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Biomedical subjects

F Mavilio

Publications and source records attributed to F Mavilio.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Transfer of the ADA gene into human ADA-deficient T lymphocytes reconstitutes specific immune functions.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from a patient affected by adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency and severe combined immunodeficiency were infected with a retroviral vector containing two copies of a human ADA minigene, and injected into bg/nu/xid (BNX) immunodeficient mice. Six to 10 weeks after injection, human T cells were cloned from the spleens of recipient animals and analyzed for proliferative potential, T-cell surface markers, expression of ADA activity, integration of retroviral sequences, T-cell receptor (TCR) beta gene rearrangement, and specificity of antigen recognition. Efficient gene transfer and expression restored proliferative potential in vitro and long-term survival in vivo. All clonable human T lymphocytes obtained from the spleen of recipient animals had high levels of vector-derived ADA enzyme activity and showed predominantly the CD4+ phenotype. Retroviral integrations and TCR-beta gene rearrangements demonstrated the presence of a variety of different clones in the spleens of recipient mice. Furthermore, the combined analyses of vector integration and TCR rearrangement provided evidence that a circulating progenitor cell was transduced by the retroviral vector, giving rise to different and functional TCRs. Evaluation of antigen-specificity demonstrated both alloreactive and foreign antigen specific immune responses. These results suggest that restoration of enzyme activity in human ADA-deficient peripheral blood T cells by retroviral-mediated ADA gene transfer allows in vivo survival and reconstitution of specific immune functions. Therefore, retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into circulating mononuclear cells could be successful not only in maintaining the metabolic homeostasis, but also for the development of a functional immune repertoire. This is a fundamental prerequisite for the usage of genetically engineered peripheral blood lymphocytes for somatic cell gene therapy of ADA deficiency.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1992

The upstream region of the human homeobox gene HOX3D is a target for regulation by retinoic acid and HOX homeoproteins.

We studied the structure, regulation and expression of HOX3D, a human homeobox gene located in the HOX3 cluster on chromosome 12. HOX3D is developmentally regulated during embryogenesis and is activated by retinoic acid (RA) in cultured embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Transfection of HOX3D upstream genomic sequences linked to a reporter gene allowed the functional definition of its promoter, containing a canonical TATA element. This promoter directs the expression of the reporter gene in EC cells after induction with RA, and binds RA-induced nuclear factor(s) through a conserved palindromic sequence located approximately 100 bp upstream of the transcription start site. The HOX3D promoter is transactivated in both human and murine cells when cotransfected with vectors expressing the protein product of the upstream gene HOX3C and the paralogs of further upstream genes in the HOX4 cluster (i.e. HOX4D, HOX4C and the murine Hox 4.3). The HOX3D protein, and those encoded by the downstream gene HOX3E and its paralog HOX4B are instead inactive. HOX4C and HOX4D proteins synthesized in bacteria bind to the same conserved sequence located around position -120, as well as to the TATA box and immediately upstream and downstream nucleotides. These data provide evidence that cross-regulatory interactions between mammalian homeogenes take place in cultured cells, thus raising the possibility that a regulatory network may exist in vivo. The sequences on the HOX3D promoter involved in cross-regulation are different from those binding nuclear factors induced by RA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor gene transfer suppresses tumorigenicity of a murine adenocarcinoma in vivo.

We have investigated the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) delivery at the site of tumor growth by transducing, via retroviral vector, the human (hu) G-CSF gene into the colon adenocarcinoma C-26 and assaying the ability of transduced cells to form tumors when injected into syngeneic mice. As a control, the same tumor cells were infected with retroviruses engineered to transduce an unrelated gene, the human nerve growth factor receptor, or carry the neomycin resistance gene only. Only cells transduced with the huG-CSF were unable to develop tumors, although huG-CSF was expressed and produced at low level as estimated by both RNA analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indicating that G-CSF can exert an antitumor effect at a physiological dose. Implication of G-CSF as mediator of tumor inhibition was proven by reversing the nontumorigenic phenotype of G-CSF-expressing cells with anti-huG-CSF monoclonal antibody injected at the tumor site. No tumors were formed by injecting C-26 infected cells into nu/nu mice, while neoplastic nodules appeared after injection into sublethally irradiated mice; such tumors, however, regressed when mice normalized their leukocyte counts after irradiation. Tumors were also formed after injection of a mixture of infected and uninfected C-26 cells, although critical delay in tumor formation occurred when infected cells were 10 times more represented in the mixture. Histological examination of tissues surrounding the site of injection showed infiltration of neutrophilic granulocytes, whose number correlated with that of G-CSF-expressing C-26 cells in the injected mixture. These results indicate that G-CSF may have a potent antitumoral activity when released, even at low doses, at the tumor site. The antitumoral effect is mediated by recruitment and targeting of neutrophilic granulocytes to G-CSF-releasing cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

An in vivo model of somatic cell gene therapy for human severe combined immunodeficiency.

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase (ADA) results in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a candidate genetic disorder for somatic cell gene therapy. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients affected by ADA- SCID were transduced with a retroviral vector for human ADA and injected into immunodeficient mice. Long-term survival of vector-transduced human cells was demonstrated in recipient animals. Expression of vector-derived ADA restored immune functions, as indicated by the presence in reconstituted animals of human immunoglobulin and antigen-specific T cells. Retroviral vector gene transfer, therefore, is necessary and sufficient for development of specific immune functions in vivo and has therapeutic potential to correct this lethal immunodeficiency.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1991

HOX gene activation by retinoic acid.

Vertebrate homeobox genes of the Hox family are, like Drosophila homeotic genes, organized in gene clusters and show a strict correspondence, or collinearity, between the order of the genes (3' to 5') within the chromosomal cluster and that of their expression domains (anterior to posterior) in the embryo. Recent data obtained from embryonal carcinoma cells induced to differentiate by retinoic acid cast some light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the collinear expression of the Hox genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Differential regulation by retinoic acid of the homeobox genes of the four HOX loci in human embryonal carcinoma cells.

We studied the expression of 38 human homeobox genes belonging to the four HOX complex loci in embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells induced to differentiate by culturing them in a medium containing retinoic acid (RA). Genes located at the 3' end of each one of the four HOX loci are activated by RA in a sequential order colinear with their 3' to 5' arrangement in the cluster: 3' HOX genes respond early to the drug while upstream genes respond progressively later. Among the genes located at the 5' end of HOX loci RNase protection analysis reveals that one HOX3 gene and four HOX4 genes are weakly expressed in EC stem cells and downregulated upon treatment with 10(-5) M RA. While activation of early responding genes does not require continuous protein synthesis, the observed timing and polarity of gene activation is disrupted in the absence of protein synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of two neuroblastoma cell lines expressing recombinant nerve growth factor receptors.

In earlier studies, a 75,000-dalton glycoprotein (gp75) has been identified as a component of both low- and high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors (NGFRs). Using an amphoteric expression vector, we have introduced the cDNA encoding the human gp75 into two neuroblastoma cell lines. SHEP is a human neuroblastoma cell line that lacks most neuronal characteristics and does not express NGFRs. The transformant line SHEP/NGFR expressed a single affinity class of NGF binding sites, did not display NGF-induced up-regulation of fos oncogene expression, and did not efficiently internalize NGF. LAN5 is a neuroblastoma cell line with neuronal characteristics, including expression of neurofilament and display of short neurites. This cell line expresses a small number of high-affinity NGFRs but no detectable low-affinity sites. The transformant line LAN5/NGFR expressed both high- and low-affinity NGFRs, displayed NGF-induced up-regulation of fos oncogene, and efficiently internalized NGF. The number of high-affinity NGF binding sites was nearly the same for LAN5 and LAN5/NGFR, a finding suggesting that there is a limiting number of some separately coded factor or subunit that is required for high-affinity NGFRs. Because NGF induction of fos oncogene expression correlated with expression of high-affinity NGFRs, the putative second factor may also limit NGF responsiveness.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1990

Sequential activation of HOX2 homeobox genes by retinoic acid in human embryonal carcinoma cells.

RETINOIC acid had been implicated as a natural morphogen in chicken and frog embryogenesis, and is presumed to act through the gene regulatory activity of a family of nuclear receptors. Homeobox genes, which specify positional information in Drosophila and possibly in vertebrate embryogenesis, are among the candidate responsive genes. We previously reported that retinoic acid specifically induces human homeobox gene (HOX) expression in the embryonal carcinoma cell line NT2/D1. We now show that the nine genes of the HOX2 cluster are differentially activated in NT2/D1 cells exposed to retinoic acid concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. Genes located in the 3' half of the cluster are induced at peak levels by 10(-8) M retinoic acid, whereas a concentration of 10(-6) to 10(-5) M is required to fully activate 5' genes. At both high and low retinoic acid concentrations, HOX2 genes are sequentially activated in embryonal carcinoma cells in the 3' to 5' direction.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1989

Constitutive expression and abnormal glycosylation of transferrin receptor in acute T-cell leukemia.

The expression of transferrin receptors (TrfRs) was investigated in acute T-cell leukemia (T-ALL) blasts at the molecular, biochemical, immunological, and functional level. TrfRs, although not detected on quiescent T-cells from normal adults, are constitutively expressed at high level on the blasts from all T-ALL patients and bind normally to transferrin. Their number is modulated by the intracellular iron level, but is independent of exogenous interleukin 2. They also exhibit immunological and biochemical abnormalities, in that: (a) they react preferentially with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that recognize ligand-binding domains of TrfR (42/6 and 43/31), as compared to MAbs (B3/25, OKT9) that interact with the nonligand binding domains; (b) they have a reduced molecular weight, as compared to TrfR on normal thymocytes and activated T-lymphocytes: this phenomenon is apparently related to a defective glycosylation. It is noteworthy that expression of TrfR was not observed in a large series of other types of acute leukemias, i.e., pre-B, B, and myeloid leukemias, excluding erythroleukemias. The constitutive, high level expression of TrfRs on T-ALL blasts may play a key role in the stepwise progression of this malignancy and particularly provide a proliferative advantage to T-ALL blasts as compared to normal T-lymphocytes. Furthermore, indirect evidence suggests that the glycosylation defect of TrfR on T-ALL blasts contributes to their tumorigenic capacity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Posttranscriptional control of human homeobox gene expression in induced NTERA-2 embryonal carcinoma cells.

We have studied the expression of four human homeobox genes representative of four different clusters (i.e., HOX-1, HOX-2, HOX-3 and HOX-5) in the embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line NT2/D1. Following treatment with retinoic acid (RA), these cells differentiate into several cell types, including neurons, and steadily accumulate polyadenylated transcripts derived from the genes in a period ranging from 18 hr to 14 days of RA treatment. The sizes of major transcripts in differentiated EC cells coincide with those previously detected by the same probes in human embryos. Nuclear run-on transcriptional analysis showed no difference in the transcription rate of the four homeobox genes in differentiated vs. undifferentiated EC cells. Inhibition of protein synthesis by 5-18 hr of treatment of undifferentiated cells with cycloeximide causes accumulation of some homeobox transcripts at levels comparable to those observed after 18 hr of RA induction, although it does not cause superinduction in fully differentiated cells. These data suggest that the activation of homeobox gene expression in RA-induced EC cells is controlled, at least in part, by posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Alteration of growth and differentiation factors response by Kirsten and Harvey sarcoma viruses in the IL-3-dependent murine hematopoietic cell line 32D C13(G).

32D C13(G) is an interleukin 3(IL3)-dependent non-tumorigenic murine hematopoietic cell line which undergoes terminal differentiation into granulocytes when exposed to granulocytic colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Infections of 32D C13(G) cells with either Kirsten rat sarcoma virus or Balb murine sarcoma virus, both containing a v-ras oncogene, generates clones that can permanently grow in G-CSF without differentiation. 32D-Ki-ras cells show a heterogeneous morphology ranging from the promyelocytic to the myelocytic stage of differentiation, and express high levels of both myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoferrin (LF) mRNA. 32D-Ha-ras cells show a more immature phenotype and express MPO but no LF mRNA. The apparent differentiation block of both 32D Ki-ras and 32D Ha ras can be reversed by treatment with the chemical inducers retinoic acid, sodium butyrate or dimethylsulphoxide, which leads to terminal differentiation into granulocytes. When 32D-Ki-ras and 32D-Ha-ras cells are cultured in medium containing IL-3 they become adherent and express some monocyte-macrophage markers. Upon prolonged exposure to IL3, 32D-Ki-ras, but not 32D-Ha-ras, resume suspension growth. Both 32D-Ki-ras and 32D-Ha-ras rapidly die if grown in chemically defined medium in the absence of any growth factor and are non-tumorigenic in immunosuppressed mice. These findings indicate that ras activation may interfere with the normal response to growth and differentiation factors in cells of the granulocytic lineage. These alterations may represent a critical, although non-sufficient, step in leukemogenesis.

Butyrates↗
PubMed1988

Activation of four homeobox gene clusters in human embryonal carcinoma cells induced to differentiate by retinoic acid.

We have studied the expression of nine homeobox genes from Hox 1, Hox 2, Hox 3 and Hox 5 clusters in human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines analyzed as both stem cells and after exposure to the differentiation-inducing agents retinoic acid (RA), hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA) and bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR). None of the homeobox genes was expressed in stem cells, whereas all were activated, although with different kinetics, in cultures of the pluripotent EC cell line NTERA-2, clone D1 (NT2/D1), following differentiation induced by RA. At least some homeobox genes were stably expressed in differentiated cells several weeks after removal of RA from the culture medium. However, the length of initial exposure to RA is a critical factor in achieving stable gene expression, and differs among the different sets of genes and, at least in one case, among different transcripts from the same gene. No homeobox gene expression was detected in NT2/D1 cells induced to differentiate with HMBA or BUdR. Also, no expression was detectable in xenograft tumors generated by NT2/D1 cells in nude mice, even though tumors of this type contain mostly differentiated cells. Other human EC lines tested, i.e., 833KE, 2102Ep or 1156QE, did not differentiate in response to RA and did not express homeobox genes. No expression was detectable in xenograft tumors of 833KE and 2102Ep, containing essentially EC cells. These data indicate that homeobox-gene activation specifically accompanies RA-induced differentiation of NT2/D1 cells, thereby providing an excellent model for studying the molecular basis of homeobox-gene regulation and the possible role of the homeobox in cell differentiation.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1987

Cytokine-dependent granulocytic differentiation. Regulation of proliferative and differentiative responses in a murine progenitor cell line.

Human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can support the survival and short term proliferation of the interleukin 3 (IL 3)-dependent diploid murine hemopoietic progenitor cell line 32D C13. After 8 days in the presence of 30 U/ml of G-CSF and in the absence of IL 3, the great majority of 32D C13 cells becomes positive for myeloperoxidase (a marker that appears at the promyelocytic stage of the granulocytic lineage) and progressively differentiates into lactoferrin-containing neutrophilic granulocytes. Myeloperoxidase mRNA rapidly increases after 24 to 48 hr of treatment with G-CSF, peaks at day 6 and is no longer detectable at day 9 and 12, paralleling the appearance of myeloperoxidase-positive promyelocytes and myelocytes in the culture. After 12 days, 100% of the cells terminally differentiate, and clonogenic assays in IL 3-containing semisolid media indicate that the whole population has irreversibly lost proliferative capability. By using varying concentrations of both murine IL 3 and recombinant human G-CSF, the cultures develop an heterogeneous population of cells representing all the differentiation stages of the myeloid lineage, and the relative ratios of immature proliferating precursors and terminally differentiated cells present in the cultures can be modulated by modifying the concentrations of IL 3 or recombinant human G-CSF. Isobolic curves indicate that IL 3 and G-CSF have an antagonistic effect on the proliferation of 32D C13 cells. Thus, these cells represent a simplified in vitro model of normal granulocytic differentiation whose extent may be modulated completely in the presence of serum by two well-defined growth and differentiation factors: IL 3 and G-CSF.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Establishment and characterization of an undifferentiated human T leukemia cell line which requires granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulatory factor for growth.

A human leukemia cell line (TALL-101) was established from the bone marrow of a patient with an undifferentiated acute T cell leukemia using the conditioned medium (CM) of the human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) II-transformed human cell line J-LB1. Immunofluorescence analysis on the original leukemic cells indicated the presence of T cell markers (Leu-1, Tdt, and T11); however, the established TALL-101 cell line expressed only antigens commonly present on progenitor cells, thymocytes, and myelomonocytic cells, but not on mature T cells. A high percentage of TALL-101 cells displayed the Tac antigen which was down-regulated upon incubation in the presence of recombinant human (rH) interleukin 2 (IL 2). Interferon (IFN)-gamma induced the appearance of class II histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA) and of a T cell marker (3A1), and enhanced the expression of transferrin receptors on these cells. Further evidence for a T cell lineage of the TALL-101 cell line was provided by both chromosomic and genotypic analysis showing a translocation in chromosome 14 typical of T cell leukemias, and a rearrangement of the T-beta receptor locus. The growth-promoting activity in the J-LB1-CM was identified as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulatory factor (GM-CSF), a growth factor which stimulates proliferation of normal myelomonocytic cells and other progenitor cells, but not known to have an effect on T cells. Dose response curves of [3H]thymidine incorporation and growth indicated that TALL-101 cells were sensitive to very low concentrations of rHGM-CSF, 5 ng/ml inducing maximal proliferation in chemically defined medium. The TALL-101 cell line is strictly GM-CSF-dependent for growth: upon depletion of GM-CSF from the culture medium, the cells stop proliferating immediately and die within 1 to 2 wk. The overall data, showing that GM-CSF is able to support the growth of a highly undifferentiated T cell leukemia, strongly suggests that this factor might have similar growth promoting effects on other immature T cell leukemias, and possibly, on normal T cell progenitors.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1987

Two human homeobox genes, c1 and c8: structure analysis and expression in embryonic development.

Two human cDNA clones (HHO.c1.95 and HHO.c8.5111) containing a homeobox region have been characterized, and the respective genomic regions have been partially analyzed. Expression of the corresponding genes, termed c1 and c8, was evaluated in different organs and body parts during human embryonic/fetal development. HHO.c1.95 apparently encodes a 217-amino acid protein containing a class I homeodomain that shares 60 out of 61 amino acid residues with the Antennapedia homeodomain of Drosophila melanogaster. HHO.c8.5111 encodes a 153-amino acid protein containing a homeodomain identical to that of the frog AC1 gene. Clones HHO.c1 and HHO.c8 detect by blot-hydridization one and two specific polyadenylylated transcripts, respectively. These are differentially expressed in spinal cord, backbone rudiments, limb buds (or limbs), heart, and skin of human embryos and early fetuses in the 5- to 9-week postfertilization period, thus suggesting that the c1 and c8 genes play a key role in a variety of developmental processes. Together, the results of the embryonic/fetal expression of c1 and c8 and those of two previously analyzed genes (c10 and c13) indicate a coherent pattern of expression of these genes in early human ontogeny.

Amino Acid Sequence↗