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Johannes H Harleman

Publications and source records attributed to Johannes H Harleman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Gene expression in fibroadenomas of the rat mammary gland in contrast to spontaneous adenocarcinomas and normal mammary gland.

Fibroadenomas are considered a benign lesion in rodent carcinogenicity studies. However, the entity adenocarcinoma arising in fibroadenoma does exist and in humans there is evidence of certain forms of fibroadenomas to confer greater risk of subsequent breast cancer. In this study, we aim to elucidate the molecular features of both spontaneous fibroadenomas and adenocarcinomas. The gene expression of the two tumour types is examined and compared to mammary gland in the same developmental state and examined for similarities which might indicate common molecular pathways. In the present study no similarities were discovered. We conclude that in the tumours examined here, no progression to adenocarcinoma is likely. Further studies are needed, examining a greater number of tumours and including cases of adenocarcinoma arising in fibroadenoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Differentiation of spontaneous and induced mammary adenocarcinomas of the rat by gene expression profiling.

The differentiation of spontaneous and induced adenocarcinomas is of interest in the setting of carcinogenicity studies. In the experiment reported here, a differentiation of morphologically similar spontaneous and induced mammary adenocarcinomas of the rat is achieved by gene expression profiling. By choosing one marker gene based on the gene expression profile for each tumour type, we were able to distinguish the tumours by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) as well.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Characterisation of two rat mammary tumour models for breast cancer research by gene expression profiling.

Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women. Treatment options are still an active area of research. Models used for this purpose include induced models in rodents. By the advent of microarrays it has become possible to evaluate models not only for similar morphology or selected markers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or immunohistochemistry but also for the expression of thousands of genes at once. This study presents gene expression profiles of the hormone-sensitive 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced and the metastasising MTLn3-model. The models are discussed for their relevance to breast cancer in humans.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

The immune system--multiple sites but one system.

Recently several guidelines were published on immunotoxicity. Validation studies have shown that detailed extended examination of the immune system is able to flag immunotoxic compounds. Parameters of the examination are presented. In the final examination it is important that the whole immune system is evaluated as one functional system--multiple sites but one system.

Animals↗

Toxicogenomics of subchronic hexachlorobenzene exposure in Brown Norway rats.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a persistent environmental pollutant with toxic effects in man and rat. Reported adverse effects are hepatic porphyria, neurotoxicity, and adverse effects on the reproductive and immune system. To obtain more insight into HCB-induced mechanisms of toxicity, we studied gene expression levels using DNA microarrays. For 4 weeks, Brown Norway rats were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 150, or 450 mg HCB/kg. Spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), thymus, blood, liver, and kidney were collected and analyzed using the Affymetrix rat RGU-34A GeneChip microarray. Most significant (p < 0.001) changes, compared to the control group, occurred in spleen, followed by liver, kidney, blood, and MLN, but only a few genes were affected in thymus. This was to be expected, as the thymus is not a target organ of HCB. Transcriptome profiles confirmed known effects of HCB such as stimulatory effects on the immune system and induction of enzymes involved in drug metabolism, porphyria, and the reproductive system. In line with previous histopathological findings were increased transcript levels of markers for granulocytes and macrophages. New findings include the upregulation of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidants, acute phase proteins, mast cell markers, complements, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules. Generally, gene expression data provide evidence that HCB induces a systemic inflammatory response, accompanied by oxidative stress and an acute phase response. In conclusion, this study confirms previously observed (immuno)toxicological effects of HCB but also reveals several new and mechanistically relevant gene products. Thus, transcriptome profiles can be used as markers for several of the processes that occur after HCB exposure.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗