An immunohistologic evaluation of C-erbB-2 gene product in patients with urinary bladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Amplification or overexpression of the c-erbB-2 gene have been reported to correlate with poor patient prognosis in human breast, gastric, and ovarian cancer. Recently, the c-erbB-2 gene product was found to be expressed frequently in the urinary bladder carcinoma. In the current study, the presence of the c-erbB-2 gene product in urinary bladder carcinomas was compared with patient outcome to evaluate whether c-erbB-2 gene product could identify a subset of patients who are destined to have a poor prognosis.

METHODS

Immunohistologic study of the c-erbB-2 gene product was done in formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens obtained from 88 transitional cell carcinomas of the human urinary bladder. Eighty-three patients who underwent complete tumor resection by total cystoprostatectomy (30 patients) or by bladder-preserving operations such as transurethral surgery (50 patients) or partial cystectomy (3 patients) entered a follow-up study. The other five patients did not enter the follow-up study because of lost follow-up (2 patients) or distant metastasis at the time of surgery.

RESULTS

The c-erbB-2 gene product was expressed in 23 of 88 patients (26%), showing an increase in the expression rate corresponding to the advancement of tumor grade (P < 0.05) and tumor stage (P < 0.2). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 48.5% for patients with c-erbB-2 negative tumors versus 9.7% for those with c-erbB-2 positive tumors (P < 0.01). The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 65.5% for patients with c-erbB-2 negative tumors versus 41.8% for those with c-erbB-2 positive tumors (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis using Cox regression model showed that the c-erbB-2 gene product tissue status was a significant prognostic factor independent of grade and stage of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the c-erbB-2 gene product could be a tumor marker to identify a malignant subgroup in bladder carcinomas.

Production of antibodies specific for double stranded antigen DNA cloned from immune complexes in plasma of a SLE patient

The antigenicity of antigen DNA isolated from immune complexes in plasma of a SLE patient was examined. DDY mice were immunized with the cloned antigen DNA carrying a sequence homologous with a part of bacteriophage f1 (KS8 DNA) by the coupling method, and the antibody response was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Antibodies specific to double stranded DNA were elicited. Moreover, the antibodies showed preferential binding to KS8 DNA than other DNA derived from Escherichia coli. These results suggest that KS8 DNA has a significant antigenicity in mice.

Antigen DNA isolated from immune complexes in plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus hybridizes with the Escherichia coli lac Z gene

Antigen DNA was isolated from immune complexes in plasma of three patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using affinity column. The antigen DNA thus obtained was subjected to hybridization experiments in order to investigate its origin. Unexpectedly, plasmid pUC18 used as a probe was found to hybridize with the antigen DNA, pUC18 was then cleaved into three fragments with the restriction enzyme HaeII. A 445-bp fragment containing lac Z DNA hybridized with the antigen DNA. Finally, the lacZ DNA itself was found to hybridize with the antigen DNA. These data strongly suggest that the antigen DNA obtained from three patients is of bacterial origin.

Enhanced ATPase activity in liver cell nuclei induced by administration of mitomycin C to rats

Intraperitoneal administration of mitomycin C (40 micrograms/100 g body weight) to male Wistar rats increased the ATPase activity in hypotonic extracts of liver cell nuclei for 4 days after injection. Partially purified ATPase, obtained by the DEAE-cellulose column chromatography of these extracts, showed a 14 times higher specific activity than that found in normal rat liver nuclei. The enzymatic activity was strongly enhanced by the addition of polynucleotides, especially poly A and poly I, to the assay mixture, but was inhibited by GTP, a chelating agent, heparin and thiol-group inhibitors. Quercetin and oligomycin were less effective, and ouabain showed no inhibitory effect. Mg2+ ions were essential, but neither Ca2+, Na+ nor K+ ions were required for the manifestation of the activity. These characteristic properties of the enzyme are similar to those of a nucleoside triphosphatase found in the nuclear matrix and envelope, suggesting that some energy-providing mechanisms involved in the repair processes of DNA damage or cellular injury are induced by mitomycin C administration.

Quantitative measurement of ultraviolet-induced damage in cellular DNA by an enzyme immunodot assay

A simple enzyme immunoassay procedure was developed for the quantitative determination of 254-nm uv-induced DNA damage in cells. With the use of specific antibodies to uv-irradiated DNA and horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibody to rabbit IgG, the extent of damaged DNA in uv-irradiated rat spleen mononuclear cells was quantitatively measurable. Through the use of this method, the amount of damaged DNA present in 2 X 10(5) cells irradiated at a dose of 75 J/m2 was estimated to be 7 ng equivalents of the standard uv-irradiated DNA. In addition, when the cells, irradiated at 750 J/m2, were incubated for 1 h, the antigenic activity of DNA decreased by 40%, suggesting that a repair of the damaged sites in DNA had proceeded to some extent in the cells.

Formation of triple-helical nucleic acids studied by using antibodies specific for poly(A).poly(U).poly(U)

The formation of the triple helix of poly(A).poly(U).poly(U) was studied by using antibodies specific to poly(A).poly(U).poly(U). the 10-11 base chain length for oligo(A) and the 20-30 base chain length for oligo(U) may be the minimum sizes required to maintain a stable triple helix. Double-stranded poly(A).poly(U) which was the core of triple-stranded poly(A).poly(U).poly(U) could bind poly(U) and produce an analogue of poly(A).poly(U).poly(U) reactive with the antibodies even if the poly(A) or poly(U) was brominated or acetylated to the extent of 35-55%. However, brominated or acetylated poly(U) did not produce a stable triple helix with double-stranded poly(A).poly(U).

Production of monoclonal antibodies against rice dwarf virus and characterization of antigenic proteins with affinity media

Hybridomas were developed which secreted antibodies to the core and outer capsids of rice dwarf virus (RDV). The reactive proteins of RDV were simply and rapidly analyzed using monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-coupled Affi-Gel 701 beads and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were isolated with a MoAb-coupled Sepharose 4B affinity column.

Production of 5-formyluracil from thymine in an in vitro active oxygen-generating system

Thymine was placed in a model active oxygen-generating system containing ferrous sulfate, EDTA, and ascorbic acid. The oxidative products of thymine were separated by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and a reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) into at least five major components. One of them had a UV spectrum characteristic of 5-formyluracil and mass spectrometric analysis of this material also indicated this material to be 5-formyluracil.

Antibodies specific for methylated DNA elicited in rabbits recognize only a single strand region of DNA containing 7-methylguanine

Immunogenicity of methylated DNA (Me-DNA) was investigated in connection with the changes of the high order structure. Antibodies specific for Me-DNA were elicited in the rabbits with DNA methylated at different extents. When Me-DNA was chromatographed on a hydroxyapatite column and was separated into single and double stranded forms, Me-DNA eluted at single strand position was found to react only with the anti-Me-DNA antibodies. In order to examine the immunogenicity of both single and double stranded forms, each form was injected in rabbits respectively. No specific antibodies were produced for the double stranded form, whereas the single stranded form showed a potent immunogenicity. On the other hand, the antigenicity of the single stranded Me-DNA was decreased or lost in parallel with the extent of the release of 7-methylguanine residues from the molecule on heating under the neutral condition. These results revealed that single stranded structure of Me-DNA is immunogenic or antigenic and that 7-methylguanine residues of Me-DNA play an important role in forming a characteristic structure required for the manifestation of its specific antigenicity.

The fate of DNA originally existing in the zygote nucleus during achromosomal cleavage of fertilized echinoderm eggs in the presence of aphidicolin: microscopic studies with anti-DNA antibody

In fertilized echinoderm eggs, the male and female pronuclei fuse to form the diploid nucleus even in the presence of aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of eukaryotic DNA polymerase-alpha. The subsequent first cleavage is independent of chromosomes but dependent on spindle and amphiaster. The fate of DNA originally existing in the fused nucleus during achromosomal cleavage of fertilized sea urchin and starfish eggs induced by aphidicolin was determined using antidenatured DNA antibody. The nucleus is not formed in the divided daughter cells at the two-cell stage but the nuclear-envelope-free chromatin mass which is unassociated with mitotic apparatus remains in the center region of embryos, especially near the first cleavage furrow. These results indicate that the condensed and nonreplicated chromatin can not be associated with spindle and asters in the presence of aphidicolin.

The role of nucleotide sequence in the immune-active structure photochemically induced in double-stranded DNA by ultraviolet irradiation

Pyrimidine, purine, and mixed sequence oligonucleotides from ultraviolet-irradiated DNA were tested for their inhibitory activities on the interaction of [3H]ultraviolet-irradiated DNA with its antibody raised in rabbit. Thymine dimer containing pyrimidine oligonucleotides from irradiated DNA failed to inhibit the interaction, while mixed sequence oligonucleotides, especially those with 8 or more nucleotides, exhibited potent inhibition. Purine clusters from irradiated DNA and mixed sequence oligomers from unirradiated DNA showed no inhibition. Dimerized thymine, which appears to be a critical part of the antigenic determinant, did not inhibit the interaction by itself. The same observations were made for ultraviolet-irradiated thymidine and thymidylic acid. The results suggest that a structure composed of a mixed pyrimidine and purine sequence with a certain chain length seems to be essential for the antigenicity induced in the irradiated DNA. On this nucleotide chain backbone, photochemically modified bases (mostly thymine dimer) can form an immune-active structure.

The separation of three antibody populations from anti-poly(A).poly(U) antibodies elicited in mice or rabbits and antigenic features of poly(A).poly(U))

Anti-poly(A).poly(U) antibodies in ascitic fluid of DDY mice immunized with poly(A).poly(U)-methylated bovine serum albumin complexes were fractionated into three major antibody populations, Ab-1, Ab-2 and Ab-3, by precipitating with poly(I).poly(C), poly(A).poly(U), and poly(A).2 poly(U), respectively. Antibody population one, Ab-2, reacted with various double-stranded RNAs [poly(I).poly(C), poly(A).poly(U), and rice dwarf virus ribonucleic acid (RDV-RNA)] and poly(A).2 poly(U). Ab-2 reacted with poly(A).poly(U) and poly(A).2 poly(U). Although both Ab-1 and Ab-2 reacted with poly(A).poly(U), the two populations were distinguishable by their different reactivities against chemically modified antigens and oligonucleotides. In contrast to Ab-2, acetylation at the furanose 2'-position of poly(U) resulted in a dramatic decrease in the complement fixation reactivity of Ab-2. Also, Ab-2 was capable of binding with complexes of hexa- to heptaadenylates and poly(U), whereas Ab-1 required oligoadenylates of longer chain lengths (9-10 chain length) for binding. Therefore, it appears that poly(A).poly(U) possesses unique antigenic determinants which are recognizable only by Ab-2, in addition to those determinants which are common to a variety of double-stranded RNAs.

Differentiation of specific DNA binding activity of SLE sera from non-specific binding by an addition of dextran sulfate and calcium chloride to the Farr assay system

A new method for differentiation of specific DNA-binding by human sera from non-specific binding was evaluated with sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in different stages of the disease. An addition of dextran sulfate or calcium chloride to Farr's radioimmunoassay mixture reduced non-specific binding of thermally denatured [3H]DNA of the patient sera without much effect on the specific binding. The measurement of DNA-binding value by the sera in these addition systems provides accurate information with regard to the pathophysiological state of the disease.

The non-specific binding of thermally denatured DNA by healthy human sera in Farr assay with or without addition of dextran sulfate and calcium chloride

A non-specific DNA binding by human sera was measured in 60 male and female healthy subjects in different ages. Farr assay using thermally denatured mouse embryo [3H]DNA proved a high DNA binding level of 47.9 +/- 5.8% (mean +/- S.D.) on an average of these sera. The addition of dextran sulfate and CaCl2 significantly decreased the mean binding value to 14.7 +/- 4.8% and 6.5 +/- 3.2%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between men and women, or between any age groups from twenties to sixties. The measurement of complement activity in the serum gave no evidence for the participation of complement in the non-specific DNA binding.

Antigenic structure of DNA: relatively high inhibitory activity of di- and trideoxyribonucleotide derived from DNase digest on the interaction of thermally denatured DNA with systemic lupus erythematosus sera

The antigenic determinant of thermally denatured DNA reactive with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera was examined by hapten inhibition assay. We used oligonucleotides with different chain lengths (2-8) derived from DNase I digests of salmon sperm DNA in Farr's radioimmunoassay with thermally denatured mouse embryo 3H-DNA as antigen, and the effect of dextran sulphate addition to the assay mixture on the inhibitory activity of oligonucleotides was examined. A characteristic oligonucleotide inhibition pattern on DNA binding by SLE sera was observed in the assay system without dextran sulphate. Di-and/or trinucleotide inhibited the binding more effectively than tetra-and/or pentanucleotide. These patterns were also observed in DNA-normal serum interaction. When dextran sulphate was added to the mixture, the inhibition pattern changed; the inhibitory activity of oligonucleotides increased with chain length in both serum groups. The inhibitory potency of di- and trinucleotide was higher on DNA-SLE sera than on DNA-normal sera interaction. The high potency of short-chain oligomers in SLE sera is obviously different from that in experimentally elicited anti-DNA sera suggesting that different mechanism(s) are involved in antibody production in normal individuals and SLE patients.

Demonstrations of the production of specific antibodies to poly(I).poly(C) in rabbits

The rabbit antiserum against poly(I).poly(C) purified by hydroxyapatite column chromatography contained three distinct antibodies. They were fractionated into three antibody populations by a series of precipitations (with poly(A).poly(U), poly(I), and poly(I).poly(C)) and their specificities were examined by quantitative complement fixation, double diffusion tests and radioimmunoassay. The first population was common to the double helical structure of double-stranded RNAs. The second was specific for poly(I) and the third was specific for poly(I).poly(C). These studies demonstrated that specific antibodies exclusively reactive with poly(I).poly(C) existed in the rabbit antiserum against poly(I).poly(C).

The specific binding of parotin on duct cells of human parotid gland

The relationship between parotin and human parotid gland was investigated using indirect technique of enzyme antibody method. Normal rabbit IgG has non-specific affinity to duct cells of human parotid gland, but it was suppressed by adding bovine serum albumin. Anti-parotin rabbit IgG has no reaction products on the sections of adult human parotid gland. When the sections, initially incubated with parotin solution in PBS, were treated with anti-parotin rabbit IgG containing bovine serum albumin, and then HRPO-labeled anti-rabbit gamma globulin antibodies (swine IgG), intercalated and striated ducts excepting excretory ducts were stained with diaminobenzidine reaction, but also acinar cells did not. These results indicate that parotin is bound specifically on duct cells of human parotid gland.

Immunochemical studies on the correlation between conformational changes of DNA caused by ultraviolet irradiation and manifestation of antigenicity

The conformational changes of double-stranded DNA induced during irradiation with ultraviolet, were immunologically investigated. These studies revealed that at least two distinct antigenic sites were induced in the irradiated DNA molecule, giving rise to two different antibodies specific for ultraviolet-irradiated (uv) DNA and thermally denatured DNA-like structure, and these were demonstrable using radioimmunoassay and double diffusion tests. A series of experiments, including melting profile, fluorescence intensity of the ethidium bromide complex and chromatographic behavior on hydroxyapatite, performed on the antigenically active uvDNA indicated that the duplex structure of DNA separated irregularly during irradiation. Furthermore, the data showed that the conformational determinants of uvDNA are located on the exposed single-stranded regions.

Rapid separation of DNA constituents, bases, nucleosides and nucleotides, under the same chromatographic conditions using high-performance liquid chromatography with a reversed-phase column

Four components of three sets of DNA constituents, bases, deoxyribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate, were sufficiently resolved under one set of chromatographic conditions using high-performance liquid chromatography with a reversed-phase column (Zorbax ODS) and the solvent 0.4 M NH4H2PO4 (pH 3.5). The effect of pH and salt concentration in the solvent on the retention of these compounds in the column was thoroughly investigated. Proportionality of peak height to the content, and reproducibility and recovery of the four bases were satisfactory under appropriate conditions and as little as 1 microgram of DNA could be analysed for its base composition by this method.

Reduction of the non-specific binding of DNA to gamma-globulin in Farr radioimmunoassay by addition of dextran sulfate and calcium chloride

The effect of non-specific binding caused by the interaction between gamma-globulin and denatured DNA was markedly reduced by addition of dextran sulfate or CaCl2 at alkaline pH. This method was shown to be applicable in the detection of anti-DNA antibodies in sera from cases of human systemic lupus erythematosus.

Immunogenicity of rice dwarf virus-ribonucleic acid

Using rice dwarf virus (RDV)-RNA which was extracted from RDV and further purified by MAK-column chromatography, anti-RNA antibodies were produced in rabbits immunized with RDV-RNA antibodies were prods immunized with RDV-RNA-methylated bovine serum albumin complexes. The antisera, as analzyed by complement fixation, cross-reacted with synthetic double stranded RNAs (poly (A)-poly (U), poly (I)-poly (C)), but not with native or denatured DNA, rRNA, tRNA, 5 S RNA and nucleic acids from rice plants. RDV-RNA treated with heat or dimethylsulfoxide was markedly reduced in reactivity to the antisera. When RDV-RNA was digested with RNase A at low salt concentration, its complement fixation activity was abolished. In double diffusion tests, two different precipitation lines were demonstrated between the antiserum and RDV-RNA. One of the precipitation lines connected with those was formed between the antisera, poly (A)-poly (U) and poly (I)-poly (C). As regards immunoglobulin classes of the antibodies, one of the two rabbits employed had antibody activity only in IgG.

Characteristic differences in inhibitory effects of oligodeoxyribonucleotides from DNA on human systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE) sera and rabbit anti-DNA sera

The difference in the antigenic determinant size of DNA for sera from patients with SLE and rabbit anti-DNA sera were investigated. Haptenic inhibition studies were carried out by measuring the inhibition of [3H]DNA-antibody binding by three different types of oligonucleotides which were prepared from formic acid-diphenylamine digests, hydrazinolyzed digests and pancreatic DNase digests, respectively. Oligonucleotides from DNase I digests showed potent inhibitory activity with both SLE sera and rabbit sera. However, the inhibitory activities of purine and pyrimidine oligonucleotides were more potent for SLE sera than for rabbit anti-DNA sera. The determinant size estimated for rabbit sera was in the range of tetra-to heptanucleotide, while in SLE sera it was in the range of di-and trinucleotide.

Further evidence for the involvement of base and base sequence in the antigenic determination of thermally denatured DNA

The antigenic determinant of thermally denatured salmon sperm (ss) DNA was extensively investigated with a radioimmunoassay technique using the ssDNA immune system. It was demonstrated that mixed sequences of purines and pyrimidines play a key role in the antigenic determination of DNA. On the other hand, the importance of the bases in the manifestation of DNA antigenicity was demonstrated by using brominated, methylated and/or ultraviolet irradiated ssDNA preparations.

Antigenicity of methylated deoxyribonucleic acid

Methylated salmon sperm deoxyrinbonucleic acid (Me-ssDNA) prepared by using dimethyl sulfate was used to elicit antibodies in rabbits. The antisera obtained reacted specifically with Me-ssDNA but not with thermally denatured Me-DNA, native DNA, thermally denatured DNA or ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Antibody activity was demonstrable in both IgG and IgM fractions which were obtained by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. A single precipitating line was formed by either of IgG and IgM fractions in the double diffusion test with Me-ssDNA.

An adjuvant effect of poly A - poly U on production of antibodies to DNA in rabbits

The effect of polyadenylate-polyuridylate copolymer (poly A-poly U) on the formation of anti-DNA antibodies in rabbits was investigated. 1) Poly A-poly U proved to be an effective adjuvant for production of antibodies to DNA. These were elicited in rabbits at high titer and were formed at an early stage of immunizations. 2) The antiserum obtained reached potently with denatured DNA, but with neither methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) used as carrier protein nor poly A-poly U used as adjuvant. This was demonstrable both by C-fixation and double diffusion tests. 3) The antibodies occurred exclusively in the IgG fraction separated by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography.

A method for producing anti-DNA antibodies in ascitic fluid of mice

Immunological methods for the production of antibodies to DNA in ascitic fluid of DDY, A/He, and C57B1/6 mice were investigated. Relatively large volumes of ascitic fluid containing antibodies for DNA in high concentration were obtainable after seven injections of denatured ssDNA-MBSA complexes emulsified with CFA into peritoneal cavities of DDY mice. The quantity of anti-ascitic fluid from 4 to 5 DDY mice was equivalent to that of antiserum from one rabbit. DDY mice accumulation of ascites is much greater than in other strains, and the ascitic fluid contains antibodies of higher titer regardless of sex. The antibody titers in ascitic fluid are not affected by alteration of the ascites volume, and are proportional to those of the corresponding sera. Antibodies to DNA in ascitic fluid of these mice occurred exclusively in IgG as in DNA antisera.

Specific role of magnesium ion in protecting the anticomplementary effect of DNA in immune hemolysis

When a constant quantity of denatured DNA required for C-fixation reaction was employed as the antigen, an anticomplementary action of DNA was frequently observed. In order to cope with this difficulty in the analysis of C-fixation, the relationship between DNA, Mg2+ and C was investigated. It was found that this phenomenon was closely related to the flexible conformation of DNA which is highly influencd by Mg2+. Further, this effect could be eliminated in the presence of 5MM MgCl2. The mechanism of the elimination by Mg2+ of the anticomplementary effect of DNA was discussed.