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Biomedical subjects

E G Jung

Publications and source records attributed to E G Jung.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human papillomavirus infections in nonmelanoma skin cancers from renal transplant recipients and nonimmunosuppressed patients.

BACKGROUND: Nonmelanoma carcinomas of the skin represent the most frequent cancers among the Caucasian population worldwide. They occur with high frequency in renal allograft recipient patients after prolonged immunosuppression. PURPOSE: We analyzed tumors obtained from both immunosuppressed and nonimmunosuppressed patients for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. METHODS: Twenty-nine specimens of nonmelanoma carcinomas of the skin were obtained from 19 renal allograft recipient patients; these included 20 specimens of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from 11 patients, five specimens of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from four patients, and four specimens of carcinoma in situ (CIS) from four patients. Forty-one specimens of nonmelanoma carcinomas of the skin were obtained from 32 nonimmunosuppressed patients; these included 26 SCC specimens from 19 patients, 11 BCC specimens from nine patients, and four keratoacanthoma (benign epithelial tumor) specimens from four patients. A polymerase chain reaction method involving use of degenerate oligonucleotide primers, in which the conserved region of the open reading frame of the HPV L1 (major capsid protein) gene is amplified, was used to amplify total cellular DNA purified from individual tumors. The DNA of each specimen was subjected to 16 different amplification reactions; different primer combinations were used in order to increase the sensitivity and specificity of HPV detection. Resulting products were probed with a radioactively labeled, degenerate oligonucleotide. HPV-specific DNA was either sequenced directly after elution from the gel or amplified with semi-nested, degenerate primers, after which the products were cloned and sequenced. Sequences were compared with all known papillomavirus sequences. RESULTS: Thirteen (65%) of the 20 SCC specimens and three of the five BCC specimens from immunosuppressed (renal allograft recipient) patients contained identifiable HPV-related sequences, among them 13 putative novel HPV genomes. In addition, all other malignant tumor specimens from this patient group revealed faint signals upon amplification and hybridization; the origin of these signals has not been identified in the present study. In nonimmunosuppressed patients, eight (31%) of 26 SCC specimens and four (36%) of 11 BCC specimens contained sequences of HPV types. Two putative novel HPV sequences could be identified in this group. Faint signals of yet undetermined origin were observed in eight of the SCC specimens and in two of the BCC specimens. Two of four keratoacanthoma specimens contained sequences of known HPV type. (Keratoacanthoma is a nonmalignant lesion for which the natural history has not been defined.) The spectrum of HPV types in both groups of patients differed substantially. CONCLUSIONS: These data point to the frequent presence of HPV sequences in SCCs and BCCs of the skin. The etiologic relationship of these infections to the respective malignant tumors remains to be evaluated. IMPLICATIONS: The presence of HPV DNA in a large percentage of specimens of nonmelanoma carcinomas of the skin from immunosuppressed patients, as well as from nonimmmunosuppressed patients, renders a papillomavirus infection as a possible factor in the etiology of this disease.

Amino Acid Sequence

Anti-inflammatory efficacy of low-dose cyclosporin A in psoriatic arthritis. A prospective multicentre study.

Fifty-five patients with psoriatic arthritis were treated with a low dose of cyclosporin A (CyA) (mean dose 2.7 mg/kg per day) for a period of 6 months to investigate the efficacy of CyA on disease parameters. Significant improvement in the joint complaints and inflammation parameters was observed including a decrease in the number of painful (-46%) and swollen (-45%) joints, tenderness (Ritchie Index: -50%) and degree of swelling (-46%), patient's assessment of pain (-35%), the duration of morning joint stiffness (-37%), as well as a decrease in C-reactive protein (-52%). A 50% reduction of joint complaints required a total of 24 weeks, whereas a 50% reduction of skin involvement was achieved after 5-6 weeks of treatment. Four patients left the study due to adverse events: creatinine level increase in two patients, hypertension in one patient and gastroenteritis in the fourth patient. Joint scintigraphy in 18 patients indicated an improvement or stable condition in 61% of cases after a mean follow-up of approximately 8 months. The results of this prospective study show that low-dose CyA effectively improves not only skin lesions, but also joint complaints in psoriatic arthritis.

Adult

Mutation and expression of TP53 in malignant melanomas.

Mutations of the TP53 gene are the most common genetic alterations in human malignancies. Overexpression of the p53 protein has been reported in high frequencies in all types of skin cancer. To determine the role of TP53 in the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma, we investigated the expression of p53 in 12 cell lines and 145 primary and metastatic lesions by immunohistochemistry. Overexpression of p53 was predominantly detected in the cytoplasm of the cells in 96 (66%) tumor and 12 (93%) cell lines. In contrast to findings in other tumor types, in melanomas immunoreactive cells were found in clusters or as scattered single cells. In primary melanomas, the frequency of p53 overexpression did not correlate with tumor thickness. Nucleotide sequencing of TP53 genes of 24 melanoma tumors/cell lines demonstrated point mutations in seven samples, all coding for mutant p53 protein species. The frequency of TP53 alterations of 20%-30% is lower than in other skin tumor types. Notably, immunohistochemistry was not a suitable method to distinguish overexpression of wild-type p53 from mutant species, since cell lines/tumors with TP53 mutations did not show distinctive staining patterns. The mutation pattern in six out of seven lesions was similar to that caused by ultraviolet light damage. This finding may be regarded a further indication for a pathogenetic role of UV light damage in at least a subgroup of malignant melanomas.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

DNA repair synthesis following irradiation with 254-nm and 312-nm ultraviolet light is not diminished in fibroblasts from patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome.

The DNA excision repair capacity of 23 primary fibroblast lines from patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome was investigated and DNA repair synthesis ("unscheduled DNA synthesis") was determined after UV exposure. Seventeen fibroblast lines from normal donors served as controls. The dose/response experiments included up to ten dose levels and two wavelength ranges: UV-C (using a low-pressure mercury lamp emitting predominantly 254-nm light) and UV-B (artificial "sunlamp" radiation centering around 312-nm light). For each dose level, silver grains over fibroblast nuclei were counted by visual inspection. Twelve cell lines were also evaluated for both UV wavelength ranges using a new semi-automatic image analyzing system. This system included components for rapid sequential identification of both fibroblast nuclei and silver grains sited above them. Silver grains over 100 nuclei were determined for each UV dose level. Dose/response curves were established and analyzed by linear regression. As a quantitative term for assessing DNA excision repair capacity of a cell line we calculated the linear increase (G0) in the number of grains per nucleus, when the UV dose was multiplied by the factor e (i.e. 2.72). The sensitivity of grain detection and resolution of overlapping grains was approximately threefold better in visual than in automatic counting, especially when there were more than 70 grains over nuclei. The time required for visual counting, however, was tenfold that of automatic counting. The variance-weighted mean G0v.w of all fibroblast lines from patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome was found to be 79.1 (+/- 1.8- grains/nucleus, that of fibroblast lines from normal donors was 74.2 (+/- 1.7) grains/nucleus. This difference revealed a slightly better repair capability for cell lines from patients but was at the borderline of detection and, therefore, should not be overinterpreted. From the experimental accuracy achieved by determination of the variance-weighted means of the two groups, we would have been able to detect a difference of 7 and more grains [> 2 x (sigma normal+sigma patients)]. The variance-weighted mean G0v.w of all fibroblast lines from patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome was found to be 76.4 (+/- 1.4) grains/nucleus, whereas that of fibroblast lines from normal donors was only 66.6 (+/- 1.8) grains/nucleus. This difference was statistically significant and, contrary to expectation, revealed better, not worse post-UV DNA repair capability in cell lines from patients that in those from normal donors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Autoradiography

[Use of keratinocytes in therapy of ulcera crurum].

Freshly isolated keratinocytes were used for the treatment of non-healing leg ulcers (21 cases). For application, keratinocytes were suspended in fibrin (Tissucol Duo S). One or more applications of keratinocytes initiated granulation and reepithelialization of nearly all leg ulcers (20 cases). The method is compared with the established therapy entailing transplantation of allogenic keratinocyte sheets onto leg ulcers. Our method shows the advantages: autologous cells that are immediately and easily available, freedom from pain, and short-time immobilization (48 h) after application.

Adult

[The Malignant Melanoma Central Register of the German Society of Dermatology 1983-1993. Epidemiologic developments and current therapeutic management of malignant melanoma of the skin].

The Central Malignant Melanoma Registry of the German Dermatological Society was founded in 1983 and has meanwhile developed into a major continuously updated multicentre project. Up to June 1994, 19,250 reports of cutaneous melanoma had been received, from 41 departments of dermatology in the former Federal Republic of Germany, from 14 departments in the former German Democratic Republic, from 2 departments in Austria, and from 1 department in Switzerland. Analysis of the data revealed some epidemiological trends over time during the years 1983 to 1993. (1) During the last 10 years the percentage of male patients has steadily increased, from an average of 38% in the year 1983 to 46% in 1993. (2) Early diagnosis of malignant melanoma improved during the period of time investigated. The percentage of diagnoses of primary tumour alone increased between 1983 and 1993. The mean tumour thickness (Breslow) decreased in the West Germany from 1.8 mm to 1.3 mm and in East Germany from 2.5 mm to 1.7 mm. The proportion of nodular melanoma decreased correspondingly from 29% to 14% in the former Federal Republic of Germany and from 40.6% to 22.6% in the former Germany Democratic Republic. During the years 1990 and 1993, 64% of melanoma patients with the primary tumour alone were operated on in two consecutive sessions in the former Federal Republic of Germany and 34.2% of those in the former Germany Democratic Republic. During this period 73.7% of all melanoma patients were operated on under local anaesthesia. In recent years surgical operations were more often performed in two consecutive sessions, mostly under local anaesthesia and with decreasing safety margins, in keeping with the decrease in tumour thickness. The present analysis shows that the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry is an important instrument for investigating trends in clinical epidemiology and treatment of malignant melanoma in the German-speaking countries.

Adult

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst.

We report a case of a metastasizing proliferating trichilemmal cyst. A 78-year-old man had multiple common and two proliferating trichilemmal cysts, one of which showed malignant transformation as evidenced by lymph node metastases. Despite surgical removal of the malignant tumor, extensive metastatic disease rapidly occurred. This case exemplifies the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of these rare tumors and their unpredictable course.

Aged

Expression of p53 protein in malignant melanoma: clinicopathological and prognostic implications.

In the present study, we investigated the expression of the tumour suppressor protein p53 in 113 primary and 43 metastatic malignant melanomas by immunohistochemistry, and correlated the findings with clinicopathological parameters such as histological melanoma subtype, thickness of primary melanomas (Breslow thickness) and patient outcome. In primary melanomas, the polyclonal anti-p53 antibody CM-1 detected immunoreactivity in 70% of the lesions, predominantly in the cytoplasm. Signals were observed in this cellular compartment in 57% of the melanomas, whereas in 32% nuclear p53 over-expression was detected. Immunohistochemistry, using the monoclonal antibody DO-1, revealed lower staining frequencies. However, both antibodies showed congruent results in approximately 80% of the cases. Overall, immunoreactivity was observed in 73% of superficial spreading melanomas, but only in 52% of lentigo maligna melanomas. This difference (P < 0.001) was mainly due to a lower frequency of cytoplasmic immunoreactivity (P < 0.002). There was no difference with respect to cytoplasmic and nuclear immunoreactivity between thin (< 1 mm thickness) and thicker primary melanomas. Staining frequencies detected in metastatic lesions seemed to be lower than in primary tumours. In 103 primary melanomas, follow-up data for at least 5 years were available. In 71% (54 of 76) of the primary melanomas which did not recur, and in 78% (21 of 27) of tumours with subsequent metastases, p53 over-expression was detected by CM-1. However, this difference was not statistically significant. The results of the present study indicate that immunoreactivity to anti-p53 antibodies is a common observation in malignant melanomas, with staining signals predominantly found in the cytoplasm of cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Nucleus

Efficacy and tolerability of multiple-dose SDZ IMM 125 in patients with severe psoriasis.

Although cyclosporin is effective in immunosuppression following organ transplantation and in the treatment of psoriasis, its use is limited by its side-effects, notably impaired renal function and hypertension. As SDZ IMM 125, a new derivative of the cyclosporin family, showed considerable immunosuppressive activity in experimental studies, with less effect on renal function, it was considered a potential successor to cyclosporin for both indications. In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the efficacy and tolerability of 40, 100, 200 and 400 mg SDZ IMM 125 daily were studied in 59 patients with psoriasis. Patients were followed for a period of 5 weeks (4 weeks treatment, and 1 week post-treatment observation). A dose-dependent effect of SDZ IMM 125 was observed. A significant correlation was found between the dose of SDZ IMM 125 and changes in the sum of severity scores of three indicator plaques. There was a significant decrease in the body surface area affected by psoriasis in the 400-mg group (P < or = 0.01), whereas a decrease of the global psoriasis severity was observed in the 200-mg (P < or = 0.01) and the 400-mg groups (P < or = 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred during the 4 weeks of treatment. Three patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events (one sore throat, two influenza). Clinical adverse events were similar to those reported with cyclosporin, the most frequent being gastrointestinal disturbances. Estimation of renal function indices showed that increases from baseline values were dose-dependent, and appeared to be similar to those seen with cyclosporin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Characterization of sunburn cells after exposure to ultraviolet light.

Sunburn cells (SBCs) appear in the epidermis shortly after acute UV damage, especially after exposure to UVB light. As yet, the mode of their formation remains to be satisfactorily elucidated. In order to characterize these cells, the expression of various markers of epidermal differentiation following UV exposure was investigated using immunhistochemical procedures. These were applied to paraffin-embedded (microwave technique) and frozen specimens of human skin 24 h after irradiation with 4 times the minimal erythema doses(MED). Normal nonirradiated skin without irradiation served as the control. We used a battery of antibodies directed against the following: cytokeratins (CKs) 5, 10, 17, and 19, actin, cell-adhesion proteins (desmoplakins, desmogleins), markers of terminal epidermal differentiation (filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin), markers of proliferation (PCNA, MIB, K6,16), a marker of endocytosis (clathrin) and markers of cell growth, (transforming growth factor [TGF-alpha]) and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 [bcl-2]. After UV irradiation it was found that CK 5, which is typically confined to basal keratinocytes, was also expressed in suprabasal keratinocytes. The CKs 1 and 10/11 exhibit a normal suprabasal localization, but suprisingly, SBCs were negative for these CKs. Although CK 6,16, and 17 are not usually found in normal epidermis, UVB exposure induced their expression in suprabasal keratinocytes, but again failed to elicit their expression in SBCs. Antibodies specific for markers of late epidermal differentiation (filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin), cell-junction proteins (desmogleins, desmoplakins), proliferation (PCNA and MIB), and endocytosis (clathrin) also failed to produce positive staining of SBCs. Even though TGF-alpha immunoreactivity became detectable in most keratinocytes after UV exposure, this was not the case for SBCs. The number of basally located dendritic cells, most probably melanocytes, exhibiting bcl-2 staining was markedly reduced 6 and 12 h after irradiation as compared with normal skin. SBCs do not express any late differentiation markers, but they do contain proteins typical of basal keratinocytes (CK 5). It can be concluded that SBCs do not develop beyond a more basal-like differentiation pattern, probably as a result of cell death and migration through the epidermis.

Actins

[Position and recommendations of the Malignant Melanoma Committee of the German Society of Dermatology on diagnosis, treatment and after-care of malignant melanoma of the skin. Status 1993/94].

The Melanoma Committee of the German Dermatological Society has prepared this position paper on prognostic factors, classification and clinical staging of cutaneous malignant melanoma and has recommended guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. The aim is to achieve a consensus procedure for dealing with this tumour.

Aftercare

Evidence that DNA damage is a mediate in ultraviolet B radiation-induced inhibition of human gene expression: ultraviolet B radiation effects on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression.

Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a prerequisite for the capacity of cells to physically interact with leukocytes. Ultraviolet B radiation previously was found to inhibit interferon gamma-induced ICAM-1 expression in human keratinocytes by suppressing interferon gamma-mediated upregulation of ICAM-1 mRNA levels. Because ultraviolet B radiation induces photoproducts in cellular DNA, the potential role of ultraviolet B radiation-induced DNA damage in this system was assessed. For this purpose, cells from a normal donor were compared with cells from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum from complementation groups C and D. Xeroderma pigmentosum cells are defective in the removal of ultraviolet B radiation-induced DNA lesions, and thus lower ultraviolet B radiation doses are required to retain equivalent numbers of DNA photoproducts at a given time point after irradiation. In the present study, ultraviolet B radiation inhibited interferon gamma-induced ICAM-1 mRNA expression in primary human skin fibroblasts in a manner identical to that previously observed for keratinocytes. Comparative studies employing normal versus xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts revealed that in xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts, two- to threefold lower ultraviolet B radiation doses were required to achieve inhibition equivalent to that observed in normal fibroblasts. In irradiated normal cells, inhibition of interferon gamma-induced ICAM-1 mRNA expression was transient and restored 12 h after ultraviolet B radiation exposure. In contrast, in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D cells, no restoration could be observed for up to 48 h, but responsiveness was restored in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C cells after 24 h. These studies indicate that ultraviolet B radiation-induced inhibition of interferon gamma-mediated ICAM-1 expression involves the generation of DNA photo-products.

Cell Adhesion Molecules

Effects of ultraviolet B radiation on cytoskeletal and adhesion molecules in human epidermis.

The expression of cytokeratins (CK), various adhesion molecules and growth factor receptors were investigated in ultraviolet (UV) erythemas 24 h and 48 h after exposure to 4 times the minimal erythema dose. Skin biopsies were analysed immunohistochemically using a battery of antibodies and biochemically by gel-electrophoresis. The CK pattern was shown to change within 24 h. CK typical of basal keratinocytes were detectable heterogeneously within the suprabasal compartment, and the staining for suprabasal CK was heterogeneous in prickle cells. Interestingly, CK 17, not detectable in normal epidermis, was induced within a few hours in suprabasal cells but not in basal ones. In addition, CK 6 and 16, typical for hyperproliferation, were intensively synthesized in all epidermal layers already 24 h after UV exposure. Moreover, integrin expression was studied and surprisingly integrins were heterogeneously detectable, the staining being patchy in suprabasal keratinocytes and reduced within the basal layer. Receptors of epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor were distributed in UV erythema very irregularly and weakly. Our findings argue for profound changes in composition of cytoskeleton and of cell adhesion molecules in the epidermis shortly after UV exposure.

Antibodies, Monoclonal