Rearranged HPV 16 molecules in an anal and in a laryngeal carcinoma

By hybridization under stringent conditions, one out of two anal carcinomas and one out of 36 laryngeal carcinomas were shown to harbor HPV 16 DNA in high copy number. Further analysis of both tumor DNAs indicated a rearrangement of the viral DNA in the tumor cells. HPV 16 DNA in the anal carcinoma could chiefly be found episomally in two different forms: a minority as 7.9-kb oligomeric episomes with no apparent modifications; as 10.7-kb rear-ranged oligomeric episomes with a duplication of the part of the viral genome encoding the open reading frames (ORF) E7, E1 and parts of E6 and E2. In the laryngeal carcinoma, integrated and episomal HPV 16 DNA molecules of 7.9 kb were present, together with rearranged molecules of approximately 18 kb with multiple duplications of the ORF E4 and parts of the ORFs E2, E5, L1 and L2. Possible consequences for transcription of the modified viral genomes are discussed.

[Hearing loss caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics: affect on the membrane component PIP2 in outer hair cells as the mechanism of action]

Experiments with live isolated outer hair cells are described that provide an explanation of the toxic mechanism of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Outer hair cells were isolated from the guinea pig cochlea by microsurgery and maintained in artificial perilymph. The presence of the membrane lipid PIP2 (phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate) and other components of the phosphoinositide cycle was demonstrated through their labeling with radioactive phosphate. The lipids play a key role in the function of outer hair cells as part of a second messenger and amplification system that controls the motility of these cells. Furthermore, it was shown that the ototoxic aminoglycoside gentamicin has a selective and extremely high binding affinity to PIP2. The specific toxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics is explained by the inhibition of the function of PIP2.

[Monoclonal antibody UW 21/123: clinical use and diagnostic specificity in head and neck cancers]

In addition to the originally described monoclonal antibody (MAB) against laryngeal carcinoma cells (Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 233 (1981) 161) a new MAB was induced by means of somatic cell hybridisation techniques. The MAB UW 21/123 enables recognition of a group of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. An in-vitro assay was designed allowing clinical diagnosis of malignancy in 18% out of 211 tumour patients.

[Active movements of the hair cells: a new mechanism in hearing]

The concept that the outer hair cells of the cochlea possess an active motor capacity confers new dimensions on the models of the physiology and patho-physiology of the inner ear. Results are presented which suggest the existence of motor properties due to actin in the outer hair cells of the guinea pig: Permeabilized isolated outer hair cells contract in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of ATP and calcium. Movement of the cuticular plate, but not of the stereociliary bundle, can also be observed. Contraction is inhibited by cytochalasin and by bisphosphate; The movement depends on the free calcium concentration. The calcium-binding protein calmodulin can be demonstrated in the hair cell. The substance TFP, which inactivates calmodulin, inhibits the contractile response of the hair cell; The existence of a novel infracuticular actin network can be demonstrated directly by monoclonal antibodies against actin and by selective binding of rhodamine-phalloidin to actin filaments; Furthermore, the motility of the outer hair cells is not contractile in nature, but is also associated with polymerization of actin molecules. Thus the outer hair cells are evidently capable of movement. The ATP- and calcium-induced contractions of permeabilized isolated outer hair cells suggest a physiological actin dependent mechanism. Accordingly, outer hair cells must be peripheral effector cells. The hypothetical model includes an influence of OHC motility on the micromechanics of the basilar membrane and the stereociliary region of outer hair cells to allow adaptation to high sound pressure. Moreover, control of the damping characteristics of the basilar membrane appears reasonable.

K+-induced motility and depolarization of cochlear hair cells. Direct evidence for a new pathophysiological mechanism in Ménière's disease

In addition to an endolymphatic hydrops in various models of Ménière's disease, ruptures of the membranes lining the endolymphatic spaces or massive changes in their biochemical permeability are believed to allow large amounts of potassium-rich endolymph to deluge the normally low [K+] perilymphatic fluid. Our clinic has shown that exposure of the lateral and basal membrane parts of living isolated outer hair cells to increasing concentrations of potassium ions resulted in a sustained reversible cellular depolarization. Furthermore, potassium intoxication was accompanied by a strictly longitudinal contraction of the hair cells present. This was followed by hair cell relaxation in the presence of artificial perilymph. These findings suggest a supplementary hypothesis for the clinical manifestations of Ménière's disease: the reversible hair cell depolarization can explain the sudden tinnitus and parts of the hearing loss incurred as well as presumably the vertigo experienced; the reversible longitudinal hair cell contraction induces an abnormal change of cochlear micromechanics, resulting in concomitant attacks of deafness and also possibly contributing to the tinnitus perceived.

Selective killing of laryngeal carcinoma cells by a monoclonal immunotoxin

To overcome the lack of selectivity of present anticancer drugs, an alternative approach is described for laryngeal carcinoma cells. An immunotoxin is synthesized containing the toxic chain from ricin coupled to a monoclonal antibody against a laryngeal carcinoma cell line. The newly formed monoclonal immunotoxin selectively kills cells from laryngeal carcinoma cell lines, whereas various normal living cells are not affected. Control experiments rule out the possibility that toxicity can be attributed to contaminating traces of whole ricin toxin. The results indicate that minute amounts of the immunotoxin are selectively cytotoxic for living laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro.

Membrane potential and ion channels in isolated outer hair cells of guinea pig cochlea

Single outer hair cells from guinea pig cochlea were prepared by microdissection and cultured for several hours in a modified Hanks' medium. Cells, which were viable, judged by morphological criteria, were investigated with the patch-clamp technique. Membrane potentials up to -70 mV could be measured in the cultured cells. Ion channels were found in the basolateral membrane and in the cuticular region of the hair cells. These ion channels could play an important role in transducing sound-induced sterociliary motion into membrane depolarizations, thereby regulating the contractile state of the outer hair cells and in turn the resonance properties of the cochlear amplifier.

Motile responses in outer hair cells

Motile responses of cochlear hair cells open new perspectives for the understanding of cochlear hearing mechanisms and hearing disorders located in hair cells. Direct visualization of hair cell motility was achieved by a method for the study of living isolated mammalian outer hair cells (OHCs) which has overcome some of the complexities in dealing with the heterogeneous organ of Corti. Electrophysiological giga-seal whole-cell recordings of single OHC prepared by this approach had revealed negative cell potentials ranging from -32 mV to -70 mV (Gitter et al. (1986) Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. in press). Elucidation of HC motility has come from two lines of experiments. One follows from the observation that exposure of the lateral and basal membrane parts of living OHCs to increasing bath K+ concentrations resulted in a sustained reversible depolarization of the cell. Here, we report that by depolarization of the cell membrane in the presence of 25-125 mM K+/Cl- a sustained contraction of OHC was induced. This was followed by relaxation in the presence of artificial perilymph containing 5.4 mM K+/Cl-. By alternating these procedures OHCs were made to undergo as many as five cycles of contraction and relaxation. External Ca2+ was not required for the initial contraction but was essential for relaxation. Following repeated contraction/relaxation cycles the cytoplasm of individual OHCs exhibited a filamentous network, correlating with a new infracuticular anti-actin binding capacity. The second series of experiments originates in the observation that permeabilized OHCs contracted in the presence of ATP. No response was seen in the presence of control nucleotides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Ultrasound diagnosis of the paranasal sinuses]

Ultrasound diagnosis of the nasal accessory sinuses is an easy and rapid technique without side-effects for the patients. Basic techniques are demonstrated allowing examination of the maxillary and frontal sinuses. Furthermore, functional approaches are reported which in some cases can produce better results than radiography.

[The isolated living hair cell. A new model for the study of hearing function]

Living, predominantly outer hair cells were prepared from the guinea pig cochlea using a non-enzymatic, microsurgical approach. Viability of hair cells was demonstrated by dye-exclusion as well as by electrophysiogical patch-damp procedures. This allowed to measure a mammalian hair cell potential of -70 mV under direct visualisation. Furthermore, hair cells could be kept under cell culture conditions for 6-9 hrs. Isolated, mammalian cochlea hair cells are a new, useful model to investigate the molecular basis of hearing and hearing disorders located in sensory cells. As example this report shows experimental approaches to analyse membraneous and cytoplasmic functions of hair cells.

Electro-acoustic fusion of erythrocytes and of myeloma cells

Mammalian cells can be concentrated in a sound field. A method is introduced, which combines the reversible aggregation of cells in a sound field with the electrical breakdown of cell membranes to fuse cells, which are in contact. Human red blood cells and mouse myeloma cells are fused by means of that procedure.

Natural killer cell activity in patients with carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx

Natural killer (NK) cells have recently gained much attention as potential effector cells in antitumor and antiviral immune defense mechanisms. The role of NK cells in patients with squamous cell carcinoma has not yet been described. In our study of larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients, no correlation was found with the extent of the disease expressed by the TNM classification or the TNM staging. Furthermore, no change of the spontaneous natural killer cell mediated K562 lysis was shown in advanced malignant disease or in the postoperative period up to 24 months following surgery. When the NK cell activity was compared with two control groups of healthy volunteers, aged 20 to 30 or 55 to 65 years, both with high alcohol and tobacco consumption, no alterations of the killing capacity for K562 targets were observed during aging, with or without a tumor. NK cell cytotoxicity was significantly lower in tumor draining lymph nodes of the neck than the values found in peripheral blood. In cancer patients as well as in healthy donors, the spontaneous killer cell activity was significantly enhanced by incubation with beta-interferon. The differences, however, between natural killing in peripheral blood and lymph nodes were increased in the head and neck cancer population mainly by an overall reduced NK cell cytolysis in the tumor draining lymph nodes. Although none of the lymph nodes used was infiltrated by malignant cells as seen under microscopic examinations, the diminished NK cell activity in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients seems to be caused by factors or the presence of locoregional suppressor cells capable of reducing natural cell mediated immunity.

Reversible contraction of isolated mammalian cochlear hair cells

Outer hair cells were isolated from the guinea pig cochlea using a micromechanical non-enzymatic procedure. Depolarization of outer hair cells in the presence of 25-125 mM K+ was accompanied by a longitudinal contraction of the isolated cells. A decrease of [K+] to 5.4 mM interrupted contraction and induced a relaxation. Individual hair cells were able to undergo as many as 5 cycles of contraction and relaxation. External Ca2+ was required for relaxation of the contracted hair cells. The contractile event led to the production of a visible cytoplasmic network between the supranuclear area and the cuticular plate.

Recombinant interferon-alpha-2C in laryngeal papillomatosis: preliminary results of a prospective multicentre trial

A preparation of interferon-alpha 2C of high purity formed by recombinant DNA technology was used as adjuvant therapy following removal of laryngeal papillomas by cauterization or laser vaporization. Preliminary data on 20 patients are reported and include 11 complete and 7 partial responses. Side-effects included initial temperature elevation, but this subsided and other side-effects were uncommon. No antibodies to the interferon preparation were found in any of the patients.

[Production and preclinical use of a monoclonal immunotoxin against laryngeal cancer cells]

A basic problem in cancer chemotherapy is the lack of selectivity of present anti-cancer drugs. The application of hybridoma technology for laryngeal carcinomas could show that certain monoclonal antibodies react with surface antigens on intact laryngeal carcinoma cells, which are rare or non existent on other types of cells. In the present study synthesis and cytotoxic properties of a conjugate (immunotoxin) are demonstrated containing the toxic A chain from ricin coupled to a monoclonal antilaryngeal antibody. This conjugate is lethal only for cells containing the corresponding tumour-associated antigen at the cell surface of various head and neck carcinoma cell lines. The results indicate that the newly formed chimaeric molecules maintain both the antigen-binding capacity and their toxic properties and that minute amounts of the immunotoxin are effective in specifically killing living laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro.

[Glottoplasty--a new method of surgical voice rehabilitation]

A simple operative technique is presented which restores speech without any later risk of aspiration in a one-stage operation performed together with the laryngectomy. 4 types can be distinguished depending on the extent of the resection and the amount of reconstruction necessary. The surgical technique is described. Resection of the tumour is not restricted. Our results on 85 patients are presented. Attention is drawn to mistakes and dangers.

[Experiences with the Blom-Singer prosthesis following Blom-Singer puncture and following functionally disordered neoglottis phonatria]

The Blom-Singer puncture is a new operative technique which can help to make the laryngectomized patient speak again even years after laryngectomy. 34 patients were treated with a modified procedure. 5 patients with a good voice gave up despite intensive medical and speech therapy. Painstaking postoperative treatment is needed to make the Blom-Singer puncture successful. Patients who had a Blom-Singer prosthesis fitted after a neoglottis procedure spoke after only brief instruction without speech therapy being necessary.

[Monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens of cancer cells. Experimental preparation for early diagnosis and immuno-assisted therapy]

Humoral and cellular immune responses to laryngeal carcinomas suggest the presence of tumor associated antigens in the surface of larynx carcinoma cells. Production of antisera against specific antigens on human tumors or tissues is complicated by the concomitant production of antibodies that react with all human cells. To circumvent this problem monospecific antibodies needed. After isolation of larynx carcinoma cells they were used to immunize mice. From these mice the antibody producing spleen cells were isolated and fused with myeloma cells resulting in antibody secreting hybrid cells. A hybridoma clone was isolated producing antibodies that did not bind to various normal human cells nor to cells of non human origin. In contrast, the monoclonal antibody was able to identify various malignant target cells, including two laryngeal carcinomas and two salivary gland carcinomas.

Head and neck carcinoma models. In vivo reproduction in athymic mice and in vitro culture

683 tumour fragments from 63 head and neck carcinoma patients were cultured in vitro. Two laryngeal carcinomas and two salivary gland carcinomas were established into permanent cell lines. Malignancy of these cultured cells was proved by cloning, by chromosomal analysis and by transplantation into athymic (nu/nu) mice. Experiments demonstrating preservation of histological, biochemical and antigenic properties in the tumour models counter the objection that tumour-specific characteristics may be lost.

[Monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens of laryngeal carcinoma cells (author's transl)]

Humoral and cellular immune responses to laryngeal carcinomas suggest the presence of tumor-associated antigens on the surface of larynx carcinoma cells. Production of antisera against specific antigens on human tumors or tissues is complicated by the concomitant production of antibodies that react with all human cells. To circumvent this problem monospecific antibodies are needed. After isolation of larynx carcinoma cells by cell culture techniques outer cell membranes were prepared and used to immunize mice. From these mice the antibody-producing spleen cells were isolated and fused with myeloma cells resulting in antibody-secreting hybrid cells. Hybrid cells were cloned, thus forming monoclonal antibodies. A hybridoma clone was isolated producing antibodies that did not bind to various normal human cells lines, fibrocytes or lymphocytes, nor to cells of non-human origin. In contrast, the monoclonal antibody was able to identify various malignant target cells, including two laryngeal carcinomas and two salivary gland carcinomas. Monoclonal antibodies are a useful tool for detection of tumor-specific antigens and differentiation antigens. They represent an approach toward identifying and isolating cell surface components.

Cytoskeletal and muscle-like elements in cochlear hair cells

Monospecific antibodies to actin and to tubulin were used as immunofluorescent probes to evaluate the distribution of microtubules and actin filaments in the organ of Corti in mouse and guinea pig. The results indicate that in cochlear receptor cells actin and actin filaments as well as tubulin and microtubules are integral cytoskeletal elements. The presence of actin suggests a possible contractile mechanism within the sensory cilia whereas tubulin is thought to play an important role in the stability of sensory cells. Both proteins are discussed to form structural elements required for the mechano-chemical coupling in hearing.

Establishment of carcinoma cell lines from larynx and submandibular gland

For many techniques in the oncology of head and neck tumors large amounts of pure tumor cells are required. Although larynx and salivary gland tumors are common in man, no report exists on isolation and purification of tumor cells of which malignancy was proved. The present paper describes in vitro cultivation of living human malignant tumor cells from a larynx and a submandibular gland carcinoma. Carcinoma cells were freed from all non-tumor cells and cloned thus indicating that cultures contained only a single cell type. Transplantation of grown cells s.c. into athymic (nu/nu) mice induced rapidly growing tumors of which malignancy was demonstrated by histology.

Vasopressin and isoproterenol activate adenylate cyclase in the guinea pig inner ear

Cochleas from guinea pigs were perfused by isotonic buffer after punction of the carotid artery. The cochlea tissue was removed from the bony capsule and separated from the mediolus as band with a sharp needle under the microscope. Cell membranes were prepared subsequently from whole tissue. Purified membranes from the inner ear of guinea pigs contain adenylate cyclase which functionally is coupled with membrane receptors for vasopressin and beta-receptors for isoproterenol (epinephrine), respectively. Both hormones stimulate production of cyclic AMP at 37 degrees C. Furthermore, cyclase activity is increased by addition of Gpp (NH)p, a GTP analog. Possible relationships of these molecular events to cochlear events such as glycogenolysis, ionfluxes, transport and secretion mechanisms, and synaptic transmissions are discussed.

[Tumor associated antigens induce humoral and cellular immune response to laryngeal carcinomas (author's transl)]

Tissue from larynx carcinomas or cultured tumor cells were incubated in the presence of patient's sera and binding of IgG antibodies was measured. Sera of 47 from 50 patients showed antibodies against their own malignomas. Furthermore 20% possessed antibodies crossreacting with isolated cultured larynx carcinoma cells. Moreover lymphocytes prepared from patient's blood lysed isolated carcinoma cells. The experiments suggest the presence of tumor associated antigens on the surface of larynx carcinoma cells.

Microtubular proteins in pigeon erythrocyte membranes

[3H]Colchicine binds in a concentration and temperature dependent, saturatable and noncooperative manner to cytoplasmic proteins from pigeon erythrocytes: Kd = 3.5 x 10(-7) M at 37 degrees C. Binding of [3H] colchicine at 0 degrees C and of [3H]lumicolchicine at 37 degrees C was significantly reduced. Hence microtubular proteins are present in the cytoplasm of pigeon erythrocytes. Antibody against bovine brain tubulin was raised in rabbits and confirmed by immunodiffusion, passive immunohaemolysis and in radioimmunoassay. Pigeon erythrocyte membrane proteins solubilized with 2% sodium cholate competed with 125I-labelled tubulin in the radioimmununoassay although much higher concentrations of membrane proteins than of purified bovine brain tubulin were required for effective competition. No binding to antibody occurred with boiled solubilized membrane preparations. Similar results were obtained with antitubulin-dependent passive immunohaemolysis of tubulin-coated sheep erythrocytes in the presence of complement. The presence of tubulin in membranes was verified by binding intact pigeon erythrocytes to colchicine-Sepharose beads at 37 degrees C. Free colchicine (5mM) or incubation at 0 degrees C prevented binding. Lumicolchicine-Sepharose beads did not attach to erythrocytes at 37 degrees S. Thus pigeon erythrocyte membranes contain microtubular protein.