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L C Dorssers

Publications and source records attributed to L C Dorssers.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Differential expression of estrogen, progesterone, and epidermal growth factor receptors in normal, benign, and malignant human breast tissues using dual staining immunohistochemistry.

Distribution of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) receptors, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors was assayed by dual staining immunohistochemistry on 28 selected cytosolic ER-positive breast carcinomas and 22 nonmalignant breast tissues. ER-positive tumor cells were detected in 26 (93%) and EGF receptor positive tumor cells were detected in 7 (25%) carcinomas. In five tumors both ER and EGF receptors were detected but localized in distinct tumor cells. Only in one case of ductal carcinoma in situ co-expression was observed in a subset of tumor cells. In contrast, simultaneous expression of ER/PR and EGF receptors was observed in non-neoplastic ductal remnants in the majority of the carcinomas and the fibroadenomas. In addition, double-positive cells were occasionally detected in luminal epithelial cells of normal breast tissue and mastopathies. This study shows that ER/PR and EGF receptors in breast tumor cells are inversely related at the single cell level. However, demonstration of ER/PR and EGF receptors in individual normal luminal cells shows that expression is not mutually exclusive.

Breast↗

Genomic organization of the translocations (8;14) and (14;18) in a new lymphoma cell line.

We generated a new lymphoma cell line carrying the translocations (8;14) and (14;18) and studied the genomic organization and expression of the BCL-2 and MYC genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern analysis showed that the breakpoints of t(14;18) were located in the major breakpoint region (mbr) of the BCL-2 gene and just 5' of JH6 in the IgH locus. The breakpoints of the t(8;14) were located upstream of exon 2 in the non-coding region of the MYC gene and near the switch region of the IgH locus. Both IgH loci were involved in chromosomal translocations resulting in the absence of a functional B-cell receptor. Normal BCL-2 and truncated MYC transcripts were detected in these cells. The BCL-2 protein was expressed.

Aged↗

Translocation (14;18)-positive cells are present in the circulation of the majority of patients with localized (stage I and II) follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Stage I and II follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is clinically defined as a localized disease. To study the possibility that this disease is in fact disseminated, we used the sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using translocation (14;18) as marker. Samples from 21 patients who were clinically diagnosed with stage I or II follicular NHL were analyzed for the presence of t(14;18)-positive cells using PCR. We analyzed (1) the diagnostic lymph node biopsy and (2) the peripheral blood or bone marrow samples from these patients. Translocation (14;18) cells were detected in the diagnostic lymph node biopsies of 12 patients. In 9 of these patients, t(14;18)-positive cells were detected in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow samples at diagnosis and/or after therapy. Thus, in 75% of the follicular NHL patients carrying the t(14;18) as a marker for lymphoma cells, t(14;18)-positive cells were detected in peripheral blood and bone marrow at diagnosis and after therapy. Our results show that t(14;18)-positive cells can be detected in the circulation of patients with stage I and II follicular NHL, indicating that, although diagnosed as localized, the disease is disseminated.

Adult↗

Induction of antiestrogen resistance in human breast cancer cells by random insertional mutagenesis using defective retroviruses: identification of bcar-1, a common integration site.

Duration of response to antiestrogen therapy in metastatic breast cancer is limited due to the development of antiestrogen-resistant tumors. The mechanisms involved are not understood but could originate from (epi)genetic alterations within the tumor cells. We have applied in vitro random insertional mutagenesis with replication defective retroviruses to identify those genes playing a key role in development of antiestrogen resistance in human breast cancer cells. Eighty antiestrogen-resistant cell clones were isolated from 7 x 10(8) estrogen-dependent ZR-75-1 cells, mass-infected with defective retroviruses and subjected to 4-OH-tamoxifen selection. Integration site-specific DNA probes were made by inverse polymerase chain reaction techniques and used to search for common integration sites. Six cell clones were identified with retroviral genome integrations in the same orientation in a single locus, designated breast cancer antiestrogen resistance locus-1 (bcar-1). These bcar-1 cell clones had lost estrogen receptor expression and had become estrogen independent. Our results strongly suggest that alteration of the bcar-1 locus is responsible for development of antiestrogen resistance in human breast cancer cells in vitro. In addition, we have shown that in vitro insertional mutagenesis using defective retroviruses can be applied for gene tagging in human cells.

Autoradiography↗

Ectopic expression of epidermal growth factor receptors induces hormone independence in ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is inversely related to expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor in primary breast tumors and is a negative predictor for response to endocrine therapy. To investigate a possible causal role of EGF receptor expression in breast cancer progression to hormone independence, we have created an experimental cell system. Epidermal growth factor receptor complementary DNA was introduced in estrogen-dependent ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells, and the resulting ZR/HERc cells exhibited a mitogenic response to epidermal growth factor, thus bypassing estrogen dependence. This EGF-induced proliferation could not be inhibited by antiestrogens. In addition, we noted changes in cell morphology and keratin expression of EGF-stimulated ZR/HERc cells, suggestive of an altered differentiation state. Furthermore, intolerance of functional ER and EGF receptor signal transduction pathways in ZR/HERc cells was observed during simultaneous activation, which possibly explains the inverse relationship of ER and EGF receptor expression in primary tumors. In contrast to the parental cells, ZR/HERc cells rapidly progressed to a stable ER-negative phenotype when cultured in the presence of the antiestrogen hydroxy-tamoxifen. These results suggest a possible role for EGF receptor in progression of breast cancer to hormone independence.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Pleiotropic actions of suramin on the proliferation of human breast-cancer cells in vitro.

Suramin, a non-specific growth factor antagonist, is currently under investigation for treatment of cancer patients. We studied its action on 6 different human breast-cancer cell lines in vitro. In complete growth medium, pleiotropic effects were observed with respect to cell proliferation, i.e. suramin is stimulatory at low concentrations and inhibitory at higher concentrations, for 4 of the 6 cell lines studied. The various cell lines showed marked differences with respect to the antiproliferative action of suramin, the Evsa-T cells being by far the most sensitive ones. A suramin concentration of 100 micrograms/ml brought about a 100% stimulation of the proliferation of ZR/HERc cells, ZR 75.1 cells ectopically expressing a human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) cDNA. Although less pronounced (10 to 60% stimulation), a similar response was observed for the parent ZR 75.1 cells, as well as for T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cells. The non-specificity of the action of suramin was established by the observation that suramin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation could be abolished by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and even by estradiol, both in complete growth medium and under defined serum-free conditions. Our data indicate that suramin exerts pleiotropic effects on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro, and confirm the non-specific nature of its action. The stimulatory effect of low concentrations of suramin on the proliferation of breast cancer cells may have important consequences for breast cancer patients treated with suramin.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Detection of residual disease in translocation (14;18) positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, using the polymerase chain reaction: a comparison with conventional staging methods.

This paper reports the detection of residual lymphoma cells in blood and bone marrow samples from patients with translocation (t) (14;18) positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) compared with conventional staging techniques. In 15 of 22 samples, in which no lymphoma cells could be detected by morphological examination, t(14;18) positive cells were detected by PCR. In 13 of 21 samples, in which a monoclonal B-cell population was not detectable by immunological marker analysis, PCR was positive. The clinical status (physical examination, imaging techniques, leucocyte count, and occasionally morphology and immunological marker analysis) was documented in 30 patients at the time of PCR analysis. In three of 19 patients with clinical evidence of disease, circulating t(14;18) positive cells were not detectable by PCR. Five of 11 patients in clinical remission from 7 to 47 months, showed t(14;18) positive cells in the blood. Our data show that PCR analysis in t(14;18) positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma offers a powerful tool in the study of residual disease.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Receptor and antibody interactions of human interleukin-3 characterized by mutational analysis.

Human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) is a regulator of proliferation and differentiation of multipotent hemopoietic progenitor cells. Mutants of hIL-3 have been constructed by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and expressed in Escherichia coli and Bacillus licheniformis. Purified muteins were assayed for induction of DNA synthesis in IL-3-dependent human cells and for binding to the IL-3 receptor. Residues at the NH2 and COOH termini together comprising one-quarter of the molecule could be removed without loss of biological function. Deletions of 6-15 residues within the central part of the molecule caused a large reduction (up to 5 logs) but no complete loss of activity. Substitution of evolutionary conserved residues resulted in a strong decrease of biological activity and demonstrated that the S-S bridge is an essential structural element in hIL-3. Interestingly, four muteins displayed a significantly higher potency of binding to the IL-3 receptor than in stimulating DNA synthesis. These results demonstrate that receptor binding may be (partly) disconnected from activation of DNA synthesis. Analysis of hIL-3 muteins demonstrated that the majority of monoclonal antibodies are directed against a small portion of the IL-3 molecule. The neutralizing potential of individual monoclonal antibodies could be increased by a combination of antibodies directed against nonoverlapping epitopes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Production of human interleukin-3 using industrial microorganisms.

We expressed a cDNA encoding the multicolony stimulating factor interleukin-3 in a variety of cell types, including bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. After evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each potential system, we designed a production and purification scheme using Bacillus licheniformis. The purification consists of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, two steps of ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The purified and formulated product entered clinical trials in November 1989.

Animals↗

Species specificity of human interleukin-3 demonstrated by cloning and expression of the homologous rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) gene.

To enable preclinical studies on homologous interleukin-3 (IL-3) in primate species, we isolated the gene encoding Rhesus monkey IL-3 (RhIL-3). The nucleotide sequence of the RhIL-3 gene displayed 92.9% homology with that of the human IL-3 (hIL-3) gene. The isolated RhIL-3 gene encodes a 143-amino acid (aa) precursor polypeptide, nine C-terminal residues shorter than the human protein. Protein homology was found to be 89.5% for the signal peptide (19 aa) and 80.5% for the mature protein (124 aa). Comparison of the human and RhIL-3 coding sequences showed that the majority of substitutions had occurred at amino acid replacement sites indicating a rapid evolution of the IL-3 protein. After expression of a genomic fragment in COS cells, RhIL-3 cDNA was constructed, which enabled large-scale production of the RhIL-3 polypeptide, RhIL-3 produced by Bacillus licheniformis and purified to homogeneity appeared to be approximately 100-fold more effective in stimulating Rhesus monkey hematopoietic progenitors than hIL-3, whereas RhIL-3 and hIL-3 showed comparable stimulatory activity on normal as well as malignant human hematopoietic cells. Thus, the rapid evolution of hIL-3 has resulted in a unidirectional species specificity, which most likely restricts the in vivo effects of hIL-3 in Macaca species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Highly increased production of bone marrow-derived blood cells by administration of homologous interleukin-3 to rhesus monkeys.

Recombinant rhesus monkey interleukin-3 (IL-3) was administered to normal rhesus monkeys in graded doses ranging from 3 to 30 micrograms/kg/d subcutaneously for 30 consecutive days or given as a continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 30 micrograms/kg/d for 16 days. After a lag phase of about 1 week, a highly increased, dose-dependent production of bone marrow-derived blood cells was observed, preceded by amplification of bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells. Simultaneously, peripheral blood progenitor cells rose. The increase included basophilic, eosinophilic and neutrophilic granulocytes, monocytes, and the erythrocyte and platelet lineages. Characteristically, a T-lymphocyte response was absent. It is concluded that IL-3 in vivo stimulates blood cell production from an immature, multipotent progenitor cell.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical study of the BCAR1/p130Cas protein in non-malignant and malignant human breast tissue.

BCAR1/p130Cas is a docking protein involved in intracellular signaling pathways and in vitro resistance of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells to antiestrogens. The BCAR1/p130Cas protein level in primary breast cancer cytosols was found to correlate with rapid recurrence of disease. A high BCAR1/p130Cas level was also associated with a higher likelihood of resistance to first-line tamoxifen treatment in patients with advanced breast cancer. Using antibodies raised against the rat p130Cas protein, we determined by immunohistochemical methods the BCAR1/p130Cas localization in primary breast carcinomas, in tumors of stromal origin, and in non-neoplastic breast tissues. The BCAR1/p130Cas protein was detected in the cytoplasm of non-malignant and neoplastic epithelial cells and in the vascular compartment of all tissue sections analyzed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated variable intensity of BCAR1/p130Cas staining and variation in the proportion of BCAR1/p130Cas-positive epithelial tumor cells for the different breast carcinomas. Double immunohistochemical staining for BCAR1/p130Cas and estrogen receptor confirmed coexpression in non-malignant luminal epithelial cells and malignant breast tumor cells. The stromal cells in non-malignant tissues and tumor tissues as well as breast tumors of mesodermal origin did not stain for BCAR1/p130Cas. This immunohistochemical study demonstrates a variable expression of BCAR1/p130Cas in malignant and non-malignant breast epithelial cells, which may be of benefit for diagnostic purposes.

Adult↗