Optimization of the MB49 mouse bladder cancer model for adenoviral gene therapy

Bladder cancer is regarded as a promising candidate for innovative therapies in the field of immune and gene therapy. In this paper, we present the subcutaneous, metastatic and a novel orthotopic model of murine MB49 bladder cancer in C57BL/6 mice. We further show the potential of using adenoviral vectors together with different transduction enhancers to augment in vivo gene delivery. Finally, we present candidate genes for tumour detection, therapy or targeting.

The MB49 tumour grew rapidly in mice. The subcutaneous model allowed for tumour detection within a week and the possibility to monitor growth rate on a day-by-day basis. Injection of MB49 cells intravenously into the tail vein gave rise to lung metastases within 16 days, while instillation of tumour cells into pretreated bladders led to a survival time of 20–40 days. Adenoviral vectors can be used as a vehicle for gene transfer to the bladder. By far, the most potent transduction enhancer was Clorpactin, also known as oxychlorosene. Last, we show that MB49 cells express tumour-associated antigens like bladder cancer-4, prostate stem cell antigen and six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate.

Given the possibility for efficient genetic modification of the bladder and the presence of known tumour antigens, the MB49 models can be used in innovative ways to explore immunogene therapy.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of expressed prostatic secretions: Metabolite citrate and derivatives are potential markers of prostate cancer

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Background: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) along with a novel method for determining absolute concentrations of metabolites were utilized to analyze expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) from men with prostate cancer (PCa) and from healthy controls. Methods: Flash frozen EPS samples from 66 men (40 with PCa and 26 controls) were analyzed by high-resolution 1H-NMR spectroscopy using a Bruker 500 MHz DRX NMR spectrometer with a 1-mm microprobe. The total number of scans per fully relaxed 1H-NMR spectrum was n = 40 with water suppression. Absolute concentrations of endogenous metabolites (citrate, spermine, myo-inositol, lactate, alanine, phosphocholine, glutamate, acetate, hydroxybutyrate) were quantified using trimethylsilyl-propionic acid as an external standard reference. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression (LR) was used to model the risk of PCa based upon the levels of the measured metabolites. Results: The average age of the EPS donors was 54.7 ± 9.8 years. The median Gleason score for the men with PCa was 6 (range 5–9). The Wilcoxon rank sum test indicated that citrate, spermine, inositol, citrate/spermine, and citrate/lactate were all significant predictors of PCa (p < .001). The LR models indicated that the absolute concentration of citrate was highly predictive of PCa with lower concentrations resulting in a higher risk of cancer. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for citrate alone was 0.79 (95% CI 0.75–0.83). Using relative concentrations (metabolite ratios) in a two-variable LR model, citrate/spermine and citrate/lactate were also predictive of PCa with an AUROC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.71–0.81). Conclusions: The results suggest that absolute concentration of citrate and its derivatives in EPS as measured by NMRS have promising potential as accurate markers of prostate cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Human urinary bladder carcinomas express adenovirus attachment and internalization receptors

The use of adenoviral vectors as potent gene delivery systems requires expression of the Coxsackievirus/adenovirus receptor (CVADR) on the target cell surface. This receptor is important for virus attachment to the cell surface. For effective internalization of the vector into the target cell the integrins alpha(v)beta(3) and/or alpha(v)beta(5) are needed. Since there have been reports of loss of CVADR in bladder cancer cell lines, we wanted to investigate the expression of this receptor in bladder carcinoma biopsies. Surgical biopsies, as well as five human bladder cancer cell lines, were analyzed for expression of CVADR, the integrins alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) and MHC class I. Further, we studied the ability to transduce these cell lines using adenoviral vectors. Immunohistochemistry revealed that all biopsies (27/27) were positive for CVADR. Some variation in expression was evident, and superficially growing tumors stained more strongly than invasive ones. Most human tumors expressed the integrin alpha(v)beta(5) (14/24), whereas integrin alpha(v)beta(3) was less frequently seen (3/20). The established cell lines were efficiently transduced with adenoviral vectors, and transduction could be reduced with anti-CVADR antibodies. The abundance of appropriate viral receptors on tumor biopsy cells is a further argument for using adenoviral vectors in gene therapy of bladder cancer.

Adenoviral-mediated gene transfer in lymphocytes

Although adenovirus can infect a wide range of cell types, lymphocytes are not generally susceptible to adenovirus infection, in part because of the absence of the expression of the cellular receptor for the adenoviral fiber protein. The cellular receptor for adenovirus and coxsackievirus (CAR) recently was cloned and shown to mediate adenoviral entry by interaction with the viral fiber protein. We show that the ectopic expression of CAR in various lymphocyte cell lines, which are almost completely resistant to adenovirus infection, is sufficient to facilitate the efficient transduction of these cells by recombinant adenoviruses. Furthermore, this property of CAR does not require its cytoplasmic domain, consistent with the idea that CAR primarily serves as a high affinity binding site for the adenoviral fiber protein, and that viral entry is mediated by interaction of the viral penton base proteins with cellular integrins. As a demonstration of their functional utility, we used CAR-expressing lymphocytes transduced with an adenovirus expressing Fas ligand to efficiently kill Fas receptor-expressing tumor cells. The ability to efficiently manipulate gene expression in lymphocyte cells by using adenovirus vectors should facilitate the functional characterization of pathways affecting lymphocyte physiology.

Late vascular complication after fracture of the proximal humerus

A case of late vascular complication after a fracture of the proximal humerus is presented. The main clinical feature was neurological loss of the brachial plexus, while angiography showed no rupture or false aneurysm. The long delay before surgical intervention caused irreversible damage to the nerves. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are emphasized.

Early complications after anterior dislocation of the shoulder in patients over 40 years. An ultrasonographic and electromyographic study

The rate of complications after anterior dislocation of the shoulder was evaluated in 65 patients aged over 40 years. 36 of 55 cases had electromyographically verified axillary nerve or brachial plexus injury. Rotator-cuff lesion was seen in 24 of the 63 sonographically examined cases. At follow-up in a telephone interview on average 3 years after the injury, 27 of the 57 cases had complaints from their shoulder. The incidence of initial nerve and/or cuff lesions was higher in those with persisting symptoms at follow-up.

Determination of rubella immunity by latex agglutination: its place in clinical routines

The sensitivity and specificity of Rubascan (r) (RSC), a new latex agglutination test for rubella antibodies, was compared with those of the single radial hemolysis (SRH) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. We found RSC to have a sensitivity versus SRH and HI of 90-95% and 70-72%, respectively. RSC had a specificity versus SRH and HI of 97-100% and 96-100%, respectively. However, only 4/7 titer rises from cases of acute rubella or rubella vaccinations were clearly discernible in RSC. Moreover, only 2/10 anti-rubella IgG and IgM containing sera were RSC positive after protein A absorption although 10/10 were still HI positive. Additionally, the HI-positive IgM fractions from a sucrose density gradient centrifugation of an anti-rubella IgM containing serum were negative. We conclude that IgM reacts differently from IgG in RSC. We consider RSC a potentially useful reagent for determination of immunity in non-acute situations, and in non-pregnant persons like in pre-employment testing. This could be performed by relatively untrained personnel. On the other hand a rubella immunity test in pregnant women or in acute rubella should preferably be truly quantitative, in order to allow precise titer comparisons. In these cases, the interpretation of tests may require experience, and they should be performed at more specialized laboratories.

Early effects of parathormone and calcitonin on the number of osteoclasts and on serum-calcium in rats

Using succinic dehydrogenase staining of osteoclasts, the authors have studied the early effects on these cells of parathormone and calcitonin in rats. Thirty minutes after injection of the hormones the number of osteoclasts had increased (parathormone) or decreased (calcitonin), associated with inverse changes in total serum-calcium. The results confirm earlier studies showing the remarkably rapid changes in the number of osteoclasts after substances acting on serum calcium.

The early effects of EDTA colchicine and azetazolamide on the number of osteoclasts and the calcium in rats

Changes in the number of osteoclasts in rats after injection of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), azetazolamide or colchicine were studied using succinic dehydrogenase staining of osteoclasts. As early as 10 minutes after injection EDTA caused a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts. Azetazolamide and colchicine resulted in a decrease in the number of osteoclasts, apparent after 30 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively. The changes in total serum calcium after EDTA and azetazolamide administration took place at the same rate. However, azetazolamide had an effect which was the reverse of the effect of EDTA. It caused an increase in calcium in spite of a decreased number of osteoclasts. The results of this investigation confirm those of earlier studies, showing very rapid changes in the number of osteoclasts caused by substances giving rapid changes in serum calcium.