Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Parwaresch

Publications and source records attributed to R Parwaresch.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Characterization of a MAb to ovarian cancer and its possible diagnostic application.

We report the distribution pattern of the target antigen of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody, Ki-OC III raised in BALB/C mice against solubilised ovarian adenocarcinoma, in normal tissue and in a collection of human tumour types. Special reference was made to benign and malignant ovarian tumours. The reactive antigen protein purified to homogeneity for a planned amino acid analysis showed three bands between 37-40 kDa. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 77%. The tracer kinetics of the radiolabelled antibody were tested on a human ovarian carcinoma cell line in athymic mice. The results were compared to cell lines derived from breast and stomach carcinomas as well as to a human glioblastoma cell line. The results show the preferential uptake by ovarian cancer cells followed by breast cancer cell lines. In animal models, scintigraphic monitoring and direct measurement of the radio-labelled monoclonal antibody showed a preferential accumulation in tumours, in addition to high level signals in the liver, kidney, spleen and heart which were related to degradation, excretion and high circulation. The Ki-OC III reactive antigen could be a potential candidate for immunomonitoring of ovarian and possibly also of breast cancer, for in vivo tumour imaging as well as for histopathologic examinations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of telomerase expression and proliferative activity in the different layers of cyclic endometrium.

To gain better insights into cell kinetics under physiological conditions, telomerase activity in the functional and basal layers of cyclic endometrium (n = 33) was compared with the immunostaining of glandular and stromal cells within these layers (n = 25). Two immunohistochemical proliferation markers were used to demarcate cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In contrast to previous expectations, telomerase activity and both glandular and stromal proliferative activities were all significantly higher in the functional than in the basal endometrium (P < 0.002). The course of telomerase activity in the endometrial layers during the ovarian cycle was significantly associated with the proliferative scores for the functional and basal endometrial glands and the functional stroma but not the stromal compartment of the basal layer. Our findings indicate that the telomerase activity in cyclic endometrium is associated with the total number of proliferating glandular and stromal cells in the functional layer. Proliferating daughter cells of telomerase-competent stem cells may account for the lower levels of telomerase detected in normal basal endometrium.

Adult↗

Longevity of lobsters is linked to ubiquitous telomerase expression.

Mammals have high growth rates in embryonic and juvenile phases and no growth in adult and senescent phases. We analyzed telomerase activity in a fundamentally different animal which grows indeterminately. Lobsters (Homarus americanus) grow throughout their life and the occurrence of senescence is slow. A modified TRAP assay was developed and the lobster telomeric repeat sequence TTAGG was determined. We detected telomerase activities which were dependent on RNA and protein components, required dGTP, dATP and dTTP, but not dCTP. Telomerase products with a five nucleotide periodicity were generated. High telomerase activities were detected in all lobster organs. We conclude that telomerase activation is a conserved mechanism for maintaining long-term cell proliferation capacity and preventing senescence, not only in cellular models or embryonic life stages but also in adult multicellular organisms.

Animals↗

Regulation of telomerase activity in quiescent immortalized human cells.

Telomerase is a key enzyme in carcinogenesis; telomerase activity has been found in more than 90% of human tumors. Understanding the regulation of this enzyme will improve our knowledge of tumor biology and may lead to novel strategies in cancer therapy. We examined effects of growth arrest on telomerase activity in the human immortalized cell lines U 937 (lymphoma) and L 428 (Hodgkin's disease). Cells were starved by serum depletion for 4 days. After readdition of serum, a recovery phase followed. Cell proliferation was monitored with the monoclonal antibody Ki-S5. In the absence of serum, telomerase levels declined fivefold. After serum readdition, recovery to threefold increased level was observed. Furthermore, the prevalence of telomerase-positive cells in normal tissues is an important issue for understanding tumorigenesis. Our TRAP assay is robust against false positives and in mixed cell samples, we found a rather limited sensitivity of the telomere repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. This means that adequate screenings for telomerase-positive somatic cells have to include enrichment steps.

Base Sequence↗

Telomerase activity in 'immortal' fish.

Eukaryotic chromosome termini consist of telomeres, short sequence repeats. According to the telomere hypothesis, DNA replication leads to telomere shortening, resulting in a cellular mitotic clock. Telomerase resets it by telomere synthesis. In mammals with a limited growth phase, telomerase activity in somatic tissues is restricted to stem cell derivatives with high proliferation potential. But other animals, like some fish, grow throughout their life with little senescence. All somatic cells require a high proliferation capacity and telomerase should be active in all cells, irrespective of fish age. Indeed, we detected high telomerase activities in all analyzed organs of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Animals↗

Improved ELISA proliferation assay (EPA) for the detection of in vitro cell proliferation by a new Ki-67-antigen directed monoclonal antibody (Ki-S3).

We describe a simplified and improved proliferation assay based on a conventional ELISA system for the in vitro measurement of cellular proliferation (ELISA proliferation assay = EPA). The assay is based on a new monoclonal antibody (Ki-S3) to the proliferation-specific Ki-67-antigen and is carried out in 96-well microtiter plates using conventional immunoenzymatic methods. Ki-S3 is an immunoprecipitating monoclonal mouse IgG1 antibody, which recognizes a formalin-resistant epitope of the Ki-67 antigen. It can be used to measure proliferating cells in the cell cycle phases G1, S, G2 and M. In phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) the absorbance values obtained with the EPA show a statistically significant correlation to the number of Ki-S3 positive cells in simultaneously immunostained cytospin slides (r = 0.88). A direct comparison with [3H]thymidine labeling reveals the test to be an equally sensitive method for monitoring cellular proliferation (r = 0.91). This assay is an improved ELISA proliferation assay, which is easy to perform, does not require time-consuming pretreatments and avoids the hazards of radioactive isotopes.

Animals↗

Functional anatomy of human lacrimal duct epithelium.

Resorption of tear fluid in the lacrimal ducts has hitherto been controversial; one reason for this has been insufficient knowledge of the anatomical structure and function of the lacrimal duct epithelium. The present study analyzes the structure of lacrimal duct epithelium by means of histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopical methods and draws a conclusion about its physiological function regarding its role in immunodeficiency. Investigations were performed on 31 lacrimal systems of 17 male and 14 female individuals (aged 54-88 years). Lacrimal ducts are surrounded by a wide-ranging cavernous system, which is embedded in an osseous canal between the maxilla and the lacrimal bone. The internal wall of the lacrimal canaliculi is lined by a stratified epithelium. The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct contain a double-layered epithelium, which rests on a broad basement membrane. In their apical part epithelial cells contain large lipid droplets and secretory vacuoles. Epithelial cells are faced by microvilli and some tufts of kinociliae are also visible. Goblet cells are integrated in the epithelium as solitary cells or in a characteristic arrangement of several cells. The secretory product of these cells contains carbohydrates including fucose and sialic acid. Inside the surrounding cavernous system serous glands are found that open their excretory ducts into the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Some T- and B-lymphocytes and macrophages may be demonstrated immunohistochemically in the submucosa partly penetrating the epithelium. Synthesized mucins of goblet cells form a specialized protective layer on the epithelium of the lacrimal ducts, which functionally serves for a simplified drainage of tear fluid into the inferior meatus of the nose. Together with immunocompetent cells, the protective layer plays a role in antigen defense and prevents invasion of pathogenic agents. The facing of epithelial cells by microvilli gives hints of re-absorption of lacrimal fluid inside the lacrimal ducts.

Aged↗

Telomere shortening in uterine leiomyomas.

OBJECTIVE: To gain a better understanding of proliferation control mechanisms in a common benign tumor, we investigated the mean telomere length and the clonality of uterine leiomyomas. STUDY DESIGN: Deoxyribonucleic acid from uterine leiomyomas and from the adjacent normal myometrium of 51 patients (total number of uterine leiomyomas 107; 28 patients with single leiomyoma, 23 patients with multiple leiomyomas ranging from 2 to 8 myoma nodules per case) was hybridized to a telomeric oligonucleotide probe by Southern blot and chemiluminescent detection. The mean telomere length was evaluated by densitometry. Clonality was assessed with use of the phosphoglycerokinase gene polymorphism. RESULTS: The mean telomere length was significantly shorter in uterine leiomyomas (median 7950 bp, interquartile range 7261 to 8372 bp) than in normal myometrium (median 9688 bp, interquartile range 8528 to 10535 bp) (P < .001). There was no correlation between tumor size and telomere attrition. Multiple uterine leiomyomas were found to have an independent clonal origin. CONCLUSIONS: Telomere attrition in uterine leiomyomas reflects enhanced proliferation activity in the course of tumor evolution. The basic telomere lengths differ in the myocytes from which the uterine leiomyomas originate, probably explaining the lack of correlation between telomere attrition and tumor size.

Adult↗

Enhanced expression of Ki-67, topoisomerase IIalpha, PCNA, p53 and p21WAF1/Cip1 reflecting proliferation and repair activity in UV-irradiated melanocytic nevi.

To investigate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins, melanocytic nevi from healthy volunteers were partially covered, irradiated with a defined UV dose, and excised 1 week thereafter. The irradiated and the protected parts were examined separately by conventional microscopy and immunohistochemistry using the antibodies Ki-S11 (Ki-67), Ki-S7 (topoisomerase IIalpha), PC10 (proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]), DO-7 (p53), 6B6 (p21WAF1/Cip1), and the melanocytic marker HMB-45. DNA nick-end labeling was used as a marker of apoptosis. Irradiation resulted in morphological changes and increased HMB-45 reactivity. Proliferation, as assessed by Ki-67 and topoisomerase IIalpha expression, was also clearly enhanced in the UV-exposed areas. This was confirmed by the appearance of occasional mitotic figures. PCNA expression levels markedly exceeded those of the proliferation markers and did not correlate with the latter in most cases. p21 immunolabeling indices were also consistently augmented after UV exposure; hence it is likely that growth-inhibitory mechanisms partly compensate for the proliferative impulse, and the disproportional rise in PCNA expression probably reflects DNA repair activity. Enhanced p53 immunostaining in four cases suggests that the induction of p21 after irradiation may be p53 mediated, whereas no concomitant apoptotic events were observed. We conclude that UV light can stimulate the proliferative activity of melanocytes in melanocytic nevi, but that simultaneously cell cycle inhibitors are activated to permit DNA repair.

Adult↗

Correlation between mitotic and Ki-67 labeling indices in paraffin-embedded carcinoma specimens.

The mitotic index (MI) and the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) are both understood to measure cellular proliferation, but their relationship is poorly defined. We determined the mitotic index in hematoxylin and eosin-stained paraffin sections of 189 consecutive carcinomas and performed immunohistochemistry on sections from the corresponding blocks using the Ki-67-specific monoclonal antibody Ki-S5. The distributions of MI and LI in the entire series were clearly different, the former fitting a Poisson function in contrast to a broad-tailed unspecific distribution of the latter. Both indices were closely correlated in mammary carcinomas and non-small cell lung cancers, and to a slightly lesser extent in colorectal adenocarcinomas. No significant association was found in small cell lung cancers. In squamous cell carcinomas, the two parameters were inversely correlated. A good agreement between MI and LI values was observed in well-differentiated and moderately well-differentiated cancers regardless of their histological type, whereas in poorly differentiated carcinomas the correlation was not significant. We conclude that MI and LI measure different proliferation characteristics. Their relationship appears to depend on the tumor type and the degree of differentiation. Rather than artifacts due to processing or evaluation techniques, specific differences in cell cycle kinetics are likely to account for these discrepancies.

Carcinoma↗

Immunophenotype, proliferation, DNA ploidy, and biological behavior of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a multivariate clinicopathologic study.

To determine the prognostic impact of clinical, immunohistochemical, and biological parameters, we examined 52 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) by conventional light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. DNA ploidy was analyzed by image cytometry on cytospin preparation. The proliferative activity was determined by mitosis counting and assessment of Ki-67 reactivity by means of monoclonal antibody Ki-S5. A histopathologic grade was assigned to each tumor according to the French Federation of Cancer Centers (FNCLCC) grading system. Next to vimentin, CD34 was the most prevalent antigen, followed by markers of neural and muscular differentiation. Many tumors exhibited a mixed phenotype. Twenty-one tumors were diploid, eight hypodiploid, and 23 aneuploid. In univariate analysis, tumor grade, Ki-S5 labeling index, mitotic count, atypical mitoses, cellularity, and sex were predictive of both mortality and metastasis risk. DNA ploidy only correlated with overall survival, whereas the tumor location affected the occurrence of metastases. Multivariate analysis selected Ki-S5 scores (P < .0001) and atypical mitoses (P=.012) as independent prognosticators for overall survival, and tumor grade (P=.0036) and size (P=.0055) as predictors of metastatic spread. We conclude that GIST are primitive mesenchymal tumors capable of divergent differentiation, which does not influence their prognosis. The latter appears to be best predicted by histopathologic grading and the Ki-67 labeling index.

Adult↗

Structure of Bcl-1 and IgH-CDR3 rearrangements as clonal markers in mantle cell lymphomas.

Mantle cell lymphoma represent a clinicopathologically distinct entity of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and are characterized by a specific chromosomal translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) involving the cyclin D1 gene also designated as bcl-1/PRAD1 gene on chromosome 11 and the heavy chain immunoglobulin joining region on chromosome 14. We have established a PCR method to amplify t(11;14) junctional sequences in DNA from fresh frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue by bcl-1-specific primers in combination with a consensus immunoglobulin JH primer. A total of 65 cases histologically classified as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were analyzed for the presence of a t(11;14) translocation and monoclonal IgH-CDR3 rearrangements. From 26 patients with classical MCL and three cases with the anaplastic variant of MCL fresh frozen biopsy material was available for DNA extraction. We detected a bcl-1/JH rearrangement in 12 out of 29 samples (41%). In 36 cases paraffin-embedded lymph node tissue was the only source of DNA. In this material we found a bcl-1/JH rearrangement in six out of 31 samples with intact DNA (20%). To confirm the specificity of the PCR and to determine the bcl-1/JH junctional region sequences as clone-specific marker in individual patients we characterized the junctional DNA sequences by direct PCR sequencing in 16 cases. Interestingly we found that six bcl-1/JH junctions harbored DH segments in their N regions indicating that bcl-1/JH rearrangements can occur in a later stage of B cell ontogeny during which the complete VH to DH-JH joining or VH-replacement takes place. To investigate the suitability of IgH-CDR3 as sensitive molecular marker for those MCL patients in which a t(11;14) translocation can not easily be amplified, we additionally analysed 60 cases for the presence of monoclonally rearranged IgH genes by IgH-CDR3-PCR. A monoclonal IgH-CDR3 PCR product could be identified in 24 out of 29 fresh frozen samples (79%) whereas only 11 out of 31 samples (36%) with paraffin-derived DNA were positive. We demonstrate that automated fluorescence detection of monoclonal IgH-CDR3 PCR products allows the rapid and sensitive monitoring of minimal residual disease also in cases that lack a PCR amplifiable t(11;14) translocation. In combination with allele-specific primers the procedure may improve current experimental approaches for detection of occult MCL cells at initial staging and residual disease during and after therapy.

Base Sequence↗

Giant cell collagenoma: a benign dermal tumor with distinctive multinucleate cells.

We present five cases of a hitherto unreported cutaneous neoplasm. The tumors appeared as solitary slow-growing flesh-colored nodules arising in young and middle-aged adults. They were located on the trunk, the upper extremities, and the face, and did not recur after complete excision. Clinically, they were diagnosed as dermal nevus, Spitz's nevus, fibroma, or neurofibroma. Histology revealed polypoid flat-dome-shaped lesions with a sharply demarcated matrix consisting of coarse hyalinized collagen bundles arranged in a prominent storiform pattern and separated by mucin-containing clefts. Despite a low overall cellularity, the tumors contained numerous, occasionally bizarre-shaped, multinucleate giant cells with crowded vesicular nuclei and a pale staining foamy cytoplasm, as well as plump fibroblastlike cells with analogous nuclear morphology. Atypical nuclei or mitotic figures were not observed. The cells were strongly positive for vimentin but negative for cytokeratin, smooth muscle actin, desmin, S-100 protein, CD34, factor XIIIa, and the macrophage markers KP1, Mac 387, and Ki-M1p, suggesting a fibroblastic origin. Based on the overall architecture, we conclude that these tumors probably represent a distinctive variant of solitary circumscribed storiform collagenoma (sclerotic fibroma) and propose the designation of giant cell collagenoma.

Adult↗

Mantle-cell lymphomas have more widespread disease and a slower response to chemotherapy compared with follicle-center lymphomas: results of a prospective comparative analysis of the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group.

PURPOSE: To compare mantle-cell lymphomas (MCLs) and follicle-center lymphomas (FCLs) for their features of clinical presentation, response to chemotherapy, and prognosis on the basis of a prospective randomized clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with MCL and FCL who entered onto the prospective randomized comparison of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP) versus prednimustine and mitoxantrone (PmM) followed by a second randomization for interferon (IFN) maintenance versus observation only. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-five of 234 patients had FCL and 45 of 234 patients had MCL. With FCL, both sexes were equally affected (men, 47%); patients with MCL were predominantly men (78%; P < .0004) and had a higher median age (64 v 53 years; P < .0001). Patients with MCL also had more widespread disease, reflected by the proportion of patients with two or greater extranodal manifestations (43% v 21%; P < .005) and nine or greater involved nodal areas (64% v 45%; nonsignificant [NS]). Response to chemotherapy was significantly lower in patients with MCL (complete remission [CR] + partial remission [PR], 69% v 88%; P < .05) and occurred at a slower pace. Patients with MCL also had a shorter event-free interval (median, 8 v 24 months; P < .0001) and overall survival (median, 28 v 77 months; P < .0001). In both subtypes, however, patients with less than two residual lymphoma manifestations in remission experienced a relatively good prognosis with an estimated 5-year survival of greater than 60% for MCL and greater than 75% for FCL. CONCLUSION: MCL and FCL differ substantially in their features of presentation, response to chemotherapy, and long-term prognosis. The extent of residual disease after completion of chemotherapy discriminates patients with different prognosis and may be used for the stratification of postremission strategies.

Adult↗

Comparative analysis of prognostic indicators for sarcomas of the soft parts and the viscerae.

Purpose of this study was to determine which parameters may be best applied to determine the prognosis of soft tissue and visceral sarcomas, the two groups being regarded as biologically different. In a cohort of 184 soft tissue tumors (STT) and 53 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), the following factors were examined for their diagnostic and prognostic relevance: patient age, sex, tumor location, histological type, tumor size, tumor grade, DNA ploidy status, mitotic count, and immunohistochemical proliferation index. Tumors were graded according to the FNCLCC system, and antibody Ki-S11 (Ki-67) served as a proliferation marker. Median clinical follow-up time was 48 months. In STT, morphological criteria allowed a ready discrimination between benign and malignant lesions, which was only warranted by histopathological grading in GIST. 178 of all 236 tumors were thus classified as malignant. Whilst most parameters yielded significant results in the univariate analysis, age, sex, and histological type were irrelevant. A proliferation index > 20% predicted a poor outcome in soft tissue sarcomas, in contrast to a threshold of 10% for GIST. In both groups, the Cox multivariate analysis selected the proliferation index as the sole independent predictor of overall survival, whereas it was superseded by the tumor grade with respect to metastatic spread. In conclusion, soft tissue and visceral sarcomas appear to behave basically in a similar manner. Both tumor grade and immunohistochemical proliferation index are of major prognostic value. Concerning the growth fraction, however, different cut-off points should be selected for sarcomas of the soft tissues and those of the digestive tract.

DNA, Neoplasm↗