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Biomedical subjects

R Kannagi

Publications and source records attributed to R Kannagi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Biological function of cancer-associated carbohydrate antigens].

An important outcome of the monoclonal antibody approach for cancer-associated antigens is that cell-surface carbohydrates have been shown to be very important cancer-associated antigens. These antigens are currently classified into several groups. The first group has the sugar determinant carried by so-called type 1 chain carbohydrates, with a backbone structure composed of the Gal beta 1-->3GlcNAc beta repeating unit. The antigens in this group are utilized mainly for the diagnosis of cancers in the pancreas, biliary tract and other digestive organs. This group includes the well-known serum tumor marker, the 2 -->3 sialyl Le(a) antigen, which is detected by N19-9 and other antibodies. This group also includes DU-PAN-2, which was recently confirmed to be the sialyl Lec. The second group has the polysaccharide determinant carried by so-called type 2 chain carbohydrates, the characteristic feature of which is a backbone structure composed of the Gal beta1 -->4GlcNAc beta repeating unit. This group includes the tumor markers, sialyl SSEA-1, CSLEX-1 or sialyl Lewis X, and is used for the diagnosis of cancers originating in the lung, ovary and digestive organs. The third group has the antigenic determinant carried by the innermost core structures in O-linked carbohydrate side chains. The example of this group is the sialyl Tn antigen, which is detected in ovarian cancers. This group also includes the recently described carbohydrate determinant called Fl alpha antigen, which is frequently expressed in gastric cancer cells. Some of the antigens in the first and second groups such as sialyl Le(a) and sialyl Le(x), serve as ligands for E-selectin, a cell adhesion molecule expressed on activated human endothelial cells, and play significant roles in hematogenous metastasis of cancer.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1996

[Biological functions of cell adhesion molecules in breast cancer].

We investigated the mechanisms of adhesion of breast cancer cells to vascular endothelial cells which is an important step in hematogenous metastasis. The results from the present studies are as follows. The breast cancer cells induce the expression of E-selectin on the endothelial cells chiefly through the release of cytokines, such as IL-beta, from lymphocytes. Following the initial adhesion mediated by E-selectin via sialyl Lewis, breast cancer cells receive stimulation from cytokines, such as HB-EGF, produced by endothelial cells and transmigrate to extravascular tissues through the augmentation of integrins.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

[Cold agglutinin disease and paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria].

Recent progress on the studies of cold agglutinin disease and paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria is reviewed. In both types of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, auto-antibodies are directed specifically to the antigenic epitopes which have physiological significance as differentiation antigens. They are the metabolic precursors for the synthesis of strong allo-antigens such as ABO(H). Although both antigen epitopes, i.e., differentiation and allo-antigen epitopes, are present on the red blood cells, the autoimmune reaction is directed specifically to the differentiation antigen epitopes, and not directed to the strong allo-antigenic epitopes. Most of auto-antigens also serve as receptors for some viruses, bacteria and drugs. Recent analysis on the sequence of auto-antibodies indicated that most of the auto-antibodies in cold agglutinin disease are encoded by the VH-4-21 gene of VH4 family, indicating the auto-antibodies are produced by dysregulation of very limited B cell clones. This implies that immune system is prone to be disturbed with self differentiation antigens rather than strong self allo-antigens, and that the dysfunction of auto-reactive B cell clones could be triggered by infection of some viruses and bacteria, or by certain medication.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1995

Papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum in women. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum (PSCP) is a primary peritoneal tumor in women that histologically resembles papillary serous carcinoma of the ovary (PSCO). Recognition of PSCP as an entity is controversial, as is the histogenesis, histopathologic differential diagnosis, and treatment. METHODS: Ten cases of PSCP retrieved from the pathology files of 4 hospitals in Kyoto and Nara, Japan, were studied clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Patient ages at presentation ranged from 40 to 74 years (median, 56 years). All patients were Asian (Japanese). None of the patients had a history of asbestos exposure. Most of the patients had abdominal swelling, ascites with positive cytology, and elevated serum CA125. At surgery, omental tumors with dissemination to the abdominal and pelvic peritoneum were found in all patients. The histology was similar to that of Grade 2 to 3 PSCO. Immunohistochemical studies using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against carbohydrates showed that Lewis Y is a good marker, in addition to S-100, placental alkaline phosphatase, CA125, and CD15 for separating PSCP from malignant mesothelioma (MM). With cytoreductive surgery and cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and in some cases adoptive immunotherapy and radiation, a median survival of 27 months and a 5-year survival rate of 27% were attained. One patient with Grade 3 tumor has survived for more than 6 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum is a definite clinicopathologic entity; (2) immunohistochemistry is a useful tool for distinguishing PSCP from MM; (3) cytoreductive surgery and cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with other adjunct therapies such as immunotherapy and radiation may improve patient survival in PSCP.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells of small veins in human colorectal cancer.

E-selectin is an adhesion molecule of endothelial cells that binds to cancer cells mediated by sialyl Lewis A (sLea) or sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)). It is suspected to be involved in hematogenous metastasis of tumors. Therefore, it is worth examining E-selectin expression in human colorectal cancer and its hepatic metastasis. In the present study, E-selectin was clearly revealed on the endothelial cells of small vessels adjacent to cancer nests both in primary and in metastatic nests in immunohistochemistry. In these tissues, E-selectin was observed on the endothelial cells lining the lumen of small vessels. Its expression adjacent to cancer nests appears to be induced through some stimuli by cancer cells, since its degree of expression is inversely correlated to the distance of the blood vessels from the cancer nests (p < 0.001). Endothelial cells adjacent to the metastatic lesion expressed E-selectin more extensively than those adjacent to the primary foci. This is also in line with the finding on serum E-selectin levels which were significantly elevated in the metastatic group as compared with the non-metastatic group. The serum E-selectin level may provide useful information in the diagnosis for hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer, although the results are still tentative.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Alterations in gastric mucin with malignant transformation: novel pathway for mucin synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Mucins are high-molecular-weight glycoproteins produced by both normal and cancer cells. However, in cancer cells, abnormal mucins are synthesized and potentially can be used as markers for the development and progression of certain malignancies. In a previous study, we reported the production of a new monoclonal antibody directed against a mucin antigen termed F1 alpha, an O-linked oligosaccharide similar to sialyl Tn and Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigens, that has not been previously detected in human cancers. F1 alpha is expressed in a high percentage (80.2%; 89/111) of gastric cancers. PURPOSE: In the present study, we compared the expression of F1 alpha with that of sialyl Tn and T antigens in human gastric cancer tissues to determine how differences in the expression of these cancer-associated antigens correlated with the biological properties of cancer cells. METHODS: A total of 141 cases of gastric cancer were studied. Sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue were immunostained for F1 alpha, sialyl Tn, and T antigens. The relationship between the expression of these antigens and the patient's clinicopathologic characteristics was studied. The chi-square test (two-sided) was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: F1 alpha was expressed in a high percentage of the cases of early to advanced cancers, irrespective of the degree of malignant progression. The rate of expression of sialyl Tn antigen in early carcinoma was low, but it increased significantly as depth of invasion increased (P < .05) and was significantly higher in patients with hepatic or lymph node metastasis than in those without such metastasis (P < .01). Expression of T antigen significantly increased with depth of invasion (P < .01) and was significantly higher in patients with hepatic metastasis (P < .05), lymph node metastasis (P < .05), or peritoneal dissemination (P < .01) than in those without such metastasis or dissemination. In consecutive sections of the same specimen, the sites of staining for F1 alpha and sialyl Tn antigens seldom coincided. In many cases, F1 alpha staining was predominant, but the sialyl Tn-dominant region tended to increase as gastric cancer progressed. Regions of T-antigen staining were usually circumscribed by those of F1 alpha staining. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the expression of F1 alpha begins almost at the same time as does carcinogenesis in gastric epithelial cells. Moreover, in association with progression of gastric carcinoma, synthetic pathways for sialyl Tn antigen and T antigen probably are activated independently.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1995

A transgenic mouse line with alpha-1,3/4-fucosyl-transferase cDNA: production and characteristics.

cDNA of human alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase (Fuc-TIII) was placed under the control of the chicken beta-actin promoter and cytomegalovirus enhancer, then introduced into male pronuclei of fertilized mouse eggs. A transgenic mouse line thus obtained exhibited enhanced expression of Lex (4C9) antigen in endothelial cells located in the glomerulus, sinusoidal capillaries of the liver and capillaries of the heart. Furthermore, in the transgenic mice, sialyl dimeric Lex (FH6) and sialyl Lea (2D3) antigens were strongly expressed in the glomerular endothelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Augmented lung adenocarcinoma cytotoxicity by the combination of a genetically modified anti-Lewis Y antibody and antibodies to complement regulatory proteins.

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) mediated by a chimeric anti-Lewis Y monoclonal antibody (cH18A; human IgG1) was investigated in this study. Human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (PC7, PC9, and PC14) were used as the target cells. PC7 and PC9 cells, expressed Lewis Y antigen and were lysed by cH18A as effectively as by the parent mouse anti-Lewis Y antibodies (mH18A) in a concentration-dependent manner. PC14 cells did not express Lewis Y antigen and were not lysed by either cH18A or mH18A. cH18A mediated CDC activity against PC7 and PC9 cells was enhanced by the combined use of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD46(MCP), CD55(DAF), and CD59. These molecules are complement-regulatory proteins which protect host cells from CDC. PC7 and PC9 cells, showed high levels of surface expression of these proteins, PC7 cells were more susceptible to cH18A-mediated CDC than PC9 cells. Use of multiple blocking antibodies to the complement-regulatory proteins produced more enhancement of cH18A-mediated CDC than a single antibody. Moreover, expression of CD55 and CD59 by PC7 and PC9 cells was decreased after treatment with PI-PLC, resulting in increased susceptibility to cH18A-mediated CDC. Although the reason is unknown, PC7 cells became more susceptible to CDC than PC9 cells after PI-PLC treatment even in the absence of cH18A. These data suggest that chimeric monoclonal antibodies can be used to induce CDC against lung adenocarcinoma, and that such CDC is potentiated by a variety of antibodies blocking compliment-regulatory proteins on the tumour cell surface.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Recognition of consensus CHO structure in ligands for selectins by novel antibody against sialyl Lewis X.

The selectins (L, E, and P) play an important role in the earliest events of the inflammatory response, leading to the "rolling" phenomenon. All selectins react with sialyl Lewis X (SLex) in vitro, possibly suggesting that their ligands have a consensus structure. 2H5 is a monoclonal antibody against SLex that blocks L-selectin-mediated adhesion. 2H5 inhibited adhesion of HL-60 cells to P- and E-selectin-producing COS cells in vitro and immunoprecipitated a P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1-like glycoprotein from HL-60 cell lysate, suggesting that it recognizes a functional consensus structure on the ligands for all selectins. 2H5 reacted not only with human but also with rat and mouse neutrophils. 2H5 is the first antibody against SLex that recognizes neutrophils of nonhuman mammals. The carbohydrate structure recognized by 2H5 was present not only on high endothelial venules of rat lymphoid organs but also on the endothelial cells of nonlymphoid organs. Furthermore, administration of the antibody markedly inhibited L- and P-selectin-mediated neutrophil rolling and adhesion in rat mesenteric venules in vivo. These results provide evidence for the presence of a consensus carbohydrate structure on the ligands for all selectins. The consensus structure thus has the potential to serve as a therapeutic target.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Impairment of selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion to venular endothelium in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The present study was designed to elucidate whether molecular mechanisms for leukocyte adhesion to microvascular endothelium may differ between spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar Kyoto rats. Leukocyte rolling and adhesion were investigated while monitoring venular wall shear rates in the mesenteric microcirculation stimulated with histamine or tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the two strains. In Wistar Kyoto rats, 10 microM histamine as well as 500 microM tertbutyl hydroperoxide promoted a significant reduction of venular leukocyte rolling velocity and subsequent adhesion. These changes in leukocyte behavior were blocked by monoclonal antibodies against P-selectin (PB 1.3) and against sialyl Lewis X-like carbohydrates (2H5). However, spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibited a blunted response of the stimulus-elicited leukocyte rolling, which was associated with impairment of venular P-selectin expression as well as a decrease in the expression of sialyl Lewis X-like carbohydrates on circulating neutrophils. No significant differences were detected between the two strains not only in the surface CD11b/CD18 expression but also in the CD18-mediated adhesivity of neutrophils to intracellular adhesion molecule-1 transfectants in vitro. These results suggest that impairment of selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion is an event responsible for disorders of inflammatory responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Structure and function of cell adhesion molecules in selectin family and their roles in cancer metastasis].

Cell adhesion molecules of selectin family are involved in the metastasis of cancer at the step of attachment of cancer cells to endothelial cells. P-selectin mediated adhesion of cancer cells with platelets, and L-selectin mediated adhesion of leukocytes to cancer cells would also be involved in the process of hematogenous metastasis through the microthrombus formation. Upon adhesion to cancer cells, platelets and leukocytes secrete cytokines that induce E-selectin expression of endothelial cells, and this further facilitates hematogenous metastasis.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical significance of circulating soluble E-selectin (ELAM-1) in patients with cancers].

Cell adhesion mediated by E-selectin and its carbohydrate ligands, Le(a) and Le(x), plays an important role in cancer metastasis. We determined soluble E-selectin concentration in the sera of patients with cancers using double determinant sandwich assay. The results indicated that the patients with metastatic colon cancers had significantly higher serum E-selectin concentration than the patients having no metastatic lesion. The highest frequency of metastasis was obtained in Le(a) HIGH E-selectinHIGH patients (80%), while the frequency was quite low in Le(a) LOW E-selectinLOW patients (17%). Expression of E-selectin, as well as its carbohydrate ligands, is suggested to be a risk factor for the metastasis of epithelial cancers. Soluble E-selectin-carbohydrate complex was also detected in the sera of patients, and the frequency was especially high in Le(a) HIGH E-selectinHIGH patients.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1995

[Structures, synthesis and functions of sialyl Le(a)/sialyl Le(x) antigens].

Sialyl Lewis a/sialyl Lewis x antigens, which panels of monoclonal antibodies can recognize, are synthesized by a series of glycosyltransferases. Especially, alpha (1,3)/(1,4) fucosyltransferases and/or alpha(2,3)sialyltransferases regulate expression patterns temporally and spatially, such as in epithelium of digestive systems or in leukocytes. The carbohydrate ligands of P-selectin and E-selectin have been identified as sialyl Lewis x expressed on granulocytes, monocytes, and natural killer cells. Expression of sialyl Lewis x on these cells is mainly determined by Fuc-TVII, but as for the counterparts of sialyl-transferases, there remains much uncertainty. P-selectin-dependent adhesion of tumor cells and E-selectin-dependent adhesion of tumor cells to endothelial cells play some role for tumor cell aggregation leading to microembolism and hematogenous metastasis of cancers. We have found expression of some fucosyltransferases (Fuc-TIII, VI, VII) and a sialyltransferase (ST3O) are increased in colon cancer tissues coincidentally with sialyl Lewis a antigens, with which E-selectin can interact. As already started in many laboratories, genetic manipulation of glycosylation pathways in gene-targeted animals has an outstanding potential to yield clues to oligosaccharide function.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Immunohistochemical expression of sialyl-Lewis antigens in lung cancer].

We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of three carbohydrate antigens, sialyl-Lewisa, sialyl-Lewisx and sialyl-Lewisx-i, in human lung cancer tissues using monoclonal antibodies, 2D3, SNH3 and FH6, respectively, and compared the expression rate of these three antigens with clinical and pathologic findings. The expression rate of all the three antigens in adenocarcinoma was higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma and that of sialyl-Lewisx was highest in adenocarcinoma. Sialyl-Lewisx antigen was expressed in all cases of positive nodal metastasis or postoperative distant metastasis in adenocarcinoma. In squamous cell carcinoma, however, there was no relationship between the expression rate of sialyl-Lewisx antigen and nodal or distant metastasis. These results suggest that expression of sialyl-Lewisx antigen in adenocarcinoma of the lung may be correlated with nodal or distant metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Variant type of sialyl Lewis X antigen expressed on adult T cell leukemia cells is associated with skin involvement.

Expression of a variant type of sialyl Le(x) antigen defined by 2F3 monoclonal antibody on leukemia cells was studied in 15 adult T cell leukemia (ATL) patients. The expression of 2F3-defined sialyl Le(x) antigen on CD4+CD45+ cells, which is an ATL cell-rich population, was higher in patients with skin involvement (50.1 +/- 23.1% were positive) than in patients without skin involvement (18.1 +/- 12.5%) (P < 0.01). The other surface markers including classical sialyl Le(x) antigen defined by SNH3 or FH6 and LFA-1, VLA-4, CD4, CD25, ICAM-1, Leu8, and HLA-DR did not show a significant difference regardless of skin involvement. In the skin lesion of four patients that we could examine, infiltrating leukemia cells strongly expressed 2F3-defined sialyl Le(x) antigen. In one patient, we could also examine the expression of classical sialyl Le(x) antigen defined by SNH-3 and CSLEX-1, but this was almost negligible. Both skin and lymph node biopsy specimens were examined in two patients. Leukemia cells in the skin strongly expressed 2F3-defined sialyl Le(x) antigen, while its expression was almost negligible on the leukemia cells in the lymph node. These findings suggest that the expression of 2F3-defined sialyl Le(x) antigen on ATL cells is associated with skin involvement of ATL.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding a novel human leukocyte alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase capable of synthesizing the sialyl Lewis x determinant.

The sialyl Lewis x determinant (NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal beta 1, 4[Fuc alpha 1,3]GlcNAc) is an essential component of leukocyte counterreceptors for E-selectin and P-selectin. The final step in sialyl Lewis x synthesis is catalyzed by alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferases acting on sialylated glycoconjugate precursors. Cultured human leukocytic cell lines express an alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase gene termed Fuc-TIV or ELFT but do not express the other three cloned human alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase genes to any significant degree. The physiological role of Fuc-TIV/ELFT in sialyl Lewis x biosynthesis is uncertain, however, since it can catalyze the synthesis of this determinant in some, but not all, transfected cell lines in a manner that is dependent upon the glycosylation phenotype of the host cell. We report here the molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding a new human leukocyte alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase, termed Fuc-TVII, capable of synthesizing the sialyl Lewis x moiety. The cDNA sequence predicts a 341-amino acid-long type II transmembrane protein typical of mammalian glycosyltransferases. When expressed in mammalian cells, the Fuc-TVII cDNA directs the synthesis of cell surface sialyl Lewis x moieties but not the Lewis x, Lewis a, sialyl Lewis a, or VIM-2 determinants. Fuc-TVII can efficiently utilize alpha-2,3-sialyllactosamine in vitro to form the sialyl Lewis x tetrasaccharide but does not utilize lactosamine to form the Lewis x moiety. Northern blot analyses show that the Fuc-TVII gene is transcribed in HL-60 cells, a human promyelocytic cell line, and in YT cells, a natural killer-like cell line. Fuc-TVII represents a leukocytic alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase that can participate in selectin ligand synthesis via its ability to catalyze the synthesis of sialyl Lewis x determinants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗