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Biomedical subjects

R Invernizzi

Publications and source records attributed to R Invernizzi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Establishment and characterization of a B-cell line derived from a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome which expresses myelomonocytic and lymphoid markers.

We describe a novel continuous B-cell line (PV-90) derived from a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and originating from spontaneous infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The patient progressed to acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) 5 months after clinical onset of MDS. PV-90 is of clonal origin as indicated by the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangements, monoclonal surface immunoglobulins, and a single DNA restriction fragment corresponding to the EBV genomic termini. PV-90 cells also express a number of myelomonocytic markers, including alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), coagulation factor XIII, and CD68 antigen. Moreover, PV-90 cells constitutively express the c-fms proto-oncogene mRNA as the patient's blast cells did. Whereas a trisomy 11 (+11) was found in the patient's bone marrow cells, PV-90 cells had a normal karyotype initially, but at 4 months showed two different and independent chromosomal abnormalities: 90, XX, -Y, -Y, t(9;16) (q11;p13), and 90, XX, -Y, -Y, t(17;18) (p13;q21), the latter possibly involving the p53 (17,p13) and bcl-2 (18, q21) proto-oncogenes. The early development of these chromosomal aberrations is consistent with a genetic instability of PV-90 cells. Expression of bi-lineage markers and genetic instability may suggest that PV-90 cells originated from transformation of a myelodysplastic progenitor cell capable of both myeloid and B-cell differentiation. The PV-90 cell line might be useful in a number of studies, including the possible role of c-fms in cell differentiation, pathogenetic mechanisms of human preleukaemia and lineage promiscuity in acute leukaemia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Administration of 8-hydroxy-2-(Di-n-propylamino)tetralin in raphe nuclei dorsalis and medianus reduces serotonin synthesis in the rat brain: differences in potency and regional sensitivity.

Following administration of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 0.04-5.0 micrograms/0.5 microliter) in the raphe nucleus dorsalis (DR) or medianus (MR), the synthesis of serotonin (5-HT), as assessed by the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) after decarboxylase inhibition, was measured in various regions of the rat CNS. At all doses, 8-OH-DPAT in the DR significantly reduced 5-HTP accumulation in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, cortex, and prefrontal cortex, whereas even the highest dose had no effect in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. One microgram of 8-OH-DPAT in the MR significantly reduced 5-HTP accumulation in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, and 5 micrograms had an effect in all the areas except the striatum and spinal cord. One and 5 micrograms of 8-OH-DPAT, administered in either the DR or MR, did not significantly modify the accumulation of dihydroxyphenylalanine in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. The results confirm that DR and MR have different sensitivities to 5-HT1A receptor agonists, and that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in these nuclei produces different effects on 5-HT synthesis in different brain regions.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1990

5' Nucleotidase in chronic B cell leukemias: a cytochemical and ultrastructural study.

We studied by cytochemical means the distribution of 5' nucleotidase (5' NT), a purine degradative enzyme, in the circulating lymphocytes of 24 healthy donors and 41 cases of chronic lymphoid leukemias, classified according to morphological and immunological criteria. About half the normal circulating lymphocytes were 5'NT positive and exhibited variable degrees of enzyme activity. Among chronic B lymphocytic leukemias we found high percentages of positive cells only in the phenotypically more mature cases. Moreover all cases of hairy cell, follicular cell, lymphoplasmacytic, and plasma cell leukemia showed moderate or weak 5' NT reactivity. Also one case of chronic T lymphocytic leukemia, CD8 positive, was moderately positive, while another, with large granular lymphocyte morphology, was completely negative. Electron microscopy revealed a discontinuous, granular plasma membrane reaction pattern, varying in intensity from case to case. In conclusion, our results confirm the usefulness of the 5' NT cytochemical reaction for identification of lymphoid populations at different stages of maturation in chronic B cell disorders.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1990

Immunocytochemical detection of ferritin in human bone marrow and peripheral blood cells using monoclonal antibodies specific for the H and L subunit.

We have used the monoclonal antibodies 2A4 (specific for the H subunit of human ferritin) and LO3 (specific for the L subunit) for immunocytochemical detection of ferritin in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells from normal subjects and patients with various haematological disorders. Formalin-fixed slides were stained by the immunoalkaline phosphatase procedure (APAAP). In normal subjects, ferritin could be found only in bone marrow smears and appeared to be largely confined to erythroid precursors and reticuloendothelial cells. The more immature erythroid precursors contained higher concentrations of cellular ferritin. Although evaluation could be only semiquantitative, erythroblast ferritin appeared to be more reactive with the monoclonal 2A4 (15 +/- 7% positive erythroblasts) than with the monoclonal LO3 (6 +/- 5% positive erythroblasts), indicating that H-type ferritin was predominant, particularly in proerythroblasts and basophilic erythroblasts. By contrast, the ferritin present in reticuloendothelial cells appeared to be predominantly of L-type. Patients with iron deficiency showed low levels of positive erythroblast, whereas the reverse was true in patients with transfusional iron overload. Intense positivity for reticuloendothelial cell ferritin was found in patients with anaemia of chronic disease. In myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), ferritin positivity was generally very strong at any stage of erythroblast development, particularly with the monoclonal antibody 2A4. Perls-positive perinuclear granules of ring sideroblasts were not stained, confirming that mitochondrial iron deposition is not in the form of ferritin. In AML and myelodysplastic syndromes with excess of blasts, ferritin could be detected also in immature myeloid cells. These data indicate that: (a) in normal conditions ferritin is mainly expressed in red cell precursors and reticuloendothelial cells, and this is in keeping with the peculiar role of these cells in iron metabolism; (b) abnormal cell ferritin contents can be observed in both iron overload and malignancy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Effects of acute and chronic clozapine on dopamine release and metabolism in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of conscious rats.

1. The effect of single and repeated (once daily for 23 days) oral doses of 20 and 60 mg kg-1 clozapine on dopamine release and metabolism were studied by intracerebral dialysis in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of conscious rats. 2. The basal output of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of rats given clozapine 20 or 60 mg kg-1 chronically, measured one day after the last drug dose, was not significantly different from that of vehicle-treated animals. 3. Challenge doses of 20 or 60 mg kg-1 clozapine produced similar increases in dopamine levels in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of animals which had received vehicle or clozapine 20 or 60 mg kg-1 once daily for 23 days, except that 1 h after administration 60 mg kg-1 clozapine had a greater effect in the nucleus accumbens. 4. In animals treated chronically with clozapine 20 and 60 mg kg-1 or vehicle, DOPAC levels in the striatum and nucleus accumbens were increased to the same extent by challenge doses of clozapine (20 or 60 mg kg-1). In animals treated chronically with clozapine, a challenge dose of 60 mg kg-1 had significantly greater effect on HVA only in the nucleus accumbens. 5. When DOPAC and HVA were measured post mortem in the striatum and nucleus accumbens 2 h after various oral doses of clozapine, it was found that 10 mg kg-1 significantly increased dopamine metabolites only in the nucleus accumbens whereas 100 mg kg-1 had this effect in both regions. Clozapine, 30mgkg-' significantly raised DOPAC levels in both regions but HVA was elevated only in the nucleus accumbens. 6. There appeared to be no appreciable changes in dopamine release and metabolism nor any reduction in the effect of clozapine in the nucleus accumbens after chronic drug treatment. In fact the effect was greater in chronically treated rats, particularly in the nucleus accumbens of animals given 60mgkg' clozapine. 7. It was confirmed that measurement of dopamine metabolites in post mortem tissue provides no valuable information on changes in the availability of synaptic dopamine.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1989

Effects of the l isomer of fenfluramine on dopamine mechanisms in rat brain: further studies.

Experiments were carried out to gain additional evidence that l-fenfluramine reduces the dopamine-mediated effects in intact animals. l-Fenfluramine 5 and 10 mg/kg i.p. dose dependently raised the levels of homovanillic acid in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of rats 1 h after injection. The effect of 5 mg/kg l-fenfluramine disappeared and was actually reversed 4 and 8 h after injection. The effect of 10 mg/kg l-fenfluramine, administered 48 h after the last haloperidol dose, was completely antagonized in both striatum and nucleus accumbens of animals made tolerant to the effect of haloperidol on homovanillic acid levels (through repeated treatment with 1 mg/kg haloperidol i.p. twice daily for 11 days). Unlike haloperidol (0.25 mg/kg), l-fenfluramine in various doses (2.5-20 mg/kg i.p.) did not modify the levels of striatal 3-methoxytyramine or change the decrease induced by a s.c. injection of 0.5 mg/kg apomorphine. The effect of apomorphine was not antagonized by 10 or 20 mg/kg l-norfenfluramine, an active metabolite of l-fenfluramine but 20 mg/kg l-norfenfluramine significantly raised striatal 3-methoxytyramine levels. l-Fenfluramine 20 mg/kg (but not 10 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the output of striatal acetylcholine assessed by trans-striatal microdialysis, for 60 min after injection. Apomorphine 1 mg/kg i.p. completely antagonized the increase of acetylcholine caused by 1 mg/kg haloperidol or 20 mg/kg l-fenfluramine. The results confirm that the l isomer of fenfluramine produces effects on the responses to dopamine and acetylcholine similar to those of neuroleptics by a mechanism not involving direct blockade of receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of L-cysteine on the long-term depletion of brain indoles caused by p-chloroamphetamine and d-fenfluramine in rats. Relation to brain drug concentrations.

The effect of L-cysteine on the depletion of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations caused by p-chloroamphetamine and d-fenfluramine was studied in various brain regions one week after drug injection. p-Chloroamphetamine (2.5 and 5 mg/kg i.p.) and d-fenfluramine (13.4 mg/kg i.p.) significantly reduced serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the striatum, hippocampus and cortex, particularly in the latter areas. L-cysteine (500 mg/kg i.p.), administered 30 min before and 5 h after p-chloroamphetamine or d-fenfluramine, significantly reduced the effect of either drug on the concentrations of both indoles without causing any effect by itself. In another experiment, the rats were treated as above and were killed at various times after p-chloroamphetamine or d-fenfluramine injection to determine, in parallel, the indole levels in the whole brain and the concentration of p-chloroamphetamine, d-fenfluramine and its metabolite d-norfenfluramine in the plasma and brain. p-Chloroamphetamine and d-fenfluramine markedly lowered both indoles, particularly 16 and 24 h after injection. L-cysteine had no effect on the indole concentrations but significantly reduced the effect of p-chloroamphetamine, d-fenfluramine 16 and 24 h after injection. At these times, the brain concentrations of p-chloroamphetamine, d-fenfluramine and d-norfenfluramine were markedly lower in the L-cysteine-treated than in the control rats. Analysis of the blood concentration of p-chloroamphetamine, d-fenfluramine and d-norfenfluramine showed that the rats treated with L-cysteine eliminated the drugs studied more rapidly than the control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amphetamines↗
PubMed1989

A qualitative and quantitative cytochemical assay of dihydrofolate reductase in erythroid cells.

The distribution and intensity of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) cytochemically demonstrable was studied in erythroid cells. Cells of normal human bone marrow, of human erythroleukaemia (M6), and cells of the Friend (MEL) clone 745A murine erythroleukaemia (also after differentiation with dimethylsulphoxide, DMSO) were stained according to Gerzeli and de Piceis Polver (1969) technique; quantification of the reaction product was made using a Vickers M86 microdensitometer. The enzyme activity progressively decreased during the normal differentiation of the erythropoietic series while persisted at high levels in erythroleukaemia cells. It can be suggested that in the 1st case, the cytochemical pattern of dihydrofolate reductase may be a useful added tool for studying the erythroid differentiation. In the 2nd case, the increased level of this enzyme may be related to an amplification of the gene of DHFR in the malignant transformation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Biological and clinical features of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with cytoplasmic granules or inclusions: description of eight cases.

We describe eight patients (four children and four adults) with an acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with cytoplasmic granules or inclusions. The incidence of this variant of acute leukaemia in our whole series of patients with ALL is 1.8%. The granules or inclusions were usually positive for aspecific esterases (ANAE) and/or acid phosphatase, and the immunophenotype was in all cases typical of a CALLA positive B-lineage ALL (CD10+, CD19+ and/or CD24+, DR+, TdT+, anti-T-, anti-My-, SIg-). In one paediatric case, CD33 was unusually coexpressed. Ultrastructural investigations were performed in one case and demonstrated large granules containing vesicles, usually membrane bound, in the majority of blast cells. In the two cases analysed, Ig heavy chain gene rearrangement was detected. In this series of patients prognosis was poor since three never achieved a complete remission, four relapsed and only one is still in first continuous remission.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Cytochemistry of dipeptidylaminopeptidase IV in T lymphoblastic leukaemia-lymphoma.

The cytochemical distribution of dipeptidylaminopeptidase IV (DAP IV) was studied in 5 cases of T lymphoblastic leukaemic lymphoma and 12 cases of acute T lymphoblastic leukaemia, in order to ascertain differences between the enzyme positivity patterns of T cells at different stages of differentiation. Early thymic phenotype cases were almost completely negative; those of intermediate and mature thymic phenotype showed positivity in various percentages of blasts: either a single coarse granule or many coarse and small granules were detected. In mature phenotype cells a particularly intense DAP IV reaction was observed. In conclusion, our findings suggest that DAP IV reaction could be a useful tool for the cytochemical characterization of T acute leukaemia subtypes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Growth of human hematopoietic colonies from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes in response to recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The in vitro effect of recombinant human GM-CSF (rHuGM-CSF) was tested on bone marrow-derived multilineage (CFU-GEMM) as well as megakaryocytic (CFU-Mk), erythroid (BFU-E), and granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors in a group (n = 16) of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Hematopoietic progenitor cell growth was markedly impaired in MDS patients as compared to normal controls (p less than 0.05, at least). Recombinant HuGM-CSF supported the growth of CFU-GEMM, CFU-Mk, and BFU-E at lower, equivalent, or slightly higher frequencies that those found in cultures plated with medium conditioned by peripheral blood leukocytes (PHA-LCM), but it was invariably ineffective in improving growth values. Recombinant HuGM-CSF supported the growth of granulocyte-macrophage colonies in 15 of 16 cases. The overall incidence (mean +/- SEM) of CFU-GM in cultures containing rHuGM-CSF (5 ng/ml) was significantly higher than the one found in cultures stimulated with PHA-LCM (40 +/- 15 vs. 17 +/- 7, p less than 0.05). Upon culture with rHuGM-CSF (5 ng/ml), in 5 of 15 patients de novo colony formation was observed (8 +/- 4) and in 4 of 15 patients CFU-GM growth (129 +/- 33) fell within normal range. Doses of rHuGM-CSF higher than 5 ng/ml did not result in a further increase of MDS-derived colony formation. It is concluded that rHuGM-CSF (a) does not improve the growth of CFU-GEMM, CFU-Mk, and BFU-E; (b) may completely restore the growth of CFU-GM in a subgroup of MDS patients; (c) while ineffective in improving anemia and thrombocytopenia, its in vivo in MDS may correct leukopenia through an effect at the level of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cell compartment, at least in a subset of highly responsive patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cytochemical profile of lymphocytes in haemophilia patients at risk of AIDS.

We report the cytochemical and immunologic features of lymphocytes of 31 patients (26 with haemophilia A and 5 with haemophilia B) chronically treated with commercial clotting factor concentrates. 6 patients, asymptomatic for AIDS were anti-HIV positive. In comparison to aged cross-matched male controls, significant increases of absolute number of lymphocytes and of T and B cell subpopulations with significant reduction of the percentages of CD3, CD4, CD2, CD5, sIg, and CD16 cells was found in haemophiliacs. PAS reaction showed a lower grading score in haemophiliacs and the staining for NBE, AP, NABG revealed a significant reduction of the percentage of the lymphocytes with dot-like positivity in the same patients. The percentage number of AP reactive lymphocytes with dot-like positivity was directly related to the percentage of CD3, and CD4 cells. The anti-HIV positive patients presented lower percentages of CD4 and of dot-like reactive lymphocytes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Effects of desferrioxamine on normal and leukemic human hematopoietic cell growth: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) has been previously shown to be an S-phase inhibitor of cell proliferation. To investigate its potential as an antileukemic drug, we first studied the effects of DFO on the in vitro growth of normal human hematopoietic progenitors (CFU-GM and BFU-E) and clonogenic cells from human leukemic cell lines. Then we evaluated the effects of DFO on progression of leukemia refractory to conventional therapy in two individuals. Micromolar concentrations of DFO determined a dose-dependent inhibition of normal progenitor growth, with inhibitory dose 50% (ID50) for CFU-GM and BFU-E being 6.7 and 5.5 microM/liter, respectively. Marked inhibitory effects were observed on clonogenic cells from HL-60 (ID50 = 1.4 microM/liter) and U-937 (ID50 = 3.6 microM/liter) human leukemic cell lines grown in semisolid medium. When DFO was given intravenously to a patient with lymphoid blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, a marked reduction in circulating blast count was observed. On the contrary, no in vivo effect was observed in a patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia having transfusional iron overload. We conclude that: (a) DFO is an inhibitor of both normal and leukemic myeloid cell proliferation in vitro; (b) our limited in vivo observations and a previous case study suggest that intravenous administration of DFO to patients with normal to low plasma iron may result in leukemic cytoreduction in vivo.

Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts↗
PubMed1988

Neurochemical and behavioural studies with RU-24969 in the rat.

The regional brain synthesis of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) was studied in rats after various doses of 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole (RU-24969), a 5-HT1 receptor agonist. The potential anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of the compound were examined as well. RU-24969 0.62 mg/kg significantly reduced 5-HT synthesis in the nucleus accumbens and hypothalamus, while with 1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg the effect was also seen in striatum, hippocampus, brainstem and cortex. RU-24969 2.5 and 5 mg/kg had no effect on DA synthesis in the striatum, while 5.0 mg/kg significantly increased it in the nucleus accumbens. At doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg the drug increased the motor activity of rats measured during 1 h in activity cages while 0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg had no effect. Doses ranging from 0.62 to 2.5 mg/kg RU-24969 significantly reduced unpunished responding in a test of conditioned suppression of drinking. Doses of 1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg also reduced punished responding. Finally, of various doses only 2.5 mg/kg RU-24969 significantly reduced the duration of immobility of rats in the forced swimming test but the effects were due to running around the cylinder rather than to escape attempts. In conclusion, RU-24969 reduced 5-HT synthesis in all brain areas examined, with a preferential effect for the nucleus accumbens and the hypothalamus. At higher doses, there was also a specific increase in DA synthesis in the nucleus accumbens. The compound raised the level of activity of rats but no clear evidence of any potential anxiolytic or antidepressant properties has been obtained.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1988

Tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase cytochemistry in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We studied the cytochemical distribution of tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FH4D), an enzyme involved in nucleic acid metabolism and thus in cell proliferation and differentiation processes, in bone marrow blasts from 37 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), of whom 23 were pediatric patients. 26 cases were analyzed at onset, 11 in relapse. The ALL cases were immunologically classified as T (10), common (20), B (3) and null (4). In each subgroup the majority of lymphoblasts were positive, with heterogeneous positivity patterns and variable degrees of enzyme activity. Most T lymphoblasts were characterized by focal localization of FH4D, whereas in common blasts reactivity - usually less strong - was either focally localized or scattered with several fine granules. Finally, many B and null blasts showed diffuse positivity. A quantitative evaluation of FH4D activity using cytophotometric technique (Vickers M86) demonstrated higher degrees of reactivity in leukemic blasts than in normal lymphocytes. Moreover, slightly different levels of reactivity were observed in relation to immunological phenotype, age and stage of the disease. Therefore we think that FH4D is a useful additional marker for ALL characterization.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1988

Qualitative and quantitative study of dihydrofolate reductase in myelodysplastic syndromes.

Dihydrofolate reductase (FH2-R) was studied cytochemically in the bone marrow erythroblasts of 20 normal controls and 46 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) classified according to FAB, prior to therapy. The reaction product was quantified for the same samples with a Vickers M86 microdensitometer. The enzyme activity progressively decreased during the normal differentiation of the erythroid cells and persisted at high levels in MDS cells. The high level of FH2-R may be related to the malignant transformation of the cells, or to increased compensatory erythropoietic activity of ineffective erythropoiesis, or to both.

Adult↗