Dark Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Phenolics Enriched in Anthocyanins Induced Apoptosis in MDA-MB-453 Breast Cancer Cells through MAPK-Dependent Signaling and Reduced Invasion via Akt and PLCγ-1 Downregulation.

Dark sweet cherries (DSCs) are rich source of phenolics known to exert anticancer and anti-invasive activities. This study elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of DSC phenolics against MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells In Vitro. Cells were treated with DSC phenolics in whole extract (WE), and fractions enriched in anthocyanins (ACN) and proanthocyanidins (PCN) at concentrations that inhibited cell growth by 50%. Results showed that DSC phenolics suppressed Akt and PLCγ-1 activation, and inhibited cell motility and invasion, but only ACN reached significance. The extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways were also activated by DSC phenolics via caspase-8 cleavage and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, with ACN exhibiting significant activation and stronger PARP-1 cleavage. Furthermore, sustained activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/2 and p38 was observed wherein ERK1/2 (U0126) and p38 (SB203580) inhibitors confirmed crosstalk ERK1/2-Akt and MAPK intrinsic mitochondrial pathways. In conclusion, DSC phenolics inhibited MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells by targeting cell signaling pathways that induce apoptosis and suppress cell invasion, with ACN showing enhanced chemopreventive activities.

Antitumor potential of dark sweet cherry sweet (Prunus avium) phenolics in suppressing xenograft tumor growth of MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells.

This study investigated in vivo the antitumor activity of dark sweet cherry (DSC) whole extracted phenolics (WE) and fractions enriched in anthocyanins (ACN) or proanthocyanidins (PCA) in athymic mice xenografted with MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells. Mice were gavaged with WE, ACN or PCA extracts (150 mg/kg body weight/day) for 36 days. Results showed that tumor growth was suppressed at similar levels by WE, ACN and PCA compared to control group (C) without signs of toxicity or significant changes in mRNA oncogenic biomarkers in tumors or mRNA invasive biomarker in distant organs. Tumor protein analyses showed that WE, ACN and PCA induced at similar levels the stress-regulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, known to be linked to apoptosis induction. However, ACN showed enhanced antitumor activity through down-regulation of total oncogenic and stress-related Akt, STAT3, p38, JNK and NF-kB proteins. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis of Ki-67 revealed inhibition of tumor cell proliferation with potency WE ≥ ACN ≥ PCA. Differential quantitative proteomic high-resolution nano-HPLC tandem mass spectrometry analysis of tumors from ACN and C groups revealed the identity of 66 proteins associated with poor breast cancer prognosis that were expressed only in C group (61 proteins) or differentially up-regulated (P<.05) in C group (5 proteins). These findings revealed ACN-targeted proteins associated to tumor growth and invasion and the potential of DSC ACN for breast cancer treatment. Results lead to a follow-up study with highly immunodeficient mice/invasive cell line subtype and advanced tumor development to validate the anti-invasive activity of DSC anthocyanins.

Non-anthocyanin phenolics in cherry (Prunus avium L.) modulate IL-6, liver lipids and expression of PPARδ and LXRs in obese diabetic (db/db) mice.

Anthocyanin-rich cherries are known for preventing/decreasing risk factors associated with obesity; however, the specific benefits exerted by cherry non-anthocyanin phenolics are not clear. Obese diabetic (db/db) mice fed a diet supplemented with anthocyanin-depleted cherry powder (cherry) were compared to db/db (obese) or lean counterparts (lean) fed a control isocaloric diet for 12 weeks. The reduced plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and improved liver health may be mediated by cherry fibre and non-anthocyanin phenolics. Benefits for liver health included reduction of lipids and protein carbonyls, and modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)δ mRNA to resemble levels in lean. Lack of plasma antilipidemic, improvement of antioxidant defenses, and PPARα/γ mRNA modulation in liver suggest cherry anthocyanins specific benefits. This is the first study to elucidate in vivo the potential benefits of cherry non-anthocyanin phenolics for diabetes-induced liver disorders and the importance of choosing processing technologies that preserve anthocyanins and health benefits of whole cherries.

Effect of dark sweet cherry powder consumption on the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and biomarkers of gut health in obese db/db mice.

Cherries are fruits containing fiber and bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenolics) with the potential of helping patients with diabetes and weight disorders, a phenomenon likely related to changes in the complex host-microbiota milieu. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of cherry supplementation on the gut bacterial composition, concentrations of caecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and biomarkers of gut health using an in vivo model of obesity. Obese diabetic (db/db) mice received a supplemented diet with 10% cherry powder (supplemented mice, n = 12) for 12 weeks; obese (n = 10) and lean (n = 10) mice served as controls and received a standard diet without cherry. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to analyze the gut microbiota; SCFAs and biomarkers of gut health were also measured using standard techniques. According to 16S sequencing, supplemented mice harbored a distinct colonic microbiota characterized by a higher abundance of mucin-degraders (i.e., Akkermansia) and fiber-degraders (the S24-7 family) as well as lower abundances of Lactobacillus and Enterobacteriaceae. Overall this particular cherry-associated colonic microbiota did not resemble the microbiota in obese or lean controls based on the analysis of weighted and unweighted UniFrac distance metrics. qPCR confirmed some of the results observed in sequencing, thus supporting the notion that cherry supplementation can change the colonic microbiota. Moreover, the SCFAs detected in supplemented mice (caproate, methyl butyrate, propionate, acetate and valerate) exceeded those concentrations detected in obese and lean controls except for butyrate. Despite the changes in microbial composition and SCFAs, most of the assessed biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal health in colon tissues and mucosal cells were similar in all obese mice with and without supplementation. This paper shows that dietary supplementation with cherry powder for 12 weeks affects the microbiota and the concentrations of SCFAs in the lower intestinal tract of obese db/db diabetic mice. These effects occurred in absence of differences in most biomarkers of inflammation and other parameters of gut health. Our study prompts more research into the potential clinical implications of cherry consumption as a dietary supplement in diabetic and obese human patients.

Investigação sorológica de Rickettsia rickettsii e Coxiella burnetii em caprinos e ovinos no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões, Piauí / Infection survey of Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii in sheep and goats from National Park of Serra das Confusões, Piauí

As doenças causadas por bactérias dos gêneros Rickettsia e Coxiella possuem como vetores artrópodes hematófagos, na sua maioria carrapatos, que atuam diretamente na transmissão de patógenos responsáveis por enfermidades de grande impacto na medicina veterinária e humana. O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma investigação sorológica de Rickettsia rickettsii e Coxiella burnetii em caprinos e ovinos criados no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões (PNSC), localizado no estado do Piauí, região nordeste do Brasil. Amostras de soro de 202 caprinos e 153 ovinos foram testadas pela Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) para detecção de anticorpos anti-R. rickettsii e anti-C. burnetii, sendo consideradas positivas quando apresentaram títulos ≥ 64. Carrapatos em fase de parasitismo foram coletados e identificados. Todas as amostras de caprinos e ovinos foram soronegativas para antígenos de R. rickettsii. Foi verificado soropositividade em 2% (3/153) das amostras de ovinos para C. burnetii, com títulos variando de 64 a 4.096. As amostras de caprinos não foram reagentes ao referido antígeno. Não foi observado parasitismo em caprinos por carrapatos. No total, foram coletados 56 carrapatos parasitando 15 ovinos (9,8%), todos identificados como Rhipicephalus microplus. O estudo demonstrou a ausência de anticorpos anti-R. rickettsii nas amostras de caprinos e ovinos, ausência de anticorpos anti-C. burnetii em caprinos; e possibilitou o primeiro relato da ocorrência sorológica de C. burnetii em ovinos nesta região do Brasil.(AU)

The diseases caused by bacteria from the genera Rickettsia and Coxiella have hematophagous arthropods as vectors, mostly by ticks, which act directly on the transmission of pathogens that are responsible for diseases with major impact on veterinary and human medicine. The present study aimed to survey the infection of Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii in sheep and goats surrounding in the National Park of Serra das Confusões (NPSC), located in the state of Piauí, Northeast of Brazil. Serum samples from 202 goats and 153 sheep were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) for the detection of antibodies against R. rickettsii and C. burnetii. The samples were considered positive when they showed titers ≥ 64. Ticks in parasitic stage were collected and identified. All samples from sheep and goats were seronegative for R. rickettsii. Seropositivity was verified in 2% (3/153) of the samples of sheep for C. burnetii, with titers ranging from 64 to 4096. The serum samples obtained from goats were seronegative to the above antigens. In total, 56 ticks were collected from 15 sheep (9.8%) all identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. The study demonstrated absence of infection by R. rickettsii in samples of sheep and goats, absence of infection of C. burnetii in goats; and the first report of serological occurrence of C. burnetii in sheep in this region of Brazil.(AU)

Procedures to minimize interference of hypertriglyceridemia in laboratory exams of lipemic samples in acute pancreatitis: a case report / Procedimentos para minimizar interferência da hipertrigliceridemia em determinações laboratoriais de amostras lipêmicas em pancreatite aguda: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Lipemia can be characterized by serum turbidity caused by accumulation of lipoproteins and is a major cause of interference in laboratory analyzes. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis (AP). Diagnosis and laboratory monitoring of AP associated with HTG are hampered by the intense lipemia associated. This case report proposes an approach to laboratory interference caused by HTG in patient diagnosed with AP and actions target at achieving reliable laboratory tests, free from interference and useful in clinical decision making.

RESUMO A lipemia pode caracterizar-se por turvação no soro provocada por acúmulo de lipoproteínas e constitui importante causa de interferência em análises laboratoriais. A hipertrigliceridemia (HTG) é a terceira causa mais comum de pancreatite aguda (PA). O diagnóstico e o acompanhamento laboratorial de PA associada à HTG são dificultados pela intensa lipemia associada. Este relato de caso propõe uma abordagem sobre as interferências laboratoriais causadas pela HTG em paciente diagnosticado com PA e as ações direcionadas para realização de exames laboratoriais confiáveis, isentos de interferência e úteis na tomada de decisões clínicas.

Expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins in acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Cell fate of hematopoietic progenitors is regulated by interaction between Notch proteins on progenitors and Notch ligands such as Jagged1 on stromal cells. Since acute myeloid leukemia (AML) originates from dysregulated hematopoietic progenitors, some abnormalities in the Notch-Jagged system may exist in AML cells. As the first step to clarify this, we examined the expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins in eight AML cell lines and 15 fresh AML samples by immunoblotting. In the Notch1 protein, two bands, a 300 kDa band and a 120 kDa band, which appeared to be a full-length protein and a transmembrane fragment, respectively, were recognized in five AML cell lines and six fresh samples. In addition, three of the five cell lines showed a 110 kDa fragment, which appeared to be from an intracellular domain, namely an active form. One cell line showed aberrant sized fragments, which suggested a structural abnormality. Jagged1 protein was recognized in six cell lines and six fresh samples. In four cell lines and four fresh samples, both Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins were observed. In these cells, Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins may interact among themselves. We showed that Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins are widely expressed in AML cells. We hypothesize that some abnormalities in the Notch-Jagged system which cause the excessive self-renewal and the block of differentiation, may be involved in the abnormal proliferation of AML cells.

Human herpesvirus 8 DNA in HIV-negative Japanese patients with multicentric Castleman's disease and related diseases.

Multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by systemic lymphadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia. Recently, a French group reported that human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) DNA was detected in tissue samples of MCD patients. The detection rate was especially high in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive MCD patients. Thus, HHV8 infection seems to be closely related to HIV infection. In Japan, the HIV infection rate in the general population is very low. To examine whether HHV8 is actually related to MCD in Japan, we performed nested polymerase chain reaction for the HHV8 genome using DNA samples from 7 patients with MCD and 23 patients with related diseases such as POEMS syndrome, amyloidosis, myeloma and lymphoma. They were all HIV-negative Japanese. Three of 7 MCD patients were positive for HHV8. There were no clear differences in clinical characteristics between HHV8-positive patients and negative ones. All other patients were negative for HHV8. Thus, we have shown that some MCD patients in Japan are also infected with HHV8.

[DNA diagnosis in hematological malignancies].

The recent advances in molecular biology and gene engineering have greatly contributed to the diagnosis and treatment of hematopoietic malignancies, such as leukemia and malignant lymphoma. It is now possible to precisely determine the clonal origin of malignant cells, the subtype of leukemia or lymphoma, and the clinical prognosis in each patient. Furthermore, minimal residual malignant cells in leukemia or lymphoma patients after achieving complete remission can be detected by DNA analysis. Based on these analyses, theoretically treatment can be tailored for each patient. We discuss in the present paper the usefulness of DNA or gene analyses in the clinical laboratory for hematopoietic malignancies.

[Molecular diagnostic tests in hematologic diseases].

Molecular diagnostic tests are widely performed in managing hematologic malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma. In this article, we review the present application and problems of the tests. Karyotyping is performed at diagnosis of all kinds of hematologic malignancies. This method needs dividing cells as samples and skilled experts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) analysis using cells in interphase is performed, for example, to monitor the effect of interferon on chronic myelogenous leukemia patients. The weak point of this method is that approximately 2% of false-positive cells are inevitable. Southern blot method is used for clonal analysis in some disease, for example, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method using genomic DNA is performed for limited types of diseases such as lymphoma with bcl-2/IgH fusion gene. Reverse transcription(RT)-PCR method can detect fusion gene transcripts with high sensitivity. This method is useful for detecting minimal residual diseases after chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. To perform quantitative analysis, real-time PCR or competitive PCR must be done. In the near future, new technology such as gene expression profiling analysis using DNA microarrays or spectral karyotyping(SKY) method will be used in clinical practice.

Polymerase chain reaction detection of rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain DNA in plasma samples is useful in the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma.

Using DNA extracted from plasma samples of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) patients, we attempted to detect the monoclonal rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene by amplifying complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method (plasma PCR). In 19 of 37 (51%) cases, clonal DNA was detected. With the same PCR method using DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, clonal DNA was detected in 8 of the 37 cases (22%). These 8 were in advanced stages with bone marrow (BM) invasion mostly. On the other hand, the 19 positive cases by plasma PCR included those in early stages without BM invasion or with normal soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values. In 15 healthy volunteers, plasma PCR showed no clonal DNA. In cases in which tumor biopsy was difficult to perform, plasma PCR was helpful for determining whether or not the tumor was B-NHL. Plasma PCR is simple and has high specificity, although its sensitivity is insufficient.

Prostaglandin E1 reduces myocardial reperfusion injury by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines production during cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the cytokine balance and myocardial protection during cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, nonblinded study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 19 patients on cardiopulmonary bypass undergoing cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: According to randomized sequence, the patients received PGE1 (0.02 approximately 0.05 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) from the beginning of surgery to the end of study (PGE1 group, n = 11) or nothing (control group, n = 8). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF RI), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF RII) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Troponin-T and isoenzyme of creatine kinase with muscle and brain subunits (CK-MB) were measured by enzyme immunoassay and ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry method, respectively. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in both groups increased significantly from 60 mins after declamping the aorta compared with preoperative value (p < .001), However, the increases were greater in the control group than in the PGE1 group (p < .01). Serum IL-10, IL-1ra, sTNF RI, and sTNF RII concentrations increased significantly from 60 mins after declamping the aorta compared with preoperative values in two groups (p < .001, respectively). There were no differences between the two groups. Serum troponin T and CK-MB concentrations increased significantly in the two groups from 60 mins after declamping the aorta (p < .001), but these increases were greater in the control group than in the PGE1 group (p < .01). IL-6 and IL-8 levels correlated with CK-MB concentration (r2 = 0.49, r2 = 0.36; p > .001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PGE1 suppressed the production of IL-6 and IL-8 but not IL-10, IL-1ra, sTNF RI, or sTNF RII. The change in the balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be one of the most important cytoprotective mechanisms of PGE1.

[DNA diagnosis of hematopoietic malignancies].

The recent advances in molecular biology and gene engineering have contributed considerably to the diagnosis and treatment of hematopoietic malignancies, such as leukemia and malignant lymphoma. These advances also made possible precise determination of the clonal origin of malignant cells, the subtype of leukemia or lymphoma, and the clinical prognosis in each patient. Furthermore, minimal residual malignant cells in leukemia or lymphoma patients after achieving complete remission could be detected by DNA analysis. Based on these analyses, treatment can theoretically be tailored for each patient. We discuss in the present paper the usefulness of DNA or gene analyses of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in clonal assessment of lymphocytic malignancies and in detecting minimal residual disease in the patient.

Influence of methylprednisolone on cytokine balance during cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of methylprednisolone on the cytokine balance during cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, nonblinded study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients on cardiopulmonary bypass undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery. INTERVENTIONS: According to a randomized sequence, the patients either received methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) [corrected] before cardiopulmonary bypass and before declamping of the aorta (MPS group, n = 11) or received nothing (control group, n = 10). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serum proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-8, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-1ra) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in the control group (15.2 +/- 4.1 and 14.1 +/- 1.9 pg/mL, preoperatively) increased to 242 +/- 70.1 and 97.3 +/- 18.3 pg/mL at 60 mins after declamping of the aorta (p < .01, p < .01, respectively). The increases were greater than those from 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 2.5 +/- 0.5 pg/mL to 109.5 +/- 29.0 and 33 +/- 4.1 pg/mL in the MPS group for IL-6 and IL-8, respectively. Serum IL-10 concentrations increased significantly 60 mins after declamping of the aorta compared with its preoperative value in the two groups (the control group, from 1.0 +/- 0 to 537.9 +/- 61.7 pg/mL; the MPS group, from 0.3 +/- 0.2 to 654.9 +/- 24 pg/mL [p < .01, p < .01, respectively]). No difference was found between the two groups. Similarly, serum IL-1ra concentrations in the two groups increased the preoperative value in the control group from 304 +/- 120 to 44,374 +/- 14,631 pg/mL and in the MPS group from 616.5 +/- 109.6 to 35,598 +/- 9,074 pg/mL at 60 mins after declamping of the aorta (p < .01, p < .01, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Methylprednisolone reduces the production of IL-6 and IL-8 but not that of IL-10 and IL-1ra. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms of the cytoprotective effect of methylprednisolone may be to make changes in the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance.

Establishment of a double Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia-derived cell line, TMD5: effects of cytokines and differentiation inducers on growth of the cells.

A double Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive leukemia cell line with common-B cell phenotype, designated TMD5, was established from the blast cells of a patient with double Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. TMD5 cells expressed 190 kDa BCR/ABL chimeric protein and 145 kDa ABL protein. The cells proliferated without added growth factors. Autocrine growth mechanism was not recognized. The addition of growth factors such as G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-6, or Stem Cell Factor did not affect the growth. Herbimycin A suppressed the growth of TMD5 cells at the low concentration that did not affect Ph-negative cells. It suppressed tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins in TMD5 cells. Dexamethasone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP also suppressed the growth. They, however, did not affect the phosphorylation significantly. Neither all-trans retinoic acid nor interferon-alpha affected the growth. TMD5 cells, characterized minutely here and rare in that they have double Ph chromosomes, will be a useful tool for the study of Ph-positive leukemia.

Priming with G-CSF effectively enhances low-dose Ara-C-induced in vivo apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cells.

We investigated the role of apoptosis in chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies. Twelve consecutive patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEB-t) who were not tolerable for standard-dose chemotherapy were treated with CAG regimen (low-dose cytosine arabinoside [Ara-C] plus aclarubicin with concurrent administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]). Bone marrow mononuclear cells obtained before the commencement of the chemotherapy were cultured with various concentrations (0-10(-5) M) of Ara-C in the presence or absence of 10 ng/mL of G-CSF, and the resultant cell proliferation/cytotoxicity was assayed. In all but one patient, half killing concentration (LC50) of Ara-C was significantly reduced in the presence of G-CSF (by 400- and 1.45-fold, median: 21-fold). Furthermore, LC(50) values in responders assayed in the presence of 10 ng/mL of G-CSF were significantly lower than those in nonresponders (p = 0.02). In vitro killing tests using a G-CSF-dependent leukemic cell line suggested that addition of G-CSF potentiates Ara-C-induced cytotoxicity through the mechanism of apoptosis. We thus assayed apoptosis in peripheral blood leukemic cells during CAG chemotherapy by flow cytometry using 7-amino-actinomycin D. Peak percentages of apoptosis in responders were significantly higher than those in nonresponders (p = 0.02). These results collectively suggest that apoptosis plays an important role for eradicating leukemic cells by CAG chemo-therapy.

[Proliferation and differentiation of leukemic cells in acute myelocytic leukemia].

Acute myelocytic leukemia is characterized as a malignant disease with excessive accumulation of leukemic cells and deterioration of hematopoiesis. We studied the mechanism by which leukemic cells proliferated in patients. The indefinite growth of leukemic cells is supported by leukemic blast progenitors with a self-renewal capacity. Hematopoietic growth factors, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3) or stem cell factor (SCF), have been revealed to stimulate the growth of leukemic blast progenitors. Furthermore, leukemic cells themselves produce and secrete hematopoietic factors that stimulate leukemic blast progenitors. The so-called autocrine growth mechanism has been postulated to play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute myelocytic leukemia. Leukemic cells show terminal differentiation under certain circumstances. For example, leukemic cells differentiate to neutrophils or macrophages in suspension culture. Leukemic cells of erythroleukemia (FAB M6) differentiate to granulocytic and erythrocytic lineages. The mechanisms involved in the proliferation and differentiation of leukemic cells in acute myelocytic leukemia are discussed in the article.

Mature and immature myeloid cells decrease the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor level by absorption of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

We studied the effects of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and immature myeloid cells on the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) level in vitro to better understand the regulatory mechanisms of neutropoiesis. Intact normal PMN decreased the G-CSF level after incubation with recombinant human (rh) G-CSF in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The percent reduction decreased as the concentration of rhG-CSF increased. However, the cell-free PMN-conditioned medium (PMN-CM) did not decrease the G-CSF level. The intact PMN also decreased the granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF level after culture with rhGM-CSF, but did not affect the monocyte (M)-CSF level after culture with rhM-CSF. Normal bone marrow (BM) immature neutrophilic cells and G-CSF-dependent acute myeloid leukemic cells (OCI/AML la) also decreased the G-CSF level, whereas K-562 cells, which have no detectable G-CSF receptors, did not affect it. Phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO), an inhibitor of endocytosis of ligand receptor complex, abrogated this decreasing effect of intact PMN and OCI/AML la cells. These findings suggest that mature and immature myeloid cells negatively regulate neutropoiesis by, at least in part, decreasing the G-CSF level probably through receptor-mediated continual absorption and metabolism of G-CSF.

Alterations in the colorectal carcinoma gene and protein in a novel human myeloid leukemia cell line with trisomy 18 established from overt leukemia after myelodysplastic syndrome.

A new human myeloid leukemia cell line (OIH-1), with alterations in chromosome 18 and the deleted in the colorectal carcinoma (DCC) gene and its product, was established from the peripheral blood (PB) of a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) after myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Serial cytogenetics showed the presence of two clones, one with i(18)(q11) and another with trisomy 18. Southern blot analysis of OIH-1 cells with i(18)(q11) showed an extremely reduced intensity of 20- and 14-kb EcoRI fragments, suggesting the allelic loss of the DCC gene. Immunoprecipitation (IP) analysis by the murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) AF5, specific for the DCC extracellular domain, failed to detect normal 180-kDa DCC protein, however extra 85-kDa protein was detected. However, Southern blot analysis of the latter clone of OIH-1 with trisomy 18 showed normal structure of the DCC gene. IP analysis with AF5 or G92-13 (specific for the extracellular domain) did not detect the DCC protein, but a 150-kDa protein other than the DCC-specific 180-kDa protein was detected with G97-449, specific for the cytoplasmic domain of the DCC protein. RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of the DCC mRNA in OIH-1 cells carrying each type of chromosome 18 abnormalities. These alterations in the DCC gene and protein may contribute to progression of malignancy for OIH-1 cells. The OIH-1 cell line may be useful for studying the role of the DCC gene in leukemogenesis of MDS or AML.

A case of atypical chronic myeloid leukemia regarded as MDS with myeloproliferative features.

We report a case of atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) who showed marked neutrophilia without dysplastic features, basophilia or monocytosis. These findings diverged somewhat from the FAB criteria for aCML. The patient's erythroid cells and megakaryocytes were dysplastic. His marrow cells formed no spontaneous colonies, as shown by cell culture. The cells formed many small-sized neutrophil colonies with G-CSF stimulation. Interestingly, they formed mainly neutrophil colonies with GM-CSF stimulation. These findings were different from those of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia cells and chronic granulocytic leukemia cells. This aCML case showed the cytological features of myelodysplastic syndrome.