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Biomedical subjects

L Graf

Publications and source records attributed to L Graf.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Comparison of gene expression in CD34+ cells from bone marrow and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood by high-density oligonucleotide array analysis.

A prospective randomized trial has shown that there is a survival advantage for allogeneic transplant recipients who received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (GPBMC) versus those who received bone marrow (BM) as a source of stem cells. The biological basis for this advantage is not clear and may be attributable to qualitative as well as quantitative differences in the CD34 cells, T cells, and/or the monocytes transplanted. To begin to address this issue, gene expression patterns in CD34 cells isolated from these 2 stem cell sources were compared to identify functional pathways that may distinguish these 2 populations. CD34 cells were isolated to purity from the BM and peripheral blood stem cells of multiple healthy donors. (The complete data set will be available at http://parma.fhcrc.org/lgraf upon publication.) Two separate RNA preparations from pooled samples from both sources were analyzed by Affymetrix Oligonucleotide Array chips for expression of over 6400 human genes. Comparative analyses among the samples showed that a small set of 28 sequences increased and 38 sequences decreased in expression more than 3-fold in both of the GPBMC samples compared to those in BM samples. More highly expressed genes include several for nuclear proteins and transcriptional factors. Functional categorization of the genes decreased in expression indicated sequences influential in cell cycle progression, in agreement with the recognized quiescence of circulating CD34 cells. Multiple transcriptional regulators and chemokines were also found to be decreased. These data emphasize that in addition to increased numbers of CD34 cells, G-CSF mobilization also results in significant qualitative changes. Whether they impact engraftment remains to be determined.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Dissecting the marrow microenvironment.

Cloned human stromal cell lines representing functionally distinct cellular components of the marrow microenvironment were generated to serve as tools for identifying gene products that regulate hematopoiesis. Oligonucleotide arrays, or "gene chips" were used to provide a comprehensive comparison of gene expression among the cell lines. One line, designated HS-5, was found to secrete large amounts of cytokines, and conditioned media from this line was found to support the ex vivo expansion of both immature and mature progenitors. In contrast, a second line, designated HS-27a, does not secrete known cytokines but does support cobblestone area formation by CD34+/38lo cells. HS-27a, but not HS-5, was also found to express hJagged1, a ligand for Notch1, which may function to influence cell fate decisions of hematopoietic precursors. Both cell lines are currently being used to identify other gene products that regulate hematopoiesis and to generate reagents that will allow more formal evaluation of the putative role of hJagged1 in hematopoietic cell fate decisions.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Production of interleukin-10 by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized blood products: a mechanism for monocyte-mediated suppression of T-cell proliferation.

Previous reports showed that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (G-PBMC) are hyporesponsive to alloantigen compared with control PBMC. In the current study, neutralizing antibodies to interleukin-10 (IL-10) increased the proliferative response of G-PBMC to alloantigen by 50. 14% (+/- 12.79%; n = 8), whereas the proliferative response of control PBMC was not affected. The inhibition of OKT3-stimulated CD4 cell proliferation by G-PBMC-derived CD14(+) cells could also be abrogated by the addition of IL-10 neutralizing antibodies. Further, IL-10 levels correlated with the number of CD14 cells in these cultures. Constitutive IL-10 mRNA levels detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were 10-fold higher in G-PBMC compared with control PBMC. This translated into significantly higher IL-10 levels after 24-hour lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of G-PBMC compared with control PBMC (P = .036). IL-10 mRNA levels were also fivefold higher in isolated G-PBMC-derived CD14 cells compared with control CD14 cells. This corresponded to increased constitutive production of IL-10 by isolated G-PBMC-derived CD14 cells compared with control CD14 cells (357.2 +/- 104.5 v 51.7 +/- 30.5, P = .051). In conclusion, these data suggest that monocytes contained within G-PBMC, which, in comparison to marrow, are increased in absolute number and relative proportion to T cells, may suppress T-cell responsiveness by secretion of IL-10.

Antibodies, Blocking↗
PubMed1998

The human homolog of rat Jagged1 expressed by marrow stroma inhibits differentiation of 32D cells through interaction with Notch1.

A cDNA clone encoding the human homolog of rat Jagged1 was isolated from normal human marrow. Analyses of human stromal cell lines indicate that this gene, designated hJagged1, is expressed by marrow stromal cells typified by the cell line HS-27a, which supports the long-term maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells. G-CSF-induced differentiation of 32D cells expressing Notch1 was inhibited by coculturing with HS-27a. A peptide corresponding to the Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 domain of hJagged1 and supernatants from COS cells expressing a soluble form of the extracellular portion of hJagged1 were able to mimic this effect. These observations suggest that hJagged1 may function as a ligand for Notch1 and play a role in mediating cell fate decisions during hematopoiesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Spinal stabilization in extradural metastatic disease. Indications and follow-up of 32 cases].

Over 4.5 years, 32 patients with spinal epidural metastases were decompressed and stabilized. Median survival was 9.5 months. Myelopathy was the predominant indication (41%) for the operation, intractable pain (microinstability) the second most important. The type of tumor spreading and biomechanics necessitated ventral decompression and stabilization in 65%. Corporectomy or extensive laminectomy was always combined with internal fixation and bone cement. With the exception of six patients (5 early deaths), all patients were able to walk after surgery. The Karnofsky index was improved significantly from 35 to 66%. The longest survival time was found in breast carcinomas and myelomas. Preoperative radiological embolization was a keystone in the treatment. Indication for surgery in spinal metastases is critical and needs an interdisciplinary approach. When the patient is suffering from higher degrees of paresis or even paralysis, he/she is no longer an ideal candidate for the operation. The same applies in the presence of uncontrolled primary tumors and neoplastic disease of the GI tract and the bronchus.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A positive screen for cloning PCR products.

We have developed a positive screen for cloning PCR products based on translational activation of lacZ. A vector with a translationally deficient lacZ alpha gene has been made by deletion of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon. The Shine-Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon are incorporated into one of the PCR primers to allow complementation by the PCR product of the inactive lacZ alpha gene, which results in blue transformed bacterial colonies. This screen allows more efficient detection of clones containing inserts made by PCR.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1996

Lung mechanics and dyspnea after lung transplantation for chronic airflow obstruction.

Single lung transplantation (SLT) is widely used to treat chronic airflow obstruction (CAO). During exercise the native lung should increase end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) and result in a different respiratory sensation compared with double lung transplantation (DLT). Eight SLT recipients and 12 DLT recipients demonstrated a similar maximal work load and achieved VO2. VEmax/MVV was 67.2 +/- 4.0% in SLT recipients and 48.5 +/- 3.6% in DLT recipients (p = 0.003). All SLT recipients demonstrated an increase in EELV during exercise, which was seen in only three of 12 DLT recipients. The change in absolute EELV from rest to peak exercise was different between SLT recipients (+0.37 +/- 0.10 L) and DLT recipients (-0.10 +/- 0.06, p = 0.0002). Tidal flow volume loop analysis demonstrated encroachment of the expiratory limb in four of seven SLT patients but in only one of 12 DLT recipients. A lesser peak breathlessness in DLT recipients approached statistical significance (p = 0.051), although the relation of respiratory sensation versus VE or VO2% predicted did not differ between the two groups. EELV increases in SLT recipients at peak exercise, although overall aerobic response is preserved and respiratory sensation is similar.

Dyspnea↗
PubMed1995

Identification of a novel DNA sequence differentially expressed between normal human CD34+CD38hi and CD34+CD38lo marrow cells.

We have applied the recently developed differential display method to extend the molecular characterization of the less mature CD34+CD38lo bone marrow progenitors in comparison with the CD34+CD38hi cells to better understand their functional differences. Immunomagnetic enrichment of CD34+ cells followed by flow cytometry was used to isolate CD34+CD38lo and CD34+CD38hi cells from human organ donor bone marrow. A limited set of the poly A+ RNA sequences present in these two cell populations was amplified by a combination of reverse transcription with an anchored oligo dT-based primer and polymerase chain reaction with the same oligo dT primer and arbitrary decamers. A radioactive tracer allowed these sequences to be displayed as a series of bands on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. Eight bands were chosen that appeared in multiple displays to represent gene sequences differentially expressed between CD34+CD38hi and CD34+CD38lo cells. Comparison of the sequences with public DNA sequence databases available identified one sequence as myeloperoxidase. Two other clones matched sequence fragments of unknown function, whereas the remaining five are novel sequences not present in existing databases. The relative level of expression of all of the sequences was tested by an independent reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers. The lower level of myeloperoxidase mRNA in CD34+CD38lo cells was confirmed, as was the higher expression of the novel sequence 345. Sequence 345 expression is highest in CD34+CD38- cells and decreases with increased CD38 expression. It is expressed in negligible amounts in hematopoietic cell lines and other sources of human tissue, suggesting it may have a functional role in normal hematopoiesis.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1995

[Development of adenocarcinoma in a retrorectal pre-sacrococcygeal hamartoma].

Among the different pathologic structures of the presacrococcygeal space retrorectal cystic hamartomas are uncommon lesions. These cysts are most likely derived from remnants of the embryonic tailgut although an association to teratomas may exist. We describe the clinicopathologic features of a retrorectal cystic hematoma with malignant transformation in a 60 year old female patient. The literature is reviewed and etiology, diagnosis and operative management are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed1993

A ribozyme that enhances gene suppression in tobacco protoplasts.

Site-directed mutagenesis has been used to produce two hammerhead ribozyme molecules targeting the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene (CAT). One ribozyme has a single catalytic domain between two 12-nucleotide arms that can hybridize 5' and 3' of the GUC target site of the CAT RNA transcript. The second ribozyme is a full-length antisense RNA with four catalytic domains inserted along the length, each targeting a specific GUC site within the CAT mRNA. Our results show that both ribozymes can produce almost equivalent rates of cleavage of the CAT mRNA in vitro (T1/2 of 18 or 15 min, respectively). In tobacco protoplasts we show consistently greater gene suppression in the presence of the long ribozyme molecule, compared with the equivalent antisense (22% gene reduction for antisense compared with 44% with the long ribozyme). These results suggest that hammerhead ribozymes may be developed for the inactivation of gene activity in plant cells.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1993

Effect of dietary cholesterol and taurocholate on cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and hepatic LDL receptors in inbred mice.

Compared to BALB/c mice, inbred C57BL/6 mice are more susceptible to developing fatty streak atherosclerotic lesions when fed a cholesterol-rich diet containing taurocholate. We examined the metabolic basis for the taurocholate requirement. In contrast to widely accepted assumptions, taurocholate did not increase cholesterol absorption in either strain of mouse. However, in susceptible C57BL/6 mice, taurocholate was required to increase plasma concentrations of apoB. In both strains, the cholesterol-rich diet increased both the activity and mRNA for 7 alpha-hydroxylase, a compensatory response to maintain cholesterol homeostasis. In both strains, adding taurocholate to the diet suppressed both the activity and mRNA for 7 alpha-hydroxylase, thus blocking this important compensatory response. The cholesterol-rich diet (without taurocholate) significantly increased hepatic cholesterol content in both strains of mice, but repressed low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA only in BALB/c mice (not in C57BL/6 mice). However, adding taurocholate to the cholesterol-rich diet did decrease LDL receptor mRNA in C57BL/6 mice. In C57BL/6, but not in BALB/c mice, there was a linear parallel relationship between 7 alpha-hydroxylase mRNA and LDL receptor mRNA. These data show the existence of strain-specific differences in the effects of dietary cholesterol and taurocholate on 7 alpha-hydroxylase and LDL receptor expression. The combined data suggest that genetic factors determine how the expression of hepatic LDL receptors responds to dietary cholesterol and taurocholate.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Intensity of in-hospital care for persons with AIDS.

We evaluated the intensity of medical care for 30 consecutive AIDS patients at one hospital, using methodology based on the Delay Tool of Selker et al. Of 25 AIDS patients who survived hospitalization, 15 had at least one delay day in the hospital. Major factors associated with care that could have been provided at an alternative site included difficulty with skilled nursing facility placement in 20% of the patients, difficulty coordinating out-of-hospital care in 28%, and scheduling of outpatient surgical procedures in 12%. For the 15 patients who could have received some of their care at a lower intensity setting, a median of 7 hospital days could have been potentially saved with better coordination of outpatient care and increased availability of skilled nursing facilities. The five patients who died in hospital also used large amounts of resources and had long lengths of stay. Prior studies of non-AIDS patients revealed similar results, suggesting that, for reasons of quality of care, quality of life, and economics, policy-makers must develop managed care programs, skilled nursing facilities that accept AIDS patients, inpatient psychiatry facilities, and increased hospice availability.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Antigenic cross-reaction between a varicella-zoster virus nucleocapsid protein encoded by gene 40 and a herpes simplex virus nucleocapsid protein.

Human sera from varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) seropositive individuals contain antibody to a 155-kilodalton (155 kDa) viral protein. In this study, we show that monoclonal antibodies (mAb10.1 and mAb1A1.4) prepared against VZV and HSV-1 proteins, respectively, reacted with nuclear antigens and recognized a 155 kDa protein in the infected cells. Immunoprecipitation of whole virions and viral nucleocapsids with these mAbs showed that the 155 kDa protein is located in VZV and HSV-1 nucleocapsids. In addition, immunofluorescence and cross-reaction experiments revealed the antigenic cross-reactivity between the VZV and HSV-1 155 kDa nucleocapsid proteins. To map the coding region of the VZV 155 kDa protein, a truncated DNA fragment from the predicted open reading frame 40 was cloned into an in vitro transcription vector (pGEM). The RNA transcribed from the inserted DNA was translated in vitro and immunoprecipitated with mAb10.1. The reactivity of the in vitro translation products with mAb10.1 indicated that the 155 kDa nucleocapsid protein is encoded by VZV gene 40. These findings demonstrated that the VZV 155 kDa nucleocapsid protein encoded by gene 40 induces humoral response which cross-reacts with both VZV and HSV.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Inhibition of erythroid progenitor growth is mediated by cytotoxic lymphocytes and not by natural killer cells or IFN-gamma.

Alloantigen primed T cells (PTC) were recovered from MLR at day 6 and 12, then added to cultures of erythroid progenitors, erythroid burst-forming units, BFU-E. The PBMC source of BFU-E was prepared either to retain or deplete APC by treatment with appropriate mAb and C. BFU-E grown in cocultures were counted at day 14 and replicate cultures assayed for IFN-gamma production on days 1 to 7. Analysis of MLR cells indicated that large, rapidly cycling cells recovered from MLR at day 6 have significant NK activity, whereas CTL activity is minimal, and production of IFN-gamma requires reexposure to APC. The smaller, noncycling cells recovered from MLR at day 12 have comparable NK activity, also require reexposure to APC for IFN-gamma production, but in addition have significant CTL activity. The addition of day 12 MLR cells to BFU-E cultures results in MHC restricted inhibition of BFU-E growth, suggesting that the CTL activity and not the NK activity contained within this population of cells is responsible for BFU-E inhibition. Studies using enriched population of BFU-E indicated that appropriate APC are needed to trigger both IFN-gamma production and BFU-E inhibition by the PTC. By using various APC-BFU-E combinations it was determined that after reexposure of PTC to appropriate APC, the inhibition of BFU-E was still target-specific indicating a direct effect between the PTC and BFU-E.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[The subchondral synovial cyst (intraosseous ganglion)].

Twelve cases of subchondral synovial cysts (intra-osseous ganglion) have been seen and their clinical features, radiological findings and differential diagnosis are described. The lesion is a benign cystic tumour-like mass in the subchondral portion of a synovial joint. Our findings in respect of age, sex and localisation are compared with those of other authors. The aetiology and pathogenesis of the lesion is not completely understood. There is an increased incidence in middle life and joints with high dynamic and static stress are favoured, particularly in the lower extremities. Chronic stress or microtrauma, causing damage to the involved joint, therefore appears to be a plausible explanation.

Adult↗