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[On mechanism of how lipopolysaccharide induces dendritic cells to mature through TLRs signal pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To find out how lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces dendritic cells (DC) to be more mature through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signal pathway. METHODS: Monocytes were isolated from heparinized whole blood. 7 days later the monocytes were induced into dendritic cells by adding rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4. Total cellular RNA of unstimulated and stimulated DC were extracted by LPS 24 h later. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were conducted to analyze the PCR products. The expression of NF-kappaB was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). RESULTS: Expressions of TLR2, 3, 4 were significantly higher in monocytes-derived DC induced for 7 days, the plasm of DC was stained positive and the nucleus of DC was stained negative. After being stimulated by LPS for 24 h, the expressions of TLR2, 3, 4 decreased, and that of TLR4 was almost undetectable; the nucleus of DC was stained strong positive, the plasm of DC was stained positive. CONCLUSION: The expressions of TLR2, 3, 4 on DC change significantly after being stimulated by LPS. And NF-kappaB shifts from the plasm to the nucleus. This signifies that LPS induces DC to be more mature in function.

Adolescent↗

Expression and prognostic significance of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptors in epithelial ovarian neoplasms.

The expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), PDGF-alpha receptor (PDGFR alpha) and PDGF-beta receptor (PDGFR beta) was studied in normal ovaries and ovarian neoplasms by immunohistochemical analysis. PDGF was detected in tumor cells in 33 of 45 malignant tumor samples but in none of 20 benign tumors (P < 0.001) or 11 normal ovaries (P < 0.001). In borderline tumors, 4 of 7 tissues stained positive in tumor cells. PDGFR alpha was detected in tumor cells in 16 of 45 malignant tumors, while no epithelial staining was found in 16 benign tumors (P = 0.002) or in 10 normal ovaries (P = 0.023). In 1 of 7 borderline neoplasms, tumor cells expressed PDGFR alpha. Neither normal epithelium nor tumor cells stained positive with antibodies against PDGFR beta. Patients with ovarian cancer and PDGFR alpha-positive tumor cells demonstrated an overall shorter survival compared to those who had negatively stained tumors (P < 0.005). A similar correlation was found in patients having stage III ovarian cancer (P < 0.01), which further supports an independent role for PDGFR alpha as a prognostic factor. Thus, the concomitant expression of PDGF and PDGFR alpha in tumor cells is related to progression of malignant ovarian tumors, indicating a functional role of PDGF via autocrine growth stimulation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Ultrastructure of lipopolysaccharide isolated from Treponema pallidum.

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction was extracted from Nichols, nonpathogenic Treponema pallidum by the hot, phenol-water procedure. The LPS was freed of nucleic acids and water-soluble proteins by successive exposures to ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, and Pronase. Purified LPS responded positively in a colorimetric assay for lipopolysaccharide. Electron microscope examination of the LPS both before and after purification demonstrated a heterogeneous mixture of forms including spheres, doughnuts, and ribbons. The trilaminar nature of the ribbon forms was observed by both negative staining and thin sectioning. Lyophilization of the LPS caused an increase in the number and length of ribbon forms seen. Results suggest that the surface layers of treponemes are similar to those of gram-negative bacteria.

Cell Wall↗

Demonstration of the prostatic origin of metastases: an immunohistochemical method for formalin-fixed embedded tissue.

An indirect immunohistochemical technique is described for identification of the prostatic origin of metastases in formalin fixed, paraffin or paraplast embedded material. A rabbit antiserum against the prostate specific acid phosphatase isoenzyme was developed. The method is applicable with or without previous decalcification. In 30 cases of prostatic carcinoma there was only one negative result, and in 20 cases of metastases from prostatic carcinoma positive results were obtained in every instance. All carcinomas (primary focus or metastasis) of non prostatic origin (55) stained negatively with the developed antiserum. The application and possible limitations of the method are discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis: staining of polypeptides using heavy metal salts.

Water-soluble salts of several heavy metals were examined for their ability to stain polypeptides resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Brief gel exposure (5 min or less) to cobaltous acetate or chlorides of copper, nickel, and zinc produced negatively stained protein patterns that were qualitatively indistinguishable from those of parallel gels stained with Coomassie blue R-250. Protein patterns could be visualized less than 1 min after treatment of gels with zinc chloride; the threshold of detection was estimated at about 10-12 ng protein on standard-size slab gels. Test samples including human erythrocyte membranes, sialoglycoprotein (glycophorin) extracts, and commercial molecular weight protein standards were used to establish the scope of these stains. Protein patterns visualized by the heavy metal salts were compared and contrasted with profiles seen with three widely used silver stains. Proteins from gels treated with copper or zinc chloride could be easily recovered by simple diffusion; this makes feasible both analytical and preparative electrophoretic applications of the staining procedure. A mechanism is proposed to explain the observed protein staining by heavy metal salts.

Copper↗

FKBP12 immunoreactivity in the human spinal cord of motor neuron disease patients.

We investigated the FKBP12 immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of neurological controls and motor neuron disease (MND) patients. In the neurological controls, the spinal neurons were markedly stained with antihuman FKBP12 (N-19 and C-19) antibodies. FKBP12 immunoreactivity was associated with lipofuscin in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. In an electron microscopic view, the 10-nm colloidal gold particles labeled by the anti-FKBP12 (N-19) antibody were present on the lipofuscin of the spinal anterior horn neurons. In the MND cases, atrophic neurons with an abundance of lipofuscin granules in the anterior horns of the spinal cord were mildly stained with the anti-FKBP12 (N-19 and C-19) antibodies. Normal-appearing neurons, inclusion-laden neurons and chromatolytic neurons of MND cases were weak or negatively stained with anti-FKBP12 (N-19) antibodies. These findings suggest that FKBP12 (N-19) may decrease in the early stages of degeneration in MND. Complexes of FKBP12 and ligands were reported to have neuroprotective and/or neuroregenerative properties. It is speculated that the decrease in FKBP12 (N-19) plays some causative role in the development of neurodegeneration in MND. Further investigation of FKBP12 and ligands may help elucidate the pathogenesis of MND.

Adult↗

Expression of Das-1 in primary lung adenocarcinomas represents reactivation of an oncofetal pulmonary antigen.

OBJECTIVE: The monoclonal antibody (mAb) designated as mAb Das-1 was generated against a colonic epithelial protein. It reacts with bronchiolar epithelium and submucosal glands and weakly with alveolar lining cells of fetal lung. Adult alveolar epithelium is, however, nonreactive for mAb Das-1. The present study was designed to evaluate the immunoexpression of Das-1 and to correlate it with the histomorphology of primary lung adenocarcinomas and intestinal metaplasia. METHODS: Eighty-four cases of primary lung adenocarcinomas were reviewed and categorized according to histologic grade and subtype. Immunohistochemical staining with mAb Das-1 was performed with normal colon as control. RESULTS: Expression of Das-1 in the submucosal bronchial glands also served as internal control. Strong and diffuse staining was seen in 33 of the 84 cases of adenocarcinomas (39%). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of Das-1 was seen in primary lung adenocarcinomas even though adult alveolar epithelium is negative. Staining with mAb Das-1 was seen regardless of the grade or histological subtype of the lung adenocarcinomas. As most primary lung adenocarcinomas are not of bronchial gland origin, expression of Das-1 represents activation of oncofetal antigens.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Isolation of morphologically intact mitochondrial nucleoids from the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mitochondrial nucleoids (mt-nucleoids) of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were isolated from spheroplasts of stationary phase cells and their structure and organization were investigated by fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, and biochemical techniques. Isolated mt-nucleoids were spherical or ovoid and 0.3-0.6 micron in diameter, and were about the same size and shape as those observed in the cell by the DAPI staining technique. Measurement of DNA content of mt-nucleoids, using a video-intensified microscope system, after DAPI staining revealed that a mt-nucleoid in spheroplasts from stationary phase cells contains, on average, 3.9 mtDNA molecules and an isolated mt-nucleoid contains, on average, 3.1. Negatively stained electron micrographs showed that mt-nucleoids consist of particles 20-50 nm in diameter. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of mt-nucleoids detected 20 species of polypeptides in the molecular weight range from 10 X 10(3) to 70 X 10(3). Acid-urea/SDS two-dimensional electrophoresis of acid extract from mt-nucleoids indicated that a polypeptide of 20 X 10(3) is the only major polypeptide with basic property like histones.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

Amplified KpnL repetitive DNA sequences in homogeneously staining regions of a human melanoma cell line.

The human melanoma cell line MeWo was found to contain two populations of cells, one containing 83 chromosomes (hypotetraploid) and the other containing 43 chromosomes (hypodiploid). All of the hypodiploid cells, but none of the hypotetraploid cells, contained chromosomes with long homogeneously staining regions (HSR's) when examined with quinacrine fluorescence. These long HSR's on an X-chromosome and derivative chromosome 15, produced characteristic patterns of positive- and negative-staining areas along the HSR's with both conventional Giemsa (G) staining and C-banding. The C- and G-positive regions stained with distamycin A-DAPI, which is specific for the centromeric heterochromatin of chromosomes 1, 9, 15p, 16, and Y. DNA extracted from MeWo cells and digested with the restriction enzymes KpnL or Sau3A exhibited marked amplification of a 1.8-kilobase fragment. The amplified Sau3A fragment (D15Z1) was cloned, mapped, and partially sequenced. The sequenced region contained a five-base-pair repeat unit (adenine-adenine-thymine-guanine-guanine) that has undergone considerable divergence. Estimates of the size of the HSR's and the amount of amplified DNA suggested that each HSR contained at least 30,000 copies of the 1.8-kb KpnL fragment, representing about 50% of each HSR. The amplified sequence was identified as one member of the previously described KpnL family of repeated sequences. In situ hybridization of D15Z1 to MeWo metaphase chromosomes resulted in heavy labeling over both HSR's. These data suggested that centromeric heterochromatin and neighboring sequences on chromosome 15 have been amplified and some of this material translocated to the X-chromosome.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Immunohistochemical localization of epidermal growth factor receptor in a human epiretinal membrane.

Cell growth in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is activated by naturally occurring mitogenic substances; thus, growth factors seem to play an important role in PVR. Cell activation by growth factors requires the presence of specific cell-bound receptors by which the mitogenic signal is transmitted. Using the indirect immunoperoxidase method, we investigated frozen sections of 15 epiretinal membranes in PVR for the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is commonly utilized by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). This receptor could be localized only in one epiretinal membrane. The receptor-bearing cells stained positively for vimentin, cytokeratin, and macrophage marker Ki-M7, indicating that they most probably correspond to transformed macrophages. They stained negatively for desmin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. The cells were embedded in a fibronectin-positive intercellular matrix and were in an actively proliferating state as demonstrated by positive staining for the nuclear proliferation marker Ki-67. We propose that EGFR might be expressed only in certain as yet undefined stages of PVR.

Autoantigens↗

Asymmetric pore distribution and loss of membrane lipid in electroporated DOPC vesicles.

An externally applied electric field across vesicles leads to transient perforation of the membrane. The distribution and lifetime of these pores was examined using 1,2-di-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) phospholipid vesicles using a standard fluorescent microscope. The vesicle membrane was stained with a fluorescent membrane dye, and upon field application, a single membrane pore as large as approximately 7 microm in diameter was observed at the vesicle membrane facing the negative electrode. At the anode-facing hemisphere, large and visible pores are seldom found, but formation of many small pores is implicated by the data. Analysis of pre- and post-field fluorescent vesicle images, as well as images from negatively stained electron micrographs, indicate that pore formation is associated with a partial loss of the phospholipid bilayer from the vesicle membrane. Up to approximately 14% of the membrane surface could be lost due to pore formation. Interestingly, despite a clear difference in the size distribution of the pores observed, the effective porous areas at both hemispheres was approximately equal. Ca(2+) influx measurements into perforated vesicles further showed that pores are essentially resealed within approximately 165 ms after the pulse. The pore distribution found in this study is in line with an earlier hypothesis (E. Tekle, R. D. Astumian, and P. B. Chock, 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91:11512--11516) of asymmetric pore distribution based on selective transport of various fluorescent markers across electroporated membranes.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

Alpha-inhibin immunoreactivity in soft-tissue neoplasia.

Antibodies directed against alpha-inhibin have been previously reported as staining both sex cord-stromal neoplasms as well as adrenal cortical tumors. This relatively restricted immunoreactivity pattern is useful in the assessment of retroperitoneal masses, especially in a setting of limited tissue (e.g., needle biopsy). However, no study to date has evaluated alpha-inhibin immunoreactivity in soft-tissue neoplasms, which frequently enter the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses. We investigate the incidence of alpha-inhibin staining in a variety of soft-tissue neoplasms by using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 282 previously classified soft-tissue neoplasms with anti-alpha-inhibin (Serotec, 1:75). A modified avidin-biotin complex method was used after heat-induced epitope retrieval. Cytoplasmic granular staining was considered positive. Of the 282 tumors studied, a total of 8 (2.8%) demonstrated positive staining with anti-alpha-inhibin antibody. These included 4 of 25 liposarcomas (16%), 2 of 18 angiosarcomas (11%), 1 of 48 lipomas (2.1%), and 1 of 1 rhabdomyoma (100%). Negative staining was noted among hemangiomas (0/28), schwannomas (0/32), leiomyomas (0/16), fibrosarcomas (0/2), fibromas (0/11), dermatofibromas (0/9), neurofibromas (0/6), synovial sarcomas (0/15), rhabdomyosarcomas (0/10), Triton tumors (0/2), and malignant fibrous histiocytomas (0/59). We conclude that rare soft-tissue tumors, especially those exhibiting either lipomatous or vascular differentiation, demonstrate alpha-inhibin immunoreactivity. These findings re-emphasize the need for a well-construed antibody panel when immunohistochemical methods are employed in the evaluation of retroperitoneal neoplasms. However, the rarity of alpha-inhibin expression by soft-tissue neoplasms provides further support for its overall specificity as a marker of adrenal cortical differentiation in the biopsy evaluation of a retroperitoneal mass.

Humans↗

Pneumocystis carinii in sputum. Comparable efficacy of screening stains and determination of cyst density.

To determine whether accurate quantification of Pneumocystis carinii cysts in sputum is possible using currently available means and to determine the optimal stain for screening sputum for P carinii, we undertook a comparative evaluation of readily available stains: (1) Diff-Quik, a stain that provides tinctorial detail comparable with Giemsa, (2) toluidine blue, and (3) silver methenamine on simultaneously thawed sputum samples containing P carinii. We also studied the Diff-Quik stain in combination with (4) toluidine blue and (5) silver methenamine. The three stains were comparable for screening purposes. Each disclosed similar numbers of P carinii aggregates on similarly prepared slides. Cysts were difficult to recognize on Diff-Quik due to the negatively staining character of the cyst wall with this stain. The cyst-wall stains, toluidine blue and silver methenamine, clearly stained the cyst wall. The combination of a cyst-wall stain with Diff-Quik allowed visualization of cysts, highlighted by the cyst-wall stain, and aggregate area, delineated by the Diff-Quik, allowing expression of number of cysts per aggregate area, a measure termed cyst density.

Animals↗

Comparative ultrastructure of a mucoid strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis patient and its spontaneous non-mucoid mutant.

The ultrastructure of a mucoid strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa of cystic fibrosis origin and its spontaneous non-mucoid variant was compared by transmission electron microscopy. Negatively-stained preparations of the mucoid strain obtained from plate cultures demonstrated dense, fibrous material projecting from the cell. No such material was observed in thin-sections or in negatively-strained preparations from liquid cultures. Thin-sections of ethanol-precipitated extracellular material from liquid cultures of the mucoid-strain revealed a cottony mesh of thin electron dense fibres. The non-mucoid strain did not produce such material. When prefixed with glutaraldehyde/malachite green mixture, cells of both strains demonstrated electron dense intracellular and extracellular malachite green-stainable structures. The internal complexes were frequently associated with the nucleoid or cell membrane and were replaced by electron transparent areas in cells prefixed with glutaraldehyde alone. Aeruginocins of the R-type were observed in mitomycin C induced cultures of both strains. Bacteriophages with 'claw-shaped' tail-tips were observed in the mucoid strain. Crystalline material was produced by the mucoid strain but only when plated on certain media.

Bacteriocins↗

Smooth muscle-associated antigen in experimental cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, and papilloma.

Cryostat sections of 29 squamous cell carcinomas, 13 keratoacanthomas, and 12 papillomas, induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in the skin of rabbits and rats were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with human serum containing antibody to smooth muscle. Linear or granular staining of the cell outlines of the basal squamous cell layers was seen most extensively in the carcinomas, less in keratoacanthomas, and least in papillomas. In addition, squamous cell carcinomas showed this pattern of staining at advancing tumor margins and in invasive cords and tumor cell nests in the dermis. Four keratoacanthomas also showed prominent staining of the basement membrane area. The specificity of the staining reaction was established by its prevention on neutralization absorptions of the serum with extracts or homogenates of smooth muscle. The epidermal cells of normal rabbit and rat skin gave negative staining reactions. The presence of smooth muscle-associated antigen probably corresponds to cellular microfilaments.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

In vitro and ex vivo expression of nucleolar proteins B23 and p120 in benign and malignant epithelial lesions of the prostate.

The expression of two specific nucleolar antigens, p120 and B23, has been investigated in the prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCaP as well as in 40 frozen and 40 formalin-fixed tissue samples of benign and malignant prostatic lesions (15 benign hyperplasias, 5 grade 1, 15 grade 2, and 5 grade 3 carcinomas). In vitro, immunoreactivity of p120 was confined to nucleoli of proliferating cells, with virtually no negative staining during S and G2/M phases. Unlike p120, B23 was expressed in the nucleoli of all LNCaP cells independently of growth and cell cycle phases. Hence, B23 was detectable in all stromal as well as in normal and malignant epithelial prostatic cells, both in fresh and in formalin-fixed tissue sections after microwave treatment. In contrast, the immunoreactivity of p120 was almost completely restricted to the nucleoli of prostate carcinoma cells: frozen sections of benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 15) were either totally negative for p120 (n = 13) or had a low percentage of positively stained cells (labeling index = 3.3% in 3 cases). In the carcinoma group 76% (19/25) of the specimens were p120 positive, and there was a significant rise of labeling index from 18.1% in grade 1 to 82.2% in grade 3 carcinomas (P < 0.001). In contrast to B23, p120 could not be reliably demonstrated in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue. We therefore conclude that anti-B23 is a general marker of nucleoli, whereas expression of p120 appears to correlate with "hyperactivity" of the nucleolus and provides a new tool for flow cytometrical and immunohistochemical assessment of nucleolar activity in tumor pathology.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Isolation of outer membranes with an ordered array of surface subunits from Acinetobacter.

A method has been developed for the isolation of outer membranes from Acinetobacter sp. strain MJT/F5/199A. Washed cells were broken in a French press and, after deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease treatment, removal of intact cells, and four washes in 20 mosmol phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, with centrifugation at 25,000 x g for 10 min, preparations of cell wall fragments from which almost all pieces of plasma membrane had been removed resulted. Treatment of the cell walls with lysozyme and further washing, in the presence of 20 mM MgCl(2), yielded preparations of outer membranes. Electron microscopy of freeze-etched preparations shows that a regular pattern of subunits is present on the outer surfaces of intact cells. After negative staining, these subunits are visible on isolated walls and outer membranes; they can be removed by brief treatment with papain. In section, the cell wall structure is that typical of gram-negative bacteria, but the subunits are not detectable on the surface of the outer membrane. The outer membrane retains the appearance of a "unit membrane" in the cell wall, isolated outer membrane, and papain-treated outer membrane fractions. Both cell walls and outer membranes contain a high percentage of protein (76 and 84%, respectively) and not more than 5% carbohydrate, of which glucose and galactose are constitutents. The outer membranes of this Acinetobacter thus differ in structure and composition from those of bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae.

Alcaligenes↗

erbB-2 oncoprotein expression in breast carcinoma. Poor prognosis associated with high degree of cytoplasmic positivity using CB-11 antibody.

The relationship between immunohistochemically measured membranous expression of erbB-2 oncoprotein and prognosis in breast cancer is controversial, and the relationship between cytoplasmic positivity and prognosis has been minimally investigated. The clinical course of 300 women with infiltrating breast carcinoma, whose tumors were stained for erbB-2 oncoprotein with CB-11 monoclonal antibody, was followed for 5 to 79 months (median, 41 months). Higher numbers of cancer-related deaths were observed in patients with moderate-to-strong cytoplasmic positivity (15/60, 25%) and strong membranous positivity (9/29, 31%) than in patients with negatively stained tumors (8/53, 15%) or tumors with weaker degrees of cytoplasmic or membranous positivity (rate similar to or less than negative tumors). Relapse-free survival was also significantly shorter in patients with tumors with strong membranous positivity and moderate-to-strong cytoplasmic positivity; much of the latter relationship was due to a high number of patients who had erbB-2-positive tumors and who were never disease free. A significant association between decreased relapse-free survival and moderate-to-strong cytoplasmic (but not membranous) positivity persisted even after correction for other variables associated with poor outcome (histologic grade, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and hormone receptor status). Moderate-to-strong erbB-2 oncoprotein cytoplasmic positivity, measured with CB-11 antibody, is associated with a poor prognosis and seems to have biologic significance.

Breast Neoplasms↗