HLA-G1 increases the radiosensitivity of human tumoral cells.

Different molecules regulate the response of tumoral tissues to ionizing radiation. The objective of this work was to determine if HLA-G1 expression modulates the radiosensitivity of human tumoral cell lines. To this end, human melanoma M8 and human erythroleukemia K562 cell lines, with their correspondent HLA-G1 negative and positive variants, were gamma irradiated and the survival frequency was determined by clonogenic assay. The survival fraction of HLA-G1 expressing cells was around 60% of HLA-G1 negative cells. The generation of acidic vesicular organelles was higher in HLA-G1 positive cells. Apoptosis levels showed statistically significant differences only in K562 cells, whereas the variation in G2/M cycle progression was only significant in M8 cells. In addition, irradiation diminished cell-surface HLA-G1 and increased soluble HLA-G1 levels. Soluble HLA-G1 has no influence on cell survival in any cell line. In summary, we could demonstrate that HLA-G1 confers higher radiosensitivity to HLA-G1 expressing cells.

Unbalanced 11;18 translocation in an acute erythroid leukemia after radioactive iodine therapy.

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is well described after chemotherapy or radiotherapy for diverse malignancies. Radioisotope therapy is also recognized as a less-common cause of t-AML. We describe a patient with acute erythroid leukemia after radioactive iodine administration for papillary thyroid cancer, with an unbalanced 11;18 translocation resulting in three copies of 11q, including the MLL gene. Although an increased incidence of chronic myeloid leukemia has been documented after radioactive iodine exposure, acute leukemia in this setting has been less frequently seen. Moreover, to our knowledge, the chromosome abnormality present in our patient has not been previously reported. The literature on cytogenetic abnormalities in t-AML after radioactive iodine administration is reviewed.

Water proton spin-lattice relaxation time during the apoptotic process in ultraviolet-irradiated murine erythroleukemia cells.

Ultraviolet (UV) light-induced apoptosis has been extensively examined, but data on properties of intracellular water are insufficient. Thus, we examined the (1)H spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of intracellular water during apoptosis in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. Values of T1 decreased upon cell shrinkage, whereas increased upon cell swelling. Similar results were obtained in MEL cells exposed to osmotic stress. Furthermore, the increment of T1 values, ultrastructure loss on cell surface, and DNA fragmentation in UV-treated cells were significantly suppressed by pan-caspase inhibitor. Taken together, these results suggest that the T1 of intracellular water can be used to estimate the relative content of bound and free water during UV-induced apoptosis in MEL cells.

Preapoptotic chromatin changes induced by ultraviolet B irradiation in human erythroleukemia K562 cells.

Exponentially growing human erythroleukemia K562 cells were permeabilized and the dose dependent decrease of DNA synthesis rate was measured after ultraviolet (UV B, 290 nm) irradiation. Cells were able to overcome 2 and 5 J/m2 UV doses, partial recovery was observed at 15 J/m2, while at high (25 J/m2) UV dose replicative DNA synthesis remained suppressed. K562 cells were subjected to synchronization prior to and after UV irradiation (24 J/m2) and 18 fractions were collected by centrifugal elutriation. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry did not show early apoptotic cells after UV irradiation. The gradual increase in DNA content typical for non-irradiated cells was contrasted by an early S phase block between 2.2 and 2.4 C-values after UV irradiation. Cell cycle dependent chromatin changes after ultraviolet irradiation were seen as a fine fibrillary network covering the mainly fibrous chromatin structures and incompletely folded primitive chromosomes. Based on observations after UV irradiation and on earlier results with cadmium treatment and gamma irradiation, we confirm that typical chromatin changes characteristic to genotoxic agents can be recognized and classified.

Thalidomide is highly effective in a patient with meningeal acute myeloid leukaemia.

We report a case of secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) following high dose therapy for diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who developed meningeal leukaemia. This was refractory to systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy and cranial irradiation. Thalidomide has been reported to have anti-AML activity and appears to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). We, therefore, attempted a trial of oral Thalidomide and achieved rapid biochemical and cytological remission with a short course. The patient, however, progressed systemically and succumbed to her illness.

Protein kinase C zeta nuclear translocation mediates the occurrence of radioresistance in friend erythroleukemia cells.

Friend erythroleukemia cells require high doses (15 Gy) of ionizing radiation to display a reduced rate of proliferation and an increased number of dead cells. Since ionizing radiation can activate several signaling pathways at the plasma membrane which can lead to the nuclear translocation of a number of proteins, we looked at the intranuclear signaling system activated by Protein Kinases C, being this family of enzymes involved in the regulation of cell growth and death. Our results show an early and dose-dependent increased activity of zeta and epsilon isoforms, although PKC zeta is the only isoform significantly active and translocated into the nuclear compartment upon low (1.5 Gy) and high (15 Gy) radiation doses. These observations are concomitant and consistent with an increase in the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 level upon both radiation doses. Our results point at the involvement of the PKC pathway in the survival response to ionizing radiation of this peculiar cell line, offering PKC zeta for consideration as a possible target of pharmacological treatments aimed at amplifying the effect of such a genotoxic agent.

Engagement of PI-3-kinase mediated protein kinase C zeta activation in protecting Friend cells from ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis.

Murine erythroleukemia cells (Friend) respond to ionizing radiation with the activation and nuclear translocation of p85alpha subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) which mediates the downstream activation and nuclear translocation of atypical Protein kinase C zeta (PKC zeta). This event occurs mainly upon high dose of ionizing radiation (15 Gy) and is concomitant to an increase in BrdU incorporation, which probably accounts for a predominant repair DNA synthesis. Following treatment with wortmannin, a relatively specific inhibitor of PI-3-kinase, both an increased number of apoptotic cells and the inhibition of protein kinase C zeta translocation were detected. Altogether the evidence suggests a potential role of the PI-3-kinase/PKC zeta pathway in protecting Friend cells from ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis offering PKC zeta for consideration as possible target of pharmacological treatments.

Impairment of nucleotide excision repair by apoptosis in UV-irradiated mouse cells.

We investigated the relationship between nucleotide excision repair (NER) activity and apoptosis in UV-irradiated cells. Mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) and lymphoma (GRSL) cells exhibited enhanced sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of UV radiation compared to hamster cell lines, although normal UV-induced hprt mutation frequencies were found. Determination of UV-induced repair replication revealed a limited capacity of MEL and GRSL cells to perform NER consistent with poor removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine 6-4 pyrimidone photoproducts from transcriptionally active genes during the first 8 h after UV exposure. However, both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine 6-4 pyrimidone photoproducts appeared to be processed to almost normal level 24 h after UV treatment. In parallel, we observed that the UV-irradiated MEL and GRSL cells suffered from severe DNA fragmentation particularly 24 h after UV exposure. Taken together, these data indicate a reduced repair of UV-induced photolesions in apoptotic cells, already established at the early onset of apoptosis. To test whether inhibition of repair in cells was due to inactivation of NER or to apoptosis-induced chromatin degradation, we performed in vitro excision assays using extracts from UV-irradiated MEL cells. These experiments showed that the NER capacity during early apoptosis was intact, indicating that slow removal of UV-induced photolesions in apoptotic cells is due to substrate modification (presumably degradation of chromatin) rather than direct inhibition of factors involved in NER.

The use of 212Pb-labeled monoclonal antibody in the treatment of murine erythroleukemia.

PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to learn whether the DOTA chelator was useful for targeting lead radionuclides (203,212 Pb) to cells and tissues invaded by the Rauscher leukemia virus (RVB3) and to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of targeted 212Pb in treating the murine leukemia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Five to 6-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated i.v. with RVB3. This virus causes marked splenomegaly and death by day 13 and day 70 postinfection, respectively. Biodistribution, tumor targeting, and toxicity studies were performed using varying doses of 212Pb-DOTA-103A. A heavy metal chelator, DMPS, was administered orally and parenterally in two phases of the toxicity study. RESULTS: Biodistribution studies showed marked tumor targeting (58% ID/g spleen) in mice treated with 203Pb-103A as compared with mice treated with control antibody B3 (4.6% ID/g spleen). Histologic cure was achieved in all leukemic mice treated with 20 muCi212Pb-103A; however, all of the mice died with leukopenia and secondary++ bacterial infections due to severe bone marrow toxicity. Nonleukemic mice and mice treated with 20 muCi212Pb-B3 experienced less marrow toxicity and longer survival. Coadministration of the heavy metal chelator did not diminish the bone marrow toxicity. CONCLUSION: An effective, nonlethal dose could not be established to treat this tumor. The severe bone marrow toxicity associated with this radionuclide may limit its usefulness in systemic radioimmunotherapy.

Ultrastructural patterns of cell damage and death following gamma radiation exposure of murine erythroleukemia cells.

Radiation causes damage to cell surface membranes, cytoplasmic organelles, and the nuclear process of DNA synthesis and repair, and this eventually results in different modes of cell death. In this study we examined murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells, exposed to 15 and 60 Gy of 10 MeV photonic energy, and left in culture for up to 96 hours. Electron microscopical analysis was performed on conventionally embedded samples and freeze-fracture replicas, in order to detect ultrastructural patterns of cell damage and death. Of interest was the observation of chromatin condensates, nuclear membrane associations and nuclear pore redistribution during early apoptosis. Pronounced rearrangements of transmembrane particles during late stages of cellular necrosis were also found. The morphological damage induced by both doses of radiation as a function of time after exposure was only quantitatively but not qualitatively different.

Delivery of radionuclides to pretargeted monoclonal antibodies using dihydrofolate reductase and methotrexate in an affinity system.

A novel affinity system for a two-phase delivery of radionuclides to tumor cells has been developed. In the first phase, a nontoxic bivalent monoclonal antibody conjugated to an enzyme is targeted to the tumor cells. In the second phase, a radionuclide-derivatized enzyme inhibitor, specific for the enzyme conjugated to the antibody, is administered. The model system selected for this study is the recombinant human enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (rhDHFR) and its high-affinity competitive inhibitor methotrexate (MTX). MTX was labeled with a radionuclide by covalent attachment of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) complexed with 111In. Using the gamma-carboxyl residue of MTX for the attachment of DTPA, binding of the inhibitor to rhDHFR was not affected. The inhibitory activities of nonderivatized MTX and DTPA-MTX were indistinguishable. Human K562 erythroleukemia cells were used to evaluate under in vitro conditions the DHFR-MTX affinity system for the delivery of 111In-labeled DTPA-MTX to pretargeted alpha-transferrin receptor antibody-rhDHFR conjugates (alpha-TFR-DHFR). The data demonstrate that the delivery of 111In is dose dependent and highly specific. Under saturating conditions, binding of 111In-DTPA-MTX to alpha-TFR-DHFR-treated cells was 14-fold higher than to cells treated with nonconjugated alpha-TFR antibody. Further experiments indicated that the low level of nonspecific binding of 111In-DTPA-MTX was comparable to that of 111In-DTPA, known for its complete extracellular distribution and rapid clearance through the kidneys. Based on the data of this study, antibody-conjugated rhDHFR and radionuclide-labeled DTPA-MTX complexes provide components for an alternative radioimmunotherapeutic approach that can be expected to result in improved tumor tissue ratios of both the targeting moiety and the radionuclide-labeled derivative as compared to current approaches.

Specific radioimmunotherapy using 90Y-labeled monoclonal antibody in erythroleukemic mice.

Radioimmunotherapy using 90Y-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-antibody conjugates was studied in Rauscher erythroleukemia virus-infected mice. Preliminary experiments showed that biodistribution profiles for nonrelevant mouse monoclonal antibody and polyclonal bovine immunoglobulin were identical in both normal and leukemic mice. Therefore, bovine immunoglobulin G was selected as the control immunoglobulin in order to permit comparison to current clinical trials of radioimmunotherapy regimens. Specific monoclonal antibody was two- to three-fold more potent than bovine immunoglobulin G in therapy, as assessed by reduction of splenomegaly (dose required for half-maximal effect, 9 microCi versus 16 to 27 microCi). Mice treated with 50 microCi 90Y-labeled control immunoglobulin had spleens which were twice the normal size and showed extensive areas of erythropoiesis indicative of the presence of tumor foci; in contrast, doses as low as 27 microCi 90Y-labeled specific antibody resulted in complete remission with no microscopic evidence of tumor foci in either spleen or liver. Although reversible marrow toxicity was observed it was not dose limiting. These results demonstrate that tumor-specific therapy is possible using 90Y-labeled antibody.

Radiolabeled antibody: iodine versus radiometal chelates.

The use of monoclonal antibodies in radioimmunoimaging and radioimmunotherapy was investigated in the Rauscher murine erythroleukemia system. Immunoglobulins labeled with isotopes of iodine or with chelated radiometals were compared with respect to efficiency of radiolabeling, in vitro and in vivo chemical stability of incorporated isotope, catabolism, kinetics of tumor targeting, and therapeutic efficacy. Labeling was found to be efficient for all isotopes studied, including those of iodine, scandium, yttrium, indium, gadolinium, and bismuth. The use of isotopes of iodine was limited due to rapid catabolism from the tumor target within a few hours; in contrast, antibody labeled with indium or gadolinium reached maximal tumor levels within 6 to 12 hours of injection and showed a biologic half-life at the tumor of 2 to 3 days. With yttrium, tumor levels were stable up to 5 days after injection. Our findings are discussed with relevance to current and future applications of radiolabeled antibodies.

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of interferon-induced alterations of phospholipid metabolites in interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant Friend leukemia cell tumors in mice.

Adult DBA/2 mice were given injections s.c. with either interferon-sensitive (745) or -resistant (3Cl-8) Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC). After tumor nodules had developed, mouse interferon-alpha/beta was injected daily into the tumor. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy examinations were undertaken on freshly dissected tumors at different days of treatment with either interferon or control preparations. Analysis of 745 FLC tumors in untreated mice at different days of tumor growth (day 8 to 13 after tumor implantation) showed marked increases in the levels of phosphorylcholine (PCho), glycerophosphorylethanolamine (GroPEtn) and glycerophosphorylcholine (GroPCho). In contrast high levels of PCho, GroPEtn and GroPCho were already detectable in the 3Cl-8 FLC tumors on day 8, and no significant changes were observed during subsequent tumor growth. The intracellular pH value remained practically constant in both FLC tumors. Daily intratumoral administration of either partially purified (10(7) IU/mg of protein) or highly purified (10(9) IU/mg of protein) mouse interferon-alpha/beta to both cell tumors resulted in decreases in the levels of PCho, GroPEtn and GroPCho and in increases in the intracellular pH with respect to tumors treated with control preparations or left untreated. Two days of daily treatment of mice with interferon sufficed to induce these metabolic changes which preceded the appearance of necrosis in the tumors. Treatment of FLC tumors with X-rays on day 12 of tumor growth did not result in any comparable metabolic changes 2 days after irradiation. Changes in the levels of phospholipid metabolites were not observed when 745 or 3Cl-8 cells were cultivated in the presence of interferon. As interferon induced these changes in both interferon-sensitive and -resistant tumors we conclude that interferon treatment results in host-mediated effects on the biosynthesis and/or catabolism of tumor cell phospholipids.

Variation of radiation sensitivity of Friend erythroleukemia cells cultured in the presence of the differentiation inducer DMSO.

Differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells (FELC) was induced with 1.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the culture medium. Cell growth, erythroid differentiation, and radiosensitivity of the proliferative capacity of the cells were measured and compared to a noninduced control culture of identical age. Induced cells first appeared on Day 2 after DMSO addition, and increased to a maximum of 80 to 90% of the cell population on Day 5, whereas in the control culture, induction was less than 2% of the cells. Radiosensitivity of the cells in the induced culture, relative to that of cells in the control culture, showed an age-dependent variation. On Days 1 and 2 after DMSO addition, the cells in the induced culture were more radiosensitive than those in the control culture. At later times this relationship was reversed, and between Days 3 and 5 the clonable cells in the induced culture were less radiosensitive than those in the control culture. These results suggest that the metabolic events associated with commitment of FELC to differentiate affect their ability to cope with the radiation-induced lesions underlying the loss of division capacity.

The fate of cells with chromosome aberrations after total-body irradiation and bone marrow transplantation.

Cytogenetic studies were done on bone marrow cells and peripheral lymphocytes of four patients (three with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, one with aplastic anemia) at various intervals up to 861 days after total-body X irradiation (TBI) at doses between 4.5 and 10 Gy (450-1000 rad) followed by syngeneic or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Whereas no radiation-induced aberrations could be found in the bone marrow, apart from a transient finding in the patient with the lowest radiation dose, aberrant metaphases were seen in the peripheral lymphocytes of three patients in the range from 2.5 to 46% even at 861 days after the exposure. There were no demonstrable aberrations related to TBI in the only patient developing graft-versus-host disease. The dicentric yield as determined in the aberrant metaphases with 46 centromeres ranged between 3.4 +/- 1.3 and 4.9 +/- 0.4. In one patient it was demonstrated by BUdR-labeling that after 10 Gy (1000 rad) TBI the surviving and heavily damaged lymphocytes can go into cell cycle and reach at least the third mitosis. The percentage of aberrant cells diminished by about 25% at each mitotic division.