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Biomedical subjects

M Tötsch

Publications and source records attributed to M Tötsch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Immunohistochemically detectable bcl-2 expression in colorectal carcinoma: correlation with tumour stage and patient survival.

The bcl-2 gene encodes for a mitochondrial membrane proto-oncoprotein, the expression of which is known to suppress programmed cell death (apoptosis). In the present study the prognostic value of bcl-2 proto-oncoprotein was immunohistochemically investigated in a series of 104 colorectal carcinomas. The bcl-2 staining patterns were semiquantitatively assessed and correlated with the pTNM stage, Dukes' classification, lymphocytic infiltration (Jass classification) and tumour grade as well as parameters not associated with prognosis (gender, age, tumour site, histological tumour type). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, hazard ratios and their confidence intervals. Fifty-five out of 104 cases completely lacked immunohistochemical bcl-2 expression. Fewer than 5% of bcl-2-positive cells were found in 25, 5-50% in 17 and more than 50% in five cases. The extent of bcl-2 expression by tumour cells decreased significantly with respect to increasing tumour size (P < 0.05), decreasing lymphocytic infiltration (P < 0.05) and chance of poor clinical outcome (P < 0.05), but not with worsening of Dukes stages. In multivariate analysis (Cox regression model) bcl-2 expression remained as an independent prognostic parameter with Dukes' classification as stratification factor (P < 0.001). Although the biological functions of bcl-2 protein are not yet well understood, our results provide further evidence that bcl-2 oncoprotein appears to be associated with favourable clinical outcome. Thus immunohistochemical bcl-2 phenotyping of colorectal carcinoma may contribute in future to the clinical management of these patients.

Adult↗

Secretoneurin in bronchopulmonary carcinoids--immunohistochemical comparison with chromogranins A and B and secretogranin II.

Ninety-nine classical and 11 atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoids were investigated immunohistochemically with an antibody against secretoneurin, a peptide proteolytically processed from secretogranin II (chromogranin C), as well as antibodies against chromogranin A and B and secretogranin II. Secretoneurin was immunolocalized in 86 tumours (78 classical and eight atypical carcinoids); secretogranin II was found in the same tumours in a similar distribution, whereas chromogranin A was present in all 100 and chromogranin B in 106 tumours investigated. Bronchopulmonary carcinoids are usually not associated with clinically or biochemically distinct syndromes. Although we found bronchial carcinoids with different immunohistochemical chromogranins/secretogranin patterns, no correlation with the biological behaviour of these tumours could be demonstrated.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

Immunohistochemically detectable p53 and mdm-2 oncoprotein expression in colorectal carcinoma: prognostic significance.

Aims-To investigate the correlation between the expression of the p53 and mdm-2 oncoproteins and to assess their prognostic value in colorectal cancer.Methods-Using a polyclonal (CM1) and a monoclonal antibody directed against p53 and mdm-2, respectively, these oncoproteins were stained immunohistochemically in 109 colorectal adenocarcinomas.Results-p53 was detected in less than 10% of tumour cells in 11 of 109 adenocarcinomas, in 10-50% of tumour cells, in 17 of 109 adenocarcinomas, and in more than 50% of tumour cells in 32 of 109 adenocarcinomas. Expression of mdm-2 was detected in 22 of 109 (20%) cases investigated, of which 19 showed concomitant p53 expression. In most cases mdm-2 immunoreactivity was strongly associated with a small proportion of p53 positive tumour cells. Both p53 and mdm-2 expression lacked statistical significance when correlated with common staging and grading parameters.Conclusions-Detection of p53 and mdm-2 oncoprotein expression, detected using immunohistochemistry, is of no prognostic value in colorectal cancer. However, the close correlation between mdm-2 immunoreactivity and the proportion of p53 positive cells provides further evidence that the mdm-2 gene product interacts with p53 protein.

Journal Article↗

Immunohistochemical detection of secretoneurin, a novel neuropeptide endoproteolytically processed from secretogranin II, in normal human endocrine and neuronal tissues.

An antiserum raised against a synthetic peptide derived from the primary amino sequence of rat secretogranin II (chromogranin C) was used for immunological (quantitative radioimmunoassay analysis) and immunohistochemical studies of normal human endocrine and nervous tissues. This antibody recognized a novel and biologically active neuropeptide which was coined as secretoneurin. In endocrine tissues, secretoneurin was mainly co-localized with chromogranin A and B with some exceptions (e.g., parathyroid gland). Secretoneurin was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the adrenal medulla, thyroid C cells, TSH- and FSH/LH-producing cells of the anterior pituitary, A and B cells of pancreatic islets, in endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract and the bronchial mucosa, and the prostate. Immunoreactivity determined by radioimmunoassay analysis revealed high secretoneurin levels in the anterior and posterior pituitary and lower levels in pancreatic and thyroid tissue. A strong secretoneurin immunoreactivity was also found in ganglion cells of the submucosal and myenteric plexus of the gastrointestinal tract, and in ganglionic cells of dorsal root ganglia, peripheral nerves, and ganglion cells of the adrenal medulla. Thus, secretoneurin may serve as a useful marker of gangliocytic/neuronal differentiation.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical demonstration of metallothionein in normal human breast tissue and benign and malignant breast lesions.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a set of low molecular weight proteins with a high binding affinity to metal ions. MT over-expression has been recently demonstrated in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast with poor clinical prognosis. In the present study, MTs have been immunohistochemically investigated in normal human breast tissue and a variety of benign, pre-invasive, and malignant breast lesions. In normal breast tissue, MTs were present in myoepithelial cells whereas the vast majority of luminal cells were MT negative. In lesions without increased cancer risk (adenosis and scleradenosis), MT was only immunolocalized in myoepithelial cells. In papillomas, MT was also found exclusively in myoepithelial cells. In most cases of epitheliosis, both the luminal and myoepithelial cells expressed MT. Atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, and 13/15 invasive lobular carcinomas showed no MT over-expression. The two invasive lobular carcinomas with MT over-expression were classified as pleomorphic lobular carcinomas with apocrine differentiation. In contrast to lobular cancerization, 12/24 ductal in situ carcinomas and 9/20 invasive ductal carcinomas showed MT over-expression. In situ components found within invasive ductal carcinomas usually reflected the MT status of their invasive counterpart. It is concluded from our immunohistochemical results that breast carcinoma cases with MT overexpression arise from lesions which also show MT overexpression. Thus MT expression in carcinomas may be regarded as a genuine feature of the tumour cells and seems not to be related to endogenous or exogenous factors known to induce MT synthesis.

Breast↗

Early diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome by automated image analysis of alveolar macrophages.

To evaluate the value of automated semiquantitative analysis of fat within alveolar macrophages as an early diagnostic tool for fat embolism syndrome (FES), we investigated 3 patients with respiratory failure following long-bone fractures. The mean area of fat droplets per alveolar macrophage was determined in pixels and, additionally, the percentage of the evaluated areas was calculated. In 2 patients, the diagnosis of FES could be established as early as 24 hr after trauma. Both patients showed an increase in the area of fat per alveolar macrophage (pixels: 851, 1069) as well as in the percentage of fat area per alveolar macrophage area (40.04%, 52.73%), whereas the analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens of a third patient, who later recovered without appearance of clinical signs of FES, revealed only minimal fat content (pixels: 82; 3.82%). Automated semiquantitative analysis of fat within alveolar macrophages may be helpful in the early diagnosis of FES.

Embolism, Fat↗

Rapid detection of mycobacterial DNA in clinical samples by multiplex PCR.

Triplex-polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) was developed for the detection and identification of mycobacterial DNA sequences in uncultured clinical samples. A 123 bp fragment corresponding to a specific Mycobacterium tuberculosis sequence complex, a 383 bp DNA fragment encoding for part of the 65 kD mycobacterial surface antigen, and a 268 bp fragment of the human beta-globin gene to demonstrate the presence of suitable DNA were amplified by triplex PCR. To demonstrate the applicability of this method, 206 alcohol-fixed, paraffin-embedded sputum samples from 47 patients with culture-proven tuberculosis were investigated. Of 206 samples, 157 were PCR positive, resulting in correct diagnosis of tuberculosis in 46 of 47 (97.8%) patients. Furthermore, 165 alcohol-fixed, auramin-stained sputum smears were examined in a blind trial. Triplex PCR revealed tuberculosis in 20 of 21 samples from patients with tuberculosis. In comparison, cultures were positive in 20 of 21 samples, and acid-fast organisms were found by microscopy in 18 of 21 samples. We conclude that triplex PCR is a rapid and sensitive technique for the detection of mycobacterial DNA in uncultured clinical samples and offers equivalent sensitivity (95.2%) and specificity (98.6%) as do culture methods.

Base Sequence↗

Fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of subacute (de Quervain's) thyroiditis in an endemic goitre area.

Between 1977 and 1989 252 fine needle aspirates (FNAs) of the thyroid from patients with a clinical suspicion of subacute granulomatous (de Quervain's) thyroiditis were examined in the Department of Pathology of the University of Innsbruck, Austria. In the same period 31 cases with preoperative FNA were diagnosed histologically as subacute thyroiditis. Only in three of these cases were the cytological features of de Quervain's thyroiditis found in the preoperative FNA. However, in 13 of these 31 cases a cytological suspicion of malignancy was obtained. Subsequent histological examination revealed an acute phase inflammation of de Quervain's thyroiditis in most of these cases. We conclude that an accurate FNA diagnosis of de Quervain's thyroiditis, particularly in the acute stage, may cause difficulties due to a lack of typical features and the appearance of atypical thyroid follicular cells. For the cytopathologist, accurate clinical information relating to the possibility of de Quervain's thyroiditis is essential if unnecessary surgery is to be avoided.

Austria↗

Immunohistochemical localization of chromogranins A and B and secretogranin II in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic prostate.

Routinely processed normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic prostatic tissue was immunohistochemically investigated with antibodies against chromogranin A and B and secretogranin II. In normal and hyperplastic prostates all three peptides were immunolocalized in scattered neuroendocrine cells situated within the glandular epithelium. In 17 prostatic carcinomas with pronounced neuroendocrine differentiation and in a case of prostatic carcinoid, chromogranin B was the major component whereas chromogranin A and secretogranin II were virtually absent in poorly differentiated (grade III) tumours. Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic cancer is most likely to be associated with a poor clinical outcome; thus, chromogranin B appears to be a useful marker in the histopathological diagnosis of these neoplasms.

Chromogranin A↗

Identification of CD34+ cord blood cells and their subpopulations in preterm and term neonates using three-color flow cytometry.

Three-color flow cytometry was used to identify CD34+ cord blood (CB) hematopoietic progenitors of preterm (n = 13) and term (n = 18) neonates. The frequency of CD34+ CB cells gated on the lymphocyte fraction in term neonates is about half the frequency of preterm neonates (mean 1.84 +/- 0.8 vs. 3.49 +/- 1.8, p < 0.005). The difference of absolute CD34+ cells between the 2 groups did not reach statistical significance (premature 169 +/- 161 vs. mature 108 +/- 62.6 x 10(6) cells/l). The proportion of myeloid lineage-committed CD34+ cells coexpressing the CD33 antigen in preterm neonates does not significantly differ from that found in term neonates. However, in preterm neonates a higher fraction of erythroid lineage-committed CD34+ cells coexpresses the CD71 antigen as compared with term neonates (mean 28.7 +/- 14.1 vs. 11.4 +/- 5.7, p < 0.001). The positive correlation between gestational age and the ratio of myeloid/erythroid lineage-specific progenitor cells (r = 0.61, n = 31, p < 0.0005) suggests gestational changes in lineage commitment of CD34+ cells.

Antigens, CD↗

Bronchoalveolar lavage: results of sequential, selective techniques in viable murines.

The purpose of this study was to develop an optimal technique for performing sequential bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in a murine animal model. Two general anesthetic regimens and four operative techniques of BAL were tested. Anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine hydrochloride (100 mg/kg body wt) resulted in death for four of ten subjects, whereas inhalation of diethyl ether led to death for one of ten subjects. BAL using a balloon catheter under bronchoscopic guidance was comparable with postmortal lavage, tolerated better, and resulted in superior cell retrieval with respect to cell differential (macrophages: 95 +/- 2.3; lymphocytes: 3 +/- 1.2; polymorphonuclear lymphocytes [PNL]: 1.2 +/- 1.4) compared with two other techniques using a bent metal tube/polyethylene tubing combination (macrophages: 19.3 +/- 27.4; lymphocytes: 3.8 +/- 4.3; PNL: 35.5 +/- 35.5) and a bronchoscope/polyethylene tubing combination (macrophages: 11.1 +/- 25.5; lymphocytes: 0.7 +/- 1.0; PNL: 55.8 +/- 41.0). The BAL fluid contained significantly more alveolar macrophages and fewer PNL and epithelial cells (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0025, p = 0.02, respectively). We conclude that the technique using a balloon catheter under bronchoscopic guidance during inhalation of diethyl ether is the procedure of choice and results in a representative sample of BAL.

Anesthesia↗

Immunohistochemical demonstration of chromogranin A, chromogranin B, and secretogranin II in extra-adrenal paragangliomas.

Twelve sympathetic and 14 parasympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas were investigated immunohistochemically with antibodies against chromogranin A, chromogranin B, and secretogranin II. In sympathetic paragangliomas chromogranin A was found in 12/12 and chromogranin B in 11/12 tumors in almost all chief cells (the remaining tumor was focally chromogranin B positive), whereas secretogranin II was immunolocalized in the majority of chief cells in 5/12, in a focal distribution in 3/12, and only in a few scattered tumor cells in 3/12 cases. One case showed no secretogranin II immunoreactivity. In parasympathetic paragangliomas both chromogranin B and secretogranin II immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the majority of chief cells of all 14 tumors investigated. Chromogranin A showed a strong immunostaining in 2/14 cases; in 12 tumors chromogranin A was found in only a few chief cells or was completely absent. It is concluded that sympathetic and parasympathetic paragangliomas show a divergent expression of chromogranins/secretogranins that apparently reflects the different histogenetic origins of these tumors.

Adolescent↗

Expression of complement receptor 2 (CR2) on HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes and transformed cell lines.

The expression of complement receptor 2 (CR2) has been demonstrated in established HTLV-1-transformed cell lines and in 12 studied de novo infected peripheral blood lymphocytes cultures, using 2 HTLV-1 sources. The simultaneous detection of CR2 and HTLV-1 antigens in both co-cultivated and supernatant-infected peripheral blood lymphocytes suggest that the increased CR2 expression is in tandem with the increasing HTLV-1 antigen expression. CR2 up-regulation seen during polyclonal activation is presumably in response to a viral protein, although a cellular factor has not been ruled out. Increasing CR2 expression during early infection suggests its possible involvement in selection or development of subsequent transformation events. Variable levels of CR2 in immortalized cell lines argue against its obligate expression of function in the maintenance of the transformed state. The expression of CR2 in cellular activation of T cells may be stage restricted. This study also expands the cellular distribution for CR2.

Cell Line↗

Relationship between quantity of silver stained nucleolar organizer region associated proteins (Ag-NORs) and growth rate suppression of breast cancer cell lines after interferon-gamma and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen treatment.

The correlation between the silver-stained nucleolar organizer region associated proteins (Ag-NORs) and the growth rate suppression (GRS) of ten established breast cancer cell lines which were treated with 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (OHT) and interferon-gamma (g-IFN), respectively, was investigated by means of automated image analysis. Previous studies have shown a statistically significant relationship between the Ag-NOR quantity and the population doubling time (PDT) of these cell clones. The results of the present study showed a highly significant correlation between the GRS and the Ag-NOR quantity in estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumour cell lines after OHT treatment (P < 0.001) whereas no strict correlation of these parameters could be demonstrated after g-IFN treatment in both ER positive and negative cell lines. Our results suggest a different behaviour of NOR-proteins in breast cancer cell lines if treated either with g-IFN or OHT, probably reflecting the different mechanism of cell suppression mediated by OHT and g-IFN. It is concluded that quantitative assessment of Ag-NORs is not as suitable for the determination of the GRS as it is for the determination of cell duplication rates obtained on untreated tumour cell lines.

Breast Neoplasms↗

HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates differ in their ability to activate the complement system on the surface of infected cells.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the ability of different HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates to activate the complement system. DESIGN: H9 cells chronically infected with various HIV isolates and the corresponding purified viruses were tested for complement activation. To identify the molecules responsible for complement activation on the surface of infected cells, the expression of complement inhibitors/regulators and viral proteins on the cell surface was analysed. METHODS: C3 deposition on the cell surface and the expression of viral and cellular antigens were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Complement activation by purified viruses was measured using a complement consumption assay and a C1 activation assay. RESULTS: H9 cells infected with different HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates showed varying degrees of complement activation on the cell surface, ranging from strong activation and deposition of large amounts of C3 to no increased C3 deposition compared to uninfected cells. The C3 deposition was eliminated by EDTA and reduced in the presence of EGTA. In contrast, all purified viral isolates tested activated the complement system in a comparable manner. While the expression of MCP, DAF and CD59 was not modified after infection with different viral isolates, the reaction of the infected cells with a monoclonal antibody (3D6) directed against a gp41 epitope (amino acids 601-620) was found to correlate with the complement activation on the cell surface. CONCLUSIONS: Some HIV-1 as well as HIV-2 isolates activate the complement system on the surface of infected cells independent of anti-HIV antibodies, while other isolates fail to do so. Complement activation on the cell surface is mediated by the alternative and, to a lesser extent, the classical pathway. The differences in complement activation on the cell surface are not caused by a modified expression of membrane-bound complement inhibitors/regulators. C3 deposition on the cell surface correlates with the expression of an epitope lying within the major complement activating domain of gp41 (amino acids 591-620). These results suggest a role of gp41 for complement activation on HIV-infected cells as has been described previously for purified HIV.

Antigens, CD↗

Chromogranin A, secretogranin II and vasoactive intestinal peptide in phaeochromocytomas and ganglioneuromas.

By means of immunohistochemistry we analysed the distribution of chromogranin A, secretogranin II and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in 16 phaeochromocytomas, two cases of combined phaeochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma and four adrenal ganglioneuromas. Chromogranin A was found in the majority of phaeochromocytes and in mixed phaeochromocytomas-ganglioneuromas. Secretogranin II was present to a lesser degree in phaeochromocytes, but strong immunostaining was found in most ganglion cells of phaeochromocytomas, in the ganglioneuroma component of combined tumours and in adrenal ganglioneuromas. Vasoactive intestinal peptide was present in some ganglion cells of phaeochromocytomas, in the ganglioneuroma component of mixed tumours and in three of four adrenal ganglioneuromas. On semi-adjacent sections a co-localization of VIP and secretogranin II was demonstrated. These results indicate that neuronal differentiation is accompanied by an increased immunohistochemical expression of secretogranin II. Therefore, secretogranin II may be a useful marker for ganglion cell differentiation.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Goodpasture's syndrome. Unusual presentation after exposure to hard metal dust.

An unusual case of Goodpasture's syndrome in a 26-year-old man with occupational exposure to hard metal dust is described. The patient developed a life-threatening interstitial lung disease that was followed by a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis two months later. To our knowledge, association of Goodpasture's syndrome and hard metal exposure has not been reported previously.

Adult↗