Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023418 (leukemia)
 93,477 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The notion that gliomas could originate from mutated glial precursor cells highlights the possibility of modulating the proliferative and migratory behaviour of glioma cells by acting on the molecular mechanisms operative during the development of the Central Nervous System (CNS), but absent in the normal adult brain. We show that the GL15 glioblastoma derived human cell line displays a high expression of nestin which, combined with the previously demonstrated high expression of vimentin, constitutes a characteristic of astrocyte restricted precursors. We also show that, in analogy with some leukaemia cells, GL15 cells display the constitutively phosphorylated form of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), a tyrosine kinase expressed during CNS development but undetectable in the normal adult brain. The constitutive activation of JAK2 does not result from chromosomal aberrations involving the JAK2 gene, but most probably from abnormally activated transduction systems operative in glioblastoma cells. We then investigated the effects of tyrphostin AG490, an inhibitor of JAK2 autophosphorylation, on GL15 cell growth. In the absence of exogenous growth factors and cytokines, 10 microM tyrphostin AG490 induces an S phase arrest, combined with a partial impairment of the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The abnormally activated JAK2 could then potentially represent a target for a selective pharmacological approach in glioblastoma cells in which a combination of glial precursor characteristics and genetic alterations occurs.
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PMID:Constitutive phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 in the GL15 glioblastoma derived human cell line. 1714 73

Long-term culture of phorbol ester (TPA)-differentiated and growth-arrested human U937 leukemia cells was associated with expression of c-jun transcription factors and vimentin intermediate filaments until the cells entered a retrodifferentiation program. This retrodifferentiation process revealed a reversion of the senecent differentiated cells back to undifferentiated and proliferative active young cells. A significant protein ubiquitination was detectable before retrodifferentiation and rejuvenation indicating a proteolytic down-modulation of differentiation markers. Thus, proteolytic activity significantly increased during retrodifferentiation, however, proteasomal protein expression remained unaltered. In order to investigate proteasomal associates, (ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) expression progressively increased to maximal levels at the time of retrodifferentiation suggesting a possible regulatory association. Indeed, PARP-1 immunoprecipitations demonstrated a co-immunoprecipitation of proteolytically active 20S proteasome with maximal levels during retrodifferentiation. Inhibition of PARP and the proteasome by 3-aminobenzamide and MG-132, respectively, revealed about 90% of apoptotic cells by cell cycle analysis at the time of retrodifferentiation whereas control cells doubled. In contrast, a similar PARP and proteasome inhibition within 5d after TPA-induced differentiation demonstrated little if any apoptotic effects. More specifically, down-modulation of PARP-1 by an antisense PARP-1 vector construct underwent a rapid differentiation and aging and revealed no detectable retrodifferentiation in contrast to control vector-transfected U937 cells. In conclusion, retrodifferentiation of growth-arrested U937 monocytic cells requires proteasomal protein degradation and activity of PARP-1.
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PMID:Retrodifferentiation and rejuvenation of senescent monocytic cells requires PARP-1. 1731 23

The role of the anti-cancer agent Viscum album agglutinin-I (VAA-I) in leukaemia PLB-985 cells differentiated toward a neutrophil-like phenotype by dimethylsulphoxide (PLB-985D) has never been studied. This study investigated whether or not VAA-I can induce cytoskeletal breakdown in PLB-985D cells, as previously observed in undifferentiated PLB-985 cells. VAA-I was found to induce apoptosis in PLB-985D cells, as assessed by cytology and by degradation of gelsolin, an event known to occur via caspase-3 activation. VAA-I induced cytoskeletal breakdown based on the disruption of the F-actin network and cleavage of paxillin, vimentin and lamin B(1). In addition, we demonstrated, for the first time, that non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMHC-IIA) was cleaved by VAA-I treatment. Degradation of NMHC-IIA was reversed by the pan caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk in PLB-985D cells and neutrophils. However, unlike lamin B(1), no NMHC-IIA was detected on the cell surface of apoptotic neutrophils. In conclusion, PLB-985D cells responded in a similar manner to neutrophils regarding the degradation of the tested cytoskeletal. Therefore, PLB-985D cells may provide a suitable substitute for neutrophils in screening experiments, preventing extensive neutrophil cell isolation.
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PMID:Viscum album agglutinin-I induces degradation of cytoskeletal proteins in leukaemia PLB-985 cells differentiated toward neutrophils: cleavage of non-muscle myosin heavy chain-IIA by caspases. 1765 56

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) consist of five enzymes which are widely distributed in human and rodent tissues. The two types of enzymes are found in human peripheral blood cells; PAD4 mainly in granulocytes and monocytes and PAD2 in lymphocytes and macrophages. Little is known about the regulation of PAD expression in macrophages. Here, we report that PAD2 is expressed in human monocytic leukaemia THP-1 cells during differentiation into macrophages by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. During this differentiation, the levels of PAD2 mRNA and protein increased concomitantly, indicating the transcriptional regulation of PAD2 gene expression in the cells. The treatment of THP-1-derived macrophages with calcium ionophore A23187 generated vimentin deimination and resulted in the disruption of vimentin filament organization. We discuss the possible role of vimentin deimination in cell physiology.
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PMID:Dynamic expression of peptidylarginine deiminase 2 in human monocytic leukaemia THP-1 cells during macrophage differentiation. 1956 57

HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) can induce cell cycle arrest and cell death, and may be beneficial in cancer therapy to suppress malignantly proliferative cell types, such as adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells. In this study, we examined the feasibility of employing the HIV-vpr gene, via targeted gene transfer, as a potential new therapy to kill ATL cells. We infected C8166 cells with a recombinant adenovirus carrying both vpr and GFP genes (rAd-vpr), as well as the vector control virus (rAd-vector). G(2)/M phase cell cycle arrest was observed in the rAd-vpr infected cells. Typical characteristics of apoptosis were detected in rAd-vpr infected cells, including sub-diploid peak exhibition in DNA content assay, the Hoechst 33342 accumulation, apoptotic body formation, mitochondrial membrane potential and plasma membrane integrity loss. The proteomic assay revealed apoptosis related protein changes, exhibiting the regulation of caspase-3 activity indicator proteins (vimentin and Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2), mitochondrial protein (prohibitin) and other regulatory proteins. In addition, the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory redox protein, thioredoxin, was identified in the rAd-vpr infected group. Further supporting these findings, the increase of caspase 3&7 activity in the rAd-vpr infected group was observed. In conclusion, endogenous Vpr is able to kill HTLV-1 transformed C8166 cells, and may avoid the risks of inducing severe inflammatory responses through apoptosis-inducing and anti-inflammatory activities.
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PMID:Endogenous HIV-1 Vpr-mediated apoptosis and proteome alteration of human T-cell leukemia virus-1 transformed C8166 cells. 1965 54

The aim of the present study was to characterise bovine epiblast-derived outgrowth colonies (OCs) with respect to the embryonic origin of their cellular components. Epiblasts were isolated mechanically from bovine Day 12 embryos. Epiblasts were cultured on feeder layers of SNL cells (neomycin-resistant leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-producing STO cells) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)/F12 medium supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum, 5% KnockOut Serum Replacement, LIF, basic fibroblast growth factor, non-essential amino acids (NEAA) and nucleosides. Samples were fixed on Days 4, 6 and 8 of culture and processed for immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. Epiblasts formed OCs consisting of a central core of epiblast-like cells with a basal plate of flattened cells extending outwards from the core. The cells of the core showed nuclear octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) staining, indicating an epiblast origin, and some also stained positive for cytoplasmic vimentin. Adjacent cells were linked by tight junctions towards the surface of the colony and rested on a basal lamina. The cells of the basal plate predominantly stained for alpha1-fetoprotein (AFP), indicative of a possible hypoblast origin. Only a few cells scattered within the basal plate exhibited cytokeratin 8 staining, indicating a trophectoderm nature. The intensity of OCT4 and vimentin staining within the core had decreased by Day 8 of culture. In conclusion, OCs derived from bovine Day 12 epiblasts display a central core of OCT4-stained cells of a potential epiblast origin surrounded by a basal plate of mainly AFP-stained cells of a potential hypoblast nature.
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PMID:Characterisation of bovine epiblast-derived outgrowth colonies. 2035 22

Identification and enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are critical steps in testis germ cell transplantation. The present study shows that expression of the protein promyelocytic leukaemia zinc-finger (PLZF) does not occur in all cells, only in gonocytes in neonatal testis (Stage 1) and a subpopulation of Type A spermatogonia in peripubertal (Stage 2), prepubertal (Stage 3) and post-pubertal (Stage 4) ovine testes. Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) lectin binding does not occur at any stage of testis development. The numbers of putative undifferentiated spermatogonia, germ cells and Sertoli cells were assessed by PLZF, VASA and vimentin staining, respectively. In paraffin sections, the percentage of PLZF-positive cells per tubule in samples derived from Stage 2 testis (12.2 + or - 2.8%) was twofold higher than that from Stage 1 testis (6.4 + or - 0.4%), but the percentages decreased in Stage 3 and Stage 4 testes (4.6 + or - 0.7% and 3.1 + or - 0.6%, respectively). Single cell suspensions from Stage 1 and Stage 2 testis were generated by two-step enzymatic digestion. The spermatogonia were enriched by 2 h and 2 + 16 h (overnight) differential plating on 0.2% gelatin-coated coated flasks. For Stage 1 testes, a sixfold increase in PLZF-positive cells was observed in 2 h differential plating and an almost 10-fold increase was produced following 2 + 16 h enrichment. There was less than a twofold increase in PLZF-positive cells between the 2 h and 2 + 16 h differential plating. A similar level of enrichment efficiency was also obtained for Stage 2 testis, but the percentage of PLZF-positive cells in the final enrichment was approximately one-third of that Stage 1. The efficiency of isolation and/or enrichment of PLZF-positive cells appears to depend on the maturity of the testis and the neonatal testis is better suited for isolation of gonocytes and/or putative SSCs.
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PMID:Expression of promyelocytic leukaemia zinc-finger in ovine testis and its application in evaluating the enrichment efficiency of differential plating. 2045 Aug 25

Malic enzyme 2 (ME2) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of malate to pyruvate and CO2 and uses NAD as a cofactor. Higher expression of this enzyme correlates with the degree of cell de-differentiation. We found that ME2 is expressed in K562 erythroleukemia cells, in which a number of agents have been found to induce differentiation either along the erythroid or the myeloid lineage. We found that knockdown of ME2 led to diminished proliferation of tumor cells and increased apoptosis in vitro. These findings were accompanied by differentiation of K562 cells along the erythroid lineage, as confirmed by staining for glycophorin A and hemoglobin production. ME2 knockdown also totally abolished growth of K562 cells in nude mice. Increased ROS levels, likely reflecting increased mitochondrial production, and a decreased NADPH/NADP+ ratio were noted but use of a free radical scavenger to decrease inhibition of ROS levels did not reverse the differentiation or apoptotic phenotype, suggesting that ROS production is not causally involved in the resultant phenotype. As might be expected, depletion of ME2 induced an increase in the NAD+/NADH ratio and ATP levels fell significantly. Inhibition of the malate-aspartate shuttle was insufficient to induce K562 differentiation. We also examined several intracellular signaling pathways and expression of transcription factors and intermediate filament proteins whose expression is known to be modulated during erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. We found that silencing of ME2 leads to phospho-ERK1/2 inhibition, phospho-AKT activation, increased GATA-1 expression and diminished vimentin expression. Metabolomic analysis, conducted to gain insight into intermediary metabolic pathways that ME2 knockdown might affect, showed that ME2 depletion resulted in high orotate levels, suggesting potential impairment of pyrimidine metabolism. Collectively our data point to ME2 as a potentially novel metabolic target for leukemia therapy.
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PMID:Induction of erythroid differentiation in human erythroleukemia cells by depletion of malic enzyme 2. 2082 65

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western world. Survival of CLL cells depends on their close contact with stromal cells in lymphatic tissues, bone marrow and blood. This microenvironmental regulation of CLL cell survival involves the stromal secretion of chemo- and cytokines as well as the expression of adhesion molecules. Since CLL survival may also be driven by antigenic stimulation through the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR), we explored the hypothesis that these processes may be linked to each other. We tested if stromal cells could serve as an antigen reservoir for CLL cells, thus promoting CLL cell survival by stimulation through the BCR. As a proof of principle, we found that two CLL BCRs with a common stereotyped heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 (previously characterized as "subset 1") recognize antigens highly expressed in stromal cells--vimentin and calreticulin. Both antigens are well-documented targets of autoantibodies in autoimmune disorders. We demonstrated that vimentin is displayed on the surface of viable stromal cells and that it is present and bound by the stereotyped CLL BCR in CLL-stroma co-culture supernatant. Blocking the vimentin antigen by recombinant soluble CLL BCR under CLL-stromal cell co-culture conditions reduces stroma-mediated anti-apoptotic effects by 20-45%. We therefore conclude that CLL BCR stimulation by stroma-derived antigens can contribute to the protective effect that the stroma exerts on CLL cells. This finding sheds a new light on the understanding of the pathobiology of this so far mostly incurable disease.
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PMID:Stereotypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia B-cell receptors recognize survival promoting antigens on stromal cells. 2120 8

Cancer stem cells have been isolated from various types of cancer including leukemia and solid tumors. However, the methods for isolating gastric cancer stem-like cells (GCSCs) have not been well established. As a consequence, the biological behavior and the significance of these cells to cancer progression remains to be clarified. In this study, we isolated and characterized GCSCs from a gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 and found their enhanced capabilities of invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. We further studied the expression of molecules related to epithelial-mesenchymal and invasion in GCSCs and found there were decreased E-cadherin, but increased vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), in these cells. Our results suggest that decreased E-cadherin and increased MMP-2 may be associated with the capacity of GCSCs to metastasize.
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PMID:Gastric cancer stem-like cells possess higher capability of invasion and metastasis in association with a mesenchymal transition phenotype. 2178 23


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