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H Lazarus

Publications and source records attributed to H Lazarus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Restriction endonuclease mapping of the human gamma globin gene loci.

The restriction endonuclease sites in and around the human gamma globin gene loci have been mapped using the gel blotting technique of Southern, in both normal DNA and DNA from an individual with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). In normal DNA, the gamma genes are linked to the delta (and beta) globin genes, and the orientation of these genes with respect to transcription is (5') G gamma leads to A gamma leads to delta leads to beta (3'). The distance between the G gamma and A gamma genes is 3.5 kb and that between the A gamma and delta genes is 16 kb. In both normal DNA and HPFH DNA, the gamma genes are interrupted by an intervening sequence, approximately 1 kb in length that is situated between codon positions 99 and 121 of the coding sequence. In different DNA samples, there is polymorphism for the presence or absence of a Hind III site in the intervening sequence of either gamma golbin gene. In HPFH DNA, a deletion of at least 16 kb of DNA has been detected. This deletion starts at a point approximately 12.5 kb from the 3'-end of A gamma gene and extends through the delta and beta globin genes to a point at least 3 kb beyond the 3'-end of beta globin gene.

Base Sequence

The molecular basis of alpha-thalassemias: frequent occurrence of dysfunctional alpha loci among non-Asians with Hb H disease.

Study of Asians has previously indicated that deletion of alpha-globin structural genes is the predominant lesion in alpha-thalassemias and that Hb H disease occurs when three of four normal alpha loci per cell are deleted. To test the generality of this model, Hb H disease DNAs of both Asian and non-Asian origin were analyzed by restriction endonuclease mapping using the technique of Southern (1975). Whereas in normal DNA, alpha sequences are present in a single Eco Rl fragment of cellular DNA approximately 22.5 kb long, fragments of 22.5, 20 and 2.6 kb were found in various Hb H disease DNAs. The 20 kb Eco Rl fragment alone, in which a single alpha-globin structural locus resides, was found in Asian Hb H disease DNA. This finding is consistent with the deletion model of alpha-thalassemia. In contrast, seven of eight non-Asian Hb H disease DNAs displayed a more complex molecular composition. The fragment patterns observed were 22.5 kb alone, 22.5 plus 2.6 kb, 20 plus 2.6 kb and 20 kb alone. Non-Asian Hb H disease DNAs contained one, two or three alpha loci per cell in contrast to the one locus predicted by the simple deletion model of alpha-thalassemia. The data are best explained by the existence of defective alpha loci in certain individuals with alpha-thalassemia, particularly outside the Asian population. Restriction mapping of the 20 kb Eco Rl fragment found in Asian and some non-Asian Hb H disease DNAs demonstrated a striking similarity in the placement of restriction sites about the single alpha gene compared with sites about the two genes in the 22.5 kb Eco Rl fragment seen in normal DNA. These data are consistent with origin of the 20 kb fragment from the 22.5 kb normal Eco Rl fragment by either unequal crossing-over or a deletion event. The molecular heterogeneity and frequent occurrence of defective alpha loci in non-Asian Hb H disease DNAs described here may explain, in part, the clinical heterogeneity of alpha-thalassemias and the absence of the homozygous deletion state (hydrops fetalis) in non-Asians. Further study of cellular DNA fragments containing the defective alpha loci identified in this work may indicate the types of specific mutations responsible for abnormal globin gene expression and complement similar studies on abnormal beta genes in beta-thalassemias.

Asia

Leukemia-associated antigens in ALL.

A cytotoxic common ALL antiserum (CALLA) specific for leukemic cells of most patients with non-T-cel- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and of some patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blast crisis has been reproducibly prepared using cell lines for absorption. CALLA reacts with leukemic cells of 110 of 134 patients (82%) with non-T-cell ALL; 1 of 71 (1%) patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); 2 of 7 patients (29%) with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis; 7 of 92 patients (8%) with other hematologic malignancies; and with the leukemic cell lines Laz 221 and NALM-1. It does not react with the normal hematopoietic cells, B- or T-cell lines, or cells from 26 patients with T-cell ALL that were tested. CALLA reactivity and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining correlate poorly, with CALLA reacting with cells from 86% (64 of 74) of patients with PAS-positive and 76% (29 of 38) of those with PAS-negative non-T-cell ALL. In these patients, CALLA reacts with cells from 89% of those under age 12 (78 of 88); 74% of those aged 12--20 (20 of 27); and 58% of those over 20 (11 of 19). Using only CALLA and antisera specific for Ia-like and T-cell antigens, we can now distinguish most cases of ALL from AML and other hematologic malignancies.

Absorption

L-cyst(e)ine requirements of malignant cells and progress toward depletion therapy.

The L-cyst(e)ine requirements of normal and malignant cells are reviewed and expanded within the context of establishing whether the measurement of gamma-cystathionase levels constitutes a predictive test for tumor sensitivity to L-cyst(e)ine depletion. The ability of both purified L-cysteine desulfhydrase and gamma-cystathionase to inhibit the growth of the L-cystine-dependent L1210 leukemia in culture is presented, as well as approaches to circumvent the limitations of these enzymes for in vivo therapy. The ability of proparagylglycine to inhibit L-cysteine biosynthesis in vivo is reviewed for its possible use in combination therapy. In addition, the ability of poly D,L-alanine modification of Escherichia coli L-asparaginase to increase the plasma half-life in mice tenfold as well as to decrease the immunogenicity of the enzyme is presented.

Animals

Controlled substances registration for nonlicensed physicians.

Changes in drug laws and the addition of many formerly uncontrolled drugs to the controlled substances list has caused some concern about the registration of nonlicensed physicians. The question is, how does the recent medical school graduate obtain authorization to use the controlled substances he may need in the course of his postgraduate training at the hospital? The University of Alabama Hospitals, Birmingham, have answered the question with an effective system for hospital registration of nonlicensed physicians.

Alabama

Application of endonuclease mapping to the analysis and prenatal diagnosis of thalassemias caused by globin-gene deletion.

We applied a recently developed and more direct technic to diagnose thalassemia syndromes associated with deletion of particular globin structural genes and to assess a fetus at risk for one of those conditions, deltabeta-thalassemia. The method allows assessment of the globin genes present in total cellular DNA and is applicable to amniotic-fluid cell DNA. Cellular DNA fragments produced by cleavage using two specific restriction endonucleases are separated on the basis of size by agarose-gel electrophoresis, and the distribution of specific sequences among the DNA fragments determined by molecular hybridization. We observed the total deletion of alpha-globin genes in homozygous alpha-thalassemia (hydrops fetalis with hemoglobin Bart's) and the deletion of particular beta and beta-like sequences in cases homozygous for hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and deltabeta-thalassemia. Analysis of amniotic-fluid cell DNA from a fetus at risk for deltabeta-thalassemia demonstrated the feasibility of these improved methods for antenatal diagnosis. The molecular studies confirmed the diagnosis predicted by analysis of fetal blood and established at birth.

Adult

Restricted classes of immunoglobulin produced by a lymphoid cell line from a patient with agammaglobulinemia.

Restricted expression of immunoglobulin by a long-term B lymphoid cell line derived from a patient with X-linked agammaglobulinemia is reproted. The patient had peripheral blood B lymphocytes with surface IgD and IgM. Culture of the B cells in vitro with mitogens did not stimulate immunoglobulin secretion, although pokeweed mitogen stimulation resulted in the development of cytoplasmic IgD and IgM. The lymphoid cell line established from these B lymphocytes primarily bore surface IgD, with a small population of cells also bearing surface IgM. These cells also had cytoplasmic immunoglobulin, primarily IgD. The cell line did not have a cytoplasmic pool of immunoglobulin for export and did not secrete immunoglobulin. This B lymphoid cell line is an in vitro analogue of the arrest in differentiation of the patient's B lymphocytes. The IgD-bearing phenotype may represent a normal transitional stage in the differentiation of B lymphocytes.

Adolescent

Bone marrow-derived lymphoid cell lines from patients with agammaglobulinemia.

In vitro infection with Epstein-Barr virus of bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes from blood of patients with X-linked or common varied agammaglobulinemia resulted in the establishment of long-term B-lymphoid cell lines (LCL). LCL were established only with B lymphocytes from patients whose B cells failed to respond to in vitro mitogenic stimulation. In contrast, lymphocytes from patients without small B lymphocytes or with B cells that synthesized but failed to secrete Ig failed uniformly to establish LCL. Analysis of the "nonsecretory" B lymphocytes demonstrated the presence of receptors for C3b and C3d as well as surface Ig, but absence of detectable receptors for Epstein-Barr virus. All of the six cell lines that were established formed rosettes with EAC3 but not with sheep erythrocytes. Four of the six LCL were principally surface IgD bearing and did not synthesize detectable Ig for secretion. Two of the cell lines were indistinguishable from cell lines from normal individuals: they had surface IgG, A, M, and D and synthesized and secreted Ig.

Adolescent

Two functionally distinct subpopulations of human T cells that collaborate in the generation of cytotoxic cells responsible for cell-mediated lympholysis.

A human thymus-dependent differentiation antigen, TH2 was defined by a rabbit anti-human T cell serum absorbed with autologous B lymphoblasts and leukemic cells bearing T cell markers from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Anti-TH2 reacted specifically with thymus-derived lymphoid cells and exhibited two distinct profiles of reactivity with normal peripheral T cells as detected by indirect immunofluorescence on a FACS I. Isolation of strongly reactive, TH2+, from weakly reactive, TH2- T cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed that the TH2+ subset contained most of the killer activity in cell-mediated lympholysis (CML), but had a diminished response in MLC and a suboptimal or negligible proliferative response to soluble antigens (mumps, PPD, tetanus toxoid). In contrast, the TH2- subset contained markedly less killer activity but amplified cytotoxicity by TH2+ cells and exhibited a proliferative response to both alloantigen and soluble antigens that was often significantly greater than the response by unseparated T cells. The relevance of these findings to previously described human T cell subsets and to functional subpopulations of murine T cells is discussed.

Absorption

Characterization of a unique cell line (LAZ 221) from human acute lymphocytic ("null" cell) leukemia.

A unique human cell line designated LAZ 221 has been established from the peripheral blood of a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia of the "null" cell type. The cell line does not possess the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen and has a karyotype of 45,XX,-9,-12,+(9q12q). Both the established cell line and the patient's uncultured blast cells share the same phenotypic markers. They both lack T-cell markers. They fail to form sheep erythrocyte rosettes and do not react with T-cell-specific antisera (TH1-, HTL-), nor do they possess B-cell markers. They do not form rosettes with erythrocytes sensitized with complement, and they are surface immunoglobulin negative. However, they do possess an HLA-D-related glycoprotein complex of 23,000 to 30,000 daltons, an la-like antigen. Thus, LAZ 221 shares the phenotype of the patient's uncultured blasts and is a cell line representative of about 75% of all human acute lymphocytic leukemias. In this respect it differs from previously described human hematopoietic cell lines.

Adult

Cystine requirement of continuous human lymphoid cell lines of normal and leukemic origin.

A number of continuous, human lymphoid cell lines from healthy and leukemic donors have been studied. Those from healthy individuals were found to be cystine prototrophs (cys+), while those from leukemic donors were observed to be cystine auxotrophs (cys-). The former can grow in either cystine or cystathionine-containing media. The latter grow only in cystine-containing medium. The former contain readily measurable levels of cystathionase, the last enzyme in the mammalian cysteine biosynthetic pathway, while the latter contain much less of this activity. The apparent molecular weight, overall charge, pH versus activity, Km, and [pyridoxal phosphate] versus activity properties of the enzyme from both cell types were indistinguishable. No soluble cystathionase inhibitor could be detected in cys- cell lines. Thus, it is reasonable to hypothesize that those leukemic cell lines studied synthesize less active cystathionase protein than their cys+ counterparts and that this difference in enzyme production underlies the differential growth properties in cystathionine-containing medium.

Animals

Detection, isolation, and functional characterization of two human T-cell subclasses bearing unique differentiation antigens.

A heterologous antihuman T-cell serum (anti-TH1), raised against purified peripheral T cells, and absorbed with an autologous Ig+ line, was shown to bind specifically to T- but not to B-lymphoid cells by both a complement-dependent cytotoxic assay and indirect immunofluorescence. Whereas 90% fetal thymocytes and thymocytes were killed by anti-TH1 and complement, a consistently restricted population (50-60%) of peripheral T cells from several normal donors were lysed, indicating that anti-TH1 is directed against one or more thymus-specific antigens which are lost or reduced on a subpopulation of human T cells in the periphery. Functional analysis of the unreactive (TH1-) and reactive (TH1+) T-cell subclasses demonstrated that TH1- cells mounted a good proliferative response to a battery of specific soluble antigens (mumps, PPD, tetanus toxoid) but neither responded in MLC, nor elaborated LMF in response to tetanus toxoid. In contrast TH1+ cells proliferated in MLC and elaborated LMF but did not respond by 3H-incorporation to soluble antigens. The relevance of these findings to human T-cell functions in vivo and to previously described functional subclasses of murine T cells is discussed.

Antilymphocyte Serum