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Hannu Kalimo

Publications and source records attributed to Hannu Kalimo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetically distinct astrocytic and oligodendroglial components in oligoastrocytomas.

Oligoastrocytomas are glial tumours consisting of a mixture of neoplastic astrocytic and oligodendroglial cells. Genetic alterations of oligoastrocytomas include loss of heterozygosity of chromosomes 1p and/or 19q (LOH 1p/19q), typically occurring in oligodendrogliomas, and mutations of TP53, frequently occurring in astrocytomas. To investigate whether these neoplastic cell types in oligoastrocytomas have different genetic profiles, we examined the two different components of oligoastrocytomas in comparison with the histological diagnosis of the specific tumour area for LOH 1p/19q and TP53 mutations by using microdissection technique. We found a variety of lost markers for 1p and 19q, and the presence of two different TP53 mutations in the tumour samples. In the majority of cases (9/11), the oligodendroglial and astrocytic components of an individual oligoastrocytoma displayed the same genotype. We present two cases of biphasic oligoastrocytomas with aberrant findings, suggesting the coexistence of genetically and morphologically distinct tumour cell clones in these tumours. In one case, the oligodendroglial part of the tumour showed LOH19q, whereas the astrocytic part showed TP53 mutation (codon 273). In another case, we found LOH 1p/19q in the oligodendroglial component, but two retained areas on chromosome 1p in the astrocytic component of the tumour. No evidence was found for the coexistence of tumour cells with the two genotypical changes within the same morphological region of one individual tumour. The two cases of biphasic oligoastrocytomas in our sample that display a different genotype in the astrocytic and oligodendroglial part of the tumour show that different components of an oligoastrocytoma may be derived from different cell clones during neoplastic transformation.

Adult↗

Arterioles of the lenticular nucleus in CADASIL.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) the arteriopathy leads to recurrent infarcts in cerebral white matter (WM) and deep gray matter (GM), whereas cortex is spared. To assess the pathogenesis of deep GM infarcts, we analyzed structural changes in arterioles of the lenticular nucleus (LN) in 6 CADASIL patients. METHODS: Five elderly and one 32-year-old deceased CADASIL patients were studied. Seven elderly and 4 young deceased persons without cerebrovascular diseases served as controls. In addition to immunohistochemical analysis the external and luminal diameters of arterioles in the LN, cerebral cortex and WM were measured. The thickness of arteriolar wall and sclerotic index were calculated. RESULTS: In CADASIL patients, LN arterioles were immunoreactive for the extracellular domain of Notch3 and collagen I, whereas alpha-smooth muscle actin staining was irregular or negative. No major leakage of plasma fibrinogen or fibronectin was observed. Although in patients the walls of LN arterioles were significantly thicker than in controls, definite stenosis was not observed. Arteriolar lumina in the LN were not only significantly larger than in the WM, where most lacunar infarcts in CADASIL occur, but also larger than in cortical GM, where infarcts virtually never exist. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrotic thickening of the arteriolar walls without consequent stenosis occurs in the LN of CADASIL patients. The pathogenesis of lacunar infarcts in the WM and LN seem to be different, stenosis in the former and probably hemodynamic disturbances in the latter.

Adult↗

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation and mutation rate in patients with CADASIL.

Mutations in the NOTCH3 gene cause cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), which is clinically characterised by recurrent ischemic strokes, migraine with aura, psychiatric symptoms, cognitive decline and dementia. We have previously described a patient with CADASIL caused by a R133C mutation in the NOTCH3 gene and with a concomitant myopathy caused by a 5650G>A mutation in the MTTA gene in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We assume that the co-occurrence of the two mutations is not coincidental and that mutations in the NOTCH3 gene may predispose the mtDNA to mutations. We therefore examined the nucleotide variation in the mtDNA coding region sequences in 20 CADASIL pedigrees with 77 affected patients by conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis and sequencing. The sequence variation in mtDNA was then compared with that among 192 healthy Finns. A total of 180 mtDNA coding region sequence differences were found relative to the revised Cambridge reference sequence, including five novel synonymous substitutions, two novel nonsynonymous substitutions and one novel tRNA substitution. We found that maternal relatives in two pedigrees differed from each other in their mtDNA. Furthermore, the average number of pairwise differences in sequences from the 41 unrelated maternal lineages with CADASIL was higher than that expected among haplogroup-matched controls. The numbers of polymorphic sites and polymorphisms that were present in only one sequence were also higher among the CADASIL sequences than among the control sequences. Our results show that mtDNA sequence variation is increased within CADASIL pedigrees. These findings suggest a relationship between NOTCH3 and mtDNA.

Adult↗

Inhaled nitric oxide treatment inhibits neuronal injury after meconium aspiration in piglets.

BACKGROUND: Meconium aspiration-induced hypertensive lung injury is frequently associated with neuronal damage. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is widely used in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, but its effects on the brain are poorly known. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of iNO treatment on the neuronal tissue after meconium aspiration. STUDY DESIGN: 71 anesthetized, catheterized and ventilated newborn piglets were studied for 6 h. Thirty-five piglets were instilled with a bolus of human meconium intratracheally and 36 piglets with saline instillation served as controls. Nineteen meconium piglets and 17 control piglets were continuously treated with 20 ppm of iNO, started at 30 min after the insult. The extent of neuronal injury was analysed histologically, and the levels of brain tissue lipid peroxidation products, reduced glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase activity and oxidized DNA were analysed as indicators of oxidative stress. RESULTS: iNO treatment diminished the pulmonary hypertensive response caused by meconium aspiration, but did not change systemic or carotid hemodynamics. NO administration was associated with reduced neuronal injury and diminished amount of oxidized DNA in the hippocampus of the meconium piglets. Further, iNO treatment was associated with decreased level of GSH in the cortex, but no change in lipid peroxidation production or myeloperoxidase activity was detected in any of the studied brain areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that iNO treatment may inhibit DNA oxidation and neuronal injury in the hippocampus, associated with newborn meconium aspiration.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Antioxidant enzymes in oligodendroglial brain tumors: association with proliferation, apoptotic activity and survival.

Purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between antioxidant enzyme expression and clinicopathological features in oligodendroglial tumors. The expression of antioxidant enzymes and related proteins (AOEs), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), thioredoxin (Trx), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and gammaglutamylcysteine synthetase catalytic and regulatory subunits (GLCL-C and GLCL-R), was studied in 85 oligodendroglial tumors. The material included 71 primary (43 grade II and 28 grade III) and 14 recurrent (6 grade II and 8 grade III) tumors. Fifty-seven cases were pure oligodendrogliomas and 28 were mixed oligoastrocytomas. Immunoreactivity for MnSOD was found in 89%, Trx in 29%, TrxR in 76%, GLCL-C in 70% and GLCL-R in 68% of cases. Increased Trx expression was associated with higher tumor grade, cell proliferation and apoptosis (P=0.006, P=0.001 and P=0.003, Mann-Whitney test). Pure oligodendrogliomas showed more intense staining than oligoastrocytomas, especially for MnSOD (P=0.002, Mann-Whitney test). In the total series Trx was associated with poor prognosis in univariate survival analysis (P=0.0343, log-rank test) and furthermore in Cox multivariate analysis (P=0.009) along with age (P=0.002). The results suggest that the expression of Trx has a correlation to patient outcome and that there may be some association between AOEs, like MnSOD and Trx, and clinicopathological features of oligodendrogliomas.

Antioxidants↗

Ophthalmologic findings in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ophthalmologic findings, especially the nature of retinal vascular changes, and their clinical significance in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), a disease that causes migraine, recurrent strokes, and finally subcortical vascular dementia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight CADASIL patients (19 to 61 years old; 20 in a prestroke group, 15 in a stroke group, and 3 in a dementia group), all with the R133C NOTCH3 mutation and including one homozygous patient, underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination. METHODS: Common cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Ophthalmologic examination included best-corrected visual acuity, anterior- and posterior-segment biomicroscopy, and measurement of intraocular pressure. In 33 patients and 16 healthy controls (20-64 years old), retinal fundus photographs were taken. Diameters of all arterioles and venules located in the area from 0.5 to 1.0 disc diameters from the optic disc margin were measured with a computer-based program and arteriole-to-venule (A/V) ratios were calculated from digitized photographs. RESULTS: General arterial narrowing and arteriovenous nickings were common. Straightening of the retinal arterioles and a marked wall reflex (n = 6) occurred. The A/V ratio of CADASIL patients was significantly (P< 0.001) lower than that of controls. One patient had one retinal microinfarct and hemorrhages. The homozygous patient had a chorioretinal scar as a sign of circulatory deficiency. Anterior-segment changes included mild iris atrophy (n = 5) and various degrees of lens opacities. Visual acuity was normal in all but 2 patients, who had cataract and amblyopia. CONCLUSIONS: The generalized arteriopathy of CADASIL causes a wide variety of changes in retinal arterioles but only minimal functional disturbances. These findings are consistent with alterations in arterioles in the cerebral cortex with which the retina and its arterioles are analogous, but contrast with the severe damage of cerebral white matter arterioles.

Adult↗

[Not Available].

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Journal Article↗

The gene disrupted in Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome encodes SIL1, an HSPA5 cochaperone.

We identified the gene underlying Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome, which is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, progressive myopathy and cataracts. We identified four disease-associated, predicted loss-of-function mutations in SIL1, which encodes a nucleotide exchange factor for the heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) chaperone HSPA5. These data, together with the similar spatial and temporal patterns of tissue expression of Sil1 and Hspa5, suggest that disturbed SIL1-HSPA5 interaction and protein folding is the primary pathology in Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP↗

The Arctic Alzheimer mutation facilitates early intraneuronal Abeta aggregation and senile plaque formation in transgenic mice.

The Arctic mutation (APP E693G) is unique, since it is located within the amyloid-beta (Abeta) sequence and leads to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Arctic Abeta peptides more easily form Abeta protofibrils in vitro, but little is known about the pathogenic mechanism of the Arctic mutation in vivo. Here, we analyzed APP transgenic mice with both the Swedish and Arctic mutations (tg-APPArcSwe) and transgenic mice with the Swedish mutation alone (tg-APPSwe). Intense intraneuronal Abeta-immunoreactive staining was present in young tg-APPArcSwe mice, but not in tg-APPSwe mice. Intracellular Abeta aggregates in tg-APPArcSwe were strongly stained by antibodies recognizing the N-terminus of Abeta, while those recognizing the C-terminus of Abeta stained weakly. The Abeta aggregates inside neurons increased with age and predated extracellular Abeta deposition in both tg-APPArcSwe and tg-APPSwe mice. Senile plaque deposition was markedly accelerated in tg-APPArcSwe mice, as compared to tg-APPSwe mice. We conclude that the Arctic mutation causes AD by facilitating amyloidosis through early accumulation of intracellular Abeta aggregates in association with a rapid onset of senile plaque deposition.

Aging↗

Mice carrying a R142C Notch 3 knock-in mutation do not develop a CADASIL-like phenotype.

CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy, MIM 125310) is a genetic vascular dementia disease that is linked to missense mutations, small in-frame deletions, and splice site mutations in the human Notch 3 gene. Here we describe the generation of a mouse knockin model for one of the most prevalent CADASIL mutations, an arginine to cysteine transition at position 141, R141C, which corresponds to mutation R142C in mouse NOTCH 3. CADASIL(R142C) mice show no apparent CADASIL-like phenotype after histological and MRI analysis. The NOTCH 3 (R142C) receptor is processed normally and does not appear to accumulate the ectodomain, which has been observed in CADASIL patients. We discuss possible reasons for the different outcomes of the same germline CADASIL mutation in mice and humans.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Chromogenic in situ hybridization-detected hotspot MYCN amplification associates with Ki-67 expression and inversely with nestin expression in neuroblastomas.

Since neuroblastomas are intratumorally heterogeneous, the analysis of genetic and biologic features of randomly selected tumor specimen spots may lead to erroneous conclusions. Our purpose was therefore to construct an easily assessable and strictly defined strategy to unify the detection of various molecular markers in paraffin-embedded neuroblastoma samples. We selected tumor specimen spots of highest proliferation activity, that is, hotspots, for the analysis of MYCN amplification status and proliferation-associated molecular markers, such as nestin, which role in neuroblastoma specimens was evaluated for the first time. Using a chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) technique, we showed that patients with a MYCN copy number higher than six in anti-Ki-67-detected hotspots have significantly worse overall survival prognosis than patients with low MYCN copy numbers (P = 0.0006). The chosen cutoff value of six was shown to dichotomize MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas at least as specifically as Southern blot hybridization, in which amplification was defined by a copy number of > or = 10. Interestingly, we also detected without difficulty MYCN-amplified neuroblastic cells in bone marrow samples using the CISH technique. The proliferation activity, assessed with an anti-Ki-67-based proliferation index, was significantly higher in MYCN-amplified than in nonamplified hotspots. The proliferation indices of the hotspots had also a significant correlation with the prognosis (International Classification) and histological type, whereas the proliferation accelerator Id2 did not associate with any of the mentioned parameters. The expression of nestin associated inversely with MYCN amplification (P = 0.018), which challenges a previously suggested role of nestin in neuroblastomas. In summary, hotspot focusing provides a means of analyzing proliferation-associated markers in neuroblastomas, and together with the CISH detection of the MYCN copy number enables an easy and reliable examination of MYCN status in neuroblastomas.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Tissue tropism of recombinant coxsackieviruses in an adult mouse model.

Recombinant viruses, constructed by exchanging the 5' non-coding region (5'NCR), structural and non-structural protein coding sequences were used to investigate determinants responsible for differences between coxsackievirus A9 (CAV9) and coxsackievirus B3 (CBV3) infections in adult mice and two cell lines. Plaque assay titration of recombinant and parental viruses from different tissues from adult BALB/c mice demonstrated that the structural region of CBV3 determined tropism to the liver tissue due to receptor recognition, and the 5'NCR of CBV3 enhanced viral multiplication in the mouse pancreas. Infection with a chimeric virus, containing the structural region from CBV3 and the rest of the genome from CAV9, and the parental CBV3 strain, caused high levels of viraemia in adult mice. The ability of these viruses to infect the central nervous system suggested that neurotropism is associated with high replication levels and the presence of the CBV3 capsid proteins, which also enhanced formation of neutralizing antibodies. Moreover, the appearance of neutralizing antibodies correlated directly with the clearance of the viruses from the tissues. These results demonstrate potential pathogenicity of intraspecies recombinant coxsackieviruses, and the complexity of the genetic determinants underlying tissue tropism.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Meconium aspiration induces neuronal injury in piglets.

AIM: Meconium aspiration-induced hypertensive lung injury, especially when connected with perinatal asphyxia, has been associated with brain damage. We aimed to determine the neuronal injury induced by pulmonary meconium contamination alone and with concurrent asphyxia. METHODS: 36 anaesthetized and ventilated newborn piglets were haemodynamically monitored for 6 h. Seven piglets without concurrent asphyxia and seven piglets with asphyxia were instilled with a bolus of human meconium intratracheally. Seven piglets had only asphyxia and 15 piglets served as controls. The brains were studied histologically. RESULTS: Meconium aspiration did not change systemic haemodynamics acutely, while its combination with asphyxia diminished the abrupt postasphyxic systemic hypertensive peak and resulted in a transient increase in carotid artery flow, not seen after isolated asphyxia. Systemic pressure declined after 4 h in all insulted groups, but only isolated asphyxia was associated with a sustained decrease in carotid artery flow. Arterial oxygenation remained normal, except during the acute insults. Brain examination after meconium instillation indicated neuronal injury, especially in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Asphyxia resulted in neuronal injury in the cortical, cerebellar and hippocampal hilus regions. CONCLUSION: Severe meconium aspiration itself may result in hippocampal neuronal injury.

Animals↗

Muscle injuries: biology and treatment.

Muscle injuries are one of the most common traumas occurring in sports. Despite their clinical importance, few clinical studies exist on the treatment of these traumas. Thus, the current treatment principles of muscle injuries have either been derived from experimental studies or been tested only empirically. Although nonoperative treatment results in good functional outcomes in the majority of athletes with muscle injuries, the consequences of failed treatment can be very dramatic, possibly postponing an athlete's return to sports for weeks or even months. Moreover, the recognition of some basic principles of skeletal muscle regeneration and healing processes can considerably help in both avoiding the imminent dangers and accelerating the return to competition. Accordingly, in this review, the authors have summarized the prevailing understanding on the biology of muscle regeneration. Furthermore, they have reviewed the existing data on the different treatment modalities (such as medication, therapeutic ultrasound, physical therapy) thought to influence the healing of injured skeletal muscle. In the end, they extend these findings to clinical practice in an attempt to propose an evidence-based approach for the diagnosis and optimal treatment of skeletal muscle injuries.

Athletic Injuries↗

Neuropathological examination in forensic context.

Different diseases of and trauma to the central nervous system (CNS), as well as their consequences are common causes of death and therefore it is important to examine the CNS appropriately in forensic autopsy, bearing in mind that the site of the disease is often as crucial as its nature. The CNS is a complex organ and its examination requires special methods and knowledge and often consultation with a neuropathologist. The prerequisite for the proper examination is correct handling and processing of the CNS. Because of its soft consistency fixation of the CNS in toto before detailed macroscopic analysis is recommended but guidance for an expedited limited examination is also given. The key features to which attention should be paid during the removal and later macroscopic examination of the CNS are described. Processing CNS for microscopy also requires special techniques and in addition to the routine stains both special histological and selected immunohistochemical stainings are often needed to reach the correct diagnosis.

Antibodies↗

Scanning laser Doppler flowmetry shows reduced retinal capillary blood flow in CADASIL.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a progressive systemic nonatherosclerotic angiopathy which causes ischemic strokes and vascular subcortical dementia. A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the retinal vascular caliber and blood flow in CADASIL. METHODS: Scanning laser Doppler flowmetry was used in a case-control study (11 patients and controls) of peripapillary retinal circulation. Automated full-field perfusion image analysis was used to analyze the flow data. Retinal vessel calibers were measured from retinal images acquired with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. The caliber of the superior and inferior temporal retinal artery and vein were measured 1 and 2 mm from the disc rim, and the mean values were used for analysis. RESULTS: Retinal capillary peak systolic flow (mean, 249 versus 311 arbitrary unit [AU]; P=0.072) was lower, and mean capillary flow (mean, 184 versus 224 AU; P=0.12) and minimum diastolic flow (mean, 105 versus 132 AU; P=0.16) tended to be lower in patients than in controls. No significant difference in the calibers of proximal retinal arteries (mean, 104 versus 108 microm) and veins (mean, 150 versus 145 microm) was found between the patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal capillary blood flow is mild to moderately reduced in CADASIL but that does not appear to cause major ischemic injury. Such reduction is analogous to that in the cerebral cortex in CADASIL patients with which retina appears to share its relative sparing from severe arterial ischemic tissue damage.

Adult↗

Insidious cognitive decline in CADASIL.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) causes repeated ischemic attacks leading to subcortical vascular dementia. The aim of this study was to characterize cognitive function in subjects with a C475T (R133C) mutation in the Notch3 gene, leading to CADASIL. METHODS: Prestroke (n=13) and poststroke (n=13) mutation carriers and mutation carriers with dementia (n=8) were compared with healthy noncarriers from the same families using a comprehensive set of neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: Changes in working memory and executive function were observed in the very early phase of the disease before transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. Later, in the poststroke phase, the cognitive impairment concerned also mental speed and visuospatial ability. Finally, the subjects with dementia had multiple cognitive deficits, which engaged even verbal functions, verbal episodic memory, and motor speed. The 2 mutation carrier groups without dementia and the controls could be reliably distinguished using 3 tests that assessed working memory/attention, executive function, and mental speed. Episodic memory was relatively well-preserved late in the disease. CONCLUSIONS: A deterioration of working memory and executive function was already observed in the prestroke phase, which means that cognitive decline may start insidiously before the first onset of symptomatic ischemic episodes.

Adult↗