[Autoimmunity: a concept generating therapeutic tools].
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
N Fabien
Publications and source records attributed to N Fabien.
Low frequency of p53 mutations in human thyroid tumours; p53 and Ras mutation in two out of fifty-six thyroid tumours.
OBJECTIVE: p53 is a well-known nuclear phosphoprotein encoded by a suppressor gene know to be mutated in various kinds of human tumours. A relationship between p53 gene mutation and tumour progression seems to be a common feature of several neoplasias. DESIGN: In order to investigate the role of p53 mutations in human thyroid tumours, DNA samples derived from fifty-six neoplastic tissues, ranging from benign adenomas to undifferentiated carcinomas, were examined for the presence of p53 gene mutations. METHODS: The analysis has been conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the exons 5-9 of the p53 gene followed by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analyses. RESULTS: One anaplastic carcinoma and one papillary carcinoma showed p53 gene mutations in exons 5 and 8, respectively. A cell line established from the papillary carcinoma showed the same mutation present in the original tumour. Both p53 mutations were heterozygous. The p53 positive samples were analysed for other genetic alterations frequently detected in human thyroid carcinomas (mutations of the RET, TRK, and ras oncogenes): both p53-mutated samples proved to be mutated at level of codon 13 of the c-Ki-ras gene. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm that p53 gene alterations are rare in well-differentiated thyroid tumours, that they are an important requirement for the establishment in culture of human thyroid carcinoma cell lines, and that they can be associated with other genetic alterations, namely ras mutations, in the malignant progression of thyroid tumours.
Base Sequence↗
Lymphocyte function associated antigen-1, integrin alpha 4, and L-selectin mediate T-cell homing to the pancreas in the model of adoptive transfer of diabetes in NOD mice.
The involvement of adhesion molecule in the process of T-cell homing to the pancreas was investigated in the model of the T-cell transfer of type I diabetes in NOD mice. Treatment of mice using monoclonal anti-lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA)-1, anti-integrin alpha 4, anti-intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and anti-L-selectin antibodies (monoclonal antibodies [mAbs]) gave rise to a partial or complete prevention of diabetes via different mechanisms of protection. On day 20 posttransfer, diabetes was only observed in control mice (26 of 32) and in few mice treated with the anti-L-selectin mAbs (3 of 24). On day 60, the best protection was observed using the anti-LFA-1 or the anti-integrin alpha 4 mAbs with 3 of 11 and 2 of 5 diabetic mice, respectively. On day 20, no insulitis was observed in the pancreases of mice treated with these mAbs compared with the pancreases of controls, suggesting that such treatment blocked the penetration of T-cells into the islets. In vitro adhesion assays confirmed that adhesion of T-cells to the pancreatic endothelium was blocked, except when using the anti-L-selectin mAb, which induced a modification of the traffic of the transferred T-cells; the ability of T-cells to migrate into the pancreatic lymph nodes was significantly reduced (10.4 vs. 22%). Anti-LFA-1 mAbs did not modify such T-cell trafficking. The present study, therefore, elucidates the role of LFA-1, integrin alpha 4, and L-selectin in T-cell homing to the pancreas, first step of the cascade of events leading to type I diabetes.
Animals↗
[Evaluation of the role of cytology in the diagnosis of cancer of the lung. Comparison between cytology and pathological anatomy in 330 cases of proximal cancers].
This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the interest of cytology in the diagnosis of pulmonary carcinomas. Bronchial samples were collected from 330 patients known to display a macroscopic lesion which was detected by bronchoscopy. Cytological analysis of the bronchial brushings and washings, removed at the first fibroscopy, allowed the diagnosis of malignancy in 92% of the cases analyzed whereas the biopsy confirmed the malignancy in 77% of the cases. In conclusion cytological studies gave information on malignity and classification in 90% of the cases. However histological classification only could guarantee the choice of the best treatment regimen.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Effects of insulin like growth factor-1 and insulin on effector T cells generating autoimmune diabetes.
To compare the protective effects of IGF-1 and insulin on the autoimmune process of beta-cell destruction, permissive NOD recipients were adoptively transferred with 7 x 10(6) autoreactive T cells from diabetic NOD mice and then administered either 10 micrograms of rhIGF-1 or 0.5 unit of regular insulin subcutaneously twice daily for three weeks. The final incidence of successful transfers of diabetes observed at day 22 was significantly reduced in 1/12 mice (8.3%) treated with IGF-1, while diabetes was observed in 4/10 (40%) receiving insulin and 7/11 (63.4%) controls. A marked reduction of insulitis during histological analysis of the pancreatic glands of IGF-1 or insulin-treated mice was also observed. Non-diabetic mice treated with rhIGF-1 had a higher mean +/- SD percentage of intact islets (68.9 +/- 36% vs 10.7 +/- 13%, p < 0.01) and a lower percentage of severely infiltrated islets (5.7 +/- 9.8% vs 30.3 +/- 21%) than non-diabetic control mice. Insulin reduced islet-cell infiltration, though to a lesser extent, with a high percentage of normal islets (55.2 +/- 31%, p < 0.02). Some mice developed diabetes and severe islet-cell infiltration despite rhIGF-1 or insulin, thus indicating that some committed T cells were still able to invade islets and cause beta-cell destruction. To evaluate the effects of rhIGF-1 and insulin on cell trafficking in recipient mice, T cells from diabetic NOD Thy-1, 2 mice injected into congenic NOD-N Thy-1, 1 mice were monitored three weeks after adoptive cell transfer. The percentage of Thyq-1.2+ T cells was significantly reduced in the spleen (10.8 +/- 1.3% vs 17.2 +/- 3.9%, p = 0.004) of rhIGF-1 treated mice as compared to the thymus (68.4 +/- 7.9% vs 72.87 +/0 6.2, p = 0.306). Similar experiments performed in mice treated with insulin revealed no significant differences in the percentages of Thy-1,2+ T cells compared to controls in the spleen (l4.3 +/- 1.4%), thymus (84 +/- 2.5%) or pancreatic lymph nodes (21.5 +/- 1.6% vs 23.4 +/- 1.5%) of treated animals. These results suggest that rhIGF-1, as compared to insulin, could influence T-cell trafficking to the lymphoid organs in addition to affecting beta cells. These findings may have important implications for new preventive strategies in human Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Animals↗
Transgenic mice carrying the human KRAS oncogene under the control of a thyroglobulin promoter: KRAS expression in thyroids analyzed by in situ hybridization.
We have previously generated transgenic mice bearing a molecular construct obtained by fusing the rat thyroglobulin promoter with the human Kirsten ras oncogene (KRAS). These mice showed thyroid abnormalities, although at very low incidence and after a long latency period. A six-month thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation of thyroid glands, followed by a two-month suspension, induced a significant increase in the number of lesions in transgenic mice as compared with a nontransgenic control group. Our goal was to follow the progression and the reversion of the tumorigenesis process in relationship with the levels of expression of the KRAS in this experimental model. In situ hybridization was used to detect expression of KRAS mRNA in sections of thyroids of the various groups of mice. A positive hybridization was observed in follicular cells of TSH-stimulated transgenic mice, whereas no expression could be appreciated in control nontransgenic mice. A positive signal was also observed in thyroid glands excised from transgenic mice after the 2-month suspension of treatment; however, the number of expressing cells was decreased compared with transgenic mice killed immediately after 6 months of a goitrogen regimen. Finally, every cell in the single thyroid carcinoma observed after the two-month suspension was positive for the transgene mRNA. This study further strengthens the role of the expression of mutated KRAS in the early stages of thyroid follicular cell transformation and indicates that when the expression of the mutated KRAS becomes independent of exogenous TSH stimulation, this event coincides with a further progression towards tumorigenesis.
Adenoma↗
Pancreatic lymph nodes are early targets of T cells during adoptive transfer of diabetes in NOD mice.
The circulation pathway of diabetogenic T lymphocytes prior to insulitis was investigated using adoptive transfer of diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. Transferred T cells were distinguished from recipient T cells using two strains of mice congenic at the Thy1 locus. They were monitored in the pancreas and in several lymphoid organs including thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes from pancreatic, mesenteric, axillary, inguinal and lomboaortic areas, from Day 0 to Day 15 after the adoptive lymphocytic transfer. Immunohistochemical studies showed that at Day 2 post-transfer the pancreatic lymph nodes (PLN) and to a lesser extent the spleen, are the first two organs to be infiltrated. The amount of T cells of donor origin using quantitative flow cytometric analysis was 4% and 2.6% respectively. This percentage increased to 19% in the PLN at Day 15 and did not exceed 7% in the spleen. Analysis of the expression of IL-2 receptor present at the surface of activated T lymphocytes showed that 73% of donor T cells were activated in the PLN within 3 days post-transfer in contrast to 0% in the spleen. The accumulation and activation of T cells in the PLN may imply a role of these lymphoid organs in harbouring the diabetogenic T cells during the early steps of the disease.
Animals↗
RET/PTC activation in human thyroid carcinomas.
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Animals↗
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protects NOD mice from insulitis and diabetes.
To evaluate the effect of IGF-1 on the autoimmune process of beta cell destruction, permissive non-obese diabetic (NOD) recipients were adoptively transferred with 7 x 10(6) autoreactive T cells from diabetic NOD mice and were administered subcutaneously 10 micrograms rhIGF-1, twice daily for 3 weeks. Administration of rhIGF-1 reduced the final incidence of successful transfers of diabetes observed in only 6/24 mice (25%) versus 12/21 (57%) in control mice. A marked reduction of insulitis during histological analysis of pancreatic glands was also observed. Mice treated with rhIGF-1 had a higher percentage of intact islets (48.6 +/- 12% versus 1.6 +/- 1.1%, P = 0.001) and a lower percentage of infiltrated islets. Islets from rhIGF-1-treated mice had a more intense insulin staining reflecting a higher beta cell mass, but no difference was observed in the amount of insulin content of pancreatic extracts and in the amounts of mRNA transcripts for proinsulin. No difference was also observed in the titres of three islet cell antibody (ICA)-positive sera and in the pattern of A2B5 staining. Some mice developed diabetes and severe islet cell infiltration despite rhIGF-1, thus indicating that some committed T cells were still able to invade the islets and cause beta cell destruction. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen of experimental mice were similar. To evaluate the effects of rhIGF-1 on cell trafficking in recipient mice, T cells from diabetic NOD Thy-1,2 mice injected into congenic NOD-N Thy-1,1 mice were monitored 3 weeks after adoptive cell transfer. The percentage of Thy-1,2+ T cells was significantly reduced in the spleen (10.8 +/- 1.3% versus 17.2 +/- 3.9%, P = 0.004) of rhIGF-1 treated mice in contrast to the thymus (68.4 +/- 7.9% versus 72.87 +/- 6.2%, P = 0.306), suggesting that rhIGF-1 could influence T cell trafficking to the lymphoid organs. The findings that rhIGF-1 has protective effects in autoimmune diabetes opens new perspectives for future experiments as well as for preventive strategies in human type I diabetes.
Animals↗
Description of a human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line. Morphologic study and expression of tumoral markers.
BACKGROUND: The establishment of cell lines from thyroid carcinomas can provide an in vitro model of oncogenesis. B-CPAP is a new cell line that has been obtained from a differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma. The data presented give a broader characterization and expression of tumoral markers of this cell line and identify the differentiated functions that are preserved. METHODS: An ultrastructural study was performed to confirm the thyroid nature of the new cell line. The cellular markers (thyroglobulin, S100, neuron-specific enolase [NSE]) and the oncogenes (mutated p53, H-ras, c-myc, PTC, trk) were studied by immunohistochemistry, Southern blot, or in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The cells were of a differentiated ultrastructural thyroid type. All of the cells proved immunoreactive with antibodies specific to thyroglobulin, S100 proteins, NSE, and mutant p53 protein. Mutations of H-ras, PTC, and trk were not observed. The c-myc gene was not amplified. CONCLUSIONS: The cell line described in these data provides a suitable model for the study of thyroid carcinogenesis, given that the cells present thyroid characteristics, and metabolic disorders not previously found in such cell lines. In addition, the coexpression of S100 proteins and mutant p53 proteins in the cells should permit the study of the interaction between these two proteins.
Aged↗
Oral administration of human insulin to NOD mice generates CD4+ T cells that suppress adoptive transfer of diabetes.
Oral administration of porcine insulin has been shown to be effective in preventing the spontaneous occurrence of diabetes in the Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mouse model. In the present study, we demonstrate that feeding 6-week-old female mice with 20 units of human insulin every 2-3 days for 30 days induces an active mechanism of suppression through the generation of regulatory T cells. Adult irradiated NOD males i.v. injected with 5 x 10(6) T cells from the spleens of diabetic female donors and the same number of T cells from the spleens of insulin-fed animals had less successful diabetes transfer than controls (4/15 vs. 8/16, P < 0.001). Protection from clinical diabetes was associated with a reduction in severe insulitis (16.4 +/- 3.6% vs. 52.3 +/- 12.8%, P = 0.023). However, more than 85% of the islets were inflamed. Feeding animals for 15 days reduced the magnitude of this protection since the number of successful transfers after 1 month was comparable (12/17 vs. 14/17) despite a significant delay in diabetes onset (P < 0.001). No difference in the contribution of T cell subsets was noted by cytofluorometry in the spleens of treated animals. When T cell subsets from insulin-fed animals were co-injected with diabetogenic T cells, only purified CD4+ T cells were able to transfer protection since only 3/12 mice became diabetic after 36 days in comparison to 3/6 in the group co-injected with CD4+ T cells from PBS-fed animals, or 5/6 in the group injected with CD8+ T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Induction of apoptosis in mouse thymocytes by cyclosporin A: in vivo study.
We investigated the in vivo effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on mouse thymus and thymocytes. Administration of CsA (10 mg/kg of body weight) was found to induce a marked reduction in the size, weight and consistency of the thymus. These modifications were associated with thymic reticulo-epithelial cells (TREC) and thymocyte damage. Some of the damaged thymocytes displayed characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis. Ultrastructural study of thymocytes and thymic tissue, as well as DNA electrophoresis of thymocytes, showed chromatin condensation, cellular shrinkage, and nuclear fragmentation in oligonucleosomal fragments. DNA labeling with propidium iodide (PI) of thymocytes from CsA treated mice cultured for 24 hrs showed an increased number of apoptotic nuclei. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for thymocyte subsets confirmed that CsA induces a large decrease in the relative number of mature single positive (SP) CD4+CD8- and CD8+CD4- thymocytes expressing high densities of CD3 and T cell receptor ab (TCR alpha beta) surface molecules, but also a decrease in the absolute number of the other thymocyte subsets. These results suggest that CsA causes macroscopic and ultrastructural modifications of the thymus, associated with an active process of cell death in mouse thymocytes in vivo. In line with these results we formulate a hypothesis concerning the stage of T-cell development at which CsA induces apoptosis.
Animals↗
Induction of apoptosis in mouse thymocytes by cyclosporin A: an in vitro study.
The effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on mouse thymocytes was investigated in vitro. Ultrastructural examination and DNA electrophoresis of 24hr-CsA-treated thymocytes showed chromatin condensation, cellular shrinkage and nuclear fragmentation in oligonucleosomal fragments. DNA labeling of CsA-treated-thymocytes with propidium iodide (PI) showed an increase in the number of apoptotic nuclei compared to untreated thymocytes. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to particular thymocyte subsets showed that CsA induces a decrease in the relative number of immature double positive (DP) CD4+CD8+ thymocytes in direct proportion to the concentration of CsA. No significant changes were observed in mature single positive (SP) CD4+CD8- and CD8+CD4- cells. Moreover, the cell viability of CsA-treated thymocytes was decreased. These results suggest that CsA induces the programmed cell death of thymocytes in vitro. Taken together with our previous study on the in vivo effect of CsA on mouse thymus and thymocytes, the present study confirms that, in addition to its effect on the thymic epithelium, CsA acts directly on thymocytes by inducing their programmed cell death. We postulate that immature DP thymocytes are the most likely targets of CsA.
Animals↗
Developmental expression of the RET protooncogene.
The RET protooncogene encodes a transmembrane protein of the receptor-type tyrosine kinase family whose ligand has not yet been identified. Its activation in vivo is restricted to human carcinomas of the thyroid. In order to learn more about the possible role played by RET during normal development, we have examined its expression by performing in situ hybridization experiments on mouse embryos. Here, we show that the RET protooncogene is expressed during mouse embryogenesis in an unusual temporal and spatial manner. In fact, its expression was first detected around day 10 of gestation in the basal plate of the neural tube and in the developing encephalic ganglia, and later its pattern of expression was definitely established in neural structures, mostly in neural crest derivatives (spinal and encephalic ganglia). As far as the central nervous system is concerned, RET expression was confined to the ventral part of the midbrain from 12.5 days postcoitum (dpc) until birth. RET was also found to be expressed within structures of sensory organs such as the ganglial layer of the retina and the olfactory epithelium. A peculiar pattern of RET expression was clearly observed in the wall of the gut and in the nephrogenic zone of the developing kidney cortex, specifically in the metanephrogenic vesicles. Finally, RET was found to be expressed in the liver mostly between 12.5 dpc and 14.5 dpc. In conclusion, its expression in the early stages of embryogenesis suggests that RET may play a role in the differentiation of specific neural structures and the excretory system.
Animals↗
Detection of RET oncogene activation in human papillary thyroid carcinomas by in situ hybridisation.
We have recently reported the activation of a new oncogene in human papillary thyroid carcinomas. This oncogene, named PTC, is a novel rearranged version of the ret proto-oncogene. In fact PTC is the product of the fusion of the tyrosine kinase domain of the ret proto-oncogene with the 5'-terminal region of another gene that we have named H4. The ret proto-oncogene shows a pattern of expression restricted to neuroendocrine tissue. Its fusion with H4 allows the expression of the activated form in thyroid papillary carcinomas. Therefore the detection of ret transcripts is a tool to investigate ret activation in thyroid neoplasms. Here we show the detection by in situ hybridisation, of activated ret transcripts in human thyroid papillary neoplasms that were positive for PTC activation by Southern blot analysis. We did not find any ret transcripts in papillary carcinomas negative for PTC activation, nor in normal thyroid and in non-papillary thyroid neoplasias.
3T3 Cells↗
[Description of cell line established from human thyroid papillary cancer and secreting human chorionic gonadotropin hormone].
One of the difficulties in characterization of the oncogenes involved in thyroid carcinogenesis is the production of cell lines. Arising from a poorly differentiated thyroid papillary carcinoma we have established a cell line synthesizing the thyroglobulin and human chorionic gonadotropin (alpha and beta subunits) (HCG) hormones. These cells will allow research of the oncogenes involved or potentially involved in thyroid papillary carcinomas and evaluation of the role of the autocrine secretion of HCG.
Carcinoma, Papillary↗
Human epithelial thymic tumours: heterogeneity in immunostaining of epithelial cell markers and thymic hormones.
Different hormones (thymulin, thymosin alpha 1, vasopressin), antigenic markers of cortical and subcapsular/medullary thymic areas and tumour associated antigens were studied on paraffin or frozen section and cultures of human epithelial thymic tumours ('thymomas'). Thymulin, thymosin alpha 1 and for the first time vasopressin are found in most tumours. The epithelial cells of five 'thymomas' had markers of both cortical (TE3) and subcapsular/medullary thymic regions (A2B5 and/or TE4 and/or anti-p19). Leu-7, a marker of subcapsular epithelial cells was positive only in two tumours. The histological classification into cortical and medullary tumours does not correspond to our immunofluorescence results. The presence of these markers does not support the theory of different embryologic origin of the cortical and subcapsular/medullary epithelial cells. Transferrin receptors were detected on only some epithelial cells of thymic 'carcinomas'. Adenocarcinoma related antigen and carcino embryonic antigen only stained a few epithelial cells of all the tumours. There is no expected correlation between the presence of epidermal growth factor receptors on cell membranes and the number of proliferative cells stained by the anti-Ki67 antibodies. Immunostainings were heterogeneous according to the epithelial thymic tumours, independent of histological classification and not yet useful for prognosis.
Adult↗
Study of a monoclonal antibody specific to epithelial cells of mammalian thymuses.
Hybridomas between spleen cells from BALB/c mice and Sp2/O-Ag14 mycloma cell line are performed by PEG fusion. An in vitro booster is realized with human thymic reticulo-epithelial cell cultures as antigen. A monoclonal antibody (3H9) directed against the thymic epithelium and stratified epithelia of mammals has been obtained and characterized.
Animals↗