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Biomedical subjects

G Carulli

Publications and source records attributed to G Carulli.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Modifications in the phagocytosis of human neutrophils induced by vinblastine and cytochalasin B: the effects of lithium.

The effects of lithium on the microtubular and microfilament systems of neutrophil granulocytes is described. The phagocytic capacity of human neutrophils was reduced or inhibited by using vinblastine or cytochalasin B. Lithium at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mEq/l proved to be capable of antagonising the action of vinblastine, whereas the action of cytochalasin B was found to be unaffected by lithium. Based on the antagonising effect of lithium on vinblastine-induced inhibition of phagocytosis, it is suggested that lithium acts--at therapeutically achievable levels--on the microtubular system of neutrophils, possibly through modulation of cyclic AMP levels.

Cytochalasin B↗

Effects of lithium carbonate on leukocyte functions in chronic benign neutropenia.

The effects of lithium carbonate on leukocyte functions in a case of chronic benign neutropenia are presented. Lithium was able to induce leukocytosis and to bring about increases in chemotaxis, marrow granulocyte reserve test and phagocytosis. After lithium interruption, leukocyte functions returned to initial values. Some hypotheses are advanced to account for lithium action.

Adult↗

Immunomodulators and enzymes of purine metabolism in human lymphocytes.

The enzymes ADA and PNP were evaluated in lymphocytic subpopulations in peripheral blood obtained from healthy subjects, elderly subjects and patients with immunoproliferative diseases. Some similar assessments were performed on lymphoid cells from cord blood. Preliminary studies indicate that Thymostimulin can in some cases correct enzymic defects.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Expression of p170 protein in multiple myeloma: a clinical study.

The expression of the p170 multidrug resistance protein by bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) was assessed at clinical presentation in 53 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) using the C219 monoclonal antibody. Twenty-two of the 53 (41 per cent) patients had variable aliquots (1-60 per cent, median = 6 per cent) of p170+ BMPC by immunocytochemistry. Five of 10 patients studied using bivariate flow cytometry had both diploid and hyperdiploid (DNA index ranged from 1.2 to 1.5) BMPC with hyperdiploid clones having significantly greater p170 expression than diploid ones. Of the 37 patients evaluated for a response, 20 (54 per cent) had responded to induction chemotherapy. The presence of p170+ BMPC was a negative indicator for achieving response. The response rate was 75 per cent for p170- and 25 per cent for p170+ cases (p < 0.01), with no difference on the basis of treatment schedule (melphalan and prednisone, 24 patients; peptichemio, vincristine and prednisone, 13 patients). No difference in response and survival duration was found between p170+ and p170- patients. In six of nine patients studied both at diagnosis and following induction chemotherapy the p170+ BMPC% increased irrespective of the type of treatment or outcome.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Alternating chemotherapy regimen (P-VABEC) for intermediate and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the middle aged and elderly.

An intensive third generation regimen (P-VABEC) including adriamycin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin and prednisolone was administered to 43 unselected elderly patients with intermediate or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). The median age was 67, 40 per cent were Ann Arbor stage IV, 73 per cent had 'B' symptoms, 55 per cent had bulky disease, 48 per cent had serum lactate dehydrogenase greater than 450 U/l, 85 per cent had serum thymidine-kinase greater than 4 U/l. Thirty patients were previously untreated. The complete remission (CR) rate was 74 per cent, and the partial remission (PR) rate 23 per cent, with an overall response rate of 97 per cent. The regimen was carried out on an outpatient basis in all patients. No death occurred during therapy. The Kaplan-Meier actuarial survival of all patients at 3-years is 47 per cent, and 50 per cent (16/32) of all patients who attained CR remain alive and in remission at a median of 21+ months (range 6+ to 42+). These results confirm that high remission and failure-free survival rates can be achieved also in elderly unselected patients with aggressive NHL treated with curative intent.

Aged↗

Glycosylated and nonglycosylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor differently modifies actin polymerization in neutrophils.

AIM: Several neutrophil functions can be modified by rhG-CSF administration. Neutrophil morphology changes in the course of treatment with Filgrastim (nonglycosylated rhG-CSF), along with impairment of chemotaxis. Both morphology and chemotaxis are not affected by treatment with Lenograstim (glycosylated rhG-CSF). Thus, we evaluated actin polymerization in neutrophils induced by treatment with the two forms of rhG-CSF. In fact, actin polymerization is crucial for neutrophil motility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated twelve healthy subjects undergoing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilization for allogeneic transplantation to HLA-identical siblings. Neutrophils were isolated by peripheral venous blood before and after administration of either Filgrastim (six PBSC donors) or Lenograstim (six PBSC donors). Actin polymerization was investigated by a flow cytometric assay, using FITC-phalloidin as a specific probe for F-actin, and two parameters were measured: spontaneous actin polymerization in resting neutrophils; fMLP-stimulated actin polymerization. Results were expressed as relative F-actin content. Fifteen blood donors were studied as a control group. RESULTS: Filgrastim administration induced an increased relative F-actin content in resting neutrophils; however, no further actin polymerization was observed after fMLP stimulation. Neutrophils from subjects treated with Lenograstim showed a normal behaviour in terms of both spontaneous and stimulated actin polymerization. CONCLUSIONS: Glycosylated and nonglycosylated rhG-CSF differently affect actin polymerization in newly generated neutrophils. Such effects may explain some previous findings concerning both morphology and chemotactic properties and may be due to different effects of the two forms of rhG-CSF on proteins involved in neutrophil motility regulation.

Actins↗

A case of B-CLL expressing P-glycoprotein in peripheral leukocytes. Methodological considerations.

P-glycoprotein, the molecular marker of multidrug resistance, was investigated by means of the specific monoclonal antibody C219 in circulating lymphocytes obtained from a patient affected by B-CLL, who had undergone chemotherapy with chlorambucil and CVP. Dot-immunobinding and immunoblotting revealed the presence of P-glycoprotein in the cell lysate, but the immunoperoxidase method and indirect immunofluorescence carried out with a fluorescence microscope and a cytofluorimeter failed to detect the protein. Some methodologic problems are discussed.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

P-glycoprotein expression in multiple myeloma.

P-glycoprotein expression was investigated in ten drug resistant patients suffering from multiple myeloma. The immunoperoxidase method on bone marrow plasma cells and immunoblotting were performed by using the monoclonal antibody C219. Five patients resistant to protocols including vincristine, melphalan and doxorubicin were found to express P-glycoprotein. The immunoperoxidase method appeared to be sensitive and suitable for P-glycoprotein detection in bone marrow samples.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Multidrug resistance: focus in hematology.

The appearance of chemoresistance is the most relevant limitation of chemotherapy. It has been shown that multidrug resistance (MDR) is frequently related to the expression of a membrane glycoprotein (P-170). This protein is able to bind ATP and leads to decreased accumulation of structurally unrelated antineoplastic drugs extensively used in the management of hematological patients. The availability of monoclonal antibodies and probes allowed extensive studies both "in vitro" and "in vivo" of the protein structure and of its mechanism of action. The P 170 activity may be antagonized by drugs able to compete with chemotherapic agents for the binding or by calcium antagonists that inhibit the expulsion activity of the protein. P 170 has been found in variable percentages of several hematological malignancies such as leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloma and lymphoma. The reported data seem to indicate that the patients carrying P 170-positive neoplastic cells should be treated with drugs that are not bound by the protein. However, the possibility of inhibiting the protein function and the recent reports suggesting the use of P 170 as a target for immunotoxins could be the basis for new therapeutic protocols.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

P-glycoprotein and drug resistance in acute leukemias and in the blastic crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the relationship between P-glycoprotein expression in circulating blasts and clinical response in patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia in either lymphoid or myeloid blastic crisis. The results obtained show that: a) patients whose blasts express P-glycoprotein are resistant towards protocols including Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, Etoposide, Mithramycin, Vincristine; b) P-glycoprotein can be expressed constitutively in some cases; c) P-glycoprotein does not appear to be the only mechanism responsible for resistance towards anthracyclines and Etoposide.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Rubidium is a possible supporting element for bone marrow leukocyte differentiation.

In the present paper the possible role of rubidium (Rb) on leukocyte differentiation is evaluated. When the metal was added to human mononuclear bone marrow cells cultured for 14 days in soft agar, it was able to increase the number of clusters and to reduce the number of colonies. This activity depended upon the presence of conditioned medium. Rb induced a faster differentiation of HL 60 cells cultured in a medium able to promote granulocyte differentiation. The metal did not show any activity on continuously cultured HL 60. These data suggest that Rb is a supporting element for cell differentiation. Toxicity tests on rats are also reported.

Animals↗