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Biomedical subjects

E S Lianidou

Publications and source records attributed to E S Lianidou.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Development of a quantitative luminometric hybridization assay for the determination of telomerase activity.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a quantitative luminometric hybridization assay for the determination of telomerase activity in tissue and cell extracts. DESIGN AND METHODS: Quantification is based on the coamplification of telomeric repeats synthesized by telomerase along with a specifically designed recombinant DNA-internal standard (DNA-IS). The DNA-IS has a similar size and the same primer recognition sites as the telomerase DNA products and differs from them only in a central 18 bp sequence. PCR products are captured on microtiter wells via the biotin-streptavidin system and hybridized with two distinct digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes that are designed to recognize specifically telomerase products and DNA-IS. The hybrids are quantified by a luminometric reaction using an antidigoxigenin antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The hybridization assay was validated with the MCF-7 breast carcinoma and leukemia K-562 cell lines and a synthetic telomerase product (R(8)). RESULTS: Luminescence ratios for telomerase products and DNA-IS were linearly related to the concentration of the pre-PCR product synthesized by telomerase (R(8)), in the range of 0.0005 to 10 pM. The overall reproducibility of the assay (between-run) varied between 11.3 and 15%. Application of the method in eleven breast tumors showed a great variation in the levels of telomerase enzymatic activity. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed luminometric hybridization assay for the quantitative determination of telomerase enzymatic activity is highly sensitive and can be used for a large-scale prospective evaluation of clinical samples.

Breast Neoplasms↗

BRCA1 mutation analysis in breast/ovarian cancer families from Greece.

Germline mutations in BRCA1 gene account for varying proportions of breast/ovarian cancer families, and demonstrate considerable variation in mutational spectra coincident with ethnic and geographical diversity. We have screened for mutations the entire coding sequence of BRCA1 in 30 breast/ovarian cancer women with family history of two or more cases of breast cancer under age 50 and/or ovarian cancer at any age. Genomic DNA from patient was initially analyzed for truncating mutations in exon 11 with PTT followed by DNA sequencing. In the cases where no frameshift mutation was observed in exon 11, all other exons were screened with direct sequencing. Two novel (3099delT, 3277insG) and three already described (3741insA, 1623del5-TTAAA, 5382insC-twice) truncating mutations were identified. In addition, 6 point mutations (L771L, P871L, E1038G, K1183R, S1436S, S1613G) which are already classified as polymorphisms were identified. Three unclassified intronic variants (IVS16-68 G>A, IVS16-92 G>A, IVS18+65G>A) were also detected. These results show that BRCA1 deleterious mutations are present in a fraction (20%) of Greek breast/ovarian cancer families similar to other European countries. Mutations were detected in high- (>/=3 members) as well as in moderate-risk (2 members) families. This is the first report of BRCA1 mutation analysis in Greece.

Adult↗

Determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum by a highly sensitive enzyme amplified lanthanide luminescence immunoassay.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a highly sensitive enzyme amplified lanthanide luminescence (EALL) immunoassay for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). METHODS: The method is based on the use of two monoclonal antibodies against TNF-alpha, one "capture" antibody and one labeled with biotin, in a "sandwich type" assay format. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) conjugated to an antibiotin-polyclonal antibody is used as the enzyme label. ALP cleaves phosphate from diflunisal phosphate (DIFP) to produce diflunisal (DIF). The detection system is based on the combination of enzymatic amplification introduced by ALP and the formation of a highly fluorescent terbium complex that can be monitored by time resolved or conventional fluorimetry. RESULTS: By using 50 microL of sample, the dynamic range of the assay extends up to 2000 ng/L of TNF-alpha, with a detection limit of 1 ng/L, within-run CVs ranging from 3 to 15% and recoveries of 97 +/- 2%. By using 100 microL of sample the dynamic range of the assay extends up to 1000 ng/L of TNF-alpha with a detection limit of 0.2 ng/L, recoveries of 94 +/- 13%, within-run CVs ranging from 2 to 6.5% and between-run CVs ranging from 5 to 15%, in a total incubation time of 3h. No interference by the presence of other cytokines (IL-1beta IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-gamma) or by rheumatoid factors has been observed. The results obtained by the proposed method and by a commercially available kit (Medgenix TNF-alpha EASIA) correlated well (n = 26, r = 0.934). CONCLUSION: The proposed method is highly sensitive, simple and rapid and can reliably measure TNF-alpha in the ng range in biological specimens.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗

BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene product shares immunoreactive epitopes with a protein present in seminal plasma.

OBJECTIVES: To develop immunofluorometric procedures for measuring BRCA1 protein in various biological fluids and tissue extracts. DESIGN AND METHODS: Five commercially available monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against BRCA1 were evaluated for developing competitive and non-competitive immunofluorometric procedures for BRCA1. Biotinylated and nonbiotinylated peptides were used to assess the specificity of the antibodies for blocking experiments and for the competitive immunoassay. Extensive studies to exclude cross-reactivity and non-specific effects in the non-competitive immunoassay were undertaken. Seminal plasmas as well as breast tumor extracts, amniotic fluids and cerebrospinal fluids were analyzed. RESULTS: We designed novel methods for measuring BRCA1 immunoreactivity. One configuration based on the "sandwich-type" immunoassay principle was used for further studies. We discovered that seminal plasma contains an immunoreactive protein which appears to possess the D-20 (aminoterminal) and C-20 (carboxyterminal) epitopes of BRCA1. Molecular weight identification using gel filtration chromatography has shown that the immunoreactive species has a molecular weight between 660 and 160 KDa. CONCLUSIONS: We identified for the first time a protein in seminal plasma that shares immunoreactive epitopes with the BRCA1 tumor suppressor protein. We are currently purifying this protein in order to examine if it is homologous or identical to BRCA1.

BRCA1 Protein↗

Application of terbium sensitized fluorescence for the determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin in serum.

A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and pefloxacin (PEF) is described. The method is based on the radiative energy transfer from fluoroquinolones to terbium ions (Tb3+) in the presence of tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in weakly acidic (pH 5.5) micellar solution of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPCI). Optimum conditions for the formation of the fluoroquinolone-Tb(3+)-TOPO ternary complexes have been investigated. Under optimized conditions the detection limits are 1.7, 1.2 and 4.4 nM for NOR, CIP and PEF, respectively, while the range of application for all three drugs is 0.05-10 microM. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of NOR, CIP and PEF in serum samples after deproteinization with acetonitrile (serum-acetonitrile; 1:2, v/v). The mean recoveries from serum samples spiked with NOR, CIP and PEF (5.0-50.0 microM) were (90.3 +/- 4.9), (105.0 +/- 3.6), and (95.3 +/- 1.5)% respectively. Within-run and day-to-day s, values for 5.0, 25.0 and 50.0 microM of each fluoroquinolone varied from 1.7 to 5.4% and from 3.3 to 12.8%, respectively. The influence of several usually coadministered drugs on the determination of fluoroquinolones in serum has been investigated.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Simple spectrofluorometric determination of p-aminobenzoic and p-aminosalicylic acids in biological fluids by use of terbium-sensitized luminescence.

A novel, sensitive, and selective method has been developed for determination of p-aminobenzoic (PABA) and p-aminosalicylic (PAS) acids in the N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-PABA/ PAS test. PAS is measured as a ternary complex with terbium and EDTA (lambda(ex) = 324 nm, lambda(em) = 546 nm) in alkaline aqueous solution (pH approximately 12.6), whereas both compounds (PABA and PAS) are measured as ternary complexes with terbium and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (lambda(ex) = 292 nm, lambda(em) = 546 nm) in weakly acidic aqueous solution (pH approximately 5.5). We inve stigated and implemented optimum conditions for formation of these complexes, yielding respective detection limits for PABA and PAS of 0.07 and 0.02 micromol/L and ranges of application of 0-10 and 0-40 micromol/L (final concentration). The method has been successfully applied to determinations of PABA and PAS in urine and, after alkaline hydrolysis, to determinations of PABA in serum that has been deproteinized with acetonitrile. Within-run imprecision of the PABA determination ranges from 0.8% to 4.2 % for urine samples and from 3.9% to 8.2% for serum samples; day-to-day imprecision varies from 3.2% to 10% for serum samples.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

Ultrasensitive time-resolved fluorescence method for alpha-fetoprotein.

We have examined the maximum sensitivity of a newly developed and optimized time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay system. The system, originally described elsewhere (Clin Biochem 1988:21:139-50), has undergone significant improvements in sensitivity through improvements of the labeled reagent used. We have chosen an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) assay as a model and used monoclonal "capture" antibodies and monoclonal or polyclonal biotinylated antibodies in "sandwich-type" assay configurations. Streptavidin labeled with the europium chelator 4.7-bis(chlorosulfophenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline-2.9-dicarboxylic acid was used for detection. We can measure as few as 3 x 10(5) molecules of AFP with the optimized system. We have applied this assay to measure AFP in the serum of normal individuals after a 10-fold sample dilution. We conclude that this system is extremely sensitive and can be used in immunoassay or other applications where biotinylated reagents can be applied.

Adult↗

Assay of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB in serum with time-resolved immunofluorometry.

We describe the first time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) in serum. The assay is based on the formation of the complex: solid-phase anti-CK-MB-CK-MB-biotinylated anti-CK-BB-streptavidin-BCPDA-Eu3+, where anti-CK-MB and anti-CK-BB are monoclonal antibodies against the CK isoenzymes MB and BB, respectively, and BCPDA is the europium chelator 4,7-bis(chlorosulfophenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid. The solid-phase complex is fluorescent and is measured on the dry solid-phase (microtiter well) in a specially designed time-resolved fluorometer that uses laser excitation. The assay requires 25 microL of serum and is not affected by the presence of either CK-MM (up to 5000 micrograms/L) or CK-BB (up to 1000 micrograms/L) in the sample. Precision and accuracy indices for the assay were satisfactory.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Determination of ursodeoxycholic acid in serum by a new fluorometric enzymatic method using 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Clostridium absonum.

A fluorometric enzymatic method for the determination of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its glycine and taurine conjugates in human serum has been developed. A simple and fast purification and preconcentration procedure using Sep Pak C18 cartridges was employed for the UDCA extraction from human serum. UDCA and its conjugates were determined in the extracted sample by an equilibrium method based on the enzymatic conversion of the 7 alpha-hydroxy group into 7-oxo group by beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in the presence of 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7 beta-HSD) and the produced NADPH was monitored fluorometrically. The 7 beta-HSD, which is not yet commercially available, was isolated from Clostridium absonum cultures (ATCC No. 27555) and purified by affinity chromatography. The method has a limit of detection of 0.8 microM in serum and the precision varied from 6.1 to 2.0% for low and high concentrations, respectively. The recovery of UDCA from serum samples was about 99% (range 85-105%). The method was successfully applied to UDCA determination in serum samples from patients treated with UDCA for primary biliary cirrhosis.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Immunofluorometric assay of p53 protein versus sequencing of p53 exons 5 to 9 for the detection of p53 abnormalities in ovarian carcinoma.

p53 alteration, detected as mutation of the p53 gene or as accumulation of mutant p53 protein, is a common feature of most malignancies, including ovarian carcinoma, and may identify patients with unfavorable prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Tumor tissues from 55 patients with well or poorly differentiated (grades 1 or 3) primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma were assessed both for p53 protein overexpression by a sensitive time-resolved immunofluorometric assay employing DO-1 and CM-1 antibodies, and for genetic p53 abnormalities by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified exons 5 to 9. Sixteen p53 mutations (29%), including 3 deletions causing frameshifts as well as one nonsense and 12 missense point mutations were found in all exons except exon 9. Overexpression of p53 protein, defined as a concentration exceeding the 75th percentile, was found in 15 cases (27%), 10 of which had missense mutations (P < 0.01). Tumors with nonsense and frameshift mutations were p53-negative by immunoassay. Both p53 mutation (P = 0.04) and p53 protein accumulation (P < 0.01) were associated with stage III-IV disease, while p53 mutation was more closely related to grade 3 lesions (P = 0.04) and serous histotype (P = 0.01). These results indicate that p53 protein accumulation correlates well with missense point mutation in carcinoma of the ovary and, together with other evidence that p53 abnormality may be prognostic of outcome in this disease, suggest that the immunoassay of p53 protein may have clinical value.

Adult↗