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Biomedical subjects

G Ott

Publications and source records attributed to G Ott.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Genetically detoxified mutants of heat-labile enterotoxin from Escherichia coli are effective adjuvants for induction of cytotoxic T-cell responses against HIV-1 gag-p55.

There is an urgent need for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mucosal immunization strategies have great potential to elicit both mucosal and systemic cellular immunity required to protect against HIV-induced acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, mucosal immunizations with soluble protein antigens generally require adjuvants. In this study, we tested two mutants of the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) from Escherichia coli, LTK63: with no measurable ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, and LTR72: with residual ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, as mucosal adjuvants for induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to coadministered HIV gag p55 protein. We found that intranasal (i.n.) immunizations with HIV gag p55 protein coadministered with LTK63 or LTR72 induced systemic CTL responses comparable to that obtained following intramuscular (i. m.) immunizations with the same adjuvants. Moreover, oral coadministration of LTR72, but not LTK63, resulted in local as well as systemic p55-specific CTL responses in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleens (SP) of the immunized mice. These data have important implications for current efforts to develop a safe vaccine against HIV.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma with distinct perifollicular growth pattern: a distinct subtype of T-cell lymphoma?

Nine cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma were identified in this study showing a distinctive growth pattern with partial distortion of the lymph node structure and prominent infiltration predominantly of marginal zones by medium-sized cells with clear cytoplasm and significant nuclear atypia. In the paracortical T-zone, there was a marked proliferation of high endothelial venules. Plasmocytosis and capsular fibrosis were other distinctive features. On immunohistochemistry, the lymphomas proved to be of T-helper cell origin (CD3+, CD4+, CD5+/-, CD8-, TIA1-) and proliferation was most prominent in the marginal zone of the regressive B-cell follicles. These cases have a characteristic morphology that may be sufficient to differentiate them as a variant from other peripheral T-cell lymphomas of the "not otherwise specified" group and to include them in the list of currently recognized lymphomas. Because of the distinct perifollicular growth pattern and incomplete effacement of the lymph node architecture, the differential diagnosis consists mainly of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and reactive lesions.

Adult↗

Genetic imbalances in primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphomas: comparison of comparative genomic hybridization, microsatellite, and cytogenetic analysis.

Extranodal malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas account for about 40% of lymphoid neoplasms, but few data are available concerning the genetic background of primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A study was performed of 27 primary gastric DLBCLs and 5 gastric DLBCLs with a concomitant low grade component of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphoma using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), microsatellite studies, classic cytogenetics, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to search for specific genetic aberrations. The most frequent aberrations were losses of material on chromosome 6q and gains of parts of chromosome 3. In three cases, a total of six high level DNA amplifications were detected, with five of them involving chromosomal regions not having been reported before in gastric DLBCL. A high overall concordance of 91.4% between microsatellite analysis and CGH was observed using DNA extracted from the same tissue block. The concordance achieved using DNA from different tissue blocks of the same patient was 85%. Microsatellite studies, CGH, FISH, and classic cytogenetics represent complementary techniques that facilitate a comprehensive view of genetic alterations in malignancies such as primary gastric DLBCL.

Adult↗

t(11;14)-positive mantle cell lymphomas exhibit complex karyotypes and share similarities with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Until now, few data on additional chromosomal aberrations in t(11;14)-positive mantle cell lymphomas (MCLs) have been published. We analyzed 39 t(11;14)-positive MCLs by either comparative genomic hybridization (CGH; n = 8), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a set of DNA probes detecting the most frequent aberrations in B-cell neoplasms (n = 12), or both techniques (n = 19). The t(11;14) was present in all cases. In 37 of 39 cases, chromosomal imbalances were found. In 27 cases, complex karyotypes, i.e., >/= 3 aberrations, were identified. The most frequent aberrations were losses of 13q14-21 or 13q32-34 (27 cases), 9p21 (16 cases), and 11q22-23 (12 cases) and gains of 3q26-29 (19 cases), 8q22-24 (11 cases), and 18q21-22 (9 cases). In 26% of cases (7 of 27) analyzed by CGH, a total of 10 high-level DNA amplifications were identified. Although in comparison with B-cell chronic lymphopcytic leukemia (B-CLL) MCL is characterized by a much higher complexity of chromosomal aberrations, there are striking similarities: 13q14 deletions were identified in more than 50% of both MCL and B-CLL cases. In contrast, in our CGH database containing 293 B-cell lymphomas, this aberration was found in only 11% of other nodal lymphomas. Even more strikingly, 11q deletions, which are present in 20%-30 % of MCL and B-CLL, were found very rarely in other nodal B-cell lymphomas (CGH: 1 of 208 cases; FISH: 1 of 69 cases). These data show that MCL is characterized by specific secondary aberrations and that there may be similarities in the pathogenesis of MCL and B-CLL. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:285-294, 2000.

Aged↗

The ATM gene in the pathogenesis of mantle-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is genetically characterized by the translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) leading to an overexpression of cyclin-D1, but additional chromosomal abnormalities appear to be required for MCL pathogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Deletions involving chromosome 11q, which were recently found as recurrent aberrations in MCL, were analyzed at the molecular level in a series of 81 MCL by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes from a contiguous set of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) spanning bands 11q14-q24. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Loss of chromosome 11 material was observed in 37 of the 81 MCL cases (46%). The consensus deletion comprised YAC 801e11 containing the ATM gene. The minimal region of loss was further narrowed with P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) probes. This allowed the identification of a deletion confined to the genomic region of ATM, which, together with intragenic mutations found in the coding sequence, suggests a role of ATM as a tumor suppressor gene in MCL.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗

Torsion of the uterine adnexa. Pathologic correlations and current management trends.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and pathologic correlates of specimens removed for the diagnosis of adnexal torsion and to evaluate trends in the management of torsion. STUDY DESIGN: Cases of ovarian or adnexal torsion (N = 104) were identified retrospectively over a period extending from January 1987 to March 1998 by the coding of ovarian, fallopian tube or adnexal torsion. Statistical evaluation was by chi 2 analysis using the Bonferroni inequality correction when appropriate. RESULTS: Neoplastic and functional tumors of the ovary composed > 90% of the diagnoses at microscopic evaluation, with cancer diagnosed in < 1% of cases. Laparoscopy was attempted in 47 (46%) cases, and adnexasparing procedures were performed in 20 (19%) patients. Patients treated in the latter half of the study were not less likely to undergo laparotomy than those treated in the first half; however, conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy was significantly less common in the latter half. Patients in this study were more likely to receive an adnexa-sparing operation than historical controls, but there was no improvement in this rate from the first to the second half of this study. A history of previous abdominal surgery was the most common associated condition, but 47% of patients had no known risk factors. Ovarian hyperstimulation, previously omitted in series reports, was an antecedent factor in 9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adnexal torsion is most commonly associated with a benign process. A more-conservative approach to the treatment of this process is becoming increasingly common, as seems warranted in light of the low incidence of malignancy. The need for conversion from a laparoscopic to an open approach appears to have been waning over the last decade; that may correlate with an increased comfort level in gynecologists with laparoscopic approaches.

Adnexal Diseases↗

[Genetic and biological features define two types of follicular non-Hodgkin grade 3 lymphoma].

In the REAL classification system, follicular lymphomas (FL) were subdivided into three grades depending on the number of blasts (6). In this study, we were interested in defining biological parameters possibly being important in the delineation of subgroups. Between 1990 and 1998, biological and cytogenetic investigations were performed on 91 FL. Clonal aberrations were found in all cases. The tumours were subclassified according to the blast content and the morphology of the centrocytes into 29 FL 1, 33 FL 2, 15 FL 3, and 14 FL 3 with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma component (FL 3 + DLBL). They were characterised by classical cytogenetics, for their mitotic (MI) and proliferative (PI) indices, and CD10, bcl-2, and p53-expression. In contrast to FL 1 and FL 2, which showed a common genetic background with t(14;18), and only differed by their blast content and MI/PI, FL 3 (with or without associated DLBL) turned out to be an inhomogeneous group. 11 follicular lymphomas (with > 150 blasts/10HPF) still showed maturation to centrocytes. They were positive for CD10 and harboured the t(14;18) in 73%. These cases correspond to a "high grade" variant of centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma according to the Kiel classification (FL 3a). In 18 cases with a follicular or follicular and diffuse growth pattern, the infiltrate consisted of centroblasts exclusively. These tumours were CD10+ in only 50% and were t(14;18)+ in only 22%. Secretory differentiation (clg+) was found in 44%. They were--with respect to primary and secondary chromosome aberrations--more comparable to a follicular variant of DLBL and hence, correspond to centroblastic lymphoma, follicular or centroblastic lymphoma, follicular and diffuse according to the Kiel classification (FL 3b). By histomorphological, biological and cytogenetic investigations, therefore, FL 3 can be delineated into two different biological subgroups with obviously different transformation pathways.

Antigens, CD↗

Lymphomas expressing ALK fusion protein(s) other than NPM-ALK.

The tumor cells in ALK-positive lymphoma ("ALKoma") usually express the product of the NPM-ALK chimeric gene, generated by the t(2;5) chromosomal translocation. However, 10% to 20% of ALK-positive lymphomas express ALK fusion protein(s) other than NPM-ALK, and in this report, we describe the immunohistologic and clinicopathologic features of 15 such cases. The absence of the NPM-ALK fusion gene was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 8 cases and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis in a further 2 cases. In each case, ALK staining was restricted to the cytoplasm and the N-terminus of NPM to the nucleus (contrasting with lymphomas expressing NPM-ALK in which cytoplasmic as well as nuclear labeling is seen). However, in the course of screening 53 ALK-positive lymphomas, 2 biopsies were found that had a "cytoplasm-only" ALK staining pattern but that nevertheless were shown to carry the (2;5) (by NPM staining and RT-PCR). The 15 cases resembled typical NPM-ALK-positive lymphomas in that all were of T or null phenotype, usually occurred in young male patients, and frequently presented with advanced disease associated with systemic symptoms and extranodal involvement. Moreover, their prognosis was excellent and indistinguishable from that of classical t(2;5)-positive tumors, but was clearly different from that of ALK-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphomas. These results suggest that lymphomas carrying variants of the NPM-ALK fusion protein can be detected by immunostaining for ALK and NPM and also that they can be grouped with classical t(2;5)-positive tumors as a single entity (ALK-positive lymphoma or "ALKoma") that shows a better prognosis than ALK-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.

Adolescent↗

Clinicopathogenetic significance of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with blastic peripheral B-cell lymphoma. Kiel-Wien-Lymphoma Study Group.

So far, reproducible histomorphologic and immunological criteria to distinguish clinicopathologic subtypes of blastic peripheral B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (BBCL), especially centroblastic (cb) and immunoblastic (ib) lymphomas, for daily diagnostic use are still lacking. Therefore, we correlated the cytogenetic findings in 126 patients with BBCL with histopathologic diagnoses. Subclassification of cb and ib lymphomas relied on the criteria defined in the updated Kiel classification; these subtypes are also listed in the Revised European-American Lymphoma (REAL) classification and in a preliminary report on the newly established World Health Organization classification, to investigate their clinical significance. Moreover, we performed a multivariate analysis to compare the prognostic significance of cytogenetic findings with the International Index. There were significant differences in the frequency of chromosome aberrations between different BBCL subtypes: t(8;14) was predominantly present in Burkitt's lymphomas, t(14;18) in centroblastic lymphomas, deletions in 8q and 14q, changes of 4q and losses of chromosome 10 in immunoblastic lymphomas; t(11;14) was restricted to blastoid mantle cell lymphomas and associated with a poor prognosis. In cb lymphomas, deletions in 1q42-qter, duplications in 1q23-32, trisomy 5, and changes of 15q were identified as independent prognostic factors. In ib lymphomas, changes of 7q and 8q had stronger impact on survival than the International Index. These findings underline that Burkitt's, cb, ib, and blastoid mantle-cell lymphoma are biologically distinct and clinically relevant entities and that cytogenetic findings can be helpful to subtype BBCL.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Molecular characterization of 11q deletions points to a pathogenic role of the ATM gene in mantle cell lymphoma.

Deletions involving the long arm of chromosome 11 (11q) have been recently found as recurrent chromosome aberrations in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In the current study, the incidence and molecular extent of 11q deletions were analyzed in a series of 81 MCL by fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes from a contiguous set of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs). Loss of chromosome 11 material was observed in 37 of 81 cases (46%). The minimally deleted segment comprised YAC 801e11 containing the ATM gene. To further narrow the minimal region of loss, P1-derived artificial chromosomes mapping to the critical region were isolated and used as probes in cases without aberrations detectable with YACs. This allowed the identification of an ATM deletion that was beyond the resolution of YAC probes. The identification of a minimally deleted segment affecting ATM suggests a pathogenic role of ATM as a tumor suppressor gene in MCL.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗

TRK-fused gene (TFG) is a new partner of ALK in anaplastic large cell lymphoma producing two structurally different TFG-ALK translocations.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is associated with the t(2;5)(p23;q35), which generates the NPM-ALK fusion gene encoding an 80-kD protein. Several studies have suggested that genes other than NPM may be fused to the ALK gene. Here we have identified TRK-fused gene (TFG) as a new ALK partner in 2 ALCL, 1 of which exhibited a t(2;3)(p23;q21). In these cases, TFG was involved in 2 different fusion genes, TFG-ALK(S) and TFG-ALK(L), coding respectively 85-kD and 97-kD chimeric proteins. The ALK breakpoint in these translocations was the same as in the classic t(2;5) translocation. These 2 proteins were both active in an in vitro tyrosine kinase assay showing that the new cloned cDNA sequences are translated into chimeric proteins with functional activity. These findings indicate that TFG can provide an alternative to NPM as a fusion partner responsible for activation of the ALK and the pathogenesis of ALCL.

Adult↗

Distribution of adjuvant MF59 and antigen gD2 after intramuscular injection in mice.

MF59, which is an adjuvant approved for human use, typically elicits higher antibody titers than alum when used in combination with a variety of recombinant and natural subunit antigens. The mechanisms responsible for the adjuvant action of MF59 are not fully understood. In particular, little is known about the in vivo distribution of MF59 and of antigen after intramuscular (i.m.) injection. The goal of the present study was to determine the distribution of MF59 injected with soluble antigen gD2 from type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) and to compare the distribution of gD2 injected with or without MF59. At 4 h, 36% of the injected dose of labeled MF59 was in the quadriceps muscle and about 50% was in the inguinal fat surrounding the muscle. Half of the initial amount of labeled MF59 in muscle was detected 42 h after injection. The amount of labeled MF59 in the draining lymph nodes was maximal 2 d after injection, which represented 0.1-0.3% of the injected dose. At 4 h, 12% of the injected dose of labeled gD2 was found in the muscle. The presence of MF59 did not significantly modify the distribution of gD2. The results indicate that MF59 and gD2 distribute and are cleared independently after i.m. injection. Importantly, MF59 is unlikely to have a repository effect, whereby it slowly releases the antigen.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

t(1;2)(q21;p23) and t(2;3)(p23;q21): two novel variant translocations of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) in anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Cytogenetic investigations in two cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) showed novel variants of the classical (2;5)(p23;q35) translocation, namely a t(1;2)(q21;p23) and a t(2;3)(p23;q21). The tumor cells in both cases gave positive immunohistochemical labeling for ALK protein (with both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies), demonstrating that these translocations induce aberrant expression of this kinase and suggesting that genes other than NPM can activate the ALK gene in ALCL. These two cases were shown by an in vitro kinase assay to express ALK kinases (104 kD and 97 kD, respectively), which differed in size from the classical NPM-ALK fusion product (80 kD). Moreover, ALK expression was confined to the cytoplasm of the tumor cells in each case, supporting the hypothesis that the observed nuclear localization of NPM-ALK in classical ALCL is not the site of oncogenic activity of the ALK kinase.

Adolescent↗

Intranasal immunization with recombinant gD2 reduces disease severity and mortality following genital challenge with herpes simplex virus type 2 in guinea pigs.

The ability of a genetically detoxified mutant of heat labile enterotoxin (LTK63) to act as a mucosal adjuvant following intranasal immunization with recombinant gD2 has previously been reported in mice [Ugozzoli M, O'Hagan DT, Ott GS. Intranasal immunization of mice with herpes simplex virus type 2 recombinant gD2: the effect of adjuvants on mucosal and serum antibody responses. Immunol 1998;93:563-571.]. In the current studies, these observations were extended to the guinea pig model. Immunized guinea pigs were subsequently challenged intravaginally with HSV-2. Intranasal immunization with gD2 and LTK63 induced a significant reduction in disease severity and a reduction in mortality. However, only intramuscular immunization with a potent adjuvant (MF59) induced protection against the incidence of disease.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Jumping translocation of 1q as the sole aberration in a case of follicular lymphoma.

Cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies in a case of follicular lymphoma grade III showed a "jumping translocation" of chromosome 1q21-qter to chromosomes Xq28 and 18q23, which resulted in a partial trisomy 1q as the only chromosome aberration. This case represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of a jumping translocation in a malignant lymphoma occurring as the sole aberration.

Chromosome Banding↗

A biological role for deletions in chromosomal band 13q14 in mantle cell and peripheral t-cell lymphomas?

Structural aberrations of chromosomal band 13q14 are frequent in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and target a putative tumor suppressor gene in the genomic region between the RB1 gene and the genetic marker D13S25. Recently, it has been suggested that alterations of this particular region might also be of relevance for the pathogenesis of mantle cell lymphomas (MCL). We applied dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes for the RB1 and/or D13S25 loci and screened a total of 236 B- and T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) for deletions occurring in this genomic region. In MCL, the high rate (12/32; 38%) of hemizygous deletions and especially a deletion pattern similar to B-CLL in four of the cases provide further evidence that a substantial proportion of MCL cases may share a common way of pathogenesis with B-CLL. In other B-cell NHL, the frequency of allelic loss affecting 13q14 was overall low. However, the finding of 13q14 microdeletions in seven cases without detectable alterations of chromosome 13 at G-banding analysis might indicate a possible involvement of this genetic region also for the lymphomagenesis of single cases of B-cell NHL other than B-CLL and MCL. In T-cell NHL, allelic loss at 13q14 was encountered in three of 13 peripheral T-NHL, NOS. Taking into account the very limited cytogenetic data yet available in this entity, our series provides further evidence that 13q14 changes might represent one of the most frequent genetic abnormalities in T-cell NHL.

Chromosome Banding↗

Biochemical detection of novel anaplastic lymphoma kinase proteins in tissue sections of anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

The (2;5) translocation, found in many T-cell and null cell anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs), creates a hybrid gene encoding the 80-kd NPM-ALK protein. Typically neoplastic cells show labeling of both nucleus and cytoplasm for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and for the N-terminus of nucleophosmin (NPM). However, 10-20% of cases exhibit cytoplasmic labeling only for ALK, indicating the probable presence of variants of the classical (2;5) translocation that do not involve the NPM gene. We report the detection (using Western blotting and an in vitro kinase assay) in seven such ALCL cases, of ALK proteins with molecular masses of 85 kd, 97 kd (one case exhibiting a (2;3)(p23;q21) translocation), 104 kd (one case carried a (1;2)(q21;p23) translocation), and 113 kd. Tyrosine kinase activity was detected in four of these proteins, but the N-terminal portion of NPM could not be detected. These results show how ALCL cases that express ALK proteins other than NPM-ALK can be detected by sensitive biochemical techniques using routine cryostat sections.

Animals↗