Chromosome 14 alteration is associated with increased collagenase expression and the metastatic potential of murine melanomas

The purpose of this study was to correlate abnormalities in chromosome 14 with the invasive metastatic phenotype of K-1735 murine melanoma cells. Low metastatic K-1735 clone 10 and clone 23 cells were transfected with either basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Kaposi's fibroblast growth factor (kFGF), or c-H-ras gene. A high number of bFGF- and H-ras-transfected cells exhibited chromosome 14 rearrangements. These cells also had increased expression of collagenase IV. The kFGF-transfected cells were highly metastatic but did not have increased expression of collagenase type IV. The kFGF-transfected cells were highly metastatic but did not have increased expression of collagenase type IV, nor abnormalities in chromosome 14. The data imply that karyotypic changes in chromosome 14 are associated with increase expression of collagenase type IV.

TNF-alpha enhances Toxoplasma gondii cyst formation in human fibroblasts through the sphingomyelinase pathway

The cystogenesis event of Toxoplasma gondii is poorly understood. In order to throw light on it, the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was studied in the Prugniaud strain of the organism. This showed that TNF-alpha increased the number of cysts formed in vitro in human MRC5 fibroblasts. The sphingomyelinase pathway may be involved in mediating the TNF effect, since ceramide (natural form in permeabilized cells or cell-permeable analogue) could mimic the action of TNF. More precisely, our results strongly suggest the involvement of an acidic sphingomyelinase in mediating the effect of TNF; indeed, D609 inhibited both the TNF effect and cyst formation, while arachidonic acid had no effect. Moreover, protein kinase (PKC) seems also to play a role in the process, since phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) enhanced the cyst formation. However, chelerythrine chloride did not prevent the TNF effect, suggesting that several host-cell pathways can affect the cystogenesis event. Taken together, these results suggest the active participation of host-cell components in the cystogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii.

Selection of highly metastatic variants of different human prostatic carcinomas using orthotopic implantation in nude mice

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the implantation of human prostate cancer cells into the prostates of nude mice and their subsequent growth there can be used to select variants with increasing metastatic potential. PC-3M and LNCaP cells were injected into the prostates of athymic mice. Tumors from the prostate or lymph nodes were harvested, and cells were reinjected into the prostate. This cycle was repeated three to five times to yield cell lines PC-3M-Pro4, PC-3M-LN4, LNCaP-Pro3-5, and LNCaP-LN3-4. Parental and variant cells were injected into the prostates of nude mice. PC-3M-LN4 cells produced enhanced regional lymph node and distant organ metastasis as compared to PC-3M-Pro4 or PC-3M cells. After i.v. or intracardiac inoculation, PC-3M-LN4 cells produced a higher incidence of lung metastasis and bone metastasis, respectively, than PC-3M or PC-3M-Pro4 cells. Subsequent to implantation into the prostate, LNCaP-LN3 cells produced a higher incidence of regional lymph node metastases than LNCaP-Pro5 or LNCaP cells. After intrasplenic implantation, LNCaP-LN3 cells also yielded experimental liver metastases. The metastatic LNCaP-LN3 cells exhibited clonal karyotypic abnormalities, were less sensitive to androgen (in vitro and in vivo), and produced high levels of prostate-specific antigen. Collectively, the data show that the orthotopic implantation of human prostate cancer cell lines in nude mice is a relevant model with which to study the biology of prostate cancer metastasis and to select variant cell lines with enhanced metastatic potential.

Expression of a peptide epitope of the colonic mucin MUC2 in precursor lesions to gastric carcinoma

Previous histochemical studies have shown that changes occur in the composition of mucins both in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the gastric mucosa. Since monoclonal antibodies are now available which recognize the protein product of distinct mucin genes, they are likely to provide useful tools for evaluating these changes. Thus, a monoclonal antibody 996/1 raised against a peptide epitope of the colonic mucin MUC2 was examined for its potential as a prognostic indicator in gastric cancer. 996/1 works well on formalin-fixed paraffin sections and shows good staining of the colonic goblet cells in the region of the golgi, while there is no staining of normal control gastric mucosa. The epitope was detected in all cases of intestinal metaplasia (44 samples) and some but not all cases of dysplasia (26 samples) and gastric carcinoma (74 samples). There was no significant difference between the positivity of the tumours according to their classification, stage and lymph node status. These results unfortunately gave little indication that this antibody would be a useful prognostic tool in gastric cancer. However, the pattern of 996/1 staining provides useful information about the molecular changes in mucin expression that occur in gastric carcinogenesis.

Metastatic phenotype of mouse-human melanoma cell hybrids is associated with the presence of chromosome 17 from highly metastatic human melanoma cells

We have previously shown that in interspecific mouse-human melanoma cell hybrids obtained by fusion of nonmetastatic mouse with metastatic human melanoma cells, the metastatic phenotype predominates. The purpose of this study was to identify human chromosome(s) which could be responsible for conferring metastatic potential upon nonmetastatic mouse melanoma cells and therefore harbor the genes important for the metastatic properties of human melanoma cells. Seven mouse-human melanoma hybrids were examined; five were derived from the fusion of nonmetastatic (C19) and metastatic (C3) mouse K-1735 melanoma clones with highly metastatic clone (C15) of human melanoma A375 and the two others had as a human partner a nonmetastatic clone (Cls) of the A375 melanoma. The hybrids were examined during segregation of human chromosomes in vitro and in vivo for metastatic properties in nude mice and for the retaining human chromosomes. In the hybrid H7, which demonstrated the highest metastatic potential, the presence of human chromosomes was studied by GTG-banding and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. In the other hybrids, only FISH detection of human chromosomes was applied. All hybrids derived from nonmetastatic mouse and metastatic human melanoma cells demonstrated metastatic properties from early passages, when they contained the majority of the human chromosomes. Their metastatic phenotype remained stable during further segregation of most of the human chromosomes except for 17. Chromosome 17 was retained most consistently in all examined hybrids. However, the metastatic phenotype of the hybrids was associated only with the presence of chromosome 17 from the metastatic human donor cells. This chromosome was also found in almost 100% of cells recovered from lung metastases derived from the hybrid cells. In one lung metastasis developed from the H7 hybrid, chromosome 17 was detected as the sole human chromosome and these cells preserved the acquired high metastatic properties. Based on these results we conclude that human chromosome 17 from metastatic melanoma cells (A375 C15), when functional in the mouse genetic background, can be sufficient to render the recipient nonmetastatic mouse cells to a fully malignant phenotype. Additional data suggest that this ability might be related to the expression of the mutated human p53 gene.

Three siblings with Harlequin Ichthyosis in an Indian family

The Harlequin fetus is a distinct genetic entity with a strikingly grotesque appearance. Three siblings (two males, one female) with Harlequin Ichthyosis, a rare form of congenital disorder, born to the same parents are presented. The genetic aspects are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Non-random primary and secondary chromosomal abnormalities in human gastric cancers

By using Giemsa-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques, we have been able to identify primary and secondary cytogenetic abnormalities in four gastric tumors at different stages of development. Structural and numerical abnormalities were present in all four gastric tumors in chromosomes 3, 7, 11, and X. Other abnormalities involving chromosomes 1, 5, 6, 8, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 22 were observed, but only in three advanced gastric tumors, suggesting that these were secondary/tertiary genetic defects. Based on these results it was possible for us to decipher primary and secondary genetic abnormalities in these four gastric tumors.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis in blood lymphocytes of lung cancer patients

Genetic predisposition to lung cancer was determined by observing nonrandom chromosomal alterations in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of lung cancer patients. The histological distribution of the cases showed that chromosomes 7 and 9 were frequently altered in squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) patients. We analyzed PBLs of 26 SCLC patients and 5 controls using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with whole chromosome painting probes of chromosomes 7 and 9 to further investigate the frequency of rearrangements in these chromosomes. Our results suggested that seeking nonrandom aberrations in larger numbers of cells using FISH strengthened our previous observation of mosaicism and involvement of specific chromosomes in lung cancer patients. On combining our previous data, aberrations in chromosome 7 (16 of 26 patients), chromosome 9 (14 of 26), and the present study, we could actually pinpoint more individuals with abnormalities of chromosome 7 (23 of 26) and chromosome 9 (21 of 26). Thus, analyzing more cells in PBLs and adding FISH analysis serve as useful adjuncts to our studies of nonrandom chromosomal aberrations and genetic mosaicicm.

Predominance of the metastatic phenotype in hybrids formed by fusion of mouse and human melanoma clones

The fusion of mouse and human melanoma cells that were tumorigenic but had different metastatic capabilities resulted in hybrids that were metastatic when injected intravenously or subcutaneously into nude mice, regardless of whether it was the mouse or the human melanoma clone that was metastatic. The H7 hybrid line, formed by fusing murine nonmetastatic K1735 C19 cells with human metastatic A375 C15 cells retained high metastatic potential over more than 50 sub-culture passages, suggesting that the dominant metastatic phenotype in these hybrid cells was stable. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), human chromosome 17 was consistently identified as the predominant human chromosome in the majority of H7 cells tested between passages 20 and 60. Western blot analysis showed that the hybrid cells expressed human nm23 protein, indicating that at least one gene on the human chromosome 17 was functional. Immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation showed that the metastatic A375 C15 and H7 cells expressed p53 protein, but that the nonmetastatic K1735 C19 melanoma cells did not. Sequencing the human p53 gene in A375 C15N and H7 showed mutations in exon 7. Using a bioassay technique, we showed that K1735 C19 cells can spread from subcutaneous tumors to the lungs of nude mice yet fail to form metastases. With the addition of human chromosome 17 from A375 C15 cells, which carries a mutant p53 gene, the cells readily formed lung metastases. In this melanoma hybrid, a mutant p53 gene appears to confer a survival advantage on cells arrested in the lungs of nude mice and thus contributes to the growth of metastatic cells.

Sex chromosome abnormalities in lung cancer patients

Chromosomal analyses of lymphocytes from lung cancer patients and normal subjects revealed that the X and the Y chromosomes have both structural and numerical abnormalities in higher frequency in patients compared to the controls. These abnormalities included chromatid/isochromatid breaks, translocations, ring formation, and selective nondisjunctions, resulting in multisomies of either the X or Y chromosomes. Possible significance of these genetic abnormalities are discussed in relation to lung cancer patients.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, MDAPanc-28, with features of both acinar and ductal cells

CONCLUSION

We established a new human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, MDAPanc-28. Studies on this new line indicate that it expressed both acinar and ductal gene products suggesting that the patterns of gene expression in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma from which this cell line arose have features similar to those of the protodifferentiated cells hypothesized by Rutter and his colleagues for the developing pancreas (1,2).

BACKGROUND

The cell line arose from a tumor that, like most pancreatic adenocarcinomas, was ductal on the basis of its histological appearance.

METHODS

Once the cell line was established in culture, they were subjected to cytogenetic analysis and tested for their ability to grow in nude mice. RNA from the cells was analyzed by Northern blot analysis and PCR of reverse transcribed cDNA for the expression of both acinar and duct cell gene products. DNA was analyzed for the presence of mutated K-ras at codon 12.

RESULTS

The cell line expressed trypsin and ribonuclease RNA, which are considered to be acinar cell markers, and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), which is considered to be a duct-cell markers. The histological appearance of xenografts in nude mice was similar to that of the tumor from which the cell line was established. The chromosome number varied between 46 and 60.

Ag-NOR studies in a human lymphocyte culture: are variants localized to specific chromosomes?

The genomic activity and polymorphisms of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were studied in an individual with routinely used AgNO3 and Q-banding techniques. The results demonstrate that (a) the mean number of NORs per metaphase spread was 7.4, (b) chromosomes 14, 13, 15, and 21 showed variations of Ag-NOR in decreasing order, (c) chromosome 22 did not show a polymorphism in any cell examined, and (d) both chromosomes 14 showed silver staining in most cells. Unlike many earlier reports indicating that NOR variants were constitutional in each individual, our present case represented a mosaic pattern of polymorphism involving most of the D- and G-group chromosomes.

Integrin-mediated entry into S phase of human gastric adenocarcinoma cells

The integrins are a family of integral membrane receptors that participate in binding to various extracellular and cell surface proteins during adhesion, migration, and homing of normal and neoplastic cells. In this study, we characterized the involvement of integrins in mediating the growth of an adhesion-dependent gastric adenocarcinoma line, ST2. This line was distinguished and selected for study based on its inability to grow when suspended in soft agar or plated on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-coated dishes. ST2 cells arrested in G0/G1 of the cell cycle when deprived of adhesion to substrate. Using purified matrix components, collagen was found to be highly active in promoting beta 1 integrin-mediated cell attachment and spreading. Subsequent to spreading on collagen, the cells were released from G0/G1 block and progressed into S phase. Monoclonal antibodies to alpha 2 or beta 1 integrin blocked the reinduction of both cell spreading and entry into S phase. These studies suggest that during the metastatic process, integrin receptor interaction with the insoluble matrix may be an important step leading to proliferation of some tumors.

Isolation and characterization of metastatic variants from human transitional cell carcinoma passaged by orthotopic implantation in athymic nude mice

PURPOSE

These studies were designed to develop an orthotopic model for human bladder cancer and to isolate variant metastatic cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The human bladder cancer cell line 253J was implanted into the muscular wall of the bladder of athymic nude mice. By in vivo recycling, we selected for 2 variant cell lines: 253J B-V, a bladder line isolated after 5 serial passages in the bladder, and 253J lung-IV, established from a lung tumor nodule that was recycled through the bladder.

RESULTS

These 2 cell lines showed enhanced tumorigenicity, as measured by a decreased latent period, and rapid growth as compared with the parental cell line. Moreover, orthotopic implantation of these cell lines resulted in metastasis to the lungs. These in vivo-selected, metastatic cell lines exhibited unique karyotypic alterations, increased anchorage-independent growth, overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor, altered expression of adhesion molecules and the ability to migrate through Matrigel.

CONCLUSIONS

This reproducible model of human bladder cancer offers the opportunity to study cellular properties associated with tumor progression and metastasis and is suitable for the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies for invasive bladder cancer.

Isolation and characterization of metastatic variants from human transitional cell carcinoma passaged by orthotopic implantation in athymic nude mice

PURPOSE

These studies were designed to develop an orthotopic model for human bladder cancer and to isolate variant metastatic cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The human bladder cancer cell line 253J was implanted into the muscular wall of the bladder of athymic nude mice. By in vivo recycling, we selected for 2 variant cell lines: 253J B-V, a bladder line isolated after 5 serial passages in the bladder, and 253J lung-IV, established from a lung tumor nodule that was recycled through the bladder.

RESULTS

These 2 cell lines showed enhanced tumorigenicity, as measured by a decreased latent period, and rapid growth as compared with the parental cell line. Moreover, orthotopic implantation of these cell lines resulted in metastasis to the lungs. These in vivo-selected, metastatic cell lines exhibited unique karyotypic alterations, increased anchorage-independent growth, overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor, altered expression of adhesion molecules and the ability to migrate through Matrigel.

CONCLUSIONS

This reproducible model of human bladder cancer offers the opportunity to study cellular properties associated with tumor progression and metastasis and is suitable for the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies for invasive bladder cancer.

Genetic susceptibility to lung cancer as determined by lymphocytic chromosome analysis

Chromosomal anomalies were analyzed in the lymphocyte cultures among 96 untreated lung cancer patients and 74 clinically normal comparison subjects. The analysis revealed that >15% of the lung cancer patients showed structural or numerical rearrangements in chromosomes 1,3,5,7,9,12,14, and 21. A case control comparison showed that these aberrations were significantly higher in chromosome 7 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14 and 4.82], chromosome 9 (OR = 2.61; 95% CI, 1.27 and 5.48), chromosome 12 (OR = 4.10; 95% CI, 1.40 and 14.54), and chromosome 21 (OR = 7.75; 95% CI, 1.73 and 70.80) of the patients than in the controls. However, only chromosome 9 (OR = 3.57; 95% CI, 1.33 and 9.46) and chromosome 21 (OR = 6.94; 95% CI, 3.15 and 9.98) retained significance after stratifying on smoking status. Among the lung cancer patients, the breakpoints cluster in specific regions of some of these chromosomes. These regions are 1p13-q21, 3q21-q13, 7p12-q12, 7q12-q12,7q22, 7q32, 9p13-q13, 12p13, 14q11, and 14q32. The distribution of lung cancer patients, according to histological types, showed that aberrations in chromosomes 1,7, and 9 dominated the scenario of chromosomal changes in non-small cell lung carcinomas. Thus, the data on lymphocytic chromosomal rearrangements in lung cancer patients not only indicate the importance of specific genetic changes in the etiology of lung cancer but also emphasizes the putative role of such analysis in determining primary genetic abnormalities in the large heterogeneous group of lung cancers.

Timely administration of extract of Ferula jaeschkeana causes luteolysis in the ovary of cyclic guineapig

Effect of hexane extract of Ferula jaeschkeana has been studied on corpora lutea of adult cyclic guinea-pigs. Administration of extract showed duration dependent luteolytic changes in the corpora lutea. Its administration for first three days from the onset of estrus caused significant decrease in the diameter of corpora lutea in the ovary at day 10 of cycle. Ovarian wet weight, proteins and glycogen contents were decreased while the activity of acid phosphatase in the ovary was increased. These luteolytic changes in the ovary have also been observed in the histological findings. Administration of extract for other durations (4-6, 7-9 or 10-12 of cycle) did not cause any change at 10th and 16th day.

Regulation of the ribosomal-RNA gene-expression in fibroblasts isolated from different human or murine tissues

Ag-NOR stainings of the fibroblastic cultures derived from skin, lung and kidney of mice and humans have shown differential regulation of rRNA gene expression. Ag-NOR activities were found to be highest in the fibroblasts derived from the lung and the lowest in the skin-derived metaphases from both mice and humans and they were intermediate in the fibroblasts of kidney from both these species. Our observations indicate further that fibroblasts derived from different tissues are different not only in producing organ-specific growth factors but also in differential expression of ribosomal cistrons. This difference can also explain why orthotopic implantation of human tumor cells into nude mice is preferential compared with ectopic implantation in tumor take and metastasis.

Chromosomal markers associated with metastasis in two colon cancer cell lines established from the same patient

The purpose of this study was to identify specific chromosomal abnormalities that might be involved in colon cancer metastasis. For this reason, we performed extensive karyotypic analysis on two colon cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW620) established from two surgical biopsies taken at different intervals and representing different stages of the disease from the same patient. Despite the karyotypic heterogeneity, several marker chromosomes were shared between the two cell lines, indicating their common origin. We hypothesized that these shared chromosomal aberrations might be critical for the continuous growth of the tumor cells and, therefore, were retained through progression of the disease. Duplication of 16q and new or additional structural chromosomal abnormalities involving breakpoints 3p21, 8p11, 10q25, 13q14, 14q11 and 15q15 were observed as the characteristic anomalies only in the SW620 cell line. As SW620 was established from the abdominal metastatic lesion of the patient, we postulated that the acquisition of these new markers in the progression steps of the primary tumor might represent "hot-spots" that possibly contain genes crucial for metastatic potential in colon cancer.

Multiple specific chromosomal alterations in a rat ascitic histiocytoma 'AK-5'

In the rat ascitic histiocytoma, AK-5, chromosome numbers vary between 33 and 41 with a peak at 40 chromosomes. None of the metaphase spreads showed double minute chromosomes. The karyotype of this tumor was characterized by hypodiploid chromosome constitution. Giemsa banding analysis revealed 12 clonal marker chromosomes (M1-M12). Tentative identification of these markers were: M1 = ins(1q); M2 = t(5;?); M3 = t(8;10); M4 = t(8;?); M5 = t(10;X); M6 - t(15;?); M7 = t(5;6); M8 = del(13p); M9-M12 = unidentified. M3 being a large near metacentric chromosome serves as a characteristic marker for this tumor. All marker chromosomes except M2 and M4 were present in single copy per cell. In some metaphases M2 was present in 2 copies while M4 was present in 2 or 3 copies per cell. The total cell cycle duration of AK-5 cells was 15.5 h and the different phases, G1, S, G2 + M were estimated as 1.2, 12.2, and 2 h, respectively.

Chromosome end associations, telomeres and telomerase activity in ataxia telangiectasia cells

Cells derived from individuals with ataxia telangiectasia (AT) show enhanced spontaneous levels of chromosomal abnormalities and are sensitive to ionizing radiations and radiomimetic drugs, as evidenced by decreased survival and increased chromosome aberration frequencies at mitosis when compared with normal cell lines. The higher base line frequencies of chromosome aberrations in part involve chromosome end-to-end associations as seen at metaphase. Since telomeres of tumor cells and aging tissues are often reduced in length, chromosome end associations may be due to loss of telomeric repeats. We studied the chromosome behavior and telomeres of two ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cell lines compared to two normal control cell lines. The ataxia telangiectasia cell lines showed higher frequencies of chromosome end associations both at metaphase and in interphase, determined in prematurely condensed chromosomes of G1 and G2 cells. They also showed higher frequencies of chromosomal breaks at metaphase and fewer telomeric signals determined using fluorescent in situ hybridization with a (TTAGGG)n probe. The frequency of telomeric repeats was variable in the ataxia telangiectasia cell lines (4.3 and 8.2 kb) compared to the normal cell lines (9.6 and 12 kb) and an inverse correlation between telomere length and chromosome end associations was observed. Both ataxia telangiectasia cell lines showed more robust telomerase activity than the normal cell lines, precluding defective enzymatic capacity as the basis for the chromosome end associations. It is possible that chromatin structure in the form of telomere-nuclear matrix interactions are variant in ataxia telangiectasia cells negatively influencing telomerase function and contributing to telomere associations.

Clonal evolution of an immunoblastic type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with der(6)t(1;6)(q11;p11) as its primary cytogenetic abnormality

Recurrent pleural effusions from a 45-year-old man who was diagnosed as having non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of immunoblastic type were studied cytogenetically. The majority of the metaphases were tetraploid, but there were also lymphoma cells observed with pseudodiploid chromosome constitutions. Cytogenetic analysis by G-banding revealed the existence of at least two cell populations. The karyotype of the minor pseudodiploid clone, which exhibited partial trisomy of 1q11qter and monosomy of 6p11pter as sole abnormalities, was 46,XY,der(6)t(1;6)(q11;p11). The karyotype of the major clone was 92,XXYY,-1,der(6)t(1;6)(q11;p11)x2, +9. The ancestral diploid clone, carrier of the balanced translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 6, was not observed even in the first pleural effusion harvest. The high proportion of tetraploid cells in the recurrent effusions was an indication that these cells were favorably selected in the environment of the somatic cavity. Our cytogenetic findings suggest that partial trisomy of 1q may be a crucial secondary chromosomal abnormality in highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This genetic imbalance was predetermined from the primary abnormality and may be responsible for further tumor progression, as suggested from the clonal evolution in this particular case and, therefore, may be associated with the aggressive biologic behavior of malignant cells.