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Biomedical subjects

K Schwarz

Publications and source records attributed to K Schwarz.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Divergent and co-localization of the two small proteoglycans decorin and proteoglycan-100 in human skeletal tissues and tumors.

The core protein of a recently described small proteoglycan, proteoglycan-100, was localized in fetal human tissues by indirect immunocytochemistry and compared with the localization of known members of the small proteoglycan family. Co-localization of decorin and proteoglycan-100 was seen in bone tissue but decorin and proteoglycan-100 exhibited a substantially divergent distribution in fetal skin, cartilage and in the mineralization zone of the growth plate. Proteoglycan-100 was also found in striated muscle, nerve fibers, and synovial tissue. Immunostaining of a chondroblastic osteosarcoma demonstrated chondroid cells selectively expressing either proteoglycan-100 or decorin. Co-expression of both small proteoglycans was observed in sections from a chordoma. In fetal bone and in the two tumors, colocalization of proteoglycan-100 and of biglycan was also found. These results provide evidence of the wide and characteristic distribution of proteoglycan-100.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Noncollagenous proteins in heterotopic ossification. Immunohistochemical analysis in 15 paraplegies.

We used immunohistochemical techniques to investigate the distribution pattern of osteonectin, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein II and the small proteoglycans decorin and PG 100 during different stages of heterotopic ossification (HO) in pressure sores of paraplegic patients. All these noncollagenous proteins (NCPs) accumulated in fibroblasts and preosteoblasts, predominantly in the activity centers of early osteogenetic areas. Mature types of HO showed a more discrete expression pattern for this protein group, with weaker reactions in the narrow osteoblastic rims. Decorin was detected predominantly in the stroma of HO. Our results indicate that the NCPs are important components during the pathogenesis of HO and that fibroblasts may serve as osteoprogenitor cells.

Adult↗

Human common acute lymphoblastic leukemia-derived cell lines are competent to recombine their T-cell receptor delta/alpha regions along a hierarchically ordered pathway.

Rearrangements of the T-cell receptor (TCR) delta locus are observed in the majority of human B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) with a striking predominance of V delta 2(D)D delta 3 recombinations in common ALL (cALL) patients. Recently, we and others showed that almost 20% of cALL cases are characterized by further recombination of V delta 2(D)D delta 3 segments to J alpha elements, thereby deleting the TCR delta locus in analogy to the delta Rec/psi J alpha pathway in differentiating alpha/beta-positive T cells. We report here that two human cALL-derived cell lines, REH and Nalm-6, are competent to recombine the TCR delta/alpha locus under standard tissue culture conditions. Analysis of different REH subclones obtained by limiting dilution of the initial culture showed a biased recombination of V delta 2D delta 3 to distinct J alpha elements. During prolonged tissue culture, a subclone acquired growth advantage and displaced parental cells as well as other subclones. Frequently, the DJ junctions of REH subclones contained extended stretches of palindromic sequences derived from modified D delta 3 coding elements. The other cell line, Nalm-6, started the TCR delta/alpha recombination with an unusual signal joint of a cryptic recombinase signal sequence (RSS) upstream of D delta 3 to the 3' RSS of D delta 3. The RSS dimer was subsequently rearranged in all investigated subclones to an identical J alpha element. Both cell lines might become valuable tools to unravel the complex regulation of TCR delta/alpha recombination pathways in malignant and normal lymphopoiesis.

Base Sequence↗

Human carcinoembryonic antigen cDNA expressed in rat carcinoma cells can function as target antigen for tumor localization of antibodies in nude rats and as rejection antigen in syngeneic rats.

We have tried to develop a new model consisting of rats transplanted with syngeneic colon carcinoma PROb cells transfected with cDNA coding for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the human tumor marker most commonly used as target for MAbs. The antigenic density of the 4 CEA-expressing clones selected for a precise characterization ranged from 5 x 10(4) to 1 x 10(6) CEA molecules per cell. In all clones the CEA was shown to be attached to the membrane by a phosphatidylinositol (PI) anchor. Using a panel of radiolabeled MAbs directed against the 5 major epitopes described on the CEA molecule, we showed that all these CEA epitopes were expressed by the 4 transfectants. Southern-blot analysis showed that the entire CEA cDNA was present in the transfectants. Western-blot analysis, however, showed that the size of the CEA expressed by the 4 transfectants was slightly smaller than that of CEA produced by 2 reference human colon-carcinoma cell lines. Two clones, expressing 1 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) CEA molecules per cell, respectively, were grafted s.c. in nude mice and rats. Injection of radiolabeled anti-CEA F(ab')2 fragments into these animals showed specific tumor localization with the highest percentages of injected doses for the transfectants expressing the highest CEA level. When grafted into immunocompetent syngeneic BDIX rats, the CEA-expressing clones induced a strong antibody response against CEA and tumor rejections in a majority of the animals. Although the analysis of the immune response against the CEA-cDNA-transfected carcinoma cells is under investigation, the present results demonstrate that human CEA could function as a rejection antigen when transfected into rat carcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Antioxidative constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis. I. Determination of phenolic diterpenes with antioxidative activity amongst tocochromanols using HPLC.

The strong antioxidative activity of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis is caused by phenolic diterpenes. Extracts of these herbs are used as additives to stabilize fat and fat-containing foodstuffs against oxidation. To determine the concentration of individual phenolic diterpenes in pure extracts and fats an HPLC method with electrochemical detection has been developed.

Antioxidants↗

Antioxidative constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis. II. Isolation of carnosic acid and formation of other phenolic diterpenes.

The phenolic diterpene carnosic acid appears to be the main substance for general oxidation leading to artifacts with gamma- or delta-lactone structure in extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis. Until now it was only possible to prepare carnosic acid by hydrogenolysis of carnosol. A semipreparative HPLC method has been developed isolating carnosic acid among other phenolic diterpenes. The separated substances were identified by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 1H-NMR, mass and IR spectroscopy. Conversion of carnosic acid and carnosol to other phenolic diterpenes was investigated by HPLC.

Abietanes↗

Antioxidative constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis. III. Stability of phenolic diterpenes of rosemary extracts under thermal stress as required for technological processes.

The concentration of phenolic diterpenes in commercially available extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection ranged from 2.8 to 22.5%. Antioxidant activity of extracts under simultaneous storage and thermal stress depended directly on the concentration of phenolic diterpenes. Differences in rates of degradation of individual phenolic diterpenes at different temperatures were obtained.

Antioxidants↗

Synthesis and biological activities of 8(14)a-homocalcitriol.

8(14)a-Homocalcitriol was synthesized and tested for its biologic activities. It exhibited a vitamin D agonist activity profile. The compound was bound to the pig intestinal receptor with an affinity slightly less than calcitriol, showed the same potency in inducing HL 60 cell differentiation and inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation as calcitriol, and was found to be approximately 10-fold less potent in inducing hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria after a single injection in normal rats.

Animals↗

Enhancement of fibrinolysis in vitro by ultrasound.

The effect of ultrasound on the rate of fibrinolysis has been investigated using an in vitro system. Plasma or blood clots containing a trace label of 125I fibrin were suspended in plasma containing plasminogen activator and intermittently exposed to continuous wave 1-MHz ultrasound at intensities up to 8 W/cm2. Plasma clot lysis at 1 h with 1 microgram/ml recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was 12.8 +/- 1.2% without ultrasound and was significantly (P = 0.0001) increased by exposure to ultrasound with greater lysis at 1 W/cm2 (18.0 +/- 1.4%), 2 W/cm2 (19.3 +/- 0.7%), 4 W/cm2 (22.8 +/- 1.8%), and 8 W/cm2 (58.7 +/- 7.1%). Significant increases in lysis were also seen with urokinase at ultrasound intensities of 2 W/cm2 and above. Exposure of clots to ultrasound in the absence of plasminogen activator did not increase lysis. Ultrasound exposure resulted in a marked reduction in the rt-PA concentration required to achieve an equivalent degree of lysis to that seen without ultrasound. For example, 15% lysis occurred in 1 h at 1 microgram/ml rt-PA without ultrasound or with 0.2 microgram/ml with ultrasound, a five-fold reduction in concentration. Ultrasound at 1 W/cm2 and above also potentiated lysis of retracted whole blood clots mediated by rt-PA or urokinase. The maximum temperature increase of plasma clots exposed to 4 W/cm2 ultrasound was only 1.7 degrees C, which could not explain the enhancement of fibrinolysis. Ultrasound exposure did not cause mechanical fragmentation of the clot into sedimentable fragments, nor did it alter the sizes of plasmic derivatives as demonstrated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We conclude that ultrasound at 1 MHz potentiates enzymatic fibrinolysis by a nonthermal mechanism at energies that can potentially be applied and tolerated in vivo to accelerate therapeutic fibrinolysis.

Fibrinolysis↗