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Biomedical subjects

M Körner

Publications and source records attributed to M Körner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

CC chemokines and the receptors CCR3 and CCR5 are differentially expressed in the nonneoplastic leukocytic infiltrates of Hodgkin disease.

Lymph nodes with Hodgkin disease (HD) harbor few neoplastic cells in a marked leukocytic infiltrate. Since chemokines are likely to be involved in the recruitment of these leukocytes, the expression of potentially relevant chemokines and chemokine receptors were studied in lymph nodes from 24 patients with HD and in 5 control lymph nodes. The expression of regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and MIP-1beta was analyzed by in situ hybridization and that of CCR3 and CCR5 by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. It was found that, overall, the expression of all 4 chemokines was markedly enhanced, but the cellular source was different. RANTES was expressed almost exclusively by T cells whereas the expression of MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-1beta was confined largely to macrophages. In control lymph nodes, chemokine expression was low, with the exception of MIP-1alpha in macrophages. CCR3 and CCR5 were highly expressed in T cells of HD involved but not of control lymph nodes. CCR3 was equally distributed in CD4+ and CD8+ cells, but CCR5 was associated largely with CD4+ cells. In HD lymph nodes, CCR3 and CCR5 were also expressed in B cells, which normally do not express these receptors. All these chemokines and receptors studied, by contrast, were absent in the neoplastic cells. It was concluded that chemokines are involved in the formation of the HD nonneoplastic leukocytic infiltrate. Expression of CCR3 and CCR5 appears to be characteristic of HD, but the roles of these receptors' up-regulation for the disease process remain unclear.

Adult↗

[Hereditary C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency type I. Divergence of clinical symptoms and laboratory chemical findings].

A 35- and a 29-year-old woman presented with longstanding recurrent angioedema refractory to therapy with steroids and antihistaminic drugs. Laboratory data revealed in both cases a functional and immunohistochemical deficiency of C1-esterase-inhibitor protein (C1-INH). Further investigations of their families showed some individuals with the same pathological findings without any clinical symptoms. Thus we identified striking differences in degree of severity of clinical features in hereditary C1-INH-deficiency type I. These case-reports emphasize the importance of knowing further diagnostic steps in angioedema refractory to therapy with steroids and antihistamines drugs. Furthermore we give a picture of the different clinical courses of C1-INH-deficiency type I and underline that there is no correlation between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings.

Adult↗

Cerivastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, inhibits the signaling pathways involved in the invasiveness and metastatic properties of highly invasive breast cancer cell lines: an in vitro study.

Cerivastatin is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia to inhibit 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and thus prevent the synthesis of cholesterol precursors, such as farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), responsible, respectively, for translocation of Ras and Rho to the cell membrane, a step required for their cell signaling, leading to cell proliferation and migration. Recently, it has been suggested that non lipid-related effects of statins could play a beneficial role in cancer therapy. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms by which statins inhibit cancer and the types of cancers which could benefit from this therapy. In MDA-MB-231 cells, an aggressive breast cancer cell line with spontaneous activation of Ras and NFkappaB and overexpression of RhoA, cerivastatin induced inhibition of both cell proliferation and invasion through Matrigel. This anti-proliferative effect was related to G(1)/S arrest due to an increase in p21(Waf1/Cip1). The anti-invasive effect was observed from 18 h and could be explained by RhoA delocalization from the cell membrane, resulting in disorganization of the actin fibers and disappearance of focal adhesion sites. The importance of RhoA inactivation in both these inhibitory effects was proved by their reversion by GGPP but not by FPP. Moreover, cerivastatin was also shown to induce inactivation of NFkappaB, in a RhoA inhibition-dependent manner, resulting in a decrease in urokinase and metalloproteinase-9 expression, two proteases involved in cell migration. The participation of Ras inactivation is considered a subsidiary mechanism for the effects of cerivastatin, as they were not rescued by FPP. Prolonged treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with high doses of cerivastatin induced a loss of cell attachment. Interestingly, the effect of cerivastatin was considerably lower on poorly invasive MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that cerivastatin inhibits cell signaling pathways involved in the invasiveness and metastatic properties of highly invasive cancers.

Apoptosis↗

Host-finding in Echinostoma caproni: miracidia and cercariae use different signals to identify the same snail species.

The snail host signals releasing host-finding responses in miracidia and cercariae of Echinostoma caproni were analysed by fractionation of snail-conditioned water (SCW). Cercariae responded non-specifically to organic and hydrophilic, low molecular weight components of SCW showing their typical turning response. Hydrolysis of peptides in SCW had no effect on cercarial responses. An artificial mixture of amino acids in concentrations determined from SCW as well as glycine alone in a concentration corresponding to the total concentration of amino acids in SCW showed nearly the same efficacy as SCW itself. Miracidia responded to a high molecular weight glycoprotein fraction, which could be isolated from SCW by ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. In contrast to an Egyptian Schistosoma mansoni strain, the echinostome miracidia were not able to differentiate between different snail species. The results show for the first time that miracidia and cercariae of the same species may use different signals to identify the same snail host species. This indicates an independent evolution of host-finding mechanisms in the two parasite stages.

Animals↗

Aluminium-induced granulomas after inaccurate intradermal hyposensitization injections of aluminium-adsorbed depot preparations.

BACKGROUND: The development of persistent subcutaneous nodules at the injection sites of aluminium-adsorbed hyposensitization solutions is rare. These nodules have been interpreted as a delayed, granulomatous hypersensitivity reaction to aluminium. We report for the first time a case of persistent intradermal granulomas that developed at the sites of inaccurate intradermal, instead of subcutaneous, hyposensitization injections. METHODS: An intradermal nodule was excised and processed for histopathology, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. Intradermal and patch tests with aluminium hydroxide were performed. RESULTS: Histologically, the nodule presented a pattern of granulomatous inflammatory reaction surrounding foci of necrotic tissue. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis revealed deposits of aluminium within the granulomas. Patch tests with aluminium hydroxide were negative, and intradermal tests caused persistent intradermal granulomas. Subsequent hyposensitization therapy in our department with the usual subcutaneous injections of aluminium-adsorbed allergen extracts was well tolerated by the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Local toxic effects of aluminium may be crucial in the development of persistent intradermal injection-site granulomas. Such intradermal nodules may develop even if the subcutaneous route is well tolerated. We conclude that inaccurate intradermal injections of aluminium-containing solutions have to be strictly avoided.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗

In vivo inhibition of NF-kappa B in T-lineage cells leads to a dramatic decrease in cell proliferation and cytokine production and to increased cell apoptosis in response to mitogenic stimuli, but not to abnormal thymopoiesis.

To understand the role of NF-kappa B complexes in T cell development and activation, we have generated transgenic mice in which RelA and c-Rel complexes were selectively inhibited in the T-lineage cells by specific expression of a trans-dominant form of I kappa B alpha. Transgene expression did not affect the thymic development, but led to lowered numbers of splenic T cells and to a dramatic decrease in the ex vivo proliferative response of splenic T lymphocytes. Analysis of IL-2 and IL-2R alpha expression demonstrated that the perturbation of the proliferation response was not attributable to an abnormal expression of these genes. In contrast, expression of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma was strongly inhibited in the transgenic T cells. The proliferative deficiency of the transgenic T cells was associated with an increased apoptosis. These results point out the involvement of NF-kappa B/Rel family proteins in growth signaling pathways by either regulating proteins involved in the IL-2 signaling or by functionally interfering with the cell cycle progression.

Animals↗

PTA of the subclavian and innominate arteries: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the long-term clinical and duplex sonographic results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the subclavian and innominate arteries, and the potential of a new double balloon technique to avoid cerebrovascular thromboembolism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three PTAs were performed on 38 subclavian, four innominate arteries and one subclavian-subclavian bypass in 37 patients. In three instances a protective double balloon technique was used. Indication for the intervention was: subclavian steal syndrome (n = 14 [38%]), upper extremity arterial insufficiency (n = 26 [70%]), peripheral thromboembolism (n = 8 [22%]) and PRIND/stroke (n = 3 [8%]). Analysis of long-term follow-up (median 15, range 2 to 100 months) was possible of 28 patients including duplex sonographic assessment in 23 patients. The cumulative patency rate was calculated by means of life-table analysis. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 36 endovascular procedures (84%). Minor peripheral catheter complications occurred in three interventions (7%), cerebrovascular thromboembolism in four (9%). No cerebrovascular complications were seen using the double balloon technique. On final check-up 4 patients (14%) suffered from subclavian steal syndrome, 3 (11%) from mild upper extremity arterial insufficiency and one (4%) from rest pain. Duplex sonography showed no stenosis in 12 of 23 patients (52%) and a stenosis of less than 50% in 8 (35%). The life-table analysis showed a secondary cumulative patency rate of 72% after 100 months with all restenoses occurring within 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: PTA of the subclavian and innominate arteries appears to be a useful alternative to surgery with a low complication rate. The long-term patency rate of 72% is comparable to results of other series. In high risk situations cerebrovascular complications may be reduced using the new double balloon technique.

Adult↗

Relationship between IkappaBalpha constitutive expression, TNFalpha synthesis, and apoptosis in EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cells.

In order to understand the role of NF-kappaB in EBV transformation we have established stably transfected IkappaBalpha into lymphoblastoid cells. Two clones were obtained in which the loss of NF-kappaB binding activity correlated with the constitutive expression of the transgenic IkappaBalpha. Protein latency expression was determined by immunocytochemistry. Expression of surface markers, intracytoplasmic content of cytokines cell cycle analysis after BrdU incorporation and DNA staining with propidium iodide were studied by flow cytometry. Percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by in-situ labelling of DNA strand breaks. No significative changes in EBV latency nor in cell surface marker expression was found. In contrast, intracytoplasmic TNFalpha levels were strongly reduced in transfected clones. Furthermore, 30% of IkappaBalpha transfected cells were apoptotic after 8 h of TNFalpha treatment. This correlated with a strong reduction of BrdU incorporation after 24 h of TNFalpha treatment. No effect was seen with non transfected cells or with cells transfected with a control plasmid. Our results suggest that the TNFalpha gene could be one of the targets of NF-kappaB in EBV infected cells and that NF-kappaB protects EBV-infected cells from apoptosis induced by TNFalpha, which may favour the proliferative effect of this cytokine.

Apoptosis↗

Discrimination between RelA and RelB transcriptional regulation by a dominant negative mutant of IkappaBalpha.

RelA and RelB belong to the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB-Rel) transcription factor family. Both proteins are structurally and functionally related, but their intracellular and tissue distributions are different. In resting cells, RelB is found mostly in the nucleus, whereas RelA is sequestered in the cytosol by protein inhibitors, among which IkappaBalpha is the dominant form in lymphocytes. Upon cellular activation IkappaBalpha is proteolyzed, allowing RelA dimers to enter the nucleus and activate target genes. To study the selectivity of gene regulation by RelA and RelB, we generated T cell lines stably expressing a dominant negative mutant of IkappaBalpha. We show that selective inhibition of RelA-NF-kappaB decreased induction of NFKB1, interleukin-2, and interleukin-2Ralpha genes but not c-myc. Transcription driven by the IkappaBalpha promoter was blocked by the transgenic IkappaBalpha; however, wild type IkappaBalpha was expressed in the transgenic cell clones but with much slower kinetics than that in control cells. Wild type IkappaBalpha expression was concomitant with RelB up-regulation, suggesting that RelB could be involved in transcription of IkappaBalpha through binding to an alternative site. These results indicate that RelB and RelA have both distinct and overlapping effects on gene expression.

Animals↗

Chemo-orientation of echinostome cercariae towards their snail hosts: the stimulating structure of amino acids and other attractants.

The cercariae of Pseudechinoparyphium echinatum and Echinostoma revolutum locate their host snails by turning back when swimming in decreasing gradients of the small molecular weight fraction (< 500) of snail conditioned water. Fractionation and chemical modifications of snail conditioned water from Lymnaea stagnalis showed that amino acids are necessary for the stimulating activity of snail conditioned water. A complete mixture of amino acids in concentrations determined from snail conditioned water had a high attraction. However, differently composed mixtures of amino acids and even single amino acids also had the same attraction as this complete mixture when used in concentrations corresponding to the total concentration of amino acids in snail conditioned water. Experiments with analogues and derivatives of amino acids showed that the primary alpha-amino group and the alpha-carboxyl group are necessary for the full effectiveness of amino acids. The highest effect was elicited by L-amino acids with a primary alpha-amino group, whereas the amino acid type and the chain length seemed to be unimportant. However, the full attraction of snail conditioned water was not achieved by amino acids alone. Chemical modifications of snail conditioned water suggested that the additional stimuli were neither inorganic ions nor organic acids or lipids. As the full attraction of snail conditioned water was obtained when the amino acid mixture of snail conditioned water was combined with its content of urea and ammonia, we conclude that the cercariae use only these excretory products as additional signals for their chemo-orientation. Chemo-orientation to amino acids, urea and ammonia seems to reflect a strategy to locate a broad spectrum of aquatic hosts.

Amino Acids↗

Chemo-orientation of echinostome cercariae towards their snail hosts: amino acids signal a low host-specificity.

The cercariae of Pseudechinoparyphium echinatum and Echinostoma revolutum approach their intermediate host snails by turning back when swimming in decreasing concentration gradients of snail conditioned water. Host stimuli are small molecular amino compounds, probably amino acids. This response was inhibited reversibly when the cercariae were treated with 0.45 microM-silver nitrate. As silver nitrate binds to the ciliated papillae of the cercarial surface, papillar chemoreceptors may be involved. Snail conditioned water from different snail species stimulated different intensities of chemo-orientation in both species of digeneans. However, when the samples of water conditioned with different snail species or even fish, tadpoles and leeches were diluted to the same total amino acid concentrations, the intensities of cercarial responses were similar. Therefore, some specificity of the chemo-orientation seemed to be achieved only by the total concentration of amino acids and not by particular mixtures of amino acids. In fact, amino acid spectra released by freshwater snails varied not only among different snail species, but also within the same species.

Amino Acids↗

Verification of set-up deviations in patients with breast cancer using portal imaging in clinical practice.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine set-up deviations during irradiation of patients with breast cancer using Electronic Portal Imaging (EPI). PATIENTS AND METHOD: In order to monitor the intrafractional set-up deviations multiple portal image readings were carried out on 5 patients with breast cancer. Moreover interfractional set-up deviations were determined by the acquisition of daily EPIs in a total of 20 patients. RESULTS: The results of intrafractional set-up deviation based on 130 EPIs revealed a maximum lateral and longitudinal (cranio-caudal) deviation of 2 mm (range:-10 mm to 8 mm) as well as 1 degree in rotation (range: -2 degree to 2 degrees). The interfractional set-up deviations in 20 breast cancer patients during a treatment series of 25 fractions showed mean standard deviations of 5 mm in lateral and longitudinal direction, respectively. Only in few cases deviations up to maximally 24 mm were observed. The mean standard deviation of the rotational error was 2 degrees and reached a maximum of 6.5 degrees. CONCLUSION: These results show that intrafractional set-up deviations in breast cancer patients are negligible in clinical practice. They can be attributed to random errors due to patient movement and breathing. The set-up deviations during a treatment series can be differentiated in systematic and random errors. Patient fixation and immobilization is crucial in minimizing random errors. Taking into account 10 mm safety margins as used in our department around the "clinical target volume" (CTV), set-up errors outside of this volume (PTV) were exceptional. The enlarged PTV definition of 15 mm for lateral and cranio-caudal field margins, respectively as used in this study covers 99% of the CTV in all patients.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Nuclear Rel-A and c-Rel protein complexes are differentially distributed within human thymocytes.

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B)/Rel proteins are inducible transcriptional regulators of numerous cellular genes. They are particularly abundant in lymphoid tissues and are thought to be critical for the transcription of genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses. We have reported previously that a nuclear NF-kappa B activity was present in freshly extracted human thymocytes in the absence of in vitro treatment of these cells. In the present report, we identified NF-kappa B proteins extracted from human thymocyte nuclei as being p50/p65 and p50/c-Rel complexes. Immunochemical and immunofluorescent staining of thymus sections using specific Abs allowed visualization of nuclear NF-kappa B proteins in both thymocytes and nonthymocyte cells. This detection suggested a preferential activation of p50/c-Rel in medullary thymocytes, whereas p50/p65 was present in both cortical and medullary regions of human thymus lobules. However, the intensity of p65 labeling was much higher in several thymocytes from the medulla. p65, p50, and c-Rel activities were found in both CD4- and CD8-positive thymocytes. These observations suggest that p65 and c-Rel complexes play distinct roles in gene expression and that both forms of NF-kappa B play critical roles during late stages of the intrathymic maturation of T cells.

Cell Nucleus↗

IkappaB alpha overexpression in human breast carcinoma MCF7 cells inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB activation but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is one of major component induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and its role in the signaling of TNF-induced cell death remains controversial. In order to delineate whether the involvement of NF-kappaB activation is required for triggering of the apoptotic signal of TNF, we inhibited the nuclear translocation of this transcription factor in TNF-sensitive MCF7 cells by introducing a human MAD-3 mutant cDNA coding for a mutated IkappaB alpha that is resistant to both phosphorylation and proteolytic degradation and that behaves as a potent dominant negative IkappaB alpha protein. Our results demonstrated that the mutated IkappaB alpha was stably expressed in the transfected MCF7 cells and blocked the TNF-induced NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. Indeed, TNF treatment of these cells induced the proteolysis of only the endogenous IkappaB alpha but not the mutated IkappaB alpha. The nuclear NF-kappaB released from the endogenous IkappaB alpha within 30 min of TNF treatment was rapidly inhibited by the mutated IkappaB alpha. There was no significant difference either in cell viability or in the kinetics of cell death between control cells and the mutated IkappaB alpha transfected cells. Furthermore, electron microscopic analysis showed that the cell death induced by TNF in both control and mutated IkappaB alpha transfected cells was apoptotic. The inhibition of NF-kappaB translocation in mutated IkappaB alpha-transfected cells persisted throughout the same time course that apoptosis was occurring. Our data provide direct evidence that the inhibition of NF-kappaB did not alter TNF-induced apoptosis in MCF7 cells and support the view that TNF-mediated apoptosis is NF-kappaB independent.

Apoptosis↗

Effect of cyclosporine A on the release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor from endothelial cells in heart transplant patients and cell culture.

We investigated the influence of cyclosporine A on the concentration of tissue factor pathway inhibitor and von Willebrand factor antigen in plasma of heart transplant outpatients. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor was quantified in plasma of blood donors (n = 50) and heart transplant outpatients (n = 50) by a chromogenic substrate assay with a mean of 32.4 micrograms/l and 98.2 micrograms/l, respectively. Von Willebrand factor antigen was determined with an enzyme-linked immunoassay with a mean of 90.9% for blood donors and 184.5% in plasma of heart transplant recipients. In addition, we investigated the effect of cyclosporine A on endothelial cell cultures over an incubation period of four days. A dose-dependent effect of cyclosporine A on the release of endothelial tissue factor pathway inhibitor and von Willebrand factor antigen was determined in a concentration range from 100 to 200 micrograms/l cyclosporine A. The tissue factor pathway inhibitor and von Willebrand factor antigen concentrations in the cell culture supernatant increased during the incubation time according to the cyclosporine A concentration 2-3 fold and 2 fold, respectively. For a further elucidation of the cyclosporine A effect we investigated the influence of cremophor EL, the vehicle of cyclosporine A. Cremophor EL alone did not increase the tissue factor pathway inhibitor release. However, the release was enhanced 2-4 fold after co-stimulation with the calcium ionophore A 23187 (10(-4) mol/l) in a concentration-dependent mode. We conclude that a generalized endothelial damage or activation is most probably caused by cyclosporine A and its vehicle cremophor EL. This process probably depends upon the increase of cytosolic free calcium, as described for the liberation of von Willebrand factor by endothelial cells.

Adolescent↗

Impairment of Fas-antigen expression in adriamycin-resistant but not TNF-resistant MCF7 tumor cells.

Anti-cancer drugs and cytotoxic cytokines such as members of the TNF/Fas-ligand family play a predominant role in apoptosis induction in tumor cells, and are critical in cancer therapy. In this study we used the human breast-carcinoma cell line MCF7, its derivatives MCF7Adr (resistant to adriamycin) and R-A1 (resistant to TNF), to determine the impact of acquired drug and cytokine resistance on susceptibility to Fas-induced cytotoxicity and Fas-antigen expression. While MCF7 and R-A1 cells were killed by anti-Fas in the presence of IFN-gamma, MCF7Adr was found to be resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis. This resistance was correlated with a loss of surface Fas-protein expression. Fas-gene transfer in MCF7Adr resulted in high sensitivity to Fas-mediated cytotoxicity, indicating that the Fas signalling pathway is virtually intact in this cell line. Over-expression of the MDR1 gene in MCF7 following gene transfer did not affect Fas expression and anti-Fas sensitivity, suggesting that the P-gp-mediated multidrug-resistance phenotype is not directly involved in the loss of Fas expression, contrary to what has been observed by others in T-cell lines. Furthermore, the down-regulation of Fas expression and subsequent resistance to anti-Fas were observed in drug-resistant human ovarian-carcinoma IGR-OV1/VCR cells and leukemic lymphoblast CEM/VLB cells, suggesting that the alteration of Fas expression following drug-resistance selection is not restricted to one cell type.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The pKa of the general acid/base carboxyl group of a glycosidase cycles during catalysis: a 13C-NMR study of bacillus circulans xylanase.

The 20 kDa xylanase from Bacillus circulans carries out hydrolysis of xylan via a two-step mechanism involving a covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate. In this double-displacement reaction, Glu78 functions as a nucleophile to form the intermediate, while Glu172 acts as a general acid catalyst during glycosylation, protonating the departing aglycone, and then as a general base during deglycosylation, deprotonating the attacking water. The dual role of Glu172 places specific demands upon its ionization states and hence pKa values. 13C-NMR titrations of xylanase, labeled with [delta-13C]glutamic acid, have revealed pKa values of 4.6 and 6.7 for Glu78 and Glu172, respectively. These agree well with the apparent pKa values obtained from a study of the pH dependence of kcat/Km and demonstrate that, at the enzyme's pH optimum of 5.7, the nucleophile Glu78 is deprotonated and the general acid Glu172 initially protonated. Remarkably, the pKa for Glu172 drops to 4.2 in a trapped covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate, formed by reaction with 2', 4'-dinitrophenyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-xylobioside [Miao et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 7027-7032]. A similar pKa is measured for Glu172 when a glutamine is present at position 78. This large decrease in pKa of approximately 2.5 units is consistent with the role of Glu172 as a general base catalyst in the deglycosylation step and appears to be a consequence of both reduced electrostatic repulsion due to neutralization of Glu78 and a conformational change in the protein. Such "pKa cycling" during catalysis is likely to be a common phenomenon in glycosidases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗