A cell kinetic study of human central nervous system tumors with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)

Sixty-six patients with various types of central nervous system (CNS) tumors were given 150-200 mg/m2 of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) intravenously at the start of surgery, in order to label DNA synthesizing cells in the tumor with BrdU. The excised tumor specimens were fixed in chilled 70% ethanol for at least 12 hours, embedded in paraffin, and cut into 6-8 mu thick sections. The tissue sections were deparaffinized, denatured with HC1, and stained by indirect peroxidase method using anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody as the first antibody. The percentage of labeled cells among total cells (LI: labeling index) was calculated in each tumor specimen. The average of LIs was over 10% in glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastoma, and metastatic tumor. On the other hand, the LIs were very low, i.e. less than 1% in most cases of ependymomas, mixed gliomas, and moderately anaplastic astrocytomas. In highly anaplastic astrocytomas, the average of LIs resulted in 7.4%. The LIs of slow-growing tumors, such as pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, acoustic neurinomas, were less than 1%, except in Nelson's syndrome and a few cases of meningiomas. The LIs obtained thus seem to correlate with the clinical behavior of each type of tumor. However, there was still a magnitude of differences in LIs between the tumors which were histopathologically alike. These results indicate that the LI obtained by the immunohistochemical method using anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody may supplement the current histopathological diagnosis in characterizing as well as estimating the biological malignancy of individual CNS tumors.     

Immunohistochemical study of S-phase cells in human gliomas

Intermediate filament proteins are cytoskeletal components in most vertebrate eukaryotic cells and some of these proteins are recognized markers of cell differentiation. To investigate the expression of intermediate filament proteins of the S-phase cells in human glial tumors, we have examined fourteen patients with benign and malignant gliomas by immunohistochemical study using in vivo labeling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Five glioblastoma multiforme, five anaplastic astrocytoma, three fibrillary astrocytoma and one gemistocytic astrocytoma were studied. All patients were given intravenous infusion of BrdU (10 mg/kg) one hour before craniotomy for labeling the S-phase cells of the tumors. Surgical specimens were immersed in 70% ethanol, and embedded in paraffin. Four micron sections were immunostained with anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody (Mab) and anti-vimentin Mab by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method, and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) serum by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. All sections (except for case 4) were double-labeled with anti-BrdU Mab and anti-GFAP serum, or with anti-BrdU Mab and anti-vimentin Mab. The population of BrdU-labeled cells (i.e. S-phase cells), and double-labeled cells were analyzed. The proportions of BrdU-labeled cells ranged from 6.1% to 17.0% (average 11.1%) in glioblastoma multiforme, from 3.5% to 15.6% (average 8.8%) in anaplastic astrocytoma, and from 2.0% to 2.8% (average 2.5%) in fibrillary astrocytomas. One gemistocytic astrocytoma showed S-phase fraction of 1.7%. Two recurrent cases of anaplastic astrocytoma showed higher S-phase fractions than other non-recurrent cases of anaplastic astrocytoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Proliferative potential of vascular components in human glioblastoma multiforme

Summary Sixteen patients with glioblastoma multiforme received a 1-h intravenous infusion of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), 150–200 mg/m² at the start of surgery, to label S-phase cells in tumor tissue. Labeled cells of vascular components and of tumor parenchyma were detected in excised tumor specimens by indirect immunoperoxidase staining using anti-BrdU monoclonal antibodies followed by periodic acid-Schiff staining. The BrdU labeling index (LI, defined as the percentage of labeled cells in relation to the total number of cells scored) was calculated separately for vascular components and tumor parenchyma in each specimen. The BrdU LI of vascular components of glioblastoma multiforme was remarkably higher than that of normal brain (1.1%–8.7% vs.<0.05%). The mean BrdU LIs of vascular components and tumor cells in eight primary glioblastomas were 4.5±0.8% (mean±SE) and 9.9±1.1%, respectively, while the corresponding BrdU LIs in eight recurrent tumors were 2.7±0.5% and 9.3±0.7%. The differences in the BrdU LIs of primary and recurrent tumors were not statistically significant, but the BrdU LI of vascular components was consistently much lower than that of tumor cells. BrdU labeling of vascular components was inconsistent and occurred mostly in glomerular-shaped vessels, but only about 20% of them contained labeled cells. These results suggest that unusual vascular proliferation, such as the formation of glomerular-shaped vessels and endothelial or adventitial proliferation, in glioblastoma multiforme may have been programmed to slow down or even to cease at a certain stage, and is not likely to be the result of neoplastic transformation.Supported in part by grant PDT-159 from the American Cancer Society and by grant CA 13525 from the National Cancer Institute     

Postnatal cell proliferation in the rat cerebrum: immunohistochemical study with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)

The postnatal cell proliferation in the rat cerebrum was studied immunohistochemically using a monoclonal antibody to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Since BrdU, a halogenated analogue of thymidine, is incorporated into nuclear DNA during duplication, S-phase cells can be detected by demonstrating intranuclear BrdU. 200 mg/kg of BrdU was administered to normal Wistar rats intraperitoneally on the day of birth or intravenously 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 or 24 weeks after birth. Thirty minutes later, the brain was fixed by perfusion with ethanol, and the paraffin-embedded sections were processed for the avidin biotin peroxidase-complex method. BrdU-positive nuclei were counted among 500 to 10,000 cells in several regions of the brain to obtain the BrdU-labeling index (the number of BrdU-positive cells per 100 cells scored, LI, %). The present study demonstrated that (1) proliferating cells in the gray matter (cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen) are only few at birth (LI = 0.54-0.78%), which further decrease during the following few weeks, and disappear by adulthood, (2) in the white matter (corpus callosum), cell proliferation is relatively active within 1 week after birth (LI = 5.6-6.3%), but becomes inactive thereafter, (3) the proliferative activity of the cells in the subependymal layer of the lateral ventricle is very high at birth (LI = 15.5%), which somewhat decreases during the following few weeks, but still remains high in adulthood (LI = 7.5%). This kind of continued cell proliferation in the brain after birth seems important in the postnatal development of the normal cerebral structure, and in several pathologic processes such as tissue repair and the development of brain neoplasm.     

An ELISA-based method for the quantification of incorporated BrdU as a measure of cell proliferation in vivo

In this study, we describe a new rapid and versatile method to determine the BrdU content of DNA in brain tissues dissected from BrdU-treated rats. Different to already existing BrdU ELISAs the method is suitable for the assessment of BrdU incorporation in ex vivo experiments as it is based on the analysis of tissue extracts instead of immobilized cells. The method comprises the preparation of DNA extracts from dissected tissues, the immobilization of BrdU-containing DNA with an anti-BrdU antibody and quantification of the incorporated BrdU by a peroxidase-conjugated anti-BrdU antibody. Validating the new assay in vitro, we found a clear-cut dependency of the ELISA signal from the time SKNSH neuroblastoma cells had been exposed to BrdU. Parallel studies with existing ELISAs and a parallel immunocytochemical determination of BrdU positive cells revealed comparable results. In vivo experiments showed a virtually linear relationship between the BrdU immunoreactivity in the hippocampus and the time rats have been exposed to BrdU. Repeating the determination of the BrdU content of the same set of tissue samples revealed reproducible relative differences of the ELISA signals. This was true for protocols using purified DNA as well as crude DNA extracts. For the sensitivity and reproducibility of the method heat denaturation of the DNA prior to the analysis in the ELISA was crucial. In rats treated with electroconvulsion the BrdU content of the hippocampus, determined by the new ELISA, was increased to 225% of controls. In a parallel immunohistochemical study, the number of BrdU positive cells was comparably increased to 251% of controls. The assay thus provides a rapid method to detect changes of cell proliferation in dissected brain tissues and other proliferative tissues. With appropriate protocols, the assay may also be used to assess the generation of particular cell types like neurons in neurogenic areas.     

Immunohistochemical detection of cells labeled with bromodeoxyuridine after neural transplantation

Pregnant rats were treated with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) from embryonic d 12 (ED12) to ED14. BrdU administration allowed timed labeling of dividing embryonic cellsin utero, since the drug is incorporated into the DNA in place of thymidine during the S-phase of the cell cycle. ED14 rat cerebral cortex or placenta was grafted into the brain of adult rats. Anti-bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry was used for identifying labeled transplanted cells after different survival periods in paraffin-embedded sections. BrdU labeled cells were observed in both intraventricular and intraparenchymal cortical grafts, even after a 3-mo survival. Although the percentage of positive cells decreased in comparison with ED14 cortex, the level of BrdU (i.e., the intensity of anti-BrdU immunohistochemistry) in labeled nuclei was probably the same. BrdU pretreatment of ED14 cells prior to grafting did not affect the proliferative ability of the grafted tissue. In ED14 placental grafts, all trophoblastic cells were labeled distinctly. This precise labeling technique enabled an examination of individual migrating trophoblastic cells. However, migration of these cells into the host brain was very limited.     

Growth activity of tumors at different intracranial structures: immunohistochemical study with bromodeoxyuridine

Summary To elucidate the environmental influence on the growth of a tumor, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake in multiple tumor foci within the intracranial cavity was studied immunohistochemically with a monoclonal antibody. Walker 256 tumor implanted intracerebrally produced multifocal tumors presented as (1) intraparenchymal solid tumor, (2) tumor in the choroid plexus, and (3) leptomeningeal dissemination. The BrdU-labeling indices, or the S-phase fractions (% of nuclei labeled by BrdU divided by the number of tumor cell nuclei scored; LI), of those tumors were 48.4±1.1, 59.1±1.3, and 27.9±5.9, respectively (means ± SEM). These differences in LI, or the tumor growth activity, are discussed in relation to the different environmental conditions in different host structures. These host structure-related modification of tumor growth would be important in evaluating the proliferative activity of tumors growing at various intracranial structures.Supported in part by the Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research (59-22) from Ministry of Welfare     

Low doses of bromo- and iododeoxyuridine produce near-saturation labeling of adult proliferative populations in the dentate gyrus

Cell proliferation can be detected by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine (3H-dT) or halopyrimidines during DNA synthesis in progenitor cells. Administration of two thymidine analogues at different times can further determine the cell-cycle kinetics of proliferating cells. Traditionally, this was done by combining bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocytochemistry and 3H-dT autoradiography, or by BrdU and iododeoxyuridine (IdU) double-labeling using two mouse antibodies. However, these methods either require lengthy exposure time or involve complicated histological procedures for differentiating between two antibodies of the same species. Here we report a simple and reliable method of distinguishing BrdU- and IdU-labeled cells by immunofluorescence. This method uses a mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes both BrdU and IdU and a rat anti-BrdU antibody that has no cross-reactivity with IdU. When combined with species-specific secondary antibodies that are conjugated to different fluorophores, this method identifies BrdU- and IdU-incorporation as doubly and singly labeled cells, respectively. This method has broad applications. First, we demonstrate that this method can distinguish mouse cortical neurons generated on different embryonic days. Second, by administering IdU and BrdU at varying intervals, we used this method to calculate that the length of S-phase of neural progenitor cells in the adult mouse dentate gyrus is approximately 6 h. Finally, we show that a six-fold higher concentration of IdU detects only 10% more cells than the standard dose of BrdU (50 mg/kg) using the double-labeling method. These results suggest that the standard dose of BrdU is sufficient to label the majority of proliferative populations in the S-phase in pulse labeling experiments.     

In situ analysis of cell kinetics in human brain tumors

Summary A newly developed in vitro labeling method with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) identifies S phase cells in situ in freshly obtained surgical tissue of human brain tumors which is subsequently fixed and embedded in paraffin for BrdU immunovisualization. For the first time, the BrdU labeling index (LI) is successfully compared here with the LI obtained by immunostaining of frozen sections of the same tumors with monoclonal antibody Ki-67 which identifies all proliferating cells, i.e., the growth fraction. LIs were counted in at least five different areas with high density of labeled cells; at least 1,000 cells were counted. In 13 metastatic tumors, Ki-67 LI was 8.3%–62.6%, and BrdU LI was 5.1%–28.0%. In 18 gliomas, Ki-67 LI was 1.4%–19.3%, and BrdU LI was 0.2%–11.6%. In 7 meningiomas, Ki-67 LI was 0.3%–3.0%, and BrdU LI was 0%–2.0%. Statistical comparison of Ki-67 and BrdU LIs by linear regression analysis revealed a highly significant correlation: BrdU LI=0.99+0.34 Ki-67 LI (r=0.92,P<0.001). A significant heterogeneity of proliferation patterns may occur within one sample from area to area, as well as between different samples of the same tumor, especially in gliomas; thus, some subjective influence on LIs by arbitrary sampling and selection could occur in quantitative evaluation of in situ cell kinetics of human brain tumors. This study indicates that our in vitro BrdU-labeling method allows the in situ identification of S phase cells in excellently preserved fixed tumor tissue which is well suited for further histological examination. This method compares favorably with Ki-67 labeling of frozen sections and might emerge as a powerful new tool for the routine study of cell proliferation in surgical specimens of human brain tumors.Supported by funds from the Commission for Cancer Research of the Medical Faculty of the University of Vienna     

The utility of Ki-67 and BrdU as proliferative markers of adult neurogenesis

Adult animals continue to produce new neurons in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus. Until now, the principal method of studying neurogenesis has been to inject either tritiated thymidine or 5'-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) intraperitoneally followed by autoradiographic or immunohistochemical detection methods respectively. However, such exogenous markers may produce toxic effects. Our objective was to determine whether Ki-67, a nuclear protein expressed in all phases of the cell cycle except the resting phase, can be used as an alternative, endogenous marker. Using immunohistochemistry, we examined Ki-67 and BrdU expression pattern in rats. Ki-67 was expressed within the proliferative zone of the dentate gyrus and its expression pattern mimicked that of BrdU when examined soon after exogenous BrdU administration. Quantitative comparison of BrdU and Ki-67-positive cells showed 50% higher numbers of the latter when examined 24 h after the BrdU injection. This was expected, since BrdU can be incorporated into DNA only during the S-phase of the mitotic process, whereas Ki-67 is expressed for its whole duration. Experimental increases (by ischemia) or reductions (by radiation) in the number of mitotic cells produced parallel changes in BrdU and Ki-67 signals. Thus, Ki-67 is an effective mitotic marker and has most of the benefits of BrdU and none of the costs. This study provides evidence for Ki-67 to be used as a marker of proliferation in the initial phase of adult neurogenesis.     

Growth activity of meningeal carcinomatosis--immunohistochemical study using anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody

We have developed an experimental model of leptomeningeal tumor by inoculating Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells into the cisterna magna of rats. This model was considered to be useful in studying pathophysiology and treatment of malignant brain tumors. In this study, the growth kinetics of this experimental tumor was investigated by using the immunohistochemical technique with an anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody. Walker 256 carcinosarcoma was subcutaneously passaged in female Wistar rats. Seven days after subcutaneous inoculation, the tumor was aseptically removed and minced in Hank's medium by scissors to make single cell suspension of the tumor. The cell suspension was adjusted to 1 x 10(5) cells/ml. And 0.1 ml was inoculated percutaneously into the cisterna magna of female Wistar rats weighing 150 gr. Every day after tumor inoculation, the animal (5 on each day) was sacrificed 30 minutes after intravenous BrdU (200 mg/kg) and perfused by saline. Then, the brain was removed, fixed in ethanol and embedded in paraffin. Coronal sections of the brain 6 mu in thickness were cut and stained by the indirect immunoperoxidase (ABC) method. The anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody (Becton-Dickinson) was diluted in 1:100. The sections were counterstained by hematoxylin. Labelling index (L.I.) of the tumor was obtained by counting immunoreactive cells under the microscope. L.I. of the subcutaneous tumor 7 days after inoculation was 52.4%. In the tumor 1 to 3 days after inoculation, L.I. was still low and between 11.9 and 15.1%. Four or 5 days after inoculation, the tumor cells grew in several layers in the subarachnoid space. L.I. at this stage of the tumor growth was 26.6 to 34.8%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cell kinetics of glial tumors.

The development of monoclonal antibodies against bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) has made it possible to study the cell kinetics of individual brain tumors more extensively and more rapidly than previously possible. Over the past several years, we have performed in situ labeling studies of 502 neuroectodermal tumors with BUdR. The results have shown that the BUdR labeling index (LI), or percentage of cells in DNA synthesis, is generally higher in malignant gliomas; that histologically similar tumors may have different proliferative potentials, demonstrated by differences in the BUdR LIs; and that a higher LI indicates a higher proliferative potential as well as a shorter time to recurrence and duration of survival. Double-labeling studies with BUdR and iododeoxyuridine, performed to analyze the cell cycle progression in 29 gliomas, revealed that S-phase duration (Ts) was fairly uniform (mean +/- SD: 8.9 +/- 2.0 hours) regardless of the differences in the LIs. Nevertheless, the potential doubling time (the time for a tumor cell population to double in the absence of cell loss) varied from 2 days to over a month, being very short for tumors with a high LI, and correlated with the BUdR LIs (Tp = 17.8/LI0.77; r = 0.95). The cell cycle time calculated for gliomas with LIs of 1-20% was 1-2 days. These parameters are useful in determining the dose, duration, and interval of chemotherapy and in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. Thus, cell kinetics studies not only elucidate the growth characteristics of individual gliomas but may also benefit to patients by providing a more precise prognosis and may be considered in the selection of treatment modalities.     

Rapid detection of S-phase cells by anti-bromodeoxyuridine monoclonal antibody in 9L brain tumor cells in vitro and in situ

Summary FITC-conjugated anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) monoclonal antibody (anti-BU-MAb) was used to detect S-phase cells of 9L rat brain tumor cells in vitro and in situ. Monolayer 9L cells were treated with 0.625–20 M of BrdUrd for 30 min, harvested, and reacted with a 1:100 dilution of FITC-conjugated anti-BU-MAb and analyzed with a flow cytometer. BrdUrd-treated cells stained satisfactorily with antibody. Values obtained for the labeling index using this method (48.6%) were 10%–20% higher than the fraction of cells in S-phase calculated from DNA histograms or as the labeling index calculated from autoradiographs of cells pulse-labeled with³H-thymidine. BrdUrd (1–40 mg/kg) was administered by i.p. injection to rats bearing 9L brain tumors. Single cell suspensions obtained by disaggregation of excised tumors were stained with anti-BU-MAb. The percent-age of fluorescent cells (15.9%) calculated using this method was similar to that of S-phase cells (17.2%) calculated from DNA histograms and from autoradiographics for tumor bearing rats pulse-labeled with³H-thymidine in situ. The antibody staining technique is a rapid and accurate method for various cell kinetic studies both in vitro and in vivo in a rat model, and has promise as a technique for the study of cell kinetics in humans.Supported in part by grants PDT159 from the American Cancer Society, CA-13525 from National Cancer Institute and the gift from Aaron Silvera Cancer Research Fund     

Astrocytic proliferation in the brain adjacent to infarcted lesion: immunohistochemical study of astroprotein (GFAP) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)

Although cerebral infarction is a destructive process of nerve cells and brain tissue, the nature is not exclusively disintegrating but also includes active cellular reaction which may modify the progression of tissue damage. Most prominent cellular reaction in the area surrounding infarction can be recognized as a trophic or proliferative change of glial cells. In the present study we produced a focal cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils and investigated the dynamic change of astrocytes in the brain adjacent to thalamic infarction. Using immunohistochemical methods, astrocytes were identified with the antibody to astroprotein (GFAP) and the DNA synthesizing (S phase) cells were detected with the antibody to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The posterior communicating artery of a gerbil was occluded by coagulation through the trans-tympanic bulla approach under general anesthesia with ketamine hydrochloride (80 mg/kg, i.p.). Thirty min after intravenous administration of BrdU (200 mg/kg), animals were sacrificed by transcardiac perfusion with 75% ethanol on days 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 post-infarction. Ethanol-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks were cut coronally into 6 microns-thick sections at the level of dorsal hippocampus. Double-labeled immunohistochemical technique (avidin biotin peroxidase-complex method) was carried out with each antibody using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride and 4-chloro-1-naphthol as chromogens. The population of GFAP-positive cells and their S-phase fraction (the number of BrdU-positive nuclei divided by the number of GFAP-positive cells expressed in per cent, %) were examined. The data demonstrated that the regional GFAP-positive cells increased continuously between days 1 to 5 (105.9 to 528.8 cells/mm2) postinfarction (44.6 cells/mm2 in normal brain).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Circadian rhythm of cell proliferation in the telencephalic ventricular zone: effect of in utero exposure to ethanol

The neocortical ventricular zone is composed of a desynchronized population of proliferating cells. These cells give rise to neurons in the infragranular laminae of neocortex. The present study documents a diurnal rhythmicity of cell proliferation in the ventricular zone and examines the effects of ethanol on this biological clock. Pregnant rats were fed one of 3 diets. They were provided an ethanol-containing (6.7% v/v) liquid diet ad libitum between gestational day (G) 6 and G18, pair-fed an isocaloric liquid control diet, or fed chow and water. Throughout the experiments, the rats were fed either at 08.00 h (E.S.T) or at 17.00 h (lights on 06.00 to 18.00 h). Rats were given a single injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) on G17 at one point during a 24 h period (03.00, 06.00, 09.00 h, etc.). The fraction of ventricular cells that incorporated the BrdU was determined using quantitative immunohistochemical methods. Pair-fed control rats (fed at 08.00 or 17.00 h) consumed their food within 4 h of presentation. The ratio of cells passing through the S-phase of the cell cycle changed diurnally; the ratio was highest during the day (0.52 +/- 0.01 at 12.00 h) and lowest during the night (0.40 +/- 0.02 at 03.00 h). In contrast, the ethanol-fed rats grazed on their food throughout the dark cycle regardless of when the food was presented. The mean peak blood ethanol concentration was 142 +/- 13 mg/dl during the dark phase and less than 25 mg/dl during the light phase. Prenatal exposure to ethanol eliminates the fetal circadian rhythm in cell proliferation (mean labeling index of 0.45 +/- 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relation between distribution of DNA synthesizing cells and blood flow and glucose metabolism in Rous sarcoma virus-induced rat brain tumors

The correlations between blood flow or glucose metabolism and distribution of DNA synthesizing cells were simultaneously investigated in the same rat brain tumors using autoradiographic technique and immunoperoxidase stain. Two rat brain tumor strains (A and B) induced by Rous sarcoma virus were used. A suspension of 1 X 10(4) rat brain tumor cells was stereotactically implanted into the right basal ganglia of syngenic Fischer 344/Du Crj rats. The tumor strain A bearing rats died 12.0 +/- 1.8 days and the tumor strain B bearing rats died 17.6 +/- 1.3 days after the tumor implantation. Blood flow and glucose metabolism were measured with 14C-iodoantipyrine and 14C-2-deoxy-D-glucose autoradiography. All rats also received a 1-h i.v. infusion of BrdU, 5-20 mg, at the autoradiographic procedure. The immunoperoxidase staining for BrdU (Avidin Biotin peroxidase complex method) and other conventional stainings were performed in the sections alternating with the autoradiographic sections. BrdU-positive nuclei (S-phase cells) were heterogeneously distributed and labeling index ranged from less than 1% to more than 40% in the tumors. Neoplastic vessels tended to be distributed in the peripheral part of the tumor and were surrounded with S-phase cells in a part of the tumor. The blood flow was heterogeneously distributed in the tumor and the average blood flow reduced to about 50% in the tumor strain A and to about 60% in the tumor strain B, respectively in comparison with contralateral cortex. The distribution of blood flow did not correlate with the distribution of S-phase cells nor the distribution of neoplastic vessels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Proliferation and differentiation of transplanted embryonic diencephalon in the brain of adult rats

The survival, proliferation potential, differentiation, and host tissue reaction of allografts of undifferentiated embryonal diencephalic tissue (E12.5, E17.5) transplanted into or around the third ventricle of adult rats were investigated. Rats harboring grafts were sacrificed at three, six, and nine weeks after transplantation. The proliferative activity of the grafts was assessed by injection of 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) into pregnant rats before the removal of fetuses for transplantation, and staining the grafts using an anti-BrdU antibody. The proliferative activity of the transplanted grafts was evaluated by immunostaining using an anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody. The differentiation of the grafts into neurons was estimated by double immunostaining using anti-BrdU and anti-neuron-specific enolase (NSE) antibodies. The survival rate of the grafts was strongly related to the proliferative activity of the graft. Surviving E17.5 grafts contained immunoreactive BrdU cells. E12.5 grafts could survive without immunoreactive BrdU cells. Undifferentiated El2.5 grafts proliferated up to six weeks after transplantation. Thereafter, most graft cells differentiated into mature neurons. E12.5 diencephalic allografts survived well with minimal rejection reactions and resulted in substantial neurite ingrowth into the host brain, while El7.5 allografts caused substantial reactive gliosis and little ingrowth.     

Nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent cyclin D1 induction and DNA replication associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated apoptosis in rat striatum

Cell cycle reentry has been found during apoptosis of postmitotic neurons under certain pathological conditions. To evaluate whether nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation promotes cell cycle entry and neuronal apoptosis, we studied the relation among NF-kappaB-mediated cyclin induction, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, and apoptosis initiation in rat striatal neurons following excitotoxic insult. Intrastriatally injected N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist quinolinic acid (QA, 60 nmol) elicited a rise in cyclin D1 mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). QA-induced NF-kappaB activation occurred in striatal neurons and nonneuronal cells and partially colocalized with elevated cyclin D1 immunoreactivity and TUNEL-positive nuclei. QA triggered DNA replication as evidenced by BrdU incorporation; some striatal BrdU-positive cells were identified as neurons by colocalization with NeuN. Blockade of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation with the recombinant peptide NF-kappaB SN50 attenuated the QA-induced elevation in cyclin D1 and BrdU incorporation. QA-induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation was blunted by G(1)/S-phase cell cycle inhibitors. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB activation stimulates cyclin D1 expression and triggers DNA replication in striatal neurons. Excitotoxin-induced neuronal apoptosis may thus result from, at least partially, a failed cell cycle attempt.     

脑肿瘤中P53蛋白的表达及Ki－67LI的相关性研究

利用突变型Ｐ５３蛋白的单抗及Ｋｉ－６７单抗对５０例冰冻标本进行检测，结果发现，脑肿瘤中突变型Ｐ５３蛋白的表达阳性率为４６％。低恶度胶质瘤、高恶度胶质瘤及转移癌中Ｐ５３蛋白表达的阳性率不同，分别为１８．２％、５３．８％及１００％。Ｐ５３蛋白表达阳性的肿瘤中高Ｋｉ－６７ＬＩ比例为７０％，其中位数及均数为１４．３％、２０．７６±１８．３（％），而无Ｐ５３蛋白表达的脑瘤中，ｋｉ－６７ＬＩ中位数及均数分别为１．３９及５．１９±９．０（％）。结果表明，突变型Ｐ５３蛋白的表达与脑肿瘤的组织类型，分化程度及细胞的增殖有关，而它的高表达又可能是肿瘤恶性表型或转移的标志之一。