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Biomedical subjects

J S Haskill

Publications and source records attributed to J S Haskill.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Multiple mechanisms are implicated in the regulation of NF-kappa B activity during human cytomegalovirus infection.

Infection-induced activation of the human cytomegalovirus major immediate early enhancer/promoter has been shown to be regulated primarily by transcription factor NF-kappa B cis elements. However, the mechanism(s) by which human cytomegalovirus induces NF-kappa B activity is unknown. A study was therefore undertaken to determine how this virus would affect normal NF-kappa B regulation. Viral infection of fibroblasts resulted in the specific stimulation of promoters containing major histocompatibility complex NF-kappa B cis elements fused upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays of nuclear extracts derived from mock- and virus-infected cells showed dramatic and sustained increases in DNA-binding proteins specific for these NF-kappa B sequences. Experiments using MAD-3 I kappa B, a specific inhibitor of NF-kappa B, and antibodies directed against rel family members demonstrated that the induced binding activities contained p50 and p65 proteins but not c-rel. Northern analysis indicated maximal levels of p50 mRNA by 4 h postinfection, whereas p65 and MAD-3 I kappa B mRNA accumulation peaked at 48-72 h postinfection, suggesting different regulatory mechanisms for p50 and p65/I kappa B genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with deoxycholate-treated cytoplasmic extracts demonstrated a 3- to 4-fold decrease in the cytosolic stores of NF-kappa B binding activity by 4 h postinfection. Western blots probed with antibodies directed against MAD-3 I kappa B or pp40 (a protein isolated from chicken with sequence and biochemical properties similar to those of MAD-3 I kappa B) indicated that a cross-reactive peptide of 39 kDa was no longer detectable after 24 h postinfection. These results demonstrate that the activation and maintenance of nuclear NF-kappa B DNA binding and enhancer activities upon human cytomegalovirus infection occurs by multiple mechanisms.

Base Sequence↗

Alterations of DNA content in human endometrial stromal cells transfected with a temperature-sensitive SV40: tetraploidization and physiological consequences.

The normal genomic stability of human cells is reversed during neoplastic transformation. The SV40 large T antigen alters the DNA content in human endometrial stromal cells in a manner that relates to neoplastic progression. Human endometrial stromal cells were transfected with a plasmid containing the A209 temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40 (tsSV40), which is also defective in the viral origin of replication. Ninety-seven clonal transfectants from seven different primary cell strains were isolated. Initial analysis revealed that 20% of the clonal populations (19/97) had an apparent diploid DNA content, 35% (34/97) had an apparent tetraploid DNA content, and the remainder were mixed populations of diploid and tetraploid cells. No aneuploid populations were observed. Diploid tsSV40 transformed cells always give rise to a population of cells with a tetraploid DNA content when continuously cultured at the permissive temperature. The doubling of DNA content can be vastly accelerated by the sudden reintroduction of large T antigen activity following a shift from non-permissive to permissive temperature. Tetraploid tsSV40 transfected cells have a lower capacity for anchorage-independent growth and earlier entry into 'crisis' than diploid cells. These results indicate that during the pre-crisis, extended lifespan phase of growth, the SV40 large T antigen causes a doubling of DNA content. This apparent doubling of DNA content does not confer growth advantage during the extended lifespan that precedes 'crisis'.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in normal and psoriatic epidermis.

The objective of these studies was to characterize the IL-1 inhibitory activity present in normal and psoriatic epidermis from clinically stable lesions. Fractionation of normal epidermal cytosol on a molecular sizing column failed to reveal the presence of IL-1 inhibitory bioactivity. However, specific ELISAs indicated that both the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and IL-1 alpha were present in overlapping peaks. Further fractionation of the normal epidermal cytosol by anion exchange chromatography separated these two molecules, revealing the IL-1 inhibitory bioactivity of the IL-1ra molecule. Similar studies on psoriatic epidermal cytosol indicated the presence of IL-1 inhibitory bioactivity and IL-1ra protein. The IL-1 inhibitory bioactivity of both normal and psoriatic cytosol was neutralized by a mAb specific for IL-1ra. The ratio of IL-1ra to IL-1 alpha proteins was significantly increased in involved psoriatic skin compared with normal skin. By Western blot analysis this IL-1ra was approximately 20 kD, slightly larger than monocyte-derived IL-1ra and equivalent to an intracellular variant of IL-1ra expressed by keratinocytes. Polymerase chain reaction indicated the presence of mRNA for both forms of IL-1ra in normal epidermis, with both forms increased in psoriatic-involved skin. Immunofluorescence studies revealed the IL-1ra protein to be concentrated in the stratum granulosum of normal skin and in the basal-midbasal layers of psoriatic epidermis. These results suggest that the balance between intracellular IL-1ra and IL-1 alpha may be an important influence on keratinocyte growth and/or differentiation, as well as on the inflammatory potential of IL-1 in injured skin.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Expression and amplification of the HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) protooncogene in epithelial ovarian tumors and cell lines.

Amplification of the c-erbB-2 protooncogene has been associated with a poor prognosis in human breast and ovarian cancers. Our study was undertaken to examine whether amplification, rearrangement, or overexpression of c-erbB-2 and other protooncogenes was frequently observed in epithelial ovarian cancers. c-erbB-2 was expressed in 87% of 22 ovarian cancers analyzed, but expression was significantly increased in only one of the 22 tumor specimens. In this case elevated c-erbB-2 expression was associated with dramatic amplification of the gene. In another tumor a 3.8 kb EcoRI fragment was found, in addition to the usual 4.4 and 6.0 kb fragments; this is consistent with a possible gene rearrangement or a restriction fragment length polymorphism. To place these results in perspective, expression of several other protooncogenes has been examined in ovarian carcinomas. The c-fos, c-myc, n-myc, c-fms, and c-Ha-ras protooncogenes were expressed in different fractions of tumors, but expression of l-myc, c-erbB, c-myb, c-sis, and c-mos was not detectable. Aside from c-erbB-2, neither amplification nor rearrangement was observed among the other protooncogenes studied. Expression of c-erbB-2, c-fms, c-myc, n-myc, c-fos, and c-Ha-ras deserves further evaluation as a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer.

Female↗

Extended life span of human endometrial stromal cells transfected with cloned origin-defective, temperature-sensitive simian virus 40.

Human endometrial stromal cells transfected with an origin-defective, temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 recombinant plasmid are dependent on T-antigen function for proliferation and at the permissive temperature have an extended life span in culture. Southern blot analysis indicates that the transfected gene is present in low copy number, possibly at a single integration site. Normal stromal cells are capable of 10 to 20 population doublings in culture. Transfected cultures have been carried at the permissive temperature to 80 population doublings before crisis. In the multistep model of malignant transformation of human cells, these cells represent one of the earliest stages: extended but finite life span. We have used these cells to investigate alterations in signal transduction that may be responsible for this early stage of transformation caused by the large T antigen. Temperature shift experiments indicate that the expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) but not of c-fos is altered by the large T antigen. Induction of c-fos by serum or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate is independent of temperature. However, in the transfected cells, the induction of ODC by asparagine or serum is greatly enhanced at the permissive temperature. This result indicates that the large T antigen acts downstream of c-fos but upstream of ODC expression in the signal-transducing cascade.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Human monocyte inflammatory mediator gene expression is selectively regulated by adherence substrates.

During the process of extravasation, monocytes transiently adhere to capillary endothelium and subsequently with a variety of extracellular matrix components. These early interactions are likely to serve as modifiers of transcriptional activity and serve to prime monocytes for rapid synthesis of mediators. We have previously reported that adherence to plastic rapidly induced or down-regulated steady-state mRNA levels of a number of monocyte inflammatory mediator genes. We now report that adherence to surfaces pretreated with fibronectin resulted in TNF-alpha and CSF-1 mRNA levels approximating adherence to plastic, whereas adherence to fibronectin, fibronectin/anti-fibronectin complexes, or collagen resulted in markedly decreased levels of CSF-1 induction and lysozyme down-regulation. In contrast, monocyte adherence to collagen induced the highest sustained levels of TNF-alpha expression. PMA, but not the chemotactic factor FMLP, stimulated non-adherent monocytes to express c-fos and TNF-alpha and down-regulate lysozyme mRNA. Although all donors responded to adherence, several failed to produce CSF-1 mRNA after PMA stimulation in the non-adherent state. These data demonstrate that monocyte mediator expression may be more dependent on the selectivity of signals induced by adherence to different substrates than the initial chemotactic response.

Antigens, Surface↗

Differential production of tumor necrosis factor, macrophage colony stimulating factor, and interleukin 1 by human alveolar macrophages.

Human alveolar macrophages (AMO) have been investigated for their ability to produce three monokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), macrophage colony stimulating factor (CSF-1), and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1). No TNF activity was found in supernatants of unstimulated AMO cultured for 20 h, although TNF mRNA was detected in the cells by Northern blot analysis. Stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced production and release of high levels of TNF into the culture supernatant. Increased levels of TNF mRNA were detectable at 90 min after LPS stimulation by dot blot analysis, reaching maximum expression between 4 and 8 h and declining thereafter. TNF activity peaked at approximately 8 h in the AMO supernatants. After 24 h TNF production had ended. Compared to autologous monocytes the AMO produced 5.7 times more TNF on a per cell basis (activity accumulated in 20 h supernatants). Uncultured AMO expressed CSF-1 mRNA which was translated into active protein recovered in supernatants upon culture in the absence of stimulus. The addition of LPS to AMO slightly reduced both mRNA levels and amount of factor in the supernatants. In contrast to the AMO, monocyte production of CSF-1 was enhanced by LPS. CSF-1 production by AMO continued for at least 48 h of culture. Spontaneous production of low amounts of IL-1 was found in one-third of the AMO samples, while low levels of IL-1 mRNA were present in all tested preparations. LPS stimulation induced increase in IL-1 mRNA within 90 min; mRNA levels peaked between 12 and 20 h and stayed high for at least 42 h. However, while all LPS-stimulated AMO expressed high levels of IL-1 mRNA biologically active IL-1 was again detected only in a fraction of the AMO supernatants. These results show that the production of monokines CSF-1, TNF, and IL-1 is differentially regulated by LPS in alveolar macrophages and has different responses as compared to monocytes. The longevity of the messages for each of the factors is possible indicators of the relative contribution of these factors to the response to endotoxin-induced injury and repair processes in the lung.

Adult↗

Analysis of glucocorticoid actions on rat thymocyte deoxyribonucleic acid by fluorescence-activated flow cytometry.

Glucocorticoids induce thymocyte cell death via mechanisms that occur in concert with internucleosomal DNA cleavage. To further study this process at the single cell level, glucocorticoid effects on rat thymocyte DNA were analyzed using fluorescence-activated flow cytometry. Thymocytes were isolated from adrenalectomized rats, treated in vitro with steroid hormones, stained with 0.1 mM acridine orange, and analyzed by flow cytometry. After 5 h of treatment with 10(-7) M dexamethasone a population of thymocytes with reduced acridine orange binding was observed. Thymocyte viability after glucocorticoid treatment was greater than 95%, indicating that the observed changes in dye binding occurred before cell death. Induction of this subpopulation of thymocytes was both time and steroid concentration dependent, being detectable within 2 h of in vitro steroid treatment. This response to glucocorticoids was blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 486, indicating a steroid receptor-mediated process. Furthermore, both actinomycin D and cycloheximide blocked the appearance of this glucocorticoid effect, thus demonstrating a dependence upon RNA and protein biosynthesis, respectively. Incubation of thymocytes with inhibitors of DNA repair (aminobenzamide or methylnicotinamide) also diminished acridine orange binding to thymocytes. The effects of these DNA repair inhibitors and glucocorticoids were additive, suggesting independent mechanisms of action. Dexamethasone treatment (10(-7) M) of cells that fail to die in response to glucocorticoids (HeLa S3) had no effect on dye binding. These findings are consistent with the concept that glucocorticoids induce a lysis gene product that alters the thymocyte genome and thus leads to cell death.

Acridine Orange↗

Flow cytometric analysis of human uterine sarcomas and cell lines.

Flow cytometric techniques were used to characterize multiple human uterine sarcomas and cell lines derived from some of these tumors. Analysis of DNA content showed that 9 of the 11 uterine sarcomas investigated were composed of at least one aneuploid population as well as a distinct diploid population. These data indicate that aneuploidy, as measured by flow cytometry, is a characteristic more common to uterine sarcomas than that previously reported for uterine adenocarcinomas. Unlike the original tumors, the cell lines established from three of the sarcomas contained predominantly diploid populations with only minor aneuploid populations. Treatment of one of the sarcoma cultures with tumor promoters did not result in an increase in the aneuploid populations. Tumors which arose in nude mice upon transplantation of two of the sarcomas did not contain the same distribution of tumor subpopulations as found in the original sarcomas. Apparently, the in vitro culture and and in vivo nude mouse conditions were not appropriate for maintaining the original equilibrium between the aneuploid and diploid subpopulations but instead provided a selective environment that resulted in the preferential growth of only certain tumor populations. Dual-parameter analysis of DNA content and alkaline phosphatase levels of one of the sarcomas were useful for distinguishing the aneuploid from the diploid population coexisting in this tumor. Our data suggest that flow cytometry is a valuable tool to analyze the characteristics of the tumor populations residing in primary uterine sarcomas as well as to determine which of these tumor subpopulations survive in culture and transplantation to nude mice.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Immunohistologic evidence for the role of antibody and macrophages in regression of the murine T1699 mammary adenocarcinoma.

The regression or progression of the T1699 murine mammary adenocarcinoma was analyzed with histologic an immunohistologic techniques to determine the tissue distribution of both macrophages and anti-tumor antibody. Changes in integrity of tumor blood vessels were apparent during tumor growth and regression. Tumors at early stages of growth were invaded in the capsule by multiple vascular branches which later permeated tha tumor. Following the appearance of anti-tumor in the serum, these vessels often showed immune complex deposition which preceded vessel leakage, destruction and hemorrhage. After these changes, tumor cells appeared coated with antibody. Macrophages appeared predominantly in the tumor capsule during early stages of tumor growth, while at later stage they were observed within tumors most prominently near the edge of growing hemorrhagic and necrotic areas. As tumors regressed, connective tissue septation lined by macrophages became apparent. Phagocytosis of seemingly intact tumor cells was common and appeared to account for much of the loss in tumor cell numbers. In immunosuppressed animals (ATXBM,450R) in which tumor progression always occurred, the above features were markedly diminished or absent. This model emphasizes the interplay of many factors in tumor regression. These include immune complex deposition, blood vessel destruction, macrophage infiltration and connective tissue development, all of which are associated with tumor regression and seem to be infrequent and/or inconsequential during progressive tumor growth.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Inhibitors of monocyte responses to chemotaxins are present in human cancerous effusions and react with monoclonal antibodies to the P15(E) structural protein of retroviruses.

Individuals with cancer have previously been shown to have abnormal chemotactic responsiveness. Surgical removal of the tumor often resulted in normalization of monocyte function, which suggests that human neoplasms might inhibit monocyte chemotaxis by release of soluble mediators. We therefore examined the effects of cancerous effusions on monocyte polarization, i.e., the rapid change in monocyte morphology from round to a triangular "motile" configuration in response to chemoattractants. All 17 malignant effusions, representing 15 tumor types, inhibited monocyte polarization induced by the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine by 45-89% (mean 55.9 +/- 12.7%, P less than 0.01) in blinded assays. None of 17 benign effusions signigicantly inhibited polarization (0-15%, mean 6.2 +/- 4.2%). Dilutions of cancerous effusions as low as 1:200 produced inhibition that was time, temperature, and dose dependent . Monocyte polarization induced by activated serum or by chemotactic lymphokine was also blocked by cancerous effusions. The inhibitory activity affected the monocyte directly, and did not destroy the chemoattractant or block the polarization of granulocytes to chemotactic factors. High pressure liquid chromatography of five cancerous fluids revealed three peaks of inhibitory activity: greater than or equal to 200,000, 46,000 +/- 13,000, and 21,000 +/- 3,000 daltons. Fractionation of noncancerous effusions revealed only small amounts of the highest molecular weight inhibitory activity. The inhibitory activity in cancerous effusion was heat stable (56 degrees C, 30 min), trypsin sensitive, and could be absorbed by three different monoclonal antibodies reactive to P15(E), a structural component of type C retroviruses. In contrast, six monoclonal antibodies with other specificities had no effect on the inhibitors of polarization. This study demonstrates that human cancerous effusions contain novel proteins that are potent inhibitors of monocyte function and that are recognized by antibodies reactive to the P15(E) component of retroviruses. By producing such factors, tumor cells may subvert monocyte-mediated surveillance.

Adult↗

Adriamycin-activated macrophages as tumor growth inhibitors.

Flow cytometry has been used to study the influence of Adriamycin- and Corynebacterium parvum-elicited cytostatic macrophages on the cell cycle of HeLa cells. Macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity of mice given i.p. injections of Adriamycin retain cytostatic activity for 3 to 4 days in vivo. Many of these macrophages fluoresced with the red emission spectra characteristic of Adriamycin. The decline in the presence of macrophages exhibiting red fluorescent cytoplasmic particles paralleled the loss in cytostatic activity. Drug-induced cytostatic macrophages exhibited at least as high a level of growth inhibition as did C. parvum-activated cells. In contrast to the apparent G1 block of HeLa cells which resulted from interaction wih C. parvum-activated macrophages. Adriamycin-stimulated macrophages inhibited growth in the G2-M phase characteristic of the free drug. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles removed all activity from C. parvum macrophages but had no influence on the Adriamycin-elicited effector cell activity. The data suggest that in vivo drug storage by macrophages may represent an important step in tumor cell destruction by Adriamycin.

Animals↗

Immune response to inactivated syngeneic mammary adenocarcinoma cells. I. Role and regulation of antibody synthesis in DBA/2 mice.

The immunogenicities of irradiated T1699 murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells (XR-T1699) and mitomycin C-treated T1699 cells (T1699m) were compared with respect to eliciting humoral immunity, cell-mediated immunity, and protection against subsequent sc challenge with untreated T1699 tumor cells (T1699u) in the syngeneic host (DBA/2 mice). Treatment with 10(3)-10(7) T1699m failed to induce any immunity against subsequent challenge with viable T1699u, whereas 10(6)-10(7) XR-T1699 sensitized the host to later challenge with T1699u. Although both T1699m- and XR-T1699-sensitized mice displayed a delayed hypersensitivity response to soluble T1699 antigen as determined by footpad swelling, only XR-T1699-immunized mice developed detectable levels of anti-T1699 antibody, as measured by indirect immunofluorescence. The antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) titer of sera from XR-T1699-immunized mice peaked at day 11 and declined by day 20, whereas sera from T1699m- sensitized mice showed no detectable ADCC activity. Sera from mice with progressing T1699u tumors showed high levels of ADCC activity at all times tested. The immunity induced by XR-T1699 injection was shown to be specific for T1699 tumor cells and not limited to the anatomic area of immunization. The results are discussed in terms of the role of antibody as the primary protective mechanism in sensitization in the T1699 tumor model.

Adenocarcinoma↗