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Biomedical subjects

A R Turner

Publications and source records attributed to A R Turner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Allogeneic blood cell transplants for haematological malignancy: preliminary comparison of outcomes with bone marrow transplantation.

Twenty-six patients with haematological malignancy received cryopreserved but otherwise unmanipulated blood cell transplants (BCT) from five- or six-antigen matched siblings in whom progenitor cells had been mobilized by G-CSF. Outcomes were compared with a historical control group of 26 BMT patients matched for age and disease status. Granulocyte counts recovered to 0.5 x 10(9)/l in a median of 16 days after BCT compared with 21.5 days after BMT (P = 0.0002). Platelet counts, unsupported for 3 days, reached 20 x 10(9)/l in a median of 14 days vs 20.5 days (P = 0.0003) after BCT compared with BMT in those patients who engrafted. In the BCT and BMT groups, respectively, the risk of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 37 vs 21% (P = 0.16) and of chronic GVHD at 1 year 53 vs 48% (P = 0.9). There was no significant difference in red cell transfusions but BCT patients required fewer platelet transfusions (median 3 vs 5, P = 0.015) and fewer days in hospital (20.5 vs 25, P = 0.02). These results indicate that allogeneic BCT from matched and partially mismatched family donors result in faster engraftment than BMT without a significant increase in GVHD. Allogeneic BCT may prove to be a more tolerable procedure than BMT for both donor and recipient and there are indications of improved cost-effectiveness.

Adolescent↗

Second allogeneic transplants for leukemia using blood instead of bone marrow as a source of hemopoietic cells.

There is increasing interest in blood cell transplants (BCT) from normal donors as an alternative to BMT. Ten patients with relapsed or persistent leukemia after BMT received intensive cytotoxic conditioning followed by allogeneic BCT. Three BCT were from single-antigen mismatched donors; two of the corresponding recipients had rejected a BMT from the same donor. Two patients received BCT from a different donor (one matched, one single-antigen mismatched). The other six BCT were from the same, fully matched, bone marrow donors. Donors were given G-CSF to mobilize progenitor cells which were collected by a single 2-4 h leukapheresis. Methotrexate, CsA and folinic acid were used for GVHD prophylaxis for all transplants but CsA was discontinued sooner after BCT than after BMT. One patient died without engraftment having rejected a BMT from the same single-antigen mismatched donor 4 years previously. Nine patients had granulocyte recovery at a median of 14 days, up to 6 days faster than with their previous BMT. Platelet recovery was also 2-6 days faster than with BMT in four previously engrafting patients. Four patients died without platelet recovery after BCT within a year of BMT, three of treatment-related toxicity and one of relapse. Two patients developed grade II acute GVHD. Of six patients given BCT more than a year from BMT, four, all with acute leukemia, survive 7, 14, 29 and 29 months after BCT and one relapsed at 7 months. All four survivors developed chronic GVHD. These results indicate that BCT may be useful therapy for relapse occurring more than a year after BMT.

Adolescent↗

Demonstration of functional cytokine-placental interactions: CSF-1 and GM-CSF stimulate human cytotrophoblast differentiation and peptide hormone secretion.

The placental syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is a terminally differentiated epithelial cell monolayer that constitutes the outermost boundary between fetal and maternal tissues and performs a variety of synthetic, secretory, and transport functions essential for the maintenance of pregnancy. Although it is known that the ST arises from the underlying germinal layer of mononuclear cytotrophoblasts (Langhans' cells) by a process of cell fusion, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process are unclear. In order to address this question, we have investigated the effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), lymphohemopoietic cytokines implicated in mammalian placental development, on the in vitro morphological and functional differentiation of human trophoblast. Both CSF-1 and GM-CSF stimulated cytotrophoblast aggregation into large multinucleated structures composed of extensive patches of syncytium interspersed with mononuclear cells. Concomitant with this morphological differentiation was upregulation of the production of the placental hormones placental lactogen and chorionic gonadotrophin. Placental fibroblasts derived from the villous stroma that underlies the trophoblastic epithelium were found to produce both GM-CSF and CSF-1 under the control of the trophoblast-derived cytokines IL-1 and TNF alpha. These observations suggest that a network of interrelated cytokines operates within the basal (fetal) aspects of the villous stroma where they are situated to play a significant role in the morphological and functional development of the human placenta.

Cell Differentiation↗

Successful reversal of neutropenia in Felty's syndrome with recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor.

We report two patients with Felty's syndrome and chronic skin ulcers treated successfully with recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF). In both cases granulocytes returned to the normal range within days of starting treatment, and their cutaneous ulcers improved. In one patient granulocytes were maintained at normal levels with a regimen of GCSF 3 micrograms/kg twice weekly for 14 months.

Aged↗

Phenotypic characterization of the human fibrous histiocytoma giant cell tumor (GCT) cell line and its cytokine repertoire.

The pleiotropic nature of malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) is manifested as mixed cellular infiltrates consisting of myofibroblasts, histiomonocytes, and neutrophils. We detail in this report the phenotypic characteristics of the human fibrous histiocytoma giant cell tumor (GCT) cell line that establish its mesenchymal origin. The latter is underscored by the ability of GCT cells to express mRNA for transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) as well as both A and B chains of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). GCT cells also support the binding of CD34+ cells, but less efficiently than do normal marrow stromal cells. Since cytokines elaborated by MFH may mediate in part the recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils into tumor-infiltrated tissues, we have determined the cytokine repertoire of the GCT cell line, already known for its ability to elaborate colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). GCT cells express IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF or CSF-1), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and IL-8. No detectable mRNA for IL-3, IL-4, IL-7, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was detected in GCT cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Expression of cytokine mRNAs was responsive to agents such as dexamethasone (dex), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (phorbol diester or TPA), and TNF-alpha. Thus, this cell line provides a useful model for understanding the pathobiology of MFH and hematopoietic progenitor interactions with mesenchymal/stromal cells.

Cytokines↗

Similarities in long-term cultures of blood and bone marrow from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.

Dexter-type long-term cultures (LTC) were initiated with peripheral blood (PB) and/or bone marrow cells from 11 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and 2 with myelodysplastic syndrome in blastic transformation. Marrow and PB cells from normal subjects served as controls. Assessment of nucleated cells and clonogenic progenitors in the adherent and nonadherent fractions of LTC revealed active hemopoiesis for greater than 5 wks in 4 of 8 cultures of AML blood, and 4 of 7 of AML marrow. The morphology and kinetics of nucleated cells and progenitors with putative normal (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units or CFU-gm), and abnormal (blast) phenotype in LTC from AML blood were similar to those from AML marrow, and adherent cells positive for collagen I and III and vimentin were found in both types of LTC. Growth of CFU-gm colonies ceased by wk 5-8 in AML cultures, significantly earlier than in LTC of normal marrow cells (survival of greater than 10 wks), which may indicate derivation of the CFU-gm from a transformed clone or deficiency of stromal function in the leukemic state. In most AML blood and AML marrow LTCs, growth of abnormal (blast) colonies continued until wk 4-6. This study demonstrates certain similarities of morphology and function between LTC of AML blood and AML marrow cells. LTC may provide a useful model for further analysis of circulating primitive hemopoietic progenitor cells in leukemic states.

Blood Cells↗

Synergistic stimulation of macrophage proliferation by the monokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and colony-stimulating factor 1.

The effects of pure recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) on the CSF-1-stimulated proliferation of well-defined populations of murine macrophages are examined. Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) from endotoxin-resistant C3H/HeJ mice were characterized for homogeneity in comparison with a cloned, growth factor-dependent macrophage cell line (S1) also derived from C3H/HeJ bone marrow cells. The mitogenic effects of each factor, alone and in combination, on the proliferation of both macrophage populations over a two-day culture period were studied. In contrast to CSF-1, TNF alone only slightly stimulated macrophage proliferation. However, the combination of CSF-1 and TNF stimulated proliferation of both primary BMM and S1 cells 1.5- to 2-fold greater than the sum of their predicted individual contributions. Such synergy was observed even at very high (plateau) levels of factors. TNF was found to transiently down-regulate CSF-1 receptor levels on both populations. Down-regulation was maximal at one hour; however, receptor numbers returned to initial, or greater, levels after 24 hours of incubation. Thus, TNF, an inducible monokine, greatly enhances the maximal mitogenic effects of CSF-1, an inducer of TNF production. These observations suggest an autocrine rule for TNF that involves synergy with (and perhaps obligatory cooperation with) CSF-1 in the regulation of macrophage proliferation.

Animals↗

Effects of venesection on leg blood flow in claudicants with high-normal haematocrit.

Patients with intermittent claudication frequently have high-normal levels of haematocrit and hence blood viscosity, which may contribute to decreased calf blood flow on exercise, and hence to the symptom of claudication. Reduction in haematocrit and viscosity by serial venesection in eight patients with stable claudication and high-normal haematocrit (mean 0.50) was performed, and the effects on claudication, calf blood flow, and calf oxygen delivery were studied. Following reduction in haematocrit to low-normal levels (mean 0.44), resting calf blood flow was unchanged; peak flow after ischaemic exercise increased slightly (+17%), but peak oxygen delivery (peak flow X haemoglobin concentration) was unchanged. Hence any increase in calf blood flow in the symptomatic leg is balanced by a decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity after venesection. No increase in claudication time would therefore be expected, and none was observed in the present study.

Adult↗

Water permeability of human hematopoietic stem cells.

It is currently impossible to isolate or identify human hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow, yet the biophysical properties of these cells are important for the development of techniques to isolate and preserve stem cells for transplantation. Osmotic permeability properties of human bone marrow stem cells were estimated from the kinetics of cell damage in a hypotonic solution measured using in vitro colony assays for multipotential (CFU-GEMM) and committed (BFU-E, CFU-GM) progenitor cells. Cells exposed to a hypotonic solution swell as a result of water influx, and the rate of change of volume is proportional to the hydraulic conductivity of the plasma membrane. Cell damage occurs when the cell volume exceeds the maximum tolerable volume, so the hydraulic conductivity can be estimated from the kinetics of cell damage. For all the progenitor cells studied, the mean value of the hydraulic conductivity was 0.283 micron3/micron2/min/atm at 20 degrees C, with an Arrhenius activation energy of 6.41 kcal/mole. No significant differences were observed in the osmotic properties of the various progenitor cells. These data were used to predict the osmotic responses of human bone marrow stem cells at subzero temperatures during freezing.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Cerebral metastases from epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

We describe four patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and cerebral metastases. Cerebral metastases are still an infrequent occurrence in this malignancy but, as treatment for ovarian cancer produces more long-term survivors, such uncommon patterns of spread may become more frequent. Part of a future successful cure for this disorder may require the recognition of the central nervous system as a potential sanctuary site for metastatic disease.

Adult↗

Immediate and delayed effects of cis-platinum treatment on the short term biodistribution of 67Ga-citrate in mice.

The co-administration of a single medium toxic dose (5 mg/kg) of the chemotherapeutic drug cis-platinum (cis-Pt) with 67Ga-citrate was found to have minimal effects on the 3 h tissue distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in mice. When the same drug dose was given at two day intervals preceding the co-administered dose, virtually all tissues accumulated 67Ga to a greater extent. The tissue distribution of radiolabeled cis-Pt supported the development of drug-induced renal dysfunction as the primary cause.

Animals↗