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Biomedical subjects

M L Li

Publications and source records attributed to M L Li.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Release from quiescence of CD34+ CD38- human umbilical cord blood cells reveals their potentiality to engraft adults.

Using optimal culture conditions in which the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) inhibitory loop has been interrupted by antisense TGF-beta 1 oligonucleotides or anti-TGF-beta serum, we have compared the proliferative capacities and the abilities of the CD34+ CD38- cell populations from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood to generate early progenitors in long-term cultures. The CD34+ CD38- fraction of umbilical cord blood accounts for 4% of the CD34+ fraction compared to only 1% in bone marrow, indicating that umbilical cord blood may be relatively enriched in stem cells. We estimate that the CD34+ CD38- cells from a typical umbilical cord blood sample produce equivalent numbers of colony-forming units (CFU)-granulocyte/erythrocyte/macrophage/megakaryocyte, twice as many CFU-granulocyte/macrophage (GM) and 3 times as many burst-forming units-erythroid as the same population from an average bone marrow sample used in adult transplantation. In addition, the colonies resulting from the umbilical cord blood samples were significantly larger than those from bone marrow, indicating a greater growth potential. However, the content of later progenitors, which may be important for short-term reconstitution, was less in umbilical cord blood-derived than in bone marrow-derived cell preparations, as estimated by a 4-fold lower production of CFU-GM in long-term cultures of CD34+ CD38+ cells. This deficit is partially compensated by the higher growth capacity of the resulting CFU-GM. These studies suggest that umbilical cord blood is a suitable source of cells for adult transplantation.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Fibrinogen potentiates the effect of interleukin-3 on early human hematopoietic progenitors.

The effect of human fibrinogen on the proliferation of purified SBA- CD34+ human bone marrow progenitors was investigated in clonal cultures. Fibrinogen alone or in combination with erythropoietin had no significant effect. However, in the presence of recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3), fibrinogen increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner the number of mixed and burst-forming unit-ethrocyte--derived colonies, whereas the number of other colonies did not significantly change. In the presence of fibrinogen, low concentrations of IL-3 (0.17 U/mL) produced three times more mixed colonies than without fibrinogen, reaching the number of colonies obtained with optimal concentrations of IL-3 (1.67 U/mL). Fibrinogen fragment D had the same effect in the presence of IL-3 as intact fibrinogen, whereas fibrinogen fragment E and human collagen IV did not. This effect was not mediated by integrins, because peptides or monoclonal antibodies that block fibrinogen binding on integrins alpha IIb beta 3, alpha v beta 3 (RGD-peptides), alpha m beta 2 (OKM-1), and alpha x beta 2 (HC1/1) did not affect the observed mitogenic effect. The mitogenic effect of fibrinogen and its D fragment was not mediated by induction of IL-6 or granulocyte--colony-stimulating factor secretion, because it was not inhibited by blocking antisera against these two growth factors. Our results indicate that fibrinogen potentiates the effect of IL-3 on primitive hematopoietic progenitors and suggest that the mitogenic effect of fibrinogen could be mediated via a specific mitogenic receptor that does not belong to the integrin family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CSF-1 control of C-FMS expression in normal human bone marrow progenitors.

We have previously shown (Zhou et al: Blood, 72:1870, 1988) that IL3, added with low concentrations of CSF-1 (1 ng/ml) to normal human CD34+ enriched cells, promoted the development of various types of colonies including those containing immature monocytes. However, when high concentrations of CSF-1 (20 ng/ml) were added alone or together with IL3, smaller colonies with mature macrophages were found. Here we show by in situ hybridization that IL3 allows the development, from CD34+ cells, of a subpopulation of immature progenitors which express the CSF-1 receptor (c-fms) mRNA. The expression of c-FMS protein was also substantiated by immunocytochemical studies using anti-c-fms antibody. The percentage of c-fms positive cells peaked at day 7 and began to decrease thereafter. When anti-CSF-1 antibodies were included in the culture, the decrease in c-fms mRNA after day 7 was abrogated. This indicated that endogenous CSF-1 was produced as CD34+ cells developed into monocytes or progenitors of monocytes and that CSF-1 modulates c-fms expression. We further demonstrated that when a high dose of CSF-1 (20 ng/ml) was added at day 7 to IL3-stimulated CD34+ cells, a rapid down-regulation of c-fms mRNA and protein was seen. No down-regulation was observed with low concentration of CSF-1 (1 ng/ml). The possibility that different concentrations of CSF-1 could modulate the development of monocytic progenitors is discussed.

Bone Marrow↗

Human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cell purification with high yield of early progenitors.

Human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells were purified using a two-step procedure by elimination of the soybean agglutinin-binding cells and by a positive panning selection with a CD34 monoclonal antibody. The isolated fraction was 88-97% pure CD34+ cells. A yield of 48.5% was obtained when comparing the number of cells recovered in the CD34(+)-purified fraction and the number of CD34+ cells detected in the initial mononuclear cell fraction. By flow cytometry, we observed that the CD34+ cells that were not recovered were those that had the lower expression of CD34 antigen and were therefore the more mature cells. A high recovery of CFU-GEMM progenitors (73.9%) was also observed. These data suggest the possibility of purifying CD34+ umbilical cord blood cells for clinical applications, in particular for umbilical cord blood banking.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Co-stimulatory effects of steel factor, the c-kit ligand, on purified human hematopoietic progenitors in low cell density culture.

Steel factor (SF), the ligand for the c-kit, also called kit ligand, stem cell factor, or mast cell growth factor, was evaluated on colony formation alone or in combination with other cytokines, from purified human hematopoietic CD34+ cells in low density cell culture. SF alone had a slight effect on granulocyte (G) and macrophage (M) colony formation. It synergized with other cytokines on colony formation from colony-forming unit-granulocyte, erythroid, macrophage, megakaryocyte (CFU-GEMM), erythroid and granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors. However, combination of SF with lineage-specific factors, such as erythropoietin (Epo) or/and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was not sufficient for the proliferation of multipotential progenitors (CFU-GEMM). These multipotential progenitors required the presence of multi-lineage factors, such as interleukin 3 (IL3) or granulocytic-macrophage CSF(GM-CSF) for their development.

Cell Count↗

Preliminary screening of non-platinum complexes of Schiff bases as antitumour agents using fluorimetry.

Based on the consistency of the in vivo and in vitro interactions of drugs with DNA, a fluorimetric method has been developed as a new in vitro method for preliminary screening of antitumour agents. This method was tested using Schiff bases synthesized from salicylaldehyde with 1-alanine, 1-asparagine and 1-histidine, and complexes of these Schiff bases with Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Sn(IV) as potential antitumour agents. The study of the interaction of the complexes with DNA by a fluorescence probe ethidium bromide (EthBr)-DNA system indicated the parallelism between the binding constants and antineoplastic ratios. The relationship between structure and antitumour activity was investigated.

Animals↗

Cryopreservative effect of leupeptin on early human bone marrow progenitors.

Leupeptin, a thiol- and serine-proteinase inhibitor of low molecular weight, quickly enters viable cells. This property has been used to protect cells during thawing against intracellular proteolytic activities released by injured lysosomes. The bone marrow nucleated cells were frozen without rate-controlled freezing devices. Concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 microM of leupeptin allow to recover 87% of the most immature multipotent bone marrow progenitors which can develop in vitro into large multilineage colonies, instead of 58% recovery without leupeptin. The protective effect of leupeptin is particularly useful to freeze cells difficult to cryopreserve or when freezing-control equipment are not available.

Bone Marrow↗

Cloning and sequencing a cDNA encoding human ribosomal protein S25.

A full-length cDNA clone has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from mRNA of adriamycin-resistant human leukemia HL60 cells. The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA has been determined and the protein coded for by the gene identified. The cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 125 amino acids (aa) with a deduced Mr of 13750. The deduced aa sequence of this protein has 56% homology to yeast ribosomal protein S31. Western-blot analysis using antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide based on the deduced aa sequence identifies the gene product as the human ribosomal protein S25.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Long-term high-titer neutralizing activity induced by octameric synthetic HIV-1 antigen.

A titer for homologous viral neutralization activity (greater than 1:19,683) was observed after a 3.5-year immunization period with an octameric, branching peptide representing the principal neutralizing determinant (PND) of the human immunodeficiency virus-1IIIB envelope protein. Booster immunizations elicited persistent and potent antibodies in guinea pigs, exceeding responses produced by a conventional bovine serum albumin conjugate by 100-fold. Peptide length, central presentation of a conserved sequence, and inclusion of an upstream sequence contributed to immunogenicity. Titers (greater than 1:1,000) of heterotypic neutralizing antibodies also developed. Octameric PND peptides are a promising approach for an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) vaccine.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Release of early human hematopoietic progenitors from quiescence by antisense transforming growth factor beta 1 or Rb oligonucleotides.

We have used antisense oligonucleotides to study the roles of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and the two antioncogenes, retinoblastoma susceptibility (Rb) and p53, in the negative regulation of proliferation of early hematopoietic cells in culture. The antisense TGF-beta sequence significantly enhanced the frequency of colony formation by multi-lineage, early erythroid, and granulomonocytic progenitors, but did not affect colony formation by late progenitors. Single cell culture and limiting dilution analysis indicated that autocrine TGF-beta is produced by a subpopulation of early progenitors. Antisense Rb but not antisense p53 yielded similar results in releasing multipotential progenitors (colony-forming unit-granulocyte/erythroid/macrophage/megakaryocyte) from quiescence. Rb antisense could partially reverse the inhibitory effect of exogenous TGF-beta. Anti-TGF-beta blocking antibodies, antisense TGF-beta, or Rb oligonucleotides all had similar effects. No additive effects were observed when these reagents were combined, suggesting a common pathway of action. Our results are consistent with the model that autocrine production of TGF-beta negatively regulates the cycling status of early hematopoietic progenitors through interaction with the Rb gene product.

Antigens, CD↗

[Kalman filtering-titrimetry: potentiometric titration of benzalkonium bromide].

The application of Kalman filtering and smoothing to titrimetry has been investigated. The method is suitable for titration systems in both thermodynamic equilibrium and non-equilibrium (dynamic). Particularly, Kalman filtering and smoothing can give correct results in cases when other traditional methods failed. The effect of model noise, titration rate and sampling time was also examined on the accuracy of the filtering titrimetry. The proposed method has been applied to potentiometric titration and rapid determination of benzalkonium bromide.

Benzalkonium Compounds↗

[Analysis of trace elements in fructus Ligustri Lucidi and its processed products].

Eleven elements were detected in Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and its processed products. It was found that 4 of them were macro-elements, while 6 were trace elements necessary in human body. The experiment has also shown that the traditional processing has a marked effect on the trace elements in Fructus Ligustri Lucidi.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗

Casein gene expression in mouse mammary epithelial cell lines: dependence upon extracellular matrix and cell type.

The COMMA-D mammary cell line exhibits mammary-specific functional differentiation under appropriate conditions in cell culture. The cytologically heterogeneous COMMA-D parental line and the clonal lines DB-1, TA-5, and FA-1 derived from the COMMA-D parent were examined for similar properties of functional differentiation. In monolayer cell culture, the cell lines DB-1, TA-5, FA-1, and MA-4 were examined for expression of mammary-specific and epithelial-specific proteins by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The clonal cell lines were relatively homogeneous in their respective staining properties and seemed to represent three subpopulations found in the heterogeneous parental COMMA-D line. None of the four clonal lines appeared to represent myoepithelial cells. The cell lines were examined for expression of beta-casein mRNA in the presence or absence of prolactin. The heterogeneous COMMA-D line, but none of the clonal lines, was induced by the presence of prolactin to produce significantly increased levels of beta-casein MRNA. The inducibility of beta-casein in the COMMA-D cell line was further enhanced by a reconstituted basement membrane preparation enriched in laminin, collagen IV, and proteoglycans. Individual matrix components of laminin, fibronectin, heparan sulfate, heparan, or hyaluronic acid were not effective as substrata for the induction of beta-casein mRNA. These results support the hypothesis that the functional response of inducible mammary cell populations is a result of interaction among hormones, multiple extracellular matrix components, and specific cell types.

Animals↗

Influence of a reconstituted basement membrane and its components on casein gene expression and secretion in mouse mammary epithelial cells.

When primary mouse mammary epithelial cells are cultured on plastic, they rapidly lose their ability to synthesize and secrete most milk proteins even in the presence of lactogenic hormones, whereas cells cultured on released type I collagen gels show greatly enhanced mRNA levels and secretion rates of beta-casein and of some other milk proteins. We show here that culture on a reconstituted basement membrane from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor (EHS) allows greater than 90% of cells to produce high levels of beta-casein. By comparison, 30-40% of cells on released type 1 gels and only 2-10% of cells on plastic express beta-casein after 6 days in culture. Because only 40% of cells from late pregnant gland produced beta-casein before culture, the EHS matrix can both induce and maintain an increased level of casein gene expression. Individual basal lamina components were also evaluated. Type IV collagen and fibronectin had little effect on morphology and beta-casein mRNA levels. In contrast, both laminin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan increased beta-casein mRNA levels (1.5- to 4-fold and 2- to 8-fold, respectively). However, for heparan sulfate proteoglycan, increased message was not accompanied by increased secretion of beta-casein. Profound morphological differences were evident between cells cultured on plastic and on EHS matrix, the latter cells forming ducts, ductules, and lumina and resembling secretory alveoli. These results emphasize the vital role of the extracellular matrix in receiving and integrating structural and functional signals that can direct specific gene expression in differentiated tissues.

Animals↗

Effect of thermochemotherapy (combined cyclophosphamide and hyperthermia) given at various temperatures with or without glucose administration on a murine fibrosarcoma.

The effect of combined cyclophosphamide (CY) and heat treatments on a murine tumor was studied at various temperatures. FSa-II tumors, the early generation isotransplants of a spontaneous fibrosarcoma in a C3Hf/Sed mouse, were used. A single cell suspension was transplanted into the animal foot. Hyperthermia was given by immersing animal feet into a water bath maintained at a desired temperature +/- 0.1 degrees C. An average diameter of the tumor at the time of treatment was 4 mm. The tumor growth time, the time required for one-half of the treated tumors to reach 1000 mm3, was the end point. Hyperthermia enhanced the effect of CY at test temperatures ranging from 40.5 degrees - 44.5 degrees C. The enhancement was independent of the temperature when CY was administered 30 min before the beginning of hyperthermia. However, the enhancement was most substantial at temperatures of 40.5 degrees -42.5 degrees C when CY was administered immediately before hyperthermia. The most effective timing of the CY administration was immediately before hyperthermia. The glucose administered 60 min before hyperthermia enhanced the effect of combined CY and hyperthermia when CY was given 30 min before heating. This enhancement was lost when CY was given immediately before hyperthermia. The CY dose response curves at elevated temperatures were downward concave, which may indicate the presence of a CY- and heat-resistant cell population in the tumor. Implications of these observations in clinical hyperthermia were discussed.

Animals↗

Localization of the L1Md family of repeated sequences in the mouse albumin-alpha-fetoprotein gene complex.

Studies on the beta-globin gene complex in the mouse have demonstrated the existence of repeated DNA sequences interspersed throughout the intergenic regions (1,2). These sequences are members of families of middle repetitive sequences and have been mapped to specific intergenic sites in the 60 kbp beta-globin complex. In this study we present evidence that members of this middle repetitive family of DNA sequences, the L1Md family, are interspersed throughout the mouse albumin and alpha-fetoprotein gene complex. Unlike those of the beta-globin complex, all of which are found in the intergenic regions, these sequences are localized within intron 12 of the albumin gene and intron 3 of the AFP gene as well as twice in the 13.5 kbp intergenic region that links the albumin gene to the AFP gene.

Animals↗