Biomedical subjects

R Kiss

Publications and source records attributed to R Kiss.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

[Evidence of new diagnostic and prognostic human astrocytoma tumor markers. Potential therapeutic applications. II].

Human astrocytic tumors grow into the normal brain parenchyma either as localized tumors, or as highly diffuse neoplasms. The diffuse phenotype relates to a specific sub-type of neoplastic astrocytes with a high motility and invasion capacity. Motility features refer to locomotion while invasion features refer to protease secretion. Our data reveal that several peptides belonging to the gastrin/cholecystokinin peptide class are able to significantly (and in certain cases very significantly) modify the level of tumor growth (at the level of cell proliferation and/or cell death), of motility and of invasion in various experimental models of human astrocytic tumors. We are synthesizing various gastrin/cholecystokinin-related peptides in order to develop clinical applications with which we want to inhibit astrocytic tumor growth, individual neoplastic astrocytic motility and the invasion of the normal brain parenchyma.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Use of image cytometry to classify biliary and ampullary adenocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To create an objective classification system to perform TNM classification of ampullary adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma using image cytometric data derived from Feulgen-stained tumor nuclei. STUDY DESIGN: Surgically resected cases of ampullary adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma with established TNM classifications were selected on the basis of available formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Fifteen numerical variables related to morphometric, densitometric and textural features of each tumor nucleus were recorded. We employed a methodology based on multivariate statistical tools to characterize the association of morphonuclear variables with TNM classification. The first step consisted of identifying and selecting representative nuclei of each T class. From this "purified" data set an objective classification system was created. The classification system was assessed using internal and external validation. RESULTS: Employing ANOVA, all 15 variables were significantly associated with T classification, 11 of 15 with N and 4 with M. Multivariate analysis was employed to distinguish between T1, T2 and T3 lesions. Our methodology correctly classified 76% of T1 nuclei, 47% of T2 nuclei and 84% of T3 nuclei. Heterogeneity within an individual tumor was defined in 61% of cases included in the training set. Complete concordance between pathologic classification and the classification system was observed in 71% of an independent validation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Dynamic characterization of glioblastoma cell motility.

The cell motility dynamic of two glioblastoma cell lines (U373 and U87) was studied by means of an automatic video-cell-tracking-system enabling each cell in a colony to be tracked for several hours. Twenty-five experiments were performed on both models growing on three different supports (glass, plastic and Matrigel). Cell motility was significantly different in each cell line and also for different growth support in a given cell line. We observed that U87 cells are significantly (p < 0.00001) less motile than U373 cells. The most favorable growth supports for cell motility studies were Matrigel and glass. A significant (p < 0.001) correlation between cell colony density and cell motility was highlighted, with isolated cells exhibiting a motility level distinct from the one observed for colonies. The present methodology, which enabled cell motility to be quantified in human glioblastoma cells, represents an original tool for identifying new classes of compounds able to reduce glioblastoma cell motility and cell migration potential into the brain.

Cell Count↗

PubMed1997

In vivo characterization by means of digital cell image analysis of early-induced fractionated radiotherapy effects on the MXT mouse mammary tumor.

PURPOSE: To study the cell kinetics and chromatin modifications occurring in function of the fractionated irradiation administered to the MXT mouse mammary adenocarcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The MXT tumor cells were submitted to three fractions of a 4.8 Gy dose delivered at 24-h intervals. MXT tumor cells were collected by means of fine needle aspirations (between 5 and 10 samples were obtained after each irradiation) during treatment and submitted to the computer-assisted microscope analysis of Feulgen-stained specimens. Three groups of parameters has been described: i.e., the geometry of the nucleus, the nuclear DNA content, and the chromatin texture. Furthermore, cell cycle parameters were studied in the aim to know the distribution of the cells within the cell cycle. RESULTS: The mean values relating to geometric parameters (i.e., the nuclear area and its standard deviation) decreased during treatment. Variations in the nuclear DNA content appeared as being cyclical and could be explained in terms of the modifications in the distribution of the cells within the cell cycle. The quantitative analysis of the cell cycle parameters revealed that the percentage of S cells increased regularly after each irradiation. In contrast, the percentage of G2 cells decreased between each irradiation. The parameters describing nuclear texture showed regular variations between each irradiation. These variations consisted in two cycles constituted by a decrease in chromatin condensation, followed by an increase. CONCLUSIONS: The development of the geometric parameters indicates that fractionated radiotherapy leads to the emergence of a more homogeneous population. The effects of the radiotherapy on the distribution of the cells within the cell cycle could be explained through the phenomenon of repopulation and by the high degree of radiosensitivity of the G2 cells (decrease in the percentage of G2 cells). Last, the variations observed at chromatin pattern level could be explained through DNA repair processes.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Coregulatory effects of epidermal growth factor, dihydrotestosterone, and prolactin on benign human prostatic hyperplasia tissue culture proliferation.

BACKGROUND: A variety of hormones have demonstrated effects on prostatic tissue growth dynamics. Our goal was to define the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and prolactin (PRL) on prostate cellular proliferation. METHODS: Thirty benign human prostatic hyperplasias (BPH) were maintained 48 hr as in vitro cultures. Culture media were supplemented with EGF, DHT, and PRL alone and in combinations. Proliferation was assessed by labeling with tritiated thymidine. RESULTS: The proliferative response of individual BPH cultures was heterogeneous. DHT and EGF tended to have a greater proliferative effect than PRL, both in terms of the percent cultures responding and the magnitude of the response. PRL antagonized EGF-induced proliferative effects. EGF- and PRL-mediated effects correlated with each other, while DHT-mediated effects did not correlate with either those of PRL or EGF. CONCLUSIONS: The proliferative response of individual BPH to DHT, EGF, and PRL, alone or in combination, is too variable to define a predictable response to their influence. Our methodology represents a technique with the capacity to define therapeutic potential for individual cases.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Classification strategies for the grading of renal cell carcinomas, based on nuclear morphometry and densitometry.

The various grading systems proposed for renal cell carcinomas all suffer from problems related to inter-observer variability. Some of these grading systems are based, either partially or wholly, on morphonuclear criteria, such as nuclear size and shape, anisonucleosis, and chromatin pattern. These criteria can be quantitatively (and thus objectively) evaluated by means of the computer-assisted microscopic analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei. In the present work, 39 quantitative variables, including two morphometric, 28 chromatin pattern-related, and nine DNA ploidy level-related, were computed for 65 renal cell carcinomas. The actual diagnostic information contributed by each variable was determined by means of multifactorial statistical analysis (discriminant analysis) and two artificial intelligence-related methods of data classification (the decision tree and production rule methods). The results show that quantitative information, as provided by the computer-assisted microscopy of Feulgen-stained nuclei and analysed by means of artificial intelligence-related methods of data classification, contributes significant diagnostic information for the grading of renal cell carcinoma, thus reducing the problem of inter-observer reproducibility.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Objective measurement of the different collagen types in the corpus cavernosum of potent and impotent men: an immunohistochemical staining with computerized-image analysis.

Quantitative measurements of the collagen types (I, II, and IV) in the corpora cavernosa of potent and impotent men were carried out to investigate whether quantitative immunohistochemistry might contribute additional information as to the cause of erectile dysfunction. The study group consisted of 22 men with various etiologies of impotence and 4 normal, potent men. The quantitative immunohistochemistry measurements were performed by means of a cell-image processor. Three variables for each of the three types of collagen were studied, namely, the mean optical density (MOD), which relates to histochemical staining intensity; the labeling index (LI), which is positively related to the percentage of immunostaining; and the quick score (QS) index, which takes into account both LI and MOD values. None of the quantitative parameters taken individually (monovariate statistical analyses) made it possible to obtain any statistically significant difference between the types of collagen of the group under study. The mean QS value recorded for collagen type IV was significantly lower than that noted for collagen type I in the psychogenic (P = 0.019), arteriogenic (P = 0.012), and venogenic (P = 0.001) groups, whereas the MOD value was significantly lower in the normal (P = 0.043), arteriogenic (P = 0.013), and venogenic (P = 0.001) groups but not in the psycogenic group. The mean MOD of collagen type III was intermediate between that of the other types. In contrast, the mean LI value recorded for collagen type IV was significantly lower only in the venogenic (P = 0.032) and psychogenic (P = 0.049) groups as compared with the other groups. No objective qualitative change in the collagen types was observed that could be correlated to the etiology of erectile dysfunction. The significant difference seen in the quantitative parameters with regard to collagen type IV and the observed increase in the type I/III collagen ratio might attest to the notion that the response of the erectile tissue to ischemia is similar to that of other organs. The net effect of these changes is a restricted capacity for corporal expansion and alteration of the veno-occlusive mechanism.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Biochemical alterations of the tunica albuginea in impotence.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to quantify the immunohistochemical stainings of collagen types I, III and IV, and investigate the value of glycohistochemical staining with 3 lectin types specific to a particular glycan structure, Arachis hypogaea, Triticum vulgare and concanavalin A, as a method of defining possible changes in the collagen structure of the tunica albuginea in potent and impotent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 4 normal men, 4 with pure venous leakage and 4 with pure arterial disease. Collagen types I, III and IV, and lectins Arachis hypogaea, Triticum vulgare and concanavalin A were studied using a cell image processor. The labeling index relates to the percentage of staining and mean optical density relates to the staining intensity. RESULTS: Mean labeling index values for the 3 types of collagen and lectins were similar (p > 0.05). Mean optical density value relating to collagen type I was significantly higher in the arteriogenic group than in the other groups (p < 0.05), while mean optical density value of collagen type IV was significantly higher in the venogenic group than in the 2 other groups (p < 0.05). Mean optical density values relating to the 3 lectin types were similar in the 3 clinical groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An alteration in the distribution and structure of the various collagen types and lectins in the tunica albuginea of impotent patients has been shown that may interfere with normal function and lead to impotence.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Influence of epidermal growth factor and gastrin on the cell proliferation of human meningiomas versus astrocytic tumors maintained as ex vivo tissue cultures.

The hormone sensitivity of a tumor is traditionally based on the presence of steroid receptors. Other factors should be taken into consideration. Here, we studied the influence of 10 nM epidermal growth factor (EGF) or gastrin on the proliferation of human ex vivo tumor cultures by means of [3H]thymidine autoradiography. The immunohistochemical EGF-receptor expression was also quantified by means of computer-assisted microscopy. The results demonstrated that the proliferation of 6/11 astrocytic tumors and 3/16 meningiomas was sensitive to at least one factor tested, i.e. EGF or gastrin (P < 0.01), and 5 of these 9 'hormone-sensitive' tumors were sensitive to both factors. The immunohistochemical labeling index for the EGF receptor was higher than 80% in 15/16 meningiomas, but only in 6/11 gliomas (P < 0.01). These results suggest that EGF and gastrin are important for astrocytic tumor proliferation and significantly (P < 0.01) less important for meningiomas. Thus, astrocytic tumors may be steroid insensitive in term of cell growth, but are certainly not hormone insensitive.

Astrocytoma↗

PubMed1997

Determination of the mechanism of action of anticancer drugs by means of the computer-assisted microscope image analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei.

The antitumoral effects of 30 drugs was monitored in vitro on three neoplastic cell lines. These 30 drugs belonged to various pharmacological classes which included alkylating agents, antimetabolites, Vinca alkaloids, topoisomerase II inhibitors, and intercalating agents. The aim of the present work is to use the same methodology to characterize the drug-induced effects at several biological levels. The drug-induced modifications were, therefore, monitored by means of the digital cell image analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei. This methodology enabled the cell cycle kinetics to be studied. Furthermore, the numerical data quantitatively describing chromatin patterns were submitted to multivariate (principal-components) analyses, with the canonical transformation of the data. Statistical analysis shows that each pharmacological class of anticancer drugs induces specific modifications to the chromatin patterns. The present study, therefore, shows that it is possible to identify distinct classes of antineoplastic drugs on the basis of their mechanisms of action by means of the quantitative chromatin pattern description of Feulgen-stained nuclei.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Lectin histochemistry of astrocytic tumors and in vitro characterization of lectin-induced modifications on the proliferation of the SW1088, U373 and U87 human astrocytic cell lines.

The role of lectins as biosignalling molecules or as markers of human astrocytic tumors remains relatively unexplored. The aim of the present work is to investigate (1) whether or not human astrocytic tumors express specific glycans, evidenced experimentally by means of lectin histochemistry, and (2) whether, in turn, these lectins can significantly modulate astrocytic tumor cell proliferation. Using a cell image processor, we therefore began by quantitatively measuring the histochemical binding pattern of 5 lectins (WGA, PNA, PHA-L, GSA-IA4 and Con A) in 5 astrocytomas, 5 anaplastic astrocytomas and 5 glioblastomas. Secondly, we measured the influence of these 5 lectins on the proliferation of 3 astrocytic tumor cell lines (SW1088, U373 and U87) growing in vitro as monolayers. Cell proliferation was assessed by means of the colorimetric MTT assay. The histochemical lectin staining markedly varied intra- and inter-group. However, some constant results were obtained. Indeed, the staining increased markedly from GSA-IA4 and PHA-L through WGA and PNA to ConA in the three histopathological groups. The assessment of cell proliferation demonstrated that WGA, Con A and PHA-L very significantly decreased proliferation in the 3 astrocytic cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Astrocytic tumor cells in the confluent growth phase were less sensitive to the WGA, Con A and PHA-L lectin-induced effects than cells in the log growth phase. The GSA-IA4 and PNA lectins had globally very weak effects on the proliferation of the astrocytic tumor cell lines. Increasing the fetal calf serum from 1% to 10% in the culture media significantly antagonized the WGA-, Con A- and PHA-L-induced cell proliferation decrease in the 3 astrocytic cell lines. In conclusion, the present data strongly suggest that some lectins (including WGA, Con A and PHA-L) significantly influence the proliferation of astrocytic tumor cells.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1997

Ploidy level determination and quantitative chromatin pattern description in pregnancy-associated breast cancers.

The present study deals with the characterization of hormone-sensitivity in pregnancy-associated breast cancers (PBCs). This characterization was carried out in 22 PBCs as opposed to 88 non-pregnancy-associated breast cancers (NPBCs). For this study, we used the digital cell image analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei to assess the type of hormone-sensitivity. In a previous study it was demonstrated that the chromatin pattern in breast cancers is related to the amounts of estrogen receptors they contain. Our results demonstrated that the quantitative description of the chromatin pattern by means of 15 parameters (relating to morphometric, densitometric, and textural features) made it possible to identify typical cell nuclei populations in the PBC and NPBC groups. The use of specific statistical analyses (principal-components and discriminant) made it possible to quantify the proportion of each cell nucleus type in the PBCs. Furthermore, of the 22 PBCs under study, 13 contained a large majority of cell nuclei whose chromatin pattern was characteristic of hormone-sensitive cells, while 5 cases contained a large majority of typically hormone-insensitive ones. The remaining 4 cases contained a relatively similar proportion of typically hormone-sensitive and insensitive cell nuclei. The quantitative chromatin pattern description thus made it possible to characterize the hormone-sensitivity level in PBCs, whereas DNA ploidy level determination did not enable any such characterization to be carried out. The chromatin pattern assay described here, which enables hormone-sensitive pregnancy-associated breast cancers to be identified from hormone-insensitive ones independently from biochemical assays, should help the physician regarding therapy adaptation.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1997

Histochemical study of the epithelia of nasal polyps by biotinylated lectins and neoglycoprotein. A comparison with the normal human respiratory epithelium.

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from human nasal polyps and the normal respiratory epithelium were glycohistochemically investigated. Three biotinylated lectins were used: peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin (PNA) which, binds to terminal galactose (beta 1-3) N-acetylgalactosamine residues that can be unmasked by a neuraminidase digestion; wheat germ (Triticum vulgare) agglutinin (WGA), which binds to N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acids; and gorse seed (Ulex europaeus) agglutinin (UEA-1), which binds to L-fucose. In addition, the presence of accessible galactose (beta 1-3) N-acetylgalactosamine (T-antigen) glycan receptors (endolectins) was also assessed. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) and diaminobenzidine (DAB) were used as chromogen. The ciliated cells of the normal respiratory epithelium and those of the pseudostratified epithelium of nasal polyps possess similar glycohistochemical characteristics suggesting no major alterations on the level of lectin-reactive carbohydrate epitopes as indicators of cellular glycosylations. Notably, this parameter can respond sensitively to changes in cell differentiation or activation. The basal and mucus-secreting cells in the two epithelia display different reactivity patterns emphasizing the presence of dissimilar sugar residues. Similarly, the dysplasia reflecting squamous epithelium of nasal polyps shows a distinct staining behaviour, indicative for disparate glycoconjugate display. Thus, quantitative differences in the lectin-selective staining of various cell types are detectable. The expression of T-antigen-bearing neoglycoprotein binding is weak and similar in both the normal epithelium and the pseudostratified epithelium lining nasal polyps. Only the most superficial cells of the squamous epithelium disclose a moderate labelling with this probe. These results indicate that further studies in this field are warranted, employing neoglycoproteins and also endolectins from human tissues to correlate glycobiological properties of the epithelium of the conducting airways and its diseased forms with functional features.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The combined determination of proliferative activity and cell density in the prognosis of adult patients with supratentorial high-grade astrocytic tumors.

Tumor growth represents the ratio between cell gain (number of mitoses per unit of time, i.e., proliferative activity) and cell loss (number of cell deaths during the same unit of time). While in adults, proliferative activity parallels the level of malignancy in astrocytic tumors and therefore represents a useful diagnostic marker, cell loss has never been concomitantly assessed in tumors of this type. We hypothesize that cell density assessable on histologic slides represents the ratio between cell gain and cell loss. This hypothesis concerns only the diffuse type of astrocytic tumors. Proliferative activity (assessed by MIB1 antigen immunostain) and cell density were thus quantitatively assessed by means of a cell image processor in a series of 54 supratentorial astrocytic tumors of adult patients, which included 15 astrocytomas (ASTs), 18 anaplastic astrocytomas (ANAs), and 21 glioblastomas (GBMs). The results show that proliferative activity and cell density were highly correlated (P = .003) and that both correlated with histopathologic grade. The patients with a high-grade astrocytic tumor (i.e., ANA or GBM) that exhibited a low level of proliferative activity but high cell density survived for significantly shorter periods than did patients with a tumor that exhibited low proliferative activity and low cell density (P = .002). The patients with a high-grade astrocytic tumor that exhibited high proliferative activity and high cell density survived for significantly less time than did the patients with a tumor that exhibited high proliferative activity but low cell density (P < .05). A marked difference in survival periods was observed between the patients with a high-grade astrocytic tumor that exhibited a low level of proliferative activity and low cell density and the patients with a tumor that exhibited a high level of proliferative activity and high cell density (P < .001). The concomitant determination of proliferative activity and cell density seems likely to enable determination of the few adult patients who have high-grade astrocytic tumors and who will survive for a considerable period (several years).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Quantitative chromatin pattern description in Feulgen-stained nuclei as a diagnostic tool to characterize the oligodendroglial and astroglial components in mixed oligo-astrocytomas.

The oligoastrocytoma, as a mixed glioma, represents a nosologic dilemma with respect to precisely defining the oligodendroglial and astroglial phenotypes that constitute the neoplastic cell lineages of these tumors. In this study, cell image analysis with Feulgen-stained nuclei was used to distinguish between oligodendroglial and astrocytic phenotypes in oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas and then applied to mixed oligoastrocytomas. Quantitative features with respect to chromatin pattern (30 variables) and DNA ploidy (8 variables) were evaluated on Feulgen-stained nuclei in a series of 71 gliomas using computer-assisted microscopy. These included 32 oligodendrogliomas (OLG group: 24 grade II and 8 grade III tumors according to the WHO classification), 32 astrocytomas (AST group: 13 grade II and 19 grade III tumors), and 7 oligoastrocytomas (OLGAST group). Initially, image analysis with multivariate statistical analyses (Discriminant Analysis) could identify each glial tumor group. Highly significant statistical differences were obtained distinguishing the morphonuclear features of oligodendrogliomas from those of astrocytomas, regardless of their histological grade. When compared with the 7 mixed oligoastrocytomas under study, 5 exhibited DNA ploidy and chromatin pattern characteristics similar to grade II oligodendrogliomas, I to grade III oligodendrogliomas, and I to grade II astrocytomas. Using multifactorial statistical analyses (Discriminant Analysis combined with Principal Component Analysis). It was possible to quantify the proportion of "typical" glial cell phenotypes that compose grade II and III oligodendrogliomas and grade II and III astrocytomas in each mixed glioma. Cytometric image analysis may be an important adjunct to routine histopathology for the reproducible identification of neoplasms containing a mixture of oligodendroglial and astrocytic phenotypes.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

In vitro characterization of lectin-induced alterations on the proliferative activity of three human melanoma cell lines.

Lectin binding is known to be able to elicit signalling events relevant for various aspects of cell physiology. The influence of lectin binding on melanoma cells remains relatively unexplored. The aim of our study was to investigate the in vitro effects of five plant lectins, namely peanut (PNA), wheat germ (WGA), concanavalin A (Con-A), Griffonia simplicifolia (GSA-IA4) and Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA-L) agglutinins, on the cell proliferation of melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL-28, HT-144 and C32) cultured in media supplemented with either 10% or 1% fetal calf serum (FCS). Cell proliferation was assessed by means of the tetrazolium derivative reduction (MTT) assay. Four lectin concentrations were tested, namely 0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 micrograms/ml, in four experimental settings, namely 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after the addition of each lectin to the culture media. Determination of the cell gain compartment (percentage of cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle) was done by means of digital cell image analysis assessed on Feulgen-stained nuclei. Our results demonstrated that of the five lectins under study, four had a globally significant dose-dependent toxic effect on melanoma cell proliferation. The fifth lectin, PNA, had a significant stimulatory effect on the C32 cell line. Low doses of lectins may produce a transient increase in cell proliferation. Increasing the FCS from 1% to 10% in the culture media significantly antagonized lectin-induced toxicity in the three cell lines. The cell kinetics measurements showed that the inhibition of cell growth was merely due to cell death. The present data strongly suggest that some lectins might influence the proliferation of melanoma cells. In addition, because lectins are present in our diet and are able to pass into the systemic circulation, we speculate that lectins may exert an influence on melanoma growth under clinical conditions.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1997

Correlation between gender and cytomorphonuclear characteristics in human melanomas and in vitro evidence of sex steroid-induced modifications in the morphonuclear characteristics of three human melanoma cell lines.

The influence of gonadal steroids on human melanoma still remains a controversial issue. The aim of our study was to investigate whether sex steroids may influence the biological characteristics of human melanoma. Such biological characteristics were monitored at the morphological level by means of computer-assisted microscope analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei, which provides 28 quantitative variables describing the nucleus morphometry (size, anisonucleosis level) and chromatin pattern. This methodology was used to characterize the morphonuclear features in a series of 69 human melanomas (from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues) including 28 male, 17 premenopausal and 24 postmenopausal female patients, and to investigate the effect of two sex steroids (5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone [DHT] and 17-beta-oestradiol [E2]) on three human melanoma in vitro models--the HT-144, SK-MEL-28 and C32 cell lines. The results show that the morphonuclear characteristics of melanoma originating from male and female patients are very distinct (P < 0.01). This difference is still more marked (P < 0.0005) when only premenopausal female patients are compared with male patients. The in vitro data show that both DHT and E2 are able to modify markedly (P < 0.001 to P < 0.0001) the nucleus morphometry and chromatin pattern of the three cell lines. Although the mechanism and the physiological outcome are still unknown, the present work shows that there is in vivo and in vitro evidence that the biological behaviour of human melanoma is influenced by sex steroids.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

In vitro influence of Phaseolus vulgaris, Griffonia simplicifolia, concanavalin A, wheat germ, and peanut agglutinins on HCT-15, LoVo, and SW837 human colorectal cancer cell growth.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Compared with normal colonic mucosa, lectin receptor expression is increased in hyperplastic and neoplastic tissues; some lectins have been shown to influence human colonic epithelial cell proliferation. The aim was to assess further the influence of five lectins (Phaseolus vulgaris (PNA), Griffonia simplicifolia (GSA), concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ (WGA), and peanut (PHA-L) agglutinins) on cellular growth in three human colorectal cancer cell lines (LoVo, HCT-15 and SW837). METHODS: Cells were cultured in four lectin concentrations (0.1, 1.0, 10, and 100 micrograms/ml) and growth assessed at days 2, 3, 5, and 7. The experiments were performed in media supplemented with either 1% or 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). Growth was assessed using the MTT (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Growth in each cell line was greatly affected by at least two of the lectins tested. There was some variation in the effect of a given lectin on different cell lines. Lectin effects showed a dose-response and the greatest effects generally resulted from the highest concentrations at the longest culture time. WGA and Con A induced large effects in all cell lines; the effects of Con A were partly blocked by the higher concentration of FCS. PNA had modest and uniform stimulatory effects overall. The effects of GSA and PHA-L varied between cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The lectins studied all have the potential to affect colonic cancer growth in vitro. Many dietary lectins are resistant to digestion and may have important effects in vitro but the definition of their role in human colonic cancer biology must take into account the variability in lectin response.

Cell Division↗