Human blood basophils synthesize interleukin-2 binding sites.

Recent data suggest that basophils express receptors for a variety of lymphokines. In this study we present the biochemical characterization of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor on the basophil surface membrane. Highly enriched populations (purity: 92% to 99%) of blood basophils were obtained from chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) patients (n = 3) by negative selection using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and complement. CGL basophils were found to bind CD25 MoAbs (n = 4) directed against different epitopes of the 55- to 60-Kd subunit of the IL-2 receptor (= Tac peptide). Immunoprecipitation experiments with lysates of purified CGL basophils and CD25 MoAbs showed a protein with a molecular weight of 60 Kd, equivalent to the Tac peptide on human T blasts. Quantitative binding studies and Scatchard plot analysis using radiolabeled recombinant human (rh) IL-2 indicated the presence of 12,000 +/- 4,700 low affinity IL-2 binding sites (kd = 66 nmol/L) per purified CGL basophil. Northern blot analysis with enriched CGL basophils showed two messenger RNA bands of 3.5 and 1.5 kilobases hybridizing to radiolabeled Tac cDNA. Immunoprecipitation of the Tac peptide from enriched basophils metabolically labeled with 35S-methionine showed active synthesis of the IL-2 receptor. Our results show that human blood basophils synthesize and express receptors for IL-2.     

Increased angiogenesis in the bone marrow of patients with systemic mastocytosis

Recent data suggest that angiogenesis in the bone marrow (BM) is augmented and associated with growth of neoplastic cells in various hematological malignancies. Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a neoplasm affecting multilineage and mast cell (MC)-committed hemopoietic progenitors. In the present study, we have assessed the BM microvessel density (MVD) by CD34 immunohistochemistry in 21 patients with SM, 5 with cutaneous mastocytosis (no BM infiltrates), and 5 control cases (normal BM). The median BM MVD was significantly higher in SM compared to cutaneous mastocytosis or controls (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant correlation (r = 0.74) between the BM MVD and grade of MC infiltration (percent tryptase(+) BM infiltrates) was found in SM. Moreover, the MVD was higher in MC infiltrates compared to the nonaffected adjacent marrow (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in MC infiltrates. The notion that SM is associated with increased BM angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression may have implications for the biology of disease and development of new treatment strategies.     

Evaluation of angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the bone marrow of patients with aplastic anemia

It is generally appreciated that bone marrow function and growth of myelopoietic cells depends on an intact microvasculature. A pivotal regulator of angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Here, we describe analysis of VEGF expression and microvessel density in the bone marrow of patients with aplastic anemia by immunohistochemistry. Bone marrow was examined at diagnosis and at the time of hematological remission after immunosuppressive therapy using anti-thymocyte globulin, cyclosporin A, and glucocorticoids or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. At diagnosis, both VEGF expression and microvessel density were found to be significantly lower in aplastic anemia compared to normal bone marrow (aplastic anemia, 1.1 +/- 0.7 events per field, versus controls, 5.9 +/- 3.0 events per field; P < 0.05). In response to successful therapy, VEGF and microvessel density in the bone marrow increased substantially. Serum VEGF levels were also found to be significantly lower at diagnosis in aplastic anemia compared to healthy controls (aplastic anemia, 51 +/- 35 pg/ml versus controls, 444 +/- 220 pg/ml; P < 0.05). VEGF in the serum increased substantially after successful immunosuppressive therapy or stem cell transplantation (P < 0.05). Taken together, these data show that aplastic anemia is associated with reduced angiogenesis and reduced VEGF expression.     

Detection of novel leukocyte differentiation antigens on basophils and mast cells by HLDA8 antibodies

BACKGROUND: Basophils (BA) and mast cells (MC) are important effector cells in allergic reactions. Development, growth and effector cell functions are regulated by a network of cytokines, other ligands, and respective cell surface antigens. METHODS: We examined the expression of novel CD antigens on human BA, lung MC, the BA cell line KU-812, and the MC line HMC-1. Expression of surface antigens was analyzed by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) of the HLDA8 workshop and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Basophils were found to stain positive for CXCR1 (CD181), CCR1 (CD191), CCR2 (CD192), CCR7 (CD197), IL-18Ralpha (CDw218a), IL-18Rbeta (CDw218b), TRAIL-R1 (CD261), TRAIL-R2 (CD262), TACI (CD267), TLR-4 (CD284), LAIR1 (CD305), EMR-2 (CD312), JAM1 (CD321), and JAM2 (CD322). Lung MC were found to react with mAb against EMR-2 (CD312) and JAM1 (CD321). KU-812 cells were found to stain positive for CXCR1 (CD181), TRAIL-R2 (CD262), B7H2 (CD275), TLR-4 (CD284), JAM1 (CD321), and E-Cadherin (CD324). HMC-1 cells were recognized by mAb against TRAIL-R2 (CD262), B7H2 (CD275), LAIR1 (CD305), EMR-2 (CD312), JAM1 (CD321), and Siglec-6 (CDw327). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive phenotyping with antibodies against novel CD antigens provides further evidence that BA and MC represent two separate hematopoietic cell lineages with unique phenotypic properties observed in mature cells as well as malignant immature cells. Further studies are required to define the functional role of these CD antigens expressed in BA and MC.     

Characterization of Der p 21, a new important allergen derived from the gut of house dust mites

Background: The house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a major allergen source eliciting allergic asthma. The aim of the study was to identify new important HDM allergens associated with allergic asthma. Methods: A cDNA coding for a new mite allergen, designated Der p 21, was isolated using immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies from patients with allergic asthma out of a D. pteronyssinus expression cDNA library and expressed in Escherichia coli. Results: Circular dichroism analysis of the purified allergen showed that rDer p 21 (14 726 Da) is one of the few mite allergens with an α‐helical secondary structure. The protein exhibited high thermal stability and refolding capacity, and, as determined by small angle X‐ray scattering, formed a dimer consisting of two flat triangles. rDer p 21 bound high levels of patients’ IgE antibodies and showed high allergenic activity in basophil activation experiments. Rabbit anti‐Der p 21 IgG antibodies inhibited mite‐allergic patients’ IgE binding and allowed the ultrastructural localization of the allergen in the midgut (epithelium, lumen and faeces) of D. pteronyssinus by immunogold electron microscopy. Der p 21 revealed sequence homology with group 5 mite allergens, but IgE and IgG reactivity data and cross‐inhibition studies identified it as a new mite allergen. Conclusions: Der p 21 is a new important mite allergen which is liberated into the environment via faecal particles and hence may be associated with allergic asthma.     

High early uterine vascular resistance values increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome independently from placental VEGF and VEGFR1 reactivities

ObjectiveFrom data in the literature, we hypothesized that high vascular resistance values in the uterine arteries at the end of the first trimester would increase adverse pregnancy outcomes and therefore might be accompanied by changes in VEGF/VEGFR1 immunoreactivities.Study designIn our university hospital 82 women (Study I n = 62 and Study II n = 20) were divided into two groups according to their uterine vascular resistance values. Uterine vascular resistance values were measured in the 10–13th weeks of gestation by color-Doppler ultrasonography. Women were divided into low and high vascular resistance groups. In the prospective follow-up study (Study I) the data of the pregnancy outcome were recorded. In cross-sectional study (Study II), VEGF and VEGFR1 immunoreactivities were measured on the tissue samples from women who underwent termination of pregnancy.ResultsIn the high vascular resistance group (PI > 2.3), the probability of adverse pregnancy outcome was significantly higher (40.0% vs. 12.8%). No differences in VEGF and VEGFR1 immunoreactivities were observed between groups. In both groups, intense VEGF immunoreactivity was observed in the maternal glandular epithelium and in the decidual cells. Weak reactivity was observed in the villous trophoblast. VEGFR1 immunoreactivity was intense in all regions.ConclusionsOur data suggest that high vascular resistance values in the first trimester are independent from VEGF/VEGFR1 immunoreactivities and markedly increase the probability of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This may be used for early screening of pregnant women in the first trimester.     

The KIT D816V allele burden predicts survival in patients with mastocytosis and correlates with the WHO type of the disease

KIT D816V is present in a majority of patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM). We determined the KIT D816V allele burden by quantitative real‐time PCR in bone marrow and peripheral blood of 105 patients with mastocytosis. KIT D816V was detected in 92/105 patients (88%). Significant differences in the median allele burden were observed between disease subgroups: cutaneous mastocytosis (0.042%), indolent SM (0.285%), smoldering SM (5.991%), aggressive SM (9.346%), and SM with associated hematologic non‐mast cell lineage disease (3.761%) (P < 0.001). The KIT D816V burden also correlated with serum tryptase (R = 0.5, P < 0.005) but not with mast cell infiltration in bone marrow or mediator symptoms. Moreover, the allele burden was of prognostic significance regarding survival (P < 0.01). Patients responding to cytoreductive therapy showed a significant decrease in KIT D816V (P < 0.05). To conclude, the KIT D816V burden correlates with the variant of mastocytosis, predicts survival, and is a valuable follow‐up parameter in SM.     

Immunohistochemical detection of VEGF in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Correlation between VEGF expression and the FAB category

We studied vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in bone marrow sections obtained from 3 healthy donors and 41 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) of various French-American-British (FAB) subtypes by immunohistochemical analysis using an anti-VEGF antibody. In normal bone marrow, the anti-VEGF antibody reacted with myeloid progenitor cells and megakaryocytes but not with erythroid cells or mature granulocytic cells. High levels of VEGF were found in the bone marrow in patients with AML-M1, -M2, -M3, -M4, -M4Eo, and -M5. In these leukemias, the vast majority of myeloblasts (> 90%) expressed VEGF. By contrast, in AML-M0, the percentage of VEGF-positive blasts was lower in most cases (median, 42%), and if at all detectable, these blast cells contained only trace amounts of VEGF. In AML-M3 and -M4Eo, maturing granulocytes failed to express VEGF similar to granulocytes in normal bone marrow. In AML-M6, myeloblasts exhibited VEGF, whereas erythroid cells did not. In AML-M7, blast cells and megakaryocytes were identified as major sources of VEGF. In summary, VEGF expression in the bone marrow is restricted to certain stages of differentiation and maturation of myeloid cells and correlates with the FAB category.     

Chemical stabilization of tetrahydrobiopterin by L-ascorbic acid: contribution to placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity

The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanism of the chemical interaction between L-ascorbic acid (ASC) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) in vitro and to examine its effect on the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in first trimester human placentae. At room temperature, in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4), both ASC and BH(4) were readily oxidized by dissolved O(2) or H(2)O(2). BH(4) was more sensitive to auto-oxidation, while ASC was more susceptible to oxidation by H(2)O(2). Addition of 36 micromol/l BH(4) to 143 micromol/l ASC increased the initial rate of ASC oxidation 3.2-fold in a catalase-sensitive manner, indicating that enhanced ASC oxidation is partly due to the formation of H(2)O(2). In the presence of catalase, BH(4) still stimulated 1.9-fold the initial rate of ASC oxidation, suggesting that another auto-oxidation product of BH(4), most probably quininoid-BH(2) (qBH(2)), could also stimulate ASC oxidation while itself being reduced back to BH(4). ASC prevented the auto-oxidation of BH(4) in a concentration-dependent fashion, with 3 mmol/l ASC providing an almost complete stabilization of 25 micromol/l BH(4). Importantly, basal eNOS activity in placental microsomes was stimulated 2.5-fold by 0.5 micromol/l BH(4), and 0.5 mmol/l ASC enhanced the BH(4)-stimulation 1.4-fold, with a smaller effect on basal eNOS activity. Taken together, the findings support the notion that the stabilizing action of ASC on BH(4) is related to the ASC-mediated reductive reversal of the auto-oxidation process of BH(4). Moreover, we demonstrated that concentrations of ASC present in the placenta as a common vitamin C supply are sufficient to protect cellular free BH(4) and may contribute to the stimulation of placental eNOS activity.