Growth inhibitory effect of N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartic acid on human myeloid leukemia-derived cell lines and modulation by dipyridamole

Dipyridamole (DIP) inhibited the uptake of tritiated thymidine (TdR), deoxyuridine (UdR) and uridine (UR) in myeloid leukemia-derived cell lines, PL-21 and KCL-22. DIP also inhibited the growth of PL-21 (50% inhibitory concentrations, IC50, 15 microM) and KCL-22 (IC50, 3.0 microM). PALA inhibited the growth of PL-21 (IC50, 68 microM) and KCL-22 (IC50, 62 microM). The growth inhibition by PALA was significantly enhanced by the addition of 1 microM (PL-21) and 0.1 microM (KCL-22) of DIP. The inhibitory effect of PALA or PALA with DIP was completely abolished by the addition of 50 microM of UR in both cell cultures. Clinical evaluation of PALA in combination with DIP is warranted for the treatment of myeloid leukemia.

Direct and serial transplantation of Ph1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia into nude mice

A new Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1-positive) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line was established in nude mice by direct and serial transplantation of peripheral blood leukemia cells from an adult patient. Although the patient's leukemia cells did not grow in vitro, they were successfully transplanted for 8 serial passages, giving rise to progressive growth of tumors with frequent involvement of lymph nodes, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and meninges. The tumor cells could also be passaged in an ascites form. This in vivo cell line, designated PALL-I, retained the Ph1 chromosome, t(9;22) (q34;q11), and pre-B-cell phenotype (SmIg-, CpIg-, CD10+, CD19+, OKIaI+, and CD38+), like the original leukemia cells. Molecular genetic analysis of PALL-I cells revealed neither bcr rearrangement nor 8.5-kb abI-related mRNA that is characteristically seen in Ph1-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Thus, the PALL-I cell line is genetically distinct from CML. It may provide a useful model for an understanding of the cellular and molecular biology of Ph1-positive ALL without classical bcr rearrangement.

[Seizure and tremor occurring in acute leukemia patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin]

We report here four patients with acute leukemia, who developed seizure or tremor following treatment with imipenem, a new broad-spectrum antibiotic. All four patients had no renal dysfunction and recovered after discontinuation of the drug. Two patients who developed seizure had a past history of cerebral hemorrhage with symptoms of meningitis in one and the other had received frequent intrathecal injections of methotrexate. Seizure also occurred in another patient who was given multiple intrathecal injections of methotrexate. The remaining old patient developed tremor after the first administration of imipenem which did not progress to convulsion. Cerebral hemorrhage or meningitis is known to predispose patients for convulsion following imipenem treatment. In addition, the present study suggests that central nervous system damage related with intrathecal injections of methotrexate may be a predisposing factor. Thus, imipenem should be given with caution to acute leukemia patients who often have risk factors for developing imipenem-related complications.

Generalized lymph node metastasis of early uterine cancer in an HTLV-I carrier

Generalized lymphadenopathy due to metastases of keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma developed in a 68-year-old woman who was a carrier of human T-cell leukemia Type I (HTLV-I). On her 74th hospital day, she died of massive metastases of the superficial and deep-seated lymph nodes, thyroid, lungs, pleura, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and retroperitoneum. At autopsy, the primary tumor was found in the uterine cervix. The depth of stromal invasion was approximately 4.0 mm. Such an extensive dissemination usually does not occur in cervical cancer with this type of early stromal invasion. It is conceivable that the chronic HTLV-I infection compromised the immunosurveillance against cancer and accelerated progression of the disease in this patient.

Establishment of a human monoclonal antibody to Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen as a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen

We have established a human-human hybridoma producing a monoclonal antibody against a tumor-associated carbohydrate-specific antigen, Hanganutziu-Deicher (HD) antigen. Human spleen lymphocytes from a patient with esophageal varices complicated with liver cirrhosis were cultured in serum-free medium and co-stimulated with both anti-human mu-chain antibodies and supernatants of concanavalin A-stimulated human spleen cell culture (ConA sup). The activated lymphocytes were subsequently primed in vitro with particulate HD3 antigen and fused with a parent hybrid myeloma cell line, KR-12. A hybridoma, 1F43E31G7 produced anti-HD human monoclonal antibody (IgM lambda). This monoclonal antibody reacted strongly with N-glycolylneuraminyl alpha 2-3 lactosylceramide (HD3) and slightly with N-glycolylneuraminyl alpha 2-3 lactoneotetraosylceramide (HD5), but did not react with N-glycolylneuraminyl alpha 2-3 lactoneohexaosylceramide (HD7), N-acetylneuraminyl alpha 2-3 lactosylceramide (GM3) and other derivatives of HD3 prepared by chemical modification of the sialic acid residue of HD3, which indicates that the monoclonal antibody is directed precisely toward the terminal sialic acid and whole structure of HD3.

Trisomy 4 in a case of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (M2)

Trisomy 4 in a Japanese patient with type M2 acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is reported. Karyotypic analysis was unsuccessful at diagnosis and complete remission lasted 4 years. The cytogenetic change was detected in the first and second relapses as the only chromosome abnormality. Unusual nuclear irregularities were found in many leukemic cells.

Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural characterization of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-producing rabbit lymphoid cell lines

Fine structural and immunocytochemical characterization of rabbit lymphoid cell lines transformed by human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was carried out. All nine cell lines tested were reactive with anti-HTLV-I-positive human, monkey, and rabbit sera and monoclonal antibody to HTLV-Ip 19, but not with anti-HTLV-I-negative sera and monoclonal antibodies to human Ia and pan-T antigens. All cell lines were strongly positive for monoclonal antibodies to rabbit Ia and pan-T antigens. Ultrastructurally, each cell line contained C-type virus particles in varying numbers in the extracellular space. These particles showed replication patterns similar to those in HTLV-I or simian T-lymphotropic virus type I (STLV-I)-producing human or monkey cells. In addition, anti-HTLV-I-positive rabbit serum gave positive immunoreactivity to HTLV-I or STLV-I by indirect immunoferritin method. These results indicate that the ultramorphology and replication patterns of HTLV-I in rabbit cell lines are indistinguishable from those of HTLV-I in human and monkey cell lines, HTLV-I in rabbit cells shares the common surface antigenic determinants with HTLV-I or STLV-I in human or monkey cells, and that these cells are definitely rabbit T cells bearing their own Ia antigens.

Application of a monoclonal antibody for the detection of Trichosporon beigelii in paraffin-embedded tissue sections

Trichosporon beigelii is a normal inhabitant of soil and is occasionally found as normal flora of the skin and mouth. Opportunistic infection by this fungus has been increasingly reported in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of this infection depends on positive cultures or histological evidence. However, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish this fungus from Candida species in tissue section. We have generated two monoclonal antibodies that can distinguish T. beigelii from other fungi including several species of Candida. One of these antibodies (K-16) reacts with T. beigelii in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections and will be useful as an aid to the accurate diagnosis of trichosporonosis.

DNA blotting analysis of human retroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of spastic paraparesis patients: the viruses are identical to human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1)

The structure of the integrated provirus in cell lines established from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy (HAM) was analyzed. The digestion patterns with 3 restriction endonucleases, Sac I, Eco RI and PstI, of the proviruses integrated in T-lymphoid cell lines derived from the CSF of 4 HAM patients were similar to those of HTLV-1 from adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients. Integrated proviruses in one of these cell lines derived from the CSF were further analyzed in detail with 2 more restriction enzymes, BamHI and Sma I. The results indicate that the retrovirus found in lymphocytes of the CSF from patients with HAM are very similar, if not identical, to HTLV-1 found in the leukemic lymphocytes of ATL patients.

[Perianal skin metastasis in a case of lung cancer]

A case of lung cancer in a 78-year-old man who subsequently developed a perianal skin metastasis is herein reported. The metastatic lesion was the fist clinical metastatic sign noticed. Although irradiation therapy reduced the size of the lung tumor, the tumor soon regrew and the patient died of massive hemorrhaging from the perianal mass. An autopsy revealed that the primary tumor and all metastases were, histologically, a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A metastasis of a lung cancer to the perianal region is extremely rare, only one case involving an anaplastic carcinoma having been previously reported.

A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a common antigen in myeloid and human T-cell leukemia virus type I-carrying cells

A novel monoclonal antibody, designated D-213, was generated to human myeloid cell line PL-21. D-213 defined a 47-kD antigen which was specifically expressed in normal and leukemic cells of the myeloid lineage and in T-cell lines carrying human T-cell leukemia virus type I. This antibody was also reactive with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) cells in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. D-213 would be useful for making an immunohistochemical diagnosis of ATLL in cases where serological or virological information is not available.

Isolation of virus-producing transformants from human gastric cancer cell line, HGC-27, infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type I

A human anaplastic gastric cancer cell line, HGC-27, showed marked degeneration with formation of multinucleated syncytia and cell detachment of nearly all cells which began 24 hr after and reached a maximum 2 to 3 days after co-cultivation with X-irradiated MT-2 cells, HTLV-I producing human cord leukocytes. Less severe degeneration without formation of syncytia was also observed in the cultures inoculated with cell-free MT-2 culture media. Morphologically altered cells began to proliferate and formed piled up colonies in some of the cultures co-cultivated with X-irradiated MT-2 cells after a long culture period. The two clones designated HGC/MT2 (Cl-1) and HGC/MT2 (Cl-2) were separated by cell cloning. HGC/MT2 (Cl-1) and HGC/MT2 (Cl-2) cells were positive for HTLV-I gag proteins (p19 and p24) and pX gene products, p40x, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis, contained HTLV-I provirus DNA, and consistently produced type C virus particles.

Serial transplantation of an HTLV-I-transformed hamster lymphoid cell line into hamsters

A hamster lymphoid cell line, HCT-2, transformed by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was serially transplanted for 9 passages in newborn hamsters. A total of 34 newborn hamsters inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.2-2 X 10(7) HCT-2 cells developed fatal lymphomas with dissemination to various organs within 5-10 days. The growth of i.p. inoculated HCT-2 cells was found to be dependent on the age of recipients: all 21 suckling hamsters inoculated when aged 5-10 days succumbed to disseminated lymphomas within 6-7 days, while 4 of 12 older hamsters inoculated at the age of 15-25 days developed less extensive disease with signs of tumor regression. To investigate the effect of immunosuppression on host resistance, 3 adult hamsters treated with anti-thymocyte serum were inoculated i.v. with 2-4 X 10(7) HCT-2 cells; all 3 developed fatal leukemias in 5-7 days. Irrespective of whether HCT-2 cells were inoculated into newborn, suckling, or adult hamsters, histopathological findings were similar, with frequent involvement of liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, lymph nodes, blood, and bone marrow. Cells harvested from tumors and peripheral blood of some tumor-bearing hamsters could be readily recultured as cell lines. Chromosome analysis and Southern blot hybridization showed that tumors were caused by growth of HCT-2 cells.

S-100 beta positive T cell leukemia

We reported a peculiar case with T cell leukemia. The patient was a 34-year-old woman showing extensive splenomegaly and marked leukemic cell proliferation and running a rapid fatal clinical course. The leukemic cells were morphologically ordinary lymphocytes showing suppressor/cytotoxic(s/c) T cell phenotypes and containing S-100b protein. Southern blot analysis revealed rearrangement of the beta chain genes of the T cell receptor (TcR) of the leukemic cells. Because these phenotypic and morphologic features were identical with those of S-100 beta+T lymphocytes (S-100 beta +TL) in normal human peripheral blood, we regarded this case as S-100 beta +T cell leukemia. We discussed clinicopathological features of S-100 beta +T cell leukemia/lymphoma by assessing similar cases reported so far. S-100 beta +T cell leukemia/lymphoma is a new type of s/c T lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma with aggressive features.

Adult T cell leukemia-like disease experimentally induced in rabbits

An HTLV-I-transformed T cell line, obtained from the peripheral blood of a virus-infected (B/J X Chbb:HM) F1 rabbit, was able to kill syngeneic newborn rabbits within 7 days, when inoculated intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 X 10(8) cells. Inoculation of 1 X 10(7) cells killed or rendered moribund 50% of inoculated animals, while surviving animals exhibited cell-mediated cytotoxic activities against the transformed cells. The peripheral blood leukocyte counts increased in all surviving animals, in association with appearance of abnormal lymphocytes with convoluted or lobulated nuclei. Pathological examination of animals that died one week post-inoculation revealed no tumors in the abdominal cavity, but accumulation of ascites containing abnormal lymphocytes. Histological examination showed leukemic infiltration in the liver, lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. The same cell line was also able to kill syngeneic adult rabbits in 8-10 days when inoculated intravenously, but not intraperitoneally, at a dose of 1 X 10(8) cells. Leukemic infiltration was observed in the major organs of these animals. Adult animals which were already virus carriers were resistant to this lethal inoculation. This rabbit ATL-like disease may prove to be useful as an experimental model for acute adult T cell leukemia.

Thrombocytopenic purpura in a carrier of human T-cell leukemia virus type I

Thrombocytopenic purpura developed in a 64-year-old woman seropositive for human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). She had no underlying disorders and HTLV-I is suggested as a possible cause of her thrombocytopenia.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of a provirus derived from HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM)

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is known to be associated with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Recently, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM) was described as a neurological disease with which an etiological association of HTLV-1 is suspected. A provirus genome was cloned from a lymphoid cell line derived from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with HAM, in order to examine in detail the etiological virus associated with HAM. The nucleotide sequence of the long terminal repeat (LTR), protease, env and pX regions of the provirus shows over 97% homology with that of HTLV-1 derived from ATL. These results suggest that this provirus, derived from a patient with HAM, belongs to the same species as HTLV-1 derived from patients with ATL.

Milk-borne transmission of human T-cell leukemia virus type I in rabbits

The mode of vertical transmission of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was investigated by foster-nursing in rabbits. Two of five rabbits born to noninfected mothers and fostered by virus-infected females seroconverted for HTLV-I after 7 weeks, whereas all seven rabbits born to virus-infected mothers and fostered by noninfected females remained seronegative for the observation period of 6 months. Culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes gave rise to an HTLV-I-carrying T-cell line from each of the two seroconverted rabbits. These findings suggest that HTLV-I is transmitted through milk from mother to offspring.

Immunohistochemical identification of Trichosporon beigelii in histologic section by immunoperoxidase method

An indirect immunoperoxidase method capable of identifying an opportunistic fungus, Trichosporon beigelii, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue has been developed. The authors studied autopsy materials from 19 patients with various fungal infections, including 3 patients with disseminated T. beigelii infection, 8 patients with localized or systemic candidiasis, 4 patients with invasive aspergillosis, 2 patients with pulmonary mucormycosis, and 2 patients with systemic cryptococcosis. T. beigelii could be successfully visualized in tissue sections from all three patients with this infection and a patient with systemic candidiasis who was found to have concomitant infection by T. beigelii. The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans was also stained, indicating the presence of cross-reactive antigen between T. beigelii and C. neoformans. C. neoformans-absorbed antiserum was reactive with T. beigelii but not with other fungi, including C. neoformans.