderate dose escalation of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide of the baseline BEACOPP regimen is feasible. The escalated BEACOPP regimen shows very encouraging results in advanced stage HD and is now being compared in a randomized phase III study with BEACOPP at baseline dose level.