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Biomedical subjects

A Reiner

Publications and source records attributed to A Reiner.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

[Androgen receptors in primary breast carcinoma. Relation to prognostic factors in comparison with estrogen and progesterone receptors].

Androgen receptor content was correlated with various prognostic factors in 274 patients with breast cancer. Receptor content was determined by the dextran-coated charcoal method (DCC). No direct relationship was found between androgen receptor content and age of patient, menstruation status, TN status and number of affected lymph nodes. But in 232 patients in whom tumour differentiation could be determined, there was a highly significant relationship between it and androgen receptor content (P less than 0.01). Similar correlations were found also between these prognostic factors and oestrogen or progesterone receptors. The percentage distribution of tumours of different degrees of differentiation was independent of the kind of demonstrable steroid-hormone receptor. However, the frequency of highly differentiated tumours rose with the number of different receptors that were determined. Thus steroid-hormone receptors can be considered as markers for differentiation. It seems possible that the additional determination of androgen receptors allows for a more exact selection of patients who should receive hormonal treatment.

Adult↗

Histopathologic characterization of human breast cancer in correlation with estrogen receptor status. A comparison of immunocytochemical and biochemical analysis.

A detailed histopathologic analysis of 399 primary breast carcinomas was performed, and several morphologic features were correlated with the estrogen receptor (ER) status. In all cases ER status was determined immunocytochemically by estrogen receptor immunocytochemical assay (ER-ICA). In 359 carcinomas ER status was also biochemically determined. Invasive lobular, mucoid, and tubular carcinomas rather than ductal carcinomas were ER-positive more frequently in ER-ICA. Medullary and papillary carcinomas had corresponding lower or higher ER positivity, respectively, by both methods. The correlation of histologic grade and its single factors with ER status was statistically significant by both methods. Lymphocytic reaction to tumor showed a significant inverse relationship to ER status by both methods. A statistically significant higher number of ER-positive carcinomas in ER-ICA and dextran-coated charcoal assay (DCC) occurred when elastic tissue was present. Different associations were found between stromal content, tumor diameter, and ER status in DCC and ER-ICA, respectively.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Natural killer cell activities of patients with breast cancer against different target cells.

Natural killer (NK) cell activity against K 562 erythroleukemic- and MCF-7 breast carcinoma-derived cells was monitored in short-term (3 h/K 562) and long-term (18 h/MCF-7) chromium release tests for 60 patients with untreated primary breast disease. Target cell lysis was the same for patient groups with benign (n = 13) and malignant (n = 47) breast disease (27% versus 36% mean chromium release; target:effector ratio 40:1 for K 562 and 28% versus 40% for MCF-7 cells). NK activity as defined by short-term lysis of K 562 cells did not correlate with MCF-7 cell lysis in long-term assays for the carcinoma patients. This functional heterogeneity of natural cytotoxic activities of breast cancer patients was confirmed by a different age distribution for K 562 and MCF-7 cell lysis and high levels of MCF-7-directed NK activity in the grade I tumor group (56.2%). Our results indicate that measurement of peripheral blood NK activity against a breast carcinoma-derived cell line (MCF-7) defines a disease-related natural cytotoxic activity which correlates better with prognostic tumor parameters (tumor grading) than NK activity as defined by the lysis of K 562 erythroleukemic cells. NK activity testing against breast carcinoma cell lines should be used to monitor natural cytotoxic activities in breast cancer patients and its modulation by different routes of treatment.

Adult↗

Medullary thyroid carcinomas express chromogranin A and a novel neuroendocrine protein recognized by monoclonal antibody HISL-19.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: A number of endocrine peptides and proteins are expressed by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The expression of two newly appreciated neuroendocrine tumor markers, chromogranin A (CgA) and the endocrine antigen defined by monoclonal antibody HISL-19, was determined in 14 MTCs by immunohistology to evaluate the clinical utility of these markers in the diagnosis of MTC. Papillary, follicular, and undifferentiated thyroid tumors were also evaluated along with an MTC cell line. The same tissues were evaluated with antibodies to human calcitonin. RESULTS: All human calcitonin antibodies were found to react with the MTCs. In addition, all MTCs were reactive for CgA and the antigen detected by antibody HISL-19. CgA was generally present in the human calcitonin-containing cells, whereas the HISL-19 antigen had a more distinctive distribution. The other thyroid tumors failed to show reactivity with any of the three antibodies. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that, in addition to human calcitonin, MTCs commonly express CgA and the antigen defined by antibody HISL-19. Our observations thus add to the repertoire of endocrine substances produced by MTC. These studies also demonstrate the clinical value of immunohistologic procedures for two novel antigens in distinguishing MTCs from other thyroid tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prognostic significance of immunohistochemical parameters in breast carcinomas.

136 breast carcinomas were investigated immunohistochemically for alpha-lactalbumin (ALA), lactoferrin (Lfr), human milk fat globule membrane antigen (HMFG-2), transferrin receptor (TrfR), Ki-67 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The relationships of pathologic features and steroid receptor status previously shown to be of prognostic significance and the immunohistochemical parameters were examined. It was found that estrogen receptor (ER) was inverse related to TrfR, Ki-67 and EGFR whereas progesterone receptor (PgR) was inverse correlated to Ki-67 solely. Tumor grading revealed significant correlations between TrfR, Ki-67 and HMFG-2 (inverse correlation). Tumor diameter showed correlation between Ki-67 solely. Moreover there were significant relationships between lymphoid infiltration and TrfR, Ki-67 and HMFG-2 (inverse correlation). The comparison of the immunohistochemical parameters showed correlations between Ki-67 and TrfR, Ki-67 and HMFG-2 (inverse correlation) as well as HMFG-2 and ALA. Therefore it is suggested that functional and tumor kinetic properties determined by HMFG-2, Ki-67 and TrfR may be an additional indicator with prognostic significance. On the other hand immunoreactivities of ALA in conjunction with HMFG-2 possibly indicates a subpopulation of breast carcinomas that may have to be investigated further. Moreover these results showed that lymphoid infiltration was correlated with Ki-67 reactivity as well as TrfR expression.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Differential loss of striatal projection neurons in Huntington disease.

Huntington disease (HD) is characterized by the loss of striatal projection neurons, which constitute the vast majority of striatal neurons. To determine whether there is differential loss among different populations of striatal projection neurons, the integrity of the axon terminal plexuses arising from the different populations of substance P-containing and enkephalin-containing striatal projection neurons was studied in striatal target areas by immunohistochemistry. Analysis of 17 HD specimens indicated that in early and middle stages of HD, enkephalin-containing neurons projecting to the external segment of the globus pallidus were much more affected than substance P-containing neurons projecting to the internal pallidal segment. Furthermore, substance P-containing neurons projecting to the substantia nigra pars reticulata were more affected than those projecting to the substantia nigra pars compacta. At the most advanced stages of the disease, projections to all striatal target areas were depleted, with the exception of some apparent sparing of the striatal projection to the substantia nigra pars compacta. These findings may explain some of the clinical manifestations and pharmacology of HD. They also may aid in identifying the neural defect underlying HD and provide additional data with which to evaluate current models of HD pathogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Kniest dysplasia is characterized by an apparent abnormal processing of the C-propeptide of type II cartilage collagen resulting in imperfect fibril assembly.

Epiphyseal and growth plate cartilages from four cases of Kniest dysplasia have been studied. In each case collagen fibril organization appeared abnormal by electron microscopy compared with age-matched normal cartilages: fibrils were much thinner, of irregular shape and did not exhibit the characteristic banding pattern. This was associated with the absence (compared with normal cartilage) of the C-propeptide of type II collagen (chondrocalcin) from the extracellular matrix of epiphyseal cartilages, although it was detected (as in normal cartilages) in the lower hypertrophic zone of the growth plate in association with calcifying cartilage. The C-propeptide was abnormally concentrated in intracellular vacuolar sites in Kniest cartilages and its total content was reduced in all cases but not in all cartilages. Moreover, it was not a part of the procollagen molecule. In contrast, type II collagen alpha-chain size was normal, indicating the formation of a triple helix. Also type II collagen content was normal and it was present in extracellular sites and only occasionally detected intracellularly. These observations suggest that the defect in Kniest dysplasia may result from the secretion of type II procollagen lacking the C-propeptide and abnormal fibril formation, and that the C-propeptide is normally required for fibril formation.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

Ganglion cells in the turtle retina contain the neuropeptide LANT-6.

This study investigated the presence of the neurotensin-related hexapeptide, LANT-6, in retinal ganglion cells and their central projections in the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans. Immunocytochemical techniques demonstrated that many of the cells in the ganglion cell layer of the turtle retina could be labeled with an antiserum specific for LANT-6. Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of LANT-6-related peptides in retina, as well as brain. Several molecular forms of LANT-6 were observed, some larger than LANT-6. Characterization of the cells labeled in the ganglion cell layer in terms of their cell body size and their dendritic arborization patterns revealed that at least 6 specific LANT-6-positive cell types were present in the ganglion cell layer. Morphologically, the LANT-6-positive cells strongly resembled turtle ganglion cells, as previously described. In addition, two other lines of evidence supported this interpretation. First, double-label studies were performed in which retinal ganglion cells projecting to the tectum were retrogradely labeled by HRP injected into the tectum (using a cobalt chloride color-modified DAB reaction product) and immunocytochemically labeled with DAB using the antiserum against LANT-6. These double-label studies revealed that many of the LANT-6-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer in the portion of the retina labeled retrogradely by the HRP injection did project to the tectum. Within the retrogradely labeled portion of the retina, LANT-6-positive cells that were not labeled retrogradely, as well as neurons labeled retrogradely that did not contain LANT-6 were also observed. Second, the central projections of LANT-6-positive cells of the ganglion cell layer were examined by studying the effects of monocular enucleation on the distribution of LANT-6-positive fibers in the central projection targets of the turtle retina. Two to 8 weeks after enucleation, a substantial reduction in LANT-6-positive fibers was observed in all retinal target areas contralateral to the enucleated eye. Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic studies confirmed the presence of LANT-6-related peptides in the turtle brain and corroborated the reduction of LANT-6 observed in the contralateral tectum following monocular enucleation. Previous studies have demonstrated that LANT-6-related material is present in cells of the ganglion cell layer in a variety of vertebrates. The present results indicate that LANT-6 is in ganglion cells and that it may play a role in neurotransmission between retinal ganglion cells and their central target areas.

Animals↗

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) on breast carcinomas in relation to growth fractions, estrogen receptor status and morphological criteria. An immunohistochemical study.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression was determined on 88 primary breast carcinomas immunohistochemically. These results were compared with growth fractions (Ki-67 immunoreactivity and Transferrin receptor (TrfR) expression), histologic tumor type, tumor grading, axillary lymph node status and estrogen receptor (ER) status. 60.2% were EGFR positive. Cytomorphology predominantly revealed a fine granular staining pattern. Sometimes a concentrated immunoreaction on the intercellular and basal oriented cell poles could be observed. EGFR expression in relation to growth fractions, grading, tumor diameter and lymph node status showed no correlation, suggesting that EGFR status seems to be independent to tumor growth and morphological prognostic parameters. ER status revealed an inverse correlation to EGFR expression (Kendall's tau: -0.22804, p = 0.012). In this context, it stands to reason to investigate further how far determination of EGFR expression justifies the existence of different subpopulations of breast cancer cells with respect to prognostic value.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Somatostatin and neuropeptide Y are almost exclusively found in the same neurons in the telencephalon of turtles.

In mammals, somatostatin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are largely found in the same neurons of the telencephalon. To determine if this is a phylogenetically ancient feature of telencephalic organization, the brain of red-eared turtles was examined using immunofluorescence double-labeling procedures. The results showed that somatostatin and NPY are found almost exclusively in the same neurons in the telencephalon of turtles, but these neuropeptides rarely co-occur in neurons outside the telencephalon. Thus, the extensive co-occurrence of NPY and somatostatin appears to be a feature of telencephalic organization that was present in the reptilian common ancestors of mammals and modern reptiles.

Animals↗

A LANT6-like substance that is distinct from neuromedin N is present in pallidal and striatal neurons in monkeys.

The basal ganglia of rhesus and squirrel monkeys were examined using immunohistochemical techniques with antibodies against the neurotensin-related hexapeptides Lys8-Asn9-Neurotensin(8-13) (LANT6) and Neuromedin N. A high percentage of neurons in both segments of globus pallidus and many large neurons of the striatum were found to label for LANT6, but not Neuromedin N. Previous studies have shown that LANT6 or a LANT6-like substance is present in many pallidal neurons in a wide range of vertebrate species. The current results indicate that a LANT6-like substance that is distinct from Neuromedin N is also present in many pallidal neurons in primates. This raises the possibility that this substance may be involved in neurotransmission between the pallidum and its projection targets.

Animals↗

A VIP-like peptide co-occurs with substance P and enkephalin in cholinergic preganglionic terminals of the avian ciliary ganglion.

Using single-label and double-label immunohistochemical techniques, many of the substance P-enkephalin containing preganglionic terminals of the avian ciliary ganglion were found to also contain a VIP-like peptide. Since these terminals are also known to be cholinergic, these results suggest that neurotransmission at many synapses of the avian ciliary ganglion involves 3 different neuropeptides and a conventional neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.

Animals↗

The distribution of proenkephalin-derived peptides in the central nervous system of turtles.

The present study was carried out to examine if peptides similar to the various opioid peptide products of mammalian proenkephalin are present in the turtle central nervous system and to determine their distribution. Antisera against several enkephalin peptides were used: leucine-enkephalin (LENK), methionine-enkephalin (MENK), methionine-enkephalin-arg6-phe7 (MERF), methionine-enkephalin-arg6-gly7-leu8 (MERGL), Peptide E (PEPE), and BAM22P. Their specificity and cross-reactivity were carefully examined. The results indicated that LENK, MENK, and MERF (or highly similar peptides) are present in the turtle central nervous system, and that a peptide showing immunological similarity to BAM22P and PEPE also appeared to be present. In contrast, MERGL did not appear to be present. The distributions of the immunoreactive labeling for LENK, MENK, MERF, BAM22P, and PEPE were indistinguishable, and double-label studies showed that LENK, MERF, and BAM22P were colocalized within individual neurons and fibers. Although all of the above substances were observed in the same cell groups, there was some regional variation, in terms of which enkephalin peptide appeared to be most abundant. The distributions of these enkephalin peptides were very similar to those previously described in mammals and birds. Enkephalin was more abundant in the basal ganglia than in overlying telencephalic regions. Within the basal ganglia, enkephalin was present in striatal neurons and fibers and in pallidal fibers, thereby suggesting the existence of an enkephalinergic striatopallidal projection. Sensory relay nuclei of the thalamus were generally poor in enkephalinergic fibers, whereas the hypothalamus was rich in enkephalinergic neurons and fibers. Enkephalinergic neurons and fibers were present in the midbrain central gray. As is true of neurons of the nucleus spiriformis lateralis of the avian pretectum, the neurons of the homologous cell group in turtles, the dorsal nucleus of the posterior commissure of the pretectum, were found to contain enkephalin and have an enkephalinergic projection to the deep layers of the ipsilateral tectum. Enkephalinergic neurons and fibers were also abundant in the entry zones of the trigeminal nerve and dorsal root fibers of the spinal cord.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical and biochemical studies on Lys8-Asn9-neurotensin8-13 (LANT6)-related peptides in the basal ganglia of pigeons, turtles, and hamsters.

The distribution of the neurotensin-related hexapeptide LANT6 within the basal ganglia and its projection targets was studied in turtles, pigeons, and hamsters by using immunohistochemical techniques, radioimmunoassay (RIA), gel chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results in turtles and pigeons were fundamentally similar. Within the basal ganglia, LANT6-like immunoreactivity (LLI) was observed in a population of large striatal neurons (comprising 1-5% of the total number of striatal neurons) and in essentially all of the medium-large pallidal neurons. In addition, LLI was observed in neurons of such other "striatal" and "pallidal" cell groups as the olfactory tubercle and ventral pallidum, respectively. Within the dopaminergic cell fields of the tegmentum, to which the pallidal cell groups project, LLI-containing fibers were abundant. Knife-cut studies confirmed that the majority of these LLI-containing fibers arise from telencephalic levels. Biochemical studies with RIA and HPLC showed large amounts of immunoreactive LANT6 (iLANT6) in the basal telencephalon (477 pmol/g) and tegmentum of pigeons (259 pmol/g), and this material was indistinguishable from the synthetic peptide. Lower levels of iLANT6 were demonstrated in the basal telencephalon (82 pmol/g) and tegmentum (156 pmol/g) of turtles, and the majority of this activity appeared to be associated with larger molecular forms of LANT6 or a peptide related to LANT6. In addition, one or more substances resembling Neuromedin N (NMN), a mammalian counterpart to LANT6, were detected in the turtle nervous system. The labeling patterns in hamsters were similar to those in pigeons and turtles, except that in hamsters fewer neurons were labeled and the labeling was generally lighter. The lighter level of labeling may reflect a difference between the LANT6-like material present in hamster nervous system and authentic LANT6. Biochemical studies revealed that a Neuromedin N-like substance, as well as high molecular weight forms of a LANT6-like substance, are present in hamster brain. In hamsters, neurons within globus pallidus, the entopeduncular nucleus, the ventral pallidum, and the polymorph layer of the olfactory tubercle were labeled for the presence of LANT6. Fiber labeling for LANT6 in the dopaminergic tegmental cell groups that receive pallidal input was, however, light. Thus, the present results establish that LANT6 in pigeons and LANT6-related peptides in turtles and hamsters are present within many pallidal neurons. In pigeons and turtles, these pallidal neurons give rise to a major LLI-containing projection to the dopaminergic cell groups of the tegmentum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

An immunohistochemical study of the telencephalon of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens.

The telencephalon of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens, was studied by immunohistochemical techniques in order to identify the major subdivisions of the telencephalon and determine the possible homologues of these subdivisions, if any, in other vertebrates. The distributions of four different neuropeptides (substance P, leucine-enkephalin, avian pancreatic polypeptide, and LANT6), a neurotransmitter (serotonin), and a neurotransmitter-related enzyme that is involved in catecholamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase) were examined. The resultant labeling patterns indicated that the telencephalon of lungfish consists of three major subdivisions--a rostrally and dorsally situated olfactory bulb, a dorsally situated pallial region located caudal to the olfactory bulbs, and a ventrally situated subpallial regions. The dorsal and lateral pallial regions, which both receive secondary olfactory input, are somewhat distinct from one another cytoarchitectonically, but their immunohistochemical labeling characteristics did not differ. Thus, the lateral pallium and the dorsal pallium together appear to constitute an olfactory pallium in lungfishes. The medial pallium was found to consist of three immunohistochemically distinct subdivisions--a dorsal cell group, an intermediate cell group, and a ventral cell group. These medial pallial fields extend throughout the entire rostrocaudal extent of the medial wall of the telencephalon. Although one or more of these medial pallial cell groups may be homologous to specific portions of the medial pallium in land vertebrates, no specific similarities were observed to support any proposed one-to-one correspondences. The possibility that one or more of the medial pallial cell groups of lungfishes correspond to cell groups located in the dorsal pallium of land vertebrates could not be excluded. The subpallium is divided into lateral, medial, and caudal subdivisions. The lateral subdivision appears to be homologous to the basal ganglia of land vertebrates since it contains neuropeptide/neurotransmitter-specific neuronal populations that are characteristic of the striatal and pallidal portions of the basal ganglia of amniotes. The medial subdivision of the subpallium shows the topographic and immunohistochemical characteristics of the septal region and the nucleus accumbens region of the amniote telencephalon. The caudal subpallium does not show any distinctive immunohistochemical labeling characteristics and its possible homologue in land vertebrates is unclear.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗