In vivo modulation of angiogenesis by beta 2 glycoprotein I.

Beta 2 glycoprotein I (ß2GPI) is the major auto antigen in the antiphospholipid syndrome but also interacts with fibrinolytic and angiogenic proteins. The aim of this study was to examine the angiogenic potential of ß2GPI in vivo in ß2GPI deficient mice utilizing angiogenic assays. ß2GPI deficient mice show increased microvessel formation in comparison to ß2GPI replete controls when injected with growth factor free-matrigel implants. However, microvessel formation in matrigel plugs of ß2GPI deficient mice was less than in ß2GPI replete mice when basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was included in the matrigel. Hemoglobin content was higher in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) containing-matrigel plugs in the ß2GPI deficient mouse demonstrating that the lack of ß2GPI led to increased extravasation by VEGF. Melanoma B16F10 tumour growth was enhanced in ß2GPI deficient mice. Melanoma microvessel density was increased in ß2GPI deficient mice but the proliferation rate of tumour cells (determined by Ki67 immunohistochemistry) was unaffected by the presence or absence of ß2GPI. Subcutaneous delivery of native human ß2GPI by the ALZET osmotic pump did not affect melanoma tumour growth in ß2GPI deficient mice. We conclude that the in vivo unopposed action of ß2GPI is anti-angiogenic however this function is modified in the presence of a strong angiogenic stimulus into stabilization of vessel formation. Although the presence of ß2GPI attenuates vessel sprouting in certain tumours, no survival benefit is conferred to tumour bearing animals. This does not preclude the potential benefit of modified or fragments of ß2GPI in anti-angiogenesis research.

Angiogenic molecules in Hodgkin's disease: results from sequential serum analysis.

Increased angiogenic activity has been demonstrated in lymphoproliferative diseases including Hodgkin's disease. In the current study, the levels of circulating angiogenic molecules in 60 Hodgkin's patients were determined prior to and after treatment and correlated to disease stage and prognostic score. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were increased in Hodgkin's patients in comparison to healthy controls (p<0.001). Angiogenin and angiopoietin-2 levels did not differ from controls. HGF, VEGF, TNF-alpha and angiogenin decreased significantly in Hodgkin's patients after standard treatment (p<0.001 for HGF, p<0.05 for VEGF, TNF-alpha and angiogenin). Furthermore, HGF and TNF-alpha increased with advancing stage of disease (p<0.05). HGF and VEGF correlated significantly with IL-6 (r=0.56, p<0.0005 and r=0.57, p<0.001 respectively). In conclusion, Hodgkin's disease displays an angiogenic activity as depicted by the increased serum levels of a number of angiogenic cytokines. HGF seems to be the prominent molecule in Hodgkin's disease, which may be used to monitor the disease status and the response to treatment.

Serum evaluation of angiogenic cytokine basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and TNF-alpha in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: correlation with bone marrow microvascular density.

Recent studies have documented that angiogenesis plays a significant role in haematological malignancies, including mylodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microvascular density (MVD) and the serum levels of these angiogenic factors in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In 61 patients with MDS, MVD was measured in bone marrow biopsies and b-FGF, HGF and TNF-alpha were determined in the serum of the same patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of b-FGF, HGF and TNF-alpha as well as MVD in the bone marrow were increased in MDS patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001). Levels of b-FGF, HGF and TNF-alpha were also significantly higher in high-risk for leukemic transformation MDS than in low-risk (p<0.0001). Significant differences were also found regarding MVD in high and low risk patients (p<0.001). Both b-FGF and HGF levels were significant predictors of survival (p<0.0005, log-rank test). The present study showed that serum levels of b-FGF, HGF and TNF-alpha are significantly increased and dependent on the severity of MDS suggesting that the determination of these parameters may offer considerable information regarding disease progression and prognosis.

The assessment of proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining in myelodysplastic syndromes and its prognostic significance.

Several prognostic factors for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have been identified in previous years. In order to determine prognostic factors characterizing haematopoietic cell kinetics, bone marrow proliferative activity and serum TNF-a levels were measured in 51 cases of MDS. Cell proliferation was evaluated by employing a monoclonal antibody directed against the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The PCNA proliferating index (PCNA PI) and serum TNF-a levels showed significant differences between patients with MDS and normal controls (p<0.0001). PCNA PI and serum TNF-a were significantly higher in the high risk for leukemic transformation FAB subgroups (RAEB, RAEB-t and CMML) in comparison to the low risk group (RA and RARS) (p<0.001). PCNA PI and TNF-a also increased with increasing IPSS score (p<0.05). A positive correlation was noted between TNF-a concentrations and PCNA PI (r:0.36, p<0.008). Univariate analysis using the log-rank test showed that a higher PCNA PI was associated with a significantly shorter survival (p<0.001). We conclude that elevated PCNA PI and TNF-a serum levels are increased in high risk myelodysplastic disease and that a high PCNA PI is predictive of a shorter survival in this group of patients.

Interleukin-18 in multiple myeloma patients: serum levels in relation to response to treatment and survival.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays a role in the host's response to tumours and angiogenesis. We determined serum levels of IL-18, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin (ANG), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and CRP in 65 newly diagnosed myeloma patients. IL-18, VEGF, angiogenin, TNF-alpha and CRP were significantly higher at stage III in comparison to stages II and I. These cytokines (measured in 27 patients) significantly decreased after treatment. In survival analysis, higher levels of IL-18 were associated with a poorer prognosis. We conclude that increased serum IL-18 in myeloma patients correlates with advanced disease, increased levels of angiogenic cytokines and worse survival.

The relation between bone marrow angiogenesis and the proliferation index Ki-67 in multiple myeloma.

AIM: Angiogenesis correlates with disease progression in various haematological malignancies. This study investigated the association between microvascular density (MVD) and the Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 PI), bone marrow infiltration, and C reactive protein (CRP) in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: Bone marrow MVD was examined in 44 biopsies at diagnosis and 15 in plateau phase by immunostaining the endothelial cells with a monoclonal antibody to CD34. The Ki-67 PI was evaluated by a double immunostaining technique using the monoclonal antibodies MIB-1 and CD38. RESULTS: MVD, Ki-67 PI, bone marrow infiltration, and CRP were significantly higher in pretreatment patients than in controls and decreased in patients achieving plateau phase. MVD significantly correlated with Ki-67 PI and infiltration, and Ki-67 correlated with infiltration. CONCLUSION: In multiple myeloma, apart from being a marker of proliferative activity, Ki-67 is also associated with bone marrow angiogenesis and tumour burden.

Serum levels of leptin in multiple myeloma patients and its relation to angiogenic and inflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Leptin, apart from the regulation of food intake, has been implicated in hematopoiesis, the immune response and angiogenesis. Leptin has been found to be decreased in various hematological malignancies. In the present study leptin was measured in multiple myeloma (MM) patients before and after treatment and correlated with other angiogenic molecules and markers of disease activity. METHODS: Serum leptin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), beta 2 microglobulin (beta2M) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 62 newly diagnosed MM patients, 22 of whom obtaining disease stabilization after treatment. The same parameters were measured in 20 healthy controls. Disease stage was defined according to the Durie-Salmon criteria. RESULTS: Leptin, VEGF, b-FGF, IL-1beta, and beta2M were significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients than in controls (p<0.05). VEGF, b-FGF, IL-1beta, beta2M, CRP but not leptin increased with advancing stage of disease (p<0.01). All parameters decreased significantly following treatment (p<0.001). Although IL-1beta correlated positively with VEGF, beta2M, b-FGF and CRP, leptin did not correlate with any of the measured parameters. CONCLUSION: Leptin serum levels do not reflect disease severity in MM. However, there seems to be a decrease in leptin following treatment, which may be associated with an alteration in the metabolic state or the chemokine milieu.

Serum proinflammatory cytokines and its relationship to clinical parameters in lung cancer patients with reactive thrombocytosis.

Proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a significant role in the pathogenetic processes related to various malignant and inflammatory conditions. Leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and increased acute phase protein levels are part of a systemic inflammatory response. In this study, we measured the concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and ferritin as well as hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 23 patients (male 15, female 8, median age 68 years) with lung cancer and reactive thrombocytosis (LCRT), in 27 (male 18, female 9, median age 64 years) with benign inflammatory lung disorder (BILD) and 18 (male 10, female 8, median age 62 years) lung cancer patients with a normal platelet count (LCNP). IL-1 beta levels were significantly higher in the three patient groups in comparison with control subjects (P < 0.001) but without significant difference among the three patient groups. IL-6 was higher in all three patients groups but only in the BILD group it was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in IL-6 serum levels was found between the two lung cancer groups. CRP and LDH were significantly higher in the LCRT group in comparison with the other two patient groups (P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively), while ferritin was higher in both lung cancer groups in comparison with the BILD group (P < 0.001). Our data suggest that in lung cancer patients, reactive thrombocytosis is part of the systemic inflammatory reaction for which IL-1 beta and IL-6 may be intermediate but not independent mediators.

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in multiple myeloma: its relationship to bone marrow microvessel density and other factors of disease activity.

The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was studied in plasma cells in bone marrow biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma (MM) using a double immunostaining method. In the same samples, microvessel density (MVD), after staining with anti-CD34 antibodies, was determined before and after chemotherapy. The correlation of PCNA expression and MVD with other myeloma parameters (clinical stage, bone marrow plasma cell infiltration and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6)) was also investigated. The study population included 51 newly diagnosed MM patients, 15 patients in plateau phase after treatment and 15 normal controls. Pretreatment mean +/- SE values of PCNA, MVD, plasma cell infiltration and serum IL-6 were significantly higher than post treatment values and controls. Pretreatment PCNA expression correlated significantly with bone marrow MVD (p<0.05) plasma cell infiltration (p<0.01) and IL-6 (p<0.01). These findings show that the proliferative activity of plasma cells is related to the angiogenic activity in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients. Both PCNA and MVD correlate with markers of disease activity thus may provide additional information when included in the initial evaluation of myeloma bone marrow biopsies.

Molecular pathophysiology of the antiphospholipid syndrome: the role of oxidative post-translational modification of beta 2 glycoprotein I.

It has been well established that antiphospholipid antibodies and specifically those directed against beta 2 glycoprotein I (ß2GPI) are pathogenic for the development of thrombosis in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Several groups have shown that anti-ß2GPI antibodies, in complex with ß2GPI, elicit effects on blood cells and coagulation-fibrinolysis proteins, which prime the arterial and venous vasculature for the development of thrombosis. However, much less is known about the mechanism initiating the production of autoantibodies against ß2GPI, a physiological abundant protein of blood. In the current review, novel findings are presented regarding the structure and oxidative post-translational modifications of ß2GPI, which trigger the immune response. The majority of circulating ß2GPI exists in a form containing unpaired cysteines (free thiols), which constitutes the reduced form of ß2GPI. The free thiols exposed on ß2GPI are involved in the interaction with platelets and endothelial cells. We propose that this abundant pool of free thiols may serve as an antioxidant reservoir protecting cells or critical molecules from oxidative stress. Oxidation of ß2GPI confers an increase in its immunogenicity through a Th1 immunological mechanism. The clinical significance of these observations is that serum from patients with APS, assessed by a novel ELISA assay, have a significant increase in oxidised ß2GPI. These findings hold promise, not only for the delineation of the role of ß2GPI as an immunological target, but also for the development of improved diagnostic and prognostic assays for APS.

Redox control of ß2-glycoprotein I-von Willebrand factor interaction by thioredoxin-1.

BACKGROUND: ß(2) -Glycoprotein I (ß(2) GPI) is an abundant plasma protein that is closely linked to blood clotting, as it interacts with various protein and cellular components of the coagulation system. However, the role of ß(2) GPI in thrombus formation is unknown. We have recently shown that ß(2) GPI is susceptible to reduction by the thiol oxidoreductases thioredoxin-1 and protein disulfide isomerase, and that reduction of ß(2) GPI can take place on the platelet surface. METHODS: ß(2) GPI, reduced by thioredoxin-1, was labeled with the selective sulfhydryl probe N(a)-(3-maleimidylpropionyl)biocytin and subjected to mass spectrometry to identify the specific cysteines involved in the thiol exchange reaction. Binding assays were used to examine the affinity of reduced ß(2) GPI for von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the effect of reduced ß2GPI on glycoprotein (GP)Ibα binding to VWF. Platelet adhesion to ristocetin-activated VWF was studied in the presence of reduced ß(2) GPI. RESULTS: We demonstrate that the Cys288-Cys326 disulfide in domain V of ß(2) GPI is the predominant disulfide reduced by thioredoxin-1. Reduced ß(2) GPI in vitro displays increased binding to VWF that is dependent on disulfide bond formation. ß(2) GPI reduced by thioredoxin-1, in comparison with non-reduced ß(2) GPI, leads to increased binding of GPIbα to VWF and increased platelet adhesion to activated VWF. CONCLUSIONS: Given the importance of thiol oxidoreductases in thrombus formation, we provide preliminary evidence that the thiol-dependent interaction of ß(2) GPI with VWF may contribute to the redox regulation of platelet adhesion.

Angiogenesis-related growth factors and cytokines in the serum of patients with B non-Hodgkin lymphoma; relation to clinical features and response to treatment.

Increased angiogenesis has been shown to be a feature of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). In the current study, the pretreatment levels of circulating molecules related to angiogenesis were determined in 49 B-cell NHL patients and correlated with histological grade, disease stage and prognostic score. In 25 patients, the same molecules were defined after standard treatment. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-8 and IL-16 were measured. Increased levels of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8 were found in the whole group of untreated patients in comparison with normal controls (P < 0.05), whereas, IL-2 was higher in the subgroup of indolent NHL. Overall, there was no significant decrease in the levels of these molecules after treatment. However, by stratification into group of responders vs. non-responders pretreatment IL-8 was significantly increased whereas IL-16 was decreased in the subgroup of complete responders. According to the REAL classification IL-2 was higher in the low risk compared with intermediate plus high-risk group. There was no association with disease stage or the International Prognostic Score. Both indolent and aggressive B cell lymphomas have increased production of angiogenic mediators and cytokines with IL-8 and IL-16 potentially reflecting the response to treatment.

Beta2-glycoprotein I inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor induced angiogenesis through its amino terminal domain.

BACKGROUND: Beta-2 glycoprotein I (beta(2)GPI) is a plasma glycoprotein which interacts with various proteins of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system. beta(2)GPI has recently been shown to have anti-angiogenic properties. OBJECTIVES: We undertook this study to investigate the specific domain of beta(2)GPI involved in the anti-angiogenic function and its effect on downstream signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). METHODS: Various preparations of beta(2)GPI were used on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the absence or presence of VEGF and bFGF. The effect on HUVECs' proliferation, migration and tubule formation in Matrigel matrix was investigated. The effect of beta(2)GPI on the mRNA expression of VEGF receptors and phosphorylation of signaling molecules was also studied. RESULTS: beta(2)GPI is shown in this study to be an anti-angiogenic molecule in vitro by inhibiting VEGF and bFGF-induced proliferation, migration and papillary-like tubule formation of HUVECs. This inhibition was achieved by native, proteolytically clipped and domain deletion mutants, domain I-IV (DI-IV) but not domain II-V (DII-V) of beta(2)GPI. Native beta(2)GPI was found to downregulate the expression of the VEGF receptor KDR/Flk-1 on endothelial cells and to block the phosphorylation of VEGF's downstream effector molecules in the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/GSK3beta pathways. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that beta(2)GPI has anti-angiogenic functions which depend on the presence of domain I. This anti-angiogenic activity may have important implications for the therapeutic manipulation of angiogenesis in various disease states.

Correlation between the uptake of Tc-99m-sestaMIBI and prognostic factors in patients with multiple myeloma.

Technetium 99m-2-methoxyisobutil-isonitrile (Tc-99m-MIBI), also called sestaMIBI, has been used successfully to detect malignant tumours at diagnosis. Recently, it has been proposed as a safe and effective tracer in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the value of the Tc-99m-MIBI uptake in disease detection and to assess the correlation between the uptake of this scintigraphy agent and prognostic factors in newly diagnosed MM patients. Thirty-five untreated patients were enrolled in the study. Tc-99m-MIBI scanning was performed in 33 patients after intravenous injection of 7.4 MBq/kg. Whole-body anterior and posterior scans were obtained after 30 min, 60 min, 2 and 4 h. The correlation between known prognostic factors of MM and the intensity of Tc-99m-MIBI uptake was assessed. Our results showed seven patients with an intensity score of I0, 12 patients with I1, eight patients with I2 and six patients with a score of I3. There was a positive correlation between Tc-99m-MIBI intensity and C-reactive protein (CRP; r=0.506, P < 0.01), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; r=0.368, P < 0.05), beta2- microglobulin (beta2M; r=0.749, P < 0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6; r=0.823, P < 0.001), soluble Interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6r; r=0.806, P < 0.001), serum calcium (r=0.578, P < 0.001) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP; r=0.472, P < 0.01). An inverse correlation was found between Tc-99m-MIBI intensity and osteocalcin (OC) and type I procollagen carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that more extensive disease activity, as determined by high levels of CRP, beta2M, IL-6 and sIL-6r correlated with a higher uptake of the radiotracer.

Relationship between circulating serum soluble interleukin-6 receptor and the angiogenic cytokines basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in multiple myeloma.

Angiogenesis plays an important role in multiple myeloma (MM) progression. Various mitogens such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) have been implicated in the angiogenic process of various malignancies. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a growth factor of myeloma cells and its signaling is mediated via a cell surface receptor complex (IL-6r). IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are involved in the secretion of VEGF by IL-6r expressing myeloma cells. In this study, serum FGF-2, VEGF, IL-6r, and TNF-alpha were measured in 46 untreated MM patients and were studied in relation to disease stage (by Salmon-Durie criteria) and severity [assessed by serum beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M), C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha(1)AT), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels]. The results showed that FGF-2, VEGF, IL-6r, and TNF-alpha were significantly elevated in MM patients in comparison to controls ( p<0.008) and were significantly higher in stage III disease in comparison to stages I and II ( p<0.03). The mean concentrations of IL-6r were 877+/-374, 1220+/-308, 1431+/-878, and 453+/-180 pg/ml for stages I, II, and III and controls, respectively. Levels of beta(2)M, alpha(1)AT, CRP, and LDH were all significantly higher in MM patients than controls and increased with advancing stage of disease. There were positive correlations of both VEGF and FGF-2 with IL-6r, TNF-alpha, beta(2)M, alpha(1)AT, CRP, and LDH. We conclude that IL-6r and TNF-alpha increase in parallel to VEGF and FGF-2 with increasing stage of MM disease. These molecules correlate with biochemical markers of disease activity and may play a role in the progression of multiple myeloma.

The clinical and prognostic significance of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and acute phase protein levels in multiple myeloma.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and acute phase proteins are commonly increased in patients with multiple myeloma. Several of these acute phase proteins are believed to predict prognosis and influence survival. We measured interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (a1AT), acid alpha-1-glycoprotein (a1AG), haptoglobin (HAP), transferrin (TRF), hemoglobin (Hb), beta-2-microglobulin (beta2M) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 42 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and 25 normal controls. At the time of blood collection, nine patients were at stage I of disease, 14 at stage II, and 19 at stage III according to the Durie and Salmon myeloma staging system. Mean +/- SD values of IL-6, CRP, a1AT, a1AG, HAP, beta2M, and ESR were significantly higher and Hb significantly lower than those found in the controls. Univariate analysis, using the log-rank test, showed that among the acute phase proteins, serum CRP (P < 0.002), a1AT (P < 0.008) and ESR (P < 0.008) were significantly correlated with survival. However, when a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was performed, ESR, CRP, a1AT, a1AG and beta2M were identified as independent prognostic factors, while the others were not. We conclude that ESR, a simple and easily performed marker, was found to be an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with multiple myeloma.

Elevated serum concentration of hepatocyte growth factor in patients with multiple myeloma: correlation with markers of disease activity.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to be involved in angiogenesis, epithelial cell proliferation, and osteoclast activation. HGF and its receptor are expressed on myeloma cell lines and could be involved in the pathogenesis of bone destruction in multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to examine serum levels of HGF in untreated MM patients and its correlation with bone turnover indices and markers of disease activity. Forty-seven newly diagnosed MM patients and 25 controls were included: 12 patients were of stage I, 13 of stage II, and 22 of stage III (Durie-Salmon classification). Bone lesions were scored from 0 to 3, according to X-ray findings. Serum osteocalcin (OC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-alpha, beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M), CRP, calcium, and 24-hr urine N-telopeptide cross-links of collagen breakdown (NTx) were determined. HGF levels were significantly higher at stage III compared to stages II and I (medians: 1,990.4 vs. 1,743.8 and 1,432.4 pg/mL, respectively, P < 0.05). Similarly, NTx, IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP, beta(2)M, and calcium increased significantly with advancing stage (P < 0.01). OC was higher at stage I in comparison to stages II and III (P < 0.01). All parameters were significantly higher in patients than controls. HGF showed a strong correlation with IL-6 and TNF-alpha and less with beta(2)M, CRP, NTx, and OC. We conclude that serum HGF levels are increased in advanced stages of MM disease and extended bone lesions. HGF correlates with IL-6 and TNF-alpha, which are cytokines involved in osteoclast stimulation in MM. However, an independent association of HGF with bone turnover markers was not shown in this study, thus its role in MM bone disease needs to be further clarified.

Urinary N-telopeptide levels in multiple myeloma patients, correlation with Tc-99m-sestaMIBI scintigraphy and other biochemical markers of disease activity.

Urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) has been reported to be a sensitive and specific marker of bone resorption in multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, we measured the levels of NTx in 30 newly diagnosed MM patients and 25 controls. We examined its association with the overall score of skeletal involvement measured by Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy and other biochemical markers of bone disease (tumour necrosis factor a (TNF-a), serum calcium and creatinine). We further studied the correlation of NTx with the stage of disease (according to Durie-Salmon criteria) and bone marrow infiltration by plasma cells. High levels of NTx, bone marrow infiltration, TNF-alpha, calcium and creatinine were noted at advanced stages of disease (p < 0.05). NTx and TNF-a were found at significantly higher concentrations in patients with a high overall score (3 and 4) in Tc-99m-sestaMIBI in comparison to a low score (0, 1 and 2; p < 0.05). Positive correlations were found between NTx and TNF-a, as well as between bone infiltration and TNF-a or calcium. In conclusion, NTx is a useful marker for the monitoring of bone resorption in MM and correlates with imaging findings on Tc-99m-sestaMIBI and other biochemical markers of disease activity.

Quick detection of Leishmania in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Is prestorage leucodepletion necessary for leishmaniasis prevention in endemic areas?

Leishmaniasis is a serious health problem in various endemic areas. There are reports that the parasite can be transmitted via blood transfusions. We studied the clinical utility of flow cytometry for the screening of blood donors in an endemic area in Greece. Samples from 2000 blood donors from the area of Lasithi, Crete, Greece were examined by flow cytometry after labelling with a polyclonal anti-leishmania antibody conjugated with fluorescein-isothiocyanate derived from infected canines in the area. The same blood samples were simultaneously examined for serum anti-leishmania antibodies, May-Grünwald staining of peripheral blood smears and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in buffy coat to the minicircle of kinetoplastic DNA. Direct sequencing of the PCR-amplified area helped discriminate leishmania species. Flow cytometry detected 33 cases with parasites in the peripheral blood leucocytes (1.65%), which were confirmed by PCR. One PCR-positive case was negative by flow cytometry. After prestorage leucodepletion, no sample was positive by PCR. Anti-leishmania antibodies were positive in 304 (15%) cases. Flow cytometry was found to be a sensitive and rapid method of detecting leishmania in peripheral blood samples. Leucodepletion effectively reduces the detection of the parasite, thus minimizing the potential risk of leishmania transmission through blood transfusions in endemic areas.

Levels of soluble forms of ICAM and VCAM in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and their prognostic significance.

The aim of this study was to assess circulating soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in order to evaluate their clinical significance. Seventy patients with untreated MDS [21 refractory anemia (RA), nine RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), 17 RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), 11 RAEB in transformation (RAEBt), and 12 chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)] were included in this study. Serum levels of sICAM, sVCAM, and IL-1beta were determined at diagnosis using commercially available immunoassays. In addition, 15 healthy volunteers were studied as a control group. sICAM, sVCAM, and IL-1beta serum levels were significantly higher in MDS patients in comparison with the control group (P <0.001). Patients with CMML showed the highest sICAM, sVCAM, and IL-1beta levels in comparison with other MDS-related subtypes. Furthermore significantly elevated levels of the studied parameters were detected in high-risk MDS patients (RAEB, RAEB-t, and CMML) in comparison with low-risk MDS (RA and RARS). IL-1beta was strongly correlated both to sICAM and sVCAM. In conclusion we have provided evidence that increased sICAM and sVCAM serum levels are related to MDS severity.