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Biomedical subjects

E Lundgren

Publications and source records attributed to E Lundgren.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of LFA-1 avidity in human B cells. Requirements for dephosphorylation events for high avidity ICAM-1 binding.

Regulation of the avidity of LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18, alpha L beta 2) for its ligand ICAM-1 (CD54) was studied in human B cells by evaluating the effects of a phorbol ester, anti-IgM antibodies, staurosporine, and okadaic acid. We monitored changes in LFA-1 avidity by quantifying binding of cells to an immobilized rICAM-1 fusion protein. In this assay, the protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester PDB and anti-IgM antibodies, as well as the protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, were able to induce LFA-1-dependent binding to ICAM-1. This demonstrates that the high avidity state of LFA-1 can be induced by a protein kinase C-dependent and by a protein kinase C-independent pathway. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, inhibited binding to ICAM-1. Treatment with staurosporine before addition of okadaic acid not only induced enhanced binding of cells to ICAM-1, but also dramatically reduced the ability of okadaic acid to inhibit binding. These results suggest a critical role for a protein phosphatase in inducing the high avidity state of LFA-1 as well as a role for a protein kinase in inducing the low avidity state of LFA-1.

Alkaloids

Interferon system in primary acute lymphocytic leukemia cells with or without deletions of the alpha-/beta-interferon genes.

Various aspects of the interferon (IFN) system were studied in malignant cells from 37 unselected patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It was found that leukemic cells from two of 37 patients had a complete loss of alpha- and beta-IFN genes, whereas cells from four of 37 had lost one of the alpha-/beta-IFN alleles. In 25 cases, viable cells were also available for functional studies. Cell clones with loss of one of the alpha-/beta-IFN alleles produced low amounts of IFN after virus induction in vitro. Some clones with an apparently normal set of IFN genes were unable to produce detectable amounts of IFN. All clones studied were found to carry high-affinity alpha-IFN receptors. In clones carrying deletions of IFN genes, the cells were sensitive to IFN in vitro as measured by alpha-IFN-induced enhancement of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2',5'-A synthetase). Cells from four patients with an apparently normal set of IFN genes were insensitive to this effect of IFN. We conclude that of the 17 patients in which IFN genes, IFN production, alpha-IFN receptors, and IFN-induced enhancement of 2',5'-A synthetase were studied, nine (53%) showed some abnormality in their IFN system. This finding may add some support to the hypothesis that defects in the IFN system could be a step on the path to malignant transformation in ALL. Moreover, patients whose malignant cells carry IFN gene deletions or other defects in their IFN-producing capacity, but are still sensitive to exogenous IFN, could represent a subgroup of ALL with a greater likelihood of responding to IFN therapy.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase

Stimulation of human naive and memory T helper cells with bacterial superantigen. Naive CD4+45RA+ T cells require a costimulatory signal mediated through the LFA-1/ICAM-1 pathway.

The role of the accessory molecule ICAM-1 in activation of subpopulations of human T cells was examined using the bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) as a MHC class II and TCR-dependent polyclonal T cell activator. Human T cells responded with different sensitivity to SEA when presented on mouse accessory cells expressing a human transfected MHC class II gene product. Mouse L cells cotransfected with both MHC class II (DR2A or DR7) and ICAM-1-stimulated T cells at 100-fold lower concentrations of SEA as compared to the single transfected cells. mAb reacting with the CD11a, CD18, or ICAM-1 molecules efficiently inhibited T cell activation with the cotransfected HLA-DR2A/ICAM-1 cell but did not influence T cell activation with the HLA-DR2A single transfected cell. Analysis of the ICAM-1 requirement on CD4+ memory (CD4+45RO+) and naive (CD4+45RA+) T cells revealed that CD4+45RA+ naive Th cells were hyporesponsive to SEA-induced activation with the HLA-DR2A single transfectant. However, cotransfection of ICAM-1 enabled these cells to respond to low doses of SEA implicating that they are more dependent on accessory molecules than the CD4+45RO+ cells. rICAM-1 immobilized on a plastic surface, was able to strongly costimulate SEA-induced T cell activation with the HLA-DR2A single transfectant, suggesting that costimulatory signals mediated to the T cells through LFA-1 can be delivered physically separated from the TCR signal. CD4+45RO+ memory and CD4+45RA+ naive Th cells apparently differ in their capacities to be activated by SEA bound to HLA-DR. Although the TCR molecule densities are similar in these two subsets, costimulation with ICAM-1 is required for activation of the CD4+45RA+, but not the CD4+45RO+ T cell subset at 1 to 10,000 ng/ml concentrations of SEA. This observation indicates different activation thresholds of naive and memory Th cells when triggering the TCR over a wide dose interval of superantigen.

Antigens, Bacterial

Physical separation of ICAM-1 binding cells.

Studies of interactions between specific molecules involved in adhesion between cells are often complicated since cells possess many different types of surface molecules influencing adhesion. To be able to further study interactions between the adhesive cell surface molecule LFA-1 and its ligand ICAM-1, we have produced an ICAM-1 fusion protein in which the extracellular part of ICAM-1 has been fused to a part of an IgG heavy chain. The fusion protein was produced by CHO cells and was easily purified in large quantities from the cell culture supernatant. The protein was coupled to magnetic beads and was shown to have binding characteristics similar to native ICAM-1. The coupled beads were used for magnetic isolation of ICAM-1 binding cells thereby providing a method for detecting changes in avidity for ICAM-1 and also for the analysis of ICAM-1 binding cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

The gene for Best's macular dystrophy is located at 11q13 in a Swedish family.

A large Swedish family with more than 250 cases of Best's macular dystrophy has been clinically and genetically studied. The gene was traced to a couple born in central Sweden in the 17th century. Highly significant evidence for genetic linkage to DNA markers on chromosome 11q13 was detected. A lod score of 15.12 was obtained at recombination fraction 0.01 with DNA marker INT2 (also called FGF3). The retinally expressed gene ROM1, which maps to the same chromosomal region is a candidate for this genetic disease.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11

Homozygosity for the transthyretin-Met30-gene in seven individuals with familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy detected by restriction enzyme analysis of amplified genomic DNA sequences.

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) with a mutation in position 30 of transthyretin (TTR) (previously called prealbumin) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by varying degrees of peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, gastrointestinal problems, and vitreous amyloid. We have earlier diagnosed homozygosity for the TTR-Met30-gene using Southern analysis in four Swedish individuals. We have found it possible to detect homozygosity for the Met-30 mutation by amplifying discrete regions of the TTR-gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the amplification products restricted with NsiI analysed by gel electrophoresis. Clinical data on seven homozygous individuals, including three new cases, are presented.

Aged

Three separate epitopes on human IFN-alpha variants defined by monoclonal antibodies and their role in the binding to receptors.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) designed 9-1-1 and 2-2-1, produced by murine hybridoma clones, raised to recombinant IFN-alpha 2c and one mAb, designed 3A3-2, raised to recombinant IFN-alpha 88, have been characterized with respect to neutralization of IFN antiviral and antiproliferative activities. The regions of IFN molecule which these antibodies are directed against have been defined by analyzing cross- reactivity with four IFN-alpha subtypes (IFN-alpha 88, IFN-alpha 2a, IFN-alpha 2b, IFN-alpha 2c) and two fragments of IFN-alpha 88. An analysis of cross-reactivity patterns with IFN-alpha 88 and IFN-alpha 2c indicated that 3A3-2 mAb was directed to an epitope on IFN-alpha 88 not overlapping with epitopes of other mAbs, however its localization was not exactly defined. The epitope recognized by 9-1-1 mAb was present on IFN-alpha 88 and IFN-alpha 2c, and also was not overlapping the epitopes of other mAbs. Using another variant IFN-alpha 2a, containing Lys instead of Arg at position 23, for competitive binding study it was shown that Arg 23 was implicated in the epitope recognized by 9-1-1 mAb. The competition study with IFN-alpha 88 fragments allowed to locate the epitope recognized by 2-2-1 mAb between amino acid residues 51 and 166. The epitope blocking test indicated that 2-2-1 mAb was directed to an epitope overlapping that of previously reported for mAb NK-2, located around Glu at position 113.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Transient expression of the Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 gene in human primary B cells induces cellular activation and DNA synthesis.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) are expressed in EBV-immortalized human B cells. It has previously been shown that transfection of the LMP1 and EBNA2 genes into Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines results in the up-regulation of CD23, CD21, ICAM-1 and LFA-1 cell-surface proteins. In the present study, the effects of transient expression of the LMP1 and EBNA2 genes were studied in normal primary human B cells pretreated with UV-inactivated EBV particles. To identify and purify cells which express the transfected DNA we used a gene encoding a surface molecule, CD2, as a co-transfection marker. We show that transient expression of the LMP1 gene, from heterologous promoters, is sufficient to induce cellular enlargement and up-regulation of surface expression of the activation markers CD23, CD21, ICAM-1 and LFA-1 in primary B cells. Most importantly, we show that transient expression of the LMP1 gene is sufficient to induce DNA synthesis in human primary B cells. Transient EBNA2 expression enhanced the effect of transient LMP1 expression on CD21 and CD23 cell-surface expression but, under our experimental conditions, inhibited the induction of DNA synthesis by LMP1. We conclude that activation of primary B cells with inactivated EBV particles, followed by transient expression of only two viral genes, EBNA2 and LMP1, is sufficient to reconstitute some of the early events of B-cell immortalization by EBV.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte

Long-term effects of parathyroid operation on serum calcium and parathyroid hormone values in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates 410 persons (median age, 67 years) who underwent parathyroid operation for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism 6 to 32 years (mean, 14.2 years) before 1991. METHODS: Patient records and operative specimens were scrutinized, the patients answered a questionnaire, and fasting serum samples were analyzed for calcium, albumin, creatinine, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) values. RESULTS: After primary parathyroid operations were performed with a conservative surgical approach, persistent and recurrent hypercalcemia were noticed in 3.7% and 1.7% of patients, respectively, whereas 4.7% of patients required vitamin D substitution or had essentially mild hypocalcemia. The PTH values were generally increased in patients with postoperative hyperparathyroidism, low in those with vitamin D substitution, and normal to elevated in the patients with hypocalcemia and in those with postoperative normocalcemia. The mean serum creatinine concentration was just below the upper reference range and correlated strongly with serum PTH value. No significant differences in serum PTH values were present between the normocalcemic patients and matched control patients after operation (n = 107), but the patients who underwent operation exhibited greater variation in the PTH concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The results substantiate the efficacy of parathyroid operation in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Biochemical derangements compatible with secondary hyperparathyroidism may evolve during long-term follow-up and contribute to decreases in serum calcium values and increases in serum PTH values of these patients.

Adolescent

Transient expression of the CD2 cell surface antigen as a sortable marker to monitor high frequency transfection of human primary B cells.

We have used the T cell surface molecule CD2 gene, expressed from the human cytomegalovirus promoter as a reporter to optimize a transfection system for human primary B cells. The CD2-encoding DNA was transfected into cells by electroporation and transient expression was monitored by flow cytometric analysis. By using our optimal electroporation conditions on activated primary B cells, more than 30% of the resulting viable cells expressed CD2 on the cell surface. Moreover, unactivated primary B cells could also be transfected using this system but subsequent expression of CD2 required cellular activation. Magnetic beads or plastic culture bottles coated with anti-CD2 antibodies have been used to selectively purify transfected cells. The high transfection efficiency combined with the ability to specifically purify transfected cells may allow future studies on specific genes transiently expressed in human primary B cells.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte

Multiple DNA rearrangements in the BCL2 region in a patient with follicular lymphoma.

A 39-year-old male with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was repeatedly studied with respect to DNA rearrangements with the two probes pFL-1 and pFL-2, representing two segments of chromosome 18. The oncogene BCL2, detected by pFL-1, was as expected translocated to the J region of the immunoglobulin locus. The standard BCL2 translocation was found in three samples, one obtained at diagnosis, one ten months later, and one after 5 years. Another translocation was found with the probe pFL-2 hybridizing with a region located about 20 kb 3' from BCL2. This latter rearrangement was found only in the first biopsy, which was obtained at the time of diagnosis, but not in the two later samples, when the morphology of the lymphoma was unchanged. No cytotoxic therapy had been given in the interval from diagnosis to disappearance of the latter rearrangement. Thus, one of the observed translocations (pFL-2) was detected only in the first biopsy, while the other (pFL-1) was a clonal marker in all three biopsies. The finding suggests that clonal evolution does not necessarily mean clinical progression.

Adult

Application of four anti-human interferon-alpha monoclonal antibodies for immunoassay and comparative analysis of natural interferon-alpha mixtures.

Four different mouse monoclonal antibodies to human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) were evaluated for application in quantitative and comparative analysis of natural IFN-alpha mixtures. Binding to IFN-alpha subtypes in solution revealed individual reactivity patterns. These patterns changed if the IFN-alpha molecules were immobilized either passively to a surface or bound by another antibody. Also, substitution of a single amino acid in IFN-alpha 2 affected the binding, apparently by altering the conformation. Isoelectric focusing of three natural IFN-alpha preparations from different sources, followed by immunoblotting, resulted in individual patterns with each of the four mAbs and also demonstrated variation in the composition of the IFN-alpha preparations. None of the mAbs was subtype specific, but by combining the different mAbs, and also applying polyclonal anti-human IFN-alpha antibodies, it was possible to design sensitive sandwich ELISAs with broad or more limited IFN-alpha subtype specificity.

Adsorption

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with purified leukocyte interferon. Clinical response in relation to tumor DNA content.

Twenty-eight patients with renal cell carcinoma and evaluable metastases were treated with a purified leukocyte interferon 2-7 x 10(6) IU daily. DNA content was analyzed by flow cytometry. Nine patients had lung metastases only, 12 had dissemination to lungs and to other sites as well, and 7 had metastases in other sites only. Two patients had complete response and one had minor response of lung metastases. Another 3 patients had mixed responses: 2 of them complete disappearance and one minor response of lung metastases but concomitant progression of skeletal and abdominal metastases. The overall response rate restricted to lung metastases only was 21% (6 of 28 patients) including the 3 patients with mixed response. The 6 patients with any kind of response were found among 19 patients with aneuploid primary tumors while no response was noted in 8 patients with diploid tumors.

Adult

Three human interferon-alpha 2 subvariants disclose structural and functional differences.

The human interferon-alpha 2 subvariants 2a, 2b and 2c differ by only one or two amino acids at positions 23 and/or 34 of the mature protein. In this study, the coding regions of the three interferon-alpha 2 subvariants were derived from the cDNA of interferon-alpha 2c by site-directed in vitro mutagenesis. The interferon-alpha subvariants were synthesized using the same Escherichia coli strain for production and were subsequently purified. Comparative studies revealed that they differ significantly in their biological and antigenic properties. Therefore, amino acid positions 23 and 34 seem to be crucial for structure/function of human interferon-alpha. Furthermore, the study points to the importance of defining, whether such minor structural variants of naturally occurring polypeptides represent functional variants.

Amino Acids

Vitreous amyloidosis associated with homozygosity for the transthyretin methionine-30 gene.

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder. Biochemical studies have revealed that the amyloid protein in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy of Japanese, Swedish, and Portuguese origin mainly consists of a variant transthyretin with one amino acid substitution of methionine for valine at position 30, termed TTR met-30. In five Swedish patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy we diagnosed homozygosity for the TTR met-30 gene using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The homozygous individuals did not show more severe systemic symptoms or earlier onset than heterozygotes for the TTR met-30 gene. The only clinical difference was the presence of vitreous opacities in all homozygous patients.

Aged

Fever induced by Escherichia coli or intrahypothalamic prostaglandin E2 enhances interferon-gamma synthesis.

We previously showed that hyperthermia induced in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by forced passive heating "primes" the peripheral lymphocyte population for increased synthesis of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). It was not clear whether these data could be extrapolated to the physiological response in naturally occurring fever. Therefore, in the current experiments, the temperature of rhesus monkeys was raised either by systemic injection of killed Escherichia coli or by intrahypothalamic administration of prostaglandin E2. Mononuclear cells collected subsequently from such monkeys produced more IFN-gamma in response to stimulation with mitogens than cells from control monkeys. Direct administration of IFN-alpha, -beta, or -gamma to the hypothalamus did not affect the body temperature of rhesus monkeys.

Animals

Decreasing incidence of thyrotoxicosis in an endemic goitre inland area of Sweden.

Four hundred and sixty-seven new cases of thyrotoxicosis were diagnosed during the period 1975-1984 in a demographically well defined Swedish inland county, with about 134,000 inhabitants, where goitre has been considered endemic. This corresponds to a mean annual incidence of all thyrotoxicosis of 34.7/100,000. The mean incidence of toxic diffuse goitre was 16.6/100,000 and of toxic nodular goitre 18.4/100,000. The mean incidence of all thyrotoxicosis fell from 39.2 to 30.2/100,000/year between the first and the second 5-year period of the study (P less than 0.01); this was entirely due to a decrease in the incidence of toxic nodular goitre (22.6 to 14.1/100,000/year) whereas the incidence of toxic diffuse goitre did not change significantly. The decrease in the incidence of toxic nodular goitre was evenly distributed over all age groups and over rural and urban areas of the county.

Adolescent