More smooth-spored species of Inocybe (Agaricales, Ba sidiomycota): type studies and 12 new species from Europe

Twelve new species of Inocybe (I. adorabilis, I. comis, I. demetris, I. filiana, I. galactica, I. morganae, I. othini, I. ovilla, I. proteica, I. somae, I. suryana and I. venerabilis) are described from Europe on the basis of detailed morphological and molecular investigation. A portrait of the recently described I. ianthinopes is given. All species are smooth-spored and some pruinose only in the apical part of the stipe, and some on entire length. The new species are compared to 24 type specimens (17 characterized by at least partial ITS sequence data), all of which are described and revised here. Epitypes were selected for two species, I. hirtella and I. sindonia. Based on our studies, we confirm that I. kuehneri and I. sindonia on one hand, and I. subalbidodisca and I. ochroalba on the other, are synonyms and furthermore suggest that I. abietis is synonymous with I. catalaunica, I. exilis with I. rufobrunnea, I. hirtellarum with I. mycenoides, I. lapidicola with I. deianae, I. ochraceolutea with I. sindonia, I. stangliana with I. pelargonium, I. subrubens with I. subhirtella and I. sulfovirescens with I. langei. All of the new species are supported by phylogenetic analyses. Among the 16 previously described species accepted here, 10 are represented by types in the phylogenetic analyses and five by own collections corresponding to the type. Two species, I. eutheloides (remaining doubtful) and I. pallidolutea are only treated morphologically. In summary, we describe as new or verify the taxonomic status and provide or corroborate morphological concepts for 37 smooth-spored species of Inocybe. Citation: Bandini D, Oertel B, Eberhardt U. 2022. More smooth-spored species of Inocybe (Agaricales, Basidiomycota): type studies and 12 new species from Europe. Persoonia 48: 91-149. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.48.03.

Advances in the knowledge of the Inocybe mixtilis group (Inocybaceae, Agaricomycetes), through molecular and morphological studies

Inocybe mixtilis constitutes a complex of species characterized by nodulose-angulose spores, absence of cortina and a more or less bulbous marginate stipe that is not darkening when desiccated. In order to elucidate species limits within the I. mixtilis complex, an ITS-RPB2 phylogeny was performed and interpreted using morphological and ecological characters. Six supported clades were obtained in our analyses that correspond to I. mixtilis, I. subtrivialis, and four new species to science: I. ceskae, I. johannis-stanglii, I. nothomixtilis and I. occulta. Species within this complex can be morphologically recognized through a unique combination of morphological characters, such as the spore shape, cystidial length and shape, presence and development of the velipellis and pileus colour and viscidity. Nevertheless, those characters overlap, especially among I. mixtilis, I. ceskae and I. occulta, and intermediate collections are therefore more reliably identified through ITS-sequencing. Two species, I. ceskae and I. occulta are present in both North America and Europe, while the rest are so far only known in Europe, or Europe and Asia (I. mixtilis). All species, except I. johannis-stanglii, seem to be able to establish ectomycorrhizal association both with conifers and angiosperms. Descriptions, colour illustrations and a key to all known species in the I. mixtilis group are provided.

Phylogenetic relationships of European Phlegmacium species (Cortinarius, Agaricales)

Phylogenetic relationships of 54 European Phlegmacium species, including members of most of the sections of classical systematics, were studied, integrating macro-, micromorphological and chemical characters of the basidiomes, as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences. Microscopical structures of the basidiomes were studied by light microscopy. Basidiospore morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Internal-transcribed spacers (ITS 1 and 2, including the 5.8S) and the D1/D2 (LSU) regions of nuclear rDNA were sequenced and analyzed with a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. Many subgroups detected by the molecular analysis are related to groups known from classical systematical concepts. Among others, these subgroups were significantly supported: i) a group containing most of the members of section Fulvi ss. Brandrud and the species Cortinarius arcuatorum, C. dibaphus and C. multiformis; ii) a group comprising taxa of section Calochroi ss. Brandrud and the species C. fulvocitrinus and C. osmophorus; iii) a group containing species of section Glaucopodes ss. Brandrud and C. caerulescens; iv) a group including members of section Phlegmacioides ss. Brandrud; v) a group that includes the species C. cephalixus, C. nanceiensis and C. mussivus. Stipe shape, color of flesh, pigment contents, KOH reaction on pileipellis and gelatinous layer, degree of development of a gelatinous layer on the pileipellis, and pileipellis structure were useful characters in delimiting subgroups in Phlegmacium, while basidiospore morphology was significant at species level. With the exception of C. glaucopus, C. infractus and C. scaurus, ITS and D1/D2 sequences obtained from collections of the same species from different geographical origins showed very little variation. Our molecular and morphological analyses suggest revisions of the traditional concepts of the subgenus Phlegmacium in Europe.

Microcyclospora and Microcyclosporella: novel genera accommodating epiphytic fungi causing sooty blotch on apple

Recent studies have found a wide range of ascomycetes to be associated with sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) blemishes on the surfaces of pomaceous fruits, specifically apples. Based on collections of such fungi from apple orchards in Germany and Slovenia we introduce two novel genera according to analyses of morphological characters and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (large subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions). Microcyclosporella is represented by a single species, M. mali, and is presently known from Germany and Slovenia. Microcyclosporella is Pseudocercosporella-like in morphology, but genetically and morphologically distinct from Pseudocercosporella s.str., for which an epitype is designated based on a fresh collection of P. bakeri from Laos. Furthermore, Pseudocercosporella is shown to be paraphyletic within the Capnodiales. Microcyclospora gen. nov. is Pseudocercospora-like in morphology, but is genetically and morphologically distinct from Pseudocercospora s.str., which is based on P. vitis. Three species, Microcyclospora malicola, M. pomicola (both collected in Germany), and M. tardicrescens (collected in Slovenia) are described. Finally, a new species of Devriesia, D. pseudoamericana, is described from pome fruit surfaces collected in Germany. Devriesia is shown to be paraphyletic, and to represent several lineages of which only Devriesia s.str. is thermotolerant. Further collections are required, however, before the latter generic complex can be resolved.

Detection of small numbers of cells characteristic for haematological disorders in peripheral blood (the deep diff)

We studied cytocentrifuge preparations of peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes in haematological patients with nondiagnostic white cell differential counts. This approach (the 'deep diff') enabled the detection of small numbers of diagnostically significant cells in a majority of patients. We found ringed sideroblasts in 5/7 patients with sideroblastic anaemia and megaloblasts in 9/10 patients with megaloblastic anaemia. We observed centrocytes in seven patients with follicular lymphoma, mantle cells in five patients with mantle cell lymphoma and marginal zone cells in five patients with nodal marginal zone lymphoma. We detected small percentages of lymphoma cells in cytospins of mononuclear leucocytes in 12 patients with large B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. The deep diff was nondiagnostic in 5/6 patients with hairy cell leukaemia and in 9/10 patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. In these cases, there were insufficient cells to detect light chain restriction. Increased counts of leukaemic cells were found in 12/13 patients with acute leukaemia with < 3% blasts in the conventional white cell differential. Increased blasts were also observed in six patients with refractory anaemia with excess of blasts (RAEB). Decreased blasts were found in five patients with aplastic anaemia and in nine patients with bone marrow aplasia after intensive chemotherapy. Increased plasma cell counts were observed in 13/14 patients with advanced plasma cell myeloma. We conclude that the 'deep diff', augmented by immunocytochemistry, may be useful in the diagnosis of haematological disorders.

Detection of small numbers of immature cells in the blood of healthy subjects

AIMS

To determine the frequency of immature haemopoietic cells in the peripheral blood of healthy persons.

METHODS

Cytocentrifuge preparations were made using mononuclear leucocytes separated by a Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient. The slides were stained by May-Grünwald-Giemsa. The combination with immunoperoxidase technique allowed immunotyping of uncommon blood cells.

RESULTS

Blast cells expressing the progenitor cell marker CD34 represented 0.11 (0.06) per cent (mean (SD)) of the total mononuclear leucocyte count; these were the haemopoietic progenitor cells in the peripheral blood. Dark blue cells expressing CD38, CD45, HLA-DR, CD4, CD11a, CD29, CD49d, CD50, and CD54 represented 0.30 (0.21) per cent of the mononuclear leucocytes; most of these cells did not express T, B, NK, myelomonocytic, progenitor cell, proliferation, activation, blood dendritic cell, or follicular dendritic cell markers. These were dendritic cell precursors in the peripheral blood. Very small numbers of cells expressing CD83 were found. Blast-like cells expressing CD45, HLA-DR, CD11a, and CD50 represented 0.15 (0.10) per cent of the mononuclear leucocytes; morphology and immunotyping supported the conclusion that these cells were poorly differentiated monocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Morphological investigation of mononuclear leucocytes in peripheral blood of healthy persons can be used to detect small numbers of blasts, dark blue cells, and blast-like cells. The immunoperoxidase technique can then be used for immunotyping of these cells. This simple method may be helpful in diagnosing haematological disorders.

Immunotyping of blasts in human bone marrow

The diagnostic potential of immunocytochemical investigation of human bone marrow has not been fully realized due to difficulties in morphological identifying of immunostained cells. We used an indirect immunoperoxidase technique after May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining for simultaneous morphological and immunocytochemical analysis of blasts in human bone marrow. Six healthy bone marrow donors were investigated. Most blasts I expressed CD34, CD38 and HLA-DR. Expression of c-kit (CD117) was observed on 42 +/- 9% of blasts I. Granulocytomonocytopoietic character was demonstrated by expression of CD13 (33 +/- 15%) and CD45RA (23 +/- 10%) and erythropoietic character was demonstrated by expression of CD36 (22 +/- 8%) and CD45RO (30 +/- 11%). A very low proportion of blasts I were Thy-1 and CD61 positive; 34 +/- 6% of blasts I expressed CD22, representing B lymphoid committed progenitors. CD3, CD15, and glycophorin A expression was not detected. Blasts II and III and proerythroblasts did not show CD34 positivity. We conclude that blasts I are morphologically identifiable cells with a high percentage of CD34, CD38, and HLA-DR positivity. They are a pool of committed progenitor cells for erythropoiesis, granulocytomonocytopoiesis, megakaryocytopoiesis, and B cell development. Blast II and proerythroblast represent the first morphologically identifiable cells of granulocytopoiesis and erythropoiesis.

CD 34 immunotyping of blasts in myelodysplasia

We studied the expression of the hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD 34 in six patients with refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB), five patients with RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T), and seven patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Immunocytochemical labeling of bone marrow cells was performed by an indirect immunoperoxidase method with preservation of morphological details. The cells were stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa, photographed, destained, and immunolabeled by the immunoperoxidase technique. We found 1.5 +/- 0.5% blasts and 0.8 +/- 0.4% CD 34+ blasts in normal bone marrow. The CD 34 positivity of blasts was 53 +/- 9%. The patients with RAEB showed 1.7 +/- 1.4% CD 34+ blasts. The CD 34 positivity of blasts (11.8 +/- 5.6%) was lower than in normal bone marrow. The patients with RAEB-T had a higher percentage of CD 34+ blasts (7.3 +/- 3.4) and a higher CD 34 positivity of blasts (28.2 +/- 14.6%) than patients with RAEB. The CMML patients showed a percentage of CD 34+ blasts and a CD 34 positivity of blasts in the range of RAEB. We found an increase of promonocytes (PMC) in 5/7 patients. In some patients the PMC were CD 34 positive. Our results indicate that the increase of blasts in REAB is related to CD 34-negative blasts. With progression to RAEB-T the percentage of CD 34-positive blasts increased. Some of the CMML patients also showed a population of CD 34-positive PMC. A clone of undifferentiated CD 34-positive cells is characteristic for patients with these types of myelodysplasia.

Fluorenone-azomethines, a novel class of microtubule inhibitors that specifically affect cell proliferation

The effects of various azomethine derivatives on microtubule (MT) assembly in vitro as well as on cell proliferation, cell shape, and the cytoskeleton of some cultured murine cell lines were studied. 3 of them, the alpha-diphenylene-N-(p-[bis-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-amino]-phenyl)-nit rone (DHPN), alpha-diphenylene-N-(p-[N-(hydroxyethyl)-N-(gamma-hydroxypropyl)- amino]-phenyl)-nitrone, and alpha-diphenylene-N-(p-diethylaminophenyl)-nitrone, strongly inhibit the assembly of microtubules (MTs) in vitro (50% inhibition at 4 to 7 mumol/l). The same compounds are also able to disrupt preformed microtubules. Moreover, they were found to inhibit proliferation of leukaemia L 1210, melanoma B16 K, fibroblast L 929, and embryo fibroblast cells down to 1 to 10 mumol/l, completely. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that DHPN, used as a representative of the active azomethines, causes a reversible destruction of the microtubule part of the cytoskeleton. Apparently resulting from microtubule disruption, the intermediate filament system collapsed whereas the microfilament system remained unaffected. The results indicate that the antiproliferative action of the azomethines is based, at least partially, on their ability to attack microtubules.

Cytologic and immunocytologic studies of peripheral T-cell lymphomas

Lymph node aspirates from 18 peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTLs) were analyzed. Cytologic and immunocytologic studies were performed on Cytospin preparations using the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase method with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD30). The cytologic diagnosis was confirmed by histologic investigation. Nine lymph node aspirates from patients with Lennert's lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic (AILD)-type PTL and pleomorphic small-cell-type PTL were composed predominantly of small-to-intermediate-sized lymphocytes. An admixture of plasma cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes with an irregular nucleus, granula in the cytoplasm or abundant cytoplasm was also seen. Nine lymph node aspirates from patients with T-immunoblastic lymphoma, pleomorphic large-cell-type PTL and large-cell anaplastic (Ki-1+) lymphoma showed marked cytologic heterogeneity. Immunocytologic investigation of the aspirates using the antibodies CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD30 was helpful for the differentiation of PTLs from reactive lymphadenopathy and other malignant lymphomas. A strong predominance of CD3+ cells was found in only seven cases. The aspirates expressed a helper/inducer phenotype in 11 cases and a suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype in 4 cases. A T-cell phenotype not corresponding to the normal T-cell phenotype was found in nine cases. In 15 of the 18 cases, the number of CD19+ cells was found to be less than 15%. The large cells of the large-cell anaplastic (Ki-1+) lymphoma expressed the antigens CD30 and CD45 and were negative for CD15. These findings indicate that immunocytologic studies can be used in improving the cytologic diagnosis of PTLs.

Immunocytochemical analysis of lymph node aspirates in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Thirty four patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who had lymphadenopathy were investigated using fine needle aspiration. Cytological analysis included immunocytochemical investigation with the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method. All patients had confirmation of cytological diagnosis by lymph node biopsy. Fifteen aspirates with follicular hyperplasia were evaluated. Eleven patients showed B cell predominance. The B cell population did not show light chain restriction. Ten patients with B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (five with Burkitt's lymphoma and five with B cell immunoblastic lymphoma) were investigated. Nine out of 10 cases were monoclonal with respect to their light chain determinants; only one case with Burkitt's lymphoma with partial lymph node metastasis did not show light chain restriction. The cytological diagnosis included two mycobacterial infections and four cystic lesions. Histological investigation was necessary to diagnose the extent of lymph node disease caused by Kaposi's sarcoma. These findings indicate that the immunocytological investigation of lymph node aspirates is useful for evaluating lymphadenopathy in HIV positive patients.

Influence of 1,4-benzoquinone derivatives and azomethines on microtubule formation in vitro and experimental leukemias

Using two groups of substances (derivatives of 1,4-benzoquinone and azomethines) it was compared their effect on the microtubule formation in vitro and on experimental leukemias. 9 from the 28 substances tested acted cancerostatically, 4 substances inhibited microtubule assembly. 3 compounds (fluorenoneazomethines) revealed both effects.

The value of immunocytochemical staining of lymph node aspirates in diagnostic cytology

This study investigates the applicability of immunocytochemical techniques towards improving the cytological diagnosis of lymph node disorders. Cytocentrifuge preparations of fine needle aspirates were examined using an indirect immunoperoxidase method and the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase method. 36 reactive lymph nodes were evaluated. 23 patients showed T cell predominance as assessed by the presence of CD3+ cells. 13 patients showed an excess of CD24+ cells over CD3+ cells. In all patients the B cell population showed no light chain class restriction. 48 aspirates from patients with B-non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of low malignancy were investigated. The majority of the cells in each of these cases expressed CD24 and 47 cases were monoclonal with respect to their light chain determinants. In 37/48 cases the antibody OKT9 reacted with less than 15% of cells. 18 aspirates were obtained from patients with B-non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of high malignancy. 17 patients showed light chain class restriction and a high percentage of CD24+ (greater than 80%) and OKT9+ (greater than 40%) cells. 8 malignancies were considered to be of T-cell origin. A low percentage (less than 15%) of Ig+CD24+ cells with a high number of CD3+ and/or CD4+ cells suggests a T-cell lymphoma. The majority of neoplastic cells in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (excluding mycosis fungoides) expressed OKT9 and CD3 expression was found to be variable. In 15 cases of Hodgkin's disease, there were 11 correct cytologic diagnoses. A significant number of BerH2 (CD30)+ cells having the morphology of Sternberg-Reed cells supports this diagnosis. 25 aspirates were obtained from patients with metastatic malignant tumours. Marker studies in eight cases helped in distinguishing metastatic malignant tumours from malignant lymphomas. Our findings indicate that the immunocytochemical technique is applicable to cytological material and that the simplicity of the procedure merits application to routine diagnostic cytology.