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Biomedical subjects

A Palumbo

Publications and source records attributed to A Palumbo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Activated idiotype-reactive cells in suppressor/cytotoxic subpopulations of monoclonal gammopathies: correlation with diagnosis and disease status.

The phenotypic pattern of peripheral blood T (PBT) lymphocytes was correlated with diagnosis and clinical status in 63 patients with monoclonal gammopathies (MGs). The numbers of lymphocytes expressing activation and CD11 determinants were significantly increased in suppressor/cytotoxic and helper/inducer subpopulations of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and MG of undetermined significance (MGUS). The number of activated suppressor/cytotoxic cells was closely correlated with diagnosis and disease status. These cells were significantly higher in MM at diagnosis (160 +/- 88) than MGUS patients (61 +/- 79; P less than .01). Their number decreased to MGUS levels in MM in stable remission (58 +/- 53), but not in MM with tumor progression (172 +/- 102; P less than .001). In individual patients, part of these cells specifically adhered to dishes precoated with the related M-protein. No monoclonal T-beta gene rearrangement was detected in PBT and cytotoxic/suppressor subpopulations from two patients with a large proportion of activated cells.

Blood Proteins↗

Effect of metal ions on the rearrangement of dopachrome.

In vitro experiments are reported showing that a number of transition metal ions exert a profound influence on both the kinetics and chemical course of the rearrangement of dopachrome, a key step in the biosynthesis of melanins. HPLC analysis shows that Cu2+, Ni2+ and Co2+ are particularly effective in inducing the non-decarboxylative rearrangement of dopachrome at physiological pH values, leading mainly to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid, whereas in the absence of metal ions the reaction proceeds with concomitant loss of carbon dioxide to give almost exclusively 5,6-dihydroxyindole. Kinetic experiments provide evidence that the rate of the metal-promoted rearrangement is first order with respect to both aminochrome and metal concentration and decreases in the presence of increasing concentrations of EDTA, consistent with a mechanism involving a direct 1:1 dopachrome-metal ion interaction in the transition state. When considered in the light of the known metal accumulation in pigmented tissues, the results of this study provide a new entry into the regulatory mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of melanins.

Cations↗

The long-term treatment of peptic ulcer after a bleeding episode.

We have studied 51 consecutive patients bleeding from peptic ulcer which was duodenal (D.U.) in 30, gastric in 17 (G.U.), anastomotic in 3 (Billroth 2), and oesophageal in 1 of them. One patient with G.U. was sent for surgery and 2 patients with D.U. died early; the others recovered through medical treatment and the ulcer healed after 6-8 weeks of treatment with ranitidine in 46 out of 48 patients. Subsequently, all the healed patients have been treated with ranitidine (150 mg at bedtime) for 6 months; by this time a new endoscopy showed an erosive antral gastritis in 2 patients with G.U. and 2 recurrences of D.U. Then the patients and their family doctors were invited to choose between the interruption of the treatment and its prolongation. 8 patients with previous G.U. preferred to stop treatment, and up to 1-2 years they did not show any recurrence; the remaining 5 patients carried on the maintenance treatment, and up to one year one of them showed an erosive antral gastritis. 15 patients with previous D.U. stopped the treatment and 5 of them after 1-24 months presented a recurrence with a new haemorrhage; 8 patients chose to continue the treatment and none of them for 6-24 months had recurrence. The limited number of the patients obviously does not allow a sound conclusion, but a trend is clearly seen which favours a prolonged maintenance treatment in patients with D.U. which has bled.

Aged↗

Cloning and structural characterization of a human non-erythroid band 3-like protein.

Polypeptides which are immunologically related to the erythrocyte anion transport protein have been identified in a variety of non-erythroid cells. We describe two cDNA clones encoding a human non-erythroid band 3 protein (HKB3) and the mouse erythrocyte band 3 (MEB3) and show that these proteins are structurally similar. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences from HKB3 and MEB3 reveals a high degree of sequence homology (71%) and conservation of the overall topography of the transmembrane domain. Similar levels of homology are also observed in comparisons with published amino acid sequence from the human erythrocyte band 3. In addition, specific residues which have been demonstrated to be involved in erythroid anion transport are conserved in HKB3, suggesting that this non-erythroid band 3 protein functions in this respect. Although protein sequence homology within the cytoplasmic domain is considerably lower (35%), three specific regions in HKB3 are conserved, one of which may represent an ankyrin binding site. Northern blot analysis reveals transcripts that cross-hybridize with the HKB3 cDNA in a variety of non-erythroid cell lines but not in cells of erythroid lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Insulin requirement of human leukemic cell lines.

The growth characteristics of human leukemic cell lines in serum supplemented medium and in serum free medium with and without the addition of insulin were investigated. No relation was found between the insulin binding capacity of the cells and their hormone-dependence for growth.

Cell Division↗

Tyrosinase-catalyzed conjugation of dopa with glutathione.

A convenient method is described for the preparation of 5-S- and 2-S-glutathionyldopa, based on tyrosinase oxidation of dopa in the presence of glutathione. The yields of 5-S, 2-S, and 6-S isomers produced were about 76, 12, and 5%, respectively.

Cysteinyldopa↗

Effect of metal ions on the kinetics of tyrosine oxidation catalysed by tyrosinase.

The conversion of tyrosine into dopa [3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine] is the rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of melanins catalysed by tyrosinase. This hydroxylation reaction is characterized by a lag period, the extent of which depends on various parameters, notably the presence of a suitable hydrogen donor such as dopa or tetrahydropterin. We have now found that catalytic amounts of Fe2+ ions have the same effect as dopa in stimulating the tyrosine hydroxylase activity of the enzyme. Kinetic experiments showed that the shortening of the induction time depends on the concentration of the added metal and the nature of the buffer system used and is not suppressed by superoxide dismutase, catalase, formate or mannitol. Notably, Fe3+ ions showed only a small delaying effect on tyrosinase activity. Among the other metals which were tested, Zn2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ had no detectable influence, whereas Cu2+ and Mn2+ exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on the kinetics of tyrosine oxidation. These findings are discussed in the light of the commonly accepted mechanism of action of tyrosinase.

Animals↗

Gene for alpha-chain of human T-cell receptor: location on chromosome 14 region involved in T-cell neoplasms.

A human complementary DNA clone specific for the alpha-chain of the T-cell receptor and a panel of rodent X human somatic cell hybrids were used to map the alpha-chain gene to human chromosome 14 in a region proximal to the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus. Analysis by means of in situ hybridization of human metaphase chromosomes served to further localize the alpha-chain gene to region 14q11q12, which is consistently involved in translocations and inversions detectable in human T-cell leukemias and lymphomas. Thus, the locus for the alpha-chain T-cell receptor may participate in oncogene activation in T-cell tumors.

Animals↗

Sequence comparison of human and murine erythrocyte alpha-spectrin cDNA.

The results of hybridization analyses using cDNA probes for mouse and human alpha-spectrin mRNA indicate that a single gene encodes the alpha-subunit of erythrocyte spectrin. Sequencing of the cDNA clones showed that they code for 370 amino acids (aa) covering three repeat domains close to the C terminus of alpha-spectrin. The cloned cDNAs will now permit the isolation of the alpha-spectrin gene and should lead to the characterization of the genetic aspects in human hereditary anemias in which alpha-spectrin has been characterized as the site of the molecular defect.

Animals↗

A 14;18 and an 8;14 chromosome translocation in a cell line derived from an acute B-cell leukemia.

We have established a cell line, which we named 380, from a young male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (FAB type L2). Karyologic analysis of this cell line indicates that it carries an 8;14 and a 14;18 chromosome translocation, which are characteristic of Burkitt lymphoma and of follicular lymphoma, respectively. This cell line is Epstein-Barr virus antigen-negative, reacts with monoclonal antibodies specific for B cells, and contains rearranged immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes, but does not express human immunoglobulins. In this cell line, both mu heavy chain constant (C mu) loci are rearranged within the joining (JH) DNA segment. One of the JH segments on one of the 14q+ chromosomes is rearranged with a segment of chromosome 8, where the c-myc oncogene resides, while the other is rearranged with a segment of chromosome 18 where a putative oncogene, which we have called bcl-2, is located. The c-myc oncogene, which is translocated to one of the 14q+ chromosomes, is in its germ-line configuration more than 14 kilobases away from both the JH segment and the heavy chain enhancer that is located between the JH and mu switch region. Based on these findings, we propose a model of some aspects of B-cell oncogenesis according to which B-cell neoplasms carrying translocations involving the heavy chain loci on both human chromosomes 14 are the result of a multiple step process.

Antigens, Surface↗

Lineage infidelity of a human myelogenous leukemia cell line.

We have analyzed the organization and expression of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chain gene in the human myeloblastic leukemic sublines, ML1, ML2, and ML3, and in the human myeloid leukemic cell lines, HL-60, U937, THP1, and K562. ML1, ML2, and ML3 cells, despite a predominant granulocytic phenotype, express a rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene that typically occurs during the early stages of the B cell differentiation pathway. No rearrangement was found in any of the other cell lines tested. These findings strongly support the notion that, at least in some cases, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells represent highly atypical cells with profoundly altered gene expression, rather than cells arrested at a well-defined stage of the myeloid lineage.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Subpopulation heterogeneity in human acute myeloid leukemia determined by monoclonal antibodies.

The leukemic population in 63 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was studied with 15 monoclonal antibodies that detect lineage-related and stage-related antigens on normal hemopoietic cells. Indirect immunofluorescence and fluorescence-activated cell sorting showed that subpopulations of leukemic cells reacted with some or all antibodies, but the percentage of cells reacting with a single antibody varied widely among patients. The composite antigenic phenotype of the various cases, as determined by immunofluorescence assay, did not correlate with the French-American-British morphological classification. Furthermore, some cells in each case failed to express any antigen normally expressed on myelomonocytic precursors from the level of the early CFU-GM to the mature granulocyte or monocyte. In double-fluorescence experiments, the individual cells expressed none, one, or both antigens. These results demonstrate that there is considerable subpopulation heterogeneity in AML. This heterogeneity may considerably limit or complicate the use of monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL).

Adult↗

Surface phenotype of clonogenic cells in acute myeloid leukemia defined by monoclonal antibodies.

Colony-forming cells in ten cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were studied with six cytotoxic monoclonal antibodies that react with antigens expressed at discrete stages of differentiation of normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells. The reactivity of the whole leukemic population was measured by indirect immunofluorescence, and the reactivity of the colony-forming cells was established by complement-mediated cytotoxicity and by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Comparison of the immunofluorescent reactivity with cytotoxicity and cell sorting showed that colony-forming cells were found within a fraction of the leukemic subpopulations that expresses these antigens. This finding implies that immunofluorescence reactivity of the total leukemic population does not necessarily predict the phenotype of the clonogenic cells. When the surface phenotype of the clonogenic leukemic cells was compared to that previously established for normal marrow hemopoietic clonogenic cells, several patterns were seen: (1) in four of ten cases, the clonogenic cells expressed a phenotype like that of relatively mature normal granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (late CFU-GM) or, (2) in two cases, a phenotype similar to the less mature colony-forming cells (early CFU-GM or CFU-GEMM), and (3) in four cases, a composite phenotype of early and late CFU-GM. Thus, the level of impairment of differentiation in AML may vary from case to case. In those cases phenotypically similar to the late CFU-GM, it may be possible to separate leukemic clonogenic cells from less mature normal clonogenic cells using monoclonal antibodies selectively cytotoxic for the late CFU-GM.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Non-enzymic oxidation of cysteinyldopa catalyzed by metallic ions.

1. Evidence is presented that under physiological conditions cysteinyldopa behaves similarly to catecholamines, e.g. adrenaline, in forming reversible complexes with various metallic cations. 2. As a rule, these complexes are stable under anaerobic conditions, but readily autoxidize in the presence of O2 to give the 1,4-benzothiazine acid (II) corresponding to one of the postulated intermediates in the biosynthesis of phaeomelanic pigments. 3. Copper catalyzed oxidation of cysteinyldopa proceeds differently to give the red-purple trichochrome F presumably via decarboxylation and oxidative coupling of the same benzothiazine intermediate. 4. The relevance of these in vitro experiments to the metabolism of cysteinyldopa is briefly discussed.

Catecholamines↗

Amplified C lambda and c-abl genes are on the same marker chromosome in K562 leukemia cells.

The human leukemia cell line K562, derived from a patient with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia, contains amplified c-abl oncogenes and unrearranged C lambda genes. Using in situ hybridization techniques, we have determined that the amplified c-abl and C lambda DNA sequences of K562 cells are both located on the same abnormal acrocentric marker chromosome, which may represent an altered Philadelphia chromosome.

Cell Line↗

Changes in insulin binding activity during myeloid differentiation.

Insulin binding activity and its changes in relation to terminal differentiation were studied in the HL60 human promyelocytic cell line, and in myeloid cells from both normal bone marrow and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. After treatment with dimethylsulfoxide, the HL60 line began to differentiate into more mature myeloid cells. Treated and untreated HL60 cells were found to possess specific insulin receptors with characteristics similar to those of monocytes and granulocytes. Dimethylsulfoxide induced a progressive decrease in insulin binding, parallel to the increase in the proportion of differentiated cells. Myeloid cells from CML patients were used to study insulin binding characteristics during spontaneous differentiation. They were separated on Ficoll Hypaque into a light fraction, containing mostly undifferentiated cells, and a dense fraction, containing mostly granulocytes, with similar specific insulin receptor characteristics. Insulin binding capacity, however, was twice as high in the light fraction. To compare binding activity during normal and leukemic myeloid differentiation, cells from normal bone marrow and CML peripheral blood were fractioned by BSA density gradient into enriched fractions of one predominant cell type. Insulin binding decreased in the course of both differentiations. These findings indicate that leukemic immature myeloid cells possess a high number of specific insulin receptors, and that insulin binding decreases during both spontaneous and chemically induced terminal differentiation.

Bone Marrow↗

Establishment of a Ph1-positive human cell line (BV173).

A new cell line (BV173) derived from a patient with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive acute leukemia was compared with the Ph1-positive K562 and NALM-1 lines, which display the phenotypic characteristics of erythroid and pre-B cells, respectively. BV173 cells retained the Ph1 chromosome and had the morphologic and cytochemical features of undifferentiated blast cells. They lacked the membrane characteristics of mature B- or T-lymphocytes and did not react with monoclonal antibodies to the myelomonocytic cell lineage. Although they reacted with anti-glycophorin A antiserum, they failed to produce hemoglobin after butyric acid treatment. This line was similar to NALM-1 in that it bore common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen and la-like antigen, reacted with monoclonal antibodies directed against early stages of hematopoietic cell differentiation, and presented the nuclear enzyme terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. However, it differed from NALM-1 because it did not express cytoplasmic IgM, a marker of pre-B-cells. The new line can be considered a clonal expansion of leukemia cells blocked at an earlier differentiation stage than that for the other Ph1-positive cell lines.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗