A cell line termed LC 89 was established from a peritracheal lymph node metastasis removed from a 54-year-old patient who underwent surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Chromosomal analyses demonstrated structural and numerical aberrations, with a mode of 54 chromosomes per cell and several nonrandom abnormalities. The localization of intermediate filament antigens, low-molecular-weight (LMW) cytokeratins and vimentin, demonstrated a switch from LMW cytokeratins, predominantly expressed in primary tumor cells, to vimentin detected in LC 89 cells that were grown in vitro or transplanted into nude mice. In view of the phenotypic and chromosomal features, LC 89 should provide a useful addition to the cell lines currently available for in vitro and in vivo studies of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A limited autoimmunity to p185neu elicited by DNA and allogeneic cell vaccine hampers the progression of preneoplastic lesions in HER-2/NEU transgenic mice.

Prevention of the progression of precancerous lesions by vaccines is virtually uncharted territory. Their potential, however, is being assessed in transgenic mice which develop autochthonous tumors with defined stages of progression. In this paper we show that the DNA micro-array technology significantly helps assessment of the preventive efficacy of a combined DNA and cell vaccine. All female rat Her-2/neu transgenic BALB/c (BALB-neuT) mice develop an invasive carcinoma in each of their mammary glands within 25 weeks of age. This is elicited by the activated transforming rat Her-2/neu oncogene embedded in their genome. We have previously shown that vaccination of mice bearing multiple in situ carcinomas with DNA plasmids which code for the extracellular and transmembrane domain of rat p185neu, the product of the rat Her-2/neu oncogene, followed by a boost with rat p185neu+ allogeneic cells engineered to secrete interferon-gamma, keeps 48% of mice tumor free until week 32. We have now extended our follow-up until mice reach one year of age and show that protection vanishes as time progresses. This observation suggests that the accuracy of the results studying immunotherapy against life-threatening tumors is a function of the length of the follow-up. The application of microarrays, and the concordance of morphologic and gene expression data led us to identify antibody as the main mechanism induced by vaccination. Protection is associated with a break of tolerance and a limited autoimmunity against the endogenous mouse p185neu.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Analysis of some hematological parameters and variables connected with drinking and smoking in relation to subclinical blood lead values].

Long-term investigation of the mechanisms involved in the uptake of lead and its effect on the body is referred to. The relation between smoking, drinking and some blood parameters and blood lead and Ala-dehydrase is examined. A close connection between blood lead and alcohol, but not smoking, was noted, whereas both variables led to marked inhibition of Aladehydrase. A model for the relation between alcohol and blood lead was sought. There was a significant relation between Ala-dehydrase activity and the red cell count; this was corroborated by further statistical analysis and observation of increased globular values.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Introduction to new research on correlations between manic-depressive psychosis and adult obesity-linked diabetes].

The problem of the association between adult diabetes, obesity and manic-depressive psychosis is examined in the light of new endocrinological and psychopharmacological findings. After a critical review of the vast old and recent literature on the matter, a physiopathological interpretation of the clinical association is put forward on the basis of mental, nervous and endocrine correlations in carbohydrate metabolism, with special reference to manic-depressive psychosis. The insulin-like effect of lithium on carbohydrate metabolism and correlated ions (phosphates, calcium, magnesium, potassium) at cell membrane level is then discussed. Theoretical and practical conclusions are drawn on the basis of these data. The former propose an essentially "structural" or "intersection" hypothesis of the association and suggest depth study of the insulin function especially in the "normal" phase of manic-depressive psychosis. The latter show the possibility of a clinical trial with lithium and other anti-depressant drugs in obese diabetics, with a close cooperation between psychiatrist and diabetologist.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied