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Biomedical subjects

S Hirosawa

Publications and source records attributed to S Hirosawa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Inactivation of multiple tumor-suppressor genes involved in negative regulation of the cell cycle, MTS1/p16INK4A/CDKN2, MTS2/p15INK4B, p53, and Rb genes in primary lymphoid malignancies.

It is now evident that the cell cycle machinery has a variety of elements negatively regulating cell cycle progression. However, among these negative regulators in cell cycle control, only 4 have been shown to be consistently involved in the development of human cancers as tumor suppressors: Rb (Retinoblastoma susceptibility protein), p53, and two recently identified cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p16INK4A/MTS1 and p15INK4B/MTS2. Because there are functional interrelations among these negative regulators in the cell cycle machinery, it is particularly interesting to investigate the multiplicity of inactivations of these tumor suppressors in human cancers, including leukemias/lymphomas. To address this point, we examined inactivations of these four genes in primary lymphoid malignancies by Southern blot and polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analyses. We also analyzed Rb protein expression by Western blot analysis. The p16INK4A and p15INK4B genes were homozygously deleted in 45 and 42 of 230 lymphoid tumor specimens, respectively. Inactivations of the Rb and p53 genes were 27 of 91 and 9 of 173 specimens, respectively. Forty-one (45.1%) of 91 samples examined for inactivations of all four tumor suppressors had one or more abnormalities of these four tumor-suppressor genes, indicating that dysregulation of cell cycle control is important for tumor development. Statistical analysis of interrelations among impairments of these four genes indicated that inactivations of the individual tumor-suppressor genes might occur almost independently. In some patients, disruptions of multiple tumor-suppressor genes occurred; 4 cases with p16INK4A, p15INK4B, and Rb inactivations; 2 cases with p16INK4A, p15INK4B, and p53 inactivations; and 1 case with Rb and p53 inactivations. It is suggested that disruptions of multiple tumor suppressors in a tumor cell confer an additional growth advantage on the tumor.

Adolescent↗

Anticoagulant effects of retinoic acids on leukemia cells.

We have recently found that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) upregulates thrombomodulin (TM) and downregulates tissue factor (TF) expression in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) M3 cells (NB4) and acute monoblastic leukemia cells (U937) (Koyama et al, Blood 84:3001, 1994). We have further investigated the effects of ATRA on leukemic cells freshly isolated from patients at diagnosis. Increase of TM antigen was documented in all AML cells: M0 (n = 1), M2 (n = 5), M3 (n = 3), M4 (n = 3), M5 (n = 3), and M6 (n = 1). Decrease of TF antigen was observed in 4 M2, 1 M4, and all M3 and M5 patients. However, no TM and TF antigens were detected in all chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (n = 3) with or without ATRA treatment. Changes of TM and TF antigen levels were associated with those of TM and TF cofactor levels on the cell surface. A stereoisomer of RA, 9-cis RA, is a high-affinity ligand for the RA receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors, although ATRA and another isomer, 13-cis RA, solely bind to RARs. We have also studied the effects of 9-cis RA and 13-cis RA on the expressions of TM and TF in NB4 and U937 cells. A relatively wide range of 9-cis RA concentrations (0.01 to 1 mumol/L) compared with ATRA was optimal for prolongation of normal plasma-based recalcification time (reduction of cell surface TF activity), decrease of TF antigen, and increase of TM antigen on the surface and in the lysates of NB4 and U937 cells. Western blot analysis under nonreducing conditions showed that both ATRA and 9-cis RA markedly induced the prominent band at 75 kD of TM and reduced the band at 45 kD of TF. Northern blot analysis has shown similar changes of mRNA levels, which indicates that RAs regulate TM and TF expression in leukemic cells at transcriptional levels. Anticoagulant effects of ATRA, ie, upregulation of TM expression and downregulation of TF expression, are applied not only to established cell lines of specific subtypes (M3 and M5) but also to more universal AML (most cases of M3 and M5 and a part of the other types of AML) cells freshly isolated from patients. 9-cis RA may be more effective than ATRA as an inducer of differentiation of AML M3 cells and as an anticoagulant agent for patients with certain types of AML as well.

Anticoagulants↗

Pharmacokinetics and safety of a novel, long-acting, prodrug-type potassium channel opener, Y-27152, in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics and safety of a novel, long-acting, prodrug-type K(+)-channel opener, Y-27152, were investigated in healthy male volunteers. In the first phase, single oral doses of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg of Y-27152 (n = 3-6 per dose) were given after overnight fasts in a dose-escalating manner. The 0.75-mg dose was given both after an overnight fast or after food to examine the effects of food intake. In the second phase, multiple doses of Y-27152 were taken after meals once daily for 7 consecutive days. In part A of this phase, either placebo (n = 3) or 0.5 mg of Y-27152 (n = 6) was taken for 7 days, and in part B of this phase 0.5-, 0.75-, and 1.0-mg doses were taken in a dose-escalating manner for 1,3, and 3 days, respectively (n = 9). In the single-dose study, peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of main active metabolite (Y-26763; M1) increased in parallel with dosage. This dose-linearity was less obvious with Y-27152, which had an AUC approximately 6 to 10 times less than that of M1. Administration with food at 0.75 mg resulted in a small but significant decrease (approximately 10%) in the Cmax and AUC of M1. At doses of 0.5 mg or higher, participants experienced headaches and palpitations, which were probably due to the vasodilatory effects and did not require treatment. Mean diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased and pulse rate increased at doses of 0.5 mg or higher compared with predose values. Plasma renin activity was significantly elevated 4 hours after the administration of the 0.75- and 1.0-mg doses, but showed no significant change at 0.5 mg. In the multiple-dose study, the time profile of the plasma concentration of M1 approximately coincided with the simulation curves worked out using the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in the singledose study. The incidence of headaches tended to increase with dose in part B, but drug administration was not discontinued in any case. Plasma renin activity again increased 4 hours after administration. In phase B of the multiple-dose study, diastolic blood pressure decreased and pulse rate increased compared with predose values. Y-27152 was metabolized to M1 and well tolerated in healthy volunteers, and its pharmacologic effects were likely caused by vasodilation, which could make it an effective antihypertensive agent.

Administration, Oral↗

Translocation (3;14)(q27;q11): a new variant translocation in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell type with BCL6 rearrangement.

We report a 65-year-old woman with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) carrying a t(3;14)(q27;q11) and BCL6 rearrangement in the affected cells. She had generalized lymphadenopathy and the bone marrow was infiltrated by lymphoma cells at presentation. Histological diagnosis was "malignant lymphoma, diffuse, large cell" type according to an International Working Formulation. Chromosome analysis revealed a t(3;14)(q27;q11), which is a new variant translocation of t(3;14) (q27;q32). Southern blot analysis showed rearrangement of BCL6, JH, and TCR beta but not of TCR delta. Cosmid probe of BCL6 hybridized to 14q11 and 3q27 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Although the band 14q11 is a locus of T-cell receptor alpha- and delta-chains (TCR alpha/delta), lymphoma cells expressed B-cell, IgGk phenotype. The findings suggest that a novel proto-oncogene in the vicinity of TCR alpha/delta is involved in this translocation.

Aged↗

A new non-random chromosomal translocation t(3;6)(q27;p21.3) associated with BCL6 rearrangement in two patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We describe two cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with t(3;6)(q27;p21.3) and BCL6 rearrangement. The first case was in a 78-year old woman, whose performance status (PS) was 1, the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was elevated, and the Ann Arbor stage was IIIA with no extra nodal lymphomatous site. The pathological diagnosis from a biopsy of the inguinal lymph node was 'malignant lymphoma (ML), follicular, small cleaved' according to the Working Formulation. Complete remission was achieved. Although she had relapse in 1992, remission was obtained again. The second case was in a 62-year old man, whose PS was 1, the serum LDH was normal, and Ann Arbor stage was IVA with the involvement of the small intestine. Histological diagnosis of the cervical lymph node was 'ML, diffuse, large cell'. Complete remission was obtained without relapse. The 3q27 translocations, found in 20-30% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are unique in having multiple chromosomal translocation partners. Chromosome band 6p21.3 is one of these partner sites that may be the site of a novel gene. The two cases presented here show that this translocation is a non-random chromosomal change involving 3q27 and BCL6. Since t(3;6) was the sole karyotypic abnormality in one case, this translocation may play a role in lymphomagenesis.

Aged↗

Clonal identification of Burkitt's lymphoma arising from lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease.

The occurrence of large cell lymphomas subsequent to, or concurrent with, lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease (LPHD) is a well-documented phenomenon. We present a case of Burkitt's lymphoma of the bladder, occurring after the successful treatment of LPHD of a cervical lymph node. To evaluate the clonal relationship of the two tumours, we amplified the complementarity-determining-region 3 of two samples from paraffin-embedded slides, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sequences of the PCR products showed 96% homology to each other. These results indicate that the malignant clone of Burkitt's lymphoma arose from the corresponding LPHD.

Aged↗

Internal DNA deletion within the BCL-6 gene on untranslocated chromosome in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with 3q27 abnormality.

Chromosomal translocations involving the band 3q27 are recognized as common specific cytogenetic abnormalities in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and the BCL-6 gene, identified on 3q27 was shown to be disrupted by these translocations. Previously, we have reported biallelic BCL-6 rearrangements occurring in some patients with B cell NHL. In the present study, we describe a NHL patient with t(3;22)(q27;q11) translocation. In this patient, biallelic BCL-6 abnormalities were indicated by Southern blot analysis. Further studies revealed that one of the two independent abnormalities was a juxtaposition to the immunoglobulin (Ig) lambda gene associated with chromosomal translocation, whereas the other was an internal DNA deletion of 1.5 kb area on untranslocated chromosome 3. Deletion junctions were located within the first exon and the 5' region of the first intron. The result provides the evidence that, besides chromosomal translocation, submicroscopic local DNA recombination can cause structural alteration of the BCL-6 gene.

Base Sequence↗

The murine BCL6 gene is induced in activated lymphocytes as an immediate early gene.

The chromosomal translocation involving 3q27 is often detected in human B-cell lymphomas, especially diffuse lymphomas with a large-cell component. The BCL6 gene has been isolated from the chromosomal breakpoint in these lymphomas. Here we cloned the murine BCL6 (mBCL6) cDNA from the muscle cDNA library using the human BCL6 (hBCL6) cDNA as a probe. The predicted amino acid sequence was 95% identical to that of hBCL6. It contains six repeats of the Krüppel-like zinc-finger motif that are completely identical to those of hBCL6, indicating that the BCL6 gene is well conserved between humans and mice. Expression of the mBCL6 gene was ubiquitously detected in adult mouse tissues including lymphatic organs. Furthermore, it was induced in lymphocytes activated with phorbol ester and Ca2+ ionophore within 30 min after stimulation. This induction was not inhibited by treatment of the cells with a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. These results suggest that BCL6 plays a role in activated lymphocytes as an immediate early gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the promoter region of human BCL-6 gene.

The BCL-6 gene encodes a zinc finger-transcription factor and frequently is rearranged in diffuse large cell lymphoma. We have reported here the isolation of the 5'-flanking region of the human BCL-6 gene. Nucleotides sequence of 1.5 Kb promoter region contains TATA box but no CAAT box and a number of potential regulatory elements including CACCC, E-box, and GATA-1 sites. Studies of the promoter activity showed the first 657 nucleotides of the 5'-flanking region significantly drove transcription of the luciferase reporter gene in human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line.

Base Sequence↗

Loss of the cyclin-dependent kinase 4-inhibitor (p16; MTS1) gene is frequent in and highly specific to lymphoid tumors in primary human hematopoietic malignancies.

The cyclin-dependent kinase 4-inhibitor (CDK41; p16; or MTS1) gene has been proposed as a candidate for a tumor-suppressor gene located in chromosome 9p21, a frequently deleted region in a wide spectrum of human cancers, including leukemias. Recent studies disclosed that it was frequently deleted or mutated in a variety of primary human cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The purpose of this study is to figure out the precise manners and frequencies of p16 gene inactivation in diverse hematopoietic tumor types and thus to clarify its significance in development of human hematopoietic malignancies. A total of 410 tumor specimens from patients with primary hematopoietic malignancies were examined for deletions of the p16 gene as well as the neighboring p15 gene and the nearby interferon alpha gene by Southern blot analysis. Tumor-specific mutations or small deletions of the p16 gene were also studied in 74 patients using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing. Loss of the p16 gene was most frequently observed among the three genes examined and was found in 59 of the 410 patients: 2 of 134 with acute myelocytic leukemia, 41 of 105 with acute lymphocytic leukemia, 2 of 15 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 5 of 14 with adult T-cell leukemia, 4 of 33 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 3 of 8 with mixed-lineage leukemia, and 2 of 61 with chronic myelocytic leukemia. In 16 of the 59 patients, the p16 deletions occurred due to rearrangements within the small region between the p15 exon 2 and the p16 exon 2. Tumor-specific mutations or small deletions of the p16 gene were not detected in the 74 patients examined, including 12 of 14 patients with hemizygous deletions of the gene. Loss of the p16 gene is frequent in and highly specific to lymphoid malignancies (54 of 183 [30%] in lymphoid tumor v2 of 219 [1%] in myeloid tumors; P < .0001). The deletion analyses strongly suggest that the p16 gene is a tumor-suppressor gene located in chromosome 9p21 that is involved in development of human lymphoid tumors. Gene deletions but not minute mutations should be the predominant mechanism of p16 gene inactivation in these types of tumors.

Adolescent↗

N-ras and p53 gene mutations are very rare events in multiple myeloma.

The frequencies of p53 and N-ras gene mutations were examined in multiple myeloma. DNA samples of 45 cases of multiple myeloma were obtained from stored bone marrow smears. All samples were analyzed for the N-ras gene at codon 12 by the allele specific restriction analysis method and at codon 61 by direct sequencing. DNA was screened for mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis for the p53 gene in exons 5 to 8. DNA fragments showing an altered electrophoretic pattern were further studied by direct sequencing to confirm the mutations. Ras mutations were found in two cases at codon 61 (4.4%). A point mutation of the p53 gene was detected in one of 45 cases (2.2%). These 3 cases with mutations were in an advanced stage. In conclusion, N-ras and p53 gene mutations may occur at a late stage of multiple myeloma, but the frequencies of the mutations are very low.

Adult↗

Using biopsy materials to detect mutations in gastrointestinal tumors.

Because endoscopic examinations are a crucial first step in the diagnosis of carcinomas, we have analyzed point mutations of the c-K-ras and p53 genes using biopsied samples. There is no previous report of such an approach, using only biopsied materials. We analyzed point mutations of the c-K-ras and p53 genes using 60 colorectal and 31 gastric tumor biopsy specimens. None of the gastric and seven of the colorectal tumors had mutations of the c-K-ras gene. p53 gene mutations were detected in six gastric carcinomas [two out of 11 intramucosal carcinomas (18.2%) and four out of 11 invasive carcinomas (36.4%)]. Eight of 15 invasive colorectal carcinomas (53.3%) showed point mutations in the p53 gene. Although point mutation frequencies in this study were relatively low when compared with previous reports in which surgical samples were used, our study shows that biopsied specimens are adequate and useful for analysis of gene point mutations.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Biallelic DNA rearrangements and deletions within the BCL-6 gene in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Chromosomal translocations involving band 3q27 are recently described common specific cytogenetic abnormalities in B-cell neoplasms, and the BCL-6 gene, identified on 3q27, was shown to be disrupted and over-expressed in lymphoma cells having these chromosomal translocations. In the present study we found rearrangements within the BCL-6 gene in seven out of 35 cases with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Further analysis revealed that three of these patients with BCL-6 abnormality had multiple rearranged bands hybridized with probes from a single restriction fragment within the major translocation cluster (MTC), suggesting that independent DNA rearrangements would occur on both alleles. Additionally, Southern blot analysis indicated that three patients carry deletions encompassing the area containing the first exon of the BCL-6 gene. Our results suggest that biallelic DNA rearrangements and deletions would occasionally occur in NHL patients with BCL-6 abnormality.

Adult↗

Factor V inhibitor associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

We report an unusual case of a 74-year-old male who developed a serum autoantibody reactive with human coagulation factor V (FV) in an activated form, as demonstrated by coagulation studies and immunoblotting analysis. Despite marked prolongation of a prothrombin time and an activated partial thromboplastin time in this patient, the inhibitor was not associated with clinical bleeding but with multiple cerebral infarctions. The patient had suffered from Sjögren's syndrome with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. The patient's purified IgG, an immediately acting inhibitor to FV, reacted with a light chain of thrombin-activated FV (FVa) and inhibited the procoagulant activity of FVa without affecting the cleavage of FVa by activated protein C. The FV inhibitor may arise from activation of FV with consequent exposure of neoantigen during the activation of coagulation cascade in the patient with an autoimmune disorder for the background.

Aged↗

Determination of a common clonal origin of gastric and pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas presenting five years apart.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is often mis-diagnosed as a benign tumor. Dissemination to other sites occurs in MALT lymphoma. We report a 60-year-old man with gastric and pulmonary tumors of MALT lymphoma which occurred 5 years apart. Initially, the gastric tumor had been diagnosed as reactive lymphoreticular hyperplasia. To determine whether the two tumors arose from the same malignant clone, we amplified and sequenced the complementarity-determining region 3 of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sequences were identical except for 11-nucleotide difference, suggesting identical clonality.

Base Sequence↗

[Molecular analysis of multiple myeloma cells].

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells. Molecular analyses of the involvement of oncogenes (c-myc, and N- and K-ras genes) and suppressor gene (p53) in pathogenesis of MM have been recently carried out. Relatively high incidence of elevated expression of c-myc mRNA have been found, although the gene rearrangements are very rare. Mutations of N- and K-ras genes have been found in about 1/3 of patients with MM. Point mutations of p53 gene were detected in about 10-20% of patients. The mutations were found in terminal or leukemic phase of the disease. These indicate that oncogenes and suppressor genes are involved in the development and progression of MM.

Genes, myc↗

All-trans retinoic acid upregulates thrombomodulin and downregulates tissue-factor expression in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells: distinct expression of thrombomodulin and tissue factor in human leukemic cells.

The expressions of thrombomodulin (TM) and tissue factor (TF) by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) were studied in human leukemic cell lines including NB4 (acute promyelocytic leukemia) and U937 (monoblastic leukemia). ATRA remarkably upregulated TM antigen expression in cell lysates as well as TM cofactor activity on the cell surfaces of NB4. The level of TM mRNA in NB4 cells was increased by ATRA. Inherently procoagulant NB4 cells contained markedly higher content of TF, which was efficiently reduced by ATRA. Modest increase of TM and decrease of TF were observed when NB4 cells were treated with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP). On the other hand, both ATRA and dbcAMP showed dramatic increase of TM antigen level and modest decrease of TF antigen in U937 cells. These results suggest that ATRA regulates expressions of TM and TF antigens and activity in NB4 and U937 cell lines, and provide evidence for a potential efficiency of ATRA as a preventive and therapeutic agent for disseminated intravascular coagulation in promyelocytic and monocytic leukemia.

Bucladesine↗