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V Herlea

Publications and source records attributed to V Herlea.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Somatic frameshift mutations in the Bloom syndrome BLM gene are frequent in sporadic gastric carcinomas with microsatellite mutator phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Genomic instability has been reported at microsatellite tracts in few coding sequences. We have shown that the Bloom syndrome BLM gene may be a target of microsatelliteinstability (MSI) in a short poly-adenine repeat located in its coding region. To further characterize the involvement of BLM in tumorigenesis, we have investigated mutations in nine genes containing coding microsatellites in microsatellite mutator phenotype (MMP) positive and negative gastric carcinomas (GCs). METHODS: We analyzed 50 gastric carcinomas (GCs) for mutations in the BLM poly(A) tract aswell as in the coding microsatellites of the TGFbeta1-RII, IGFIIR, hMSH3, hMSH6, BAX, WRN, RECQL and CBL genes. RESULTS: BLM mutations were found in 27% of MMP+ GCs (4/15 cases) but not in any of the MMP negative GCs (0/35 cases). The frequency of mutations in the other eight coding regions microsatellite was the following: TGFbeta1-RII (60 %), BAX (27%), hMSH6 (20%),hMSH3 (13%), CBL (13%), IGFIIR (7%), RECQL (0%) and WRN (0%). Mutations in BLM appear to be more frequently associated with frameshifts in BAX and in hMSH6and/or hMSH3. Tumors with BLM alterations present a higher frequency of unstable mono- and trinucleotide repeats located in coding regions as compared with mutator phenotype tumors without BLM frameshifts. CONCLUSIONS: BLM frameshifts are frequent alterations in GCs specifically associated with MMP+tumors. We suggest that BLM loss of function by MSI may increase the genetic instability of a pre-existent unstable genotype in gastric tumors.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Genetic progression in microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) colon cancers correlates with clinico-pathological parameters: A study of the TGRbetaRII, BAX, hMSH3, hMSH6, IGFIIR and BLM genes.

Colon carcinomas with microsatellite mutator phenotype exhibit specific genetic and clinico-pathological features. This report describes the analysis of 63 "microsatellite instability-high" (MSI-H) tumors for the presence of mutations in microsatellites located in the coding regions (CDRs) of 6 genes: TGFbetaRII, BAX, hMSH3, hMSH6, IGFIIR, and BLM. The following frequencies of mutations were detected: TGFbetaRII (70%), BAX (54%), hMSH3 (36.5%), IGFIIR (22%), hMSH6 (17.5%), and BLM (16%). The overall picture revealed combinations of mutations suggestive of a progressive order of accumulation, with mutations of TGFbetaRII and BAX first, followed by frameshifts in hMSH3, hMSH6, IGFIIR, and BLM. Correlations with 12 clinico-pathological parameters revealed that tumors with frameshifts in 1 or 2 CDRs were significantly better differentiated than tumors with frameshifts in more than 2 CDRs. We also found that mutations in the hMSH3 gene were significantly associated with decreased wall invasiveness and aneuploidy, and frameshifts in the BLM gene were significantly associated with the mucinous histotype. A trend toward an association between hMSH3 and IGFIIR with the medullary and conventional adenocarcinoma histotypes, respectively, was seen. Our results strengthen the concept that mutations in target genes have a role in the tumorigenic process of MSI-H tumors, and indicate that frameshifts in microsatellites located in CDRs occur in a limited number of combinations that could determine distinct clinico-pathological traits.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Use of a repetitive mouse B2 element to identify transplanted mouse cells in mouse-chick chimeras.

Monitoring the migrations of cells during embryonic development requires a system in which cells can be identified in situ during locomotion. One promising system involves the generation of chimeras by transplanting mouse cells into chick embryos in ovo to exploit the wealth of mouse genetic variants. The success of this technique relies on the ability to detect individual mouse cells in a chick environment with high specificity. The murine B2 family of short interspersed elements is present in the mouse genome at copy numbers in excess of 10(5), whereas this sequence is absent in the chick genome based on hybridization techniques. This differential of five orders of magnitude produces signals in mouse cells that are easily identified, even in an environment that is predominantly chick. Thus, the B2 repeat probe is highly effective for the purpose of identifying mouse cells in mouse-chick chimeras.

Animals↗

The coding region of the Bloom syndrome BLM gene and of the CBL proto-oncogene is mutated in genetically unstable sporadic gastrointestinal tumors.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) characterizes the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome but is also found in sporadic tumors. Frameshifts in microsatellites found in the coding regions (CDRs) of the TGFbeta1-RII, IGFIIR, hMSH3, hMSH6, and BAX genes indicate that MSI is involved in tumorigenesis by targeting genes that are directly implicated in the tumorigenic process. To identify additional genes targeted for MSI, we performed an analysis of the GenBank database that revealed 21 microsatellite repeats located in the CDR of 18 genes (12% of the analyzed sequences) whose function could be potentially associated with the tumorigenic process. Mutational studies of 57 sporadic gastrointestinal tumor DNAs revealed the presence of length variations in three of them: (a) BLM; (b) CBL; and (c) HOXA1. In the BLM gene, we found a frameshift mutation in a polyadenine repeat, whereas in the CBL proto-oncogene, an expansion of a trinucleotide repeat was detected with no translation shift. These alterations were present in 18 and 9%, respectively, of the genetically unstable sporadic gastrointestinal tumors analyzed, but in none of the cancers without the mutator phenotype. These changes were present in the DNA from the tumor but not in that from normal cells of the same patient. The HOXA1 retraction of a trinucleotide repeat was as frequent in both types of cancers and was also found in some normal paired tissues, therefore behaving as a neutral polymorphism. Our data extend the spectrum of unstable microsatellites located in gene CDRs and suggest that BLM and possibly CBL are involved in gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. Based on its proposed function, the BLM gene could represent a link between MSI and chromosomal instability pathways, because MSI targeting of the BLM gene could generate hypermutability and/or chromosomal instability.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

[Liver transplantation--considerations over 8 cases operated in the year 2000].

In the year 2000, at the Department for General Surgery and Liver Transplantation from The Fundeni Clinical Institute Bucharest, seven OLTs and one living-related transplantation were performed in 6 adults and 2 children. Postoperative complications were: bile leakage, hemoperitoneum, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, parietoabdominal hematoma. There was only one postoperative death due to septic complications in the 18th p.o.d. and one late death due to pneumonia of unknown origin. After the results in the year 2000 there was an increased number of donors and referrals. We consider that now in Romania this is an established program that will continue depending on the number of donors and financing.

Adult↗

Wilms' tumor in the adult patient.

One documented case of Wilms' tumor in an adult patient is presented. The patient is diagnosed clinically with renal tumor, probably renal carcinoma. Wilms' tumor is extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively in an adult patient. The pathologic hallmarks of this neoplasm are distinctive and it is histologically similar to the childhood tumor. The therapeutic guidelines and surgical principles governing childhood Wilms' tumor should be applied to adult Wilms' tumor. This patient is still alive after 15 months.

Humans↗

[Repeat hepatic resections].

Five cases of iterative liver resections are presented, out of a total of 150 hepatectomies performed between 1.01.1995-1.01.1998. The resections were carried out for recurrent adenoma (one case), cholangiocarcinoma (two cases), hepatocellular carcinoma (one case), colo-rectal cancer metastasis (one case). Only cases with at least one major hepatic resection were included. Re-resections were more difficult than the primary resection due, first of all, to the modified vascular anatomy. Intraoperative ultrasound permitted localization of intrahepatic recurrences. Iterative liver resection appears to be the best therapeutical choice for patients with recurrent liver tumors.

Adenoma↗