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Biomedical subjects

L Zech

Publications and source records attributed to L Zech.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cytogenetic studies on human myeloma cell lines.

Cell lines (U-266, U-1957, U-1996 and U-2030) established from 4 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were analyzed cytogenetically. The cell lines represent different stages in B-cell differentiation as evidenced by ultrastructural and functional characteristics. The karyotypic pattern in 3 newly established myeloma lines was studied after a few months in culture and compared to the old myeloma cell line U-266, which was examined after 6, 7 and 8 years of continuous cultivation. Frequency of progressive numerical and structural aberrations during long-term cultivation and their correlation with alterations in growth properties were addressed. We describe the presence of a high frequency of both numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities in the cells of all 4 myeloma lines studied. Chromosomes often associated with structural abnormalities were 1, 3, 6, 12 and 14. A 14q + marker chromosome was detected in 2 of the 4 cell lines. The breakpoints on the chromosomes participating in structural aberrations in myeloma exhibit some correlation to chromosome sites at or close to locations of mapped oncogenes. No translocations of c-myc were found. These data were further supported by Southern blot analysis (unpublished data). The extent of numerical, but not structural, aberrations correlates with the differentiation stage of the myeloma lines in that the 2 mature lines U-266 and U-1957 were both near-diploid. Multiple progressive chromosomal changes have emerged in U-266 during a period of 8 years with development of independence of feeder cells and increased growth rate. However, capacity for production of complete Ig molecules has remained stable.

Aneuploidy↗

Human c-fos proto-oncogene mapped to chromosome 14, band q24.3-q31. Possibilities for oncogene activation by chromosomal rearrangements in human neoplasms.

The human c-fos proto-oncogene was mapped by in situ hybridization to chromosome 14, band q24.3-q31. As a probe we used 3H-labelled mouse c-fos RNA transcribed in vitro by SP6-RNA-polymerase. Of a total of 40 grains on chromosome 14, 19 (47.5%) were located within the 14q24.3-q31 region (p much less than 0.001). Mechanisms for c-fos to gain transforming ability by a break in a critical part of the gene have recently been described. Thus there are several possibilities for chromosomal aberrations within the 14q24.3-q31 region to be responsible for c-fos deregulation and which may result in neoplastic growth. Such specific aberrations are found in a variety of human neoplasms.

Animals↗

High density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: measurement of HDL turnover using tritiated HDL.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) kinetics were studied by injecting [3H]apoprotein A-I (apoA-I)/HDL into 12 subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 12 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The results indicate that the mean fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of apoA-I/HDL was significantly faster [0.63 +/- 0.07 (+/- SEM) vs. 0.39 +/- 0.02 1/day; P less than 0.001] and the apoA-I/HDL synthetic rate greater (29.4 +/- 2.9 vs. 22.9 +/- 1.3 mg/kg X day; P less than 0.02) in patients with NIDDM than in normal subjects. Furthermore, there were statistically significant inverse relationships between apoA-I/HDL FCR and plasma levels of both HDL cholesterol (r = -0.71; P less than 0.001) and apoA-I (r = -0.63; P less than 0.001). In addition, the increase in apoA-I/HDL FCR was directly related to fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.78; P less than 0.001) and insulin (r = 0.76; P less than 0.001) concentrations. These data support the view that the decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol and apoA-I levels commonly found in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes is due to an increase in the catabolic rate of apoA-I/HDL secondary to the defects in carbohydrate metabolism present in these patients.

Aged↗

Role of insulin in regulation of high density lipoprotein metabolism.

The effect of alloxan-induced insulin deficiency on high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism was studied in rabbits. Rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes had significantly higher (P less than 0.001, mean +/- SEM) plasma concentrations of glucose (541 +/- 13 vs. 130 +/- 2 mg/dl), triglyceride (2851 +/- 332 vs. 101 +/- 10 mg/dl), and total plasma cholesterol (228 +/- 55 vs. 42 +/- 4 mg/dl) than did normal control rabbits. However, diabetic rabbits had lower plasma HDL-cholesterol (7.2 +/- 1 vs. 51.3 +/- 1.3 mg/dl, P less than 0.001) and HDL apoA-I (38.3 +/- 6.0 vs. 87.2 +/- 4.3 mg/dl, P less than 0.001) concentrations. HDL kinetics were compared in diabetic and normal rabbits, using either 125I-labeled HDL or HDL labeled with 125I-labeled apoA-I, and it was demonstrated that HDL fractional catabolic rate (FCR) was slower and residence time was longer in the diabetic rabbits when either tracer was used. The slow FCR and the low apoA-I pool size led to reduced apoA-I/HDL synthetic rate in diabetic rabbits (0.97 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.07 mg per kg per hr). Thus, the reduced plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations seen in rabbits with alloxan-induced insulin deficiency was associated with a lower total apoA-I/HDL synthetic rate. Since insulin treatment restored to normal all of the changes in plasma lipoprotein concentration and kinetics seen in diabetic rabbits, it is unlikely that the phenomena observed were secondary to a nonspecific toxic effect of alloxan. These data strongly support the view that insulin plays an important role in regulation of HDL metabolism.

Animals↗

Establishment and phenotypic characterization of three new human myeloma cell lines (U-1957, U-1958, and U-1996).

Three new human myeloma cell lines (U-1957, U-1958, and U-1996) have been established in vitro. The cell lines are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) negative, monoclonal, and aneuploid and should thus represent malignant cell populations and not EBV-carrying non-neoplastic B lymphoblastoid cell lines. The myeloma origin of the cell lines is also suggested by their capacity for production of monoclonal complete immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules (U-1957 and U-1958) or IgG light chains (U-1996) of the same type as the myeloma protein in vivo. All the cell lines have morphological features of plasmablasts-plasma cells but appear to represent slightly different stages of B cell differentiation. Thus, the U-1958 has plasma cell morphology, expresses only PCA-1 and OKT-10 but no other B cell antigens, and secretes 1.5 micrograms/mL of IgG/10(6) cells/24 hours. The U-1957 has plasma cell morphology and expresses Fc receptors and the LB-1 antigen in addition to the PCA-1 and OKT-10 antigens. This line produces only minimal amounts of IgG, which appears not to be secreted. The U-1996, finally, is a kappa light chain producer, has a plasmablast morphology, and expresses LB-1 in addition to the PCA-1 and OKT-10 antigens. All three cell lines are chromosomally heterogeneous and contain several markers with a 14q+ abnormality as a common characteristic abnormality. These new myeloma lines have been in continuous culture for approximately 3 years and are instrumental in studies of various aspects of the biology of human myeloma.

Aged↗

Specific chromosome markers involved with chronic T lymphocyte tumors.

In a series of 12 patients with chronic T cell tumors, 9 showed abnormalities of the long arm of chromosome #14. The most common aberration was an inversion with breakpoints in q11 and q32, which was seen in 7 patients. One patient had a translocation between chromosomes #9 and #14, with breaks in 9q34 and 14q11, and in another patient, the two long arms of chromosome #14 were fused together in q32, forming a dicentric chromosome. The results confirm earlier suggestions that rearrangements of band 14q11 are involved with T cell tumors and may be of importance for the development of the disease. Chromosome #8 aberrations were seen in seven patients, six of whom had an extra 8q in common. Abnormalities of chromosome #7 occurred in five patients, but the breaks were localized in different bands. The significance of the karyotypic changes in our present and previous series of patients is discussed, together with data from other laboratories.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

The maintenance, distribution and development of biomedical computer software: an exercise in software engineering.

The growing reliance of biomedical investigations on computer software in almost all facets of their work places considerable emphasis on the need for the integrated management of the software. In order to efficiently develop, distribute, and maintain the software, tools are required which not only automate these tasks but also, wherever possible, 'semi-intelligently', alert their user to irregular situation. We describe an assortment of such tools routinely used in the management of the SAAM/CONSAM biokinetic software and illustrate their application. Furthermore, using these techniques we have presented some comparative performances of numerical integrators and of computer processors.

Computers↗

An EBV genome carrying pre-B cell leukemia in a homosexual man with characteristic karyotype and impaired EBV-specific immunity.

A Burkitt-like lymphoma/leukemia confined to bone marrow was detected in a human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-III/LAV- and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seropositive homosexual man. The tumor cells were EBNA-positive and contained at least 22 EBV genomes per cell. They were totally immunoglobin negative, but showed other markers for B cells detected with monoclonal antibodies. The patient had an impaired cellular immunity to EBV antigens and EBV-infected cells at diagnosis, but these reactions normalized during treatment. Cell clones derived from the bone marrow tumor in vitro also carried EBV and had six different marker chromosomes, including the typical 14q+ chromosome and a t(8 - ;8), which resulted in trisomy for the largest part of 8q. Partial trisomy for 12q was also observed. The patient completed six courses of combination chemotherapy and remains in excellent health after 34 months of follow-up.

Adult↗

Karyotypic characterization of established cell lines and short-term cultures of human lung cancers.

Karyotypic patterns were analyzed from the four major histopathologic groups of human lung cancer: small cell (SCC), squamous cell (SQC), large cell (LCC), and adenocarcinoma (ADC). The studies were performed on banded chromosomes from direct preparations of pleural fluids (one case of SQC and LCC, respectively) and on cell lines. All metaphases were aneuploid and showed highly rearranged chromosomes, with the exception of the direct preparation of the SQC, which was pseudodiploid. The number of marker chromosomes varied-from tumor to tumor. No consistent aberrations could be detected. Special attention was paid to chromosomes 3p-, which was earlier reported to be a characteristic marker chromosome for SCC. We could confirm the presence of that abnormality in two of our six SCC lines. However, we also found a 3p- in a primary SQC culture, in one LCC cell line, and in one ADC cell line. The breakpoint on 3p was not consistent. In some lines, numerical and structural changes of chromosomes #1, #12, #14, and #22 were also noteworthy, although none of these chromosome abnormalities seemed to be correlated to a certain histopathologic group.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Del(3)(p13) in B-prolymphocytic leukemia--a new nonrandom chromosomal aberration possibly related to the c-ras oncogene.

Cytogenetic analysis was performed on the leukemic cells from two patients with B-prolymphocytic leukemia. Both patients had del(3)(p13) chromosomal abnormality, as well as other clonal aberrations. Del(3p) was previously reported in one case of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, and is known to be a specific aberration in small-cell carcinoma of the lung. In B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, as in other B-lymphocytic leukemias/lymphomas, the karyotype often involves chromosomes #3, #6, #11, and #12. All of these chromosomes are suggested sites for the c-ras oncogene family.

Aged↗

Prognostic information from cytogenetic analysis in chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia and leukemic immunocytoma.

Fifty-five patients with a clonal expansion of B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were studied. According to the Kiel classification, 22 patients had chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 29 had immunocytoma (IC), two had prolymphocytic leukemia, and one had centrocytic lymphoma; one was not subclassified. Cytogenetic studies after B cell mitogen stimulation showed that six patients had an extra chromosome 12 as the sole abnormality. Another ten patients had an extra chromosome 12 together with other abnormalities. One patient had dup(12). Fifteen patients showed clonal aberrations without +12. Eleven patients showed only normal metaphases, and 12 patients were not evaluated cytogenetically. The cytogenetic subgroup pattern did not distinguish between CLL and IC patients. There was no significant difference between the CLL and IC groups as regards clinical findings and prognosis. However, the cytogenetic typing proved to be of prognostic significance. Increasing numbers of chromosomal aberrations within the cell clone were significantly associated with a poorer prognosis, ie, with impairment of survival (P = .04) and therapy-free survival (P less than 10(-4]. Patients with complex karyotypes (at least clonal aberrations) showed the poorest survival (P = .007). Patients with +12 required treatment earlier than patients with a normal karyotype (P = .01) and patients with karyotypic changes other than +12 (P = .006). These latter differences were even more pronounced when only IC patients were considered (P = .005 and P = .002, respectively). A multivariate analysis revealed that +12 was as strong an indicator of poor survival as advanced Rai or Binet stages and a stronger predictor of therapy-demanding disease.

Adult↗

Chromosomal aberrations in a case of T-cell CLL with concomitant IgA myeloma.

Four consistent markers, involving chromosomes 8, 11, 14, 18, 21 and 22, were found in the majority of metaphases obtained after stimulation of peripheral blood and bone marrow from a patient with a T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and a concomitant IgA/lambda myeloma with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), lipopolysaccharide of E. coli (LPS) and S. aureus strain Cowan I bacteria (Cowan). A second malignant clone with three additional markers was observed after stimulation with Concanavalin A (Con A). A chromosome 14 aberration, inv(14) (q11-q32), may be of significance in the T-cell malignancy and may suggest a common clonal origin of the two tumors.

Aged↗

Very-low-density lipoprotein triglyceride metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Relationship to plasma insulin and free fatty acids.

To investigate the mechanism of elevated plasma triglycerides in non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes, very-low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (VLDL-TG) metabolism was studied in 10 untreated male Pima Indian diabetics and compared with that of 15 weight-matched male nondiabetic controls. VLDL-TG metabolism was studied using tritiated glycerol as an endogenous precursor of VLDL-TG, and the resultant kinetic data were analyzed using a multicompartmental model, which includes two pathways for VLDL-TG synthesis and a stepwise delipidation process for VLDL catabolism. Pima diabetics had VLDL-TG concentrations approximately 150% those of nondiabetics. Rates of VLDL-TG production in the diabetics were not significantly different from those of controls. On the other hand, the fractional catabolic rate for VLDL-TG was significantly lower in the diabetics compared with the nondiabetics. Other catabolic parameters, such as the fraction of VLDL-TG delipidized at each step and the stepwise delipidation rate, were also decreased in the diabetics. To determine the relationships between the increased triglycerides and determinants of lipid metabolism that are altered in diabetes, insulin and free fatty acid concentrations were also assessed. Basal C-peptide levels in the diabetics during the metabolic study were slightly but not significantly higher than those of the nondiabetics. There was a highly significant correlation in the diabetics between plasma C-peptides and VLDL-TG production, whereas VLDL production in Pima nondiabetics was not related to insulin levels. Free fatty acid levels were not significantly elevated in the Pima diabetics. The data indicate that (1) the rise in VLDL-TG in Pima diabetics was a result of decreased capacity for clearance and (2) the absence of elevated VLDL-TG production may be attributed to the lack of increase in free fatty acids.

Adolescent↗

High-resolution analysis of chromosome markers in Burkitt lymphoma cell lines.

Using a high-resolution chromosome banding technique, which provided more elongated and distinctly banded chromosomes, some new evidence was obtained for localization of break points in Burkitt lymphoma marker chromosomes. As a result, the characteristic translocation between chromosomes 8 and 14 was designated as t(8;14) (q24.1;q32.5) and the deletion of chromosome 15 was designated as del(15) (q13q15).

Burkitt Lymphoma↗