Human-chimpanzee DNA sequence variation in the four major genes of the renin angiotensin system

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in blood pressure control and water/sodium metabolism. The genes encoding the proteins of this system are candidate genes for essential hypertension. The RAS involves four main molecules: angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin I-converting enzyme, and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (encoded by the genes AGT, REN, DCP1, and AGTR1, respectively). We performed a molecular screening over 17,037 bp of the coding and 5' and 3' untranslated regions of these genes, from three to six common chimpanzees. We identified 44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in chimpanzee samples, including 18 coding-region SNPs, 5 of which led to an amino acid replacement. We observed common and different features at various sites (synonymous, nonsynonymous, and noncoding) within and between the four chimpanzee genes: (1) the nucleotide diversity at noncoding sites was similar; (2) the nucleotide diversity at nonsynonymous sites was low, probably reflecting purifying selection, except for the AGT gene; (3) the nucleotide diversity at synonymous sites, which was dependent on the G+C content at the third position of the codon, was high, except for the AGTR1 gene. Comparison of the chimpanzee SNPs with those previously reported for humans identified 119 sites with fixed differences (including 62 coding sites, 17 of which resulted in amino acid differences between the species). Analysis of polymorphism within species and divergence between species shed light on the evolutionary constraints on these genes. In particular, comparison of the pattern of mutation at polymorphic and fixed sites between humans and chimpanzees suggested that the high G+C content of the DCP1 gene was maintained by positive selection at its silent sites. Finally, we propose 68 ancestral alleles for the human RAS genes and discuss the implications for their use in future hypertension-susceptibility association studies.

Interactions between anthocyanins and aroma substances in a model system. Effect on the flavor of grape-derived beverages

Evaluation of the sensory quality of wine or grape-derived beverages led us to study the interactions between flavors and anthocyanins, the colored family of polyphenols. The flavylium cation-ligand complexation, resulting in copigmentation (rise in pigment visible absorption with a concomitant bathochromic shift), was investigated using visible absorption spectroscopy. Sole volatile phenols were found to markedly interact with malvidin-3,5-O-diglucoside. With series of guaiacyl-derived aroma substances, acyl-substituted ligands proved to be better copigments than alkyl-substituted ones. Association constants and 1:1 complex stoichiometry were further determined for several substrates. Decreasing binding to malvin was observed for acetosyringone, syringaldehyde, acetovanillone, vanillin, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, and 4-ethylguaiacol. Addition of 10% ethanol lowered by one-third the association constants for malvin-ligand couples and for malvidin-3-O-glucoside with acetosyringone and syringaldehyde. The main driving force was ascribed to hydrophobicity, although this study evidenced an influence of the ligand substitution pattern on copigmentation.

Antilymphocyte globulin, cyclosporine, prednisolone, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for severe aplastic anemia: an update of the GITMO/EBMT study on 100 patients. European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Working Party on Severe Aplastic Anemia and the Gruppo Italiano Trapianti di Midolio Osseo (GITMO)

One hundred consecutive patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) received horse antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), cyclosporin A (CyA), 6-methylprednisolone (6Mpred), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as first-line therapy. The median age was 16 years (range, 1-72 years) and median neutrophil count was 0.2 x 10(9)/L (range, 0-0.5 x 10(9)/L). Trilineage hematologic recovery (at a median interval of 96 days from treatment) was seen in 77 patients (48 complete, 29 partial) after 1 (n = 50) or more courses of ALG (n = 27). Of the 23 nonresponders, 11 patients died at a median interval of 83 days (range, 16-1132 days), 6 were considered treatment failures and underwent transplantation, and 6 were pancytopenic. Cytogenetic abnormalities were seen in 11% of patients, clonal hematologic disease in 8%, and relapse of marrow aplasia in 9%. The actuarial survival at 5 years was 87% (median follow-up 1424 days): 76% versus 98% for patients with neutrophil counts less than versus greater than 0.2 x 10(9)/L (P =.001) and 88% versus 87% for patients aged less than versus more than 16 years (P =.8). The actuarial probability of discontinuing CyA was 38%. Patients who did not achieve a white blood cell (WBC) count of 5 x 10(9)/L during G-CSF treatment have a low probability of responding (37%) and a high mortality rate (42%). This update confirms a high probability for SAA patients of becoming transfusion independent and of surviving after treatment with ALG, CyA, 6Mpred, and G-CSF, with a significant effect of neutrophil counts on outcome. Problems still remain, such as absent or incomplete responses, clonal evolution, relapse of the original disease, and cyclosporine dependence. Early transplantation, also from alternative donors, may be warranted in patients with poor WBC response to G-CSF. (Blood. 2000;95:1931-1934)

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG) plus cyclosporine and granulocyte colony stimulating factor is an effective treatment for aplastic anaemia patients unresponsive to a first course of intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo (GITMO)

About 30% of patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) unresponsive to one course of immunosuppressive (IS) therapy with antithymocyte or antilymphocyte globulin can achieve complete or partial remission after a second IS treatment. Among various second-line treatments, rabbit ATG (r-ATG) could represent a safe and effective alternative to horse ALG (h-ALG). In a multicentre study, 30 patients with SAA (17 males and 13 females, median age 21 years, range 2-67) not responding to a first course with h-ALG plus cyclosporin (CyA) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), were given a second course using r-ATG (3.5 mg/kg/d for 5 d), CyA (5 mg/kg orally from day 1 to 180) and G-CSF (5 microg/kg subcutaneously from day 1 to 90). The median interval between first and second treatment was 151 d (range 58-361 d). No relevant side-effects were observed, but one patient died early during treatment because of sepsis. Overall response, defined as transfusion independence, was achieved in 23/30 (77%) patients after a median time of 95 d (range 14-377). Nine patients (30%) achieved complete remission (neutrophils >/=2.0 x 109/l, haemoglobin >/=11 g/dl and platelets >/=100 x 109/l). The overall survival rate was 93% with a median follow-up of 914 d (range 121-2278). So far, no patient has relapsed. Female gender was significantly associated with a poorer likelihood to respond (P = 0.0006). These data suggest that r-ATG is a safe and effective alternative to h-ALG for SAA patients unresponsive to first-line IS treatment.

Stromal damage as consequence of high-dose chemo/radiotherapy in bone marrow transplant recipients

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) relies on the engraftment of donor hemopoietic precursors in the host marrow space. Colony forming units-fibroblasts (CFU-f), the precursor compartment for the osteogenic lineage, are essential to hemopoietic stem cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. We have studied CFU-f in donors (aged 5 months to 62 years) and in patients who had received allogeneic BMT (aged 2 months to 63 years). In donor marrows we found an inverse correlation between CFU-f frequency and age. In BMT recipients CFU-f frequencies were reduced by 60%-90% (p < 0.05) and the numbers did not recover up to 12 years after transplant. Stromal reconstitution to normal levels was found only in patients < 5 years old. In all patients studied CFU-f post-BMT were of host origin. Patients with low CFU-f levels displayed also a decreased bone mineral density (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced levels of long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrates that the marrow stromal microenvironment is seriously and irreversibly damaged after BMT. Donor cells do not contribute to reconstitute the marrow microenvironment, whose residual CFU-fs remain of host origin.

Late graft failure 8 years after first bone marrow transplantation for severe acquired aplastic anemia

A 14-year-old patient with acquired very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA) underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from his HLA-identical brother. Preparative therapy was cyclophosphamide (CY) 200 mg/kg over 4 days. GVHD prophylaxis was with cyclosporin A (CsA) for a year. After an 8 year follow-up during which the patient was well with normal blood counts, graft failure occurred. At this time marrow chimerism studies demonstrated that 85% of hemopoiesis was of recipient origin. The patient was re-engrafted from the same donor after conditioning with CY 200 mg/kg over 4 days plus rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) 3.5 mg/kg/day for 3 days. After 140 days follow-up he has a normal blood count. The possible causes of the graft failure are discussed. This case demonstrates that, although rarely, very late graft failure may occur after BMT for AA and highlights the need for long-term monitoring even in apparently successfully transplanted patients.

Interactions between wine polyphenols and aroma substances. An insight at the molecular level

Control of the organoleptic quality of wine or grape-derived beverages requires the study of the interactions between flavor volatiles and polyphenols. The influence of catechin and a wine highly condensed tannin fraction on the volatility of aroma substances was investigated using a dynamic headspace technique. In a hydroalcoholic solution, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and benzaldehyde appeared to be more retained than limonene at low catechin concentrations (0-5 g/L). The tannin fraction induced a slight decrease of benzaldehyde volatility and a salting out of limonene and had no effect on the two esters. Furthermore, investigations at the molecular level were conducted using (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shift changes registered upon addition of a ligand to a substrate kept at constant concentration allowed the determination of the dissociation constant in a 1:1 binding model. Complexation with catechin was evaluated to be similarly weak for benzaldehyde and the two esters. In addition, catechin and epicatechin displayed a higher affinity for benzaldehyde than for 3, 5-dimethoxyphenol, supporting the hypothesis of a hydrophobic driving force.

Influence of wine structurally different polysaccharides on the volatility of aroma substances in a model system

The influence of native polysaccharides on wine organoleptic quality has not been yet clarified. Hence, the effect of purified fractions of arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs), monomeric and dimeric rhamnogalacturonans II (mRG-II and dRG-II), and mannoproteins (MPs) on the volatility of various aroma substances was examined using the exponential dilution technique. The volatility of isoamyl acetate and ethyl hexanoate in a model wine system was not affected upon addition of wine polysaccharides in the range 5-20 g/L. At higher levels, the two esters were significantly retained in solution in the presence of the protein-rich polysaccharides MP0 and AGP0 and weakly salted out in the presence of the uronic acid-rich fractions AGP4, mRG-II, and dRG-II. In addition, the volatility increase caused by dRG-II on the esters was reversed when water was used as the solvent. 1-Hexanol exhibited retention in water with four fractions in the strength order AGP0 > dRG-II > mRG-II > AGP4 but was strongly salted out in the presence of fraction MP0. Furthermore, the diacetyl activity in water was overall not modified increasing only at high concentrations of AGP4. Reference polysaccharides dextrin and dextran were used for binding strength comparison.

Tropomyosin isoform diversity and neuronal morphogenesis

Tropomyosins (Tm) are a large family of isoforms obtained from multiple genes and by extensive alternative splicing. They bind in the alpha-helical groove of the actin filament and are therefore core components of this extensive cytoskeletal system. In non-muscle cells the Tm isoforms have been implicated in a diversity of processes including cytokinesis, vesicle transport, motility, morphogenesis and cell transformation. Using immunohistochemical localization in cultured primary cortical neurons with an antibody that potentially identifies all non-muscle TM5 gene isoforms compared with one that specifically identifies a subset of isoforms, the possibility was raised that there were considerably more isoforms derived from this gene than the four previously described. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis we have now shown that the rat brain generates at least 10 mRNA isoforms using multiple combinations of terminal exons and two internal exons. There is extensive developmental regulation of these isoforms in the brain and there appears to be a switch in the preferential use of the two internal exons 6a to 6b from the embryonic to the adult isoforms. Specific isoforms using alternate carboxyl-terminal exons are differentially localized within the adult rat cerebellum. It is suggested that the tightly regulated spatial and temporal expression of Tm isoforms plays an important role in the development and maintenance of specific neuronal compartments. This may be achieved by isoforms providing unique structural properties to actin-based filaments within functionally distinct neuronal domains.

Splicing of two internal and four carboxyl-terminal alternative exons in nonmuscle tropomyosin 5 pre-mRNA is independently regulated during development

Four nonmuscle tropomyosin isoforms have been reported to be produced from the rat Tm5 gene by alternative splicing (Beisel, K. W., and Kennedy, J. E. (1994) Gene (Amst.) 145, 251-256). In order to detect additional isoforms that might be expressed from that gene, we used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays and evaluated the presence of all product combinations of two alternative internal exons (6a and 6b) and four carboxyl-terminal exons (9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d) in developing and adult rat brain. We identified five different combinations for exon 9 (9a + 9b, 9a + 9c, 9a + 9d, 9c, and 9d), and the exon combinations 9a + 9c and 9a + 9d were previously unreported. Each of these combinations existed with both exon 6a and exon 6b. Thus, the rat brain generates at least 10 different isoforms from the Tm5 gene. Northern blot hybridization with alternative exon-specific probes revealed that these isoforms were also expressed in a number of different adult rat tissues, although some exons are preferentially expressed in particular tissues. Studies of regulation of the 10 different Tm5 isoform mRNAs during rat brain development indicated that no two isoforms are coordinately accumulated. Furthermore, there is a developmental switch in the use of exon 6a to exon 6b from embryonic to adult isoforms. TM5 protein isoforms show a differential localization in the adult cerebellum.

[Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome: a particular clinical form of tics? A case report]

Although it is a syndrome with sometimes spectacular symptoms, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome still keeps, more than a century after its first description, many mysteries. Progress in neurobiology has led to various new findings-our case report is an opportunity to review the recent progress in clinical knowledge.

Lysis of a right atrial thrombus of more than a week's duration by high dose urokinase in a one-year-old child

The case of a one-year-old child in whom a large catheter-related right atrial thrombus of more than a week's duration was dissolved by urokinase is presented. After one week of unsuccessful heparin treatment, urokinase, via a central venous catheter, was added at a dose of 1500 IU/kg/h. Urokinase was subsequently increased by 1000 U/kg/h every day up to a maximum of 4500 IU/kg/h on the basis of thrombus size reduction as assessed by daily cross-sectional echocardiography. One week later the thrombus was almost completely dissolved. No major bleeding occurred. Warfarin was given for the next three months and the international normalized ratio (INR) was maintanied between 2 and 3. At the end of warfarin treatment echocardiography was negative for right atrial thrombosis. This case suggests that local high dose urokinase therapy can be safely and successfully used to dissolve large right atrial thromboses of more than a week's duration.

The influence of the angiotensin I converting enzyme genotype in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy varies with the disease gene mutation

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an autosomal dominant genetically heterogeneous disease characterized by a partial penetrance and variable expressivity. Previous studies showed that the extent of hypertrophy is influenced by the angiotensin I converting enzyme insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism. Recently, molecular genetic analysis revealed the existence of healthy carriers and that as many as a quarter of genetically affected individuals do not express the disease. This data prompted us to re-investigate the role of the angiotensin I converting enzyme polymorphism on hypertrophy by assessing both clinically affected individuals and healthy carriers. For this, several families with mutations in the cardiac myosin binding protein C or the beta-myosin heavy chain genes were analysed. The mean maximal intraventricular septum thickness was compared as a function of angiotensin I converting enzyme genotypes in all genetically affected individuals (n = 114), and in subsets of subjects carrying either a splice acceptor site mutation in the cardiac myosin binding protein C gene (n = 33), or various missense mutations in the cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain gene (n = 81) or finally, mutation in the Arg403 codon of the beta-myosin heavy chain gene (n = 54). Significant association between the D allele and hypertrophy was observed only in the case of Arg403 codon mutations (mean septum thickness for subjects with the DD genotype: 19.3 +/- 2.7 mm: with the ID genotype: 13.4 +/- 1.3 mm and with the II genotype: 11.0 +/- 0.9 mm; P < 0.02). These results were confirmed by the chi 2 test showing an over-representation of DD genotype in patients carrying an Arg403 codon mutation associated with septal hypertrophy (P < 0.05). Our data confirms that the angiotensin I converting enzyme genotypes can influence the phenotypic expression of hypertrophy and shows that this influence depends on the mutation, raising the concept of multiple genetic modifiers in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Retinol (vitamin A) and retinal-binding protein serum levels in children with cancer at onset

The aim of the study was to evaluate vitamin A (Vit A) plasma levels in children with newly diagnosed neoplasia (NDN) admitted to the Department of Hematology-Oncology of G. Gaslini Institute. Vit A levels, retinol-binding protein (RBP), and nutritional status were evaluated in 54 children with NDN (22 solid tumors other than neuroblastoma, 16 neuroblastomas, 9 lymphomas, 7 acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Biochemical test results were also compared with those of 47 healthy controls (HC) comparable for sex and age. In children with NDN, mean Vit A plasma level results were 350 micrograms/L (95% CI 288-412); in HC they were 517 micrograms/L (95% CI 471-563), P < 0.001. Mean RBP value results were 3.2 mg/dL (95% CI 2.6-3.9) in NDN and 4.9 mg/dL in HC (95% CI 4.5-5.3), P < 0.001. Fifteen (28%) out of 54 children with NDN were classified as well-nourished, 27/54 (50%) were considered at risk of malnutrition, and 12 (22%) were malnourished. Children with NDN presented reduced Vit A and RBP mean values compared with those of HC. Further studies are needed to better evaluate Vit A metabolism in children with cancer at onset.

[Adult HTLV-I positive leukemia-lymphoma in Argentina]

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is associated with adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP/HAM) in endemic and non-endemic areas. Serological studies have shown that HTLV-I is prevalent in some Latin American countries such as Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Perú and Uruguay. We describe here the clinical and laboratory features of five cases of ATLL diagnosed in Argentina. All patients (4 males, 1 female; median age 48.2 years) were of caucasian origin; 4 born in Argentina and 1 in Chile. High risk factors for HTLV-I infection were not apparent in Argentina patients, whereas the Chilean resident, who was a promiscuous heterosexual, travelled through Chile frequently. Positive results for antibodies to HTLV-I were detected in all five cases and in some of their relatives. This report suggests that HTLV-I infection may be endemic in, Argentina where TSP has also been described.

Identification of a mutation near a functional site of the beta cardiac myosin heavy chain gene in a family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Several mutations within the gene coding for the cardiac beta myosin heavy chain (designed MYH7) have been shown to be responsible for Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC) in several families, and evidence of genetic heterogeneity has been reported. To investigate the MYH7 gene as the cause of the disease in a small family with FHC, inheritance of the disease and chromosome 14 q11-q12 markers haplotype were studied, exons coding for the head domain of the cardiac beta myosin heavy chain (beta MHC) were analysed for mutations by MDE gel electrophoresis, and sequenced. We report a mutation within exon eight of the MYH7 gene at a very conserved amino acid at position 232, which results in the conversion of an asparagine to serine. This residue Asn-232 is located in a MHC area that has been recently identified as a critical site for ATPase activity. According to recent results on the three-dimensional structure of the myosin head or subfragment-1 (S1), Asn-232 is located in an alpha-helix which forms part of the nucleotide binding pocket. Although this mutation affects an active site, it seems to be associated with a favourable prognosis and a weak penetrance in this family.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Microsatellite haplotyping and identification of a hot spot for mutations in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease. The first identified disease gene, located on chromosome 14q11-q12, encodes the beta-myosin heavy chain. We have performed linkage analysis of two French FHC pedigrees, 720 and 730, with two microsatellite markers located in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene (MYO I and MYO II) and with four highly informative markers, recently mapped to chromosome 14q11-q12. Significant linkage was found with MYO I and MYO II in pedigree 720, but results were not conclusive for pedigree 730. Haplotype analysis of the six markers allowed identification of affected individuals and of some unaffected subjects carrying the disease gene. Two novel missense mutations were identified in exon 13 by direct sequencing, 403Arg-->Leu and 403Arg-->Trp in families 720 and 730, respectively. The 403Arg-->Leu mutation was associated with incomplete penetrance, a high incidence of sudden deaths and severe cardiac events, whereas the consequences of the 403Arg-->Trp mutation appeared less severe. Haplotyping of polymorphic markers in close linkage to the beta-myosin heavy chain gene can, thus, provide rapid analysis of non informative pedigrees and rapid detection of carrier status. Our results also indicate that codon 403 of the beta-myosin heavy chain gene is a hot spot for mutations causing FHC.

Mapping of a novel gene for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to chromosome 11

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is a cardiac disorder transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. FHC has been shown to be genetically heterogeneous with less than 50% of published pedigrees being associated with mutations in the beta myosin heavy chain (beta-MHC) gene on chromosome 14q11-q12. A second locus has recently been reported on chromosome 1. We examined the segregation of microsatellite markers in a French pedigree for which the disease is not linked to beta-MHC gene. We found significant linkage of the disease locus to several (CA)n repeats located on chromosome 11 (lod scores between +3.3 and +4.98). The data suggest the localization of the novel FHC gene in a region spanning 17 centiMorgans.

Radioimmunodetection of human bladder tumor xenografts in nude mice with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies

The tumor targeting potential of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) reacting with growth-regulated surface glycoproteins of human bladder cancer was investigated. The mAb T16 reacts more intensely with stationary cells while the mAb T43 is preferentially reactive with exponentially growing cells. The test target was T24 human bladder cancer cells grown subcutaneously in 30 nude mice. Controls for tumor specificity were human lung cancer cells grown on the contralateral side. Purified mAb's T16 and T43, and Om5, a non-reactive control, were radiolabeled with 131-Iodine and injected intravenously in doses ranging from 50 to 300 microCi in tumor-bearing animals. Consistent images of the bladder cancer xenografts were obtained at 48 and 72 hours with tumors as small as 0.1 gm. High resolution tumor images were obtained only with the reactive antibodies and according to their in vitro specificity. These results demonstrate that the two mAbs T16 and T43 can specifically and sensitively localize human bladder cancer cells in vivo.

Exclusion of cardiac myosin heavy chain and actin gene involvement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of several French families

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is characterized by idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy, which often and predominantly involves the interventricular septum. The disease is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, and its major risk is sudden death. It was recently demonstrated that this disease is genetically heterogeneous and that in 13 of 18 unrelated families the morbid locus, termed FHC-1, maps to chromosome 14q11-12 in and/or very near the cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain gene. We have performed linkage analysis with five chromosomal markers detecting polymorphisms in either the cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain gene or the cardiac actin gene (located on chromosome 15q) on eight families from different regions of France. We show that 1) it is possible to analyze medium-sized families by using highly informative microsatellite markers located in these genes and 2) the disease is not linked to the two contractile protein genes in any of these families. Moreover, 10-20% of chromosome 14 and 20-40% of chromosome 15 in the vicinity of the respective markers were excluded as possible locations for the morbid locus. These results provide new insights into the identification of the genes responsible for FHC.

Hypertrophic gastropathy with transient sessile polyps

We report an 8-year-old boy with hypertrophic gastropathy (HG) associated with duodenal Giardia lamblia infestation. The follow-up was complicated by the development of gastric polyps at the site of previous biopsies that spontaneously disappeared within 15 months. Despite the histological similarity, the different course between Ménétrier's disease (MD) in adults (chronic, with frequent development of sessile or pedunculate polyps) and HG (uncomplicated and usually spontaneously resolving) suggests a different pathogenesis. Viral (cytomegalovirus) and bacterial (Helicobacter pylori) infections have been described in association with HG and they could play an important pathogenetic role. The term HG better defines the childhood disease in which a conservative management is recommended.

Monoclonal antibody against a tumor-associated sialoglycoprotein of superficial papillary bladder tumors and cervical condylomas

A mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb), 19A211, defining a tumor-associated cell-surface antigen of superficial papillary bladder tumors, was generated by immunizing with fresh bladder tumor cells mice neonatally injected with normal human urothelial cells. The reactivity of the antibody with cell lines was examined by indirect immunofluorescence staining and was restricted to 3/14 bladder cancer lines and 3/31 cancer cell lines of non-bladder origin, including HeLa cervical cancer. No normal fibroblast, kidney cells, EBV-lymphocytes, erythrocytes or leukocytes expressed the antigen. Reactivity of MAb 19A211 was well preserved on tissue paraffin sections. Immunoperoxidase staining of normal adult or fetal tissues showed no reactivity except for a patchy or uniform staining of umbrella cells in 6/23 adult and 1/4 fetal urothelium samples. Positive and often heterogeneous staining was observed on 24/38 papillary superficial tumors (Ta) and 4/5 carcinoma in situ bladder lesions but on only 4/20 infiltrating tumors. It was also observed on 5/6 cervical condylomas and one bladder condyloma, but none of 6 penile or vulvar condylomas. All other tumors tested were negative. The antigenic determinant is present on a heterogeneous group of proteins with molecular weights ranging from 90 to 200 kDa. It is sensitive to periodate treatment and to neuraminidase but only partially sensitive to proteases. MAb 19A211 is different from other reported MAbs with similar reactivity to superficial bladder tumors and umbrella cells of normal urothelium. When tested in competition assays, several of these MAbs, but not 19A211, were found to react with Lewis X blood group determinant. Our results suggest that 19A211 may be useful for detection and stratification of bladder tumors.