RESUMEN
Sustained virologic response (SVR) is the standard measure for evaluating response to therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the durability of SVR in the pivotal studies of peginterferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b or IFN α-2b. We conducted two phase 3b long-term follow-up studies of patients previously treated for CHC in eight prospective randomized studies of IFN α-2b and/or PEG-IFN α-2b. Patients who achieved SVR [undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA 24 weeks after completion of treatment] were eligible for inclusion in these follow-up studies. In total, 636 patients with SVR following treatment with IFN α-2b and 366 with SVR following treatment with PEG-IFN α-2b were enrolled. Definite relapse (quantifiable serum HCV RNA with no subsequent undetectable HCV RNA) was reported in six patients treated with IFN α-2b and three patients treated with PEG-IFN α-2b. Based on these relapses, the point estimate for the likelihood of maintaining response after 5 years was 99.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 98.1-99.7%] for IFN α-2b and 99.4% (95% CI, 97.7-99.9%) for PEG-IFN α-2b. Successful treatment of hepatitis C with PEG-IFN α-2b or IFN α-2b leads to clinical cure of hepatitis C in the vast majority of cases.
Asunto(s)
Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Interferón-alfa/uso terapéutico , Polietilenglicoles/uso terapéutico , Ribavirina/uso terapéutico , Quimioterapia Combinada , Estudios de Seguimiento , Hepacivirus/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Interferón alfa-2 , Estudios Prospectivos , ARN Viral/sangre , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapéutico , Recurrencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes cirrhosis in many infected patients; however, a better understanding of the risk factors for fibrosis progression in high HCV prevalence groups such as US veterans is needed. We wished to compare the demographic, clinical characteristics, and independent variables that influence fibrosis in US veterans vs nonveterans with chronic HCV. HCV-seropositive US veterans (n = 459) and nonveterans (n = 395) prospectively completed a detailed medical, social and occupational questionnaire. Clinical factors for progressive liver disease were compared between veterans and nonveterans and fibrosis stage assessed on liver biopsies (168 veterans and 208 nonveterans). Using polychotomous logistic regression, fibrosis was analysed as both a progressive and categorical outcome to determine independent risk factors for both patient groups. Although veterans were significantly older and had higher lifetime alcohol consumption than nonveterans, their median fibrosis scores did not differ from nonveterans. By univariate analysis, alanine aminotransferase, necroinflammatory activity (NIA), and cryoglobulin positivity were associated with fibrosis in veterans and nonveterans (P < 0.05, all comparisons), whereas steatosis was associated with fibrosis only in nonveterans (P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, NIA was an independent risk factor for fibrosis in both groups (P < 0.01). However, fibrosis in nonveterans was also independently associated with steatosis, significant alcohol consumption and age (P < 0.04, all comparisons). Independent risk factors for fibrosis vary among high HCV prevalence groups such as veterans when compared with nonveterans. Understanding specific patient cohort effects is important for determining independent risk factors for disease progression in chronic HCV infection.
Asunto(s)
Hepacivirus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Hepatitis C Crónica/epidemiología , Cirrosis Hepática/epidemiología , Veteranos , Adulto , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/efectos adversos , Biopsia , Estudios de Cohortes , Crioglobulinas/metabolismo , Femenino , Anticuerpos Antihepatitis/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/patología , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Histocitoquímica , Humanos , Iowa/epidemiología , Cirrosis Hepática/sangre , Cirrosis Hepática/patología , Cirrosis Hepática/virología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Estudios Prospectivos , ARN Viral/sangre , Factor Reumatoide/sangreRESUMEN
In previous hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment studies, Black patients not only had a lower sustained viral response (SVR) rate to interferon and ribavirin (RBV) than non-Black patients but also a higher frequency of HCV genotype 1 (GT-1) infection. The aim of this community-based study was to determine whether Black patients have a lower SVR rate independent of genotype. We prospectively enrolled 785 patients (24.8% Black, 71.5% White, 3.7% others) who received interferon alpha-2b 3 MU three times weekly + RBV 1000-1200 mg/day for 24 weeks (GT-2/3) or 48 weeks (GT-1). Black patients were more commonly infected with GT-1 (86.8%vs 64.8%, P < 0.001) and less frequently had an SVR compared with non-Black patients (8.4%vs 21.6%, P < 0.001). Within GT-1, Black patients had a lower SVR rate than non-Black patients (6.1%vs 14.1%, P = 0.004) but not within GT-2/3 (50.0%vs 36.5%, P = 0.47). Black patients had lower baseline haemoglobin levels (14.8 vs 15.3 g/dL, P < 0.001) and neutrophil counts (2900 vs 4100/mm(3), P < 0.001) and required more frequent dose reductions of RBV (29.8%vs 18.5%, P < 0.001) and interferon (4.7%vs 1.6%, P = 0.012). However, dose reductions were not associated with lower SVR rates while early treatment discontinuations were (2.9%vs 25.7%, P < 0.001). Independent predictors of SVR were GT-1 [odds ratio (OR) 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.55; P < 0.001], Black race (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.22-0.93; P = 0.030), and advanced fibrosis, stages 3 + 4 (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.31-0.92; P = 0.023). In conclusion, Black patients infected with HCV GT-1 (but not GT-2/3) have a lower SVR rate than non-Black patients. This is not explained by their lower baseline haemoglobin levels and neutrophil counts that lead to higher rates of ribavirin and interferon dose reductions.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Población Negra , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Interferón-alfa/administración & dosificación , Ribavirina/administración & dosificación , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Antivirales/efectos adversos , Biopsia , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Femenino , Genotipo , Hepatitis C Crónica/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Humanos , Interferón-alfa/efectos adversos , Cirrosis Hepática/patología , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Estudios Prospectivos , ARN Viral/sangre , Ribavirina/efectos adversos , Población BlancaRESUMEN
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HCV-low-density lipoprotein (LDL) complexes interact with the LDL receptor (LDLr) and the HCV envelope glycoprotein E2 interacts with CD81 in vitro. However, E2 interactions with LDLr and HCV interactions with CD81 have not been clearly described. Using sucrose gradient-purified low-density particles (1.03 to 1.07 g/cm(3)), intermediate-density particles (1. 12 to 1.18 g/cm(3)), recombinant E2 protein, or control proteins, we assessed binding to MOLT-4 cells, foreskin fibroblasts, or LDLr-deficient foreskin fibroblasts at 4 degrees C by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Viral entry was determined by measuring the coentry of alpha-sarcin, a protein synthesis inhibitor. We found that low-density HCV particles, but not intermediate-density HCV or controls bound to MOLT-4 cells and fibroblasts expressing the LDLr. Binding correlated with the extent of cellular LDLr expression and was inhibited by LDL but not by soluble CD81. In contrast, E2 binding was independent of LDLr expression and was inhibited by human soluble CD81 but not mouse soluble CD81 or LDL. Based on confocal microscopy, we found that low-density HCV particles and LDL colocalized on the cell surface. The addition of low-density HCV but not intermediate-density HCV particles to MOLT-4 cells allowed coentry of alpha-sarcin, indicating viral entry. The amount of viral entry also correlated with LDLr expression and was independent of the CD81 expression. Using a solid-phase immunoassay, recombinant E2 protein did not interact with LDL. Our data indicate that E2 binds CD81; however, virus particles utilize LDLr for binding and entry. The specific mechanism by which HCV particles interact with LDL or the LDLr remains unclear.
Asunto(s)
Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Proteínas Fúngicas , Hepacivirus/metabolismo , Hepacivirus/patogenicidad , Proteínas de la Membrana , Receptores de LDL/metabolismo , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/metabolismo , Animales , Línea Celular , Endorribonucleasas/metabolismo , Fibroblastos , Humanos , Ratones , Microscopía Confocal , Transporte de Proteínas , Tetraspanina 28 , Células Tumorales CultivadasRESUMEN
The influence of cryoprecipitate (CP) on liver histology and peripheral titers of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was evaluated for 115 patients with chronic hepatitis. Fifty-four patients had measurable CP levels whereas 61 did not. Assessment of liver biopsies for grade of fibrosis revealed that patients with CP had increased fibrosis (P <.001) and incidence of cirrhosis (P =.001) compared with those without CP. In contrast, there was not a significant difference in the inflammatory activity score between the 2 groups. HCV RNA in whole blood (WB) and plasma (Pl) was evaluated in patients with or without CP by end-point-limiting dilution titer. Among patients with CP, WB titers were significantly higher than Pl titers (P <.001); however, there was no difference in WB or Pl titers in patients without CP (P =.068). Histological activity and fibrosis scores of patients from either group were compared with peripheral viral titers of WB and Pl, percentage of CP, rheumatoid factor (RF) titer, and serum alanine transaminase (ALT). There were significant correlations between the amount of fibrosis and the percentage of CP and rheumatoid factor titer, yet neither of the latter parameters was correlated with inflammatory activity. These data suggest that patients with CP and chronic hepatitis owing to HCV are more likely to have progressive disease than patients without CP. Furthermore, the presence of CP in patients infected with HCV appears to influence the amount of virus detected in patient Pl, suggesting that WB assays may be more reliable for HCV-RNA quantitation in patients with CP.
Asunto(s)
Crioglobulinemia/complicaciones , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatitis C Crónica/complicaciones , Hígado/patología , ARN Viral/sangre , Adulto , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Femenino , Fibrosis , Hepatitis C Crónica/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Humanos , Hígado/virología , Cirrosis Hepática/etiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factor Reumatoide/sangreRESUMEN
We previously demonstrated that whole blood contains significantly more hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA than plasma. To validate the whole-blood-based HCV RNA detection method, a prospective comparison of HCV RNA detection in whole blood and plasma from 50 patients with chronic liver disease was undertaken. Whole-blood and plasma aliquots were independently tested for HCV RNA by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR assay, and plasma was tested by the Roche Amplicor assay. HCV RNA was detected in 35 of 50 (70%) whole-blood samples by RT-PCR but in only 26 of 50 (52%) plasma samples tested by the Amplicor assay (P < 0.01). HCV RNA was detected in 85% of HCV antibody-positive patients by the whole-blood method compared with 74% of plasma samples by the Amplicor method. The five HCV antibody-positive subjects who were negative by whole-blood-based RT-PCR assay were all receiving interferon therapy and had normal transaminases at the time of testing. HCV RNA was detected in 38% of HCV antibody-negative subjects by the whole-blood-based RT-PCR assay compared with 6.25% of these patients by the Amplicor assay (P < 0. 05). There were nine samples in which HCV RNA was detected in whole blood but the Amplicor test was negative. Eight of the nine RNAs prepared from these whole-blood samples tested positive in the Amplicor assay, thus confirming the specificity of our results. This study demonstrates that whole-blood-based HCV RNA detection is more sensitive than currently available commercial tests and that whole-blood RNA is suitable for use in commercial assays.
Asunto(s)
Hepacivirus/aislamiento & purificación , Anticuerpos contra la Hepatitis C/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/diagnóstico , ARN Viral/sangre , Clonación Molecular , Hepatitis C Crónica/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/terapia , Humanos , Interferones/uso terapéutico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa/métodosRESUMEN
GB virus type C (GBV-C) is a member of the hepacivirus genus within the Flaviviradae. Persistent GBV-C infection is common in humans, yet it remains unclear if GBV-C causes any disease. Although GBV-C infection has been associated with acute non-A to non-E post-transfusion hepatitis, it does not appear to cause chronic hepatitis. GBV-C is closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV), but indirect evidence suggests that it does not encode a core protein at the amino terminus of the open reading frame (ORF). This has led to speculation that GBV-C does not have a nucleocapsid. We evaluated the buoyant density of GBV-C, and found very low density particles consistent with virions, and intermediate density particles consistent with nucleocapsids in GBV-C-infected people. In addition, electron microscopy demonstrated an apparent nucleocapsid within an enveloped particle. Although these biophysical data strongly suggest that GBV-C utilizes a nucleocapsid, they do not indicate the origin of the protein content of this particle. To assess this, we evaluated patient plasma for reactivity with a synthetic oligopeptide representing a conserved region near the amino terminus of the predicted ORF. Specific antibody was detected in some individuals, similar to data of Feucht et al. who identified antibody against a recombinant core protein in GBV-C-infected people. These data indicate that GBV-C particles contain nucleocapsids. At least in some patients, the region upstream of the GBV-C E1 protein coding region appears to be expressed, and this region may represent the structural protein of the nucleocapsid.
Asunto(s)
Flaviviridae/química , Nucleocápside/análisis , Virión/química , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Secuencia de Bases , Flaviviridae/genética , Microscopía Electrónica , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , ARN Viral/análisisRESUMEN
Fifty-two patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were treated with standard doses of interferon alfa-2b. During treatment, HCV RNA detection was studied in samples of whole blood (WB), plasma (Pl), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Individuals were classified as sustained responders (SRs), complete responders with relapse (CRs), partial responders (PRs), or nonresponders (NRs) according to normalization of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) during treatment and follow-up. Before treatment, 100% of WB samples and more than 95% of Pl and PBMC samples were positive for HCV RNA. During treatment, there was progressive clearance of HCV RNA from Pl and PBMCs in SRs and CRs, but CRs had significantly more positive WB samples during and following treatment (P <.0001). At 6 months, only 10% of CR patients were positive by Pl assay, but 50% were positive by WB assay (P <.01). In the PR group, all WB samples remained positive throughout treatment, although 25% to 40% of PBMC and Pl samples became negative for HCV RNA during the first 2 months of therapy (WB > Pl or PBMC; P < .001). However, at later times during treatment most Pl and PBMC samples in the PR group were positive. Samples from the NR group showed no clearance of HCV RNA from WB, Pl, or PBMC fractions. These data document the increased sensitivity of WB assays for detecting HCV RNA in the peripheral blood of patients during interferon therapy. Furthermore, our findings suggest that WB analysis of HCV RNA may be a useful parameter to monitor in determining the end point of interferon therapy.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Hepacivirus/aislamiento & purificación , Hepatitis C Crónica/terapia , Interferón-alfa/uso terapéutico , ARN Viral/sangre , Adulto , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Genotipo , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatitis C Crónica/sangre , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Humanos , Interferón alfa-2 , Leucocitos Mononucleares/virología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proteínas Recombinantes , Recurrencia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Hepatitis G virus (HGV or GB-C virus) is a newly described virus that is closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Based on sequence analysis and by evaluation of translational initiation codon preferences utilized during in vitro translation, HGV appears to have a truncated or absent core protein at the amino terminus of the HGV polyprotein. Consequently, the biophysical properties of HGV may be very different from those of HCV. To characterize HGV particle types, we evaluated plasma from chronically infected individuals with and without concomitant HCV infection by using sucrose gradient centrifugation, isopycnic banding in cesium chloride, and saline density flotation centrifugation. Similar to HCV, HGV particles included an extremely-low-density virion particle (1.07 to 1.09 g/ml) and a nucleocapsid of approximately 1.18 g/ml. One major difference between the particle types was that HGV was consistently more stable in cesium chloride than HCV. Plasma samples from chronically HGV-infected individuals and controls were assessed by a synthetic peptide-based immunoassay to determine if they contained HGV antibody specific for a conserved region in the coding region upstream of the E1 protein. Chronically HGV-infected individuals contained antibody to the HGV core protein peptide, whereas no binding to a hepatitis A virus peptide control was observed. Competitive inhibition of binding to the HGV peptide confirmed the specificity of the assay. These data indicate that HGV has a nucleocapsid and that at least part of the putative core region of HGV is expressed in vivo.
Asunto(s)
Flaviviridae/genética , Hepatitis Viral Humana/virología , Nucleocápside/genética , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/genética , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Cesio , Cloruros , Cloroformo , Flaviviridae/inmunología , Flaviviridae/aislamiento & purificación , Expresión Génica , Hepatitis Viral Humana/sangre , Hepatitis Viral Humana/inmunología , Humanos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Proteínas de la Nucleocápside , ARN Viral/aislamiento & purificación , Cloruro de Sodio , ViriónRESUMEN
Previous experiments using a cationic surfactant to detect hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in whole blood (WB) suggested that WB was a more plentiful source of viral RNA than was plasma. The relative HCV RNA titers in WB, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), neutrophils, and red blood cells (RBC)/platelets from 10 patients with chronic HCV infection were compared. WB contained significantly more HCV RNA than plasma, which contained more HCV RNA than PBMC, neutrophils, or RBC/platelets (P < .001). To determine if this increased sensitivity was clinically relevant, results of WB and plasma HCV RNA assays were compared with commercial quantitative and qualitative plasma HCV RNA assay results obtained for patients receiving interferon therapy. WB was significantly more sensitive than commercial plasma reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for detecting HCV RNA (P < .005). These data indicate that a significant proportion of HCV RNA in peripheral blood is not identified by standard plasma RNA detection methods.
Asunto(s)
Células Sanguíneas/virología , Hepacivirus/genética , ARN Viral/sangre , Viremia/virología , HumanosRESUMEN
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in peripheral whole blood (WB) and plasma samples from 15 patients with chronic, unexplained hepatitis. These patients were serologically negative for hepatitis A, B, and C and were classified as having chronic non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (NANBNC). HCV RNA was repeatedly detected in WB samples from 10 (67%). In contrast, plasma samples from only 5 were intermittently positive. Statistically, HCV RNA detection in WB was significantly more sensitive than in plasma. Nucleic acid hybridization and HCV genotypic analysis confirmed the specificity of the HCV RNA assay. Liver biopsies from these patients suggested histopathologic differences between HCV RNA-positive and -negative groups. These data demonstrate that HCV infection is present in patients with unexplained chronic hepatitis more frequently than previously believed. Additionally, WB HCV RNA detection is more sensitive than plasma assays in identifying antibody-negative HCV infection.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos contra la Hepatitis C/sangre , Hepatitis C/virología , Hepatitis/virología , ARN Viral/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Enfermedad Crónica , Femenino , Humanos , Leucocitos/virología , Hígado/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reacción en Cadena de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or branched DNA signal amplification assays to be detected in patient samples. Although conventional methods of RNA isolation are employed for samples of serum, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whole blood is generally considered an unsuitable source of RNA because of abundant RNases and polymerase inhibitors. Using a cationic surfactant, Catrimox-14, we adapted a procedure for RNA isolation from whole blood, plasma, and PBMCs that yields RNA template suitable for HCV RT-PCR. RNA isolation required less than 2 hr, and HCV sequences were easily detected in sample volumes of 50 microliters whole blood or plasma, and in less than 1 x 10(4) PBMC. Following the addition of blood to Catrimox, HCV RNA was stable in the mixture when incubated for at least 7 days at room temperature prior to RNA extraction. Comparison of whole blood HCV RNA and plasma HCV RNA from individuals with chronic hepatitis suggests that HDV RNA can be more reliably detected in whole blood. Three of 15 HCV antibody positive patients (20%) had HCV RNA present in whole blood but simultaneously obtained plasma samples were negative. Two of the HCV antibody negative individuals with chronic hepatitis contained HCV RNA in whole blood, yet one of these patient's plasma was negative for viral RNA. The Catrimox-14 method of RNA purification is useful for detecting HCV RNA in whole blood and blood subfractions, and provides a practical method of measuring plasma and PBMC HCV RNA from clinical specimens.
Asunto(s)
Hepacivirus/aislamiento & purificación , Hepatitis C/virología , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Compuestos de Amonio Cuaternario/química , ARN Viral/análisis , Tensoactivos/química , Secuencia de Bases , Cartilla de ADN , ADN Viral/análisis , Hepatitis C/sangre , Humanos , Leucocitos Mononucleares/virología , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Plasma/virología , ARN Viral/sangre , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Transcripción Genética , Compuestos de TrimetilamonioRESUMEN
Lectin binding [concanavalin A, biotinylated ricinus communis agglutinin, and biotinylated succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (B-SWGA)] was used to detect the glycosylated proteins associated with a residual protein fraction [insoluble in 4% sodium dodecyl sulfate and termed the nuclear residual fraction (NRF)] or with nuclear matrix preparations from normal rat liver, azo dye (3'-MeDAB)-induced rat hepatoma, and Walker 256 transplantable carcinosarcoma. One- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were used with lectins, polyclonal antisera, and monoclonal antibody binding to characterize some of the glycoconjugates. Two polypeptide bands with approximate molecular weights of 95,000 and 55,000, shown previously to be present only in the induced tumor cells and the Walker 256 tumor, were reactive with lectins. In addition, a Mr 62,000 protein reacted only with B-SWGA in the nuclear matrix fractions from normal rat liver and the induced hepatoma. A polypeptide band (approximate molecular weight, 213,000) in the Walker 256 NRF reacted with concanavalin A and biotinylated ricinus communis agglutinin. One polypeptide band (approximate molecular weight, 182,000) reacted with concanavalin A in all three tissues, with biotinylated ricinus communis agglutinin and B-SWGA in the Walker NRF, and with B-SWGA in the hepatoma NRF. Another polypeptide band (approximate molecular weight, 138,000), reactive with all three lectins, was present in all three tissues. Our findings are consistent with previous reports of lectin binding proteins in the eukaryotic cell nucleus and indicate that certain glycoproteins isolated in nuclear preparations are found specifically in 3'-MeDAB-induced hepatoma and Walker 256 transplantable carcinosarcoma.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma 256 de Walker/metabolismo , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , Proteínas Nucleares/metabolismo , Lectinas de Plantas , Animales , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Núcleo Celular/ultraestructura , Punto Isoeléctrico , Lectinas/metabolismo , Peso Molecular , Ratas , Receptores de Concanavalina A/metabolismo , Aglutininas del Germen de Trigo/metabolismoRESUMEN
When Novikoff hepatoma-bearing rats were given injections of a therapeutic dose of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) (7 mg/kg), DNA-protein cross-links could be detected by using antisera to dehistonized chromatin, nuclear matrix, or Novikoff hepatoma cytoskeletal preparation. The extent of cross-linking increased in time up to 24 h after the injection, after which time the DNA-protein cross-links were gradually repaired, with no cross-links detectable at 72 h. trans-DDP in equitoxic (40 mg/kg) dose was very efficient in forming DNA-protein cross-links. Although formed more rapidly, these trans-DDP-mediated cross-links were repaired faster, within 48 h after the injection. The repair of cross-links at equimolar trans-DDP dose (7 mg/kg) was even more rapid. The principal proteins cross-linked to the DNA by both cis- or trans-DDP were Novikoff hepatoma cytokeratins (Mr 39,000, 49,000, 56,000, and an additional protein band reacting with the antiserum to Novikoff hepatoma cytoskeletal preparation at Mr approximately 68,000).
Asunto(s)
Cisplatino/farmacología , Reactivos de Enlaces Cruzados/farmacología , ADN/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo , Animales , Reparación del ADN , Queratinas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/metabolismo , Masculino , Peso Molecular , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas , EstereoisomerismoRESUMEN
Crosslinking of proteins to DNA was studied in live intact Novikoff ascites hepatoma cells exposed in vitro to salts of chromium VI, III, and II, nickel II, cadmium II, and to CoCl2, As2O3, and AlK(SO4)2. DNA-protein complexes were separated by high-speed centrifugation of cells solubilized in buffered 4% sodium dodecyl sulfate and assayed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hexavalent chromium compounds formed DNA-protein complexes very efficiently. The trivalent, poorly soluble, cupric chromite was nearly as efficient crosslinker as hexavalent Cr, perhaps because phagocytosis facilitated its entry into the cells. The more basic divalent form produced hardly any crosslinks. Most of the crosslinked proteins were common to all of the chromium salts employed. Nickel salts formed DNA-protein crosslinks less efficiently. Most proteins crosslinked by this metal had a high molecular weight ranging from 94,000 to 200,000. There was little qualitative difference between the crosslinked protein patterns for several various nickel (II) salts. Similar results were obtained for cells incubated with cadmium salts. Most of the proteins crosslinked by cadmium had high molecular weights and were similar to those crosslinked by nickel (II). Relatively weak, but significant, crosslinking was also observed when the Novikoff hepatoma cells were exposed to CoCl2, As2O3, or AlK(SO4)2.
Asunto(s)
Reactivos de Enlaces Cruzados , ADN de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/metabolismo , Metales/farmacología , Proteínas de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Aluminio/farmacología , Animales , Arsénico/farmacología , Cadmio/farmacología , Cromo/farmacología , Cobalto/farmacología , Masculino , Níquel/farmacología , Unión Proteica/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Ratas EndogámicasRESUMEN
Cytoplasmic poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from normal rat liver and Novikoff ascites hepatoma cells, translated in vitro using rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and the translational products were assayed by immunoprecipitation with antibodies specific for Novikoff hepatoma principal cytokeratins p39, p49 (a group of hepatic cytokeratins C, D, and E) and p56. The identity of the precipitated antigens was further confirmed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Only the Novikoff hepatoma poly(A)+ RNA contained translatable mRNA coding for the p39 cytokeratin while the p49 and p56 cytokeratins were translated from both the normal rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma poly(A)+ RNAs. Immunoprecipitations employing monoclonal antibody specific for p39 also recovered significant quantities of p56 and 49K cytokeratins, presumably due to oligomeric associations of these proteins with p39 immediately after in vitro synthesis. Similar results were observed after experiments with anti-p56 monoclonal antibody in which p39, not reactive with this antibody, was recovered in immunoprecipitates. Overall, the two-dimensional gel fluorograms of cytokeratins synthesized in vitro from NAH or liver poly(A)+ RNA are quite similar to isolated antigenic and cytokeratin profiles reported previously. These results suggest that overt posttranslational processing is not likely responsible for the diversity of cytokeratins observed in the liver.
Asunto(s)
Queratinas/biosíntesis , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , Poli A/metabolismo , Biosíntesis de Proteínas , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Animales , Sistema Libre de Células , Citoplasma/análisis , Inmunoelectroforesis , Queratinas/inmunología , Proteínas de Neoplasias/biosíntesis , Proteínas de Neoplasias/inmunología , Poli A/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Mensajero/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Neoplásico/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Neoplásico/metabolismo , Conejos , RatasRESUMEN
Cross-linking of proteins to DNA in live, intact Novikoff ascites hepatoma cells exposed in vitro to different concentrations of CuSO4, Pb(NO3)2, HgCl2, and AlCl3 was studied. Protein-DNA complexes were separated by high-speed centrifugation of cells solubilized in buffered 4% sodium dodecyl sulfate and assayed by electrophoretic separation of proteins associated with the DNA-containing pellets. Concentration dependence experiments showed that the optimal cross-linking occurred at metal concentration of 0.5 mM for CuSO4, HgCl2, and AlCl3 while the optimal cross-linking for Pb(NO3)2 was at 5 mM. For some metals at concentrations higher than optimal, the amounts of cross-linked proteins decreased significantly. Immunochemical analysis of the cross-linked proteins using antibodies to matrix, chromatin, lamins, and cytokeratin fractions demonstrated that some, but not all, members of these protein families became cross-linked to the DNA. Each metal exhibited a cross-linking pattern of its own, different from those of the other metals. Radioactive labeling experiments showed that all the metals tested became associated with the DNA-protein pellets within 1 h after their addition to the incubation medium. However, hexavalent chromium required more than 2 h before appearing in the DNA-protein pellets in significant amounts.
Asunto(s)
Compuestos de Aluminio , Aluminio/farmacología , Cloruros , Cobre/farmacología , ADN/metabolismo , Plomo/farmacología , Cloruro de Mercurio/farmacología , Nitratos/farmacología , Proteínas/metabolismo , Cloruro de Aluminio , Animales , Sulfato de Cobre , Electroforesis en Gel de Poliacrilamida , Técnicas de Inmunoadsorción , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/metabolismo , Masculino , Peso Molecular , Ratas , Ratas EndogámicasRESUMEN
The in vivo cross-linking of cytokeratins to DNA in intact Novikoff ascites hepatoma cells exposed to the chromium salt K2CrO4 and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) was studied. Cytokeratin-DNA complexes were obtained by high-speed centrifugation of cells solubilized in buffered 4% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The cytokeratins were identified electrophoretically and immunologically by use of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Time dependence experiments showed that detectable cross-linking occurred after cells were exposed to K2CrO4 for at least 4 h, and the amount of keratin-DNA complexes increased with the incubation time. Each of the three Novikoff ascites hepatoma cytokeratins (p39, p49, and p56) showed a different apparent rate of cross-link formation with DNA. Cytokeratin-DNA complexes were detectable in our system only with K2CrO4 concentrations of 200 microM or greater, and saturation in cross-linking was effected at approximately 2 mM. Higher K2CrO4 concentrations (up to 5 mM) did not produce further significant increases in the amount of cross-linked cytokeratins. Chromium and cis-DDP cross-linked the same cytokeratins at approximately the same ratios; however, both agents cross-linked the major cytokeratins selectively, since not all cytokeratins present in Novikoff hepatoma cell lysates could be cross-linked to DNA. Further evidence of DNA-cytokeratin complexes was obtained by CsCl gradient centrifugation. Our results document the ability of chromate and cis-DDP to produce DNA-cytokeratin cross-links in vivo and show that in live Novikoff hepatoma cells some, but not all, of the components of intermediate filaments are within cross-linking distance of DNA.
Asunto(s)
Cromatos/farmacología , Cisplatino/farmacología , ADN de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Queratinas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/metabolismo , Compuestos de Potasio , Animales , Reactivos de Enlaces Cruzados , ADN de Neoplasias/aislamiento & purificación , Queratinas/aislamiento & purificación , Cinética , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas EndogámicasRESUMEN
Monoclonal or affinity-purified antibodies specific to Novikoff hepatoma cytokeratin p39 were employed to study the origin and fate of p39-containing cell types during hepatocarcinogenesis induced with N,N-dimethyl-p(m-tolylazo)aniline. Frozen sections were obtained from the livers of animals autopsied temporally during carcinogen feeding and were assayed immunohistochemically. In normal, untreated liver or in liver from animals fed the hepatotoxin alpha-naphthyl-isothiocyanate, the localization of p39 was restricted to bile duct epithelial cells while hepatocytes were non-reactive. However, during carcinogen treatment we observed a sequential appearance of immunoreactive cells which were similar morphologically to the classical 'oval' cells of hepatocarcinogenesis; eventually these cell types were enriched around the preneoplastic hepatocyte nodules. Occasional transformed hepatocytes within the nodules exhibited strong immunoreactivity. In the later stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, these antibodies stained the epithelial cells in areas of severe adenosis as well as the neoplastic epithelial cells of cholangiomas and some, but not all, hepatocellular carcinomas. Our results document the presence of p39 in the 'oval' cells of hepatocarcinogenesis and indicate that some populations of transformed hepatocytes exhibit this cytokeratin after transformation.
Asunto(s)
Queratinas/análisis , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/análisis , Hígado/análisis , Animales , Compuestos Azo/toxicidad , Histocitoquímica , Técnicas para Inmunoenzimas , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/inducido químicamente , Neoplasias Hepáticas Experimentales/patología , Masculino , Metildimetilaminoazobenceno , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas F344RESUMEN
We have investigated the structure of solubilized cytokeratins from Novikoff ascites hepatoma using the cleavable cross-linker 3,3'-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate) in the presence of 6 M urea to effect partial complex melting. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, in which the protein cross-links were broken in the second dimension, we have identified two major complexes as a p39-p56 dimer and a (p39-p56)2 tetramer, p39 and p56 being two of the major cytokeratins in Novikoff ascites hepatoma. Experiments investigating possible relationships between the dimer and tetramer employed immunoblots and two monoclonal antibodies which recognized either p56 or p39 cytokeratins. When very low protein concentrations were cross-linked, the dimer was the predominant product. As protein concentration increased, we noted a decrease in dimers and a corresponding increase in tetramers, suggesting that the dimer may be a precursor to the tetramer. In support of the cross-linking experiments, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using 4 M urea in the first dimension indicated a predominant association of p56 and p39 in the Novikoff ascites hepatoma cytokeratin complexes.