Showing papers on "Cell culture published in 2004"

A distinct "side population" of cells with high drug efflux capacity in human tumor cells.

Abstract: A subset of stem cells, termed the “side population” (SP), has been identified in several tissues in mammalian species. These cells maintain a high efflux capability for antimitotic drugs. We have investigated whether functionally equivalent stem cells also may be detected in human cancers. We initially examined primary tumor cells from 23 patients with neuroblastoma and cell lines derived from a range of other tumors. A distinct SP was found in neuroblastoma cells from 15 of 23 patients (65%). The SP was capable of sustained expansion ex vivo and showed evidence for asymmetric division, generating both SP and non-SP progeny. These cells also expressed high levels of ABCG2 and ABCA3 transporter genes and had a greater capacity to expel cytotoxic drugs, such as mitoxantrone, resulting in better survival. A SP also was detected in breast cancer, lung cancer, and glioblastoma cell lines, suggesting that this phenotype defines a class of cancer stem cells with inherently high resistance to chemotherapeutic agents that should be targeted during the treatment of malignant disease.

Capturing and profiling adult hair follicle stem cells

Abstract: The hair follicle bulge possesses putative epithelial stem cells. Characterization of these cells has been hampered by the inability to target bulge cells genetically. Here, we use a Keratin1-15 (Krt1-15, also known as K15) promoter to target mouse bulge cells with an inducible Cre recombinase construct or with the gene encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), which allow for lineage analysis and for isolation of the cells. We show that bulge cells in adult mice generate all epithelial cell types within the intact follicle and hair during normal hair follicle cycling. After isolation, adult Krt1-15-EGFP-positive cells reconstituted all components of the cutaneous epithelium and had a higher proliferative potential than Krt1-15-EGFP-negative cells. Genetic profiling of hair follicle stem cells revealed several known and unknown receptors and signaling pathways important for maintaining the stem cell phenotype. Ultimately, these findings provide potential targets for the treatment of hair loss and other disorders of skin and hair.

Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes

Abstract: A method for inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation of a hES cell, the method comprising co-culturing the hES cell with a cell excreting at least one cardiomyocyte differentiation inducing factor or with an extracellular medium therefrom, under conditions that induce differentiation, cells and cell populations so produced, and uses of the cells.

A Toll-like Receptor That Prevents Infection by Uropathogenic Bacteria

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize molecular patterns displayed by microorganisms, and their subsequent activation leads to the transcription of appropriate host-defense genes. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a member of the mammalian TLR family, TLR11, that displays a distinct pattern of expression in macrophages and liver, kidney, and bladder epithelial cells. Cells expressing TLR11 fail to respond to known TLR ligands but instead respond specifically to uropathogenic bacteria. Mice lacking TLR11 are highly susceptible to infection of the kidneys by uropathogenic bacteria, indicating a potentially important role for TLR11 in preventing infection of internal organs of the urogenital system.

DJ-1 has a role in antioxidative stress to prevent cell death.

Abstract: Deletion and point (L166P) mutations of DJ-1 have recently been shown to be responsible for the onset of familial Parkinson's disease (PD, PARK7). The aim of this study was to determine the role of DJ-1 in PD. We first found that DJ-1 eliminated hydrogen peroxide in vitro by oxidizing itself. We then found that DJ-1 knockdown by short interfering RNA rendered SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells susceptible to hydrogen peroxide-, MPP+- or 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death and that cells harbouring mutant forms of DJ-1, including L166P, became susceptible to death in parallel with the loss of oxidized forms of DJ-1. These results clearly showed that DJ-1 has a role in the antioxidative stress reaction and that mutations of DJ-1 lead to cell death, which is observed in PD.

Replication of Norovirus in Cell Culture Reveals a Tropism for Dendritic Cells and Macrophages

Abstract: Noroviruses are understudied because these important enteric pathogens have not been cultured to date. We found that the norovirus murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1) infects macrophage-like cells in vivo and replicates in cultured primary dendritic cells and macrophages. MNV-1 growth was inhibited by the interferon-alphabeta receptor and STAT-1, and was associated with extensive rearrangements of intracellular membranes. An amino acid substitution in the capsid protein of serially passaged MNV-1 was associated with virulence attenuation in vivo. This is the first report of replication of a norovirus in cell culture. The capacity of MNV-1 to replicate in a STAT-1-regulated fashion and the unexpected tropism of a norovirus for cells of the hematopoietic lineage provide important insights into norovirus biology.

Energy Substrate Modulates Mitochondrial Structure and Oxidative Capacity in Cancer Cells

Abstract: Comparative analysis of cytoplasmic organelles in a variety of tumors relative to normal tissues generally reveals a strong diminution in mitochondrial content and in oxidative phosphorylation capacity. However, little is known about what triggers these modifications and whether or not they are physiologically reversible. We hypothesized that energy substrate availability could play an important role in this phenomenon. The physiological effects of a change in substrate availability were examined on a human cancer cell line (HeLa), focusing specifically on its ability to use glycolysis versus oxidative phosphorylation, and the effect that energy substrate type has on mitochondrial composition, structure, and function. Changes in oxidative phosphorylation were measured in vivo by a variety of techniques, including the use of two novel ratiometric green fluorescent protein biosensors, the expression level of oxidative phosphorylation and some glycolytic enzymes were determined by Western blot, mitochondrial DNA content was measured by real-time PCR, and mitochondrial morphology was monitored by both confocal and electron microscopy. Our data show that the defective mitochondrial system described in cancer cells can be dramatically improved by solely changing substrate availability and that HeLa cells can adapt their mitochondrial network structurally and functionally to derive energy by glutaminolysis only. This could also provide an explanation for the enhancement of oxidative phosphorylation capacity observed after tumor regression or removal. Our work demonstrates that the pleomorphic, highly dynamic structure of the mitochondrion can be remodeled to accommodate a change in oxidative phosphorylation activity. We compared our finding on HeLa cells with those for nontransformed fibroblasts to help distinguish the regulatory pathways.

S6K1(-/-)/S6K2(-/-) mice exhibit perinatal lethality and rapamycin-sensitive 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine mRNA translation and reveal a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent S6 kinase pathway.

Abstract: Recent studies showed that the 40S ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) p70S6K/p85S6K, termed S6K1 (51), is a major effector of cell growth. This conclusion stems from gene deletion studies with Drosophila (39) and with mice (51) as well as recent studies with cell cultures (11). The loss of the Drosophila S6K (dS6K) gene is semilethal, with the few surviving adults having a severely reduced body size. The larvae of such flies exhibit a long developmental delay, consistent with a twofold increase in cell cycle doubling times. The few surviving adults are quite lethargic, living no longer than 2 weeks, and females are sterile. Surprisingly, the reduction in mass is strictly due to a decrease in cell size rather than to a decrease in cell number (39). In mice, removal of this kinase is not lethal, but the mice are approximately 20% smaller at birth (51). Such mice exhibit normal fasting glucose levels but are mildly glucose intolerant due to markedly reduced levels of circulating insulin (42). Reduced insulin levels are caused by a reduction in pancreatic endocrine mass and an impairment of insulin secretion, which can be traced to a selective reduction in β-cell size. Unexpectedly, the effects on body mass and hypoinsulinemia do not appear to be attributable to a reduction in S6 phosphorylation, as this response proved to be largely intact in S6K1-deficient animals (51). However, S6 phosphorylation in such animals was still sensitive to the bacterial macrolide rapamycin (51), which inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (1, 7, 16, 48), the upstream S6K1 kinase (4, 8, 18), suggesting the existence of a second S6K. Subsequent searches of expressed sequence tag databases and biochemical studies led to the identification of S6K2, which exhibited overall homology of over 80% with S6K1 in the highly conserved kinase and linker domains (17, 47, 51). In all tissues examined from S6K1-deficient mice, S6K2 transcripts were upregulated (51). From this observation, it was reasoned that S6K1 and S6K2 functions were redundant and that a deletion of the S6K1 gene led to a compensatory increase in the expression of S6K2. In parallel studies, it was demonstrated that rapamycin suppressed the serum-induced translational upregulation of a family of mRNAs which contain a polypyrimidine tract at their 5′ end (5′-terminal oligopyrimidine [5′TOP] mRNAs) (20, 55). These mRNAs largely code for components of the translational apparatus, most notably, ribosomal proteins (37). Earlier studies had shown that the translation of such transcripts is under selective translational control (22) and requires an intact 5′TOP tract (19, 49). In addition, a dominant interfering allele of S6K1 inhibited the mitogen-induced translational upregulation of 5′TOP mRNAs to the same extent as rapamycin, whereas an activated allele of S6K1, which exhibits a substantial degree of rapamycin resistance, largely protected these transcripts from the inhibitory effects of rapamycin (19, 49). Seemingly consistent with these arguments, in embryonic stem (ES) cells from which S6K1 had been homologously deleted by selection with high doses of G418, serum no longer had an effect on the upregulation of 5′TOP mRNAs, nor was there a redistribution of 5′TOP mRNAs from polysomes to nonpolysomes in the presence of rapamycin (24). However, S6 phosphorylation was initially reported to be abolished in these cells (24), despite the fact that it was largely intact in cells and tissues derived from S6K1−/− mice (51). This difference seemed to be resolved in subsequent studies, where S6 phosphorylation was detected in these same S6K1−/− ES cells and S6K2 was present and active (31, 60). Despite these observations, it was again recently reported that S6 phosphorylation was absent from these same cells (53). Furthermore, it was also claimed in the latter study that S6K activation, S6 phosphorylation, and rapamycin had little impact on 5′TOP mRNA translation in PC12 cells (53), although others working with these same cells had reported earlier that rapamycin treatment abolished the selective recruitment of these transcripts from small to large polysomes (44). Obviously, cells lacking both S6K1 and S6K2 would facilitate such studies. Therefore, we set out to delete the S6K2 gene from mice and to determine whether we could generate S6K1−/−/S6K2−/− mice. Here we report on the deletion of the S6K2 gene and the effects of deleting both S6K1 and S6K2 on animal growth and viability as well as on S6 phosphorylation, cell proliferation, and 5′TOP mRNA translation.

Establishment of FUT8 knockout Chinese hamster ovary cells: an ideal host cell line for producing completely defucosylated antibodies with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Abstract: To generate industrially applicable new host cell lines for antibody production with optimizing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) we disrupted both FUT8 alleles in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)/DG44 cell line by sequential homologous recombination. FUT8 encodes an alpha-1,6-fucosyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of fucose from GDP-fucose to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in an alpha-1,6 linkage. FUT8(-/-) cell lines have morphology and growth kinetics similar to those of the parent, and produce completely defucosylated recombinant antibodies. FUT8(-/-)-produced chimeric anti-CD20 IgG1 shows the same level of antigen-binding activity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) as the FUT8(+/+)-produced, comparable antibody, Rituxan. In contrast, FUT8(-/-)-produced anti-CD20 IgG1 strongly binds to human Fcgamma-receptor IIIa (FcgammaRIIIa) and dramatically enhances ADCC to approximately 100-fold that of Rituxan. Our results demonstrate that FUT8(-/-) cells are ideal host cell lines to stably produce completely defucosylated high-ADCC antibodies with fixed quality and efficacy for therapeutic use.

Gain of Virulence Caused by Loss of a Gene in Murine Cytomegalovirus

Abstract: Mouse strains are either resistant or susceptible to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Resistance is determined by the Cmv1r (Ly49h) gene, which encodes the Ly49H NK cell activation receptor. The protein encoded by the m157 gene of MCMV has been defined as a ligand for Ly49H. To find out whether the m157 protein is the only Ly49H ligand encoded by MCMV, we constructed the m157 deletion mutant and a revertant virus. Viruses were tested for susceptibility to NK cell control in Ly49H+ and Ly49H− mouse strains. Deletion of the m157 gene abolished the viral activation of Ly49H+ NK cells, resulting in higher virus virulence in vivo. Thus, in the absence of m157, Ly49H+ mice react like susceptible strains. 129/SvJ mice lack the Ly49H activation NK cell receptor but express the inhibitory Ly49I NK cell receptor that binds to the m157 protein. The Δm157 inhibitory phenotype was weak because MCMV encodes a number of proteins that mediate NK inhibition, whose contribution could be shown by another mutant.

Immortalization of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells in the Absence of Viral Oncoproteins

Abstract: By expressing two genes ( hTERT and Cdk4 ), we have developed a method to reproducibly generate continuously replicating human bronchial epithelial cell (HBEC) lines that provide a novel resource to study the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer and the differentiation of bronchial epithelial cells. Twelve human bronchial epithelial biopsy specimens obtained from persons with and without lung cancer were placed into short-term culture and serially transfected with retroviral constructs containing cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 4 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), resulting in continuously growing cultures. The order of introduction of Cdk4 and hTERT did not appear to be important; however, transfection of either gene alone did not result in immortalization. Although they could be cloned, the immortalized bronchial cells did not form colonies in soft agar or tumors in nude mice. The immortalized HBECs have epithelial morphology; express epithelial markers cytokeratins 7, 14, 17, and 19, the stem cell marker p63, and high levels of p16 INK4a ; and have an intact p53 checkpoint pathway. Cytogenetic analysis and array comparative genomic hybridization profiling show immortalized HBECs to have duplication of parts of chromosomes 5 and 20. Microarray gene expression profiling demonstrates that the Cdk4/hTERT-immortalized bronchial cell lines clustered together and with nonimmortalized bronchial cells, distinct from lung cancer cell lines. We also immortalized several parental cultures with viral oncoproteins human papilloma virus type 16 E6/E7 with and without hTERT, and these cells exhibited loss of the p53 checkpoint and significantly different gene expression profiles compared with Cdk4/hTERT-immortalized HBECs. These HBEC lines are a valuable new tool for studying of the pathogenesis of lung cancer.

HMGB1 is an endogenous immune adjuvant released by necrotic cells

Abstract: Immune responses against pathogens require that microbial components promote the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Autoimmune diseases and graft rejections occur in the absence of pathogens; in these conditions, endogenous molecules, the so-called 'innate adjuvants', activate APCs. Necrotic cells contain and release innate adjuvants; necrotic cells also release high-mobility group B1 protein (HMGB1), an abundant and conserved constituent of vertebrate nuclei. Here, we show that necrotic HMGB1(-/-) cells have a reduced ability to activate APCs, and HMGB1 blockade reduces the activation induced by necrotic wild-type cell supernatants. In vivo, HMGB1 enhances the primary antibody responses to soluble antigens and transforms poorly immunogenic apoptotic lymphoma cells into efficient vaccines.

Plant cell cultures for the production of recombinant proteins

Abstract: The use of whole plants for the synthesis of recombinant proteins has received a great deal of attention recently because of advantages in economy, scalability and safety compared with traditional microbial and mammalian production systems. However, production systems that use whole plants lack several of the intrinsic benefits of cultured cells, including the precise control over growth conditions, batch-to-batch product consistency, a high level of containment and the ability to produce recombinant proteins in compliance with good manufacturing practice. Plant cell cultures combine the merits of whole-plant systems with those of microbial and animal cell cultures, and already have an established track record for the production of valuable therapeutic secondary metabolites. Although no recombinant proteins have yet been produced commercially using plant cell cultures, there have been many proof-of-principle studies and several companies are investigating the commercial feasibility of such production systems.

Induction of interferon-alpha production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells by immune complexes containing nucleic acid released by necrotic or late apoptotic cells and lupus IgG.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the release of interferon-α (IFNα)–inducing material by necrotic or apoptotic cells, its properties, and the necessity of autoantibodies from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients for the interferogenic activity. Methods U937 monocytic leukemia cells or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were rendered necrotic by freeze-thawing or apoptotic by treatment with ultraviolet light. Cell culture supernatants from these cells and IgG from SLE patients (SLE IgG) were added to cultures of normal PBMCs or purified plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs). The importance of nucleic acids for IFNα induction was investigated by RNase and DNase treatment. The IFNα levels were measured by immunoassay. Results Both necrotic and apoptotic U937 cells released material that, combined with SLE IgG, induced IFNα production in PDCs. The release from apoptotic cells occurred with a 16-hour delay, in late apoptosis. Also, normal PBMCs released IFNα-inducing material, but only during necrosis. The interferogenic activity of the necrotic material required the presence of RNA, while both RNA and DNA were important in the apoptotic material. In both cases, the presence of SLE IgG was necessary, and its activity correlated with the presence of antibodies to RNA-binding proteins, but not anti-DNA antibodies. Conclusion Necrotic and late apoptotic cells release material that, combined with SLE IgG, induces production of IFNα in PDCs. The IFNα inducers probably consist of immune complexes (ICs) containing RNA and possibly DNA as essential interferogenic components. The presence of such interferogenic ICs could explain the ongoing production of IFNα in SLE and could be of etiopathogenic importance.

Sublethal irradiation of human tumor cells modulates phenotype resulting in enhanced killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Abstract: Local radiation of tumor masses is an established modality for the therapy of a range of human tumors. It has recently been recognized that doses of radiation, lower than or equal to those that cause direct cytolysis, may alter the phenotype of target tissue by up-regulating gene products that may make tumor cells more susceptible to T-cell-mediated immune attack. Previously, we demonstrated that radiation increased Fas (CD95) gene expression in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-expressing murine tumor cells, which consequently enhanced their susceptibility to CEA-specific CTL-mediated killing. The present study was designed to determine whether these phenomena also occur with human tumor cells. Here, 23 human carcinoma cell lines (12 colon, 7 lung, and 4 prostate) were examined for their response to nonlytic doses of radiation (10 or 20 Gy). Seventy-two hours postirradiation, changes in surface expression of Fas (CD95), as well as expression of other surface molecules involved in T-cell-mediated immune attack such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1, mucin-1, CEA, and MHC class I, were examined. Twenty-one of the 23 (91%) cell lines up-regulated one or more of these surface molecules postirradiation. Furthermore, five of five irradiated CEA(+)/A2(+) colon tumor cells lines demonstrated significantly enhanced killing by CEA-specific HLA-A2-restricted CD8(+) CTLs compared with nonirradiated counterparts. We then used microarray analysis to broaden the scope of observed changes in gene expression after radiation and found that many additional genes had been modulated. These up-regulated gene products may additionally enhance the tumor cells' susceptibility to T-cell-mediated immune attack or serve as additional targets for immunotherapy. Overall, the results of this study suggest that nonlethal doses of radiation can be used to make human tumors more amenable to immune system recognition and attack and form the rational basis for the combinatorial use of cancer vaccines and local tumor irradiation.

Bmi1, stem cells, and senescence regulation

Abstract: Stem cells generate the differentiated cell types within many organs throughout the lifespan of an organism and are thus ultimately responsible for the longevity of multicellular organisms. Therefore, senescence of stem cells must be prevented. Bmi1 is required for the maintenance of adult stem cells in some tissues partly because it represses genes that induce cellular senescence and cell death.

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Generates Proliferative Human Islet Precursor Cells

Abstract: Insulin-expressing beta cells, found in pancreatic islets, are capable of generating more beta cells even in the adult. We show that fibroblast-like cells derived from adult human islets donated postmortem proliferate readily in vitro. These mesenchymal-type cells, which exhibit no hormone expression, can then be induced to differentiate into hormone-expressing islet-like cell aggregates, which reestablishes the epithelial character typical of islet cells. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and messenger RNA measurements in single cells and cell populations establish the transition of epithelial cells within islets to mesenchymal cells in culture and then to insulin-expressing epithelial cells.

Hyperactivation of STAT3 Is Involved in Abnormal Differentiation of Dendritic Cells in Cancer

Abstract: Abnormal differentiation of myeloid cells is one of the hallmarks of cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of this process remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of tumor-derived factors on Janus kinase (Jak)/STAT signaling in myeloid cells during their differentiation into dendritic cells. Tumor cell conditioned medium induced activation of Jak2 and STAT3, which was associated with an accumulation of immature myeloid cells. Jak2/STAT3 activity was localized primarily in these myeloid cells, which prevented the differentiation of immature myeloid cells into mature dendritic cells. This differentiation was restored after removal of tumor-derived factors. Inhibition of STAT3 abrogated the negative effects of these factors on myeloid cell differentiation, and overexpression of STAT3 reproduced the effects of tumor-derived factors. Thus, this is a first demonstration that tumor-derived factors may affect myeloid cell differentiation in cancer via constitutive activation of Jak2/STAT3.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Escapes from RNA Interference-Mediated Inhibition

Abstract: Short-term assays have suggested that RNA interference (RNAi) may be a powerful new method for intracellular immunization against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. However, RNAi has not yet been shown to protect cells against HIV-1 in long-term virus replication assays. We stably introduced vectors expressing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against the HIV-1 genome into human T cells by retroviral transduction. We report here that an siRNA directed against the viral Nef gene (siRNA-Nef) confers resistance to HIV-1 replication. This block in replication is not absolute, and HIV-1 escape variants that were no longer inhibited by siRNA-Nef appeared after several weeks of culture. These RNAi-resistant viruses contained nucleotide substitutions or deletions in the Nef gene that modified or deleted the siRNA-Nef target sequence. These results demonstrate that efficient inhibition of HIV-1 replication through RNAi is possible in stably transduced cells. Therefore, RNAi could become a realistic gene therapy approach with which to overcome the devastating effect of HIV-1 on the immune system. However, as is known for antiviral drug therapy against HIV-1, antiviral approaches involving RNAi should be used in a combined fashion to prevent the emergence of resistant viruses.

Direct proteomic mapping of the lung microvascular endothelial cell surface in vivo and in cell culture.

Abstract: Endothelial cells can function differently in vitro and in vivo; however, the degree of microenvironmental modulation in vivo remains unknown at the molecular level largely because of analytical limitations. We use multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) to identify 450 proteins (with three or more spectra) in luminal endothelial cell plasma membranes isolated from rat lungs and from cultured rat lung microvascular endothelial cells. Forty-one percent of proteins expressed in vivo are not detected in vitro. Statistical analysis measuring reproducibility reveals that seven to ten MudPIT measurements are necessary to achieve ≥95% confidence of analytical completeness with current ion trap equipment. Large-scale mapping of the proteome of vascular endothelial cell surface in vivo, as demonstrated here, is advisable because distinct protein expression is apparently regulated by the tissue microenvironment that cannot yet be duplicated in standard cell culture.

Suppression of the Induction of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Interferons by the NS1 and NS2 Proteins of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Human Epithelial Cells and Macrophages

Abstract: Wild-type human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a poor inducer of alpha/beta interferons (IFN-α/β). However, recombinant HRSV lacking the NS1 and NS2 genes (ΔNS1/2) induced high levels of IFN-α and -β in human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549) as well as in macrophages derived from primary human peripheral blood monocytes. Results with NS1 and NS2 single- and double-gene-deletion viruses indicated that the two proteins function independently as well as coordinately to achieve the full inhibitory effect, with NS1 having a greater independent role. The relative contributions of the individual NS proteins were the converse of that recently described for bovine RSV (J. F. Valarcher, J. Furze, S. Wyld, R. Cook, K. K. Conzelmann, and G. Taylor, J. Virol. 77:8426-8439, 2003). This pattern of inhibition by HRSV NS1 and NS2 also extended to the newly described antiviral cytokines IFN-λ1, -2 and -3.

Pseudopalisades in glioblastoma are hypoxic, express extracellular matrix proteases, and are formed by an actively migrating cell population.

Abstract: Necrosis and vascular proliferation are the pathologic features that distinguish the most malignant infiltrative astrocytoma, glioblastoma (GBM), from those of lower grades. In GBM, hypercellular zones called pseudopalisades typically surround necrotic foci. Although these cells are known to secrete high levels of proangiogenic factors that promote tumor growth, their origins are ill defined. We propose that pseudopalisades represent differing stages and histologic samplings of astrocytoma cells migrating away from a hypoxic/anoxic focus, often triggered by a central vaso-occlusive event. This proposition is based on our findings that pseudopalisading cells are 5-50% less proliferative and 6-20 times more apoptotic than adjacent astrocytoma, indicating that cell accumulation does not result from increased proliferation or resistance to apoptosis. Coexisting inflammatory cells account for <2% of pseudopalisading cells and cannot account for hypercellularity. Pseudopalisading cells show nuclear expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, consistent with their hypoxic nature, and hypoxia induces a 20-60% increase in glioma cell migration in vitro. Hypoxic cells in vitro and pseudopalisades in GBM specimens show enhanced gelatinase activity, typical of an invasive phenotype. These results suggest that pseudopalisading cells are migrating at the periphery of a hypoxic center. To uncover a potential source of hypoxia and sequence of structural events leading to pseudopalisade formation, we performed a morphometric analysis of 234 pseudopalisades from 85 pretreatment GBMs. We found distorted, degenerating, or thrombosed blood vessels within the center of more than half the pseudopalisades, suggesting that at least a subset of pseudopalisades are two-dimensional histologic representations of tumor cells migrating away from a vaso-occlusive event.