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H Kosmehl

Publications and source records attributed to H Kosmehl.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Matrix remodelling in dilated cardiomyopathy entails the occurrence of oncofetal fibronectin molecular variants.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether disturbance of the cellular homoeostasis and integrity of cardiomyocytes in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is accompanied by alterations in cell-matrix relations as indicated by changes in the deposition of fibronectin (FN) isoforms. DESIGN: Tissue from a case series of patients with DCM was investigated by immunohistochemistry with antibodies against FN (all variants, clone IST4), ED-A+ FN (clone IST9), ED-B+ FN (clone BC1), and oncofetal glycosylated FN (clone 5C10). The sites of de novo synthesis of FN were demonstrated by means of non-radioactive RNA in situ hybridisation (ISH) with biotinylated FN cDNA fragments as the probe. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Samples from 10 patients with clinical criteria and histological diagnosis of DCM and from 3 individuals with normal hearts. INTERVENTIONS: Samples were obtained by right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Distribution of oncofetal FN variants in DCM hearts. RESULTS: Immunostaining of FN (IST4, all variants) showed a coarse interstitial network in normal and diseased myocardium. ED-A+ FN was deposited as fine interstitial spots in normal myocardium and in DCM samples. Immunostaining for oncofetal glycosylated FN and ED-B+ FN was not seen in normal adult myocardium, whereas myocardium from DCM patients showed focal and delicate staining in the interstitium. RNA ISH showed that these deposits resulted from local FN synthesis. CONCLUSION: The results accord with de novo expression of oncofetal FN variants in hearts from patients with DCM. The oncofetal FN variants may serve as disease markers in myocardium affected by DCM.

Adult↗

Single somatic ras gene point mutation in soft tissue malignant fibrous histiocytomas.

The frequency of ras gene mutations in human soft tissue malignant fibrous histiocytomas within and around the hot spot codons (12, 13, and 61) of all ras genes, (H-ras-1, K-ras-2, and N-ras) was studied by nested polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing from archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Light microscopy and immunohistochemistry served to define malignant fibrous histiocytoma. All of the four differentiation subtypes (storiform-pleomorphic, inflammatory, myxoid, and giant cell) were investigated. Nine of thirty-two malignant fibrous histiocytomas (28%) contained ras gene point mutations. The highest incidence was found in the myxoid subtype (four of nine). H-ras-1 gene codon 12.2 was the only codon affected and contained in all mutated cases a GGC-->GTC exchange. Seven of the nine mutations were homozygous and probably affected more than 80% of the tumor DNA. The flanking regions of all hotspot codons did not contain any point mutation. The presence of a single and often homozygous point mutation of the H-ras-1 gene, especially in myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma could serve as a basis for further genomic discrimination of myxoid sarcomas.

Aged↗

Changes in telomere lengths in renal cell carcinomas.

Telomeres, the extreme ends of chromosomes, play an important role in chromosome structure and function. The shortening of telomeres is one of the supposed mechanisms of cellular aging and death. Because of end replication problems the length of telomeres decreases with every cell cycle. This may lead to chromosome instability and additional genetic alterations possibly responsible of significant tumor development. In many cancer cells the length of telomeres depends on a balance between the loss of telomeric repeats, at each replication cycle, and the telomere lengthening, by the enzyme telomerase, which is repressed in most normal somatic cells. Many tumor cells demonstrate shortened telomeres in comparison to the corresponding normal tissue. In some types of human cancers the reduction of telomeric repeats was correlated with increasing disease severity. We analyzed Southern blots of HINF1-digested DNA of a large number of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) including different tumor areas, secondary tumors and metastases (76 cases with 142 tumor samples) for changes in the length of telomeric repeats using the oligonucleotide probe (TTAGGG)3 and found telomere shortening in 54%, suggesting that a reduction of the telomeric repeat length is not a general characteristic in RCC. Intratumor heterogeneity was demonstrated in seven cases. But also two RCC, with elongated telomeres in the tumor tissue, were observed. Shortened telomeres do not seem to be associated with advanced stages of tumor development or specific histopathological subtypes of RCC.

Adult↗

[Cyto- and molecular genetic studies of renal cell carcinoma with special reference to multifocal carcinoma lesions].

In 86 consecutive radical nephrectomies we found in 12 kidneys (13.8%) a total of 17 multicentric foci of carcinoma. Beside the usual histopathological investigations we performed in seven secondary tumors further cyto-and molecular genetic analyses. The structural and/or numerical chromosome aberrations in the small secondary tumors were similar to the changes in the main tumors. We conclude that these foci have malignant potential. In eight of these results and the multicentricity that was found, we continue to recommend elective radical nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma.

Aged↗

[Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma. Case report with special reference to differential diagnosis].

We report the case of an ectopic hamartomatous thymoma in a 56-year-old male patient. The lesion arose subcutaneously in the supraclavicular region. Histologically, the well-circumscribed but unencapsulated tumour was composed of uniform fusiform tumour cells. In addition, mature fatty tissue, scattered T-lymphocytes, and an epithelial and a myoepithelial tumour cell component were found. The epithelial differentiation of the spindle cell tumour component was confirmed immunohistochemically and by electron microscopy. Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma has to be distinguished from ectopic cervical thymoma, thymolipoma, ectopic salivary tissue, teratoma, peripheral nerve sheath tumours, malignant epithelial tumours with thymus-like differentiation, biphasic synovial sarcoma, and skin adnexal tumours.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Differential expression of fibronectin splice variants, oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin and laminin isoforms in nodular palmar fibromatosis.

The tissue formation process in nodular palmar fibromatosis (Morbus Dupuytren) was investigated by the demonstration of fibronectin splice variants (ED-A and ED-B fibronectin), de novo glycosylated fibronectin and laminin isoforms (A, M, B1, B2, s chains) in association to the proliferative activity (Ki-67 antigen) and the occurrence of myofibroblast phenotype (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin). The proliferative noduli of the fibromatosis were characterized by a diffuse immunostaining for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and single cells positive for desmin and the Ki-67 antigen. In contrast to the surrounding aponeurosis as extracellular matrix, components of the whole proliferative noduli were defined: ED-A, ED-B and de novo glycosylated fibronectin, B1 and B2 laminin chain, tenascin and collagen type IV. The demonstration of the A and M laminin chain was restricted to a few cells of the proliferative noduli. S laminin could be visualized in the majority of palmar aponeurotic fibroblasts. As revealed by mRNA, in situ hybridization a de novo synthesis of fibronectin could only be detected within proliferative noduli. There is a positive correlation between the myofibroblast phenotype formation, cellular proliferation and the occurrence of ED-A and ED-B containing fibronectin, as well as de novo glycosylated fibronectin in Dupuytren's disease. The ultrastructural irregularities of myofibroblastic basal lamina and the heterogeneity of the myofibroblast phenotype are equivalent to the variability of laminin isoform immunostaining.

Alternative Splicing↗

Integrin receptors and their relationship to cellular proliferation and differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A quantitative immunohistochemical study.

The expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV) and ECM receptors of integrin type (alpha 2 beta 1, collagen receptor; alpha 6 chain of the fibronectin receptor; alpha 6 chain of the laminin receptor) were examined in normal oral squamous epithelium and in invasive areas of squamous cell carcinomas with various differentiation and proliferation activities (Ki-67 antigen labelling), evaluating the presence, quantity (using an image analysis system) and distribution of the integrin subunits. In the mucosa, there was uniform immunostaining for alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 6 concentrated at the cell membrane in the basal/supra basal cell zone, whereas, alpha 5 showed a discontinuous staining of the basal cell-basement membrane interface. alpha 2 and alpha 6 could be visualized in all carcinomas. alpha 5 showed low expression preferentially in less differentiated carcinomas. In contrast to normal mucosa, there was an increase in alpha 6 staining in well-differentiated carcinomas. Dedifferentiation of oral carcinomas was accompanied by an increase in cellular proliferation and with a decrease in alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 6 staining. This reduction of alpha 6 staining was shown to be statistically significant, suggesting that this integrin may be a valuable grading parameter for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Basement Membrane↗

[Primary culture of different renal cell carcinoma cells with respect to immunomodulatory effects].

The presented results show that renal cell carcinomas (RCC) have partial immunomodulatory capacity (production of cytokines as IL-6, -10, -11; modulation of mitogen-induced transformation of T lymphocytes). The production of IL-10 shows a tendency to correlate with higher staging and grading of RCC. The cytokine production does not correlate with specific types of RCC. Direct immunosuppression of T lymphocytes in lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT) was not detectable.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

Transcription specific differences visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization pattern on interphase nuclei of different cell types.

Application of a "formamide free" and thus "material preserving" in situ hybridization technique using the cDNA of the myf3 gene revealed the following results: Human rhabdomyosarcoma cells, characterized by a high expression of myf3 show intensive hybridization signals in their interphase. RNase treatment prior to hybridization considerably reduces the size of this signals. In comparison, isolated nuclei of human lymphocytes in which no need for the expression of this gene exists, show barely hybridization signals. Correspondingly, RNase treatment had no effect on hybridization pattern at all. In conclusion an increased transcription efficiency of a cell type specific gene is accompanied by a higher hybridization accessibility in the corresponding cell nuclei.

Cell Nucleus↗

TGF beta and bFGF synthesis and localization in Dupuytren's disease (nodular palmar fibromatosis) relative to cellular activity, myofibroblast phenotype and oncofetal variants of fibronectin.

Nodular palmar fibromatosis is a self-limited proliferation of fibro-/myofibroblasts associated with growth factor synthesis and abundant fibronectin extracellular matrix deposition. bFGF and TGF beta are potent modulators of fibro-/myofibroblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, in vitro investigations evidenced a TGF beta 1-dependent regulation of alternative splicing of fibronectin mRNA. To investigate a possible implication of these growth factors in the tissue formation process of palmar fibromatosis, TGF beta 1/2 and bFGF synthesis, as well as TGF beta 1/3 and bFGF tissue distribution, is demonstrated by RNA in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemistry in relation to myofibroblast phenotype development (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin immunohistochemistry), expression of different fibronectin isoforms (ED-A+, ED-B+ and oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin immunohistochemistry, fibronectin RNA in situ hybridization) and cellular activity (cyclin RNA in situ hybridization, Ki-67 immunolabelling). The myofibroblast phenotype (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin), the growth factor synthesis (TGF beta 1 and 2, bFGF), fibronectin matrix synthesis (RNA in situ hybridization with cDNA) and ED-A+, ED-B+ and oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin immunostaining are exclusively localized in the active proliferative nodules (Ki-67 immunolabelling and cyclin mRNA demonstration). Whereas the growth factor synthesis is restricted to the proliferative areas of the fibromatosis only, TGF beta 1, TGF beta 3 and bFGF proteins can also be detected immunohistochemically with a lower intensity in the surrounding aponeurotic tissue. The spatial correlation of myofibroblast phenotype, TGF beta and bFGF synthesis and the occurrence of the oncofetal molecular fibronectin variants (ED-B+ and oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin) in the active proliferative fibromatosis nodules suggests a pathogentic role of these growth factors and matrix components in the tumorous tissue formation process. The presence of the bFGF and TGF beta 1/3 proteins in fibroblasts neighbouring the proliferative nodules may point to a recruitment of quiescent aponeurotic fibroblasts in the fibromatous tissue formation process.

DNA, Complementary↗

Appearance of the myofibroblastic phenotype in Dupuytren's disease is associated with a fibronectin, laminin, collagen type IV and tenascin extracellular matrix.

The proliferative nodules of Dupuytren's disease are electron microscopically characterized by the occurrence of myofibroblasts with a basal lamina-like material. As reported in the literature, immunohistochemical investigations showed a fibronectin matrix but failed to demonstrate laminin. This discrepancy between electron microscopic features and immunohistochemical findings prompted us to examine the composition of extracellular matrix (fibronectin, laminin, collagen type IV and tenascin) in relation to the myofibroblast phenotype in proliferative nodules from 13 native surgical specimens of nodular palmar fibromatosis (Dupuytren's disease). The immunohistochemical staining for fibronectin was positive within the whole palmar aponeurosis and was particularly intense in the proliferative areas, whereas laminin, collagen type IV and tenascin labelling was restricted to the alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive proliferative nodules. To exclude definitively an unspecific laminin labelling, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot were performed. The electrophoretic pattern of Dupuytren's disease tissue revealed laminin and was in congruence with human placental tissue used as positive control. The results substantiate an extracellular matrix formation by myofibroblasts with fibronectin, laminin, collagen type IV and tenascin as constituents. Therefore, laminin expression can no longer be considered to be a distinguishing feature between myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells.

Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal↗

Laminin matrix formation and S-100 protein and/or desmin-positive cells in malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH).

16/30 human storiform-pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) showed a focal pericellular immunostaining for laminin. 14/16 of these laminin-positive tumours additionally revealed an atypical cellular differentiation (desmin- and/or S-100 protein-positive cells). The significance of focal laminin positivity along with atypical, non-entity specific differentiated cells is discussed before the background of laminin as being an indicator and promoter of differentiation in MFH. The limited value of a laminin detection in MFH for solving differential diagnostic questions (MFH versus other poorly differentiated sarcomas with basement membrane formation) has been pointed out.

Cell Differentiation↗

Metastasis induction by incomplete tumor resection. A new metastasis model using inoculation sarcomas in adult nude mice after long-term cultivation of sarcoma cells.

In searching an animal model to study metastasis formation we used cultured cells of experimental rhabdomyosarcomas and their inoculation tumors in adult nude mice. Supplementing earlier observations (Katenkamp et al. 1987) we found that long-term cultured sarcoma cells induce tumors in adult nude mice which do not metastasize spontaneously but produce lung metastases after repeated incomplete tumor removal. Possible factors and mechanisms responsible for metastasis emergence are discussed. The metastasis model introduced may be apt to study cellular changes at cytogenetic and molecular biological level that occur during tumor progression and metastatic dissemination.

Animals↗

Differentiation dependent matrix formation (fibronectin and laminin) in an experimental murine rhabdomyosarcoma model.

Cellular differentiation processes along with formation of extracellular matrix proteins were investigated in methylcholanthrene-induced murine rhabdomyosarcomata. We used primary tumours, allotransplants in nude mice, and the respective tumour recurrences generated by repeated incomplete surgical tumour removal. The expression of the differentiation markers desmin and myoglobin as well as the presence of fibronectin and laminin was ascertained by immunohistochemical methods. The question arises, whether or not correlations between the grade of cellular differentiation (desmin, myoglobin) and extracellular matrix formation (fibronectin, laminin) exist in tumours with striated muscle cell differentiation. The constant relations between cellular differentiation and matrix formation in original tumours also applied to allotransplants and tumour recurrences in which partially modulations of differentiation in comparison with original tumours could be recognized.

Animals↗