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M G Borrello

Publications and source records attributed to M G Borrello.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Detection of two TaqI polymorphisms in the VTR region of the human HRAS1 oncogene.

Restriction enzyme analysis of the variable tandem repetition (VTR) region of the human HRAS1 oncogene revealed two TaqI polymorphisms. The first polymorphism overlaps that detected with MspI/HpaII restriction enzymes and is due to a variable number of repeat units which form the VTR region at the 3' end of the oncogene. The second polymorphism appears to be due to two new TaqI restriction sites created within the VTR region itself. This novel polymorphism was detected in 26 of 145 human DNA samples and was found to segregate in a Mendelian fashion.

Chromosome Mapping↗

DBA/2-like minor histocompatibility antigens on a BALB/c lymphoma. A BALB/c anti-DBA/2 serum which lyses the tumor and blocks BALB/c anti-tumor and anti-DBA/2 effectors.

We have previously shown that BALB/c anti-DBA/2 T cells can lyse the Moloney virus-induced BALB/c lymphoma YC8. In order to determine whether serologically defined minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHA) cross-reacting with those of DBA/2 tissues are present on YC8, we produced an antiserum directed against non-H-2 antigens by immunizing BALB/c mice with DBA/2 Con A and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lymphoblasts. In a direct complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay, the antiserum (OR-1) lysed DBA/2 and YC8 but not BALB/c lymphocytes and blasts. No reactions against viral antigens were detected in the antisera as shown by the lack of cytotoxicity on a panel of lymphomas expressing a variety of viral antigens. In addition, OR-1 was able to specifically block a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), H-2-restricted BALB/c anti-DBA/2 cytotoxic response when bound to DBA/2 or to YC8 target cells. These results indicate that antigens cross-reacting between YC8 lymphoma and DBA/2 tissues are serologically defined MiHA of DBA/2 background and that OR-1 serum can block a CTL reaction by binding to target antigen rather than to major histocompatibility complex products.

Animals↗

Cell surface antigens of chemically induced fibrosarcomas: detection by a monoclonal antibody of a tumor-restricted Mr 12,000 protein gag antigen encoded by a dual-tropic murine leukemia virus.

Fusion products of spleen cells of W/FuDp rats immunized with a methylcholanthrene-induced BALB/c sarcoma, CA-2, and mouse myeloma cells were screened in an attempt to identify a monoclonal antibody defining the individually distinct tumor-specific transplantation antigen of CA-2. A hybridoma, MP/69/04, was isolated which produces an IgG2a monoclonal antibody that recognized a tumor-restricted antigen of CA-2. In direct binding assay, MP/69/04 reacted only with 2 of 15 methylcholanthrene induced BALB/c sarcomas tested. Thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, brain, adult lung fibroblasts, newborn muscle fibroblasts and 3T3 cells were negative. Absorption tests revealed, however, expression of the MP/69/04 determinant on 8 of the 12 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) producer BALB/c sarcoma tested. The antigen was not detected on any of the three non-producer sarcomas tested nor on a wide range of normal tissues and cell lines. An N-dualtropic MuLV was isolated from CA-2, and cell lines susceptible to infection by this virus were shown to express the MP/69/04 epitope. By Western blotting, the MP/69/04 epitope was identified as being expressed on the MuLV structural protein with a molecular weight of 12,000, present in CA-2 cells and in the purified CA-2 MuLV. These results indicate the MP/69/04 antigen is not a unique tumor-specific transplantation antigen but is a gag product of a recombinant retrovirus which is expressed on the cell surface of many MuLV + methylcholanthrene-induced BALB/c fibrosarcomas.

Animals↗

Plasmid mode of propagation of the genetic element P4.

The satellite bacteriophage P4, in the presence of a helper phage, can enter either the lytic or the lysogenic cycle. In the absence of the helper, P4 can integrate in the bacterial chromosome. In addition, the partially immunity-insensitive mutant P4 vir1 can be maintained as a plasmid. We have found that in the absence of the helper, P4 wt also can be maintained as a plasmid, and that both P4 wt and P4 vir1 have two options for their intracellular propagation: a repressed-integrated or a derepressed-high copy number plasmid mode of maintenance. In the repressed mode, the P4 wt genome is only found integrated into the bacterial chromosome, while the P4 vir1 is found also as a low copy number plasmid coexisting with the integrated P4 vir1 genome. The clones carrying P4 in the derepressed-high copy number plasmid state are obtained at low frequency (0.3%) upon infection with P4 wt, while the vir1 mutation increases this frequency about 300-fold. Such clones can be distinguished easily because of their typical colony morphology (rosettes), due to the presence of filamentous cells. Filamentation of the bacterial host suggests that the presence of derepressed P4 genomes in high copy number interferes with the normal cell division mechanism. The derepressed clones are rather stable, but may revert spontaneously to the repressed state. Spontaneous transition from the repressed to the derepressed state was not observed; however, it can be induced by P2 or P4 vir1 superinfection of P4 wt and P4 vir1 lysogens or by growing the P4 vir1 lysogens up to the late exponential phase. The ability of P4 to choose either of two stable states and the potential to shift between these two modes of propagation indicate that the synthesis of the immunity repressor is regulated.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Ly-5 molecular forms in congenitally immunodeficient mice.

Four different molecular weight forms of the Ly-5 antigen were defined by immunochemical methods on the cell surface of murine spleen cells using a monoclonal antibody. Each form was selectively expressed by cells belonging to different lineages. A 220,000-dalton molecule was associated with B cells, a 200,000-dalton molecule with macrophages and two antigens of 185,000 and 175,000 daltons, respectively, were detected on the cell surface of normal thymocytes. The 185,000-dalton Ly-5 molecule was not found on the lymphoid cells of immunodeficient mice, like the athymic nude or the athymic-asplenic (LASAT) mice, suggesting that cells bearing this Ly-5 molecule have a significant function in some T-dependent immune responses.

Animals↗

Production of a monoclonal antibody directed against the high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor.

The high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor corresponds to the tyrosine protein kinase encoded by the proto-oncogene trkA. Different findings suggest that nerve growth factor (NGF) can be operative in the growth modulation of tumor cell lines possessing high-affinity binding sites for this molecule. Using as immunizing material the SKNBE neuroblastoma cell line transfected with proto-trkA we produced a monoclonal antibody (MAb) able to recognize the high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor. The selected MAb, designated MGR12, is directed against an epitope present on the extracellular domain of the receptor since it showed reactivity on living trkA-expressing cells and was able to immunoprecipitate the proto-trkA molecule. The MGR12 MAb is directed against a non-functional epitope since it neither inhibited NGF binding nor induced receptor internalization. This new reagent appears to be an appropriate tool for analyzing the expression of high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor in tumors of different origin and for elucidating its involvement in tumor progression.

3T3 Cells↗

Detection of bone marrow minimal disease in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients by gene rearrangement analysis.

Bone marrow aspirates from 13 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B- and T-lineage were drawn during staging procedures and examined by a combined technique involving immune selection and gene rearrangement analysis with DNA probes specific for the heavy-chain immunoglobulin gene (JH) or T cell receptor gene (T beta and T gamma). Morphologic examination of bone marrow biopsies revealed involvement by lymphoma in one case and suspicious accumulation of blasts in another. Southern blot analysis of the samples showed the presence of a rearranged clonal band in two samples, including the morphologically involved marrow. Clonal rearrangements were not detected in the suspected marrow. Bone marrow relapses were not observed in any of these patients after a median follow-up of 20 months. Antigen receptor rearrangements are tumor-specific markers which may increase the sensitivity and the specificity of morphologic examination, and may be useful in the proper staging and follow-up of lymphoma patients.

Bone Marrow↗