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Reinhard Büttner

Publications and source records attributed to Reinhard Büttner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Impact of polysol, a newly developed preservation solution, on cold storage of steatotic rat livers.

Chronic shortage of donor organs has led to acceptance of steatotic livers as grafts, although there is a higher risk of primary graft dysfunction. We herein report the beneficial impact of Polysol, a newly developed preservation solution, on cold storage of steatotic rat livers. Dietary hepatic steatosis was induced in Wistar rats by 2-day fasting and subsequent 3-day re-feeding with a fat-free, carbohydrate-rich diet. Fatty livers were retrieved, flushed and then stored at 4 degrees C for 24 hours with either HTK or Polysol. Functional integrity of the grafts was evaluated by isolated reperfusion with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37 degrees C for 45 minutes in both groups. Polysol preservation resulted in significant reductions of not only parenchymal (AST (IU/L); 6728+/-824 in HTK vs. 3107+/-718 in Polysol; P < 0.001) but also mitochondrial (GLDH (IU/L); 3189+/-773 vs. 1282+/-365; P < 0.01) enzyme release throughout reperfusion. Moreover, PVP (16.9+/-2.7 vs. 7.8+/-1.5 mmHg; P < 0.05), hepatic O2 consumption (0.291+/-0.047 vs. 1.056+/-0.053 micromol/g liver/min; P < 0.001), tissue ATP content (0.695+/-0.086 vs. 1.340+/-0.157 micromol/g dry-liver; P < 0.005), bile production (0.79+/-0.11 vs. 4.08+/-0.66 microL/g liver/45-min; P < 0.001), malondialdehyde into the perfusate (1.922+/-0.198 vs. 0.573+/-0.094 nmol/L; P < 0.0001) and wet/dry-weight ratio of the liver tissues (5.20+/-0.31 vs. 3.85+/-0.15; P < 0.005) were all better preserved by Polysol. In line with these benefits, electron microscopy revealed that Polysol preservation substantially suppressed deleterious mitochondrial alterations in steatotic livers. In conclusion, cold storage using Polysol resulted in significantly better integrity and function of steatotic livers. Polysol, therefore, may be a new alternative especially for "marginal" organs.

Animals↗

Podocalyxin-like protein 1 expression is useful to differentiate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas from adenocarcinomas of the biliary and gastrointestinal tracts.

Metastases of adenocarcinomas from the pancreas, liver, and gastrointestinal tract are difficult to distinguish from each other because of their similar morphological and immunohistochemical features. So far, no specific marker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas has been described. Podocalyxin-like protein 1 (PODXL-1) is expressed on vascular endothelium, hematopoietic precursor cells, and renal podocytes. We found that 44% (71/160) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas expressed PODXL-1 in a membranous pattern. There was no expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (0/18, P < .001), rarely in adenocarcinomas of the extrahepatic bile ducts (1/13, P = .009), and none in duodenal adenocarcinomas (0/5, P = .070). PODXL-1 expression was seen in only 9% of hepatocellular carcinomas (5/56, P < .001), 9% (4/47, P < .001) of gastric carcinomas, 10% of esophageal adenocarcinomas (2/20, P = .003), and 6% of colonic adenocarcinomas (1/17, P = .001). When used as a differential diagnostic marker, ampullary carcinoma needs to be excluded, as 30% (6/20, P = .24) of ampullary carcinomas stain positive, especially those of the signet-ring type (3/3). Adenocarcinomas of the lung and prostate, and liver metastases of colorectal carcinomas lacked PODXL-1 expression. It is concluded that immunoreactivity for PODXL-1 favors a pancreatic origin if ampullary carcinoma is excluded.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prevalence of the mismatch-repair-deficient phenotype in colonic adenomas arising in HNPCC patients: results of a 5-year follow-up study.

In hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, more than 90% of the carcinomas show microsatellite instability (MSI) due to a loss of mismatch repair (MMR) function. Although adenomas are very common in HNPCC and demonstrate an accelerated adenoma-carcinoma sequence, data about the prevalence and development of MSI in these early neoplastic lesions are lacking. To determine whether MSI and loss of MMR-protein expression are already present in early stages of tumorigenesis and could therefore be used as a screening tool to identify HNPCC patients before they develop an invasive carcinoma, we analyzed 71 adenomas of 36 HNPCC patients during a 5-year follow-up study. These 36 patients were part of a cohort of 122 HNPCC patients who were investigated at the Institute of Pathology, Klinikum Kassel, as part of the multicentric German HNPCC Consortium, which currently serves more than 2,880 registered families. The diagnosis of HNPCC was based either on the detection of a pathogenic germline mutation in the MSH2, MLH1, or MSH6 genes or in cases where a pathogenic mutation was not found; diagnosis of HNPCC was made, because all patients fulfilled the Amsterdam or Bethesda criteria and revealed a high degree of MSI (MSI-H) as well as loss of one of the MMR proteins by IHC in the cancer tissue. We found that most adenomas (58/71) were MSI-H and had loss of MMR-protein expression. Of the 71 adenomas, 3 were MSI-H with expression of all MMR proteins, and 3 out of 71 displayed loss of a MMR protein with the microsatellites being classified as microsatellite stable (MSS). However, 7 of the 31 adenomas that were located more than 5 cm away from the carcinoma revealed an MSS status (n=6) or low in MSI (n=1) and expressed all MMR proteins. In summary, a significant percentage of HNPCC-associated adenomas (7/31, 22.6%) developing at a distance of more than 5 cm from the corresponding carcinoma did not show the MSI-H MMR-deficient phenotype and expressed all MMR genes. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows that in most HNPCC patients, the mutator pathway is already detectable in adenomas, but MMR-proficient adenomas can also be found. Therefore, screening for MMR deficiency should not be applied routinely in adenomas with the goal to identify HNPCC patients.

Adenoma↗

Diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment prospects in cystic kidney disease.

Cystic kidney diseases (CKDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive fibrocystic renal and hepatobiliary changes. Recent findings have proven the cystogenic process to be compatible with cellular dedifferentiation, i. e. increased apoptosis and proliferation rates, altered protein sorting and secretory characteristics, as well as disorganization of the extracellular matrix. Compelling evidence suggests that cilia play a central pathogenic role and most cystic kidney disorders converge into a common pathogenic pathway. Recently, several promising trials have further extended our understanding of the pathophysiology of CKD and may have the potential for rational personalized therapies in future years. This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge of the structure and function of proteins underlying polycystic kidney disease, to explore the clinical consequences of changes in respective genes, and to discuss potential therapeutic approaches.

Genotype↗

Spatial expression of germ cell markers during maturation of human fetal male gonads: an immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine fetal male germ cells for expression of proteins associated with differentiation and maturation and to compare them with morphologically defined subpopulations. METHODS: Testes of 61 fetuses from week 12 of gestation to the newborn period were selected. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies to proteins associated with differentiation of germ cells (c-KIT, AP-2gamma) or pluripotency (OCT3/4), oncofetal protein M2A and spermatogonial marker MAGE-A4. RESULTS: Two subtypes of fetal germ cells were detected by quantification and immunohistochemistry. Nearly all germ cells with morphological criteria of gonocytes and intermediate cells co-expressed OCT3/4, c-KIT, M2A and AP-2gamma. Starting from week 12, their number increased up to week 18/19 and then declined continuously during further development. After week 25, pre-spermatogonia were predominant and expressed MAGE-A4 selectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal male germ cells are comprised of two major groups with distinct immunohistochemical phenotypes. Germ cells that are predominantly found before week 25 of gestation co-express oncofetal proteins OCT3/4, c-KIT, M2A and AP-2gamma. After week 25, most germ cells have lost their pluripotent potential and acquire a spermatogonial phenotype defined by expression of MAGE-A4.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings in congenital fibular aplasia or hypoplasia (FAH).

Congenital aplasia or hypoplasia of the fibula (FAH) is a rare malformation that is defined by a partial or complete absence of the fibular bone. Etiology and pathogenesis are unknown and the precise morphology of the tissue cord replacing the malformed fibula has not been well described. Therefore, tissue cord was examined in 8 patients with FAH. Light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic investigations showed a core of embryonic cartilage with collagen II and VI expressions surrounded by connective tissue. Although collagen II expression is typical for chondroid differentiation, collagen VI reactivity is normally seen in articular cartilage and tendon-like fibrocartilaginous tissue but is absent in hyaline cartilage. Further ultrastructural analyses by electron microscopy supported these findings. The histomorphologic changes correspond to the histologic findings of Papenbrock et al. (2000, Mech Dev 92:113-123) who produced a congenital malformation in transgenic mice that resembled FAH by overexpression of Hox c11.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization reveals recurrent chromosomal aberrations and Jab1 as a potential target for 8q gain in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major malignancies worldwide. We have previously characterized global gene expression patterns in HCC using microarrays. Here, we report the analysis of genomic DNA copy number among 49 HCC samples using BAC array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We observed recurrent and characteristic chromosomal aberrations, including frequent DNA copy number gains of 1q, 6p, 8q and 20q, and losses of 4q, 8p, 13q, 16q and 17p. We correlated gene expression with array CGH data, and identified a set of genes whose expression levels correlated with common chromosomal aberrations in HCC. Especially, we noticed that high expression of Jab1 in HCC significantly correlated with DNA copy number gain at 8q. Quantitative microsatellite analysis further confirmed DNA copy number gain at the Jab1 locus. Overexpression of Jab1 in HCC was also validated using real-time RT-PCR, and Jab1 protein levels were studied by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Functional analysis in HCC cell lines demonstrated that Jab1 may regulate HCC cell proliferation, thereby having a potential role in HCC development. In conclusion, this study shows that array-based CGH provides high resolution mapping of chromosomal aberrations in HCC, and demonstrates the feasibility of correlating array CGH data with gene expression data to identify novel oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.

COP9 Signalosome Complex↗

Gonadoblastoma: evidence for a stepwise progression to dysgerminoma in a dysgenetic ovary.

Gonadoblastomas are neoplasms of dysgenetic gonads which may undergo regression or become overgrown by malignant germ cell tumors (mGCTs). Since little is known about their relationship to normal gonadal development and mGCTs, we studied the phenotype and antigenic profile of gonadoblastomas in comparison with adjacent dysgerminomas and fetal gonads. Three cases of gonadoblastomas and fetal gonads of both sexes were analyzed using oncofetal markers to M2A-antigen (M2A), germ cell alkaline phosphatase (PLAP/GCAP), receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit (c-kit), and somatic angiotensin converting enzyme (sACE) as well as the proliferation marker MIB-1. Morphologically, microfollicular pattern of gonadoblastomas showed a fetal germ cell organization reminiscent of oocytic clusters of fetal ovaries. They contained both cell types, similar to oocytes (M2A-, GCAP-, c-kit+/-, sACE-) and oogonia (M2A+, GCAP+, c-kit+, sACE+). The percentage of germ cells immunoreactive for oncofetal markers and the proliferation index increased from microfollicular over coronary patterns to adjacent dysgerminomas. Supportive cells of gonadoblastomas showed a uniform phenotype (CK18+, vimentin+, sACE+, alpha-inhibin+, M2A-) but in contrast to fetal germ cells lacked a clear equivalence to fetal tissues. Our results show that gonadoblastomas mimic female fetal ovary and exhibit a stepwise progression from follicular pattern to coronary pattern and finally to dysgerminomas.

Adolescent↗

Transcription factor AP-2gamma, a novel marker of gonocytes and seminomatous germ cell tumors.

Most germ cell tumors (GCTs) arise from intratubular germ cell neoplasias (IGCNUs, also referred to as carcinoma in situ), which are thought to originate from a transformed fetal germ cell, the gonocyte. However, the nature of the molecular pathways involved in IGCNU formation remains elusive. Therefore, identification of novel oncofetal markers is an important prerequisite to further our understanding of the etiology of this tumor entity. In the present study, we show that in humans AP-2gamma is expressed in gonocytes at weeks 12-37 of gestation, indicating a role of this transcription factor in fetal germ cell development. AP-2gamma and c-KIT, a known target of AP-2 transcription factors, were coexpressed in gonocytes, making a direct regulation possible. With increasing differentiation of fetal testis, gradual downregulation of AP-2gamma from the 12th to 37th week of gestation was observed. Furthermore, AP-2gamma was expressed abundantly in 25/25 IGCNUs, 52/53 testicular seminomas, 10/10 metastatic seminomas, 9/9 extragonadal seminomas and 5/5 dysgerminomas. In embryonal carcinomas and choriocarcinomas, focal staining only was observed. Spermatocytic seminomas, teratomas and yolk sac tumors as well as normal adult testis and various control tissues were negative for AP-2gamma. The expression pattern of AP-2gamma, like that of other oncofetal markers, supports the model of a gonocytal origin of IGCNUs and germ cell tumors. Finally, our results provide the basis for applying AP-2gamma immunohistochemistry to the detection of GCT, a tumor entity with a steadily growing incidence in the male population worldwide.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Loss of Swiss cheese/neuropathy target esterase activity causes disruption of phosphatidylcholine homeostasis and neuronal and glial death in adult Drosophila.

The Drosophila Swiss cheese (sws) mutant is characterized by progressive degeneration of the adult nervous system, glial hyperwrapping, and neuronal apoptosis. The Swiss cheese protein (SWS) shares 39% sequence identity with human neuropathy target esterase (NTE), and a brain-specific deletion of SWS/NTE in mice causes a similar pattern of progressive neuronal degeneration. NTE reacts with organophosphate compounds that cause a paralyzing axonal degeneration in humans and has been shown to degrade endoplasmic reticulum-associated phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) in cultured mammalian cells. However, its function within the nervous system has remained unknown. Here, we show that both the fly and mouse SWS proteins can rescue the defects that arise in sws mutant flies, whereas a point mutation in the proposed active site cannot restore SWS function. Overexpression of catalytically active SWS caused formation of abnormal intracellular membraneous structures and cell death. Cell-specific expression revealed that not only neurons but also glia depend autonomously on SWS. In wild-type flies, endogenous SWS was detected by immmunohistochemistry in the endoplasmic reticulum (the primary site of PtdCho processing) of neurons and in some glia. sws mutant flies lacked NTE-like esterase activity and had increased levels of PtdCho. Conversely, overexpression of SWS resulted in increased esterase activity and reduced PtdCho. We conclude that SWS is essential for membrane lipid homeostasis and cell survival in both neurons and glia of the adult Drosophila brain and that NTE may play an analogous role in vertebrates.

Animals↗

Dual role of AP-2gamma in ErbB-2-induced mammary tumorigenesis.

A causative role of the membrane-bound tyrosine kinase ErbB-2 in breast tumorigenesis has been well established. MMTV/neu transgenic mice which overexpress ErbB-2 consistently develop mammary carcinomas with a high incidence. In human breast cancer, ErbB-2 is overexpressed in 25-30 of all cases and is representing a clinical marker of a poor prognosis. Besides to gene amplification, ErbB-2 overexpression has been attributed to transcription factors of the AP-2 family which were shown to control the ErbB-2 gene promoter in cell culture studies. Particularly AP-2alpha and gamma are often coexpressed in ErbB-2-positive breast carcinomas. However, LTRgamma transgenic mice which overexpress AP-2gamma in their mammary epithelium display only a very weak upregulation of the erbB-2 gene and do not develop mammary carcinoma. These findings therefore raise the possibility of functional cooperativity between both genes in breast cancer. To experimentally address the impact of AP-2gammaon ErbB-2-induced breast carcinogenesis we crossed MMTV/neu transgenic mice with LTRgamma transgenic mice and monitored tumor development in bitransgenic female progeny. AP-2gamma overexpression negatively influenced tumor incidence, as reflected by a reduced tumor number and a prolonged tumor latency. Histological analysis revealed three major types of tumors corresponding to different stages of tumor progression. Interestingly, an increased proportion of advanced stage carcinomas was observed in bitransgenic mice. Moreover, the AP-2gamma transgene differentially affected proliferation rates between the different progression stages: proliferation was enhanced at early stages but reduced in advanced stages in comparison to control tumors. Therefore, AP-2gamma while reducing the incidence of mammary tumors is promoting tumor progression.

Animals↗

Post mortem analysis of a left atrial appendage occlusion device (PLAATO) in a patient with permanent atrial fibrillation.

Thromboemoblism is the most feared complication of atrial fibrillation. Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion is a new interventional procedure for reducing thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. The paper reports of a post mortem analysis of the device demonstrating that one year after implantation the atrial surface of the device is completely covered by neo-endothelium and the device occludes the appendage completely.

Aged↗

Vascular changes in the periosteum of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.

The etiology and the pathogenesis of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) are still unknown. The affected tibia exhibits insufficient mechanical strength and osteogenetic capability. CPT is frequently associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; von Recklinghausen's disease); however, both diseases have not yet been linked pathogenetically. This study presents the pathomorphologic findings of CPT under special consideration of NF1. Therefore, samples from patients operated on for CPT (n = 4) with (n = 3) and without (n = 1) neurofibromatosis were investigated by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. The most striking finding in all patients was thickened periosteum with accumulation of nerval cells surrounding small arteries, causing subtotal or complete obliteration. In conclusion, impaired vascularization can result in decreased osteogenic capabilities. The similarity of ultrastructural findings in the abnormal periosteum and in skin neurofibromas of neurofibromatosis patients may indicate a pathogenetic association of both diseases.

Adolescent↗

Microsatellite analysis of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer-associated colorectal adenomas by laser-assisted microdissection: correlation with mismatch repair protein expression provides new insights in early steps of tumorigenesis.

Although microsatellite instability (MSI) testing is a useful tool for molecular screening of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) carcinomas, conflicting results have been obtained in colorectal adenomas. This might result from different techniques of tissue sampling and MSI analysis. Alternatively, some HNPCC-associated adenomas may follow a molecular route that differs from the MSI pathway. In the present study we examined the MSI status of 18 adenomas from 17 HNPCC patients by comparing manual adenoma dissection under gross visual control with laser microdissection of single adenoma crypts. After manual gross dissection, 50% (9 of 18) and 11.1% (2 of 18) of the adenomas displayed high-level (MSI-H) and low-level (MSI-L) MSI, respectively. The same set of adenomas split into 83.3% (15 of 18) MSI-H and 5.6% (1 of 18) MSI-L after laser microdissection. The expression pattern of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins showed a higher concordance rate with the MSI status in laser-dissected (94%) than gross-dissected (47%) adenomas. Whereas two adenomas remained microsatellite stable (MSS) and MMR proficient even after laser-assisted dissection, two MSI-H cases showed either rare instabilities at coding microsatellites or intratumoral heterogeneity of MSI with and without MSH2 expression. This suggests that in some adenomas development of MMR dysfunction occurs stepwise with MSI, arising before complete loss of MMR gene expression, whereas other HNPCC-associated adenomas might develop independently of MMR deficiency.

Adenoma↗

Adherens junctions of the human detrusor.

OBJECTIVE: To immunohistochemically identify the protein composition of adherens junctions, which couple smooth muscle cells mechanically, and to confirm their decrease in different bladder dysfunctions, as studies in geriatric bladder dysfunction show fewer such junctions in patients with detrusor overactivity (DO) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Detrusor biopsies were obtained from video-urodynamically evaluated patients with neurogenic DO (NDO, 31 patients), BOO (six patients) and from six patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with stable, unobstructed detrusors (serving as controls). Specimens were fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned, stained with a polyclonal pan-cadherin antibody, monoclonal alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin antibodies, and a monoclonal integrin-beta1 antibody. All antibodies were known to react with proteins of adherens junctions. Two examiners unaware of sample origin evaluated the sections qualitatively and using a semiquantitative scale. The results were correlated with the patient groups. RESULTS: Specific immunohistochemical staining of pan-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin could not be detected in any detrusor smooth muscle compartment, but was present in the urothelium. There was integrin-beta1 reactivity in the basement membranes of bladder smooth muscle cells in 38 of 43 detrusor biopsies. There were no differences among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The known proteins of cell-cell adherens junctions are not part of the cell-cell junctions of detrusor smooth muscle. The specific staining of integrin-beta1 indicates either the presence of cell-matrix junctions or of cell-cell junctions within the human detrusor. Further studies are needed to identify the complete protein composition of adherens junctions within smooth muscle cells.

Adherens Junctions↗

In situ expression patterns of melanoma inhibitory activity 2 in healthy and diseased livers.

UNLABELLED: Recently we identified a novel gene of the MIA gene family, melanoma inhibitory activity 2 (MIA2) and found that MIA2 mRNA is selectively expressed in hepatocytes. Here, we analyzed the in situ expression of MIA2 protein and mRNA in healthy and diseased livers to get first insights into the function of MIA2. METHODS: We analyzed liver tissue of patients with chronic hepatitis C (HepC) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as a human multi-tissue array, primary human hepatocytes and the hepatoma cell-lines HepG2, Hep3B and PLC by immunohistochemical staining and quantitative RT-PCR. In addition to MIA2, the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-sma), a marker for activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)/myofibroblast, was analyzed. RESULTS: Hepatocytes were confirmed as the exclusive cellular source of MIA2 expression, with a granular, cytoplasmatic staining pattern without enhancement at the cell membrane. In contrast, only low MIA2 expression levels were detected in most HCC and hepatoma cell lines. Only in HCC that contained fibrous stroma or thick hyalinized bundles, adjacent atypical hepatocytes revealed strong staining. In accordance, MIA2 expression was also upregulated in non-tumorous livers of patients with HepC and correlated with the staging of fibrosis. Interestingly, both in HCC and liver tissues of patients with HepC we found a correlation of MIA2 and alpha-sma expression. DISCUSSION: We define for the first time in situ expression patterns of MIA2 in healthy and diseased livers. Our data raise the hypothesis that activation of HSCs/myofibroblasts has influence on MIA2 expression in vivo, consistent with our previous in vitro findings. Since the staining pattern and the protein structure highly suggests that MIA2 is a secreted protein, it may possibly serve as a marker of hepatic fibrosis.

Adult↗