Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Niedobitek

Publications and source records attributed to G Niedobitek.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Analysis of the target cell for Epstein-Barr virus infection in Epstein-Barr virus associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS).

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected cells were examined in three cases of EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) by analysis of the heterogeneity of terminal repetitive sequences in the EBV genome, indicating monoclonal expansion of EBV-infected cells in all cases. Involvement of T lymphoid cells was determined by the finding of in situ hybridization using [35S]-labeled RNA probes specific for the small EBV-encoded nuclear RNAs, EBER1 and EBER2, in combination with immunostaining for the TCR-beta chain, CD45RO, CD20, CD30 and CD68 antigens in these three cases. The majority of lymphoid cells showing EBER transcripts were stained by antibodies against CD45RO and TCR-beta. In contrast, EBER-specific signals were not detectable on B cells or hemophagocytic cells. These data support the concept that subclinical EBV-associated T cell proliferation is the primary characteristic of EBV-AHS, rather than proliferations of hemophagocytosing histiocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Distribution and phenotype of Epstein-Barr virus-harboring cells in Hodgkin's disease.

Distribution and phenotype of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-harboring cells were determined in Hodgkin's disease (HD) biopsies by in situ hybridization with [35S]-labeled RNA probes specific for the small EBV-encoded nuclear RNAs, EBER1 and EBER2, in some instances preceded by immunohistology for CD20, CD30, CD45RO, and CD68 antigens, the T-cell receptor beta-chain, and latent membrane antigen (LMP) of EBV. Twenty-three of 46 HD cases displayed EBER transcripts in all Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells, and 18 of these cases showed LMP expression exclusively in neoplastic cells. EBER+ small reactive cells were present in 39 cases in low numbers, and in three cases in abundance. Thus, presence of H-RS cells with or without LMP expression was not accompanied by an unrestricted proliferation of reactive EBER+/LMP- lymphoid cells in the majority of HD patients. Simultaneous in situ hybridization with [35S]-labeled immunoglobulin light chain (IgLC) gene probes and nonisotopically labeled EBER probe showed a phenotype of mature B lymphocytes and a polyclonal composition for a large proportion of the EBER+ small cells. However, in contrast to noninfected cells, CD20 expression was not detectable in many of these cells, which may indicate downregulation of certain differentiation antigens in latently EBV-infected small lymphoid cells in vivo.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1992

Patterns of Epstein-Barr virus infection in non-neoplastic lymphoid tissue.

Taking advantage of the abundant expression of the small Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded RNAs (EBERs) in latently infected cells, we have analyzed 72 normal and hyperplastic lymph nodes and three tonsils of acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) for the presence and distribution of EBV+ cells using EBER-specific in situ hybridization, in some cases combined with immunohistologic demonstration of cell type-characteristic antigens. In IM, large numbers of EBV+ lymphoid B blasts were detectable in extrafollicular areas, whereas germinal centers were generally free of EBV+ cells. In reactive lymph nodes, the frequency of EBV+ cells varied with the degree of lymphoid hyperplasia and underlying immune status. The lowest numbers of EBV+ cells were detected in nonactivated lymph nodes and highest in human immunodeficiency virus-associated lymphadenopathy. If present in these lymph nodes, EBV+ cells were almost exclusively localized to extrafollicular areas, as also observed in IM. However, in contrast to IM, these cells were mainly small lymphocytes. Furthermore, in some instances, occasional scattered EBV+ cells were seen within germinal centers, and in two cases diffuse expansions of EBV+ cells occurred within a single germinal center each, indicating that under certain circumstances EBV+ B lymphocytes may participate in physiologic germinal center reactions. These findings reflect the interference of EBV with physiologic lymphoid differentiation pathways and provide a link to EBV-associated malignant lymphomas with a postulated origin from germinal center cells.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1992

Epstein-Barr virus infection and replication in a human epithelial cell system.

Epstein-Barr virus, a human herpesvirus with oncogenic potential, infects two target tissues in vivo: B lymphocytes, where the infection is largely non-productive, and stratified squamous epithelium in which virus replication occurs. The interaction with B cells, initiated through virus binding to the B-cell surface molecule CR2 (ref. 4), has been studied in vitro and the virus 'latent' genes associated with B-cell growth transformation defined. By comparison, viral infection of epithelium remains poorly understood, reflecting the lack of an appropriate cell-culture model. Here we describe the development of such a model using as targets CR2-expressing transfected cells of two independent human epithelial lines. A high proportion of these cells bind virus and become actively infected, expressing the small EBER RNAs (small non-polyadenylated virus-coded RNAs) and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 but not other latent proteins; thereafter, under conditions favouring epithelial differentiation, up to 30% of the cells can be induced to enter virus productive cycle with some progressing to full virus replication. We find significant differences between laboratory virus strains in their ability to infect epithelium that do not correlate with their B-cell growth-transforming activity.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1992

The Epstein-Barr virus encoded membrane protein (LMP) induces phenotypic changes in epithelial cells.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded membrane protein, LMP, is expressed in a proportion of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). Previous studies have shown that the transfection of the gene encoding LMP into a human keratinocyte line, RHEK-1, induces morphological alterations and a reduced expression of cytokeratins. We have analyzed immunophenotypic changes in the RHEK-1 line following LMP-transfection and compared these changes with the phenotype of NPC biopsies. We demonstrate a downregulation of two epithelial markers, an epithelial glycoprotein (EGP) defined by the monoclonal antibody Ber-EP4 and the epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Furthermore, a lymphocyte activation-associated antigen, CDw70 antigen, which was absent from the parental line was expressed in virtually all LMP-transfected cells, whereas no similar effect was seen with respect to the CD30 activation antigen. Nine EBV-positive human NPCs, six of which were LMP-positive expressed the EGP and EMA. The CDw70 antigen, which is not normally present in epithelial cells, was expressed in eight biopsies, whereas the CD30 antigen was not detectable. Our findings are in keeping with the notion that LMP expression may contribute to the immunophenotype of human NPCs.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1992

[Heterogeneous Epstein-Barr virus infection patterns in peripheral T cell lymphoma of the angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy type].

32 cases of T cell lymphoma of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy type (AILD-TCL) were investigated for their association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of EBV-DNA and in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBER) produced almost identical results, showing that all but one of AILD-TCL cases contained EBV genomes. Three distinctive patterns of EBV infection were observed after immunophenotypical characterization of EBER positive cells: 1. predominant infection of B-immunoblasts (26% of the cases), 2. predominant infection of neoplastic T cells (42% of the cases) and 3. infection of few small lymphocytes (32% of the cases). EBV-encoded latent membrane protein was frequently detectable in cases exhibiting patterns 1 and 2. These findings suggest that, in AILD-TCL patients B cells and especially T cells are highly susceptible to a persistent EBV infection which may lead to a growth advantage of infected cells.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1992

[Epstein-Barr virus associated lymphocyte proliferation].

In recent years, techniques, probes, and reagents became available to reliably visualize individual Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected cells, to assess EBV gene expression, and to analyze the clonal composition of EBV genomes in human tissues. Application of these techniques to more than 1000 lymphoid tissue specimens revealed (1) characteristic cellular and compartmental distribution patterns of EBV-infected cells in normal lymph nodes, reflecting the interference of EBV with physiologic B cell differentiation pathways, (2) an association of EBV with various mono- and oligoclonal lymphoproliferations ranging from benign conditions to overtly malignant lymphomas, and (3) characteristic patterns of EBV gene expression among EBV-associated lymphoproliferations. In the context of the established immortalizing and transforming properties of EBV, the findings support the concept of an etiologic role of EBV for cases of certain lymphomas such as Burkitt's lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and lymphomas arising in immunocompromised individuals. In contrast, lymphomas harboring EBV in only proportions of the tumor cells (such as cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma and some B cell lymphoma types) argue against an etiologic role in the primary process of malignant transformation for the virus in these instances. Since in many of these cases a proportion of the EBV infected tumor cells express the EBV oncoprotein LMP (latent membrane protein) the virus may influence, however, the proliferative properties as well as the morphological and molecular phenotype of the neoplastic cells.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1992

Expression of Epstein-Barr virus genes and of lymphocyte activation molecules in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas.

Previous studies investigating the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been performed on extracts from biopsies. The authors analyzed expression and localization of viral gene products in 18 undifferentiated NPCs at the cellular level using immunohistology and in situ hybridization. All cases were EBV-positive. The small nuclear EBV-encoded RNAs, EBERs, were regularly expressed whereas the latent membrane protein, LMP1, and EBV was detectable only in four cases (22%) and the nuclear antigen 2 was not detectable. The BZLF-1 protein of EBV which disrupts viral latency, was not detectable, confirming that the virus is latent in the tumor cells. Although the expression of the CD23 antigen in transplantable NPCs has been reported, our study demonstrates that expression of this antigen in human undifferentiated NPCs is rare. In contrast, almost all cases expressed the CDw70 antigen. Since in normal tissues this antigen is present only in activated lymphoid blasts, this finding may be relevant for the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated NPCs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Epstein-Barr virus and carcinomas. Expression of the viral genome in an undifferentiated gastric carcinoma.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs). Recently, EBV DNA has been demonstrated also in some cases of gastric carcinoma with similar morphology as undifferentiated NPC. Here we report on the expression of EBV genes in a gastric undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). The small EBV-encoded nuclear RNAs, EBERs, were expressed in all tumor cells. The BZLF1 transactivator protein, which disrupts viral latency, was detectable in a small subset of tumor cells. The latent membrane protein and the nuclear antigen EBNA2 were not expressed. These results indicate that lytic EBV infection may be possible in undifferentiated epithelial cells. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting a strong association of gastric UCNT with EBV and point to the possibility of an involvement of the virus in the pathogenesis of this neoplasm.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Follicular dendritic cells are a major reservoir for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in lymphoid tissues facilitating infection of CD4+ T-helper cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection causes progressive depletion of CD4/HIV-receptor-positive T helper lymphocytes, ultimately leading to AIDS. The major HIV reservoir and site of T-helper cell infection in lymphoid tissues, however, has remained poorly defined. The authors used in situ hybridization in combination with immunohistologic labeling techniques to identify the phenotype of HIV-infected cells in lymph nodes from patients at different stages of HIV-infection. The number of HIV-infected macrophages, widely considered the major site of HIV replication, was extremely low. There was no evidence for HIV-infection of endothelial and interdigitating reticulum cells. However, HIV RNA was found in small but consistent proportions of CD45RO-positive T cells and in the vast majority of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in a pattern suggestive of active infection in addition to HIV-immunocomplex trapping on cell membranes. FDC may therefore be a major HIV reservoir and since T-helper cells travel through the FDC meshwork during their migration within lymphoreticular tissues, it appears likely that HIV-replicating T cells may infect FDC, which then infect new T cells, thus causing a gradual dissemination of the virus to all FDC and thereby a steadily increasing infection of T-helper/memory cells within germinal centers. This results in CD4+ T cell depletion, and ultimately, in immunodeficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Epstein-Barr virus DNA and latent gene products in Ki-1 (CD30)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphomas.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific DNA sequences were detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis in 15 of 47 (32%) DNA extracts prepared from CD30-positive (Ki-1 antigen-positive) anaplastic large cell (ALC) lymphomas. EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) transcripts could be detected by in situ hybridization in the tumor cells of 9 of 11 EBV DNA-positive cases. Twenty-eight cases were examined by immunohistology on cryostat sections for the presence of the EBV-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP), the nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), the BZLF1 transactivator protein, and the late viral glycoprotein gp350/250. A distinct LMP-specific membrane and cytoplasmic staining was detected exclusively in lymphoma cells of five cases (18%); two of these cases additionally expressed EBNA2. BZLF1 protein and gp350/250 immunoreactivity was absent in all instances. All LMP-positive cases contained EBV DNA and EBER sequences. The pattern of EBV latent protein expression in ALC lymphomas showed heterogeneity with respect to EBNA2 expression: LMP-positive/EBNA2-negative cases displayed a pattern previously described for undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas and Hodgkin's disease, whereas LMP-positive and EBNA2-positive cases showed parallels to lymphoblastoid cell lines. Because the LMP gene has transforming potential, our findings support the concept of a pathoetiologic role for EBV in a proportion of CD30-positive ALC lymphomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein expression in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells.

Cryostat sections from lymph nodes of 47 Hodgkin disease patients were examined by immunohistology for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP), nuclear antigen 2, and late viral glycoprotein gp350/250. A distinct LMP-specific membrane and cytoplasmic staining was detected exclusively in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in 18 patients (38%); EBV nuclear antigen 2 and gp350/250 immunoreactivity was absent in all instances. Thirty-two of 47 (68%) cases contained EBV-specific DNA sequences as detected by PCR, all LMP-positive cases being in this category. Our results confirm previous studies establishing the presence of EBV genomes in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells by demonstrating expression of an EBV-encoded protein in the tumor-cell population. The finding of LMP expression in the absence of EBV nuclear antigen 2 suggests a pattern of EBV gene expression different from that of B-lymphoblastoid cell lines and Burkitt lymphoma, whereas this finding shows similarities with that seen in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Because the LMP gene has transforming potential, our findings support the concept of a pathoetiological role of EBV in many cases of Hodgkin disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Epstein-Barr virus and carcinomas: undifferentiated carcinomas but not squamous cell carcinomas of the nasopharynx are regularly associated with the virus.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is consistently associated with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). There is, however, conflicting evidence as to whether squamous cell NPCs are also EBV-associated. Moreover, it has been proposed that other epithelial tumours, particularly thymomas and thymic carcinomas, should be included in the group of EBV-associated neoplasias. However, since the viral DNA in these studies was demonstrated only in extracted DNA, the cellular origin of the viral DNA is uncertain. We have therefore investigated 152 epithelial tumours from various sites for the presence of EBV-DNA by in situ hybridization with 35S-labelled probes. Sixty-eight of 77 undifferentiated NPCs showed an EBV-specific autoradiographic signal, thus confirming the strong association of this tumour type with EBV even in geographical areas where undifferentiated NPC is not endemic. None of eight squamous cell NPCs showed an EBV-specific signal. All of 15 carcinomas with a similar morphology to undifferentiated NPC but from different anatomic sites (thymus, tonsil, breast) were EBV-negative as were 9 thymomas, 26 squamous cell carcinomas of the palatine tonsil, and 14 cervical carcinomas. Our results therefore suggest a unique association of EBV with undifferentiated NPC and support concepts assigning different biological properties to undifferentiated NPC as compared with squamous cell NPC.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1991

The nature of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells, their association with EBV, and their relationship to anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.

This review focuses on the cellular origin of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, their association with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and their relation to Ki-1+ anaplastic large-cell (ALC) lymphoma. The tingibility of HRS cells in paraffin sections for polyclonal immunoglobulin represents a staining artifact and thus can no longer serve as an argument for the histiocytic nature of HRS cells. Immunolabeling studies do not support the putative relationship of HRS cells to cell types such as macrophages or interdigitating reticulum cells, but instead suggest: a) that lymphocyte-predominant (LP) Hodgkin's disease (HD) represents a B-cell neoplasm which is distinct from non-LP HD, and b) that non-LP HD constitutes a syndrome rather than a disease entity, with the existence of T-cell types and B-cell types. HRS cells (and the tumor cells in ALC lymphomas) frequently display an immature genotype in association with late activation markers, leading to the assumption that the tumor cells in many cases of HD (and some cases of ALC lymphoma) may be derived from immature lymphoid cells that are infected by a virus that superimposes characteristics of mature activated lymphocytes on these cells. Southern blotting, in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments revealed an association of EBV with HRS cells in a significant proportion of HD cases, suggesting that EBV may be responsible for the dissociation between genotype and phenotype in HRS cells, because EBV is a strong inducer of the activation antigens CD30 and CDw70.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Herpesvirus 4, Human↗
PubMed1991

Tumor cytokinetic response to total parenteral nutrition in patients with head and neck cancers.

Refeeding of patients with malignant tumors may induce tumor-cell DNA synthesis. The present study was aimed at evaluating whether induction of altered cell-cycle kinetics could be induced by intravenous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in tumor biopsies from head and neck cancers. Nine malnourished patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the head-and-neck area were investigated before and after 5-7 d of continuous TPN. Tumor biopsies were taken in both fasted and fed states for determination of 1) ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, which is rate limiting for polyamine synthesis; 2) flow-cytometric-DNA-distribution measurements; and 3) the fraction of proliferating cells expressed as immunohistochemical reactivity with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. The histopathological differentiation, the fraction of aneuploidic cells, ODC activity, and Ki-67 reactivity were not significantly related to each other, although the number of aneuploidic cells in replicative phases correlated with the number of cells expressing the Ki-67 antigen (r = 0.86, P less than 0.01). Tumor cytokinetics showed no evidence of being changed by TPN administration.

Aged↗