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Biomedical subjects

M Hokland

Publications and source records attributed to M Hokland.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Evolution of Ig- and T-cell receptor gene configuration in a Ph1+ hybrid leukemia patient.

In a longitudinal study of a 32-year-old male with Ph1+ hybrid leukemia we have followed the immunophenotype and configuration of Ig- and TCR genes during the course of different chemotherapy regimens directed first against the myeloid and later against the lymphoid components of the disease. We identified changes in all parameters, interpretable as an evolution of the malignant clone resulting in a leukemic switch towards a more lymphoid character. Thus, while the expression of the myeloid antigens CD13 and CD33 decreased, that of CD10 (CALLA) and CD20 (B1) increased. Moreover, while the configuration of the Ig heavy and light chain lambda genes remained constant during the whole period of treatment, that of the Ig light chain kappa gene and TCR beta gene displayed extensive rearrangements after initiation of ALL therapy. Since this patient represents a de novo acute leukemia as evaluated by location of the translocation-breakpoint on chromosome 22, our data clearly indicate that Ig- and TCR gene rearrangements might prove a valuable addition in monitoring Ph1+ hybrid leukemias, providing guidelines for optimizing chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Interferon-alpha-induced changes in surface antigens in a hairy-cell leukemia (JOK-1), and a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line (Daudi) during in vitro culture.

In further studying the mechanism of action of IFN-alpha in HCL, we cultured the HCL cell line JOK-1 and the IFN-sensitive Burkitt cell line Daudi with and without IFN-alpha and investigated the changes in density of a number of surface antigens by use of mAb and flow cytometry analyses. During culture with IFN-alpha, reproducible changes were induced in both cell lines, which were qualitatively similar but differed quantitatively with small and transient changes in JOK-1. Significant decreases in surface antigen expression were observed for CD 19, 23, 37, and for IgM on both cell lines. Moreover, decreases were seen for CD 10, 22, 45, and MHC class II on Daudi, and for CD 20, 21, 27, and 40 on JOK-1. By contrast, only a few antigens increased in density, including CD 39, A96/G8 and SC9, on both cell lines, CD 22 on JOK-1, and CD 21 on Daudi. The increase in CD 39, A96/G8 and SC9 was probably directly related to the mechanism of action of IFN-alpha, whereas the other changes were most consistent with an unspecific inhibition of protein synthesis, possibly due to an accumulation of cells in G0, even though a differentiating effect cannot be ruled out. Thus, the unique in vivo effect of IFN-alpha in HCL was not paralleled by a specific direct effect on JOK-1 in vitro. Our findings therefore do not support the theory that IFN's mechanism of action in vivo is a direct effect on HC, but suggest that indirect effects are involved.

Antigens, CD↗

Enumeration of organ-associated natural killer cells in mice: application of a new stereological method.

We here describe a method for estimation of the absolute number of NK cells in various organs of C57BL/6 mice. Using anti-asialo-GM1 heteroantisera to identify NK cells in tissue sections routinely stained by two-layer immunoperoxidase techniques, scoring was performed using light microscopy. Extrapolation to the absolute number of NK cells/organ was done after counting 10 systematically sampled sections of each organ. Due to the thinness of the sections (8 microns) many cells are cut and will appear in at least two sections, and a correction factor was constructed to eliminate this bias. With this method we show that spleens of eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice contain about 4 x 10(6) NK cells, which is consistent with previous findings obtained by other methods. However, application of this stereological method to liver and lungs revealed the existence of as many as 0.75 and 2.5 x 10(6) NK cells in these organs, respectively, i.e. three to 10 times as many as previously found in single-cell suspensions obtained by enzymatic dissociation of liver and lung tissue. This stereological method for enumeration of the absolute number of small subpopulations of cells is generally applicable to other organs and to other antigens, and does not require the application of cumbersome single-cell isolation procedures, during which an unknown number of cells might be lost.

Animals↗

Solitary expression of CD7 among T-cell antigens in acute myeloid leukemia: identification of a group of patients with similar T-cell receptor beta and delta rearrangements and course of disease suggestive of poor prognosis.

In a series of 100 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients defined by cytochemistry and immunophenotyping, 20 expressed T-lymphocyte associated antigens on the surface of their blasts. While 15 expressed two or more T-cell antigens, five were found to express only CD7. All patients belonged to the French-American-British type M4, and four were under the age of 40. Despite intensive chemotherapy, four never obtained a complete remission and the fifth died of relapse after an allogenic bone marrow transplantation. While 12 randomly selected T-cell antigen negative AML patients showed only few rearrangements in Ig- or T-cell receptor (TCR) genes, such genetic alterations were demonstrated in four of five patients for the TCR delta gene and in all patients for the TCR beta gene. Interestingly, DNA fragments of similar size were demonstrated in three of five patients for both the beta and delta genes. These data suggest that the solitary presence of CD7 among T-cell antigens in otherwise clearcut AML cases identifies a group of patients with similarities in antigen receptor gene configuration as well as outcome.

Acute Disease↗

Accumulation of adoptively transferred adherent, lymphokine-activated killer cells in murine metastases.

While close contact between lymphokine-activated killer (LAK)/adherent, lymphokine-activated killer (A-LAK) cells and tumor cells is believed to be a prerequisite for initiating the events leading to tumor cell lysis, clear evidence for the ability of these effector cells to infiltrate tumors or tumor metastases in vivo still has to be obtained. In the present study, we report that a significant fraction of adoptively transferred A-LAK cells, labeled with fluorochromes for identification, accumulates in lung and liver metastases of the B16 melanoma, the MCA 102 sarcoma and the Lewis lung carcinoma lines. Thus, 5- to 10-fold higher numbers of A-LAK cells were found in the malignant lesions compared to the surrounding normal tissue. The infiltration seemed very heterogeneous after intravenous injection of moderate numbers of A-LAK cells (15 x 10(6)). However, after adoptive transfer of 45 million A-LAK cells, an A-LAK cell/tumor cell ratio higher than 1:1 in most metastases was observed. Surprisingly, approximately 5% of the lung metastases seemed totally resistant to infiltration even though neighboring metastases were highly infiltrated. While substantial infiltration of lung metastases was seen after i.v. injection, significant infiltration of liver metastases was seen only after intraportal injection of the A-LAK cells indicating impaired traffic of intravenous injected A-LAK cells through the lung capillaries. These results present direct evidence that A-LAK cells, upon a proper route of administration, have the potential to migrate to and heavily infiltrate metastases from murine tumors of different origin.

Animals↗

[Current therapeutic targeting possibilities in leukemia].

Investigations on the configuration of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes have become more and more widespread. Through these methods it is possible to identify malignant clones, which by a transforming event have been blocked in further differentiation but continued to proliferate. Such clonal expansions can be verified by the Southern Blotting procedure as differences in molecular weight between normal and rearranged DNA fragments. In the lymphatic disorders it is possible to assign the malignant clone to B cell lineage by rearrangement in the immunoglobulin light chain gene, while heavy chain and T-cell receptor genes do not show consistency in lineage restriction. In a study on AML patients with solitary expression of the T-cell marker CD7 we have identified a similarity in TCR beta and delta gene configurations, indicating a correlation between etiology and genetic pattern. Such observations can contribute to an elucidation of the malignant blood-diseases and by that a better choice in therapy.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Comparison between 125IUdR and 51Cr as cell labels in investigations of tumor cell migration.

YAC-1 tumor cells double-labeled with Na2[51Cr]O4 [51Cr] and [125I]iododeoxyuridine [125IUdR] were injected intravenously into Balb/c mice in order to investigate their migration and fate 0-4 h after the injection. Whereas the clearance of tumor cells from the lung tissue was similar as judged with both labels, the kinetics of isotope uptake in the liver were strikingly different. Thus, retention of 51Cr in the liver was very high compared to a much lower and only transient retention of 125I. A higher retention of non-tumor cell-associated 51Cr was also observed in most other organs, resulting in overestimation of the number of viable tumor cells in these organs. Moreover, a marked spontaneous release (greater than 10% after 12 h) makes 51Cr less suitable as a cell label than 125IUdR. On the other hand, we found that the release of 125I from dead cells in vivo depends at least partially on host factors such as macrophages. Consequently, caution must be exerted when tumor cell migration is investigated in animals treated with drugs that might affect the reticuloendothelial system. We conclude that 125IUdR is superior to 51Cr as a cell label for investigation of tumor cell migration in vivo, even though some doubt about the reliability of the number of tumor cells in liver and carcass, predicted by this radiolabel, still remains.

Animals↗

Effect of psychological intervention in the form of relaxation and guided imagery on cellular immune function in normal healthy subjects. An overview.

The present study measured the effects of relaxation and guided imagery on cellular immune function. During a period of 10 days 10 healthy subjects were given one 1-hour relaxation procedure and one combined relaxation and guided imagery procedure, instructing the subjects to imagine their immune system becoming very effective. Even though no major changes in the composition of the major mononuclear leukocyte subsets could be demonstrated a significant increase in natural killer function was demonstrated. These data suggest that relaxation and guided imagery might have a beneficial effect on the immune defense and could form the basis of further studies on psychological intervention and immunological status.

Adult↗

Whole blood assay for NK activity in splenectomized and non-splenectomized hairy cell leukemia patients during IFN-alpha-2b treatment.

Natural killer cell (NK) activity in peripheral blood (PB) was followed longitudinally for up to 2 yr after initiation of low-dose IFN-alpha-2b therapy in nine hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients. A whole blood NK (WB-NK) assay was employed in order to measure the NK activity per unit blood. The pretreatment WB-NK activity was consistently low, indicating that the patients' total NK activity in PB is decreased. Striking differences in WB-NK activity were observed between splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients, whereas no consistent patterns were found when using the conventional NK assay. Thus the WB-NK activity of splenectomized patients showed an immediate increase after initiation of treatment, while the activity in non-splenectomized patients decreased and remained low during the first 3-6 months. Subsequently, after reduction in spleen size, the WB-NK activity began to increase. In splenectomized patients, a second rise in WB-NK was observed after 3-6 months of therapy, coinciding with the normalisation of the peripheral blood counts. In both groups of patients incubation with IFN in vitro induced a rise in NK activity before start of treatment, which was abrogated promptly after initiation of therapy, indicating a maximal in vivo boosting of the NK cells. These differences observed indicate that the response of splenectomized and non-splenectomized HCL patients to IFN treatment should be evaluated separately.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗

Immunological recovery and dose evaluation in IFN-alpha treatment of hairy cell leukemia: analysis of leukocyte differentiation antigens, NK and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity.

A low-dose interferon (IFN)-alpha regimen for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) was evaluated by following changes in leukocyte differentiation antigens (LDA), natural killer cell (NK) and 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase activities. Due to hairy cells' (HC) weak expression of several antigens positive for T cells, B cells, NK cells and monocytes, the use of a double marker specific for hairy cells was needed to distinguish the different subpopulations. Analysis of LDA in peripheral blood (PB) showed a total normalization of the T cell and monocyte numbers within 90 days, the number of NK cells normalized in 90 to 180 d, whereas normalization of B cell number was seen only after 180 to 360 d of treatment. Mean pretreatment 2-5A synthetase activity was normal or low, but upon treatment the levels rose immediately to higher than normal values and remained high throughout the study. Pretreatment NK activity was low, but normalized after between 90 to 360 d, except in 2 patients with severe splenomegaly. In vitro incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) with IFN-alpha induced activation of the NK and 2-5A synthetase activity in untreated patients, but with treatment these effects were gradually abolished, indicating an increasing effect of IFN-alpha in vivo with time. These results shows that the different PBMNC subpopulations and important immunological functions normalize with treatment. This normalization is, however, not seen until at least after 1 year of treatment, indicating that the treatment schedule should be longer. As no exhaustion to the effect of IFN was seen, as measured by the 2-5A synthetase activity, a continuing beneficial effect of treatment is anticipated. The increasing effect of IFN-alpha after the first signs of clinical effect suggests that the doses used in the present study were higher than necessary.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

Immunological and molecular biological identification of a true case of T-hairy cell leukaemia.

A hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) patient is presented in whom the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) carried suppressor T-cell markers (CD3+, CD2+, CD8+/CD4-, CD38+). Analysis of genomic DNA of PBMNC showed the presence of a monoclonal population of T cells, the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain gene being rearranged on both alleles (DR/DR), while the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain-genes were in germline configuration. The neoplastic cells were found to react with the monoclonal antibody RAB-1 - originally described as belonging to the B lineage-restricted monoclonal antibodies - and to carry RAB-1/CD-8 in a double marker assay. Natural killer activity of PBMNCs against K562 target cells was severely reduced, while the cells were found to exert strong antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fate of tumor cells injected into left ventricle of heart in BALB/c mice: role of natural killer cells.

The arrest, retention, and elimination (i.e., clearance) of radiolabeled YAC-1 lymphoma cells injected either iv or into the left ventricle (LV) of the heart were studied in male BALB/c mice, with special emphasis on the role of natural killer (NK) cells. After iv injection YAC-1 cells were arrested and, to a large extent, destroyed in the lungs, which contain the first capillary bed that iv injected tumor cells meet. After LV injection the initial distribution of the tumor cells, which depends on the distribution of cardiac output at the time of injection, was estimated by use of radiolabeled microspheres. Using this technique, we have shown that LV-injected tumor cells, in contrast to iv injected tumor cells, were not arrested in the first capillary bed that they encountered but passed viably through the microvasculature of the brain, heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and to some extent, the bone, skin, and muscle. The only organs that could arrest the LV-injected tumor cells were the lungs and the liver. In the lungs clearance of YAC-1 cells began immediately after the cells were arrested. However, the rate of clearance could be almost abrogated by pretreatment of the recipients with anti-asialo GM1 antiserum, which destroys most of the NK cells in vivo and strongly depresses the in vitro NK cell activity. In contrast, YAC-1 cells arrested in the liver were not cleared from this organ during the first 1-2 hours after arrest. After this delay clearance of the cells commenced. Pretreatment of the recipients with anti-asialo GM1 also strongly depressed the clearance of tumor cells from the liver. Although pretreatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid enhanced in vitro NK cell activity, it could augment only slightly the clearance of YAC-1 cells from the lungs and the liver. Thus these results strongly support the hypothesis that the rapid clearance of tumor cells from both the lungs and the liver depends, at least partially, on the NK cell activity within these organs.

Animals↗

IFN-induced modulation of histocompatibility antigens on human cells. Background, mechanisms and perspectives.

IFN proteins are a family of lymphokines with anti-viral effects. Several other effects of IFNs have also been described, including enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity, enhancement of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity, and enhancement of the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. The latter effects have been characterized as immunomodulatory, whereas the well-known inhibition of growth of malignant cells has been termed anti-proliferative. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the enhancement of MHC products by IFNs. Whereas the basic methodologies for demonstrating the enhancement are simple and reliable, especially when using flow cytometry (FCM), the biological relevance of this reaction is largely unknown. Based on recent findings, however, we have hypothesized that the above-mentioned diverse effects of IFNs are all - in some way or other - related to the classical anti-viral mechanism. This concept proposes that the MHC-enhancing effect of IFNs is a vital part of the immunological defense against virus infections and an integral part of the anti-viral effects of IFN proteins.

Antiviral Agents↗

Natural killer function following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Very early reemergence but strong dependence of cytomegalovirus infection.

Natural killer (NK) cell function was followed sequentially after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using three approaches: (1) chromium-release assay with purified mononuclear effector cells, (2) chromium-release assay with whole blood effectors, and 3) enumeration of lymphocytes bearing the NK-associated antigen NKH-1 (N901). The two latter methods enabled us to demonstrate a very early reappearance (at day 4 posttransplant) of pre-NK cells, which after interferon-alpha enhancement effectively lysed K562 cells and carried the NKH-1 antigen. During the first month NK function steadily increased, and at day 28 activated NK cells, which lysed the otherwise resistant P815 cell line, could be demonstrated concomittant with a substantial over-shoot in the proportion of NKH-1+ cells. Furthermore, the increase in NK lysis was more pronounced in patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections (primary or reactivated). In contrast, the presence of graft-versus-host (GVH) disease did not associate with consistent changes in the NK parameters measured here. After the first month of increase, NK declined reaching levels near those observed in their respective bone marrow donors at day 90. These data demonstrate a surprisingly early recovery after allogeneic BMT, which can largely be related to external factors among which CMV seems to be a prime candidate.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Major proteins in normal human lymphocyte subpopulations separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

We have compared the overall patterns of protein synthesis of normal human lymphocyte subpopulations taken from five volunteers using high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The lymphocytes were isolated using density gradient centrifugation, labeled with subtype-specific MoAbs, and separated to a high degree of homogeneity by FACS into CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+ suppressor T cells, CD20+ B cells, and N901 (NHK-1)+ NK cells. The four lymphocyte subpopulations were labeled with [35S]methionine for 14 hr, solubilized in lysis buffer, and analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (IEF). Of about 1000 proteins resolved in each case, most were found to be common to all subpopulations. However, eight putative markers for B1+ (proteins 5525, Mr = 63,700; 5621, Mr = 63,700; 8311, Mr = 36,900; 2202, Mr = 36,300; 6121, Mr = 30,300; 106, Mr = 29,300; 5009, Mr = 23,000; 8012, Mr = 11,600) and one for N901+ (protein 8129, Mr = 30,400) were identified. In contrast, no major protein markers were found that could differentiate T4+ and T8+ cells from each other or from B cells and NK cells. With the exception of two B1+ markers (proteins 5525 and 5621), lower but variable levels of the other markers were observed in all cell types. All the putative protein markers have been identified in the protein database of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (see accompanying article by Celis et al.). Comparison of the overall patterns of protein synthesis of the unsorted PBMCs with those of the four subpopulations showed that the synthesis of some major PBMC proteins decreased substantially in the sorted subsets. These proteins are most likely not of monocyte origin, as these cells constituted only about 15% of the total PBMCs. Also, the inhibition does not seem to be due to the addition of the single MoAbs or to cell cycle differences. Taken together, the data provide a background for further studies of protein profiles in normal (resting or activated) and malignant hematopoietic cells.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Identification and cloning of a prethymic precursor T lymphocyte from a population of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA)-positive fetal bone marrow cells.

We have cloned common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CALLA)-positive cells from human fetal bone marrow containing less than 1 in 10,000 E-RFC in round-bottomed microtiter wells (one cell per well) using the autocloning unit of an EPICS-V cell sorter. Expansion of such cells (with IL-2 and heavily irradiated autologous thymocytes as feeder cells) resulted in growth in 6-14% of the wells (mean, 11%) with cells with mature T lymphocyte phenotype. Two-color fluorescence analysis of outgrowing cultures furthermore ascertained that these cells had differentiated through a phase of simultaneous expression of T4 and T8 antigens and at the same time expression of the thymocyte-associated T6 antigens. Thus, given the fact that 10-20% of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALLs) are CALLA+, we have been able to identify a human prethymic T lymphocyte population that might be the normal counterpart of precursor cell to the CALLA+ T-ALL cell.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗