bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of very late activation antigen-3 (VLA-3)/VLA-4 in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Baldini L , Cro L , Calori R , Nobili L , Silvestris I , Maiolo AT
Published: October 2019

The expression of beta 1 (very late activation antigens, VLA 1–6) and beta 2 integrins (leukocyte adhesion molecules [Leu-CAM]) in cell suspensions from the peripheral blood of 70 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), 15 patients with leukemic lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation (IDL), as well as from the lymph nodes of 20 patients with low/intermediate-grade non- Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was studied with the aim of characterizing their adhesive phenotype and evaluating its relationship to clinical behavior. CD11a(LFA-1) was more expressed in NHL and IDL than in B-CLL (P = .047), although it was demonstrable in 74.2% of cases; CD11c was more expressed in B-CLL (P less than .0001), and its expression was preserved in almost all of the cases of small lymphocytic lymphoma. In NHL patients, including the cases of IDL, VLA-3 expression was observable in 8 of 35 cases (although always at a low level of intensity), while VLA-4 was almost constantly expressed in a way that was similar to its expression in control normal B cells. On the contrary, in B-CLL patients, VLA-3 was expressed (prevalently at high levels) in 87.1% of cases and VLA-4 only in 37.1%. No correlation was found between adhesion molecule patterns and the clinical features of the diseases. The biofunctional significance of the imbalance of VLA-3 and VLA-4 expression in B-CLL is not easy to explain, but it has undoubted intrinsic value as an additional marker for distinguishing B- CLL from, in particular, those B-cell neoplasms (such as IDL) that share many of the immunocytomorphologic characteristics and the putative normal counterpart (the mantle zone) of B-CLL.
An approach for the analysis of relapse and marrow reconstitution after autologous marrow transplantation using retrovirus-mediated gene transfer
Authors: Rill DR , Moen RC , Buschle M , Bartholomew C , Foreman NK , Mirro J Jr , Krance RA , Ihle JN , Brenner MK
Published: October 2019

Autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) is widely used as treatment for malignant disease. Although the major cause of treatment failure is relapse, it is unknown if this arises entirely because of residual disease in the patient or whether contaminating cells in the rescuing marrow contribute. Attempts to purge marrow of its putative residual malignant cells may delay hematopoietic reconstitution and are of uncertain efficacy. We now describe how retrovirus-mediated gene transfer may be used to elucidate the source of relapse after ABMT for acute myeloid leukemia and to evaluate the efficacy of purging. Clonogenic myeloid leukemic blast cells in patient marrow can be transduced with the NeoR gene-containing helper-free retrovirus, LNL6, with an efficacy of 0% to 23.5% (mean, 10.5%). Transduced colonies grow in selective media and the presence of the marker gene can be confirmed in individual malignant colonies by polymerase chain reaction. If such malignant cells remain in harvested “remission” marrow, they will therefore be marked after exposure to LNL6. Detection of the marker gene in the malignant cells present at any later relapse would be firm evidence that residual disease contributed to disease recurrence, and would permit rapid subsequent evaluation of purging techniques. The technique also marks normal marrow progenitors from patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. These colony-forming cells can be detected in long-term marrow cultures at a frequency of 1% to 18% for up to 10 weeks after exposure to the vector. Animal models and analysis of probability tables both suggest that these levels of marking in vitro are sufficient to provide information about the mechanisms of relapse and the biology of marrow regeneration in vivo. These preclinical data form part of the basis for current clinical studies of gene transfer into marrow before ABMT.
Prognostic value of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in chronic lymphoid leukemia
Authors: del Giglio A , O'Brien S , Ford R , Saya H , Manning J , Keating M , Johnston D , Khetan R , el-Naggar A , Deisseroth A
Published: October 2019

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a usually indolent disease that can assume an aggressive clinical course in some patients. To develop assays that would be predictive of how a particular patient's disease would evolve, we studied the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by Western blotting in 40 patients with CLL. The concentration of PCNA, a cofactor for delta DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, is indicative of the proliferative state of the cell. Significantly lower PCNA levels were observed in earlier stage CLL when compared with more advanced disease. The leukemic cell proliferative rate, assessed by lymphocyte doubling time and flow cytometry, also correlated significantly with the level of PCNA expression. These results suggest that a high level of PCNA in the cells of CLL patients at presentation identifies a subgroup of patients whose CLL cells have a higher proliferative activity and who may, therefore, have a potentially shorter survival.
Release of platelet-activating factor is important for the respiratory burst induced in human eosinophils by opsonized particles
Authors: Tool AT , Koenderman L , Kok PT , Blom M , Roos D , Verhoeven AJ
Published: October 2019

The respiratory burst induced in human eosinophils by serum-treated zymosan (STZ) was found to be almost completely prevented by preincubation of the cells with WEB 2086, an antagonist of platelet- activating factor (PAF). When eosinophils were primed by the addition of 1 mumol/L PAF, subsequent addition of WEB 2086 had only a minor effect on the STZ-induced respiratory burst. These results suggest a role for PAF synthesis and PAF release in the activation of the respiratory burst by STZ. Indeed, supernatant of STZ-stimulated eosinophils was able to prime fresh eosinophils (as did PAF itself), and this effect was again inhibited by WEB 2086. This indicates that eosinophils synthesize and release PAF during STZ stimulation. Measurements of total PAF and PAF release showed that most of the PAF synthesized by eosinophils was released in the extracellular medium. This study shows that synthesis and release of PAF is important for respiratory burst activity induced in human eosinophils by STZ.
Transcriptional and posttranscriptional modulation of human neutrophil elastase gene expression
Authors: Yoshimura K , Crystal RG
Published: October 2019

Human neutrophil elastase (NE), a 29-Kd potent serine protease stored in azurophilic granules of mature neutrophils, is coded for by the NE gene, a single copy gene with 5 exons spanning a 6-kb segment of chromosome 11 at q14. With the knowledge that the NE gene expression is limited to early myeloid cell differentiation, mechanisms modulating expression of the NE gene were evaluated in the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line, a model of early bone marrow precursor cells. Consistent with the presence of NE messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts in undifferentiated HL-60 cells, nuclear transcription run-on analyses showed that HL-60 cells actively transcribed the NE gene. However, the transcription rate of the NE gene was relatively low, only 40% of the myeloperoxidase gene, a gene expressed in parallel with NE. When induced toward the mononuclear phagocytic lineage with phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate (PMA), HL-60 cells exhibited marked suppression of NE gene transcription, declining to 17% of the resting rate within 2 days. Induction toward mononuclear phagocytic lineage differentiation caused no change in NE mRNA transcript half-life (T1/2), but mRNA levels decreased markedly over time, with levels undetectable 1.5 days after PMA stimulation. In contrast, when induced toward the myelocytic lineage with dimethyl sulfoxide, the rate of NE gene transcription increased 1.9-fold within 5 days. Interestingly, the mRNA transcript levels increased 2.5-fold by 5 days despite the fact that induction toward myelocytic lineage differentiation was accompanied by a marked reduction of NE mRNA transcript T1/2. Together, these observations suggest that the NE gene expression during bone marrow differentiation is modulated mainly at the transcriptional level, with some posttranscriptional modulation contributing, particularly during myelocytic lineage differentiation.
Onset of erythropoietin response in murine erythroid colony-forming units: assignment to early S-phase in a specific cell generation
Authors: Landschulz KT , Boyer SH , Noyes AN , Rogers OC , Frelin LP
Published: October 2019

Murine erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E) representing successive cell generations in a six-generation long in vitro maturation sequence were tested for their response to erythropoietin (Epo) by measurement of Epo-exposure times necessary to stimulate heme biosynthesis. Generation I CFU-E, which produce mainly 32-cell erythroid colonies, were isolated in 82% average purity from spleens of thiamphenicol- treated anemic animals via differential centrifugation. Generation II CFU-E, which produce mainly 16-cell colonies, were similarly isolated in 51% average purity. Although both types of CFU-E had equivalent dose sensitivity to and affinity for Epo, generation II CFU-E responded to shorter pulses of Epo than did generation I. Correlations between DNA cell-cycle profiles and 59Fe-heme biosynthesis resulting from pulsed exposures established that appreciable Epo response only begins when CFU-E attain early S-phase of generation II. Because CFU-E did not require Epo or other serum factors to pass from generation I to II and because the onset of Epo responsiveness coincided with the beginning of DNA replication in generation II, we suppose that differentiation has reprogrammed one or more of the events associated with generation II S- phase in CFU-E and that these alterations allow Epo to act. Further comparisons between CFU-E from generation I and II may allow us to identify the alterations in question and the nature of their interaction with Epo.
Prevention of hepatic veno-occlusive disease after bone marrow transplantation by continuous infusion of low-dose heparin: a prospective, randomized trial [see comments]
Authors: Attal M , Huguet F , Rubie H , Huynh A , Charlet JP , Payen JL , Voigt JJ , Brousset P , Selves J , Muller C
Published: October 2019

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a major regimen-related toxicity after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Endothelial injury, leading to deposition of coagulation factors within the terminal hepatic venules, is believed to be the key event in the pathogenesis of VOD. To evaluate the benefit and the safety of a VOD prophylaxis with anticoagulants, we conducted a prospective randomized trial of continuous infusion of low-dose heparin among 161 patients under-going either allogeneic (n = 79) or autologous BMT (n = 81). Patients were randomized to receive (n = 81) or not receive (n = 80) prophylactic heparin 100 U/kg/d by continuous infusion from day -8 until day +30 post-BMT. Heparin was found to be highly effective in preventing VOD, which occurred in 11 of 80 patients (13.7%) in the control group versus 2 of 81 (2.5%) in the heparin group (P less than .01). Furthermore, none of the 39 patients in the heparin group developed VOD after allogeneic BMT, versus 7 of 38 (18.4%) in the control group (P less than .01). This prophylactic effect was achieved without added risk of bleeding. Indeed, the low-dose heparin we used did not prolong the partial thromboplastin time and did not increase the red blood cell and platelet requirements. It is therefore recommended that heparin prophylaxis be part of early mortality prevention programs after BMT.
Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous recombinant human granulocyte colony- stimulating factor in children
Authors: Stute N , Santana VM , Rodman JH , Schell MJ , Ihle JN , Evans WE
Published: October 2019

Fifteen children (age 1.2 to 9.4 years) with advanced neuroblastoma were treated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, doxorubicin) followed by 5 (n = 5), 10 (n = 5), or 15 (n = 5) micrograms/kg recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG- CSF) subcutaneously (SC) once daily for 10 days, starting the day after chemotherapy. Serial serum samples obtained on days 1 and 10 were analyzed for G-CSF activity by a specific proliferation assay using NFS- 60 cells. G-CSF serum concentration-time data were best described by a one-compartment model, with zero-order absorption and first-order elimination. After SC injection, absorption was prolonged, with peak concentrations of G-CSF (3 to 117 ng/mL) being reached after 4 to 12 hours. The relatively slow absorption, with a mean elimination half- life of 5.8 hours on day 1 and 4.5 hours on day 10, provided measurable G-CSF concentrations for the entire 24-hour dosing interval in all patients at each dosage level. The median apparent clearance of G-CSF on day 10 was significantly higher than on day 1 (0.57 v 0.31 mL/min/kg, P = .02), and was positively correlated with the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (r2 = .33, P = .003). Systemic exposure to G-CSF was dose-related, but interpatient pharmacokinetic variability yielded overlap in area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) at all three dosage levels. Stepwise regression analysis showed that G-CSF AUC could be predicted by a model that includes rG-CSF dosage and ANC on the day of administration (r2 = .82, P = .0001).
Enhancement of murine hematopoiesis by synergistic interactions between steel factor (ligand for c-kit), interleukin-11, and other early acting factors in culture
Authors: Tsuji K , Lyman SD , Sudo T , Clark SC , Ogawa M
Published: October 2019

Entry into the cell cycle of dormant hematopoietic progenitors appears to be regulated by multiple synergistic factors, including interleukin- 6 (IL-6), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), IL-11, and the ligand for c-kit, which is also known as steel factor (SF). We have tested the effects of these and other hematopoietic factors on the proliferation of partially enriched dormant murine progenitors in the presence and absence of serum. In serum-containing cultures, SF and IL- 11 interacted to support the formation of multilineage colonies; the level of colony formation was comparable with the colony formation supported by other effective two-factor combinations. In serum-free cultures, colony formation supported by two factors was significantly less than that in serum-containing culture and the most effective two- factor combination in serum-free culture was SF plus IL-3. In serum- free cultures, three-factor combinations consisting of SF, IL-3, and one of IL-6, G-CSF, or IL-11 yielded colony formation that was comparable with that seen in serum-containing cultures. These studies indicate that IL-11 belongs to a group of early-acting hematopoietic synergistic factors that now includes IL-6, G-CSF, and IL-11. In contrast, SF is unique among the synergistic factors in that it interacts either with growth factors such as IL-3 or GM-CSF or with synergistic factors such as IL-6, IL-11, or G-CSF.
The clonal proliferation of normal mouse hematopoietic cells: enhancement and suppression by colony-stimulating factor combinations
Authors: Metcalf D , Nicola NA
Published: October 2019

Combinations of relatively high concentrations of the four colony- stimulating factors (CSFs) in cultures of normal mouse bone marrow cells stimulated subadditive responses in the number of colonies developing but, with some combinations, superadditive increases in mean cell numbers per colony. This latter effect was due largely to the induced development of small numbers of giant colonies containing macrophages with or without granulocytes. However, in cultures including a combination of granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) with macrophage-CSF (M-CSF), a selective reduction in the number of pure macrophage colonies was observed together with a change in the morphology of those colonies that did develop. Recloning studies on macrophage colonies showed that the inhibitory action of the GM-CSF plus M-CSF combination was a direct one on the colony cells. The example of inhibition observed suggests that combined stimulation by two positive growth factors can sometimes result in a selective reduction of the production of certain cells, a possibility needing further exploration.
Induction of tissue factor activity in endothelial cells and monocytes by a modified form of albumin present in normal human plasma
Authors: Faucette KJ , Parker CJ , McCluskey T , Bernshaw NJ , Rodgers GM
Published: October 2019

Molecules that induce tissue factor expression by responsive cells such as endothelial cells and monocytes may be important in the regulation of hemostasis and, perhaps, in mediating certain hemostatic disorders. A constituent of normal human plasma capable of inducing tissue factor activity in human endothelial cells and monocytes has been isolated and identified as a derivative of, or modification associated with albumin. Procoagulant albumin caused a concentration-dependent induction of tissue factor expression by human endothelial cells, but bovine endothelial cells were unresponsive. The dose-response curve developed a plateau phase, indicating that the capacity of endothelial cells to respond to the stimulus was finite. The maximum response induced by the procoagulant albumin was similar to that observed for maximally effective concentrations of endotoxin, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor. Time-course studies showed that procoagulant albumin produced peak activity in 4 to 6 hours. Identification of a procoagulant form of albumin in normal human plasma suggests a potential role for this constituent in regulation of hemostasis.
Genes for beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 are closely linked and form part of a cluster of related genes on chromosome 4
Authors: Tunnacliffe A , Majumdar S , Yan B , Poncz M
Published: October 2019

The small inducible gene (SIG) family encodes related proteins that are involved in the overlapping processes of coagulation, inflammation, immune response, and wound repair. This family contains two branches, termed CXC and CC, which are distinguished by whether or not the first two of four conserved cysteine residues are separated by an additional amino acid residue. All of the CXC SIGs map to chromosome 4, including those encoding beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), both of which are expressed by megakaryocytes in a tissue- specific fashion. Both of these latter two genes have been previously reported to be duplicated, there being a PF4 and a PF4alt gene, and a beta TG1 and beta TG2 gene. We now show by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) that the beta TG genes are closely linked to the PF4 genes and to other previously mapped CXC SIGs, namely IL8 (encoding interleukin-8), GRO1 (encoding a cytokine also called melanoma growth- stimulatory activity), and two related genes GRO2 and GRO3, on a single 700-kb Sfil fragment localized to chromosome bands 4q12-q13. The only CXC SIG not linked to this cluster is that encoding gamma-interferon- induced 10-Kd protein (INP10), which has been previously localized to 4q21. Analysis of lambda genomic clones demonstrate that the beta TG1 and PF4 genes are separated by less than 7 kb, and the beta TG2 and PF4alt genes by approximately 5 kb. Within each beta TG/PF4 duplication, the beta TG-like gene is upstream of its linked PF4-like gene. Thus, the beta TG/PF4 genes appear to form a close-linked complex expressed in a megakaryocyte-specific fashion. Further genomic studies may provide additional insights into the regulation of the tissue- specific expression of the beta TG/PF4 gene complex, while further analysis of the linked CXC SIG cytokine family may provide further understanding of their evolutionary history.
Isolation, characterization, and immunoprecipitation studies of immune complexes from membranes of beta-thalassemic erythrocytes
Authors: Yuan J , Kannan R , Shinar E , Rachmilewitz EA , Low PS
Published: October 2019

beta-Thalassemia, a hemoglobinopathy that results in the precipitation of denatured alpha-globin chains on the membrane, is characterized by erythrocytes with significantly reduced lifespans. We have demonstrated previously that hemoglobin denaturation on the membrane can promote clustering of integral membrane proteins, and that this clustering in turn leads to autologous antibody binding, complement fixation, and rapid removal of the cell by macrophages. To evaluate whether this pathway also occurs in beta-thalassemic cells, we have isolated and characterized the immune complexes from the membranes of these cells. We observe that autologous IgG-containing complexes obtained by either immunoprecipitation or simple centrifugation of nondenaturing detergent extracts of beta-thalassemic cell membranes contain globin, band 3, IgG, and complement as major components. Absorption spectra of these complexes demonstrate that the globin is, indeed, mainly in the form of hemichromes. Immunoblotting studies further show that much of the band 3 protein in the aggregates is covalently cross-linked to a dimeric or tetrameric form, consistent with the preference of the autologous IgG for clustered band 3. Although the insoluble aggregates constitute only approximately 1.6% of the total membrane protein, they still contain 27% of the total IgG and 35% of the total complement C3 on the thalassemic cell surface. Because cell surface IgG and complement component C3 are thought to trigger removal of erythrocytes from circulation, the hemichrome-induced clustering of band 3 may contribute to the beta-thalassemic cell's shortened lifespan.
Bone marrow transplant recipients have defective MHC-unrestricted cytotoxic responses against cytomegalovirus in comparison with Epstein- Barr virus: the importance of target cell expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA1)
Authors: Duncombe AS , Grundy JE , Oblakowski P , Prentice HG , Gottlieb DJ , Roy DM , Reittie JE , Bello-Fernandez C , Hoffbrand AV , Brenner MK
Published: October 2019

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains the most common single infective cause of death following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-identical siblings, whereas Epstein- Barr virus (EBV)-related disease is infrequent. We show here that MHC- unrestricted cytotoxic effector cells in the peripheral blood of BMT recipients are highly effective at killing EBV-infected target cells, but are inactive against CMV-infected target cells. Differential cytotoxicity is associated with disparate target structure expression. Although both EBV- and CMV-infected target cells express viral antigens, it is only those infected with EBV that express the adhesion molecule lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA1; CD11a/18). Thus, EBV-infected target cells are able to interact with the principal LFA1 ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1; CD54), which is expressed on posttransplant peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) effector cells. CMV-infected target cells cannot utilize this ligand. Posttransplant cytotoxicity against EBV-infected target cells is abolished by target and effector cell blockade with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to LFA1 and ICAM1, respectively, demonstrating the functional relevance of this additional ligand interaction. These results provide an illustration both of the importance and of the limitations of MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity in vivo and may explain the frequency of CMV disease and the relative rarity of EBV-related disease following allogeneic transplantation from MHC-matched siblings. The increased immunosuppression used following MHC-mismatched/matched unrelated-donor BMT may cause this MHC-unrestricted defense mechanism to fail and may contribute to the greatly increased incidence of EBV lymphoproliferative syndrome in these patients.
Effective immunochemotherapy of CALLA+C mu+ human pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency using B43 (anti-CD19) pokeweed antiviral protein immunotoxin plus cyclophosphamide
Authors: Uckun FM , Chelstrom LM , Finnegan D , Tuel-Ahlgren L , Manivel C , Irvin JD , Myers DE , Gunther R
Published: October 2019

A highly aggressive human CALLA+C mu+ pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line (NALM-6-UM1) causes disseminated and invariably fatal leukemia in CB.17 mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). We used this SCID mouse model of human pre-B ALL to evaluate and compare, in a total of 434 SCID mice, the antileukemic efficacy of B43 (anti-CD19)-pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) immunotoxin and cyclophosphamide (CPA) as individual reagents and as combined immunochemotherapeutic regimens. B43-PAP plus CPA was superior to either the immunotoxin or drug alone, and combined immunochemotherapy markedly improved the event-free survival (EFS) of SCID mice challenged with NALM-6-UM1 pre-B ALL cells. Notably, 90% to 100% of SCID mice challenged with 1 x 10(6) leukemia cells and then treated with B43-PAP plus CPA combined immunochemotherapy regimens became long-term survivors, a result not achieved with B43-PAP alone or CPA alone. The advantage was particularly evident in mice inoculated with 5 x 10(6) leukemia cells. While neither 15 micrograms B43-PAP (median survival, 58 days) nor 1 mg CPA (median survival, 49 days) resulted in long-term EFS of SCID mice challenged with 5 x 10(6) NALM-6- UM1 pre-B ALL cells, the probability of EFS at 6 months was 50% +/- 16% for SCID mice treated with 15 micrograms B43-PAP plus 1 mg CPA (median survival, greater than 180 days) (P less than .0001). The probability of long-term EFS was only 14% +/- 7% for mice treated with 30 micrograms B43-PAP and 0% +/- 0% for mice treated with 1 mg CPA, but 40% +/- 16% for mice treated with 30 micrograms B43-PAP plus 1 mg CPA (P less than .0001). Similarly, the probability of EFS at 6 months was 40% +/- 16% for mice treated with 2 mg CPA alone, 70% +/- 15% for mice treated with 2 mg CPA plus 15 micrograms B43-PAP, and 70% +/- 15% for mice treated with 2 mg CPA plus 30 micrograms B43-PAP. Ten SCID mice in the B43-PAP plus CPA combined immunochemotherapy arms surviving long term after the inoculation of 5 x 10(6) NALM-6-UM1 pre-B ALL cells were electively killed at 174 to 181 days to assess their leukemia burden. We found no evidence of leukemia in any of the bone marrow specimens by two-color immunofluorescence and multiparameter flow cytometry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Comparison of four virus-inactivated plasma concentrates for treatment of severe von Willebrand disease: a cross-over randomized trial
Authors: Mannucci PM , Tenconi PM , Castaman G , Rodeghiero F
Published: October 2019

Until recently, cryoprecipitate has been the treatment of choice in patients with severe von Willebrand disease (vWD) because it can transiently correct low plasma levels of factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) and shorten or normalize the prolonged bleeding time (BT), the two laboratory hallmarks of the disease. However, cryoprecipitate may still transmit blood-borne viruses, whereas the development of virucidal methods have rendered plasma concentrates containing FVIII:C and von Willebrand factor (vWF) safer. To establish their potential usefulness in the treatment of vWD, we compared the effect of four virus-inactivated concentrates on FVII:C and vWF plasma levels and the BT (template method) in 10 patients with severe vWD using a crossover randomized design. The concentrates were an intermediate-purity, pasteurized FVIII-vWF concentrate; an intermediate-purity, dry-heated FVIII-vWF concentrate; a solvent/detergent-treated vWF concentrate, containing little FVIII; and a high-purity solvent/detergent-treated FVIII-vWF concentrate. All concentrates were equally effective in attaining normal and sustained levels of FVIII:C postinfusion, although peak levels were more delayed after the vWF concentrate. The effect of concentrates on the BT, however, was less uniform and satisfactory. The pasteurized FVIII-vWF concentrate transiently corrected, completely or partially, the BT in 8 of 10 patients, the dry-heated and solvent/detergent FVIII/vWF concentrates in five, whereas in no patient did the vWF concentrate correct the BT according to the criteria used in this study. These effects on the BT were not related to the plasma levels of ristocetin cofactor activity-attained postinfusion (100 U/dL or more in the majority of patients) or to the multimeric structure of vWF in concentrates (defective in larger multimers in all cases). In conclusion, even though virus-inactivated concentrates can be used to increase FVIII:C levels in patients with severe vWD, none of the concentrates studied by us consistently normalizes the BT in a sustained fashion.
Reevaluation of total, free, and bound protein S and C4b-binding protein levels in plasma anticoagulated with citrate or hirudin
Authors: Griffin JH , Gruber A , Fernandez JA
Published: October 2019

The levels of total, free, and bound protein S and C4BP were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in plasma samples (8 males and 8 females) that were individually subjected to immunoadsorption studies in which “free protein S” was defined as that not adsorbed by anti-C4BP antibody-Sepharose column and “free C4BP” as that not adsorbed by anti-protein S antibody-Sepharose. Bound species were calculated as the difference between total and free species. Free protein S (131 nmol/L) averaged 38% of total protein S (346 nmol/L) and free C4BP (37 nmol/L) averaged 14% of total C4BP (264 nmol/L) in plasma. There was an excellent correlation between bound protein S and bound C4BP with 1:1 molar stoichiometry and a good correlation between free protein S antigen and protein S anticoagulant activity. It appears that free protein S is a necessary consequence of the molar excess of protein S over C4BP. C4BP beta chain antigen levels, measured using a new ELISA, averaged 218 nmol/L, a value indistinguishable from the molar concentrations of bound protein S (215 nmol/L) and bound C4BP (227 nmol/L). The free C4BP beta chain antigen was only 4 nmol/L compared with 131 nmol/L free protein S. These results suggest that free C4BP in plasma predominantly lacks the beta chain, that almost all C4BP capable of binding protein S is associated with protein S, and that the plasma levels of oligomeric forms of C4BP containing a beta chain (alpha 7 beta and alpha 6 beta) that bind protein S directly and stoichiometrically regulate free protein S levels.
Molecular basis for Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) in a compound heterozygote with glycoprotein IIb gene: a proposal for the classification of GT based on the biosynthetic pathway of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex
Authors: Kato A , Yamamoto K , Miyazaki S , Jung SM , Moroi M , Aoki N
Published: October 2019

The genetic basis for Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) was elucidated on a compound heterozygote with glycoprotein (GP)IIb gene: an opal mutation at the end of exon 17 (CGA----TGA) results in only a trace amount of GPIIb mRNA, and a splicing mutation at the acceptor site of exon 26 (CAG----GAG) causes an in-frame, exon skipping process from exon 25 to 27. This aberrant transcript encodes a single-chain polypeptide characterized by a 42-amino acid deletion, which includes the proteolytic cleavage site(s) and a unique, proline-rich region at the location corresponding to the carboxyl-terminal of the normal GPIIb alpha-chain. These characteristics are shared by a previously reported defective GPIIb molecule, which is neither assembled with GPIIIa nor transported to the cellular surface. Despite its normal transcription level, expression of the present defective GPIIb molecule was significantly decreased (approximately 6% of the control level). Because the precursor GPIIb molecule is assembled with GPIIIa in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and its processing, as well as stability, is dependent on the GPIIIa subunit, the defective GPIIb molecule may be rapidly degraded by the intrinsic quality control system of the ER due to its inability to form a stable heterodimer complex as a consequence of its misfolded structure. Although we did not confirm that the GPIIIa genes of this individual were normal, GPIIIa may be secondarily decreased (approximately 11% of control), because a large part of it could not be complexed, making it vulnerable to proteolysis. To elucidate the molecular basis for GT, we propose here a classification of GT based on the biosynthetic pathway of the GPIIb-IIIa complex.
Suppressive effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on the generation of natural killer cells in vitro
Authors: Taguchi K , Shibuya A , Inazawa Y , Abe T
Published: October 2019

We investigated the effects of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte- CSF (rhG-CSF) on the generation of natural killer (NK) cells in vitro. NK cells were cultured from selected human bone marrow cells obtained after the elimination of mature T and NK cells. rhGM-CSF significantly suppressed the generation of CD56+ cells and NK activity (P less than .01) in a dose-dependent manner. The generation of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) was also suppressed in the presence of rhGM-CSF (P less than .01). In contrast, rhG-CSF had no effect on LGL (P greater than .05). Both rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF had no influence on the CD56+ cell count in the peripheral blood. These results suggest that rhGM-CSF suppresses the in vitro generation of NK cells.
Expression of plasma glutathione peroxidase in human liver in addition to kidney, heart, lung, and breast in humans and rodents
Authors: Chu FF , Esworthy RS , Doroshow JH , Doan K , Liu XF
Published: October 2019

We analyzed the expression of plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx-P) messenger RNA (mRNA) in mouse, rat, and human tissues, using a human GSHPx-P cDNA clone as the probe. Unlike the classical cellular glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx-1), GSHPx-P expression appears to be tissue-specific. In the mouse and rat, kidney expresses an mRNA at a high level detected with the human probe. A signal is also detected in mRNA isolated from mouse and rat heart, rat cardiac myocytes, mouse lung, epididymis, and the mammary gland of midpregnant mice. No signal is detected in mRNA isolated from mouse and rat liver, mouse brain, uterus, and testis. In human tissues, an mRNA hybridizing to GSHPx-P cDNA is present in liver, as well as kidney, heart, lung, breast, and placenta. We have shown that human kidney expresses a GSHPx-P mRNA, and not a GSHPx-P-like message, by isolating a cDNA clone from a human kidney library in lambda gt11. From the 412-nucleotide partial sequence of the kidney cDNA, which codes for the 40–170 amino acids of GSHPx-P including the TGA codon for selenocysteine, we found complete sequence identity of the kidney cDNA with GSHPx-P isolated from placenta. The expression of GSHPx-P mRNA in cell lines was also studied. There is some correlation of the expression of GSHPx-P in these cell lines with that in normal tissues. Cell lines that expressed GSHPx-P mRNA or protein included the human hepatocarcinoma HepG2, Hep3B cells, human kidney carcinoma A498 cells, and the human breast cancer SK-BR-3, T47D, MDA-MB-231, and AdrrMCF-7 cells. Cell lines that did not express GSHPx- P included human choriocarcinoma BeWo cells, human breast cancer MCF-7, ZR-75–1, and Hs578T cells, and mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 cells.
CD16- CD56+ natural killer cells after bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Jacobs R , Stoll M , Stratmann G , Leo R , Link H , Schmidt RE
Published: October 2019

Natural killer (NK) cells are phenotypically defined as lymphocytes expressing the antigens CD56 and mostly CD16 (Fc gamma RIII), but lacking CD3. A small CD3- CD16- CD56+ NK cell subset has been described in normal individuals representing less than 2% of peripheral blood lymphocytes. We analyzed here 70 patients for their reconstitution of the immune system during follow-up after autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. In 35% of these patients, two different NK cell subsets, namely CD56+dim and CD56+bright cells, were observed. The mean duration of these two subsets after transplant was 4 months. Sixty-five percent of the patients exhibited an increased number of NK cells, but only the typical CD16+ CD56+dim population. The CD56+bright subpopulation represented a particular CD3- CD16- NK subset, with posttransplant frequencies up to 70% of all NK cells and 40% of peripheral blood lymphocytes, respectively. In contrast to normal CD56+dim NK cells, CD56+bright cells coexpressed the activation antigens p75 beta-chain of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), CD2R, and CD26, but were negative for CD16. NK and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity of CD56+bright cells was low compared with CD56+dim NK cells. But using IL-2 and interferon gamma, their cytotoxicity could be enhanced even more than in CD56+dim lymphocytes. These different subsets may reflect distinct activation or differentiation steps of NK cells during reconstitution of the immune system. Their differential response to IL-2 may be of functional importance for posttransplant cytokine therapy.
Clinical and prognostic significance of monoclonal small cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow of various B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Nakano M , Kawanishi Y , Kuge S , Kuriyama Y , Kuwabara S , Yaguchi M , Toyama K
Published: October 2019

Discordant lymphomas, in particular nodal large-cell lymphomas with marrow small-cell lymphoma, were discovered recently, and the prognosis of patients with such disease has been discussed. The small cells were reported to be small lymphocytic or small cleaved lymphoma cells. We have detected, by kappa-lambda imaging (KLI) with delta-curves, using a flow cytometer, small lymphoma cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) of 41 untreated patients with various B-cell lymphomas expressing surface Ig (sIg+BCL), and evaluated their clinical and prognostic significance. Small cells were found in approximately 90% (37 of 41) of sIg+BCL patients when either PB or BM was analyzed and, overall, the presence of small cells correlated well with the disease activity. However, in some patients, a few cells remained in the PB (16%) or BM (27%) even when they were in remission, whereas in others, the cells were presented in the PB or BM several months before relapse. These results suggest that the detection of small cells in PB or BM by KLI may be helpful for screening and monitoring patients with sIg+BCL. When the patients were subdivided into three groups (normal, low, and high amplitude), according to the abnormal grade criteria of the delta- curves, which were based on the results of both PB-KLI and BM-KLI, the survival of the high-amplitude group tended to be shorter than that of the normal group (P = .068), which was particularly marked when the follow-up period exceeded 2 years. Moreover, as the group grading worsened (normal less than low less than high), the complete response rates deteriorated (100%, 71%, and 60%, respectively) and the respective relapse rates after complete remission increased (17%, 40%, and 67%). Thus, the determination of the proportion of small lymphoma cells in PB and BM by KLI may be useful for predicting the prognoses of patients with sIg+BCL.
Comparative cellular pharmacology of daunorubicin and idarubicin in human multidrug-resistant leukemia cells
Authors: Berman E , McBride M
Published: October 2019

We examined the effect of daunorubicin (DNR), the new anthracycline derivative idarubicin (IDR), and verapamil on two leukemia cell lines that displayed the multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype and used laser flow cytometry to quantitate intracellular anthracycline content. The vinblastine-resistant human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CEM-VBL demonstrated minimal DNR uptake; simultaneous incubation with verapamil and DNR increased intracellular DNR uptake fourfold. IDR uptake was 10 times more rapid in these cells and simultaneous incubation with IDR and verapamil resulted in only a 1.2-fold increase of intracellular IDR. Similar results were observed in the vincristine-resistant human myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60/RV+. Intracellular retention of DNR and IDR was also measured in each cell line. In CEM-BVL cells, 38% of the original DNR concentration remained after a 2-hour resuspension in fresh medium compared with 71% of the original IDR concentration. In HL- 60/RV+ cells, 36% of the DNR concentration remained compared with 51% of the IDR concentration. After incubation of CEM-VBL and HL-60/RV+ cells with DNR for 1 hour followed by resuspension in fresh medium plus verapamil, intracellular DNA retention increased 5- and 5.2-fold, respectively. However, incubation of these cells for 1 hour with IDR followed by resuspension in fresh medium plus verapamil resulted in only a 1.6- and 2.4-fold increase in intracellular IDR retention. Lastly, clonogenic experiments were performed to correlate intracellular anthracycline content with cytotoxicity. DNR alone had a minimal effect on the clonogenic growth of CEM-VBL cells, whereas the combination of DNR plus verapamil resulted in approximately 80% growth inhibition. However, incubation of these cells with IDR alone resulted in greater than 95% growth inhibition. These results suggest that IDR may be more effective than DNR in leukemia cells that display the MDR phenotype.
In vitro culture of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia blasts: effects of interleukin-3, interleukin-7, and accessory cells
Authors: Eder M , Ottmann OG , Hansen-Hagge TE , Bartram CR , Falk S , Gillis S , Hoelzer D , Ganser A
Published: October 2019

We investigated the effects of interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-7, IL-1, and IL- 6, of irradiated bone marrow-derived fibroblasts (Fb) and of in vitro matured peripheral blood macrophages (M phi), on the survival, proliferation, and maturation of purified blasts from nine common acute lymphoblastic leukemias (cALLs) in 7-day suspension culture. Exposure to IL-3, IL-7, IL-1, and IL-6 resulted in a mean 2.8-, 1.5-, 1.4-, and 1.6-fold stimulation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation, respectively. Cocultures of cALL blasts with irradiated M phi, either allowing direct cell-cell contact or preventing it by membrane filters, or with irradiated Fb, resulted in a mean 31.7-, 4.1-, and 11.2-fold increase of 3H-TdR incorporation, respectively. Southern blot analysis of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements before and after culture indicated exclusive proliferation of the leukemic clone in three of eight samples, whereas additional generation of nonleukemic cells was found in five samples. Polyclonal growth pattern corresponded to the detection of heterogeneous cell populations using FACS analysis. Survival of cALL blasts as defined by the detection of cells coexpressing both CD10 and CD19 after culture was supported by accessory cells in five of eight samples. No evidence of induced lymphoid maturation was found under any culture condition. Our data demonstrate supportive effects of stromal cells on cALL growth, which cannot be replaced by IL-3 or IL-7.
Preferential synthesis of the 78-Kd glucose-regulated protein in glucocorticoid-treated S49 mouse lymphoma cells
Authors: Lam M , Vimmerstedt LJ , Schlatter LK , Hensold JO , Distelhorst CW
Published: October 2019

To investigate the mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced lymphocytolysis, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to analyze the effect of dexamethasone on the synthesis of individual proteins in S49 mouse lymphoma cells. We found that synthesis of a 78-Kd protein is preferentially maintained following dexamethasone treatment, at a time when the synthesis of most other cellular proteins is decreased. Synthesis of this protein could also be induced by tunicamycin, suggesting that it might be the 78-Kd glucose-regulated protein (GRP78). The identity of the 78-Kd protein with GRP78 was confirmed by limited chymotryptic mapping and immunoprecipitation analysis. Preferential synthesis of GRP78 in dexamethasone-treated cells was not secondary to alterations in the glycosylation of cellular proteins. Significantly, steady-state levels of GRP78 mRNA were unchanged following dexamethasone treatment. Preferential synthesis of GRP78 in glucocorticoid-treated S49 cells may reflect the unique property of GRP78 mRNA to be translated under conditions that interfere with the translation of most other cellular mRNAs. GRP78 is a highly conserved protein that is essential for cell viability. Preferential synthesis of GRP78 may be a protective response to metabolic events that interfere with normal mRNA translation in glucocorticoid-treated mouse lymphoma cells.
Identification of DNA rearrangements at the retinoic acid receptor- alpha (RAR-alpha) locus in all patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and mapping of APL breakpoints within the RAR-alpha second intron. Italian Cooperative Study Group "GIMEMA"
Authors: Diverio D , Lo Coco F , D'Adamo F , Biondi A , Fagioli M , Grignani F , Rambaldi A , Rossi V , Avvisati G , Petti MC
Published: October 2019

Seventy patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were characterized at the DNA level using genomic retinoic acid receptor- alpha (RAR-alpha) probes on Southern blot experiments. Sixty-two cases were defined as M3 according to the French-American-British (FAB) criteria, and eight had a diagnosis of microgranular or variant (M3v) APL. The use of two restriction enzymes and three probes exploring the second intron of the RAR-alpha gene allowed us to detect specific abnormal DNA fragments in every case, with clustering of rearrangements within the 20-kb intronic region between RAR-alpha exons II and III. A more detailed mapping of APL breakpoints was performed in 52 cases in which three EcoRI subregions of the RAR-alpha second intron were analyzed with corresponding probes. Comparison of clinical and hematological features in the three subgroups of patients with distinct RAR-alpha breakpoints did not show significant differences regarding age, peripheral blood (PB) counts, presence of coagulopathy, or FAB classification (M3 v M3v). Interestingly, a significant difference was observed in the M/F ratio of the three subgroups, with a higher incidence of rearrangements at the 5′ end of the RAR-alpha second intron in female patients, and more frequent 3′ breakpoints in males. The results of this study indicate that a unique genomic alteration consistently occurs on the 17q- derivative of the APL specific t(15;17) aberration. Moreover, the clinical relevance of RAR-alpha gene analysis both at diagnosis and in follow-up studies is further emphasized.