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Biomedical subjects

S E Hajos

Publications and source records attributed to S E Hajos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

CD44 and hyaluronic acid regulate in vivo iNOS expression and metalloproteinase activity in murine air-pouch inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of anti-CD44 IM7.8.1 antibody, HMW-HA and LMW-HA on leukocyte migration and adhesion, and the induction of proinflammatory mediators, in mouse air-pouch inflammation induced by zymosan. METHODS: Leukocytes were obtained from zymosan-air pouches after the intra-pouch injection of anti-CD44 IM7.8.1, isotype control, HMW-HA, LMW-HA or PBS. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and iNOS mRNA were estimated in leukocytes by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from exudates were evaluated by zymography and Western Blot. Adhesion and migration of leukocytes were evaluated in HA-coated plates and Boyden chambers respectively. RESULTS: IM7.8.1 decreased iNOS mRNA levels and the activity of both MMP-9 and MMP-2 eight h after injection into zymosan air pouch while IM7.8.1, HMW-HA and LMW-HA had no effect on IL1-beta or TNF-alpha mRNA levels. Leukocytes from air pouch adhered to and migrated in vitro against both HMW-HA and LMW-HA. LMW-HA increased the number of leukocytes in the air pouch and iNOS mRNA levels as compared to PBS injection. In contrast, HMW-HA decreased leukocyte count and reduced iNOS mRNA levels. Paradoxically, the activity of both MMP-9 and MMP-2 was increased by HMW-HA and decreased by LMW-HA. CONCLUSIONS: Both CD44 and HA can modulate leukocyte migration and induction of proinflammatory mediators in mouse zymosan air pouch inflammation. IM7.8.1 had consistent anti-inflammatory effects, reducing iNOS, MMP-9 and MMP-2. HMW-HA and LMW-HA were able to modulate both the induction of proinflammatory mediators and leukocyte count in the air pouch.

Animals↗

Modulator activity of PSC 833 and cyclosporin-A in vincristine and doxorubicin-selected multidrug resistant murine leukemic cells.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) lines from a murine T-cell leukemia were selected in increasing vincristine (VCR) or doxorubicin (DOX) concentrations. Daunorubicin (DNR) efflux was evidenced after 25 additional passages with constant 160 ng ml(-1) of either VCR or DOX, an effect that was inhibited by verapamil, cyclosporin-A (CsA) and PSC 833. The expression of Pgp was not evidenced in the resistant cell lines using anti-human Pgp antibodies. Cell proliferation assay showed that cell lines resistant to VCR (LBR-V160) or DOX (LBR-D160) required higher doses of either drug to produce GI50 compared with control cell line obtained after culture in the absence of VCR or DOX. When resistant cell lines were maintained during 60 days in the absence of either VCR or DOX, MDR phenotype reversal was obtained in LBR-D160 while LBR-V160 remained resistant to the drug, as shown by cell proliferation assays and by drug efflux pump functionality. When VCR or DOX were used together with either CsA or PSC 833, the latter was more effective to produce reversal of resistance than the former, whereas CsA presented greater cytotoxic effect than PSC 833 for sensitive and resistant cells. Cross-resistance was found between VCR, DOX and other antineoplasic agents on murine leukemic cell line. VCR was more effective to induce MDR since the resistant cell lines were more stable to the MDR phenotype.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Correlation between decreased apoptosis and multidrug resistance (MDR) in murine leukemic T cell lines.

Cancer cells may frequently develop cross-resistance to structurally dissimilar chemotherapeutic agents. However, the molecular mechanisms for sensitivity and resistance of tumor cells towards chemotherapy are still partially understood. Antineoplasic drugs have been shown to induce apoptosis in chemosensitive leukemias and solid tumors. In this work, cross-resistance among vincristine (VCR), doxorubicin (DOX) and other antineoplasic agents commonly used in the treatment of leukemia such as etoposide (VP-16), methotrexate (MTX), cyclophosphamide (CTX), dexamethasone (DEX), cytarabine (Ara-C) and L-asparaginase on vincristine resistant (LBR-V160), doxorubicin resistant (LBR-D160) and sensitive (LBR-) murine leukemic T cell lines, was determined. The effect of antineoplasic agents was assayed by tritiated thymidine incorporation. Our results showed that VCR exhibited cross-resistance with DOX, VP-16, DEX and MTX, while DOX demonstrated cross-resistance with VCR, VP-16 and MTX. Ara-C failed to present cross-resistance with any cell line. Apoptosis induced by the above drugs on the same cell lines was analyzed by acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining, DNA hypoploidy (flow cytometry) and oligonucleosomal fragmentation of nuclear DNA showing that therapeutic concentrations of these chemotherapeutic agents induced apoptosis in the LBR- cell line. Our results demonstrated that, except for DEX, none of the drugs presenting cross-resistance were able to induce cell death on LBR-V 160 or LBR-D 160 cell lines.

Animals↗

Expression of CD44 splice variants in spontaneous murine tumors.

CD44 is a widely distributed set of cell surface glycoproteins expressed in several types of cells and tissues, implicated in cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. This molecule plays a major role in cell differentiation, development and activation and has also been described as a potential marker of malignancy and metastasis. In the present study we investigated by RT-PCR followed by exon specific amplification the expression of CD44 splice variants in four different murine tumors as well as in the invaded organs in order to correlate the expression of CD44 variants with potential tumor invasiveness and their implications for growth. Our data showed deregulation in the expression of CD44 isoforms but no discernible correlation in isoform expression pattern. However, in all tumors studied isoforms presented by the primary tumor were detected in the invaded organs before metastasis could be demonstrated by histopathological analysis.

Alternative Splicing↗

Some toxic and enzymatic activities of Bothrops ammodytoides (yarará ñata) venom.

Bothrops ammodytoides, the smallest representative of this genus, is found only in Argentina. Venom was extracted from thirty adult specimens (35-70 cm in length, 90-300 g in weight) captured in the Province of Buenos Aires and kept in captivity. Venom yield was 3-30 mg. SDS-PAGE showed strong bands at 14.0; 23-25; 45; 54 and 63 kDa and weak bands at 17.0; 30.0; 40.0 and 85.0 kDa. Toxic activities were: LD50 (intravenous, mice) 0.5+/-0.2 microg/g; minimal procoagulant dose on human plasma (MPD-P) 35+/-2 mg/l; and minimal defibrinogenating dose (MDD, mice) 6-12 microg. Hemorrhagic and/or necrotic activities appear to play a major role in lethality; minimal hemorrhagic dose (MHD, mice) is 10+/-2 microg/g and minimal necrotizing dose (MND, mice) is 38+/-5 microg. The LD50, MPD-P and MND are among the lowest in venoms from Bothrops species found in Argentina. B. ammodytoides venom exhibited high proteolytic and phospholipase A2 activities. Most of the B. ammodytoides venom components cross-react with Bivalent Bothropic antivenom (Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos ANLIS Dr. G. Malbrin, against B. alternatus and B. neuwiedii venoms). One ml of antivenom neutralizes 1.2 mg of B. ammodytoides venom.

Animals↗

[Differential binding of hyaluronic acid in 2 CD44+ sublines. Relationship with tumor infiltration].

We have established and characterized a cell line (LBL) from a spontaneous murine T lymphoma LB. Histopathological analysis has demonstrated LB primary tumor infiltration in spleen, lymph nodes, liver, thymus, bone marrow and lung. However LBL cells infiltrated all these organs except lung. Two sublines with different growth behavior were derived from LBL cell line. One of them grew in suspension as clusters (LBLc) while the other one grew as adherent monolayers (LBLa). Growth rate, response to mitogenic stimuli and apoptosis induction were different among the parental cell line and the derived sublines. CD44 was expressed constitutively in LBL and LBLa cells. In contrast LBLc cells only expressed similar levels of this molecule when stimulated with PMA. LBLa cells showed hyaluronic acid (HA) binding properties, while LBL and LBLc cells were not able to bind HA even when activated with PMA. We postulate that differences in HA binding could be related with different infiltration behaviors.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Isoforms modulation of CD44 adhesion molecule in a murine model of ischemia and intestinal reperfusion].

Gut ischemia-reperfusion (G-IR) induces a systemic inflammatory response, in which leukocyte contribution to this injury in distant organs is important. ICAM-1 as well as CD11/CD18 have been involved in leukocyte infiltration in liver and lungs. CD44 adhesion molecule plays an essential role in other inflammatory processes such as rheumatoid arthritis and allergic contact dermatitis, however its implication in G-IR has not been described. In order to establish a possible role of CD44 in the development of systemic inflammation by G-IR, we have studied CD44 mRNA expression by RT-PCR in a murine model of gut ischemia reperfusion. Animals subjected to G-IR showed an increased number of CD44 variable isoforms expressed in liver and spleen compared to non-treated animals or animals subjected to laparotomy. This finding indicates that G-IR specifically induces the expression of different CD44 variable isoforms. Liver CD44 upregulation in animals subjected to G-IR suggests a contribution of this molecule to lymphocyte activation and migration to this injured organ. Moreover, increased isoform expression in spleen may be induced by the proinflammatory environment resulting from a systemic depuration activity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Cross neutralization of bothrops jararacussu venom by heterologous antivenoms].

We have studied the immunochemical cross-reactivity and cross-neutralization of the lethal potency, hemorrhagic, necrotizing, procoagulant and (indirect) hemolytic activities of Bothrops jararacussu venom by the standard antivenoms produced in Argentina. These antivenoms are horse immunoglobulin F (ab')2 fragments from animals immunized with 1) Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (Monovalent Anticrotalic antivenom); 2) Bothrops alternatus and B. neuwiedii venoms (Bivalent Botropic antivenom); 3) B. alternatus, B. neuwiedii, B. jararaca and B. jararacussu venoms (Tetravalent Bothropic, or "Misiones" antivenom) and 4) B. alternatus, B. neuwiedii and C. d. terrificus venoms (Trivalent Botropic-Crotalic antivenom). In preincubation experiments, all the heterologous antivenoms neutralized the toxic and biological activities of B. jararacussu venom with a potency at least as high as the Tetravalent Botropic (i.e. the only homologous) antivenom, in which B. jararacussu venom was included as immunogen. These results suggest the possibility of using heterologous antibothropic antivenoms for the treatment of snake bites by B. jararacussu.

Animals↗

Cross-reactivity and heterologous neutralization of crotaline antivenoms used in Argentina.

The immunochemical cross-reactivity and neutralizing capacity of four crotalinae antivenoms consisting in equine F(ab')2 fragments and available in Argentina (bothropic Bivalent, against Bothrops alternatus and B. neuwiedii venoms; bothropic Tetravalent, against B. alternatus, B. neuwiedii; B. jararaca and B. jararacussu venoms; bothropic crotalic Trivalent, against B. alternatus, B. neuwiedii and Crotalus (C.) durissus terrificus venoms and anticrotalic against C. d. terrificus venom) were studied against B. alternatus, B. ammodytoides; B. jararaca; B. jararacussu, B. moojeni; B. neuwiedii and C. d. terrificus venoms. SDS-PAGE analysis of the Bothrops venoms showed protein bands of high (>40 kDa) medium (20-40 kDa) and low (<15 kDa) molecular weights, while that of C. d. terrificus exhibited a large amount of material with molecular weight of 15.0 kDa or lower. Immunoblotting showed a high cross-reactivity of all the major protein bands with all the antivenoms (even heterologous) tested. All the antivenoms were effective in neutralizing the lethal activity of the venoms tested, and in some cases (B. jararaca and B. jararacussu) heterologous antivenoms exhibited similar neutralizing capacity than the homologous ones. In spite of the differences in biochemical composition and pharmacology, Bothropic antivenoms displayed a significant neutralizing capacity on lethal activity of C. d. terrificus venom. In addition, all the antivenoms (including the anticrotalic) were highly effective in neutralizing the hemorragic, necrotizing, procoagulant, and proteolytic activities. The antivenoms tested produced different degrees of inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity, which exhibited a certain specificity but was also related to the enzyme content in the venom.

Animals↗

Study of an Argentine mistletoe, the hemiparasite Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae).

Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh. is an hemiparasite species used in Argentine folk medicine as a substitute for the European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) based on its putative activity of decreasing high blood pressure. This paper analyzes flavonoid composition, protein constituents and the possible immunomodulatory and antitumoral effects of this species. Micromolecular study disclosed quercetin-free, quercetin-glycosylated and proanthocyanidins corresponding to cyanidin monomers, which implies a particular metabolic pathway. Proteins present in L. cuneifolia extracts analyzed by SDS-PAGE presented multiple bands with molecular weights ranging from 14 to 90 kD. These features contribute to the characterization of the native mistletoe. As V. album is being used in cancer treatment due to its immunomodulatory and antitumoral activity, the action of aqueous L. cuneifolia extracts on murine lymphocytes was investigated. Culture of murine spleen cells alone or stimulated with Concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide in presence of L. cuneifolia extracts indicated a certain stimulation of splenocytes alone and an inhibition of splenocytes stimulated with Concanvalin A or lipopolysaccharide. An inhibitory effect was also observed on the proliferation of murine leukemia cells. In addition, aqueous extracts increased nitric oxide production by murine macrophages. These results suggest that L. cuneifolia extracts exert an immunomodulatory effect on the mouse immune system.

Animals↗

Interleukin 2 exerts autocrine stimulation on murine T-cell leukaemia growth.

As it has been suggested that an autocrine mechanism may control tumour cell growth, in this work cells from a spontaneous murine T lymphocyte leukaemia (LB) expressing the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) (CD25) were evaluated in vitro for IL-2-mediated autocrine growth. Cells grew readily in culture and proliferation was enhanced by the addition of recombinant IL-2 but inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against either IL-2 or IL-2 receptor, in the absence of exogenous IL-2. Cyclosporin A also inhibited LB cell growth. However, when exogenous IL-2 was added together with cyclosporin A, cell proliferation proved similar to controls. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), mRNA for IL-2 was found to be present in tumour cells. Our findings support the hypothesis that LB tumour cell proliferation is mediated by an autocrine pathway involving endogenous IL-2 generation, despite the fact that these cells are not dependent on exogenous IL-2 to grow in culture.

Animals↗

[Neutralizing capacity of ++antiophidic sera against the venom of Bothrops moojeni (lance-headed viper)].

In the production of current therapeutic antisera used in Argentina for Bothrops snakebite, the Bothrops moojeni venom is not used as immunogen, since this snake is not considered a serious public health problem. Accidents caused by this species have not been reported in this country even though Bothrops moojeni is not unfrequent in some regions of Misiones. Despite the high degree of immunological cross reactivity found among the Crotalinae venoms and, in this particular case, among the venoms from the Bothrops Genus, there exists a significant intraspecific variation in venom composition, particularly in specimens arising from different geographic regions. In this study, the antivenoms prepared at the Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos A.N.L.I.S. Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán have been tested for their immunochemical cross reactivity and neutralizing ability of enzymatic and toxic activities of venom from Argentinian specimens of Bothrops moojeni from Misiones. Immunological cross-reactivity was tested by double-immunoprecipitation, immunoelectrophoresis, Western-blot and ELISA. Neutralizing ability of antivenoms against proteolytic, indirect hemolytic activity, procoagulant activity, he-morrhagic activity and necrotizing activity. The Lethal Dose 50 was 1.5 mg/kg body weight; this value is located in the range to those obtained with the venom from Brazilian specimens. It was observed that all the antivenoms exhibited a strong immunochemical cross reactivity and that they were able to neutralize in different degree both, enzymatic and toxic activities of B. moojeni venom. From these results, it can be assumed that the antivenom tested could be employed successfully in cases of B. moojeni snakebites.

Animals↗

Enhancement of anti-tumour immunity in syngeneic mice after MHC class II gene transfection.

The relationship between tumorigenicity and expression of MHC class II molecules in a class II-negative murine leukaemia cell line (LBC) was studied. Analysis of structural DNA sequences encoding MHC class II proteins was performed by Southern blot with DNA isolated from both the original LB tumour and LBC cell line, digested with EcoRI, BamHI and HindIII and hybridised with specific probes for I-A alpha d and I-A beta d chains. Similar patterns were obtained for LB, LBC and normal BALB/c lymphocytes. In vitro treatment with IFN-gamma (20 - 1000 IU ml-1) failed to induce the expression of MHC class II antigens in LBC cell line. LBC cells were tri-transfected by a liposome-mediated protocol with I-A alpha d, I-A beta d genes and pSV2neo. Cells were selected for growth in medium containing Geneticin (G418). Surviving transfectants were cloned and three I-A+ clones were obtained after 20 days (LBCT cells). Syngeneic mice inoculated with 1.0 x 10(3) LBCT (I-A+) cells failed to develop a tumour, whereas the DT50 of mice injected with 1.0 x 10(6) LBCT cells was three times the value for mice injected with LBC cells (I-A-). Furthermore, specific CTL response against tumour cells was significantly enhanced upon priming with irradiated LBC-transfected cells (27 +/- 2%) compared with irradiated LBC cells (15 +/- 1.5%) in a 4 h 51Cr-release assay. It is suggested that neoexpression of MHC class II molecules enhances anti-tumour response by transforming tumour cells into professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which may be used to improve tumour-specific immunity in the autologous host.

Animals↗

[Immunobiological characterization of murine LB leukemia and the LBC cell line].

LB leukemia is a nonimmunogenic T cell tumor which spontaneously arose in a BALB/c mouse; efforts to induce immunological rejection of the leukemic cells have always failed. The leukemic cells grow rapidly and progressively in the syngeneic host invading spleen, lymph nodes and liver. A cell line (LBC) was developed from the original tumor. Both the original tumor and the cell line have been characterized as expressing the Thy 1+, CD3-, CD25+, MHC class I+, class II-, CD4- (original tumor), CD4+ (cell line), CD8+, gp70-, J11d.2+ phenotypes. Immunization of syngeneic mice with irradiated LBC cells induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes as well as anti-LBC antibodies which reacted with components of 14, 16 and 27 kDa present on LB tumor cells, LBC cell line and normal thymocytes but not on normal lymph node cells. Immunization of syngeneic mice with LBC cells partially protected them against subsequent challenge with the original tumor cells. The effect of sera from tumor-bearing mice and the super-natants from short term cultures were studied on cell proliferation. An inhibitory activity was demonstrated in these fluids, which was abrogated by addition of exogenous IL-2. ELISA showed the presence of soluble IL-2R alpha chain both in the conditioned medium as well as in the serum, which was demonstrated to be responsible for the inhibitory activity. The soluble IL-2R was produced by LB leukemic cells and exerted the inhibitory activity blocking cell proliferation and modulating immune response by binding to free IL-2. Using reverse-transcription PCR, mRNA for IL-2 was found to be present in tumor cells. Our findings indicate that LB cell proliferation is mediated by an autocrine pathway involving endogenous IL-2 generation, despite the fact that these cells are not dependent on exogenous IL-2 to grow in culture. The relationship between tumorigenicity and expression of MHC class II was also investigated. In vitro treatment with IFN-gamma failed to induce the expression of class II antigens in LBC cell line. Therefore these cells were tri-transfected by a liposome-mediated protocol with 1-A alpha d, I-A beta d genes and pSV2neo. Cells were selected to grow in medium containing Genetecin (G418) and surviving transfectants were cloned. Three I-A+ clones were obtained (LBCT) and were used to induce a specific CTL response against tumor cells. Syngeneic mice inoculated with 10(3) LBCT cells failed to develop a tumor while the DT50 of mice injected with 10(6) LBCT cells was three times the value for mice injected with LBC cells (I-A-). It is suggested that neoexpression of MHC class II molecules enhances anti-tumor response by transforming tumor cells into professional antigen-presenting cells, which may be used to improve tumor-specific immunity in the autologous host.

Animals↗

Induction of anti-tumour immunity in syngeneic mice by a leukaemic cell line.

Induction of anti-tumour immunity in syngeneic mice by LBC cell line derived from a non-immunogenic T cell leukaemia was studied. The immunization of BALB/c mice with LBC irradiated cells induced in them anti-tumour spleen cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and anti-LBC antibodies. The anti-LBC antibodies reacted with components of 14, 16 and 27 kDa present on LB tumour cells, LBC cell line and normal thymocytes, but not with normal lymph node cells. Furthermore, immunization of the autologous hosts with LBC cells partially protected them against subsequent challenge with the original LB leukaemic cells. These findings demonstrate that culture conditions induced modifications in the antigenic properties of the leukaemic cells, allowing LBC cells to stimulate an immune response directed against components expressed at early stages during T cell maturation. These results also suggest that the immune response is responsible for the prolongation of the survival time of the mice inoculated with the parental leukaemic cells.

Animals↗

Inhibitory activity of soluble IL-2R in sera, ascites and culture supernatants from murine leukaemic cells.

The effect of sera from mice bearing a T cell lymphoid leukaemia (LB) and the supernatants from short term cultures of the tumour cells were studied on cell proliferation using syngeneic and allogeneic normal and tumour cells. An inhibitory activity was demonstrated in 24-48 h supernatants of LB cells in culture and disappeared after 4 days of culture. Inhibitory activity was cytostatic but not cytotoxic and was non-specific since it inhibited the growth of both syngeneic and allogeneic normal and tumour cells. Such activity was found in the 10(5)-1.3 x 10(5) M(r) serum fraction after a Sephacryl S200 chromatography. Though sensitive to protease, trypsin or neuraminidase treatment, which indicated its glycoprotein nature, it remained stable after heating or freezing-thawing cycles as well as after alkaline, acid or hyaluronidase treatment. Addition of exogenous IL-2 abrogated inhibitory activity. ELISA showed the presence of soluble IL-2R both in LB conditioned medium and in above serum fraction. It is demonstrated that the inhibitory factor, soluble IL-2R, is produced by LB leukaemia cells, then secreted into blood and ascitic fluid or released into culture supernatants. Soluble IL-2R exerts inhibitory activity blocking cell proliferation and modulating immune response by binding to free IL-2.

Animals↗

Comparative study of cell-immunoenzymatic methods for the estimation of IgG and IgM anti-Brucella antibodies in the diagnosis of human brucellosis.

Two methods which employ whole cells are described and compared for the detection of human IgG and IgM anti-brucella antibodies. Dot ELISA and ELISA were shown to be suitable for a screening diagnosis of human brucellosis. Titres of antibodies obtained by dot ELISA showed 100% coincidence for IgG and 97% for IgM, compared with agglutination and complement fixation tests; when ELISA was used 11% positive sera were not detected. The comparison of these two methods with the conventional serological test kit indicated that both dot ELISA and ELISA were sensitive, reproducible and specific for the quantification of IgG and IgM antibrucella antibodies.

Agglutination Tests↗