OS01.7.A Detection of methylation-based prognostic signatures in liquid biopsy specimens from patients with meningiomas

Background

Detection of distinct epigenetic biomarkers in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of liquid biopsy (LB) specimens (e.g. blood) fosters opportunity for prognostication of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and has not been thoroughly explored in patients with meningiomas.

Material and Methods

We profiled the cfDNA methylome (EPIC array) in serum specimens from patients with meningiomas (MNG; n= 63) and harnessed internal and external meningioma tissue methylome data with reported follow up (n=48). To predict recurrence risk (RR), we consolidated a tissue cohort with at least 5 years of follow up and divided them into confirmed recurrence (CR; either reported progressive disease in post-surgical imaging, or additional resections following initial surgery) and confirmed no-recurrence (CNR: no confirmed disease progression w/in at least 5-years of follow-up). Then through application of an iterative process consisting of multiple tissue- and serum-based supervised analyses, we identified risk-specific methylation markers with serum specific features which, when inputted into a random forest algorithm allowed for segregation of both tumor tissue and liquid biopsy specimens according to recurrence risk. We estimated immune cell composition using MethylCIBERSORT, where a reference methylome atlas of chosen immune cell types was utilized to deconvolute the MNG samples.

Results

The resulting recurrence risk classifier demonstrated an appreciable predictive power in classifying samples as high or low recurrence risk across the tumor tissue cohort (ACC: 87.5%, CUI+: 85.2%). When compared to another classifier, our model demonstrated statistically significant agreement across primary meningioma samples (κ=0.269, p=0.002), and more accurately predicted samples to recur across an expanded time window (time to recurrence >5yrs). Across resulting liquid biopsy classifications, recurrence risk subgroups were analogous with reported risk factors, including WHO grade, extent of resection, and tumor location. Recurrence risk subgroups (high and low) also demonstrated differential estimated immune cell contributions, with low-risk samples exhibiting a “hot” profile, or enrichment of B-Cells, CD56- and CD4 T-Cells, and natural killer cells. Notably, the estimated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, previously purported to be relevant to tumor prognosis, was appreciably higher for those meningioma samples with the highest recurrence risk.

Conclusion

DNA methylation markers identified in the serum are suitable for the development of machine learning-based models which present high predictive power to prognosticate patients with meningioma and estimate a differential immune profile across recurrence risk groups. After validation in an external cohort, this noninvasive approach may improve the presurgical therapeutic management of patients with meningiomas.

OS1.5 Detection of glioma and prognostic subtypes by non-invasive circulating cell-free DNA methylation markers

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling has shown that epigenetic abnormalities are biologically important in glioma and can be used to classify these tumors into distinct prognostic groups. Thus far, DNA profiling has required surgically resected glioma tissue; however, gliomas release tumoral material into biofluids providing an opportunity for a minimally invasive testing. While prior studies have shown that molecular markers can be detected in liquid biopsy (LB), there has been low sensitivity for tumor-specific markers. We hypothesize that the low sensitivity is due to the targeted assay methods. METHODS: Genome-wide CpG methylation levels in DNA of tumor tissue and cell-free DNA serum of glioma patients. RESULTS: We defined glioma-specific and IDH-specific epigenetic LB (eLB) signatures (Glioma-eLB and IDH-eLB, respectively) from serum cell-free DNA from patients diagnosed with glioma (N=15 IDH mutant and N=7 IDH wildtype) and with epilepsy (N=3). The epigenetic profiles of the matched tissue demonstrate that these eLB signatures reflected the signature of the tumor. Through cross-validation we show that Glioma-eLB can accurately predict a patient’s glioma from those with other neoplasias (N=6 Colon; N=14 Pituitary; N=3 Breast; N=4 Lung), non-neoplastic immunological conditions (N=22 sepsis; N=9 pancreatic islet transplantation), and from healthy individuals (sensitivity: 98%; specificity: 99%). Finally, IDH-eLB includes promoter methylated markers associated with genes known to be involved in glioma tumorigenesis (PVT1 and CXCR6). CONCLUSIONS: The application of the non-invasive eLB signature discovered in this study has the potential to complement the standard of care for patients harboring glioma.

This project is supported by the Henry Ford Health System, Department of Neurosurgery and the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center Foundation (A30935), United States National Institutes of Health (R01CA222146), and United States Department of Defense (CA170278)

P11.54 Identification of PDGFRA and MYC(N) as somatic driver genes in Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Somatic oncogene amplification happens frequently in glioblastoma (GBM). The second most frequently amplified gene encoding receptor tyrosine kinases in GBMs is platelet derived growth factor alpha (PDGFRA) (15%). In contrast, MYC and MYCN amplification occurs in 1.6% and 2.9%, respectively. Our goal was to characterize the role of PDGFRɑ and Myc in GBM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Neurosphere cultures were implanted in cohorts of 10–15 nude mice. 5 PDX lines, presenting median survival of 29–59 days were classified as short survivors, and 5 lines with median survival between 104–134 days classified as long survivors. Total RNA was extracted from PDX terminal tumors (3 biological replicates) and sequenced in a paired-end read format. Mouse reads were filtered out using Xenome. MYC and PDGFRA expression patterns were analyzed in tissue microarrays representing duplicated samples from 40 glioma neurosphere-derived PDX lines by IHC (1 anaplastic oligodendroglioma, 8 recurrent GBM with 2 newly diagnosed/recurrent pairs). Normalized staining intensity (MI) and area (A) were quantified using Fiji/ImageJ.

RESULTS

PDGFRA, MYC, MYCN gene amplifications were represented in a molecularly diverse panel of GBM patient-derived cancer stem-like cells (CSC) and orthotopic mouse xenografts (PDX). Transforming to a normal distribution (log10), 4/13 of cell lines had a PDGFRA mRNA expression (RPKM) higher than 1.5. Similarly, one PDX line had a staining index of greater than 10, 11 (27.5%) had an index between 5–10. The range of intra-tumoral variance, represented by standard deviation, was 0.09–24.25 highlighting the heterogeneity of PDGFRɑ expression. PDGFRɑ phosphorylation (Y754) did not differ between 8 cell lines cultured in NMGF, but deviated in alternate medias without growth factors, supplemented with FBS. In comparison, MYC(N) mRNA expression is only elevated in the context of a known amplification. Furthermore, a a MYC activity signature consisting of 18 target genes was only evident in the 5 amplified CSC lines. Taking advantage of genomic heterogeneity, we have isolated subclones lacking PDGFRA amplification from a PDGFRA amplified GBM CSC. The absence of PDGFRA amplification reduced the self-renewal potential to 37% of the PDGFRA amplified cell population (p=0.001) in clone 1 and 57% in clone 2 (p=0.013). Pertaining to determinants of in vivo survival, MYC was altered in 80% of short survivors (2/5 MYC, 2/5 MYCN amplification) and in 0% of long survivors. Myc signature was highly correlated with in vivo survival (Pearsons’ corr. = -0.77) and MYC gene expression was correlated with in vivo TMZ resistance (corr. = 0.7).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that PDGFRɑ expression and activity can occur in the absence of gene amplification, while Myc activity is dependent on gene amplification. Both oncogenes drive oncogenic pathways that should be explored as therapeutic targets.

Abstract P3-16-01: Using the new pan-cancer clinical data resource (TCGA-CDR) to identify breast cancer genomic correlates associating with different survival outcome endpoints

Introduction The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) generated abundant high quality molecular data, however its relatively short-term patient follow-up limited its immediate clinical utility. We led a PanCanAtlas effort to systematically collate, integrate, and quality check the large body of acquired clinicopathologic data, generated 4 primary clinical outcome endpoints for each case, and created a new Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource (TCGA-CDR) for public use. We report here on the utility and validity of this TCGA-CDR in relating breast cancer (BC) genomic information to survival endpoints.

Methods Clinicopathologic data from all data files were integrated and processed. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS, an approximation), progression-free interval (PFI), and disease-free interval (DFI)were derived.Tests of the adequacy of the follow-up intervals for each endpoint were performed, and quality evaluation of these endpoints was established by their comparison with different clinical features. As a case study we compared each survival endpoint for significant association (FDR <0.2) with chromosomal aneuploidy.

Results The 4 endpoints were derived for 1097 TCGA BC cases having a median follow-up time of 27.7 months. Median times to events/censorship for OS, DSS, PFI, and DFI were 41.8/25.0, 32.6/26.0, 26.0/25.0, and 25.4/25.0 months respectively. PFI and DFI passed tests for adequate follow-up times; OS and DSS partially passed the same tests signaling some caution with their use in genomic associations.

Using the endpoints, outcomes of patients with ER+ and ER- tumors were compared, along with those of patients with low (I&II) and high (III&IV) stage breast tumors. Univariate analyses suggested patients with ER+ tumors had significantly better survival than patients with ER- tumors when using PFI (p=0.005), DFI (p=0.001), and DSS (p=0.009), with OS not reaching significance (p=0.09). Patients with low stage tumors showed significantly better outcomes than patients with high stage tumors for each endpoint (p<0.001). The 4 endpoints were also evaluated for their significant associations with chromosomal arm aneuploidy. Adjusted for patient age and AJCC stage, tumors with a loss of 8q and 8p (p=0.019, FDR=0.37) had worse PFI; and those with loss of 8q, 20q, and 8p had worse DFI. Tumors with gain of 11q or loss of 14, 7q, 12q, 18q, 20q, 3p, 7p, 8p, 18p, and 20p had worse OS. In contrast, tumors with loss of 16q had better DSS, while those with loss of 3q, 12q, 17q, 18q, 19q, 20q, 3p, 8p, 12p, 18p, 19p, and 20p had worse DSS. The finding that 8p loss associated with worse survival for all 4 endpoints, while 18p loss associated with worse OS and DSS, agrees with literature reports.

Conclusion These findings confirm that PFI and DFI, as extracted from the TCGA-CDR, are valid and appropriate BC survival endpoints, while OS and DSS may be recommended with some caution when employing TCGA data to evaluate new relationships between breast cancer genomic abnormalities and clinical outcomes.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, the Department of Defense, or U.S. Government.

Citation Format: Liu J, Lichtenberg T, Hoadley KA, Cherniack A, Poisson L, Kovatich AJ, Benz C, Thorsson V, TCGA PanCanAtlas Research Network, Shriver CD, Hu H. Using the new pan-cancer clinical data resource (TCGA-CDR) to identify breast cancer genomic correlates associating with different survival outcome endpoints [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-16-01.

A HElium NanoDroplet Isolation (HENDI) investigation of the weak hydrogen bonding in the propyne dimer (CH3CCH)2

A HElium Nanodroplet Isolation (HENDI) experiment was performed to explore the absorption spectra of the propyne monomer (CH₃CCH), dimer and (CH₃CCH)_≥3 multimers in the vicinity of the CH stretch region ν₁ of the monomer.

Dynamics of acetylene dimers hosted in helium droplets

The CH antisymmetric stretch of the C₂H₂ moieties in acetylene dimers was explored over the range 3270–3290 cm⁻¹ using the helium nanodroplet isolation (HENDI) technique.

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of the benzyl radical

We present a joint experimental and computational study of the nonradiative deactivation of the benzyl radical, C₇H₇, after UV excitation. Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging was applied to investigate the photodynamics of the radical. The experiments were accompanied by excited state dynamics simulations using surface hopping. Benzyl has been excited at 265 nm into the D-band (ππ*) and the dynamics was probed using probe wavelengths of 398 nm or 798 nm. At a probe wavelength of 398 nm a single time constant of around 70-80 fs was observed. When the dynamics was probed at 798 nm, a second time constant τ₂ = 1.5 ps was visible, which can be attributed to further non-radiative deactivation to the lower-lying D₁/D₂ states.

Large amplitude motion of the acetylene molecule within acetylene-neon complexes hosted in helium droplets

Superfluid helium droplets provide an ideal environment for spectroscopic studies with rotational resolution. Nevertheless, the molecular rotation is hindered because the embedded molecules are surrounded by a non-superfluid component. The present work explores the dynamical role of this component in the hindered rotation of C2H2 within the C2H2-Ne complex. A HENDI experiment was built and near-infrared spectroscopy of C2H2-Ne and C2H2 was performed in the spectral region overlapping the ν3/ν2 + ν4 + ν5 Fermi-type resonance of C2H2. The comparison between measured and simulated spectra helped to address the above issue.

Multipronged mapping to the dynamics of a barium atom deposited on argon clusters

Dynamics of an electronically excited Ba atom at the surface of an Ar_≈500 cluster in a nanosecond frequency-resolved and femtosecond time-resolved multipronged approach.

Spectroscopy and Dynamics of K Atoms on Argon Clusters

We present a combined experimental and simulation study of the 4s → 4p photoexcitation of the K atom trapped at the surface of ArN clusters made of a few hundred Ar atoms. Our experimental method based on photoelectron spectroscopy allows us to firmly establish that one single K atom is trapped at the surface of the cluster. The absorption spectrum is characterized by the splitting of the atomic absorption line into two broad bands, a Π band associated with p orbitals parallel to the cluster surface and a Σ band associated with the perpendicular orientation. The spectrum is consistent with observations reported for K atoms trapped on lighter inert gas clusters, but the splitting between the Π and Σ bands is significantly larger. We show that a large amount of K atoms are transiently stuck and eventually lost by the Ar cluster, in contrast with previous observations reported for alkaline earth metal systems. The excitation in the Σ band leads systematically to the ejection of the K atom from the Ar cluster. On the contrary, excitation in the Π band leads to the formation of a bound state. In this case, the analysis of the experimental photoelectron spectrum by means of nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation shows that the relaxation drives the system toward a basin where the coordination of the K atom is 2.2 Ar atoms on the average, in a poorly structured surface.

Reactive and Inelastic Channels in the Ca*···FCH3 Transition State: A Simple Branching Mechanism

To study the excited state dynamics between a calcium atom and the CH3F molecule, a Ca···CH3F 1:1 complex has been prepared by a supersonic expansion with laser ablation of calcium metal in the gas phase. Tunable laser excitation of these complexes in molecular states correlating to Ca (1)P1(4s4p) + CH3F allows observing two competitive channels: the direct dissociation and the reactive channel into CaF* + CH3. The translational recoil, as well as the alignment of the fragments Ca* and CaF* have been analyzed by velocity map imaging and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This revealed that both the dissociation and reaction processes are quasi direct and are of comparable intensity. We provide a simple interpretation for this process: the electronically excited potential surface of the Ca*···FCH3 complex initiates a fast predissociation from a suspended well to two repulsive surfaces that lead either to Ca (1)P1(4s4p) (Ω = 1) + CH3F or to CaF((2)Δ) + CH3.

VUV photoionization and dissociative photoionization of the prebiotic molecule acetyl cyanide: theory and experiment

The present combined theoretical and experimental investigation concerns the single photoionization of gas-phase acetyl cyanide and the fragmentation pathways of the resulting cation. Acetyl cyanide (AC) is inspired from both the chemistry of cyanoacetylene and the Strecker reaction which are thought to be at the origin of medium sized prebiotic molecules in the interstellar medium. AC can be formed by reaction from cyanoacetylene and water but also from acetaldehyde and HCN or the corresponding radicals. In view of the interpretation of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) experimental data obtained using synchrotron radiation, we explored the ground potential energy surface (PES) of acetyl cyanide and of its cation using standard and recently implemented explicitly correlated methodologies. Our PES covers the regions of tautomerism (between keto and enol forms) and of the lowest fragmentation channels. This allowed us to deduce accurate thermochemical data for this astrobiologically relevant molecule. Unimolecular decomposition of the AC cation turns out to be very complex. The implications for the evolution of prebiotic molecules under VUV irradiation are discussed.

Coupled electronic and structural relaxation pathways in the postexcitation dynamics of Rydberg states of BaArN clusters

We investigate, theoretically, the joint relaxation of orbital and structure in postexcitation dynamics of Rydberg states of cluster BaArN (N=250). Mixed quantum-classical dynamics is used to account for the nonadiabatic transitions among more than 160 electronic states, represented via a diatomics-in-molecules Hamiltonian. The simulation illustrates the complex multistep relaxation processes and provides detailed insight in the mechanisms contributing to the final-time experimental photoelectron spectrum.

State-selected unimolecular decomposition of δ-valerolactam+ and δ-valerolactam2+ cations: theory and experiment

The near threshold photofragmentation pattern of δ-valerolactam(+) and δ-valerolactam(2)(+) has been recorded combining electron/ion coincidence techniques and vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation. The experimental method yields the fragment intensity as a function of the internal energy deposited into the parent cation, up to 3.1 eV above the first ionization threshold. In parallel, ab initio studies on the δ-valerolactam(+) and δ-valerolactam(2)(+) cations and their ionic and neutral fragmentation products have been performed with the aim of determining the isomers of the ionic products observed experimentally as well as of their neutral counterparts. These computations were performed using the PBE0 exchange-correlation functional and the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. We found good agreement between the calculated reaction enthalpies and experimental appearance energies of the ions. More generally, our experimental and theoretical results reveal that the fragmentation of the ionic species of interest leads to a multitude of neutral and ionic fragments, which may be formed after intramolecular isomerization and complex decomposition processes. Multistep reaction pathways are expected.

Correlation of perfusion parameters with genes related to angiogenesis regulation in glioblastoma: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Integration of imaging and genomic data is critical for a better understanding of gliomas, particularly considering the increasing focus on the use of imaging biomarkers for patient survival and treatment response. The purpose of this study was to correlate CBV and PS measured by using PCT with the genes regulating angiogenesis in GBM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen patients with WHO grade IV gliomas underwent pretreatment PCT and measurement of CBV and PS values from enhancing tumor. Tumor specimens were analyzed by TCGA by using Human Gene Expression Microarrays and were interrogated for correlation between CBV and PS estimates across the genome. We used the GO biologic process pathways for angiogenesis regulation to select genes of interest.

RESULTS

We observed expression levels for 92 angiogenesis-associated genes (332 probes), 19 of which had significant correlation with PS and 9 of which had significant correlation with CBV (P < .05). Proangiogenic genes such as TNFRSF1A (PS = 0.53, P = .024), HIF1A (PS = 0.62, P = .0065), KDR (CBV = 0.60, P = .0084; PS = 0.59, P = .0097), TIE1 (CBV = 0.54, P = .022; PS = 0.49, P = .039), and TIE2/TEK (CBV = 0.58, P = .012) showed a significant positive correlation; whereas antiangiogenic genes such as VASH2 (PS = -0.72, P = .00011) showed a significant inverse correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings are provocative, with some of the proangiogenic genes showing a positive correlation and some of the antiangiogenic genes showing an inverse correlation with tumor perfusion parameters, suggesting a molecular basis for these imaging biomarkers; however, this should be confirmed in a larger patient population.

RGS18 is a myeloerythroid lineage-specific regulator of G-protein-signalling molecule highly expressed in megakaryocytes

Myelopoiesis and lymphopoiesis are controlled by haematopoietic growth factors, including cytokines, and chemokines that bind to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Regulators of G-protein signalling (RGSs) are a protein family that can act as GTPase-activating proteins for G(alphai)- and G(alphaq)-class proteins. We have identified a new member of the R4 subfamily of RGS proteins, RGS18. RGS18 contains clusters of hydrophobic and basic residues, which are characteristic of an amphipathic helix within its first 33 amino acids. RGS18 mRNA was most highly abundant in megakaryocytes, and was also detected specifically in haematopoietic progenitor and myeloerythroid lineage cells. RGS18 mRNA was not detected in cells of the lymphoid lineage. RGS18 was also highly expressed in mouse embryonic 15-day livers, livers being the principal organ for haematopoiesis at this stage of fetal development. RGS1, RGS2 and RGS16, other members of the R4 subfamily, were expressed in distinct progenitor and mature myeloerythroid and lymphoid lineage blood cells. RGS18 was shown to interact specifically with the G(alphai-3) subunit in membranes from K562 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of RGS18 inhibited mitogen-activated-protein kinase activation in HEK-293/chemokine receptor 2 cells treated with monocyte chemotactic protein-1. In yeast cells, RGS18 overexpression complemented a pheromone-sensitive phenotype caused by mutations in the endogeneous yeast RGS gene, SST2. These data demonstrated that RGS18 was expressed most highly in megakaryocytes, and can modulate GPCR pathways in both mammalian and yeast cells in vitro. Hence RGS18 might have an important role in the regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation and chemotaxis.

Docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters from Isochrysis galbana

In order to produce docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a culture of the microalgal strain Isochrysis galbana was implemented. In Erlenmeyer flasks, a natural seawater medium, the Provasoli 1/3 medium, was compared to the classical Jones medium for DHA production. The Provasoli 1/3 medium stimulated growth (0.44 d(-1)), but influenced DHA accumulation negatively (0.240 pg cell(-1)). However, DHA production per liter of culture medium were of the same order of magnitude with both media (0.961 mg l(-1)). In a 2-l bioreactor, DHA production per liter of culture medium did not increase significantly between 4 and 8 days of culture. With a view to optimize DHA productivity, cells should be harvested at the end of exponential phase i.e. after 4 days of culture. Two strategies were then attempted to produce DHA ethyl esters. First, lipids from I. galbana were submitted to lipase-catalyzed transesterification with ethanol. Secondly, fatty acids from I. galbana were submitted to lipase catalyzed esterification with ethanol. In both cases, lipase from Candida antarctica was shown to be the best candidate, among the five tested, with conversion yields of 20 and 60% after 24 h of transesterification and esterification respectively.

Tandem time-of-flight experiment for low energy collision studies

We present an experiment adapted to collisional studies of cluster ions based on a laser vaporization setup coupled to a supersonic expansion. The ions are selected in a first time-of-flight, slowed down to the desired energy, and collided in an octopolar guide. The parent and fragment ions are then reaccelerated in order to be mass analyzed in a reflectron time-of-flight. An original method for the extraction of the ion that uses a double voltage pulse, is proposed. The experiment has been applied to collisions of hydrated cobalt ions. An absolute cross section of 17 A2 for the loss of one water molecule by Co(H2O)2+ in collision with neon at a center-of-mass energy of 10 eV, has been determined, with an accuracy of 10%. The threshold for this reaction has been measured at 1.5 eV and is in good agreement with the existing literature (Dalleska et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 3519). Ions that cannot be formed by conventional ligand exchange methods, can also be studied. As an example, the threshold for dehydration of the Co2(H2O)+ ion has been measured at 1.5 +/- 0.2 eV.

Crucial role of the interleukin 1 receptor family member T1/ST2 in T helper cell type 2-mediated lung mucosal immune responses

T1/ST2 is an orphan receptor of unknown function that is expressed on the surface of murine T helper cell type 2 (Th2), but not Th1 effector cells. In vitro blockade of T1/ST2 signaling with an immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion protein suppresses both differentiation to and activation of Th2, but not Th1 effector populations. In a nascent Th2-dominated response, anti-T1/ST2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited eosinophil infiltration, interleukin 5 secretion, and IgE production. To determine if these effects were mediated by a direct effect on Th2 cells, we next used a murine adoptive transfer model of Th1- and Th2-mediated lung mucosal immune responses. Administration of either T1/ST2 mAb or T1/ST2-Ig abrogated Th2 cytokine production in vivo and the induction of an eosinophilic inflammatory response, but failed to modify Th1-mediated inflammation. Taken together, our data demonstrate an important role of T1/ST2 in Th2-mediated inflammatory responses and suggest that T1/ST2 may prove to be a novel target for the selective suppression of Th2 immune responses.

Multiple pigmented cutaneous papules associated with a novel canine papillomavirus in an immunosuppressed dog

Cutaneous papillomavirus infection was diagnosed in a 6-year-old female Boxer dog that was under long-term corticosteroid therapy for atopic dermatitis. Multiple black, rounded papules were present on the ventral skin. Spontaneous regression occurred within 3 weeks after cessation of corticosteroids. Histologically, the lesions consisted of well-demarcated cup-shaped foci of epidermal endophytic hyperplasia with marked parakeratosis. In the upper stratum spinosum and in the stratum granulosum, solitary or small collections of enlarged keratinocytes were observed with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies and a single eosinophilic fibrillar cytoplasmic inclusion. Ultrastructurally, viruslike particles (40-45 nm in diameter) were observed within the nucleus, free or aggregated in crystalline arrays. Undulating fibrillar material, thought to be a modified keratin protein, was observed in the cytoplasmic inclusion. Immunohistochemistry, restriction enzyme analysis, and molecular hybridization experiments indicated that these distinctive clinical, histologic, and cytologic features were associated with a novel canine papillomavirus.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression and sensitivity to diphteria fusion toxin DAB389IL-2 in cultured hematopoietic cells

The high-affinity interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor is a heterotrimer consisting of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. We examined the concentration of subunit mRNA for each of the three protein subunits on human hematopoietic cell lines, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and murine fibroblasts transfected with cDNAs encoding the human IL-2 receptor subunits. In most cultured hematopoietic cells, there was abundant gamma subunit message. In contrast, there was variable expression of both alpha and beta subunit message. Sensitivity of cells to the diphtheria fusion toxin DAB389IL-2 was not related to expression of any single IL-2 receptor subunit mRNA. Rather, the greatest sensitivity was observed for cells possessing all three subunit mRNAs. Cells displaying beta and gamma subunit mRNA showed a reduced but significant sensitivity to the fusion toxin. In contrast, cells with alpha and gamma subunit mRNA, but missing the beta subunit mRNA, were insensitive to DAB389IL-2. The data correlate with the requirement for an intermediate or a high-affinity receptor for cell intoxication. A critical concentration of the beta subunit may be required for toxin internalization and killing.

Measurement of intracellular pH in cultured cells by flow cytometry with BCECF-AM

This study evaluates the suitability of flow cytometry with the fluorochrome BCECF for measuring the intracellular pH (pHi) of cultured cells, and monitors the changes in pHi in murine hybridoma in batch culture and chick embryo fibroblast in monolayer culture (5th passage). The technique produced highly reproducible, repeatable results. The theoretical sensitivity from the calibration curve was 0.0004 pH units. But analysis of the standard deviation of the histogram of the green/red fluorescence ratios indicated a mean sensitivity of 0.08 (0.07-0.09) pH units. Interference due to cell size, fluorochrome incorporation and esterases were minimized by establishing a calibration curve with the cells whose pHi was to be measured using the 525/610 nm fluorescence ratio after excitation at 488 nm. The pHi of exponentially growing, batch cultured hybridomas was 7.50 at the start of culture. pHi increased during the exponential growth phase and dropped towards cell death. The pHi of the chick fibroblasts in monolayer culture was 7.30.

Natural killer cell response to regional lymph node metastases

A determination of natural killer cell activity was performed in 67 individuals with advanced head and neck cancer. The mean activity of 28 patients clinically staged T3 NO or T4 NO was 81 +/- 11 lytic units (LU), significantly higher than 39 patients with palpable lymph node metastases (54 +/- 5 LU). Assessing patients by extent of nodal disease revealed that activity actually increased, though not significantly, with progressive N-staging. A major determinate of increased natural killer cell cytotoxicity in patients with lymph node metastases was extranodal cancer within the neck. The mean activity of nine patients whose tumor was fixed to underlying structures or adherent to skin was 87 +/- 15 LU, significantly higher than the 45 +/- 4 LU mean value of the remaining patients with clinically determined regional nodal disease. The potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.