@phdthesis{Grimm2006, author = {Grimm, Martin}, title = {Untersuchung regulatorischer T-Zellen bei Toleranzinduktion nach experimenteller Nierentransplantation unter Ber{\"u}cksichtigung co-stimulatorischer Signalwege}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-22040}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Neuere klinische Patientenanalysen wie auch experimentelle Daten zeigen die dominierende Bedeutung der {\"u}ber den indirekten Weg der Allo-Erkennung entstehenden T-Zell-gebundenen Immunreaktionen f{\"u}r die chronische Transplantatabtoßung auf. Hierzu wurden etablierte Th1 und Th2 Zellklone aus Transplantaten abstoßender (Th1 Typ) und toleranter (Th2 Typ) Tiere charakterisiert. Hergestellt wurden die T-Zell-Klone durch Stimulation Transplantat-infiltrierender Zellen aus akut abgestoßenen (WF\&\#8594;LEW Empf{\"a}nger) und tolerierten (CTLA4-Ig behandelte WF\&\#8594;LEW) Nieren mit immundominanten Spender-Klasse II MHC Allopeptiden (RT1.D\&\#956;\&\#946;20-44) pr{\"a}sentiert durch Empf{\"a}nger-Antigen pr{\"a}sentierende Zellen. In dieser Arbeit haben wir das regulatorische Potential dieser T-Zell-Klone in einem etablierten Nieren-Transplantationsmodell (WF\&\#8594;LEW) analysiert. LEW-Empf{\"a}nger wurden mit niedrig dosiertem Cyclosporin A behandelt. W{\"a}hrend die WF-Nierentransplantate unbehandelter LEW Empf{\"a}nger akut abgestoßen wurden, f{\"u}hrte die alleinige Cyclosporin-Gabe zu einer Verl{\"a}ngerung des Transplantat-{\"U}berlebens. Alle Transplantate wurden chronisch abgestoßen (Glomerulosklerose, interstitielle Fibrose und Zellinfiltration); syngene Kontrollen blieben unbeeinflusst. Der zus{\"a}tzliche Th2-Zell-Klon-Transfer verhinderte die Abstoßung. Spender-Hauttransplantate wurden spezifisch akzeptiert. Die Nierentransplantate dieser Tiere blieben voll funktionsf{\"a}hig; die Proteinurie blieb im gesamten Beobachtungszeitraum minimal. Immunhistologische Analysen tolerierter Transplantate (Th2-Zell-Klon Behandlung) wiesen im Gegensatz zu abgestoßene Transplantate eine st{\"a}rkere Expression von GATA-3 auf, sowie von T1/ST2 und Th2 typischen Zytokinen auf zusammen mit verst{\"a}rkten Expression von CD4+CD25+ Zellen sowie durch einer verst{\"a}rkte T-Zell-Signale (B7-1-/B7-2CTLA-4) gekennzeichnet. Tiere mit {\"u}bertragene Th1-Zell-Klonen stießen ihre Transplantate dagegen beschleunigt ab. Zusammenfassend zeigen die Ergebnisse erstmals die Funktion alloreaktiver Th1 und Th2 T-Zell-Klone in einem allogenen Transplantationsmodell auf. Die Beobachtungen zeigen die pathogene Rolle von Th1-Zellen bei der Transplantatabstoßung und die regulierenden Eigenschaften von Th2-Zellen gegen{\"u}ber Th1-Zellen in vivo anschaulich auf.}, language = {de} } @article{GrimmLazariotouKircheretal.2010, author = {Grimm, Martin and Lazariotou, Maria and Kircher, Stefan and Stuermer, Luisa and Reiber, Christoph and Hoefelmayr, Andreas and Gattenloehner, Stefan and Otto, Christoph and Germer, Christoph T. and von Rahden, Burkhard H. A.}, title = {MMP-1 is a (pre-)invasive factor in Barrett-associated esophageal adenocarcinomas and is associated with positive lymph node status}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68293}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background: Esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs) arise due to gastroesophageal reflux, with Barrett's esophagus (BE) regarded as precancerous lesion. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) might play a role during the multistep carcinogenetic process. Methods: Expression of MMP-1 and -13 was analyzed in esophageal cancer (n = 41 EAC with BE, n = 19 EAC without BE, and n = 10 esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas, ESCC), furthermore in BE without intraepithelial neoplasia (IN) (n = 18), and the cell line OE-33. MMP-1 was co-labelled with Ki-67 (proliferation), Cdx-2 (marker for intestinal metaplasia, BE) and analyzed on mRNA level. MMP-1 staining results were correlated with clinicopatholocical parameters. Results: On protein level, MMP-1 expression was found in 39 of 41 (95\%) EAC with BE, in 19 of 19 (100\%) EAC without BE, in 6 of 10 (60\%) ESCC, and in 10 of 18 (56\%) BE without IN. No expression of MMP-13 was found in these specimens. Quantification showed 48\% MMP-1 positive cells in EAC with BE, compared to 35\% in adjacent BE (p < 0.05), 44\% in EAC without BE, 32\% in ESCC, and 4\% in BE without IN. Immunofluorescence double staining experiments revealed increased MMP-1 expressing in proliferating cells (MMP-1+/Ki-67+) (r = 0.943 for BE and r = 0.811 for EAC). On mRNA-level, expression of MMP-1 was significantly higher in EAC compared to BE (p = 0.01) and confirmed immunohistochemical staining results. High MMP-1 levels were associated with lymph node metastases but not with poorer survival (p = 0.307). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MMP-1 plays a role as preinvasive factor in BE-associated EAC. Expression of MMP-1 in proliferating BE and EAC cells suggest malignant proliferation following the clonal expansion model.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Grimm2010, author = {Grimm, Martin}, title = {Die Bedeutung der Expression des Tumornekrosefaktor-alpha bei Patienten mit kolorektalem Karzinom}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-52757}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {F{\"u}r Tumorprogression m{\"u}ssen entartete Zellen Wege finden, die immunologische Abwehr und die Apoptose zu umgehen. Tumorzellen haben daf{\"u}r verschiedene, sogenannte Tumor-Escape-Mechanismen entwickelt. Gegenstand dieser Arbeit war in diesem Zusammenhang die Untersuchung des TNF-α-TNF-R1-Systems. Eine signifikante erh{\"o}hte TNF-α Protein- und Genexpression konnte in Gewebeproben kolorektaler Karzinome nachgewiesen werden, wobei eine m{\"a}ßig starke Korrelation beider Analysemethoden ersichtlich war (т = 0.794). Sowohl die immunhistochemische Analyse als auch die Genexpression durch RT-PCR konnten mit Tumorprogression assoziiert werden. Mit erh{\"o}hter Expression des Apoptose-induzierenden Zytokins TNF-α durch Tumorzellen konnte dar{\"u}ber hinaus ein signifikant schlechteres Gesamt{\"u}berleben der Patienten mit KRK beobachtet werden. In unmittelbarer Umgebung TNF-α exprimierender Tumorzellen wurden zahlreiche TNF-R1+/CD8+ Zellen analysiert, die als Hinweis auf Apoptose in TILs angesehen werden k{\"o}nnen. Dieser Weg k{\"o}nnte als Tumor-Escape-Mechanismus verstanden werden. Die Verwendung potentieller TNF-α Biologicals (z.B. Etanercept, Infliximab) bleibt jedoch unter dem Aspekt einer geringf{\"u}gig erh{\"o}hten Lymphominzidenz gegen{\"u}ber der Normalbev{\"o}lkerung auch als kritisch zu bewerten. Der Einsatz von Anti-TNF-α-Therapien stellt jedoch eine vielversprechende Option bei Patienten mit metastasiertem KRK und Tumorrezidiv dar. Zusammenfassend liefern die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zus{\"a}tzlichen Einblick in die Regulationsmechanismen, die verantwortlich f{\"u}r die Immunsuppression durch kolorektale Karzinome sein k{\"o}nnen. Diese basiswissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse stellen eine m{\"o}gliche Grundlage neuer Behandlungsm{\"o}glichkeiten kolorektaler Karzinomen dar, die weiter erforscht werden sollten.}, subject = {Cancer}, language = {de} } @article{GrimmGasserBueteretal.2010, author = {Grimm, Martin and Gasser, Martin and Bueter, Marco and Strehl, Johanna and Wang, Johann and Nichiporuk, Ekaterina and Meyer, Detlef and Germer, Christoph T. and Waaga-Gasser, Ana M. and Thalheimer, Andreas}, title = {Evaluation of immunological escape mechanisms in a mouse model of colorectal liver metastases}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-67899}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background: The local and systemic activation and regulation of the immune system by malignant cells during carcinogenesis is highly complex with involvement of the innate and acquired immune system. Despite the fact that malignant cells do have antigenic properties their immunogenic effects are minor suggesting tumor induced mechanisms to circumvent cancer immunosurveillance. The aim of this study is the analysis of tumor immune escape mechanisms in a colorectal liver metastases mouse model at different points in time during tumor growth. Methods: CT26.WT murine colon carcinoma cells were injected intraportally in Balb/c mice after median laparotomy using a standardized injection technique. Metastatic tumor growth in the liver was examined by standard histological procedures at defined points in time during metastatic growth. Liver tissue with metastases was additionally analyzed for cytokines, T cell markers and Fas/Fas-L expression using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Comparisons were performed by analysis of variance or paired and unpaired t test when appropriate. Results: Intraportal injection of colon carcinoma cells resulted in a gradual and time dependent metastatic growth. T cells of regulatory phenotype (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) which might play a role in protumoral immune response were found to infiltrate peritumoral tissue increasingly during carcinogenesis. Expression of cytokines IL-10, TGF-b and TNF-a were increased during tumor growth whereas IFN-g showed a decrease of the expression from day 10 on following an initial increase. Moreover, liver metastases of murine colon carcinoma show an up-regulation of FAS-L on tumor cell surface with a decreased expression of FAS from day 10 on. CD8+ T cells express FAS and show an increased rate of apoptosis at perimetastatic location. Conclusions: This study describes cellular and macromolecular changes contributing to immunological escape mechanisms during metastatic growth in a colorectal liver metastases mouse model simulating the situation in human cancer.}, subject = {Krebs }, language = {en} } @article{vonRahdenKircherLazariotouetal.2011, author = {von Rahden, Burkhard H. A. and Kircher, Stefan and Lazariotou, Maria and Reiber, Christoph and Stuermer, Luisa and Otto, Christoph and Germer, Christoph T. and Grimm, Martin}, title = {LgR5 expression and cancer stem cell hypothesis: clue to define the true origin of esophageal adenocarcinomas with and without Barrett's Esophagus?}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68810}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Investigation of the expression of an intestinal stem cell marker in esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) with and without Barrett's Esophagus (BE), with respect to a cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis. Materials and methods: Expression of a putative intestinal stem cell marker LgR5 was analyzed in esophageal cancer specimen (n = 70: 41 EAC with BE, 19 EAC without BE, and n = 10 esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas, ESCC) and in the adenocarcinoma cell line OE-33. Ki-67 and Cdx-2 were co-labelled with LgR5 in double staining experiments. Immunhistochemical expression results were confirmed by RT-PCR and correlated with tumor stage and five-year survival rates. Results: LgR5was found expressed in 35 of 41 (85\%) EAC with BE and in 16 of 19 (81\%) EAC without BE. By contrast, LgR5 was not found to be expressed in ESCC. Quantification of immunolabeling showed 15\% LgR5+ cells in EAC with BE, 32\% LgR5+ cells in adjacent BE and 13\% in EAC without BE. Immunofluorescence double staining experiments with LgR5 and Ki-67 revealed a subpopulation (~5\%) of proliferating LgR+/Ki-67+ cells. On mRNAlevel, expression of LgR5 was higher in BE in comparison to EAC (p = 0.0159). High levels of LgR5 expression in BE associated EAC were associated with poorer survival in univariate analysis. Conclusion: The stem cell marker LgR5 is expressed in EAC, irrespective of association with BE, and appears to have negative impact on survival. The subset of proliferating LgR5+ cells (<5\%) might resemble rapidly cycling CSCs, which needs to be substantiated in further investigations.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{vonRahdenKircherLazariotouetal.2011, author = {von Rahden, Burkhard H.A. and Kircher, Stefan and Lazariotou, Maria and Reiber, Christoph and Stuermer, Luisa and Otto, Christoph and Germer, Christoph T. and Grimm, Martin}, title = {LgR5 expression and cancer stem cell hypothesis: clue to define the true origin of esophageal adenocarcinomas with and without Barrett's Esophagus?}, series = {Journal of Experimental \& Clinical Cancer Research}, volume = {30}, journal = {Journal of Experimental \& Clinical Cancer Research}, number = {23}, doi = {10.1186/1756-9966-30-23}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137783}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background Investigation of the expression of an intestinal stem cell marker in esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) with and without Barrett's Esophagus (BE), with respect to a cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis. Materials and methods Expression of a putative intestinal stem cell marker LgR5 was analyzed in esophageal cancer specimen (n = 70: 41 EAC with BE, 19 EAC without BE, and n = 10 esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas, ESCC) and in the adenocarcinoma cell line OE-33. Ki-67 and Cdx-2 were co-labelled with LgR5 in double staining experiments. Immunhistochemical expression results were confirmed by RT-PCR and correlated with tumor stage and five-year survival rates. Results LgR5was found expressed in 35 of 41 (85\%) EAC with BE and in 16 of 19 (81\%) EAC without BE. By contrast, LgR5 was not found to be expressed in ESCC. Quantification of immunolabeling showed 15\% LgR5+ cells in EAC with BE, 32\% LgR5+ cells in adjacent BE and 13\% in EAC without BE. Immunofluorescence double staining experiments with LgR5 and Ki-67 revealed a subpopulation (~5\%) of proliferating LgR+/Ki-67+ cells. On mRNA-level, expression of LgR5 was higher in BE in comparison to EAC (p = 0.0159). High levels of LgR5 expression in BE associated EAC were associated with poorer survival in univariate analysis. Conclusion The stem cell marker LgR5 is expressed in EAC, irrespective of association with BE, and appears to have negative impact on survival. The subset of proliferating LgR5+ cells (<5\%) might resemble rapidly cycling CSCs, which needs to be substantiated in further investigations.}, language = {en} } @article{KimGrimmigGrimmetal.2013, author = {Kim, Mia and Grimmig, Tanja and Grimm, Martin and Lazariotou, Maria and Meier, Eva and Rosenwald, Andreas and Tsaur, Igor and Blaheta, Roman and Heemann, Uwe and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Waaga-Gasser, Ana Maria and Gasser, Martin}, title = {Expression of Foxp3 in Colorectal Cancer but Not in Treg Cells Correlates with Disease Progression in Patients with Colorectal Cancer}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {8}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0053630}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130340}, pages = {e53630}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background Measles virus (MV) causes T cell suppression by interference with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) activation. We previously found that this interference affected the activity of splice regulatory proteins and a T cell inhibitory protein isoform was produced from an alternatively spliced pre-mRNA. Hypothesis Differentially regulated and alternatively splice variant transcripts accumulating in response to PI3K abrogation in T cells potentially encode proteins involved in T cell silencing. Methods To test this hypothesis at the cellular level, we performed a Human Exon 1.0 ST Array on RNAs isolated from T cells stimulated only or stimulated after PI3K inhibition. We developed a simple algorithm based on a splicing index to detect genes that undergo alternative splicing (AS) or are differentially regulated (RG) upon T cell suppression. Results Applying our algorithm to the data, 9\% of the genes were assigned as AS, while only 3\% were attributed to RG. Though there are overlaps, AS and RG genes differed with regard to functional regulation, and were found to be enriched in different functional groups. AS genes targeted extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, while RG genes were mainly enriched in cytokine-receptor interaction and Jak-STAT. When combined, AS/RG dependent alterations targeted pathways essential for T cell receptor signaling, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell cycle entry. Conclusions PI3K abrogation interferes with key T cell activation processes through both differential expression and alternative splicing, which together actively contribute to T cell suppression.}, language = {en} }