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Biomedical subjects

G K Haines

Publications and source records attributed to G K Haines.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pathology of the olfactory mucosa: implications for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The pathology of the olfactory mucosa is poorly understood; however, most cases of hyposmia and anosmia appear to be associated with a decline in the number of functioning mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). Under normal conditions, OSNs undergo apoptotic cell death at a baseline rate likely secondary to their exposed location in the nose. Regeneration of mature OSNs from precursors in the epithelium allows the animal to maintain an adequate number of neurons necessary for olfactory sensation. In many cases of olfactory dysfunction, this balance is apparently disturbed, with a net loss of OSNs. The current study will examine normal and diseased olfactory tissue for the presence of data demonstrating that the preferred mechanism of OSN cell death is apoptotic in both health and disease. The potential therapeutic implications will be discussed. STUDY DESIGN: Histologic analysis of human and animal olfactory tissue. METHODS: Normal and diseased human and animal olfactory mucosa were assessed for immunohistochemical evidence of apoptosis. RESULTS: Increased activity of the apoptotic effector enzyme caspase-3 was demonstrated in diseased olfactory mucosa in comparison with normal controls. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a common pathway may mediate OSN cell death from a diverse set of pathologic insults including aging, trauma, and sinusitis. Interference with this pathway of cell death is currently the subject of intense pharmacotherapeutic research for the management of stroke and meningitis. These drugs may ultimately prove useful in the treatment of clinical olfactory dysfunction.

Aging↗

Treatment of olfactory dysfunction, II: studies with minocycline.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The treatment of anosmia has changed minimally since the early 1970s, despite dramatic advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of olfaction. Recent studies from the authors' laboratory have suggested that most common causes of clinical olfactory dysfunction, including rhinosinusitis, appear to be associated with increased apoptotic death of olfactory sensory neurons. This appears to result in a decline in the number of functioning mature olfactory sensory neurons, despite the capacity of the olfactory epithelium for regeneration. The current study evaluated the ability of the antibiotic minocycline to inhibit olfactory sensory neuron apoptosis. This drug is known to inhibit apoptosis separate from its anti-infective properties. Olfactory sensory neuron apoptosis was triggered by surgical deafferentation ("bulbectomy"), the standard experimental model. Earlier studies have indicated that bulbectomy and sinusitis invoke similar proteolytic enzyme cascades in olfactory sensory neurons. STUDY DESIGN: Histological analysis of animal olfactory tissue. METHODS: Mice underwent unilateral olfactory bulbectomy to induce apoptotic olfactory sensory neuron death, with and without 45 mg/kg intraperitoneal minocycline given 12 hours before surgery and every 12 hours until death. Mice were killed at 2 and 4 days after bulbectomy and assessed for activation of capsase-3 and olfactory sensory neuron survival by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Minocycline resulted in partial suppression of cell death at 2 days after surgery when compared with untreated animals. CONCLUSION: Minocycline inhibits olfactory sensory neuron death in the face of a potent pro-apoptotic stimulus. This drug is well tolerated and is currently undergoing human trials for the management of a variety of neurological disorders associated with apoptosis. The current results suggest that minocycline may be efficacious in the management of peripheral olfactory loss as well.

Animals↗

Outcome analysis of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with nasal polyps and asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the management of chronic sinusitis and asthma in patients with nasal polyps and steroid-dependent asthma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: The study included 17 patients who underwent ESS with nasal polyps, steroid-dependent asthma with or without aspirin sensitivity and a minimum of 1 year postoperative follow-up. Nine patients were ASA sensitive, and eight patients were ASA tolerant. Chronic sinusitis and asthma were evaluated using subjective (patient complaints) and objective (computed tomography scans, pulmonary function tests, steroid doses) criteria. Preoperative data were compared with data obtained 12 to 18 months postESS. Tissue samples were graded for degree of inflammation and edema. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 17 (76.5%) patients reported improved clinical symptoms postESS. The postoperative Lund-Mackay scores were statistically lower for the 17 patients (P <.0001). The group experienced improvement in postoperative forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) (P <.014). Twelve of 17 (70.6%) experienced reduction in systemic steroid usage (P <.048). The ASA sensitive patients did not have a statistical improvement in postoperative FEV1 (P >.08) and sinonasal symptoms (P >.16) compared with the ASA tolerant group. Polyp tissue from the ASA sensitive patients demonstrated more edema and more inflammation on average than ASA tolerant polyps, but the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: ESS demonstrates a beneficial effect on the sinonasal and asthma symptomatology in patients with nasal polyps and asthma using objective measures. Subset of aspirin-tolerant patients have statistically better outcome for sinonasal symptoms and pulmonary function testing than aspirin-sensitive patients.

Adult↗

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with esophageal involvement.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with diffuse involvement of the esophagus in a child. DESIGN: Retrospective case report and literature review. SETTING: Tertiary Children's Hospital. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is recommended for detection of esophageal papillomas, especially in patients with significant laryngeal lesions or post-cricoid involvement.

Child, Preschool↗

IL-4 adenoviral gene therapy reduces inflammation, proinflammatory cytokines, vascularization, and bony destruction in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis.

IL-4 is a cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties on activated macrophages. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, is characterized by a paucity of IL-4 and an abundance of synovial macrophage-derived mediators. Herein, the effect of a single injection of adenovirus-producing rat IL-4 (AxCAIL-4) or a control virus with no inserted gene was compared with the effect of PBS injection into rat ankles. Ankles were injected before arthritis onset or at maximal inflammation. Preventatively, AxCAIL-4 reduced adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA)- and/or AIA/adenoviral-induced ankle inflammation, decreasing articular index scores, ankle circumferences, paw volumes, radiographic scores, mean levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, the number of inflammatory cells, and the number of synovial blood vessels. Therapeutically, AxCAIL-4 also decreased ankle circumferences and paw volumes in comparison with a control virus with no inserted gene and PBS groups. After arthritis onset, mean levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and RANTES were decreased in AxCAIL-4 rat ankle homogenates compared with PBS-treated homogenates. Thus, increased expression of IL-4 via gene therapy administered in a preventative and/or therapeutic manner reduced joint inflammation, synovial cellularity, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, vascularization, and bony destruction in rat AIA, suggesting that a similar treatment in humans may be beneficial.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Rheumatoid arthritis synovial macrophages express the Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein and are refractory to Fas-mediated apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: The chronic inflammation and progressive joint destruction observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are mediated in part by macrophages. A paucity of apoptosis has been observed in RA synovial tissues, yet the mechanism remains unknown. The present study sought to characterize the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), and Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (FLIP), and to quantify the apoptosis induced by agonistic anti-Fas antibody, using mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients. METHODS: The expression of Fas, FasL, and FLIP and apoptosis induced by agonistic anti-Fas antibody in MNC from the PB and SF of RA patients were determined by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry employing a monospecific anti-FLIP antibody was performed on RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissue. RESULTS: CD14-positive monocyte/macrophages from normal and RA PB and from RA SF expressed equivalent levels of Fas and FasL. Furthermore, unlike the CD14-positive PB monocytes, RA SF monocyte/macrophages were resistant to the addition of agonistic anti-Fas antibody. In contrast, both CD14-positive PB and SF monocyte/macrophages were sensitive to apoptosis mediated by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor. Intracellular staining of the caspase 8 inhibitor, FLIP, in CD14-positive SF monocyte/macrophages revealed a significant up-regulation of FLIP compared with normal and RA PB monocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of synovial tissue from RA and OA patients revealed increased FLIP expression in the RA synovial lining compared with the OA synovial lining. Furthermore, FLIP expression was observed in the CD68positive population in the RA synovial lining. Forced reduction of FLIP by a chemical inhibitor resulted in RA SF macrophage apoptosis that was enhanced by agonistic anti-Fas antibody, indicating that FLIP is necessary for SF macrophage survival. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that up-regulation of FLIP in RA macrophages may account for their persistence in the disease. Thus, the targeted suppression of FLIP may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the amelioration of RA.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Fractalkine, a novel chemokine in rheumatoid arthritis and in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of the novel CX3C chemokine fractalkine (Fkn) and its receptor (CX3CR1) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA), a model of RA. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and chemotaxis assays were used. RESULTS: In rat AIA, synovial tissue (ST) macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and dendritic cells were Fkn immunopositive, whereas lymphocytes did not significantly express Fkn. Significant staining for CX3CR1 was found in ST macrophages, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells, whereas only a small percentage of endothelial cells stained for CX3CR1 in rat AIA. We immunolocalized Fkn to RA ST macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and dendritic cells. We also found intense ST macrophage and dendritic cell staining for CX3CR1 in RA ST. Flow cytometry analysis of RA synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood revealed a greater percentage of monocytes expressing Fkn and CX3CR1 compared with T cells. By ELISA, we found significantly elevated soluble Fkn (sFkn) levels in RA SF compared with SF from patients with osteoarthritis or other forms of arthritis. By RT-PCR, we found enhanced expression of Fkn and CX3CR1 mRNA on day 18 in rat AIA, a time of pronounced inflammation in the rat joint. Soluble Fkn-depleted RA SF showed significantly decreased chemotactic activity for monocytes compared with sham-depleted RA SF. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Fkn and its receptor are both expressed in RA and in rat AIA, and that sFkn is up-regulated in RA SF. Furthermore, our data suggest a new role for Fkn in monocyte chemotaxis in the inflamed RA joint.

Adult↗

Differential expression pattern of the antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and FLIP, in experimental arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between apoptosis and the expression of antiapoptotic proteins in the pathogenesis of experimental inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: Clinical and histologic assessment of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) was performed over a 42-day period. The induction of apoptosis was measured by TUNEL analysis, and the antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and FLIP, were examined by immunohistochemistry with the use of monospecific antibodies. The percentage of Bcl-2- and FLIP-positive cells was correlated with histologic markers of AIA. RESULTS: Arthritis developed by day 14 following adjuvant injection. Few TUNEL-positive cells were observed between days 0 and 21, indicating that apoptosis did not occur at these time points. An increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells was observed at day 28, particularly outside sites of cartilage or bone erosion, which dramatically declined by day 35. Immunohistochemical analyses of Bcl-2 and FLIP revealed that the synovium was positive for Bcl-2 and FLIP on day 0. On day 14, Bcl-2 was present at the sites of early erosions and correlated with the erosion and inflammation scores. FLIP was also highly expressed at sites of erosion and was localized to the pannus starting on day 21. Although TUNEL positivity peaked at day 28, a time point in which Bcl-2 and FLIP were present, the areas that displayed intense positivity for expression of Bcl-2 and FLIP were TUNEL negative. In addition, the number of neutrophils in the synovial lining and pannus significantly decreased from day 28 to day 35, suggesting that the cells undergoing apoptosis were neutrophils. Furthermore, at day 42 when TUNEL-positive cells were absent, Bcl-2 expression was diminished, while FLIP remained highly expressed in the pannus. CONCLUSION: The overall percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in the ankle was <1% except on days 28 and 35 post-adjuvant injection, suggesting that in AIA, similar to rheumatoid arthritis, a lack of apoptosis may contribute to disease progression. Furthermore, Bcl-2 and FLIP are temporally and differentially expressed during the pathogenesis of AIA. Inhibition of these molecules may augment synovial apoptosis and ameliorate the disease.

Animals↗

Expression of nitric oxide synthase type 3 in reflux-induced esophageal lesions.

BACKGROUND: The expression of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) by squamous dysplasia and carcinomas of the head and neck has previously been described. We sought to compare NOS3 expression in squamous mucosa, glandular metaplasia, and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. METHODS: Forty paraffin-embedded specimens from 20 patients with adenocarcinoma were stained with anti-NOS3 monoclonal antibody. The percentage of cells stained and the intensity of staining were determined for squamous epithelium, metaplasia, and adenocarcinoma. Staining characteristics were statistically analyzed according to clinical variables. RESULTS: NOS3 expression was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma and squamous epithelium compared with glandular metaplasia. Among the carcinomas, larger tumor size (T3/4), nodal positivity, and advanced TNM stage (III/IV) significantly correlated with increased NOS3 expression. CONCLUSIONS: NOS3 is expressed in reflux-induced lesions of the esophagus. Glandular metaplasia shows basal levels of NOS3 that significantly increase with malignant transformation and tumor progression. The role of free radicals in carcinogenesis is being actively studied.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemical examination of the INK4 and Cip inhibitors in the rat neonatal cerebellum: cellular localization and the impact of protein calorie malnutrition.

Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) has been linked to the inhibition of cellular proliferation and the induction of differentiation. Based on structure function analysis, two distinct families of CDKIs, the INK4 and the Cip/Kip family have been identified. The INK4 family member p16(Ink4), and the Cip/Kip protein p27(Kip1) have been implicated in normal development of the CNS and cerebellum. Recent studies have suggested a functional inter-dependence between the CKI and the abundance of cyclin D1 in orchestrating growth factor-induced cellular proliferation. The neonatal rat cerebellum undergoes proliferative growth and differentiation, localized to distinct topographical regions and cell types. The cell type and the temporal profile of CKI expression during postnatal cerebellar development had not been described. The current studies determined the specific cerebellar cell types in which the CKIs were expressed during post natal development by co-staining for cell-type specific markers. p16(Ink4a) and p27(Kip1) immunostaining was identified in both neurons and glial cells, increasing progressively between postnatal days 6 to 13 into adulthood. By contrast, neuronal and glial cell p21(Cip1) staining was prominent at days 6-11 and decreased thereafter. Cyclin D1 was expressed in the proliferating external granular cells, with occassional staining in the molecular, and internal granular layers. Dual immunostaining demonstrated cyclin D1 within cells expressing CKI (p16(Ink4a), p21(Cip1),p27(Kip1)). Cerebellar cellular growth arrest, induced by protein-calorie malnutrition, inhibited cyclin D1 protein levels without affecting CKI immunostaining suggesting CKI do not mediate the developmental arrest. These results demonstrate that the CKIs are induced by differentiation cues in specific cell types with distinct kinetics in the developing cerebellum in vivo.

Animals↗

Increased protein nitrosylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO.) and its metabolic byproducts are implicated in carcinogenesis. We examined a marker of NO.-species' pathologic protein nitrosylation, nitrotyrosine, during head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCa) development. Materials and Methods Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of normal oral mucosa, squamous hyperplasia/dysplasia, and HNSCCa were immunohistochemically analyzed for staining intensity using an antinitrotyrosine monoclonal antibody, and correlated with retrospective clinical data. RESULTS: Significantly higher staining was noted in reactive, dysplastic and HNSCCa samples compared with samples of normal mucosa. Additionally, significant differences in staining were found between various primary sites of the upper aerodigestive tract. Lastly, individual inflammatory cells also stained intensely. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing amounts of nitrotyrosine staining were found in reactive/dysplastic and HNSCCa lesions compared to normal squamous mucosa. Inflammatory cell staining implicates NO. as a possible mediator of immunosuppression. Given these findings, the role of NO. in mutations leading to and the immunosuppression found in HNSCCa warrants further investigation.

Adult↗

The yin and yang of nitric oxide: reflections on the physiology and pathophysiology of NO.

Nitric oxide (NO.) is an arginine-derived nitrogen-based radical that is rapidly becoming one of the most important molecular species to be discovered. Over the past decade, an explosion of evidence has revealed the extreme complexity of function of this seemingly simple inorganic molecule. It is now evident that NO. demonstrates a functional dualism, playing a pivotal role in numerous physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. Whether this molecule is beneficial or detrimental is dependent upon the tissue of generation, the level of production, the oxidative/reductive (redox) environment in which this radical is generated, and the presence or absence of NO. transduction elements. Nitric oxide is generated by three independent isoenzymes that resemble the p-450 enzyme superfamily in both form and function. It ultimately alters enzymatic function through covalent modification, redox interactions, and interactions with metallic functional centers. This radical is a key figure in a number of pathophysiologic processes by means of similar yet uncoordinated interactions. In consideration of the already broad spectrum of roles attributed to NO., it seems highly likely that this molecule will be implicated in an ever widening variety of functions relative to the practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. This article reviews the enzymology, signal transduction mechanisms, physiology, and pathophysiology of NO. as it pertains to head and neck cancer.

Animals↗

Overexpression of p53 in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in young patients with no known risk factors is not associated with mutations in exons 5-9.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the status of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in patients less than 40 years of age who had squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue develop with no known risk factors. METHODS: Histologic sections from 21 patients were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and were processed for standard immunohistochemistry for detection of the p53 protein. In addition, tumors were evaluated by single-strand conformation polymorphism and by DNA sequencing to identify potential mutations in the conserved exons (5-9) of the p53 gene. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent (17 of 21) of the patients overexpressed p53 by immunohistochemical analysis. However, none of these patients demonstrated mutations in exons 5-9 of the gene. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the molecular mechanisms by which the young individuals with no risk factors had altered p53 function in oral squamous cell carcinoma may differ from those of the more typical population of individuals who have this malignancy develop.

Adolescent↗

Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 mediation of monocyte chemotaxis in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by infiltration of leukocytes, including monocyte/ macrophages, into synovial tissue (ST), but factors mediating the ingress of these cells are poorly understood. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) plays an important role in adhesion of leukocytes to the vasculature. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) might mediate chemotaxis of monocytes in RA. METHODS: Chemotaxis assays were performed using a modified Boyden chamber to determine the effects of sVCAM-1 on and the role of very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4) in peripheral blood (PB) monocyte migration. Synovial fluids (SF) were immunodepleted of sVCAM-1 to identify a role for sVCAM-1 in RA. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analyses were performed to show the expression of VLA-4 in ST, SF, and PB. Tyrosine phosphorylation was studied by Western blot analysis on PB monocyte lysates in the presence of signaling inhibitors. RESULTS: Soluble VCAM-1 induced monocyte migration in the nM range, in a concentration-dependent manner. Anti-VLA-4 significantly inhibited sVCAM-1-induced monocyte migration, suggesting that sVCAM-1 acts in part via a VLA-4-dependent mechanism. In RA SF, incubation with anti-VCAM-1 resulted in a reduction in the ability to induce monocyte migration (mean 28%). VLA-4 immunolocalized to RA ST, SF, or PB, monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes. Soluble VCAM-1 stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation in monocytes, and pertussis toxin, chelerythrine chloride, and staurosporine significantly reduced sVCAM-1-mediated monocyte chemotaxis, suggesting that signaling pathways via G proteins and protein kinase C are required for sVCAM-1-mediated monocyte migration. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a novel function for sVCAM-1 as a monocyte chemotactic agent in RA and suggest a new potential target for modulating monocyte ingress into inflamed RA ST.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Immunohistochemical localization of modified C-reactive protein antigen in normal vascular tissue.

BACKGROUND: The prototypic acute phase reactant, C-reactive protein (CRP), is a serum soluble, cyclic pentameric protein, the concentration of which increases markedly within hours of any tissue-damaging, inflammatory event. However, upon dissociation of its pentameric quaternary structure, CRP subunits undergo a spontaneous and irreversible conformational change. The resulting molecule, termed modified CRP or mCRP, has reduced aqueous solubility and a propensity to aggregate into a matrix-like lattice structure. METHODS: Using monoclonal antibodies, normal human tissues were immunohistochemically screened for the presence of CRP as well as mCRP antigens. RESULTS: Significant levels of mCRP were detected in the walls of blood vessels associated with normal human tissues. These data indicate that mCRP is a naturally occurring form of CRP and that it is a tissue-based rather than serum-based molecule. SIGNIFICANCE: This report describes the localization of a stable form of CRP, mCRP, in blood vessels associated with normal human tissues.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Glutathione S-transferase pi in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Oxidative/reductive (redox) DNA damage from radical species such as nitric oxide (NO*) are increasingly being implicated in the development of cancer. Moreover, redox-protective cellular mechanisms, such as glutathione S-transferase, may determine cellular susceptibility to this redox-mediated damage. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 11 normal oral mucosa, 15 reactive/dysplastic lesions, and 131 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) were immunohistochemically stained using a polyclonal antibody against glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi). Slides were reviewed in a blinded fashion by the study pathologist (G.K.H.) and intensity was graded, noting the pattern of immunostaining. These staining characteristics were compared with those obtained using monoclonal antibodies against endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and nitrotyrosine, a marker of NO*'s pathological nitrosylation of proteins on serial sections of the same tissue. Patient charts were reviewed and clinical data collected. RESULTS: The expression of GST-pi was significantly increased in reactive/dysplastic and HNSCC samples compared with normal squamous mucosa (P < .001 for both). Furthermore, among the carcinomas the expression of GST-pi was significantly increased in higher-grade lesions (P < .02). The expression of GST-pi correlated highly with the expression of ecNOS and nitrotyrosine (P < .0001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that GST-pi is upregulated in conjunction with the NO*-generating ecNOS isoform and implicate GST-pi in protecting HNSCC from the cytotoxic effects of high concentrations of NO* found in the tumor bed.

Adult↗

Cyclin D1 is required for transformation by activated Neu and is induced through an E2F-dependent signaling pathway.

The neu (c-erbB-2) proto-oncogene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that is overexpressed in 20 to 30% of human breast tumors. Herein, cyclin D1 protein levels were increased in mammary tumors induced by overexpression of wild-type Neu or activating mutants of Neu in transgenic mice and in MCF7 cells overexpressing transforming Neu. Analyses of 12 Neu mutants in MCF7 cells indicated important roles for specific C-terminal autophosphorylation sites and the extracellular domain in cyclin D1 promoter activation. Induction of cyclin D1 by NeuT involved Ras, Rac, Rho, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38, but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. NeuT induction of the cyclin D1 promoter required the E2F and Sp1 DNA binding sites and was inhibited by dominant negative E2F-1 or DP-1. Neu-induced transformation was inhibited by a cyclin D1 antisense or dominant negative E2F-1 construct in Rat-1 cells. Growth of NeuT-transformed mammary adenocarcinoma cells in nude mice was blocked by the cyclin D1 antisense construct. These results demonstrate that E2F-1 mediates a Neu-signaling cascade to cyclin D1 and identify cyclin D1 as a critical downstream target of neu-induced transformation.

Animals↗