Vasohibin inhibits angiogenic sprouting in vitro and supports vascular maturation processes in vivo

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The murine homologue of human vasohibin (mVASH1), a putative antiangiogenic protein, was investigated for its effects on <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>angiogenesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cell growth and migration were analyzed in murine fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Angiogenic sprouting was studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the spheroid sprouting assay. <it>In vivo </it>effects on blood vessel formation were investigated in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and in the C57BL/6 melanoma xenograft model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Purified murine and human VASH1 protein induced apoptosis of murine fibroblasts <it>in vitro</it>, but not of vascular aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMC) or endothelial cells. Adenoviral overexpression of murine and human VASH1 inhibited capillary sprouting of HUVECs in the spheroid assay. Administration of recombinant murine and human VASH1 inhibited growth of large vessels in the CAM assay and promoted the formation of a dense, fine vascular network. Murine VASH1-overexpressing B16F10 melanomas displayed a reduction in large vessels and vascular area. Moreover, tumors showed more microvessels that stained positive for the mural cell markers α-smooth muscle cell actin (ASMA) and proteoglycan (NG2).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data imply that murine VASH1 causes angiogenic remodelling by inhibiting angiogenic sprouting and large vessel growth, thereby supporting the formation of a vascular bed consisting predominantly of mature microvessels.</p

Disseminated Infection with Prototheca zopfii after Unrelated Stem Cell Transplantation for Leukemia

Disseminated infection with Prototheca zopfii is a rare disease in immunosuppressed patients. We here report the first case of lethal infection with P. zopfii following unrelated stem cell transplantation for leukemia. Breakthrough protothecosis occurred during long-term administration of voriconazole in the case of pulmonary aspergillosis

Increased Dkk3 protein expression in platelets and megakaryocytes of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms

Dickkopf-3 (Dkk3) has been proposed as tumour suppressor gene and a marker for tumour blood vessels. We analysed the expression and function of Dkk3 in platelets and megakaryocytes from healthy controls and patients with BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Dkk3 protein and gene expression in platelets was compared with endothelial and other blood cell populations by ELISA, real-time PCR, and immunofluorescence. Moreover, megakaryocytes were isolated from bone marrow aspirates by CD61 microbeads. Immunohistochemical studies of Dkk3 expression were performed in essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and control reactive bone marrow cases (each n=10). Compared to all other blood cell populations platelets showed the highest concentration of Dkk3 protein (150 ± 19 ng/mg total protein). A strong DKK3 gene and protein expression was also observed in isolated megakaryocytes. Dkk3 co-localised with VEGF in ?-granules of platelets and was released similar to VEGF upon stimulation. Addition of recombinant Dkk3 had no influence on blood coagulation (aPTT, INR) and platelet aggregation. Significantly more Dkk3+ megakaryocytes/mm2 could be found in bone marrow biopsies from patients with MPN (ET 40 ± 10, PV 31 ± 4, PMF 22 ± 3) than in controls (15 ± 3). The mean proportion of Dkk3+ megakaryocytes was increased in MPN as well (ET 83% ± 15%; PV 84% ± 12%; PMF 77% ± 8%) compared to controls (53% ± 11%). Dkk3+ megakaryocytes correlated with microvessel density in PV and PMF. We conclude that Dkk3 might be involved in the pathogenesis of MPN

The role of the e3 ligase cbl-B in murine dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells with a promising potential in cancer immunotherapy. Cbl proteins are E3 ubiquitin ligases and have been implicated in regulating the functional activity of various immune cells. As an example, c-Cbl negatively affects DC activation. We here describe that another member of the Cbl-protein family (i.e. Cbl-b) is highly expressed in murine bone-marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs). Differentiation of cblb-/- bone marrow mononuclear cells into classical BMDCs is unaltered, except enhanced induction of DEC-205 (CD205) expression. When tested in mixed-lymphocyte reaction (MLR), cblb-/- BMDCs exhibit increased allo-stimulatory capacity in vitro. BMDCs were next in vitro stimulated by various toll like receptor (TLR)-agonists (LPS, Poly(I:C), CpG) and exposed to FITC-labeled dextran. Upon TLR-stimulation, cblb-/- BMDCs produce higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α) and exhibit a slightly higher level of FITC-dextran uptake. To further characterize the functional significance of cblb-/- BMDCs we tested them in antigen-specific T cell responses against ovalbumin (OVA) protein and peptides, activating either CD8(+) OT-I or CD4(+) OT-II transgenic T cells. However, cblb-/- BMDCs are equally effective in inducing antigen-specific T cell responses when compared to wildtype BMDCs both in vitro and in vivo. The migratory capacity into lymph nodes during inflammation was similarly not affected by the absence of Cbl-b. In line with these observations, cblb-/- peptide-pulsed BMDCs are equally effective vaccines against OVA-expressing B16 tumors in vivo when compared to wildtype BMDCs. We conclude that in contrast to c-Cbl, Cbl-b plays only a limited role in the induction of Ag-specific T cell responses by murine BMDCs in vitro and in vivo

Diagnosing Invasive Aspergillosis during Antifungal Therapy by PCR Analysis of Blood Samples

We evaluated the value of Aspergillus PCR as a tool for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis from whole-blood samples during antifungal therapy. In a 3-year study, 36 patients receiving antifungal therapy due to chest radiographic findings highly suggestive of fungal pneumonia were evaluated. The PCR results from whole-blood samples were compared to those obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and/or tissue specimens. A total of 205 whole-blood samples, 15 fine-needle aspirations or tissue biopsy specimens, and 21 bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and tracheal secretions were analyzed using PCR. Of the 36 patients, 15 had proven, 9 had probable, and 12 had possible invasive Aspergillus infection according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group definitions. For patients with proven infection the sensitivity values of PCR in lung and blood samples were 100 and 40%, respectively. The negative predictive value of blood monitoring under conditions of antifungal treatment was 44%. Clearance of fungal DNA from blood was associated with resolution of clinical symptoms in six of nine patients with proven infection. Repeated positive PCR results for Aspergillus were associated with fatal outcome, as three of six patients died. For patients with probable infection the sensitivity values of PCR in lung fluid and blood were 66 and 44%, respectively. The benefit of PCR diagnosis using whole-blood samples is limited when sampling takes place after treatment has been started. Performance of Aspergillus PCR using tissue samples is recommended in addition to microscopic examination and culture technique for sensitive detection of fungal infection

Treatment of hairy-cell leukemia with recombinant alpha2-interferon

Eleven patients with hairy-cell leukemia (eight with progressive and three with non-progressive disease) were treated with low dose recombinant human alpha2-interferon. After a 3-month treatment period, nine patients showed an improvement and one patient a partial remission. By then, transfusions were not required any more and serious infections were no longer encountered. Four patients were further treated: three for a total period of 9 months and one for 6 months; all of them reached a partial or complete remission. The treatment was equally effective in patients with both progressive and non-progressive disease. Previous absence of response to splenectomy did not preclude a positive effect of IFN therapy. In two patients, IFN dose reduction was necessary due to unremitting flu-like symptoms. © 1986.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe