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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phenotypic analysis of lamina propria lymphocytes. Predominance of helper-inducer and cytolytic T-cell phenotypes and deficiency of suppressor-inducer phenotypes in Crohn's disease and control patients.

To better define the nature of intestinal T cells, the phenotypes of isolated lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) were determined in both Crohn's disease patients and control patients using combinations of monoclonal antibodies that have been found to correlate with particular immunoregulatory functions. Isolated LPL and autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were stained with multiple combinations of monoclonal antibodies and studied by dual immunofluorescence flow cytometry. In LPL, compared with PBL, there was a significant increase in the proportion of T cells having the Leu-3+, Leu-8- and Leu-3+, 2H4- phenotypes (associated with helper-inducer function) and a corresponding decrease in the proportion of T cells having the Leu-3+, Leu-8+ and Leu-3+, 2H4+ phenotypes (associated with suppressor-inducer function). It was also found that in LPL, compared with PBL, the percentage of cells with the Leu-2+, Leu-15+ phenotype (associated with suppressor-effector function) was significantly lower. However, the percentage of T cells with the Leu-2+, 9.3+ phenotype (associated with cytolytic function) was similar in PBL and LPL in control patients. There were no major differences comparing Crohn's disease patients with control patients, except that the proportion of Leu-2+, 9.3+ lymphocytes was higher in PBL in Crohn's disease patients. These results show that the lymphocyte subpopulations in the lamina propria differ from those in peripheral blood in having predominantly the phenotypes of helper-inducer and cytolytic T cells, whereas the phenotypes of suppressor-inducer cells and activated suppressor cells are less frequently observed.

Adult↗

Genetically altered mice: phenotypes, no phenotypes, and Faux phenotypes.

'Phenotype' means different things, but whatever the measure, phenotype can be profoundly influenced by genetic, environmental and infectious variables. The laboratory mouse is a complex multisystemic organism which, despite its genetically inbred nature, as highly variable pathophysiologic characteristics. Mouse strains have background characteristics that can influence genomics research. In addition to the mouse itself, different approaches toward creating mutant mice each create variables that influence phenotype. Different background strains of mice are utilized for these different approaches, and various strains are preferred among different laboratories. Background genotype significantly influences phenotype of gene mutations, as can insufficient genetic stabilization of a mutation. Research programs engaged in functional mouse genomics not only must use genetically well-defined mice, but also must incorporate environmental and infectious disease quality assurance/prevention programs. Laboratory mice are subject to over 60 different infectious disease agents, including a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and metazoa. Although these agents can be readily diagnosed and prevented, a number of forces are resulting in their rise in prevalence in mouse colonies. Infectious disease, including clinically silent infections, can and do influence phenotype, and can jeopardize research considerably through lost time, wasted effort, cost, and even loss of valuable strains.

Animals↗

Studies on apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes. Part 2. Phenotype frequencies and Lp(a) concentrations in different phenotypes in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery diseases.

In the present paper, we have evaluated serum Lp(a) concentrations, the frequencies of Lp(a) phenotypes and alleles and the association between the Lp(a) phenotypes and serum Lp(a) levels in 470 patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum Lp(a) concentrations were significantly increased in proportion to the number of diseased vessels in the CAD patients. The frequencies of Lp(a) phenotypes in the CAD patients were significantly different from those in healthy subjects. In particular, the frequency of double-band phenotypes was higher in the CAD group. The frequencies of Lp(a) alleles in the CAD patients, however, were not significantly different from those in the healthy subjects. There was a strong inverse relationship between the apparent molecular weights of apo(a) isoforms and serum Lp(a) concentrations. Lp(a) levels in the CAD patients were higher than those in the healthy subjects with the same phenotype. The present results suggest that it is important to consider some posttranslational or environmental modifications and other factors, in addition to the genetic factor, when assessing contributions to plasma Lp(a) levels.

Alleles↗

Phenotype or virtual phenotype for choosing antiretroviral therapy after failure: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Resistance testing is useful in the management of virological failure patients, although the best method to be used in clinical practice has not been determined. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicentre, controlled clinical trial was performed to compare the usefulness of drug resistance testing with a recombinant viral phenotype method or with a virtual phenotype, a genotyping interpretation system. Planned 300 HIV-infected adults failing their current antiretroviral therapy (HIV RNA > 1000 copies/ml) were centrally randomized 1:1 to resistance testing with a recombinant viral phenotype method or with a virtual phenotype, after stratifying according to previous drug exposure (one or two versus three drug classes). Percent of patients with HIV RNA suppression (% < 400 copies/ml) after 24 weeks was the primary outcome variable. Median HIV RNA concentration and change from baseline in HIV RNA concentration were also used to compare effectiveness. An extended analysis was performed at week 48. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients enrolled, a total of 276 patients could be analysed; 139 patients were randomized to the phenotype group and 137 patients were randomized to the virtual phenotype group. After 24 weeks of follow-up, 46.8 and 56.2% of patients had HIV RNA < 400 copies/ml (P = 0.1) in the phenotype and virtual phenotype, respectively. Mean decrease from baseline in viral load was 1.0 and 1.3 log copies/ml in the phenotype and virtual phenotype groups, respectively (P = 0.017). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, after adjusting for baseline HIV RNA and adherence to treatment, the virtual phenotype was associated with a greater mean decrease in plasma HIV RNA (P = 0.0063). The results observed at week 48 were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual phenotype is at least as effective as phenotype when used to select an optimized treatment for patients who have failed one or more antiretroviral regimens.

Adult↗

Acetylator phenotype and genotype in patients infected with HIV: discordance between methods for phenotype determination and genotype.

The acetylator phenotype and genotype of AIDS patients, with and without an acute illness, was compared with that of healthy control subjects (30 per group). Two probe drugs, caffeine and dapsone, were used to determine the phenotype in the acutely ill cohort. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis served to distinguish between the 26 known NAT2 alleles and the 21 most common NAT1 alleles. The distribution (%) of slow:rapid acetylator phenotype seen among acutely ill AIDS patients differed with the probe substrate used: 70:30 with caffeine versus 53:47 with dapsone. Phenotype assignment differed considerably between the two methods and there were numerous discrepancies between phenotype and genotype. The NAT2 genotype distribution was 45:55 slow:rapid. Control subjects, phenotyped only with caffeine, were 67:33 slow:rapid versus 60:40 genotypically. Stable AIDS patients, phenotyped only with dapsone, were 55:45 slow:rapid versus 46:54 genotypically. Following resolution of their acute infections, 12 of the acutely ill subjects were rephenotyped with dapsone. Phenotype assignment remained unchanged in all cases. The distribution of NAT1 alleles was similar in all three groups. It is evident from the amount of discordance between caffeine phenotype and dapsone phenotype or genotype that caution should be exercised in the use of caffeine as a probe for NAT2 in acutely ill patients. It is also clear that meaningful study of the acetylation polymorphism requires both phenotypic and genotypic data.

Acetylation↗

Genetic and phenotypic analysis of biofilm phenotypic variation in multiple Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates.

Production of biofilm in Staphylococcus epidermidis is mediated through enzymes produced by the four-gene operon ica and is subject to phenotypic variation. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate the regulation of ica and icaR transcription in phenotypic variants produced by multiple unrelated isolates of S. epidermidis. Ten isolates were chosen for the study, four of which contained IS256. IS256 mediates a reversible inactivation of ica in approximately 30 % of phenotypic variants. All ten strains produced at least two types of phenotypic variant (intermediate and smooth) in which biofilm formation was significantly impaired. Reversion studies indicated that all phenotypic variants were stable after overnight growth, but began to revert to other phenotypic forms after 5 days of incubation at 37 degrees C. ica transcriptional analysis was performed on phenotypic variants from three IS256-negative isolates; 1457, SE5 and 14765. This analysis demonstrated that ica transcription was significantly reduced in the majority of phenotypic variants, although two variants from SE5 and 1457 produced wild-type quantities of ica transcript. Analysis of seven additional phenotypic variants from SE5 revealed that ica expression was only reduced in three. Expression of icaR transcript was unaffected in all smooth phenotypic variants. Mutations within ica were identified in two SE5 variants with wild-type levels of ica transcription. It is concluded that mutation and transcriptional regulation of ica are the primary mechanisms that govern phenotypic variation of biofilm formation within IS256-negative S. epidermidis.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Phenotypes and protein-epitope phenotypic variation among fresh isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Fresh isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis were examined for reactions to a panel of five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Four MAbs (C20A3, DM126, DM116, and C55) were to distinct surface immunogens and one MAb (L64) was to a cytoplasmic component. The fresh isolates were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence (IF), immunoblotting, and radioimmunoprecipitation. IF assay with C20A3 MAb gave isolates which were homogeneous nonstaining (negative [Neg] phenotype) and isolates which were heterogeneous staining and nonstaining (positive [Pos] and Neg phenotype, respectively) organisms. Immunoblotting and radioimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that surface phenotypic heterogeneity among isolates with C20A3 MAb was due to the presence or absence of the immunogen from the parasite surface. IF assay with DM126 MAb also gave Pos and Neg phenotypes among parasites of some isolates. All of the isolates were always Neg phenotype with DM116 and C55 MAbs. The occurrence of Neg phenotype organisms with DM126, DM116, and C55 was due to epitope inaccessibility to their respective MAbs and not to the absence of the immunogen from trichomonal membranes. All isolates possessed the cytoplasmic protein recognized by L64 MAb. Paired isolates (taken 5 to 6 days apart) from 24 women were also studied. Four of the 24 paired isolates (16%) had different phenotype distributions at the two timepoints for C20A3. Fresh isolates also underwent phenotypic variation during in vitro growth and multiplication, as determined with C20A3. Also, 7 of the 24 paired isolates demonstrated dramatic changes in the accessibility of DM126 MAb to epitope binding. Lastly, 55 (90%) of 60 serum samples from patients with trichomoniasis evaluated in this study possessed antibody to the C20A3 reactive molecule. The data show that the fresh T. vaginalis isolates were predominantly Neg phenotype and confirm the occurrence of protein and epitope phenotypic variation for major immunogens among fresh isolates of the pathogenic human trichomonads.

Antigens, Protozoan↗

Human phenylalanine hydroxylase mutations and hyperphenylalaninemia phenotypes: a metanalysis of genotype-phenotype correlations.

We analyzed correlations between mutant genotypes at the human phenylalanine hydroxylase locus (gene symbol PAH) and the corresponding hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) phenotypes (notably, phenylketonuria [OMIM 261600]). We used reports, both published and in the PAH Mutation Analysis Consortium Database, on 365 patients harboring 73 different PAH mutations in 161 different genotypes. HPA phenotypes were classified as phenylketonuria (PKU), variant PKU, and non-PKU HPA. By analysis both of homoallelic mutant genotypes and of "functionally hemizygous" heteroallelic genotypes, we characterized the phenotypic effect of 48 of the 73 different, largely missense mutations. Among those with consistent in vivo expression, 24 caused PKU, 3 caused variant PKU, and 10 caused non-PKU HPA. However, 11 mutations were inconsistent in their effect: 9 appeared in two different phenotype classes, and 2 (I65T and Y414C) appeared in all three classes. Seven mutations were inconsistent in phenotypic effect when in vitro (unit-protein) expression was compared with the corresponding in vivo phenotype (an emergent property). We conclude that the majority of PAH mutations confer a consistent phenotype and that this is concordant with their effects, when known, predicted from in vitro expression analysis. However, significant inconsistencies, both between in vitro and in vivo phenotypes and between different individuals with similar PAH genotypes, reveal that the HPA-phenotype is more complex than that predicted by Mendelian inheritance of alleles at the PAH locus.

Alleles↗

Phenotypic variation and diversity among Trichomonas vaginalis isolates and correlation of phenotype with trichomonal virulence determinants.

The extent and nature of heterogeneity among representative Trichomonas vaginalis isolates were evaluated by flow cytofluorometry analysis. Monoclonal antibody and monospecific antiserum to an immunodominant trichomonad surface glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 267,000 (267K glycoprotein) were used to evaluate fresh isolates (JHH and RU375) and long-term grown isolates (NYH286, IR78, and JH31A) of T. vaginalis. Isolates NYH286, JH31A, and JHH were made up of heterogeneous staining (positive [pos] phenotype) and nonstaining (negative [neg] phenotype) populations of trichomonads, whereas RU375 and IR78 were all neg phenotype parasites. Flow cytofluorometric patterns of agar clones derived from single organisms of heterogeneous isolates such as NYH286 showed populations which were either homogeneous pos or neg and also showed clones which were heterogeneous in nature containing both phenotypes. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was also accomplished, and subpopulations of defined pos or neg phenotype were purified. Flow cytofluorometry evaluation of all isolates for an extended period revealed a phenotypic variation among all heterogeneous isolates and also for all clones and subpopulations derived from the heterogeneous isolates. On the other hand, IR78 and RU375 did not undergo phenotypic variation and have remained neg for greater than 4 years. Parasites which were nonreactive with either monoclonal antibody or monospecific antiserum to the 267K glycoprotein in flow cytofluorometry did not possess the antigen on their surface. This was determined by radioimmunoprecipitation assays using extracts of iodinated trichomonads. Finally, neg phenotype parasites yielded enhanced rates of contact-dependent cytotoxicity of host cell monolayers as compared with the pos phenotype trichomonads.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Defining the phenotype in human genetic studies: forward genetics and reverse phenotyping.

The definition of phenotypes for genetic study is a challenging endeavor. Just as we apply strict quality standards to genotype data, we should expect that phenotypes meet consistently high standards of reproducibility and validity. The methods for achieving accurate phenotype assignment in the research setting--the 'research diagnosis'--are different from the methods used in clinical diagnosis in the patient care setting. We evaluate some of the main challenges of phenotype definition in human genetics, and begin to outline a set of standards to which phenotypes used in genetics studies may aspire with the goal of increasing the quality and reproducibility of linkage and association studies. Revisiting the traditional phenotype definitions through a focus on familial components and heritable endophenotypes is a time-honored approach. Reverse phenotyping, where phenotypes are refined based on genetic marker data, may be a promising new approach. The stakes are high, since the success of gene mapping in genetically complex disorders hinges on the ability to delineate the target phenotype with accuracy and precision.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Compositional differences of LDL particles in normal subjects with LDL subclass phenotype A and LDL subclass phenotype B.

A predominance of small LDL particles (subclass phenotype B), as determined by gradient-gel electrophoresis is found among patients with myocardial infarction. Despite physical differences in phenotype A and B particles, differences in lipid composition of particles in these phenotypes have yet to be reported in an unselected population of males and females. The present study used lipid/apoB ratios to analyze the amount of lipid per LDL particle, isolated by density-gradient ultracentrifugation, in 70 healthy subjects. Relative to apoB, the LDL particles from phenotype B subjects were found to contain less free cholesterol (0.391 +/- 0.05 versus 0.465 +/- 0.05; mean +/- SD; P < .001), phospholipid (1.26 +/- 0.2 versus 1.43 +/- 0.2; P < .001), and cholesteryl ester (1.97 +/- 0.1 versus 2.11 +/- 0.2; P < .001) than particles from phenotype A subjects. The amount of triglyceride per LDL particle did not differ between the two phenotypes (0.410 +/- 0.1 versus 0.406 +/- 0.1; P = NS) despite higher plasma triglyceride levels in the phenotype B subjects. LDL size and buoyancy were positively correlated with particle free cholesterol, phospholipid, and cholesteryl ester but not with particle triglyceride. These data suggest that the physical properties of LDL from subjects with phenotype A and B reflect their lipid composition. The compositional differences between LDL particles of the two phenotypes may provide new insight into the increased risk of myocardial infarction in subjects with small, dense LDL.

Adult↗

Molecular analysis of Rh transcripts and polypeptides from individuals expressing the DVI variant phenotype: an RHD gene deletion event does not generate All DVIccEe phenotypes.

The D antigen is a mosaic comprising at least 30 epitopes. Partial Rh D phenotypes occur when there is absence of one or more of these epitopes, with the remainder expressed. The DVI phenotype is the most common of the partial D phenotypes, lacking most D antigen epitopes (ep D) (epD1, 2, 5-8 using the 9-epitope model or epD 1-4, 7-22, 26-29 using the 30-epitope model). DVI mothers may become immunized by transfusion with D-positive blood (if typed as D-positive using polyclonal typing reagents) or by fetuses which have all of the D antigen. This situation can give rise to severe hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). The molecular basis of the DVI phenotype has previously been proposed to occur by two different genetic mechanisms, one (in individuals of DVICcee phenotype) where a gene conversion event generates a hybrid RHD-RHCE-RHD gene; the second (in individuals of DVIccEe phenotype) was proposed to be caused by a partial RHD gene deletion. We present evidence that in four DVICcee phenotypes studied, this phenotype is not generated by a partial RHD gene deletion, but occurs by a similar mechanism to the DVICcee phenotypes. In two individuals we have found hybrid RHD-RHCE-RHD transcripts in both DVICe and DVIcE haplotypes. These differ in that the DVICe transcripts are derived from an RHD gene where exons 4-6 have been replaced with RHCE equivalents (encoding Ala226); the DVIcE transcripts are derived from an RHD gene where exons 4 and 5 are replaced by RHCE equivalents (encoding Pro226). We provide direct evidence that Rh DVI polypeptides are expressed at the erythrocyte surface as full-length polypeptide products. We have used immunoprecipitation experiments using anti-D reactive with DVI erythrocytes followed by immunoblotting the immune complexes with rabbit sera immunoreactive to the fourth external and C-terminal domains of all Rh polypeptides. Our results illustrate that these domains are present on all Rh DVI proteins studied, and suggest that Rh DVI polypeptide species studied here exist as full-length Rh proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The phenotypic spectrum of GLI3 morphopathies includes autosomal dominant preaxial polydactyly type-IV and postaxial polydactyly type-A/B; No phenotype prediction from the position of GLI3 mutations.

Functional characterization of a gene often requires the discovery of the full spectrum of its associated phenotypes. Mutations in the human GLI3 gene have been identified in Greig cepalopolysyndactyly, Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS), and postaxial polydactyly type-A (PAP-A). We studied the involvement of GLI3 in additional phenotypes of digital abnormalities in one family (UR003) with preaxial polydactyly type-IV (PPD-IV), three families (UR014, UR015, and UR016) with dominant PAP-A/B (with PPD-A and -B in the same family), and one family with PHS. Linkage analysis showed no recombination with GLI3-linked polymorphisms. Family UR003 had a 1-nt frameshift insertion, resulting in a truncated protein of 1,245 amino acids. A frameshift mutation due to a 1-nt deletion was found in family UR014, resulting in a truncated protein of 1,280 amino acids. Family UR015 had a nonsense mutation, R643X, and family UR016 had a missense mutation, G727R, in a highly conserved amino acid of domain 3. The patient with PHS had a nonsense mutation, E1147X. These results add two phenotypes to the phenotypic spectrum caused by GLI3 mutations: the combined PAP-A/B and PPD-IV. These mutations do not support the suggested association between the mutations in GLI3 and the resulting phenotypes. We propose that all phenotypes associated with GLI3 mutations be called "GLI3 morphopathies," since the phenotypic borders of the resulting syndromes are not well defined and there is no apparent genotype-phenotype correlation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Second site mutations specifically suppress the Fix- phenotype of Rhizobium meliloti ndvF mutations on alfalfa: identification of a conditional ndvF-dependent mucoid colony phenotype.

Rhizobium meliloti mutants carrying ndvF insertion or deletion mutations induce nodules on alfalfa which contain very few infected cells and fail to fix N2 (Fix-). We have characterized five independent second site mutations (designated sfx) which completely suppress the Fix- phenotype of ndvF mutants on Medicago sativa but not on another R. meliloti host Melilotus alba. Genetic mapping and phenotypic analysis revealed that the suppressor mutations sfx-1, sfx-4 and sfx-5 mapped to a single locus which was distinct from another locus defined by the sfx-2 and sfx-3 mutations. Tn5-mob-mediated conjugal mapping experiments showed that the sfx-1 locus was located clockwise from trp-33 on the R. meliloti chromosome and a detailed cotransduction map of this region was generated. To clone the sfx-1 locus, we prepared a cosmid library from total DNA obtained from an sfx-1, ndvF deletion strain. From this library, a cosmid pTH56, which converted Fix- ndvF mutants to Fix+, was isolated. Southern blot analysis provided direct physical evidence that the insert DNA in plasmid pTH56 was contiguous with the sfx-1 region. On low osmolarity glutamate-yeast extract-mannitol-salts medium (GYM) agar medium, ndvF insertion and deletion mutants were found to have a mucoid colony phenotype, as opposed to the dry colony phenotype of the wild-type strain. This phenotype was shown to be dependent on the exoB and expE genes required for synthesis of exopolysaccharide II in R. meliloti but not to be dependent on genes required exclusively for the synthesis of the succinoglycan or exopolysaccharide I. Transduction of either sfx-1 or sfx-2 or transfer of the cosmid pTH56 into the ndvF mutants restored them to a wild-type dry colony phenotype. The mucoid phenotype is not responsible for the Fix- phenotype of ndvF mutants as the Fix-, ndvF exp double mutants can be complemented to Fix+ by introducing plasmids which carry only the wild-type ndvF genes.

Alleles↗

Phenotyping of drug-metabolizing enzymes in adults: a review of in-vivo cytochrome P450 phenotyping probes.

Cytochrome P450 phenotyping provides valuable information about real-time activity of these important drug-metabolizing enzymes through the use of specific probe drugs. Despite more than 20 years of research, few conclusions regarding optimal phenotyping methods have been reached. Caffeine offers many advantages for CYP1A2 phenotyping, but the widely used caffeine urinary metabolic ratios may not be the optimal method of measuring CYP1A2 activity. Several probes of CYP2C9 activity have been suggested, but little information exists regarding their use, largely due to the narrow therapeutic index of most CYP2C9 probes. Mephenytoin has long been considered the standard CYP2C19 phenotyping probe, but problems such as sample stability and adverse effects have prompted the investigation of potential alternatives, such as omeprazole. Several well-validated CYP2D6 probes are available, including dextromethorphan, debrisoquin and sparteine, but, in most cases, dextromethorphan may be preferred due to its wide safety margin and availability. Chlorzoxazone remains the only CYP2E1 probe that has received much study. However, questions concerning phenotyping method and involvement of other enzymes have impaired its acceptance as a suitable CYP2E1 phenotyping probe. CYP3A phenotyping has been the subject of numerous investigations, reviews and commentaries. Nevertheless, much controversy regarding the selection of an ideal CYP3A probe remains. Of all the proposed methods, midazolam plasma clearance and the erythromycin breath test have been the most rigorously studied and appear to be the most reliable of the available methods. Despite the limitations of many currently available probes, with continued research, phenotyping will become an even more valuable research and clinical resource.

Adult↗

Molecular characteristics of differentiated-type gastric carcinoma with distinct mucin phenotype: LI-cadherin is associated with intestinal phenotype.

Gastric carcinomas (GC) are classified into four phenotypes on the basis of the mucin expression profile: G type (gastric or foveolar phenotype), I type (intestinal phenotype), GI type (intestinal and gastric mixed phenotype) and N type (neither gastric nor intestinal phenotype). Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), E-cadherin, liver-intestine (LI)-cadherin, CD44v9 and p53 and correlation of these molecules with mucin phenotype and tumor stage was evaluated. Overexpression of EGFR and LI-cadherin, reduced expression of E-cadherin and abnormal expression of p53 were observed more frequently in advanced GC than in early GC. Among I-type GC, overexpression of EGFR and reduced expression of E-cadherin were observed more frequently in advanced tumors than in early tumors. Among G-type GC, reduced expression of E-cadherin was significantly associated with advanced tumors. With respect to the relationship between mucin phenotype and expression of cancer-related molecules, overexpression of LI-cadherin was observed more frequently in I-type (12/25, 48.0%) than in G-type (1/14, 7.1%) GC. I-type GC tended to express LI-cadherin more frequently than GI-type GC. These results provide insights into the molecular characteristics of the distinct mucin phenotype of differentiated-type GC and suggest that LI-cadherin may contribute to the biological behavior of I-type GC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Phenotypic and karyotypic changes induced in cultured rat hepatic epithelial cells that express the "oval" cell phenotype by exposure to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

A diploid population of cultured rat hepatic epithelial cells that expresses the "oval" cell phenotype was exposed briefly and repetitively to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and the effect on more than 20 phenotypic properties was evaluated during the neoplastic transformation of the population. MNNG treatments of this hepatic epithelial cell population resulted in a progressively increasing phenotypic alteration and heterogeneity including changes in specific activities of several cellular enzymes and expression of isozymes, synthetic functions, and various in vitro growth properties. Changes in phenotypic expression were clustered episodically and were associated with major karyotypic changes. The development of increasing phenotypic heterogeneity preceding and accompanying tumorigenicity in cultured liver epithelial cells in vitro and the specific phenotypes that occur resemble superficially the pattern of phenotypic changes that occur in hepatocytes during chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. The results of this study provide the basis for future investigations to further elucidate the mechanistic and linkage relationship between specific pretumorigenic and paratumorigenic phenotypes and tumorigenicity.

Animals↗