bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 2 production in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Rossi JF , Klein B , Commes T , Jourdan M
Published: October 2019

Interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated in 22 patients with active untreated B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B- CLL) and in 15 healthy donors. PBMCs from healthy donors demonstrated an IL 2 synthesis of 12.4 +/- 10 U/mL. B-CLL PBMCs produced a significant amount of IL 2 (8 +/- 6.6 U/mL) despite the low percentage of T cells (13% +/- 8%) associated with this disease compared with that found in healthy donors (63% +/- 7.5%). If IL 2 production is expressed as units per milliliter per 10(4) T cells, its level in patients with B- CLL (1.1 U/mL/10(4) T cells) is five times greater than that of the controls (0.19 units). When expressed as units per milliliter per liter of blood, the B-CLL patients produce approximately 12 times as much IL 2 as controls. IL 2 production in normal controls was doubled after irradiation of PBMCs or addition of indomethacin. This increase was not seen with B-CLL PBMCs suggesting that the latter have been devoid of prostaglandin-producing normal IL 2 suppressor cells. By mixing normal or B-CLL T cells with non-T cells we found that T cells from patients with B-CLL stimulated by normal accessory cells produced the same amount of IL 2 as normal T cells. Moreover, B-CLL non-T cells (mainly B leukemic cells) produced no IL 2 themselves but played a much more efficient role in IL 2 production than did non-T cells from healthy donors. This was not due to detectable IL 1 production by these cells. The IL 2 produced by B-CLL PBMCs was partially purified and recovered in a 16,000 mol wt fraction, the same mol wt as IL 2 from normal cells.
The expression of the Hodgkin's disease associated antigen Ki-1 in reactive and neoplastic lymphoid tissue: evidence that Reed-Sternberg cells and histiocytic malignancies are derived from activated lymphoid cells
Authors: Stein H , Mason DY , Gerdes J , O'Connor N , Wainscoat J , Pallesen G , Gatter K , Falini B , Delsol G , Lemke H , Schwarting R , Lennert K
Published: October 2019

Ki-1 is a monoclonal antibody (raised against a Hodgkin's disease- derived cell line) that, in biopsy tissue affected by Hodgkin's disease, reacts selectively with Reed-Sternberg cells. The expression of Ki-1 antigen has been analyzed by immunocytochemical techniques in a wide range of human tissue and cell samples, including fetal tissue, malignant lymphomas (290 cases), and mitogen- and virus-transformed peripheral blood lymphocytes. The antigen was detectable on a variable proportion of cells in all cases of lymphomatoid papulosis and angio- immunoblastic lymphadenopathy and in 28% of the cases of peripheral T cell lymphomas (including lympho-epithelioid lymphomas). It was also expressed (more strongly) on tumor cells in 45 cases of diffuse large- cell lymphoma, most of which had originally been diagnosed as malignant histiocytosis or anaplastic carcinoma, because of their bizarre morphology. However, all of these cases lacked macrophage and epithelial antigens. Thirty-five cases expressed T cell-related antigens (associated in nine cases with the coexpression of B cell- related antigens), seven bore B cell-related antigens alone, and three were devoid of T and B cell markers. DNA hybridization with a JH specific probe showed a germline configuration in 11 cases of T cell phenotype, in two cases lacking T and B cell antigens, and in one case of mixed T/B phenotype, while rearrangement was found in two cases of clear B cell type and in one mixed T/B case. Expression of the Ki-1 antigen could be induced, together with interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor, on normal lymphoid cells of both T and B cell type by exposure to phytohemagglutinin, human T leukemia viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, or Staphylococcus aureus. The results obtained indicate that Ki-1 antigen is an inducible lymphoid-associated molecule that identifies a group of hitherto poorly characterized normal and neoplastic large lymphoid cells. Tumors comprised solely of these cells show both morphological and immunological similarities to the neoplastic cells in Hodgkin's disease. This suggests that both disorders represent the neoplastic proliferation of activated lymphoid cells of either T cell or, less commonly, B cell origin. Disorders in which only a minority of cells express Ki-1 antigen (lymphomatoid papulosis, angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy, and certain T cell lymphomas) probably represent lesions in which only some of the abnormal cells have transformed into an “activation state.” In direct support of this view is the finding that the Ki-1 expression in these lesions is accompanied by the expression of HLA-DR and IL 2 receptors.
A novel leukocyte differentiation antigen: two monoclonal antibodies TM2 and TM3 define a 120-kd molecule present on neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, and activated lymphoblasts
Authors: Ohto H , Maeda H , Shibata Y , Chen RF , Ozaki Y , Higashihara M , Takeuchi A , Tohyama H
Published: October 2019

We produced two hybridomas by fusion of mouse myeloma cells with splenocytes from a mouse immunized with the THP-1 human monocytoid leukemia cell line. Two cloned hybridoma cell lines, designated as TM2 and TM3, were obtained. They secreted antibodies against a unique cell surface antigen expressed on all normal peripheral blood monocytes, neutrophilic granulocytes, platelets, and mitogen-induced lymphoblasts, some cells from patients with immature-type lymphoid leukemias. However, the antibodies reacted neither with large numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes nor with red cells. Cross-blocking studies showed that these monoclonal antibodies recognized the same or a nearly positioned antigen epitope. Immunoprecipitation of THP-1 cell extract with TM2 or TM3 under reducing and nonreducing conditions yielded a specific band of mol wt equal to 120,000 daltons. This determinant appeared to be involved in granulocyte chemotaxis, since neutrophilic granulocytes exposed to TM2 or TM3 showed a significant decrease in chemotaxis toward endotoxin-activated serum. These two monoclonal antibodies did not affect O2- release or luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils. Moreover, they did not alter platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. TM2 and TM3 will provide a new reagent in defining the linkage between lymphoid and myeloid differentiation and intermyeloid development.
Characterization of patients with an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and a genetic deficiency of leukocyte membrane complement receptor type 3 and the related membrane antigen LFA-1
Authors: Ross GD , Thompson RA , Walport MJ , Springer TA , Watson JV , Ward RH , Lida J , Newman SL , Harrison RA , Lachmann PJ
Published: October 2019

Three children from two unrelated families had a history of recurrent bacterial infections, and their neutrophils were shown to have deficient phagocytic and respiratory responses and possible deficiencies in chemotaxis or adherence. Their neutrophils were strikingly deficient in the ability to ingest or give a respiratory burst in response to unopsonized bakers' yeast or zymosan (Z). Tests for neutrophil and monocyte CR1 (C3b/iC3b receptor) and CR3 (iC3b receptor) demonstrated rosettes with both EC3b and EC3bi. However, EC3bi were bound only to CR1, and not to CR3, because EC3bi rosettes were inhibited completely by anti-CR1. Neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells also did not fluorescence stain with monoclonal antibodies specific for the alpha-chain of CR3 (anti-Mac-1, anti-Mol, OKM1, and MN-41). Quantitation of C receptors with 125I monoclonal anti-CR1 and anti-CR3 indicated that neutrophils from each patient expressed normal amounts of CR1 per cell but less than 10% of the normal amount of CR3. Examination of neutrophils by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that a normal glycoprotein of approximately 165,000 daltons was missing. Immunoblotting of these gels indicated that the missing band was the alpha-chain of CR3. Subsequent analysis of all three patients' cells also demonstrated a deficiency of LFA-1 alpha-chain and the common beta- chain that is shared by the CR3/LFA-1/p150,95 membrane antigen family. The deficiency of LFA-1 probably explained the absent NK cell function, as normal NK cell activity is inhibited by anti-LFA-1 but not by anti- CR3. The reduced phagocytic and respiratory responses to Z were probably due to CR3 deficiency, because treatment of normal neutrophils with anti-CR3, but not anti-FLA-1, inhibits responses to Z by 80% to 90%. Ingestion of Staphylococcus epidermidis by normal neutrophils was shown to be partially inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to the alpha- chain of either CR3 or LFA-1, and monoclonal antibody to the common beta-chain inhibited ingestion by 75%. Thus, both CR3 and LFA-1 may have previously unrecognized functions as phagocyte receptors for bacteria. The absence of this type of nonimmune recognition of bacteria by these children's neutrophils may be one of the reasons for their increased susceptibility to bacterial infections.
A ricin A chain-containing immunotoxin that kills human T lymphocytes in vitro
Authors: Martin PJ , Hansen JA , Vitetta ES
Published: October 2019

An immunotoxin specific for human T lymphocytes was prepared by coupling an IgG2a anti-CD3 murine monoclonal antibody (64.1) to purified ricin A chain (64.1-A). Treatment of blood mononuclear cells with this immunotoxin at a concentration of 1.7 X 10(-9) mol/L for two hours at 37 degrees C in the presence of 20 mmol/L NH4Cl decreased phytohemagglutinin-stimulated protein synthesis by 95%. In addition, a sensitive culture assay showed that fewer than 0.03% T cells remained after treatment of human bone marrow mononuclear cells with 64.1-A at a concentration of 1.7 X 10(-9) mol/L. The inhibition of protein synthesis could be prevented by preincubating cells with unconjugated 64.1 antibody but not by preincubating cells with a control IgG2a antibody that binds to a different T cell antigen (CD5). At concentrations up to 1 X 10(-8) mol/L, 64.1-A had little effect on blood mononuclear cells from baboons or human myeloid precursors (CFU- GM), which do not express the CD3 antigen recognized by 64.1. Taken together, these results indicate that the toxicity of 64.1-A was specific and that 64.1-A may be a useful reagent for depleting T cells from donor marrow as a means of preventing acute graft-v-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Production of monoclonal antibodies to the high fibrin-affinity, tissue- type plasminogen activator of human plasma. Demonstration of its endothelial origin by immunolocalization
Authors: Angles-Cano E , Balaton A , Le Bonniec B , Genot E , Elion J , Sultan Y
Published: October 2019

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to vascular plasminogen activator (vPA), the tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in human plasma, were produced to be used as probes for immunochemical analysis. Human tissue sections and one of these MAbs were used to demonstrate the endothelial origin of plasma-tPA by immunohistochemistry. To produce MAbs, mice were immunized with semipurified vPA isolated from postocclusion human venous blood. Primed spleen cells were fused with the mouse myeloma cell line NS-1. Screening for MAb-producing hybridomas was performed with postocclusion euglobulins as a source of antigen by means of a solid-phase fibrin-vPA immunoassay. The selective and high-affinity binding of vPA for fibrin ensures the specificity and sensitivity of this test. Thus, eight hybridomas secreting MAbs to vPA were selected, cloned, and established as permanent hybridoma cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of cryostat sections of human tissues was performed with EA-delta 12D, a MAb having no inhibitory effect against vPA activity but binding to vPA with a high affinity. Thus, the only structures immunostained were endothelial cells of venules, capillaries, and arterioles. The EA-delta 12D monoclonal localization of plasma vPA in the endothelial lining of blood vessels provides evidence that tPA in plasma originates from the vascular wall and validates its designation as vascular plasminogen activator, ie, vPA. Also, our results are consistent with the fact that vPA in blood and tPA in tissues are immunologically identical and have a common endothelial origin.
Delay in platelet recovery after bone marrow transplantation: impact of cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Verdonck LF , van Heugten H , de Gast GC
Published: October 2019

The effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on hematopoietic recovery after marrow-ablative chemoradiotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was studied in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of high-grade malignancy and in patients with acute leukemia. The recovery of platelets after autologous BMT occurred significantly quicker in CMV-negative patients than in CMV-positive patients (platelets greater than 50,000 per cubic millimeter after 21 1/2 v 40 days, respectively). No differences in the recovery of neutrophils were found between those with or without CMV infection. CMV-positive patients required significantly more transfusion support with thrombocyte concentrates than CMV-negative patients (three v six thrombocyte concentrates). In conclusion, CMV infections do not influence neutrophil recovery but do delay platelet recovery. As a consequence, patients with a CMV infection, whether primary, reactivated, or latent, require more thrombocyte concentrates, which increases the risk of transfusion-related infections.
Detection of two distinct malignant B cell clones in a single patient using anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement
Authors: Giardina SL , Schroff RW , Woodhouse CS , Golde DW , Oldham RK , Cleary ML , Sklar J , Pritikin N , Foon KA
Published: October 2019

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analysis and somatic cell hybridization techniques were used to examine the malignant cell population in an unusual patient with hairy cell leukemia and macroglobulinemia (N Engl J Med 296:92, 1977). Although previous investigations suggested that the IgM macroglobulin was secreted by the circulating leukemia cells, anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies raised to the IgM macroglobulin failed to react with the malignant cells in the circulation and bone marrow. In contrast, approximately 50% of the mononuclear cells from an enlarged inguinal lymph node reacted strongly with the anti-idiotype antibodies. Subsequent reanalysis of all cell populations demonstrated that whereas the circulating and bone marrow cells were IgM kappa-bearing, the macroglobulin was IgM gamma-bearing and the lymph node cells were evenly divided among IgM kappa-bearing and IgM gamma-bearing. Immunofluorescence flow cytometry indicated that those lymph node cells that reacted strictly with the anti-idiotype antibody were IgM gamma-bearing, demonstrating that they were the source of macroglobulin. An analysis of immunoglobulin gene DNA confirmed the coexistence of two distinct malignant B cell populations in the lymph node and indicated that the IgM kappa-bearing lymph node cells were identical to the circulating and bone marrow leukemic cells.
Increased activity of a specific sialyltransferase in chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Baker MA , Taub RN , Kanani A , Brockhausen I , Hindenburg A
Published: October 2019

Granulocytes from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are morphologically identical to their normal counterparts but show marked differences in circulation patterns and in some membrane properties. We have previously shown that there is abnormal lectin binding to CML granulocytes, and aberrant sialylation of membrane glycoproteins. To examine the changes in sialylation of CML granulocytes further, we have studied membrane preparations from CML and normal granulocytes for specific sialyltransferase activity. Because sialyltransferase enzymes are specific for the configuration of the acceptor group, enzyme activity was assayed by measuring transfer of sialic acid from CMP-14C- sialic acid to substrates of defined structure. As compared with those of normal counterparts, CML extracts catalyzed a 50% higher overall rate of sialylation of asialofetuin, a substrate possessing both N- and O-linked acceptors. Studies of enzyme specificity utilizing porcine and ovine submaxillary mucins, antifreeze glycoprotein and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein as acceptors showed that the increased sialylation by CML extracts was due primarily to substrates with the O-linked Gal beta 1--- -3GaINAc acceptor group. These data suggest that sialyltransferase activity is increased in CML granulocytes compared to normal granulocytes and that the increased enzyme activity is specific for O- linked Gal beta 1----3GaINAc. This enzyme activity may be directly responsible for the abnormal membrane sialylation and pathophysiological behavior of these cells.
Changes in hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow of mice with Plasmodium berghei malaria
Authors: Maggio-Price L , Brookoff D , Weiss L
Published: October 2019

An impaired erythropoietic response to anemia has been noted in human patients with malaria and in rodents experimentally infected with Plasmodium berghei. We have attempted to characterize the erythropoietic response in mice with a fatal P berghei infection, with particular emphasis on changes in marrow hematopoietic stem cells. Mice infected with P berghei had dramatic decreases in bone marrow cellularity, erythroblasts, BFU-E, and CFU-E as early as 24 hours postinfection and before there was any change in hematocrit. With development of anemia, marrows became erythropoietic with some expansion of the CFU-E compartment, but the BFU-E pool remained depleted and reticulocyte response was inadequate. There was no significant change in CFU-S from marrows of malaria-infected mice one day after infection. The lethality of malaria infection may take three weeks to be revealed, but it may be determined within hours of the infection by the irreparable changes in marrow erythroid stem cells.
beta 2-Glycoprotein I: a plasma inhibitor of the contact activation of the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway
Authors: Schousboe I
Published: October 2019

The general hypothesis for the biological function of beta 2- glycoprotein I is that it neutralizes all negatively charged macromolecules that might enter the bloodstream and diminishes unwanted activation of the blood coagulation. In the present study we report that beta 2-glycoprotein I inhibits the activation of the contact phase system of the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Activation was accomplished by an ellagic acid-phospholipid suspension (Cephotest) and measured by the appearance of amidolytic activity using the chromogenic substrate H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-p-nitroanilide (S-2302). This inhibitory effect of beta 2-glycoprotein I was observed both when Cephotest was preincubated with beta 2-glycoprotein I and when the amount of beta 2- glycoprotein I in plasma was increased by addition of beta 2- glycoprotein I to either normal or beta 2-glycoprotein I-deficient plasma. The inhibitory effect of beta 2-glycoprotein I on the contact phase activation could be one of the physiological functions of this protein.
CGA-7 and HHF, two monoclonal antibodies that recognize muscle actin and react with adherent cells in human long-term bone marrow cultures
Authors: Charbord P , Gown AM , Keating A , Singer JW
Published: October 2019

The CGA-7, a monoclonal antibody that reacts with smooth muscle cell actin but not with endothelial cell or fibroblast actin, and HHF, a monoclonal antibody that reacts with smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle actin, both recognize microfilaments present within adherent cells from actively hematopoietic human long-term marrow cultures. Macrophages, monocytes, and cultured marrow fibroblasts do not react with either antibody. These data suggest that the anti-actin antibodies may serve as useful markers for in vitro microenvironmental cells and lend support to the hypothesis that stromal cells from long- term marrow cultures are different from marrow fibroblasts and may constitute a unique cell lineage.
Purification of eosinophil peroxidase and studies of biosynthesis and processing in human marrow cells
Authors: Olsson I , Persson AM , Stromberg K , Winqvist I , Tai PC , Spry CJ
Published: October 2019

Human eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) was purified from leukocytes obtained from a patient with hypereosinophilia. EPO was extracted from the granule fraction using 0.2 mol/L sodium acetate pH 4.0, and the extract was subjected to gel chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and ion exchange chromatography on Biorex 70. The mol wt calculated from gel chromatography was approximately 50,000. However, under reducing and denaturing conditions, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two subunits with mol wt of 50,000 and 15,000. The biosynthesis of EPO was studied in marrow cells from patients with eosinophilia using labeling with (14C)-leucine, followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-EPO, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and fluorography for visualization of labeled EPO. Biosynthesis of an Mr 53,000 subunit was demonstrated. Biosynthetic labeling of the Mr 15,000 subunit was not demonstrated. A labeled Mr 25,000 chain was detected and may represent a degradation product or a chain that, after further modification, produces the Mr 15,000 subunit. Labeling was also detected in two polypeptides with mol wt of 78,000 and 72,000. These forms of EPO seem to represent precursor polypeptides subjected to proteolytic processing in a similar manner as has been reported for myeloperoxidase (MPO). However, Monensin, a proton ionophore, which blocks the processing of MPO, did not inhibit processing of EPO, indicating separate mechanisms by which MPO and EPO are directed to granules.
Half-lives of beta and gamma globin messenger RNAs and of protein synthetic capacity in cultured human reticulocytes
Authors: Ross J , Sullivan TD
Published: October 2019

The turnover rates of beta and gamma globin messenger RNAs and of beta and gamma globin protein synthesis in human reticulocytes have been measured. Our goal was to determine whether beta globin mRNA is significantly more stable than gamma globin mRNA during the final stages of erythroid cell maturation. Such a result could explain the reported increase in the beta-gamma protein synthetic ratio during erythroid maturation. As determined by molecular hybridization and cell- free translation assays, the half-lives of both mRNAs are 20 to 29 hours in adult and neonatal reticulocytes. Protein synthetic capacity in intact cells decays with a half-life of six to eight hours, but beta protein synthesis declines at the same rate as gamma. Therefore, the changing ratio of fetal to adult hemoglobin synthesis during late erythroid maturation does not result from differences in mRNA turnover rates or changes in translation efficiencies. These data, coupled with those obtained with immature erythroid cells (Farquhar et al, Dev Biol 85: 403, 1981), suggest that, during erythroid maturation, the gamma- beta globin protein synthesis ratio declines because gamma gene transcription ceases earlier than beta gene transcription. Our results also indicate that the protein synthetic machinery, not the quantity of mRNA, becomes rate-limiting for globin production in cultured reticulocytes.
Turnover of the methyl moiety of 5-methyltetrahydropteroylglutamic acid in the cobalamin-inactivated rat
Authors: Lumb M , Chanarin I , Perry J , Deacon R
Published: October 2019

The metabolism of the methyl group of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was studied in rats in which cobalamin had been inactivated by exposure to nitrous oxide and in air-breathing control animals. Methylfolate labeled with [14C] in the methyl group and with [3H] in the pteridine- PABA portion was injected and the disappearance of [14C]H3- relative to [3H]folate was measured in liver. The half-time of the methyl group in the livers of control rats was two hours. There was no turnover of the methyl group for the first 72 hours after cobalamin inactivation. After 72 hours, there was a slow turnover of the methyl group, with a half- time of 43 hours. In control rats, it is assumed that the methyl group was metabolized by transfer to homocysteine to form methionine. In cobalamin-inactivated rats, it was shown that methylfolate was used as the substrate for forming folate polyglutamate, and analogues with 3, 4, and 5 glutamic acid residues were present. It is likely that oxidation of the methyl group by methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase occurs from folate polyglutamate containing six and seven glutamic acid residues, (Brody et al, Biochemistry 21: 276, 1982), since we were unable to demonstrate labeled methyl in longer chain analogues.
Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia: antibody binding specificity to platelet antigens
Authors: Lynch DM , Howe SE
Published: October 2019

Sera from four patients with heparin-associated thrombocytopenia (HAT) were evaluated by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect heparin-dependent serum platelet-bindable immunoglobulin (S-PBIg) and by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation to investigate the specificity of the antibody binding. All HAT sera showed mildly increased S-PBIg (mean, 7.8 fg per platelet; normal, less than 6.0 fg per platelet) to intact target platelets in the ELISA, which was markedly increased in the presence of heparin (mean, 20.9 fg per platelet). This increase was 20-fold greater than normal control sera, which showed a mean differential increase of only 0.5 fg per platelet. Immunoglobulin binding specificity to platelet antigens was investigated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of platelet lysate with transfer of the platelet fractions onto nitrocellulose strips (Western blotting) and subsequent immunoassay using HAT and normal sera. In the presence of heparin, the four HAT patients demonstrated increased binding of immunoglobulin to platelet antigens of apparent molecular weights of 180, 124, and 82 kd. Radiolabeled heparin when incubated with HAT sera, normal sera, or albumin blanks bound to platelet proteins of the same apparent molecular weights. These observations are consistent with current hypotheses suggesting that HAT antibody is directed to heparin-platelet complexes or, alternatively, that heparin induces conformational change of antigenic sites on the platelet membrane.
Hypomethylation of DNA derived from purified human erythroid cells correlates with gene activity of the beta-globin cluster
Authors: Oppenheim A , Katzir Y , Fibach E , Goldfarb A , Rachmilewitz E
Published: October 2019

Analysis of methylation at the beta-globin gene cluster was carried out on DNA derived from nucleated RBCs (orthochromatic normoblasts) isolated from peripheral blood of patients with beta-thalassemia major or other congenital hemolytic anemia after splenectomy. A procedure to separate these normoblasts from the other nucleated cells of the peripheral blood was developed, providing us with a convenient source of DNA for investigating parameters related to human erythroid differentiation. Blood samples were obtained from six adult patients who express their gamma-globin genes at different levels. Inverse correlation between methylation and gene activity was consistently observed for five of the eight sites analyzed. A site 3′ to the beta gene was always unmethylated, two sites flanking the epsilon gene were always found to be methylated, and two sites 5′ to the two gamma genes, G gamma and A gamma, were hypomethylated in correlation with gamma gene activity of the individual patients. A site 5′ to the delta gene was unmethylated in normoblasts as well as in WBC. No apparent relation between hypomethylation and gene activity was observed for two additional sites. The results suggest that methylation at specific chromosomal locations participate in genetic regulation of the beta- like globin genes in humans.
Phenotypic characterization of gamma interferon-induced human monocyte polykaryons
Authors: Weinberg JB , Hobbs MM , Misukonis MA
Published: October 2019

Multinucleated giant cells of mononuclear phagocyte origin (monocyte or macrophage polykaryons [MPs] ) are seen in numerous different normal and pathologic states. We have previously shown that gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) induces fusion of uninuclear monocytes (UMs) to form MPs. This study was designed to characterize these IFN-gamma-induced MPs. Control and IFN-gamma-treated UMs and MPs did not have peroxidase activity, but they stained intensely for nonspecific esterase and acid phosphatase. The esterase of UMs and MPs was abolished by fluoride, but the acid phosphatase of UMs and MPs was only minimally decreased by tartrate. The phagocytosis of polystyrene spheres and glutaraldehyde- fixed erythrocytes by MPs was moderately depressed as compared with control or treated UMs, whereas the phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes was markedly depressed. Populations of control monocytes produced less H2O2 in response to 200 nmol/L of phorbol myristate acetate than did IFN-gamma-treated monocytes (37 +/- 7 v 199 +/- 29 nmol/h per milligram of cell protein). However, when examined microscopically, individual MPs had less ability to reduce NBT (18% +/- 5% positive for MP, 91% +/- 3% for treated UMs, and 67% +/- 3% for control UMs). The surface membrane antigens Leu M3, OKM1 (C3bi receptor), DU-HL60′3, DU-HL60′4, TE5, and V1 were not expressed or were expressed poorly in MPs; they were expressed normally in control and treated UMs. However, HLA-DR expression was increased in treated UMs and MPs. The binding of the lectins RCA, Con A, WGA, DBA, UEA, and PNA was equivalent in all cells. Thus, MPs formed by fusion of UMs in vitro after culture with IFN-gamma differ in several features from UMs.
Platelet binding properties of monoclonal lupus autoantibodies produced by human hybridomas
Authors: Asano T , Furie BC , Furie B
Published: October 2019

The platelet binding properties of human monoclonal lupus autoantibodies have been studied. These IgM autoantibodies, produced by human X human hybridomas derived from lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, are known to bind to single-stranded DNA. Four anti-DNA antibodies that express the dominant 16/6 idiotype--HF2′1/17, HF2′18/2, HF2′1/13b, and HF3′16/6--bound to glutaraldehyde-fixed platelets. In contrast, HF6′21/28, HF9′11/3, and polyclonal IgM bound poorly to platelets. [35S]Methionine was incorporated into HF2′1/17, and the interaction of the intrinsically radiolabeled HF2′1/17 with fixed platelets was evaluated in a solution phase radioimmunoassay. [35S]Methionine HF2′1/17 bound to fixed platelets and could be displaced by equivalent amounts of HF2′1/17, HF2′18/2, HF2′1/13b, and HF3′16/6. HF2′1/17 bound with greater affinity to fresh platelets and to thrombin-activated platelets than to glutaraldehyde-fixed platelets. Single-stranded DNA competed with platelets for the HF2′1/17 combining site. Treatment of fresh platelets with nuclease I, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and neuraminidase did not alter the binding of antibody to the platelet surface. No binding of antibody to phospholipid micelles was observed. Purified IgM autoantibodies did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced with ADP, thrombin, or ristocetin in platelet-rich plasma. These results indicate that the human IgM monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibodies that express the dominant 16/6 idiotype are polyspecific, bind to platelets, and interact with a platelet epitope that does not appear to involve DNA, protein, or sialic acid. These antibodies interact with platelets through the same sites responsible for antibody-DNA binding.
Abnormal clonogenic potential of T cells from multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Pilarski LM , Mant MJ , Ruether BA , Carayanniotis G , Otto D , Krowka JF
Published: October 2019

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from multiple myeloma patients are defective in both proportion and absolute numbers of OKT4+ cells and have a normal proportion but reduced absolute number of OKT8+ cells. To assess the functional capabilities of the T cells in myeloma patients, we cloned the T cells in PBLs using limiting dilution conditions in which 100% of OKT4+ and OKT8+ T cells in normal PBLs are able to form a clone. In contrast, the OKT8+ cells from PBLs of five of seven multiple myeloma patients were severely compromised in their clonogenic potential; only 7% to 25% of OKT8+ T cells appeared to give rise to a clone. Clonogenic potential of the OKT4+ cells in patients was more nearly normal. Analysis of two multiple myeloma patients with abnormally low numbers of T cells in PBLs revealed the existence of abnormalities in the progenitors of T cell clones. In both patients, two to three times as many T cell clones were observed as would have been expected based on the number of PBLs cultured at limiting dilution, indicating that OKT4′8- cells in PBLs are capable of giving rise to OKT4+ and, at lower frequency, to OKT8+ clonal progeny in vitro. We conclude that purely quantitative assessment of T cell subsets should be interpreted with caution, since proportionately normal numbers of OKT8+ cells in patient PBLs are seriously compromised in their ability to give rise to clonal progeny in vitro, and since there appears to be a OKT4′8- population of T cells in PBLs that are committed to become OKT4+ or OKT8+ T cells, but are unable to do so in vivo.
Hereditary factor VII deficiency: heterogeneity defined by combined functional and immunochemical analysis
Authors: Triplett DA , Brandt JT , Batard MA , Dixon JL , Fair DS
Published: October 2019

Twenty-six patients with hereditary factor VII deficiency (VII:C less than 10%) were evaluated using a panel of three thromboplastins of varying species and tissue origin in both coagulant and chromogenic assay systems. Normal values for the coagulation and chromogenic assays were 104% +/- 7% and 108% +/- 21%, respectively. Factor VII antigen was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay (normal, 470 +/- 112 ng/mL). The patients were divided into two groups based on the factor VII:Ag assay results. Group 1, 18 patients, had decreased levels of factor VII:Ag and group 2, eight patients, had normal levels of factor VII:Ag. The two groups were further subdivided on the basis of discrepant factor VII:C levels in the chromogenic and coagulant assays. The number of observed patterns of functional factor VII:C activity suggests a high degree of complexity of factor VII and thromboplastin interaction. Whereas no clinical bleeding was reported in any of the nine black patients evaluated, all Caucasians (16) and one Hispanic presented with mild to severe bleeding. Patients with factor VII:C greater than 10% using a human thromboplastin had a negative bleeding history, regardless of the activity measured with other thromboplastins. Factor VII activity measured with a human thromboplastin appears to correlate best with the clinical picture.
Hereditary methemoglobinemia due to cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency in blood cells without associated neurologic and mental disorders
Authors: Tanishima K , Tanimoto K , Tomoda A , Mawatari K , Matsukawa S , Yoneyama Y , Ohkuwa H , Takazakura E
Published: October 2019

Following the observation of two fraternal patients without neurologic symptoms, but with hereditary methemoglobinemia due to cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency in erythrocytic and nonerythrocytic cells, a familial study of their paternal and maternal relatives was undertaken. Ferrihemoglobin reductase activities in erythrocytes from the two patients were found to be impaired, and cytochrome b5 reductase activities in platelets and leukocytes were essentially absent. Any deficiencies of the enzyme activities seemed not to be found in nonhematopoietic cells. The enzyme activities in blood cells derived from the parents and some of their paternal and maternal family members showed levels intermediate between those of the patients and those of the normal control, which seemed to be heterozygous. The present cases did not belong to either the classic erythrocytic or the generalized type, and their enzyme deficiency was found rather to be restricted to their blood cells and not associated with neurologic and mental disorders. A necessity of diagnosis by tissues other than blood cells is discussed for a severe form of generalized-type hereditary methemoglobinemia with associated neurologic and mental disorders.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia: a multivariate analysis of the associations of patient characteristics and therapy with survival
Authors: Kantarjian HM , Smith TL , McCredie KB , Keating MJ , Walters RS , Talpaz M , Hester JP , Bligham G , Gehan E , Freireich EJ
Published: October 2019

The prognostic importance of patient pretreatment clinical and laboratory features was investigated in a group of 303 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive benign-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. Intensive chemotherapy was given to 97 patients, and 78 underwent an early elective splenectomy. The overall median survival time, dated from hospital admission, was 39 months. Patient characteristics associated with shortened survival were age 60 years or older, black race, the presence of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, symptoms, weight loss, and poor performance status. Adverse blood and bone marrow parameters were anemia, thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia, a high proportion of peripheral blasts plus promyelocytes or of basophils, a high proportion of marrow blasts or basophils, decreased marrow megakaryocytes, and cytogenetic abnormalities in addition to the Philadelphia chromosome. Several of these factors were interrelated. A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the combination blood basophilia, race, additional cytogenetic abnormalities, age and marrow basophilia had the strongest predictive relationship to survival time. This resulted in a model segregating patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, with median survivals of 53, 39, and 25 months, respectively. Another model was derived that did not include the marrow features and identified splenomegaly and platelet counts as adding to the prognosis prediction by blood basophilia, race, and age. Evaluation of the effect of therapy, after adjusting for differences in prognostic characteristics, showed that intensive chemotherapy was associated with survival prolongation among patients at intermediate and high risk of death. We conclude that a combination of pretreatment factors identifies different risk subcategories in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and is helpful in assessing overall prognosis and treatment effect.
Release of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factors from major histocompatibility complex class II antigen-positive monocytes is enhanced by human gamma interferon
Authors: Piacibello W , Lu L , Wachter M , Rubin B , Broxmeyer HE
Published: October 2019

Human gamma interferon (HuIFN gamma) was assessed for its capacity to enhance release of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factors (GM-CSF) from human peripheral blood monocytes. Natural HuIFN gamma (2 X 10(7) NIH reference units per milligram) at concentrations as low as 0.01 U/mL to 10 U/mL reproducibly enhanced release of GM-CSF. This enhancement was detected when T lymphocytes were depleted from monocyte preparations and when T lymphocytes and monocytes were depleted from populations of human bone marrow cells stimulated by monocyte- conditioned media to form colonies and clusters. T lymphocytes alone or in the presence of HuIFN gamma did not release GM-CSF. The enhancing activity of HuIFN gamma was removed by preincubating HuIFN gamma with neutralizing concentrations of monoclonal anti-HuIFN gamma, and recombinant HuIFN gamma mimicked the effects of natural HuIFN gamma, suggesting that the effects were due to HuIFN gamma itself. HuIFN gamma suppression of the release of inhibitory activity from monocytes was ruled out as a reason for the noted enhancing activity of HuIFN gamma. The enhancing activity of HuIFN gamma was confined to the MHC class II antigen-positive population of monocytes. Removal of these cells with monoclonal antibody plus complement (c') ablated the enhancing activity, high concentrations of certain monoclonal antibodies in the absence of c' blocked the enhancing activity and, when monocytes were sorted into MHC class II antigen-positive and -negative cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, it was only the positive cell fraction that responded to the enhancing activity of HuIFN gamma.
Rearrangements of chromosome 3 involving bands 3q21 and 3q26 are associated with normal or elevated platelet counts in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Bitter MA , Neilly ME , Le Beau MM , Pearson MG , Rowley JD
Published: October 2019

Fourteen patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) or dysmyelopoietic syndromes were found to have abnormalities involving the long arm of chromosome 3. In eight patients, the structural rearrangements involved both bands 3q21 and 3q26 and included t(3;3) (four patients), inv(3) (three patients), and ins(5;3) (one patient). Before treatment, seven of these eight patients had platelet counts above 100,000 per microliter, five had normal or elevated platelet counts, and four had significantly elevated platelet counts (600,000 to 1,731,000 per microliter). In each of the eight cases, normal or elevated platelet counts were associated with marked abnormalities of megakaryocytopoiesis, including increased numbers of megakaryocytes and numerous micromegakaryocytes. Classification within the French-American- British system was difficult in most of these cases; however, the leukemia in five of the eight patients with abnormalities of chromosome 3 that involved both bands 3q21 and 3q26 was classified as M4. The remaining six of the 14 patients had translocations between chromosome 3 and another chromosome. None involved both bands 3q21 and 3q26, and a break in either q21 or q26 was noted in only two patients. One of the six, who had ANLL (M4) with a normal platelet count, had a 3;5 translocation which involved band 3q25. These data suggest that in patients with ANLL, abnormalities of chromosome 3 which simultaneously involve bands 3q21 and 3q26 are associated with unusually high platelet counts.
Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, preleukemia, and solid tumors following intensive chemotherapy of small cell carcinoma of the lung
Authors: Pedersen-Bjergaard J , Osterlind K , Hansen M , Philip P , Pedersen AG , Hansen HH
Published: October 2019

Six of 796 patients treated with intensive combination chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung developed overt acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) (three patients) or preleukemia with severe refractory cytopenia and clonal cytogenetic abnormalities in bone marrow cells (three patients). The latent period to development of preleukemia or leukemia was less than two years in four of the six patients. The cumulative risk of preleukemia and leukemia according to a Kaplan-Meier estimate was 14.0% +/- 6.9% (mean +/- SE) four years after the start of treatment. The relative risk of overt ANLL was 77, since three cases were observed v 0.039 cases expected, based on the age- and sex- specific incidence of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in the general Danish population. The risk of secondary solid tumors was not increased. The possible causes of the exceptionally early appearance and very high cumulative risk of leukemic complications found in the present study, as compared to previous experience in other malignant diseases, is discussed, including the implications for future therapy of patients with small cell lung cancer.
Microtubule organization of unstimulated and stimulated adherent human neutrophils in Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Authors: Pryzwansky KB , Schliwa M , Boxer LA
Published: October 2019

The numbers and length of centriole-associated microtubules of two patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) were examined. Detergent- extracted whole-mount preparations of adherent cells were studied by stereo high-voltage electron microscopy. Under conditions of random migration, neutrophils from both patients had a microtubule organization similar to that of the control; microtubule numbers (28 +/- 3) and length (7.0 +/- 2.8 micron) were within normal range. When cells were treated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), differences in the response of the two patients were noted. Neutrophils from patient No. 2 and the control showed a significant rise in numbers (38 +/- 5) and length (9.5 +/- 3.6 micron) of microtubules. In contrast, neutrophils from patient No. 1 were unresponsive to PMA treatment. Because vitamin C is used therapeutically in CHS patients and has been shown to correct microtubule-related cell function, neutrophils were exposed to ascorbic acid. A significant increase in microtubule numbers (35 +/- 6) was observed in cells from the control and patient No. 2 after ascorbate treatment; neutrophils from patient No. 1 showed no increase in microtubule numbers. While ascorbic acid did not affect microtubule length in the control cells, it caused a significant increase in microtubule length in neutrophils from both patients. Results suggest that adherent CHS neutrophils contain centriole-associated microtubules which are normal in number and length. However, differences between patients are observed regarding neutrophil responsiveness to stimuli which induce microtubule polymerization.
Identification and quantitation of protein S in human platelets
Authors: Schwarz HP , Heeb MJ , Wencel-Drake JD , Griffin JH
Published: October 2019

Gel filtered human platelets contaminated with less than 0.02% of plasma protein S contained 490 ng of protein S antigen per 3 X 10(8) platelets, equivalent to 2.5% of protein S in whole blood. Three patients with heterozygous plasma protein S deficiency, a congenital disorder associated with venous thrombotic disease, had platelet protein S antigen levels that were 40% of the mean platelet level in ten normal volunteers. In immunoblotting analysis, platelet protein S was indistinguishable from plasma protein S. Thrombin stimulation of platelets caused release of 63% of total protein S antigen and this release was abolished when platelets were preincubated with metabolic inhibitors. Thrombin effected limited proteolysis of platelet protein S and this reaction was inhibited by calcium ions. Immunofluorescent staining of platelets using protein S antibodies demonstrated that protein S colocalized with fibrinogen, an established alpha-granule protein. Thus, human platelets contain protein S in alpha granules that can be released by thrombin stimulation. The released protein S may bind to stimulated platelets and thereby promote and localize the anticoagulant activity of activated protein C on the platelet surface.
Human placental conditioned medium reverses apparent commitment to differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60)
Authors: von Melchner H , Hoffken K
Published: October 2019

Using a system of sequential daughter cell transfers in semisolid medium, we have analyzed self-renewal and differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) in presence of all-trans retinoic acid and human placental conditioned medium (HPCM). We find that retinoic acid induces coordinated losses of self-renewal potential which are followed by phenotypic differentiation. The latter occurs as an all-or-none event and is reversible in the presence of HPCM. Thus, HL60 cells that apparently had terminally differentiated (as estimated by the ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium [NBT]) can lose their differentiation marker and reenter the proliferative pool.