Biomedical subjects

J L Hwang

Publications and source records attributed to J L Hwang.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Isolation of human KB cell lines resistant to epidermal growth factor-Pseudomonas exotoxin conjugates.

Mutants of the human KB carcinoma cell line resistant to a cytotoxic conjugate of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) were selected. EGF-PE and the drug verapamil, which enhanced EGF-PE cytotoxicity, were used in the selection process. These mutants also showed some cross-resistance to PE. All of the EGF-PE resistant variants displayed lower levels of 125I-EGF binding, 20-50% of parental KB levels, without altered affinity for EGF and grew at a slower rate than the parental cell line KB-3-1. These results indicate that EGF-PE resistant KB cells have a complex phenotype which includes a reduction in the number of EGF receptors and reduced sensitivity to unconjugated PE. Resistance to toxin-conjugates, although pleiotropic, is specific and does not lead to resistance to multiple other anticancer drugs, nor are independently selected multidrug resistant KB lines resistant to PE. These results argue that protocols for cancer treatment could effectively use specifically designed cytotoxic toxin conjugates as an adjunct to conventional chemotherapy.

Bacterial Toxins↗

PubMed1986

Evidence that the subunit structure of gonadotropin receptor is preserved during regression of rat corpus luteum.

The level of hCG/LH receptor has been shown to undergo marked changes during the life span of rat corpus luteum. To evaluate whether these fluctuations are due to changes in the receptor subunit structure or receptor protein content, the 125I-hCG binding activity and the receptor subunit structure were determined during different time periods of pseudopregnancy. The maximum 125I-hCG binding activity was observed on day 7, after which it decreased by 20 and 45% on day 11 and day 14, respectively. The Scatchard analysis of 125I-hCG binding data showed that the decrease in binding activity was caused by a change in the number of binding sites rather than a change in the binding affinity. The LH/hCG receptor in ovarian membranes obtained on days 7, 11 and 14 were then characterized by the method of affinity cross-linking. All four subunits of the LH/hCG receptor were detected in the ovarian membranes at all stages while the intensity decreased parallel to a decrease in hCG binding from day 7 to day 14. These results suggest that the decrease in 125I-hCG binding activity in rat ovarian membranes from day 7 to day 14 of pseudopregnancy is due to a decrease in receptor concentration rather than a change in the receptor subunit structure.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microinjection of human sperm into perivitelline space of hamster eggs: comparison with zona-free hamster egg penetration of human sperm.

Micromanipulation of human sperm and oocyte has been utilized to facilitate fertilization of those patients with male factor due to oligoasthenospermia or those patients with repeated fertilization failure in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Before manipulating human gametes, one needs experience with animal models. Our objective was to perform subzonal insertion of human sperm into hamster eggs and to compare the result with that of sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster eggs. Semen samples were obtained from 15 fertile donors with normal semen analysis and the motile sperm were collected by swim-up procedure. Microinjection was performed by injecting a varied number of sperm into the perivitelline space of 222 hamster eggs pretreated with sucrose solution (0.1 M). The rate of damage of eggs during microinjection was 7.2% (16/222). The rates of penetration in the microinjection group were 5.1% (4/79) for 1-5 sperm injected, 10.9% (11/101) for 6-10 sperm injected, and 11.5% (3/26) for 11-15 sperm injected. The average rate of penetration per egg was 8.7% (18/206), and the polyspermic rate was 11.1% (2/18). Simultaneously SPA was performed in each sample of semen as a positive control, and the average rate of penetration of SPA was 51.4% (108/210). The rate of penetration in the microinjection group was significantly smaller (p < .05) than that in the SPA group. Whether the penetration rate and polyspermic rate in a hamster model reflect similar results in human oocyte requires further investigation. However, the hamster egg provides an ideal model to develop a micromanipulation technique for human beings.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

First-trimester selective termination in multiple gestation by transvaginal ultrasound-guided intrathoracic injection of potassium chloride.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Selective termination by transvaginal ultrasound-guided intrathoracic injection of potassium chloride (KC1) was performed between 8 and 10 weeks' gestation in eight women with multiple gestation after ovulation induction (6/8) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) (2/8). RESULTS: Four patients have delivered uneventfully at term, one delivered prematurely at 34 weeks' gestation with good neonatal outcome, and the other 3 patients lead a smooth pregnancy at present. No pregnancy loss or any major complication was found. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal ultrasound-guided intrathoracic injection of KC1 may be the procedure of choice for first-trimester selective termination with acceptable safety. However, more experience is needed to clarify the risk/benefit ratio associated with this procedure.

Abortion, Induced↗