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Biphasic synovial sarcoma of the peritoneal cavity with t(X;18) demonstrated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

A case of a biphasic synovial sarcoma, arising on the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall of a 13-year-old girl, is reported. Although the tumor showed rather typical histological and immunohistochemical features for synovial sarcoma, its unusual clinical presentation and anatomical location caused diagnostic difficulty, especially with regard to differentiation from a malignant mesothelioma. Applying reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, the SYT-SSX2 chimeric gene transcripts that result from the translocation, t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2), found in most synovial sarcomas could be demonstrated. Thus, this RT-PCR approach is a reliable method for confirming the diagnosis of synovial sarcomas in unusual locations.

Adolescent↗

The detection of colony-stimulating factors and steel factor in adherent layers of human long-term marrow cultures using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

In human long-term marrow cultures granulomonopoiesis is maintained for several weeks. Studies on granulomonocytic progenitors (CFU-GM) and their progeny have shown that survival, proliferation, differentiation and maturation of these cells are controlled by a set of glycoproteins, the colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) and the Steel factor. We have studied the expression of these factors using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 17 adherent layers of normal bone marrow at 3, 5 or 7 weeks of culture. We have taken the 5637 bladder carcinoma cell line as a control for expression of GM-CSF, M-CSF, G-CSF and Steel factor, and PHA-activated T lymphocytes as a control for expression of multi-CSF (interleukin 3, IL-3). We have found that GM-CSF was expressed in the 17 adherent layers without induction by interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta). M-CSF was also detected in all cases, but in two early-stage (week 3 and week 5) cultures only after stimulation by IL-1 beta. G-CSF was detected in only 11 cases (three without IL-1 beta, and eight after addition of IL-1 beta). Steel factor was detected in 14 cases (ten without IL-1 beta, and four after addition of IL-1 beta). IL-3 was not detected even by means of nested RT-PCR. These data indicate in six late-stage (week 5 or week 7) cultures G-CSF messenger concentrations 10(3)-fold less than in 5637 control cells (for an identical amount of total cellular RNA). A similar conclusion may be drawn for Steel factor in three late-stage cultures. For IL-3 our negative results indicate a messenger concentration 10(5)-fold less than in activated T lymphocytes. These results suggest a crucial role for GM-CSF and M-CSF in the maintenance of granulomonopoiesis in human long-term cultures. The role of G-CSF and Steel factor may be more marginal. Eventually IL-2 may not be involved in the regulatory process.

Actins↗

Detection of colorectal cancer cells in peripheral blood by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for cytokeratin 20.

The staging of colorectal cancer currently depends on pathological examination of the surgical specimen and regional lymph nodes, accompanied by imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scanning. However, alternative molecular methods to detect circulating tumour cells in blood or bone marrow may provide additional information about the extent of disease and prognosis. We have previously reported the development of a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for cytokeratin 20 (CK 20) mRNA to detect circulating epithelial tumour cells. In this study, we report on the application of this method for detecting circulating tumour cells in patients with colorectal cancer. Using this method, CK 20 mRNA was detected in 8/8 human colorectal cancer cell lines, in 8/9 biopsies from primary colorectal tumours and in 9/10 biopsies of liver metastasis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, suggesting that CK 20 may be a useful target for the detection of circulating tumour cells in this patient group. In spiking experiments, 10 cells were consistently identified in 2 ml of whole blood (1 x 10(6)-1 x 10(7) mononuclear cells). In 12/25 (48%) peripheral blood samples from patients with known metastatic colorectal cancer, CK 20 mRNA was detected. However, there was no correlation between the detection of CK 20 mRNA in the peripheral blood and disease progression and survival in this group of patients. CK 20 mRNA was detected in 1/12 normal blood samples, which raises questions about the absolute specificity of CK 20 expression.

Adult↗

Measurement of interleukin-1 stimulated constitutive prostaglandin G/H synthase (cyclooxygenase) mRNA levels in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells using competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

To assess regulation of constitutive prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS-1) by interleukin-1 (IL-1) in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, we compared analysis by competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with Northern blot analysis. Using RT-PCR, IL-1 increased PGHS-1 mRNA levels by 1.84 +/- 0.10 or 2.07 +/- 0.17, depending on the method of calculation. Using Northern blot analysis, the effect of IL-1 on PGHS-1 mRNA levels was more variable, and the variability was increased by normalization of PGHS-1 mRNA levels to the housekeeping genes, beta-actin and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), because their mRNA levels were also regulated by IL-1. We conclude that competitive RT-PCR is a reproducible and accurate method for studying small changes in mRNA levels.

Animals↗

Persistence of RAR alpha-PML fusion mRNA detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in patients in long-term remission of acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterized by t(15;17), which results in the formation of two chimaeric genes, PML-RAR alpha and RAR alpha-PML. PML-RAR alpha transcripts have been detected in all cases of APL whilst those of RAR alpha-PML have been detected in only about 67% of cases. We have used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect both fusion transcripts serially in 18 patients in remission of APL after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. All patients were negative for PML-RAR alpha, whereas in six patients (remission 3-9 years) RAR alpha-PML was consistently detected. Only one patient at remission showed the 5' breakpoint RAR alpha-PML, with the rest showing the 3' breakpoint 144 bp RAR alpha-PML. The level of sensitivity for detecting RAR alpha-PML was some 10-fold higher than that for PML-RAR alpha. Serial negative tests for PML-RAR alpha have been correlated with durable remissions, suggesting possible eradication of residual leukaemia in APL. Our results, however, show persistence of t(15;17) cells expressing RAR alpha-PML fusion mRNA in patients in long-term remission of APL. They indicate that patients considered clinically 'cured' of APL still have molecular evidence of minimal residual disease and also provide further insight into the biology of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Base Sequence↗

Disappearance of AML1-MTG8 transcript by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in a patient in remission of acute myeloid leukemia (M2) after low-dose cytosine arabinoside.

It is well-known that low dose cytosine arabinoside (LDAC) has activity in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Several studies have shown that AML patients with t(8;21) in long term complete remission (CR) following intensive chemotherapy or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) still have persistence of AML1-MTG8 transcripts by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. We report here a patient who has no evidence of residual disease detectable by RT-PCR after LDAC. A 69-year-old patient did not obtain CR after two courses of intensive chemotherapy with behenoyl-ara-C, daunorubicin, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisolone. He received subcutaneous LDAC 10 mg every 12 h and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 29 days and achieved CR. He continued on a 21 to 28-day course of LDAC without G-CSF every 2 or 3 months and has remained well and in CR for 5 years without chimeric AMLI-MTG8 transcript by RT-PCR. LDAC therapy seems to be effective in eradicating the leukemic clone as post-induction or maintenance therapy in this patient. This is the first case report of the disappearance of AML1-MTG8 transcript by RT-PCR in a patient with t(8;21) in long-term remission after LDAC.

Acute Disease↗

EWS/FLI-1 rearrangement in small round cell sarcomas of bone and soft tissue detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification.

Recent cloning of the t(11;22) region has led to the detection of a number of sequences involved in the breakpoints by substituting a sequence which encodes a putative RNA binding domain for that of the DNA binding domain of the human homologue of murine FLI-1. Several tumours display consistent translocation at t(11;22) (q24;q12), a finding that suggests these fusion transcripts could be expressed and detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification. To date, only a small number of Ewing's sarcomas (Es) and peripheral neuroectodermal tumours (pPNET) of bone have been tested with this novel molecular biology approach. In this study, we confirmed the presence of the three putative chimaeric transcripts on 7 cases of Es and pPNET sarcomas of bone and soft tissue, providing 100% positivity for the tested tumours. For comparative purposes, a number of other neuroectodermal tumours were analysed with negative results: esthesioneuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, Schwannoma. A primitive soft tissue sarcoma (ectomesenchymoma) with a 22 chromosome rearrangement did not express any transcript, nor did a number of non-neuroectodermal small round cell sarcomas of soft tissue (rhabdomyosarcomas) and bone (microcellular osteosarcoma), conventional bone sarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas and synovial sarcomas. These results reinforce the value of molecular biology techniques for the correct assessment of histology difficult evaluable neoplasms, such as the group of small round cell tumours within the Es family.

Animals↗

Detection of human 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms using reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and localization of the type 2 isoform to renal collecting ducts.

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD), responsible for the interconversion of hormonally active cortisol to inactive cortisone, dictates specificity for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the distal nephron and colon. Two isoforms of human 11 beta-HSD have been cloned, an NADP(H)-dependent (type 1) dehydrogenase/oxo-reductase enzyme, and a high-affinity NAD-dependent (type 2) unidirectional dehydrogenase. Using the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of RNA extracted from human adult tissues, type 1 11 beta-HSD mRNA was found in decidua, placenta, liver, lung, spleen, kidney medulla, cerebellum and pituitary, but was absent in kidney cortex, sigmoid and rectal colon, salivary gland and thyroid. In contrast, type 2 11 beta-HSD mRNA was found only in placenta and in the classical mineralocorticoid target tissues, kidney cortex, kidney medulla, sigmoid and rectal colon, salivary gland, and colonic epithelial cell lines (AAC1 and RGC28). In situ hybridization studies of renal cortex, cortico-medullary junction and medulla using a 35S-labeled antisense cRNA probe for type 2 human 11 beta-HSD, revealed specific localization of type 2 11 beta-HSD mRNA expression exclusively to renal cortical and medullary collecting ducts. Type 1 and type 2 isoforms of human 11 beta-HSD are expressed in a distinct tissue-specific fashion, in keeping with the proposed differences in their physiological roles. Type 2 11 beta-HSD is found predominantly in mineralocorticoid target tissues where it serves to protect the MR in an autocrine fashion.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus infection by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and IgM-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Dengue virus infections are a major public health problem in most tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. Dengue is occasionally imported by travelers who visit tropical areas and become infected with dengue virus. Laboratory diagnosis is essential for confirming the diagnosis of this virus. For purposes of confirmation, detection of specific IgM by IgM-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and of dengue virus genome by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) have recently been used. In the present study, we tested serum specimens from dengue-suspected Japanese cases, by IgM-capture ELISA, RT-PCR, HI, and virus isolation. Serum samples collected before or on the day of defervescence were positive by RT-PCR, though no PCR-positive samples were obtained after fever day 1. IgM-capture ELISA was positive as early as disease day 4, and all samples but one were IgM-positive when collected on disease day 5 or later. In light of these findings, we recommend that both RT-PCR and IgM-capture ELISA be performed, irrespective of the stage of dengue illness. Combination of RT-PCR and IgM-capture ELISA increases the ability to diagnose dengue virus infection, even in the only that a single serum specimen from the patient is available.

Dengue↗

Course of c-myc mRNA expression in the regenerating mouse testis determined by competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

The c-myc proto-oncogene is a reliable marker of the "G0-early G1" transition, and its down-regulation is believed to be necessary to obtain cellular differentiation. In murine spermatogenesis, the level of c-myc transcripts does not correlate with the rate of cellular division. Proliferation of supposed staminal spermatogonia to reproduce themselves is induced with a local 5 Gy X-ray dose in 90-day-old C57Bl/6 mice. c-myc quantification by a newly developed competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out to follow the expression course of this proto-oncogene. Damage and restoration of spermatogenesis were analyzed at days 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 30, and 60 after injury by relative testes/body weight determination and histological examination. Proliferative status was determined by histone H3 Northern blot analysis. c-myc mRNA level was 10 times higher after 3 days in the irradiated animals compared to the controls. An increasing number of copies were noted up to 10 days, but promptly decreased to the base level found for irradiated mice from 13 to 60 days. Interestingly, the expression of histone H3 detected S phase only in testes at 60 days from damage.

Animals↗

Comparative evaluation by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of MDR1, MRP and GSTp gene expression in breast carcinomas.

Identification and quantitative evaluation of drug resistance markers are essential to assess the impact of multidrug resistance (MDR) in clinical oncology. The MDR1 gene confers pleiotropic drug resistance in tumour cells, but other molecular mechanisms are also involved in drug resistance. In particular, the clinical pattern of expression of the other MDR-related genes is unclear and their interrelationships are still unknown. Here, we report standardization of the procedures used to determine a reliable method of semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using a standard series of drug-sensitive and increasingly resistant cell lines to evaluate the expression of three MDR-related genes, i.e. MDR1 (multidrug resistance gene 1), MRP (multidrug resistance related protein) and GSTp (glutathione-S-transferase p), reported to be endogenous standard genes for normalization of mRNAs. A total of 74 breast cancer surgical biopsies, obtained before any treatment, were evaluated by this method. When compared with classical clinical and laboratory findings, GSTp mRNA level was higher in diploid tumours. However, the main finding of our study suggests a clear relationship between two of these MDR-related gene expressions, namely GSTp and MRP. This finding provides new insight into human breast tumours, which may possibly be linked to the glutathione conjugate carrier function of MRP. Well defined semiquantitative RT-PCR procedures can therefore constitute a powerful tool to investigate MDR phenotype at mRNA levels of different related genes in small and precious tumour biopsy specimens.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for the Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma-associated t(2;5) translocation in Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) and Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (Ki-1 ALCL) appear pathologically and immunohistochemically related, and a common histogenesis has been postulated in at least some cases. The breakpoints of the t(2;5) (p23;q35) [corrected] translocation, which is reported in about 40% of Ki-1 ALCL, have recently been cloned. They involve a novel tyrosine kinase gene, ALK, at 2p23 and the nucleophosmin gene, NPM, at 5q35. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using NPM and ALK primers consistently detects a fusion product in Ki-1 ALCL cases with the translocation. To determine if this tumor-specific genetic alteration also occurs in HD, we performed NPM-ALK RT-PCR on RNA samples extracted from 40 lymph node biopsies of HD (25 nodular sclerosis, 11 mixed cellularity, 2 lymphocyte depleted, 2 lymphocyte predominant). Using control samples, the sensitivity of the NPM-ALK RT-PCR assay was shown to be at least 1:10(4). Amplifiable template was confirmed in all samples by RT-PCR using beta-actin primers. None of the 40 cases showed the expected 177-bp RT-PCR product indicative of the translocation. We conclude that the most common primary genetic alteration in Ki-1 ALCL, the t(2;5), is absent or very infrequent in typical cases of HD. These results further support the concept that HD and Ki-1 ALCL are pathogenetically distinct entities.

Base Sequence↗

Detection of minimal residual disease by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for the PML/RAR alpha fusion mRNA: a study in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia following peripheral stem cell transplantation.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) that is characterized by the presence of a PML/RAR alpha fusion gene resulting from t(15;17). Peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT) has been used to treat patients with AML. To assess the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) and the contamination of leukemic cells in peripheral stem cells (PSCs), we examined six patients with APL who were undergoing PSCT, using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis to detect the mRNA of the PML/RAR alpha fusion gene. The fusion gene was expressed in the bone marrow cells during the early phase of a complete remission and in some of the PSCs. Detection of the fusion gene can be useful in monitoring for leukemic cell contamination of PSCs and for predicting a relapse of APL.

Base Sequence↗

Detection of viable Vibrio cholerae by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

The use of conventional PCR can amplify target DNA from both viable and nonviable cells of Vibrio cholera. Detection of only viable microbial pathogens in biological samples, especially clinical and food samples, is usually desired to ensure positive test results are associated with active agents, and not the remains of dead cells. Positive identifications caused by nonliving causative agents may lead to misguided decisions concerning the effectiveness of treatment, and whether patient treatment should be continued or whether the food should be discarded. Consequently, this work was directed toward development of a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based in vitro DNA amplification method, which specifically detects only viable cells. Total RNA from both viable and nonviable cells was purified by using a FastPrep Cell Disrupter ([symbol: see text]Bio 101/Savant) and FastRNA extraction reagents ([symbol: see text]Bio 101). The purified RNA was treated with DNase I (RNase-free) to avoid any amplification from the contaminating target DNA. An RT-PCR approach using this rapid and effective method for RNA purification showed amplification of the target mRNA only from the viable cells. The sensitivity of detection of viable cells of V. cholerae was > or = 10(3), which is well within the minimum number of cells (10(5)-10(6)) required for infection. The use of a reliable prokaryotic RNA extraction method followed by RT-PCR amplification of the target mRNA can be used for specific detection of viable microbial pathogen, such as V. cholerae.

Base Sequence↗

Analysis of sewage effluent for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using infectivity assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Environmental survival of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an important public health concern. Survival of HIV in waste water is of particular interest to those who work at treatment facilities and to the general public who have contact with rivers or ocean water receiving treated sewage effluent. Other researchers have reported that HIV can be detected in waste water. Their studies, however, detected homologous nucleic acid sequences but did not attempt to determine infectivity. The current study tested primary and secondary effluent from a major metropolitan sewage agency for the presence of HIV-1 using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), HIV-1 p24 antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and infectivity testing. For RT-PCR, primers SK38/SK39 and M667/AA55 were used to identify HIV-1 RNA sequences from concentrated and extracted sewage samples. Infectivity assays employed donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. Coxsackievirus B4, echovirus 7, and poliovirus 1, enteroviruses normally present in sewage, were tested for replication in PBMCs. Poliovirus 1 was found to infect the PBMCs. To eliminate other enteroviruses that may also infect the PBMCs and interfere with HIV-1 testing, concentrated sewage was treated with human immunoglobulin (free of HIV antibodies) and poliovirus antisera before infectivity assays were performed. All treated sewage samples tested negative for HIV-1 by all methods used. HIV-1 seeded into sewage, however, remained infectious in the assay, indicating that the sewage water sample did not interfere with HIV infectivity nor was it toxic to the PBMCs.

Base Sequence↗