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Biomedical subjects

K H Wiedorn

Publications and source records attributed to K H Wiedorn.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

G-CSF application in patients with severe bacterial pneumonia increases IL-10 expression in neutrophils.

In severe pneumonia, the application of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was associated with reduced complications possibly by an induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines. It is not clear, whether G-CSF induces interleukin-10 (IL-10) synthesis in neutrophils. In a randomized study, 15 patients with severe community acquired pneumonia were treated either by a single dose of G-CSF and antibiotic therapy (n=8) or antibiotics alone (n=7). Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha of peripheral blood leukocytes was measured using in-situ hybridization (ISH) and reverse-transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the cytokine release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole blood was measured by ELISA. We detected increased IL-10 mRNA by ISH (140 +/- 8% vs. -11 +/- 5%, P<0.01) and RT-PCR (126 +/- 16% vs. -28 +/- 3%, P<0.01) in the G-CSF-treated group only. In contrast, LPS-stimulated whole blood cells in vitro released significantly less IL-10 compared to the control group (-38.2 +/- 97 vs. -14.8 +/- 6 pg/ml, P<0.02). There was no significant effect on IL-10 serum protein levels and the TNF-alpha release and expression. IL-10 mRNA was detected predominantly in cluster designation 66b (CD66b) positive nucleated blood cells indicating that polymorphonuclear leukocytes are the main source of IL-10 expression after G-CSF stimulation. G-CSF induces transcription of IL-10 mRNA in neutrophils without increased release. This may be due to posttranscriptional effects.

Analysis of Variance↗

Assessment of transcriptional gene activity in situ by application of HOPE-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.

We report the use of HOPE-fixation (HOPE = Hepes-Glutamic acid buffer mediated Organic solvent Protection Effect) for specimens utilized for in situ hybridization targeting mRNA. For this purpose, an optimized protocol was developed and repeatedly tested on HOPE-fixed lung specimens. We observed that neither pretreatment, permeabilizing the cells, nor prehybridization is necessary to generate signals. After deparaffinizing, the random primed digoxigenin-labeled probes are directly hybridized together with yeast tRNA for blocking unspecific signals. Detection was performed using anti digoxigenin antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase and new-fuchsine or NBT/BCIP as substrates. The results were verified by RT-PCR and adequate negative controls. Signals for human surfactant protein-A and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 developed rapidly within 10 min, accompanied by high signal intensities comparable to those observed in immunohistochemistry. Signal enhancement by biotinyl-tyramide, although giving suitable results as well, did not lead to higher signal intensities, and thus was not necessary in conjunction with the probes tested so far. These experiments were performed with material stored under appropriate conditions (at +4 degrees C) up to five years. To sum up, these initial results, obtained with the novel HOPE-fixative, are promising as regards the enhancement of the capabilities of in situ hybridization in the future.

Cells, Cultured↗

The prognostic value of the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin determined by immunohistochemistry.

We analyzed 53 specimens from primary squamous cell carcinomas of the skin for the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein by means of immunohistochemistry along with histological data. We compared tumors that metastasized (30) with tumors that did not (23) during a follow-up period of at least 5 years. The expression of the two proteolytic enzymes cathepsin D and collagenase IV was also assessed at the invading front of the tumors. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences for the overall expression of cathepsin D (P < 0.05), expression of cathepsin at the invading front (P < 0.05) and the tumor thickness (P < 0.01). The results showed that cathepsin D may be a prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. We then combined the results of parameters with statistically significant differences by multiplication. The prognostic value of such a combined risk-factor score showed higher confidence than any of the single parameters alone: a sensitivity of 63.3%, a specificity of 87.0% and an efficiency of 73.6%. This kind of combined risk-factor score might be used to more accurately detect patients at high risk of metastasis.

Aged↗

Diagnostic value of immunohistochemically detected surfactant--apoprotein-A in malignant tumors located in the lungs: report of two cases.

We report two cases of patients suffering from multiple tumors in the lungs with questionable origin. In these cases, the expression of Surfactant-apoprotein-A (SP-A) by the tumor cells has been a helpful feature in the process of diagnosis by indicating primary carcinomas of the lungs. Surfactant-apoprotein-A is expressed by the pneumocytes II in lung tissue and a portion of non-small cell lung carcinomas and has not yet been found to be expressed by other tumors when detected immunohistochemically by use of the monoclonal antibody PE-10. We analyzed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of different malignancies with pulmonary location for the expression of SP-A by the use of PE-10 with other antibodies against additional epitopes such as the thyroid transcription factor-1. In normal lung areas a distinct staining of the pneumocytes II has been observed. All the control sections of primary and metastatic nonlung-carcinoma specimen in our study remained negative. The monoclonal antibody PE-10 used in this study provides high specificity when compared to the results obtained with polyclonal antibodies. One of the two cases reported, a mucinous carcinoma of the lungs, had been negative for thyroid transcription factor-1 but positive for SP-A. Thus, SP-A detected by immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody PE-10, together with other parameters such as thyroid transcription factor-1, may be a useful tool for individual diagnosis of malignomas located in the lungs with a questionable primary origin. Ann Diagn Pathol 5:84-90, 2001.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

HOPE fixation: a novel fixing method and paraffin-embedding technique for human soft tissues.

We have developed a novel method for tissue fixation, including subsequent paraffin-embedding and sectioning, that allows the complete pathological analysis of all types of human soft tissues. Furthermore, it maintains additional positive features relevant to immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology. The so-called HOPE-technique (Hepes-Glutamic acid buffer mediated Organic solvent Protection Effect) comprises a protection-solution with an organic buffer, acetone as the only dehydrating agent, and pure paraffin of 52-54 degrees C melting temperature. Although the exact mechanism of protection has still to be elucidated, it seems rather unlikely that chemical bindings occur during the whole process of fixation, which is described and compared with the standard formalin-paraffin technique. Essentially, HOPE-fixed sections show formalin-like morphology. However, the sections are somewhat difficult to handle because of their fragility. This is due to the absence of any type of protein cross-linking and the dynamic processes of immersion and outflow of the HOPE protection solution. HOPE-fixed sections provide an excellent preservation of proteins and antigenic structures for differential analysis by immunohistochemical and/or enzyme histochemical techniques. However, their most remarkable feature is the extremely low degradation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) combined with good results obtained by in situ hybridization techniques. In conclusion, HOPE fixation may become a valuable additional tool in modern pathology.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

EnVision+, a new dextran polymer-based signal enhancement technique for in situ hybridization (ISH).

Seventy paraffin-embedded cervical biopsy specimens and condylomata were tested for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) by conventional in situ hybridization (ISH) and ISH with subsequent signal amplification. Signal amplification was performed either by a commercial biotinyl-tyramide-based detection system [GenPoint (GP)] or by the novel two-layer dextran polymer visualization system EnVision+ (EV), in which both EV-horseradish peroxidase (EV-HRP) and EV-alkaline phosphatase (EV-AP) were applied. We could demonstrate for the first time, that EV in combination with preceding ISH results in a considerable increase in signal intensity and sensitivity without loss of specificity compared to conventional ISH. Compared to GP, EV revealed a somewhat lower sensitivity, as measured by determination of the integrated optical density (IOD) of the positively stained cells. However, EV is easier to perform, requires a shorter assay time, and does not raise the background problems that may be encountered with biotinyl-tyramide-based amplification systems. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:1067-1071, 2001)

Cervix Uteri↗

Epipodite and fat cells as sites of hemoglobin synthesis in the branchiopod crustacean Daphnia magna.

In contrast to the malacostracan crustaceans that use hemocyanin as the oxygen carrier, a number of branchiopod crustaceans, such as the water flea Daphnia magna, utilize hemoglobin (Hb) as the respiratory protein. By means of in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques with subsequent signal amplification using catalyzed reporter deposition, sites of Hb synthesis were localized in Daphnia magna. Based on a previously reported Hb-cDNA sequence, a specific ISH probe was designed and hybridized with the Hb-mRNA in histological sections of adult D. magna. The detection of Hb-mRNA was tissue specific and revealed that Hb is synthesized in fat cells, which play a role in fat and glycogen metabolism, and in epithelial cells of the epipodites, which are involved in osmoregulation. Sites of Hb synthesis have been identified in several invertebrate phyla, including Annelida and Nematoda. However, this is the first example in the class Crustacea, and only the second in the phylum Arthropoda.

Adipocytes↗

Comparison of in-situ hybridization, direct and indirect in-situ PCR as well as tyramide signal amplification for the detection of HPV.

One hundred paraffin-embedded cervical biopsy specimens were tested for the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) by in situ hybridization (ISH), and by direct and indirect in situ PCR (IS-PCR) in order to evaluate the efficiency of the different in situ methods in detecting HPV infection. ISH was performed using either commercial DNA probes or a cocktail of 5'-digoxigenin labeled oligoprimers. The same were used for ISH during indirect IS-PCR. To enhance the sensitivity of ISH several polymers, i.e., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone were added to the alkaline phosphatase nitro blue tetrazolium/5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (NBT/BCIP) reaction. Furthermore, tyramide signal amplification (TSA) was tried for signal amplification. Those samples treated with PVA during the NBT/BCIP reaction did not show any signal amplification whereas those treated with TSA exhibited a dramatic increase in sensitivity with usually acceptable signal to noise ratios. Our results show that, regarding sensitivity, ISH with subsequent signal amplification by TSA can be used as an almost equivalent alternative to the more cumbersome IS-PCR on routinely processed tissue specimens. When considering reproducibility, it is superior to IS-PCR.

DNA Primers↗

A chromosome 17:7 translocation is associated with a hepatitis B virus DNA integration in human hepatocellular carcinoma DNA.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is often associated with major structural rearrangements of both the integrated viral DNA and the associated cellular sequences. We present here the structure of a single-copy hepatitis B virus insert cloned from human hepatocellular carcinoma DNA recently reported to encode a novel transcriptional trans-activator function. The hepatitis B virus portion of the clone consists of two colinear fragments covering the X gene with its promoter and enhancer (nucleotides 717 to 1796) and a 3' truncated pre-S/S gene (nucleotides 2703 to 423). The lack of the entire pre-C/C gene caused a fusion of the 3' end of the X gene with sequences upstream from the pre-S gene. The structure of the integrated viral DNA fragments suggests insertion of hepatitis B virus replication intermediates into cellular DNA and subsequent recombination between these primary integrations to generate the final structure of the clone. The 5' and 3' cellular flanking sequences mapped to the centromeric alpha-satellite DNA of chromosome 17 and to the short arm of chromosome 7 (p14-pter), respectively, indicating that chromosomal translocation was associated with the hepatitis B virus DNA integration. Because this is the fourth case reported in which hepatitis B virus-associated rearrangements have affected chromosome 17, it is conceivable that a loss of important cellular genes (such as the p53 antioncogene on chromosome 17) may be a crucial step in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocarcinogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The human QARS locus: assignment of the human gene for glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase to chromosome 1q32-42.

We have used a cDNA encoding the core region of the human glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase to determine the chromosomal localization of the corresponding gene. Southern blots of restricted DNA from a panel of rodent-human cell lines and in situ chromosome hybridization gave identical results showing that the human gene locus for glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase resides on the distal long arm of chromosome 1. There are now nine mapped aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes in the human genome.

Animals↗

Localization of the active type I DNA topoisomerase gene on human chromosome 20q11.2-13.1, and two pseudogenes on chromosomes 1q23-24 and 22q11.2-13.1.

Different subfragments of a cDNA coding for DNA topoisomerase I were used as probes to determine the chromosomal localization of topoisomerase I sequences in human cells. Southern blotting of restricted DNA from a panel of rodent-human somatic cell hybrids revealed the localization of the complete gene on chromosome 20 and the presence of two truncated topoisomerase I pseudogene sequences on chromosomes 1 and 22. In situ chromosome hybridization experiments confirmed these results showing the location of the complete gene on band q11.2-13.1 of chromosome 20, and the location of the pseudogene sequences on band q23-24 of chromosome 1 and q11.2-13.1 of chromosome 22.

Blotting, Southern↗