bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of neutrophil function by granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor involves recruitment of a less responsive subpopulation
Authors: Fletcher MP , Gasson JC
Published: October 2019

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhances numerous functions of mature neutrophils (PMN) including phagocytosis, superoxide responses to chemotaxins, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and expression of complement receptors. A central question concerns whether the mechanism of enhancement involves quantitative increases in the response of all cells v subpopulation recruitment. The effects of GM-CSF on individual cell light scatter changes, membrane potential, and oxidant responses induced by the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) were assessed by flow cytometry and by scoring individual cells for nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) reduction. GM-CSF produced a dose- and time-dependent shift in forward light scatter that was very similar in character to that seen with FMLP or leukotriene B4 stimulation. Although not capable of depolarizing the cells directly, GM-CSF primed PMNs for enhanced membrane potential responses to FMLP by significantly increasing the proportion of depolarizing cells when compared with diluent-treated controls after a 60-minute incubation at 37 degrees C (79.4% +/- 3.4% v 29.5% +/- 4.7% GM-CSF v diluent, mean +/- SE, P less than .005, n = 11). Subpopulation recruitment by GM-CSF treatment was also demonstrated by the FMLP-elicited NBT test. Taken together, these results indicate that GM-CSF can modulate the function of mature PMN by enhancing the proportion of responsive cells.
The role of calcium in the age-related decline of neutrophil function
Authors: Lipschitz DA , Udupa KB , Boxer LA
Published: October 2019

Upon activation by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), either in the presence of absence of cytochalasin B, neutrophils from old subjects generated significantly less superoxide than did neutrophils from the young. This reduction in activity was associated with a significant decrease in the basal cytosolic calcium concentration and a diminished flux of calcium to the cytosol after activation. At all concentrations of FMLP tested, cytosolic calcium remained significantly lower in neutrophils from the old as compared with the young, whereas permeability to extracellular calcium and efflux of calcium from the cell were also significantly diminished. Pretreatment of the cell with the ionophore ionomycin elevated the cytosolic calcium concentration and significantly improved function in old neutrophils. These findings demonstrate that aging results in alterations in neutrophil calcium homeostasis that may play a role in the age-related decline in neutrophil function.
A role for thrombomodulin in the pathogenesis of thrombin-induced thromboembolism in mice
Authors: Kumada T , Dittman WA , Majerus PW
Published: October 2019

The antithrombotic action of thrombomodulin was studied in mice. Rat and mouse thrombomodulin were isolated from lung acetone powders, and anti-rat thrombomodulin antibodies were prepared in rabbits. The antibodies neutralized both mouse (Kd approximately 150 nM) and rat thrombomodulin (Kd approximately 50 nM). A role for thrombomodulin in vivo was shown in mice injected intravenously (IV) with thrombin. All mice injected with 15 U thrombin (bolus) died of thromboembolism (mean survival 55 minutes), whereas those injected with a lower dosage survived. Prior injection with anti-rat thrombomodulin (1.8 mg IgG/mouse) potentiated the lethal effects of subsequent thrombin, whereas injection of thrombomodulin (isolated from mouse lung) prior to thrombin prolonged survival in a thrombomodulin concentration-dependent manner. The protective effect of thrombomodulin persisted for 30 minutes but after one hour thrombin injection was as toxic as in control animals. The half life (t1/2) for plasma clearance of 125I- mouse lung thrombomodulin was nine minutes. The major site of clearance was the liver, although thrombomodulin accumulated in several organs ten minutes after injection. The mechanism by which antithrombomodulin antibodies potentiated the lethal effects of thrombin was studied by measuring the protein C activating cofactor activity on vena cava removed from animals injected with antibodies. Protein C activation was inhibited by antibodies, suggesting a role for activated protein C in prevention of lethal thromboembolism. We found no effect of antibodies on the clearance of thrombin from mouse plasma, suggesting that blockade of endothelial endocytosis of thrombin does not play a significant role in the effects of antibodies. These results indicate that thrombomodulin participates in the defense against thrombosis in vivo.
Increased release of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 accompanies the human mononuclear cell tissue factor response to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Schwartz BS , Monroe MC , Levin EG
Published: October 2019

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with increased release of a plasminogen activator (PA) inhibitor. This response is dose dependent and parallels the LPS-induced expression of PBM tissue factor activity. The PA inhibitors of control and LPS-stimulated PBMs appear identical as both are identified by antibodies to PA inhibitor type 2 of human placenta, but not by antibodies to type 1 inhibitor of bovine aortic endothelial cells. The PA inhibitor is specific for urokinase type PA as determined by the 125I-fibrin plate assay, and direct cleavage of 125I- plasminogen; it does not effectively inhibit tissue-type PA. The inhibitor forms an active site-dependent complex with 125I-urokinase, which then demonstrates an increase in mol wt from 33 kd to 68 kd on reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels. PBMs neither secrete nor express active PA. Hence, the exposure of PBMs to LPS results in conditions highly favorable to fibrin deposition and persistence: increased procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activities, accompanied by no measurable PA. Such modulation of these effectors may be important in the pathogenesis of fibrin characteristically found in tissue lesions of endotoxin-initiated processes.
Successful transplantation of Friend virus-induced preleukemia into stem cell-deficient fetal mice
Authors: Fleischman RA
Published: October 2019

The leukemias induced by the Friend polycythemia virus and other leukemogenic retroviruses have previously not been transplantable until weeks or months after virus inoculation. Because tumor-specific immune mechanisms persist in both irradiated and nude mice, it has not been possible to determine if this result is due to rejection of cells already immortalized by retrovirus infection, or reflects an inherent limitation in the proliferative capacity and malignancy of these “preleukemic” cells. To clarify these issues, we have transplanted virus-infected bone marrow into mouse fetuses that are immunologically immature and thus incapable of graft rejection. We report here that within days of virus inoculation, transplantable cells capable of disease progression in certain fetal hosts can be detected with this technique. These results demonstrate that cells with the capacity for extensive leukemic proliferation arise very early in Friend virus- induced disease. However, successful transplantation was seen only in genetically anemic recipients (Wx/Wv), which are deficient in hematopoietic stem cells, and not in their normal littermates. Thus, in accord with recent in vitro observations, this in vivo data suggests that normal hematopoietic cells, independent of immune mechanisms, can suppress the malignant progression of transformed cells.
Cooperative effect of tumor necrosis factor and gamma-interferon on chemotactic peptide receptor expression and stimulus-induced actin polymerization in HL-60 cells
Authors: Rao KM , Misukonis MA , Cohen HJ , Weinberg JB
Published: October 2019

We studied the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), alone and in combination, on the expression of chemotactic peptide receptors, stimulus-induced actin polymerization, hydrogen peroxide production (H2O2), and expression of nonspecific esterase (NSE) positivity in human promyelocytic leukemic cell line HL- 60. These parameters were analyzed following a five-day culture with the cytokines. Chemotactic peptide receptor expression was studied using the fluoresceinated hexapeptide, formyl-norleucyl-leucyl- phenylalanyl-norleucyl-tyrosyl-lysine and flow cytometry. Actin polymerization, an important event required for chemotaxis and phagocytosis, was studied using NBD-phallacidin labeling, following stimulation with the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl- phenylalanine (FMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). TNF increased the expression of chemotactic peptide receptors in a dose-dependent fashion, and there was good correlation between the receptor expression, stimulus-induced actin polymerization, H2O2 production, and NSE positivity. IFN-gamma was less potent in inducing all the parameters studied but exerted a positive cooperative effect when combined with TNF. IFN-gamma at high concentrations induced chemotactic peptide receptors comparable in magnitude to that seen with TNF but failed to prime these cells to undergo actin polymerization in response to FMLP or PMA. Undifferentiated HL-60 cells showed a decrease in F- actin content on stimulation with PMA. This suggests that protein kinase C might have a negative regulatory role in stimulus-induced actin polymerization. The observations reported here indicate that appropriate combinations of different inducing agents with different modes of action might be necessary to duplicate the functional abilities of mature phagocytic cells.
A soluble activity from adherent marrow cells cooperates with IL 3 in stimulating growth of pluripotential hematopoietic precursors
Authors: Iscove NN , Fagg B , Keller G
Published: October 2019

Marrow cells from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice formed few or no mixed erythroid colonies when plated in semisolid medium with interleukin 3 (IL 3) and erythropoietin (Ep) alone. When conditioned medium (CM) from plastic-adherent marrow or thymus cells was also included, however, growth of mixed erythroid colonies was strongly stimulated. Both IL 3 and the accessory activity (AA) had to be present at the initiation of the cultures for growth to occur. AA was also produced by a cloned immortalized line (95/1.7) of fibroblastoid marrow cells that lacked macrophage-specific cell surface markers. Colony- stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) was also released, but not granulocyte colony-stimulating activity. When 95/1.7 CM was analyzed by gel filtration, AA eluted with an apparent size of 35 kd and separated completely from the CSF-1. Biologic assays failed to detect IL 1 or IL 3 activity in 95/1.7 CM. Growth of mixed erythroid colonies from 5-FU- treated marrow is thus stimulated by adherent marrow cell-derived factors that appear distinct not only from the known CSFs including IL 3, but also from IL 1.
Cytogenetic events after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase
Authors: Arthur CK , Apperley JF , Guo AP , Rassool F , Gao LM , Goldman JM
Published: October 2019

Forty-eight patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase had serial cytogenetic studies of marrow performed at intervals after transplant. Twenty patients received marrow cells from donors of opposite sex. Ph+ marrow metaphases were identified in 24 of 48 (50%) of patients after BMT; they were first seen early (within 1 year) in 16 cases and late (greater than 1 year after BMT) in eight cases. Ph-positivity after BMT occurred more commonly in recipients of T-depleted than nondepleted marrow (19 of 28 v 5 of 20). In 4 cases the Ph+ metaphases were found only transiently after BMT; in 11 cases the Ph+ metaphases have persisted but hematologic relapse has not ensued; in 9 cases the finding of Ph+ metaphases coincided with or preceded hematologic relapse. Chromosomes in cells of donor origin had morphological abnormalities in two cases. No relapses were identified in cells of donor origin. Our data suggest that the relationship between cells of recipient and donor origin is complex: cure of leukemia may depend on factors that operate for some months or years after BMT.
Behavior of plasminogen at the luminal surface of the normal and deendothelialized rabbit aorta in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Hatton MW , Moar SL , Richardson M
Published: October 2019

The behavior of purified rabbit plasminogen at the luminal surface of the uninjured and deendothelialized rabbit aorta has been studied in vivo and in vitro. After intravenous injection, 125I-plasminogen associated rapidly with the endothelium (approximately 0.1 pmol/cm2 at saturation) and passed through to accumulate in the subendothelium. At two to 15 hours after injection, 11 to 15 times more radioactivity was associated with the subendothelium than with the endothelium. Removal of the endothelium by balloon catheter led to a rapid adsorption of 125I-plasminogen by the luminal surface of the vessel; saturation (9.1 pmol/cm2) was attained at ten to 20 minutes after deendothelialization. Of the adsorbed plasminogen (radioactivity), only 2% to 4% was associated with the adherent platelet monolayer. Uptake of 125I- plasminogen by the deendothelialized vessel was not significantly inhibited by epsilon-aminohexanoic acid whether injected before or after the 125I-plasminogen. No evidence of plasmin activity at the aorta surface was found from either transmission electron microscopy studies or from amidolytic assays of plasminogen-saturated deendothelialized aorta samples before or after urokinase treatment. Balloon catheter treatment in vivo, however, generated significant antiplasmin activity of the deendothelialized aorta surface. We conclude that plasmin formed in vivo is probably inactivated by the antiplasmin activity that is associated with the subendothelium.
Cytomegalovirus infection after autologous bone marrow transplantation with comparison to infection after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Wingard JR , Chen DY , Burns WH , Fuller DJ , Braine HG , Yeager AM , Kaiser H , Burke PJ , Graham ML , Santos GW
Published: October 2019

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was detected in 65 of 143 (45%) autologous bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. CMV pneumonitis occurred in only 2% of the patients and CMV retinitis occurred in none. Infection occurred in half of the 40 initially seronegative patients and 47% of the 94 initially seropositive patients. Among initially seropositive patients, platelet recovery was slower in infected patients than in those not infected (97 v 35 days median, P = .003), and neutrophil recovery was slightly delayed in infected patients (31 days v 24 days, P = .02). Although the incidence of CMV infection was comparable in autologous and allogeneic BMT patients, CMV pneumonitis was less frequent in autologous BMT patients (2% v 12%, P less than .001). The risk for CMV pneumonitis in autologous BMT patients was comparable with that in allogeneic BMT patients without graft-v-host disease (GVHD) (2% v 6%), but significantly lower than the risk in allogeneic BMT patients with GVHD (2% v 23%, P less than .001).
Depressed functional and phenotypic properties of T but not B lymphocytes in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Mylvaganam R , Garcia RO , Ahn YS , Sprinz PG , Kim CI , Harrington WJ
Published: October 2019

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which the abnormality in cellular immunity has remained only vaguely defined. Previously we have shown that patients with ITP in its active phase have abnormal T cell subsets. We then examined the phenotypes of T and B lymphocytes in an additional 28 patients with ITP and 32 age- and sex-matched normal controls and compared the lymphocytes' capacity to respond to polyclonal T, T cell-dependent B, and B cell mitogens. Blastogenesis to optimal (5.0 micrograms/mL) and suboptimal (0.5 microgram/mL) concentrations of the polyclonal T cell mitogens were markedly depressed in patients compared with normal controls (P less than .0005). Similarly, a severe depression in response was noted with the polyclonal T cell-dependent B cell mitogen (P less than .000001). No difference was seen, however, with the polyclonal B cell mitogen. The proportions of pan-T and T helper/inducer lymphocytes were significantly depressed (P less than .005 and P less than .000005 respectively), and the T suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes increased (P less than .02) in patients relative to controls. But there was no difference in the proportion of B lymphocytes or in their functional response. The abnormal cellular immunity appears to be due to a defect in the T lymphocyte population without involvement of the B lymphocytes.
Independent regulation of M-CSF and G-CSF gene expression in human monocytes
Authors: Vellenga E , Rambaldi A , Ernst TJ , Ostapovicz D , Griffin JD
Published: October 2019

The macrophage and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, M-CSF and G- CSF, act in vitro to induce proliferation and differentiation of monocyte and granulocyte progenitor cells, respectively. We show here that both of these CSFs can be produced by stimulated human blood monocytes, but the M-CSF and G-CSF genes are independently regulated. Recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3) and GM-CSF primarily induce expression of the M-CSF gene and secretion of M-CSF, whereas bacterial lipopolysaccharide primarily induces expression of the G-CSF gene and secretion of G-CSF. These results suggest that under different conditions of in vitro stimulation the monocyte secretes factors that could lead selectively to either granulocyte or monocyte production.
Attachment of cultured human endothelial cells is promoted by specific association with S protein (vitronectin) as well as with the ternary S protein-thrombin-antithrombin III complex
Authors: Preissner KT , Anders E , Grulich-Henn J , Muller-Berghaus G
Published: October 2019

The interaction of the multifunctional S protein (vitronectin) with cultured human endothelial cells of macrovascular and microvascular origin was investigated. Purified S protein, coated on polystyrene Petri dishes, induced dose-dependent and time-dependent attachment and spreading of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as well as human omental tissue microvascular endothelial cells (HOTMECs) at 37 degrees C. Not only isolated S protein, but also the ternary S protein- thrombin-antithrombin III (STAT) complex promoted attachment of approximately 90% of the cells within 2 hours at an S protein concentration of 0.13 mumol/L. Inhibition of attachment in these experiments was achieved by the addition of the cell-attachment pentapeptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser and by monospecific antibodies against S protein, whereas nonrelated peptides or antibodies against fibronectin, fibrinogen, or von Willebrand factor (vWF) were ineffective. Direct binding of S protein to HUVECs and HOTMECs was studied with cells in suspension at a density of 1 x 10(6) cells/mL and was maximal after 120 minutes. S protein bound to both cell types in a dose-dependent fashion with an estimated dissociation constant Kd = 0.2 mumol/L. At a 200-fold to 500-fold molar excess of unlabeled S protein, greater than 80% of bound radiolabeled S protein was displaceable, whereas binding was reduced to 30% to 50% by addition of the pentapeptide, the STAT complex, or by physiologic concentrations of fibrinogen or vWF as well as Fab fragments of anti(human S protein)IgG, but not by Fab rabbit IgG. These findings present evidence for the specific association of S protein with endothelial cells ultimately leading to attachment and spreading of cells. Moreover, a novel function for the ternary STAT complex, which induced endothelial cell attachment and spreading virtually identical to free S protein, is described. These data further suggest a possible role for S protein during coagulation as major vessel wall-related adhesive protein at sites of vascular injury.
Maintenance treatment of adults with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura using repeated intravenous infusions of gammaglobulin [see comments]
Authors: Bussel JB , Pham LC , Aledort L , Nachman R
Published: October 2019

Intravenous infusion of gammaglobulin (IVGG) has been extensively used in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in adults to acutely raise the platelet count but not as a maintenance therapy. This report describes the maintenance treatment of adults with chronic ITP using repeated infusions of 800 to 1,000 mg/kg of IVGG. Sixteen of 40 patients were able to discontinue all therapy after receiving between one and 15 infusions. Five patients achieved remission and 11 other patients became stable without therapy (SWT) maintaining a platelet count greater than 20,000/microL without bleeding. The average quantity of gammaglobulin received for all patients was 606 g per patient. Of the 30 patients who underwent but did not respond to splenectomy, 11 (37%) were able to discontinue all therapy by either achieving remission (5) or becoming SWT (6). None of the five patients who achieved remission did so after only the initial therapy; all first received between one and 12 maintenance infusions. The ten splenectomized patients who were unresponsive to IVGG also failed to subsequently respond to conventional therapy including immunosuppressive agents and androgens. No toxicity of IVGG was seen except for postinfusion headaches. IVGG is an effective although expensive maintenance therapy for adults with ITP and is useful in patients who have not responded to splenectomy.
Stimulation of murine colony-forming cells with high proliferative potential by the combination of GM-CSF and CSF-1
Authors: McNiece IK , Robinson BE , Quesenberry PJ
Published: October 2019

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has previously been shown to stimulate granulocyte, macrophage, and megakaryocyte lineages to act as an erythroid burst-promoting activity and to stimulate limited replication of spleen colony-forming cells. Here we demonstrate that murine GM-CSF alone or in combination with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) can stimulate colony- forming cells in bone marrow (BM) that have a high proliferative capacity. In cultures of BM from mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (FU) eight days before sampling, GM-CSF alone or in combination with CSF-1 stimulated the formation of large macrophage colonies with diameters greater than 0.5 mm. CSF-1 alone, at 800 units or greater, also stimulated larger colonies; however, these colonies were always less than 1.1 mm in diameter, whereas GM-CSF in combination with CSF-1 stimulated many colonies with diameters between 1 and 4 mm. At all doses of CSF-1 tested, the combination of factors resulted in a synergistic increase in colonies with diameters greater than 1.0 or 2.0 mm. Analysis of the incidence of colony-forming cells in the BM of normal mice and mice 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after FU treatment demonstrated that the progenitor cells stimulated by GM-CSF alone or in combination with CSF-1 were depleted by FU treatment in vivo and regenerated more rapidly than did the macrophage progenitors (M-CFC) stimulated by CSF-1 alone. This is similar to the properties of the previously described high-proliferative potential, colony-forming cell (HPP-CFC) that is responsive to interleukin-3 plus CSF-1 but not the HPP-CFC stimulated by hematopoietin 1 plus CSF-1. These data suggest that GM-CSF plus CSF-1 act synergistically to stimulate a population of progenitor cells that have a high proliferative potential and have properties similar to those of the population of HPP-CFC stimulated by interleukin-3 plus CSF-1.
CD1c but neither CD1a nor CD1b molecules are expressed on normal, activated, and malignant human B cells: identification of a new B-cell subset
Authors: Delia D , Cattoretti G , Polli N , Fontanella E , Aiello A , Giardini R , Rilke F , Della Porta G
Published: October 2019

The CD1 cluster of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c, identifies molecules that are differentially expressed on hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic tissues. Our earlier finding that the mantle zone (MZ) but not the germinal center (GC) of normal lymph nodes (LN) is CD1c+, CD1a-, and CD1b- prompted us to further investigate the expression of these molecules on normal, activated, and malignant B cells. We report that blood and spleen contain CD1c+ B cells that account for 49% +/- 20.4% (mean +/- SD) and 50.9% +/- 4.4% of the total B cell population, respectively. CD1a- and CD1b-specific MoAbs are unreactive with both B and T cells; these latter are CD1c- as well. When CD1c+ and CD1c- B cells are activated in vitro, the CD1c molecule is upregulated in the former subset and induced de novo in the latter. Conversely, activated blood T cells remain CD1c-. Neither CD1a nor CD1b molecules are detected on activated T and B lymphocytes. At ultrastructural level, the CD1c+ B cells exhibit distinctive features, namely, condensed chromatin with or without a nucleolus and a unique cluster of cytoplasmic vesicles and organelles; the number of nucleolated cells is higher in the spleen (95%) than in the tonsil (40%) or blood (5%). These findings further confirm the similarity between blood and MZ B cells. The CD1c expression assessed on 27 B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemias (B-CLL) and 46 B non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) was detected on 41% and 32% of cases, respectively; the latter comprised four follicular and 11 diffuse histotypes. The Burkitt's lymphomas were CD1c-negative. The B-cell neoplasms were all CD1a- and, except for four with a weak cytoplasmic staining, all CD1b- as well. The clear-cut CD1c distribution in normal LN (MZ+, GC-) contrasted with the evidence that some B-NHL cells of GC origin (eg, follicular with predominantly small cleaved cells) were CD1c+. Overall, the finding that CD1c expression is restricted to a fraction of B cells present in lymphoid organs and in peripheral blood indicates that CD1c is a powerful marker for the identification and dissection of B-cell subsets whose functional properties can now be evaluated.
Characteristic karyotypic pattern in T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders with reactive "angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia-type" features
Authors: Kaneko Y , Maseki N , Sakurai M , Takayama S , Nanba K , Kikuchi M , Frizzera G
Published: October 2019

We report the clinical, histological, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic findings in ten patients with T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders demonstrating reactive “angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD)-type” features. Fifteen available specimens were diagnosed as atypical hyperplasias (four) or malignant lymphomas (11). The latter were classified as AILD-type (five), T-zone (four), lymphoepithelioid (one), and low-grade, unclassified lymphoma (one). Despite the histologic differences, all these lesions shared minor nuclear atypicalities and reactive AILD-type features such as prominent vascularity, plasma cells, eosinophils, macrophages, and residual germinal centers. All lesions were immunophenotyped as predominantly T cell. The chromosome pattern was characterized by the frequent presence of karyotypically unrelated abnormal clones and/or cells with nonclonal chromosome abnormalities, a large population of normal mitotic cells, and a high incidence of trisomies 3 and 5. Sequential cytogenetic and histologic studies in five patients revealed that atypical hyperplasia and lymphoma with AILD-type features shared the same cytogenetic characteristics, ie, an unstable coexistence of normal mitotic cells and small-clonal and/or nonclonal abnormal cells, and that histologic transformation from low-grade lymphoma to immunoblastic lymphoma was accompanied by a selective proliferation of abnormal clonal cells. The AILD-type histology and the characteristic karyotypic pattern may be the expression of a specific pathogenesis and may warrant the separation of these neoplasias from other peripheral T-cell lymphomas.
Rheologic impairment of sickle RBCs induced by repetitive cycles of deoxygenation-reoxygenation
Authors: Nash GB , Johnson CS , Meiselman HJ
Published: October 2019

The transformation of less-dense, discoidal homozygous sickle cells (HbSS) RBCs into dehydrated, rheologically impaired cells is believed to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease. We investigated this process by subjecting the less-dense fraction of HbSS RBCs, which contains a low percentage of irreversibly sickled cells (ISCs), to cyclic deoxygenation-reoxygenation for 15 hours at 37 degrees C. This incubation procedure caused cell shrinkage, shifts in intracellular Na and K content, and formation of ISCs that closely resembled endogenous ISCs found in sickle blood. The viscoelasticity of the treated cells was tested using micropipette techniques to measure the membrane shear elastic modulus (mu) and the time constant for extensional shape recovery (tc); mu represents the “static rigidity” of the cells, and the product mu.tc was taken as a measure of their “dynamic rigidity”. Density separation of the incubated cells showed that their rheologic impairment (ie, elevation of both static and dynamic rigidities) paralleled cellular dehydration and that the newly formed dense cells had viscoelastic characteristics very similar to those of endogenous dense cells. Rehydration by osmotic swelling tended to normalize the dynamic rigidities of dense cells but had no significant effect on their static rigidities. Thus, cellular dehydration contributes to the observed changes of viscoelasticity, although an irreversible alteration of membrane structure also appears to be involved. Dense ISCs could be formed without added calcium, implying that entry of external calcium is not an essential requirement for cellular dehydration; ISCs formed without calcium tended to be less rigid (ie, to have lower static and dynamic rigidities) than those formed with calcium. Our results indicate that the cyclic incubation procedure closely mimics RBC rheologic deterioration in vivo and thus suggest its usefulness as a model for investigating this phenomenon.
Alternating-day cyclosporine and prednisone for treatment of high-risk chronic graft-v-host disease
Authors: Sullivan KM , Witherspoon RP , Storb R , Deeg HJ , Dahlberg S , Sanders JE , Appelbaum FR , Doney KC , Weiden P , Anasetti C
Published: October 2019

Therapy of chronic graft-v-host disease (GVHD) has been unsatisfactory in patients with platelet counts less than 100,000/microL. Survival at 5 years after marrow transplant is only 26% in such patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and every other day with prednisone. Since October 1982, 61 patients with high-risk extensive chronic GVHD were treated with a new alternating-day regimen of prednisone (1 mg/kg every other day) and oral cyclosporine (6 mg/kg every 12 hours every other day) with one double-strength TMP-SMX tablet twice daily. Forty patients (group I) received primary treatment of thrombocytopenic chronic GVHD (median platelet count 35 [range 7 to 87] x 10(3)/microL). Twenty-one patients (group II) received salvage treatment after failing initial prednisone +/- azathioprine. Twenty-one patients in group I and 15 in group II survive with a minimum of 2 years and a median of 3.7 years follow-up. At 4 years after transplant, actuarial survival is 51% (group I) and 67% (group II). Causes of death included interstitial pneumonia (six), relapse (five), GVHD without infection (five), infection (four), organ failure (three), and hemorrhage (two). Mortality increased with the progressive type onset of chronic GVHD and treatment failure. Toxicity included hypertension (13), nephrotoxicity (nine), nausea (seven), aseptic necrosis (five), neurologic abnormalities (four), and diabetes (three). Median cyclosporine levels at four and 36 hours were 296 and 64 ng/mL, respectively. Four patients required permanent discontinuation of cyclosporine, but none required renal dialysis. Karnofsky performance scores for 25 survivors are 90% to 100%, scores for six survivors are 70% to 89%, and scores for five survivors are less than 70%. Alternating-day cyclosporine and prednisone has acceptable toxicity and appears to improve survival in patients with high-risk chronic GVHD.
Determination of the N-terminal sequence of human red cell Rh(D) polypeptide and demonstration that the Rh(D), (c), and (E) antigens are carried by distinct polypeptide chains
Authors: Bloy C , Blanchard D , Dahr W , Beyreuther K , Salmon C , Cartron JP
Published: October 2019

Human monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against the blood group Rh(D), (c), and (E) antigens produced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)- transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines have been used to characterize the Rh components of human red cell membranes and to determine whether the Rh(D), (c), and (E) epitopes are carried by distinct polypeptides. After immunoprecipitation with the anti-Rh(D) antibody and preparative gel electrophoresis, a homogenous preparation of the Rh(D) protein was obtained from two different erythrocyte samples (Blo and D--/D--), which have an increased density of Rh(D) antigen. Both preparations exhibited the same N-terminal sequence (S)-(S)-K-Y-P-R-S-V-R-R-(L)-L-P- L-X-A, indicating that different Rh(D)-positive red cells are carrying a similar Rh(D) protein. Comparative immunoprecipitation studies with the human monoclonal anti-Rh(D), (c), and (E) antibodies have also shown that Rh components from intact and papain-treated erythrocytes have similar apparent mol wt of 30 to 32 Kd and are buried in the lipid bilayer and are not readily available to the proteolytic enzyme. Further investigations by indirect affinity chromatography and one- dimensional peptide mapping of the Rh(D), (c), and (E) molecules immunopurified from a single red cell sample demonstrate that a common Rh haplotype encodes three distinct polypeptide chains carrying the Rh(D), (c), and (E) epitopes, respectively.
Evidence that calpains and elastase do not produce the von Willebrand factor fragments present in normal plasma and IIA von Willebrand disease
Authors: Berkowitz SD , Nozaki H , Titani K , Murachi T , Plow EF , Zimmerman TS
Published: October 2019

Recent evidence suggests that proteolysis plays an important role in some forms of inherited and acquired von Willebrand disease (vWD). Because calpains and one or more enzymes released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes are known to proteolyze von Willebrand factor (vWF) in vitro with resultant loss of large multimers similar to that seen in IIA vWD, they have been suggested as being responsible for the proteolysis in vivo. Using monoclonal epitope mapping, we have examined the proteolysis of the vWF subunit by porcine calcium- activated neutral proteases (calpains) and human leukocyte elastase to determine whether they produce the vWF proteolytic cleavage products seen in normal individuals and IIA vWD. Purified vWF was digested with porcine calpains I and II. We found no difference in the size, location, and quantity of the fragments produced by calpain I v calpain II. New fragments were detected of approximately 200, 170, 150, and 125 Kd. There was no evidence for generation of the native 140 and 176 Kd fragments. Some loss of the native fragments was seen, which suggests that they were further cleaved. Epitope mapping of the 170- and 150-Kd calpain-cleaved fragments revealed them to be from different parts of the molecule than the regions from which the native 176- and 140-Kd fragments derived. This was further supported by determination of the amino-terminal sequence of the calpain-cleaved 170- and 150-Kd fragments. Digestion of vWF with human leukocyte elastase produced new fragments at 210/205, 190, 170/165, 145/140, and 130/125 Kd. No generation of native fragments was detected. Monoclonal epitope mapping of the 145/140-Kd elastase-cleaved band proved that it derived from the carboxyl-terminal portion of the vWF molecule, whereas the native 140- Kd fragment is derived from the amino-terminal end. Neither calpains nor human leukocyte elastase produced the proteolyzed fragments present in normal and IIA vWD and, therefore, probably do not cause the loss of large multimers that is seen in that disorder.
In vivo effect of human erythroid-potentiating activity on hematopoiesis in mice
Authors: Niskanen E , Gasson JC , Teates CD , Golde DW
Published: October 2019

Endotoxin-free purified recombinant human erythroid-potentiating activity (EPA) was administered to normal and bled mice. In anemic ICR mice EPA treatment led to a significant increase in the number of reticulocytes in the peripheral blood and erythroid precursors in the spleen. Stimulation of CFU-E and BFU-E in the spleen was also observed in C3H/HEJ mice, which excluded the possibility of endotoxin effect. Unchanged, 51Cr-tagged red cell survival and lack of radioactivity in the stool or urine suggests that the EPA stimulation of erythropoiesis was not due to hemolysis or bleeding. Thus, EPA has an effect on erythropoiesis in anemic mice in vivo.
Mutations of factor VIII cleavage sites in hemophilia A
Authors: Gitschier J , Kogan S , Levinson B , Tuddenham EG
Published: October 2019

Hemophilia A is caused by a defect in coagulation factor VIII, a protein that undergoes extensive proteolysis during its activation and inactivation. To determine whether some cases of hemophilia are caused by mutations in important cleavage sites, we screened patient DNA samples for mutations in these sites by a two-step process. Regions of interest were amplified from genomic DNA by repeated rounds of primer- directed DNA synthesis. The amplified DNAs were then screened for mutations by discriminant hybridization using oligonucleotide probes. Two cleavage site mutations were found in a survey of 215 patients. A nonsense mutation in the activated protein C cleavage site at amino acid 336 was discovered in a patient with severe hemophilia. In another severely affected patient, a mis-sense mutation results in a substitution of cysteine for arginine in the thrombin activation site at amino acid 1689. This defect is associated with no detectable factor VIII activity, but with normal levels of factor VIII antigen. The severe hemophilia in this patient was sporadic; analysis of the mother suggested that the mutation originated in her gametes or during her embryogenesis. The results demonstrate that this approach can be used to identify factor VIII gene mutations in regions of the molecule known to be important for function.
DDAVP and epinephrine-induced changes in the localization of von Willebrand factor antigen in endothelial cells of human oral mucosa
Authors: Takeuchi M , Nagura H , Kaneda T
Published: October 2019

A peroxidase-labeled antibody technique revealed von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) in rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), the perinuclear region, and the cytoplasmic vesicles of capillary endothelial cells in oral mucosa. After administration of epinephrine or 1-deamino-8-D- arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), the localization of vWF:Ag was shown to have changed to the basement membrane and the surrounding interstitium. This change of vWF:Ag localization induced by epinephrine and DDAVP may play a role in the adhesion of platelets to subendothelium following endothelial injury during surgery and may be an unknown hemostatic effect of these drugs.
Stability of antigens on leukocytes in banked platelet concentrates: decline in HLA-DR antigen expression and mixed lymphocyte culture stimulating capacity following storage
Authors: Sherman ME , Dzik WH
Published: October 2019

Repeatedly transfused thrombocytopenic patients frequently form antibodies directed against human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and become unresponsive to random donor platelet transfusions. Although exposure to foreign antigens borne on donor leukocytes appears necessary to provoke primary sensitization, the stability of leukocyte antigens during routine platelet storage is largely unknown. Accordingly, we serially measured the expression of surface markers on leukocytes derived from platelet concentrates during storage using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Our results indicate that the expression of class I HLA antigens, Leu-4 (T cell), and HLe-1 (pan leukocyte) remained stable on lymphocytes under standard platelet storage conditions, but that the percentage of lymphocytes bearing class II HLA antigens declined significantly over time. This decline in lymphocyte HLA class II expression was associated with a significantly diminished ability of stored leukocytes to stimulate blastogenesis in mixed lymphocyte culture. However, leukocytes retained the ability to respond in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) following storage. We also performed studies on lymphocytes cultured in the presence of cyclohexamide, which suggested that the expression of class I HLA antigens and B2 microglobulin are highly sensitive to the inhibition of protein synthesis, whereas the expression of class II HLA antigens, Leu- 4, and HLe-1 are not. Our results may prove useful in understanding the mechanisms that lead to platelet refractoriness and in designing strategies to prevent HLA alloimmunization.
Relapse cell population differs from acute onset clone as shown by absence of the initially activated N-ras oncogene in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Senn HP , Jiricny J , Fopp M , Schmid L , Moroni C
Published: October 2019

We have conducted a follow-up study of a patient with myelomonocytic leukemia exhibiting an N-ras mutation (Gln61----Lys61) using the polymerase chain reaction method and synthetic oligonucleotide hybridization probes. This method allowed us to detect as little as 3% of N-ras-mutated cells within a population. When the patient went into clinical remission, the mutation became undetectable. When a relapse occurred, the blasts did not carry the N-ras mutation. Analysis of M13 cloned amplified N-ras sequences from relapse DNA revealed exclusively the wild type allele of the N-ras gene. These findings suggest that the relapse cell population is derived from a different clone than the acute phase population. Furthermore, the data argue that N-ras mutation is not an initiating lesion in this case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML).
Establishment and characterization of an amylase-producing human myeloma cell line
Authors: Matsuzaki H , Hata H , Takeya M , Takatsuki K
Published: October 2019

Two stable lines of IgA lambda-producing plasma cells (KHM-1A and KHM- 1B) that were free of the Epstein-Barr virus were established from a patient with multiple myeloma complicated by hyperamylasemia. Surface marker studies of the two cell lines showed that the cells had no surface immunoglobulins but were positive for cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (IgA lambda) and for HLA-DR and PCA-1. Secretion of IgA monoclonal immunoglobulin by the two lines was detected by a plaque- forming cell assay and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of culture media. KHM-1B cells also secreted alpha-amylase, but no such activity was detected in the culture-conditioned supernatant fluid of KHM-1A.
Laotian (delta beta) degree-thalassemia: molecular characterization of a novel deletion associated with increased production of fetal hemoglobin
Authors: Zhang JW , Stamatoyannopoulos G , Anagnou NP
Published: October 2019

We have identified and molecularly characterized a novel deletion in the beta-globin gene cluster that increases fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis in a 24-year-old Laotian man who is heterozygous for this mutation. The patient is asymptomatic with a mild anemia, hypochromia, and microcytosis (Ht = 39%, MCH = 22.8 pg, MCV = 71 fl), normal levels of HbA2 (3.0%) and 11.5% HbF (G gamma A gamma ratio 60 to 40), with heterocellular distribution (52% F cells). Extensive restriction endonuclease mapping defined the 5′ breakpoint within the IVS II of the delta-globin gene, between positions 775 to 781 very similar to the 5′ breakpoint of the Sicilian delta beta-thalassemia. However, the 3′ breakpoint was localized between two Pst I sites 4.7 kb 3′ of the beta- globin gene, thus ending about 0.7 kb upstream from the 3′ breakpoint of the Sicilian delta beta-thalassemia. This results in a 12.5 kb deletion of DNA. It is of interest that the 5′ breakpoint of the deletion residues within an AT-rich region which has been proposed as a specific recognition signal for recombination events, while the 3′ breakpoint lies within a cluster of L1 repetitive sequences (formerly known as Kpn I family repeats). The presence of the 3′ breakpoints of several other deletions within this region of L1 repeats also suggests that such sequences might serve as hot spots for recombination and eventually lead to thalassemia deletions. The similarity of the 5′ and 3′ breakpoints of these delta beta-thalassemias underscores the putative regulatory role of the deleted and juxtaposed sequences on the expression of the gamma-globin genes in adult life.
Uncoupling in the expression of platelet GP IIb/IIIa in human endothelial cells and K562 cells: absence of immunologic crossreactivity between platelet GP IIb and the vitronectin receptor alpha chain [see comments]
Authors: Kieffer N , Wautier JL , Coulombel L , Titeux M , Wautier MP , Vainchenker W , Ruan C , Breton-Gorius J
Published: October 2019

Platelet glycoproteins (GP) IIb and IIIa exist as noncovalently associated Ca++-dependent heterodimer complexes within the platelet membrane and express the major platelet alloantigens Leka (Baka) and PIA1 (Zwa), which are genetic markers of GP IIb and GP IIIa, respectively. Since heterodimers immunologically related to platelet GP IIb/IIIa have been identified in a number of nucleated cell types, we tested anti-Leka and anti-PIA1 antiserum, polyclonal anti-platelet GP IIb/IIIa IgG, as well as a panel of 28 monoclonal anti-GP IIb, GP IIIa, or complex dependent anti-GP IIb/IIIa antibodies on endothelial cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the erythroleukemic cells HEL and K562 in order to determine whether nucleated cell GP IIb/IIIa related proteins and platelet GP IIb/IIIa are immunologically related. Using immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation experiments, evidence is presented that (1) the alloantigen Leka is not expressed in endothelial cells of an individual whose platelets are of the Leka/PIA1 phenotype, whereas the PIA1 alloantigen is readily detectable in these cells, (2) that in contrast to HEL cells, which express platelet GP IIb/IIIa and are of the Leka/PIA1 phenotype, platelet GP IIb is immunologically undetectable in 12-O-tetradecanoyl- phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated K562 cells despite the presence of platelet GP IIIa, and (3) that peripheral blood mononuclear cells do not express platelet GP IIb or GP IIIa on their cell surface.
B-lymphocytic hairy cells contain no HTLV-II DNA sequences
Authors: Lion T , Razvi N , Golomb HM , Brownstein RH
Published: October 2019

HTLV-II has been found in some cases of the rare T-cell form of hairy- cell leukemia (HCL) and in a leukopenic chronic T-cell leukemia mimicking HCL. We asked whether the virus is implicated in the more frequent B-cell form of HCL. DNA extracted from the mononuclear cells derived from spleen (eight cases) or peripheral blood (eight cases) of 16 patients with the B-cell form of HCL was probed. No viral sequences were detected at levels of sensitivity as low as one viral genome in five cells. Therefore HTLV-II may not be involved in the B-cell form of HCL.