Janus kinase 2 is involved in stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins and migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), the ligand for the CXCR4 receptor, is a highly efficacious chemoattractant for CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells. However, the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathways that regulate hematopoiesis are still not well defined. This study reports that SDF-1alpha can stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and other members of the JAK/signal transduction and activation of transcription (STAT) family, including JAK1, tyrosine kinase 2, STAT2, and STAT4 in the human progenitor cell line, CTS. SDF-1alpha stimulation of these cells also enhanced the association of JAK2 with phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase. This enhanced association was abolished by pretreatment of cells with AG490, a specific JAK2 inhibitor. Furthermore, pretreatment of CTS cells with AG490 significantly inhibited SDF-1alpha-induced PI3-kinase activity, and inhibition of JAK2 with AG490 ablated the SDF-1alpha-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple focal adhesion proteins (including focal adhesion kinase, related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase, paxillin, CrkII, CrkL, and p130Cas). Chemotaxis assays showed that inhibition of JAK2 diminished SDF-1alpha-induced migration in both CTS cells and CD34(+) human bone marrow progenitor cells. Hence, these results suggest that JAK2 is required for CXCR4 receptor-mediated signaling that regulates cytoskeletal proteins and cell migration through PI3-kinase pathways in hematopoietic progenitor cells. (Blood. 2001;97:3342-3348)

AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: a phase II study of liposomal doxorubicin. The TLC D-99 Study Group.

TLC D-99 is a unique liposomal formulation of doxorubicin that consists of phosphatidyl choline/cholesterol. The objectives of the study were to evaluate safety and efficacy of two doses of TLC D-99 in the treatment of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). Forty HIV-infected persons with biopsy-proven KS were randomized to receive TLC D-99 at doses of either 10 (low) or 20 (high) mg/m2 every 2 weeks. Patients assigned to the low-dose arm could be escalated to the high-dose arm if their KS progressed after 3 cycles of therapy. Median age was 35 years (range, 26-47) and median CD4 count was 13 (range, 0-440). Nineteen patients were assigned to receive the low dose, and 21 patients were assigned to the high dose. Partial response occurred in 15% (6 of 40) of the patients or in 5% (1 of 19) and 24% (5 of 21) in the low- and high-dose arms, respectively; stable disease was observed in 65% (26 of 40) or in 68% (13 of 19) and 62% (13 of 21) in the low and high doses, respectively. Neutropenia was the major toxicity and was observed in 68 and 81% of patients with the low- and high-dose arms, respectively; grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 16 and 14%, respectively. Mild alopecia was noted in only 8%. Therefore, TLC D-99 is active against AIDS-related KS, and the response is dose-dependent.

Effect of pump flow rate on cerebral blood flow during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass flow rate on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen during hypothermic (27 degrees C) cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The investigation was a prospective, randomized study in a tertiary care hospital setting. The 30 participants were volunteer adult cardiac surgical patients at a single institution. INTERVENTIONS: The N2O saturation method of Kety and Schmidt was used to determine global cerebral blood flow and metabolic rate during four periods: prebypass, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (27 degrees C) flow rates of 2.3 and 1.2 L/min/m2, and 30 minutes post-CPB. Anesthesia consisted of fentanyl and midazolam; pH management was alpha-stat, and mean arterial pressure was maintained at 50 to 70 mmHg throughout CPB. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the context of an unchanged mean arterial pressure, the pump flow did not affect cerebral blood flow or metabolic rate during hypothermic CPB. Systemic venous oxygen saturation was also maintained during reduced flow at 27 degrees C. Hemodilution during hypothermic CPB maintained cerebral blood flow at prebypass levels. In the postbypass period, persistent hemodilution resulted in an elevated cerebral blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: Brain oxygenation is well maintained at lower than conventional pump flow levels during CPB. There may be practical advantages to reduced flows during hypothermia, and flow reductions do not appear to adversely affect cerebral blood flow or metabolism.

The relationship between cerebral blood flow and transcranial Doppler blood flow velocity during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in adults.

A noninvasive, simple, and continuous method to assess cerebral perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could help prevent cerebral ischemia. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) allows a noninvasive, on-line measurement of blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries. The correlation of TCD-estimated and actual cerebral blood flow (CBF) has not been well studied during CPB. We determined the correlation of middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean velocity and CBF determined by the Kety-Schmidt method during nonbypass and two hypothermic bypass flow conditions. Sixteen patients undergoing hypothermic (27 degrees C) CPB for coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve replacement surgery were enrolled in the study. We were able to determine MCA velocity in only 12 patients. We determined CBF and MCA velocity in each patient during four 15-min study periods: 1) prebypass after sternotomy before aortic cannulation; 2) hypothermic (27 degrees C) CPB with 1.2 L.min-1.m-2 pump flow; 3) hypothermic CPB with 2.4 L.min-1.m-2 pump flow, and 4) 30 min after weaning from CPB. There was no difference in the mean arterial pressure between the two CPB pump blood flows. The pooled change in MCA velocity and CBF as percentage of baseline (prebypass) for all patients and at all time points had a correlation of 0.33 (r). A decrease or increase in MCA velocity did not necessarily indicate a corresponding decrease or increase in CBF. This technology may be of limited usefulness during the circulatory condition of hypothermic, nonpulsatile CPB.

Survey of urine from transplant recipients for polyomaviruses JC and BK using the polymerase chain reaction.

Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we examined 108 urine specimens from 39 post transplant patients for polyomaviruses JC (JCV) and BK (BKV). Urine sediments were collected and subjected to 30 cycles of amplification. PCR products were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred to nylon membranes by Southern blot, and hybridized with radiolabelled probes. Polyomavirus DNA was found in urine specimens from 17 out of 39 patients (44%). Both viruses were detected in specimens from nine patients, JCV alone in five, and BKV alone in three. In comparison, polyomavirus was detected in only five of 22 PCR positive specimens by shell vial cell culture assay. Our results show a high prevalence of polyomavirus shedding after transplantation and suggest a higher rate of JC viruria than previously reported.

Detection of JC virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used in the detection of JC virus (JCV) DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue sections from 24 patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Brain sections from normal autopsies (n = 17) and other neurologic conditions (n = 4) were used as controls. Specific amplified products were detected in 20 (83%) of 24 patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. PCR did not amplify JCV or human beta-globin gene sequences in four patients with characteristic demyelinating lesions of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy that were positive for JCV by in situ hybridization or immunocytochemistry. PCR from biopsy sections resulted in more intense amplification signals than PCR from autopsy tissue. Normal brain sections from 17 autopsies were negative by PCR. Low-grade amplification of JCV was observed in one patient with herpes simplex virus encephalitis. PCR served as a more rapid test for confirmation of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy than in situ hybridization. However, PCR performance was altered by prolonged formalin fixation of tissue and undetermined inhibitors of the amplification reaction. Laboratories and clinicians should be aware of the difficulties encountered when using paraffin-embedded tissue for PCR.

Rapid detection of polyomavirus BK by a shell vial cell culture assay.

Polyomavirus BK (BKV) causes asymptomatic latent infection in the human host that is reactivated during periods of immune suppression. Detection by conventional tube cell culture is difficult and time consuming because BKV exhibits slow growth with late (14 to 28 days) and subtle cytopathic effects. We developed a shell vial cell culture assay (SVA) using a cross-reactive monoclonal antibody to the T antigen of simian virus 40 to detect BKV rapidly by indirect immunofluorescence. Nuclear fluorescence was seen in BKV-infected cells as early as 16 h postinoculation; 6 to 28 times more foci were present at 36 h postinoculation. Human embryonic kidney cells infected with BKV produced 7 to 42 times more fluorescent foci than MRC-5 or rhabdomyosarcoma cells did. Centrifugation enhanced the infectivity of BKV in the SVA. To define the clinical utility of SVA, urine specimens from organ transplant patients were tested. Of 27 patients, 4 (15%) were found to be positive by SVA. SVA offers a simple and rapid method for detection of BKV that can be of use in clinical studies of this virus.

Parameters affecting the yield of DNA from human blood.

An examination of variables affecting the yield of DNA from blood was undertaken in order to improve sample processing and to evaluate alternative methods of mailing blood samples for DNA analysis. A rapid, high-yield method was developed for the isolation of high-molecular-weight DNA from fresh and frozen blood. In addition, the following observations were made: (1) Of the anticoagulants examined, acid citrate dextrose (ACD) solution B was found to be superior to EDTA and heparin for preserving yields of DNA during incubation at room temperature. If DNA is isolated from frozen blood, high yields of undegraded DNA are achieved after incubation at 23 degrees C for 5 days with ACD solution B. (2) High yields of undegraded DNA are obtained from blood stored with ACD solution B for at least 1 day at 42 degrees C, 5 days at 0 degrees C, or 1 month at -20 degrees C. (3) Three cycles of freezing and thawing may have little if any affect on the yield of DNA. The results indicate that blood for DNA extraction may be mailed in an ambient temperature container and, in many cases, sent by first-class mail rather than by overnight delivery services.

Modulation of transforming growth factor type beta action by activated ras and c-myc.

Transfection of C3H/10T1/2 cells with a c-myc gene resulted in the acquisition of responsiveness to transforming growth factor type beta. Cells transfected with an activated H-ras gene or an H-ras and c-myc gene, however, exhibited a transformed morphology and spontaneous soft-agar growth, a phenotype induced reversibly by transforming growth factor type beta in responsive fibroblasts.

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies to the avian progesterone receptor.

In an effort to obtain additional probes for analysis of the avian progesterone receptor, this receptor was isolated and used to prepare several monoclonal antibodies. Progesterone receptor purified from oviduct cytosol by chromatography on deoxycorticosterone-Sepharose and heparin-agarose was used as the immunizing antigen. Twenty-nine hybridoma cultures which tested positive in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against the receptor preparation were subcloned resulting in establishment of 12 stable cell lines. Of these, 5 produced antibodies capable of complexing receptor-bound progesterone from cytosol as measured by adsorption of receptor-antibody complexes onto antimouse immunoglobulin G-agarose. Each was used to generate ascites and the purified antibodies were designated alpha PR 6, 11, 13, 16, and 22. In addition to precipitating receptor-bound progesterone from cytosol, the antibodies were also effective in increasing the sedimentation velocity of progesterone receptor centrifuged on glycerol gradients, and in recognizing receptor proteins that were resolved by denaturing gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose (Western blots). Immunoisolation of receptor was also demonstrated using receptor labeled covalently with the synthetic progestin, R5020. The antibodies were specific for progesterone receptor and did not cross-react with estrogen receptor from the oviduct or glucocorticoid receptor from chick liver. Two antibodies, alpha PR 6 and alpha PR 22, also recognized some mammalian forms of the progesterone receptor. Both antibodies reacted with progesterone receptor from the rabbit uterus and alpha PR 6 recognized human progesterone receptor. Four of the antibodies recognized both A and B forms of the avian receptor while alpha PR6 was specific for the B form.

Induction of c-sis mRNA and activity similar to platelet-derived growth factor by transforming growth factor beta: a proposed model for indirect mitogenesis involving autocrine activity.

Treatment of quiescent cultures of mouse embryo-derived AKR-2B cells with transforming growth factor beta resulted in an early induction of c-sis mRNA. The increase in c-sis mRNA was followed by a corresponding increase in protein similar to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the culture medium. In addition, PDGF-regulated genes (c-fos and c-myc) were stimulated by transforming growth factor beta with delayed kinetics relative to that seen in other cell systems with direct PDGF stimulation. A model is proposed in which the monolayer mitogenicity of transforming growth factor beta is mediated by the induction of c-sis and PDGF and the subsequent autocrine stimulation of c-fos, c-myc, and other PDGF-inducible genes.

Transforming growth factor type beta regulation of actin mRNA.

Stimulation of quiescent cultures of AKR-2B cells with transforming growth factor type beta (TGF beta) resulted in a transitory increase in actin cytoplasmic poly(A) + RNA. Levels of actin mRNA peaked approximately 4-8 hours subsequent to TGF beta addition and approached basal levels by 24 hours. The accumulation of actin transcripts was dose dependent and insensitive to inhibitors of protein synthesis; 1-3 ng/ml TGF beta induced maximal actin gene expression. Actin isotype-specific probes demonstrated that both beta- and gamma-cytoplasmic actins are induced by TGF beta.

Serum contains a platelet-derived transforming growth factor.

High concentrations of fetal bovine serum induced colony formation in soft agar by anchorage-dependent, nontransformed mouse AKR-2B and rat NRK cells. The colony-stimulating activity in fetal bovine serum was precipitated by 45% saturated ammonium sulfate and migrated in molecular sieve chromatography as a single peak of activity in the 10,000-15,000 molecular weight range. The colony-stimulating activity was heat and acid stable and was destroyed by trypsin and dithiothreitol, indicating the activity is due to a polypeptide that requires disulfide bonds for biological activity. No competition for binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor was associated with the colony-stimulating activity. Isoelectric focusing revealed activity in the pI 4-5 range. The colony-stimulating activity in serum appeared to be of platelet origin because platelet-poor plasma and platelet-poor plasma-derived serum contained little activity, whereas acid/ethanol extracts of bovine and human platelets had potent colony-stimulating activity. Chromatography of platelet extracts on Bio-Gel P-60 revealed peaks of AKR-2B colony-stimulating activity in the 12,000 and 20,000 molecular weight ranges. The other biological and chemical properties of the platelet colony-stimulating activity were the same as those for the serum activity. The data indicate the presence in serum of a platelet-derived growth factor(s) with properties similar to those of the transforming growth factors.

Mouse embryos contain polypeptide growth factor(s) capable of inducing a reversible neoplastic phenotype in nontransformed cells in culture.

A growth-factor-like substance capable of inducing nontransformed mouse AKR-2B, rat NRK, and EGF-receptorless mouse NR6 cells to form progressively growing colonies in soft agar was identified in acid/ethanol extracts of 17-day mouse embryos. This "mouse embryo factor" (MEF) is similar to previously described transforming growth factors in that it is capable of stimulating DNA synthesis and conferring a reversible transformed morphology on nontransformed cells in vitro. Passage of crude embryo extracts over a Bio-Gel P-60 column gave a major peak of soft agar growth-stimulating activity in the 15,000 molecular weight range with a minor peak at about 22,000. This biological activity was sensitive to treatment with either trypsin or dithiothreitol, but was unaffected by heat (56 degrees C for 30 minutes or 100 degrees C for 3 minutes), indicating that the activity is due to a heat-stable polypeptide(s) with disulfide bonds. Separation of these polypeptide(s) by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose revealed two peaks of soft agar growth-stimulating activity which did not cochromatograph with a peak of epidermal growth factor receptor-competing activity. The similarities of this mouse embryo-derived growth factor to previously identified transforming growth factors suggest that both fetal development and neoplastic transformation may be affected by similar mechanisms.

Transforming growth factor production by chemically transformed cells.

Evidence is presented indicating that the chemically transformed AKR-MCA and C3H/MCA-58 murine cell lines produce "transforming growth factor(s)" capable of inducing a transformed morphology and the ability to grow in soft agar in nontransformed, anchorage-dependent indicator cells. Serum-free medium conditioned by exposure to the chemically transformed cells was chromatographed on a Bio-Gel P-60 column after dialysis and lyophilization. Using the nontransformed mouse AKR-2B cells as the indicator cells, a peak of soft agar growth-stimulating activity was detected in the molecular weight range of 10,000 to 12,000. The soft agar growth-stimulating activity in pooled fractions from the AKR-MCA cells was shown to be trypsin and dithiothreitol sensitive and relatively heat stable; the activity was not destroyed by heating to 56 degrees for 30 min or to 100 degrees for 3 min. The pooled material also caused stimulation of growth in the soft agar of rat NRK cells and stimulation of DNA synthesis in the AKR-2B cells. The quantity required to give significant competition for binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor was about one order of magnitude greater than that required for stimulation of soft agar growth. Further separation of these polypeptide(s) by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography revealed three apparent peaks of soft agar growth-stimulating activity. Epidermal growth factor receptor-competing activity cochromatographed with the early minor soft agar growth-stimulating peak, whereas the two major peaks of soft agar growth-stimulating activity had no associated detectable competition for epidermal growth factor binding to its receptor. The data indicate that at least a major portion of the transforming growth factors produced by the chemically transformed cells is different from those described previously in murine sarcoma virus-transformed mouse cells and human tumor cells.

Chromosomal aberrations in leukemic cats.

The bone marrows of two female acute lymphoblastic leukemic cats were studied cytogenetically with the conventional and one also with the G-banding techniques. Both cats had marked aneuploidies. Cat leukemia is caused by virus, FeLV. Perhaps, this virus is capable of affecting cat chromosomes and as a result of this process converts the normal cells into leukemic cells.

Growth arrest of AKR-2B cells maintained in the presence of epidermal growth factor or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate: evidence for two separate G1 arrest points.

Nontransformed mouse embryo derived AKR-2B cells stop growing in the G1 phase of the cell cycle at saturation density due to depletion of serum growth factors, whereas a chemically transformed derivative line (AKR-MCA) arrests growth in G1 at a higher saturation density due to depletion of amino acids and glucose. Stimulation of DNA synthesis is inhibited in the AKR-2B cells, but not in the AKR-MCA cells, by two inhibitors of RNA metabolism, alpha-amanitin and 5-fluorouridine (5-FU). To determine whether the AKR-MCA cells growth arrest at a unique point in G1 or whether they arrest in a physiologic state which can also be achieved by the nontransformed cells, AKR-2B cells were maintained in medium with 10% serum containing the mitogens, epidermal growth factor (EGF) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), until they reached saturation density or were arrested at subconfluence by artificial deletion of amino acids from the medium. The AKR-2B cells maintained in EGF or TPA stopped growing in G1 at a higher saturation density, due to depletion of amino acids. Cells arrested in EGF or TPA or in amino acid deficient medium had a shortened interval between stimulation and the onset of DNA synthesis, and the stimulation of DNA synthesis was not inhibited by alpha-amanitin or 5-FU. The data show that the nontransformed AKR-2B cells have two different arrest states which may represent two separate and distinct G1 arrest points--a growth factor deficiency arrest point and a nutrient deficiency arrest point. The nutrient deficiency arrested cells were very similar to the G1 arrested transformed AKR-MCA cells.