To investigate the role of oncogene activation in the pathogenesis of malignant tumors, we have studied the tumorigenic and metastatic properties of NIH/3T3 secondary transfectants (designated A51) containing an activated c-Haras-) gene derived from the human T24 bladder carcinoma cell line and compared them Tumors are classically defined as benign or malignant (1). Benign tumors are noninvasive growths that do not spread to distant organs. Unless located in a functionally vital site (e.g., brain), they pose little threat to the patient and usually can be removed surgically. In contrast, malignant neoplasms are readily invasive, metastasize to organs throughout the body, and eventually kill their host (1). The biochemical events that distinguish malignant from benign neoplasms remain unidentified. Work in several laboratories has implicated oncogene activation in the expression of tumorigenicity but the role of oncogenes in the pathogenesis of malignant versus benign tumors has received little attention. The NIH/3T3 cell line, although immortalized in vitro, is reportedly nontumorigenic and is widely used as a recipient cell line for detecting transforming gene sequences isolated from tumorigenic cell lines or tissues (2-6). For example, upon transfection with the activated ras gene, NIH/3T3 cells form foci in tissue culture, exhibit anchorage independence, and, in those experiments in which in vivo studies have been conducted, produce tumors in nude mice (6-10). However, the behavior of the tumors formed by transfected NIH/3T3 cells has not been rigorously evaluated and it remains unclear whether oncogene activation is an event associated strictly with the pathogenesis of benign neoplasms or whether activation is also an essential feature for expression of metastatic properties. We report that transfection with the activated c-Ha-ras-l gene accelerates the tumorigenicity and enhances the metastatic potential of NIH/3T3 Tumorigenicity and Metastasis. Tumorigenicity and spontaneous metastatic potential were assayed by inoculating mice with different cell doses in the footpad (i.m.) or the supraclavicular region (s.c.). Tumor size was monitored at the supraclavicular site every 2-3 days by caliper measurement. For studies on experimental metastasis, different numbers of cells were injected into the tail vein of nude mice. At autopsy the major organs of all animals were examined both grossly and histologically for evidence of metastases. Single sections were prepared from each organ except the lung, in which case multiple sections were examined.Detection of Activated c-Ha-ras Oncogene and Human Alu Sequences. For preparation of DNA (12), cell monolayers established from primary tumors or metastatic foci were dispersed into phosphate-buffered saline (Pi/NaCl), pelleted, rinsed, resuspended in 10 mM Tris HCl, pH 8.0/0.35 M NaCl/1 mM EDTA, lysed in 0.5% NaDodSO4, and treated for 4-12 hr with Pronase (0.1 mg/ml) at 37°C. DNA was extracted with phenol, ethanol precipitated, and dissolved in 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH ...

Metastasis is a complex process whereby tumour cells from a primary neoplastic growth disseminate throughout the body and establish secondary tumour foci in distant organs. Biochemical traits associated with, or essential for, the expression of the metastatic phenotype have not yet been identified. In the course of examining stimulation of the B16 murine melanoma adenylate cyclase by melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and by the diterpene forskolin, we noted that tumour cell clones isolated from common parent cell populations differed widely in their responses to these agonists. We report here that the accumulation of cyclic AMP induced by MSH or forskolin shows a strong positive correlation with the ability of B16 melanoma clones to form pulmonary tumour colonies when injected intravenously (i.v.) into syngeneic mice ('experimental metastasis'). In parallel in vitro analyses of cyclic AMP metabolism and in vivo assays of experimental metastasis using replicate cell preparations, highly metastatic tumour cell clones consistently show greater than a 30-fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP when exposed to MSH or forskolin. By contrast, clones with limited metastatic abilities respond to the same agonists with only a two- to threefold increase in cellular cyclic AMP. These data suggest that cyclic AMP metabolism is linked with biochemical pathways that are responsible for the formation of experimental metastasis by the B16 melanoma.

A hybridoma clone secreting a monoclonal antibody, designated MA158.2, that reacts with an antigen ex pressed on lymphokine-treated macrophages was produced by fusion of mouse myeloma cells with rat spleen cells immunized against C57BL/6 peritoneal macrophages rendered tumoricidal in vitro by incubation with the lymphokine macrophageactivating factor. The specificity of the antibody for activated macrophages and lack of reactivity with histologically diverse cell types was determined by radioimmune indirect binding and flow cytometry. MA158.2 antibody binds to mouse peritoneal macrophages elicited by nonspecific inflammatory agents and to tumoricidal macrophages elicited with Corynebacterium parvum. Resident peritoneal, splenic, and alveolar macrophages were only weakly positive. Several macrophage cell lines (P388D1, WEH1-231, J774, RAW 264.7), murine fibroblasts, and neutrophils did not bind detectable amounts of MA158.2. Radioimmune indirect binding analysis demonstrated that cell suspensions prepared from C57BL/6 mouse spleen, thymus, and lymph node as well as polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, and T-and B-cell murine lymphomas were MA158.2 negative. Expression of the reactive antigen on the macrophage cell surface was enhanced 3-fold following in vitro activation of elicited macrophages with macrophage-activating factor and the kinetics of activation to the tumoricidal state paralleled the increased expression of the antigen recognized by MA158.2. MA158.2 is a rat IgG2a antibody containing a single specific heavy and light chain that does not detect a polymorphic determinant. This monoclonal antibody will be a useful tool for monitoring the efficacy of agents in activating murine macrophages to the tumoricidal state and in analyzing the sequence of biochemical events that culminate in macrophage activation.Macrophages (MO)

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AIMTo evaluate upper abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan as primary follow-up after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).METHODSThis prospective study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the State of Zurich, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Sixty-one patients who underwent LRYGB received upper abdominal CT on postoperative day 1, with the following scan parameters: 0.6 mm collimation, 1.2 mm pitch, CareKV with reference 120 mAs and 120 kV, and 0.5 s rotation time. Diluted water-soluble radiographic contrast-medium (50 mL) was administered to achieve gastric pouch distension without movement of the patient. 3D images were evaluated to assess postoperative complications and the radiation dose received was analysed.RESULTSFrom the 70 patients initially enrolled in the study, 9 were excluded from analysis upon the intraoperative decision to perform a sleeve gastrectomy and not a LRYGB. In all of the 61 patients who were included in the analysis, CT was feasible and there were no instances of aspiration or vomiting. In 7 patients, two upper abdominal scans were necessary as the pouch was not distended by contrast medium in the first acquisition. Radiologically, no leak and no relevant stenosis were found on the first postoperative day. These early postoperative CT findings were consistent with the findings at clinical follow-up 6 wk postoperatively, with no leaks, stenosis or obstructions being diagnosed. The average total dose length product in CT was 536.6 mGycm resulting in an average effective dose of 7.8 mSv. The most common surgical complication, superficial surgical site infections (n = 4), always occurred at the upper left trocar site, where the circular stapler had been introduced.CONCLUSIONEarly LRYGB postoperative multislice spiral CT scan is feasible, with low morbidity, and provides more accurate anatomical information than standard upper gastrointestinal contrast study.

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