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S Albrecht

Publications and source records attributed to S Albrecht.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Epitope-mapped monoclonal antibodies as tools for functional and morphological analyses of the human urokinase receptor in tumor tissue.

uPAR (CD87), the receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) facilitates tumor cell invasion and metastasis by focusing uPA proteolytic activity to the cell surface. As uPAR exists in various molecular forms, it is desirable to use well defined antibodies for analyses of uPAR antigen expression in human malignant tumors by immunological methods. Therefore, twelve monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against uPAR were generated by using nonglycosylated, recombinant human uPAR (spanning amino acids 1 to 284), expressed in Escherichia coli, as the immunogen. The reaction pattern of these MAbs with the immunogen and a series of carboxyl-terminally truncated versions of uPAR demonstrated that at least six different epitopes of uPAR are recognized. All MAbs reacted under reducing conditions in immunoblot analyses with E. coli-expressed uPA and also with highly glycosylated, functionally intact, recombinant human uPAR expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Seven of the MAbs recognized CHO uPAR under nonreducing conditions as well. By flow cytofluorometric analyses, three of these MAbs were shown to bind to native human uPAR present on the cell surface of monocytoid U937 cells with MAb IIIF10 being the best. Saturation of uPAR with uPA on U937 cells completely blocked interaction of MAb IIIF10 with uPAR (mapped epitope, amino acids 52 to 60 of domain I of uPAR). In turn, preincubation of U937 cells with MAb IIIF10 efficiently reduced binding of uPA to uPAR, indicating that the epitope detected by MAb IIIF10 is located within or closely to the uPA-binding site of uPAR, and thus, this site may be a target to influence uPA/uPAR-mediated proteolysis in tumors. Binding of MAbs IID7 or IIIB11 (mapped epitope, amino acids 125 to 132 of domain II of uPAR) to uPAR is not affected when uPAR is occupied by uPA. As these MAbs reacted strongly with cellular uPAR antigen in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor sections, the domain-II-specific antibodies IID7 and IIIB11 may be useful for immunohistochemical studies of uPAR expression in tissue remodeling processes in tumor invasion. In conclusion, we have devised well defined and epitope-mapped MAbs to uPAR that are highly specific tools for detection and targeting of uPAR in tumor tissue.

Animals↗

Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 1 in human hepatoblastoma.

In previous studies we have found loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome arm 11p in 33% of hepatoblastomas (HBs). In addition, cytogenetic studies have revealed aberrations of chromosome arm 1p in single cases. Therefore, we have used the PCR to amplify 10 microsatellites on the short arm and 7 microsatellites on the long arm of chromosome I to assess allelic loss in 32 cases of HB. LOH on chromosome I was found in II cases. Seven HBs showed LOH on chromosome Ip, 7 cases had LOH on Iq, and 3 tumors had LOH on both Ip and Iq. Six HBs with LOH on Ip had LOH at DIS243 (Ip36.3), and one tumor had a loss at DIS80 maintaining heterozygosity at DIS243. A common region of overlap was present at the telomeric chromosomal portion of Ip between DIS80 and DIS243. Of the HBs with LOH on Iq, 4 showed a common region of overlap at Iq3I-q32.I, and the other 3 at DISI609 located more telomerically. The parental origin of the lost allele was of random distribution for chromosome arm Ip and of paternal origin for chromosome arm Iq. Our data suggest that tumor suppressor genes located at the telomeric region of chromosome arm Ip and different regions of chromosome arm Iq may be involved in the pathogenesis of HB.

Adolescent↗

Loss of heterozygosity at locus F13B on chromosome 1q in human medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma is a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cerebellum with poorly understood pathogenesis. Previous studies have reported loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome arms 17p, 11p and 9q and cytogenetic abnormalities of chromosome 1 in medulloblastoma. We have used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify 10 microsatellites on the short arm and 8 microsatellites on the long arm of chromosome 1 to assess allelic loss in 22 medulloblastomas. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 1 was found in 9 cases. Eight medulloblastomas (36%) showed an interstitial LOH on chromosome 1q. The common region of overlap was mapped between D1S 1604 and D1S237 and included the locus F13B in the chromosomal region 1q31-q32.1. An additional tumor had LOH in a proximal region of 1p, but did not exhibit LOH on 1q. None of the medulloblastomas exhibited LOH of the telomeric portion of chromosome 1p, which has been associated with several other human malignancies. Our data suggest the presence of a putative tumor suppressor gene located near the locus F13B on chromosome arm 1q that appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma.

Adolescent↗

Fetal- and tumor-specific regulation of growth hormone receptor messenger RNA expression in human liver.

Eight different 5'-untranslated region variants of the human growth hormone receptor (hGHR) mRNA have been identified in adult liver (V1-V8). We have compared the expression of two of these variants (V1 and V3) in several human fetal and postnatal tissues (including liver) as well as in hepatoblastomas (HBs) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Using reverse transcription-PCR assays, followed by Southern blotting to confirm the specificity of the amplified fragments, we found that V3 was expressed in all fetal and postnatal liver (n = 13 fetal and 5 postnatal), kidney (n = 4 fetal and 4 postnatal), lung (n = 4 fetal and 2 postnatal), intestine (n = 8 fetal and 4 postnatal), skeletal muscle (n = 1 fetal and 1 postnatal), and adrenal (n = 1 fetal and 1 postnatal) samples. In contrast, V1 was expressed only in postnatal liver. We then screened for V1 and V3 in HBs (n = 17, ages 6-36 months, including 5 with paired normal liver), and HCCs (n = 4, ages 50-75 years, with paired normal liver). V1 was undetectable in 15 of 17 HBs, including all HBs paired with (V1-expressing) normal liver; the absence of V1 did not correlate with patient age, sex, HB subtype, +/- chemotherapy, exon 3-retaining and -deficient hGHR mRNA isoform pattern, or loss of heterozygosity at 11p, 1p, and 1q. The four HCCs showed marked (>20-fold; n = 2) or complete (n = 2) suppression of V1 as compared to paired normal liver. V3 was expressed in all HBs, HCCs, and paired normal livers. Interestingly, V3, but not V1, was detected in two Wilms' tumor and paired normal kidney specimens. Our findings suggest that, in the human, there is tissue-, fetal- and tumor-specific regulation of V1 hGHR mRNA.

Adolescent↗

[New intravenous anesthetics. Remifentanil, S(+)-ketamine, eltanolone and target controlled infusion].

The need for better anaesthetic agents has led to the approval or the clinical studies of new compounds, which have or are assumed to have a higher degree of controllability or an improved spectrum of undesired side effects compared to other approved anaesthetics. For the i.v.-anaesthetics, different approaches have been used to achieve this. Among these are the new synthesis of a new chemical entity (NCE), the isolation of an isomer of a racemic mixture and the new galenic preparation of a known substance for i.v.-application. This review gives for all three approaches an example. Remifentanil is a NCE which has been released in Germany a few months ago. This compound has reached the highest degree of intraoperative controllability among all i.v. anaesthetics. Its context-sensitive half-life, that is the effective time for drug concentration to decline by 50% (ET50), is about 3-4 min even after several hours of continuous administration. One reason for this exceptional property is that its metabolism is independent of liver and kidney function and depends almost only on blood and tissue nonspecific esterases. S(+)-ketamine represents an example for the isolation of a specific isomer out of a known racemic mixture. Racemic ketamine was introduced into clinical practice in 1965. The clinical trials with the isolated S(+)-ketamine, which are finished now, showed that the racemic mixture of both isomer does not lead to an additive effect, but the action of S(+)-ketamine is weakened by the R(-)-compound. In volunteers studies it was not possible to achieve a complete loss of consciousness by administration of R(-)-ketamine only, whereby with S(+)-ketamine one could reduce the dose with respect to the racemic mixture by a factor of two to achieve complete consciousness. This dose reduction is accompanied by a faster offset time. For broader clinical applications one would therefore expect a higher degree of controllability and a shortened recovery period. With eltanolon a substance is presented which is known as the metabolite pregnanolon of the reductive metabolic pathway of progesterone since the 50s and which is known to possess strong hypnotic potency. However, because of its low water solubility it could not be studied as an i.v. agent until in 1990 one succeeded in making a water soluble emulsion in fat. The clearance of eltanolon is ca. 25 ml/kg/min and it has a terminal half-life of about 3 hr. It has, however, a pronounced hysteresis of 8 min between blood and effect site. This unfavourable pharmacokinetic property in conjunction with observed unvoluntary spontaneous movements and increased muscle tone during application has led to the cessation of its further clinical development. With the introduction of shorter acting compounds it is also necessary to improve the traditional techniques of i.v. drug delivery like manual bolus injections or drip infusions. After more than 16 years of research and development in the field of Target-Controlled Infusions (TCI), there has been recently introduced the so called Diprifusor-TCI, as a commercially available software module to control the delivery of propofol. TCI uses established pharmacokinetic data to determine infusion rates to achieve desired drug concentrations serving as the target, which can be chosen interactively. This way of dosing i.v. anesthetics is obviously not restricted to one specific compound but can be applied to any i.v.-drug if appropriate pharmacokinetic data are used.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗

[RO 48-6791--a short acting benzodiazepine. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in young and old subjects in comparison to midazolam].

The objectives of the present study were to compare in a randomized double-blind crossover study design the concentration-effect relationships of Ro 48-6791, a new benzodiazepine agonist, and midazolam, following infusion in young and elderly male volunteers. Therefore, linearly increasing plasma concentrations were generated by computer controlled infusion pumps to achieve a deep hypnotic effect. The endpoint of the infusion was defined by loss of response to loud verbal commands and a median frequency of the recorded EEG power spectrum below 4 Hz. Arterial blood samples were collected in regular intervals up to 6 hours after cessation of the infusion. The method of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling was used to quantify the concentration-effect relationship, including age related differences, already in this early phase I study. The total clearance of Ro 48-6791 was found to be 1410 +/- 380 vs. 399 +/- 91 ml min-1 for midazolam (mean +/- SD; P < 0.005) and the central volume of distribution to be 20.5 +/- 7.1 vs. 7.9 +/- 3.0 l, respectively (P < 0.005). The comparison between young and elderly volunteers yielded for Ro 48-6791 a statistically not significant reduction of 16% for clearance with age and a slowed distribution of 47% for midazolam (P < 0.05). The recovery period for Ro 48-6791 was reduced by 66% (P < 0.005) in the young and 45% (P < 0.01) in the elderly, respectively, in comparison with midazolam. With respect to the total doses administered, Ro 48-6791 appeared to be 2.5 times as potent as midazolam in all volunteers (P < 0.001). Comparing both age groups, the doses necessary to cause similar effects were reduced by one half for both compounds in the elderly (P < 0.001). The major advantages of Ro 48-6791 compared to midazolam were its shorter duration of action as well as the faster recovery and thus the better controllability. Further investigations would have to confirm these results in a greater number of patients. The applied method of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling not only allowed to quantify the efficacy of Ro 48-6791 but also provided data to augment the safety for further investigations.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Variable imprinting of H19 and IGF2 in fetal cerebellum and medulloblastoma.

Only the maternal or paternal allele of an imprinted gene is expressed in somatic cells. The gene for insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) and the H19 gene (a putative tumor suppressor gene) are imprinted in humans with monoallelic paternal and maternal expression, respectively. Loss of imprinting (LOI) (i.e., biallelic expression) of IGF2 occurs in some tumors and may promote tumor growth. We examined imprinting of IGF2 and H19 in 6 fetal cerebella, 1 adult cerebellum, 15 medulloblastomas, and 7 medulloblastoma cell lines using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-PCR of exonic polymorphisms. Loss of imprinting of IGF2 occurred in 2 out of 3 informative fetal cerebella, 3 out of 7 informative medulloblastomas, and 1 out of 4 informative cell lines. Loss of imprinting of H19 occurred in 0 out of 4 informative fetal cerebella, 0 out of 1 informative adult cerebellum, 4 out of 8 informative medulloblastomas, and 1 out of 4 informative cell lines. The biallelic expression of H19 was only partial in two medulloblastomas, however, with one allele being significantly weaker than the other. Loss of imprinting of IGF2 occurs in medulloblastomas or medulloblastoma cell lines but can also occur in normal fetal cerebellum. Its occurrence in medulloblastomas may therefore reflect the tumors' embryonal nature rather than representing a primary pathogenetic mechanism. Our data also indicate that both genes can be imprinted and expressed independently of each another, both in normal cerebellum and medulloblastomas.

Adult↗

Characterization of the continuous cell line HepT1 derived from a human hepatoblastoma.

Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric liver tumor. The molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hepatoblastoma are unknown. Cell lines can be valuable tools in the study of tumor biology, but only few hepatoblastoma cell lines have been established. We explanted tumor tissue from human hepatoblastomas to generate cell lines. A continuous cell line (HepT1) was established from a human hepatoblastoma with predominant embryonal differentiation. The HepT1 cell line was characterized by immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, cytogenetics, and molecular genetic analysis. In addition, the cultured cells were xenografted into nude mice and the resulting tumors compared with the original tumor. The cells grew in epithelial clusters, and expressed cytokeratins and alpha-fetoprotein. Injection of HepT1 cells into nude mice gave rise to serially transplantable subcutaneous tumors. The cell line as well as the xenotransplants displayed the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the primary tumor. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated desmosomal junctions and the formation of bile canaliculi. Cytogenetic analysis showed a near tetraploid karyotype with structural and numerical aberrations of chromosomes 1p, 6, 9, 11q, 13q, 15p, and 20 and both single and double minute chromosomes. In PCR-based microsatellite analysis of chromosome arm 11p, a loss of heterozygosity at all informative loci including the WT-1 and IGF2 genes was detected. Intratumoral erythropoiesis, a characteristic feature of hepatoblastomas, was present in the primary tumor as well as in HepT1 xenotransplants. We therefore studied the expression of erythropoietic cytokines in these cells and found both erythropoietin and stem cell factor. The HepT1 cell line displays characteristic cellular and molecular features of hepatoblastoma and we believe it will be a valuable tool for studies on the biology and pathogenesis of hepatoblastoma as well as on the differentiation of hepatocyte progenitor cells.

Animals↗

Tissue factor expression during human and mouse development.

In the adult organism the cellular distribution of tissue factor (TF) expression corresponds to biological boundary layers forming a hemostatic barrier ready to activate blood coagulation after tissue injury. Whether TF expression might also play a role in development is unknown. To determine the significance of TF in ontogenesis, we examined the pattern of TF expression in mouse development and compared it with the distribution of TF in human post-implantation embryos and fetuses of corresponding gestational age. At early embryonic periods of murine (6.5 and 7.5 pc) and human (stage 5) development, there was strong expression of TF in both ectodermal and entodermal cells. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that TF mRNA and protein were expressed widely in epithelial areas with high levels of morphogenic activity during organogenesis. Staining for TF was seen during ontogenetic development in tissues such as epidermis, myocardium, bronchial epithelium, and hepatocytes, which express TF in the adult organism. Surprisingly, during renal development and in adults, expression of TF differed between humans and mice. In humans, maturing stage glomeruli were stained for TF whereas in mice, TF was absent from glomeruli but was present in the epithelia of tubular segments. In neuroepithelial cells, there was a substantial expression of TF. Moreover, there was robust TF expression in tissues such as skeletal muscle and pancreas, which do not express it in the adult. In contrast, expression of the physiological ligand for TF, factor VII, was not detectable during early stages of human embryogenesis using immunohistochemistry. The temporal and spatial pattern of TF expression during murine and human development supports the contention that TF serves as an important morphogenic factor during embryogenesis.

Adult↗

Detection of circulating tissue factor and factor VII in a normal population.

The plasma tissue factor (TF) concentration was correlated to factor VII concentration (FVIIag) and factor VII activity (FVIIc) in 498 healthy volunteers ranging in age from 17 to 64 years. Immunoassays using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed for the determination of TF and FVIIag in plasma. The mAbs and the test systems were characterized. The mean value of the TF concentration was 172 +/- 135 pg/ml. TF showed no age- and gender-related differences. For the total population, FVIIc, determined by a clotting test, was 110 +/- 15% and the factor VIIag was 0.77 +/- 0.19 microgram/ml. FVII activity was significantly increased with age, whereas the concentration demonstrated no correlation to age in this population. FVII concentration is highly correlated with the activity as measured by clotting assay using rabbit thromboplastin. The ratio between FVIIc and FVIIag was not age-dependent, but demonstrated a significant difference between men and women. Between TF and FVII we could not detect a correlation.

Adolescent↗

[Effects of continuous cryotherapy on the surgically traumatized musculoskeletal system. Perioperative Cryotherapy Study Group].

The in-vivo effectiveness of continuous cold pressure therapy was evaluated in 24 patients following elective knee or hip replacement surgery. A cooling of the skin surface down to 8 degrees C resulted in a reduction of the epifascial tissue temperature to 22 degrees C. A significant reduction of subfascial pressure in combination with decreased protein leakage via redovac output were notable. Observing a constant decreased pH-level increased oxygen saturation and reduced drop of base excess were interpreted as signs of reduced enzyme-linked metabolism activity. Clinically these findings were found in correlation to a 50% decrease of postoperative analgetic demands as well as a 20% increased range of motion level.

Cryotherapy↗

Plasma concentration of tissue factor and factor VII in patients after abdominal surgery.

Tissue injury following trauma and surgery may induce alterations in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Hypercoagulable state after surgery can be associated with the risk of postoperative thromboembolic complications. The contact of coagulation factors with TF after injury of vessel wall and organ tissues may contribute to the development of thrombosis after surgery (1). TF, the cell surface receptor and cofactor of factor VII/VIIa is normally not expressed by cells within the vasculature. Only monocytes and endothelial cells can be stimulated to express TF transiently by a variety of inflammatory and immunological reactions (for review see 2,3). Also surgical treatment was reported to induce TF synthesis in monocytes (4,5,6). TF is present in many extravascular tissues as vascular adventitia, organ capsules, epidermis, colonic mucosal epithelium, liver stroma, pancreas stroma and also on tumor cells (7-12). In this study, we investigated, whether we can detect the release of TF from the traumatized tissues and from activated monocytes into the circulation following abdominal surgery. To test the dependence of the extension of tissue injury during surgery we segregated the patients into group A with major abdominal operations and group B consisting of patients with appendectomy and cholecystectomy. No relationship could be established between changes of TF and postoperative thromboembolic complications.

Abdomen↗

[Reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tumors. A follow-up study].

UNLABELLED: Development and growth of gastrointestinal tumors seems to correlate closely with the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). It is known, that oxygen-free-radicals are able to induce a precancerous stage and tumor growth by damaging DNA or changing the protein and lipid structure. To investigate, whether the cellular formation of oxygen-free radicals plays a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma, we performed the study presented here. 40 patients with colorectal carcinoma were studied over a period of 6 months (before operation, 10 days after operation, 3 months later, 6 months later). Oxygen-free radicals were determined by chemiluminescence response in the whole blood, in granulocytes and in monocuclear blood cells (MBC). At the same time the trace elements selenium, Copper and Zinc, known to play an important role as antioxidants, were measured. RESULTS: We observed, that the ability of granulocytes for phagocytosis was depleted. However, this effect could be reversed as demonstrated in in vitro stimulation assays. After 6 months the phagocytosis by granulocytes achieved again normal values. Simultaneously a dramatic increase in superoxide-anions generated by mononuclear blood cells was seen. This increase was still obvious after 6 month. Independent of the tumor state selenium deficiency was found in all patients. Since no substitution of selenium was performed after operation, this deficiency was not normalised. CONCLUSION: The ability for phagocytosis and therefore the immune response is reduced in a reversible manner. In addition reactive superoxide-anions, that are able to induce tumors, are formed. This risk is increased in the absence of selenium. Thus, clinical follow-up studies are needed to determine subclinical tumor relapses and to investigate the role of oxidative stress by chemi-luminescence. As consequence of this study selenium substitution seems to be indicated.

Aged↗

[Inlay dislocations after primary, cement-free hip joint replacement].

This report deals with diagnostic effort of dislocated acetabular cup inlay in cementless total hip-arthroplasty. The metallic sound caused by collision of the ceramic head and metal acetabular component is documented by CTG. Suggestions of incidence and prevention of later inlay-dislocations during primary implantation are given.

Hip Prosthesis↗

Transthyretin expression in medulloblastomas and medulloblastoma cell lines.

Transthyretin is a protein crucial to the transport of lipophilic molecules such as thyroid hormones and retinoids. In the central nervous system, large amounts of transthyretin are synthesized by the choroid plexus and are secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid. The choroid plexus is the only site of transthyretin synthesis in the brain. Transthyretin is expressed by most benign and malignant choroid plexus tumours while gliomas and meningiomas do not express transthyretin. Other major sites of transthyretin synthesis are the retinal pigment epithelium and hepatocytes. Medulloblastoma is the prototypical primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cerebellum and can show multiple lines of differentiation, including the expression of retinal markers. In this study, we examined transthyretin expression both at the RNA and protein level in four medulloblastomas and six medulloblastoma cell lines using Northern and Western blot analysis, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), RNA in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. All four medulloblastomas and five of the six medulloblastoma cell lines expressed transthyretin-mRNA as demonstrated by reverse PCR and in situ hybridization while three medulloblastomas and one cell line were positive on Northern blot. The medulloblastoma with the most abundant RNA expression was transthyretin-immunoreactive on cryosections and the medulloblastoma cell line that was positive on Northern blot also expressed transthyretin at levels detectable by Western blot. No transthyretin-immunoreactivity was seen in 16 additional medulloblastomas studied on paraffin sections. These findings indicate that low-level expression of transthyretin-mRNA is common in medulloblastomas and medulloblastoma cell lines. Expression of transthyretin protein occurs rarely but can reach significant levels. Transthyretin expression in medulloblastoma is consistent with retinal pigment epithelium differentiation in medulloblastomas and reflects their pluripotential nature. Furthermore, the potential for transthyretin-immunoreactivity in medulloblastoma should be kept in mind when performing immunohistochemical studies on poorly differentiated cerebellar tumours.

Base Sequence↗

Aggressive meningeal tumors: review of a series.

A series of 25 patients with aggressive meningeal tumors was studied to determine the efficacy of various management options. The median age of the patients was 52 years, with a range of 13 to 73 years. A marked male preponderance (64%) was noted. Twenty of 25 patients experienced recurrence during a median follow-up time of 47 months. Survival and freedom from recurrence varied with histological diagnosis. Recurrence was noted sooner in patients who had received partial resections on first presentation of tumor than in those who had received total resections at first presentation. Survival time was also shorter for patients who underwent partial resections at first presentation than for patients who underwent total resections. Patients' prognoses did not improve as a result of either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Of six patients with extracranial metastases, the median time to metastasis was 102 months, with a 5-year metastasis-free rate of 85%. The most common sites of metastasis in these six patients were lung and bone. In each tumor type, histological features used in diagnosis and radiological features studied from computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated, compared, and discussed. Of eight patients studied with an in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) labeling index (LI), seven showed an LI of 1% or more. The authors support the incorporation of the BUdR LI into the diagnostic process to provide a better estimate of the potential for tumor recurrence.

Adolescent↗