PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

E De Harven

Publications and source records attributed to E De Harven.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Immuno-electron microscopy characterization of human bone marrow stromal cells with anti-NGFR antibodies.

Human bone marrow stromal cells have been examined with an immuno-electron microscopy technique in order to better define their structure and function in normal hematopoiesis. Bone marrow fragments from normal donors, after mild permeabilization and glutaraldehyde prefixation were labeled with the Me20.4 Mab, which recognizes the low affinity nerve growth factor (NGFR) and was recently described as specifically identifying fibroblastic-like bone marrow stromal cells. Five nm gold immuno-conjugates served as markers. NGFR+ cells were showing either a star-shape, with long and convoluted dendritic projections, and branching with each other to form a complex system of lacunae upon which hematopoietic cells were arranged. Other NGFR+ cells had an elongated spindle-like morphology. NGFR+ dendrites were seen in close contact with each other and with the different hematopoietic cells, although definite junctions were never noticed. NGFR+ dendrites were also observed surrounding mature plasma cells, in close apposition with adipocytes or surrounding bone marrow sinusoids. These findings may give some clues about the function of the bone marrow stromal cells, which are known to be involved in the homing and recirculation of hemopoietic cells; in addition, the presence and distribution of NGFR in the bone marrow stroma may support the recent evidence of a co-stimulatory effect of NGF in early hematopoiesis.

Bone Marrow

Ultrastructural studies of the megakaryoblastic leukemias of Down syndrome.

The ultrastructure of the leukemic cells in transient leukemia (six cases), myelodysplasia (five cases) and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (one case) in patients with Down syndrome were studied. The cells were identified to be of megakaryocytic lineage by virtue of the expression of platelet glycoprotein GpIIIa, detected by immunogold labelling. In all patients, some of the leukemic cells had ultrastructural features of megakaryocytes, including ectoplasmic protrusions, demarcation membranes, and alpha granules. Differentiation was greatest in the cells of patients with transient leukemia. These studies provide a detailed assessment of the ultrastructural features of the leukemic cells in the megakaryoblastic leukemias of Down syndrome.

Acute Disease

Myelodysplasia and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in Down's syndrome.

In this report we describe the clinical and hematologic features of 23 cases of myelodysplasia (MDS) or acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) occurring in Down's syndrome. MDS was characterized by thrombocytopenia, abnormal megakaryocytopoiesis, megakaryoblasts (< 30%) in the marrow and abnormal karyotype, the most common of which was trisomy 8, found in 7/15 patients with MDS. Three of five patients achieved a complete remission with low dose cytosine arabinoside, vincristine and retinyl palmitate. The high cure rate and the distinctive features of the leukemic process in these cases suggest that this type of MDS and AMKL are unique to patients with Down's syndrome.

Adolescent

Scanning electron microscopic study of immunogold-labeled human leukocytes.

For many years critical point drying (CPD) has been the method of choice for preparing cells for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Described herein is a simple, efficient, inexpensive, reproducible, and safe procedure using Peldri II, a proprietary fluorocarbon compound that is solid at room temperature and a liquid above 25 degrees C, as a sublimation dehydrant for processing specimens for SEM. The utility of Peldri II was demonstrated in studies using leukocytes from the blood of healthy donors and patients with leukemia as well as from long-term lymphoblastoid cell lines. The application of the proposed Peldri II procedure was further documented in SEM studies in which the expression and distribution of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) on leukocyte surface membranes was imaged using colloidal gold-labeled antibodies (i.e., immunogold). When compared with current SEM preparation procedures using CPD, Peldri II is a useful alternative that is thought to offer several important advantages.

Cell Line

Double labelling of cell surface antigens with colloidal gold markers.

Particles of colloidal gold of different diameters (15 nm and 40) have been used to distinctively label different surface antigens expressed on the surface of human peripheral blood B and T lymphocytes. Silver enhancement has been used to facilitate the observation of the gold particles. Observations were carried out in the backscattered electron imaging mode of the scanning electron microscope. Two different methods have been compared: in Method I the two antigens have been identified by monoclonal antibodies of different classes (IgG and IgM); in Method II monoclonal antibodies of the same subclass were used but the ligands were different (goat anti-murine Ig versus biotin/streptavidin). Some cross-reactivity was observed with Method I, but not with Method II.

Animals

Malignant properties of sublines selected from a human bladder cancer cell line that contains an activated c-Ha-ras oncogene.

The human bladder cancer cell line MGH-U1 (also designated T-24 or EJ) contains an activated c-Ha-ras oncogene, which is amplified as compared to normal human fibroblasts. We have generated sublines from the MGH-U1 cell line: the MGH-U1/OCI subline was generated by dissociating spheroids formed from MGH-U1 cells; the U1-m/F1 and OCI-m/F1 were generated by in vivo passage of experimental lung metastases formed after i.v. injection of MGH-U1 and MGH-U1/OCI lines into immune-deprived mice; the U1/t subline was generated by in vivo passage of i.m. tumors formed from MGH-U1 cells. All sublines formed tumors in immune-deprived mice from smaller i.m. inocula than the parent line, and the U1-m/F1 subline generated more spontaneous metastases in lungs. Lung colony forming efficiency after i.v. injections of cells into similar mice was also greater for the sublines than for the parent MGH-U1 cells. The U1-m/F1 and OCI-m/F1 were the most tumorigenic lines. Early passages of the MGH-U1/OCI subline showed the presence of double minute chromosomes, and amplification and increased expression of the c-Ha-ras oncogene as compared to the parental cell line. These changes were not present in later cultures of MGH-U1/OCI cells, and no consistent difference in the levels of gene amplification or expression between the parent line and the sublines was found. Thus the content and expression of the activated c-Ha-ras oncogene does not correlate with malignant properties of the sublines.

Animals

Phenotypically heterogeneous deletion of the ABH antigen from the transformed bladder urothelium. A scanning electron microscope study.

The deletion of ABH blood group antigens from the luminal surface of the bladder mucosa in cases of well differentiated transitional cell carcinomata, and the formation of pleomorphic microvilli have both been associated with aggressive biological behaviour and invasiveness of the tumors. We have studied cold cup biopsies from 8 normal mucosae and 17 papillary transitional cell carcinomata of the urinary bladder. The aim of our study was to correlate the formation of uniform or pleomorphic microvilli with the extent of deletion of the ABH blood group antigens on the surface of normal and transformed bladder urothelium. Immunogold scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the backscattered electron (BE) imaging mode was used for this purpose. In the normal urothelium, uniform labeling of the luminal cells was demonstrated. In well differentiated tumors, the superficial cells exhibited uniform microvilli and a heterogeneous expression of the ABH antigens, giving characteristic 'mosaic' patterns of the antigenic labeling across the mucosal surface. These patterns were sharply delimitated at cell junctions when viewed by SEM; these observations were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. In higher grade tumors, decreased ABH antigen expression, pleomorphic microvilli and/or featureless luminal cells were observed. In the transformed urothelium, the formation of uniform microvilli appeared to precede the loss of ABH antigen in most cases.

ABO Blood-Group System

Biphenotypic Philadelphia positive, monosomy seven acute leukaemia: ultrastructural immunocytochemical study.

A case of Ph1 positive acute leukaemia is presented in which an additional chromosome change, monosomy 7 was found. There was no clinical evidence of a pre-existing chronic myeloid leukaemia. Cytochemistry and immunology showed a predominant HLA-DR+, TdT+, cALL- phenotype, with a small percentage of HLA-DR+, Leu-Ml+ and cALL- cells. The true biphenotypic nature of this case was clearly shown by transmission electron microscopy using the immunogold method combined with myeloperoxidase (MPO). Two distinct phenotypes, lymphoid (cALL+, MPO-) and myeloid (LeuMl+, MPO+) were identified with this technique. An immuno-scanning electron microscope technique was also used to study this case, which demonstrated the presence of two different surface morphologies.

Bone Marrow

Heterogeneity of cell lineages in L3 leukemias.

Five cases of adult leukemia with L3 morphology in bone marrow were studied for the presence of immunologic, metabolic, and enzymatic markers. Among the five patients, there were four males and female. Median age was 66 with a range of 16-80 yr. Median survival was only 5 mo. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, 3H-thymidine labeling indices, and DNA/RNA content of the L3 lymphoblasts were markedly elevated. B-cell markers were found in three cases, two exhibiting surface membrane IgM-lambda, and one IgG-K. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) enzymatic activity was consistently low in this group. In one case, the L3 lymphoblasts displayed only surface Fc receptors demonstrated by the binding of aggregated IgG. TdT activity was found to be significantly increased. In another instance, the lymphoblasts formed spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes and exhibited paranuclear staining with acid phosphatase. TdT activity was found to be low. Although most of the L3 leukemias are neoplasias of B lymphocytes, other lineages may also express this morphology.

Adult

A scanning electron microscopy and immunological study of 84 cases of lymphocytic leukaemia and related lymphoproliferative disorders.

The surface features of cells from 84 cases of lymphocytic leukaemia, and related lymphoproliferative disorders are described as seen by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Most of the 46 cases of CLL were shown to be B-derived, but rare cases of mixed B and T cell leukaemia and leukaemia with cells bearing both B and T markers were also encountered. Despite the existence of a spectrum of cell surface morphology, it was possible in many cases to identify a dominant cell type. Cells from cases of B derived malignancies were most frequently of the 'predominantly villous' type while a smaller proportion of cases were of the predominantly 'smoother' or 'mixed villous and smooth' type. Variations in surface morphology also occurred with progression of the disease. In most cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) 'smoother' cells predominated. However, more cases of ALL and T derived leukaemia need to be examined before definite conclusions can be drawn concerning the surface of these cell types. This study also illustrates the importance of examining large numbers of cases of leukaemia, before conclusions are drawn concerning their surface features and indicates that SEM cannot consistently distinguish between leukaemic B and T cells. It will be of interest to determine whether the surface architecture of the leukaemic cell is related to the degree of cell differentiation and eventual prognosis in these cases.

B-Lymphocytes

Scanning electron microscopy of human lymphocyte-sheep erythrocyte rosettes.

Human lymphocytes of known B or T derivation were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after rosetting with SRBC. After collection of the cells onto silver membranes the samples were prepared for SEM by the critical point drying method. Sheep RBC frequently underwent sphero-echinocyte transformation and multiple projections extended from their surfaces. This was readily noticeable after storage of SRBC in the cold and washing in Hanks, but more prominent after rosetting. These erythrocyte surface alterations were less apparent when freshly withdrawn cells were used. Spontaneous sheep erythrocyte rosettes (E-R), a marker for human T lymphocytes, were prepared with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), thymic cells, and cultured T cells. EAC-rosettes (EAC-R), used to identify B lymphocytes with complement receptors, were prepared with normal PBL and cultured B cells. The majority of rosetting T lymphocytes had generally smooth surfaces while about 20% had an intermediate number of microvilli and 15% were more villous and indistinguishable from villous B cells. Studies of rosetting thymocytes and cultured T cells however indicated that the surface of some T cells alters on rosetting, becoming more villous and thus account for the higher numbers of villous T cells seen in E-rosettes. Point to point contact sites between SRBC and T lymphocytes were more frequent than broad zones of attachment. The majority of rosetting B lymphocytes had multiple microvilli, about 25% had a moderate number of microvilli and less than 10% had smooth surfaces similar to those of most T cells. Areas of contact between EAC and B lymphocytes were frequently broad zones of attachment. The study confirms that in many cases B and T lymphocytes can be distinguished by their surface architecture as seen under the SEM; however, about 20% of rosetting B and T cells have similar surfaces with intermediate numbers of surface microvilli and cannot be distinguished by SEM without parallel immunologic identification.

Animals

Identification of human B and T lymphocytes by scanning electron microscopy.

In this study a variety of human lymphocytes of known B or T cell type, obtained from multiple sources, were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) by the critical point drying method. Distinction between normal B and T lymphocytes was relatively easy in most instances, on the basis of their surface architecture. Using immunological methods, between 20 and 30% of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were identified as B cells and from 69 to 82% as T cells. SEM results showed that 20% of the PBL had a complex villous surface and approximately 80% of cells were smaller and had a relatively smooth surface. Comparison of the above data and enrichment of B cells from PBL, by centrifugation after T cell rosettes had formed, indicated that the "villous" cells were B lymphocytes and the "relatively smooth" cells were T lymphocytes. T cells obtained from two human thymuses were also of the generally smooth cell type. Further evidence for the distinction of B and T lymphocytes, on the basis of surface morphology, was obtained from the examination of cultured lymphoid cell lines of known B or T cell derivation. Cells from cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia also provided support for the above interpretations. Five of six untreated cases were clearly of B cell type by immunologic and SEM criteria. One unusual case showed the presence of T and B lymphocytes in almost equal numbers by SEM and a mixture of B and T cells by immunologic markers. An additional case that had received chemotherapy showed numerous atypical cells that were difficult to classify by SEM. Detailed examination of the smoother T cells showed that at least half of them had a moderate number of surface digitations and a small proportion had an intermediate surface morphology with a relatively large number of surface digitations. The latter presented difficulties in classification and may correspond to different stages of differentiation and represent subpopulations of lymphocytes. The distinction between human B and T lymphocytes on the basis of their surface architecture can be made by SEM of critical point dried samples, with relative ease in most but not all instances. The effects of stimulation, cell cycle, differentiation, intercellular contact, and density of cell population, on the surface architecture of lymphoid cells, remain to be determined.

B-Lymphocytes

Concentration of herpesviruses.

A method has been developed for the concentration of herpesviruses by negative pressure ultrafiltration through dialysis tubing. The procedure results in high titer concentrates of unaggregated, morphologically intact viral particles with a virtually quantitative recovery of infectivity.

Cell Line