Clinical, genetic and environmental factors associated with congenital vertebral malformations.

Congenital vertebral malformations (CVM) pose a significant health problem because they can be associated with spinal deformities, such as congenital scoliosis and kyphosis, in addition to various syndromes and other congenital malformations. Additional information remains to be learned regarding the natural history of congenital scoliosis and related health problems. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the process of somite formation, which gives rise to vertebral bodies, there is a wide gap in our understanding of how genetic factors contribute to CVM development. Maternal diabetes during pregnancy most commonly contributes to the occurrence of CVM, followed by other factors such as hypoxia and anticonvulsant medications. This review highlights several emerging clinical issues related to CVM, including pulmonary and orthopedic outcome in congenital scoliosis. Recent breakthroughs in genetics related to gene and environment interactions associated with CVM development are discussed. The Klippel-Feil syndrome which is associated with cervical segmentation abnormalities is illustrated as an example in which animal models, such as the zebrafish, can be utilized to provide functional evidence of pathogenicity of identified mutations.

Modulation of tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis by polyamine depletion in cells of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

These studies were carried out to examine the capacity of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) to modulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in cells of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the head and neck. Exposure of cells to DFMO (5 mM for 48 h) depleted intracellular putrescine and spermidine levels (greater than 5-fold) and inhibited proliferation of the cells without manifestation of cytotoxicity as measured by a clonogenic assay. Exposure of the cells to DFMO did not influence the survival response after exposure to single-dose radiation between 0 and 10 Gy. Treatment of polyamine-depleted cells with 200 nM staurosporine amplified apoptosis 65% (1.65-fold) over that in controls, as determined by flow cytometry. The increased apoptosis after DFMO treatment was effectively inhibited by the addition of 1 mM putrescine or spermidine. Cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) illustrated that the staurosporine treatment induced apoptosis in the cells within 6 h. Analysis of PARP cleavage indicated that treatment with DFMO accelerated the kinetics of progression of apoptosis but did not influence the sensitivity of cells to 10 nM-1 microM staurosporine. These data suggest an involvement of endogenous polyamines in modulation of proliferation kinetics and apoptosis in human SCCs and suggest opportunities to explore new therapeutic strategies in head and neck cancer patients to be treated with radiation therapy.

Antiproliferative effects of N1,N4-dibenzylputrescine in human and rodent tumor cells.

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) increase in proliferating tissues and are essential for cellular growth and cell division processes. We had previously shown that alkyl substituted putrescines can inhibit cell proliferation. We now tested the effects of the (N(alpha),N(omega)-dibenzyl derivatives of the simple diamines putrescine, cadaverine and 1,3-diaminopropane on the growth of three human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines and a rat hepatoma (H-4-II-E) cell line. Survival assays were measured by treating exponentially-growing SCC cultures with N1,N4-dibenzylputrescine (DBP) (270 microM) or a rat hepatoma cell culture with DBP (100 microM) for 48 hrs. Inhibition of cell growth was measured either by the colony forming assay or by cell counting. DBP inhibited proliferation of the rat hepatoma (H-4-II-E) cell line and induced cytotoxicity when used at a concentration of 100 microM for >48 hrs. N1,N5-dibenzylcadaverine (DBC) also induced cytotoxicity at a similar concentration, while N1,N3-dibenzyl-1,3-diaminopropane (DBPr) was a much weaker inhibitor of cell growth. Inhibition of cell growth by DBP resulted in marked modifications of cell morphology, such as vacuole formation, decrease in size, pycnosis, change in staining behavior toward trypan blue and lack of adherence. DBP was also growth inhibitory in the three human SCC cell lines tested. The concentration of DBP required to achieve growth inhibition of SCC cells could be dramatically decreased in the presence of N1,N4-bis(buta-2,3-dienyl)butanediamine, a specific inhibitor of polyamine oxidase (PAOI). Moreover, although the presence of PAOI only prevented the oxidation (debenzylation) of approximately 20% of intracellular DBP over a 5-day period, it produced a 5-fold increase in the inhibition of cell proliferation by DBP. DBP (and DBC) inhibited putrescine uptake by rat hepatoma (H-4-II-E) cells in what appears to be a competitive reaction. A tenfold excess of putrescine over DBP did not inhibit the antiproliferative or cytotoxic effects of the latter. DBP administered for 72 hrs. depleted intracellular levels of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in the SCC lines by 50-100% of control values. It was found that DBP inhibited nucleic acid and protein synthesis at an early stage of cell proliferation, hence its growth inhibitory effect may be related to inhibition of the synthesis of macromolecules.

Growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma xenografts with the polyamine analogue BE 4444.

BACKGROUND: The capacity of radiation to cure advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is compromised by the proliferation of surviving tumor cells during the course of therapy (overall duration, often 7-9 weeks). Antiproliferative agents that inhibit tumor proliferation, even in the absence of direct cytotoxicity, may be useful adjuncts for concurrent use with radiation. Modulation of endogenous polyamine (PA) metabolism has the potential to inhibit cell growth. The PA analogue 1,19-bis(ethylamino)-5,10,15-triazanonadecane (BE 4444) is a synthetic compound that demonstrates antiproliferative effects in human tumor cells. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the PA analogue BE 4444 for its inhibitory effect on the growth of human squamous cell carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. DESIGN: Xenografts of human squamous cell carcinomas were grown in nude mice; then, BE 4444 was injected intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg) on a twice-daily schedule for 8 days. Tumor growth measurements were performed twice weekly for 8 weeks and compared with those of control mice that were injected with sterile saline solution on the same schedule. The PA levels in the tumor and normal tissue samples were assayed at the completion of treatment. RESULTS: Tumor volume in the BE 4444-treated mice was reduced by 62% compared with tumor volumes in control mice, and the tumor growth rate was reduced by 64%. This growth inhibition was maintained through completion of the experiment. Levels of endogenous PAs were not significantly different from control levels, suggesting that the mechanism of action for BE 4444 is not simply PA biosynthesis inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: The PA analogue BE 4444 is an inhibitor of human squamous cell cancer growth. Further studies are in progress to characterize the potential value of PA analogues as adjuncts to radiation therapy for rapidly proliferating squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Slowing proliferation in head and neck tumors: in vitro growth inhibitory effects of the polyamine analog BE-4-4-4-4 in human squamous cell carcinomas.

PURPOSE: These preclinical studies were carried out to examine the potential of the antiproliferative polyamine analog 1,19-bis-(ethylamino)-5,10,15-triazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4) to serve as a therapy adjuvant to radiation for patients with rapidly dividing tumors of the head and neck (H&N). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of this polyamine analog were investigated in three squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines derived from human H&N tumors. RESULTS: Growth inhibition was achieved in all cell lines within 3-4 days of continuous 10 microM drug exposure, and inhibition of cell cycle proliferation kinetics was confirmed via flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was pronounced (3-4 log cell kill) in the SCC-38 and SCC-4Y cell lines with continuous 10 microM analog exposure over 5 days, and was minimal in the SCC-13Y cell line. No demonstrable effect of BE-4-4-4-4 on single dose radiation survival was identified in any SCC cell line. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was rapidly inhibited (1-2 h) following 10 microM BE-4-4-4-4 exposure in all SCC cell lines (approximately 90%), whereas identical exposure to 10 microM difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) induced animal ODC inhibition (approximately 10%). Dose-dependent depletion of endogenous polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) was achieved in all SCC cell lines following 1 microM and 10 microM BE-4-4-4-4 exposures. Difluoromethylornithine was significantly less potent than BE-4-4-4-4 in its capacity to deplete endogenous polyamines, with no measureable depletion of spermine pools even with 5 mM x 48 h DFMO exposures. CONCLUSIONS: These data evaluate cytostatic and cytotoxic properties of the polyamine analog BE-4-4-4-4 in human SCCs, and suggest a role for investigation of such agents as an adjuvant to radiation in the therapeutic approach to rapidly dividing human tumors such as those that occur in the H&N.

Combining polyamine depletion with radiation therapy for rapidly dividing head and neck tumors: strategies for improved locoregional control.

PURPOSE: Locoregional control is adversely affected as clonogens from rapidly proliferating tumors repopulate during a course of radiation therapy. The cytostatic agent alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was investigated for its capacity to slow proliferation kinetics in human squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the head and neck (H&N), with the ultimate objective of improving locoregional control in rapidly dividing tumors treated with radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three human SCC cell lines established from primary H&N tumors were evaluated in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (SCC tumor xenografts in athymic mice) for the capacity of DFMO to induce growth inhibition. Flow cytometry analysis of SCC tumor growth kinetics and quantitative assessment of polyamine biosynthesis inhibition was performed to verify DFMO activity. DFMO effects on in vitro SCC radiosensitivity using clonogenic survival were also studied. RESULTS: A noncytotoxic exposure to DFMO (5mM x 72 hours) induced pronounced growth inhibition in all three SCC cell lines (70-90% at 7 days), and induced a 2-3 fold delay in volume doubling time for SCC tumor xenografts when administered orally in the drinking water (1.5%) to athymic mice. Kinetic analysis via flow cytometry confirmed that DFMO produced a lengthening of SCC cell cycle times, but did not alter in vitro radiosensitivity. Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and depletion of endogenous polyamines (putrescine and spermidine), were confirmed in normal tissue (mouse skin) and in human SCC tumor xenografts of athymic mice receiving continuous oral DFMO. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that antiproliferative agents, such as DFMO, are capable of altering human SCC growth kinetics without altering intrinsic radiosensitivity. Such kinetic modulation may therefore provide a strategy to reduce the adverse impact of tumor cell proliferation during a radiotherapy treatment course for rapidly dividing tumors such as those in the H&N.

Modulation of proliferation kinetics in human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: Proliferation of tumor clonogens during a course of conventional head and neck radiotherapy serves to compromise ultimate tumor control. Biologic strategies that attempt to alter tumor proliferation kinetics using cytostatic or antiproliferative agents may therefore prove valuable by limiting tumor cell repopulation during therapy. DESIGN: Three human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines, derived from primary head and neck cancers, have been characterized in vitro via flow cytometric analysis of proliferation kinetics, and in vivo via tumor xenograft growth evaluation in athymic mice. RESULTS: The antiproliferative agent alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, induced growth inhibition of these SCCs in culture and when administered orally to athymic mice harboring SCC tumor xenografts. Cell cycle kinetic analysis via flow cytometry revealed that DFMO induced a lengthening of in vitro tumor cell potential doubling times. Similarly, DFMO administered continuously via the drinking water to athymic mice harboring human SCC xenografts induced a prolongation of in vivo tumor volume doubling. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that biologic agents, such as DFMO, can alter SCC growth kinetics and may prove useful in designing new therapeutic strategies for rapidly proliferating tumors such as those that occur in the head and neck.

Arginine vasopressin stimulates atrial natriuretic peptide gene expression and secretion from rat diencephalic neurons.

The central nervous system modulates cardiovascular function and fluid and electrolyte balance in part through the actions of vasoactive peptides/neurotransmitters. The presence of several vasoactive peptides and their receptors in the hypothalamus suggests a possible interaction at this site. One level at which vasoactive peptides such as arginine vasopressin (AVP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) might interact is through the mutual regulation of production and secretion in the hypothalamus. To determine whether AVP modulates ANP gene expression and secretion, we cultured fetal rat diencephalic neurons in the presence of AVP. AVP induced a significant increase in ANP secretion in dose-related fashion (mean +/- SEM basal ANP, 87 +/- 4 pg/ml; maximal mean AVP-stimulated ANP, 146 +/- 6 pg/ml; P less than 0.05, by analysis of variance). Neither oxytocin nor the vasoactive neuropeptide angiotensin-II had any effect on ANP secretion. The stimulatory effect of AVP was significantly blocked by coincubation with a V1 receptor antagonist, but was unaffected by a V2 receptor antagonist. The immunoreactive ANP secreted in response to AVP was the major brain isoform, ANP-(103-126). Coincubation with a calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, had no effect on AVP-induced ANP secretion, while ryanodine, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of AVP. AVP induced a dose-related, nearly 3-fold maximal increase in ANP mRNA expression at 4 h. Coincubation of the neurons with a V1 receptor antagonist also significantly attenuated the increased ANP gene expression induced by AVP. These results indicate that AVP acts directly through V1 receptors on cultured fetal rat diencephalic neurons to augment ANP gene expression and secretion of the peptide. The effects are probably related to AVP-stimulated mobilization of intracellular calcium and not the result of calcium influx into the cell. These studies provide the first evidence that AVP modulates ANP production from cultured neurons. In the central nervous system, these two vasoactive neuropeptides might interact in part through the regulation of ANP production by AVP.