Biomedical subjects

L A Liotta

Publications and source records attributed to L A Liotta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Immuno-LCM: laser capture microdissection of immunostained frozen sections for mRNA analysis.

Microdissection of routinely stained or unstained frozen sections has been used successfully to obtain purified cell populations for the analysis of cell-specific gene expression patterns in primary tissues with a complex mixture of cell types. However, the precision and usefulness of microdissection is frequently limited by the difficulty to identify different cell types and structures by morphology alone. We therefore developed a rapid immunostaining procedure for frozen sections followed by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and RNA extraction, which allows targeted mRNA analysis of immunophenotypically defined cell populations. After fixation, frozen sections are immunostained under RNAse-free conditions using a rapid three-step streptavidin-biotin technique, dehydrated and immediately subjected to LCM. RNA is extracted from captured tissue, DNAse I treated, and reverse transcribed. Acetone-, methanol-, or ethanol/acetone-fixed sections give excellent immunostaining after 12 to 25 minutes total processing time. Specificity, precision, and speed of microdissection is markedly increased due to improved identification of desired (or undesired) cell types. The mRNA recovered from immunostained tissue is of high quality. Single-step PCR is able to amplify fragments of more than 600 bp from both housekeeping genes such as beta-actin as well as cell-specific messages such as CD4 or CD19, using cDNA derived from less than 500 immunostained, microdissected cells. Immuno-LCM allows specific mRNA analysis of cell populations isolated according to their immunophenotype or expression of function-related antigens and significantly expands our ability to investigate gene expression in heterogeneous tissues.

Cells↗

PubMed1998

An improved method for construction of directionally cloned cDNA libraries from microdissected cells.

Here, we developed an improved method for constructing microdissected cDNA libraries, based on strand-switching properties of reverse transcriptase, followed by PCR amplification with primers to mediate unidirectional insert cloning. Using RNA from microdissected ovarian carcinoma cells, we constructed a cDNA library consisting of 1.3 x 10(6) unidirectional recombinants with an average insert size of 500 bp. Single-pass sequencing of 100 clones with the T7 primer revealed 89 inserts derived from known genes, anonymous expressed sequence tags (ESTs), or novel sequences. Among these clones were known genes and ESTs previously found in cDNA libraries from bulk ovarian tissue RNA, sequences seen for the first time in an ovarian-derived library, and novel sequences not previously seen in any cDNA library. These results demonstrate a methodology for constructing quality cDNA libraries that are cloned in a unidirectional fashion, are complex and diverse, and reflect the tissue of origin.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Cyclocreatine inhibits stimulated motility in tumor cells possessing creatine kinase.

Cyclocreatine (1-carboxymethyl-2-iminoimidazolidine), an analog of creatine and a substrate for creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2), inhibits the stimulated motility of tumor cells which possess creatine kinase. A2058-055 human melanoma cells, transfected with a creatine kinase gene, showed an 80-90% reduction in chemotactic response to type IV collagen when incubated overnight in the presence of 10 mM cyclocreatine (p < 0.0001 for n = 8 experiments). This inhibitory effect of cyclocreatine can be partially reversed by addition of creatine to the overnight cell treatment. Non-transfected cells, with very low levels of creatine kinase, were not significantly inhibited. Further experiments utilizing type IV collagen as attractant demonstrated that cyclocreatine inhibited the chemokinetic (91%) and the haptotactic (73%) responses and the in vitro invasion of A2058-055 cells through Matrigel-coated membranes (88%). In addition, motility stimulation of A2058-055 cells by either autotaxin or fibronectin was markedly inhibited by cyclocreatine. DU-145 prostatic tumor cells, which express endogenous creatine kinase, also have a reduced motility response to either autotaxin or epidermal growth factor induced motility in the presence of cyclocreatine.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1998

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: clinical and genetic topics.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) consists of benign, and sometimes malignant, tumors (often multiple in a tissue) of the parathyroids, enteropancreatic neuroendocrine system, anterior pituitary, and other tissues. Skin angiofibromas and skin collagenomas are common. Typically, MEN1 tumors begin two decades earlier than sporadic tumors. Because of tumor multiplicity and the tendency for postoperative tumor recurrence, specialized methods have been developed for preoperative and intraoperative localization of many MEN1-associated tumors. The MEN1 gene was recently isolated by positional cloning. This strategy progressively narrows the size of the candidate MEN1 gene interval on the chromosome and then finds and tests many or, if needed, all genes within that interval. The MEN1 gene was finally identified because it was the one gene that contained mutations in most DNAs from a test panel of MEN1 cases. It has been suggested that MEN1, like many hereditary cancer syndromes, is caused by mutation in a tumor suppressor gene that contributes to neoplasia when both gene copies in a tumor precursor cell have been sequentially inactivated ("two-hit" oncogenesis mechanism). Germline MEN1 mutations were found in most families with MEN1 and in most cases of sporadic MEN1. In addition, the MEN1 gene was the gene most likely to show acquired mutation in several sporadic or nonhereditary tumors-parathyroid adenomas, gastrinomas, insulinomas, and bronchial carcinoids. Most germline or acquired MEN1 mutations predicted truncation (and thus likely inactivation) of the encoded protein, supporting expectations for the "first hit" to a tumor suppressor gene. Testing for MEN1 germline mutation is possible in a research setting. Candidates for MEN1 mutation testing include patients with MEN1 or its phenocopies and first-degree relatives of persons with MEN1.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed1998

cDNA sequencing and analysis of POV1 (PB39): a novel gene up-regulated in prostate cancer.

We recently identified a novel gene (PB39) (HGMW-approved symbol POV1) whose expression is up-regulated in human prostate cancer using tissue microdissection-based differential display analysis. In the present study we report the full-length sequencing of PB39 cDNA, genomic localization of the PB39 gene, and genomic sequence of the mouse homologue. The full-length human cDNA is 2317 nucleotides in length and contains an open reading frame of 559 amino acids which does not show homology with any reported human genes. The N-terminus contains charged amino acids and a helical loop pattern suggestive of an srp leader sequence for a secreted protein. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using PB39 cDNA as probe mapped the gene to chromosome 11p11.1-p11.2. Comparison of PB39 cDNA sequence with murine sequence available in the public database identified a region of previously sequenced mouse genomic DNA showing 67% amino acid sequence homology with human PB39. Based on alignment and comparison to the human cDNA the mouse genomic sequence suggests there are at least 14 exons in the mouse gene spread over approximately 100 kb of genomic sequence. Further analysis of PB39 expression in human tissues shows the presence of a unique splice variant mRNA that appears to be primarily associated with fetal tissues and tumors. Interestingly, the unique splice variant appears in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, a microscopic precursor lesion of prostate cancer. The current data support the hypothesis that PB39 plays a role in the development of human prostate cancer and will be useful in the analysis of the gene product in further human and murine studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Allelic deletion analysis of the FHIT gene predicts poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer.

The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene at chromosome 3p14.2 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene linked to cancers of the lung, breast, colon, pancreas, and head and neck. Reports of frequent allelic deletion and abnormal transcripts in primary lung tumors plus recent evidence that it is targeted by tobacco smoke carcinogens suggest that it plays an important role in lung carcinogenesis. Non-small cell lung carcinoma still maintains a poor 5-year survival rate with the stage of disease at presentation as a major determinant of prognosis. We examined for allelic deletion at the FHIT locus in a series of 106 non-small cell lung carcinomas for which a full clinical, epidemiological, and 5-year survival profile was available. We found an allelic deletion frequency of 38% at one or two intragenic microsatellites. Allelic deletion of FHIT was related to tumor histology with 4 of 20 adenocarcinomas (20%) displaying loss of heterozygosity (LOH) compared with 12 of 22 (55%) nonadenocarcinomas (P = 0.03). We found that 63% of tumors with LOH of FHIT also had p53 missense mutations whereas only 26% with LOH had wild type p53 negative sequence (P = 0.02). We also found a significant trend toward poorer survival in patients with LOH of at least one locus of the FHIT gene (log rank, P = 0.01). This survival correlation is independent of tumor stage, size, histological subtype, degree of differentiation, and p53 mutation status. Our data support the hypothesis that the loss of the FHIT contributes to the molecular pathogenesis of human lung cancer and is an indicator of poor prognosis.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

PubMed1998

Adenosine receptor mediates motility in human melanoma cells.

Cell motility is an essential component of tumor progression and metastasis. A number of factors, both autocrine and paracrine, have been found to influence cell motility. In the present study, adenosine and adenine nucleotides directly stimulated chemotaxis of A2058 melanoma cells in the absence of exogenous factors. Three adenosine receptor agonists stimulated motility in the melanoma cells and two adenosine receptor antagonists strongly inhibited the chemotactic response to both adenosine and AMP. The chemotactic stimulation by adenosine and AMP was pertussis toxin sensitive. Otherwise unresponsive Chinese hamster ovary cells which were transfected with the adenosine A1 receptor cDNA acquired the direct, pertussis toxin sensitive, chemotactic response to adenosine, and this response was inhibited by adenosine receptor antagonists. These findings demonstrate that adenosine and adenine nucleotides are capable of stimulating chemotaxis of tumor cells mediated through an adenosine receptor, probably of the A1 subtype. The possibility of antimetastatic therapies based on inhibition of adenosine receptor activity is raised.

Adenosine↗

PubMed1998

Evidence of independent origin of multiple tumors from patients with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: In men with prostate cancer, the gland usually contains two or more widely separate tumors. A critical issue of prostatic carcinogenesis is whether these multiple tumors are independent in origin. Molecular analysis of microsatellite (i.e., highly repeated, short nucleotide sequences) alterations in the DNA from separate tumors in the same prostate can be used to determine whether or not these separate tumors arise independently. METHODS: Four microsatellite polymorphic markers (D8S133, D8S136, and D8S137, for a putative tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 8p, and D17S855, for the BRCA1 gene on chromosome 17q) were used to examine the pattern of allelic loss in prostate cancer from 19 patients who had two or more distantly separate tumors (i.e., located on contralateral sides or separated by at least half the anterior-posterior diameter of the prostate). Forty distantly separate tumors were microdissected, DNA samples were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded wholemount prostate tissue section, and the overall frequencies of loss of heterozygosity at the four loci were determined. RESULTS: The pattern of allelic loss was compatible with independent tumor origin in 15 of 18 informative cases. A random discordant pattern of allelic deletion was observed in distantly separate tumors, whereas the same allele was consistently lost in cells from different regions of the same tumor. For three patients, the results were compatible with either intraglandular dissemination or independent origin of prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that multiple tumors in some patients with prostate cancer have independent origin.

Chromosome Deletion↗

PubMed1998

Analysis of recurrent germline mutations in the MEN1 gene encountered in apparently unrelated families.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder that manifests as varying combinations of tumors of endocrine and other tissues (parathyroids, pancreatic islets, duodenal endocrine cells, the anterior pituitary and others). The MEN1 gene is on chromosome 11q13; it was recently identified by positional cloning. We previously reported 32 different germline mutations in 47 of the 50 familial MEN1 probands studied at the NIH. Eight different germline MEN1 mutations were encountered repeatedly in two or more apparently unrelated families. We analyzed the haplotypes of families with recurrent MEN1 mutations with seven polymorphic markers in the 11q13 region surrounding the MEN1 gene (from D11S1883 to D11S4908). Disease haplotypes were inferred from germline DNA and also from tumors with 11ql3 loss of heterozygosity. Two different disease haplotype cores were shared by apparently unrelated families for two mutations in exon 2 (five families with 416delC and six families with 512delC). These two repeat mutations were associated with the two founder effects that we reported in a prior haplotype analysis. The disease haplotypes for each of the other six repeat mutations (seen twice each) were discordant, suggesting independent origins of these recurrent mutations. Most of the MEN1 germline mutations including all of those recurring independently occur in regions of CpG/CpNpG, short DNA repeats or single nucleotide repeat motifs. In conclusion, recurring germline mutations account for about half of the mutations in North American MEN1 families. They result from either founder effects or independent occurrence of one mutation more than one time.

CpG Islands↗

PubMed1998

11q13 allelotype analysis in 27 northern American MEN1 kindreds identifies two distinct founder chromosomes.

We analyzed constitutional and tumor DNA from 27 MEN1 kindreds not known to be related to each other. Disease allele haplotypes were constructed for each pedigree based on shared alleles from two or more affected members and from determination of allelic loss patterns in their tumors. Analysis of disease allele haplotypes showed unexpected linkage disequilibrium at marker PYGM. Further haplotype analysis indicated this could be explained by the presence of two founder chromosomes, one in four families, the other in three. A shared disease haplotype was not observed among two MEN1 kindreds with the prolactinoma phenotype of MEN1.

Alleles↗

PubMed1998

Allelic deletion at chromosome 9p21(p16) and 17p13(p53) in microdissected sporadic dysplastic nevus.

A critical area of chromosomal loss at region p16(9p21-22) and p53(17p13) has been implicated in the genesis of malignant melanoma. It is still unclear whether the genetic alterations can be detected in dysplastic nevus, a premalignant lesion of malignant melanoma. We have searched the frequency of p16 and p53 deletion in nine dysplastic nevi and 13 benign intradermal nevi with five microsatellite markers. Hemizygous deletion was detected in seven of nine (78%) dysplastic nevi at one or more loci for p16 and three of seven (43%) for p53, respectively. No loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was detected in any of the benign intradermal nevi. All three dysplastic nevi with LOH for p53 also showed LOH at p16. However, not all dysplastic nevi showing p16 deletion showed p53 gene deletion. Therefore, these data suggest that deletion of p16 may play an important role in the development of dysplastic nevus as an early event and that the changes may represent an early event in the development of malignant melanoma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry in a surgical series of non-small cell lung cancer patients.

The bcl-2 gene is implicated in oncogenesis by its ability to prolong cell survival through the inhibition of apoptosis, without increasing cell proliferation. An association between immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2 protein and the histological type and prognosis of non-small cell carcinoma was hypothesized by Pezzella et al. (N Engl J Med 329:690-694, 1993). In a case series, we stained formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from 106 surgical non-small cell lung cancer patients with an antibody to bcl-2 protein (DAKO clone 124, Carpinteria, CA). The resulting bcl-2 staining data were evaluated for associations with demographic, histological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features, including p53 mutations. Bcl-2 staining was observed in tumors from 29 of 106 (27%) of subjects, but was significantly less frequent in subjects' adenocarcinoma histology (8 of 55, 14.6%) (P = .007). This finding persisted after adjustment for age, gender, stage, grade, smoking history, and disease-free survival. In univariate analyses, no association was seen with age, weight, body mass index, gender, or pack-years smoking; tumor grade, stage, or patient performance status; p53 or c-erbB2 immunohistochemical staining, or p53 mutations. These data agree with earlier reports that bcl-2 staining is less common in adenocarcinomas; however, our data do not support the hypothesis that bcl-2 staining confers a better prognosis overall, in squamous cell carcinoma, or in an older patient population.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Laser-capture microdissection: opening the microscopic frontier to molecular analysis.

As the list of expressed human genes expands, a major scientific challenge is to understand the molecular events that drive normal tissue morphogenesis and the evolution of pathological lesions in actual tissue. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) has been developed to provide a reliable method to procure pure populations of cells from specific microscopic regions of tissue sections, in one step, under direct visualization. The cells of interest are transferred to a polymer film that is activated by laser pulses. The exact morphology of the procured cells (with intact DNA, RNA and proteins) is retained and held on the transfer film. With the advent of LCM, cDNA libraries can be developed from pure cells obtained directly from stained tissue, and microhybridization arrays of thousands of genes can now be used to examine gene expression in microdissected human tissue biopsies. The fluctuation of expressed genes or alterations in the cellular DNA that correlate with a particular disease stage can ultimately be compared within or between individual patients. Such a fingerprint of gene-expression patterns can provide crucial clues for etiology and might, ultimately, contribute to diagnostic decisions and therapies tailored to the individual patient. Molecules found to be associated with a defined pathological lesion might serve as imaging ot therapeutic targets.

DNA↗

PubMed1998

Microdissection, microchip arrays, and molecular analysis of tumor cells (primary and metastases).

Advances in biotechnology and bioinformatics are offering promise for new breakthroughs in gene discovery and elucidation of gene function. At present, many candidate genes related to cancer pathogenesis have been identified in several types of human cancer, yet frequently their function remains elusive. This is particularly true as it relates to the progression of human cancer. This landscape could change dramatically, however, as technological innovations and improvements continue to revolutionize these fields. High-throughput molecular approaches are emerging, which may become accurate, automated, and cost-effective. For example, DNA arrays on microchips are under development with numerous applications, including the ability to screen genes rapidly for mutations and to study patterns of gene expression on a large scale. Automated systems for microdissection and sequencing are also in their implementation stages. Commensurate with their integration and evolution, these information and technological tools have the potential to offer a more comprehensive understanding of multiple genetic and cellular alterations occurring during cancer initiation, development, and progression. Ultimately, this fundamental knowledge can provide strategies for intervention, prevention, and early diagnosis. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Germline and somatic mutation of the gene for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).

Dideoxyfingerprinting was used to screen for germline and somatic MEN1 mutations. This method, applied to a panel of germline DNA from 15 probands with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), allowed confident discovery of the MEN1 gene. Germline MEN1 mutation has been found in 47 out of 50 probands with familial MEN-1, in 7 out of 8 cases with sporadic MEN-1, and in 1 out of 3 cases with atypical sporadic MEN-1. Germline MEN1 mutation was not found in any of five probands with familial hyperparathyroidism. Somatic MEN1 mutations were found in 7 out of 33 parathyroid tumours not associated with MEN-1. Allowing for repeating mutations, a total of 47 different germline or somatic MEN1 mutations have been identified. Most predict inactivation of the encoded 'menin' protein. supporting expectations that MEN1 is a tumour suppressor gene. The 16 observed missense mutations were distributed across the gene, suggesting that many domains are important to its as yet unknown functions.

Codon↗

PubMed1998

Genetic changes associated with primary Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant tumor of the skin with a well-established neuroendocrine phenotype but an unknown histogenetic origin. Cytogenetic and molecular studies have shown evidence for genetic changes on the distal portion of chromosome 1p in different tumors with well-established neuroendocrine origins, specifically neuroblastomas, malignant melanomas, and pheochromocytomas. Involvement of chromosome 1 in MCC recently has been demonstrated by cytogenetic analysis and analysis of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in metastatic tumor tissue. We performed analysis of LOH of the distal portion of chromosome 1p in paraffin material of 10 primary MCCs after tissue microdissection, using the polymorphic markers D1S160, D1S243, D1S468, D1S1646, and D1S1598. Seven of 10 analyzed MCCs shared a distal deletion involving 1p35-36. None of the cases showed 1p involvement proximal to 1p35. The findings are similar to those described for malignant melanoma, pheochromocytoma, and neuroblastoma, tumors known to originate from neural crest cells. In conjunction with previous cytogenetic data, we conclude that Merkel cell carcinogenesis shares pathogenetic mechanisms with other neoplasms of neural crest derivation.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

p53 mutation spectrum in relation to GSTM1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 in surgically treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

p53 mutation status was analysed in relation to DNA polymorphisms of GSTM1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 from 105 surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer cases. Demographic factors, smoking, occupation, family history, tumour histology, grade and stage were taken into account. p53 mutations, detected either directly by DNA sequencing (P = 0.04, adjusted for smoking) or indirectly by immunostaining (P = 0.06), were overrepresented among CYP1A1 variants. Mutations in exon 8 and transitions at CpG sites in the p53 gene were favoured in this subset. There was no relation between the individual gene polymorphisms or p53 mutations and disease-free survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The finding of excess CYP1A1 heterozygotes in individuals with p53 mutations after adjustment for smoking suggests that CYP1A1 activation contributes to lung cancer via p53 inactivation.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

PubMed1998

p21waf1/cip1 and transforming growth factor beta 1 protein expression correlate with survival in non-small cell lung cancer.

p21waf1/cip1 encodes a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that is transcriptionally activated by the p53 tumor suppressor gene, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), AP2, and other pathways. Because p21waf1/cip1, p53, and TGF-beta 1 all regulate apoptosis and the cell cycle, we tested the hypothesis that their relative protein levels would correlate with biological features including the survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We conducted an immunohistochemical analysis of p21waf1/cip1 and TGF-beta 1 and identified four patient groups with distinct survival outcomes. Concordant p21waf1/cip1 and TGF-beta 1 expression (i.e., either high p21waf1/cip1 and high TGF-beta 1 expression or low p21waf1/cip1 and low TGF-beta 1 expression) predicted 70% disease-free survival at 2000 days of follow-up. Discordant p21waf1/cip1 and TGF-beta 1 expression (i.e., either high p21waf1/cip1 and low TGF-beta 1 expression or low p21waf1/cip1 and high TGF-beta 1 expression) predicted 35% disease-free survival (P = 0.0003; log-rank test). These survival relationships were not attributable to differences in grade, stage, or p53 status. Although current models do not fully explain these complex interactions, most of these data fit a paradigm whereby TGF-beta 1 regulation determines NSCLC survival. In addition to the survival correlation, we found that high p21waf1/cip1 protein expression correlated with high tumor grade (P = 0.014). There is little evidence that p21waf1/cip1 protein levels accurately predict p53 mutation status in NSCLC; specifically, 20 of 48 (42%) tumors with p53 mutations contained high levels of p21waf1/cip1 protein. These findings indicate that p21waf1/cip1 immunohistochemical analysis may provide useful information concerning the biological properties of NSCLC.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗