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Biomedical subjects

K Suzukawa

Publications and source records attributed to K Suzukawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Activating mutations in NOTCH1 in acute myeloid leukemia and lineage switch leukemias.

Activating mutations in NOTCH1 are found in over 50% of human T-cell lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs). Here, we report the analysis for activating NOTCH1 mutations in a large number of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primary samples and cell lines. We found activating mutations in NOTCH1 in a single M0 primary AML sample, in three (ML1, ML2 and CTV-1) out of 23 AML cell lines and in the diagnostic (myeloid) and relapsed (T-lymphoid) clones in a patient with lineage switch leukemia. Importantly, the ML1 and ML2 AML cell lines are derived from an AML relapse in a patient initially diagnosed with T-ALL. Overall, these results demonstrate that activating mutations in NOTCH1 are mostly restricted to T-ALL and are rare in AMLs. The presence of NOTCH1 mutations in myeloid and T-lymphoid clones in lineage switch leukemias establishes the common clonal origin of the diagnostic and relapse blast populations and suggests a stem cell origin of NOTCH1 mutations during the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors.

Acute Disease↗

Characterization of a patient with glycoprotein (GP) VI deficiency possessing neither anti-GPVI autoantibody nor genetic aberration.

BACKGROUND: There have been only seven reported cases of glycoprotein (GP) VI deficiency. However, the pathogenesis of this disorder has not been well-elucidated. OBJECTIVES: We characterized a novel patient with GPVI deficiency and used these platelets to investigate the role of GPVI in normal hemostasis. PATIENT: A 31-year-old female with immune thrombocytopenic purpura who had been suffering from mild bleeding diathesis even after recovery from thrombocytopenia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The patient's platelets did not aggregate in response to either convulxin or collagen-related peptide. Immunoblotting revealed complete absence of the GPVI molecule, whereas a significantly reduced but substantial amount of Fc receptor (FcR) gamma-chain was expressed. Platelet stimulation with convulxin did not induce tyrosine-phosphorylation of FcR gamma-chain, indicating a defect in GPVI-mediated signaling. Concerning the underlying pathogenesis, we found normal level of GPVI-mRNA expression, no aberration of the sequence of the entire coding region of GPVI, and presence of degraded GPVI in her plasma. However, no anti-GPVI autoantibody was detected either by the binding assay to GPVI-Fc2 fusion protein or by immunoblotting/immunoprecipitation using the patient's immunoglobulin. We thus consider that either a short-time exposure to anti-GPVI autoantibody or a continuous exposure to low titers of the autoantibody has resulted in persistent GPVI deficiency. Under high shear flow, the patient's platelets could not form large aggregates, although initial platelet attachment was obviously observed. These results suggest that GPVI deficiency in this patient resulted in defective platelet thrombi development, manifesting as bleeding diathesis. Furthermore, our observations indicate that coordination of GPVI with integrin alpha2beta1 is essential for physiological platelet thrombus formation.

Adult↗

Chorioamnionitis caused by Serratia marcescens in a non-immunocompromised host.

A 26 year old pregnant woman with antithrombin III deficiency developed recurrent septicaemia with Serratia marcescens. In spite of the administration of antibiotics, high grade fever persisted. She subsequently manifested lower abdominal pain, and spontaneous abortion occurred. After the abortion, she became completely afebrile. The amnion was turbid, and microscopic examination of the placenta showed haemorrhage and massive infiltration of neutrophils, suggestive of infectious chorioamnionitis. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed that isolates from the blood, urine, and vaginal discharge were genetically identical. Intravenous pyelography revealed that she had a bilateral completed double ureter. It was thought that a urinary tract anomaly caused infection with S marcescens, and the pathogen spread to the chorioamnion via the bloodstream. This is the first report of chorioamnionitis caused by S marcescens in a non-immunocompromised host. In addition, these findings indicate that the chorioamnion can serve as a site for persistent infection in normal pregnancies.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Hemophagocytic syndrome as the primary clinical symptom of Hodgkin's disease.

It is now well recognized that hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is occasionally associated with malignant lymphomas. However, its association with Hodgkin's disease has been only rarely reported. We present here a 72-year-old woman manifesting with HPS as the primary and solitary clinical symptom of Hodgkin's disease. She had been suffering from high-grade fever and anemia for more than a month. Based on the findings in bone marrow aspirates, she was diagnosed as having HPS. In spite of extensive surveys including various cultures, serological tests for collagen disease, abdominal and cardiac sonography, chest computed tomography (CT), and renal biopsy, the origin of the fever was not determined. She was treated with steroid pulse therapy and then referred. Radiological studies revealed only mild hepatosplenomegaly and small lymph node swellings around celiac and common hepatic arteries. Reevaluation of the bone marrow specimen revealed the infiltration of small numbers of CD30-, CD15-, and EBER-1-positive large-sized lymphocytes with bizarre nucleus. Under the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, she was treated with combination chemotherapy containing pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone. However, it was not effective and she died of rapidly progressive hepatic failure on the 5th day of the chemotherapy. Autopsy was performed, which showed proliferation of lymphoma cells in para-aortic lymph nodes. We believe that diagnostic survey to rule out the underlying lymphoma should be vigorously performed for patients with hemophagocytic syndrome of unknown origin.

Aged↗

The Sos1-Rac1 signaling. Possible involvement of a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase E subunit.

We have purified and identified a 32-kDa protein interacting with the Dbl oncogene homology domain of mSos1(Sos-DH) from rat brains by glutathione S-transferase-Sos-DH affinity chromatography. Peptide sequencing revealed that the protein is identical to a positive regulatory E subunit (V-ATPase E) of a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, which is responsible for acidification of endosome and alkalinization of intracellular pH. The interaction between V-ATPase E and Sos-DH was confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assay. A coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that a V-ATPase E protein physiologically bound to mSos1, and the protein was colocalized with mSos1 in the cytoplasm, as determined by immunohistochemistry. mSos1 was found in the early endosome fraction together with V-ATPase E and Rac1, suggesting the functional involvement of mSos1/V-ATPase E complexes in the Rac1 activity at endosomes. Overexpression of V-ATPase E in COS cells enhanced the ability of mSos1 to promote the guanine nucleotide exchange activity for Rac1 and stimulated the kinase activity of Jun kinase, a downstream target of Rac1. Thus, the data indicate that V-ATPase E may participate in the regulation of the mSos1-dependent Rac1 signaling pathway involved in growth factor receptor-mediated cell growth control.

3T3 Cells↗

AML1-MTG8 leukemic protein induces the expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor through the up-regulation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein epsilon.

The t(8;21) translocation is one of the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this translocation, the AML1 (CBFA2/PEBP2aB) gene is disrupted and fused to the MTG8 (ETO) gene. The ectopic expression of the resulting AML1-MTG8 fusion gene product in L-G and 32Dcl3 murine myeloid precursor cells stimulates cell proliferation without inducing morphologic terminal differentiation into mature granulocytes in response to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). This study found that the ectopic expression of AML1-MTG8 elevates the expression of the G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR). Analysis of the promoter region of the G-CSFR gene revealed that up-regulation of G-CSFR expression by AML1-MTG8 does not depend on the AML1-binding sequence, but on the C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein) binding site. The results suggest that the overproduction of G-CSFR is at least partly mediated by C/EBPepsilon, whose expression is activated by AML1-MTG8. The ectopic expression of G-CSFR in L-G cells induced cell proliferation in response to G-CSF, but did not inhibit cell differentiation into mature neutrophils. Overexpression of C/EBPepsilon in L-G cells also stimulated G-CSF-dependent cell proliferation. High expression levels of G-CSFR were also found in the leukemic cells of AML patients with t(8;21). Therefore, G-CSF-dependent cell proliferation of myeloid precursor cells may be implicated in leukemogenesis.

Animals↗

Nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation requires generation of Rac1-regulated reactive oxygen species.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation of pheochromocytoma PC12 cells transiently increased the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This increase was blocked by the chemical antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and a flavoprotein inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium. NGF responses of PC12 cells, including neurite outgrowth, tyrosine phosphorylation, and AP-1 activation, was inhibited when ROS production was prevented by N-acetylcysteine and diphenylene iodonium. The expression of dominant negative Rac1N17 blocked induction of both ROS generation and morphological differentiation by NGF. The ROS produced appears to be H(2)O(2), because the introduction of catalase into the cells abolished NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, ROS production, and tyrosine phosphorylation. These results suggest that the ROS, perhaps H(2)O(2), acts as an intracellular signal mediator for NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and that NGF-stimulated ROS production is regulated by Rac1 and a flavoprotein-binding protein similar to the phagocytic NADPH oxidase.

Animals↗

Nasal natural killer cell lymphoma in a post-renal transplant patient.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders in organ allograft recipients are most commonly of B-cell origin and only occasionally of T-cell origin. We present here a case of nasal natural killer cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus that occurred in a recipient of a renal transplant 4 years posttransplantation. Immunohistochemically, the lymphoma cells showed CD2-, surface CD3-, cytoplasmic CD3E+, CD56+, CD57-, CD16-, and CD43+ phenotype. Analyses of T-cell receptor beta and gamma genes showed germ line configurations. EBER-1 was detectable in the lymphoma cells. The patient was diagnosed as having natural killer cell lymphoma and was treated with six courses of combination chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma He has been in remission for more than 3 years thereafter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a posttransplant NK cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus.

Adult↗

Identification of breakpoint cluster regions at 1p36.3 and 3q21 in hematologic malignancies with t(1;3)(p36;q21).

The reciprocal translocation t(1;3)(p36;q21) is associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by trilineage dysplasia, in particular dysmegakaryocytopoiesis, and a poor prognosis. As yet no molecular genetic analyses of the t(1;3) have been reported. In four patients with t(1;3), all of whom had AML-M4, which evolved from MDS, the breakpoints at 3q21 clustered within a 60-kb region centromeric to the breakpoint of the inv(3)(q21q26), whereas the breakpoints at 1p36 clustered within a 90-kb region at 1p36.3. The presence of novel clusters in both the 3q21 and 1p36 breakpoints (BCRs) suggests a common, underlying molecular mechanism for the development of t(1;3)-positive MDS/AML. The Ribophorin I (RPN1) gene close to the BCR at 3q21 was highly expressed without gross structural changes, whereas the GR6 gene located within the BCR at 3q21 was not expressed. No other highly expressed genes were isolated in a 150-kb region at 3q21. Thus, it is likely that a gene at 1p36.3 is activated by the translocation of the 3q21 region or a gene important for transformation lies on 3q21, outside the 150-kb region. Further characterization of the BCRs at 1p36.3 and 3q21 should provide important insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms involved in the genesis of t(1;3)-positive MDS/AML. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:229-238, 2000.

Aged↗

[Spontaneous occlusion of a dissecting aneurysm in the shape of "two dumplings on a skewer" at righ posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA): report of a case and neuroradiological findings].

We present a case of a spontaneous dissecting aneurysm at the vertebrobasilar artery including the right PICA in a 44-year-old man, who suffered from headache, hiccup and ataxic gait. The arteriograms showed an irregular narrowing and dilatation in the right PICA and in the vertebrobasilar artery, and showed fusiform dilatations in the bilateral middle cerebral arteries. We observed intramural hematoma and true lumen at the right PICA dissecting aneurysm on T1-weighted images on magnetic resonance imaging (1.5T, MRI), and the intimal flap was enhanced on T1-weighted image after intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA. The shape of the intramural hematoma showed a unique "two dumplings on a skewer" appearance, and the intensity of its hematoma in the false lumen decreased in gradient from adventitia to intimal flap on T1-weighted image on MRI. The dissecting aneurysm of the PICA was occluded spontaneously 1 month later, and it caused cerebellar infarction. However, the patient has been left only with the symptom of slight trunkal ataxia. Various shapes of intramural hematomas on MRI have been reported by Kitanaka in association with intracranial vertebrobasilar dissections. We suggest that "two dumplings on a skewer" shape which corresponds to the flow void of the true lumen, accompanied by intramural hematoma and enhanced intimal flap, on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image, should be regarded as a true "diagnostic sign" of a dissecting aneurysm.

Adult↗

Immature megakaryocytes undergo apoptosis in the absence of thrombopoietin.

We examined withdrawal effects of recombinant mouse Tpo (rm-Tpo) on the apoptosis of mature and immature megakaryocytes in in vitro experiments. Apoptotic megakaryocytes were detected by double staining for acetylcholinesterase and by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. When the purified mature megakaryocytes were cultured with or without rm-Tpo, the numbers of viable megakaryocytes, apoptotic megakaryocytes, and megakaryocytes with cytoplasmic processes were not significantly different between the two groups. In contrast, purified immature megakaryocytes underwent apoptosis when rm-Tpo was absent from the culture system. Murine bone marrow cells were cultured with rm-Tpo (50 U/mL) on days 1-7 to generate immature megakaryocytes and subsequently were cultured with different concentrations of rm-Tpo (0-50 U/mL) on days 8-14. The number of viable megakaryocytes was decreased and that of apoptotic megakaryocytes was increased by rm-Tpo in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicated a clear relation between the rm-Tpo level and the apoptosis of immature megakaryocytes.

Animals↗

Activation of EVI1 transcripts with chromosomal translocation joining the TCRVbeta locus and the EVI1 gene in human acute undifferentiated leukemia cell line (Kasumi-3) with a complex translocation of der(3)t(3;7;8).

A cell line (Kasumi-3) established from acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0) had unique phenotypes of undifferentiated leukemia cells with expression of both T cell and myeloid antigens. Kasumi-3 cells with t(3;7)(q26;q22) highly expressed a 6 kb transcript of EVI1, which is located on chromosome 3q26. Therefore, we further characterized the chromosomal breakpoint by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis near EVI1. We identified and isolated the chromosomal breakpoint at approximately 80 kb upstream from the 5' end of EVI1. Sequence analysis of the breakpoint revealed that the whole Vbeta region from T cell receptor beta (TCRbeta) at 7q35 was translocated to the upstream of EVI1. A 1.0 kb TCRbeta transcript was expressed in the Kasumi-3 cells, suggesting that TCRbeta rearrangement occurred as Dbeta-Jbeta joining events. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the inverted chromosome 7q22-q35 segment between TCRbeta and the region proximal to the erythropoietin gene at 7q22 was translocated to the region distal to EVI1 in der(3). Since the telomeric region of chromosome 8 q was also translocated to the inverted chromosome 7q22-q35 segment in der(3), the chromosomal abnormalities of der(3) were defined as being der(3)t(3;7;8)(3pter-3q26::7q35-7q22::8q22 -8qter). It is suggested that a translocated enhancer element in the TCRbeta locus and/or loss of a negative regulatory element near EVI1 might function to enhance the EVI1 expression. Therefore, the enhanced EVI1 expression may contribute to the development of a subset of undifferentiated leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

High-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell rescue in blastoid natural killer cell lymphoma.

A 25-year-old man was referred because of skin rash, lymphadenopathy and anemia. Laboratory examinations revealed severe anemia (Hb, 4.8 g/dl) and elevated levels of GOT, GPT, LDH and soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Work-up studies disclosed the involvement of lymphoma cells in lymph nodes, skin, bilateral kidneys and bone marrow. Lymph node biopsy revealed diffuse proliferation of medium- to large-sized lymphoblastic cells. Bone marrow aspiration showed massive infiltration of large blastic cells with no cytoplasmic granules. The lymphoma cells in bone marrow and lymph node showed surface CD3-, cytoplasmic CD3epsilon+, CD4+, CD8-, CD56+, CD57-, CD16- and CD43 (MT-1)+ phenotype. Analyses of T cell receptor beta and gamma genes showed germ line configurations. EBER-1 was not detectable in the lymphoma cells. He was diagnosed as having blastoid natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma. In spite of several courses of combination chemotherapy, the lymphoma was progressive. He was then treated with high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral blood stem cell rescue, achieving remission which has now lasted for more than 12 months. We consider that blastoid NK cell lymphoma is an extremely aggressive subtype of CD56-positive lymphomas, and high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell rescue should be included for the choice of the treatment.

Adult↗

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma of null-cell type with multiple bone involvement.

A 21-year-old man who had anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the null-cell type with multiple bone involvement is reported. On admission, he had symptoms of incomplete paraplegia and urinary and rectal incontinence. Workup studies for staging revealed para-aortic lymph node swellings and multiple bone involvement including skull, ribs, left iliac bone, and thoracic/lumbar spine. Because paraplegia was rapidly progressive, a decompression operation was performed. The biopsy specimen obtained from the lumbar spine revealed sheetlike proliferation of anaplastic large cells. These cells were positive for CD30 (Ki-1), EMA, vimentin, and p80NPM/ALK, and negative for CD3, CD20 (L26), and CD45 (LCA). Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs were not detectable in these cells. Thus, the patient was diagnosed as having ALCL of the null-cell type. He was treated with several courses of combination chemotherapy, and finally with total body irradiation plus high-dose chemotherapy supported by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. However, soon after the treatment, the lymphoma cells massively infiltrated his bone marrow. He died of lymphoma 8 months after admission.

Adult↗

Serum thrombopoietin level is mainly regulated by megakaryocyte mass rather than platelet mass in human subjects.

A patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) developed T-cell lymphoma while undergoing steroid therapy. We examined the relationship between the patient's serum thrombopoietin (Tpo) level, platelet count, megakaryocyte number and CFU-Meg number during the second 5 d course of chemotherapy for lymphoma in which megakaryopoiesis switched from ITP phase to amegakaryocytic phase. The patient's platelet count was temporarily elevated but CFU-Meg numbers were markedly suppressed, and megakaryocyte numbers were decreased in this period, whereas serum Tpo level was not suppressed despite an increased platelet count, indicating that serum Tpo level is mainly regulated by megakaryocyte mass.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Identification of translocational breakpoints within the intron region before the last coding exon (exon 12) of the EVI1 gene in two cases of CML-BC with inv(3)(q21q26).

We have previously shown that the EVI1 gene at chromosome 3q26 is transcriptionally activated by chromosomal rearrangements in acute myelogenous leukemias (AMLs) with inv(3)(q21q26) or t(3;3)(q21;q26). The breakpoints in t(3;3) cases were 15 to 330 kb upstream of the EVI1 gene, while those in inv(3) cases were 150 to 200 kb downstream and outside of the EVI1 coding region. The EVI1 gene is also activated in chronic myelogenous leukemia-blastic crisis (CML-BC) with inv(3)(q21q26); however, the molecular mechanism of EVI1 activation in CML-BC is still unclear. In this paper, we have analyzed chromosomal rearrangements in two leukemia cell lines derived from CML-BC with inv(3)(q21q26) and have identified the breakpoints within the EVI1 coding area. The EVI1 gene spans over 100 kb with 12 exons (10 coding exons), and the chromosomal breakpoints are clustered in the intron region before the last coding exon (exon 12). The nucleotide sequence of EVI1 cDNA clones from MOLM-1 cells was truncated at exon 11, and a novel sequence of 681 nucleotides was added at the 3' end of the EVI1 transcripts. The novel sequence was derived from a readthrough intron sequence 3' to the coding exon 11 adjacent to the breakpoint. The breakpoints at 3q21 were within the breakpoint cluster area downstream of the ribophorin I gene, suggesting that the activation mechanism of the EVI1 gene in CMLs with inv(3) is the same as that in AMLs with inv(3). These results indicate that expression of a truncated EVI1 gene is an important factor in the progression of CML.

Amino Acid Sequence↗