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J Roth

Publications and source records attributed to J Roth.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

E-selectin expression in experimental models of inflammation in mice.

E-selectin (CD62E, formerly termed ELAM-1) is a cytokine-inducible adhesion molecule which mediates the binding of neutrophils, monocytes, and skin homing T-cells. The murine homologue of E-selectin has been cloned. A monoclonal antibody (21KC10) was used here to study immunohistochemically the expression and regulation of murine E-selectin in vitro and in vivo. As described for the human system, there was no staining of normal endothelium in skin and other tissues. LPS and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), but not interleukin-4 (IL-4) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), induced a transient expression of E-selectin, both when injected in vivo and when added to endothelial cell lines in vitro. To analyse temporal expression of E-selectin under pathophysiological conditions in vivo, we chose two murine models of inflammation: allergic (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Expression of E-selectin was found to be induced on vascular endothelium of post-capillary venules in both ACD and ICD. In ICD, maximal staining of endothelial cells occurred earlier than in ACD. Expression of E-selectin during ICD and ACD was then compared between strains of mice which differ with regard to the intensity of their inflammatory reaction. BALB/c mice, which in contrast to C57BI/6 mice show a denser infiltrate and prolonged influx of granulocyte and monocytes, revealed a more pronounced and more prolonged expression of E-selectin than C57BI/6 mice. This held true for both ACD and ICD, and in each case, peak expression of E-selectin was associated with the highest density of the leukocytic infiltrate. This study thus reveals regulatory mechanisms involved in the expression of murine E-selectin in vivo and in vitro. It also demonstrates a correlation between endothelial expression of E-selectin and the genetically determined intensity of the inflammatory response.

Animals

Identification of a novel surface molecule, RM3/1, that contributes to the adhesion of glucocorticoid-induced human monocytes to endothelial cells.

The functions of different populations of peripheral blood monocytes in the course of an inflammatory reaction are presently not fully understood. In particular, the mechanisms for their specific recruitment to an inflammatory site are not yet known. We investigated a dexamethasone (Dex)-inducible monocyte subtype and its adhesion to either unstimulated or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or interferon (IFN)-gamma-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The Dex-induced monocytes were characterized by the expression of the surface glycoprotein RM3/1. It was found that pretreatment of monocytes with Dex increased their adhesion to unstimulated and stimulated HUVEC. This increase in adhesion was paralleled by the expression of the RM3/1 surface molecule. Treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) caused a down-regulation of the RM3/1 density per cell by 67% and also decreased adhesion to HUVEC. In contrast, the expression of other adhesion molecules remained unaffected by Dex or CsA treatment. Treatment of Dex-induced monocytes with antibodies against RM3/1, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD14 and CD18 resulted in suppression of adhesion to stimulated HUVEC by 46%, 18%, 17%, 12%, 25% and 15%, respectively. Antibodies to the known adhesion molecules on endothelial cells (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin) did not block adhesion of Dex-induced monocytes. However, the combination of antibodies to RM3/1 and CD14 inhibited adhesion to LPS-stimulated HUVEC by 74%. These effects were also seen on IFN-gamma-stimulated HUVEC, where adhesion of Dex-induced monocytes was blocked with antibodies to RM3/1 + CD14 by 63%. From this, it is concluded that the RM3/1-molecule is a novel surface molecule that contributes to the adhesion of cortisone-induced monocytes to LPS or cytokine-stimulated endothelial cells.

Antigens, CD

Can malignancy in insulinoma be predicted by the expression patterns of beta 1,6 branching of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides and polysialic acid of the neural cell adhesion molecule?

We analysed the value of the expression of beta 1,6 branching of asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains and polysialic acid of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in predicting malignant behaviour in human insulinomas, as these glycoconjugates have been associated with invasive growth and metastatic potential. Fifty-three insulinomas from patients with well-documented clinical and follow-up data were investigated. Lectin histochemical staining for beta 1,6 branches revealed that 11 (74%) of the 15 malignant insulinomas stained more strongly than normal beta cells. However, in as many as 23 (63.1%) of the 38 benign insulinomas with a disease-free follow up for 4-18 years (average 8 years), a staining intensity equivalent to that of malignant tumours was found. Two (13%) of the malignant insulinomas and 1 of the 4 liver metastases studied were unstained. None of the 53 insulinomas (and the rat RIN insulinoma) re-expressed polysialic acid as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting with the monoclonal antibody 735. Therefore, histochemical staining for beta 1,6 branches and immunohistochemistry for polysialic acid are unlikely to be of value as prognostic indicators for patients with insulinomas.

Adult

The silver anniversary of gold: 25 years of the colloidal gold marker system for immunocytochemistry and histochemistry.

Since 1971, when W.P. Faulk and G.M. Taylor published "An immunocolloid method for the electron microscope", colloidal gold has become a very widely used marker in microscopy. It has been used to detect a huge range of cellular and extracellular constituents by in situ hybridization, immunogold, lectin-gold, and enzyme-gold labeling. Besides its use in light microscopic immunogold and lectin-gold silver staining, colloidal gold remains the label of choice for transmission electron microscopy studying thin sections, freeze-etch, and surface replicas, as well as for scanning electron microscopy. The year 1996 is the 25th anniversary of the introduction of colloidal gold as a marker in immunoelectron microscopy and this overview outlines some of the major milestones in the development of the colloidal gold marker system.

Animals

Protein glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus and cell type-specificity of cell surface glycoconjugate expression: analysis by the protein A-gold and lectin-gold techniques.

High resolution immunolabeling applying the protein A-gold technique and carbohydrate cytochemistry using lectin-gold labeling on Lowicryl K4M and thawed-frozen thin sections are most useful approaches for the detection of protein antigens and lectin binding sites in intracellular organelles and the plasma membrane. They provided the basis for modern electron microscopic studies on protein glycosylation reactions and the identification of their subcellular localization as reviewed here. These studies have demonstrated organelle subcompartments and the cell type-specific compartmentation of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus-associated glycosylation reactions. The other subject reviewed in this paper is cell surface glycoconjugates, as they are expressed in relation to specific cell types present in various organs and during cellular differentiation processes.

Animals

Applications of immunogold and lectin-gold labeling in tumor research and diagnosis.

Immunohistochemistry and carbohydrate histochemistry have had an enormous impact on both tumor research and diagnosis. In particular, immunogold labeling has provided significant advantages over classical fluorescence and enzyme-based techniques. In light microscopy, the silver-intensified gold labeling has proven highly sensitive and precise in localization. In electron microscopy, the gold particle marker was a prerequisite for successful and unequivocal antigen detection in electron-dense cellular structures such as secretory granules. In this review we demonstrate the usefulness of light and electron microscopical gold labeling techniques as applied in tumor research and diagnosis. The examples include expression of beta-1,6 branches and specific sialoglycoconjugates in colon carcinoma, b-12 carbohydrate epitope in breast carcinoma, polysialic acid in neuroendocrine tumors of lung, adrenal and thyroid, as well as studies on proinsulin to insulin conversion in insulinomas. In addition, practical hints for prevention of background staining, tissue fixation, and silver intensification of gold labeling are given.

Animals

CD44 standard and variant isoform expression in normal human skin appendages and epidermis.

CD44 isoforms have been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis formation. This study presents a thorough immunohistochemical analysis of CD44 standard and isoform expression in normal human skin appendages and epidermis applying monoclonal antibodies against CD44s, CD44v3, -v4, -v5, -v6, and -v9. An improved immunohistochemical protocol with microwave-based antigen retrieval in paraffin sections and heavy metal amplification of the diaminobenzidine reaction product provided enhanced resolution and sensitivity as compared to studies on frozen sections. The hair follicle, the seborrheic and eccrine sweat glands were strongly positive for all CD44 isoforms studied. In the latter, the clear cells but not the dark (intercalated) cells were positive. the sudoriferous ducts adjacent to the glands were weakly positive for all CD44 isoforms and strongly positive near the skin surface. In the apocrine glands, the basal cells showed only a moderate positivity. The myoepithelial cells expressed only CD44s. In the epidermis, all CD44 isoforms were detectable, with strongest CD44 immunostaining in the lower third of the stratum spinosum and weaker staining in the stratum basale and the upper two-thirds of the stratum granulosum. The stratum granulosum and corneum were unreactive. Thus, a regional and cell type-specific CD44 expression was revealed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

CD44 isoform expression in the diffuse neuroendocrine system. I. Normal cells and hyperplasia.

Isoforms of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD44, which are generated by alternative splicing of nine variant exons, have been implicated in tumor cell adhesion, invasion and metastatic spread and may be indicators of the degree of tumor differentiation. Since little is known about the distribution of CD44 in non-neoplastic neuroendocrine cell types, we systematically investigated 42 samples of tissue from different organs, including the pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, lung, pancreas, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, appendix, and colon, immunohistochemically for the expression of CD44 standard and variant exon-encoded gene products (CD44v3, v4, v5, v6, v9). Furthermore, double immunolabeling for CD44 and a variety of peptide hormones was applied to characterize the different neuroendocrine cell types. Our results show that neuroendocrine cells derived from the neuroectoderm lack CD44 immunoreactivity. However, those originated from the endoderm exhibit a variable CD44 immunostaining which is related to their anatomical localization and the degree of differentiation irrespective of the hormone produced. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CD44 positive neuroendocrine cells predominantly express CD44 isoforms of the epithelial type and that hyperplastic clusters of neuroendocrine cells of pancreatic ducts express CD44 most probably as a sign of dedifferentiation.

Adrenal Glands

CD44 isoform expression in the diffuse neuroendocrine system. II. Benign and malignant tumors.

The membrane glycoprotein CD44 may be associated with aggressive behavior, dissemination, and poor prognosis of a variety of human tumors. In order to extend our knowledge on the expression and significance of CD44 in cells of the dispersed neuroendocrine system we investigated a spectrum of 134 neuroendocrine tumors, including pituitary adenomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, parathyroid adenomas, pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, small-cell lung carcinomas, and bronchopulmonary, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors immunohistochemically for CD44 standard and variant exon-encoded gene products (CD44v3, -v4, -v5, -v6, -v9). Furthermore, we compared protein expression with that of CD44 mRNA by reverse-transcriptase PCR and Southern blot hybridization in a subset of tumors. Our results show that CD44 expression is correlated with the "histogenetic origin" of the appropriate neuroendocrine neoplasm. Endoderm-derived tumors generally express 3'-end CD44 variant exon-containing isoforms, whereas neural crest-derived tumors rarely are positive for CD44. Furthermore, we provide evidence that CD44 expression is not correlated with metastatic disease or a particular hormonal phenotype but exhibits an association with the degree of cellular differentiation. Thus, CD44 is not useful as marker for malignancy or prognosis. The number of patients with clinical follow-up data in our study was too small to allow definite conclusions about a possible correlation between CD44 expression and prognosis. But CD44 may help to better classify neoplasms with an unclear neuroendocrine phenotype.

Biomarkers, Tumor

Use of the melolabial flap in intraoral reconstruction.

Functional reconstruction of the oral cavity after tumor ablation is challenging. A variety of methods are available for reconstruction including primary closure, skin grafts, local cutaneous flaps, musculocutaneous flaps, and free flaps. Appropriate reconstruction addresses the size, location, and tissue needs of the defect. The melolabial flap allows for reliable and effective intraoral reconstruction with minimal donor morbidity, making it ideal for select defects. From 1989 to 1993 16 patients aged 51 to 81 years underwent reconstruction of intraoral defects with 24 melolabial flaps. Twenty-two flaps survived without complication and two flaps failed, for success rate of 91.7%. The two failed flaps occurred in the same patient. Of the remaining patients 8 had prior radiation therapy and 11 had prior or concomitant neck dissections. The flaps were used to reconstruct 13 floor-of-mouth, 1 buccal mucosa, 1 retromolar trigone, and 1 gingival defect. We conclude that the melolabial flap is ideal for select intraoral defects.

Aged

Correlation between the development of extracolonic manifestations in FAP patients and mutations beyond codon 1403 in the APC gene.

The APC gene was investigated in 31 unrelated polyposis coli families by SSCP analysis and the protein truncation test. Twenty-three germline mutations were identified which gave rise to a variety of different phenotypes. Some of these mutations have already been described; however we report six previously unpublished mutations. Typical disease symptoms were observed in families who harboured mutations between exon 4 (codon 169) and codon 1393 of exon 15. Mutations beyond codon 1403 were associated with more varied phenotype with respect to the development of extracolonic symptoms. In this report we provide support for the notion that there appears to be a correlation between the location of an APC mutation (beyond codon 1403) and extracolonic manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

Repeated infusions of TNF-alpha cause attenuation of the thermal response and influence LPS fever in guinea pigs.

In conscious, freely moving guinea pigs, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and TNF-beta, infused into the aortic arch within a period of 45 min at a dosage of 5 micrograms/kg, induced different thermal responses. TNF-alpha evoked a biphasic elevation of abdominal temperature, both phases together lasting longer than 6 h. In response to infusions of TNF-beta, the first phase, lasting approximately 120 min, was the same as was observed in response to TNF-alpha, whereas the longer second phase of temperature increase was missing. When the infusion of TNF-alpha was repeated four times at intervals of 3 days, the second phase of the increase in abdominal temperature (120-360 min after start of infusion) tended to decrease in response to the third and was significantly attenuated in response to the fourth infusion of TNF-alpha. A control group of guinea pigs received four infusions of solvent (0.9% sterile pyrogen-free saline). Another 3 days after the fourth infusion of TNF-alpha or solvent, all animals were injected with 20 micrograms/kg bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS from Escherichia coli; intramuscular injection). In those guinea pigs having developed a reduced responsiveness to TNF-alpha, the first phase of LPS-induced fever was significantly suppressed, whereas the second phase tended to be enhanced, compared with animals having received four infusions of solvent. In conclusion, guinea pigs develop a reduced responsiveness to TNF-alpha after its repeated administration. In the state of lower reactivity to exogenous TNF-alpha, a reduced response of the first phase of LPS-induced fever (during which endogenous TNF-alpha is released) can be observed. This indicates that endogenous TNF-alpha may contribute to LPS-induced fever only in the initial phase of the febrile response of guinea pigs.

Abdomen

RET proto-oncogene point mutations in sporadic neuroendocrine tumors.

We investigated the possible role of the RET proto-oncogene, which has recently been identified as the susceptibility gene for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, in the development of sporadic neuroendocrine tumors from different locations. DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded specimens of 112 neuroendocrine tumors was screened for somatic RET point mutations in exons 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16, where recently oncogenic mutations have been described in a subset of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas and pheochromocytomas. Methods employed included nonisotopic PCR-based single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, heteroduplex gel electrophoresis, and restriction enzyme digestion. The nucleotide sequence of samples with aberrant band patterns was identified by nonisotopic direct sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA. Forty-four percent (7/16) of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas and 15% (3/20) of pheochromocytomas contained a somatic, heterozygous point mutation at codon 918 of exon 16 (ATG --> ACG) causing a Met --> Thr substitution. None of the remaining 4 parathyroid adenomas, 8 pituitary adenomas, 17 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, 11 pulmonary and 10 gastrointestinal carcinoids, 7 small cell lung carcinomas, 5 neuroblastomas, 10 malignant melanomas, or 4 schwannomas contained mutations in any of the five RET exons tested. Although the numbers of each investigated neuroendocrine tumor type are small, our data indicate that oncogenic RET proto-oncogene mutations are involved in the formation of a subset of sporadically occurring medullary thyroid carcinomas and pheochromocytomas but do not appear to be generally important in the formation of other types of sporadically occurring neuroendocrine tumors.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms

Intracellular targeting of GLUT4 in transfected insulinoma cells: evidence for association with constitutively recycling vesicles distinct from synaptophysin and insulin vesicles.

In adipocytes and muscle cells, the GLUT4 glucose transporter isoform is present in intracellular vesicles which continuously recycle between an intracytoplasmic location and the plasma membrane. It is not clear whether the GLUT4-vesicles represent a specific kind of vesicle or resemble typical secretory granules or synaptic-like microvesicles. To approach this question, we expressed GLUT4 in the beta cell line RINm5F and determined its intracellular localization by subcellular fractionation and by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. GLUT4 was not found in insulin granules but was associated with a subpopulation of smooth-surface vesicles present in the trans-Golgi region and in vesicular structures adjacent to the plasma membrane. In the trans-Golgi region, GLUT4 did not colocalize with synaptophysin or TGN38. Incubation of the cells with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) led to colocalization of HRP and GLUT4 in some endosomal structures adjacent to the plasma membrane and in occasional trans-Golgi region vesicles. When cells were incubated in the presence of Bafilomycin A, analysis by confocal microscopy revealed GLUT4 in numerous large spots present throughout the cytoplasm, many of which costained for TGN38 and synaptophysin. By immunoelectron microscopy, numerous endosomes were observed which stained strongly for GLUT4. Together our data demonstrate that ectopic expression of GLUT4 in insulinoma cells reveals the presence of a subset of vesicular structures distinct from synaptic-like vesicles and insulin secretory granules. Furthermore, they indicate that GLUT4 constitutively recycles between the plasma membrane and its intracellular location by an endocytic route also taken by TGN38 and synaptophysin.

Animals

The MDM2 oncoprotein binds specifically to RNA through its RING finger domain.

BACKGROUND: The cellular mdm2 gene has transforming activity when overexpressed and is amplified in a variety of human tumors. At least part of the transforming ability of the MDM2 protein is due to binding and inactivating the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Additionally, this protein forms a complex in vivo with the L5 ribosomal protein and its associated 5S ribosomal RNA and may be part of a ribosomal complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A RNA homopolymer binding assay and a SELEX procedure have been used to characterize the RNA-binding activity of MDM2. RESULTS: The MDM2 protein binds efficiently to the homopolyribonucleotide poly(G) but not to other homopolyribonucleotides. This binding is independent of the interaction of MDM2 with the L5 protein, which occurs through the central acidic domain of MDM2. An RNA SELEX procedure was performed to identify specific RNA ligands that bind with high affinity to the human MDM2 (HDM2) protein. After 10 rounds of selection and amplification, a subset of RNA molecules that bound efficiently to HDM2 was isolated from a randomized pool. Sequencing of these selected ligands revealed that a small number of sequence motifs were selected. The specific RNA binding occurs through the RING finger domain of the protein. Furthermore, a single amino acid substitution in the RING finger domain, G446S, completely abolishes the specific RNA binding. CONCLUSIONS: These observations, showing that MDM2 binds the L5/5S ribosomal ribonucleoprotein particle and can also bind to specific RNA sequences or structures, suggest a role for MDM2 in translational regulation in a cell.

Amino Acid Sequence

Integrated control trial of schistosomiasis at Nakiwogo fishing village near Entebbe, Uganda.

Using the Kato Katz technique, 600 people living in Nakiwogo fishing village at Lake Victoria, Uganda, were examined for Schistosoma mansoni infection. The total population of this village was estimated between 1,000 and 1,500 mainly consisting of migrants from western Uganda. Of the 600 individuals in the study group, 328 people (54.7%) were found to be infected with S. mansoni. The geometric mean egg count was 422 eggs per gramme of stool. A survey of the snail intermediate hosts for S. mansoni and S. haematobium at Nakiwogo was carried out. The collected snails were tested for cercariae shedding. A significant decrease in the number of Biomphalaria choanomphala and Biomphalaria pfeifferi (52%) which both still shed cercariae and Bulinus tropicus (52.5%) could be observed. There was a lower none-significant decrease of 13.3% of the Bulinus globosus population. With a combined approach including community participation in control measures in the form of health education, sanitation, environmental management and chemotherapy, the prevalence of S. mansoni infection was reduced from 54.7% to 14.6% in the period of one year.

Adolescent

A human STX cDNA confers polysialic acid expression in mammalian cells.

Polysialic acid, or PSA, is a term used to refer to linear homopolymers of alpha(2,8)-sialic acid residues displayed at the surface of some mammalian cells. PSA is typically linked to the neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM, where it can modulate the homotypic adhesive properties of this polypeptide. PSA expression is developmentally regulated, presumably through mechanisms involving regulated expression of sialyltransferases involved in PSA biosynthesis. Several different sialytransferase sequences have been implicated in PSA expression, although the precise roles of these enzymes in this context remain unclear. One such sequence, termed STX, maintains approximately 59% amino acid sequence identity with another sialyltransferase (PST-1, from hamster; PST, human) that is known to participate in PSA expression. While a murine STX fusion protein can catalyze the synthesis of a single alpha(2,8)-sialic acid linkage in vitro, the ability of STX to participate in PSA expression in vivo has not been demonstrated. We show here that STX transcripts are present in a PSA-positive, N-CAM-positive human small cell carcinoma line (NCI-H69/F3), but are absent in a variant of this line (NCI-H69/E2) selected to be PSA-negative and N-CAM-positive. To functionally confirm this correlation, we have cloned a human cDNA encoding the human STX sequence, and show, by transfection studies, that human STX can restore PSA expression when expressed in the PSA-negative, N-CAM-positive small cell carcinoma variant. We furthermore show that STX can confer PSA expression when expressed in a PSA-negative, N-CAM-positive murine cell line (NIH-3T3 cells), or when expressed in PSA-negative, N-CAM-negative COS-7 cells. These observations imply that STX, like PST-1/PST, can determine PSA expression in vivo. When considered together with the correlation between STX expression and PSA expression in vivo in the brain, these results suggest a regulatory role for STX in PSA expression in the developing central nervous system and small cell lung carcinoma.

3T3 Cells