A cytotoxic monoclonal antibody produced from a human urinary bladder carcinoma cell line (TSGH-8301)

A mouse monoclonal antibody, designated 1G3.10, directed against a human urinary bladder cancer cell line TSGH-8301 was generated using the conventional hybridoma technique. It was of the IgG3 subclass with a restricted specificity to bladder cancer and several epithelial cancers, as detected on a panel of various cell lines and tissues by radioimmunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence methods. It also exhibited a strong binding activity to human group A red blood cells, as demonstrated in hemagglutination and absorption tests. Radioimmunoprecipitation and thin-layer chromatography revealed that the antigens recognized by the antibody are a mixture of glycopeptides (M.W. 30, 54, and 108 KD) and glycolipid (retardation factor 0.67-0.83). From a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) study, direct killing of tumor cells by the antibody at a concentration of more than 10 micrograms/ml was observed. This antibody could also mediate both antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) in vitro when tested in a 4-hr 51Cr-release test. These results suggest that the monoclonal antibody 1G3.10 may provide an agent for further immunodiagnosis and the treatment of human bladder cancer.

Assessment of HBV persistent infection in an adult population in Taiwan

In order to study the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the adult population of Taiwan, we screened for the presence of HBV DNA in 205 blood samples from adult (20-59-year-old) volunteers. According to the serological markers of HBV, samples were divided into three groups: group I (173 subjects) was negative for both HBsAg and HBeAg; group II (14 subjects) was positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg; and group III consisted of 18 subjects who were HBsAg-positive but HBeAg-negative. Plasma HBV DNA was not detected in group I, but it was found in 85.7% and 11.8% of samples in group II and group III, respectively. A free-form HBV DNA was found in 14.3% of the leukocyte samples in group II. Furthermore, an integrated form of HBV DNA was detected in the leukocytes of two cases of group I who remained healthy based on clinical data. HBV DNA was also detected in the spermatozoa and liver cells of one of the cases.

Establishment and characterization of a human urinary bladder carcinoma cell line (TSGH-8301)

A cell line derived from a well-differentiated human transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, designated TSGH-8301, was established in vitro. The cultured epithelioid cells exhibited monolayer growth and loss of contact inhibition. The tumorigenicity of TSGH-8301 had been shown by growth in soft agar and tumor induction in athymic nude mice. A reverse ratio of lactate dehydrogenase (LHD) isoenzyme in the cell line and nude mouse-grown tumors was seen predominantly with LDH-V. Chromosomal analysis revealed a heterodiploid stem line with a modal number of 50. Sera of urinary bladder cancer patients reacted with membrane antigens of the TSGH-8301 cells, suggesting the existence of tumor-associated antigens in the cells. In vitro chemosensitivity tests of these cells may provide data valuable in the selection of proper anticancer drugs for the TSGH-8301 donor patient.

The molecular basis of HbH disease in Taiwan

We have determined the molecular characteristics of alpha-thalassemia in 12 HbH subjects from Taiwan by restriction endonuclease mapping with alpha- and zeta-specific probes. We have found four types of defects in the alpha-thalassemia-2 genetic determinant: -alpha 3.7 type I; -alpha 4.2; alpha CS alpha; and alpha alpha T. All HbH subjects carried the --SEA genotype in the alpha-thalassemia-1 determinant. At least two different subtypes of --SEA genotype were observed in this study.

Rhizobium meliloti genes required for C4-dicarboxylate transport and symbiotic nitrogen fixation are located on a megaplasmid

A mutant of Rhizobium meliloti unable to transport C4 dicarboxylates (dct) was isolated after Tn5 mutagenesis. The mutant, 4F6, could not grow on aspartate or the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates succinate, fumarate, or malate. It produced symbiotically ineffective nodules on Medicago sativa in which bacteroids appeared normal, but the symbiotic zone was reduced and the plant cells contained numerous starch granules at their peripheries. Cosmids containing the dct region were obtained by selecting those which restored the ability of 4F6 to grow on succinate. The Tn5 insertion in 4F6 was found to be within a 5.9-kilobase (kb) EcoRI fragment common to the complementing cosmids. Site-specific Tn5-mutagenesis revealed dct genes in a segment of DNA about 4 kb in size extending from within the 5.9-kb EcoRI fragment into an adjacent 2.9-kb EcoRI fragment. The 4F6 mutation was found to be in a complementation group in which mutations yielded a Fix- phenotype, whereas other dct mutations in the region resulted in mutants which produced effective nodules in most, although not all, plant tests (partially Fix-). The dct region was found to be located on a megaplasmid known to carry genes required for exopolysaccharide production.

Controlled release of adriamycin HCl from polymeric needle devices

Two types of polymeric needle devices (reservoir type and matrix type) were prepared. The release behavior and mechanism of adriamycin HCl from these needle devices were investigated and deduced. Adriamycin HCl released from reservoir type needle devices exhibited a zero order release kinetic, but a Higuchi membrane-diffusion controlled model was shown in matrix type needle devices. A lag time and burst effect were obtained in reservoir type and matrix needle devices, respectively. The release of adriamycin HCl from these needle devices was controlled and can be monitored by adding a hydrophilic or hydrophobic additive.

Characteristics of five monoclonal antibodies to major allergens of the short ragweed pollen

Monoclonal antibodies against major allergens of the short ragweed pollen were produced by fusion of NS-1 cells with splenic cells from BaLB/C mice that had been immunized separately with the major allergens, AgE-B + E-C and AgK, of the short ragweed pollen. These monoclonal antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and further characterized by immunoblot analysis using the crude extract and highly purified allergens of the ragweed pollen. Three monoclonal antibodies obtained by immunization with AgE-B + E-C, designated as 36-6, 27-2 and 48-5, reacted mainly with the beta (36-6) and alpha (27-2) subunit of AgE and both AgE and AgK (48-5), respectively. Two monoclonal antibodies obtained by immunization with AgK, 4-7 and 8-5, had a similar reactivity with AgE-B + E-C, AgK, AgK-A and AgK-B. In addition, however, antibody 4-7 also reacted with AgE-B2 as well as the 36- and the 24- to 22-kilodalton antigens of the crude extract. All 5 monoclonal antibodies were characterized as IgGl subclass. Besides, monoclonal antibody 48-5 also showed cross-reactivity to components of sage pollen. Beyond academic interests, the monoclonal antibodies described here may also be useful in clinical allergy.

Radioimmunotherapy of xenografted human bladder cancer using monoclonal antibody against blood group A-related antigen

An IgG3 murine monoclonal antibody 1G3.10 was generated against a human urinary bladder carcinoma cell line TSGH-8301. The tumor-associated antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody is a blood group A-related substance. From fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, a direct cytolytic effect of tumor cells by the antibody at concentrations of more than 10 micrograms/ml was seen. The antibody could target iodine-131 to established subcutaneous human bladder carcinoma xenografts in BALB/c nude mice. Monoclonal antibody alone also showed some inhibitory effect on xenografted tumor growth. In this study, radiolabeled monoclonal antibody 1G3.10 presented more effective cytotoxicity than antibody alone from in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Integration of human papillomavirus type 16 into cellular DNA of cervical carcinoma: preferential deletion of the E2 gene and invariable retention of the long control region and the E6/E7 open reading frames

The integration patterns of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 in the cellular DNA of six cervical carcinoma samples were analyzed by the Southern blot procedure. None of the HPV integrants retained the entire viral genome. Double HPV integration was found in one case while all other cases were single integrants. In some samples, internal deletion and selective amplification of the viral sequences were observed. On integration, the E2 open reading frame (ORF) was invariably lost but the E6/E7 ORFs and the long control region of the HPV-16 genome were retained in all seven integrations analyzed and may play a role in cellular transformation and/or maintenance of the transformed phenotype.

Immunohistochemical studies of colorectal carcinoma with a monoclonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen

Immunoperoxidase localization of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was performed on tissue sections of colorectal carcinoma using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against CEA. CEA has been demonstrated in 20 out of 22 rectum carcinomas (90.9%), in all of 23 colonic carcinomas, in none of 4 hyperplastic polyps and in 2 out of 6 adenomatous polyps (33.3%). CEA was found more often, and the intensity of the staining was stronger in well-differentiated carcinomas than in moderately and poorly differentiated carcinomas. No correlation was found between the presence of CEA in colorectal carcinoma and the stages of the disease. The mean values of serum CEA in patients with colorectal carcinoma and polyps with negative, weakly and strongly positive staining were 5.4 +/- 3.9 ng/ml, 28.3 +/- 23.8 ng/ml and 99.8 +/- 145.3 ng/ml respectively. Elevation of serum CEA occurred in 30 out of 39 (78.9%) cases with strongly positive CEA staining, in 4 out of 6 (66.7%) with weakly positive and in 1 out 9 (11.1%) with negative staining. A significant difference was found in serum CEA activity between the group with negative CEA staining and positive CEA staining (P less than 0.01). Our results suggest that the monoclonal antibody (MAb C27) can be used for the localization of CEA in conventionally prepared tissues of colorectal carcinomas by immunoperoxidase techniques for routine immunopathological diagnosis.

Monoclonal antibodies against human esophageal carcinoma cell lines

Two monoclonal antibodies, designated 4C4 and 4G1, were produced by immunization of BALB/c mice with a human esophageal carcinoma cell line, CE69T/VGH, followed by fusion of the spleen cells from an immunized mouse with myeloma cells NS-1. 4C4 showed strong binding activity to three human esophageal carcinoma cell lines and one human hepatoma cell line, but not to any other cell lines tested. 4G1 reacted with three human esophageal carcinoma cell lines and four other cell lines. By peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining, 4C4 and 4G1 detected antigens of the epithelial cells on 10 pairs of esophageal carcinoma and normal esophageal specimens. 4G1 recognized a CE69T/VGH antigen with a molecular weight of 180K. Since 4G1 also reacted with purified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and immunoprecipitated 125I-CEA, 4G1 seems to be an antibody recognizing CEA produced by CE69T/VGH cells. Since 4C4 also bound to the epithelial cells of normal uterine, vaginal, breast and liver tissues, it seems to recognize an epithelial antigen, and can be used to characterize the antigen in the specialization or differentiation of epithelial cells.

Hepatitis B virus infection of cord blood leukocytes

The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum and leukocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of 24 mothers and from the cord blood of their newborns was determined by hybridization procedures. HBV DNA was not detected in the serum and leukocytes of six HBsAg-, HBeAg-negative and two HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-negative mothers and their newborn infants. Among the 16 HBsAg-positive carrier mothers, HBV DNA was found in 13 cases (81%) in the serum and in two cases (12%) in leukocytes. Though the viral DNA was not present in sera, it was detected in two of the 16 cord blood leukocyte samples. In follow-up studies, these two infants did not seroconvert up to 15 months of age and they became carriers with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The results suggest that HBV may be transmitted vertically and such in utero infection may have resulted in immune tolerance leading to a carrier state.

Modulation of lymphocyte proliferation by murine liver extract

Murine liver extract (LEx) purified by ammonium sulfate (45-70% saturation) possesses a strong inhibitory effect on human lymphocyte proliferation. We have shown that the inhibitory effect of LEx is not via a cytotoxic effect and that it is proportional to the length of incubation with LEx. Mitogen-prestimulated lymphocytes are more resistant to LEx inhibition than cells not prestimulated. B cells stimulated by PWM are more susceptible to LEx-induced inhibition than PHA- or Con A-stimulated T cells. In Con A cultures, there may be a population of cells more resistant to LEx inhibition. This population is not yet identified. The degree of reversibility of LEx inhibition was different in cells prestimulated by different mitogens. The inhibitory activity of LEx decreased in the presence of an increasing number of cells in the culture.

The mechanisms of inhibitory effects of liver extract on lymphocyte proliferation. I. The extracellular mechanism of the inhibition

Liver aqueous extract (LEx) can powerfully inhibit phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation. The extracellular mechanism of inhibition by LEx was studied. There are three possibilities. (1) The possibility of extracellular inactivation of PHA by LEx was excluded by incubating cells with PHA first, followed by washing, and then incubating cells with LEx. The result was that LEx was still able to inhibit cell proliferation completely. (2) The possibility of competition for cell surface PHA receptors by LEx was excluded by the above experiments plus the use of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine to remove surface-bound PHA. Following this treatment, LEx was still able to inhibit cell proliferation completely. (3) The possibility of arginase-induced arginine depletion resulting in lymphocyte suppression was supported by the following experiments. Cells were incubated in media in which arginine was depleted either by reacting with LEx, and the media were afterwards bound with anti-arginase antibody, or by amino acid constituted media without arginine. The degrees of proliferation inhibition were similar in both treatments. These results indicate the important role of arginine-depletion by LEx, and may account for the LEx-induced lymphocyte inhibition.

In vivo localisation of human urinary bladder carcinoma xenograft in nude mice using radiolabelled monoclonal antibody

Monoclonal antibody 1G3.10 (mouse IgG3) against the human urinary bladder carcinoma TSGH-8301 was isolated from hybridoma ascites and labelled with radioiodine. The antibody reacts with a cell surface antigen preferentially expressed in human bladder carcinoma. Binding studies in vitro demonstrated that its specificity for antigen was retained after iodination. The clearance of the radiolabelled monoclonal antibody was not modified by the presence of the tumour. In vivo localisation of the radiolabelled antibody and control normal IgG to tumour xenograft was determined by counting the tissue radioactivity and by external gamma ray scintigraphy with computer analysis of the region of interest at various times after the intravenous injection of radiolabelled antibodies. Maximum tumour-to-blood radioactivity (4.5) was obtained 4 days after antibody injection. There was no tumour localisation of radiolabelled normal IgG. Specificity of the localisation was also confirmed by using a non-reactive colon carcinoma xenograft. Distinct tumour images were obtained without the use of subtraction techniques. These studies of human bladder tumour localisation using this monoclonal antibody show its obvious potential for clinical use.

Aqueous-organic solvent extraction of water-insoluble protein from ragweed pollen

A water-insoluble material was obtained from either short ragweed (Ambrosia elatior) or false ragweed (Franseria acanthicarpa) pollen extracted by organic solvent (50% N,N-dimethylformamide). Further investigation of this water-insoluble material showed it contained at least five proteins. Two of them were isolated and shown to possess antigenicity as well as allergenicity. RFA2 contains carbohydrate and is a glycoprotein. RFB2 not only possesses antigenic determinants found in the water-soluble antigens AgE, AgK and Ra3, but also contains a separate and unique antigenic determinant. Immunodiffusion tests of RFB2, isolated from false ragweed and short ragweed, showed immunological identity. This communication further supports the suggestion that aqueous-organic solvent systems may be useful for the extraction of the biologically-active protein components from short ragweed pollen which can not be obtained with the currently used standard aqueous buffer system.

Production of hepatitis B virus in vitro by transient expression of cloned HBV DNA in a hepatoma cell line

Transfection of human hepatoma cell lines with cloned HBV DNA resulted in the secretion of large amounts of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core-related antigens (HBc/HBeAg) if well-differentiated cell lines were employed. Synthesis of both viral antigens was the highest in cell line HuH-7 and continued for approximately 25 days. Particles resembling hepatitis B virions (Dane particles) by morphology, density and by the presence of the preS1 surface antigen were released from the transfected HuH-7 cells into the culture medium. These particles produced in vitro were also indistinguishable from the naturally occurring hepatitis B virions in containing the virus-associated DNA polymerase and mature HBV genomes. Restriction analysis of these DNA molecules was compatible with the nucleotide sequence of the transfecting HBV DNA sequence. Viral surface antigens and core proteins present in the culture medium were fractionated and characterized by immunoprecipitation and SDS--PAGE after labeling with [35S]methionine. Antisera specific for X-gene products identified in cell extracts two hitherto unknown HBV gene products. This system thus provides a new approach to open questions regarding HBV-related gene function and HBV replication.

Presence of episomal and integrated human papillomavirus DNA sequences in cervical carcinoma

Thirty surgical samples of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix obtained from Chinese women were analysed for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 using Southern blot hybridization procedure. HPV16 was detected in 53% while HPV18 was found in only 6% of the samples analyzed. When compared with other reports, variation in the geographic distribution of these two HPV types in association with cervical carcinoma is noted. Thirty-seven and a half percent of the HPV16-positive samples contained this HPV type in episomal form and an equal number in cellular DNA-integrated form. The simultaneous presence of both episomal and integrated forms was found in the remaining 25% of the positive samples. The two HPV18-positive cases harbored only episomal viral genome and were not superinfected by HPV16. Analysis of the HPV16 integration samples showed that single integration events had probably occurred and some of the viral sequences had been lost on or subsequent to integration.

Immunotherapy of xenografted human bladder cancer in nude mice using monoclonal antibody

A murine monoclonal antibody with IgG3 isotype and k-light chains has been produced against a human bladder cancer cell line, TSGH-8301. Radioimmunoassay and immunofluorescent staining revealed that the highly reactive tumor-associated antigen was located on the cell surface of TSGH-8301 transitional cell carcinoma cells. The monoclonal antibody possessed direct and complement-mediated cytotoxicity to TSGH-8301 cancer cells as shown by in vitro microcytotoxicity test. Further trials on the immunotherapy of xenografted tumors in nude mice using the monoclonal antibody demonstrated that the therapeutic efficacy was dose-dependent and closely related to tumor burden.

Natural killer cell activity in patients with urologic cancer

Cell-mediated cytotoxicity in patients with urologic cancer was studied using the K562 cell line as target cell by a 4-hour chromium-51 release assay. Lysis of target cells by mononuclear cells of a healthy subject, over an 8-hour incubation period, demonstrated a linear function of incubation time and effector:target ratio. Natural killer (NK) cell activity was found decreased (mean 30.6%) in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 42 untreated patients with urologic cancer when compared to 20 healthy subjects (63.6%) and to 10 patients with varicocele, stone disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy (58.1%; p less than 0.05). There was no correlation between NK cell activity and the grade or stage status in bladder cancer patients. No age-dependent changes in NK cell activity could be found between young and aged groups of healthy subjects. Healthy male subjects have higher levels of NK cell activity (77.7%) than healthy female subjects (49.5%). Postoperative NK activity rose in 5 out of 6 cancer patients. It indicates that tumors may have an inhibitory effect on the surveillance activity of NK cells.

Monoclonal antibodies against antigens expressed on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Monoclonal antibodies with selectivity for human hepatoma cell lines were produced by immunizing BALB/c mice with human hepatoma cell lines, HA22T/VGH or Hep 3B, and fusing sensitized mouse spleen cells with mouse myeloma cells. Two monoclonal antibodies recognizing antigens present only on human hepatoma cell lines were investigated. The monoclonal antibody IB1 was found to react with 3 of 9 hepatoma cell lines. Monoclonal antibody 9B2 reacted with all nine hepatoma cell lines. None of the other 20 cell lines tested was bound by IB1 and 9B2. The immunoperoxidase staining of monoclonal antibodies on frozen sections of paired hepatoma and normal liver tissues from the same individuals were studied. Antibody IB1 reacted with 3 of 13 hepatoma tissues, but with none of the normal liver and other tissues, and antibody 9B2 was reactive with antigens appearing on the bile canalicular domain of hepatoma and normal liver tissues. The antibody 9B2 stained no normal tissues with the exception of proximal tubules of kidney. Radioimmunoprecipitation tests identified two antigens reacting with 9B2. The major antigen had an apparent molecular weight of 140,000 and a minor one of 130,000. Therefore, antibody IB1 seems to be specific for antigens present on a group of human hepatoma cells and may be useful for classification and diagnosis of human hepatomas. Antibody 9B2 is quite specific to human liver cells and may be used to provide clues for the characterization of tumor cell lines, identification of metastatic tumors with hepatocytic origin, and study of the structure and function of bile canaliculi.

Immunophenotyping of myeloma cells with immunoalkaline phosphatase technique

An immunoalkaline phosphatase (IAP) technique was used to determine the class of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin presenting in the malignant plasma cells of patients with multiple myeloma. Using monoclonal antibodies against different human immunoglobulins (Igs) as the primary antibodies, and calf intestinal phosphatase as the enzymatic indicator. The presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin was demonstrated within the cytoplasm of malignant plasma cells. These results correlate well with the electrophoretic patterns of the Igs present in the serum samples of these patients. This IAP technique is suggested as a practical method for evaluating the immunophenotype of multiple myeloma.

Analysis of six distinct integrated hepatitis B virus sequences cloned from the cellular DNA of a human hepatocellular carcinoma

Six distinct hepatitis B virus (HBV) integrations and the flanking cellular sequences were cloned from a hepatoma DNA preparation. None of the cloned fragments retains the entire HBV sequences but the surface antigen (HBsAg) gene and the HBV enhancer are retained in three of the six clones. The other three clones carry only short and possibly highly rearranged HBV genomic sequences and seem to contain some GC-rich clusters. Members of the repetitive Alu family are also found in the vicinity of five of the six integration regions which may have contributed to genome instability. In these six clones, the preferred integration sites are shown to lie within the single-strand region of the HBV genome. None of the clones carries in the flanking cellular sequences any of the 17 oncogenes tested, although the possibility still exists that an oncogene may be found on the side of the genome which has not been cloned. This work thus paves the way for detailed sequence analysis of virus-host junctions, for transfection studies of the HBV integration events, and for a search of genes in the flanking cellular sequences which may have been activated by the retained HBV enhancer using the clones described.