β-环连蛋白抑制基因2甲基化状态对贲门腺癌发生发展的影响及机制

[目的]检测贲门腺癌(gastric cardia adenocarcinoma,GCA)及相应癌旁组织中β-环连蛋白抑制基因2 (dishevelled-binding antagonist of beta-catenin 2,DACT2)的表达情况及其临床意义,探讨引起基因表达异常的可能机制及对Wnt通路活化的影响.[方法]应用甲基化特异性PCR (methylation specific PCR,MSP)、RT-PCR分别检测河北省上消化道肿瘤高发区104例贲门腺癌及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中DACT2基因的甲基化状态及mRNA的表达情况.应用免疫组织化学(IHC)检测β-catenin蛋白的表达.[结果]在104例贲门腺癌组织标本中,DA CT2基因的甲基化发生率为60.6％(63/104),明显高于癌旁非肿瘤组织(P＜0.01);且在发生该基因的甲基化的贲门腺癌标本中其mRNA表达及Wnt通路中心因子β-catenin的异常表达率均明显高于未发生该基因甲基化的贲门癌组织(P＜0.01);且该基因的甲基化状态与肿瘤患者的病理分级、临床分期、淋巴结转移和上消化道肿瘤家族史相关(P＜0.05),而与肿瘤患者的年龄、性别无关(P＞0.05).[结论]基因启动子区的高甲基化状态是DACT2基因表达下调的机制之一,其低表达可引起Wnt/β-catenin信号传导通路的异常活化并在贲门腺癌的发生发展中发挥一定的作用.     

食管鳞状细胞癌中CDH1基因启动子区甲基化状态与β-catenin异质表达的相关性

目的:研究食管鳞状细胞癌(Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer,ESCC)中CDH1(cadherin 1)基因的甲基化状态,探讨其与Wnt中心因子β-catenin表达及与食管鳞癌发生的关系.方法:应用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)及RT-PCR的方法检测91例食管鳞癌中CDH1基因的甲基化状态及其mRNA表达情况,应用免疫组织化学的方法检测β-catenin蛋白的表达情况,并分析与临床病理参数间的关系.结果:在91例食管鳞癌中,有72例CDH1基因发生了甲基化,甲基化率为79.1%,明显高于癌旁非肿瘤组织(P＜0.01);癌组织中CDH1基因的高甲基化与肿瘤患者的临床分期相关,与病理分级无关;癌组织中该基因mRNA的阳性表达率42.9%,明显低于癌旁非肿瘤组织(97.8%,P＜0.01);癌及癌旁组织中β-catenin蛋白的异质表达率分别为89.0%和24.2%,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01):癌组织中CDH1基因mRNA表达及β-catenin蛋白的异质表达均与该基因的甲基化状态明显相关(P＜0.05).结论:CDH1基因启动子区甲基化在食管鳞癌中频繁发生,该基因的高甲基化状态可能是引起食管鳞癌发生的分子机制之一,并有可能通过Wnt/β-catenin信号传导通路发挥作用.     

SRY-box 17基因在食管鳞状细胞癌中异常甲基化及表达的研究

目的:检测食管磷癌(esophageal squamous cell cancer,ESCC)细胞株及组织标本中Wnt通路相关因子SRY-box 17基因的甲基化状态及表达情况,探讨其与食管鳞癌发生的相关性.方法:分别采用甲基化特异性-PCR(methylation specific-PCR,MSP)和RT-PCR的方法检测食管癌细胞株TE1、TE13及109例食管鳞癌及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中SRY-box 17基因的甲基化状态及mRNA表达情况,并分析其与Wnit通路中心因子β-catenin蛋白表达的关系.结果:在食管癌细胞株TE1和TE13中,SRY-box 17基因mRNA均呈阴性或弱阳性表达,用甲基化抑制剂5-氮-2’-脱氧胞苷(5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine,5-Aza-dC)处理后,其mRNA全部恢复阳性表达;MSP检测结果显示,在食管癌细胞株中SRY-box 17基因均呈高甲基化状态;在食管癌组织标本中,SRY-box17基因的甲基率为89.0％ (97/109),明显高于癌旁组织的53.2％ (58/109)(P＜0.01);癌组织中SRY-box 17基因的甲基化率在Ⅲ和Ⅳ期肿瘤患者中明显高于Ⅰ和Ⅱ期患者(P＜0.05),而该基因的甲基化率与肿瘤患者的组织学分级无相关性;在癌组织中该SRY-box17mRNA的阳性表达率为28.4％(31/109),明显低于癌旁组织(P＜0.01).其mRNA表达的缺失率及通路中心因子β-catenin蛋白的异质表达率均与该基因的甲基化状态有相关性(P＜0.05).结论:食管鳞癌组织及细胞株中SRY-box 17基因均呈高甲基化状态,该基因的高甲基化可能是引起mRNA表达下调的重要机制之一,并可能通过Wnt/β-catenin信号转导通路的激活在食管癌的发生、发展中具有重要作用;对该基因的甲基化检测可能对食管癌的预后判断有一定的临床指导意义.     

Sox17基因甲基化状态与贲门腺癌发生发展关系研究

  目的  检测贲门腺癌(gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, GCA)组织中Wnt通路相关因子Sox17基因的甲基化状态及mRNA表达情况, 探讨其与贲门腺癌发生的关系。   方法  应用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation specific PCR, MSP)及RT-PCR的方法检测126例贲门腺癌及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中Sox17基因的甲基化状态及mRNA表达情况。   结果  在126例贲门腺癌组织中, Sox17基因的甲基率为86.5%(109/126), 明显高于癌旁非肿瘤组织(P < 0.001);癌组织中Sox17基因的甲基化率与贲门腺癌的TNM分期及淋巴结转移均无关; 癌组织中该基因mRNA的阳性表达率为58.7%(74/126), 明显低于癌旁非肿瘤组织(P < 0.001)。其mRNA阳性表达率与该基因的甲基化状态呈明显负相关(P < 0.01)。   结论  Sox17基因在贲门腺癌中呈高甲基化状态, 可作为Wnt拮抗基因甲基化谱中的一个新成员。      

转录因子 SOX7 基因在贲门腺癌中的异常表达及其甲基化状态

目的：检测贲门腺癌（gastric cardia adenocarcinoma,GCA）组织及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中Y性别决定区基因7（sex determining region Y-box 7, SOX7 ）的甲基化状态及其对 SOX7 mRNA表达、Wnt通路中心因子β-catenin异质表达的影响及与临床病理特征之间的相关性。方法：选择河北医科大学第四医院胸外科2006-2012年手术切除的GCA及癌旁组织各130例,应用甲基化特异性PCR（methylation specific PCR, MSP）、RT-PCR分别检测130例GCA及癌旁组织中 SOX7 基因的甲基化状态及其mRNA表达情况,应用免疫组织化学方法检测标本中β-catenin蛋白的表达。分析 SOX7 的甲基化状态与临床病理特征、 SOX7 mRNA表达、β-catenin蛋白的异质表达及上消化道肿瘤家族史（upper gastrointestinal cancers,UGIC）的关系。 结果 ：GCA组织中 SOX7 的甲基化率显著高于癌旁组织为\[57.7%（75/130） vs 30.8%（40/130）, P <0.01\],其高甲基化仅与肿瘤患者的淋巴结转移情况有关（ P <0.05）,与肿瘤组织的病理分级及临床分期均无关（ P >0.05）。GCA组织中 SOX7 mRNA的表达量明显低于癌旁非肿瘤组织\[(0.414±0.054) vs (0.695±0.034), P <0.01]\],其β-catenin蛋白的异质表达率显著高于癌旁组织（85.4% vs 43.1%, P <0.01）;GCA组织中 SOX7 基因mRNA表达情况及β-catenin蛋白的异质表达率均与该基因的甲基化状态有关（ P <0.05）,并且 SOX7 基因的甲基化状态与贲门癌患者的上消化道家族史密切相关（ P <0.01）。结论： CpG岛甲基化是 SOX7 基因表达下调的机制之一,并可能通过Wnt/β-catenin信号转导通路的激活在贲门腺癌的发生中扮演着重要的角色。     

贲门腺癌中TSP1启动子区高甲基化与TGF-β1表达的相关性分析

目的:探讨贲门腺癌中凝血酶敏感蛋白1(thrombospondin1,TSP1)基因的甲基化状态及其与转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)蛋白表达之间的相关性.方法:分别应用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation-specific PCR,MSP)、RT-PCR和免疫组织化学法检测贲门腺癌组织及相应癌旁组织的TSP1基因甲基化、mRNA和蛋白表达情况,应用免疫组织化学法检测对应组织中TGF-β1蛋白表达情况.结果: 96例贲门腺癌组织中有34例发生了TSP1基因甲基化,甲基化发生率为35.4%,显著高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.001).Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期贲门腺癌患者中TSP1基因发生甲基化的比率显著高于Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期患者(P<0.05).贲门腺癌组织中TSP1 mRNA及蛋白表达显著低于癌旁正常组织(P<0.05),且与其甲基化状态之间有明显相关性.TGF-β1蛋白在贲门癌腺组织中的表达明显升高,96例贲门癌腺组织中有50例(52.1%)表达阳性,与相应癌旁正常组织相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);且随肿瘤分期的升高和肿瘤分化程度的降低,TGF-β1的阳性表达率明显升高(P<0.05).TSP1基因在贲门腺癌中的高甲基化与TGF-β1蛋白表达之间有明显的相关性(P<0.05).结论:TSP1基因启动子区高甲基化和TGF-β1蛋白过表达可能参与了贲门腺癌的发生、发展过程,TSP1基因启动子区发生甲基化导致的基因沉默可能是贲门腺癌发生的机制之一.     

贲门腺癌中 DACT-1 基因的甲基化状态及其临床意义

目的:检测贲门腺癌(gastric cardia adenocarcinoma,GCA)及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中β-环连蛋白抑制基因1(dishevelled-binding antagonist of beta-catenin 1,DACT-1)的甲基化状态,并探讨其临床意义.方法:应用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation specific PCR,MSP)、定量RT-PCR的方法分别检测112例贲门腺癌(河北医科大学第四医院外科和磁县肿瘤医院胸外科于2006-2014年收治)及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中DACT-1基因的甲基化状态及其mRNA表达情况.结果:在贲门腺癌组织中,DACT-1基因的甲基化率为51.8％(58/112),癌旁非肿瘤组织中该基因的甲基化率为17.6％ (20/112),癌组织中DACT-1基因发生甲基化的频率明显高于癌旁非肿瘤组织(P＜0.01);癌组织中DACT-1基因mRNA的表达量为0.580±0.143,明显低于癌旁非肿瘤组织(0.654 ±0.110,P＜0.01);在DACT-1基因甲基化的贲门癌组织中该基因mRNA的表达量为0.488±0.097,明显低于该基因未甲基化的贲门癌组织(0.675 ±0.120),且该基因甲基化状态与其mRNA表达量相关(P＜0.01).癌组织中DACT-1基因的高甲基化状态与肿瘤患者的淋巴结转移情况及上消化道肿瘤家族史有关(P＜0.05),而与肿瘤患者的年龄、性别及肿瘤组织的病理分级、临床分期均无关(P＞0.05).结论:贲门腺癌中基因CpG岛的高甲基化可能是DACT-1基因表达下调的机制之一;DA CT-1基因启动子区的甲基化状态有望为贲门腺癌临床辅助诊断和预后评估提供新的指标.     

贲门腺癌中转化生长因子βⅡ型受体基因启动子区高甲基化及其与TGF-β1表达的相关性分析

目的:探讨贲门腺癌中转化生长因子-βⅡ型受体(transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 2,TGFBR2)基因启动子区的甲基化状态及其与TGF-β1蛋白表达之间的相关性.方法:分别应用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation-specific PCR,MSP)、RT-PCR和免疫组织化学法检测贲门腺癌组织及相应癌旁组织中TGFBR2基因启动子区甲基化情况、TGFBR2 mRNA和蛋白表达情况,并应用免疫组织化学法检测相应组织中TGF-β1的蛋白表达情况.结果: TGFBR2基因在贲门腺癌组织中甲基化率为47.3%(52/110),显著高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.01);Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期贲门癌患者中TGFBR2基因发生甲基化的比率显著高于Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期患者(P<0.05);TGFBR2基因在高、中、低分化的贲门癌组织中甲基化率差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05).贲门癌组织中TGFBR2 mRNA及蛋白表达显著低于癌旁正常组织(P<0.05)且与其甲基化状态之间有明显的相关性(P<0.01).TGF-β1在贲门癌组织中的表达(65.5%)明显升高,与相应癌旁正常组织相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),且随着肿瘤分期的增高和肿瘤分化程度的降低,TGF-β1的阳性表达率明显升高(P<0.05).TGFBR2和TGF-β1蛋白在贲门腺癌中的表达呈明显的负相关(P<0.05).结论:TGFBR2受体基因启动子区的高甲基化及其TGF-β1的过表达可能均参与了贲门腺癌的发生发展过程.TGFBR2基因启动子区发生甲基化导致的基因沉默可能是贲门腺癌发生的机制之一.     

NDRG2基因在贲门腺癌中的甲基化状态及表达

目的： 探讨贲门腺癌(GCA)中NDRG2(N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2)基因启动子区的甲基化状态,并分析其甲基化与表达之间的相关性。方法：应用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)方法检测97例贲门腺癌组织及相应癌旁组织中NDRG2基因的甲基化状态,应用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学方法检测97例贲门腺癌组织及相应癌旁组织中NDRG2的mRNA和蛋白表达情况。结果：NDRG2基因启动子区在贲门腺癌组织中的甲基化率(49.5%)显著高于癌旁正常组织(5.1%)(P<0.05),且Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期贲门腺癌患者中NDRG2基因甲基化的比率显著高于Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期患者,低分化组中NDRG2基因发生甲基化的比率显著高于高中分化组。贲门腺癌组织中NDRG2 mRNA表达水平显著低于癌旁正常组织(P<0.05)。贲门腺癌组织中NDRG2蛋白表达阳性率为44.3%(43/97),显著低于相应癌旁正常组织的蛋白表达94.8%(92/97)(P<0.01),且贲门腺癌组织中NDRG2蛋白表达缺失与其启动子区的甲基化有明显的相关性(r=-0.510,P<0.01)。结论：NDRG2基因启动子区的高甲基化导致的基因沉默可能是贲门腺癌中此基因表达降低的机制之一。     

贲门腺癌中RASSF1A基因甲基化与cyclin D1表达的关系

目的:探讨贲门腺癌(gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma,GCA)中RASSF1A基因的甲基化状态及其与cyclin D1蛋白表达之间的相关性.方法:分别应用甲基化特异性PCR(mothylation-specific PCR,MSP)方法和免疫组织化学SP法检测贲门腺癌组织及相应癌旁组织的RASSF1A基因甲基化情况和cyclin D1蛋白表达情况.结果:92例贲门腺癌组织中有54例RASSF1A发生了甲基化,甲基化率为58.7%,显著高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.001).Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期贲门腺癌患者中RASSF1A基因发生甲基化的比率显著高于Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期患者(P<0.05).92例贲门腺癌组织中有72例(78.3%)cyclin D1蛋白表达阳性,与相应癌旁正常组织比较,cyclin D1在贲门癌组织中的表达显著升高(P<0.001);且随肿瘤分化程度的降低,cyclin D1的阳性表达率明显升高(P<0.05).RASSF1A基因在贲门腺癌中的高甲基化与cyclin D1蛋白表达之间有明显的相关性(P<0.05).结论:RASSF1A基因启动子区的高甲基化以及cyclin D1蛋白的过表达可能参与了贲门腺癌的发生发展过程.     

Regulation of CXCR4 by the Notch ligand delta-like 4 in endothelial cells

Gene-targeting studies have shown that Delta-like 4 (Dll4) is required for normal embryonic vascular remodeling, but the mechanisms underlying Dll4 regulatory functions are not well defined. We generated primary human umbilical vascular endothelial cells that express Dll4 protein to study Dll4 function and previously showed that Dll4 down-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 and NRP1 expression and inhibits VEGF function. We now report that expression of Dll4 in endothelial cells inhibited attachment and migration to stromal-derived growth factor 1 (SDF1) chemokine. Cell surface, total protein, and mRNA levels of CXCR4, principal signaling receptor for SDF1, were significantly decreased in Dll4-transduced endothelial cells, attributable to a significant reduction of CXCR4 promoter activity. An immobilized recombinant extracellular portion of Dll4 (rhDLL4) was sufficient to down-regulate CXCR4 mRNA and protein, whereas protein levels of SDF1, VEGF, and RDC1 were unchanged. The gamma-secretase inhibitor L-685,458 significantly reconstituted CXCR4 mRNA in rhDLL4-stimulated endothelial cells. CXCR4 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in mouse xenografts of Dll4-transduced human gliomas compared with control gliomas, and vascular CXCR4 was not detected by immunohistochemistry in the enlarged vessels within the Dll4 gliomas. Thus, Dll4 may contribute to vascular differentiation and inhibition of the angiogenic response by regulating multiple receptor pathways.     

The role of sulfation in the metabolic activation of N-hydroxy-4'-fluoro-4-acetylaminobiphenyl

The role of sulfation in the metabolic activation of the liver carcinogen N-hydroxy-4'-fluoro-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-FAABP) in male rat liver was investigated. N-OH-FAABP was a substrate for sulfotransferases in vitro and sulfation was inhibited by the sulfotransferase inhibitors pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP). The main metabolite of N-OH-FAABP excreted in bile in vivo, and in the isolated perfused liver, was identified as the N-O-glucuronide conjugate. Inhibition of sulfation in vivo by PCP or DCNP, or in vitro by omission of inorganic sulfate, resulted in a large increase in the excretion of the N-O-glucuronide conjugate. It was estimated that at least 21% of the dose was sulfated in control animals. Inhibition of sulfation in vivo by PCP or DCNP prevented the covalent binding of N-OH-FAABP to liver (and kidney) macromolecules by 70% and 20% respectively. HPLC analysis of the fluorobiphenyl DNA and RNA adducts showed that the formation of both N-acetylated and deacetylated (deoxy)-guanosine adducts was prevented. Furthermore, omission of inorganic sulfate in the isolated perfused liver prevented the formation of all fluorobiphenyl DNA adducts by 70-80%. It is concluded that two sulfotransferase-dependent pathways exist for the metabolic activation of N-OH-FAABP in male rat liver: (i) direct sulfation of the hydroxamic acid, resulting, upon decomposition of the FAABP-N-sulfate ester, in the formation of N-acetylated DNA adducts and (ii) deacetylation followed by sulfation of the hydroxylamine to FABP-N-sulfate, leading to the formation of deacetylation DNA adducts.     

Mutations of the DPC4/Smad4 gene in neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors.

Tumors of the endocrine pancreas are extremely rare, and molecular mechanisms leading to their development are not well understood. A candidate tumor suppressor gene, DPC4, located at 18q21, has recently been shown to be inactivated in half of pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenografts. The close anatomical relationship of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas prompted us to determine the role of DPC4 in the tumorigenesis of 25 pancreatic islet cell tumors (11 insulinomas, nine non-functioning endocrine carcinomas, three gastrinomas, two vipomas). A mutation screening of the highly conserved COOH-terminal domain of DPC4 (exons 8-11) was performed by single-strand conformational variant (SSCP) analysis and a PCR-based deletion assay. Five of nine (55%) non-functioning endocrine pancreatic carcinomas revealed either point mutations, small intragenic deletions or homozygous deletion of DPC4 sequences compared to none of the insulinomas, gastrinomas or vipomas. These results suggest that DPC4 is an important target gene promoting tumorigenesis of non-functioning neuroendocrine pancreatic carcinomas.     

erbB4/HER4在Ⅰ～Ⅲ期卵巢浆液性囊腺癌组织中的表达研究

目的检测第4人体表皮生长因子受体（HER4）在卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中的表达,探讨HER4过度表达与卵巢浆液性囊腺癌临床病理的关系。方法采用免疫组化的方法检测有随访资料的42例卵巢浆液性囊腺癌组织中HER4的表达。结果卵巢浆液性囊腺癌组织中HER4的过度表达率为50．0％（21／42）。卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中HER4的过度表达与淋巴结转移、FIGO分期相关。结论erbB4基因是卵巢浆液性囊腺癌生长的一个调控基因,干预HER4蛋白的过度表达可能是治疗卵巢浆液性囊腺癌的有效方法。     

Paradoxes of the EphB4 receptor in cancer

Recent findings have started to uncover the intriguing roles of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases in normal epithelial cells and during oncogenic transformation. This review focuses on EphB4, an Eph receptor that has both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting activities in breast cancer. Understanding the multifaceted role of EphB4 in tumorigenesis may allow the development of new anticancer therapies.     

Role of MUC4-NIDO domain in the MUC4-mediated metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells

MUC4 is a large transmembrane type I glycoprotein that is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer (PC) and has been shown to be associated with its progression and metastasis. However, the exact cellular and molecular mechanism(s) through which MUC4 promotes metastasis of PC cells has been sparsely studied. Here we showed that the nidogen-like (NIDO) domain of MUC4, which is similar to the G1-domain present in the nidogen or entactin (an extracellular matrix protein), contributes to the protein-protein interaction property of MUC4. By this interaction, MUC4 promotes breaching of basement membrane (BM) integrity, and spreading of cancer cells. These observations are corroborated with the data from our study using an engineered MUC4 protein without the NIDO domain, which was ectopically expressed in the MiaPaCa PC cells, lacking endogenous MUC4 and nidogen protein. The in vitro studies demonstrated an enhanced invasiveness of MiaPaCa cells expressing MUC4 (MiaPaCa-MUC4) compared with vector-transfected cells (MiaPaCa-Vec; P=0.003) or cells expressing MUC4 without the NIDO domain (MiaPaCa-MUC4-NIDO(Δ); P=0.03). However, the absence of NIDO-domain has no significant role on cell growth and motility (P=0.93). In the in vivo studies, all the mice orthotopically implanted with MiPaCa-MUC4 cells developed metastasis to the liver as compared with MiaPaCa-Vec or the MiaPaCa-MUC4-NIDO(Δ) group, hence, supporting our in vitro observations. Additionally, a reduced binding (P=0.0004) of MiaPaCa-MUC4-NIDO(Δ) cells to the fibulin-2 coated plates compared with MiaPaCa-MUC4 cells indicated a possible interaction between the MUC4-NIDO domain and fibulin-2, a nidogen-interacting protein. Furthermore, in PC tissue samples, MUC4 colocalized with the fibulin-2 present in the BM. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the MUC4-NIDO domain significantly contributes to the MUC4-mediated metastasis of PC cells. This may be partly due to the interaction between the MUC4-NIDO domain and fibulin-2.     

Interleukin-4 in the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Purpose: To define the safety and toxicity of interleukin-4 (IL-4)when administered subcutaneously in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi'ssarcoma (AIDS-KS); to evaluate the effect of IL-4 on immunologic and virologicparameters; and to preliminarily assess the response rate of IL-4 in AIDS-KS.Patients andmethods: Eighteen patients with mucocutaneous, non-visceral AIDS-KS weretreated with IL-4 at a dose of 1 mcg/kg subcutaneously, daily untilunacceptable toxicity or for a maximum period of six months. Twelve(66%) patients had extensive mucocutaneous disease with over 25lesions. Ten patients had received prior systemic chemotherapy. Seventeen hadCD4+ lymphocyte counts less than 200/mm³.Results: The most common adverse effects included headache in78%, fever in 56%, chills in 44%, and edema in44%. Hematologic toxicities consisted of grade 4 neutropenia (less than500/mm³) in 33%, mild anemia in 22%. Transientelevation of liver enzymes was noted in 17%. A transient elevation inCD4+ lymphocyte counts occurred during the first two weeks of therapy. Fourof eleven patients tested showed marked decline in plasma HIV RNA after fourweeks. Partial remission was observed in one patient, lasting six months.Three other patients (17%) had stable disease: 7 weeks in one patient,and 10 weeks in each of the two other patients.Conclusion: Grade 4 neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count<500/mm³) was the most common hematologic adverse effectwith IL-4 in patients with AIDS-KS. In contrast to in vitro findings,there was a decrease in plasma HIV RNA after four weeks of IL-4 therapy in themajority of patients tested. IL-4 produced minimal anti-tumor effects inAIDS-KS with one partial remission in a patient with CD4 lymphocyte countsover 200/mm³. Further studies of IL-4 in AIDS-KS may beconsidered in patients with better immune status.     

On the maternal transfer of 4-aminobiphenyl in rats

The potential for 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) to be transferredfrom circulating blood into the milk of lactating Sprague—Dawleyrats was determined. The distribution of ¹⁴C-labeled 4-ABP intomilk was examined at time intervals of < 1, 20, 60, 120,240 and 480 min after i.v. dose administration. Eliminationof radioactivity from blood and milk was determined to be biphasic.The levels of 4-ABP and/or metabolites were lower in milk thanin blood at all time points examined. The levels of radioactivitydetected in blood declined less rapidly than in milk. That is,the percent of the dose per ml of blood declined from 0.81–0.45,while the percent of the dose per ml of milk declined from 0.38–0.06during the 8 h time period. The radioactivity present in milkwas partially extractable with ethyl acetate with 43% of theradioactivity being extractable at the earliest time point whileonly 16% was extractable after 8 h. The level of radioactivityassociated with the protein precipitate of the milk samplesincreased from 4–21% within 4 h after treatment. The potentialof 4-ABP or its metabolites to exert a genotoxic effect on newbornpups via maternal transfer was also examined. Dams were treatedon day 1 post partum and then daily with 4-ABP (10 mg/kg) incorn oil or corn oil alone for 2 weeks. Each experimental grouphad four litters of pups each containing 5 pups. Pups were sacrificedat 15 days of age, separated by sex and the levels of 4-ABP:DNA adducts in liver determined using ³²P-postlabeling. DNAadduct profiles were similar between male and female pups withtotal adduct levels of 332 and 338 fmol of adducts/mg of DNA,respectively. These results indicate that the genotoxic effectsof 4-ABP can be transmitted from exposed dams to the nursingoffspring.