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M Osborn

Publications and source records attributed to M Osborn.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Intermediate filaments of the vimentin and prekeratin type in human epidermis.

Monospecific antibodies to intermediate filaments of mesenchymally derived vimentin, applied to frozen sections of human skin, specifically stained dendritic basal and suprabasal cells. Cellular morphology, distribution, reaction pattern with anti-HLA-DR in serial sections, and OKT6 in double-staining procedures identified these cells as melanocytes and Langerhans cells. As shown previously in animals keratinocytes stained with antiprekeratin exclusively. Thus, vimentin is an intracellular marker for Langerhans cells and melanocytes, differentiating them from keratinocytes.

Cytoskeleton↗

Intermediate filaments as histologic markers: an overview.

Determination of the type of intermediate filaments (IFs) present in a cell or tissue can yield information about its origin. Thus cells can be grouped into six different classes, i.e. epithelial cells characterized by cytokeratins, most but not all neurones characterized by neurofilaments (NFs), glial cells characterized by the presence of glial fibrillary acidic filaments, muscle cells characterized by the presence of desmin filaments, mesenchymal cells and certain other nonepithelial cell types characterized by the presence of vimentin, and other cells that appear not to contain IFs. The assignments made by immunologic techniques are supported by protein chemistry of the isolated proteins. Information derived from protein sequences as well as from DNA sequences establish that the major intermediate-filament proteins are different but related molecules and show also that the alpha-keratins of wool belong to this multigene family. Applications of IF typing to human pathologic material, and especially to the different major subgroups of human tumors, are reviewed. Thus, for instance, carcinomas continue to express cytokeratins, many tumors of neuronal origin express NFs, gliomas express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA), rhabdomyosarcomas express desmin, and nonmuscle sarcomas express vimentin. Further subclassification of epithelial cells and carcinomas is discussed. The subdivisions obtained by IF typing are striking because they follow well-known histologic principles; thus IF typing seems useful in certain instances where diagnosis is difficult by conventional techniques.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibodies specific for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein and for each of the neurofilament triplet polypeptides.

A panel of 10 mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) has been isolated using porcine GFA as antigen. Although all antibodies recognize GFA purified from porcine spinal cord in the western blot technique, they can be subdivided into at least three groups on the basis of their reactivity against defined fragments of the molecule. Immunofluorescence staining patterns with the monoclonal antibodies performed on tissues and cell lines resemble those reported with conventional polyclonal antibodies directed against GFA. In particular astrocytes and Bergmann glia are strongly stained. In addition mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for either the 200 kd, or the 160 kd, or the 68 kd neurofilament triplet protein have been isolated and characterized. These antibodies are specific for neuronal cells and support conclusions made with similar antigen affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies. The combined set of monoclonal antibodies seems a valuable tool to characterize the different cell types of the nervous system.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemistry of the acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum. I. Preparation, morphology, and reliability of results concerning cytoplasmic actomyosin patterns in sandwiched plasmodia.

Small phaneroplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum migrate, under sandwich conditions between two agar sheets and a membrane of cellophane, as thin protoplasmic sheets. This method suitably simulates the situation in the natural habitat of acellular slime moulds; i.e. the narrow clefts of the forest soil. The highly differentiated system of cytoplasmic fibrils displayed under these conditions survives both long-term extraction with glycerol and fixation with methanol, procedures that remove the strong inherent autofluorescence, thus allowing the use of immunocytochemical studies. The complicated fibrillar system of sandwiched plasmodia consists of: (1) a membrane-associated cortical filament layer in the anterior region; (2) a more or less regular polygonal fibrillar network in the intermediate region; and (3) a helically twisted fibrillar system encircling endoplasmic pathways as well as isolated strands in the posterior region. So far, three different cytoskeletal proteins have been identified immunocytochemically as constituents of the fibrillar structures: actin, myosin and AM-protein (fragmin). No positive identification of alpha-actinin, filamin and tropomyosin was obtained using antibodies against vertebrate proteins. Electron microscopy of glycerol-extracted specimens treated with antibodies against actin and myosin revealed that the 6 nm filaments consist of actin, whereas the electron-dense material between single actin filaments appears to be myosin. The AM-protein modulating the polymer status of actin is located in all fibrillar structures.

Actins↗

Tumor diagnosis by intermediate filament typing: a novel tool for surgical pathology.

In most cell types intermediate or 10-mm filaments (IF) are a major cytoskeletal organization and, thus, directly or indirectly influence the structural appearance of the cytoplasm. In line with the cell type-specific expression patterns of different IF proteins in normal animal and human tissue, IF typing distinguishes the major tumor groups, as documented by results with several hundred human tumors classified by conventional histologic methods. Carcinomas are characterized by cytokeratins, sarcomas of muscle cells by desmin, nonmuscle sarcomas by vimentin, and gliomas by glial fibrillary acidic protein. Furthermore, certain tumors originating from the sympathetic nervous system, e.g., ganglioneuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and at least some neuroblastomas, are characterized by the presence of neurofilaments. Carcinomas can often be further subdivided with regard to their possible derivation by examining their cytokeratin profiles. The IF type characteristic of the cell of origin seems to be kept not only in the primary tumor but usually also in solid metastases. In general, tumors do not acquire additional IF types. Therefore, IF typing can provide an unambiguous and rapid characterization in certain cases, that are difficult to diagnose by conventional techniques. Some useful examples are the small cell tumors of childhood and the discrimination between undifferentiated carcinoma and lymphoma. IF typing of a few tumors has already led to a revision or reconsideration of the original light microscopic diagnosis. The combined results indicate that at least certain carcinomas, as well as certain other tumor types, seem to arise by the selective multiplication of a particular and identifiable cell type present in the normal tissue. The procedure is not restricted to tumor material. IF typing of Mallory bodies, Alzheimer's disease tangles, certain myopathies, and the cells of the amniotic fluid offers further interesting applications. Thus, IF typing should become a valuable new tool both in histology and surgical pathology.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Pinocytosis and locomotion of amoebae. XIX. Immunocytochemical demonstration of actin and myosin in Amoeba proteus.

The spatial distribution of cytoplasmic actin and myosin in 1. normal locomoting, 2. immobilized, and 3. pinocytosing Amoeba proteus was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. In orthotactic and polytactic cells fixed during normal locomotion actin is mainly located in a cortical layer delineating the granuloplasm from the peripheral hyaloplasm. In cell areas lacking a hyaloplasmic sheet the actin layer immediately borders the plasma membrane. The amount of actin within the continuous layer seems to increase from the advancing front to the middle cell region and to decrease again toward the uroid. The distribution of myosin is largely congruent to the display of actin, with the exception that the myosin-based fluorescence of the cortical layer gradually increases from the front to the uroid. A considerable amount of actin and myosin is also distributed around the nucleus and the contractile vacuole. In immobilized cells contracted by the external application of 10(-4)M procaine hydrochloride the cortical layer distinctly increases in thickness. In contrast to normal locomoting cells actin and myosin show a uniform distribution within the cell cortex along the entire surface. In pinocytosing cells, up to three cortical layers conspicuously rich in actin are produced during the process of channel formation. One of these layers is located in close proximity to the plasma membrane of the pinocytotic channels and the vacuoles. The immunocytochemical results are discussed with respect to earlier observations on the distribution of actin and myosin in Amoeba proteus as obtained by other methods.

Actins↗

Immunocytochemistry of the acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum. III. Distribution of myosin and the actin-modulating protein (fragmin) in sandwiched plasmodia.

The acellular slime mold Physarum forms very thin plasmodia when sandwiched between two agar sheets. After extraction with glycerol-containing buffers, suitable objects for immunofluorescence microscopy are obtained, and an analysis of the cytoskeletal and contractile system of Physarum becomes possible. Plasmodia were stained with antibodies against myosin and fragmin, a protein factor involved in actin filament length regulation. The microanatomy and topography of cellular structures containing these proteins were investigated at the light and electron microscopic levels. The patterns obtained with the two antibodies are closely related to those obtained with actin antibody [25]. In both cases the complex system of cytoplasmic fibrils is stained selectively. The fibrils form a more or less regular network in the advancing front zone with the fibrils being interconnected by focal nodes. In the posterior region of the plasmodium, where endoplasmic pathways and protoplasmic veins are differentiated, larger fibrils are detected, running obliquely or longitudinally to the veins. With both antibodies the fluorescent pattern of the fibrils is continuous without indications of periodic interruptions or striations, which would be expected in the case of sarcomere-like subunits. With anti-myosin unstained patches are frequently seen at or close to the nodes of the fibrillar network in the anterior region. The small lobopodia, which are rich in actin, are apparently not stained by the myosin antibody, a result similar to the situation in "ruffling edges¿ of cultured vertebrate cells. Electron microscopic investigations of antibody-labeled fibrils in embedded and sectioned plasmodia allow the identification of antibody molecules at specific sites along the fibrils with a different distribution pattern for each of the two antibodies.

Animals↗

A monoclonal antibody specific for the 200 K polypeptide of the neurofilament triplet.

A mouse monoclonal antibody, designated NF1, was obtained from a cloned hybridoma isolated from a fusion of mouse myeloma Sp2 cells with spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with a crude neurofilament preparation from porcine spinal cord. NF1 is an IgG1 and recognizes, in immune blotting procedures, only the 200 K neurofilament triplet component. Its neurofilament-specific nature is further revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy studies on frozen tissue sections and various cultured cells. Immunoelectron microscopy studies on cytoskeletons of cultured neurones emphasize the discontinuous display along each neurofilament previously observed with polyclonal antibodies specific for the 200 K component after appropriate but rather cumbersome cross-absorption steps. Use of NF1 on various neuronal cells strongly supports the previous proposal of the existence of certain subpopulations of neurofilament-free neurones and the observation that certain neuronal arrangements, (e.g., those in dendrites of pyramidal cells of the hippocampus), although rich in neurofilaments, probably lack the normal 200 K triplet component. Since NF1 shows a broad cross-species reactivity and is able to react on formaldehyde-fixed tissue, it should be a useful reagent to study differential neurofilament expression and organization in embryonic, adult and pathological tissues.

Animals↗

Monoclonal cytokeratin antibodies that distinguish simple from stratified squamous epithelia: characterization on human tissues.

Four monoclonal antibodies designated CK1 - CK4 were obtained from fusions of mouse myeloma F0 cells with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with cytoskeletal preparations made by treatment of human HeLa cells with non-ionic detergents. These IgG1 type antibodies all recognize, in immune blots, cytokeratin 18 (45 kd, pI 5.7) in the catalogue of 19 human cytokeratin species developed by Moll et al. (1982). Immunofluorescence microscopy on human material shows that CK1 - CK4 stain a wide variety of simple epithelia (e.g., intestine, respiratory and urinary systems, liver, glandular epithelia) but do not stain stratified squamous epithelia (e.g., oesophagus, epidermis) or non-epithelial cells. The immunofluorescence results, developed mainly by gel electrophoresis, support the concept of cytokeratin divergence in different epithelia and clarify, for cytokeratin 18, some unsolved problems posed by high tissue complexity. CK2 appears specific for human, CK1 and CK3 for primates, while CK4 shows broad cross-species reactivity. Thus, CK1 - CK4 appear to be valuable tools for cytokeratin typing and initial experiments also suggest that they can be used to further subdivide human tumours of epithelial origin.

Animals↗

Dynamics of the cytoskeleton of epidermal cells in situ and in culture.

The cytoskeleton of primary tissue-culture cells from the epidermis of Xenopus laevis tadpoles was investigated by phase-contrast, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. The connection between the arrangement of different types of filaments and the mechanical properties of the epidermis is discussed. The bilayered epidermis attains stability from thick bundles of tonofilaments interconnecting the basal desmosomes. Twisting of tonofilaments around each other can explain the occurrence of elastic filamentous curls forming a meshwork braced between rows of "small desmosomes" in the apical region of the epidermis. Actin is arranged as a diffuse meshwork and sometimes forms bundles intermingling with tonofilament bundles. Surface membranes and rows of "small desmosomes" are delineated by actin and contain alpha-actinin. Actin raises the tension for rounding and spreading of cells. Microtubules stabilize already well-developed lamellae.

Animals↗

Identification of Langerhans cells: simultaneous use of sera to intermediate filaments, T6 and HLA-DR antigens on oral mucosa, human epidermis and their tumours.

Langerhans cells in oral mucosa and epidermis have been identified using antibodies to intermediate filament proteins in conjunction with antibodies to T6 and HLA-DR antigens. Langerhans cells, lymphocytes and melanocytes are positive when tested with antibodies to vimentin, and negative with antibodies to prekeratin. Langerhans cells are also positive with antibodies directed against HLA-DR and T6 antigens. In contrast keratinocytes are positive for prekeratin and negative for vimentin, HLA-DR and T6. These methods provide a useful tool for the identification of Langerhans cells at the level of the light microscope, and have been used to show changes in the number and arrangement of these cells in squamous cell carcinomas of skin and oral mucosa, and in inflammatory conditions.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Diagnosis of human childhood rhabdomyosarcoma of antibodies to desmin, the structural protein of muscle specific intermediate filaments.

Four embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas, one tumor diagnosed as an undifferentiated sarcoma, probably a rhabdomyosarcoma, and six different non-muscular sarcomas were investigated with antibodies specific for different intermediate filament types. The tumor cells in the rhabdomyosarcomas and the undifferentiated tumor were stained clearly by antibodies to desmin, the intermediate filament type characteristic of muscle. The staining of tumor cell by antibodies to vimentin, the intermediate filament type characteristic of certain cell types of mesenchymal origin including myoblasts, was different in these 5 cases. In one case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma nearly all tumor cells were stained, but in the remaining cases few or no tumor cells were positive with the vimentin antibody. In these rhabdomyosarcomas not only the large rhabdomyoblasts, but also the small undifferentiated cells were labeled by antibodies to desmin. In the latter cell type the desmin filaments were arranged typically in coils. In contrast, tumor cells in the non-muscular mesenchymal sarcomas were stained only by antibodies to vimentin but not by antibodies to desmin or prekeratin. The retention of the desmin marker characteristic of normal muscle in cases of rhabdomyosarcoma not only allowed the undifferentiated desmin-positive sarcoma to be classified as rhabdomyosarcoma but also suggests that the use of antibodies to desmin could be very helpful in the future for the diagnosis of undifferentiated rhabdomyosarcomas.

Adult↗

Various sympathetic derived human tumors differ in neurofilament expression. Use in diagnosis of neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma.

We have extended our analysis of human tumors using antibodies specific for each of the five types of intermediate filaments to neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, ependymoblastoma, and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Tumor cells in the three cases of neuroblastoma, as well as in the single case of alveolar soft part sarcoma, did not react positively with sera directed against any of the five intermediate filament types. We suppose, therefore, that neuroblastoma at least may be derived from a cell type - possibly present in peripheral neurones - which in vivo has very few or no intermediate filaments. In ganglioneuroblastoma and in pheochromocytoma the tumor cells were positive when tested with antibodies directed against neurofilaments and negative with those directed against other intermediate filament types. The ependymoblastoma was positive when tested with antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) and negative when tested with antibodies against other intermediate filament types. Use of antibodies to the different intermediate filament types appears to be a valid way in which to classify tumors, and so far the data presented here and elsewhere support the hypothesis that tumor cells retain the intermediate filament type typical of their cell of origin. Wider use of these sera would seem particularly useful in cases such as neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma or lymphoma where diagnosis is currently difficult using conventional histological stains.

Adolescent↗