Identification of nucleolin as a binding protein for midkine (MK) and heparin-binding growth associated molecule (HB-GAM)

Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth/differentiation factor with a molecular weight of 13 kDa, and is structurally unrelated to fibroblast growth factors (FGF). We studied MK-binding proteins in order to clarify the action mechanism of MK. A 100-kDa protein was identified in PYS-2, 3T3, and L cells as an MK-binding protein by a ligand blot experiment. This MK-binding protein was purified by affinity chromatography on an MK-agarose column followed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sequence determination of N-terminal 23 amino acid residues revealed that the MK-binding protein was nucleolin, a major nucleolar protein, which functions as a shuttle protein between the nucleus and cytoplasm and is located also on the cell surface. Heparin-binding growth associated molecule (HB-GAM), which has 50% sequence identity with MK, fused to maltose-binding protein also bound to nucleolin. On the other hand, basic FGF (bFGF) scarcely bound to nucleolin in the absence of heparin, while both MK and bFGF bound weakly to nucleolin in the presence of heparin. Nuclear localization of MK was shown in hemangioma cells by immunohistochemical staining. These findings supported the hypothesis that parts of the MK and HB-GAM are translocated to the nucleus after binding with nucleolin.

Panning and immune electron-microscopic study of mucinous ovarian-cancer antigen-specific cells derived from malignantly transformed bloom-syndrome B-lymphoblastoid cells

We separated characteristic mucinous ovarian cancer (OVC) antigen cells from malignantly transformed Bloom syndrome (BS) cell line (BS-SHI-4M) with the panning procedure using OVC patients sera. We undertook an immune electron-microscopic and scanning electron-microscopic study to acquire information regarding the antigenic determinant of the membrane using pre-embedding method, as well as immunofluorescence (IF) study. The distribution of Protein A colloidal gold (PAG) grains on the cell membrane of mucinous OVC antigen cells paralleled that of fluorescein-conjugated anti-human IgG observed in the IF study. The three patterns of PAG labeling of uniform labeling, uniform partial labeling, and partial labeling of one side of the cell paralleled the three patterns of IF labeling observed under IF. These findings strongly suggest the immunological reaction of BS-SHI-4M OVC-MU antigen cells with the antibody of mucinous OVC patient serum. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the antigen which characterizes mucinous OVC has a band at 84000 MW.

Chronic pharmacological activities of the novel anxiolytic beta-carboline abecarnil in rats

Abecarnil, a novel beta-carboline anxiolytic, has been shown to possess potent anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activities with weak or no sedative and ataxic effects in relevant animal models. In the present study, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and amnesic effects of abecarnil after single and repeated treatments in rats were compared with those of diazepam. Both abecarnil (0.52-10 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (20 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant anticonflict effects in the water-lick test. Neither abecarnil (5 mg/kg, p.o.) nor diazepam (50 mg/kg, p.o.) produced any tolerance to anticonflict effects after 14 days of repeated treatment. Both abecarnil (5-50 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (20 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant anticonvulsant effects against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure. The anticonvulsant effects of abecarnil (5 mg/kg, p.o.) were not attenuated during 14 days of repeated treatment, but diazepam (20 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) produced tolerance to anticonvulsant effects after 5 days of repeated treatment. In the three-panel runway task, abecarnil at 5 mg/kg, p.o. impaired only working memory, but diazepam at 20 mg/kg, p.o. impaired working memory and at 50 mg/kg, p.o. markedly impaired reference and working memories. The amnesic effects of abecarnil disappeared rapidly within 2 to 3 days of repeated treatment, whereas that of diazepam decreased rapidly but persisted during 14 days of repeated treatment. Thus, chronic abecarnil was found to exhibit persistent anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects without any amnesic effects, in contrast to chronic diazepam.

Pharmacological characterization of the novel anxiolytic beta-carboline abecarnil in rodents and primates

beta-Carboline abecarnil was behaviorally and biochemically characterized as a new anxiolytic agent in rodents and primates in comparison with the benzodiazepine (BZ) anxiolytics. Oral treatment with abecarnil (0.5-10 mg/kg) showed a potent anticonflict activity in the water-lick test in rats. The minimal effective dose was lower than those of BZ anxiolytics, such as etizolam, diazepam, clotiazepam and tofisopam. Abecarnil also showed taming effects to suppress fighting and aggressive behaviors in mice and monkeys with little sedative and ataxic effects, in contrast to the BZ anxiolytics producing marked sedative and ataxic effects. Furthermore, abecarnil suppressed both the sedative and ataxic effects induced by diazepam. Abecarnil bound to rat cerebellar BZ1 receptors (Ki = 0.24 nM) with higher affinity than to rat spinal cord BZ2 receptors (Ki = 1.3 nM), whereas BZ derivatives bound to both the receptors with a low and equal affinity. GABA-ratios of abecarnil were 1.9 for the BZ1 receptors and 2.8 for the BZ2 receptors, and they were smaller than those of diazepam and flunitrazepam. Thus, in contrast to the BZ derivatives, abecarnil may act as a selective partial agonist at central BZ1 receptors, resulting in its potent anticonflict and taming effects with little sedative and ataxic effects.

Intra-arterial alcoholization of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

For the purpose of achieving emergency hemostasis of a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or prevention of such rupture, we applied a new method of transcatheter therapy: intra-arterial alcoholization. Five patients with a ruptured HCC and 42 with an impending rupture were treated by intra-arterial injection of absolute ethanol mixed with an equal volume of iodized oil, Lipiodol (EtOH-Lp). The tumor size ranged from 4 to 26 cm (mean 7.8 cm) in diameter. The catheter tip was placed in the segmental branch or a more distal position of the hepatic artery, and 2-40 (mean 10.6) ml of EtOH-Lp was infused under fluoroscopic guidance. Infiltration of ethanol into the HCC mass was recognized as a dense deposition of Lipiodol on plain abdominal X-rays and computed-tomography. In all five cases of ruptured HCC, hemostasis was achieved. In all 42 cases of impending rupture, tumor rupture was prevented, and all except 3 patients could be discharged. No significant complication of the gastrointestinal tract or biliary tract was seen. The incidence and severity of postembolization syndrome was markedly lower than those seen in cases treated with Gelfoam embolization.

Transgenic mouse lines with ectopic expression of alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase: production and characteristics

The cDNA of murine alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase was placed under the control of the beta-actin promoter and cytomegalovirus enhancer, then introduced into male pronuclei of fertilized mouse eggs. The three transgenic mouse lines obtained were analysed for the expression of the transferase by staining with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 (GSI-B4), which is alpha-galactosyl specific. Compared with wild-type mice, all lines of transgenic mice expressed GSI-B4 binding sites more intensely in the renal tubular brush border and lung alveolar epithelium, and newly expressed them in the photoreceptor outer segments, goblet cells of the small intestine and around spermatogonia. GSI-B4 binding sites were also detected in the liver of some transgenic mice. Even though the introduced enzyme gene was expressed in embryos, it did not severely hinder embryogenesis. The transgenic mice tended to secrete more proteins in the urine than the wild type. Furthermore, low body weights, partial damage to hair growth and early death occurred more frequently in the transgenic mice.

Mouse heparin binding protein-44 (HBP-44) associates with brushin, a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein antigen common to the kidney and teratocarcinomas

Heparin binding protein-44 (HBP-44) is a heparin binding protein of 44 kDa, found by cDNA cloning using antibodies against teratocarcinoma glycoproteins [Furukawa, T. et al. (1990) J. Biochem. 108, 297-302]. The N-terminal sequence analysis reported in this publication establishes the structure of its mature form. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that HBP-44 was located in the tubular brush border of the kidney. HBP-44 formed a complex with brushin, a high molecular weight (450 kDa) glycoprotein antigen common to the kidney and teratocarcinoma, but not with OR8 antigen, another antigen (350 kDa) of the same category. Brushin was shown to be the mouse counterpart of rat Heymann nephritis antigen, called gp330. The association between HBP-44 and brushin was revealed not only by co-precipitation upon indirect immunoprecipitation, but also by ligand blotting with HBP-44-maltose binding protein fusion protein. Calcium ion stabilized the association. Disulfide bonds in brushin seemed to be necessary for the complex formation, since reductive cleavage of the bonds resulted in failure of the protein to associate with HBP-44 in a ligand blotting experiment. Association of HBP-44 with brushin occurred both in teratocarcinoma cells, in which these molecules are mainly located in extraembryonic endoderm cells, and in the kidney, suggesting that the complex has an unknown common function in the renal tubular brush border and the extraembryonic endoderm.

[A case report of stage IV ovarian carcinoma treated with cancer chemotherapy and surgery]

A 53-year-old female in PS grade 4 was admitted to our hospital in April, 1992, with dyspnea and abdominal distention persisting for 1 month. An abdominal echogram suggested a malignant lesion of the left ovary with ascites and a chest radiogram showed massive effusion in the right pleural cavity. Cytology of the effusions confirmed adenocarcinoma. Supposing that both the ascites and the pleural effusion were due to metastases from the primary ovarian carcinoma, we soon carried out systemic cancer chemotherapy and bio-adhesio-chemo (BAC) therapy) in the right pleural space. In July, the patient underwent left oophorectomy. The tumor removed measured 23 x 18 x 11cm. Histology revealed an endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the left ovary. We placed small pieces of fibrin clots encapsulating CDDP in the abdominal cavity of the patient to prevent the recurrence of cancer. Postoperatively, the patient markedly improved to grade 0 in PS and could be discharged 2 months later. She has been receiving systemic cancer chemotherapy with periodical checkups. No evidence of either recurrence or metastasis has been observed. We obtained favorable results with our own types of therapy against advanced ovarian carcinoma.

[Advanced breast cancer with onset of multi-organ metastases successfully treated with combined loco-regional therapies: a case report]

A 56-year-old woman was referred to Shizuoka General Hospital on April 17, 1992, because of progressive jaundice and massive pleural effusion. A thorough work-up revealed the diagnosis of advanced left breast cancer complicated with direct invasion of the thoracic wall, pleural carcinomatosis, multiple liver and bone metastases and obstructive jaundice due to the hilar mass. From a prognostic point of view, we scheduled the treatment course as follows. First, we treated the chief complaints. After emergency drainage and chemo-adhesive therapy of the pleural lesion, percutaneous biliary drainage and radiotherapy were done for obstructive jaundice, followed by internal drainage with self-expandable metallic stents. For the primary cancer of the left breast, standard mastectomy was performed following 57 Gy of radiotherapy. MPA was also administered because estrogen-receptor was positive on the histological examination of the resected specimen. To complete the multi-disciplinary treatment, we implanted a vascular access percutaneously via the left femoral artery and started intermittent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. The patient was discharged on the 123rd hospital day and is well and active without any symptom 9 months thereafter.

The role of IgA anti-HLA class I antibodies in kidney transplant survival

The unusually high 88% one-year cadaver kidney graft survival rate in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) prompted us to investigate the influence of IgA anti-HLA class I antibodies on subsequent graft survival. We found that patients with various original diseases with IgA antibodies to the HLA molecule had high 91% one-year graft survival compared with 58% one-year survival for those who did not have preformed IgA antibodies against the HLA molecule prior to transplantation (P < 0.0005). The IgA antibodies were detected by reaction with class I HLA molecules isolated by capture with monoclonal antibody and detected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In contrast, IgG antibodies to the HLA molecule resulted in a lower one-year graft survival rate (74%) than in those patients without IgG antibodies (87%) (p = 0.08). IgA antibodies to the HLA molecule, when present, tended to react at a high frequency on a random lymphocyte panel. These findings suggest that sensitization resulting in IgA anti-HLA antibodies may counteract the deleterious effect of an IgG antibody response in clinical kidney transplantation.

A fixative suitable for in situ hybridization histochemistry

We compared the morphology and stability of hybridization signals between paraffin sections of rat retina fixed with commonly used 4% paraformaldehyde/PBS and those fixed with a fixative containing glutaraldehyde in in situ hybridization histochemistry, using a digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe complementary for beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase mRNA. Retinal detachment was frequently observed in the sections fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde-PBS, whereas the morphology was satisfactorily preserved in those fixed with either 0.5% glutaraldehyde, 4% paraformaldehyde-PBS, or 2.5% glutaraldehyde-PBS. Without glutaraldehyde, it was difficult to determine the most appropriate length of proteinase K digestion of tissue sections for facilitating probe penetration, since the optimal time for definite hybridization was variable among the retinal cells in heterogeneous layers. By addition of glutaraldehyde to paraformaldehyde or with glutaraldehyde alone, it was easy to establish the appropriate time for the unmasking procedure, since intense mRNA signals were constant throughout the retina by proteinase K digestion for more than 30-40 min. Using a fixative that causes stronger cross-linking (e.g., glutaraldehyde) is recommended to improve not only the morphology but also the stability of hybridization signals in in situ hybridization histochemistry with paraffin embedding and digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes.

Further studies on the effect of nitrogen dioxide on mast cells: the effect of the metabolite, nitrite

To evaluate the relationship between atmospheric nitrogen dioxide exposure and the development of allergic diseases, the effects of nitrite as a chemical product of inhaled nitrogen dioxide on mast cell functions were investigated. We have studied nitrite-induced histamine release from two functionally distinct mast cell populations, namely peritoneal mast cells (PMC) and intestinal mucosal mast cells (IMMC) of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected rats. High concentrations of nitrite alone (10, 20, and 50 mM) induced histamine release from IMMC, but not from PMC. Moreover, histamine release from PMC and IMMC stimulated with sensitizing antigen was significantly enhanced by pretreatment with 50 mM nitrite or nitrate. No differences in histamine release from nitrite-treated and control PMC were seen below 1 mM. To investigate the effect of nitrite on tumor cell cytotoxic activity, PMC were incubated with various concentrations of nitrite. Pretreatment with 5 and 50 mM nitrite markedly depressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-dependent natural cytotoxicity of PMC for the tumor target WEHI-164. Thus, high concentrations of nitrite enhanced mast cell histamine release, but depressed TNF-alpha-dependent cytotoxicity. However, low concentrations of nitrite (< 1 mM) that would normally be produced by short-term atmospheric exposure to nitrogen dioxide may have no significant effects on mast cell functions.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for a 59 kD bone sialoprotein of the rat: demonstration that it is a counterpart of human alpha 2-HS glycoprotein and bovine fetuin

A complementary DNA (cDNA) for the 59 kD bone sialoprotein, which is supposed to be the rat counterpart of human alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (alpha 2-HSG) and is synthesized by both hepatocytes and osteoblasts, has been cloned from a rat liver cDNA library. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies to rat 59 kD bone sialoprotein were used to identify and isolate the cDNA. The amino acid sequence of 59 kD bone sialoprotein deduced from the cDNA revealed that the entire protein consisted of 352 amino acid residues, including a signal peptide of 18 amino acid residues, and contained three possible N-glycosylation sites. On Northern blot analysis of rat liver, an mRNA of about 1.5 kilobases was detected. An mRNA of 59 kD bone sialoprotein was also detectable in rat bone but not in other tissues, such as kidney, brain, and lung. A computer search of protein and nucleic acid data bases revealed that 68.2, 63.2, and 97.4% amino acid residues of 59 kD bone sialoprotein were identical with those of human alpha 2-HSG, bovine fetuin, and rat phosphorylated N-glycoprotein (pp63), respectively. The positions of cysteine residues in 59 kD bone sialoprotein also completely matched those in human alpha 2-HSG and bovine fetuin, indicating that the sialoprotein is the rat counterpart of human alpha 2-HSG and bovine fetuin. In addition, comparison of the nucleotide sequence of cDNA for rat fetuin/alpha 2-HSG with that for pp63 recently corrected showed only two differences in nucleotides in the entire protein coding regions of the two proteins, and immunoreactive rat fetuin/alpha 2-HSG in the conditioned medium of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture was found to be phosphorylated. Thus, because rat fetuin/alpha 2-HSG isolated from bone and synthesized by osteoblasts in culture does not contain phosphorus, it seems to be pp63 dephosphorylated during circulation or in the bone matrix.

Embigin, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed in embryonic cells, enhances cell-substratum adhesion

Embigin is a glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, and is preferentially expressed before 10 days of gestation during mouse embryogenesis. To study its function, an embigin cDNA under the control of beta-actin promoter and Rous sarcoma virus enhancer was introduced into L cells. Transfectants expressing embigin were found to have enhanced cell-substratum adhesion activity, which was evident by microscopic observation and could be determined quantitatively by culturing cells on plastic dishes in serum-free medium containing 0.05% bovine serum albumin. After 6 hr of culture about 50% of the transfected cells adhered to the dish, whereas parental cells scarcely adhered. The enhanced cell-substratum adhesion was Ca2+ dependent and inhibited by an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide, which competitively inhibits integrins, and also by anti-integrin antiserum. Thus, one role of embigin appears to be promotion of integrin-mediated cell-substratum adhesion.

Reticulocalbin, a novel endoplasmic reticulum resident Ca(2+)-binding protein with multiple EF-hand motifs and a carboxyl-terminal HDEL sequence

A novel Ca(2+)-binding protein, tentatively designated reticulocalbin, has been identified and characterized. Reticulocalbin is a luminal protein of the endoplasmic reticulum with an M(r) of 44,000 as revealed by biochemical analysis and immunofluorescence staining. The cDNA of reticulocalbin encodes a protein of 325 amino acids with an amino-terminal signal sequence of 20 amino acids. The protein has six repeats of a domain containing the high affinity Ca(2+)-binding motif, the EF-hand. Although oxygen-containing amino acids important for the positioning of Ca2+ are conserved in all six domains, the conserved glycine residues in the central portion of the EF-hand motif are absent in three of them. Calcium blots showed that recombinant reticulocalbin expressed in bacterial cells binds Ca2+. The protein has the sequence His-Asp-Glu-Leu (HDEL) at its carboxyl terminus. This is similar to the Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu sequence, which serves as a signal to retain the resident proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of animal cells. A mutant protein lacking the HDEL sequence produced by in vitro mutagenesis has been shown to be secreted into medium in transient expression assays.

Developmental change of distribution of beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase mRNA in rat retina

A substantial change in the glycoconjugates of the rat interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) has recently been shown to occur between post-natal day (P) 14 and P16 in rat retinas using lectin histochemistry. This suggests that the sialic acid content on the terminus of N-glycoside linked carbohydrate chains of the IPM increases between P14 and P16. In the present study, to test this hypothesis, we examined the developmental change of distribution of beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase mRNA in rat retina using in situ hybridization histochemistry. C-DNA of rat alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase was isolated by PCR and cloned into the polylinker site of Bluescript KS (+). Antisense and sense RNA probes were labelled with digoxigenin-UTP by in vitro transcription with T3 and T7 RNA polymerases, respectively. Paraffin sections of rat retinas between P12 and P42 were incubated with the antisense or sense RNA probes. Specific labelling with the antisense probe was observed strongly in the cytoplasm of all ganglion cells and weakly in partial cells of the inner nuclear layers throughout the examined postnatal days. A remarkable change was observed in the photoreceptor cells between P14 and P16. Hybridization signals of the outer nuclear layer was observed from P14, while those of the inner segments were detected on P16 and thereafter. The alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase newly expressed in the inner segments on P16 appears to sialylate the Gal beta 1, 4GlcNAc residue of N-glycosidically linked glycoconjugates of the IPM, resulting in the change of lectin staining profiles.

Megakaryocytic ploidy in myelodysplastic syndromes

The megakaryocytic ploidy was microfluorometrically measured in 12 normal controls and 15 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients using DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining after destaining of the Wright-Giemsa (WG) stain. MDS patients had slightly more immature megakaryocytes when compared with normal controls. The megakaryocytic ploidy distribution had a peak at 16N in normal controls, at 8N in the 11 of the 15 MDS patients, and at 4N in the remaining 4 patients, which is suggestive of impaired polyploidization in MDS patients. In MDS, micromegakaryocytes were shown not to be immature but much more impaired in polyploidization than non-micromegakaryocytes. However, there was no difference in the megakaryocytic ploidy pattern among the type of the modification of Feinendegen' classification in each case for both the normal controls and the MDS patients, suggesting that the megakaryocytic ploidy is probably determined at the maturation level of the megakaryoblasts or the precursor cells. The study of megakaryocytic ploidy before and after therapy in the case of refractory anemia with excess of blasts might suggest that the remission of MDS patients might be qualitatively different from that seen in acute leukemia patients. Furthermore, the DNA histogram of the megakaryocytes from one of the two MDS patients obtained by the new method, which is able to determine the amount of DNA in the immunologically identified megakaryocytes microfluorometrically, using the monoclonal anti-glycoproteins IIb/IIIa antibody on bone marrow smears, showed a shift towards small ploidy compared with those defined on the basis of WG staining. This finding indicates that the micromegakaryocytes or the megakaryoblasts which could not be identified morphologically can be identified immunologically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of colony-forming unit-erythroid colonies in myelodysplastic syndrome patients

The microcytofluorometrical method was applied to determine the relative hemoglobin (Hb) content in the bone marrow colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) colonies from 6 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and 10 healthy subjects. This method relies on a photochemical reaction, by which intracellular Hb is converted into fluorescent porphyrin using a 0.2 M mercaptoethylamine solution (an SH donor) and violet light (lambda = 405 nm). The relative Hb content was determined as a function of the intensity of emitted porphyrin fluorescence. The number of colonies identified by porphyrin fluorescence was smaller in MDS patients than in normal subjects. The relative Hb content was also lower in MDS patients than in normal subjects. In addition, the coefficient of variation of the relative Hb content in the CFU-E colonies was larger in MDS patients than in normal subjects. These findings suggest that colonies with low relative Hb content undergo impaired erythropoiesis and that the CFU-E colonies undergoing the impaired erythropoiesis are mixed with CFU-E colonies showing normal erythropoiesis in the bone marrow of MDS patients.