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Biomedical subjects

J E Groopman

Publications and source records attributed to J E Groopman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cytokine production by primary bone marrow megakaryocytes.

Primary human bone marrow megakaryocytes were studied for their ability to express and release cytokines potentially relevant to their proliferation and/or differentiation. The purity of the bone marrow megakaryocytes was assessed by morphologic and immunocytochemical criteria. Unstimulated marrow megakaryocytes constitutively expressed genes for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Northern blot analysis. At the protein level, megakaryocytes secreted significant amounts of IL-1 beta (53.6 +/- 3.6 pg/mL), IL-6 (57.6 +/- 15.6 pg/mL), and GM-CSF (24 +/- 4 pg/mL) but not TNF-alpha. Exposure of human marrow megakaryocytes to IL-1 beta increased the levels of IL-6 (87.3 +/- 2.3 pg/mL) detected in the culture supernatants. Transforming growth factor-beta was also able to stimulate IL-6, IL-1 beta, and GM-CSF secretion, but was less potent than stimulation with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). The secreted cytokines acted additively to maintain and increase the number of colony-forming unit-megakaryocytes colonies (approximately 35%). These studies demonstrate the production of multiple cytokines by isolated human bone marrow megakaryocytes constitutively or stimulated in vitro. The capacity of human megakaryocytes to synthesize several cytokines known to modulate hematopoietic cells supports the concept that there may be an autocrine mechanism operative in the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.

Bone Marrow↗

Thrombopoiesis. Capturing the unicorn.

The elusive factor that stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets has at last been found; as well as its physiological interest, this factor--thrombopoietin--may be of considerable therapeutic importance.

Animals↗

Targeting of human immunodeficiency virus-infected cells by CD8+ T lymphocytes armed with universal T-cell receptors.

We have developed an immunotherapeutic approach with potential application in the treatment of viral and malignant disease. We show that primary CD8+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood can be genetically modified by retroviral transduction to express high levels of universal (major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted) chimeric T-cell receptors specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens. Two classes of HIV-specific URs in which the antigen-binding domain is comprised of either CD4 or a single-chain antibody are capable of activating a number of T-cell effector functions in response to target cells, including cytolysis, in a highly sensitive and specific manner. Importantly, we have addressed a number of issues which, although particularly relevant to the clinical application of this approach in the treatment of HIV infection, may also impact on the potential of UR immunotherapy for other disease targets. The UR immunotherapeutic system is particularly suited for evaluation in the clinical setting.

Animals↗

Human kit ligand (stem cell factor) modulates platelet activation in vitro.

The human stem cell factor (SCF), also termed c-Kit ligand (KL), is a hematopoietic growth factor produced by mesenchymal cells that induces proliferation of bone marrow progenitor cells, megakaryocytes, and mast cells via interaction with c-Kit, its cognate receptor. Expression of the c-kit gene was identified in human platelets by the polymerase chain reaction technique. The presence of the c-Kit receptor was demonstrated by the specific binding of 125I-KL/SCF to ADP-stimulated platelets. The identity of the c-Kit protein was confirmed by immunoreactivity with an anti-c-Kit-specific antibody and by its characterization as a phosphotyrosine-containing protein. Under constitutive conditions, c-Kit was found to be tyrosine-phosphorylated and was associated with a 85-kDa phosphoprotein that could be a fragment of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These data indicate the presence of a new platelet surface molecule that could function in platelet activation. We demonstrate that the secondary wave of platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion induced by epinephrine and ADP, but not by the thromboxane analog U46619, was augmented by KL/SCF. The effect of KL/SCF on epinephrine/ADP-induced platelet activation appeared to be mediated in part through the thromboxane pathway. These data suggest that KL/SCF could modulate hemostasis via interaction with platelets, particularly in conditions where mesenchymal cells are exposed to circulating blood elements, such as in wound healing or atherosclerosis.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Cloning and characterization of HTK, a novel transmembrane tyrosine kinase of the EPH subfamily.

Using a polymerase chain reaction based strategy, we identified a novel transmembrane tyrosine kinase in CD34+ human bone marrow cells and a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep3B. This protein, hepatoma transmembrane kinase or Htk, shares amino acid similarity with the EPH subfamily of tyrosine kinases. The HTK gene is located on human chromosome 7. The predicted 987-amino acid sequence of Htk includes a transmembrane region and signal sequence. In the predicted extracellular domain, a cysteine-rich region and tandem fibronectin type III repeats are present while a single uninterrupted catalytic domain is present in the intracellular domain. These features are consistent with other members of the Eph subfamily. Antibodies raised against Htk extracellular domain immunoprecipitated a 120-kDa protein from either in vitro translated HTK or Hep3B cells which localized primarily to the Hep3B membrane subcellular fraction. Purified in vitro translated Htk was enzymatically active and autophosphorylated on tyrosine in kinase assays. Furthermore, antibodies against Htk ECD were agonistic, inducing Htk tyrosine phosphorylation in transfected NIH3T3 cells. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a single HTK transcript abundantly present in placenta and in a range of primary tissues and malignant cell lines. HTK appears to be expressed in fetal but not adult brain and in primitive and myeloid but not lymphoid hematopoietic cells. The novel transmembrane protein, Htk, may function as a receptor with an expression pattern suggesting a role in events mediating differentiation and development.

3T3 Cells↗

Modulation of megakaryocytopoiesis by human basic fibroblast growth factor.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) may act to modulate hematopoiesis in addition to its effects on mesenchymal cells. We studied the effects of bFGF on human and murine primary marrow megakaryocytes. bFGF modestly enhanced the size of the human megakaryocyte colony-forming unit (CFU-MK) and cell numbers per colony, in combination with interleukin-3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Adhesion of human megakaryocytes to bone marrow (BM) stromal fibroblasts was enhanced when either stromal fibroblasts or megakaryocytes were treated with bFGF. This resulted in significantly increased proliferation of megakaryocytes. In addition, bFGF augmented secretion of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 by human primary BM megakaryocytes. Immature murine megakaryocytes showed a significant growth response to bFGF as measured by the single cell growth assay. This effect was abrogated by specific antibodies for bFGF and combination of anti-IL-6 and anti-IL-1 beta antibodies. bFGF has no effect on murine CFU-MK formation, but significantly potentiated CFU-MK formation in the presence of IL-3 or GM-CSF. These results indicate that the effect of bFGF on various megakaryocyte populations is different and that bFGF may affect megakaryocytopoiesis via modulation of megakaryocyte-stromal interactions and via augmentation of cytokine secretion from megakaryocytes.

Animals↗

Identification and characterization of a novel tyrosine kinase from megakaryocytes.

Protein-tyrosine kinases play pivotal roles in cell signal transduction. We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel human intracytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, termed matk (megakaryocyte-associated tyrosine kinase). Expression of matk mRNA was predominantly found in cells of megakaryocytic lineage. The matk cDNA clone encodes a polypeptide of 527 amino acids and has closest sequence similarity to the csk tyrosine kinase. Sequence comparisons also indicate that matk contains src homology region 2 and 3 domains but lacks the NH2-terminal myristylation signal, the negative regulatory tyrosine (Tyr-527), and the autophosphorylation site (Tyr-416) corresponding to those found in src. Antibodies raised against the NH2 terminus of matk immunoprecipitated a 60-kDa protein from the CMK human megakaryocyte cell line. Expression of matk mRNA was up-regulated in megakaryocytic cells induced to differentiate by the phorbol ester. Based on its restriction in expression and its modulation during in vitro differentiation, it is likely that matk participates in signal transduction during megakaryocytopoiesis.

Base Sequence↗

Stimulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 expression by ceramide.

Ceramide, an intracellular lipid mediator of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) action, was studied for its effects on the expression of the proviral human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genome in latently infected myelomonocytic cell lines U-1IIIB and OM-10.1. Ceramide treatment resulted in a 20- to 100-fold enhancement of HIV production in these cells. Ceramide also enhanced the expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene directed by a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat in transfected U-937 cells, indicating that ceramide acts at the level of viral transcription. These observations suggest that the TNF-ceramide signaling system may be involved in the regulation of HIV expression in certain myeloid cell types.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

In vitro effects of stem-cell factor or interleukin-3 on myelosuppression associated with AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the early-acting hematopoietic growth factors stem-cell factor (SCF) or interleukin-3 (IL-3), are able to overcome the bone-marrow suppressive effects of cytokines or drugs involved in the hematologic abnormalities that accompany HIV-1 infection. DESIGN: In vitro colony formation assays of normal human bone-marrow cells exposed to the myelosuppressive drugs, zidovudine, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and ganciclovir, or the myelosuppressive cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), implicated in HIV dysmyelopoiesis. RESULTS: SCF (10 ng/ml) enhanced the numbers of erythroid (BFU-E) colonies in the presence of zidovudine or ganciclovir (P < 0.05) and myeloid [colony-forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM)] colonies in the presence of ganciclovir or IFN-alpha (P < 0.05) relative to controls. IL-3 (10 ng/ml) also improved erythroid colony numbers in the presence of zidovudine (P < 0.05) and CFU-GM in the presence of IFN-alpha (P < 0.05). Neither factor consistently altered the inhibition of TGF-beta or TNF-alpha. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the myelosuppressive agents was altered in only one setting, using IL-3 in the presence of zidovudine. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that SCF or IL-3 may have a therapeutic application in overcoming hematopoietic abnormalities associated with drugs commonly used in the care of AIDS patients. However, they may have less capacity to overcome the bone-marrow inhibitory effects of the endogenous cytokines TNF-alpha and TGF-beta.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The regulation of HIV by retinoic acid correlates with cellular expression of the retinoic acid receptors.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effect of retinoic acids (RA) on HIV-1 expression and correlate this effect with expression levels of RA receptors (RARs) in T-lymphoid and monocytoid cell lines. DESIGN AND METHODS: The effect of all-trans and 9-cis RA on HIV-1 production in T-lymphoid (H9, CEM) and monocytoid (U937,THP-1) cell lines was measured during acute and chronic infection. The expression levels of human RAR alpha (hRAR alpha, receptor for all-trans RA) and the human retinoid-X receptor alpha (hRXR alpha receptor for 9-cis RA) were determined by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Both all-trans and 9-cis RA inhibited virus replication in HIV-1 IIIB-infected monocytoid cells, in the presence and absence of the co-stimulatory agent phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The retinoids had weak or no stimulatory effects on HIV production by T-cell lines. HIV production by PMA-stimulated T-cell lines was inhibited by these retinoids. The 9-cis RA was generally more effective than all-trans RA in inhibiting HIV production and in combination generally more effective than the single agents alone. Human RAR alpha was expressed in H9, U937 and THP-1 cells, but almost undetectable in CEM cells. Human RXR alpha was significantly expressed in U937 and THP-1 cells, weakly expressed in H9 cells and not detectable in CEM cells. After stimulation by PMA, RXR alpha expression increased in H9 and U937 cells but not in CEM cells. Human RAR alpha expression was unchanged in H9 and CEM cells, and elevated in U937 cells, after PMA stimulation. CONCLUSION: The effect of RA on HIV-1 expression was cell-type-dependent and partially correlated with cellular expression of RARs. Endogenous or exogenously administered RA may have a significant role in HIV regulation.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of a novel human immunodeficiency virus strain cytopathic to megakaryocytic cells.

Impaired megakaryocytopoiesis may be a contributing factor to thrombocytopenia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because HIV isolates differ in their host range and pathogenicity, we investigated whether HIV strains with demonstrable cell tropism and increased cytopathicity for megakaryocytes could be derived from the blood of thrombocytopenic HIV-infected individuals. We derived a strain, HIV-WW, from the peripheral blood of an individual with severe thrombocytopenia and found the virus to be highly and specifically cytotoxic to CMK and DAMI megakaryocytic cells. CMK and DAMI cells were not permissive for the virus and HIV-WW induced cytopathicity for these megakaryocytic cells did not depend on viral replication. The CD4 N-terminus-binding domain of the HIV gp120 envelope protein did not appear to be involved in determining the cytopathic phenomenon. HIV may impair megakaryocytopoiesis through interactions at the cell surface in some cases rather than through viral entry and intracellular replication.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Long-term follow-up of didanosine administered orally twice daily to patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection and hematologic intolerance of zidovudine.

This phase 1 trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and tolerance of didanosine (ddI) in subjects with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) who previously had demonstrated hematologic intolerance of zidovudine. Thirty subjects, 21 with AIDS and nine with ARC, were enrolled. Initially, didanosine was administered orally twice daily for a total daily dose of either 750 mg or 1,500 mg. Subsequently, the dosage for those receiving 1,500 mg/d was reduced to a maximum of 750 mg/d (375 mg twice daily) when data from this and other phase 1 studies showed that the dosage of 1,500 mg/d (750 mg twice daily) was associated with an unacceptable risk of developing neuropathy. The subjects were studied for 46 weeks (mean time; range, 7-122 weeks). The dose-limiting toxic effect observed was peripheral neuropathy, which occurred in eight patients. Other significant toxic effects included pancreatitis in three patients and xerostomia in eleven. In general, didanosine was well tolerated from a hematologic standpoint by the majority of patients during prolonged administration.

Administration, Oral↗

Characterization of adhesive interactions between human endothelial cells and megakaryocytes.

Cell-cell adhesion is essential for many immunological functions and is believed to be important in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Adhesive interactions between human endothelial cells and megakaryocytes were characterized in vitro using the CMK megakaryocytic cell line as well as marrow megakaryocytes. Although there was no adhesion between unactivated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and megakaryocytes, treatment of HUVEC with inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, INF-gamma, or the phorbol ester phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in adhesion. Stimulation of marrow megakaryocytes or CMK cells with the cytokines IL-1 beta, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-3, or PMA augmented their adhesion to endothelium. Monoclonal antibodies against the LFA-1 subunit of the leukocyte adherence complex CD18 inhibited the binding of marrow megakaryocytes or CMK cells to HUVEC. Adhesion blocking experiments also demonstrated that the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway was important for megakaryocyte attachment to HUVEC. Adhesion promoted maturation of megakaryocytic cells as measured by increased expression of glycoproteins GpIb and GpIIb/IIIa and by increased DNA content. These observations suggest that alterations in megakaryocyte adhesion may occur during inflammatory conditions, mediated by certain cytokines, resulting in augmented megakaryocyte maturation.

Bone Marrow↗

Weekly doxorubicin in the treatment of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. AIDS Clinical Trials Group.

Fifty-three patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma and no previous treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy enrolled in a phase II multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of weekly doxorubicin treatment. Doxorubicin was given intravenously at a dose of 15 mg/m2. Patients were stratified for purposes of analyses by tumor burden and coexistence of HIV-associated signs and symptoms; stratum I included patients with cutaneous disease alone and no symptoms, and stratum II included patients with visceral disease, tumor-associated edema, a previous opportunistic infection, or systemic symptoms. Fifty-one patients were evaluable for toxicity and 50 for tumor response. Five patients had a partial response (10%); 32, a minor response (64%); 12, no change (24%); and one, progression (2%) as the best measurable response. Partial response durations ranged from 4 to 14 weeks. Fifteen patients subsequently showed progression while on treatment. A significantly greater number of patients in stratum I (20.1%) had a partial response compared with those in stratum II (0%, p = 0.009). The major toxicities included nausea (37%), stomatitis (9.8%), mucositis (13.7%), and moderate to severe neutropenia (71%). Neutropenia was dose limiting and resulted in discontinuation of doxorubicin in 18% of the patients. Two patients developed cardiac toxicity. In conclusion, doxorubicin treatment induced relatively few tumor responses and remission durations were short. Treatment was limited by a high rate of toxicity.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Interaction of human bone marrow fibroblasts with megakaryocytes: role of the c-kit ligand.

Human kit ligand (KL), also known as stem cell factor (SCF), steel factor, or mast cell growth factor, is a recently identified hematopoietic growth factor whose receptor is the product of the c-kit proto-oncogene. Alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA of KL/SCF results in secreted and membrane-bound forms of the protein. We and others have recently shown that the c-kit gene product is expressed on human megakaryocytes and that soluble KL/SCF in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3 (IL-3), or IL-6 increased megakaryocyte progenitor colony formation (CFU-MEG) and stimulated mature megakaryocytes. Here we show that adhesion of human megakaryocytes to bone marrow stromal fibroblasts, which express the membrane-bound form of KL/SCF (mKL/SCF), is mediated in part by the interaction between mKL/SCF and the c-kit protein. This interaction also results in marrow fibroblast-stimulated proliferation but not an increase in ploidy of megakaryocytes; when the two cell types were separated by a transoluble membrane, proliferation did not occur. Adhesion and proliferation of human megakaryocytes to an immortalized murine stromal cell line SI/SI lacking the KL/SCF gene was impaired, whereas transfection of SI/SI cells with human mKL/SCF significantly increased both adhesion and proliferation. Marrow stromal fibroblast mKL/SCF may serve both as an adhesion structure and as a growth-potentiating factor for megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.

Animals↗

Effects of the stem cell factor, c-kit ligand, on human megakaryocytic cells.

The kit ligand (KL), also termed stem cell factor (SCF), is a recently discovered hematopoietic growth factor that augments response of early progenitor cells to other growth factors and supports proliferation of continuous mast cell lines. Histological studies suggest that the receptor for SCF/KL, the c-kit proto-oncogene product, is present in bone marrow megakaryocytes. We studied the effects of SCF/KL on immortalized human megakaryocytic cell lines (CMK, CMK6, and CMK11-5) and on isolated human marrow megakaryocytes. Human SCF/KL alone or in combination with the hematopoietic growth factors, interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-6, stimulated proliferation of these megakaryocytic cell lines. SCF/KL treatment did not alter expression of gpIb, gpIIb/IIIa, LFA-1, ICAM-1, or GMP-140 in CMK cells. No effect on ploidy was observed. Furthermore, human SCF/KL induced expression of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6 in CMK cells. In a fibrin clot system, SCF/KL modestly potentiated megakaryocyte colony formation when added alone to cultures containing CD34+, DR+ bone marrow cells. Addition of SCF/KL with IL-3 or GM-CSF to these cultures resulted in a more marked marrow megakaryocytic cells. SCF/KL may directly affect megakaryocytopoiesis, as well as secondarily modulate hematopoiesis through induction of cytokines in target cells.

Antigens, Surface↗

Cytokine gene expression and synthesis by human megakaryocytic cells.

Cytokine expression and production by human megakaryocytic cells were studied using the CMK cell line as a model for cytokine gene expression by cell line as a model for cytokine gene expression by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for cytokine protein synthesis by specific radioimmunoassays. CMK cells at all stages of maturation were found to constitutively express moderate mRNA levels for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), interleukin (IL) 1 beta, and endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) transcripts. After 6-h treatment with the phorbol ester PMA, gene expression for IL-1 alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-3, and the IL-6 receptor were increased. After 24 h of exposure to PMA, levels for most cytokines declined to baseline, except for IL-6 which appeared as a new transcript. PMA-stimulated CMK lines synthesized low levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-1 beta, and IL-1 alpha protein. These observations suggest that cells of megakaryocytic lineage are capable of producing a repertoire of cytokines which could mediate an autocrine role as well as modulate the replication and function of other hematopoietic cells.

Base Sequence↗