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Biomedical subjects

S M Albelda

Publications and source records attributed to S M Albelda.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Use of a "replication-restricted" herpes virus to treat experimental human malignant mesothelioma.

Modified, nonneurovirulent herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) have shown promise in the treatment of brain tumors. However, HSV-1 can infect and lyse a wide range of cell types. In this report, we show that HSV-1716, a mutant lacking both copies of the gene coding ICP-34.5, can effectively treat a localized i.p. malignancy. Human malignant mesothelioma cells supported the growth of HSV-1716 and were efficiently lysed in vitro. i.p. injection of HSV-1716 into animals with established tumor nodules reduced tumor burden and significantly prolonged survival in an animal model of non-central nervous system-localized human malignancy without dissemination or persistence after i.p. injection into SCID mice bearing human tumors. These findings suggest that this virus may be efficacious and safe for use in localized human malignancies of nonneuronal origin such as malignant mesothelioma.

Animals↗

Loss of alpha-v integrin expression and recurrence in node-negative lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite "curative" resection, metastases develop in many patients with node-negative (N0) non-small cell lung carcinoma. Alternative biologic markers for this tumor would be useful. Integrins are cell adhesion molecules that are thought to be important in tumor progression, and expression of these molecules previously has been shown to be altered in non-small cell lung carcinoma. We evaluated alterations in integrin expression and clinical outcome. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of tumor specimens was performed, and clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Data were complete for 42 patients. Half of all patients (21/42) and 9 of 26 patients with negative nodes experienced tumor recurrence during follow-up. Neither histologic type nor tumor differentiation status correlated with recurrence. However, loss of the alpha v integrin subunit was associated significantly with recurrence in the N0 group. Seventy-five percent of patients with negative nodes who exhibited recurrence lost alpha v expression, compared with only 10% of patients with negative nodes who did not exhibit recurrence (p = 0.012). Alterations of other integrin subunits did not correlate significantly with prognostic follow-up variables. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of alpha v expression may serve as a marker for patients with node-negative non-small cell lung carcinoma who are at high risk for recurrence, potentially directing additional therapies.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Retinoids augment the bystander effect in vitro and in vivo in herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir-mediated gene therapy.

Metabolic cooperation via gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is an important mechanism of the bystander effect in gene therapy using the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSVtk/GCV) 'prodrug' system. Since retinoids have been reported to increase GJIC by induction of connexin expression, we hypothesized that these compounds could be used to augment the HSVtk/GCV bystander effect. Addition of all-trans retinoic acid increased GJIC in tumor cell lines, augmented expression of connexin 43, and was associated with more efficient GCV-induced in vitro bystander killing in cells transduced with HSVtk via either retrovirus or adenovirus vectors. This augmentation of bystander effect could also be seen in vivo. HSVtk-transduced tumors in mice treated with the combination of GCV and retinoids were significantly smaller than those treated with GCV or retinoids alone. These results provide evidence that retinoids can augment the efficiency of cell killing with the HSVtk/GCV system by enhancing bystander effects and may thus be a promising new approach to improve responses in gene therapy utilizing the HSVtk/GCV system to treat tumors or vascular restenosis.

Animals↗

Human skin/SCID mouse chimeras as an in vivo model for human cutaneous mast cell hyperplasia.

Human skin xenografted to mice with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID) was evaluated to determine the integrity and fate of human dermal mast cells. There was an approximately 3-fold increase in number of dermal mast cells by 3 mo after engraftment (p < 0.05). These cells were responsive to conventional mast cell secretagogues and were confirmed to be of human origin by ultrastructural characterization of granule substructure and by reactivity for the human mast cell proteinase, chymase. CD1a+ Langerhans cells, also bone marrow-derived cells, failed to show evidence of concomitant hyperplasia, and increased mast cell number was not associated with alterations in number of dermal vascular profiles identified immunohistochemically for human CD31. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated human but not murine stem cell factor (SCF; also termed mast cell growth factor, c-kit ligand) mRNA in xenografts. Epidermal reactivity for stem cell factor protein shifted from a cytoplasmic pattern to an intercellular pattern by 3 mo after engraftment, suggesting a secretory phenotype, as previously documented for human cutaneous mastocytosis. The majority (>90%) of mast cells demonstrated membrane reactivity for human SCF at the time points of peak hyperplasia. These data establish SCID mouse recipients of human skin xenografts as a potential in vivo model for cutaneous mast cell hyperplasia.

Animals↗

Expression of integrin cell adhesion receptors during human airway epithelial repair in vivo.

Airway epithelium is subject to injury during inflammation and exposure to a variety of inhaled and infectious agents. Little is known about the expression of integrins during human airway epithelial regeneration and differentiation after injury. We therefore characterized integrin subunit expression after mechanical injury in an in vivo xenograft model of human bronchial epithelium. On the migrating cells at the edges of surface epithelial wounds, there was increased expression of the alpha v-, beta 5-, beta 6-, and alpha 5-integrin subunits. During the later phase of repair, the increased expression of alpha v-, beta 5-, and beta 6-subunits persisted, but the expression of the beta 8-subunits was restricted to basal cells. In addition, there was a redistribution of the alpha 2- and alpha 6-collagen/laminin-binding integrins to suprabasal epithelial layers. There was no expression of the beta 3- or alpha 4-integrin subunit on reparative epithelium. A similar upregulation of alpha v-, beta 5-, and beta 6-integrin receptor subunits was observed in areas of undifferentiated airway from cystic fibrosis patients. Injured epithelium was found to be significantly more susceptible to gene transfer with a recombinant adenovirus, suggesting that the increased integrin expression has implications for the acquisition of adenovirus infections and for lung-directed gene therapy.

Animals↗

Experimental production and modulation of human cytotoxic dermatitis in human-murine chimeras.

Human dermatitis-involving cytotoxic interaction between effector lymphocytes and epithelial target cells has thus far been documented in vivo only as naturally occurring disease or as an iatrogenic complication of organ engraftment. In this report, we reproduce human cytotoxic dermatitis via local microinjection of heterologous human lymphocytes into human skin xenografted to mice with severe combined immune deficiency syndrome. Injection sites develop progressive T cell epidermotropism culminating in cytotoxic dermatitis resembling human lichen planus within 4 weeks. Effector T cells express a CD8+, TIA-1+ phenotype, proliferate locally, express interleukin-2 surface receptors, and demonstrate interferon-gamma mRNA induction after microinjection. Migration of these T cells into the epidermis is closely linked to experimental induction and coincident expression of intercellular adhesion molecule by keratinocytes. T cell apposition to keratinocytes is associated with endonuclease-mediated DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) in the latter cell type. Intraepidermal T cell migration and related lesion formation is partially abrogated by systemic administration of antisense oligonucleotide to ICAM-1 mRNA. These findings demonstrate that human cytotoxic tissue injury directed against epithelial targets can be produced and modulated in chimeric mice.

Animals↗

Involvement of endothelial PECAM-1/CD31 in angiogenesis.

The adhesive interactions of endothelial cells with each other and the adhesion receptors that mediate these interactions are probably of fundamental importance to the process of angiogenesis. We therefore studied the effect of inhibiting the function of the endothelial cell-cell adhesion molecule, PECAM-1/ CD31, in rat and murine models of angiogenesis. A polyclonal antibody to human PECAM-1, which cross-reacts with rat PECAM-1, was found to block in vitro tube formation by rat capillary endothelial cells and cytokine-induced rat corneal neovascularization. In mice, two monoclonal antibodies against murine PECAM-1 prevented vessel growth into subcutaneously implanted gels supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Taken together these findings provide evidence that PECAM-1 is involved in angiogenesis and suggest that the interactions of endothelial cell-cell adhesion molecules are important in the formation of new vessels.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Expression and function of endothelial cell alpha v integrin receptors in wound-induced human angiogenesis in human skin/SCID mice chimeras.

Accumulating evidence indicates that endothelial cell integrins that bind to the matrix proteins associated with inflammation and wound healing are involved in the process of angiogenesis. The integrins containing the alpha v subunit appear to be particularly important. To study the involvement of these receptors in human angiogenesis, a model of wound-associated human angiogenesis was established in human skin transplanted onto severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Using this model, we studied the expression of several alpha v integrins and tested the hypothesis that blockage of the alpha v beta 3 integrin would inhibit human angiogenesis during human wound healing. These studies revealed that the alpha v beta 3, alpha v beta 5, and alpha v beta 6 integrins are up-regulated briefly during wound angiogenesis with different patterns of expression and that inhibition of the alpha v beta 3 integrin blocked new vessel formation during human wound healing.

Animals↗

Safety of intrapleurally administered recombinant adenovirus carrying herpes simplex thymidine kinase DNA followed by ganciclovir therapy in nonhuman primates.

Preclinical safety and toxicity studies of intrapleural administration of recombinant adenovirus carrying the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene (H5.010RSVtk) were performed. Previously reported experimental evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of this approach in animal models of a localized thoracic cancer, malignant mesothelioma. H5.010RSVtk was delivered at high dose (10(12) pfu) into the pleural cavity of three non-human primates followed by systemic administration of ganciclovir. No clinical toxicity was noted. Although an inflammatory reaction observable by microscopy was noted in the serosal spaces of the chest cavity, these changes were reversible and were not associated with radiographic sequelae. Extrathoracic viral dissemination was minimal and detectable only by sensitive polymerase chain reaction techniques. This low level of viral dissemination was not associated with detectable clinical, biochemical, or pathologic abnormalities.

Adenoviridae↗

Herpes simplex 1716--an ICP 34.5 mutant--is severely replication restricted in human skin xenografts in vivo.

HSV-1716 is a replication-restricted, neuroattenuated ICP 34.5 gene mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Because of the attenuated phenotype of ICP 34.5 mutants in rodent models of HSV disease, they have been promoted as potential vaccine strains and gene therapy vectors and have been used by us and others as therapeutic agents for the treatment of experimental malignant tumors. However, all data on the phenotype of HSV-1716 and other ICP 34.5 mutants are from animal model systems, while humans are the natural hosts of HSV-1. To achieve an initial characterization of the phenotype of 1716 in human tissue, we have studied its replication in mature human skin xenografts on SCID mice. We find that replication of 1716 is severely restricted in such human skin grafts relative to both parental wild-type HSV-1 strain 17+ and the HSV-1716 revertant virus 1716R, in which the 759-bp ICP 34.5 gene deletions have been repaired. Moreover, the replication of both 1716 and 17+ is significantly better in the human skin grafts than it is in mouse skin. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Animals↗

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) homophilic adhesion is mediated by immunoglobulin-like domains 1 and 2 and depends on the cytoplasmic domain and the level of surface expression.

PECAM-1/CD31 is vascular cell adhesion and signaling molecule of the Ig superfamily that plays a role in neutrophil recruitment at inflammatory sites and may be involved the release of leukocytes from the bone marrow and in cardiovascular development. The interactions of PECAM-1 with its ligands are complex in that it is able to bind both with itself (homophilic adhesion) or with non-PECAM-1 ligands (heterophilic adhesion). Although the factors that regulate ligand binding are not fully understood, these interactions are regulated in part by its large cytoplasmic domain, a region of 118 amino acids encoded by 8 exons of its gene (exons 9-16). The purpose of this work was to better define the mechanisms of PECAM-1-dependent homophilic adhesion by analyzing the binding interactions of L-cells expressing full-length and selectively mutated forms of human, murine, and human/murine chimeric PECAM-1 molecules in an established aggregation assay. These studies demonstrate that 1) the minimal length of the cytoplasmic domain required for cellular aggregation is represented within the sequences encoded by exons 9 and 10, 2) removal or addition of the sequences encoded by exon 14 from the cytoplasmic domain can determine whether the mechanism of aggregation is a heterophilic calcium-dependent process or a homophilic calcium-independent process, 3) high levels of surface expression of PECAM-1 on the cell surface change the mechanism of aggregation from heterophilic to homophilic, and 4) PECAM-1-dependent homophilic binding appears to involve the direct interaction of only the first two extracellular Ig-like domains. These data suggest that PECAM-1-ligand interactions can be regulated through multiple pathways including alterations of the cytoplasmic domain and the level of surface expression.

Animals↗

An anti-platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 antibody inhibits leukocyte extravasation from mesenteric microvessels in vivo by blocking the passage through the basement membrane.

Platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31) plays an active role in the process of leukocyte migration through cultured endothelial cells in vitro and anti-PECAM-1 antibodies (Abs) inhibit accumulation of leukocytes into sites of inflammation in vivo. Despite the latter, it is still not clear at which stage of leukocyte emigration in vivo PECAM-1 is involved. To address this point directly, we studied the effect of an anti-PECAM-1 Ab, recognizing rat PECAM-1, on leukocyte responses within rat mesenteric microvessels using intravital microscopy. In mesenteric preparations activated by interleukin (IL)-1 beta, the anti-PECAM-1 Ab had no significant effect on the rolling or adhesion of leukocytes, but inhibited their migration into the surrounding extravascular tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Although in some vessel segments these leukocytes had come to a halt within the vascular lumen, often the leukocytes appeared to be trapped within the vessel wall. Analysis of these sections by electron microscopy revealed that the leukocytes had passed through endothelial cell junctions but not the basement membrane. In contrast to the effect of the Ab in mesenteric preparations treated with IL-1 beta, leukocyte extravasation induced by topical or intraperitoneal administration of the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was not inhibited by the anti-PECAM-1 Ab. These results directly demonstrate a role for PECAM-1 in leukocyte extravasation in vivo and indicate that this involvement is selective for leukocyte extravasation elicited by certain inflammatory mediators. Further, our findings provide the first in vivo indication that PECAM-1 may have an important role in triggering the passage of leukocytes through the perivascular basement membrane.

Animals↗

Individually distinct Ig homology domains in PECAM-1 regulate homophilic binding and modulate receptor affinity.

PECAM-1 (CD31) is a 130-kDa member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene superfamily that is constitutively expressed at high concentration at endothelial cell intercellular junctions and at moderate density on the surface of circulating leukocytes and platelets. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the PECAM-1 plays a central role in mediating the extravasation of leukocytes from the vessel wall in response to inflammatory mediators. To study the binding characteristics of PECAM-1, phospholipid vesicles were prepared and examined by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy for their ability to associate with each other and with cells. Proteoliposomes containing high concentrations of PECAM-1 interacted homophilically with each other, forming large self-aggregates. PECAM-1 proteoliposomes, as well as soluble bivalent PECAM-1 in the form of a PECAM-1/IgG immunoadhesin, associated homophilically with cells expressing human, but not murine, PECAM-1. This binding could be completely inhibited by monoclonal antibody Fab fragments specific for Ig homology Domain 1 or Domains 1 + 2. Binding studies using cells expressing human PECAM-1 deletion mutants and murine/human chimeras confirmed that both Ig Domains 1 and 2 were both necessary and sufficient for homophilic binding. In contrast, engagement of membrane-proximal Domain 6 with monoclonal antibody Fab fragments had the opposite effect and augmented the binding of PECAM-1 proteoliposomes to cells. Thus, PECAM-1, like certain integrins, appears to be capable of antibody-induced conformational changes that alter affinity for its ligand. Similar changes induced by physiologic stimuli could be important in regulating the function of PECAM-1 in vascular cells.

Animals↗

Blockade of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 protects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in cats.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been shown to play an important role in myocardial ischemia (MI) and reperfusion (R) injury. Since blockade of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecules (PECAM-1) inhibits neutrophil transmigration in vitro and in vivo, the effects of a polygonal Ab directed against PECAM-1 were examined in a feline model of Ml/R. We established cross-reactivity of our anti-human PECAM-1 Ab to cat coronary vasculature and neutrophils by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The anti-PECAM-1 Ab markedly blocked leukocyte transmigration into the peritoneal cavity of cats after glycogen-induced peritonitis. Then, anti-PECAM-1 Ab (1 mg/kg) was tested to determine whether it attenuates MI/R injury in a well characterized feline model of Ml and R. Anti-PECAM-1 Ab administered 10 min before R significantly inhibited the myocardial necrosis seen 4.5 h post-R compared with that in MI/R cats treated with control isotype rabbit IgG (12 +/- 2 vs 29 +/- 4% of area at risk; p less than 0.01) and significantly attenuated the rise in plasma creatine kinase activity (p less than 0.05). The Ab did not prevent increases in cardiac myeloperoxidase activity within the affected regions and did not significantly inhibit autologous neutrophil adhesion to coronary endothelium after stimulation of either neutrophils (by leukotriene B4) or coronary endothelium (by thrombin) in vitro. These results indicate that in vivo blockade of PECAM-1 significantly attenuates MI/R injury, presumably by inhibiting transendothelial migration of neutrophils.

Animals↗

Treatment of pleural mesothelioma in an immunocompetent rat model utilizing adenoviral transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene.

Previously, we have treated malignant mesothelioma (MM) growing in the peritoneal cavity of immunodeficient mice utilizing a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying the herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase gene (Ad.RSVtk) followed by administration of the anti-viral drug ganciclovir (GCV). To mimic more closely the clinical situation in human MM, a syngeneic model of pleural MM was developed in immunocompetent Fischer rats. Administration of Ad.RSVtk into the pleural space of animals with established multifocal tumor followed by systemic GCV therapy resulted in significant tumor regression at 20 days in HSVtk/GCV-treated animals (average tumor weight 0.6 +/- 0.2 gram; n = 12) versus control animals (average weight 5.4 +/- 0.2 grams; n = 21; p < 0.001). In additional studies, Ad.RSVtk/GCV-treated animals had a mean survival of 34 days (average tumor weight 1.0 +/- 0.3 gram at death) versus 26 days in control animals (average tumor weight 6.2 +/- 0.6 grams at death). A significant reduction in tumor burden was also seen when more advanced, bulkier disease was treated. These studies demonstrate the Ad.RSVtk/GCV system is effective in the treatment of pleural-based tumors in an immunocompetent host. However, there are limitations to this treatment approach that result in only small increments in survival.

Adenoviruses, Human↗