Papers by Jacques Le Pendu

The tulane virus: a surrogate to mimic norovirus behavior in oysters?
Applied and environmental microbiology, Jan 29, 2015
Oyster contamination by norovirus is an important health and economic problem. This study aimed a... more Oyster contamination by norovirus is an important health and economic problem. This study aimed at comparing the behavior of Norwalk virus (prototype genogroup I norovirus) and two culturable viruses, the Tulane virus and mengovirus. After bioaccumulation, tissue distribution was quite similar for Norwalk virus and Tulane virus, with the majority of viral particles detected in digestive tissues whilst mengovirus was detected in large amounts in gills and mantle as well as in digestive tissues. The persistence of all three viruses over eight days was comparable, but clear differences were observed over longer periods, with Norwalk and Tulane virus displaying rather similar half-lives, unlike mengovirus that cleared more rapidly. These results indicate that Tulane virus may be a good surrogate to study norovirus behavior in oysters and confirmed the prolonged persistence of Norwalk virus in oyster tissues.

PLOS ONE, 2015
Cell surface glycoconjugates present alterations of their structures in chronic diseases and dist... more Cell surface glycoconjugates present alterations of their structures in chronic diseases and distinct oligosaccharide epitopes have been associated with cancer. Among them, truncated glycans present terminal non-reducing β-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues that are rare on healthy tissues. Lectins from unconventional sources such as fungi or algi provide novel markers that bind specifically to such epitopes, but their availability may be challenging. A GlcNAc-binding lectin from the fruiting body of the fungus Psathyrella velutina (PVL) has been produced in good yield in bacterial culture. A strong specificity for terminal GlcNAc residues was evidenced by glycan array. Affinity values obtained by microcalorimetry and surface plasmon resonance demonstrated a micromolar affinity for GlcNAcβ1-3Gal epitopes and for biantennary N-glycans with GlcNAcβ1-2Man capped branches. Crystal structure of PVL complexed with GlcNAcβ1-3Gal established the structural basis of the specificity. Labeling of several types of cancer cells and use of inhibitors of glycan metabolism indicated that rPVL binds to terminal GlcNAc but also to sialic acid (Neu5Ac). Analysis of glycosyltransferase expression confirmed the higher amount of GlcNAc present on cancer cells. rPVL binding is specific to cancer tissue and weak or no labeling is observed for healthy ones, except for stomach glands that present unique αGlcNAc-presenting mucins. In lung, breast and colon carcinomas, a clear delineation could be observed between cancer regions and surrounding healthy tissues. PVL is therefore a useful tool for labeling agalacto-glycans in cancer or other diseases.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an enteric pathogen of both humans and animals, is excreted by infected ... more Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an enteric pathogen of both humans and animals, is excreted by infected individuals and is therefore present in wastewaters and coastal waters. As bivalve molluscan shellfish are known to concentrate viral particles during the process of filter feeding, they may accumulate this virus. The bioaccumulation efficiencies of oysters (Crassostrea gigas), flat oysters (Ostrea edulis), mussels (Mytilus edulis), and clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) were compared at different time points during the year. Tissue distribution analysis showed that most of the viruses were concentrated in the digestive tissues of the four species. Mussels and clams were found to be more sensitive to sporadic contamination events, as demonstrated by rapid bioaccumulation in less than 1 h compared to species of oysters. For oysters, concentrations increased during the 24-h bioaccumulation period. Additionally, to evaluate environmental occurrence of HEV in shellfish, an environmental investigation was undertaken at sites potentially impacted by pigs, wild boars, and human waste. Of the 286 samples collected, none were contaminated with hepatitis E virus, despite evidence that this virus is circulating in some French areas. It is possible that the number of hepatitis E viral particles discharged into the environment is too low to detect or that the virus may have a very short period of persistence in pig manure and human waste.

PLOS Pathogens, 2015
RHDV (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus), a virulent calicivirus, causes high mortalities in Europ... more RHDV (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus), a virulent calicivirus, causes high mortalities in European rabbit populations (Oryctolagus cuniculus). It uses α1,2fucosylated glycans, histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), as attachment factors, with their absence or low expression generating resistance to the disease. Synthesis of these glycans requires an α1,2fucosyltransferase. In mammals, there are three closely located α1,2fucosyltransferase genes rSec1, rFut2 and rFut1 that arose through two rounds of duplications. In most mammalian species, Sec1 has clearly become a pseudogene. Yet, in leporids, it does not suffer gross alterations, although we previously observed that rabbit Sec1 variants present either low or no activity. Still, a low activity rSec1 allele correlated with survival to an RHDV outbreak. We now confirm the association between the α1,2fucosyltransferase loci and survival. In addition, we show that rabbits express homogenous rFut1 and rFut2 levels in the small intestine. Comparison of rFut1 and rFut2 activity showed that type 2 A, B and H antigens recognized by RHDV strains were mainly synthesized by rFut1, and all rFut1 variants detected in wild animals were equally active. Interestingly, rSec1 RNA levels were highly variable between individuals and high expression was associated with low binding of RHDV strains to the mucosa. Co-transfection of rFut1 and rSec1 caused a decrease in rFut1-generated RHDV binding sites, indicating that in rabbits, the catalytically inactive rSec1 protein acts as a dominant-negative of rFut1. Consistent with neofunctionalization of Sec1 in leporids, gene conversion analysis showed extensive homogenization between PLOS Pathogens |

Evidence for human norovirus infection of dogs in the UK
Journal of clinical microbiology, 2015
Human noroviruses are a major cause of viral gastroenteritis, with an estimated 3 million cases p... more Human noroviruses are a major cause of viral gastroenteritis, with an estimated 3 million cases per year in the UK. Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) have recently been isolated from pet dogs in Europe (Summa et al, 2012), raising concerns about potential zoonotic infections. With 31% UK households owning a dog, this could prove an important transmission route. To examine this risk, canine tissues were studied for their ability to bind to HuNoV in vitro. In addition, canine stool samples were analysed for the presence of viral nucleic acid and canine serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-HuNoV antibodies. Results showed that seven different genotypes of HuNoV VLPs can bind to canine gastrointestinal tissue, suggesting that infection is at least theoretically possible. Although HuNoV RNA was not identified in stool samples from 248 dogs, serological evidence of previous exposure to HuNoV was obtained in 43/325 canine serum samples. Remarkably, canine seroprevalence to different...

Journal of virology, 2014
Human noroviruses (HuNV) are a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Hu... more Human noroviruses (HuNV) are a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. HuNV attaches to cell surface carbohydrate structures known as histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) prior to internalization, and HBGA polymorphism among human populations is closely linked to susceptibility to HuNV. Noroviruses are divided into 6 genogroups, with human strains grouped into genogroups I (GI), II, and IV. Canine norovirus (CNV) is a recently discovered pathogen in dogs, with strains classified into genogroups IV and VI. Whereas it is known that GI to GIII noroviruses bind to HBGAs and GV noroviruses recognize terminal sialic acid residues, the attachment factors for GIV and GVI noroviruses have not been reported. This study sought to determine the carbohydrate binding specificity of CNV and to compare it to the binding specificities of noroviruses from other genogroups. A panel of synthetic oligosaccharides were used to assess the binding specificity of CNV virus-like particl...

The primary pathogens related to shellfishborne gas- troenteritis outbreaks are noroviruses. Thes... more The primary pathogens related to shellfishborne gas- troenteritis outbreaks are noroviruses. These viruses show persistence in oysters, which suggests an active mecha- nism of virus concentration. We investigated whether Norwalk virus or viruslike particles bind specifically to oys- ter tissues after bioaccumulation or addition to tissue sec- tions. Since noroviruses attach to carbohydrates of the histo-blood group family, tests using immunohistochemical analysis were performed to evaluate specific binding of virus or viruslike particles to oyster tissues through these ligands. Viral particles bind specifically to digestive ducts (midgut, main and secondary ducts, and tubules) by carbo- hydrate structures with a terminal N-acetylgalactosamine residue in an α linkage (same binding site used for recog- nition of human histo-blood group antigens). These data show that the oyster can selectively concentrate a human pathogen and that conventional depuration will not elimi- nate norovirus...

Veterinary Research, 2012
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a calicivirus of the genus Lagovirus that causes rabb... more Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a calicivirus of the genus Lagovirus that causes rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in adult European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). First described in China in 1984, the virus rapidly spread worldwide and is nowadays considered as endemic in several countries. In Australia and New Zealand where rabbits are pests, RHDV was purposely introduced for rabbit biocontrol. Factors that may have precipitated RHD emergence remain unclear, but non-pathogenic strains seem to pre-date the appearance of the pathogenic strains suggesting a key role for the comprehension of the virus origins. All pathogenic strains are classified within one single serotype, but two subtypes are recognised, RHDV and RHDVa. RHD causes high mortality in both domestic and wild adult animals, with individuals succumbing between 48-72 h post-infection. No other species has been reported to be fatally susceptible to RHD. The disease is characterised by acute necrotising hepatitis, but haemorrhages may also be found in other organs, in particular the lungs, heart, and kidneys due to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Resistance to the disease might be explained in part by genetically determined absence or weak expression of attachment factors, but humoral immunity is also important. Disease control in rabbitries relies mainly on vaccination and biosecurity measures. Such measures are difficult to be implemented in wild populations. More recent research has indicated that RHDV might be used as a molecular tool for therapeutic applications. Although the study of RHDV and RHD has been hampered by the lack of an appropriate cell culture system for the virus, several aspects of the replication, epizootology, epidemiology and evolution have been disclosed. This review provides a broad coverage and description of the current knowledge on the disease and the virus.
European Journal of Biochemistry, 2001
q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1007 q FEBS 20... more q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1007 q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1009 q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1011 q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1013 q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1015 q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1017 q FEBS 2001 Comparison of three rat a1,2fucosyltransferases (Eur. J. Biochem. 268) 1019

PLoS ONE, 2014
Blood group-related glycans determining ABO and Lewis blood groups are known to function as attac... more Blood group-related glycans determining ABO and Lewis blood groups are known to function as attachment factors for most of the norovirus (NoV) strains. To identify binding specificity of each NoV, recombinant norovirus-like particles (VLPs) and human saliva samples with different ABO, Lewis phenotypes and secretor status have been commonly applied. When binding specificities of VLPs prepared from 16 different genotypes of NoVs in GI and GII genogroups were characterized in samples of human gastric mucosa compared to human saliva based on blood group phenotypes, considerable differences were observed for several strains. Novel binding specificities determined by an ELISA using preparations from human gastric mucosa were also ascertained by immunohistochemical analyses using human jejunal mucosa, widely believed to be susceptible to NoV infection. Further, A, B and O(H) blood group substances prepared from porcine and squid tissues were found to be effective for preventing ABO blood group-specific binding of VLPs to both saliva and mucosa samples. Therefore, these blood group substances might have potential for the prevention and treatment of NoV infection.

Journal of Molecular Evolution - J MOL EVOL, 2009
The alpha-2-fucosyltransferases (α2FTs) are enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of α2fucosylated... more The alpha-2-fucosyltransferases (α2FTs) are enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of α2fucosylated glycan structures. In mammalian genomes, there are three α2FT genes located in tandem—FUT1, FUT2, and Sec1—each contained within a single exon. It has been suggested that these genes originated from two successive duplications, with FUT1 being generated first and FUT2 and Sec1 second. Despite gene conversion being considered the main mechanism of concerted evolution in gene families, previous studies of primates α2FTs failed to detect it, although the occurrence of gene conversion between FUT2 and Sec1 was recently reported in a human allele. The primary aim of our work was to initiate a broader study on the molecular evolution of mammalian α2FTs. Sequence comparison leads us to confirm that the three genes appeared by two rounds of duplication. In addition, we were able to detect multiple gene-conversion events at the base of primates and within several nonprimate species involving FUT...

Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2014
Noroviruses (NoVs) represent a considerable public health burden. Despite their enormous genetic ... more Noroviruses (NoVs) represent a considerable public health burden. Despite their enormous genetic diversity, most outbreaks are due to the single GII.4 genotype, but the reasons for this are poorly understood. NoVs use histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as attachment factors. Since HBGAs are present in saliva, binding of strains to saliva is commonly used as a surrogate for recognition of the gut surface by specific strains, although the relationship between saliva and gut tissue expression of HBGAs is not well defined. The presence of fucosylated HBGAs in saliva and stomach biopsy specimens, as well as that of genogroup I.1 and genogroup II.4 virus-like particles, were compared in a series of 109 donors from Portugal. An overall good concordance between HBGA expression in saliva and stomach surface mucosa was observed. However, unexpected mucosal expression of α(1,2)fucosylated epitopes in nonsecretor individuals was frequently detected, allowing for GII.4 attachment. Although all individuals were infected with Helicobacter pylori, abnormal expression of α(1,2)fucosylated motifs and binding of GII.4 virus-like particles in nonsecretors' mucosa were associated with positivity for the H. pylori CagA virulence factor. Infection by CagA-positive H. pylori induces expression of GII.4 attachment factors in nonsecretors' mucosa, expanding the host range of these strains and thereby possibly contributing to their epidemiological dominance.

Chronic or Accidental Exposure of Oysters to Norovirus: Is There Any Difference in Contamination?
Journal of Food Protection, 2013
Bivalve molluscan shellfish such as oysters may be contaminated by human pathogens. Currently, th... more Bivalve molluscan shellfish such as oysters may be contaminated by human pathogens. Currently, the primary pathogens associated with shellfish-related outbreaks are noroviruses. This study was conducted to improve understanding of oyster bioaccumulation when oysters were exposed to daily contamination or one accidental contamination event, i.e., different modes of contamination. Oysters were contaminated with two representative strains of norovirus (GI.1 and GII.3) and then analyzed with real-time reverse transcription PCR. Exposure to a repeated virus dose for 9 days (mimicking a growing area subjected to frequent sewage contamination) led to an additive accumulation that was not significantly different from that obtained when the same total dose of virus was added all at once (as may happen after accidental sewage discharge). Similarly, bioaccumulation tests performed with mixed strains revealed additive accumulation of both viruses. Depuration may not be efficient for eliminating viruses; therefore, to prevent contaminated shellfish from being put onto the market, continuous sanitary monitoring must be considered. All climatic events or sewage failures occurring in production areas must be recorded, because repeated low-dose exposure or abrupt events may lead to similar levels of accumulation. This study contributes to an understanding of norovirus accumulation in oysters and provides suggestions for risk management strategies.

Glycobiology, 2008
The carbohydrate binding characteristics of a norovirus GII.3 (Chron1) and a GII.4 (Dijon) strain... more The carbohydrate binding characteristics of a norovirus GII.3 (Chron1) and a GII.4 (Dijon) strain were investigated using virus-like particles (VLPs) and saliva samples from 81 individuals genotyped for FUT2 (secretor) and FUT3 (Lewis) and phenotyped for ABO and Lewis blood groups. The two VLPs showed a typical secretor-gene-dependent binding and bound significantly stronger to saliva from A, B, and AB than from O individuals (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001) but did not bind to any samples from secretor-negative individuals. The GII.3 strain showed larger interindividual variation and bound stronger to saliva from B than from A 2 secretors (P < 0.01). When assaying for binding to neoglycoproteins, the GII.3 and GII.4 strains were compared with the Norwalk GI.1 prototype strain. Although all three strains bound to Lewis b (and H type 1 chain) glycoconjugates, only the two GII strains showed an additional binding to sialyl Lewis x. This novel binding was specific since the VLPs did not bind to structural analogs, e.g., Lewis x or sialyl Lewis a, but only to sialyl Lewis x, sialyl diLewis x and sialylated type 2 chain conjugates. In inhibition experiments, the sialyl Lewis x conjugate was the most potent inhibitor. The minimal requirement for this potential receptor structure is Neu5Acα3Galβ4(Fucα3)GlcNAcβ3Galβ-where Fuc is not absolutely necessary for binding. Our study shows that some human norovirus GII strains have at least two binding specificities: one secretor-gene-dependent related to α1,2-fucosylated carbohydrates and another related to α2,3-sialylated carbohydrates of the type 2 chain, e.g., sialyl Lewis x.

Glycobiology, 2008
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic emergent virus wh... more Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic emergent virus which replicates in cells that can express ABH histo-blood group antigens. The heavily glycosylated SARS-CoV spike (S) protein binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 which serves as a cellular receptor. Epidemiological analysis of a hospital outbreak in Hong Kong revealed that blood group O was associated with a low risk of infection. In this study, we used a cellular model of adhesion to investigate whether natural antibodies of the ABO system could block the S protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 interaction. To this aim, a C-terminally EGFP-tagged S protein was expressed in chinese hamster ovary cells cotransfected with an alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase and an A-transferase in order to coexpress the S glycoprotein ectodomain and the A antigen at the cell surface. We observed that the S protein/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-dependent adhesion of these cells to an angiotensin-conv...

Glycobiology, 2008
It binds to the histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) H type 2 which requires an α1,2fucosyltransferas... more It binds to the histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) H type 2 which requires an α1,2fucosyltransferase for its synthesis. In rabbit, three α1,2fucosyltransferases genes are known, Fut1, Fut2, and Sec1. Nonfunctional alleles at any of these loci could potentially confer resistance to RHDV, similar to human FUT2 alleles that determine the nonsecretor phenotype and resistance to infection by various NoV strains. In this study, we looked for the presence of H type 2 on buccal epithelial cells of wild rabbits from two geographic areas under RHDV pressure and from one RHDV-free area. Some animals with diminished H type 2 expression were found in the three populations (nonsecretor-like phenotype). Their frequency markedly increased according to the RHDV impact, suggesting that outbreaks selected survivors with low expression of the virus ligand. Polymorphisms of the Fut1, Fut2, and Sec1 coding regions were determined among animals that either died or survived outbreaks. The Fut2 and Sec1 genes presented a high polymorphism and the frequency of one Sec1 allele was significantly elevated, over 6fold, among survivors. Sec1 enzyme variants showed either moderate, low, or undetectable catalytic activity, whereas all variant Fut2 enzymes showed strong catalytic activity. This functional analysis of the enzymes encoded by each Fut2 and Sec1 allele suggests that the association between one Sec1 allele and survival might be explained by a deficit of α1,2fucosyltransferase expression rather than by impaired catalytic activity.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2010
Noroviruses (NoV) are major agents of acute gastroenteritis in humans and the primary pathogens o... more Noroviruses (NoV) are major agents of acute gastroenteritis in humans and the primary pathogens of shellfish-related outbreaks. Previous studies showed that some human strains bind to oyster tissues through carbohydrate ligands that are similar to their human receptors. Thus, based on presentation of shared norovirus carbohydrate ligands, oysters could selectively concentrate animal strains with increased ability to overcome species barriers. In comparison with human GI and GII strains, bovine GIII NoV strains, although frequently detected in bovine feces and waters of two estuaries of Brittany, were seldom detected in oysters grown in these estuaries. Characterization of the carbohydrate ligand from a new GIII strain indicated recognition of the alpha-galactosidase (␣-Gal) epitope not expressed by humans, similar to the GIII.2 Newbury2 strain. This ligand was not detectable on oyster tissues, suggesting that oysters may not be able to accumulate substantial amounts of GIII strains due to the lack of shared carbohydrate ligand and that they should be unable to contribute to select GIII strains with an increased ability to recognize humans.

Analytical Biochemistry, 1998
Carbohydrate (spacered saccharide residue, Glyc) probes with various tags were synthesized as ana... more Carbohydrate (spacered saccharide residue, Glyc) probes with various tags were synthesized as analytical tools for study of cellular lectins, i.e., Glyc-polyacrylamide-3H, Glyc-PAA-biotin, Glyc-PAA-fluorescein (flu), and Glyc-PAA-digoxigenin, where PAA is a soluble polyacrylamide carrier of approximately 30 kDa. Binding of all types of probes, where Glyc is the sialyl Lewis X (SiaLeX) tetrasaccharide or a blank saccharide, was assessed using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells either transfected with the E-selectin cDNA or mock-transfected. High binding of SiaLeX-PAA-3H to E-selectin-transfected cells and absence of binding to control cells (both native and permeabilized) allowed the conclusion that the polyacrylamide carrier and the spacer arm do not contribute significantly to the binding. The biotinylated probe showed a high level of nonspecific binding in cell enzyme-linked assays. A similarly built digoxigenin-labeled probe was significantly better. In flow cytometry assays, the fluorescein probe demonstrated a specific binding to E-selectin-transfected cells of a similar level to that given by an anti-E-selectin antibody. In addition, it could be inhibited by the anti-E-selectin antibody, further demonstrating specificity. Tumors were obtained from nude mice by injection of CHO E-selectin or mock-transfected cells. The fluorescent SiaLeX-PAA-flu probe could bind to tumor sections from E-selectin-positive CHO cells, but not from control CHO cells. These probes can thus be used to reveal specifically complex carbohydrate-binding sites on cells either in culture or on tissue sections.

APMIS, 2001
histo-blood group antigens in cancer. APMIS 2001;109:9-31. Antigens of the ABH and Lewis histo-bl... more histo-blood group antigens in cancer. APMIS 2001;109:9-31. Antigens of the ABH and Lewis histo-blood group family can be found on many normal cells, mainly of epithelial type. In carcinomas, altered expression of the various carbohydrate epitopes of this family occur, and are often strongly associated with either a good or bad prognosis. A review of the available data on these tumor-associated markers, their biosynthesis and their prognostic value is proposed here. For a long time it has been unclear whether their presence could affect the behavior of carcinoma cells. Recent data, however, indicate that they play biological roles in the course of tumor progression. The presence of sialyl-Lea or sialyl-Ley, which are ligands for selectins, promotes the metastatic process by facilitating interaction with the endothelium of distant organs. The loss of A and B antigens increases cellular motility. while the presence of H epitopes increases resistance to apoptosis by mechanisms that remain to be defined. The Ley antigen has procoagulant and angiogenic activities. All these observations are used to present a model that may account for the described associations between the presence or loss of these markers and the outcome of disease. Finally, their potential clinical applications as tumor-associated markers or as targets of immunotherapy are reviewed.

Cytokine, 1995
We have tested Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) production by 12 rat colon tumour clones isolate... more We have tested Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) production by 12 rat colon tumour clones isolated from a single cell line that display various degrees of tumorigenicity. A highly significantly relationship was found between levels of soluble LIF produced by the clones and their in vivo tumorigenicity. Such results suggested a role for LIF as a tumour facilitating agent. To test this hypothesis, the highly tumorigenic and LIF producing PROb clone was transfected with the LIF cDNA in antisense orientation in order to decrease LIF production. Conversely, REGb, a low LIF producer that is rejected by syngeneic animals, as well as nude mice, was transfected with the LIF cDNA to increase its production. PROb cells transfected with antisense cDNA were shown to have decreased LIF production along with decreased tumorigenicity. LIF-transfected REGb cells expressing high LIF levels still regressed in syngeneic rats, but could form progressive tumours in nude mice. We did not detect LIF receptors on PROb or REGb cells and their in vitro proliferation was not modified by the addition of exogenous LIF. Therefore, LIF was not an autocrine growth regulator for PROb and REGb cells. Instead, LIF appears to facilitate in vivo tumour growth, without being an immunosuppressive factor sufficient on its own to allow growth of immunogenic cells in fully immunocompetent hosts.
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Papers by Jacques Le Pendu