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R R Tubbs

Publications and source records attributed to R R Tubbs.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

p53 immunoreactivity in Barrett's metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma.

Barrett's esophagus is a metaplastic condition with an unpredictable potential for neoplasia. Mutations of the tumor-suppressor gene p53 have been implicated in the evolution of some carcinomas. These mutations frequently result in intranuclear protein accumulation, which can be detected immunohistochemically. This study was undertaken to determine whether p53 immunoreactivity in Barrett's esophagus is a marker of neoplasia and, if so, when it occurs in the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. Twenty-eight esophageal resection specimens were studied. Barrett's mucosa was present in each specimen, low-grade dysplasia in 27, high-grade dysplasia in 26, intramucosal cancer in 18, and submucosal cancer in 5. Immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal antibody Pab1801 was used to detect the intranuclear protein product of mutated p53. No p53 immunoreactivity was seen in specimens of Barrett's mucosa or low-grade dysplasia. p53 immunoreactivity was found only in specimens of high-grade dysplasia, intramucosal cancer, and submucosal cancer. Sixty-nine percent (18/26) of these specimens exhibited mutated p53; 18 of 26 specimens of high-grade dysplasia (69%), 12 of 18 intramucosal cancer specimens (67%), and two of five submucosal cancer specimens (40%) expressed mutated p53. When p53 staining was observed, the spectrum of neoplastic changes (high-grade dysplasia, intramucosal cancer, submucosal cancer) within the specimen was positive. We conclude that (1) p53 immunoreactivity in Barrett's esophagus is a frequent, but not inclusive, marker for high-grade dysplasia, intramucosal cancer, and submucosal cancer and (2) immunoreactivity occurs late in the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence, during the transition to high-grade dysplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Anti-glomerular and anti-tubular basement membrane nephritis in a renal allograft recipient with Alport's syndrome.

A 28-year-old deaf, white man with a clinical diagnosis of Alport's syndrome since 4 years of age experienced renal failure, fever, and mental status changes suggestive of vasculitis following his first cadaveric renal transplant; these symptoms and changes resolved after removal of the allograft. Immunohistological stains demonstrated intense linear deposition of IgG and C3 in glomerular and tubular basement membranes in the absence of glomerular crescents. One year later, a second renal transplant led to similar symptoms. A biopsy was performed 14 days after engraftment, which demonstrated intense linear deposition of IgG in glomerular and tubular basement membranes, but cellular crescents were not present. A serologic profile was ordered to evaluate the patient further for vasculitis, and during the evaluation, circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane and anti-tubular basement membrane antibodies were identified by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy (titer, > 1:320). An open biopsy specimen obtained during repair of a renal laceration demonstrated a crescentic glomerulonephritis with immunohistologic findings identical to those of previous biopsies. Anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis should be suspected in any patient with Alport's syndrome in whom progressive renal failure develops following renal transplantation. Detection of anti-glomerular basement membrane/anti-tubular basement membrane antibodies will assure the diagnosis, and early initiation of plasmapheresis may be helpful to prevent further renal damage.

Adult↗

Chemokine gene expression in the murine renal cell carcinoma, RENCA, following treatment in vivo with interferon-alpha and interleukin-2.

The expression of three chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) messenger (m)RNAs in the murine renal cell carcinoma (RENCA) from mice treated with a combination of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and interleukin-2 was examined and related to tumor infiltration by inflammatory leukocytes. Using a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay, mRNAs encoding the KC, JE, and IP-10 genes were all elevated in tumor tissue from mice treated systemically with IFN-alpha/interleukin-2 for 4 days. Similarly, the mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was also increased in tumors from treated as compared to control animals. The same tumors showed a significant increase in Mac-1+ leukocytes, which correlated well with the increase in chemokine and TNF-alpha gene expression. The renal cell carcinoma tumor itself may be responsible for the expression of chemokine genes in the tumor bed following cytokine therapy. Cultures of freshly explanted RENCA cells expressed significant levels of chemokine mRNAs when stimulated in vitro with IFN alpha, IFN gamma, and/or interleukin-2, demonstrating that this tumor cell has potential for expression of these genes in vivo. In contrast, TNF-alpha expression was not detected in cultured tumor cells. Thus TNF-alpha may be expressed by infiltrating monocytes following exposure to recombinant cytokine therapy.

Animals↗

Loss of T-cell receptor zeta chain and p56lck in T-cells infiltrating human renal cell carcinoma.

Cancer patients and mice bearing tumors develop a progressive immunosuppression manifested by a decreased delayed-type hypersensitivity, decreased T-cell lytic activity, diminished production of lymphokines, and a reduced T-cell proliferative response. The mechanisms underlying these changes are incompletely understood. We recently reported the presence of marked alterations in signal transduction in T-cells from mice bearing long-term (28-day) tumours. We hypothesized that a soluble product produced by the tumor or resulting from the immune response to tumor might be responsible for inducing the changes in T-cells. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from patients with renal cell carcinoma tested here showed, in 10 of 11 cases, a marked decrease in the expression of the T-cell receptor zeta chain and in p56lck tyrosine kinase. The presence of major alterations in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with only minor changes in the peripheral blood leukocyte T-cells supports the notion that the defects are induced by exposure to tumor. These results suggest that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may be compromised in their antitumor efficacy in patients with renal cell cancer.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

Interleukin 7 enhances the proliferation and effector function of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from renal-cell carcinoma.

Previous studies have documented the effects of IL2 on the growth and effector function of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in cancer patients. Since IL7 is known to induce T- and NK-cell responses in the peripheral blood, we examined the immuno-enhancing effects of IL7 on TIL derived from human renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). Whereas IL2 induced the growth of freshly isolated TIL in vitro, IL7 was ineffective alone and failed to increase the total number of cells proliferating to IL2. However, IL7 did provide a proliferative signal to TIL that were initially expanded in culture with either IL2 or IL2/IL7 for 2 weeks. IL7 also induced the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ TIL lines that have specificity for RCC. The proliferative response induced by IL7 was independent of IL2, since anti-IL2 antibodies did not block IL7-induced proliferation of TIL. IL7 did cooperate with anti-CD3 stimulation for the induction of proliferation; however, the magnitude of this interaction was variable and the response usually additive. In addition, IL7 synergized with anti-CD3 to induce the secretion of IFN gamma from short-term-cultured TIL and from a TIL line. Although IL7 did not promote the development of a tumor-specific T-cell response from IL2-expanded TIL, IL7 enhanced lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity from some short-term-cultured TIL. These results illustrate that IL7 can potentiate the growth and production of IFN gamma from RCC-reactive TIL and, to a lesser extent, enhance IL2-induced LAK activity of TIL.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

T-cells infiltrating renal cell carcinoma display a poor proliferative response even though they can produce interleukin 2 and express interleukin 2 receptors.

The fact that progressing tumors contain a significant infiltrate of T-cells brings into question the competency of the infiltrating T-lymphocytes (T-TIL). We have examined the role of the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex and/or the interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) in responsiveness of T-cells that infiltrate human renal cell carcinoma. T-TIL display a poor proliferative response to interleukin 2 (IL2) alone, IL2 in combination with antibody to CD3, or mitogen stimulation. The proliferative unresponsiveness was not related to low expression of CD3 or IL2R beta as the percentage of T-cells expressing CD3 and IL2R beta were comparable in both T-TIL and peripheral blood T-cells obtained from the same patient. In contrast to the lack of proliferative activity, stimulation of T-TIL or peripheral blood lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD3 resulted in comparable levels of both IL2 and gamma-interferon mRNA and protein expression. While levels of IL2R alpha were low in unstimulated T-TIL and peripheral blood lymphocytes, anti-CD3 antibody or IL2 were capable of inducing surface expression of this protein in both cell populations. IL2R alpha mRNA levels were comparable in T-cells from the tumor and peripheral blood although in some experiments both the percentage of IL2R alpha-positive cells and the density of surface expression per cell were reduced in T-TIL. This reduced IL2R alpha expression on T-TIL was not responsible for the proliferative unresponsiveness since T-TIL that expressed both IL2R alpha and/or IL2R beta still failed to respond to high doses of IL2. Thus T-TIL display a selective loss of response to at least two well defined extracellular stimuli. While T-TIL exhibit a poor proliferative response regardless of the form of stimulation these cells remain sensitive to both anti-CD3 and IL2 in terms of IL2 and gamma-interferon or IL2R alpha expression, respectively. The fact that proliferative unresponsiveness exists even though T-TIL can produce IL2 and express IL2R alpha/beta suggests that T-TIL have a selective loss of a common intracellular signaling pathway which is requisite to proliferation but not other aspects of response to antigenic stimulation.

Adult↗

Renal oncocytoma: clinical and biological correlates.

We treated 31 patients with renal oncocytoma. Renal cell carcinoma was found existing separately within the same or contralateral kidney in 10 patients (32%). Followup of 29 patients revealed 24 alive with no evidence of disease and 1 alive with recurrent oncocytoma, while 1 with coexistent tumors died of progressive renal cell carcinoma and 3 tumor-free patients died of unrelated diseases. Quantitative deoxyribonucleic acid analysis was performed on cell suspensions of fresh tumor by flow cytometry or by image cytometry on touch preparations from frozen tissue in 16 patients with renal oncocytoma. Ploidy analysis revealed all oncocytomas to be diploid. Frozen tissue immunohistology was performed using murine monoclonal antibody against human HLA-A, B and C (class I) antigens with the avidin-biotin peroxidase technique in 11 patients with renal oncocytoma. Ten oncocytomas did not express these self-recognition antigens and 1 was only weakly positive for antigen expression. In contrast, renal cell carcinomas strongly expressed HLA class I antigens. The high incidence of coexistence of renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma has important clinical implications. Loss of HLA class I antigen expression by renal oncocytomas may provide an additional method for differentiating this lesion from renal cell carcinoma.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗

A comparative study of DNA quantitation in breast carcinoma with image cytometric analysis and in vitro fine-needle aspiration with flow cytometric analysis.

The DNA ploidy status of 53 fresh primary breast carcinomas was analyzed in a comparative study of flow cytometric (FCM) and image cytometric (ICM) analyses. Samples for FCM analysis were obtained with an in vitro fine-needle aspiration technique. Touch imprints from the same tumors were analyzed by three independent observers by ICM analysis. An ICM comparative study of "sequential" and "visually selected" nuclei also was performed. There was an overall concordance of 0.85 in the classification of diploid and nondiploid tumors by FCM and ICM analyses. In most discordant cases, a nondiploid population was identified by FCM analysis alone. This is attributed to the superior resolution of and sampling/preparatory method used for FCM analysis. There was an overall concordance of 0.91 in the classification of diploid and nondiploid tumors by ICM analysis. Selective analysis of atypical nuclei resulted in increased sensitivity in the detection of DNA aneuploid populations by ICM analysis.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Host tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL-T) were quantitated by three color flow cytometry in cell suspensions from excisional biopsy specimens of 43 B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and 8 benign lymphoid hyperplasias (BLH) to identify potential differences in host T cell responses. We quantitated three TIL-T subsets: CD3+CD4+CD8- (helper-inducer), CD3+CD4-CD8+ (suppressor-cytotoxic) and CD3+CD25-HLADr+ (long term activated TIL-T) and compared them in three diagnostic groups: BLH, low grade B cell NHL (LG NHL) and intermediate-high grade B cell NHL (IG-HG NHL). The following results were obtained: Mean percentage +/- s.e. of activated TIL-T for BLH, LG-NHL and IG-HG NHL: 10.3 +/- 1.9, 23.2 +/- 4.6 and 38.8 +/- 9.5, respectively. Mean percentage +/- s.e. of suppressor-cytotoxic TIL-T for same groups: 13.9 +/- 1.5, 14.9 +/- 1.9 and 34.4 +/- 4.5, respectively. Mean percentage +/- s.e. of helper-inducer TIL-T cells for the same groups was 38.2 +/- 12.7, 32.1 +/- 7.2 and 22.5 +/- 4.6, respectively. Helper/suppressor ratio +/- s.e. for same groups was 3.0 +/- 1.1, 2.4 +/- 0.6 and 1.3 +/- 0.4, respectively. Activated and suppressor-cytotoxic TIL-T percentage progressively increased from BLH toward IG-HG NHL. The percentage of these two TIL-T subsets were significantly higher in IG-HG NHL than in BLH and LG-NHL (P < 0.0007, 0.0002, 0.0001 and 0.0260 for the comparisons TIL-T in BLH vs IG-HG NHL and LG-NHL vs IG-HG respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, CD↗

Ki-67-determined growth fraction versus standard staging and grading parameters in colorectal carcinoma. A multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: The antibody Ki-67 binds to nuclei in all cell cycle phases except GO and can be used to measure growth fraction. Because proliferative activity has been linked to prognosis in neoplasia, the authors analyzed 100 cases of colorectal carcinoma, each with 3 or more years of follow-up, using Ki-67 immunostaining. METHODS: The Ki-67-positive nuclear area and total nuclear area of carcinoma cells in 20 microscopic fields were measured by computed morphometry. A Ki-67 score (percent positive nuclear area x 100) was calculated. The following characteristics also were recorded for each case: patient age and sex, tumor site and size, modified Dukes' stage, spread beyond bowel wall, lymph node status, tumor grade, histologic type, extramural venous spread, tumor growth pattern, fibrosis, lymphocytic infiltration, and mitotic rate. RESULTS: Ki-67 scores ranged from 1 to 90 (mean, 34.6). Ki-67 scores were higher in Stage A disease (versus Stage B, C, and D disease) but were not associated with survival. Survival curves differed by stage, lymph node metastases, infiltrative growth pattern, lymphocytic infiltration, fibrosis, extramural venous spread, and tumor grade in a univariate analysis. The infiltrative growth pattern (P = 0.04) and lymphocytic infiltration (P = 0.003) were features associated independently with survival after adjusting for modified Dukes' stage. Furthermore, the lack of a significant lymphocytic infiltrate was associated with a death rate 3.4 times greater than that occurring in patients with Stage B disease with a significant infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that proliferative activity in colorectal carcinoma as measured by Ki-67 immunostaining was not associated with prognosis.

Cell Division↗

Precursor Langerhans cell histiocytosis. An unusual histiocytic proliferation in a patient with persistent non-Hodgkin lymphoma and terminal acute monocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell precursors are considered to be identical to their mature counterparts except for the lack of Birbeck granules. Proliferations composed of such histiocytes appear to be uncommon. METHODS: Standard immunophenotypic, molecular genetic, and DNA content studies were used to characterize various hematopoietic disorders, including a proliferation of precursor Langerhans cells, which arose sequentially in a patient. RESULTS: The patient studied initially had a low-grade, B-cell, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and subsequently had an unusual histiocytic proliferation (precursor Langerhans cell histiocytosis) in cutaneous and lymph node sites. The patient eventually died of acute myelogenous leukemia (FAB, M5). CONCLUSIONS: A larger series is required to determine the significance of the precursor Langerhans cell phenotype, particularly with respect to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia.

Adult↗

The "CD43 only" phenotype. An aberrant, nonspecific immunophenotype requiring comprehensive analysis for lineage resolution.

Paraffin section immunohistology of leukocytic proliferations is a routine method of immunophenotyping in many clinical laboratories. Furthermore, a relatively standard antibody screening panel that includes L26 (CD20), Leu22 (CD43), and UCHL1 (CD45RO) appears to be widely used. Although paraffin section immunophenotyping in general, and this panel in particular, have been shown to be very reliable in defining B-cell lineage, characterization of T-cell lineage is less definitive. This is related primarily to the relatively poor specificity of the commercially available T-cell-associated reagents. CD43 (Leu22) in particular has a broad immunoreactivity profile that has not been stressed adequately in some reports. Seventeen cases with a "CD43 only" phenotype were identified during the last several years while using the relatively standard screening panel mentioned above. These cases were quite heterogeneous with respect to cellular differentiation and most were not T-cell proliferations. Specifically, eight cases were extramedullary leukemic infiltrates (five myeloid, two monocytic, one mixed lineage), four cases were T-cell lymphomas, three cases were B-cell lymphomas and two cases were plasmacytomas. Although CD43 has demonstrable utility in a leukocyte screening panel, this report stresses the aberrancy and lack of specificity of the "CD43 only" phenotype. Caution is recommended in assigning a specific lineage to such cellular proliferations without additional immunologic or genotypic analysis. Recommendations for comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of these proliferations are provided.

Antigens, CD↗

Characterization of a human renal cell carcinoma specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cell line.

Human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the tumors most sensitive to immunotherapy and in that regard it is similar to malignant melanoma. Clinical studies reporting responses to therapy suggested that a host immune response may be involved in the antitumor activity induced by immunotherapy in these tumors. Although detection of a specific T cell response to melanoma has been well documented, this has not been the case for RCC. The lytic response of interleukin-2 (IL-2) cultured tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from RCC has been nonspecific. However, in this report we describe a CD8+ TIL line derived from a primary RCC tumor that displays specificity for the autologous tumor. This line is lytic for autologous RCC but does not lyse autologous lymphoblasts, allogeneic RCC, or tumor cell lines of other histologic types. It also proliferates specifically to the autologous tumor in the absence of exogenous IL-2. However, the addition of low dose IL-2 to the cultures can significantly augment its proliferative response. When stimulated with autologous RCC but not allogeneic RCC the CD8+ line will produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). It appears that recognition of RCC by this TIL line is through the TCR/CD3 complex because anti-CD3 antibody blocks the lytic activity, proliferation and IFN-gamma production of the line in response to the autologous tumor. Additional studies illustrate that cytotoxic T lymphocytes with apparent specificity for the autologous tumor are present in unseparated cultured TILs that can be detected by clonal analysis. Collectively these results suggest that there is a specific T cell response to human RCC.

CD8 Antigens↗

Tissue reactivity of anti-Leu19.

Monoclonal antibody anti-Leu19, is a marker of natural killer cells. Since reactivity between anti-Leu7, another natural killer cell marker, and small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas has been described, we evaluated the reactivity of anti-Leu19 in 92 neuroendocrine tumours. Frozen sections in each case were immunostained using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method with monoclonal anti-Leu19. We found Leu19 expression in 93% of the cases. We also evaluated 149 other tumours, including adenocarcinomas, undifferentiated large cell carcinomas, lymphomas, melanomas and soft tissue tumours. We found Leu19 expression in 36% (by liberal interpretative criteria), or 29% (by conservative interpretative criteria) of these cases. Thus, while anti-Leu19 appears to be a sensitive marker for neuroendocrine tumours, a lack of specificity limits its practical application in diagnostic histopathology.

Antigens, CD↗

Identification of monoclonal B-cell populations by rapid cycle polymerase chain reaction. A practical screening method for the detection of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements.

Alternatives to Southern blot hybridization for gene rearrangement analysis are being studied because of the time, labor, cost, and radioisotopes required for this technique. We have utilized a rapid, hot air, thermocycling polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system to examine various lymphoproliferative disorders for immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements. This unique system amplifies DNA from 10 microliters samples placed in glass capillary tubes, over a total cycle time of about 30 minutes. Amplified bands are easily visualized on ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. Forty-one monoclonal B-cell proliferations, 27 reactive lymphoid hyperplasias, 17 T-cell lymphomas and 3 cases of Hodgkin's disease were studied. All 88 cases were fully characterized by morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genotypic (Southern blot) analyses. Each case was separately evaluated by PCR with two primer pairs: 1) IgH variable region (VH) and IgH joining region (JH) and 2) bcl-2 and JH. Thirty-four of 41 monoclonal B-cell proliferations revealed a distinct band (within an expected base pair range) with 1 or both primer combinations supporting B-cell monoclonality; the other 7 cases were considered false negatives. The 47 entities without IgH gene rearrangements detectable by Southern analysis demonstrated no amplified product or a smear of amplified DNA with no distinct band. The overall specificity of PCR was 100%, and the sensitivity was 83% when directly compared with Southern blot analysis. Although its sensitivity is currently less than optimal, PCR is a rapid and practical screening method for the detection of IgH gene rearrangements. If a positive result is obtained no further analysis is required; however, if there is a negative result, standard Southern blot analysis should be performed to definitively exclude the presence of a monoclonal B-cell population in the sample.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Colonic vasoactive intestinal peptide nerves in inflammatory bowel disease.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a neuropeptide with potent modulatory activity on intestinal immunity and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previous studies have reported abnormal morphology of vasoactive intestinal peptide-stained enteric nerves, in addition to increased, normal or decreased levels of extractable peptide in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) tissues. These observations have not been correlated with the amount of enteric nerve fibers or the degree of mucosal inflammation. The investigation was intended to determine whether abnormalities of vasoactive intestinal peptide in IBD are related to quantitative changes of enteric nerve fibers or mucosal inflammation, and whether they are specific for CD or UC. To do this, digitized morphometric analysis was applied to a large number of IBD and control colonic surgical specimens that were immunostained for vasoactive intestinal peptide and S100 protein and scored for severity of inflammation. The results showed that, as compared with controls, there is a marked decrease of vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the lamina propria and submucosa (P less than 0.0001), and of S100-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the lamina propria (P less than 0.0001) of patients with IBD. In the lamina propria but not the submucosa, the variation of decrease is significantly associated with the severity (P less than 0.0001) but not the type (P greater than 0.9) of IBD because it is detected in both CD and UC. We conclude that in IBD there is loss of mucosal neuropeptidic innervation that is intimately associated with inflammation. This loss probably represents a nonspecific event subsequent to damage to enteric nerve fibers but may contribute to disruption of local immunoregulation.

Adolescent↗

Pseudo-gamma heavy chain (IgG4 lambda) deposition disease.

Two patients with Ig deposition disease presented with acute renal failure, moderate proteinuria, and hematuria. A plasmacytoid lymphocytic infiltrate was identified in bone marrow that produced IgG4 lambda and free lambda light chains. One patient developed an anaplastic plasmacytoma (secreting only lambda light chains) 1 yr after renal biopsy. Renal biopsy in both patients demonstrated a nodular intercapillary glomerulopathy and electron dense granular deposits, associated with a linear pattern of IgG4 heavy chain deposition in vascular, tubular, and glomerular basement membranes (VBM, TBM, and GBM). In one patient this entrapped IgG4 was unassociated with detectable kappa or lambda light chains. In the second patient, lambda light chains (1+) were detected only in the GBM, but IgG4 (4+) was identified in GBM/TBM. Neither circulating (peripheral blood and bone marrow serum) nor cellular free gamma chains were present. We propose the term "pseudo-gamma heavy chain deposition disease" for the process.

Aged↗