PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Tassinari

Publications and source records attributed to A Tassinari.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Variability of the molecular defects corresponding to the presence of a Philadelphia chromosome in human hematologic malignancies.

By analyzing a total of 107 patients affected by chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML; chronic and blast crisis) or lymphoid and myeloid Philadelphia chromosome (Ph') positive acute leukemias, we have investigated the relationship between the molecular defect on the Ph' chromosome and the associated hematologic phenotype. As expected, approximately half of the Ph' positive acute leukemias showed a breakpoint on chromosome 22 falling outside the "breakpoint cluster region" (bcr) known to be involved in CML. Surprisingly, seven of 80 CML cases in chronic phase also showed rearrangements falling outside the bcr region. In two of these cases the breakpoint on chromosome 22 was mapped between 9 and 12 kb upstream to the bcr region. In another case, the breakpoint was located approximately 16 kb downstream to bcr. In the remaining four cases, the precise position of the rearrangement could not be localized with the available bcr probes. DNAs from patients with CML blast crises showed classical bcr rearrangements. No molecular changes were observed during the progression of the disease in six patients whose DNA from both a chronic and acute phase was available. Our results seem to indicate a greater degree of variability of chromosome 22 breakpoints in CML than previously observed, and the lack of additional rearrangements on the Ph' chromosome in CML blast crises with respect to chronic phase.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Close association between antibodies to cytoskeletal intermediate filaments, and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease can mimic various autoimmune disorders, although autoantibodies are rarely detected in the sera of affected patients. Antibodies to cytoskeleton are a frequent finding in patients affected by autoimmune disorders. In all the sera of 16 patients who were submitted to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, we have found antibodies against cytoskeletal intermediate filaments. Moreover, the titer of such antibodies is quite elevated when compared with those reported in autoimmune disorders. A statistically significant difference between the titers found in patients without and with cGVHD (median 1:40 vs. 1:256, P less than 0.05) has been found. This would suggest that such antibodies might be relevant in monitoring clinical course. Furthermore, since certain cytoskeleton antigens have been shown to be expressed also on cell membrane, antibodies against intermediate filaments might also play a more important role by interfering with such surface structures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Chronic T-cell leukaemias. A variant of T-prolymphocytic leukaemias: morphological, immunological and clinical characterization of 2 cases.

In this study we describe 2 patients who appear to suffer from a morphological, cytochemical and clinico-haematological variant of T-prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL). The cells were smaller than typical prolymphocytes, with a regular nucleus containing a smaller and less prominent nucleolus; the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and acid phosphatase (AP) cytochemical reactions showed a weaker pattern of positivity in this variant compared to T-PLL. No immunological differences were found between the two conditions with regard to membrane expression and functional behavior of the cells. The clinical course and the outcome of the patients appears to be different: aggressive and rapidly fatal in T-PLL; thus far well-controlled in the T-PLL variant. From a molecular point of view, both cases showed a monoclonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta-chain gene.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Germ-line configuration of the T-cell receptor beta-chain gene in B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders which co-express T-cell antigens.

In 7 cases of chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders-6 chronic lymphocytic leukaemias and 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in leukaemic phase--which co-expressed T-cell markers (CD3, CD2) the clonal origin was investigated at the DNA level. In accordance with the diagnosis, all cases showed a monoclonally rearranged configuration of the immunoglobulin genes. On the contrary, the T-cell receptor beta chain gene always retained a germ-line organization. These findings demonstrate that B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders which co-express T-cell-related markers are truly composed of monoclonal B-cell elements.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1987

Configuration of the immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene regions in hairy cell leukemia and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The configuration of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes and of the T cell receptor (TCR) beta region was examined in a series of patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and compared with the findings in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). In all cases of HCL and B-CLL studied a rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain loci coupled to a reorganization of the light chain genes was documented. However, in all HCL and all but one B-CLL the TCR beta gene region was in a germ-line configuration. These findings confirm that HCL is characterized by the expansion of relatively mature B cell elements with a molecular configuration similar to that of B-CLL and indicate that the reported expression of T cell related markers, particularly in B-CLL, is not coupled to a rearrangement of the TCR beta-chain gene. Analyses of the immunoglobulin gene regions in HCL represent an important diagnostic tool as well as a possible aid toward monitoring the response to treatment.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1980

[Radiologic aspects of lung morphology: lobulus and acinus (author's transl)].

Primary lobule, acinus and secondary lobule are the three basic elements of lung tissue. In order to visualize these structures slices of fixed lungs are documented radiologically by plain films, angio-, and bronchograms. Characteristic pathologic alterations of these elements are edema and inflammation. Both lesions present with atypical radiological pattern. In pneumonia it is shown, that differentiation of air conducting structures of the bronchial tree and structures which are involved in gas exchange appears most valuable for interpretation of confluent densities. According to our experience based upon examination of 143 lung specimens separation into lobules is pathophysiological more important than the organisation into the next smaller unit--the acini: patterns of acinar radiodensities are extremely rare and might sometimes be imitated by peribronchial infiltrations.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of target and effector cell structures in natural killer-mediated cytotoxicity.

An analysis of target and effector cell structures involved in the in vitro natural killer (NK)-mediated cytotoxicity has been performed. The degree of surface expression of transferrin receptor (TR) was only in part correlated with that of cell lysis. Moreover, the lysis could not be blocked by treating target cells with two anti-TR monoclonal antibodies. Finally, cell lines poorly affected by NK cells express TR only at the cytoplasmic level. As to the effector cells, the integrity of cytoskeleton components (especially microtubules) was found to be essential for the occurrence of cell lysis. In fact, vinblastine, an anti-microtubule agent, was able to significantly reduce the percentage cell lysis. This effect was not due to a selective depletion in NK cells induced by the drug. It is concluded that the mechanisms underlying NK activity are complex and involve both target and effector cell structures.

Cell Line↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: In virtually all Ph1 chromosome-positive CML patients, the breakpoint on chromosome 22 maps in a very restricted area of 5.8 Kb, which has been named "breakpoint cluster region" or "bcr". Several molecular probes of this region are presently available, and this makes the molecular diagnosis of CML a useful approach which can be particularly important in those cases in which cytogenetic analysis does not reveal the presence of a Ph1 chromosome. Here we report the problems and our experience during the molecular analysis of the 478 patients examined so far. METHODS: Molecular analyses were performed after digestion of the DNA with 2 to 4 restriction enzymes and hybridization with different probes. Individual samples were subjected to PCR since no rearrangements had been obtained with Southern blotting. RESULTS: Rearrangement bands were detected in all the samples examined. In 473 cases the breakpoint was located within the bcr. In one of these cases, it was detected only after PCR analysis, and in two cases only after the use of the PHL/BCR probe. In 5 cases the breakpoint was localized either 5' or 3' with respect to the bcr. CONCLUSIONS: In this paper, the criteria for a correct molecular diagnosis of CML are presented. The "PHL/BCR" probe appeared to be very specific and time-saving, since it required only one digestion to evidence the rearrangement. Our results confirm the high specificity of the breakpoint on chromosome 22 in CML and the relatively rare incidence of molecular variants.

Base Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HTLV-I positive adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma: report of a typical case from Italy.

A case of acute adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) was observed in northeast Italy, presenting with fever, lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, hypercalcemia and renal failure. Leukaemic cells were morphologically typical, expressed a T-cell CD4+ phenotype, did not display any helper functions, and grew in vitro under supply of exogenous interleukin-2. Antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I) were found in the serum, and the virus was isolated from leukaemic cells. The family members who could be tested were seronegative. The patient had never travelled outside Italy, had never received blood transfusions and did not belong to any known categories at risk of viral disease transmission. Present knowledge of the epidemiology of HTLV-I infection warns that other cases of HTLV-I induced disease are expected to occur outside already recognised endemic areas. This case suggests that untraceable, presumably short-term exposures can also account for HTLV-I transmission.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

5q- and t(2;11) in a patient with M2 acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. Case report.

A patient with M2-ANLL and a 46,XX,del(5)(q22q33), t(2;11)(p21;q24) karyotype is described. The diagnosis was made after a short period of myelodysplastic syndrome. After chemotherapy consisting of Daunorubicin and Arabinosylcytosine in continuous infusion, the patient reached a complete remission. The chromosome pattern described here has been observed in two other patients with refractory anemia and refractory anemia with excess of blasts, respectively. The breakpoints on the chromosomes 2, 5 and 11 allow us to hypothesize the involvement of N-myc, c-fms, GM-CSF and IL-3 genes.

Adult↗