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Biomedical subjects

U Testa

Publications and source records attributed to U Testa.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type II associated with a new type of G6PD deficiency (G6PD Gabrovizza).

A 6-year-old boy with chronic haemolytic anaemia was found to have glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and the morphological, ultrastructural and serological features of congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia (CDA) type II. The patient's mother was heterozygous for G6PD deficiency. G6PD from the patient's red cells, upon partial purification and full characterization, was found to be a new variant designated G6PD Gabrovizza. We conclude that two distinct genetic abnormalities coexisted in this patient. We suggest that CDA type II may become clinically more expressed when another abnormality of the erythrocytes coexists.

Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital↗

Effect of phorbol esters on iron uptake in human hematopoietic cell lines.

We have investigated the effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on iron uptake into human hematopoietic cell lines K562, U937, and HL-60. TPA inhibited both cell growth and iron uptake by these cell lines. This effect was rapid, which is typical of phorbol esters which are biologically active, and it occurred at very low concentrations of TPA. This effect of TPA was dependent upon an inhibition of the transferrin-binding capacity as estimated on intact cells. However, experiments with transferrin binding on cell samples dissolved in 1% Triton X-100 showed that TPA-treated cells exhibited a transferrin-binding capacity similar to that of control cells. On the basis of this result, it is suggested that TPA modified a part of transferrin receptors present in the cells; as a result of this modification, these receptors became unavailable for binding transferrin, but they remained physically present in the cell. Other compounds capable of inducing the differentiation of leukemic cells, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, butyrate, retinoic acid, and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3, did not acutely inhibit iron uptake. We also investigated the effect of TPA on transferrin receptors in a cellular system in which phorbol esters stimulate cell proliferation. At 16 X 10(-9) M, TPA markedly stimulated the proliferation of T-lymphocytes. However, in spite of this marked stimulation of cell proliferation, TPA-stimulated lymphocytes exhibited a transferrin-binding capacity much inferior to cells stimulated by other mitogens, such as phytohemagglutinin.

Biological Transport↗

Hemopoietic development in human embryos.

We report studies on hemopoietic progenitors and precursors in human embryos and fetuses at 4 to 5 through to 9 to 10 weeks from conception, as well as the corresponding in vivo Hb synthesis pattern. Particular attention is paid to the morphology of 5- to 8-week liver cells, as evaluated by both conventional and electron microscopy. On the basis of these observations, a unifying monoclonal model is proposed for human embryonic hemopoiesis.

Cells, Cultured↗

Pattern of pyruvate kinase isozymes in erythroleukemia cell lines and in normal human erythroblasts.

To further investigate the erythroid nature of the two human erythroleukemia cell lines, K562 and HEL-60, and to define the ontogeny of pyruvate kinase (PK) isozymes (R, M2) in developing human erythroid cells, we have studied the isozymic alterations, if any, during differentiation of these cell lines in vitro and normoblasts isolated from fetal liver in vivo. PK activity of erythroleukemic cell lines was intermediate between that observed in leukocytes and in fetal liver erythroblasts. These cell lines contained a high level of M2-PK, but R-PK was always present, albeit at low concentrations, in all the clones or subclones we studied. Erythroblasts from fetal liver were separated according to density on a Stractan gradient. R-PK levels were nearly constant in the different fractions, whereas M2-PK levels markedly decreased as the erythroblasts became mature and almost completely disappeared in late erythroid cells. Thus, these results clearly demonstrate the erythroid origin of these cell lines.

Cell Line↗

The origin of human B and T cells from multipotent stem cells: a study of the Tn syndrome.

The Tn (or polyagglutinability) syndrome corresponds to a human nonmalignant acquired condition which results from a somatic mutation occurring at the level of bone marrow stem cells. This model offers therefore a unique opportunity to study the contribution of multipotential stem cells to the maintenance of cells from the lymphoid lineage. We found that the Tn mutation is expressed by both myeloid and lymphoid mature blood cells. Whereas a large proportion of surface IgM-bearing B cells carry the Tn mutation, only a small percentage of T cells and IgA- or IgG-bearing B cells are defective, showing that under physiological conditions the penetration of stem cells into the various myeloid and lymphoid compartments is variable.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Erythroid properties of K562 cells. Effect of hemin, butyrate and TPA induction.

Two sublines of the human leukemia cell line K562 including the original cell line and three clones have been investigated for their erythroid features. All of them produce embryonic and fetal hemoglobins, glycophorin A, spectrin and true acetylcholinesterase, but to a varying extent among the cell lines. The Hb and glycophorin contents were correlated in the different K562 cell lines, whereas acetylcholinesterase was independently expressed from these two other erythroid markers. Hb accumulation is enhanced by exposure of the cells to 100 microM hemin without a significant modification of the expression of the other erythroid markers. Butyrate greatly increased the activity of acetylcholinesterase, slightly enhanced the production of hemoglobin, but did not modify the expression of glycophorin and spectrin. 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced an almost complete disappearance of glycophorin, reduced the synthesis of Hb by K562 cells and also abolished the action of hemin on Hb accumulation. Therefore, all the different K562 cell lines exhibit clear erythroid features including acetylcholinesterase. Butyrate or hemin did not induce terminal differentiation of K562 cells, whereas TPA significantly diminished the erythroid phenotype.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Expression of an accessory cell phenotype by hairy cells during lymphocyte colony formation in agar culture.

Human T lymphocytes require the cooperation of accessory cells to generate lymphocyte colonies in agar culture under PHA stimulation. Various hairy cell enriched fractions, as well as normal monocytes, have been found to be able to initiate colony formation by normal lymphocytes. Leukemic monocytes from CMML patients were also effective, but not the leukemic lymphocytes from CLL patients. The phenotype expressed by HC in agar colonies was further studied using cell surface and enzymatic markers. We have concluded that HC in agar culture in the presence of both normal T lymphocytes and PHA lose the B phenotype that they express in vivo and function like an accessory cell in contrast to normal or leukemic B lymphocytes.

B-Lymphocytes↗

The number of the Trf receptors on human hematopoietic cell lines is influenced by membrane phospholipids.

The effect of phospholipases and of inhibitors of phospholipases on the binding of 125I-Trf to human hematopoietic cell lines was investigated. The results showed that incubation of the cells with phospholipases or inhibitors of phospholipases elicited a significant reduction of the Trf binding. This phenomenon was related to a reduction of Trf binding sites without affecting the affinity of the receptors for Trf. These results suggest that the phospholipids of the cell membrane may modulate the binding of transferrin to its receptor.

Acetophenones↗

[Modulation of the expression of transferrin receptors by iron, hemin and protoporphyrin IX].

The expression of transferrin receptors in human leukemic cell lines was investigated. Our results have clearly shown that heme, iron and protoporphyrin-IX may modulate the expression of Trf receptors: iron and heme induce a decrease in the number of Trf receptors; in contrast protoporphyrin-IX elicited a significant increase in the number of Trf receptors. On the basis of these data we suggest that the intracellular concentration of iron, heme and protoporphyrin-IX may represent the main factor involved in the regulation of the expression of Trf receptors.

Animals↗

Myeloid and megakaryocytic properties of K-562 cell lines.

The expression of myeloid and megakaryocytic markers of differentiation has been studied in one K-562 cell subline, in its clones, and in the original cell line. Cytotoxicity, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence studies with a panel of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and radioimmunoassays were performed on K-562 cells before and after induction with hemin, sodium butyrate, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Myeloid membrane markers were present in all K-562 cell lines. Only the early granulopoietic cell surface markers were expressed in 75 to 95% of the cells, while none of the late membrane markers was detected. In contrast, neither the early (myeloperoxidase) nor late (lactoferrin) cytoplasmic markers were present. Thus, K-562 cells showed a membrane phenotype similar to that of a normal or leukemic promyelocyte but lacking myeloperoxidase. Membrane megakaryocytic markers, such as platelet glycoprotein IIIa and platelet peroxidase, were also detected in K-562 cells. However, some other early megakaryocytic markers, such as platelet glycoprotein lb, Factor VIII-R-Ag, and platelet Factor 4, could not be detected by fluorescent labeling. Cloning of the cell line did not result in the selection of a unipotential cell line. These results could be explained by the expression of multilineage markers in a single cell. In all of the cell lines and clones, hemin slightly increased the expression of the myeloid membrane markers without any modification of the megakaryocytic markers. Sodium butyrate and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate diminished most of the myeloid markers and very significantly increased the expression of the megakaryocytic markers.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Inhibition of insulin receptor binding by phorbol esters.

Phorbol esters inhibit the binding of insulin to its receptors on U-937 monocyte-like and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia human cell lines. Within 20-30 min, exposure of these cells to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) at 37 degrees C results in a 50% reduction of the specific binding of 125I-insulin. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at 1 nM TPA. Other tumor-promoting phorbol esters also inhibit 125I-insulin binding in a dose-dependent manner which parallels their known promoting activity in vivo. TPA does not alter the degradation of the hormone nor does it induce any shedding of its receptors in the medium. The effect of phorbol esters is dependent on temperature and cell type. It is less prominent at 22 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. It is reversible within 2 h at 37 degrees C. TPA reduces the binding of insulin predominantly by increasing its dissociation rate. This effect results in an accelerated turnover of the hormone on its receptors.

Animals↗

Hb switching in neonatal cultures. Increase of Hb A synthesis in presence of an erythroid potentiating activity (EPA).

The role of EPA (erythroid potentiating activity) on the growth and on the pattern of hemoglobin synthesis in erythroid colonies from human neonates was investigated. Conditioned medium from the Mo cell line was used as a source of EPA. The results have shown that the addition of Mo medium to cultures determined a significant enhancement of the number and size of BFU-E and an increase of beta chain synthesis. The acceleration of hemoglobin switching is not related to an amelioration of the maturation of the erythroid colonies when grown in the presence of Mo medium. The enhancement of Hb A synthesis induced by Mo medium can directly be related to its EPA, which may operate by two different mechanisms: (1) the recruitment of early erythroid progenitors already preprogrammed to synthesize prevalently beta chains, or (2) the modulation of beta and gamma gene activity in cord blood BFU-E. Some evidence suggests that the first mechanism does operate.

Cell Differentiation↗

Hemoglobin expression in clones of K562 cell line.

The K562 cell line was cloned by dilution and the pattern of hemoglobin (Hb) production was analyzed in the clones thus obtained. The pattern of hemoglobin synthesis was different from one clone to another. According to the Hb phenotype the clones were classified in three main groups; group I no detectable Hb; group II Hb Portland; group III Hb Portland + Hb Gower I. The addition of hemin induced a better hemoglobinization and a shift in the pattern of Hb production: clones of group I were induced to produce Hb Portland and clones of group II to synthesize Hb Gower I. A constant order in the sequential expression of the different hemoglobins was observed: no Hb leads to Hb Portland + Hb Gower I. The proportion of the different globin chains varied from one clone to another, but an inverse correlation between the synthesis of G gamma and epsilon chains was observed. The alpha/non-alpha chain ratio was unbalanced in all the clones and the addition of hemin induced only a moderate increase of the synthesis of alpha chains. Recloning of three primary clones increased the homogeneity of the hemoglobin pattern, in particular after hemin induction.

Clone Cells↗

Lasting Hb F reactivation and Hb A2 reduction induced by the treatment of Hodgkin's disease in a woman heterozygous for beta-thalassemia and the Swiss type of the heterocellular hereditary persistence of Hb F.

A remarkable augmentation of Hb F and a reduction of Hb A2 were observed in a Sicilian woman during and after a course of treatment for Hodgkin's disease. An inverse correlation between the proportion of Hb F and Hb A2 was found over an 8-year period, as well as in populations of red blood cells fractionated by density gradient. She exhibited two genetic defects, the Swiss type of heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and a beta-thalassemia trait, which were confirmed by the study of the hemoglobin synthesis and by a family study. The lasting reactivation of Hb F synthesis is attributable to the interaction of several acquired and inherited factors.

Adult↗

Clonal expression of the Tn antigen in erythroid and granulocyte colonies and its application to determination of the clonality of the human megakaryocyte colony assay.

To evaluate whether exposure of Tn determinants at the surface of human erythrocytes, platelets, and granulocytes could arise from a somatic mutation in a hemopoietic stem cell, burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) colonies, colony-forming unit granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), and colony-forming unit-eosinophil (CFU-Eo) were grown from a blood group O patient with a typical Tn syndrome displaying two distinct populations (Tn(+) and Tn(-)) of platelets, granulocytes, and erythrocytes. A large number of colonies was observed. Individual colonies were studied with a fluorescent conjugate of Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA). A sizeable fraction of each of the erythroid and granulocytic colonies appeared to consist exclusively of either HPA-positive or HPA-negative cells, thereby demonstrating the clonal origin of those exhibiting the Tn marker. Similar results were obtained from a second patient. These findings establish that the HPA labeling of Tn cells is an accurate marker permitting assessment of the clonality of the human megakaryocyte (MK) colony assay. For the study of MK cultures a double-staining procedure using the HPA lectin and a monoclonal antiplatelet antibody (J-15) was applied in situ to identify all MK constituting a colony. Our results, obtained in studies of 133 MK colonies, provide definitive evidence that the human MK colony assay is clonal because all MK colonies were exclusively composed of Tn(+) and Tn(-) MK. Furthermore, the distribution of MK within a single colony was shown to be seminormal with a mean at 6 MK, isolated MK typically being absent in culture. Comparison of the proportion of mature Tn(+) cells in blood with their respective Tn(+) progenitors has also shown that no proliferative advantage occurs after the commitment; because Tn polyagglutinability is an acquired disorder, then the expansion of the Tn(+) clone must occur either during the proliferative stage of the pluripotent stem cell or during the commitment itself. This study therefore affords evidence that a blood group antigen plays a role in the differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell.

Adult↗

Reticulocytosis, hypochromia, and microcytosis: an unusual presentation of the preleukemic syndrome.

Two patients exhibiting a highly unusual preleukemic syndrome with marked reticulocytosis, hypochromia, and microcytosis are reported. This red cell phenotype has been investigated by means of HbF, HbA2, and i-antigen activity dosages, immunofluorescence labeling of F cells, reticulocyte survival, globin chain synthesis, and electron microscopy study. The marked reticulocytosis is explained by a delayed disappearance of the reticulum. Serum iron is normal, and a thalassemic syndrome is excluded because of a balanced alpha/non-alpha globin chain synthesis. Electron microscopy studies are consistent with a defect in iron uptake by erythroid cells. All the hematologic data and investigations are similar to those observed for the Belgrade laboratory rat. It is hypothesized that the low expression of HbF and i-Ag associated with microcytosis are related to a prolongation of erythroid maturation as reflected by abnormal reticulocyte survival.

ABO Blood-Group System↗