Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Fetal Tissue”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in human fetal tissues: fetal and maternal factors.

O6-Methylguanine methyltransferase (O6-MT) was measured and compared in extracts of 7 human fetal tissues obtained from 21 different fetal specimens as a function of fetal age and race and of maternal smoking and drug usage. Liver exhibited the highest activity followed by kidney, lung, small intestine, large intestine, skin, and brain. Each fetal organ homogenate exhibited a 3- to 5-fold level of interindividual variation of O6-MT. There did not appear to be any significant differences of O6-MT as a function of fetal race and age and in the tissues obtained from mothers who smoked cigarettes during pregnancy. The fetal tissues obtained from an individual using phenobarbital exhibited 4-fold increases in O6-MT activity. The tissues obtained from another individual on kidney dialysis were 2- to 3-fold higher than the normal population. These data suggest a possible enhancement of human fetal O6-MT by certain xenobiotics, with little if any modulation by racial factors and maternal smoking habits.

Black People↗
PubMed1990

Macrophage heterogeneity in human fetal tissue. Fetal macrophages.

The immunophenotype of the macrophage population in human fetal tissue was studied, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against cells of the macrophage/monocyte lineage. Using a double-labelling technique two main populations were observed in tissue from 14 weeks of estimated gestational age (EGA); EBM11+ DR+ and EBM11+ DR- cells of which a small proportion were also RFD7+. Most macrophages were negative with 3.9, an antibody specific for the adhesion molecule P150.95 and LP9 which is specific for a lysosomal enzyme. The exception to this was a small population of positive cells in the thymus. Small numbers of 3.9+ cells were also infrequently observed in tissue at and above 17 weeks of EGA, while occasional RFD9+ cells were only observed in most tissues, before this time. The higher percentage of macrophages were DR+ DQ- DP-, with a few DQ+ cells appearing at 15 weeks of EGA. In the thymus, DQ+ cells outnumbered DP+ cells especially in the medulla. These results indicate the heterogeneous and immature nature of the fetal macrophage population and point to the importance of age, tissue-specific factors and probable immune mediators in macrophage differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

The ethical options in transplanting fetal tissue.

Fetal tissue transplants have now been successful in primates, raising the possibility of treatment for Parkinson's disease and other chronic illnesses. Whether or not abortion is morally justified, use of human fetal tissue for research or therapy is justified in certain circumstances. The rationale, both for permitting transplantation of fetal tissue and for limitations in exercising the technology, is based on the same set of ethical principles that supported restrictive legislation in the past: respect for autonomy and a balancing of harms and benefits that gives priority to those most affected.

Aborted Fetus↗
PubMed1990

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in spontaneously aborted fetal tissue.

Fetal tissue and placentas from 15 human spontaneous abortions were evaluated for DNA adducts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with fluorescent end-point detection. PAH-derived adducts were found in 43% of placentas, 27% of fetal liver samples and 42% of fetal lung specimens, thus confirming that the human fetus is a target for DNA damage. As there was only 60% concordance between placenta and fetal lung or liver on the presence or absence of detectable PAH adducts, the placenta was not a good surrogate for adduct formation in other fetal organs. PAH-derived adducts in fetal liver and lung presumably form as a result of transplacental exposure to environmental stimuli. Since none of the positive fetal samples were from women who reported smoking during pregnancy, cigarette smoke is, in this case, an unlikely candidate and the adducts detected must be due to some other common source(s) of hydrocarbon exposure. The high frequency of positive samples in our small series casts some doubt on whether fetal PAH-DNA adducts identify a population at increased risk for transplacental carcinogenesis.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1987

Epiglycanin-immunoreactive glycoproteins in mouse fetal tissues and fetal cells in culture.

Fetal tissues from time-pregnant female A/J mice of 16- and 19-day pregnancies and from neonates 1 day after birth, as well as from fetal cells in culture, absorbed significant amounts of anti-epiglycanin antibody. Detergent-solubilized glycoproteins, with epiglycanin activity, from fetal tissues and cells were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the protein bands electroblotted onto a nitrocellulose gel. After the antigens were labeled with rabbit anti-epiglycanin antiserum and [125I]epiglycanin, autoradiography revealed two major bands containing the antigenic determinant at Mr 90,000 and 82,000. Bands of similar molecular weights, but with no demonstrated immunologic cross-reactivity, were observed by fluorography, if intact cells prior to solubilization were labeled by galactose oxidase followed by sodium borotritiide. Immunoreactive epiglycanin activity could be destroyed by Pronase, endo-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosaminidase (Diplococcus pneumoniae), or periodate oxidation. Activity was enhanced with neuraminidase. The spleen, liver, or erythrocytes from adult A/J mice did not possess the antigen, but incubation of adult spleen or liver with neuraminidase (Vibrio cholerae) exposed the epitope.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Expression of bisecting N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-III in human hepatocarcinoma tissues, fetal liver tissues, and hepatoma cell lines of Hep3B and HepG2.

In this paper, uridine diphosphate (UDP)-N-acetylglucosamine/beta-D-mannoside beta-1,4 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GlcNAc-transferase-III C 2.4.1.144) activity was determined in human hepatoma cell lines of Hep3B and HepG2, and also compared with those of normal liver tissues and primary hepatocytes. GlcNAc-transferase-III enzymes of Hep3B and HepG2 were mainly detected in the membrane fraction. When GlcN,GlcN-biant-PA and UDP-GlcNAc were used as substrates, the Km values (4.7 mM for UDP-GlcNAc and 1.1 mM for GlcN, GlcN-biant-PA) of Hep3B GlcNAc-transferase-III were distinguishable from those of HepG2 GlcNAc-transferase-III (6.8 mM for UDP-GlcNAc and 3.4 mM for GlcN,GlcN-biant-PA). Furthermore, Hep3B enzyme in membrane fraction showed about 1.5-fold higher specific activity (1423 pmol/hr/mg) than that of HepG2 (1066 pmol/hr/mg). Normal liver cells and primary adult hepatocytes are characterized by a very low level of GlcNAc-transferase-III activity, whereas human hepatoma cells exhibited high activities. These data were supported by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results, showing that expression of the GlcNAc-transferase-III mRNA increased in proportion to the enzymatic activities. Although the mechanism underlying the induction of this enzyme is unknown, lectin blot analysis showed that oligosaccharides in many glycoproteins were observed in hepatoma cells. By treating hepatocarcinoma cultures that express GlcNAc-transferase-III with inhibitors (tunicamycin, deoxymannojirimycin, and swainsonine) of different steps of the glycosylation, we provide evidence that expression of GlcNAc-transferase-III mRNA is dependent on glycosylation of cellular proteins.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, -3 and -4 in human fetal tissues and their analysis in media from fetal tissue explants.

The actions of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II that are important in the regulation of fetal growth and development, are modulated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). We have determined the cellular distribution of IGF-II and IGFBP-1, -3 and -4 in 12-week gestation human fetal tissues using immunocytochemistry. IGF-II immunostaining was found in all organs examined, with strongest immunoreactivity in spinal ganglia, tubular cells of the mesonephros and peri- and epidermal layers of the skin. The immunoreactivity distribution of all IGFBPs was similar to that of IGF-II except lung, hepatic parenchyma, fibrocytes of connective tissue and cells of the growth plate in the cartilage. When conditioned media from skin, liver, lung and kidney explants were analyzed, phosphorylated IGFBP-1 was only detected in liver samples whereas IGFBP-3 was found in all media. Weak immunoreactivity of IGFBP-4 was seen in media from lung tissue. To determine whether proteolytic degradation of IGFBPs were responsible for the different IGFBP levels, cell-free conditioned media were incubated with recombinant human IGFBPs. At neutral pH only proteolysis of IGFBP-4 was observed in media from skin and lung tissue. Upon acidification of the medium samples, IGFBP-1 fragments were formed in skin-derived medium and IGFBP-3 was cleaved by medium from lung and kidney tissue. Acid-activated proteolytic activity against IGFBP-4 was found in the media from lung and liver. These findings suggest that IGFBP proteases may be important in locally defining the concentrations of IGFBPs and contribute to tissue-specific growth response to IGFs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1973

Prevention of simian virus 40 tumors by hamster fetal tissue: influence of parity status of donor females on immunogenicity of fetal tissue and on immune cell cytotoxicity.

Fetal tissue from primiparous hamsters prevented simian virus 40 (SV40) tumorigenesis in male hamsters, whereas fetal tissue from multiparous hamsters did not. The parity status of normal (uninoculated) hamsters also influenced the cytotoxicity of their lymphoid cells against tumor cells. Lymph node cells from nonpregnant primiparous and multiparous animals were cytotoxic in microcytotoxicity tests against SV40, polyoma, and adenovirus 7 tumor cells, but were not active against control BHK cells. Lymph node cells from virgin female donors were inactive. Peritoneal exudate cells from these donors reacted in similar fashion against SV40 tumor cells in vitro and in adoptive transfer tests in vivo. However, the cytotoxicity of peritoneal exudate cells from multiparous hamsters was greatly reduced during pregnancy, a time when noncytotoxic humoral antibody reactive with surface antigen of SV40 tumor cells is present. This humoral antibody is not detected during first pregnancy, and peritoneal exudate cells obtained from pregnant primiparous hamsters demonstrated a high degree of cytotoxicity.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1995

Suitability of fetal tissues from spontaneous abortions and from ectopic pregnancies for transplantation. Human Fetal Tissue Working Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential availability and utility of fetal tissues obtained from spontaneous abortions and from ectopic pregnancies for human transplantation therapy. DESIGN: Tissue collection and analysis by personnel skilled in tissue banking. SETTING: Procurement programs in five tissue banks located in diverse geographical areas that are funded by the National Institutes of Health. PATIENTS: All women entering obstetric clinics during 1993 who consented to participate in the study. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation of the products of conception by standard developmental, histological, microbiological, and cytogenetic criteria. RESULTS: From 22,235 obstetric admissions, 1250 spontaneously aborted embryos and 247 products of ectopic pregnancies were obtained. Of these, seven embryos (0.5%) were potentially useful for human transplantation therapy. CONCLUSION: Fetal tissues from spontaneous abortions and from ectopic pregnancies are quite limited as feasible sources for human transplantation therapy.

Aborted Fetus↗
PubMed1999

HERV-F (XA34) is a full-length human endogenous retrovirus expressed in placental and fetal tissues.

The complete sequence of XA34 was identified from a 107 kb genomic clone originating from the human chromosome 7q31.1-q31.3. The 7.1 kb human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) contains LTR's, gag, pol and env, and a pol sequence which is identical to the 2.3 kb XA34 cDNA clone which we previously isolated from a human glioma cDNA library (Widegren et al., 1996). The HERV is located in a reversed orientation within an intron-sequence of a gene similar to mouse adseverin(D5). The gag and protease regions are intact. However, the pol and env regions are truncated by a deletion which removes the C-terminal end of the integrase and the complete surface protein. The HERV sequence is bordered by a five base-pair direct repeat and has the TG...CA structure. Over the complete HERV genome, XA34 is very similar to members of the HERV-F family and shares the same primer binding site which is homologous to phenylalanine (F) tRNA. Therefore, XA34 is termed HERV-F(XA34). HERV-F(XA34) has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1000 bp in the gag region which starts with Met-Gly in a favorable context and stops in the capsid protein. A strong mRNA expression of HERV-F(XA34) is demonstrated in placental tissue, mainly residing in two transcripts of approximately 7.5 and 8.5-9 kb respectively. Analyses of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have identified the expression of HERV-F(XA34) sequences in placental tissue, fetal liver/spleen, olfactory epithelium and in an epithelial skin tumor. EST analysis has also identified splice variants of HERV-F(XA34), in which the gag, pol and most of the env regions are spliced out. These splice variants contain a short ORF encoded in the region from the C-terminal portion of env to the 3'-LTR. In addition, ESTs identical to HERV-Fb have been identified in retinal, fetal liver/spleen and brain tissue as well as Jurkat cells. The analyses indicate that the 5'-LTR of HERV-Fb may function as an alternative poly A site of a Krüppel related zinc finger gene (ZNF195).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of bovine fetal tissues during development: fetal liver insulin-like growth factor I mRNA expression.

Tissue growth of crossbred fetal beef calves was examined by measuring RNA, DNA, and protein concentrations in liver, heart, and biceps femoris. Furthermore, liver insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA expression and mRNA species size during fetal development was observed. Tissue samples were collected from six fetuses every 42 d of gestation, from d 106 to d 274. In the liver, protein and DNA concentrations decreased, whereas RNA levels remained constant throughout fetal growth. The RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios in liver increased with fetal age. Heart DNA and RNA levels decreased, whereas protein concentration and protein/DNA ratios increased with fetal age. Protein and protein/DNA ratios decreased in biceps tissue, whereas DNA and RNA concentrations were constant. IGF-I mRNA was seen at 4.4, 2.5, and 1.2 kb in adult and 4.4, 2.5, and 1.7 kb in fetal bovine liver. Relative expression of liver IGF-I mRNA did not vary during fetal development. The current study shows that during the last 2 and 3 mo of gestation, heart and liver were undergoing hypertrophic growth, whereas biceps tissue did not exhibit the same trend. Elevated ratios of RNA and protein to DNA in liver above that of the heart and biceps suggest extensive hepatic cellular hypertrophy as well as increased transcriptional and translational activity. Insulin-like growth factor I mRNA levels were not related to the changes in RNA, DNA, and protein seen in hepatic tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Production of active and acid-activated renin by cultured explants of human fetal tissues.

Various fetal tissues with gestational ages that ranged from 6 to 22 weeks were cultured as explants, and the culture media were examined for the production of both active and acid-activated renin. Media from cultures of fetal kidney, both the male and female genital tracts, and umbilical cord vessels were found to contain large quantities of active and acid-activated renin. Consistent differences in the production patterns of renin were found between the tissues, which may reflect the different potentials of the tissues to produce renin in vivo.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1977

Sphingolipid composition and catabolism in human fetal tissues.

Human fetal tissues derived from prostaglandin-induced abortuses (9--18 wk fertilization age) have been utilized to evaluate sphingolipid composition and catabolism. Sphingolipid composition (lipid-hexose, sulfatide, and lipid-bound NANA) was assessed in fetal brain. Sphingolipid catabolism was evaluated in fetal lung and brain through the measurement of relevant acid hydrolases (arylsulfatase A, beta-galactosidase, and hexosaminidase). During the fetal period studied, the parameters of sphingolipid composition revealed variability but no consistent pattern of change. Each acid hydrolase was readily detected. Enzyme specific activities revealed no variation during the 9 fetal wk studied. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis yielded the anticipated isoenzyme patterns for each acid hydrolase with little variation during the period of study. The compositional values support current concepts of cerebral development during this period of fetal life. Together with the catabolic analyses, these studies provide normative data relative to the assessment of metabolic abnormalities during this period of fetal development.

Brain↗