bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 in myelodysplastic syndrome: clinical and biologic activities in the phase 1 setting
Authors: Kurzrock Razelle , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Cortes Jorge E. , Singhania Neil , Thomas Deborah A. , Wilson Edward F. , Wright John J. , Freireich Emil J. , Talpaz Moshe , Sebti Saïd M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractR115777 is a potent farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitor with substantial antitumor activity in preclinical models. We conducted a phase 1 study (3 + 3 design) of R115777 in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). R115777 was administered twice daily (3-weeks-on/1-week-off schedule for 8 weeks) (starting dosage, 300 mg by mouth twice daily; total, 600 mg). Maintenance therapy at the dose/schedule tolerated during induction could be continued until toxicity or lack of benefit. Twenty-one patients with MDS were treated (median age, 66 years). Four (19%) patients had ras mutations (n-ras,3; k-ras, 1). Objective responses (hematologic improvement, 3; partial remission, 2; or complete remission, 1) were seen in 6 of 20 (30%) evaluable patients, only 2 of whom had ras mutations. Response sequences were unusual in some patients who had increases in platelet counts without intervening aplasia. Other responders demonstrated an initial, albeit modest, myelosuppressive effect. The maximum tolerated dose was 400 mg by mouth twice a day. The most frequent side effect was myelosuppression. Dose-limiting toxicities (fatigue and confusion) occurred at 900 mg by mouth total daily dose. R115777 inhibited HDJ-2 prenylation and suppressed the activity of FTase, but not of the related geranylgeranyltransferase I enzyme, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Modulation of Akt, Erk, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation was variable, and responses occurred even without their down-regulation. Reductions in serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels by day 7 showed a trend toward correlation with response (P = .09). We conclude that, at doses that are well tolerated, R115777 markedly inhibits the FTase target and has antitumor activity in MDS. (Blood. 2003;102:4527-4534)
Autoantibodies frequently detected in patients with aplastic anemia
Authors: Hirano Naoto , Butler Marcus O. , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael S. , Maecker Britta , Schultze Joachim L. , O'Connor Kevin C. , Schur Peter H. , Kojima Seiji , Guinan Eva C. , Nadler Lee M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractAlthough accumulating evidence strongly suggests that aplastic anemia (AA) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, no target antigens have yet been described for AA. In autoimmune diseases, target autoantigens frequently induce not only cellular T-cell responses but also humoral B-cell responses. We hypothesized that the presence of antigen-specific autoantibodies could be used as a “surrogate marker” for the identification of target T-cell autoantigens in AA patients. We screened a human fetal liver library for serologic reactivity against hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell antigens and isolated 32 genes. In 7 of 18 AA patients, an immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response was detected to one of the genes, kinectin, which is expressed in all hematopoietic cell lineages tested including CD34+ cells. No response to kinectin was detected in healthy volunteers, multiply transfused non-AA patients, or patients with other autoimmune diseases. Epitope mapping of IgG autoantibodies against kinectin revealed that the responses to several of the epitopes were shared by different AA patients. Moreover, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells raised against kinectin-derived peptides suppressed the colony formation of granulocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GMs) in an HLA class I-restricted fashion. These results suggest that kinectin may be a candidate autoantigen that is involved in the pathophysiology of AA. (Blood. 2003;102:4567-4575)
Treosulfan and fludarabine: a new toxicity-reduced conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Casper Jochen , Knauf Wolfgang , Kiefer Thomas , Wolff Daniel , Steiner Beate , Hammer Ulrich , Wegener Rudolf , Kleine Hans-Dieter , Wilhelm Stefan , Knopp Agnes , Hartung Gernot , Dölken Gottfried , Freund Mathias 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
New conditioning regimens are being explored to reduce toxicity and enable allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in patients not eligible for conventional transplantation. We have investigated treosulfan, an alkylating agent, with the aim of developing an efficient and reliable but less-toxic conditioning regimen. A series of 30 patients who were not eligible for standard conditioning therapy received transplants from HLA-matched related (n = 14) or unrelated (n = 16) donors after administration of treosulfan 10 g/m2 intravenously daily for 3 days and fludarabine 30 mg/m2 intravenously daily for 5 days. Patients receiving grafts from unrelated donors also were given rabbit antithymocyte globulin 10 mg/kg intravenously daily for 3 days. All patients achieved prompt neutrophil and platelet recovery. Extramedullary toxicity was generally mild with Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grade 3 or 4 attributable to the conditioning seen only with transaminases. Complete donor chimerism was achieved by 90% of the patients. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade III or IV developed in 14% of the patients and chronic GVHD in 39%. An estimated overall survival rate of 73% and an event-free survival rate of 49% have been reached after a median of 22 months (range, 7.4-33.4 months). In summary, the combination of treosulfan and fludarabine is a safe and efficient conditioning regimen.
Differential requirement for A2a and A3 adenosine receptors for the protective effect of inosine in vivo
Authors: Gomez Gregorio , Sitkovsky Michail V. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractInosine is an endogenous nucleoside with immunosuppressive properties that is known to inhibit the accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines and protect mice from endotoxin-induced inflammation and lung tissue damage. There are no known receptors specific for inosine, but A3 adenosine receptors (A3Rs) have been shown to bind inosine, resulting in mast cell degranulation and increased vascular permeability. The present study specifically addresses the requirement for A2aR and/or A3R for the protective effect of inosine in 2 experimental in vivo models of inflammatory disease. The data show that A3R is essential for protection against ConA-induced fulminant hepatitis since only A3R-expressing mice were protected by inosine whereas wild-type and A2aR-deficient mice exhibited severe liver damage even after administration of inosine. In addition, we show in a model of LPS-induced endotoxemia that inosine protected both A2aR-/- and A3R-/- mice from inflammation, but not A2aA3R double-null mice, indicating that in this model both A2aR and A3R were used by inosine. Thus, we demonstrate that A2a and A3 adenosine receptors are differentially utilized by inosine for the down-regulation of tissue damage under different inflammatory conditions in vivo. (Blood. 2003;102:4472-4478)
Insights into the multistep transformation of MGUS to myeloma using microarray expression analysis
Authors: Davies Faith E. , Dring Ann M. , Li Cheng , Rawstron Andrew C. , Shammas Masood A. , O'Connor Sheila M. , Fenton James A.L. , Hideshima Teru , Chauhan Dharminder , Tai Isabella T. , Robinson Elizabeth , Auclair Daniel , Rees Karen , Gonzalez David , Ashcroft A. John , Dasgupta Ranjit , Mitsiades Constantine , Mitsiades Nicholas , Chen Lan B. , Wong Wing H. , Munshi Nikhil C. , Morgan Gareth J. , Anderson Kenneth C. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractTo define specific pathways important in the multistep transformation process of normal plasma cells (PCs) to monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM), we have applied microarray analysis to PCs from 5 healthy donors (N), 7 patients with MGUS, and 24 patients with newly diagnosed MM. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering using 125 genes with a large variation across all samples defined 2 groups: N and MGUS/MM. Supervised analysis identified 263 genes differentially expressed between N and MGUS and 380 genes differentially expressed between N and MM, 197 of which were also differentially regulated between N and MGUS. Only 74 genes were differentially expressed between MGUS and MM samples, indicating that the differences between MGUS and MM are smaller than those between N and MM or N and MGUS. Differentially expressed genes included oncogenes/tumor-suppressor genes (LAF4, RB1, and disabled homolog 2), cell-signaling genes (RAS family members, B-cell signaling and NF-κB genes), DNA-binding and transcription-factor genes (XBP1, zinc finger proteins, forkhead box, and ring finger proteins), and developmental genes (WNT and SHH pathways). Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of MM by gene expression profiling has demonstrated sequential genetic changes from N to malignant PCs and highlighted important pathways involved in the transformation of MGUS to MM. (Blood. 2003;102:4504-4511)
C/EBPϵ interacts with retinoblastoma and E2F1 during granulopoiesis
Authors: Gery Sigal , Gombart Adrian F. , Fung Yuen K. , Koeffler H. Phillip 
Published: September 2003

AbstractCCAAT enhancer binding protein epsilon (C/EBPϵ) is a myeloid specific transcription factor that is essential for terminal granulocytic differentiation. Retinoblastoma (Rb) and E2F1 are critical cell cycle regulators that also have been implicated in several differentiation systems. Here, we demonstrate that C/EBPϵ interacts with Rb and E2F1 during granulocytic differentiation in NB4 and U937 human myeloid cells and in 32Dcl3 murine myeloid precursor cells. The interaction between C/EBPϵ and Rb enhances C/EBPϵ-mediated transcription of myeloid specific genes both in reporter assays and endogenously. The C/EBPϵ-E2F1 interaction results in repression of E2F1-mediated transcriptional activity. Finally, overexpression of C/EBPϵ in human myeloid cells leads to down-regulation of c-Myc. We propose that the interactions between C/EBPϵ, a tissue-specific transcription factor, and the broad-spectrum proteins, Rb and E2F1, are important in C/EBPϵ-induced terminal granulocytic differentiation.
Increased erythrocyte adhesion in mice and humans with hereditary spherocytosis and hereditary elliptocytosis
Authors: Wandersee Nancy J. , Olson Scott C. , Holzhauer Sandra L. , Hoffmann Raymond G. , Barker Jane E. , Hillery Cheryl A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMice with disruptions of the red blood cell (RBC) cytoskeleton provide severe hemolytic anemia models in which to study multiorgan thrombosis and infarction. The incidence of cerebral infarction ranges from 70% to 100% in mice with α-spectrin deficiency. To determine whether mutant RBCs abnormally bind adhesive vascular components, we measured adhesion of mouse and human RBCs to immobilized human thrombospondin (TSP) and laminin (LM) under controlled flow conditions. Mutant RBCs had at least 10-fold higher adhesion to TSP compared with normal RBCs (P &lt; .006). Mutant relative to unaffected RBC adhesion to LM was significantly (P &lt; .01) increased as well. Treatment of RBCs with the anionic polysaccharide dextran sulfate inhibited mutant RBC adhesion to TSP (P &lt; .001). Treatment of RBCs with antibodies to CD47 or the CD47-binding TSP peptide 4N1K did not inhibit TSP adhesion of RBCs. Previously, we have shown that infarcts in α-spectrin–deficient sph/sph mice become histologically evident beginning at 6 weeks of age. TSP adhesion of RBCs from 3- to 4- and 6- to 8-week-old sph/sph mice was significantly higher than RBCs from adult mice (&gt; 12 weeks old; P &lt; .005). While the mechanism of infarction in these mice is unknown, we speculate that changes in RBC adhesive characteristics contribute to this pathology.
Identification of novel CTL epitopes of CMV-pp65 presented by a variety of HLA alleles
Authors: Kondo Eisei , Akatsuka Yoshiki , Kuzushima Kiyotaka , Tsujimura Kunio , Asakura Shoji , Tajima Kohei , Kagami Yoshitoyo , Kodera Yoshihisa , Tanimoto Mitsune , Morishima Yasuo , Takahashi Toshitada 
Published: September 2003

AbstractCytomegalovirus (CMV)–specific T-cell immunity plays an important role in protection from CMV disease in immunocompromised patients. Identification of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes is essential for monitoring T-cell immunity and also for immunotherapy. In this and previous studies, CMV-pp65–specific CTL lines were successfully generated from all of 11 CMV-seropositive healthy donors, using pp65-transduced CD40-activated B (CD40-B) cells as antigen-presenting cells. By use of enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays, individual CTL epitopes could be mapped with truncated forms of the pp65 gene. For human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles with a known binding motif, CTL epitopes within the defined regions were predicted by computer algorithm. For HLA alleles without a known binding motif (HLA-Cw*0801, -Cw*1202, and -Cw*1502), the epitopes were alternatively identified by step-by-step truncations of the pp65 gene. Through this study, a total of 14 novel CTL epitopes of CMV-pp65 were identified. Interestingly, 3 peptides were found to be presented by 2 different HLA class I alleles or subtypes. Moreover, use of CD40-B cells pulsed with a mixture of synthetic peptides led to generation of pp65-specific CTL lines from some of seronegative donors. The study thus demonstrated an efficient strategy for identifying CTL epitopes presented by a variety of HLA alleles.
Thrombospondin 1 as a scavenger for matrix-associated fibroblast growth factor 2
Authors: Margosio Barbara , Marchetti Daniela , Vergani Veronica , Giavazzi Raffaella , Rusnati Marco , Presta Marco , Taraboletti Giulia 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe antiangiogenic factor thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) binds with high affinity to several heparin-binding angiogenic factors, including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether TSP-1 affects FGF-2 association with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its bioavailability. TSP-1 prevented the binding of free FGF-2 to endothelial cell ECM. It also promoted the mobilization of matrix-bound FGF-2, generating a TSP-1/FGF-2 complex. The region of TSP-1 responsible for these activities was located within the 140-kDa antiangiogenic and FGF-2 binding fragment, whereas the 25-kDa heparin-binding fragment was inactive. Matrix-released FGF-2/TSP-1 complex had a reduced ability to bind to and induce proliferation of endothelial cells. TSP-1 depleted the ECM laid by FGF-2-overproducing tumor cells of its FGF-2-dependent mitogenic activity for endothelial cells. Besides FGF-2, TSP-1 also inhibited VEGF and HGF/SF binding to the ECM and mobilized them from the ECM. Our study shows that TSP-1 acts as a scavenger for matrix-associated angiogenic factors, affecting their location, bioavailability, and function. (Blood. 2003; 102:4399-4406)
Naturally occurring anti–IFN-γ autoantibody and severe infections with Mycobacterium cheloneae and Burkholderia cocovenenans
Authors: Höflich Conny , Sabat Robert , Rosseau Simone , Temmesfeld Bettina , Slevogt Hortense , Döcke Wolf-Dietrich , Grütz Gerald , Meisel Christian , Halle Elke , Göbel Ulf B. , Volk Hans-Dieter , Suttorp Norbert 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Recently various genetic defects in immunity mediated by interferon γ (IFN-γ) have been described, including mutations in the IFN-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1) and receptor 2 (IFN-γR2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT 1), and interleukin 12 receptor β 1 (IL-12Rβ1), and IL-12 p40 genes. These mutations are associated with the occurrence of severe infections with intracellular pathogens especially nontuberculous mycobacteria and vaccine-associated bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Here we report data on a previously healthy adult patient primarily presenting with severe infections with Burkholderia cocovenenans and subsequently Mycobacterium cheloneae. We found a strong inhibitory anti–IFN-γ activity in the patient's plasma and identified a highaffinity neutralizing anti–IFN-γ autoantibody. Unfortunately, the patient died due to severe sepsis before we knew the nature of the inhibitory activity. The application of alternative therapeutic approaches such as intravenous immunoglobulin or immunoadsorption may have been beneficial in this case. Screening for neutralizing anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies should supplement testing for IFN-γ and IL-12 pathway defects in patients with recurrent infections with intracellular pathogens, especially with nontuberculous mycobacteria.
Identification of a murine CD28 dileucine motif that suppresses single-chain chimeric T-cell receptor expression and function
Authors: Nguyen Phuong , Moisini Ioana , Geiger Terrence L. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractRecent preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of T lymphocytes redirected with genetically engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) surrogates against infected, cancerous, or autoreactive cells. These surrogate TCRs link a ligand-recognition domain to signaling regions from the TCR. We previously compared the function of surrogate TCRs that include TCR or TCR and CD28 signaling regions. We found that primary murine T cells modified to specifically target Kb-restricted CD8+ T cells using either Kb-ζ or Kb-CD28-ζ receptors had similar functional activities, although the CD28-ζ receptor showed a 2-fold to 4-fold decreased expression. We have now identified a previously unrecognized dileucine motif in the murine CD28 signaling domain that accounts for this reduced expression. Inactivation of this motif increased chimeric receptor surface expression 2- to 5-fold. T cells expressing the dileucine-mutated CD28-ζ chimeric receptor demonstrated enhanced proliferation, cytokine production, and cytolytic activities. Further, cells expressing this dileucine-mutated receptor were highly effective in eliminating antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in vivo. These results therefore identify a critical motif limiting the function of receptor-modified T lymphocytes, demonstrate that inactivation of this motif enhances chimeric receptor function, and illustrate a potential novel application of receptor-modified T lymphocytes in the induction of immune tolerance. (Blood. 2003;102:4320-4325)
Dynamic tracking of human hematopoietic stem cell engraftment using in vivo bioluminescence imaging
Authors: Wang Xiuli , Rosol Michael , Ge Shundi , Peterson Denise , McNamara George , Pollack Harvey , Kohn Donald B. , Nelson Marvin D. , Crooks Gay M. 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
The standard approach to assess hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment in experimental bone marrow transplantation models relies on detection of donor hematopoietic cells in host bone marrow following death; this approach provides data from only a single time point after transplantation for each animal. In vivo bioluminescence imaging was therefore explored as a method to gain a dynamic, longitudinal profile of human HSC engraftment in a living xenogeneic model. Luciferase expression using a lentiviral vector allowed detection of distinctly different patterns of engraftment kinetics from human CD34+ and CD34+CD38- populations in the marrow NOD/SCID/β2mnull mice. Imaging showed an early peak (day 13) of engraftment from CD34+ cells followed by a rapid decline in signal. Engraftment from the more primitive CD34+CD38- population was relatively delayed but by day 36 increased to significantly higher levels than those from CD34+ cells (P &lt; .05). Signal intensity from CD34+CD38--engrafted mice continued to increase during more than 100 days of analysis. Flow cytometry analysis of bone marrow from mice after death demonstrated that levels of 1% donor cell engraftment could be readily detected by bioluminescence imaging; higher engraftment levels corresponded to higher image signal intensity. In vivo bioluminescence imaging provides a novel method to track the dynamics of engraftment of human HSC and progenitors in vivo. (Blood. 2003;102: 3478-3482)
Sequence analysis of clonal immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at diagnosis and at relapse: implications for pathogenesis and for the clinical utility of PCR-based methods of minimal residual disease detection
Authors: Li Aihong , Zhou Jianbiao , Zuckerman David , Rue Montse , Dalton Virginia , Lyons Cheryl , Silverman Lewis B. , Sallan Stephen E. , Gribben John G. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractImmunoglobulin (Ig) and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements provide clonal markers useful for diagnosis and measurement of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We analyzed the sequences of Ig and TCR gene rearrangements obtained at presentation and relapse in 41 children with ALL to study clonal stability, which has important implications for monitoring MRD, during the course of the disease. In 42%, all original Ig and/or TCR sequences were conserved. In 24%, one original sequence was preserved but the other lost, and in 14% the original sequences were conserved with new sequences identified at relapse. In 20% only new sequences were found at relapse. Using primers designed from the novel relapse sequences, the relapse clone could be identified as subdominant clones in the diagnostic sample in 8 of 14 patients. Alteration of these clonal gene rearrangements is a common feature in childhood ALL. MRD detection should include multiple gene targets to minimize false-negative samples or include also multicolor flow cytometry. In some cases the leukemic progenitor cell might arise earlier in lineage before DHJH recombination but retain the capacity to further differentiate into cells capable of altering the pattern of Ig and/or TCR rearrangements. (Blood. 2003;102:4520-4526)
Reduced expression of NFAT-associated genes in UCB versus adult CD4+ T lymphocytes during primary stimulation
Authors: Kaminski Beth A. , Kadereit Suzanne , Miller Robin E. , Leahy Patrick , Stein Kevin R. , Topa David A. , Radivoyevitch Tomas , Veigl Martina L. , Laughlin Mary J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the blunted allo-responsiveness of umbilical cord blood (UCB) T cells have not been fully elucidated. Protein expression of NFATc2 (nuclear factor of activated T cells c2), a critical transcription factor necessary for up-regulation of multiple cytokines known to amplify T-cell allogeneic responses, is reduced in UCB T cells. Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays were used to compare gene expression of primary purified CD4+ UCB T cells to adult peripheral blood CD4+ T cells (AB) at baseline, 6, and 16 hours of primary stimulation. NFAT-regulated genes exhibited lower expression in UCB CD4+ T cells including the following: granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 3 (IL-3), IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα; CD25), CD40L, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 α (MIP-1α). Transcription factors involved in the NFAT pathway including C/EBPβ, JunB, and Fosl1 (Fra-1), as well as Th1- and Th2-related transcription factors STAT4 (signal transducers and activators of transcription 4), T-bet, and c-maf showed reduced expression in UCB compared with AB during primary stimulation. Reduced cytokine, chemokine, and receptor expression was also found in UCB. Gene array data were confirmed using RNase protection assays, flow cytometry, and quantitative multiplexed cytokine measurements. Reduced global expression of NFAT-associated genes, as well as cytokines and chemokines, in UCB CD4+ T cells may contribute to the decreased graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) observed after UCB transplantation. (Blood. 2003;102:4608-4617)