Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2002. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

To understand the functional interactions between the TrkA and p75 nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors, we employed several lines of investigation including biophysical, biochemical and cellular assays. A high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor is thought to be a complex of two receptors, p75 and the receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA. The existence of a gp75-TrkA complex was demonstrated by a copatching technique. p75 on the surface of intact cells is patched with an anti-p75 antibody and fluorescent secondary antibody, the cells are then fixed to prevent further antibody-induced redistributions, and the distribution of TrkA is probed with an anti-TrkA antibody and fluorescent secondary antibody. We utilize a baculovirus-insect cell expression system, which allows high level expression of wild-type and mutated NGF receptors. TrkA and p75 copatch in both the absence and presence of NGF. This association is specific, since p75 does not copatch with other tyrosine kinase receptors, including TrkB, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β and Torso (Tor). To determine which domains of TrkA are required for copatching, we used a series of TrkA-Tor chimeric receptors and show that the extracellular domain of TrkA is sufficient for copatching with p75. A chimeric receptor with TrkA transmembrane and intracellular domains shows partial copatching with p75. Deletion of the intracellular domain of p75 decreases but does not eliminate copatching. A point mutation that inactivates the TrkA kinase has no effect on copatching, indicating that this enzymatic activity is not required for association with p75. Hence, although interactions between the p75 and TrkA extracellular domains are sufficient for complex formation, interactions involving other receptor domains also play a role. To study what signal transduction mechanisms were activated by the two receptors to bring about differentiation and survival, we stably transfected LAN5 neuroblastoma cells with an expression vector for ET-R, a chimeric receptor with the extracellular domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the TrkA transmembrane and intracellular domains. EGF activated the ET-R kinase and induced partial differentiation. NGF, which can bind to endogenous p75, did not induce differentiation, but enhanced the EGF-induced response, leading to differentiation of almost all of the cells. A mutated NGF, 3T-NGF, that binds to TrkA but not to p75 did not synergize with EGF. Enhancement of EGF-induced differentiation required at least nanomolar concentrations of NGF, consistent with the low-affinity p75 binding site. EGF may induce a limited number of neuronal cells because it also enhances apoptosis. Both NGF and a caspase inhibitor reduced apoptosis and, thereby, enhanced differentiation. NGF appears to enhance survival through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway. Consistent with this hypothesis, Akt, a downstream effector of the PI3K pathway, was hyperphosphorylated in the presence of EGF+NGF. These results demonstrate that TrkA kinase initiates differentiation, and p75 enhances differentiation by rescuing differentiating cells from apoptosis via the PI3K pathway. Even though both EGF and NGF are required for differentiation of LAN5/ET-R cells, only NGF is required for survival of the differentiated cells. In the absence of NGF, the cells die by an apoptotic mechanism, involving caspase-3. An anti-p75 antibody blocked the survival effect of NGF. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor also enhanced cell survival, indicating that in differentiated cells, NGF acts through the p75 receptor to prevent apoptosis.

No description available.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Immunology) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-196). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 5 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 135-155.

<p>Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare disease that is often difficult to diagnose, and therefore often presents at an advanced stage. Various cytotoxic treatments have been tried with little success. Evaluation of new diagnostic methods and improvement of medical therapies are therefore crucial.</p><p>The diagnostic potential of 11C-metomidate positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated in eleven ACC patients. PET visualized all viable tumors with high tracer uptake, including two lesions that CT failed to detect. Necrotic or fibrotic tumors were PET negative. Medication with adrenal steroid inhibitors and chemotherapy may decrease the tracer uptake.</p><p>We performed a phase-II study with streptozocin and o,p’-DDD (SO) combination therapy in 40 ACC patients. The SO therapy was found to have impact on the disease-free interval (P = 0.02) as well as on survival (P = 0.01) in patients who received adjuvant therapy after curative resection. Complete or partial response was obtained in 36.4% of patients with measurable disease.</p><p>The efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with vincristine, cisplatin, teniposide, and cyclophosphamide (OPEC) were evaluated in eleven patients with advanced ACC after failure of SO therapy. The median survival was 21 months from the start of treatment. A partial response was achieved in two patients. Adverse events were mainly restricted to grade 1-2 toxicities, and grade 3 toxicities were observed in only two cycles.</p><p>We tested 21 ACC tumors to analyze the expression of receptor tyrosine kinases and 15 ACC for mutation analysis of c-Kit exon 11, which can be targeted by antagonists such as imatinib. All ACCs expressed one or more kinases: c-Kit in 19 ACC and phospho-c-Kit in three while 14 ACCs expressed PDGFR-beta, suggesting the potential usefulness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. No c-Kit mutations were detected in exon 11. Further evaluation of other mutations targeted by this drug may be needed.</p>