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Biomedical subjects

R K Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to R K Gupta.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Effect of ASTA-Z 7575 (INN Maphosphamide) on human lymphokine-activated killer cell induction.

Recent studies combining chemotherapeutic agents with various biological response modifiers for the treatment of cancer have shown promising results. Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is the most widely used alkylating agent and a major constituent of combination chemotherapy regimens for many neoplastic diseases. It has been reported that Cy is a cytotoxic drug, which becomes immunosuppressive at higher doses. A synthetic metabolite of Cy, ASTA-Z, has recently been produced. ASTA-Z is more active and stable by itself and does not need to be metabolically converted to an active compound. The combined effect of Cy and interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the induction of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells is not known. Therefore, we decided to investigate the effect of ASTA-Z on the induction and function of LAK. The coculture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with various concentrations of ASTA-Z (0, 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) dilution) and IL-2 (50 U/ml) for 4 days produced significant suppression of cytotoxicity and lytic ability of the LAK cells against NK-sensitive (K562) and NK-resistant (M14) tumor cell lines. The lower doses of ASTA-Z did not affect the generation of LAK cells, its cytotoxicity and lytic ability of ASTA-Z against both NK-sensitive and NK-resistant tumor cell lines. Furthermore, the ASTA-Z produced dose-dependent suppression of the proliferative response of LAK cells. The significant therapeutic benefit in the cancer patient may be achieved by the low dose regimen of Cy and IL-2 because it has no deleterious effect on the induction and function of LAK cells.

Cyclophosphamide↗

Epstein-Barr virus infection and bcl-2 proto-oncogene expression. Separate events in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease?

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether Epstein-Barr virus-(EBV) encoded latent membrane protein (LMP) induces the expression of BCL-2 in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and thereby provide a possible mechanism for the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of this disease. Fifty-three cases of HD were studied for the presence of EBV using EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization and LMP immunohistochemistry. Immunostaining for BCL-2 on paraffin material was performed using microwave treatment of tissue sections before the application of the primary monoclonal antibody. EBV was located in HRS cells in 16 cases (30%). All cases that were EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization positive, also expressed LMP. BCL-2 expression in HRS cells was detected in 16 cases (30%), but only two of these were also EBV-positive. In both of these cases, only occasional HRS cells expressed BCL-2, in contrast to LMP, which was detected in nearly all such cells. BCL-2 staining was predominantly cytoplasmic with some membrane pattern. These results demonstrate that BCL-2 expression can be detected in HRS cells in routinely processed HD tissue and that whereas EBV does not induce the expression of BCL-2 in HD, BCL-2 may have a role in the pathogenesis of EBV-negative cases of HD.

Adolescent↗

p53 protein expression in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is perceived to be a malignant disease of the lymphoid system. One of the main obstacles into the investigation of the cell biology of Hodgkin's disease is the relative paucity of Reed-Sternberg cells (or variants), the presumed neoplastic component of this condition, which often make up less than 1% of the total cell number.

Cell Nucleus↗

Mitoxantrone and cytosine arabinoside as treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at first recurrence.

A total of 107 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) were referred to the ICRF Department of Medical Oncology at St Bartholomew's Hospital between August 1986 and July 1989. Of those referred, 92 (87%) were treated with remission induction chemotherapy comprising: Adriamycin, cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) and 6-thioguanine if aged < 60 years (57 patients) or mitoxantrone (MTN) and ara-C if aged > 60 years (35 patients). Of those treated, 54 (58%) entered complete remission (CR). Recurrent AML developed in 38 out of these 54 patients (70%) of whom 25 aged 19-73 years (median 50 years) subsequently received MTN and ara-C as reinduction therapy. The 19 younger patients (under 60 years old) received MTN at 12 mg/m2, intravenously, daily for 5 days and ara-C at 100 mg/m2, intravenously, twice daily for 7 days. The six older patients received the same ara-C schedule but the dose of MTN was reduced to 10 mg/m2 for 5 days. Second CR was achieved in 16 out of 25 patients (64%) [12/19 (63%) and 4/6 (67%) for patients aged under or over 60 years, respectively]. Eight of the patients in whom second CR was achieved were aged under 50 years and were thus eligible for additional consolidation comprising myeloablative therapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Four patients actually received the latter treatment: two remain in second CR at 21 and 46 months. Three of the remaining eight patients aged > 50 years in whom second CR was achieved remain in second CR 8 to 43 months later. Censored for myeloablative therapy + ABMT, the overall median duration of second CR was 5 months. Although remissions tended to be short, in younger patients the possibility of proceeding to myeloablative therapy with autologous bone marrow support makes the regimen worthwhile and, even in older patients, it was sometimes possible to achieve prolonged second remissions.

Adolescent↗

Compatibility of army face paint and insect repellent formulation.

The compatibility studies of a new controlled-release repellent formulation (NSN 6840-01-284-3982, insect repellent personal application) and a new camouflage face paint (NSN 6850-01-262-0635) indicated that the repellent did not interfere with the use of face paints when repellent was applied first, and the face paints did not reduce the effectiveness of the repellent against mosquitoes.

Aedes↗

Magnetic resonance imaging and localized in vivo proton spectroscopy in patients with fulminant hepatic failure.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in vivo proton spectroscopic changes in the brain in three patients with fulminant hepatic failure are described. MRI showed cerebral atrophy in two and changes somewhat similar to what have been described in chronic hepatic encephalopathy. MR spectroscopy showed low myoinositol with high glutamine in grade IV coma, which returned to normal as patient showed clinical recovery. We conclude that these techniques will be useful in understanding the complex pathophysiology of fulminant hepatic failure.

Adult↗

Lead inhibits 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 regulation of calcium metabolism in osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8).

We have determined the dose-response of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on the intracellular free calcium-ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells, ROS 17/2.8, using 19F-NMR and the intracellular divalent cation indicator, 1,2-bis(2-amino-5-fluorophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (5F-BAPTA). The dose-response demonstrated an inverted U-shaped relationship with maximal elevation of [Ca2+]i at doses of 1 to 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3. At 10 nM, 1,25-(OH)2D3 elevated the [Ca2+]i from a control level of 118 +/- 4 nM to a peak value of 237 +/- 8 nM within 40 min. 1,25-(OH)2D3 also increased the initial rate of Ca2+ influx into ROS 17/2.8 cells, measured by 45Ca uptake, with a dose-response relationship which paralleled its effect on [Ca2+]i. Treatment of ROS 17/2.8 cells with Pb2+ at 1 and 5 microM significantly increased [Ca2+]i but significantly reduced the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i. Simultaneous treatment of naive cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3 and Pb2+ produce little reduction of 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced 45Ca uptake while 40 min treatment with Pb2+ before addition of 1,25-(OH)2D3 significantly reduced the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced increase in 45Ca influx. These findings suggest that Pb2+ acts by inhibiting 1,25-(OH)2D3-activation of Ca2+ channels and interferes with 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulation of Ca2+ metabolism in osteoblastic bone cells.

Animals↗

Cocaine induces intracellular free Mg deficits, ischemia and stroke as observed by in-vivo 31P-NMR of the brain.

31P-NMR spectroscopic studies were performed in vivo on brains of rats administered cocaine. Cocaine.HCl (1-5 mg/kg) administered systemically to lightly anesthetized rats resulted in significant and progressive deficits in whole brain intracellular free Mg ([Mg2+]i). Intracellular pH (pHi) also fell in a progressive manner but only after a significant fall in brain [Mg2+]i was noted. Both [Mg2+]i and pHi returned to normal in most rats. Brains of rats that exhibited stroke-like events, however, demonstrated continued intracellular acidosis associated with progressive loss of phosphocreatine and elevation of Pi up until death. These observations are consistent with the tenet that injection of cocaine can result in severe cerebral vasospasm, ischemia and rupture of cerebral blood vessels as a consequence of depletion of brain [Mg2+]i.

Animals↗

Direct sequence analysis of the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation in Hodgkin's disease.

There have been conflicting reports about the occurrence of the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation in Hodgkin's disease. A polymerase chain reaction analysis of biopsy specimens from 21 patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) has shown the presence of the t(14;18) translocation in four cases (20%). All four patients had nodular sclerosing HD. Direct sequencing of the amplified 14q+ junctions established that the BCL-2 (major breakpoint region) sequence was fused to an Ig joining region (JH) (J6 in all four cases). Different breakpoints were observed in each case but were similar in nature to the breakpoints described in follicular lymphoma. The exact nature and cell of origin in HD remains obscure, although the presence of the t(14;18) translocation may reflect either a B-cell origin in these cases or associated lymphoid hyperplasia.

Adolescent↗

Multinuclear NMR studies of intracellular cations in perfused hypertensive rat kidney.

We have investigated hypertension-associated alterations in intracellular cations in the kidney by measuring intracellular pH, free Mg2+, free Ca2+, and Na+ concentrations in perfused normotensive and hypertensive rat (8-14 weeks old) kidneys using 31P, 19F, and double quantum-filtered (DQ) 23Na NMR. The effects of both anoxia and ischemia on the 23Na DQ signal confirmed its ability to detect changes in intracellular Na+. However, there was a sizable contribution of the extracellular Na+ to the 23Na DQ signal of the kidney. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, measured using 19F NMR and 5,5'difluoro-1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, also increased dramatically during ischemia; the increase could be partly reversed by reperfusion. No significant differences were found between normotensive and hypertensive kidneys in the ATP level, intracellular pH, intracellular free Mg2+, and the 23Na DQ signal or in the extent of the extracellular contribution to the 23Na DQ signal. Oxygen consumption rates were also similar for the normotensive (5.02 +/- 0.46 mumol of O2/min/g) and hypertensive (5.47 +/- 0.42 mumol O2/min/g) rat kidneys. The absence of a significant difference in intracellular pH, Na+ concentration, and oxygen consumption between normotensive and hypertensive rat kidneys suggests that an alteration in the luminal Na+/H+ antiport activity in hypertension is unlikely. However, a highly significant increase (64%, p less than 0.01) in free Ca2+ concentration was found in perfused kidneys from hypertensive rats (557 +/- 48 nM, blood pressure = 199 +/- 5 mmHg, n = 6) compared with normotensive rats (339 +/- 21 nM, blood pressure = 134 +/- 6, n = 4) indicating altered renal calcium homeostasis in essential hypertension. An increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration without an accompanying change in the intracellular Na+ suggests, among many possibilities, that the Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase may be inhibited in the hypertensive renal tissue.

Animals↗

Aspiration cytodiagnosis of breast carcinoma in pregnancy and lactation with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study of an unusual mammary malignancy with pleomorphic giant cells.

We have reviewed our experience with 8,706 needle aspiration cytology (NAC) of the breast which were done from January 1983 to June 1991. During our study we diagnosed four cases of breast carcinomas (three ductal type and one with pleomorphic giant cells) in pregnant or lactating women; in all of these the cytologic findings corresponded with the subsequent tissue diagnosis and cell block preparations. Considering that carcinoma of breast during pregnancy and lactation is rare and is second only to cervical cancer, it was felt that its diagnosis by NAC was useful for timely management. In the case in which pleomorphic giant cells were present as an integral component of the tumour, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study was done. This is discussed in view of our recent experience with this unusual tumour.

Adult↗

Needle aspiration cytology, immunocytochemistry, and electron microscopic study of unusual pancreatic carcinoma with pleomorphic giant cells.

Needle aspiration cytology, immunocytochemistry, and electron-microscopic findings are presented in three cases of an unusual pancreatic carcinoma in which pleomorphic giant cells formed an integral part of the tumour. All three patients were elderly males (age range 66-83 years) and had pancreatic masses. Notable cytologic features in all cases were the presence of bizarre mononucleated and multinucleated, poorly cohesive tumour giant cells, rare spindle cells, with occasional cannibalism and cytophagocytosis. Immunocytochemical study of aspirated material showed diffuse staining of cytokeratin and EMA within the tumour cells, while B 72.3 was seen as focal trace stain. Electron microscopy of aspirated material demonstrated epithelial features and these were characterised by the presence of tonofilaments and surface microvilli. Based on our findings, it is felt that the bizarre giant cells in this unusual variant of pancreatic carcinoma are of epithelial origin. The differential diagnosis of other tumours that may be associated with predominant giant cells in pancreatic aspirates is appropriately discussed.

Aged↗

Monoclonal antibody-based ELISA to detect glycoprotein tumor-associated-antigen-specific immune complexes in cancer patients.

This report describes the development and applicability of a tumor-associated-antigen-specific immune complex (IC) detection assay to denote the presence of tumor cells in a cancer host. This assay utilizes a murine monoclonal antibody, AD1-40F4, which was produced to a glycoprotein tumor-associated antigen (TAA). In Western blot, the murine monoclonal antibody recognized a 90-100 kD subunit of the antigen. This antigen is immunogenic in cancer patients and induces formation of endogenous antigen-antibody complexes. Analysis of 250 sera from normal individuals and 419 sera from cancer patients revealed that a significantly (P less than .0005) greater proportion (234/419; 55.9%) of cancer sera was positive for the marker than the normal sera (8/250; 3.2%). The incidence of the 90 kD-TAA-specific-IC was consistently and significantly higher in melanoma (58.5%; 38/65), sarcoma (52.9%; 83/157), and carcinoma of breast (50.9%; 58/114), lung (68.2%; 30/44), and colon (64.1%, 25/39) than in the normal group. The age of serum donors did not affect the incidence of the reactivity. Also, at least in the cancer group the gender of the serum donor did not affect the incidence of the 90 kD-TAA-specific-IC positivity. In a retrospective study where sequential serum samples obtained postoperatively from 105 patients with melanoma were analyzed, the 90 kD-TAA-specific-IC could be detected in 72 (69%) of patients several years before the appearance of clinically detectable disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

A protease-sensitive site in the proposed Ca(2+)-binding region of human serum amyloid P component and other pentraxins.

Serum amyloid P component (SAP) is a decamer of 10 identical 25.5-kDa subunits. Limited proteolysis of SAP with alpha-chymotrypsin cleaves the subunit into two fragments of 18 and 7.5 kDa, although the fragments stay together in the decamer under nondenaturing conditions. Proteolysis does not occur in the presence of Ca2+ (10 mM). Cleavage with alpha-chymotrypsin prevents the Ca(2+)-dependent binding of SAP to zymosan extract, nucleosomes, and DNA. The alpha-chymotrypsin cleavage site identified is in a region of SAP that is highly conserved in members of the human C-reactive protein (CRP) family of proteins (pentraxins) to which SAP belongs and is similar to the Ca(2+)-binding site in calmodulin and related Ca(2+)-binding proteins (Nguyen, N.Y., Suzuki, A., Boykins, R.A., & Liu, T.-Y., 1986, J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10456-10465). Treatment of SAP with other proteases (trypsin, Pronase, and Nagarse protease) yields fragmentation patterns upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) that are similar to those obtained with alpha-chymotrypsin. Two other members of the pentraxin family of proteins, hamster female protein and rabbit CRP, also exhibit similar fragmentation patterns on SDS-PAGE when treated with the various proteases. Recently, it has been shown that the homologous protein, human CRP, is cleaved in the same homologous position as cleavage of SAP by alpha-chymotrypsin, resulting in the loss of Ca(2+)-binding (as shown by equilibrium dialysis) and Ca(2+)-dependent binding reactivities (Kinoshita, C.M., Ying, S.-C., Hugli, T.E., Siegel, J.N., Potempa, L.A., Jiang, H.J., Houghten, R.A., & Gewurz, H., 1989, Biochemistry 28, 9840-9848).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complement-dependent lysis of tumor cells by a baboon IgM antibody to a tumor-associated antigen.

We developed a high-titer polyclonal antiserum to a glycoprotein tumor-associated antigen (TAA) by immunization of a baboon with the purified glycoprotein antigen. The baboon serum was fractionated into IgG and IgM components by DEAE Affi-Gel blue chromatography. The ability of the baboon IgM anti-TAA antibody to effect tumor cell lysis in the presence of complement was tested using a chromium-release assay. The baboon antibody was able to lyse melanoma target cells (20.8%-71.4% cytolysis), breast carcinoma cells (36.5%-38.9% cytolysis), and a neuroblastoma cell line (35.5% cytolysis) in the presence of complement but did not effect significant lysis of autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines (4.9% cytolysis) or peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy volunteers (12.6% cytolysis). Cytolysis of melanoma target cells was completely inhibited by preabsorption of the IgM anti-TAA antibody with UCLA-SO-M14 (M14) cells and partially inhibited by preabsorption with several other melanoma cell lines. There was no significant inhibition of tumor cell lysis after preabsorption of the antibody with lymphoblastoid cell lines. Complement-dependent lysis of M14 targets could be blocked by addition of the purified antigen to the antibody prior to incubation with the tumor cells. Our results suggest that the glycoprotein TAA resides on the tumor cell surface and that the baboon IgM anti-TAA antibody recognizes the antigen on the cell surface and is able to fix complement and effect the lysis of the tumor cells.

Animals↗

Intestinal lymphangiectasia: evaluation by CT and scintigraphy.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia caused severe diarrhea and generalized edema in a 40-year-old man. The diagnosis was established by clinical, laboratory, and duodenal biopsy findings. The abnormalities detected on computed tomography (CT) and scintigraphy using 99mTc human serum albumin are herein described and pertinent literature is briefly reviewed.

Adult↗