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Pivot Concepts:
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Target Concepts:
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Query: EC:2.7.7.48 (
transcriptase
)
9,479
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Twenty six patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) treated with
IFN
-alpha were classified on the basis of the fusion pattern of BCR/ABL chimeric mRNA determined by a reverse-
transcriptase
-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The relationship between the fusion pattern of BCR/ABL mRNA and the clinical outcome was also analysed. Twelve patients showed M-bcr exon 3/ABL exon 2 (B3/A2) chimeric mRNA and nine had M-bcr exon 2/ABL exon 2 (B2/A2) mRNA. Eleven of the 12 patients with B3/A2 achieved complete hematological response with
IFN
-alpha therapy, as did three of the nine patients with B2/A2. The mean duration to blastic crisis was significantly longer in the B3/A2 patients (mean 52.4 months) than in the B2/A2 patients (mean 26.2 months) (p less than 0.01). These results suggest that the fusion pattern of BCR/ABL mRNA may affect the therapeutic response to
IFN
-alpha and clinical outcome in CML patients.
...
PMID:Possible correlation between fusion pattern of BCR/ABL mRNA and clinical response to alpha-interferon in chronic myelogenous leukemia. 151 6
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the major complications which should be resolved to improve the survival rates in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Recently, several cytokines have been identified, suggesting that they form a cytokine network and play an important role in immune system and hematopoiesis. Among several cytokines, it has been reported that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are mainly involved in GVHD. In the present report, we analyzed the role of cytokines in GVHD. When we measured serum cytokine levels, IL-6, interferon gamma (
IFN
gamma), and TNF alpha levels were increased prior to the onset of acute GVHD. For chronic GVHD, a similar pattern of cytokine increment was observed. Interestingly, these cytokines appeared to interact synergistically to induce clinical GVHD, suggesting that none of those cytokines does not function solely. Reverse
transcriptase
-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that increased IL-1 beta mRNA expression was also observed in acute GVHD in addition to increased IL-6 and TNF alpha mRNA expressions. Unexpectedly, no increased IL-2 levels were observed in both assays. In hyperacute GVHD, only IL-6 level was increased. However, in vivo administration of IL-6 into allogeneic bone marrow chimeras did not induce severe GVHD. Therefore, some other factors also appeared to be involved in inducing hyperacute GVHD. Furthermore, it is important to consider the role of inhibitory cytokines such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) or IL-10.
...
PMID:Cytokines involved in graft-versus-host disease. 770 47
In this study, we showed that systemic administration of SSG, a highly branched soluble (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan obtained from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, induced immunological changes in the alveolar space of mice in vivo, assessed by analysing some immune mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. A single i.v. administration of SSG (250 micrograms/mouse) induced a rapid but transient leakage of the serum components, IgG and fibronectin, into the alveolar space. This was apparent 12 h post-administration and reached a peak on day 2. Similar kinetic changes were found for lysosomal enzyme activities and interferon gamma (
IFN
gamma) concentrations in BAL which are markers of activated alveolar macrophages (AMs) or pulmonary T cells. BAL prepared from SSG-treated mice stimulated lysosomal enzyme release from AMs in vitro. However, SSG did not provoke the chronic accumulation of serum proteins in alveoli and did not induce the release of detectable amounts of nitric oxide and the inflammatory cytokines, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF alpha, into BAL. However, their mRNAs were detected in lung tissue using the reverse-
transcriptase
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Similar results were observed for multiple i.v. administration (250 micrograms, once a day for 10 consecutive days), and there were a little differences between single and multiple administration. In summary, systemic administration of SSG induces immune responses, including activation of AMs and lymphocytes, but does not provoke chronic inflammation in the alveolar space when administered either as single or multiple doses. This finding is very important for the clinical application of SSG in immunocompromised hosts as a biological response modifier (BRM) without toxic-side effects on lung tissue.
...
PMID:Changes in immune mediators in mouse lung produced by administration of soluble (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan. 792 Apr 19
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a major-histocompatibility-complex(MHC)-negative neuroectodermal tumour that is often infiltrated with lymphocytes. A detailed characterization of NB-associated tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has never been carried out. Here we have investigated the immunophenotype and the cytotoxic activities of TIL from nine and seven NB patients respectively. Furthermore, the T cell receptor (TcR) variability and the patterns of cytokine gene expression of fresh versus recombinant (r) interleukin (IL)-2-cultured TIL were studied in four NB cases. The results obtained showed the following: (1) freshly isolated TIL were comprised of a mixture of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells partially expressing HLA-DR and/or CD25. The CD4/CD8 ratio ranged from 0.5 to 5 in the different cases. Upon culture of TIL with rIL-2, an increased proportion of CD56+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was consistently observed; (2) IL-2-expanded TIL lysed natural-killer(NK)sensitive and lymphokine-activated-killer(LAK)-sensitive target cell lines; (3) reverse-
transcriptase
/polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) experiments showed that most TcR V beta genes were expressed both in fresh and in cultured TIL, suggesting that such cell populations were polyclonal; (4) interferon gamma, IL-4, IL-5, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, IL-8, IL-10 mRNA and, to a lesser extent, IL-2 mRNA were expressed by cultured TIL, as assessed by RT-PCR; the corresponding tumour samples consistently contained TNF alpha, IL-8 and IL-10 mRNA, whereas IL-2 and
IFN
gamma mRNA were faintly expressed in some NB tumours and IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were never detected. A total of 90 clones were subsequently raised from IL-2-expanded TIL from six NB patients; 87/90 clones were of T cell lineage with a CD4+ or CD8+ immunophenotype, whereas the 3 remaining clones were of NK cell origin. Upon triggering of the CD3-TcR complex, 64% CD4+ and 77% CD8+ T cell clones killed the murine P815 mastocytoma cell line. Virtually no T cell clone lysed a LAK-sensitive NB cell line whereas 15% CD4+ and 17% CD8+ clones mediated NK-like activity against the K562 cell line. Finally, the patterns of cytokine production by CD4+ clones were roughly consistent with those of a T helper (TH) 1 profile and similar to those observed in CD8+ clones.
...
PMID:Functional and molecular characterization of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and clones thereof from a major-histocompatibility-complex-negative human tumour: neuroblastoma. 864 Aug 45
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus with the NS5B gene encoding an
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is effective against HCV and its effect is believed to be related to its antiviral activity. To determine whether sequence variations of the HCV NS5B region correlate with response to
IFN
therapy, pretreatment serum samples from 40 patients with chronic HCV infection who were subsequently treated with
IFN
(> or = 3 MU thrice weekly for 24 weeks) and had well-characterized biochemical responses were studied. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to generate an approximately 365-bp fragment from which nucleotide sequence and genotypes were determined. By comparing the nucleotide sequences and the encoded amino acid sequences of samples from each group, no response group-specific nucleotide or encoded amino acid substitution was identified. Most of the substitutions identified were synonymous (usually by changes at the third position of the codon). These data suggest that these substitutions were selective rather than spontaneous events. Of the few non-synonymous substitutions identified, none was correlated with subsequent response to
IFN
, either within or across genotypes.
...
PMID:Variations of hepatitis C virus NS5B sequence (nucleotides 8261-8566) do not correlate with response to interferon-alpha therapy. 873 74
A new immunomodulating agent, imiquimod, has been reported to have antiviral and antitumor activities in animal models. S-28463 (4-amino-2-ethoxymethyl-alpha, alpha-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4, 5-c]quinoline-1-ethanol), an analog of imiquimod, has more potent antiviral activity in animals than imiquimod. It has also been shown to be more potent at inducing cytokines in human blood in vitro. However, its precise role as an immunomodulator in the skin has not been determined. We investigated the effect of S-28463 on human keratinocyte (KC) production of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and other proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Human KC were incubated with S-28463 at two concentrations (1 microgram/ml and 10 micrograms/ml) for 6 h. Cytokine gene expression was analyzed by reverse-
transcriptase
PCR. In human KC, S-28463 stimulated significant increases in
IFN
-alpha mRNA at both concentrations. IL-1alpha mRNA increased 1.4-fold at 10 micrograms/ml. IL-8 mRNA was upregulated 2.5-fold at 10 micrograms/ml. Twenty-four hours after treatment, IL-1 alpha, IL-8, and TNF-alpha protein were increased, but
IFN
-alpha was below the level of detection. These results suggest that in the skin, S-28463-induced-IL-1 alpha, IL-8, and TNF-alpha production may be involved in the immunomodulating action of S-28463.
...
PMID:Effect of a novel topical immunomodulator, S-28463, on keratinocyte cytokine gene expression and production. 883 22
The epithelial cells of the respiratory tract are the primary sites of virus replication in influenza A virus infections. We infected human alveolar epithelium-like A549 cells and fibroblast-like human fetal lung (HFL1) cells with a pathogenic influenza A virus (A/Beijing/353/89), and studied the kinetics of infection and the expression of host
IFN
-alpha/beta, MxA, OAS (2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase), and HLA class I and II genes. Viral mRNA and protein synthesis was clearly seen in virus-infected lung cells. A549 and HFL1 cells produced only small amounts of
IFN
-alpha/beta, whereas virus-infected macrophages produced type I
IFN
very efficiently. The kinetics of IFN-beta gene expression in A549 cells was rapid, as shown by reverse-
transcriptase
PCR, and IFN-beta mRNA expression levels correlated well to the kinetics of nuclear factor-kappa B transcription factor activation. In influenza A virus-infected A549 and HFL1 cells, MxA gene induction was mediated by
IFN
-alpha/beta released into the cell culture supernatant, and was prevented by anti-type I
IFN
Abs. HLA class I Ag expression, which could be activated by
IFN
in noninfected A549 and HFL1 cells, was not induced in these cells by virus infection. The results suggest that type I
IFN
are essential for the activation of the antiviral response in lung epithelial cells.
...
PMID:Regulation of IFN-alpha/beta, MxA, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, and HLA gene expression in influenza A-infected human lung epithelial cells. 903 86
Gene transfer or gene therapy has advantages in the treatment of a variety of disorders due to its selective expression within specific mammalian cells. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has been used in the management of leukemia but its diverse adverse activities with multiple potential side effects, possibly unrelated to therapeutic targets, may negatively influence the ability of
IFN
-alpha to treat this disorder. Therefore, we examined the ability of adenovirus (Ad)-
IFN
-alpha gene construct to transfect normal (CD34+ cells) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) and the transient overexpression of
IFN
-alpha in these cells. Ad-cytomegalovirus promoter driven
IFN
-alpha (AdCMV-IFN-alpha) at multiple doses was assessed to transfect highly purified CD34+ cells in liquid culture, and optimal transduction of CD34+ cells was achieved using 120 plaque forming units. Flow cytometric determinations revealed that there was no significant difference in cell viability for the 4 h or 24 h transfection periods. Immunoassay of
IFN
-alpha produced by CD34+ cells shows that
IFN
-alpha levels increased several fold in transfected cells. Transient expression of the
IFN
-alpha gene did not suppress proliferation of CD34+ progenitors as indicated by BFU-E or colony forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) growth. Reverse
transcriptase
/polymerase chain reaction analysis of RNA from CD34+ harvested CFU-GM progenitor cells demonstrated transient
IFN
-alpha mRNA expression. Similarly, CML BMMNC were transfected with AdCMV-
IFN
-alpha under similar conditions as described for CD34+ cells. BMMNC cells exposed to adenovirus for 24 h and 48 h were found to express
IFN
-alpha at a substantial level. This in vitro data suggest that Ad-mediated gene transfer of
IFN
-alpha into hematopoietic stem cells can be achieved and that the
IFN
-alpha gene can be translated into its specific mRNA in CD34 progenitor cells.
...
PMID:Adenovirus mediated alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) gene transfer into CD34+ cells and CML mononuclear cells. 2739 20
We investigated the regulatory influence of several cytokines on the expression of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). By use of a quantitative reverse-
transcriptase
-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we demonstrate that the T helper 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 are more potent in upregulating PPE mRNA expression in human PBMC than the T helper 1 cytokines IL-2 and gamma-
IFN
. In addition, TGF-beta is also an effective inducer of PPE mRNA. TGF-beta, IL-4 and IL-10 increase the cytoplasmatic concentration of met-enkephalin in PBMC. Secretion of met-enkephalin in the culture supernatant of IL-4- or IL-10-stimulated PBMC could not be observed, but proenkephalin A-derived met-enkephalin containing peptides could be demonstrated. IL-4 and IL-10 do not induce PPE mRNA via the same pathways. We could observe that PKA is involved in IL-4 mediated PPE mRNA induction, whereas IL-10 apparently uses another route.
...
PMID:T helper 2 cytokines induce preproenkephalin mRNA expression and proenkephalin A in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. 935 52
The aim of this study was to compare the short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of lymphoblastoid interferon with a recombinant interferon alfa (
IFN
-alpha) in a 24-week treatment course for chronic hepatitis C. One thousand seventy-one patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized to receive lymphoblastoid
IFN
-alpha n1 or recombinant
IFN
-alpha2b at the same dosing regimen, 3 million units administered subcutaneously three times a week for 24 weeks. Hepatitis C viral (HCV) genotype (by line probe assay) was determined at baseline, and serum HCV RNA level (by quantitative reverse-
transcriptase
polymerase chain reaction) was measured at baseline and weeks 24, 48, and 72. Primary end points were normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels at end of therapy (week 24) and sustained ALT normalization at weeks 48 and 72. Secondary end points were nondetectability of serum HCV RNA at 24, 48, and 72 weeks, and histological improvement at weeks 24 and 72. The two treatment groups were similar with respect to demographic, clinical, and histological variables (10% had cirrhosis at entry), baseline serum HCV RNA levels, and distribution of HCV genotypes. Intent-to-treat analysis showed that ALT response at end of treatment was 35.3% for
IFN
-alpha n1 and 37.9% for
IFN
-alpha2b (P = .38). Histological improvement and nondetectability of HCV RNA were also similar between the two treatment groups at the end of treatment, as were the type and frequency of reported adverse experiences. Among treatment responders, post-treatment relapse was significantly less frequent with
IFN
-alpha n1 than with
IFN
-alpha2b. Thus, sustained ALT responses (SR) to
IFN
-alpha n1 were significantly more frequent than SR to
IFN
-alpha2b (12.0% vs. 7.6% at 48 weeks, P = .02; 10.3% vs. 6.7% at 72 weeks, P = .04). SR were associated with viral loss and histological improvement, and more patients treated with
IFN
-alpha n1 were HCV RNA negative at week 72 compared with patients treated with
IFN
-alpha2b (P = .03). SR at week 72 were two- to sixfold better with other HCV genotypes relative to type 1, but the improved long-term efficacy of
IFN
-alpha n1 compared with
IFN
-alpha2b was evident for all major HCV genotypes. It is concluded that
IFN
-alpha n1 and
IFN
-alpha2b have similar end-of-treatment response rates and safety profiles but the sustained response rate is higher with
IFN
-alpha n1. SR to
IFN
-alpha treatment are associated with clearance of HCV RNA, and histological improvement was maximal in patients who exhibited sustained ALT normalization and clearance of HCV RNA.
...
PMID:Lymphoblastoid interferon alfa-n1 improves the long-term response to a 6-month course of treatment in chronic hepatitis C compared with recombinant interferon alfa-2b: results of an international randomized controlled trial. Clinical Advisory Group for the Hepatitis C Comparative Study. 953 53
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