Biomedical subjects

S de Vos

Publications and source records attributed to S de Vos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Altered apoptosis pathways in mantle cell lymphoma detected by oligonucleotide microarray.

An imbalance between cellular apoptosis and survival may be critical for the pathogenesis of lymphoma. Therefore, the gene expression pattern in lymph node preparations from patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) was compared to the pattern in nonmalignant hyperplastic lymph nodes (HLs). Oligonucleotide microarray analysis was performed comparing 5 MCLs to 4 HLs using high-density microarrays. The expression data were analyzed using Genespring software. For confirmation, the expression of selected genes was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the RNA extracted from 16 MCL and 12 HL samples. The focus was on 42 genes that were at least 3-fold down-regulated in MCL; in addition to the B-cell leukemia 2 (BCL2) system other apoptotic pathways were altered in MCL. The FAS-associated via death domain (FADD) gene that acts downstream of the FAS cascade as a key gene to induce apoptosis was more than 10-fold down-regulated in MCL. Furthermore, the death-associated protein 6 (DAXX) gene, the caspase 2 (CASP2) gene, and the RIPK1 domain containing adapter with death domain (RAIDD) gene, which are key genes in other proapoptotic pathways, were also decreased in the MCL samples. The suggestion is made that in addition to the known overexpression of cyclin D1, which drives entry into the cell cycle, disturbances of pathways associated with apoptosis contribute to the development of MCL. (Blood. 2001;98:787-794)

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2001

Evidence for the utility of the Bm86 antigen from Boophilus microplus in vaccination against other tick species.

The Bm86 antigen, as originally identified in Boophilus microplus, is the basis of commercial tick vaccines against this tick species. The potential for using this antigen or homologues of the antigen in vaccination against other tick species has been assessed. We have conducted vaccine trials in cattle using the B. microplus-derived recombinant Bm86 vaccine (TickGARD) using pairs of vaccinated calves and control calves. These were infested with B. microplus and Boophilus decoloratus larvae simultaneously. For both species, the numbers of engorged female adult ticks, their weight and egg-laying capacity were all reduced, leading to a reduction in reproductive capacity of 74% for B. microplus and 70% for B. decoloratus. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks were fed both as immatures as well as adults on vaccinated calves and non-vaccinated controls. There was an overall 50% reduction in the total weight of nymphs engorging on vaccinated calves, and a suggestion of a subsequent effect on feeding adults. For Hyalomma dromedarii there was a 95% reduction in the number of nymphs engorging and a further 55% reduction in weight of those ticks surviving. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum ticks were fed simultaneously both as immatures and subsequently as adults. There was no evidence for a significant vaccination effect. Finally, the amino acid sequence of a Bm86 homologue found in H. a. anatolicum unequivocally demonstrated the conservation of this molecule in this species. Our strategy for the development of multivalent anti-tick vaccines is discussed in relation to these findings.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Parents' fear regarding fever and febrile seizures.

In order to improve the effectiveness of information, we studied parents' perceptions and knowledge about fever and febrile seizures. A questionnaire study was carried out among the parents whose children (n = 230) participated in a randomized controlled trial of ibuprofen to prevent recurrent febrile seizures. Of the 230 parents, 181 (79%) responded to the questionnaire. Of all parents, 45% were afraid or very afraid of fever, which was strongly associated with being afraid of recurrent febrile seizures. Parents of children with a non-West European background were more afraid. The consequences of parental fear included frequent temperature measurements (25% measured five times per day or more), sleeping in the same room (24%) and 13% remained awake at night. Witnessing a febrile seizure is a frightening experience for parents; a majority thought that febrile seizures were harmful, because they look dangerous. Forty-seven percent thought that their child was dying during the initial febrile seizure. On the other hand, reassuring information may be helpful: 21% mentioned it as their reason to consider febrile seizures not harmful. We conclude that parental fear of fever and febrile seizures is a major problem with several negative consequences for daily family life. Adequate provision of information may reduce parental fear. We suggest that information about fever and febrile seizures should be provided to all parents, preferably during their contact with the providers of preventive healthcare. The parents of children with a non-West European origin need extra attention.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Immunotherapy against murine leukemia.

The central hypothesis underlying specific anti-leukemia immunotherapy is that leukemic cells express antigenic determinants not expressed on their counterpart normal adult cells. We have developed a murine myeloid leukemia/tumor immunization model using the low-immunogenic WEHI3 leukemia in syngeneic mice. Mice preimmunized with irradiated, transduced IL-7-producing WEHI3 cells showed systemic protection and rejection of a lethal dose of intravenously (i.v.) injected parental WEHI3 cells (5 x 10(4)) with 40% long-term survival. When vaccinated with a mixture of parental WEHI3 cells and IL-2-producing NIH-3T3 fibroblasts (5 x 10(5)), 60% survival was observed. Vaccination with murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing WEHI3 cells resulted in only 20% survival of i.v. challenged mice, and the additional combination of IL-2- and IL-7-producing vaccine did not reveal any additive or synergistic effects. Immunizing mice with a pre-established leukemia burden (injected with 5 x 10(4) WEHI3 cells, i.v., 3 days prior to immunization) did not cure or result in a prolongation of survival, indicating that improved methods of immunization are needed. Taken together, we have identified IL-7 and IL-2 as effective cytokines in our leukemia/vaccination model with only marginal activity by GM-CSF.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1998

Informed consent, parental awareness, and reasons for participating in a randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The informed consent procedure plays a central role in randomised controlled trials but has only been explored in a few studies on children. AIM: To assess the quality of the informed consent process in a paediatric setting. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to parents who volunteered their child (230 children) for a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of ibuprofen syrup to prevent recurrent febrile seizures. RESULTS: 181 (79%) parents responded. On average, 73% of parents were aware of the major study characteristics. A few had difficulty understanding the information provided. Major factors in parents granting approval were the contribution to clinical science (51%) and benefit to the child (32%). Sociodemographic status did not influence initial participation but west European origin of the father was associated with willingness to participate in future trials. 89% of participants felt positive about the informed consent procedure; however, 25% stated that they felt obliged to participate. Although their reasons for granting approval and their evaluation of the informed consent procedure did not differ, relatively more were hesitant about participating in future. Parents appreciated the investigator being on call 24 hours a day (38%) and the extra medical care and information provided (37%) as advantages of participation. Disadvantages were mainly the time consuming aspects and the work involved (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Parents' understanding of trial characteristics might be improved by designing less difficult informed consent forms and by the investigator giving extra attention and information to non-west European parents. Adequate measures should be taken to avoid parents feeling obliged to participate, rather than giving true informed consent.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus type 8 encephalitis in HIV-positive and -negative individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) has been associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and a variety of benign lymphoid proliferations including angioimmunoblastic lymphadenitis with dysproteinemia and Castleman's disease. KSHV/HHV-8 has also been associated with inflammatory conditions including interstitial pneumonitis. Although herpesviruses are commonly associated with encephalitis in immunosuppressed individuals, KSHV/HHV-8 has not previously been associated with central nervous system disease other than lymphoma. The first cases of KSHV/HHV-8 associated encephalitis have been described. METHODS AND DESIGN: KSVH/HHV-8 sequences were evaluated in brain biopsies from three cases of otherwise unexplained encephalitis from three patients, two of whom were positive for HIV. Amplification of the polymerase chain reaction product was confirmed with Southern blot hybridization on three separate occasions, and with appropriate positive and negative controls. RESULTS: All three cases of encephalitis were associated with KSHV/HHV-8 sequences. Characteristic lesions included endothelial cell swelling and perivascular cuffing by lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: KSHV/HHV-8 was associated with encephalitis in immunosuppressed individuals, and should have been considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained viral encephalitis. KSHV/HHV-8 may have tropism for the central nervous system.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1997

Effects of retinoid X receptor-selective ligands on proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Management of prostate cancer that either is detectable by prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements after curative intent or has spread outside of its capsule is a serious problem. Innovative, nontoxic approaches to the disease are required. One approach might be therapy with retinoids. Retinoid activities are mediated by two distinct families of transcription factors: the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), which can induce transcriptional activation through specific DNA sites or by inhibiting the transcription factor AP-1 that usually mediates cellular proliferative signals. The RARs require heterodimerization with RXRs. RXRs can form either heterodimers or homodimers; and the latter can bind to DNA response elements that are distinct from those bound by the RAR/RXR heterodimers. METHODS: A series of novel synthetic retinoids that selectively interact with RXR/RXR homodimers or RAR/RXR heterodimers, or that selectively inhibit AP-1 activity without activating transcription were evaluated for their ability to inhibit clonal growth of three human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP). RESULTS: Several notable findings were: 1) RXR-selective retinoids, such as SR11246, were able to inhibit the clonal growth of prostate cancer cells. In contrast, SR11246 had little effect on clonal growth of myeloid leukemic cells. 2) RAR-selective retinoids also inhibited clonal growth of prostate cancer cells. 3) The retinoid (SR11238) with potent anti-AP-1 activity had no effect on the clonal growth of prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that both RXR- and RAR-selective retinoids are worthy of further study and may be candidates for future clinical trials in prostate cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1997

Effects of potent vitamin D3 analogs on clonal proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Management of prostate cancer that has spread outside of the prostate capsule is a difficult problem. Innovative, non-toxic approaches to the disease are required. New, relatively non-toxic vitamin D3 analogs have recently been synthesized. We report that several of these compounds have marked antiproliferative effects on prostate cells. METHODS: The clonal antiproliferative activity of five novel analogs of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3, (cmpd C)] as well as 1,25(OH)2D3 itself was tested on three human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP, and DU-145). The analogs were 20-epi-22oxa-24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (code name: KH 1060); 24a26a27a-tri-homo-22,24-diene-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (code name: EB 1089); 1,25(OH)2-16ene-D3 (code name: HM); 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-D3 (code name: V); 1,25(OH)2-20-epi-D3 (code name: MC 1288)]. RESULTS: With the parent compound [1,25(OH)2D3], the effective dose that inhibited 50% clonogenic growth of PC-3 and LNCaP was 10(-8)M and 7 x 10(-9)M, respectively. For these prostate cancer cell lines, KH 1060 was the most potent analog by an order of 25- to 35-fold as compared to cmpd C. The second and third most potent analogs were HM and MC 1288. DU-145 was resistant to all the vitamin D3 analogs. The major side-effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 is the production of hypercalcemia. The relative inhibitory index (RII) was determined by comparing the antiproliferative activity of the analog to its ability to produce hypercalcemia in mice injected intraperitoneally every other day. The KH 1060 had the best RTI: 50- to 70-fold greater than 1,25(OH)2D3 for PC-3 and LNCaP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A trial of one or more of these innovative compounds should be considered for treatment of minimal residual disease of prostate cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8)-associated lymphoma of the bowel. Report of two cases in HIV-positive men with secondary effusion lymphomas.

This report describes two cases of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus-8 (KSHV/HHV8)-associated lymphomas that primarily involved the large bowel and that secondarily caused malignant effusions. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is of interest because epidemiologic evidence suggests that KSHV/HHV-8 may be transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and KSHV/HHV8 DNA has been detected in rectal samples from HIV-positive patients. This report describes two HIV-positive men who developed primary KSHV/ HHV8-associated lymphomas of the bowel. Despite similar morphology and immunophenotype, these cases differ from most KSHV/HHV8-associated primary effusion lymphomas, which present with malignant effusions in the absence of a solid tumor mass. The spectrum of KSHV/HHV8-associated lymphomas is expanded to include a subset of primary bowel lymphomas in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1996

Primary effusion lymphoma in women: report of two cases of Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus-associated effusion-based lymphoma in human immunodeficiency virus-negative women.

Recent molecular evidence suggests an association with a new herpes virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV/HHV-8), and primary effusion lymphomas (PEL). PELs have a characteristic morphology, phenotype, and clinical presentation with malignant effusions in the absence of a contiguous solid tumor mass. Most cases of PEL have occurred in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive male patients who are coinfected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This report describes two cases of PEL in HIV- and EBV-negative women. In one patient, a pleural cavity PEL was preceded by classic Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) of the lower extremities. In the second patient, PEL developed in an artificial cavity related to the capsule of a breast implant. Both cases had the characteristic morphologic appearance of high-grade anaplastic/B-cell immunoblastic lymphomas, with loss of B-cell differentiation antigens, clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements, and expression of activation antigen CD30. Both cases were negative for EBV, herpes virus simplex, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). DNA extracted from both lymphomas and skin KS specimen showed KSHV sequences by molecular analysis. This report expands the spectrum of KSHV-associated disease to include PEL in HIV-negative women.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV8) in primary effusion lymphoma: ultrastructural demonstration of herpesvirus in lymphoma cells.

Recent molecular evidence suggests an association with a new herpesvirus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8), and primary effusion lymphomas (PELs). PELs have a characteristic morphology, phenotype, and clinical presentation, with malignant effusions in the absence of a contiguous solid tumor mass. We have established a cell line (KS-1) from a KSHV-positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patient with pleural cavity-based lymphoma that was passaged into triple-immunodeficient BNX mice. In contrast to cell lines from body cavity-based lymphomas derived from HIV-positive individuals that contain both KSHV and Epstein Barr viral genome, these cells contain only KSHV, allowing for uncontaminated virologic studies. Ultrastructural examination identified malignant cells with features of late differentiating B cells (immunoblasts). Cells with viral cytopathic effect contained typical 110-nm intranuclear herpesvirus nucleocapsids and complete cytoplasmic virions, confirming the association of PEL with KSHV.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

20-epi-vitamin D3 analogues: a novel class of potent inhibitors of proliferation and inducers of differentiation of human breast cancer cell lines.

We have studied the in vitro biological activities and mechanism of action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) and four potent 1,25D3 analogues [20-epi-22oxa-24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-1,25(OH)2D3 (KH 1060); 20-epi-1,25(OH)2D3; 1,25(OH)2-16ene-D3; and 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-D3] on proliferation and differentiation of estrogen receptor-negative (MDA-MB-436, BT-20, SK-BR-3, and MDA-MB-231), estrogen receptor-weakly positive (BT474), and estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines. Dose-response studies showed that KH 1060 was the most potent analogue, because it was able to induce differentiation in all seven breast cancer cell lines (measured by lipid staining) and to suppress more than 50% clonal proliferation (ED50) at 10(-10) M in all cell lines, except MDA-MB-436 and BT-20. To explore how these compounds mediated antiproliferative actions, their effects on the cell cycle, on expression of bcl-2 and p53, and on apoptosis were assessed. Five of six cell lines have a mutant p53 gene, whereas MCF-7 has wild-type p53. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the p53 protein was predominantly localized in the nucleus in each of the breast cancer cell lines except for MCF-7, which expressed the protein predominantly in the cytoplasm. After incubation with KH 1060 (3 days; 10(-7) M), expression of bcl-2 protein as determined by immunohistochemical localization was markedly decreased in BT-474, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231; these same cells were profoundly inhibited in their clonal proliferation and arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle when cultured with KH 1060. In contrast, BT-20 and MDA-MB-436 cells that were refractory to the antiproliferative effect of KH 1060 (ED50 < 10(-6) M) had no down-regulation of their bcl-2 expression and no cell cycle changes after exposure to KH 1060. MCF-7 showed morphological changes and DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis after 48 h incubation with KH 1060 (10(-6) M), during which time p53 protein accumulated in the nucleus and decreased in the cytoplasm. In contrast, no apoptosis was detected in three other breast lines (MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3, and BT-474) that had a mutated p53. In conclusion, the data indicate that KH 1060 is an extremely potent 1,25D3 analogue inducing differentiation of all six breast cancer lines and potently inhibiting clonal growth of four of them with concomitant decreased bcl-2 and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1995

Transgenic mice overexpressing human copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) are not resistant to endotoxic shock.

Tumor necrosis factor is a key mediator of the septic shock syndrome, and its secretion by monocytes is induced by endotoxin. Increasing evidence exists that the release of oxygen-derived free radicals by polymorphonuclear cells plays a central role in tumor necrosis factor toxicity. Superoxide dismutases scavenge oxygen-derived free radicals and appear to be excellent candidates to provide protection against tumor-necrosis-factor -mediated cytotoxicity. In this study, we have found that transgenic mice overexpressing the human gene for CuZn SOD are not protected against experimentally induced endotoxemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Alterations of CDKN2 (p16) in non-small cell lung cancer.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor known as p16 (CDK41, CDKN2, INK4A, MTS1) has been proposed as a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome segment 9p21. We have evaluated CDKN2 alterations in 34 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with matched normal tissue controls and in 9 NSCLC cell lines by Southern blotting, single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) with the polymerase chain reaction, and direct sequencing. In addition, loss of heterozygosity at chromosome segment 9p21, with the use of the microsatellite marker D9S171, was studied in these samples. Whereas CDKN2 was either deleted or mutated in NSCLC cell lines at a high frequency (6/9, 67%), alterations were much less frequent (7/34, 21%) in primary tumor samples. Only one sample contained a point mutation in exon 1 of CDKN2. In addition, two samples had homozygous deletions of CDKN2 in exon 1; one had a homozygous and three a hemizygous deletion of exon 2. Possibly normal tissue contaminating our tumor samples may have masked homozygous deletions in these cases. Four patient samples had LOH in the region of CDKN2 on chromosome segment 9p21; two of these samples had potentially inactivating alterations of CDKN2; one sample had a mutation of CDKN2, and the other had a homozygous deletion of exon 1. In summary, inactivation of CDKN2 is implicated in the development of about 20% of NSCLC, but the possibility of another tumor suppressor gene on chromosome segment 9p21 important in lung cancer cannot be eliminated.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Vitamin D3 analogs: effect on leukemic clonal growth and differentiation, and on serum calcium levels.

In vitro, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) induces differentiation of HL-60 cells and inhibits their proliferation as well as the proliferation of leukemic cells from patients. In vivo, the survival of mice challenged with syngeneic leukemic cells is enhanced by treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. Patients treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 develop hypercalcemia at a serum level of 2 x 10(-10) mol/l which is a concentration too low to achieve an antileukemic effect in vitro. Several interesting vitamin D3 analogs have recently been developed. We initially examined the effect of 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-19-nor-26,27-F6-D3 and 24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-22,24-diene-1-alpha,25-(OH)2-D3 on clonal growth and differentiation of HL-60 cells. Each of the analogs had comparable effects on clonal growth with 50% inhibition (ED50) at concentrations of 0.2-0.5 x 10(-9) M; 1,25(OH)2D3 was about 20- to 50-fold less active in inhibiting growth. Differentiation was determined by induction of superoxide production, as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and by expression of a macrophage-specific enzyme (alpha napthyl acetate esterase (ANAE)). The 24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-22,24-diene-1-alpha,25-(OH)2-D3 and 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-19-nor-26,27-F6-D3 were about 5- to 14-fold more potent than 1,25(OH)2D3. The hypercalcemia inducing side-effects of these analogs and three other previously identified, extremely potent vitamin D3 compounds, as well as 1,25(OH)2D3, were studied. The analogs were administered intraperitoneally every other day (qod) for 5 weeks; serum was collected weekly and Ca2+ measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest tolerated dose of each analog leaving all mice alive was for 1,25(OH)2D3: 0.25 micrograms; 1,25(OH)2-24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-22,24-diene-D3: 0.25 micrograms; and 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-19-nor-26,27-F6-D3: 0.0625 micrograms. Another hexafluoro compound with potent abilities to induce differentiation (1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-26,27-F6-D3) was very toxic, all mice died in the second week while receiving 0.0625 micrograms qod. Prior studies showed that the most potent compound in inducing differentiation of HL-60 was 1,25(OH)2-20-epi-D3; but it is very toxic as only one mouse survived a dose of > or = 0.0125 micrograms qod for 5 weeks. 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-D3 is an extremely active inducer of differentiation but, on the other hand, it has low potential to produce hypercalcemia; mice maintained normal serum calcium levels even while receiving 2 micrograms qod for 5 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

p53 alterations in uterine leiomyosarcomas versus leiomyomas.

Leiomyoma is the most common benign smooth muscle tumor. Although rare in other organs, it is frequent in the uterus, occurring in nearly 40% of women over 50 years of age. These benign tumors rarely undergo malignant transformation. The incidence of leiomyosarcomas in uterine leiomyomas is estimated to be between 0.13 and 0.29%. Little is known of the genetic abnormalities leading to this neoplasia. Loss of p53 function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human tumors. We evaluated eight leiomyosarcomas and eight leiomyomas for alterations in exons 5-8 of p53, which are the mutational hotspots for this gene in human malignancies. Genomic DNA of the samples was studied by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and positive samples were analyzed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified products. Each exon was studied individually, and positive controls were used for each exon. Three alterations in a total of eight leiomyosarcoma samples were found; the changes were point mutations (exon 5, codon 165; exon 8, codon 275; exon 8, codon 266). No alterations of p53 could be demonstrated in the eight leiomyoma samples. Our results show for the first time that p53 mutations are frequent in leiomyosarcomas, and one distinguishing difference between benign leiomyomas and some malignant leiomyosarcomas is the acquisition of a p53 mutation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

1,25(OH)2-16ene-vitamin D3 is a potent antileukemic agent with low potential to cause hypercalcemia.

Compounds that induce cancer cells to differentiate are clinically effective for several types of malignancies. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3(C)] induces leukemic cells, including HL-60, to differentiate and/or no longer proliferate, but it causes hypercalcemia. Development of vitamin D analogs that are more potent in their abilities to affect leukemic cells without causing greater hypercalcemia, may be useful therapeutically. A novel analog [1,25(OH)2-16ene-D3(HM)] has a double bond between C-16 and C-17; it appears to be an extremely effective antileukemic agent with the same or fewer effects on serum calciums. We define the potency of this compound and compare it with seven, previously reported, potent analogs of 1,25(OH)2D3. HM inhibited clonal growth of HL-60 cells by 50% at 1.5 x 10(-11) M. This was about equipotent to 1,25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-D3(V), about 100-fold more potent than many of the other analogs, and 1000-fold more potent than 1,25(OH)2D3. The rank order of leukemic inhibitory activity was: 1,25(OH)2-16ene-D3(HM) > or = 1,25(OH)2- 16ene-23yne-D3(V) > 1,25(OH)2-23ene-D3(EX) = 1,24(OH)2-22ene-24-cyclopropyl-D3(BT) = 22-oxa- 1,25(OH)2D3(EU) = 1,25(OH)2-24-homo-D3(ER) > 1,25(OH)2D3(C) > 1,25(OH)2-24- dihomo-D3(ES). The rank order of their effects on induction of differentiation of HL-60 cells, as measured by superoxide production and nonspecific esterase activity, was similar to their antiproliferative activities. In contrast, each analog slightly stimulated proliferation of normal human myeloid clonal growth. Serum calcium levels were the same or slightly less when either 1,25(OH)2-16ene-D3(HM) or 1,25(OH)2D3 (0.0625, 0.125, or 0.25 microgram) was given intraperitoneally to mice for 5 weeks. HM bound to 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors about 1.5-fold more avidly than 1,25(OH)2D3. In fact, this vitamin D3 appears to be the most avid binder to 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors that has been identified to date. In contrast, HM had a greater than 50-fold lower affinity for the D-binding proteins as compared with 1,25(OH)2D3, thus increasing the availability of the compound for target tissues. Further differentiation experiments showed that HM was more potent than 1,25(OH)2D3 in the presence of serum, but was equipotent in serum-free conditions. Taken together, our experiments suggest that 1,25(OH)2-16ene-D3(HM) may be more potent than 1,25(OH)2D3(C) because of its higher affinity to the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors and its low affinity to the D-binding protein present in serum. HM is an ideal compound for clinical studies including patients with preleukemia and other neoplasia, as well as several skin disorders, such as psoriasis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1994

Post-transcriptional regulation of interleukin-6 gene expression in human keratinocytes by ultraviolet B radiation.

Exposure to increasing doses (290-315 nm) of ultraviolet (UV) B radiation is thought to profoundly affect human health. Studies on the biologic and molecular effects of UVB radiation on human skin are therefore of particular interest. There is experimental and clinical evidence to assume that UVB radiation-induced local and systemic inflammatory reactions might be mediated at least in part by UVB-induced keratinocyte-derived interleukin (IL)-6. Previously, a UVB-induced increase of steady-state levels of IL-6 mRNA was found to be a prerequisite for keratinocyte IL-6 production after UVB irradiation. The present study was aimed at addressing the question of whether in vitro UVB irradiation would increase IL-6 mRNA expression in long-term cultured, normal human keratinocytes via transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms. UVB exposure (0-100 J/m2) of keratinocytes increased low baseline expression levels of IL-6 mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Using nuclear run-on assays, transcription rates of the IL-6 gene in nuclei isolated from UVB-irradiated cells were found to be essentially identical to those seen in unirradiated cells, indicating that UVB light did not lead to increased transcription of the IL-6 gene. To determine a possible post-transcriptional mechanism in UVB-induced IL-6 mRNA expression, the effects of UVB irradiation on IL-6 mRNA stability were examined. To this end irradiated and unirradiated keratinocytes were treated with actinomycin D and subjected to Northern blot analysis to calculate IL-6 mRNA half-life. As compared with unirradiated cells, IL-6 mRNA stability was increased significantly (three- to four-fold) in UVB-irradiated cells, suggesting that UVB radiation upregulates IL-6 mRNA levels in human keratinocytes by increasing the stability of IL-6 transcripts. This is the first report indicating that UVB radiation at a physiologically relevant dose may affect gene expression in human cells at a post-transcriptional level.

Blotting, Northern↗