Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0033036 (APC)
 10,214 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A vertebrate immune response is initiated by the presentation of foreign protein Ag to MHC class II-restricted T lymphocytes by specialized APC. Presentation of self-peptides in association with MHC class II molecules is also necessary for the induction of T cell tolerance. It is important to understand whether functionally divergent APC are responsible for delivering these distinct signals to class II-restricted T cells. Here we examine the ability of I-Ad surface molecules expressed in diverse cell types to stimulate I-Ad-restricted T cells. Recipients included J558L myeloma cells and EL4 lymphoma cells expressing barely detectable or undetectable levels of Ii chain mRNA. This allowed us to examine the influence of Ii expression on the presentation of intracellular Ag and thus test the hypothesis that Ii chain is necessary to prevent access of self-peptides to newly synthesized class II molecules. Ii chain expression did not restore the ability of transformants to process and present soluble protein Ag. A striking result was the finding that cells showing a defect in the exogenous class II presentation pathway were capable of functioning as stimulators when they expressed intracellular secreted but not signal-less V-CH3b Ag. Thus, so-called professional APC that can capture and process exogenous protein Ag may express a specialized set of proteins not required for the presentation of self-peptides.
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PMID:Formation of complexes between self-peptides and MHC class II molecules in cells defective for presentation of exogenous protein antigens. 131 96

It is known that immunoglobulins can be processed and that idiotypic peptides are presented on MHC class II molecules to T cells. It has also been demonstrated that T cells can recognize a complex of an Id-peptide/MHC molecule as a tumor-specific antigen on B lymphoma cells. However, plasmacytomas, an important type of B cell malignancies, most often lack class II molecules and are thus expected to be poor targets for Id-specific, CD4+ T cells. Nevertheless, we now demonstrate that cloned, MHC class II restricted T cells, specific for a lambda 2(315) idiotypic peptide, convey protection in vivo (Winn assay) against the class II molecule-negative MOPC315 (alpha, lambda 2(315)) plasmacytoma. T cells can also inhibit the growth of MOPC315 cells in vitro provided that MHC compatible (H-2d) splenocytes and extra lambda 2(315) are added. Based on these data we suggest that the myeloma protein secreted by MOPC315 cells attains such a high local concentration in vivo that it is processed and presented by neighboring host APC to the Id-specific T cells. Such activated T cells secrete lymphokines which may directly affect the growth of MOPC315 cells in the vicinity. Alternatively, lymphokines from activated T cells stimulate local host cells, like macrophages, to become tumoricidal.
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PMID:The role of idiotype-specific, CD4+ T cells in tumor resistance against major histocompatibility complex class II molecule negative plasmacytoma cells. 809 65

In this paper, the results of some recent studies on idiotype-specific T cells in human multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are discussed. By using different in vitro measurements such as 3H-thymidine incorporation and ELI-SPOT assay, idiotype-specific T cells have been demonstrated in most of MM and MGUS patients. Based on the cytokine-secretion profiles, idiotype-specific T cells were found to comprise both Th1 and Th2 cells. A Th1 type immunity was found preferentially in indolent disease and a Th2-like response predominated in advanced MM, suggesting a specific T-cell regulation of the tumor B-cell clone. The mode of T-cell recognition of id determinants on M-components has been studied. We found that idiotype-specific T cells recognized processed id determinants presented by MHC class II (HLA-DR) molecules on APC. B cells were much more efficient APC than monocytes. With the aim to induce or to amplify an idiotype-specific T-cell response, we have immunized MM patients with the autologous M-component precipitated in aluminum. Three out of the five patients showed an induction of specific cellular and humoral immunity. Nevertheless, the role for such immunity in controlling the tumor clone remains to be established.
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PMID:Idiotype-specific T cells in multiple myeloma: targets for an immunotherapeutic intervention? 886 33

APC-80200 (Mylovenge) has been developed for the treatment of B-cell malignancies and is currently in phase II clinical trials as a therapeutic vaccine for patients with advanced multiple myeloma. This vaccine candidate appears to be of particular benefit in patients who have received high-dose chemotherapy to reduce tumor load following stem cell rescue. APC-80200 is also being tested in patients with amyloidosis.
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PMID:Technology evaluation: APC-80200, Dendreon. 1243 55

Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) may be associated with unique monoclonal immunoglobulin (MIg)-induced disturbances of either primary hemostasis or plasma coagulation. We have investigated the possible interference of MIg with antithrombotic systems in 49 patients with MG. Although an increase of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity was the most frequent abnormality in our group, defect of anticoagulation factors was found in 26.5% of patients. The relationship between MIg type and concentration and frequency of antithrombotic factor abnormalities was not found. The risk of venous thrombosis was higher in patients with the defect in comparison with the unaffected group (46% vs. 22%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Bleeding complications were markedly less frequent in the group of patients with defect of anticoagulation mechanisms (0% vs. 17%). In conclusion, we have found abnormalities in anticoagulation and/or fibrinolytic system, analogous to well-known disturbances of hemostatic mechanisms, in more than a quarter of patients with MG. The interference of M-protein with antithrombotic pathways is supposed to be another mechanism of secondary deficiencies of antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), plasminogen and APC resistance. Together with other factors, it could contribute to higher risk of thromboembolism in myeloma patients.
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PMID:Disturbances of anticoagulation and fibrinolytic systems in monoclonal gammopathies-another mechanism of M-protein interference with hemostasis. 1504 Dec 73

The most common type of renal injury in multiple myeloma is chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy associated with casts in tubule lumens, an entity referred to as "myeloma kidney" that often progresses to end-stage kidney diseases. Myeloma kidney is associated with a significant increase in all-cause mortality, yet no effective intervention, except a limited use of steroid, is available. Here, we report that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide with 38 residues (PACAP38) dramatically prevents injury of cultured renal proximal tubule cells caused by myeloma light chains through suppression of proinflammatory cytokines production, by inhibiting p38 MAPK and translocation of NFkappaB via both PAC(1) and VPAC(1) receptors. The suppressive effects of PACAP was as effective as dexamethasone in all of their cytokine assays and demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PACAP38 inhibits myeloma cell growth directly and may also indirectly by suppressing production of the growth factor, IL-6, from bone marrow stromal cells, that is stimulated by adhesion of myeloma cells. These findings render PACAP38 worth evaluation as a promising candidate for an effective and safe renoprotectant in myeloma kidney, and possibly other nephropathy, and also as a new antitumor agent in multiple myeloma.
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PMID:Potential protective action of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP38) on in vitro and in vivo models of myeloma kidney injury. 1620 6

Ligation of CD40 induces maturation of dendritic cells (DC) and could be a useful target for vaccines. In this study, we have constructed two types of Ab-based vaccine constructs that target mouse CD40. One type is a recombinant Ab with V regions specific for CD40 and has defined T cell epitopes inserted into its C region. The other type is a homodimer, each chain of which is composed of a targeting unit (single-chain fragment variable targeting CD40), a dimerization motif, and an antigenic unit. Such proteins bound CD40, stimulated maturation of DC, and enhanced primary and memory T cell responses. When delivered i.m. as naked DNA followed by electroporation, the vaccines induced T cell responses against MHC class II-restricted epitopes, Ab responses, and protection in two tumor models (myeloma and lymphoma). Two factors apparently contributed to these results: 1) agonistic ligation of CD40 and induction of DC maturation, and 2) delivery of Ag to APC and presentation on MHC class II molecules. These results highlight the importance of agonistic targeting of Ag to CD40 for induction of long-lasting and protective immune responses.
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PMID:Delivery of antigen to CD40 induces protective immune responses against tumors. 1737 73

Pathways of the molecular pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma have been extensively studied and molecular lesions during the development of the disease have been revealed. High up in the list of colorectal cancer lesions are APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), K-ras, Smad4 (or DPC4-deleted in pancreatic cancer 4) and p53 genes. All these molecules are part of important pathways for the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis and as a result perturbation of these processes lead to carcinogenesis. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is comprised of a multi-unit cellular protease system that regulates several dozens of cell proteins after their ligation with the protein ubiquitin. Given that among these proteins are regulators of the cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, adhesion and cell signalling, this system plays a significant role in cell fate and carcinogenesis. UPS inhibition has been found to be a pre-requisite for apoptosis and is already clinically exploited with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in multiple myeloma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is the inducible form of the enzyme that metabolizes the lipid arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2, the first step of prostaglandins production. This enzyme is up-regulated in colorectal cancer and in several other cancers. Inhibition of Cox-2 by aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been found to inhibit proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and in epidemiologic studies has been shown to reduce colon polyp formation in genetically predisposed populations and in the general population. NSAIDs have also Cox-independent anti-proliferative effects. Targeted therapies, the result of increasingly understanding carcinogenesis in the molecular level, have entered the field of anti-neoplastic treatment and are used by themselves and in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Combinations of targeted drugs have started also to be investigated. This article reviews the molecular pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, the roles of UPS and Cox-2 in it and puts forward a rational for their combined inhibition in colorectal cancer treatment.
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PMID:Pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma and therapeutic implications: the roles of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and Cox-2. 1748 76

Wnt signaling has recently been implicated in carcinogenesis. We studied the activity of Wnt signaling and the methylation status of WIF1, DKK3, APC, SFRP1, SFRP2, SFRP4 and SFRP5 by methylation-specific PCR in myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma samples. Of the four cell lines, Wnt signaling was constitutively activated in LP1 and WL2, correlating with hypermethylation and hence silencing. Moreover, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment of these two cell lines showed progressive demethylation of methylated Wnt inhibitors, re-expression of transcripts and downregulation of Wnt signaling. In both LP1 and WL2 cells, multiple Wnts and Fzs were simultaneously expressed. Treatment of WL2, in which SFRP1 was completely methylated, with recombinant secreted Frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) induced downregulation of Wnt signaling and inhibition of proliferation. In primary myeloma samples, 42% patients had methylation of at least one of these seven genes, of which 61.9% had > or = 2 genes methylated. In conclusion, Wnt signaling is constitutively activated in myeloma, associated with methylation silencing of one or multiple soluble Wnt antagonists. An autocrine loop regulating Wnt signaling was demonstrated in the myeloma plasma cells, in which cellular proliferation was efficiently inhibited by recombinant SFRP1. Methylation study of a panel of genes, regulating a cellular pathway instead of isolated genes, is important.
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PMID:Epigenetic dysregulation of Wnt signaling pathway in multiple myeloma. 1788 84

Renal involvement in patients with multiple myeloma complicates their treatment and shortens their life-span. The main renal lesion is a tubulointerstitial transformation with fibrosis, frequently associated with cast formation in the distal nephron that results from co-precipitation of pathological immunoglobulin light chains with Tamm-Horsfall proteins. The human renal proximal tubular reabsorption of excessive light chains by endocytosis causes cellular protein overload and activates the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB). The activation of NFkappaB promotes the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines and activates signaling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, Jun kinase, and p38 MAPK, thus promoting interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. We tested the concept that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a member of the secretin/vasoactive intestinal peptide family, could prevent the development of cast nephropathies. PACAP38 inhibited myeloma light chain-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression with greater potency than dexamethasone, and attenuated the resulting cell damage in the renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. The results indicated that its effects are mediated through inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and nuclear translocation of the p50 subunit of NFkappaB via both the PAC(1) and VPAC(1) receptors. PACAP was also shown to be efficacious in other common in vivo animal models for kidney hypertrophies, including streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy and gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, our studies suggest that PACAP38 could be used as a cytoprotective agent that would be effective in the treatment of renal tubule injury in multiple myeloma and other chronic kidney diseases.
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PMID:Renoprotection by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in multiple myeloma and other kidney diseases. 1793


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