Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0027819 (neuroblastoma)
 27,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Neuroblastomas are malignant childhood neoplasms that arise from derivatives of the neural crest. We report the characterization of a new neuroblastoma cell line, designated NBL-W, derived from the primary tumor of a patient with stage IVS disease (S. L. Cohn, C. V. Herst, H. S. Maurer, and S. T. Rosen, J. Clin. Oncol., 5: 1441-1444, 1987) according to the criteria of Evans [A. E. Evans, G. J. D'Angio, and J. Randolf, Cancer (Phila.), 27: 374-378, 1971]. Neurite-bearing (N) and substrate-adherent (S) cell lines have been subcloned from the parent line. N and S cells can interconvert, and both cell types label with the neural crest cell surface marker antibody, HNK-1. Cells in the subcloned lines and in the parent line have been shown by Southern blot analysis to contain approximately 100 copies of the N-myc gene. Cytogenetic analysis shows a homogeneously staining region present on chromosome 19. Although these subclones are of identical genotype, the S cells express lower amounts of N-myc mRNA and protein as compared to the N cells. N cells express several neuronal proteins including the neurotransmitter-processing enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase, the neuronal intermediate filament proteins peripherin and NF66/alpha-internexin, and the neural cell adhesion molecule. S cells generally lack neuronal markers but express the mesenchymal intermediate filament protein vimentin, and a small subset of the S cells express glial fibrillary acidic protein. Some S cells were labeled weakly with neural cell adhesion molecule antibody; others were negative. S cells did not express the glial marker S-100 or a melanocyte marker, tyrosinase. Thus, S cells express the neural crest marker HNK-1 but do not express a set of antigens characteristic of any known cell type derived from the neural crest. These results are consistent with the suggestion that differential N-myc expression may be involved in the interconversion of N and S cells but indicate that the S cell phenotype need not represent a highly differentiated neural crest derivative.
 ...
PMID:Differential expression of N-myc in phenotypically distinct subclones of a human neuroblastoma cell line. 193 96

From the human teratocarcinoma-derived cell line PA-1, we established a clonal line, PA-1/NR, that stably produced a distinct cellular arrangement of neural rosettes when cultured as in vitro multicellular spheroids for 3 weeks. On immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses, PA-1/NR cells in monolayer expressed the neuroectoderm-associated antigens HNK-1, NC-1, and A2B5 and the neuroblastoma-associated antigens KP-NAC8 and KP-NAC10 but lacked human embryonal carcinoma antigens, SSEA-3 or K21 antigen. Here, we investigated the developmental process of rosette formation with respect to morphological features, distribution of mitotic cells, and expression of multiple lineage-related markers and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Ultrastructural examination of these rosettes disclosed a well-defined cavity radially surrounded by wedge-shaped or pseudostratified cells, apical microvilli and junctional complexes, and basal laminae and collagen fibrils at their basal surface. In these rosettes, many proliferating cells were detected by the immunohistochemical staining of cells incorporating bromodeoxyuridine. PA-1/NR spheroids consistently displayed neuron-specific enolase, S-100 protein, and vimentin but not glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament proteins, or myelin basic protein. The rosette formation accompanied a strikingly polarized and overlapped deposition of ECM components including tenascin-carrying HNK-1 epitopes, laminin, type IV collagen, heparan, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. Immunoblotting analyses showed that laminin B1 and B2 chains were constitutively expressed, whereas a fully assembled form of laminin and type IV collagen appeared only after spheroid development, suggesting that these ECM components play a morphogenetically important role in rosette formation. Close similarities between these rosettes and the neural tube of humans and experimental animals in the morphogenetic process and ECM formation lead us to propose that the PA-1/NR spheroids provide an in vitro model for the study of the earliest stage of human neurogenesis.
 ...
PMID:Neural rosette formation within in vitro spheroids of a clonal human teratocarcinoma cell line, PA-1/NR: role of extracellular matrix components in the morphogenesis. 202 44

Molecular characterization of neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the skin. Review of the literature and report of three cases. Although neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (NECS) is comparatively a rare clinical-histological entity, numerous morphological and ultrastructural studies have been carried out since the tumor was identificated by Toker (1972). Recently immunocytochemistry has allowed a better molecular characterization (immunophenotype) of this tumor and a more exact diagnosis. The main problem for the pathologist is the differential diagnosis between NECS and skin neoplasms--both primitive and metastatic--which require a more aggressive treatment. Often the classical morphological criteria do not distinguish NECS from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, amelanotic melanomas, cutaneous metastases of lung small cell carcinoma or of neuroblastoma. The co-expression of cytokeratins and neurofilaments constantly found in NECS, is surely the best differential criterion from non-neuroendocrine carcinomas. Furthermore, the typical paranuclear location of both the intermediate filaments in NECS is a distinctive peculiarity as opposed to lung microcytoma, where cytokeratins and neurofilaments, when present, show widespread perinuclear positivity. Chromogranin A is found only in a small percentage of tumor cells, whilst synthesis of calcitonin, somatostatin, gastrin, ACTH, is very rare. Finally, the lack of common leukocyte antigen (CLA), S-100 protein and vimentin in NECS rules out the diagnoses of lymphoma, melanoma and sarcoma respectively.
 ...
PMID:[Molecular characterization of cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma. Review of the literature and presentation of a caseload]. 209 Oct 10

The localization of vimentin (Vm) within the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton was characterized during differentiation of mouse NB2a/dl neuroblastoma cells. Vm staining increased within neurites during the first day of differentiation, and then rapidly declined in both perikarya and neurites. By contrast, immunoreactivity against extensively phosphorylated forms of the high molecular weight neurofilament subunit (NF-H) was absent until the third day after differentiation. Immunoblot analyses confirmed that these alterations reflected specific changes in Vm and NF-H steady-state levels. Metabolic labeling demonstrated a decrease in the rate of Vm synthesis by the third day of differentiation. We conclude that changes in incorporation of intermediate filament species into the axonal cytoskeleton reflect distinct stages in neurite outgrowth and maturation; i.e., the Vm filament system may participate in initial stages of neuritogenesis during which outgrowth is most rapid, while NFPs may subsequently function in the establishment of a stabilized axonal cytoskeleton.
 ...
PMID:Transient increase in vimentin in axonal cytoskeletons during differentiation in NB2a/d1 cells. 220 72

A novel monoclonal antibody, designated M1.4, recognizes the high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein MAP1A (ca. Mr 380 kD) in both bovine and rat brain. In HeLa cells, however, M1.4 binds to a 240 kD polypeptide on immunoblots and co-localizes with both vimentin and cytokeratin filaments using double-label immunofluorescence microscopy. Immunoelectron microscopy indicates that the 240 kD polypeptide localizes along bundled intermediate filaments in a periodic manner. Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis indicates that the 240 kD polypeptide has a basic pI of 7.7. When HeLa cell intermediate filaments are isolated using standard non-ionic detergent/high-salt conditions the 240 kD polypeptide does not sediment with the intermediate filaments, unlike the established intermediate filament-associated protein plectin. Immunoblot analysis with M1.4 shows the 240 kD polypeptide is expressed in a number of mammalian cell lines. Additionally, double-label immunofluorescence shows the 240 kD polypeptide to associate with vimentin filaments in African Green Monkey kidney (CV-1) and JC neuroblastoma cells. Due to its unique biochemical and biological characteristics, the 240 kD polypeptide is clearly a novel intermediate filament-associated protein for which we have proposed the designation gyronemin (Gr. gyros: around; nemin: filament).
 ...
PMID:Identification and characterization of a novel mammalian intermediate filament-associated protein. 222 87

A peculiar human cell line (GI-ME-N) derived from the metastatic bone marrow of a 2-yr-old patient with stage IV neuroblastoma (NB) was extensively characterized. Cell-type-specific markers, tumorigenicity in nude mice, morphology, cytogenetics, and amplification/expression of the N-myc gene were evaluated. All metaphases presented the typical 1p deletion. Surface markers specific for NB cells, vimentin, and neurofilament proteins were all clearly detectable with immunofluorescence and/or western blot procedures. Moreover, it was found that GI-ME-N cells did not express N-myc oncogene or HLA class 1 antigens, and were not classified as peripheral neuroectodermal tumor cells. However, extremely short latency and survival times, comparable to peripheral neuroectodermal tumor cells, were observed in nude mice grafted with GI-ME-N. In addition, no correlations were observed in tumorigenicity of N-myc amplified (IMR32) versus unamplified (SK-N-SH GI-ME-N) human NB cell lines in nude mice. We conclude that N-myc amplification/expression do not correlate with the aggressiveness of human NB in athymic animals, which is not always explained by the peripheral neuroectodermal tumor cell nature of the malignant cells, either.
 ...
PMID:A new human highly tumorigenic neuroblastoma cell line with undetectable expression of N-myc. 229 63

Heat shock-induced alterations in protein synthesis and the cytoskeleton of two mammalian cell types have been investigated. A hyperthermic treatment of 30 min at 43 degrees C causes an accumulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs). The apparent molecular weights of HSPs of Reuber H35 hepatoma cells and of N2A neuroblastoma cells are 28 000, 65 000, 68 000, 70 000, 84 000, 100 000 D and 68 000, 70 000, 84 000 and 100 000 D respectively. Hyperthermia induces the disruption of microfilaments in hepatoma cells. Microtubules and intermediate filaments (vimentin and cytokeratin) remain intact. In neuroblastoma cells microfilaments remain intact whereas microtubules become disorganized after heat shock. As a result vimentin is found as a perinuclear aggregate. These cells were still able to synthesize heat shock proteins after pretreatment with cytoskeleton disrupting drugs such as dihydroxycytochalasin B and colchicine. Therefore it is concluded that the alterations in the cytoskeleton observed after the heat treatment are unlikely to be the cause of heat shock protein synthesis. Our results suggest that these heat shock-induced alterations in the cytoskeleton can be considered as a part of the heat shock response.
 ...
PMID:Studies on a possible relationship between alterations in the cytoskeleton and induction of heat shock protein synthesis in mammalian cells. 242 73

In 1982, Hassoun et al. reported two cases of differentiated neuroblastoma with the clinical and light microscopic appearance of intraventricular oligodendroglioma and gave a name of "central neurocytoma" to this tumor. Jerdan et al. (1983) called the similar tumor as "differentiated cerebral neuroblastoma in adults". As the tumor can be diagnosed only by ultrastructural study, the established cases so far reported are very rare. In this paper we present five cases identical to those presented by Hassoun et al. and clarify the essential nature of this new category of brain tumors. All of our cases of central neurocytoma occurred in the lateral ventricles of young adults. Clinically there was no evidence of leptomeningeal or ventricular dissemination of tumor cells. After subtotal resection of the tumor and 6000 rads of whole brain irradiation, the tumor mass disappeared and no evidence for recurrence of the tumor was noted on CT scan. All cases showed almost the same histology. The tumor cells contained a small round and/or oval nucleus, and had eosinophilic thin delicate cytoplasmic processes. There were no Homer Wright rosette, but were anuclear spaces consisting of fine fibrillar structures, like so called "broad rosettes" or "large rosettes". Capillary mesh was found among the tumor cells, but there was no endothelial proliferation. The tumor cells were monotonous, lacking pleomorphism, mitotic figures, and necrotic foci. Calcifications were observed in two cases. In the areas where the tumor cells arranged loosely, cytoplasms became clear, showing perinuclear halo, like those of oligodendrogliomas. Immunohistochemical examination showed GFAP and vimentin positive cells were all reactive astrocytes around capillaries and near calcifications. No tumor cells contained GFAP and vimentin. The tumor cells were also negative for neurofilament both of 70 KD and 200 KD. NSE was more or less positive for tumor cell cytoplasm as well as fine fibrils. Anti-Leu7 antibodies stained only fine cytoplasmic processes, but not cytoplasm. Some reactive astrocytes were stained with anti-Leu7 antibodies. Electron microscopic examination showed nuclei of the tumor cells were roughly round or oval without nuclear indentations and contained finely dispersed nuclear chromatin. In the cytoplasm, there were numerous free ribosomes, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and electron dense various-shaped granules. Microtubules were found in the periphery of the cells, but filamentous structures were not identified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
 ...
PMID:[A clinicopathological study of central neurocytoma]. 247 77

Previous studies of the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH had demonstrated the presence of and phenotypic interconversion (transdifferentiation) between two morphologically and biochemically distinct cell types: N (neuroblastic) cells with properties of noradrenergic neurons and S (substrate-adherent) cells with properties of melanocytes. Current studies have sought to test the generality of these findings among other cultured human neuroblastoma cell lines and to define further the S-cell phenotype and that of a newly identified, morphologically intermediate, I-type cell. Morphologically homogeneous populations (clonal sublines or subpopulations) of N, S, and I cells were isolated from five additional neuroblastoma cell lines and analyzed biochemically for neuronal, glial, and melanocytic marker enzyme activities and norepinephrine uptake. Immunoblot techniques were used to detect intermediate filament proteins (neurofilament protein, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein) and fibronectin. All N-type cells exhibited neuronal marker enzyme activities, specific uptake of norepinephrine, and presence of one or more neurofilament proteins. S-type cells generally lacked neuronal characteristics but contained, instead, tyrosinase activity (a melanocytic marker enzyme), vimentin, and fibronectin. This combination of attributes is suggestive of a multipotent embryonal precursor cell of the neural crest. I-type cells differentially expressed both S- and N-cell properties and could represent either a stem cell or an intermediate in the transdifferentiation process. Studies of the biological significance of human neuroblastoma cell transdifferentiation and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process may be of relevance to the biological and clinical behavior of this tumor in the patient.
 ...
PMID:Phenotypic diversification in human neuroblastoma cells: expression of distinct neural crest lineages. 253 91

In view of the personal observation that malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumours (MPNT) can present different histological growth patterns, 41 cases of MPNT were histologically and immunohistochemically studied. The median age of the 41 patients was 15 years (range: 9 months - 23 years). There were 27 males and 14 females. Most tumours (23/41) were located in the thoracopulmonary region. In 31/41 cases there was bone as well as soft tissue involvement. The following histopathological patterns were found: Ewing's sarcoma-like (n = 7), atypical Ewing's sarcoma-like (n = 4), neuroblastoma-like (n = 8), rhabdomyosarcoma-like (n = 8), and hemangiopericytoma-like (n = 1). In 2 cases combined patterns were noted, one tumour being characterized by neuroblastoma-like and Burkitt's lymphoma-like features. Most cases of MPNT differed from the cytological features of typical Ewing's sarcoma in that they contained hyperchromatic nuclei with distinct nucleoli. Some reticulin fibrils were found in between the cells of some cases. Immunohistochemically, 19/23 cases reacted positively to vimentin, 29/32 to neuron specific enolase (NSE), 16/28 to protein S-100, and 1/9 to glial fibrillary acidic protein. 12/24 cases reacted positively to NSE and protein S-100. Neurofilaments and desmin were not found in the formalin fixed material of the present study. The results show that most cases of MPNT can be distinguished from typical Ewing's sarcoma by cytological and histological findings. Differential diagnosis from atypical Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma is possible by immunohistochemistry.
 ...
PMID:[Malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumors. Histological and immunohistological conditions in 41 cases]. 267 76


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>