PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

O L Podhajcer

Publications and source records attributed to O L Podhajcer.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

In vitro analysis of the cellular proliferative response to 17-beta-estradiol of human breast cancer.

In human breast cancer the proliferating cells appear to differ from those containing estrogen receptors (ER) as shown by studies on isolated cellular subpopulations. In this paper the in vitro effect of 17-beta-estradiol on cell proliferation in 30 primary breast tumors was studied. The effect of several estradiol concentrations was assayed, and the influence of diethylstilbestrol, tamoxifen, and nafoxidine was also tested. The response to these compounds was measured through the thymidine labeling index (TLI). When exposed to 10(-9) mol/l and 10(-8) mol/l estradiol, 14 of 19 ER-positive tumors and six of 11 ER-negative tumors were induced to further proliferate. The TLI increase over the control was 219% (P less than 0.05) at 10(-9) mol/l E2 and 258% (P less than 0.05) at 10(-8) mol/l E2 for ER-positive tumors, and 233% (0.1 less than P less than 0.2) at 10(-9) mol/l E2 and 321% (0.1 less than P less than 0.2) at 10(-8) mol/l E2 for ER-negative tumors. The addition of diethylstilbestrol and antiestrogens in vitro inhibited, to varying degrees, the estradiol-induced increase in the TLI irrespective of the ER-status. The response to E2 was correlated with the expression of the ras p21 protein and carcinoembryonic antigen. It was found that the ras p21 protein is preferentially expressed in ER-negative tumors, the opposite being true for carcinoembryonic antigen. The ras p21 protein is preferentially expressed in those ER-positive tumors that do not respond to estradiol with an increase in the TLI.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Effect of estradiol and tamoxifen on the anchorage-independent growth of the subpopulations derived from MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells: cytogenetic analysis of the stem cell subpopulation.

The MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line can be separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation into several subpopulations, A to F, one of which (E) has been previously suggested to be highly enriched in stem cells. The anchorage-independent growth of the different fractions and its sensitivity to estradiol (E2) and tamoxifen (TAM) was assayed. The anchorage-independent growth capacity of the different fractions was E greater than A greater than B greater than D greater than C,F. The E fraction had the highest clonogenic index (6.62 +/- 1.18) and was unaffected by E2 or TAM. The karyotypic analysis of the E fraction revealed features similar to those of the unfractionated cell line. It is suggested that the high growth rate of fraction E is due to an enrichment in stem cells and not to the existence of a different clone.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Subpopulations of MCF7 cells separated by Percoll gradient centrifugation: a model to analyze the heterogeneity of human breast cancer.

Exponentially growing MCF7 human breast cancer cells were separated in Percoll gradients into six different fractions of increasing density (A to F). These fractions could be subcultured and were found to contain different cellular subpopulations as defined by the following criteria: ability to generate other cellular subpopulations; growth rate; DNA synthesis; and expression of estrogen receptors, ras oncogene-encoded protein p21, and carcinoembryonic antigen. One of the minor fractions (E), which contained about 5% of the total cell number, appeared to contain the stem cells, on the basis of the following criteria: (i) its ability to reproduce the other cellular subpopulations, (ii) its high rate of growth and DNA synthesis, and (iii) the inability of the other subpopulations to generate it. The most differentiated subpopulation appeared to be the densest one (F), since it was the slowest growing and appeared to be the end point of the other subpopulations.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Determination of DNA synthesis, estrogen receptors, and carcinoembryonic antigen in isolated cellular subpopulations of human breast cancer.

Primary breast adenocarcinomas obtained from ten patients were enzymatically digested using collagenase (1 mg/ml), hyaluronidase (1 mg/ml), elastase (0.1 mg/ml) and DNAse (0.2 mg/ml). The tumor cells were labeled with 3H-thymidine and, in some cases, with 3H-estradiol. The isolated cells were submitted successively to a Ficoll-Hypaque and a bovine serum albumin gradient, from which 12 fractions were obtained. In each fraction, several characteristics were determined: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), thymidine (dThd) incorporation, and estrogen receptors (ER). Three main cellular subpopulations were characterized: An intermediate density subpopulation (1.046-1.054 g/ml), in which the proliferating cells are concentrated. In this subpopulation a small number of CEA-positive cells are present, but ER containing cells are virtually absent. A high-density, small cell subpopulation that concentrates most of the ER-containing cells. This subpopulation lacks proliferating cells, but CEA-containing cells are abundant. A low-density subpopulation, lacking proliferating cells and with scarce ER-positive cells, although CEA-positive cells are frequent. These findings strongly suggest that proliferating cells lack ER.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Characterization of lysosomal acid phosphatase from normal and malignant mammary tissue.

Acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) isoenzyme 3 was purified from normal and malignant human mammary tissue and its properties in each were compared. The relative molecular mass of each was 53 000, as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Several phosphomonoesters are good substrates for the isoenzymes, whereas organic and inorganic pyrophosphates and phosphoryl choline are hydrolyzed very slowly or not detectably. The optimum pH for interaction of these isoenzymes with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate ranges from 3.5 to 4.5. L-(+)-Tartrate is a very strong inhibitor, Ki = 0.028 +/- 0.04 mmol/L (mean +/- SE), as are mercuric and fluoride ions in low concentrations. We conclude that type 3 isoenzymes obtained from normal and malignant tissue are very similar, though the malignant tissue appears to have a greater proportion of this type than does normal tissue.

Acid Phosphatase↗

A prostatic-like acid phosphatase is present in human lactating milk.

The presence of a prostatic-like acid phosphatase is reported in human lactating milk. Its activity is associated with skim milk and it could be separated from the other acid phosphatases only after Triton X-100 treatment. By all the criteria applied, it appears to be very similar to prostatic acid phosphatase. An approximate molecular weight of 96 000 was measured for the native enzyme, which is inhibited by L-(+)tartrate and has similar electrophoretic migration. Besides, it hydrolyzes choline-o-phosphate very well and cross-reacts with an antibody anti-prostatic acid phosphatase. This prostatic-like acid phosphatase has also been detected in a human mammary carcinoma from a lactating patient.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Acid phosphatase in human breast cancer tissue.

When the total acid phosphatase (AP) activity of mammary carcinoma was compared with those of benign pathology and normal mammary tissue the results showed statistically significant differences (P less than 0.05) when expressed per milligram of protein: 358 +/- 42 nmoles per hour (mean +/- standard error) in the malignant tumor, 216 +/- 30 in the benign pathology, and 96 +/- 45 in normal tissue and when expressed per milligram of DNA: 1858 +/- 234, 1227 +/- 140, 695 +/- 345 nmoles per hour, respectively. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profiles showed different levels of isoenzymes 3 and 4 in the three tissue groups. The appearance of isoenzyme 1 is reported after treatment of the homogenates with 5% Triton X-100. It was also found by counterimmunoelectrophoresis that the 28,000 Xg mammary tumor supernatant cross reacts with an antiserum raised against AP isoenzyme 2 although the mammary tissue does not contain such an isoenzyme. To elucidate this point, isoenzymes 1, 3 and 4 were separated by columns of Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-Sephadex. By counterimmunoelectrophoresis, it was observed that only the fraction containing isoenzyme 4 cross-reacted with the antiserum anti-AP isoenzyme 2 maintaining the catalytic activity.

Acid Phosphatase↗

A high-molecular weight complex with acid phosphatase activity in human breast cancer.

The presence of a high-molecular weight complex with acid phosphatase activity in the cytosol of human mammary tumors is reported. This complex appeared in the cytosol after tissue homogenization in the presence of dithiotreitol, with or without Triton X-100 and at acidic or neutral pH. Upon gel electrophoresis, this fraction showed only one band of enzyme activity which did not enter the fine pore gel. Lubrol or n-butanol had no apparent effect on this complex, and 8 M urea or 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate did not disaggregate this large molecule. After purification by gel filtration, ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography an apparent molecular weight or 10(6) was measured. It hydrolyzed typical acid phosphatase substrates such as p-NPP and alpha-NP, but also ATP and PPi. Only 44% inhibition was observed with L-(+)tartrate and it was still 40% active after 1 hr incubation at 60 degrees C. Reduction in the presence of SDS yielded several polypeptide bands. It was also detected in some samples of normal mammary tissues, but not in normal human placenta or liver.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Effect of liposome-encapsulated quercetin on DNA synthesis, lactate production, and cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate level in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

Quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) entrapped within phospholipid vesicles inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation and lactate production in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The presence of serum proteins in concentrations of up to 40 mg/ml did not alter the extent of the inhibitory effect of the liposome-entrapped flavone. At the same concentrations, serum proteins eliminated almost completely the inhibitory effects of the free quercetin on these metabolic processes. Prolonged sonication and different lipid compositions of the liposomes did not increase the inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation by the entrapped quercetin in the presence of serum albumin. On the other hand, serum albumin eliminated the elevation of the cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate level in these cells produced by both free and liposome-entrapped flavone. Attachment between Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and quercetin-loaded liposomes is demonstrated in negatively stained electron micrographs. The liposomes ranged in size from 50 to 100 nm. After 10 min of incubation, these liposomes were distributed randomly on the cell surface at distances of 100 to 200 nm.

Animals↗

A novel metalloproteinase gene specifically expressed in stromal cells of breast carcinomas.

A gene has been identified that is expressed specifically in stromal cells surrounding invasive breast carcinomas. On the basis of its sequence, the product of this gene, named stromelysin-3, is a new member of the family of metalloproteinase enzymes which degrade the extracellular matrix. The suggestion is that stromelysin-3 is one of the stroma-derived factors that have long been postulated to play an important part in progression of epithelial malignancies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Different efficacy of in vivo herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene transduction and ganciclovir treatment on the inhibition of tumor growth of murine and human melanoma cells and rat glioblastoma cells.

Initial studies have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment of in vivo transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene followed by ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. However, recent studies have questioned the validity of this approach. Using retroviral vector-producing cells (VPC) as a source for in vivo gene transfer, we evaluated the efficacy of in vivo transduction of malignant cells using three different tumor cell models: B16 murine and IIB-MEL-LES human melanomas and a C6 rat glioblastoma. In vitro studies showed a bystander effect only in C6 cells. In vivo studies showed an inhibition of tumor growth in the two melanoma models when tumor cells were coinjected with VPC-producing retroviral vectors carrying the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene, followed by GCV treatment; however, 100% of mice developed tumors in both models. Under similar experimental conditions, 70% (7 of 10) of syngeneic rats completely rejected stereotactically transferred C6 tumor cells; most of them (5 of 10) showed a prolonged survival. Treating established C6 tumors with VPC-producing retroviral vectors carrying the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene and GCV led to the cure of 33% (4 of 12) of the animals. Rats that rejected tumor growth developed an antitumor immune memory, leading to a rejection of a stereotactic contralateral challenge with parental cells. The immune infiltrate, which showed the presence of T lymphocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear cells at the site of the first injection and mainly T lymphocytes and macrophages at the site of tumor challenge, strengthened the importance of the immune system in achieving complete tumor rejection.

Animals↗

Description of a new monoclonal antibody, FC-2.15, reactive with human breast cancer and other human neoplasias.

FC-2.15 is an IgM monoclonal antibody (MAb) obtained by immunizing Balb/c mice with tumor epithelial cells from a human undifferentiated primary breast carcinoma. FC-2.15 reacts with 93.9% (31/33) of human breast primary tumors, independently of their histology and hormone receptor content. Moreover, FC-2.15 reacts with 79.6 +/- 13.8% (mean +/- SD) of total breast malignant tumor cells and with 88.7 +/- 9.9% of proliferating tumor cells. It recognizes other neoplasia such as colon cancer, squamous carcinoma and melanoma. Among the normal tissues examined, strong cross-reactivity was found with kidney proximal convolute tubules, bone marrow myeloid progeny, peripheral granulocytes and large bowel epithelium. Through Western blots, FC-2.15 recognizes three major bands of Mr 160 kDa, 130 kDa and 115 kDa in membrane extracts of MCF-7 cells grown in nude mice and of human breast carcinoma and three major bands of 250 kDa, 185 kDa and 105 kDa in membrane extracts of peripheral granulocytes. This MAb mediates complement- cytotoxicity against malignant cells, reducing the clonogenic capacity of breast primary tumor cells and MCF-7 cells to 35.6 +/- 41.2% and 11.7 +/- 4.8% of control values respectively, whereas that of normal bone marrow cells is not affected (104.7 +/- 17.4%).

Animals↗