Interferon-alpha, but not the ABL-kinase inhibitor imatinib (STI571), induces expression of myeloblastin and a specific T-cell response in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal disease of hematopoietic stem cells caused by a reciprocal translocation of the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22. In human leukocyte antigen A*0201(+) (HLA-A*0201(+)) individuals, response after interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) was shown to be associated with the emergence of CML-specific cytotoxic T cells that recognize PR-1, a myeloblastin (MBN)-derived nonapeptide. In contrast, imatinib potently induces remissions from CML by specific inhibition of the ABL tyrosine kinase.

Molecular characterization of breast cancer cell lines by expression profiling.

Purpose: Gene expression patterns provide detailed insights into cellular regulation that reflect minor differences of cellular capacity not accessible by standard descriptions of the cellular phenotype or origin.

Methods: To identify fundamental differences and similarities we analyzed the gene expression patterns of four breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7, SK-BR-3, T-47D, and BT-474.

Results: Although only a small subset of genes (597) is represented on the Atlas-cDNA-Array (Clontech) used, clear differences in the expression of a number of genes could be detected.

[Nitric oxide synthase in neuroepithelial brain tumors].

Immunohistochemical investigation of NO-synthase in brain astrocytic tumors revealed intense reaction in many tumor cells as well as direct correlation in the intensity of reaction and the degree of tumor anaplasia. Grade I astrocytomas did not show immunoreactivity in contrast to high anaplastic tumors where many cells had positive reaction with a different degree of intensity. Positive immunoreaction was shown in many giant cells.

[Interneuronal interrelationships in autonomic ganglia (the ultrastructural aspects)].

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical results of studies on interneuronal relationship in vegetative ganglia were represented. Age-related changes of synapses (appearance of synaptic type vesicles and smooth endoplasmic reticulum cisterns in postsynaptic terminals), peculiarities of interneuronal links in neurons containing neuropeptide Y and NO-synthase and structural manifestations of non-synaptic interneuronal links were shown. Modern views on interneuronal communications were discussed.