Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G I Murray

Publications and source records attributed to G I Murray.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in breast cancer.

We have studied the expression of different xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in primary operable breast cancer of no special type. The expression of two forms of cytochrome P450, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, and three classes of glutathione S-transferase was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The tumours were characterized by consistent expression of microsomal epoxide hydrolase and by variable expression of the two forms of cytochrome P450 and the three types of glutathione S-transferase. Cytochrome P450 1A and cytochrome P450 3A were identified in 39 and 22 per cent of tumours, respectively. In each case, immunostaining was present only in areas of invasive carcinoma. Epoxide hydrolase was identified in 89 per cent of tumours and glutathione S-transferases pi, mu, and alpha were identified in 56, 65, and 44 per cent of tumours, respectively. Immunoreactivity for epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferases was identified in both tumours and non-neoplastic breast tissue. The presence of different xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes may have a role in determining the intrinsic drug resistance of breast cancer to a variety of anti-cancer drugs, and the expression of these enzymes can readily be assessed using immunohistochemistry.

Adult↗

Cytochrome P450 expression is a common molecular event in soft tissue sarcomas.

Two major xenobiotic metabolizing sub-families of cytochrome P450 (cytochrome P450 1A and cytochrome P450 3A) have been identified in soft tissue sarcomas. Cytochrome P450 1A was present in 70 per cent and cytochrome P450 3A was present in 78 per cent of tumours, respectively. A high proportion (86 per cent) of those tumours which contained cytochrome P450 1A or cytochrome P450 3A demonstrated co-expression of both sub-families. In each tumour, cytochrome P450 immunoreactivity was identified in all tumour cells and there was no intra-tumour heterogeneity. These results indicate that expression of cytochrome P450 is a common molecular event in soft tissue sarcomas and that the presence of different sub-families of cytochrome P450 has implications both for the pathogenesis and for the treatment of these tumours. Cytochrome P450 expression may influence the intrinsic drug resistance of these tumours and also provide a molecular target for anti-cancer drugs which can be activated by cytochrome P450.

Aged↗

Xenobiotic metabolising enzyme expression in colonic neoplasia.

The cytochrome P450, epoxide hydrolase, and glutathione S-transferase enzyme families play an important part in the metabolism of many carcinogens and anti-cancer drugs. The expression of two forms of cytochrome P450 (P450 1A and P450 3A), epoxide hydrolase and of the alpha, mu, and pi forms of glutathione S-transferase in normal colon, colonic adenomas, and adenocarcinoma of the colon were studied by immunohistochemistry. This allowed the precise cellular site and distribution of each enzyme to be determined. Expression of all the xenobiotic metabolising enzymes studied was almost wholly confined to the epithelial cells, whether in normal, adenoma or carcinoma samples, except that cytochrome P450 3A was also identified in mast cells and glutathione S-transferase pi was also present in chronic inflammatory cells. Cytochrome P450 was present in only a small proportion of normal colon samples, whereas epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase mu were identified in about half, and glutathione S-transferase alpha and pi in most normal samples. By contrast all the enzyme forms studied were expressed in virtually all adenomas and in over half the carcinomas. These results suggest that cytochrome P450 1A and cytochrome P450 3A are more specific markers of colonic neoplasia than epoxide hydrolase or glutathione S-transferases alpha, mu, and pi.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemistry of neurone specific enolase with gamma subunit specific anti-peptide monoclonal antibodies.

AIMS: To investigate the application in immunohistochemistry of gamma-subunit specific anti-peptide monoclonal antibodies to human neurone specific enolase (NSE); and to determine their reactivity with formalin fixed, wax embedded sections of normal tissue and neuroendocrine tumours. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on sections of formalin fixed, wax embedded tissue with two monoclonal antibodies (NSE-P1 and NSE-P2) raised against different synthetic peptides specific for the gamma subunit of human enolase (neurone specific enolase). RESULTS: Both antibodies gave strong immunostaining in normal tissues and cells known to contain NSE. There was no immunoreactivity in tissues containing either the alpha alpha or beta beta isozymes of enolase. The reactivity of the antibodies with a range of neuroendocrine tumours was also studied and both antibodies gave strong immunostaining of tumour cells in the different tumours. CONCLUSIONS: The use of synthetic peptides from defined regions of a molecule as immunogenes provides antibodies of high specificity. These monoclonal antibodies to NSE are ideally suited for immunohistochemical studies and they should be particularly useful in histopathology as they react with epitopes which are resistant to formalin fixation and wax embedding.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry with freeze-dried or freeze-substituted resin-embedded tissue.

Freeze-drying or freeze-substitution, combined with low-temperature resin-embedding, represents a new approach to the optimum preservation of tissue for enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. This method, which avoids tissue fixation, combines excellent tissue morphology with the preservation of enzyme activity and immunoreactivity and allows high-resolution enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical studies to be performed. The activity of a wide range of enzymes can be demonstrated in sections of freeze-dried or freeze-substituted resin-embedded tissue. Enzymes are retained in situ with high activity, accurate localization and no diffusion. Immunohistochemical studies can also be performed on resin sections, and antigens--especially labile antigens--are immobilized in situ without denaturation and can be demonstrated with high sensitivity and accurately localized. This method allows the localization and distribution of enzymes and antigens to be studied in relation to excellent histological and cytological detail.

Animals↗

Cytochrome P450IA expression in adult and fetal human liver.

A monoclonal antibody has been produced that recognizes the cytochrome P450 form, cytochrome P450IA1, but not cytochrome P450IA2 in rats and recognizes a single protein band of similar mol. wt on immunoblots of human liver microsomes. Immunohistochemical studies have been carried out with this antibody to investigate the localization and distribution of cytochrome(s) P450 of the P450IA family in human liver. Cytochrome P450IA was identified in both adult and fetal liver and in each case it was localized predominantly to hepatocytes. In adult liver there was a heterogeneous distribution of cytochrome P450IA immunoreactivity with cytochrome P450IA mainly present in zone 3 hepatocytes of the liver acinus. Within fetal liver there was a uniform distribution of cytochrome P450IA immunoreactivity with no apparent zonal distribution. Bile duct epithelium did not show definite immunostaining for cytochrome P450IA in either adult or fetal liver.

Adult↗

In situ hybridisation of albumin mRNA in normal liver and hepatocellular carcinoma with a digoxigenin labelled oligonucleotide probe.

AIMS: To study the localisation and distribution of albumin mRNA in normal liver and hepatocellular carcinoma by in situ hybridisation with an oligonucleotide probe. METHODS: A 51 base oligonucleotide was synthesised from a sequence at the 5' end of the human albumin gene and the probe was labelled at its 3' end with digoxigenin 11-dUTP. Formalin fixed, wax embedded sections of liver biopsy specimens were used to study the localisation and distribution of albumin mRNA. After in situ hybridisation the bound probe was visualised using a digoxigenin antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. RESULTS: In normal liver albumin mRNA was detected in hepatocytes and no positive signal was observed in biliary epithelium, vascular endothelium, or Kupffer cells. In 75% (9/12) of the hepatocellular carcinomas studied a positive hybridisation signal was observed in tumour cells. CONCLUSIONS: Albumin mRNA can be detected in sections of formalin fixed, wax embedded liver, a digoxigenin labelled probe is ideally suited for in situ hybridisation of liver because there is no background from the detection system. The identification of albumin mRNA may be a useful marker of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the demonstration of albumin mRNA by in situ hybridisation overcomes the potential background problem associated with albumin immunohistochemistry.

Albumins↗

A new fluorescence method for alkaline phosphatase histochemistry.

We have developed a new fluorescence method for the histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase activity. Calcium phosphate deposited at the sites of alkaline phosphatase activity in a Gomori-type reaction are identified by calcium binding fluorochromes. The calcium binding fluorochromes calcein, calcein blue, and xylenol orange were investigated, with each fluorochrome being included in the alkaline phosphatase incubating medium and used in a single-step procedure. Alkaline phosphatase activity was studied in freeze-substituted, resin-embedded human liver and jejunal biopsies, and each fluorochrome produced intense fluorescence of different colors at sites of alkaline phosphatase activity. Calcein, calcein blue, and xylenol orange produced green, blue, and red fluorescence, respectively. Sites of enzyme activity were accurately localized without evidence of diffusion, and there was an absence of non-enzyme-catalyzed binding of any of the fluorochromes to tissue. This fluorescence method, which is particularly suited to investigating the localization and distribution of the activity of different enzymes in the same section, was used to investigate the distribution and co-localization of alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase M in human liver and jejunum.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

A novel method for optimum biopsy specimen preservation for histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

A novel method has been developed for optimally processing biopsy specimens combining freeze-substitution with low-temperature plastic embedding. Immunohistochemistry and conventional histochemical stains were all readily performed on tissue displaying high-quality morphologic preservation. Labile antigens, especially lymphoid cell surface antigens, were well preserved. This new method avoids the need for tissue fixation and combines the superior morphologic preservation of fixed embedded tissue with the reactivity of cryostat sections. This method ensures that diagnostic information from even the smallest biopsy specimen is maximized because a wide range of phenotypic markers can be applied and evaluated in relation to high-quality morphologic preservation of tissue. Biopsy specimens are stored at room temperature without loss of tissue-specific characteristics during storage.

Acetone↗

A novel tetrazolium method for peroxidase histochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

We developed a new method for the histochemical demonstration of peroxidase. This method, which has a novel reaction mechanism, is based on the oxidation of phenol by peroxidase and coupling of this reaction to the reduction of a tetrazolium salt, with the deposition of an insoluble formazan at sites of enzyme activity. This new method was compared with an established diaminobenzidine (DAB) technique for peroxidase histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Although both methods identified peroxidase activity in myeloid cells of bone marrow biopsy specimens, there was no interference from red cell pseudoperoxidase activity with the phenol-tetrazolium method, in contrast to the diaminobenzidine method. The detection of cytokeratin using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique was compared with both methods for demonstrating peroxidase activity. The phenol-tetrazolium method gave results similar to that obtained with DAB and appeared to be at least as sensitive as DAB in detecting low amounts of antigen. In addition, the production of a formazan as the final reaction product means that the phenol-tetrazolium method is ideally suited for quantitative peroxidase histochemistry. Therefore, the phenol-tetrazolium method represents a useful alternative method to DAB and for certain applications offers significant advantages over DAB.

Bone Marrow↗

Enzyme histochemistry on freeze-substituted glycol methacrylate-embedded tissue.

We developed a method for histochemical demonstration of a wide range of enzymes in freeze-substituted glycol methacrylate-embedded tissue. Tissue specimens were freeze-substituted in acetone and then embedded at low temperature in glycol methacrylate resin. All enzymes studied (oxidoreductases, hydrolases) were readily demonstrated. The enzymes displayed high activity and were accurately localized without diffusion when tissue sections were incubated in aqueous media, addition of colloid stabilizers to the incubating media not being required. Freeze-substitution combined with low-temperature glycol methacrylate embedding permits the demonstration of a wide range of enzymes with accurate enzyme localization, maintenance of enzyme activity, and excellent tissue morphology.

Acrylates↗

Plastic or paraffin?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

A new approach to enzyme histochemical analysis of biopsy specimens.

A novel technique combining the freeze drying and embedding in glycol methacrylate at low temperature of tissue permitted the histochemical demonstration of a variety of enzymes, showing maintenance of enzyme activity, accurate enzyme localisation without apparent diffusion, and excellent morphological detail. The results obtained with this new approach were superior to standard techniques used for both enzyme histochemical and morphological studies. Moreover, blocks of the embedded tissue were stored for at least one year at room temperature without loss of enzyme activity. This method should find a wide range of applications in histopathology.

Biopsy↗

Enzyme histochemistry on freeze-dried, resin-embedded tissue.

We have developed a method for histochemical demonstration of a wide range of enzymes in freeze-dried, resin-embedded tissue. Freeze-dried tissue specimens were embedded without fixation at low temperature (4 degrees C or -20 degrees C) in glycol methacrylate resin or LR Gold resin. Enzyme activity was optimally preserved by embedding the freeze-dried tissue in glycol methacrylate resin. All enzymes studied (oxidoreductases, esterases, peptidases, and phosphatases), except for glucose-6-phosphatase, were readily demonstrated. The enzymes displayed high activity and were accurately localized without diffusion when tissue sections were incubated in aqueous media, addition of colloid stabilizers to the incubating media not being required. Freeze-drying combined with low-temperature resin embedding permits the demonstration of a wide range of enzymes with accurate enzyme localization, high enzyme activity, and excellent tissue morphology.

Animals↗