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Biomedical subjects

R L Ladda

Publications and source records attributed to R L Ladda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inheritance of an RNA splicing mutation (G+ 1 IVS20) in the type III procollagen gene (COL3A1) in a family having aortic aneurysms and easy bruisability: phenotypic overlap between familial arterial aneurysms and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV.

Inheritance of a single base mutation in the type III procollagen gene (COL3A1) was studied in a family with aortic aneurysms and easy bruisability. The mutation was a substitution of A for G+ 1 of intron 20 of the gene and caused aberrant splicing of RNA transcribed from the mutated allele. The phenotype in the family included aortic aneurysms that ruptured and produced death. It also included easy bruisability, but it did not include other characteristic features of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV, such as ecchymoses, abnormal scarring, or prominent subcutaneous blood vessels. The data from the family, together with a review of other probands with mutations in the type III procollagen gene, indicated that there is phenotypic overlap between Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV and familial arterial aneurysms not associated with any overlap between Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV and familial arterial aneurysms not associated with any of the striking changes in skin originally cited as a characteristic feature of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. In addition, the results suggested that DNA tests for mutations in the type III procollagen gene may be useful to identify individuals predisposed to developing arterial aneurysms.

Adult↗

A review of phenotype-karyotype correlations in individuals with interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 2.

We report an infant with del(2)(q31q33). His phenotype is compared with those of the 7 children reported previously with the apparently identical deletion. Nine cases of deletions involving other segments of chromosome 2q are reviewed. Common manifestations of the 2 groups include small size at birth, growth and developmental retardation, cardiovascular malformation, microcephaly, and cleft palate.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Prenatal detection of Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome: report of 2 sibs with characteristic manifestations.

We describe 2 sibs with Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome. Although an ultrasound scan performed at 13 weeks of gestation failed to identify specific abnormalities, repeat scan at 17 weeks detected tetraphocomelia. Ultrasonography can reliably detect Roberts-SC phocomelia prenatally; however, serial scans may be needed. Postmortem examination of the proposita confirmed the sonographic findings and also disclosed dysplastic kidneys and ovarian dysgenesis. The degree of phenotypic variation observed between the sibs supports the hypothesis that Roberts syndrome and SC phocomelia represent a single genetic entity.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Humero-radial synostosis with ulnar defects in sibs.

Sibs with virtually identical humero-radial synostosis (HRS) are presented and compared with 17 previously reported cases from the literature of recessively transmitted HRS. The range of anomalies described includes (in addition to humero-radial synostosis) ulnar hypoplasia, patellar hypoplasia, and chronic glomerulo-nephritis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Cosegregation of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and hemophilia A.

We examined a family pedigree in which retinitis pigmentosa and hemophilia A were inherited in an X-linked manner. Six female carriers were identified by electroretinography. Results of ophthalmoscopic examination were normal in two women, while four displayed marked variability in phenotypic expression. Six of seven males identified with retinitis pigmentosa had hemophilia A. One asymptomatic boy had a markedly abnormal electroretinogram despite normal ophthalmoscopic examination. Pedigree analysis showed a high recombination rate, which would be expected as these two genes are known to be at opposite arms of the X chromosome.

Adolescent↗

Multiple pterygium syndrome. An overview.

The longitudinal course of two sisters with multiple pterygium syndrome is reported. The findings in these siblings are compared with those of 27 children described in the medical literature. The longitudinal course of short stature, scoliosis, talipes equinovarus, pterygia, hearing loss, and pubertal and intellectual development in this syndrome is described. Recommendations are made for a multidisciplinary approach to individuals with multiple pterygium syndrome, which includes the services of a primary care physician, orthopedist, physical therapist, and plastic surgeon.

Body Height↗

Dandy-Walker malformation in Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

We report on 2 Old Order Amish patients with Ellis-van Creveld (EvC) syndrome and the Dandy-Walker malformation; a similar case is noted in the literature. Pedigree analysis of our patients documents extensive inbreeding in successive generations. Considering the rarity of EvC syndrome and Dandy-Walker malformation as isolated malformations, the appearance of both in our 2 patients plus the patient in the literature suggests that Dandy-Walker malformation may be a manifestation in the EvC syndrome. However, in this isolate the coincidental occurrence of 2 rare recessive traits cannot be excluded.

Dandy-Walker Syndrome↗

Effect of differentiation inducers on growth characteristics of human glioma cell lines.

The effect of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and iododeoxyuridine (IUdR) on the growth characteristics of two established human glioblastoma cell lines (FG and HMCN-1) was studied. The FG cell line has been characterized. The HMCN-1 cell line, established in our laboratory, consisted of fibroblastoid and polygonal cells that grew without contact inhibition. Subcutaneous injection of these cells into weanling athymic nude mice induced slowly growing, solid tumors that were histologically spindly with areas that were similar to the original tumor. Chromosomal analyses revealed a human heteroploid pattern with a modal number of 69. The cells of the original human glioma contained S-100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA protein), whereas the established cells failed to express markers. Prolonged treatment of glioma cells with DMSO generated a more adherent, normal human fibroblastoid phenotype that grew with contact inhibition. The new phenotype and proliferative restriction of these cells was evident as late as 50 days after discontinuation of treatment. The chemical induction of cell differentiation resulted in decreased tumorigenic potential in athymic nude mice.

Cell Differentiation↗

Induction and suppression of type I collagenase in cultured human cells.

A number of peptide growth factors have been shown to induce the secretion of type I collagenase into the medium of human fibroblast cultures (Chua et al., 1985). In this study the ability of eye-derived growth factor, lectin and tumor-promoting agents on collagenase induction in human fibroblast cells were examined. These agents were found to be able to induce collagenase production to a similar extent as epidermal growth factor. Dexamethasone at 10-100 nM was found to suppress collagenase induction in human fibroblast cells. The cell-type specificity of this enzyme induction by growth factors was studied by using a human epidermoid carcinoma cell line, A-431. An Mr 55,000 band appeared in the medium of A-431 cells upon 22 h exposure to EGF. Two-dimensional peptide pattern of the Mr 55,000 band in A-431 cells was identical to the counterpart in HF cells. Our results indicated that the induction of collagenase was not unique to human fibroblast cultures.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Effect of tunicamycin on the biosynthesis of human fibroblast collagenase.

It is generally accepted that collagenase from human fibroblast cultures consists of two proenzymes (Mr 60,000 and 55,000) and two active forms (Mr 50,000 and 43,000). We demonstrated previously that epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as a number of other growth factors induced the secretion of procollagenase (Mr 60,000, Mr 55,000) into the medium of human fibroblast cultures (Chua et al., 1985). In the presence of tunicamycin and EGF, the secretion of the larger form of procollagenase was suppressed preferentially with concomitant appearance of a new band, Mr 40,000. This Mr 40,000 band could be specifically immunoprecipitated by antibody raised against human collagenase. By two-dimensional peptide mapping, the Mr 40,000 material appeared to have similar composition as the Mr 60,000 band. In a time course study, the Mr 55,000 procollagenase band was the earliest protein to appear in the medium after 1 hour labeling with [35S]-methionine. The Mr 60,000, 50,000 and 43,000 bands appeared after a 2 hour labeling period. Our results indicate that human collagenases are glycosylated proteins and are synthesized via the dolichol phosphate pathway.

Collagenases↗

Purkinje cell inclusions and 'atelencephaly' in 13q-chromosomal syndrome.

Severe microcephaly was present from birth in a child with a 13q-chromosomal syndrome [46,XY,del(13)(q22q31)]. He died at 20 months of age. Neuropathologic findings included atelencephaly and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions consisted of stacks of parallel cisternae separated by electron-dense granular material. The relationship between these inclusions and the smaller cytoplasmic inclusions known as "lamellar bodies" is discussed, and the central nervous system malformations in this syndrome are reviewed.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Receptor for epidermal growth factor retains normal structure and function in aging cells.

Cellular responsiveness to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the structure of the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) were compared in young and senescent human fibroblast (HF) cells. Biosynthetic labeling of HF cells with [35S] methionine followed by immunoprecipitation with EGF-R antibody revealed the presence of Mr 170 000 EGF-R in cells from both stages. Autophosphorylation of EGF-R in response to EGF was identical in young and senescent cells. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the autophosphorylated EGF-R indicated that tyrosine residues were phosphorylated in each preparation. Two-dimensional peptide mapping of [125I]EGF-R from young and senescent cells showed essentially the same pattern, indicating that EGF-R does not apparently undergo detectable changes in senescent human fibroblasts. The responsiveness of aging HF cells to EGF for the induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity and for the production of secretory proteins was measured. Young and senescent HF cells showed about a three-fold induction of collagenase activity upon addition of EGF. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was also stimulated by EGF to a comparable level in young and senescent cells. Our results indicate that the responsiveness of HF cells to EGF for these two biochemical parameters does not decline with the loss of proliferative activity.

Amino Acids↗

Induction of collagenase secretion in human fibroblast cultures by growth promoting factors.

In human foreskin fibroblast cultures, two proteins with Mr 60,000 and 55,000 were found to be induced about 3.5-fold by epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor, and beta-transforming growth factor. The induced proteins were identified as procollagenases by immunoprecipitation of induced medium with antibodies to purified human fibroblast collagenase. Collagenase enzyme activity in the medium from EGF-treated cultures was also induced at least 3-fold compared to control cultures. Induction of collagenase was dependent upon de novo protein and RNA synthesis and was observed in the medium 10 h after addition of EGF. Although these growth-promoting factors interact with separate membrane receptors, each induced the secretion of a common protein, suggesting that collagenase may be important in some aspect of mitogenesis, cell mobilization, and migration.

Cells, Cultured↗

Neuropathology of oral-facial-digital syndromes.

A 3-month-old female infant with oral-facial-digital syndrome (OFD-I) was found to have extensive malformations of the brain and spinal cord. Our review of other case reports indicated that the most common central nervous system malformations found in OFD-I include cerebral epithelial (ependymal) cysts, agenesis of the corpus callosum, cerebral micropolygyria, and hypoplasia or dysplasia of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla. It is suggested that the individuals with OFD-I syndrome should be carefully studied clinically and pathologically for complex nervous system anomalies.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Encouraging patients to undergo prenatal genetic counseling before the day of amniocentesis. Its effect on the use of amniocentesis.

The purpose of this study was to determine if encouraging in-depth prenatal genetic counseling before the day of possible genetic amniocentesis affected the use of amniocentesis. Five hundred two patients were referred to our center for prenatal genetic services during a 15-month period. All patients were scheduled for genetic counseling before possible amniocentesis. During the initial three months (group I), patients were routinely scheduled for counseling on the same day of the procedure unless they requested earlier counseling. During the subsequent 12 months (group II), patients were encouraged to undergo counseling before the day of planned amniocentesis, and 48% agreed. When early counseling was encouraged, the use of amniocentesis decreased from 85% (group I) to 73% (group II) (P less than .025). Among patients with advanced maternal age as the only indication for testing (n = 375), utilization of amniocentesis decreased from 93% (group I) to 78% (group II) (P less than .005). A policy of encouraging early prenatal genetic counseling appears to be a significant factor in the use of genetic amniocentesis.

Amniocentesis↗

Nonfunctional epidermal growth factor receptor in cells transformed by Kirsten sarcoma virus.

The cell membrane receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) appears to be a glycoprotein of Mr 170,000 and mediates the mitogenic and metabolic responses of cells with EGF receptors (EGF-R). Normal rat kidney (NRK) have about 3 X 10(5) EGF-R per cell. Upon transformation of NRK cells by Kirsten sarcoma virus, the transformed derivative (KNRK) loses the ability to bind 125I-EGF. Membranes from NRK and KNRK cells were included in EGF-dependent phosphorylation reactions to search for evidence of the EGF-R. A phosphorylated protein of Mr 170,000 was detected in both NRK and KNRK membranes. The Mr 170,000 protein was identified to be EGF-R by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibody to the receptor. Furthermore, two-dimensional peptide mapping using trypsin and chymotrypsin digestions of the iodinated receptors from both NRK and KNRK cells showed essentially identical patterns. These data indicate that the EGF-R is present in KNRK cells with apparently the same protein structure as the NRK counterpart.

Animals↗