Kari Alitalo

Bio: Kari Alitalo is an academic researcher from University of Helsinki. The author has contributed to research in topics: Angiogenesis & Vascular endothelial growth factor C. The author has an hindex of 174, co-authored 817 publications receiving 114231 citations. Previous affiliations of Kari Alitalo include Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto & Cornell University.

The Bmx tyrosine kinase is activated by IL-3 and G-CSF in a PI-3K dependent manner.

Abstract: Cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases play crucial roles in signaling via a variety of cell surface receptors. The Bmx tyrosine kinase, a member of the Tec family, is expressed in hematopoietic cells of the granulocytic and monocytic lineages. Here we show that Bmx is catalytically activated by interleukin-3 (IL-3) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptors. Activation of Bmx required phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) as demonstrated by the ability of PI-3K inhibitors to block the activation signal. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged Bmx was translocated to cellular membranes upon co-expression of a constitutively active form of PI-3K, further indicating a role for PI-3K in signaling upstream of Bmx. The expression of wild type Bmx in 32D myeloid progenitor cells resulted in apoptosis in the presence of G-CSF, while cells expressing a kinase dead mutant of Bmx differentiated into mature granulocytes. However, Bmx did not modulate IL-3-dependent proliferation of the cells. These results demonstrate distinct effects of Bmx in cytokine induced proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells, and suggest that the stage specific expression of Bmx is critical for the differentiation of myeloid cells.

BMX tyrosine kinase gene is expressed in granulocytes and myeloid leukaemias.

Abstract: The growth and maturation of haemopoietic cells is regulated by signal transduction through tyrosine protein kinases. Recently, a novel cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase gene in chromosome X, called Bmx, was identified in human bone marrow RNA. Bmx belongs to a subfamily of tyrosine kinases which are expressed in various haemopoietic cell lineages. We studied Bmx expression using RT-PCR of RNA from fractionated peripheral blood leucocytes, progenitor-enriched fractions of cord blood and from bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from leukaemia patients. Bmx was strongly expressed in haemopoietic tissues and enhanced in neutrophilic granulocytes. Bmx mRNA was also found in CD34-positive progenitor cells from cord blood. All samples (10/10) of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and (4/4) with chronic myeloid leukaemia showed expression of Bmx. In contrast, none of the samples of acute lymphoid leukaemia (0/8) and only one out of six samples of chronic lymphoid leukaemia expressed Bmx. In conclusion, Bmx expression seems to be associated with myelopoiesis.

Blocking Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor signaling inhibits tumor growth, lymphangiogenesis, and metastasis.

Abstract: Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor (FGFR) activity plays crucial roles in tumor growth and patient survival. However, FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) signaling as a target for cancer therapy has been under-investigated compared to other receptor tyrosine kinases. Here, we studied the effect of FGFR signaling inhibition on tumor growth, metastasis and lymphangiogenesis by expressing a dominant negative FGFR (FGFR-2DN) in an orthotopic mouse mammary 66c14 carcinoma model. We show that FGFR-2DN-expressing 66c14 cells proliferate in vitro slower than controls. 66c14 tumor outgrowth and lung metastatic foci are reduced in mice implanted with FGFR-2DN-expressing cells, which also exhibited better overall survival. We found 66c14 cells in the lumen of tumor lymphatic vessels and in lymph nodes. FGFR-2DN-expressing tumors exhibited a decrease in VEGFR-3 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3) or podoplanin-positive lymphatic vessels, an increase in isolated intratumoral lymphatic endothelial cells and a reduction in VEGF-C (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C) mRNA expression. FGFs may act in an autocrine manner as the inhibition of FGFR signaling in tumor cells suppresses VEGF-C expression in a COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) or HIF1-α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α) independent manner. FGFs may also act in a paracrine manner on tumor lymphatics by inducing expression of pro-lymphangiogenic molecules such as VEGFR-3, integrin α9, prox1 and netrin-1. Finally, in vitro lymphangiogenesis is impeded in the presence of FGFR-2DN 66c14 cells. These data confirm that both FGF and VEGF signaling are necessary for the maintenance of vascular morphogenesis and provide evidence that targeting FGFR signaling may be an interesting approach to inhibit tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastatic spread.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Inflammation and cancer

Abstract: Recent data have expanded the concept that inflammation is a critical component of tumour progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration. In addition, tumour cells have co-opted some of the signalling molecules of the innate immune system, such as selectins, chemokines and their receptors for invasion, migration and metastasis. These insights are fostering new anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches to cancer development.

Human breast cancer: correlation of relapse and survival with amplification of the HER-2/neu oncogene

Abstract: The HER-2/neu oncogene is a member of the erbB-like oncogene family, and is related to, but distinct from, the epidermal growth factor receptor. This gene has been shown to be amplified in human breast cancer cell lines. In the current study, alterations of the gene in 189 primary human breast cancers were investigated. HER-2/neu was found to be amplified from 2- to greater than 20-fold in 30% of the tumors. Correlation of gene amplification with several disease parameters was evaluated. Amplification of the HER-2/neu gene was a significant predictor of both overall survival and time to relapse in patients with breast cancer. It retained its significance even when adjustments were made for other known prognostic factors. Moreover, HER-2/neu amplification had greater prognostic value than most currently used prognostic factors, including hormonal-receptor status, in lymph node-positive disease. These data indicate that this gene may play a role in the biologic behavior and/or pathogenesis of human breast cancer.