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Biomedical subjects

A Urabe

Publications and source records attributed to A Urabe.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Expression of the fos oncogene in B16 melanoma cells exhibiting different metastatic abilities.

Expression of the c-fos oncogene in B16 melanoma with high and low metastatic abilities was investigated. In Northern blot analysis, a highly metastatic B16-F10 melanoma cell line showed a higher extent of transcription of the fos gene than did a low metastatic B16-F1 cell line. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that B16-F10 cells stained more strongly than B16-F1 cells, both in vitro and in vivo, using the antibody against fos proteins. These results suggest that fos product may be involved in the regulation of gene expressions related to metastasis of B16 melanoma.

Animals↗

The effect of cyclosporin A on proliferation and differentiation-associated antigens of normal human skin xenografted onto nude mice.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) has been shown to inhibit, in vitro, the proliferation of cultured normal and neoplastic keratinocytes and to exert also in vivo an antiproliferative effect on keratinocytes of normal human skin xenografted onto nude mice. To gain further insight into the effects of CsA on human skin we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of several epidermal proliferation- and differentiation-associated antigens in the same model: six-week-old nude mice received a xenograft of full-thickness normal human skin; six animals subsequently received a daily subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg of CsA diluted in olive-oil while the others received an equivalent volume of olive-oil. The rate of epidermal proliferation was evaluated through a BrdU pulse-labelling technique, and was found to be decreased by 56% in the CsA-treated epidermal xenografts as compared to the controls. The xenografts were further examined for the expression of the following antigens: Epidermal Growth Factor- and Transferrin-receptors, Ki-67, 56.5 kD keratin polypeptide, Filaggrin, Involucrin, beta 2-microglobulin, Ulex Europaeus I- and Peanut-Agglutinin-binding sites. Most of these antigens were unchanged on CsA-treated human xenografts. However, the 56.5 kD keratin polypeptide which was consistently expressed by both basal and suprabasal epidermal keratinocytes in control xenografts showed a normal expression pattern (i.e. suprabasal keratinocytes only) in three out of the six CsA-treated xenografts. These results raise the possibility that, concurrently with a cytostatic effect, CsA may also affect keratinocyte differentiation and that this effect, possibly contributes in the beneficial effect of CsA in diseases of abnormal keratinization.

Animals↗

Characteristics of granulocyte-macrophage colony formation in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: a comparative study with other myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders.

We studied granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony formation in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML, 6 cases), as compared with that in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS, 6 cases) and myeloproliferative disorders (MPD, 12 cases). GM colony formation of bone marrow cells by colony-stimulating factor (CSF) was normal in CMML and MPD patients, but was decreased in MDS patients. Circulating granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) were detected in CMML and MPD patients, but not in MDS patients. GM colony formation without CSF was observed in CMML patients, but not in MDS or MPD patients. These endogenous colonies decreased markedly after adherent cell (AdC) depletion, but AdC did not form endogenous colonies in sufficient numbers to explain their marked decrease after AdC depletion. In CMML patients, the numbers of circulating CFU-GM and endogenous colonies correlated with leukocyte and monocyte counts, respectively. The cellular composition of GM colonies was normal in MDS and MPD patients, whereas granulocytic colonies predominated in all CMML patients but one. The CSF-producing capacity of peripheral blood cells was also studied and was found to be increased in CMML patients. This capacity was markedly decreased by AdC depletion; and AdC could produce CSF only in CMML patients. CSF produced by CMML patients supported granulocytic colonies to a greater extent than CSF produced by MDS or MPD patients. These results suggest that enhanced granulopoiesis in CMML patients is closely associated with the possible hyperproduction of granulocytic CSF by their adherent monocytes.

Colony-Forming Units Assay↗

Philadelphia chromosome positive B-cell type malignant lymphoma expressing an aberrant 190 kDa bcr-abl protein.

The Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome translocation, t(9:22) (q34;q11) is found in some acute lymphoid leukaemias (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemias (AML). Although cytogenetically all pH chromosomes appear similar, the 22q11 breakpoints found in acute leukaemias are of two kinds, those within the major breakpoint cluster region (Mbcr-1) of the BCR gene as found in chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), and those within the first intron of this gene. In the former group the molecular events are the same as those found in CML, p210 bcr-abl, encoded by 8.5 kb mRNA; however, a new aberrant protein, p190 bcr-abl, is found in the latter group. Ph translocation is also found in a few cases with malignant lymphoma, but it has not been characterized at the molecular level. We describe here a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma case with primary splenic presentation, which showed a complex Ph translocation. Neoplastic cells were of a B-cell origin (HLA-DR+, sIgM+, sIg lambda +, CALLA-). Molecular studies revealed the expression of p190 bcr-abl with no Mbcr-1 rearrangement. Our case indicates that the same Ph translocation as seen in acute leukaemias can be found in haematologic disorders other than leukaemias, suggesting that a c-abl gene activating mechanism may be involved in the pathogenesis of wide spectrum of haematologic malignancies.

Adult↗

Extramammary Paget's disease: comparative histopathologic studies of intraductal carcinoma of the breast and apocrine adenocarcinoma.

We examined 32 cases (38 lesions) of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) in relation to comparative studies on intraductal carcinoma of the breast (ductal carcinoma in situ, DCIS) and apocrine adenocarcinoma (AAC). Lesions included scrotum (18 lesions), vulva (8), axilla (6), groin (3), penis (2) and chest wall (1), and the distribution was compatible with that of apocrine or supernumerary mammary glands. Histologically, extra-mammary Paget's and DCIS cells exhibited a large amount of a pale-stained cytoplasm. The cytoplasm of AAC cells frequently contained granules, was eosinophilic and differed from that of Paget's or DCIS cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive reactions for polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen in all EMPD and most DCIS, but not in AAC. Recent studies have shown that extramammary Paget's cells exhibit characteristics of glandular epithelial cells and that most cases of EMPD are not accompanied by an underlying carcinoma. The results obtained in this study, coupled with data on the frequency of the supernumerary breasts, lead to the speculation that extramammary Paget's cells originate from ectopic mammary glands or from pluripotential germinative cells in the epidermis, capable of differentiating toward the mammary glands.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Clinical study of rhG-CSF (KRN8601) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome].

A clinical study of rhG-CSF (KRN8601) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) was performed to investigate the hematopoietic effects and the increase of neutrophils. The rhG-CSF was administered daily by intravenous infusion over 30 min. to 21 patients with MDS (PARA = 11, RAEB = 4, RAEB in T = 6). The dose was escalated stepwise from 50 to 400 microgram/m2 every week. Within one week to 26 days after commencement of rhG-CSF administration, the increases of absolute neutrophil counts in peripheral blood were observed in all patients. Treatment with rhG-CSF enhanced normal marrow myeloid cell differentiation and maturation in 3 of 9 PARA patients and in 3 of 4 RAEB patients. None of patients changed to acute leukemia attributable to rhG-CSF, but one of RAEB patient and two of RAEB in T patients progressed to leukemic phase in 21 days or two months after treatment. Minor side effects or abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 3 patients (14.3%). These results suggested that treatment with rhG-CSF was well tolerated and effective for improving the neutropenia between 50 to 400 micrograms/m2 in patients with MDS.

Adult↗

[Combination therapy with aztreonam and clindamycin on severe infections accompanying neutropenic patients with hematological disorders].

We studied effectiveness and safety of combination therapy of aztreonam (AZT) (2-6 g/day) and clindamycin (CLDM) (1,200-2,400 mg/day) on severe infections in neutropenic patients with hematological diseases. We administered AZT and CLDM to 250 consecutive patients and analyzed the results of a total of 212 cases for evaluation except 38 cases of exclusions and dropouts. Hematological malignancies constituted the dominating underlying diseases which represented 90.6% of all underlying diseases. The overall clinical efficacy of the combination therapy with AZT and CLDM was 65.6% and the following results were obtained for different categories: sepsis, 64.7%; suspected sepsis, 66.4%; and pneumonia 54.5%. Even severe patients with less than 100/microliters of neutrophil counts showed good responses with an efficacy rate at 57.4%. Side effects were observed in only 7 cases (2.8%). We concluded that the combination therapy with AZT and CLDM would be useful as empiric therapy against various infections in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological diseases.

Adult↗

[Effectiveness of antilymphocyte and antithymocyte globulins for patients with severe aplastic anemia and pure red cell aplasia--analysis of immunologic parameters of peripheral lymphocytes concerning ALG and ATG therapy].

Four patients with severe aplastic anemia and one patient with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) were treated with antilymphocyte and antithymocyte globulins. One patient in aplastic anemia who achieved good response by ALG administration had a possible diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome. ATG was administered to only one case of aplastic anemia and ALG was administered to the remainder. In the result, three out of 4 patients with aplastic anemia and one patient with PRCA achieved good response without severe side effects. Three patients with aplastic anemia had high CD4/CD8 ratio in their peripheral lymphocytes. This ratio normalized after ALG therapy in effective cases, but not in ineffective case. Natural killer activity elevated after ALG therapy in two effective cases of aplastic anemia and PRCA, but not in one ineffective case of aplastic anemia.

Adult↗

Characterization and molecular features of the cell surface receptor for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The receptors for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on the surfaces of normal and leukemic myeloid cells were characterized using 125I-labeled bacterially synthesized GM-CSF. The binding was rapid, specific, time dependent, and saturable. Scatchard analysis of the 125I-GM-CSF binding to peripheral blood neutrophils indicated the presence of a single class of binding site (Kd = 99 +/- 21 pM; 2,304 +/- 953 sites/cell). However, for peripheral blood monocytes and two GM-CSF-responsive myeloid cell lines (U-937 and TF-1), the Scatchard plots were biphasic curvilinear, which were best fit by curves derived from two binding site model: one with high affinity (Kd1 = 10-40 pM) and the other with low affinity (Kd2 = 0.9-2.0 nM). For U-937 cells, the number of high-affinity receptors was 1,058 +/- 402 sites/cell and that of low-affinity receptors was estimated to be 10,834 +/- 2,396 sites/cell. Cross-linking studies yielded three major bands with molecular masses of 150 kDa, 115 kDa, and 95 kDa, which were displaced by an excess amount of unlabeled GM-CSF, suggesting 135-kDa, 100-kDa, and 80-kDa species for the individual components of the human GM-CSF receptor. These bands comigrated for different cell types including peripheral blood neutrophils, U-937 cells and TF-1 cells. In experiments using U-937 cells, only the latter two bands appeared to be labeled in a dose-dependent manner in a low-affinity state. These results suggest that the human GM-CSF receptor possibly forms a multichain complex.

Binding, Competitive↗

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of oral administration of amphotericin B in mycosis associated with hematologic diseases. Study Group of Mycosis in Hematologic Disease.

The prophylactic and therapeutic effects of the oral administration of amphotericin B (AMPH) to patients with deep mycosis associated with hematologic diseases were evaluated in an investigation including determination of serum concentrations of the antibiotic. Prophylactic effects were examined in 111 subjects, and the efficacy rates averaged 83.8% at daily doses from 1,200 to 4,800 mg. The efficacy was significantly higher at a dose of 2,400 mg/day than at a dose of 1,200 mg/day (P less than 0.05). The efficacy rate tended to be higher when the length of administration period was 1 month or more. The percentage of the number of days of fever by neutrophil count was significantly less at a daily dose of 2,400 mg than at 1,200 mg in patients with neutrophil count of 1,000 cells/mm3 or less (P less than 0.001). The safety was evaluated in 131 subjects, and adverse effects were found in only 2 cases of nausea for an incidence rate of 1.5%. Therapeutic effects were studied in 12 cases, and efficacy rates averaged 58.3% at daily doses from 2,400 to 7,200 mg. Adverse effects consisted of 1 case of diarrhea among 15 subjects who were evaluated for the safety for an incidence rate of 6.7%. The serum concentrations of the antibiotic were examined in 60 of the prophylactic and therapeutic subjects. Average concentrations of AMPH at 4 hours after the first daily dose of 1,200, 2,400 and 4,800 mg were 0.040, 0.053 and 0.078 micrograms/ml, respectively. Concentrations gradually increased thereafter and reached averages of 0.089, 0.090 and 0.132 micrograms/ml, respectively, for the 3 dose levels on the 7th day. These results indicated that there were no serious adverse effects and serum concentrations were above the Candida MIC values at daily prophylactic and therapeutic doses of 1,200 to 7,200 mg of AMPH. Based on these findings, this drug can be expected to show prophylactic and therapeutic effects with safety in cases of deep mycosis.

Administration, Oral↗

[Atypical infiltration of megakaryocytes into the liver and spleen in a case of refractory anemia].

A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of general malaise. The peripheral blood showed pancytopenia (WBC 800/microliters, RBC 970,000/microliters, Plt 95,000/microliters). The bone marrow smear revealed morphological abnormalities in three lineage without increase in blasts. He was diagnosed as having myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). He was treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) for leukopenia, and with washed RBC transfusions for anemia. Eight months after diagnosis of MDS, blastic cells increased in peripheral blood and bone marrow showing overt leukemic state. He died of pneumonia. An autopsy revealed that atypical megakaryocytes increased in bone marrow and infiltrated into the spleen and liver. This case suggests that not only blasts but also megakaryocytes infiltrate into extramedullary organs in some cases of MDS.

Aged↗

Regulatory mechanisms of erythropoietin levels in dialysis patients.

We described a radioimmunoassay system for measuring blood erythropoietin (Epo) levels using recombinant human Epo and evaluated the regulatory mechanisms of Epo in dialysis patients. A satisfactory dose-response relationship for Epo levels was observed within the wide range of 3-250 mU/ml with a sensitivity of approximately 5 mU/ml. The Epo levels were found to be 16.1 +/- 8.6 mU/ml (m +/- SD) in 422 uremic patients on maintenance dialysis and 17.1 +/- 7.2 mU/ml in 86 normal subjects. The Epo levels were not statistically different between the two groups, although the hematocrit was significantly lower in the dialysis patients. No correlation was observed between the Epo levels and hematocrit in the dialysis patients. Patients with polycystic kidneys had higher hematocrits and Epo levels than patients with chronic nephritis. No changes in Epo levels were observed with age and with the period of dialysis. Diurnal variations in the Epo levels revealed a significant increase after hemodialysis, and an acute reduction in hematocrit following massive hemorrhage raised the Epo levels up to 3,180 mU/ml. These findings indicate that the Epo levels in dialysis patients are inappropriately low for the severity of anemia and suggest that a negative feedback mechanism of the hematocrit on the Epo secretion may exist in uremic patients as well as in normal subjects and that the threshold for Epo secretion might be 'reset' at a low hematocrit level.

Erythropoietin↗

[Low-dose etoposide in the treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia].

Two cases of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) which were successfully treated with low dose etoposide are reported. One case was treated with oral etoposide in daily dose of 25 mg for 3d a week, another case in dose of 50 mg/day. Their white blood cell counts became normal and monocytes decreased after the treatment with etoposide. In the second case, blasts in peripheral blood disappeared and thrombocytopenia was improved. The experience of these cases suggests that low dose etoposide is an useful treatment for CMML.

Aged↗

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor as an activator of human granulocytes: potentiation of responses triggered by receptor-mediated agonists and stimulation of C3bi receptor expression and adherence.

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) enhanced superoxide release and membrane depolarization in parallel in human granulocytes stimulated by the receptor-mediated agonists, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and wheat germ agglutinin, but not by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin and phorbol myristate acetate, which bypass the receptors to stimulate the cells. The optimal effect was obtained by pretreatment of cells with 25 to 50 ng/mL (1.3 to 2.6 nmol/L) rhG-CSF for 10 minutes at 37 degrees C. rhG-CSF produced by bacteria and mammalian cells had identical biological effects on a molar basis. rhG-CSF neither affected stimulus-induced increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ nor changed the number and affinity of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine receptors. The priming effect of rhG-CSF was temperature dependent and did not require new protein synthesis. rhG-CSF increased the expression of C3bi receptors on human granulocytes and enhanced granulocyte adherence to nylon fiber. The optimal effect was obtained by pretreatment of cells with 25 to 50 ng/mL rhG-CSF for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C. rhG-CSF had no effect on human monocytes. These findings demonstrate that rhG-CSF can selectively stimulate mature granulocyte functions.

Calcium↗

Tumor necrosis factor as an activator of human granulocytes. Potentiation of the metabolisms triggered by the Ca2+-mobilizing agonists.

TNF stimulated superoxide (O2-) release directly in human granulocytes in a dose-dependent manner (1 to 1000 U/ml), although its potency was weak. TNF-induced O2- release was inhibited by cAMP agonists or ionomycin, and was not accompanied with an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) and membrane potential changes (depolarization). These findings indicate that neither Ca2+ mobilization nor membrane depolarization is required for TNF-receptor-mediated cell activation. The pretreatment of human granulocytes with TNF enhanced O2- release and membrane depolarization in parallel stimulated by the receptor-mediated Ca2+-mobilizing agonists (FMLP, Con A, and wheat germ agglutinin) or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, but not by PMA, a direct activator of protein kinase C. The optimal effect was obtained by pretreatment of cells with 100 U/ml TNF for 5 to 10 min at 37 degrees C, although the magnitude of enhancement varied according to the agonists used as subsequent stimuli. TNF did not affect an increase in [Ca2+]i stimulated by the Ca2+-mobilizing agonists, except Con A. Con A-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was enhanced by TNF in a dose-dependent manner. These diverse effects of TNF could be partly explained by the exclusive potentiation by TNF of the metabolic events triggered by an increase in [Ca2+]i.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Establishment and characterization of a unique human cell line that proliferates dependently on GM-CSF, IL-3, or erythropoietin.

We have established a novel cell line, designated as TF-1, from a patient with erythroleukemia, which showed complete growth dependency on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or on interleukin-3 (IL-3) and carried a homogeneous chromosomal abnormality (54X). Erythropoietin (EPO) also sustained the short-term growth of TF-1, but did not induce erythroid differentiation. These three hematopoietic growth factors acted on TF-1 synergistically. Transforming growth factor-beta and interferons inhibited the factor-dependent growth of TF-1 cells in a dose-dependent fashion, and monocyte-colony stimulating factor and interkeukin-1 enhanced the GM-CSF-dependent growth of TF-1. Ultrastructural studies revealed some very immature features in this cell line. Although TF-1 cells do not express glycophorin A or carbonyl anhydrase I, the morphological and cytochemical features, and the constitutive expression of globin genes, indicate the commitment of TF-1 to erythroid lineage. When induced to differentiate, TF-1 entered two different pathways. Specifically, hemin and delta-aminolevulinic acid induced hemoglobin synthesis, whereas TPA induced dramatic differentiation of TF-1 into macrophage-like cells. In summary, TF-1 is a cell line of immature erythroid origin that requires GM-CSF, IL-3, or EPO for its growth and that has the ability to undergo differentiation into either more mature erythroid cells or into macrophage-like cells. TF-1 is a useful tool for analyzing the human receptors for IL-3, GM-CSF, and EPO or the signal transduction of these hemopoietic growth factors.

Adult↗