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Glycoconjugates, cellular differentiation, and congenital glaucoma.

Studies of congenital glaucoma have described and debated the disease process in cellular and structural terms, yet the functional aspects of the disease remain poorly understood. This paper presents an attempt to look at the disease from a different perspective: the role of glycoconjugates and their influence on morphogenesis of the corneoscleral angle. Extracellular and cell-surface complex carbohydrates and trabecular meshwork development were observed in normal C-57 BL/6J mice with light and electron microscopy. Lectin-stained fixed tissues were evaluated by fluorescein light microscopy and with computer-controlled scanning microspectrophotometry. The appearance and type of specific glycoconjugates was related to morphogenesis and differentiation, with specific reference to the development of the trabecular meshwork. Our results suggest that glycoconjugates are: (1) important in the morphogenesis of the corneoscleral angle, and (2) provide some of the required signals for the differentiation of the cells of the trabecular meshwork. These findings emphasize the possibility that a complex series of morphological and biological events in the normal development of the trabecular meshwork ultimately leads to a functionally competent trabecular meshwork, that is, capacitation.

Animals↗

Differential cellular localization of estrogen receptor alpha in uterine and mammary cells.

The classical alpha isoform of the estrogen receptor (ER) has been reported to localize almost exclusively in the nucleus. However, studies on non-genomic steroid effects have also suggested the existence of ERs residing at the cell surface. In this work, we present immunological data supporting extra-nuclear ERalpha localization in uterine (SHM) and mammary (MCF-7) cell lines. Immunocytological studies performed on SHM cells revealed that native ERs mainly localize as a perinuclear cytoplasmic ring. The receptors were rapidly translocated to the nucleus by 17beta-estradiol. In addition to nuclear ERs, a peripheral reservoir of ERalpha immunoreactivity, most probably associated with the plasma membrane, was detected in MCF-7 cells. These results were confirmed by the detection of membrane estrogen binding sites using fluorescent estrogen-BSA derivatives and ligand binding assays to intact cells, where [3H]-estradiol could be partly displaced by impeded estrogen conjugates. Partial inhibition of radioligand binding by an antibody against the steroid binding domain of the ERalpha suggests that the isoform faces the extracellular media in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, ERalpha-like proteins ( approximately 67 kDa) were found to be associated in isolated membrane subfractions from the cells. However, immunocytology of COS-1 (ER-negative) and SHM cells transfected with the complete cDNA coding for the cloned ERalpha and beta isoforms showed exclusive nuclear localization of the overexpressed ERs. The non-classical distribution of native ERalpha-like proteins in each cell line, suggests an alternative mode of ERalpha cellular localization/function. Cell type-dependent processing may account for the differential localization shown by native and expressed receptors in the systems considered.

Animals↗

Mapping enteroendocrine cell populations in transgenic mice reveals an unexpected degree of complexity in cellular differentiation within the gastrointestinal tract.

The gastrointestinal tract is lined with a monolayer of cells that undergo perpetual and rapid renewal. Four principal, terminally differentiated cell types populate the monolayer, enterocytes, goblet cells, Paneth cells, and enteroendocrine cells. This epithelium exhibits complex patterns of regional differentiation, both from crypt-to-villus and from duodenum-to-colon. The "liver" fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) gene represents a useful model for analyzing the molecular basis for intestinal epithelial differentiation since it exhibits cell-specific, region-specific, as well as developmental stage specific expression. We have previously linked portions of the 5' nontranscribed domain of the rat L-FABP gene to the human growth hormone (hGH) gene and analyzed expression of the fusion gene in adult transgenic mice. High levels of hGH expression were noted in enterocytes as well as cells that histologically resembled enteroendocrine cells. In the present study, we have used immunocytochemical techniques to map the distribution of enteroendocrine cells in the normal adult mouse gut and to characterize those that synthesize L-FABP. In addition, L-FABP/hGH fusion genes were used to identify subsets of enteroendocrine cells based on their ability to support hGH synthesis in several different pedigrees of transgenic mice. The results reveal remarkable differences in transgene expression between, and within, enteroendocrine cell populations previously classified only on the basis of their neuroendocrine products. In some cases, these differences are related to the position occupied by cells along the duodenal-to-colonic and crypt-to-villus axes of the gut. Thus, transgenes appear to be sensitive tools for examining the cellular and regional differentiation of this class of intestinal epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Erythropoietin-induced cellular differentiation requires prolongation of the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Erythropoietin (EPO), like many other hematopoietic growth factors, can induce either growth or differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Little is known about the molecular basis of this cellular decision, in part because of a paucity of cell lines in which these two phenomena can be dissociated. Ectopic expression of the EPO receptor (EPO-R) in Ba/F3, a murine interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent progenitor cell line, confers EPO-dependent cell growth. In these cells (Ba/F3-EPO-R), EPO also induces beta-globin mRNA, a specific marker of erythroid differentiation. Here we show that the induction of erythroid differentiation by EPO requires a delay in cell growth and a prolongation of the (G1) phase of the cell cycle. Interestingly, this effect on G1 prolongation was concentration dependent. At low EPO concentrations (0.05-0.1 unit of EPO per ml; 1 pM EPO = 0.01 unit of EPO per ml), EPO prolonged G1 and induced differentiation; at high concentrations (0.5-10.0 units per ml), EPO shortened G1 and preferentially stimulated growth. IL-3 stimulated Ba/F3 growth but not differentiation at all growth factor concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 500 pM. Moreover, IL-3 suppressed EPO-induced beta-globin induction in a dose-dependent manner. This suppression correlated with the shortening of G1 by IL-3. Taken together, these data demonstrate distinct effects of EPO and IL-3 and a balance between erythroid growth and differentiation that is cell cycle dependent.

Animals↗

Carbohydrates in oral epithelia and secretions: variation with cellular differentiation.

The oral mucosa has been extensively studied in the past, and has thus become a model for demonstration of dynamic changes in cellular glycosylation and many other cell products such as keratins in relation to epithelial differentiation. The extensive knowledge of the glycosylation pattern in normal cells is instrumental in evaluation of the often occurring aberrant glycosylation of carcinoma cells. The emerging developments in antibodies to the glycosyltransferases and probes for their genes will enable us to gain insight into the regulatory mechanisms leading to the apparently well-controlled glycosylation process in epithelia. The first example of such a correlation has been studied in oral epithelia.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Inhibition of phorbol ester-mediated interleukin-2 production by cellular differentiating agents.

Lymphocyte proliferation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is inhibited by agents known to induce differentiation in murine erythroleukemia cells and other cell lines. In the present study, we determined the cellular targets for the action of TPA among murine thymocyte subpopulations, the phase of blastogenesis that is activated by the tumor promoter, and the phase that is inhibited by the differentiating agents. Mouse thymocytes were fractionated into populations bearing receptors for peanut agglutinin (PNA; PNA-positive cells) and populations lacking such receptors (PNA-negative cells). TPA is comitogenic for lectin-treated, unfractionated thymocytes and PNA-negative thymocytes but not for PNA-positive thymocytes. PNA-negative cells, a minor population in unfractionated thymocytes, are therefore the cellular targets for the comitogenic activity of TPA. TPA induces the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in lectin-treated PNA-negative populations but not in PNA-positive cells. The differentiating agents inhibit TPA-mediated proliferation of unfractionated and PNA-negative, lectin-treated thymocytes. In contrast, IL-2-mediated proliferation of lectin-treated thymocyte subpopulations is resistant to inhibition by these agents. Inhibition appears to be related to decreased production of IL-2, since the differentiating agents inhibit IL-2 production by both PNA-negative thymocytes and by a human leukemic cell line.

Animals↗

Effect of cellular differentiation on nucleoside transport in human neuroblastoma cells.

The nucleoside transport characteristics of undifferentiated and differentiated LA-N-2 human neuroblastoma cells were compared through measurement of the cellular accumulation of [3H]formycin B in the absence and presence of specific nucleoside transport blockers such as dipyridamole and nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR). [3H]NBMPR was also used as a high affinity probe to obtain an estimate of the number of NBMPR-sensitive nucleoside transport proteins. Undifferentiated LA-N-2 cells accumulated [3H]formycin B (25 microM) via a NBMPR/dipyridamole sensitive, Na(+)-independent, nucleoside transport system (Vi = 1.52 pmol/microliters/s; maximum intracellular concentration = 45 pmol/microliters cell water). The undifferentiated cells also had a high density of site-specific [3H]NBMPR binding sites (135,000 sites/cell; KD = 0.4 nM). When cell differentiation was induced by exposure to a serum-free defined medium, the initial rate of transporter-mediated [3H]formycin B uptake increased to 1.92 pmol/microliters/s, and the steady-state intracellular concentration of [3H]formycin B also increased significantly to 73 pmol/microliters. However, there was no concomitant change in the number of [3H]NBMPR binding sites, and the additional uptake was not Na(+)-dependent. This enhanced uptake in the differentiated cells appeared to be due, in part, to an increased functional expression of a NBMPR-resistant form of facilitated nucleoside transporter. Approximately 18% of the transporter-mediated uptake in the differentiated cells was resistant to inhibition by NBMPR at concentrations that blocked transport completely in the undifferentiated cells. This cell model may prove useful for basic studies on regulation of nucleoside transporter subtype expression in neural tissues, and for evaluation of the efficacy and potential host toxicity of cytotoxic nucleoside analogues (+/- specific transport blockers) in the treatment of neuroblastoma.

Biological Transport↗

Cellular differentiation is required for cAMP but not Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- secretion in colonic epithelial cells expressing high levels of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

The gene responsible for cystic fibrosis (CF) has recently been cloned and sequenced. When transfected into CF epithelial cells, normal transcripts of this gene correct the underlying defect in CF, i.e. cAMP-dependent Cl- secretion is restored. Thus, the protein encoded by this gene, designated "cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator" (CFTR), somehow participates in the Cl- secretory response. In this paper we have correlated CFTR gene expression with cAMP and Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- secretion in unpolarized (parental) and polarized (Cl.19A) clones of the human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. These cell lines were found to express equally high levels of CFTR mRNA at 4 days post-passage. In addition, protein expression (determined by immunoprecipitation) was also identical. The cAMP-generating agonist forskolin had little effect on 125I efflux from the unpolarized cells. In contrast, this agonist increased 125I efflux 3-fold in polarized cells. The lack of response in the unpolarized cells was not due to the inability of forskolin to raise cAMP levels. Neurotensin, a Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonist, stimulated 125I efflux from both cell lines. In the polarized cells, the magnitude of this response was attenuated at 8 days post-seeding. At this time, the undifferentiated line attained some cAMP responsiveness. This latter effect was paralleled by the appearance of monolayers within areas of the multicell layer. Cell-attached patch-clamp recording from apical membrane patches of polarized cells revealed the presence of a forskolin-stimulated 8-pS Cl- channel; no channel activity was observed in forskolin-stimulated unpolarized cells. Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels were found in both cell lines. In agreement with the 125I efflux data, the single-channel activation response to [Ca2+]i was smaller in the polarized cell line. From these studies, we can conclude that CFTR expression, measured both at the mRNA and protein level, does not correlate with the colonocyte's ability to secrete chloride ions in response to a cAMP-generating agonist. Cyclic AMP-dependent Cl- secretion requires cellular polarization; specifically, the delineation of an apical membrane. Differences in the cellular location of CFTR during differentiation are likely to explain our results. In contrast, Ca(2+)-stimulated Cl- secretion occurred independently of cellular polarization but was reduced when the cells formed tight junctions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Clinicopathologic features, cellular differentiation, PCNA and P53 expressions in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are currently defined, as specific c-kit positive primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Although increasing tumor size and mitotic activity favours aggressive behaviour, no specific histological criteria that enable the prediction of biological behaviour have yet been identified. The purpose of this study is, (1) to determine whether cell differentiation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors could be detected through their expression of various antigens, (2) to correlate their macroscopic and histologic features with cell differentiation, p53 expression, PCNA score and clinical outcome. METHODOLOGY: 65 gastrointestinal stromal tumors were included in this study. All cases were reviewed in terms of clinical presentation and courses. The cell morphology, growth pattern, cellularity, pleomorphism, mucosal invasion, necrosis and mitotic index were evaluated. Tissue sections were immunostained with CD117, CD34, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and S-100 protein. PCNA score and p53 expressions were investigated to determine whether these could be used as prognostic indicator. RESULTS: Clinical outcome was obtained for 42 of the 65 patients. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 240 months (median: 20 months). The tumors occurred in 34 female and 31 male patients, ranging in age from 1.5 months to 80 years (median: 53 years). Tumors were located in the stomach (19), duodenum (10), jejunum and ileum (19), the colon (5), the anorectal region (5) and in the mesentery or omentum (7). 55 tumors had spindle, 7 showed spindle and epithelioid, 3 had pure epithelioid morphology. Mitotic rate was found significantly different between probably benign 11 cases and recurrent 11 and metastatic 25 cases (p=0.001). Immunohistochemically, CD117 positivity was found 52 tumors (80%). 4 of 13 CD117 negative tumors were positive for CD34. 4 of 9 tumors showing were also a-SMA and S-100 negative. CD34 positivity was determinated in 44 tumors (67.6%). alpha-SMA reactivity was seen in 39 tumors (60%). Only 5 tumors showed S-100 protein reactivity (7.69%). Statistically, mitotic rate was found significantly different between probably benign 11 cases and recurrent 11 and metastatic 14 cases (p=0.001). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the probably benign neoplasms and recurrent or metastatic cases in following parameters; p53 expression, PCNA score, presence of necrosis and cellularity. CONCLUSIONS: GISTs could be specifically differentiated neoplasms and their some other aspects should be clarified such as relations with c-kit and other oncogenes and dual or "null" differentiation in the same neoplasm.

Actins↗

Kap121p-mediated nuclear import is required for mating and cellular differentiation in yeast.

To further our understanding of how the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery interfaces with its cargoes and how this affects cellular physiology, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of phenotypes associated with mutations in karyopherin Kap121p. Two previously unreported phenotypes of kap121 cells were observed: defects in mating and in the transition from the normal yeast form to the pseudohyphal, invasive form. In parallel, we searched for Kap121p cargoes by using Kap121p as a probe in overlay assays of yeast nuclear proteins. One of the major interacting proteins identified by this procedure was Ste12p, a transcription factor central to both the mating response and the pseudohyphal transition. We therefore investigated whether defects in these differentiation processes were due to an inability to import Ste12p. Both immunopurification and in vitro binding studies demonstrated that Ste12p interacted specifically with Kap121p in a Ran-GTP-sensitive manner and that Ste12p was mislocalized to the cytoplasm by inactivation of Kap121p in a temperature-sensitive mutant. The Kap121p-specific nuclear localization signal (NLS) of Ste12p was determined to reside within a C-terminal region of Ste12p. Furthermore, by overexpression of STE12 or expression of a STE12-cNLS fusion in kap121 cells, the invasive-growth defect and the mating defect were both suppressed. Together these data demonstrate that Ste12p is imported into nuclei by Kap121p and that mating and differentiation defects associated with kap121 mutants are primarily attributable to the mislocalization of Ste12p.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Characterization of transcription factor binding to human papillomavirus type 16 DNA during cellular differentiation.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) require terminal differentiation of the host cell to produce infectious virions. The process of viral maturation involves a variety of changes in the expression/activity of host proteins that lead to high-level replication of the viral genome and expression of the late viral genes. Although the late promoter regions of HPV type 16 (HPV-16) are still not fully characterized, differentiation-dependent regulation of viral genes is thought to involve changes in the binding of host cell transcription factors to the viral promoter and regulatory regions. Currently, very little is known about specific cellular transcription factors involved in this process. We used the Panomics TransSignal protein/DNA array to identify changes in the levels of cellular transcription factors during methylcellulose-induced differentiation of W12 (20863) cells containing HPV-16. We then identified the differentially expressed transcription factors that specifically bind to HPV-16 DNA, including the known promoter and regulatory regions. We have validated the results obtained from the Panomics array by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we have shown that many of the transcription factors identified in the above screen bind to the HPV-16 promoter/regulatory sequences in vivo and that the level of this binding is increased during differentiation. This approach identified approximately 30 transcription factors that specifically bind to HPV-16 sequences and may be involved in regulating HPV-16 transcription during differentiation. Although some of these transcription factors have previously been suggested to be involved in HPV-16 transcription, a number of them represent novel viral DNA-host protein interactions.

Binding Sites↗

Cellular differentiation, cytidine analogs and DNA methylation.

The nucleoside analog 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR) induced marked changes in the differentiated state of cultured mouse embryo cells and also inhibited the methylation of newly synthesized DNA. The DNA strand containing 5-aza-CR remained undermethylated in the round of DNA synthesis following analog incorporation. The extent of inhibition of DNA modification and induction of muscle cells in treated cultures were dependent on the 5-aza-CR concentration over a narrow dose range. Experiments with the restriction enzyme Hpa II, which is sensitive to cytosine methylation in the sequence CCGG, demonstrated that the DNA synthesized in 5-aza-CR-treated cultures was maximally undermethylated 48 hr after treatment. Three other analogs of cytidine, containing a modification in the 5 position of the pyrimidine ring [5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine(5-aza-CdR), pseudoisocytidine (psi ICR) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine(FCdR)] also induced the formation of muscle cells and inhibited DNA methylation. In contrast, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (araC) and 6-azacytidine (6-aza-CR) did not inhibit DNA methylation or induce muscle formation, whereas 5-6-dihydro-5-azacytidine (dH-aza-CR) was a poor inducer of muscle cells and a poor inhibitor of DNA methylation. These results provide experimental evidence for a role for DNA modification in differentiation, and suggest that cytidine analogs containing an altered 5 position perturb previously established methylation patterns to yield new cellular phenotypes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Insect cellular differentiation. I. Redifferentiation of the adult labial glands of Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera).

With the exception of a few primitive ephemeropterans, winged insects do not normally molt as adults, although they can molt under appropriate hormonal conditions. We investigated this supernumerary molt process by taking adult labial glands (from Manduca sexta), cutting them into fragments of a single cell type, implanting them into individual freshly molted pupae, and then recovering them from pharate adult and adult hosts. The appearance and function of these fragments were compared to those of normally metamorphosing glands. Based on these criteria: (1) the supernumerary adult molt involved cellular de- and re-differentiation and (2) no transdifferentiation occurred, between the separate adult gland cell types.

Animals↗

Functional analyses of the TEL-ARNT fusion protein underscores a role for oxygen tension in hematopoietic cellular differentiation.

The transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1), an HIF1alpha-aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) dimeric factor, is essential to the cellular response to hypoxia. We described a t(1;12)(q21;p13) chromosomal translocation in human acute myeloblastic leukemia that involves the translocated Ets leukemia (TEL/ETV6) and the ARNT genes and results in the expression of a TEL-ARNT fusion protein. Functional studies show that TEL-ARNT interacts with HIF1alpha and the complex binds to consensus hypoxia response element. In low oxygen tension conditions, the HIF1alpha/TEL-ARNT complex does not activate transcription but exerts a dominant-negative effect on normal HIF1 activity. Differentiation of normal human CD34+ progenitors cells along all the erythrocytic, megakaryocytic and granulocytic pathways was accelerated in low versus high oxygen tension conditions. Murine 32Dcl3 myeloid cells also show accelerated granulocytic differentiation in low oxygen tension in response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Interestingly, stable expression of the TEL-ARNT in 32Dcl3 subclones resulted in impaired HIF1-mediated transcriptional response and inhibition of differentiation enhancement in hypoxic conditions. Taken together, our results underscore the role of oxygen tension in the modulation of normal hematopoietic differentiation, whose targeting can participate in human malignancies.

Animals↗

Distinctive patterns of cAMP-binding proteins and their relationship to hemopoietic cellular differentiation.

In order to clarify distinctions among cAMP-binding protein patterns present in hemopoietic cells of the various major lineages, we have studied extracts from 18 human cell lines by photoaffinity labelling with 8-azido [32P]cAMP, followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Four major cAMP-binding protein bands were noted. These occurred in five recognizable patterns of combinations, each of which was restricted to cells of particular lineages. A distinctive pattern was found in the pluripotent stem cell line K562, confirming its unusual nature compared with other lines committed to myeloid or lymphoid differentiation. Three patterns were noted among the pre-B and early and late B cell lines studied, which may thus define sequential stages of differentiation of this series. These studies indicate the utility of cAMP-binding proteins as a biochemical differentiation marker system. The variety of phenotypes noted further suggests a role for them in the development or expression of specialized cellular functions.

Affinity Labels↗

Relationship between the parameters cellular differentiation, doubling time and platinum accumulation and cisplatin sensitivity in a panel of head and neck cancer cell lines.

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with cisplatin show a large inter-individual variation in tumor response. Little is known about factors that contribute to this variation. The aim of our study was to correlate the sensitivity to cisplatin with a number of cellular parameters using a panel of 10 human HNSCC cell lines. A 7-fold variation in response after 72 hr of exposure to cisplatin as determined in a colorimetric proliferation assay was observed. The IC50 values did not correlate with the DNA index, the cellular doubling time or the expression of differentiation markers. Intracellular platinum (Pt) concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy after exposing the cells to 10 microM cisplatin for 1-72 hr. The intracellular Pt levels increased up to 24 hr. One cell line, derived from the tumor of a patient previously treated with radiotherapy, accumulated much more Pt than the other cell lines. For these other cell lines, a significant positive correlation was found between Pt accumulation and sensitivity. In conclusion, cisplatin-induced growth inhibition in HNSCC in vitro is generally positively correlated with cellular Pt levels. However, the fact that occasionally cancer cells can survive despite high intracellular Pt levels indicates that additional parameters are needed to explain a response unequivocally.

Adult↗

DNA methylation profiles of CpG islands for cellular differentiation and development in mammals.

DNA methylation has been implicated in mammalian development. Transcription units contain CpG islands, but expression of CpG island associated genes in normal tissues was not believed to be controlled by DNA methylation. There are, however, numerous CpG islands containing tissue-dependent and differentially methylated regions (T-DMR), which are potential methylation sites in normal cells and tissues. Genomic scanning which focused on T-DMRs in CpG islands revealed that the DNA methylation profile of each cell/tissue is more complicated than previously considered. Differentiation of cells is associated with both methylation and demethylation, which occur at multiple loci. The epigenetic system characterized by DNA methylation requires cells to memorize gene expression patterns, thus, standardizing cellular phenotypes.

Animals↗