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Biomedical subjects

N Baldini

Publications and source records attributed to N Baldini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Osteoblast growth and function in porous poly epsilon -caprolactone matrices for bone repair: a preliminary study.

Current methods for the replacement of skeletal tissue involve the use of autografts, allografts and, recently, synthetic substitutes, which provide a proper amount of material to repair large bone defects. Engineered bone seems a promising approach, but a number of variables have to be set prior to any clinical application. In this study, four different poly caprolactone-based polymers (PCL) were prepared and tested in vitro using osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Differences among three-dimensional polymers include porosity, addition of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles, and treatment with simulated body fluid. Biochemical parameters to assess cell/material interactions include viability, growth, alkaline phosphatase release, and mineralization of osteoblastic cells seeded onto three-dimensional samples, while their morphology was observed using light microscopy and SEM. Preliminary results show that the polymers, though degrading in the medium, have a positive interaction with cells, as they support cell growth and functions. In the short-term culture (3-7 days) of Saos-2 on polymers, little differences were found among PCL samples, with the presence of HA moderately improving the number of cells onto the surfaces. In the long term (3-4 weeks), it was found that the HA-added polymers obtained the best colonization by cells, and more mineral formation was observed after coating with SBF. It can be concluded that PCL is a promising material for three-dimensional scaffold for bone formation, and the presence of bone-like components improves osteoblast activity.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Normal human IgG prevents endothelial cell activation induced by TNFalpha and oxidized low-density lipoprotein atherogenic stimuli.

Normal human immunoglobulin G (IgG) has anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory properties, which are exploited in the therapy of selected diseases. A putative mechanisms of action is the direct regulation of endothelial cell function by natural antiendothelial cell antibodies. Endothelium activation is a critical event in atherosclerosis. We have verified the ability of normal human IgG to modulate endothelial responses to the atherogenic stimuli tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) in vitro. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD106) expression on endothelial cells, cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca++]i) modifications and fluorescein-coupled oxLDL internalization. Cytokine secretion was measured by ELISA on cell supernatants. IgG prevented TNFalpha induced CD106 membrane expression and an increase in [Ca++]i, and inhibited the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). IgG also inhibited CD106 expression induced by oxLDL and one pathway of their internalization, but were ineffective on oxLDL induced [Ca++]i rise and apoptosis. F(ab)'2 fragments from IgG, but not monoclonal IgG, reproduce IgG effects. These findings point to a regulatory role for specific antibodies included in circulating normal IgG towards proinflammatory responses of endothelial cells in atherogenesis and suggest possible development of new therapeutic strategies.

Apoptosis↗

Ion release in patients with metal-on-metal hip bearings in total joint replacement: a comparison with metal-on-polyethylene bearings.

Polyethylene (PE) wear has been shown to be a problem in long-term joint replacement using metal-on-PE bearing. The use of metallic heads articulating with metallic cups could solve this problem: success will be enhanced if wear and corrosion of the articulating surfaces are maintained at a low level. New models with metal-on-metal bearing have been proposed, to be used mainly for young subjects: such coupling seems to have a reduced release, but it is unclear yet if the medium-term corrosion rate is really negligible or, on the contrary, it is significantly higher than in the metal-on-PE bearing. Aim of our study was the comparison of ion release in the serum of two groups of patients who had the same type of stable cementless prosthesis, but different bearing: twenty-six patients with metal-on-metal (Group A) and fifteen patients with metal-on-PE bearing (Group B) were examined. The follow-up was 14-38 months for group A and 18-34 months for group B. The serum concentration of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) was measured. Twenty-two patients before surgery were used for comparison (Group C). The reference values were obtained from a population of twenty-two healthy subjects (Group D). Our findings indicate that metal-on-metal bearings produce a significantly higher systemic release of cobalt and chromium (ng/ml) when compared with levels found in metal-on-PE, pre-surgery and reference groups. Such a high release should induce to improve the bearing materials or, at least, to study the biologic fate of metal ions and consequently their long-term effects. In such a way a risk-to-benefit ratio for the patient could be established.

Adult↗

In vitro testing of the potential for orthopedic bone cements to cause apoptosis of osteoblast-like cells.

The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the apoptosis- and/or necrosis-inducing potential of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based bone cements for prosthetic surgery. Four bone cements widely used in orthopedics were tested as extracts onto osteoblast-like MG-63 cells and for comparison, HL-60 cells, which are remarkably sensitive to apoptotic stimuli. Neutral red uptake (NRU) was used to measure cell viability while Hoechst 33258 staining was used to detect DNA content. Apoptosis was characterized using a BrdU-based ELISA assay for DNA fragmentation and examined by fluorescence microscopy using acridine orange and propidium iodide staining of nuclei. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could mediate apoptosis, was verified using dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) oxidation to DCF. After 24 h of challenge of the cells with the four cement extracts, the viability of either MG-63 or HL-60 cells was found to be unaltered, as recorded by NRU. Apoptotic cell death was induced by three cements in HL-60, whereas MG-63 cells were significantly affected by the four cements tested: the finding of DNA fragments both in the cytoplasm and supernatants of MG-63 after 24 h demonstrated that these cells underwent late-apoptosis secondary necrosis. Fluorescent staining of the nuclei confirmed the results obtained with the ELISA test. Oxygen free radicals were elicited by two cements in HL-60 cells, while MG-63 did not generate ROS in response to cements. This study helps to gain more insight into the mechanism of cell death induced by PMMA-based cements and suggests apoptosis of osteoblasts as a part of the tissue reaction around cemented prostheses.

Apoptosis↗

Clone heterogeneity in diploid and aneuploid breast carcinomas as detected by FISH.

We investigated the relationship between DNA ploidy and alterations in chromosomes 1, 8, 12, 16, 17, and 18 in 63 breast carcinoma samples by static cytofluorometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Thirty specimens were diploid and 33 were aneuploid. In aneuploid samples, the DNA index value ranged from 1.3 to 3.1, with a main peak near tetraploid values. Diploid clones were present in 21 of 33 aneuploid specimens. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed a heterogeneous degree of alterations in diploid specimens: one sample was normal, 16 samples had one to three chromosome alterations involving mostly chromosomes 1, 16, and 17, and 13 samples an even higher degree of alterations. The 33 aneuploid specimens showed a very high number of signals (four, five, or more). All the investigated chromosomes were affected in 23 of 33 specimens. Alterations in chromosomes 1 and 17 were detected to a similar percentage in diploid and aneuploid samples, whereas chromosome 16 monosomy was more frequent in diploid samples. Overrepresentation of chromosomes 8, 12, 16, and 18 was significantly higher in aneuploid than in diploid samples. Based on these results, we suggest that diploid and aneuploid breast carcinomas are genetically related. Chromosome 1 and 17 alterations and chromosome 16 monosomy are early changes. Allelic and chromosomal accumulations occur during progression of breast carcinoma by different mechanisms. The high clone heterogeneity found in 17 of 33 aneuploid samples could not be completely explained by endoreduplication and led to the suggestion that chromosomal instability concurs with aneuploidy development. This different evolutionary pathway might be clinically relevant because clone heterogeneity might cause metastasis development and resistance to therapy.

Aneuploidy↗

Simultaneous paired analysis of numerical chromosomal aberrations and DNA content in osteosarcoma.

Relatively little is known about the biologic relevance of numerical chromosomal changes in relation to DNA content in osteosarcoma. In this study, by using a series of human osteosarcoma cell lines, we standardized a method for the assessment, on the same nuclei specimen, of both specific chromosome copy numbers by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the DNA content by static cytofluorometry or image cytometry. On the same cell lines, we also evaluated the DNA content by using flow cytometry and the chromosome number distribution by metaphase analysis. Comparison between these different methods showed that DNA ploidy level as determined by FISH or metaphase analysis is frequently lower than the ploidy pattern as defined by cytometric methods. By using comparative genomic hybridization, we were able to demonstrate that these discrepancies were due to the presence of several unbalanced chromosome aberrations, specifically gains and high-level amplifications, which affect the total DNA content with less effect on the total chromosome number. Thus, evaluation of DNA ploidy in osteosarcoma cells is needed for a correct interpretation of FISH or cytogenetic data concerning numerical chromosomal changes. Evaluation of tumor ploidy in a series of clinical samples demonstrated that in high-grade osteosarcoma, flow cytometry sometimes may give false results because of the presence of high proportions of contaminating, nonneoplastic cells that cannot be excluded from the flow cytometric assessment but that do not interfere with the evaluation of DNA ploidy by static cytofluorometry or image cytometry, in which only tumor cells are selected for the analysis. The possibility of using this method to evaluate, on the same nuclei sample, both specific chromosomal aberrations and DNA ploidy may allow a better determination of numerical chromosomal changes that may be relevant for the biologic behavior of osteosarcoma.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Inhibition of insulin-like growth factor I receptor increases the antitumor activity of doxorubicin and vincristine against Ewing's sarcoma cells.

Innovative treatment modalities are needed for Ewing's sarcoma (ES), a neoplasm with a disappointingly low survival rate despite the use of aggressive multimodal therapeutic approaches. We and others (D. Yee et al., J. Clin. Investig., 86: 1806-1814, 1990; K. Scotlandi et al., Cancer Res., 56: 4570-4574, 1996) have previously shown the existence and the pathogenetic relevance of an autocrine loop, mediated by the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR), which is crucial for survival and proliferation of ES cells in vitro. Moreover, we reported that the IGF-IR-blocking monoclonal antibody (MAb), alphaIR3, as well as suramin, a drug that can interfere with growth factor by binding to the receptors, inhibited both the tumorigenic and the metastatic ability of ES cells in athymic mice. In this study, we analyzed whether agents that can block the IGF-IR-mediated loop are of value in association with conventional cytotoxic drugs for the design of more effective therapeutic regimens. Both alphaIR3 MAb and suramin treatment significantly increased the antitumor in vitro effects of doxorubicin and vincristine, two drugs with a leader action on ES. These findings were obtained by both simultaneous and sequential treatments. Analysis of the proliferation rate and of apoptosis revealed that alphaIR3 MAb and suramin significantly enhanced the G(1)-phase rate induced by doxorubicin, without substantially affecting doxorubicin-G(2)-M-blockage of cell cycle, and significantly increased the induction of apoptosis, which confirmed that the specific blockage of IGF-IR deprives ES cells of an important tool for the prevention of drug-induced apoptosis. Moreover, combination treatments of doxorubicin plus alphaIR3 MAb significantly increase the doxorubicin-induced impairment of the ability of ES cells to form colonies in soft agar. In conclusion, we showed that, in ES, the blockage of IGF-IR by a neutralizing MAb or by suramin may greatly potentiate the antitumor activity of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

CD99 engagement: an effective therapeutic strategy for Ewing tumors.

CD99 is a Mr 32,000 transmembrane molecule that shows a high level of expression on cells of the hemopoietic system as well as on Ewing tumor cells. Within the hematopoietic system, CD99 has been implicated in cell adhesion and cell death, participating in this way in the differentiation of T-cell precursors. In this study, we demonstrate that engagement of CD99 significantly inhibits the in vitro and in vivo growth ability of Ewing tumor cells by delivering an apoptotic stimulus and reducing the malignant potential of these cells. Moreover, we show that anti-CD99 monoclonal antibodies may be advantageously used in association with conventional anticancer agents. These results provide a novel entry site for therapeutic intervention, which may have application in the care of patients with Ewing tumor, and warrant additional studies to clarify the molecular mechanisms activated by CD99 engagement.

12E7 Antigen↗

Identification of EWS/FLI-1 transcripts in giant-cell tumor of bone.

The EWS/FLI-1 fusion gene, resulting from a t(11;22) translocation, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma. We demonstrate the presence of EWS/FLI-1 hybrid transcripts also in giant-cell tumor, a bone neoplasm featuring intermediate characteristics between benign and malignant lesions. Chimeric products were detected by semi-nested PCR after 2 cycles of amplification in 13/15 cases of giant-cell tumor, and their presence was confirmed by Southern and Western blots and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Moreover, 3/8 primary cultures of giant-cell tumor showed the same type of hybrid transcript observed in the original tumor sample. Sequencing of PCR products confirmed the presence of EWS and FLI-1 sequences in these products. Detection of EWS/FLI-1 fusion transcripts in giant-cell tumor of bone provides a model for the study of the transforming mechanisms of the EWS/FLI-1 fusion gene in mesenchymal tumors.

Adolescent↗

The expression of Met/hepatocyte growth factor receptor gene in giant cell tumors of bone and other benign musculoskeletal tumors.

Overexpression of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met/HGF receptor), a transmembrane tyrosine kinase encoded by the MET proto-oncogene, is involved in transformation and invasive behavior of human carcinomas and sarcomas. We have previously found that bone sarcomas express high levels of Met/HGF receptor while in some cases the ligand HGF is co-expressed with the receptor, activating an autocrine loop. In this study, we analyzed 40 biopsy samples of a collection of giant cell tumors and other rare benign tumors of bone for expression of the MET proto-oncogene. These included nonossifying fibromas, osteoblastomas, desmoplastic fibromas of bone, chondroblastomas, and giant cell tumors of bone. Snap frozen samples were tested for the MET and HGF gene expression by immuno-histochemistry and Western blotting with anti-MET antibodies and RT-PCR. Over 50% of all cases scored positive for MET expression being constantly positive in recurrent or locally aggressive lesions. Sporadic co-expression of the Met/HGF receptor and ligand is also demonstrated. Met/HGF receptor expression in benign bone neoplasms suggests its early involvement in sarcomagenesis.

Adult↗

Murine model for skeletal metastases of Ewing's sarcoma.

Ewing's sarcoma shows a strong tendency to metastasize to the lungs or the skeleton, or both. A peculiar feature of the secondary involvement of bone with this tumor is that it may also appear in the absence of clinically evident lung metastases, both at clinical presentation and during the course of the disease. Although osseous metastases are critically relevant for prognosis, the pathogenesis of this peculiar feature of Ewing's sarcoma is poorly understood, partly due to the lack of appropriate experimental in vivo models. We show that the intravenous injection of TC-71 Ewing's sarcoma cells into athymic 4-5-week-old Crl/nu/nu (CD1) BR mice reproducibly colonizes specific sites of the skeleton in addition to the lungs and lymph nodes. The distribution and the morphologic appearance of these experimental bone metastases mimic the pattern of skeletal involvement observed in humans. This experimental model of bone metastasis of Ewing's sarcoma may be the basis for future studies aimed at understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of Ewing's sarcoma.

12E7 Antigen↗

Reversal of malignant phenotype in human osteosarcoma cells transduced with the alkaline phosphatase gene.

Alkaline phosphatases are a family of glycoproteins that are able to hydrolize various monophosphate esters at a high pH optimum. Liver/bone/kidney (L/B/K) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is one of the four major isoenzymes that belong to this family. Apart from its role in normal bone mineralization, other functions of L/B/K ALP remain obscure, both in physiological and in neoplastic conditions, including the bone-forming tumor osteosarcoma. In this study, we transfected the U-2 OS osteosarcoma cell line, which does not show any basal expression of this enzyme, with the full-length gene of L/B/K ALP, and analyzed the in vitro and in vivo features of four transfectants showing different expression of L/B/K ALP. A reduced in vitro ability to invade Matrigel and to grow in a semi-solid medium, together with a lower tumorigenic and metastatic ability in athymic mice, was found to be associated with a high level of cell surface L/B/K ALP activity. Moreover, L/B/K ALP transfectants showed a reduced secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 enzyme. These findings indicate a loss of aggressiveness of osteosarcoma cells after the expression of L/B/K ALP on their surface and suggest a new role for this enzyme.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Prognostic significance of nuclear accumulation of c-myc and mdm2 proteins in synovial sarcoma of the extremities.

We retrospectively analysed a group of primary tumours from 32 patients with synovial sarcomas of the extremities by using immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue samples in order to investigate the prognostic significance of the nuclear accumulation of c-myc and mdm2 proteins. Nuclear positive immunostaining for c-myc or mdm2 proteins were revealed in 9/32 cases (28%) and in 6/30 cases (20%), respectively. Since c-myc protein appears to be a key factor for keeping cells in an active proliferative stage, we also analysed the growth compartment of each tumour by using the MIB1 monoclonal antibody, specific for Ki-67 antigen. A high MIB1 index was found in 8/31 cases (26%) but was not associated either with c-myc or mdm2 nuclear positivity. Analysis of clinical outcome was performed in a subgroup of 27 patients with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Among the clinicopathologic parameters and the biological markers, only the nuclear accumulation of c-myc was significantly associated with a higher relapse rate (p = 0.03). Accordingly, survival analysis confirmed a trend toward a poor event-free survival rate and a worse outcome in c-myc-positive cases (p = 0.12). These data demonstrate that assessment of c-myc nuclear accumulation can be useful to identify high-risk subsets of patients with synovial sarcoma of the extremities.

Adolescent↗

c-erbB-2 over-expression in amplified and non-amplified breast carcinoma samples.

We investigated c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification and over-expression in 79 invasive breast carcinoma samples using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry, with the aim of studying relationships between neoplasms over-expressing c-erbB-2 with or without amplification and bio-pathological parameters used in clinical breast cancer. Nineteen samples showed amplification, and all of these were positive by immuno-histochemistry. Moderate or intense immunostaining was present in a further 22 samples without c-erbB-2 amplification and was not related to any increased number of c-erbB-2 signals: 15 samples exhibited chromosome 17 polysomy, 3 monosomy and 4 no FISH abnormalities. Thirty-eight samples were immunonegative: 18 exhibited chromosome 17 polysomy, 9 monosomy and 11 no alterations. Samples having c-erbB-2 over-expression associated with amplification showed DNA aneuploidy and hormonal receptor loss to a greater extent than those expressing c-erbB-2 without amplification or immunonegative samples (chi2 test, p = 0.007, 0.008 and 0.008, respectively). The proliferation rate, detected by Ag-NOR staining, was highest in amplified samples (Kruskal Wallis test, p = 0.009). Our results indicate that tumours showing both c-erbB-2 over-expression and amplification exhibit more aggressive biological characteristics than those with only over-expression or immunonegative tumours. Since both c-erbB-2 amplification and over-expression have been related to negative responses to chemotherapy and poor prognosis, these differences might have clinical implications. The combination of FISH and immuno-histochemistry may be helpful to achieve this aim.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Redundancy of autocrine loops in human osteosarcoma cells.

With the aim of identifying innovative therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma patients who are refractory to conventional chemotherapy, we analyzed the in vitro effects of the blockage of autocrine circuits. Since the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR)-mediated loop is relevant to the growth of osteosarcoma, we analyzed the activity of the IGF-IR-blocking antibody alphaIR3 in both sensitive and multidrug-resistant osteosarcoma cell lines. Only limited effects, however, were observed, suggesting the simultaneous existence of other autocrine circuits. Indeed, in a representative panel of 12 human osteosarcoma cell lines, in addition to the IGF-IR-mediated circuit, we demonstrated also a loop mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor as well as the presence of nerve growth factor, low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor as well as tyrosine receptor kinase A in the great majority of osteosarcomas. Therapies based on the inhibition of single circuits may have only limited effects in osteosarcoma, whereas the use of suramin, a drug which, besides other activities, non-selectively interferes with the binding of growth factors to their receptors, appears as a promising alternative, in both sensitive and drug-resistant osteosarcoma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The expression of P-glycoprotein is causally related to a less aggressive phenotype in human osteosarcoma cells.

The relationship between P-glycoprotein expression and malignancy is controversial. We have recently found that, in osteosarcoma, multidrug resistance (MDR) is associated with a less aggressive behavior, both in vitro and in clinical settings. In this study, we evaluated whether P-glycoprotein overexpression has a cause-effect relationship with the reduced metastatic potential of MDR cells, or rather reflects a more complex phenotype. MDR1 gene-transfected osteosarcoma cell clones, showing different levels of P-glycoprotein expression, were analysed for their in vitro characteristics and their tumorigenic and metastatic ability in athymic mice. Apart from the different levels of P-glycoprotein, no significant change in the expression of surface antigens or in the differentiative features were observed in the MDR1 gene transfectants compared to the parental cell lines or control clones, obtained by transfection with neo gene alone. In contrast to controls, however, MDR1 transfectants showed a significantly lower ability to grow in semi-solid medium and were completely unable to grow and give lung metastases in athymic mice. These findings indicate that P-glycoprotein overexpression is causally associated with a low malignant potential of osteosarcoma cells, and open new insights on the role and functions of P-glycoprotein activity.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

P-glycoprotein expression in osteosarcoma: a basis for risk-adapted adjuvant chemotherapy.

Previous reports on osteosarcomas treated with multi-agent chemotherapy have shown that P-glycoprotein expression is a reliable prognostic indicator. The current thinking is that, of the several agents used for the treatment of osteosarcoma, only doxorubicin is involved in drug resistance mediated by P-glycoprotein. This study examines the relationship of P-glycoprotein expression to clinical outcome in osteosarcomas, treated only with doxorubicin in addition to surgery, to determine if the prognostic significance of P-glycoprotein expression reflects the ability of osteosarcoma to respond to this drug. The expression of P-glycoprotein in tumor specimens was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 37 nonmetastatic, operable osteosarcomas treated at a single institution with doxorubicin as a single adjuvant drug. The P-glycoprotein status was analysed in relation to the length of event-free survival. A widespread pattern of P-glycoprotein expression in tumor cells at diagnosis was significantly associated with a higher rate of systemic relapse (p < 0.001). On comparison of this group of patients with a similar series of 92 patients, all treated with multi-agent chemotherapy plus surgery of the primary lesion and previously analysed for P-glycoprotein status, only P-glycoprotein-positive, doxorubicin-resistant tumors consistently benefited from the addition of drugs other than doxorubicin (p < 0.001). Osteosarcomas with different abilities to respond to adjuvant chemotherapy can be identified by the expression of P-glycoprotein in tumor cells at the clinical onset. P-glycoprotein status may serve as a basis for risk-adapted, individualized therapeutic regimens. Standard programs are sufficient for P-glycoprotein-negative osteosarcomas, whereas P-glycoprotein-positive tumors may benefit from the use of more intensive therapeutic approaches.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Relationship between P-glycoprotein expression and p53 status in high-grade osteosarcoma.

The transcription of MDR1 gene may be increased by mutation or loss of function of p53 gene. In this study, we investigated whether in osteosarcoma, the p53 status is correlated with overexpression of the MDR1 gene product P-glycoprotein. The relationship between P-glycoprotein expression and p53 status was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 64 primary and 11 metastatic high-grade osteosarcomas. In the same series, we also assessed the nuclear accumulation of MDM2 protein, whose binding to p53 protein provides an alternative mechanism of p53 inactivation. No association was found between mutant-p53 and MDM2 nuclear accumulation either with P-glycoprotein expression or with clinical course. Only increased expression of P-glycoprotein in tumor cells was significantly associated with a poor outcome, further supporting the adverse prognostic value of this marker in osteosarcoma.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗