High-frequency cell surface expression of a foreign protein in murine hematopoietic stem cells using a new retroviral vector

A retroviral vector (pSFF) derived from murine Friend spleen focus forming virus was used to transduce murine hematopoietic stem cells and express a cell surface marker protein, mutated murine prion protein, in vitro and in vivo after transplantation. To enhance retroviral vector integration in bone marrow cells, mice were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to increase stem cell mitotic activity, which peaked on day 8 post-5-FU. The infectivity titer of the vector, pSFF-mPrP-3F4, was determined by a novel assay in which antigen-positive foci of infected cells were detected after replication and spread of the vector in cultures of mixed packaging cell lines. Infection of Sca-1+/Lineageneg- low cells with pSFF-mPrP-3F4 resulted in marker protein expression in 40% of the progeny cells after 7 days of culture. Transplantation of marrow cells or sorted Sca-1+/Lineageneg-low cells transduced with vector resulted in 3F4-positive mPrP expression in 11% to 37% of donor- derived peripheral blood leukocytes at 2 weeks. Though the percentage of 3F4-positive blood cells gradually declined, at 28 weeks 23% of recipient mice still maintained expression of the marker gene. Expression was observed in lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid lineages and was detected in Sca-1+/Lineageneg-low marrow cells. The multilineage, high-frequency expression observed suggests that pSFF may be useful in gene therapy directed at hematopoietic stem cells and their differentiated progeny.     

Selective inhibition of the growth of human erythroid bursts by monoclonal antibodies against transferrin or the transferrin receptor

The relative requirements of colonies derived from erythroid (BFU-E) and myeloid (CFU-c) progenitors for transferrin were examined using monoclonal antibodies directed against the transferrin molecule (TF-6) or its cell surface receptor (TFR-A12, TFR1-2B). Growth of erythroid bursts was profoundly reduced at concentrations of all three antibodies that had no effect on CFU-c-derived colonies. When TFR1-2B was layered over cultures established one to seven days previously, further burst development was inhibited, and degeneration of early erythroid colonies was observed. Addition of erythropoietin augmented transferrin receptor expression on cells harvested after 1 to 2 weeks in culture and analyzed by flow cytometry. Recombinant human erythropoietin gave results comparable to those obtained in experiments using human urinary erythropoietin. Analysis of erythroblasts plucked directly from culture plates confirmed the presence of transferrin receptors on BFU-E-derived colonies. Thymidine incorporation was maximal early in the second week of culture and coincided with high transferrin receptor expression. These data demonstrate that transferrin must be available into the second week of culture to support the growth and differentiation of BFU- E-derived erythroid bursts, that the generation of erythroid colonies from BFU-E is more dependent on transferrin than myeloid colony formation from CFU-c, and that erythropoietin modulates the expression of transferrin receptors on growing bursts.     

Spontaneous iron overload in alpha-thalassemic mice

Because clinical disorders of spontaneous iron overload have no experimental counterpart, we studied iron distribution (atomic absorption analysis) and intestinal absorption (59Fe) in mice with hereditary alpha-thalassemia. Mice heterozygous for a radiation-induced alpha-Hb gene deletion exhibit a mild hemolytic anemia, like the human condition, with microcytosis, reticulocytosis, splenomegaly, and chemical evidence of defective alpha-chain synthesis. Quantitative iron determination showed that total iron content in spleen, liver, and kidney, but not heart or lung, of adult alpha-thalassemic mice was greater (P less than .05) than that in unaffected littermates. Iron concentration was also increased in liver (P less than .001), spleen (P = .025), kidney (P = .058), and heart (P = .010); in general, the greater the iron concentration in liver, the greater that in spleen (r = .39, P = .009), kidney (r = .70, P less than .001), and heart (r = .46, P less than .001). In mice examined 8 months postoperatively, splenectomy, as compared to sham operation, significantly raised iron content in extrasplenic tissues, but did not affect total body iron. At 10-11 weeks of age, but no longer at 12-14 weeks, thalassemic mice showed higher rates of iron absorption than age-matched controls. Thus, alpha-thalassemic mice display an early occurring iron absorption defect, leading to a modest, sustained, nonprogressive iron overload, and thereby represent a valuable model for exploring disorders of iron homeostasis.     

Comparative genomic analysis of primary versus metastatic colorectal carcinomas

PURPOSE To compare the mutational and copy number profiles of primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) using both unpaired and paired samples derived from primary and metastatic disease sites. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a multiplatform genomic analysis of 736 fresh frozen CRC tumors from 613 patients. The cohort included 84 patients in whom tumor tissue from both primary and metastatic sites was available and 31 patients with pairs of metastases. Tumors were analyzed for mutations in the KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and TP53 genes, with discordant results between paired samples further investigated by analyzing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and/or by 454 sequencing. Copy number aberrations in primary tumors and matched metastases were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Results TP53 mutations were more frequent in metastatic versus primary tumors (53.1% v 30.3%, respectively; P < .001), whereas BRAF mutations were significantly less frequent (1.9% v 7.7%, respectively; P = .01). The mutational status of the matched pairs was highly concordant (> 90% concordance for all five genes). Clonality analysis of array CGH data suggested that multiple CRC primary tumors or treatment-associated effects were likely etiologies for mutational and/or copy number profile differences between primary tumors and metastases. CONCLUSION For determining RAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutational status, genotyping of the primary CRC is sufficient for most patients. Biopsy of a metastatic site should be considered in patients with a history of multiple primary carcinomas and in the case of TP53 for patients who have undergone interval treatment with radiation or cytotoxic chemotherapies.     

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) in adult patients with solid tumors

Purpose

To identify sources of exposure variability for the tumor growth inhibitor 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) using a population pharmacokinetic analysis.

Methods

A total 67 solid tumor patients at 2 centers were given 1 h infusions of 17-DMAG either as a single dose, daily for 3 days, or daily for 5 days. Blood samples were extensively collected and 17-DMAG plasma concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Population pharmacokinetic analysis of the 17-DMAG plasma concentration with time was performed using nonlinear mixed effect modeling to evaluate the effects of covariates, inter-individual variability, and between-occasion variability on model parameters using a stepwise forward addition then backward elimination modeling approach. The inter-individual exposure variability and the effects of between-occasion variability on exposure were assessed by simulating the 95 % prediction interval of the AUC per dose, AUC_0–24 h, using the final model and a model with no between-occasion variability, respectively, subject to the five day 17-DMAG infusion protocol with administrations of the median observed dose.

Results

A 3-compartment model with first order elimination (ADVAN11, TRANS4) and a proportional residual error, exponentiated inter-individual variability and between occasion variability on Q2 and V1 best described the 17-DMAG concentration data. No covariates were statistically significant. The simulated 95% prediction interval of the AUC_0–24 h for the median dose of 36 mg/m² was 1,059–9,007 mg/L h and the simulated 95 % prediction interval of the AUC_0–24 h considering the impact of between-occasion variability alone was 2,910–4,077 mg/L h.

Conclusions

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of 17-DMAG found no significant covariate effects and considerable inter-individual variability; this implies a wide range of exposures in the population and which may affect treatment outcome. Patients treated with 17-DMAG may require therapeutic drug monitoring which could help achieve more uniform exposure leading to safer and more effective therapy.     

Genomic complexity and AKT dependence in serous ovarian cancer

Effective oncoprotein-targeted therapies have not yet been developed for ovarian cancer. To explore the role of PI3 kinase/AKT signaling in this disease, we performed a genetic and functional analysis of ovarian cancer cell lines and tumors. PI3K pathway alterations were common in both, but the spectrum of mutational changes differed. Genetic activation of the pathway was necessary, but not sufficient, to confer sensitivity to selective inhibition of AKT and cells with RAS pathway alterations or RB1 loss were resistant to AKT inhibition, whether or not they had coexistent PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Inhibition of AKT1 caused growth arrest in a subset of ovarian cell lines, but not in those with AKT3 expression, which required pan-AKT inhibition. Thus, a subset of ovarian tumors are sensitive to AKT inhibition, but the genetic heterogeneity of the disease suggests that effective treatment with AKT pathway inhibitors will require a detailed molecular analysis of each patient's tumor. SIGNIFICANCE: A subset of ovarian cancers exhibits AKT pathway activation and is sensitive to selective AKT inhibition. Ovarian tumors exhibit significant genetic heterogeneity and thus an individualized approach based on real-time, detailed genomic and proteomic characterization of individual tumors will be required for the successful application of PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors in this disease.     

Recombinant Human Deoxyribonuclease Improves Atelectasis in Mechanically Ventilated Children with Cardiac Disease

Objective. To investigate whether a mucolytic agent, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase), improves atelectasis in children with cardiac illness requiring mechanical ventilation. Design. A retrospective cohort study on consecutive patients receiving short‐term (≤14 days) rhDNase therapy for atelectasis in the cardiac intensive care unit from January 2005 through February 2007 was carried out. Data relating to patient characteristics, gas exchange, ventilatory parameters, and chest radiographs were collected and analyzed. The effectiveness of rhDNase therapy in the presence of neutrophils and/or bacteria in the pre‐rhDNase therapy tracheal aspirates was also investigated. Results. rhDNase was effective in significantly improving established atelectasis without any major changes in gas exchange and ventilatory parameters. Therapeutic effect of rhDNase is most effective in ameliorating atelectasis in the lungs within 10 doses. rhDNase was more effective in improving chest radiographic atelectasis score in patients who had > moderate amounts of polymophonuclear neutrophils (P value = 0.0008), or bacteria (P value = 0.007) or both (P value = 0.004) present in their pre‐rhDNase therapy trachea aspirate. No adverse effects were seen with rhDNase administration in the study cohort. Conclusions. rhDNase can be safely and effectively used to improve atelectasis in mechanically ventilated children with cardiac disease especially in the presence of bacteria and/or moderate amounts of polymophonuclear neutrophils in the pre‐rhDNase therapy tracheal aspirate.     

3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine positron emission tomography is a sensitive method for imaging the response of BRAF-dependent tumors to MEK inhibition

Activating mutations of BRAF occur in approximately 7% of all human tumors and in the majority of melanomas. These tumors are very sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK), which causes loss of D-cyclin expression, hypophosphorylation of Rb, and G(1) arrest. Growth arrest is followed by differentiation or senescence and, in a subset of BRAF mutant tumors, by apoptosis. The former effects result in so-called "stable disease" and, in patients with cancer, can be difficult to distinguish from indolent tumor growth. The profound G(1) arrest induced by MEK inhibition in BRAF mutant tumors is associated with a marked decline in thymidine uptake and is therefore potentially detectable in vivo by noninvasive 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluorothymidine ([(18)F]FLT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. In SKMEL-28 tumor xenografts, MEK inhibition completely inhibited tumor growth and induced differentiation with only modest tumor regression. MEK inhibition also resulted in a rapid decline in the [(18)F]FLT signal in V600E BRAF mutant SKMEL-28 xenografts but not in BRAF wild-type BT-474 xenografts. The data suggest that [(18)F]FLT PET can effectively image induction of G(1) arrest by MEK inhibitors in mutant BRAF tumors and may be a useful noninvasive method for assessing the early biological response to this class of drugs.     

“类代谢物”作为药物库设计和选择的标准

目前药物筛选库受限于预测“类药物”或“类先导物”理想药动学和结构标码的生物物理性质。然而,近来调查表明,为了进入细胞,多数药物需要溶质载体以正常转运自然产生的中间代谢物,很多药物还可能发生相似的相互作用。人代谢物组日益全面的概述使人们可以对“类代谢物”概念进行评价。我们利用有关的化学信息学分子标码空间比较了已知药物和库化合物与天然代谢物（内源分子）的相似性,其中,已知药物比多数库化合物与这些内源分子更类似。