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M V Croce

Publications and source records attributed to M V Croce.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

MUC1 cytoplasmic tail detection using CT33 polyclonal and CT2 monoclonal antibodies in breast and colorectal tissue.

UNLABELLED: The immunohistochemical detection (IHC) of MUC1-CT employing a polyclonal antibody (CT33) in relation to CT2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) was analyzed. Western blot (WB) was used to determine the molecular mass of CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 163 breast and 89 colorectal cancer specimens, 10 breast and 14 colorectal benign conditions, and 12 breast and 20 colorectal normal samples. From each tumor sample, subcellular fractions were obtained and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and WB. A nonparametric statistical analysis was employed; data were standardized and a Kendall-Tau correlation was applied. RESULTS: By IHC, 146/163 (90%) and 151/163 (93%) of breast cancer were positive with CT33 and CT2, respectively; a statistically significant correlation was obtained (t=0.5199). Seven out of ten (70%) benign breast specimens were positive with CT33 while all samples stained with CT2; in normal breast sample tissues, all were positive with both Abs. In colorectal cancer samples, both antibodies stained 47/89 (53%) samples; CT2 reacted in 13/14 (93%) of benign samples while CT33 showed a positive reaction in 9/14 (64%) of benign specimens. In normal samples, CT2 showed staining in 17/20 (85%) of samples and CT33 was reactive in 12/20 (60%). By WB, in breast and colorectal cancer samples, similar results were obtained with both antibodies: a main band at about 30kDa which represents the smaller subunit. CONCLUSION: CT33 polyclonal antibody has demonstrated its efficacy to detect MUC1 in breast and colorectal cancer tissues with similar reactivity to CT2. It is worthwhile to affirm that CT33 is a good indicator of MUC1 expression.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2005

Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP): a possible carrier of sialyl lewis X (slewis X) antigen in colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: 1- to detect alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and sialyl Lewis x (sLex) in colorectal malignant, benign and normal samples; 2- to isolate AGP from colorectal cancer and 3- to study its immunoreactivity with an anti-sLex monoclonal antibody (MAb). MATERIALS AND METHODS: tissue and serum samples from 88 patients with colorectal cancer, 22 adenomas and 23 normal were included. Expression of AGP and sLex was studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC); isolation approach: AGP was precipitated with ammonium sulphate and immunoprecipitated with anti-AGP MAb. The immune complex formed was isolated by protein A-Sepharose CL-4B affinity chromatography and further eluted; fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and Western-blot. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Principal Component Analysis. RESULTS: By Western blot employing anti-AGP MAb and sLex MAbs, isolated fractions from malignant samples showed a band at about 45 kD. IHC revealed that AGP was expressed in 70% of colorectal carcinoma samples, 50% of benign and 35% of normals. SLex was detected in 31% of malignant samples, 41% of benign and in one normal sample. In malignant samples, AGP reaction comprised the whole specimen with a strong and homogeneous staining while normal and benign samples showed a restricted reaction. In cancer, sLex expression consisted in an intense reactivity in membrane, cellular debris and some cytoplasmic foci while normal and benign samples were occasionally stained. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between AGP and sLex expression. Serum AGP levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion and statistical comparative analysis with tissue expression did not show a correlation between both parameters. CONCLUSION: AGP may constitute a carrier of sLex in colorectal cancer.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2004

Antigenic differences between metastatic cells in bone marrow and primary tumours and the anti-MUC1 humoral immune response induced in breast cancer patients.

The dissemination of a malignant neoplasia is a complex process, which requires a set of molecules that remains unknown. It has been suggested that mucins and their carbohydrate-associated antigens may be implicated in tumour spreading which may be also influenced by an anti-MUC1 immune response. In this pilot study, we report the pattern of carbohydrate and peptidic MUC1-associated epitopes on carcinoma cells isolated from bone marrow (BM), taking into account primary tumour histopathologic features. We also bring information about the anti-MUC1 humoral response in these patients. Seventeen patients with invasive breast carcinoma were included. A sample of the primary tumour, a serum sample and a BM aspirate were obtained from each patient. Clinical features studied were tumour size, number of metastatic nodes, histological type and disease stage. Standard immunohistochemistry was performed with antigenic retrieval using different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): anti carbohydrate antigens: Lewis x (KM380), sLewis x (KM93), Lewis y (C14) and Tn, anti-MUC1 peptide core MAbs: C595, HMFG2 and SM3, anti-cytokeratins, anti-protoncogenes ErbB2 and ErbB3 (IgG) MAbs and also anti-CD34 and anti-CD45 MAbs. ELISA techniques were employed to study circulating MUC1 as well as free and complexed anti-MUC1 antibodies. Immunohistochemical results showed that carbohydrate antigenic expression increases in BM neoplastic cells compared to the original tumours. However, we were not able to demonstrate that a humoral immune response to MUC1 has been induced in these patients. Finally, the employed procedures allow the selective immortalisation of micrometastatic carcinoma cells since short-term cell lines were established.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2001

MUC1 mucin and carbohydrate associated antigens as tumor markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: An immunological analysis to study MUC1 mucin core protein and carbohydrate associated antigens as tissue tumor markers in head and neck carcinoma was performed. Twenty nine patients with the following tumor localizations were included: tongue (n=10), larynx (n=8), oral cavity (n=4), maxillary sinus (n=3), tonsillar ring (n=3) and pharynx (n=1); seven samples of epithelium obtained from normal organs at the same localizations were studied as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed following standard procedures and reaction was graded according to staining intensity and distribution. From each tissue section, membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear moieties were obtained by differential centrifugation with subsequent fractionation by density gradient centrifugation (6M guanidium chloride-CsCl); subcellular moieties and CsCl derived fractions were analyzed by immunoblotting. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reacting with the core protein of MUCI (C595) and associated carbohydrate antigens were: Tn, 83D4 MAb; Lewis y antigen (Le y), C14 MAb; Lewis x antigen (Le x), KM380 MAb and sialyl Lewis x (sLe x), KM93 MAb. Statistical analysis was undertaken by Spearman rank correlation. In tumor samples, the immunohistochemical identification of MUCl core protein and associated antigens was extended; differences were found in the pattern and intensity of expression; results were corroborated by immunoblotting although in a few samples there was not coincidence between both methods. Localization, tumor mass or node involvement did not show significant differences for any of the antigens studied. CONCLUSIONS: 1) head and neck carcinoma expressed MUCI and associated carbohydrate antigens in high levels; 2) no relationship between antigenic expression and tumor status was found.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Association of a alpha1 acidic glycoprotein and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Serum from patients with different malignancies contain an abnormal concentration of a a1-acidic-glycoprotein (AAG) and also, increased levels of AAG are associated with the presence of tumor mass. In the present report, serum levels of AAG were measured by radial immunodiffusion in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients taking into account disease status parameters such as tumor localization, stage and extension of disease. Immunohistochemical methods, SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting were employed to study the expression of AAG and a carbohydrate related antigen (sialyl Lewis x) in tumor tissues and derived fractions. AAG showed abnormal levels in 7/15 oral cavity tumor patients sera, 2/5 oropharynx and 5/10 larynx tumors; increased AAG serum levels belonged to patients with disseminated disease. On the other hand, the presence of AAG and sialyl Lewis x were demonstrated in carcinoma cells and in derived fractions from tumor tissues belonging to patients with elevated AAG serum levels. In the present study, we have found elevated levels of AAG in serum samples from SCCHN patients; these neoplastic cells are capable to express AAG.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Humoral immune response induced by the protein core of MUC1 mucin in pregnant and healthy women.

UNLABELLED: Serum levels of MUC1 and antibodies (Abs) against MUC1 (IgG and IgM-MUC1) were evaluated in healthy women related to pregnancy and lactation status. A total of 149 serum samples were obtained from: nulliparous, primiparous pregnant, multiparous pregnant that have lactated, multiparous pregnant without lactation, multiparous non-pregnant actual lactating, multiparous non-pregnant that have lactated and finally, multiparous non-pregnant women without lactation. In all assays, we included pre- and post-serum samples belonging to a breast cancer patient vaccinated with a MUC1 derived peptide. CASA test was employed to measure MUC1 while IgG- and IgM-MUC1 serum Abs were evaluated with an ELISA using a 100 mer peptide as catcher. In all groups, mean IgM levels were higher than IgG mean values; when samples were grouped in pregnants versus non-pregnants, a significant difference was detected with both Abs, being raised in non-pregnants. When samples were grouped in lactating versus non-lactating a significant difference was detected with IgG-MUC1, being raised in lactating women while no significant difference was found with IgM-MUC1. The evaluation of serum MUC1 levels confirmed previous results since a significant difference between pregnant versus non-pregnant groups was found while lactating versus non-lactating samples did not. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Increased MUC1 serum levels are apparently associated with pregnancy but not with lactation; (ii) MUC1 Abs are mainly associated with lactation and with non-pregnant status. These results may be considered a contribution on studies about protection against breast cancer induced by pregnancy and lactation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Establishment and characterization of a cell line (T201) derived from a human larynx squamous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of this report was the initiation and further maintenance of tumor cells from a primary larynx squamous cell carcinoma. A tumor fragment was mechanically dissociated, the cells were grown in RPMI medium, being the primary culture dependent on the presence of epidermal growth factor and insulin; during subsequent passages the adaptation to conventional growth conditions was obtained. Cells grew in monolayer with an epitheliod shape, showing a pavement-like arrangement; at confluence, cells piled up without contact inhibition maintaining the same morphology. Population doubling time was about 48 h with a colony-forming efficiency of 10%. Immunocytochemical characterization was performed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive against tumor associated antigens, including mucin glycoproteins and related carbohydrate antigens, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), p53 as well as cytokeratins, vimentin and desmin. T201 expressed CEA, sialyl Lewis x, Lewis x, Lewis y, MUC1 mucin, Tn hapten, p53, vimentin and cytokeratins. On the other hand, a modal chromosome diploid number of 46 occurring in 74% of cells was detected. Present data confirmed that the methodology employed was adequate for the establishment and characterization of a new cell line which can provide a useful model to study biological and immunological aspects of larynx squamous cell carcinoma.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Detection and isolation of MUC1 mucin from larynx squamous cell carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: The progression from uncontrolled cell proliferation to invasion and metastasis of epithelial tumors is partially understood. Alteration of epithelial mucin expression have been described in different malignant localizations but only few attempts have been made to identify mucin expression in malignant laryngeal tumors. In the present report, results are shown of studies on the expression of mucins and carbohydrate related antigens in laryngeal cancer and on the isolation of MUC1 mucin from this tumor tissue. Malignant laryngeal specimens were processed for immunohistochemical analysis and for extranuclear membrane fractions (ENM) which were obtained by ultracentrifugation. Subsequently, ENM samples were centrifuged in density-gradient; the analysis of fractions was performed by means of SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting. The panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) included anti MUC1 mucin, anti Lewis x, anti sialyl Lewis x, anti Lewis y, anti MUC-5B, anti oral mucin (gp230), anti Tn hapten, anti p53 and anti cytokeratins. By immunohistochemistry, it was possible to detect MUC1 mucin, Lewis x and Lewis y showing strong reactions while sialyl-Lewis x and Tn antigen only reacted weakly in a few cells; cytokeratins were detected in all samples. In ENM derived fractions obtained by CsCl centrifugation, MUC1 was demonstrated by Western blotting. CONCLUSIONS: (1) laryngeal cancer antigenic expression comprises mostly MUC1 mucin, Lewis x, Lewis y as well as Tn antigen and (2) the methodology here employed is useful to isolate MUC1 from tumor samples.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Identification and characterization of different subpopulations in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549).

The morphology, cell growth, antigenic expression and tumorigenicity of cell subpopulations from the A549 lung adenocarcinoma isolated by Percoll gradient separation have been analysed. Four subpopulations were obtained (subpopulations A, B, C and D). Immunocytochemical analysis of several antigens was performed with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): MUC1 mucin (C595, HMFG1 and HMFG2), MUC5B (PANH2); gp230 (PANH4); carbohydrate antigens including sialyl Lewis x (KM93), Tn antigen (83D4), Lewis y (C14); 5, 6, 8, 17 and 19 cytokeratins and p53. The cell population D tended to form cell aggregates that piled up on the monolayer similar to overgrowth cultures of the A549 parental cell line, whereas A, B and C cell subpopulations formed well spread monolayers. Both parental A549 and subpopulation D secreted abundant mucus. The topographic distribution and secretion production were correlated with tumorigenic assays since only subpopulation D grew in nude mice exhibiting reduced latency period; these characteristics correlated with the fast growth of the subpopulation D in vitro. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that subpopulation D showed greater expression of MUC1 mucin and carbohydrate antigens such as Tn antigen, sialyl Lewis x and Lewis y and less expression of cytokeratins, p53, MUC5B and gp230; conversely, subpopulations A, B and C showed the opposite antigenic profile. Our results illustrate heterogeneity in the A549 cell line; subpopulations A, B and C retained characteristics of more differentiated adenocarcinoma while subpopulation D displayed features of a less differentiated tumor line.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Immunohistopathological characterizatin of spontaneous metastases in a human lung mucoepidermoid adenocarcinoma (HLMC) xenograft.

The most common clinical form of lung cancer is a disseminated disease with distant metastases; several years of cancer progression precede presentation, and this ultimately limits the efficacy of curative therapy. In this immunohistochemical study, we examined a mucinous adenocarcinoma cell line, maintained by xenogeneic transplantation, and a spontaneous metastatic variant which produces distant tumors (in liver, spleen and kidney). The aim was to investigate possible parameters which characterize the metastatic process. Histopathological comparison between the two subcutaneous transplanted tumor lines showed that both lines presented a similar cellular morphology, a different pattern of cellular growth and an increased vascularization in the metastatic line with respect to its parent. All the tumor sections expressed differential immune reactivity with monoclonal antibodies against Lewis y (MAb C14), sialyl-Lewis x (MAb SNH3) and Lewis x (MAb FH2) determinants. Neither expressed MUC 1 mucins detectable with monoclonal antibodies reactive with the mucin protein core (MAbs C595 and SM3) nor was carcinoembryonic antigen (MAb C365) expressed. Neoplastic cells were reactive with an anti-pan cytokeratin monoclonal antibody confirming their epithelial histogenesis. Our findings have been evaluated with respect to defining metastatic phenotypes in lung cancer by examination of distinct histopathological and immunological parameters.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of methods for primary tissue culture of human breast epithelia.

A serie of 29 human normal, benign and malignant breast tissues were cultivated in an attempt to isolate and propagate primary breast epithelial cells in vitro. Explants methodology as well as disaggregation techniques (enzymatic and mechanical) were employed to obtain better culture conditions. Cells derived from breast malignant tissue were propagated in an appropriate and survived in culture for at least 6 months, exhibiting a marked preference to grow in suspension (independent anchorage). Tumorigenicity assays in nude mice were performed with malignant cells obtained from primary culture cells as well as with cells achieved from successive passages. The rate of long time cell survival from malignant and non-malignant tissues demonstrated the accuracy of the methodology but it also emphasised the need for improving technology to obtain cell lines with long survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Identification of acute-phase proteins (APP) in circulating immune complexes (CIC) in esophageal cancer patients' sera.

The occurrence of increased circulating immune complexes (CIC) in sera of patients with esophageal cancer and their usefulness for diagnosis and prognosis have not been demonstrated. Circulating acute-phase proteins (APP) related to esophageal cancer have been described but without any association with CIC. This is a study to measure CIC, C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha 1-acidic glycoprotein (AAG) in pretreatment esophageal cancer sera and to analyze the presence of both APP associated with these CIC. Increased CIC levels were found in 57% of sera from esophageal cancer patients; elevated CRP was detected in 87% and AAG in 47%. Western blot analysis showed the presence of CRP and AAG in CIC-derived fractions. We conclude that: (1) CIC, CRP, and AAG are elevated in esophageal cancer sera; (2) they may be considered possible useful clinical parameters in pretreatment esophageal cancer patients; (3) these APPs appear in CIC precipitates and may possibly be involved in their composition.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Expression of monoclonal-antibody-defined antigens in fractions isolated from human breast carcinomas and patients' serum.

The aim of this study was to examine tissue from patients with breast carcinoma or benign breast disease for the presence of monoclonal-antibody-defined antigens, including the MUC1 mucin and carcinoembryonic antigen CEA. The tests were performed by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic separation of proteins, electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose membranes and immunostaining with the monoclonal antibodies. Some of the antigens identified are known to circulate at high levels in some but not necessarily all, breast carcinoma patients. Serum from a panel of ten breast cancer patients was subjected to a fractionation procedure designed to release antigen from immune complexes, and again these samples were analysed for the presence of monoclonal-antibody-defined antigens. A high frequency of positive reactions was detected by the anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody C595 with both breast carcinoma subcellular membrane fractions as well as antigen fractions eluted from circulating immune complexes. No reactions were observed with equivalent materials from benign breast disease samples. The findings illustrate the variability in antigen expression between breast tumours. The data also indicate that a proportion of patients respond to their tumour by the production of antibodies that recognise the MUC1 antigen in their circulation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Identification of myelin basic proteins in circulating immune complexes associated with lepromatous leprosy.

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were first measured in lepromatous patients (LL) by the 125I-C1q binding assay and the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation test. High levels were found by both methods (95 and 90% of positives, respectively). LL-CIC were investigated for the presence of neural antigens. CIC were precipitated in 3.5% PEG, filtered through protein A-Sepharose affinity chromatography, eluted with glycine-HCl, pH 2.8, and washed with PBS; fractions after CIC dissociation were studied by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The LL-CIC PEG precipitates and the glycine-HCl eluates were positive in 76 and 71% respectively against anti-myelin basic proteins (MBP) monoclonal antibody, showing a single band at 15-25 kDa similar to the one obtained incubating MBP with anti-MBP. No reaction was detected with CIC-PBS fractions; strips were incubated with other anti-neural antibodies such as anti-glial fibrillary acidic proteins, anti-S-100, and anti-neurofilaments, without any reactivity. Our results demonstrate that LL-CIC contain MBP as an antigen; its significance could be related to the pathogenesis of leprosy since the liberation of MBP after Mycobacterium leprae nerve damage may elicit anti-MBP autoantibodies to myelin breakdown, which reacts with peripheral nerve MBP inducing CIC formation. This mechanism may be important in demyelination and destruction of nerve in leprosy.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1989

[Isolation and characterization of immune complexes associated with malignant tumors and leprosy].

We are dedicated to the study of circulating immune complexes (CIC) associated with different diseases: malignant tumors, leprosy and rheumatoid arthritis. Immune complexes were evaluated by various methods: 125I-Clq binding assay, 125I-IgG binding test, 125I-bovine conglutinin binding assay and polyethylene glycol precipitation test (3.5% and 2.5%). Techniques for the isolation and splitting of CIC in their components were performed in sera from patients with tumors and with leprosy. These methods consisted in the combination of CIC with protein A followed by elution with different buffers. CIC splitting techniques were first applied on immune complexes formed in vitro (BSA-aBSA, OVA-aOVA). The analysis of CIC fractions was done by SDS-PAGE, immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting techniques. Results were as follows: CIC levels correlated with active stages of disease, decreasing during remission so that CIC detection can be useful to evaluate response to treatment. The isolation and splitting of immune complexes into their components resulted in the obtention of immunologically active fractions, especially in sera from patients with gastrointestinal and breast cancer and with leprosy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Clinical importance of circulating immune complexes in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

A total of 122 sera from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients were analyzed for circulating immune complexes (CIC) by two methods: the 125I-Clq binding assay and the polyethylene glycol precipitation test (PEG). The results were correlated with induction, remission and relapse stages of the disease. Using the first method the levels of CIC in induction were 15.18 +/- 9.15, with 19/29 positive cases (65.50%), P less than 0.001 compared with controls. In the remission phase the levels were 9.02 +/- 5.62, 11/45 (24.49%) nonsignificant P value, and in relapse they were 16.14 +/- 11.17 28/48 (58.33%) P less than 0.001. The PEG precipitation test results were: 0.33 +/- 0.10, 8/22 (36.36%); 0.24 +/- 0.11, 10/48 (20.83%) and 0.28 +/- 0.10, 6/28 (21.42%), respectively. Thus the values of CIC as measured by PEG in the three clinical of phases ALL did not differ significantly from controls. This contrasts with results obtained by the radioiodinated C1q binding assay, where the incidence of positive values was significantly higher in induction and in relapse and lower in the remission phase. These observations were extended in sequential vertical studies performed in a group of patients. These results suggest that raised CIC detected by the 125I-C1q method may reflect a progressive state in ALL and that quantitation of these immune complexes may provide an adequate biochemical marker for prognosis.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗