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Biomedical subjects

G Pohl

Publications and source records attributed to G Pohl.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of the lung resistance protein predicts poor outcome in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

The 110-kD lung resistance protein (LRP) is overexpressed in P-glycoprotein-negative multidrug-resistant cell lines and most likely involved in the multidrug resistance (MDR) of these cell lines. To determine the clinical significance of LRP, we have studied LRP expression of leukemic blasts and its association with clinical outcome in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). LRP expression of leukemic blasts obtained from peripheral blood or bone marrow of previously untreated patients (n = 86) was determined by immunocytochemistry by means of monoclonal antibody LRP-56. LRP expression at diagnosis was detected in 31 (36%) patients. LRP expression was independent of age and sex of the patients, French-American-British subtype, cytogenetic abnormalities, and lactate dehydrogenase levels, but correlated with white blood cell count (P = .01). Eighty-two patients received standard induction chemotherapy that included cytarabine and MDR drugs (daunorubicin in most patients, additional etoposide in the majority of patients). The complete remission rate of induction chemotherapy was 72% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 61% to 82%) for the total study population. The complete remission rate was 81% (95% CI = 67% to 91%) for patients without LRP expression but only 55% (95% CI = 36% to 74%) for patients with LRP expression (P = .01). Overall survival and disease-free survival were estimated according to Kaplan-Meier in 82 and 59 patients, respectively. Overall survival was significantly longer in patients without LRP expression than in patients with LRP expression. At a median follow-up of 16 months, median overall survival was 17 months (95% CI = 12 to 38 months) for LRP-negative patients but only 8 months (95% CI = 4 to 12 months) for -positive patients (P = .006). Disease-free survival was 9 months (95% CI = 7 to 11 months) for LRP-negative patients and 6 months (95% CI = 5 to 8 months) for -positive patients (P = .078). Outcome was best in patients lacking both LRP and P-glycoprotein expression. In conclusion, LRP predicts for poor outcome and thus the LRP gene appears to be another clinically relevant drug resistance gene in AML.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem

Combination of chemotherapy and antiviral therapy for Epstein-Barr virus-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of high grade malignancy in cases of HIV infection.

Two HIV patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B cell lymphoma of high grade malignancy enjoyed prolonged remission after therapy with COPBLAM and the antiviral agent Acyclovir. After 3, respectively 5 cycles of treatment, the patients (stage C3 according to CDC) responded to the administered drugs by achieving complete remission. Under maintenance therapy with Acyclovir for 32, respectively 31 months, both patients still remain free of lymphoma as of today.

Acyclovir

Sendai virus-induced IFN-alpha production analysed by immunocytochemistry and computerized image analysis.

IFN-alpha production in Sendai virus-stimulated human buffy coat cultures could readily be demonstrated in individual cells at a protein level by the use of a novel immuno-enzymatic staining procedure. A distinctive rounded, juxtanuclear staining pattern was generated in producer cells by the accumulation of the intracellularly synthesized IFN-alpha in the Golgi stacks. The technology is based upon acquiring a video image of stained monolayers of cells, viewed in a microscope by a colour camera, which then transfers binary images directly into a computer-controlled operating system. The characteristic appearance of the immunocytochemical staining enabled a computerized image-analysis system to measure IFN-alpha producing cells based on defined criteria set for morphology, intensity, colour and size. The automated system could accurately and reproducibly register a range of 0.1-7.0% of the total cell population as IFN-alpha producing cells during the kinetic studies of the response. Congruent results were obtained with manual microscopy and image analysis concerning the assessment of the incidence of IFN-alpha producing cells in the total cell populations. All IFN-alpha producing cells expressed surface HLA-DR molecules and 95% of these cells belonged to the myelomonocytic lineage. The image analysis system provided, in contrast to conventional microscopy, an opportunity to assess and document differences of signal intensity and cell size of individual IFN-alpha producing as well as non-producing cells.

Cell Size

Binding of tissue plasminogen activator to endothelial cells. The effect on functional properties. Localization of a ligand in the B-chain of tPA.

The binding of 125I-labelled tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), the tPA A- or B-chain to endothelial cells (EC) were studied in suspensions of cultured human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) or immortalized microvascular EC (HMEC). By determinations of the concentration-dependent binding it was shown that both the A-chain and the B-chain, which were isolated after partial reduction of two-chain tPA, contain ligands for binding to EC. The affinity for the B-chain was much higher than for the A-chain according to Scatchard analysis (Kd 24 and 515 nM, respectively), whereas the number of binding sites was higher for the A-chain than for the B-chain (Bmax 8 x 10(5) and 1.2 x 10(5), respectively). There were no cross interactions between the A- and B-chains and their binding sites. The binding of tPA to EC induced an almost 100-fold increase of the activation rate when compared to the same amount of enzyme in free solution, which in contrast to the fibrin-induced stimulation was not inhibited by antibodies against fibrin. The enzymatic activity of the B-chain was much less affected by the association to the cells. Both tPA and the tPA B-chain were largely protected against inhibition by an excess plasminogen activator type-1 (PAI-1) when bound to EC, whereas the same amount of free tPA was totally inactivated. The competition studies strongly indicated that an N-terminal segment in the B-chain, AKHRRSPGER, may be the ligand part of the B-chain. It is interesting to note that this polypeptide segment also participates in a binding site for PAI-1, necessary for effective inhibition. This implies a possible competition between PAI-1 and a tPA-receptor for binding of tPA. High molecular weight urokinase had no quenching effect on the binding of the B-chain to EC.

Amino Acid Sequence

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 interacts exclusively with the proteinase domain of tissue plasminogen activator.

Two different techniques have been used to study the complex formation of recombinant human plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1, PAI-1, with either recombinant human two-chain tissue plasminogen activator, tc tPA (EC 3.4.21.68), or the tPA deletion variants tc K2P, containing the kringle 2 domain and the proteinase domain, and P, containing only the proteinase domain. The same value for Kon, 2.10(7) M-1s-1 for binding of PAI-1 was found for the three tPA forms by direct detection of the complex formation in real time by surface plasmon resonance, BIAcore, or indirectly by monitoring the time course of the inhibition of tPA using the chromogenic substrate N-methylsulfonyl-D-Phe-Gly-Arg-4-pNA-acetate. Apparently, no conformational change is involved in the rate-limiting step, since the kon value was found to be independent of the temperature from 20 to 35 degrees C. By the BIAcore technique, it was found that the complex between PAI-1 and tPA covalently coupled to the surface, was stable at 25 degrees C, since no dissociation was seen in buffer. However, extended treatment with 1 M NH4OH destroyed the complex with t 1/2 = 5 h. The same kon values and complex composition were found by measuring either the binding of tPA to PAI-1 captured on the monoclonal antibody MAI-11 or the binding of PAI-1 to tPA captured on the monoclonal antibody 2:2 B10. Quantification of the complex composition between PAI-1 captured on the monoclonal antibody MAI-11 with either tPA, K2P or P gave a one-to-one ratio with the fraction of active PAI-1, consistent with the results from SDS-PAGE and the specific activity of PAI-1. The complexes of the three tPA forms with PAI-1 captured on a large surface of MAI-11 dissociated more rapidly from MAI-11, with the same apparent koff, kdis, = 2.10(-3) s-1, compared with 0.7-10(-3) s-1 for the dissociation of PAI-1 alone. In consistance, the Kd, calculated from the direct determination of the kon and koff for the association of different form of PAI-1 to a small surface of MAI-11, was found to be higher for PAI-1 in complex with tPA than for free active PAI-1. Apparently, upon complex formation, a change is induced in PAI-1 at the binding epitope for MAI-11.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence

Verification of the Schaltenbrand and Wahren stereotactic atlas.

The Schaltenbrand and Wahren stereotactic atlas was critically re-examined focusing on the technical quality and the consistency of the horizontal, sagittal and frontal microscopic cut series. From each series, both an isotropic contour and a solid volume model represented by a 256 matrix with an edge length of 6.4 cm were created using 3D-interpolation. Reslicing of the solid volumes in corresponding orthogonal planes enabled thorough direct comparison of the three series. In a 3D-navigation system prototype, the contour models can be matched to MRI and CT series. Different procedures for rigid matching including landmark matching were implemented. As regards the verification criteria, the frontal Schaltenbrand and Wahren series yielded the most comprehensible results whereas in the horizontal and sagittal series artifacts appear more pronounced.

Brain Mapping

Plasminogen, absorbed by Escherichia coli expressing curli or by Salmonella enteritidis expressing thin aggregative fimbriae, can be activated by simultaneously captured tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA).

Curli are fimbrial structures expressed by Escherichia coli that specifically interact with matrix proteins such as fibronectin and laminin. Similar structures are also expressed by Salmonella enteritidis and have been denoted thin aggregative fimbriae. Bacteria expressing curli and thin aggregative fimbriae were found to bind radiolabelled plasminogen as well as the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). By contrast, E. coli carrying a gene locus with an insertionally inactivated chromosomal curlin subunit were unable to bind the two human proteins. The purified subunit polypeptides of curli and thin aggregative fimbriae bound plasminogen and t-PA with high affinity (1 x 10(8) to 2 x 10(8) M-1). The binding of plasminogen and t-PA to curli-expressing E. coli was only partially inhibited by fibronectin and laminin. Plasminogen absorbed from human plasma by curli-expressing E. coli was readily converted to plasmin by t-PA; both plasmin and t-PA were functionally active when bound to the bacteria. A simultaneous binding of fibrinolytic proteins and matrix proteins to fimbriae of E. coli and S. enteritidis could provide these pathogens with both adhesive and invasive properties.

Adsorption

A bleeding model in rabbits demonstrate fresh clot selectivity for a genetically engineered variant of tissue-type plasminogen activator and for streptokinase.

The way in which three thrombolytic agents, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), streptokinase (SK) and a genetically engineered variant of t-PA composed of the second kringle and the protease domain (K2P), cause the dissolution of haemostatic plugs of differing ages was investigated in a novel rabbit model. Standardized incisions were made on the rabbit ear and the wounds were left to heal for 0.5 h or 24 h, before the thrombolytic agents were infused. In the absence of heparin, t-PA showed little discrimination between clots of different ages (36% and 28% lysis of the 0.5 h and 24 h wounds, respectively). In contrast, K2P and SK showed a pronounced fresh clot selectivity since they were significantly more effective in lysing fresh clots than old ones (68% and 4% lysis for K2P and 72% and 36% for SK, respectively). In the presence of heparin the potency of t-PA on fresh clots was considerably increased whilst the effect on old clots was not affected, a fresh clot selectivity for t-PA (64% lysis of fresh clots, 24% lysis of old clots) was thus effected. Heparin did not significantly affect the fresh clot selectivity of K2P or SK, although lysis of old clots was increased (from 4% to 36%) when it was given together with K2P. Furthermore, heparin did not affect the time to onset of bleeding nor was the bleeding time prolonged by its addition. The bleeding time observed for t-PA (20-25 min) was markedly shorter than that found for K2P or SK (40-50 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Binding of tissue plasminogen activator to human endothelial cells. Importance of the B-chain as a ligand.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the binding of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to cultured endothelial cells and to characterize binding structures present in the cultures. Studies on the binding of 125I-tPA to cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical-cord veins (HUVEC) indicated that the number of sites for specific binding of tPA is 8 x 10(5) per cell. Treatment with an excess of antibodies against plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) caused an 80% decrease in the binding, leaving about 1.6 x 10(5) unoccupied binding sites per cell, which appeared to be different from PAI-1. About 1.9 x 10(5) binding sites/cell for tPA were found on the surface of HUVEC that had been detached from the matrix. This indicates that only minor amounts of PAI-1 occur on the surface of the cells. In addition, immunocytochemical analysis showed that PAI-1 antigen is present almost exclusively in the cytoplasm but was not observed on the surface of the cells, whereas tPA antigen is abundant on the plasma membrane of tPA-treated cells as well as intracellularly. Competition studies using unlabelled compounds showed that native tPA and tPA B-chain (the proteinase domain), as well as the inactive derivatives, B-chain inactivated with D-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethane and tPA-PAI-1 complex, caused a considerable quenching of the binding of 125I-tPA to HUVEC, whereas the isolated A-chain had no demonstrable effect. Two components (apparent molecular masses 38 kDa and 56 kDa) reacting with tPA but lacking PAI-1 antigen determinants were identified. Thus the data suggest that tPA binds to HUVEC by two principally different mechanisms. One is mediated by PAI-1, which binds and inactivates tPA with a functional active site. The other binding is achieved by components which react with sites on the activator molecule other than structures of the A-chain or the active site.

Cell Membrane

An evaluation of different enzymatic cleavage methods for recombinant fusion proteins, applied on des(1-3)insulin-like growth factor I.

Different enzymatic methods for cleavage of recombinant fusion proteins were compared. To find an efficient cleavage method, five different fusion proteins were produced. The fusion proteins differed only in the linker region between the fusion partner and the desired product, human des(1-3)insulin-like growth factor I. A cleavage study was performed with enterokinase, plasmin, thrombin, urokinase, and recombinant H64A subtilisin. Significant cleavage was obtained using thrombin, H64A subtilisin, and enterokinase. Thrombin cleavage was studied on a larger scale and des(1-3)IGF-I was recovered at a final yield of 3 mg/L growth medium. Thrombin and enterokinase were also studied as immobilized proteases and they cleaved the fusion proteins with retained activity. To further improve thrombin cleavage, a continuous reactor was constructed, consisting of a closed system with a thrombin column and an ion exchange column in series. Here, the fusion protein circulated while free des(1-3)IGF-I was bound to the ion exchange column after release from the fusion protein. In the reactor, thrombin was as efficient as the free enzyme but gave a diminished rate of product degradation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Synthesis and secretion of a fibrinolytically active tissue-type plasminogen activator variant in Escherichia coli.

A gene encoding a variant (lacking amino acids 6-173) of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), consisting only of the second kringle domain (K2) and the serine protease domain (P), was fused to a DNA segment coding for the signal peptide of staphylococcal protein A and a synthetic gene coding for a protein with ability to bind immunoglobulin G (IgG). The fusion protein which was synthesized in Escherichia coli and secreted into the growth medium, was found to be fibrinolytically active. Purification of the fusion protein was performed in a single step by affinity chromatography with immobilized IgG. Enzymatically active K2P was liberated from the fusion protein by cleavage at a unique Asn-Gly dipeptide sequence using hydroxylamine. These results demonstrate that a variant of human t-PA can be synthesized and secreted by E. coli as a fibrinolytically active fusion protein, which upon specific cleavage yields an active variant t-PA of the expected size.

Amino Acid Sequence

Synergism between tissue-type plasminogen activator and a genetically engineered variant lacking the finger domain, the growth factor domain and the first kringle domain.

A modified variant of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) lacking the finger domain (F), the growth factor domain (G) and the first kringle domain (K1), has an extended plasma half-life in vivo, compared to that of t-PA. When the variant (denoted K2P) was tested in vitro for its ability to lyse human plasma clots we found that the activity was characterized by a time lag phase and a sigmoidal dose-response curve. However, an attenuation of the lag phase in vitro was observed both when K2P was mixed with t-PA in a w/w ratio of 4:1 and when K2P was allowed to lyse a clot that had been pre-exposed to t-PA i.e. submitted to a limited plasmic digestion. Dosis that in vitro caused 50% lysis within 6 h were calculated from individual dose-response curves and were for K2P, t-PA and K2P/t-PA (4:1 w/w) 540 ng/ml, 360 ng/ml and 310 ng/ml, respectively. These results indicated a synergistic effect between K2P and t-PA. However, the data from individual dose-response curves showed that the effect of the K2P/t-PA mixture never was better than that of t-PA alone, and the synergistic effect in vitro is therefore considered to be of limited use. The thrombolytic activity in vivo was evaluated in a rabbit jugular vein thrombus model. Despite the lag phase observed in vitro, K2P was approximately 3 times as effective as t-PA in vivo (bolus injection). The thrombolytic effect of K2P was further potentiated when it was administered together with a small amount of t-PA (4:1 w/w).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence

Production of human tissue-type plasminogen activator in different mammalian cell lines using an Epstein-Barr virus vector.

Human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) cDNA inserted into an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) derived expression vector was transfected into human HeLa, 293, K-562 and hamster CHO-K1 cells and the expression of t-PA was studied. The best t-PA producing cell clones were found among CHO-K1 cells (up to 11 micrograms d-1 per 10(6) cells). However, HeLa and 293 cells were most efficiently transfected, e.g. about 70% of the selected cell clones were t-PA positive. The vector DNA copy numbers correlated with the mRNA levels and the protein levels for all cell lines analysed, with the exception for the K-562 cell line, where the production of t-PA was very low. The results obtained indicated that the highest expression levels were achieved in low density cultures.

Animals

Pharmacokinetics and coronary thrombolytic properties of two human tissue-type plasminogen activator variants lacking the finger-like, growth factor-like, and first kringle domains (amino acids 6-173) in a canine model.

The pharmacokinetics and thrombolytic properties of two variants of recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) were studied in dogs with a copper coil induced thrombosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The first variant, rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184, lacked amino acids 6 to 173 [comprising the fibronectin finger-like (F), the epidermal growth factor-like (E), and the first kringle (K1) domains] and had the glycosylated Asn184 mutagenized to Gln. The second variant, rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184, Val277, had in addition Lys277 mutagenized to Val. Injection of 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 mg/kg of rt-PA in groups of three dogs caused reflow in six of nine dogs, within 18 +/- 15 min (mean +/- SD), but was associated with reocclusion within 2 h in all animals. Injection of 0.125, 0.25, or 0.50 mg/kg of rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184 caused reflow in all of nine dogs, within 17 +/- 23 min, with persistent patency in four animals (p = 0.02 vs. rt-PA). Bolus injection of 4:1 mixtures of rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184 and rt-PA in total amounts of 0.125, 0.25, or 0.50 mg/kg resulted in reflow in eight of nine dogs within 25 +/- 21 min with persistent patency in seven (p = 0.003 vs. rt-PA, p = 0.25 vs. rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184 alone). Injection of 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 mg/kg of rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184, Val277 produced reperfusion in six of nine dogs, within 27 +/- 26 min, with persistent patency in three (p = 0.59 vs. rt-PA and p = 0.23 vs. rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence

[Mammaplasty. A component of the combined therapy program in the treatment of malignant breast diseases].

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is a part of programme in rehabilitation. The type of reconstruction is determined by the local defect. 1. The advanced skin technique with or without skin expander and silicone breast implant is in this time the most used procedure. 2. If needed skin the thoracoepigastric flap is used. 3. If additional skin and muscular cover is needed, the latissimus dorsi flap, lower m. rectus abdominis flap, the upper m. rectus abdominis flap are used or free flap.

Breast

[The effect of hand-reduction interventions on hand function].

The indication of finger- and transmetacarpal amputation cannot be standardized. Some diagrams can give orientation. The procedure to be used has to be determined from case to case dependent on age, profession, intelligence and readiness to postoperative cooperation. Operations with transmetacarpal amputation have not satisfactory results in function of the hand.

Adult

[Mammographic findings following reduction mammaplasty].

Clinical and mammographic follow-up checks were made on 64 women with a record of breast reduction surgery. Mammographic changes, such as thickened skin, distortion of nipples as well as thickening and dislocation of parenchymal tissue, can be relatively easily differentiated from malignant changes, primarily in cases in which such changes are symmetrical and in which case histories and earlier clinical findings are known. Bilateral calcifications in most cases are caused by calcified fat necrosis.

Adolescent