Influence of beta(2)-integrin adhesion molecule expression and pulmonary infection with Pasteurella haemolytica on cytokine gene expression in cattle

beta(2)-Integrins are leukocyte adhesion molecules composed of alpha (CD11a, -b, -c, or -d) and beta (CD18) subunit heterodimers. Genetic CD18 deficiency results in impaired neutrophil egress into tissues that varies between conducting airways and alveoli of the lung. In this study, we investigated whether CD18 deficiency in cattle affects proinflammatory cytokine (PIC) expression in pulmonary tissue after respiratory infection with Pasteurella haemolytica. Cattle were infected with P. haemolytica via fiberoptic deposition of organisms into the posterior part of the right cranial lung lobe. Animals were euthanized at 2 or 4 h postinoculation (p.i.), and tissues were collected to assess PIC gene expression using antisense RNA probes specific for bovine interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) along with the beta-actin (beta-Act) housekeeping gene. Expression of PIC was induced at 2 h p.i. in P. haemolytica-infected cattle and continued to 4 h p.i. At 2 h p.i., induction of gene expression and increase of cells that expressed PIC were observed both in CD18(+) and CD18(-) cattle after inoculation of P. haemolytica. The induction of gene expression with P. haemolytica inoculation was more prominent in CD18(-) cattle than in CD18(+) cattle by comparison to pyrogen-free saline (PFS)-inoculated control animals. At 4 h p.i., however, the induction of PIC, especially IL-1alpha, IL-6, and IFN-gamma, in the lungs of CD18(+) cattle inoculated with P. haemolytica was greater than that in lungs of the CD18(-) cattle. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha genes were not increased in P. haemolytica-inoculated CD18(-) cattle lungs compared to the PFS-inoculated control lungs at 4 h p.i. In PFS-inoculated lungs, we generally observed a higher percentage of cells and higher level of gene expression in the lungs of CD18(-) cattle than in the lungs of CD18(+) cattle, especially at 4 h p.i. The rate of neutrophil infiltration into the lungs of CD18(-) cattle at 2 h p.i. was significantly higher than that of CD18(+) cattle; at 4 h p.i., there was no difference between the two groups. These data suggest that beta(2)-integrins may contribute to the induction of expression of some PIC genes, as a consequence of P. haemolytica infection.

Posterior sinus node artery and accessory atrioventricular node artery arising by a common origin: a case report

We describe herein a rare and hitherto not reported variation, found in a Japanese male cadaver, in which a posterior sinus node (SN) artery and an accessory atrioventricular node (AN) artery originate from a common trunk branching from the posterior segment of the circumflex artery. After arising in this manner, the posterior SN artery passed in a clockwise direction around the posterior, lateral, and finally anterior wall of the left atrium to the sinus venosus, giving off a branch to the SN from posteriorly. The accessory AN artery coursed in a counterclockwise direction on the posterior wall of the left atrium as far as the crux of the heart, where it bent anterosuperiorly and continued within the interatrial septum. It entered the AN from superiorly and, crossing deep to the principal AN artery, reached the inferior and superficial portion of this node. It could be considered that the accessory AN artery in this study is a modified version of arteries entering and coursing in the interatrial septum, as exemplified by Kugel's anastomotic artery.

Distribution of P2X receptors in the urinary bladder and the ureter of the rat

PURPOSE

One means of assessing the presence of purinoceptors and their possible participation in signaling events in tissues is through use of specific antibodies and immunohistochemical methods. A thorough immunohistochemical screening for the presence of P2X receptors on bladder and ureter sections has been performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Distribution of P2X receptor subtypes in rat bladder and ureter has been investigated using specific polyclonal antibodies to P2X1 through to P2X7 receptor subtypes with immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

In both the bladder detrusor muscle and the ureteral muscle (as well as the accompanying arteries) P2X1 immunoreactivity was associated with the smooth muscle membranes. Non-membrane associated smooth muscle reactivity was seen with P2X2> P2X5 = P2X6. P2X3 immunoreactivity was seen within nerve bundles in detrusor muscle only. The fine capillary network supplying bladder and ureter smooth muscle and lamina propria was visualized with P2X4 immunoreactivity, membranes of urothelial cells gave a strong reaction with P2X5, whereas P2X6 immunostained the thin basement membrane beneath the urothelium. Nuclear staining was seen with P2X7 in the urothelium but more prominent in the bladder than in the ureter.

CONCLUSIONS

Having established the distribution of P2X receptors in normal animal bladder and ureter tissue, it is now possible to perform comparable investigations on normal and diseased human tissue to establish a possible role of P2X receptors in pathogenic events.

Smooth muscle distribution in the extrahepatic bile duct: histologic and immunohistochemical studies of 122 cases

The distribution of smooth muscle fibers in the extrahepatic bile duct (EBD) wall is not well characterized. We analyzed 101 consecutive Whipple's operation specimens and 21 autopsy specimens for the pattern of smooth muscle distribution in EBD using the Masson-trichrome stain and the desmin immunohistochemical stain. The patterns were categorized as continuous, interrupted, scattered, and no muscle layer. EBDs were divided into lower, middle, and upper portions, and the distribution pattern of smooth muscle fibers was analyzed separately in each portion. Because most surgically resected specimens contained the middle and lower EBDs with only a portion of the upper EBD, only the length of the middle and lower EBDs (common bile duct, CBD) was measured. The mean length of CBD in surgically resected specimens was 6.4 +/- 1.4 cm (men, 6.6 +/- 1.3 cm; women, 6.1 +/- 1.5 cm). The mean length of CBD in autopsy specimens was 6.8 +/- 1.0 cm. The predominant patterns of the lower third of the EBD were interrupted (49%) and continuous (43%). The predominant patterns of the middle third of the EBD were scattered (63%) and interrupted (23%). Those of the upper third of the EBD were no muscle fiber (58%) and scattered (39%). In conclusion, different patterns of smooth muscle distribution were observed in different portions of the EBD. Because scattered muscle fibers or no muscle fibers were the main features of the upper third of the EBD, understanding of this pattern may be helpful for assessment of the depth of invasion or staging of carcinoma of the upper third of the EBD.

P2X receptor immunoreactivity in the male genital organs of the rat

The distribution of ATP ionotropic P2X receptors in the genital organs of the male rat has been investigated with immunohistochemical techniques using specific antibodies to P2X1-7 receptors. In the excretory ducts of the testis (ductus epididymidis, vas deferens and its associated seminal vesicles), the major signals were seen with antibodies to P2X1 and P2X2 in the membranes of the smooth muscle layer, suggesting that these receptors are involved in the process of sperm transport and ejaculation. In the penis body, strong P2X1 and weaker P2X2 immunoreactivity was seen in the smooth muscle of blood vessels and the corpus cavernosum, suggesting a participation in the detumescence process. P2X5 immunoreactivity, a marker for differentiating cells in stratified squamous epithelia, was observed in the epithelia of the terminal urethra, the "horny spur" (spine-studded epithelium of the glans) and the inner surface of the prepuce. Antibodies to P2X3 reacted with nerve fibres in the adventitia of vas deferens, and the P2X6 receptor was localised in the basal lamina of the epithelium. In the prostate, there was immunostaining of the smooth muscle between the tubules with antibody for P2X1, but not with P2X2; P2X3 immunostaining of nerves and strong P2X7 immunostaining of the glandular epithelium of the prostate were also present.

Influence of apolipoprotein E genotype on lipid and lipoprotein levels in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Apolipoprotein (Apo) E has an important role in triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein metabolism, and the genotype of Apo E is associated with premature coronary artery disease. Patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) develop various abnormalities of lipid metabolism and are prone to develop accelerated atherosclerosis. To investigate the distribution of Apo E genotype, and to evaluate the influence of Apo E polymorphism on lipid metabolism in CAPD patients, we measured Apo E genotypes, serum lipid, and lipoprotein levels in 54 CAPD patients (M:F = 1:1). The most common genotype of Apo E in the CAPD patients was E 3/3, found in 68.5%. The frequencies of the other genotypes were E 2/3, found in 14.8%, and E 4/3, found in 16.7%. No genotypic differences in Apo E were seen in the patients with regard to the presence of diabetes, the level of parathyroid hormone, or the transport characteristics of the peritoneal membrane. When comparing lipid levels by Apo E genotype, the total cholesterol and TG levels of E 2/3 patients were significantly higher than those of E 3/3 or E 4/3 patients. The differences in high-density or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by Apo E genotype were not significant. In comparing lipoprotein levels by Apo E genotype, the Apo B and lipoprotein (a) levels of E 2/3 patients were significantly lower than those of E 3/3 or E 4/3 patients. In conclusion, the Apo E 3/3 genotype seems to be the most common genotype in CAPD patients, and the Apo E 2/3 genotype appears to be associated with high cholesterol and TG levels. These results demonstrate the need for further prospective studies in these subjects aimed at elucidating the impact of genetic variation at the Apo E locus on the development of atherosclerosis.

Distribution of heat shock protein 108 mRNA in the chicken central nervous system

The constitutive expression of heat shock protein 108 (HSP108) mRNA is mapped in a normal chicken central nervous system using in situ hybridization technique. HSP108 mRNAs were found to be mainly localized in the small neuroglial cells of various regions of the brain, although some neuronal cells also showed positive signals. This tendency is observed to be more marked in the cerebellum; HSP108 signals were not found in the Purkinje cells, but in Bergmann glial cells and oligodendrocytes. Although neuronal cells in the deep cerebellar nuclei and the molecular layer showed occasional HSP108 signals, the expression pattern of HSP108 mRNA is different from homologous HSP90 that is mostly expressed in neurons, but rather similar to that of TfBP immunoreactivity, a new member of the HSP108 family. The constitutive neuroglial localization of HSP108 could suggest that HSP108 may play an important role in the normal metabolism of neuroglial cells in the chicken brain.

An endogenous proteinacious inhibitor in porcine liver for S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent methylation reactions: identification as oligosaccharide-linked acyl carrier protein

A proteinacious inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet)-dependent transmethylation reactions was purified to homogeneity from porcine liver by size exclusion chromatography and FPLC. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was 12,222 Da. A 7400 Da polypeptide fragment of the purified inhibitor was sequenced by matrix-associated laser desorption ionization; time-of-flight MS, and was found to be identical with the known sequence of spinach acyl carrier protein (ACP). Although the remainder of the molecule was not clearly defined, 1H and H-H correlation of spectroscopy (COSY) NMR analysis revealed the presence of an oligosaccharide with alpha-glycosidic linkage. The purified oligosaccharide-linked ACP inhibited several AdoMet-dependent transmethylation reactions such as protein methylase I and II. S-farnesylcysteine O-methyltransferase, DNA methyltransferase and phospholipid methyltransferase. Protein methylase II was inhibited with a Ki value of 2.4 x 10(-3) M in a mixed inhibition pattern, whereas a well-known competitive product inhibitor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) had Ki value of 6.3 x 10(-6) M. Commercially available active ACP fragments (65-74) and ACP from Escherichia coli had less inhibitory activity toward S-farnesylcysteine O-methyltransferase than the purified inhibitor. The biological significance of this oligosaccharide-linked ACP which has two seemingly unrelated functions (inhibitor for transmethylation and fatty acid biosynthesis) remains to be elucidated.

The prevalence and associated risk factors of renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

Renal artery stenosis may be a cause of hypertension and a potential contributor to progressive renal insufficiency. However, the prevalence of renal artery disease in a general population is poorly defined. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of angiographically-determined renal artery narrowing in a patient population undergoing routine cardiac catheterization, and to identify the risk factors for renal artery stenosis. After left ventriculography, abdominal aortography was performed to screen for the presence of renal artery stenosis. A total of 427 patients (274 males, 153 females) were studied and the mean age was 59 years. Renal artery narrowing was identified in 10.5% of patients. Significant (> or = 50% diameter narrowing) renal artery stenosis was found in 24 patients (5.6%) and insignificant stenosis was found in 21 patients (4.9%). Significant unilateral stenosis was present in 4.2% of patients and bilateral stenosis was present in 1.4%. The stem of the renal artery was a more common site of stenosis in 62.2% of patients than in the ostium (37.8%), but the severity of stenosis was not significantly different according to the site of stenosis. By univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the association of clinical variables with renal artery stenosis was assessed. Multivariable predictors included age, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.05). The variables such as sex, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, renal insufficiency, as well as the presence of obesity, severity of coronary heart disease and D.M., were not associated. In conclusion, the prevalence of angiographically-determined renal artery narrowing in a patient population undergoing cardiac catheterization is 10.5%. Old age, hypertension and evidence of peripheral vascular disease represent the predictors of renal artery stenosis.

Studies on the antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of NQ304, a newly synthesized naphthoquinone derivative

The effect of p6304 (2-chloro-3-(4-hexylphenyl)-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone) as a novel antithrombotic agent was investigated. NQ304 was found to inhibit platelet aggregation in human platelets in vitro and in rat ex vivo, and murine pulmonary thrombosis in vivo. NQ304 potently inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, epinephrine and calcium ionophore-induced human platelet aggregation in vitro dose-dependently. In the ex vivo study, oral administration of NQ304 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation in rats. However, NQ304 was found not to affect the coagulation system, since it did not change the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT). The agent prevented death due to pulmonary thrombosis by the platelet aggregates in mice in vivo. In the mouse tail bleeding time test, NQ304 showed a significant prolongation of the tail bleeding time in conscious mice. These results suggest that a principal antithrombotic effect of NQ304 may be due to the antiplatelet aggregation activity but not to anticoagulation activity.

Metabolic acidosis and composite nutritional index (CNI) in CAPD patients

BACKGROUND

Metabolic acidosis (MA) has been recognized as an important stimulus for net protein catabolism. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is regarded to have advantage in normalizing the acid-base homeostasis over hemodialysis due to continuous supply of buffer. However, many CAPD patients still remain acidotic and the clinical impact of this MA is uncertain. Recent studies revealed no specific correlation between a certain degree of MA and protein nutritional status while others showed that mild alkalosis is nutritionally beneficial to CAPD patients. A cross-sectional study evaluating acid-base and nutritional status was performed to examine the relationship between acid-base status and overall nutritional status assessed by composite nutritional index (CNI) and to get a basic information about the optimal pH/HCO3 in CAPD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Total 198 clinically stable patients maintained on CAPD more than 6 months were evaluated. Each of 10 nutritional parameters of CNI consisting of clinical (subjective global assessment), biochemical (total lymphocyte count, albumin, prealbumin, insulin-like growth factor-1, transferrin) and anthropometric parameters (body mass index, % lean body mass, triceps skinfold thickness, midarm muscle circumference) was graded from 0 to 3 point (0; normal, 1; mildly decreased, 2; moderately decreased, 3; severely decreased).

RESULTS

Mean CNI score was 8.2 +/- 5.2 with a range of 0 to 25. CNI was positively correlated with age, duration of peritoneal dialysis, incidence of peritonitis, C-reactive protein (CRP), HCO3 and dialytic protein loss whereas it was inversely correlated with hemoglobin and nPNA. In patients with MA (n = 25, mean arterial HCO3 19.5 +/- 1.9 mM/l), CNI score was significantly lower (6.3 +/- 3.5) compared to patients with normal acid-base status (n = 63, 9.5 +/- 5.9, p < 0.01) or metabolic alkalosis (n = 47, 10.1 +/- 4.6, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the incidence of peritonitis, duration of dialysis, CRP and dialytic protein loss were the independent predictors of CNI.

CONCLUSIONS

CAPD patients with mild to moderate degree of MA appear to be associated with more favorable overall nutritional status expressed as CNI. Prospective studies evaluating changes in the nutritional parameters with the correction of acid-base abnormality are needed to understand the real impact of acid-base status on nutritional status and to know the optimal pH/HCO3 in CAPD patients.

Reconstruction of upper chest wall defects with a function-preserving pectoralis major muscle flap: case report

The pectoralis major muscle or myocutaneous flap has a nearly 100% success rate in reconstructing chest wall defects. Major adverse sequelae resulting from the use of the pectoralis major muscle or myocutaneous flap are rarely reported in the literature. However, the loss of pectoralis major muscle function caused by the detachment of the muscle from its insertion on the humeral bone is of more and more concern. This is a significant loss for manual laborers when the patient tries to handle tools or control heavy machinery. A case of upper sternal osteomyelitis is reported. After wide debridement with partial excision of the sternum, the second and third ribs, the right pleura, and the lung were exposed. A right unilateral pectoralis major muscle flap was transposed to restore the defect. In addition, to preserve the lateral portion of the muscle and its insertion on the humerus, the origin of the lower sternocostal part of the pectoralis major muscle was transposed to the medial clavicle and residual upper sternum. In this way, not only was the chest wall defect reconstructed but the function of the residual pectoralis major muscle was also preserved. Postoperative follow-up at one year demonstrated no arm weakness, no limitation in shoulder range of motion, and no evidence of atrophy of the transposed pectoralis major muscle. Our experience with this function-preserving pectoralis major muscle flap was encouraging and we suggest it be employed in the reconstruction of the upper anterior chest wall.

Wegener's granulomatosis in the elderly

Wegener's granulomatosis classically involves the upper respiratory tract, lungs and kidneys. Rarely, it also affects the skin and heart. Cardiac involvement is uncommon in Wegener's granulomatosis and myocardial infarction is seldom highlighted. It can be a difficult diagnosis to make in the elderly who often have multiple co-existing illnesses. We present a case of a 75-year-old Chinese woman with interesting cardiac and dermatological manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Autotaxin (ATX), a potent tumor motogen, augments invasive and metastatic potential of ras-transformed cells

Autotaxin (ATX), an exo-nucleotide pyrophosphatase and phosphodiesterase, was originally isolated as a potent stimulator of tumor cell motility. In order to study whether ATX expression affects motility-dependent processes such as invasion and metastasis, we stably transfected full-length ATX cDNA into two non-expressing cell lines, parental and ras-transformed NIH3T3 (clone7) cells. The effect of ATX secretion on in vitro cell motility was variable. The ras-transformed, ATX-secreting subclones had enhanced motility to ATX as chemoattractant, but there was little difference in the motility responses of NIH3T3 cells transfected with atx, an inactive mutant gene, or empty vector. In MatrigelTM invasion assays, all subclones, which secreted enzymatically active ATX, demonstrated greater spontaneous and ATX-stimulated invasion than appropriate controls. This difference in invasiveness was not caused by differences in gelatinase production, which was constant within each group of transfectants. In vivo studies with athymic nude mice demonstrated that injection of atx-transfected NIH3T3 cells resulted in a weak tumorigenic capacity with few experimental metastases. Combination of ATX expression with ras transformation produced cells with greatly amplified tumorigenesis and metastatic potential compared to ras-transformed controls. Thus, ATX appears to augment cellular characteristics necessary for tumor aggressiveness.

Localization of bcl-2 mRNA in the rabbit central nervous system

In this study, we demonstrated bcl-2 expression in the rabbit brain using in situ hybridization and compared the results with the studies done on the other animals. Although the bcl-2 expressions of the rabbit were generally similar to those of the other animals, some differences were also found; the cells in molecular and Purkinje cell layers of the cerebellum, which were bcl-2 negative in the others, showed intense bcl-2 positive signals, while the ependymal cells, arachnoid villi and granular layer, which were positive in the other animals, were not well stained with bcl-2 riboprobes in the rabbit brain. Our findings clearly showed the similarities and differences of rabbit bcl-2 mRNA as compared with the other species for the first time, and provided the basis of further study on the properties of bcl-2 in this species.

Purification and characterization of epidermis-origin hemolymph protein in Galleria mellonella

Epidermis-origin hemolymph protein (EOHP) was identified and purified from the last instar larval hemolymph of Galleria mellonella by anion exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing chromatography, and Sephadex G-100. The EOHP has a native molecular mass of 47 kDa and is composed of one subunit. The isoelectric point of the EOHP was determined to be 5.3. The amino acid composition of the EOHP was rich in aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine, but poor in tyrosine, methionine, and tryptophan. EOHP is present in hemolymph over the period from the 4th instar larvae to the adult stage examined. Concentration of EOHP is high during the larval stage but gradually decreased during the developmental stage from pupal to adult stage. EOHP is present in the cuticle, fat bodies and trachea but not in hemocytes, fore gut, mid gut and hind gut.

Distribution of P2X receptor subtypes in the rat female reproductive tract at late pro-oestrus/early oestrus

Using immunohistochemistry techniques, we have examined the female reproductive organs of the rat in late pro-oestrus/early oestrus for the presence of purine nucleotide P2X1-7 receptors. In contrast to the male genital organs and the urinary tract, P2X1 receptors were present weakly, if at all, on smooth muscle membranes, except in blood vessels, whereas P2X2 immunoreactivity in smooth muscle was present in ovary and uterus as well as in blood vessels. Neither P2X1 nor P2X2 receptors were present in fallopian tubes. P2X5 receptors were seen in the differentiating cell layers of the stratified squamous vaginal epithelium and also in the very early stages of ovarian follicular development; P2X6 receptors were present in secondary follicles. P2X7 receptors, markers for programmed cell death, were present in the keratinised vaginal epithelium and also in the exfoliating superficial endometrial cells. The possible biological significance of these signalling molecules in the female reproductive tract is discussed.

Transcriptional repression of the transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor gene by DNA methylation results in the development of TGF-beta resistance in human gastric cancer

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway subserves an essential tumor suppressor function in various cell types. A heteromeric complex composed of TGF-beta type I (RI) and type II (RII) receptors is required for TGF-beta signaling. We have identified a subset of human gastric cancer cell lines which are insensitive to TGF-beta and which express a low level of TGF-beta type I receptor mRNA relative to a gastric cancer cell line which is highly responsive to TGF-beta. Using these cells, we show that hypermethylation of a CpG island in the 5' region of the TGF-beta RI gene provides another potentially important mechanism of escape from negative growth control by TGF-beta. This hypermethylation was found in four of five human gastric cancer cell lines and five out of 40 (12.5%) primary tumors examined. In human gastric cancer cell lines, treatment with the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, resulted in increased expression of the TGF-beta RI gene, but not the RII gene. Transient transfection of an RI expression vector into the TGF-beta resistant SNU-601 cell line restores TGF-beta responsiveness. These findings suggest that one of the mechanisms of escape from autocrine or paracrine growth control by TGF-beta during carcinogenesis could involve aberrant methylation of CpG islands in the 5' region of the TGF-beta RI gene.

Differential expression of nitric oxide synthase in human stomach cancer

The level of expression and cellular localization of isoenzymes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was detected in human stomach tumor tissues. Tumor tissues showed 70% higher activity of NOS than that of normal tissues (P < 0.01). Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma tend to have higher activity (P < 0.05) than well differentiated and moderately differentiated tumor tissues. Aminoguanidine (AG), 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,3-thiazine (AMT), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) inhibited NOS activity in tumor tissues by 18, 14, 11 and 13%, respectively. The TNF-alpha mRNA expression was correlated with the inducible NOS (iNOS) level, which was high in adenocarcinomas and low in normal tissues. Tumor tissues showed higher expression of iNOS in gland epithelial cells but the level of eNOS was significantly decreased with an exception of concentrated localization in the proliferating capillary endothelium. These results revealed that isoforms of NOS might contribute differentially to growth and progression of human stomach tumor.

Hydrogen peroxide activates p70(S6k) signaling pathway

We investigated a possible role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in p70(S6k) activation, which plays an important role in the progression of cells from G(0)/G(1) to S phase of the cell cycle by translational up-regulation of a family of mRNA transcripts that encode for components of the protein synthetic machinery. Treatment of mouse epidermal cell JB6 with H(2)O(2) generated extracellularly by glucose/glucose oxidase led to the activation of p70(S6k) and p90(Rsk) and to phosphorylation of p42(MAPK)/p44(MAPK). The activation of p70(S6k) and p90(Rsk) was dose-dependent and transient, maximal activities being in extracts treated for 15 and 30 min, respectively. Further characterization of ROS-induced activation of p70(S6k) using specific inhibitors for p70(S6k) signaling pathway, rapamycin, and wortmannin revealed that ROS acted upstream of the rapamycin-sensitive component FRAP/RAFT and wortmannin-sensitive component phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, because both inhibitors caused the inhibition of ROS-induced p70(S6k) activity. In addition, Ca(2+) chelation also inhibited ROS-induced activation of p70(S6k), indicating that Ca(2+) is a mediator of p70(S6k) activation by ROS. However, down-regulation of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-responsive protein kinase C (PKC) by chronic pretreatment with TPA or a specific PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 did not block the activation of p70(S6k) by ROS, indicating that the activation of TPA-responsive PKC was not required for stimulation of p70(S6k) activity by H(2)O(2) in JB6 cells. Exposure of JB6 cells to platelet-derived growth factor or epidermal growth factor led to a rapid increase in H(2)O(2), phosphorylation, and activation of p70(S6k), which were antagonized by the pretreatment of catalase. Taken together, the results suggest that ROS act as a messenger in growth factor-induced p70(S6k) signaling pathway.

Inhibitory activity of nm23-H1 on invasion and colonization of human prostate carcinoma cells is not mediated by its NDP kinase activity

The human nm23-H1 gene product, a putative metastasis suppressor, was identified as nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) A isoform. To investigate the functional effect of nm23-H1's NDPK activity on its suppression of the components of metastatic phenotype, we transfected a human prostate carcinoma cell line, DU145, with the cDNA encoding nm23-H1 mutant protein lacking NDPK activity. The mutant nm23-H1 transfected cell lines displayed decreased invasiveness and colonization in soft agar as the wild-type nm23-H1 transfectants did when compared with the control transfected line. The results suggest that the metastasis suppressing function of nm23-H1 is independent of the NDPK enzymatic activity.

The anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of fractions from Cudrania cochinchinensis var. gerontogea

Various fractions of the ethanol extract from the root wood of Cudrania cochinchinensis var. gerontogea (Moraceae) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects on carrageenan-induced edema and hepatoprotective activities on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced and D-galactosamine-(D-GalN) induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. The fractions (n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O) displayed significant inhibitory activity against carrageenan-induced edema, and the active anti-inflammatory components were further localized in the n-BuOH fraction, which exhibited the greatest anti-inflammatory effect, an effect 5% greater than indomethacin (which was used as a standard reference substance). Each fraction exerted a significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing enzymatic alteration (sGOT and sGPT) and by improving hepatic lesions, including liver centrilobular inflammation, cell necrosis, fatty change, ballooning degeneration in CCl4-induced acute hepatitis; and necrosis of the portal area in D-GalN-induced acute liver injury. The n-BuOH and EtOAc fractions had the greatest hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced liver injury; in contrast, the CHCl3 fraction was most potent against D-GalN intoxication, which is comparable to silymarin, as a recognized hepatoprotective drug.